What Might Have Been Can Live Again
Episode 2: The Holiday Must Go On
By Digne
"MORNING, GERTIE," Mackie said as he entered the station.
"Morning, Mackie," Gertie replied. She was a little preoccupied, she had a small stack of envelopes on her desk which she was labeling.
"Gee, you're here awful early. What you got there?"
"Christmas cards. I thought I'd just get them done now, and hand them out here, rather then mail them. Give me just a second here. Ah ... ha, here's yours. Merry Christmas Mackie."
"Thanks Gertie." Mackie opened the envelope, "Peace on Earth."
"You got any plans for the holiday?" Gertie asked.
"None, I'll probably just have a restful day and enjoy what peace and quiet I can."
"Oh my yes! We could all do with some of the Christmas spirit in these times."
"So what are you doing for the holiday, Gertie?"
"Oh, not sure, Betty has invited Maple and me over to dinner."
"What, Betty's not going back to Indiana this year?"
"No, too much of an expense. But I was thinking about taking her up on her offer; it's good to have friends."
At that moment the door to the station opened and Jeff appeared. "Oh hi, Jeff!" Gertie said. "If you wait a second I'll give you your card."
"Oh, ah ..., thank you Gertie," Jeff answered but he seemed kind of distracted. He took off his coat and hat and hung them on the rack. Taking the card from Gertie he walked down the hall to the green room, Mackie followed him.
"So, where's Hilary?" Mackie asked. "I thought you and Hilary were an item again. What's up?"
Jeff stopped for a moment, opened the door to the green room and then continued. "It goes back and forth, things go great and then ..."
"Let me guess, you proposed to her again?"
Jeff didn't answer but the look in his eyes confirmed Mackie's suspicions. "Listen, you've got to give Hilary more time," said Mackie, as he took a seat at the table.
"I get so close and then she backs away again. It's just so frustrating," said Jeff, joining Mackie.
"Look you've only been back, what is it now, three months? And considering the state Hilary was in then to where she is now, you've made a lot of progress."
Jeff's eyes grew wide with excitement, "Mackie, I'm nearly home free. My lawyer just had my annulment to Pavla finalized. All that's left is getting Hilary to say yes. Sure she still throws me plenty of dirty looks, but three months ago she was throwing furniture. All I need to do is to break the last of Hilary's resistance."
"She's liable to ..."
"I know, I know, break my skull first."
"No, she's liable to ... say yes. The breaking the skull part comes later." Mackie sighed, "It's the inevitable consequence of her saying yes."
"I've got to come up with a plan to show Hilary how much I care for her. But everything I've tried seems to come on too strong, and I scare her away again. She's still mad about Pavla and whether she says so or not ..."
"Oh, she says so."
" ... it's still a sensitive subject. I mean it goes deeper then the jokes she makes. How can I show her that I'm serious about the commitment this time?"
Mackie frowned. Commitment ... Jeff and Hilary? He wasn't so sure.
"Well as for commitment," Mackie said, "look how long you've stood by her - Pavla of course being the exception. But you two have a history together. Maybe try to remind her of better days?"
Jeff's face lit up. Mackie continued, "You might take her to Mexico, isn't that where you two ... ah." Mackie blushed slightly.
"Yes," Jeff answered, then after a moment added, "but Mackie, Mexico at Christmas?"
"Why not? Their colors are red and green."
Jeff looked slightly puzzled. But his mind seemed to be grasping at a new idea. "I don't think Mexico will work - yet. But you do raise a valid point. I need to show Hilary how I'll stick by her through anything. I've put up with her tantrums, her airs, her ... "
"... Her."
Jeff glared at Mackie. "But at any rate. I need to send her that message loud and clear. And I haven't been doing that have I? I keep fighting her! That's it; that's the answer! I simply won't fight back. I'll be noble, I'll turn the other cheek."
Mackie looked a little shocked, and a little more disturbed. "Ah, Jeff, are you sure you've thought this through?"
"Yes Mackie, this has to work. I couldn't be more sure."
"But you just came up with this idea what, ah ... two minutes ago."
"No, this is the answer. Listen I'm going to see about our scripts. I'll be back before Hilary gets in." and Jeff left the room.
"Poor, poor man," said Mackie.
MEANWHILE BACK IN RECEPTION, Gertie had given Maple her card. Maple opened the envelope and was admiring the picture on the front.
"Children caroling, ain't that sweet, spreading some season-ed greetings."
Gertie looked confused for a moment, but let it pass.
Maple continued, "You know I had totally forgot how close Christmas was. Say, what's today's date?"
"The twenty-second."
"Gosh, and the station don't even look it! What happened to all the decorations from last year?"
"I think they're in the back room someplace."
"Well I think, we need to get 'em up. Spread a little of the Christmas cheer. I mean isn't that what this country needs these days?"
"Good idea Maple."
"You wanna help?"
"Sorry Maple. I'm chained to this switchboard. But you might ask Mackie to help. He was saying something about how we all need some of that Christmas happiness stuff."
"Sure thing," Maple answered as she went to track down Mackie.
The door to the station opened and Hilary appeared.
"Morning Gertie," she said.
"Morning," Gertie answered in a disinterested fashion.
"I suppose you've seen this week's edition of Life?"
"No," she replied flatly.
"Grace Cavendish, is featured in a large interview. Hollywood is kneeling at her feet, They're calling her the next Dietrich. Thank God for the war or she'd probably have made the cover!"
"Really?" Gertie said in the same disinterested fashion.
"Quite ... well ...," said Hilary as she looked about waiting for more reaction from Gertie. When none was given she turned her eyes to the clock and said, "my public calls."
Gertie just rolled her eyes. Hilary walked down the hall and into the studio.
