Grand Central Station 40-11-26 Revenge for Two

Summary

Podcast Summary: Harold's Old Time Radio - "Grand Central Station 40-11-26 Revenge for Two"

Introduction

In this episode of Harold's Old Time Radio, titled "Grand Central Station 40-11-26 Revenge for Two," listeners are transported back to the Golden Age of Radio. The drama unfolds within the bustling confines of Grand Central Station, weaving a tale of love, rejection, and revenge among its characters. This summary encapsulates the key discussions, plot developments, and character interactions, enriched with notable quotes to provide an immersive experience for those who haven't tuned in.

---

Setting the Scene

The episode begins with the iconic ambiance of Grand Central Station, depicted vividly by the narrator:

"Shining rails in every part of our great country are aimed at Grand Central Station, part of the nation's greatest city... Crossroads of a million private lives, gigantic stage on which are played a thousand dramas daily."
[02:02] Narrator

This establishes the station as a central hub where various human stories intersect.

---

Introducing Henry J. O'Hara

The story kicks off with Henry J. O'Hara, a traveling salesman reflecting on his experiences:

"If you travel a lot, you know, you're bound to run into some pretty strange people and hear some mighty interesting stories."
[02:02] Henry J. O'Hara

Henry recounts narrowly catching a departing train at Grand Central, leading to an unexpected encounter with Nina Drew.

---

The Chance Meeting with Nina Drew

Henry misses his intended train and interacts with Nina Drew, a beauty expert and radio broadcaster:

"But I knew that girl. And later, sitting across the table from her in the club Car... Why, you're Princess Charming."
[04:09] Henry J. O'Hara

Nina corrects him, introducing herself:

"How do you do, Mr. O'Hara? And please call me by my real name, won't you? It's Nina Drew."
[04:04] Nina Drew

Their conversation reveals Henry's admiration for Nina's work and his perception of her influence.

---

Nina Drew’s Backstory and Motivation for Revenge

Nina shares her past, illuminating her reasons for seeking revenge:

"It's a journey of revenge... There was one time when... I got down to Grand Central Station kind of late, and I had to make a running jump for the train just as it was pulling out."
[05:59] Nina Drew

She details a high school romance where she was rejected by Christopher Avery in favor of Ned Parker, the quintessential all-American boy. This rejection severs her ties to her hometown, Greatstone, and fuels her desire for retribution.

---

Nina’s Plan and Interaction with Irma Parker

Upon returning to Greatstone, Nina confronts Irma Parker, Ned's wife, revealing deeper layers of conflict:

"I'd never recognize you, but you look very well too. Irma. Yes, don't I?"
[21:36] Nina Drew

Irma confesses her struggles:

"With everybody else paid off, who else are there for you to go with?"
[09:02] Irma Parker

Nina advises Irma to abandon her negative attitude, hinting at her own motives tied to Christopher Avery.

---

The Encounter with Christopher Avery

Henry encounters Christopher Avery on the train, uncovering the intertwined destinies of all characters:

"You're Christopher Avery? Why yes."
[15:05] Henry J. O'Hara

Christopher reveals his own quest for revenge against Nina:

"Business? No, I wouldn't call it that. I'd call it revenge."
[16:37] Christopher Avery

He explains how Nina's rejection led him to leave Greatstone and achieve success elsewhere, now returning to confront her.

---

Climactic Confrontation at the Diner

The tension peaks when Henry intervenes during Nina's and Christopher's interaction, aiming to prevent further mistakes:

"You just said it'd be only human to stop someone from making a big mistake... You ought to get off at the very next stop and get a bus back to Greystone just as fast as you can."
[25:05] Henry J. O'Hara

Henry's timely intervention steers the narrative towards resolution, as he sends a telegram affirming Christopher's success and worthiness.

---

Resolution and Reflection

The episode concludes with Henry reflecting on his actions and the interconnected fates of the characters:

"And that, as the wise men say, is that. I hope I did the right thing. Interfering in two lives that way."
[27:43] Henry J. O'Hara

A telegram arrives, encapsulating the successful outcome of Henry's meddling:

"Dear Cupid, he was worth it. He was worth."
[28:37] Henry J. O'Hara

---

Themes and Insights

• Love and Rejection: The core of the narrative revolves around unrequited love and its impact on individuals' life choices.

