Revenge On The Goldfields?

Characters

The people present are:

Mrs Dulcie Rashford

(widow of the victim) I came to Falcon’s Ridge with Alec because that’s what wives with four young children have to do – follow their husbands. Before we came here we lived in Villawood and the children got to see their grandparents and swim in the ocean. I’ve never got used to the dryness here. But Alec said he knew how to make good money from gold mining without getting his hands dirty. He said he knew Falcon’s Ridge would make him a rich man. He was right about that and I guess I shouldn’t complain – but it’s been no fun being Alec’s wife since the miners went on strike and everyone in the town hates us. Six months of strike have meant six months of horror for the children and me – I begged Alec to listen to the miners and give them the same wages as the men in Hurston but he wouldn’t listen. Like always, Alec was never interested in my opinion.

Jack ‘Snakeman’ Waller

(owner of The Station Hotel) I had an Italian brick-maker create 340,000 bricks to build The Station Hotel in 1902 when Falcon’s Ridge was booming. With the Gilder mine just across the road producing good money I had extra cash, so I installed a hand-pumped water supply system with galvanized horse troughs right beside my hotel. All the town’s horses could drink outside while all the town’s men drank inside my bar. They call me “Snakeman” cause I have a pit of pet snakes in the cellar. They are gentle creatures when you get to know them. I even have a photo of my daughter draped in snakes hanging in the public bar. I’ve married a beautiful woman but unfortunately all the other men in town think she is irresistible too. Poppy enjoys flirting with them and it makes me mad. She says she is just having fun but I don’t see it that way. I know I can get a bit hot-headed after a few drinks but what man wouldn’t to protect his wife?

Poppy Waller

(Jack Waller’s wife) I serve in the public bar at our hotel – “The Station Hotel” – and I love talking to all the miners when they finish their shifts. I don’t mind the look of a man who’s got muscles and a sweaty brow from hard labour. Jack is good to me but I hate it when he flies into jealous rages and does stupid things – like throwing poor Jose off the balcony last year – he nearly killed him. I only ever wanted a bit of a laugh and the tips are good when the likes of Alec Rashford come in for a meal. Jack didn’t know about those tips but why shouldn’t I take Alec’s gifts if he’s going to give them away?

Warden Dave Cole

(mine warden) I have been the mine warden for Alec Rashford for ten years and I have seen him drag this town from one on its knees to one bustling with businesses. Butchers, drapers, cabinetmakers – Falcon’s Ridge boomed thanks to Alec. I know he was a tough boss but I always told the men that he had to be firm to keep the mines open. But now the miners’ strike is into its six month I told Alec he should at least go and talk to the men to negotiate some sort of wage deal. I knew from the barrage of abuse I got he hadn’t appreciated my suggestion.

George Simpson

(ex-mill manager) I worked my guts out for Alec Rashford for two years – pulling all those miners into line, makin’ them work in shocking conditions on lousy wages just to keep his mines going. And after two solid years work I asked for a raise and he laughed in my face. After that I decided the only way to make money from the place was to pinch a bit of the gold dust off the wash table when no one was looking. Only trouble was I was seen and reported to Rashford. I offered him 2 weeks wages and 200 Deep Blue Shares worth 6 shillings each to square the matter. I said I only did it to put food in the mouths of my five kids, but Rashford went ahead with the prosecution. I was sent to Villawood Prison for 6 months with hard labour. The only thing you learn in jail is about guns and crime. I got out last week and jumped on the first train to Falcon’s Ridge to see my family.

Harriet Simpson

(wife of George) When my husband George was given six months with hard labour for stealing gold dust from the New Falcon’s Ridge mine I was devastated. How on earth was I gonna’ support five kids? It was hard enough when George was around. But I don’t blame him for what he did. He only did it because Alec Rashford wouldn’t give him a pay-rise despite all the extra hours he put in. I ended up getting work in the pie shop but it was so hot in summer when the wood stoves were on that I nearly died. My two oldest girls have had to help me with the pastries before school everyday, just so we can make enough to live on. It’s been a really tough time. The flour irritates my eyes. It makes it hard for me to read the Bible.

Clementina Jones

(runs Sleepy Willow boarding house) I lost my eye when I was six years old. My brother rubbed blue stone in it and I’ve been blind in it ever since. I built the Sleepy Willow to run as a hotel after my husband died. When I applied for a license Alec Rashford – in his role as shire chairman – wouldn’t give me one. He said that there were enough hotels in Falcon’s Ridge already – so what made it all right for him to build one? I wear black dresses as a sign of respect for my husband but I know people call me “The Black Widow”.

Mick Sheedy

(Irish miner) I work in the underground mine and it’s a dirty place full of mud and slush and stale air. I write songs and jingles to sing down the mines and in the hotels at night to keep everyone’s spirits up. I like romancing women and it’s amazing what an aphrodisiac an Irish accent can be. But I’m no fool and my motto is ‘love is like a mutton chop, sometimes cold and sometimes hot’. Alec Rashford seemed like a decent bloke at first. I mean if it weren’t for him none of us miners would have jobs at all, but after all these years it’s time we got the same wages as the Towers men. I felt sure the strike would work, but Rashford didn’t give an inch. Blowed if I was gonna’ risk my life for measly 10 shillings a day – Alec Rashford sure wouldn’t have.