january
bubblegum alley
“There is nowhere else I’d rather be,
nothing else I’d prefer to be doing.
I am at the beach looking west with the
continent behind me as the sun tracks
down to the sea. I have my bearings.”
- Tim Winton
Prologue
(Early morning. A one legged seagull lands by a pool’s edge and drinks.)
(A pool noodle and an empty beer can float in the water.)
(The seagull pecks at the beer can.)
(The seagull flies away.)
Scene One
(CAT, 13, sits in the gutter watching the sun.)
(ISAAC, 73, enters carrying a Woolworths bag.)
CAT What’s on the menu today?
ISAAC Have a look.
(CAT rummages through the bag producing a punnet of strawberries.)
CAT Wow.
ISAAC First of the year.
CAT You didn’t have to do that.
(Grinning) Can I?
(ISAAC nods.)
(CAT bites into a strawberry.)
… Fuckin’ hell! Shit… sorry.
ISAAC (Laughing) It’s alright.
CAT Want one?
(ISAAC shakes his head.)
CAT Missing out, mate.
ISAAC I’m alright.
(CAT bites into another strawberry.)
ISAAC How was the party?
CAT Epic. Rubes was freakin’ out but ‘cause he reckoned, like, no one would show up ‘cause the event page had literally no confirms but bang on eight o’clock all of his mates from school rocked up on bikes with beers and stuff. Cross my heart; Rubes looked like he was gonna bawl his eyes out he was so stoked.
ISAAC Sounds eventful.
CAT Did ya hear the fireworks?
ISAAC ‘Course.
CAT Didn’t wake you up, did they?
ISAAC (Shaking his head) Hadn’t nodded off yet.
CAT You watchin’ a movie or something?
ISAAC Some crap on Channel Nine.
(A pause.)
CAT Mum said she invited you.
ISAAC …
CAT But you didn’t wanna come?
ISAAC Not this time.
CAT Next year?
ISAAC Maybe.
CAT She’d love that.
ISAAC Would she?
CAT: ‘Course. Be awesome.
(ISAAC takes a strawberry.)
ISAAC You off to the beach today?
CAT Bet your ass. Rubes says there’ll be twelve footers off of Putty this arvo. You should come watch.
ISAAC I should.
CAT Chip butties on the sand again?
ISAAC Your Mum’d be happy ‘bout that.
CAT Screw her. She doesn’t have to know everything.
(ISAAC stands.)
Where’re you off to?
ISAAC My book needs reading.
CAT Don’t wanna watch the sunrise?
ISAAC I can see it from the veranda.
(A pause.)
ISAAC Wish Rubes a Happy New Year for me.
CAT Once he stops spewing. And I’m coming over later, if that’s alright?
ISAAC If you’d like.
CAT Awesome.
(ISAAC turns to go.)
CAT Happy 2024, Pop.
ISAAC You too, mate.
(ISAAC leaves.)
(CAT wipes her mouth on her singlet.)
Scene Two
(The toilet flushes. SAVANNAH, 17, opens the bedroom door.)
(RUBEN, 18, is silent. SAVANNAH laughs.)
RUBEN What?
SAVANNAH Stop being weird.
RUBEN I’m not being weird.
(SAVANNAH grins.)
I’m not great at shit like this.
SAVANNAH Meaning?
RUBEN …
SAVANNAH (Grinning) Aw, Rubes…
RUBEN Sav.
SAVANNAH …
RUBEN Was fun though, wasn’t it?
SAVANNAH Sure.
RUBEN What’s that about?
SAVANNAH That was your first time, wasn’t it?
RUBEN …
SAVANNAH It’s alright. You can tell me.
RUBEN Was I that bad?
(SAVANNAH kisses RUBEN.)
SAVANNAH Gotta go.
RUBEN You gonna be working later?
SAVANNAH Nope. Dad’s taking us up the coast for a couple of days. Been moaning about the tourists since October.
RUBEN Can I text you?
SAVANNAH No one’s stopping you.
RUBEN …
SAVANNAH What’s the difference? We message every other day.
RUBEN Yeah, but…
SAVANNAH Nothing’s changed, Rubes. We keep hanging out, surfing - we keep this up and it’s all the same.
RUBEN I dunno if I want it to stay the same.
SAVANNAH What’re you saying?
RUBEN Well -
SAVANNAH You want me to be your girlfriend, is that it?
RUBEN No.
SAVANNAH …
RUBEN … Maybe. How would you feel if you were?
SAVANNAH I’ll see you in a couple of days. Sound good?
RUBEN … Sounds good.
(SAVANNAH turns to leave.)
SAVANNAH Wouldn’t say no though.
(RUBEN smiles. GRACE, 41, appears at the door.)
GRACE (Shocked) Oh. Savannah. Didn’t know you were -
SAVANNAH Morning, Mrs. Taylor. Just on my way out.
GRACE Already?
SAVANNAH Sorry.
GRACE What about brekky? There’s leftovers in the -
RUBEN Mum.
SAVANNAH I’m good, thanks. Running late.
GRACE Need a lift?
RUBEN Mum!
GRACE What?
SAVANNAH I’ll be fine - thanks though.
GRACE Okay.
SAVANNAH Thanks for having me.
GRACE Pleasure.
(SAVANNAH kisses GRACE on the cheek.)
SAVANNAH See ya, Rubes.
RUBEN Bye.
(SAVANNAH leaves. Silence.)
RUBEN Don’t.
GRACE Haven’t said anything.
RUBEN I mean it.
GRACE I haven’t -
(GRACE’s lips are sealed.)
(RUBEN gets dressed.)
GRACE You off to Putty again today?
RUBEN Heading now.
GRACE You taking your sister with you?
RUBEN Cat doesn’t wanna come.
GRACE Bullshit.
RUBEN Mum…
GRACE Take her with you.
(A pause.)
RUBEN I’ll see you later.
GRACE Dinner?
RUBEN Probably.
(RUBEN goes to leave.)
GRACE And Ruben?
RUBEN What?
GRACE … Did you use - ?
RUBEN Fuckin’ hell, Mum!
(RUBEN leaves. GRACE makes the bed.)
Scene Three
(ISAAC’s kitchen.)
ISAAC (On the phone) Four.
(A pause.)
