Armed Forces Radio Theater 48-09-26 Fifth Avenue Girl

Summary

Harold's Old Time Radio Podcast Summary

Episode Title: Armed Forces Radio Theater 48-09-26 Fifth Avenue Girl
Release Date: June 23, 2025
Duration: Approximately 25 minutes

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Introduction

In this episode of Harold's Old Time Radio, listeners are transported back to the Golden Age of Radio with the dramatization of "Fifth Avenue Girl", originally starring Paulette Goddard. This episode, presented by the Armed Forces Radio Theater, captures the essence of pre-television family entertainment, showcasing the timeless allure of radio plays. The story revolves around John Borden, a wealthy but emotionally distant businessman, his wife Martha, their son Timothy, and Mary Gray, a young woman hired to rejuvenate John's personal and professional life.

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Setting the Scene

The episode opens with a brief narrated introduction that sets the tone in Central Park, New York—a serene locale teeming with trees, birds, and squirrels. The narrator (00:01) paints a vivid picture:

"Central Park is a spot in New York where they allow trees and birds and squirrels. Squirrels are animals that like nuts because the nuts sit in Central Park and throw food to the squirrels." (00:01)

This tranquil setting is abruptly contrasted by the first interaction between John Borden (John Borden) and Satan Gray (Satan Gray), highlighting John's lack of experience in nurturing personal relationships despite his business acumen.

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Character Introductions and Initial Conflict

John Borden is portrayed as a successful yet emotionally detached millionaire who has neglected personal connections for three decades. His attempt to feed squirrels in the park symbolizes his superficial efforts to reconnect, as he remarks:

"Here, Squirrel, squirrel, squirrel. Come and get it." (01:36)
"This is my birthday and I have nobody to celebrate it with." (03:02)

Enter Satan Gray, a self-described victim of capitalism, who challenges John's indifference:

"Satan Gray: Squirrels are too well fed." (02:11)

Their dialogue reveals John's loneliness and Satan Gray's probing nature, setting the stage for the unfolding drama.

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The Proposition and Job Offer

Amidst their interaction, Satan Gray proposes a mutually beneficial arrangement. John, recognizing his need for personal growth, offers Satan a job:

"You might be able to. That darned old fool Borden might be awfully glad to meet someone like you." (05:02)

This offer signifies John's subconscious desire for change, while Satan's acceptance under the condition to celebrate John's birthday introduces a personal stake in their professional relationship.

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Introducing Martha and Tensions at Home

The narrative shifts to Martha Borden (Mrs. Borden), showcasing her dissatisfaction with John's recent behavior. The strained relationship is evident when Martha confronts John:

"John, I think you owe me an explanation." (06:21)

John reveals his retirement and the introduction of Mary Gray into their household, heightening Martha's suspicions and jealousy:

"John, why are you not at the office?" (07:00)
"This is my wife." (07:50)

The tension culminates in Martha's confrontation with Mary Gray, revealing underlying familial conflicts and the impact of John's neglect on his family.

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Timothy's Rebellion and Business Struggles

Timothy Borden (Tim) emerges as a catalyst for change within the family business. His progressive ideas about extending long-term credit to farmers clash with the established business practices advocated by John. Tim's confrontation with his father illustrates the generational and ideological conflicts:

"If I'm going to run the business, I'm going to run it my way." (19:34)
"It's your son." (19:02)

This dynamic underscores the central theme of adaptation versus tradition within the narrative.

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Climactic Confrontations and Resolutions

The climax unfolds as Mary Gray and Timothy confront each other, unveiling Satan Gray's ulterior motives and Mary's genuine affection for the Borden family. The tension reaches its peak when Mary accuses Satan of manipulating John for financial gain:

"You went after my father because he had money. And you made a fool of him because there was no other way of getting him." (22:27)

Satan Gray's resignation marks a turning point, allowing Martha and John to reconcile:

"We've made up all our differences. I understand everything now." (23:02)
"I'm glad of that because I'm resigning." (23:11)

This resolution paves the way for the family's healing and the reestablishment of genuine relationships.

