World of Print

There is order in the chaos. Out of the messy, crowded hum of machinery, piles of papers, stacks of CDs, whirring scanners, instructional signs, and anxious students, out of all this confusion … comes a crisp, beautifully printed stack of papers. «These are yours,» the girl behind the counter mumbles, «$ 8.40.»
World of Print reminds me of 1998. That’s partly because their computers are of the 1998 vintage, or so it seems. But miraculously, despite everything being done on Windows, and despite the seemingly chaotic array of photocopiers and laser printers, the people working here know what they’re doing, and if you let them do it for you, you’ll be fine. Just don’t press «ok» to print, by yourself. This is a hand-​holding situation, and it works oddly well.

I had to get my screenplay in by 5pm on Friday at the Chippendale offices of the writers guild. Time was running out! I ran into the print and copy shop. The glass was so clean I didn’t even see it. I dusted myself off and entered the store.
The place was abuzz with activity, last minute printing for business and university people alike, I had to get to a printer and quick. I requested aid. «Aid» I said, «I need aid.» (That’s not exactly what I said, but it’s pretty damn close.)
I got aid from someone behind the counter who walked me over to a free computer and helped me bring up the document I needed to print and we began to print.
The shop is a busy shop, being in such a location as it is, halfway between the Central Business District and the campuses of Notre Dame, UTS and Sydney University.
The printing isn’t that cheap as it is a smaller shop and can’t negotiate bulk deals for its supplies like a huge chain such as Officeworks could. But the personable service and the focus of the place, all printing and copying, no stationary, office equipment or Internet Café’s, makes it a streamlined process.
I got the screenplay in on time, but looking back it was a really lame script and of course it didn’t win, I suspect it’s lining hamster cages now.