There were still a couple of minutes before they went on the air and Jeff, anxious to try out his plan, approached Hilary.
Hilary was clearly in a foul mood, when she saw Jeff she glared at him.
He responded with a large grin and said, "Morning Hilary, the sun is in the sky, the birds are in the air and you are looking ravishingly beautiful this morning. How's life treating you?"
Hilary's glare turned into a sneer. "Let me tell you about Life. When Grace is all that graces Life, and my life is devoid of Life's graces, life is a pretty sad business. But I'm going to destroy this Life after which my life will be much better."
"I'm so glad... I think," Jeff replied, then grinned at her again.
BETTY STARED DUMBLY at her incomplete script. There were only twenty minutes before 'The Hands of Time,' but it was no use. She was hopelessly stuck! All she had left was the final scene and it was going nowhere.
In the script, Brent Marlowe has yet another case of amnesia and forgets he is married to Elizabeth. He kicks her out of the mansion, thinking she's a gold digger trying to extort money from him.
All Betty had left to write was Elizabeth's final line to Brent, which would be the cliffhanger for the episode. She was only as far as "But, Brent darling." She had tried out a dozen versions of it in her head without success.
Elizabeth is devastated. The man she loves rejects her and she knows she may never see him again. Betty wanted this speech to not only express Elizabeth's grief but also her devotion to Brent. But Betty was becoming too involved with her own work. She was angry with Brent for his destructive behavior. She wanted to jolt Brent from his amnesia. How could he forsake a faithful wife and loving companion? His continual bouts of amnesia were jeopardizing Elizabeth's happiness.
For the last week Betty found herself more and more often lecturing her characters. If this didn't stop soon she would be overwhelmed with deadlines and running behind on all her projects. "Got to focus, got to focus ... What was I writing about? Oh yes, amnesia," she told herself.
A knock on the door startled her
"Come in," she said.
Victor entered with stack of papers. "Betty, I hope I'm not interrupting you. Can you take a look at these papers?"
"I still have to finish 'Hands of Time.' I'll be done in a minute," she replied.
"I was just going over the station's budget and I thought you should see it as well." Victor continued. "Also I have some programming proposals regarding the W.E.N.N. for you to look at."
"Sure."
"As for the budget, we're going to have to figure out some more ways to economize. Our revenue is even lower then expected, strange for a holiday season. This war has people anxious and they aren't spending money. It'll perk up soon enough, but for the time being I want you to find ways to cut back on anything we can."
"What else can we cut back, Victor? We were barely surviving before the war."
"I have a few ideas. But it'll be a stretch. At least we don't need to hire a new actor. Mackie's back. He and Jeff can take care of all of Scott's roles without any trouble. We are getting some extra money from the government ... "
Victor noticed that Betty wasn't really listening, her eyes had a far away look.
"Brent, so then it's over?" she wrote, as she mumbled the last line of the script.
Victor starred at her in confusion, "Ah ... Betty?"
"Uh? ...Yes?"
"Well anyhow, I was talking with the Major and he was wondering if we wouldn't mind having some of the service men in this area spend Christmas here. With the war on, many of them can't get home to their families, and the Major thought it'd be a great way for us to lend a hand. Good publicity for the station too. They could watch our Christmas Eve broadcast and we could have a small dinner in the green room. - You aren't going home for Christmas this year are you?"
"No."
"I believe that Jeff, Hilary and Mackie will still be around. If we pool our resources we can have a substantial Christmas potluck. See who's going to be here and ask if they'd care to help out. Well I'd better let you finish your script. When you get the final pages done bring them to my office and I'll proof them."
"Sure," she said. "Right away."
MAPLE HAD A LITTLE MORE TROUBLE locating the Christmas decorations then she had initially expected. Thanks to Mackie's help she finally succeeded at dragging them into the green room. Several of the items were not packed well the previous year, and she found them broken and tangled. Mackie got right to work. Scrambling up and down a six-foot ladder, he draped tinsel garlands from every corner of the room.
"Listen Mackie," said Maple, "if you use all the tinsel in this room we won't have enough for the hall. Now go easy."
"Well it'd be a lot easier to follow your lead if you'd help instead of yakking instructions from down below".
"I'm working too, somebody's got to put these little bow things on these holly clusters."
"Sure they aren't mistletoe?" Mackie asked as he descended the ladder.
"A girl has her priorities. I hung that by the front door, first thing."
"I bet you did," Mackie said slyly as he looked through the box of decorations. Spying another string of tinsel he headed back to the ladder.
The door opened and Betty burst in. She seemed in better spirits, 'The Hands of Time' was finally off her hands.
"Oh hiya Betty," Maple said cheerfully.
"Hi, say this room is really coming along. It's looking really good! Great job Maple."
"Thanks," Maple replied.
Mackie rolled his eyes. "Say, where is Mr. Eldridge?" Mackie asked. "Didn't he say he'd help us?"
"Oh," said Maple. "I sent him out for a spare angel."
"But we already have an angel for the top of the tree."
"The way I look at it, you can never have too many angels. He'll be back soon."
"Listen," said Betty. "Victor's invited some of the soldiers in the area to share a Christmas Eve dinner here at the station. Maple, I know we planned to have dinner over at my apartment, but Victor's put me in charge of the soldier's dinner. So if you want to join in that would be great. And Mackie you're welcome too, I mean if you don't already have plans. Victor thought it would be a good way for us to help the men who may be stuck here over the holidays."
"They aren't the only ones stuck ... here," said Mackie, perched high on his ladder.
"Well, we all need to pitch in and bring something. It'll be a potluck," Betty added.
