Speaker 1: Come in welcome. I'm E. G. Marshall.
Speaker 2: This is a story of a woman's flight from fear.
But who can outrun the demons of his own imagination?
Like one that on a lonesome road doth walk in
fear and dread, and having once turned round, walks on
and turns no more his head because he knows a
frightful fiend dus close behind him tread The poet Coleridge
died many years before the dancer Rodlovo was born. Yet
those few lines he captured the terror that draws the
color from her lips and sets her heart pounding.
Speaker 3: Yes are you there, ah rad lover?
Speaker 4: Yes I am.
Speaker 3: Who is to stay away from the theater tonight?
Speaker 1: Who is it?
Speaker 3: A friend? Don't go to the theater? Don't dance tonight?
Speaker 4: How did you get this number?
Speaker 3: Who are never mind my name?
Speaker 5: Just listen to what I say.
Speaker 3: This is your last warning.
Speaker 4: You cannot frighten me.
Speaker 5: I'm not trying to frighten you. I'm trying to save you.
You must do as I say. Your life depends on it.
Speaker 4: I do you persecute me? What have I done to you?
Speaker 5: You must not dance tonight?
Speaker 3: It will mean deaf.
Speaker 2: Our mystery drama River of Hades was written especially for
the Mystery Theater by Mary Jane Higbee and stars Marion Selviis.
As I said, this is a story of flight, flight
from fear, and it begins appropriately enough with an airplane
circling the sky above Manhattan in the monotony of a
holding pattern. Suddenly it drops swiftly away to the ground,
skims along the runway, and comes to a roaring halt.
In the airport terminal, a solitary man sits in a
small lounge marked private. A commotion in the hall outside
brings him quickly to his feet.
Speaker 1: This is ridiculous. I have Maximilian. We are David, David,
are you in there? Sorry? Max, this fool would not
let me in.
Speaker 2: It's all right, officer, it's Maximilian Bomber. I'll vouch from
It's a good thing you will here, David. I'm sorry, Max.
I asked the airline for tight security and I got it.
But during plenty of time, a plane just landed.
Speaker 1: Yes, so I.
Speaker 2: Understand that God would not even let a messenger deliver
these flowers. So I offered to deliver them for the
poor chap. Then I could not get in myself. Someone
from the airline is going to take her off the
plane and straight through immigration, and they'll bring her here
and we'll get her out. Breaks my heart for I
think of the front page coverage. We're giving up biggest
story of the week. Yes, but we cannot risk her
life at a presidence of you in a crowded airports.
Oh oh, by the way, David, we will not say
anything to her about letters.
Speaker 1: You mean, are not going to tell her? What good
would it do?
Speaker 2: If my life were in danger? I'd want to know
about it. She should be warned. Come now, what does
it add up to her? A few nasty letters from
some crackpot, Max.
Speaker 1: That's all that's needed. One crackpot and a gun. She's
not to know and that's final. She'll have protection.
Speaker 2: There's nearly half a million tied up in this ballet company.
I'm not taking any chances with my premiere Ballerina. Does
Alex know about the letters.
Speaker 1: I've been getting? Of course? Who he tell her? Aren't
they friends?
Speaker 2: Or they danced together in Paris? So I suppose they
are friends. I told Alex not to meet her here.
He's too easy to spot in her crowd. A smart
report of mine following.
Speaker 1: Here she is, Ah, mister Raddo, welcome to America.
Speaker 4: Mister Boma, a pleasure to feel once again?
Speaker 1: May I present my friend David Mark.
Speaker 4: I am enchanted. No, you do not say that, do
you pleased? I am pleased to meet you. I speak
English badly, not at all.
Speaker 2: David is press agent for our ballet company. We're going
to take you immediately to your hotel.
Speaker 1: You'll be able to get a good rest.
Speaker 2: Then tomorrow you will meet the newspaper people. The satisfactory
that is perfect good, and then we'll be getting right along.
Speaker 1: Oh, we're forgetting the flowers?
Speaker 4: What roses for my favorite?
Speaker 2: Well, they're not a gift from us. I'm afraid we
are only messenger boys.
Speaker 4: Oh well then do you mind not open the card?
Speaker 1: Of course?
Speaker 4: Oh I lot?
Speaker 6: What?
Speaker 4: Oh no no, not here, not in America too?
Speaker 1: What is it? Sit down?
Speaker 4: Oh they are here too. They have followed.
Speaker 1: She's fainting her fall. This is a warning, traitor, go
back to your own country. We don't want your kind here.
