Before anybody says anything--A Honey of Tale got moved to later in the series. Complete with a new end that...well, sets up my big arc--considering I moved it to April, it will get a few other rewrites.
Rupert Holmes, Howard Meltzer, and AMC own the rights to Remember WENN...I just like to play.
A Remember WENN Tale
Jan. 14, 1942
"Betty," Gertie called out as Betty left the control room. "You'll never guess who was on the phone!"
"President Roosevelt?"
"No, of course not. Victor."
"Victor? Calling here?" She ran to Gertie's desk. "Is he all right?"
"As fine as to be expected since he's in Cincinnati and will be in Pittsburgh tomorrow." Gertie was smiling.
"Did he say why?" Betty mentally ran through her schedule for tomorrow. Mr. Medwick and Linda Broome. There were a couple of others...
"Something about troop morale. He was in hurry. I didn't get a chance to ask him how Holl-y-wood is."
#
#
"Last night," Mackie's voice said as he started the afternoon news. "German U-boats torpedoed an oil tanker off the North Carolina coast. No reports yet on damage or casualties. The news from Philippine front..." Victor turned the radio off and looked at his audience of five, Betty, Hilary, Jeff, Maple, and Gertie.
"I've been asked to coordinate a program with various radio stations across the country. This is an opportunity for those on the homefront to partake in the war effort by assisting with morale of troops overseas. We are contemplating a series of short serials: dramatizations of books and movies, as well as original stories." Betty watched as he paced excitedly.
"And have us perform them?" Maple asked. "
Victor nodded. "I've been visiting radio stations in Ohio, Pennsylvania and New York gathering support and ideas."
"And how do we broadcast them?" Jeff asked leaning forward in his chair.
"You don't. You'll make a master recording and we'll send out copies." Victor said.
Betty nodded thoughtfully while she worried if they had time for this.
"Everything will be done at the station, and you can use the shows for your own line-up." Victor stood. "Think about it."
Betty glanced at the few assembled cast members. She noted their nods. "We'll do it."
"Original stories?" Gertie asked. Betty smiled slightly.
Victor nodded, "Ideas and scripts must be pre-approved before recording. We'll provide you with what you need." He glanced at his watch. "I'm unfortunately on a tight schedule, and need to catch the five p.m. train to Philadelphia." The others stood and started to leave. "Betty?" She turned and waited.
"How you doing?" He asked when the door shut.
"Fine. WENN keeps me busy..."
"You're doing everything?" She nodded. "You should find someone to help you. By the way, I saw Scott in DC. He asked me to say hi."
"Thanks. How have you been? How's Hollywood?"
"Hollywood's fine...Not like radio--you actually have to worry about what the character looks like." They both chuckled as she moved to stand by the sink.
"And now you've been brought in to help with the war effort...again."
"Don't worry, Donovan doesn't want to use me as a spy, this time. I'm not even sure of his exact title these days," he said. Betty nodded, she had no idea what he was talking about. He must have noticed her confusion because he frowned. "I met him in London. He was the one who suggested the whole Berlin caper. "
"Oh..." Betty studied her hands. "So, how is Scott doing?"
"He had a slight cold--let's see, that was three days ago."
"There seems to be a lot of that this year...Mackie was out almost a week. Mr. Foley took some of his parts..." She laughed. "His Vagabond was hysterical." Victor smiled at the thought.
"I have to catch a train..." Victor said as he picked up his attache case. "I'll probably be passing through again in a couple of weeks." He paused. "I'm sorry I missed your wedding..."
She smiled. "That's all right."
He took her hand, and after a moment of hesitation, shook it. "Take care."
"You too." She watched him leave then looked at the clipboard on the table. The door opened again, and Maple stuck her head in.
"A Mrs. Broome is here...She's not happy about having to wait five minutes."
Betty shrugged. She would have to placate her before discussing the revisions to their contract with Broome Brother's Department Store. "Very well, I'll be right there." She had never met Mrs. Broome, the younger Broome Brother's wife...
The very-well dressed woman, in an expensive black suit, complete with a hat and veil was waiting in the reception area. She didn't take Betty's offered hand. "I am not accustomed to being kept waiting."
"I'm terribly sorry, we were meeting with a representative of the government." Betty hoped this would impress her.
"I don't have much time. I need to return to the store..." She didn't smile or acknowledge the comment.
"Well, everything is in my office. I have a copy of the revised contract, and some ideas for your new ads." Betty took a deep breath. Gertie threw her a sympathetic smile.
"Very well." Mrs. Broome fussed with her gloves as she walked down the hall.
"Doesn't your husband usually handle these things?" Betty asked, to make conversation. She opened the office door.
"He's a captain in the army. He was recalled to active duty three weeks ago. I've taken over." She smiled slightly. "Actually, I've always handled the account books. It's just that his father has rather strong opinions on a woman's place. Bob was more than happy to let me handle the paperwork. I will admit his father is not too happy with my taking over..."
Betty laughed. "Scott or Victor always dealt with him...Now I know why."
Linda Broome smiled in return. "And now you are in charge."
Betty nodded and handed the woman the contract. "I've been in and out of in-charge for the past 3 years. My husband has started closing his letters with 'get an assistant'."
"If you find someone competent, send them my way..." Both laughed. "I've been looking for a week."
"Not a chance. I've even been asking at the university. There are just too many better paying jobs out there or they've joined up."
"We've lost about an eighth of our work force and will probably lose more." She finished skimming the contract. "I would sign it now, but Bob's father wouldn't like that. I need to have our lawyer read through it."
"Understood completely." Betty smiled slightly at that phrase. She handed the woman the other paperwork.
"I'll have someone drop it off tomorrow." She paused. "And I apologize for my behavior...It's just that I've discovered if I'm not pushy I'm ignored."
#
#
It wasn't for another hour that she finally found time to read the letter from Scott. After Mrs. Broome had left, Hilary had complained that Daphne should be able to rescue herself, then Jeff and Mr. Eldridge had announced they were volunteering to be Pittsburgh Air-Raid Wardens. This hadn't gone over well with Hilary, who had almost volunteered.
She leaned back in her chair and opened the letter.
Dearest Betty,
It's been another long day staring at my work. Painful too.
I keep thinking that you could move down here, but I just
don't see you as the stay at home type. There are times when
I am away from here for only a couple of hours at a time. So
we probably wouldn't see each other that much more.
She folded the letter and put it in her purse. She'd read the rest of it at home. Then go to bed and dream...
#
#
Hilary studied her husband carefully, then adjusted the helmet on his head. "I hope nothing falls on your fat head."
"I'm sure the helmet would protect it." Jeff pulled her close. "I'll have to remember to wear it at home."
She grimaced. "If you do, I think you'll find the couch to be very uncomfortable."
"Ahhh, pumpkin..."
"Don't pumpkin me...You're the one who's going to be strolling the somber city streets saving citizens from suffering." She removed her hand from his. "Get going before I change my mind." She watched him leave the radio station.
"Hilary, you're on in a minute," Maple called out.
A Book for Bedtime was on. Hilary wasn't thinking about the show, but rather did she have the makings for a cup of hot cocoa at home. Or would Jeff want something stronger...She smiled slightly as she picked up her script. Yes, definitely something *stronger.* Go to chapter 11