- yesterday
CBS Radio Mystery Theater (a.k.a. Radio Mystery Theater and Mystery Theater) is a radio drama series created by Himan Brown that was broadcast on CBS Radio Network affiliates from 1974 to 1982, and later in the early 2000s was repeated by the NPR satellite feed.
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00:00Come in.
00:19Welcome.
00:21I am E.G. Marshall.
00:23Welcome to the sound of suspense.
00:26To the fear you can hear.
00:30What do you think about witches?
00:33Not the bony hags and atrocious crones of Shakespeare and legend.
00:38Or the poor unfortunates of Salem.
00:41But witches who are young.
00:44Witches who are beautiful.
00:47Witches who even fall in love.
00:53Excuse me.
00:55Who let you in here?
00:56Well, I hope I'm not disturbing you.
00:58I'm only trying to make a deadline.
01:00Well, if you're in the news business, I've got something for you.
01:05It better be good.
01:07I...
01:07I'm going to have to kill my wife.
01:11That won't be news till you do it.
01:13I know.
01:14I want you to know why.
01:17Okay.
01:18Why?
01:20Because...
01:21She's a witch.
01:28Our mystery drama, I warn you three times, was written especially for the Mystery Theater by Sam Dan and stars Joan Loring.
01:38I'll be back shortly with Act One.
01:40It's one of those miserable stormy nights in the dead of winter.
01:55A thick, clinging, wet snow seems determined to smother the entire earth and everyone on it.
02:01You'd think that most people would choose the cheerful indoors, a warming fire, a relaxing drink, a comfortable bed.
02:10That's the problem with most people.
02:14You can't figure them.
02:16For instance, consider that line of cars crawling down Main Street, bumper to bumper, skidding, sliding.
02:24Where is everybody headed on a night like this?
02:27Have we become a race of lemmings?
02:29Do we follow some mysterious, unconscious drive?
02:33An interesting speculation, but we won't pursue it.
02:37We'd better consider the traffic, which has come to a complete standstill.
02:41A car seems to be stuck at the intersection.
02:44Let's go, sister.
02:45That light's green.
02:47Oh, officer.
02:48Well, what are you waiting for, lady?
02:49My husband.
02:50Your husband.
02:51That, uh, the light's red and he said he wanted to step out and clean off the rear window.
02:55Hey, hey, mister.
02:57You finished back there?
02:58He just stepped out.
02:59It was a moment ago.
03:00Hey, Tom.
03:01Well, maybe he slipped in the snow.
03:03Tom, are you all right?
03:05Lady, there ain't nobody around the back.
03:08But he just went out.
03:11Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.
03:12To clean the rear window.
03:14That's what you said.
03:16But what could have happened to you?
03:17Just sit there a minute, lady.
03:21Hey, lay off of that horn.
03:22I know you got one.
03:23What's wrong, officer?
03:24Did you see a guy get out of that car up front?
03:26Did I see a guy get out of the car?
03:27Yeah, yeah, yeah.
03:28Did you?
03:28Are the police after summoned and escaped?
03:30Oh, come on, Foster.
03:31Just tell me.
03:31Did you see a guy cleaning off the rear window of that car up front?
03:35Well, to tell you the truth, I wasn't paying any attention.
03:37I was listening to the radio.
03:39Now, there could have been somebody.
03:40But then again, I couldn't say there was.
03:42It's not that I'm not trying to get involved.
03:44Yeah, yeah, yeah.
03:44I'm a citizen.
03:45I know my duty.
03:46Yeah, yeah.
03:46Well, thank you.
03:48Officer, where is my husband?
03:51He was just there.
03:52Lady, he disappeared.
03:55How could he disappear?
03:56I don't know.
03:57I do know he ain't here.
03:59What am I going to do?
04:00Well, you can't keep blocking traffic, lady.
04:02You got to move on.
04:03Where?
04:03Well, it beats me.
04:05But you must find him.
04:06Look, you got troubles with your husband.
04:08That's your problem.
04:09But when you hold up traffic, that's my problem.
04:11Will you feed her a little gas, please?
04:12Come on, let's go.
04:13But I can.
04:14Lady, you got to go somewhere.
04:15I can't go anywhere.
04:18I don't know how to drive.
04:32Desk, Lieutenant Carroll.
04:34Yeah.
04:35Nobody wants this guy, you say?
04:38Well, technically, that isn't true.
04:40His wife wants him.
04:42Okay.
04:43Well, look who's here.
04:47Lieutenant.
04:48You won't win any Pulitzer Prizes around this joint tonight, Peterson.
04:52I was hoping you might have a little bone to throw me.
04:55Page one.
04:56I'll settle for two inches on the bottom of page 38.
04:59If you promise to remember two R's and one L.
05:03First name Irvin, not Irving.
05:05Lieutenant Irvin Carroll.
05:07We may have something shaping up.
05:09Ah.
05:10I don't know where it can go.
05:12Everywhere or nowhere.
05:13What have I got to lose?
05:15Sitting over there on the first bench.
05:17Ooh.
05:18That's nice.
05:20And married.
05:21Well, you win, you lose.
05:23A very, very weird story.
05:25Tell me about it.
05:26No.
05:27Let her tell you about it.
05:29Why don't you ask her?
05:30Excuse me.
05:34Oh.
05:35My name is Fred Peterson.
05:36I'm a reporter for the Union Messenger.
05:38Oh, no.
05:39I don't want to talk to a reporter.
05:41Why not?
05:42Because I...
05:43Because you're afraid?
05:45Why?
05:46Could you put Tom's picture in the paper?
05:47Well, that depends.
05:48Has Tom done anything?
05:49He's disappeared.
05:51Well, we'd need the how, the when, the where.
05:54The when.
05:55About an hour ago.
05:56Where?
05:57On Route 986 at Main Street.
05:59And how?
