Over Night
This synopsis is compiled from contemporaneous newspaper reviews. Act I (Deck of the S. S. Hendrik Hudson. Afternoon.) The newlywed Kettles and Darlings are travelling together on a ship of the Hudson River Day Line to a Catskill Mountains resort for their honeymoons. After boarding the ship, they find some of their luggage has been left behind on the dock. Percy Darling and Georgina Kettle race to retrieve their bags, and the ship sails without them. Richard Kettle, recognized as the son of a famous suffragette, is known to have been recently married, so Elsie is mistaken for his bride. The situation becomes acute, when Elsie, who has old-fashioned values, is presumed to be in favor of women voting and is coerced into making a speech for female suffrage. Richard is compelled to protect her from the other passengers overwhelming interest. They decide to leave the ship at the next landing. (Curtain) Act II (Rip Van Winkle Inn. That evening.) At Poughkeepsie, New York, Richard and Elsie are dismayed to find the last train for the Catskill Mountain resort has already departed. Because some passengers from the ship have also come to the Rip Van Winkle Inn, they have to register as newlyweds but ask for separate rooms, arousing the interest of the hotel clerk. Through his meddling, Richard and Elsie are launched into a series of misadventures and near compromising situations, culminating with Richard falling down the stairs in the hotel lobby. (Curtain) Act III (Same as Act II. Next morning.) Percy and Georgina arrive at the Rip Van Winkle Inn, and become enraged when they see Richard and Elsie arm-in-arm in the lobby. They demand an explanation, but are satisfied when Professor Diggs hypnotizes Elsie and she reveals nothing untoward happened. Richard has also discovered new confidence in himself to deal with Georgina's overwhelming personality, and both couples proceed on to their honeymoons in happiness. (Curtain)