Josh looked out the window.

Marceline waved from the Trash and Treasure Market, which had been set up on trestle tables at the back of the drive-in. It was packed with people going through all the stuff that had been donated.

As the car slowly cruised by, Josh saw Jason, Lee and Ramone behind the food stalls, which were also set up on trestle tables by the building. There were lots of people lining up for cakes, pizza and sweets.

The car came to a stop as Ratchet, Sally and Pete approached. Josh opened the window.

‘Good to have ya join us,’ growled Ratchet, shoving a giant container of popcorn at him. ‘Decided to use the machine.’ Josh watched as the corners of her mouth twitched, then rose. She was smiling. It was kind of a scary smile, but a smile nonetheless. ‘Show starts in ten minutes. Your reserved spot is over there.’ She pointed to a place marked by four traffic cones.

‘Glad you’re okay, mate,’ said Pete.

Sally rushed forward, leaned in through the window and gave him a kiss on the cheek.

Josh blushed, at a loss for words.

‘Go on,’ grunted Ratchet. ‘Don’t want to miss the start. Get!’

As the car continued on, Josh heard Ratchet bellowing ‘Allons-y!’

The drive-in was packed. Locals as well as tourists had turned out to support the RFDS.

This is going to raise heaps of money, thought Josh.

The car ground to a halt and he looked over his shoulder into the back. Mum was sitting next to Nate, who was strapped into one of those fancy baby capsules, which did pretty much everything except change stinky nappies. Dad had borrowed the car from a neighbouring farm so they could all come tonight as a family. They couldn’t have strapped his brother into the back of the ute.

It only took a moment to tune the radio in to the drive-in’s frequency. The ads were already playing, trying to convince viewers to visit the local shops.

‘This is my first time at the drive-in,’ whispered Josh.

‘Long overdue,’ said Dad.

‘I’m glad we made it,’ said Josh.

‘I’m glad you made it,’ said Dad. ‘You had me worried there for a moment.’

An awkward silence stretched for a few minutes before Dad spoke again, eyes glued to the screen as if he was intently interested in the advertisement for the Coober Pedy Opal Exchange. ‘I’m proud of you, son. Real proud of you.’

The ad finished.

An RFDS aeroplane sped across a dirt strip, craggy mountains and desert landscape in the background, and launched into the air straight at the audience.

It’s different, Josh noticed, from the one I was in. Older-looking. Two propellers.

But the landscape was familiar. The Australian outback. Sure, a different part of the outback to that which they were in. But it was still their world. Desolate. Isolated. Striking. Beautiful. Home!

Words filled the screen …

 

CRAWFORD PRODUCTIONS
presents
THE FLYING DOCTORS

 

Josh heard applause and cheers from the other cars.

He smiled and leaned back to enjoy the show.