Save our Supermarket

THE SAME ONE MONTH LATER. A LIGHT IS BURNING IN THE OFFICE WHERE ERN IS POURING OVER THE BOOKS. THERE IS A KNOCK AT THE STREET DOOR (OFF).

VAL (OFF) Come on. Come on.

MORE KNOCKING. ERN LEAVES THE OFFICE AND CROSSES TO THE STREET DOOR. HE SWITCHES ON THE LIGHTS IN FRONT OF THE CHECKOUTS AND THEN LETS VAL IN.

VAL Geez. You're as slow as a wet week. I've got four more of these seedy little hick towns to do before lunch, so let's get a wriggle on, hu?

ERN I'm sorry.

VAL Repping is a drag at the best of times, let's not try and make it worse. Geez, this is a daggy hole. How can you bear to live here?

ERN I don't know.

VAL Sleazoidsville. Well let's get on with it.

ERN I haven't done a list.

VAL Peachy. Rooly peachy. Anything I can do to help don't call me.

ERN I'm sorry.

VAL Geez. I'll read. You tell me what you want, alright?

ERN Well...

VAL Apricot crunchy muesli bar.

ERN No.

VAL Apricot and coconut chewy muesli bar.

ERN No.

VAL Banana and chocolate muesli bar.

ERN No.

VAL Orange chocolate chip muesli bar.

ERN No.

VAL Chocolate chip chewy muesli bar.

ERN No.

VAL What's the WHat's the matter with people around here. Don't they believe in snack foods?

ERN No.

VAL Corn Flakes.

ERN No.

VAL Wheat Bix.

ERN No.

VAL Rice Bubbles.

ERN No.

VAL Nutra Grain.

ERN No.

VAL Fruit Loops.

ERN No.

VAL Alright. What's going on. Aren't you going to order anything?

ERN No. I haven't sold anything.

VAL In a month? What's the matter. Did everybody in town die?

ERN No. It's the new factory around the corner. It's captured the market.

VAL All of it?

ERN Yes.

VAL You've lost all your customers?

ERN All of them.

VAL All of them.

ERN All of them.

VAL Bullshit. I've done economics, You can't loose all your customers no matter how big the price differential. There's always some mug who takes pride in being robbed blind.

ERN Well most of my customers.

VAL Even that sounds off. What are they charging for a loaf of bread at this factory?

ERN It's not one item. It's not even the size of the margin. It's the cumulative effect. If we charge a dollar they charge 90 cents. If we charge 90 cents they charge 80 cents. Not just on one or two items. It's on everything. I tried reducing the price of butter right down until I was practically giving it away and they went lower. They did give it away. Literally.

ERN You don't understand. It's not a they. It's a machine. A factory. I don't think it understands economics.

VAL Still they've got to have a margin. Where is this factory?

ERN Around the corner.

VAL Think I'll go and have a look.

ERN This factory. It's destroying jobs. Your job too you know.

VAL I can see that. I'm not a dill. Geez.

VAL EXITS.
ERN RETURNS TO HIS OFFICE. PENNY ENTERS FROM THE STREET AND CROSSES TO THE OFFICE.

PENNY Ern.

ERN Hello Pen.

PENNY It's not six yet.

ERN I wanted to get an early start. The rep. was due. Then there's papers and things...

PENNY You work too hard.

ERN Not hard enough.

PENNY Much too hard.

ERN Pen, what would you say if I decided to close this place?

PENNY You're not serious. This place is your life.

ERN But if I did decide...

PENNY You couldn't. It would be like cutting off your arm. You're a part of all this. It's a part of you. I can't see you ever giving up this place.

ERN But what if I can't compete with the factory?

PENNY Of course you'll compete. The novelty of the factory will wear off. Custom will pick up. Everything will work out.

ERN But what if things don't..work out.

PENNY They will work out. You're always talking economics. Isn't that the way things go in economics. Things work themselves out.

ERN People go bankrupt. That's how things work themselves out.

PENNY Come on Ern. You're over tired. You need a break. Why don't we take a holiday. Just you and me. Up the coast somewhere. We'll find our own stretch of beach and crash for a fortnight. I guarantee you'll come back fresh as a daisy. Full of new ideas.

ERN No, Pen. Remember when there was just the two of us behind the counter?

PENNY Yes.

ERN Up at six, then up till all hours.

PENNY It was hard work.

ERN Yes. They were good days. Now...Couldn't council do something?

PENNY What do you mean?

ERN I don't mean help me. I mean talk to the factory.

PENNY Ex officio?

ERN You are the mayor.

PENNY And you want me to do...what?

ERN I don't know. All I want is a chance to compete fairly. A level playing field.

PENNY You want me, as mayor, to change the rules. Fix it so your shop is protected.

ERN No. Just stop unfair competition.

PENNY Unfair. Wouldn't you undercut your competition if you could?

