Gallery: Act 1

THUNDERBOLT AND MARY ANN ACT ONE FIRST DRAFT

“Thunderbolt and Mary ann: Film Script” is: 0-646-43121-8

1 EKF. THUNDERBOLT’S GRAVE, URALLA THUNDERSTORM. DAY

ESTABLISHING SHOT….

The script opens at Uralla where Thunderbolt, Fred Ward is buried in the Uralla cemetery. It is late in the day, a storm is brewing, the sky is heavy with dark clouds and flashes of lightning rent the air as a gracious OLD WOMAN in black crinoline walks slowly through the graves as credits are run.

CUT TO….

Thunderbolt’s Song by Eve Hobbs

I stand in the saddle and stretch my hand

To a little niche in the stone

And I pull myself to the top of the rock

To make sure that I am alone

Then duck down into the saddle

And away on the Northern Road

For Cobb & Co are on their way

And I want some of the load.

The moon will be lined with wonder

As I take their silver and gold

And the women white and frightened

For I am a bushranger bold

Then back I ride to the mountains

To hide til the hunt cools down

Then I’ll share my spoils with the needy folk

Who live in Uralla town

I love this wild north country

As I ride with the wild and the free

And my horse and I are like brothers

And he shares my dangers with me.

We see Mary Ann as she passes the names of various town dignitaries. She pauses at one and raises her umbrella in a gesture of disgust.

CUT TO

GRAVESTONE ~HOWING NAME CAPTMN JOHN MCCLEAN

BORN 1810

DIED 1875

CLOSE UP

Mary Ann carries a wreath of bushflowers in her other hand as she

turns away.

MJD SHOT

Then I ride to an old Green Valley pub

Where they smuggle me in the back door

And I drink their wine & eat to my f~

Till I can take no more.

Old John Smith guards the window

While young Bill keeps watch at the door

He’s spinning our sleep wrapped in blankets

In the makeshift bed on the floor.

But the daylight comes and I must be off

And I join with the birds and sing

The wild bees buzz around my face

And life is a goodly thing.

But the policeman must have his turn some day

And I hope that my blood runs free

To sleep in the earth by a reedy creek

Or under a bloodwood tree

But my spirit will ride

That Northern road, ride to a well known spot

And I’ll stand on my saddle and place my hand

In that little niche on the rock.

And I’ll stand again on my lookout

And here there’s no bars or luck

And I’ll thank the folk of Uralla town

For giving me Thunderbolt’s Rock.

She stops at Thunderbolt’s grave and crying she places the posy on the grave and takes a bundle of letters from a small cake tin which lies at the foot of the grave.

NARRATOR: I’ll meet you again soon now. (SIGHS).

CUT TO….

She opens the letters and then reads

MARY ANN:

Eva died in May after a short illness and I’m alone now.

Wish that you could come here and be with me in my time of need

CLOSE UP

Mary Ann sighs and scans the love letter reading love Henry Perdriau

CUT TO…

CAMERA ThLESCOPES UP TO SKY AND STORM AND

LIGHTNING AND THUNDER.

DISSOLVE…

2 EXT. BALMAIN MANSION DINING ROOM.THUNDERSTORM. DAY

ESTABLISHING SHOT…

A storm over Balmain in the early 1850’s.

PAN TO….

This scene is set in the wealthy home of boat builder and ferry owner HENRY PERDRIAU facing Cockatoo Island across the water.

CUT TO….

Mary Ann is serving at table where CAPTAIN MCLEAN the Superintendent of Convicts is a guest of her employer MR HENRY

PERDRIAU, boat builder, who approaches the window as Mary Ann is about to close it.

HENRY: (APPROACHING MARY ANN AND LOOKING OUT WINDOW)

Just a moment. (TUPNING TO MCLEAN) The storm’s getting closer. warn ,it hit the regatta fleet. do you think?

MCLEAN:

Where are they now?

HENRY:

They’re off Cockatoo Island. The southerly’s very close by the look of that sky.

MCLEAN:

Hope none of them get washed onto Cockatoo. Don’t want them sheltering there. The prisoners might get it into their heads to take the boat and try to. escape.

HENRY:

Not likely. Didn’t you tell me the other day no-one had escaped from Cockatoo.

MCLEAN:

That, I did. But with a boat, that would be different.

HENRY:

You mean they wouldn’t swim that short distance.

MCLEAN:

Did you see the shark the whalers caught off Longnose Point last week? It was a monster, over 15 feet long.

HENRY:

I’m glad I didn’t see it. I fell off the ferry last week.

MCLEAN:

What happened?

HENRY:

I was on the Gipsy Queen. She stopped to ‘take a breath’ just off the whalf. I jumped ashore. Landed in the water. The coxswain pulled me out.

MCLEAN:

You really should learn to swim, its risky when you’re on the water all the time.

HENRY (INTERRUPTING)

Ah, but I’m the owner.

MCLEAN:

Even the owner can drown.

HENRY:

(CLOSES SHUTTERS)

Or be taken by sharks.

MARY ANN:

(CLOSING THE SHUTTERS)

Will you be needing anything else Sir?

HENRY:

Yes there is Mary Ann, I want you to go to the wharf and pick up a parcel for me.

MARY ANN:

Yes Sir (curtsies and departs)

FADE OUT…

3 EXT. BALMAIN ROUGH TRACK. THUNDERSTORM. DAY ESTABLISHING SHOT…

MARY ANN is walking down the settlement’s only road, a rough dirt track to the wharf, through bush scrub. She arrives at the wharf to find party of convicts being unloaded in chains. To her surprise she knows one and in the confusion is able to speak to FRED WARD.

MARY ANN.

(SURPRISED)

Fred, I thought you were at Total.

FRED:

It’s good to see you Mary Ann, but not this way.

MARY ANN:

(OBSERVING HIS HANDCUFFS)

What’s happened?

FRED:

(~VELY)

I’ve been sentenced to Cockatoo for seven years. That bastard I worked. he asked me to take some horses to Windsor markets. Turned out they were not his.

CUT TO..

Mary Ann’s dismayed look

CUT TO..

GUARD approach swinging his baton.

GUARD:

Prisoners cannot talk to the likes of you. On your way.

MARY ANN: (SAUCY)

I’m here on business.

Mr Henry Perdiau sent me and I’ll thank you to keep a civil tongue in your head.

GUARD:

That’ll be enough. On your way then

(TURNING TO FRED, HITS HIM WITH BATON)

Move, or I’ll tan your hide

CUT TO…

Mary Ann goes up the gangplank and onto the vessel.

CUT TO…

FRED and other prisoners and guards slowly walk up the track as

MARY ANN turns to watch them.

CUT TO…

An Aboriginal girl EMMA bumps into her.

EMMA: (giggling)

Hey; watch out. You’ll fall in and the sharks will get you

MARY ANN:

Don’t be silly. I go swimming in the water every day

EMMA (FRIGHTENED):

What about the sharks.

(DERISWE)

MARY ANN:

They won’t get you

EMMA:

How can you be sure.

MARY ANN:

The shark is my totem. I can swim safely as long as I take this…

SHOWS THE SACRED CHURINGA AROUND HER NECK

EMMA:

What’s that?

MARY ANN:

Its my totem. As long as I carry this I can pass safety.

EMMA:

(POINTING TO PARCEL)

Who’s that parcel for?

MARY ANN:

(HOLDING IT UP TO READ IT)

Mr. Henry Perdriau Esquire, Owner Gipsy

Queen, Balmain

EMMA:

You can’t read

MARY ANN

Oh yes I can, I went to school you know.

EMMA:

(DISBELIEVING)

You’re just saying that

MARY ANN:

No, here

CUT TO…

(FERRY HAND AS SHE GRABS A NEWS SHEET AND READS)

Swift Whistle wins Balmain Regatta (Details of race from Dad’s books)

FADE OUT…

4 E)U’. FISHING IN JOHNSON’S BAY BALMAIN. HIGH ~DE DAY

ESTABLISHING SHOT…

MARY ANN follows EMMA around to Johnson’s Bay where a large group of Aboriginals are fishing in water up to their chests.

