Yah! Come on!
Hey, whoa, come on.
Yah, come on, come on!
Timmy, head 'em out!
Hup. Get 'em in.
Right. Get in. Come on. Yah.
Tommy.
Tommy.
Tommy!
We haven't got all day.
Yeah, Dad, sure.
I'll just... I'll just finish up.
Dad, I thought maybe we could have
that talk about the conservatorium.
What's that?
I said, it's a big game on Saturday.
Ah, yeah.
Ah, yes. Yeah.
We're gonna hit 'em hard. Yeah.
Only deal the team is having now
is staying focused.
Whoa, hey, watch out!
Yesterday,
police picked up
escaped convict Kalai Takalua,
also known as
"The Mundi Mundi Jail Bird,"
on the desert outskirts
after a third escape
from Willyama Jail.
Takalua was convicted
and imprisoned in 1998
for stealing diamonds
from his employer
while working
in the Kimberley mines.
The diamonds, estimated to be
worth millions of dollars,
were never recovered.
Takalua was severely dehydrated
and reportedly near death
when found by a local teenager.
That's right, Sharon.
Thomas Mcalpine, a local boy
who contacted police,
and that'll make
a great story at school.
Definitely.
See? That's right.
One of your own is a local celebrity.
How about that?
And how did he do it?
By doing the right thing,
by following the law.
Tommy?
- Tommy?
- Huh?
Oh.
Tommy?
Look, to be honest,
I was just keeping
an eye out for roaming emu...
Settle down!
You know, I'm just glad he's alive.
He looked in pretty bad shape.
Oh, he'll be out of the hospital
and back in jail in no time.
Good on you.
Yes! Yes!
How does it feel to be
totally dominated by a gimp?
Mate, you are not seriously
going to make me do this.
What? Don't be such a chook.
You lost the race.
Mate, she doesn't even know I exist.
If I go up to her
and start spouting poetry,
she'll think I lost the plot.
Yeah, well, do you have a better plan
to get her to go out with you?
Yeah.
No.
Look, you've been obsessing
over this American honey...
I'm not obsessing, man.
That's creepy.
Okay, sorry.
Stalking this Yankee...
I'm not stalking!
All right, all right. You've been...
fancying her from afar.
Now, whatever plan
you have in your head
for getting on a date with Kat,
I'm going to go out on a limb here,
and I'm going to suggest
that it probably isn't working
based on the fact you have never
actually spoken to her.
Mate, I've got enough
going on today, okay?
I was nervous enough
about this talent show
before I happened to run
into a convict last night.
Is your dad coming today?
Who knows?
Don't get upset.
You know your music
inside out and backwards.
Yeah, but the school band
isn't exactly what I had in mind.
# Hello, my baby #
# Hello, my honey #
# Hello, my ragtime gal, my baby #
Okay, here's a new version
of the music.
I can't play this.
It's not what we practiced.
No, it's pretty similar.
Mostly the same.
Just some small changes.
There's three time signature changes.
So, just follow my lead, okay?
# And you'll be left alone, o, baby #
# Telephone and tell me #
You guys, there's four of them.
We could totally dress them up!
All right.
Hey, Maestro, you made it.
Do you think I'd miss this?
Here. It's for you. Open it.
- The conservatorium?
- Yeah.
- How?
- I sent them that CD you made.
No, that was awful.
It wasn't arranged properly.
Well, you got an audition out of it.
- Audition?
- Yeah.
"As an applicant
to the composers course..."
"A talent scout, Mr. David Wooley,
will travel to a venue of your choice
for a live audition."
Uh-huh.
"This has to be scheduled
sometime before July 15th."
That's only three weeks.
Yeah. But this is it, mate.
This is it.
- Ooh! I'd better get going.
- Thank you, Maestro.
You all ready?
All right, fantastic.
Written and conducted
by Thomas Mcalpine.
Most you folks know the Mcalpines
from Harmony Station,
especially Coach George Mcalpine,
who has led our footy team
to three championships!
In fact, I think I see
Coach Mcalpine here.
George, how's the AZ's looking?
Are we looking forward
to another trophy this year?
It's just...
it's just kind of slowly
going downhill.
Well, that, um,
concludes our presentation
here at Willyama High School.
Thank you very, very much
for coming.
It's obviously not ready yet.
Your performance
was a little bit rough.
But look on the bright side...
this composition
is one of your best.
And you've got three weeks
to make it perfect.
Yeah, that's not enough time.
Especially with these musicians.
I mean, they can't play
to save their lives.
It's like everything I ever wanted
is right there in front of me,
and I can't reach out and get it.
Look, you've got three weeks.
Why don't you go to your father,
see if you can go to a larger town
and get better, more experienced,
musicians.
- My father?
- Yeah, your father.
No, my father would never...
Holy dooley!
I'm late for the game!
Thanks, Maestro!
Sorry!
Dad.
Dad...
Come late, you don't play.
- Next time.
- Next time.
It's time.
How did you sneak up on me
in a wheelchair?
Stealth mode.
I turn off the engine
and use my hands, old-school style.
But it's time.
Oh, mate. Come on, look.
Quote what's there, word for word,
or it doesn't count.