ERN It's not the same thing.

PENNY It's economics. It's fine when it works for you. When it works against you you scream blue murder.

ERN I'm not asking for anything special.

PENNY Not much. Do you really know what you're asking?

ERN I'm asking for the help you'd give any other member of this community.

PENNY You're asking me, as mayor, to give special treatment to my husband.

ERN No.

PENNY You're asking me to play favorites. To abuse my position.

ERN I'm asking you to give our business, our business, the protection you'd give any other business in town.

PENNY Ern. I'm the mayor of this town. I try and do the job the best way I know how. I try and be fair to everybody. Any business in town, any business that comes to this town is entitled to know in advance where it stands. While I'm mayor I will not arbitrarily change the rules to protect anyone. Not even you.

PENNY EXITS. ERN GOES BACK TO HIS PAPERWORK. VICTORIA VERBATIM ENTERS.

VICTORIA I'm sorry. Are you open?

ERN No. Yes. Alright. Technically we're not. But I guess it doesn't matter. What can I...

VICTORIA If it's inconvenient I can come back.

ERN No. It's fine. What would you like?

VICTORIA Cigarettes. Stradbroke. Mild Menthol.

ERN There you go.

VICTORIA Filthy habit I know, but once you're hooked you're hooked.

ERN Don't they sell these at the factory?

VICTORIA Not yet. the factory is still really gearing up. All it's making at the moment is groceries.

ERN All!.

VICTORIA It's cutting into your business.

ERN It is. It is.

VICTORIA It'll probably work out in the end. There'll be a new balance of some sort. You and the factory.

ERN I don't know. I was just writing out severance notices for my girls. Never sacked anyone before.

VICTORIA Look. I'm sorry.

ERN It's not your fault.

VICTORIA I know, but...

ERN It's economics, that's all. They've found a way to beat the game. They've found an edge. They're capturing the market. That's what economics is all about. It's a bit rough if you're on the receiving end of the pineapple, of course, but that should be just a motivation to get back up and do better somewhere else. That's all.

VICTORIA You've put your life into this supermarket.

ERN Yes, well. It was my dad's general store. His father's too.

VICTORIA That must make it harder.

ERN Yes, well..

VICTORIA What will you do now.

ERN I don't know. I went around to the factory to have look the other day. I thought I might see if they'd make me an offer. Buy me out or something. And you know, there was no one there. There's no staff. It's all automatic. An automatic shopfront on an automatic warehouse. Just walk in, push a button shopping. Then a bag comes out of a slot with your shopping all packed up and ready to cart home. I'm an economic rationalist. I know I can't compete with that.

VICTORIA I know. Look, if you want to contact the company that owns the factory I can give you their address..

ERN No. They've got the grocery market by the short and curlies. They don't need to buy me out.

VICTORIA I guess not.

ERN You work for the company?

VICTORIA Global Consolidated. Yes.

ERN So they do have some people looking after the factory?

VICTORIA No. The factory really is fully automated. And you should understand it really is a factory. Not an automated warehouse. Everything the factory sells is made in the factory.

MAY AND TERRI ENTER.

ERN So they say.

MAY Good morning Ern.

TERRI Good morning Ern.

ERN Good morning girls.

TERRI You shoulda seen her at netball last night. Talk about talent.

MAY Cut it out Terri.

TERRI It's a fact. You should have seen her Ern.

ERN Girls.

MAY Yes?

ERN As soon as you've got your shop uniforms on I want to have a word with you both. Say five minutes. Alright?

TERRI Alright.

MAY That's fine.

MAY AND TERRI EXIT TO BACK OF STORE.

ERN That's me staff.

VICTORIA The ones you've got to ...

ERN Yes.

VICTORIA Look, I will speak to Global Consolidated for you. Maybe they will make you an offer. I really am sorry.

ERN Ta.

VICTORIA EXITS.

ERN Terri, May, I want you to be brave. No...
Good morning girls, you're fired. No...
Girls I've got some good news and some bad news. First the good news. Here's two weeks severance pay. No...
God I hate this. I shoulda been a bus conductor.

NAOMI AND CLOE ENTER.

NAOMI Hello Ern.

ERN Hello Naomi.

NAOMI Hasn't changed, has it. Still the same old place.

ERN Haven't seen you around.

NAOMI Naw. I mainly shop at the new factory. It's cheaper.

ERN Of course.

CLOE Ern, I want to piss in your ear a bit.

ERN No Cloe.

CLOE Don't "no" me yet. You don't know what I want to talk about.

ERN Yes I do.

CLOE You don't. It could be anything.

ERN You want me to take Naomi back. And I've told you I'm not going to do it.

CLOE Yer see. Yer wrong. That's not what I wanted to talk about at all.

ERN Oh.

