The Frankston Train

The Frankston Train follows the misadventures of a true denizen of ‘Franghanistan’, Neeley Glasscock. His first world complacency is shattered when he is embroiled in that quintessentially Australian public disturbance, a racist rant on public transport. The Frankston Train is a satire about overt racism and unconscious bias that tests the claim, which is often repeated by luminaries like the present Prime Minister, that ‘Australia is the most successful multicultural society in the world.’ It is easy to identify with Neeley Glasscock; after all, who hasn’t witnessed some disconcerting or unsettling incident on a train, tram, or bus. And like Neeley Glasscock, we have all faced that dilemma of the petty existential hero or heroine – whether to intervene or not, whether to speak up or remain silent. Predictably, in the age of the ubiquitous cell phone, vision of this deplorable episode goes viral. All those involved become instant celebrities. Neeley’s employer, a pay-day lender, tries to exploit Neeley’s fifteen minutes of fame; however, chaos ensues when Neeley devises a devious plan to punish his employer’s cynicism and atone for his moral turpitude.