Party Husband Page #2

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Who? Look.

Why, Kate.

Hello, Jay.

Good to see you.

Good to see you.

Down for long?

Most of the winter.

That's great. We'll see a lot of you.

I hope so.

Hmm .. do I hear the tinkle of ice?

Cocktails will be ready

when you've been washed.

Come on.

I'll be right back, Kate.

That girl is a scream.

She always was.

She's judging about us now.

What do you think she's been saying?

Never mind.

Miss me today?

Hmm.

A little.

Only a little?

A whole lot then.

I wish we were dining alone tonight.

But Jay you see, I just had to ..

Hello.

Oh, wait a minute.

Don't tear it. Let me do it.

Maybe it is symbolic.

There. No damage done.

You could catch a lot

of fish with that hook.

Well, I'm good bait.

You're telling me?

I bit.

I think I'll slip one now. I need it.

Yes ma'am, I needs it myself

when I got the miseries.

[ Laughter ]

Well .. here is luck.

Come in.

Hello Laura. Could you just hold on.

Just a moment, please.

Now Mrs Hogarth, what have we?

I've found two stories that might do.

Great.

By the way.

Do you mind if I call you Laura?

"Mrs Hogarth" is such a

long name for the office.

I guess there is no objection.

Thanks.

And by the way, your work

has been very satisfactory.

I think you have a special

facility for finding good stories.

I'm so glad.

Now I have some news

for you not quite so pleasant.

Oh?

It is rather pleasant

news for me, however.

We are just entering our busy season.

That means that I must

come here and work nights.

I've picked you to help me.

Oh, I shan't mind a bit.

I love the work.

It will be rather late sometimes.

I hope your husband won't feel upset.

Oh my, no. You see, Jay is

busy at his office until midnight.

And ours .. is a modern marriage.

Oh.

He'll be glad to know

I've got something to do.

But tell him I'll see to

you getting home safely.

I am used to going about alone.

Well, we won't send you home hungry.

We'll have a little supper served

here. For a bite on the way home.

It will be rather fun, won't it.

I know it will for me.

Where do you lunch, by the way?

Oh usually down at the coffee shop.

I know a quiet place where we can

discuss business and not be disturbed.

Let's go there. By all means.

Fine.

There is one reader I didn't

think the boss could read.

Looks like he's going

in for night work again.

That owl gets his best work in at night.

Yes, I've heard of this Canfield woman.

Talks about children and home stuff.

Well, if you think an old

hen like that is good enough.

Sure. We've got to fill that hour.

Mrs Canfield is here.

She's here.

I'll have lunch with you in

about ten minutes. Goodbye.

Show the old girl in.

Mrs Canfield?

The old girl herself.

That transom.

Isn't exactly discreet.

Well, now that I've seen

you, Mrs Canfield.

Don't apologise.

Just close the transom.

Huh?

Oh yes.

Married?

Why, yes.

Then you should have

that transom nailed shut.

There are more ways than one

of holding the home together.

Mrs Canfield.

We'd like you to give a series of

broadcasts for one of our clients.

I see.

I haven't made up my

mind how much to ask.

Oh, I think we can come to terms.

I warn you, I'm a very

expensive old woman.

Mrs Canfield, be merciful.

You know, I missed my breakfast

and I'm in a bad humor.

If I had some lunch, I might

be more amenable to reason.

Well then, for heaven's sakes

let me take you to lunch.

Righto.

I know a quiet place where we can

discuss business without being ..

Disturbed.

So, let's go there. By all means.

Fine.

Why, it's nearly midnight.

We should get extra pay for this.

I've waded through six manuscripts.

Did you find anything?

Tripe.

But Loxford usually sends in good stuff.

Nah.

The boss liked his last story.

In this the heroine breaks her heart as

her husband plays golf with other women.

That's human.

Is she jealous?

It isn't being done any more.

No?

I always seem to be amusing you.

No. Not at all.

Van Dyke 2466.

I'll drop you home.

That will be splendid.

No Lord and master home yet.

Well, well.

Jay's company has made him responsible

for the success of its radio advertising.

So of course he has to be

at the station every night.

And I imagine I will have to feed you.

It's likely. I'm famished.

Throw in a dance?

I'm only dressed for a dump.

Make it a dump.

What station does your husband work for?

WXV?

Hmm. WXV.

[ Radio:
]

"She needs no introduction."

"Mrs Canfield is one of our

leading women novelists."

"Most of you in Radioland no doubt .."

"Have read some or all of her books."

"Mrs Canfield will address you

tonight on the ideals of home life."

"The ideal home,

friends of Radioland .."

"Is a subject dearest to my heart."

"I am speaking of the good

old-fashioned home."

"Not the apology for

that noble institution .."

"Into which it has degenerated today."

"But the kind of home that our

fathers and mothers knew."

"Its influence transcends all

others upon human welfare."

For while the home stands,

the country stands.

And when the home crumbles.

The very foundation of our

country becomes as quicksand.

Bee has made a lot of

money out of that stuff.

Know her?

Why, I guess everybody

knows Bee Canfield.

Oh.

What's her own home like?

Oh ashtrays .. tiger rugs.

If you like taking your shoes off and

walking through the rugs in bare feet.

Soothing?

I can't remember.

Is she good-looking?

She manages to be.

It must be why Jay thought

she was a great author.

Does he?

He always picks out the best.

Nobody home.

Come right in, Mrs Canfield.

You sure your wife won't ..

Oh, you must stay and meet Laura.

She won't be long.

The pleasure will be worth the risk.

There is no risk.

No?

No .. Laura is a good sport.

Perhaps then, I am fortunate.

How?

She allows you to have friends?

Why, of course.

Friends I mean, who ..

Perhaps hold no interest for her?

We agreed to all that

before we were married.

You were wise.

Do you think so?

You still have my cigarette.

My .. public utterances.

And my private conviction ..

Are very different.

Yes. I rather gathered

that tonight at supper.

That reminds me.

Shall we lift one?

I'm in your hands completely.

I shan't be a minute.

Oh, Jay.

Must I wait alone?

Why ..

Well, why I get a tray of ice.

You are much to interesting to

be spared. Shall I help you?

That's great.

Ooh .. what a dark kitchen.

Are you afraid of the dark?

No.

Perhaps I'd better switch on the light.

Well, here we are.

Jay is home.

Ah, we have a guest.

It's Mrs Canfield.

Really?

Oh, Jay.

Hello dear.

Hello, Jay.

Mrs Canfield is here.

That's fine.

I felt a new cold coming on .. so I ..

I thought a little nip might ..

Well, you now, we're cracking ice.

Keeping the home fires burning, eh?

Crack enough for four, will you.

You bet.

Hello Purcell.

How are you?

Laura, would you ..

Of course.

Mrs Canfield brought me home in her car.

Nice of her.

What's the matter?

Ice dust.

We stopped and had a little bite.

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