CLOE But since you raise the matter, Ern. You've got to take her back. Everybody in town knows you gave her the big A and nobody else'll give her a job. You've screwed up her job prospects for life. Now is that fair?
Anyway it wasn't Naomi's fault. It was mine. I was the one walking out of the shop without paying for anything. How come you didn't charge me or something. That would have been fairer than sacking Naomi.

ERN It's a closed subject, Cloe. Leave it alone.

CLOE I won't. No way. Listen mate, you think you're losing custom to the factory now. Well you wait until I get a picket organised. Won't be no-one coming into this supermarket because I'll be picketing you right out there on the footpath and turning all your customers away.

NAOMI Come on Cloe, stop it.

CLOE No. This is between me and Ern. If reason fails I'll punch his lights out.

NAOMI I'm sorry Ern. I don't want to cause trouble. I came because Cloe said you wanted me back.

CLOE he does if he's not a slug.

ERN With hindsight I guess I would rather not have sacked you. But now, taking you back wouldn't make economic sense.

CLOE Economics is what we do. Not what we have to do. Change your actions and you make a new economics.

ERN I wish it were as simple as that.

CLOE Wasn't Naomi your senior employee?

ERN Yes.

ERN Yes.

CLOE You said yourself she was your right hand.

ERN Yes.

CLOE And you said you want her back.

ERN Now hang on.

NAOMI I did enjoy working here. And I always did a good job.

ERN Yes.

CLOE Then it's settled.

ERN No.

CLOE Don't you want her back?

ERN I'd like her back, b...

CLOE Then I now pronounce you boss and employee. You may kiss the staff.

TERRI AND MAY ENTER.

TERRI You wanted to talk to us, Ern?

ERN Yes. No. I think I'll just gather my thoughts.

ERN RETREATS TO THE OFFICE.

CLOE See. What did I tell yer?

TERRI Hello Naomi, how are you?

NAOMI Not sure. I'm back on the staff, I think.

MAY That's great.

TERRI Yea.

NAOMI I don't think Ern wanted me back.

TERRI I'm sure he didn't.

NAOMI Thank you.

TERRI No. I'm glad to see you Naomi, but I've been expecting Ern to sack us for weeks.

NAOMI What do you mean?

TERRI Since the factory opened our turnovers way down. I'd bet we're not even covering running costs, much less our wages.

CLOE Then how's he staying open?

TERRI Eating into his savings. Hoping the factory will go away.

NAOMI Which it won't, of course.

MAY So we're going to lose our jobs.

TERRI Sooner rather than later, I guess.

NAOMI I'm sorry I said I'd come back.

TERRI It wouldn't make much difference. It's the economics of the situation.

CLOE Then he's a fool. You don't let economics rule you. You rule it.

ROSE ANNE ENTERS.

TERRI In a situation like this there's nothing you can do.

CLOE Cow pats. There's always something you can do.

TERRI Like what?

CLOE Fire bomb the factory.

NAOMI Yes, Cloe.

CLOE Well it is an option and it would save the supermarket.

TERRI And land us in gaol.

CLOE The point is if you want to save this supermarket there is an option. And if there's one solution there are bound to be others. All we have to do is find one you're not too squeamish to tackle.

NAOMI Squeamish. I like that.

TERRI We've got to support Ern. Make this place attractive to the customers. Get people shopping here again.

NAOMI How we going to do that?

TERRI I don't know.

MAY We could go on strike.

CLOE Ha.

NAOMI We're trying to help Ern, not kill him off completely.

ROSE ANNE I've just come from the factory. They're selling TV sets now.

TERRI Real TVs?

ROSE ANNE Real honest to God TVs. And toasters, and fridges, and God knows what other electrica goods.. And it's all way below the prices at Barry's Electrical.

MAY This I've got to see.

ROSE ANNE Wait. Do you know what's happening to this town. The supermarket's under threat, and now so is the electrical goods store. Where's it going to end? Can't you see the cost in lives shattered, in jobs lost, in social structures dislocated?

MAY Yes. But why work when the factory is practically giving stuff away?

ROSE ANNE That is exactly the sort of attitude we must resist. The fact is the factory is not giving anything away. There is a cost. And when you have all lost your jobs because of the factory, and you're broke and there's no prospect of getting a job, and you've spent the last of your savings then what's the difference if something costs two dollars, two hundred dollars or two thousand. You still can't afford it. Where are you then?

MAY Living it up on a DSS pension thanks.

ROSE ANNE May. Pensions come out of taxes payed by people with jobs. Who's going to pay your pension when everybody's unemployed?
We've got to face it. This factory is ripping apart the very fabric of our society. It's got to be stopped. That's why I'm organising a strike against the factory.

CLOE Thtttpt!

ROSE ANNE A consumer strike. A picket protesting the loss of jobs. We'll need banners and posters. We'll make people aware of what's happening. Build a new spirit in the town. And save your jobs, of course. What do you say?

