
My Little Margie xx-xx-xx (xx) 100 Shares of Stock
Loading summary
Grammarly Advertisement
Your time and expertise are valuable, making focus one of the most important resources to have at work these days. Professionals spend nearly half the work week on written communication and it can be difficult to stay on task with all the emails and documents you have to get through. With Grammarly as your AI writing partner, you can stay focused and quickly get through your work with relevant real time suggestions wherever you write. It works across 500,000 apps and websites, so it can help with everything from brainstorming presentation ideas to sounding more confident and persuasive in emails and reports. For 15 years, Grammarly has offered best in class communication support and enterprise grade security on a business model that doesn't sell your data. 93% of professionals report that Grammarly helps them get more work done. Download Grammarly for free at Grammarly.com podcast that's G-R-A M-M M A R L Y.com podcast now my little Margie starring.
Narrator
Gail Storm and Charles Farrell. When a man is executive vice president of Honeywell and Todd investment counselors as Vern Albright is, he's glad to leave the running of his household to his daughter, Margie. But being a businessman, Vern has always insisted that she do it in a businesslike way. And so, at this moment, Margie finds herself surrounded by her account books, her ledgers, and her boyfriend, Freddy Wilson, as she faces her day of reckoning.
Margie Albright
It's all right here, Freddie. Every bill, every statement, all the canceled checks and my account books. Freddy, don't just sit there staring at it. Say something.
Vern Albright
Wow.
Freddy Wilson
I don't see how you could have gotten your accounts in such a mess in only one year.
Margie Albright
Freddy. These are the accounts for one month.
Freddy Wilson
Margie, I thought that.
Margie Albright
Don't worry about hurting my feelings. Let's just see if we can straighten this out a little before dad gets home.
Freddy Wilson
All right, now let's see what we got here. Household expenses, bills, charge account. Margie, I studied accounting for four years and I never came across a bookkeeping system like yours.
Vern Albright
It's.
Margie Albright
It's screwy.
Freddy Wilson
Oh, I didn't say that.
Margie Albright
No, but dad did. And he'll say it again. He'll say, I told you so. He'll start out by just being annoyed, but then he'll get angry. And when my father gets angry, he's really something.
Freddy Wilson
I know.
Margie Albright
He clears his throat and says, my dear Margie. My dear Margie. When he starts calling you dear, watch out.
Freddy Wilson
Yep, the last time he called me my dear Mr. Wilson, he was throwing me out in the hall.
Margie Albright
Well, his bark Is worse than his bite. You know that, Freddy?
Freddy Wilson
Not really. He's never bitten me yet. Say, Margie, you set up this bookkeeping system, so you ought to be able to understand it.
Margie Albright
Well, I did when I first started it, but somewhere along the line, it sort of got away from me. I checked my figures 10 times and got 10 different answers.
Freddy Wilson
It's pretty discouraging.
Margie Albright
Yes, it is. My deficit gets bigger every time. If I could only. Oh, there's dad now.
Vern Albright
Hello, honey. Hello, Freddy.
Freddy Wilson
Hi, Mr. Albright.
Vern Albright
Well, it looks like you've been doing a little paperwork.
Margie Albright
The household account.
Abner Reynolds
Good.
Vern Albright
Do they balance up all right? Well, what's your balance, Margie?
Margie Albright
This month you have a choice, huh? Almost any figure you name I've got, Margie. Oh, look, Dad, I know the books are in a mess, but Freddy's been helping me, and I don't see why he has to.
Vern Albright
You've done a pretty good job of messing them up by yourself.
Freddy Wilson
Thanks, Mr. Albright. I was only trying to be helpful. Don't get sore at me, all right?
Vern Albright
I'm not sore at you, Mr. Wilson.
Freddy Wilson
Sure sounded like you were.
Margie Albright
No, it didn't. He didn't say, my dear Mr. Wilson.
Freddy Wilson
Mr. Albright. Maybe if I showed Margie how to set up a bookkeeping system, she could stick to it.
Vern Albright
Uh. Oh, my dear Mr. Wilson.
Freddy Wilson
Here we go. Margie.
Margie Albright
Dad, I think you ought to be ashamed of the way you're picking on Freddy. He's only offered to help me do what you think is so very important.
Vern Albright
If he's such a great bookkeeper, why isn't he working? I mean, this time.
