Excerpt: A Matter of Love And Death by Carmen Radke
Vocal Characteristics
Language
EnglishVoice Age
Young Adult (18-35)Accents
AustralianTranscript
Note: Transcripts are generated using speech recognition software and may contain errors.
But you've left me no choice but to dismiss you. I only told my friend and she wouldn't breathe a word to anyone. Mr. Gibbons, Tone grew grave. It doesn't matter if it's the prime minister you've been talking to. This is a government agency, and we maintain strict confidentiality in every respect. Good Lord. Babbling about something you've overheard on the telephone switchboard that I need this job plates. You should have thought about that earlier. I'll write you a cheque for your wages. And nobody needs to know about your indiscretion when you apply for a job somewhere else. Unless I ask May for a reference, Mr Givens paused. That is the best I can do for you. The door swung open. Francis had barely enough time to move out of the way Is Ghazi thundered past. Her eyes were swollen, but her jewel was set in a mulish line. Come in, my dear. Mr Givens said his face looked drained. I'm afraid you've overheard a few things that should have Bean best kept quiet, but I trust I can rely on your discretion. He sank onto one of the three straight back chairs that stood in a line. Not that gussy is much of a loss, but I did hope it would work out for her family's sake and how I'll feel her chair. It's such short notice is Beyond May. He sounded almost as if he was talking to himself, having for gotten all about her own presence. Francis thought, Oh, he wouldn't have been so embarrassingly frank. She took pity on her superior. Mr. Gibbons always treated her fairly, and she'd never seen him this downcast before. I've got two days off coming up, she said, watching the silence. Which board? If it's any help, I could come in and do some extra hours. My usual, my dear, You'd get paid extra and it only bay from 12 until five. I'll be here. Francis gave him a reassuring smile as she pressed the headset down onto her hair, switched it on and answer the first signal. By lunchtime, her is buzzed from all the noise, and her eyes smarted from the flashing lights. She lifted her head set off and got up, moving her neck from side to side to prevent any stiffening. Lately, she taken to eating her sandwiches at the small table in the exchange, allowing her to keep an eye on the switchboard. She worked alone on her shifts. These days, they'd become pretty quiet anyway, except for Fridays and Mondays, the days when tradespeople and business managers made phone calls. Not that long ago. There used to be three girls on busy days and two girls on slow shifts. But the Depression had gotten too bad to allow for that. Calls during her lunch break were rare. The girls at the main exchange knew how short staffed Mr Givens Wass and told callers to try again later unless it was urgent with the unemployed roaming the country in ever growing numbers, it was beyond Francis how anyone could be stupid enough to jeopardise a steady job. Shudder ran through her. She called herself to order. The Palmers were fine, as long as she earned enough to make the mortgage and the regular bills. Not to worry, she bit into her ham and pickle sandwich. The bread tasted soft and fresh. She saved the quiet around her as much as for meal. Mr. Herbert, who work behind the post office counter, preferred lunch in one of the small tea shops that somehow managed to survive on customers like him. But France has hated the idea of spending two whole pennies on a simple sandwich and have even more talk wash over her. Another light flashed on the switchboard. She took her headset and went to answer. The coal thing is dancing. As she worked the plugs, the air felt Christmas. She left it, cooled her cheeks. As she rushed home, she'd promised her mother to try and pick up a leftover low for two at half price from the German bakery, halfway between the telephone exchange and grateful straight. Whoa! Steady there. Attend. Hand grabbed Francis's arm as she slipped off the curb to avoid colliding with a ragamuffin boy chasing after a ball. Thank you, she said, catching her breath. You can let go now. I'm fine. The man relaxed his grip. At least let me see you safely across the street. What's with the big rush?