by Derek Haines
‘Always the fucking clown huh?’ David sneered.
‘Ok. Ok. I apologise. It’s a stupid idea. But letters and petitions and shit aren’t gonna get you anywhere. Any other ideas?’
‘We just need to focus attention on this. You know get some media coverage,’ David said trying to think of something.
‘A protest march?’ suggested Tony.
‘Maybe,’ David said, still thinking.
‘I’ve got an idea,’ Tony said with another broad grin. ‘Get a few politicians to one of Vince’s parties. Get ‘em pissed and laid and then blackmail ‘em.’
‘Great thinking Tony old son. Maybe we do the research first huh. We’ll concentrate on the publicity when you’ve got your head screwed on.’
After a brief silence, David asked Tony, ‘What did you make of that Vince Walsh?’
‘Not a man to mess with I reckon. He’s into something bad.’
‘Yep, my opinion as well. Throws a bloody good party though.’
‘May well do. But I think our Steve’s in deep there. What do you think the silly fool is up to with a guy like that?’
‘Do we really want to know?’ David replied.
‘Looks like you and me are three wise monkeys huh?’ Tony smiled.
‘Do you know what I took at the party? Only fucking Ecstasy you know,’ David said with a boyish grin.
‘You wanna know something Dave?’
‘What?’
‘I sorta missed being an arse hole teenager. Do you think it’s too late for me to play catch up?’
‘My friend. Way, way too late! I think snuff and a lace handkerchief would be more your speed. C’mon let’s have some lunch, I think we’ve done enough work for one morning. Hey, aren’t you working today?’
‘Rostered day off. Perk of being an employee,’ Tony laughed.
Over the next few days David seriously set about his research. What he was looking for exactly he didn’t know. He started with Hansard. The record of every word spoken in Parliament, to see what had been recognised by the politicians. It was a logical place to start. The top. This was where the pendulum had been swung in the first place. This is where any change would come from. To his surprise, many of his concerns and frustration had been aired in the chambers of Parliament. He noted a few quotes:
‘She went through the child support formula and said that from her point of view, the two children of her husband’s first marriage were being regarded as more valuable than children that she has with this man. She regards this as a most unfair situation’.
Mr Kelvin Thompson. Member for Wills (Hansard 3/6/97).
David read on and noted some of the more salient comments. Another one caught his attention.
‘Some have even dubbed the Child Support Agency the child revenge agency or the custodial parent’s revenge agency, because parents use it as a weapon against each other after separation and divorce.’
Mr Hardgrave. Member for Moreton (Hansard 26/3/97).
He found another grim quote.
‘A non-custodial parent in my area earns $25,000 a year and pays child support for two children. This parent is left with a personal annual income of $15,500 after tax, that is about $300 a week. Unemployment benefits start at $320 per fortnight, along with rent assistance and the benefits of a health care card. This parent is seriously considering unemployment as an option, because the amount that he is left with to cover living expenses is so very low.’
Mrs De-Anne Kelly. Member for Dawson (Hansard 26/3/97).
After reading more of the Hansard record David realised something he hadn’t known before. There was recognition of the hardships and problems. It’s recognised here in the Hansard record. The real problem is that nothing’s been done to rectify it. This isn’t a simple social problem, this is a political football. A hot potato. Charles Stewart was right. Politically it’s a sensitive issue. If changes were made, the politicians would lose votes. They’re fearful of alienating a pool of voters. The single mothers. He pondered the point for a while.
‘The single mother is the key. It could easily be single parent, but as most are mothers it creates a gender grouping. So, the politicians see a problem in years past, of destitute abandoned mothers and children. So they fix it. Ok. Done. Single parents pension. Presto. Problem solved. But, now it creates a new scenario. One, the mother now has the confidence to leave a marriage. Just off to the women’s refuge with the kids, on the pension, and into a rent assisted house. Two, dad can piss off knowing his family is going to be supported by money from the government. Three, mum can piss off and leave her kids with dad if she wants, for the same reason. From a situation of destitution being the result of family breakdown, a comfort zone and security has been created. Government funded destruction of the family unit.’