"Pitch in, hmmm," said Maple, "If I could cook that might mean something. I don't suppose you want some Welsh Rarebit from the Buttery?"
"Stop talking and hand me that hammer?" said Mackie.
"LOOK AT THIS ONE! The veil is like a misty cloud," Eugenia held out the catalog to Gertie. "Have you ever seen anything so beautiful?"
"My, my. That is lovely." Gertie took off her headset to focus on the wedding dress. "You'd look beautiful in it," said Gertie, "But look at that price, $56!"
"It is a lot, isn't it?" said Eugenia. "I have some money saved away but I'm not sure if it's quite enough, but I have just fallen in love with this dress. It would be wonderful to wear something so beautiful." Eugenia drew her breath and set the catalog aside. "Should I ask Mr. Foley if he'd be willing to pay for the rest? I know it isn't exactly traditional to ask the groom to pay."
"What about your family?"
"I don't want to push too far. After all, heaven knows, it's not exactly like I'm leaving them for the first time, hardly the 'girl bride.' They've offered to pay for some flowers, and my Aunt Vera is baking the cake. I just don't want to be a burden."
"But $56!"
"I know, I know."
"Oh! Gertie, there's been a change in Christmas plans," Betty announced as she came from the green room. She was sure to get everyone involved in the soldier's Christmas dinner.
"Oh that sounds nice," Eugenia said. "Such a wonderful way for us to lend a hand. I'm sure Mr. Foley will be glad to bring his famous apricot-tuna casserole."
"Yum," said Gertie flatly as she buried her face in one of the catalogs.
THE CHILL IN THE GREEN ROOM had nothing to do with the winter weather. Hilary's coffee break took an icy turn when Jeff joined her. Searching for a comfortable topic of conversation she mentioned the servicemen's dinner.
"Can you believe this whole idea of Betty's?" Hilary said. "She wants me to cook!"
"Well, who wouldn't darling?"
Hilary was momentarily taken aback, but then continued. "I don't think I even know any holiday recipes?"
"Anything you bring will have the aroma of home, the sparkle of Christmas tinsel and the taste of every wonderful holiday memory," said Jeff.
Hilary started to speak but her words stopped short. Startled beyond bewilderment, she gained composure and sprang to her feet. "Love to stay and chat but it's almost time for the 'Hands of Time' and I have to get my script."
"Hilary, I found a great Italian place, just two blocks away. How about dinner after 'Valiant Journey'?"
"Oh Jeffrey, you know that's late, and after 'Valiant Journey' you have to read the documentary about Asian rice. Boys like you shouldn't stay up past their bedtime."
MR. FOLEY SCRAMBLED to find the last pieces of equipment needed for 'The Hands of Time.' The show required a multitude of sound effects and once he had the pieces, he still didn't have the room to put them all in easy reach. Hilary entered the studio, casting an irritated look his way as Mr. Foley reshuffled his supplies.
"I know you're in charge of sounds," she said, "but do you have to make so much noise?" Mr. Foley didn't have time to answer her.
Seconds before broadcast, Jeff and Mackie took their places at the microphone. Eugenia scurried in, still clutching the catalogue. She had hoped to show Mr. Foley the wedding dress, but a quick glance at the clock sent her directly to the organ.
"And now the 'Hands of Time'," toned Mackie, "brought to you by Midas Hand Lotion, with: Jeffrey Singer, Mackie Bloom and starring Miss Hilary Booth. At Elizabeth and Brent Marlowe's home in Bayport, Elizabeth waits for Brent to return from a business trip."
"Where can Brent be? He was supposed to return over an hour ago." said Hilary in her role as Elizabeth. "I do hope his business hasn't delayed him. I've only just finished decorating the house for Christmas and I do so want him to see the tree."
"I'm sure, he will be here as soon as he is able, ma'am," Mackie as the butler sounded much more formal than his announcer tone of a moment ago.
"Careful with the ornaments. Those are from the first Christmas Brent and I shared together."
"Here you are ma'am," Mackie replied.
"Now, I'll just place them on the tree." Hilary answered. Mr. Foley tapped two glass cups together making a very credible "tinging" sound of two ornaments chiming as they are placed on the tree.
"Perfect," said Hilary.
"Wroom," the sound from Mr. Foley's record player imitated a car pulling up.
"Oh, he's here!" Hilary said.
Shoes on the wooden surface, the prop door opening. Mr. Foley was working at a feverish pace. The shutting door signified the arrival of Brent Marlowe.
The scene followed as planned. Brent doesn't remember Elizabeth and storms about the house, demanding to know how much money she's spent.
After Brent's accusations it was time for a word from the sponsor. Eugenia saw her opportunity. While Mackie read the commercial, she would show Mr. Foley the catalogue. She tiptoed softly across the studio to Mr. Foley's table. He had picked up the newspaper, enjoying a brief rest.
"Midas Hand Lotion, goes on as smooth as silk," Mackie continued the lengthy commercial.
Tapping Mr. Foley on the shoulder, Eugenia pointed to the picture of her dream dress. "For the wedding," she soundlessly formed the words with her lips. It took a moment for him to digest her meaning. Judging from his initial reaction, he clearly thought the dress was lovely. As his eyes wandered to the price his expression changed. Jaw gaping open and wide-eyed, he searched frantically for the words to express his displeasure.
Eugenia recoiled, stunned by his disapproval.
There was no time to discuss it. Mackie had finished the sponsor's announcement, it was time for the theme music and Brent Marlowe was about to begin pacing the floor.
The empty organ didn't make a sound, and Mr. Foley forgot all about the shoes on the wooden surface. Mackie looked a bit panicked, but Hilary continued the script without the background sounds.
