Radio mirror (Nov 1934-Apr 1935)

"But what I wanted to say was that under the stress of his — uh — emotion, Toby was probably very careless in what he said. I'm sure he was upset at the very thought of you not working beside him." Margy laughed shortly. "And because Toby is in love with me — and I doubt it very much — you think 1 ought to go back and work with him?" "I'm terribly worried about Toby," the professor said. "I'm really quite fond of him. Heart of gold sort of chap and all that sort of thing. Margy, I'm afraid he'll slip terribly as a result of this — uh — misunderstanding." "Take to drink, you mean?" "Yes. Possibly." "Give up his whole career?" "I'm afraid so. He said as much to me yesterday!" Margy considered that a minute. "Have you a script for the audition?" she asked. "Yes," said the professor, "I finished it about o'clock this morning." "And the brandy too?" "Brandy? I didn't have any brandy? I say, what are you talking about?" "Nothing professor. I'd forgotten you were practically a tee-totaler these days. . . . May I see the script?" "I have a copy here. Then you will be ready to rehearse this afternoon?" Margy shook her head. "I didn't say that. But I'd like to see the script." * "But you will, won't you?" three • "David and I," said Margy proudly, "are engaged. We're going to be married." "I don't think Toby would want me back — after what happened yesterday." "Oh, I'm sure he would," said the professor earnestly. "Why, he's nuts about you. Uh — those were his words, not mine." "By the way," Margy said innocently, "if this audition doesn't go through what will you do?" "Oh, say. I forgot to tell you. I've been offered my old job back at the college. Might be a bit dull after this jolly radio business but still, it might be fun to train the young mind again. But, it's on account of poor Toby, you must give it another trial." MJARGY had been glancing through the script. "I'll think it over, professor," she said. And she didn't say much more after that because she was thinking. The professor finished his coffee, excused himself and left. As she heard his footsteps going down the stairs, Margy spoke to herself. "Men," she said, grinning without realizing it. "Are either the darndest fools or the darndest liars. In this case, I think my boy friends are both." After a while she said: "I wonder if either one of them really care for me?" And still later — "That will fix them !" * * * Toby and the professor met at the Consolidated studios at noon. Toby looked through the script and was enthusiastic. "Prof, if we only had Margy, we'd be set," he declared. "I think you're right, Toby! Perhaps she'll change her mind." "Well," said Toby thoughtfully. "Dames are funny. She might at that." J^ EITHER even hinted to the other that they had seen and talked to the girl. David Mason happened along the corridor. "Already for the audition tomorrow night?" He asked. "No," said Toby, "we aren't. I've heard every possible stooge in New York and there's not one of them good enough." "What are you going to do?" Mason asked. He looked worried. "Cancel the audition, I suppose," Toby said. He didn't dare let himself be too hopeful about Margy. "You can't do that, Toby. That cigar account will go to National or Columbia and we'll lose the biggest piece of business that has come in in years. And you'll be through here." Miss Gordon of the casting bureau came hurriedly through the corridor. She saw Toby. "Oh, Mr. M alone. I've been looking everywhere for you," she gasped. "I think I've got just the girl you're looking for for that audition." Toby and the professor jumped up in their excitement. "Where is she?" Toby demanded. "I want to hear her right away!" "That's the trouble," Miss Gordon said sadly. "She can't come in today. I believe she said she was calling from nut of town. But she'll be in tomorrow by four o'clock!" "What?" Toby spluttered. (Continued on page 66) ; 28