The Eden Effect (16 page)

Arthur could not help it. He beamed with pride. He did not mind if Tracey saw him smiling. He felt good, alive for the first time in a long time.

‘It was great for me too, Tracey. I think it may have been the best night of my life.'

‘What shall we do now?' asked Tracey as they got up to leave. Arthur went to the counter, paid the bill and joined Tracey.

‘You said you are not interested in seeing Eden. You've seen all me that there is to see and while another roll in the hay sounds tempting, I don't think that my fifty four year old physiology would take it. I know it looks sexy, but I would love to go home and shave and change my underwear and socks. You could meet Martin and Natalie. I know they would love to meet you.'

‘Okay, Arthur. Sounds like a good plan. Let's go.'

Arthur felt that he had to explain a few things to Tracey before she met Martin and Natalie. First and foremost was his actual job. He told her that he was an accountant. Not exactly a lie but not currently true. On the way, he explained to her that while he was an accountant by profession, for reasons which were complex, and which he did not want to go into right now, he wasn't employed as an accountant. Martin, while really being his friend was also his employer. Home was the Eden Dairy where Arthur worked as the assistant milkman, courtesy of the Centrelink Work for the Dole program. Tracey did not seem at all fazed by that information.

He explained that Natalie and Martin were recently married and then went on to explain Natalie's anatomical situation. He warned Tracey that often Natalie did not bother putting on her artificial legs when she was at home and to be prepared for that. He reassured Tracey that she would like them both and reiterated to her that they were his closest friends.

Tracey seemed to take it all in her stride. And she was again striding quickly and Arthur had to jog to keep up.

He opened the door and they went in.

‘Anyone home?'
he called out.
‘Martin, Natalie, are you home? There is someone I would like you to meet.'

‘We're in the lounge, Arthur' that was Natalie calling back. ‘Come in, we're decent.'

They went in and Arthur did the introductions. Thankfully Natalie had her legs on and walked over to Tracey, gave her hug and peck on the left cheek. Martin shook her hand.

‘Martin, Natalie, could you look after Tracey for a bit? I need to shave and change. Won't be long.'

‘Go ahead, Arthur,' Natalie said. ‘No problem, Tracey will be safe with us. I promise.'

Arthur was back fifteen minutes later and found the three of them deep in conversation. It seemed a jolly conversation and all were smiling. I wonder if they were talking about me, he thought.

‘We've just been talking about you, Arthur,' Tracey called out. ‘I'm learning a lot from these two. You did say they were your friends.' Tracey had a mischievous smile on her face.

Arthur thought better than to ask any questions.

‘Tracey works for Channel Seven. They've done one story of Eden. And it has been on TV. We all missed it. They've just completed the interviews for a second story. It seems that there is quite a bit of interest in our project, Martin.'

‘Your project, Arthur? What do you mean? When I asked you about it you fobbed me off. You said you had no opinion and it didn't affect you anyway. Now it's your project? What's going on, Arthur?'

Tracey sounded a bit annoyed.

Martin was the one to reply. ‘Let me explain, Tracey. Until this moment, only Arthur, Natalie and I and of course our lawyers knew what I'm about to tell you. Arthur fobbed you off, as you say, because he was not able to tell you anything then. Arthur referred to our project that was not strictly correct, it is my project. Arthur, however has been an integral part of it, and without his involvement we would not be where we are now.'

Tracey said nothing. Clearly there was more to come.

‘Natalie, why don't you and Arthur go into the dining room? Have one of those single malts that you are both so obsessed with. And close the door behind you. I've got a story to tell Tracey.'

Arthur and Natalie did as they were asked. With the door closed they could hear Martin's voice, but could not hear what he was saying. Martin seemed to speak for a very long time, although it was no more than fifteen minutes. They did have a single malt, this time it was the sixteen year old, Lagavulan, that wonderful peaty Scotch from the isle of Isla. They had finished the Scotch when they could hear Martin, louder this time and calling out ‘You can come back now.'

They found Tracey sitting down, a serious look on her face. She was obviously digesting everything Martin had told her. Martin had an exhausted look about him. He had spoken for fifteen minutes, hardly stopping to take a breath.

‘What do you think, Tracey? Quite a story,' said Arthur.

‘It sure is,' she replied. ‘Can I ask, why tell me? You've kept it a close secret until now. I hardly know you, any of you. Well you perhaps a little better, Arthur.'

Arthur responded. ‘Martin has decided he wants to come out, as he calls it. He wants everyone to know that he is behind the Eden Foundation, and that the project, the social experiment is his idea.'

Tracey interrupted. ‘And I'm with channel seven and we are already doing a story on Eden, so who better to tell the story than me? So this is what the last twenty four hours has been about, Arthur? You've been using me so I would help you get Martin's story out.'

Arthur was shocked. ‘I can't believe you just said that, Tracey. Nothing could be further from the truth. Me, using you? You're the one that came onto me, remember?' Arthur's voice was shaking, he was so upset.

‘Arthur, calm down. I was joking. And even if you were using me, I'm not complaining. I had a great time.'

Arthur smiled, he was relieved. Martin and Natalie stayed silent.

‘So, the idea is for Martin to offer your program an interview to tell his story. And you'll like this, Tracey, he will only give the interview to you.'

Martin looked up at Arthur. This was news to him. That had not been discussed, but he smiled and nodded in agreement. He was a smooth operator that Arthur, he thought.

‘What do you think, Tracey? Will they go for it?'

