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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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00:06Welcome. I'm E.G. Marshall. Welcome to a chilling insight into the powers of witchcraft
00:13and an ancient curse. Witchcraft today is an in-thing with the young, which may appear
00:20somewhat incongruous since witches, demons, and warlocks are older than the beginning
00:25of recorded time. And somehow, despite all of society's maledictions and efforts to stamp
00:31it out, witchcraft has survived, as we will demonstrate in our spine-tingling tale. Do
00:38you believe in demons, Miss Bell? Frankly? No. Do you believe in God? Any God? Of course. Then
00:47you must also believe in angels. And demons, according to what we know about them, they
00:52are simply fallen angels, fixed eternally in evil. And although we may not know whether
00:58we are being fanned by airs from heaven or blasts from hell, it is best to be on guard. And
01:06having said that, I should not like to be Robert Anthony, whom you will meet very soon.
01:21Our mystery drama, This Will Kill You, was written especially for the Radio Mystery Theater
01:27by Murray Burnett and stars Norman Rose and Larry Haynes. I'll be back shortly with Act One.
01:45Rage, my friends, is one of the curses of mankind. Rage thickens the blood, assails the eardrums,
01:54racks the body with a mad urge to destroy. It has been said that whom the gods would destroy,
02:00they first make mad. And that applies to all of us, even if some are on speaking terms with
02:07God or the devil. Witness a man who is consumed with rage. Theodore Rackazzi.
02:17Honestly, you couldn't have heard me come in here. What are you breaking things for? Are
02:22you thinking of redecorating? This is the wrong time to try to be amusing, Liz.
02:26Well, what should I do? Ask if you've gone crazy? Evidently, you have not read this, this
02:30filthy, ignorant, arrogant, vicious review of my book. Oh, of course I have.
02:35That presumptuous idiot Robert Anthony to write such a review. Oh, come off it, Ted. You
02:41know, you sound like you're back to the Middle Ages. What are you going to do, challenge him
02:45to a duel? I have other powers, other resources. You're serious. Serious? After this review,
02:52let me read just one part to you. Mr. Rackazzi, possessor of an awesome reputation as an expert
02:59on witchcraft, in this unnecessarily long book titled Demons and Demonology, has gathered
03:04the wildest concoction of old wives' tales, superstitions and demons ever brought before
03:09the public. And, what is worse, he has given credence to them. To take witchcraft as seriously
03:14as Mr. Rackazzi does is simply childish. Ted, he's just another writer, reviewer, trying
03:20to be clever? Yes, at my expense. At anybody's expense. You just happen to be the target of the
03:26day. Mm-hmm. And now he is my target. For what? A nasty letter to the editor? For...
03:32Should I... For death. Oh, sure. If you thought this review was bad, wait until you see the
03:38ones you get after you kill him. I will not kill him. Oh, that's a relief. Uh, Liz, pick
03:44a date. What? Pick a date. Any date that comes to your mind. And the time. Uh, write them
03:50down on this slip of paper. What for? Oh, it will please me. All right. What's today? The
03:5614th. Here. Okay, will this do? The 28th. 10.53 p.m. Oh, yes, it will do beautifully.
04:05Thank you, Liz. You're welcome. And now that we've finished playing games, can we go?
04:10Of course. But the game is just about to begin.
04:22Have I ever remarked how well you drive, Liz? Often, thank you. I think that's what attracted
04:27me to you in the first place. You're driving, and your legs. I'm happy to see that you're
04:33feeling better. Yes. Due to you, as usual. Oh, I haven't done a thing. Oh, yes, you
04:38have. You know that date you wrote down for me? Yes. That is the exact date and time that
04:44Robert Anthony will die. Oh, sorry I asked. You don't believe me? Oh, I thought you'd
04:50forgotten about that silly review. Where are you going? To the party. Ted, why did you ask
04:57me to write down the date? Oh, a whim. It amused me to leave the amount of time that Anthony
05:02has left to live, to mere chance. Well, suppose I'd pick a date next year. Well, that would
05:08have given Anthony more time. That's all. You sound so certain. I am. What's the matter
05:17with me? Why am I talking as if there were any possibility that you have the power to kill
05:22another human being? Why, indeed. I can almost understand why Anthony wrote about your book
05:28the way he did. Of course. Like Mr. Anthony, you also are a dabbler in the occult. Like
05:34him, you are an innocent, naive, playing like children with forces you neither understand
05:39nor respect. How about a bet? On what? On me and my powers against Robert Anthony. Don't
05:49be ridiculous. Oh, yes. You're afraid to trust your skepticism. It's very simply proven. If
05:55Anthony dies on the day and at the exact time we both know, then I win. If he doesn't, you
06:02are the victim. And you know once and for all that Theodore Ecclesi is a fraud and a cheat.
