Frozen Assets (novel)
| Company type | Publishing company |
|---|---|
| Industry | Publishing |
| Headquarters | New York , United States |
| Products | Books |
Frozen Assets is a novel penned by P. G. Wodehouse, initially released in the United States on 14 July 1964 by Simon & Schuster, Inc., New York, under the title Biffen's Millions. It subsequently appeared in the United Kingdom on 14 August 1964 through Herbert Jenkins, London.
Set against the backdrop of the publishing industry, Frozen Assets is a romantic comedy revolving around Jerry Shoesmith, an English editor who falls for Kay Christopher, an American journalist. The narrative also involves managing the predicaments caused by Kay’s reckless brother, Biff.
The plot includes recurring figures from Wodehouse’s universe such as Lord Tilbury, a publishing tycoon, and his cunning partner Percy Pilbeam. Additional characters of note are film producer Ivor Llewellyn—who features in other Wodehouse stories—and solicitor John Shoesmith. Also featured is Linda Rome, Lord Tilbury’s niece.
Plot
On his final day vacationing in Paris, Gerald "Jerry" Shoesmith, editor of Society Spice, misplaces his wallet containing keys, which are held by an uncooperative police sergeant for three days. American journalist Katherine "Kay" Christopher recommends Jerry stay at the apartment of Henry Blake-Somerset, her fiancé. Jerry confesses his feelings to Kay, who remains committed to Henry. Meanwhile, Kay’s brother and Jerry’s friend, Edmund Biffen "Biff" Christopher—known for his drunken altercations—flees Paris for London after assaulting a policeman.
At Barribault's Hotel, Biff is served by waiter William "Willie" Pilbeam; Willie's son Percy operates a detective agency, and his niece Gwendoline Gibbs is employed by Lord Tilbury. Biff discovers he has inherited a substantial fortune from his godfather Edmund Biffen Pyke, subject to conditions to be disclosed later. Financially strained, Biff moves into Jerry's modest flat in Halsey Court. Previously engaged to Tilbury’s niece Linda Rome, Biff seeks to rekindle their relationship. Tilbury, Pyke’s brother, covets Biff’s inheritance and is also courting Gwendoline.
Biff becomes enamored with Gwendoline and dines with her and Percy. After becoming intoxicated and intending to assault a policeman sporting a ginger moustache, Jerry confines him to his room. The following day, Biff learns that his fortune is secured in a spendthrift trust until he reaches thirty—just one week away—and that any arrest before then will forfeit it. Disliking gossip editing, Jerry is promised by Biff that upon gaining wealth he will purchase the intellectual Thursday Review for him. Coincidentally, Tilbury dismisses Jerry from his position.
Jerry briefly returns to Paris to retrieve his wallet and asks Kay to look after Biff. Biff reconciles with Linda and resolves to improve himself. Tilbury employs Percy to have Biff arrested. Biff courteously invites Gwendoline to lunch; Percy attempts to persuade him to drink with an alleged Russian spy (in reality a heavy-drinking journalist). After Linda ends their engagement upon seeing Biff with Gwendoline, Biff agrees to Percy's invitation but Percy later declines payment. Percy warns Gwendoline that Biff’s inheritance is at risk.
Kay arrives in London; she and Jerry witness Biff returning drunk with a black eye. To keep him indoors, Jerry steals Biff’s trousers and leaves spare pairs with his uncle John Shoesmith. Henry suspects Kay harbors feelings for Jerry.
Tilbury visits Jerry’s flat demanding that Biff either share the inheritance or challenge the will legally. Jerry advises refusal. Upon realizing his trousers are missing, Biff threatens Tilbury into returning them. Tilbury contacts Percy to fetch the trousers but Percy misunderstands and brings Gwendoline’s dog instead. Insulted by Tilbury’s remarks, Percy sells his own trousers to Tilbury at an inflated price; Tilbury soon stops payment on the cheque.
Recalling lunch with major advertiser Ivor Llewellyn, Tilbury calls Gwendoline who falsely informs him that Llewellyn is ill at home and urges him to return quickly as Llewellyn plans a visit. Tilbury brings solicitor Cyril Bunting disguised as a butler since the household staff resigned due to Tilbury's temper.
Henry searches for Jerry; Percy threatens Henry into surrendering trousers. When Jerry and Kay approach the flat, Henry hides in a bedroom overhearing Kay confess her love for Jerry before leaving coldly dressed in trousers delivered by Percy’s boy.
Linda has married Biff, who cannot recall how he sustained his black eye or why police might be seeking him; Linda had hidden him at Tilbury’s residence believing it unoccupied. At Tilbury’s house, Biff threatens exposure of Tilbury’s deceit unless he accepts only five percent of the inheritance; Tilbury reluctantly consents.
Percy arrives regarding the stopped cheque but is locked in the cellar and arrested. Solicitor Bunting warns that Percy could sue Tilbury; however, Gwendoline blackmails Percy into silence and becomes engaged to Tilbury. The police search for Biff but the ginger-moustached policeman wishes to thank him for saving him during a fight.
Publication history
The narrative appeared in two installments in Playboy during February and March 1964 under the title Biffen's Millions, accompanied by illustrations from Bill Charmatz. This serialized version represented an abridged adaptation of the original novel.
The dust jacket of the initial American edition showcased artwork by John Alcorn, whereas the UK edition displayed illustrations created by Payne.
References
- Notes
- Bibliography
External links
- The Russian Wodehouse Society's page, featuring a character list