It's good.
Mate, I'm asking her out,
I'm not casting a spell on her.
Yeah, you're casting a spell...
you're casting a spell of love.
Go on. You lost the race,
you have to follow my plan.
I'm serious. American
football players are wusses!
Go. She's right there!
I just... I don't think...
Anyway, I'll catch you later.
Can I help you?
You are my sun,
my moon, and my stars.
A date with you would be
like swimming
in an ocean of bliss and joy.
Will you attend
the school formal on my arm?
What?
You are my sun...
No, I heard you the first time,
Michael Bolton.
Um, look, what's your name?
Tommy.
Okay, um, Tommy,
that was just... freaky,
so I'm just gonna
walk away now, okay?
That guy just asked me to the dance!
So, how'd it go?
If I, like, lay down
in front of your wheels,
can you do me a favor and just
roll over my neck till I'm dead?
Tommy.
Yeah, Dad, just a sec.
Where are you headed?
- Home.
- Oh, I don't think so.
Dad, come on.
It's nothing personal, Tommy.
Look, I was at the Maestro's, okay?
Tommy, when is enough
gonna be enough?
- Dad, come on.
- 50 hellbenders straight on.
We have an early start tomorrow.
- You said 40.
- 50.
Ow! Jeez!
Tommy.
Yeah?
This your truck?
It's my dad's.
So, are you gonna take me
for a ride in it, or what?
Yeah, no, I'd love to, but I...
You know, Ed's is open late tonight,
if you want to go and get...
Easy there, Casanova.
Okay. Make a left up here, okay?
Okay, kill the engine.
Hey, look, about on the field before,
I wasn't...
Shh!
Wha...?
I like you, Tommy.
I need you to do something for me.
But first, I need to know
whether or not you're in or out
'cause if you're in...
...things are gonna get
a little bit crazy.
Okay.
Koo-ee!
Shh! Shh!
What's going on?
Okay, let's drive down Main Street.
Keep the speed above 30, okay?
What are you talking about?
Tommy, it's just a little good,
clean fun.
Let's go!
Grab on!
Keep your speed above 30.
Um, what exactly are we doing?
You said you were in.
Whoo!
W- where are we going?
Come on, turn!
Turn up here! Left here!
Whoo!
You guys,
can you see that over there?
What are we doing?
- You see that?
- Yes, I saw that.
Super cool, Tommy!
Oh, Kat, get that one!
You guys, there's something
right here!
Oh, no!
Oh, trouble!
- Jeez, Kat!
- Hey, drive!
Wait, why are you slowing down?
Go faster!
I'm not going fast,
I'm going to stop!
Go, go!
Whoo!
It's the police. Pull over.
- Sorry!
- Pull over immediately!
Why are you sorry?
Don't be sorry,
just try and lose 'em.
Okay, get ready,
we're gonna turn left up here.
- You're crazy!
- We're gonna lose 'em, okay?
We're gonna make
a sharp left up here.
Whoo! Left here!
Now, now, now!
Turn now, turn now!
Tommy, stop! Tommy, stop!
What are we gonna do?
Thanks for the ride, mate!
What?
Thanks, mate!
No hard feelings, man!
Let's see those hands.
Dad, I know this was stupid.
Not another word.
I know stupid.
I was a teenager in this town,
just as you.
- Dad, I know...
- I said shut it.
Now, what you did tonight, Tommy,
wasn't just stupid,
it was dangerous.
Someone could have been
injured or worse.
Could you live with that? Could I?
No.
Tommy, it's time you take
your future more seriously.
I am.
How's that?
I've been invited to audition
at the Sydney Conservatorium
of Music.
They're going to send this guy,
Mr. Wooley,
all the way down from Sydney
just to see me perform,
and I've only got a few weeks,
but if I find the right players...
Perform what?
Your music?
Dad, don't make it sound so stupid.
This is the best music school
in the country.
Sit down, Tommy.
Tommy, your performance yesterday
was an embarrassment.
Now, you want to go away
to some music college,
and you're not even good enough
to impress a bunch of Graziers?
You're a cocky, Tommy.
Everything else is just
a road to nowhere.
Now, listen to me.
We have bled and sweat our lives
into Harmony Station.
Through drought and rain,
that land has supported Mcalpines
for three generations,
and if you want
to throw that all away
to pursue some worthless folly,
at least have the common sense
to find something you're good at!
You're spending the night here,
to get your head right.
Hey.
Hey.
You got a problem?
No, no.
I was the one that found you,
on the outside.
I'm Kalai.
I'm Tommy.
Uh, that's a pretty cool song
you're singing.
What is it?
I think you'd call it
a prison spiritual.
Yeah.
Years ago some Christian dudes
came in and started a choir,
taught us a few songs.
I still remember all of them.
What are you in for?
Uh... there was this girl...
Say no more, brother,
say no more.
I know your story...
'Cause it's the same as mine.
Guilty.
Guilty.
Guilty.
Way guilty.
Guilty.
If I ever see any of you
in here again,
I will prosecute you
to the full extent of the law.
Until then, I'm releasing you
into your parents' care.
With the exception of Kat Rogers
and Thomas Mcalpine,
everyone else is dismissed.
