 Your Coca-Cola bottler presents Claudia based on the famous play and novels by Rose Franken 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 It's me mama How did you get back? I thought you'd call for Fritz to pick you up in the truck. There's a taxi right in front of the hospital I was going to take it only as far as the bus stand, but before I knew it. I was home It's a nice taxi driver. Tell me about his wife and his brother He'd been in a car accident once too, and he was laid up for three months Oh, David isn't going to be laid up for three months, and you know it of course Come inside I have some hot tea waiting for you. I'm fine mama. I don't need any hot tea. You drink it It's raw out, isn't it? Is it? I like it better out than in the house feels so empty flatterer Be careful Claudia. Don't sit on my knitting. I see it Funny how a house can just change with the way a person feels Yesterday morning it was pouring in and yet it was so cozy and cheerful David and I thought there wasn't a happier house in the whole world. There isn't and the accident and now it's Empty usually is David never comes home before 6 30 or 7. It's only 4 o'clock now It's knowing he isn't coming home. Not tonight, but soon Could be worse. Of course it could How's Bobby fine? He took his orange juice like a man babies go right on as if nothing happened I think I'll go out and see him He'll make everything seem normal sit where you are. You haven't told me about David yet. Oh But I saw him. I wasn't I was loud in his room for 15 minutes He sort of was dozing most of the time was able to speak a little He apologized for being such a dope is to let another car hit him. I Tried to make a joke That's all I suppose they're keeping him half under you'll be better tomorrow. Of course he will Said he was doped off his headache. That's the concussion. I Never saw David look the way he looked Terrible for a man somehow they're not built to Lie still in a hospital bed. Oh, he'll be up and around and home before you know it. I'll know it. All right Anyway, mama, there's no need going around being so gloomy. Who's gloomy? I am like a clock Keep telling myself how lucky we are The important thing is that he's going to be all right Hasn't lost an arm or a leg or anything important. He's going to lose a little time. That's all Well, if I just can't get along without him for a couple of weeks, why it's just too bad for me You'll get along. Of course. I will Promise David I would so I will Well, now I guess I will have a cup of tea Dr. Barry called while you're out. He did he wanted to tell you It's all right to go over to the hospital and visit David, but you'd already gone. Oh, he says you're so wise He's ready to turn the entire case over to you I'll keep my eye on David, but he better keep his eye on David's collarbone I would know where to begin with a broken collarbone. He told me you're not supposed to begin with anything David will just have to be quiet for a few weeks. Oh, he's gonna love that Practically impossible to get David to take care of a cold So can you imagine what it'd be like to get him to take care of his collar bone? I dread the day he comes home to Convales only we should go tomorrow. I know what you mean Time What about it I have so much of it all of a sudden it keeps right on going all we have to do is eat You're going to be wishing you had twice as much time running back and forth to the hospital You have a nice long evening ahead of his mama you and I Just like old times before I was married better than old times you forget I have acquired a grandson along the way Did you ever thank me? What should I thank you for for barbie? I thank David He never told me lots of things. I've told my son-in-law that he's never told you You know, maybe this be a good time when he's flat on his back There's this pipe lying there in the ashtray just the way left Evening papers all unread It's so strange mama so pale against the pillow You why don't you tell me to shut up wouldn't do any good. I told you many times that never did any good Maybe I'll take up knitting I Think mama Now I know why you've knitted all these years to keep you in sweaters and socks Then to keep your husband in socks and now to keep my grandson decently clothing three days ago I would have believed you but I Know better now. Well if you're so smart Knitting is for women who wait Keeps their hands busy so their hearts keep still for a woman who's done so little waiting You seem to know a good deal of it. I learned fast. I learned so fast. I'm Starting to appreciate you mama. It's about time. You never did thank me for all those sweaters. I knitted you Nor for all those years you waited. Oh don't make my life sound so tragic Claudia It's been a very full one not because of life because of you. I Wish I were more like you I'd be absolutely useless without David good for nothing all I could think about would be not having him Never be able to To make up my mind about anything women aren't like that. I hope you'll never have to find out But women aren't like that. Mrs. Norton Fritz come in. Do I disturb you? No, of course not. I don't have a thing in the world to do except. I want to go up and see the baby Her birthday has just gone up to pay them. How is mr. Norton? He's going to be all right Fritz. I Saw him. Yes, I know. It's going to be a little while, but he will be all right He didn't seem to be too uncomfortable just sort of sleepy He wanted to know how everything on the farm was and he sent you his regards you tell him we miss him He knows well the important thing is he'll be well soon In a week, maybe when he's stronger a birth and I if you don't mind we go to visit him He'd love it just as soon as it's possible. I'll tell you good Mrs. Norton I know you have much to worry about not at all the worry is all over but There are a few things that we should talk over. Yes Mr. Norton