Speaker 1: Stay tuned fornis to a theater. Come in Welcome.
Speaker 2: I'm e. G.
Speaker 1: Marshall, missionary from the world of the mysterious and the macabre.
Things would be better all around, easier, certainly if evil
looked evil, sounded evil, smelled evil, good and evil. It
reached a point where these days, to so many people,
they appear to be so much alike. Our mystery drama
The Moonlighter, was written especially for the Mystery Theater by
Sam Dan and stars Howard da Silva. It is sponsored
in part by Billick motor Vision and Einheuser Busch Incorporated.
Louis a Budweiser. I'll be back shortly with that one.
Way back in eighteen seventy six, it was brood in
age to deliver a taste of smoothness and a drinkability
found and no other beer at any price. I'm talking
about Budweiser, and it's still brewed that way today with
pride without compromise, to be the king of beers, the
largest selling beer in the history of the world for
one simple reason that beechwood age Budweiser's taste, and that
speaks for itself.
Speaker 3: Hear it talking, Did you see you care on. She's
tacky and niser boys.
Speaker 2: Thank you. Hey ma'am, what's for dinner?
Speaker 1: Hey ma'am, what's you cat?
Speaker 4: What's for Thanksgiving dinner? Your shop Write Supermarket has the answer.
Start with turkey, Shop right Young grade a thom sixteen
to twenty four pounds fifty seven cents a pound, four
hens than the fourteen pound sixty three.
Speaker 2: Cents a pounds.
Speaker 4: There was shot Frite cauliflower or broccoli spears just ninety
nine cents for four ten ounce packages. Ham Shop Fright
jelly and cranberry sauce, of course, three one pound cans
for eighty nine cents. For dessert, shop Rite Premium quality
Elizabeth New York ice cream one half gallon for one
dollar thirty nine. Start a family in tradition, shop Shopright
for value. She wants the best, she does all the
che can she lets shop Fright to the.
Speaker 1: Hey maw, what's for dinner?
Speaker 5: Shop Right has the answer. Ay, skiers get ready for
a ski show Expo.
Speaker 6: Winter seventy five this year that focuses on the great
ski Bargain's the best thing that ever happened to your
ski budget. It's a dozen different shows with Champion, Presidus
films and thousand trips and tickets and equipment displayed for
first times.
Speaker 5: Still, if others appray Ski meets you at the Drewery
for music at nixteen at the.
Speaker 1: Ski Show Expo Winter seventy five, Take someone you like
to the Ski Show opening Thursday at sixteth a, New
York Coliseum. There is so much talk these days about
the quality of life and how it's gone down. I'm
not prepared to argue at the point one way or another,
but one thing I admit has certainly gone down, and
that's the quality of argument, especially between husbands and wives.
It seems to me that husbands and wives used to
have heated, passionate arguments over great emotional issues, love, faithfulness,
even sex. Today it's mostly been reduced to ill tempered
spats and tantrums over money. Oh, is this our brave
new world? Is this what it all comes down to? Well,
Stanley and Gladys Morrison are added again.
Speaker 2: Well what answer do you get?
Speaker 1: I don't know.
Speaker 7: I've added it three times and it keeps coming out differently.
Speaker 2: Well, how can you concentrate enough figures with that damn
recording blaring in your ears.
Speaker 7: It is not a damn recording.
Speaker 5: It is Mozart.
Speaker 2: I have to know how many checks you wrote this week.
Speaker 7: Performed by the Boston Symphony.
Speaker 1: I there up myself, but I can't read your handwrite?
Speaker 7: And what's his name?
Speaker 5: Is collecting?
Speaker 2: You went to the most expensive girls private school. You
went to the most exclusive girls college.
Speaker 7: Darling, you've got it twisted. The private school is exclusive,
the college was expensive.
Speaker 2: Didn't they teach you to write?
Speaker 7: Standing? Why do you become so excited about money?
Speaker 2: Let us I don't want your account to be overdrawn.
Speaker 7: Cheeks all flushed, your eyes that fills with fire. It's
almost a sexual thing.
Speaker 2: Well, just listen to me.
Speaker 7: But I've been listening, darling, and I have solved the problem.
You don't want checking account to be overdrawn, Well, let's
just put in an extra hundred dollars now and then
do that. There's a sort of cushion.
Speaker 2: In the first place, it's wrong. In the second place,
I don't have an extra hundred dollars.
Speaker 7: Oh, darling, you say that is if one hundred dollars
is a fortune. I could have heard you fuss like
this over one hundred dollars before.
Speaker 2: Glad ys We have to cut down.
Speaker 5: Well, I do my.
Speaker 7: Best, darling.
Speaker 2: Okay, I guess it's not fair.
Speaker 7: No, it certainly isn't.
Speaker 1: Huh.
Speaker 2: You were brought up a rich girl. You never learned
how to worry about money.
Speaker 7: No, darling, it did seem silly to worry about money.
