Shilling For Luck 44xxxx Guest - Gene Kelly

Summary

Podcast Episode Summary: "Shilling For Luck 44xxxx Guest - Gene Kelly"

Podcast Information:

• Title: Harold's Old Time Radio
• Host/Author: Harolds Old Time Radio
• Episode: Shilling For Luck 44xxxx Guest - Gene Kelly
• Release Date: May 13, 2025
• Description: Radio shows from the Golden Age of Radio, capturing the essence of family gatherings around the radio before the advent of television, featuring classics like The Shadow, Abbott & Costello, and Dragnet.

---

Introduction

"Shilling For Luck" is a gripping radio drama set against the backdrop of World War II, weaving themes of survival, camaraderie, and romance. Featuring the esteemed Gene Kelly in a pivotal role, the episode transports listeners to wartime England, where impeccable timing, luck, and heartfelt connections shape the destinies of its characters.

Plot Overview

1. The Signing-On and Survival

• Bill Thorpe (played by an unnamed actor) arrives at a shipping pier, hesitantly sign-on as a merchant seaman, meeting Jeffrey Simon from Liverpool, England.
• Their camaraderie develops amidst the uncertainty of naval life, highlighted by conversations about the differences between American and British cultures.
• An unexpected explosion sinks their ship, leaving Bill as the sole survivor. Struggling with the traumatic experience, he vows never to sail again, choosing instead to remain loyal to his Great Lakes roots (12:32).

2. The Encounter and the Shilling

• Back in New York, Bill meets Bart Simon (Jeffrey Simon's relative) who becomes instrumental in linking the past and present through a shared shilling fortune.
• The shilling, a symbol of luck, becomes a central motif, representing hope and survival amidst the chaos of war (08:55).
• Bart introduces Rita Nelson, leading to a romantic connection orchestrated by a live radio show segment titled "Surprise Date" hosted by Ken Carpenter (20:33).

3. The Live Broadcast and the Romance

• "Surprise Date" serves as a catalyst for Bart and Rita's budding romance. Through interactive segments, they are paired up, exchanging heartfelt conversations and sharing personal stories.
• Their connection deepens as they explore London under the veil of night, navigating the city's darkened streets due to wartime blackouts, symbolizing both physical and emotional darkness they strive to overcome (24:19).

4. The Lost Shilling and Tensions

• A pivotal moment arises when Rita misplaces the cherished shilling, leading to a conflict between Grace and Jeffrey Simon over its ownership. This incident underscores themes of trust and the lengths individuals will go to protect what they hold dear (32:32).
• The tension escalates within the public house, reflecting the broader strains of war on personal relationships.

5. News from the Front and Emotional Farewells

• Amidst personal dramas, the radio broadcast delivers crucial news about Allied landings in France, heightening the stakes and urgency for the characters involved in the war effort (50:28).
• Gene Kelly portrays Colonel Jonathan Trent, a character awaiting news about his husband, Sam Jackson, whose fate becomes a source of anxiety and hope.
• The episode culminates in a heartfelt reunion as news arrives confirming Colonel Trent's safe return, reinforcing the episode's central theme of luck and perseverance (55:03).

Character Analysis

• Gene Kelly as Colonel Jonathan Trent: Kelly delivers a nuanced portrayal of a military officer torn between duty and personal affection, embodying the struggle of maintaining relationships amidst the demands of war.

• Bill Thorpe: Representing resilience, Bill's journey from a reluctant seaman to a hopeful survivor highlights the human capacity to adapt and seek new beginnings.

• Bart Simon and Rita Nelson: Their evolving relationship serves as the emotional core of the narrative, illustrating how love can flourish even in the darkest times.

• Jeffrey Simon and Grace: Their conflict over the shilling introduces tension, emphasizing the intricate dynamics of trust and generosity among friends and comrades.

Themes and Insights

• Luck and Survival: The shilling serves as a powerful symbol of luck, influencing characters' decisions and outcomes. Its significance is underscored through key moments where it bridges connections and represents hope.

• Camaraderie and Conflict: The relationships among the characters reflect the complexities of human interactions during wartime, balancing loyalty with personal desires.

• Love Amidst War: The romantic subplot between Bart and Rita highlights the enduring nature of love, proving that personal connections can offer solace and strength even amidst global conflict.

• Cultural Contrast: Through dialogues between American and British characters, the episode explores cultural nuances and differences, enriching the narrative with diverse perspectives.

Notable Quotes

1. Bill Thorpe on Survival:

   "Never, not under any circumstances, would a ship on the lousy ocean again... War or no war."
   [10:27]

2. Jeffrey Simon on American Pride:

   "You Yanks like to talk, but you ain't liars. You have a lot to be proud of here."
   [05:16]

3. Rita Nelson's Optimism:

   "I think the poet is very happy."
   [26:37]

4. Gene Kelly's Reflection on Love:

   "I'm in love with you, John."
   [48:14]

5. Colonel Trent on Duty and Love:

   "I've been imposing on you and Grace for 10 months... It'll be much easier for Grace with you here."
   [45:34]

6. Rita's Faith in the Shilling:

   "But now I'm certain it'll bring him through."
   [54:18]

7. Gene Kelly's Toast:

   "To all free men."
   [56:10]

8. Final Reflection on Luck:

   "This too shall pass."
   [49:55]

Conclusion

"Shilling For Luck" masterfully blends drama, romance, and the harsh realities of war, delivering a poignant narrative that resonates with themes of luck, survival, and enduring love. Gene Kelly's stellar performance adds depth to the ensemble, making this episode a memorable addition to Harold's Old Time Radio collection. Through its well-crafted dialogues and emotional arcs, the episode not only entertains but also pays homage to the resilience of the human spirit during tumultuous times.

Transcript

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[Dunkin Advertiser]

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[Gene Kelly]

Shilling for luck.

[Unknown Narrator]

This is a broadcast about Englishmen and Americans. During the next 60 minutes you will hear Gene Kelly, Sir Aubrey Smith, Freddie Bartholomew, Lon McAllister, Shirley Temple, Ken Carpenter, Nigel Bruce, Ed Gardner, Edmund Gwen, Edna Best, Franchotone and Ronald Coleman. This is a presentation of Armed Forces Radio from the United States of America.

[Gene Kelly]

Shilling for luck.

[Unknown Narrator]

Sam.

[Jeffrey Simon]

Live Oilers report to the dead.

[Bill Thorpe]

Hey, buddy, what's the angle here?

[Jeffrey Simon]

You just wait your turn, that's all.

[Bill Thorpe]

How long you been waiting?

[Jeffrey Simon]

A little over two hours. It don't take long. You'll probably be called right away. We older fellows sometimes have to wait around a bit.

[Bill Thorpe]

I don't go for this sitting around. They want me old kids. They don't. The devil with them.

[Jeffrey Simon]

This is the first time you've signed on, eh?

[Bill Thorpe]

Here? Yeah. I've been shipping all my life on the lakes. This is the first time I took a jab at the Atlantic.

[Jeffrey Simon]

How come?

[Bill Thorpe]

Well, they keep yelling about how they need merchant seamen.

[Unknown Narrator]

Reese Stoker's needed.

[Bill Thorpe]

Who cares about the Black gang? Why don't they call out for some abs?

[Jeffrey Simon]

Just bide your time.

[Bill Thorpe]

Say, we might as well get acquainted. My name's Bill Thorpe.

[Jeffrey Simon]

And I'm Simon. Jeffrey Simon.

[Bill Thorpe]

Glad to know you.

[Jeffrey Simon]

My pleasure.

[Bill Thorpe]

Where you from?

[Jeffrey Simon]

Liverpool.

[Bill Thorpe]

Hey, are you kidding? So am I.

[Jeffrey Simon]

Is that so? You don't sound like an Englishman.

[Bill Thorpe]

I'm not. I'm from Liverpool, Ohio. What street do you live on?

[Jeffrey Simon]

I come from Liverpool, England.

[Bill Thorpe]

There's two of them. They can't do that. My old man's in the Chamber of Commerce. He'll sue.