(Louder) Four.
(Music plays. ISAAC places the phone on the bench, takes an apple from the fruit bowl and rubs the apple on his shirt.)
OPTUS Hello. This is Optus. How may I help you?
ISAAC: Fumbling) Hello? Hello? Hi. Yes, I would like to speak to someone about discontinuing a caller from my -
OPTUS (Muffled) …
ISAAC Yes.
OPTUS …
ISAAC No. No, it’s not.
OPTUS …
ISAAC You’re not understanding what I’m asking.
OPTUS …
ISAAC No, it’s not my number. This is for my -
OPTUS …
ISAAC I’ve been waiting for an hour already. I don’t think I need to speak to -
(The line goes quiet.)
Hello? Hello?
(Music plays again. ISAAC places the phone on the counter and waits, apple in hand, before reaching for a chopping board and knife. He cuts the apple.)
OPTUS Thank you for your patience. A representative will be with you shortly.
ISAAC Excuse me?
(Music plays again. ISAAC continues cutting the apple.)
OPTUS Good afternoon. My name is Kelly. How may I help you today?
(ISAAC cuts his finger.)
ISAAC Shit. I… One moment.
(ISAAC runs the water.)
OPTUS … Sir?
ISAAC Hold on.
OTPUS Hello, sir?
ISAAC Yes. Just a second, please.
OPTUS Is everything okay?
ISAAC Yes! … Yes - everything is fine.
OPTUS Are you sure?
ISAAC (Curtly) I’m fine. Thank you.
(ISAAC turns off the tap. Silence.)
OPTUS How may I help you today?
ISAAC I’d like to cancel my wife’s phone number, please.
OPTUS Is there a problem with your wife’s service?
ISAAC Yes. She’s dead. She died. Last October.
OPTUS …
ISAAC Will that be a problem?
OPTUS …
ISAAC Hello?
(A pause.)
OPTUS One second, please. I’m going to put you on hold for a few minutes.
ISAAC …
(Music plays again. ISAAC hums, his blood dripping into the sink.)
Scene Four
(Putty Beach. JAMES, 18, sits on the sand, smoking. CAT arrives back from the surf. She lays on the sand, breathless.)
CAT (Sitting up) Can I have one?
JAMES (Laughing) Serious?
CAT Why not?
(JAMES looks to the waves.)
Butt-buddy ain’t watching.
JAMES Piss off.
CAT … Please?
(JAMES lights a cigarette and hands it to CAT.)
(Coughing) … Fuck me.
JAMES (Laughing) Here, you goose.
(JAMES hands CAT a plastic water bottle.)
CAT What’s the point again?
JAMES Dunno. Dad does. Thought he looked cool.
CAT I can’t feel my tongue.
JAMES Gets easier.
(CAT tries again. A small cough.)
JAMES Where were you last night?
CAT I was there. Don’t you remember?
JAMES Nah.
CAT Too cut, mate.
JAMES (Rubbing his head) … Shit.
(A pause.)
CAT Guess who stayed over last night?
JAMES …
CAT Sav.
JAMES For real?
CAT Mum walked in on them this morning mid doggy.
JAMES Rank.
CAT Right?
JAMES Nah, good on him.
CAT … You’re jealous.
JAMES Why would I be jealous?
CAT Didn’t you two used to - ?
JAMES What, Sav and I?
CAT Mmhm.
JAMES Get outta it. I took her to Year 10 formal. That shit is far from legally binding.
CAT Liar.
JAMES Nah, Sav and I are sweet.
CAT Uh-ha… sure.
(JAMES takes back the water bottle.)
JAMES What’s his game anyway? Off to uni next month and now’s the time he decides to slip it in? She’ll be heartbroken.
CAT Uni?
JAMES Yeah, Melbourne.
CAT …
JAMES Wait… Do you not - ?
(CAT looks to the waves.)
Fuck. Cat, I’m sorry. I didn’t -
CAT It’s fine.
JAMES Look, I dunno what I’m on about. Probably still drunk from last -
CAT It’s fine, James - chill.
(CAT takes another drag.)
JAMES How’s your mum?
CAT Fine. Why?
JAMES No, nothing. I was just… you know.
CAT Mind your own business.
JAMES That’s not what I -
CAT Stop.
JAMES … Sorry. You’re right.
(RUBEN arrives back from the waves.)
RUBEN That better not be a -
CAT It’s not.
(CAT stubs the cigarette.)
RUBEN I promised Mum that you’d stop.
CAT I am.
RUBEN She’d kill us if she saw you -
CAT Yeah, well she fuckin’ won’t, will she?
(RUBEN looks to JAMES.)
CAT (Standing) Going back in.
JAMES Cat.
CAT Nah, we’re good.
(CAT leaves. RUBEN sits.)
RUBEN Fuck’s her problem?
JAMES …
RUBEN What?
JAMES I think I fucked up.
(Seagulls circle above.)
Scene Five
(A dog sniffs at a dead crab on the shoreline.)
(The dog is called away.)
(After a while, the crab moves its eyes and clicks its claws.)
(The crab continues walking up the shoreline, away from the flags.)
Scene Six
(The Bowling Club. JESS, 43, squats behind the bar with her head in the freezer. GRACE, arrives, frantic.)
GRACE I’m so fuckin’ sorry.
JESS The Queen herself has arrived.
GRACE (Rubbing her face) Jesus Christ.
JESS (Standing) It’s fine, Grace.
GRACE I feel terrible.
JESS You and me, babe.
GRACE Fuck, Jess.
JESS Gracie?
GRACE Yep?
JESS It’s okay.
GRACE Thank you.
(JESS winks at GRACE.)
GRACE Has he been in yet?
JESS Nope.
GRACE Thank God.
JESS My bet’s on him having a rager last night down on the pier and he’s still in bed throwing up into a KFC bucket.
(JESS hands GRACE her apron.)
GRACE How’re you feeling?
JESS My head is fuckin’ killing me.
GRACE Shit.
JESS I’ve had a six pack of Red Bull, four Panadol plus one mystery pill I found in the first aid kit which will hit in about… ten minutes.
GRACE Aw, Jess.
JESS I know: poor me. But hey… still standing.
GRACE I am so so sorry.
JESS Stop it.