Speaker 2: After all, it was so much. And when you married me,
I was making plenty of money and you still are. No,
I'm not making that much anymore.
Speaker 7: You when you received the cut and salary. No, well, then,
how can you say you're not making as.
Speaker 2: Much money because the money isn't worth as much? We
simply have to economize, all right, I'm willing. We have
to sit down and draw up an entire list of
ways to save money.
Speaker 7: Okay, here's one. At the club, I won't order from
the ala carte menu. I have a sandwich and coffee.
Speaker 2: What we should do is resign from the club. What
it's become very expensive, Stanley?
Speaker 5: Why suddenly are we well?
Speaker 7: Is everything so tight?
Speaker 2: I don't know, Gladys. Things have been going up up, up, steadily, quietly,
and one day turn around and there just isn't enough money.
Speaker 7: Why don't you ask for a raise?
Speaker 2: A raise?
Speaker 7: Do you realize I realize that you're not getting paid
what you're worth.
Speaker 2: I'm not sure this is the right time.
Speaker 7: All you have to say is, look, I must be
paid more money. The dollar is worth only fifty seven cents.
Speaker 5: Now what you told me it was worth.
Speaker 7: Say look here, Chris, I have to resign from the
country club, and i'd take my daughter out of private school.
Speaker 2: I can assure you that Chris Delavan couldn't care less
whether I belong to a country club or send my daughter.
Speaker 7: I'm sure he does. That's the sort of man he needs,
a man who travels in the kind of circles where
he can need potential customers.
Speaker 2: Gladdys, you should never ask your boss for a raise
if you're not prepared to quit.
Speaker 1: I know that.
Speaker 2: Then you know I couldn't afford to quit.
Speaker 7: M I suppose not. What does that mean, Stanley the
minister said, for richer for poor? I really wasn't paying
much attention.
Speaker 2: I'm sorry. It's the state of the economy.
Speaker 7: No, I think it's the state of your mind. You
are the most important man in that company. Well, not really,
why don't you ask for a raise? I told you
didn't tell me the real reason you're afraid of That's right, darling.
This argument has lasted six minutes. If it goes on
much longer, it will become a quarrel than a conflict,
which will lead to a rupture and before we know it.
Speaker 2: All right, all right, I'll see what I can do.
Speaker 7: I know you will stand me, Darling.
Speaker 2: Chris got a minute? O, thank boy? What's a mind? Damn?
Speaker 1: Well, I just say that.
Speaker 2: Well, what's the matter, Chris?
Speaker 1: Oh, I be I need some coffee.
Speaker 2: I want a cup. Okay, Sally, bring in two coffees. Well, boy,
what can I do for you? Chris?
Speaker 8: It seems to me that's saying that's how I make
mine black? Sure, miss Louise, this one has told everything
at least four hundred times.
Speaker 2: My that's my problem for that. What's your problem? Well?
Speaker 1: Hold it? How do you want your coffee?
Speaker 2: Oh? Dook the mother?
Speaker 5: Oh Stanley, you're so easy going?
Speaker 2: Well mother anymore, at least.
Speaker 8: I had your temperament, especially last night.
Speaker 1: Oh that was a session. Well, Chris, I simply already
blew my stack.
Speaker 8: Last night, Stanley. And I guess I did it for you,
for me, and for what I thought was best for
this company. Chairman of the board, took me to dinner
and we had all this talk about the economy. I
was scarce money. And that's exactly why. Well you know
where that cont off leads. Where can we cut? And
so old man Sullivan said, cut out three church department,
my department, and do what I asked? And he said, well,
we can subscribe to outside service.
Speaker 2: Didn't get the same all but they can't get the
same information, the same ANALYSI here.
Speaker 1: That's what it took me, the back part of five hours.
Speaker 2: The hammer into his skull.
Speaker 8: Well, hey, h you're safe for at least a year.
But Stanley, you watch you a dollar?
Speaker 1: Okay, Stanley your turn. Hey hey, old buddy, he still
has the eye all six in the bullseye, just lucky.
Speaker 2: I yes, So you have a new revolver fright, Yeah.
Speaker 1: Take me up a three fifty seven magnmum.
Speaker 2: Oh, that's a lot of guns.
Speaker 1: That's my motto. If you're gonna have something, have a
lot of it.
Speaker 2: Yeah, that's the kind of gun you used to kill
people that.
Speaker 1: Thirty eight years isn't exactly a little kid's water pistol either.
Come on, let's go somewhere and have a drinker.
Speaker 2: I have to be getting home now, No, no, no,
you come with me.
Speaker 1: I have a serious matter to discuss. You know, Stanley,
the only place I ever run into you these days
is a pistol range.
Speaker 5: It's the only thing you haven't given up.
Speaker 2: What are you talking about?
Speaker 1: Nobody sees anymore. You're never at the club for golf,
for tennis.
Speaker 2: I've been busy.
