The Black Balloon

Contains strong language.

RHYTHMIC BANGING

MAN: (ON RADIO) Australia's experienced batsmen,

Allan Border and David Boon, are settling into a partnership.

So far, no mishaps against the second new ball.

RADIO COMMENTARY CONTINUES

That's another over to Allan Border.

DOG HOWLS

BANGING CONTINUES

-You all right with that, darl?

-I'll take it.

BOY HUMS

You're welcome, hon, again. Just take it easy, all right?

HUMS LOUDLY

Why is your brother a spastic?

-He's not a spastic. He's autistic.

-Same diff.

No. Not really.

-He doesn't talk and shit.

-Yes, he doesn't talk.

And why does he make all that fuckin' noise?

Hello, boys. Where do you live?

BANGING AND HUMMING CONTINUES

JOSH PYKE'S 'WHEN WE GET THERE' PLAYS

# Last year before the summer heat

# January came to me

# She said, "It's time to get a move on, kid

# "Cos you gotta stay ahead of the weather"

# What did she mean? I still don't know

# But all these winds and tides and autumn golds

# Seems too much to say

# To speak in such forevers

# No, life was never easy

# A never-ending series of those desert roads

# That never meet their promised destinations

# We report the news, the truths

# The promised land and ruby shoes

# Just click your heels together

# Cos you gotta stay ahead of the weather

# These are the beautiful days

# These are the beautiful days

# Cos all things change and all things bruise

# And all things have a longing spark

# When we get there you will know

# That you can't stay under the weather

# These are the beautiful days... #

G'day, mate.

# These are the beautiful days

-Simon!

-Yeah, coming.

# These are the beautiful days

# These are the beautiful days. #

Truly, I won't be long. CHARLIE GIGGLES

Simon, love, you'd better hurry up. You're going to be late.

I'm never late. I see the afternoon shift is up.

Charlie, medicine.

Here you go. Open up.

Oh, good boy.

How many stars has he got now?

He's got seven stars, haven't you?

-Good boy.

-Nine more means Super Nintendo.

Mum, can you pass the milk, please?

-Charlie!

-Charlie, get out of there.

-Charlie!

-Get out of there, mate.

-You get out of there.

-Charlie, get out of there.

Just behave yourself, all right?

Hold onto him, love.

-Come on, Charlie. Behave yourself for your mum.

-Oh... (GAGS)

Magpie? Up you get.

-You all right?

-(VOMITS)

-I'll get you some ginger ale.

-Oh!

CHARLIE LAUGHS

-You all right there, sweetheart?

-Get Charlie out of there, will you?

Come on, Charlie, get out of there.

BOY: Hey, guys, check it out! It's the spastic bus! (LAUGHS)

ALL JEER AND LAUGH

See you later, you freaktard.

-Jac, look. Is it really obvious?

-Oh, my God.

How am I going to swim today? Dad's gonna kill me.

-G'day, buddy. What's your name?

-Um, Thomas.

I'm Dean. Do you reckon I could borrow some?

-Yeah, yeah. Go for it.

-Thanks.

Hey, Bucko, you seen the hickey on Sally's neck?

-She's got a hickey?

-Yeah, look.

She's trying to cover it up with her hair.

Steve said he put one on her tits.

What about Kylie's rack?

I didn't even realise.

Check out the legs on Jackie.

Nah, I definitely prefer a decent set.

WHISTLE BLOWS

There will be no mucking around in the pool area!

-Yes, miss.

-Sorry, miss.

OK. (BLOWS WHISTLE)

We move on to the next module for this term,

which is the bronze medallion.

Yep.

Some of you might do something useful and save a life one day.

OK. Today we're going to be hitting the pools for some laps.

They've had to superchlorinate the pools cos of the heat,

so just keep your eyes closed

and there shouldn't be too many problems.

Where are your swimming trunks?

Um...

I, um...I've got them on, miss.

How on earth do you expect to swim in those?

So you brought nothing appropriate for swimming? What's your name?

-Thomas. Thomas Mollison.

-BOY: He's new, miss.

Well, Mollison, never mind.

We have contingencies for situations like this.

-WOLF WHISTLE

-BOY: Check it out.

BOY: Ladies and gentlemen, the yellow dick-stickers.

-Ooh!

-Hey, pin dick.

-He's bigger than you, Bucko.

-You'd be the one to know, Sally.

-Oooh! You're just jealous.

-WHISTLE BLOWS

You can all take turns wearing them, if they get you that excited.

Now take your marks. (BLOWS WHISTLE)

HE SPLUTTERS

HE COUGHS

Get off the lane ropes, Mollison.

HE GASPS

On your marks. (BLOWS WHISTLE)

Watch out.

-Fuck, you swim like a spastic.

-You're not much better, Bucko.

Jackie just beat you twice.

Look at you, eh?

(LAUGHS) You cheeky monkey!

SHE MAKES MONKEY NOISES

This musical's got to be the lamest thing I've ever heard of.

I think it's cute. It's nice they've included Charlie.

Mum, it's not cute, it's lame.

Half of them can't even talk, let alone sing.

That's not the point, Thomas.

All right. This is ready.

You just heat it up when you and your brother are hungry

and we'll be back about 8:00.

CHARLIE GIGGLES

No beer for you, Charlie. No beer.

Monkeys don't drink beer.

Mum, with a roundabout, do you have to pause

or can you drive straight through if it's clear?

I think you have to stop. Ask your father.

Hey, Simon, you had a shower yet?

-No.

-Well, hurry up.

-Rex said I don't need one.

-Shit.

Will you go and talk to Rex for me?

-Go on, Thomas.

-HE GROANS

Please.

-Dad, come on.

-It's not me. It's Rex.

Mum, Dad still won't get into the shower.

Bloody hell.

