Time, Fantasy. From the past starring Jane Wyatt. I beg your pardon. Oh, yes? Is that your newspaper lying there on the park bench? Why, yes it is. May I look at it a moment please? If you wish, of course. Here, I'll move over. Sit down. Thank you. Well, there you are. I hope you don't hit me forward. I'll only be a minute. Oh, take as much time as you like. Here, would you roll yourself a cigarette? What? Oh, no thanks. Sorry, I can't offer you a tailored one. Oh, quite all right, thank you. Out of a job, huh? Yes, but don't tell me I look that desperate. No, I... Well, I notice you've turned to the help wanted columns. Yes, but somebody seems to have been there ahead of me. These ads are certainly all marked up with pencils. Maybe you can say that again. I was lucky even to find a pencil. Oh, you too. Yeah. Oh, I'm sorry. Oh, that's all right. Nobody needs to feel sorry for me. I'll get along. You've been to all these places you've marked here in this column? Sister, I've been there and then some. And you didn't get one of them? No, not one. Why, look at the soles on my shoes. Here, look. Those are yesterday's want ads I'm walking off. How long have you been out of work? Oh, I don't know, about 10 weeks. First, I had a lot of dough. I thought I was a wise guy, I wouldn't have any trouble getting another job. I was wrong. I dropped all my money and I've been sleeping here on this park bench for the past three weeks. When do you eat? Whenever I can. Today, I'm all right. I got a chance to make a couple of iron men yesterday. Iron men? But, Starlet. Oh. You, uh, been around town much? I've been here about two weeks. I came up from Sandville. You got people here? No. My father and stepmother live in Sandville. I... Well, my stepmother and I have never been anything more than barely civil to each other. Oh, I get it. So you've come here to get a job. No, I've come here to get a job. How much money you got? Well, I... I really don't think that's anyone to pay. Oh, bother. If you've got to be formal about it, my name's Mark Matthew. And mine's Luke Jones. Oh, I'm serious. My name is Mark Matthew. I was named after the two gentlemen who helped write the Bible. Well, my name's Mary Billings. Well, Miss Billings, I'm mighty pleased to know you. Now that we're thoroughly acquainted and completely good friends, you tell me when you ain't left. I'm all right. You look hungry. Oh, yes, I... I guess I am. Join me for a hamburger? With onion? As you like, and a cup of coffee. Is that a date? Mary, I... Well, I'm sorry, I can't buy you a 35-cent blue plate. I'd love a hamburger, Mark. Then it's a deal. Okay, Mr. Matthew, it is a deal. Want another hamburger, Mary? No, thanks. Two's plenty. You shouldn't have made me that second one. I'm sure you can't afford it. Oh, I know where I can make a dollar or so tomorrow. I'll buy some cigarettes if you don't think you can roll them. No, thanks, no. And don't buy any. I really don't smoke much. Say, hey, you're a nice girl to know. I'm not a nice girl to know. I'm a nice girl to know. I'm a nice girl to know. I'm a nice girl to know. I'm a nice girl to know. I'm a nice girl to know. Inexpensive. I really don't know why I'm letting you do this for me. I'm not in the habit of... Oh, I know, I know. Neither am I. But my Irish mother taught me never to ignore a pretty young woman who was hungry. Say, you are pretty, you know. I thought you were going to be different. I'm different. I say I'm going to feed you hamburgers and I feed you hamburgers. No, and good ones, too. I know they're good. I've been eating them for weeks. Well, I think I'll answer this ad. Hmm? Oh, say, did you drag that old beaten up newspaper in here with you? Certainly I did. I'm still looking for a job, even if my hunger has been temporarily satisfied. Well, if you can find a job out of that bunch, you're a better job hunter than I am. Well, you haven't tried this one. Someone's looking for a woman. Hmm. Sounds good. Mm-mm. Very. Listen. Wanted. Sonographer. If you are an ambitious, talented, and reasonably attractive young woman who can use a typewriter, the adding machine, and can write shorthand, apply in person to see Mr. Gibson Friday night after midnight, room 1313, Temple Building. Hmm. Do you think you can fill the bill? Are you ambitious? I can use a typewriter. Are you talented? I can operate an adding machine. And are you reasonably attractive? You told me you thought I am pretty. Remember? Besides, I also know how to write shorthand. Then apply for the job by all means. I think I will. But I don't like this apply after midnight angle. Yeah. That is very unusual. Why at that time of night? Well, maybe it's a night job. Anyway, I'm going to have a try at it. Room 1313, Temple Building. Where's the Temple Building? On the other side of town. How far, Mark? Oh, about 10 or 12 miles. Oh. Hey, you