[Jeffrey Simon]

Mr. Thorpe, I suspect that the British Liverpool has a slight priority over the Ohio. Liverpool in a matter of age. And if there were any suit involved, I'll wager it a bit t' other way around.

[Bill Thorpe]

Who cares? It's a big world. There's room for two Liverpools. I don't care.

[Jeffrey Simon]

That's generous of you.

[Bill Thorpe]

One able bodied seaman. Hey, that's me.

[Unknown Narrator]

Here.

[Jeffrey Simon]

Not wrong with that service.

[Bill Thorpe]

They must have realized who I am. Nobody keeps Bill Thorpe waiting.

[Jeffrey Simon]

Oh, bosh See you, Liverpool.

[Bill Thorpe]

You call for an a B.

[Unknown Narrator]

Okay. Sign on here. You're shipping on the Laird's glen from Pier 24. Report on shipboard at 6 tonight.

[Bill Thorpe]

Hey, what time is this, sailor?

[Bart Simon]

Huh?

[Bill Thorpe]

What's the time? It's about midnight. I don't know exactly. Thanks, pal. Good night, sweetheart. Till we meet tomorrow.

[Jeffrey Simon]

Do you have one?

[Bill Thorpe]

What?

[Jeffrey Simon]

Back there someplace. A sweetheart.

[Unknown Narrator]

Oh.

[Bill Thorpe]

Oh, hiya, Liverpool. What are you doing here?

[Jeffrey Simon]

They needed another ab.

[Bill Thorpe]

Oh.

[Jeffrey Simon]

Hope you don't mind my shipping on the same trip.

[Bill Thorpe]

No, no. I'm glad to have you. Sure, sure. I got a gal. A couple of them. Half a dozen. Probably never bothered to count them up.

[Jeffrey Simon]

Big time operator.

[Bill Thorpe]

Sure, sure.

[Jeffrey Simon]

Hey, I believe ya. I believe every word. Once I leaned on a ship's rail here in New York harbor very much as we're doing now, and listened to a young American seaman tell me that he had as many girls at home as there are lights on Manhattan island with a small section of Jersey thrown in.

[Bill Thorpe]

That's a lot of malarkey.

[Jeffrey Simon]

I believed him. You Yanks like to talk, but you ain't liars. You have a lot to be proud of here. And you just don't believe in hiding your light under a bushel, that's all.

[Bill Thorpe]

Under a what?

[Jeffrey Simon]

A bushel. A basket.

[Bill Thorpe]

Oh. Oh, no, no. We don't believe in hiding our lights under no bushels. We want them to shoot right up in the air. Look at that town spread out in front of you. What's your name?

[Jeffrey Simon]

Jeff.

[Bill Thorpe]

Jeff. See all them lights and the skyscrapers and the docks and the superhighways. They shout at you. Look at us. Look at our lights. We're young. We're doing things, you know.

[Jeffrey Simon]

I know, I know. You've never been to England.

[Bill Thorpe]

No. Our life sails are great Lakes. And I know Canada.

[Jeffrey Simon]

Ah, that's not England. That's young country too, like New York. Now, you'll find some things on this voyage you never dreamed of in the four Great Lakes.

[Bill Thorpe]

Hey, don't shortchange me. There's five Great Lakes.

[Jeffrey Simon]

Sorry.

[Bill Thorpe]

Five.

[Jeffrey Simon]

If we dock at night in Liverpool, you will be amazed.

[Bill Thorpe]

Why?

[Jeffrey Simon]

You won't see a thing. Not a glimmer of light. The whole city dark in front of you. No proud lights.

[Bill Thorpe]

Glaring blackout, huh?

[Jeffrey Simon]

Yes, but it's more than that, actually. It's a difference in people. New York blare in lights and sound. Liverpool quiet in shadows.

[Bill Thorpe]

I think I'm gonna like Liverpool.

[Jeffrey Simon]

That's an odd chink in your armor. I shouldn't think you'd like anything outside the usa.

[Bill Thorpe]

I like anything that's honest.

[Jeffrey Simon]

Ah, well, I hope we push off tonight.

[Bill Thorpe]

So do I. This waiting around gets me down.

[Jeffrey Simon]

If we make decent time, I'll be able to have a few days in London with my grandson. He has a fortnight leave beginning Tuesday.

[Bill Thorpe]

In the Navy.

[Jeffrey Simon]

RAF gunner in a de Havilland Mosquito. He has three ME 109s to his credit and four more probables.

[Bill Thorpe]

A regular Sergeant York. Well, let's see it.

[Jeffrey Simon]

See what?

[Bill Thorpe]

The picture. You got a picture of him, haven't you?

[Jeffrey Simon]

Oh, yes, I do. Right here in my pocketbook. He's a fine lad.

[Bill Thorpe]

Yeah. Yeah, he's a good looking kid.

[Jeffrey Simon]

His name's Herbert, but we call him. He'll be 20 next month. I do hope we get to London in time for me to see him.

[Bill Thorpe]

Where's his station at?

[Jeffrey Simon]

An air at Rome, up in the north somewhere. They keep him rather busy.

[Bill Thorpe]

Say, what's England like?

[Jeffrey Simon]

That's a silly question. What's America like? You might as well ask a man to describe the Gulf Stream.

[Bill Thorpe]

I mean, how's it different from the States?

[Jeffrey Simon]

Well, not greatly, when you come down to it. When you cross the Atlantic, gasoline becomes petrol and elevators become lifts. But they work the same. The money's different. Do you have a quarter?

[Bill Thorpe]

Yeah.

[Jeffrey Simon]

Give it to me. And you take this.

[Bill Thorpe]

What is it?

[Jeffrey Simon]

A shilling. We made almost an even trade. You may have lost a few cents, depending on the exact rate of exchange.

[Bill Thorpe]

These days it's worth about a quarter, huh?

[Jeffrey Simon]

That's right. The English money is simple. Two halfpennies make a penny. Next is a threepenny bit, then the sixpence. Two sixpence make a shilling or a bob. Half a crown is two bob and six. Then comes the ten shilling note. Then the pound note which is twenty shillings or a little over four dollars. See?

[Bill Thorpe]

No, you will.

[Jeffrey Simon]

It's easy. Here's your quarter.

[Bill Thorpe]

Here's your shilling.

[Jeffrey Simon]

Keep it for luck.

[Bill Thorpe]

Okay, I will. Hey, sounds like it's good.

[Jeffrey Simon]

What time do you have?

[Bill Thorpe]

I don't have. That's way after midnight though. Hey, hey.

[Jeffrey Simon]

We're moving in another hour. The Empire State Building will be hiding from us behind the bulge of the earth. Give my regards to Broadway Remember me to Herald Square Tell all the gang.

[Bill Thorpe]

On oh, what a night.

[Unknown Narrator]

What's the matter, Thorpe?

[Ken Carpenter]

You getting green again?

[Bill Thorpe]

Never had weather like this in the Great Lakes, did they, Billy boy? You can't see 20ft in front of you. Hey, who's my relief?

[Unknown Narrator]

Let me see.

[Bill Thorpe]

Oh, Jeff Simon. Oh, gee, I hate to see old Granddad have to stick out of watch in this weather. He's a tough old baby. Yeah, I know. Well, only 20 minutes more. I gotta go back on top and count the submarines.

[Unknown Narrator]

Easy does it.