GRACE The bus was an hour late and the fuckin’ -
JESS If you keep talking and I’m gonna spew in the chippy oil. Jacky will be furious.
GRACE Take my pay.
JESS Don’t be a dickhead.
GRACE I’m serious.
JESS I haven’t done anything. Bar practically served itself.
GRACE Are you sure?
JESS Don’t push it.
(GRACE smiles. JESS picks up her handbag.)
JESS How’d it go?
GRACE Um…
JESS What’s he reckon?
GRACE …
JESS Grace?
(GRACE nods.)
Okay. Okay… Okay.
GRACE Yeah.
JESS Yeah? Yeah.
(GRACE nods again.)
Fuck.
(GRACE smiles at a customer pass by.)
I’m coming over later.
GRACE No.
JESS Yes. We’ll pop on some Oasis, clean the house, drink a bottle of rosé and we’ll -
(GRACE gives JESS a look.)
I’ll drink the rosé.
(GRACE laughs once and closes her eyes.)
Hug?
GRACE Not here. I’ll cry.
JESS Fair.
(A SINGER taps the microphone:)
SINGER Good afternoon, Avoca Beach Bowling Club! My name is Wilson Cook and over the next four hours I will be leading you through this fine Friday afternoon with a couple of classics, some rarities and one or two new tunes.
JESS This cunt.
GRACE He was on The Voice.
JESS You can tell.
(GRACE smiles.)
Want me to pull the amp plug on my way out?
GRACE Please.
(JESS squeezes GRACE’s hand.)
JESS You’ll be fine.
GRACE I’ll be fine.
(JESS leaves. GRACE is still. The SINGER plays ‘Slide’ by The Goo Goo Dolls.)
Scene Seven
(The parking lot of The Bowling Club. ISAAC stands motionless next to a large bin holding two rubbish bags. BEN, 71, steps out of his car, watching ISAAC.)
BEN Ten bucks and I’ll take ‘em off your hands for ya?
ISAAC Nah.
BEN School is looking for costumes for the mid-year musical. They’re always on the lookout for props and that.
ISAAC Might be weird seeing a fourteen year-old wear her gardening outfit, don’t you think?
(BEN offers ISAAC a cigarette.)
Off to a great start.
BEN Supposed to my year.
ISAAC Said that last year.
BEN And the year before.
(BEN lights the cigarette.)
Your daughter was an hour late this morning.
ISAAC Shall I have a word with her, Ben?
BEN New year, mate. I’m starting off fresh with an entirely new personality.
ISAAC How refreshing.
(BEN grins.)
Sorry ‘bout last night.
BEN Don’t be. We assumed you wouldn’t show.
ISAAC …
BEN I understand.
ISAAC Smells like you had fun.
BEN My gut will thank me later.
ISAAC What did you catch?
BEN Jacko’s thong.
(ISAAC laughs.)
ISAAC You should go in.
BEN Why? I’m loving this. Last bit of happiness before the kids piss off the Kino players.
ISAAC I’ll be fine, Ben.
BEN Yeah?
ISAAC Piss off, will ya?
BEN: Sir.
(BEN stubs out his cigarette.)
I’m not good at giving advice.
ISAAC I know.
BEN But I’ll shout you a cold one if I see you inside.
ISAAC Cheers. But I -
BEN Or is it a daiquiri you’re into now? Extra umbrella?
(ISAAC smiles. BEN opens the rubbish bin lid.)
Easy as piss, mate.
(BEN pats ISAAC’s shoulder. ISAAC clears his throat.)
(A magpie lands nearby.)
Scene Eight
(The Scenic Road. CAT walks ahead. RUBEN, carrying a surfboard, struggles to keep up.)
RUBEN Slow down.
CAT …
RUBEN Cat.
CAT …
RUBEN C’mon, mate. My boardies are chafing. I can’t go much -
(CAT pushes RUBEN over.)
RUBEN What’s your fuckin’ - ?
CAT You’re a cunt, Rubes.
RUBEN … Excuse me?
CAT You heard me. C-U-N-T. Cunt.
(RUBEN sits up.)
RUBEN Look, this wasn’t how you were meant to -
CAT Fuck you.
RUBEN …
CAT When’re you going?
RUBEN 28th.
CAT Where?
RUBEN Melbourne Uni.
CAT Doing what?
RUBEN Music.
CAT … Fuckin’ hell.
RUBEN What?
CAT You are so bloody selfish, Ruben.
RUBEN Since when?
CAT Always. You’ll never change.
RUBEN This is why I didn’t wanna tell ya.
CAT Why? ‘Cause you think I wouldn’t understand?
RUBEN ‘Cause you’d try and talk me out of it.
CAT No shit.
RUBEN Try and make me feel guilty. Try to make me stay.
CAT I don’t want you to stay.
RUBEN Sure.
CAT I don’t want you anywhere near me. You could be in fuckin’ Antarctica and wouldn’t even think of ya.
RUBEN You don’t mean that.
CAT Fuckin’ oath I do.
(A pause.)
RUBEN It wasn’t my fault, Cat.
(CAT snorts.)
Believe me.
(A pause.)
CAT What am I gonna do?
RUBEN Cat…
CAT What about Mum? She needs you.
RUBEN She’ll be fine.
CAT She doesn’t know yet?
RUBEN I…
CAT Fuckin’ idiot.
RUBEN Just give me a second, alright? End of the week and I’ll tell her.
CAT The week? You’re leaving in -
RUBEN Friday then, yeah?
CAT …
RUBEN And don’t you go telling her, alright? You and your emotional leverage.
CAT What’s that mean?
(A pause. RUBEN picks up the surfboard.)
RUBEN You’ll have to look after Sandy for me.
CAT She’s yours.
RUBEN Someone’s gotta do it. There’s shit surf down there anyway.
(RUBEN smiles. CAT looks away.)
CAT Bus is here.
RUBEN Off you go.
CAT Coming?
RUBEN I won’t make it.
CAT … Alright.
(CAT turns to go.)
RUBEN See you at home.
CAT See ya.
(CAT leaves. The bus goes. RUBEN takes out his phone.)
RUBEN (Whispered) … Shit.
(RUBEN looks up. He takes the surfboard and walks back to the beach.)
