 Family Theatre presents Mitzi Gaynor and Wallace Ford. The Mutual Network in Cooperation with Family Theatre presents 6 of 1 starring Wallace Ford. And now here is your hostess, Mitzi Gaynor. Thank you, Tony LaFranco. Family Theatre's only purpose is to bring to everyone's attention a practice that must become an important part of our lives if we are to win peace for ourselves, peace for our families, and peace for the world. Family Theatre urges you to pray. Pray together as a family. And now to our transcribed drama, 6 of 1, starring Wallace Ford as Harley Ferguson. I'll be ready. Just want to put some oil on this reel. Dad. Shout out, Skipper. I'm coming, I'm coming. And cousin Bill, will you please try to remember you aren't on a battleship. Not that you ever were. What's that crack supposed to mean, cousin Grace? Simmer down. Let's eat before the food freezes. In World War II, my Walter was overseas. So was Hitler. As well as being an officer. Pass the cauliflower, please. Well, they offered me a commission at Great Lakes. If you'd learned a float. It isn't easy. Some guys never would. All right, let's settle down. Pass the cauliflower. Sorry. Here, Uncle Harley. Thank you. Anything about your college application? No, sir. Cauliflower Grace? No, not just no. I guess enlist commissioner Flanagan can pull some strings. I'll have to wait until the next semester. Hey, what's on this? All of you? Yes. Of course we could afford more butter if a certain party would go out and look for a job. Wet off. It's part of eating a meal around here. And don't talk readjustment to me. No, no, no. I'll wait a bit. My Walter was readjusted two months after he came home from Germany. The brass don't readjust. They reenlist. Oh, well, what's the difference? Quiet now, both of you. I don't want any more yelling. What kind of a restful evening meal is this? First day of my retirement and I'm beginning to wish I were back carrying a mail bag. Bill? Yes, sir. Grace works hard a full day at the bank, then comes home and cooks first. Oh, easy. And Grace? Yes. In five or six weeks, Bill may start college. While he take a job, he'd have to drop. One last thing. I'm leaving tomorrow for Eagle Lake. Now, this is the both of you. Don't fight while I'm fishing. Pass the horse, Raddish. Oh, here. And, um, I apologize, Grace. Well, it's very easy to say, Grace, Grace, Grace, you apologize. All right. Anything interesting happen at the bank today? Well, your big politician friend, George Downs withdrew $250 this morning. I don't mean gossip. Was Patsy with him? No, and it's not gossip. He came and told me himself. Oh. I don't think he wants to see you about his coming by after dinner. Do you know if Patsy's coming too? He didn't say. I'll get it. Never mind. Never mind. It's probably for me. Walter said he'd call. If it's the railroad station, about my ticket, let me talk to them. Hello? Yes, Walter. Mm-hmm. Yes, Walter. 7.30. I'll be ready. Bye now. I'd appreciate it if we can keep that wire open this evening. I'm expecting a call about my reservation. What train are you taking, Uncle Harley? 7.18 in the morning. The sunrise special? It's the one. Oh, but they're booked up way in advance. I'm first on the waiting list, and there's always a cancellation. Mm-hmm. I'll get it. No, no, no. It's probably George. You help Grace clear the dishes. There's no desserts. You want to take your iced tea with you? Fine. All right. All right, my boy. Have a seat on the porch, George. I'll be right out. Can you see? Is Patsy with him? I don't think so. Want some iced tea, George? None for me, Harley. Didn't pull you away from the table, did I? Oh, no. Listen, I've got a favor to ask about Bill. Yeah, that's one of the reasons I came here. That nephew of yours is talking marriage to my Patsy. It's just talk. He's got no prospects, no futures. That's why I want to talk to you. He loves all day and spoons all night. He wants to go to college. Well, who doesn't? George Lesson. Bill's education was interrupted by a service in the Navy. Now he's got a chance to get into state, but it's overcrowded. He's got an appointment with your boss tomorrow. The commission? Why don't you put in a word for him? State universities are almost 200 miles from here. You couldn't see much of Patsy under those conditions. Harley, that's a thought. That's a very good thought. You'll speak to Flanagan? Call him the first thing in the morning before I leave. Where are you going? After the capital just for a day, though. That's the real purpose of this visit. And now I've got a dandy, Harley. Got my hands on a dandy. Yeah, this reminds me of the old days. Dandy what? Money maker. What else? No, George. You haven't even heard it yet. I tell you, it's out. Tomorrow I'm climbing on the sunrise special with a flyer rod and a hat full of flies, and nothing is going to stand in my way. Not even 125 bucks? No. Just for sitting by your phone until I get back from the state capital tomorrow night? How