Speaker 1: Welcome to the great Detectives of Old Time Radio from Boise, Idaho.
This is your host, Adam Graham. In a moment, we're
going to bring you this week's episode of yours truly
Johnny Dollar. But first I do want to encourage you,
if you're enjoying the podcast, to follow us using your
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remember Johnny Dollar Air dot com. Johnny Dollar Air dot
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a reservation through there, part of your purchase CROST goes
to support the great attactives of Old Time Radio at
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check Johnny Dollar Air dot com.
Speaker 2: First.
Speaker 1: Well, now from May fourth, nineteen fifty eight, here is
the Carson Arson.
Speaker 3: Matter from Hollywood. It's time now for Johnny Dollar. This
is Jim Paris at Worldwide Mutual. Don't tell me, Jim,
let me guess what are you talking about? The reason
you call me. I can smell the smoke all the
way over here at my apartment. Also, I heard something
about the fire on a news broadcast a few minutes ago. Yeah,
somewhere out on Albany Avenue.
Speaker 4: He said, Yes, it's the cash and save market over
the other side of.
Speaker 3: Tom And since your company ensured it, you want me
to go over and take a look.
Speaker 4: A good look, Johnny?
Speaker 3: You're thinking if possible? Arson? I am okay?
Speaker 4: Why that store is just one of a chain hot
Food Boston, Providence, Springfield.
Speaker 3: Yeah, yeah, I see, But how does that make it? Arrison?
Speaker 4: This is the fourth one to go up in as
many weeks.
Speaker 3: Oh, the outfit that owns them having financial troubles.
Speaker 4: The outfit that owns them is one man, Oh, John
Wakefield Carson.
Speaker 3: Then I repeat my question, Johnny, if he is burning.
Speaker 4: Up his own markets, if you can prove it, you
can save our company a lot of money.
Speaker 3: That might cost you a lot of money. Jim, what
do you mean? Wait? Do you see my expense account
Bob Bailey in the Exciting Adventures of the Man with
the Action Packed Expense Account, America's Fabulous Freelance Insurance Investigator
That is truly Johnny Dollar. Expense account submitted by Special
Investigator Johnny Dollar and the Worldwide Mutual Insurance Company Home Office, Hartford, Connecticut,
following as an account of expenses incurred during my investigation
of the Carson Arson matter expense a con adem one
a dollar a quarter for a taxi from my apartment
to the offices of Worldwide, where I hope Jim Perris
could give me a little more to go on. He
did very little.
Speaker 5: The first boss four and a half weeks ago, was
the market up in Thompsonville. How much Boston Thompsonville forty one,
two hundred and four dollars. That was the smallest one
in the chain. The following week the one over in
four River burned to the ground, and.
Speaker 3: The claim on that some fifty eight thousand dodds dollars.
Nothing odd about that one's though.
Speaker 5: The loss in Lowell was a bit over sixty four thousand.
How much the claim will be on this one here
in Hartford remains to be seen.
Speaker 3: How much coverage does he have on it?
Speaker 5: Around one hundred thousand, I believe, yes, one hundred and
six thousand, and that's probably what he's gonna claim. Look,
you can still see the smoke out there, yes, And
the telephone report I just got says it looks like
a total loss. Will you go over and take a
look at it, Sean Wakefield curse that's right. His office
is up in Boston. That's what his newest biggest market is.
Speaker 3: Ah. How much insurance on that one?
Speaker 5: Nearly half a million. It's one of the largest, most modern.
So I'd better get over and see him in a hurry.
You want me to get there before that one goes up?
Speaker 3: Don't you?
Speaker 6: Expense of cont item two four point fifty for a
cab to the scene of the fire way out on
Albany Roll Three or four fire companies were hard at it,
but it was easy to see there wasn't a chance
of saving much. It struck me that this location, and
part of a brand new residential area, was about as
far from an established fire company as it could be.
Speaker 3: I wondered for a moment if this was delivered. I
finally ran down how Gibbons, an old pal and one
of the best men in Narson Squad ever, had take
your nose up in the air, take it deep. When Johnny,
do you smell it? Well, it's not kerosene. How I
don't think it's canceling either now, but it's something highly inflammable.
The boys of that chemical truck could get it out.
