The Custom of the Country

In the glittering world of early‑twentieth‑century New York, a sharp‑eyed young woman named Undine Spragg navigates the opulent corridors of a grand hotel, clutching a mysterious note that promises a new connection. Her mother, a weary socialite, watches with a mix of pride and exasperation as Undine’s restless energy propels her toward the glittering promise of status and romance. The atmosphere is a vivid tableau of lavish décor, fashionable attire, and the ever‑present buzz of society’s ever‑shifting alliances.

Against this backdrop, Undine’s circle includes the pragmatic Mrs. Heeny, a seasoned society manicure, and the enigmatic portrait painter Popple, whose reputation looms large in the city’s artistic circles. As Undine wrestles with the allure of a potential suitor and the expectations of her mother, the story captures the tension between ambition and authenticity. Listeners will be drawn into a world where every smile hides a calculation, and the pursuit of “the custom of the country” becomes a delicate dance of desire and decorum.