It was an act, all an act. Phil wasn’t cut out for adventure and danger. He was more of the slothful couch potato who enjoyed the luxurious comfort of his own bedroom. So this would beg the question as to why Phil was standing in the middle of Australia with the sun beating down on him and about to climb the largest rock in the world. Phil knew why. It had little to do with the rock that is Ayers and a lot to do with the rock that is Dan.
Surely I can so this one thing for Dan, Phil challenged himself. Ever since his father had left Phil and his mother to explore a life with his much younger girlfriend, Dan had been there for Phil. Dan at twenty-three was two years older than Phil. They have been neighbours for as long a Phil can remember and yet it was only when Phil’s father had left that Dan had entered into his life. Dan was carefree and full of adventure. They made an odd couple; one carefree and one careful. To Phil, Dan was the ideal friend, a good mate. Dan was the one that Phil imagined was by his side when he placed himself in the beer adds that always showed mates off on great adventures.
Dan was the one who Phil knew would ‘take a bullet for him’. So not wanting to disappoint, Phil enthusiastically accepted the offer to climb “the rock”.
“Are you ready big fella?” Dan called out to Phil. Phil was now past the stomach butterflies; he had sweaty palms and was starting to suck in the big ones.
Big fella?? At just over 160 cm and 52 kilos Phil was hardly the “big fella”. But it was Dan’s favourite nickname for him and to hear it from Dan made him feel like the big fella, able to leap tall buildings. But can I climb big rocks?
I can’t back out now, and I won’t, Phil solemnly declared to himself. “Sure thing...” he called back. Oh God what do I call him; mate? champ? I can’t think of anything! Phil now thinking franticly simply replied, “Buddy.” Not quite the word Phil wanted to use. Phil couldn’t seem to comprehend why he was so nervous, especially when basically the only thing standing between him and the possibility of repaying Dan for his friendship, was one rock. Too bad it happened to be the biggest rock in the world.
“You go ahead; I’ll give you a head start,” Phil voiced, playing it cool and trying to hide the increasing urge he had to flee back home to his safe haven of silk pillows, X-box games and his extensive movie collection.
In what seemed to be a matter of seconds, that is for someone trying to procrastinate, Dan had made some considerable progress on the rock.
“Hey big fella, get yourself up here and check out the view. I reckon you can see Sydney from here,” joked Dan, his voice carrying across the landscape. Phil still surveying the rock to find a possible short cut, quickly replied with what was his best attempt at whit in these dire circumstances, “Don’t get too cocky, I could catch you, no worries.” But before Phil could think about any physical fantasies, he had a bigger issue, which was facing his inevitable fate of having to conquer his uncontrollable nerves and climb that rock. To not do so would be to let his mate down. So climbing that rock was the only option.
Down, down, down! Phil was falling. But it was not off the rock, but into the pit of despair. I can’t do it and if I don’t do it I will diminish in the eyes of the one mate that matters, despaired Phil. Great scenes of great mates in great movies flashed through Phil’s mind. Archie and Frank from Gallipoli, Captain Miller and Sargent Horvath from Saving Private Ryan and even Tommy and Phar Lap. All great mates to the end. And I can’t even climb this one rock to prove my mateship.
It was past midday now and Dan had made some considerable progress in the climb, he had passed over the first few ridges and was out of Phil’s sight.
Damn it, I can’t even see Dan, he must think I’m useless at this. Even if it is true, I don’t want him to think it, Phil despaired, negative thoughts now overwhelming him. Actually, this could work to my advantage, for all he knows I could be just out of sight from him. There was only one thing left to do and that was to make a statement and step onto the forever dreaded red rock. One small step for man, one even smaller step for Phil. This didn’t matter though, he had started some momentum and there was no stopping him. He was Phil the unstoppable and things could only get easier from here on in.
“Okay, composure, posture and power!” Phil yelled out the last word and took another step forward. This system seemed to be working well for him and he was feeling a lot better about achieving, what he once thought was impossible.
I’m killing it! Probably even more so than Dan, these were the thoughts going through Phil’s head, he was pumped up and felt on top of the world. “Actually, I wonder where Dan is; surely I can’t be far from him now.” “Hey Dan!” Phil called out but got no reply. He decided to look up to see if Dan was in his view.
Phil lost his footing. He rapidly scrambled along the face of the rock trying to regain balance. After only a few intense moments Phil completely lost balance and slipped and fell.
“DAN!” Phil called out in distress. The human figure at the top of the rock turned to look, but it was too late. Phil had already hit the ground. There was silence for brief moment then the sound of laughter could be heard coming from the figure quickly descending the rock. It was Dan; his laughing could be heard all the way to the bottom of the rock.
“I’m Alive, it’s a miracle!” Phil cried out with joy as he sat up with nothing more than bruise. While it might not have been much of a miracle, it was undoubtedly funny. As it turns out Phil had barely even climbed two metres off the ground. He felt shattered. Not a bone was broken but the despair of letting down his mate hung heavy over Phil.
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