Margie Albright
Because he's got his pride. He couldn't go on working for a man who'd talked to him the way his last boss did.
Vern Albright
Is that so? What did he say to you, Freddie? Well, what'd he say?
Freddy Wilson
It was nothing.
Margie Albright
Oh, come on, Freddy. You've never even told me. What did he say?
Freddy Wilson
He said, wilson, you're fired.
Vern Albright
I might have known. Now, Margie, if I couldn't teach you the value and importance of money, nobody ever will. I certainly started you off with your allowance early enough.
Margie Albright
A little too early, as a matter of fact.
Vern Albright
You could have gone to the store and bought anything you wanted.
Margie Albright
No, I couldn't. I might have walked there all right, but all I could have said when I got there was.
Vern Albright
Well, you haven't made much progress since then. Not as far as money is concerned, anyway.
Margie Albright
I'm not going to stand here and listen to you another minute. You're just a. Just A yes.
Vern Albright
What am I?
Margie Albright
You're a. You're a father, that's what you are.
Vern Albright
Oh, thanks, Phil. You won't regret it. Bye. Ms. Sherman, send a messenger around to pick up Mr. Thompson's proxy for 500 votes. Yes, sir. And check his name off the list. See, I'm glad I got them before that Reynolds did.
Margie Albright
We got some proxies in the mail, Mr. Albright. 2,300, to be exact.
Vern Albright
Oh, swell.
Margie Albright
And some refusals, too.
Vern Albright
Oh. Oh, Mr. Honeywell.
Mr. Honeywell
Well, how's it going, all right?
Vern Albright
Oh, pretty good. It'll be nip and tuck, but I think we'll have enough votes to weather the storm.
Mr. Honeywell
I hope so. If I get voted out as chairman of the board at tomorrow's meeting and we lose control of Amalgamated Chemicals, we'll be the laughingstock of the financial district.
Vern Albright
Well, it's not going to happen. Reynolds has bought up a lot of the stock and gotten a lot of proxies. But between the shares you and I own and the proxies we've gotten, we'll beat him.
Mr. Honeywell
We'd better. The dirty sneak. Pussyfooting around the dark, trying to get control of Amalgamated. Of all the underhanded. That's the way I got control 10 years ago. Now, wait a minute. Don't misunderstand me, Albright. What I did was good, shrewd business.
Margie Albright
Excuse me, Mr. Albright, but our records show that 100 of your shares were transferred into your daughter Margie's name.
Vern Albright
Say, that's right. I did it for her graduation. I figured that owning some stock would help her develop a business sense.
Mr. Honeywell
Good idea. Does it work?
Vern Albright
I doubt it. If I know Margie, she's probably used a certificate to cut out a dress pattern. But don't worry. I'll get a proxy tonight.
Mr. Honeywell
You make sure you do. Every vote counts.
Vern Albright
It's in the bag. Margie and I may have our little disagreements. When it comes to anything important, I have her eating right out of my hands.
Mr. Honeywell
Yeah, I've seen your daughter eat out of your hand in the past, Albright. And there have been occasions when you should be thankful she didn't bite off your fingers.
Mrs. Odette
Margie, believe me, you're taking this whole thing much too seriously.
Margie Albright
Now, it's nice of you to say that, Mrs. Odette, but dad is the one who's making a big issue of it, not me.
Mrs. Odette
Well, you just let him blow off steam. And don't argue with him the way you did last night. Why, I could hear you right across the hall in my apartment.
Margie Albright
Gosh I didn't think we were talking that loud.
Mrs. Odette
Well, Margie, the door was open. It was.
Margie Albright
I don't remember leaving our door open.
Mrs. Odette
Oh, not yours. Mine.
Margie Albright
Mrs. Odette.
Mrs. Odette
Margie, are you going to try to run your house on a budget the way your father wants you to?
Vern Albright
No.
Margie Albright
I suppose so. I'll have to figure out some system.
Mrs. Odette
I remember when I was a little girl, my mother had her own budget.
Margie Albright
How did she work it?
Mrs. Odette
Well, my father would bring home his weekly pay $20 and give it to my mother. She would put $3 into a coffee can for the rest, $4 into another coffee can for food, a dollar and a half in another coffee can for clothing, a dollar into a coffee can for medical expenses, another dollar in another coffee can for insurance. And into another coffee can she'd put $7 for incidental.
