Latest / A School for Greybeards; or, The Mourning Bride / Wives on Strike - Lillian Sutton Pelée

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Wives on Strike - Lillian Sutton Pelée · A School for Greybeards; or, The Mourning Bride

• 0:00
  Speaker 1: Act one of Wives on Strike by Lillian Sutton Paley.
• 0:05
  Speaker 1: This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in
• 0:09
  Speaker 1: the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please
• 0:13
  Speaker 1: visit LibriVox dot org.
• 0:16
  Speaker 2: Characters Betty Albright a bride read by Audrey Enne Prevost.
• 0:23
  Speaker 3: Thornton Albright, her husband an architect, read by Andrew Kennedy.
• 0:29
  Speaker 4: Renald Winburne, Betty's admirer read by Anthony Joseph.
• 0:35
  Speaker 5: Lily de Long, Prey of Vampire read by Jen Broda.
• 0:41
  Speaker 6: Clara Cullins, Betsy's Friend read by Michel Eaton.
• 0:46
  Speaker 7: Jane Spink Betty's Aunt read by Wendy Katziller.
• 0:51
  Speaker 8: Bob Spink, Betty's uncle read by Allan Mapstone.
• 0:57
  Speaker 9: Patricia Dugan, president of the Wives Wealth Fair Club, read
• 1:01
  Speaker 9: by Anna Maria Tom Dougan.
• 1:04
  Speaker 10: Her husband a businessman read by Mason Lewis.
• 1:09
  Speaker 11: You're a Lamb, Treasurer of Wives Welfare Club read by T. J.
• 1:14
  Speaker 3: Burns.
• 1:15
  Speaker 12: Jim Lamb, her husband, a professor of philosophy, read by
• 1:20
  Speaker 12: Larry Wilson.
• 1:21
  Speaker 13: Sheisha Nut member of Wives Welfare Club read by Devora Allen.
• 1:27
  Speaker 1: Paully Apparent read by Todd Stage directions read by t R.
• 1:34
  Speaker 1: Love costumes and characteristics. This is no poor woman's club,
• 1:41
  Speaker 1: as is evident by the stunning gowns that are worn.
• 1:44
  Speaker 1: The women represent that stratum of middle class society who
• 1:49
  Speaker 1: put all the money they can get on their backs
• 1:52
  Speaker 1: and mortgage their homes to buy a car. Patricia Duggan,
• 1:56
  Speaker 1: usually referred to as Pat, a magnificent looking creature of
• 2:01
  Speaker 1: about thirty. She rather prides herself on her oratorical ability
• 2:06
  Speaker 1: and does everything for effect, covering her limitation with high
• 2:11
  Speaker 1: handed authority. She Sha Nut, a simpering nonentity of about
• 2:16
  Speaker 1: twenty four, with round, staring blue eyes, a nubbit of
• 2:21
  Speaker 1: a nose, and ever grinning mouth, all fluffs and ruffles.
• 2:26
  Speaker 1: You're a lamb of box car proportions and feline disposition.
• 2:31
  Speaker 1: Somewhere around thirty. Lily de long Prey about twenty five,
• 2:37
  Speaker 1: languorous eighe, sinuous of movement, very much made up, addicted
• 2:43
  Speaker 1: to clinging robes which cover without concealing. Jane Spink a
• 2:49
  Speaker 1: middle aged woman, short, stout and something of a frump,
• 2:53
  Speaker 1: though her dress is of heavy wine colored satin. Betty
• 2:57
  Speaker 1: Albright a buoyant, wholesome, you young woman of about twenty two.
• 3:02
  Speaker 1: She presents a very trim appearance in her sport hat
• 3:05
  Speaker 1: and skirt shirt waist and silk sweater. Clara Collins a
• 3:10
  Speaker 1: demure young girl of about eighteen, plump, rosy cheeked, and
• 3:15
  Speaker 1: wears an inexpensive but dainty frock. Bob Spink a middle
• 3:20
  Speaker 1: aged man. He is bald of head, round of face,
• 3:24
  Speaker 1: and there is a merry twinkle in his eyes. Thornton
• 3:27
  Speaker 1: Albright an architect just starting out for himself. He is
• 3:32
  Speaker 1: a well set up man of about twenty eight, the
• 3:35
  Speaker 1: masterful type so much in demand with the fair sex.
• 3:39
  Speaker 1: He comes to conclusions quickly, and his opinions stick. Reynald
• 3:44
  Speaker 1: Winburne a slight blond young man of about twenty two.
• 3:49
  Speaker 1: Jim Lamb a pale faced, timid man who has studied
• 3:53
  Speaker 1: other people's thoughts so long that he hasn't had an
• 3:56
  Speaker 1: idea of his own. He wears large horn rimmed goggles.
• 4:01
  Speaker 1: Tom Duggan a tired looking business man about forty. John
• 4:06
  Speaker 1: Nutt an everyday sort of a man about thirty. Act
• 4:11
  Speaker 1: one scene sitting room in the spink residence, old fashioned
• 4:16
  Speaker 1: but richly furnished. Two rows of chairs are arranged in
• 4:20
  Speaker 1: semicircles from right to left, with a space open in center,
• 4:25
  Speaker 1: small table right center for chairman, Secretary's book on table,
• 4:30
  Speaker 1: a door center leads to street. To left of door
• 4:33
  Speaker 1: is a window, a small table in front of it,
• 4:36
  Speaker 1: on which stands a cage with parrot. Right of door
• 4:40
  Speaker 1: is another small table with bowl of flowers. Further right
• 4:45
  Speaker 1: an inglenook where built in seats leave only sufficient space
• 4:48
  Speaker 1: for the fireplace at left. Window with a divan in front.
• 4:53
  Speaker 1: Door at right opens into kitchen discovered The Wives Welfare
• 4:58
  Speaker 1: Club in full swing. It is composed of about a
• 5:02
  Speaker 1: dozen members, all but Betty Albright have assembled. Patricia Duggan
• 5:07
  Speaker 1: stands left of table holding a gavel. Shesha Nut is
• 5:11
  Speaker 1: seated at extreme left in front row. To her right
• 5:15
  Speaker 1: is Youura Lamb. Next to her to the right is
• 5:19
  Speaker 1: Lily de long Prey. Jane Spink is seated on front
• 5:23
  Speaker 1: row right next a vacant chair nearest the table, which
• 5:27
  Speaker 1: is reserved for the secretary. Other members are seated on
• 5:30
  Speaker 1: rear chairs.
• 5:31
  Speaker 9: As desire, ladies and gents, I mean ladies and wives,
• 5:37
  Speaker 9: we have finished the regular business of our meeting, and
• 5:40
  Speaker 9: now comes the all important question for which we have
• 5:42
  Speaker 9: met in solemn conclict the rights of wives. I need
• 5:46
  Speaker 9: not enumerate the petty persecutions to which woman has been
• 5:49
  Speaker 9: subjected since the dawn of history by tyrannical man. Something
• 5:53
  Speaker 9: must be done.
• 5:55
  Speaker 11: Yes, something must be done.
• 5:58
  Speaker 1: We must act Ura Aside to Sheisha.
• 6:03
  Speaker 11: She's always acting.
• 6:05
  Speaker 1: Shesha titters. Pat gives her a reproving look, which causes
• 6:11
  Speaker 1: Sheisha's eyes to grow rounder. With solemnity. Yes, we must
• 6:16
  Speaker 1: act Pat impressively, but how Jane bounces.
• 6:23
  Speaker 7: Up, Madam Chairman.
• 6:25
  Speaker 1: Pat condescendingly, recognizing the floor.
• 6:29
  Speaker 7: Jane spink I move that we hold an informal discussion
• 6:33
  Speaker 7: of our difficulties over our teacups before taking any action.
• 6:38
  Speaker 1: Sins tea, oh lovely holy water crocker out. Pat brings
• 6:48
  Speaker 1: down her gavel. Ladies order please smiles complacently.
• 6:55
  Speaker 9: I'm sure Jane's motion will carry unanimously.
• 6:58
  Speaker 11: You're a rising much dignity, Madame Chairman. I insist that
• 7:04
  Speaker 11: the motion be put in its proper form.
• 7:07
  Speaker 1: Pat contemptuously, you're a lamb.
• 7:10
  Speaker 9: This club is too advanced to be bound by petty rules. Ladies,
• 7:14
  Speaker 9: make yourselves comfortable.
• 7:16
  Speaker 1: She drops on vacant chair, as if exhausted by her
• 7:19
  Speaker 1: onerous task. Everybody talks at once in a different key.
• 7:24
  Speaker 1: Europe protests to Sheisha and those sitting back of her.
• 7:28
  Speaker 1: They gradually move over to window. Some of the women
• 7:32
  Speaker 1: play with the parrot, lending a rather indifferent ear to Eura.
• 7:36
  Speaker 1: Others ensconce themselves in the inglenook. Sheisha joins them there.
• 7:41
  Speaker 1: Jane and Lily rise, but remain in their places. When
• 7:45
  Speaker 1: Jane begins to speak, there is a lull. Jane looks around.
• 7:50
  Speaker 7: Dear me, hasn't Petty come yet?
• 7:53
  Speaker 9: I thought you said she was going to act as secretary.
• 7:56
  Speaker 7: She did promise, and she also told me she would
• 7:59
  Speaker 7: be here to help prepare the lunch.
• 8:02
  Speaker 1: Lily, with affected manner and insinuating tone, you.
• 8:06
  Speaker 5: Don't mean to say, missus spink, that Betty is a
• 8:09
  Speaker 5: member of this club, poor girl. Is her marriage a
• 8:14
  Speaker 5: failure too.
• 8:16
  Speaker 7: Jane, with asperity, No, miss Lily de long Prey, my
• 8:21
  Speaker 7: niece's marriage is a complete success.
• 8:25
  Speaker 1: Giving Lily a sharp look.
• 8:27
  Speaker 7: Threw no help from some of her friends.
• 8:31
  Speaker 1: Lily provokingly whom renald Winburne shoots an insolent glance from
• 8:39
  Speaker 1: under half closed eyes, then with a saucy toss of
• 8:42
  Speaker 1: her head, joins Ura and others near window, Jane hurling
• 8:47
  Speaker 1: the words after her.
• 8:49
  Speaker 7: No, not Reynald Winburne too. Pat Thornton had to be
• 8:54
  Speaker 7: a fast runner to elude that creature. The way she
• 8:58
  Speaker 7: tagged after him was disco graceful.
• 9:01
  Speaker 9: Did Betty know she was coming here today?
• 9:04
  Speaker 7: I don't know, but that wouldn't have kept her away.
• 9:07
  Speaker 7: Betty has too much common sense to be jealous, especially
• 9:11
  Speaker 7: of that breed.
• 9:13
  Speaker 1: Enter Betty and Clara down center.
• 9:16
  Speaker 2: Hello, everybody, glad to see you.
• 9:19
  Speaker 1: Betty nods pleasantly and goes to inglenook.
• 9:23
  Speaker 2: Hope I didn't keep you waiting, Auntie. I brought Clara along.
• 9:27
  Speaker 2: Isn't it lovely that she has moved right next door
• 9:29
  Speaker 2: to us?
• 9:30
  Speaker 1: Goes center. Jane is right and Clara left.
• 9:34
  Speaker 7: But Clara isn't married, and this club is for married
• 9:37
  Speaker 7: ladies only.
• 9:39
  Speaker 2: But she may be soon.
• 9:41
  Speaker 1: Laughs.
• 9:42
  Speaker 2: I have a husband all picked out for her.
• 9:45
  Speaker 1: Clara modestly.
• 9:47
  Speaker 2: Oh, you don't waste blushes on women, and Clara keep
• 9:51
  Speaker 2: them for Reynolds. A girl that can still blush these
• 9:54
  Speaker 2: blushless days can bring any man to her feet.
• 9:57
  Speaker 6: Clara to Jane, Betty said, you might like me to
• 10:01
  Speaker 6: help serve.
• 10:03
  Speaker 7: Indeed I would, and maybe you can pick up some
• 10:05
  Speaker 7: helpful information about the ways of man. Betty, I expected
• 10:10
  Speaker 7: you much earlier.
• 10:12
  Speaker 2: I'm sorry, Auntie, but the house took longer to straightened
• 10:14
  Speaker 2: than I anticipated.
• 10:16
  Speaker 7: Betty. You're not spoiling your husband after all my training,
• 10:19
  Speaker 7: are you, Betty laughing?
• 10:23
  Speaker 2: No spoiling Thornton. He's like fruitcake. The longer it's kept,
• 10:26
  Speaker 2: the better it gets.
• 10:28
  Speaker 1: Jane, with a sniff of disdain.
• 10:31
  Speaker 7: There's no reasoning with a love sick fool. You give
• 10:34
  Speaker 7: me the fidgets, all these guests and Bridget gone.
• 10:38
  Speaker 1: Betty astonished. The cook left too consolingly.
• 10:43
  Speaker 2: Ah, what a shame.
• 10:45
  Speaker 7: I didn't care so much about the chambermaid leaving, but
• 10:48
  Speaker 7: to lose the cook. And you know what a crank
• 10:51
  Speaker 7: your uncle is about his meals.
• 10:54
  Speaker 1: Poor uncle, Bob, Jane irascibly, Why do you say that?
• 11:00
  Speaker 2: Oh? I don't know why did the cook leave?
• 11:03
  Speaker 7: Goodness only knows. She said something about a sympathy strike.
• 11:08
  Speaker 7: It certainly wasn't sympathy for me. The ungrateful creature walked
• 11:12
  Speaker 7: out in the middle of sandwich.
• 11:14
  Speaker 1: Making, gives gesture of despair.
• 11:18
  Speaker 6: Isn't it dreadful the number of strikes there are now,
• 11:23
  Speaker 6: Betty patting Jane.
• 11:25
  Speaker 2: Don't worry, Auntie. We'll fix everything in a jiffy. I
• 11:28
  Speaker 2: didn't specialize in domestic science for nothing. Come on, Clara,
• 11:32
  Speaker 2: it'll give the wives Welfare Club time to discuss.
• 11:35
  Speaker 1: Clara innocently.
• 11:37
  Speaker 2: They husbands, no dear each other.
• 11:41
  Speaker 1: She laughs. Exit Betty, Clara and Jane down right. Youura
• 11:46
  Speaker 1: to Lily, Lily, I want you to meet our president confidentially.
• 11:54
  Speaker 1: If she doesn't know a parliamentary rule from a golf stick,
• 11:57
  Speaker 1: her stupidity is almost masculine. Pat and Shesha go from
• 12:02
  Speaker 1: ingelnook down right center talking together.
• 12:06
  Speaker 5: Missus lamb, I feel as if I had got into
• 12:09
  Speaker 5: the wrong stall with all you married women. This is
• 12:12
  Speaker 5: no place for a lone bachelor maid with matrimonial inclinations.
• 12:17
  Speaker 11: You have had so much more experience, my dear, than
• 12:20
  Speaker 11: we have. I thought you might give us a pointer
• 12:22
  Speaker 11: or two.
• 12:24
  Speaker 1: Lily, annoyed by the inference.
• 12:27
  Speaker 11: Now I say, don't say meet our president. Patricia Dugan,
• 12:33
  Speaker 11: lovingly dubbed Pat by.
• 12:35
  Speaker 1: Us, smiles sweetly on Pat, but conveys her sarcasm by
• 12:40
  Speaker 1: a glance to Lily, and she shall not. She shall
• 12:44
  Speaker 1: smiles vacuously. Pat is right center, she shall center. You're
• 12:49
  Speaker 1: a left center, and Lily to her left. Pat crosses
• 12:53
  Speaker 1: over and extends her hand to Lily.
• 12:56
  Speaker 11: This is a pleasure, missus, miss Lily de long Prey.
• 13:02
  Speaker 1: Pat surprised, miss here.
• 13:06
  Speaker 11: That's all right, I invited her.
• 13:08
  Speaker 1: She has had so much, Lily Haughtily.
• 13:12
  Speaker 5: Please do not give out any wrong impressions. Only married
• 13:16
  Speaker 5: women can afford to be promiscuous. Remember my third finger
• 13:21
  Speaker 5: is still uncurseted Ura laughs.
• 13:26
  Speaker 11: No wedding ring to bind to Pat. Don't you think
• 13:30
  Speaker 11: mister long Prey would be a valuable addition to us?
• 13:33
  Speaker 1: With meaning? As she exchanges a knowing look with Sisha.
• 13:37
  Speaker 11: We need somebody in this club with an idea or two.
• 13:41
  Speaker 9: If you employ as much tact with your husband, you're
• 13:44
  Speaker 9: a lamb as you do in your club work. I
• 13:46
  Speaker 9: think he would prefer alimony to matrimony.
• 13:50
  Speaker 5: Lily too, Pat, how long have you been organized?
• 13:54
  Speaker 1: Sheisha has been listening with a stupid smile on her face.
• 13:58
  Speaker 1: Her mind works for a.
• 13:59
  Speaker 13: Moment A year ago last New Year, wasn't it?
• 14:03
  Speaker 11: Pat?
• 14:05
  Speaker 1: Pat with a crushing look, No, fourth of July.
• 14:10
  Speaker 13: I knew it had something to do with resolutions.
• 14:13
  Speaker 1: Gives a childish laugh as she claps her hands gleefully.
• 14:18
  Speaker 13: I have it life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
• 14:22
  Speaker 5: Lily to Pat, I'm not quite clear as to the
• 14:26
  Speaker 5: purpose of your.
• 14:26
  Speaker 1: Club, Shesha, a look of bewilderment coming over her face.
• 14:32
  Speaker 1: The purpose, What is our purpose?
• 14:35
  Speaker 5: Pat?
• 14:36
  Speaker 2: I never thought to ask.
• 14:38
  Speaker 1: Pat gives Sheisha a disdainful look, which causes the fatuous
• 14:43
  Speaker 1: smile to change to wonder. Pat, turning to Lily, prepares
• 14:47
  Speaker 1: to display her oratory.
• 14:49
  Speaker 9: We have banded ourselves together.
• 14:52
  Speaker 1: Some of the women look up and snicker as Pat's
• 14:55
  Speaker 1: voice rings out. Eura winks at Sheisha.
• 15:00
  Speaker 11: Uh, Pat, I think I hear Jane calling you, what
• 15:03
  Speaker 11: a funny club.
• 15:05
  Speaker 5: Everybody calls the other by her given name.
• 15:08
  Speaker 1: Pat, with extreme sobriety.
• 15:11
  Speaker 9: Our mutual trials relate us more closely. We are one
• 15:16
  Speaker 9: in bondage.
• 15:17
  Speaker 1: Makes a theatrical sweep toward down right, Lily following her.
• 15:23
  Speaker 5: But don't you think there are times when the man
• 15:25
  Speaker 5: has something on his side?
• 15:27
  Speaker 1: Youura a side to Shisha.
• 15:30
  Speaker 11: Sympathizing with husbands is a stock in trade. Of vamps.
• 15:34
  Speaker 1: Pat turning on Lily patronizingly, My.
• 15:37
  Speaker 9: Child, you speak with the tongue of inexperience. To day
• 15:41
  Speaker 9: you may learn sufficient from our trials and tribulations to
• 15:45
  Speaker 9: save yourself from a like fate.
• 15:48
  Speaker 1: As she goes toward Downright, I'm coming Jane, Lily goes
• 15:53
  Speaker 1: to Ingelnook. Exit Pat Downright, shesha to Ura, who is.
• 15:59
  Speaker 13: That miss still long Prey?
• 16:02
  Speaker 11: An old flame of Betty's husband. She and Betty used
• 16:05
  Speaker 11: to be classmates. Watch and you'll see some sparks fly
• 16:09
  Speaker 11: this afternoon.
• 16:11
  Speaker 13: I'm surprised that Betty didn't let her have him. Ranald
• 16:14
  Speaker 13: Winburn is such a tame young thing, and he has
• 16:17
  Speaker 13: heaps more money than Thornton, and he sure was dippy
• 16:20
  Speaker 13: over Betty.
• 16:21
  Speaker 11: Probably the opposition decided her. You know, Betty has a
• 16:25
  Speaker 11: will of her own when aroused.
• 16:27
  Speaker 13: My John thinks Thornton the finest ever, But I think
• 16:31
  Speaker 13: he's dreadfully selfish.
• 16:33
  Speaker 11: Ha ha, Well, I certainly don't see anything so attractive
• 16:37
  Speaker 11: about him for women to fight over him. He has
• 16:40
  Speaker 11: always treated me with the courtesy of a polar bear.
• 16:45
  Speaker 1: Enter Betty, Jane, Pat and Clara Downright carrying the tea things.
• 16:50
  Speaker 1: Jane pours tea from table right. The others distribute sandwiches, cakes,
• 16:56
  Speaker 1: and tea. Some of the women come forward from inglenook
• 16:59
  Speaker 1: and get their tea themselves. Others remain standing or sitting
• 17:04
  Speaker 1: ready to be served. Ura takes chair up by window.
• 17:08
  Speaker 1: Jane to Shisha, who has advanced to her with childish anticipation.
• 17:14
  Speaker 7: Strong or weak, Shesha strong my poor nerves.
• 17:19
  Speaker 1: Takes tea, SIPs it as she goes, and sits by Ura.
• 17:24
  Speaker 1: In the meantime, someone else has given Ura her tea
• 17:27
  Speaker 1: and cakes.
• 17:28
  Speaker 13: What delicious tea, Jane, This is the best part of
• 17:32
  Speaker 13: the meeting.
• 17:34
  Speaker 1: Some of the women look pityingly at Shesha and smile
• 17:37
  Speaker 1: among themselves. Lily goes to Betty left center and extends
• 17:41
  Speaker 1: her hand for tea, which Betty gives her.
• 17:45
  Speaker 5: So, Betty, you have joined the disgruntled wives too.
• 17:49
  Speaker 1: Insinuatingly does Thornton approve Betty cheerfully.
• 17:56
  Speaker 2: This is my first appearance in the camp of destruction.
• 17:58
  Speaker 2: Aunts Jane and bagelton me into paying my dues and
• 18:01
  Speaker 2: asked me to serve temporarily as secretary. She didn't tell
• 18:04
  Speaker 2: me anything about their foolish notions. But I got a
• 18:07
  Speaker 2: pretty good idea from Patten.
• 18:08
  Speaker 1: There nod stwored kitchen.
• 18:11
  Speaker 2: It's ridiculous.
• 18:12
  Speaker 1: I don't want you to think, Lily knowingly.
• 18:16
  Speaker 5: You're a sly one. You can match your wits against
• 18:19
  Speaker 5: Thornton or any other man, my dear, but.
• 18:23
  Speaker 2: You're altogether mistaken. There isn't the tiniest speck of a
• 18:26
  Speaker 2: cloud on my matrimonial sky.
• 18:29
  Speaker 1: Ura aside to Shisha as they lean forward to catch
• 18:33
  Speaker 1: Lili's and Betty's words.
• 18:35
  Speaker 11: Betty must be blind not to see a cyclone rising
• 18:38
  Speaker 11: and tiger Lily's.
• 18:39
  Speaker 1: Eyes Lily sympathetically.
• 18:42
  Speaker 5: You don't need to act before me, Betty. I was
• 18:46
  Speaker 5: afraid you wouldn't find Thornton quite all he made himself
• 18:49
  Speaker 5: out to be. So long as he was dazzly new
• 18:52
  Speaker 5: with his well arranged tailo, I wouldn't demolish the sacred
• 18:56
  Speaker 5: image you were deifying. But now, if you're ready for the.
• 19:00
  Speaker 1: Truth, Betty with earnest protest.
• 19:04
  Speaker 5: But I tell you, oh, if you prefer the delusion.
• 19:08
  Speaker 1: Shrugs her shoulders, then insinuatingly.
• 19:12
  Speaker 5: By the way, have you seen renald Winburne since your marriage?
• 19:17
  Speaker 1: Betty?
• 19:18
  Speaker 2: Frankly, of course, he and Thornton are like brothers.
• 19:22
  Speaker 5: Oh, is that Rennie's pose? Then he didn't drown himself
• 19:28
  Speaker 5: in the deep blue sea.
• 19:31
  Speaker 2: Surely you don't take an infant like that seriously.
• 19:34
  Speaker 5: A twenty two year old infant is able to toddle
• 19:37
  Speaker 5: about alone.
