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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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00:00Welcome to the world of your own terrifying imagination.
00:27Mark Twain once said,
00:30Everyone talks about the weather, but no one does anything about it.
00:35The same thing might be said of the state of morality in the world today.
00:40Everyone talks about immorality and corruption, but no one seems to do anything about it.
00:47Can we do anything about it?
00:57The End
00:58Prometheus' gift of fire to man was a blessing,
01:03bringing warmth, cheer, enabling man to cook his food,
01:07and also protect him from wild beasts.
01:10But along with the benefits came drawbacks.
01:14Fire proved to be destructive, and sometimes deadly,
01:18and man used it often to destroy.
01:22Thus was born the warning,
01:24Don't play with fire.
01:26However, those who created one warning didn't follow their own advice,
01:30and they inevitably learned that they should have.
01:35Bob!
01:37Bob!
01:38Over here!
01:39Ayla, I wired you not to meet me at the plane.
01:42I had to.
01:43Bob, I'm so glad you're here.
01:45Darling.
01:46I've missed you.
01:48Me too, darling.
01:49I know I shouldn't have sent you that silly cable,
01:51but Bob, I am so frightened.
01:53It's all right now.
01:54It is all right.
01:55No, no, it isn't.
01:57I know how important your China trip was to you,
01:59but I had to bring you back.
02:01I tried to handle this myself, but it's just...
02:03Handle what?
02:05Not here.
02:06Let's have a cup of coffee, and I'll try to explain.
02:08Ava, I just don't understand.
02:19What's your father afraid of?
02:20I don't know, and he won't tell me.
02:23That's why I sent for you, Bob.
02:25Maybe he'll talk to you.
02:26You know, darling, if you were anyone else
02:28except the level-headed, beautiful girl that I'm going to marry,
02:31I'd say this whole thing was nonsense.
02:32You won't say it after you see Dad.
02:34You won't recognize him.
02:36Why?
02:36You mean he's changed physically?
02:37Not so much in appearance, but in his attitude.
02:41You know the way Dad was completely self-assured, positive.
02:44Yes, and sometimes wrong.
02:45Of course, who isn't?
02:47But you don't get to be the head of one of the largest corporations
02:49in the country by running scared.
02:51And, Bob, believe me, Dad's terrified.
02:55Can you picture Vern Marcus scared?
03:03What's going on, Vern?
03:05Oh, nothing much, Bob.
03:06I'm just having my study remodeled.
03:08It looks like you're making it into a bank vault.
03:10You going to store your money here?
03:13What brings you back to the States?
03:15I thought you planned to stay in China two months.
03:18You're the reason I'm here, Vern.
03:20You've evidently been allowing Ava to fill your head with a lot of nonsense.
03:25Nonsense?
03:26Well, I don't know what she told you.
03:28You didn't tell me that you were turning your study into a fortress
03:31or electrifying the fence around the house,
03:33but she told me enough to convince me that I was right to come back.
03:36What's frightening you, Vern?
03:37Now, leave me alone.
03:38Just leave me be, that's all.
03:40Is that too much?
03:41Much too much.
03:42Stop thinking about yourself and think of what you're doing to Ava.
03:45Ava has nothing to do with this.
03:47No?
03:47How would you feel if your daughter built herself a fortress and locked herself in,
03:51turning from an outgoing, beautiful girl to a frightened, petulant child,
03:55asking only to be left alone?
03:56Would you try to help?
03:57All right, Bob.
03:59You win.
04:00One promise.
04:01You mustn't tell Ava.
04:03But she's frantic with worry.
04:04I have to tell her something.
04:05No.
04:06At least let me tell her that you've confided in me.
04:09That will help.
04:11That's all you'll tell her?
04:13You promise?
04:13I promise.
04:14All right.
04:15My telling you isn't going to do any good.
04:20I'm caught, that's all.
04:23Caught by what?
04:24The Promethean Society.
04:27What's that?
04:28It's a small, secret society dedicated to doing something about the lack of morality in the world today.
04:36All right, but what do you mean you're caught?
04:38I have one week to give the leader of the society, a man who calls himself Promos,
04:45one million dollars.
04:47A million?
04:48For what?
04:50Well, ostensibly to spread the message of the society.
04:54Well, what kind of work do they do that takes a million dollars?
04:56A public relations campaign, newspaper advertising, television, radio.
05:02There are even discussions of making a motion picture, and that takes money.
05:06Well, I don't see the problem, Bern.
05:07If you really feel that this is worthwhile, you make the contribution.
05:10If you don't, you tell them you won't go along.
05:12I'm afraid that's not possible.
05:16Oh, come on, Bern.
05:17What are they going to do if you say no?
05:20Rather than tell you, I'll show you.
05:28Timmy, Bob Steele remembers you.
05:30I'm sure you remember him.
05:32Sure.
05:33Sure, I remember, Bob.
05:34How are you?
05:34Well, I'm fine, but what are you doing in the wheelchair?
05:38Learning how to operate the darn thing.
05:41I can move it pretty good.
05:43It's the brakes that bother me.
05:45Oh, watch it.
05:45That's all right.
05:46I've got you.
05:47Oh, thanks.
05:48Now, Bern, what brings you here?
05:50Well, actually, it was Bob.
05:52Bob?
05:53What can I do for you?
05:54Well, Bern seems to be passing the buck.
05:56I'm trying to find out what's got him so uptight, and he told me that...
05:59What have you done, Bern?
06:00What have you told him?
06:01Well, nothing yet.
06:03You see, Ava cabled me in China because she was so worried, and I came back to try to help.