[Bill Thorpe]

I don't know exactly what happened after that. And if I don't know, I guess nobody does. Sounded like somebody jammed his thumbs in my ears. The deck quivered underneath me. Then it buckled. I went half a mile straight up. Then the saltwater slapped me in the back and I went under. Oh, it was really black down there. Then I came to the surface again and hunks of metal were raining all around me. The Lairds, Glenn. Just wasn't there. Nothing was there but water. May have been a torpedo. Maybe some of the junk in the hole got loose and slid in something else. We weren't carrying duck eggs down there. Or maybe we rammed something in the dog. Anyway, there was an explosion that blew me out of my pants and. And I was floating in a very large ocean hanging onto a very small stick of wood that probably got blown off one of the davits. After a long time, the sun come up. Not like thunder, but like Tony Galento rolling out of bed on the morning after he got his ears. Collie flowered at the garden. Oh, it seems like a big ocean when you're on the deck of a freighter. But when you're up to your neck in salt water, there's no word to describe how big it is. There was nobody else around. No floating junk or anything. Just salt water. Well, there was one thing. I made up my mind. Never, not under any circumstances, would a ship on the lousy ocean again. They could have their pretty colored posters and their vital jobs and their bridges, ships. I made up my mind if I ever got back, I was gonna be strictly a Lake Michigan boy. War or no war.

[Unknown Narrator]

What's the matter with you?

[Grace]

Jakes, help him up. Yeah, come on.

[Jeffrey Simon]

Give him up. Help him, son.

[Grace]

Jeez, that guy.

[Bart Simon]

Really.

[Bill Thorpe]

Let him know, brother. How long were you floating, mate? I. I don't know exactly. I lost count.

[Unknown Narrator]

Don't heckle him, you guys.

[Bill Thorpe]

Come on, sailor.

[Unknown Narrator]

You better get some food and see the doc.

[Bill Thorpe]

Feel better? Yeah. Yeah, a lot better.

[Unknown Narrator]

And that's the whole dope, huh? You don't know what hit you. You don't know what really happened.

[Bill Thorpe]

No. Hey, wasn't anybody else picked up?

[Unknown Narrator]

Not by us. Radio hasn't heard anything. Looks like you're the sole survivor. It's a lucky thing we ran into you.

[Bill Thorpe]

Yeah, I'm Lucky, all right.

[Unknown Narrator]

You know what the chances were I find you in that pond? I'd hate the bed on a horse with art like that, I'm telling you. Do you have any papers? Any identification, any valuables?

[Bill Thorpe]

No. I keep that stuff in my pants pockets. And you can see what happened to them. Yeah. Hey, feels like there's something in this shirt pocket. Let's see.

[Unknown Narrator]

You English?

[Bill Thorpe]

No. Never been to England. A guy gave that to me the night we sailed. For luck.

[Unknown Narrator]

That shilling brought you luck, all right. Is that all you got?

[Bill Thorpe]

That's all. One shirt, one shilling.

[Unknown Narrator]

Hey, look. Gleason's digging you up some clothes. I'll loan you some dough till we hit port. Then the guys at the NMU will put you on your feet again. Doc says you'll be shipshape by the time we get into port.

[Bill Thorpe]

Oh, brother, will it ever be good to see little old New York again.

[Unknown Narrator]

New York, nothing. We docking Southampton.

[Bart Simon]

Herbert. Yes?

[Dunkin Advertiser]

Mrs. Featherstone, there's a gentleman here to see you.

[Bart Simon]

Oh, I'll be right down.

[Rita Nelson]

He'll be right down. Make yourself comfortable.

[Bill Thorpe]

Thank you, ma' am.

[Bart Simon]

Good afternoon, sir.

[Bill Thorpe]

Hi. You're Herbert Simon.

[Bart Simon]

Yes, I am.

[Bill Thorpe]

Well, my name's Bill Thorpe. I have something to give you. Belonged to your grandfather.

[Bart Simon]

Oh. Did you ship with him? Last crossing?

[Bill Thorpe]

Yeah.

[Bart Simon]

How did it happen?

[Bill Thorpe]

Nobody knows. Ship blew high at a kite. I guess I was the only guy that got out of it. Your grandfather would have had the watch after mine. He was asleep below deck, so he probably never even woke up when the alarm went off.

[Bart Simon]

That's good. Good.

[Bill Thorpe]

Are you still stationed up north?

[Bart Simon]

Yes, yes, still gunning. This is the end of my time in London. I'm training out at 4:30 this morning. Beastly hour.

[Bill Thorpe]

Yeah.

[Bart Simon]

When do you ship again?

[Bill Thorpe]

Well, I. I don't know exactly.

[Bart Simon]

Oh. How do you like London?

[Bill Thorpe]

Pretty fair. It's my first trip. Only been here a couple of days. I'm sorry to see so much of your town got knocked around.

[Bart Simon]

We'll build better next time.

[Bill Thorpe]

Yeah. Well, I guess I'll be shoving off.

[Bart Simon]

Well, I hope you have a quieter time on your next crossing.

[Bill Thorpe]

Thanks. And good luck to you and the Messerschmitts.

[Bart Simon]

Just wish me the luck. Never mind the Messerschmitts.

[Bill Thorpe]

Oh, say, I almost forgot to give you this. It was your grandfather's. Really? He gave it to me just when we were leaving New York.

[Bart Simon]

Well, that's very kind of you. I have almost nothing of Grandfather's. It would be good to have something that belonged to him.

[Bill Thorpe]

Well, this isn't much here, but this.

[Bart Simon]

Is nothing but a shilling.

[Bill Thorpe]

I think it's more than that, kid. Your granddad gave it to me for luck in the way I figure it. Well, just saved my life, that's all.

[Bart Simon]

That's strange. It looks just like any other shilling.

[Bill Thorpe]

Well, it ain't, believe me. Hang onto it.

[Bart Simon]

I shall. Goodbye, Mr. Thorpe.

[Bill Thorpe]

So long, kid. Heads up.

[Unknown Narrator]

Hey.

[Bill Thorpe]

What can I do for you, sir? Look, I don't want a lot of waiting around, see? I'm an ab. I want to sign on the next ship to New York. One way, no round trip.

[Bart Simon]

Where the devil am I? Not even a street sign. Better douse that Lucifer, Yank. Huh? Out with the light, bud. Oh, sure. Guys, I think I'm lost. Which way is this rainbow? Center corner, whatever it is. Well, I'll walk you there. It's not far. Thanks, but don't go out of your way. Oh, I'm not going anyplace. I'm just walking. My name is Enderwood. Oh, I'm Bart Simon. Glad to know you. Same. Raf Right. You Air Forces? No, engineers. We just got over here a month or so ago. Do you guys really live in the dark over here? Yes. It's quite tiresome, but you get accustomed to it. We'll probably all have to wear dark glasses when they switch the street lamps on again. I doubt it. What's this Rainbow Corner like? Well, I've never been inside. It's right on Piccadilly Circus. It's where all the Yanks hang out. A big canteen, I presume. Entertainment. Well, I. I don't know much about it. You see, I'm not stationed here in London. I'm up in the north country most of the while. Oh, you're on furlough? Yes. My leave's up at 4:30 this morning. I've got to be on the train to get back to the old grind. You mean this is your last night in London and you're just wearing down shoe leather? That's right, Underwood. What's the matter? Black dog on my back, I'm afraid. Sorry. Oh, here's your stop. All out for Rainbow Corner. Come on in with me, Bart. Let's find out what this place is like. Oh, no, no, I shouldn't think of going in. That's for American servicemen. Oh, what difference does that make? Come on in. We might find something worthwhile. Oh, no, no. I can't really look, look, you're my guest. Then I'll just bring you in to case the joint. Do what? Come On. Well, I don't really.

[Grace]

Hey, not bad.

[Bart Simon]

Sort of reminds me of Service Club Number three back in dear old Camp Crowder, Missouri. I say, this is rather nice, isn't it? Let's see what's cooking, huh?

[Dunkin Advertiser]

Cider and donuts, soldier?

[Bart Simon]

Sure. For two, please.

[Rita Nelson]

Here you are.

[Bart Simon]

Hey, careful, Bart. Right O. Down the hatch, Tommy. Here's two, Yank. I see. This is delicious. Is it intoxicating? Not unless it stands around too long. Don't you like the doughnuts? Oh, frankly, old boy, I've never been able to develop a taste for the American donut. Somehow it always tastes to me like sawdust wetted down and baked in a slow oven. Well, give them to me, then. I'll eat them. Hey, get a load of that blonde. The one in the blue dress. You think she's attractive? Rather. You aren't just a wolf. I think she's a bit on the bright side. That's the way I like him. Bright and cute. I gotta meet that gal. But she's a complete stranger. How do you go about it? Through a mutual friend. Who wants a mutual friend? Here's the way we do it back home.

