Fireflies (2004): Season 1, Episode 8 - Ride with Style - full transcript

- Hmm, she's made a friend already.

- Dad, no one deserves
to be raped every night

for the first six months
of their sentence.

- I've got a good gut feeling
about this Dr. lasko.

- Um, I'm not exactly a doctor, Hank.

- Oh, I know, I know.

See, I'm doing it again?

More bullshit.

- I've been doing the cash flow.

- [Backa] Svettie, the rodeo's coming,

we can trade out of this.



- Every month is worse
than the last one.

We've gotta make some decision, backa.

We're bleeding money.

- What about you, eh?

Talk to uncle Jeff yet about
getting back to the land?

- No, now's not the time here, Joey?

- What, now's always
the time, isn't it?

Seize the day, carpe diem.

- Carping on is more like it, mate.

Jesus, you oughta get
your hand off it, eh?

(Folksy soft rock)

- ♪ I have to pinch myself to feel, ♪

♪ if what is going on is real. ♪

♪ From the gods themselves we steal ♪



♪ night and day. ♪

- [Backup singers] ♪ night and day. ♪

- ♪ A jug a wine, a loaf
of bread and thee, ♪

♪ lying on a blanket, ♪

♪ underneath that big
old spreading tree. ♪

♪ It's such a beautiful feeling. ♪

♪ Such a beautiful feeling. ♪

- [Taz] I'm driving.

- Uh-uh.

We're running late, and
you don't know the road.

- You promised to teach me.

- Another time.

(Door closing)

- ♪ Typical woman. ♪

(Engine starts)

♪ Sometimes hurts her friends
when she don't mean to. ♪

You gonna wait in the car?

Why don't you hop in the
back; It won't be long.

(Soft rock music)

- [Taz] Thanks.

- [Perry] But no thanks.

- I'm not driving.

- You're not 18 yet either.

(Bottle thunks down)

See you Friday, Hank.

- You in town for long?

- It depends.

- On what?

- On whether dad chills.

If the old unit gets too parental,

I may as well be back in Sydney.

- So you're going to the rodeo.

- [Taz] I didn't know about it.

- It's the only thing that
happens in lost river.

- It's when the folks come to town.

Drag their sorry asses in the dirt.

- You going?

- Sharpie usually does a
bit of business that day.

Might hang around home.

- Yeah, lill and Perry will be into it.

- Part of the community.

(Chattering)

Eh, give me your number.

(Soft dramatic music)

(Birds twittering)

(Car passing)

- Give you a hand with anything?

- [Svettie] All done.

- I'll take the kids out
to the rodeo later.

Uncle Jeff will probably want a hand

with the cattle for the camp drafting.

It's the carpark,

but a big job for little r affairs.

- This is the one day I need you.

We fail today, it's the
end of this place.

I can't believe you're thinking...
you bugger.

(Laughs)

- Smile, baby.

- Tonight, when the die stops rolling

and we have the money for the mortgage.

- Taz, breakfast.

You look nice.

- Aw, thanks, Perry.

(Cell phone ringing)

- [Hank] Taz?
- Hey.

- [Hank] You there?

- Yeah, just a sec.

I'll keep moving til I get coverage.

Reception here is crap.

- So, what are you up to?

- [Taz] Oh, the flatmates
are off to the rodeo,

so I have the place to myself.

- Well, I've got a few
things on this morning.

- [Taz] Well, do you want to
come up to the house for lunch?

There's chook, I'll cook
it if you strangle it.

- Yeah, why not? See
you around mid-day.

- Omlet?

- I'd kill for a coffee.

- Get some lining on your stomach.

No battered saves for you two.

- What about the gypsy fruit?

I hear the cwa team's a knock out.

- Eh, I don't think
I'll go to the rodeo.

- Oh come on. It'll be fun.

- Hmm, really?

You gonna wear that
attractive yellow clown suit?

Aw, good on ya, lill.

Run where the fire is at,
Lily of the valleys,

part of the community.

Is that a hay seed in your hair, mate?

Eh, good on ya!

- This is delicious, darling.

- Oh, good on you, Perry!

You'll make someone a good
wife one day, eh mate?

- You can keep me company.

- You're not going to the rodeo?

- I have plenty to do around here.

You'll help me out though
a bit, won't you mate?

(Perry laughs)

(Dog barking in distance)

(Acoustic guitar music)

(Soft knocking)

- You lookin' for someone?

(Knocking)

- Fifi awake?

- She's already left.

Look, maybe you can clear
something up for me.

I'm sort of curious about you and fif.

Are you dating?

No? Ya going together?

