- Harry Burnhart, who has inherited the Eclipse Tool Company, leaves the running of the company to efficiency expert Carl Vibert. When Vibert gives Pop Grinell, the company's oldest employee, two weeks' notice because he is slowing down on the job, the firm's advertising manager, George Extell, appeals to Burnhart to reinstate Pop. For his efforts, George himself is dismissed. Bidding farewell to his sweetheart Muriel Clemm, George heads West where he secures a job in a competitor's tool company, soon becoming the star salesman. His success leads Burnhart to offer him complete charge of the Eclipse Tool Company, and the salesman returns triumphantly to exact revenge on Vibert by giving him "the customary two weeks." However, his conscience gets the better of him and George relents, rehires Vibert and marries Muriel.
- Harry Burnhart, who has inherited the "Eclipse Tool Company," thinks more of enjoying life than taking care of the business which is almost entirely managed by Carl Vibert, an honest employee, but a hard task-master. Vibert delights in discharging employees, as he imagines it is evidence of his own efficiency. He is not unjust or heartless, but he worships efficiency. George Extell believes himself indispensable as advertising manager of the concern. Muriel Clemm, his inamorata, is Vibert's stenographer, and Extell is jealous of Vibert. "Pop" Grinnell, the factory's oldest old employee, is given "the customary two weeks" by Vibert because he is no longer "live enough." Extell overhears Vibert "firing" the old man, takes it up with Burnhart, and has him reinstated. Vibert dislikes having Extell interfere with his rulings, and gives Extell the "customary two weeks" the following morning because he is late. Extell goes to Burnhart with his grievance, but receives no satisfaction. Extell is young, and immediately hits the trail for the west. As he leaves, Muriel gives him a letter which he is not to open until he is successful. Extell, now in Chicago, has succeeded in connecting with a competitor of his former employer, the South Trent Tool Company. He landed the job, not because of his unusual ability, but because of his personality and determination to tell the truth. A $2,000,000 war order is underway, and Extell is sent as representative of the South Trent Tool Company. Vibert, representing the Eclipse Tool Company, endeavors to secure the order by "knocking" his competitor's merchandise. When Extell is asked why the order should be placed with his firm he says his only reason is "the personality of the salesman." This truthful statement appeals to the president offering the large order, and Extell is given the preference. Extell immediately wires to Wetterson, his employer, saying: "I put it over." Extell receives a call from Burnhart, who offers him a position to take complete charge of his entire organization. Extell accepts on one condition: "$5,000 a year and unrestricted rights over the sales department." This is agreeable to Burnhart. Vibert now falls under Extell's control. Extell teases Vibert considerably, and under the strain Vibert says to Extell, "Why don't you do it? I can't stand this any longer." Extell then replies, "Mr. Vibert, you can have the customary two weeks." Vibert falls back in a chair, relieved at last, the tension gone. A revulsion of feeling comes over Extell, and crossing over to Vibert he gives him back his job. They are to start on a different basis; Extell has had his revenge. Both are changed men, and they work together as though they had never met before. Vibert realizes, however, that Extell is truly the bigger man. Extell hurries to Muriel, whom he credits with his success. He relates what has occurred, and Muriel sees that Extell is quite as big as she thought he would be. He is worthy of her love. The time has come for the envelope to be opened, but Extell has forgotten it. Muriel says, "I wonder, George, if you ever opened that envelope?" It contains simple assurance of Muriel's undying love. Whether he succeeds or fails she is his. With a widening grin he remarks, "Well, I'll be hanged. All this hard work for nothing. Why, if I'd opened this envelope the day after I left here I'd have taken the first train back." But Muriel roguishly answers: "If I hadn't known you wouldn't open it, I shouldn't have written it, should I?"
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