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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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00:23Welcome to another world, a world of suspense.
00:30A world of the unexpected, and a world where fantasy and reality may often wear the same face.
00:39We are told, the truth shall make you free.
00:43However, in certain situations, the truth can send you to jail.
00:49And so it's all a matter of what freedom really means, not to mention what truth really means.
00:56For Eleanor Hartley, this is no philosophical, theological, or intellectual exercise.
01:03It has become suddenly a tangible and terrible fact of life.
01:09Our mystery drama, A Tiny Drop of Poison, was written especially for the Mystery Theater by Sam Dan, and stars
01:18Tammy Grimes.
01:20It is sponsored in part by Anheuser-Busch Incorporated, Brewers of Budweiser, and by the Kellogg Company, makers of Kellogg's
01:28Special K cereal.
01:29I'll be back shortly with Act One.
01:43There's simply no way of knowing.
01:47So often, a fateful day will begin quietly, prosaically, with absolutely no hint that the steady pace of the commonplace
01:57is destined to quicken or falter.
01:59With no intimation that today, a die will irrevocably be cast, and henceforward, our lives will change forever.
02:08Or, even cease to exist.
02:12A day like this has dawned for Eleanor Hartley.
02:16But she doesn't know it yet.
02:18Eleanor Hartley, at 32, she has it all.
02:22Looks, brains, personality, and a mission in life that seems certain of fulfillment.
02:30And on this day, this particular day, Eleanor Hartley is in a recording studio, making a very important statement.
02:40The principal issue, the primary issue, the overriding, indeed the only issue, is morality.
02:46Do you or do you not?
02:47Can you, or can you not, trust your elected representatives?
02:52Okay, Eleanor, thanks. We got it.
02:53But I haven't finished.
02:54That's all we need.
02:55Tom, I intend to run my own campaign.
02:57Absolutely.
02:57Maury, don't edit any of this stuff now.
02:59Now grab a portable rig and come on with us.
03:01We're going to the Madison Beach Club.
03:02Just a minute.
03:03I have no intention of going to the...
03:05You know, we didn't even drink our coffee.
03:06Why don't we just relax for a couple of minutes?
03:08Mr. Caldwell, I think it's time we reached an understanding.
03:11I thought we understood each other all along.
03:12You want some sugar?
03:13I agreed to run for Congress because a group of concerned citizens asked me.
03:17Well, they did.
03:18And I thought it would be that simple.
03:20Why do I have to go to the Madison Beach Club?
03:22You want to talk to people?
03:23That's where thousands of them are.
03:25Also, you look great in a bikini.
03:27I think that's dishonest.
03:29Why?
03:30It's your very own body.
03:31Is it your fault that it's more attractive than your opponent's,
03:34who happens to be a bald, paunchy old party hack?
03:37Oh, why can't politics be simple?
03:41You know, it's been such a morning.
03:43We didn't even get a chance to see the papers.
03:46Oh, look, right here.
03:48Right here on page one.
03:50This is what the game is all about.
03:53What?
03:53Look, we got some more results from the surveys.
03:55You have gone up seven points in the last week.
03:58That's not very much.
03:59Are you kidding?
04:00An unknown running against Big Jim Parkhurst?
04:02An entrenched incumbent?
04:04The way you're gathering momentum, we are in.
04:06Look, Eleanor, I have to know something.
04:10What?
04:11Big Jim is going to take you seriously from now on.
04:16I should hope so.
04:17Things may get rough.
04:18I'm not afraid.
04:19You don't know what rough is.
04:20You don't know how Parkhurst's people will probe and pry and dig.
04:26So, if there's anything in your past, anything at all...
04:31What are you trying to say?
04:32By now, Parkhurst has unleashed the hounds.
04:35They'll examine your life from the day you were born.
04:38I have nothing to hide.
04:41Good.
04:43That is...
04:44Yeah?
04:46No.
04:47No one would ever come up with anything to embarrass me.
04:52The year you were 22?
04:54What about that year?
04:55Eleanor, we can't account for it.
04:57What are you talking about?
04:58Well, we've checked you through school.
05:00We've checked you through college.
05:02You mean you've actually investigated me?
05:04Of course.
05:05When you were 23, you married Ted.
05:07And the past five years have been an open book.
05:09But that whole year, while you were 22...
05:13Yes.
05:14Well, like so many kids who get out of college, I was at loose ends.
05:18Didn't know what I wanted.
05:20So, I just took off.
05:22I traveled around the country.
05:24I was just trying to find myself.
05:27And I did.
05:28And that's all there was to it.
05:30Okay.
05:32Come on, finish your coffee and we're off.
05:34Hey.
05:35What?
05:35Oh.
