A spendthrift learns financial responsibility through a grandfather's test while protecting his town from greed and criminals.
Story Structure — 4 Plot Phases
The Dollar Inheritance
Montgomery Bixby receives only a dollar from his grandfather's will while the entire town gets fifty thousand dollars. His sweetheart abandons him as the community descends into sudden greed.
Key Events
Grandfather's Will Reading — Montgomery receives only a dollar while town gets cash. Characters: Montgomery BixbyLocation: Family Estate
Sweetheart's Abandonment — His sweetheart leaves him due to town's greed. Characters: Montgomery BixbyLocation: Town Square
Grandfather's Legacy Setup — Background setup of the grandfather's wealth. Characters: Montgomery BixbyLocation: Family Estate
Sweetheart's Motivation — Her departure highlights the town's materialism. Characters: Montgomery BixbyLocation: Town Square
Town's Greed and Crooks
The town's obsession with wealth attracts criminal elements looking to exploit the financial chaos. Monte witnesses the danger and recognizes the need for intervention.
Key Events
Town's Money Frenzy — Citizens become obsessed with sudden wealth. Characters: Montgomery BixbyLocation: Little Town
Crooks' Arrival — Thieves arrive to exploit the financial chaos. Characters: Montgomery BixbyLocation: Town Streets
Monte's Decision — He resolves to save the town despite their flaws. Characters: Montgomery BixbyLocation: Monte's Residence
Secretary's Recruitment — Monte enlists his grandfather's former secretary. Characters: Montgomery BixbyLocation: Office
Sweetheart's Motivation — Her departure highlights the town's materialism. Characters: Montgomery BixbyLocation: Town Square
Secretary's Background — The secretary's past with the grandfather is noted. Characters: Montgomery BixbyLocation: Office
Crooks' Network — The thieves coordinate their approach. Characters: Montgomery BixbyLocation: Town Streets
Monte's Resolve — He commits to protecting the town's future. Characters: Montgomery BixbyLocation: Monte's Residence
Monte's Counteroffensive
Monte recruits his grandfather's former secretary and devises a strategic plan to protect the town's funds. They audit accounts and intercept the crooks' operations.
Key Events
Secretary's Recruitment — Monte enlists his grandfather's former secretary. Characters: Montgomery BixbyLocation: Office
Counter-Strategy Planning — They devise a plan to protect town funds. Characters: Montgomery BixbyLocation: Safehouse
Crooks' First Move — Thieves attempt to steal the distributed cash. Characters: Montgomery BixbyLocation: Bank
Monte's Intervention — Monte intercepts the crooks' operation. Characters: Montgomery BixbyLocation: Bank
Secretary's Assistance — The secretary provides crucial financial records. Characters: Montgomery BixbyLocation: Town Hall
Town's Realization — Citizens begin to see the folly of their greed. Characters: Montgomery BixbyLocation: Town Square
Financial Audit — Monte and secretary verify town accounts. Characters: Montgomery BixbyLocation: Town Hall
Truth and True Wealth
The crooks are defeated and the town begins to recover. Monte discovers the will was a hoax designed to teach him responsibility, and he receives his real inheritance.
Key Events
Town's Realization — Citizens begin to see the folly of their greed. Characters: Montgomery BixbyLocation: Town Square
Crooks' Defeat — Monte successfully thwarts the thieves. Characters: Montgomery BixbyLocation: Town Streets
Will's Truth Revealed — Monte learns the will was a hoax to teach him. Characters: Montgomery BixbyLocation: Family Estate
Value of Money Learned — He internalizes the lesson on financial responsibility. Characters: Montgomery BixbyLocation: Study
Real Inheritance Unveiled — A genuine inheritance awaits his successful test. Characters: Montgomery BixbyLocation: Family Estate
Town's Recovery — The community stabilizes after the crisis. Characters: Montgomery BixbyLocation: Little Town
Monte's New Beginning — Monte embraces his future with wisdom. Characters: Montgomery BixbyLocation: Town Square
Public Speech — Monte addresses the townspeople about responsibility. Characters: Montgomery BixbyLocation: Town Square
Final Confrontation — Direct clash with the lead crook. Characters: Montgomery BixbyLocation: Bank
Story Breakdown
Inheritance Shock — Monte receives minimal funds while the town gains wealth.
Will Reading — Grandfather's will leaves Monte with one dollar.
Sweetheart Leaves — Romantic partner abandons him due to town's greed.
Town Chaos — Sudden wealth triggers widespread materialism and vulnerability.
Money Frenzy — Citizens become obsessed with cash distribution.
Crooks Arrive — Thieves target the financially vulnerable town.
Strategic Response — Monte organizes a defense to protect community assets.
Secretary Recruitment — Monte enlists trusted former staff for help.
Plan Formulation — They audit accounts and prepare countermeasures.
Criminal Conflict — Direct clashes between Monte's team and the thieves.
Bank Interception — Monte stops the crooks from stealing funds.
Public Address — Monte urges citizens to value responsibility over greed.
Truth Unveiled — The initial crisis is revealed as a deliberate lesson.
Hoax Discovery — Monte learns the will was a test of character.
Moral Growth — He internalizes the lesson on financial wisdom.
Resolution — The town recovers and Monte secures his future.
Real Inheritance — A genuine fortune awaits his successful test.
Community Recovery — The town stabilizes and thanks Monte's leadership.
Monte Bixby's grandfather leaves a will providing each native-born citizen of his small town with $50,000 while giving Monte one dollar. Monte's society fiancée, Mary Reynolds, abandons him, but grandfather Bixby's pretty young secretary, Phyllis Andrews, resolves to help him. Meanwhile, life in the town is chaotic as the legatees begin to spend their money.
