- Oh, give me land - Walk!
Lots of land under starry skies above
Don't fence me in
Let me ride Through the wide open country…
Whoa.
Don't fence me in…
"Dearest Gert, our parents promised me freedom."
"Instead, their debt is now an albatross around my neck."
But I ask you please
Don't fence me in
"I'm trying to find a match, I promise."
"But the pickings are most definitely slim."
I was thinking we could have six children, seven, maybe eight.
Paucity and prayer, Miss Melvyn.
That's what God demands.
Trust me, Mr. Jobson,
I've lived most of my life with paucity,
and no amount of prayer made it any more tolerable.
Don't fence me in
You have been busy, ladies.
Sounds to me like you've had every man in the district coming by.
Sadly, none of them are suitable.
I'm just sorry that she's jeopardized her best prospect.
You don't mean Harry, do you?
Oh. Well, after your party, I thought Harry was no longer an option.
No, true.
But I thought perhaps Frank Hawden.
Oh. Yes, no, there's still a chance there, I hope. But Sybylla needs to get cracking.
Why the rush?
Uh, Richard.
- He's got them into more trouble. - Naturally.
The interest's bad, but if they don't pay that loan within the year,
they could lose everything.
Who could have imagined such a life for poor Lucy?
Breaks my heart.
Well, she's made her bed. She must lie in it.
Where is Sybylla? Huh?
I was so hoping to see her today.
The postmaster was telling me all about Empire Day.
Apparently, the whole district stops.
- Plays something called two-up. - Gambling?
Yes. I was hoping someone would teach me how to play.
It's heads or tails and losing your money. That's the way my papa plays it.
There'll also be an egg-and-spoon race. Do you need those rules explained?
Is it from one of your suitors?
Just because I'm too poor and feral for you, Mr. Hawden,
please don't assume that I have no life beyond my granny's marriage schemes.
Look, I… can't change the fact you overheard me that night.
Given we're not on one another's list,
is there a world where we're something else?
Like what?
What about pals?
Friends?
- Muckers, anything. - I'll think about it.
- Now, can I? - May I?
Dear Syb.
There's been such a kerfuffle.
Nuh-uh, absolutely no.
- Not the desk. - What about the piano?
I'll take it as collateral.
You default again next month, we'll be back for more.
No!
- We lost our piano. - That's a rather large object to misplace.
And a terrible joke.
Yes.
I'll do better, comrade.
Spring already, can you believe it?
Here, these are for you.
- Will we see you at Empire Day? - I'm gonna sit this one out.
- She's against the Empire. - I'm not. Thomas Wynne's brass band…
- Now that you mention it. - You've got to come.
I will, but I have been thinking.
Why not have a break from this husband search
and send Sybylla to me at Five Bob, just until Empire Day?
- No. We couldn't impose. - Please, Winifred.
I'm heartbroken about Lucy, and I think I could help.
Well, that's very kind of you, but you have no experience of young women.
In my work at the Women's League, we're helping fallen women from the city.
My granddaughter's not fallen.
Oh.
Are you all right?
I'm fine.
A little sophistication wouldn't go astray.
I insist.
And who knows,
maybe some distance might make Frank Hawden's heart grow fonder.
Hi.
Mrs. Bossier.
Ladies.
- Good morning. - Morning.
The ambience was overrated At the party
I want to run away Before it's even started…
Yoo-hoo!
Can't find my friends So I just take a bit more
A bit more
A bit more, a bit more, a bit more…
Hello. Follow me.
We all go again
More
Thank you, Mrs. Klein.
Your new stray cat.
She's a darling once you get to know her. She was married to the head gardener.
Been here for about 100 years. She's deaf,
but that doesn't stop her from hearing about everything.
Now, Chinese people believe it's bad luck to wear shoes in the house.
Harry's mother insisted, so we keep the tradition.
Your slippers.
This is my favorite room.
Hal thinks it's too much,
but I like to think I've afternoonified it.
Granny says I have to start by apologizing for making a scene at your party.
Oh, yes. Modern poetry at Caddagat.
The bush as a metaphor for verboten passion.
Why do you think I invited you?
Come. Come. Come and sit. Oh.
Now. Your aunt and grandmother told me
all about the terrible situation at Possum Gully.