[Dunkin Advertiser]

What are you laughing at?

[Bart Simon]

I was just watching a friend of mine making the acquaintance of a young lady. He did it very adeptly.

[Dunkin Advertiser]

What's so remarkable about it?

[Bart Simon]

Well, 15 seconds ago, he didn't even know the girl. And now they're talking together as if they'd known each other ever since school days.

[Dunkin Advertiser]

I don't see anything strange about that. Look at us. Fifteen seconds ago, we didn't know each other, and now we're talking. Is there any magic about it?

[Bart Simon]

Well, I. I really don't know. It's. It's customary to be introduced, you know.

[Dunkin Advertiser]

That's a little bit silly, I think. Especially nowadays, we can't bother to be quite as formless.

[Rita Nelson]

Please.

[Ken Carpenter]

Attention, everyone.

[Bart Simon]

I wonder what the commotion is.

[Dunkin Advertiser]

Let's go.

[Ken Carpenter]

Quiet, everybody. Quiet. We're going on the air in just a. A few seconds with a regular weekly broadcast of Surprise Date. All right, hold it down, gang.

[Bill Thorpe]

Hold it down.

[Ken Carpenter]

Now, a lot of you are going to be asked to participate in this show. And we want you to enter right into the spirit of it. And have fun.

[Bart Simon]

Stand by, Ken.

[Ken Carpenter]

Coming up. All right, stand by, everybody.

[Bart Simon]

Shh.

[Dunkin Advertiser]

This is exciting.

[Bart Simon]

Isn't it, though?

[Dunkin Advertiser]

I'm glad we're right here in front. Yes.

[Ken Carpenter]

Hello, Great Britain. This is Ken Carpenter speaking from the Rainbow Corner on Piccadilly Circus and bringing you another broadcast of Surprise Date. There's a Whole gang of American servicemen here, and we're going to fix them up with some surprise dates for a real tour of London after dark. You all set, gang? Okay, let's have a volunteer from the audience who'll come up here on the platform.

[Dunkin Advertiser]

Go ahead.

[Rita Nelson]

Go on.

[Bart Simon]

No, no, no. Stop pushing me.

[Ken Carpenter]

Here we are. Here we are. Here we have a young man in the uniform of the raf. What's your name, flyer?

[Bart Simon]

Bart Simon, sir. But really, I didn't to intend. If you'll excuse me.

[Ken Carpenter]

Oh, no, no. Wait a minute, Bart. We aren't going to embarrass you. We're going to fix you up with a surprise date, that's all. Now, all you have to do is just reach in your pocket and take out what you find there.

[Bart Simon]

Well? Very well.

[Bill Thorpe]

Fine.

[Ken Carpenter]

Now, what did you have in your pocket?

[Bart Simon]

Well, now, let me see my billfold. A few smokes, a ring of keys, a few coins, some pennies, a shilling.

[Ken Carpenter]

Would you mind giving me that shilling for a moment?

[Bart Simon]

Certainly not.

[Ken Carpenter]

Here you are, ladies and gentlemen. I have here a shilling of the United Kingdom. Is there any young lady in the house who thinks she can guess the date on this shilling? Call them out, gals.

[Dunkin Advertiser]

1924.

[Ken Carpenter]

Sorry.

[Bart Simon]

1893.

[Ken Carpenter]

No.

[Grace]

1940.

[Ken Carpenter]

Oh, no. Nobody's even warm. Any other guesses? Anybody else want to try to name the date on this shilling?

[Dunkin Advertiser]

Yes, I do.

[Ken Carpenter]

1900 and 1900 and what?

[Dunkin Advertiser]

Nothing. Just 1900.

[Ken Carpenter]

Right. 1900 it is. Come on up here on the platform, young lady. Right up here to the microphone. That's it. What's your name?

[Dunkin Advertiser]

Rita Nelson.

[Ken Carpenter]

Where are you from, Rita?

[Dunkin Advertiser]

My home's in Illinois. Carmi. Illinois?

[Ken Carpenter]

What are you doing over here?

[Dunkin Advertiser]

Well, my father's connected with the owi.

[Ken Carpenter]

That's fair enough. How did you happen to guess the exact date on that shilling?

[Dunkin Advertiser]

Well, I just thought terribly hard and it came to me.

[Ken Carpenter]

Well, that fixes up the two of you with a surprise date. Rita, meet Bart. Bart, this is Rita.

[Bart Simon]

A pleasure.

[Dunkin Advertiser]

The same.

[Ken Carpenter]

And here's a five pound note to go along with that shilling, Bart. I hope you both have a great time on your surprise date. So long, kids.

[Dunkin Advertiser]

Thank you. Help me, John.

[Bart Simon]

Right away. Let's get out of here.

[Dunkin Advertiser]

All right, Bart.

[Bart Simon]

Oh, hello, Enderwoods. Hey, you're doing all right, mister. That gal's really a smooth number. Yes, yes. I found the mutual friend. I'll say it. Thanks. Same to you, Yankee.

[Dunkin Advertiser]

Hello.

[Bart Simon]

Hello.

[Dunkin Advertiser]

I'm sorry if I embarrassed you.

[Bart Simon]

Well, you shouldn't have pushed me I hate being made a fool of.

[Dunkin Advertiser]

Don't feel that way. It was all for fun.

[Bart Simon]

Well, it's no matter. Well, I. I suppose I should see you home.

[Dunkin Advertiser]

Oh, not so soon. We've just met. And after all, I am your surprise date.

[Bart Simon]

Yes, you certainly are.

[Dunkin Advertiser]

Is there another girl? Someone you're engaged to, or.

[Bart Simon]

Oh, no. No, there's no one else. What about you? Do you have a steady back in the States?

[Dunkin Advertiser]

Well, I used to, but we broke off.

[Bart Simon]

Oh, that's a pity.

[Dunkin Advertiser]

No, it isn't. He didn't love me.

[Bart Simon]

He must have been blind.

[Dunkin Advertiser]

Thank you. That's the only nice thing you've said to me.

[Bart Simon]

Well, after all, you're very pretty, you know that?

[Dunkin Advertiser]

I'm not so sure. Always it's fun to hear it from other people.

[Bart Simon]

Then I'll tell you definitely you're pretty. Even in a blackout, you're pretty.

[Dunkin Advertiser]

Thank you, Bart.

[Bart Simon]

I say, you. You American girls get me all confused. You're. You're so frank about everything.

[Dunkin Advertiser]

I don't mean to confuse you, but. There's nothing wrong, Bart. Just in liking somebody and showing it a little. Let's just be ourselves.

[Bart Simon]

Right. You know, we don't have much time.

[Dunkin Advertiser]

You aren't leaving, are you?

[Bart Simon]

Yes. 4:30 this morning. My leave's up.

[Dunkin Advertiser]

Oh, Bart, this is our only date then.

[Bart Simon]

I'm afraid so. And for some while, anyway.

[Dunkin Advertiser]

Oh, then we'll have to have fun. Lots of it. We'll have to spend the whole five quid that they gave us. And really give ourselves a night to remember.

[Jeffrey Simon]

Old black magic has me in its.

[Rita Nelson]

Spell that old black magic that you.

[Dunkin Advertiser]

Weave oh, I'm full. I've never had so much to eat since I graduated from high school.

[Bart Simon]

That's the way I feel. It's rather a rare sensation these days.

[Dunkin Advertiser]

I suppose it's wrong of us. This is an occasion, isn't it? Of course it is.

[Rita Nelson]

Elevator starts its ride and down and.

[Bart Simon]

Down I go I say, let's pay the tariff and be on our way. That contralto gives me the willies.

[Dunkin Advertiser]

Me too. Let's go, Monsieur.

[Bart Simon]

Oh, thank you. Why, say, there's precious little left of our fiver. We should have gone to Lyons.