Is Fifi your girlfriend?

I mean what's the story with you two?

- Drop through your ass, Hank.

- Oh, I'd end up looking like you!

- I want to see your brother.

- Slept in?

- [Joey] Yeah, I still
have to pick up Fifi.

Thought you might want a lift.

- What made you think that?

- Oh, the traffic!

Huge columns of cars
half way to fox cove.

- Seriously?

- No, the cars here
wouldn't get out of bed.

- Hi, Nathan. How are ya?
- Hi, lill. Good.

- The riders call him "rolley."
As in roll your own.

Ask him what he smokes.

- I roll me own bulls, but
I am trying to cut down.

(Men laugh)

- Nice to see you.

- So, you're going to
be in the bull ride?

- I am, yes.

- Oh, he's today's star attraction!

Twelfth on the prize money list.

He's gonna make the national
championships this year!

- If I stay in the top 15.

There's that big prize
money out at nyngan today.

The boys on me tail
are riding out there.

- So you'll have no competition.

A win at lost river will get
you third or fourth at nyngan.

- Well I hope you have a quiet bull.

- Don't be wishing that
on me, please, darling.

- Why? I thought you had
to stay on the longest.

- Well, the ride lasts
for eight seconds.

After that, it doesn't matter

whether you're tossed or you jump.

When it's your turn to ride,
you ride 'em in style.

(Country music)

- ♪ Bring your big mouth over, ♪

♪ bring your big mouth, ♪

♪ your big mouth, ♪

♪ come here right now. ♪

♪ Bring your dark eyes over. ♪

♪ Bring your dark eyes, ♪

♪ bring your dark eyes. ♪

♪ Come here right now. ♪

♪ You're so fine, ♪

- [Child] Hey, Jack, where you going?

- Oy, oy, oy! Burke kids,
back here, back here.

You haven't got your
riding instructions yet.

Now, stick together. I mean it.

Stay well clear of any
animals bigger than you.

Don't climb anything unless
you're happy to fall off it.

And if anything happens, you
find Joey or uncle Jeff.

All right, what else?

- Mind your p's and q's.

- Yes, what else?

- Keep your nose tidy.

- And don't spend all your
money at once unless...

- It's a present for mom.

- Good, off with you.

- Uncle Jeff wants to see ya.
- [Backa] Oh, I know.

- Why do you run his errands for him?

(Voice droning on radio)

- Yeah, Bryce. Copy that.

Hey backa, get over here.

There's a bushfire down south.

(Radio voice drones instructions)

- Shove over!

- Boss give me captain to
fire com, y'ello? Over.

- [Price] Fire com to
lost river captain.

Go ahead, backa.

- [Backa] What's going
on there, sir? Over.

- Nothing to do with us.

It's a small fire at Brooklyn
that sprung up suddenly.

They don't seem too worried.
I'd go ahead.

- Well what's going on with
the freeway out of the city?

- Our freeway is closed at the moment.

They already cruised through, but

it won't be open again
until nine o'clock.

- Thanks, price.

You organized the broncs and
bulls for the bucking events.

Which way were they coming?

- [Jeff] Coming up the freeway.

(Backa sighs) Probably
caught in traffic.

I'll try and get the
drivers on the mobile.

- Geez.

- Hey rolly, we'll have to
do it like the old days.

Toss you up and down
on the fruit trail.

(Snickers)

(Cow lows)

- Not the answer you wanted?

- No.

- I've seen your cash flow.

It's make or break for
you today, isn't it?

- Made good money the last rodeo,

and the year before that.

- Three months mortgage?
Svetlana's extra stock?

You're only delaying
the inevitable, backa.

I want an answer to my offer.

- Then change your terms.

Let svettie keep the shop.

Give Joey his share of Hungary hill.

- I'll come on over after the rodeo.

You'll know by then,
one way or the other.

(Door slams)

(Engine starts)

(Birds twittering)

(Footsteps)

(Door creaking)

(Door shuts)

- There's a fire down south.

- It was on the radio.

They even mentioned
the lost river rodeo,

not canceled at this stage.

- Well all the camp drafters
arrived last night.

Town's buzzing with locals.

- That's not enough.

I need the tourists,

and the big crowd from the city.

- I know.

- I need those people from
last year, the dairy ones.

- Port mcquarry? The Bostons?

- Yeah, that's right.

- Dairy's doing tough up there too.

(Dog barks)

- Camping weekend.

The freeway's closed,
we can't get back home.

I need a new set of
clothes for each of us.

- Right, well...

- Oh, the freeway will
probably reopen soon.

Or not.

