condensed master

Will Bonner
"Electronics actually."
"My brother works in the telephone workshops for the Post Office, I'll ask him
to enquire for you." Will knew next to nothing about telephone communication, but
the work might be along the right lines.
Within days Will found himself filling in an application for employment at the
engineering workshops. Situated in South Melbourne. If he landed employment
there he would be able to catch the same tram that he had always taken.
One interview later he reported for his first day. He found himself in a room
with others who were also starting that day, and each person was required to step
forward, raise his or her right hand and swear allegiance to the Queen before being
inducted into their respective departments.
There was quite a bit of communist activity in Australia at that time, it being
one of the ways of trying to keep subversion out of the Crown work places. Will
spent the next three weeks training, followed by an exam, which all happened in
the department where he would ultimately work.
It was a brand new section, employing approximately fifteen engineers
working on electronic switching circuits. The normal practice was to operate a
new section for two years, after which time, if the function was viable, it would be
allowed to continue, alternatively, it would be closed down. Will knew therefore,
that if he kept a good record, he would have at least two years of employment
ahead of him.
Crossing Toorak Road one evening, after alighting from the tram, Will noticed
a lone figure standing on the corner. He didn't recognize the clothing but that
stance was unmistakeable. It was Ed. Will quickly looked up and down the road
but he could see no car. Pretending that he hadn't noticed him, Will walked right
by him.
"Hey Will, are you trying to avoid me?"
"Whatever gave you that idea," Will replied sarcastically. "I'll never go out of
my way to make contact to end up giving myself more trouble. You're not here
to say hello are you?"
Ed took a step back in his characteristic style. "No, but I can't phone you now
the clinics gone. You're at the engineering workshops in South Melbourne now."
"You seem to have done your homework Ed, but you haven't fathomed out
yet how best you can contact me should the need arise, have you?" Ed shuffled his
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