Scene Nine
(GRACE’s bedroom. JESS is singing long to ABBA in the bathroom. GRACE leans against the door, flicking through her phone. Her finger wavers over BEN’s name. She types… and deletes:)
GRACE (Text) ‘You gave me another child.’
(GRACE deletes the message and locks the phone. A knock on the door.)
JESS (Entering) Bath’s ready.
GRACE Thanks.
JESS I’ll just be downstairs.
GRACE Go home, Jess.
JESS Piss off.
GRACE You’ve done heaps already.
JESS Stop.
GRACE Go. It’s alright.
JESS I’m ordering us pizzas.
GRACE …
JESS And you’re paying.
(JESS leaves. GRACE smiles, taking a deep breath. Footsteps. CAT enters.)
CAT I’m going to Pop’s for dinner.
GRACE Okay. Where’s your brother?
CAT Dunno. Missed the bus. Probably still there.
GRACE It’s nine o’clock.
(CAT shrugs and leaves. GRACE sits on the bed. The ABBA song plays again.)
Scene Ten
(Putty Beach. RUBEN sits on the shore in the sunset. He takes a photo of the waves.)
RUBEN (Text) Miss you.
SAVANNAH (Text) Gay.
(RUBEN snorts.)
(Text) Same.
(RUBEN smiles.)
RUBEN (Text) Waves good?
(SAVANNAH sends a photo of the water.)
(Text) Looks it.
(SAVANNAH sends another photo: a mirror selfie in a bikini.)
(Text) Shit.
SAVANNAH (Text) Yeah?
RUBEN (Text) You’re…
(RUBEN deletes and types again, looking out over the waves. He sees GEORGIA, 19, run down to the shore, her feet in the water.)
SAVANNAH (Text) Is that all I get?
RUBEN (Text) I’m at Putty.
SAVANNAH (Text) … And?
RUBEN (Text) You look beautiful.
SAVANNAH (Text) Cheers…
RUBEN (Text) Can we do this later?
SAVANNAH (Text) Really?
RUBEN (Text) Yeah.
SAVANNAH (Text) I might be asleep.
RUBEN (Text) Bullshit.
(GEORGIA walks further into the ocean.)
(Text) I’ll make it worth your while?
(SAVANNAH sends a thumbs up.)
(RUBEN pockets his phone and thinks, takes out the phone again and goes to call GRACE.)
(GEORGIA makes her way back up the beach. RUBEN looks up.)
(They smile.)
(GEORGIA laughs.)
(RUBEN pockets the phone.)
Scene Eleven
(ISAAC’s living room. ISAAC is putting books in cardboard boxes. CAT enters into the kitchen with shopping bags.)
ISAAC … Cat?
CAT I’m making you hotdogs.
ISAAC …
CAT You said I could come over, yeah?
ISAAC Well… yeah, but -
CAT You forgot, didn’t you?
ISAAC No.
CAT Good.
(CAT exits to the kitchen.)
(Shouting) You got hotdog buns?
ISAAC No.
CAT … Shit.
That’s okay. I’ll improvise.
(ISAAC enters into the kitchen with a full box. CAT puts a frozen loaf of bread on the table.)
What’s that?
ISAAC Books I don’t need anymore. Or want.
CAT What’s the difference?
ISAAC Hmm?
CAT: (Looking at the books) Mansfield Park. What’s this one about?
ISAAC Not sure.
CAT You don’t remember or you haven’t read it?
ISAAC …
CAT Keeping this one then.
(CAT puts the book on the table.)
ISAAC Those sorts of books aren’t exactly my cup of tea, Cat.
CAT How do you know?
ISAAC I -
CAT You got boiling water?
ISAAC I have water. And I have a gas stove.
CAT That’ll work.
(ISAAC smiles and retrieves a pot from underneath the stove.)
So, what’s your cup of tea then? Don’t think I’ve ever seen you read.
ISAAC I read.
CAT Oh, yeah?
ISAAC Spy books.
CAT What, James Bond and that?
ISAAC War novels. Fictional ones.
CAT Sounds piss boring to me.
(ISAAC fills the pot with water.)
ISAAC Well, that’s what I think of Charles Dickens.
CAT Uh-ha.
ISAAC Chopping board, please.
CAT Yes, chef.
(CAT retrieves the chopping board.)
Are these Nanna’s then?
(ISAAC nods.)
That’s a bit rude, isn’t it?
ISAAC Is it?
CAT She wanted you to read them.
ISAAC You think?
CAT Yep. Why else did she hang onto them?
ISAAC I…
CAT Got you there.
(ISAAC smiles.)
ISAAC Knife and a hotdog please.
CAT What do you need a knife for?
ISAAC You’ll see.
CAT Oh, boy.
(CAT reads from the back of the book as ISAAC cuts the hotdogs.)
CAT (Reading) “Taken from the poverty of her parents' home in Portsmouth, Fanny Price is brought up with her rich cousins at Mansfield Park, acutely… aware of her humble rank and with her cousin Edmund as her sole ally. During her uncle's absence in Antigua, the Crawford's arrive in the neighbourhood bringing with them the glamour of London life and a reckless taste for flirtation…”
(CAT puts the book down.)
You’re right. Boring as piss.
(ISAAC smiles. The pot begins to boil.)
Scene Twelve
(JAMES smokes on the curb, listening to music on his phone.)
(Behind him, his father sits in a wheelchair on the verandah.)
(JAMES tries calling again.)
JAMES … Cunt.
(JAMES thinks.)
(His father coughs.)
(JAMES stubs his cigarette.)
Heading off now, Dad.
(Silence.)
Mum’ll be home soon.
(JAMES steps onto the verandah and kisses his dad’s head.)
Be home later.
(JAMES heads down the road, lighting another cigarette.)
Scene Thirteen
(The bathroom.)
(GRACE’s head is underwater.)
(Peaceful.)
(She can hear seagulls and feels sand storming under her legs. Her hair dances back and forth like seaweed.)
(Her face breathes the surface. A long slow breath.)
(GRACE looks at herself for a long time in the mirror.)
(Her hair is soaked and the mirror is foggy.)
(Downstairs, JESS is eating pizza while the TV is on. GRACE comes down the stairs in a blue dress.)
JESS Where d’you think you’re going?
GRACE We’re going for a drink.
JESS Are we?