06:08That part tempts me. Then I have your word. It is a bet. What are we betting? Your soul.
06:24Robert Anthony, you're not leaving the party already. I'm sorry, Carl. I just dropped by
06:29to meet your guests, but my publishers are getting uptight about my new book. Well, everyone
06:32here is talking about the hatchet job you did on Ricazzi. Why do they think I've got a bone
06:37to pick with Ricazzi? Well, I've read a lot of reviews, but... Look, I had a job to do,
06:42to review a book. I never even met the man. I took off because his book was so, so ponderous.
06:48Instead of writing a history of demons and demonology, which would be interesting, Ricazzi
06:52wrote as if he were putting down facts. Sorry if I touched a nerve. It's all right. Forget
06:56it. I just think there's entirely too much fuss about the review. I know a little about
07:01witchcraft, and I think it can be amusing, but... Okay, but I hear Ricazzi's taking it
07:05very big. Well, I don't want to hear that Ricazzi's out to get me with the same crazy,
07:10demonic, cursed, superstitious idiots, believe it. Well, let's forget Ricazzi. What about
07:14that play we cooked up? Well, I just told you, Carl, my publishers are getting restless.
07:18I'm spending most of my time in the library. Look, can we put it off for a week or two?
07:22Okay. Fine. I've got to run, but I'll call, Carl, just to let you know I'm still alive.
07:34This is Jennifer Bell and another broadcast of The Author Speaks. My guest for today is
07:40the man who has written the most controversial book about devils and deviltry, Theodore Ricazzi.
07:46I am happy to be here. Mr. Ricazzi, I must confess your book scared the daylights out of me.
07:54Was that your intention? Oh, no, no, no. My intention was to inform, to let people know
07:59that there are forces in this world that they may not have been aware of. Oh, well, then
08:05you're serious in your thesis about demons and their power. Oh, absolutely. Which naturally
08:11leads me to that review by Robert Anthony. How did you feel about it? Well, I would be
08:17less than honest if I said I was pleased, but it caused me only a small annoyance. Really?
08:23You are asking the wrong question. Oh? Well, then set me straight. You should not ask if
08:28I were annoyed about it, but rather how Uziel Rabdas Bellet are angry about their powers being
08:34mocked. Well, I'm not acquainted with those gentlemen you mentioned. Which is just as well
08:40for you. You see, they are demons. Powerful demons. And if they take offense, well, I
08:46should not like to be Mr. Robert Anthony. You're predicting that some harm might come
08:53to Robert Anthony? Oh, I predict nothing. Forgive me, but didn't you just issue a warning?
08:59A warning is not a prediction. Do you believe in demons, Miss Bell? Frankly, no. Do you believe
09:07in God? Any God. Of course. Good. Then, of course, you must believe in angels. And demons,
09:14according to all we know about them, are simply fallen angels, turned away from God, fixed eternally
09:20in evil. I would like to inform you, madam, that a belief in the existence of angels and
09:25demons is an article of faith with two of our major world religions. All I say is that I should
09:31not like to be in the company of Robert Anthony during the next month.
09:41Good morning. I see you had my books waiting for me, those five over there. Thank you.
09:46Well, today I ought to finish my research. I'm going to miss the peace and quiet of this library.
09:52My name is Theodore Acotzi. I called about a book you said you would have waiting. Ah, yes. Thank you.