06:02I don't know.
06:04You see, we were driving south.
06:06It was snowing hard.
06:07And he said, I can't see out the rear window.
06:09The light was red.
06:10He stepped outside to wipe it off.
06:13He didn't come back.
06:14Where, where did he go?
06:16I don't know.
06:17Well, where could he go?
06:18I don't know.
06:19In that snow.
06:20And, and there's nothing around there?
06:23Could, could you give me a why?
06:25I, I can't imagine.
06:29I, I don't know what to do.
06:31I sit here waiting.
06:32Look, my name is Hedy Parsons.
06:35Tom and I, we've been married five years.
06:39We don't have any problems.
06:40I mean, we're very happy.
06:43If you print his picture in the story, maybe someone will see it who can help us.
06:47Excuse me a minute.
06:50Well?
06:51Yeah.
06:51I think I'll run with it.
06:53I don't blame you.
06:54I was always partial to girls with honey colored hair and baby blue eyes.
06:58Ah, so you noticed too.
06:59Have you run a check on her husband, Tom Parsons?
07:02Well, he's not one of the known bad boys.
07:04No record at all.
07:05And what did she say he did?
07:06He's an accountant.
07:07He has his own business in the Barstow building.
07:09You looked him up in the phone book?
07:10Checks out.
07:11They were headed south, huh?
07:12That's what she says.
07:14If it was a trip, there should have been bags.
07:16There were.
07:17His and hers?
07:18His and hers.
07:20How does it look?
07:21What do you want from me?
07:22I don't solve crimes.
07:23I sit here behind the desk.
07:24Come on, Lieutenant.
07:25This is one for you, Fred.
07:26How could a guy disappear just like that?
07:28In that storm.
07:30There's no place to go.
07:32He could have had a car following in back of them.
07:34A friend was driving it, maybe.
07:36Well, he had to go somewhere.
07:37But why?
07:39Right now, we're treating it as missing persons.
07:41It's all we can do.
07:42He's not wanted for anything.
07:43He's a legitimate citizen, far as we know.
07:46He hasn't even done anything to her.
07:47At worst, he left her in a car.
07:49He hasn't even deserted her.
07:51Yet, who was driving?
07:53He was.
07:54She can't.
07:54Well, that's abandoning her, isn't it?
07:56No.
07:57At best, we'd have him for abandoning the car.
07:59Yeah.
08:00Yeah, excuse me a minute.
08:05Listen, Mrs. Parsons.
08:06Yes?
08:07Why don't you go home?
08:08I've got my car outside.
08:09Oh, no, no.
08:10I want to be here in case they find time.
08:12They'll let you know if they find you.
08:14No, I don't.
08:15I want to be home alone tonight.
08:17I just want to stay here.
08:19Yeah, but it may be hours.
08:20It may be even days.
08:21Don't say that.
08:22I'm sorry.
08:23I'm just so jumpy and so nervous.
08:28I can't believe what's happened to me.
08:30Well, if you're going to sit here,
08:32you should have some coffee and a sandwich.
08:34Oh, I couldn't think of food.
08:35I'll be right back.
08:36No!
08:36Hey, there.
08:43Officer Dennis.
08:44Well, look who's here.
08:46The friendly reporter.
08:47Yeah, listen, that girl.
08:49Yeah, I was going to ask what girl, but I won't.
08:50Yeah, I want to start at the beginning.
08:53Oh.
08:53Well, you know, Lieutenant Terrell's got two R's,
08:56but Patrolman Dennis got two R's.
08:58Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.
08:59What did happen?
09:00Well, like she said,
09:01he went out to clean the rear window,
09:03and he was gone.
09:03Anybody see him?
09:04I checked the car in back,
09:06but who looks?
09:06Who notices?
09:07Where could he have gone to around here?
09:10Well, on the south side,
09:11you got open fields.
09:12On this side,
09:14a couple of warehouse buildings.
09:15Locked up.
09:16Night watchman?
09:17Yeah.
09:17He's a retired cop.
09:19No sign of anybody trying to break in,
09:22to hide,
09:22or whatever he may have wanted to do.
09:24Okay.
09:24So what could have happened to the guy?
09:27Well, it's all very interesting,
09:28but in 15 minutes,
09:29I go off duty,
09:30and I won't have to worry about it.
09:41Oh, thanks.
09:43I didn't think I could touch a thing,
09:45but I must have been starving.
09:47Has there been any words?
09:48Yeah, you'll hear the minute they know.
09:50Now listen, Hetty.
09:51I can help you,
09:52but you have to help me.
09:53I'll do whatever I can.
09:55We have two basic roads to explore.
09:58One.
09:59Somebody was out to get your husband.
10:00Oh, no.
10:01No.
10:03Tom is the mildest,
10:05sweetest,
10:05most obliging guy on earth.
10:07He has absolutely no enemy.
10:09That you know about.
10:11Tom and I have no secrets from each other.
10:13Everybody has at least one enemy.
10:15Tom is incapable of hurting anyone in any way.
10:19He sounds too good to be true.
10:21If he does have a problem,
10:23that's it.
10:24All right.
10:25The second road to explore.
10:27He wasn't pushed.
10:28He jumped.
10:30What does that mean?
10:32It means he walked out on you.
10:36Oh.
10:37It's,
10:38it's,
10:38it's inconceivable.
10:39Why?
10:40I've had a liberal education tonight,
10:44Mr. Peterson.
10:45Call me Frey.
10:45No,
10:46not yet.
10:46Or maybe never.
10:48I've been introduced to a new world.
10:51I've been thrown in with people who
10:52basically don't believe in anyone.
10:56Don't trust anyone.
10:57And perhaps they have good cause.
10:59Perhaps that's how life is in their world.
11:01Perhaps their world is the real world,
11:03but it isn't my world.