(GRACE nods.)
(JESS swallows, hard.)
Have I gotta get ready then?
GRACE Five minutes?
JESS I’ll do my makeup in the car.
GRACE Great.
(GRACE leaves.)
(JESS forces the rest of the slice into her mouth.)
Scene Fourteen
(RUBEN and GEORGIA sit on the wall, takeaway tickets in hand.)
RUBEN You changed your hair.
GEORGIA … Did I?
RUBEN No?
(GEORGIA grins.)
Yeah! Yeah, it’s lighter… isn’t it?
GEORGIA …
RUBEN Darker…?
(GEORGIA snorts.)
Wait, no. You cut it. Is that - ?
GEORGIA Exactly the same, mate.
RUBEN No.
GEORGIA Yes.
RUBEN Fuck.
(GEORGIA laughs.)
Well, it’s grown on you, I guess.
GEORGIA Excuse me?
RUBEN Ah, that’s not what I was -
GEORGIA You need to shut up.
RUBEN I will.
GEORGIA …
RUBEN I am.
I’m…
(A pause.)
How long are you here for?
GEORGIA Couple of nights.
RUBEN Sweet.
GEORGIA Dad’s got a deal to tie up with the casino.
RUBEN Cool.
GEORGIA They wanna open up a TAB on the wharf so when the punter’s kids are on the ferris wheel, you know?
RUBEN Blackjack?
GEORGIA Uh-ha.
RUBEN Sounds like a solid plan.
GEORGIA If morally misguided.
RUBEN Glad you said it.
(They smile.)
GEORGIA How’s James?
RUBEN Yeah, he’s good.
GEORGIA Still saving for that Bali trip then?
RUBEN Kid’s got no clue about money.
GEORGIA Where’s he tonight?
RUBEN Club, probably.
GEORGIA Didn’t you get an invite?
RUBEN Nah, I did. I just…
GEORGIA Have other plans?
RUBEN (Shrugging) We’ll see.
(GEORGIA shoves RUBEN.)
(A pause.)
GEORGIA And Sav?
RUBEN What about her?
GEORGIA How is she?
RUBEN Oh.
Yeah, yeah, nah she’s good. She’s down the coast for a few days.
GEORGIA Good for her.
(RUBEN tries to keep eye contact but can’t.)
Did you two ever… ?
RUBEN Hmm?
GEORGIA …
RUBEN Oh, nah. Nope.
GEORGIA Poor fucker.
RUBEN Oi.
GEORGIA Don’t cry about it.
RUBEN I’m trying.
GEORGIA One day, aye?
RUBEN One day.
(A big breath.)
(Their ticket number is called.)
(RUBEN checks his phone.)
(GEORGIA returns with fish and chips.)
GEORGIA You up for a walk?
RUBEN Sure.
GEORGIA C’mon then.
(RUBEN follows GEORGIA down the road.)
(Their tickets blow onto the sand.)
Scene Fifteen
(ISAAC’s living room.)
(CAT and ISAAC eat in front of the TV. ‘The Voice’ is playing.)
ISAAC How is it?
CAT (Mouthful) Okay. It’s… fantastic. Thanks, Pop.
ISAAC Don’t lie to me.
(CAT spits the food back into the bowl.)
CAT Hell is in the sauce?
ISAAC Ketchup.
CAT And?
ISAAC I dunno. Something from the fridge with a name can’t pronounce.
CAT Sriracha?
ISAAC Might’ve been it.
(CAT skulls a glass of water.)
Sorry, mate. Thought I was onto something there.
CAT Like fuck.
ISAAC Oi.
CAT Can’t feel my tongue.
(CAT places the bowl on the floor.)
ISAAC We can order in, if you like?
CAT Nah, I’m alright. I accidentally ate mum’s work lunch this morning.
ISAAC Okay.
(They watch the TV in silence.)
CAT I hate this bitch.
ISAAC Can’t stand her.
CAT Why’s she famous again?
ISAAC Was in some girlband in the 80s.
CAT Ew.
(A pause.)
(Standing) Got any snacks in the pantry?
ISAAC There might be ice cream in the fridge?
CAT Bikkies?
ISAAC Not sure. You’ll have to check.
(CAT leaves.)
(ISAAC shakes his head and continues watching the TV.)
(CAT returns with a a jar. She is spooked.)
CAT (Quietly) … Pop?
ISAAC (Turning) What’ve you found now?
(ISAAC sees his wife’s ashes in his granddaughter’s hands.)
Catherine…
CAT Is this - ?
ISAAC I…
(CAT leaves suddenly with the ashes.)
(ISAAC is still.)
(The TV continues to play.)
Scene Sixteen.
Scene Seventeen
(A bluebottle washes ashore alongside a Smiths chips packet.)
(For a moment, it looks like the bluebottle is breathing.)
(A wave takes the chips packet away.)
(The bluebottle waits.)
Scene Eighteen
(The street where ISAAC lives. The sun has almost set.)
(CAT is running down to the shore, panicked.)
(ISAAC follows her onto the sand, calling out:)
ISAAC Slow down, Cat.
CAT …
ISAAC Where’re you going?
CAT Go home, Pop.
ISAAC Cat! Please.
CAT …
ISAAC Catherine!
(ISAAC falls down the stairs. CAT stops.)
CAT … Pop?
ISAAC (Wincing) I’m alright.
CAT Shit.
(CAT makes her way back to the stairs.)
You’re bleeding.
ISAAC Am I?
(ISAAC touches his forehead.)
So I am.
CAT I’m calling an ambulance.
ISAAC Don’t, I’m fine.
(ISAAC dabs his head with a handkerchief.)
(CAT types in a number.)
What do you think you’re doing?
CAT None of your business.
ISAAC It bloody well is.
CAT Calling mum.
ISAAC No.
CAT Um, yes.
ISAAC Gimme that.
(ISAAC snatches the phone.)
CAT Oi!
ISAAC Act your age.
CAT If you bloody die -
ISAAC You’ll what?
CAT She’ll kill me too.
ISAAC (Shaking his head) You duffer.
(CAT sits on the stairs with ISAAC.)
What was the plan then?
CAT Dunno.
ISAAC Chuck her in the sea?
CAT I guess.
(ISAAC chuckles.)
