RICHARD
Can you put me through to Winton Cattle Property?
KEN (V.O.)
Yes mate?
RICHARD
Hi, this is Dr. Richard Perkins from Brisbane University in…
KEN
Oh yes.
RICHARD
I am calling about a research project to be carried out on your property.
KEN
Go on.
RICHARD
My associate Mona and her assistant Bill, will be looking for fossils.
KEN
(beat)
Alright, but they have to stay in town.
The pair wait for ‘Picnic at Hanging Rock’ to begin.
MONA
I heard it’s dark.
Bill wanders in… he is taken aback by Mona’s beauty because this is the first time he’s seen her wearing something other than a lab coat.
BILL
Hey.
MONA
You’re late.
ROMY
Do you two know each other?
MONA
This is Bill, the guy I was telling you about.
BILL
Hey.
An audience member tells them to keep quiet. Romy holds out her hand to Bill.
ROMY
Romy. It’s German for the herb, Rosemary.
BILL
Nice to meet you.
MONA
Did you bring the list?
BILL
Yeah.
Bill pulls the equipment list out of his pocket.
MONA
Romy can help us sneak into the warehouse after.
The movie begins and the three watch in silence.
Richard sits with his wife and speaks to his son, Julian.
RICHARD
Hmmm. What about your other subjects?
JULIAN
I got an A in Art History.
RICHARD
There is no future in that.
JULIAN
Mum did that at uni.
RICHARD
That’s different.
JULIAN
How?
RICHARD
Just finish your dinner.