[Dunkin Advertiser]

Oh, I don't care. It was fun. And we won't spend another penny. All even. Come down to Kew in lilac time in lilac time in ly.

[Bart Simon]

In lilac time Come down to Kew in lilac time it isn't far from London.

[Dunkin Advertiser]

Then what?

[Bart Simon]

I've forgotten.

[Dunkin Advertiser]

So have I.

[Bart Simon]

Well, the general idea of the poem was to come to Kew in lilac time. And here we are. So I presume the poet is very happy.

[Dunkin Advertiser]

I'm glad the moon came up.

[Bart Simon]

A chunk's fallen out of.

[Dunkin Advertiser]

Doesn't matter. They always patch it up again.

[Bart Simon]

The gardens look strange in the moonlight. All the leaves are white instead of green.

[Dunkin Advertiser]

This is the way the public square used to look back home in Illinois. After 2 o' clock when the street lamps went out and the moonlight shone on the grass and. And flowers just like this, only not so grand.

[Bart Simon]

My grandfather used to take me here on Sunday afternoons when I was a youngster. He used to say. Now on the left are the botanical gardens and on the right the greenhouses containing tropical plants not indigenous to these clients.

[Dunkin Advertiser]

I'd like to meet your grandfather.

[Bart Simon]

He. He passed away last week.

[Dunkin Advertiser]

I'm sorry.

[Bart Simon]

It's all right. He was in the merchant fleet. Do you know something?

[Dunkin Advertiser]

What?

[Bart Simon]

Grandfather introduced us. Really? The shilling. It was his. A luck piece. And you guessed the date.

[Dunkin Advertiser]

Oh, I love your grandfather dearly.

[Bart Simon]

You know, I have a splendid idea. Come on, Rita. We have an errand to do. I'm glad you were still open.

[Bill Thorpe]

It's good business to keep an eye on mongers. Open all aisles. And I sleep in the shop, so it's no trouble.

[Bart Simon]

I say that. That won't split Open there at the top.

[Bill Thorpe]

Well, I know what I'm doing. I ate a borne old through one.

[Jeffrey Simon]

Of His Majesty's shillings.

[Unknown Narrator]

But Kipling says there's not the reason why.

[Dunkin Advertiser]

Oh, it's a wonderful idea, Bart. I'll put a cord through it like a good luck charm.

[Bart Simon]

That's what I had in mind. You will wear it, won't you, Rita?

[Dunkin Advertiser]

Yes, Bart.

[Jeffrey Simon]

There you are.

[Bill Thorpe]

One old drill through one shilling.

[Jeffrey Simon]

That'll be six.

[Dunkin Advertiser]

But they could play baseball here, couldn't they?

[Bart Simon]

Oh, I suppose so. The fields look to be about the same size.

[Dunkin Advertiser]

And when the big cricket matches are on, I suppose these stands are full.

[Bart Simon]

Of people jam packed. You can't buy a ticket for love nor money.

[Dunkin Advertiser]

I like it this way. With just us it's much better.

[Bart Simon]

Bright moon.

[Dunkin Advertiser]

Is there a chance they'll be over tonight?

[Bart Simon]

I doubt it. Too much light. Are you cold?

[Dunkin Advertiser]

Not when we're like this.

[Bart Simon]

This is crazy. And I've only known you a few hundred minutes. And we come from opposite sides of the world. And we may never see each other again. But I love you with all my heart. And I think I always shall.

[Dunkin Advertiser]

You don't even know what I look like in the sunlight.

[Bart Simon]

Yes, I do.

[Dunkin Advertiser]

I have freckles.

[Bart Simon]

I love freckles.

[Dunkin Advertiser]

I think your grandfather was a very great man.

[Bart Simon]

Do you know what I'm thinking?

[Dunkin Advertiser]

Yes. Don't say it, Bart. There will be a warm noonday and a place for all the thoughts and all the words.

[Bart Simon]

Good Lord.

[Dunkin Advertiser]

What's the matter?

[Bart Simon]

It's 4:10. My train leaves Waterloo at 4:30.

[Unknown Narrator]

Train leaving on platform four. Train leaving on platform four. Train leaving.

[Bart Simon]

I never thought we'd make it.

[Dunkin Advertiser]

What?

[Bart Simon]

I never thought we'd make it.

[Dunkin Advertiser]

We were lucky to get that cab.

[Jeffrey Simon]

What?

[Dunkin Advertiser]

Never mind.

[Bill Thorpe]

You sure you're on the right train?

[Bart Simon]

Yes, quite. What time is it?

[Dunkin Advertiser]

My watch says 4:35. I'm fast.

[Bart Simon]

You'll pick up my duffel at the house and send it to me.

[Dunkin Advertiser]

I'll take care of it.

[Bart Simon]

We're pulling out.

[Jeffrey Simon]

You have the addresses?

[Unknown Narrator]

Yes.

[Bart Simon]

And say goodbye to Mrs. Featherstone for me.

[Dunkin Advertiser]

I will, I will.

[Bart Simon]

And wear the shilling around your neck always. Bart, what's wrong?

[Dunkin Advertiser]

It's gone. I've lost the shilling.

[Bart Simon]

It doesn't matter, darling. It brought us together. That's all that counts.

[Unknown Narrator]

Bye. Goodbye.

[Dunkin Advertiser]

Goodbye, darling.

[Grace]

There's some seats here, fellas.

[Unknown Narrator]

Come on down here now.

[Bill Thorpe]

You can see the cricket better from up there.

[Grace]

Ah, nuts. Dears. Excuse me, mister. Hey, Moolah.

[Jeffrey Simon]

Just a moment, young man. I saw that shilling first. Belongs to me.

[Grace]

Just a minute, bud. But I happened to grab it first, so it belongs to me.

[Jeffrey Simon]

I would have been here first, but I had to climb over a number of spectators in order to reach the seat.

[Grace]

What do you think they brought me up on an escalator?

[Jeffrey Simon]

Finders are keepers, my good man.

[Grace]

Right. And I'm the finder.

[Jeffrey Simon]

I beg to differ with you. I am the finder.

[Grace]

Look, where I come from, Brooklyn Possession is 99/10 of the law. This yelling is mine and I'm hanging on to it. Do you understand?

[Jeffrey Simon]

Now, let's not revert to the aboriginal, old fellow.

[Grace]

Okay, then leave us not here.

[Jeffrey Simon]

We are two civilized spectators at a civilized cricket match. Am I correct?

[Grace]

Right.

[Jeffrey Simon]

From opposite aisles, we approach two vacant seats in the center of the stand.

[Grace]

Sure, sure.

[Jeffrey Simon]

Almost simultaneously, we espy a shilling of the realm lying on one of the seats.

[Grace]

Yes, simultaneously, we do that.

[Jeffrey Simon]

However, by a slight fraction of time. I espied the coin before you espied the coin.

[Grace]

Granted.

[Jeffrey Simon]

Therefore, the shilling belongs to me. Am I correct?

[Grace]

That's where we come to a partner of the waves. I say that the shilling is mine.

[Jeffrey Simon]

I assure you, young man, the might of British law is on my side.

[Grace]

Might be, but I got the shilling. But I'll tell you what I'll do. You any kind of a gambler.

[Jeffrey Simon]

I have probably as much sporting blood in me as any man in the United Kingdom.

[Grace]

All right, that's fine. Then we'll bet the shilling and a cricket match. Okay, very well.

[Jeffrey Simon]

What bet do you suggest?

[Grace]

Well, I'll bet on them guys out there with the green beanies.

[Jeffrey Simon]

Beanies?

[Grace]

Yeah, them jockey hats. And you take the guys with the blue beanies. If the green beanies win, I get the shilling. If the blue beanies win, you get the shelling.

[Jeffrey Simon]

All right, bet it is. Were you here yesterday?

[Grace]

Was I? No, Rabbit, No.

[Jeffrey Simon]

Well, I think it's only fair to tell you that Australia only made 233.