I am trying, but surely no one expects me to marry someone I don't like.
What about someone you do?
- I'm yet to meet him, and I doubt I shall. - Good.
Because I have absolutely no intention of marrying you off to anyone.
But I do love your mother, and I want to help,
so I have one question, Sybylla, and you must answer me honestly.
Do you think you're a good writer?
- Yes. - Then you must write your way out of this.
That is exactly what I wanna do.
You need to create the right kind of thing for the right publication.
- I've been working on some poems. - No, no.
Even the best poetry is a fast track to a wedding ring.
No, we need stories that sell to men.
I thought that you were a suffragist.
What better way for women to get ahead than by beating men at their own game.
While you're here with me, Sybylla,
you are going to write a story and get it published.
- Is it easy to get published? - Not without contacts.
But I can provide those, as long as your work is good enough.
All you have to do is write.
What if Granny asks what I'm doing?
I promised to teach you sophistication, and so I shall.
I could stay in here a whole lifetime.
Not this one.
Plenty of paper. Ink if you need it. We'll discuss your ideas at dinner.
Be bold, Sybylla.
Think like a man. Write like a man. Earn like a man.
Comfortable?
I'll get out of your way.
That's a lot of books. You planning on reading them all tonight?
They're research. I'm writing a story for Augusta.
She does love a project.
Wait.
Did you, uh, want to take the grapes with you?
No, thank you.
Ah. How about the desk?
I'm fine. The advantage of coming from a big family is I can write anywhere.
Well, it must be nice.
- Poverty? - I meant siblings.
Well, they're often underfoot.
Let me help you.
"To Harry on his 12th birthday. Enjoy the adventure, my lad. Dad."
Do you have a moment?
Yes.
I believe there are some items that are so precious
we cannot own them.
We are merely their custodians.
For you.
May she bring you comfort and inspiration.
Augusta.
She was made by one of my Women's League girls.
She'd be considered a genius if women's crafts were taken seriously.
This is my new favorite thing.
Speaking of, how's our story coming along?
- I think I have our hero. - Tell me.
His name is Reggie Silverton. He's a bushranger.
There are wanted posters everywhere, but…
no one dobs him in to the coppers.
Because he's sharing everything he steals.
Oh. Like Robin Hood. I love him already. Don't stop.
Don't stop.
Reggie pulls up to a tavern near Goulburn, and a stranger pays for his dinner.
That's where he meets his accomplice.
A double act. How interesting.
Just what we need.
Only she's a girl.
Now that is a delicious twist.
Don't you think, Mrs. Klein?
Spritz Rosso, Harry?
I'm teaching Sybylla how to make them for her first gondola ride.
Well, how could I say no?
- "It's all one drinks when in Venice." - Is that supposed to be me?
We were just discussing Sybylla's female bushranger.
A friend of yours?
I made her up.
But there's a girl at Caddagat, Nell Kirby.
I know Nell. Excellent horsewoman.
Exactly. She's my inspiration.
But let's not call her Nell. She'll kill me.
- I'm calling her Cora. - Far safer.
No one crosses Nell.
- More Rosso, less spritz for me, Gus. - Hey, go away. You're ruining my recipe.
So?
Venice in a glass. I think.
What are you laughing at? You've never been there either.
Well, you never took me.
Because you never want to leave Five Bob, Hal. Hm?
Fair.
But Venice is my favorite city. It's so mysterious.
Secretive.
It's like nothing you've ever seen before.
I've never even seen the ocean.
But this is transporting.
Months of summer scorch the start of 1900.
The sun beat down the earth
with the same careless brutality as the banks.
Reggie Silverton was known to the wind and telegraph poles alike.
He was a distinctive man, his manner set by hard work and resolve.
Need a hand?
I'm good.
Great. Twenty-eight more to go.
Your wages.
- Why aren't you married? - Ease a man into it.
I don't even care about the answer to that question.
It's been a treat to be here and not think about it all for a change.
I wanted to say something about Gussie's birthday.
I could blame Hawden,
but it was beneath both of us to talk about you like that.
It's all right.
I actually found it quite inspiring.
"Delicious."
"Ticklish."
"Like an ant under scribbly bark."
- It's so weird coming from you. No. - "Seeking secret places."
Stop! Stop!
Stop.
- How do you even remember that? - How could I forget?