can I be worth 125 dollars just sitting by my phone? Well, I thought of it as kind of a going away present. Soon as the idea came to me this morning, I said to myself, now, Harley could use some of this money. What money? For the rugs. What rugs? The Oriental rugs that the knife grinder told my wife about. George. It's the deal of a lifetime. Half a dozen priceless Oriental rugs. I bought them for 250 dollars. From the knife grinder? Of course not. From the auction at the Bella State. Where does your wife come into this? Well, I told you she spoke to the knife grinder. He's Turkish or something like that. He knows rugs like the back of his hand. Harley, you'll double your investment. What investment is that? Well, you're 125 dollars. You see, the rugs cost me 250 and half of that is... I know what half of 250 is. Say, Uncle Harley. Oh, hello, Mr. Downs. Good evening, William, my boy. Am I intruding? No. Sit down. We're just discussing some business. George is going to speak to the commissioner about you tomorrow. Thanks a lot, Mr. Downs. Not at all, my boy. So you see, Harley, in 24 hours, you'll double your money. I will? Yes, because I'll put it in the grapevine that these rugs are available for 500 dollars. So while I'm up at the Capitol, you just sit by the telephone tomorrow and take the first offer that comes along. I don't know. I hate to put this trip off. Well, it's just for one day, Harley. After all, those fish aren't going to run away. That's right, Skipper. What? Just what you said, Mr. Downs, the fish aren't going to run away. Oh, yes, yes, yes. That's my point now. I've got the rugs right out in my car here. You brought them along? Well, you'd have to be able to turn them over to the buyer tomorrow, won't you? All right, all right. Well, I'm Bill. This is a hand. What are these rugs doing in the vestibule? George Downs just dropped them off, business deal. You carry them in here yourself? No, he and Bill helped me. George had to run off to some meeting. Those things are heavy, and they look. Good evening, Grace. Oh, Walter, come in with you. I just have to go up and get my hat. Good evening, Walter. Good evening, Mr. Ferguson. How are you enjoying your retirement? So far, it hasn't been bad. What's this junk? Junk? Oh, they're rugs, aren't they? Then you buy them foreign imported rugs. Someone give them to you? Yes, you might say that, Walter. Considering their real value, I guess you might say someone gave them to me. How many are there? Six, now that you ask. Well, they're in terrible shape. Still, they might do. Might do? I'll say they'll do. They'll just do me into one extra two weeks of fishing, that's all. I'll give you $100 for all six of them. $100? We can use them down at the former officers of World War II Club. Former officers? The first place, what's the meaning of a club like that? And second, what... Dad, would you get that, please? Yes, yes, yes. $100. Hello? Yeah, oh, hello, Henry. No, no, no, listen, I'd like to cancel my reservation till the day after tomorrow. Think you can take care of me then? Yeah, yeah, yeah. Well, I've got a little business to go on. Fine, fine, Sunrise Special Friday. Fine. Thanks a lot. Mr. Ferguson, I've just noticed something. Walter, please don't insult me with an offer like that again. Who told you these rugs were genuine orientals? An expert? A Turkish expert who happens to know. They are fakes. Walter, I realize you know everything in the world. Come here, I'll show you something. The man who recommended these rugs happens to come from Turkey. Look, see the design here on the front? Definitely a Turkish design. Now look, when I turn it over, nothing on the other side. What of it? Who looks at the bottom of a rug? On a genuine oriental, the design shows through because it's woven. This design is stamped on, it's a phony, or rather, it's a domestic. And who ever heard of a domestic foreign rug? I speak of them as domestic orientals. Well, this is an oriental-oriental. A genuine oriental, except that it's not. According to the Turkish knife grinder. Knife grinder? Did you buy these rugs on the advice of a knife? Never mind how I bought them, the point is... All right, all right, don't take my word for it. Call Mr. Zabadzian down at the carpet store. He's Turkish, he'll tell you they're domestic. They're alien. Don't take my word, call him. Once in your life, Walter, you're dead wrong. Six rugs, five by seven. A hundred dollars is a generous offer. I wouldn't consider it. Call Mr. Zabadzian. I'll be by tomorrow night, if you're still interested. So then, Commissioner Flanagan said, my boy, any friend of Mr. George Downes is a friend of mine. If my recommendation will help you get into college this fall, then you've got it. Isn't that great, Uncle Harley? Yeah, that's great, Bill. Oh, he's a real great guy, that Commissioner. Yeah, he must be. See, I forgot to ask, did you sell those rugs today? No, not exactly. Get any offers? Well, one, yes, but I don't