Sam & Henry 29-01-15 Checkin' things out

Summary

Podcast Summary: Harold's Old Time Radio – "Sam & Henry 29-01-15 Checkin' Things Out"

Release Date: August 3, 2025
Duration: Approximately 8 minutes and 14 seconds
Characters:

• Amos Jones: A representative of the Fresh Air Taxicab Company
• Audie Fox: An efficiency expert tasked with improving the company's operations
• Andy Brown: President of the Fresh Air Taxicab Company

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Introduction

In this episode of Harold's Old Time Radio, titled "Sam & Henry 29-01-15 Checkin' Things Out," listeners are transported back to the Golden Age of Radio. The episode centers around the Fresh Air Taxicab Company, highlighting the challenges faced by the business and the intervention of an efficiency expert, Audie Fox, intended to turn the company's fortunes around.

Setting the Scene

The episode opens with Amos Jones introducing Audie Fox, setting the stage for a business consultation aimed at assessing and improving the company's inefficiencies.

Amos Jones [00:03]: "You see, Mr. Mister."

Audie Fox [00:05]: "My name is Audie Fox. Just call me Mr. Fox."

Amos proceeds to outline the necessity of Audie’s expertise in evaluating the taxicab business, emphasizing the need for detailed analysis.

Assessment of the Business

Audie Fox begins probing into the profitability of the Fresh Air Taxicab Company, seeking clarity on its financial health.

Audie Fox [00:39]: "Oh, yes, and do you find it a profitable business?"

Amos Jones [00:43]: "Yeah. Oh, you mean. You mean, is it making any money?"

The conversation reveals that while the company is generating some revenue, it's insufficient to sustain operations effectively.

Audie Fox [00:51]: "Well, Mr. Jones, that's just where I come in. You see, my business as an efficiency expert enables me to make the necessary corrections in your business and put you on a money-making basis."

Introducing the Company President

Amos warns Audie about Andy Brown, the company’s president, highlighting potential interpersonal challenges.

Amos Jones [01:06]: "Well, first I better tell you though, that Andy is the president of the company and sometimes he gets mad if you cross him up, you see. So you kind of got to look out for Andy."

Audie counters by asserting the importance of implementing necessary changes despite any internal resistance.

Audie Fox [01:16]: "Mr. Jones, I have found that in my wide experience as efficiency experts, sometimes we must disregard the feeling of some of the firm and go ahead with determination to make the corrections and prove to the officers of the company that they are deriving a great benefit from the various new systems that I installed."

The Encounter with Andy Brown

As the discussion progresses, Amos introduces Audie to Andy Brown, who is depicted as somewhat disorganized and uninterested initially.

Amos Jones [02:10]: "Well, now, Mr. Fox, here we is at the taxi cab headquarters. Oh, yeah, you can look right through the window there. There's Andy's fleet seeing there with his feet on the desk asleep."

Upon meeting, Andy exhibits resistance and skepticism towards Audie’s expertise.

Andy Brown [03:03]: "Yes, sir. Yes, sir. I was glad to see you. You want a taxicab?"

Audie attempts to steer the conversation towards business efficiency, but Andy's interruptions and reluctance create a tense atmosphere.

Audie Fox [04:08]: "Mr. Brown, your business associate here informs me that you are in need of an efficiency expert. I am the efficiency expert that you need."

Scrutiny of the Company's Financials

Audie requests to review the company’s financial records, uncovering discrepancies that highlight the company's mismanagement.

Audie Fox [07:02]: "Mr. Brown, one of these figures you have in the front of the book here."

She points out unrealistic financial figures, prompting confusion and denial from Andy and Amos.

Audie Fox [07:32]: "What are these figures?"

Andy Brown [07:34]: "How did they get in that book?"

The exchange underscores the chaotic state of the company's bookkeeping, suggesting deeper systemic issues that need addressing.

Tensions and Resistance

The interaction reveals underlying tensions between Amos and Andy, with both disputing responsibility for the disorganized books.

Andy Brown [08:10]: "You've been messing with them books again."

Amos Jones [08:12]: "I ain't been messing with no books."

This conflict illustrates the internal struggles within the company, impeding the path to efficiency that Audie seeks to implement.

Notable Quotes

• Audie Fox at [00:39]: "Do you find it a profitable business?"
  Audie probes into the company's financial health, underscoring her role as an efficiency expert.

• Amos Jones at [01:06]: "Andy is the president of the company and sometimes he gets mad if you cross him up."
  Amos cautions Audie about potential resistance from leadership.

• Audie Fox at [04:08]: "Mr. Brown, your business associate here informs me that you are in need of an efficiency expert."
  Audie asserts her expertise and the necessity of her role.

• Audie Fox at [07:32]: "What are these figures?"
  Audie challenges the validity of the company's financial records, highlighting mismanagement.

