Frank Berry

Frank Berry is a recurring character in *Privates*, a segment of *It's All Been Done Radio Hour*. He runs in the circles of the rich, but is is not clear if he has any money of his own, and hails from humble beginnings.

**First appearance:** *Privates* #1.2 "Ex Marks the Spot Chapter 2"

**Number of appearances in *Privates*:** 11 (in first two seasons)

**Actor:** Shane Stefanchik

## **Backstory**

Frank is from humble beginnings, and now runs in the circles of the rich. It is unknown if he has any money of his own, though he dresses and behaves as if he does. His accent is an affect, and sometimes slips around the non-elites, especially his family. Many in his social circle have exotic pets, although he does not ("Ex Marks the Spot Chapter 2").

Frank has two older brothers, Beau and Chuck, who always left Frank out of their activities, clubhouse, nights at the picture shows, and games, considering him the black sheep of the family, and claiming he has been a pain in their backsides since the day he was born. Frank said they never gave him the chance. They were always mean, but never physically abusive. Frank considers them stupid, and has no relationship with them now ("Frank in the Bank, Jake in the Bed").

Frank is the long-time boyfriend of Dame Cordelia Bench. Frank likes Jake Cotton, considers him like a brother, and always liked him for Judy Bench, Cordelia's daughter. Frank considers the four of them fast friends, a view not shared by the younger two. He is disappointed when Jake and Judy break up and he doesn't see Jake for over a year, then delighted when Jake comes back into the picture. Jake, for his part, urged Coredelia repeatedly to break up with Frank, though she didn't listen. Jake thinks Frank is gold-digging trash, but when Jake says so, Frank laughs it off as a joke ("Ex Marks the Spot Chapter 2").

Jake thinks Frank rarely makes a good point ("Ex Marks the Spot Chapter 4"). Cordelia considers him sweet and simple ("Ex Marks the Spot Chapter 6").

Frank only smokes after sex. He is not interested in sex with Jake ("Ex Marks the Spot Chapter 3").

Jake says Frank has never bought him anything in his life ("Dirty Laundry").

## "**Ex Marks the Spot"**

Frank Berry is coming to Dame Cordelia Bench's house a week after she dumped him to give her a gift, something she wanted but had not yet obtained, and makeup with her. In the driveway, Frank is delighted to bump into Jake Cotton. Though, he won't tell Jake what 'gift' Frank has for Cordelia, which makes Jake suspect Frank of the crime Jake is investigating.

When Jake fills Frank in on the case of the missing leopard, Cordelia's daughter's pet, Frank says he hasn't seen the animal in awhile. He laughs at the thought of trying to steal an entire live leopard, and had even forgotten this one existed. Frank promises to call Jake if anything related occurs to him. Frank does mention Judy Bench, the owner of the leopard, has been distracted lately. Frank is surprised when Jake reveals Cordelia has left the country, though tries to play it off as if he already knew ("Ex Marks the Spot Chapter 2").

A short time later that day, Frank is knocked unconscious, tied up, and put on an ocean liner. He wakes up in a cold, dark room, and discovers Jake Cotton is with him. Frank is able to wriggle free and untie Jake, as well ("Ex Marks the Spot Chapter 3").

Arriving in Dakar, Africa, Frank immediately wants to set off to Timbuktoo and find Cordelia. Jake hesitates, waiting to see what happens, and both men are manhandled by the muscley Johan, who takes them to Cordelia anyway. Cordelia calls Johan her manservant, and while Frank is thrilled to see her, she seems less than happy. She does take his suggestion that he freshen up ("Ex Marks the Spot Chapter 4").

Alone and clean, Frank and Cordelia happily reconnect. She didn't want to break up with Frank, she just didn't want him to get hurt while she was being threatened. Together again, Jake unmasks all the villains, with Frank not putting any of the pieces together, and Frank and Cordelia return home together ("Ex Marks the Spot Chapter 6").

## **Jake's Partner**

Despite the pain he went through, Frank found working with (sort of) Jake exhilarating. Pressured by Cordelia to take up a hobby and get out of the house, Frank convinces Jake they should be partners. Although Frank offers to take a less-than-50% share of earnings, Cordelia assumes he'll get half while working to recover her fortune. Frank jokes he'll see Jake at the office bright and early on January 2nd, noon at the latest ("Ex Mas").

Jake is already at the home of Jonathan Cobalt Featherweight when Frank catches up to him on the morning of December 26th, Jake not having waited for Frank at the office. Jake and Jonathan are clashing, but Frank smooths things over and gets them inside, Frank having a friendly relationship with Jonathan. Frank also gets Jonathan to show them the books ("Fellow the Money").

While Jake goes home to change his shirt, Frank goes on to Cordelia's bank by himself. Unfortunately, it's a dead-end, as the bank won't let him see Cordelia's records. But outside the bank, as Jake rejoins him, Frank runs into his older cop brothers, Beau and Chuck Berry. They give Frank a hard time until Frank pushes them into threatening physical violence. Frank agrees to a fight later, but doesn't intend to show up, sure they won't, either. Jake thinks meeting the boys helps him understand Frank, but Frank disagrees. He hasn't seen his brothers in two years, they aren't part of his life, and he hopes not to see them again, considering them not worth wasting a thought on, seemingly completely unaffected by the encounter. Jake buys Frank a meatball sub where Frank tells him about the bank ("Frank in the Bank, Jake in the Bed").

Frank unexpectedly runs into Jake outside of the local prison. Frank covers by saying he was looking for Jake, although he was not, and comes up with a "forgotten" witness to interview to distract Jake, dragging him to the pony racetrack. There, Frank excuses himself and makes a quick secret phone call. Then he and Jake talk to Jasper Whitehill, whom Frank owes money to. Jasper knows Theodore Berkton, but hasn't seen him in awhile. Frank soon gives up, admitting the witness was a bust, and Jasper promises to see Frank again soon. When Judy shows up, Frank tells Jake he deserves the afternoon off, though Jake is only partially fooled. Frank promises to go back to the office to decide their next move ("Round in Circles").

Jake eventually figures out that Frank has been working with Cordelia and Judy and catches Frank at the laundromat where the man behind it all works. Frank admits to having cracked the case a while ago, but says he's not a part of it. Frank claims to be trying to protect his family, says he loves Cordelia more than anything, and claims he doesn't keep secrets from her. He says Cordelia doesn't like him being here, but understands Frank's reasons. He says he tried to be a good friend to Jake. He begs Jake not to go upstairs and mess with the situation, even getting into a fist fight to stop him. To no avail ("Dirty Laundry").

## **Trivia**

* Frank was originally inspired by "Uncle" Max from *The Sound of Music.*