Tuesday 19 December – IT SUITS HER, Episode 21

By
William E. Spear

Volume 2, Issue 21

IT SUITS HER, Episode 21

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Full Transcript –

IT SUITS HER, Episode 21

ORIGINAL DATE: 19 December 2023

(Theme for It Suits Her fades up and under)

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

Maxie is sitting with his estranged wife, Agnes, in his friend’s restaurant. She asked why he drank so much, ran around, and never came home.

His answer will reveal his deepest fear.

How will Agnes react? Find out in Episode Twenty-one of . . . IT SUITS HER.

(Theme for Nick’s Italian Bistro fades up and under)

Maxie remembered his whirlwind acting career and success at portraying “the nice guy next door.” The interviews, the parties, and the people he met all came flooding back. As did the changes he experienced.

He stared in his glass of tonic water and spoke to the nearly melted ice: “I was afraid that you wouldn’t think I was as good as the characters I played.”

Agnes smiled at his willingness to be human at all times. His years of drinking had not changed that.

She allowed a sliver of her own humanity to enter the conversation: “Tony told me what you did for that girl. Said it was more gentlemanly than anything you did in TERMINUS. Everybody knew what you were before that movie. I’ve always known what kind of man you are.”

“You never said anything.” He watched the last of the ice melt.

Maxie was fortunate to be sitting before Agnes told him of the years she was afraid of not being good enough for him.

He said the tonic had gone to his head and asked her to explain.

They had studied drama together and had gone to the same auditions. “But,” she added. “You became a star and I got stretch marks. You were out with all those actresses and I was-“

“-You were always on my mind,” interrupted Maxie.

Agnes threatened to splash him with his drink. She said not to start or he’d be wearing his tonic.

Nick was walking by and commented: “Is somebody asking that I should be bringing a tonic?”

“No, Nick, just have a towel ready in case Agnes starts throwing my limes.”

Nick let them know Mister Maxie was “making him to laugh. Ha! Ha!”

“Don’t encourage him, Nick,” Agnes said drily while staring at Maxie. “He was probably life of the parties with Gina Broyles and Pamela Fenster.”

Nick smiled and quietly stepped away while Maxie continued: “Gina Broyles, Pamela Fenster, and all the others listened to me talk about you.”

Her hostility flared: “Not only were you a drunk but you were boring.”

Maxie shook his head at another person playing the drunk card. He quickly changed course and added: “I’m not sure which of us is worse.”

“You are,” answered Agnes with enthusiasm.

Maxie talked into the bottom of his empty glass: “You’re probably right.” He paused and resumed: “Look, I, uh, I was wondering . . .”

(Theme for Nick’s Italian Bistro fades up and under)

You’ve just listened to Episode Twenty-one of IT SUITS HER.

Series theme is through the courtesy of Michael Kobrin. Theme for Nick’s Bistro is by AudioCoffee. Both are at PixaBay.

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

Thank you for listening.

Oh, and Maxie . . . what are you doing? You’ve navigated the wrath of Agnes by claiming to be a faithful, although alcoholic, husband.

Don’t get us wrong. Agnes is beautiful. But we don’t believe a couple of drinks with Gina Broyles, Pamela Fenster, or the others would have kept Agnes on our mind. Of course, we weren’t there.

But tell us: What could you possibly be wondering?

(Theme for It Suits Her fades up and out)

WESJr

Tuesday 12 December – IT SUITS HER, Episode 20



By
William E. Spear

Volume 2, Issue 20

IT SUITS HER, Episode 20

~~

Full Transcript –

IT SUITS HER, Episode 20

ORIGINAL DATE: 12 December 2023

(Theme for It Suits Her fades up and under)

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

Maxie’s “performance of his life” was experienced only by his wife, Agnes, and him. There were no awards. No photographers calling “Over here, Mr. Williams. Over here!”

No interviews on national and international magazines.

Instead, he answered her question about working at Scherzer’s, the high-end department store in Flemington. He told her he couldn’t sell a glass of water to a man in the desert then added he made customers laugh and they usually bought a shirt or tie.

He spoke of working with some of the best people he’d ever known. Funny and creative, like an ensemble. Around them, he had gotten his timing back. They had encouraged him to audition for Tony’s play.

He stared into his tonic and lime hoping to survive his emotions. What he got was the courage to ask Agnes a question.

What did he ask? Find out in Episode Twenty of . . . IT SUITS HER.

(Theme for Nick’s Italian Bistro fades up and under)

He stared into his glass, took a sip of tonic with lime, and asked: “Why are you here?”

Agnes grudgingly offered congratulations on his new role. “I see,” she said. “You’ve been celebrating.”

