Luminous phenomena establish regular performance schedule, issue demands for better seating arrangements

BOULIA, QLD — Third night on this ridge watching them run through what looks like choreography. Started as standard Min Min behaviour — random hovering, bit of drift, nothing you wouldn’t expect. Tuesday night they lined up in formation and did something that reminded me of a waltz.

Colin Hartwell runs the station. Says they started getting organised about three weeks back. ‘Used to be random floating about,’ he told me. ‘Now they’re doing formations. Wednesday was parallel lines, twelve metres apart. Thursday was circles, thirty-second intervals.’

Tuesday through Saturday, 9:30 sharp. Run about forty-five minutes on average. Sunday performances were cancelled after what Department of Cryptid Affairs spokesperson Arthur Pritchard described as ‘creative differences with the local wildlife.’

Timing’s been consistent. More reliable than most human performances I’ve attended.

— Colin Hartwell, Station Manager

The phenomena have also begun making what Hartwell interprets as requests for improved viewing conditions. Cattle have been systematically moved away from the performance area, and several attempts have been made to rearrange station lighting to create what experts suggest may be more favourable ambiance.

Dr. Cross reckons it’s a bioluminescent flash mob with decent organisational skills. Her words.

Attendance Requirements

Local residents report increasing pressure to attend performances, with the lights appearing to respond negatively when audience numbers drop below expectations. ‘Last Thursday only three of us showed up,’ said neighbouring property owner Margaret Chen. ‘They did the entire second act twice. I think they were making a point.’

Field note: if you’re in the Boulia area after dark, bring a chair. Not because they’ll hurt you if you don’t watch. Just because standing for forty-five minutes gets uncomfortable, and they seem to notice when people leave early.