Mrs. Bossier was standing right there. I didn't know where to look.
Helen tells me you're an orphan.
I am an orphan.
My father died when I was 12, and my mum just after I was born.
Sounds lonely.
No. Have you met my aunt?
Your mother was from China, yes?
How could you tell?
I'm a Beecham.
Three generations on this place.
And I'm not going anywhere.
Reggie stopped for the night at a lonely tavern.
Had barely touched his glass when she arrived.
Called herself…
Cora.
Cora… is on the run.
Just like Reggie.
Now, that's good.
Are you going to Scarborough Fair?
Parsley, sage Rosemary, and thyme
Are you going to Scarborough Fair?
Parsley, sage, rosemary, and thyme
And gather it all In a bunch of heather…
Charlie!
- Who's that? - G'day, missus.
Charlie. He's just brought a mob of sheep down from our Queensland property.
- You have another property? - Whyambeet. I never go. It's very dry.
He and Harry grew up together. They're very close. Hm.
Harry's different to what I expected.
He's more himself when he's at home.
Oh, they came!
Thank you, Mrs. Klein.
Such extravagance.
I had them shipped in especially.
If you can't visit the ocean, you should at least taste it.
Oysters.
A powerful aphrodisiac.
Independent women can take lovers without the bother of a husband,
so this is very important information.
Some people say you should eat it whole.
But I think it's best to chew once or twice and then swallow.
Are you ready?
Me again?
I taught this game to the third cousin of Prince Ferdinand of Bulgaria.
- Not to name-drop or anything. - Oh! There's the queen.
Ha! It appears you're heartless, Harry.
Oh! She's got you pegged.
You two are ganging up on me.
Oh, you've never been any good at cards. He's completely unable to bluff.
Whatever you see on his face is exactly what he's thinking.
I think I'd already worked that one out.
I'm out.
Uh, no, we're in the middle of a hand, Hal.
- You're such a bad loser. - It's not because I'm losing.
Someone has to work around here.
What do you think this is? It's sophistication training. Hm.
For when you meet the third cousin of Prince Fernando.
It's Ferdinand.
And you never know. Go on, then, if you're leaving.
I'll see you both at dinner.
You're thinking about him, aren't you?
Reggie Silverton.
No, it's still Cora.
Reggie makes sense to me.
The bank ruined his family, he wants revenge.
But why does Cora risk everything to be with him?
What would Nell do?
She's such a closed book.
I don't even know if she likes me, let alone what motivates her.
I met Rudyard Kipling in London a few years ago.
God, amazing mustache.
He maintained that you cannot write an adventure
without a little character study.
This feed bill is high.
There's nothing left for the horses to graze on.
This is curious.
Augusta Beecham has sent a note
saying she wants us to send Nell over to Five Bob for the day.
- Why Nell? - Oh.
Sybylla's told them all about the colt. They want to see him.
- Should I go with her? - I don't think so.
Sybylla and Harry are having a nice time together.
- This is good news. - Isn't it?
Should I leave it to you to inform Nell?
It's odd.
- Augusta's sudden interest in horses. - Ten quid it's actually Beecham.
Mother wouldn't mind. She loves showing off her colt.
It's more interesting to read
that he seems to have changed his mind about Sybylla.
Do you think he's interested?
She is fun, don't you think?
When you get to know her.
Definitely. It's fair to say she's growing on all of us.
Bit much.
You lost?
I… I'm looking for Sybylla. She asked to see me.
You must be that Nell they're talking about.
Might be.
Charlie.
Come on. Follow me.
Mrs. Klein has been baking all morning.
Do try the lamingtons.
The cakes are good, but the oysters, Nell.
Try it. It's like the ocean in your mouth.
Uh, no.
Uh, sorry.
I'm not ocean people.
I was telling Augusta about how you're training Beau.
Ah. Yeah. Uh…
Mrs. Bossier's mare got loose and ran with the brumbies,
and, well, by the time we caught her, she was already in foal.
It was an accident, but a happy one.
It's fascinating.
Maybe Cora should ride a brumby.
Yes. Tickety-boo.
- Yeah, that one. - I have a question.
Would you ever consider wearing a dress?
Specifically if you needed to be in disguise?
Oh, it'd be a shame to lose the trousers.