Rex, why can't Simon have a shower?

Rex reckons because you're the one giving the talk that you should go to the meeting

and I'll stay home and look after the boys.

But, Rex, I think some of the husbands might be interested

in Simon's viewpoint on sex and pregnancy.

-No, they wouldn't.

-Yes, they would.

All right, well, Rex also reckons that if I come to the meeting,

I should get some...

How'd you put it again, mate?

Oh, yeah.

..special attention tonight.

See, Rex, Simon gets nothing BUT special attention from me.

That's why I'm out here. Hop to it.

Charlie, come on, mate.

She's already on two bloody committees.

('BETTER' BY THE SCREAMING JETS PLAYS ON STEREO)

SONG: # This girl didn't know what happened

# When she knocked upon... #

STOPS TAPE, REWINDS AND HUMS QUIETLY

# This girl didn't know what happened

# When she knocked upon my door... #

# The things you had, the life you lived

# All the dreams you had before

# Your eyes were facing your heart and soul

# You know they said it all

# What happened on that day back then

# The moment hurt us all

# Now you see the reason why not everyone's the same

# You don't have to please them or try hard to save your name

# They said you'd never get anywhere

# Well, they don't care It's just not fair

-# But you know and I... #

-STOPS TAPE

Oh, Charlie!

HE SIGHS

DOOR SHUTS SIMON SPEAKS INDISTINCTLY

It's OK. I've just got to take it easy for awhile.

Won't just take it easy. You'll stay in bed.

It's ridiculous. There's no way I'm staying in bed all day.

Yeah, Mummy's home! Sorry we're late, Thomas. Look at you.

Are you deaf? You heard the doctor.

I'll set up the TV for you. I'll get you some books.

Who's going to take care of the house and boys?

I'm not useless, Maggie. I can use a vacuum cleaner.

-What's going on?

-At the meeting, I...

Your mother had an attack at the meeting.

-It wasn't an attack.

-Are you blind as well as deaf?

I had to take her to hospital. Blood pressure's through the roof.

The doctor told her she has to stay in bed.

Come on, Charlie. Bath time.

So you wanna have a stroke, then, do you?

For Chrissakes, Maggie. Don't be so bloody stubborn.

In you go, mate.

This pre-eclampsia business is serious stuff.

I need you to help look after Charlie,

keep an eye on your mother and make sure she stays in bed.

Maggie, I want you to go to bed now, all right?

WATER RUNS

You'll have a stroke if you keep nagging me.

You're a dirty little bugger. You're a dirty little bugger.

HE GIGGLES

I know what you are.

You are...the devil!

BOTH LAUGH

What about Mr Porcupine?

Can you grab that, please, mate?

You are...

..the Opera House.

SHE SINGS OPERATICALLY

Ow.

CHARLIE CHUCKLES VACUUM RUNS LOUDLY

-Time for Charlie's medicine.

-What?

Thomas, grab Charlie for me.

-What?

-Grab Charlie for me.

-Charlie, sit down.

-Charlie, please just...

-Tell him to open his mouth.

-Open your mouth.

Be a bit more playful than that. Come on.

Charlie, open your mouth for Thomas.

It's OK. Let Thomas do it.

Say 'thank you'. You're a good boy.

Good boy.

The underwear... Simon, the underwear goes on the inside.

SHUTS OFF VACUUM

Maggie, please just go back to bed, all right? Please.

It's very embarrassing.

Don't worry about it. Get back to bed.

Stop pushing me around. Get Charlie so I can finish dressing him.

I will in a couple of seconds!

-Make sure you put those bins out.

-Yes, Mum, I just did.

Sprinklers go on in half an hour.

Yes, Maggie. Thomas, I'll get you started on the lunches, all right?

-Get Thomas started on those lunches.

-For Chrissakes.

SONG: # Gonna love those country girls for ever

# Those little cuties from the never-never... #

HE LAUGHS LOUDLY

Shit!

HE GIGGLES

Charlie.

HE GIGGLES

HE GIGGLES

Charlie!

Come on!

Charlie!

MAN: Hey, nice undies.

Charlie!

HE GIGGLES

(GROANS) Charlie!

CAR APPROACHES

TYRES SCREECH, HORN BLARES

-Charlie!

-Watch where you're going!

Sorry, I... Charlie!

Charlie, Charlie. Yes. Come on. You can go to the toilet at home.

Come on.

Shit!

MUSIC PLAYS Hello?

GIRL SINGS LOUDLY

Oh, Charlie!

SHOWER RUNS

GIRL: # Without you, I feel cold

# Won't you come with me, and I will make you happy... #

Charlie!

(MUMBLES) Sorry, he's autistic. He needed to go to the toilet.

SHE SCREAMS

Dad, what's going on?!

Shit!

What the hell are you doing in my...

Hey!

Please, don't touch him! Can't you see there's something wrong with him?

-Get out!

-Get up. Go, go, go. Go.

Jackie, you all right?

Charlie, are you all right? You good? You OK?

Sweetie, why on earth would you leave your keys in the door?

Mum, as if I meant to!

By the way, he's running into other people's houses

and using their toilet again.

No! He hasn't done that for months. What am I going to do with you?

Charlie, I'm going to take away a star.

Yes, I am.

Bad, Charlie. Running away is bad.

How many times have I told you you don't go into other people's houses?

Done.

How far did you get this time, donkey dick?

-Dad...

-What?

You're just jealous you take after your mother's side of the family.

How many times do I have to tell you, woman? Bed.

-You're overreacting.

-You're not to lift a finger, Maggie.

I know my own body, darling.

You're the one who's pregnant and has to follow doctor's orders.

You're the one who wouldn't have a bloody vasectomy!

Rex told me not to have one.

Well, Rex can go fuck himself.

Margaret, bed. Go.