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Conclusion and Final Reflections

In the denouement, the characters come to terms with their personal and professional lives. John's acknowledgment of his mistakes and the family's willingness to embrace change signify a hopeful future. The narrator wraps up the episode with a nod to the collaborative efforts that brought peace and understanding back to the Borden family:

"Fifth Avenue Girl, starring Paulette Goddard has been a presentation of the Armed Forces Radio Theater." (25:05)

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Notable Quotes & Moments

• John Borden's Loneliness:
  "This is my birthday and I have nobody to celebrate it with." (03:02)

• Satan Gray's Challenge:
  "Squirrels are too well fed." (02:11)

• Timothy's Assertiveness:
  "If I'm going to run the business, I'm going to run it my way." (19:34)

• Mary Gray's Confrontation:
  "You went after my father because he had money." (22:27)

• Resolution and Resignation:
  "I'm resigning. I can't play any longer." (23:11)

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Final Thoughts

"Fifth Avenue Girl" is a quintessential representation of the Golden Age of Radio, blending elements of drama, family dynamics, and personal transformation. Harold's Old Time Radio masterfully brings this classic story to contemporary audiences, preserving the charm and timeless lessons of bygone radio entertainment. This episode not only entertains but also offers insightful reflections on wealth, loneliness, generational conflicts, and the pursuit of genuine human connections.

Transcript

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[Narrator]

The Armed Forces Radio Theater presents Fifth Avenue Girl, starring Paulette Goddard. Hear those birds? Those are the birds of Central Park. Central park is a spot in New York where they allow trees and birds and squirrels. Squirrels are animals that like nuts because the nuts sit in Central park and throw food to the squirrels.

[John Borden]

Here, Squirrel, squirrel, squirrel. Come and get it. Squirrely, Squarely, Squarely.

[Narrator]

That's John Borden. John Borden is not very experienced at feeding squirrels because for 30 years he's been too busy making a million dollars. But now he's learning fast how to behave himself in the park like this.

[John Borden]

Excuse me. Miss me? I sit next to you.

[Satan Gray]

There's no city ordinance against it.

[John Borden]

Thank you. Here, Squarely, squirrely, Squirrely.

[Satan Gray]

Will you stop wasting those perfectly good peanuts?

[John Borden]

What's the matter? Don't you like squirrels?

[Satan Gray]

Squirrels are too well fed.

[John Borden]

Say, are you a communist?

[Satan Gray]

No, but I'm a victim of capitalism.

[John Borden]

How's that?

[Satan Gray]

No capital.

[John Borden]

Oh, Hungry.

[Satan Gray]

How about you?

[John Borden]

Me? Oh, well, I'm. I suppose I'm a sort of victim of capitalism myself.

[Satan Gray]

Oh, well, in that case.

[John Borden]

What are you doing?

[Satan Gray]

Tearing the paper in halves. There. Help wanted, female to me. And help wanted, male to you.

[John Borden]

Thank you. And the peanuts to you.

[Satan Gray]

Thank you. And nuts to the squirrels. Oh, you poor man. Not so many for the way you laugh. You're not really happy, I can tell.

[John Borden]

Well, I guess you're right at that. You know something?

[Satan Gray]

What?

[John Borden]

This is my birthday and I have nobody to celebrate it with.

[Satan Gray]

That's a shame. People like you and me. Darn nice people.

[John Borden]

You betcha.

[Satan Gray]

And we have to sit here hungry and not celebrating your birthday and out of jobs. And over there on Fifth Avenue are all the plush bottoms and the vander drips and the Bordens. The Bordens yes. Now there's a family that shouldn't exist.

[John Borden]

So why?

[Satan Gray]

Well, for example, look at that son of theirs.

[John Borden]

Tim.

[Satan Gray]

Yes, Timothy Borden. The boy who's always falling off the polo pony.

[John Borden]

Well, there's no harm in polo.

[Satan Gray]

Oh, maybe not, but the brat never works. You know, the last time I saw his picture in the paper I looked at the financial page to see how his old man's business was doing. The stock had dropped from 50 to 30 in one day. And it ought to with a loafer like that Timothy in the family.

[John Borden]

Yeah, yeah.

[Satan Gray]

He ought to help his father out, that Darnold fool. He doesn't deserve helping.

[John Borden]

Darnold fool?

[Satan Gray]

Well, of course. Don't you read the gossip columns?

