A Question of ID

Ever tried to open a bank account as a clown? Join us for a whimsical adventure featuring Dorin Hart's tale "A Question of ID" from the Voice Within Anthology. Imagine a bank lobby turned stage, where Petal the clown, with her pink tutu and audacious spirit, leads her jester friends Bluff and Sid in an unforgettable quest to embrace bureaucracy with humor. As Petal navigates the serious world of a hundred points ID system, the antics of the Bellingen Company of Clowns turn a mundane bank visit into a hilariously chaotic spectacle. 

Step into the colourful world of Dorin Hart, a beloved figure in the Bellingen Shire community, and her vibrant story that captures the essence of clown life. From reeling in radio tapes to bringing joy to the streets, Dorin's stories paint a vivid picture of the challenges and triumphs of these spirited performers. This episode promises to tickle your funny bone and warm your heart with tales of identity, community, and the joyous rebellion of clowns against the ordinary. Hold onto your wigs and red noses—this is a narrative escapade you won't want to miss!

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Transcript

Speaker 1: 0:01

Ah, if you're here, this is wonderful news because it means you're here to support the authors, the storytellers and the writers that have entrusted us to share their tales through this platform. Thank you, thank you for your support, thank you for supporting this art form, and I look forward to sharing many more tales with you. So, cup of tea in hand, and a couple of biggies too, enjoy the love of a good story. Hello, hello to you too. I have the honour today to be narrating a short piece here from the Voice Within Anthology, a Question of ID, by Doran Hart, and Doran is quite well known around the Bellingen Shire for her work at the 2 BBB community radio station back in the day. She used to manage that, and she told me quite a hilarious story of those days when she received a call from one of the hosts and she had to go and find in the studio an unravelled reel. Now, back in the day, music used to be on tape on big reels, just like in the movies, and so for some reason the reel had unraveled itself all the way over the studio floor and so she had to reel back in the reel in order for the radio station to continue going ahead. But also she's known from a trio of a clowning group that used to go around town and just be larrikins basically clowns and bring lots of joy to the community. So the question of ID is actually one of those moments of her clowning days. With great honour I read to you a question of ID. I demand to see the manager. I want to sign on the dotted line. Petal, the white-faced clown, stands in ballet, second position, wild hair frizzing out of an enormous red bow pink tutu. At its stiffest she confronts the bank teller. Behind her the queue is tense, silent. They look straight ahead at, if nothing unusual for three clowns to enter the bank to open an account. You're the best person to do it. Bluff and Sid had convinced Petal Everyone loves you and will be there to help. But now Bluff is on his knees in the furthest corner, engrossed in the kiddies' blocks. Only his coral hat with the wild jade feather visible. Sid stands to Petal Sprite, but a couple of paces back he ogles at himself in a miniature hand mirror, patting his French beret. Petal is on her own.

Speaker 1: 3:12

The Bellingen Company of Clowns has been making quite an impact locally. They've taken their business skills to the Chamber of Commerce, showing them how to launder money. One of the audience even loaned Petal a $50 note for her washing line. Their rendition of Swan Lake, the ballet to open Bellarana Old People's Home had everyone in fits. They've become familiar figures on the main street. Even their friends don't recognise them in white face. What a buzz. They've acquired business cards, a brochure and a regular ad in the paper for parties or weddings, rites, rituals and wakes. They even have a small amount of earnings kept in an envelope.

Speaker 1: 3:54

Time for a bank account said Bluff, ever. The organizer, a large, no-nonsense bank manager, appears behind the now pale teller. Nonsense bank manager appears behind the now pale teller. What's all this? Hundred points challenges Petal. I am Petal of the Bellingen Company of Clowns. What do you mean? Birth certificate, passport, credit card Everyone knows who I am. Yes, sid stuts up emboldened. We all know she's Petal, ask them. He gestures to the still silent queue, face set. The manager gives not an inch. Right hand slipping just below the counter. He never takes his eyes off Petal as he applies the broken record. I'm sorry, madam, I know this is the first day of our hundred points ID system but, madam, I'm afraid I simply cannot accept Now the clowns are sweating beneath their wet face.

Speaker 1: 4:54

This is not working. Yet they must stay in clown. That's the rule. Maintain high status. Bluff strides across to the counter. He wipes his finger along it, inspects imaginary dust, then chest out, pulls on his braces. Come Petal, he booms. These people are not worthy of us. We shall take our custom to the Banana Growers Credit Union. As they sweep out and down the steps, making as imposing an exit as they can, they see for the first first time the entrance sign no motorcycle helmets, balaclavas or other face-concealing headwear permitted. They stand frozen in clown horror as outer-world reality sinks in Sid's jaw drops. His eyes are round. You don't think, thank you.