CUT TO…

They watch from shore as the women dig for cockles with their feet and place them in baskets which float beside them.

EMMA:

(HANDING A BASKET TO MARY ANN)

Here we try.

The

MARY ~

I really should be going back. Henry will be missing me.

EMMA:

(TAKING OFF HER CLOTHES)

Take off your clothes and leave them here.

CUT TO…

She holds the SACRED CHURINGA AROUND MARY ANN’S NECK ADDING…

Not this of course. Are you sure this will protect us from sharks?

MARY ANN:

(GOING INTO THE WATER)

Yes, come on now.

We see EMMA and MARY ANN swim out to join the others in the water.

FADE OUT.

5- EXT. GARDEN OF MCLEANS COTTAGE BALMAIN. NOON NEKF DAY

ESTABLISHING SHOT…

High Fence view of market gardens and house as Mary Ann enters gate

past the guard.

CUT TO…

FRED WARD is in chains being brought from Cockatoo Island

CUT TO…

The warden is making a market garden on the mainland. (MARY ANN is a regular McClean’s visitor to as her boss Henry is his friend.

CUT TO…

MARY ANN enters house

NARRATOR:

MCCLEAN operated market gardens for profit. the prisoners grew vegetables for the Sydney markets and he gave them fly blown carcasses and mealy flour, while his pockets filled and his belly grew fatter. and to think I liked him at first…

CUT TO…

Closeup of a waratah as a bee lands on it Fred is looking about as the bee lands and as Mary Ann appears behind it.

FRED:

(EYES ON MARY ANN)

Your bright eyes haunt me still, when will you be my lady…?

MARY ANN:

(LOOKING AT THE WARATAH)

Do you know the story of the waratah?

CUT TO..

In the Dreamtime, the Ancestor Being Toonco was taken away by the Spirit to dwell in the moon. Nargardi waited back at the gunyah at the bottom of the mountain wondering where Toonco was. As she squatted by the fire she told the children about the kookaburra and how he laughed and how the animals came to live there. Then Nargardi went to look for him by herself.As she looked up she saw the stars rising in a clear crystal sky and the moon coming over the mountain.

CUT TO..

KOOKABURRA LAUGHING

To her surprise she saw Toonco’s face in the sickle moon. Her arms reached out. She climbed the mountain When she reached the top she was so exhausted she fell down and cried. Her tears ran down her cheeks down the sides of the mountain. Her tears were so sad they formed the creeks and rivers. That’s why today the creeks sing peacefully as they rush by into the rivers. When she sighed the wind blew and the light of creation appeared. Dawn came and if he ever returned, she left her heart on the mountain for him to find. Today it is the waratah.

THEY ARE HIDDEN . . OUT OF SIGHT. BENEATH A TREE, BEHIND SOME SHRUBS.

CLOSE UP..

FRED DRAWS HER TO HIM

FRED:

I want to swim across from Cockatoo Island. Will you help me escape?

and drive a coach and pair with me to Monkerai?

MARY ANN:

Dreams Fred, but perhaps there is a way..

FRED:

I must get these chains off. I have a plan to get away at night and hide. I have a friend who will help get the chains off. Then I’ll swim over, but I’m afraid of the sharks.

MARY ANN:

Don’t be afraid of the sharks. The shark is my totem In the Dreamtime, in the mountains of my country, you call it Barrington Tops, its north of here, the earth smokes from the great fires below and the rivers run free to the nearby sea. My people fished with the help of the dolphins. They called them with their clapping sticks and the dolphins came.

FRED:

Yes, I’ve seen your people do that.

MARY ANN.

One day after the white men came , some Aboriginal people where hunting fish with the help of the dolphins. A White man’s ship came into the shoals of the bay. The men saw the dolphins and with their rifles they shot at them.

The leader of the Aboriginals pointed to sea at another fin and the men shot at that one, a shark, and the dolphins escaped. My people do not fear the shark, they learned that all things in nature have their place.

CUT TO..

A guard approaches through the garden towards their hiding place.

MARY ANN:

Fred take this for,

CUT TO…

She breaks the CHURINGA TWIN QUARTZ CRYSTAL IN HALF It will protect you. When you can do so swim across, my spirit ancestors will be with you but you must return it for I may be in danger and need it one day.

CUT TO…

Guard approaches and as they move out of hiding place.

GUARD:

You again, I told you to stay away from here.

(GRABBING HER BY THE ARM)

On your way, you trollop.

14(TO FRED) As for you, you’ll be back in solitary if you’re not careful.

Mary Ann runs through the garden towards McLean’s house.

1 EXT COCKATOO ISLAND NIGHT

ESTABLISHING SHOT….

FRED WARD and FRED BRITTEN are hiding in a boiler on the shore.

CUT TO…

CAPTAIN MCLEAN and WARDERS are patrolling with dogs on leashes, torches FLASH and sirens SOUND.

CUT TO…

PRISONERS in the old boiler by the shore. High tide and the water in the boiler is rising.

FRED BRITTEN:

The water’s rising, we’ll not be able to breathe!

FRED WARD:

We’d best go soon. The moon’s nearly down. It’ll be as dark as hell.

CUT TO..

They swim out from under the boiler through the entrance hole.

CUT TO..

The dolphins in the moonlight as the moon goes down.

CUT TO..

Steamer leaving Sydney Harbour as sun rises.

(TO FRED) As for you, you’ll be back in solitary if you’re not careful.

Mary Ann runs through the garden towards McLean’s house.

1 EXT COCKATOO ISLAND NIGHT

ESTABLISHING SHOT….

FRED WARD and FRED BRITTEN are hiding in a boiler on the shore.

CUT TO…

CAPTAIN MCLEAN and WARDERS are patrolling with dogs on

leashes, torches FLASH and sirens SOUND.

CUT TO…

PRISONERS in the old boiler by the shore. High tide and the water in the boiler is rising.

FRED BRITTEN:

The water’s rising, we’ll not be able to breathe!

FRED WARD:

We’d best go soon. The moon’s nearly down. It’ll be as dark as hell.

CUT TO..

They swim out from under the boiler through the entrance hole.

CUT TO..

The dolphins in the moonlight as the moon goes down.

CUT TO..

Steamer leaving Sydney Harbour as sun rises.

WILL:

So would you. But they have been after you for years.

FRED:

Bah, they’ll never take me alive. But with you it would be another matter. I have had two boys already. The first, poor young Thompson was shot last April, 12 months near Bathurst in a fight with the police. The other Mason was taken a month ago

and he is now in goal. You had better go home Will.

WILL:

I’ll never go home. I’ll die first.

FRED:

A few beatings more or less, what do they mean to a hard young fella like you? You’ll soon be too big to beat. Remember you have a mother to think of. How would she feel if you turned bushranger?

WILL LOOKS SHEEPISH

FRED:

Let me tell you my own story. When I was a boy, not much older than you, I got mixed up with some cattle thieves they were, though I didn’t know it then. One day the police came upon us in the bush and arrested us all. We were tried for stealing cattle and though I tell you before God,

Will that I was innocent, I was convicted with the others and sentenced to a long term of imprisonment on Cockatoo Island. I think I felt then, pretty much as you do now, just as if the whole world was against me and I against the world. Boy, I swore to be revenged to the world that treated me so badly and I have. If I had my time over again, I would have served my time and tried to lead an honest life so help me God.

SADDLES HIS HORSE

WILL:

I have left home forever. Let me go with you Fred.

FRED:

I am going to my camp. Its one and a half miles down river. Think over what I’ve said for a few hours and if you are still in the same mine, come to my camp. I’m cursed lonely some times, but for your own sake, I advise you not to look me up again. Go home boy.

FRED RIDES OFF.

FADE OUT..

3 EXT BUSH CAMP DOWN RIVER DAY

ESTABLISHING SHOT..

Fred is seated on a log mending a saddle and singing as Will appears.

SONG

Oh, don’t you remember Sweet Alice Ben Bolt

Sweet Mice with hair so brown,

Who wept with delight when you gave her a smile,

And trembled with fear at your frown

In the old churchyard in the valley Ben Bolt

In a corner obscure and alone

They have fitted a slab of granite so grey And Sweet Alice lies under the stone.