• 19:37
  Speaker 1: A bit leers over her shoulder as she joins some
• 19:41
  Speaker 1: of the women. At extreme right. Betty so confused that
• 19:45
  Speaker 1: she passes tea to an empty chair. Tea Madam Jane
• 19:50
  Speaker 1: has been keeping an eye on Betty and Lily while
• 19:53
  Speaker 1: serving tea Betty. Betty sees her mistake and tries to
• 19:58
  Speaker 1: cover her confusion by overdone gayety. She show rises and
• 20:03
  Speaker 1: comes forward with her cup.
• 20:05
  Speaker 13: Is there plenty of tea?
• 20:07
  Speaker 2: Oh?
• 20:08
  Speaker 1: Heaps laughs self consciously, I mean plenty?
• 20:13
  Speaker 2: Isn't this a jolly party?
• 20:15
  Speaker 1: Turns away and serves others. Clara passes cake to Lily.
• 20:20
  Speaker 5: Hello, Clara, I saw you out motoring with Renald Winburne
• 20:24
  Speaker 5: the other day.
• 20:26
  Speaker 1: She moves away from ladies so that she and Clara
• 20:29
  Speaker 1: are by themselves. The others disperse for other interests.
• 20:34
  Speaker 5: Is he seeking solace?
• 20:36
  Speaker 1: Clara timidly, I don't know what you mean. Lily chucks
• 20:41
  Speaker 1: her under the chin.
• 20:43
  Speaker 5: Oh, Miss Innocence, don't let the wicked men fool you.
• 20:48
  Speaker 5: Renald is a knowing one.
• 20:50
  Speaker 6: Mister Winburn is very courteous and kind to everyone.
• 20:54
  Speaker 5: Especially to Betty.
• 20:56
  Speaker 6: Eh, Clara Flushing, I don't think it is a bit
• 21:00
  Speaker 6: nice of you to speak in that insinuating way about
• 21:04
  Speaker 6: mister Wimburn. He wouldn't wrong anybody for the world.
• 21:08
  Speaker 5: When a girl begins to defend a man, look out
• 21:11
  Speaker 5: for the little fellow with the bow and arrow. And
• 21:14
  Speaker 5: don't forget that when the dart is hit, it's not
• 21:16
  Speaker 5: easy to pluck out.
• 21:19
  Speaker 6: A person should always defend his friends friends.
• 21:23
  Speaker 5: Oh my dear, do you still cling to that allusion?
• 21:28
  Speaker 1: Clara?
• 21:28
  Speaker 6: Earnestly, mister long play, why do you always snare at
• 21:33
  Speaker 6: everything that is good and true?
• 21:36
  Speaker 5: I don't That is why I am warning you. I
• 21:39
  Speaker 5: can't bear to see such a mild little rabbit made
• 21:42
  Speaker 5: of dupe just because she is poor and trusting.
• 21:47
  Speaker 6: Clara Flushing, Riches are not everything to everybody. Betty and
• 21:52
  Speaker 6: mister Wimburn value people for themselves.
• 21:56
  Speaker 1: Lily shakes her head as she moves away.
• 21:59
  Speaker 5: Love, Yes, certainly, my epic.
• 22:02
  Speaker 1: Clara begins to collect the empty dishes. Jane removes the
• 22:06
  Speaker 1: tea service from table and gives it to Clara, who
• 22:09
  Speaker 1: takes it to the kitchen, returning at once. One cup
• 22:13
  Speaker 1: is left on table. Right center. Pat comes to table
• 22:17
  Speaker 1: and taps with her gavel. Some of the women set
• 22:20
  Speaker 1: their empty cups on chairs and seats in the inglenook.
• 22:24
  Speaker 1: Others retain their cups leisurely finishing their tea, then put
• 22:28
  Speaker 1: the cups on any available place. All quickly takes seats,
• 22:33
  Speaker 1: talking as they do so. Jane, Ura, Shesha, and Lily
• 22:37
  Speaker 1: resume former chairs. Shesha keeps sipping tea and munching cakes,
• 22:42
  Speaker 1: happy as a child at a party. Betty sits right
• 22:46
  Speaker 1: of table right center Pat as Betty takes Secretary's book
• 22:50
  Speaker 1: from table and sits in chair right of it.
• 22:54
  Speaker 9: You need not keep any record, Betty. The subject we
• 22:57
  Speaker 9: are to discuss is of a very delicate nature, and
• 23:00
  Speaker 9: some of the ladies might object to having their opinions
• 23:02
  Speaker 9: of their husbands preserved in ape.
• 23:04
  Speaker 1: There is a flurried movement among the women.
• 23:07
  Speaker 9: Ladies order, please let us discuss the question of the
• 23:11
  Speaker 9: afternoon with calmness and frankness. Remember everyone here has her
• 23:16
  Speaker 9: hidden skeleton.
• 23:18
  Speaker 1: Lily glances triumphantly at Betty, who howdily raises her brows.
• 23:23
  Speaker 2: I beg your pardon. The only skeleton I ever came
• 23:26
  Speaker 2: in contact with was in the school laboratory.
• 23:29
  Speaker 9: Indeed, how long have you been married.
• 23:32
  Speaker 1: Jane sniffing thirty? Everyone looks surprised. Days they all laugh,
• 23:40
  Speaker 1: except Betty, who is annoyed, and Pat, who never forgets
• 23:44
  Speaker 1: her dignity.
• 23:45
  Speaker 2: Betty vexed, But I have known at Thornton for years.
• 23:50
  Speaker 7: No woman ever knows a man until she lives with him.
• 23:54
  Speaker 5: Even then she only knows what he sees fit to
• 23:57
  Speaker 5: tell her.
• 23:59
  Speaker 1: Betty Blaze, I need.
• 24:01
  Speaker 2: No one to introduce me to my husband.
• 24:04
  Speaker 7: Have a care, Betty, that you don't make him out
• 24:06
  Speaker 7: too good to be true.
• 24:08
  Speaker 1: Lily laughs.
• 24:10
  Speaker 9: Ladies, we must be tolerant of ignorance. Betty's moon is
• 24:14
  Speaker 9: still in the honey stage. Some day she may find
• 24:17
  Speaker 9: it turned to Limburger.
• 24:19
  Speaker 1: Betty rises and goes and sits with Clara in the inglenook.
• 24:23
  Speaker 1: Ura whispers to Shisha.
• 24:26
  Speaker 11: I always suspected Pat was pro German. She should be recalled.
• 24:31
  Speaker 1: Pat, marshaling all her oratorical powers.
• 24:35
  Speaker 9: Before we women who bear the heavy yoke of matrimony,
• 24:39
  Speaker 9: take any final action. Let each lift the veil from
• 24:43
  Speaker 9: her hidden wrongs, that we may be enabled, through this
• 24:46
  Speaker 9: interchange of experiences, to select the wisest course. You well
• 24:50
  Speaker 9: know how woman has always borne her trials in silence,
• 24:54
  Speaker 9: with never a murmur of complaint against her lord and master.
• 24:59
  Speaker 1: Lily bursts ou laughing. Pat brings down her gavel and
• 25:02
  Speaker 1: smashes a teacup, much to Jane's annoyance.
• 25:07
  Speaker 9: Young woman, this is a serious meeting, not a vaudeville show.
• 25:11
  Speaker 1: Lily is properly squelched.
• 25:13
  Speaker 9: But in so noble a cause we must not indulge
• 25:16
  Speaker 9: in false pride. Personally, I feel that I can no
• 25:20
  Speaker 9: longer submit youur.
• 25:21
  Speaker 1: A to Shisha and Lily, she's off in a bunch.
• 25:26
  Speaker 1: Pat overhears her and frowns.
• 25:29
  Speaker 9: Ladies, as leader of your splendid organization, it is my
• 25:33
  Speaker 9: duty so to appear in public that I shall not
• 25:37
  Speaker 9: bring shame upon you. But because of my husband's stinginess,
• 25:41
  Speaker 9: I am forced to wear.
• 25:42
  Speaker 1: These lifts a part of her dress where a piece
• 25:45
  Speaker 1: of lace has unraveled. Rags Gordon general laugh. Women nudge
• 25:52
  Speaker 1: each other, evidently commenting on Pat's clothes. Youura to Shisha
• 25:57
  Speaker 1: and Lily as she.
• 25:59
  Speaker 11: Motions to pass a real pequin gown.
• 26:03
  Speaker 1: Pat turns to women seated in rear row right.
• 26:07
  Speaker 9: We are familiar with Maggie's, Dolly's and Peggy's troubles.
• 26:11
  Speaker 1: Turning to those in rear seats.
• 26:13
  Speaker 9: Left and the difficulty of these ladies were discussed before lunch.
• 26:18
  Speaker 13: Is there any more tea?
• 26:20
  Speaker 1: Pat scowls at Sheesha, who never can understand what she
• 26:25
  Speaker 1: has done to merit rebuke, and always expresses her astonishment
• 26:29
  Speaker 1: by a rounding of eyes. Pat turns to Lily.
• 26:34
  Speaker 9: Being unmarried, Miss de long Prey can add nothing to
• 26:36
  Speaker 9: our subject.
• 26:38
  Speaker 5: Oh but I could if you would let me.
• 26:42
  Speaker 7: Don't let her. Before you know it, she will have
• 26:44
  Speaker 7: you all in the divorce court and have sailed off
• 26:47
  Speaker 7: with your husband's women.
• 26:50
  Speaker 11: Laugh.
• 26:51
  Speaker 9: I wish someone would sail off with mine. Then I
• 26:53
  Speaker 9: could sue for damages to your heart, pet no to
• 26:58
  Speaker 9: my wardrobe.
• 26:59
  Speaker 1: To you, you're a lamb.
• 27:02
  Speaker 9: We know full well what you have had to put
• 27:04
  Speaker 9: up with from your brute of a husband. How dare
• 27:08
  Speaker 9: you I but repeated your own words?
• 27:12
  Speaker 1: Eura rises, ladies, I protest, he has.
• 27:18
  Speaker 13: Such a soothing effect on the nerves.
• 27:21
  Speaker 5: Though not a member of your club. I must express
• 27:24
  Speaker 5: my approval of missus Lamb's attitude toward much misused man.
• 27:29
  Speaker 1: Eura turns on Lily pugnaciously.
• 27:34
  Speaker 11: My husband may imagine he can handle me with caveman methods,
• 27:38
  Speaker 11: but I need no outside to help to handle him.
• 27:41
  Speaker 1: Flounces up to Angelnook. Lily too, sheisha, poor Jimmy. Betty
• 27:47
  Speaker 1: goes down left of Pat, Ladies.
• 27:50
  Speaker 2: I suppose you are all on your way, but I
• 27:52
  Speaker 2: fail to see where you.
• 27:53
  Speaker 7: Are going, Betty. Young wives should sit at the feet
• 27:58
  Speaker 7: of experience.
• 28:00
  Speaker 2: And old wives should eat less sugars and fats, starches
• 28:03
  Speaker 2: and meats to keep their heads clear.
• 28:05
  Speaker 9: What has diet to do with getting on with husbands?
• 28:09
  Speaker 2: Everything? Overfeeding and under exercising upset the digestion and spoil
• 28:14
  Speaker 2: the disposition.
• 28:15
  Speaker 7: Pay no attention, ladies, Betty is a food crank.
• 28:20
  Speaker 9: This is no pure food show.
• 28:23
  Speaker 1: Betty shrugs her shoulders as though argument were useless, and
• 28:27
  Speaker 1: resumes her former seat.
• 28:28
  Speaker 9: By Aunt, our subject is man, corrupt man, especially our
• 28:34
  Speaker 9: own particular man. She should not have you any charges
• 28:38
  Speaker 9: to prefer against your husband.
• 28:41
  Speaker 1: She shall promptly, I should say, I have Pat. Importantly,
• 28:48
  Speaker 1: we will listen to them. My husband is a stops
• 28:53
  Speaker 1: dead still, her face a blank. The majority of the
• 28:56
  Speaker 1: women are eager for something salacious, cries of do tell
• 29:00
  Speaker 1: us et cetera. Neither Betty nor Clara ever enter into
• 29:04
  Speaker 1: the spirit. Betty looks bored when not annoyed, and Clara
• 29:09
  Speaker 1: looks ashamed. Pat indulgently go on, we are beyond being shocked, Shesha.
• 29:16
  Speaker 1: Her mental clock again begins to tick.
• 29:19
  Speaker 2: My husband has.
• 29:22
  Speaker 1: A stops pat shocked but curious, a soulmate. Shesha stares
• 29:29
  Speaker 1: blankly a moment, then angrily.
• 29:32
  Speaker 13: Certainly not I'm John's first and only love.
• 29:37
  Speaker 1: General titter bord, not burst of laughter Lily to woman
• 29:43
  Speaker 1: behind her.
• 29:44
  Speaker 5: Do they permit him? At large?
• 29:47
  Speaker 1: Eura to Clara, he must have married her on a
• 29:50
  Speaker 1: bet Pat severely missus nott.
• 29:54
  Speaker 9: Our time is limited. What is the matter with your husband?
• 29:59
  Speaker 1: Matter with him? There's nothing the matter with him?
• 30:03
  Speaker 9: Then why are you here?
• 30:06
  Speaker 13: I thought you women might tell me some way to
• 30:08
  Speaker 13: make my husband lose his temper?
• 30:10
  Speaker 1: Smiles inanely.
• 30:12
  Speaker 13: It would be such fun to see John madd just once.
• 30:16
  Speaker 9: Put her out order, ladies order. Although this woman has
• 30:22
  Speaker 9: entered our organization under false colors. Remember we are not bolshevists.
• 30:28
  Speaker 1: Smiles condescendingly on Betty.
• 30:31
  Speaker 9: Betty is too new at the game to add to
• 30:34
  Speaker 9: our arraignment.
• 30:36
  Speaker 2: Betty rises, Madam Chairman, I am a paid up member
• 30:40
  Speaker 2: of this club, and I insist on being heard. When
• 30:43
  Speaker 2: I joined the Wives Welfare Club, I was under the
• 30:45
  Speaker 2: impression that it was a constructive organization. You ridicule me
• 30:49
  Speaker 2: because I am newly wed. I hope when I am
• 30:51
  Speaker 2: oldly wed, I shall not be less cognizant than my
• 30:54
  Speaker 2: husband's virtues than I am now.
• 30:56
  Speaker 7: Husbands have no virtues.
• 30:59
  Speaker 2: Mine has.
• 31:01
  Speaker 7: Since Ladies, we all recall our own loudly voiced praise
• 31:06
  Speaker 7: of our husbands after one long month of married life.
• 31:11
  Speaker 9: Jane, we have not yet heard from you. What impels
• 31:14
  Speaker 9: you to support our movement?
• 31:16
  Speaker 1: Jane rises, Betty, look out and see that your uncle
• 31:20
  Speaker 1: is not in sight. Betty protesting now, Auntie, Please, Betty,
• 31:26
  Speaker 1: you are very young and very ignorant, and though you
• 31:30
  Speaker 1: lived under this roof all your life, very unobserving Betty
• 31:36
  Speaker 1: as she goes to window.
• 31:39
  Speaker 2: Of course, if you insist.
• 31:41
  Speaker 7: I do, Ladies, I have heard you and your complaints.
• 31:46
  Speaker 7: There are many and much, but mine are more and more.
• 31:51
  Speaker 1: Some of the women ejaculate.
• 31:52
  Speaker 7: Oh yes, my husband stops.
• 31:57
  Speaker 1: For some accusation, then, in a mine platant tone.
• 32:01
  Speaker 7: Smokes up the curtains.
• 32:04
  Speaker 2: Not since the doctor told Uncle Bob he wouldn't live
• 32:07
  Speaker 2: the year out he didn't.
• 32:08
  Speaker 7: Stop, Betty? Will you please keep your tongue between your
• 32:11
  Speaker 7: teeth and your eyes on the road.
• 32:14
  Speaker 1: Two others.
• 32:15
  Speaker 7: When I tell you that my husband's reformation was not
• 32:19
  Speaker 7: brought about through change of heart, but because our family
• 32:22
  Speaker 7: physician is a good friend of mine, you will readily
• 32:26
  Speaker 7: see he deserves no credit. Missus lamb you say your
• 32:31
  Speaker 7: husband is a cave man. I didn't, missus chairman, Have
• 32:37
  Speaker 7: I the floor?
• 32:39
  Speaker 6: Pet?
• 32:39
  Speaker 7: No, ladies, do you know what would happen were my
• 32:44
  Speaker 7: husband to enter that door and find.
• 32:46
  Speaker 1: You here with apprehension.
• 32:49
  Speaker 7: He isn't in sight? Is he, Betty?
• 32:52
  Speaker 2: No aunt?
• 32:53
  Speaker 7: Should he surprise our bold conference, he.
• 32:56
  Speaker 1: Would dramatic pause to use.
• 33:00
  Speaker 7: His own words, clean out the place?
• 33:05
  Speaker 5: Shall see me?
• 33:06
  Speaker 7: Shot you to calm yourself, Ladies, it is not yet five.
• 33:13
  Speaker 7: We have time to finish our important business. Ladies. You
• 33:18
  Speaker 7: all know my husband is not a poor man. Yet
• 33:22
  Speaker 7: this very afternoon I was obliged to serve you tea
• 33:26
  Speaker 7: with my own hands. And why because no servant will
• 33:31
  Speaker 7: submit to his tyranny, Oh, aunty silence, I will no
• 33:38
  Speaker 7: longer suppress the truth.
• 33:40
  Speaker 1: The ladies anticipate some terrible revelation as their significant looks assert.
• 33:47
  Speaker 1: Jane's words increase in momentum until she loses her breath.
• 33:51
  Speaker 7: My husband is a glutton, a cormorant, a libertine, a
• 33:55
  Speaker 7: loose fish, a rip a rogue, a rachel, a topper,
• 33:59
  Speaker 7: a tippler, A I rent a bully, a chronic crank
• 34:02
  Speaker 7: slows down, and he would gamble the very roof from
• 34:08
  Speaker 7: our heads if I ever let him handle more than
• 34:11
  Speaker 7: two bits at any one time.
• 34:14
  Speaker 1: Betty has turned away from window and is looking at
• 34:17
  Speaker 1: her aunt in open eyed wonder. The other women exclaim, ah, oh.
• 34:24
  Speaker 7: No, yes, ladies. In the twenty four years that we
• 34:28
  Speaker 7: have been married, I have vainly searched through all divorce
• 34:32
  Speaker 7: proceedings to find one wickedness that some other man possesses
• 34:37
  Speaker 7: which my husband does not have.
• 34:40
  Speaker 1: Pet slightly sarcastic, at.
• 34:43
  Speaker 5: Least you are still alive, barely, May I ask the
• 34:47
  Speaker 5: speaker a question?
• 34:49
  Speaker 1: Pet, not liking Lily's in eruption be brief, lily, sweetly, will.
• 34:56
  Speaker 5: You permit me to visit your harem? Surely all these
• 35:00
  Speaker 5: cannot belong to one lone man.
• 35:04
  Speaker 1: Enter Bob Spink down center, stands in doorway, grinning. Overcome
• 35:09
  Speaker 1: with embarrassment. The women turn at the creak of door.
• 35:13
  Speaker 1: A look of terror overspreads their faces. Bob fairly beams on.
• 35:19
  Speaker 8: Them, comartin intrusion. Ladies, I didn't know my wife had company.
• 35:26
  Speaker 8: Glad to meet you, ladies.
• 35:29
  Speaker 1: Bows awkwardly right and left, still smiling amiably.
• 35:34
  Speaker 7: Bob Spink, you knew the wives Welfare Club was to
• 35:38
  Speaker 7: meet here this afternoon.
• 35:40
  Speaker 8: Bob, with embarrassed laugh, clean slip my mind while love,
• 35:46
  Speaker 8: ladies will forgive the intrusion. So sorry, too bad?
• 35:52
  Speaker 1: It faces himself, draws door together softly. Women look at
• 35:57
  Speaker 1: each other, then at Jane for explanation. Jane, equal to
• 36:02
  Speaker 1: the occasion.
• 36:03
  Speaker 7: Wouldn't you think his wings were about to sprout? Put on,
• 36:08
  Speaker 7: my DearS, all put on before you, ladies.
• 36:12
  Speaker 9: We must take some action before the meeting adjourns. What
• 36:16
  Speaker 9: do you propose to do to these men?
• 36:19
  Speaker 7: I move a strike.
• 36:22
  Speaker 1: Everybody terrified cries of strike. Oh Betty alone maintains her poise.
• 36:30
  Speaker 7: I move, if we walk out of our husband's houses
• 36:33
  Speaker 7: this very night and never return until they accede to
• 36:37
  Speaker 7: our demands.
• 36:39
  Speaker 13: But I haven't any demands.
• 36:41
  Speaker 1: Jane, with withering scorn, then fake some.
• 36:46
  Speaker 9: We must not act with undue haste. Do not lose
• 36:50
  Speaker 9: sight of the fact that we are dependent on these creatures.
• 36:53
  Speaker 1: You're a empty's purse.
• 36:56
  Speaker 11: Huh, and I've only five cents car fare?
• 37:00
  Speaker 1: Jane with asperity. Question Pat resignedly.
• 37:06
  Speaker 9: Ladies, it is moved that we go on strike. Do
• 37:09
  Speaker 9: I hear a second?
• 37:10
  Speaker 7: I second the motion.
• 37:12
  Speaker 11: You can't second your own motion.
• 37:15
  Speaker 13: I make the motion.
• 37:17
  Speaker 1: Pet bitingly, you mean you second it, Shesha, with a
• 37:23
  Speaker 1: nod of assent.
• 37:25
  Speaker 9: Uh, huh. It has been moved and seconded that the
• 37:28
  Speaker 9: Wives Welfare Club go on strike. The question is before
• 37:32
  Speaker 9: the house for discussion.
• 37:34
  Speaker 1: Betty goes down to the left of Pat.
• 37:37
  Speaker 2: I presume there is sufficient money in the treasury to
• 37:39
  Speaker 2: support the strikers.
• 37:41
  Speaker 9: Missus treasurer, how much money do we have?
• 37:44
  Speaker 1: Ura goes down to Pat's right, looks in her book
• 37:48
  Speaker 1: forty nine sense general consternation.
• 37:54
  Speaker 9: I suggest that Jane withdraw her motion and we delegate
• 37:57
  Speaker 9: one of our members to go on strike and make
• 38:00
  Speaker 9: a test case.
• 38:01
  Speaker 2: Fine, fine, if.
• 38:04
  Speaker 9: We all walked out, we might force our husbands to
• 38:06
  Speaker 9: some concerted action. The success of one will mean the
• 38:10
  Speaker 9: success of all.
• 38:12
  Speaker 7: How I withdraw my motion.
• 38:15
  Speaker 9: It will be a club to hold over our husband's heads.
• 38:18
  Speaker 9: We can get some idea of just how far we
• 38:21
  Speaker 9: can go with these slave drivers.
• 38:24
  Speaker 1: Ura aside to Ladies to her right, rest of us allowed.
• 38:30
  Speaker 11: I move that our noble President Pat Dugan be given
• 38:34
  Speaker 11: the honor to become the first wife on strike in
• 38:36
  Speaker 11: this land of the brave and home of the free.
• 38:41
  Speaker 1: Pat, scared, heavens, you.
• 38:44
  Speaker 9: Don't know what you are asking. Tom Is on the
• 38:47
  Speaker 9: fence about buying me a set of mariboo. The slightest
• 38:50
  Speaker 9: jar might be fatal. Besides, Ladies, I am modest. I
• 38:55
  Speaker 9: do not deserve such an honor. Perhaps someone will volunteer
• 38:58
  Speaker 9: for this enviable pass position dead silence.
• 39:03
  Speaker 13: Let Pat appoint the striker, then you, missus Nott No,
• 39:08
  Speaker 13: I'm sure John would think it's some practical joke. Traveling
• 39:12
  Speaker 13: salesmen always see the funny side of things. It would
• 39:15
  Speaker 13: be just like him to try to pay me back.
• 39:19
  Speaker 13: I'll take no chances with so.
• 39:20
  Speaker 1: Many looks meaningly at Lily.
• 39:24
  Speaker 9: Strike breakers about as Jane's husband represents all the vices
• 39:29
  Speaker 9: that the flesh of man can hold. I nominate her.
• 39:33
  Speaker 7: But if I go on strike, I can't stay here.
• 39:36
  Speaker 7: Where'll I go? Will the Wives Welfare Club finance?
