Black Market Meat

Originally Aired: April 27, 1943 Fibber McGee & Molly #362, "Black Market Meat," Fibber finds himself in a morally questionable position when he runs out of meat ration coupons but desperately craves a thick porterhouse steak. Behind the pool hall in an alley, he meets a shady character named Eddie who sells him three pounds of steak for five dollars, no coupons required and no questions asked. Fibber proudly brings his prize home and boasts to Molly about his hunting success, though he keeps the package wrapped and hidden in the refrigerator as a dinner surprise. When the socially prominent Abigail Uppington arrives in distress because she cannot find meat for a dinner party honoring naval officers, Fibber eagerly offers to help by directing her to Eddie and his back alley operation. Abigail is appalled at the suggestion, delivering a stinging rebuke about the immorality of buying black market meat while servicemen fight to protect legitimate American businesses. Her righteous indignation leaves Fibber squirming as he realizes the implications of his own recent purchase, though he tries to justify his actions to a skeptical Molly.