- [Announcer] Steady
Jones of Riesling's

strides for 21 points,
cutting out for 15 points...

(Horse whinnies)

- What is he saying?

- Scores for the camp draft.

You see the rider separates
the beast from the mob,

that's the cut-out, and
then the outside points

are for driving the beast
around a couple pegs

and then through a gate.

- What, the riders use whips?

- No, that's the judge.

See, you lose control of the
beast a couple of times

and he cracks his stock whip.

- It's called gettin' cracked off.

- You competing?

- He's been cracked off
two years in a row.

(Cows lowing, announcer chattering)

- [Fifi] Hey Hank.

- Chairman, has she
said anything to you.

- Mate, while riding the
bull, ride with style.

- Oh, look at you.

No, I left my wallet at home, sorry.

(Hank grunts)

- [Fifi] Oy, oy, oy, oy, oy!
Oy. Oy. Catch.

- [Hank] Yeah, very funny.

- Eris, catch.
- [Eris] Here we go!

Lill!

(Lill cries out)

(Eris laughs)

- [Fifi] Yeah, come on,
lill, Chuck it here!

- I hear you've been cracked off again.

- Oh no, I'm not camp
draftin' this year.

I'm just... too busy.

- I wasn't talking
about the camp draft.

- You shouldn't believe everything
Hank tells you, noodle.

- It's not Hank who's asking.

- Cope you later.

- And what was all that about?

- They wanted to know
whether I was on the...

...on the market.

- Oh, you look pleased with yourself.

What'd you tell them?

- Don't know. What
should I have told them?

- Rolly. Rolly, rolly,
rolly, rolly, rolly!

- [Eris] It's not bloody
hard just get the form.

(Joey sighs)

(Eris shouting)

(Paper rustling)

- Thanks for your help.

- Oh, pleasure.

(Door creaking shut)

- Don't do it.

- I wasn't.

(Drawer dings shut)

- Keep countin' them,
they'll get nervous.

Leave 'em alone, you never know.

In the dark, they might breed.

- Do you think the
freeway has reopened?

(Backa sighs)

- I could try the cv.

Patto will have the latest on the fire.

- No, it's bad luck.
Check it might close.

(Exhales)

(Sexy bass music)

(Laughs)

Let's not.

- [Backa] All right.

(Footsteps racing)

(Svettie giggles)

Patto, this is backa.

What's the latest on the freeway?

- [Patto] Wait a sec,
I'll check with me mate.

(Guitar music)

One lane open at mount white.

- Is the traffic moving?

- [Patto] It's moving slowly,
but definitely moving.

- Thanks!

(Laughs, exhaling)

They will come.

By midday this place
will be full of people.

(Fridge humming)

(Birds twittering)

(Door clangs shut)

- [Taz] There's no food in the house.

- Thought we might drive into
town, have lunch with lill.

You can have a drive.

- It's okay, you go. I'll... study.

- Well, if you want a driving
lesson, we'll go in.

If not, I'm quite happy here.

- Am I under house arrest?

You and lill are taking
turns keeping an eye on me.

(Sighs)

- Come on, out with it.

- I'm nearly 17, and you
treat me like a child.

(Dirt crunching)

(Crunching footsteps)

(Keys clattering)

I'm going back to Sydney.

- [Perry] No you're not.

- I came here of my own accord.

I can leave if I want.

- Your mother wants a break.

- She told you that?

You know what's funny?

I thought we could start some
normal adult relationship.

Instead it's absent
father, surrogate mother,

and problem child.

- You've practiced that?

- [Taz] Actually it's true.

- Taz, I'm not absent,
you're not a child,

and lill has zero interest
in playing surrogate mother.

- So what's she 'sposed to be playing?

My flatmate, my friend?

- If that's what you want.

- Let's make a deal.

I'll be friends with your third wife.

She'll be close to my age.

- Don't be stupid.

Adults do not behave like this.

- Great, I get to live
down to your expectations.

(Keys clinking)

(Sighs)

(Door slams)

(Engine starts)

(Engine revs)

(Wheels squeal on dirt)

(Tense, jazzy music)

(Phone ringing)

- ♪ Careful what you pray for. ♪

♪ You just might get it. ♪

♪ Be careful what you want now. ♪

♪ You might be sorry. ♪

(Singer humming)

(Saxophone)

- Freeway's closed again.

Cars are being diverted.

Morning's been all right.

- All right won't save us.

You need enough for the re-payments.

- How about enough to get to Fiji?

Take the cash and blow this joint.

God, we've got enough
hemp to clothe the kids

until they leave home.

What more do we need?

(Drawer sliding)

- There's something
you haven't told me.