Better than the cupboard.
ISAAC …
CAT Shit plan, wasn’t it?
(ISAAC nods.)
ISAAC Look at those waves.
CAT I’m looking.
ISAAC South-westerly.
CAT And?
(ISAAC grins.)
Oh.
(They smile.)
You can’t keep her like that, Pop.
ISAAC I know.
CAT She’d bloody hate it.
ISAAC … I know.
(ISAAC takes the handkerchief off, wincing.)
(Standing) C’mon then.
CAT Where’re we going?
ISAAC You’ll see.
CAT Somewhere she’d like?
(ISAAC nods.)
ISAAC We’ll take her in the morning.
CAT (Standing) Nup.
ISAAC Huh?
CAT Now. We’ll take her now.
ISAAC Will we?
CAT Why? You got plans?
(ISAAC smiles.)
(CAT hands ISAAC the ashes.)
Scene Nineteen
(Up the coast.)
(SAVANNAH sits at the dinner table with her family. She is elsewhere.)
SAVANNAH May I be excused?
(SAVANNAH sits on the toilet in the dark, scrolling through her feed.)
(RUBEN has not replied and he’s been offline for two hours.)
(SAVANNAH turns on the light and takes off her top.)
(She decides to take a few pictures.)
(She zooms in on her stomach and arms.)
(She deletes the photos, locks her phone and listens to the restaurant outside.)
(SAVANNAH flushes the toilet, takes a deep breath and practices smiling.)
Scene Twenty
(GRACE sits in the smokers area, trying to light a cigarette.)
(An older MAN stumbles into a beer stand.)
GRACE Woah! You right?
MAN (Mumbled) I know you.
GRACE Do ya now?
(The MAN nods, slowly.)
(He is very drunk.)
MAN I do, I do.
GRACE Dunno ‘bout that.
(The MAN spits.)
MAN What’s your name?
GRACE I…
MAN C’mon… tell us.
GRACE You’d know.
MAN Hm?
GRACE Thought you knew who I was.
(The MAN grins.)
MAN Funny one.
(The MAN sits a little too close for comfort.)
(In the distance, JAMES stands with his friends. He notices GRACE.)
Why won’t you tell us?
GRACE Just trying to have a smoke, mate.
MAN I see, I see.
(The cigarette won’t light.)
Let me help you.
(He beckons for the lighter.)
GRACE (Standing) I’m fine, thanks.
MAN Sit down. Lemme show you.
GRACE No.
(The MAN stands but falls into GRACE.)
(JAMES catches him.)
JAMES Woah, Gaz!
MAN (Mumbles)
JAMES Home time? What do ya reckon?
MAN Just wanted to know the lady’s -
JAMES I know, I know.
(JAMES opens the door to the pub and throws the man inside.)
(GRACE is still.)
GRACE Jesus.
JAMES I know.
You alright?
GRACE Yeah, yeah. ‘Course.
(JAMES bends down to hand GRACE her lighter.)
Thanks.
(A pause.)
You seen Rubes today?
JAMES Not since this arvo.
GRACE Shit.
(GRACE opens her phone.)
JAMES He’ll be fine.
GRACE …
JAMES Apparently he ran into a friend on the way home.
GRACE A friend?
JAMES Yeah. Georgia Stevens.
GRACE Oh.
You sure?
JAMES That’s the word on the street.
GRACE Okay.
(A pause.)
(They both sit.)
(GRACE looks over her shoulder to where JESS is at the bar.)
(JAMES hands GRACE his beer.)
JAMES Here.
GRACE Cheers.
(She sips.)
How’s your dad?
JAMES Getting worse.
GRACE I’m sorry.
JAMES ’s alright.
He’s not in pain anymore.
(GRACE smiles.)
Can I have one?
GRACE They’ll kill you.
JAMES Says who?
(JAMES puts the picture of mouth cancer over his face.)
(GRACE laughs.)
(Inside, the sound of glasses smashing.)
Doesn’t sound like you’re getting that drink.
GRACE Nope.
Bottle-o will be closed too.
JAMES Not if you don’t have the key.
(JAMES pats his pocket.)
Never took Dad’s back.
(JAMES downs his beer.)
(Standing) What’s your poison?
GRACE Expensive.
JAMES ‘Course.
(JAMES turns to go.)
Oi. You’re coming too.
GRACE Am I?
JAMES I ain’t getting done in on my own. I’d be shocking in jail.
(GRACE smiles.)
GRACE Fine.
(GRACE follows JAMES out of the gate onto the road.)
Scene Twenty-One
(A cat sits in the gutter drinking rainwater.)
(A car speeds by playing Silverchair. The headlights illuminate bloody scratches up and down the cat’s sides.)
(The cat watches the car go and continues to drink water.)
Scene Twenty-Two
(GEORGIA’s beach house.)
(Darkness.)
(RUBEN and GEORGIA stumble through the front door, drunk.)
GEORGIA (Laughing) Shush.
RUBEN I’m trying! You’re the one who’s -
(RUBEN falls over a cardboard box.)
Fuck.
(GEORGIA turns on the light and doubles to the floor laughing.)
You goose.
GEORGIA C’mon.
(GEORGIA helps RUBEN to his feet.)
Drink?
RUBEN Sure.
(GEORGIA leaves.)
(RUBEN looks around.)
What’s with the boxes?
GEORGIA Gotta be packed by Tuesday morning.
RUBEN Why?
(GEORGIA returns with a bottle of wine and two glasses.)
GEORGIA Dad’s selling it.
RUBEN Shit.
GEORGIA Uh-ha.
RUBEN Really?
GEORGIA Yep.
RUBEN Since when?
GEORGIA Market is down and Dad’s fed up with it all. Said the “yobos” are pissing him off.
RUBEN … So that’s it then?
(GEORGIA pours two glasses.)
GEORGIA What is?
RUBEN You won’t be coming back.
GEORGIA Says who?
RUBEN Why would you?
GEORGIA Dunno. I might miss some people.
RUBEN Mmm? Like who?
(GEORGIA smiles into the wine glass. She takes a long breath in.)
(RUBEN follows, coughing.)
GEORGIA Fuckhead.
RUBEN Piss off.
GEORGIA C’mon - what do you smell?
RUBEN Wine.