10:03Oh, excuse me. Yes? It, uh, sounds absurd, I know, but, uh, I am superstitious about where I sit,
10:11uh, when I work here. Also, the light... Oh, yes, it's okay. Sit right down. Oh, yes, you,
10:15you. You're so kind. Oh, oh, I'm so sorry. Oh, forgive my clumsiness. I have knocked your
10:22books down. Let me help you. Oh, it's all right. I can pick them up. I cannot think how I
10:27could be
10:27so clumsy. Maybe I should wear glasses. Don't worry about it. Accidents happen. Yes, of course. Oh,
10:33uh, this, uh, piece of paper is yours, I believe? Oh, thank you. Ah. Is something wrong? You keep
10:43looking over your shoulder. No, no, no. It's, it's, uh, it's nothing. I, I don't feel well. It'll
10:47pass. Ah, yes, of course. Oh, sir, can I help? No. No, I, uh, think I need a little fresh
10:54air. Oh,
10:54yes, of course. Uh, sir. Uh, sir, your books. Oh, forget them. I'll, I'll be back when I feel better.
11:02Uh, sir. I've got to slow down. I must slow down. There's nothing following me. Nothing.
11:16Now that's better. Get some control. Now what's the matter with me? Why do I feel I'm being
11:22followed? I've got to get away. Mom! Mom! Oh, oh, Carl, Carl, I, uh, uh. What's with? You're
11:30trying to get yourself killed. I, I guess it looked like it, didn't it? Well, no, it's,
11:34it's nothing. Oh, believe me, I, I, uh, I was in the library and suddenly I had a crazy
11:39impulse to start running. Mom, what's the trouble? Nothing. Nothing. There's no trouble.
11:44It's, it's just that, uh. What do you expect to find over your shoulder? Nothing. Nothing.
11:49If I didn't know that your last novel sold over a million, I'd say you just held up a bank
11:53and were running away. Look, forget the jokes, huh? I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I really am, Carl.
11:58Leave me alone.
12:06Whom the gods would destroy, they first make mad. But are the gods desirous of destroying
12:14Robert Anthony or the demons? And who are the demons that are driving him? I'll be back
12:21shortly with act two. I am back to lead you along the dark roads of witchcraft. The demon-ridden
12:38Robert Anthony has turned to the 20th century remedy against magical spells, psychiatry, and
12:46is attempting to explain his terror to an eminent psychiatrist. How can I make you understand,
12:51doctor, how intensely real this fear is? I'm not imagining it. It's there. I feel it. Every
12:56minute I feel it. It's, it's at my shoulder, behind my back, passing in on me. Of course. Have
13:01you ever heard of anything like this before? Nothing exactly similar, but fear is quite common.
13:06Most people are afraid of something. But don't they know what they're afraid of? They sometimes
13:11think they do. And what do you tell them? I think it would be best if you talk about
13:16yourself. You say you first felt this way about a week ago. Yes, yes, I was working in
13:22the library, and I suddenly felt I just had to get out and run. Had anything happen that
13:27day to upset you? Anything out of the ordinary? No, no, nothing, nothing, doctor. Have you felt
13:31this fear before? I mean, early in your life? Well, just the usual, doctor, you know, when
13:36my friends would dare me to jump over a large hole in the ground or something like that,
13:41but... Wait. Yes? Yes, I just remember it. When I went to college, there was a suspension
13:48bridge, a shortcut from the campus to my dormitory. Everyone took it. Well, one night I was with
13:53some friends, and we came to the bridge, and it was out. There was only one single plank,
13:59and this was a deep, deep chasm, doctor, maybe a hundred feet. Yes. Well, I wanted to go
14:05back to walk around it, but the others voted against that. They all walked across. And I
14:10can remember how terrified I was. I got down on my hands and knees and crawled across the
14:15single plank with the water roaring below me. I was terrified. You're afraid of heights? Well,
14:21I'm not comfortable with them, but... Would you say that today you're somewhere near the height
14:26of your profession as a writer? Oh, come on, doctor. This has nothing to do with any fear
14:30of heights. This... This is... Well, this is... Yes? This is witchcraft. Interesting. Why
14:39do you say that? Look, we've been through it. The review you wrote on the Rakatsi book, Demons
14:43and Demonology? Right. Are you sorry you wrote such a scathing review? No. No? Well, I...