It was depressing. For someone in David’s fragile emotional state the subject matter was a heavy one. The realisation of the hurt, suffering and anger that was hidden behind the walls of houses and flats throughout the country was overwhelming. To know his pain personally, and realise that his was only minor in comparison to some was shaming. He knew for a fact that Tony was in a far worse position and felt he was weak in his handling of his own problems. Tony had an outward strength, a resolve, and even at times a humour about his suffering. David wished for Tony’s maturity. At the same time he wished for Steve’s irresponsibility and lack of care. He saw a freedom in Steve that he envied. It was David’s own runaway mentality in a physical form. ‘Is that why I follow Steve so easily?’ he thought to himself. ‘Is he my runaway?’ Lost now in his thoughts he began to try to understand what was driving him. Why he’d gelled with these two totally different men. ‘Tony is the strength I want, and Steve is the escape I seek,’ he decided. ‘So, who am I?’ he asked himself. He didn’t know the answer. ‘What am I to them?’ he asked himself a new question. He didn’t know the answer to that one either. ‘Maybe we are just musketeers.’
It’d been two weeks since David had spoken to his children. He was avoiding them. He didn’t really know why. Perhaps he was trying to wipe away twenty years and start afresh. He had thought about seeing them, but the options were not pleasing. Go there and have to see their mother. No. That was an impossibility now. After her grab for money he didn’t want to ever see her again. Fly them to him? Where would they stay? In a tiny flat with three men who made it a habit of fornicating in every room in the house. Introduce them to Steve and his habits. Let them watch Tony drink himself into a stupor. Or take them to the coast house, barren of any furnishings. No. They would have to wait for his life to return to some sense of normality. Whenever that would be. He wondered if there would ever be a normality again. Or whether this was it. Leading his life in the singular. Rejecting any responsibility. Maybe this is what he had wanted all his life. If it was, why then was he so miserable?
A knock at the door broke his mental wanderings. He opened the door. It was the police.
‘Mr Holdsworth?’
‘Yes. What’s wrong?’
‘May I come in Mr Holdsworth?’
‘Sure,’ David said as he showed the officer into the flat.
‘Mr Holdsworth, err, can I call you David?’
‘Yeah, sure.’
‘David, I’m Senior Sergeant French. We’ve arrested Mr Antonio Pilletto, and he’s being held at the station. He was involved in an assault earlier today.’
‘Oh no, not his wife?’ David asked.
‘No. He assaulted a man in the company of his wife in Argyle Street.’
‘Don’t tell me this man was a landscape gardener. Is he badly hurt?
‘We believe he’s a gardener, and no, the man isn’t seriously hurt. You obviously know the background to this. Mr Pilletto’s given us a statement. We know this’s a reaction to his family matters, but it’s a serious offence. He asked me to inform you of his arrest. He’ll appear in court tomorrow morning. He asked if you could be present.’
‘Yeah, sure. What time?’
> ‘Nine thirty at the Camden Court House.’
‘Is there anything I can do in the meantime?’
‘Not really David. Unless you want to drop in a suit for Mr Pilletto for his court appearance tomorrow.’
‘Yes. I will. I’ll call down the station this afternoon.’
‘Well, I’ll be on my way. Sorry to’ve disturbed you.’
‘Oh that’s ok, thank you for coming,’ David said, showing him to the door.
Steve accompanied David to the Court House the next morning. Tony’s case was the first before the court. As the attending police officer read his statement, David and Tony became aware of what happened.
‘Mr Pilletto was driving a small covered truck on Argyle Street, Camden at approximately ten thirty am. He stopped his vehicle near the Camden post office and left the vehicle. He approached Mrs Pilletto, and her companion Mr Singleton and was yelling at her in foul and excited language. He tackled Mr Singleton, knocking him to the ground and punched Mr Singleton approximately seven times. He rose and kicked Mr Singleton in the stomach twice. Mr Pilletto then spat at his wife and continued to abuse her before returning to his vehicle. His vehicle was stopped by a patrol car some thirty minutes later in Narrellan.’