FRED:

You haven’t taken my advice then Will.

WILL:

I want to stay with you.

FRED:

You have fully considered the consequences.

WILL:

Yes

FRED:

All right my boy. They tell me you are a good rider.

WILL:

BOASTING

I can ride anything that ever was foaled.

FRED:

Can you handle a revolver?

WILL:

CRESTFALLEN

No.

FRED:

I’ll soon teach you. But first our contract. Do you know what an oath is?

WILL:

Yes

FRED:

You wouldn’t break one, if you took one.

WILL:

No, nor my word either.

FRED:

GOOD, then kneel and repeat what I say. I, Will Monckton…

WILL:

I Will Monckton..

FRED:

Swear by the most high God

WILL:

Swear by the most high God

FRED:

That I will be true to Thunderbolt till the death

WILL:

That I will be true to Thunderbolt to the death

FRED:

That’s all Will. I want no more than truth from you. Truth contains everything.

FRED GETS TO HIS KNEES.

FRED:

I, Frederick Ward, known as Thunderbolt, call God to witness that I shall be true to Will Monckton to the death.

WILL:

Thank you Sir

FRED:

You may call me Fred

FRED LIGHTS HIS PIPE

WILL:

You don’t truely wish to lead an honest life do you? If you did you could easily escape out of the country couldn’t you?

FRED:

Easily.

WILL:

Then why don’t you, I’d go with you Fred.

NARRATOR:

And so it was, he risked the sharks wearing my totem. We headed by steamer for the Hawksbury River, on my employer’s vessel. I travelled in class for Henry had work for me in Gloucester and I had arranged to see my family. FRED & BRITTEN hid in the cargo hold, where I smuggled food to them at night.

1 EXT. TOLLBAR CAMPBELL’S HILL MAITLAND DAY

A RIDER approaches the tollbar seemingly to pay the toll for the

use of the road. He dismounts and knocks on the door,

CUT TO…

FRED enters the tollbar where the TOLLKEEPER has fallen asleep reading

the paper.

CUT TO…

A cashbox in front of him,

CUT TO..

He looks up suddenly frightened.

DELANEY

My God, I thought it must have been a thunderbolt’

FRED

And so it is, and this is my bolt’,

(AIMING HIS PISTOL AT DELANEY’S HEAD)

FRED:

Over there, in the comer …..near the dresser.

DELANEY:

(FRIGHTENED HOLDS HANDS ABOVE HIS HEAD)

FRED:

Give me your money.

DELANEY:

I have none.

FRED:

Give me your money or you will be very sorry.

DELANEY: (SHAKING WITH FEAR)

I tell you there’s no money here. My mate’s just taken it to Maitland.

CUT TO…

FRED MOVES OVER BEHIND HIM

CUT TO…

OPENS A CUPBOARD WHILST ~LL WATCHING DELANEY.

CUT TO…

HE~TAKES OUT A CASHBOX. CUT TO…

WITHOUT OPENING IT HE BACKS OUT THE DOOR.

FRED:

Over there, in the comer near the dresser.

DELANEY:

(FRIGHTENED HOLDS HANDS ABOVE HIS HEAD)

FRED:

Give me your money.

DELANEY:

I have none.

FRED:

Give me your money or you will be very sorry.

DELANEY: (SHAKING WITH FEAR)

I tell you there’s no money here. My mate’s just taken it to Maitland.

CUT TO…

FRED MOVES OVER BEHIND HIM

CUT TO…

OPENS A CUPBOARD WHILST ~LL WATCHING DELANEY.

CUT TO…

HE’TAKES OUT A CASHBOX. CUT TO…

WITHOUT OPENING IT HE BACKS OUT THE DOOR.

FRED:

It’s Captain Thunderbolt you’ve met and I bid you good day.

CUT TO…

VIEW THROUGH DOORWAY AS FRED crosses the road to where

his horse is tied up,

CUT TO…

mounts and gal lop5 off cashbox under his arm

CLOSE UP..

Delaney looking startled and frightened

DISSOLVE

CUT TO..

DELANEY goes to door as a cart and DRIVER approach

DELANEY

What can I do for you?

DRIVER:

Here’s the toll, though I begrudge it!

DELANEY:

Forget the toll, go to the troopers and tell them I’ve been robbed. He came in like a thunderbolt and took the cashbox.

Driver and cart take off

FADE OUT

2 INT. POLICE STATION

ESTABLISHING SHOT…

POLICE TROOPER is behind a desk cleaning his gun as the DRWER

runs in puffing and excited.

DRIVER:

He was like a Thunderbolt!

TROOPER:

(CONTINUES CLEANING HIS GUN)

Like a Thunderbolt?

DRIVER:

That’s what the tollkeeper said.

CUT TO…

TROOPER puts down his gun and begins taking a statement as

CUT TO…

newspaper editor walks in.

TROOPER:

Thunderbolt robs Maitland tollbar.

EDITOR:

It’ll just make the late edition.

CUT TO…

EDITOR rushed out of the police station. FADE OUT…

3 EXT. SPREAD EAGLE INN, RUTHERFORD RACECOURSE

DAY

The tollkeeper Delaney rides up to the Spread Eagle Inn at Rutherford To his surprise he sees Ward on his horse outside the hotel.

FRED (JOVIALLY):

‘Hello! Come after me?’

DELANEY:

‘Not likely, I’m going to the pub’.

FRED:

Has your mate gone for the crushers, then?’

DELANEY:

No, there’s no-one to mind the tollbar’

FRED PUTIING HIS HAND IN HIS POCKET TO REMOVE THE 4

SHILLINGS IN COPPERS, THE ONLY TAKINGS FROM THE

CASHB OX.

FRED:

I’m a bushranger, but you may meet a worse one than me. I was put on a bet to stick up your place. I was told there were 200 sovereigns there and that you were Young, the flash fighting man who kept the tollbar. If I met him I’ll take it out of him. But I intend you no harm.

20 DELANEY:

(CHEEKILY)

Where’s the cashbox.

FRED:

You’ll find your cashbox behind that clump (POINTING) of trees, and here’s your money.

(HANDING DOWN THE MONEY).

CLOSE UP..

TOLLKEEPER’S FACE. (AMAZED LOOK)

CUT TO..

FRED GALLOPS OFF AS THE TOLL KEEPER RETRIEVES THE CASHBOX.

FADE OUT…

4 INT. SPREAD EAGLE INN RUTHERFORD DAY

ESTABLISHING SHOT…

FRED steps onto verandah as MRS BYRNE opens the door.

FRED:

Have you anything to eat?

MRS BYRNE:

(STARTLED BY FRED PISTOLS IN BELT)

Yes certainly, come in.

CUT TO…

FRED SITS DOWN AT A TABLE AND BREAD AND MEAT ARE

SERVED TO HIM.

CLOSE UP…

HE BEGINS TO EAT HE~LY AND SOON FINISHES HIS

MEAL.

FRED:

Haven’t tasted anything as good as that for a while. How much do I owe you?

MRS BYRNE:

I wouldn’t charge for a little thing like that.

FRED:

I came to rob you, but as you are so hospitable, I won’t do so. I’ll have a bottle of rum though,

(HANDING HER THE MONEY WHICH SHE TAKES),

…and I’ll have some bread and cheese.

CUT TO…

HE WALKS OUTSIDE

CUT TO…

FROM MRS BYNE’S VIEW THROUGH THE DOOR, WE SEE FRED

MOUNT HIS HORSE AND RIDE OFF SINGING

My name is Frederick Ward

I am a native of this isle

I have surveyed Australia true

For many a thousand mile.

I ride a chestnut colt

And the bobbies are after me

They call me Thunderbolt!

CUT TO..

FOUR MOUNTED TROOPERS RIDE UP TO THE INN

CUT TO..

SOME ONE RUNS OUT TO THE DRINKERS OUTSIDE. PO~NG WILDLY IN THE DIRE~ON OF FRED’S DEPARTURE.