14:49I don't know. I think you are. Well, if I was wrong, and possibly there are such demons
14:55and spells as Rakatsi describes in his book, that would or might account for this fear of
14:59mine, wouldn't it? You mean you think Rakatsi might have put a spell on you? Well, it's
15:03possible, isn't it? Can't you think of another explanation? Can you? Yes. Let's examine what
15:12you've told me. On the one hand, you believe that Rakatsi has put some sort of a spell on
15:17you. Am I correct? That's all I can think of, doctor. Why would he do that? Well, because
15:20he... Exactly. Because you have hurt him severely. So your statement that he wasn't
15:26injured by your review is false, isn't it? Well, or illogical. All right, it would seem
15:33so. Very well. You admit that to yourself. And then think that as a sensitive man, you've
15:39satisfied your own ego with a review that you think might be unfair. Where does that take
15:45us? Doctor, do you believe that I feel so guilty that I run through the streets pursued by shadows?
15:51That I can't sleep because I feel a presence in my room? That I feel threatened every second
15:56of the day and it's getting worse by the minute? Do you really believe that? It's a possibility.
16:00Oh, no, no. You'd rather believe in witchcraft. Why? Doctor, you're not helping me. If you'll
16:05examine your motive as to why you insist that Rakatsi has some power to cast a spell over
16:10you, then I think... All right, I'm getting out of here. That won't help. Neither do you.
16:14I tell you, I feel that I'm going to die and you talk about guilt. I'm getting out.
16:22Desperate men take desperate measures, and Robert Anthony was desperate. As he ran from
16:29what he thought pursued him, he held on to the last of his sanity. In his dabbling in witchcraft,
16:35he had heard, as had everyone interested in diabolism, of Professor Thurman Anderson, an outstanding
16:42scholar and acknowledged authority in the field.
16:49Professor Anderson?
16:50Yes? I'm Robert Anthony.
16:52Oh, come in. I've been expecting you.
16:55You have? Why?
16:57Because I read your review and I know Rakatsi.
17:00Oh, then you think he might have done something to me.
17:02I think it's probable that he has tried. I won't know until you tell me what's happened.
17:08Uh, come in and sit down.
17:13Professor, do you, uh, do you think you can help?
17:16First, tell me why you think Rakatsi has cast a spell.
17:19Because as I sit here talking to you, I'm eaten up by fear.
17:22I have a feeling that something is following me, Professor. Something, something so terrible
17:26that I can't even imagine what it is. But I'm certain, I'm certain that it's going to kill
17:30me. Uh, how long have you had this feeling?
17:33About a week.
17:34And can you remember when you first felt it?
17:36Oh, yes, very vividly. It was in the library. I, I...
17:39Do you know Rakatsi?
17:40No.
17:41No spell can be put upon you unless the creator has some contact with you. Did you meet him
17:48by chance, perhaps?
17:49Well, I don't know. No, I don't think so. I, I haven't been very social this past week.
17:53I can't even begin to think what it could be unless you give me something to go on.
18:00Did you have a chance encounter with anyone? Did a stranger bump into you, perhaps?
18:06No, no, I, I, I... Oh, wait, wait.
18:11Yes?
18:12In the library, there, there was a man, a man with a, a slight accent.
18:17Rakatsi has an accent.
18:18Well, I remember he came over and asked if he could sit next to me and as he sat down,
18:22he knocked over my books.
18:24Ah.
18:24He apologized and he insisted on picking them up.
18:28Anything alone?
18:30Yes, yes.
18:32Yes, he gave me a piece of paper.
18:33You took it?
18:34Well, of course.
18:35I, I, I didn't remember whether I had actually dropped it or not.
18:38Do you have it?
18:39Well, yes, because I remember looking at it when I got home and wondering what it was.
18:42It just didn't make any sense to me.
18:43Well, well, well, can I see it?
18:45Well, sure.
18:47There you are.
18:48Hmm.
18:49Good Lord!
18:51What is it, Professor? What do you see?
18:54The casting of the runes.
18:56What?
