QWERTYUIOP BY VIVIAN ALCOCK

SYNOPSIS

‘QWERTYUIOP’ by Vivien Alcock is about a young graduate named Lucy Beck who has just
finished her ‘O’ levels at Belmont Secretarial College. Being a slow learner herself, she has no
confidence that she will find a job. Fortunately, she is offered a job by Mr. Ross, the Manager
of Ross and Bannister’s. During her first day, she encounters many peculiar incidents. Later,
she finds out that there is a spirit lingering around the office who is adamant in holding on to
her position as the company’s secretary. Towards the end of the story, Lucy tries to get rid of
the spirit that has been haunting that place for many years by putting the spirit at peace.

CHARACTERS:

Lucy Beck :

·     seventeen years old

·     lives with her mother and Uncle Bert
·     fresh out of secretarial college
·     wants to improve her life – she is tired of being poor

 
 Ghost of Ms. Broome :

She was the previous employee of Ross and Bannister’s. She is unwilling to let go of
her position and continues to defend her post, even after her demise.

Lucy’s mother :

A housewife who lives a hard life. She has to support her brother.

4) Uncle Bert : 

Depends on his sister for support. He is also a drunkard.

 5) Harry Darke : 

Ross and Bannister’s handyman. He is an old man who has been working with the company
for years.

6) Mr. Ross : 
The younger partner of the company.

THEMES:

1) DETERMINATION:
Despite the supernatural nature by which Ms. Broome badgers and demoralises Lucy,
sheshows no signs of giving in to her demand. Instead, she is steadfast in defending her
position asthe secretary.

2) POSSESSIVENESS:
Not even death could part Ms. Broome from what she feels is rightfully hers. She continues
tohaunt the office through her electronic typewriter. 

3) LOYALTY:
As with her possesiveness towards her job, Ms. Broome was also extremely loyal towards
Mr.Bannister. Even after she passed on, her spirit continued in its endeavour to serve her
employer.
4) LONELINESS:
Loneliness can be a strong influence in a person’s life. Ms. Broome had no life outside of
heroffice. That made her more possesive of her position in the company; a possessiveness
thatwent beyond the grave.

5) COMMITMENT:
This attribute can be clearly seen in both Lucy and Ms. Broome. Both are extremely
committedto their profession.

6) THE SUPERNATURAL:
It is interesting that such an integral character in the story happens to be an ethereal entity.
Yet this theme is rather prominent in the story.

7) COMPASSION:
This theme holds water especially in the final confrontation between Lucy and Ms. Broome. It
isnot through hatred nor coercion that Lucy manages to outsmart Ms. Broome, rather, it
wasthrough compassion and understanding of Ms. Broome’s intentions.

PLOT
 EXPOSITION – Lucy starts working in Ross and Bannister’s. Harry Darke gives her hints
of the haunting of the typewriter by Miss Broome.
 CONFLICT – Lucy types her letter but she is bewildered that her letter has
extraordinary words that are not typed by her.
 CLIMAX – Lucy retypes her letter but is challenged by Miss Broome who asks her to
leave and even threatens her. Lucy battles woth it by using correcting liquid to clean off
words typed by Miss Broome.
 FALLING ACTION – Lucy learns about Miss Broome and her haunting of the typewriter.
 RESOLUTION – Lucy types and talks to Miss Broome and convinces her to leave this
world peacefully and go to other world. Lucy keeps her job in Ross and Bannister’s.
 
SETTING:
The story revolves around two main settings: 
-Lucy’s house which she shares with her motherand her Uncle Bert.
-The office of Ross and Bannister’s where Lucy works as a secretary.

Be kind to others especially to those less fortunate : Lucy is both kind and sympathetic
towards the ghost of Miss Broome and her Uncle Bert. She realizes that both these people
feel rejected and lonely. Lucy shows her kindness by showing the ghost of Miss Broome that
the reason why the company gave her a retirement is because they worry about her health.
She also gives assurance to Uncle Bert that she and her mother want him to live with them as
part of their family.

Work hard to gain success : Lucy is determine to be successful in her new job. Even though
the ghost of Miss Broome interrupts her typing, she continues to type the letters although
she has to stop regularly to correct the mistakes. In the end Lucy manages to complete a
small number of letters which she leaves on Mr. Ross’s table.

Be strong when faced by problems : Even though Lucy faces problems from the ghost of Miss
Broome, she still remains strong. Even after realizing that she was fighting a ghost she
decided to continue fighting and not let the ghost scares her away.