Fibber’s Black Eye

Originally Aired: November 12, 1940

Fibber McGee & Molly #261, "Fibber's Black Eye,"

Fibber arrives home in the dark and accidentally walks into a door, giving himself a spectacular black eye. When Molly turns on the lights and sees his shiner, she's immediately skeptical of his explanation. Despite Fibber's insistence that he really did bump into the door, Molly assumes he got into a fight, perhaps with their neighbor Gildersleeve, during his day spent downtown discussing politics. The more Fibber protests his innocence, the less Molly seems to believe him, creating an awkward situation as he tries desperately to convince her of the truth.

As the McGees head to the doctor's office to have the eye examined, Fibber becomes increasingly self-conscious about his appearance. They encounter various neighbors and acquaintances along the way, including Old Timer and the enterprising little girl who's running a baby buggy parking lot with Willie Toops. Each person they meet comments on Fibber's impressive shiner, making him feel more embarrassed and causing him to duck into doorways to avoid further humiliation.