And I learned something first. These stores always stuck a
lot of cleaning fluids stuff like that. Oh says that
are not inflammable for how much? Toney look out? Oh
hey hey we better move back away. Yeah, must to
get a pretty big start on the farm. And howe
job because it's so far out. It's like the markets
and Thompson Belle and Paul River Lowell too. Oh gonna
makes you wonder, doesn't it. At this point, I'm more
than just wondering, Johnny, have you come up with anything?
Those other towns are out of my bailey Wick. But
I know all the boys into the poppits. Have they
come up with anything?
Speaker 1: Oh?
Speaker 6: That's why I feel I've got to get the first
lead if there is one right here, as old man
Carson showed up.
Speaker 3: No, not doing any of the fires. He just sits
calmly in his office in Boston. Let us something philosophical
about the Virgaria's of fortune. Lets you go at that
and files a big fan of insurance claim. I think
I want to see that guy Carson. I don't think
it'll do you any good, but.
Speaker 4: Go to it.
Speaker 3: You want anything about his financial situation? He's loaded multi millionaire,
and boy, what a quairel one? What's that mean? A
regular nut always quote in Shakespeare the Bible Portry by
a good businessman is sure he hasn't got some big
investments something like that that went bad on him recently.
I'm sure there has to be Sorry, good bye.
Speaker 4: I tell you, I gotta stay back in the line.
Speaker 3: I want to keep your job. You tell your chief.
I'm here and I want to know why this fire
got out of hair? Oh who's that now?
Speaker 4: Look man, so I got order.
Speaker 3: He choke on them. It's all right, Jerry, I'll take
care of her. Whatever you're saying, mister Gibbons. But I
got order.
Speaker 6: Okay, Well, miss Casson, it looks like you're losing another market,
fourth one.
Speaker 3: The fourth one in a little over up. Hey, don't
I know you. I'm afraid I haven't had the pleasure.
It's Margaret Carson. This is Johnny Dollar, the insurance investigators.
Good now, maybe we'll get somewhere.
Speaker 1: Oh.
Speaker 3: This is Walter Walter.
Speaker 7: Oh, yes, Muggaret, mister Walter Smith.
Speaker 3: Hello, mister Gibbon. Will the handle is the legal end
of things for dad? Oh, I see next, president of
the company Water I in the grocery business. Oh no, no, sir,
thank you. The legal end is enough for me. What
do you think about these fires for in a row? Well,
if I were you, mister Dollar, I'd suspect Austin if
the heaven's seen far water, someone trying to put mister
Corson out of business, something like that.
Speaker 8: Father out of business with a couple of fires.
Speaker 3: Mis Carson Man Walter, we've seen all.
Speaker 9: We need to make the final report to Dad to
buy mister Dollar now.
Speaker 7: Yeah, see you.
Speaker 3: Like a motive, Johnny, that Waller character.
Speaker 6: If he marries Margaret Casson and he doesn't seem to
like the grocery business, Yeah, but if he could get
the money from it, Yeah, I see what you mean.
Speaker 3: Fact two off yours truly, Johnny Dollar in a moment.
Our flag now numbers fifty stars, and behind each star
there stands yet another flag representing one of the fifty states.
South Dakota state flag was inspired by a song South
Dakota is the Sunshine State. A stenographer named Ida Ending
designed the flag with a sky blue background and a
blazing sun in the center and the words North Dakota
the Sunshine State in gold around the sun. Later, the
state seal was inserted over the sun. A seal representing
mining and agriculture, the prime pursuits of the state. The
state's banner also carries the motto Under God, the People Rule.
South Dakota State Flag, the flag of the fortieth state
to enter the Union, was adopted on March eighth, nineteen
oh nine. Now Act two of Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar
and the Carson Arson Matter. Expense of cont out of
three twenty cents. Phone call from a booth near the
scene of the fire. I wanted more information from Jim
Paris at Worldwide Mutual information about the policies covering the
thirteen cash and save markets, four of which had recently
gone up in flames. I wait in the phone booth
until Jim call me back, John Dollar. Jimmy here, Oh good.
Speaker 1: All right.
Speaker 4: Here's the list of markets, Johnny, and the order of
insurance coverage, starting with the smallest demand. Go ahead, Thompsonville, Fall, River, Lowell, Hartford.