11:04May I ask,
11:05do you come from another world?
11:06It's entirely possible.
11:09I won't call you Fred unless
11:11and until we become friends.
11:13But that's just a little thing.
11:15The policeman who brought me here
11:17is a confirmed cynic.
11:19So is the lieutenant.
11:21And so are you.
11:22I must breed guilty as charged.
11:24All of you propose two basic hypotheses.
11:27A,
11:28my husband was ambushed by enemies.
11:30B,
11:30my husband abandoned me.
11:31You can't conceive of people who
11:33they simply don't make or have enemies.
11:38You can't conceive of people
11:40who are completely in love.
11:42I'm not a fool,
11:43Mr. Peterson.
11:44I read these attitudes.
11:46What a wonderful world you live in,
11:48Mrs. Parsons.
11:48I hope you can stay there always.
11:50We're so dependent on each other,
11:52Tom and I.
11:53We need each other.
11:55We're,
11:56we're so complete together.
11:59But we still have the basic fact
12:01of his disappearance.
12:03Yes,
12:03but all you can see
12:04are two alternatives.
12:06There is a third,
12:07you know.
12:07Really?
12:08Perhaps he was taken ill
12:09suddenly and he just wandered off.
12:11Oh,
12:12maybe I should go back there.
12:13I've already been back there.
12:15There's no place
12:16he could have wandered off to.
12:18Tell me,
12:20does he have a history
12:22of any sort of illness,
12:23amnesia,
12:24anything like that?
12:25No,
12:25nothing like that.
12:27Well,
12:28then,
12:28where are we?
12:30Nowhere.
12:31Perhaps you are nowhere,
12:32Mr. Peterson.
12:33Okay,
12:34tell me where you are.
12:36I have faith.
12:38I believe Tom will be found
12:39or he will find himself
12:41and he will have
12:41an absolutely reasonable
12:43and rational explanation.
12:45I hope so.
12:48Eddie!
12:49Oh!
12:49Eddie!
12:50Tom!
12:51Oh,
12:52Tom,
12:52darling,
12:53Tom,
12:53what happened to you?
12:54I was so scared.
12:56Darling,
12:56you were all right.
12:57Eddie,
12:57are you all right?
12:58Yes.
12:59I don't understand.
12:59I happened to tune in the news
13:00and there it was.
13:01Tom Parsons' accountant
13:03with offices in the Barstow building
13:04had disappeared
13:05under mysterious circumstances.
13:06Tom,
13:07I was so worried.
13:08Mr. Parsons was driving
13:09with his wife.
13:10He stepped out of the car
13:11to clean off the rear window
13:12and...
13:13Eddie,
13:14what did you tell them?
13:17I wasn't in the car with you.
13:19I was at home.
13:20Well,
13:26here we have the story
13:27of two people
13:28who love each other deeply,
13:31who trust each other completely.
13:34It sounds like
13:35the Garden of Eden.
13:37But we all know
13:38what happened back there
13:39in the traffic
13:39and the snow.
13:41We shall return shortly
13:43with Act Two.
13:44Act Two.
13:44Act Two.
13:44Act Two.
13:44Act Two.
13:45Act Two.
13:46Act Two.
13:46Act Two.
13:46Act Two.
13:47Act Two.
13:47Act Two.
13:48Act Two.
13:48Act Two.
13:48Act Two.
13:49Act Two.
13:50You've seen these couples,
13:57or rather heard of them.
13:59They dwell in a sea
14:00of perfect harmony,
14:02never a ripple of discord.
14:04But when they do have
14:05a disagreement,
14:07well,
14:08it's a beaut.
14:10Here we have Fred Peterson
14:11listening to Hedy
14:12and Tom Parsons
14:13having a fantastic
14:14difference of opinion.
14:16Tom!
14:17Tom,
14:17how can you say that?
14:19Hedy, darling,
14:19I was not in the car
14:21with you.
14:21I was home.
14:22Home!
14:23You said,
14:23let's get out of this
14:24miserable cold and snow.
14:26Let's head south
14:26for a couple of weeks.
14:27Hedy,
14:27when did I say that?
14:29How could I say that?
14:30You know I'm swamped
14:31with work at the office.
14:32You came home this afternoon,
14:34Tom.
14:34You said,
14:34how would you like to leave
14:35for Florida tonight?
14:36And I said,
14:36give me an hour to pass.
14:38Excuse me.
14:39Who's he?
14:40Oh,
14:40he's just a...
14:41I'm just Fred Peterson
14:42of the Union Messenger.
14:44A reporter?
14:44Oh,
14:44please,
14:45please,
14:45please,
14:46don't be alarmed.
14:46I assure you
14:47it's a thoroughly
14:48respectable profession.
14:49Well,
14:49I,
14:49I see no point in,
14:51well,
14:52emblazoning this
14:52all over the newspapers.
14:53Is there anything to
14:55emblazon,
14:56as you put it?
14:57This is a private affair.
14:58Tom,
14:59tell me what happened.
15:00What happened to you
15:00after you left me?
15:01Hedy,
15:01I told you,
15:02I never left.
15:04Tom.
15:04How could I have left you?
15:05I wasn't with you.
15:07Oh,
15:07no,
15:08Tom.
15:09This time I have witnesses.
15:11The police officer,
15:12he knows you went out
15:13to clear the rear window.
15:14How does he know?
15:15Because he...
15:16Because you told him.
15:17Mr. Parsons,
15:18now,
15:19obviously your wife
15:20seems distraught.
15:21I would suggest...
15:21Keep your suggestions
15:22to yourself,
15:23Mr. Peterson.
15:23Don't you dare imply
15:24that I'm overwrought
15:25or nervous
15:26or hysterical.
15:27I am completely calm,
15:29extremely rational
15:29and absolutely
15:30in command of myself.
15:31I know what happened
15:33this evening.
