help! how do you play a tape on a Lanier VW-210?

I just bought a used Lanier VW-210 off eBay. The seller assured me the
unit worked fine. It didn't come with the footswitch, but I didn't
think I'd need it. I'd planned on using the thing to transfer a number
of sentimenal old voice/reality recordings of mine to the PC for
posterity, figuring it'd give me play quality superior to hand-held
microrecorders.

Anyway, I can't get the thing to play! Isn't that what the "Listen"
button is for? Could mine be broken? It just makes a beep when I push
it. Or do I need the foot controller to make it play? It rewinds and
fast-forwards okay and all that. Sorry for the ignorance. I couldn't
find a manual or instructions for this model anywhere on the web.

Thanks in advance,
Tim Russell

.