TERRI What do you reckon?

NAOMI Alright.

MAY Alright.

TERRI Alright.

ROSE ANNE Alright. We've got to get organised. We'll need a strike committee. We'll need banners. There. Get that down.

SHE POINTS TO A LONG SIGN SAYING "SUPERMARKET" WHICH HANGS ABOVE THE CHECKOUTS. MAY AND TERRI CLIMB ON THE CHECKOUT COUNTERS AND START TO GET IT DOWN.

NAOMI We can change it around. There are textas out the back.

ROSE ANNE Good. I don't want to mislead you girls. This could be a long tough campaign.

TERRI We'll do it.

MAY We'll set up a camp.

ROSE ANNE Like Greenham Common. There's nothing we can't achieve if we stand united. Solidarity. That's the key.

TERRI There we go.

NAOMI Bring it out the back.

TERRI, NAOMI AND MAY TAKE THE POSTER AND EXIT OUT THE BACK.

ROSE ANNE It's a small beginning, but we can achieve something here. It's a watershed. A turning point. Are we leaves to be tossed by the gales of history or are we prepared to stand fast and take command of our destiny. The decision is ours. Are you coming Cloe?

CLOE Naw.

ROSE ANNE It was practically your idea. You wanted to burn the factory down.

CLOE Well if you all agree with me I must be wrong.

ROSE ANNE These are your friends here. Won't you help save their jobs?

CLOE Not if it's impossible. I'm not fond of shovelling shit up hill with a spoon.

ROSE ANNE This is possible. We want to save jobs for people. Isn't that worth while?

CLOE No. What you're really asking people to do is pay three hundred dollars for a tv set when they know they can get it around the corner in the factory for half that. You've got no show. If you want to stop the factory I reckon you've only got one real option.

ROSE ANNE What's that?

CLOE Do what I suggested in the first place. Fire bomb the factory.

ROSE ANNE No, Cloe. I've got faith in people. You'll see. Like the spirit of Gallipoli, and the Eureka stockade the people will rise as one and say piss off factory". You'll see.

ROSE ANNE EXITS TO BACK OF STORE. ERN ENTERS.

ERN Oh.

CLOE Don't mind me. I'm just skulking. It's what I do best is skulk.

ERN No. I just thought everybody had gone. I thought I'd better look after the store. In case there are any customers.

CLOE There won't be any customers, Ern.

ERN You never know.

CLOE Some things you know. Somethings you always know, even when you don't want to know.

ERN I know.

CLOE So when are you gunna sack the girls?

ERN Who told you that?

CLOE Nobody told me. They didn't have to.

ERN Believe me Cloe, I don't want to sack them. They're good workers, They're more than that. They're family. Like kids of me own.

CLOE But you're gunna have to sack them in the end.

ERN Yes.

CLOE Then why in the history of rutting bull elephants did you hire Naomi again?

ERN I should never have done that. should never have fired her in the first place. I guess I felt guilty about it. What am I going to do now?

CLOE Bite the bullet. Fire 'em. Give 'em the sack. It's the only economicly rational thing you can do. You have to do it.

ERN Yes. I have to do it.

CLOE Bull shit.

ERN Cloe. You just said.

CLOE So what do I know about economics. You'd take economic advice from me? Let me tell you, it's no wonder your supermarket's gone bust. You take advice from the wrong people.

ERN Well who should I listen to?

CLOE LOOKS IN ERN'S EAR.

CLOE There's nobody home. Looks like you're in big trouble.

ERN Get out of it.

CLOE Your staff is out in the back room cooking up a revolution. Think I'll go and see how they're doing.

CLOE EXITS TO BACK OF STORE.

ERN Girls. I've written these references.
(PULLS LETTERS OUT OF POCKET).
I don't know where you'll get a job, or indeed if there'll ever be jobs again to get. Thanks for your time here. Good luck. Terri. May. Good luck Naomi. God bless.

MRS GLADWICK ENTERS WITH MRS ALSOP

MRS G Where's Ern. Ern. This way, dear. Dear? This way.

ERN Good morning Mrs Gladwick. Mrs Alsop. Come to do some shopping?

MRS G Not many customers in here, are there.

ERN Not at the moment, no.

MRS G Custom dropped off since the factory's opened.

ERN Custom's dropped off a bit, of course, but...

MRS G Won't be long before you have to sack some staff, I'd think.

ERN I can't comment on staff management relations, Mrs Gladwick.

MRS G Don't have to. I told you this new factory would put you out of business. I'd say it's well on the way to doing that.

ERN Then before I shut up shop what can I get you Mrs Gladwick.

MRS G Nothing. I didn't come to shop. I came to gloat.

ERN Eh?

ERN I'm sorry you feel that way Mrs Gladwick. Mrs. Alsop. I've always tried to give good service.