After some legal argument and discussion, Edward Scarli, Tony’s solicitor, addressed the court, giving the background to the assault. In mitigation he explained in detail the loss and anger felt by Tony in losing his family, business and future due to the relationship his wife had developed with Mr Singleton. He addressed the court for nearly twenty minutes. After some questions by the magistrate to Edward Scarli and the attending police officer, the magistrate asked Tony to stand. He started to hand down his judgement, and looked at Tony directly as he delivered it.
‘Mr Pilletto, these type of cases are distressing. On one hand there is the clarity of the law. You have admitted that you assaulted Mr Singleton, and indeed I detect that you are less than remorseful for your actions. On the other hand, I am aware from your solicitor's submission to the court that you have been under considerable personal strain and anxiety in recent months. I also note that there is a current apprehended violence order in place against you as a result of a serious assault upon you wife. These are grave matters. I have decided that given the circumstances that the following is appropriate.
One, the apprehended violence order prohibiting you from contacting your wife will be continued and I will issue another prohibiting you from approaching Mr Singleton.
Two. Although a prison sentence could be considered in this case, I am reluctant to administer this sentence. You have no record prior to these events of recent months, and I feel that you should accept what has happened and get on with your life. I will find you guilty of assault and fine you $1000 and place you on a good behaviour bond of $1000 for a period of two years.
Mr Pilletto, do you understand that if you come before the court again within this two year period for any similar offence you will come with the knowledge that you will probably be going to prison?’
‘Yes Your Honour,’ Tony answered quietly.
‘Very well. You may stand down.’
David and Steve helped pay Tony’s fine and bond. He had lost his job due to the incident, and was now almost penniless. They went back to the flat from the court. It was a quiet afternoon. Tony’s main concern was finding a job.
‘I don’t like owing money. I have to pay you guys back,’ he said.
‘Don’t worry about it mate,’ David said. ‘Just keep out of mischief, ok?’
‘I just saw red, you know?’ Tony blurted.
‘It’s ok Tony. We would both’ve done the same thing,’ Steve said sympathetically.
‘Have a few days break, and then get back on your feet. You’ll find another job easily,’ David said.
‘It’s just so fucking unfair,’ Tony mumbled. ‘I have no family, no business, no wife, no income, no job. All I have is half a share in a house I can’t live in. All the fucking bitch does is complain about me not paying fucking child support. Out of what? That morning I got a letter from the fucking Child Support Agency saying they were going to take it directly out of my salary. My solicitor tells me that because my wife’s been less than cooperative in selling the house, I can insist on an auction. It’s the only way I have to get some of my money. But, an auction might sell at less than the property is worth, and worse, I’m left with the thought that I’ve put my kids out into the street. Great situation huh? And I get fined for smacking the little fucking arse hole that started all this shit. Fucking unfair. I should have just killed the bitch.’
Steve and David said nothing. There was nothing to say.
Lucky Breaks
Tony needed a lucky break. It seemed nothing had gone his way in years. The death of his partner all those years ago had started a series of hard slogging years. The business pressure over the years, and the problems with his marriage and family in recent months, was a horrid run. He was broke, miserable and depressed. He’d moped around the flat for two weeks since his court appearance. His break came via Steve. David and Tony met him at the Drover’s Dog. A Friday night, just like they had done when they first had their Perth Old Boys meetings.
‘Wanna drive a Kenworth?’ Steve smilingly asked Tony.
‘Where?’
‘Sydney - Melbourne. Sydney - Brisbane, maybe Adelaide.’
‘Who for?’ Tony asked.
‘As New Spares.’
‘Never heard of ‘em.’
‘They were a client of mine. They’re a very good company. I heard today that they’re looking for an experienced driver. Interested?’
‘This has something to do with that Vince Walsh doesn’t it?’
‘He’s a part owner I think,’ Steve said, trying to keep Tony on track.