Speaker 4: Terrible, is it not?
Speaker 1: It's shocked to read such a card. I know.
Speaker 2: Just remember you're absolutely safe in this hotel and match
is taking the matter of the police right now.
Speaker 4: I am strong, I can face danger. But the is
an anonymous letter.
Speaker 1: They frighten me letters. You've had dreats like this before?
Speaker 3: Oh?
Speaker 4: Yes, in Paris they started soon after I asked for
asylum from the French government.
Speaker 1: Have you any idea who's behind it?
Speaker 4: In my country? There are people who do not like
artists to leave permanently.
Speaker 1: Why did you political reasons?
Speaker 4: Oh no, no, another political person. I wanted only to
be free to dance, as I choose not to be
told what I must dance and what is forbidden.
Speaker 1: I can't understand that.
Speaker 4: You're lucky to the rhyme, Miss redler ver, shall I
unpack it this small bag only? Thank you? And would
you see who that is? Please?
Speaker 1: Oh, I'll get it. It'll be met. Hello, David.
Speaker 2: The police have everything well in hand. They want to
talk to you later, Miss Radlover. The police the formality.
We're placing a card at your door around the clock. Now,
two more pleasant things. How do you like this suite?
Speaker 4: It is most luxurious, but so high. It is an eagles.
Speaker 1: And if everything is satisfactory, we will leave you so
you may rest. And your maid Mary. I think her
name is will have the room next to your bedroom.
There's a connecting door. If you wish anything, you have
only to call her.
Speaker 4: You are most kind.
Speaker 2: You know, of course that we start rehearsal Tuesday for
the ballet Leafy.
Speaker 4: No, mister Bomer, I cannot lance leaks. Do you see
bad luck? LIZI always brings a tragedy. No, I cannot
dance that role.
Speaker 1: Not now we have advertised for you, agreed in Paris.
Speaker 4: It's a terrible things had not proppen them. Excuse me
the bear.
Speaker 7: You want me to open his lot to miss red Lover.
Speaker 4: Oh of course I will get the keys. Please excuse me,
and you can open it lost.
Speaker 1: Not dance Leafy. Why it would ruin me? Oh I
see I'm in for a series of tantrums. Oh yes,
I can see it coming. I tell you are to
such children. That's no child. That's a woman, a terrifying woman, youth.
Speaker 2: He brings tragedy. It's nonsense. It brought a world to
her feet.
Speaker 1: The result hades, isn't it? Yes?
Speaker 2: So the result of death. No, no oblivion, forgetfulness, the soul's.
Speaker 1: Drink of leafy stream and straightway, forget their former lives.
Speaker 2: I have a troud lover. Isn't going to be allowed
to forget.
Speaker 1: Max ness? That maid? Is she one of her hotel staff? No?
Speaker 2: No, I engaged her myself. Why is something about it?
Speaker 4: Gentlemen, I have a concession. I don't like this air conditioning.
Would you mind to open a window?
Speaker 1: Of course? Alarm me? A beautiful view all Manhattan at
your feet.
Speaker 4: A street so far below, people like swarming insect in
a nightmare.
Speaker 1: Oh come, my dear, one.
Speaker 4: Of them will soon come bearing a sting.
Speaker 2: No, no, they have no wings. You are safe up
here on the thirty eighth floor. A princess in her tower.
Speaker 7: I I forgot to give you this letter, miss rod Lover.
Speaker 4: It arrived before you didn't Thank you, miss Rodlover.
Speaker 2: Don't go to Oh oh no no, don't open it.
Give it to me and miss uh Mary. Yes, never, never,
under any circumstances open a letter or package that comes
to this suite.
Speaker 1: It might contain an explosive. Yes, I'll get this one
out of here all right.
Speaker 2: That that will be all, Thank you Mary. Yes, no,
my dear miss rod Lover, where.
Speaker 4: Were we you were saying? How safe is the princess
in her tower. But when they decide to kill me,
they will find a way.
Speaker 1: New York City never sleeps, a.
Speaker 2: Steady, drawn unlike the sound of any other city in
the world. Forever rises from her lighted streets to the
newly arrived Vera Radlova, lying tense and restless in the.
Speaker 1: Dark hotel bedroom. It is an alien sound. Cold menacing.
Speaker 2: A fire engine suddenly screaming through the night draws her
swiftly from her bed to the open window. She leans
out and looks down, unaware of the door behind her
as it quietly opens.