GEORGIA Uh-ha. Go again.
(He does.)
RUBEN Dirt… grapes… cinnamon.
GEORGIA … Wow.
RUBEN How’d I do?
GEORGIA Shocking.
(RUBEN smiles.)
(GEORGIA kisses RUBEN.)
C’mon, I wanna show you something.
(GEORGIA leaves.)
(RUBEN blinks hard, then follows.)
Scene Twenty-Three
(ISAAC’s car in the middle of the night, on the coast.)
(CAT browses through ISAAC’s CD’s.)
(The ashes are seat belted in the back middle seat.)
CAT (Reading) Johnny Cash… Johnny O’Keefe… Johnny Diesel & The Injectors…
What’s with you and Johnnies?
ISAAC Never thought about it.
(CAT scans through the radio.)
There’s your clarinet in the boot?
CAT Excuse me?
ISAAC That was yours wasn’t it?
CAT From, like, Year One.
ISAAC Might be nice?
CAT Get fucked, Pop. I ain’t playing a bloody clarinet for Nanna.
ISAAC Why not? She’d love that.
CAT She hated that thing.
ISAAC How do you know?
CAT She told me! “Sounds like a dog with diarrhoea, Catherine! Quit now while you’re behind!”.
(ISAAC grins.)
She paid me to stop, you know? Ten bucks.
ISAAC Should’ve asked for more.
CAT Huh?
ISAAC She’d have paid at least a grand.
CAT … Shit.
(CAT turns off the radio.)
Why didn’t you bury her?
ISAAC She didn’t really believe in those sorts of things.
CAT What things? Jesus?
ISAAC I guess so.
CAT Fair enough. Dunno if I do myself.
ISAAC Is that right?
(CAT nods.)
Since when?
CAT Just now. Felt right when it came out of my mouth.
There’s other things to believe in.
(ISAAC smiles.)
(A pause.)
ISAAC This is us.
(ISAAC pulls the car in.)
(They sit for a moment.)
CAT It’s nice here.
ISAAC I know.
(CAT opens the car door and leaves. She opens the boot and takes out the clarinet case.)
(To NANNA) What do you reckon? Will this do?
(Silence.)
Yeah, I thought so too.
Shall we?
(ISAAC unclips the seatbelt, picks up the ashes and opens the door.)
Scene Twenty-Four
(The freezer of the Bottle-O. JAMES and GRACE pass a bottle of bourbon back and forth in the cold.)
JAMES (Laughing) … mum’s out front in the driveway in her pj’s spraying Dad with the hose and the fuckin’ face on her, holy shit, total fury, like, and Dad’s just standing there with his mouth open…
(GRACE is laughing.)
… with his mouth open like a golden retriever and his pants are around his ankles…
(JAMES wipes his eyes.)
Ah, fuck…
I’d never seen him so drunk before, you know? Or mum so pissed off.
He slept on the front lawn all afternoon, getting sunburnt while we all ate pancakes and watched the tennis.
(JAMES takes a gulp of bourbon.)
GRACE He was a good dad.
JAMES Still is.
(GRACE smiles.)
I reckon mum misses him a bit - who he was, you know? Sounds a bit fucked putting it like that but I -
GRACE Nah, I understand.
(A pause.)
(JAMES hands GRACE the bottle.)
JAMES Do you ever miss him?
GRACE I…
Sometimes. Who he was not who he…
He wasn’t always such a… you know?
I wish Cat got to see him as I knew him. The bloke I married.
(A pause.)
But then he became bad, you know? A real bad man.
Never thought I would’ve ended up with someone like him, like someone you see on NCIS or one of those shows. But there he was: turning into him.
Felt like there was no stopping it until it did.
Do you know what I mean?
(JAMES nods.)
JAMES I hope I’ll be a good man.
(GRACE smiles.)
GRACE You will.
JAMES How can you tell?
GRACE Guess I’m not the best judge of character but you can. You can smell it.
(JAMES smells under his armpits.)
(GRACE smiles.)
You’ll be one of the good ones.
(A pause.)
(JAMES kisses GRACE.)
(GRACE pulls away.)
James…
JAMES (Whispered) What?
(GRACE softly pushes JAMES away.)
I’m sorry.
GRACE It’s okay. Don’t be.
JAMES Please, don’t tell Rubes.
GRACE I won’t.
JAMES You promise?
GRACE ‘Course.
(A pause.)
JAMES Just thought you looked beautiful, you know? I’ve always thought that.
Is that weird?
(GRACE shakes her head.)
(GRACE holds out her hand.)
GRACE C’mon. I’ve gotta find my friend.
JAMES I’ll be out in a bit.
GRACE You sure?
(JAMES nods.)
(GRACE leaves.)
(JAMES’ breath hangs in the air, clouds of disappearing air.)
Scene Twenty-Five
(RUBEN and GEORGIA sit in the spa on the balcony overlooking the beach.)
(GEORGIA kisses RUBEN’s neck while they talk.)
(RUBEN’s phone plays music.)
GEORGIA You’re gonna love it.
RUBEN You reckon?
GEORGIA I’ll take you to all of the best bars. They’ve got the best Thai near Chinatown. I’m there pretty much every night after uni.
RUBEN Sounds great.
GEORGIA Then on uni break we can head down the coast to The Prom to see some real surf. To be honest, it’ll be the only thing you’ll miss ‘bout this shithole.
RUBEN What do you mean?
GEORGIA You’ll see.
(GEORGIA takes RUBEN’s glass out of his hand and places it on the edge of the spa. She starts to kiss him passionately.)
(RUBEN’s phone starts to ring.)
RUBEN Georgia…
GEORGIA …
RUBEN Hang on a second.
GEORGIA …
RUBEN Wait, stop. Stop.
(RUBEN pushes GEORGIA off.)
GEORGIA Jesus, Rubes. Fuck’s your problem?
RUBEN I’m sorry, I…
I’ve gotta go.
(RUBEN steps out of the spa and disconnects his phone.)
(GEORGIA laughs.)
What?
GEORGIA Oh, no - nothing. It’s just… always a Coastie Boy, aye?
RUBEN What’s that supposed to mean?
GEORGIA Nothing.
(GEORGIA smiles.)
See you in a few weeks, then?
RUBEN See ya.