Speaker 1: Corra May says, you are gladys keep turning it down
for dinner. Well, we've had a lot of other things, Arena.
That's not the reason you don't go out because you
can't afford to return the hospitality.
Speaker 2: Now that's the truth.
Speaker 1: And I've known it for a long time.
Speaker 2: What what do you think you know?
Speaker 1: I know all the signs. I've been there myself. It's
because there's no money and suddenly you're running expenses or
draining you dry and well you.
Speaker 2: Wonder how you love the times, these crazy twifted times.
Speaker 5: We've got to live in.
Speaker 1: These times, you're the only ones we'll ever have.
Speaker 2: I have to have some more money. Maybe I can
take on another job or where.
Speaker 1: And will Delavan and company and take kindly to the
head of their research department moonlighting? How would it look?
Speaker 2: I don't know what to do. French. I'm glad it'll
kill her if it keeps up.
Speaker 1: No, you may laugh at that and then laughing.
Speaker 2: She can't help the way she was brought up, and
to me, it was so great that that someone like
her could fall for me. He didn't laugh at that too.
Speaker 1: It isn't funny.
Speaker 2: Sure, okay, we won't starve or even come close, but
she can't have all the things she always took for granted.
I mean, well, maybe it's wrong of her, maybe it's vanity,
but well that's how she is, I understand. And then
she won't leave me, and she'll always feel that I've
failed her and.
Speaker 1: I have any Quit beating your breast and do something positive.
Speaker 2: I tried. I was going to ask for a raise
that Chris sensitity finessed me. If it was a bluff,
I just couldn't call it.
Speaker 1: But look at me, Stanley, I don't make as much
money as you, and I've got just about the same expenses. Okay, Well,
I just bought myself this suit for two hundred and
eighty smackers. The car outside is brand new, and you
know it's not cheap. This summer we spent a whole
month in Europe?
Speaker 5: How do I do it?
Speaker 2: You're in debt up to your ears.
Speaker 1: No, no, not even for a nickel.
Speaker 2: Yes again, you sold your soul to the devil?
Speaker 1: Well, well, what's it's not a completely ridiculous answer?
Speaker 2: What do you mean it's not a completely ridiculous answer?
Speaker 5: That could be some truth to it?
Speaker 1: Well, no, I don't know what to say when you're
on the right track.
Speaker 2: Well, if that's the right track, that's as far as
I want to go.
Speaker 1: Suppose you could make yourself an extra ten grand a year.
Speaker 5: Doing what tax free?
Speaker 2: Who would I have to kill?
Speaker 1: I don't know yet what kind of an answer to that?
What's your afully?
Speaker 2: Frank? Do you know what you're saying?
Speaker 5: Yes, you're saying I.
Speaker 1: Would have to kill somebody, that's right, somebody who is
as yet unknown.
Speaker 5: But why would I want to kill anybody for money?
Speaker 2: Oh?
Speaker 1: No, you mean can do it for nothing?
Speaker 2: I wouldn't do it at all.
Speaker 1: That's what I had to find out.
Speaker 2: Frank. Do you mean you're tied up with.
Speaker 1: You?
Speaker 5: You're involved?
Speaker 2: Did you kill people?
Speaker 5: Yes?
Speaker 1: Yes?
Speaker 5: Did you sit there and you say yes so calmly?
Speaker 2: How can you say this to me? Aren't you. Aren't
you afraid I'd go to the police.
Speaker 3: No.
Speaker 1: In the first place, you're my old, this closest friend,
and I've taken you into my confidence.
Speaker 2: This have to do with murder.
Speaker 1: In the second place, what could you go to the
police with? What could you prove? And in the third place,
after you think it's over, you'll want to know more
about it.
Speaker 2: I'll know, Frank, I know too much right now, and
I don't want to hear one more.
Speaker 1: Word, Okay, Stanley, I won't say one more word until
you ask me. And so the seed has been planted,
how like a growing thing a story is. In the
first act, we plant the seed, in the second we
cultivate and water the soil, and in the third we
harvest the crop. What we don't know at this point
is what kind of seed has just been planted. But
something may stick to flower when I return in just
a few moments.
Speaker 5: With that too, Oh, I got.
Speaker 7: A pooty tap, I did clear button tap.
Speaker 1: Hi, I'm mel blank. And that's another of my thousand voices.
And that's why they asked me to tell you about
lemon mint Listerine lozenges, Because what your throat is hot
and dry, from a cold that make it feel cool
and souls and Listerine's anesthetic medicine helps give faste temporary
relief from minor sore throat pain. Lemon mint, Listerine lozenges.
No matter how many voices you've got, you've only got
one throat, so you get rest. A logging gets folks.