Maxie admitted he had become a connoisseur of tonic and lime.

Agnes asked: “How long’s it been?”

“Ten years since I saw you.”

Agnes steered the conversation away from her: “Since your last drink?”

Maxie allowed himself to be steered . . .: “Five years, six months, two weeks, one day, two hours and fifty-seven minutes.”

Agnes remembered his humor: “Approximately?”

Maxie affirmed: “Approximately.” The he steered the conversation back onto Agnes: “It’s good to see you.”

Agnes refused the attention and wanted one question. He shook his head “Yes.”

Agnes asked: “Why’d you do all those things?” Maxie stammered: “Well, you see, uh, I, . . .

She went on: “Why run around?” Maxie tried laughing it off by declaring that was two questions.

Agnes was relentless: “And drink so much?” Maxie smiled: “Hold on that’s three.”

Agnes closed in for the metaphorical kill: “And not come home?” Maxie was silent.

He continued quietly and softly, remembering more than telling: “That was the worst, not seeing you. But I was so afraid.”

Agnes didn’t let up: “Of what?”

“I was changing . . . the interviews, the parties, the people hanging around me. Afraid that . . .”

“. . . Go on.”

“And,” he paused and stared in his glass again. The ice was nearly melted. “I was afraid that you wouldn’t think I was as good as the characters I played.”

(Theme for Nick’s Italian Bistro fades up and under)

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

Series theme is through the courtesy of Michael Kobrin. Theme for Nick’s Bistro is by AudioCoffee. Both are at PixaBay.

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

Thank you for listening.

And Maxie . . . Come on! There’s no way you drank and ran around because of how you were changing. You’re making that up about being less than the characters you portrayed.

Aren’t you?

(Theme for It Suits Her fades up and out)

WES

A DECEMBER FORCE OF POETS

Narrated by
William E. Spear

A DECEMBER FORCE OF POETS, December 2023

~~

Full Transcript –

A DECEMBER FORCE OF POETS

ORIGINAL DATE: 9 December 2023

(Cold Intro)

This is . . . The Three Fifty-seven.

(Theme for A December Force of Poets comes up and goes under)

Hello. My name is William E. Spear and you are listening to The Three Fifty-seven.

This episode features three poets born 200 hundred years ago and whose work still inspires.

Sit back and enjoy A DECEMBER FORCE OF POETS.

(Theme for A December Force of Poets comes up and goes under)

The first poem is Emily Jane Brontë’s TO A WREATH OF SNOW.

Brontë was born in Yorkshire, England in 1818 and wrote nearly 200 poems and the novel WUTHERING HEIGHTS.

Written in 1837 and published after her death, this is Brontë’s TO A WREATH OF SNOW.

(Theme for To a Wreath of Snow comes up an goes under)

TO A WREATH OF SNOW

O transient voyager of heaven!
O silent sign of winter skies!
What adverse wind thy sail has driven
To dungeons where a prisoner lies?

Methinks the hands that shut the sun
So sternly from this morning’s brow
Might still their rebel task have done
And checked a thing so frail as thou.

They would have done it had they known
The talisman that dwelt in thee,
For all the suns that ever shone
Have never been so kind to me!

For many a week, and many a day
My heart was weighed with sinking gloom
When morning rose in mourning grey
And faintly lit my prison room

But angel like, when I awoke,
Thy silvery form so soft and fair
Shining through darkness, sweetly spoke
Of cloudy skies and mountains bare;

The dearest to a mountaineer
Who, all life long has loved the snow
That crowned her native summits drear,
Better, than greenest plains below.

And voiceless, soulless, messenger
Thy presence waked a thrilling tone
That comforts me while thou art here
And will sustain when thou art gone

(Theme for To a Wreath of Snow comes up an goes under)

The second poem is Frances Ellen Watkins Harper’s OUT IN THE COLD.

Harper was born in Baltimore, Maryland USA in September of 1825. Her work included poetry, short stories, and novels.

Reflecting upon women who have been “Wrecked and ruined, wronged and betrayed”, this is Harper’s OUT IN THE COLD.

(Theme for Out In the Cold comes up an goes under)

OUT IN THE COLD

Out in the cold mid the dreary night,
Under the eaves of homes so bright:
Snowflakes falling o’er mother’s grave
Will no one rescue, no one save?

A child left out in the dark and cold,
A lamb not sheltered in any fold,
Hearing the wolves of hunger bark,
Out in the cold! and out in the dark

Missing to-night the charming bliss,
That lies in the mother’s good-night kiss;
And hearing no loving father’s prayer,
For blessings his children all may share.

Creeping away to some wretched den,
To sleep mid the curses of drunken men
And women, not as God has made,
Wrecked and ruined, wronged and betrayed.

