This is a piece I wrote during my first year of uni. I remember receiving a mark of about 60% and feeling disappointed – I thought I had done such a good job, and my writing had improved drastically since the end of last year. Looking back, now with a degree under my belt and having completed honours, I can absolutely see how I received the mark I did.
I plan on re-writing some of my uni assignments, and updating this with the re-written version.
The day that the music was cancelled, I was working at the bar. The final message of the day was broadcasted at about seven that night. I had just finished pouring a beer and set it on the counter for a woman when I looked up and saw a face. This wouldn't have alarmed me, had it not been on every screen in the bar. He was on the big screen, the KENO screens, and the racing screens. I stared at them with mild horror and fascination, and the woman in front of me stared up at the screen behind the bar. Everyone was silent as we watched the man talk, even though we had seen it several times prior.
'The Government of your country, in association with the General Assembly of the United Nations, and with the co-operation of the United States of America, The European Union, The Republic of Russia, The People's Republic of China, The League of African Nations, the Association of South East Asian Nations, and the Federal Governments of Canada, Australia and New Zealand announces that, as of midnight, Friday March 6, 2015, music in all forms and expressions is henceforth illegal, and persons caught engaging in any form of musical activity or expression will be deemed seditious and dealt with accordingly. We thank you for your co-operation in this matter.'
My first thought was, 'How will this affect business? What'll happen if the bar closes?'
~*~
We were forced to close the bar at ten that night. Government officials came in and told us we had to close. They said they had to make some changes.
The manager, Aaron, sent me home.
"Janet," he said, running his fingers through his hair. "Go home. I'll look after it."
~*~
The next night, I came to work to find Aaron standing behind the bar with a small, forced smile planted on his face. He glanced around at the patrons and looked down at his hands.
I put my bag away and signed in. As I walked over to Aaron, I cast a smile at a regular who glanced over at me.
The smile still stuck on my face, I spoke to Aaron.
"What are the changes?" I asked.
We both knew I needn't have asked. The pokies were silent, the music wasn't playing, and the jukebox in the corner was missing. Most of the screens were missing, save the betting screens which were on mute. The patrons sat, talking in hushed tones. He looked over at the cash register and pointed at a button under the till.
"If anyone so much as whistles or hums, we have to press that button." His eyes swept the bar, watching the patrons, and he rubbed his chin. "They have microphones rigged up as well. If someone reports it and that we didn't take action, they check it out."
I heard what was happening around the world – musicians injured or killed. I knew it was happening to Australians as well. One of my friends had messaged me shortly after the announcements and told me he had decided to,"Fuck it, Janet, I'm busking tomorrow." I haven't heard from him since.
~*~
When I got into the car after my shift, the only noise from the radio was static. I flicked through the stations I knew and found they were all playing the same tune.