18:57What does that mean?
18:59I can't believe that even a man as vindictive as Rakatsi would do this.
19:03Professor, what is it?
19:04You see this writing?
19:06Yes.
19:06It is the runic alphabet.
19:09It represents an ancient death curse.
19:13And, and those, uh, figures on it?
19:15The date of your death.
19:18Now, that's ridiculous.
19:20It was used many centuries ago.
19:23There are stories of younger brothers using it to eliminate the rightful heir to the throne.
19:29It has earned the reputation of being one of the most powerful of all the ancient spells.
19:34The drawback, of course, was the absolute necessity of having the man or woman casting the runes to pass the
19:44curse on directly and have it accepted.
19:49Oh, no, I won't believe that.
19:51This is the 20th century.
19:52Careful, careful!
19:53Lose this paper and you lose your only chance.
19:57Chance?
19:58You mean there's something I can do?
19:59One thing.
20:00What is it?
20:01Pass the curse to someone else.
20:04Ah, this is unbelievable.
20:07If someone else told me about this conversation, I'd say we were both fit subjects for an insane asylum.
20:12Oh, no, I can't go on this way.
20:16Professor, how do I go about passing this on?
20:18You have someone in mind?
20:20Do I have to know a person?
20:22No, you could pass it to a stranger.
20:25Well, how?
20:26Simply brush up against someone in the street or on a bus or subway.
20:30See that he dropped something.
20:32Then pick it up and along with the package, you pass this piece of paper saying, uh, I believe this
20:38is yours.
20:39When they accept it, they have it and you are rid of it.
20:44Oh, no, I couldn't do that to anybody.
20:46I just couldn't.
20:46Why not?
20:47If you don't believe in the curse.
20:49I don't know about the curse.
20:51I can't believe that it will actually kill anyone, but I know how I feel.
20:54That is very real and horrible.
20:57Well?
20:59How much time do I have?
21:02Today is the 23rd.
21:04The date here is the 28th.
21:0710.53 p.m.
21:10There's not a lot of time, is there?
21:12Plenty.
21:12If you start to pass it now.
21:14No, I just can't, Professor.
21:16I wouldn't give this to my worst enemy, let alone...
21:20Hold it, hold it.
21:23How about Rakazi?
21:26I wondered how long you would take before you got around to that.
21:29Yes, of course.
21:30I'll pass it back to him.
21:31How?
21:32Well, I'll just...
21:34Exactly.
21:36Rakazi obviously knows you.
21:37He is going to be on his guard.
21:39Well, can someone else pass it?
21:40No, it must be passed directly.
21:44There must be a way.
21:56Hello?
21:57Liz, Bob, answer me.
21:59Oh.
22:00Liz, I must see you.
22:01I don't understand.
22:02I hate to sound like an old-fashioned melodrama, but it really is a matter of life and death.
22:06All right.
22:08Where shall we meet?
22:09Um, someplace where we can talk.
22:11How about, uh, the sherrys?
22:13Oh, I don't think we should be seen together.
22:14Well, that's not the kind of talk I had in mind, Liz.
22:17I know.
22:18I still don't think we should be seen together.
22:20You...
22:21You know?
22:22How?
22:23How about the cafeteria at the zoo?
22:24Yeah, okay, but Liz...
22:25Half an hour.
22:26Okay, see you.
22:34Sir, I'm late.
22:35No, you're not.
22:35I'm early.
22:36What would you like?
22:37Oh, just coffee.
22:38All right, I'll get it for you.
22:39No, no, I really don't want anything.
22:41Why did you call me?
22:44Liz, you wouldn't be surprised and go all girlish on me if I tell you it's because of
22:48your relationship with Ricazzi.
22:50No.
22:51Okay.
22:54This is going to sound crazy.
22:55Well, try me.
22:57Liz, I have to know everything you know about Ricazzi.
23:00Not personal things, but his schedule, his plans, that sort of thing.
23:03Oh.
23:03It's terribly important, Liz.
23:05Yeah.
23:07You're not going to ask me why?
23:08No.
23:09When I said it was a matter of life and death, I meant that.
23:12You'll have to believe me, Liz.