06:07How much have you told him, Bern?
06:09Well, about our joining the Promethean Society, and that they've asked me for a million in contributions,
06:16and they asked you for half fat, and you didn't pay.
06:20Well, Bob wanted to know what happened to you, so I brought him here to show you.
06:24You want to see what happened to me, Bob?
06:27Unwrap the blankets around my legs.
06:29What?
06:30Do as he says, and look at his feet.
06:37Good Lord.
06:40What happened?
06:41Third degree burns.
06:43The doctor tells me scar tissue will take about six months to form.
06:46Oh.
06:47Then I can start to learn to walk again.
06:49How?
06:50How?
06:50How did it happen?
06:51I was here, in my house.
06:53One day, my feet just burned up.
06:56Tell him, Timmy.
06:57That day was just two days after you refused to contribute the half million dollars that Promos had requested.
07:05Ava, darling, get off my back.
07:13Oh, Bob, what's happening to us?
07:14Why are we so ugly to each other?
07:16Because something pretty ugly is going on.
07:18And you don't think I'm old enough to be laid in on it?
07:20Look, I've already explained to you that I gave your dad my word.
07:24Well, at least tell me how you're going to help him.
07:27Will you be satisfied with that?
07:30I guess I'll have to be.
07:31All right.
07:32You remember me telling you about a buddy of mine in Vietnam?
07:35I think so.
07:35His name was Brian.
07:37Brian?
07:37Yes, Brian Casey.
07:39He went from Marine Sniper Scout to the Chemical Warfare Branch, and now he runs a private detective agency.
07:44Now, he should be here in five minutes.
07:47Wish us luck.
07:53I can't do it, Bob.
07:54I just can't.
07:56Byrne, think what we're asking.
07:59Only to stall.
08:00You tell me I've had enough time.
08:02I've known about this for weeks.
08:05He's right, Bob.
08:06Look, Casey, I brought you here because I believed you could help.
08:08Now, if you're going to agree with him...
08:09Just stalling isn't enough, Bob.
08:11We've got to have a plan.
08:13And before I can even think of anything, I've got to see what this organization looks like and how it operates.
08:19I've told you, Mr. Casey.
08:20It's not good enough.
08:22I have to attend one of those meetings.
08:24I just don't believe that any man can control fire.
08:27Well, then how do you explain what happened to Timmy Burns?
08:30I can't.
08:31Yet.
08:32And we still can't be sure that Burns told it like it happened.
08:36Well, Timmy has no reason to lie.
08:38Then you must believe that this promos can control fire.
08:42I only know what I saw.
08:44I saw his feet, too.
08:47After whatever happened, happened.
08:49Well, what could have happened?
08:50Except what Timmy told us.
08:52Well, I'll tell you one thing that could have happened.
08:55Two rough gents could have called on Burns, tied him up, gagged him, and roasted his feet.
09:01I saw his feet, Casey.
09:03This couldn't have been done with matches.
09:05Bob, you know better than that.
09:06Now, think back when we were in Vietnam.
09:09Remember the defoliants?
09:11Flamethrowers?
09:12Now, these guys could have used that on him.
09:14Well, then why wouldn't he tell us?
09:16Because they told him not to.
09:19And he sure would listen after they finished with him.
09:22Never thought of that, but it is possible.
09:24No, you don't know, Promos.
09:27You think he's a nice guy?
09:28You wouldn't stoop to a thing like that?
09:30Well, I don't know what he is.
09:31A fanatic or a blackmailer.
09:34But there's an aura of power about him.
09:37And a certainty.
09:39I don't know.
09:41But I'm sure that he doesn't have to use others.
09:43And certainly not thugs like you described.
09:46Well, that's why I have to meet him and see his operation.
09:50That's the only way I can help.
09:51And I don't see what good that'll do.
09:54Let's look at your options, Vern.
09:56One, you can pay.
09:58Just the first and a long string of payments.
10:00Two, you can blow the whistle and go to the district attorney.
10:02With what?
10:03Tell him you joined the secret society willingly.
10:06That it's dedicated to restoring the moral tone of the world.
10:09And that you've been asked for a contribution.
10:11That's why I haven't considered the police.
10:14Or three, you can believe me when I tell you that Casey here is the toughest, most competent,
10:18and most highly trained private operative I know.
10:20In addition to being a buddy of mine from Vietnam.
10:22I'm not downgrading Casey.
10:24I just don't see what he offers.
10:27A long shot.
10:29You can take me to your scheduled meeting tomorrow night and introduce me as a sinner who's seen the light.
10:36I'm an ex-marine.
10:38A Vietnam veteran.
10:40Well, I made a bundle in the black market.
10:42Now I want to give some of it to the Promethean Society to make the world a better place.
10:49But I want to see before I give.
10:52And the reason you don't have the million is that you wanted Promos' approval to allow me to chip in with you.
10:58That makes sense, Vern.
10:59And if Promos doesn't go for it or I come up with nothing, you can always pay.
11:14How are you feeling, Vern?
11:16Nervous.
11:17Very nervous.
11:18I wish Bob could have come.
11:21Relax.
11:22Just do it the way we rehearsed it.
11:24You were letter perfect.
11:25But what if Promos asks me about...
11:27No, no, no, no.
11:28I'll handle the questions if they're about me.
11:30Now, clue me in again on the way this affair is run.
11:33It'll take your mind off what's worrying you.
11:37Well, the members all gather in the club room.
11:40Very austere but comfortable.
11:44We generally chat with each other and then when a gong sounds, we go into the assembly hall.
11:50That's a large room.