[John Borden]

No. They don't talk about Bob Borden and the gossip columns, do they?

[Satan Gray]

Oh, no, just about his wife.

[John Borden]

Really?

[Satan Gray]

Sure. Where have you been? Mrs. Borden runs around with that gigolo Tommy Hopkins all the time.

[John Borden]

Oh, that's for sure. No, nothing.

[Satan Gray]

Well, if old man Borden had any sense he'd put a stop to that.

[John Borden]

It's an outrage.

[Satan Gray]

Well, none of our businesses.

[John Borden]

What? No, no, but look, you said Borden could put a stop to it. How?

[Satan Gray]

I didn't mean Borden could put a stop to it. It would take a man of intelligence.

[John Borden]

Yes. Could you tell him how?

[Satan Gray]

I sure could.

[John Borden]

You know, that might be a job for you. A man like Borden might be willing to pay money for.

[Satan Gray]

For information leading to the return of his wife.

[John Borden]

Yes.

[Satan Gray]

I never could earn a dollar that easily.

[John Borden]

You might be able to. That darned old fool Borden might be awfully glad to meet someone like you. Do you realize Borden might be a pretty lonesome man?

[Satan Gray]

Really?

[John Borden]

Do you realize he might wish his son would go into the business? Do you realize he might hate to come home to a house full of servants and no family?

[Satan Gray]

No, I didn't.

[John Borden]

Maybe he walks around this very park feeding the squirrels and wishing there was somebody who remembered it was his birthday.

[Satan Gray]

I see.

[John Borden]

Do you?

[Satan Gray]

Yes. And I beg your pardon, Mr. Borden.

[John Borden]

That's all right. Would you like a job?

[Satan Gray]

I need one.

[John Borden]

You got one.

[Satan Gray]

What do I have to do?

[John Borden]

I don't know.

[Satan Gray]

All my life I've been hearing about hard headed businessmen. I never thought that I'd be lucky enough to meet a soft headed one.

[John Borden]

Well, I can't tell you what you'll have to do when I'm hiring you to tell me what I have to do.

[Satan Gray]

You mean to win back your wife?

[John Borden]

To win back my wife and my son. And my peace of mind to teach me to laugh as though I were happy to be happy to live at.

[Satan Gray]

Life as a Mr. Borden. Instruction number one. Relax.

[John Borden]

And you will take the job.

[Satan Gray]

On one condition.

[John Borden]

What condition?

[Satan Gray]

That you let me help you celebrate your birthday.

[Narrator]

Good morning, Mrs. Borden.

[Mrs. Borden]

Oh, good morning, Higgins. Is my breakfast ready?

[Narrator]

Yes, madam.

[Mrs. Borden]

Oh, Higgins, did you have Mr. Borden leave that check for me before he went to the office?

[Narrator]

Mr. Borden is not yet gone to the office, madam.

[Satan Gray]

Oh, really?

[Narrator]

Mr. Borden hasn't yet come down, madam.

[Mrs. Borden]

Didn't you wake him?

[Narrator]

I tried to wake him, madam, but he. He threw a shoe at me. Mr. Borden got in rather late, madam. Oh, yes, and he. He brought a person with him.

[Mrs. Borden]

Well, that's very strange.

[John Borden]

Morning, Hayes.

[Narrator]

Morning, sir.

[John Borden]

Morning, Martha.

[Mrs. Borden]

John, I think you owe me an explanation.

[Narrator]

I shall go and see about breakfast, sir.

[John Borden]

Very tactful of you, Hagen.

[Mrs. Borden]

Now, John, why are you not at the office?

[John Borden]

I've retired. What? I've retired. I hired an advisor yesterday and the advisor advised me to retire, so I did.

[Mrs. Borden]

Have you gone out of your mind, John? I understand you were rot until all hours.

[John Borden]

Yes, yes. I waved at you in the Flamingo Room, but you were too busy with Tommy Hopkins.

[Mrs. Borden]

Oh. Well, were you in the Flamingo Room with this man you brought home with you?

[John Borden]

I didn't bring home any man.

[Satan Gray]

Oh.

[Mrs. Borden]

Oh, well, then Higgins must have been mistaken.

[John Borden]

Certainly is. I brought home a woman.

[Satan Gray]

A woman?