(GEORGIA picks up the glass of wine and sinks her head under the spa water.)
(RUBEN leaves, picking up the bottle of wine on the way.)
Scene Twenty-Six
(The sand of a dune overlooking the ocean.)
(CAT sits on the car, cleaning the clarinet.)
(ISAAC stands in the sand with the ashes.)
ISAAC I’m sorry it took so long, love. I was just… figuring it all out.
But it has been difficult. I won’t lie to you.
Well, I miss you and I… I just thought it would all be easier than this.
And I love you. I have loved you. And I miss you. I’ll miss you.
I hope you’re making sandcastles in heaven - in this suburb or the next.
(ISAAC walks down to the shore and empties the ashes into the water.)
(CAT cries and throws the clarinet into the dunes.)
(ISAAC and CAT drive home as the sun begins to rise.)
Scene Twenty-Seven
(A barman cleans the sticky dance floor.)
(JESS sways on her own with an empty champagne flute.)
(GRACE pulls on JESS’ hand.)
GRACE Time to go, baby?
JESS (Mumbles)
GRACE What do ya reckon?
JESS …
GRACE Let’s go home.
JESS (Mumbled) I love you.
GRACE I know, baby.
JESS I just love you so much.
GRACE I know.
JESS Dance with me.
GRACE Jess…
JESS C’mon. Dance with me and I’ll take care of you forever.
(GRACE gives in.)
(They dance together.)
(Down the road, JAMES sits in the gutter fumbling for a cigarette but he’s out.)
(A car passes by:)
MAN (Shouting) Morning, you fuckin’ faggot!
(JAMES grins.)
JAMES Morning to you too.
(JAMES puts his earphones in and begins to walk home.)
Scene Twenty-Eight
(RUBEN walks home, barefoot, with his surfboard underneath his arm. His feet are bloody.)
(He collapses into the gutter and rubs his forehead.)
(RUBEN takes out his phone and calls JAMES.)
RUBEN (On the phone) Heya… Sorry, I missed your calls, I…
(RUBEN catches himself about to cry.)
(He coughs instead.)
Look, I’m heading to Putty if you wanted to join?
I’d like to hang out. I’d fuckin’ love that.
Let me know.
(He hangs up.)
(RUBEN takes a deep breath and stands.)
(He takes the nearest street to the ocean.)
Scene Twenty-Nine
(GRACE’s house.)
(ISAAC stands in the kitchen, washing dishes as CAT sleeps on the couch in front of the TV.)
(Sunrise plays.)
(GRACE arrives home with JESS under her arm.)
GRACE Oh.
Heya, Dad.
ISAAC Hi, Love.
GRACE How’s - ?
(GRACE sees CAT asleep.)
Ah.
(ISAAC smiles.)
(Whispered) Give me a sec.
(GRACE drops off a snoring JESS on the bed. She lies down next to her.)
(She takes out her phone and wavers her finger over her ex-husband’s name.)
(Suddenly, a pain hits GRACE’s stomach and she curls into a ball.)
(She stumbles to the toilet, in pain.)
(There is blood between her legs.)
(She sees the blood and tries to breathe deeper.)
(Downstairs, ISAAC watches a father and daughter walk down to the shore with fishing poles and buckets.)
(He smiles and dries his hands.)
Scene Thirty
(RUBEN sits on his board, past the sandbank, watching the waves curl down to the beach.)
(His eyes are closed, his hand trailing in the water by his side.)
JAMES You look like shit.
RUBEN Cheers.
(RUBEN opens his eyes.)
(JAMES grins.)
JAMES How was your night?
(RUBEN shrugs.)
RUBEN You?
JAMES Same.
(A silence.)
They look solid today.
RUBEN Yeah.
JAMES Why would you ever wanna leave?
(RUBEN smiles.)
Catch one in?
RUBEN You’re on.
(The boys paddle out further.)
Scene Thirty-One
(On the rocks, the one-legged seagull floats above the water.)
(He doesn’t have to flap his wings here.)
(The air from the waves keeps him steady.)
(Here, he’ll float mid-air.)
(The waves crash below.)
(‘Earth to Sea’ by M83.)
(End.)
The physical world of Bubblegum Alley was first inspired by Callum & Lachlan’s grandparent’s house on the Central Coast, NSW. Callum had an idea to write a scene every day for a year and began on the 1st of January with a couple of characters eating strawberries in a gutter near the ocean. From there, he let the characters lead their own stories depending on how he was feeling or what he was inspired by on the day of writing. Olivia came on board to create a visual photographic world and Lachlan Mackay composed a minimalist guitar track to accompany the script. The emotional world of ‘Bubblegum Alley; January’ is that of family, isolation, love, change, destruction, death, home, betrayal, guilt and rebirth.
january artists
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Callum Mackay (he/him)
Writer
Callum Mackay is an award-winning playwright and actor based in Melbourne. Since graduating from the Victorian College of the Arts in 2018, Callum has written five plays, two of which will be premiering in 2024: ‘the last train to madeline’ (Fever103 Theatre) and ‘Waterfowl’ (Theatre Works).
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Olivia Morison (she/her)
Photographer
Olivia Morison is an actor and photographer based in Melbourne. After graduating from the Victorian College of the Arts, Olivia has worked in independent theatre and has appeared in various screen projects, whilst building her own photography business (Liv Morison Photography). Photo series include; Extension (2021), Soft (2020-2022).
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Lachlan Mackay (he/him)
Composer/Musician
Lachlan Mackay is an acoustic design consultant with a background in experimental music and sonic art. Spending much of his free time now surfing along the coastline of New South Wales, Lach draws his inspiration from the natural world and aims to create musical soundscapes that are equally as immersive and meditative.
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Louis Lè (he/him)
Actor/Model
Louis Lè is a Chinese-Australian actor and classically trained singer based in Melbourne. He is set to appear on "Neighbours" and has gained acclaim for his role as Lin Bo in "Caught" at Red Stitch Actor's Theatre. -
Mackenzie Mazur (she/her)
Actor/Model
Mackenzie Mazur is a Polish-Australian actress working between Australia and America. Her debut feature film ‘Moja Vesna’ premiered and competed at Berlinale 2022. Next up, she’s leading Disney+’s new show ‘Last Days of the Space Age’.