The Black Network

Brutus Johnson, owner of the Porter Pullman Shoe Polish Company, sponsors the Porter Pullman Shoe Polish Variety Program on the Black Network Broadcasting Co. Mezzanine Johnson, Brutus' controlling wife, has her own views of what she would like to happen on the show, she who believes has the right since it is her father who put up the money for the business. Mezzanine wants to take over the lead female singer spot from Nina Mae McKinney. This news does not sit well with Brutus, who still cannot control what his wife does. It also does not sit well with either Nina or Emmett 'Babe' Wallace, her male counterpart, the two who see themselves as a team and who learn the news through the grapevine. As the show continues and Mezzanine plots her take-over, Nina Mae and Babe have to figure out what to do to save their spots and to save the show. Nina Mae and Babe may get some unwitting help from The Nicholas Brothers, who plan to audition for the amateur segment of the show but who sell lucky number tickets as their regular business, and the radio listening public.