‘They will go for it alright, Arthur. This is a great story. I'm not so sure they'll go for me fronting it. But if that's the only way you'll do it, Martin, what choice do they have?'

Tracey got up, walked over to Arthur, put her arms around him and kissed him full on the mouth.

‘Thanks, Arthur,' she whispered in his ear, ‘feel free to use me all you all you want.'

The segment aired on TV three weeks later. Overall, the ratings were not impressive, but in Eden, were virtually of all the seven hundred and ninety four TV sets were tuned into channel seven, it would have rated through the roof. But TV ratings were never taken in Eden.

At 6.30pm, after the opening credits, the host of the show, Garry Green welcomed the audience to another episode of Today, Now.

‘Several weeks ago we did a story about a small town in Central Victoria, Eden. It concerned a social experiment that the town was conducting, the first of its kind we believe. For those who missed it, we will show you a few snippets from that program in a moment. Tonight, we have a follow up report and it gives me great pleasure to introduce for the first time in front of the camera, Tracey Turnbull, who uncovered this story and will present it to you.'

Next were thirty seconds of the first story. Snippets of the Mayor answering some questions, and one or two towns people commenting.

Then there was Tracey. She was sitting back in her chair, legs crossed, and a folder on her lap. She was smiling, her red lips parted to reveal a row of perfect white teeth. She looked relaxed, the consummate professional. It would have been impossible to tell that this was her first time before the camera. Opposite her, leaning forwards in his chair and clasping and unclasping his hands was Martin. He looked petrified thought Arthur, and Natalie actually said, ‘he looks shit scared, Arthur. I hope he will be okay.'

Martin was trying to smile but it was not working. All around Eden there were confused looks of people's faces, many saying to each other, and ‘what the hell is our milkman doing on TV?'

Tracey began, her voice confident.

‘Welcome Martin. Ladies and gentleman,' she addressed the audience, ‘I would like to introduce you to Martin Brophy. Those of you watching in Eden will know who Martin is. For the rest of the audience, Martin is the milkman in the town of Eden. He has been for over ten years. Martin has a story to tell you and as you will see it clarifies a lot of what was presented in our first story. This interview is an exclusive for Today, Now. Martin has made it clear that this is the one and only interview he will be giving. And now, over to you, Martin.'

A pause, Martin looked into the camera, he licked his dry lips, blinked a few times and began. His first few words were soft and almost unintelligible, but he quickly found his voice and looking into the camera told his story. It was an abridged version. He had been told that he had three minutes. After he had finished, Tracey asked him two or three more questions, which he answered confidently. And then ‘back to you, Garry' from Tracey, and it was over.

Arthur and Natalie raised their glasses of single malt. This time it was a Bowmore.

‘Well done,' Natalie exclaimed. ‘A bit of a nervous start, but Martin was great wasn't he, Arthur?'

‘He sure was, Natalie. I bet he is relieved now that it's over.'

And Tracey looks stunning again he thought, but did not say it.

‘Tracey was very professional. Is it really her first time in front of the camera?'

‘As far as I know, it is,' said Arthur. ‘But I bet it won't be her last. She looks great on camera.'

Just then, Natalie's mobile phone rang. Arthur heard her say, you were terrific, Martin.' Pause. ‘No, it was just the first few seconds, then you were fine. Well done. See you soon.'

Arthur's phone did not ring. He assumed Tracey would be busy still, too busy to call.

‘He's driving back tonight. Should be here in a couple of hours,' Natalie said.

The interview was shot in a Melbourne studio, live.

‘Should we go out for a quick bite, Natalie? I'm hungry.'

‘I don't think that such a good idea. I'm sure everyone in town watched it. I can't be bothered answering questions, can you? I've got food here I can prepare. Pour another Bowmore, Arthur, I could use it.'

Natalie went into the kitchen. Arthur did as he was asked. He poured one for himself too, and followed here into the kitchen and set Natalie's glass down on the bench. Arthur sat at the kitchen table while Natalie was preparing the meal. She was making enough for Martin too. He would no doubt be hungry when he got home. It was very unlikely that he had eaten before the show and he had had little for lunch.

Soon, a mouth-watering aroma filled the kitchen. The Bowmore further sharpened Arthur's appetite and he waited impatiently for the food to be ready.

Natalie had prepared a casserole, although she gave it some fancy French name that Arthur could not recall. There were tender chunks of beef in an array of vegetables and a spicy sauce, which tied it all wonderfully. The casserole was served with steamed brown rice and Arthur had decanted a bottle of Victorian Shiraz to go with the meal.

They both ate heartily and drank the wine, being conscious to leave sufficient of both food and wine for the soon to return Martin.

They both finished and were sitting at the table and chatting about nothing in particular when they heard the front door slam and a loud hello coming from the front. Martin was home. He was pumped. Arthur had never seen Martin quite like that. He said he was too excited to eat straight away, but did accept the glass of wine. He then sat down to watch the segment, which Natalie had recorded.

‘Jesus, I look nervous,' Martin said as he began to watch. He was silent for the rest of the segment and when it was over he smiled and said to them both. ‘I was okay in the end, wasn't I?'

Both Arthur and Natalie agreed that he was.

‘More than okay,' Arthur added. ‘You came over very well.'

‘Thanks, Arthur. I appreciate it. I think I can now eat now, Natalie.'

The three of them returned to the kitchen where Martin consumed the casserole and rice, and finished what was left of the Shiraz. It was 11pm.

‘Time for bed,' he declared. ‘See you in the morning Arthur, first thing.'