• 39:41
  Speaker 9: Surely you have some relative who would gladly take you.
• 39:44
  Speaker 1: In glances significantly at Betty.
• 39:48
  Speaker 7: Splendid, Betty, I'll come and watch over you and Thornton.
• 39:54
  Speaker 1: Betty, not much pleased, drops on vacant chair to her left.
• 39:59
  Speaker 7: I'm sure there are such a paragon as he needs watching.
• 40:03
  Speaker 7: But you, ladies, understand, there will be other expenses. It
• 40:07
  Speaker 7: takes cash to blaze in the road to independence. I
• 40:11
  Speaker 7: am assured of your support.
• 40:13
  Speaker 1: Each looks at her neighbor with a look that means
• 40:16
  Speaker 1: no money need be expected from her. Pat, sensing the sentiment.
• 40:21
  Speaker 9: Certainly moral support, needing, adjourned.
• 40:26
  Speaker 1: A hurried movement that prevents further discussion. General hubbub. As
• 40:31
  Speaker 1: they prepare to leave, Pat brings down gavel. As they
• 40:34
  Speaker 1: crowd to down Center.
• 40:37
  Speaker 9: Ladies, before you go, let us give three cheers for
• 40:40
  Speaker 9: the first wife on strike.
• 40:43
  Speaker 1: They respond heartily exit. All women down Center, excepting Betty,
• 40:48
  Speaker 1: Jane and Clara.
• 40:49
  Speaker 6: Clara to Betty, I think i'd better go too, all right,
• 40:55
  Speaker 6: I have to stop and do some shopping for dinner.
• 40:57
  Speaker 1: Clara to Jane.
• 40:59
  Speaker 6: It was most interesting afternoon.
• 41:02
  Speaker 7: I hope we have taught you a few things.
• 41:06
  Speaker 1: Oh you have exit down center.
• 41:10
  Speaker 2: Aunty, I can't believe it. Surely you are not serious.
• 41:14
  Speaker 7: Indeed I am. The cook has left just once too often.
• 41:19
  Speaker 2: But Aunty, why blame uncle Bob?
• 41:22
  Speaker 7: Betty, when you've been married as long as I have,
• 41:25
  Speaker 7: you'll know that the man is always to blame for everything.
• 41:30
  Speaker 1: Betty tries to protest.
• 41:32
  Speaker 7: Not another word. Run along and lay the table for three.
• 41:37
  Speaker 2: Thornton will be terribly shocked. He's so fond of you both.
• 41:41
  Speaker 7: Thornton's state of mind is of complete indifference to me.
• 41:45
  Speaker 7: One word from him and I'll show him his place.
• 41:49
  Speaker 1: Enter Bob down center.
• 41:51
  Speaker 8: Hello, Bessy, not going with a glad word for uncle Bob?
• 41:56
  Speaker 8: Are you? How's the lucky groom.
• 42:01
  Speaker 2: Sweeter every day?
• 42:02
  Speaker 7: Betty?
• 42:04
  Speaker 2: Yes, I must go. I don't want to keep him
• 42:06
  Speaker 2: waiting for dinner.
• 42:08
  Speaker 8: Don't suppose we old folk are much of a magnet
• 42:11
  Speaker 8: until the honeymoon wanes.
• 42:14
  Speaker 2: Yes, you are because our honeymoon isn't going into decline.
• 42:19
  Speaker 1: Pish Betty kisses Bob, Bye bye, uncle Bob as she
• 42:25
  Speaker 1: runs out, Bye bye, Aunty exit down center, Bob beaming
• 42:30
  Speaker 1: after her.
• 42:32
  Speaker 8: Lovely child.
• 42:34
  Speaker 7: Everybody is lovely but your own wife.
• 42:37
  Speaker 8: Oh my dear, you're not cross because I butted into
• 42:41
  Speaker 8: your meeting?
• 42:42
  Speaker 1: Are you?
• 42:43
  Speaker 8: Word of honor? It clean slipped my mind? Nice ladies,
• 42:49
  Speaker 8: aren't they?
• 42:50
  Speaker 7: No, they're not a lot of old cats. Turns to husband,
• 42:56
  Speaker 7: how dare you come home before five? You did it
• 42:59
  Speaker 7: on purpose to let my friends know it was time
• 43:01
  Speaker 7: for them to leave?
• 43:03
  Speaker 8: Pon my word? Never thoughts.
• 43:07
  Speaker 7: No, you never think of anyone but yourself.
• 43:11
  Speaker 8: You always get everything you ask for. What do you
• 43:15
  Speaker 8: want now?
• 43:17
  Speaker 7: I want a cook that will stay.
• 43:21
  Speaker 8: But my dear, I don't have one in my pocket.
• 43:25
  Speaker 7: Sarcasm, cheap sarcasm, that's your strong point.
• 43:30
  Speaker 8: Oh, let the old cook go to Bob spink.
• 43:34
  Speaker 7: You're swearing all.
• 43:36
  Speaker 2: I want a cracker.
• 43:37
  Speaker 8: Bob laughs, And Jenny wants a cook. Never mind, old girl,
• 43:44
  Speaker 8: Let us go out to a restaurant to dinner.
• 43:48
  Speaker 7: Don't call me old girl.
• 43:51
  Speaker 8: Then, young lady chuckles.
• 43:55
  Speaker 7: You're trying to make up but it's no go this time.
• 43:58
  Speaker 8: Sake's a lie. I didn't know we'd fallen out.
• 44:03
  Speaker 7: Well, you know it now, and I've put up with
• 44:07
  Speaker 7: you for four and twenty years. Henceforth you can get
• 44:11
  Speaker 7: somebody else to cook for, you, wash for you, make
• 44:14
  Speaker 7: your bed, and somebody.
• 44:15
  Speaker 8: To now Jane, you know I wouldn't be untrue to you.
• 44:22
  Speaker 7: I don't care what you do.
• 44:24
  Speaker 8: I'm on strike, on strike.
• 44:29
  Speaker 7: Everybody else in the country is on strike. Why not
• 44:32
  Speaker 7: the wives? The whole world is demanding greater freedom.
• 44:37
  Speaker 1: Bob mildly.
• 44:39
  Speaker 8: The ladies don't want greater freedom of speech, do they love?
• 44:44
  Speaker 7: Don't try to be witty. We wives are going to
• 44:48
  Speaker 7: walk out, and we'll stay out until you men accede
• 44:52
  Speaker 7: to our demands.
• 44:54
  Speaker 8: What demands?
• 44:56
  Speaker 1: Jane nonplussed, then giving the usual feminine answer when cornered.
• 45:02
  Speaker 7: You think you're smart, don't you.
• 45:05
  Speaker 1: I quit the job, grabs parrot cage and rushes out,
• 45:10
  Speaker 1: knocking over a couple of chairs.
• 45:13
  Speaker 7: I'm on strike. I'm on strike.
• 45:17
  Speaker 1: Exit down center. Bob looks after her, chuckles and shakes
• 45:21
  Speaker 1: his head. Poor Jane glances around at the disorder chairs,
• 45:28
  Speaker 1: bunched remains of lunch on every available place. Who shakes
• 45:35
  Speaker 1: his head.
• 45:36
  Speaker 8: It sure is hell when the cook goes on strike.
• 45:41
  Speaker 1: Begins to clear away the tea things, whistling the marcel
• 45:45
  Speaker 1: yez out of tune curtain and off Act one Act
• 46:05
  Speaker 1: too of Wives on Strike by Lilian Sutton Paley. This
• 46:10
  Speaker 1: is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the
• 46:13
  Speaker 1: public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit
• 46:18
  Speaker 1: LibriVox dot org. Seeing dining room in Betty and Thornton's bungalow,
• 46:25
  Speaker 1: it is cheery and dainty with its gaily colored chintz curtains.
• 46:30
  Speaker 1: All the furniture except an overstuffed rocking chair, is made
• 46:34
  Speaker 1: out of boxes, painted and attractively decorated. There is a
• 46:38
  Speaker 1: small sideboard down right with pretty china that blends in
• 46:43
  Speaker 1: with the color scheme. A comfortable rocker down left. The
• 46:47
  Speaker 1: table right center is made of two wide boards crossed
• 46:51
  Speaker 1: covered with embroidered runners. In the center a bowl of
• 46:55
  Speaker 1: flowers at each wing of table is a chair in
• 46:59
  Speaker 1: the rear flat right up center is a door leading
• 47:03
  Speaker 1: to kitchen. This door is now a jar, and a
• 47:06
  Speaker 1: gas stove is plainly visible. Left of center are French
• 47:10
  Speaker 1: doors leading to street. Door at left leads to bedroom.
• 47:14
  Speaker 1: Door at right opens into back garden chair left of
• 47:18
  Speaker 1: kitchen door also one down right corner near sideboard window
• 47:24
  Speaker 1: down left, fireplace between door and window with the van
• 47:28
  Speaker 1: in front of it, clock on mantel. As the curtain rises,
• 47:32
  Speaker 1: Thornton is heard whistling outside door left center. Enter Thornton
• 47:38
  Speaker 1: door left center. In high spirits Thornton.
• 47:41
  Speaker 3: As he enters Hello there WiFi, throws.
• 47:46
  Speaker 1: Hat on divan, left coat on chair, left of table,
• 47:50
  Speaker 1: and paper on table. His quickness shows that he is energetic.
• 47:54
  Speaker 1: Calls sweetheart, makes for kitchen and is confronted by the
• 47:59
  Speaker 1: cold gas stove. Starts back, disappointed.
• 48:03
  Speaker 3: How's this? No dinner on?
• 48:07
  Speaker 1: Runs over to door left a trifle annoyed.
• 48:11
  Speaker 3: Say Betty, do you know what time it is?
• 48:15
  Speaker 1: Opens door, peeks in slowly where the dickens glances toward
• 48:21
  Speaker 1: door right, laughs, I.
• 48:24
  Speaker 3: Have it picking fresh flowers for the table, dear sentimental girl.
• 48:31
  Speaker 1: As he runs out door right, leaving it ajar.
• 48:34
  Speaker 3: Here there, Betty, more beefsteak and less roses.
• 48:40
  Speaker 1: Enter Betty door left center, hurriedly laden with parcels, sees
• 48:45
  Speaker 1: Thornton's hat and the open door right Betty disappointed.
• 48:50
  Speaker 2: Oh, pshaw, he's here first. Isn't that too bad?
• 48:54
  Speaker 1: Drops parcels on table and runs to door right.
• 48:58
  Speaker 2: Thornton, sweetheart, that I keep you waiting long?
• 49:02
  Speaker 1: Enter Thornton, door right. Betty throws arms around his neck
• 49:06
  Speaker 1: and kisses him.
• 49:07
  Speaker 2: Dear old widower, Betty, where have you been?
• 49:12
  Speaker 1: Crosses to left center?
• 49:15
  Speaker 3: I'm famist.
• 49:17
  Speaker 2: Don't you remember I told you I promised Auntie to
• 49:20
  Speaker 2: help her serve tea at the wives Welfare club? Laughs,
• 49:24
  Speaker 2: that was the funniest meeting.
• 49:26
  Speaker 1: Thornton doesn't hear what she is saying.
• 49:29
  Speaker 3: If you think a cold gas stove is a warm
• 49:32
  Speaker 3: reception to a hungry man, you're off your top.
• 49:36
  Speaker 1: Betty pats his face.
• 49:38
  Speaker 2: He sulks, poor starved, abused husband.
• 49:43
  Speaker 1: Runs into kitchen door right center, turns on faucet and
• 49:47
  Speaker 1: fills tea kettle while she lights the top oven of range.
• 49:52
  Speaker 2: The pots will be boiling in a second, and everything
• 49:54
  Speaker 2: is ready to pop right into the oven.
• 49:57
  Speaker 1: Goes to table. Thornton picks up paper savagely opens it
• 50:01
  Speaker 1: as if about to read grumbles.
• 50:04
  Speaker 3: Canned food tonight, I suppose, Betty laughs merrily.
• 50:10
  Speaker 2: No, Surrey, nothing doing Cann's goods have broken up many
• 50:13
  Speaker 2: a happy family.
• 50:15
  Speaker 1: Removes parcels to sideboard.
• 50:18
  Speaker 2: Fix everything before I left. You Sit over there in
• 50:21
  Speaker 2: that easy chair and read your paper.
• 50:23
  Speaker 1: Thornton throws down paper.
• 50:26
  Speaker 2: Already read it coming out on the car. That's bad
• 50:30
  Speaker 2: for the eyes. Then help me set the table.
• 50:33
  Speaker 1: Hands him coat. Thornton takes it and throws it down
• 50:36
  Speaker 1: on to van.
• 50:38
  Speaker 3: I'll be blammed.
• 50:40
  Speaker 1: Betty looks surprised.
• 50:43
  Speaker 3: Look here, Betty, you think I'm going to work like
• 50:46
  Speaker 3: a slave all day and come home and set tables.
• 50:51
  Speaker 2: I thought, after bending over drawing so many hours, you
• 50:53
  Speaker 2: might like the exercise. But if you're tired, sit down, honey,
• 50:57
  Speaker 2: drop that rocker, and I'll tell you all about that
• 50:59
  Speaker 2: funny meeting. Who's better than any play?
• 51:02
  Speaker 1: Thornton throws himself savagely in rocking chair left and begins
• 51:06
  Speaker 1: to read paper. Betty whips off runners from the table,
• 51:10
  Speaker 1: folds them, and replaces them with plain linen ones. She
• 51:14
  Speaker 1: takes silver and dishes from sideboard and sets the table
• 51:18
  Speaker 1: for three. Thornton furtifully watching her.
• 51:21
  Speaker 3: Who's the third person.
• 51:24
  Speaker 2: Oh, Thornton. I'm not quite sure if the end of
• 51:26
  Speaker 2: the play was a comedy or a tragedy.
• 51:29
  Speaker 3: The end of this one will be a tragedy if
• 51:32
  Speaker 3: that dinner doesn't get here pretty soon.
• 51:36
  Speaker 1: Betty laughs, then becomes serious.
• 51:40
  Speaker 2: But no joke, Thornton, Aunt Jane has left Uncle Bob.
• 51:44
  Speaker 3: Isn't that dreadful nonsense? That aunt of yours have been
• 51:48
  Speaker 3: threatening to leave ever since I've known her? Where would
• 51:52
  Speaker 3: she go?
• 51:52
  Speaker 2: I'd like to know she's coming here.
• 51:56
  Speaker 1: Thornton jumps up excitedly.
• 51:59
  Speaker 2: Here, Yes to stay, stay not much. Maybe she won't
• 52:06
  Speaker 2: stay long.
• 52:08
  Speaker 3: Maybe, ah, you can bet your brand new.
• 52:11
  Speaker 4: Hat she won't. But Thornton, no, you can't talk to me.
• 52:17
  Speaker 3: I won't have it, won't have it. I'll quit the house.
• 52:23
  Speaker 2: Goodness, goodness, don't get so excited. How could I tell
• 52:26
  Speaker 2: her not to come after I've spent my whole life
• 52:28
  Speaker 2: in their home?
• 52:30
  Speaker 1: Thornton drops into chair again.
• 52:33
  Speaker 3: That's what we get for placing ourselves under obligations.
• 52:37
  Speaker 1: Damn it, Betty Coyly.
• 52:41
  Speaker 4: You swore.
• 52:43
  Speaker 2: That's the first time I ever heard you swear.
• 52:45
  Speaker 3: It won't be the last of that at of yours
• 52:48
  Speaker 3: camps on us long.
• 52:50
  Speaker 1: Betty laughs and whispers.
• 52:53
  Speaker 2: I thought, damn myself, Betty, Oh, but I didn't say it.
• 52:59
  Speaker 1: Becomes serious.
• 53:01
  Speaker 2: Anyway, dearest, we must make the best of it. And besides,
• 53:04
  Speaker 2: to be under your influence will do Aunt Jane a
• 53:07
  Speaker 2: world of good.
• 53:08
  Speaker 1: Thornton's pride responds.
• 53:11
  Speaker 2: She'll leave this house with an entirely new idea of husbands.
• 53:15
  Speaker 1: Goes into kitchen Thornton between his teeth.
• 53:19
  Speaker 3: Bet your sweet life, she will.
• 53:22
  Speaker 1: Betty, returning with baking dish.
• 53:25
  Speaker 2: See that lovely meat loaf now into the oven with you,
• 53:28
  Speaker 2: and already in ten minutes.
• 53:30
  Speaker 1: Puts meat in oven.
• 53:32
  Speaker 3: Call that a dinner.
• 53:34
  Speaker 1: Hush, Betty disappointed?
• 53:37
  Speaker 2: Why Thornton, the last time I made it, you said
• 53:40
  Speaker 2: to repeat the dose at least twice a week. It's
• 53:43
  Speaker 2: braised with carrots and onions and all sorts of good things.
• 53:46
  Speaker 1: Regaining her spirits.
• 53:48
  Speaker 2: I'm going to turn the salad in here while i
• 53:50
  Speaker 2: tell you how Aunt Jane happened to go on strike.
• 53:54
  Speaker 1: Brings big bowl to table, also salad basket full of lettuce, oil, lemon, salt, pepper,
• 54:00
  Speaker 1: and a clov o garlic. She ropes the garlic around
• 54:03
  Speaker 1: the bowl, prepares dressing, gives salad a few shakes, and
• 54:08
  Speaker 1: empties it into the bowl and turns it on strike.
• 54:13
  Speaker 2: At first they voted that all the wives should go
• 54:16
  Speaker 2: on strike.
• 54:17
  Speaker 3: Wives on strike, that's rich suckling babes will start a
• 54:23
  Speaker 3: union next. And the fool men gave these creatures the vote.
• 54:29
  Speaker 3: Fool men, idiots. I told them they were crazy, but
• 54:36
  Speaker 3: they wouldn't believe me.
• 54:39
  Speaker 2: Thornton Albright, do you mean you didn't vote for woman suffrage?
• 54:43
  Speaker 3: Sufferage for a bunch of nuts?
• 54:48
  Speaker 2: But Thornton, there's a certain percentage of fools among men too.
• 54:52
  Speaker 2: The males don't have a monopoly on intelligence. Don't you
• 54:56
  Speaker 2: think I know enough to vote?
• 54:59
  Speaker 3: I'll do you're voting, but I.
• 55:02
  Speaker 2: Don't want any man to do my Betty.
• 55:04
  Speaker 3: I'm starved. Will you hurry up that dinner?
• 55:08
  Speaker 1: Betty mystified, And she goes and looks in the oven.
• 55:12
  Speaker 2: And to think the way he praised my campaign speeches.
• 55:16
  Speaker 3: Didn't think I was going to take a chance on
• 55:18
  Speaker 3: losing out just because of a little hot ear, did you.
• 55:23
  Speaker 1: Betty comes back and walks about a big dazed, as
• 55:26
  Speaker 1: if she were trying to think what next to do.
• 55:30
  Speaker 3: These women that go around roasting their husbands to everybody
• 55:33
  Speaker 3: who will lend them an ear ought to be tarred
• 55:37
  Speaker 3: and feathered and rode out off town on a.
• 55:41
  Speaker 1: Rail, Betty still going round in a circle to herself.
• 55:46
  Speaker 2: And to think he didn't even vote for us here.
• 55:49
  Speaker 3: I thought we were going to have a nice cozy
• 55:52
  Speaker 3: dinner with Reynald and Betty waking up?
• 55:57
  Speaker 2: Is Renald's coming to dinner again today?
• 55:59
  Speaker 1: Remember it is the teapot she is looking for. Gets
• 56:02
  Speaker 1: it off the sideboard.
• 56:04
  Speaker 3: I forgot to tell you set another plate.
• 56:09
  Speaker 2: I wish you wouldn't invite him here so often.
• 56:12
  Speaker 3: You don't expect me to give up all my pals
• 56:15
  Speaker 3: just because I'm married.
• 56:16
  Speaker 10: Do you?
• 56:18
  Speaker 2: But Thornton, that boy annoys me to death with his
• 56:20
  Speaker 2: love making. He doesn't seem to realize that I'm married.
• 56:24
  Speaker 2: I should think you'd be jealous.
• 56:27
  Speaker 3: Jealous of a kid like him. I'm not quite off
• 56:30
  Speaker 3: my head yet.
• 56:32
  Speaker 2: I know he doesn't mean any harm, but it's what
• 56:34
  Speaker 2: other people think. Lily del was at the meeting this afternoon.
• 56:39
  Speaker 1: Thornton eagerly, Oh was Lily there? Betty not quite liking
• 56:44
  Speaker 1: his enthusiasm.
• 56:46
  Speaker 2: Peevishly, Yes, she was there, and she insinuated that I
• 56:51
  Speaker 2: was carrying on with Renald.
• 56:53
  Speaker 1: Thornton laughs.
• 56:55
  Speaker 3: Imagination, Ah, you've got a wonderful imagination. Lily's a nice
• 57:01
  Speaker 3: little thing.
• 57:02
  Speaker 1: Betty snaps yes of the feline species.
• 57:08
  Speaker 3: Gee, I believe you're jealous.
• 57:11
  Speaker 2: It'll not be through any faults of hers. If I'm not,
• 57:13
  Speaker 2: She'll never forgive me for rescuing you from her.
• 57:16
  Speaker 3: Rescue him. That's great.
• 57:20
  Speaker 1: Reynald heard whistling rag time off stage.
• 57:23
  Speaker 3: That's Reynald now runs.
• 57:26
  Speaker 1: To door left center, opens it.
• 57:29
  Speaker 3: Hello, renmy.
• 57:31
  Speaker 1: Betty goes into kitchen.
• 57:32
  Speaker 14: Rynald outside, Hello there, Thorny.
• 57:37
  Speaker 1: Thornton returns to right center. Enter Reynald door left.
• 57:41
  Speaker 4: Center, where is LaBelle Betty.
• 57:45
  Speaker 1: Thornton points to kitchen. Reynald runs over to door.
• 57:49
  Speaker 4: Ah, what a lovely domestic picture.
• 57:53
  Speaker 1: Turns to Thornton with mock gravity.
• 57:56
  Speaker 4: Curses on you.
• 57:58
  Speaker 1: Thornton laughs.
• 58:00
  Speaker 8: Ah.
• 58:01
  Speaker 3: If you had entered here ten minutes ago and found
• 58:04
  Speaker 3: no kettle boiling, no meat sizzling, no wife at home,
• 58:09
  Speaker 3: you'd be thankful that you're not entrapped.
• 58:12
  Speaker 1: Betty flounces out of kitchen. Reynald is center, Betty right
• 58:17
  Speaker 1: center in traps.
• 58:19
  Speaker 2: I like that look here, Renald Twinburne. I want you
• 58:23
  Speaker 2: to stop running around telling everybody that you came here
• 58:25
  Speaker 2: drowning yourself. When I married Thornton.
• 58:27
  Speaker 1: Thornton laughs.
• 58:29
  Speaker 2: You needn't laugh, it's no joke.
• 58:32
  Speaker 4: Oh but I did until Thornton suggested a triangle.
• 58:37
  Speaker 1: You little snip turns on Thornton.
• 58:41
  Speaker 2: And as for you, you ought to be ashamed of yourself.
• 58:44
  Speaker 3: I think I want a wife that nobody else wants.
• 58:48
  Speaker 1: Betty flounces out into kitchen again, throws down something. Thornton
• 58:53
  Speaker 1: laughs at sound, then slaps Ranald on the shoulder.
• 58:58
  Speaker 3: She takes you theory.
• 59:01
  Speaker 4: She's caught the big idea. You beat me to her,
• 59:04
  Speaker 4: most masterful man. But I'm going to make her see
• 59:08
  Speaker 4: yet what she has lost. You're freshing and persistent, but
• 59:14
  Speaker 4: everything fair and above board. No gum shoe methods for
• 59:18
  Speaker 4: your uncle Rennie.
• 59:21
  Speaker 3: Keep it up, lad, you're amusing.
• 59:23
  Speaker 4: Oh, I'll keep it up all right, all right? Say,
• 59:27
  Speaker 4: whom do you think I came near running over down
• 59:29
  Speaker 4: the street.
• 59:30
  Speaker 3: Haven't the remotest idea.
• 59:33
  Speaker 4: Your old flame, Lily the firebrand. She looked like she
• 59:38
  Speaker 4: would like a lift, but I thought walking would do
• 59:40
  Speaker 4: her good. She's on her way here with a torch
• 59:43
  Speaker 4: of light to singe your household.