15:33Mr. Peterson,
15:34this is obviously
15:35a private matter
15:35between my wife and me
15:36and nobody's business
15:37but ours.
15:38What did you mean,
15:39Mrs. Parsons,
15:40when you said
15:41that this time
15:42you had witnesses?
15:43Have there been
15:44other times when...
15:45Hedy,
15:46it doesn't do us
15:46any good
15:47to air this in public.
15:48All right, Tom.
15:50Take me home.
15:51Let me talk
15:52to that officer
15:52at the desk there.
15:53Find out
15:54if there's anything
15:54we have to do.
15:58Well?
15:59Well, what?
16:01Friend,
16:02husband, Tom.
16:03He didn't turn out
16:04to be quite
16:05as advertised.
16:07And what is that
16:08supposed to mean?
16:08He isn't quite
16:09the sweetest,
16:10mildest,
16:11most obliging guy
16:12on earth,
16:13is he?
16:14He is to me.
16:16I guess it's all
16:17a matter of how
16:17these words are defined,
16:19isn't it?
16:19And about this
16:20oh-so-complete
16:22understanding
16:22between the two of you,
16:24won't you at least
16:25admit you're having
16:26a difference of opinion
16:27right now?
16:27I don't have to
16:28admit anything.
16:29Okay, okay,
16:30don't shoot.
16:31I'll go quietly.
16:33Are you sure
16:34you really want me to go?
16:35Please.
16:36Regardless
16:36of what you say
16:37to me,
16:39you are in trouble.
16:41No, no,
16:41don't deny it.
16:43Well, what if I am?
16:44I'd like to help you.
16:45Why?
16:46Because
16:47would you want
16:48to help me
16:49if I were
16:49middle-aged
16:51and fat
16:51and sloppy
16:52and ugly?
16:53It isn't ten minutes ago.
16:54You accused me
16:55of living in a world
16:56where no one
16:56trusted the next fellow
16:57or believed in him.
16:58You accused me
16:59of being a confirmed cynic.
17:01Is it possible
17:02you don't remember
17:03what you say
17:03from one minute
17:04to the next?
17:05I'm sorry.
17:06Don't be.
17:07There's a great deal
17:08to what you said.
17:09You're kind,
17:10but no one can help me.
17:11I could try.
17:12And no one
17:12should try either.
17:14Why not?
17:16It's too dangerous.
17:18That was the wrong
17:19thing to say to me.
17:21I'm warning you.
17:21You're only getting
17:22me in deeper.
17:23Please, Fred.
17:24For openers,
17:25my business
17:25is to take chances
17:26and get myself into...
17:28Hey, you know
17:29what happened?
17:29What?
17:30You called me Fred.
17:32Oh, I'm sorry.
17:33I shouldn't have.
17:34But you did.
17:34And that means
17:35we're friends.
17:36Look, I only want...
17:37You're the one
17:38who set up
17:38the ground rules
17:39for this thing.
17:40First names
17:41are for friends only.
17:42Please,
17:43forget what happened
17:44here tonight.
17:45I warned you.
17:46You've already warned me
17:47twice.
17:47It won't work.
17:48I can only warn you
17:49three times.
17:50Do you mean
17:51you keep score?
17:51Please don't joke, Fred.
17:53You keep saying
17:54the wrong word,
17:55or I should say
17:56the wrong name.
17:57The wrong name
17:58is Fred.
17:58You can't call me Fred
18:00and expect me
18:01to forget everything.
18:02I warn you.
18:03I warn you
18:05for the third time.
18:07Forget all about tonight
18:09for your own sake,
18:10for your own safety.
18:11And after saying
18:12all that,
18:13you still expect me
18:14to forget about it.
18:15I...
18:16Tell my husband
18:17I'll wait for him
18:18outside in the car.
18:18Wait a minute, Hedy.
18:19I warned you, Fred.
18:20I warned you three times.
18:22Now goodbye.
18:24Where's my wife?
18:26She said she'd meet you
18:27in the car.
18:28Uh,
18:29Mr. Peterson,
18:30if I were you,
18:31I'd forget everything
18:32that happened tonight.
18:33Is that a threat?
18:34No.
18:35A warning.
18:35That's all I've been
18:36getting around here.
18:37Warnings.
18:38Well,
18:39for your own good,
18:40take them seriously.
18:40And if I don't?
18:41You'll regret it
18:42for the rest of your life,
18:43which may not be a long one.
18:44You still insist
18:45that you're not threatening me?
18:46I'm only trying to help you.
18:48Really?
18:49And why should you do that?
18:50Why?
18:51I don't know why.
18:54Maybe it's because
18:55the last guy
18:55tried to help me.
18:56What last guy?
18:57I didn't listen to him.
18:59The last guy?
18:59What do you mean?
19:01Nothing.
19:01Forget it.
19:02You know,
19:02with you and your wife,
19:04it seems,
19:04everything turns out
19:05to be nothing
19:05and forget it.
19:06I don't think it matters now.
19:08I have an idea.
19:09It's already
19:10too late for you.
19:12I'm sorry.
19:14Good night,
19:14Mr. Peterson.
19:17Hey, Fred.
19:20Fred.
19:21Yeah, Lieutenant,
19:22I'm coming.
19:23Well?
19:25Well, what?
19:28There's nothing there
19:29for us boys in blue.
19:30What's in it
19:31for the fourth estate?
19:33Looks like he's
19:34trying to drive her nuts.
19:36It could also be
19:37the other way around.
19:38I don't think so.
19:39Because of that
19:40honey-colored blonde hair?
19:41Oh, Lieutenant,
19:42Lieutenant,
19:43you always know
19:44where the exposed nerve is.
19:46Just stop and figure it.
19:48Couldn't this also be
19:48her way of trying
19:49to drive him nuts?