He was only his director. Well girl, Uncle Sam is
done it again. If you know anybody on Social Security,
listen to this. People who get Social Security checks will
never again have to worry about them being late or
lost or stolen. If you just fill out a simple
form at the Lincoln Savings Bank, Uncle Sam will automatically
deposit your social Security check directly into your account at
the Lincoln every month. No more waiting around for it
to come. No more lost or stolen checks, no more
standing in line to cash them. Every month. The day
your check is due, the money is there in your
account at the Lincoln, waiting for you to collect it
or write payment orders the way you write ordinary checks
or earning interest for you in a Lincoln Savings account.
Uncle Sam and the Lincoln do it all automatically. You
don't have to do anything except fill out one form
at any Lincoln branch or telephone seven eight two six thousand,
and the Lincoln will mail it to you the Lincoln
Savings Bank seven eight two six thousand. Member FDIC.
Speaker 9: Tomorrow morning, listen to Rambling with Gambling, the program with
all the degrees. There's fahrenheit celsius and there are some
others too, Doctor John Gambling here inviting you to join
me and the other doctor, doctor Bob Harris, along with
Peter Roberts, Jack Allen, Harry Hennessy, Henry Gladstone, Walter Spencer,
George Mead, Fred Feldman and the whole crew here in
Studio two for our daily seminars WOR Radio from five
till ten in the morning.
Speaker 1: Now, what courses would you like to take?
Speaker 9: We have music, news, sports, weather, traffic information, a little
bit of alleged humor now and again, and just about
everything else to start your morning.
Speaker 2: Right.
Speaker 1: That's Rambling with Gambling daily five till ten in.
Speaker 5: The morning here at w o R Radio, the Talk
of New York.
Speaker 1: What's a country fresh flavor like new Code doing in
a city like New York.
Speaker 7: You code bring in county to this city.
Speaker 5: You both content fresh pay, you both.
Speaker 1: Pay, Hey I'm fix city now, But it wasn't always
that way. I sure you used to miss that back
home country fresh days to just fix these garret corn
and bean. Oh my. But then Elsie sue she's rid
of big city.
Speaker 2: She putting me on a new code margin.
Speaker 1: It comes in both.
Speaker 2: They can solve form, you know.
Speaker 1: And Duco's got a real country thread base that makes
anything you put it on the country good.
Speaker 2: So now it does in me and Uco Marsham, we're
in a big city? Is gone?
Speaker 5: You proplet?
Speaker 1: You pain? According to statistics, the majority of all arguments
between husbands and wives are about money. Does this mean
they don't have disagreements about other things? No, it only
means they don't have long drawn out arguments about them money.
They say it doesn't buy happiness. I suppose that all
depends on what you mean by happiness.
Speaker 7: Oh is that you Stanley?
Speaker 2: Yes, I'm all Hi.
Speaker 5: What's move?
Speaker 7: Oh it's dinner. I'm said I've burned it?
Speaker 2: You burned it? Did you make dinner?
Speaker 7: Of course?
Speaker 2: What happened to mister songs? Oh?
Speaker 7: Well I had to let her go.
Speaker 2: You let her go?
Speaker 7: Oh we had to save money, don't we?
Speaker 2: Yes? You can't even boil water.
Speaker 5: We'll all have to earn.
Speaker 1: Look, Gladys, we Canley.
Speaker 7: For the past few months you've been telling me how
terribly tight money has become.
Speaker 5: Now is it true?
Speaker 7: Well, yes, the club, Judy's private school, the extra car,
the boat, missus storms. We simply cannot afford all of
those things anymore, Canley.
Speaker 2: Will It has to do with this inflationary period. Perhaps
soon things will become normal, and perhaps they won't.
Speaker 7: Perhaps this will become the new normal. Since you are
unwilling or unable to make more money, all this is
merely idle chatter. Sit still, I'll get it. Hello, yes, Coronet,
Oh fine, Tuesday night for dinner. It will be Oh, darling,
I'm sorry we're tied.
Speaker 1: Up on't Tuesday, said, tell her.
Speaker 5: We'll make Oh I'd love.
Speaker 7: To play, Coronet, but I'm afraid this week is out.
I seem to have developed a tennis elbow. But we'll
get together. Let me call you right bye, I said.
Speaker 2: To tell her we'd accept that invitation.
Speaker 7: I am not accepting any hospitality. I cannot afford to return,
and you go out and play tennis and golf. Stanley,
what are you saying?
Speaker 2: I'm saying I have killed myself these past twenty years
so that I can enjoy some decent living. Well, nobody's
going to take it away from me. Well, fight dessert.
Speaker 1: No, no, I in dessert, and DOT want another cup
of coffee or a liqueur. And we're the only ones
left in the joint. So if you're ready to go,
I am fright.
Speaker 2: How can I make that extra ten grand a year?
Speaker 1: We actually it could be much more than ten grand. Lately,
it seems there's quite a bit of work. Just tell
me how the underworld, the mob, the sendicate to call
it whatever you want. They're getting away more and more
from using their own people as executioners. Oh good lords,
what kind of conversation am I having? We can stop anytime,
all right, let's stop, No.
Speaker 2: Go ahead.