05:37No, no, it's just nothing.
05:38It's just an article here.
05:40Which article?
05:41Oh, it's got nothing to do with politics.
05:42I...
05:43I just happened to know this guy.
05:45Who?
05:45Oh, some guy.
05:46He was killed about five years ago.
05:48Murdered one night.
05:49Nobody knew why or by whom.
05:52Well, this sure throws a new light on the case.
05:56Turns out he was a foreign agent.
05:58Who'd ever thought that Paul Grover could turn out to be a foreign agent?
06:02What did you say his name was?
06:04Grover.
06:04Paul Grover.
06:05Why, did you know him?
06:07Grover.
06:09Um...
06:10No.
06:10I never knew anyone.
06:11Go figure some people.
06:14Um, Tom?
06:15Something the matter?
06:17I don't feel good.
06:19Good headache.
06:21Maybe I better go home.
06:23I'll rest for a while.
06:25Eleanor, what's the matter?
06:25Um, I told you I have a headache.
06:29Okay.
06:30It's a woman's privilege.
06:41Hi there, Congresswoman.
06:43Hi there, Detective.
06:45Get any votes today?
06:46A few.
06:47You catch any crooks?
06:49No.
06:50I'm on a whole new thing.
06:52Sherlock Ted Hartley.
06:53That's me.
06:54I draw all the weird ones.
06:56Uh, this was a guy named Paul Grover.
07:00Grover?
07:01You like this.
07:02He was murdered five years ago, buried and forgotten.
07:05Now it's suddenly wide open again.
07:08You know why?
07:09Tom showed it to me in the morning paper.
07:11He was a spy.
07:13Which means we have to find out who killed him.
07:16Isn't it, uh, wasn't it always important to find out?
07:20Well, now more than ever.
07:22The information we have now is that he was ready to come over to our side and spill what he
07:26knew.
07:27But, uh, isn't this out of your, uh...
07:29The Federals asked us to cooperate.
07:32So the old man called me in and said, Ted, go get him.
07:35Oh.
07:36I'm a victim of my own reputation.
07:38So now I have to lone wolf around and try to sniff out a case that's five years old.
07:44Ah, let's eat in tonight.
07:46Um, okay.
07:48It's a rare night.
07:49I have you all to myself.
07:51Maybe, uh...
07:52Maybe I should never have gone into politics.
07:55What are you talking about?
07:57Here you are, a cop's wife.
07:59You're more than just a cop.
08:01And you're more than just a wife.
08:03It's one of those crazy things.
08:05You're going to go to Congress.
08:07I have to be elected first.
08:09Oh, baby, you're home free.
08:11My career took off the day I married you.
08:14Oh, come on, Ted.
08:15No, I was always a good detective.
08:17But in the last five years, you'd be surprised how many ideas I got from you.
08:21You really taught me how to think.
08:23What do the police know about the murder?
08:26Well, just about zero.
08:29They figured Grover stopped for a hitchhiker because when he left his office to drive home, he was alone.
08:35They found his car at the side of the road, and he was about 30 feet away.
08:39Stabbed to death.
08:41Funny guy.
08:43Lived all alone.
08:44No friends.
08:44Just people who knew him casually.
08:47I...
08:47Well, after all this time, how can you expect to find the killer?
08:51Oh, I'll find the killer.
08:53Whoever he is.
08:55At least that's what I keep telling myself.
09:03I looked at Ted.
09:05If he's determined to get the killer of Paul Grover, eventually he will.
09:10And I don't know what to do.
09:13Should I tell him now?
09:14Suppose I did.
09:16But what do you do about it?
09:19But why?
09:20Why should I tell him?
09:21He can never find out.
09:23For all his skill, experience, instinct.
09:26He could never find out.
09:29No one could find out.
09:31It all happened five years ago.
09:34And I was someone else.
09:36Drifting about in another world.
09:39How could anyone ever link me to Paul Grover?
09:44There were no clues.
09:46No one ever saw us together.
09:49No one saw it happen.
09:52No one.
10:00Thanks for picking me up, mister.
10:02Um...
10:03Grover.
10:03Paul Grover.
10:06What are you doing out all along this time of night?
10:08Oh, I...
10:09I just feel like walking.
10:11Moving.
10:12You, uh...
10:13One of them hippies?
10:15What's in the name?
10:16Uh, talking about names.
10:18What's yours?
10:19Eleanor.
10:21Eleanor what?
10:22What does it matter?
10:24Okay.
10:26How'd you like some supper?
10:28That would be, uh...
10:30Welcome.
10:31I know a nice little place just off the state highway here.
10:34You're very kind, Mr. Grover.
10:36Very kind.
10:41Oh, why are we stopping?