- Jeff's made me an offer.

(Scoffs)

He wants me to work at Hungary
hill, manage the place later,

with a share.

He wants us to live with him.

- We have equity, and the furniture.

And we own the furniture and the stock.

- If we could sell the stock,

we wouldn't be in this position.

- When were you going to tell me?

- I hoped I wouldn't have to.

- But you talked to Jeff.

Once? How many times?

And what would I do while
you manage Jeff's farm?

Wash his underwear?

Make his bed?

- We could build our own place.

- How long would that take?

He hates me.

- He doesn't hate you.

- You're a good man,

and there are things a
good man is blind to.

(Sighs)

(Footsteps)

- We have to leave lost river.

- Would it be different somewhere else?

Would we be different?

(Somber, ringing music)

What?

- We're here.

The rodeo's gone to shit,
the shop's gone to shit,

but at long last I can see your face,

and not the back of your bloody helmet.

(Exhales)

Hello.

(Exhales)

(Slow guitar kicks in)

We are not going to Jeff's.

We are going to make money here.

Now put on the music.

(Footsteps racing)

And the Christmas lights!

Get the boxes from the shed.

I'll open schnapps!

- It's 10:30 in the morning!

- We need luck!

We need lady luck come
waltzing through that door.

Why would she come to
a dingy little shop?

We need to make a party!

And invite lady luck to dance.

Go on, go!

(Banjo music)

(Buttons dialing)

- ♪ They've been lookin'
so surprised. ♪

Bek, it's me.

I need to speak to sharpie.

♪ Future in your eyes. ♪

♪ I know what you're going through. ♪

♪ Baby, I've been there too. ♪

♪ And it hurts. ♪

♪ I was taught by experts. ♪

(Phone dings)

♪ You put the weapon, ♪

♪ in my hand. ♪

(Tires squealing)

(Scuffling)

(Tires crunching over dirt)

(Tense, chiming music)

(Dialing beeps)

- [Female operator]
What service please?

- Ambulance.

- [Male operator] Ambulance.
Where are you calling from?

- Lost river.

- [Male operator] What state?
- New south wales.

- [Male operator] What
is the exact address

of the emergency?

- Wheeo road just outside lost river,

near a billboard for
lost river general cafe.

- [Male operator] Are you on a mobile?

- Yep.

- [Male operator] What number?

- 04... uh, 04... I can't really...

- [Male operator] What is the problem?

- [Taz] A car accident.

- [Male operator] Has
anyone been injured?

- Yeah, a guy's been hit.
He's lying by the road.

- [Male operator] Can you
give any assistance?

- No, no, I can't.

- [Male operator] Why not?

- I can't turn around. There's
nowhere to turn around.

- [Male operator] How
many people injured?

- Just one.

- [Male operator] Are
there any chemicals

or other hazards involved?

- No, no chemicals.

- [Male operator] Was he
thrown from the vehicle?

- No, no, he was hit by a car.

- [Male operator] Does he appear
to be completely conscious?

- I don't know, I-i dunno.

No wait, what should I do?

Should I stay by the car?

Answer me please!

(Phone bangs into tray)

(Breathing heavily)

(Car ripping down road)

- [Backa] Now for the
piece of resistance.

(Backa grunts)

How's this, baby?

- [Svettie] Looks good.

(Backa laughs)

Hey!

- [Backa] Hey, bek.

- We're having a party! Schnapps?

It will take your breath away.

(Liquid trickling)

- It's still a bit early
in the day, isn't it?

- Doll, doll, doll,

don't make him think we're wrong.

(Footsteps)

- So, what are we drinking to?

- Backa and I are up deep creek.

Up deep creek with no paddle.

(Glasses clink)

- No paddles at all.

- No paddles.

Mmm.

Not for me. Sharpie's
waiting in the car.

- Tell him to come inside.

- No, he won't. He's
giving me the hurry-up.

- Well, sharpie must drink too.

(Glass clinking, footsteps)

(Door creaking)

- [Svettie] Goodday.

- Goodday.

(Insects buzzing)

Rebekah's against this.

- She's a very good friend to me.

- She's also a very smart woman.

- This is a slippery slope, Svetlana.

These people always
get their money back.

(Somber guitar music)

She'll be here at four
o'clock this afternoon

to look at the place.

- Schnapps?

- Make it a double.

(Glasses clink)

(Door creaking shut)

(Step thudding, tinsel rustling)

- It's all right, baby.
Rebekah's got good news.

The bucking stock's on the back road.

It's making good time!

- You're joking.

- No, no, the bronco ride
might be held by candlelight,

but there will definitely be a rodeo.