Speaker 4: It's a long way down, miss Robber. Oh, let god,
what are you doing here, Miss radlerby from me. I'm
not gonna harm you. May go take your hands of me.
Speaker 7: I'm sorry. I I heard you moving around. I wanted
to be sure you were all right.
Speaker 4: Never come up behind me like that. Never touch me.
Speaker 6: You were leaning out so far. I'm afraid you never
do that again. It was foolish, but you were so
despondent to see. I am all right, of course.
Speaker 7: Good night, mister red Lover, Good night.
Speaker 4: Mary. Yes you are very strong for a woman who
held me quite easily.
Speaker 7: Yes, I am very strong.
Speaker 4: Good night, Sleep well, h sleep, I think I shall
never sleep again.
Speaker 6: Oh, well, I have some sleeping pills. Sleeping pill lay mild,
I could give you one?
Speaker 4: No, thank you? I don't no, no, no, it's just
a telephone strange this heart.
Speaker 7: Shall I answer it? Yes?
Speaker 6: Please do hello? Oh for just a minute. The operator says,
mister Bohmer is on the wire. It's an emergency.
Speaker 4: Will you take the call? An emergency would have caught hell.
Speaker 7: Operator, Yes, you may put the call.
Speaker 4: Through here you are hello, well, and now you say
who are you? No, I won't leave, missus Rodlover.
Speaker 6: What is it?
Speaker 7: Are you know? You're so pale?
Speaker 4: It was not mister Boehmer.
Speaker 7: Not mister Boehmer.
Speaker 4: Who was it? I don't know someone who said, someone
who said they would kill me.
Speaker 6: But it's just some crank trying to frighten you, Miss Dliver.
I will see to it that you don't get any
more calls of this time. Oh I pray you please, Hello, operator,
no more calls to be put through to this suite,
no matter who they say they are. Miss Radlover must
not be disturbed. Oh I'm second thought.
Speaker 7: Operator. If any may.
Speaker 6: Calls, come switch them to my room. Yes, room thirty
eight fourteen.
Speaker 7: Oh, this is missus Rodlover's maid.
Speaker 6: Now she's not to be disturbed, she is to be
completely cut off, says thank you cut off for to
be sure you get a good night's rest.
Speaker 7: Now, come on, take this pill.
Speaker 4: You are most kind, not a ton No, that's what
I'm here for. This is sleeping pill.
Speaker 7: Yes, very mild.
Speaker 4: I never take pills.
Speaker 7: Well, neither do I as a rule.
Speaker 6: But under the circumstances you will never take pills yourself,
not often.
Speaker 4: And how do you happen to have these pills with
you in your dressing gun?
Speaker 1: Oh?
Speaker 4: Well I I why do you want to give one
to me? If you can't, who are you?
Speaker 6: Mister Bowmer says you might be restless? He he gave
me the pillow.
Speaker 4: I'm lying. Get out of my bill.
Speaker 6: Yes, ms Ra get out, and you are going to
stay out.
Speaker 1: W to him who is in fear everything Rustles.
Speaker 2: Sophocles made that observation nearly twenty five hundred years ago.
It is true that fear breeds suspicion, and suspicion, they say,
has a hundred eyes. It turns in all directions, sensing
danger from every quarter except the right one our return
in a moment with Act two on WABC from Art
is of itself a struggle for freedom of expression, an
effort to pierce the barriers that separate us one from
the other and convey the image of a truth.
Speaker 1: A desire.
Speaker 2: And it is the nature of the artist to rebel
against whatever would limit his work. It is this that
has driven the renowned Ballerina Radloba to leave her homeland.
Speaker 1: And seek asylum in the West.
Speaker 2: But perhaps she has not counted the cost of becoming
a stranger in a strange land, nor measured the hatred
that might follow her flight. Now, as the early morning
sun sends its rays into her locked hotel room, she
turns to the only source she knows for help.
Speaker 1: Hello, I wish to speak to Alexis. Call Please, This
is Alexis Call.
Speaker 3: I should not call you so early.
Speaker 1: Verah, my dear, how are you?
Speaker 3: I must see you.
Speaker 8: I am surrounded by enemies. What you are the only
friend I have.
Speaker 1: I don't understand what's going on. Talk of the telephone.
Speaker 8: Someone may be listening, Alexis. Is it possible you could
come here to the hotel now?
Speaker 1: Of course? If you need me, I'll be right over.
Speaker 7: Oh no you won't.