need car fare. Here, take this half buck. Oh, Mark. Well, I'm not going to argue about it. I'll take it. And I'll return the money tomorrow night. I get a small check from my father tomorrow morning. That's all right, Mary. I'll meet you, well, let me see. I'll meet you here in the park at the same bench. And I'll let you know how I come out of the job in the Temple Building. Yes, this is the Temple Building, all right. What's it quiet in here? Dimly lighting, nobody around. Not even a hall quarter. This is a very strange place. Here. Here's the building directly. Well, let's see, what is the man's name? Oh, yes, Gibson. Gibson, Gibson. No, no Gibson listed here. This company's name is probably here, but I don't know that name. Now, let's see, how does one get up to the 13th floor? Here's an open elevator, but there's no one to operate it. Oh, this is the type you operate yourself. Just step in. Press the button marked 13. The door's closed. And up we go. Oh, I'd better say a little prayer that I get this job. Amen. There. Here we are. My, it must be a night job. This entire floor is one huge office. Row at the row of desks with people working in it. And brilliant lights everywhere. This city must be a big country. May I help you, Miss? Oh, yes, please. I've come in answer to the Adler newspaper. Ad? Oh, advertisement. Here. I'm afraid I don't know what you mean. Uh, uh, Mr. Gibson advertised for a young woman to do typing and, and shorthand. Here, I've cut out the ad. This is it. May I see it, please? Thank you. I see. Mr. Gibson failed to tell me he had inserted an advertisement in the bee. Oh, but this was in the time. I'm sorry, young lady. Mr. Gibson uses only the bee. You'll find his office right down this aisle, the first door to your left. Room 1313. Thank you. Just knock on his door and he'll answer you. Yes, thanks. That's strange. These people all seem very modern and yet, yet they have that press acquaintance. They're odd. They, they look old fashioned. Oh, here's the door. Knock, knock, knock, knock. Come in, please. Mr. Gibson? Yes, come in, please, and close the door. Thank you. Sit down, sit down, young lady. Don't just stand there. Yes, sir. I, uh, I've come about the job, sir. The one you mentioned in your ad in the Times? Times? I never advertised in anything but the bee. You read my advertisement in the bee, I'm sure. You want a stenographer? One who can type, use the adding machine, and take directions? Yes. I'm very ambitious, Mr. Gibson, and I feel that I can learn the work quickly. I'm easily taught. Good, good. I, uh, your ad asks for a moderately attractive girl. I'll try to be neat and tidy, sir. My dear young lady, if your qualifications are as you claim, I feel you'll do very nicely. Here, take this pencil, please, and this pad. There now. Are you ready to take a letter? Yes, sir. Address it, Mr. Hugh Lanning, 1501 Tower Building, City. Dear Mr. Lanning, we have received your order for the office materials listed on your invoice, and I shall personally see to it that the items ordered are assembled, boxed, and shipped to you immediately. We are exceedingly thankful for your order, and we trust you will find our service up to its usual promptness and carefulness. If we may serve you again in the future, please be assured every attention will be given to your desires. Yours very truly, the Acme Office Supply Company by Jonathan Gibson. Got that? Yes, sir. Now, will you type it up, please? Use that machine over there. You'll find paper in the drawer. Yes, sir. Uh, how old are you, young lady? Twenty-two. Hmm. Your name? Mary Billings. Uh, where were you born? In St. Louis. That's about 35 miles from here. Hmm. Are you ready to start work tonight, if you prove satisfactory? Oh, yes. Uh, what salary will you expect? That would depend upon the work, sir. You must know what's fair. Well, say, uh, say, $20 a week? Shall we say that to begin with? Then if I do more than $20 worth of work, I'll ask for a raise. It's my opinion that employees should be paid according to the amount of work they do. Hmm, true, young lady. Quite true. Uh, what's your home address, please? 