Literary Journal Issue#5 2011 - Cranbrook School

BENCHMARK
Jarrah
In a European-dominated school in outback Australia, an
aboriginal boy takes refuge behind a water tank. Regularly
persecuted because of his race, he increasingly retreats into his
own imaginary world. A chance encounter with another boy,
bullied because of his religion, sparks the most unlikely
friendship.
47 Ext – watertank – day
Jarrah runs into shot. We hear boys shouting in the
distance. As the voices fade Jarrah wipes a tear from his
eye. He leans with his back against the water tank and
dejectedly slides down the side of the tank onto the
ground. He wraps his arms around himself and rocks
back and forth. Beads of sweat trickle down his face as
he remembers the previous events.
CALLUM: He doesn’t belong here …
GEORGE: Can’t even speak properly …
HENRY: Should’ve stayed in the bush.
We hear the ticking of a clock to symbolise time passing.
Voices can be heard outside.
TEACHER: Where is he? You say he ran past the
classrooms, then where?
CALLUM: Who cares, he’s a stupid loser anyway.
TEACHER: Don’t say that!
CALLUM: You know it’s true!
TEACHER: The principal won’t be happy. If I catch
that boy …
CALLUM: He doesn’t belong here, why can’t we get
rid of him?
TEACHER: Just get to class!
We hear the sound of footsteps and the voices dissipate
into the distance. Jarrah curls up into a ball. We hear the
clock again, getting louder and louder …
48 Int – foster home kitchen – evening
Pan across to Marian cooking in the kitchen. She is
a European woman in her fifties with graying hair. The
kitchen is small and under-furnished, but it has a warm
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feel about it. The door opens in the background and
Jarrah enters with his school bag slung over one shoulder.
Marian puts her cooking pot down and turns to Jarrah
with her hands on her hips.
MARIAN: Well?
JARRAH: Well what?
MARIAN: How was your first day of high school?
JARRAH: Okay. I guess.
He dumps his bag at the front door and is about to head
up the stairs.
MARIAN: Now what have I told you about property
dear?
Jarrah picks up his bag and places it down gently. He then
races up the stairs. Marian shakes her head.
MARIAN: Oh Jarrah. What am I going to do with you?
But she’s smiling to herself.
49 Int – foster home dining room – night
Eight other children around Jarrah’s age sit with him at
the table. Marian takes the seat at the head of the table.
MARIAN: I have some news for you all. I am getting a bit
old for all this volunteer work and have decided to leave
you in the capable hands of Miss Kensington.
DARREL: But you can’t leave! You’ve been here eleven
years!
MARIAN: I know dear, and it’s been lovely looking after
you all. But I can’t look after you forever.
DARREL (Muttering): I bet she’s a witch.
50 Ext – schoolyard – day
Jarrah walks through the school gate. As soon as he enters
the school, five boys come out of the shadows. One of
them is Callum. Callum is a small boy with fiery red hair
and a quick temper. Jarrah tries to ignore them.
CALLUM: So you’ve come back again?
JARRAH: Leave me alone.