DRINKER:

He took off in that direction.(POINTING). FADE UP…

1 E)~.ONTHEROAD DAY

ESTABLISHING SHOT…

FRED WHO IS PASSING THE ~ME OF DAY IN CONVERS~ON

WITH MRS CLARKE AND HER DAUGHTERS AND JAMES

KAVANAGH WHO HAVE STOPPED THEIR BESIDE THE ROAD,

FRED IS MOUNTED ON THE BUSH SIDE OF THEM.

FRED: (TO KAVANAGH)

It’s not fair. Why should you have three lovely companions, when I cannot get one.

KAVANAGH:

Perhaps I have more luck.

(LAUGHTER)

~11

,I’m not afraid of him. The constables have chased me before and not caught me you know. They pulled up at Black Rock, they got a saddle and bridle but wouldn’t chase me through Green Swamp. They were afraid when their horses got bogged.

LAUGHTER FROM THE LADIES

TROOPER:

(RIDING UP TO THE FAR SIDE OF THE BUGGY)

1 EXT. ON THE ROAD DAY ESTABLISHING SHOT…

FRED WHO IS PASSING THE ~ME OF DAY IN CONVERS~ON

WITH MRS CLARKE AND HER DAUGHTERS AND JAMES

KAVANAGH WHO HAVE STOPPED THEIR BESIDE THE ROAD,

FRED IS MOUNTED ON THE BUSH SIDE OF THEM.

FRED: (TO KAVANAGH)

It’s not fair. Why should you have three lovely companions, when I cannot get one.

KAVANAGH:

Perhaps I have more luck.

(LAUGHTER)

LOUISA:

SEEING A SOLITARY HORSEMAN APPROACH ALONG THE ROAD.)

You’d best go, here comes someone.

FRED:

(SCORNFULLY)

Ah, I’m not afraid of him. The constables have chased me before and not caught me you know. They pulled up at Black Rock, they got a saddle and bridle but wouldn’t chase me through Green Swamp. They were afraid when their horses got bogged.

LAUGHTER FROM THE LADIES

TROOPER:

(RIDING UP TO THE FAR SIDE OF THE BUGGY)

Have you seen any bullocks about?

FRED:

No, not today.

(TO KAVANAGH)

But perhaps you have?

TROOPER:

(RECOGNISING HIS QUARRY DRAWS AND POINTS HIS REVOLVER)

Fred Ward, you are my prisoner.

FRED: (LAUGHING) Am I?

FRED COOLLY TURNS, PUTS SPURS TO HIS HORSE AND GALLOPS OFF

CUT TO..

TROOPER MMS BUT KAVANAGH IS IN LINE OF FIRE. BY THE TIME HE FIRES OVER THE BUGGY, HE MISSES HIS TARGET.

CUT TO..

FRED IS GOING GALLOPING FAST INTO THE DISTANCE

CUT TO..

TROOPER GALLOPS OFF AFTER FRED MUCH SLOWER AS HIS

HORSE IS ~RED.

KAVANAGH:

(TO PASSENGERS)

He’ll never catch him on that tired old nag.

(LAUGHS)

FADE OUT…

252 INT. MONKERM CABIN MGHT ESTABLISHING SHOT…

MARY ANN IS ARGUING WITH HER FATHER JAMES BUGG, AT-

THEIR MODEST SHEPHERD’S CABIN IN MONKERM.

CUT TO…

HER ABORIGINAL MOTHER CHARLOT’TE TALKING TO JANE

AND MOORINA SITING ON THE FLOOR IN FRONT OF A EIRE

IN THE FIREPLACE

CHARLOTFE:

SHOWS THEM STRING GAME CALLED CAT’S CRADLE WHILE REL~NG A DRE~ME STORY

See, this is how its done.

CUT TO..

MARY ANN AND JAMES ARGUE

MARY ANN:

Why should I return to Baker.

JAMES

Because he’s your husband.

MARY ANN.

He’s no husband to me.

JAMES:

Well you married him and There’s the children to think of.

CHARLOTFE:

I’ll mind the little ones, (nursing a small child) as I do now. You go back to Balmain, you like it there.

CHARLOTTE:

You belong to black cockatoo like me. All other black cockatoos are your kin. White cockatoos can be your husbands but not black cockatoos.

JANE:

What makes white cockatoos good husbands?

MARY ANN:

Not if I’m a servant, cooking and washing every day all day and night. And that man Henry would like more than that. I’m lucky if I get paid any more than a blanket, some tea, sugar.

JAMES: (DESPERATELY)

Mary Ann, its your responsibility to look after the children. (ANGRY) I sent you to school, so that you wouldn’t go walkabout.

CHARLOTTE:

They provide the food for which that group are responsible. White cockatoos oppose yam totem because yams have a white and yellow flower similar to the white cockatoos’ comb, that opens at the same early morning hour that the white cockatoos sing.

MOORINA:

So we can eat yams but white cockatoos can’t.

CHARLOTTE NODS HER HEAD

CUT TO..

MARY ANN ~LL ARGUING WITH HER FATHER

JAMES:

Mary Ann its your responsibility to look after the children (ANGRY) I sent you to school so that you wouldn’t go walkabout.

CHARLOTTE:

That’s why Moorina must be initiated. Its important to understand our law too.

MARY ANN:

I’ll not go back to Baker. I’ll find some way.

(RUNS OUTSIDE DEFIANTLY SLAMS DOOR)

CUT TO…

FRED rides up to the Monkerai cabin and dismounts tying his horse

some distance from the house.

CUT TO…

He creeps closer and sends a BLACK COCKATOO call

message to Mary Ann. He waits. She appears beside him.

FRED: (STARTLED) I didn’t hear you.

MARY ANN:

Dad’s too quick to miss a black cockatoo’s cry at this hour. He’d be out after me.

FRED:

Not if your mother keeps quiet. Since they got me in goal for stealing horses, I’ll steal you instead.

MARY ANN:

(TEASING)

Fred, you’re a lag, there’s no stopping you.

FRED:

I’m going to borrow McDougall’s stallion after the race..

MARY ANN.

That’s asking for trouble!

FRED:

I served time when I didn’t do it, so now I’ll make it up to him.

CUT TO..

HE KISSES HER

FRED:

I love you Mary Ann.

FADEOUT

3 EXT. GLOUCESTER RACES. DAY

ESTABLISHING SHOT…

A COUNTRY RACE ME~NG IS IN FULL SWING.

CUT TO…

TOM BROWN BOOKMAKER IS TAKING BETS FROM JAMES

BUGG.

BUGG:

What’ll you give me on McDougall’s Combo

BROWN:

Well she be the favorite. She’s already won today .A Scotsman wouldn’t want to bet on such odds.

(ASIDE TO ABORIGINAL STOCKMAN.)

BROWN:

I’ll not take bets from you.

BUGG:

Come on, what’ll you give me?

BROWN:

TWO TO ONE.

BROWN:

You’re a hard man. BUGG. (reluctantly) I’ll take it.

JAMES BUGG GOES OVER TO THE HALF CASTE, JIMMY

DOYLE.

CUT TO…

TROOPERS IN THE RACE CROWD.

BUGG:

Jimmy take this rum over to Fred, mind the troopers don’t see you. Put some money on Combo if you’ve got any.

JIMMY.

Yes boss

CUT TO…

JIMMY GOES OVER NEAR THE RIVER TO JOIN SOME

ABORIGINALS ON THE BANK

CUT TO…

MARY ANN AND FRED BRITTEN.

MARY ANN:

What’re you up to Jimmy.

JIMMY:

Boss told me to take this to Fred.

BRITTEN:

I’ll have some of that

(STRETCHING TO REACH)

JIMMY:

Not you mate, for the other Fred.

MARY ANN:

Where is he?

JIMMY:

Over there, out of sight of the troopers.

MARY ANN:

I’ll take it over.

JIMMY:

Ml right, but mind no one sees you.

BRITTEN:

(JEALOUSLY)

I’ll take it

JIMMY:

No. Let Mary Ann, (DRAWING HIM ASIDE). I want you choice to win the next race.

BRITTEN:

(ENTHUS~CALLY)

We’ll check the odds and I’ll place your bet if you like.