23:13Well, I do.
23:14You're entitled to an explanation.
23:16And then...
23:18You do?
23:19Yes.
23:21You know, I'm making a fool of myself.
23:22I'm talking to the wrong person.
23:24I just never even considered for a moment that you'd be in it with him.
23:28I'm not.
23:29But you know, you know what I'm talking about.
23:31Yeah.
23:31Well, how?
23:33I'd rather not discuss.
23:34Well, you've got to, Liz.
23:35Don't you see that?
23:36Isn't it enough for you to know that I realize you're in trouble and I want to help?
23:40All right.
23:40Now it's my turn to ask why.
23:42No comment.
23:43But, Liz...
23:44You're wasting time in arguing.
23:46What can I do?
23:47I've already told you.
23:48But don't you see that I'll feel better if...
23:50If you can trust me?
23:51Yes, exactly.
23:53This isn't just fun and games for me, Liz.
23:55It's...
23:57Your life.
23:59Then you are Inalida.
24:02Look.
24:04I know about it.
24:06I'm involved.
24:07But I have as much to lose as you.
24:11Maybe more.
24:12And that's all I'm going to say.
24:14Do you think he can do it?
24:16More important.
24:18What makes you think he can?
24:21Everything I know.
24:23It tells me he could not.
24:24But...
24:24Everything I know.
24:25Everything I've learned.
24:26Everything that science says.
24:27Doesn't help stop the terrible feeling I had.
24:30That something...
24:30Something is after me, Liz.
24:32It's just waiting.
24:33Waiting until it has...
24:3410.53 p.m.
24:36On the 28th.
24:37That's the date.
24:39What makes you think I can help?
24:41I have one chance to break whatever spell Rokatsi has put on me.
24:45And what's that?
24:46It's just a slim chance, Liz.
24:47But a chance.
24:48Just take my word for that.
24:51If you do want to help...
24:54Get me the information I want and need.
24:56I'll try.
24:57How do I reach you?
24:59Here.
24:59This number.
25:00Any time.
25:01Day or night.
25:01If I'm not there, I'll get back to you in five minutes.
25:03I'll try.
25:04Thanks.
25:04Thanks.
25:05And Liz.
25:06Yes?
25:08We haven't got much time.
25:14Time.
25:14Time is running out on Robert Anthony.
25:17Whatever it is that's following him,
25:19or what he honestly believes to be following him,
25:22has a target date.
25:24I'll be back shortly with Act Three.
25:27Act Three.
25:28Act Three.
25:36Let us get back with Robert Anthony under a spell
25:39and convinced that he has now only 24 hours to live.
25:44The date set for his death is 10.53 p.m. on the 28th.
25:49And it is now the afternoon of the 27th.
25:53And Theodore Roccazzi has a visitor.
25:56Liz, come in, my dear.
25:58Come in.
25:58I took the chance that you'd be home.
26:00Yes, and I am.
26:01And I'm delighted.
26:02Of course, I shall not be home for long.
26:03As you can see, my bags are all packed.
26:06Where are you going?
26:07To my little hideaway up in Perdice.
26:09You remember it.
26:10Of course.
26:10As a matter of fact,
26:11your dropping in might be called providential.
26:14I was going to call you to ask you to drive me.
26:16When are you leaving?
26:18Tomorrow night.
26:19Fairly early.
26:20I think it would be wise for me to be out of the city
26:23when Anthony meets the demons.
26:25I'll call it off, Ted.
26:27I beg your pardon?
26:28I'm asking you to call it off.
26:30Call what off, dear Liz?
26:32You're much too modern and liberated a young woman
26:34actually to believe in demons.
26:37Or even more fantastic,
26:38that I can control them.
26:41Don't fence with me, Ted.
26:43Call it off.
26:44I wonder if I talked with Anthony today,
26:47would he write the same review of my book all over again?
26:51Or would he have a more open mind?
26:53Why don't you ask him?
26:55I would like to.
26:56I would very much like to.
26:57But, well, it's not practical.
26:59By the way,
27:00you haven't said you would drive me up to Purdy.
27:02I cannot.
27:03I'm sorry.