They're such a signature look, aren't they, Nell?
Uh, I don't know.
Dress, trousers… Your mob brought them here.
Ah.
Why are you asking me?
I'm writing a story, and I based a character on you.
You based a character on me?
Not exactly you, Nell. I changed her name. To Cora.
Cora.
You're my research.
- They paying you for this story? - That's the plan.
And so what do I get out of it?
What do you wanna know?
- Horses or people? - Horses.
- Why don't you like people? - High standards.
- That is so good for Cora. - Ah, yeah.
Hm?
You're looking pleased with yourself.
Yeah, I just think about how weird whitefellas are.
True.
You have… just…
You going to that Empire Day they're talking about?
I don't know. Empire's not really my thing.
Why you ask?
Don't know. Thought maybe I'll see you there?
Yeah, tickety-boo.
"Tickety-boo."
Cora strikes a hard deal.
It's why she has no friends.
It's why she follows Reggie.
He's her first friend. Oh.
Oh.
I like it.
Her hair was full of dust and defiance as she walked towards him.
They complement each other. Opposites attract.
He watched her with quiet caution
as she crossed the room like a stockman taking up a muster.
When he asked what she offered in return, she didn't blink.
"Freedom," she said.
- I thought a snake had bitten you. - Clearly not.
Wanna join?
- What, so the snakes can get both of us? - Come on, Harry.
Change your perspective.
- You think that cloud looks like a dog? - Shh.
I absolutely love it.
- I'm worried about the ending. - No. Don't change a thing.
- Mrs. Klein, I know you're there! - Oh.
Take this. Put it in an envelope.
We're going to take it into town to give to my man at The Bulletin.
You really think it's good enough?
More than.
I think it's marvelous.
When can I read it?
As soon as you buy your own copy of The Bulletin.
I subscribe.
Not the point, Hal.
Sybylla needs to be paid for her work.
Now, you could do one thing.
She's been cooped up all week. Take her out and show her Five Bob.
- Keep your eyes shut. - Mm-hm.
One step at a time. Stop.
Open.
This is splendid.
It's my favorite place.
Do I hear water?
You do.
Come on, Harry.
Syb, wait up.
Sounds like you found the water hole.
Sybylla?
Sybylla?!
Oi!
What took you so long?
I thought you drowned.
No way. I've been swimming for three generations.
It's not a joke.
Harry!
Hey. Harry!
Harry, wait! I thought you'd laugh.
You're trouble.
You're definitely right about that.
Is it strength or… or skill?
Shall we see?
Bring your arm up.
Now let it fly. Keep your arm relaxed.
Too much force.
Let the weight of the arm do the work.
Stand still.
You trust me?
Well, there you both are.
Your mother's favorite. I haven't heard that song in years.
It's a lament.
It is.
Why is your hair wet, Sybylla?
- I had a bath. - We got caught in rain.
There was a bit of rain, so I had a bath.
How unusual.
"Oh, Gert,
I know I said that Harry Beecham was the rudest man on earth, but…
once you get to know him, he's funny."
"And he's kind."
"And he's smart."
"You know I'm clueless when it comes to…"
I seem to have missed some magical rain this afternoon.
Why don't you just come out with it, Gussie?
Fine, what do you think of Sybylla?
- I think she's a nice girl. - Don't lie to me, Hal.
What do you want me to say?
That I like her?
That she's all I've thought about for the past few days?
- That she's completely turned my head? - No, you can't. That's not why she's here.
I know. She's your protégé.
Harry, you can't get involved with a girl like Sybylla.
She is completely wrong.
I'll make up my own mind.
Well, your father made a choice, which means that now, you don't get one.
Because my mother was Chinese, I have no choice?
I'm saying that Sybylla was not brought up in our world.
And you need someone who will make things easier for you.
- The Bossiers are a good family. - Right.
And yet, she still ends up half-naked in a swimming hole with an unmarried man.
- This is ripe coming from you. - It doesn't matter what I do.
But everything, this house, our farm, our family's legacy,
all of it depends on you making a good match,
which, I might add, I thought you already had.
There is nothing there that can't be undone.
Oh, you're a fool.
Sybylla Melvyn will bring you nothing but trouble.
You're wrong.
Well, let's hope so.
Because whatever you choose to do affects us both.