Margie Albright
What came under incidentals?
Mrs. Odette
Coffee. We had to drink a lot of it to get all those cans. Anyway, my mother always said. Oh, I wonder who that can be.
Margie Albright
So do I. Come in.
Abner Reynolds
Ms. Albright?
Margie Albright
Yes.
Abner Reynolds
My name is Abner Reynolds. Here is my card.
Mrs. Odette
Abner Reynolds Security, 1218 Center St. Ms.
Abner Reynolds
Albright, according to the stockholder list, you are the owner of 100 shares of Amalgamated Chemical Company. Do you have the stock?
Margie Albright
Amalgamated?
Freddy Wilson
Oh.
Margie Albright
Oh, that's the stock dad gave me for a graduation present. Yes, I have it. It's in my high school annual, together with a program from the senior prom and Bill Klein Schmidt's varsity football letter.
Abner Reynolds
Well, I become interested in the company and I should like to add to my holdings. To be brief, I want to buy it from you.
Margie Albright
Gosh, I don't think I can sell it. Dad bought it for me to help me learn about the importance of handling money properly.
Abner Reynolds
I'll tell you what the stock is worth. About $5 a share on the open market. I'll give you six. You'll be making a profit of about a hundred dollars.
Mrs. Odette
Oh, I think you ought to take it.
Vern Albright
Margie.
Mrs. Odette
If you make a hundred dollars, that's a wonderful way to show your father that you're learning how to handle money.
Margie Albright
I know, but. Excuse me. Hello?
Vern Albright
Hello, Margie?
Margie Albright
Yes, dad?
Vern Albright
Margie, you probably won't remember this, but I once gave you some stock.
Margie Albright
Of course I DO. Amalgamated Chemical, 100 shares. What about it?
Vern Albright
I just want to make sure that it's safe. I want to have a look at it when I get home. Okay?
Margie Albright
All right.
Vern Albright
That's my girl. Bye.
Margie Albright
Goodbye. Well, my stock suddenly seems to have gotten very popular.
Abner Reynolds
Ms. Albright, I'll give you? $7 a share.
Margie Albright
No, thanks.
Abner Reynolds
750.
Mrs. Odette
Oh, I think you ought to take it, Margie.
Margie Albright
It certainly would serve dad right if I did. But I just promised him he could see it when he gets home tonight.
Abner Reynolds
Well, then I guess you won't sell it to me.
Margie Albright
Mr. Reynolds, what makes this stock so important all of a sudden?
Abner Reynolds
I suppose your dad will tell you so. I might as well. I'm trying to get control of the company away from his boss, Honeywell. And to do it, I need all the voting stock I can get.
Margie Albright
And dad needs all he can get.
Abner Reynolds
It would have been interesting to be able to use your stock to help beat them. But I guess I'll have to do it without him. Goodbye, Ms. Altright.
Margie Albright
Goodbye. You know something, Ms. Odette? I may not be a financial genius, but I may be able to teach my father something. Dad, I want to thank you for that terrific box of chocolate sweets for the sweet. And those roses are just out of this world.
Vern Albright
Oh, it's nothing.
Margie Albright
Nothing, he says. Why, they're beautiful. And I just don't know how to express my appreciation.
Vern Albright
Oh, forget it, Margie. Let's change the subject and talk about something else.
Margie Albright
All right. What do we talk about?
Vern Albright
Oh, I don't know.
Margie Albright
How about my stock? Okay, what about it?
Vern Albright
Well, Margie, it's nothing at all, really. I'd just like you to sign this paper which would enable me to cast your hundred votes at tomorrow's stockholders meeting.
Margie Albright
What's the meeting about, dad?
Vern Albright
Oh, nothing to bother your pretty little head about. Now, come on, sign this silly little paper and let's have dinner.
Margie Albright
No.
Vern Albright
What? No.
Margie Albright
As a businesswoman, I wouldn't dream of letting anybody else vote my stock.
Vern Albright
Well, I can still return those flowers.
Margie Albright
Who cares? As a businesswoman, I'm not interested in such feminine nonsense.
Vern Albright
I'll tell you what. As a businessman to a businesswoman, I'll make you an offer. I'll buy your stock.
Margie Albright
For how much?
Vern Albright
Well, because you're my daughter, I'll be very generous. $3 a share.