10:43Oh, well, I figured, uh, before supper, we, uh...
10:48We what?
10:49Well, let me put it this way.
10:51You want your supper, you gotta sing for it.
10:55Take your arm away.
10:56Hey, now, listen.
10:57Don't you touch me.
10:58Who are you kidding?
10:59I know your kind.
11:03Hey, you come back here.
11:04Let go of me.
11:05Let go.
11:06What are you fighting me for?
11:07A girl like you, you don't care, and I'm even willing to pay.
11:11Help!
11:12Scream all.
11:12Help!
11:13Scream all you want.
11:14Who's gonna hear you?
11:15Ah!
11:16Okay.
11:17You asked for this.
11:18No.
11:19No.
11:19Please, put that knife away.
11:21You'll quit scratching and slapping, and you just behave yourself, and you just do as
11:24I tell you, and you won't get hurt.
11:26I'll...
11:26I'll go to the police.
11:27Yeah.
11:28Who'd believe you?
11:29Who'd take your word against mine?
11:31I'll say you're trying to frame me.
11:32You'll go to jail.
11:34Now, come on, honey.
11:36Be nice.
11:37I'll even give you money.
11:38All right.
11:39All right.
11:40I'll be nice.
11:41Don't you try to run away now.
11:43I'm holding this knife.
11:45Sure.
11:46Sure.
11:47Well, now you're talking.
11:50Drop it.
11:52You break my arm.
11:53That's right.
11:54That's the way I was taught.
11:56Drop the knife.
11:57I'll kill you.
11:59I'll kill you.
11:59Drop it.
12:04Oh, you...
12:05I told you.
12:06I told you to drop the knife, but you wouldn't.
12:09I...
12:10I...
12:11don't want to die.
12:14I...
12:14Mr. Grover.
12:16Mr. Grover, I'm...
12:19I'm sorry, Mr. Grover.
12:21But I...
12:23What was I supposed to do?
12:25You...
12:25You wanted to kill me.
12:28What...
12:30What...
12:30What was I supposed to do?
12:37He was dead.
12:39The knife somehow had been turned against his own body.
12:43I just stood there.
12:46I remember now.
12:48I wondered why I didn't panic.
12:50But I was cool.
12:52I made sure to leave nothing behind me.
12:56Not in a car.
12:58Not anywhere around.
13:01There was no blood on my clothes.
13:10No one had seen me get into his car.
13:15No one saw me kill him.
13:17No one saw me leave.
13:19Nowhere does any shred or scrap of evidence exist to link Eleanor Daly.
13:27Now, Eleanor Hartley to Paul Grover.
13:35Well, she certainly told it the way it was.
13:40But is it true that there are really no clues?
13:45Perhaps there are no fingerprints or bloodstains.
13:48But how about other clues?
13:50Stronger clues.
13:52The clues that exist in the mind.
13:55The heart.
13:56The conscience.
13:57We may find a few of those when I return shortly with Act Two.
14:13They are a most unusual and attractive young couple, Ted and Eleanor Hartley.
14:18Ted is a brilliant detective on the city police force.
14:21Eleanor is so bright and sincere and articulate
14:26that a citizen's committee has asked her to run for Congress.
14:30Eleanor is busy with her campaign.
14:32Ted is busy trying to track down a murderer.
14:36This sounds like two different stories.
14:38But actually, it's really one story.
14:43Because the killer Tom is looking for happens to be Eleanor.
14:48No.
14:49No, don't.
14:50Let me go.
14:51Let me go.
14:55I'll kill you, Mr. Grover.
14:57Kill you.
14:58Eleanor, darling.
15:00Eleanor, darling.
15:01Wake up.
15:01Wake up.
15:02Wake up.
15:03What?
15:05Oh.
15:06Oh.
15:07I must have had a nightmare.
15:09You were muttering and mumbling the craziest things.
15:12I...
15:14I think it's just...
15:15I've been working too hard.
15:17Darling, you don't have to put so much into it.
15:19There are lots of people working for you.
15:21I want to be elected, Ted.
15:23I feel...
15:24I feel I could do so much good.
15:26Sure.
15:27I feel I owe something.
15:29You owe something?
15:31What?
15:31I feel...
15:33I have a debt.
15:35I have to make up for something.
15:37What?
15:38Oh.
15:39Well, once I did...
15:42Someone...
15:42An injury.
15:43Who?
15:44It was a long time ago.
15:46Yeah, but if it bothers you...
15:47This person had it coming.
15:50Well, then forget it.
15:52It's not that easy.
15:55Want to talk about it?
15:56No.
15:57Part of our bargain, remember?
15:59We'd never press each other for details about what happened before we met each other.
16:03Well, I'd say overall it's a good bargain, but...
