Expression of Love (Details)
citation: Good Housekeeping, June 1957, 144(6):74-75, 134, 136, 138, 140, 142, 145-146, 148, 150
alias: None
teaser: This is about four brilliant, romantic people — two men, two girls — and you may want to kill a couple of them before you're through
summary: At a San Francisco cafeteria, Benjamin Callandar embarrasses his wife, Ruth, by pretending he's never seen her before. She chides him for this, reasoning he wouldn't like it if she reciprocated. She warns him to behave the rest of the afternoon.
At Union Square, they meet June Howser. June complains her husband, Charley, just played a prank on her, making up a story about a high school friend, then pretending to see that friend's name on a sign. Ben goes to greet Charley who's been parking the car.
When they meet, Charley purposely bumps into Ben. The two men square off, preparing to fight. Charley is suddenly apologetic, and the two men reconcile publicly, astonishing everyone watching them, except their wives.
When the two couples cross an intersection toward a policeman on the other
side, June turns and yells at the two men for following her and Ruth.
Ben and Charley are surprised at their wive's open rebellion,
resolving
to put a stop to it.
On the elevator, Ruth pretends to recognize Ben as a famous personality, asking for his autograph. Ben turns the tables on her by writing something suggestive the other women in the elevator see as well. Ruth and June declare a truce, asking their husbands to leave them to their shopping, meeting them later at the Top of the Mark.
Nevertheless, Ben and Charley plot additional pranks. Ben notes however, they've lost the element of surprise. Their wives are expecting something. He also wonders about husbands playing gags on their wives; is it an expression of love; something not possible with someone they didn't love. Charley agrees.
Later, when Ben and Charley meet Ruth and June, they seem on their best behavior. A waiter brings the women two small packages, containing presents, rather than tricks. June hears her and Charley's favorite song being played.
Ruth apologizes for expecting jokes rather than presents, admitting she and Ruth were prepared with pranks of their own. Charley suggests they takes their wives to the Cliff House to watch the sunset.
When Ben has no money to pay their tab, Ruth gives him some. Ben replies loudly, he's just a gigolo, and it begins again.
words: 5,521
genre: None
similar: None
people: Benjamin Callandar, Ruth Callandar, Charley Howser, June Howser, the Weiners, Dave Ransome, Lennie Forbes
places: San Francisco, CA: Union Square, Post Street, The White House (department store), Grant Avenue, Top of the Mark, Market Street, Cliff House; Des Plaines, IL
comments: Forthhcoming