One evening, Arthur was sitting in Mrs harrison's sitting-room, watching a quiz programme on the television. In a quiz programme members of the public are invited to answer questions on various subjects. In this particular programme, the quizmaster asks three questions. If the contestants answer the three questions correctly, then the contestant chooses a number between one and ten. For each number there is a different prize. Sometimes the prizes are worth a lot of money and sometimes they are something worthless like an empty matchbox or an old shoe.
Arthur, Mrs Harrison and Mrs Smithers were watching a young man answer some questions. First of all he was asked what the capital of Scotland was. This was a very easy question, of course, and the contestant answered that it was Edinburgh. Next, the quizmaster asked him where Mt Everest was and the young man answered this question correctly too. Finally he was asked which was heavier - a pound of lead or a pound of feathers and again he gave the correct answer that they were both the same. Then the quizmaster asked the contestant which number he wanted. He chose number seven, saying that this was his lucky number. the quizmaster opened the envelope marked No. 7, and told him that he had won the Treasure Chest, which contained two hundred pounds.
Mrs Harrison asked Arthur why he didn't go in for one of these quizzes. Arthur thought it was a good idea, so when he the address for applications for entry to the quiz was put on the screen, Arthur wrote it down on a piece of paper. Then he got out his writing-pad and wrote the followig letter.
21 Gladstone Avenue, Middleford, BERKS, 2nd April
'Your Choice', Midland Weekend Television, P.O. Box 472 AI, birmingham, 13
Dear Sir, I am very interested in taking part in your programme, which I have always watched with great interest. I should very much like to be a contestatnt on 'Your Choice' or, if that is not possible, to be a member of the studio audience. Yours faithfully, Arthur Newton
A week or two later a letter with a Birmingham postmark arrived at 21 Gladstone Avenue. Mrs Harrison asked Arthur what it was. Arthur opened it and told her that he'd been invited to take part in the quiz the following Friday. Mrs Harison asked him if he could go and he told her that he certainly could.
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- Mr Smithers! It's three minutes to nine. Artur'll be on in a minute. You'll miss him if you don't come now
- All right, Mrs H. I'm coming.
- If you sit on that chair, Mr Smithers, you'll see the screen better. You've got your glasses, haven't you?
- Yes, thank you. Now which channel is it on? It's ITV, isn't it?
- Yes, that's right.
- When you wash your husband's shirts in Sparkol, you'll really see the difference. Sparkol washes whiter and brighter.
- Good evening, everybody. When you hear the signature tune, it'll be time for Your Choice.
- Good evening, friends. Welcome to another edition of Your Choice. We've got some more wonderful contestants here tonight and some fantastic prizes. Don't forget, ladies and gentlemen, that I don't know what's in the envelopes. Now here's Jimmy Green to tell you what the prizes are. Carry on, Jimmy.
- First of all we've got this fully automatic wahing-machine. Then we've got a fortnight's holiday for two in sunny Spain. Then tonight's Treasure Chest containing 300 pounds, an old sock, a cracked plate and tonight's Star prize - this wonderful family saloon car.
- Ooh, there are some lovely prizes, aren't there?
- Yes, indeed.
- Now let's meet the first contestant who wants to play Your Choice. Good evening, madam. Would you like to tell us what your name is?
- Mrs Jenkins.
- Mrs Jenkins. If you stand a little nearer to the microphone, the viewers'll hear you a little bit better. Now your first question is: can you tell me how many days there are in March?
- Oh, now let me see. Thirts days hath September … so, er, 31?
- That is the correct answer, Mrs Jenkins. That wasn't difficult, was it? Now your second question is: can you tell me where the last olympic Games were held? Take your time; there'S no hurry.
- Oh dear, er, er … It was, er, Tokyo, wasn't it?
- I'm sorry, Mrs Jenkins. I'm afraid that's the wrong answer. Never mind. Here's a five-pound consolation prize. Better luck next time. Now let's bring on the next contestant. Your name, sir?
- Newton, Arthur Newton.
- Now, can you tell me, for your first question, what …?
- Oh no! The telly's gone wrong again. Oh what a pity! Now we shan't know what he's won until he comes home.