-CHARLIE BABBLES

-Please. What? What?

Monkey?

Where are Charlie's monkey ears?

Great. Don't tell me they're bloody lost.

Your name's sewn into them, they'll turn up.

Come on. We'll get you ready for school.

In your room. Charlie, in your room!

Come on.

Where's your shirt?

COACH: OK. Everyone in pairs.

-Hi.

-Hi.

Bucko, I think he's dead.

Nooo! For the love of God! (LAUGHS)

COACH: (BLOWS WHISTLE) That's enough.

Unless you two want to spend lunch hour on scab duty.

BOTH: No, miss.

OK. When performing CPR, we have to remember ABC -

Airway, Breathing and Circulation.

So first up, open up the airway.

Put your hand on the person's forehead and tilt it back.

-Gently, Mr Mollison.

-Sorry, miss.

OK. 'B' is for 'breathing', so check for it.

Put your face close to the person's mouth.

It's OK, Caroline, you don't have to kiss the dummy.

-LAUGHTER

-GIRL: Slut.

Keep the airway open. Look, listen and feel for breathing.

TV PLAYS WITH STATIC INTERFERENCE

OK. What channel?

Anything. I don't care. I'm going mad cooped up in here.

Mum!

What?

What? God, you're as bad as your father.

I only went across the road.

I had to get milk.

KNOCK AT DOOR

Mum! I'll get it.

OK. OK. I'll just sit here, then.

Charlie, get your finger out of your arse.

CHARLIE GIGGLES

Jackie, hi. Um... I'll...

CHARLIE LAUGHS QUIETLY I'll be back in one second, OK?

CHARLIE GIGGLES MORE LOUDLY Oh, shit!

Charlie, come on. Go to your room. Go to your room, Charlie.

Yes, yes. I know it's a girl.

Look, Charlie... (WHISPERS) I'll give you a star.

-Is it your father?

-No, it's not.

Get rid of them.

Don't worry, Mum. It's someone from school.

Are you gonna let them in?

Yes, Mum, I will. I'm helping Charlie with something.

Don't just leave them standing there.

(WHISPERS) Charlie, I'll give you two stars.

OK. Good boy.

BREATHES DEEPLY

OK.

Hey, Jackie. Um...

Sorry I took so long.

Sounded like you were having a party or something.

Uh, nah. (CHUCKLES) I was just, um...

It's Mum. She's...she's pregnant. She makes a lot of noise and stuff.

-Is your dad in the army?

-Yeah, yeah, he is.

-Do you have to move around a lot?

-Um...

Three primary schools and this is my second high school.

Mmm. You must miss your friends.

Yeah.

Hey, something a bit weird happened to me this morning.

While I was in the shower, two boys broke into my house in their undies.

They used the toilet...

..and, um, they left these.

See, it has 'C. Mollison' on it...

..right here.

Um...

W-w...you know, that's not weird.

I've...I've actually, um...I've heard of people who dress as monkeys

and they break into people's houses and use the toilet or something.

LAUGHS

Oh, what? Oh, yeah, it was me.

Chimp Mollison, my alias. Ooh, ooh, ee, aah!

It was exactly like that.

You just have to be in your undies to get it right.

Well, I'm just gonna have to get to the bottom of this.

I can see through shampoo, you know.

MAGGIE: Thomas Patrick Mollison!

SHE SIGHS

It's not like I ask for much.

MOANS

-Look at you, you little shit.

-HE GIGGLES

-Good!

-No, Charlie! Bad!

Bad! You don't rub poo on the carpet.

Don't! Keep your hands out of it. Arms up!

Arms up!

Oh...

Ugh! For God's sake.

For God's... Stop that!

Ugh! Don't touch me.

I don't know what's gotten into him, Thomas.

You deal with it. You deal with it.

Come on, Charlie. Bath.

Do you want these back?

CHARLIE SQUEALS AND GIGGLES

Don't you dare touch anything, Charlie!

Charlie, no. Keep your hands up. Up!

-CHARLIE GIGGLES

-Ugh!

Mum, it was an accident.

Honestly...I wish you'd grow up a bit.

You're gonna be 16 soon.

Watch your brother!

Da!

Oh, Charlie, piss off.

Mum, stop. You're supposed to be in bed, OK?

Well, it's too late for that.

Can't leave you to do anything, can I?

HE shat everywhere. Yell at HIM.

What was he supposed to do? Don't be so bloody selfish, Thomas!

He's not my responsibility!

-He's your brother.

-He's a freak!

I don't want anything to do with him!

Your brother will never be able to do the things you can, Thomas.

He'll never...get a job or have a family.

He'll never be able to look after himself.

He will live with us for the rest of his life.

So if there's anything that your father...

(PANTS)

..and I can do to help make your brother's life a little happier...

-Mum.

-..a bit more...

Mum. Mum, stop.

-..happier, then we're gonna...

-DOOR CLOSES

-I'm fine.

-No, you're not fine, Mum.

-Give me the brush!

-I'm fine!

What the fuck's going on here?!

Right. That's it.

Come on.

-Couldn't leave it, could I?

-I don't fuckin' care. Come on.

We're going to the hospital and you're staying.

Come on, Maggie. Just breathe.

Keep breathing. That's it, Maggie. Just breathe.

DOOR OPENS AND CLOSES

THOMAS: Come on, Charlie. Open your mouth.

Charlie. Charlie, open up your mouth.

CHARLIE GIGGLES No, open your mouth for Thomas.

Like you do for Mum.

GIGGLES Come on.

Oh...

HE LAUGHS

Shit! Charlie! Open up.

Open your mouth. Open your mouth!

Open up!

Gotcha.

I've done the washing and the lunches. Get Charlie on the bus.

-What? Dad, I'll be late!

-No, you won't. The bus driver will drop you off.