27:05Ted, I really want...
27:06I cannot.
27:07Liz, have you forgotten our little wager?
27:10No.
27:11Don't you think you might owe it to me to be with me
27:13when we hear the news of Anthony's death?
27:15Ted, I'm asking you to call it off.
27:18Your bet or...
27:19The whole thing.
27:20My dear,
27:21I would like to.
27:22I would really like to please you.
27:24Well, then...
27:24There are others involved.
27:27I don't understand.
27:28When you call upon these forces for help,
27:31you're taking a very serious step.
27:33It is understood that you're not indulging a whim.
27:37These forces do not like the idea of being used carelessly.
27:42They are not to be toyed with.
27:44I'm sure you could do something.
27:45It's really amazing
27:47how you have come full circle in your belief in my powers.
27:51Would it help if I said I believe everything you claim?
27:55It would be an immeasurable aid to my ego.
27:59I mean,
28:00would it help change your mind about Anthony?
28:03I admire you not asking to get out of our wager.
28:05I sincerely admire you for that.
28:08Oh, savior admiration.
28:10I'm not asking to be released.
28:12I'm telling you that I'm not going through with it.
28:14Oh, you disappoint me, Liz.
28:16You really do.
28:17But I...
28:18I don't think you can withdraw.
28:21I can do what I want.
28:22And I don't want to play this game any longer.
28:24You have no choice.
28:25But I do.
28:26We're talking now about my soul.
28:29I don't know whether a person has a soul or not.
28:31Take my word for it, Liz.
28:33You have a soul.
28:35Oh, fine.
28:35But it's mine.
28:37And I'm not giving it to anyone.
28:38You have already committed yourself.
28:40To what?
28:41To a bet made on the spur of the moment
28:42and not in any seriousness.
28:44I only made it to keep you happy.
28:46Whatever your motives, you made it.
28:48I intend to hold you to it.
28:49Hold me to what?
28:51An oral agreement?
28:51In the circles in which I move, it is binding.
28:55And I say no.
28:56And that is most unwise.
28:58Are you threatening me?
28:59Of course.
28:59I think you should know that I will be powerless to help
29:02if you should change your mind.
29:04I'll remember that.
29:05I advise you to keep it very strongly in mind.
29:07And along those lines,
29:09you won't change your mind about driving me to Perdis?
29:12I can't, really.
29:13Hmm.
29:14Then I shall have to take the train.
29:16That seems obvious.
29:17I'm going to ask another favor.
29:19For your own sake,
29:20it is necessary that you be with me
29:21the day after I have won my wager.
29:24I would take it kindly
29:25if you would get me a ticket on the 9.30 to Perdis.
29:28Ted, I...
29:29I believe there is such a train.
29:31And then I'll give you the keys to my...
29:33About my...
29:34And you can drive up the following day.
29:35What makes you think that...
29:36Because of our relationship,
29:37I've been extraordinarily patient with you, Liz.
29:41Now, you will do me these favors.
29:43It, uh, may predispose me
29:46to have more patience with you
29:48on the day my wager is due.
29:57Hello?
29:58Bob?
29:58Oh, Liz, I've been waiting for your call.
30:00Do you have anything for me?
30:01Well, I don't know whether or not it helps,
30:02but he's taking the 9.30 train to Perdis
30:04on the 28th.
30:069.30?
30:07That doesn't give me much time.
30:08For what?
30:08For what I have to do.
30:10Liz, that makes it so close.
30:11Are you sure about the train and the time?
30:13Positive.
30:14I bought the ticket myself.
30:159.30?
30:16Yes.
30:17Now, that's going to be awfully close.
30:18Did he give any reason
30:19for picking that particular train?
30:21Well, first he asked me to drive him up.
30:23I said I couldn't.
30:24And then he told me to get the train ticket.
30:26He said...
30:27What?
30:27What did he say?
30:28It's not important.
30:29Liz, everything is important.
30:30What did he say?
30:31He said...
30:32that he wants to be...
30:34out of town when...
30:36when it happens.
30:37Oh, yeah, sure.
30:39That makes sense.
30:40Bob?
30:40Yes?
30:41It...
