 Proudly, we hail from New York City where the American stage begins. Here's another program of the cast of Outstanding Players. Public Service Time has been made available by this station to bring you this story. As proudly we hail the United States Army. The story is entitled Blind Date. A story of William Burt in Paris and how they become involved in a little romance, some high finance and a little of skull-duggery. Our first act curtain will rise in just one moment. But first, today you young men of America have an excellent opportunity to learn a trade that will assure your future. Under the Reserve for You training program, your army is training high school graduates in such interesting fields as radio, radar, electronics, guided missiles. Well, that's just to name a few. Actually, there are over 100 courses to choose from. And you can make your own choice and receive a letter of acceptance which guarantees you a seat in your choice before you enlist. You can become a qualified technician, trained to do an important job and do it right. So for full information about an exciting career, you visit your nearest United States Army Recruiting Station. Ask all about the Reserve for You training program. Remember, there is no obligation. And now your United States Army presents the proudly we hail production, Blind Date. The unluckiest guy in the whole United States Army. Yes, sir, that's me. I'm not the smartest or the dumbest. I am not the best looking. No, no, no, I'm not. But like I'm telling you, I am the unluckiest and that's a fact. To give you a slight idea what I'm talking about, take that deal I got lost up in when I was in Paris. Paris, France, that is. Ooh, what a beating. The way it happened, I was making a little time with this classy little chick, Michelle. She worked in a perfume shop in a Rue de la Guerre. You in one moment, Monsieur. Just one moment. Take your time, honey. What can I do for you to do? It is you. In the flesh, baby. I'm so happy to see you. Why didn't you tell me what I passed today? I would have asked Madame Boucher to give me afternoon off. Or you should have told me. Well, I don't have a pass, sweetie. I just came in to pick up something for the Colonel. I've got to get right back to camp. Oh, that's too bad. And I thought you come to see Michelle. Oh, that's all I ever come in for, sweetie. Believe me. You naughty boy. I'll say that to all the girls I know. You'll wound me when you say things like that, Michelle, right here, deep down. Oh, Willie. I was only fooling. You're such a silly boy. There are certain things I don't fool about, sweetie, and you are one of them. Well, I've got to be getting back now. I'm so sorry, Willie. I'll be back Saturday. That's only two days. We've got a date for Saturday night, remember? Oh, Saturday. Of course. I've been looking forward to it. I'll pick you up at eight, sweetie. I've got some mighty big plans. Now you wait and see. Willie, ma foie, I forgot. What's the matter? I cannot go. What do you mean you can't go? You've got another date. Who's a wise apple? It's trying to cut in on me. I'll pulverize it. No, no, no, no, no. It's nothing like that. It is my cousin, Georgette. She's coming from Lio to spend the weekend with me. I cannot leave her alone. I'm so very sorry. It is all my fault. Wait a minute. I've got an idea. What is that? A friend of mine. What do you think of that? Willie, you're wonderful. Oh, smart you are. Take nothing of it, sweetie. Let me see who I'm going to bring. Harry, he's a crumb. Charlie. Wait, wait, wait. That's who I'll take good old bite. Tell me, sweetie, what kind of girl is this, Georgette? What? Oh, she's very sweet, my cousin. And he puts its minion charm up. Oh, Willie, you will like her. And she's very smart. Oh, you will like her very much. Okay, it's that late o'clock Saturday night. Good. We will be ready. I've got to shove off now. I told the first sergeant I'd be back by five o'clock. So long, sweetie. Goodbye, Willie. I ain't going. You don't want to go, but don't go. But you've got to have a reason. All I want for you to do is to tell me why. That's all. Go ahead, talk yourself blue in the face. I still ain't going. Give me one good reason. I don't want any part of your blind date. So what's that? It's a court martial offense? And after all I've done for you. What do you ever do for me? What's the thing? Name what? Well, that cold detail. I'll get you off of that. Yes or no? Oh, yeah, you got me off of that. Okay. The first sergeant was waiting for me with open arms. How about that? Then he stuck me on KP for a whole week. That's what you did for me, buddy. Well, I wasn't anything wrong with the plan, Bert. You got to admit that. Just that when you're dealing with an abnormal mind like Sergeant Mulaney, anything is liable to happen. Who can figure it? Well, I'm really not blaming you, Willie. The only thing is, every time you get an idea, it turns sour. So just give me the 2,000 francs you owe me and I'll take care of myself this weekend. All right, Bert? That's the way you feel about it? That's the way I feel. Now, let's have the 2,000. We'll be the same old pals as always, huh? Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, the 2,000. But, uh, I wanted to talk to you about that, uh... You ain't got my 2,000. Well, Bert, I didn't say that exactly. You'll get your money. Yeah. It's just that I can't lay my hands on it at the moment. I'll tell you what I'm gonna do. Stop snowing me, Willie. You ain't got my 2,000 and you know it. And that's why you give me the big pitch about the date, too. Oh, it ain't that bad. I want you to come along because I know you'll have a good time. Believe me. Either I go with you or since I'm dead broke, I don't go any place. That's the deal, right? Well, I wouldn't put it that way. Okay, I give up. I'll go. Ah, you're talking. Now, look, I'll meet you in front of Michelle's house at a quarter to eight. Here's the address. 26 Rury Scene. Now, don't be late. Where are you going? I'm gonna stop at special services. I gotta get some tickets from Brownigan for that show they're putting on tonight. I'll see you later, mate. Yeah, yeah, I'll see you, Willie, but I'm warning you. If I get stuck this time again, if this deal goes sour, I'm gonna tear you limb from limb. You hear that? Limb from limb. And there you can see the kind of people I am forced to associate with. I mean, you'll be here of anything like that in all your life. I'm doing the guy a big favor, and he shows his gratitude by throwing rocks at me. If I had any brains, I'd have spittin' his eye right then and there. Limb from limb. He's gonna tear me to neck with that guy. And what are you gonna do? Oh, hello, Willie. What's the good word? Brownigan, my old pal. I ain't seen you in a dog's age. How you been? Not bad, not bad. What can I do for you, Willie? Nothing much. I just thought I'd drop in and shoot the breeze a while. I haven't seen you in such a long time. I said to myself, I think I'll drop in on my old buddy Brownigan and see how he's making out. Ah, ah. Okay, Willie, let's have it. What do you want? Now, what kind of way is that to talk? I'm telling you, I was passin' this way. Willie, Willie. Well, as a matter of fact, there is somethin' I wanted to see you about. That show you're runnin' down at the Odeon Theater in Paris tonight. I want four tickets. Sure, sure. Eight hundred francs. Eight hundred? That's it. Two hundred francs apiece. Yeah. Well, I tell you what, Brownigan, now you happen to be a little short right now. I'll put him on a cuff, huh? Not a chance, Willie. Brownigan, I'm surprised at you. You mean you won't trust me for a lousy eight hundred francs? I wouldn't trust you for eight francs. Wait a second, Brownigan, you can't talk to me like that. I'm no deadbeat. I don't know you a single franc. No, sir, not a single franc. Now, don't get excited, Willie. I didn't say you're dead. Well, what an attitude! Gee! Not a single franc. But how about the thirty-two bucks I lent you at Fort Fennie? All right. Then there was fourteen pounds in Nottingham and the twelve thousand lira in Naples. No francs, of course, but what about... All right, all right, all right! I said all I did was ask you for four lousy tickets. You give me a lesson in ancient history. I just thought I'd remind you that's all. Thanks. Uh, Brownigan. Yeah, Willie? Brownigan, buddy, I wouldn't ask you if it wasn't important. Oh, Bob. What do you mean important? This is a question of eating? No, well, my girl's cousin's coming in from out of town and I promised we'd take her. Oh, uh, pretty nice number, huh? What do you mean nice? She's terrific. You see that, Willie? The only time I see you is when you want something. Why don't you count me in on one of these deals once in a while? You. Sure, sure, me. I'm human, you know. I'd like to go out with a nice intelligent girl once in a while, too. I didn't know you was interested. And I ain't no dope, either. I do a lot of reading. I'm the kind of a person who can talk on practically any subject. Now he tells me. I'd rather have an intelligent guy like you than that baboon bite, but I just got through talking him into the deal. Well, you figure out how to count me in and you can have the tickets. Now, let me think a second. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. Yeah, yeah, yeah. I think I know how we can rub that ignoramus out of the picture. Oh, wait a minute. Is it ethical? Certainly. This guy's out of his class anyway. There'll be a favor to him. And here's what I want you to do. You come to Michelle's apartment, 26, Rue Racine at 10 after 8, and tell Burt that Sergeant Mulaney is looking for him because his orders have come in for him to go to that rest cap on the Riviera. Uh-huh. He's been trying to work that deal. And when he hears that, he'll hightail it back to the base so fast it'll blow your hat off. You think it'll work? It's a cinch. Now, give me the tickets. I'll bring them with me. Oh, you've got such a suspicious nature. Hey, what floor are they in? Sixth. Sixth? We can fly and play for