Vic and Sade 37-05-28 (x) Decoration Day Parade

Summary

Podcast Summary: Vic and Sade 37-05-28 (x) Decoration Day Parade

Harold's Old Time Radio presents a charming episode of the beloved series Vic and Sade, titled "Decoration Day Parade." Released on January 6, 2025, this episode transports listeners to the quaint settings of a small-town family navigating the complexities of community responsibilities and personal obligations during the Golden Age of Radio.

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Introduction

The episode begins with a brief advertisement from Warby Parker, setting a modern contrast before immersing listeners into the world of Vic and Sade. The narrative swiftly moves to introduce the primary characters: Victor Go, his wife Sade Go, and their young son, Rush Cook. The family's household becomes the focal point for unfolding events centered around the upcoming Decoration Day Parade, a significant community event.

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Setting the Scene

[00:38] The story opens in the late afternoon within the Go family's living room. Victor Go is portrayed as a meticulous and dedicated individual, deeply involved in organizing the Decoration Day Parade. His commitment is evident as he states, "I've arranged all the details. I worked out the itinerary. I've coordinated the line of march" (02:16).

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Emerging Conflict

[01:02] The tranquility is disrupted when Victor reveals troubling news: he has not been contacted by City Hall regarding the parade. As he explains, "Nobody from the City hall called" (01:07), it becomes clear that his role as the parade coordinator is under threat.

[01:21] The crux of the conflict arises when Victor must attend a business conference in Chicago, coinciding with Decoration Day. This overlap poses a dilemma: how can he fulfill his civic duty while attending an important professional engagement? He exclaims, "I'm in a mess" (01:02), highlighting his predicament.

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Attempts to Resolve the Dilemma

[01:36] Victor contemplates his options, expressing reluctance to delegate his responsibilities to his son, Rush Cook. He remarks, "No. I don't want to try to get out of it, kiddo. Because it's kind of a feather in my cap for the boss invite me" (01:38).

[06:10] As the episode progresses, Victor considers postponing the parade to accommodate his trip. He suggests a late afternoon start, proposing, "I'll tell you what. You and Rush could meet me at the station with my large robe and my plumed hat in my boots and metals and so forth" (06:12). However, Sade remains skeptical about the feasibility of such a change.

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Community and Familial Tensions

[06:32] Sade counters Victor's attempts to adjust the parade schedule by emphasizing the town's unwavering commitment to tradition. She asserts, "I don't see how one measly little fella can hold up a whole city from enjoying their Decoration Day" (06:32), reinforcing the idea that the community values the parade irrespective of individual contributions.

[07:00] The tension escalates when Victor faces bureaucratic hurdles while trying to inform Mayor Simmons about his unavailability. His frustration is palpable as he complains, "Always thought that mayor was a two faced half wit. He got the last vote of mine he'll ever get" (07:54).

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Climax: The Mayor's Intervention

[09:07] The plot thickens when Victor learns that Mayor Simmons intends to take charge of the parade himself. Victor sarcastically comments, "He may get mad, but it's not my fault. I can't help it. You just have to appreciate that a man's job comes first" (05:46), indicating his resignation to the situation.

[09:24] Determined to maintain control, Victor proposes a late-night meeting to ensure the parade's success, stating, "I'll coach Mayor Simmons in the thousand one detail" (09:24). However, his efforts are thwarted when the Mayor declines, revealing his disinterest in Victor's overextended involvement.

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Resolution and Humorous Turn

[08:12] In a light-hearted twist, Rush Cook offers to take his father's place in organizing the parade, saying, "I could do it. Okay. All you have to do is line the people up and march out to the cemetery" (08:12). This moment injects humor into the narrative, showcasing the playful dynamics within the Go family.