"Brent, darling it's Christmas. Don't you see the tree! Isn't it lovely. Don't you remember our first Christmas together?"
"All I see is the money you spent on this tree. These ornaments are pure crystal. They must have cost a fortune," Jeff answered as Brent.
Eugenia, could think of nothing but Mr. Foley's response to her dream dress. She abandoned her organ and froze next to Mr. Foley, waiting for some sign of understanding in his eyes. Focused once again on his job, Mr. Foley turned to prepare his next equipment. Then reaching to the side, he intended to pick up the glass cups. Brent was taking the ornaments off of the tree.
Hilary continued with the script, "Brent what are you doing? Wait ..."
"Crash, Clutter, Slam!" Eugenia was standing between the glasses and Mr. Foley. As he crashed into Eugenia, he lost his balance and upset the table. All his equipment cascaded to the floor. As Eugenia lost her balance and tumbled too, the radio audience was left to believe that Brent had dashed the tree to the floor, taking down Elizabeth at the same time.
Under a pile of shoes, broken glass and wood, Mr. Foley lay helpless, bewildered and shamed.
"Get out of my house," Jeff adlibbed a line to Elizabeth.
"I'll take care of this mess, sir," an alert Mackie answered as the butler.
Eugenia crawled toward the door, devastated.
AFTER THE BROADCAST Betty was doing her best to comfort Eugenia in the green room. But Betty wasn't having much luck, Eugenia was a wreck.
"Oh there, there," Betty said.
"Oh Betty, it's not just the dress, or the show. Things have been tense between us these last few days. All Mr. Foley's friends in his building are talking about is enlisting. And I think he feels ashamed, I mean unequal, for being 4F. And ... and I think ... that he even wonders if he's good enough for me? I've tried to tell him I don't care about those things, but ..." At that point Eugenia burst into another series of sobs, tears streaming down her face.
Betty was desperate to help but couldn't see what to do, Eugenia was beyond consoling. For a moment Betty stared at her in complete bewilderment.
Then, noticing Eugenia's hankie was soaked through, she rose from the couch and said. "Why don't I go get you a new hankie. I think I have one in my purse ... then I'll make you a nice warm glass of cocoa."
Eugenia tried to smile, although it didn't last. Betty took this as a good sign and went to fetch her purse.
BACK IN THE RECEPTION AREA Mr. Eldridge arrived. He looked frustrated.
"Oh hello Tom," Gertie said.
Maple's voice echoed down the hall. "Mr. Eldridge? Oh great! Were you able to get the angel?"
"I've been to five shops and not one angel," bemoaned Mr. Eldridge. "Everyone is sold out."
"Owe!" Maple looked disappointed. "That's all right Mr. Eldridge, we'll manage, we do have one angel already."
But Mr. Eldridge was not quite as ready to let the issue pass. "I'll try some more shops later. I'm sure there's an angel somewhere in Pittsburgh."
Mr. Foley exited from studio A, he had a sour look on his face. He walked through reception and grabbed his coat from the rack.
"You going to get a bite to eat, Mr. Foley?" Maple asked. Mr. Foley didn't answer, he went out the front door, slamming it behind him.
Maple looked shocked, she turned to Gertie and asked, "What's with Mr. Foley? I heard about the mess on 'Hands of Time.' What happened?"
"Eugenia wants Mr. Foley to help pay for an expensive wedding dress, and Mr. Foley doesn't think they can afford it."
"Oh dear, he looked really mad."
"It's worse than that, Eugenia and Mr. Foley ... " Gertie whispered and she leaned in toward Maple, "they're not even on speaking terms."
THE COCOA AND A NEW HANKIE did help calm Eugenia down. And Betty thought it would be best if they sent Eugenia home for the day. Eugenia at first protested, but Betty assured her that Maple could handle the rest of the organ duties. She then helped Eugenia with her coat and gave her a hug before sending her out the door.
"Poor, Eugenia," said Gertie.
"Yes... ," said Betty.
From the other end of the hall, Maple's voice was heard. "No Mackie, you have to tie it like this, other wise it's not going to stay up. See."
"But if we tie it your way, it's got too much weight supported at one point," said Mackie.
"Mackie, it doesn't stay up, your way."
"Well it won't stay up, your way either."
"Look Mackie we've got guests coming, guys that can't make it home to their families. The least we can offer them is decent decorations. Now give it here."
"Hey!"
At that moment Betty interrupted the squabble. "Maple I have to tell you ... Eugenia is such a mess. I had to send her home. She should be here tomorrow. Can you handle the organ for the rest of the day?"
"Hey, why am I just now hearing about this?" Maple asked.
"Well, I didn't have much choice. Eugenia really couldn't handle it ..."
"And I'm suppose to read my part for 'Valiant Journey' AND play the organ? I don't have two sets of hands."
Mackie opened his mouth about to speak when Maple gave him an authoritative, "Don't even." Then to Betty she continued, "I feel bad for Eugenia, yeah sure. But I can't do two jobs at once."
"Maple, I really didn't have much of a choice."
"You sent Eugenia home, Betty. You read for 'Valiant Journey,' " said Maple.
"But I ... " Betty stood speechless for a moment. "All right, all right, I'll read your part."
Maple looked shocked at her own forcefulness. However, when what had happened entirely registered with her, her faced changed and she seemed almost regretful and a bit at a loss for words.
They stared at each other, dumbly. Betty stammered for a moment, turned and headed down the hall. When she reached the writer's room, she went to her desk and pulled out the first incomplete script she could find and began to type.
BETTY WAS QUICKLY DISCOVERING that there weren't enough hours in the day. The work on programming for the W.E.N.N. was long and tiresome. After reading army jargon for an hour and a half Betty had to take a break. Fortunately there was a knock at the door.
