One long day Read online

One Long Day

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  Written by Jed Richards

  ?Fiction: Based on the Constable Christopher Richards Quorn posting. 1968?

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  1) 100km north of Quorn, SA on the main road. 6am. 25 degrees.?Summer.

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  A large pickup truck carrying a horse pulls over to refill with Petrol. Mr Thomson (45yr old country man) sets his gas Lantern down on the edge of the truck and begins filling the petrol tank with a Jerry Can. The horse kicks out and the lantern tips over causing a fire. Mr Thomson man drops the jerry can and the truck is being engulfed with fire. He tries to free the panicked horse, but burns his arms in the process. He returns to the cabin and grabs his rifle and aims at the horse's head. Bang.

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  2) Miners cottage Kitchen table. Constable Chris Richards. 7.30am. 2 degrees.

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  The kettle Boils. The main character, Constable Richards cleanly shaven, hair recently plastered and is dressed and ready for the day, sits down for his morning tea and toast when a middle aged man, Tony Higgins, enters the doorway excitedly.

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  Tony Higgins.

  Quick Constable Richards. There has been a crash about 100 ks up the road to Willochra. They need you quick.

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  Constable Richards calmly but briskly rises from the table and grabs his hat. He wont need his jacket. Its already starting to get hot. He?leaves the cottage and climbs into the Police car.

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  3) Willochra Road. 8.20am. 26 degrees.

  Constable Richards is driving along the long straight road. He arrives at the site of the burnt out truck and?a car parked nearby. The door is open and?the old man is sitting there nursing his burn arms. Constable Richards looks over at the truck and then walks to Mr Thomson.

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  Both are in the police car heading driving along the straight road. The man is uncomfortable but calm.

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  Constable Richards.

  We'll drive you back to town and switch into the Ambulance. The closest hospital is Port Augusta which is about another 100kms from here.

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  4) Quorn main street. 9.45am. 30 degrees.

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  Police car arrives in Quorn (country town) and parks out the front of the small police station. Both men walk into the police station. Mrs Madge Nettle (Middle aged lady) is sitting at a table typing a letter.

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  Constable Richards.

  We are going to need the ambulance. Give Mr Thomson here a more comfortable ride to the Hospital. It looks like it is going to be hot one.

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  Lady passes?Constable Richards a set of keys. Mr Thomson sits quietly on a chair near the front door. Fan clicks away quietly in the background.

  Constable Richards (to Mr Thomson)

  Ill be back in just a moment.

  Constable Richards leaves the Police house and walks the short walk to the next building. He opens a shed door and climbs into the old Ambulance wagon.

  5) Quorn Police station. 9.55am. 31 degrees.

  Constable Richards enter the police station to collect his belongings and Mr Thomson. Mr Thomson sits in the chair quietly assessing his burnt arms.

  Mrs Nettle

  Would you like a cup of tea and biscuit before you head off to Port Augusta?

  Constable Richards.

  No thanks Madge. We better get a move on. Are you ready Mr Thomson?

  Constable Richards helps Mr Thomson to his feet and assists him into the back of the ambulance.

  6) Road to Port Augusta. 10.20am. 32 degrees.

  In the ambulance on the road to Port Augusta. 10 Am. 32 degrees.

  Constable Richards is feeling the heat as he heads along the road.

  Constable Richards.

  Where were you heading?

  Mr Thomson.

  I was bringing a horse down to Jack Armstrong just south of Quorn. He bought it off me to help him out on the farm. I bet hes glad he didnt pay me a deposit. It wont be much good to him now. I should have just sold him the truck. It would have been cheaper for me.

  Constable Richards.

  Thats a bit bad luck Mr Thomson. Lets just hope your arms arent too bad. & The hospital is a bit of a drive, but it a good hospital and Im sure theyll look after you. You want a water? It looks like its going get pretty hot today.

  Mr Thomson.

  Cheers Constable. Would you mind letting me missus know whats happened. She can let old Jack know the bad news.

  Constable Richards.

  Sure.

  7) Port Augusta Hospital. 11.30m. 35degrees.

  The ambulance pulls into the emergency at the hospital and Doug (an orderly 20 yr old) comes out with a gurney. The doctor (Dr Lewis, 50 yrs male) comes out to view his patient and starts asking questions.

  Dr Lewis.

  Constable Richards. What have we got here then?

  Constable Richards.

  Dr Lewis. Mr Thomson had a bit of an accident up on the Willochra road and his truck caught on fire. Tried to save the horse in the back. His arms got a bit burnt up.

  Dr Lewis.

  So whats happened to you then mate? Youve gone a put you hands where they dont belong, heh? Doesnt look too bad. Come on inside then and well clean that up a bit. Get rid of that Gurney Doug. His legs look pretty bloody normal to me. Follow me in then Mr&..Ahh um?

  Mr Thomson

  Ah& Thomson. Harry Thomson.