• 59:45
  Speaker 3: Gods, I can't see what you and Betty have against
• 59:50
  Speaker 3: poor Lily. She's a charming girl.
• 59:53
  Speaker 4: Yes, professional charmer.
• 59:56
  Speaker 1: Bell rings. Enter Betty from kitchen.
• 1:00:00
  Speaker 2: That's Aunt Jane. Now open the door. Reynolds, you may
• 1:00:03
  Speaker 2: as well do something to earn your board.
• 1:00:05
  Speaker 1: Puts celery and other things on table. Reynald opens door
• 1:00:09
  Speaker 1: left center. Enter Lily, door left center. Oh, casting significant
• 1:00:16
  Speaker 1: glance at Reynald and Betty.
• 1:00:19
  Speaker 4: You here told you I would be didn't.
• 1:00:22
  Speaker 1: I goes right and helps Betty arrange table?
• 1:00:27
  Speaker 5: Did you?
• 1:00:28
  Speaker 4: I forgot Lily's forgettry is always working overtime.
• 1:00:34
  Speaker 5: Thought i'd run in a minute Betty and talk over.
• 1:00:37
  Speaker 1: The meeting glances at table.
• 1:00:40
  Speaker 5: But I see I'm too early. I thought you dined
• 1:00:44
  Speaker 5: at six. I know Thornton has always been accustomed to
• 1:00:47
  Speaker 5: an early dinner. It's nearly seven.
• 1:00:51
  Speaker 1: Betty, glancing at clock, decidedly.
• 1:00:55
  Speaker 2: It is just ten minutes to six.
• 1:00:58
  Speaker 5: Indeed, my watch must be fast.
• 1:01:01
  Speaker 1: Looks at wristwatch.
• 1:01:04
  Speaker 4: Better be careful, Lily. It's risky for a girl to
• 1:01:06
  Speaker 4: have anything fast about her.
• 1:01:09
  Speaker 5: Lily to Betty, I suppose you had to stop and
• 1:01:13
  Speaker 5: get some chops. Club women always feed their families on
• 1:01:16
  Speaker 5: chops and potato chips.
• 1:01:19
  Speaker 1: Betty angrily, I stopped to get some fruit.
• 1:01:24
  Speaker 5: I remember now you are a raw food advocate.
• 1:01:28
  Speaker 14: Thornton cordially you stay to dinner.
• 1:01:32
  Speaker 3: Of course, our table seat's.
• 1:01:34
  Speaker 2: Just for Lily to Betty if you insist, Oh, if
• 1:01:40
  Speaker 2: you have any other engagement, but.
• 1:01:42
  Speaker 5: I haven't, it will be like old times, you and
• 1:01:46
  Speaker 5: Reynald Han Thornton and I.
• 1:01:49
  Speaker 1: Toss his hat on chair near sideboard.
• 1:01:52
  Speaker 3: A quadrangle is more interesting than a triangle.
• 1:01:57
  Speaker 1: Lily elevates her brows and looks pityingly at Thornton.
• 1:02:01
  Speaker 3: Reynold opened some canned soup for Betty.
• 1:02:05
  Speaker 1: Yes, do sarcastically.
• 1:02:08
  Speaker 2: I didn't anticipate a dinner party.
• 1:02:11
  Speaker 5: Poor Thornton. I hope you haven't come to canned soups.
• 1:02:16
  Speaker 1: Betty assigned to Reynald cat Lily to Thornton.
• 1:02:22
  Speaker 5: I know how you always dot it on fresh things.
• 1:02:26
  Speaker 4: Yes, Thornton has a weakness for the fresh.
• 1:02:30
  Speaker 1: He gives Betty a knowing glance as he nods toward Lily. Exit,
• 1:02:34
  Speaker 1: Reynald and Betty into kitchen, Lily approaching Thornton seductively.
• 1:02:40
  Speaker 5: Well, Thornton, how are you anyway I.
• 1:02:44
  Speaker 3: Could take a little nourishment.
• 1:02:47
  Speaker 5: It surprised me to see Betty going in for club
• 1:02:50
  Speaker 5: work so soon.
• 1:02:52
  Speaker 3: You're not more surprised than I. Betty has been such
• 1:02:56
  Speaker 3: a little home bird.
• 1:02:58
  Speaker 5: Yes, Betty has always used domesticity as a drawing card.
• 1:03:03
  Speaker 5: It would be rather a good joke on you, Thornton,
• 1:03:05
  Speaker 5: to find yourself hitched for life to a feminist.
• 1:03:09
  Speaker 3: I don't believe Betty's quite so bad as that. She's
• 1:03:13
  Speaker 3: a natural home builder. She made almost every stick of
• 1:03:17
  Speaker 3: furniture in this room. What you're joking how out of
• 1:03:23
  Speaker 3: old packing boxes? She spent the whole year before we
• 1:03:27
  Speaker 3: were married making them at the night school.
• 1:03:31
  Speaker 1: Clever girl, Thornton proudly, Yes, very ingenious.
• 1:03:37
  Speaker 5: It would never have occurred to me to make out
• 1:03:40
  Speaker 5: of the latest furniture fad a hook to catch a husband.
• 1:03:44
  Speaker 1: Thornton, impressed, letting her words sink in slowly.
• 1:03:49
  Speaker 3: Gee, I never thought of that.
• 1:03:52
  Speaker 1: Lily with meaning.
• 1:03:55
  Speaker 5: No, you wouldn't. You're so honest, Thornton angrily if I thought, don't.
• 1:04:04
  Speaker 5: Husbands were not made to think. Speaking of husbands, you
• 1:04:09
  Speaker 5: should have heard the way they were fried to a
• 1:04:11
  Speaker 5: crisp by the wife's Welfare Club this afternoon.
• 1:04:15
  Speaker 3: I'm surprised they permitted a bachelor maid.
• 1:04:19
  Speaker 5: They weren't exactly overjoyed, but I was determined the poor
• 1:04:23
  Speaker 5: husband should have some representation. You know, all males were verboden.
• 1:04:28
  Speaker 3: Who were the bunch? Any one I know?
• 1:04:32
  Speaker 5: I should say so, Pat Dugan the clothes horse, you're
• 1:04:37
  Speaker 5: a lamb of angelic disposition and.
• 1:04:40
  Speaker 3: Carrying a ton of adipose tissue.
• 1:04:43
  Speaker 1: Lily always laughs at Thornton's witticisms. That is one reason
• 1:04:48
  Speaker 1: he likes her.
• 1:04:49
  Speaker 5: She shall not the court fool. The child nearly caused
• 1:04:54
  Speaker 5: a riot. Then there was.
• 1:04:57
  Speaker 1: Thornton sniffing with disdain.
• 1:05:00
  Speaker 3: Huh. And of course they discussed the latest scientific method
• 1:05:04
  Speaker 3: of populating the world and all such.
• 1:05:07
  Speaker 1: Clap trap Lily shaking her finger at him.
• 1:05:12
  Speaker 3: Naughty ah, the idea of Betty getting mixed up with
• 1:05:16
  Speaker 3: a bunch of nuts like that.
• 1:05:19
  Speaker 1: Drops into rocking chair. Lily draws a chair close to
• 1:05:23
  Speaker 1: him and sits.
• 1:05:25
  Speaker 5: I felt it my duty to let you know. The
• 1:05:28
  Speaker 5: name Wive's Welfare Club would lead a person to think
• 1:05:32
  Speaker 5: it was some harmless society. But it is revolutionary.
• 1:05:37
  Speaker 3: Revolutionary.
• 1:05:39
  Speaker 5: Yes, they are sworn to overthrow the government of man
• 1:05:44
  Speaker 5: good Lord. They're anarchists, regular Bolshevists.
• 1:05:49
  Speaker 3: What did Betty think of all that nonsense.
• 1:05:53
  Speaker 5: I leave that to you.
• 1:05:56
  Speaker 14: She didn't tell me, Lily knowingly.
• 1:06:00
  Speaker 5: But she showed the stand she takes by inviting her
• 1:06:03
  Speaker 5: aunt to come and stay here. You know, her aunt, Jane,
• 1:06:07
  Speaker 5: was the one chosen to go on strike to make
• 1:06:09
  Speaker 5: a test case.
• 1:06:11
  Speaker 3: And you say, Betty sympathized with these women in their stupidity.
• 1:06:18
  Speaker 5: I don't wish to say anything against Betty Thornton. Never
• 1:06:22
  Speaker 5: shall it be said that I did anything to a
• 1:06:24
  Speaker 5: strange man and wife.
• 1:06:27
  Speaker 1: Thornton drops his hand on her hand that rests on
• 1:06:31
  Speaker 1: the arm of his chair.
• 1:06:33
  Speaker 14: You're a good girl, Lily, Lily snuggling.
• 1:06:37
  Speaker 5: Goodness counts for so little with you men.
• 1:06:40
  Speaker 3: Oh yes, it does in the.
• 1:06:42
  Speaker 1: Long run, Lily laying her other hand over his and
• 1:06:47
  Speaker 1: looking at him sympathetically.
• 1:06:49
  Speaker 5: Oh, Thornton, I'm afraid you're not happy.
• 1:06:54
  Speaker 1: Enter Runald from kitchen, wearing bungalow apron seize familiar attitude
• 1:06:59
  Speaker 1: of Thornton and Lily. He coughs, but they are too
• 1:07:03
  Speaker 1: absorbed in each other to notice. Betty is about to
• 1:07:06
  Speaker 1: come in from kitchen. Reynald jumps back and forth indoor
• 1:07:10
  Speaker 1: to prevent her seeing them. She can't understand his reason
• 1:07:13
  Speaker 1: for such crazy actions. Finally losing patience, she gives him
• 1:07:18
  Speaker 1: a push left, which causes him almost to lose his balance.
• 1:07:22
  Speaker 1: Betty stands a moment looking at Thornton and Lily. He
• 1:07:26
  Speaker 1: is listening with much pleasure to Lily, who is exploiting
• 1:07:30
  Speaker 1: her sexual attraction to the limit. Betty snaps out, dinner
• 1:07:35
  Speaker 1: is ready. Lily keeps on talking with much animation to Thornton.
• 1:07:40
  Speaker 1: Both are oblivious of Betty's presence.
• 1:07:43
  Speaker 8: Oh boy, Betty.
• 1:07:46
  Speaker 1: Turns to Reynald get a megaphone ott o'horn heard off stage.
• 1:07:53
  Speaker 1: That's not Jane now angrily to Thornton.
• 1:07:57
  Speaker 2: Thornton, perhaps Lily could manage to exist alone long enough
• 1:08:01
  Speaker 2: for you to open the door.
• 1:08:03
  Speaker 1: Gets Trey holding covered teren of soup from kitchen, returns
• 1:08:07
  Speaker 1: sets toen on table. Renald takes the tray. I won't
• 1:08:14
  Speaker 1: goes to extreme right, Lily, sweetly, I will dear opens
• 1:08:20
  Speaker 1: door left center. Bob Spink stands in door with broad
• 1:08:24
  Speaker 1: grin on his face.
• 1:08:27
  Speaker 8: Am I too late for dinner?
• 1:08:29
  Speaker 3: Thornton relieved I should say not come right in uncle.
• 1:08:34
  Speaker 1: Bob enter Bob door left center?
• 1:08:38
  Speaker 2: But where is Auntie?
• 1:08:41
  Speaker 12: Sorry?
• 1:08:41
  Speaker 8: But I can't give you the exact information. Cafeterias are
• 1:08:47
  Speaker 8: her favorite sports. They're too swift for me.
• 1:08:52
  Speaker 1: Lily laughs. Caffeterias swift remains left off. Bob Reynald stands
• 1:08:59
  Speaker 1: next to Bob, listening and holding tray.
• 1:09:02
  Speaker 8: Here, young man, give me that tray and I'll show
• 1:09:06
  Speaker 8: you what happened the last time I ate in.
• 1:09:09
  Speaker 1: One grabs tray and begins to whistle rag time. He
• 1:09:13
  Speaker 1: never gets a tune quite right. Reynold catches the idea
• 1:09:17
  Speaker 1: and whistles it correctly, while Bob gives his whole attention
• 1:09:21
  Speaker 1: to balancing the tray and stepping to the ragtime. He
• 1:09:26
  Speaker 1: is very ludicrous and finally pretends to empty the contents
• 1:09:30
  Speaker 1: of tray down Lily's back. She screams and goes down left.
• 1:09:35
  Speaker 1: Everybody laughs, but Bob.
• 1:09:37
  Speaker 8: And the lady threatened to sue me if I didn't
• 1:09:41
  Speaker 8: fork over for a brand new dress. It didn't have
• 1:09:45
  Speaker 8: more than two yards of goods in it, but it
• 1:09:48
  Speaker 8: cost a cool hundred. No more jazz cafes for your uncle, Bob.
• 1:09:55
  Speaker 2: But we have been expecting Aunt Jane every minute.
• 1:09:58
  Speaker 8: Bob scared here.
• 1:10:01
  Speaker 3: That's what I said here.
• 1:10:04
  Speaker 8: Oh my dear, I don't think she had better see me,
• 1:10:09
  Speaker 8: not until she had her dinner anyway.
• 1:10:12
  Speaker 2: But how about your dinner.
• 1:10:14
  Speaker 8: Just give me a snack in there, points to door left.
• 1:10:20
  Speaker 8: I'm sure it will be safer.
• 1:10:23
  Speaker 1: Poor uncle Bob bell rings.
• 1:10:26
  Speaker 8: That's sure. Now, don't let on, I'm here.
• 1:10:31
  Speaker 1: Exits quickly, door left. Brunald opens door left center. Clara,
• 1:10:36
  Speaker 1: on seeing him, stops embarrassed. She carries a covered plate
• 1:10:40
  Speaker 1: in her hand.
• 1:10:42
  Speaker 6: Oh, mister Windburn, I didn't know you were here.
• 1:10:46
  Speaker 4: I'm jolly glad to see you. How do you think
• 1:10:50
  Speaker 4: I look as a domestic animal?
• 1:10:52
  Speaker 1: Flops apron.
• 1:10:53
  Speaker 6: Clara laughs, Oh so funny.
• 1:10:57
  Speaker 2: Come in, Clara and see what's a man? Renald is
• 1:11:01
  Speaker 2: about the house.
• 1:11:02
  Speaker 1: Clara embarrassed.
• 1:11:04
  Speaker 6: Thanks, but I can't stay. I didn't know you had company.
• 1:11:09
  Speaker 6: Mother made a cake this afternoon and sent some over.
• 1:11:12
  Speaker 1: Entered Clara, door left center.
• 1:11:15
  Speaker 3: Your mother's cake is the best ever. Renald and Lily
• 1:11:19
  Speaker 3: are such old friends we don't consider them company.
• 1:11:23
  Speaker 1: Lily with a significant smile at Betty.
• 1:11:27
  Speaker 5: No, indeed, Renald is just like a brother.
• 1:11:31
  Speaker 1: Betty shoots an angry glance at Lily, then turns smiling
• 1:11:35
  Speaker 1: on Clara.
• 1:11:37
  Speaker 2: I'll have to hang you on the chandelier, Clara, But
• 1:11:39
  Speaker 2: you're welcome.
• 1:11:41
  Speaker 4: Yes, do stay.
• 1:11:43
  Speaker 1: Bob peeps in at door left. Wasn't it her bell
• 1:11:48
  Speaker 1: rings again? He jumps back into room, slamming door. Good night, Betty,
• 1:11:54
  Speaker 1: opens door left center.
• 1:11:56
  Speaker 2: It's only those bad boys who lived down the street.
• 1:11:59
  Speaker 2: They're always people's bells.
• 1:12:01
  Speaker 1: Close his door and goes over to table. Renald to Clara,
• 1:12:06
  Speaker 1: don't go, nods toward bedroom.
• 1:12:10
  Speaker 4: Aren't you interested in seeing how the strike will end?
• 1:12:14
  Speaker 1: Clara, with a shy glance, hands plate to Renald.
• 1:12:18
  Speaker 6: I'd like to stay, but mother is expecting me.
• 1:12:22
  Speaker 2: Maybe you can come back later.
• 1:12:24
  Speaker 1: Clara looks up at Reynald, inquiringly.
• 1:12:27
  Speaker 4: Reynald to Clara, you didn't forget about our engagement this evening,
• 1:12:32
  Speaker 4: did you?
• 1:12:33
  Speaker 2: No?
• 1:12:33
  Speaker 6: But if you're busy, I don't mind not going.
• 1:12:37
  Speaker 3: Renie told me he had asked you to go to
• 1:12:39
  Speaker 3: the theater tonight. I thought he might as well have
• 1:12:42
  Speaker 3: dinner with us.
• 1:12:44
  Speaker 4: Will you be ready about eight if you wish?
• 1:12:48
  Speaker 2: Goodbye, goodbye, Clara, Thanks for the cake.
• 1:12:52
  Speaker 6: Oh, you're welcome.
• 1:12:54
  Speaker 1: Withdraws, casting a last shy glance at Renald, who nods pleasantly.
• 1:13:00
  Speaker 1: Exit door left center.
• 1:13:02
  Speaker 2: There isn't any use for us to wait any longer
• 1:13:04
  Speaker 2: for Aunt Jane, the soup will be stone cold. You
• 1:13:07
  Speaker 2: sit there.
• 1:13:07
  Speaker 1: Lily points to front wing of table. Lily goes to chair.
• 1:13:13
  Speaker 2: Thornton, you hear.
• 1:13:14
  Speaker 1: Touch his left wing. Thornton takes place beside it.
• 1:13:18
  Speaker 2: Don't be formal.
• 1:13:19
  Speaker 1: Sit down, Thornton and Lily sit.
• 1:13:23
  Speaker 2: Reynolds, I'm glad you were going to take Clara to
• 1:13:25
  Speaker 2: the theater.
• 1:13:26
  Speaker 1: Touch his wing at back. Aunt Jane here motions to
• 1:13:31
  Speaker 1: right wing, and you not to Reynald there. Reynald not
• 1:13:37
  Speaker 1: going to table.
• 1:13:39
  Speaker 4: Clara has a corking disposition, appreciates every little thing a
• 1:13:44
  Speaker 4: fellow does.
• 1:13:46
  Speaker 5: Lily sarcastically, isn't it strange the girls who have the
• 1:13:50
  Speaker 5: best dispositions remain single as.
• 1:13:53
  Speaker 4: A rule, not throwing any bouquets at yourself? Are you
• 1:13:58
  Speaker 4: Lily to bed? Where are you going to sit?
• 1:14:03
  Speaker 2: There's only room for four, so I'll wait.
• 1:14:06
  Speaker 1: Reynald brings another chair.
• 1:14:08
  Speaker 4: I'll squeeze in here between Lily and Thornton.
• 1:14:12
  Speaker 1: Sits aunt junction of two wings. Lily looks annoyed and
• 1:14:16
  Speaker 1: moves her chair a bit too right. All right, takes
• 1:14:21
  Speaker 1: up another soup plate from sideboard.
• 1:14:23
  Speaker 3: Thornton crossly philly making a crazy table like this.
• 1:14:29
  Speaker 2: When we saw that one at the exposition, you thought
• 1:14:31
  Speaker 2: it was the cutest idea.
• 1:14:33
  Speaker 3: Oh, the shape is all right, but there's not enough room.
• 1:14:38
  Speaker 2: You wanted me to make it just big enough for two,
• 1:14:40
  Speaker 2: did you?
• 1:14:41
  Speaker 1: Thornton shakes her finger at him teasingly. Reynald almost bites
• 1:14:46
  Speaker 1: it off. Oh quit, Thornton.
• 1:14:50
  Speaker 8: Ashamed, certainly not.
• 1:14:53
  Speaker 1: Betty puts soup plate back on sideboard.
• 1:14:57
  Speaker 2: It is too crowded. You come over here, Reynald.
• 1:15:00
  Speaker 1: Reynald protests, Please don't argue. Reynald takes seat at right wing.
• 1:15:08
  Speaker 2: Aunt Jane has probably changed her minds about coming. Ho's
• 1:15:11
  Speaker 2: it here?
• 1:15:12
  Speaker 1: Sits at back of table. Door left center opens. Jane
• 1:15:16
  Speaker 1: stoops and takes a big hat box that she has
• 1:15:19
  Speaker 1: set down to open the door. Enter Jane, door left center,
• 1:15:24
  Speaker 1: stands red and perspiring, puffing and panting, holding the hat
• 1:15:29
  Speaker 1: box in one hand, the parrot cage in the other,
• 1:15:32
  Speaker 1: and a stuffed carryall partially concealing the parrot. All you
• 1:15:37
  Speaker 1: want to crocker. Everybody turns at sound.
• 1:15:41
  Speaker 14: Thornton mutters, good lord.
• 1:15:44
  Speaker 1: Betty starts towards Jane.
• 1:15:47
  Speaker 2: Oh, Auntie, why didn't you get a boy to help
• 1:15:49
  Speaker 2: you with your luggage?
• 1:15:51
  Speaker 7: Jane in voice of thunder, I want no favor from
• 1:15:56
  Speaker 7: any man. Is dinner ready?
• 1:15:59
  Speaker 2: Yeah? Yes, we it about giving you up.
• 1:16:02
  Speaker 7: Thornton, take this parrot?
• 1:16:05
  Speaker 2: Do hell?
• 1:16:06
  Speaker 7: What the man?
• 1:16:07
  Speaker 2: I'm on strike?
• 1:16:08
  Speaker 1: Everybody but Thornton and Jane laugh. Thornton refuses to move.
• 1:16:13
  Speaker 1: Betty takes parrot.
• 1:16:15
  Speaker 2: I'll set it here until after dinner, puts.
• 1:16:18
  Speaker 1: Cage on small table up center. The fern leaves, partially
• 1:16:22
  Speaker 1: conceal it. Reynald takes Jane's hat box and deposits it
• 1:16:27
  Speaker 1: on chair near kitchen. Jane tosses her carry all on
• 1:16:31
  Speaker 1: top of Thornton's hat, which is on the divan left,
• 1:16:34
  Speaker 1: smashing hat flat. Thornton starts up angrily.
• 1:16:39
  Speaker 3: That's my hurt.
• 1:16:41
  Speaker 7: What's a hat at a time like this?
• 1:16:44
  Speaker 1: Takes our own hat off hurriedly and tosses it on
• 1:16:47
  Speaker 1: top of carry all. Thornton goes over and takes his
• 1:16:51
  Speaker 1: hat from under carry all and tries to restore it
• 1:16:54
  Speaker 1: to form, places it on rocker left. He is mad
• 1:16:58
  Speaker 1: through and through. Jane drops in his seat at the table.
• 1:17:02
  Speaker 1: Thornton turns and sees her in his place. You're in
• 1:17:06
  Speaker 1: my place, goes to table.
• 1:17:09
  Speaker 7: I'm down now and I'm not going to move here.
• 1:17:13
  Speaker 2: Take my place, Thornton.
• 1:17:15
  Speaker 1: Thornton goes to back of table, then turns to Betty.
• 1:17:19
  Speaker 3: But where'll you sit?
• 1:17:21
  Speaker 7: Oh, I'll serve Betty, stay where you are. You have
• 1:17:26
  Speaker 7: had a strenuous afternoon. Thornton can eat off the mantle.
• 1:17:30
  Speaker 1: Thornton pounds and Betty pushes him down into her seat.
• 1:17:34
  Speaker 1: Reynald jumps up.
• 1:17:36
  Speaker 4: Say, let me serve. It'll be a lot of fun.
• 1:17:40
  Speaker 2: No, stay where you are.
• 1:17:42
  Speaker 1: Jane tastes soup.
• 1:17:44
  Speaker 7: What delicious soup?
• 1:17:47
  Speaker 1: Thornton glares. Canned tastes It makes a wry face. This
• 1:17:54
  Speaker 1: water pushes it from him, Jane severely.
• 1:17:59
  Speaker 7: Thornton. Canned soups are made in places far more sanitary
• 1:18:04
  Speaker 7: than the average kitchen. It is both nourishing and economical.
• 1:18:08
  Speaker 3: Economical, then it has no place in our home.
• 1:18:14
  Speaker 7: The last time you were at our house, you said
• 1:18:16
  Speaker 7: you didn't see how Betty could make your wages stretch
• 1:18:19
  Speaker 7: such a long way round. You're trying to change the subject.