-I'm not getting on that bus.

-Don't be stupid.

-Dad!

-Thomas, you're getting the bus and that's final.

I'll be home at 8:00.

CHARLIE GIGGLES

Hi. You must be Charlie's brother.

Everyone, this is Charlie's brother.

Say hello, please.

ALL: Hello, Charlie's brother.

Do you wanna go sit with Charlie?

Katie...hands out.

Hands out.

Hands out.

Good girl.

(MOANS) Who are you? Who are you?

-Um, I'm Thomas.

-Hello.

You're Char...you're Charl... you're Charlie's brother.

Yeah.

I know Charlie. Charlie's a friend.

You don't know my name. You don't know my name. You don't know my...

OK, what's your name? What's your name?

My name is Russell and I'm with Charlie.

We're monkeys on a boat.

We dance together on a boat. We sit together on the bus.

HE LAUGHS

Are you riding the bus? Are you coming to our school?

No! No.

Yes, you are! Yes, you are!

Thomas is coming to our school.

Thomas rides the bus with Charlie! Thomas rides the bus with Russell!

HE LAUGHS

Do you like buses, Thomas? Do you like buses?

Arrgh! Thomas doesn't like buses!

-Thomas doesn't like buses!

-HE LAUGHS

Um, just here, thanks.

PASSENGERS: 'Bye, Thomas.

'Bye, Thomas!

SCHOOL BELL RINGS

-THOMAS COUGHS

-Hey, miss. Oi, miss.

I think you should get Mollison in the kiddie pool. He's gonna drown.

COACH: That's enough, Mr Buckingham.

Oi, miss, I'm being serious. Look at him!

Ignore him, Thomas. You can do it. Hang on.

There you go, Tom.

Even if you do drown, Sally's offered you mouth-to-mouth.

Arrrggggh!

-WHISTLE BLOWS

-Three minutes are up!

OK! Out of the pool. Next group, please.

Out you get, Caroline!

And...

WHISTLE BLOWS

(LAUGHS) What the hell are those?

They're monkey ears. Can't you tell?

-What are you wearing them for?

-To keep my hair dry, silly.

You heard of a swimming cap?

Yeah, but they leave these yeeky lines on your forehead.

Where the fuck did you get them from, anyway?

I made them myself, Deano. Do you want a pair?

Shut up, you weirdo.

Deano would love a pair!

They'd look good on you, mate.

Hey.

Hey.

Sorry about yesterday.

It's cool. I shouldn't have rocked up like that.

Thanks for not...

..you know, telling everyone about...

..well, everything.

-BELL RINGS

-GIRL: Hey, Jackie. Come on.

It's none of their business anyway.

Thanks.

See ya.

OK, now say 'monkey'.

-Da!

-No, no, no. Not 'da'. Monkey.

Da!

No, Charlie. Charlie, look here.

Now, listen to the sound.

Mon-key.

HE GIGGLES

No. No signing. No signing.

Come on.

No signing, all right?

Use your speaking voice.

Now say 'mon-key'.

Ka.

No. Look, I'll give you this if you say it.

HE GRUNTS No.

No signing, remember? No signing.

Say 'mon-key'.

'Mon-key'.

Monkey.

Kuh.

(LAUGHS) Yeah, that's it! Good, good.

Da.

-Why, hello.

-Hello.

Do you wanna walk home with me?

Uh, no. I'm getting a lift.

Well, that's lazy of you.

Yeah, see, I, um...I couldn't bring myself to wear a pink stackhat, so...

SHE SCOFFS

Is that your brother?

Uh, yeah. Yeah, it is.

He can walk with us.

RUSSELL: 'Bye, Charlie!

Thomas doesn't like buses! Thomas doesn't like buses!

Ooh!

Um, Charlie, this is Jackie.

Yeah, that's right. Girl.

Do you know sign language?

-Um...kind of.

-Wowee!

Could you...could you show me how to say hi to Charlie?

Oh.

Hello, Charlie.

HE GIGGLES

Can I give him a lolly?

-Da! Da!

-Yeah, yeah.

-Da! Da!

-You're locked in now.

Hold on, Charlie. Charlie.

There you go.

All right, now what do you say?

-Oh, it's the sign for lolly.

-OK.

Lolly.

-Do you wanna carry my bag?

-Da! Da!

-Here.

-Oh, no, it's fine.

Oh. Thank you.

Don't wear yourself out, you pro.

So why doesn't Charlie talk?

Um...

Well, he could when he was little.

What did he say?

Oh, just stuff like 'Mum', 'Dad', 'Tom'.

Simple sentences like "Charlie want food. Charlie want drink."

-You know, stuff like that.

-And then he just stopped?

Yeah, well, they, um...

They reckon it got too hard for him, so they taught him to sign.

It must be so hard on your parents.

Everyone says that.

It must be hard on you.

It's gotta be fun if you get to run into other girls' showers.

-HE LAUGHS

-Isn't that right, Charlie?

-Da!

-Oh, my God!

Charlie, no!

Jackie, I'm really sorry.

Charlie! HE GIGGLES

Charlie!

HE LAUGHS

Charlie!

Ugh!

HE LAUGHS

Charlie, spit it out, please.

Open your... Charlie, open your mouth. Open!

Spit it out!

Open up your mouth. Charlie, open up your mouth!

Open. Thank you.

Oh...yuk.

Jackie, I'm so sorry. He doesn't usually do things like this.

Fuck! Charlie! Open up your mouth!

This isn't funny, all right? Spit it out.

Charlie, spit it out! I said spit it out!

See ya.

At least it wasn't a used one.

SHE GIGGLES

That's 128.25.

I've only got 100 on me. Sorry.

HE CHUCKLES I told you.

Mum said you'd balls this up.

Yeah, thanks a lot, Thomas.