MRS. G Well I'm here to say you failed miserably. You should walk around the corner and see the factory. See how business should be run. They put the customer first there. That's why you're going out of business. Not just the prices. No.

MRS COWPER, THE MANAGING DIRECTOR OF GLOBAL CONSOLIDATED AND HER CHIEF ENGINEER, VICTORIA VERBATIM ENTER.

COWPER Mr. Moore. Hello.

ERN Ah. Mrs..

COWPER Cowper.

ERN Yes, of course. You're head of Global Consolidated.

MRS G Dear. Dear. Don't do that.

COWPER Still have a few customers, I see. You won't have them long Mr. Moore. I intend to take them all.

MRS G I'm not a customer. I wouldn't shop here in a straight jacket. Mrs. Cowper, let me shake your hand. I'm one of your most devoted admirers.

COWPER Thank you Mrs...

MRS G Gladwick.

COWPER Gladwick.

MRS G I was just telling Ern his supermarket is doomed.

COWPER We hope so.

MRS G Dear. Dear. Don't go in there.
(MRS ALSOP EXITS TO BODY OF SHOP).
Do excuse me. Dear. Come here, dear.

MRS GLADWICK EXITS TO BODY OF SHOP.

COWPER Victoria tells me you want to sell the supermarket. Asked if Global Consolidated might be interested.

ERN Yes. Well...

COWPER You must understand the economics here. Global Consolidated's new automated unitized manufacturing facility produces everything.

VICTORIA Will. Parts of the factory aren't complete yet.

COWPER In principle. The factory will make anything. Absolutely anything at all. Do you understand the significance of that, Mr. Moore?

ERN Well...

COWPER If the designs exist they're in the data banks of the factory's computer. If the designs are in the computer the factory can make it.

ERN Anything?

COWPER The factory is not yet at full capacity, but when it is that will be literally true. So you see there's nothing you can sell that our factory can't make and sell cheaper. Given the above facts, how much is your supermarket worth to us? A thousand dollars? A hundred?

ERN So you don't want to buy the place.

COWPER Not if you were giving it away. Actually, Mr Moore, you have a unique opportunity. You will be the first people to enjoy the real benefits of the post industrial society. Think about it.

ERN What if that's not what we want.

COWPER I'm afraid you don't have much choice. The future is something that happens to us whether we like it or not, and I'm afraid the future is about to happen to you.

ERN We could fight it.

COWPER You can't. We know other companies are working on similar technologies. Global Consolidated just got there first.

COWPER EXITS. CLOE ENTERS FROM BACK OF SHOP WITH MRS ALSOP IN TOW.

CLOE Mrs Gladwick. Is this yours?

MRS GLADWICK ENTERS FROM THE BODY OF THE SUPERMARKET.

MRS G There you are, dear.

CLOE Considered a leash?

MRS G Come on dear.

MRS GLADWICK AND MRS ALSOP EXIT.

VICTORIA I'm sorry, Ern.

ERN That's alright. You tried. I probably wouldn't have sold anyway.

VICTORIA Of course you would. It was your last chance. Your only chance.

ERN No. I really want to stay here. Try to save this place.

CLOE He can't.

VICTORIA You can't.

ERN Well if not as a supermarket as something else.

CLOE Thhhtttpt!

VICTORIA He heard, but he didn't listen.

ERN There must be some niche left in the market for the small businessman, surely.

VICTORIA No. Listen to me.

ERN I have been listening to everybody.

VICTORIA Essentially the factory is just a fully integrated CAD/CAM system. That's all.

ERN I didn't understand a word of that.

VICTORIA It means the factory is just a computer controlling a bunch of industrial robots. That's the CAD/CAM. And that means the factory really can make anything.

ERN Ah.

VICTORIA Meaning you don't believe it.

ERN It's the 'anything" that's the problem. Anything is a very big word.

VICTORIA Just take my word for it. The thing works.

ERN But where does the factory get its raw materials. Where does the factory get its energy?

VICTORIA In an old fashioned factory you were restricted. You used the cheapest source of raw materials. The cheapest source of energy. And because we only used one or two sources for things- because they were the cheapest- we came to feel that was the way things had to be done. The economic way. But economics doesn't apply to the factory. There are no wages. No people being payed to make decisions or shuffle paper. The factory does it all.

ERN Well, where does the factory get it's raw materials, and so on.

VICTORIA Garbage collection provides a lot of raw materials. A slurry pipeline connects this and other factories. The factory draws on the slurry for materials, and injects surplus material into the slurry. Energy comes from solar, wind, some thermal, but look you're missing the point. These are merely engineering problems with literally hundreds of possible solutions. There are only two things you need to know. One there are no jobs in the factory. Two; the factory will take over all manufacturing. Believe it.

ERN Brave new world.

VICTORIA No. Just different.