16:07Tell me, did I bother you with this Grover case?
16:11Bother me?
16:12Yeah, your nightmare.
16:13You were mumbling, but...
16:16You don't want to talk about it.
16:17No.
16:18No, I'll talk about it if...
16:20If you want.
16:22I remember reading...
16:25It was such a messy murder.
16:28I have to find the killer.
16:30No matter how long it takes.
16:35I'm scared.
16:37Because...
16:37I know Ted means it.
16:39He...
16:39He never quits.
16:41He'll stay with it.
16:42Forever.
16:44I don't know what to do.
16:45But how can I tell him?
16:47How can I confess?
16:49It was self-defense, but...
16:52It'll be the end.
16:54Not just the end of my career.
16:57But the end.
16:58Between Ted.
17:00And me.
17:07For my part, I offer you a dedication to the truth.
17:12I will follow the truth, wherever it may lead.
17:15I will seek the truth, whomever it may hurt.
17:19What we need in our lives today, at every level, is the truth.
17:25The truth.
17:27Unvarnished.
17:28Stark.
17:30Simple.
17:36Come on.
17:37We have to go.
17:38Come on.
17:38How did it sound, Tom?
17:40Well, sneak down the back stairs.
17:41You do on the south side in 15 minutes.
17:49There's the car.
17:51You didn't tell me how it sounded, Tom.
17:53Yeah.
17:54No, I didn't.
17:55What's the matter, Eleanor?
17:58The matter?
17:59Yeah, with you.
18:00The speech.
18:02There's something missing.
18:04Oh.
18:05What?
18:06I don't know.
18:07Let's say some of the fire was out.
18:10Anything wrong?
18:12Nothing, Tom.
18:13Having a bit of a tiff with Ted?
18:15Ted is absolutely in favor of my running.
18:17So what's wrong?
18:18Why do you insist something's wrong?
18:20Your speech.
18:21I didn't believe a word of it.
18:23Why?
18:24Because it was obvious to me that you didn't mean a word of it either.
18:28But I...
18:28Eleanor, something is wrong.
18:29Something has been just a little off-key all week.
18:32Now, why didn't you tell me about it?
18:33Tom.
18:35I wish you'd believe me.
18:38Everything's...
18:40Just fine.
18:41Yeah.
18:42I mean it.
18:43Well, if everything's just fine, why are you so pale and why are you perspiring?
18:50Tom...
18:50Then there is something.
18:54Tom...
18:55There's nothing we can talk about.
18:56But it's serious.
18:57Yes.
18:59Serious.
19:00Eleanor, if it should ever come out...
19:02It can never come out, Tom.
19:03Believe me.
19:04Eleanor...
19:04Please, Tom.
19:05Don't ask me any more questions.
19:08Please.
19:09Sure, sure.
19:10Okay.
19:12But whatever it is, I...
19:14I'm in your corner.
19:15I'll back you.
19:16I'll fight for you no matter what you did.
19:21Even if you committed murder.
19:28I can't believe we have a free afternoon.
19:32Not sad.
19:34You've been busier than I have.
19:36Well, that's true.
19:37I'm the one who's been doing the neglecting, guilty.
19:41I even got you out here on false pretenses.
19:44I'm working.
19:45Working?
19:46I said let's park the car and go for a little walk in the country, but...
19:51Right here is the site.
19:55What site?
19:56The site of the murder.
19:58The Paul Grover murder.
20:01Right here past this tree.
20:06Dad, I...
20:07Huh?
20:08What is it, darling?
20:09Something about this place.
20:11If you want to leave...
20:13After all, if you want me to help you...
20:15Right here, past this tree, is where he drove off the road.
20:20To, uh...
20:21Pick up a hitchhiker.
20:23No.
20:24I don't buy that story anymore.
20:27Why not?
20:28There...
20:29Was another car.
20:31Oh?
20:33There were tire marks about 50 feet south of here where another car pulled off the road.
20:38But, uh, didn't the police know this five years ago?
20:43Oh, sure.
20:43It was in the report, but the police are like everyone else.
20:46We have a considerable body of knowledge, but we only use what seems relevant at the time.
20:51You were...
20:52You think there was another car involved?
20:54That's right.
20:56Someone met him here and killed him.
20:59It has to be that way.
21:01Because he was being set up.
21:03So, you see, I've got some clues.
21:07I have those tire marks.
21:09They made a mold five years ago.
21:12And I've got this.
21:13This little button made of bone.
21:16It was clutched in Grover's hand.
21:19Let me take a look at it.
21:21I looked.
21:23It was a little button.
21:25A sleeve button.
21:27From a corduroy jacket.
21:28One of...