HE GRUNTS

Now be a good boy, Charlie.

Daddy's gonna put some of this stuff back, all right?

-HE GRUNTS

-No!

-Noooooo!

-Just settle down, champ.

HE GRUNTS LOUDLY

Settle down. Charlie, don't be silly.

-HE MOANS

-Just... Charlie... Charlie, get up.

-HE WAILS

-Just... Just...

Charlie... Charlie, stand up.

Charlie, stand up! Look, Charlie, Daddy...

Daddy hasn't got enough money...

Daddy hasn't got enough money, so he's got to put a few things back.

Charlie... Charlie, the nice people here want to do their shopping,

so you're gonna have to stand up, all right, Charlie?

-HE MOANS LOUDLY

-Charlie!

Charlie... Charlie... Charlie, get up.

Thomas, for Chrissakes help me, would you?

-HE MOANS

-Sorry about this.

Charlie, come on!

I know Dad didn't get the specials. Charlie, get up! Charlie, please.

Please. I know. Dad didn't get the specials. Now please...

WOMAN: (OVER PA) Security, checkout two.

Charlie, for God's sake, stand up! Stand up now!

Come on! (SHOUTS) Get up!

Get up! Stand up!

Get up! Stand up!

Stand up!

Stand up! Come on!

That's 94.30.

Yeah, hang on, Charlie. Hang on.

Daddy will get you some dinner. How's that?

I'll get you some eggs if you like. Want some eggs? Want some sausages?

How many sausages do you want? You want six sausages? Two?

-Good boy.

-Look, Charlie, no stars.

-HE GRUNTS

-Look, no need for that.

-No, Dad, he's gotta learn!

-Tom, some fucking peace and quiet! Just leave it, all right?

-He gets away with everything!

-Charlie, just chill...

-HE GROWLS

-No stars now!

-Thomas, for fuck's sakes...

Charlie... Just... Charlie!

HE GIGGLES

-Hello.

-Da!

Hello, my boys!

Hello, sweetheart. I missed you.

Da!

What...? No, no, no!

Mummy has to stay in hospital.

Yeah, but look, I've been finishing your costume.

-He's been practising all week with Russell, haven't you, mate?

-Da!

Come here. You're not too old to give your mum a kiss.

Aww. Come here. M-m-m-m-m-m-mwah!

She's been kicking today.

-How's everything?

-Um, yeah. It's OK.

How's school?

It's OK...

Just OK?

You'll be happy to know that I've set...set the cot up,

and, uh, the change table's next.

What's happened to his foot?

-HE GIGGLES

-Oh, he just...walked through a bit of glass. He'll be right.

You'd better not be feeding me bullshit.

Just cos I'm in bed all day doesn't mean I don't know if something's up.

Us Mollison boys are doing just fine without you, Magpie.

I got a surprise for you.

Rex misses you, and he wants to stay in and keep you company.

-Oh, no!

-SHE LAUGHS

Awww.

Great. That's fabulous.

Er, Elizabeth called to remind us of the rehearsal next week

and I said we could make it. Which day is tuck-shop duty?

-It's Friday, hon.

-CHARLIE GIGGLES

-Are you good? Coping?

-Absolutely.

-Yeah, I bet you are.

POP MUSIC PLAYS

HE HUMS ALONG

Dad.

Yep. (LOWERS VOLUME)

Do you ever wish Charlie was normal?

Yeah, at the start.

I don't think about it much anymore, though.

Charlie's Charlie.

Yeah, but don't you think it's kind of unfair?

Your mum reckons we got Charlie because we're capable.

We're strong enough to deal with him.

Do you believe that?

I dunno. Your mum is. That's for sure.

All I know is he's my own.

You're weak as piss if you don't look after your own.

HE HUMS QUIETLY

Hey, Charlie, what do you want for tea?

CHARLIE LAUGHS

SIMON LAUGHS

HE IMITATES A SPUTTERING ENGINE

HE IMITATES BRAKES What's this?

New wheels for your mother.

-Come on, give us a go.

-Maybe when you get your licence.

OK, what's in the bag?

-It's a surprise.

-Da!

Charlie, open the bag for Dad.

You're a good boy.

HE LAUGHS

Come on, Tommy. Let's have a game.

-Charlie, how do you like your Super Nintendo?

-Da!

If you're good, we'll get you another game next pay.

You want a go? Has two controllers.

Uh...no, it's fine. Let Charlie play. I'll just have a go later.

-Come on, mate. The game's for everyone.

-Yeah, I know.

Da!

Here we go. We off?

All right. Aha!

WHISTLE BLOWS

COACH: Stay calm.

Sally, concentrate.

Nice, Chris. Nice focus.

You're going the right way, Jackie. That's good. Keep going.

Sally, put your head back.

Are you OK there?

GIRL: Yes, miss.

You're meant to be saving her, not drowning her.

Nice and easy.

45 seconds. Come on.

JACKIE: Are you all right?

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7,

8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15.

SHE EXHALES

SHE EXHALES

1, 2, 3,

4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10,

11, 12, 13, 14, 15.

5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10...

WOMAN: Everyone waving!

ALL: # Goodbye, goodbye, goodbye

-# We're off on our way

-Arms up!

# So let's sing together, you and me, every day... #

-Here he is.

-Hey, Charlie.

# Farewell, farewell, farewell

-# We're leaving, away... #

-That's great. That's excellent.

OK, roll your arms.

# Goodbye, goodbye, goodbye

# We're off on our way

# So let's sing together, you and me, every day... #

Mmm. Mmm.

Well, your mum reckons you need more than one pan to make dinner.

Boys, that's just not true.

-Good, Charlie?

-Da.

Yeah. Actually, I might go and visit your mother after dinner,

if you boys are right by yourselves.

Dad, would you be able to take me for a driving lesson later on?