Speaker 1: And so now the trend is to look for a
respectable folks to do the job. People who would never
be suspected. Look at me, an editor for a trade magazine,
who would ever suspect me? Look at you, a research
analyst from a brokerage house, who would suspect you. It's
this dealing with gangsters that scares me. You're not dealing
with gangsters. This is a small private outfit created to
fill a specific need. But still their clientele isn't restricted
to the underworld. You'd be absolutely amazed how many law abiding, reputable.
Speaker 5: Upright people require this kind of service.
Speaker 1: You know, there are times it's unfortunate but true, when
a well placed bullet is the only solution to a problem.
Speaker 2: But it's murder.
Speaker 1: Yes, I never killed anybody. The commandment says thou shalt
not kill. You never killed anybody in Korea.
Speaker 2: Ah, that was different.
Speaker 5: Killing is killing, but your conscience.
Speaker 1: Each contract is worth between twenty five hundred and three
thousand dollars.
Speaker 2: I thought it would play a good deal more it.
Speaker 1: Does in real value when you consider it's tax free,
and you might do five, six, even seven a year,
no more money problems.
Speaker 2: Suppose you get caught. Can you get caught?
Speaker 5: Why should anyone even suspect you?
Speaker 2: Maybe maybe I'll try it once.
Speaker 1: Snow, Now you can't try it to see if you
like it. Once you're on board. He can't get off
the ship. Oh he can understand.
Speaker 2: Why?
Speaker 1: Yeah, well, now you have to make the next most
any Frank.
Speaker 2: I've been on a straight and marrow all my life.
Speaker 1: I'll testify that nobody works harder.
Speaker 2: Than I did.
Speaker 5: That's the fact.
Speaker 2: But I well, I'm just not making out anymore. All
of a sudden, I look around. I've gone through all
my savings and for a lot to keep my head
above water.
Speaker 1: I've been through the same thing, Stanley.
Speaker 2: Maybe my wife is vain, but that's all right. Maybe
some people would look at me and say, he wants
the frivolous things of this world?
Speaker 1: How much longer do you need to talk yourself into it?
Speaker 2: Where do I go?
Speaker 1: Go? Anywhere? He comes to you?
Speaker 7: Yes?
Speaker 1: Oh, good evening. You must be missus Morris. My name
is mister Ackroyd. I'm sorry to disturb you at home,
but I have some contracts to discuss with mister Morrison.
Speaker 7: Oh well, please come in, Stanley, a gentleman to see you.
Uh will you sit down this track rod O, thank
we'll rang the bell glovers.
Speaker 1: Mister Morrison, and my name is Ackroyd. A mutual friend
suggested that we might do some business. Oh isn't that wonderful? Stanley?
Speaker 7: What business are you in this track Royd?
Speaker 1: The removal business?
Speaker 2: Oh? Yes, yes, I remember you, miss track Royd, and
I uh, I have a pertinent information in my desk.
Could you could you accuse the starling?
Speaker 7: Oh certainly, and let me know if you gentlemen would
like some refreshment.
Speaker 1: Oh, that's so kind of you, missus Morrison. This ways,
the direct Roy, our mutual friend, speaks highly of you.
Mister Morrison. Well, I have a contract for you. You
must memorize all the details. All contracts are verbal. You
can understand why now that gentleman's name is Everett Marshall.
At this point it's best you don't know who he is,
or what he does or why if someone has purchased
a contract for him, Well, then how am I supposed
to know the right man? We'll handle that detail for you.
Now you have your own weapon. I've been assured it's
an excellent condition and that you're an expert in its use.
You'll be on the northwest corner of Garfield and Third
tomorrow evening at eight o'clock. Of nervousness is perfectly normal
the first time.
Speaker 2: I'm not sure I can go through with it, but
you can. You must.
Speaker 1: Oh, this envelope is for you. What's in your fee?
Twenty five hundred dollars take it, but we pay in
advance twenty five hundred dollars all for you, well till tomorrow.
Speaker 7: Oh, sir, good nay, I offer you something to drink?
Speaker 1: Oh, thank you. I'm afraid I have a pressing engagement.
Speaker 7: Well another time, man, Oh it cous be.
Speaker 1: The Boston Symphony, an unbelievably lucid blend of brass and strain.
Yes it is well, good, nice.
Speaker 7: Nice, you know standing me. He's such a nice name.
Speaker 1: Vest Morrison on time, good side, join me. Allow, then,
in just a few moments, your client, mister Everett Marshall,
will emerge from that building across the street. He's a tall,
stout gentleman.
Speaker 2: There he is.
Speaker 1: He has that blonde girl on his arm.
Speaker 2: And see them.
Speaker 1: They're headed for the cafe. Just up the block and
take this key. It will let you into the building.
Walk up the stairs. Do not take the elevator to
the second floor.
Speaker 2: First.
Speaker 1: On your right, you'll see the number two fifteen.
Speaker 5: Open the door with the same key.
