[Jazzy, up-tempo music plays]
Voiceover: This is an audio dramatisation from the State Library of Victoria.
Man: We are aboard the new High Street line that runs from Northcote to Spencer Street. As I look around this new W6 class tram, I can see that everyone heading into the city has their nose stuck in a paperback book. Oh, there’s a seat free behind those two women. Let’s see what they’re reading.
June: Are you hiding something under your handbag, Mavis?
Mavis: Of course not, whatever gave you that idea? No, no.
June: Mavis, I’m appalled. Another of those dreadful Carter Brown books. These are men’s books Mave. Let me see it – Honey, here’s your hearse. Oh how trashy.
Mavis: Hush June. Do you want everybody to know?
June: You should be ashamed. Just look at that racy cover, oh. Looks like you’re almost done.
Mavis: Do you want it next?
June: Oh no, thanks.
Mavis: What’s that you're reading there then? The idiot by Mr Dost … Dostoy–
Man: Dostoyevsky.
June: Excuse me?
Man: Sorry I, I didn’t mean to interrupt, it’s just that he’s one of my favourite Russian writers.
Mavis: June, is that a communist book?
June: No. No, no. My Clarke picked it up from Collins Book Depot, said it’s classic. Nothing commie about it.
Man: Apologies, I didn’t mean to interrupt.
Mavis: Mmm hmm. What is really under the cover?
June: Here.
[Music resumes]
June: Death walks in!
Mavis: You bought another Larry Kent. Oh, I think he’s worse than Carter Brown.
June: [Whispering] Mystery and the tough guys and the brassy dames. Besides, they’re only a shilling.
Mavis: Well I still prefer Carter Brown.
June: [Inaudible whisper]
Mavis: And look at your cover. You can see that woman’s naked back! Where do you think you’d get a dress like that anyway?
June: Well I’m sure Myer’s doesn’t sell them.
[Both women laugh]
Mavis: Oh my Bill’d have a heart attack if I came home wearing something like that.
June: Oh my Clarke too.
Mavis: Shh, shh, here comes Dorothy. Put ‘em away. Morning Dot!
Dorothy: Mornin’.
Mavis: Oh, so rude.
June: Look at her with her nose in that Penguin edition. Are the blue covers biography or crime? I can never remember.
Man: A blue is biography. Crime novels have a green cover.
June: You don’t say.
Mavis: June, do you think he heard everything we said?
June: Oops! This is my stop, see you on the ride home.
Mavis: Oh, I’ll save you a seat, dollface!
Man: Don’t worry, your secret’s safe with me.
[Jazzy, up-tempo music resumes]
Voiceover: This has been an audio dramatisation from the State Library of Victoria.
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