[John Borden]

Well, a girl.

[Satan Gray]

Hello.

[John Borden]

And Here she is. Ms. Gray, this is my wife.

[Narrator]

This is Mr. Borden.

[Satan Gray]

I'm glad to meet you.

[Mrs. Borden]

Well, I'm horrified to meet you.

[Satan Gray]

Well, I'm a little horrified too.

[John Borden]

What?

[Satan Gray]

I read so many things about you in the papers, Mrs. Borden.

[Mrs. Borden]

Oh, John, you will tell Higgins to send my breakfast to me in my room.

[Satan Gray]

Martha, don't go after her.

[Narrator]

What?

[John Borden]

Well, she's all upset. She's distressed, but that's all right.

[Satan Gray]

That's just the point. She'll be more distressed when she finds that I'm staying here for good. Come in.

[Narrator]

How do you do?

[Satan Gray]

How do you do?

[Narrator]

I'm Mr. Borden's son.

[Satan Gray]

Oh, yes. Timothy. I didn't recognize you without your polo mallet.

[Narrator]

I'd like to sit down, if I may.

[Mrs. Borden]

Of course.

[Narrator]

My mother tells me that you're staying in this house permanently.

[Satan Gray]

Yes. Your father seems to like my company.

[Narrator]

How long have you known my father?

[Satan Gray]

Ever since last night.

[Narrator]

You only met him last night in the park. Oh, a pickup.

[Advertiser]

Mm.

[Satan Gray]

What do you think of your father's taste?

[Narrator]

I can understand exactly why he would be attracted to you.

[Satan Gray]

Thank you.

[Narrator]

However, my father's an old man.

[Satan Gray]

Age doesn't matter when the real thing comes along.

[Narrator]

How about money? Does that matter?

[Satan Gray]

It helps.

[Narrator]

Oh, now we're getting somewhere. Look, do you know what this is?

[Satan Gray]

$50 bill, isn't it?

[Narrator]

That's exactly what it is. And I'll tell you what I'll do. I'll bet this bill that you can't get out the front door for good by the time I count a thousand.

[Satan Gray]

Oh, I don't think I could make it. You see, my rheumatism's been bothering me.

[Narrator]

I'll raise it to $100.

[Satan Gray]

And you play polo.

[Narrator]

What's that got to do with it?

[Satan Gray]

Nothing. It's just that I'm amazed to discover that horses have better breeding than the people who ride them. Goodbye, Timothy.

[Mrs. Borden]

Higgins, call Mr. Borden to dinner.

[Narrator]

Oh, Mr. Borden isn't home, madam. He and Ms. Gray are dining at the stock dress. Well, Mother, this is the 10th night in a row that Father has gone out with Ms. Gray.

[Mrs. Borden]

Yes, Timothy, I know, and I'm worried. He's acting like an old fool. What can we do to keep him home?

[Narrator]

I'd suggest a line of chorus girls in the drawing room. And now, question of the week. When that prominent manufacturer steps out with a girl, who's Borden? Get it? Boredin in his home, which does he burn up faster, the town or his wife?

[Satan Gray]

Huh?

[Mrs. Borden]

Good evening, Ms. Gray.

[Narrator]

Good evening, Ms. Gray.

[Satan Gray]

Good evening. My, looks like a family delegation waiting for me.

[Narrator]

We're waiting for my father.

[Satan Gray]

Oh, is he late getting down again?

[John Borden]

Hello there, Mary.

[Narrator]

Already?

[Satan Gray]

Come on.

[John Borden]

Oh, you look beautiful, Mary.

[Satan Gray]

Thank you.

[John Borden]

Oh, hello, Martha. Hello, Tim. Well, Mary, ready to step out?

[Satan Gray]

Yes, we better hurry. You know, those head waiters don't hold tables very long these days.

[John Borden]

Father, here's Tim.

[Mrs. Borden]

Tim and I wanted to ask you to stay home for dinner tonight, John.

[John Borden]

Oh, I couldn't do that. But I might see you later, my dear. You'll be going out with Tommy Hopkins, won't you? Oh, might see at one of the clubs, Father. See here?

[Satan Gray]

No.

[Mrs. Borden]

Which club, John?