Speaker 1: Go into the office and wait for him.
Speaker 2: What do you mean? Wait for him?
Speaker 1: In five minutes he shall receive a telephone call and
he will come back to the office as soon as
he is inside.
Speaker 5: Shoot him, shoot him.
Speaker 1: Don't hesitate, but suppose someone of the building happens to
where is absolutely no one in that building at the time.
After you shoot him, take the stairway at the other
end of the hall. It leads to an alleyway around
the corner.
Speaker 2: What if what if he brings her that the girl
with it? He wants, are you now?
Speaker 5: Are you better be on your way?
Speaker 1: He had less than three minutes and uh afterwards, get
rid of the volver, take it apart and toss it
into the bay. What's for the idea asking me to
get something out of the sick? Hey?
Speaker 2: Who who are you?
Speaker 1: No?
Speaker 5: Don't don't do.
Speaker 7: More coffee? Darney? I have Well, I know my coffee
isn't much good? Is it that bad?
Speaker 2: It's awful? Has mister Slivers found another job yet?
Speaker 7: I don't think so.
Speaker 2: Ask her to come back?
Speaker 7: But can we afford it? I mean, what about the money?
Speaker 2: We don't worry about the money. It narrows your mouth
and puts lines in your face.
Speaker 7: But I thought we were having trouble making ends neat well?
Speaker 2: They met finally anything in the morning paper, Oh the.
Speaker 7: Usual murder stories on the frontage. A gentleman named Everett
Marshall was found shot to death in his office last night.
That though by whom police think, it was a burglar.
Speaker 1: Morning everybody the door was open, eye and I walked
to the morning thanks coffee.
Speaker 5: Uh no, no, thanks Stanley, you want to lift up her?
Speaker 2: Kay?
Speaker 7: Hey, what mischief for you boys up to this morning?
Speaker 2: Mischief?
Speaker 7: But a beautiful day like this, you might decide to
play hooky and go.
Speaker 5: To the club.
Speaker 1: Oh no, no, no, we don't do frivolous things together anymore.
Stanie and I, uh, well, we've become very serious people.
I'll and I see by the papers it went very well.
Oh yeah, I thought i'd come by this morning because well,
I was very nervous after my first one.
Speaker 5: Maybe you'd need a left.
Speaker 2: I'm all right, that's good. I don't know why. When
I went up to that man's office, I was convinced
I wouldn't be able to kill him. When I walked
in that door and he saw me and the gun
in my hand, I could look into his eyes, I
could see my whole life and his eyes as if
as if we're a motion picture screen.
Speaker 1: He shouldn't think about these things, And he said.
Speaker 2: No, don't, And I just aimed at the top button
of his jacket as if I were shooting on the range,
and I squeezed the trigger once place, and he fell.
He was dead. And I simply walked out of that room,
down that hall, down those stairs, into the street, over
to the bay, got rid of the thirty eight. And
here I am, and I don't feel one tiny twinge
of remorse. Frank. What happens to forty years of education,
of a doctrination of belief in the value of human life,
of right and wrong, all the things we profess to
believe in.
Speaker 1: I don't know.
Speaker 2: Do they get swept aside in the first storm? Frank?
Speaker 5: What happened to to my conscience?
Speaker 2: Where is it? My conscience? Is no explanations standing? Why
am I so in troubled, so serene, so much at
peace with myself? Is it possible that when we murder
another human being we also murder our own conscience? Because
I tell you, Frank, mine is dead. What do you think?
Speaker 5: Maybe you're right? How's yours?
Speaker 1: My conscience? Yes, mine did too. As the poet said,
conscience does make cowards of us all. He's usually right,
But perhaps Stanley and Frank are the exceptions that prove
the rule.
Speaker 2: Well, it's an interesting problem.
Speaker 5: Can you kill a conscience?
Speaker 1: Or put it this way? In killing your conscience, what
else do you kill? These questions require a third act
for their solutions, and I shall return in just is
it a veneer? Our morality? Our code of ethics? This
problem has occupied the attention.
Speaker 5: Of scholars throughout the ages.
Speaker 1: How deeply are we committed to the value as we
profess so vehemently in public? Some say man is basically
evil and some say man is basically good, And perhaps
neither side is completely right or completely wrong.
Speaker 2: Darling, m.
Speaker 7: I'm afraid I'm overdrawn at the bank.
Speaker 2: I know you know, yes, Jack Carstairs has orders to
call me when that happens, and I make the adjustment.
Speaker 7: But Darling, I really should try to be more careful.
Speaker 2: No, for you to be more careful with money would
require too much time and effort. Why'd you turn off
the music?
Speaker 7: Because I want to tell you how much I love you.
Speaker 2: Happy.
Speaker 7: I'm deliviously happy.
Speaker 2: I don't want you to have a worry in the world, Stanley.
Speaker 7: Why is it that suddenly we have no more money?
Speaker 2: Worries? There? It all has to do with judicious management.
