OLIVE: [reading] ‘… Your application for a telephone does not meet government requirements, in the present shortage of equipment and the urgent needs of—’

ROO: But she’s paid to have it put on—she’s already paid.

OLIVE: Not the GPO, she hasn’t. Only Maurie.

ROO: Maurie—that was the arrangement? Maurie was to swing it for her—hey? You think he’s pulled a swiftie?

OLIVE: I don’t know. What she’s goin’ down to find out, I should think.

OLIVE shoves the letter over to him, and ROO scans it as she collects a coat from the hallstand.

ROO: If he’s on the take, this Maurie, have to wonder ’bout the rest of it? Where does that leave Mister Bromige? [Shaking the letter] Never liked the sound of all this army surplus stuff. And havin’ to be on the phone. Wouldn’t be surprised if Emma hadn’t got herself caught up in some sort of a racket.

OLIVE: Oh? I thought it was the sort of opening everybody needed these days? [Fastening her coat] A chance to make a fresh start, now the war is over?

ROO: Not if it turns out to be a bloody swindle.

OLIVE: Yes, but then fresh starts, pretty hard to tell, isn’t it?

She takes re-possession of the letter from ROO as EMMA appears, wearing a shabby everyday street coat and hat and clutching her handbag. She halts at the sight of OLIVE.

EMMA: I don’t need you. You’re not comin’ with me.

OLIVE: Just to put the pennies in, and get the number for you.

She takes firm charge of EMMA, returning the letter to her, and ushering her out.

After that I’ll stand outside the box and wait—you don’t have to worry, I won’t listen to a blessed word.

They emerge onto the front verandah in time to meet BARNEY, arriving back at the house from his shopping expedition.

BARNEY: Hullo? Where are you two off to?

OLIVE: Out.

She hustles EMMA past him, and off to the street. BARNEY glances after them before addressing ROO, who has followed the women out onto the front verandah.

BARNEY: Bit het-up, ain’t they? What’s the rush?

ROO: [shortly] Got to make a phone call. Looks like Emma’s bein’ made a fool of by that Maurie joker.

At an unavailing and angry loose end, he picks up Emma’s discarded bowl of peas, and kicks her scattered pea pods into the garden.

BARNEY: Oh, yes. And what’s happened to your little surprise?

ROO carries the bowl of peas into the house and BARNEY follows, shutting the street door behind him. ROO shoves the bowl aside in the living room, to prowl about restlessly. BARNEY hangs his hat on the hallstand, with a malicious rider:

Thought I’d come back, and Ol’d be paradin’ around in silver foxes?