AUSTRALIAN ODYSSENE Synopsis

AN AUSTRALIAN ODYSSEY
Synopsis

VOLUME 1
The Pivotal Event

CROCODILE DANCING
Ros, a field researcher, is astonished by the conclusion to which her work on crocodiles has led her. She responds in the spirit of the extraordinary affective life that has recently blossomed in her community - she writes a short drama that expresses an extrapolation from her research findings. She then concludes a review of her research journal with a conspicuously unscientific affirmation: The Ancestor has re-emerged to recreate the face of the Earth.

At a workshop with Jason Arthur, a guest author in town at about the same time that night, Ariel, another member of the community blurts out the same words. All present are drawn into an interpretive effort. They conclude that Arial’s words either predict an earthquake or reveal a relationship crisis.

Meanwhile, Alan, an unpopular resident is enticed by a pair of trixters into believing he is a magician. Appalled by their success they attempt to turn the situation into a demonstration of his need for a change of lifestyle. They are overtaken, however, much later that night, by an astonishing event that Alan embraces as the sign of his power – a earthquake causes a landslide on the mountainside nearest the town – and Alan takes credit for the fact that there is no tsunami.

Next day Ros discusses with Larry, a colleague, the community’s extraordinary prosperity of recent times. It includes what was, at first, an apparent and un-nerving foreknowledge of events. In response to her assertion that even the crocodiles seem to anticipate her every move, Larry quips: It must be something in the water.

Jason Arthur’s account of his experience triggers a frenzy of media interest in the town. This  disturbs the community and provokes them to close ranks against prying eyes. They hope to protect themselves from a tidal wave of ‘tourists’ who might be attracted to the town as though it were some kind of zoo.

A story published in the gutter press ‘explains’ the prediction of the landslide. It  ‘reveals’ that visiting aliens bestowed a precious gift on the town. The community not only warms to the story, but basks in the subsequent media ridicule that kills off further ‘serious’ interest in the town.

Confused by this, Larry who, though not an outsider, is not as deeply involved with the community as most others, suspects a cover up. He is frustrated, however, by those he tries to discuss it with outside the town. And he is treated with hostility by the community for his trouble.

Larry reveals an appalling possibility to Ros who, though more involved with the locals than Larry, is also unaware certain aspects of the community's recent past. She in turn produces evidence, found at the town’s water supply, to support what Larry suspects - that the town has been the target of an experimental test on a drug that makes people psychic. Yet they alone seem not to have been affected.

Larry discovers from a mysterious source that what he suspects is correct. But what could have led to catastrophic consequences has been harnessed to serve an awesome purpose. Ros has prepared unconsciously for a pivotal role in the community. Larry must help the community to recognise Ros’ role, and encourage them to choose.

The community has become aware of the dangerous origins of its unique existence. It joins Ros, who has also become aware of the role the community acknowledges for her. They spontaneously  celebrate what Ros has come to know of the Universe: that it manifests itself simultaneously as, among other things, crocodile and human. In response the landslide reverses itself and restores the integrity of the mountain. All present recognise the sign of the Ancestor’s re-emergence to recreate the face of the Earth.



Q.    What is the Awesome Purpose that was spoken about, and how was the potentially catastrophic situation harnessed to serve It?
A.    The awesome purpose is named in Volume 1 as “...recreating the face of the Earth.” That, together with the onset of catastrophe and how it was harnessed shall be the topic of Volume 3. But it is necessary to see how it came about in the first place. That is what Volume 2 is broadly about - broadly, because there are elements of both in each Volume.

VOLUME 2
The Prequel

DIPLOMACY
By other means 

A scientist exploring the frontier between science and mythology acquires the means of penetrating appearances to know what is ‘real’. He uses this knowledge to synthesise a drug that makes people psychic.

A colleague shares this knowledge with a diplomat who recognises the advantage the drug would give its users in diplomacy. He convinces the right people to establish a secret diplomatic corps.

The results are spectacular. The secret corps (known as Deep Cover 9 - the DC9), however, warns the government that to maintain progress profound changes are required to the ‘world order’. The government moves unilaterally to a foreign policy of neutrality (actually of disinterest) as a means of presaging a sustainable world order.

The conservative backlash is swift and brutal. A neo-fascist government takes power making it necessary for the DC9 to go so deep into cover that it disappears.

The new government passes the drug on to the military which develops it into a weapon. Tests include putting the drug in the water supply of a town.

The weapon is also used to track down the DC9 who are systematically assassinated.

By the time the last three are captured, however, they have helped the town on which the weapon has been tested to benefit from its effect. They use the power it has given them to trigger nationwide revulsion at the government’s activities.

The government tries to maintain the appearance of legitimacy by calling a Royal Commission which it expects to control. But the truth is exposed and the regime and those who benefit from its activities are disgraced.

A newly organised political opposition takes the initiative and begins its own election campaign. The government uses this as an excuse to declare martial law. But the situation deteriorates and one faction of the military attempts a coup.

By then, the military as a whole, has seen its role in a new light. And though it of necessity takes power, it does so to broker the emergence of a sustainable order. This depends for its legitimacy, not on the illusion of egalitarianism, but on justice born of disinterest on the part of those in power.


Q.    Strewth! I thought you said the onset of catastrophe is in Volume 3?
A.    I did.
Q.    Well its only the end of Volume 2 and already the political system has failed so completely that the military has taken over. How much worse does it get?
A.    I did say that elements of both are in each Volume, and from what follows in this synopsis you would hardly guess that the opening chapter - summarised in the first sentence - describes a potential catastrophe: but trust me. And as for the way Volume 2 ends, you know the old saying: If you’re not part of the solution...
Q.    ...You’re part of the problem. So?
A.    Well, how about: To be part of the solution, you need to have been part of the problem?

VOLUME 3
The Sequel

CARDWELL DREAMING
The people of a small town are severely traumatised by the contemptuous action of a powerful official agency. Its fraternal counterparts in other countries have long plundered similar town all over the world of their unique identity and character. All have been pressed into the service of a dangerous and ultimately unsustainable uniformity.

A team of people with a radically different experience of power helps the town to use its trauma to transform itself. It becomes an integrated community rooted in the landscape in which it lives.

The community prospers beyond all former expectations or aspirations. This happens, not least, because prosperity is understood and experienced in ways that are ‘invisible’ to the rest of the world.

The community’s influence reaches all around the world, unnoticed by people preoccupied with the affairs of ‘the real world’.

When its own country begins to fall apart, the community uses its uniquely developed resources to define the problem and expose its cause.

A desperate attempt is made to reinstate the status quo ante. In response the community addresses itself to the future and articulates a resolution that is as compelling as it is simple: a Commonwealth of (sustainable) Communities defined by the landscape in which they live.

A new government is installed to implement the resolution.

The new government leads the whole population in reorganising itself along the lines of the resolution.

The changes this causes in its relationship with the rest of the world provokes a mixed reaction; hostility from the metropolitan powers; hope from the rest.

The crisis that Australia (including the military) has faced up to in recent times however, is world wide.  Australia’s success in dealing with it triggers a chain reaction of change. The world learns to live happily ever after as a newly emerged global military broods the metamorphosis of the Global Village into the globe of villages.