will be away a little while yet. You ought to be home in about two weeks He'll be laid up after that probably but he'll be home and there's the expense It costs so much to be sick these days. We don't have to worry about that. Thank goodness There's a thousand dollar bonus David got last week. Wasn't it lucky mama? I just didn't happen to spend it yet. You couldn't spend a thousand dollars in a week if you try Oh, I'll bet you I could But I'm not going to try it just yet Well, anyway that ought to cover everything beautifully fritz It's one silver lining. Isn't it still sickness costs money I know and so I was wondering if you think we should go ahead with the work on the barn Well, I don't know exactly what you and David had planned. Well, we were building a new section The old part of the barn is in very bad condition. Yes We are building a new small part very modern with all the necessaries to have a cow and equipment And the workmen they are supposed to come tomorrow So that is why I speak to you now I do not like to bring you more problems than you already have don't apologize for it I could telephone them and tell them not to come if you think so it was It was quite a feat getting him in the first place. Wasn't it? Yes labor is difficult to arrange for these days No, and we have been trying to get the workman for weeks already Supposed to come tomorrow not supposed to come they come I Telephone them make sure this afternoon and then I think to myself Is it good to go ahead and I say I better ask Mrs. Norton. I see it costs money soon It will be winter, but we could postpone it until the spring well fritz Do you know exactly what they're supposed to do? I have the plans mr. Norton made they are very clear How David loved to be able to supervise it himself Certainly had his heart set on this barn I think the only competition you'll ever have to be jealous of Claudia is a cow. I don't blame David mama They have such soulful brown eyes Well fritz I wish I knew what to tell you well, I better call if we decide no I'm sorry, please stop apologizing. It's not your fault that I'm taking such a long time making up my mind. It's It's a new part to play How long do you think this work will last? Several weeks at least but it is not the time so much. It is the expense particularly now I know just trying to think what David would do if he were here he were here This wouldn't have become a problem so used to sort of letting him decide all the important things Well, I guess I have decided I'm sort of a little embarrassed to Tell you what I've decided whatever you say mrs. Norton, you know best. I hope so Well, I think we should go right ahead mr. Norton's had his heart set on this for a long time and he'll have it We'll manage somehow If you feel the workman can go ahead with the plans David's drawn up and that this is the best time of the year to do it I think we better just go ahead fritz and keep our fingers crossed My daughter's never heard of the word caution. Oh, don't think I'm not quaking in my boots. Mrs. Norton I think you're very wise. You do fritz. Yes caution is fine, but trust is better Also hoping the barn will be a beautiful surprise for mr. Norton You and I we will watch it grow for him But I go now on telephone those workmen if they do not arrive right on the nose of the hour tomorrow I will tell them what's why I bet you will and you bet right You're looking awfully sober mrs. Brown just thinking Mama did I do the right thing? So difficult deciding without David if you decided not to go ahead with the work Then you would have decided without David this way. I think you decided very wisely. I'm impressed even What's there to be impressed about I wonder if it's brains or instinct brains or instinct what no matter how Mupra pretend to be you always end up doing the right thing. I don't pretend to be done I'd rather think you pretend but Claudia for once you decided the right thing. Yes. I think I did You see I don't want David to feel that without him things stop or or even that I stop Bad enough is being sick and feeling useless and helpless, but I wanted to know that the things he wants will still be I'm going to go right on Mama right on the way David and I would have together because We're going to be together again soon Independent I'm strong now. He'll be proud of me and it'll be better than ever Say mama I have to stop acting as if I'm a widow. It's it's crazy taste of it never hurt a wife That's what I am David's wife Hey, I'm his son's mother, too Do you realize I've been home 15 minutes now? I haven't kissed Bobby on the brow yet Mom are you coming up careful Claudia careful of the stairs one member of the family isn't in the hospitals enough Careful of the stair. Do you hear me? Oh? that child If you're planning a party whether it's a big formal affair or the most casual sort of get together There's one thing that's bound to go on the list of refreshments, and that's ice-cold Coca-Cola Coke is served at the most elaborate debutante parties It's enjoyed equally well wherever people sit down the chat or play games in city town or country home or everyone Everywhere welcomes the pause that refreshes. Oh, mr. King just a moment before you go on. Yes, Mrs. Brown It's good to get a man's opinion when the man of the house isn't home Do you think Claudia decided right about the barn? I certainly do Life does go on accidents or no and the more it can stay on norm the better Claudia will manage and David will love her for it. That's the way I felt But men they're liable to feel different not so different same as his brown Claudia must be very lonesome, isn't she like a lost puppy? Well tomorrow we'll see her with David again when she visits him at the hospital. It'll be like old times. See you then 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 or of war 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