11:52I think it used to be a ballroom.
11:55It's been fixed.
11:56It has a stage at one end with a platform.
12:00And that's where Promos stands when he talks.
12:02Is that all?
12:03Well, there's the fire, but you know about that.
12:07At a certain point in his address, he raises his arms and extends them in the white and gold robe.
12:16And suddenly, he's consumed by fire.
12:20But it never burns him.
12:22Never.
12:22And you have no idea where the fire comes from.
12:26Now, we've all talked about it.
12:29At first, we thought it was some magician's trick.
12:32But we can't be sure.
12:34You never had the stage checked out?
12:36Well, we talked about it, but we never did.
12:39Oh, here we are.
12:43You know, you'll have to meet Promos before you can get into the meeting.
12:48All you have to do is introduce me.
12:51The rest will be up to me.
12:52So, you would like to join the Prometheans, Mr. Casey.
13:01Well, that's why I'm here.
13:03What's with this bit about taking your shoes off?
13:06If and when we accept you, we'll explain our rituals.
13:10But we do not allow you into the inner chamber with your shoes on.
13:15Now, what do you know about the Prometheans?
13:17Well, only what Vern Marcus told me.
13:19And what was that?
13:21Well, it was pretty general that you were an organization doing something about the shocking philosophy in our contemporary society that anything goes as long as it makes a buck.
13:31Now, why do you feel so strongly about it?
13:34Atonement.
13:35Atonement?
13:37For what?
13:38For my sins.
13:40This is not a confessional, and I am not a priest, Mr. Casey.
13:44We're engaged in a very secular battle here against the forces that have distorted and corrupted the moral values all over the world.
13:54And we intend to use the very same instruments that did the corrupting.
13:58I apologize, but I wasn't being flip.
14:02Maybe Vern told you I was in Vietnam in the Marine Corps.
14:05I know this isn't a confessional, and you're not interested in my life story, but I made a fortune then.
14:11Opium?
14:12No, no, no.
14:12Not quite that bad.
14:14Black market.
14:16I sold everything I'd get my hands on.
14:18Yes.
14:19Now, while I'm greatly flattered that you want to join the Promethean Society,
14:23I'm sure you are unaware of our admission procedures.
14:27Now, we have always selected our members.
14:29And only because of Vernon Marcus's stature, and the substantial contribution he's making to the Society,
14:36did I consent to see you this evening.
14:38Now, wait a minute.
14:39I just...
14:39Now, much as I sympathize with people like you, you're not the type of member we seek.
14:45You know, up until five minutes ago, I thought your organization was doing something, but now I think different.
14:50Now, what do you think now, Mr. Casey?
14:52I think maybe you are money-hungry like I was in Vietnam, and you want to stick Marcus for the million and figure on picking up another half million for me later on.
15:00If that's what you think, Mr. Casey, I'd be delighted if you'd stay for the meeting.
15:05You mean that?
15:07I never say anything I don't mean.
15:09The world is made up of believers and non-believers.
15:18The two disparate groups argue about anything and everything, from the existence of ghosts to the importance of dream research.
15:26But few of the arguers ever get down to gritty reality.
15:30In just a moment, Brian Casey will see for himself the existence and power of Promethean fire, as controlled by Promos, when we return with Act Two.
15:51Have you ever noticed how much atmosphere plays a part in our lives?
15:56For example, it would never occur to anyone to hold a seance in a subway.
16:02And although the Promethean society did not feature ghostly voices and trumpets and tambourines,
16:08its inner room, or shrine, was austere and impressive, with straight-backed chairs and organ music setting the proper atmosphere.
16:17The only light came from two flaming braziers on either wall.
16:22Promos, resplendent in a white and gold robe, stood on a lectern on a slightly raised stage.
16:32Welcome, Prometheans.
16:35Just as Prometheus brought man the gift of fire centuries ago,
16:40so are we dedicated to remind man that his salvation lies not in unbridled freedom and corruption,
16:47but in shoring up the wavering standards of morality and truth.
16:53Tonight, we extend a welcome to Brian Casey,
16:57a man who has indicated his desire to join with us,
17:00and who, after he has passed our scrutiny and been accepted,
17:05will undergo the rites of purification with which you are all familiar.
17:09You have a question, Mr. Johnson?
17:17I do.
17:18As everybody here knows, I'm a businessman,
17:21and like everyone here, I joined this society with very high hopes.
17:26Yes, Mr. Johnson?
17:28Well, uh, well, put it bluntly,
17:31hopes haven't been realized.
17:33Could you be more specific?
17:35Well, we all know it takes money to mount a campaign to the proportions you outlined to us,
17:40and we all contributed at the onset.
17:42Now, some of us have made further and exceedingly generous contributions,
17:47and I still haven't seen anything that in a business sense would justify these outlays.
17:52You are asking for an accounting.
17:54Well, I'm asking for some sort of indication that something's being done.
17:59Now, you ask for a sign, a hopeful sign,
18:03which you expect to find on the page of a ledger.
18:06No, now...
18:07And you shall have it.
18:10Dusallion, bring Mr. Johnson a ledger.
18:13Oh, no, I didn't mean to imply that...
18:15Hand it to him, Dusallion.
18:18Look, Promos, I didn't mean to upset you.
18:21I only asked, as any businessman would ask,
18:23to get some idea of where...
18:25Take it.
18:26Well, now, Lord, this is ridiculous.
18:29Do you want me to look at it now?
18:31Yes, take the ledger.
18:35And now, Prometheus,
18:38oh, firebringer,
18:41give our friend a sign.
18:44A sign, oh, firebringer.