[Grace]

That's all, huh?

[Jeffrey Simon]

Which makes the odds approximately five to one against the. What you call the green beanies.

[Grace]

Five to one. Okay, then you pay me five shillings if the green beanies win four.

[Jeffrey Simon]

In addition to the one that we discovered.

[Grace]

Yeah, that's right. My name is Orville Smith, PFC, Artillery. I'm from Brooklyn.

[Jeffrey Simon]

Oh, how do you do, Mr. Smith? I'm Major Townsend, Highland Light infantry, retired.

[Grace]

Ah, it's mutual. Hey, hey, what a funny looking shilling.

[Jeffrey Simon]

But I say, it's not counterfeit.

[Grace]

I don't think so. It's good, but it's got a hole in it and a string through the hole, except the string is broke.

[Jeffrey Simon]

Well, perhaps it's some kind of good luck charm.

[Grace]

Yeah, could be. Hey, what's cooking down there?

[Jeffrey Simon]

Play's about to begin.

[Grace]

Them two blokes coming out are the opening batsman. Look, Major, what is them sticks for? Can't they afford to catch it?

[Jeffrey Simon]

Those are the wickets.

[Grace]

Oh, oh, yeah, look.

[Jeffrey Simon]

Nice. Nice drive to the boundary. Well played, sir. Well played. Very good shot.

[Grace]

Hey, yeah.

[Jeffrey Simon]

Yeah.

[Grace]

Atta boy, sir. That's knocking it out of the lot, sir. Atta boy. The Roshi.

[Jeffrey Simon]

I say, I say, contain yourself, old boy. It's very bad taste. A little more straight, if you don't mind.

[Unknown Narrator]

Steady. All that.

[Jeffrey Simon]

Steady.

[Grace]

What's the matter? That's the way we do it and have its feel.

[Jeffrey Simon]

Well, it's not not the way we do it over here.

[Grace]

Hey, hey. What happened?

[Jeffrey Simon]

Well, that was interesting. The bowler bowled a googly and the batsman edged it into the slips.

[Grace]

The bowler?

[Dunkin Advertiser]

Bowler.

[Grace]

Googly, huh?

[Jeffrey Simon]

Yes, the wicket keeper missed it the first step, jumped for it. He rolled over and caught it. Well caught, sir. That's a great bit of Cricket. A great bit of cricket.

[Grace]

You know something, Colonel?

[Jeffrey Simon]

What?

[Grace]

I'm going home.

[Jeffrey Simon]

What? The game's barely started. Stay here, old man. I'll explain everything. You'll get the hang of it in time.

[Grace]

That much time I ain't got.

[Jeffrey Simon]

Well, what about the bet? Are you willing to concede the wager?

[Grace]

I certainly am not.

[Jeffrey Simon]

Then you will have to stay. Excuse me asking, what's wrong with your jaw?

[Grace]

Jaw? There's nothing wrong with jaw. Why?

[Jeffrey Simon]

Well, it's all swollen.

[Grace]

Oh, that's chewing gum. Want a stick?

[Jeffrey Simon]

Certainly not. Bawling habit.

[Grace]

Do you have a taste any?

[Jeffrey Simon]

Of course not. Foreign substance tarrying out good British jaws. Oh, well played, sir. Well played. Nice job.

[Grace]

Don't you have a huck? It won't hurt you.

[Jeffrey Simon]

I told you, I thoroughly disapprove of chewing gum.

[Grace]

That's too bad. It's good.

[Jeffrey Simon]

What? What does it taste like?

[Grace]

Well, it depends. There's all kinds. This is tutti frutti.

[Jeffrey Simon]

Tutti frutti? Oh, really? Doesn't the flavor pass away after a certain period of time?

[Grace]

Well, after a while, yeah, sure. But you'd be surprised how long it lasts. Go ahead, try some.

[Jeffrey Simon]

Don't be absurd.

[Unknown Narrator]

Oh.

[Jeffrey Simon]

Oh, I say.

[Grace]

What's the matter now?

[Jeffrey Simon]

Oh, the batsman just sent an easy catch. The bit off.

[Grace]

He sent an easy test to minnow up this then, huh?

[Jeffrey Simon]

Doesn't it wear out?

[Grace]

What?

[Jeffrey Simon]

The chewing gum.

[Grace]

No, it don't wear out.

[Jeffrey Simon]

It's rather like glue, eh? Ain't like glue something similar to rubber, perhaps?

[Grace]

No, not like. Why don't you try some of it?

[Jeffrey Simon]

Certainly not. I wouldn't think of it.

[Grace]

Well, that's your own for negative.

[Jeffrey Simon]

I say. I say, that was a cut, wasn't it? That's better. The batsmen are beginning to find the pace of the wicket, knocking the Australian bowling all over the place. Now, I'm afraid that shilling is practically mine, old boy. I can't understand it. England only had to make 233. There were 147 for one wicket. And then the entire side collapses. I just can't understand it.

[Grace]

I could tell them guys in the green beanies look good. Besides, they're shilling is good luck.

[Jeffrey Simon]

Well, it's yours now, old boy. And here's four more to go along with it.

[Grace]

Thanks. Maybe this will learn you not to tell an expert who's gonna win a cricket match. General.

[Unknown Narrator]

Here are your drinks, gentlemen. Double gins and tonics.

[Grace]

Wait a minute, wait a minute. This round is on me. You took the Last round.

[Unknown Narrator]

Never mind paying now, Governor, you can settle that when you finish.

[Jeffrey Simon]

That's fair enough. Another round after this, old man. Yeah, another round after this, Barman.

[Unknown Narrator]

Very good, sir.

[Jeffrey Simon]

I. I can't understand it. All out. 193. The entire side collapsed.

[Grace]

Look, that was nothing compared with what happened at Abbotts Field.

[Jeffrey Simon]

Where?

[Grace]

Abbotts Field, a little cricket ground in Brooklyn. It was one afternoon in a 1941 series with the Yanks and the Dodgers. You see, the Dodgers is up Moore, who is a very mean man with a curb.

[Jeffrey Simon]

Oh, really?

[Grace]

Yeah, really. Moore is pitching for the Yanks, eh?

[Unknown Narrator]

Excuse me, Governor, Is this American baseball you're speaking of?

[Grace]

It ain't croquet.

[Unknown Narrator]

Well, I'm very much interested in American baseball. I'm quite a fan.

[Grace]

Oh, a fan will then pull up a chair and bend an earth. Well, it's the last of the night, see? And it's three to two against Brooklyn. Pete Reza has just fired out the center field. That's one out. Then Dolph Camille goes down swinging. Then Ducky Medwick comes up to the plate and you know, Ducky is one of the best hitters in the game.

[Unknown Narrator]

No, no, no, I disagree. Joe Gordon of the Yankees is a much better hitter than Medwick of the Dodgers.

[Grace]

You're out of your mind. Gordon can't bat 247.

[Unknown Narrator]

I beg to differ. Gordon can hit very nearly 300.

[Jeffrey Simon]

My good fellow, if my friend here says that Gordon. If Gordon can't bat 247, then Gordon can't bat 247.

[Unknown Narrator]

It so happens that your friend here, sir, is very much prejudiced on behalf of his own team, the Brooklyn Dodgers.

[Jeffrey Simon]

No doubt one of the finest teams in America.

[Unknown Narrator]

I beg to point out that even natives of Brooklyn refer to their own team as dem bums.

[Jeffrey Simon]

What's your language, sir, I'm sure that only a native of Brooklyn is entitled to call dem bums dem bums.

[Grace]

Look, fellas, if you don't want.

[Unknown Narrator]

You realize that the Dodgers have never had a hitter to compare with DiMaggio of the New York Yankees. Oh, the Yankees.

[Bill Thorpe]

Now there's a team for you.

[Jeffrey Simon]

Rubbish. The Dodgers can out bet outfield and out bowl the Yankees any day of the week, including Sunday.

[Unknown Narrator]

You don't even know what you're talking about.

[Jeffrey Simon]

That finishes it. I shall never enter this public house again.