CUT TO…

WE SEE MARY ANN FROM A DISTANCE LEAVE THE GROUP TO GO BEHIND A BUSH,

CUTTO…

FRED IS WATCHING THE RACE THROUGH A TELESCOPE. MARY ANN:

Here’s something for you

FRED:

I’ve got a thirst too.

MARY ANN:

You’re taking a risk Fred

FRED:

Not in this get-up. No one would recognise the squatter for a bushranger.

MARY ANN:

(TEASING)

A dandy all right.

FRED:

And when shall you be my lady?.

MARY ANN:

Its too dangerous Fred.

FRED:

Not somewhere we’re safe.

MARY ANN:

Where’s that?

FRED:

Meet me at the Gold Diggers Arms at Denison. The owner’s a friend of mine I’ll see you there. Go quickly now down the back.

CUT TO..

CUT TO…

BUSH HORSE RACE WITH JOCKEYS ON ALL TYPES OF HORSES WITH ROUGH SADDLES AND BRIDLES EVEN SOME BAREBACK RIDERS.COMBO WINS THE RACE.

CUT TO..

BOOKIE PAYING JAMES BUGG HIS WINNINGS

CUT TO…

MARY ANN SLIPS QUIETLY AWAY THROUGH THE BUSH ON THE RIVER BANK.

I EK[. GLOUCESTER RACES. NIGHT.

The light is fading, but the revelry continues at the racecourse.

A tent is lit up with hurricane lanterns as the drinkers are served

beer and spirits. Some men are singing.

CUT TO…

A group enters the tent. We one of them is FRED who has a drink with

them.

CUT TO…

A trooper appears

CUT TO…

FRED as he quietly slips away. He walks to the holding

paddock where the race winner Combo is prancing up and down.

CUT TO…

He saddles her up and disappears into the night.

CUT TO…

BUSH HORSE RACE WITH JOCKEYS ON ALL TYPES OF HORSES WITH ROUGH SADDLES AND BRIDLES EVEN SOME

BAREBACK RIDERS.COMBO WINS THE RACE.

CUT TO..

BOOKIE PAYING JAMES BUGG HIS WINNINGS

CUT TO…

MARY ANN SLIPS QUIETLY AWAY THROUGH THE BUSH ON

THE RIVER BANK.

1 E~. GLOUCESTER RACES. NIGHT.

The light is fading, but the revelry continues at the racecourse.

A tent is lit up with hurricane lanterns as the drinkers are served

beer and spirits. Some men are singing.

CUT TO…

A group enters the tent. We one of them is FRED who has a drink with

them.

CUT TO…

A trooper appears

CUT TO…

FRED as he quietly slips away. He walks to the holding

paddock where the race winner Combo is prancing up and down.

CUT TO…

He saddles her up and disappears into the night.

2 INT. THE BUCKETS, GLOUCESTER NIGHT

ESTABLISHING SHOT…

A small fire is burning in the cave FRED has his head pillowed on his

saddle with his feet pointing to the dying fire.

CUT TO…

Fred is asleep in the cave

CUT TO…

Combo hobbled nearby.

3 EKI’. RIVERSIDE DREAM DAY SEQUENCE

Scene is a dream sequence in soft focus, of FRED as a boy and MARY ANN his play mate

ESTABLISHING SHOT…

CUT TO..

FRED AND GILBERT (LATER A BUSHRANGER) DRIVING CATTLE ON HORSEBACK ALONG THE WINDSOR ROAD.

CUT TO…

MARY ANN BESIDE THE RIVER PLAYING STRING GAMES

CUT TO..

FRED’S HORSES GALLOP ACROSS THE RIVER IN THE SUN-

LIGHT.

CUT TO..

HE PICKS HER UP AND THEY RIDE BAREBACK.

CUT TO….

JOHN GARBUTT IS SELLING CATTLE AT SELE YARD.

CUT TO….

RECEWES MONEY FROM AU~ONEER AS FRED &MARY ANN

WATCH.

CUT TO..

SHE RUNS OFF WAVING.

35 CUT TO..

FRED’S ARREST

CUT TO..

HE WAKES FROM NIGHTMARE ROLLS OVER AND FALLS ASLEEP AGMN

CUT TO..

DREAM CONTINUES. HE SEES MARRIAGE CEREMONY WHERE MARY ANN AND FRED KNEEL AT ALTAR

CLOSE UP..

GUN FALLS FROM HIS POCKET

CUT TO..

MINISTER’S SHOCKED FACE

CUT TO..

FRED WAKES

PAN TO..

The interior of the cave where he has hidden Combo . It has a rough

yard where the horse can be seen feeding outside.

CUT TO..

A dawn light outlines MARY ANN in the cave entrance, Combo in the background

FRED:

How did you find me?

MARY ANN:

I may be your lady, but I can track you anywhere

(THEY EMBRACE PASSIONATELY)

FRED:

I just had a dream. We were getting married.

MARY ANN:

If you dream this it surely will come to be.

CUT TO..

MARY ANN GOES INTO FRED’S ARMS AS WE SEE HIS PENSIVE

EXPRESSION.

FADE OUT

4 INT. GOLD DIGGERS ARMS INN AT DENISON DIGGINGS

DAY

ESTABLISHING SHOT..

The Inn owned by Richard SIMPSON at is not far from the gold mines

at Moonan Brook.

CUT TO..

MCGUINNESS and some of other miners are drinking at the bar when

CUT TO..

THUNDERBOLT and MARY ANN enter.

FRED:

A nip please Dick.

MARY ANN:

(IN BOY’S CLOTHES)

A beer for me.

FRED:

I didn’t recognise you Jimmy

MARY ANN:

That’s the idea.

(WHISPERING TO FRED)

I don’t like this place. Why don’t we go outside.

FRED:

These are my friends.

MINER l:

WHISPERING TO OTHER MINERS) That’s Thunderbolt.

CUT TO..

WORD IS PASSED AROUND AND MORE MINERS SOME IN TO

THE INN.

FRED:

Anyone like to join me in a drink.

MINER2:

I’ll be in that.

CUT TO..

DRINKS ARE PROVIDED BY THE BARTENDER TO EVERYONE

PRESENT

CUT TO..

EXCEPT MCGUINNESS WHO SHAKES HIS HEAD.

MCGUINNESS:

There’s them who respect the law and them that don’t. This young land is built

on lawlessness and bloodshed and threatens us all, bushrangers should be shot.

MINER 2:

The law? With troopers who can’t sit a

horse and wouldn’t know a nag from a

racehorse. You must be daffed man!

MINER 1:

Why only the other day, the troopers let Thunderbolt get away, wouldn’t chase him through the swamp.

CUT TO..

LAUGHTER FROM OTHER DRINKERS.

MCGUINNESS

(COMING UP BEHIND FRED, HOLDING HIS ARMS AGAINST HIS SIDES WUFH A GRIP OF IRON)

I arrest you in the name of the Queen and I call on all law abiding citizens to help me hold this scoundrel.

MARY ANN:

(DRAWING A GUN)

Let him go or I’ll shoot.

MCGUINNESS:

(PUNCHING FRED, HE SAYS TO OTHER MINERS)

You lily livered bastards.

MARY ANN:

Stop at once or I’ll shoot you.

MCGUINNESS:

(~LL FIGHTING FRED)

You wouldn’t dare.

CUT TO..

FRED GETS FREE AND DRAWS HIS REVOLVER

(TWO SHOTS ARE FIRED

CUT TO..

MCGUINNESS FALLS TO GROUND)

MARY ANN:

(IN A PANIC)

Fred, come quickly. I’ve killed him

CUT TO..

SHE RUNS OUTSIDE AND MOUNTS HER HORSE

FRED:

(TO THE ASSEMBLED CROWD)

Friends that is the first shot I have ever fired in anger and hoping to take a man’s life. I hope it won’t be the last. But understand this, and mark me well. By the God above us, if I can, I’ll kill at any time any civilian who dares to attempt my arrest. With the police it is different. I bear them no grudge. It is their business to try and take me: and the trooper that does it will have my best wishes. But there are enough police, quite enough and the man that wants to play the spy or the amateur policeman at my expense, I look upon as a

blood-hunter, and I’d shoot him as I would a dog! Good day to You!.

