|
|
Harry Kramer: The Edgggge of Night
ACT ONE
Bill Marceau's office
Bill is working at his desk when wife Martha enters with the mail. She notices that there is a piece for her from Phoebe Smith. It is a letter thanking Martha for a transistor radio that Martha gave to Phoebe. Bill comments that it's nice to know that the younger generation still has manners. Martha reads the note:
"Dear Mrs. Marceau, I still don't know how you guessed that a radio is the one thing in the world that I wanted, not only is it good company for me in the hospital, but I wanted one for ages. I've been kind of uncomfortable for the past few days, but the radio has helped me kind of forget the pain. I wish there was some special way to tell you how much I appreciate it, but I guess 'Thank You' will have to do. I hope you and Chief Marceau have a very happy new year. Your friend, Phoebe Smith."
Bill says that it's a nice note, and wonders how long Phoebe will be incapacitated. Martha reveals that Phoebe seemed fine when Martha took her the radio...now Phoebe is complaining. Bill reminds Martha that it's hard to tell about whiplash, which isn't easy to treat or diagnose. Furthermore, it's going to be quite a mess if Phoebe is in for the long siege. Martha worries that there'll be permanent damage. Bill admits that a long convalescence for Phoebe could mean real trouble for John, as Phoebe and her grandmother could slap a law suit on John that would bleed him financially for the rest of his life. Martha doesn't think Phoebe could be so vindictive, but Bill sees Phoebe's side...if she is damaged from the accident, then she's justified in suing John for whatever the law allows. Cookie buzzes in and tells Bill that Ken Emerson is waiting to see him. "He wants to get more dope on his series on delinquency," Bill explains to Martha. Martha is too preoccupied with Phoebe's letter to hear what Bill said.
Harry Kramer:The Edge of Night is brought to you by Thrill.
COMMERCIAL BREAK
ACT TWO
Scene 1
Phoebe Smith's hospital room
Phoebe is being visited by her friend Liz Hillyer. Liz says that she doesn't know what Phoebe is complaining about... the hospital room is so much better than the hotel she lives in. Phoebe laments that it gets boring after a while. Liz asks if she'll be there longer. Phoebe hasn't decided yet and admits to Liz that she's actually fine. Liz wonders how much money Phoebe will get. Phoebe says that she doesn't know, but she and her grandmother told Mike Karr that Phoebe might not ever get better and that her "brilliant career as an actress might be ruined." Liz wants to know how Phoebe can fool everyone so easily. It's easy. "Just think sick," Phoebe laughs. Liz remarks that she can't wait to tell Lonnie, Gary, and Bruce how Phoebe fooled the whole hospital. Phoebe warns Liz not to tell anyone. Phoebe only confided in Liz because she's her best friend and might need Liz to swear that Phoebe has never driven a car before. However, Phoebe decides that Liz can tell Lonnie, and wishes that "the jerk will call or come by and see me or something." Liz informs her that Lonnie went skiing up in the mountains with his folks for Christmas. Phoebe is surprised that Lonnie did the family scene, but Liz reveals that Lonnie went only with the promise of a car from his mother. Phoebe wonders how "he gets his kicks up there in the mountains skiing." Liz responds coyly, "I guess there is plenty of SNOW up there."
Phoebe:Come off it, Liz. Lonnie has made the scene with bennies and pills, but he's never fooled with "H".
Liz: I wouldn't put it past him.
Phoebe: You don't know him like I do. He is too smart to get hooked.
Liz:Well, if he is so smart, why doesn't he stay out of trouble with the police?
Phoebe:Getting picked up a few times. That's not real trouble. They've never been able to make a charge stick.
Phoebe tells Liz to call Lonnie to see if he's home yet, as Phoebe wants to see him. "He is the only person I know who might have a few angles I haven't thought of yet," Phoebe smirks.
Scene 2
Bill Marceau's office
Bill approves Ken's plans for a story about the "privileged delinquent". Bill says that more than half the scrapes these kids get into won't end up in the police blotter because people don't want to press charges or the arresting officer is too lenient. 'It's as though we're living in an age of juvenile supremacy," Bill laments. "The teenagers own the world." Bill continues by commenting that many parents are afraid of their own kids. "They are afraid to discipline them. They are afraid to control them. They are afraid to deny them anything. And this is the result, " Bill rants. He says that he's seen the results. "I see vandalized houses. I see 17 year-old thugs. I see the teenagers on so much dope that they are in orbit. I see the young girls who are 'in trouble'."
