What happens
Gay Esterbrook has been missing since early morning, and his wife, the actress Linda Page, sends their maid Clementine to telephone his usual haunts. When Fowler Smith calls at the house, Linda learns that his wife Amanda has been hosting Gay, and Linda sets out to find out what is happening. Gay, a playwright currently stuck between ideas, has been drinking heavily and spending time with Amanda, who believes she can develop his talent. Linda and Gay trade sharp words about their marriage and about his new play, which turns on immortality and grief. Adapted for radio by Harry Cromman, this Screen Guild Theater production from February 9, 1941 stars Norma Shearer, Walter Abel, Mary Aster and Hattie McDaniel.
New York City, 1940s: the Esterbrook apartment, Amanda Smith's house, and a hotel bar.
Characters: Linda Page, Gay Esterbrook, Amanda Smith, Clementine, Fowler Smith
Listen for: Gay's sudden decision to leave for Spain and Linda's pointed remarks about his new play.
Written from the episode itself; it never gives away the ending. Every recording is remastered for the stream: cleaned of rumble, hiss and mains hum (and the old TV whine where we found it), then levelled in two passes to steady broadcast loudness, so one show is never quieter than the next.