FRED, MARCHES QUICKLY OVER TO MARY ANN SITTING ASTRIDE HER HORSE AND MOUNTS HIS OWN HORSE.

CUT TO..

THEY GALLOP OFF.

CUT TO..

Miners slapping the unconscious MCGUINNESS

CUT TO..

Others on the verandah shouting to passers by

PAN..

FRED and MARY ANN take to the hills.

MINER l:

Bushranger, help

MINER2:

Fetch the constable

MINER3:

(LAUGHING CYMCALLY)

Catch him if you dare. Could have sworn that was a darkie girl with him.

MINER2:

She didn’t ride that horse like a girl.

CUT TO..

A WOMAN GO PAST ON

CUT TO..

MARY ANN RIDING ASTRIDE HER HORSE

A HORSE RIDING SIDE SADDLE.

NARRATOR:

I shot a man by accident and now we were on the run for there’s no justice for the likes of Fred and me. Free born we both were but the law is for the squatters and land owners, not the likes of us.

1 ‘NT. GRANNY SWAB’S DAY ESTABLISHING SHOT..

The police chase Thunderbolt up into the mountains and FRED and MARY ANN seek shelter with a sympathizer unaware the

trooper is following.

GRANNY:

(GERMAN ACCENT)

What have you been up to

Fred.

FRED:

A mad Scot just tried to get me, but Mary Ann put a bullet where it hurt.

MARY ANN: (SOBBING)

I killed him.

FRED:

It’d take more than one wild shot to kill that old bastard.

MARY ANN.

What do you mean Fred, you saw him.

FRED:

I saw him fall.

MARY ANN:

I can’t go back. What if I killed him.

FRED:

I don’t believe you did. I think he knocked himself out, when he fell. You’ll have to come with me.

MARY ANN:

What about my girls, Jane and Moorina will be missing me?

FRED:

We’ll come back for them.

MARY ANN:

When will that be?

FRED:

When we know how Mclnnes fares.

GRANNY:

What’s that?

CLOSE UP..

THEY ALL LISTEN CAREFULLY.

GRANNY:

There’s someone coming. Quick hide here in the pantry.

CUT TO..

SHE BUSTLES THEM INTO A CUPBOARD IN THE KITCHEN AND CLOSES THE DOOR.

CUT TO..

TROOPER KNOCKS ON THE DOOR.

TROOPER:

Let me in Ma’ mm

GRANNY:

No, I’ll not let you into my house.

TROOPER:

I won’t harm you, I’m looking for Fred Ward.

GRANNY:

He’s not here.

TROOPER:

His horse is in your yard Ma’mm.

GRANNY (OPENING THE DOOR AND BRANDISHING A KITCHEN KNIFE)

Well, he’s not here and you dare put a foot into this house, I’ll kill ya.

TROOPER:

Keep your doors locked and don’t let anyone in.

HE WALKS AROUND THE HOME PADDOCKS LEADING HIS HORSE.

TROOPER: (CALLS TO COMBO) Here Boy, There’s a good boy.

CUT TO..

FRED and MARY ANN sneak out the back door and into the nearby bush. FRED whistles a black cockatoo’s call to his horse.

CUT TO..

The TROOPER turns watches from the other side of the paddock. The horse jumps an 8 ft fence

CLOSE UP of the look of amazement on his face.

CUT TO..

Charley (stable boy sees Combo jump and calls to his mate Will

Monckton

CHARLEY:

Did you see that?

WILL:

I’ve never seen anything like it.

CHARLEY:

That’s Thunderbolt’s famous horse Combo.

He was stolen from a farm around

Singleton. His owner was MacDougall and

he’s hopping mad to lose that horse.

WILL:

Thunderbolt, why he’s a robber!

CHARLEY:

Bah, we’re all robbers in some way or another if it comes to that, or so my Dad says at all events. Why the very land we’re walking over belongs by right to the blacks. We stole it from them by rights…

FADE OUT

2 EXT BUSH BARRINGTON TOPS DAY

ESTABLISHING SHOT..

FRED is beside a campfire preparing his dinner, seen from viewpoint of

a small boy

CUT TO..

WILL MONKTON is watching him.

CUT TO..

He lifts the lid off a camp oven.

CUT TO..

WILL sneaks up behind Fred

CLOSE UP..

Snaps a twig.

CUTTO..

Fred turns drawing his pistol as he rises.

EXT MONKERAI CORROBORREE

ESTABLISHING SHOT..

Aboriginal women are painting the bodies of the young girls with white

streaks.

CUT TO.

Charlotte puts some cockatoo feathers in Moorina’s hair

CUT TO..

WOMEN BEAT ~ME WITH CLAPPING ~CKS

CUT TO..

INITIATES DO A WOMEN’S DANCE AS OLDER WOMEN SING

CUT TO..

AT THE END OF SONG AN OLDER WOMEN TAKES THE GIRLS

INTO A CAVE.

CUT TO..

SHE CUTS THE SKIN TO TATTOO THE INITIATION MARKS ON THE FIRST INITIATION

CUT TO..

THE GIRL’S MOTHER CRIES AND WAILS AND IS JOINED BY

SOME OF THE OTHER WOMEN WHO COMFORT HER

CUT TO..

OLDER WOMEN DANCE AND SING A SONG

CLOSE UP..

QUARTZ CRYSTAL

CUT TO..

INITIATE IS GIVEN THE CHURINGA

CHARLOTTE:

(TO MOORINA)

See they will give you a charinga. You must guard it for its sacred. It will protect as your dreaming site totem

CUT TO..

MOORINA IS CUT AND THEN SMEARED WITH GREESE AND

OCHRE

CUT TO..

CHARLOTTE PLACES CHURINGA AROUND HER NECK

FRED:

Whoa boy, you could get shot like that. Don’t you know you shouldn’t sneak up on someone.

WILL:

I’m sorry to startle you sir.

LOOKS HUNGERILY AT THE FOOD

That sure smells good.

FRED:

(LADLING STEW INTO A BOWL)

I saw you this morning with Charley didn’t

WILL:

Yes sir.

(GOBBLING DOWN THE FOOD)

FRED:

Did he tell you where to find me?

WILL:

(RELUCTANTLY)

Yes sir,

FRED:

What do you want with me?

(QUICKLY)

I have run away from home sir. but its not what you think. If my stepfather catches

me, he will half kill me. Even if didn’t, I wouldn’t go back to him. He is a brute and I hate him.

(FINISHES IRISH STEW)

FRED:

Well!

WILL:

(LIFTING HIS SHIRT TO REVEAL BAD BRUISING)

Let me stay with you, sir will you please?

FRED UNCOCKS HIS PISTOL AND LEANS BACK AGAINST HIS SADDLE.

WILL:

Please do let me stay with you Sir.

FRED:

Do you want to be an outlaw?

WILL:

Anything rather than let my stepfather catch me.

FRED:

Rob coaches?

WILL NODS

Fight the police?

WILL NODS AGAIN

Risk hanging Will Monckton? You’d be hanged if you were caught boy.

50 WILL:

So would you. But they have been after you for years.

FRED:

and he is now in goal. You had better go home Will.

WILL:

I’ll never go home. I’ll die first.

FRED:

A few beatings more or less, what do they mean to a hard young fella like you? You’ll soon be too big to beat. Remember you have a mother to think of. How would she feel if you turned bushranger?

WILL LOOKS SHEEPISH

FRED:

SADDLES HIS HORSE

WILL:

I have left home forever. Let me go with you Fred.

FRED:

FRED RIDES OFF.

FADE OUT..

3 EXT BUSH CAMP DOWN RIVER DAY

ESTABLISHING SHOT..

Fred is seated on a log mending a saddle and singing as Will appears.

SONG

Oh, don’t you remember Sweet Alice Ben Bolt

Sweet Mice with hair so brown,

Who wept with delight when you gave her a smile,

And trembled with fear at your frown

In the old churchyard in the valley Ben Bolt

In a corner obscure and alone

They have fitted a slab of granite so grey And Sweet Alice lies under the stone.

FRED:

You haven’t taken my advice then Will.

WILL:

I want to stay with you.