"Come in," she said gladly.
Jeff appeared. "Hey Betty, I was wondering if you had the news ready for me?"
"Yes ... I thought Mackie was doing the news?"
"Mackie and I are sharing the duties. We've been doing more news than we used to and Mackie didn't want to be reading all of it himself."
"Can't say that I blame him," Betty replied. "Everyone else in Pittsburgh can turn the radio on for news when they want it, and then turn it off. I feel almost like I'm a slave to that teletype machine." Then after a moment she asked, "How'd Mackie talk you into this?"
"Oh, I traded with him. I wanted to take Hilary to dinner after 'Valiant Journey' but I had to read the documentary about rice cultivation in Asia. Hilary won't go if it gets too late, so Mackie agreed to help, but only if I read the news."
"You're trying pretty hard with Hilary, aren't you?"
"Of course I am. It's all I've been doing for the past four months. But she won't give me the time of day. Betty, I've just got to get through to her." His face flashed with insight, "Wait a minute, Betty, you're a woman. What can I say to her? How can I reach her?"
"Jeff, Hilary and I are very different people. Just because we're both women that doesn't mean we think alike. Take men for example. Like say, for example, Victor and Scott. If a person was trying to uhh, communicate with one it might not work with the other." She lowered her glance as a warmth crept up her cheeks, "Or either one of them," she mumbled. "Jeff, if you want to impress Hilary, let her know you appreciate her, spend time listening to her and understanding the pressures she feels."
"But Betty, I've told her how I feel. How she excites me when she walks in the room. I've been pouring my heart out to her and she just won't listen."
"I don't think that's exactly what I meant." Betty stopped for a moment, turned to her desk, gathered up the papers and handed them to Jeff. "Well, good luck, here's the news, it's just about time."
BETTY ARRIVED AT THE STATION EARLY the next morning. Gertie was already at her switchboard.
"Morning Betty," Gertie said.
"Morning," Betty replied.
"Oh, Betty, I need to tell you that ..."
A loud slamming noise interrupted them. Hilary charged through the front door. She smiled harshly and gave an extremely insincere "Good morning."
"Morning," Betty replied. Even though she thought the better of it she added, "How are you?"
"Oh, fine." Hilary grunted. This short response surprised Betty. Apparently Hilary's dinner with Jeff did not go well. And when things in Hilary's life did not go well they usually heard more about it then just "Oh, fine." Betty's curiosity rose.
Hilary had moved toward the hall, but she stopped when Betty addressed her. "Oh, Hilary, did Jeff say when he'd be in?"
"That shallow, insensitive, insulting inebriate?"
"Ah, yes, him."
"Well that depends."
"On what?"
"On how long it takes the doctors with the bandages." Hilary continued down the hall to the green room.
"Oh dear," said Betty.
"What a Christmas present," Gertie observed. "Even requires wrapping!"
"Oh stop it Gertie. She might be serious."
"Hilary's always exaggerating. It may be bad, but it can't be that bad."
After a moment Gertie spurted out, "Oh yes, as I was saying. Betty, it appears some of my family has decided to come into Pittsburgh after all. So I won't be here Christmas Eve, or Christmas. I know that leaves you short of help for your dinner. But I really do want to see my grandchildren. I'm sorry if I'm inconveniencing you."
"No, don't explain Gertie, I'm nothing but happy for you." Betty's eyes had a far away look. Then after a pause, "Really I am. This time of the year is meant to be spent with family."
"Thank you! But, if you need some more dishes I do have ..."
This time it was Jeff's entrance that cut her off. His left arm was in a cast.
"My word Jeff, what did Hilary do to you?" Gertie declared.
"Are you alright?" Betty said with obvious concern.
"Define alright." Jeff's joke relieved Betty. At least he wasn't truly hurt. She gave him a questioning glance.
"Not too bad," he continued. "I've just had a fracture in my lower arm."
Gertie's curiosity was not satisfied. "What happened?"
"Hilary and I were having dinner," he paused, "everything was going fine and then she slapped me. I fell over a waiter carrying an order of baked ziti, and I broke my arm. Hilary stormed off. The last I saw of her was from a low angle from the floor of the restaurant."
"What made her so angry?" Betty asked.
"I don't know what happened, it was all going so well. Hilary was really opening up. Then she blew up and hit me."
"Can you remember what was said just before she hit you?" Betty inquired.
"She called me an insensitive louse if that helps." Jeff thought for a moment, "Let's see, we were talking about the war, the uncertainty of things these days. Then she started talking about how people really need companionship to get through hard times. And so I told her if she needed companionship we could leave the restaurant right then because I was more than eager to comfort her."
"Ohwww Jeff," said Betty raising her arms in disbelief. "Why do I even bother with you?"
Betty turned and headed down the hall. When she reached the writer's room she put her purse down and pulled out her script pages for the day. Finding her W.E.N.N. papers she headed over to the typewriter.
Then came the all too familiar noise of the teletype machine. There was more about the Japanese invasion of Hong Kong - the British were still hanging on. More about Churchill's visit to Washington, too. But there was a new story. The Japanese had invaded Wake Island. Betty's spirits had been lagging for days. Was there any end to the kind of problems they would have to face?
MR. ELDERIDGE AND MAPLE were in studio A performing an episode of "This Girl's Kinfolk."
"Oh, look as this mess," Maple moaned as Trish, "I can't sew, I'm never going to be able to make a good angel costume for the Christmas Pageant."
"Now let's see what you have here ...," said Mr. Eldridge.
"Oh, Gramps, how can I be an angel? My costume isn't nearly as nice as the other girls'."
