Born Yesterday

Businessman Harry Brock drags his girlfriend Billie Dawn to elite political parties to polish her image. Billie, a showgirl, is naive and makes socially awkward remarks about politics. The pair move through the room as politicians nod, and Billie begins to realize the stakes of her transformation.

Harry hires journalist Paul Verrall to teach Billie how to sound intelligent and behave in political circles. Paul begins shaping her public persona and giving her talking points. The coaching starts as a practical lesson in image, not in honesty.

While educating Billie, Paul kisses her, complicating the relationships among the trio. Harry remains unaware of the growing attraction and his reliance on Paul continues. The romance begins to blur professional boundaries.

After learning a few lines, Billie wows party-goers with seemingly intelligent remarks. Her newfound poise earns praise from Harry and admiration from some attendees. The transformation confirms Paul's teaching is working, at least on the surface.

Harry congratulates Paul for Billie’s improvement, but Billie feels like a ventriloquist dummy, realizing she is being manipulated. She suspects the lessons are stripping her own voice away. The dynamic tightens as she questions her role in this scheme.

Harry routinely asks Billie to sign papers, which secretly create companies in her name. She remains unaware of the illegality behind the documents. The everyday acts of signing become a thread through the plot.

Billie begins reading the documents and senses trouble. Harry becomes angry and slaps her, pressuring her to sign. Despite the abuse, she signs the papers anyway, demonstrating her fear and confusion.

Harry publicly berates a senator, incurring the disapproval of Billie. The incident reveals the corrupt nature of his influence. Billie begins to see the consequences of Harry's political machinations.

Billie suspects that she has signed illegal documents and seeks Paul's help. They break into Harry's safe to retrieve the incriminating papers. The act is risky, and it marks a turning point in their relationship and in the power dynamic.

Paul skims the stolen papers and learns that all the companies are in Billie’s name and that Harry has bribed senators. The discovery binds Paul to Billie in a moral struggle and reveals the full extent of the corruption. The stakes shift from image-building to exposure.

Harry, in a moment of vulnerability, proposes to Billie with flowers in a hotel room. Billie rejects the proposal and shows she wants more than wealth and control. The rift between them widens as personal ambitions collide with legality.

Paul arrives and kisses Billie, who then declares that she wants to marry Paul. The tone shifts from manipulation to genuine affection. The two contemplate a life outside of Harry’s scheming.

She tells Harry that she will return his companies one per year and urges him to reclaim the bribe money from the senators. She resolves to wind up the illegal business activities. It is a turning point toward integrity and separation from Harry’s influence.