• Revenge and Redemption: Both Nina and Christopher seek revenge for past grievances, leading to personal growth and unexpected alliances.

• Intervention and Fate: Henry's role underscores the theme of destiny and the influence one individual can have on another's life trajectory.

---

Notable Quotes

• Henry J. O'Hara on Meeting Nina:

  "Now, may we go forward to the dining car?"
  [05:07] Henry J. O'Hara

• Nina Drew on Revenge:

  "I just don't help it."
  [11:23] Nina Drew

• Christopher Avery on His Past:

  "Naturally, I was sensitive as a dickens."
  [18:20] Christopher Avery

• Henry Advising Nina:

  "You ought to get off at the very next stop and get a bus back to Greystone just as fast as you can."
  [25:16] Henry J. O'Hara

---

Conclusion

"Grand Central Station 40-11-26 Revenge for Two" masterfully intertwines personal vendettas with serendipitous encounters, set against the vibrant backdrop of New York's Grand Central Station. Through its rich dialogue and character development, the episode explores the enduring effects of love and rejection, the pursuit of revenge, and the unforeseen consequences of human intervention. This poignant narrative remains a testament to the timeless allure of classic radio dramas.

Transcript

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[Narrator]

Grand Central Station.

[Nina Drew]

All aboard Rental express.

[Narrator]

You're on the right track for speed.

[Nina Drew]

Sun, easier wash days, wider watches when you use the new anti seize brimsol.

[Narrator]

As the bullet seeks its target. Shining rails in every part of our great country are aimed at Grand Central Station, part of the nation's greatest city. Drawn by the magnetic force of the fantastic metropolis. Day and night, great planes rush toward the Hudson river, sweep down its eastern bank for 140 miles briefly by the long red raw tenement houses south of 125th street dive with a roar into the 2 1/2 mile tunnel which burrows beneath the river in swang of Park Avenue. And then Grand Central Station. Crossroads of a million private lives, gigantic stage on which are played a thousand dramas daily.

[Henry J. O'Hara]

If you travel a lot, you know, you're bound to run into some pretty strange people and hear some mighty interesting stories. Well, there was one time when.

[Rinso Advertiser]

Oh, I beg your pardon.

[Henry J. O'Hara]

I guess I ought to introduce myself. O'Hara's the name. Henry J. O'Hara, traveling salesman. I've been traveling 20 years now, and I've been married 20 years. So this job doesn't give me much time with Martha. Martha's my wife. But everything's all right. So there you are. Well, sir, there's something about a train that makes people talk to a stranger about things they never even mentioned to their friends and relatives. Now, take this last trip of mine. I got down to Grand Central Station kind of late, and I had to make a running jump for the train just as it was pulling out. Just made it, eh? Yes, sir, is this car 163?

[Christopher Avery]

That's one ahead of us.

[Henry J. O'Hara]

Thanks. Thanks very much. Oh, I beg your pardon. It's very trumpy in me, but the train sway.

[Nina Drew]

Oh, it's quite all right. No harm done.

[Henry J. O'Hara]

Well, I'm glad of that. Hey, haven't we met before?

[Nina Drew]

No, no, I'm quite sure we haven't. May I talk?

[Henry J. O'Hara]

But I. Sure. I knew that girl. And later, sitting across the table from her in the club Car. I happened to pick up a magazine, and there on the COVID was her picture. Looking right at her, I blurted out, why, you're Princess Charming.

[Nina Drew]

I'm traveling in cognizant.

[Henry J. O'Hara]

Oh, I get it. I get it. Your Highness. I'll try not to spill the beans, but I knew I'd seen your face before. It was getting my ghost, you know.

[Nina Drew]

Was it? I'm sorry. The only one I've got.

[Henry J. O'Hara]

The only one you've got all that. My name's O'Hara. Henry J. O'Hara.

[Nina Drew]

How do you do, Mr. O'Hara? And please call me by my real name, won't you? It's Nina Drew.

[Henry J. O'Hara]

Glad to know you, Ms. Drew. As a matter of fact, I. I feel as if I've known you for a long time.