think I'll take it. You know, I wish I had the head for business that you and Mr. Downes have. Double your money in 24 hours. Boy, that's really going. Hey, Bill, you were out here in the porch last night when George and I were discussing the deal. Did I actually promise to put up half the money? Oh, yes, sir. I did, eh? Yes, sir, 125 dollars while we were carrying in the rugs. I sort of thought I did, but I wasn't sure. Wish I was able to get in on a deal like that? Well, you don't want to rush into these things, Bill. Wait until you're a little older and always make sure. When someone comes along with an offer that you... Oh, maybe that's George. You ought to be getting in town pretty soon. It's after seven. Bill, it's for you. Is it Patsy? No, it's a man. No wonder who'd be calling me. Dad, would you like me to bring out some more iced tea for me? No, no, thanks, honey. Uh, Walter, uh, told me about the rugs at lunch today. Oh, he did? Mm-hmm. Did you call Mr. Zurbazian? I called him. Well, what did he say they were worth? About a hundred dollars. Oh, Dad, I have warned you about those deals that George downs a thousand times. I know, I know, I know, I ought to have my head examined. Well, this is the last time. Last time, never, never again... I sold them, I sold them. What? I sold the rugs. What do you mean you sold them? For six hundred dollars. A hundred a piece for each one. A hundred a piece? Now, Grace, hold on, hold on. Why that's outright, Seth? Grace, will you keep your opinions to yourself for a minute? What's this all about, Bill? I've got a customer for the rugs. Well, it's robbery. That's what it is. It's robbery! What's eating her? Never mind. What do you mean you sold the rugs? Just what I said. To whom? Oh, no, Uncle Harley. Let's you and I dick her for a minute. Now, you were willing to take five hundred for them, isn't that right? Yes. Well, I'm getting six hundred. Shouldn't I get that extra hundred for commission? Well, man, wait a minute, Bill. I mean, after all, didn't I find the buyer? Yes, but... It's not just the money, Uncle Harley. I know Mr. Downes doesn't think I've got very much on the ball. Now, what's that got to do with it, Bill? Well, maybe he'll think a little better of me if I show him I'm not so dumb when it comes to working a business deal. Good enough, Bill. But can't you tell me who it is? Well, if I tell you and you tell Mr. Downes, he may go direct to the customer and I'll get cut out. Isn't that possible? Bill, you're going to do all right. Say, that's George's car pulling up right now. Oh, my gosh. You won't say I said that about him, will you, Uncle Harley? I'm going to have to. He'll know you're thinking it. I don't want him to get sore at. Don't be silly. When I tell him the whole story, he'll be tickled pink. What do you mean, the whole story? Evening, Harley. Well, you're my boy. Mr. Downes? How you doing, George? Big day, Harley. Big day at the Capitol. Mitch has a lot of irons in the fire. Sit down. Yeah. Incidentally, Commissioner Flanagan saw Bill this morning. Says he'll do everything he can to get him into state this fall. Well, now that's just fine. I sure want to thank you, Mr. Downes. Not at all, my boy. Not at all. It means a lot to me. Well, you just knuckle down when you get up to state. That's all the thanks I want. Yes, sir. I sure will. George, aren't you going to ask about the rugs? Well, Harley, I want to apologize about that. That's why I came by. Apologize? Yes, yes. You see, I told you I'd pass the word through the grapevine that you had them, but I barely got a chance to tell anyone. Well, George, I have got a big surprise for you. We won't need that grapevine. Uh-huh. They're sold. Sold a whole lot of them just ten minutes ago. And let me tell you, it saved our lives. On the square? That's right. But, well, there's a little string tied to this one. You mean we didn't get the price we wanted? Oh, yes, yes. Five hundred dollars. That was the price, wasn't it? It sure was. Harley, you're a genius. Didn't I say they'd beat a path to your door? Oh, now don't get the wrong idea. It wasn't quite that easy. In fact, I had to call in a broker on the deal. Uh, broker? No, no, no, don't cloud up. We got our five. That's what we expected, isn't it? Sure, sure, sure. But, uh, how much did the rugs go for? Six. Six hundred? Say, he must be quite an operator. Who was it? Bill here. What? That's right, Mr. Downs. How about that, George? Well, I'll be darned. Say, how about that? Didn't I tell you not to underestimate this boy? Now, he gets to keep that extra hundred, doesn't he? Well, he sure does. And William, I am beginning to see you in a new light. Yes, Suri, a new light indeed. Thanks, thanks. Uh, say, is it okay if I go in and call Patsy and tell her the good news? Well, I don't see why not, William, my boy. Maybe if you lend me the car again tonight, Uncle Harley. Okay, Bill, okay. Just don't spend your earnings on him one place. Oh, I won't. Say, uh, by