this? Say, you brat, what are you doing with that handkerchief? My nose is bleeding. Never could take the altitude. All right, wise guy, knock it off. There. Fine and dandy, sweetie. I'm... Oh, Michelle, I want you to meet my friend Burt. Burt, Michelle. Oh, I'm very happy to make you a queen. Oh, I'm very happy to meet you. Oh, Willie. He's so cute, you friend. No, sit down. Sit down, I will call Jorgette. Jorgette, do you hear Jorgette? That girl. I'll go and get her now. You make yourself comfortable and I will be right back. Willie, what a tomato. Maybe I'm going to have to apologize to you after all. Naturally. The thing is, you've got a lane to trust me a little bit. Yeah, I know. I happen to be a very honest fellow. All right, Gary. This is Willie and his friend Burt. How do you do? Place to meet you, I'm sure. Likewise. Ah, the first thing we're going to do... Willie, later, but I want... Now, Willie, I want to talk to you right now. Private. Sure, buddy, anything you say. Your boss would like something to drink, some cognac? Yes, indeed. Good. I will help you, Michelle. Wait for me. Okay, buddy, boy, what's on your mind? Willie. Willie, I warned you. I... I... I could tell by his voice he was going to give me a hard time. I mean, that's, boy. Always break and always complain it. What are you going to do? Like I told you before, a low element. Figures. You're listening to the proudly we hail production, Blind Date. We will return in just one moment for the second act. With men who know the army, it's the job you do that counts. Now, you take the yard breakman, the dental technician, or the weather observer. They're all soldiers like me, and they're all doing a real grand job of making the United States Army the world's best. Now, why don't you make use of your skills in the United States Army? There's a job for every specialist and technician in the Army, and there's a need for his special skills and a satisfying career for you with those special skills. Tell you what, you'll visit your local United States Army recruiting station real soon. Learn all about the benefits you can have when you enlist in the United States Army. You are listening to Proudly We Hail, and now we present the second act of blind date. I was so disgusted with that bum bite if I had the dough I ordered I'd have paid him off and thrown him out. I mean, I don't mind a guy being ugly, but that bite, one look at that kisser it is, and I get so nauseous. I mean, there's gotta be a limit. You did it again. I should have known better than to trust you. What a snake! Whoa, whoa, whoa, hold on. What kind of talk is this, snake? You got something on that alleged mind of yours? Spit it out. Well, watch the language. You're pushing me a little too far. That dame. She is the ugliest dame in the Republic of France, and I'll let you fight the one odd. That's not so ugly. Not so ugly. No, anyway. You mustn't judge a book by its cover. George Jett may be a wonderful girl deep down inside. For my money, she is just plain ugly. All I want is a regulation-sized dame with standard equipment. I said I'd ask you too much. Is that it? Shh. All right, Mr. Hey, this is all right. And you cover a book. You like it? Yeah, wonderful. I may say I do not care for their hard liquor. I find it dulls their sensibilities and makes it difficult to understand and appreciate the deeper meanings of art and nature. Of course. I like to be in complete possession of my faculties at all times. George Jett is such a practical girl. This is getting to be too much for me with you. In addition to everything else, she's got a brain and you know how I feel about dames with brains. Oh, what do you boys whisper about? Oh, Bait was just saying how intelligent your cousin George Jett is. What? Oh, you have not heard anything yet. George Jett, tell them your ideals are on the command-iton S-extentialism. You know how to study philosophy at the Sorbonne? Oh, that doesn't... Oh, they are not interested in that. Well, of course we are. What do you take us for anyway, a couple of peasants? You out of your mind. Well, what I like about existentialism is the individualistic approach it advocates in evaluating reality. That is to say, reality is only the awareness existing in the individual mind. You see, Jean-Paul Sartre has said that the consciousness does not come automatically. It is really a free choice made by the individual. You agree, Corporal Pratt? Why, certainly. I mean, that's what I keep telling Willie. Isn't that right, Willie? I'll get it. You stay where you are. I'll take it. You finish what you were saying to George Jett. I'm finished. I'll beat you. I'll beat you. See what is. Brannick. Hi. Brannick and Buddy, am I glad to see you. Come on in, Buddy, boys. Step right in. You'll make yourself at home here. Look, I've been looking all over for you. Sergeant Malaney. Never mind, Sergeant Malaney. I got something important. I want to talk to you about it. Hey, what do you think about that, Willie? It's Brannick. Hi, Brannick. Oh, hello, Willie. Bert, your