Speaker 4: Grace shot up last night and man telephoned.
Speaker 3: They are going to kill me.
Speaker 1: I'll be right there. Don't be frightened. But don't open
your door to anyone you don't know. We'll see that
you're all right. Goodbye.
Speaker 7: That red Lover woman.
Speaker 2: Grace tried to be sensible for once. He's been getting
menacing phone calls let hers.
Speaker 7: Oh now I've heard everything.
Speaker 6: She's trying to hug all the publicity, the press.
Speaker 3: She'll get out of it.
Speaker 6: I can see the headlines now dancer's life threatened, guarded
night and day.
Speaker 1: Ought be a fool.
Speaker 4: Well just look at.
Speaker 7: This morning paper.
Speaker 6: Radlaver take an inn at airport, a publicity stunt.
Speaker 2: That woman strong If anybody can get sick.
Speaker 4: Wake up.
Speaker 7: She's using you.
Speaker 1: Don't start that again.
Speaker 7: She got you to talk Max and to bringing her
to this country.
Speaker 1: That's not true.
Speaker 4: Oh you were his top of crutch and.
Speaker 6: You're Miranda until she weaseled her way in.
Speaker 2: Rod Lover is the most famous ballerina in the world.
Of course Max hired her. Every manager in Europe.
Speaker 1: Was bidding for her.
Speaker 7: I know it went on in Paris between you two.
Speaker 1: Who's feeding you those lives. I have friends Oranda again.
Speaker 2: That woman hates every other ballerina.
Speaker 1: She's a jealous, bitter. Then I've sat.
Speaker 6: Through three of your sword of affairs. I'm not sitting
still for this one. Fits me tell you something, rad
lovers are good ten years younger than you are.
Speaker 4: You're getting on to a middle age.
Speaker 6: When she's taking what she wants out of you, she'll
throw you away.
Speaker 4: Like a squeezed lemon.
Speaker 1: Stop needling me, grace.
Speaker 4: Minute she arrives, she whistles, and.
Speaker 1: You you go running and getting out of here.
Speaker 4: You're not don't get that woman?
Speaker 1: You want stopping?
Speaker 4: Are you trying to to break my arm?
Speaker 1: I'm trying to keep from killing you. I might have
known you're drunk.
Speaker 7: That's a lot.
Speaker 1: You're a mess, an ugly, drunken mess. I'm sick of.
Speaker 7: You, alex I'm warning you.
Speaker 6: She won't get away with this. She she won't get
away with it.
Speaker 4: Alexis, take me away from this place. I'm afraid to
walk by an open window. I'm afraid to answer the telephone,
afraid even to eat. I cannot live like this.
Speaker 1: I should think, not this mix. Nos.
Speaker 4: Yes, yes, you.
Speaker 7: Call the police.
Speaker 1: They placed the guard at the door to reassure you.
Speaker 4: But they don't understand how clever, how woothless these people
can be. Alexis you must help me? Please?
Speaker 1: No, nothing bad is going to happen to you. Alex
will take care of you.
Speaker 4: And I do not treat me like a child. I
do not need comfort, I need help, and there is
no one I can trust but you. Hu can draws
Max can I.
Speaker 1: Of course you're terribly important to him.
Speaker 2: You can certainly move to another hotel if you wish.
I'll speak to Max about it. But right now you
say you've had no breakfast.
Speaker 4: No, the maid brought coffee and rolls, but I was
too frightened.
Speaker 1: To eat the silly you dance must eat. We start
rehearsal tuesday.
Speaker 4: Well, you're right, of course, I will ask Mary to
bring the tray in here. Mary, would you please bring
the breakfast tray to me.
Speaker 6: Right away, Miss Radnover, I was hoping you would decide
to eat something.
Speaker 7: I kept the coffee hot for you.
Speaker 1: Oh, good morning, easy morning.
Speaker 4: Put it down here. Please? Would you care for something
and coffee?
Speaker 2: Right?
Speaker 1: Do you black want me to serve it?
Speaker 4: No? Thank you? That will be all very well. I
don't trust that woman.
Speaker 1: Very dear mix hired her himself. You can be sure
she was thoroughly investigated. Come on, now, eat.
Speaker 4: Something, my dear dear Alex, my Aloisha. I feel better
now you.
Speaker 1: Are here, a familiar face. That's what you needed.
Speaker 4: Yes, I am so alone. I left everything to live
in a world of strangers. And now I think perhaps
I should not have done it.
