The Artistic Mind of Joseph Kaufman: Decoding Shirley Kaye

Shirley Kaye is the vivacious daughter of Egerton Kaye, president of the great Union Central Railroad. The latter holds his position through his descent from "Pirate" Kaye, who founded the line, rather than through any executive ability of his own. Shirley is queen of the most exclusive Long Island set, and as clever as she is lovely to look at. From the West comes T.J. Magen, a rough but lion-hearted financier, who buys the house next door to the Kayes. Magen cares little for society, and the elaborate household which their wealth forces them to support is a constant worry to his simple and unassuming wife. But the daughter, "Daisy," yearns, with all her heart to break into the society and swim where Shirley Kaye reigns supreme. T.J. and his younger associate, John Rowson, who, incidentally, hates all women, especially Easterners, secure a majority of the proxies of Union Central shareholders. Believing that new blood would improve the finances of the U.C, they determine to oust Egerton Kaye, the figure-head president, at the next directors' meeting. With breaking heart Kaye tells his daughter of the impending blow, which means not alone the loss of his position but also the loss of the family interest in the road. Shirley, angered at the conspiracy, rises supremely to the emergency. She uses her wiles on T.J., dickers with him for his daughter's social position and agrees to give Daisy her heart's desire if he will ally himself with the Kaye interests. She wins the allegiance of Magen, but Rowson, believing her to be a cold-blooded seeker after money and social position, abruptly severs his connections with the venture and leaves for the west. In the end Shirley goes after him and proves herself as capable in love piracy as in the realm of high finance.