[Nina Drew]

Now, don't tell me you've taken my charm course. Oh, no, no, no.

[Henry J. O'Hara]

Not quite, but my wife has.

[Nina Drew]

Oh.

[Henry J. O'Hara]

You know, I've caught one or two of your radio broadcasts myself, and they're not as silly as I expected.

[Nina Drew]

That coming from a man is wild praise.

[Henry J. O'Hara]

The way I Look at Ms. Bruce, any woman who can convince womankind not to wear gooey creams and those masks at night is doing mankind a great service. I bet your husband approves your stand as much as I do.

[Nina Drew]

But I. I'm not married.

[Henry J. O'Hara]

You're not? Well, all I can say is that young men nowadays must be timid as mice and blind as bats.

[Nina Drew]

You're being a little harsh on the young men, Ms. O'Hara. As far as I'm concerned, I do.

[Henry J. O'Hara]

Not choose to wed. You must think I'm a very nosy old man. Just to prove that, will you have dinner with me? Diamonds are forward.

[Nina Drew]

All right, that's fine.

[Henry J. O'Hara]

That's fine. Now, shall we go forward to the dining car?

[Nina Drew]

Forward.

[Henry J. O'Hara]

Well, Princess Charming diamond with me. And after hearing me sound off about myself through six courses, I guess maybe she was glad to do a little talking just to keep me quiet. Anyhow, when we're back in the club car, settled in two comfortable chairs, she started off with.

[Nina Drew]

So you're on your way to San Francisco? Well, I'm not going that far. Although where I am going seems as far away as the North Pole.

[Henry J. O'Hara]

What is that great?

[Nina Drew]

My hometown. I'm going back for the first time in ten years.

[Henry J. O'Hara]

Great Stone. Can't say I ever heard of it.

[Nina Drew]

Well, don't let that worry you, Mr. O'Hara. It's just a whistle stop in Illinois.

[Henry J. O'Hara]

Is your visit business or pleasure, so to speak?

[Nina Drew]

So to speak. It's neither, you might call it. Yes, you might call it a journey of revenge.

[Henry J. O'Hara]

Revenge? Pretty strong stuff for a gentle little lady like you. Will it involve the use of firearms, so to speak.

[Nina Drew]

You're laughing at me. Well, I can't say I blame you. The whole thing is very childish. But you see, in my high school class, there was a boy.

[Henry J. O'Hara]

There generally is. Oh, I beg your pardon. I beg your pardon.

[Nina Drew]

Well, this boy was Christopher Avery. Isn't that a wonderful name? Oh, but you know, you can't tell much by a name. He was the most unattractive boy. He'd been a sick child, and now he's little and puny and make matters worse, he had a crush on me.

[Henry J. O'Hara]

Oh, man.

[Nina Drew]

Well, I didn't see it that way at all. Because, you see, I had a crush up. Really, this is too utterly silly. You probably brought a death. Oh, nothing.

[Henry J. O'Hara]

I'm very much interested, especially in what you say about revenge.

[Nina Drew]

Well, the other boy was Ned Parker. Captain of the football team, president of the senior class. Oh, you know, a school hero. He was big and blind. And he used to ask me for the movies almost every week. And he walked me home from school. I. I thought he liked me.

[Henry J. O'Hara]

Well, if you asked me, he showed good taste.

[Nina Drew]

Thank you. And then came the week of the senior prom. Oh, it meant the world and all to us. I was sure Ned would ask me. What? Matter of fact, you might say I was banking on it. When Chris Avery, that the unattractive boy, I meant me. He came up to me after all. English.

[Henry J. O'Hara]

Oh, Anina, got a moment? I'd like to talk to you.

[Nina Drew]

Oh, sure, Chris, that's happen. Well, the first of the yearbook went to the prison all right, didn't they?

[Henry J. O'Hara]

I wasn't thinking about that, but. Oh, yeah, sure they did.

[Nina Drew]

Oh, wow, you had me worried for a minute. I st up all those correcting proofs I want you to know.

[Henry J. O'Hara]

But Nina, that isn't what I want.

[Christopher Avery]

To talk to you about.

[Nina Drew]

What you want?

[Henry J. O'Hara]

Are you going to be? I mean, who's taking you? Well, would you come to the senior prom with me?