orders. The orders from the rest camp, they are... What I mean to say is... You know, I always liked you, Brannick. You know that, don't you? Well, yeah, I guess so. You guess so? You hear that, Willie? He guesses so. Well, it so happens, little Buddy, that I am in a position to prove it. Here's the deal. A friend of mine, Sweetie, will be right in. Bring him in, Jerry. Okay, coming up. Let's go. You go on in, Willie. I want to talk to my old pal Brannick in for a minute. Yeah, but... Shove off, Willie. It's a private deal. All right, but make it snappy. We've got to leave soon. Now then, little Buddy, listen carefully. Uh, the first sergeant, Sergeant Malaney. As you can no doubt see for yourself, Willie and me have a date going here tonight with two charming young ladies. Yeah, yeah. No, no. Ah, give me that point, right? If you say so. Right. Now, what I'm going to tell you is, it's going to kind of surprise the pants off you, Buddy. Boy, so you got a good grip on yourself, eh? All right. All right, let's have it. Okay, now, you're listening, eh? I am going to step out of the picture. I'm going to tell the ladies that I have to go back to the base on important business and that yours truly is going to take my place. Now, what do you think of that, eh? Well, wait a minute. I don't get it. Don't thank me. Don't thank me. It's a big sacrifice, I know, but like I said before, when it comes to my Buddy Branigan, nothing is too good. Nothing's too good. There's something fishy about this. I think I'll be going. Wait, wait. Why do you mean fishy? Can a guy do you a favor without you getting suspicious? The way people act these days, I mean, I'm surprised that you're at it. You're too anxious. Something's got to be wrong. I'm going to try a little experiment with you, Buddy. Boy, I want to see something. In addition to the charm and company of this lovely, intelligent young lady, I will offer you out of my own pocket, that is, 1,000 francs. That. What do you think of that? Why should you give me 1,000? 2,000. I don't get it, Bert. 3,000 and that's my last word, you crummy little pirate. All right, Bert, if you insist. It's a deal. I'll give you the 3,000 payday. What are you beating this time down to? Hey, what gets with you guys? You going to spend the evening out here in the hall? George Jets is asking for you, Bert. She wants to continue that discussion you were having on... Get a load of this, Branigan. Existentialism. I'm getting out of here. Branigan and me worked out a deal here. You're leaving? Oh, I always sent that too bad. Did you say existentialism? Well, that happens to be one of my favorite subjects. I think I'll go in and see what the young lady has to say on the metaphysical approach to reality. Yeah, you do that little thing. I'm right behind you. All right, wise guy, I'm leaving. But I'll get even with you. Remember what I'm telling you? I'll get even with you if it's the last thing I ever do with you. Such bitterness. Now, I want you to go in there like a little gentleman and say goodbye to the ladies. Now, go on now. Boy, what a bum. How did I ever get mixed up with such a miserable bum? Right about here is where I made the big mistake. What happened was I got kind of overconfident. Everything was going along so smooth. Bert was leaving. He can understand how happy I was to get rid of that guy. Branigan and George Jett hit it off like crepes and sousette. We had to take us to the show. It looked like we were headed for a terrific evening. And then... then... It's great to even talk about it. Oh, there you are, you bad boys. I was wondering what happened to you. I will wash the glasses and then we will go, yeah? Michelle, something's come up and I'm afraid I'm going to have to leave now. Oh, that is so bad. Willie, make him stay. He's so cute. You talk to him and make him stay, Willie. When you gotta go, you gotta go. But Branigan will take my place. He's a very high-class type character, too. What? I am finished now. I turn off the water. You are sure you want to go? Yeah, duty calls. I don't feel bad, honey. I give you a call one of these days and we get together. Just do it, huh? You see, I don't operate so good in crowds. I thought maybe we could, uh... We could take a walk in the bar, a twilight there. Hey, you didn't say cute, Willie. Get out of here with that bar routine, you crummy chiseler. You gonna tell me what to do, you far-fived? Boys, boys, boys. I think we can go now. It's getting very late. Okay, turn the water off and we'll go. Yeah, but, honey, don't. It is broken. Always it goes like that, drip, drip, drip. Sometimes I think it will make me crazy. Oh, let me take a look at it. Sweetie, maybe I can fix it up for you. Yeah, the professor here can fix anything. He thinks the fact that a matter is to bump candy and fix his neck tie without help. Oh, yeah? Give me some toll, Sweetie. I want to show this wise guy how it's done. Oh, it is too late now, Willie. The plumber will fix it on Monday. The toll, Sweetie, won't take more than a minute. All