Speaker 1: Oh you're young, you'll make.
Speaker 4: Friends as I am young, but I will age.
Speaker 1: Oh sexist.
Speaker 4: I did not want to go old, thinking beautifully I
could have done certain roles if only they would have
let me.
Speaker 1: Mm. It is cruel to grow old. But you are
free now.
Speaker 2: And wait until you see how the American audiences receive
you once you step into that mysterious gray blue light,
blue light, our street set for LETHI.
Speaker 1: It's magnificent, but we must.
Speaker 4: Not dance lee what it is cursed. I was given
the role because there's no Skiffer broke an ankle, and
then Vladimir fell from that high ramp in Paris and
he will never dang her.
Speaker 1: Reset was dangerous.
Speaker 4: Leathi is the river of Hades and it has the
curse of hell.
Speaker 1: You can't believe that.
Speaker 4: Oh, let must be that man. What is his name
of publicity David Mars. Yes, I'm expecting him, mister Mark.
Speaker 1: Good morning. Oh hello Alex. Morning David.
Speaker 2: We're getting great TV coverage. They'll be here soon to
set up a light.
Speaker 4: Can I say so many strangers.
Speaker 1: I'll be right beside you.
Speaker 2: We kept the press away from you at the airport,
Miss Rodlover. It would be unwise to disappoint them again.
Speaker 4: Oh, of course, I understand. It's just I have had
no sleep. Well, excuse me, please, I will go and
get ready to receive them.
Speaker 1: She looks tired. She's lost weight since I saw her last.
I was shocked. She's put Max in the sweat. She
refuses to dance. Leavy. She told me he wants you
to use your influence get her to do it. I'll try,
but I don't know.
Speaker 2: Suppose we all meet at his office and show her
the set design. Sh She's got the notion the whole
communist world is after her.
Speaker 1: It's foolishness, of course, is it. You don't believe it,
do you? I don't know what to believe.
Speaker 2: The maid called MAXI earlier this morning. Seems there were
menacing phone calls when on all night, six of them, well,
six calls from six different people and one a woman.
Speaker 1: Ella, Miranda, this is David.
Speaker 2: Yes, Darling, I was hoping that we could have dinner together,
but I let's stay right here on the job. She's
going to pieces fast. I doubt if she'll be able
to open. No, I'm in the hotel lobby. Now listen, sweetheart,
she wants to move out of this hotel. Would you
be willing to swap places with her?
Speaker 1: Yeah?
Speaker 2: I know you're a parven small, but I think she'd
settle for it. Okay, then I'll suggest it to Max. Yes, Darling,
of course I didn't, and Miranda, don't get your hopes her.
But I have a hunch our ballet season won't open
with Rodlova at all. I think it's going to be
coal and Miranda.
Speaker 1: What a mess those TV crews left behind.
Speaker 4: But it is almost worth going through these things for
that moment that X, because it's moment when it's all over.
Speaker 2: You handled it one hmm, they loved you. Wait till
you see the coverage night A little piece and quiet
is welcome.
Speaker 4: Wait, I sat, I heard somebody crying.
Speaker 2: I didn't hear anything neither did I like a child crying?
I probably a radio somewhere on this floor.
Speaker 1: Well, of course, okay, I'll call for you at four
point thirty and we'll go to Max's office.
Speaker 4: Ah good, I would like to get out of this place.
Speaker 1: I'm off to rehearsal, and i'll see you at the office. Rehearsal.
Speaker 2: Yes, the curtain raiser a short comic ballet of my own.
Speaker 1: You're sure you're all right now?
Speaker 7: Yes?
Speaker 4: Oh? And thank you Alexis thank you? Yeah. Now listen,
what was it? I did hear something? It's coming from
Mary's room.
Speaker 1: Let's see Mary.
Speaker 6: Mary?
Speaker 1: Is the door locked?
Speaker 5: Oh?
Speaker 4: Yes, the key is here somewhere there is it's they're
on the addresser. There's it. Yes, Where is she on
the floor behind the bed?
Speaker 1: Let me see quick? Where's the telephone? Help me get
onto the bed? There's no time?
Speaker 4: Operator operator yet, tape operator?
Speaker 1: What did she say? Operator? Emergency? Get a doctor whom
three eight one four?
Speaker 2: Yes, tell him we think someone's been poisoned. Open combat
is one thing. Men have been known to stand their
ground against overwhelming odds, confront the foe, and win, but
it is quite another thing to join battle with an
unknown assailant, whose hand you never see, whose greatest weapon
is a nameless fear he can inspire. We'll learn more
about the battle between those striving to protect Tubera Radlow
and the forces that would destroy her when I return
with Act three A wab The murderer will out, so
they say.
