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It pays to advertise cover

It pays to advertise

Chapter 7: ACT I.
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About This Book

A three-act farce that follows the complications when an affluent manufacturer's household and the firm's office collide over marketing and inheritance. Misunderstandings, multilingual visitors, secretaries and ambitious suitors fuel a satirical campaign in which publicity and advertising are used as tactical tools to revive a struggling product and outwit rivals. The play trades on theatrical misunderstandings, impersonations, and calculated press strategies, exploring the comic power of publicity and the gap between old-fashioned reluctance and modern business promotion. Scenes alternate between an imposing domestic library and a bustling company office, balancing social comedy with pointed commentary about commercial persuasion.

PROPERTY LIST

ACT I.

Stage Properties

  • Typewriter desk
  • Typewriter
  • Office swivel chair
  • Library table
  • Couch
  • Six large chairs (living room chairs)
  • Footstool
  • Writing set on large table
  • (Pen, ink, etc.)
  • Magazines and books
  • Check book on large table
  • Stenographer’s note book
  • Walking stick
  • Telephone on desk
  • Telephone on table
  • Clock (?)
  • Carpet or rugs
  • Push bell on Right flat near Door R. I E.
  • Telephones may be connected.
  • Three telephones in Third act may be connected to be ready for second Act and may remain through as two are used in Third Act too.

Side Properties

  • Walking stick—Martin
  • Book of passes—Peale
  • Pencil—Peale
  • Parasol—Countess
  • Suit case—Rodney
  • Cook book—Rodney
  • Two contracts—Peale
  • Money for Rodney
  • Letters for Johnson
  • Salver for Johnson
  • Calling cards—Johnson
  • Martin’s foot tied up

ACT II.

Stage Properties

  • Large flat-top desk
  • Typewriter desk (same one as Act I)
  • Typewriter paper, etc.
  • Small table or desk for telephone stand
  • Three telephones and three books (directories)
  • Box of cigars in desk
  • Plane in drawer of desk
  • File cabinet
  • Letter file on cabinet
  • Letters in file cabinet
  • Signs for walls
  • Sandwich men signs (6)
  • Rubber stamp and pad on big desk C.
  • Ledger—or ledger sheets for MSS. case
  • Buzzer connected up on Desk C.
  • Buzzer connected up on Desk L.
  • About six office chairs
  • Two swivel office chairs
  • Papers, check book, etc. Desk C.
  • Papers like contracts for Rodney to sign
  • Hat rack

Side Properties

  • MSS. case—Mary
  • Pencil and pad—Peale
  • Peale—telegram
  • Letter—Mary
  • Draft—Countess
  • Cane—Ellery
  • Hand bag—Countess
  • Handkerchief—Countess

ACT III.

Stage Properties

  • Same furniture as Act I—Arranged
  • Same, except might have small table where desk was in Act I.
  • Newspapers on desk C.
  • Letters sealed on desk for Martin to open
  • Circulars in these letters
  • Advertisements on N. Y. papers: 13 soap
  • Waste paper basket
  • Check book on Table C. with ink, etc.
  • Buzzer connected at typewriter desk

Side Properties

  • Letter seal on large table
  • New York papers with ads of 13 soap
  • Cigar—Peale
  • Contracts—Countess
  • List of Advertisers—Rodney
  • Card and Tray—Johnson
  • Bronson’s hat
  • Cigar for Martin
  • Matches—Martin