the way, who was it you sold those rugs to? Can you tell us now? No backing out? No, sir, my boy. With us, our words as good as our bond. It was Commissioner Flanagan. Who? Commissioner? On the square? Yeah, I mentioned him this morning when I went to see him and he called back tonight and said it was a deal. Well, how do you like that? I'll be down in a few minutes. George, the commissioner himself. George, listen, we're in a jam. A jam? Those rugs aren't worth what they're cracked up to be. What are you talking about? Gracious boyfriend came by last night, Walter. The rugs aren't genuine. Well, what does Walter know? Everything, believe me, they're not worth over a hundred the whole lot. Oh, you're wrong, Harley. The knife grinder. It should stick to grinding knives. I checked with Mr. Sabajena at the carp store this morning. You were taken. You mean that we were taken? Have it your own way, but now your boss is about to be taken. The commissioner? Oh, no, no. He finds out where those rugs came from. Don't say it. Don't say it. He won't. He mustn't. I'd be ruined. That knit with nephew of yours. Why didn't you stop him? Stop him? I didn't even know the customer. All I saw was a chance to recoup our loss. If only rugs to the commission. Three hundred thousand people in this town and he has to fleece the commission. That's not exactly right, George. Bill doesn't know their phonies. When I found out, I was ashamed to tell anyone. Okay, okay, so it's your fault. That's why you've got to stop the deal. What'll we tell him then? Why not tell him the truth? We thought the rugs were genuine. It turns out that they aren't. No, no, no, no, no. I'd never live it down. George, who'd have to know? You think he wouldn't tell Patsy about this? After that, I'd never be able to say boo in my own house again. No, that's out. I got it. What? Your wife wants them. She's started over and she wants them for your front room. The study? All right, the study. Then he won't notice they aren't there when he comes over to the house, huh? That's good. After all, you bought the rugs in the first place. Well, it was my wife who spotted them, liked them. He's bound to believe it. What can he say? Well, no, that does raise a question. Don't forget that he... I told Patsy I'd be right over. Can I have the car keys, Uncle Harley? Well, uh, yeah, yeah, it's here, Bill, but... Bill, there's something we'd like to tell you, my boy. Sure, Mr. Downs. Well, I appreciate you're working out such a smart deal with the commission. After all, but I've been thinking it over and... Yes? Bill, George feels that maybe he'd like those rugs for himself. For his own house. It's really my wife who wants them. She thinks they're right for my study. Oh, Mr. Downs, you're a sharp operator. I got to hand it to you. How's that, my boy? What did I tell you, Uncle Harley? Well, Bill, it's not what you think. George really wants those rugs. Oh, I don't doubt that. I mean for himself, for his own use. Didn't I say you'd think of a way to get around me? Just a minute, Bill. I hope you're not entertaining any doubts about my veracity. Oh, no, Mr. Downs. It's nothing personal. Business is business. If you don't need the middle man, cut him out when you can. Bill, you're not getting the correct picture on this at all. George isn't going to sell the rugs. He's going to keep them. Sure, Uncle Harley, I understand. Those rugs are going on the floor of my study sooner or later. That's okay, Mr. Downs. I respect a sharp trader as much as the next man. But it's going to be a little hard for me to explain. Explain to who? What, your daughter, Patsy? I said I'd take her out dancing to Moonbeam Lodge tomorrow night and buy her a charm bracelet she's been wanting. George, I tell you, well, why don't you come over to dinner tomorrow night, will you, my boy? Well, thanks. I'd like to. George, I feel we're being a little unfair to Bill. After all, he stood to make $100 on this deal. Well, yes, but that was if we sold the rugs. I know, but consider all, we've paid for those genuine oriental rugs from Turkey was a piton's compared to their real worth. Yes, yes, yes, that's true, but... Well, even if they cost you another $100, they'd still be a bargain, wouldn't they? Well, not a question about it at all, but what do you mean another $100? It just occurred to me that the real loser on this deal is Bill. Unless, of course, you would like to make it up to him by giving him $100. Giving him $100? That'd be agreeable to you, wouldn't it, Bill? Oh, I think that'd be very generous, Uncle Harley. Then that way Patsy wouldn't be disappointed and you could do anything with those rugs you wanted to, George. You wanted to put them in your study? Fine. If you just wanted to leave them here for a while, nobody'd be the wiser. I am sure Bill wouldn't say anything about it to Patsy, would you, Bill? Oh, I'd never even bring it up. All right, $100. Wow, that's very generous of you, Mr. Downes. Can I give you a lift home? Thanks. I've got my own car. And you won't say anything to Patsy about this? Oh, no, sir. Yeah, you know how women are. If they learn that you're a soft touch, they'll rag you to death. Mum's the word, Mr. Downes. Well, good night. Yeah. Good night, Uncle Harley. Have a good time, Bill. Don't be late. I don't. Well, Harley? You want to be shoving along, George? Yeah, yeah. I told the commission I'd drop in on him sometime this evening. Think he can explain about the rugs? Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah. I'll say I came by here and recognized them as... What is it they are? Domestic Oriental. Yeah, that's right. I'll say that Bill couldn't possibly have known the differences. That only a trained eye could distinguish them. He'll probably thank them. Yeah, well, that's what I'm banking on. Still doesn't solve the problem of what to do with them, though, does it? I've got a scheme. To kill a couple of birds with the same stone. Huh? Huh? Well, what's that? Just coming up the walk. Good evening, Mr. Ferguson. Mr. Don. How'd he do? Good evening, Walter. Well, I was just leaving. Good night, Harley. Mr. Tate. Good night, Mr. Don. In my regards to the commission, George. Oh, yes, I'll do that. Well, sit down, Walter. Grace will be out in a minute. Thank you, sir. Pretty busy day at the shoe store? About so-so. Oh, excuse me. Grace. Grace, Walter's here. Hello, Grace. Hey, tell me something, Walter, my boy. Yes, sir. How long have you and Grace been going together? Oh, quite some time. About 10 years, isn't it? Yes, give or take a few months. You haven't been holding back in my account, have you? Well, to be frank, Mr. Ferguson, I've never felt you were enthusiastic about me. And then, too, I know that Grace is, well, fond of you. I hope so. But I'm retired now. I can take care of myself. Also, I'm more enthusiastic than you know. Really? Well, sure. I think you ought to speak up. Grace isn't going to wait forever, you know. Do you really think I should, Mr. Ferguson? Walter, a fellow as smart as you shouldn't have to ask a question like that. Well, I've wanted to for a long time. Then why don't you just decide that tonight's the night? I'll do it. I know the starting home isn't easy, and don't worry, I'll help. Oh, no, no, no, Mr. Ferguson, I don't expect you to do a thing. No, no, no, no. There's a lot of furnishing around here that'll never be missed. Things of graces and stuff, rugs and... Hello, Walter. Hello, Grace. I'll get that. You kids go ahead. Good night, Mr. Ferguson. And thanks. Anytime, Walter. Night, Dad. Night, honey. Hello? Oh, hello, Henry. Yes, fine, fine. Sure I'm all set. Got my tackle pack and everything. You bet. Sunrise Special 730. I'll be there. How do I like being retired? Henry, I have never been so busy in all my life. This is Mitzi Gaynor again with just a thought before we say good night. I suppose the subject closest to all our hearts just now is peace and how to find it. If we turn to God, talk to Him, really pray with a faith that He will hear our prayers, we will find an inner peace. The man who is at peace with himself is at peace with his neighbor. Prayer and prayer alone can bring peace to the world. God is ready to give us much if we ask Him. Is it so hard to ask? Is it too difficult to take a little time each day to be alone with God, to sit in silence and pray to Him? Gather all those moments you waste as a rule and utilize them for the wonderful purpose of prayer and see how your life changes, how much more happiness you find, how different your fellow man appears and acts. It's worth the trial, isn't it? So begin tonight and every night. Pray with your family and experience greater joy in one another, in your home and in God. Yes, the family that prays together stays together. More things are ought by prayer than this world dreams of. Family Theatre has brought you transcribed six of one starring Wallace Ford. Mitzi Gaynor was your hostess. Others in our cast were Gigi Pearson, Sam Edwards, Leo Curley and Howard Culver. The script was written and directed for Family Theatre by John T. Kelly with music composed and conducted by Harry Zimmerman. This series of Family Theatre broadcasts is made possible by the thousands of you who feel the need for this type of program. By the mutual network which has responded to this need and by the hundreds of stars of stage screen and radio who give so unselfishly of their time and talent to appear on our Family Theatre stage. To them and to you, our humble thanks. This is Tony LaFranco expressing the wish of Family Theatre that the blessing of God may be upon you and your home and inviting you to join us next week when Family Theatre will present The Other Sheep starring Jim Bacchus. Barry Sullivan will be your host. Join us, won't you? Family Theatre has broadcast throughout the world and originates in the Hollywood studios of the world's largest network. This is Mutual, the radio network for all America.