18:48A sign.
18:49The ledger's on fire.
18:52Drop it, Johnson, drop it.
18:53Ah, fear not, fear not.
18:58We are all safe.
19:00None of us has transgressed.
19:03I now call upon Prometheus for another sign.
19:08A sign directly for me.
19:12Watch now, Casey.
19:13Watch.
19:15You see, Casey,
19:16the man's a sheet of flame.
19:19He should be burned alive.
19:21But he'll emerge unharmed when the flames die down.
19:24It's a miracle, Casey.
19:25It's impressive.
19:27But I don't believe in miracles.
19:35Well, Casey,
19:37what did you think of the meeting?
19:38I can shake you up pretty good.
19:41I'll tell you more
19:41when we get into the car
19:42and start home.
19:43Mr. Marcus.
19:45Mr. Marcus.
19:46Yes, Prometheus?
19:47Haven't you forgotten something?
19:50Oh.
19:51You mean...
19:52Your contribution.
19:54The society has been counting on it.
19:56Of course, of course.
19:58You understand that
20:00I've had some difficulty in...
20:02You've had plenty of time.
20:04I know.
20:05But I can't...
20:07Have you changed your mind
20:08about making the contribution?
20:10Oh, no, no.
20:11Not at all.
20:11I...
20:12I was just waiting
20:13for Mr. Casey here to...
20:15Mr. Casey informed me
20:16of his wish to contribute.
20:18But I must ask you,
20:20Mr. Marcus,
20:20in front of Mr. Casey here,
20:22are you completely familiar
20:24with his background?
20:26Why, uh...
20:27Yes.
20:28I think so.
20:29What are you getting at, Promos?
20:31You're not yet a member.
20:33We cannot accept
20:34outside contributions.
20:36What's that got to do
20:37with my background?
20:38Your background
20:39will determine
20:40whether or not
20:41we accept you.
20:43That's fair enough.
20:44If you accept me,
20:45you can take my half million.
20:47If not,
20:48it's up to Marcus
20:49to make the total
20:50million-dollar contribution.
20:52Yes.
20:52Yes, I will.
20:54When can I expect
20:55to hear about my application?
20:56I should say
20:58within the next
20:5848 hours.
21:01Yes.
21:02Definitely
21:02within that time.
21:04Well, now that we're
21:11back home, Casey,
21:12what do you think?
21:14Phony is a four-dollar bill.
21:15Well, what do we do?
21:17Blow the whistle, Bob.
21:18Go to the D.A.
21:20Raid the joint.
21:21I guarantee you,
21:22you'll find all sorts
21:23of gimmicks
21:23that produce the fire
21:24Promos uses.
21:26You're being blackmailed.
21:28You don't want to give
21:29the Promethean Society
21:30a million bucks,
21:31do you?
21:31No.
21:32But you're afraid
21:33that if you don't...
21:33Stop right there.
21:35Now, you saw what
21:36happened to Timmy Burns.
21:37That's what I'm afraid of.
21:39Do you have any explanation
21:41as to how Timmy's feet
21:42were so badly burned?
21:44Oh, not at the moment.
21:46I thought I did
21:46when we were made
21:47to bathe our feet
21:48in water
21:48at the purification rites,
21:50but my theory was wrong.
21:52What did you think it was?
21:53I thought, Bob,
21:54there might be
21:54some delayed action
21:56chemical in the water
21:57which might have
21:58caused the burns.
21:59But I checked
22:00my feet after I got home.
22:02Nothing.
22:03Just plain water.
22:05Well, what's the next move, then?
22:06Now, before we talk
22:07about any next moves,
22:09I need a straight answer
22:10to two questions.
22:12One,
22:13can either of you
22:13guarantee that nothing
22:14is going to happen to me?
22:16Two,
22:17if we call in the police,
22:19can they give me
22:20the same guarantee?
22:21The answer to both questions
22:22must be no.
22:25Casey,
22:26thank you for your trouble.
22:28I'll send you a check.
22:29it's been nice
22:30to meet you.
22:31Goodbye.
22:32Now, wait a minute, Vern.
22:33You haven't heard...
22:34I've heard all I need to.
22:36It's not your skin
22:37that's in danger
22:37of being charred.
22:39Neither of you
22:39have anything to risk.
22:41I've made my decision.
22:44I'm going to pay.
22:45Casey Associates.
22:56Ah, Mr. Casey.
22:58How fortunate
22:58I reached you so promptly.
23:00Who is this?
23:01You don't recognize
23:02the voice?
23:04Promos?
23:04Exactly.
23:06I don't suppose
23:06I have to
23:07spell out
23:08our decision
23:09on your application.
23:11I don't understand.
23:12Oh, come now,
23:13Mr. Casey.
23:13The little game
23:14is over.
23:15Since I've called you
23:16at your office,
23:18you must realize
23:18I know
23:19you're a private
23:20investigator.
23:21So?
23:22Well, surely
23:23you don't expect
23:23the Promethean Society
23:25to...
23:25I'm a private
23:26investigator.
23:27Now, does that
23:27make me a second-class
23:28citizen?
23:29If you've done
23:30any checking at all,
23:31you've found out
23:31that I was in Vietnam
23:32and that the rest
23:33of what I told you
23:34is true.
23:35Please don't
23:36excite yourself,
23:37Mr. Casey.
23:38Private investigators
23:39are by nature
23:40and profession,
23:42skeptics.
23:43Philosophically,
23:44you can't possibly
23:45be attuned
23:46to our lifestyle.
23:47Therefore,
23:48it's my irrevocable
23:49decision to
23:50refuse you
23:51membership.