- What?
- What?
The ringleaders, eh?
Ringleaders?
Community service,
before the end of September.
Are you kidding me?
He talked me into it.
What? If you hadn't
asked me to do this,
I wouldn't even be involved.
You liar!
And you'll do it together.
You seem like a good team.
Wouldn't want to break this up.
You're American.
Can't you, you know,
call the embassy or something?
Right.
I'm above the law
'cause I'm from the U.S.
So, here's the list.
If you'd like, I can help you
narrow them down.
Can't you just pick one?
We have litter control.
Sounds good.
Re-shelving at the library.
That'd expose you
to a lot of good literature.
Shifts at the sewage treatment plant.
We'll do whatever's easiest.
Easy?
This can be a learning experience
for you, you know.
We had a kid come in here,
he worked for sewage treatment.
Now he's manager
at the sewage station.
Music.
What?
What?
There's a choir at the jail, right?
I didn't see that on here.
Oh, no. It might not be on the list,
but I know they had one, once.
If they did, it'd be in the file.
Wait, hold on.
It looks like there was a couple
who had a choir out here years ago.
Well, that's what we want to do
for community service.
What do you mean "we,"
kemosabe?
- I'm not going to jail, okay?
- Why not?
Maybe 'cause I don't want
to get shanked for drug money.
Oh, I'm sure it's probably safe.
"Probably"?
Look, just forget
what choir boy says over here.
Look, let's just put
books on a shelf, okay?
I'll just go and check
with my supervisor
to see if the jail's
even a possibility.
A choir? Are you serious?
Look, I'll do all the work, okay?
You just have to show up.
I hate classical music.
Well, I love classical music.
Yeah? Well, I would rather be
run over by a truck.
I've got a truck.
It would be possible,
and I think a jail choir's
a great idea.
Hey, don't forget
your information pack.
It's got, you know, directions,
security details.
Okay, we'll meet there
at 5:00 on Wednesday, cool?
Okay, see you Wednesday, then.
What is wrong with you, man?
No, no, no. Hold on, hold on.
Ha, ha! Gold!
So, how'd it go?
She's a pretty spunky chick, eh?
Guess what, man.
I'm gonna start a prison band
for my audition with Mr. Wooley.
I'm gonna get out of this dump!
You've just been seen in public
with the hottest chick in school,
and you're going on
about some band thing?
Man, she's a head case!
I mean, she got me arrested!
Come on, how hot is she?
Hoo, hoo, hoo!
What is wrong with you, man?
Hey, Dad,
you know I'm going to be starting
my community service tomorrow.
I'm going to be helping out
at the jail,
just stacking books
at the jail library
for a couple of hours a day.
Should expose me
to a lot of good literature.
Yeah, go get that.
I need you to start work earlier
to make up for it,
work late if you have to.
Yeah, of course.
Should be good for you, Tommy.
# The sound of change
is on the ground #
# Not the kind to bring us round #
# Congratulate our thievery #
# Take all we can religiously #
# These are the days #
You'll always treat the bags
like we just did,
and under no circumstances
can you bring anything
in to the inmates.
This is Officer Jack.
He'll be with you
on most of the days.
Just going to do another pass.
Arms up, please.
Just to make sure
you don't accidentally
bring in anything
that might be used against you.
We should be okay.
Turn around, please.
But, uh, it's better
to be safe than dead.
So, the most important thing
is that you maintain
an emotional distance
from the prisoners at all times.
Many of them can be
extremely manipulative.
They'll prod you for information,
they'll look for weaknesses,
they'll take any advantage
they can get.
You can be friendly,
just don't forget who they are.
- Have a good time.
- Thanks.
Though the prison's old,
it's been upgraded with all
the necessary security measures.
Just know you're always
being monitored,
so if something does go wrong,
help will arrive pretty quickly.
Only prisoners that have
earned special privileges
will be allowed to attend,
so there shouldn't be any problems.
There'll be at least one guard
with you at all times.
Just up ahead.
Well, looks like you got
a decent turnout.
It's all yours.
Hi, everyone.
Hello.
Hi, um...
Yeah, well, look, I just want to say
thanks for coming out.
Um, kind of thought there might be
a few more of you, but...
Uh, I'm sure we can make do.
Um, look...
Uh, first, my name's Thomas.
Say, uh, why don't you just
tell us what sort of music
you're going to play for us here, eh?
Sorry, can I just ask your name?
Bear. Mister.
Well, Bear,
we're not actually going
to be playing for you.
We're here to help you guys
form a band.
I'm thinking we could even go
to the Jail Exhibition in Broken Hill.
Ah, yeah. I've been there.
- Broken Hill sucks!
- Mind your manners.
I heard they used to go up to Sydney.
Could we go there?
I guess we could ask,
but Broken Hill works better
for us schedule-wise.
- What kind of band?
- Should be like Pantera.
Pantera rules.
Oh, no. Deep Purple...
and we'll need an organ.
Well, look. Actually, this band's
not really gonna be anything
like Pantera or Deep Purple.
This band's going to actually be
combining both orchestral
and choir elements.
Well, look, I understand if it's not
everyone's cup of tea, you know?