2122 Melrose. I'm only there temporarily. Will you please sign this, Mr. Bittman? Eh? What? Sign what? The letter you gave me. It's ready. Finished? Already? Young lady, you're quite efficient. You see, typing is neat. I like it. Thank you, sir. I, uh, I hope I may have the job. Yes, of course. But one thing, Miss, uh, Billings. Yes, sir? Your clothes, my dear. There, shall we say, uh, a little too modern. Too modern? I, I talk in quite conservative. The neckline and the skirt length and the sleeves. I, I'm afraid, Miss Billings, you'll be compelled to wear a tight neck dress, long sleeves, and, uh, a skirt to the ankles. Like, uh, like the others outside I dressed, sir? Yes, exactly. And the rouge and lipstick. We don't use cosmetics for the Acme Company, Miss Billings. Very well, sir. And the, uh, the short haircut. Bob, I believe it's called. It will let your hair grow out, Miss Billings. Meanwhile, you will add a switch to your hair. Yes, Mr. Gibson. Now, if you just step outside and speak to the young lady at the reception desk, she'll show you a place to work and assign your duties. Mr. Gibson, I, I can't thank you enough. I, I work very hard. And I'll try to be a credit to your company. I'm sure you will, Miss Billings. May I tidy up your office before I take over my work? Tidy up my office? Well, yes, if you'll pardon me. We really could stand a little cleaning and dusting. So many cobwebs and dust everywhere. Look at these windows. Look at the... Like as though they hadn't been washed in years. And your calendar needs changing, Mr. Gibson. My calendar? Yes, look. It says April 16th. This is January 16th. My dear girl, you're mistaken. This is the 16th day of April. And the calendar says 1912. That's right. This is 1912. But, Mr. Gibson, this is 1942. And it's January, not April. My dear young lady, are you an earnest? Why, of course I am. This is the 16th of January, 1942. Oh, certainly. You must be jesting. No, Mr. Gibson, I'm not jesting. This is not 1912. It's 1942. I... I can't understand what would lead you to say something like that. Here. Here, young lady, this newspaper. Today's. Now look at the date on it. April the 16th, 1912. There, you see? Gibson, you say this is today's newspaper? Of course, of course it is. Look at it yourself. Phrase ink. You smell it? Phrase paper. Hmm. Yes, you're right. But... but those headlines. Yes, a... a terrible disaster. The Titanic sunk at sea on her maiden voyage. Yes, she hit an iceberg. A sad tragedy. But that was 30 years ago. Long before I was born. What was that? I'm afraid I don't hear very well these days. Wait. It wasn't important. Should I take over my work now? Yes, if you will. We need your services very badly. Business is exceptionally good and I'll admit it's difficult to find a young woman with as much ability as you have. Thank you, Mr. Gibson. I'll try to live up to your expectations. I feel certain you will, Miss Billings. If there's anything you don't understand, just ask the young lady at the front desk. Yes, thank you, I shall. Thank you very much, Mr. Gibson. Mr. Gibson said to see you about the work I'm to do here? Yes. You will use desk number 27. That's over there, the one with the rose pot in the vase. Yes, I... I see it. I believe I'll let you work on the first of the month invoices. Here, use these invoice blanks. The books are on that metal table by your desk. Yes, thank you. How, uh... How do you want the invoices dated? May 1st, 1912. May 1st, 1912. That's right. We'll reach our customers the first day of May. And, um... Did Mr. Gibson mention about your clothes? Oh, yes, he did. But he said I was to go to work now and take care of changing later. Very well. You'll find paper, pencils and erasers in your desk. Thank you. I've filled out this form for you. Tell me if it's correct. Name, Mary Billings. Born at Sandville, age 22. You were born in 1890 then, weren't you? That... That would be 22 years ago, wouldn't it? Your hours will be from midnight until 8 a.m. You may take time out at 4 o'clock for refreshment. One hour. If you have any questions about your work, please don't hesitate to ask me. Miss Billings speaking. Yes, Mr. Gibson. In your office? Yes, sir. I'll come in immediately. Yes, Mr. Gibson. You'll stand for me? Yes. Sit down, Miss Billings. The dawn will be here soon, Miss Billings. I... I don't have a watch. And there are no clocks in the office. You noticed? Yes. Ah, yes. The dawn will soon be here. And all too soon. I haven't been here long, Mr. Gibson, but... I enjoy the work I've done so far. Yes. Miss Johnson reports you give all your attention to your work. She reports that you're extremely efficient. Oh, I'm glad, sir. I've tried to apply myself. Yes. You were just as I expected you would be. What was that, Mr. Gibson? I mean, I could tell by the work you did in here for me that... you would be quite capable. I hope you like me well enough to allow me to keep the job. I... I want you to go home now, my dear. You've done quite enough work for tonight. But I had just the soonest day of my full time. No, no, no. Won't pay to overwork the first day, you know? Here, Miss Billings, is your check. My check? Yes. You probably need a little money. Why, yes, but... No, no, no. Just cash the check and get what you need with the money. But this check is made out for $80. Yes. I believe that was the amount, wasn't it? Why, I... I don't understand. Would you mind going now, Miss Billings? The dawn will soon be here and... Would you mind going now? Why, I know what you wish. Thank you, my dear. And