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Notable Quotes

• Victor Go: "I'm in a mess." (01:02)

• Sade Go: "I don't see how one measly little fella can hold up a whole city from enjoying their Decoration Day." (06:32)

• Rush Cook: "I could do it. Okay. All you have to do is line the people up and march out to the cemetery." (08:12)

• Victor Go: "Always thought that mayor was a two faced half wit." (07:54)

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Character Dynamics and Themes

The episode skillfully portrays the interplay between individual responsibility and communal obligations. Victor Go embodies the archetype of a dedicated public servant striving to balance professional duties with personal commitments. In contrast, Sade Go represents pragmatism and the strength of community ties, challenging Victor's reluctance to delegate. The introduction of Rush Cook adds a layer of innocence and humor, highlighting generational perspectives on duty and participation.

Themes of civic pride, the challenges of leadership, and the importance of community traditions are interwoven throughout the narrative. The episode underscores the notion that while individual roles are vital, the resilience and spirit of the community can sustain important traditions even in the face of personal challenges.

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Conclusion

"Decoration Day Parade" is a quintessential example of Vic and Sade's enduring appeal, blending humor with relatable family and community dynamics. Through its engaging dialogue and well-developed characters, the episode captures the essence of small-town life and the universal challenges of balancing personal and public responsibilities. Listeners are left with a heartwarming portrayal of perseverance, community spirit, and the enduring bonds that hold a town together.

Transcript

[Narrator]

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[Victor Go]

Well, sir, it's late afternoon as we enter the small house halfway up on the next lot now. And here in the living room we find Mrs. Victor Go. And young Mr. Rush Cook. But at this moment is heard the voice of Mr. A. Victor go. Listen, you're home.

[Mrs. Victor Go]

S. Yeah, he knows I'm home.

[Rush Cook]

I give him a airy wave of the hand.

[Victor Go]

Call me on the telephone. No, not at all.

[Mrs. Victor Go]

No. What's the matter?

[Victor Go]

I'm in a mess. Move over, Ratch. I want you to down.

[Mrs. Victor Go]

Something wrong?

[Victor Go]

Let me get my breath here. Nobody from the City hall called.

[Mrs. Victor Go]

Hust phone hasn't rung all afternoon.

[Victor Go]

I tried to get in touch with Mayor Simmons a while ago, but he wasn't in his office. Just a message with his secretary.

[Mrs. Victor Go]

What's the matter?

[Victor Go]

I gotta go to Chicago. Yeah, Mr. Ruby. Business. Where they have a conference with two men from New York headquarters tomorrow afternoon. And then on Sunday morning there's another big shot from Des Moines joining us.

[Mrs. Victor Go]

Wow.

[Rush Cook]

I couldn't go along, could I go?

[Victor Go]

No. I don't want to try to get out of it, kiddo. Because it's kind of a feather in my cap for the boss invite me. He generally takes like me supper with him when he goes on a trip like this.

[Mrs. Victor Go]

Well, what would you want to try to get out of it for?

[Victor Go]

What would I want to try to get out of it for? Don't you know?

[Mrs. Victor Go]

No.

[Victor Go]

Sunday's Decoration Day. I'm in charge of the parade. Doggone, doggone, doggone luck. Why couldn't these company officials get together some other week? When any other weekend.

[Mrs. Victor Go]

You'll have to, Mr.

[Victor Go]

Parade missed my parade. How can there be a parade?

[Mrs. Victor Go]

You mean.

[Victor Go]

Well, I mean I'm in charge of the parade. I've arranged all the details. I worked out the itinerary. I've coordinated the line of march. I've done everything. I've got three pencil tablets, chuck full of notes. I couldn't have a frade. Without me, it's a mess from beginning to end.

[Mrs. Victor Go]

When do you leave with your Father.

[Victor Go]

First thing in the morning. We get there around 10 o'clock and meet these New York guys at noon. Then on Sunday we have another conference. I won't be able to get a train out of Chicago till after 1:00. That means I won't pull in here till around 4 in the afternoon. The Mayor's gonna fall down in a dead faint when he hears this.

[Mrs. Victor Go]

Why?

[Victor Go]

Why, the citizens of this town are looking forward with pride and pleasure to have in this Decoration Day parade. Now there won't be any Decoration Day Grace.

[Mrs. Victor Go]

Well, goodness, I'd think after all, a parade.

[Victor Go]

I've got the whole thing in my pocket. See, kiddo? Everything's been left exclusively to me. When I'm gone, the whole thing will be paralyzed and at a standstill.