[Nina Drew]

Oh. Oh, I'm sorry, Chris, but someone else had asked me first.

[Henry J. O'Hara]

Oh, I see.

[Nina Drew]

Well, I would leave Chris. It was Ned Porker. He asked me yesterday. Oh, I'm sorry.

[Rinso Advertiser]

That's.

[Henry J. O'Hara]

That's all right, Nina. Only I hope.

[Christopher Avery]

I mean, I thought I'd gotten to you first.

[Nina Drew]

Well, you almost did. Wait for me. Oh, hello, Emma. Well, I'll try to get home early so mama can fit my dress for the singing. You pro oh, and is this scrumptious.

[Irma Parker]

What a shame to waste it on Christopher Avery.

[Nina Drew]

What makes you think I'm going to Christmas, lazy?

[Irma Parker]

Well, with everybody else paid off, who else are there for you to go with? Unless you import one of your cousins all the way from Chicago.

[Nina Drew]

That's my business.

[Irma Parker]

Naturally it's your business, Nina, dear. As I said to Ned Parker when he asked me to go with him. By ned, I said to him, I thought you'd most certainly ask me to go with you. Why should you be asking dumb little me?

[Nina Drew]

Ned. Ned Parker asked you.

[Irma Parker]

That's what I said, didn't I? And how he said to me, you're not dumb. And when it comes to going out with a girl, I'd rather have someone pretty and charming like you than the smartest girl in the country. Isn't he the sweetest thing to say, Tom?

[Nina Drew]

Yes, I think. I suppose you are. Well, I. I must run now. I'm late. Mom will be waiting.

[Henry J. O'Hara]

Goodbye.

[Nina Drew]

Goodbye. I want to die. I want to die. Everybody said. All except me. Is that nerve there? Take a look at yourself, Nita. Do make a good look at the only girl. And Drake soon haven't got a partner for the senior pub. They may be smart, all right. Nothing but an invitation to qu Little one. Couldn't imagine why everybody's laughing their heads off the lane. Won't laugh at me. I won't go to this prom. I'll get my diploma to mention. And right after, when they're all dancing in this horrible one, I'll be on my way. Ne. I'm grown up. Ms. Parker will come crying to me. He'll beg me for a dance. It's.

[Henry J. O'Hara]

Well, you did show them, didn't you? So now the famous princess charming is on the way back to gravestone to. To bloat.

[Nina Drew]

I'm going back there to keep that promise to myself, to show them. Especially Ned Parker and Irma and a few others. Oh, isn't that awful? Imagine anyone harboring that much resentment over such a silly little thing. But I just don't help it.

[Henry J. O'Hara]

No, Pardue. I hope everything works out the way you expect, my dear.

[Nina Drew]

Thank you.

[Henry J. O'Hara]

I should be returning this way in about four or five days. Maybe we'll be meeting again and return trip.

[Nina Drew]

I'm afraid not, Mr. O'Hara. I'm planning a police train breakfast.

[Henry J. O'Hara]

Oh, now that's too bad. Too bad for me. But it's a small world and we may bump into each other again someday. Then you can tell me how it all turned out.

[Nina Drew]

Eh, Perhaps we will meet again. At any rate, please give my best to Mrs. O'Hara if she'd like to come to see me at the broadcasting studio when I get back to. I'd be very glad to meet her.

[Henry J. O'Hara]

Oh, if I tell her that you'll find her camping in your doorstep and you return.

[Nina Drew]

Well, I shouldn't mind that a bit. Thanks again, Ms. O'Hara. Good night and goodbye.

[Henry J. O'Hara]

Goodbye, Ms. Su. And good luck. Grandma. I hope you're not disappointed in your revenge.

[Rinso Advertiser]

In a moment, our plenty will continue. In just a minute, we'll return you to the scene of Grand Central Station drama. But now let me tell you of a drama behind the scenes. A dramatic development in Rinseau. That's the very reason for our bringing you this program. Just a short time ago, the Rinseau that millions thought was the best laundry soap in America became an even better soap. Rinseau became Anti Sneeze Rinseau.

[Henry J. O'Hara]

Here was dramatic news for every housewife.