• 1:18:23
  Speaker 7: Young man.
• 1:18:24
  Speaker 1: Bob puts his head in door and listens.
• 1:18:28
  Speaker 7: But I'll have you know that I never saw the man.
• 1:18:31
  Speaker 7: Yet that could switch me from my argument.
• 1:18:34
  Speaker 1: Bob nods acquiescence.
• 1:18:37
  Speaker 7: Canned soups can serve the energy of wives who are
• 1:18:40
  Speaker 7: forced to do their own cooking.
• 1:18:43
  Speaker 1: I'm on strike, everybody, but Thornton laughs, shut up, rises
• 1:18:51
  Speaker 1: and strides over to rocking chair.
• 1:18:53
  Speaker 5: Lily sweetly, I suppose I am old fashioned, but the
• 1:18:58
  Speaker 5: preparation of savory food for our loved ones seems to
• 1:19:02
  Speaker 5: me a delightful privilege.
• 1:19:05
  Speaker 1: Thornton beams across the room.
• 1:19:07
  Speaker 3: At her, such sentiments, do you honor?
• 1:19:12
  Speaker 1: Betty rises, bangs the soup plates together too, Lily.
• 1:19:17
  Speaker 2: You must have changed your mind since we went to
• 1:19:19
  Speaker 2: college together. When I took up domestic science, you said
• 1:19:22
  Speaker 2: you wouldn't cook a meal for the best man alive down.
• 1:19:26
  Speaker 1: One rises and follows Betty to kitchen.
• 1:19:30
  Speaker 4: I'll bring the roast.
• 1:19:32
  Speaker 3: We've had the roast.
• 1:19:34
  Speaker 7: Do you mean me, young man?
• 1:19:37
  Speaker 2: I'm on strike.
• 1:19:39
  Speaker 1: Thornton twists the newspaper and throws it at the bird.
• 1:19:43
  Speaker 8: Shut up, Jane to Thornton.
• 1:19:48
  Speaker 7: Sit down.
• 1:19:50
  Speaker 1: Thornton sits on his hat, feels it under him, and
• 1:19:53
  Speaker 1: rises furious. The others laugh. Thornton returns to the table
• 1:19:57
  Speaker 1: and begins to eat the celery. Reynald comes from the
• 1:20:01
  Speaker 1: kitchen carrying a well filled plate of food. Betty carries
• 1:20:05
  Speaker 1: platter with meat, loaf and vegetables which have previously been arranged,
• 1:20:10
  Speaker 1: ready to serve. She whispers to Ranald and nods toward door. Left.
• 1:20:15
  Speaker 1: Bob is peeking out, exhibiting great satisfaction at sight of food.
• 1:20:20
  Speaker 1: As Renald starts towards bedroom, Jane turns, looks up. Bob
• 1:20:24
  Speaker 1: quickly withdraws Jane to.
• 1:20:27
  Speaker 7: Renald, where are you going?
• 1:20:30
  Speaker 1: Renald at first tries to hide plait behind him, but
• 1:20:33
  Speaker 1: at sight of Jane's astonishment, he stutteringly explains.
• 1:20:38
  Speaker 4: I I I thought that the parrot might might be hungry,
• 1:20:42
  Speaker 4: but he can't eat all that.
• 1:20:44
  Speaker 1: Ranald laughs with embarrassment.
• 1:20:47
  Speaker 4: I thought i'd keep him company.
• 1:20:49
  Speaker 1: Jane returns to table, satisfied with explanation.
• 1:20:54
  Speaker 7: So considerate what a lovely girl he would have made.
• 1:20:59
  Speaker 1: Renald doesn't lie like this, but it amuses Thornton. Reynold
• 1:21:03
  Speaker 1: quickly goes over and shoves plate into outstretched hand of Bob,
• 1:21:07
  Speaker 1: who closes door softly goes back to bird. Betty has
• 1:21:11
  Speaker 1: put platter in front of Thornton.
• 1:21:14
  Speaker 8: Pretty Polly dodges into kitchen. Do hell with the man.
• 1:21:20
  Speaker 1: Thornton thaws a bit at sight of food.
• 1:21:23
  Speaker 3: I'm surprised, Aunt Jane, at your keeping a profane bird.
• 1:21:30
  Speaker 7: You men relieve your feelings yourselves. We women have to
• 1:21:34
  Speaker 7: relieve ours by proxy.
• 1:21:37
  Speaker 1: Thornton too, Lily, may I offer you some sarcastically half
• 1:21:45
  Speaker 1: Lily passes plate.
• 1:21:47
  Speaker 7: Betty, is that meat loaf made after my recipe?
• 1:21:51
  Speaker 1: Yes, Aunt Jane, severely.
• 1:21:55
  Speaker 7: Thornton, you said that meat loaf was the best thing
• 1:21:58
  Speaker 7: you ever tasted by those you are pre marriage manners.
• 1:22:03
  Speaker 1: Thornton serves himself and begins to eat. Betty is shocked
• 1:22:07
  Speaker 1: and motions him to serve Jane, but he stubbornly shakes
• 1:22:10
  Speaker 1: his head.
• 1:22:12
  Speaker 2: Aunt Jane, help yourself.
• 1:22:14
  Speaker 1: Jane does so. Enter Renald from kitchen carrying dish of
• 1:22:18
  Speaker 1: corn bread. Reynald putting cornbread in front of Thornton.
• 1:22:23
  Speaker 4: We nearly forgot the pias to resist us corn bread.
• 1:22:28
  Speaker 1: Thornton takes up peace and weighs it in his hand.
• 1:22:32
  Speaker 3: Did you say pound bread?
• 1:22:35
  Speaker 1: Betty?
• 1:22:36
  Speaker 2: Hurt Thornton. You seem to forget that I specialized in
• 1:22:40
  Speaker 2: domestic science. This bread is as light as a feather.
• 1:22:43
  Speaker 1: Betty goes into kitchen. They all eat in a different manner.
• 1:22:47
  Speaker 1: Lily toys with her food fastidiously, as if the flavor
• 1:22:52
  Speaker 1: was not quite to her liking. Reynald and Jane eat
• 1:22:55
  Speaker 1: with great gusto, and Thornton tries to keep from eating,
• 1:22:59
  Speaker 1: but his appetite gets the better of him.
• 1:23:03
  Speaker 4: Thorny, if I had a wife that could make corn
• 1:23:05
  Speaker 4: bread like this, I'd be so tame. I'd out of
• 1:23:09
  Speaker 4: her hand.
• 1:23:11
  Speaker 1: Enter Betty from kitchen with pie and takes it to sideboard.
• 1:23:16
  Speaker 1: Lily glances from him to Betty, then knowingly at Thornton.
• 1:23:20
  Speaker 1: Thornton's face is toward audience, and it reflects each one
• 1:23:24
  Speaker 1: of Lily's expressions.
• 1:23:26
  Speaker 5: No doubt you would.
• 1:23:29
  Speaker 1: Thornton throws down napkin, annoyed.
• 1:23:32
  Speaker 3: You're getting too fresh around here.
• 1:23:36
  Speaker 4: I told you I was going to be Thornton.
• 1:23:39
  Speaker 2: Aren't you going to have some salad? You always say
• 1:23:42
  Speaker 2: no meal is complete without salad.
• 1:23:45
  Speaker 1: Takes bowl of salad from sideboard and puts it on table.
• 1:23:49
  Speaker 1: Thornton cynically, you don't.
• 1:23:51
  Speaker 3: Call this a meal, do you? A fine mixture? For
• 1:23:55
  Speaker 3: a person who pretends to be a dietician.
• 1:23:59
  Speaker 2: There is nothing about this meal that could possibly injure
• 1:24:02
  Speaker 2: a healthy person. Certainly, no one here looks much like
• 1:24:05
  Speaker 2: an invalid, not now, but.
• 1:24:08
  Speaker 3: We soon will be if we have to live on
• 1:24:11
  Speaker 3: this sort of grub.
• 1:24:13
  Speaker 7: Betty, is this the angel husband you flung in our
• 1:24:17
  Speaker 7: faces all afternoon? If your uncle Bob grumbled about my
• 1:24:21
  Speaker 7: cooking as he does about yours, I'm astray.
• 1:24:26
  Speaker 1: Thornton starts toward bird.
• 1:24:29
  Speaker 3: I'll strangle that devilish bird.
• 1:24:32
  Speaker 1: Jane grabbing his coat tail.
• 1:24:35
  Speaker 7: If you touch my parrot, I'll have you arrested for
• 1:24:39
  Speaker 7: assault and battery others.
• 1:24:42
  Speaker 1: Rise. Thornton yells, you and your bird can go to Thornton.
• 1:24:50
  Speaker 7: Thornton Albright. You may bully your wife, but you can't
• 1:24:54
  Speaker 7: bully me.
• 1:24:55
  Speaker 3: If you think you're going to come here and break
• 1:24:59
  Speaker 3: up my home, you're off your.
• 1:25:03
  Speaker 7: Trolley break up your home. Hum ha. If there is
• 1:25:09
  Speaker 7: any homebreaker around it certainly isn't Aunt Jane.
• 1:25:13
  Speaker 1: Glarre's aunt Lily who tosses her head.
• 1:25:17
  Speaker 3: And I'll let you know you can't insult my guests.
• 1:25:21
  Speaker 3: You're not dealing with soft hearted uncle Bob. This time,
• 1:25:25
  Speaker 3: Old Lady.
• 1:25:27
  Speaker 1: Ghost left Jane taken aback.
• 1:25:30
  Speaker 7: Old lady, how dare you bring his name into this.
• 1:25:35
  Speaker 7: If he were here, he'd show you where.
• 1:25:37
  Speaker 1: To get off with pride.
• 1:25:40
  Speaker 7: Bob spink is a gentleman.
• 1:25:43
  Speaker 1: Turns toward table. Bob has been peering out listening, chuckles
• 1:25:48
  Speaker 1: to himself. Comes out quickly and Jerk's open. Door left
• 1:25:52
  Speaker 1: center as if he had just entered here.
• 1:25:56
  Speaker 8: Here, whustle this round.
• 1:25:59
  Speaker 11: Huh.
• 1:26:00
  Speaker 8: Heards you way down the street takes center.
• 1:26:04
  Speaker 1: Jane stands a moment surprised.
• 1:26:07
  Speaker 7: Bob, oh Bob, thank Heaven.
• 1:26:11
  Speaker 1: Throws herself into his arms, breaks down.
• 1:26:15
  Speaker 7: I want to go home. I was never so insulted
• 1:26:19
  Speaker 7: in all my life.
• 1:26:21
  Speaker 1: Bob holds her head tied against his breast, winks at Thornton,
• 1:26:25
  Speaker 1: but speaks with great fierceness.
• 1:26:28
  Speaker 8: Young man, I will see you again with much solicitude,
• 1:26:34
  Speaker 8: poor abuse, Jenny, get your hat, dearie.
• 1:26:39
  Speaker 1: Jane takes up hat from Devan and jams it on
• 1:26:42
  Speaker 1: her head askew. Bob puts his arm around her waist
• 1:26:46
  Speaker 1: with mock concern and leads her to door left center,
• 1:26:50
  Speaker 1: turns to Thornton again and winks, roars yes again.
• 1:26:56
  Speaker 8: Soon I'm on strike.
• 1:26:59
  Speaker 1: Oh shut exits quickly, door left center. Podcast's a mischievous
• 1:27:05
  Speaker 1: glance backward to Thornton as he follows her. Betty go
• 1:27:10
  Speaker 1: center to Thornton.
• 1:27:12
  Speaker 2: You've insulted her.
• 1:27:13
  Speaker 3: Do you take her part against me?
• 1:27:17
  Speaker 2: She is older than we.
• 1:27:19
  Speaker 14: Thornton to Lily, Lily.
• 1:27:22
  Speaker 3: I leave it to you. Do you think that old
• 1:27:25
  Speaker 3: term again had a right to perch herself on us?
• 1:27:29
  Speaker 2: You are speaking of my aunt.
• 1:27:32
  Speaker 5: Please don't ask me. Thornton. Betty and I never saw
• 1:27:36
  Speaker 5: with the same eyes.
• 1:27:38
  Speaker 2: Oh yes, we did when I was half blind. But
• 1:27:41
  Speaker 2: my vision is clearing.
• 1:27:43
  Speaker 1: Lily scenting a storm.
• 1:27:46
  Speaker 5: I really must be going. I forgot I have an
• 1:27:48
  Speaker 5: invitation to a box party.
• 1:27:51
  Speaker 1: Gets on her hat.
• 1:27:53
  Speaker 2: Reynold's run Lily over in your car.
• 1:27:56
  Speaker 1: Lily as she opens door left center and steps out.
• 1:27:59
  Speaker 5: To that will be fine, Renald, good night, Thornton.
• 1:28:06
  Speaker 3: Good night, Lily, come again.
• 1:28:09
  Speaker 5: Thanks, I will good night. Betty.
• 1:28:12
  Speaker 1: Dear Exit door left center. Betty, as Ranald makes gesture
• 1:28:18
  Speaker 1: of protest, do as I tell you, goes to door right.
• 1:28:23
  Speaker 2: I want to get a breath of air.
• 1:28:25
  Speaker 1: Exit door right. Reynald goes down confidentially to Thornton.
• 1:28:30
  Speaker 4: She's mad, Thorny never saw that look in her eye before.
• 1:28:35
  Speaker 4: You've gone a bit too far this time. Better be careful.
• 1:28:38
  Speaker 3: I don't need any lessons from a whipper snapper like you.
• 1:28:43
  Speaker 1: Crosses to right.
• 1:28:45
  Speaker 4: Reynald seriously, thorny, old boy, you're both my well, my world.
• 1:28:52
  Speaker 4: Don't forget that. Don't.
• 1:28:55
  Speaker 1: Thornton pats his shoulder.
• 1:28:58
  Speaker 3: I won't, boy, You're a good scout.
• 1:29:01
  Speaker 1: Exit Reynald door left center, enter Betty door right. Thornton
• 1:29:06
  Speaker 1: goes back to left.
• 1:29:08
  Speaker 3: This is certainly the end of a perfect day dinner
• 1:29:13
  Speaker 3: party broken up before dessert.
• 1:29:16
  Speaker 1: Betty giving him a sharp look.
• 1:29:19
  Speaker 2: We'll have our desserts now.
• 1:29:21
  Speaker 1: Thornton a bit afraid.
• 1:29:23
  Speaker 3: That's good pie.
• 1:29:25
  Speaker 1: Betty, with cutting sarcasm.
• 1:29:28
  Speaker 2: Do you think the crust will suit you?
• 1:29:31
  Speaker 1: Thornton with great amiability.
• 1:29:34
  Speaker 3: Your crust always suits me.
• 1:29:37
  Speaker 1: Goes to table.
• 1:29:38
  Speaker 2: Then I'll give you your pie.
• 1:29:40
  Speaker 1: She takes pie from sideboard and cuts it.
• 1:29:44
  Speaker 3: Aren't you going to have any.
• 1:29:46
  Speaker 1: Sits back of table and eats pie. Betty moves left
• 1:29:50
  Speaker 1: away from table.
• 1:29:52
  Speaker 2: No, I've had mine. Too much sweetness? Isn't healthful?
• 1:29:56
  Speaker 1: Wanders about handling things without seeing them, settling in her
• 1:30:01
  Speaker 1: mind her mode of action.
• 1:30:03
  Speaker 3: For the lord's sake, sit down, you give me the jemmies.
• 1:30:09
  Speaker 1: Betty takes center and stands still.
• 1:30:12
  Speaker 2: I'm rather glad I went to that meeting today.
• 1:30:15
  Speaker 3: That's it. That infernal club started all this row. They're
• 1:30:20
  Speaker 3: a bunch of nuts.
• 1:30:22
  Speaker 2: You're quite right.
• 1:30:24
  Speaker 1: Thornton rises and starts toward her.
• 1:30:27
  Speaker 3: There, that's my own girl talking.
• 1:30:31
  Speaker 1: Betty waves him off.
• 1:30:33
  Speaker 2: Yes, to use your elegant term. They're nuts. They wants
• 1:30:39
  Speaker 2: to shift their responsibilities on someone else's shoulders.
• 1:30:42
  Speaker 1: Thornton, with aggrieved air, Yes on mine, drops in chair
• 1:30:49
  Speaker 1: at left wing of table. But when it comes to
• 1:30:52
  Speaker 1: my aunt, Thornton rises.
• 1:30:55
  Speaker 3: That's it, your aunt, she started all this trouble, Betty,
• 1:31:00
  Speaker 3: he smiles.
• 1:31:01
  Speaker 2: And who else?
• 1:31:03
  Speaker 1: Thornton, feeling abused.
• 1:31:05
  Speaker 3: Your aunt ought to have enough sense to know I
• 1:31:08
  Speaker 3: can't support her. The responsibility of a wife is enough
• 1:31:13
  Speaker 3: for a young man's shoulders.
• 1:31:16
  Speaker 1: Takes chair at front of table and turns it so
• 1:31:18
  Speaker 1: he faces audience. Sits too much, Thornton lordly as he
• 1:31:25
  Speaker 1: stretches himself.
• 1:31:27
  Speaker 3: Now, oh not, when she conserves the resources.
• 1:31:31
  Speaker 1: Betty looks at him a moment before speaking strange.
• 1:31:36
  Speaker 2: But during our courtship, it never occurred to me to
• 1:31:38
  Speaker 2: ask you about your ideas of the duty of a wife.
• 1:31:42
  Speaker 1: Thornton, laughing rather importantly, hm m m.
• 1:31:47
  Speaker 3: My ideas of the duty of a.
• 1:31:48
  Speaker 1: Wife, tips back in his chair.
• 1:31:52
  Speaker 3: Well, I'm clear on that point, Betty.
• 1:31:55
  Speaker 1: Meaningly, I'm sure you are, Thornton, glad of chance to
• 1:32:00
  Speaker 1: air his views.
• 1:32:02
  Speaker 3: First, A woman's place is in the hole.
• 1:32:06
  Speaker 1: He says this as if he had discovered the phrase,
• 1:32:10
  Speaker 1: Betty mildly.
• 1:32:12
  Speaker 2: All the time.
• 1:32:14
  Speaker 3: I don't get you.
• 1:32:16
  Speaker 2: You believe whenever a man comes home he should find
• 1:32:19
  Speaker 2: his wife waiting.
• 1:32:22
  Speaker 3: You got it.
• 1:32:23
  Speaker 2: But suppose she shouldn't be waiting always.
• 1:32:27
  Speaker 1: Thornton, with self confidence.
• 1:32:30
  Speaker 3: Oh but if she loves him, she will.
• 1:32:32
  Speaker 1: Be Betty smiles, Oh, I see, sweetly, without raising her voice.
• 1:32:40
  Speaker 2: And in case she happened not to be waiting, her
• 1:32:43
  Speaker 2: husband should raise a hell of a row. Why Betty
• 1:32:48
  Speaker 2: and the wife should cheerfully entertain all his friends and
• 1:32:51
  Speaker 2: ancient amorets well, he reserves the right to insult the
• 1:32:55
  Speaker 2: ones that are dear to her.
• 1:32:57
  Speaker 1: Thornton, excusing himself.
• 1:33:00
  Speaker 3: Aunt Jane is not your friend. She's your aunt.
• 1:33:05
  Speaker 1: He says this vicatiously, trying to make her think it funny,
• 1:33:09
  Speaker 1: but she remains inflexible, much to his discomfort.
• 1:33:14
  Speaker 2: Yes, she is my aunt. She is the person who
• 1:33:17
  Speaker 2: took me in when I was left an orphan and
• 1:33:20
  Speaker 2: sent me through school. Do you know why I specialized
• 1:33:23
  Speaker 2: in domestic science.
• 1:33:25
  Speaker 3: To be a good wife to some man?
• 1:33:27
  Speaker 14: I suppose, Betty smiles.
• 1:33:31
  Speaker 2: What a masculine answer, but I didn't. It was because
• 1:33:36
  Speaker 2: I wanted it to be capable to earn my own living.
• 1:33:39
  Speaker 2: That is why it shows a profession that is always
• 1:33:41
  Speaker 2: in demand. But we were discussing the duties of wifehood.
• 1:33:45
  Speaker 3: Thornton rising, don't let us say anything more about it, dear,
• 1:33:50
  Speaker 3: you agree with me, I.
• 1:33:52
  Speaker 2: Know, and one of the wife's duties is to listen
• 1:33:56
  Speaker 2: with a lamb like docility to her husband's grumbling and growl.
• 1:34:01
  Speaker 1: Thornton self pityingly.
• 1:34:03
  Speaker 3: I don't see what's the use of being married if
• 1:34:07
  Speaker 3: a fellow can't be natural in his.
• 1:34:10
  Speaker 1: Own home, puts his hands in pockets and strides over
• 1:34:14
  Speaker 1: to left corner.
• 1:34:16
  Speaker 2: And by being natural you mean the release of all
• 1:34:20
  Speaker 2: self restraint, the right to let loose all the badness
• 1:34:23
  Speaker 2: in you. Why Thornton, all right? You don't want mutual friendship,
• 1:34:31
  Speaker 2: mutual love, mutual helpfulness. You want a bound slave who
• 1:34:39
  Speaker 2: gives and gives and humbly accepts what her master's whims
• 1:34:44
  Speaker 2: may offer. You're behind the times, dear man. The Emancipation
• 1:34:49
  Speaker 2: Proclamation freeing all Slaves was published by Abraham Lincoln January first,
• 1:34:55
  Speaker 2: eighteen hundred and sixty three.
• 1:34:58
  Speaker 3: I don't need any li lesson in American history, nor
• 1:35:02
  Speaker 3: have I any desire to be a slaveholder.
• 1:35:07
  Speaker 8: No.
• 1:35:08
  Speaker 2: Then, if it's the present system of hiring servants that
• 1:35:11
  Speaker 2: you advocate, you are still behind the times. For the
• 1:35:15
  Speaker 2: workers today demand short hours, good pay, and fair treatment.
• 1:35:19
  Speaker 3: I want a wife, not a servant.
• 1:35:23
  Speaker 2: Yes, you want a wife to boss. I regret that
• 1:35:26
  Speaker 2: after one month's trial, I cannot qualify, so I quit
• 1:35:30
  Speaker 2: the job.
• 1:35:32
  Speaker 14: Oh oh, that's rich Crosses too right, you've.
• 1:35:37
  Speaker 3: Got the strip bug. Two. Why, my dear, you fell
• 1:35:41
  Speaker 3: out of college into my arms. I've no desire to
• 1:35:45
  Speaker 3: see my wife starve.
• 1:35:47
  Speaker 2: If you think a scientifically trained housekeeper and dietitian is
• 1:35:51
  Speaker 2: going to starve, you certainly don't read the want ads.
• 1:35:55
  Speaker 2: I'll prove to you that I shall be more in
• 1:35:57
  Speaker 2: demand in my new position than in the one.
• 1:35:59
  Speaker 3: I'm great, Scott, Betty, you're not serious.
• 1:36:05
  Speaker 2: Both serious and determined.
• 1:36:07
  Speaker 1: Thornton disappointed then you don't love me anymore?
• 1:36:13
  Speaker 2: Yes I do, and I'll make you not only love
• 1:36:17
  Speaker 2: but respect me as well.
• 1:36:19
  Speaker 3: Not respect you.
• 1:36:21
  Speaker 1: Oh come, now, that's too much coming toward her.
• 1:36:27
  Speaker 2: In spite of all you say, I found out today
• 1:36:30
  Speaker 2: that in your eyes, a wife is an employee first
• 1:36:33
  Speaker 2: of all, a person to attend to your wants. Very well, then,
• 1:36:37
  Speaker 2: if marriage is a business deal, I demand the same
• 1:36:40
  Speaker 2: consideration that exists between boss and man.
• 1:36:43
  Speaker 3: What do you know about the relations of employer and employee.
• 1:36:49
  Speaker 2: I know that the strike is a modern weapon of protest,
• 1:36:52
  Speaker 2: and I intend to use that weapon to get what
• 1:36:54
  Speaker 2: I want.
• 1:36:55
  Speaker 1: Thornton badly frightened.
• 1:36:58
  Speaker 3: Then you're going to give me up?
• 1:37:00
  Speaker 2: No, but I'm going to walk out until you give
• 1:37:03
  Speaker 2: up the tradition of man's superiority to woman.