Speaker 1: But will the murderer?
Speaker 2: Probably not, if we are to believe the latest crime statistics.
And of all assassins, the most furtive and hidden is
a poisoner. A change has come over Vera Radlova in
the past hour. She knows the unseen enemy to be
one of her own small circle, and she has lost
all faith in those who claim to be her protectors.
As she accompanies David March into Max Bohmer's office, she
feels a desperate loneliness, the loneliness of the hunted.
Speaker 1: Max, there's something good. You're right on time, Max. The
maid you were hired, Mary White. We have bad news.
She's been poisoned.
Speaker 4: Good Lord won't come from the hospital.
Speaker 1: How did it happen? We don't know.
Speaker 4: She couldn't talk to us.
Speaker 1: The only thing when we found her, she said something
about tape.
Speaker 4: Oh I thought she said tame.
Speaker 2: Now Max I think it's time we stopped pooling around
and got a policewoman to stay here with miss rodlov At.
Speaker 1: David.
Speaker 2: Mary White was a detective. A detective, Yes, she was there.
Speaker 1: To protect you.
Speaker 4: Why did you not tell me?
Speaker 1: I did not want to alarm you? Instead, you frightened
miss Rodlover half to death when this female detective came
creeping around behind her. Well, this settles it, miss Rodlova.
I'm going to tell you everything I know.
Speaker 2: Max has been getting menacing letters about you for a month.
They even freightened the blow up the theater if you
were to appear, please, David. Max has done his best
to protect you. Unfortunately, no he thought of poison.
Speaker 4: Well I did. I could never bring myself to eat
in that hotel. I never want to go back there, Max.
Speaker 2: I have a suggestion, why don't we move at her
Miranda's place? Do it secretly and do it now?
Speaker 1: Yes, yes, that's a good idea.
Speaker 4: Miranda at one of my.
Speaker 1: Star baller limas. You see that just her picture that
posts her on the wall.
Speaker 4: Oh of course I have heard of her.
Speaker 1: Miranda do soon to be missus.
Speaker 4: David Marsh Congratulations, she's very beautiful and good other poster.
There is it that alexis?
Speaker 2: Is it not?
Speaker 1: Yes, there's the green hornet Hornet.
Speaker 2: Alex took an old time radio show and made a
rather amusing short ballet of it.
Speaker 1: He's an old time radio buff buff. He has a
large collection of old radio programs on tape, of course,
as a hobby. Max. Is that clock on your desk, grit, yes,
five forty five.
Speaker 2: Well, if you don't need me, I'll be leaving so soon.
I want to arrange with Miranda about the apartment. Goodbye,
miss goodbye, and thank you.
Speaker 9: Hum.
Speaker 1: I wonder what got into him so suddenly.
Speaker 4: I don't understand.
Speaker 1: Now, my dear, let us talk about Leafy. Try to
understand my position. The advertising is already out, the scenery
is under construction.
Speaker 4: I cannot think of Leathi without remembering Vladimir, a terrible tragedy.
I can never release this news without hearing that scream
of Vladmir as he fell.
Speaker 2: But such a thing could not happen here. That ramp
in Paris was dangerous. We do not have a ramp.
We have a series of turnel.
Speaker 4: I am doing everything in my.
Speaker 1: Power to ensure your happiness and safety.
Speaker 4: I appreciate that it's just listen.
Speaker 1: I will be frank with you. You see, I well,
I cannot recover my investment unless you appear as you
agreed in the role of Leathy.
Speaker 4: Oh I I did not understand very well. I gave
you my word.
Speaker 7: I will keep it.
Speaker 4: I will dance Leacie quick A bomb.
Speaker 1: I don't word about it. He'll go off any minute.
Mister rodnover this way, the elevator. The elevator, the exposure,
my record right, go to the emergency stairs. Alex bier
Bier Are you all right? Yes, my office is a
shambled also in there it might be dangerous.
Speaker 4: How fortunate that no one was hurt.
Speaker 2: We can thank Alex. But Alex, how did you know
about the bomb?
Speaker 1: A letter? I'd been carrying it around with me all day, unopened.
Speaker 2: I left in a hurry this morning, picked up the
mail on my way out and stuck.
Speaker 1: It in my pocket. I got all about it until
I opened it in the cab on my way here.