[Satan Gray]

Oh, we never know in advance. There's one place up in Harlem, but I'm afraid it's a little too rough for you, Mrs. Borden.

[John Borden]

Oh, Mary, I want a rumba tonight. How does that song go? That. That rumba song? Goodbye, all.

[Satan Gray]

Well, well, where we go?

[John Borden]

The usual.

[Satan Gray]

Look, Mr. Borden, maybe we ought to go to a nightclub once. At least we'd be indoors oh, but.

[John Borden]

I can't stand nightclubs, Mary.

[Satan Gray]

All right, let's go over to the park and find our bench and wait for 4 o' clock in the morning to come again. But tonight, for heaven's sake, don't talk to me about your business problem.

[Narrator]

We will continue with Act 2 of Fifth Avenue Girl, right after we hear the orchestra play Dancing on the Ceiling.

[Satan Gray]

Satan Gray is one of the strangest.

[Narrator]

Jobs anyone ever had. Mr. John Borden is paying her to live in his home and go out with him each night in an effort to win back his wife and make a man of his son. The most attractive feature of Mary's job is that she can sleep late every morning. It's almost noon now and she's just gotten dressed when someone knocks on the door.

[Satan Gray]

Come in. Oh, good morning, Tim.

[Narrator]

Good afternoon. Did you put these things in my room?

[Satan Gray]

Yes.

[Narrator]

Why?

[Satan Gray]

They're reports on the state of your father's business. And since your father is too old to work.

[Narrator]

Bunk, he wasn't too old a couple of weeks ago.

[Satan Gray]

He feels he is now.

[Narrator]

Are you trying to be clever?

[Satan Gray]

Somebody's got to fill your father's shoes. They're probably too big for you, though.

[Narrator]

I'm not a man, is that it?

[Satan Gray]

Are you?

[Narrator]

I don't have to take this kind of talk from a gold digger.

[Satan Gray]

What is a gold digger?

[Narrator]

Well, you ought to know.

[Satan Gray]

What makes you think you're not one? What have you done to deserve that suit you're wearing? This house and your polo pony. What have you ever accomplished?

[Narrator]

And what do you expect to accomplish? Do you expect to marry my father?

[Satan Gray]

Well, I haven't decided. I like him well enough, but I'd certainly hate to be related to you. Come in.

[John Borden]

Hello, Mary. Hello there, Tim.

[Narrator]

Dad, can I speak to you privately?

[John Borden]

You might ask Miss Gray for an appointment.

[Narrator]

Do you mind if I speak to my father, Miss Gray?

[Satan Gray]

Not at all.

[Narrator]

Well, please go away, then.

[Satan Gray]

Not at all.

[John Borden]

What do you want? Speak up, Tim.

[Narrator]

Well, all right. It's about these reports. Have you seen them?

[John Borden]

Huh? Oh, those business reports. Well, I told Ms. Gray to throw them out.

[Narrator]

I've been looking through them and the situation is pretty desperate.

[John Borden]

Well, why don't you do something about it?

[Narrator]

Well, I don't know anything about manufacturing pumps.

[John Borden]

Mary. He says he doesn't know anything about manufacturing pumps.

[Satan Gray]

Well, I guess he'll just have to learn.

[Mrs. Borden]

Miss gray.

[Satan Gray]

Yes, Mrs. Borden?

[Mrs. Borden]

Do you mind if I sit down here with you, Miss Gray?

[Satan Gray]

Well, not at all.

[Mrs. Borden]

I just want to be a good sport. That's All I know when I'm beaten. So let's be friends. Of course, I'll admit that I hated you at first.

[Satan Gray]

Why shouldn't you?

[Mrs. Borden]

Well, because I brought this on myself. I gave my husband nothing. And you've given him youth and beauty.

[Satan Gray]

Oh, my goodness. I'm not beautiful. I have to fix up a lot.

[Mrs. Borden]

I've kept asking myself why you couldn't have fallen in love with a younger man, but guess that's beside the point.

[Satan Gray]

Well, all the younger men I know are broke, Mrs. Borden.

[Mrs. Borden]

Well, I certainly hope it isn't Mr. Borden's money you want.

[Satan Gray]

Well, not exactly, but he has quite a lot, hasn't he?