[Rush Cook]

Well, I should think they could have.

[Victor Go]

I'm going to call up again.

[Mrs. Victor Go]

Mayor's office.

[Victor Go]

Yeah. Might as well break the sad news and get it over with. I bet he goes right through the ceiling.

[Mrs. Victor Go]

I. Don't be mad at me, Vic, but I bet they go ahead and have their parade.

[Victor Go]

How can they?

[Mrs. Victor Go]

I don't see how one measly little fella can hold up a whole city from enjoying their Decoration Day.

[Victor Go]

I'm the one little measly fella.

[Mrs. Victor Go]

I didn't mean it that way, but goodness, all the people gotta do is line up and march out to the cemetery.

[Victor Go]

Line up and march out to the cemetery? That's your idea of all there is to a parade, huh?

[Mrs. Victor Go]

Well, no, but I should think almost anybody.

[Victor Go]

You see this pencil tablet and this pencil tablet and this one. They're all plum full of notes. I've spent hours at work on this thing. Hours at work.

[Mrs. Victor Go]

Well, yes, I know. And if you were going to be in town, I bet there'd be the nicest Decoration Day parade that ever was. But since you're not going to be in town, Thomas, they'll call the parade off altogether.

[Victor Go]

Guest can they do line up and.

[Mrs. Victor Go]

March out to the cemetery just like they always do.

[Victor Go]

Oh, thank God. Well, I must say I admire your attitude. Say your husband comes home facing a desperate crisis and you think it's funny.

[Mrs. Victor Go]

Don't see where the desperate crisis comes in.

[Victor Go]

Excuse me. I'm going to phone you there.

[Rush Cook]

If you want my opinion, I doubt.

[Victor Go]

4, 500, please. Yes, I'm going to come right out with it and not beat around the bush. I'm going to say, Mayor Simmons, a business emergency has arisen that cannot be avoided. I leave for Chicago tomorrow morning and cannot return until Sunday afternoon. No It'll be a shock to him. He may get mad, but it's not my fault. I can't help it. You just have to appreciate that a man's job comes first. A pretty dreary old decoration day around here. Sunday without any parade, won't it? Sure. Well, I don't. They answered their joker. Hello, Mayor's office. This is VR Gook speaking. Gook? G O O K. I called earlier this afternoon. Yes, Has Mary Simmons come back yet? I see. Well, will you be sure to have him phone me the minute he arrives? It's very important. Yes, you have my number. All right, then. Thanks very much.

[Rush Cook]

He's probably out shooting some golf. I understand.

[Victor Go]

Omer, there may be a ray of hoop.

[Mrs. Victor Go]

Yeah, yeah.

[Victor Go]

Listen, I can get a train out of Chicago Sunday a little bit after 1 o'clock. Gets me in here around 4. Well, how about postponing the parade till then?

[Mrs. Victor Go]

Till 4 o'clock in the afternoon?

[Victor Go]

Sure. I'll tell you what. You and Rush could meet me at the station with my large robe and my plumed hat in my boots and metals and so forth, and I could change my clothes in a taxicab while we dashed for Mulberry Street. Of course, the paraders would all be notified to be there and ready to march.

[Mrs. Victor Go]

They'd never do it.

[Victor Go]

Who wouldn't?

[Mrs. Victor Go]

The people.

[Victor Go]

What people?

[Mrs. Victor Go]

People that march in the parade.

[Victor Go]

They never do what?

[Mrs. Victor Go]

Get together that close to supper time and march out to the cemetery.

[Victor Go]

Why not?

[Mrs. Victor Go]

Because they wouldn't. There's picnics on Decoration Day and shows besides. Who wants to walk there out to the cemetery in the dark?

[Victor Go]

Is it dark at 4 o'clock?

[Mrs. Victor Go]

It'll be dark by the time you got there.

[Victor Go]

Don't you think the people would rather have their parade at 4 o'clock in the afternoon than not have any parade at all?

[Mrs. Victor Go]

I think they'll have their parade at the regular time.

[Victor Go]

Without me?