Mum won't believe it when I tell her you came.
Yeah, well, I'm not staying.
Oi, you mob, make sure you take it all down.
Get all of it.
- What are you smiling at baby face for? - Just being nice.
And he doesn't have a baby face. He's okay.
- You can't trust a copper, sis. - I know.
Hey, Nell.
- Who's that? - No one.
- Works at Five Bob. His name's Charlie. - Charlie!
- Over here. - Stop it. Shame job! Shame.
Oh, uh…
Charlie, my sister Betty.
G'day, Betty.
So I guess we now know why this one's shown up today.
Never been to an Empire Day before.
Oh, you know… Good chance to catch up with family.
Yeah, if that's what you want to call it, sis.
Charlie, do you wanna come get a feed?
You can tell us all about yourself.
Yeah, I'd like that.
Come on, then.
And… what do the leaves have to say?
No, of course it's just nonsense.
Remember last year, Mrs. Klein predicted that Julius would travel, and he did.
- He was already on the boat. - Well, she didn't know that.
I see a rose.
Oh! How lovely.
Your rose will flower soon.
Shush! Go away, all of you, and enjoy yourselves somewhere else.
- This is a sacred ritual, thank you. - Go, Harry.
- "A rose." - Start at the beginning.
And don't leave out anything.
Place your bets! One more.
Down you go. Place your bets. All right!
Come in, spinner!
- Heads. - Tails.
- Heads! - This is marvelous.
I'm finally seeing Australian culture.
Fellas, all right. Place your bets.
- This is no place for a woman. - Ugh.
- Come in, spinner! - Now we're definitely going in, Harry.
Sorry.
- Excuse me. Mind your backs. - Hey, watch it!
One more. One more. One more.
Bets down.
Oh! But I thought you said it was a rose.
Shh, shh, shh! Two bloodlines.
One will flourish. One will not.
Oh, how ominous.
Oh. What does it mean?
All right. All right. Get your bets ready.
- Hey. - Place your bets.
- What are you doing? - Saw Harry go in there.
- We're not allowed in there. - I know.
Place your bets.
- Come in, spinner. - Here we go.
All right, quick game.
Come in, spinner.
He's a long way from the diggings. Maybe he lost all his gold.
- Come in, spinner. - Or maybe he doesn't speak English.
- We should go, Sybylla. - Harry, we just got to the front.
I'm in the middle of learning all the rules.
You know, you can't trust him, miss. Opium dens and all that.
- Come in, spinner. - Steady on.
- What did you just say? - Leave it, Sybylla.
- Place your bets. - This is Harry Beecham.
- How dare you speak to him like that. - Syb.
Girls like that'll say anything once they get 'em hooked on the pipe.
Place your bets.
Come on, let's go.
Fight! Fight! Fight! Fight! Fight! Fight!
- There you are, Sergeant. - Mr. Hawden.
- The brutes are inside. - Right. Okay.
- Police! - You've gotta go, both of you.
She's right. That cop will be here soon.
Let's go back to Five Bob.
Harry. I'm so sorry.
Hyah!
Stop!
We're not going there again. How much do I owe you?
A donation for the brass band.
I'll give it on Helen's behalf.
- Have we lost Harry? - He left with Charlie.
Ah. Well, walk with me, Sybylla.
Girl talk, Frank.
I have a confession.
I… saw you all rushing out of the two-up tent.
Don't worry, I won't tell your grandmother.
It was disgusting.
The way they spoke to Harry like he was dirt,
when the two of them were just a pair of horrible drunks.
It's not like Harry to go into a place like that.
It's not his fault. I insisted.
I see.
Well, you really must forgive him.
He's so reckless when he's away from Blanche for too long.
Who's Blanche?
Oh, his fiancée, of course.
Harry's engaged?
As good as. They're promised to one another.
We've been expecting an announcement, but until then, we're keeping very quiet.
He's never even mentioned her.
Will you come back to Five Bob today?
Do you mind if I go home with my grandmother?
Of course not.
I'll have your things sent over.
Fingers crossed you get good news about your story soon.
The most important thing to know
is that you are a very talented writer, my dear. Hm?
Now, shall we continue?
I'll come soon.
Fallen for a guy
Fell down from the sky
Halo
Round his head
Feathers in our bed