21:29Well, one of a host of buttons that adorned that jacket.
21:34The jacket I had worn that night.
21:36There were so many buttons.
21:38I never even noticed the one that was missing.
21:40That jacket.
21:42I still have it.
21:44I don't wear it often.
21:46But I still have it.
21:47It's in one of my closets.
21:52What you're saying is that if you can find the jacket it came from, you've got your killer.
21:58That's right.
21:59I've got it.
22:01Him?
22:02Well, it's from a man's type field jacket.
22:05Very popular about five years ago.
22:07Although lots of people wore them.
22:10I think you've got one like it back home.
22:13Anyhow, there was a fight.
22:15Grover was stabbed.
22:17The killer took the money.
22:18But I didn't...
22:19You...
22:19I...
22:20Didn't what?
22:21I didn't know that robbery was the motive.
22:25Wasn't it supposed to have been a secret agent thing?
22:28I figure a hired killer.
22:30But he was stupid enough to pick up some loose bills.
22:33That should hang him.
22:35Are you sure?
22:37You know what else I've got?
22:38I found a witness.
22:41There's a little restaurant a couple of miles down the state highway.
22:49Certainly, I don't mind telling you the story again.
22:52There was this young man who came in here that night.
22:56How can you remember so far back?
22:58Oh, Mr. Grover was a steady customer.
23:00He was a good customer.
23:01So I remember what happened the night he died.
23:05Yes, he was a good customer.
23:06But he put ketchup on everything.
23:09Anyway, on that night, this young fellow, he comes in.
23:13He's wearing a corduroy jacket and denim pants.
23:16Why did you notice him?
23:19Well, you see, he ordered a steak and then he pays with a $10 bill and there's blood on the
23:25bill.
23:26Blood?
23:26Yes.
23:26So I says to him, this looks like blood.
23:28He says, does it?
23:29And I says, how did blood get on this bill?
23:32And he says, maybe it's blood money.
23:35He takes his change, gives me a dollar tip and leaves.
23:39Why didn't you tell this to the police?
23:41They never asked.
23:42Would you believe that this lieutenant here is the first policeman that's walked into my restaurant since it happened five
23:48years ago?
23:48And can you describe him, Hugo?
23:51I have never forgotten him.
23:52He was a big man, six foot tall, about 200 pounds, he had black hair, brown eyes, a big scar
23:58on the left side of his chin, and the tip of his left pinky finger was missing.
24:03Thanks, Hugo.
24:04Oh, no, sir, yeah, don't mention it, lieutenant.
24:06As far as the wife is concerned, madam, if I get up early on election day, I might even vote
24:12for you.
24:13You would?
24:14Why?
24:15Oh, I don't know.
24:16Maybe that's why.
24:18What?
24:18Well, you see, you tell the average politician that you're going to vote for him, he shakes your hand, he
24:24looks sincere, he says thank you.
24:26You, you look sort of surprised, you say.
24:30Why?
24:31That is honest.
24:32It shows you're honest, and that's something.
24:45Hi, Eleanor.
24:46Come in, Tom.
24:48Got here as soon as I could.
24:50Something wrong?
24:51Nothing's wrong.
24:53Or maybe everything's wrong.
24:55Okay, Eleanor, spill it.
24:56I don't care what you have to tell me, I don't care how bad it is, let's get it out
25:00of the way.
25:01You carry a thing around with you, Tom.
25:02You justify it.
25:04You say there was no help for it.
25:06It wasn't your fault.
25:08Why should you pay for it?
25:10But it doesn't let you alone.
25:12Whether you admit it or not, it keeps building inside of you, and you feel you just have to tell
25:18someone.
25:18I understand.
25:20Everyone has his own little secret.
25:22This isn't a little secret, Tom.
25:25Funny, isn't it?
25:27Of all the people I know, I feel I can only tell you.
25:31What about Ted?
25:32No.
25:33No, I can't tell Ted.
25:35Does it concern another man?
25:37Yes, but not the way you might think.
25:40Okay.
25:41We had to come to this point, you and I, Eleanor, because, well, we're going places together.
25:47I know.
25:47Eleanor, 10, 15 years from now, you could become President of the United States.
25:52Oh, Tom.
25:54Oh, Tom.
25:56Tom, thank you.
25:58Oh, I needed a laugh.
26:00Why are you laughing?
26:00Sooner or later, we'll have a woman president.
26:02Why not you?
26:03Dream on, Tom Caldwell.
26:05Dream on.
26:06For all of them, it began with a dream.
26:07So ask yourself, why not you?
26:09You'll be 40-ish, even more beautiful than you are now.
26:12Wiser, more experienced.
26:14Now, what could hold you back?
26:17Excuse me.
26:21Hello?