"Now honey, an angel isn't just about the fancy robes and gold halos. That just what an angel wears when they want people to notice them, sometimes they wear other clothes and few people recognize them. They go about spreading kindness and reminding people the importance of love and doing the right thing. Being an angel inside is more important then the costume. Rich folk can put on their airs and seem all high and noble but if you looked inside their hearts you may find a very different state of affairs."
"But Grandpa, I can't even sew!"
"Don't you fret, we can improve your costume, but don't get so focused on that that you forget what an angel really is and does."
At that point Mackie interrupted the scene for a commercial.
"Now folks are you struggling with last minute Christmas shopping woes? Well not to worry my friends, Gimbels is here to help. They have a large selection of everything you could need for the holiday. From mangers to tinsel, stockings to wassail, angels to ..."
"Angels!" Mr. Eldridge interjected. "You can't find angels at Gimbels."
Mackie's face reacted immediately. He tried to communicate to Mr. Eldridge that he should be quiet. It was definitely a problem for actors to criticize the sponsor on air. But Mr. Eldridge seemed to have his mind in another place.
"Yes, Gimbels has everything," Mackie continued, "they will be open late ..."
"I looked and looked for an angel for our tree," Mr. Eldridge said, "but there's no angels of any kind at Gimbels."
"Well then," said Mackie, frantic to think of what to do. "Uhhhhh ... let's return to that sweet little town of Bonneville Mills, where Grandpa is helping Trish with her angel costume for the Pageant."
"Gramps," Maple said continuing with the script, "I never knew you could sew why ..."
But Mr. Eldridge was still in conflict with the commercial. "Just to show that there are no angels at Gimbels I'm going to look there again, and when I don't find an angel I will lodge a complaint. That will show them."
"But Mister ... Grandpa ... my costume?" Maple declared.
It was no use, Mr. Eldridge was already out the door of the studio leaving Maple and Mackie totally bewildered.
"MAPLE THE DECORATIONS ARE WONDERFUL!" Gertie declared as she admired the hallway. Evergreen branches were strewn with red bows up and down the hall. The over-zealous effects of Mackie's tinsel application were evident as well.
"They did come out alright, would have been better if Mackie hadn't tried to get creative."
"No, really they are quite festive."
The door to the green room opened, it was Eugenia, on her way into studio A. Just then Mr. Foley came from the other end of the hall when Eugenia saw him, he gave her a cold glance, turned around and headed back to studio B. Eugenia looked devastated but continued on her way into Studio A, without saying a word.
"Isn't that sad!" Gertie observed. "Why don't those two talk? This is really a silly misunderstanding."
"Yeah, some people can be so petty! Making a big deal out of nothing." Maple agreed. "What's that?" Maple picked at one of the bows on the wall. "A sailors knot! Why that lousy Mackie Bloom! Where is he?" Maple headed down the hall and without looking back said, "See you Gertie."
CHRISTMAS EVE FINALLY ARRIVED and the station was engrossed in all the last minute preparations for the dinner and broadcast. Betty had the scripts finished several days before, and the broadcast was right on track. The same could not be said for the dinner. First of all, the loss of Gertie and her two pies had forced Betty to reorganize. She finally saw that the only way the dinner was to have any dessert was if she made the pies herself, along with the potatoes that she had already planned to bring. The budget was too short to afford more food, so it would have to come from her pocket. Nonetheless time was running short and Betty was anxious to review the diner plans with Victor.
"I've told the Major about our efforts and he's very pleased." Victor declared, picking up a file from his desk. "This effort is going to have a positive effect on our leverage in getting the W.E.N.N. going. If the soldiers give a good report to the higher authorities it could open up more possibilities for this station."
"That's wonderful," she replied and then with urgency, "but we still have a lot to get done. We're having trouble finding enough chairs and Maple needs ..."
"I'm sorry Betty but I have some business to do, and I have to leave it in your hands. I know it's an inconvenience for you, but I have my obligations too."
Betty tried to hide her displeasure. She took a deep breath and with resignation said, "Well this whole dinner's going to be a stretch. Speaking of which, I meant to ask, do we know how many soldiers will be joining us for dinner?"
"Ah yes, I almost forgot. When I talked to the Major this morning he said for us to plan for somewhere around sixteen, give or take ... hmmmmm ... sixteen."
"Sixteen! How are we suppose to find enough food for sixteen men?"
"Improvise. Add a little more water to the soup."
"But ..."
"Now, I have to get going. I'll meet up with our guests and bring them here around six o'clock or so."
"But ..."
"Betty, I know you can handle it. Things will be fine."
Betty reluctantly bent into submission, and let out a sigh. Victor brought his hand to her chin, raised her head till her eyes met his, and smiled at her.
"See you tonight," he said, and he left the room.
MACKIE AND JEFF SPENT THE AFTERNOON moving furniture around the station, They had brought nearly every table WENN owned into the green room. But with sixteen guests coming, they had had to borrow chairs from other offices in the building just to try to meet the demand. After a lot of sweat and elbow grease it appeared their task was nearly done.
Maple had created a floral centerpiece for the main table and was busy arranging the dishes and folding napkins. Hilary worked intently over the hotplate heating the now watered down soup. Eugenia helped with the vegetables, while Mr. Foley moved about the other side of the room providing seating. Eugenia's affectionate glances missed a receptive target in Mr. Foley. With his head down, he methodically set chairs about the room.
Betty entered. Maple looked up and smiled. "Wow, I didn't know we could fit so many tables in here!" Betty declared. "I think Victor will be very pleased with what we've accomplished," then after a moment she added, "and of course our visitors will be too."
"Yeah, they should be. I think we've managed to pull everything together alright," Mackie stated as he moved from table to table laying out the silverware. "If we need more seating we can set up tables in the hall."