• Andy Brown at [08:10]: "You've been messing with them books again."
  Andy shifts blame, reflecting the internal discord within the company's management.

Conclusion

The episode "Sam & Henry 29-01-15 Checkin' Things Out" provides a dramatized glimpse into the struggles of a mid-20th-century taxicab company grappling with inefficiency and internal conflict. Through the interactions between Amos, Audie, and Andy, listeners witness the challenges faced by businesses of that era in implementing necessary reforms amidst resistance. The tension-filled dialogue not only entertains but also serves as a commentary on the importance of effective management and the difficulties inherent in organizational change.

Transcript

[Amos Jones]

You see, Mr. Mister.

[Audie Fox]

My name is Audie Fox. Just call me Mr. Fox.

[Amos Jones]

Mr. Fox. You see, before we get up to where Andy is, I thought I'd send to you some of the things so you'd know.

[Audie Fox]

You see, of course, you understand, Mr. Jones, that as an efficiency expert, I must have all the details. But as time goes on, I will no doubt familiarize myself with the conditions surrounding your business.

[Amos Jones]

Oh, yes, sir. Yes, sir. You see, the first thing, we come up here from Atlanta, Georgia, and started in this here taxicab business.

[Audie Fox]

Oh, yes, and do you find it a profitable business?

[Amos Jones]

Yeah. Oh, you mean. You mean, is it making any money?

[Andy Brown]

That's it.

[Audie Fox]

Are you making any profit at the present time? Me?

[Amos Jones]

Well, we are taking in some money, but he ain't got enough to show for it.

[Audie Fox]

Well, Mr. Jones, that's just where I come in. You see, my business as an efficiency expert enables me to make the necessary corrections in your business and put you on a money making basis.

[Amos Jones]

Well, first I better tell you though, that Andy is the president of the company and sometimes he get mad if you cross him up, you see. So you kind of got to look out for Andy.

[Audie Fox]

Mr. Jones, I have found that in my wide experience as efficiency experts, sometimes we must disregard the feeling of some of the firm and go ahead with determination to make the corrections and prove to the officers of the company that they are deriving a great benefit from the various new systems that I installed.

[Amos Jones]

In the stall, you say?

[Andy Brown]

Yes.

[Audie Fox]

Installed?

[Amos Jones]

What stall? You know, we ain't got no horses this year. Taxicab comes.

[Audie Fox]

You misconstrued my last remark.

[Amos Jones]

You don't mean to tell me.

[Audie Fox]

I will be glad to go over the situation with the president of your company. And I want you to know, Mr. Jones, that it is through sheer luck that I am able to accept this assignment. It so happened that I came to Chicago from Pittsburgh to take on the work of correcting a big manufacturing plant. But unfortunately, before I could reach the scene of action, it became necessary for this firm to file bankruptcy proceedings.

[Amos Jones]

Well, now, Mr. Fox, here we is at the taxi cab headquarters. Oh, yeah, you can look right through the window there. There's Andy's fleet seeing there with his feet on the desk asleep.

[Audie Fox]

Well, where is the president of the company?

[Amos Jones]

Down to him.

[Andy Brown]

Oh, yes, the president of the fleet.

[Audie Fox]

Well, let us enter. And after I have a talk with your president, we can get together on a salary arrangement a little later.

[Amos Jones]

Well, walk right in the spot. You can't wake him up if you seek him when he sleeps he don't mess with it.

[Audie Fox]

What time does he want to be called?

[Amos Jones]

I'll kick him now. Andy. Andy, wake up. Wake up.

[Andy Brown]

Hello.

[Amos Jones]

You ain't answering the telephone. This here is me.

[Andy Brown]

What are you doing coming in here and waking me up like this?

[Amos Jones]

Andy, this here is Mr. Fox this year. Andy Brown, the president of the company.

[Audie Fox]

Mr. Brown, it is indeed a pleasure.

[Andy Brown]

Yes, sir. Yes, sir. I was glad to see you. You want a taxicab?

[Audie Fox]

Well, Mr. Brown, that shows that you are alert to the fact of serving the public as quickly as possible. But it so happens that I am the efficiency expert that Mr. Jones talked.

[Andy Brown]

To you about you as the officious was.

[Amos Jones]

No, no, Andy, listen. This here is the gentleman that I talked to you about, remember? Wake up now, Andy, you are still asleep. Look at you. Now open your eyes. This here is the gentleman that takes the business and puts it on the business basis, you see? Don't you remember me telling you about him down the lodge hall where I met him?

[Andy Brown]

Oh, yeah, yeah, sure, sure. I beg to repologize.

[Audie Fox]

Sit down, sit down.

[Andy Brown]

Amos, where is that other chair that we had?

[Amos Jones]

He never had no other chair.

