VIC: It’s not going to be what you’d call a flash holiday. Just the basics.

TOM: Who needs St. Tropez?

VIC: But we’re going away.

TOM: And we’ll have a great time.

VIC: It won’t be much of a Christmas either, really. I wish I could give you a bike.

TOM: Bottle of gin’ll do.

VIC: Gin?

TOM: Sure. And a handkerchief.

VIC: You’ve guessed it, then.

TOM: I hate surprises.

VIC: Your father will enjoy this trip.

TOM: We all will.

VIC: You’ll get bored. I know you. It doesn’t matter if you do.

TOM: I’ll have the time of my life.

VIC: But if you do get cheesed off… try and look like you’re having a real ball. You know?

TOM: I won’t have to try.

VIC: You can act, we all know that now. Maybe that’s what you’ll end up doing with yourself.

TOM: Who knows?

VIC: Who knows? But if you could just pretend a bit… if you have to. For your dad.

TOM: I’ll do my best.

VIC: I hope you haven’t been extravagant for us.

TOM: Mink. Diamonds. A Rolls.

VIC: Well, we’ll use them till New Year then take them back.

TOM: You look tired, Mum.

VIC: Goodnight.

She goes.

TOM: ‘Sweet friends, to bed.’

END OF ACT TWO

ACT THREE

SCENE ONE

A Gold Coast luxury hotel.

Couples in their summer best dance a spectacular pre-dinner number. CORAL, comes in and watches them. When the music ends the others drift away. CORAL approaches a woman who has found herself alone for a moment.

CORAL: What a way to spend Christmas Eve.

WOMAN: Isn’t it lovely?

CORAL: You’re a very good dancer.

WOMAN: A bit rusty.

CORAL: That’s a lovely dress.

WOMAN: Thank you.

CORAL: Did you make it yourself?

WOMAN: No. Excuse me.

CORAL: Where did you buy it, then?

WOMAN: In a shop. I’m looking for my husband.

CORAL: Did he buy it for you?

WOMAN: Yes he did.

CORAL: Oh, good.

WOMAN: Everyone’s going in to dinner.

CORAL: Isn’t the food here wonderful? It seems so extravagant. We’re so lucky to be living in such a rich country.

WOMAN: I suppose we are.

CORAL: There is a price that has to be paid, of course. And we should all be prepared to pay it. That’s if we’re prepared to enjoy this high standard of living.

WOMAN: Yes, I’m sure.

CORAL: Have you stayed here before?

WOMAN: Every year.

CORAL: We’ve never been to Queensland before. We usually tried to all go somewhere overseas for the Christmas holidays. Last year we didn’t. We got a house by the sea. I was a little worried about coming to such a big place. There are so many people staying here.

WOMAN: It’s packed. But we like it. Excuse me, I’m getting peckish.