Speaker 3: That's the same order in which they burned exactly. Okay.
Which remaining store has the next biggest coverage?
Speaker 4: Salem?
Speaker 3: Okay, I'll start with Salem. What are you thinking of, Johnny.
It's just a huntch Jim. But well, I'll call you later,
I had him four or five dollars in a quarter
for camp back to my apartment, I had them five
twenty one dollars, even managing my own car Hertford to
Salem mess despite bringing up the highway was almost dark
when I pulled into Salem was well after dark when
I finally located the Cash and Save market again. The
store was far outside of town, and it was a
long way from the nearest firehouse. I don't know exactly
why I went there instead of the main office in Boston.
After all, it was the same day as the Hertford fire,
and the others had all been about a week apart.
As I said before, colored a hunch. But as I
pulled up in front of the place, I saw the
shadow of a man dart furtively around the back of
the building. As I reached the far corner the building,
I stopped. With only the slipver of a crescent moon.
I could see no one somewhere ahead of me. I
heard a door open, then silence again, but somebody had
entered that building. Slowly cautiously, I felt my way along
the wall, and then I came to it, an open
door storeroom, but inside it was pitch black. I drew
my gun and carefully quietly fell around for a light switch.
After stumbling gently against a big packing case, I found it.
I hunched down behind the case inflicted on.
Speaker 4: All.
Speaker 7: Right, where are you?
Speaker 4: I heard you?
Speaker 3: I saw you come in here. Now look, I got
a gun, so I don't try to make funny. You
hear me?
Speaker 7: Where are you?
Speaker 6: Right? Over my head? I must have been a long time.
I came too, lying in a cot in the back
room of sing the police headquarters.
Speaker 3: A couple of gallon jars? Can you hear me? Yeah, yeah,
I can hear you.
Speaker 4: Yeah.
Speaker 3: It was a couple of big gallon jars of kosher
pickles that he dropped on top of your head. He officer,
I would like to split your head open.
Speaker 6: So he brought you in here to headquarters and had
the doc look you over. Now, Doc says, no permanent
harm done, and you give you a shot to make
you sleep and the rest.
Speaker 3: Now, how about this couple of hot coffee?
Speaker 4: Yeah?
Speaker 3: Sure, about a dozen astrons? My head feels like they
are nice. But you you said.
Speaker 6: Hell, according to Ham, you left yourself wide open when
you sneaked in there after him, and then to turn
on the lights. Son, you've got a lot to learn. Okay,
So I pulled a boo boy, But do you know
who it was? It slug me of course, son, he
brought to you here? Who owner of the market? What
mister John Wakefield Carson.
Speaker 3: Had them six two dollars more milage on my car
this time down to Boston and the main office of
Cash and Save markets at the private office of John
Wakefield Carson. Please be calm of mind, old passion spent
mister dollar. What that's from Milton?
Speaker 4: He said?
Speaker 3: Now, look, mister Carson, about last night they'd off placed
tricks upon us.
Speaker 6: All they did zone bringing us together last How did
you know I was going to investigate that market of
yours up in Salem?
Speaker 3: I didn't know, But look you young man.
Speaker 6: Yeah, the fires which destroyed those four markets did so
and order their value to me. So I found out
possibly then the next to go it would be the
store in Salem. Well, that indeed is next in order
of value.
Speaker 3: It figures, or.
Speaker 6: Perhaps twas mere coincidence those accidents occurred in that order accidents. Remember,
coincidence breeds further coincidence.
Speaker 3: That's a quotation from Brasco. Now, listen to me, mister Carson.
Speaker 6: So that reason I decided to inspect the Salem store
myself inspected to make sure there'd be no possibility of
spontaneous combustion.
Speaker 7: There.
Speaker 6: Let's get one thing straight right now, mister Carson. I
think those fires were set, and if you'll come down
to earth, possible. I suppose it was Shakespeare who said
the fire answers fire through their palely flames, each sees
the other's on the face.
Speaker 3: Listen to me, will you?
Speaker 8: Oh?
Speaker 3: Of course, I think you set those fires, or had
them set. I think you were going to burn down
the store and sail them until I came along. When
I saw you there, I thought that was surant. Oh sure, sure,
all right? Tell me this, what are you planning to
do with the insurance money if you get it? Rebuild?
