A comedic tale of marital strife, theatrical deception, and eventual reconciliation.
Story Structure — 4 Plot Phases
The Reno Departure
Jane leaves her Connecticut farm to secure a divorce in Reno. She briefly returns to New York upon reading a fake health article, only to realize the deception and leave again.
Key Events
Reno Divorce Departure — Jane leaves her farm plans to secure a divorce in Reno. Characters: Jane DrakeLocation: Connecticut to Reno
Fake Illness Revelation — Jane rushes back upon reading a fake article about Luke's health. Characters: Jane DrakeLocation: New York
Dating William Dudley — Jane begins dating William while processing her divorce. Characters: Jane Drake, William DudleyLocation: Reno
Seeing Through the Charade — Jane recognizes Luke's fake illness article and leaves in anger. Characters: Jane DrakeLocation: New York
The California Detour
Jane begins dating William Dudley in Reno. Their road trip crosses into California, resulting in a gas shortage and a hotel stay where Jane consults on a play script.
Key Events
Dating William Dudley — Jane begins dating William while processing her divorce. Characters: Jane Drake, William DudleyLocation: Reno
Cross-Border Gas Shortage — Jane and William accidentally cross into California and run out of gas. Characters: Jane Drake, William DudleyLocation: California border
Hotel Script Consultation — They secure a hotel room where Jane advises on Luke's play script. Characters: Jane Drake, William DudleyLocation: Hotel room
Gas & Lodging Debt — Jane explicitly states William owes her for shared expenses. Characters: Jane Drake, William DudleyLocation: Hotel
The Theatrical Deception
Virginia agrees to fake a casting to manipulate Jane. Rehearsals begin with Virginia playing Jane's part, while Jane navigates an engagement with William.
Key Events
Virginia's Deception Agreement — Virginia agrees to pretend she was cast in the play to upset Jane. Characters: Jane Drake, Virginia ColeLocation: New York
Furniture Auction — Jane buys back a vase while Dingelhoff purchases the rest of their furniture. Characters: Jane DrakeLocation: Apartment
Rehearsals Begin — Rehearsals commence with Virginia Cole playing Jane's role in the play. Characters: Virginia ColeLocation: Theater
Desk Purchase by Dingelhoff — Dingelhoff buys the desk Jane originally purchased for Luke. Characters: Jane DrakeLocation: Auction house
The Wedding Night Chaos
A rehearsal trick forces Jane back on stage. William's arrest, fake inspectors, and wedding night interruptions culminate in a hotel fight and final reconciliation.
Key Events
Rehearsals Begin — Rehearsals commence with Virginia Cole playing Jane's role in the play. Characters: Virginia ColeLocation: Theater
Engagement Discovery — Luke learns that Jane is engaged to William Dudley. Characters: Jane Drake, William DudleyLocation: Theater
Rehearsal Trick & Fill-In — Virginia storms off after tips, forcing Jane to reluctantly fill in. Characters: Jane Drake, Virginia ColeLocation: Theater
William's Arrest & Bail — Jane leaves to bail William out after he is tricked into arrest. Characters: Jane Drake, William DudleyLocation: Police station
Fake Inspectors Confrontation — Fake inspectors demand proof of residency, leading to a receipt confrontation. Characters: Jane Drake, William DudleyLocation: Hotel
Production Shutdown — The play shuts down, and Jane claims the $4.40 Luke owes her. Characters: Jane DrakeLocation: Hotel
Marriage Validity Realization — Luke realizes the California receipt proves Jane's marriage is invalid. Characters: William DudleyLocation: Hotel
Wedding Night Interruptions — Luke sends workers to disrupt Jane and William's wedding night. Characters: Jane Drake, William DudleyLocation: Hotel room
Hotel Room Fight — A fight breaks out, prompting Jane to leave with Luke. Characters: Jane Drake, William DudleyLocation: Hotel room
Furniture Reveal & Reconciliation — Luke reveals he bought their furniture back, leading to reconciliation. Characters: Jane Drake, William DudleyLocation: Old apartment
Virginia's Scripted Storm-Off — Virginia pretends to be upset and storms off during rehearsal. Characters: Virginia Cole, Jane DrakeLocation: Theater
Flower Apology Arrival — Luke and associates arrive with flowers to apologize for the arrest. Characters: William DudleyLocation: Hotel
Emma's Shutdown Announcement — Emma informs Jane that the production has permanently shut down. Characters: Jane DrakeLocation: Hotel
Final Apartment Reconciliation — Luke admits he hired Dingelhoff to buy back their belongings. Characters: Jane Drake, William DudleyLocation: Old apartment
Story Breakdown
Marital Strife & Divorce — Jane's frustration with Luke's work habits drives her to seek a divorce in Reno.
Reno Departure — Jane leaves Connecticut to legally separate from her husband.
Fake Illness Revelation — A newspaper article about Luke's health prompts Jane's emotional return.
Theatrical Deception — Luke orchestrates a play-based scheme to manipulate Jane's emotions.
Virginia Agreement — Virginia consents to fake a casting to upset Jane.
Rehearsal Substitution — Virginia plays Jane's role, forcing Jane to step back in.
Financial & Property Dynamics — Monetary debts and furniture auctions highlight shifting power balances.
Furniture Auction — Dingelhoff purchases their belongings, except for a sentimental vase.
Gas & Lodging Debt — Jane covers travel costs, establishing a temporary financial creditor role.
Romantic Entanglements — Jane's dating life with William complicates her marital status.
Dating William Dudley — Jane begins a new romantic phase while processing her divorce.
Engagement Discovery — Luke learns of Jane's engagement, escalating his intervention tactics.
Legal & Marital Validity — The legality of Jane's marriage becomes a central plot device.
Fake Inspectors — Luke hires men to question the validity of Jane's Reno residency.
Receipt Confrontation — A California lodging receipt exposes the inspectors' deception.
Wedding Night Chaos — Luke's final sabotage attempt backfires, leading to resolution.
Worker Interruptions — Luke sends tradespeople to disrupt Jane and William's wedding night.
Final Reconciliation — A hotel fight and furniture reveal bring Jane and Luke back together.
A Broadway playwright wants to keep on writing plays for his wife to star in, but all she wants is to retire to Connecticut and, following a few 'worlds-apart" discussion of the issue, they get a divorce. The actress marries a banker in a fit of pique only to quickly discover the divorce was not valid. She communicates this information to her not-yet ex-husband and he, to prevent consummation of the invalid marriage rescues her by sending plumbers, waiters, porters, chambermaids, bellhops, desk clerks, exterminators and, finally, a crowd of roistering conventioneers to the suite to ensure no bedtime story would take place there