Ken wonders if any of these teens would be willing to talk to him, as he could interview them and then print their stories under fictitious names. Bill gives Ken permission to do so, adding that "it might be an excellent idea for the public to get a verbatim account about how these punks think and act." Ken tries to calm Bill down, but the word "punk" still stands. "They come in button-down models as well as T-shirts," Bill reminds him. Bill then gives Ken a file on some of the hardcore repeaters... the kids they pick up time and time again. Ken says that he'll take it to Cookie's desk and look it over. "You might even learn a thing or two," advises Marceau.
COMMERCIAL BREAK
ACT THREE
Martha's desk at Police Headquarters
Ken comes out of Bill's office and uses Cookie's desk. Martha says that Cookie was sorry to miss Ken, and Martha is glad Cookie knows him, because he's helped Cookie readjust. Ken remarks that it wasn't one-sided. He was very introverted, but Cookie has changed all that. His wife has been dead almost 15 years, and there's never been anyone who counted. Cookie is beginning to count, though. Ken admits that he thinks it's wrong as he's twice Cookie's age. Martha says that it doesn't horrify her as much as it does him, but she can see Ken's point-of-view. Martha asks if Ken has told Cookie how he feels, but Ken responds that he hasn't because he doesn't want to chase her away.
COMMERCIAL BREAK
Harry Kramer: The first half of The Edge of Night has been brought to you by Gleem toothpaste.
STATION BREAK
Harry Kramer: And now the second half of The Edgggge of Night... brought to you by Bayer Aspirin.
ACT FOUR
Scene 1
Phoebe's hospital room
The doctor examines Phoebe, who claims more pain which she says comes and goes. The doctor suggests that maybe if she were in more familiar surroundings, her pain might go away. The doctor suspects that Phoebe might be suffering from a conditioned reflex. Since she is in a hospital, she expects to feel pain. He says that he'll probably let her go in time for New Year's. Phoebe says, "I know what my New Year's resolution would be... to get well as soon as possible.
Scene 2
Cookie's desk
Bill sees that Ken has already made his selection of names to interview: Whitey Bernhardt, Alma Norris, and Lonnie Winters. Bill says that these are candidates "par excellence" and thinks that Norris and Winters especially would talk to Ken. They're both egoists as well as exhibitionists Bill explains.
Ken points out that Bernhardt is the only one of them with a conviction. Only because they dug up a victim who would press charges , Bill comments. However, the sentence was three months for a first offense. Ken says that Bernhardt was arrested 5 times, but Bill reveals that the police were never able to make a charge stick. He also points out that they were never able to nail "young Winters". Ken notes that Winters lives out in the Claybank area, so his folks must be loaded. Bill says that Lonnie's father is Horace Winters: the sportsman, the races, sailing yachts, and part-time parent. Ken observes that Lonnie's socialite mother is always making the society page, grinning at some charity event. Bill remarks that "the biggest act of charity she could do is to keep that boy of hers locked up at home under lock and key." Furthermore, Bill explains, "The Winters say that Lonnie is a high-spirited boy just feeling his wild oats. They are not wanting to admit there is a problem because if they do, they will have to deal with it, but they can't. They're too busy."
Harry Kramer:Our story continues after this message.
COMMERCIAL BREAK
ACT FIVE
Bill's office
Martha comes in with coffee and doughnuts. They talk about Martha wanting to adopt a child. Bill states emphatically that he doesn't like the idea. He doesn't want the responsibility of raising "someone else's child". Martha says that there's something missing in their marriage. "If raising a child doesn't appeal to you, then maybe I failed you, " Martha cries to Bill. "I'm the one who failed," Bill counters. He says that he wants to make Martha happy, and if raising a child will do it, they should call an adoption agency soon.
COMMERCIAL BREAK
Harry Kramer:Tune in again tomorrow for The Edgggge of Night. This portion of The Edge of Night has been brought to you by Fletcher's Castoria.