What, in the Valiant? HE LAUGHS

Son, shit in one hand, wish in the other

and see which one gets full fastest.

HE LAUGHS KNOCK AT DOOR

Hi.

I'm Janet and this is Trevor,

from the Department of Youth and Community Services.

Can we come in?

DOOR OPENS

We've received complaints about one of your children.

We're just here to follow up

on the reports of consistent fighting in the house.

Oh, that'd be Charlie. He's autistic, you know?

ADD on top of that.

Right, OK. So, uh, is this Charlie here?

Yeah, mate. I think it's obvious.

-Get a good look, did you?

-Excuse me?

You heard me. Speak to me before sticking your nose

into things you know nothing about.

-Next time I'll call the police.

-Piss off, why don't you?

-Wait till my husband gets in!

-Send him over, sweetheart!

Oh, I will. Don't you worry about that.

-You won't be so big then, will you?

-(QUIETLY) Stupid bitch.

Fuck 'em.

JACKIE: Wowee. Will anyone see us?

No. No-one will. Don't worry. There's never anyone around here.

-Careful.

-Ow.

-You all right?

-Yep.

Good work.

-Come on, Charlie. Come on.

-Look at this place!

-Do I have to follow you?

-Mm-hm.

-Why do I have to follow you?

-This is my 'hood.

-(LAUGHS)

-This is MY 'hood.

Charlie, he says it's his 'hood!

So why aren't there any trees in here?

Ah, that would be because it's a rifle range.

Bullshit.

THUNDER RUMBLES Wowee.

Who says 'wowee'?

-I do!

-Mmm.

-Pretty, don't you think?

-Nah, not really.

You're supposed to say, "Not as pretty as you."

Ohhh. Well, they make me sneeze. And besides, they're noxious weeds.

I don't care. They're beautiful. FLY BUZZES

They strangle the native plants and probably poison the native animals.

-What native animals?

-Exactly.

I like them. Do you like them, Charlie?

-Da.

-See? Me and Charlie like them.

HE LAUGHS And so do the bees.

So you're a loner on this one.

Oh, God!

-SHE SQUEALS

-Oh, Charlie!

IMITATES A MONKEY

No, no!

I will fall.

Fraidy-cat, fraidy-cat.

Yes, you are. Oh-ho!

THUNDER RUMBLES

BIRD CAWS

-Ta-da!

-Yeah, ha-ha-ha, you show-off.

Dem are fighting words.

I dare you to come over here and say them.

Hmm.

Come on.

Fine.

I shall take it upon myself, boy, to instruct you in the art of swimming.

Since when was swimming an art?

Well, it's all about technique.

Here.

-When you raise your elbow up...

-Yep.

..that's when you breathe...

-Yeah.

-THUNDER RUMBLES

..then you gotta push your arm through the water, like this.

-Yeah?

-OK.

Go on, give it a whirl.

Kieren Perkins, watch out.

THUNDER RUMBLES LOUDLY

Shit!

HE GRUNTS

Charlie! Charlie!

Charlie. Charlie, it's OK. Just hold on. It's all right.

-Let's go.

-Come on, Charlie.

I'm knackered.

You cold?

Don't know.

CHARLIE LAUGHS QUIETLY

Here.

It's beautiful.

Thank you.

You're welcome.

Close your eyes.

OK.

THUNDER RUMBLES What do you see?

But my eyes are closed.

Yeah, but what do you see?

Um, black?

Look harder.

OK, I can...I can see these little speckles of light.

Um, they're blue and red, like... floating around like a lava lamp.

That should go away.

It's going.

It's gone.

Now it's black.

Hold on, no, it's mainly black, but...it's kind of fuzzy, like...

..like snow on a TV.

That doesn't go away.

You can wait an hour, a year, it'll still be all fuzzy.

I reckon if it went away I'd be able to see my mum.

That's what it's like for my brother.

Only it's not just what he can see, it's...

..it's what he hears and what he thinks.

Everything.

I think it's all fuzzy.

-(LAUGHS)

-(SQUEALS)

THEY GIGGLE

WOMAN: I can't believe it! Oh, sweetheart.

How are we gonna cope? I guess we're not going to Scouts tonight.

-It could've been worse.

-Da.

Thank you.

CHARLIE LAUGHS

SIREN WAILS IN DISTANCE

Oh, my dad's gonna be home soon.

Oh, OK. That's...that's fine.

What?

Stop it!

Um, well, it's my birthday next week and...

..well, my family usually do this dinner type thing.

Do you wanna come?

DOOR RATTLES CHARLIE LAUGHS

SHE LAUGHS

Yes, hold on.

-Da!

-What?

Hah.

MAN: Shut up! DOG BARKS

BABY CRIES

HE GROANS

CHARLIE LAUGHS AND GRUNTS HE GROANS

BABY CRIES LOUDLY

SIMON: Maggie, Sophie needs her nappy changed.

MAGGIE: There's nothing stoppin' ya.

It's gone everywhere. It's up her back and everything.

A bit of poo's not gonna hurt you.

I'm dressed for work, Maggie. I can't.

PHONE RINGS

CHARLIE CONTINUES LAUGHING SOPHIE CRIES

SOPHIE COOS

Shh. Shh. Shh.

-The guy at the back, pulling faces and things like that.

-Oh, you're shitting me.

IMITATES BOY ON BUS

Oh, watch this. Ready? Come on, get 'em out. Good girl. Yes!

ALL CHEER

-Look, Tom, it's the spastic bus.

-They've come to pick you up.

-Get on. Bucko's just saying goodbye to his girlfriend.

-Oh, yeah. No, she's your woman.

Morning.

Charlie! Hello.

What the hell's with the retards out here?

-Do you know him, Jackie?

-What are you doing?

-Get back on the bus.

-No.

