2011 - Theses - Flinders University

White Lives in a Black Community: The lives of Jim Page and Rebecca Forbes in the Adnyamathanha communityTracy SpencerVolume One Creative Writing Component: Excerpted Chapters from Volume Three Appendix One‘Page, Jim Page.’‘Just in?’‘Yes. You’re from round here?’‘Yep, out the track east of here. Patsy Springs, that’s part with Burr Well. Got somebusiness down the line to attend to.’ Coles crooks his finger at the sulky waitress, who takeshis order, and disappears.‘Cheers then.’ Coles holds up his glass, and Jim clinks his against it, relieved at this easyintroduction, and suddenly eager for the promise this new acquaintance might bring. He asksquestions about Coles’ holding, a little too eagerly, but Coles seems happy to expand atlength on the condition of the country, and the movement and price of his stock.At his third beer, Coles pauses in his effusive analysis of the weather patterns and fixes onJim’s empty glass.‘You’re not having another with me?’‘No, thanks.’ Coles eyes him. Jim tries to slide past the moment. ‘So, who is looking afteryour place while you’re here?’ Coles relaxes, and takes up the conversation again.‘Usually Ron and his missus – Ron and Jaquie Whyte. 139 That’s my partner on Burr Well.They’re away just now, so I’m on me own, with just the niggers.’‘Aborigines work for you?’ Jim asked, and again Coles eyes him sharply.‘Yeah. Some of them niggers are hard working fellas.’ He watches for Jim’s reaction, thencontinues. ‘Some aren’t. Only hire them if I have to. Only pay them if someone makes me.’He smirks. Jim ignores it. ‘I even got one who’s got a pommie sheila. How’s that!’‘Who’s that then?’ Jim is eager to repair their alliance and share the gossip.80