- Look at this place.

God, it looks like a brothel.

(Rebekah chuckles)

- Looks fantastic. Put the hat on.

(Rebekah laughs)

(Somber piano music)

(Wheels grinding to a stop)

(Locks clicking)

- Get out of the car.

Come on, out! Now!

(Door clicks open)

What's wrong?

- I couldn't turn around.

- Did something happen?

- I hit a cowboy.

- You...

Is he hurt? Is he all right?

- I don't know. He was
lying by the road.

- My god, taz. What have you done?

(Announcer chattering, horse snorting)

(Hooves clopping)

- Ginge has put the hard word on me.

- Come on, geez. No
accounting for taste there.

- Ah, just tune him out.

(Birds twittering)

(Sheep wails)

- It's 50/50 whether the
bucking stock get here.

If the riders leave now,

they can make the nyngan rodeo
in time for their events.

I wanna open the beer tent,

put a bit of doshpi on the bar;

people might stick around.

- Drink the Barlow dry tonight, huh?

Have you talked the committee?
Spoken to Jeff?

- Most displeased at the idea, Joey.
Most displeased.

(Joey laughs)

- My staff don't start til four.

I'll keep the key in for the
rfs, five hundred bucks.

- [Joey] Patto, eris, you up to it?

- The girl type.

I don't want their ugly
mugs behind the bar;

they'll put the drinkers off.

- There's nothing happening here.

- Non smoking tent.

- You got yourself a deal.

Ladies, here's your uniform.

(Everyone chuckles)

- [Fifi] Yeah.

- [Patto] Look at that, eh rolly?

- [Luisa] Make it suit ya.

- I thought you were
going back to nyngan.

You still got time.

- Rather I might just take
me chances here today.

(Door shuts)

(Guitar music)

- [Patto] Ah! It's the old boss, calky.

- You're not gonna open
the beer tent early.

This is a family event.

- Oh yeah? Shanties half price.

- I can make sure this is the last time

you get a license for the rodeo.

- The riders leave now,

this will be the whole
town's last rodeo.

- We're here under
false pretenses, Jeff.

We've missed the big
prize money elsewhere.

There's riders here who's
rankings are gonna be stuff

if you decide to cancel, mate.

That's ordinary, Jeff. Very ordinary.

- The bucking events are not canceled.

They'll be underway as
soon as the stock arrives.

- Oh yeah? Well have a
listen to this one.

Plays rhinestone cowboy!

(Group chuckles)

(Bottles clinking)

(Door shuts)

- He's gone.

- Tell me, what exactly did you see?

- He was lying right there.

- There's no blood. There's
no mark on the car.

- You think I'm lying?

(Footsteps crunching over gravel)

- Taz.

Come on, it's all right.
Hey, I've got you.

(Taz sniffling)

It's okay, baby.

(Country music)

- ♪ Yes we have sticky kisses. ♪

(Snapping)

♪ You're holding me tight. ♪

♪ Holding me tight. ♪

♪ We really should get
back inside of the bar. ♪

♪ There'll be missing us, baby. ♪

(Men snickering)

- [Lill] Would you like another beer?

- [Luisa] Yeah.

(Luisa chuckles)

- [Luisa] How you doin', lill.

- [Lill] Ah, you're
good, aren't ya doll...

(Girls murmuring to each other)

- Ale!

- And a general anesthetic.

- [Hank] Four scurries, thanks luisa.

- Who you getting beers for?

- Fifi, Fifi, Fifi.

- Hey, fif. I'll have a
rum and coke thanks.

- Okay. Joey, can you get a
Bundy from out the back?

(People chatting, laughing)

(Door squeaking)

- [Luisa] Need a hand?

- Yeah, thanks.

(Glass clinking)

(Horse whinnying)

- How come you're not in a tank top?

- 'Cause I'm not pretty enough.

- I wouldn't say that.

I've always liked you, Joey.

- Yeah, well you know... I'm safe here.

(Men talking, women laughing)

Once, just once I'd like
to know where I stand.

- Where's the Bundy?

(Luisa cackles)

- Hey, I've got something for ya.

(Luisa laughs)

- Thanks, eris.

- Go, babe, go.

(Growls)

- Yeah, thanks, Paul.

Well you let me know if
you hear anything, okay?

Yeah.

(Phone beeps)

Hospital hasn't heard a thing.

(Engine starts)

- Stop the car.

Stop!

(Door slams)

(Ringing music)

Now do you believe me?

I hit a cowboy. I knocked him down.

- Here you go, mate.

Thanks very much. Happy camping.

- [Woman] Bye.

- See ya later.