You're a real crowd-pleaser.
Timmy, mate.
Uh, Tommy.
- Boss?
- Righto.
Tommy, get here.
See that room over there?
Well, that's where they strip
and cavity-search us
before and after any type
of recreational activity,
so you might understand
why this room isn't exactly
full of volunteers.
Do good, might get a couple
of blokes back.
If you're lame, you ain't gonna get
anybody at all, you understand?
Well, why did you guys stay?
I think your band idea sounds good.
Very good.
Look, uh, you teach me the organ part
of "Space Truckin"' by Purple,
and I'll be back, all right?
Hm.
Well, it's a start.
What are you staring at, creepo?
You remind me of someone.
Great.
Okay, just try one higher still.
- Good.
- Listen.
Do you even know "Space Truckin"'?
Just tell me you've heard it lately.
- How does it go again?
- Go?
Um...
Uh...
- That's it.
- Keep going.
# Well, we had a lot of luck
on Venus #
# We've always had a ball on Mars #
# Meetin' all the groovy people #
# We've rocked
the Milky Way so far #
# We've danced along with borealis #
# We're space truckin'
round the stars #
# Come on #
# Let's go space truckin', yeah! #
# Come on #
# Come on #
# Come on #
# Let's go space truckin', yeah! #
# Come on #
# Come on #
# Let's go space truckin' #
- Ricardo, come on.
- No, no, no, no.
- Please.
- What?
Don't be looking at me.
I'm not a singer,
I'm a guitarist, huh?
A guitarista.
And besides, where are
all the other instruments?
Oh, well, this is just a warm-up.
We're probably done for today,
but next time I'll bring
some other instruments...
Adios!
...and if you bring
some more friends,
we can get some more
people involved.
Yeah, right.
Don't be expecting any help
from that guppy.
Guppy?
Behind these walls,
you got guppies,
you got fish, you got sharks,
and you got killer whales.
If you're expecting any help,
you need to ask a killer whale,
you understand?
Yeah. Which one are you, Bear?
I'm a blue whale.
Hey, I need you to sign this.
It says we completed our hours.
Hey, we didn't do three hours.
I know. I futzed it
so we could get done sooner.
Oh, come on!
Don't be such a freakin' prude!
You're killin' me here, seriously.
What, you think this is funny?
No. I just like your accent.
My accent?
You're such a freaking prude.
You're killing me here, seriously.
I do not sound like that!
Yeah, you do!
Well, then, who am I, mister...
"You are my sun, my moon, my stars.
"I'm such a nerd.
Go to the dance with me,
and I'll be so happy."
Well, thanks for your help today.
See you tomorrow.
It does matter
when you're not here.
Because we miss you!
Hey. Where's mom?
She's extended her trip
a couple of more weeks.
You can find something to eat,
can't you?
I don't understand!
That's twice now!
Two more weeks. I don't get it.
Well, that's not fair!
I am here for her!
That was never our deal!
That is not the way
it was gonna be.
No. You never said that.
I never would have agreed to that.
I'm not going to agree to that,
and I am not going
to accept responsibility
for her behavior either.
You know I can't leave the mine!
You know I've got to be here!
No!
You continue to throw this
in my face!
I'm gonna start a prison band
for my audition with Mr. Wooley.
That's the spirit, boy!
Let's ring the Conservatorium now
to arrange a time.
Yeah, it'll be July 15th,
so we've got three weeks
to prepare.
We kind of need
some instruments.
Hm.
Restoring instruments
has been my life's passion,
preparing for an unrealized dream.
You, Thomas,
can breathe life into them,
and they fulfill a measure
of their creation.
These are my children.
I promise I'll take
good care of them.
Here, Bear, you played
one of these before?
As if.
All right. Mold the wax around
so you get a good seal on your lips.
He's not bad.
This here's Fuzz.
Plays the drums, don't you?
So I thought he might be good
for our band.
He told me you play a mean version
of "Space Truckin'."
Ricardo!
A fine instrument, yes,
but still, she is hurting
on the inside.
But I can heal her pain.
I can heal it.
Okay, well,
we should get started.
So, um, Fuzz, do you want
to show us what you can do?
On that?
Yeah, yeah. Just give it a go.
This thing's too complicated.
Uh, well, what kind of drums
did you say you played before?
Tommy, warden wants to see you.
Oh, okay. Just a second.
Okay, we are dying here.
I'm going to see
if I can get some more players.
You keep the ones
that we have got here.
Um, just, you know,
tell 'em a joke or something.
What?!
Warden will see you now.
Thanks.
Officer Jack informs me
that you're here
to persuade me to allow inmates
to leave this secure jail
to perform in a music exhibition.
The exhibition is the jail nationals.
Prisoners from all over the country
are going to perform,
and it takes place in Broken Hill
at the end of the month.
It's Tommy, right?
I was transferred here
to cut costs, cut frills,
and basically turn this country club
back into a prison.
Unfortunately, it seems
the policy makers
have a soft spot
in their heart for music.
I suppose hearing
the incarcerated singing
helps them ease
their collective conscience,
so you're approved for now,
but be advised, I am the law here,
and if you so much as make a "C"
when I want a B-sharp,
your little social experiment
will be over.