  Dr Lewis.

  Good then Mr Thomson. You right then Constable. You can leave it to us from here. Good Job.

  Constable Richards.

  OK.

  Constable Richards gets into the ambulance and heads straight back to Quorn.

  Mindful of the office and the facts he hasnt had a chance to have his morning tea and sort any police matters that may need attending to.

  8) Police station. Quorn 1pm. 36 degrees.

  As Constable Richards drives the ambulance straight into the shed and locks the garage door. He turns to walk back into the police station when Mrs Nettle comes rushing out of the station looking flustered.

  Mrs Nettle.

  Constable Richards. There has been a shooting out at Norm Tuckers place. You got to come quick.

  Constable Richards.

  A shooting? Where? Who? Did they tell you anything else?

  Mrs Nettle.

  No, but they are in a right old panic over there.

  Constable Richards bypasses the station and heads straight to the police car. He makes the short drive in quick time, but whilst his mind is alert trying to anticipate what lies ahead, he is still calm and level headed.

  9) Tuckers House. 1.10pm. 37 degrees.

  Constable Richards pulls up out the front of the Tuckers house. A typical small house on a house block. Darryl (a young man of 20 yrs) is sitting on the front fence holding his jaw whilst blood trickles between his fingers. Norms daughter, Dawn age 18 is crying and screaming at her father who is standing on the porch with Beryl (Norms wife) and his 22 rifle.

  Constable Richards.

  Norm! Put the gun down and walk over here.

  Norm.

  Oh look Constable. Hell be alright. Its only a 22. I warned the little bugger if I caught him round my daughter again Id sort him out.

  Constable Richards.

  Norm. Now! Put the gun down and come over here. Now!

  Norm shakes his head and puts the gun up against the front wall of the house and whilst shaking his head as if this has all got a little carried away. He walks over to Constable Richards and start explaining the situation.

  Norm.

  I caught the little bugger in her room. Whats a bloke gonna do. I warned him fair and square that
hed get it if he messed around with my daughter. Warned him fair and square.

  Constable Richards.

  So you shot him?

  Norm.

  Oh, it wasnt like that. It was only the 22. I was trying to show the lad that I wasnt kidding around. Hell be right.

  Constable Richards.

  Norm, you bloody shot him. I hope for your sake he is alright. Now get in the car while I check on the lad.

  Constable Richards mumbles under his breath as he walks away from the car towards Darryl and Dawn. Dawn is still sobbing but has quietened knowing that Constable Richards is on the scene. Beryl looks on nervously from the front porch.

  Constable Richards.

  Lets have a look at you lad. Beryl, Can you get a towel for the lad to wrap his head in? Alright mate, Im going to get the ambulance and we will have to get you down to the hospital to get the doc to check out that jaw of yours. Dawn; Help him up to the porch and out of this sun. Ill be back in a minute.

  Dawn.

  (Sobbing) Will he die? (dramatically)

  Constable Richards (somewhat annoyed).

  Now dont worry Dawn. Hell be fine.

  Constable Richards heads back to the car and gestures to the neighbours to get back inside out of the heat. Norm sits in the car and is resigned to the fact that he is in trouble with the law. He sits sheepishly. They drive off.

  10). Police station Quorn. 1.35pm 37 degrees.

  They pull up out in front of the police station and both get out and walk inside. Constable Richards walks past Mrs Nettle. And heads through the front room and into the hall way of the police station.

  Constable Richards.

  Come on Norm. Youre going in the lock up until I get back from the hospital. Well sort it out then.

  Norm.

  Oh, come on Constable, its got to be 40 degrees in there if not more. You cant put me in there this arvo. Ill cook.

  Constable Richards turns and thinks for a moment before heading back to the front room of the police station.

  Constable Richards.

  Come on then. You can sit in the front room with Mrs Nettle until I get back&. Mrs Nettle, Ill need the Ambulance again to take the young lad off to the hospital. Norm here shot him in the jaw.

  Norm (protesting)

  Oh cmon. Its hardly a bloody scratch. I was just sending the lad message.

  Constable Richards.

  Sit down there and well sort it out when I get back. Mrs Nettle, could you please call Grant and Sue Young and let them know that I am taking there lad Darryl to the hospital and that Ill contact them when I get back.

  Constable Richards leaves the Police station and takes the short walk towards the Ambulance shed.

  11) Norm Tuckers house. 1.50pm. 38 degrees

  Constable Richards pulls up and Beryl and Dawn are helping Darryl down the porch towards the Ambulance. Constable Richards gets out of the car and assists Darryl into the back of the ambulance. Darryls head is completely wrapped in a towel.

  Constable Richards.

  Ill take the lad to the Port Augusta Hospital and then Ill come back and interview Norm at the station. Both of you just stay put and Ill come and let you now how this sorts itself out. Stay out of the heat and Ill come to you. Dont worry yourself. Itll all be alright.