(Door creaking)

- It's not good.

We aren't gonna make it.

(Drawer sliding shut)

- Do you really wanna leave lost river?

- Do you really wanna go
and live with uncle Jeff?

That make you happy, to be
forced into Jeff's deal?

(Scoffs)

You'd have your father's land.

You'll be out of the shop,
building your future.

And I'll have no cause to blame you.

Pfft. No choice, my love.
We tried, we failed.

Next stop Hungary hill.

If you wanna do this deal,

if Hungary hill will make
you happy, tell me now.

(Children chattering)

- [Backa] Hey, how'd you go?

- Hey, dad.

- What?

- Can we have some more money?

- No. Next question.

- Dad!

- Um, no. Next question.

- [Candy & carter] Nothing.

(Backa chuckles)

- [Svettie] Joe, watch the lights.

- How'd you go?

- Ah yeah, well they got bored.

There's nothing happening
til the trucks get back.

Eh, you're lookin' a bit festive.

We're helping out in the beer tent.

Ginge's gonna kick the can, eh?

There is...

(Laughs)

There's bugger all people in town, eh?

Even the camp draft families
left after their events.

- Great. Do you want a cup of tea?

- Ah, no, no, no. I've gotta get back.

See ya.

- [Backa] See ya.

(Door creaking)

(Door shuts)

- You haven't told Joey.

You can't betray your brother.

- Oh, don't be melodramatic.

- It will eat at your soul.

- We agreed to split it
when Jeff passes it on.

The deal still stands.

- With you as a manager, he
can hold onto it til he dies.

Joe will be middle aged.

His child will be as old as he is now.

And you, you would have been

uncle Jeff's right-hand
man for 20 years.

(Somber, ringing music)

You are not that man.

(Water splashing)

(Soft country music)

(Brakes squeaking)

- [Patto] That's got a bit of a ding.

(Perry sighs)

- Run in with a guide post.

- [Patto] Yeah, they jump
out at you those buggers.

Worse than roos.

- You seen Mike Jones?

- He's over there by the beer tent,

having the time of his life.

- [Perry] Cheers.

- Who's Mike?

(Somber string music)

That's him.

- What?

Hey mate! Excuse me!

Yeah...

Look, I lost control of my car.

- You dinged me u.

- A blue Toyota station wagon.

- Have you got insurance.

- It was on the wheeo
road, a while back.

- Ah, sorry mate. Can't help you.

I drove down from kempsey last night.

- Were you walking on the wheeo road?

- No, you got the wrong fella.

I'll tell you what, me good
sir, if you got insurance,

back into it as many times as you like.

(Cow lows)

(Horse snorts)

- Wasn't him.

Go on, let's go to the beer tent.

I'll find your cowboy.

- [Constable] Come on, mate.
Out you get. Come on.

(Drunken man protesting) Let's go.

- Excuse me.

Yeah, and don't you come back, you!

(Lill laughs)

What's wrong?

- [Perry] Taz had a car accident.

- You all right?

What about you?

- I wasn't in the car.

(Country blares from a radio)

- Oh.

- Taz thought she hit a cowboy
on the side of the road.

But when the ambulance arrived,
there was nobody there.

- Well, what did the police say?

- [Perry] I'll talk to
Mike when he's finished.

- Mike?

- [Lill] Should we go
straight to the station?

- Dad and I are handling this.

We came here to find the cowboy.

I wanna know if he's all right.

(Merry banjo music)

- ♪ Now everything has turned around. ♪

♪ Down is up, ♪

- I think that's him over there.

- Yeah? All right.

♪ You got your finger... ♪

- Could be him though.

Can you just go ask him
about an accident?

♪ In the dirt. ♪

♪ I was taught by experts. ♪

Let's get out of here, come on.

- Look, I wouldn't worry about it.

You know, they fall on
their asses for a living.

You drive on the south home

and they'll be a whole bunch of them

lined up on the roadside, you know?

Jumping in front of cars,

giving each other points for
how well they hit the ground.

"21 points for cut out.
21 points only."

- I'm thinking about jail.

- You're not going to jail,

not even if you killed the bloke.

Well brought up kid,
professional parents,

they don't go to jail.

(Sighs)

- Taz.

Come 'ere.

- Or what? You'll drag
me off to the cops?

You told me we were
looking for the cowboy.

- Taz, you broke the law.

We have to speak to Mike, you and me.

- Mike the cop, the
cop in the beer tent.

You lied to me.

- I don't think you realize
how serious this is.

You could've killed yourself,

you could have killed somebody else!

- Don't shout at me.

- I want you to come with me, now.