19:51As a reporter,
19:51I would have to say yes.
19:53But, uh,
19:54as a man?
19:55I don't know.
19:56Well, you got a problem, Fred.
19:58How are you going
19:59to tackle it?
20:00As a reporter?
20:03Reporter?
20:05Or as a man?
20:17Good morning.
20:17Oh, Fred.
20:18What are you doing here?
20:21Won't you ask me
20:22to come in?
20:23Well, I...
20:24You could also offer me
20:26a cup of coffee.
20:27It's been a long drive
20:28on a cold morning.
20:30Oh.
20:31Well,
20:32I suppose you might
20:35as well come inside.
20:36How gracious.
20:39I'm sorry.
20:40I'm...
20:41Well, I'm still upset
20:44and you should know why.
20:46Come into the kitchen.
20:47I was just pouring
20:48myself a cup.
20:48Thanks.
20:51Charming place
20:52you have here.
20:53I suppose Tom is
20:54generous enough
20:55when it comes to money
20:56and things.
20:56The implication being
20:57that he is not generous
20:58when it comes to...
21:00what?
21:01Fred,
21:01if you insist
21:02I'm talking about Tom,
21:03I'll have to ask you
21:04to leave.
21:05Okay.
21:05Let's talk about you.
21:07No.
21:09We can't talk
21:10about me either.
21:11What can we talk about?
21:13The weather,
21:14politics,
21:14sports.
21:15You'd be surprised
21:16I'm a very well-informed person.
21:18We could talk about art
21:20or literature.
21:20I didn't come here
21:21to talk about those things.
21:22I know why you came here.
21:23Do you?
21:25Fred,
21:26I'm a married woman.
21:27But you're not
21:27a happily married woman.
21:29I'm happy enough.
21:29Okay.
21:31Let me tell you
21:31why I'm here.
21:32As a reporter,
21:33that is.
21:34It doesn't happen
21:35very often
21:36that you get a chance
21:37to be in on a story
21:38before it's a story.
21:41You follow me?
21:41No.
21:42Last night,
21:43all I could have
21:44gotten out of it
21:44might have been
21:45a squib on the back page
21:46or maybe nothing.
21:47But something's
21:48happening here.
21:49Something's building.
21:51I don't know
21:51what it is.
21:52But one of you
21:53is lying.
21:54One of you
21:55is trying
21:56to destroy
21:57the other.
21:58And you think
21:59you can stop
21:59Oh, no.
22:00That's not my job.
22:02But there's
22:03going to be
22:03an explosion.
22:04And I want
22:05to be there
22:05when it blows.
22:07Because then
22:08I'll have a story.
22:10And that's
22:10all this is.
22:12That's all
22:12I am to you.
22:14A story.
22:16I was talking
22:17as a reporter.
22:19But as a man...
22:20Yes.
22:21As a man,
22:22I'd...
22:23I'd like to help you,
22:24Hattie.
22:25Even if it meant
22:26losing your story?
22:27Yes.
22:28I'd like
22:30to believe that.
22:31Why can't you?
22:32I tried
22:33to warn you, Fred.
22:34Look,
22:34we had all that
22:35last night.
22:35I can't warn you
22:36anymore,
22:37but remember,
22:38I did warn you.
22:39Yeah, sure.
22:40Don't brush it
22:41aside, Fred.
22:42Hattie,
22:42on the general
22:42subject of warnings,
22:44I've had a few
22:44in my day.
22:45From gangsters,
22:46from politicians.
22:47I mean,
22:48from people
22:48who had clout.
22:49But I did
22:50warn you.
22:51Look,
22:51if you want me to,
22:52I'll sign a receipt.
22:53Let the record
22:54show that you'll
22:55warn me.
22:56You were right.
22:57He is trying
22:58to destroy me.
22:59Ah,
23:00finally.
23:00Why?
23:01I don't know.
23:02Okay,
23:02let's go through
23:02the standards.
23:03Is he after your money?
23:04I don't have any.
23:05Another woman?
23:06I don't think so.
23:07Is he tired of you?
23:09I don't know.
23:11Well,
23:12none of this
23:12is very helpful.
23:13I'm sorry.
23:15What was this business
23:16you were giving me
23:16back in the station house
23:17about your perfect marriage,
23:19about your perfect husband?
23:20Because he is.
23:22It's just...
23:24Well,
23:25now and then
23:25he imagines
23:26things like last night.
23:27What's now and then?
23:29Oh,
23:29every few months.
23:31One time
23:32he stranded me
23:32up in Maine.
23:34Another time
23:34we were supposed
23:35to go to Europe.
23:36He told me
23:36he would be delayed
23:37and to get on the plane
23:38he would make
23:38the next one.
23:39And there I was,
23:41all by myself
23:41in Paris.
23:43He denied everything.
23:44Has he seen a doctor?
23:45Yes.
23:45And?
23:46It hasn't done any good.
23:47Is he overworked?
23:48Oh, yes.
23:49Well,
23:49maybe he needs
23:50a long vacation.
23:51I'm sure of it.
23:53It all sounds
23:54pretty simple to me.
23:55Except for one little item.
23:57Why have you insisted
23:58on warning me?
24:00Because it was
24:01the right thing to do.
24:02I don't understand.
24:04First you imply
24:05that everything
24:05is so simple.
24:06Then when I start
24:07to believe it,
24:08you drop a little suggestion
24:09that throws me off balance.
24:10I can't seem
24:12to get anything
24:12definite out of you.
24:14Oh,
24:14but you did.
24:16What was that?
24:17A warning.
24:19Lieutenant Carroll?
24:33Hey, Lieutenant.
24:35Hey, how goes
24:35the Parson case?
24:36How did you know
24:37I was going to ask you
24:37about the Parson?
24:38That honey blonde hair.
24:40Does it really show
24:41that much?