23:52I called
23:53because I wanted
23:54to tell you
23:54this personally.
23:56Huh?
23:56Okay.
23:57It's your candy store.
23:58Not entirely,
24:00Mr. Casey.
24:01Although my instincts
24:02tell me you don't
24:03accept it,
24:04there is
24:05a God involved.
24:06You remember,
24:07Prometheus?
24:08Look,
24:08Promos...
24:09I would like
24:10to hire you,
24:11Mr. Casey.
24:12What?
24:13You do
24:14undertake assignments
24:15that are
24:16of a protective
24:18nature?
24:19Yes,
24:20but I...
24:20It would be
24:21to our mutual
24:21advantage
24:22if you would.
24:24I have reason
24:25to believe
24:25that my life
24:26may be in danger.
24:33Are you willing
24:34to work for me?
24:36You'll be wasting
24:37your money.
24:37It's my money.
24:40Well,
24:40I'll...
24:41I'll think about it.
24:42Now,
24:42while you're thinking,
24:43consider the fact
24:44that if you were
24:46really serious
24:46about wishing
24:47to join us,
24:48you might be
24:49doing me
24:50an even larger
24:51service
24:51by keeping me
24:53alive
24:53so that the work
24:54of the society
24:55can go on.
24:57That's a good point.
24:59As I said,
25:00I'll, uh...
25:00I'll think about it.
25:01Oh, good,
25:02Mr. Casey.
25:03But, uh...
25:05Don't think
25:06too long.
25:14I'll tell you,
25:14Mr. Marcus,
25:15he's getting nervous.
25:16Otherwise,
25:17he'd never have
25:17tried to hire me.
25:18Maybe it's true.
25:19No way.
25:21Promote needs
25:22protection as much
25:23as an intercontinental
25:23ballistics missile.
25:25You agree with me,
25:26Bob?
25:26It looks that way.
25:27Well, I don't see
25:28how it changes
25:28my situation.
25:30I still have
25:3024 hours to pay.
25:32Correct.
25:33But if he's running
25:33scared,
25:34and it looks like
25:35he is,
25:35then he's got
25:36something to be
25:36scared about.
25:37Look, he's very
25:38big on Greek mythology
25:39with all this
25:40Prometheus stuff,
25:40but he's got to
25:41have an Achilles
25:42heel somewhere,
25:42and he's afraid
25:43we might find it.
25:45Um, excuse me.
25:49Hello?
25:50Uh, good evening,
25:50Mr. Marcus.
25:51I'm not taking you
25:52away from anything,
25:53am I?
25:54Oh, nothing important?
25:56Fine.
25:57I called to ask
25:58if you were aware
25:59that the guest
26:00you brought
26:00the other night
26:01was a private
26:02investigator.
26:04Uh, you mean, uh,
26:06Brian Casey?
26:07Yes.
26:09Well, does that
26:10disturb you?
26:11Somewhat.
26:12A man of his type
26:13is hardly
26:14Promethean society
26:15material.
26:16Well, I'm sorry
26:17if I made an error
26:19in judgment.
26:20I thought...
26:20It doesn't matter.
26:22I've just called
26:23to tell you
26:23that Casey
26:24will not become
26:25a member,
26:26and therefore,
26:26you are responsible
26:28for the entire
26:29million-dollar
26:30contribution.
26:32You understand?
26:34Yes.
26:35Yes, I understand.
26:36My feet!
26:37Oh, my feet!
26:38They're burning!
26:38What?
26:39Oh, there's something!
26:40What?
26:40I saw the thing!
26:41Oh, I'm burning!
26:43In the kitchen!
26:45Pails!
26:45Are you talking to me,
26:47Mr. Marcus?
26:48I'm sorry.
26:48There's some trouble here.
26:50Oh, I'm sorry,
26:52but, uh...
26:52You'll have the money
26:54tomorrow night.
26:55Goodbye.
26:56Oh!
26:57Call a doctor!
26:59Oh, help me!
27:00Don't throw your feet
27:01under your body.
27:02There's a pale wife.
27:03Get your feet in here,
27:04quickly.
27:06Oh!
27:09Merciful Lord in heaven!
27:11Look at the water, Bob!
27:13It's boiling.
27:18What can turn a pail of ice water
27:25into a bubbling cauldron?
27:27Promos would say
27:28it's Promethean fire.
27:30What would you say?
27:32What would you do
27:33if you were in
27:34Vernon Marcus' shoes?
27:36We'll be back shortly.
27:38We'll be back shortly.
27:48If any human
27:51could control fire,
27:52he could easily
27:53rule the world.
27:55Unless
27:55this power
27:57was granted to him
27:58by Prometheus
27:58and could only be used
28:00when Prometheus
28:01gave his permission
28:02and blessing.
28:04That is the claim
28:05of Promos,
28:06the head of the
28:07Promethean Society.
28:09We return to our story
28:10to find Brian Casey
28:11in a wheelchair
28:12with his feet
28:14badly scarred
28:15and burning
28:17for revenge.
28:23Hello?
28:24Bob?
28:25Casey,
28:25where are you?
28:26I'm at my office.
28:28But your feet...
28:29I'm in a wheelchair.
28:30Now they tell me
28:31I'll be back walking
28:31in less than three months.
28:33You've got to do me
28:34a favor.
28:35Of course.
28:35When's the next meeting
28:36of the Promethean Society?
28:38Now look, Casey,
28:39I don't want to interfere
28:40but don't you think
28:40you ought to lay off now?
28:42Tell me.
28:43Then I'll ask you
28:44the favor.
