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Rolling back the clock to the scene in the local department store yesterday, Don tells how Mel Blanc, frustrated department store clerk from Los Angeles has just transfer to nice, quiet Palm Springs. Will the quiet restful location help him get over the horrible experience he has had in the past with trying to sell things to Jack such as shoe laces, or beaver traps? This may not be his lucky year at all.
Jack and Mary enter the store to discuss gift ideas for the people close to them.
Getting directions from floorwalker, Frank Nelson, Jack goes to pick up a fountain pen for his sponsor. The race track tout doesn’t get very far with Jack, other than a quick laugh. What should Jack get for Don? How about some of those tasty Palm Springs dates?
Just seeing Jack come his way gives Mel a moment of anxiety. This is going too well, but just wait until Mel accidentally lets it slip that he also has a line of dates that come stuffed with nuts. Indecision kicks in, and he has to rewrap the purchase, repeatedly, as Jack changes his mind over his imagined preference Don may have… and what to say on the card. Mel steals the show with his reactions of growing frustration.
Meanwhile, Bob Crosby enters the scene to joke about the band members. He has some interesting gift ideas of his own for his shopping list. Along the way theSportsmen sing an original train song to sell the sponsor product, Choo Choo Train.
How will Mel’s nerves hold up? There’s sure to be a downward spiral as Jack makes the rounds back through the store to touch base with the floorwalker, the tout, Mary, and plenty of chances for classic gags.