right, if you insist. They're in this box. I thank you. Ah, all we got to do is tighten this joint right here under the sink. Then we go to work on the faucet and before you know it, the job is done. Willie, ah, you are so smart. I wouldn't say that exactly. Come here, useless. All this wrench on the pipe, the way I got it here. I don't know anything about plumbing. You don't know anything about anything. Just hold it the way I'm telling you and I'll tighten the other section with the wrench. In. Yeah, like this? Don't sit stupid, just hold it. Don't tighten it. Careful, because that coupling's level of govia put any pressure on it, and it will really ever mess. All right, all right. Now hold it. Hold it. Don't tighten it. No, don't, don't stop. Your knucklehead. I told you not to tighten it. Now look what you did. Don't tighten it, I didn't. We know what to do. Come on, Sweetie. Willie, you'll take care of everything. Yeah, leave it to Willie. Just cut off valve and stop the water till we get it fixed. There's nothing to get excited about. Oh boy, this is closing all right. No, that won't work. Well, I'll get the door. Yes, sir, what can I do for you? Pardon me, sir. Oh, Pierre. It's so good to see you. Come in. Bonjour, mademoiselle. I would like for you to meet my friends, Corporal Bird and Corporal Willie. Pierre is my very dear friend who lives in the apartment below this one. I am very happy to make your acquaintance. Are you Pierre? Likewise, I'm sure. Monsieur. What can I do for you, Pierre? Monsieur, I would like to talk to you on a matter of very grave importance. Shoot. To begin with, Monsieur, it is raining. What do you want me to do about that? So it's raining? In the apartment, Monsieur. It is raining in the apartment, a storm. And I would appreciate it very much if you would arrange to have it stopped immediately. Yeah, but... Bonjour, Monsieur. Bonjour, mademoiselle. Guess what I needed? Another wise guy. Willie, do something, do something. I'm gonna have to get this crushed section of pipe out, and then I'm gonna have to try and force it over to hook into that elbow joint here. Yeah, that may work. Hey, we're gonna have to get a move on or we'll be late for the show. Cracking time is in about 15 minutes. Hey, what's going on here? Oh, you're having a flood. Oh, Monsieur, sir, I forgot. I'm so sorry. Oh, that is all right, Michel. We had a very stimulating discussion, Monsieur Bronegan and I. Willie, take you long, Willie. I'm afraid so, sweetie. This looks like it's gonna be a big job. Uh, I don't like to hold up the party, but I don't know. It'll take an hour. More likely two. Looks pretty bad. Oh, that is awful. Yeah, what a shame. Low down, crying shame, yes, sir. Willie, if I knew the first thing about plumbing, I'd take that wrench away from you and I'd fix it myself. I mean, it ain't nice to spoil a girl's evening this way, huh? Yeah, I bet you wouldn't have picked that. Exactly. I know what we could do. Just so the girls wouldn't be disappointed, Daddy. What are you cooking up now? I was just thinking that even though I got important personal business to attend to, I put it aside and take your place on the party tonight. I'll take Michel to the show. Oh. Well, that's the picture. Oh, isn't this sweet, Willie? Simply adorable. Hey, let's go. We're late already. I think this is so very nice of you, Bertie. Oh, geez. So unsanitary. Forget it, honey. I just try to make people happy. That's all. Oh. So long, Willie old pal. I'll be seeing you. Yeah, come on. Hi, Willie. I got it fixed. That's the kind of guy I am. I said I'd fix it, and I did. It took me three hours. The water was up to my knees by the time I got finished. But I fixed it. Now, what are you going to do? I mean, accidents happen. The only thing is, I got a sneaky feeling that was no accident. It would be different if I didn't tell him. But I told him, I told that moron, don't tighten the wrench. Don't tighten it. Hold it, I told him. Just like you tell a baby or something. Clear as a bell. I told him to hold this. And then he goes and turns the wrench. Accident. Some accident. I wish they use. Young men, let's talk about your future. And America's future. They're important to each other, you know, and to you. Today, your United States Army is charged with a vital responsibility. While you only need to glance at your local newspaper to realize how vital. And to meet this responsibility, the Army is rapidly expanding its forces. They have a job for you. A job that must be done by men of courage. You can get full details of how you may best serve your future and your country's future by a visit to your nearest United States Army recruiting station. Do it today. This has been another program on Proudly We Hail, presented and transcribed in cooperation with this radio station. Proudly We Hail is produced by the Recruiting Publicity Center for the United States Army. And this is Richard Hayes speaking. And inviting you to tune in the same station next week for another interesting story on Proudly We Hail.