may I wish you every happiness, Miss Billings. Every happiness in the world. Good day, now. Mary! I say, Mary, wait for me! Oh, Mark, I've been waiting so long. I thought you wouldn't come. Oh, Mary. Oh, boy, am I glad to see you. I could hardly wait all day to hurry here and tell you the news. You? Yes. I've got a job and a good one. $55 a week. Oh, Mark, I'm so happy for you. Yeah, and I got some swell ideas. I'm going to tell you what I'm going to do. What? I'm going to tell you what I'm going to do. What? I'm going to tell you what I'm going to do. What? I'm going to tell you what I'm going to do. I'm going to tell you what I'm going to do. Hey, how about your job? Well, I got it, Mark, but I don't know what to think about it. Everything was so strange. Yeah? What happened? Well, I went to the temple building and I took the elevator up to the 13th floor. So I took the check and left the building. Just at dawn, beginning to break. Hmm. That's odd. Very. Look, Mary, you have to go to work at midnight, you say. Do you mind if I go along? I know. I suppose it'll be all right. Good. I want to get a look at the kind of a businessman who'd have a 1912 calendar on his office wall. That's some elevator, hmm? You push the button for yourself. I guess I figured it'd come down over here. No operator. Here we are. Mark. Hey. Are you sure you pushed the right button? I'm positive. Look at this place. I thought you said this entire floor was an office. Yes, it was. But now there's nothing but one dim light. Sheeps are jangling, boxes are barreled and it's tough here. But this floor isn't used for anything but storage space. But there were desks here, lots of them, and people working. Oh, but Mary, there couldn't have been. Wait a minute. Mark, lying over there on the floor. Let's see. There's something glittering over here. Hmm. It's a lipstick. Mark, it's my lipstick. What? Yes. I missed it just after I left the building only this morning. I must have dropped it here while I was waiting for the elevator. Then... Then what you told me did happen. Yes, Mark. I'm very certain of that. Very certain. Come inside a minute, Mark, will you? I want you to take a check of the little man they gave from laid out to me. Yeah, I want to see it. There's something else I want you to look at. Something I brought with me from home. Come in. You said this fellow Gibson had a City Bee newspaper on his desk. Yes. Dated April 16th, 1912. Well, you might not know it, but the Bee went out of business in this town 20 years ago. But... The ink was fresh. And the paper. Any newspaper printed 30 years ago would have been yellow and faded. Yeah, that's true. Oh, is that the check? Yes. Yes. Hmm. And for 80 dollars... Wait a minute. Do you notice this, Mary? The check's made out to Margaret Billing. Yes. I noticed that this morning, but I thought Mr. Gibson had just made a mistake. Now, I... I think I know the answer. You? Say, what are these things in this little bar? Are they souvenirs? Yes, more or less. Here, they're made from handkerchief. Oh, that's lovely. They belong to my mother. Her name was Margaret. Oh. I see. And... This is a portion of the diary she kept up to a year after I was gone. 16, 1912. 10, 11. Here's 1912. What are you looking for, Mary? I'm not sure, Mark. February, March, April. Here, April. April 16th. Here we are. Well, Mary? Mark. Listen. ... Here's what my mother wrote in her diary on April 16th, 1912. Today, the acting office of Black Company on the 13th floor of the Temple Building declared bankruptcy. 42 employees were left without work. So, the month's pay due each of us. I went to Mr. Gibson, the owner, and asked for at least a portion of the money he owed me. But he said he was unable to pay a cent. He promised, however, to pay me the $80 he owed me, just as soon as possible. This was bad news for me, indeed. Almost as bad as the news the headlines carried in today's paper. Titanic was sunk at sea on her maiden voyage. ... Dark fantasy. You have heard death from the past. A tale of dark fantasy starring that popular Hollywood actress, Jane Wyatt, and written especially for her by Scott Bishop. We wish to thank Miss Wyatt for her most excellent portrayal tonight of Mary Billings, and we join Jane Wyatt in urging you to do your bit toward the cause nearest to President Roosevelt's heart on his Diamond Jubilee. Give to your local Mile of Dimes committee. Ben Morris was heard tonight as Mark Matthew, Eleanor Naylor Corran was the office manager, and Muir Height played Mr. Gibson. Next Friday night at this same time, we'll bring you another unusual tale of dark fantasy, The Headless Dead. Miss Wyatt appeared tonight through the courtesy of the RKO Studios. Dark fantasy originates each Friday night in the studios of WKY, Oklahoma City. Tom Paxton speaking. This is the National Broadcasting Company. ...
