Bill falls asleep on the desk. Mona busily looks through maps of Winton.
MONA
Did you know that Winton is the home of QANTAS?
BILL
I do not care.
Bill looks closer at her map and notices…
BILL(CONT’D)
Ooh, this just might work.
He snatches it off her and marks out a boundary for a reserve.
MONA
Skulls are so interesting. Did you know –
BILL
I don’t care.
MONA
You are a dick. Did you know that?
Bill ignores her.
MONA
See these descriptions?
BILL
Yeah.
MONA
These are the lithologies of the formation represented by these…
BILL
What is a lithology?
MONA
A subdivision of the different rock units of a formation thought to contain the Titanosaur.
Mona is eating dinner when her best friend, ROMY (female, 20s) enters and sits next to her.
ROMY
I didn’t know you were back on campus so soon.
MONA
I wanted to get a head start, but I have run into a problem.
ROMY
Oh?
MONA
I have been paired up with a bush ranger.
ROMY
Seriously?
MONA
Tell me about it. He wants to zone a reserve or something.
ROMY
What’s that got to do with you?
MONA
The lab is making cuts, so we have to team up.
ROMY
Is he hot?
MONA
That’s not the point.
ROMY
So he’s hot.
She ignores Romy.
MONA
How’s scripting going?
ROMY
Dismal, but it’ll fast-track my research project.
MONA
I still do not know what you do for a living.
ROMY
It’s too boring to explain.
MONA
Still on for the movie tomorrow night?
ROMY
Wouldn’t miss it for the world.
MONA
Have you written up an equipment list yet?
BILL
Haven’t thought that far yet.
She passes him comprehensively and hands him a list anyway.
MONA
This should cover us.
BILL
Woah. I reckon we should meet up outside of lab hours to collect this stuff.
Dr. Perkins enters.
RICHARD
This is where you’ve both been hiding. How’s the project coming along?
MONA
Good. Mona hands him the relevant documents.
RICHARD
This all looks good.
He takes the map and points to the highlighted section – Sandstone Ridge where Bill wants to zone the reserve.
RICHARD (CONT’D)
That’s a cattle property. I will call ahead to see if I can get clearance for you both.
MONA
Have you heard back about funding?
RICHARD
I’ll know by tomorrow.
He leaves but overhears the next conversation. Mona turns to Bill.
MONA
My friend Romy and I are going to see Picnic at Hanging Rock tonight if you wanna to come.
BILL
Sure. Why not?
Richard shrugs this information off as he walks down the hallway back to his office.