28:45The next meeting
28:45is this Friday night.
28:47Did Marcus pay the million?
28:49He's handing it over tonight.
28:50Where?
28:52Well, I don't know,
28:53but...
28:53Listen closely.
28:55I want you to persuade Marcus
28:56to invite Promos
28:57to a big shindig
28:59at his house tonight.
29:00I don't know whether...
29:01It shouldn't be too hard
29:03but it's vital.
29:05Now why wouldn't a guy
29:05come to a party
29:06to pick up a million bucks?
29:07Casey,
29:08you ought to know better
29:08than anyone
29:09that Promos
29:10isn't just a guy.
29:11We both know
29:12he likes money.
29:13Marcus can say
29:15that he wants
29:15to make a big publicity
29:16deal out of the party.
29:19There'll be a lot
29:19of tycoons there.
29:21It'll be an opportunity
29:21for Promos to meet them.
29:23Some of them
29:24should be interested
29:25in the Promethean Society.
29:27And think of the impression
29:28it'll make
29:29when Marcus
29:29hands over the million.
29:30Well, it's a point.
29:32It'll work.
29:33And think of the impression
29:35Promos will make
29:36when he shows up
29:36in his robes.
29:37Why would he wear
29:38the ceremonial robes?
29:40Because they're impressive,
29:42because he's a ham at heart,
29:44and because he has to
29:45for my plan to work.
29:47Your plan?
29:47What plan?
29:48It's better that you don't know
29:49in case something goes wrong.
29:51Look, Casey,
29:52you're asking to use
29:53Vern's house
29:53and...
29:54I give you my word
29:56Vern can't get into trouble.
29:57Now, you've got to make
29:59the shindig come off.
30:00Why?
30:01What's so important
30:02about Promos
30:03coming to a party?
30:04Because after he gets there,
30:05you're going to spill
30:06a glass of whiskey
30:07over those ceremonial robes.
30:16You've reached 518-8028.
30:20If that's the number you want,
30:22you'll know I never talk
30:23on the phone.
30:24You've got 40 seconds
30:25to state your name
30:26and business.
30:28After you hear the beep.
30:32This is Casey.
30:33I need you for two jobs
30:35at the same place.
30:36We never played games, Whitey.
30:38This one's rough.
30:39It can go all the way.
30:41But it's important to me.
30:43Now, I'd have come personally
30:44to talk to you,
30:44but I'm in a wheelchair.
30:45I need you, Whitey.
30:51Well, I hope you have
30:52good news for me, Bob.
30:53I did what you wanted.
30:54Promos is coming?
30:55Yes.
30:56It was easier than I thought.
30:58Hmm.
30:58How'd you bring him around?
30:59I told him we owed you
31:00a favor.
31:01If this works,
31:03bring yourself a favor.
31:04Look, you were kidding
31:04about me spilling a drink
31:05over, Promos,
31:06weren't you?
31:06I've never been more serious
31:08in my life.
31:09If you don't do that,
31:10there's no point to the party.
31:12What in the world?
31:13Be clumsy,
31:14a little bump,
31:15and there goes the drink
31:16all over his robes.
31:17Now, you're terribly
31:18apologetic,
31:19insist on having them
31:20clean for him.
31:21You can improvise the routine.
31:23Yeah, I guess.
31:24You still want me
31:25flying blind, huh?
31:26Until Thursday.
31:27There's a second part
31:28to this operation
31:29that has to come off
31:30before we stand a prayer.
31:33I'll see you back here
31:34Thursday at four.
31:35Bob?
31:44Hmm?
31:45There's something
31:45very strange
31:46about this party.
31:47Nonsense, darling.
31:48I'm having a ball.
31:49Who is this Promos?
31:51Oh, he's quite a guy.
31:52Does he have anything
31:53to do with...
31:53There you are, darling,
31:54enjoying the party.
31:55Oh, excuse me, Ben.
31:56Ava, do you want a drink?
31:57No, thank you.
31:58And you don't need
31:59another evening.
31:59Honey, we're not married yet.
32:01Dad?
32:02Yes?
32:03I want to talk to you
32:04about this party.
32:05Later.
32:05Later, dear,
32:06after it's over.
32:07Where did you meet
32:08this man, Promos?
32:09Now, please,
32:10this isn't the time to...
32:11Well, he's the one
32:12who's been giving you
32:12the trouble, isn't he?
32:14I've told you, Ava,
32:15this is the wrong time
32:17for me to explain.
32:18You'll tell me later?
32:19If I can, if I can.
32:21Ava, darling,
32:22you don't know
32:23what you're missing.
32:24This bartender
32:25really knows
32:26how to mix a drink.
32:27Why would Dad
32:27give this man
32:28a million dollars?
32:29Probably because
32:30he believes
32:30in the Prometean Society.
32:32Ridiculous.
32:33Don't say that
32:33until you've met Promos.
32:35He's impressive.
32:36He's a creep.
32:36Come on,
32:37let's go over.
32:37I'll introduce you.
32:38You may change your mind.
32:41Promos.
32:41Ah,
32:42Mr. Steele.
32:44And this,
32:44I take it,
32:45is your bride-to-be.
32:46That's right.
32:47Ava Marcus.
32:48Delighted.
32:49And congratulations
32:50to you,
32:51Mr. Steele.
32:51Oh, thank you.
32:52Oh, you're not drinking?
32:53Only wine.
32:55Excuse me now.
32:56Oh, please,
32:56don't go yet, Promos.
32:57We haven't really
32:57had a chance to talk.
32:58What's up, Bob?