ERN And your company designed it all.

VICTORIA No. A mathematician, John Von Neumann described how a factory like this would have to work. We just followed the receipe.

CLOE Now I see why the factory still isn't making some things. It's busy copying itself.

VICTORIA That's right.

CLOE That night in the dark. Machines in the dark. Gliding about. Chittering. Clacking. They were building the factory.

VICTORIA Something like that.

ERN Then there really is no future for this place.

VICTORIA No. What will you do with yourself now?

ERN Eat my way through all those Corn Flakes, I suppose.

ERN RETREATS TO HIS OFFICE.

VICTORIA Will he be alright?

CLOE Will any of us.

VICTORIA Yes.

CLOE It's really about power, isn't it.

VICTORIA What?

CLOE The factory. All that talk about Von Neumann Machines is just dingo dung, isn't it. This factory is not an altrustic exercise. The factory is going to charge you for everything.

VICTORIA It is a business exercise.

CLOE So where do people get the money when there aren't any more jobs because the factory's got 'em all. How do you earn anything to buy the stuff the factory puts out?

VICTORIA There'll still be jobs.

CLOE Doing what?

VICTORIA What ever people think needs to be done.

CLOE No. Economics is about money circulating. I buy from you, you buy from me and the money goes round and round. But what's happening here is the money goes into the factory and doesn't come out. The economics breaks down. The money doesn't circulate. The money dries up and everybody becomes dependant on the factory. They become a slave to the machine.

VICTORIA You're makin Global Consolidated sound like some sort of monster, and it's nothing like that. The company directors are nice people. And Global Consolidated is a business. That's all. Just a business.

CLOE Isn't heaven for a businessman total domination of the market. Total power?

VICTORIA That.s not what we're trying to achieve.

CLOE But that is what's happening. Here's the crunch question. Is this factory going to give us the sort of society we really want to live in?

VICTORIA I don't know.

CLOE Then...

VICTORIA And neither do you. There's never been anything remotely like the factory. Nothing. You can't judge it.

CLOE So we're just charge into the future not knowing where we're going or why?

VICTORIA You can make guesses about the future if you like. You've got as much chance of being right as the next person.

CLOE Maybe. Could you show me around the factory? I mean backstage. Inside the factory where the real guts of the place are.

VICTORIA My pleasure.

CLOE When?

VICTORIA Right now, if you like.

CLOE Let's go. It won't hurt to learn a little bit about the factory. And it really can make anything at all?

VICTORIA Anything.

CLOE What if I wanted the factory to make me something. Something special.

VICTORIA The factory can make anything.

CLOE Could I get the factory to make me a copy of itself?

VICTORIA Your own factory.

CLOE I wouldn't want a full sized factory, of course. A personal factory. Just for me own use.

VICTORIA That wouldn't be in the company's best interest.

CLOE No. But it would be interesting. Personalised manufacturing. People controlling the manufacturing process.

VICTORIA I'm employed by the company. I've got to put their interests first.

CLOE You're also an individual who sooner or later is going to be put out of work by this machine.

VICTORIA There is that.

CLOE If we could see into the future, some futures would be a darn sight more interesting than others.

VICTORIA Personalized manufacturing.

CLOE It is an interesting idea. A personalised Von Neumann Machine. Come on and show me this factory of yours.

VICTORIA AND CLOE EXIT. PENNY RUSHES IN.

PENNY Ern.

ERN EMERGES FROM HIS OFFICE.

ERN What's the matter?

PENNY I'm concerned. I won't hide it. I've had a delegation. Half the town's business people. I've always tried to do what's best for this town. I've devoted my time, my effort, my life to the public good.
And to have business people come into my office and accuse me of trying to destroy this town...
I brought the factory here, yes. It was a feather in our cap.
The first factory of its type in the world, I know dozens of other towns were trying to get the factory.
But we beat them all.
We won the factory. That's good for the town. That's axiomatic, isn't it? A factory brings development. Economic growth. Isn't that so?
I'm concerned. I won't hide it.

ERN People are hurting, Pen.

PENNY I'm the mayor. I've got to consider everybody's best interest. Not just...
It would be wrong to close the factory. Can't they see that, Ern. They've got to learn to compete.

BARRY AND BETTY ENTER.

BARRY Ern.
(BARRY STOPS DEAD. BETTY COLLIDES WITH HIM).
Hello.

PENNY Weasels.

BARRY Now, Penny.

PENNY These low life scum...

BETTY Now, Penny. He's a councillor.

BARRY She's a councillor.

PENNY Accused me of trying to destroy this town.

BETTY I wouldn't exactly say that.

BARRY Almost, but not precisely.

PENNY Ha!!!

BARRY Oh God.

BETTY Now Penny, be reasonable.

BARRY Yes. We are entitled to our opinion.