[Mrs. Borden]

Now, see here, I don't want you to take my husband just for his money. I'm giving up my place to you after trying every feminine trick I know of.

[Satan Gray]

Not every trick.

[Mrs. Borden]

Oh, what do you mean?

[Satan Gray]

Nothing.

[Mrs. Borden]

Well, all right then. But I don't want John to be unhappy. I don't want a woman to have him unless she.

[Satan Gray]

Unless she really cares for him.

[Mrs. Borden]

Unless she really cares for him.

[Satan Gray]

Well. Well, I wouldn't want to tell you this, Mrs. Borden, only I'm a little disappointed in your husband. What? He was a good, very good sport at first, but I'm afraid he's beginning to open up at the seams. He is?

[Mrs. Borden]

Well, I don't understand.

[Satan Gray]

Oh, he's such a sentimental old duck, always talking about the past. You know where he's been taking me lately?

[Mrs. Borden]

No.

[Satan Gray]

To a joint that serves beef stew exclusively. And if there's anything I hate, it's beef stew. I was weaned on it.

[Mrs. Borden]

Oh, beef stew. You know, we used to have a lot of beef stew when we were first married.

[Satan Gray]

That's exactly what I meant. Beef stew is the one feminine trick that you haven't used, Mrs. Stevenson. Boarding.

[John Borden]

Well, well, Twiller. So you had to come up here to see the old man, huh? It's always a pleasure to see you, boss. Don't try to kid me. I know you came up here to get advice on how to run the business.

[Narrator]

Not at all. I came to tell you how well the business is being run without your.

[John Borden]

Huh?

[Narrator]

It's your son. Oh, well, he certainly got a wonderful idea.

[John Borden]

He's my son.

[Narrator]

The whole thing hinges on a cheaper pump.

[John Borden]

Yeah, now that's out, Warden Pump said.

[Narrator]

Wait a minute, boss. There's something to his idea. He says if we extend long term credit to farmers, they'll be able to buy our pumps and irrigate their crops. And we can get credit on their notes and keep the factories rolling.

[John Borden]

That sounds good. Why didn't we think of that?

[Narrator]

Hello. Am I butting in?

[John Borden]

No, no, Tim. Terwilliger and I were just talking over a few personal matters.

[Narrator]

Well, I wanted to talk to you too, dad. I'll go.

[John Borden]

Thanks very much for dropping in, Terwilliger. Goodbye. Goodbye. Goodbye. Tim, what's all this about long term credit and a cheaper pump?

[Narrator]

Your pumps have got whiskers. And so have your ideas.

[John Borden]

What?

[Narrator]

If I'm going to run the business, I'm going to run it my way.

[John Borden]

Now, wait a minute, Borden. Pump set a standard 25 years ago.

[Narrator]

I don't care about 25 years ago. You've got to try new ideas.

[John Borden]

Oh, well, you're running the business. Do what you like. Now, what do you want to see me about?

[Narrator]

Come here.

[John Borden]

Where?

[Narrator]

Over here to the door.

[John Borden]

Right.

[Narrator]

Smell. Do you smell it?

[John Borden]

Oh, by the great Lord Harry. Beef stew.

[Narrator]

Mother's making it out in the kitchen. She was hoping you'd like to stay home and have some then.

[John Borden]

Beef stew.

[Satan Gray]

Hello. You all ready to go out?

[John Borden]

Well, I.

[Narrator]

My father was thinking of staying home tonight, Ms. Gray.

[John Borden]

Well, I don't know. I. I do have a date with Miss Gray and I. I'll be glad.

[Narrator]

To take Miss Gray.

[John Borden]

Well, I. Would you mind, Mary?

[Satan Gray]

Well, not if it's what you want, Mr. Borden. Of course we do have a date.

[Narrator]

It's all settled. Let's go. Ms. Gray.

[Satan Gray]

This is our bench.

[Narrator]

Whose bench?

[Satan Gray]

Your father's and mine.

[Narrator]

Okay, let's sit down. Now, you and my father don't come to the park every night.

[Satan Gray]

Yes, we do.

[Narrator]

Well, if that's true, this whole business is even more disgusting than I thought. Why should you want to sit in the park with an old man?

[Satan Gray]

Don't you suppose I'd rather sit here with a young man?