26:22Darling?
26:23Ted, where are you?
26:24At police headquarters.
26:26I won't be home until late.
26:27Can't it wait?
26:28No.
26:28I have to do it now because I just brought in my prisoner.
26:32Who?
26:33The killer.
26:34You know, the guy that murdered Paul Grover.
26:37The man who murdered Grover?
26:40Can you be sure?
26:42Yeah.
26:43I'm sure.
26:44We got him cold.
26:51Is it possible?
26:53Can two people have murdered Paul Grover?
26:57We know of one, but who is the other?
27:01Can there be another?
27:04Maybe it's possible to murder a man twice.
27:07We will deal with a number of interesting possibilities when I return shortly with Act Three.
27:25Although once is usually par for the course, it does appear that some people can be murdered twice.
27:33Five years ago, Eleanor Hartley was forced to kill a man in self-defense.
27:38And now it develops that the police have evidence against another killer.
27:42And Eleanor Hartley, whose horizons are unlimited, now has to make a crucial decision.
27:49Everything all right with Ted?
27:51Oh, yes.
27:54Just fine.
27:57They got the killer.
27:59Killer?
28:00The one who murdered that, uh, Paul Grover.
28:03Well, that's great.
28:04Well, Ted is really a great detective.
28:06Who's the suspect?
28:08I didn't ask.
28:09It'll probably be in the news.
28:11Okay, Eleanor, I'm waiting.
28:16Tom, I don't want to lose everything.
28:19Why should I lose everything?
28:22You won't lose anything.
28:24Don't say that.
28:25Is it that bad?
28:27Yes.
28:28Well, that'll have to come out.
28:30No, it won't.
28:31Eleanor, Big Jim is out to get you.
28:33He'll stop at nothing.
28:35Whatever it is, believe me, sooner or later, he'll uncover.
28:38No.
28:39He can't.
28:40No one can.
28:42Only I know.
28:43Eleanor, there is no way out except the truth.
28:45You're wrong, Tom.
28:46There's another way out.
28:48And it turned up for me tonight.
28:51So, the problem is solved.
28:53It's settled.
28:55It no longer exists.
28:56Eleanor, I...
28:57No, Tom.
28:58I've pulled myself together.
29:00I realize the stakes I'm playing for.
29:03It, uh...
29:04It simply will not bother me anymore.
29:06You say that so easily.
29:08It's a matter of alternatives.
29:10What will be best for everyone in the long run?
29:14Well, I don't know what it is, but I sure hope you can live with it.
29:18I've lived with it for five years.
29:21I can live with it forever.
29:22However, I'll have to.
29:31Ted?
29:32Oh, oh, I'm sorry.
29:33I woke you.
29:35Did you think I could fall asleep?
29:38Tell me.
29:38Tell me everything.
29:40Who is he?
29:41Vince Perry.
29:43Very bad boy.
29:44He's had quite a career.
29:46Five or six years ago, he was just a punk.
29:48Now, he was on his way to being number one in narcotics in this topic.
29:52But, uh, you've got him for murder.
29:55How did you?
29:57Well, after all, five years ago, the police couldn't get anywhere.
30:00Well, I had one break.
30:01That little restaurant.
30:03I guess the detectives never went there last time.
30:06It is an out-of-the-way place, but...
30:08But why didn't Hugo come for it?
30:10Hugo represents a large group of people.
30:14Guys like Hugo simply don't volunteer.
30:16But all Hugo gave you was the description.
30:19It was enough.
30:20It told me it was Vince Perry.
30:22But the description.
30:24Is it enough?
30:25Two other things put him on the scene.
30:27The tire marks.
30:29They're a very special Italian tire.
30:31I checked back.
30:32I found out that Vince Perry had come in with some money.
30:34Bought an imported custom Italian car.
30:37Oh.
30:38And the button.
30:40I made the rounds of clothing stores all around his neighborhood.
30:43Mm-hmm.
30:44Found out where he bought most of his clothes.
30:45Guy checked back through his records.
30:48And sure enough, Vince had bought a corduroy jacket with that type of button.
30:52Would all that be enough?
30:54The description, the button, the cast the cops took of the tires five years ago.
31:00Plus...
31:01Well, I...
31:03Shouldn't say that.
31:04What?
31:06Plus the fact he looks like a killer.
31:09Has a bad reputation.
31:11Well...
31:12We don't have to worry about him anymore.
31:14Why, uh...
31:15Why did you say that?
31:17Who was worrying about him?
31:19Well, I'm sorry.
31:20Did I say something wrong?
31:21No, I...
31:22Let me just swallow this.
31:24Now, wait a minute.
31:24What's with the pills?
31:25I need something to help me sleep.