Margie Albright
It's a good thing I'm not a stranger.
Vern Albright
Margie, do you know the value of this stock on the open market?
Margie Albright
Yes. $5 a share.
Vern Albright
Then that's what I'll give you.
Margie Albright
Thank you, but I've been offered six by a Mr. Reynolds.
Vern Albright
Reynolds? Well, I'll give you six.
Margie Albright
I turned down seven.
Vern Albright
I'll give you eight.
Margie Albright
You know, I'd be tempted to take that if I weren't such a good businesswoman.
Vern Albright
That does it. You didn't know a good thing when you had it. So you overplayed your hand. Your stock isn't that important. We can win the election without it.
Margie Albright
Then you won't mind if I sell it to Mr. Reynolds?
Vern Albright
You can sell it anybody you like. I don't need it, so I wouldn't give you two cents for it. I wouldn't touch it with a ten foot pole.
Freddy Wilson
Hello.
Mr. Honeywell
Hello, Albright. Does she have the stock?
Vern Albright
Yes, but she.
Mr. Honeywell
Listen to me, Albright. We've just finished tabulating the proxies. They're all in except Margie's. And Reynolds has exactly the same number of votes we have now. Margie stock is the difference between winning and losing control of Amalgamated. We've got to have it.
Vern Albright
I just told Margie I wouldn't touch it with a ten foot pole.
Margie Albright
What's the matter, Dad?
Vern Albright
I was wondering where I could find an 11 foot pole.
Narrator
You've heard that a picture is worth 10,000 words. But do you realize that you are worth 10,000 pictures? For whatever you do reflects on America. Remember the meaning of the big lie. It is a lie that when repeated over and over again enough times people come to believe it. There's no use kidding anyone. The big lie has been spread about America and about the American people by our enemies. And it is up to all of us to disprove the things that are said. But talking or boasting cannot disprove anything. Only actions speak louder than words. And a good action is more articulate than any word ever invented. And now back to my little Margie where we find Vern and Mr. Honeywell.
Vern Albright
Together in their offices.
Narrator
Vern is saying to his kindly old.
Vern Albright
Boss, Mr. Honeywell, let's check the figures again. Mr. Honeywell, while you're at it, see.
Mr. Honeywell
If you can think of a way of getting that stock from Margie.
Vern Albright
I wish I could. I was up all night trying to persuade her. But all I've got to show for it are these circles under my eyes.
Mr. Honeywell
Why didn't you try to bribe her? You should have offered a fur coat or something.
Vern Albright
I did at 6 in the morning, but she refused it.
Mr. Honeywell
Or a convertible.
Vern Albright
Well, she turned that down at 4. She's just getting even because I insulted her business ability. Insult a woman and you pay for it.
Mr. Honeywell
Are you just finding that out? I always let him insult me. It's cheaper in the long run. All right.
Vern Albright
Yes, Mr. Honeywell.
Mr. Honeywell
There's nothing in this situation to laugh about.
Vern Albright
I was only.
Mr. Honeywell
The stockholders meeting is at 4 this afternoon. You've got to lend? To get those votes from Margie. So you'd better start thinking.
Vern Albright
Yes, sir.
Freddy Wilson
You sent for me, Mr. Albright?
Vern Albright
Hello, Freddy. I'm glad you came right over. Before Margie gets back, let me bring you up to date on the situation.
Freddy Wilson
Oh, you don't have to. I know everything that's been happening.
Vern Albright
Margie told you.
Freddy Wilson
No, I meant Mrs. Odette's in the hall.
Vern Albright
The good old Town Cross Crier. Anyway, it's very important that I get Margie to give me that stock. And I think I figured out a way for you to help me.
Freddy Wilson
You have?
Vern Albright
Yes, sir. Freddy, my boy.
Freddy Wilson
Freddy, my boy. Gee, that sounds swell coming from you, Mr. Albright.
Vern Albright
Well, that's the way I feel about you.
Freddy Wilson
Remember when I used to be my dear Mr. Wilson?
Vern Albright
Look, Brady, here's the whole idea. Margie won't give me the stock simply because she knows I want it. It's sheer feminine contrariness.
Freddy Wilson
Where do I come in?
Vern Albright
Well, we get it to switch contrariness from me to you. You agree with her that she's doing the right thing, and she'll just naturally disagree with you. Then she'll give me the stock. Simple enough.