24:41Pal,
24:42you are hooked.
24:43You know something?
24:44That's true.
24:46And she may even
24:47be playing me
24:47like a fish.
24:48So what can I do for you?
24:49Well, no crime
24:50has been committed yet.
24:51But you can bet
24:52there's one on the way.
24:54Well, till then
24:54we're handcuffed
24:55around here.
24:56Sure, but you got
24:57all the facts.
24:58What facts?
24:58I mean,
24:59I mean you can get
25:00at them in a routine way.
25:02Work up both of them.
25:03Some past histories.
25:04That's spending
25:04the taxpayers' money.
25:06You spend
25:06the taxpayers' money
25:07every day.
25:08Something's ready
25:09to blow up there.
25:10Just be ready for it.
25:12That's all I'm asking.
25:13Actually, Fred,
25:14if you want the truth,
25:15we've already started.
25:16And?
25:17Keep in touch.
25:22Yeah?
25:24They said you're
25:25in this office.
25:26Well,
25:27look who's here.
25:28Tom,
25:29Tom the Piper's son.
25:31Come on in, sir.
25:33Mr. Peterson,
25:35I've decided
25:36to tell you everything.
25:38Because,
25:39because I know
25:40you're in love
25:41with my wife.
25:41Wait a minute.
25:42Now,
25:42there are all kinds
25:43of meaningless expressions.
25:44Wait a minute.
25:44See,
25:45here,
25:45hold on,
25:46or a few.
25:47Let's dispense with them.
25:48You can't accuse me.
25:49I don't accuse you.
25:50I've stayed a fact.
25:51Well,
25:51let's be fair.
25:52I only met your wife
25:53last night.
25:54I admit she's attractive.
25:56I don't even know her.
25:58That's what I told him.
26:00That's what you told who?
26:01The last guy.
26:03The last guy
26:04she was married to.
26:07I wish I knew
26:08how to start this.
26:09Well,
26:09start at the beginning.
26:11Okay.
26:13I'm an accountant.
26:14You're a reporter.
26:16Both of us are
26:17men of the world.
26:19I mean this world.
26:21You live on facts.
26:23I live on figures.
26:25So how can I tell you?
26:27How can I expect you
26:28to believe me
26:28when I say
26:29that Hetty
26:31isn't a human being
26:34at all?
26:35She isn't?
26:36No.
26:38She's a witch.
26:45A witch.
26:46Yes.
26:47That's what he said.
26:49A witch.
26:50But how can it be?
26:53Wasn't all that
26:54witch business
26:54over and done with
26:55more than 200 years ago?
26:57Well,
26:59that's what we intend
27:00to find out
27:00shortly
27:01when I return
27:02with act three.
27:13Tom Parsons
27:14and Fred Peterson
27:15sit in a newspaper office.
27:17Both are young,
27:19alert,
27:20stylishly dressed,
27:21every bit the modern,
27:22sophisticated men
27:23of today.
27:25And yet,
27:26the subject,
27:27the very serious subject
27:28under discussion
27:29is witchcraft
27:31of all things.
27:33Well,
27:34it isn't every day
27:35a man accuses
27:36his wife
27:36of being a witch.
27:37It isn't every day
27:38a man finds out
27:39he's married to one.
27:41I can only say
27:42it's incredible.
27:43I know.
27:45That's what I said
27:46when he told me.
27:47When who told you?
27:48The last guy.
27:50Tell me about
27:51the last guy.
27:53I met Hetty
27:54on a cruise ship
27:55about five years ago.
27:57She said her husband
27:58had just
27:59somehow
28:00disappeared.
28:02She was distraught.
28:05You know,
28:05she does the distraught
28:06bit to perfection.
28:07I know nothing
28:08of the kind.
28:10What happened?
28:10Had he,
28:11had he fallen overboard?
28:12Well,
28:12that's,
28:13that's what she made
28:15everybody think.
28:16Until we got
28:17a radiogram from shore.
28:19He claimed he knew
28:20nothing about the trip.
28:21Well,
28:22either he had boarded
28:23the boat
28:23or he hadn't.
28:24Okay,
28:24let's get all of that
28:25cleared away.
28:27There was a ticket
28:27in his name.
28:28There were some people
28:29who claimed they had
28:30seen him.
28:31The trouble is,
28:32there was a pretty
28:32drunk Bon Voyage party.
28:35Most everybody
28:35was in no shape
28:36to remember anything.
28:38Oh,
28:38yes,
28:38yes,
28:39the steward did claim
28:40to have seen him
28:40aboard,
28:41but...
28:41What?
28:41I'm convinced
28:42the steward was bribed.
28:45So I bought her story.
28:48I fell in love with her.
28:51Just as you did.
28:53And I helped her
28:54kill it.
28:56Just as you're going
28:57to help her kill me.
28:58Yeah,
28:59I think.
28:59I know what you think.
29:01You think I'm a nut.
29:03You could look it up.
29:05Five years ago,
29:06Stacy's Mountainville Lodge
29:07in the Adirondacks.
29:09She called me.
29:10She was desperate.
29:10Come up here.
29:11He's going to kill me.
29:12I flew up.
29:13I found him.
29:15They were near a cliff.
29:16She was screaming for help.
29:18I started fighting him off.
29:20I...
29:21I guess he slipped.
29:22He...
29:23He fell.
29:25Over the side.
29:27He was killed.
29:28Look it up.
29:30Coroner's office.
29:32You'll see.
29:34An accident.
29:36Don't you assume I buy all this?
29:38How does it make her a witch?
29:39Oh.
29:41She told me.
29:43She'll tell you afterwards.
29:46She's a witch.
29:47She falls in love with men.
29:50Gets tired of them.
29:52And destroys them.
29:54I think you must be...
29:55I know.
29:56I know.
29:58I'm here to warn you.
30:00But I'm going to kill her first.
