Life, 1929-03-08 · page 11 of 44
Life — March 8, 1929 — page 11: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is a romantic short story, not political satire. The narrative follows Ronald Dawson, a young office worker who leaves work late and encounters an attractive girl in an elevator. She mentions wanting to go out some evening. Ronald becomes determined to advance his career to be worthy of her. When his boss unexpectedly offers him a promotion to ninth assistant accountant—a modest raise to four hundred dollars monthly—Ronald sees it as preparation for courting the girl (Betty Brown, the boss's daughter, though Ronald doesn't initially know this). The story's humor derives from Ronald's earnest self-improvement and the irony that his professional ambition stems from romantic motivation rather than careerism.
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Life Short Stories of Life Preparation By Philip L. Ketchum ONALD DAWSON closed _ his ledger with a bang and switched out the light above his desk. Then he struggled into his coat and hurried out into the hall. There, he almost bumped into a girl, and because he almost bumped into her, he was forced to look at her and murmur an apology. “That's alright,” said the _ girl. “You're = oO aren't you?” “I—er—I_ ha@M't noticed,” Ronald said, . “What?” gasped the girl. Her eyes were very blue and young looking. Her hair was bobbed. So were her dresses. “You see—er—I'm—er— trying to get ahead. That is— IT never notice the clock. 1 have my work.” This last statement was true, even if the job did only pay a hundred a month. “Oh,” cried the girl raptur- ously, “I think that’s just grand—er—I mean, I imagine your employer appreciates hav- ing you work for him.” Ronald nodded gravely. “I hope so.” As a matter of fact, he hoped that his boss knew that he was on the pay-roll. “Are you going down?’ Ronald asked. The girl smiled and placed her finger on the button marked “Down”. Togeth they stepped into the elevator and were whisked down- wards, “I thought,” Ronald mur- mured as they stood in the building entrance, “that we might go out some evening if it would be alright?” “That would be splendid,” answered the girl. “How about this evening?” “I'd like to—in fact, I will. T can cut class once.” “Oh, you go to night school?” Ronald nodded, “And I'll bet you take correspondence lessons.” “I do,” said Ronald. “Some day there'll be a vacancy and I want to be ready to fill “So I've read,” the girl laughed, “and I'll bet you'll be ready.” “T will,” Ronald re- plied confidently. As it hap- pened, Ronald cut his class that evening and met the girl by appoint- ment at the theatre. Then, for the next The Boss nodded — He was a busy man. few months, he occasionally cut other classes, he learned to dance; and he almost learned to drink. The girl, she said her name was Betty Brown, was responsible for much of this; but she would not let him neglect his studies altogether. Besides, Ronald couldn't afford to. He was working with another purpose. There was a half promise in Betty's smile when he met her. There was also a twinkle in her eye, and at times, a pout on her lips that he couldn't understand. “Tl be ready when the chance comes,” Ronald would cry, “and then —and then—" “And then—" Betty would ask. But Ronald would only laugh hap- pily. And as it happened, the big chance came. Ronald was unaware of it un- til he was called into the office of the boss, “Could you,” snapped the boss, “han- dle the job of ninth assistant account ant?” Ronald’s heart missed a beat then ertook several. “I—I've been study- ing—I could.” “The salary will be four hundred a month. You start today,” his employer continued. “That's all. But Ronald Dawson hesitated. “I— I want to thank you,” he said. “I know I'll make good. I'll do the best I can.” The boss nodded. He was a busy man. “I—I've been preparing for this,” Ronald concluded. “Yes, I know,” said his boss, dryly. “I have a daughter named Betty.” comicbooks.com