BETTY Yes. We have to report what's happening in the electorate.

BARRY Yes. And if, occasionally we report something adverse.

BETTY Yes. It doesn't mean we don't like you.

BARRY The fact is the factory is an economic disaster. I'm sorry Penny, but that's a fact.

BETTY It is. Custom is down.

BARRY Way down.

BETTY Their fashions are as good as I can get.

BARRY Better.

BETTY I wouldn't say better. Not better.

BARRY No, of course you wouldn't.

BETTY But they cost next to nothing. One little number I got with a pin stripe down here.

BARRY You've been to the factory?

BETTY Well I had to see, didn't I?

BARRY Consorting with the enemy if you ask me.

BETTY Nobody did. You step into this cabinet and lasers measure you all over. Then a computer builds a 3 dimentional video model of you and super-imposes different clothes onto the model. You can see exactly what you'll look like. And it isn't fractional fit. It's exact fit. I picked up some lovely styles.

BARRY Styles plural?

BETTY I wanted to be sure I fully understood the process.

BARRY Ha.

BETTY I suppose you haven't been there Mr. Electricial Gadgets.

BARRY Yes I have. But I didn't buy anything I didn't have to. It's clear you go near the place and you're immediately corrupted.

BETTY Ha!

BARRY I looked at prices, that's all. Everything's up to 20 percent cheaper across the board. It's almost immoral.

BETTY It's down right devious.

BARRY Ern. It's up to you.

ERN Me?

BARRY To convince Penny.

BETTY Her worship.

BARRY Of the gravity of the situation.

BETTY If we are to prevail against the factory.

BARRY Council must be united. Speak with one voice.

BETTY For all the community.

BARRY The factory must be stopped.

BETTY The factory must be closed.

PENNY I won't do it.

BARRY Speak to her.

BETTY Convince her.

BARRY We're going to look a real convincing bunch with her worship against us.

ERN I could never convince Pen of anything.

ROSE ANNE, NAOMI, TERRI AND MAY ENTER WITH THEIR BANNER. IT READS "S.O.S. SAVE OUR SUPERMARKET". THEY ARE SINGING "We shall overcome".

BARRY That's what we want.

BETTY Direct action.

BARRY Community involvement.

BETTY Television coverage.

NAOMI Come on Ern. We're marching to save your supermarket. You belong at the head of the column.

ERN Now come on. I don't want people running round causing trouble in my name.

ROSE ANNE It's not just for you, Ern. It's for the whole community.

BARRY Hear, hear.

BETTY We're right behind you.

ROSE ANNE Be honest. Isn't the factory hurting you?

ERN That's my business.

NAOMI And mine.

TERRI And mine.

MAY And mine.

ROSE ANNE What do they do if the supermarket closes down?

ERN I don't know.

NAOMI That's right.

ROSE ANNE Friends. The jobs of all of us; Our sense of community; Our very way of life is at stake. We have, this day, taken steps which will echo around the world. No more exploitation. No more degredation. No more despoilation. We are going to picket the factory.

CHEERS. THEY START SINGING "We shall overcome." THE GROUP STARTS TO MOVE OFF, SWEEPING A TROUBLED ERN ALONG IN THE VAN.

PENNY Wait.

SILENCE.

PENNY I'm the mayor around here. What I say goes.

ERN Pen. The people are right to march.

PENNY I'm the mayor.

ERN Pen. The supermarket is broke. Bankrupt. I've done everything I can, but it's not enough. I've written out references for the girls. And severance pay.
(HANDS OUT PACKETS)
I'm sorry Naomi. Terri.

NAOMI It's alright Ern. We knew.

ERN May. Your first job.

MAY Yea. What am I going to do?

ERN Everyone. Thanks for trying to help. But it's just too late. Too late.

TERRI It's not too late. Not when the people are marching.

ROSE ANNE Come on Ern. March out in front.

THEY START TO SING AND MARCH OFF. MRS BALL AND MRS PAIGE ENTER FOLLOWED BY CLOE.

COACH Hang about. Hang about. What's going on here.

ROSE ANNE We're marching on the factory.

COACH On the factory?

TERRI We're going to picket it.

NAOMI Greenham Common.

BETTY People power.

COACH You can't do that.

ROSE ANNE Why not?

COACH It's wrong. It's immoral. They're the team sponsors.

ROSE ANNE The factory is costing people jobs.

COACH The factory is providing the netball team with all new facilities. Terri. May. You're on the team. Get out here.

ROSE ANNE Stay, girls. Your jobs are at stake.

COACH Who needs jobs when you're full time netball players supported by the factory. Get out here Terri.

TERRI I'm sorry Ern.

COACH May.

MAY I'm sorry Ern.

COACH Now if you want to march bugger off. Not that it will do you any good.

ROSE ANNE Come on everyone. To the factory.