‘It sounds like a good job Tony,’ David chipped in, knowing Tony badly needed the money. Vince Walsh or not.
‘I don’t wanna get mixed up with anything crooked Steve. That Vince isn’t straight,’ Tony insisted.
‘Look Tony. Here it is in a nutshell. Ok, Vince has a few irons in a few fires. He’s no angel, agreed. But, As New Spares is a sound company. I used to do their accounts. It’s a profitable and successful company and straight up and down. Vince owns about ten per cent of the company but you’d be working for Ted Murphy. He’s the managing director of As New Spares. You’d know him. He used to own Watson’s Transport,’ Steve said.
‘Oh yeah, I know Ted. He’s ok. Poor bugger went broke about two years ago. Nice fella. I was sorry to hear he lost his company,’ Tony said genuinely.
‘Well?’ Steve asked. ‘Do you want a job or not?’
‘Steve, I don’t want any trouble. Are you sure this company is legit?’ Tony probed.
‘Tony, honestly, it’s straight as a die. Promise.’ Steve said earnestly.
‘Who do I see?’
‘Ted’s expecting you on Monday morning for a chat,’ Steve told Tony.
‘Ok, I’ll see him on Monday. Thanks Steve. Thanks very much.’ Tony shook his hand in gratitude. Tony held back his suspicions about Vince Walsh. He knew he needed a job, and this one sounded just perfect. He would just be careful.
‘Here’s to your new job,’ David said raising his glass.
‘Thanks Dave,’ Tony said raising his glass.
‘Cheers,’ Steve added.
Steve had asked Vince a few weeks before if there might be a job for a good driver. For all his faults, Steve just wanted to help his friend. When Vince had asked a few questions about who was looking for a job, Steve told him about Tony’s bad luck. Steve wasn’t aware that Vince had a lot of information on Tony already. To Vince, Tony was an ideal candidate. He was a good driver, experienced, a reliable worker, was in desperate need of money and had a strong motivation to keep his nose clean because of his good behaviour bond. He also knew from his short chat with Tony at his party that he was a man who could handle responsibility. He told Steve he would see what he could do. No
more was said on the subject until Ted Murphy rang Steve earlier that afternoon.
Steve knew As New Spares traded in stolen parts. He knew because he stole some of the cars that were stripped to become the parts consignments. But there was little chance Tony would ever find out. The parts passed through four company structures before they were sold wholesale to As New Spares. Steve doubted that Ted Murphy knew of the set up. When a car was stolen, it was disassembled that same night, and the parts would be sent in small consignments to various locations around Australia by air freight or overnight road express. They were cleaned and checked and then sorted into categories that were then sent to another location. By the time the parts were sold to As New Spares, they’d been to more than three locations, and were clean, packaged and labelled for sale. The company that sold the parts wholesale to As New Spares had no financial association with Vince Walsh. It was a sophisticated arrangement. Steve’s accounting knowledge was invaluable to Vince in the operation. His ingenuity as a car thief was a rare skill. Vince Walsh liked what he saw in Steve. But he would keep a close eye on Tony.
Tony attended his job interview on Monday morning. He was a proud man, and even though he knew Ted Murphy quite well, and the job had been arranged by Steve, he still made sure he presented himself well. Dressed in a shirt and tie for an interview for a job as a truck driver, may not have been how most men would’ve thought to dress, but for Tony it was important to be well received. He also needed the job badly.
‘Good Morning Tony,’ Ted Murphy said enthusiastically as he shook Tony’s hand.
‘Hello Ted, it’s been a long time.’
‘Yes it has Tony, too long,’ Ted smiled.
After the pleasantries and a little chat about old times, and the demise of their respective businesses, they got down to the job vacancy.
‘It’s not what you’re used to Tony. No pressure. Just drive. Melbourne runs are overnight usually. Back the following night.’
‘Makes a change from unload, load up and back before six pm.’
‘You and me both Tony. But that was when we were working for ourselves. This’s just a part of a large business. No loads other than for As New Spares,’ Ted explained.