• 1:37:07
  Speaker 3: That's no tradition, it's a fact.
• 1:37:12
  Speaker 2: Very well, prove that you are my superior in fighting
• 1:37:15
  Speaker 2: the battle of.
• 1:37:16
  Speaker 1: Life exits hastily, door left. Thornton looks after her, astonished,
• 1:37:22
  Speaker 1: then chuckles to himself, takes a cigar out of his pocket,
• 1:37:26
  Speaker 1: bites off the end lights it sits in rocker, and
• 1:37:30
  Speaker 1: prepares to enjoy himself. Looks quizzically toward door and calls
• 1:37:35
  Speaker 1: Betty no answer, takes another puff.
• 1:37:39
  Speaker 3: Or two bad tea.
• 1:37:43
  Speaker 1: Looks rather surprised, rises and goes to door left, looks
• 1:37:47
  Speaker 1: into room.
• 1:37:49
  Speaker 3: Oh, I say, come now, Betty, don't pack up. If
• 1:37:54
  Speaker 3: anybody's got to go, let it be me.
• 1:37:58
  Speaker 1: Throws away cigar. Betty closes door left. Thornton shakes his
• 1:38:02
  Speaker 1: head in a troubled manner, puts on his hat and coat,
• 1:38:06
  Speaker 1: takes some banknotes from his pocket, glances toward the closed door,
• 1:38:11
  Speaker 1: then takes out notebook and writes. Goes to table and
• 1:38:15
  Speaker 1: puts the money down with the note looks for weight
• 1:38:18
  Speaker 1: to hold them down, sets a salt shaker on them,
• 1:38:22
  Speaker 1: then decides on the sugar bowl instead. While doing this,
• 1:38:26
  Speaker 1: his eyes take in the untouched food. He remembers he
• 1:38:29
  Speaker 1: hasn't finished his dinner and is still hungry. He cuts
• 1:38:33
  Speaker 1: the meat loaf, calls.
• 1:38:36
  Speaker 3: Where do you keep the wrappin' paper?
• 1:38:39
  Speaker 1: No answer. He takes the slice of meat loaf and
• 1:38:42
  Speaker 1: a piece of pie, and exits into kitchen. Enter Betty
• 1:38:47
  Speaker 1: door left, wearing coat, hat and carrying a handbag. She
• 1:38:51
  Speaker 1: notices that Thornton's coat and hat are gone as she
• 1:38:54
  Speaker 1: glances toward table observes the note and money. She sets
• 1:38:59
  Speaker 1: her bag down near door left center, goes to table,
• 1:39:03
  Speaker 1: picks up money and note, reads note, and tosses the
• 1:39:06
  Speaker 1: money indifferently on to the table. Then her eyes fall
• 1:39:10
  Speaker 1: on the meat loaf. She remembers she hasn't had any dinner,
• 1:39:14
  Speaker 1: picks up a slice of meat and a piece of pie.
• 1:39:17
  Speaker 1: Saunters away from table over toward fireplace. Just as she
• 1:39:21
  Speaker 1: is taking a bite of pie, Thornton comes to kitchen door,
• 1:39:26
  Speaker 1: eating the pie with one hand and holding the package
• 1:39:28
  Speaker 1: of meat loaf in the other. Betty turns at the sound.
• 1:39:32
  Speaker 1: They gaze at each other, astonished, each with the pie
• 1:39:36
  Speaker 1: in their mouth. Thornton drops the food and bolts out
• 1:39:40
  Speaker 1: of door. Right. Betty also drops food and rushes for door.
• 1:39:44
  Speaker 1: Left center, grabbing handbag, makes a hasty exit curtain and
• 1:39:50
  Speaker 1: off Act two, Act three of Wives on Strike by
• 1:40:00
  Speaker 1: Lilian Sutton Paley. This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox
• 1:40:05
  Speaker 1: recordings are in the public domain. For more information or
• 1:40:09
  Speaker 1: to volunteer, please visit LibriVox dot org. Scene reception room
• 1:40:15
  Speaker 1: in Betty's diet kitchen about six thirty p m. Six
• 1:40:19
  Speaker 1: weeks later, upright, a window faces the street, on which
• 1:40:23
  Speaker 1: is painted in bold letters Betty's Diet Kitchen, the reverse
• 1:40:28
  Speaker 1: side of the letters showing farther Down right is a
• 1:40:31
  Speaker 1: door leading to street. Another door at left leads into
• 1:40:36
  Speaker 1: the private dining room French doors up center. When open,
• 1:40:41
  Speaker 1: the main dining room is plainly seen. At left of
• 1:40:44
  Speaker 1: center door is a desk with chair on which are
• 1:40:48
  Speaker 1: stacked menus of different colors. Left of desk is an
• 1:40:51
  Speaker 1: arm chair. To right of center door, a settee is
• 1:40:55
  Speaker 1: placed across corner of room, table with Boston fern at
• 1:40:59
  Speaker 1: front window. Downright is another armchair. Down left is a
• 1:41:04
  Speaker 1: tete a tete weaker furniture with bright pillows and cushions
• 1:41:09
  Speaker 1: as desired. All the woodwork is of light color and
• 1:41:13
  Speaker 1: a pleasing color scheme gives a sense of harmony. Discovered
• 1:41:18
  Speaker 1: Betty talking to Clara, who is busy arranging the menu cards.
• 1:41:23
  Speaker 6: But Betty, some of the patrons don't want to take
• 1:41:26
  Speaker 6: the health menus you prescribe.
• 1:41:29
  Speaker 2: If these people place themselves under my care to be cured,
• 1:41:32
  Speaker 2: they must follow my orders. If they don't want to
• 1:41:34
  Speaker 2: do so, there are plenty of other restaurants where they
• 1:41:37
  Speaker 2: can mix any death dealing combination of food and where
• 1:41:39
  Speaker 2: they can stuff themselves until they haven't energy enough to
• 1:41:42
  Speaker 2: either move or think.
• 1:41:44
  Speaker 6: It is because the food is so good that it
• 1:41:46
  Speaker 6: is hard for them to diet.
• 1:41:49
  Speaker 2: A lot of them come for curiosity, just to see
• 1:41:51
  Speaker 2: if Thornton and I will make up.
• 1:41:53
  Speaker 6: They do gossip considerably, but I wouldn't mind if I
• 1:41:57
  Speaker 6: were you.
• 1:41:58
  Speaker 2: I suppose it does look queer, for weren't in to
• 1:42:00
  Speaker 2: eat here all the time when we are not living together.
• 1:42:03
  Speaker 2: But what could I do? This is a public restaurant.
• 1:42:06
  Speaker 1: Clara looks observantly at Betty.
• 1:42:09
  Speaker 6: Mister Albright says it is the best in the city.
• 1:42:13
  Speaker 1: Betty tosses her head. How gracious of him, Clara, glancing
• 1:42:18
  Speaker 1: out of window.
• 1:42:20
  Speaker 6: There come missus Lamb and her husband.
• 1:42:23
  Speaker 1: Betty also glancing.
• 1:42:24
  Speaker 2: Out, Oh the lion and the lamb.
• 1:42:28
  Speaker 6: He doesn't act a bit like I thought a caveman
• 1:42:30
  Speaker 6: would act, Betty smiling.
• 1:42:34
  Speaker 2: No, Well, you see, honey, a public restaurant isn't exactly
• 1:42:38
  Speaker 2: the place for a barbarian to show off to advantage.
• 1:42:41
  Speaker 6: Then you really think he is so bad, Betty?
• 1:42:45
  Speaker 1: Seriously, one can never tell.
• 1:42:47
  Speaker 2: Better. Be careful not to arouse him.
• 1:42:50
  Speaker 1: Enter you're a lamb door right, You're a indoorway, to
• 1:42:54
  Speaker 1: her husband, who stops outside, his face almost against window,
• 1:42:59
  Speaker 1: staring at Betty's sign.
• 1:43:01
  Speaker 11: Come on in, what are you staring at?
• 1:43:04
  Speaker 5: Jim?
• 1:43:05
  Speaker 4: Enter?
• 1:43:06
  Speaker 1: Jim lamb door right?
• 1:43:08
  Speaker 12: I was only trying to decipher some cryptic significance in
• 1:43:12
  Speaker 12: missus Albright's semiography, My Dear the words Betty's diet, kitchen
• 1:43:19
  Speaker 12: or epigraphic. I quite understand, but there must be.
• 1:43:23
  Speaker 11: Some hidden Gracious me, that man can't even read a
• 1:43:27
  Speaker 11: simple sign without trying to find out some hidden meaning.
• 1:43:31
  Speaker 1: Jim has walked over to window and is still gazing
• 1:43:34
  Speaker 1: at reverse side of sign.
• 1:43:36
  Speaker 11: Come away from there.
• 1:43:39
  Speaker 1: Angrily drags him from window, but he keeps looking back,
• 1:43:42
  Speaker 1: wrinkling his brow and talking to himself, as if deciphering
• 1:43:46
  Speaker 1: some hieroglyph. Betty advances, shakes hands with Orra, crosses and
• 1:43:52
  Speaker 1: extends her hand to Jim, who doesn't see it. So
• 1:43:55
  Speaker 1: absorbed is he? Eur A shouts Jim. He jumps, looks about, frightened,
• 1:44:03
  Speaker 1: sees Betty's outstretched hand, lets his drop into it, but
• 1:44:07
  Speaker 1: with no warmth of response, and goes on thinking out
• 1:44:10
  Speaker 1: his problem.
• 1:44:12
  Speaker 11: Betty, I want to talk to you a minute before
• 1:44:14
  Speaker 11: the rush.
• 1:44:14
  Speaker 1: Arrives, Jim, he is again buried in thought. Jim, he
• 1:44:21
  Speaker 1: takes out pencil and pad and begins to write, You're
• 1:44:24
  Speaker 1: a grabs hold of his arm and he arouses with
• 1:44:27
  Speaker 1: a start. She drags him center and gives him a
• 1:44:31
  Speaker 1: push toward desk, where Clara stands waiting.
• 1:44:35
  Speaker 11: Get the menusin, go in order the dinner. Do you
• 1:44:38
  Speaker 11: remember the numbers?
• 1:44:40
  Speaker 1: Jim, dazed? Uhh uh numbers, yes, decidedly, numbers.
• 1:44:48
  Speaker 11: Two and ten.
• 1:44:50
  Speaker 12: Oh ah, yes, suh two mind stimulation two stimulation um
• 1:44:57
  Speaker 12: two mind.
• 1:44:59
  Speaker 1: You're a to Betty?
• 1:45:01
  Speaker 11: What did you give him a fish diet? For he
• 1:45:04
  Speaker 11: has so much mind now that he hasn't an ounce
• 1:45:07
  Speaker 11: of common sense.
• 1:45:08
  Speaker 12: There is some connection between the words and the numbers.
• 1:45:12
  Speaker 12: She intends to convey the idea.
• 1:45:14
  Speaker 1: That Europe provoked.
• 1:45:17
  Speaker 11: Convey nothing. Get numbers two and ten, and don't stop
• 1:45:21
  Speaker 11: to think until you are seated at the table and
• 1:45:23
  Speaker 11: have given the cards to the waiter.
• 1:45:25
  Speaker 12: He'll try, my dear, to follow your instructions.
• 1:45:29
  Speaker 1: Goes toward Clara, but cannot resist jotting down something else
• 1:45:33
  Speaker 1: in his book. Ura talks to Betty. He is about
• 1:45:37
  Speaker 1: to pass Clara. When she touches his arm respectfully. He
• 1:45:41
  Speaker 1: looks up inquiringly, your.
• 1:45:43
  Speaker 12: Cards, sir, Oh, yes, number six and number thirteen.
• 1:45:51
  Speaker 1: Please to inten you mean, Sir smiles sweetly and hands
• 1:45:56
  Speaker 1: him two cards. He takes them, much embarrassed it again,
• 1:46:00
  Speaker 1: begins to think of the cryptic sign, walks into the wall,
• 1:46:05
  Speaker 1: sees his mistake, and makes a dash for the dining
• 1:46:08
  Speaker 1: room exit door. Center. You're a continuing in audible tone.
• 1:46:14
  Speaker 11: Yes, I should say, we did have a terrible time
• 1:46:17
  Speaker 11: to make your aunt Jane see that it has her
• 1:46:19
  Speaker 11: duty to the Wives Welfare Club to resume the strike.
• 1:46:23
  Speaker 11: She wouldn't give in, though, until we promised her a
• 1:46:25
  Speaker 11: suite at the Alexandria. Huh. Goodness knows how the money
• 1:46:30
  Speaker 11: will be raised to pay for it unless we go
• 1:46:32
  Speaker 11: through a husband's pockets when they're asleep.
• 1:46:36
  Speaker 1: Betty laughs.
• 1:46:37
  Speaker 2: That'll not be an entirely new experiment, will it.
• 1:46:42
  Speaker 11: I don't need to wait till Jim's asleep to go
• 1:46:44
  Speaker 11: through his He's been burrowing in his musty book so
• 1:46:47
  Speaker 11: long that he never knows what's going on outside of them.
• 1:46:51
  Speaker 2: But don't you think I am making a good enough
• 1:46:53
  Speaker 2: test case without you? Are keeping Aunts Jane out on strike.
• 1:46:57
  Speaker 11: Yes, you're the one that's really bringing our husbands to time.
• 1:47:01
  Speaker 11: Jim wouldn't like me to follow your example. He'd never
• 1:47:05
  Speaker 11: be able to get out a fresh underwear when he
• 1:47:07
  Speaker 11: wanted a bath. We've lived in that house for ten
• 1:47:11
  Speaker 11: years and he doesn't know where his clothes are kept.
• 1:47:15
  Speaker 11: But you see, my dear, the more women we can
• 1:47:17
  Speaker 11: keep on strike, the better it is for us who
• 1:47:20
  Speaker 11: don't strike.
• 1:47:21
  Speaker 2: But is that altogether fair to the strikers?
• 1:47:25
  Speaker 11: Fair? Whoever heard of fairness and a strike? If Jane
• 1:47:29
  Speaker 11: had never gone out, it would be different. But to
• 1:47:32
  Speaker 11: back down, No, she has got to stay out until
• 1:47:36
  Speaker 11: we get our demands. You'll contribute, of course.
• 1:47:40
  Speaker 2: Oh yes, I'll see that. Aunt Jane doesn't come to want.
• 1:47:44
  Speaker 11: You're a Trump.
• 1:47:45
  Speaker 1: Exit quickly, door center. Betty saunters up to Clara. Enter
• 1:47:50
  Speaker 1: Jane and Bob spink door right.
• 1:47:53
  Speaker 8: Arm in arm, got a table for us, Betty.
• 1:47:57
  Speaker 1: Betty turns, why how's this?
• 1:48:01
  Speaker 8: I forgave her again and took her back.
• 1:48:06
  Speaker 7: Don't you believe it? He promised to reform?
• 1:48:10
  Speaker 1: Goes center. Betty left of her. Betty with a merry twinkle?
• 1:48:15
  Speaker 2: Did you uncle Bob?
• 1:48:17
  Speaker 8: Yep, promised to be as angelic winking at Betty as
• 1:48:23
  Speaker 8: Jane herself.
• 1:48:26
  Speaker 2: But Auntie, what's with the wives welfare Club?
• 1:48:29
  Speaker 7: The wive's welfare club can be their own goat.
• 1:48:32
  Speaker 8: Betty, how long are you going to keep up this
• 1:48:35
  Speaker 8: separation from Thornton? Six weeks punishment is enough for any man.
• 1:48:42
  Speaker 8: His heart is broken, Betty sniffs.
• 1:48:47
  Speaker 2: His appetite is good. Claire told me he stole three
• 1:48:50
  Speaker 2: menus yesterday when her back was turned. He will demoralize
• 1:48:53
  Speaker 2: my establishment. Who is going to be satisfied with a rock,
• 1:48:56
  Speaker 2: carrot and a glass of milk when an ostrich like
• 1:48:59
  Speaker 2: that is beating under her very eyes?
• 1:49:01
  Speaker 7: Betty, I used to ridicule your idea that most human
• 1:49:05
  Speaker 7: ills are traceable to improper eating. But since your uncle
• 1:49:09
  Speaker 7: Bob has been following your advice, he has become almost
• 1:49:12
  Speaker 7: as saintly as before we were married.
• 1:49:16
  Speaker 8: And I've noticed a decided improvement in your aunt Jane's
• 1:49:20
  Speaker 8: disposition since you took the problem of the cook off
• 1:49:24
  Speaker 8: her mind.
• 1:49:26
  Speaker 7: My disposition requires no improvement. But Betty, haven't you a
• 1:49:31
  Speaker 7: course of diet that will remove wrinkles?
• 1:49:35
  Speaker 2: Happiness is the only wrinkle eraser. Auntie and now since
• 1:49:38
  Speaker 2: you have uncle Bob back too, jaw no love, your
• 1:49:45
  Speaker 2: face is as smooth as a girl's.
• 1:49:47
  Speaker 8: Shall I take the rheumatism bill of fare again, Betty?
• 1:49:52
  Speaker 2: Yes, number eight for my uncle and four for my
• 1:49:54
  Speaker 2: aunt Clara.
• 1:49:56
  Speaker 1: Bob goes to desk, Clara gives him bill of fare,
• 1:50:00
  Speaker 1: brings another to Jane.
• 1:50:02
  Speaker 7: What will it do for me?
• 1:50:04
  Speaker 2: Make you resume your dancing days?
• 1:50:06
  Speaker 7: Oh, Betty, your diet kitchen is a godsend. No more cooks,
• 1:50:11
  Speaker 7: thank Heaven.
• 1:50:13
  Speaker 2: I'll show you to your seats.
• 1:50:15
  Speaker 1: Exit door left, followed by Bob and Jane enter Renald,
• 1:50:20
  Speaker 1: door right. Clara sees him and becomes self conscious.
• 1:50:24
  Speaker 4: How do you do?
• 1:50:25
  Speaker 1: Clara hesitates, embarrassed.
• 1:50:29
  Speaker 4: Nice day. Isn't that stupid of me? How many times
• 1:50:35
  Speaker 4: have you been told about the weather today?
• 1:50:37
  Speaker 6: A good many times? But I don't mind.
• 1:50:41
  Speaker 4: Oh you're so good natured, you don't mind anything. You
• 1:50:45
  Speaker 4: only think that you must get pretty tired, don't you.
• 1:50:50
  Speaker 4: It's hard work being on your feet all day.
• 1:50:53
  Speaker 1: Renald is making conversation and is not quite natural.
• 1:50:58
  Speaker 6: Oh little bit, but Betty's so nice to work for.
• 1:51:02
  Speaker 4: She sure has made a go of this place. The lame,
• 1:51:06
  Speaker 4: the halt, and the blind come in and walk out cured.
• 1:51:10
  Speaker 6: Not quite so miraculous as that, but their health does
• 1:51:13
  Speaker 6: improve remarkably when they live up to Betty's directions. She
• 1:51:18
  Speaker 6: is wonderful and so kind and gentle.
• 1:51:22
  Speaker 1: Reynald glancing admiringly at Clara.
• 1:51:25
  Speaker 4: I know someone else who's kind and gentle too.
• 1:51:29
  Speaker 1: Clara laughs self consciously, glances toward window.
• 1:51:34
  Speaker 6: Here come Patricia Duggan and her poor husband.
• 1:51:37
  Speaker 4: Tom Duggan. Poor. He makes scareds of money, but he
• 1:51:41
  Speaker 4: looks all worn out.
• 1:51:43
  Speaker 6: I feel so sorry for him.
• 1:51:45
  Speaker 4: What a sympathetic little pigeon you are.
• 1:51:49
  Speaker 1: Starts to take her hand, but she draws back, embarrassed.
• 1:51:53
  Speaker 1: Enter mister and missus Duggan. Door right, Reynald going over
• 1:51:57
  Speaker 1: to Pat.
• 1:51:59
  Speaker 4: How are you, missus Dugan?
• 1:52:01
  Speaker 5: Oh? Come, Si comsar?
• 1:52:03
  Speaker 4: What's that in United States?
• 1:52:06
  Speaker 9: You tease?
• 1:52:08
  Speaker 1: They talk and jest together. Tom approaching desk to Clara.
• 1:52:13
  Speaker 10: Please give me the same bill fair I had yesterday?
• 1:52:16
  Speaker 10: Made me feel like a cult. What do you call it?
• 1:52:19
  Speaker 1: Clara glances toward Pat, does see that she is not listening.
• 1:52:23
  Speaker 6: Missus Orbright has named it overburdened husband's menu. Tom laughs,
• 1:52:30
  Speaker 6: did you follow the directions about relaxation and amusement. Missus
• 1:52:34
  Speaker 6: Orbright says, there is nothing the matter with your stomach,
• 1:52:37
  Speaker 6: but you need plenty of rest to get the best results.
• 1:52:41
  Speaker 6: It is necessary to follow all her orders.
• 1:52:44
  Speaker 1: Tom glances toward Pat sighs.
• 1:52:48
  Speaker 10: Ah, I find there's nothing like a set of marabou
• 1:52:50
  Speaker 10: for bringing repose.
• 1:52:52
  Speaker 1: Clara looks inquiringly. Tom laughs, starts toward Tete a Tete
• 1:52:57
  Speaker 1: enter Betty door left. She sends her hand to Tom
• 1:53:01
  Speaker 1: and passes on to Greek Pat. Tom sits on Te
• 1:53:04
  Speaker 1: to Tete.
• 1:53:05
  Speaker 2: How are you good folk?
• 1:53:07
  Speaker 13: How are you?
• 1:53:07
  Speaker 2: Reynolds?
• 1:53:08
  Speaker 1: Reynald mournfully hungry. Betty laughs here, Tom.
• 1:53:15
  Speaker 4: Let me see your bill of fare. I believe Betty
• 1:53:18
  Speaker 4: is holding out on me.
• 1:53:20
  Speaker 10: Tom to Reynald, don't you suppose we could have something
• 1:53:23
  Speaker 10: with a bit more peppinit than that funeral march?
• 1:53:26
  Speaker 4: Sure. Betty permits the orchestra to play anything the customers want,
• 1:53:31
  Speaker 4: but she has them stick to the highbrow stuff whenever possible,
• 1:53:36
  Speaker 4: Jazz for mine. I'll shut him off.
• 1:53:40
  Speaker 1: Exits door left, re enters immediately and sits by Tom.
• 1:53:45
  Speaker 1: The orchestra starts some jazz music. Pat on the other
• 1:53:49
  Speaker 1: side of room to Betty.
• 1:53:51
  Speaker 9: Your going on strike has brought our husbands around quicker
• 1:53:54
  Speaker 9: than we anticipated. See this lovely set of mariboo. Tom
• 1:53:58
  Speaker 9: bought it for me just as soon as he learned
• 1:54:00
  Speaker 9: what a success you are making of this diet kitchen.
• 1:54:03
  Speaker 9: He says, he hasn't slept so well for a month
• 1:54:06
  Speaker 9: as he did last night.
• 1:54:08
  Speaker 2: Maybe you gave him a chance.
• 1:54:10
  Speaker 9: I did. I went to the opera and left him
• 1:54:12
  Speaker 9: at home alone. I was the envy of every woman there.
• 1:54:16
  Speaker 9: I'm glad I had sense enough not to go on stripe.
• 1:54:19
  Speaker 9: It would have been foolish for us women to walk
• 1:54:21
  Speaker 9: out without something to live on, wouldn't it, Betty dryingly.
• 1:54:25
  Speaker 2: Rather, I saw that at once.
• 1:54:28
  Speaker 9: You don't ever have to go back if Thornton doesn't
• 1:54:30
  Speaker 9: do as you want.
• 1:54:32
  Speaker 1: Betty, with a longing look, No, I don't ever have
• 1:54:36
  Speaker 1: to go back. Size I have.
• 1:54:40
  Speaker 2: My economic independence.
• 1:54:42
  Speaker 9: I don't know what that means, but you certainly are
• 1:54:44
  Speaker 9: making heaps of money. But Betty, I thought your marriage
• 1:54:48
  Speaker 9: was a bed of roses.
• 1:54:50
  Speaker 2: It was the prickly kind.
• 1:54:53
  Speaker 9: I'll wager I know the sharpest thorn. However, if Lily
• 1:54:57
  Speaker 9: is the only cause, I wouldn't give her the satisfaction.
• 1:55:00
  Speaker 9: Did you know that she has invited herself to the nuts?
