 Your coca-cola bottler presents Claudia based on the famous play and novels by Rose Frankin Brought to you transcribed Monday through Friday by your friendly neighbor who bottles coca-cola Relax and while you're listening refresh yourself have a coke and now Claudia Good morning. Good morning, Mrs. Brown. Your coffee smells perfectly wonderful. Thank you so very much mrs. Norton for those few kind words Oh, David will be down in a minute. I'll set the table. That's all set. Where I don't see in the dining room and Since when do we eat breakfast in the dining room on Gertrude's day off? What's the matter isn't the kitchen good enough for you? I thought with Jeffrey being here to be so crowded He's such a big tall fellow. Yes children do seem to grow bigger these days than they used to don't they oh here Let me squeeze the orange juice 16 isn't a child exactly. I know what you mean I've noticed it myself no pits if you don't mind and the orange juice you see too much You think our child will will what be tall? I'd love to have a tall son You'll take what you get tall or short and you'll like it After all David isn't a giant and neither are you David is six feet But just an ordinary nice six foot you wouldn't single him out in a crowd. I hope you mean that as a compliment. I do But Roger isn't as tall as David and and look at Jeffrey isn't mrs. Killian tall No, I'm gonna met Jeff's mother. I haven't the least idea what she's like funny, isn't it? I mean with David and Roger partners who've never met his wife. Yes, you think she'd have us for dinner or something Except they live in a hotel and she's hardly ever home. She sounds very social Well, it's not that so much. She's very public-spirited, you know Political meetings and things of that sort and I'm just as glad we've never met her She's giving me an inferiority complex. That's what she's given Jeff. I'm at. Oh David You scared the life out of me That is a nasty thing to do ease drop. I wasn't eavesdropping. I merely walked into the kitchen looking for my breakfast It's in the dining room. Oh mama has to go and put on airs on Gertrude's day off Oh, I forgot about it being Gertrude's day off They will Jeff be an awful nuisance to you. Of course not. We have to eat too. Don't we he's a pretty big fella to have underfoot Oh, he won't be under foot. He'll be working outdoors That was the point of his being here. Remember, that's not very nice to put your guests to doing chores. That's the best thing for him Say look, there's mother no about Jeff Claudia Well, it was so late when we got home last night. I No, I hadn't said anything. I think it would be better if she knew After all this is in the nature of her problem that the three of us will have to handle as long as he's here I had an idea something was wrong with the boy the minute I saw him He seemed so unhappy and uh remote not a bit like a youngster. He's got quite a bit to be unhappy about mother He's been expelled from school For cheating on exams. Oh Mama shocked. Well, not so much shocked. Sorry. I think there's a reason if a thing like that happens to a nice person He must be a nice person. You can see that just to look at his face So sensitive and vulnerable Good for you, mother I was afraid you'd be a little straight laced in old fashion seeing as I never cheated when I was young You never had to I didn't care particularly what your marks were in school That's where I was old fashioned as long as you ate a good breakfast and stayed healthy and happy I didn't care very much whether you've gotten a or a d. So I got a d Once I got an a though. I don't believe it. Yes. I did. I failed in math, but I got an a in english What exam did jeffrey? I mean I didn't ask him. We hadn't talked about it Maybe he'll sort of unburden to mama and me being women. He might Might but I wouldn't count on it Suppose I go up and see if he's ready for breakfast. I think you better. I haven't heard a sound from his room I'll begin the pancakes pancakes. That's more than you ever did for your son-in-law. Didn't know you liked them I don't have to be careful of my girly So do I mama all you've done is to fill us both with conflict You don't have to eat them there for jeffrey My my the minute there's a strange man around you just try to make up to him. I never saw anything like it How do you know he likes pancakes? I never heard of a 16 year old boy who didn't Get the maple syrup out of the closet. I'm glad you made the mama if I'd have known how I would have too Mama, you know, I think we can do a lot for jeffrey. Oh Well, he's had so little home life. I I think his mother's been too busy with her own affairs even to talk to him Much less try to draw him out and then find out what's going on inside of him It won't be easy for either of his parents to accept what's happened It's not a pleasant thing to have your only child expelled from school in this grace I know it isn't You must know it. I've always Detested a cheat I had quite a little battle with myself before I could really Feel the same toward jeffreys. I did before that's natural. You too. Yes Huh, we're both rather noble aren't we? I wonder if david has any reservations if he does. He doesn't show it. Do we show it a little How being just a shade too nice David's more natural. He just accepts the boy I get it no pancakes exactly no pancakes, but I still think the pancakes were a wonderful idea They can work wonders Here's david now jeffreys up yet up and gone up and gone. Where just gone Oh, don't take it so lightly. Was his bed slept in. Of course really slept in or just must stop Is there a difference certainly is say what are you two women driving at? David you don't think he oh he what david's right. He wouldn't be that silly You read a lot of things in newspapers young people get despondent and desperate Is easy enough to say things like that don't happen after they happen david is the car in the garage Yes, I checked. You're not so strong-minded yourself. You had the same idea nonsense Where do you think he is wherever he is? He'll come back. Let's eat not wait for him I don't see much point to it. He might show up for an hour more very well We'll start frying the pancakes griddles hot enough that is just right I don't know what we do without your mama. I'll get the syrup and put it on the dining room table David hardly touches pancakes. It wasn't because of his shape either. He's a little worried about jeffrey But he doesn't want to show it. I'll wash new drive. I'll do both you go along with david He's working in his