[Rinso Advertiser]

Who suffers from sneezy soap from wash day hay fever. We told millions about it on Rentso's very popular daytime show, Big Sister. We told millions about it on Rentso's exciting evening show, Big Town. But this news proved so important, we wanted to tell millions more about it on another great radio show. And here we are on Grand Central Station. Now I wonder how many thousands of you listeners, when you pour out soap, still do this.

[Nina Drew]

Oh dear. I do wish this so and soap didn't make me stop sneeze so much.

[Rinso Advertiser]

You see now that sneezing from dusty sneezy soaps can be a thing of the past. The new Anti Sneeze Rinso that's on sale everywhere is 98% free of the irritating soap dust that causes sneezing. While many other packaged soaps still contains as much as a quarter pound of soap dust. The difference is the makers of Rinso decided to do something about it. Their soap making experts worked week after week, month after month. Nearly a quarter of a million dollars was spent to take the sneezes out of Rinso. And unbelievable as it may seem, this new anti Sneeze Rinso not only saves you sneezing, but saves you money too. Yes, Rinso with its suds booster now gives so much more suds than the old. It's like getting free soap every fifth wash day. Why not try the new Anti Sneeze Rinso? Get a package tomorrow and judge for yourself if this new Anti Sneeze Rinse. So isn't the Best soap you've ever used. For whiter, brighter washes, for dishes and for all around house cleaning.

[Henry J. O'Hara]

Well, I didn't see Nina Zoo again by the time I woke the next morning were ours beyond Greatstone. I got to San Francisco all right, made a working big sale and started back a couple of days later. Second evening out of Briscoe, I was in the observation platform looking at the country roll by. There's a big fellow sitting there too, smoking a pipe. When I couldn't find a match for my cigarette, he obliged.

[Christopher Avery]

Can I help you with the match, sir?

[Henry J. O'Hara]

Thank you very much, John. A fine evening. My name's O'Hara.

[Christopher Avery]

Mine's Avery. Glad to know you. Live on the coast?

[Henry J. O'Hara]

No, no, I'm a New Yorker. Traveling salesman. Proud of.

[Christopher Avery]

That's nice work if you can get it.

[Henry J. O'Hara]

My wife doesn't think so. Are you going to New York?

[Christopher Avery]

Not this trip. I'm. Well, I'm paying. My old hometown for the first time in 10 years.

[Henry J. O'Hara]

You don't say. Where are you from?

[Christopher Avery]

Oh, small town, Illinois, if you've ever heard of it. It's called Greatstone.

[Henry J. O'Hara]

No, I can't say I. Here, wait a minute. Did you say Great Stone?

[Christopher Avery]

Yes, I did. Why?

[Henry J. O'Hara]

Oh, nothing, nothing at all. I. I just happened to meet someone. What did you say your name was?

[Christopher Avery]

Avery. Christopher's the first name that's in Columbus.

[Henry J. O'Hara]

Christopher Avery. You're Christopher Avery? Why yes.

[Christopher Avery]

Unless I'm a case of mistaken identity. There's nothing wrong with that, I hope.

[Henry J. O'Hara]

Oh no, no, no. I was just surprised to. I mean, you're a big fellow, aren't you?

[Christopher Avery]

I say, about six foot two, Eh, Just about.

[Henry J. O'Hara]

Played football, I bet.

[Christopher Avery]

Uh huh.

[Henry J. O'Hara]

I suppose you played in your high school team too.

[Christopher Avery]

Well, no, I'm afraid not. I was sort of undersized in my high school days.

[Henry J. O'Hara]

Undersized? Well, that's a good one. You, you must have gone double quick after that grow.

[Christopher Avery]

Say, I jumped up so suddenly that I outgrew every suit almost as fast as I got it. I was the tailor's favorite customer.

[Henry J. O'Hara]

Well, nature does sure play cute tricks, doesn't he? And you're. You're going back to Great Stormer on a business trip.

[Christopher Avery]

Business? No, I wouldn't call it that. I'd call it revenge.

[Henry J. O'Hara]

Revenge, eh? Well, sounds serious.

[Christopher Avery]

No, it's not like that, Mr. O'Hara. Kind of kid stuff really. But I just found out from a friend's letter that the girl who was my idea of whatever heaven all through high school is back in Greatstone. For a visit after 10 years.