Speaker 7: Oh, how right you are? Judicious management that's what Daddy
used to say.
Speaker 2: No, he used to say prudent management.
Speaker 7: You know, darling, you look marvelous. You look so so young,
so happy, so so I can't really explain it exhilarated,
as if.
Speaker 5: You were having the time of your life. Well I am, well,
I love family.
Speaker 1: Oh oh yeah, a family.
Speaker 8: Would it be convenient to meet me at the Cafe
Charleston on ninth and Dewey say in forty five minutes?
Speaker 2: Certainly?
Speaker 1: Thank you daily.
Speaker 7: Darling? Was that that very nice gentleman? I can't remember
his name, the one who loves Mozart?
Speaker 1: Your antelope Stanley?
Speaker 2: Thank you.
Speaker 1: You will find it contains thirty five hundred dollars. Your
rating has gone up from now on. This is your fee.
Are your client is a woman?
Speaker 2: A woman?
Speaker 1: Should that make a difference? Well, women have been agitating
for equality, haven't they?
Speaker 2: What did she do?
Speaker 1: Does it matter? No? But the very cornerstone of our
philosophy is complete disassociation from our clients. I understand your
only contact with your client comes at the end of
his life, and then only for a brief moment.
Speaker 2: It's just for the woman.
Speaker 5: Should it matter?
Speaker 2: All? Right? Where do I go?
Speaker 1: Her name?
Speaker 5: Is Alma Watson.
Speaker 1: Coming?
Speaker 7: Honey?
Speaker 2: Come on?
Speaker 7: How they did?
Speaker 2: Oh? I thought you were that missus Alma Watson.
Speaker 1: Yeah?
Speaker 2: Are you sure you're Alma Watson?
Speaker 7: Sure?
Speaker 1: I'm sure.
Speaker 2: It wouldn't do for me to make a mistake.
Speaker 1: The man's name is Paul Terry. His name is Jerome Kelly.
He's hiding out in a little motel. Your classification has
gone up, Stanley, you're a five thousand dollar man.
Speaker 2: Now, Chris got a minute. Oh oh hi, Stanley, Look,
I'm a swamp. Can't wait, No, Chris, it can't wait.
You want me to continue here?
Speaker 5: I want a question.
Speaker 2: I want a twenty five percent raise.
Speaker 8: And now, Stanley, you know the facts of life around here.
Speaker 2: I'll quit. Yep, you know what, Take it or leave it.
Speaker 8: But Stanley, you know how Sullivan for you.
Speaker 2: I only know what you tell me. Chris.
Speaker 1: Now see here, Stanley, you can't get rid of me.
And you know it.
Speaker 2: Twenty five percent, well, hey, that's a lot of money
just for the rest of the year. After January one,
it goes to thirty. Well, Stanley, Lee have to talk
about me. I'm swamped with work, Chris. Besides, what's there
to talk about? I said, take it or leave it.
That's funny.
Speaker 5: He's making himself look good at my expense.
Speaker 2: I never had the guts to stand up to him before.
But you know something, Frank, since I've taken on this.
Speaker 1: Side, I have about another round.
Speaker 2: No, no, no, I had enough, as I was saying,
since we've been engaged in our new activity, I'm another person.
Speaker 1: I don't have another one.
Speaker 2: I think you had enough too, Jolly. Let get a double,
a double. You know, I'm not afraid of anybody or anything.
Maybe that's what we're all about, you know what I mean. No,
but maybe maybe man is basically a hunting animal. Maybe
we try to obscure that with a veneer of civilization,
and he think so, well, look at how quickly we
pierce that veneer, and we do. Maybe we don't when
we get down to it, what's it all about? Security?
Speaker 1: Security?
Speaker 2: What I define is my security, my home, my woman,
my child, my property. All kill for it. Each man
defines what security means to him, and each man will
kill for it. End of speech.
Speaker 1: Stanley, what's a matter of fact, I don't know.
Speaker 2: You've been putting away a good deal of that booth
through I know, and it doesn't help. What did booze
ever help? And what helped you live?
Speaker 1: Stanley?
Speaker 5: I want to get out, get out of what?
Speaker 7: You know what?
Speaker 5: I can't sleep. I see people's faces. You know which people?
Speaker 1: I mean?
Speaker 2: Frank, if you stop drinking?
Speaker 1: Have you seen any faces yet?
Speaker 5: Stanley?
Speaker 1: Of course not.
Speaker 2: You will.
Speaker 1: You will remember that day, that first day. Oh good lord,
how I wish I'd never gotten you into it?
Speaker 5: Are you crazy?
Speaker 2: You solved all my problem.
Speaker 1: You wanted to know what happens to your conscience? Huh huh,
Well we thought maybe you kill it. You don't.
Speaker 5: It just it just goes to sleep and all of a.
Speaker 1: Sudden it wakes up.
Speaker 2: Well, regardless, Frank, we have a practical problem, except we
don't quit. Does that right, suspect her?
