Young Glenn Grosvenor is a budding filmmaker. As he wanders the remote tracks of his family’s property in outback Australia he dreams of one day attending the National Film and Television School in far-off Sydney town. His dreams are punctuated by the blazing lights of the Indian-Pacific express train as it dashes across the distant horizon.
In the meantime Glenn wonders how he can use his talent as a filmmaker to try to save his family’s farm from bankruptcy. He also tries to work out how he can protect his Aboriginal boyfriend from becoming involved in a mysterious and possibly dangerous initiation rite.
“As Glenn watched in the gathering gloom the windows of the Indian Pacific made brilliant yellow boxes that merged together into a long ribbon of light as the train gathered speed and gleefully charged across the plain.
During his solitary walks in the gathering evenings Glenn wondered about the people who would be ensconced somewhere behind that charging ribbon of light. Who were they? Young couples heading for a better life? Business types taking the opportunity of spending four days and three nights on a train to relax and get drunk? Backpackers from overseas looking for adventure in the Land Down Under? Spies seeking to do Russia or China’s bidding? Gay boys running away together?”
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Kevin Armstrong has worked extensively in theatre and film and television in Asia and the Land Down Under. He also teaches writing skills in universities and international schools. A chronic traveller, he is often to be found raconteuring in bars from Singapore to Sydney.
Approximately 25,000 words.
In the meantime Glenn wonders how he can use his talent as a filmmaker to try to save his family’s farm from bankruptcy. He also tries to work out how he can protect his Aboriginal boyfriend from becoming involved in a mysterious and possibly dangerous initiation rite.
“As Glenn watched in the gathering gloom the windows of the Indian Pacific made brilliant yellow boxes that merged together into a long ribbon of light as the train gathered speed and gleefully charged across the plain.
During his solitary walks in the gathering evenings Glenn wondered about the people who would be ensconced somewhere behind that charging ribbon of light. Who were they? Young couples heading for a better life? Business types taking the opportunity of spending four days and three nights on a train to relax and get drunk? Backpackers from overseas looking for adventure in the Land Down Under? Spies seeking to do Russia or China’s bidding? Gay boys running away together?”
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Kevin Armstrong has worked extensively in theatre and film and television in Asia and the Land Down Under. He also teaches writing skills in universities and international schools. A chronic traveller, he is often to be found raconteuring in bars from Singapore to Sydney.
Approximately 25,000 words.