[Henry J. O'Hara]

Sounds like a rendezvous.

[Christopher Avery]

No. Sorry to disappoint you again.

[Henry J. O'Hara]

I see. And what do you do for a living?

[Christopher Avery]

Me? Oh, I'm sports editor of Watch.

[Henry J. O'Hara]

Watch what?

[Christopher Avery]

No, I mean the magazine Watch.

[Henry J. O'Hara]

Oh, you mean that big thing with all the pictures in it?

[Christopher Avery]

That's the one. I always did like to fool around with publishing, putting type on paper.

[Henry J. O'Hara]

Oh, the yearbook.

[Christopher Avery]

What'd you say?

[Henry J. O'Hara]

Oh, nothing important. I. But I don't see where the revenge comes in.

[Christopher Avery]

Well, this girl I mentioned, you know, the.

[Henry J. O'Hara]

The beauty expert. Yes.

[Christopher Avery]

She gave my boyish pride a pretty nasty joke about 10 years ago. After weeks of practicing in front of a mirror, I finally got up the courage to ask her to go to the senior prom with me and she turned me down.

[Henry J. O'Hara]

And that's your reason for revenge?

[Christopher Avery]

That's not all. She turned me down because she said another boy had already asked her.

[Henry J. O'Hara]

The early boy catches the girl, eh?

[Christopher Avery]

But I knew she was lying because the boy himself had told me he was taking somebody else.

[Henry J. O'Hara]

Well, they say that all fair in love and war.

[Christopher Avery]

Yes, I suppose so. As I said, I was an undersized runt. A far from attractive specimen to drag around a dance floor. Naturally, I was sensitive as a dickens. And that little episode made me determined to get out of Greatstone then and there. If it was the last thing I did, I'd show them.

[Henry J. O'Hara]

You know, I've heard something like your story once before.

[Christopher Avery]

Yes, I suppose it's not unusual. And in a way, I suppose I ought to be grateful for the jolt she gave me that memorable day. If I hadn't left town, I'd probably be a school teacher now in the Great Stone Grammar School, maybe. Still undersized in the bargain. Things grow big in California. Look at the redwoods.

[Henry J. O'Hara]

Well, well, it's a new wind that blows that doesn't blow that.

[Christopher Avery]

I guess my long winded story is putting you to sleep. It's pretty late at that.

[Nina Drew]

Yes.

[Henry J. O'Hara]

Better turn in. See you in the morning. By every. Good luck. Well, there it was. Like two pieces from a jigsaw puzzle fitting together perfectly. And so far, I was the only one who knew it. Sure, I could have told them about Nina Drew on the way out and what she said. But I figured they'd meet each other in Greystone all right. Without any help From Henry Day O'Hara and nature would take its course. Early the next morning, I awoke to feel the train slowing down. As we stopped, I looked at my watch. 7:00. I raised my shade and looked out it was Gravestone, all right. And Chris Avery was walking down the platform.

[Christopher Avery]

Thanks, porter. Here for you.

[Henry J. O'Hara]

I almost called out to him, but he's gone too quickly. Then I noticed someone getting on the train too, at the other end of the car. And who do you think it was?

[Nina Drew]

No, thank you, porter. I'll carry this for the diner.

[Henry J. O'Hara]

I could hardly believe my eyes. I wanted to yell to her. I rapped in the window, but the train had started up and she was already on it. I dressed in a hurry and headed for the diner. Mind if I join you?

[Nina Drew]

Well, hello there. My excuse, Mr. O'Hara. Imagine meeting you again.

[Henry J. O'Hara]

You don't have to imagine. Here I am, Henry J. O'Hara in person. You caught me coming and going.

[Nina Drew]

Well, do sit down, please. We can post our meeting with orange juice and coffee.

[Henry J. O'Hara]

Thank you. Thank you. Here we are. Now sit down. There we are.

[Nina Drew]

Say that it's a small world, so I won't have to say it.

[Henry J. O'Hara]

Gladly. It's a small world, Much smaller than you think.

[Nina Drew]

Good. Now that that's over, was your trip successful?