THEY MARCH OFF SINGING "We shall overcome." MRS BALL, MRS PAIGE, TERRI, MAY, CLOE AND PENNY ARE LEFT.

PENNY I am mayor.

CLOE Terri, May, shouldn't you go and practise netball or something.

COACH That's right. We're going to be a lot more professional thanks to the factory. Head off down the club rooms, girls. I'll be along in a minute.

CLOE Come on Penny. Let's sit you down.

PENNY I am mayor.

TERRI AND MAY EXIT.

COACH Thank you Cloe. At least our girls aren't mixed up in this demonstration thing.

CLOE There is one other thing.

COACH What?

CLOE You're not going to believe it.

COACH What?

CLOE No. I don't think I ought to tell you. You'll only do something stupid.

COACH What?

CLOE Alright. I'll tell you. But don't over react.

COACH What?

CLOE Tonight, after dark, some of the group are planning to fire bomb the factory.

COACH Fire bomb our sponsors. Over my dead body.

CLOE I thought you might see it that way. Now don't do anything rash.

COACH Rash! Round up the team. There'll be a council of war in the club rooms in fifteen minutes. We'll put a stop to their little schemes.

MRS BALL STALKS OUT GRIMLY.

CLOE You can try anyway, can't you.

JEAN Isn't it stimulating. There are great forces at work in the land. Economic waves crashing all around us. The structures of the world are melting and dissolving like sand castlers swept away by the tide.

CLOE I wouldn't know about that.

JEAN Just what is your role in this Cloe? Judas Iscariot?

CLOE Concerned citizen.

JEAN There's more too it.

JEAN Sam Goldwin.

CLOE Thought you might know that.

JEAN You know history's a little like netball. Sometimes if you watch the ball too closely you miss the foul behind the play.

CLOE Well you can't watch every player at once., can you? And if you don't get a wriggle on you'll miss the whole game.

JEAN What's really going on?

CLOE Time, I expect. Time and tide.

JEAN I'll be back.

MRS PAIGE EXITS AFTER MRS BALL.
CLOE STARTS TO TURN OUT THE LIGHTS. CAROL ENTERS.

CAROL Cloe. I've been looking everywhere for you.

CLOE Oh no, it's sticky beaks incorporated.

CAROL Cloe, what have you been up to. I've had half a dozen people from Global Consolidated after me about you.

CLOE Little ole me?

CAROL They said you'd been messing about with their factory.

CLOE You mean I trecked mud all over their nice digital floor?

CAROL Don't be obtuse. You've been getting the factory to make things it shouldn't make.

CLOE Is that a fact?

CAROL Well have you?

CLOE I thought you were telling me.

CAROL Cloe.

CLOE Got it to make me a few things. Their prices are pretty good, you know.

CAROL Things you shouldn't have?

CLOE Well that's a matter of opinion.

CAROL Right Cloe, let's go and see the people from Global Consolidated and sort this out right now.

CLOE Aw, Carol, hang on a sec. There's something you should know.

CAROL What?

CLOE The thing is I'd be breaking a confidence.

CAROL What?

CLOE On the other hand there might be lives at stake.

CAROL Come on, Cloe. Out with it.

CLOE There's a protest march on at the factory. The net ball team is on their way to stop them. Something about someone fire bombing the factory.

CAROL Demonstrations, fire bombs. Come on Cloe, you're pulling my leg.

CLOE Would I do that?

CAROL In this town? Who's leading the protesters.

CLOE Ern.

CAROL Ern?

CLOE You ought to break it up before someone gets hurt.

CAROL Alright. I'll check it out.

CLOE I'll wait here. I hate the sight of blood.

CAROL Cloe, if you're...

CLARKE ENTERS. CAROL STARTS TO EXIT, ALMOST COLLIDING WITH CLARKE.

CLARKE Excuse me.

CAROL EXITS.

CLARKE Where's the fire?

CLOE They're picketing the factory.

CLARKE Who, Carol?

CLOE No. Your dad.

CLARKE Oh...What's the matter with mum?

CLOE She needs to lie down. Help me get her home.

CLARKE Sure. What's dad doing picketing the factory?

CLOE He's trying to save the supermarket.

CLARKE Oh.

CLOE If you want to join the picket line I'll look after Penny.

CLARKE Naw. Picketing's a waste of time. The supermarket's history anyway. Here.

THEY STAND PENNY UP.

CLOE It's your father's business.

CLARKE It's still a lost cause. You sure mum's alright?

CLOE She's had a shock.

CLARKE Reckon I ought to call a doctor?

CLOE No. She'll be alright.

CLARKE Yea. I guess. Me car's outside.

THEY EXIT LEADING PENNY.

ACT 2 ENDS.

copyright (c) 1979 & 2000
F.J. Willett
49 Metala Rd
Paralowie
South Australia
5108
ph 08 8281 2524