Rationing (1944)

Ben Barton owns and operates the grocery store in Tuttleton. In this time of war, he understands the need for rationing, especially as he is a veteran himself having served during WWI. What exasperates him is when townsfolk try to circumvent the process by asking for items outside of what rationing stamps they may or may not have, and his ability to get approved inventory within what stamps the townsfolk do have. In that latter vein, what or who exasperates him the most is the town's postmistress Iris Tuttle, the head of the town's rationing board, among that job being to ensure Ben's inventory matches all aspects of the rationing, including matching to the stamps he has collected in his business transactions. Complicating matters between the two of them is their history: they were once engaged to each other before WWI. Out of a misunderstanding, they never married each other, but ended up marrying other people, their respective spouses no longer in the picture for one reason or another. Their long past love story seems to be coming full circle as Ben's adopted son, Lance Barton, is in love with Iris' daughter, Dorothy Tuttle, their want to get married immediately before Lance heads off into military service affected by Ben and Iris' own history. To provide a nest egg for them to get started, Ben decides to sell half interest in the store to Cash Riddle, the owner of the gas station. Things get even more complicated as Ben is unaware that Cash has been involved with black marketers in beef which not only affects his business but his already tenuous relationship with Iris.