First poison, not bomb.
Speaker 2: I make you a solemn promise. From now on you
will have a bodyguard. Both the theater and your apartment
will be searched every day. There will be no question
of your absolute security. I Max Boemer guarantee you it's white.
Speaker 1: Mary hmm h oh, yes, mister, I'm David March. I
woke to Max Bohmer.
Speaker 6: Oh yes, I remember you.
Speaker 7: You brought me here.
Speaker 1: You know how you were poisoned?
Speaker 6: Coffee only thing I had when I removed Miss Radler's tray.
I poured myself a coup.
Speaker 2: When we found you. You said something about tape tape.
I thought you said tapa.
Speaker 6: Oh oh, yes, yes, the telephone.
Speaker 4: I put a bug on it.
Speaker 6: Bug I recorded those the threatening telephone.
Speaker 4: Calls, four of them.
Speaker 9: You record them because they sounded phony somehow you have
the tapes, Yes, in my room at the hotel. You
see that they didn't sound like like real people.
Speaker 1: I I I don't understand those voices.
Speaker 9: They they never answered anything I said, like like they
didn't hear me.
Speaker 7: And they never called there a Radlov by name. They
they said things like like you're going.
Speaker 9: To die, you can't escape, stuff like that. And one
of them said, if you don't do as you're told,
you are doomed. Doomed that kind of a phony word.
You see what I mean?
Speaker 2: Yes, I do see. Well, I don't want to tie you.
The doctor says you're going to be fine. It was
a very small amount of boys, I know.
Speaker 6: And that's kind of funny too when you think about it.
Speaker 2: Hellomax, Yes, David, I'm calling you from the theater. The
street is full of people, enormous crowd hoping to get
a glimpse of Rodlova. This is going to be the
greatest opening night in our history. Police all over the
place to patrol cars, mounties, the works.
Speaker 10: They went over the theater of the day with a
fine tooth comb. I put detectives at every entrance too.
Speaker 1: It's a press agent's dream.
Speaker 2: Rodlova hasn't arrived yet, but I'll bet there's a stampede
what she does.
Speaker 10: I won't be happy to the performance is over and
she's safely back home. I'll be alone in my box.
Join me, the one closest to the stage on the right.
And I guess we've done everything we could do.
Speaker 1: It's in the laps of the gods.
Speaker 3: Now, hello, miss rad Lover. Yes, who is this a friend?
Stay away from the theater tonight. What don't go to
the theater. You will die if you do.
Speaker 4: How did you get this telephone number? Who are you.
Speaker 3: Never mind my name. Just listen to what I say.
Speaker 4: You cannot frighten me.
Speaker 5: I'm not trying to frighten you. I'm trying to save
your life. You must not dance leafy. It will mean
your death if you do.
Speaker 4: No, I know.
Speaker 1: I will not listen Miss Radler.
Speaker 7: Who who is it?
Speaker 3: All?
Speaker 4: Read it?
Speaker 3: Oh?
Speaker 1: Halex and Limousine is with Arrah?
Speaker 4: Another phone call?
Speaker 1: What it's impossible?
Speaker 4: Why should it be impossible?
Speaker 2: Nobody knows you're here, and Miranda's phone is unlisted. Could
they possibly find you?
Speaker 4: You forget they have had fifty years experienced in such thing.
Speaker 1: Nearer Vera, My dear, you're trembling. I'm not sure you
should try.
Speaker 4: To dance, she said. I will die to that.
Speaker 1: Will We'll tell Max you're ill.
Speaker 4: No, I will not give in.
Speaker 2: Your life is more important than any performance.
Speaker 1: Sarah. Please let me call man.
Speaker 3: No, I defied.
Speaker 4: Come. We will go to the theater and I and
we will dance sleepy together.
Speaker 2: Whoa, David, where have you been? I watched the opening
valley from the back of the theater.
Speaker 1: A disaster.
Speaker 2: I have never seen Alex dance so badly. I guess
the threats in the bombing a tone.
Speaker 1: Yes, and his wife has been riding him again. Sit down.
Speaker 2: I saw Grace outside of the stage door. She said
Alex had forgotten something. She was bringing it back to him.
Speaker 1: Ah, that explains it.
Speaker 2: I try to think of everything, but I cannot protect
my artists from their own families.
Speaker 1: Cheer up at Rodlova's night. She's what the public came
to see, and they will not be disappointed, you know, David.