Church of the Lord reach out thy arm,
And shield the hapless one from harm;
Where the waves of sin are dashing wild
Rescue and save the drifting child.

Wash from her life guilt’s turbid foam,
In the fair haven of a home;
Tenderly lead the motherless girl
Up to the gates of purest pearl.

The wandering feet which else had strayed,
From thorny paths may yet be stayed;
And a crimson track through the cold dark night
May exchange to a line of loving light.

(Theme for Out In the Cold comes up an goes under)

The third poem is Mary Bridges Caned Slade’s WHAT DECEMBER SAYS.

Slade was born in Fall River, Massachusetts USA in 1826 and was a teacher and musical composer.

Imploring readers to “open our hearts”, this is Slade’s WHAT DECEMBER SAYS.

(Theme for What December Says comes up an goes under)

WHAT DECEMBER SAYS

Open your hearts ere I am gone,
And hear my old, old story;
For I am the month that first looked down
On the beautiful Babe of glory.
You never must call me lone and drear
Because no birds are singing;
Open your hearts, and you shall hear
The song of the angels ringing.

Open your hearts, and hear the feet
Of the star-led Wise Men, olden;
Bring out your treasures of incense sweet;
Lay down your offerings golden.
You say you look, but you see no sight
Of the wonderful Babe I’m telling;
You say they have carried him off, by night,
From Bethlehem’s lowly dwelling.

Open your hearts and seek the door
Where the alway poor are staying;
For this is the story, for evermore
The Master’s voice is saying:
Inasmuch as ye do it unto them.
The poor, the weak, and the stranger,
Ye do it to Jesus of Bethlehem—
Dear Babe of the star-lit manger!

(Theme for What December Says comes up an goes under)

You’ve just listened to A DECEMBER FORCE OF POETS.

Music was through the courtesy of DSTechnician, AmarantaMusic, Alexander Nakarada, and Birds Flying in the Dark.

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

Thank you for listening.

(Theme for A December Force of Poets comes up and goes out)

WESJr

Tuesday 5 December – IT SUITS HER, Episode 19


By
William E. Spear

Volume 2, Issue 19

IT SUITS HER, Episode 19

~~

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)

WESJr

December 2023 – The Month Ahead – The Business of The 3:57 by William E. Spear

William E. Spear . . . whoever that is

A regular accounting of The 3:57 published on the first Monday of each month.

The Month Ahead – Monday 4 December

Hello, All,

Welcome to The Month Ahead for December 2023. It is my hope the year has been kind to you.

During the month, the final episodes of IT SUITS HER will be released. Maxie and Celia have traveled a long road and it has been a joy telling their story.

Last month we developed NOVEMBER POEMS, PARTS ONE AND TWO. Seven poems were compiled to honor the eleventh month. Writing from John Clare, Emily Dickinson, Rebecca Hey, and Elizabeth Drew Barstow Stoddard was included. Although not recorded, it is realistic to see a release in 2024.

However, the experience of researching poets and poetry was appealing. Expect an episode this month with a focus on December.

The lineup for the first six months of 2024 includes the following:
— January – Break. There are no episodes scheduled in January
— February – LOVE 20 MINUTES INTO THE FUTURE where The Messenger becomes a digitzed personal assistant, with staff, to save a prestigous client of the firm from a potentially catastrophic delay in releasing a new product
— March – SEVENTEEN: A continuation of the story started in 2023; Severin Vincent Tennyson, a sixty-four year-old non-verbal janitor in central New Jersey, U.S.A. and Jennifer Hargrove, his job coach, struggle to understand the flashback he is having
— April – ROAD RAGE: An interpretation of Washington Irving’s Legend of Sleepy Hollow
— May to June – LATE IN THE GAME: The first eight episodes centered on three players on a struggling minor league baseball team in New Jersey

Also, there is a rumor an old friend will in the area between Christmas and New Year. Stay tuned for updates.

Thanks for stopping by in 2023 and we look forward to sharing more in 2024. As always, please remember there are stories are everywhere.

Respectfully,

William E. Spear

Scheduled release: Tuesday 5 December 2023 -IT SUITS HER, Episode 19

This episode has no music, no theme songs, and no segues. It is Argosy Maxwell Williams – Maxie – staring down the barrel of the consequences of his actions.

He is sitting in his friend’s restaurant. At one time, he had a career envied by most. But he drank that away. Although sober for five years, he hasn’t seen his wife in ten.

Until she sits at his table.

With no preparation and no rehearsal, he is thrown into the performance of his life.

Coming on Tuesday 5 December 2023.

PS – Good luck, Maxie.

WES