31:27But you never took pills before.
31:28I've never been under this kind of pressure before.
31:30Well, why should you be under pressure?
31:32You don't understand politics.
31:33I thought the idea was just for you to get up and tell the truth.
31:36It's more complicated.
31:38Because you make it more complicated.
31:40Well, you don't know what a strain I...
31:41We're fighting.
31:43He cursed himself.
31:44Do I have to meet him?
31:45He's really a very nice guy.
31:47He's a thief.
31:48Oh, and this morning I arranged for you to visit Vince Perry.
31:51Vince Perry?
31:52Yeah, in his cell.
31:53Well, why would I...
31:53Calm down, calm down.
31:55How could you even suggest...
31:56Look, look at it this way.
31:57You have to do me a favor because I have to do Charlie Colligan a favor.
32:01Who is that?
32:02Charlie Colligan, he'll...
32:02Who?
32:03He'll be a worthy opponent.
32:04Big Jim Parkhurst himself.
32:06Do I have to meet him?
32:07He's really a very nice guy.
32:08He's a thief.
32:09Oh, and this morning I arranged for you to visit Vince Perry.
32:12Vince Perry?
32:13Yeah, in his cell.
32:14Why would I...
32:15Calm down, calm down.
32:16How could you even suggest...
32:17Look, look at it this way.
32:19You have to do me a favor because I have to do Charlie Colligan a favor.
32:23Who is that?
32:23Charlie Colligan, he'll deliver the vote for you in the fourth ward.
32:27This is the kind of politics that I intend to fight.
32:29No, my dear.
32:30These are the kind of politics that I shield you from.
32:33Vince Perry just wants to see you.
32:35Why?
32:36Well, it'll be a very private meeting.
32:38Nobody will even know you were there.
32:39Why?
32:40Colligan owes him a favor.
32:42Do you mean to tell me that if I refuse to see this...
32:45This gangster, I can lose the fourth ward?
32:48It's not that simple.
32:49That open and shut.
32:50But elections have been lost by one vote.
32:56Well, let's get it over with.
33:07Well, nice of you to show up, Congresswoman.
33:10I haven't been elected yet.
33:11Oh, I hear it's in a bag.
33:13I only came as a favor to a good friend.
33:17Now, you're getting the hang of politics.
33:19That's what it's all about, no?
33:21Favorites.
33:22I agreed to come to your cell on two conditions.
33:25A, it would be kept secret.
33:27B, I would do nothing that's foreign to my principles.
33:31Okay.
33:32Let's find out what your principles are.
33:35Let's see if you want to start out by doing the right thing.
33:40What do you know about the right thing?
33:42I know this.
33:43The right thing would be for you to confess to the murder of Paul Grover.
33:49What did you say?
33:50Come on, you know what I said.
33:52You know why I said it?
33:53You killed Paul Grover.
33:55I seen you do it.
33:58That's a lie.
33:59Here's the way it was.
34:01Now, I get the contract to knock him off.
34:03I follow him in my car.
34:05I figured I'd bag him after he came out of that restaurant.
34:08But first, he stops and picks you up.
34:11Then, after a couple of minutes, he stops again.
34:14So, I stop.
34:16I heard it all.
34:17I seen it all.
34:18I let you go.
34:20Why not, huh?
34:21You did my job for me.
34:23I never forget what you look like.
34:25You can't...
34:26You can't prove a word of it.
34:28I'm in the spot you were in when he tried to attack you.
34:32Now, nobody would have believed you then.
34:34And nobody would believe me now.
34:36What do you expect me to do?
34:38Like I say, the right thing.
34:41There's two kinds of people.
34:43Honest folks and thieves.
34:44Now, there's a law.
34:46The honest folks obey it.
34:47Period.
34:48The thieves break it.
34:50I'm a thief.
34:52What are you?
34:57Well, uh...
34:58Eleanor, I don't think you two have ever met.
35:01I'd like to present you to your opponent,
35:04Congressman Jim Parkhurst.
35:06How do you do?
35:07Well, so you're Eleanor Hartley.
35:09Well, now I know why I'm going to lose.
35:11You're even prettier in person.
35:12I think I'll leave you two to chat.
35:14Excuse me.
35:15Are you already conceding, Congressman?
35:17Oh, sure.
35:19Eh, my time's run out.
35:20Really?
35:21But you're running a very aggressive campaign.
35:24Well, you kill a snake,
35:25the body can still wiggle.
35:26No, dear, I've had it.
35:28The voters are wise to me.
35:30You know,
35:31I always thought you were an ogre.
35:33And you are.
35:34But a very charming ogre.
35:37Eleanor, let me give you a word of advice.
35:39Advice?
35:40Best in the world.
