Click cover to enlarge it
The advent of a more liberal society has revolutionized the life of the modern American woman, opening up new vistas both professionally and personally. As with most social revolutions, however, the changes are apt to be slow and sporadic, leaving untouched many of those it hopes to reach.
One profession, that of the librarian, reflects the uneven progress of social change—women entering this field have long been characterized as “stuffy” or “frigid” or “old maids” with little consideration given to their true personalities or capabilities.
Living in this shadow and its traditions, the woman in this story, Donna Johnson, casts a new light onto a profession long stereotyped. Both ambitious and adventurous, she finds herself suddenly confronted by a sexual liberalism which challenges her curiosity.
R#PED LIBRARIAN—a chronicle of our times. The story of a woman trapped in a tide of social change.
At exactly five o’clock, Donna Johnson locked the front door of the small Meadowvale Library and then went back to her desk to finish her paperwork. Twenty-six years old, she was the picture of prim efficiency, a slender blond in horn-rimmed glasses who wore her hair pinned up in the back.
She had no sooner sat down, when a man suddenly stepped out from between the bookshelves.
“What are you doing in here?” Donna asked, trying to keep her voice calm. The man who stood before her was tall and muscular, a rough-looking sort of about thirty-five. Dressed in work pants and a well-worn shirt, he had a thin scar that ran the length of his cheek. “The library’s closed,” the young woman added.
“It’s not the library I’m interested in,” the man gave a short laugh. “And in case you’re wondering, I was hiding in the back when you locked up.”
Donna stood slowly. She glanced towards the front door, but realized she hadn’t a chance of ever reaching it. Swallowing hard, she said as steadily as she could manage, “If it’s money you want, there’s only a couple of dollars here.” She picked up her purse nervously and began to rummage through it. “I might have a few more dollars you can have.”
Trembling, the young blond found a five and three ones which she held out to him. The brawny man merely shook his head. Then he moved for her.
“It’s not money I’m interested in, either.”
Fictional reading for entertainment purposes only.