30:02Let me get you a cup of coffee.
30:03You're a fool.
30:04I'm here to save your life.
30:06Sure.
30:06Sure.
30:07Okay.
30:08Look her up.
30:09I mean that.
30:10See if you can find a trace of her.
30:12See if you can find out where or when she was born.
30:15Who her parents were.
30:16She has absolutely no background.
30:18I tell you.
30:19Don't, don't, don't.
30:19Don't get excited.
30:20Oh, good Lord.
30:20This is all so familiar.
30:23All of this is what he said to me.
30:25And what I said to him.
30:28Back there.
30:29Before I killed him.
30:30Now, nobody's going to kill anybody.
30:32I don't know you.
30:34But you look like a nice guy.
30:37Take my advice.
30:40Save yourself.
30:42Save yourself.
30:50I'm not sure I should be here with you tonight, Fred.
30:53Well, you wouldn't let me visit you at home.
30:56Oh, it just wouldn't look right.
30:57Yeah, but it's all on the level.
30:59I'm a newspaper man.
31:01It's business.
31:02I'm doing a story.
31:03I had a very proper upbringing.
31:05Where were you raised, Hedy?
31:10I'd rather not talk about it.
31:13Why?
31:14Well, I told you it was proper.
31:19But it wasn't happy.
31:21I shouldn't say this, but there were times when I thought my parents were ogres.
31:29Fred, is something wrong?
31:30No, no, no, no, no.
31:31Gee, I just hope I didn't spill anything on you.
31:35No.
31:37I didn't have a happy childhood.
31:39I don't like to discuss it.
31:42Here's something we should discuss.
31:44I spoke with Tom this morning.
31:46I think I know what he told you.
31:48So far out, I even hesitate to mention it.
31:51But obviously, he believes it.
31:53I insisted that he see a psychiatrist.
31:55In fact, we both went.
31:57And it's the doctor's opinion that Tom is riddled with guilt.
32:01You see, he thinks he murdered Larry.
32:03Larry?
32:04My first husband.
32:06But Larry was a brute.
32:08I was very young and...
32:11We're really too young to know anything about people.
32:14Larry was a drunk.
32:15I didn't know that either.
32:17And when he had a few, he would abuse me.
32:22Well, I shouldn't have done it.
32:23But I was terrified.
32:24I called Tom.
32:25And he came up and got into a fight with Larry.
32:28And, well, there was that accident.
32:30But why should he get that far-out notion about you?
32:33According to the doctor, it had to be something...
32:37Well, something he could live with.
32:39Something that could justify what he did.
32:40And he really has a vivid imagination.
32:42Strikes me as a very sober-minded person.
32:46Aside from...
32:47He was a lit major at college.
32:48He became an accountant because he had to make a living.
32:53I...
32:53I don't know what I'm going to do about him, Fred.
32:57I've had so much trouble in my life, and...
33:00He's really a wonderful guy, and I love him.
33:04Why does he want to destroy us?
33:06Why should he have a guilty conscience about Larry?
33:09Whatever happened with him self-defense?
33:11Well, look.
33:13Everything will turn out all right.
33:14Oh, you're only saying that because you have to say something.
33:16No, I believe it.
33:18Hello?
33:19Tom?
33:20Yes, it's Tom.
33:22But you said you were working late.
33:24Well, I am.
33:24I just took a break for dinner.
33:26Join you?
33:27Please.
33:31Fred, you obviously didn't hear a word I said this morning, did you?
33:34I heard every word.
33:35Heard them all and listened to none?
33:37Tom, you're not well, and I think we...
33:39Oh, I know what you think.
33:40You think we should go away for a rest and all that.
33:43Forget it.
33:44I know what I have to do, and I'm going to do it.
33:48Poor Fred.
33:50I feel sorry for you.
33:52You're in love with her.
33:53To keep the record straight, I'm a reporter.
33:56There's a story here.
33:57I aim to get it.
33:58Sure, sure.
34:00That's what you tell yourself.
34:02Let's go along with you, Tom.
34:04Suppose what you say is true.
34:05Suppose she's what you say she is.
34:08Why not walk out?
34:09Get a divorce.
34:10I can't.
34:10Why?
34:12I hope you never find out.
34:14You see, she destroys you.
34:16She takes away your capacity to love.
34:20Your feelings, your mind.
34:24It's as if you are only just nourishment for her.
34:29And when everything you have to give is gone, she discards you.
34:32For someone else.
34:33Tom, for your own sake, I think you should be under a doctor's care in a hospital.
34:38I suppose I should.
34:40But I want to save you.
34:42It'll make up for Larry.
34:43I must apologize, Fred, for exposing you to all this.
34:46I shouldn't have come here.
34:47But you wanted to expose him to all this.
34:49That's why you came here.
34:51You knew I always eat here when I work late.
34:53Tom, I'll do anything you want.
34:55Just tell me.
34:57Disappear.
34:58As a supernatural person, you can arrange that without any problem.
35:02Please, Fred, go now.
35:03Leave us alone.
35:03But I don't want to go.
35:04He's my problem.
35:06I have to live with it.
35:08And if you stay, well...
35:10An audience always excites him.
35:12Ah, now, look who finally showed up.
35:24What happened to that Nobel Prize for journalism you were working on?
35:27Tannett, there is no Nobel Prize for journalism.
35:30Oh.
35:31Well, what happened anyhow?
35:32I got off it all.
35:33Couldn't make heads or tails.
35:35Well, we're still on it.
35:37As a matter of fact, information keeps pouring in all the time.
35:40On her?
35:41On him.
35:43Funny duck.
35:44He was always interested in spirits, that kind of thing.
35:47He wrote his master's thesis on something called, uh, demonology.
35:51Well, there's nothing there for me.
35:53As a man or a reporter?
35:56Both.