No, now, Charlie.

-HE GROANS

-It's a spastic!

-Charlie, where's the bus?

-I think it's his brother.

Charlie, please.

-Charlie, come on.

-HE GRUNTS

Charlie, please. You have to get back on the bus.

HE MOANS

Charlie. HE LAUGHS

IMITATES CHARLIE

-His brother's freakin' out!

-I'm gonna get some help.

Charlie, I'll buy you an ice-cream. Do you want an ice-cream, Charlie?

HE MOANS LOUDLY

Stop! STUDENTS TALK EXCITEDLY

Charlie! Charlie!

What's going on here? Back it up, back it up. What's going on?

Mate, are you all right? Hey!

Stop that! Leave him alone!

Hey, settle down.

Leave him! Leave him!

You're making it worse!

It's all right. It's all right.

Get off him, all right?!

Get lost! Get lost!

Get away! WHISTLE BLOWS

Charlie.

Class! Get to class!

I'll take care of this. I'll take care of this.

It's all right. It's OK. It's all right, Charlie. Charlie,

Charlie. It's OK.

It's OK. Look, we've got your bag. We've got your monkey ears.

Good. Good boy, good boy.

We'll go back to the bus, OK?

OK, good boy. Good boy. Good boy. Good boy.

# Goodbye, goodbye, goodbye, we're off on our way... #

SHE CONTINUES SINGING GENTLY

There you are.

I was gonna give this to you later, but I couldn't wait.

Happy birthday.

Thanks.

I recorded everything especially for you.

Go on, play it.

('DON'T GO NOW' BY RATCAT PLAYS)

JACKIE: (SINGS ON TAPE) # Well, you can have my heart

# Have my soul Without you I feel cold

# Won't you come with me and I will make you happy

# And then when I'm alone

# I'll dream of you till the day is gone

# Don't you know I will be dying

# To be by your side... #

SHE STOPS TAPE

Listen, I know you're upset.

Just don't worry what those stupid kids at school think.

Yeah, well, it's easy for you to say that.

You have to stop wishing Charlie was normal.

It's never gonna change.

ROCK MUSIC PLAYS

SHE SQUEALS

Howzaaaaaaaaaat?!

Come onnnn!

What heyyyyyy-ya!

Oh, come on, Maggie. It was plumb.

Yes!

Yes! I'll retire when I get my century, Mr Mollison.

So then you can get a bat.

You'll keep.

JACKIE: This is so yum, Mrs Mollison.

I can't remember the last time I had a roast.

Oh, really? Oh. We have a roast once a fortnight.

Simon just loves his roast vegies. Don't you, darl?

Mmm.

My dad doesn't really cook.

And we eat at different times so it's just takeaway, really.

Well, you're welcome over here for dinner anytime.

Yeah. Just as long as you do the dishes.

-Da!

-What is it, sweetie?

-Here. Pass it to Mummy.

-Oh, I can do it.

-Sure?

-Yeah.

You're being very good.

He'll do anything for a pretty girl, won't you, mate?

-Da! Huh!

-What do you say?

That's right. Good boy.

Do you think Charlie will ever talk again?

Yes.

Well, probably not, actually.

I mean, we hoped he might have when he hit adolescence

but, unfortunately... (SIGHS) ..he didn't.

You get your point across, don't you, sweetie?

Well, maybe if he stopped signing, he'd start talking, Mum.

I think that's unlikely, Thomas.

-SOPHIE GRUMBLES

-You hungry too?

Ohhh.

She's so tiny.

(WRYLY) Yeah. Well, she didn't feel so tiny coming out.

I wasn't much older than you when I had Charlie.

Mum!

What? She's hungry.

I fed you this way.

You loved it.

Couldn't get enough.

Please.

ALL: # For he's a jolly good fellow

# For he's a jolly good fellow

# For he's a jolly good fellow

# And so say all of us! #

-Whoo!

-No, Charlie!

You wait for Thomas and then we'll light them again.

Go, Tommy.

HE BLOWS RASPBERRIES, CHUCKLES

Sorry, sweetie. Charlie, come to Mummy.

-I said wait. Come here.

-Hold on, Tommy.

I got that. Just... just wait for it, mate.

-No.

-OK. Almost there.

OK.

Righto. One for the camera.

-Hip hip...

-Hooray!

-Hip hip...

-Hooray!

-Hip hip...

-Hooray!

BOTH CHEER

Da!

Aw!

How about one of those over here, eh?

-SHE LAUGHS

-Simon, leave the poor girl alone.

Yeah. Um...

Tommy, now, I know we've already given you your gift

but I reckon you might like this one.

Ah! What could this be?

Oh!

-Yeah.

-Thank you.

You're officially allowed on the road now.

Rex reckons if I can teach your mother to drive, I can teach anyone.

Hey!

-All right. Who wants some cake?

-Yes, please!

-It's Thomas's favourite. Isn't it, sweetie?

-It is, Mama.

I'll get the ice-cream. Simon, cut the cake.

All right. Four tiny little pieces for the family,

and one big piece for me.

Oh, my God!

-Charlie...

-Oh, come on, Charlie.

You know that's private. Do that in your bedroom.

Put your dick back in your shorts, mate.

Bad, Charlie, bad.

No, bad.

I'm so sorry, Jackie.

How many times do we have to tell you that?

You say sorry to Jackie and go and wash your hands, all right, mate?

Thomas, don't be ridiculous.

You put that down right now.

Thomas...

-Charlie!

-Charlie!

-Charlie! Charlie!

-Boys, stop it! Stop it!

-Charlie, you get off him.

-Stop it! Leave it!

-Oww!

-Charlie, let go of him!

-Charlie!

-Charlie, let go!

Enough!

-Charlie, Charlie, Charlie!

-CHARLIE MOANS

-Oh!