[Grace]

Hey, look, fellas, after all, how much.

[Jeffrey Simon]

Do we owe you?

[Unknown Narrator]

My good man, the bill is exactly 11 shillings and sixpence.

[Jeffrey Simon]

A robbery, but worth it to get out of this polluted Air. Oh, good Lord. I left my pocketbook in my other trousers. Well, you got five shillings on me. How much have you got, old boy?

[Grace]

Let's see here. I got six shillings and the one we found.

[Jeffrey Simon]

Sorry, barman. We could only pay you 11 shillings, which is ample, considering the quality of the of the beverage served.

[Unknown Narrator]

The bill is exactly 11 shillings and sixpence. If you can't pay, I shall be forced to summon higher authorities.

[Jeffrey Simon]

Sorry, old man, but you left a pot with a lucky shilling.

[Unknown Narrator]

Oh, boy.

[Grace]

Okay. Yeah.

[Unknown Narrator]

Mister, I thank you.

[Jeffrey Simon]

Look here, you owe my friend sixpence change.

[Unknown Narrator]

I beg your pardon? There was a hole drilled through the last shilling which you gave me. I'm deducting sixpence for the metal removed, you raw heap.

[Jeffrey Simon]

Come along, old man. Let's get out of here.

[Grace]

Okay.

[Jeffrey Simon]

I say, I'll have some.

[Grace]

Huh?

[Jeffrey Simon]

I say, I'll, I'll have some.

[Grace]

Some what?

[Jeffrey Simon]

A nibble. A segment.

[Grace]

I don't catch it.

[Jeffrey Simon]

A stick.

[Grace]

Oh, it's your income. Oh, sure, yeah. Help yourself.

[Jeffrey Simon]

Oh, thanks. I say, it's, it's not bad. It's rather good. I like Tutti Frutti.

[Unknown Narrator]

So the fowler takes the old English.

[Bart Simon]

And the batsman edges it into the scripture on the scene.

[Rita Nelson]

Hello.

[Unknown Narrator]

I'm very sorry, ma' am. This is not the sort of public house that serves intoxicant to unescorted ladies.

[Rita Nelson]

Oh, I, I, I don't want anything to drink. The chemist on the corner has been bombed out, and I wondered if perhaps I might trouble you for your telephone.

[Jeffrey Simon]

Oh.

[Unknown Narrator]

Oh, very well, ma' am. The phone booth is on the far wall.

[Rita Nelson]

Oh, thank you. Have you got change for half a crown?

[Unknown Narrator]

Yes, ma' am. There you are. Two and six.

[Rita Nelson]

Oh, just a minute. This shilling's got a hole in it.

[Unknown Narrator]

The perforation is nothing to be concerned about, madam. I assure you it's legal tender.

[Rita Nelson]

Very well. Hello, operator? Westminster 7399. Thank you. Am I through? Hello. I'd like to speak with Colonel Jonathan Trent, please. Thank you. No answer there. Oh, well, connect me with Captain Jackson's office. It's Meteorology. Captain Samuel Jackson. Yes. Hello, Sam. This is Grace. Very good. Thank you. What's cooking with you? Oh, tell me, have you seen John about the place anywhere? Oh, splendid. Let me talk to him. Now, see here, Stonewall, you can't prevent me from speaking with my own husband on the telephone. Moreover, he outranks you. Oh, I'm calling from a pub somewhere in St. John's Wood. No, of course I've not been tiffling. I assure you I'm not drunk. Would you please stop being impudent and summon the Lord and master? Hello, darling. Of course I'm not. When will you be home for dinner? Oh, no, darling, not at all.

[Unknown Narrator]

Why?

[Rita Nelson]

Not Sam, either. Well, what's going on down there?

[Bart Simon]

Oh.

[Rita Nelson]

Oh, it's all right. Dinner wasn't going to be very good anyhow. All right, John, I promise. Goodbye, darling.

[Bart Simon]

No, no, they're.

[Unknown Narrator]

But don't mention it. Good luck.

[Gene Kelly]

I don't like the way this driver negotiates corners.

[Unknown Narrator]

Why? What difference does it make?

[Gene Kelly]

Well, after all, Sam, there is a blackout, and that calls for some caution.

[Unknown Narrator]

I'm telling you, we got the only staff car in the British Isles equipped with a Seeing Eye driver. You want to get home, don't you?

[Gene Kelly]

Naturally. It would even be nice to get an hour or so of sleep. What am I going to tell Grace?

[Unknown Narrator]

Don't tell her anything. You can't.

[Gene Kelly]

Of course I can't. But she'll know. She'll know the minute I see her. That damned intuition. I had the feeling on the telephone she knew.

[Unknown Narrator]

Quite a gal, your wife.

[Gene Kelly]

I think so. So do I. Sam, I have some requests to make of you. I. I hope you won't think I'm imposing.

[Unknown Narrator]

Well, I've been imposing on you and Grace for 10 months. If you hadn't taken me in, I'd be sleeping under a nightingale in Berkeley Square.

[Gene Kelly]

How do your orders read?

[Unknown Narrator]

Sam Jackson stays right at his little office. For me, it'll be just another routine day.

[Gene Kelly]

Well, I'm glad.

[Unknown Narrator]

Well, I'm not.

[Gene Kelly]

It'll be much easier for Grace with you here. If we were both going over, she'd be quite alone. You'll look after her, won't you?

[Unknown Narrator]

What are you talking about, John? You'll be back in three days?

[Gene Kelly]

There's a chance, yes.

[Unknown Narrator]

What did they give you? A pretty rough deal.

[Gene Kelly]

Well, it's quite a responsibility, but a great honor.

[Unknown Narrator]

Well, don't worry. There's only one bullet that's got your name on it.

[Gene Kelly]

Yes, but I can't help thinking of all those that say, to whom it may concern.

[Unknown Narrator]

After you, Colonel.

[Gene Kelly]

No, no, no. Go ahead, Sam.

[Unknown Narrator]

I'm sorry. I have to observe strict military protocol.

[Gene Kelly]

Colonels before captains only in months with an hour. Good night, driver.

[Unknown Narrator]

Good night, sir. Three to one says Grace is still up.

[Gene Kelly]

I don't doubt it.

[Unknown Narrator]

Your wife doesn't mind. Very well.

[Gene Kelly]

I know I'll have to start beating her again.

[Rita Nelson]

Jonathan.

[Gene Kelly]

Yes, darling? I've brought a friend.

[Unknown Narrator]

A Three star General.

[Rita Nelson]

Good heavens, are you serious? Oh, John, why didn't you phone me or at least give me some?

[Gene Kelly]

It's no one but Sam, the immortal Captain.

[Rita Nelson]

You know, someday you are going to come home with a three star gentleman and I'm going to to meet you at the door in a pinafore.

[Gene Kelly]

It will be very charming.

[Unknown Narrator]

I'm sure he'll like it.

[Gene Kelly]

What's wrong now, darling? I asked you to go to bed.

[Rita Nelson]

I did, but it was terribly dull, so I got up again to wait for you.

[Gene Kelly]

You must get your sleep now.

[Rita Nelson]

But so must you, darling. Something has happened. Something's in the air. What is it?

[Gene Kelly]

What did I tell you, Sam?

[Unknown Narrator]

I know she's psychic.

[Gene Kelly]

Grace. I've been given a special assignment that will take me out of town for a few days. Oh, it's nothing to worry about, really.

[Rita Nelson]

Is Sam going too?

[Unknown Narrator]

No, I'll be hanging around jumbling up weather communications.

[Rita Nelson]

When do you leave?

[Gene Kelly]

Well, this will be my last night at home.

[Rita Nelson]

Darling.

[Unknown Narrator]

Well, I guess I'll trundle off to bed. I gotta count my laundry. Good night, kid.

[Gene Kelly]

Good night, Sam.

[Rita Nelson]

Good night.

[Gene Kelly]

Dearest.

[Rita Nelson]

This is it.