32:59You're glad.
33:00Oh, I'm so sorry.
33:01You clumsy fool.
33:02Bob, you spooed your body.
33:03Oh, I'm terribly sorry.
33:04I don't know how that happened.
33:05Somebody must have
33:06pushed my arm.
33:06You did.
33:07Pushing it up to your mouth.
33:08Well, I'll have your robe
33:09cleaned, of course.
33:10No, no, thank you.
33:11Oh, I insist.
33:12It was an accident.
33:14There's no need
33:15to make a case out of it.
33:16It was my clumsiness.
33:16I'll have it cleaned
33:17and sent over
33:17to society headquarters.
33:18I wouldn't think of it.
33:20Now, no offense,
33:21Mr. Steele,
33:22but this is a ceremonial robe
33:24and I'll see
33:25to the cleaning myself.
33:31Oh, right on time, Bob.
33:32Come on, sit down.
33:33How are you feeling?
33:34Eh, coming along.
33:35Eh, you managed
33:36to spill the drink
33:37over the robe?
33:37Yes.
33:38How did he react?
33:39Well, he blew up, naturally.
33:41I offered to have
33:41the robe cleaned
33:42and he wouldn't allow it.
33:43How did you know?
33:45Because he's not about
33:46to let that robe
33:47out of his hands.
33:49You think he's gimmicked
33:50the robe?
33:51I think I figured
33:51the answer to a lot
33:52of his tricks.
33:54You remember the ledger
33:55that burned up
33:55in Johnson's hands?
33:57Sure.
33:58Provost has definitely
33:59had experience
34:00with chemicals
34:01and combustibles.
34:02He's come up
34:03with some special ways
34:04to use them.
34:06Now, that ledger
34:06was treated
34:07with an unusual substance
34:08that would ignite
34:09when touched
34:11with the heat
34:11of a human hand.
34:12Yes, but the guy
34:13who brought it to him,
34:14a Deuxalien or something,
34:16he was wearing gloves.
34:18Are you sure?
34:19Well, I'm sure
34:20about the gloves.
34:22The rest is
34:22an educated guess.
34:24I learned a lot
34:25about chemicals
34:25in Vietnam.
34:26Well, how does
34:26the robe come into it?
34:27I just finished
34:28looking over
34:29a promo
34:29ceremonial robe.
34:31How'd you get it?
34:32Remember Whitey Phillips?
34:33Where did you
34:35find Whitey?
34:36He's got a locksmith business.
34:38I can't believe it.
34:40Forgive me for laughing,
34:41but that slick crook
34:42of locksmith
34:42is just too much.
34:43Well, it's a perfect
34:44business for Whitey.
34:46Now, he was here
34:46ten minutes ago.
34:47He brought me
34:48promo ceremonial robe.
34:50You've got to be kidding.
34:51Whitey stole it?
34:52No, no,
34:52not the robe
34:53you stained.
34:54I told him
34:55to lift the clean one.
34:57Wait a minute.
34:57How did you know
34:58there was another one?
34:59Well, there'd have to be
35:00two robes
35:00in case one went
35:01out of commission.
35:03And what did you
35:04discover when you
35:04examined the robe?
35:05What I suspected.
35:07He was treated
35:08with some kind
35:08of flame retardant.
35:10Well, would that
35:11protect his face?
35:12I mean, Vern told me
35:13he doesn't wear a mask
35:14or anything like that.
35:14I know, I've wondered
35:15about that, too.
35:16Now, those flames
35:17leap all over.
35:18Now, if he had
35:19something that blew
35:20strong enough
35:20to keep the flames
35:21from his face,
35:22well...
35:22That's pretty risky, isn't it?
35:24He's playing
35:24for big stakes.
35:26Casey, you're obviously
35:27convinced that the man
35:27is a phony.
35:28Don't tell me
35:29he's got you believing
35:30that Prometheus stuff, too.
35:32I can't figure him.
35:34Look, he wanted
35:34to hire you
35:35to protect him.
35:36All part of the game.
35:38He had to get me
35:39out to his place
35:39so he could fix
35:40my shoes.
35:42What?
35:43The fire that burned me
35:45started in my shoes,
35:47not in my feet.
35:49Now, he made me
35:50take my shoes off
35:51before I went
35:52into his office.
35:53Then he must have
35:54had the shoe
35:55treated with phosphor
35:56or some other
35:57of these chemicals
35:58that ignite under heat.
35:59Well, you know,
36:00like he did
36:00with the ledger.
36:01The heat of my body
36:03touched off the shoes.
36:04That's the same thing
36:04he did to Timmy Burns.
36:06I think so.
36:07Well, what are you
36:07going to do?
36:09Fight fire with fire?
36:11I managed to remove
36:12the fire-retardant substance
36:13from the robe
36:14Whitey brought me.
36:16I treated it
36:16with some chemicals
36:17that, uh...
36:18really like fire.
36:20I fixed it
36:21so that Prometheus
36:22will really have a chance
36:24to bring the gift
36:25of fire to Promos.
36:27Whitey made it.
36:35Are you sure?
36:35Why shouldn't I be?
36:36Byrne just heard
36:37that tonight's meeting
36:38has been called off.
36:39Any reason given?
36:40No.
36:41Another date set?
36:43Indefinitely postponed.
36:45Now, do you think
36:45maybe Promos
36:46suspects something?
36:46I know he's got
36:47to trust Whitey.
36:48Why would Promos
36:49call off the meeting?
36:50Well, maybe he's, uh...
36:51Maybe he's packing
36:51in the entire operation.
