The First Letter

Box 13, with a star of Paramount Pictures, Alan Lad as Dan Holiday. Box 13, box 13, box 13, box 13, box 13, box 13, box 13, box 13. Well, this is great. Rain, rain, rain.

I bet even the ducks wouldn't come out weather like this. But me, I'm an idiot. I gotta go and take up a profession like being a writer. I couldn't take up something easy. Oh, no, not me.

I gotta be a writer so I can be out on nice, cold, wet nights. Beating my brains out. Looking for an idea. Idea. Deadline. Oh sure, I mustn't forget that ever-loving deadlock. What a way to make a living.

I could have stayed a reporter at the start times and had nice assignments. Like listening to political speeches or covering the opening of a new manhole. Oh no, but not me. I have to write fiction.

Do it the hard way. Hmm. Well, I might as well take the usual hand. Open the usual door to the usual place. And here the usual cops. Hi, Mr. Holiday. Hiya. Copy, copy boy. Hiya, Dan.

What do you say, Ed? I'm just headed to want you. How good is it, Holiday? Oh, pretty good. Ladies and gentlemen, come on to take four. Hi, Mr. Holiday. How are you? Hi, Mr. Holiday.

Hello, Susie. Anything in box 13? Box 13, starring Ellen Ladd as Dan Holiday. Now for Box 13, starring Ellen Ladd as Dan Holiday. What a character I am, standing here in front of the one-eyed, cotter in a newspaper office while the rain runs down off my coat collar and on my shoe.

Mr. Holiday? I got a row in my last pair of... Oh, what's that, Susie? I said there's a message in box 13 for you. Here. Oh, thanks, Susie. Don't mention it. Say, aren't you going to open it?