35:57You know, I've been married ten years.
36:00And I've never been tempted.
36:01But if I could be, she could do it.
36:04Oh, that dame is something.
36:05I'm surprised at you, Lieutenant.
36:07But there's hope for you.
36:09If what you say about the husband is true, he winds up, uh, in the loony bin, and after
36:13a respectable interval, she could be yours.
36:16That's what's in your mind, right?
36:18You are the most cynical person I know.
36:21Come off it.
36:22We're two of a kind.
36:24I'd even wait for her myself.
36:28Lieutenant Carroll.
36:29Is, uh, Fred Peterson there, please?
36:32Hold on.
36:32I'll see.
36:33It's, uh, the girl you love.
36:36Cut it out.
36:36Okay, the girl we love.
36:38You hear?
36:39Yeah.
36:40Yeah, I guess I'm here.
36:41Take it.
36:43Hello?
36:43Fred.
36:44I'm scared.
36:46What's the matter, Hattie?
36:46Don't ask any questions.
36:48Just come to my place.
36:49Quickly.
37:00Come in, Fred.
37:01Oh, darling, I'm so glad you're here.
37:03Hattie.
37:04Hattie, why are you shaking like that?
37:05I'm frightened.
37:06I'm so frightened.
37:07Please, please, Hattie, calm down.
37:09I'm here.
37:09Everything is going to be all right.
37:10I know it.
37:12I know.
37:14It's wrong for me to talk to you like this.
37:16To feel like this.
37:18But I can't help it.
37:19No, no, we'll work it out.
37:20Somehow we'll work it out.
37:22Now, now, now.
37:23Why are you scared?
37:24I, he asked me to take his suit to the cleaners this morning.
37:28And I found this in his pocket.
37:31It's your receipt.
37:32Read it.
37:33From Carrington's.
37:34One double action Danforth Wilson revolver.
37:37Calibus 32.
37:38He bought a gun.
37:39Don't you see?
37:40He bought a gun.
37:41All right.
37:42Why would he buy a gun if he didn't want to kill me?
37:44Well, I think we have enough to interest the police now.
37:47Are you sure about that?
37:48Don't.
37:49Well, answer the question, Fred.
37:51What do you expect from the police?
37:53I have a permit for this gun.
37:55I have every right to own it.
37:56Look, Tom.
37:57I get very nervous when people point guns at me.
38:02Maybe it's unreasonable.
38:03But do you, uh, do you mind putting that, that thing away?
38:06Well, I will.
38:08After I use it.
38:09No, Tom.
38:09Don't be a fool.
38:10You're not a killer.
38:11I always thought that.
38:12Till just now.
38:13Tom, listen.
38:15Let's say you're right.
38:17But she is a witch, okay?
38:18Don't you see?
38:19You couldn't kill her anyhow.
38:21You'd empty the gun at her.
38:23It wouldn't mean a thing.
38:24Fine.
38:25Why don't we find out?
38:26I won't let you.
38:27Get away from me, Fred.
38:27Tom.
38:28Come on, step up.
38:29Get behind me, Eddie.
38:30Get behind you.
38:30Give me that gun.
38:31Give me a move.
38:32I'll kill you.
38:32Get down.
38:33Just lower it.
38:34Drop it.
38:35I'm going to kill her.
38:37Drop it.
38:37Drop it.
38:38Drop it.
38:38Tom.
38:39Tom.
38:42Tom.
38:44You did it.
38:46Again, Eddie.
38:48It did it.
38:52Again.
38:53Call her, Doc, Eddie.
38:56What for?
38:58You poor sucker.
39:01You think she...
39:04She's not worth it.
39:08You think she's paradise?
39:10She is.
39:14Ah, she is.
39:17But it doesn't last.
39:20It doesn't last.
39:23And then...
39:24She'll kill you.
39:28She'll kill you, too.
39:32Tom.
39:35He's...
39:35He's dead.
39:36You saw.
39:39You saw.
39:40There was nothing I could do.
39:42I know.
39:44I know.
39:45Better call, please.
39:56Lieutenant Carroll.
39:57Lieutenant.
39:59It's Fred.
39:59Hey, Fred.
40:00I got news for you.
40:01What I mean is I have absolutely no news for you.
40:03Lieutenant, listen to me.
40:04You know, we...
40:05We drew a complete blank on that dame.
40:07We traced her back to St. Louis City Hall, where she married a guy named Larry Bellows.
40:11She gave her home address as Charterville, Illinois.
40:14But there's no such place.
40:16Listen, Lieutenant.
40:16It's as if this dame just materialized out of thin air.
40:19No background at all.
40:20Wait a minute.
40:23Eddie.
40:23Who are you?
40:26Hello?
40:27Oh, Fred.
40:28Fred, why did you call?
40:29Who are you, Eddie?
40:31Fred, what's on your mind?
40:32Eddie.
40:34I warned you three times, Fred.
40:39I warned you three times.
40:47And how many warnings would you have needed?
40:51Or heeded?
40:53That's the trouble.
40:55When they have honey blonde hair, it's so hard to take them seriously.
41:00A mistake.
41:02You should always take every woman seriously.
41:06We'll be back shortly.
41:07Are there really witches?
41:22Everyone must keep his own counsel on the matter.
41:26However, if you should happen upon a damsel in distress,
41:30and she has honey blonde hair and baby blue eyes,
41:35remember, we warned you three times.
41:40Our cast included Joan Loring,
41:43Mason Adams, Tom Keena,
41:45Alan Manson,
41:46and Sam Gray.
41:48The entire production was under the direction of Hyman Brown.
41:53This is E.G. Marshall inviting you to return to our mystery theater
41:56for another adventure in the macabre.
41:59Until next time.
42:01Pleasant dreams.
42:03Have a great wish.
42:10Whatever this is,
42:11no talking in awe.
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