That'll be all, then.
I actually have another question.
Um, there's this prisoner
called Kalai,
and he's got this amazing voice...
That will be all.
Pushing your luck there a bit.
Yeah, I just found that out.
Look, Kalai's in solitary confinement.
It's a big embarrassment to the jail
to have someone escape three times.
I wouldn't mention him again.
# La, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la #
That's good,
but you have to sing...
# La, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la #
What are you doing?
Teaching 'em scales.
Since when do you know scales?
She's smarter than she looks.
Guys, want to show him
what we learned?
Come on, check this out.
That's all right.
Wait for it.
That thing over there
is too complicated.
No, that was awesome.
But, I mean, if you can do that
on a bucket,
don't you think you can do it
on a real drum set?
Come on, just give it a try.
Tommy.
What you're doing here is all right.
You know, showing these boys
that a few mistakes
doesn't make 'em totally worthless,
you know what I mean?
All right, so we're
gonna give you 100%,
and you're gonna do the same for us
and get us to Sydney, all right?
Yeah, of course.
Deal.
Deal.
Good on you.
All right, guys. Well, we'll pick up
from there next time, and, um...
Remember to tell some more people
to come along.
Fuzz was really good.
Yeah. On a bucket.
But why didn't you tell me
you played piano?
I thought you hated
this kind of music.
Oh, I do hate this kind of music.
Oh, really?
No.
I had to take piano lessons
when I was little.
It was just to get out of my parents'
way for a couple of hours.
I'm not good at all.
I'm just not.
I don't get how you do it.
Do what?
Okay, yesterday,
Bear just started singing,
and just like that you picked it up
and started playing it.
Oh, that was just practice, I guess.
Can you play this?
No, I've never played this before.
I- I only tinker.
I'm not really a pianist.
Come on.
That was beautiful.
Well, I just stuffed up the tempo
there, but it was a first try.
No, that was...
No, no, listen.
This is how I played it last night.
It was ridiculous.
Just so clonky!
No, look, you're playing fine!
You've just got to relax
your wrists a bit.
Um... All right, all right.
Bring your hands down,
and now go really slowly,
gentle.
That's it.
- Sounds a lot...
- Yeah, it sounds better already.
See, you don't have to rush.
That's it.
Nice.
Hey, kids! Time's up!
- We need the room.
- Oh, okay.
Okay.
Thanks!
Thank...
Thank you.
All right, well, thanks.
See ya.
Dude, you're such a wuss!
You drive like my mom!
Hold on, hold on...
she gave you the look,
and you did nothing?
It's unbelievable.
All right. Can we please talk about
something else, you little gossip?
She wouldn't even want to hang out
with you if it wasn't for me.
She doesn't want
to hang out with me.
She just wanted to use Dad's truck.
Well, it was good of him
to let us borrow it today.
Yeah. Things have actually been
pretty good between us recently...
You know, since I started
lying to him 24/7.
Mate, you are game as a piss ant.
He will find out, you know.
Yeah, but, look,
if I get into the conservatorium,
it's a different story.
Well, how's your band going?
Righto, righto.
You're a dead man walking, then.
Do you know why the warden
wants to see me?
I have no idea.
In you go.
Tommy! There you are!
Wonderful, isn't it?
It's what keeps me sane.
We all need something, right?
I've just been thinking
about what you said
the other day, about Kalai.
I've changed my mind.
I think it's a great idea.
We might have to bolster
security a bit,
but if he wants to sing
in your choir,
you can have him.
Go on, Tommy.
I hope you don't mind.
I brought some of my friends.
This is the one who saved my life,
then convinced the warden
to let me out of solitary.
Give him the same respect
that you would offer me.
Okay.
Well, um, right...
who here's ever played
an instrument before?
Yeah? All right.
Good. Great.
Well, let's just gather
round the piano
and let's get this thing rolling.
Kalai, what can you play?
I can play the didge.
Fantastic!
Uh, sorry, mate,
what have you played?
Violin.
Violin. Brilliant.
Okay, excuse me.
There you go.
And, uh, what about you?
The bells.
I'll give you one of them for now,
and we'll find something else
for you later,
but let's start there.
Now, we're gonna divide the rest
of you into the choral element,
so can we split up
into tenors and bases?
Mate, what are you doing?
That's an expensive instrument.
It's called col legno.
I know what it's called, okay,
but it's not what we're doing.
No problem.
Right.
Well, all right. Let's just start off
with something nice and simple.
Um, Kat, do you think
you can play this?
- Yeah, I think I can play that.
- Okay.
Okay, I know it's lame,
but we're gonna start somewhere,
so just sing, hum, or play along
the best you can.
That was awesome, you guys!
That sounded really good.
I think we can move up to something
a little bit more complicated.
Okay. Here we go.
Now, hopefully,
some of you can read music.
I wrote this one out myself.
It's an original composition.
It's a bit more difficult.
But if we give it our best shot,
I'm sure we can impress everyone
in Broken Hill.
Everyone have a bit of a read,
'cause we'll just kick it off
in three, two, one, and...
