Riley Tries to Become a Pal to Junior

Here he is, folks. A typical American citizen who, last Thursday, walked into the office of the Internal Revenue Department, laid his 1944 income tax on the desk and said, Oh my aching back. The American Meat Institute presents William Van Dix in the life of Riley.

Meet people of America, providing a great food for a great nation. five million farmers and ranchers raising fine meat animals, 600,000 men and women in more than 3,500 meat packing plants, 400,000 meat retailers, all doing their level best in face of the enormous demands of war to put meat on your table.

On behalf of all these, the American Meat Institute brings you the life of Riley. Well, Chester A. Riley, California war worker, is a pretty contented man. He has a good job, a patient wife, a pretty daughter, and a fine son.

But every once in a while he suffers as only parents who are completely devoted to their children can suffer. For example, it's morning and Riley's son, Jr., catches Riley about to leave for work. Say, Pop, there's something I want to ask you.

Sorry, Junior, no more nickels. They froze my salary. I'm freezing your allowance. Oh, isn't that that, Pop? It's just... No, let's save it so tonight, Junior. I got no time now. I'll be late for work.

You'll only take a minute. I want to ask your permission to do something. Well, make it snappy, son. Oh, can I quit school and go to work? For sure. Anytime you want. Goodbye, now. Gee.

What did you say? Oh, I said, can I quit school? Quit school. Are you out of my mind? I never heard of such a crazy thing. Why should you quit school? Oh, why should I go out of school?