Speaker 1: I'm sure he does. I begged off the last couple
of assignments, claimed I was sick.
Speaker 5: I can't keep it up forever.
Speaker 2: Can you arrange the goalie for a while he gets
the wrist. You'll see things differently.
Speaker 5: Do you know what I keep seeing in front of
my eyes?
Speaker 2: I don't laugh.
Speaker 1: Big letters a fire and they.
Speaker 5: Say, oh shall not kill right?
Speaker 2: Get hold of yourself.
Speaker 5: I'll try, I'll try. You'll be all right.
Speaker 2: Here's you're love, it's like you.
Speaker 1: It will be necessary to violate our basic philosophy, just
somewhat in this particular case. But then the rules were
made to be broken.
Speaker 5: Here we are no word.
Speaker 2: Wait, this is the building.
Speaker 1: This is the building of the publishing company. Where and
here he comes? Now, Frank, he's going around the corners
of the parking lot where it's dark and deserted.
Speaker 5: Follow him there, Kill him? But he's might he's your client.
Speaker 2: Why can't kill Frank?
Speaker 5: Why not, Stanley?
Speaker 1: Frank is being killed for just this very reason he
refuse to accept the contract. Now I'll go to the
parking lot and shoot him. No, what's to be gained
by your refusal? Someone else will be assigned to kill.
Speaker 5: Him, then to kill you too.
Speaker 2: I wish I'd never gotten into this. Well, that's not true.
Speaker 1: The rewards have been spectacular. But Frank, And if it
is true, shouldn't you be eager to kill Frank?
Speaker 2: After all, he's the one who did.
Speaker 1: Get you into it. Quickly, Stanley, before it's too late.
Speaker 5: Stanley, is that you?
Speaker 2: Yes?
Speaker 5: What are you doing here?
Speaker 1: Oh?
Speaker 5: Oh oh, I see, Well they'll go ahead.
Speaker 1: I don't care. It has to happen, and may as
well be you as anyone else. Don't stand there.
Speaker 3: Do it.
Speaker 1: You know you're supposed to do it right away. Don't wait,
don't delay, Just pull the trigger and walk away. I
can't You've got to You can't save me.
Speaker 5: No one can save me. I don't want to be
saved anyhow.
Speaker 2: When you see the faces, do you hear the voices too?
Speaker 1: Yeah, all of a sudden, I'm hearing them. When do
you stop hearing them? I don't know when do you
stop seeing them? I guess when you're dead.
Speaker 2: Is this how it happened to you?
Speaker 1: You better kill me before it's too late for you.
Speaker 2: It's too late for me.
Speaker 5: No, I don't have a chance. Try to save yourself.
Speaker 2: No, I'll never lose those voices, the faces.
Speaker 1: Look, and he got your gun in nicolyb compartment.
Speaker 2: Let's kill him. Who I croyed.
Speaker 5: We'll never get away with that, is that matter?
Speaker 2: Come on, buddy, he's in met car all alone.
Speaker 1: Now you have alone. See that car across the street.
Speaker 5: He's got some people in it. Maybe he felt he
couldn't trust.
Speaker 2: You, Ballet.
Speaker 1: I know it's a difficult assignment, but it has to
be done. Stanley, you can't get away. The block is surrounded.
Speaker 2: Now.
Speaker 1: You just do what's necessary and everything will be fine.
Speaker 5: I can hear him from here, Stanley, I don't care anymore.
Save yourself. That's just what I'm trying to do.
Speaker 2: Save myself, dan Lay, let me hear it. Yeah, I'll
let you hear it.
Speaker 5: Don't shoot him, Stanley.
Speaker 1: It won't help.
Speaker 2: Shut up. It's not a lazy shot.
Speaker 5: Now, got him.
Speaker 2: Let's try to get out of here.
Speaker 5: They're shooting at us. Fright, Frke.
Speaker 2: I don't hear the voices anymore. I don't see the
faces to you.
Speaker 5: No Loo look, oh a brug.
Speaker 1: The newspapers, the authorities, none of them knew what you
and I know. There was a gunfight on the street
between two respectable citizens and a group of people, some of.
Speaker 2: Whom are known criminals.
Speaker 1: The story the police seem inclined to believe is that
a bank was about to be burglarized when mister Stanley
Morrison and mister Frank Smith happened along and decided to
perform their citizenly duties. Both men died hero's death, and
they will be honored at special funeral services. I shall
return shortly the human conscience, certainly the most delusive component
in man's makeup. It may slumber for years and awake
without warning. Our cast included Howard da Silva, Joan Lovejoy,
Bob Caliban and Robert Dryden. The entire production was under
the direction of Hyman Brown Radio. Mystery Theater was sponsored
in part by Listerine Lozenges and sign off the Sinus Medicines.
Speaker 6: This is Z. G.
Speaker 1: Marshall inviting you to return to our Mystery Theater for
another adventure in the macabre until