| Australist Gazette | Yokel The Orifice to the Australist Internet | Australis
000 Journey to Year Zero | Australis
004 A4: Crimes of the Future | Australis
100 The Traverse Travel Guide |
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Ruralbark | Our expedition begins in northern Australis where we encounter the town of Ruralbark. The community of Ruralbark is unusually quiet when we arrive on its outskirts. (When I say "we" I am referring to myself, and the Traverse Action documentary crew recording my visit for an Explore channel documentary)
We are met by a menacing recreation vehicle carrying a four person Citizen Patrol. They wear military fatigues. Patrol Commander (and local drug store owner), Ted Trinder informs us of Ruralbark's Unactivity Statute - no activity is allowed in the town during the daylight hours.
Reluctantly, he gives us permission to film inside the town after we pay him a hefty location fee. Even so, Danny - our cameraman - is pretty bored filming Ruralbark's broad empty streets. About the only thing we see moving is a young dog slowly moping across the street, probably looking for shade from the 100 degree heat of the noonday sun. And then finally some ACTION! A moment later, the Patrol vehicle comes tearing down the street heading in the same direction as the pooch. I smell a story. Some activity is going on in this town, something they are obviously hiding from outsiders. Something that we can show to the world. We race after the vehicle.
Turning a corner we find the dog cornered by the patrol. It is then we realise Ruralbark's Unactivity Laws also apply to family pets. The dog is blindfolded, given a final cigarette and then summarily executed. The dog's body is removed by the patrol. Later we see it on display in Ruralbark's Museum of Slaughtered Animals.
Passing time, we wait out the rest of the day under the shade of a large tree outside the Ruralbark town hall. We are eager to interview townspeople and learn their reaction to the scene we witnessed.
Because Ruralbark does not have televisions, computers, cinemas, or street lighting the people enjoy a high standard of living and a close community spirit. They have an excellent symphony orchestra.
The reasons for the Ruralbark Dark Law are obscure but universally accepted by the inhabitants. Indeed the populace seem to enjoy their candle-lit labyrinth. Danny is keen to film the Ruralbark Symphony Orchestra perform in the dark. But at the last last moment our permit to film is withdrawn. Our money is not returned. No explanation is forwarded. Warning As we leave we see another documentary crew arrive. We warn them of what to expect but they don't believe us. We sincerely believe the town subsists entirely off visiting film crews. And we're not afraid to tell you, the viewer, about this travesty of media access. Next page | An explosive finale |
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