Origin
Arlene began dating Earle Dudley around the time that he was fired from managing his aunt’s estate. Arlene and Earle have to keep their love a secret for fear that Arlene will also be fired as Mrs. Carter Dudley’s personal assistant since Mrs. Dudley practically hates her nephew by now.
Major Story Arcs
As part of her job, Arlene accompanies Mrs. Dudley to the ski resort Sun Valley. The only free time she gets is in the morning and one day she decides to go skiing. As she’s out, she collides with a man. She is shocked when he compliments her beauty, kisses her, then speeds off. Arlene returns to Mrs. Dudley and learns that they are off to Palm Beach. Arlene makes the arrangements and gets everything onboard a plane. There, she sees a magazine with the man on the cover. He is Kirk Martingale and he seems to be a playboy that is already engaged to another celebrity.
During their stay in Palm Beach, Arlene gets a letter from Earle asking about the possibility of visiting. Arlene asks Mrs. Carter Dudley if she wouldn’t like to Earle one last time. This is instantly shot down. Arlene then takes a walk on the beach and runs into Kirk. He pleads for her to get to know him but she has not desire to. She recalls his engagement to another celebrity; he explains that the pictures in the magazines are a publicity stunt put on by an old flame. She returns to the hotel and finds a telegraph from Earle – he wants to meet up with her in Florida and marry her immediately. She wouldn’t be around to see him, as Mrs. Dudley has Arlene book a cruise to Italy.
On the ship, Mrs. Dudley admits to Arlene that she wrote to Earle that he was out of her will and that all her belongings would pass to Arlene. Arlene is speechless. Mrs. Dudley then explains that she wanted to leave the United States because she knew Earle would try to marry Arlene right away. Arlene is confused and walks away to get some air. She begins to see Earle’s trickery and decides that she is better off without him. Then Kirk walks up and the two agree to marry when they land.