Freddy Wilson
Well, I don't know, Mr. Albright. I'm afraid to try it.
Vern Albright
Afraid? Sure.
Freddy Wilson
When Margie's in that kind of mood, it's dangerous even to agree with her.
Vern Albright
But you've got to help me. I need that stock, and you're my ace in the hole.
Freddy Wilson
No, I. I don't think I'd better.
Vern Albright
My dear Mr. Wilson. Anything you say. Fine. Fine. Freddie, my boy.
Margie Albright
I got the laptop for your lunch. Dad. Oh, hello, Freddie.
Freddy Wilson
Hi, Margie. I just dropped in to say hello.
Vern Albright
I was telling Freddie about our little situation, Margie. Oh, and he disagrees with my viewpoint.
Mrs. Odette
He does?
Margie Albright
Then how come I didn't meet him out in the hall?
Vern Albright
Don't be silly, Margie. I like Freddy.
Margie Albright
You must. Otherwise you wouldn't have promoted him from Mr. Wilson.
Freddy Wilson
From my dear Mr. Wilson.
Vern Albright
Freddy, tell her how you feel about her attitude.
Freddy Wilson
All right, Margie, I agree with you. I agree with you 100%.
Margie Albright
Well, what, is everybody waiting around for the roof to fall in?
Freddy Wilson
I agree with you.
Margie Albright
I heard you.
Vern Albright
And aren't you going to do anything about it?
Margie Albright
Yeah, I'm going to broil those lamb chops. Dad may not consider me a good businesswoman, but evidently he likes the way I talk.
Vern Albright
What happened? I guess we weren't convincing enough. She must have figured out that we were pulling a trick on her.
Freddy Wilson
I knew it wouldn't work.
Vern Albright
Well, it will. It has to. Now listen, Freddie, when she comes back, we'll have to put on an act that we're in a quarrelling, you and me. Right? And we've got to make her believe it. So don't pull any punches.
Margie Albright
I'll have those lamb chops ready in a few minutes.
Freddy Wilson
Mr. Albright, I think your attitude is high handed and inconsiderate. I agree with Margie.
Vern Albright
And I think you have no more business sense than she has. You think you can boss her around.
Freddy Wilson
All her life, but you're nothing but a tyrant.
Vern Albright
And you're an insolent young whippersnapper. And you're a. You're a stubborn old goat.
Margie Albright
Well.
Vern Albright
I think it worked.
Margie Albright
Freddy Wilson, if you think you can talk to my father that way, you're mistaken.
Freddy Wilson
Huh?
Margie Albright
I don't care whether or not you agree with me or I agree with him. You better show my father more respect. Now get out of here this minute.
Freddy Wilson
Margie, please let me explain.
Margie Albright
My dear Mr. Wilson.
Freddy Wilson
Oh, no, not you too. Nerve of him.
Vern Albright
Well, he agreed with you about the stock.
Margie Albright
Oh, I ought to fix him.
Vern Albright
Well, you can. Now just let me have your stock and then.
Margie Albright
I will not. I'm going to that meeting and I'll vote that stock myself. Oh ho. The lamb chops. Oh, now you won't even think I'm a good cook.
Vern Albright
I tell you, I've tried everything, Mr. Honeywell, but she's as stubborn as a mule. Go ahead. Well, did she get here yet?
Abner Reynolds
I haven't.
Mr. Honeywell
She's coming in now.
Abner Reynolds
And look at that Albright.
Mr. Honeywell
She's sitting down right next to our friend Reynolds.
Vern Albright
Well, I can't believe that. My what I see.
Mr. Honeywell
Yeah, being started you might as well face the unpleasant facts. Remember this. Alright. I am holding you personally responsible for whatever happens.
Vern Albright
Listen, I'll go and talk to Mari again.
Mr. Honeywell
Ladies and gentlemen, the meeting of the stockholders of the Amalgamated Chemical Company is hereby called to order. Now, unless there are objections, we shall proceed to the business of the day. The election of officers. Nominations are open. For President.
Vern Albright
I nominate Mr. George T. Honeywell.
Mr. Honeywell
Seconded.
Abner Reynolds
I nominate Mr. Abner Reynolds.
Mr. Honeywell
Second. Nominations closed. Votes please.