-Fucking spastic!

Thomas! Thomas, get off! Thomas!

-Thomas, please!

-Thomas, stop it!

-Stop it now!

-Charlie! Shit!

Thomas! Thomas, don't you dare hit your brother!

-I hate him! I hate him!

-Stop it! Stop it!

-Thomas! Thomas!

-I HATE YOU! I HATE YOU!

-Don't you hit him!

-Maggie, let me...

-Don't you hit your brother!

-I hate him!

-Get off! Get off!

-Get off him!

Just sit down!

-That is enough!

-Charlie! Charlie!

Charlie, are you OK? Come here.

-HE GROANS

-It's OK. It's OK.

Come to Mummy. Come to Mummy. Let Mummy have a look at you.

No, no. No, no, no, no. Charlie. No, no, no, no, no.

Settle, settle, settle. Shh.

-Settle down, mate.

-SOPHIE WAILS

Shh, shh. Sweetie, sweetie. Shh.

-Mummy's here. Mummy's here.

-CONTINUES WAILING

SHE SOBS

HE CRIES Hang in there, mate. Not long now.

You're being very brave, Charlie.

Yeah, he is very brave.

-HE GROANS

-I know, Charlie. I know it hurts. You're being very good.

-You're a good boy.

-HE GROANS LOUDLY

Almost there.

Almost there, darling. Oh, sweetheart. It's OK.

-It's OK.

-HE CRIES

Is that you, Thomas? Honey? THOMAS SOBS

I need to use the loo.

SHE SIGHS

It's not fair, is it, mate?

HE SNIFFS

Oh, poor, poor boy.

HE CRIES

You poor baby boy.

Oh, my beautiful boy.

I know, sweetie.

I know.

# I'm really close tonight

# And feeling like I'm moving inside her

# Lying in the dark

# And I think that I'm beginning to know her

# Let it go

# I'll be there when you call

# And whenever I fall at your feet

# You let your tears rain down on me

# Whenever I touch your slow-turning pain

# The finger of blame has turned upon itself

# And I'm more than willing to offer myself

# Do you want my presence or need my help?

# Who knows where that might lead

# I fall... #

You scared the shit out of me.

I fucked up.

TAPPING

TAPPING CONTINUES, CHARLIE LAUGHS

MAGGIE: Simon, where are the nappies?

SIMON: I don't know. Check the laundry basket.

I have! Can you look for them?

WOMAN: Will you shut up?

HE LAUGHS

Oh! Ah...

Oh!

That girl on the bus is pretty hot, mate! Have you boned her?

No way. Tom's still a virgin.

I reckon his brother isn't.

Hey, you better watch out, Tom.

Reckon your brother's trying to bone Jackie.

Must suck if your retarded brother's better looking than you.

-Stop being such fuckwits!

-(IMITATES CHARLIE) You're fuckwits.

WHISTLE BLOWS

COACH: OK! Today's the day.

-Are we ready?

-You OK?

Yeah.

Boys?

I want two laps!

Let's go!

Come on!

You get this one and, shock of all shocks,

you'll actually get your bronze medallion.

On your marks!

WHISTLE BLOWS

ENGINE RUMBLES

Just ease off nice and easy.

-Just get to a nice cruising speed.

-Yep.

Don't do anything sudden.

You've gotta drive like everyone else on the road is an idiot.

-Don't look at me. Look at the road.

-OK.

Just remember, everyone else on the road is an idiot.

-Mm-hm.

-It's called 'defensive driving'.

Defensive...

Just keep an eye on things that might come out,

running out of the driveway.

Right. Well, OK. How fast...

Try not to...

Whoa.

Excellent.

HE PULLS THE HANDBRAKE You're a natural.

Just like your old man.

SHE LAUGHS

Wowee!

HE LAUGHS

Climb in, Jackie.

-Thank you.

-Hopefully that'll be the last time we see those bloody monkey ears.

BOY: Ladies and gentlemen, roll up, roll up

for the unbelievable, inconceivable 'Animals Afloat!'.

JOLLY MUSIC PLAYS, AUDIENCE APPLAUDS

Whoo!

WOMAN: Keep smiling!

OK. Everyone together.

Very good! You're doing great.

That's beautiful.

Cute.

MOANING

Dance with Charlie.

You have to dance with Charlie.

Go on, you be a monkey.

Come on, Charlie.

Why don't you help Russell get up and have a dance?

All right? Come on.

Come on. Up you get, darling. Yes?

Come on, up you get, Russell. Charlie?

Hey, you stop. Charlie.

No!

Very good.

Don't wanna go on the stage.

-What's wrong?

-No, darling.

-You right? Charlie, are you OK?

-No.

You've been on stage before, remember?

Do it for Mum and Dad, OK? Look at my face.

Look at my face. Charlie won't be able to dance if you don't.

HE SPITS MOANING

Charlie, there is no need to spit. I will put you both...

I'll put you both in time-out.

Enough! Enough!

-I said stop!

-Charlie, calm down.

Charlie, enough! Stop it, all right? Just behave.

Dressing like monkeys? Charlie likes monkeys. Thomas likes monkeys.

Or does Russell like dancing?

-He likes this.

-Charlie likes dancing.

Thomas likes dancing.

No, Russell doesn't like monkeys. Russell doesn't like monkeys.

-You want...

-Russell doesn't like Charlie.

SPITS, GIGGLES WAILS

Settle down, all right? Settle down. Charlie, just...

No, Charlie! No!

It's OK. It's OK. You don't have to...

Charlie, you'll just have to go on stage by yourself.

-No.

-No, you can do it.

-You're a big boy. Come on, Charlie.

-No, no.

Come on. Be a good boy. Come on. On stage.

JOLLY MUSIC PLAYS

SONG: # Have you seen

# The looks on their faces... #