All right, well, it's get...
it's getting there, so, um,
let's call it a wrap for today.
But thanks for all your help
and all your effort.
That's good. Cheers, guys.
- Hey, Tommy.
- Yeah?
They say I escape
to find the diamonds.
It's not true.
I escape to remember
what freedom tastes like.
Solitary confinement
is a severe blow to my soul.
I'm in your debt... again.
We're going to Broken Hill, right?
Well, we'll see.
Hey, Tommy.
You're doing all right.
You didn't think that went well,
did you?
Well, it started okay,
but it's just really frustrating
'cause I can hear it so clear
in my head, and then...
You're different
than I thought you'd be.
So are you.
Usually when they bus 'em in
from the station,
the guys are cocky and self-assured.
Thanks.
No, they're narrow.
Well, my mom was the bohemian.
She taught me music.
But Dad is the self-assured cocky,
so, I guess I fall
somewhere in the middle.
Your mom must be proud of you.
Yeah, she died
a couple of years ago.
I'm sure she's still proud.
She wanted my music to get me
out of Willyama and see the world,
like you.
Me?!
My parents' work dragged me
around the world.
There's a difference between seeing
the world and being homeless.
Okay.
I'm gonna go home now.
See you tomorrow.
I'll see you tomorrow, okay?
# Take some for yourself #
# And for your family #
# Keep some for your friends #
# Even your enemies #
# Save some for your future #
# Waste some in the now, and... #
Tommy, what are you doing?
Do you want to go
to the dance with me?
What?
Tommy, careful!
Do you want to go
to the dance with me?
Yeah, I kinda do.
Um, but...
Look, I'm already going
with someone else, Tommy.
I'm sorry. You should have
asked me earlier.
I did ask you earlier.
I'll see you tomorrow, all right?
You're crazy!
# So you keep the letters, and... #
# I'll keep the video #
Crikey, Tommy,
if you're gonna get up early...
Attaboy.
No, no.
No, no.
We are way out of sync, all right?
Um, we've got to fix this up.
First of all, you're coming
in two bars too early, okay?
Two bars! You're lucky
I'm even holding it right!
All right, and, um,
you're going way too fast, all right?
Can we slow it down?
And this is you here.
Okay, that's the piano,
so let's focus on that line there.
Ed on bells. Right.
Three, two, one, and...
# Ooh #
No, guys. Okay, it's got to be
a clear "ooh" sound
or it's not gonna sound right.
At least it won't sound stupid.
Now might be a good time to stop.
Um, okay, guys, we need
to take a break there
for a couple of minutes.
Um, then we'll come back
and we'll do it once more,
and that'll be it, I promise.
Okay? See you back here in five?
Leaving already?
Yeah. Is that all right?
Gotta go get ready...
for the dance.
Yeah, of course.
I mean, you've been on the clock
since you got here anyway.
Why are you treating me like that?
I'm just trying to get
some work done.
Whatever.
Whoa-ho-ho!
Girlfriend trouble?
She's not my girlfriend.
Sure she's not.
What's the real deal
with Broken Hill?
What do you mean?
Look, I think your music's cool.
I do.
But you'd obviously get
faster results
if you'd do something
the guys were more familiar with,
something they dig.
There's gonna be
this talent scout at the exhibition.
He's from a school in Sydney,
a school that I want to go to.
I wasn't exactly up front
with the warden about this...
Or any of us.
Don't sweat it, brother.
I've got your back.
You want to go to a good school.
I understand.
I wish I'd done the same.
What do you think I should do?
Well, they weren't
expecting all this.
If you want them to stick around
for much longer,
you're gonna have to do
something different.
Come on, Tommy,
get your head in the game!
Tommy, get your head in the game!
Get your head in the game.
I think I've got to cancel.
I'm just gonna make
a fool of myself. Again.
They can't read music.
Some of them are naturally talented,
but they've got no training
of any kind.
They make good noise,
but it's impossible
to turn the noise into anything.
You know, back in the dreaming,
you know,
back in the dream time,
the spirits come down
from the heavens, you see.
Then they started
creating the earth,
but saw it was too flat,
and they started creating the hills,
mountains,
creeks, rivers,
the trees,
the shrubs.
All things.
And as they were doing that,
traveling through, you see,
traveling through the land,
they were singing a song.
The song of creation.
And that's our song line.
If you went somewhere
where there's...
where there's no music,
you sit there and you listen,
and then you'll hear it.
The music is already there.
Just pay attention, Thomas.
You'll find it.
# Joanna #
# I have not forgotten #
# The man #
# That I once thought I knew #
# For I've heard word #
# That he's wanderin' #
# A-wanderin' round the bend #
# For you #
# He asked me #
# The fool #
Excuse me.
- Come on.
- Tommy...?
# I never... #
What are you doing here?
I want to show you something.
#... stood much of a chance #
Come on.
- Okay. Close your eyes.
- What?
- Come on, close 'em.
- No way!
Come on, trust me.
Close your eyes.
- Why?
- 'Cause.
Okay.
Okay, first, just listen
to everything.
Then...
Slowly...
Just let it all disappear
till it's absolutely silent.
Now...
Okay, now let
the dominant sound emerge.