study No sense of his doing outdoor stuff with jeffrey not here Well after all it is something to worry about mama the boys our responsibility with his father in chicago and his mother off heaven knows where They don't even know that jeffreys left school. I wonder if david's right and not going out to look for him He says he doesn't want to make it seem that important to jeff He says if he doesn't come back by lunch, it's time enough to begin to Think what to do about it. What's bluff barking about? I don't know. I look out the window and see Barking that's all The window didn't see somebody It's jeff. He's just coming out of the woodland from the brook. I guess the dog doesn't know him yet Jeff isn't even patting him. He's Stalking along with his head down It's unnatural for a boy of 16 not to pay any attention to a great dame whole situation isn't exactly natural He's coming in the kitchen away. It's just act as if nothing's happened Oh, I feel so sorry for him really set a place right here. It'll make him feel at home I wonder if he drinks coffee Probably wanting me. I'll go. I hope so. There's no coffee there. I'll make him whatever he wants Coco probably that's a good idea Oh, hello jeff Good morning mrs. Norton. Good morning jeff. You were up nice and early Good morning, mrs. Brown. I hope you didn't wait breakfast. No, we didn't but everything's ready Cocoa or milk or coffee Nothing. Thank you. But you have to drink something with your pancakes. Would you like some tea? No, no, thank you I'm not hungry. You mean you're not going to eat anything. I'm not hungry Oh such nice pancakes with syrup the grill's all hot and ready for them I couldn't eat anything, please You can't go out and work on an empty stomach. Oh, it isn't a good day for working outside It's begun to rain a little it has oh dear these april showers that come in june I want my money back. You'll get it all back in this merry month of june with your roses Do you like gardening jeff? No, I don't think so. Have you ever done any of it? No Oh Maybe you wouldn't hate it if you tried it Jeff won't you change your mind about some breakfast? It might make you feel better I feel all right. I I'm just not hungry. Well, david's working in his study I'll call him and and maybe I have something in mind you can do in the barn I'd rather not if you don't mind say jeff. Did did you ever carry a dog? Bluff is shedding something awful and we just haven't had time to give him a good brushing I don't think he likes me. Of course he does work. Even shakespeare likes you Shakespeare doesn't take very many people. Look how he's making up to jeff I don't know anything about cats We never had a cat What kind of dogs did you have? Well, I never had a dog We lived in a hotel mostly Animals aren't allowed in the hotel. No, it is a little difficult. I guess did you have a pleasant walk jeff? Didn't go far. Didn't you go down in the brook? It's lovely No, I just walked a little If you don't mind, I think Let us if you'll excuse me. Could I go up to my room? Yes, if you want but Why don't you stay down here talk to mama a minute while I run out make your bed But it's necessary mrs. Norton. I can make my bed. We always made our beds at at school Oh But I don't mind really I'd rather make it and and please don't bother with any lunch for me Now what do you want to do starve yourself? I thought I'd take a little walk later. I'll I'll stop off on the road someplace for a sandwich I'm accustomed to taking care of myself. Please don't fuss about me mrs. Norton I won't he's not going to give us a chance to that's playing It's sort of silly all dressed up in pretty speeches and good intentions No place to go sir do I One thing I've learned the way to a boy's heart is not through his stomach at least not when he's 16 and hurt Well, but frankly, I don't know the way to a boy's heart. I feel a total failure as a mother And a psychologist. I don't feel too bright about it myself I think the best thing to do is just let him alone. I'm sure of it Better tell david's back and you better let him handle jeff from here on out. I will David yes, dear I won't disturb you, but I just wanted to tell you jeff's home now. I know How'd you know? I uh, I heard the dog bark He wouldn't eat any breakfast Jeff I mean Yeah, I didn't think he would he said he didn't want any lunch Oh, he'll eat eventually He just went back up to his room. He wouldn't even let me make up his bed Darling, I I'm sorry. He's a pain in the neck. I I was afraid he would be You'll just have to To take it in your stride david. He's not the pain in the neck. I am Oh, I could have murdered me if I was him. I was so darn nice and Understanding if I was a boy of 16 and I was as sweet to me as I was to him food Your pronouns seem a little confused, but I get the general gist of what you mean You know something what darling I've just discovered I've just discovered that you're going to make a swell mother These first fine june days invite anyone who can to set the luncheon table out of doors Now i'm going to make a further suggestion make it a party luncheon But make it simple have a salad or sandwiches ready reach into the refrigerator for ice cold coca-cola And you're all set That's the smart way to lunch any day of the week For coke makes good food taste even better It enables both you and your guests to lunch refreshed mr. King Have you had any experience with young gentlemen of 16? Well, can't say I have mrs. Brown. That's too bad I think a little experience in this household might come in handy Jeffrey is quite a handful, isn't he? That's because he's unhappy and mixed up If one of us could reach get inside of him where his unhappiness is we might be able to help him Well, maybe tomorrow will show you the way I hope so for his sake as well as for yours Maybe I can think of something by tomorrow and maybe david will Anyway, I'll be around to find out see you then goodbye mr. King Goodbye mrs. Brown as I was about to say Every day monday through friday claudia comes to you transcribed with the best wishes of your friendly neighbor who bottles coca-cola So listen again tomorrow at the same time And now this is joe king saying au revoir And remember whoever you are whatever you do Wherever you may be When you think of refreshment think of coca-cola Or coca-cola makes any pause the pause that refreshes and ice cold coca-cola is everywhere This broadcast of claudia was supervised and directed by william brown maloney And now here's a word from your friendly neighbor who bottles coca-cola