Story and photo by Jules, VL, Vee-ell, Vectis Lad and Lord Funston, Hadron, Little Hadron etc…..

Oh well, Vee-ell thought, another blustery day in paradise. What lies in store—he wondered?

The plumber was due at 8:30, just about the time he got back from walking the dogs. Not due to carry out any plumbing; simply to spray some bright paint from an aerosol can. The paint, to be used as a marker, so that the concrete cutter, when he arrived would be clearly able to see—to make his incisions in the pathway.  After all, without this crucial surgery, how could the waste pipe be cut, to insert the branch?  It got him thinking, was it the right thing to do?  Move the washing machine into the garage.  However it was such a monster, that it deserved its own sepulchre; being far too big for the new laundry, with its chintzy new glazed cupboards. And it was, after all said and done, a dryer too.  So it needed more space, just like Audrey II.

Yes it was it was going to be yet another hum-drum morning—Vee-ell mused, as he pulled his Honda into one of the narrow car spaces outside the main post office. There were ample spaces, but all on an angle, meaning one had to be wary; what with all of the secretaries collecting the office mail first thing and juggling car spaces like stumps on an Aussie wicket.  Still it was always pleasant to jump out and inhale their perfume, after the doggy smell in the trusty car.  He felt sure that the secretaries competed.  They were all perfectly coiffed, with shiny bijou belts and Lily inspired skirts. Lily inspired, he reconsidered?  Doubt it.  This lot are more ‘Bingle` than Lapkin, was his thought bubble.

Vee hopped out, dodging a secretary with an armful of papers and opened the mail-box, pausing for a second; pondering on the content: a bunch of mail.  No surprise there.
Spam in the bin, window envelopes to the bottom, chunky ones to be squeezed, put on top and speculated on.

Well, there was one worth opening on the spot: it seemed mysterious, but its arrival had been augured: its precise content unknown. The NSW postmark was a portent. Beguiling, he thought.

Immediately, Vee got down to it; stripped the tab back where the pull command was written in red and roughly jemmied the padded thing open. But then, what did he find? Another identical envelope inside. Just like the first. Feeling thwarted, but on the scent, the next red tab was yanked. This one however revealing an oblong plastic device wrapped in a hand written note.

The note was read, on the spot, holding it at full stretch, interfering with a matronly lady carrying a…an armful of papers. The note, fanfared the booty: a selection of music recorded to a Sony USB microvault.  So without more ado, Vee leapt back in the car, battling the dog-fumes—and hurtled out of the car park. The disapproving looks from the secretaries being a bonus.

The note and USB were from a fellow Pigs patron: young Hung, so with some excitement & ceremony, Vee cleared a space to examine this absorbing event.

Well a cursory scroll and an hour surfing, revealed a complex, eclectic collection. Some delightful and riveting ensembles. Something old, something treasured and something(s) new.

It would not do this kind deed justice, to blurt out the titles of this collection. They will be savoured by Vee-ell alone in the first instance.

His cup runneth over. And his gratitude will be fuel.  The USB, will be returned to its generous owner, once the music has been thoroughly examined.  All hail Hung.