• 1:55:03
  Speaker 9: Shesha is furious. She says, Lady Lily keeps the telephone
• 1:55:08
  Speaker 9: wires hot, calling up Thornton.
• 1:55:10
  Speaker 2: If he prefers her, he is certainly welcome to his choice.
• 1:55:14
  Speaker 9: It doesn't look that way. He hasn't been in their
• 1:55:17
  Speaker 9: house since she moved in, and you know what chums
• 1:55:19
  Speaker 9: he and John Nutt are.
• 1:55:21
  Speaker 2: Yes, he used to spend half his time there.
• 1:55:24
  Speaker 9: Betty, you are doing worlds for us wives. There's a
• 1:55:27
  Speaker 9: peacherino of a Moleskin coat that I'm trying to get
• 1:55:30
  Speaker 9: Tom to buy for me, but I'd let it go
• 1:55:32
  Speaker 9: rather than wreck your happiness. Don't forget that no man
• 1:55:36
  Speaker 9: can hold out forever from the tiger Lily brand.
• 1:55:39
  Speaker 1: Betty shrugs her shoulders.
• 1:55:41
  Speaker 2: Do you think you'll get your moleskin?
• 1:55:44
  Speaker 1: Pat sighs.
• 1:55:46
  Speaker 9: I don't know, but I told Tom if he didn't
• 1:55:48
  Speaker 9: buy it, I'd start a bowling alley.
• 1:55:51
  Speaker 1: Betty laughs.
• 1:55:53
  Speaker 2: You'll need a bowling something if you don't look out
• 1:55:55
  Speaker 2: for your health. Here, let me feel your pulse.
• 1:55:58
  Speaker 1: Pat extends on.
• 1:56:01
  Speaker 2: I thought so circulation like a muddy pond. Cut out
• 1:56:04
  Speaker 2: limousines and take hikes.
• 1:56:07
  Speaker 9: Don't make me move more than I do now. Isn't
• 1:56:09
  Speaker 9: there something I can eat that will bring the same result?
• 1:56:13
  Speaker 2: Car to number three will help some Oh.
• 1:56:16
  Speaker 1: You darling, embraces Betty, then goes to Clara.
• 1:56:21
  Speaker 9: Card number three.
• 1:56:22
  Speaker 1: Please. Clara gives her card.
• 1:56:25
  Speaker 9: Pat reads one raw egg, beaten in lemon.
• 1:56:29
  Speaker 1: Juice, hands it back.
• 1:56:31
  Speaker 9: Hadley, you've made a mistake. Card number three, My dear, that's.
• 1:56:36
  Speaker 6: Is card number three.
• 1:56:38
  Speaker 1: Pat glances toward Betty heartless. Betty laughs, Tom let me
• 1:56:44
  Speaker 1: see your menu, grabs card out of his hand and
• 1:56:48
  Speaker 1: reads aloud.
• 1:56:49
  Speaker 9: Choice of hors d'euvres, soup, fish, entree, roast, salad, pie, pudding,
• 1:56:55
  Speaker 9: ice cream, nuts, cheese. Oh, heavens, all the things I had.
• 1:57:01
  Speaker 1: Reynolds laughs and joins Betty.
• 1:57:04
  Speaker 10: Better take her advice. Patricia, she's made me feel like
• 1:57:06
  Speaker 10: a fighting cock already.
• 1:57:08
  Speaker 11: Tom.
• 1:57:09
  Speaker 9: Betty says, I am an exceedingly sick woman. My blood
• 1:57:12
  Speaker 9: doesn't circulate at all. I think that moleskin coat I
• 1:57:16
  Speaker 9: saw at the vill would accelerate the red corpsicles.
• 1:57:20
  Speaker 1: Tom makes a rush for center door.
• 1:57:23
  Speaker 10: Great, Scott, you'll make me lose my appetite.
• 1:57:26
  Speaker 1: Pat grabs hold of him but Tom, just one minute,
• 1:57:30
  Speaker 1: Tom trying to release himself.
• 1:57:33
  Speaker 10: No, I have a very important engagement.
• 1:57:35
  Speaker 1: Pat severely, Tom Dugan.
• 1:57:38
  Speaker 9: If you don't buy me that Moleskin coat, I'll start
• 1:57:41
  Speaker 9: a jazz hall directly across from your office.
• 1:57:44
  Speaker 1: Tom alarmed.
• 1:57:46
  Speaker 9: Ye, gods, how would missus Thomas Dugan look teaching the shinny.
• 1:57:51
  Speaker 1: She begins to dance, catches hold of Reynald before he
• 1:57:55
  Speaker 1: knows what she's about. Tom looks on, horrified at her
• 1:57:58
  Speaker 1: audacious mood.
• 1:58:01
  Speaker 10: Oh my appetite, it's going.
• 1:58:03
  Speaker 1: Pat drops her menu as she whirls toward him, pushes
• 1:58:07
  Speaker 1: her face mischievously up into his.
• 1:58:10
  Speaker 9: Do I get the.
• 1:58:11
  Speaker 10: Moleskin anything, only, don't spoil a good.
• 1:58:14
  Speaker 1: Dinner, rushes out door Center. Pat triumphantly glances over her
• 1:58:20
  Speaker 1: shoulder at Betty.
• 1:58:22
  Speaker 9: I got him.
• 1:58:23
  Speaker 1: Exits after Tom, door Center, laughing. Betty looks after her.
• 1:58:29
  Speaker 2: What a lovely wax model Pat would make for a
• 1:58:31
  Speaker 2: show window.
• 1:58:33
  Speaker 1: Notice his menu on floor.
• 1:58:35
  Speaker 2: Run after her. Clara, she dropped her menu, and stop
• 1:58:39
  Speaker 2: that jazz music. How can anybody choose foods slowly with
• 1:58:42
  Speaker 2: that kind of an accompaniment.
• 1:58:44
  Speaker 1: Clara picks up the menu and exits door Center. The
• 1:58:48
  Speaker 1: music stops for a while. Betty to Reynald as she
• 1:58:52
  Speaker 1: looks after Clara.
• 1:58:54
  Speaker 2: What a lovely girl Clara is?
• 1:58:57
  Speaker 4: Yes, she is such a comfortable little body. She's the
• 1:59:01
  Speaker 4: kind of girl that makes a fellow half confidence in himself.
• 1:59:04
  Speaker 4: When I see you too working here, I feel ashamed
• 1:59:07
  Speaker 4: to be lazing around.
• 1:59:09
  Speaker 2: Then why don't you settle down and get married now? Clara?
• 1:59:12
  Speaker 3: Is you?
• 1:59:13
  Speaker 4: See? Betty, I'm not altogether certain.
• 1:59:16
  Speaker 2: That I but you are. Anyone can see that.
• 1:59:20
  Speaker 4: She sure is a fine girl.
• 1:59:22
  Speaker 2: Then why don't you well?
• 1:59:25
  Speaker 4: You see, look here.
• 1:59:27
  Speaker 2: Ronald Winburne. You are always telling me that you would
• 1:59:30
  Speaker 2: do anything for me. Yet when I pick out the
• 1:59:33
  Speaker 2: very nicest girl I know for you, you him and
• 1:59:36
  Speaker 2: haw and hesitate.
• 1:59:39
  Speaker 4: Clara is so genuine. I wouldn't like to be unfair
• 1:59:42
  Speaker 4: to her. You see, Betty, I'm not quite sure that
• 1:59:46
  Speaker 4: I have got over.
• 1:59:47
  Speaker 2: Oh well, if you don't want to please me in
• 1:59:49
  Speaker 2: a little thing like.
• 1:59:50
  Speaker 4: That, shrugs her shoulders, and you can talk of marriage
• 1:59:55
  Speaker 4: as a little thing after your experience, little.
• 1:59:59
  Speaker 1: Laugh without enjoyment.
• 2:00:02
  Speaker 2: Hah hah, it is less than little. It is nothing
• 2:00:06
  Speaker 2: at all to Thornton, to me.
• 2:00:09
  Speaker 1: Reynald solemnly.
• 2:00:11
  Speaker 4: Betty Thornton is very ill.
• 2:00:15
  Speaker 2: Ill. Oh where is?
• 2:00:16
  Speaker 1: He starts as if to go to him. Reynald smiles.
• 2:00:21
  Speaker 1: Betty recovers herself.
• 2:00:23
  Speaker 2: Oh, you bad boy. I knew he would be. He
• 2:00:26
  Speaker 2: stole three farm laborers, Bill's affair, and ate two lobsters
• 2:00:29
  Speaker 2: and a holman's pie.
• 2:00:31
  Speaker 4: Take him back, won't you?
• 2:00:34
  Speaker 1: Betty gives him a push.
• 2:00:36
  Speaker 2: Oh you nice third part of a triangle. You may
• 2:00:39
  Speaker 2: asking me to take my husband back, and.
• 2:00:42
  Speaker 4: A nice third part of a triangle you are asking
• 2:00:45
  Speaker 4: me to marry somebody else.
• 2:00:48
  Speaker 2: Don't be silly. I have no intention of taking him back.
• 2:00:51
  Speaker 4: He told me he had begged your pardon for being
• 2:00:54
  Speaker 4: such a grouch, with every pleading word he could find
• 2:00:58
  Speaker 4: in the dictionary.
• 2:01:00
  Speaker 2: But he hasn't admitted woman's equality to man.
• 2:01:03
  Speaker 1: With quivering chin and mouth as she wipes away a tear.
• 2:01:07
  Speaker 2: And I don't believe he ever will.
• 2:01:10
  Speaker 4: Don't be picky unish. You said you were only going
• 2:01:13
  Speaker 4: on strike until he towed.
• 2:01:15
  Speaker 1: The mark, Betty recovering her poise.
• 2:01:19
  Speaker 2: I've changed my mind. I now see you would take
• 2:01:21
  Speaker 2: a regiment of cooks to fill him up.
• 2:01:24
  Speaker 4: Then, if you won't take him back, maybe you'll get
• 2:01:27
  Speaker 4: a divorce and marry me.
• 2:01:29
  Speaker 2: This is a diet kitchen, not a marriage bureau.
• 2:01:32
  Speaker 4: Oh, I thought it was. You are so anxious for
• 2:01:36
  Speaker 4: me to marry.
• 2:01:37
  Speaker 1: Sh Clara enters door left.
• 2:01:41
  Speaker 2: Clara give mister Windburn the infant's bill of fare.
• 2:01:45
  Speaker 1: Clara offers him a baby blue card. He reads.
• 2:01:49
  Speaker 4: Dining room number three in front of cowbarn. One pail
• 2:01:54
  Speaker 4: of warm milk fresh from the cow.
• 2:01:57
  Speaker 3: Oh peckles.
• 2:01:58
  Speaker 1: Exit door left. Betty sees Lily coming to Clara.
• 2:02:03
  Speaker 2: That creature here again. I wish I had prepared a
• 2:02:06
  Speaker 2: carbolic acid menu. I don't want to see.
• 2:02:09
  Speaker 1: Her starts up center?
• 2:02:12
  Speaker 6: What card shall I give her?
• 2:02:14
  Speaker 2: Indigestionville a fare? If she eats everything on that, she'll
• 2:02:18
  Speaker 2: have to be carried out on a stretcher.
• 2:02:21
  Speaker 1: Exit door left, enter Lily, door right, looks.
• 2:02:24
  Speaker 6: Around Betty not here she was called away.
• 2:02:29
  Speaker 1: Enter Renald, door left, goes to Clara and whispers something
• 2:02:34
  Speaker 1: to her. Exit Clara, door left. Reynald, with a determined air,
• 2:02:39
  Speaker 1: makes for Lily.
• 2:02:41
  Speaker 4: Lily. I want a serious talk with.
• 2:02:44
  Speaker 1: You, serious bows.
• 2:02:47
  Speaker 5: Why am I so favored?
• 2:02:50
  Speaker 4: Don't try to attitudinize before me. Betty and Thornton are
• 2:02:54
  Speaker 4: my friends.
• 2:02:56
  Speaker 1: Lily Insinuatingly, it is plainly aparent that Betty is your
• 2:03:02
  Speaker 1: smiles friend.
• 2:03:05
  Speaker 4: Cut that I said friends. I reckon A fellow can
• 2:03:09
  Speaker 4: be fond of a woman without ceasing to be either
• 2:03:12
  Speaker 4: her friend or her husband's.
• 2:03:14
  Speaker 1: It's not usual, Reynald, conciliatory.
• 2:03:19
  Speaker 4: Don't let's quarrel, Lily. You don't realize it, but you're
• 2:03:23
  Speaker 4: butting in at the wrong time. Now, one of these
• 2:03:26
  Speaker 4: fine days, Thornton, in a fit of despondency, will do
• 2:03:30
  Speaker 4: something he'll always regret if there's a pretty girl around
• 2:03:33
  Speaker 4: willing to play the game with him. Betty's true blue,
• 2:03:37
  Speaker 4: true blue and quit him. Oh you know, she didn't
• 2:03:41
  Speaker 4: quit him for keeps. She just wants to make him
• 2:03:44
  Speaker 4: throw away his old fashioned notions of a woman's place
• 2:03:47
  Speaker 4: in the home, Lily smiles.
• 2:03:50
  Speaker 5: Do you think there is any chance of Thornton ever
• 2:03:53
  Speaker 5: giving up any of his cherished opinions?
• 2:03:56
  Speaker 4: I no, No, he sure does, like to boss.
• 2:04:00
  Speaker 5: I prefer the dominant male myself.
• 2:04:04
  Speaker 4: You hm, I've a pipe dream of your catering to
• 2:04:08
  Speaker 4: any man's whims.
• 2:04:10
  Speaker 5: If a woman uses the right tactics, she can turn
• 2:04:13
  Speaker 5: the catering the other way round. There's no sense in
• 2:04:17
  Speaker 5: open antagonism, Reynald.
• 2:04:20
  Speaker 4: Sneering, wheedling. I suppose it's.
• 2:04:24
  Speaker 5: The method you men have forced on us. We must
• 2:04:28
  Speaker 5: match our wits against your strength.
• 2:04:31
  Speaker 1: Looks at Rynald schemingly and speaks with deliberation.
• 2:04:35
  Speaker 5: But what do you think might happen if Thornton, in
• 2:04:38
  Speaker 5: a moment of despondency, should turn for consolation to some
• 2:04:43
  Speaker 5: one else.
• 2:04:45
  Speaker 1: Reynald, not suspecting her motive, answers.
• 2:04:48
  Speaker 4: Frankly, Betty'd never stand for it. Never. I know her
• 2:04:53
  Speaker 4: well enough for that. She'd divorce him.
• 2:04:56
  Speaker 1: Reynald is too much occupied with his thoughts to notice
• 2:05:00
  Speaker 1: Lily's satisfaction.
• 2:05:02
  Speaker 4: And that would be the end of it, so far
• 2:05:04
  Speaker 4: as Betty's concerned.
• 2:05:06
  Speaker 5: I should think that would just suit you.
• 2:05:09
  Speaker 4: It would suit me down to the ground. But I
• 2:05:13
  Speaker 4: don't believe it would suit Betty, and her happiness is
• 2:05:16
  Speaker 4: the main thing. Now, be a good girl and don't
• 2:05:19
  Speaker 4: complicate matters.
• 2:05:20
  Speaker 1: Exit door left, Enter Clara, door left. Lily has approached
• 2:05:25
  Speaker 1: desk and is glancing over cards.
• 2:05:28
  Speaker 6: This is your menu, mister long pray.
• 2:05:31
  Speaker 1: Lily takes card.
• 2:05:34
  Speaker 5: How can you remember the right ones for the right people?
• 2:05:37
  Speaker 6: Part of missus Albright's success is due to the personal
• 2:05:41
  Speaker 6: attention given every one.
• 2:05:43
  Speaker 5: Then she really is successful. I fancied it was all
• 2:05:47
  Speaker 5: a big bluff.
• 2:05:48
  Speaker 6: No, Indeed, she is making money faster than a Wall
• 2:05:51
  Speaker 6: Street broker.
• 2:05:53
  Speaker 4: You see.
• 2:05:53
  Speaker 6: The idea is unique to give people the exact amount
• 2:05:56
  Speaker 6: and the right kind of food that their particular case. Usually,
• 2:06:01
  Speaker 6: dietitians act as if the human race had but one stomach.
• 2:06:06
  Speaker 6: I believe that everybody in this town that is mentally
• 2:06:09
  Speaker 6: or physically ill comes to.
• 2:06:11
  Speaker 1: Us, laughs and goes to window.
• 2:06:15
  Speaker 6: That is, everybody but the lawyers. They say they are
• 2:06:18
  Speaker 6: going to boycott the place. Their divorce cases have been
• 2:06:22
  Speaker 6: falling off so much since this diet kitchen started. You know,
• 2:06:26
  Speaker 6: missus Albright specializes on bad disposition.
• 2:06:31
  Speaker 5: Might as well try to change the milky way.
• 2:06:35
  Speaker 6: There comes mister Albright.
• 2:06:36
  Speaker 1: Now enter Thornton Doorwright stands in door a moment looking around.
• 2:06:42
  Speaker 1: Lily pretends not to know he is there, speaks so
• 2:06:46
  Speaker 1: he can hear.
• 2:06:47
  Speaker 5: I should think mister Albright would be very proud to
• 2:06:50
  Speaker 5: have a hash slinger for a wife.
• 2:06:53
  Speaker 1: Turns and pretends to see him for the first time.
• 2:06:56
  Speaker 1: Runs to him.
• 2:06:58
  Speaker 5: Oh, Thornton, give me my indignation got the best of
• 2:07:02
  Speaker 5: my unruly old tongue.
• 2:07:05
  Speaker 1: Thornton to Clara.
• 2:07:07
  Speaker 3: Will you please tell Betty I want to see her.
• 2:07:11
  Speaker 1: Certainly, exit door left. Thornton to Lily.
• 2:07:16
  Speaker 3: Yes, I'm the laughing stock of the whole town. The
• 2:07:20
  Speaker 3: fellows are all kidding. I won't have it, damn it.
• 2:07:26
  Speaker 3: Something has got to be done.
• 2:07:28
  Speaker 5: I don't suppose you would care to take any advice
• 2:07:31
  Speaker 5: from an old friend. I've wanted so much to help you,
• 2:07:35
  Speaker 5: but you have constantly avoided me.
• 2:07:38
  Speaker 3: No, not that, but I haven't been in the humor
• 2:07:41
  Speaker 3: to see anybody. I love my wife. You know that,
• 2:07:45
  Speaker 3: don't you.
• 2:07:47
  Speaker 1: Lily sighs, Oh, yes, I know.
• 2:07:51
  Speaker 5: Would she were worthy of so great a love.
• 2:07:55
  Speaker 3: I have told her over and over again that I
• 2:07:59
  Speaker 3: behave like a senseless ass that day. But she insists
• 2:08:04
  Speaker 3: that my actions were but the demonstration of traditional opinions
• 2:08:08
  Speaker 3: that most men possess, and until I change my opinions,
• 2:08:12
  Speaker 3: there is no certainty that I'll not have similar tantrums.
• 2:08:17
  Speaker 3: Now I ask you, as friend to friend, do you
• 2:08:21
  Speaker 3: think I should give up all my ideas about women
• 2:08:25
  Speaker 3: just because I'm married?
• 2:08:27
  Speaker 5: Certainly not, especially when your ideas are the right ones.
• 2:08:32
  Speaker 1: Thornton eagerly, but not quite sure of themself.
• 2:08:36
  Speaker 3: You really think they are, don't you?
• 2:08:39
  Speaker 1: Thornton hesitatingly, Oh, yes, yes, braces himself.
• 2:08:46
  Speaker 3: And this ridiculous notion of a wife's economic independence, why
• 2:08:51
  Speaker 3: a fellow would never dare say a word?
• 2:08:55
  Speaker 1: Lily smiles to herself, But he doesn't see it.
• 2:08:59
  Speaker 5: It certainly places a woman in a position where she
• 2:09:02
  Speaker 5: can be easily compromised. Every old rue in town patronizes
• 2:09:07
  Speaker 5: this cafe. You don't suppose they come for unbaked bread
• 2:09:11
  Speaker 5: and cereal coffee, do you?
• 2:09:14
  Speaker 1: Thornton flops in chair.
• 2:09:17
  Speaker 3: Good lord, I never thought of that.
• 2:09:20
  Speaker 5: There is some safety in numbers. But how about Renald.
• 2:09:25
  Speaker 3: Oh, Reynald is innocuous. He's trying his best to make
• 2:09:29
  Speaker 3: it up between us.
• 2:09:32
  Speaker 5: And you believe that, don't you.
• 2:09:36
  Speaker 1: Lily shrugs her shoulders.
• 2:09:38
  Speaker 3: Oh, I don't know where I'm at.
• 2:09:41
  Speaker 5: Your men friends are kidding you because your wife is
• 2:09:44
  Speaker 5: running an eating house, But your women friends are wondering
• 2:09:48
  Speaker 5: at your credulity. Reynald and Betty, you're wrong there.
• 2:09:53
  Speaker 3: It is only poppy love Rennie has for Betty. Why
• 2:09:57
  Speaker 3: he and Clara are Lily?
• 2:10:00
  Speaker 5: Yes, he and Clara, really, Thornton, I thought you had
• 2:10:04
  Speaker 5: more discernment.
• 2:10:06
  Speaker 14: Thornton, Seriously, Lily, I know you mean well, but you're
• 2:10:12
  Speaker 14: going too far.
• 2:10:14
  Speaker 3: I wouldn't believe anything against Betty unless I saw it
• 2:10:18
  Speaker 3: with my own eyes.
• 2:10:20
  Speaker 5: If you keep your eyes open, you will see a plenty.
• 2:10:24
  Speaker 5: I should have thought your wife would have had enough
• 2:10:26
  Speaker 5: consideration for the name she bears to take up a
• 2:10:30
  Speaker 5: refined occupation at least Betty's diet kitchen.
• 2:10:36
  Speaker 3: But we have to hand it to her for making
• 2:10:38
  Speaker 3: a go of it, original little devil.
• 2:10:42
  Speaker 5: Oh, if you're satisfied, there is nothing more to be said.
• 2:10:47
  Speaker 3: Satisfied. I'm humiliated down to the ground. Hang it. She's
• 2:10:53
  Speaker 3: made a bigger success in her business than I have
• 2:10:57
  Speaker 3: of mine.
• 2:10:58
  Speaker 5: I'll help you in her back. You'll let me. You know,
• 2:11:01
  Speaker 5: it takes a woman to know a woman.
• 2:11:04
  Speaker 3: If you only would, I'd be your debtor for life.
• 2:11:08
  Speaker 5: To how forwarded your happiness, Thornton. Is quite enough payment.
• 2:11:13
  Speaker 3: For me, noble girl. What is your plan?
• 2:11:17
  Speaker 5: You must make her furiously jealous. That's the way to
• 2:11:20
  Speaker 5: bring her to reason. When she thinks she is about
• 2:11:23
  Speaker 5: to lose you, she'll move heaven and earth to get
• 2:11:26
  Speaker 5: you back.
• 2:11:27
  Speaker 3: And would you really be willing to do this for me?
• 2:11:31
  Speaker 3: You know, coming between husband and wife is no sinecure.
• 2:11:35
  Speaker 5: I do anything to see that old, carefree look on
• 2:11:38
  Speaker 5: your face again. You know Betty has always been a
• 2:11:41
  Speaker 5: wee bit jealous of me.
• 2:11:42
  Speaker 3: Anyway, I believe you're right. She accused me the day
• 2:11:47
  Speaker 3: she left of showing you too much attention. I didn't
• 2:11:51
  Speaker 3: think much about it then. It was so absurd.
• 2:11:55
  Speaker 1: Lily doesn't quite like this last remark.
• 2:11:58
  Speaker 3: How can we arrange something that will bring quick results?
• 2:12:03
  Speaker 5: You pretend that you realize at last that she was
• 2:12:06
  Speaker 5: never the wife for you?
• 2:12:08
  Speaker 3: Good and you don't.
• 2:12:11
  Speaker 5: Bother about me. I'll follow your lead. What do you
• 2:12:15
  Speaker 5: say to a flirtatious dinner in the open cafe? As
• 2:12:19
  Speaker 5: a starter?
• 2:12:21
  Speaker 3: Excellent enter?
• 2:12:23
  Speaker 1: Clara Door left mister Olbright.
