Qwertyuiop’s synopsis

QWERTYUIOP’ is about a poor, young graduate named Lucy Beck who has just finished her ‘O’ levels at Belmont Secretarial College. She is a slow learner but she decided to search a job in order to find a solution on her poverty. Fortunately, she is offered a job by Mr. Ross, the Manager of Ross and Bannister’s. However, she begins to face obstacles from her first day of experiencing her work. She encounters many peculiar incidents when she starts using the electric typewriter. Whenever Lucy types, the words “QWERYUIOP” which is on the top lines on the keyboards will keep on appear. She is determined to maintain her job, so she tries to overcome her fear and frightening moment. Later, she finds out that there is a spirit lingering around the office. She figures out from that Miss Broome, a former secretary of the late Mr Bannister was insisted to retire after working for 43 years. That was why the spirit of Miss Broome is adamant in holding on to her position as the company’s secretary. The end of the story, Lucy tries to get rid of the spirit that has been haunting that workplace for donkey’s years. She affirmed Miss Broome that the late Mr Bannister needs her in the afterlife. She managed to convince Miss Broome to leave and finally she could keep on her job.

PLOT

Exposition-

The main character, Lucy Beck is introduced and she lives with her mother and uncle. She has completed her secretarial course and wants a job. She is tried living in poverty and wants to lead a better life.

Rising Action~Lucy managed to get a job as a secretary at Ross and Bannister’s after being interviewed by Mr. Ross. Harry Darke explained to Lucy that she needs to apply the typewriter to get her work done. Whenever Lucy types, the typewriter tries to control her and overwhelmed the situation. The word “QWERTYUIOP” keeps on appearing each time she types. Lucy types questions in order to investigate the mystery behind it. Harry Darke informs her of the old former secretary, the late Miss Broome, who was forced to resign.Climax –Lucy is determined to defend her job and she began to type another copy by focusing her eyes on the keys. She was surprised when the typewriter typed out a persuasive note. Through the battle of wits between Lucy and the spirit of Miss Broome at the typewriter, Lucy managed to accumulate all her courage. She erased all the words, managed to type all her letters, and sent it to get the initial of Mr. Ross.Falling action –Lucy feels sympathy upon Miss Broome after she heard about Miss Broome’s solitaire and depression after losing her job. She feels sorry for Miss Broome and tries to threaten her to leave in peace. Lucy assured her that Mr Bannister needs her favor in the everlasting life..Resolution -

The typewriter becomes silent, atmosphere filled calm, and Lucy types a farewell note to Miss Broome. There was no reply and Lucy was finally helped the spirit of Miss Broome to find peace at last.

Setting

The story was set in a small town, Belmont and it revolves around two main settings:

Ø Lucy’s house which she shares with her mother and her Uncle Bert,

In a poor neighbourhood

Ø The office of Ross and Bannister’s where Lucy works as a secretary.

It is a small firm which is over thirty years old.

take a break.

CHARACTERS

LUCY BECK

A young seventeen year old lady who got a job as a secretary at Ross and Banister’s

Characteristics:

She is a young, shy, a low achiever, not competent and highly qualified and insecure graduate of

secretarial studies.

Textual evidence:

Lucy Beck was young and small and mouse-coloured, easily overlooked.

She had a lonely ‘O’ level and a typing speed that would make a tortoise laugh.

Characteristics:

She became ambitious, determined and optimistic to change her life style.

Textual evidence:

Lucy is tired of being poor and she is fed up with macaroni cheese and baked beans. She is also

sick of wearing second-hand clothes. She gathered her strength and determined to get a job to get

out of poverty.

Characteristics:

Lucy becomes enthusiastic and a quick learner when she got a job. She also became courageous

when she has to face the conflict with the spirit of Miss Broom.

Textual evidence:

Lucy got a job at Ross and Bannister’, a small firm with a factory just outside the town. She is so

excited so came to her work place on Monday morning, at ten to nine and waited as the door to the

office is closed. She faces problems when each time she types, the word ‘QWERTYUIOP” appears

on the paper. When she finds that it was the ghost of Miss Broom, she became courageous and

keep typing and liquid the unwanted words and reached the end of the letter by triumph.

GHOST OF MS.BROOME :

Characteristics:

Loyal, dedicated and took her job seriously at Ross and Bannister’s.

Textual evidence:

Ms Broome had worked for forty three years :girl, woman, old misery. She is unwilling to let go of

her position and continues to defend her post, even after her demise.

Characteristics:

Finally she is convinced that she should leave as her help is needed.

Textual evidence:

Miss Broom leaves the office permanently after Lucy managed to convince her that Mr Bannister

needs her help in the afterlife. The typewriter became silent, sunlight glittered on its keys making

them looked wet.

HARRY DARKE :

Characteristics:

Helpful and concern

Textual evidence:

He does all the odd jobs in the office and helps out new employees. He is helpful in giving useful

information to Lucy regarding the spirit of Miss Broome and shows concern to her. He even told

Lucy not to be like a frightened mouse, and not to worry.

Characteristics:

A loyal worker at Ross and Bannister’s.

Textual evidence:

He has been working for thirty years with Ross and Bannister’s, retired with a silver watch but still

can’t keep away from his job.

LUCY’S MOTHER/ MRS BECK

Characteristics:

Content with her status in life.

Textual evidence:

Mrs Beck is satisfied with her status, she said to Lucy that “We are jumble sailors on the rough sea

of life.” Thus she accepts her fate and shows no actions or thoughts of wanting more than what she

has in life.

Characteristics:

Low expectations

Textual evidence:

She does not expect Lucy to get a job as she was not confident in Lucy’s ability.

UNCLE BERT :

Characteristics:

Dependable and irresponsible

Textual evidence:

He drinks heavily and borrows money from Lucy’s mother.

Characteristics:

Caring

Textual evidence:

He is concern of Lucy and thought to prepare her supper since she is now a working girl.

MR. ROSS :

Characteristics:

Accommodating and concern

Textual evidence:

He is easy to deal with, willing to help and even offers to do something about the typewriter if any

problems continue.

focus

MORAL VALUES

 On our journey to success, we need to have high level of positive self esteem

 In communication, be compassionate not aggressive as compassion heals while aggression

causes hurt.

Preserve the family ties and unity through understanding and forgiving

 We should not underrate people and their creativeness or abilities.

Themes

COMMITMENT AND LOYALTY:

Lucy and Miss Broome are both committed and loyal to their profession. Lucy takes her work

seriously and does the job of typing which was given to her successfully. She has to face the battle

with Miss Broome who is still attached to her work even after her death. Lucy did not give up even

when Miss Broome demanded her to leave. Miss Broome was so possessive towards her job

and also extremely loyal towards Mr. Bannister. Lucy managed to convince her that the late Mr

Bannister needs her so she left the office in order to continue her service to Mr Bannister in the after

life.

DETERMINATION:

Lucy has strong determination to keep her job as secretary of Ross and Bannister’s despite the

supernatural forces that tries to fail her. Miss Broome’s spirit lingered in the room where Lucy works

and demands her to leave but she shows no signs of giving up. Lucy is steadfast in defending her

position as the secretary and she battled fearlessly with the spirit of Miss Broome who haunted the

typewriter that Lucy was working on. Due to her strong determination, she managed to hold on to her

job at the firm ---- -- SiewPhing