36:53With Marcus Million,
36:54he may figure
36:55he's had it.
36:55Now, that leaves us
36:56up the creek.
36:56Only one option.
36:59We have got to get
37:00that meeting rescheduled.
37:12A Promethean Society.
37:14Promos?
37:14Speaking.
37:15This is Bob Steele.
37:16Look, I don't know
37:17whether you even
37:18want to talk to me
37:19because of the way
37:20I behaved at the party.
37:21Accidents can happen,
37:22Mr. Steele.
37:23Well, I called
37:23because I heard
37:24that tonight's meeting
37:25had been called off.
37:26Yes?
37:27And no date
37:27had been set
37:28for another?
37:28Now, that is correct.
37:30Oh.
37:31Well, I guess
37:33that's that, then.
37:34Mr. Steele,
37:35would you mind
37:36telling me
37:36what you're obviously
37:37trying to tell me?
37:39Well, it probably
37:39wouldn't mean much
37:40to you anyway.
37:41It was only
37:41a small contribution.
37:42Contribution?
37:43Contribution?
37:44From whom?
37:46From the group
37:46that I represent.
37:48You probably don't know them,
37:49but we're setting up
37:50an import-export business
37:51with China,
37:52and I talked to them
37:52about the society
37:53and you,
37:54and, of course,
37:55I could only tell them
37:56what Bernard told me,
37:57but they were very impressed.
37:58And what has all this
37:59got to do
37:59with tonight's meeting?
38:01Well, it was kind
38:02of a wild idea
38:03to start...
38:03Without meaning
38:04any offense,
38:05Mr. Steele,
38:06I find it extremely
38:07difficult to follow
38:08what you're saying.
38:09Well, I apologize.
38:11I guess it's because
38:11of that spilled drink
38:12I still feel embarrassed.
38:15I think I ought to
38:15just forget the whole thing
38:17and return the briefcase
38:18with their money.
38:19I think it would be
38:20a lot better
38:20and clear up
38:21a confusing situation
38:23if you came here
38:24and told me
38:25just what you have
38:26in mind.
38:31I'm sorry I took
38:32so much of your time,
38:33Promos,
38:33but I'm sure you
38:34understand how
38:34my group feels.
38:36I'll just take
38:36the 50,000 back
38:37and explain to them
38:38that I couldn't
38:39witness a demonstration.
38:40You are always
38:41apologizing for the
38:42wrong things,
38:43Mr. Steele.
38:44First you spill
38:45your drink on me,
38:46now you say
38:47you're sorry
38:48for taking my time
38:49when I asked you
38:50to come here.
38:52But you don't
38:52apologize for putting
38:54me in the position
38:54of a cheap magician
38:56putting on a magic
38:57show for money.
38:58I never intended
38:59anything.
38:59Now, what did
39:00you intend?
39:01Just what did
39:02you tell these
39:03business associates?
39:04That I was some
39:05kind of sideshow freak
39:07who would become
39:07a fire swallower
39:09for a fee?
39:10What's the name
39:10of this game
39:11you want me to play?
39:12I'm terribly sorry.
39:13You're sorry?
39:15You've not only
39:16insulted me,
39:17but Prometheus.
39:19Well, I guess
39:20there's nothing
39:21for me to say.
39:21Oh, yes,
39:22there is.
39:24I'll give you
39:25something to say.
39:26Go back to your
39:27associates
39:29and your father-in-law
39:30and tell them
39:31they can come
39:32tonight
39:33and see Promos
39:34and the Promethean
39:36fire.
39:46I don't like it.
39:48What's going to happen
39:49at this point?
39:50I don't know.
39:50Well, what did
39:51Casey say when you
39:53told him how
39:53Prometheus reacted?
39:54Good evening.
39:56I will extend
39:57no welcome
39:58to those of you
40:00who have come
40:00tonight,
40:01not because
40:02you believe
40:03in a cause,
40:04but out of curiosity.
40:06I don't like this, Bob.
40:07Tonight,
40:08will you have
40:09the courage
40:09to face Prometheus
40:11as I do?
40:14Oh, Prometheus,
40:16bring me
40:17your gift,
40:18your gracious gift
40:20of the purifying
40:22fire.
40:26The fire,
40:29the consuming flames
40:32that Prometheus
40:33are taken off!
40:37Take it off!
40:50Those who live
40:51by the sword
40:52die by the sword.
40:54The man who
40:55called himself
40:56Prometheus
40:56who lived by fire
40:58died by fire.
41:01A flaming,
41:02horrible death.
41:03A warning to...
41:05To whom?
41:07To criminals
41:07and perhaps
41:08a warning
41:09from Prometheus
41:10not to misuse
41:12the gift
41:12he brought mankind.
41:15I'll be back shortly.
41:16I will...
41:17Our cast included
41:18Julie Newmar,
41:19Mandel Kramer,
41:20Earl Hammond,
41:21Guy Sorrell,
41:22and Sidney Walker.
41:24The entire production
41:24was under the direction
41:25of Hyman Brown.
41:26Radio Mystery Theater
41:28was sponsored in part
41:29by Sinoff,
41:31the Sinus Medicines,
41:32Anheuser-Busch Incorporated,
41:34Brewers of Budweiser,
41:36and the Kellogg Company,
41:38makers of Kellogg's
41:39Special K cereal.
41:41This is E.G. Marshall
41:42inviting you to return
41:43to our mystery theater
41:44for another adventure
41:46in the macabre.
41:49Until next time,
41:51pleasant dreams.
41:53Some awards...
41:53...
41:55...
42:00any...
42:01...
42:06...
42:06...
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