Figure in better stores where the old ones stood? No,
or did you find out you hadn't made them big
and modern enough for those real estate developments where they
were located, and decided the cheapest way for you to know, no,
to build again with tragic dealt the fate.
Speaker 6: I guess the fancy quotes and answer my question. Said
you tread upon my patience. Sir, Look, it's most enough
to make a deacon swear, answered by James Russell, it's
to Carson, what disposition of the funds I choose to
make is mine alone to settle? And from my heart,
Canson enough, I have had enough of this.
Speaker 3: Now be on your way. Oh wait a minute, gone,
Dollar me, No, no more, you wait.
Speaker 6: From your heart you said, Now I have said enough.
Henceforth my lips are seen.
Speaker 3: Okay, okay, but you know something I think you've told me.
Who might have set those fires? And if you'll answer
me just one more question now, okay, we'll see Act
three of yours, truly Johnny Dollar in a moment.
Speaker 9: Sometimes we may wonder why a football team doesn't quit
playing and walk off the field when it finds itself
fifty points behind with only a few minutes of play
to go. What is that indomitable spirit that fills men
with hope and keeps them going in spite of terrific gods,
keeps them going just to play the game according to
the rules, just to get the job done as well
as they know how. This kind of spirit pervaded the
feelings of heavy bomber cruise of the night there course
on that day of glory. August first, nineteen forty three,
the day of one of the most secretly planned surprise
bombing missions of World War II, the day of the
low level attack on the Romanian oil refineries at Flueshti,
more than one hundred seventy B twenty four heavily loaded
bombers took off in a swirl of red dust from Benghazi, Libya,
to bomb a highly defended priority target. The element of
surprise in the low level attack was to be one
of their greatest weapons, but things went wrong from the start.
Three planes exploded during takeoff operations, eleven more aborted due
to engine trouble. Of those that reached the target area,
less than one third returned home base. The leaders of
the mission encountered navigation difficulties and difficulty in identifying the
specific targets, and due to the loss of that elemental hope, surprise,
they also encountered devastating enemy firepower from flak and fighters.
The mission was partially successful, but a horrifying experts. Five
Medals of Honor were awarded to the heroes of the
plash to raid for valorous action above and beyond the
call of duty. At any time the men would have
been justified in turning back, but they had a code
of conduct that made them want to see the unequal
gain through to the end. It was a job that
had to be done.
Speaker 3: A charge of the light brigade in the air as
they flew down the valley of death to glory. No
Act three of yours truly, Johnny Dollar and the Carson
Arson Matter expense account hadem seven eighty cents. Phone called
the hell Gibbons and the Arson squad back in Hertford.
Speaker 2: Yeah, Johnny, I finally found plenty in the remains of
that fire, and it was arson by some rank amateur.
Speaker 4: That's why it was hard to spot.
Speaker 3: What do you mean?
Speaker 2: What a pro sens ablaze?
Speaker 1: We know what to look for.
Speaker 3: I see what about the other three fires?
Speaker 2: Call the boys in those cities, immediately her back from
them this morning? Name story?
Speaker 7: All right?
Speaker 3: Have you checked on Waller? What's his name? The fiance
of Carson's daughter?
Speaker 4: You mean stepdaughter? Stepdaughter?
Speaker 3: I have, And that's what stops me alibise.
Speaker 2: Huh, perfect Walter Smitten couldn't possibly have started those fires.
Speaker 3: I didn't think so. Now that boy might call himself
a lawyer, how but he just hasn't the nerve, the gumption.
Speaker 2: Who else he stuns the benefit if he marries Margaret Casson.
Surely you don't think Casson himself.
Speaker 3: Call the Boston police. Will you have to meet me
at Carson's office, maybe to make an arrest? Do that
for me?
Speaker 7: Will you.
Speaker 3: Munch? Maybe it was more than a munch now. Sure,
I know there was no real clues in the case,
but maybe for once I could get along without them.
I went back to Carson's office, and I must confess.
Try to little bluff court. You'd hailed me into court.
That's right, unless you open up and tell me what
I want to know.
Speaker 6: Very well, speak to me as to thy thinkings, as
thou dost niger.