[Mrs. Victor Go]

Yes. How can they meet at Mulberry street at 10 o'clock, line up and march out to the cemetery?

[Victor Go]

Oh, for gosh sakes. I say, sometimes I wonder if your head is. Go away, Rush. I'll answer it.

[Rush Cook]

I wasn't gonna answer it.

[Victor Go]

Hello? Yeah, it is Nursemonds. Who is it? Oh, well, is the Mayor. Huh? What I want with him? I'm V.R. crook. I'm in charge of the decoration date Ray. What? You mean the Mayor? Don't place my name. Oh, that's right. Well, look, you can tell Mayor Simmons that business takes me out of the city over Sunday and I will not be able to handle the parade. Yeah. Bye.

[Mrs. Victor Go]

Who's that?

[Victor Go]

Oh, some fathead down at the city hall. Said the Mayor didn't place my name. Always thought that mayor was a two faced half wit. He got the last vote of mine he'll ever get.

[Mrs. Victor Go]

Where are you going?

[Victor Go]

Out on the back porch steps and breathe some fresh air.

[Rush Cook]

Gov, why don't you let me take your place in the parade?

[Victor Go]

Oh, go lay down.

[Rush Cook]

I could do it. Okay. All you have to do is line the people up and march out the cemetery.

[Mrs. Victor Go]

Shouldn't tease your father.

[Rush Cook]

I wasn't intending to tease him. I'll get it.

[Victor Go]

Is that the phone?

[Mrs. Victor Go]

Yes.

[Rush Cook]

No.

[Victor Go]

Yes.

[Rush Cook]

This is the Go residence. No, this is Rice Cook speaking.

[Victor Go]

Who is it?

[Rush Cook]

I don't know you. Who? Oh, I see.

[Victor Go]

Is it true? Me.

[Rush Cook]

It's a city hall.

[Victor Go]

Then it's for me. Hand me the phone.

[Rush Cook]

The fellas talk. Yeah. Huh.

[Victor Go]

Give me that telephone.

[Rush Cook]

Just a second. I'll connect you with my father. He's the party I think you want to speak to. Here you go.

[Victor Go]

What's the idea?

[Rush Cook]

No idea to it. Phone rang and you were out of the room so I answered it just like any human.

[Victor Go]

Hello? Yes, I'm Theore Go. Oh, is that right? Yes, I'd be glad to talk to. Oh, I see. Haha. Okay. It's the Mayor's secretary again. I'm going to talk to the Mayor personally in a minute.

[Mrs. Victor Go]

He's probably sorry he got the name mixed up.

[Victor Go]

Yeah. Oh, fine fella that Mayor. Good scout all the way through. Hey, you know what the secretary just told me? Why, the Mayor's gonna take charge of the parade itself.

[Mrs. Victor Go]

Oh really?

[Victor Go]

Yeah. See what an important job it is?

[Mrs. Victor Go]

Uh huh.

[Victor Go]

I'm gonna suggest the Mayor Simmons that Tim and I stay up all night tonight.

[Mrs. Victor Go]

What for?

[Victor Go]

So we can pour over all these notes I got. I'll give him the benefit. All the work I've done. He's a smart fella and can follow my instructions to the letter. This town's going to have just as good a parade as if I were here in person. I'll coach Mayor Simmons in the thousand one detail. Hello, Mayor Simmons? Secretary just told me. Oh, that is all right. Listen Mayor, my train don't leave till tomorrow morning. We got all night long to lay our plans out for the parade. Now I suggest we get together in a hotel room. What? How you mean? Oh. Oh, I see. I say Mayor Simmons. Okay sir. Bye.

[Mrs. Victor Go]

What's the matter, fathead? What'd he say? The fat head don't he want to stay up all night?

[Victor Go]

No, he's going to bed.

[Mrs. Victor Go]

Isn't going to take charge of the parade.

[Victor Go]

Not even going to be at the parade. Got an engagement to play golf.

[Mrs. Victor Go]

Well, how's he going to take charge of the parade then?

[Victor Go]

Going to put a piece in the newspaper?

[Mrs. Victor Go]

Yeah.