Life of Riley: That's the point

Wednesday, May 20, 1998 - 10:00

That's the point

It is right and proper that the PM should advise caution. After all, we don't want a bloodbath on our doorstep. It wouldn't do, would it? Here we are proffering the hand of friendship, with a tidy sum in it, and that Suharto fellow starts knocking off the locals.

— It would be shameful.

Mind you, I'm not saying that's what he'll do. But he might, that's the point.

— And he's done it before.

He has. Yes. We'd look pretty darn silly spattered with blood like that.

— Knocked off a million or so back in the sixties.

Who?

— Suharto. That's how he got where he is today.

That's the point, isn't it. You don't know with these people. They run a pretty tight ship over there. It's their way I suppose. But when it turns nasty like this ...

— You want to be able to run for cover.

Exactly! Let them sort it out among themselves.

[Conversational lull. A stillness engulfs the speakers. Then ...]

But it must be hard for your ordinary, run-of-the-mill Indo', mustn't it? I mean, all you want out of life is three square meals a day and a roof over your head.

— It's the same for them.

That's the point. And those special measures insisted on by that World Bank thingy ... I mean, how'd you like it if it was you?

— I wouldn't.

That's the point. I wouldn't either. I reckon I'd be pretty mad.

— You'd riot.

I don't know if I'd go that far. I don't go in much for burning cars and ransacking shops. Let's just say that I'd be pretty darn choosy come election time.

— You'd be thinking of your hip pocket.

Exactly.

— Looking for change.

True.

— Desperately searching for a way out.

Yeah.

— Without taking to the streets.

Of course.

— And all that Suharto fella does is give you the finger.

Well ... put like that, I'd have to consider my options.

— And they are?

Hang on. Don't rush me.