Speaker 3: Forget the quotations. Waler Smitten is your lawyer.
Speaker 7: Isn't he a.
Speaker 6: Timid but an eager lad who saved me many a fall?
You'll like him like a son. Why would he were
my son? Or the Bible says a wise son maketh
a ride?
Speaker 3: All right? Oh, yes, you have a stepdaughter, Margaret, alas
I have. Okay, Now, who is to get the insurance
money you may collect? That there is none of your concern.
You're going to talk now, mister Carson. Family matter, who
gets it?
Speaker 4: Hi?
Speaker 6: I pledged my wife before she died, Margaret would have
all money is from any profit, any monetary gain of
any kind of any of my ventures. That would include
the insurance money. I see that, mister, was my pledge.
And O how I have routed? Why do you say
that she's not of my blood? Mister dollar? She has
no soul for art of poetry, and since she's come
of age, she's made so many demands upon me. Monday
Monday money.
Speaker 3: That's all she thinks of. I like water.
Speaker 6: She's so bold, aggressive, headstrong. Well it not for Walter,
I'd mistrust her every move. But if he's in love
with her, because she demands, he'd be and why so
she can use his legal guidance in her fight to
take this business away from me.
Speaker 3: All right, mister Carson, I haven't notified the authorities yet,
but I've found proof that Margaret is the one who
started those fires.
Speaker 4: You what?
Speaker 3: And you just told me why? Because the money would
go to her. Oh, mister dull, I'm glad I've suspected. Yes,
but because of family honor?
Speaker 6: No, no, no, I'm glad you have proof long last,
it will take her take this mill stone from about
my neck.
Speaker 3: Crow Mark, Well, Alla, you'll never live to tell the
authorities that gun.
Speaker 4: Unless you'd like.
Speaker 3: To make a deal, Johnny. It'll be with a lot
of money to you. I'd even promise not to set
any more fires. Oh, you were right, mister doll. Unless
I'm mistaken, Margaret. The man who just came in. What
you heard your little confession is from the police department.
You're trying to make me look around so you can
grab for this gun. Oh no, fact remains, he's standing
right in the back of you. That's right, Mark.
Speaker 6: No, how sharper than a serpent's tooth is an ungrateful child.
Speaker 3: Yeah, the company won't have to pay on those four markets,
and the courts will have to take care of market.
I'm sure they will. And next time we'll give me
something clean to work on. Yeah. I hate this kind
of stuff. Expensive count total including the trip home fifty
six dollars ninety cents US. Truly, Johnny Dollar, Our star
will return in just a moment.
Speaker 7: Our flag now numbers fifty stars, and behind each star
there stands yet another flag representing one of the fifty states.
Oklahoma's state flag depicts an osage warriors circular buckskin shield
from which hang seven eagle feathers. Across the shield is
the Indians calumet or pipe of peace, acrossed with a
white man's peace symbol the olive branch. On the shield
are small crosses the Indians graphics sign for stars, indicating
lofty ideals or a purpose for high endeavor. The background
of the flag is a field of blue, the blue
of the Oklahoma sky, signifying loyalty and devotion. The important symbols, however,
are the calumet and the olive branch. These override the shield,
the symbol of war, and they speak a predominant love
of peace by a united people. Oklahoma state flag, the
flag of the forty sixth state to enter the Union,
was adopted on April second, nineteen twenty five. Now here's
our star to tell you about next week's story. Next
week the rolling stone matter. Remember that old saying about
a rolling stone, while that applies here with a vengeance,
Join us, won't you yours?
Speaker 3: Trulee? Johnny Dollar yours truly? Johnny Dollar starring Bob Bailey.
Originates in Hollywood, and is produced and directed by Jack Johnstone,
who also wrote today's story. Heard in our cast were
Virginia Gregg, Byron Kin, Harry Bartel, Jack Edwards, Joe Kerns,
and Boris Lewis. Be sure to join us next week,
same time and station, or another exciting story of yours, Truly,
Johnny Dollar, This is the United States Armed Forces Radio
and Television Service.
Speaker 4: Welcome back.
Speaker 1: I can understand why miss Carson stop cooperating with Johnny.
