Tuesday 5 December – IT SUITS HER, Episode 19

By
William E. Spear

Volume 2, Issue 19

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Full Transcript –

IT SUITS HER, Episode 19

ORIGINAL DATE: 5 December 2023

(Footsteps come on and stop)

(Cold open)

Hello. You are listening to The 3:57. I am the host, William Spear, and this is the current series called IT SUITS HER.

This part of the story has no music, no theme songs, and no segues. It is one person facing a moment ten years in the making.

The protagonist, Argosy Maxwell Williams, is sitting in his friend’s restaurant. Nicknamed Maxie, he once had a career envied by most.

He acted opposite the finest performers of his generation. He worked for legendary directors and turned down scripts from the most powerful studios in the world.

Maxie also drank himself out of his career and lost his family. He’s been sober for five years but hasn’t seen his wife in ten. While in the restaurant, his wife unexpectedly sits at his table.

With no preparation and no rehearsal, this is the performance of his life. Enjoy Episode Nineteen of IT SUITS HER and Maxie . . . it’s all yours.

(Cold throughout)

Thanks, William.

I begged Tony not to leave but it didn’t work. With no alternative, and not wishing to draw attention to myself, I sat.

There was no choice but to talk with Agnes.

She started: “How’ve you been for the last ten years . . . Maxie?”

I answered with phony amazement: “Look at the time.”

Agnes stared at me and I had to answer: “Oh, you know. A little of this and a little of that.”

“Working?” she asked expecting me to say “No”.

My discomfort was growing. I faked a yawn and continued: “It really is kind of late.”

She stared. Defeat thy name is Maxie: “Pretty steady,” I conceded. “Especially the last four years. Even have a retirement account.

The thought of me working steady and having a retirement account made Agnes choke on her tonic with lime. She regained her composure and told me she hadn’t seen my name around town.

“Not on stage or film,” I confessed. “But a couple of jobs that keep me busy.”

She leaned slightly into the conversation: “Tell me.”

I didn’t want to and shook my head “No.”

Sounding more like an interrogator rather than an interested party, she insisted: “Go on.”

“The one I really like is in the Men’s department at Scherzer’s.”

Her previous “shabby chic” comment now caused disbelief: “Scherzer’s?,” she said. “The high-end store at the traffic circle?”

It was my turn to have an advantage. I smiled and shook my head “Yes.”

Her disbelief doubled and she asked if I was any good?

“I couldn’t sell a glass of water to a man in the desert. But I make customers laugh and they usually buy a shirt or tie. Plus, I work with some of the best people I’ve ever known. They’re funny and creative, like an ensemble. Around them, I got my timing back. They encouraged me to audition for Tony’s play.”

Advantage me. I looked for courage in a sip of tonic with lime, and asked: “Why are you here, Agnes?”

You’ve just listened to Episode Nineteen of IT SUITS HER.

The Three Fifty-seven is written and produced by William Spear.

Thank you for listening.

And, Maxie, I’m wondering the same thing.

Why is Agnes in the restaurant? After ten years, what could have happened? Why did she leave her “leftover tunafish sandwich on rye with potato chips” to see you?

Maxie, there’s a freight train coming. But you’re not the only one on the track.

(Footsteps come up and go off)

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