• 2:12:27
  Speaker 6: Missus Olbright said.
• 2:12:28
  Speaker 3: Oh, never mind, give me the bill of fear that
• 2:12:31
  Speaker 3: has the most on it and takes the longest time
• 2:12:34
  Speaker 3: to eat.
• 2:12:35
  Speaker 6: But missus Olbright told me I was to give you
• 2:12:39
  Speaker 6: an abstemious bill of fare.
• 2:12:41
  Speaker 1: Thornton grabs up a bunch of cards.
• 2:12:45
  Speaker 3: You can tell Madam Betty for me that I do
• 2:12:48
  Speaker 3: not come to this cafe for her advice, but for
• 2:12:51
  Speaker 3: the cookery.
• 2:12:53
  Speaker 1: Clara stares in astonishment. Thornton nods to Lily laughingly.
• 2:12:59
  Speaker 3: Guess I'll hold it for a while.
• 2:13:01
  Speaker 1: Lily showing satisfaction.
• 2:13:04
  Speaker 5: It will certainly set an independent Betty down a peg
• 2:13:07
  Speaker 5: or two.
• 2:13:09
  Speaker 1: Thornton scared.
• 2:13:10
  Speaker 3: But you don't suppose it's likely to set her against
• 2:13:14
  Speaker 3: me more than ever?
• 2:13:15
  Speaker 5: Do you impossible? It will simply make her see that
• 2:13:19
  Speaker 5: you mean business.
• 2:13:21
  Speaker 1: Lily and Thornton excellent door center. Clara closes the door
• 2:13:26
  Speaker 1: after them returns. Gedsk picks up several stacks of menus
• 2:13:31
  Speaker 1: enter Reynald door left, musicians play chopin. Clara, forgetting her timidity,
• 2:13:38
  Speaker 1: runs to Renald. She still unconsciously holds the cards.
• 2:13:43
  Speaker 6: Oh, Renald, that dreadful Lily is going to have dinner
• 2:13:47
  Speaker 6: with Thornton. Betty will not like it a bit. Oh,
• 2:13:50
  Speaker 6: I wish I knew what to do. Can't you prevent
• 2:13:53
  Speaker 6: them before Betty sees them?
• 2:13:55
  Speaker 4: How can I? If they have already gone in? Probably
• 2:13:59
  Speaker 4: she is seen them by now.
• 2:14:01
  Speaker 6: No, Betty is in the private dining room.
• 2:14:05
  Speaker 4: I can't very well force them apart.
• 2:14:08
  Speaker 6: Do try to do something I can't bear to see
• 2:14:12
  Speaker 6: Betty feel bad. Betty pretends that she doesn't care, but
• 2:14:15
  Speaker 6: she does. I have caught her crying to herself several
• 2:14:18
  Speaker 6: times lately.
• 2:14:20
  Speaker 14: Poor Betty starts towards center.
• 2:14:24
  Speaker 4: I'll shoot at Thornton.
• 2:14:26
  Speaker 1: Clara catches hold of him.
• 2:14:29
  Speaker 6: Oh Betty wouldn't like that at all.
• 2:14:32
  Speaker 4: No, I suppose not.
• 2:14:35
  Speaker 1: Clara still unconsciously holding the menus in one hand while
• 2:14:39
  Speaker 1: she holds Ranald with the other.
• 2:14:41
  Speaker 6: Oh, Ranald, you are such a big strong man. Do
• 2:14:45
  Speaker 6: think of something?
• 2:14:46
  Speaker 1: Renald puffs out proudly.
• 2:14:49
  Speaker 6: I do so want her to be happy, so do I.
• 2:14:53
  Speaker 1: His face suddenly lightened.
• 2:14:56
  Speaker 4: Clara, will you marry me?
• 2:15:00
  Speaker 1: Clara drops the menus and starts back, amazed. Oh gracious,
• 2:15:06
  Speaker 1: Both on their knees, picking up the cards, which have
• 2:15:09
  Speaker 1: fluttered in every direction.
• 2:15:12
  Speaker 6: Whatever made you think of such a thing?
• 2:15:15
  Speaker 4: Oh, I've been thinking about it for ever so long?
• 2:15:18
  Speaker 1: Will you Clara? They have crawled closer together, still picking
• 2:15:23
  Speaker 1: up the cards.
• 2:15:25
  Speaker 6: I don't know what I ought to say.
• 2:15:27
  Speaker 1: Renald getting hold of her hand as they both reach
• 2:15:30
  Speaker 1: for the same card.
• 2:15:32
  Speaker 4: Don't you like me enough?
• 2:15:35
  Speaker 1: They rise together, he still holding her hand.
• 2:15:39
  Speaker 6: Oh it isn't that. But I'll see what Betty says.
• 2:15:43
  Speaker 4: I know what she will say. Here's Betty now.
• 2:15:47
  Speaker 1: Clara moving shyly away from Renald.
• 2:15:50
  Speaker 6: She looks serene. I don't believe she has seen them.
• 2:15:54
  Speaker 4: We'll keep her here until they get through dinner.
• 2:15:57
  Speaker 1: Enter Betty, door left.
• 2:16:00
  Speaker 4: Say Betty, Clara wants your advice.
• 2:16:03
  Speaker 1: Betty smiles on Clara.
• 2:16:06
  Speaker 2: Nothing so easy to give and nothing so hard to take.
• 2:16:08
  Speaker 2: Dear girl.
• 2:16:10
  Speaker 1: Clara is assorting the various menus and putting the colors together.
• 2:16:14
  Speaker 2: What happened to the menus?
• 2:16:16
  Speaker 1: Clara is at desk, Betty is to her left, and
• 2:16:20
  Speaker 1: Renald is downright. Enter Sheisha door center, throws one door open,
• 2:16:26
  Speaker 1: Clara closes it.
• 2:16:28
  Speaker 5: Betty.
• 2:16:29
  Speaker 1: Betty goes center.
• 2:16:32
  Speaker 3: She is copped in.
• 2:16:33
  Speaker 1: At last, Renald and Clara tried to stop her, but
• 2:16:37
  Speaker 1: it is useless. Music changes to rag time.
• 2:16:41
  Speaker 2: What are you talking about?
• 2:16:43
  Speaker 1: Go's left of Shesha, Lily and Thornton.
• 2:16:47
  Speaker 13: They are making a show of themselves in the public
• 2:16:49
  Speaker 13: dining room. My dear, no decent woman stands a chance
• 2:16:53
  Speaker 13: against that brand.
• 2:16:55
  Speaker 1: Betty angrily, You.
• 2:16:57
  Speaker 13: Mean they are dining together in my rest, not only dining,
• 2:17:02
  Speaker 13: but holding hands. That is, they were until I sent
• 2:17:06
  Speaker 13: John over to sit between them.
• 2:17:08
  Speaker 1: Betty starts center h put them out, stops and turns back.
• 2:17:14
  Speaker 2: I don't want you to suppose that I care two
• 2:17:17
  Speaker 2: figs what they do, but I'll have them know this
• 2:17:19
  Speaker 2: is a respectable place. Something must be done, and I'm
• 2:17:24
  Speaker 2: the one who will do it. Lily can feed him
• 2:17:26
  Speaker 2: from now on. That will be enough punishment for him.
• 2:17:30
  Speaker 1: Starts up center again. Enter you're a door, Center, throwing
• 2:17:34
  Speaker 1: both doors wide open, revealing Thornton and Lily sitting at table.
• 2:17:39
  Speaker 1: He holds one of Lily's hands and John Nutt holds
• 2:17:43
  Speaker 1: the other. They are having a hilarious time. When Betty
• 2:17:47
  Speaker 1: sees them, she hesitates. Sheesha, come quick, you're a goes center,
• 2:17:54
  Speaker 1: shesha to her right. Reynald Bright of them, Clara up
• 2:17:58
  Speaker 1: by desk, Betty up by center door, undecided what to do?
• 2:18:04
  Speaker 5: Why Look.
• 2:18:07
  Speaker 13: My John is holding her hand too.
• 2:18:10
  Speaker 1: Oh lordy, I'm lost.
• 2:18:13
  Speaker 13: He's so good natured. He'll be paying her board next.
• 2:18:18
  Speaker 11: The whole Wive's Welfare Club and their husbands are in there.
• 2:18:23
  Speaker 1: Jim Lamb comes over to table. Lily draws her hand
• 2:18:26
  Speaker 1: away from Thornton and extends it to Jim.
• 2:18:30
  Speaker 2: Look.
• 2:18:30
  Speaker 1: Eurah Eura turns and sees her husband smiling a silly
• 2:18:35
  Speaker 1: smile as Lily draws him forward.
• 2:18:39
  Speaker 11: What next, my lamb and the spider's net turns on. Betty,
• 2:18:46
  Speaker 11: you got us into this, now you've got to get
• 2:18:48
  Speaker 11: us out.
• 2:18:50
  Speaker 1: Betty goes down to left.
• 2:18:52
  Speaker 2: I got you in.
• 2:18:54
  Speaker 1: Renald goes up to desk with Clara enter Pat door
• 2:18:58
  Speaker 1: center hurriedly.
• 2:19:00
  Speaker 9: Betty Albright instead of standing there jollying the public, you
• 2:19:03
  Speaker 9: better go into that dining room. There's going to be
• 2:19:05
  Speaker 9: a riot. We won't have a husband left among us.
• 2:19:08
  Speaker 9: Tom says, I and my moleskin coat can go to
• 2:19:11
  Speaker 9: a place he's never mentioned in my presence before.
• 2:19:14
  Speaker 1: Pat Shesha and NeuRA crowd down front, much excited.
• 2:19:19
  Speaker 2: But what have I done done?
• 2:19:22
  Speaker 9: You've taken the husband's out of the home.
• 2:19:25
  Speaker 13: John says, no home was ever like this.
• 2:19:29
  Speaker 11: Jim refuses to eat a meal at home. He sure
• 2:19:32
  Speaker 11: there's some cryptic meaning in your reason for running this restaurant.
• 2:19:36
  Speaker 1: Tom Duggan comes over to Thornton's table, asks if he
• 2:19:40
  Speaker 1: can join party. Lily and Thornton consent. Tom beckons to
• 2:19:45
  Speaker 1: a tiny peroxide blonde. She trips over the waiters pull
• 2:19:50
  Speaker 1: several tables together to make room for all. Pat turns
• 2:19:54
  Speaker 1: and sees her husband with tiny girl.
• 2:19:57
  Speaker 9: Goodness alive, look at her infant size.
• 2:20:01
  Speaker 1: Thornton and Lily rise. John still clings to Lily's hand.
• 2:20:05
  Speaker 1: Lily withdraws it, laughing and tossing him her glove, which
• 2:20:09
  Speaker 1: he kisses with mock ardor Sheesha sarcastically.
• 2:20:14
  Speaker 13: Too bad, she couldn't leave her hand.
• 2:20:17
  Speaker 1: John spuys a dashing looking brunette with intelligent face and
• 2:20:21
  Speaker 1: alert manner, the exact opposite of his wife. He motions
• 2:20:25
  Speaker 1: for her to join them. She points to her friend,
• 2:20:28
  Speaker 1: a very thin girl, and asks thin pantomime if she
• 2:20:32
  Speaker 1: may bring her along. John nods, and they come over.
• 2:20:36
  Speaker 1: There is an interchange of introductions. Tom Duggan gives waiter
• 2:20:41
  Speaker 1: bribe to bring them something not included in bill of fare.
• 2:20:45
  Speaker 1: He is seated by the petite blonde, John by the brunette.
• 2:20:50
  Speaker 1: Her friend takes a seat next to Jim Lamb, who
• 2:20:53
  Speaker 1: is very shy at first, but warms under the young
• 2:20:56
  Speaker 1: lady's encouragement. Pat to Betty, you call this a restaurant.
• 2:21:02
  Speaker 1: Betty beside herself with annoyance.
• 2:21:05
  Speaker 2: My DearS, I'm so sorry, goes to them.
• 2:21:09
  Speaker 5: Then ask and ask.
• 2:21:14
  Speaker 1: Enter Bob and Jane spink door left. Pat glances into
• 2:21:18
  Speaker 1: the dining room, sees Tom take off girl's coat. He
• 2:21:22
  Speaker 1: measures it and looks highly satisfied.
• 2:21:25
  Speaker 9: Oh my moleskin coat. Who proposed the strike anyway?
• 2:21:30
  Speaker 6: I did?
• 2:21:32
  Speaker 5: Then?
• 2:21:32
  Speaker 11: Why weren't you on the job.
• 2:21:34
  Speaker 1: Jane links her arm in her husband's and crosses toward
• 2:21:38
  Speaker 1: door right with much satisfaction. Bob chuckles exit door right.
• 2:21:44
  Speaker 1: Pat Sheisha and Ura with ejaculations of disgust. It's all
• 2:21:49
  Speaker 1: her fault. They turn on, Betty, it's all your fault.
• 2:21:55
  Speaker 2: Who's going to care for me? Now?
• 2:21:57
  Speaker 9: I'd like to know, Oh, buy my bolt.
• 2:22:01
  Speaker 11: You've got to feed us.
• 2:22:03
  Speaker 2: Stop it, you'll split my ear drums. You're a lot
• 2:22:06
  Speaker 2: of don't say it. I won't, but I'll think it.
• 2:22:11
  Speaker 1: Pat trying conciliatory methods.
• 2:22:14
  Speaker 9: Come now, Betty, be a good girl and make it
• 2:22:17
  Speaker 9: up with Thornton.
• 2:22:19
  Speaker 11: Do ours?
• 2:22:22
  Speaker 2: Why I should like to.
• 2:22:23
  Speaker 9: Know moral influence, my dear. If our husbands haven't a
• 2:22:27
  Speaker 9: home like place like this to hang out in, they'll
• 2:22:30
  Speaker 9: come back to us.
• 2:22:31
  Speaker 2: You'll take them back.
• 2:22:33
  Speaker 1: After that points to the men making love to the girls.
• 2:22:38
  Speaker 1: Sheisha almost weeping.
• 2:22:41
  Speaker 13: We've got to take them back.
• 2:22:44
  Speaker 11: You don't expect us to go to work, do you.
• 2:22:47
  Speaker 2: Ladies? You can do with your husband's what you please,
• 2:22:50
  Speaker 2: But I know what I'm going to do with mine.
• 2:22:53
  Speaker 1: Exit door left. Sheisha amazed. What do you.
• 2:22:57
  Speaker 13: Suppose she is going to do?
• 2:23:00
  Speaker 11: There was blood in her eye.
• 2:23:02
  Speaker 9: You don't suppose Let's get out of here.
• 2:23:06
  Speaker 13: There's going to be shooting, and I don't want to
• 2:23:08
  Speaker 13: get hit, and.
• 2:23:10
  Speaker 9: Not one of us can drive a car, and all
• 2:23:13
  Speaker 9: the street car men are on strike.
• 2:23:16
  Speaker 1: All three disappointed.
• 2:23:18
  Speaker 5: We'll have to walk.
• 2:23:21
  Speaker 1: Music turns with there will be a hot time in
• 2:23:23
  Speaker 1: the old town tonight. They exit door right, hurriedly enter
• 2:23:29
  Speaker 1: door center. Tom Duggan holding the little blonde's hand like
• 2:23:32
  Speaker 1: a child. John Nutt follows, talking gaily with the dashing brunette.
• 2:23:38
  Speaker 1: Jim Lamb brings up the rear and raptured at his
• 2:23:41
  Speaker 1: sentimental dissipation, the thin girl clinging to him and having
• 2:23:46
  Speaker 1: the time of her life with the timid professor. Music ceases.
• 2:23:50
  Speaker 1: They all exit door right and can be heard laughing
• 2:23:54
  Speaker 1: and talking as they bundle into the automobiles and drive away,
• 2:23:59
  Speaker 1: singing some popular air enter Betty Door laughed. Betty grimly.
• 2:24:06
  Speaker 2: Clara tell the head waiter to see that no one
• 2:24:08
  Speaker 2: enters this room but Thornton and Lily de Lancree. Then
• 2:24:12
  Speaker 2: you come back very well.
• 2:24:15
  Speaker 1: Exit door center, closing the doors.
• 2:24:18
  Speaker 4: Shall I go?
• 2:24:20
  Speaker 2: You go out there in the street and stay until
• 2:24:23
  Speaker 2: the three of us are together, Then you come in.
• 2:24:26
  Speaker 4: Want me is a witness, don't talk?
• 2:24:29
  Speaker 1: Go exit Reynald door right. Betty sees Thornton and Lily
• 2:24:34
  Speaker 1: coming from center. Exit door left. Enter Thornton and Lily
• 2:24:39
  Speaker 1: door center. Lily seeing Betty as she goes out to Thornton.
• 2:24:44
  Speaker 5: Be careful, she's listening.
• 2:24:47
  Speaker 1: Thornton grandiloquently.
• 2:24:50
  Speaker 3: Ah, Lily, this is the happiest evening of my life,
• 2:24:55
  Speaker 3: makes Grimace.
• 2:24:57
  Speaker 5: It would have been for me too, but for those
• 2:25:00
  Speaker 5: stupid interruptions. Oh Thorny, how different you are from other men?
• 2:25:07
  Speaker 1: Clings to him seductively. He hands her to tete a
• 2:25:10
  Speaker 1: tete left and seats himself beside her to the right.
• 2:25:14
  Speaker 1: They gaze ardently at each other. Enter Betty door left,
• 2:25:19
  Speaker 1: Clara door center, Ann Reynald door right. Betty motions for
• 2:25:24
  Speaker 1: him to be silent. He remains right. Thornton has seen
• 2:25:28
  Speaker 1: Betty come in. He puffs out pompously and awaits Betty's
• 2:25:32
  Speaker 1: onslaught with much satisfaction. When Betty gets to where they sit,
• 2:25:37
  Speaker 1: she quickly extends her hand, afraid that she is going
• 2:25:41
  Speaker 1: to throw something. They spring up, almost overturning the tete
• 2:25:45
  Speaker 1: a tete. Betty smiling amiably.
• 2:25:48
  Speaker 2: How are you good people? So sorry? I was too
• 2:25:51
  Speaker 2: busy to give you personal attention. Was your dinner satisfactory?
• 2:25:55
  Speaker 2: Thornton and yours?
• 2:25:56
  Speaker 8: Lily?
• 2:25:57
  Speaker 1: Thornton completely taken aback stare stupidly.
• 2:26:01
  Speaker 3: Good lord, it didn't work.
• 2:26:05
  Speaker 1: Drops on seat. Betty goes to Renald, pats his cheek.
• 2:26:09
  Speaker 2: Poor deserted boy.
• 2:26:12
  Speaker 1: Thornton starts up. Oh, I say Lily, aside to him.
• 2:26:18
  Speaker 5: She's fluffing. Don't give way, keep it up.
• 2:26:22
  Speaker 1: He tries to look happy, but cannot. Betty continues caressing Renald,
• 2:26:27
  Speaker 1: much to the young man's astonishment and discomfort. As he
• 2:26:31
  Speaker 1: glances towards Clara, who is seated at desk with back
• 2:26:34
  Speaker 1: to them.
• 2:26:36
  Speaker 5: Make her jealous.
• 2:26:38
  Speaker 1: Thornton puts his arm around Lily's waist. Betty turns and
• 2:26:42
  Speaker 1: sees the embrace.
• 2:26:44
  Speaker 2: Oh I see the rumor is correct. Then you are engaged.
• 2:26:49
  Speaker 1: Thornton starts to protest. Lily nudges him. He stutters yes,
• 2:26:56
  Speaker 1: puffs out.
• 2:26:57
  Speaker 2: Oh, yes, so glad to hear it. So are Renald
• 2:27:02
  Speaker 2: and I?
• 2:27:03
  Speaker 4: Oh?
• 2:27:03
  Speaker 2: I say, why, renalds? You're not going to withdraw your proposal?
• 2:27:08
  Speaker 4: Are you proposal?
• 2:27:11
  Speaker 2: Didn't you say if you were not going to take
• 2:27:13
  Speaker 2: him back, why don't you get a divorce and marry me?
• 2:27:16
  Speaker 3: Yes?
• 2:27:17
  Speaker 2: But you haven't changed your mind so soon, have you?
• 2:27:21
  Speaker 1: Renald glances at Clara, who turns and motions for him
• 2:27:24
  Speaker 1: to consent.
• 2:27:26
  Speaker 4: Oh, I'd be tickled to death.
• 2:27:29
  Speaker 1: Gazes about in helpless confusion.
• 2:27:33
  Speaker 2: Too bad, we shall have to wait for the stupid
• 2:27:35
  Speaker 2: formality of a divorce. Perhaps, not to delay the game,
• 2:27:40
  Speaker 2: we might resort to the new fangled contract system. I
• 2:27:43
  Speaker 2: am sure no words being said over Runny and me
• 2:27:46
  Speaker 2: could add to the sanctity of our love.
• 2:27:49
  Speaker 1: Draws his head to her and fondles him.
• 2:27:52
  Speaker 2: Isn't that so? Sweetheart?
• 2:27:55
  Speaker 1: The poor lad is frightened to a tremble, gazes beseechingly
• 2:27:59
  Speaker 1: toward Clara, who turns back to desk, pretending to be
• 2:28:02
  Speaker 1: very busy. Thornton jumps away from Lily.
• 2:28:06
  Speaker 3: Great, God, what has come over you? I'm your husband?
• 2:28:11
  Speaker 2: I'm your boss. Oh no, I'm boss with my own soul.
• 2:28:17
  Speaker 3: You seem to forget that you're my wife.
• 2:28:20
  Speaker 2: Only in the eyes of the law, in the eyes
• 2:28:23
  Speaker 2: of the world.
• 2:28:24
  Speaker 1: Makes a gesture toward dining rooms.
• 2:28:27
  Speaker 2: Lily should occupy that place.
• 2:28:30
  Speaker 3: What a confounded fool I've made of myself?
• 2:28:34
  Speaker 14: Turns on Lily, and it.
• 2:28:37
  Speaker 3: Was all through you. You said she would jump into
• 2:28:42
  Speaker 3: my arms when she saw me in.
• 2:28:44
  Speaker 5: Yours, Thornton, How can you so misrepresent you? Deny it,
• 2:28:50
  Speaker 5: I most certainly do.
• 2:28:53
  Speaker 4: Didn't I beg you to let Thornton alone, not so.
• 2:28:58
  Speaker 5: Anyone could notice it? You begged me to make a
• 2:29:02
  Speaker 5: clear field for you.
• 2:29:04
  Speaker 1: Reynald to Thornton.
• 2:29:06
  Speaker 4: Did you ever see such a liar?
• 2:29:09
  Speaker 3: Never in all my life? Out out, I say, you
• 2:29:14
  Speaker 3: came near wrecking my home. But if it goes to smash,
• 2:29:18
  Speaker 3: it won't be because of you.
• 2:29:21
  Speaker 1: Lily running toward door right, calling feebly help help. He's
• 2:29:27
  Speaker 1: going to exit door right. Renald goes to Clara, whispers
• 2:29:32
  Speaker 1: to her. She looks up, laughing. He puts his arm
• 2:29:35
  Speaker 1: around her and then quietly exit door right.
• 2:29:38
  Speaker 3: Betty, won't you forgive your cranky old husband? I swear
• 2:29:44
  Speaker 3: I'll never grumble again. If you'll only take.
• 2:29:48
  Speaker 2: Me back, and you still believe man is woman superior.
• 2:29:53
  Speaker 3: Superior, most of us haven't sense enough to come in
• 2:29:57
  Speaker 3: out of the wet.
• 2:29:59
  Speaker 2: Then if you wish it, I'll be a wife to
• 2:30:02
  Speaker 2: you again.
• 2:30:03
  Speaker 1: Thornton starts to embrace her wish it. Betty holds him off.
• 2:30:09
  Speaker 2: With one proviso that you permit me to maintain my
• 2:30:13
  Speaker 2: economic independence. But Betty, our hume home is the happy
• 2:30:18
  Speaker 2: moments we passed together.
• 2:30:21
  Speaker 1: Hold out her arms to him.
• 2:30:23
  Speaker 2: May I come home now?
• 2:30:25
  Speaker 1: Thornton clasps her in his arms to.
• 2:30:29
  Speaker 3: The devil with tradition, I've got my wife back.
• 2:30:34
  Speaker 1: Curtain end off. Wife's on Strike by Lilian Sutton Paley