It's an understandable reaction to overzealous accusations not actually based
on anything other than vague suspicions. It's probably one of
Johnny's worst laws as an investigators. He jumps to conclusions
and makes full throated allegations with no real evidence, and
it turns off the insured from cooperating, even if they're innocent.
And also it can lead Johnny to falsely suspect someone
for longer than he should. So I will say Carson's
successes in business is kind of on likely, and I
don't mean just due to the constant quotations, although yeah,
that probably doesn't help. But it was emphasized that all
of these locations were built out in the middle of nowhere,
far from botle services. I mean, can you imagine promoting
the grand opening? Come out to our store. It is
convenient to nothing else in this town. I mean location, location, location,
and particularly with something like a market, you don't build
those out in the middle of nowhere. You want to
make it easy for people to shop with you. That's
just not where you put supermarkets. I was a bit
less sympathetic than usual to Johnny's request for a cleaner case.
This wasn't all that hard and he had well paid
for it. And so to Johnny's request, I'll have to
be like mister Carson and borrow a phrase from a
great work to provide an appropriate answer. We knew the
job was danger when you took it quote Super Chicken,
nineteen sixty seven. The teaser was amusing to me. I
don't remember what happens in the next episode, but I'm
just trying to imagine a rolling stone gathers no moth,
but with a vengeance. I wonder if it will live
up to the hive. Well, we'll find out next week,
all right, Listener comments and feedback. Now, listener comments and feedback,
and we just have a simple thank you, Adam regarding
the Wayward Money Matter over on YouTube. Well, thank you
so much. Now it's time to thank our Patreon supporter
of the day, and I want to thank Claudia, Patreon
supporter since October twenty twenty one, currently supporting the podcast
at the Detective Sergeant level of seven dollars and fourteen
cents or more per month. Thanks so much for your support, Claudia,
and that will do it for today. If you're enjoying
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channel to grow. We will be back with you next
Friday with another episode of Yours Truly Johnny Dollar. But
join us back here tomorrow where we turn to the
great adventurers of old time radio and bring you an
episode of Cloak and Dagger where.
Speaker 8: Hello Mike, it isn't Frank Michael, and then thank you
you don't have a drink Candy the Battle of Bevan
to listen about Michael, You don't know how I needed
I got a I've been listening to the radio. Well
you've got the thermometer. How well John pork video, I
gotta try to stay a line of I didn't care
san to Mica we Wes then a big bet.
Speaker 3: Yeah, I don't know.
Speaker 2: Racket.
Speaker 8: Letting a man get away without get run your business?
It does mean a think it does when they find
your gun next to his body and I button off
your coat in his hand. About the bill boy, what boy?
I said, michelsea Arms, he identify you from one of
the pictures as the man who asking him for Democo's
room number. I'll tell you to frame. How did you
come here? It can nail me for iboring a fugitive
and that means my license. Okay, Mike, sorry, I brought it.
Speaker 3: You say this is a.
Speaker 8: Frame, I swear it. If you're lying to me, I'll
give you my word. Wouldn't I be a captain let
anybody see me going into the Marco's room.
Speaker 3: That's what I was thinking.
Speaker 8: Sounded like the killer went out of his way to
be stuted. And while I might buy that button they
found in the Marco's hand, when he added to the
other things like the gun, it's too much. And you
believe me, you're saying you Artie, Thanks cal I won't
forget to give it. You got a men an idea?
Who might be behind this routine? You know not obviously
had to be somebody who's attached for you. Now, who
do you know about your size? One hundred guys?
Speaker 4: Numb one?
Speaker 8: Wow, we we're gonna find him. He's out on the coach.
That's a big help. I'll tell you a million guys.
I'm still waiting for number two. Well, Adam Crane, the
guy who used to work for me, fire him. Yes,
he didn't have nerve enough of the business. Well, then,
miss Crane sounds like a likely such that.
Speaker 3: Oh, you're out of your mind.
Speaker 8: That's yellow. You never have enough guts the fuller day
like this? Never heard the story of the worm to turn.
Speaker 1: I hope you'll be with us then in the meantime,
send your comments to Box thirteen at Great Detectives dot nt,
follow us on Twitter at Radio Detectives, and check us
out on Instagram, Instagram, dot com, slash Great Detectives from Boiseiana, ho.
This is your host, Adam Graham signing off.