Abner Reynolds
I cast a block of 24,950 votes for Abner Reynolds.
Vern Albright
And I cast 24,950 votes for George T. Honeywell. Well.
Mr. Honeywell
Well, we. We have a tie with a hundred votes still to be cast by. By Ms. Margie Albright.
Margie Albright
Ms. Albright, do you permit right in votes?
Mr. Honeywell
I suppose so.
Margie Albright
Good. I cast 100 votes for Ms. Margaret Albright. Margie, Ms. Albright would make a wonderful president for the company. Everybody knows that women are the best businessmen. Everybody except my father, that is.
Vern Albright
Margie.
Margie Albright
Besides, it's time for a change. I think it would be good to see a little new blood around here.
Vern Albright
Margie. Now, listen. If Mr. Honeywell doesn't get elected, the only new blood you'll see around here will be mine.
Margie Albright
So vote for Margie Albright.
Abner Reynolds
Ms. Albright, you don't stand a chance. I'll give you $10 a share for your stock.
Vern Albright
I'll give you 12, 15. You're wasting your time. You can't buy my daughter's stock.
Abner Reynolds
You. You.
Vern Albright
You conniver.
Mr. Honeywell
Don't call me a conniver.
Abner Reynolds
You, you. You old donkey.
Margie Albright
Don't you call my father an old donkey.
Mr. Honeywell
Order. Order.
Margie Albright
Dad, you can stop worrying about the election. You can have my stock.
Vern Albright
I can? What do you want for it?
Margie Albright
What you could have had it for all the time? Just put your arm around me and tell me I'm your little girl.
Vern Albright
Oh, honey, you'll always be my little girl. My little Margie.
Mr. Honeywell
How do you like that? The old donkey came.
Margie Albright
I called Freddie before I went to the meeting and told him to meet us at home for dinner.
Vern Albright
Good. You know, Margie, you didn't really have me fooled for a minute. I knew you'd never hold out on your dad.
Margie Albright
You knew it all the time, huh?
Vern Albright
Oh, sure. But I can promise you one thing. After today, I'll never say anything about your business ability again.
Margie Albright
You'd better not.
Vern Albright
Turn on the light. Hmm. Switch must be broken.
Margie Albright
No, it isn't. Our electricity's been shut off. I forgot to pay the bill.
Vern Albright
Well, don't worry about it. We'll have dinner by candlelight. What are you gonna cook?
Margie Albright
Nothing.
Vern Albright
Nothing.
Margie Albright
I just remembered I forgot to pay the gas bill, too.
Vern Albright
Oh, forget it, honey. I'll just call up and have them fix things in the morning. Dad, the phone, too.
Margie Albright
The phone, too.
Vern Albright
Margie.
Margie Albright
Dad, you just. You just promised me something.
Vern Albright
So I did, but. Well, we can't. See, we can't cook, and we can't phone. Well, let's sit down.
Mr. Honeywell
Hey, not on my lap.
Vern Albright
What? Who are you?
Mr. Honeywell
Your landlord. You know, your rent hasn't been paid for three months.
Vern Albright
For three months?
Narrator
My little Margie is a presentation of the United States Armed Forces Radio Service.
Freddy Wilson
RA.
Episode Summary: My Little Margie – "100 Shares of Stock"
In this compelling episode of My Little Margie, listeners delve into the intricate dynamics of the Albright household, where business acumen and familial relationships collide. The story centers around a significant stock holding that becomes the linchpin in a high-stakes corporate power struggle, testing Margie Albright's resolve and business savvy.
Margie Albright, the diligent daughter of Vern Albright—executive vice president of Honeywell and senior at high school—is entrusted with managing the household finances using her father’s stringent bookkeeping system. Despite her best efforts, Margie encounters overwhelming confusion with her accounts, prompting her supportive yet naive boyfriend, Freddy Wilson, to assist her.
Meanwhile, a corporate battle brews as Abner Reynolds, a rival within the company, seeks to gain control of Amalgamated Chemical Company by accumulating stock. Central to this power play are 100 shares of stock that Margie possesses—gifts from her father intended to cultivate her business sense. The impending stockholders' meeting becomes the battleground where Margie’s decision will tip the scales between her father’s faction and Reynolds’ ambition.
Margie Albright: A resourceful and spirited young woman striving to prove her financial competency while managing her personal life.