[Audie Fox]

It's all right, gentlemen, it's all right. I'll sit here on the desk. Mr. Brown, your business associate here informs me that you are in need of an efficiency expert. I am the efficiency expert that you need.

[Amos Jones]

A box. Here, sit right down on this box over here.

[Andy Brown]

Oh, yeah, you as a gentleman, huh?

[Amos Jones]

Go right ahead, Mr. Fox, and ask Andy anything you want to ask him. If he don't know it, I'll try to tell you the best I can.

[Andy Brown]

If who don't know it, there ain't nothing around here that I don't know. Now get that in your head.

[Audie Fox]

Well, gentlemen, let there be no dissension.

[Amos Jones]

Let it be no what?

[Audie Fox]

Shut up.

[Andy Brown]

Shut up.

[Audie Fox]

Now, Mr. Brown, you are in the taxicab industry. You are catering to the public, am I correct?

[Andy Brown]

Amos ain't told you nothing like that, is he?

[Amos Jones]

No, the only thing I told him was shut up.

[Andy Brown]

Shut up, Amos.

[Audie Fox]

Well, now, gentlemen, I just want to ask you a few questions. You are in the taxicab business, serving the public in that capacity.

[Andy Brown]

Oh, yes, sir, we done that. I don't remember when it was, but we done it.

[Audie Fox]

Now, if I come into this business, I will no doubt be able to install a few systems which will enable you to conserve your energy, eliminate unnecessary expenditures and get what you might call a dormant business on the basis of a going business.

[Andy Brown]

A going business.

[Amos Jones]

It's almost Gone.

[Audie Fox]

Now, shut up.

[Andy Brown]

Shut up, mister.

[Amos Jones]

I ain't gonna do it.

[Andy Brown]

Go ahead, Mr. Wolf. I mean, Mr. Fox.

[Audie Fox]

Mr. Brown, I can see at a glance that you could use an efficiency man. And I would be glad to look over the situation here now and give you my frank opinion as to whether or not it would be an unnecessary expenditure to bring me into the company.

[Andy Brown]

Oh, I agree with you there.

[Amos Jones]

All right, Mr. Fox, you want to look at the books?

[Andy Brown]

Wait a minute. Around here. Wait a minute. Don't holler about the books. I was keeping the book.

[Amos Jones]

Oh, I know you keep them. I just ask him if he won't look at them, that's all. I see.

[Audie Fox]

Well, if the president has no objection, I would like to glance at the journal and the ledger.

[Andy Brown]

You want to glance at what I say?

[Audie Fox]

I would like to look at your books, if you have no objection, and see what system you are using.

[Amos Jones]

I think Mr. Fox ought to come in and see what he could do with the company. He might be able to twist it around so that we make some money out of this thing.

[Andy Brown]

Well, Mr. Fox, in case you start to work, what do you do?

[Amos Jones]

Yeah, send out the Annie. Mr. Fox.

[Audie Fox]

Well, I analyze your business. Get right to the bottom of each detail.

[Amos Jones]

You see there. There's something right there. If you do that. Let him see the books, Anders.

[Andy Brown]

Well, here's the books. I just sort of keep these in the rough, you see, I got a better one, better set than this at home under the bed.

[Audie Fox]

Oh, yes. This is your book, huh? The Fresh Air Taxicab Company, Incorpulated of America. Andrew Brown, President. Nice title page you have.

[Andy Brown]

Oh, yeah, yeah, sure. You see, I worked on the books day and night myself. Amos is the system bookkeeper, but I don't let him mess with nothing.

[Audie Fox]

Mr. Brown, one of these figures you have in the front of the book here.

[Andy Brown]

What figures is that?

[Audie Fox]

You mean these figures right here? 4 million, 6 million, 7 million. Here's one figure here. 9 billion, 900 million. What are these figures?

[Andy Brown]

How did they get in that book?

[Amos Jones]

Just your own handwriting. You put them in there yourself?

[Andy Brown]

Oh, yeah, yeah, that's right. I remember now. One day I got hold of a.

[Audie Fox]

New pencil and I was trying it out on that page. Now, on the next page here, which is the debit side of the ledger?

[Andy Brown]

You mean the inside or the outside?

[Audie Fox]

Is this your monthly balance?

[Amos Jones]

We ain't got no balance.

[Audie Fox]

These books are in pretty bad shape, aren't they, Mr. Brown? I can't get heads or tails out of this. Why, this doesn't make sense. Amos is.

[Andy Brown]

You've been fooling with them books again.

[Amos Jones]

I ain't been messing with no books.

[Andy Brown]

Yes, you is too. You've been messing with those books.

[Amos Jones]

Don't try to tell me I ain't touching books. You is the one that been messing with. And you put all that stuff in there yourself and you know you will.