Madeleine (DRAFT) - A 2-Part Radio Play (15 minutes per Part)
PART 1
Scene 1 (About 1.5 minutes): Bar Harbor, Maine. The summer colony of Brooklyn Society have gathered to watch some amateur outdoor performances by the youth and new debutantes. Inspirational NYT article about such events: Bar Harbor's Gayest Week https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1916/08/20/104025875.html?pageNumber=68
people:
- MR. DICK is Mr. J. Henry Dick, father of Adolf Dick, William Karl Dick, and Julia Dick
- MRS. WILLIAM T. FORCE: mother of Katherine Force and Madeleine T. Force.
- MRS. VANDERBILT: wife of Mr. Vanderbilt
- WILLY: William Karl Dick
- COL. ASTOR is Colonel John Jacob Astor, father of Vincent and one of the wealthiest men in the world. Recently divorced by his wife for infidelity.
- MRS. TBD1
- MRS. TBD2
MUSIC: Medieval Tune
BACKGROUND: Light applause then an actor speaks the epilog of Shakespeare's Henry VIII '’Tis ten to one this play can never please; All that are here. Some come to take their ease; And sleep an act or two—but those, we fear, We’ve frighted with our trumpets; so, ’tis clear, They’ll say ’tis naught—others, to hear the city; Abused extremely and to cry “That’s witty!” Which we have not done neither—that I fear; All the expected good we’re like to hear; For this play at this time is only in; The merciful construction of good women, For such a one we showed ’em. If they smile; And say ’twill do, I know within a while; All the best men are ours; for ’tis ill hap; If they hold when their ladies bid ’em clap. Light applause.
FOREGROUND:
MR. DICK: These Bar Harbor outdoor youth plays are much more to my taste than the New York Theaters.
MRS. FORCE: I do agree. Our daughter Maddy loves to perform here - to aid American Ambulance in France naturally.
MRS. VANDERBILT: Maddy was a perfect Anne Boylan! Does that upset you Henry? The town is all a talk about Willy and Maddy being inseparable.
MRS. TBD1: And now that she's been introduced with this year's debutantes ...
MRS. TBD2: We think any day now we will learn that ...
TOGETHER (MR. DICK & MRS. FORCE): They're really close *friends*. No rush in these matters. Plenty of time... Here comes Willy now...
WILLY: Hi father, Mrs. __, Mrs. ___, and Mrs. Force. Enjoying the shows?
MRS. FORCE: The staging this year is spectacular, did you have a hand in it?
WILLY: When Maddy asks, I obey. We're proving to be quite an unbeatable pair on the tennis courts as well. She's amazing!
COL. ASTOR: Mrs. Force, Vince and I are delighted.
MRS. FORCE: As well.
COL. ASTOR: May I invite you and your daughters Katherine and Madeleine to dinner and entertainment tomorrow evening, at our cottage, at around 5 pm?
MRS. FORCE: We would be most honored to join you and Vincent.
COL. ASTOR: Well, we must be off. Looking forward to a long visit with you all.
WILLY: If I don't see you again this summer, have a great semester, Vince.
VINCENT: Thanks.
MRS. FORCE: Ladies, let's go help with the stage clean up.
MR. DICK: Now that we have a moment, Willy, I'd like to give you some advice.
WILLY: I appreciate...
MR. DICK: William. It's time to get serious about Miss Madeleine. She's been introduced to society. You are with her all the time. It is assumed that you will be engaged and to continue this relation would shame her if you don't act soon. Besides you're not the only interest.
(About 1.5 minutes) Scene 2: Dinner and Entertainment at the Astor place in Bar Harbor
SOUND: KNOCK ON DOOR
BUTLER: Come in, Mr. and Mrs. Force. The Colonel has been expecting you. Right this way to the drawing room.
SOUND: MUSIC OF STRING EMSEMBLE GETTING LOUDER THEN FADING AS PIECE CLOSES.
COL. ASTOR: May I present Mr. and Mrs. William Hurlbut Force, their daughter Katherine, and their daughter Madeleine, who was recently presented as debutante this past December.
AUDIENCE: Light applause and welcoming.
COL. ASTOR to his BUTLER: Please give Mr. and Mrs. Force and Katherine a tour of our estate.
COL. ASTOR to MADELEINE: Miss Force, I hope you will join me in a waltz. Let's show these folks your dancing skills.
SOUND: EMSEMBLE PLAYS A WALTZ. COL. ASTOR AND MADELEINE TALK WHILE WALTZING.
COL. ASTOR: You do know how to waltz?
MADELEINE: Of course!
