Ollie suggests a night on the town, using Stan's wad of bills. They tell the wives they're going bowling. On their way they pass the town's prissy busybody. Grim visaged, she eyes them with suspicion as they pause outside the Pink Pub Cafe. Seems two refined and lovely ladies have been deserted by their deadbeat dates. Who will pay for their expensive dinners? The head waiter wants to know. With their usual gallantry, Stan and Ollie volunteer. Inside, the cheery foursome orders the works, enjoys the jazzy floor show, and then Stan discovers his bulging billfold contains coupons but no dough. Stunned, is Stan. Paralyzed in dawning the horror, his mind absorbs their predicament. Meanwhile the gossip is delighted to have informed the boys' wives, who arrive to watch how they delay paying the check. Finally Stan and Ollie attempt a surreptitious departure, but are cornered in the kitchen. In desperation, Ollie admits what happened. They were on their way to the bowling alley, he insists, when Stan "dragged me into this den of vice." Stan disapproves such betrayal, grabs a convenient pie to smash Ollie, precipitating the inevitable pastry-slinging melee.

-- by Richard W. Bann --