That's the crickets.
But imagine that sound
as if it was coming...
from a piano.
I can't hear anything.
Now, next, the wind.
Strings.
Introduce a simple melody.
Okay, find another.
The creek,
a cello.
The low tone that you can feel,
the soul of the song.
And then, to top it all off...
The choir.
Listen to the voices.
Where's that coming from?
I just made that one up myself.
You're crazy!
See?
The music's already there.
Okay, I can hear sounds, but...
...I can't hear a song.
What does it sound like?
Come on.
Come on!
Tommy!
Okay, listen.
Is it just stuff
that you hear in your head?
Yeah!
I love this song.
Okay.
Fuzz. Got a present for you.
Mate, give that a go.
That's more like it!
Who else wants to bang the bucket?
Yeah, over here? All yours.
All right. Now, bells guy.
- Jeffrey.
- Jeffrey.
So, what do you know
about col legno?
We did it with my church.
You know that thing where you bang
the violin with the sticks?
You know, it's really simple.
Well, you reckon you can teach
some of the others how to do it?
Sounds pretty easy...
just like ringin' a bell!
See, I been tryin' to teach you guys
to play my music,
when what I should have been doing
is listening to the music
you guys already have here.
And, anyway, this stuff's
supposed to be fun.
Yeah, so what about
the rest of us, eh?
I don't sing, I don't play
an instrument... not even bells.
Well, um...
Ever use one of these?
This is more your style.
Give that a go, Bear.
- I'll get you something to work it on.
- Hey.
Well, it's a start, anyway.
Okay, guys, now you've got
your instruments,
let's see what kind of noise
we can get out of 'em.
# Ooh, ooh #
Okay, okay!
Whoa, whoa, whoa!
We gotta make some changes.
# There's a race to run
in the electric age #
# Communication
caught in the waves #
# Transmit the haze #
# And we know
there's something coming #
# We don't know what #
# Bleed through the wires #
# Hide in the cut #
# We perpetuate #
# A tragic fate #
# I telephone #
# Are you alive? #
# So let me know now #
# I telephone #
# Are you alive? #
# History reveals the trends #
# War's still waged
from behind the lens #
# We perpetuate #
# Revolving days #
# And we know
there's something coming #
# We don't know when #
# Reach for the change #
# But where to begin? #
# We perpetuate #
# A tragic fate #
# I telephone #
# Are you alive? #
# So let me know now #
# I telephone #
# Are you alive? #
# Are you alive? #
# Are you alive? #
# I telephone #
# Are you alive? #
# So let me know now #
# I telephone #
# Are you alive? #
Nice, guys.
Well, we're live tomorrow,
so make sure you don't miss the bus.
You're sounding good. Thank you.
It's sounding so good!
Well, it's almost there.
Oh, it's there.
Thank you.
Hey.
Good work.
I hope you don't mind me
performing in shackles.
I guess they think I'll make a break.
Well, they don't realize
my entire life hangs in the balance.
Look, I just want to say thanks.
I wouldn't even have
a band without you.
And I'll be starting it off,
but they'll be looking to you
for that first note.
I've got your back.
Hello, Tommy.
I appreciate your stepping up
the last couple of weeks.
It's fine.
I know being out here
away from your music
is a big sacrifice.
I said it's fine, Dad.
You know something, Tommy?
I could have been
a professional footy player.
I was good.
I was.
Big scholarship.
I was living the dream...
when one wrong tackle
took my knee apart.
Yep, I've heard
this story before, Dad.
Yeah, right, well,
what you haven't heard is...
it wasn't an accident.
I mean...
nobody meant for it to happen,
but I just wasn't good enough.
They were too fast, too strong.
Yeah.
I was the best thing
that ever came out of Willyama.
But out there...
things are different.
I couldn't do it.
I risked everything and lost.
Why did you lose, Dad?
I mean, that's when you met mum,
and you had me,
and you got the station,
so what exactly did you lose?!
I understand you're upset.
Actually, Dad,
you don't understand, all right?
See you later.
Where you off to?
I'm just trying
to get some work done.
Righto, gents.
Hey, Dad, it's me.
I'm just gonna be staying
a bit late at the jail tonight.
I want to see if I can finish off
my service hours.
Look, I know that I've been
a bit difficult lately,
but I just know
that if I can do this,
then everything will be
better tomorrow.
So, uh, yeah, anyway,
I'll see you at home.
Mr. Wooley.
I'm Pindari, Thomas' teacher.
Yes. Oh, good.
I was beginning to think
I had wasted my time coming.
No, no.
It seems like a very odd place
for a concert.
Yeah, I know, but wait until
you see what Thomas has done.
All right, guys, we finally
made it to Broken Hill.
Next stop, Sydney, eh?
Yay!
All right, let's do it! Come on!
Okay, everyone up.
All right, let's roll.
Tuned up?
- You all right?
- Ready? Yeah, yeah.
Very well done indeed.
Next up, we'll be pleased to hear
from the prisoners of Willyama.
- How you doin'?
- I'm actually really excited.
Good. You should be.
Go get 'em.
... Thomas Mcalpine
and the Willyama jail band.
Where's Kalai?
Kalai is gone.
