IDEA FOR SCENE: At the Mount Lyell mine in the early 1910s, Robert Sticht is shouting at a large group of miners who are standing together defiantly. Their arms are folded and their tools are lying at their feet. Behind Sticht is R. M. Murray, a local metallurgist, who will soon become the deputy manager of the mine.

SAMPLE SCRIPT:

Sticht: Don’t you see? What’s good for this company is good for you! The Amalgamated Miners’ Association is never going to do as much for you as I will! What about the medical union I set up to take care of you?

Miner 1: (Shouting) What about letting us live in decent houses so we don’t get sick in the first place?

Miners: (They all shout their agreement, each saying something like – ‘Yes!’, ‘That’s right!’, ‘You tell him!’ or ‘Down with Sticht!’ etc.)

Sticht: (Almost screaming) How DARE you yell at me?

Miner 2: (Shouting back) How dare YOU let forty-two men die?

Miners: (This time the Miners all raise their fists into the air as they all shout together – ‘Guilty! Guilty! Guilty!’ etc.)

R. M. Murray: (About to guide Sticht offstage) Come on, Mr Sticht, I think you had better leave.

(Smithy, Ginger and Felix enter. Immediately the miners fall silent in mid-shout and freeze in their positions. Murray freezes too.)