Extra Extra.
This campus offers no site sufficiently exotic to serve as a backdrop for the exchange witnessed below.
We must, then, turn our mind's eye to an imagined time and place. We are observing the meeting of two people in a scene isolated from the humdrum day to day affairs of men. The barrier is one of distance, mist or darkness.
Perhaps they met at midnight on the ghost-trodden battlements of an uneasy castle, or during the dog-watch on the after-deck of a revenge-seeking Nantucket whaler.
Or possibly, they met on the parade ground of a Sahara sun-blazed French fort, formidably manned by dead men, or at the berthing of a steamer at the extreme of its journey into the dark heart of the African continent.
The two figures approach each other and pause.
Capt'n
It is done.
Publicity Agent
You have signed?
Capt'n
I have signed.
Publicity Agent
To take effect from?
There is a rapid change of scene. This scene is now in the silk black and white of the Maltese Falcon or Double Indemnity.
The Capt'n is seated behind a large desk; behind him we see the grey outlines of the New York skyline. It is clear that the building housing his office is one of the tallest in the city.
He is wearing the broad lapel business suit of the immediate post war period. Standing facing the Capt'n is the Publicity Agent. He is wearing a long street-coat and a hat.
A ticket marked "PRESS" is stuck in the hatband. The Publicity Agent is making notes on a spiral backed pad. Beside the Publicity Agent is the Photographer. He is similarly dressed and carries the classic large film camera of the time.
Without any break in audio continuity the Capt'n answers.
Capt'n
To take effect from July 3, this year.
Publicity Agent
I'll just go through that.
reads from notes
Consistent with the 11/54 act, as from July 3 Captain Andrew Watson, who is well known to all our readers, is resigning his cuurent position to take on a new career path.
The question on everyone's lips [in the forties, this was not yet a cliché - ed] is "what will happened about the ' Bar?"
pauses, looks at Capt'n, waits
Capt'n
The position with respect to the 'Bar is under active consideration.
Publicity Agent
You will give us the edge in on that one, when it comes through Capt'n?
Capt'n
You boys will be looked after, never fear. Didn't I give you this one?
Photographer
Captain Watson!
The Capt'n looks up. We see the photographer behind the camera with its large flash unit. The flash operates and takes the screen to white. Then the white eases so we see that we are looking directly into a car headlight. As we watch the headlight goes off and our view runs across the front of an obviously very expensive car and down the side to the passenger's door handle. The white gloved hand of a commissionaire opens the door and an elegant woman steps out. She is escorted by her suave companion up the steps of a New York club. A neon sign above the entrance reads "Campbell Bar". A newspaper boy rushes along the sidewalk, he has a money bag hanging from his neck, a bundle of papers under his left arm and with his right arm held high he waves a paper.
Newspaper Boy
Extra! Extra! Read all about it! Capt'n to resign on the eve of Independence Day. No decision on Campbell Bar.
The companion excuses himself, buys a paper, waves off the change and returns to the lady. They proceed into the club.
The camera sweeps up, up, and away, to give panoramic views of city at night. Titles over. Sound track – solo muted jazz trumpet.
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