35:41Because it's advice I never followed myself.
35:44Now, when I became aware of you for the first time,
35:47you broke my heart.
35:49How?
35:50I saw you as I was, oh, 30 years ago.
35:54Filled with spirit, sincerity,
35:56your desire to find the truth,
35:58and work for it.
35:59Really?
36:00Yeah, sounds strange coming for me, doesn't it?
36:02Well, just remember,
36:03it doesn't happen all at once.
36:05You wake up one day and, well,
36:08yes, you're a crook.
36:09You're dishonest.
36:10You betray your constituents.
36:12Now, you're not really that bad.
36:14My dear, I'm worse.
36:17It starts with the first lie.
36:19The first deal.
36:20That's when you swallow that first tiny drop of poison.
36:23Remember that.
36:25Have you tasted yours yet?
36:27No, don't answer.
36:29Just think about it.
36:32Thank you, Congressman.
36:35Well, I know you'll have a highly successful career
36:38because you're a very honest little lady.
36:41You might even become president.
36:43Good luck.
36:45Well, what did you think of Big Jim?
36:47Tom, I want to do something.
36:49But I need your advice.
36:52I want to make a statement.
36:54It's something that is true.
36:57But it would end my career.
36:58Then why make it?
37:00Because
37:02it's the right thing to do.
37:10Ted,
37:11what are you typing?
37:12How was the big luncheon?
37:14Oh, the usual.
37:15What are you typing?
37:19Here.
37:20Want to read it?
37:21To Chief of Detectives,
37:23dear Inspector Summerfield,
37:25please accept my resignation from the police force.
37:29Ted, what's this?
37:31Oh, I don't know.
37:32I just don't want to be a cop any longer.
37:35Why?
37:36Why?
37:37Well, look, you'll be going to Washington.
37:39I thought we...
37:40Why do I have to be a cop all my life?
37:42Why can't I try something else?
37:45Because, Ted,
37:46for you there is nothing else.
37:48Look,
37:48let it go.
37:50Ted,
37:51I love you.
37:53I love you too.
37:55What do you want me to do?
37:57About what?
37:59You know.
38:01How long have you known?
38:03How long
38:04have I known what?
38:07When did you first find out
38:09that I killed Paul Grover?
38:13The first night I got the assignment,
38:16you told me about it in your sleep.
38:19You were having a nightmare,
38:21but you told me.
38:22And every night since then,
38:24in your sleep,
38:25you kept telling me.
38:27The buttons missing from your jacket
38:31in the closet.
38:32Why didn't you arrest me?
38:34How could I?
38:36Why should I?
38:38Besides,
38:38this is the perfect setup
38:40for Vince Perry.
38:41He's a rat.
38:41We're better off without him.
38:43Yes.
38:44And Paul Grover
38:45would have been killed by him
38:46an hour later.
38:48Why should your life be ruined?
38:51It's better this way.
38:53We need you
38:54more than Vince Perry.
38:56And it was self-defense, anyhow.
38:58Then
38:59why do you want to resign
39:01from the force?
39:02Because
39:03I
39:04just
39:05made my first deal.
39:08I've taken
39:09the first
39:10drop of poison.
39:11Someone
39:12someone else said that to me
39:14earlier.
39:15I'll stop now
39:17before
39:17I become the kind of cop
39:19I have no use for.
39:22Hey, what are you doing?
39:23You can't resign, Ted.
39:25You're going to make an arrest.
39:26No.
39:27No, I won't.
39:27I can't.
39:28You can.
39:28You must.
39:29I've taken the first drop, too.
39:32And I can't live with it, either.
39:35Please, Ted.
39:36But it'll be the end.
39:39No, Ted.
39:40It won't.
39:43You'll see.
39:45It'll be the beginning.
39:51It was quite an unusual arrest
39:54and an unusual confession.
39:58An unusual trial
39:59and a rather unusual verdict.
40:02Not guilty.
40:04It would be nice to be able to say
40:07that she was elected,
40:08but, no,
40:10there is a limit
40:11to the unusual.
40:13A pity.
40:14I'll be back shortly.
40:16Our cast included
40:18Tammy Grimes,
40:19Paul Hecht,
40:20Robert Dryden,
40:21and Earl Hammond.
40:22The entire production
40:24was under the direction
40:24of Hyman Brown.
40:26Radio Mystery Theater
40:27was sponsored in part
40:28by new Sugar-Free Diet 7-Up.
40:31This is E.G. Marshall
40:32inviting you to return
40:34to our mystery theater
40:35for another adventure
40:36in the macabre.
40:38Until next time,
40:41pleasant dreams.
40:42The End
40:43is...
40:44The End
40:46The End
40:48is...
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