Vern Albright: Margie's father, a stern and business-minded executive who imposes his rigorous financial principles on his household.
Freddy Wilson: Margie’s boyfriend, whose attempts to help with bookkeeping lead him deeper into the familial and corporate tensions.
Mr. Honeywell: Vern’s superior, representing the established power structure within Amalgamated Chemicals, and an antagonist aiming to maintain control.
Abner Reynolds: A cunning rival seeking to usurp control of Amalgamated Chemicals by leveraging stock acquisitions, including Margie's shares.
Bookkeeping Chaos (01:45 - 05:22)
Margie grapples with her bookkeeping, receiving unintended criticism from Freddy, which escalates when her father intervenes. The tension sets the stage for the underlying familial pressures Margie faces.
Freddy Wilson (02:09): “Margie, I thought that.”
Vern Albright (04:18): “If he's such a great bookkeeper, why isn't he working?”
Stock Intrigue Introduced (09:02 - 10:57)
Abner Reynolds approaches Margie with an offer to purchase her 100 shares, revealing the stock’s strategic importance in the upcoming election. Margie’s initial refusal underscores her commitment to her father’s lessons on financial responsibility.
Margie Albright (05:03): “He said, Wilson, you're fired.”
Abner Reynolds (09:20): “I want to buy it from you.”
Familial Pressure and Corporate Maneuvering (12:00 - 16:02)
Vern pressures Margie to relinquish her stock to influence the election outcome, leading to a confrontation that highlights the generational and ideological divide between father and daughter.
Margie Albright (12:08): “As a businesswoman, I wouldn't dream of letting anybody else vote my stock.”
Vern Albright (18:35): “And I think you have no more business sense than she has.”
The Climactic Stockholders' Meeting (16:02 - 21:50)
The meeting becomes the epicenter of conflict as votes are counted, and Margie must decide where her allegiance lies. Her ultimate decision defies her father’s expectations, leading to unforeseen repercussions at home.
Mr. Honeywell (20:22): “Ms. Albright, do you permit right in votes?”
Margie Albright (20:45): “I cast 100 votes for Ms. Margaret Albright.”
Margie’s steadfastness in voting her shares independently results in a tie during the stockholders’ meeting. Ultimately, her actions reflect a newfound confidence and a break from her father’s overbearing control. The episode concludes with Vern facing the consequences of his rigid approach, including financial strains as highlighted by unpaid bills, signaling a shift in the household’s power dynamics.
Margie Albright (12:08): “As a businesswoman, I wouldn't dream of letting anybody else vote my stock.”
Narrator (13:00): “Only actions speak louder than words.”
Vern Albright (04:18): “If he's such a great bookkeeper, why isn't he working?”
Freddy Wilson (18:35): “And you're an insolent young whippersnapper.”
Financial Struggles and Bookkeeping:
The episode opens with Margie’s frustration over her disorganized accounts, setting the tone for her struggle between familial expectations and personal capabilities. Her interactions with Freddy showcase her vulnerability and the pressure to uphold her father’s standards.
Corporate Power Play:
Abner Reynolds’ attempts to purchase Margie’s stock introduce a critical subplot that intertwines with the main narrative. This maneuver not only threatens Vern’s authority but also places Margie in a position of unintended influence, highlighting the intersection of personal and professional spheres.
Generational Conflict:
The dynamic between Margie and Vern epitomizes the clash between traditional business practices and emerging independent thought. Margie’s refusal to relinquish her shares signifies a broader theme of autonomy and the quest for self-identity beyond paternal control.
Climactic Tension:
The stockholders’ meeting serves as the narrative climax, where loyalty, strategy, and personal growth converge. Margie’s pivotal vote underscores her transition from a passive participant to an active decision-maker, reshaping her relationship with her father and redefining her role within the household.
Home-Life Repercussions:
The aftermath of the corporate showdown brings the story full circle, illustrating how professional conflicts spill into personal life. Vern’s financial predicament at home serves as a metaphor for his loss of control, both in business and within his family.
"100 Shares of Stock" masterfully blends elements of familial duty, personal ambition, and corporate intrigue to create a nuanced narrative that resonates with themes of independence, responsibility, and the evolving roles within a family. Margie Albright’s journey from compliance to autonomy offers listeners a relatable and inspiring story of growth and self-assertion.