FRED:

You have fully considered the consequences.

WILL:

Yes

FRED:

All right my boy. They tell me you are a good rider.

WILL:

BOASTING

I can ride anything that ever was foaled.

FRED:

Can you handle a revolver?

WILL:

CRESTFALLEN

No.

FRED:

I’ll soon teach you. But first our contract. Do you know what an oath is?

WILL:

Yes

FRED:

You wouldn’t break one, if you took one.

WILL:

No, nor my word either.

FRED:

GOOD, then kneel and repeat what I say. I, Will Monckton…

WILL:

I Will Monckton..

FRED:

Swear by the most high God

WILL:

Swear by the most high God

FRED:

That I will be true to Thunderbolt till the death

WILL:

That I will be true to Thunderbolt to the death

FRED:

That’s all Will. I want no more than truth from you. Truth contains everything.

FRED GETS TO HIS KNEES.

FRED:

I, Frederick Ward, known as Thunderbolt, call God to witness that I shall be true to Will Monckton to the death.

WILL:

Thank you Sir

FRED:

You may call me Fred

FRED LIGHTS HIS PIPE

WILL:

You don’t truely wish to lead an honest life do you? If you did you could easily escape out of the country couldn’t you?

FRED:

Easily.

WILL:

Then why don’t you, I’d go with you Fred.

55 No

INNKEEPER:

Why not feed them in my stables?

FRED NODDING GOES INTO THE INN

FRED:

Come in for a drink

WAVING TO THE GROOM

You too, mate.

CUT TO..

Will goes into the stables and looks at the saddles

CUT TO..

Will goes into the inn and others are getting merry

WILL:

What about getting back to camp Harry?

FRED:

Not yet. The Bendemeer coach will be here shortly and I’m expecting a parcel.

CUT TO..

Fred shouts drinks for groom and innkeeper

DISSOLVE

CUT TO..

Will leads horses out of stables

CLOSE UP..

(OF THUNDERBOLTS SADDLE IN URALLA MUSEUM)

Saddle on the grey horse

CUT TO..

Groom and innkeeper are asleep in the late afternoon sun

CUT TO..

Through the door way we see FRED empty the till and he comes out of the inn, mounts his horse and Fred and W~ ride off.

CUT TO..

Bush as Fred points in the distance

FRED:

Will look, the Moonbi Ranges!

WILL:

You can’t see them from here.

FRED:

I can see them Will and my wife and kiddies too. I’m homesick. I’ve been away so long the police will have grown careless. My wife will be wanting money.

WILL:

Alright Fred. But if they are watching Mary Ann, why don’t they arrest her?

FRED:

They would arrest here as my accomplice if they dared, but thank goodness they can’t do that. Its against the law as she is

my lawfully wedded wife…

CUT TO..

They climb a small rise and Fred points to distant mountain range. . There can you see them now?

CUT TO..

Moonbi Ranges in distance

Jackie Jackie was a smart young fellow,

Full of fun and energy

Yet he sat by the river of his people

Underneath a great gumtree

WILL JOINS IN FOR CHORUS

KRIKITA BUBLA WELL DEE MIAH

BILLEE NIAH GING GERRIE WAH

Jackie’s people used ~ chase the emus

With their spears and waddies too.

They were the only ones who could tell you

What the emu told the kangaroo.

CHORUS

White fella come and take Jackie’s country,

Spread their fences across his land.

Now poor Jackie has to pay his taxes,

And his hunting days are done.

CHORUS

But the white man bring to Jackie

Bottles of plonk and two-up game

Now the riverside re-echoes

To their shouts as the pennies fall.

CHORUS

FADE OUT.

6 EXT. THE BUCKETTS CAVE GLOUCESTER. CAMP DAY

ESTABLISHING SHOT..

The granite tors of the New England countryside

CUT TO..

FRED and WILL ride through the bush. FRED is singing

CUT TO..

He rides through a stream

CUT TO..

MARY ANN and JANE and MOORINA are playing knucklebones on

the ground.

MARY ANN.

Your dad will be here soon.

MOORINA:

How do you know?

MARY ANN.

I just know he will be.

JANE:

We haven’t seen him for a long time.

CUT TO..

MARY ANN jumps up from the cooking fire and rushes up to FRED.

CUT TO..

FRED still singing, puts an arm around her. The children hug his legs.

MARY ANN.

You’ve been gone too long Fred.

FRED:

But this is the last time,

MARY ANN:

I’m glad to hear it.

CUT TO..

FRED BECKONING TO MONCKTON,

CUT TO..

WILL RIDES OUT OF THE BUSH.

CUT TO..

MARY ANN LOOKS SURPRISED

FRED:

I have a new helper. I’d like you to meet Will Monckton, this is Mary Ann I’ve been telling you about.

WILL:

(SHYLY)

Hello

MARY ANN:

SHAKING HIS HAND

I’m very glad to meet you Mr Monckton. You must change your clothes at once and you too Fred or nice colds you’ll get.

FRED KISSES HER AND SHE PUSHES HIM ASIDE

FRED:

Its alright dear, Will doesn’t mind. We’ll change our clothes in a jiffy and then we’ll be ready to eat you out of house and home, I can tell you.

CUT TO..

Fred and Will go into the bedroom and search for clothes to fit Will.

CUT TO..

Fred comes out redressed, followed by Will in Fred’s too big clothes.

THEY ALL LAUGH & WILL GOES OVER TO THE CHILDREN

JANE:

I’m Jane and this is Moorma.

MOORINA:

Want to play Jacks?

MARY ANN:

Where does Will come in?

FRED:

He has no home. He’ll be a help now that you have the children here with you.

MARY ANN:

He’s too young.

FRED:

He’s able to handle himself

MARY ANN:

I’m not so sure, he’s not much older than Jane.

CUT TO..

MARY ANN begins to serve a meal

CUT TO..

A whole sheep on the fire and she is cutting it up.

FRED:

Where did you get the sheep?

MARY ANN.

It wandered away from a shepherd. I got it with my null nulla.

FRED:

I’m so hungry, I could eat a horse.

MARY ANN: (LAUGHING)

I didn’t know you’d eat horse.

CUT TO..

Fred gets on his knees and the children climb onto his back yelling Giddy up horsey.

HORSE WHINNEYS OUTSIDE AND FRED GETS UP FROM THE

GAME AND LOOKS OUT AT THE YARD WHERE TALLYAND

AND COMBO PRANCES

FRED:

Not likely, they’re too good to me. Do you like my new horse?

CUT TO

MARY ANN AS SHE PUTS HER ARM AROUND HIS WAIST

MARY ANN:

Yes, what’s his name.

FRED:

Tallyrand. He’s a champion. I’ll race him where they don’t know him.

MARY ANN GOES TO THE DOOR AND CALLS TO ABORIGINAL STOCKMAN

MARY ANN:

Peter, I want you to keep watch tonight, down by the gorge. If you see any sign of the troopers, you know what to do.

CUT TO..

Peter waves goodbye and goes as Mary Ann turns to listen

CUT TO..

FRED turns to WILL

FRED:

Tomorrow, we bail up the Cobb & Co coach. First I’ll send Will into Bundarra to see there’s no guard….

FADE OUT

7 EK~. HIGHWAY ROBBERY OF BENDEMEER MAIL DAY.

FADE IN

FRED and WILL are waiting in the bush on top of some granite Tors

with a view of the road watching and listening.

FRED: (POINTING) What’s that?

WILL:

I can’t see anything

FRED:

I can hear something

(SHRIEKING WHEEL SOUNDS)

FRED:

It’s a cursed shame to starve axles like that. That driver ought to lose his billet.

WILL:

They sure need greasing. I still can’t see them but we can sure hear them coming.

CUT TO..

STAGE COACH COMJNG UP A HILL

CUT TO..

DRIVER WHIPPING THE HORSES.

CUT TO..

FRED and Will move into position near the roadway.

WILL:

Good job there’s no troopers with them.

FRED:

They couldn’t stand the noise.

FRED:

Will, go down behind that boulder and don’t come out until you see me draw my revolver..

CUT TO..