[Gene Kelly]

Now you sound like the heroine in a great B movie. Then I should come back with yes, my dearest, this is it, the hour we've been waiting for. No, no, darling. This is a routine assignment, an everyday thing. I'll see you Friday or Saturday.

[Rita Nelson]

You know, I'm glad Sam's going to be here. It would be terrible being all alone in the house.

[Gene Kelly]

Sam will be here. He'll be busy, but he'll be here.

[Rita Nelson]

Oh, he's a good friend. I'll never forget how furious I was when you told me he was coming to live with us. I couldn't bear the thought of taking in boarders as if Sam is a boarder.

[Gene Kelly]

He's in love with you, you know.

[Rita Nelson]

I know.

[Gene Kelly]

Would you call it a triangle?

[Rita Nelson]

Oh, it's a very nice triangle with rounded corners and no sharp edges.

[Gene Kelly]

Did you know that I'm in love with you?

[Rita Nelson]

Are you?

[Gene Kelly]

Violently.

[Rita Nelson]

I have some news for you, Colonel.

[Gene Kelly]

Yes?

[Rita Nelson]

I'm in love with you, John. I'll pray for you every hour of every day.

[Gene Kelly]

That will help very much.

[Rita Nelson]

Oh, and. And I've got something for you. It's in my handbag. Here. I found this in my change today. I want you to have it.

[Gene Kelly]

It's just a shilling.

[Rita Nelson]

Oh, it's not just a shilling. It has a hole pierced through it.

[Gene Kelly]

Yes, so it has.

[Rita Nelson]

I think someone must have worn it for A luck charm. And it works.

[Gene Kelly]

How do you know?

[Rita Nelson]

Well, as soon as I had that coin in my purse, I stepped onto the street and the cabbie said, taximum. Do you know that's the first time I found a cab when I wanted one since the war began.

[Gene Kelly]

Well, there's no question about it. It's an enchanted shilling. I shall be safe as Achilles.

[Rita Nelson]

Keep it close to you.

[Gene Kelly]

I'll wear it with my identification.

[Rita Nelson]

Be careful, John.

[Gene Kelly]

Remember what the wise man said. This too shall pass.

[Unknown Narrator]

Hello, Race, this is Sam. Yes, turn on your wireless right away.

[Rita Nelson]

Why?

[Unknown Narrator]

Just turn it on and listen. I've got a dash, Sam. And we cannot speak definitely as yet. Thus far, all reports are of Nazi origin. There has been no confirmation of the landings by Allied headquarters. However, as soon as there is confirmation, we shall advise the listening audience. Oh, I've just received word to switch over to a point of remote control.

[Rita Nelson]

Why can't they hurry?

[Grace]

Under the command of General Eisenhower, Allied.

[Unknown Narrator]

Naval forces supported by strong air forces.

[Grace]

Began landing Allied armies this morning on the northern coast of France. The communique will be repeated.

[Unknown Narrator]

Under the command of General Eisenhower, Allied naval forces supported by strong air forces.

[Grace]

Began landing Allied armies this morning on.

[Unknown Narrator]

The northern coast of France. This ends the reading of communique number one. From Supreme Headquarters, Allied Expeditionary Force.

[Rita Nelson]

7754, 738, 99078.

[Unknown Narrator]

Get this report on a teletype right away to every station on list AD75 right up and let me know as fast as they add new stations to the list.

[Jeffrey Simon]

Will do.

[Unknown Narrator]

Captain Jackson speaking.

[Rita Nelson]

Sam, this is Grace.

[Bill Thorpe]

Oh.

[Unknown Narrator]

You all right, honey?

[Rita Nelson]

Yes, yes, but I know I shouldn't have called your busy, but has there been any word?

[Unknown Narrator]

Not yet. It's only age plus 11. Hey, look, I can't talk now and I won't be able to get back to the house tonight. But we'll have some news to talk over soon.

[Rita Nelson]

But there should be some word by now, shouldn't the.

[Unknown Narrator]

Sam, I'll take a refill on the coffee if you got something.

[Rita Nelson]

Of course.

[Unknown Narrator]

Yeah, there should be some word by now. There should have been word in 48.

[Rita Nelson]

Hours, but it's been twice that long.

[Unknown Narrator]

Why the devil didn't they send me instead of John? But no, I gotta slug it out on a teletype while he's.

[Rita Nelson]

What is he doing?

[Unknown Narrator]

I guess there's no harm in telling Inhale. John was assigned to lead a regiment of airborne troops who dropped inland quite a ways up the Seine Valley on the road to Paris. It was a faint trick move to make the Jerrys think we were gonna strike straight for the Capitol. There was almost no chance that his gang could hang on until the beachheads consolidated, you know. But John was to cut back fast with any information he could get about deployment of German troops.

[Rita Nelson]

There's been no word.

[Unknown Narrator]

Well, there was word. They were in touch with him by radio for eight hours. Then clunk, not a tinkle.

[Rita Nelson]

Are you sure?

[Unknown Narrator]

It looks bad, lady.

[Rita Nelson]

Oh, it's not fair.

[Unknown Narrator]

You're right. I used to say all's fair in love and war. That's cockeyed. Nothing's fair in love and war. There's no reason at a God's blue heaven why John should lead off the show while I stay home and play soldier on the telephone. And there's nothing fair about one guy getting hit and another one sliding between the bullets without a scratch. There's no reason why London should be blitzed four years while Chicago and Kansas City have all the bright lights on. Nothing's fair. They got a crazy cashier. In this life, you either get shortchanged or you get too much.

[Rita Nelson]

I'm sure he's all right, Sam. I'm certain of it.

[Unknown Narrator]

Don't hope too hard.

[Rita Nelson]

It's not hope.

[Unknown Narrator]

I know, Grace. It's better if you think the other way. Then if the long shot comes in, you can throw your hat in the air.

[Rita Nelson]

It isn't a long shot. It's a sure thing. Sam, you know, I'm rather psychic about some things.

[Unknown Narrator]

Yeah, I know.

[Rita Nelson]

The night before John left, I gave him a coin. A shilling with a hole in it for luck. I've prayed, I've hoped, I've had faith. And the shilling was somehow extra insurance. But now I'm certain it'll bring him through.

[Unknown Narrator]

That's asking an awful lot of one lame shilling, lady. I hope you're right. Your dispatches will be off to Shae in 10 minutes, Colonel.

[Gene Kelly]

And did you include the message for my wife?

[Unknown Narrator]

Yes, sir. I think they'll approve that, too. It's remarkable that you were able to get back.

[Gene Kelly]

I'm thoroughly as amazed as you are, sir. I had excellent assistance.

[Unknown Narrator]

Commendably done. We'd quite given you up.

[Gene Kelly]

I'm not surprised. I have not been eating very well the past few years.

[Unknown Narrator]

Oh, very thoughtless of me. I'll get you something right away. Monsieur Besancon.

[Grace]

Oui.

[Unknown Narrator]

Il vous dejeuner. Oui, du suite. And, Colonel, we've got some old French wine here that'll really Set your ears back. Monsieur Pouvenous. Avoir du champagne. Du champagne. Mais certainment. We keep it concealed in the great valuable stuff, you know.

[Gene Kelly]

Yes, I know, Monsieur Besancon.

[Unknown Narrator]

We're not going to name. Maybe you'd like to offer a toast, Colonel?

[Gene Kelly]

Yes, I would. To all free men.

[Unknown Narrator]

Yeah. Here, I'll buy them.

[Gene Kelly]

Delicious. Monsieur, pour le service.

[Ken Carpenter]

You've been listening to Shilling for Luck, an original play for radio prepared in the United States by Armed Forces Radio. The cast, in order of their appearance. Gene Kelly, Sir Aubrey Smith, Freddie Bartholomew, Lon McAllister, Shirley Temple, Ken Carpenter, Ed Gardner, Nigel Bruce, Edmund, Gwen, Edna Best, Franchotone. And Ronald Coleman. This is the Armed Forces Radio Service.

[Unknown Narrator]

Sam.