- Go on, tell Mike.

Anyone complains later,

at least you know you've
done the right thing.

- [Taz] Will you come with me?

- Yeah sure.

- Think they'll need to
hang in the beer tent.

- Don't run away again.

Now is the chance, if you're
gonna behave like an adult,

and not like some spoiled,
self-obsessed child.

Come with me.

- Look, she's old enough
to get herself into shit,

she's old enough to dig herself out.

- I think I found your cowboy.

(Soft, tense music)

(Animals snorting, announcer
droning in distance)

Is that him?

- Hey, mate.

- That's my hat!

- Huh?

Oh right.

You all right?

- [Cowboy] Feelin' ain't right.

- Do you recognize this car?

Did this car run into you?

- The beer truck.

Bloody great beer truck
hit me fair in the guts.

(Laughs)

- [Perry] Mate, I'm taking
you to the ambulance.

Come on, buddy.

Here we go.

- You oughta see m'scar.

Fell off a bronc.

- Easy tiger.

- How'd you lose your hat?

- Didn't lose it. It's
right here on my head.

- I'll stay with taz if you want.

Unless you want me to
take him to an ambulance.

- Yeah, that'd be good. Thanks.

- See ya.

Thanks.

- What are friends for?

I'll get Mike.

- Better now?

- What are you gonna tell
him about the cowboy?

- Lill told us you had a bingo.
What'd you hit?

- Guide post.

- I was driving, on my l's without dad.

- You could've had a serious accident.

- I know.

- Would've kicked your ass
if I caught you doin' it.

If I thought your dad let you do it,

I would've kicked his ass as well.

- No, he didn't know.

- Well, consider this a caution.

But you do it again you
won't get your license.

You driving her home?

Watch out for piss-heads.

- Thanks.

- Do you mind if we go home
together, just me and dad.

- [Lill] No worries.

- [Svettie] Ready? All right.

(Children shouting) -
[Backa] Go, go, go, go!

Come on, Carter, don't get
beaten by your sister.

(Coin clattering) -
[Candy] This one's mine.

This one's mine. Get...

(Carter complaining over candy)

- [Backa] First one there gets it.

- [Svettie] Did he?

(Coin clanging)

- [Jeff] Hey!

- [Carter] Hey, uncle Jeff.
- [Candy] Hi.

- [Jeff] Hi.

- [Svettie] Come on, kids, game over.

- [Candy] Hey.

(Christmas organ music)

- I thought I should
bring you the news.

- Cup of tea?

Schnapps?

- Some of the stock got
distressed on the back road.

One of the broncs injured
itself, had to be put down.

The trucks have all turned back.

- That's a shame.

- I'm sorry, backa, it's over.

Well you won't get much
money from this place,

after you've paid off the bank.

Still, won't need a lot.

You can move into homely hill
once this goes on the market.

(Coin clattering)

- We haven't made our decision yet.

- The decision is out of your hands.

The bank can sell the
place from under you.

- We could leave lost river.

(Coin clattering)

- Have you got anything to say?

- No.

- Tell me one thing, why
did you ask me for a deal?

Why did you approach
me in the first place

knowing that you weren't
gonna follow it through?

(Footsteps)

(Door creaking shut)

(Furniture scraping, thuds)

- The most important
decision in our lives!

And you make it without me.

- I haven't made a decision yet.

- Now what are you waiting for?

- I'm waiting for uncle
Jeff to change his mind.

I wanna keep my family here.

I want you to keep the shop,

and I want Joey to get his share.

(Birds twittering)

(Somber piano music)

- The cat has the mice,
and now he plays.

(Sniffles)

You will tell Joey now.

Just drop it in
conversation accidentally

like you did with me.

Go to the rodeo, and tell Joey,
before Jeff gets to him.

(Music grows tense)

(Paper rustling)

(Door creaking)

- I saw him go.

All sorted?

- Whoop.

- Ah, give me a break.

(Lill cries out, laughs)
- Oh, geez, I'm sorry!

(Laughing)

Oh, I'm so sorry. I thought
you were taking a piss.

- It's all right just a

one-legged city chick at the
end of a hard day, mate.

(Joey chuckles)

- Hey lill.

- Call me Eileen.

(Laughs)

- Do you know, you know
what Fifi's game is?

- What if it's not a game?

- 'Cause I...

I still don't know what to do, eh?

- Get back on the bull.

(Birds twittering)

(People laughing, chatting)

(Whistle)

- All better shush!

I have here the nominations

for the lost river rodeo
best-butt cowboy!

(Cheering)

I'd like to thank all the
ladies who put in nominations.