[Narrator]

Well, you're doing that right now.

[Satan Gray]

Well, I'm very conscious of that.

[Narrator]

Are you?

[Satan Gray]

Mm.

[Narrator]

Well, I'm conscious of you, too.

[Satan Gray]

Distastefully.

[Narrator]

That's how I should think of you. But.

[Satan Gray]

But why?

[Narrator]

Well, after all, I am young. You said that yourself. And I. I guess the beast is coming out in me.

[Satan Gray]

Oh, well, I love dumb animals, if they're not too dumb.

[Narrator]

You know, you're very beautiful.

[Satan Gray]

Am I?

[Narrator]

You know you are you. What if I kissed you?

[Satan Gray]

Well, I don't know. What if you did?

[Narrator]

Well, I don't know. I.

[John Borden]

Oh.

[Narrator]

I shouldn't have done that.

[Satan Gray]

I. I didn't mind it at all.

[Narrator]

I suppose that's what you've been doing with my.

[Satan Gray]

Oh, Tim. No, no. Why, he's old enough to be my father in law.

[Narrator]

What?

[Satan Gray]

Sorry, that was a slip of the tongue.

[Narrator]

Yes, it certainly was, wasn't it?

[Satan Gray]

Well, I didn't mean.

[Narrator]

No, no, you didn't mean to let me know you wanted to be more subtle.

[Satan Gray]

Tim, what are you talking about?

[Narrator]

I'm talking about you. You went after my father because he had money. And you made a fool of him because there was no other way of getting him.

[Satan Gray]

Well, that's not true.

[Narrator]

You kept him from his business and taught him to dance and you flattered him and probably necked with him. But tonight, when you saw that the spell was broken, you went after his son.

[Satan Gray]

Tim, what are you saying to me?

[Narrator]

The truth. That's why you brought me to the park. That's why you sat with me on this bench.

[Satan Gray]

Why, you dirty minded little beast. I'm through with you and your whole family. Mary, listen, will you leave me alone? Mr. Borden.

[Mrs. Borden]

Oh, hello, Mary.

[John Borden]

Mary, I've got great news for you. Mrs. Borden and I have met, Mary.

[Mrs. Borden]

We've made up all our differences. I understand everything now.

[Satan Gray]

Well, I'm glad of that because I'm resigning.

[John Borden]

Oh, wait a minute.

[Satan Gray]

I'm resigning. I can't play any longer. I wasn't doing anything to anybody. I was just sitting on a park bench minding my own business. I didn't ask for this job. You forced it on Meredith. I'm sorry I ever saw you. I'm sorry I ever saw this place.

[Mrs. Borden]

I can't take it any longer, Mary. Goodbye.

[Narrator]

Dad. I heard what she said about a job. Was she working here?

[Mrs. Borden]

Well, of course she was. Timothy.

[Narrator]

Oh, Mary. Mary.

[John Borden]

Hey, Tim, Try the park.

[Narrator]

Hello.

[Satan Gray]

Don't talk to me.

[Narrator]

All right. You mind if I sit next to you?

[Satan Gray]

There's no city ordinance against it.

[Narrator]

I'd like to beg your pardon.

[Satan Gray]

Granted.

[Narrator]

Why did you come to the park?

[Satan Gray]

Why do you think I did?

[Narrator]

Because you knew I'd come here.

[Satan Gray]

You're very clever.

[Narrator]

It's true, isn't it?

[Satan Gray]

Oh, yes. Mary, please take your arm from my shoulder.

[Narrator]

Mary, I want to.

[Satan Gray]

To what?

[Narrator]

To marry you.

[Satan Gray]

So you still think I want to marry a millionaire?

[Narrator]

Oh, no, no, of course not.

[Satan Gray]

Well, then take your arm away from my shoulder.

[Narrator]

Oh, all right.

[Satan Gray]

And put it around my waist.

[Narrator]

Oh, all right.

[Satan Gray]

You see how wrong you are? Tim, I do want to be. Marry a millionaire. I'd love to.

[Narrator]

Fifth Avenue Girl, starring Paulette Goddard has been a presentation of the Armed Forces Radio Theater. Corporal Bruce Sedley speaking. This is the United States Armed Forces Radio Service, the voice of information and education.