![]()
One
A room.
A girl in school uniform, with hat. As you would see on a Melbourne tram. Or a Blackman painting.
AMBERAustralia is a thin layer of scum
Floating on a vast volcanic lake.
It is true that for the last few blinks of an eye this crust has held sure
The boiling magma below is forgotten
Or ignored
A truth we pretend we do not know
But quietitude is highly unusual in this country
The normal state of affairs is emanations, eruptions,
Puncturing the veneer, spreading ash, pumice, and rock in liquid form.
In a geological sense, we sleep on a sea of flame
And all through our land, there are portals.
Gateways to eternal fire.
The doors of Hell.
This is Australia.
Blackout.
A sign on the wall, high above: āPERFECTLY USELESS MOVEMENTā.
She has been joined by four other girls in the same uniform. They stand equally spaced across the stage.
NIKKIHigh on the wall
A sign over the assembled school:
GIRLSāSILENCE IS GOLDENā
ARIELLEMrs Appleyard
Splays the girls about her
Imperious
She lambasts them with Englishness
ELIZABETHAre we all present?
Good
Well, young ladies, we are indeed fortunate in the weather for our picnic to Hanging Rock
I have instructed Mademoiselle that as the day is likely to be warm, you may remove your gloves after the drag has passed through Woodend
You will partake of luncheon at the Picnic Grounds near the Rock
Once again let me remind you that the Rock itself is extremely dangerous and you are therefore forbidden to engage in any tomboy foolishness in the matter of exploration, even on the lower slopes
It is, however, a geological marvel on which you will be required to write a brief essay on Monday morning
I also wish to remind you that the vicinity is renowned for its venomous snakes and poisonous ants of various species I think that is all
Have a pleasant day and try to behave yourselves in a manner to bring credit to the College
I shall expect you back, Miss M...