[Henry J. O'Hara]

Very. Thank you. I'm surprised to find you in this train, though. I thought you were going to be in great stone for two weeks. And it's only now, let me see, five days since you got there.

[Nina Drew]

I know, but I. I changed my mind.

[Henry J. O'Hara]

Wasn't it victorious homecoming?

[Nina Drew]

Too victorious. Much too victorious. I couldn't take it.

[Henry J. O'Hara]

Was there. Was what's his name, your high school hero? Was he there?

[Nina Drew]

Ned Parker? Oh, definitely. Ned was there, all right. Everywhere I went, morning, noon and night, there he was.

[Henry J. O'Hara]

Well, wasn't that what you wanted?

[Nina Drew]

Well, maybe it was. Once Ned's changed. Oh, he was gallant enough. He gave me a grand rush. Flowers, notes, telephone calls.

[Narrator]

Why?

[Henry J. O'Hara]

Why? Why?

[Nina Drew]

Well, he's married.

[Henry J. O'Hara]

Married To Irma.

[Nina Drew]

That's right. The pretty little girl who he took to the senior dance instead of me. My second night in Breakstone, she came to see me. My last memory of Irma was slim little thing with bright yellow curls, big blue eyes. And now.

[Henry J. O'Hara]

Oh, she's so changed.

[Nina Drew]

So be. Hello, Nina. Irma. Well, hello. My, it's good to see you again. Please sit down and tell me everything. You look wonderful. I'd never recognize you, but you. You look very well too. Irma. Yes, don't I? You don't have to pretend with me. I know how I look. Irma, why, you haven't taken care of yourself. Your hair, that used to be so loveliest. What's happened to it is. You're so pale. Why, you look 15 years older than you are. Is this some free professional advice? I'm sorry? Because if it is, that's what I've come for. Irma. I mean it, Nina. Do you think I want to look like this? I can remember when I was the prettiest girl in. Oh, what's the use? I've changed. You mad? Yes. I mean Ned, my husband. We were happy enough the first year before I found out that Ned liked a lot of girls as well as he liked. No, Irma, not Ned. It shouldn't come as too much of a surprise to you, Nina. I don't know if you even remember our senior, then. Yes. Yes, I can just about remember it. But you expected Ned to ask you to go with him. Everybody else expected it and he asked me instead. So you see, you have the distinction of being the first woman to be disappointed in that. But you've got all these. No, Irma. Don't cry, Daddy, don't. Don't cry at all. What, does he mean so much to you? Fight for it. Crying won't help. Fight for it. There is the mouth of fight left in me. Oh, yes, there. You came to me tonight for advice and help. Well, I'm going to give it to you now. First of all, you've got to get rid of that attitude. Throw it right out of the window. Now listen carefully to everything I say.

[Henry J. O'Hara]

So you told her how to get her a man back, eh?

[Nina Drew]

The infallible priest's charming campaign. I made her promise to write me every week. Things don't turn out as they should have changed the tactics.

[Henry J. O'Hara]

I see. But did you see all your old friends and schoolmates while you were home?

[Nina Drew]

Most of them, except a few who'd moved elsewhere.

[Henry J. O'Hara]

How about this this Christopher Avery fellow?

[Nina Drew]

Chris? Oh, I heard he left Greatstone years ago. He went west. California, they said. I suppose he's puttering around in a secondhand butch shop now.

[Henry J. O'Hara]

I. I don't think so. What, Miss do. Suppose you were an innocent bystander and you saw someone making a big mistake. A mistake she didn't even know about. Would you butt in and tell her about it? Or would you mind your own business not meddling with other folks lives?

[Nina Drew]

I don't know. It would depend upon the mistake, I guess. If she were using the wrong fork at the dinner table, I don't think I'd bother.

[Henry J. O'Hara]

Well, supposing this were a big mistake, Something that was leading her away from possible happiness.

[Nina Drew]

Well, then I'd tell her definitely.

[Henry J. O'Hara]

It's the only human thanks My dear, that's what I've been waiting to hear. You're making a mistake in going back to New York.

[Nina Drew]

What do you mean?

[Henry J. O'Hara]

Now, don't be offended. You just said it'd be only human to stop someone from making a big mistake. Well, you ought to get off at the very next stop and get a bus back to Greystone just as fast as you can.