FRED GOES ONTO THE ROAD AND DRAWS A PIECE OF PAPER FROM HIS POCKET,

CUT TO..

HE WAVES IT IN THE AIR.

CUT TO..

THE DRIVER MISTAKING HIM FOR SOMEONE WHO WANTS TO

POST A LETTER SLOWS THE COACH.

FRED:

I want you to be good enough to take charge of a letter for me. It’s a fellow who owes me some money and I want to raise the wind.

DRIVER:

CUT TO..

(PUTS THE REINS AND WHIPIN HIS LEFT HAND AND LEANING OVER TOWARDS FRED)

All right mate, give it here.

FRED:

CUT TO..

SUB~TUTES THE PIECE OF PAPER WITH A REVOLVER

Up with your hands the lot of you.

CUT TO..

THE DRIVER JUMPS BACK WITH A SHUDDER

CUT TO..

FRED GIVES THE NOD TO WILL TO COME OUT FROM BEHIND

THE ROCKS.

CUT TO..

WILL COMES UP TO THE COACH DISMOUNTS AND POINTS HIS GUN AT A LADY PASSENGER INSIDE THE COACH,

CUT TO..

THE MEN SEATED FRONT AND BACK IN THE OPEN.

FRED: (TO WILL)

Take charge of the men Jack, I’ll attend to the lady

SHE CO~NUES E~NG FROM A BAG OF CHERRIES. CLOSE UP..

May I (TAKING A HANDFUL) Delicious

DRIVER:

She is blind.

WILL:

(TO THE MALE PASSENGERS)

Dismount. The first one that drops a hand or looks down, I’ll plug through the heart.

FRED:

(CHUCKLING IN AMUSEMENT)

Ma’mm take my hand

(HELPS THE WOMAN TO STEP DOWN)

I’m sorry for the trouble, I’m giving you.

CUT TO..

SHE JOINS THE OTHERS LINED UP ALONG THE ROAD, CUT TO..

FRED BEGINS TO SEARCH THE MEN, TAKING A WATCH, VALUABLES

CUT TO..

HE COMES TO THE LADY AS SHE PRODUCES HER PURSE.

FRED:

(SWEEPING OFF HIS HAT AND BOWING TO THE GROUND)

Madam, oblige me by putting your purse back into your pocket.. I never war with women.

CUT TO..

FEMALE PASSENGER PUTS HER PURSE BACK IN HER SKIRT

UNAFRAID, UNLIKE

CUT TO..

THE MALE PASSENGERS WHO ARE TREMBLING IN FEAR.

FRED:

CUT TO..

CLIMBS UP AND LOOSENS THE MAILBAGS

CUT TO..

MAILBAGS FALL TO THE GROUND WITH A THUD

I was not intended by nature for a letter sorter, but practice makes perfect and I am not too proud to take on any useful occupation.

CUT TO..

RIPS OPEN THE BAG,

THE LETTERS FALL IN THE DUST

CUT TO..

OPENING THE LETTERS

FRED:

What an infernal custom, paying with paper

(HOLDING UP HALF AN NOTE)

and sometimes only half of it.

I’ll take them anyway, perhaps I’ll get the other half next time.

CUT TO..

He pockets the notes and bundles mail into the bag which he throws on

the coach.

CUT TO..

Blind woman as Fred takes her hand.

Ma’mm

(HELPING HER UP INTO THE COACH).

I’m Thunderbolt. I dare say you guessed it before, but I want you fellows to be quite sure, so the no one will give an innocent man the credit of my dealings. When you get to Tamworth or if you meet the police before you get there, you can give them my love and tell them I’ll be staying with my wife.

DRWER: (WINKING)

All right Captain, I’ll give them your message, but do you think they’ll swallow a yam like that?

FRED:

I don’t give a hang whether they do or not.

(MOUNTING)

Anyway I’m off now and if you fellows don’t want to stop a bullet you’ll stand to attention for the next ten minutes. Good day toyou.

(TO WILL)

Come on Jack.

CUT TO..

FRED AND WILL PUT SPURS TO THEIR HORSES AND START

OFF IN THE OPPOSITE DIRE~ON,

PAN TO..

FRED AND WILL CIRCLE BACK WHEN THE COACH IS OUT OF

SIGHT.

8 E~. THE BUCKETS CAVE GLOUCESTERBUSH DAY

FRED dismounts and takes his saddle off his horse.

CUT TO..

He turns to Will as he empties his saddlebag.

FRED:

I reckon we have done enough work for one day Will.

WILL:

I don’t know, it seems to me we are none too safe Fred. The police could find us here easily enough.

FRED:

(LAUGHING) If they knew where to look for us. Safety my lad lies less in distance than in throwing the hounds off the scent. The police will never dream that we have doubled back on our tracks. You mark my words they will be chasing us tomorrow 30 miles in the opposite direction..

(COUNTING THE SPOILS)

Come here Will. We netted 30 pounds by that deal partner

(SMILING FRED COUNTS 15 NOTES).

Here’s your share Count and see that it ‘5 right.

WILL: (STAMMERS)

Thanks very much. That’s a lot of money!

FRED:

You are as red as a turkey cock. Want to go straight off to town and blow it?

WILL:

Well I do need some clothes pretty badly.

FRED:

Don’t mind my teasing you Will my lad. I’m proud of the way you behaved today and after this I’d trust my life to you without a care.

WILL:

But today was not dangerous Fred.

FRED:

No matter. I watched you today and I saw you, but enough of that. What’s for dinner.

WILL:

Cold corn beef and damper. You’ll have to take your gin neat Fred, there’s no water.

FRED:

We’ll have beds to sleep in tonight Will. Think of it boy, beds.

WILL:

Where Fred?

FRED:

At my wife’s place

WILL:

Are you going to take me with you Fred?

FRED:

Certainly. There’s not a spark of danger. We leave as soon as its dark.

1 EKI’ ROCKY RIVER DIGGINGS DAY

ESTABLISHING SHOT..

A hawker is sitting in his waggonette filled with goods as Thunderbolt rides up to him and sticks a pistol in his face.

FRED:

Bail up, I’m Thunderbolt

HAWKER:

What do you want?

FRED:

Your money or your life

HAWKER

Oh, no you don’t Captain; or, if you do, you belie your reputation. It’s not the poor who are frightened of you one little bit. I’ve heard a lot about you to your credit

FRED:

No blarney, out with your purse and be quick about it.

HAWKER:

SHRUGS HIS SHOULDERS AND SEARCHES HIS POCKETS REMOVING 10 SOVEREIGNS

I’m disappointed in you, Captain, I never thought you’d rob a poor man.

FRED:

A poor man?

HAWKER:

Yes that’s all the money I have, and I need it badly. Say if you want to rob me, take what goods you like out of the trap, and leave me my cash.

FRED:

I suppose you want the money for your poor widowed mother eh?

HAWKER:

I don’t

FRED:

For your wife and six starving nippers then?

HAWKER:

WITH DIGNITY

I want it to buy a fresh stock of the things I’ve run out of. And see here Captain Thunderbolt, when I feel like lying, I can lie without your assistance, and be dammed to you.

FRED:

(OBSERVING WITH A SMILE)

You don’t look scared, and that’s a fact!

HAWKER:

Scared, There’s only one thing I’m scared of and that is, that we’ll be interrupted before you hand me back my money

FRED:

LAUGHS HEARTILY

You’ll wait a long time, unless you give me better reason than you have found yet.

HAWKER:

As man to man, I tell you I’ll be put in a hole if you keep that coin. I can’t say more, and I wouldn’t if I could. If you are the good fellow people say you are, you’ll act accordingly; if not, kindly allow me to proceed on my way, and as well as the money, I make you a present of my contempt.

FRED:

HANDS BACK THE MONEY

You are a man and a good sort besides. Here take the coin.

But I will avail myself of your offer of goods.

CUT TO.

FRED HELPS HIMSELF TO GOODS INCLUDING DRESSES, FABRIC, HATS

FRED:

Take these Jack and put them away, we’ll have need of them when we go out on the town.

WILL FOLDS THE GOODS AND PLACES THEM IN A CARPET BAY ON THE PACKHORSE.

FADE OUT.