By this time, the stage has rotated to show the other half, where a busker is standing in a
relatively blank space, playing a guitar. There is a hat sitting in front of the Busker with a
small amount of change in it. Busker is singing the following song. During the song, people
walk past and some drop a bit of money into the hat.
BUSKER
Been around this ancient land
A few hundred times it seems,
Tired feet in well worn shoes
Treading on the time of dreams.
Met a man on the dusty path,
Between faith and suicide,
He asked me if I wanted help,
So I smiled at him and lied.
Who’s gonna help you, son? He said,
Who’s gonna help your empty cause?
I said I’m walking round a land that was never mine
But we’re all subject to its laws.
Who’s gonna help you, son?
Who’s gonna help you find what’s there?
I said won’t find what I am when all I am is a man
Who can’t face the history that we share.
They say God gave us this land,
The cracked earth is ours to keep,
How’d he pick between us and them?
The white from the black sheep.
So as I stand on stolen land,
I look my new friend in the eye,
I make an empty promise on a burnt handshake,
And turn around and wave goodbye.
Who’s gonna help you, son?
Who’s gonna show you the right way?
The higher they’re up, the harder to see
Can’t hear a thing they say.
Who’s gonna help you, son?
Who’s gonna show you who you are?
Ain’t no one who knows and finding the truth
Is just wishing on a star.
Someone walks by the Busker and shakes their head
PERSON (to Busker)
You should be ashamed of yourself
Hayley Ricketson 2015
The View From 73
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Person walks offstage. Busker stops playing.
BUSKER
Yeah, yeah. (to audience) I thought it was alright, that one. I write a lot of music, but that
one, I thought… yeah. That’s OK. And what’s the point if you ain’t gonna ruffle a few
feathers, eh? Better that way.
No one really hears these songs anyway, not proper. People don’t really know how to
listen anymore.
You wonder sometimes about the state of the world. But that’s just sometimes. Most of
the time you’re just making enough money for a few pots. No shortage of pubs in this
city and I am grateful for that!
Busker scoops up the money in the hat and counts it.
Useless. Fuckin’ people.
Busker puts money in their pocket and slings the guitar over their shoulder. A Homeless
Person enters the stage.
HOMELESS PERSON
Spare any change, mate?
BUSKER
Sorry mate, haven’t got any.
Busker walks offstage. Homeless Person sits down where the Busker was and pulls a dirty
handkerchief out of their pocket and lays it out carefully in front of them. People are
walking past and the Homeless Person asks a few to spare some change, but people walk
straight past and the Homeless Person soon gives up and sits there.
Fran walks past and stops, pulling a few coins from her pocket and placing them on the
handkerchief. The Homeless person is pulled out of their stupor.
HOMELESS PERSON
Thank-you, mam! Bless you, thank-you!
FRAN (already walking off)
Yes, that’s fine. No worries.
The stage is rotating as we see the Homeless Person look at the coins and then sit back,
still once more, expectant. As the stage rotates, we are back at the switchboard, all women
present; new clothes, new day. A few months later. Belinda, Deb and Pat are all on calls.
PAT
For the last time sir, the state department of human services doesn’t deal with
Centrelink, that’s part of the federal government and you need to call them. /// Pause.
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Well, the regional office got it wrong, all I have here in my database is the number for
Centrelink or the federal department of human services. Pause. I can’t just transfer you
through to the department, there’s nowhere I can patch you through to. Pause. Then
you’ll have to call Centrelink. Pause. I won’t argue with you sir, take the number or feel
free to hang up the phone. Pause. She hangs up. Well, that did it!
BELINDA
Yes, that would come under foster care payments, I can transfer- Pause. Yes, I
understand. /// Pause. Well, I don’t know where your money is, I’m not in the
department. Pause. I can’t answer that question, I don’t work in the department. I’ll
transfer- Pause. I’m at a switchboard. I’ll transfer you through, OK? Pause. Yes, one
moment. Transfers call. My goodness, just wanted to say, “I don’t have your bloody
money!” Silly woman!
DEB
OK look, let’s begin at the beginning, this is a switchboard. I can’t transfer you through
to the premier, I can give you a number to call, or I can put you through to complaints.
There are no other options. Pause. Complaints? Right, transferring you through.
Transfers call and then mimes aiming a machine gun at the computer and firing rounds of
bullets (with sound effects).
GABBY
Jesus, what a day!
DEB
They’re on fire today, they are! This man, wants to speak to the premier! Oh right, yes,
I’ll put you straight through!
RACHEL
What do they expect? I mean, what do they bloody expect?
BELINDA
It hasn’t been like this after an election for years, I don’t think. Has it, Fran?
FRAN
No, nope. Don’t think so.
GABBY
But we’re the state government, not federal, I wish these people would get a clue.
DEB
I’m ready to go home, is it 6 o’clock yet? Laughs
BELINDA (laughs)
Yes, exactly!
GABBY
Almost lunchtime though, thank God!
Hayley Ricketson 2015
The View From 73
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