Excuse Me! (Dramatic Reading)


Read by LibriVox Volunteers

(4.4 stars; 16 reviews)

What happens when a mix of lovers get stuck together on a coast-to-coast train? Mainly hilarity. There is every kind of couple imaginable. One serviceman and his bride-to-be are trying desperately to get married but can't find a clergyman to perform the rites. They don't know that right in their midst is a preacher disguised as a man of the world so he and his wife can enjoy a carefree vacation. Then there is a drunk mourning his separation from the wife who just happens to be on the same train. There is even a confirmed bachelor who discovers that a confirmed spinster is his long-lost love from years ago. How these lives intertwine makes up the plot of this rollicking comedy. The piece contains racial slurs, which, although acceptable in the time and place of the story's setting, may offend modern listeners. (Summary by Bill Boerst)

Cast List:
Narrator, Portland Porter, Hudson, Shaw, Man, Voice One, Supposed Preacher, Fireman, Baumann, Waiter, Robber 2: Bill Boerst
Marjorie: Amanda Friday
Mallory: Larry Wilson
Cab Driver, Stranger: tiwo007
Clergyman, Charlie: David Olson
Porter, Gambler: cobbdb
Wedgewood: Greenman66
Ira: Nick Bulka
Conductor: Marty
Transfer Agent, Mrs Temple, Voice Two, Train Boy: TriciaG
Anne: Availle
Mrs Wellington: Shauna Kennett
Jimmie: Michele Eaton
Dr Temple: Brett W Downey
Mrs Fosdick: Micky
Fosdick. Robber 1: Zames Curran
Mrs Whitcomb: Beth Thomas
Man in Overalls: Arnaldo Machado
Ashton: ToddHW
Mrs Deacon: Victoria P
Kitty: Woolly Bee

Editor: Michele Eaton
Proof-Listeners: Bill Boerst & Michele Eaton (6 hr 27 min)

Chapters

01 - The Wreck of the Taxicab 8:22 Read by LibriVox Volunteers
02 - The Early Birds and the Worm 12:21 Read by LibriVox Volunteers
03 - In Darkest Chicago 12:21 Read by LibriVox Volunteers
04 - A Mouse and a Mountain 16:57 Read by LibriVox Volunteers
05 - A Queen Among Women 7:23 Read by LibriVox Volunteers
06 - A Conspiracy in Satin 9:36 Read by LibriVox Volunteers
07 - The Masked Minister 5:50 Read by LibriVox Volunteers
08 - A Mixed Pickle 12:40 Read by LibriVox Volunteers
09 - All Aboard! 12:01 Read by LibriVox Volunteers
10 - Excess Baggage 5:42 Read by LibriVox Volunteers
11 - A Chance Rencounter 4:24 Read by LibriVox Volunteers
12 - The Needle in the Haystack 8:31 Read by LibriVox Volunteers
13 - Hostilities Begin 4:40 Read by LibriVox Volunteers
14 - The Dormitory on Wheels 4:40 Read by LibriVox Volunteers
15 - A Premature Divorce 11:22 Read by LibriVox Volunteers
16 - Good Night, All! 8:36 Read by LibriVox Volunteers
17 - Last Call for Breakfast 7:43 Read by LibriVox Volunteers
18 - In the Composite Car 14:08 Read by LibriVox Volunteers
19 - Foiled! 3:37 Read by LibriVox Volunteers
20 - Foiled Again 6:12 Read by LibriVox Volunteers
21 - Matrimony To and Fro 11:12 Read by LibriVox Volunteers
22 - In the Smoking Room 9:55 Read by LibriVox Volunteers
23 - Through a Tunnel 11:49 Read by LibriVox Volunteers
24 - The Train Butcher 8:30 Read by LibriVox Volunteers
25 - The Train Wrecker 6:53 Read by LibriVox Volunteers
26 - Delilah and the Conductor 6:24 Read by LibriVox Volunteers
27 - The Dog-on Dog Again 15:25 Read by LibriVox Volunteers
28 - The Woman-Hater's Relapse 12:38 Read by LibriVox Volunteers
29 - Jealousy Comes Aboard 11:35 Read by LibriVox Volunteers
30 - A Wedding on Wheels 6:19 Read by LibriVox Volunteers
31 - Foiled Yet Again 7:33 Read by LibriVox Volunteers
32 - The Empty Berth 4:37 Read by LibriVox Volunteers
33 - Fresh Trouble Daily 19:03 Read by LibriVox Volunteers
34 - The Complete Divorce 17:12 Read by LibriVox Volunteers
35 - Mr. and Mrs. Little Jimmie 8:26 Read by LibriVox Volunteers
36 - A Duel for a Bracelet 6:01 Read by LibriVox Volunteers
37 - Down Brakes! 8:38 Read by LibriVox Volunteers
38 - Hands Up! 14:55 Read by LibriVox Volunteers
39 - Wolves in the Fold 10:41 Read by LibriVox Volunteers
40 - A Hero in Spite of Himself 5:17 Read by LibriVox Volunteers
41 - Clickety-Clickety-Clickety 7:04 Read by LibriVox Volunteers

Reviews

Fun story, mediocre readings


(2 stars)

Fun story, but some of the readers seemed to read their lines in a vacuum. Lines that the narrator says were "growled furiously" were said as flippantly as if there were no direction as to tone. Many of the readers DID do well; it was just spoiled for me by those who didn't. There were two character lines missing - one in chapter 40, and one in an earlier chapter that I didn't note the chapter number. I can understand the big undertaking of this project, with so many characters and lines. It's a shame the finished project didn't seem to reflect the effort that went into it.

More Good Medicine


(5 stars)

Laughter is the best medicine I have ever taken, and thank you Librivox volunteers for bringing us more of it in your excellent reading of this dramatic work. This was a great presentation and I hope it will be read and enjoyed by many others. It was also interesting from the point of view of our changing values in the past 100 years. For better or for worse (I think for worse) we don't seem to look at marriage as seriously now as we did back then. God bless Librivox.

hilarious train ride!


(5 stars)

the readers do a fantastic job! the whining bride-to-be, the drunk, the porter. what a cast of characters! i can see this easily being made into a wonderful stage play!

nice audiobook


(5 stars)

It was slightly boring in the begining but very soon things started to get interesting. The readers have done a good job. I thank them for this free audiobook.

Nice! excellent readers.


(4 stars)

the story isn't the best. a bit too long. bit the readers make it thoroughly enjoyable! thank you all.

Hilarious!!!


(5 stars)

This a super good read and the readers do such a GOOD job!! It is really humorous!! I loved it!!!

Eliz Audio Reader


(5 stars)

Fun and entertaining. Many thanks to all the readers. You were great!