We have a security situation.
I repeat, Kalai is not here.
It's all right, guys.
Just settle in and chill out.
Ladies and gentlemen,
it seems that one
of the band members is missing.
We would ask you
to remain sitting until we get, uh...
Evacuate.
Tommy!
I've got to go find
Mr. Wooley, okay?
Look, Mr. Wooley. I'm so sorry.
I had no idea. Is there any way
we can reschedule?
Impossible.
But it's not my fault.
If you just heard my music...
Mr. Mcalpine, it's your music that
brought me here in the first place,
and, quite frankly,
it's just been a waste of my time.
Good night.
Are you sure
there's nothing we can do?
In you get.
Hurry up.
Move on. Arms.
All right.
Ricardo, seriously, I don't know
what prostitute I'm reminding you of,
but just stop staring at me, okay?
You remind me of my daughter,
who has never seen me
when I wasn't behind bars.
She was coming
to the performance in Sydney,
but now... maybe we don't go.
Okay, Ricardo. Arms.
Are we still going to Sydney?
No. There's no reason
to go to Sydney anymore.
Hey! Kalai wasn't the only member
of this band, you know.
Every single one of us
put in more time than he did,
and you made a deal!
Well, I'm not going to Sydney, so...
Do you only think this is about you?
He hid this inside the instrument.
I can't believe I missed it.
Maestro, I'm sorry.
Missing convict
Kalai Takalua remains at large
after escaping
during a national music festival.
It's alleged he hid escape implements
inside an instrument
and made a break
during a performance.
Band director Thomas Mcalpine
was the first to notice
Takalua had disappeared.
Mcalpine's the same person
who found Takalua in the desert
after the escapee's
last bid for freedom.
Police are investigating why Takalua
was at the music festival
in the first place.
There are new allegations that...
If you knew he was going to escape,
then why did you let him
join my band?
That's not your concern.
What's important is that
this is a police matter now.
You lied to me.
You've been here,
what, a few weeks?
Kalai's case has been open
for over a decade.
Dad, I can explain this whole...
I don't think you can.
Tommy, you lied to me.
See...
You want to leave here so bad,
well, you get your wish.
Dad...
There you are.
Yeah, Kat's called me,
like, three times,
but I don't think
she's looking to talk to me.
Yeah, I don't want to talk to her.
Like, they caught your friend,
by the way.
Turning to regional news,
Willyama police have again captured
the elusive Mundi Mundi jail bird.
That's the man
who was caught, escaped,
caught again, escaped again.
This time he's been caught
with over $2 million worth
of allegedly stolen diamonds.
It was all for diamonds.
There are new allegations
Takalua's escape
could have been engineered
by authorities
in an attempt to recover
stolen diamonds.
I have no further comment
to make at this time.
Clearly, he didn't want to chat.
At the same time, we're hearing
of trouble inside Mundi Mundi jail.
And that's linked
to the notorious escapee.
I don't want to go.
Kat, don't start, please.
No. I want to stay.
Why would you want to stay here?
This is the middle of nowhere.
You're gonna love New Zealand.
It's gonna be great.
Mom's not going, is she?
Okay.
Kat.
How do you
think she feels?
Abandoned? Betrayed?
Not to mention how I feel.
Why are you even there?
What?!
You know what, Sarah,
why are you not coming?
I mean, that's what
I really want to know.
Week after week after week!
Sir?
What is it now, Jack?
Uh, the hunger strike, sir.
You know, the one
that's not officially happening.
There are three inmates
who claim that they might be able
to help you put an end to it.
How philanthropic of them, I'm sure.
What do they want?
You're not gonna believe it.
All right, come in.
Wow.
You are one hard man to track down.
So... I talked to the warden.
He's gonna give you guys
another shot in Sydney.
This was never about Sydney.
It was about impressing someone
from the Sydney Conservatorium
of Music,
and now he's gone.
Okay, so you didn't get
into music school.
So what?
Your music is so much bigger
than that.
You're always talking about
trying to get out of Willyama,
but you do it every day,
like this.
I know why you hear it
'cause I can, too.
About time!
You can hear it?
Yeah.
And Bear can, and Fuzz can,
and Ricardo can.
That's with you leading them.
Come on, Tommy,
you're going to Sydney!
Look, I don't know
if there's enough time to...
Stop your whining.
Come on, big baby, let's go.
Thanks.
Oh, yeah, you're welcome.
Look, I just want
to really thank you all
for this second chance.
I know I blew it last time.
Hey, Tommy, go faster!
I was only thinking of myself.
Just kidding!
It's all about music now,
so I just want to say thanks
for all of your hard work.
Music has always had
the power to transport me,
take me somewhere else.
So, you know you're not
playing here, right?
Not today.
I finally realized that
that's what this music is all about...
the heart of it.
Escape.
Let's go space truckin'!
Yeah!
The next number will be
a large mixed-orchestra piece
performed by the Willyama jail band
and directed by Thomas Mcalpine.
Okay, some of you probably heard
what happened at the last concert.
So, I'd prepared something to say...
But I can't really remember
what it was...
So let's just let the music
speak for itself.
Yeah!
Bravo, Tommy!