At rehearsal, she was magnificent. Now what you'll see as
the curtain rises, Rodlova is poised on the highest platform
over on stage left. Alex comes on leading the lost
Souls of Hades, but you'll see the curtain is going up. Max.
That's said. It's stunning. Now she is magnificent, but believeably beauty.
I've never seen anything so so Breaday Radulov is not
just a dancer. She is a miracle. Fax s.
Speaker 2: This is where Alex takes him in his arms in
the wings, and it's Grace cold.
Speaker 1: You can see her from here. What is she doing there?
A woman's crazy. I gotta go backstage. One of the
stage grew. Oh no, over drunken food. She's walking on
the stage a nightmare. What's wrong about it? He's joking
out of the dunce. He's Rugbot.
Speaker 7: She's falling from the Black Bob.
Speaker 1: She's badly injured, Max, but she's asking for you. Just
thank you?
Speaker 7: Max? Is is that you?
Speaker 1: Yes? Grace? Tell me don't don't try.
Speaker 4: To move It is rot lev al right.
Speaker 1: If you bruises Grace, that's all you say. Her life.
Speaker 7: I tried to catch her.
Speaker 2: You succeeded in breaking mydlover's fall. When Alex truct her, it's.
Speaker 4: All my fault.
Speaker 7: Where is Alex?
Speaker 1: They've taken him away? Huh. I was jealous.
Speaker 7: I goaded him into it.
Speaker 6: I'm the one who should be punished, not Alex.
Speaker 1: You wrote the letters.
Speaker 6: No, no, he he did that, and the poison and
the bomber.
Speaker 7: I didn't know anything about it and through this afternoon.
Speaker 1: But Grace, why did he warn us about the bomb?
Speaker 6: He didn't want to hurt you, Max. He wanted to
frighten you, make you send her back.
Speaker 1: Uh. He must be insane.
Speaker 7: No, I kept taunting him.
Speaker 6: He was getting old that rod Lover would replace him,
his star of the bomber balleta. I thought he was
in love with her and I wanted to make him
hate her, but I didn't want.
Speaker 7: Him to kill her.
Speaker 1: The telephone calls, the different voices.
Speaker 6: They they were actors on tape. He took them off
old radio programs.
Speaker 2: He had no wonder that. Never I answered Mary's questions.
Those voices had been recorded thirty years ago.
Speaker 1: May I come in, Oh missus Bradler, don't try to
move Grace lice to Oh missus Cole.
Speaker 4: What can I say? I am deeply grateful to you.
But how did you know what Alex was going to do?
Speaker 1: Well?
Speaker 6: He he got into a terrible rage today. He shouted
at me, shut up, I'll kill you too.
Speaker 7: I After he left, I thought, kill me too. Then
I knew what it was he meant to do.
Speaker 1: He must be crazy.
Speaker 6: Oh I I should never have taunted him with growing old.
Speaker 1: It's hard stars.
Speaker 6: When they start slipping and younger people come along, it
means the end of the only thing they ever really loved.
And a dancer's life is such a short one. Alex
used to say, our names written in water.
Speaker 4: It is true, written in the waters of Flici oil.
Speaker 2: So not all the efforts of Max Boehmer could protect
Via Rodova in the end, her safety hung on the
slim thread of another woman's conscience. Thanks to Grace Cole,
she remained the pride of the Bohmer Ballet for many years. Then,
one evening, in a box watching a new production of Giselle,
a lovely young American Ballermina precise, controlled, exquisite pirouetted onto
the scene. A shiver ran through the great Rodover she
felt the icy waters of lethe lapping at her feet.
Speaker 1: I'll be back shortly.
Speaker 2: Perhaps you are wondering what force would move an artist
like Vera Rodlova, who had every material advantage to leave
her native country and seek freedom in a foreign land.
Many dancers have done so, Markova, Nayev Parishnikov Why the
cellist Rostropovitch put it clearly. There is so much more
I could have done for my country, he said, if
they had only given me musical freedom without regulation, many
of these gifted people have found refuge among us, and
in so doing had enriched us. Our cast included Marion Zeldas,
Norman Rose, Briana Raeburn, George Petrie and Richard Lynch. The
entire production was under the direction of Hyman Brown. Mystery
Theater was sponsored in part by Onhouser Busch Incorporated, brewers
of Budweiser, and all state insurance companies.
Speaker 1: This is E. G.
Speaker 2: Marshall inviting you to return to our mystery theater for
another adventure in the macabre. Until next time, pleasant dreams.