COL. ASTOR: Then follow my lead. Yes, I need to keep practice since Mrs. Astor has divorced me. This estate is sorely missing the presence of a lady to run the social engagements.
MADELEINE: She seems quite busy with her 400 list...
COL. ASTOR: I heard you are quite good at tennis.
MADELEINE: Willy and I won all our matches this summer except one.
COL. ASTOR: Willy, yes, he's quite a gentle young lad. Perfect for a ladies double fill-in.
MADELEINE: We're very close.
COL. ASTOR: No doubt your mother's influence. I know your family has a good name, but by society standards, your father is not making it financially. The Dick family attracts your mother to set it all right?
MADELEINE: We've never spoken of it.
COL. ASTOR: Your hair piece is falling. Here let me fix it for you.
MADELEINE: Oh...
COL. ASTOR: You, my dear, are unequaled in brilliance and athletism.
MADELEINE: I do love the outdoors.
COL. ASTOR: Fantastic. I'll ask your parents to permit you to join me in yachting on our Noma out of Newport then.
MADELEINE: Am...
COL. ASTOR: And I'll ask that they join us, so your reputation wouldn't be marred. But if I were you, I wouldn't worry myself with reputation. You will be leading those standards soon enough.
MUSIC COMES TO CLOSE
BUTLER: Dinner is ready. Please follow me to the dining room.
COL. ASTOR: My dear, take my hand, and join me at my side.
Scene 3: Society reacts to the news that Mr. Astor and Madeleine are engaged
MRS. VANDERBILT: And did you read about the heroic rescue?
Scene 5: Fitting dress - Mrs. Force is insistent on the wedding though Maddy is doubtful. Mrs. Force says she is being selfish.
Scene 6: The Wedding of Madeleine Force and J. J. Astor
Scene 7: Tennis Courts Scene: Society reacts to the wedding and the censure of the Reverend
Based on: https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1911/09/11/104874422.html?pageNumber=3 CRITICISE PASTOR WHO MARRIED ASTOR
Scene 8: Mr. Astor plans and extended honeymoon with Madeleine
Scene 9: Society Reacts to the Sinking of the Titanic
Scene 10: Madeleine and her friend entertain in their home.
talk about: https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1912/08/08/100544703.html?pageNumber=1 AUTO BUS CRASHES INTO ASTOR HOME
talk about: the pearl necklace
talk about:
Scene 11: Mrs. Force refuses to let Mr. Dick in the house - Madeleine objects and explains that there is not enough money in Mr. Astor's will to cover the family expenses - Mr. Dick would be a better prospect.
Scene 12: Mr. Dick is invited and straightens out the finances. They plan to travel south for a vacation (where they win the golf tournament together)
Scene 13: Society reacts to the engagement of Mr. William K. Dick and Madeleine
Scene 14: Madeleine has a breakdown at the Town Clerk's office in Bar Harbor because of the new law requiring a wait.
End of Part 1 with Madeleine sobbing.
PART 2
Scene 1: Wedding of Madeleine and William K. Dick
Scene 2: Society reacts to the Wedding of William K. Dick and Madeleine.
Scene 3: Madeleine enters society and does social events.
Scene 4: Blood curdling scream as Maddy is suffering night terrors - memories of the Titanic. She is taken to Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore.
Scene 5: Rita Riot - Opening of the Zeigfeld Theater
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FU9h2v2_3FQ
https://researchworks.oclc.org/archivegrid/collection/data/79415204
Scene 6: They attend the Victory Horse Show Together
Scene 7: Maddy talks to the society ladies about how disappointed she is that WK Dick's horses always place 2nd or 3rd and that his cars never win.
Scene 8: Maddy and Willy fight verbally. Maddy is angry because they never win.
Scene 9: Maddy seeks a divorce but JJ Jr talks her out of it
Scene 10: Maddy finally goes for the divorce in Reno - divorce scene - Willy says he thinks it is a mistake because he loves her and always has - and thinks that she loves him. He tells her to stop wearing the Astor dog-pearl chain, take his name, and wear the emerald engagement ring from him if she divorces and realizes this is a mutual mistake.
Scene 11: Maddy and WKDick must meet for their son's wedding even though she has been hospitalized.
Scene 12: Madeleine reads the newspaper that WK Dick is winning with his dogs in dog trials.
Scene 13: Society reacts to the news that Madeleine has divorced again, that her house burnt down, and that she has had extended hospitalizations. Rumors that she is addicted to pain pills and anxiety pills.
Scene 14: WKD reacts to the news that Madeleine has died. Her last photo shows her wearing the emerald ring and not the pearl 'dog chain' necklace.
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