[Nina Drew]

Well, what's all this about?

[Henry J. O'Hara]

I know I don't look like Cupid, but I'm sure it'll prove highly of what I'm doing. The reason you ought to hurry back to Greatstone is Christopher Avery. Christopher?

[Nina Drew]

He's not a great stone.

[Henry J. O'Hara]

Oh, yes, he is. I traveled with him from Frisco. I saw him get off and one end of the train while you got on the other.

[Nina Drew]

You mean just now?

[Henry J. O'Hara]

Yeah, that's what I said. He told me how you'd been his ideal all through school. How you broke his heart when you turned down his invitation to the senior prom. He ran away from Gravestone 2 the way you did. And today he's a success the way you are. And it's not a book.

[Nina Drew]

He's probably a school teacher now.

[Henry J. O'Hara]

Save your pity. Save your pity. Your Christopher Avery is doing very nicely. A sports editor of Watch magazine, and he's as fine a figure of a man as ever I've seen. Six foot two, built like a football player. Matter of fact, he. He did play for Stampord.

[Nina Drew]

Cr. Foot ball. No, it can't be the same ball.

[Henry J. O'Hara]

And what's more, he's still in love with you. That's why he went back to grape school. When someone wrote to him that you were coming for a visit, he called it revenge. But I am too old a fellow, and I met too many people not to recognize a bad case of love when I see it.

[Nina Drew]

You honestly mean he. He was coming all the way from San Francisco just to meet me again?

[Henry J. O'Hara]

And to gloat a little bit. He always knew that Ned hadn't asked you for that troublemaking dance. He knew why you turned him down. So now he wants to strut up and down before Ewan. I can't say I blame says I do either. Then. Then you'll go back?

[Nina Drew]

Well. Oh, it's so silly. All this childish remembering, getting even with people. Oh, I'm sure we'd be a great disappointment to each other, but. Well, after Chris has traveled so far just to see me again. Does seem a shame for me not to be there.

[Henry J. O'Hara]

Now you're talking.

[Rinso Advertiser]

And here we are.

[Henry J. O'Hara]

Here we are. Heading only knows where where you get off.

[Nina Drew]

But Mr. O'Hara, are you sure I'm not making a mistake by going back?

[Henry J. O'Hara]

I staked my reputation with Cupid's right.

[Rinso Advertiser]

Hand man on that.

[Nina Drew]

Ms. O'Hara, I don't know what to.

[Henry J. O'Hara]

Now, don't say anything. Give me a hand. Now watch yourself.

[Nina Drew]

There we go.

[Henry J. O'Hara]

There we are. And here.

[Narrator]

Steal your bag.

[Nina Drew]

Oh, but Ms. O'Hara, I want to.

[Henry J. O'Hara]

Thank you for get it, my dear. Or if you want to, you can send me a telegram out to you. You see, Clifford, let me know whether or not he. He was worth going back there. I will.

[Nina Drew]

I wish. Goodbye. Goodbye.

[Henry J. O'Hara]

Goodbye you sir. Goodbye. Goodbye. And that, as the wise men say, is that. I hope I did the right thing. Interfering in two lives that way. Well, anyhow, here's the telegram I got that evening tarnishing. Where did I put it? Hope I didn't go and lose it. I wanted to show the Martha. Ah, here it is. Yes, here it is. Here's the telegram. Black and white? No, no, black or yellow. It's from gravestone addressed to me in the train. And the message says, dear Cupid, he was worth it. He was worth.

[Rinso Advertiser]

Now, before we call the role of tonight's outstanding cast, may I give you my own personal reason for being happy about this new anti sneeze Rinso. You know I like my shirt to be really white. Thick and span from collar to color. That's my reason. And there must be lots of men like me. Your husband for instance. I'll bet if you've never done his shirts with Rinso you'll notice the difference the first time you try it. You see, the new anti sneeze rinse though doesn't just get shirt almost white. It gets your white things up to 10 shades whiter than old style soaps. And don't forget, when you use the new anti sneeze Windsor, you'll get relief from this achoon. And of course you get whiter, brighter washers. Try a big green and yellow package of the new anti sneeze rinsel tomorrow and find out for yourself.

[Nina Drew]

Power.