"Well it's almost six o'clock, we'll know shortly. Hilary, do you think we'll have enough food for everyone?" Betty asked.
"Well I certainly hope so. Victor might have told us earlier he was expecting sixteen guests!" Hilary moaned.
Betty rolled her eyes in agreement. Then getting back to the menu. "We should barely have enough dinner rolls, dessert is another story. I was up all night making those pies but there isn't enough if we have sixteen or more guests, would you be willing to join me in forgoing a piece?"
"Why not?" Hilary answered condescendingly.
"And, that just leaves the side dishes, Eugenia ...?"
"Hey, what are you doing?" Maple demanded.
Betty and Hilary turned to see Maple confront Mackie.
"I'm just fixing the bow," Mackie explained about the centerpiece. "The way you have it placed makes the ribbons hang flat."
"Well I liked it just fine how it was. The way you have it makes it look cheap."
"I think it looks better my way."
"These soldiers are having to spend Christmas away from home, the least we can do is give them a festive homespun atmosphere."
"Don't talk about the soldiers, I'm not exactly having Christmas with Grandma either," Mackie retorted.
Betty turned to Jeff as he brought in another chair with his good arm. "If everybody doesn't stop fighting, there's no way we're going to get through the evening," she said.
"I don't understand why people don't just say what they're thinking and be straight forward and polite about it," Jeff answered.
"Polite!" Hilary injected from across the room. "Oh, excuse me, I hadn't realized we were having a polite conversation the other night. Using my feelings to surpass your superlative sensual satisfaction."
"Hilary, I was trying to tell you I'm ready to help you."
"If you want to help me, you can inform those unenlightened simpletons at Life Magazine that Hilary Booth is both a superior actress and a more sophisticated personality than the vile performers they feature in their publication."
"What story in Life has you so upset?"
"That usurping shrew, Grace Cavendish."
"Hilary why didn't you tell me you were upset about her?" Jeff asked softly.
"You didn't ask."
"And now I'm supposed to read your mind. Why can't you be honest with me?"
" 'Oh Hilary, anything you bake will be wonderful.' " Hilary gave him an exasperated glare. "You are the king of honesty."
"If that's what you want, fine! All right Hilary, your cooking is so awful that slum lords use it for roach bait."
Hilary looked irritated; she avoided Jeff's eyes.
"Your food is so bad that just two minutes in the icebox turns all the other food sour."
Hilary continued to ignore Jeff as she stirred the soup methodically. But her tolerance was waning.
Eugenia turned to Betty, "What's he thinking?" she asked.
"He isn't," Betty replied as she carefully moved one of her pies out of harm's way.
Meanwhile Mackie and Maple were still arguing over the centerpiece.
"Well if you're such a stickler for an authentic home Christmas, why is your dish from The Buttery?" Mackie declared.
"What was that?" said Maple.
"If your cooking was any worse ... ," Jeff shouted.
Betty was sure that Hilary was about to blow. When suddenly Victor arrived - alone.
"So, where are the soldiers?" Betty asked.
"Well turns out, the Major was able to find places for them to go to and there were none left for us." Victor said with a shrug.
"What? All this work, for nobody?" Maple declared.
Betty was speechless.
"You mean, I had to cook and they're not coming?" Hilary screeched.
"Look on the bright side," Jeff observed, "at least we won't have to send twenty-four people to the hospital it will just be the eight of us." He made a poor attempt to laugh.
"AIEEEEEE!" Hilary screamed. She was just about to hit Jeff with her spatula, but Mr. Foley intervened in time to grab her arm before the spatula reached its target.
Maple threw her arms up in the air. When she turned around she saw Mackie again fiddling with the centerpiece. "That's it," she said. She grabbed the floral arrangement and threw it on the floor, burying the poinsettia under a heap of dirt, ribbon and broken glass.
Mackie looked flabbergasted, he stared at the broken centerpiece and then back at Maple.
"Fix it now, why don't you?" Maple said triumphantly.
Eugenia began to cry. Betty looked on in complete bewilderment.
Across the room Jeff shielded himself behind a chair while pleading with Hilary, who was being restrained by Victor and Mr. Foley.
"Hilary, you're being irrational," he said.
"Irrational," Hilary screamed, "You haven't seen irrational," then to Victor and Mr. Foley, "Let me go!" and back at Jeff, "you inconsiderate, insensitive ..."
Betty finally cracked. "Stop!" she declared.
"Maple," Mackie said, "that was completely uncalled for, why after all the work that you .."
"Stop it! Stop!" Betty yelled.
" ... and I and everyone else ..." Mackie lamented.
"Quiet right now, " said Betty.
Hilary stopped screaming, Mackie stopped his lecture, and even Eugenia stopped crying. Betty continued. "This is the season of peace, love and understanding!" she pleaded. Then with force she said, "We are going to have a festive Christmas Eve dinner, and we are going to enjoy it! Now sit."
Either from agreement with the logic Betty shared, or more likely from the shock of seeing her act in this fashion, the room fell into deep silence. All eyes were fixated on her; one by one they took seats at the conglomeration of tables. There was a long silence.
"Now who would like to say grace?" Betty asked.
"Grace ..." said Hilary, only she was interrupted when Jeff elbowed her sharply. Unfortunately he did this with his bad arm.
"AhhAhhaaaaa!" he yelped.
"Jeff, so glad you volunteered." Betty replied and took a seat.
"What?" Jeff sputtered. He looked around the table all eyes were fixed on him. Reluctantly he folded his hands and closed his eyes, the others did the same. "Dear Lord," Jeff began. "Thank you for the food... uhhhh ... bless everyone this Christmas." He paused trying to think of more to say. "And could you send us some peace in the world and here too. We all need it."
