Nothing But the Truth

Steve Bennett agrees to the 24-hour honesty challenge proposed by Ralston and his partners, with Gwen pressing him to invest her money. The bet comes with strict rules: no outsider can learn of it and the gamble can't be cancelled. The stakes involve Gwen's $10,000 and the social cruise context aboard Ralston's yacht as they begin the test.

During the day, Steve speaks bluntly and truthfully to guests and clients as part of the wager. His honesty clashes with the shady stock practices around him, and his blunt assessments offend several people. The others keep a close watch as the 24-hour period progresses, waiting to see if truth can win over tact.

An exotic dancer named Linda Graham enters the yacht, looking for backing for her show and speaking with Steve about it. She tells him about her professional plans and hints at a potential partnership if she can secure support. Steve's reaction to her ambition becomes a focal point of the social gathering on board.

Mrs. Ralston and another distinguished guest overhear Linda's conversation and mistakenly believe that Linda is Steve's wife. The mistaken assumption creates awkward tension among the shipboard guests. The rumor adds to Steve's mounting social pressure as the clock continues to run on the bet.

During the night, the partners steal Steve's clothes to prevent him from leaving the yacht, forcing him to borrow a dress from Linda. The forced disguise complicates the social dynamics and raises the stakes of the 24-hour challenge. It also foreshadows the lengths to which the other men will go to win the bet.

In disguise, Steve sneaks into Gwen's room at her invitation and reassures her that he isn't married to Linda. He confesses that he is in love with Gwen, which deepens the personal stakes of the bet. The moment cements a complicated triangle of trust, deception, and affection on the yacht.

The next day, Gwen confronts the consequences of Steve's night-time visit, while Linda's rumor mill claims he's married to her and has a child. The ladies view Steve as indecent, and Tom's jealousy over Gwen's affection fuels further tension. The atmosphere on the yacht grows more strained as the truth becomes muddier.

Mr. Bishop, the head of the charity Gwen planned to donate to, boards the yacht and requests to see the promised funds. Gwen tries to keep him occupied and buy time, hoping to preserve Steve's fragile credibility and the bet's integrity. The arrival raises the stakes as the clock ticks toward the deadline.

The partners have secretly moved the clocks forward, so their timing aligns with the moment Steve would be forced to lie. As the clock hits the critical moment, Steve is prepared to present a false balance about the money to Mr. Bishop. The deceptive setup creates a tense window for the outcome of the wager.

The celebration of a supposed victory is interrupted when the valet reveals that he had reset the clocks after noticing they were wrong. The intended advantage for the partners collapses as the true time frame is restored. The turn of events preserves Steve's chance to complete the bet on his terms.

With the clock confusion resolved, Steve asserts that he fulfilled the spirit of the 24-hour honesty test and, in effect, doubled Gwen's money. His forthrightness is vindicated, and his integrity is restored in front of the crew and guests. The tension wanes as the bet resolves in his favor.

Gwen, impressed by Steve's perseverance and the ultimate outcome, rewards him with a kiss and a renewed interest. The successful resolution of the bet strengthens their budding connection and marks the end of the social spectacle aboard the yacht. Steve's name is cleared, and his standing with Gwen is solidified.