Rafter Romance

Mary Carroll, a young woman from upstate, arrives in New York City seeking a job and a career. She is running low on money and hopes to improve her circumstances in the bustling city. Her arrival marks the beginning of her journey in an unfamiliar environment.

Due to financial difficulties, Mary's landlord, Max Eckbaum, suggests she move into Jack Bacon's loft and share the apartment on a shift basis. Jack is an aspiring artist who lives in the same building, and the arrangement is designed to help both with their rent while keeping their identities separate due to their opposite schedules.

Both Mary and Jack develop negative impressions of each other after seeing items of clothing and belongings that lead them to believe they are of the opposite sex. Misunderstandings and assumptions cause tension between the two, setting the stage for comedic conflicts.

Jack plays a prank by placing a bucket in Mary's shower, which falls on her, while Mary retaliates by wetting Jack’s suit. Jack then saws Mary's bed in half, leading to a series of hilarious antics fueled by their mutual misunderstandings and suspicions.

Mary and Jack accidentally meet outside their apartment building and, unaware of each other's identities, begin to fall in love. Their chance encounter complicates their secret arrangement and sparks romantic interest despite their misunderstandings.

Mary’s boss, H. Harrington Hubbell, tries to invite her out for dinner, while Jack is pursued by the wealthy, lecherous Elise Peabody Willington Smythe. Their meddling suitors threaten to reveal or interfere with their developing relationship.

Jack and Mary attend a company picnic together, but they slip away from the group and miss the bus back. Instead, they take a taxi to Jack's home, deepening their bond as they spend more private time together.

At Jack’s home, Mary realizes that Jack is her long-time roommate, which leads to a tense confrontation. Jack initially denounces his co-tenant in defense, not knowing she is his romantic interest, until the landlord intervenes to clarify the situation.

Elise and Hubbell arrive at the apartment, causing chaos. Elise tries to bribe Mary, and Hubbell is mistaken for Jack, leading to a humorous confrontation with Jack and Fritzie, a protective cabdriver.

Fritzie, mistaking Hubbell for Jack, almost punches him, but Mary intervenes just in time. After a series of comic misunderstandings, Jack and Mary share a kiss in the cab, and the landlord humorously declares that their marriage is arranged.