During the prayer with most eyes closed, few saw Mr. Foley open his, he glanced across the table and looked at Eugenia.
"Anyway, thanks for giving us this Christmas and help us remember what it's really about," Jeff continued.
Maple peaked her eyes up, looked at Jeff, then back at her plate and frowned.
"Amen," Jeff finished the prayer.
Muffled noise came from the hall. Suddenly the door burst open and Mr. Eldridge appeared.
"I found it," he said triumphantly. He held an angel in his hands.
The angel was simply made and had obviously seen many Christmases. Its halo was a little shabby and its calico dress a little worn. But it had a strange elegance to it, almost a grace. The others were baffled at the discovery.
"Wowh ...uh, Mr. Eldridge," Maple asked with some skepticism, "where did you find that angel?" She stood up to get a better look at it.
"It was back in the storage closet. I was down at McKinley's store and they were fresh out of most of their decorations, and then I thought. Say, didn't we have a nice little angel of mine at the station. And so I came back to have a look and what do you know, I found it."
"Our angel was here all along, funny," said Mackie.
"No. It was in the storage closet," observed Mr. Eldridge.
Mackie decided not to try and correct the misunderstanding.
"It may not be the fancy angel that we may have planned on," said Mr. Eldridge, "but it's here, and it's an angel all the same."
There was some shrugging going on around the room. It was hard to miss the significance behind Mr. Eldridge's words.
"Why this little angel is something my wife made many years ago," Mr. Eldridge continued. "We had had a hard year, didn't have much money. And when I set up the tree for Christmas we didn't have anything to use for decorations. So my wife looked around and found some scraps of fabric and stuffing and sewed this. We didn't have a lot but she made do using what we had."
Mr. Eldridge looked at the angel for a moment in silence as if reliving some special memory.
"Well, a couple years ago," he continued, "during the depression, I bought this angel to the station and we used it a couple years. Then it got put back in the storage closet and I couldn't find it for awhile. But it couldn't stay hidden forever."
Mackie smiled.
"Isn't it funny?" Mr. Eldridge continued, "with all the business going on everyone forgot about this little angel."
Maple's expression changed she looked a little guilty. "You're right Mr. Eldridge, there has been a lot going on lately."
"As if we could avoid that if we wanted to?" Jeff observed. "I suppose that's left us all a bit on edge."
"Maybe causing us to go picking arguments," Mackie's eyes were downcast, "where we really don't have any?"
Mackie looked up and caught Maple's eyes, she smiled at him. "I think more than one of us is guilty of that," she said apologetically.
Hilary rose from her seat to get a better look. "You know I remember this angel," she said. She stood in silence looking at it for a moment. "Yes Mr. Eldridge, I remember when you brought that angel out one year, and you told me about how your wife had made it. Oh when was that Jeff? I ... I think it was our first year here?"
"I think I do remember that," Jeff replied.
Then to Mr. Eldridge Hilary continued, "You were talking about your wife and about all those times you shared. You talked about the way your adored her when things were going well and when things were going poorly, when there was money, when there wasn't. That's really what life is about," Hilary paused, "someone who wants to be with you, who understands your weaknesses and cherishes your strengths." She took a step towards Jeff. "Someone who tries too hard just because they want to be with you so much."
Jeff smiled back at her softly.
After a moment Mackie spoke, "Mr. Foley, would you like to put this angel up in the lobby?" Mr. Foley eagerly rose to his feet. He turned to Eugenia with an inviting glance. She got up and followed him out of the room.
"Well, I guess, we'd better eat, they can join us when they get back," Maple observed. "After all we got a show to do in forty minutes."
Hilary and Betty began to pass the dishes around the room and the dinner officially commenced.
THE CHRISTMAS EVE BROADCAST went off without a hitch. The spirits were much lighter by then. Mackie was at his rapid fire voice changing best, Jeff at his most charming, Hilary her most regal, and Mr. Foley as on top of his sound effects as ever.
After the show was finished, Betty went back to the writers room to gather her things. Moments later Victor knocked at the open door.
"Betty, I really have to hand it to you, you pulled it together."
"Oh well I did nothing, I mean Mr. Eldridge was the one who really saved the moment."
"Well I know how much work you put into to getting everything together, thank you."
He turned around and headed toward the door while Betty pondered the meaning of his words. Just before leaving her Victor stopped. He turned to her and said "Merry Christmas," smiled then left.
BETTY WAS THANKFUL she had the following day off, as she walked down the hall preparing to leave the station. She sure could use the rest. Suddenly she saw Mackie coming from the studio B.
"Mackie," said Betty as she approached him, "your reading of 'I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day' was quite touching."
"Thanks."
"It's good to remember what stays constant in this world."
"Did you see Mr. Foley and Eugenia? They sure got out of here in a hurry," Mackie observed.
"Yes, I think they've gone to some place quite to have a good long talk."
"I think that just leaves Jeff and Hilary ... say, where are they?"
"I haven't seen them since the broadcast."
Mackie looked down the hall both ways while Betty went to peer into the green room, Mackie followed her.
"Jeff? Hil...?" No one. Betty was puzzled.
Just then Betty noticed a card sitting on the table. She picked it up and motioned to Mackie to come take a look as well. On the front was a drawing of a pair of castanets and a sombrero. With the phrase "Feliz Navidad" penciled across the top. Betty didn't know what to make of it, she turned to Mackie with a puzzled expression.
Mackie responded with a knowing, "Ah."
The meaning of Mackie's statement didn't hit Betty till a few sections latter, when it did she looked down at the card and then back and Mackie with an amused smile.
"I see," she said