Any husbands that wanna
check the handwriting

can see me later!

(Men chuckling)

- If you've nominated me again,

I'm so gonna strangle you.

- I nominated you.

- Rolly Patterson!

(Applause, cheering)

- [Fifi] He nominated himself!

- He always does!

My own personal nomination,
the cute barman

in the war paint.

What's your name, toodles?

- [Luisa] Joey!

- [Everyone] Joey! Joey!

Joey! Joey!

Joey! Joey!

- [Joey] Hey.

- [Everyone] Joey!

- The bigger the cushion,
the better the pushin'!

Give it up for Daniel Tyler!

(Cheering, whistling, applause)

Twin mounds of pleasure,

Jim mclachlan.

(Applause, crowd roars)

Mate, you've got it in
somewhere, in turkens!

(Whistling, hollering)

So Joey, you got a special lady?

- [Fifi] Don't touch what
you can't afford, woman!

- [Crowd] Oooo.

- [Lill] You tell her, fif.

- [Fifi] Bloody lill! I
should've novelled her.

- Too right.

Scooted down the bum crack,
you stay in tune for that?

- Two dogs?

(Joey chuckles)

- Yeah, well she was
a bit of a write in.

(Chuckles)

Hey how'd you like to
become a shower, eh?

Because you know, I've got a caravan.

- Yeah mate, that's the life for me.

- I could take up bronco ridin'.

You know, we could travel
from rodeo to rodeo,

sleep under the stars.

- And I could Polish your chaps,

and pop blisters on your bum...

(Joey snickers)

- Yeah, my award winning bum.

- Yeah.

No, she cheated.

You didn't get the most cheers.

- Ah, got the one that
counted though. You.

(Horse snorting)

- Let's get outta here.

- Is this...

Is this bull ride over?

- I don't know. Have
you hit the dirt yet?

- [Backa] Joey!

(Door slams)

You got a minute?

- Later mate.

- No, Joey, this can't wait.

(Panting)

I asked uncle Jeff for
our share of the land,

the share that would have been dad's.

Well, me and svettie,

we were counting on today, but

it's either the shop...

We're too deep in debt.

He'll give us a quarter.

- With one or two conditions, right?

- You get cut out.

- Well I'll have my own place by then,

not gonna wait around for uncle Jeff.

Gonna get a job, work some
land, pay it off year by year.

- But you always wanted Hungary hill.

- Not on uncle Jeff's price.

- I'm not doing it unless
you get your share.

- I don't want it.

(Dramatic music)

- You sure about this, Joey?

- No, mate, are you sure?

I'm not the one putting my
foot in the dingo trap.

(Horse whinnies)

(Tires crunching over dirt)

(Door bangs open)

(Dog barking)

(Exhales)

- [Backa] Joey wouldn't
have any part of it.

- So what's your decision?

- We have to accept uncle Jeff's deal.

- We have to, or you want to?

- Well is there any difference?

- You were wrong about port macquarie,

dairy's doing well up there.

- What do you mean?

- The Bostons came

and bought the milking
machines for parts.

- Svettie.

- 15 thousand dollars.
Enough to stay afloat?

- Show me!

(Cloth rustling)

- That's a deposit.

They'll bring the rest when
they collect the equipment.

(Paper rustling)

Or do you think they were
breeding in the dark?

Lady luck came. She
danced right in the shop.

Don't scare her away.

Smile, or she will
dance right out again.

(Hopeful guitar music)

Choose, backa.

Do we stay here, or do you move
us all in with uncle Jeff?

You can choose freely now.

Tell me this makes you happy.

- Is this where you
bring all your girls?

- Only my special ladies.

(Laughing, heavy breathing)

(Groovy rock music)

(Scoffing with laughter)

I'm going there, we've got the caravan.

- God, you were right
about the rodeo, taz.

"Ah, goodday!"

"Yay, good on ya!"

If I never get called love
again, it'll be a day too soon.

- Still wanna go back to Sydney?

- Do you want me to?

- No.

(Slow acoustic music)

(Slow country music)

- ♪ We're chasing, ♪

♪ a beautiful rainbow. ♪

♪ Our story, ♪

♪ hasn't been told. ♪

♪ It takes rain, ♪

♪ to make a rainbow. ♪

♪ It takes a sun dying, ♪

♪ to turn the world gold. ♪

♪ The days run ♪

♪ outside my window, ♪

♪ like wild horses ♪

♪ across the plain. ♪

♪ Fireflies, ♪

♪ dance in the shadows. ♪

♪ Love don't shine steady, ♪

♪ it waxes and wanes. ♪

(Guitar strums to a stop)