30:42it isn't going to happen, is it?
30:44Liz, I'm trying.
30:45Do you have...
30:47I mean...
30:48what do you honestly think of your chances?
30:50A lot better now than before you called.
30:52Is there anything else I can do?
30:55Yes, pray for me.
30:56And you for me.
30:57What?
30:58Why?
30:59How are you involved?
31:00Forget I said that.
31:01How can I forget it?
31:01Believe me, if I tell you that my problem is...
31:05Well...
31:07it has something to do with you.
31:09But I'll be okay if you're okay.
31:11Oh, you sound like a book title.
31:13Well, at least you can joke.
31:14I hope it isn't Gallo's humor.
31:16Liz, I've got a lot to do.
31:17I have a plan.
31:18I don't know whether it'll work,
31:19but it's made me feel that I can do something.
31:21And I'm going to do it.
31:23Good luck.
31:28I said I...
31:31Bob Anthony!
31:32I didn't believe it when you called.
31:33How can I help you?
31:34I need a makeup job.
31:36For a TV appearance?
31:37No, no.
31:37No, no.
31:37I must be disguised
31:39so that even my own mother wouldn't know me.
31:41Can you do that?
31:42Well, maybe if you tell me what it's for,
31:44it might help.
31:44No, I can't tell you.
31:45You'll have to take my word
31:46that it's deadly serious.
31:47Well, uh...
31:48How long will you need to wear the disguise?
31:50Oh, uh...
31:51Four hours at the outside.
31:53How many people do you want to fool?
31:54One.
31:55A man.
31:56Uh-huh.
31:57How, uh...
31:58How well does he know you?
31:59Well, that's hard to say.
32:00He's not an intimate friend.
32:01In fact, I only met him once,
32:02but he knew me then.
32:04Yeah.
32:05Yeah, one more question.
32:06Mm-hmm.
32:07How does this guy think of you?
32:08Oh, I suppose he sees me
32:09as a young, smart aleck.
32:11Good, good.
32:11So, we have to make you...
32:13Oh!
32:13Here, step into my parlor.
32:15Okay.
32:19Aren't you going to lock it?
32:21Okay.
32:23Uh, sit in that chair over there.
32:25Yeah.
32:26Now, relax.
32:27You're too tense.
32:27I'm sorry.
32:28See, now, the hairpiece is no problem.
32:31Your head and hairline are easy.
32:33But, uh, the eyes...
32:36The eyes?
32:37Exactly.
32:38With the hair you have,
32:39you can't have those alert brown eyes.
32:42Now, let me see.
32:44Watery blue with little veins
32:46running through them.
32:48Yeah.
32:49Okay, now.
32:51Ever wear contact lenses?
32:53No, of course not.
32:54You'll love them.
32:57Slight effort.
32:59There.
33:00How's your vision?
33:01Well, I can see.
33:03Good, good.
33:04The wrinkles come last,
33:05and, uh, I think a little goatee.
33:09Yeah, yeah, yeah.
33:10Bushy beard wouldn't be right.
33:12Now, just put your head back.
33:18Grand Central Station in New York City
33:21at 9 o'clock of any evening
33:23is a dreary place.
33:26The waves of homebound commuters
33:28have washed away.
33:30The garish light serves only
33:31to point up the cruel deterioration
33:34of past grandeurs.
33:36The waiting rooms are almost empty.
33:39It was 9.20 exactly
33:41that Robert Anthony,
33:42carrying a small suitcase
33:44and disguised as an old man,
33:47walked slowly up to the ticket window.
33:49Mount Kisco.
33:50One way, please.
33:51Anthony walked slowly
33:52to the station platform
33:54where the 9.30 was about to depart.
33:56He wanted to be almost the last one
33:59to board the train
34:00so that he could locate the car
34:02that Rokatsi had selected.
34:03He boarded the train
34:05and passed through several cars
34:07and then his pounding heart slowed.
34:10He saw Rokatsi
34:11seated in the middle of the car
34:14and with the seat next to him,
34:16vacant.
34:17Excuse me, would you mind
34:18if I put my valise on the rack?
34:20Oh, not at all.
34:21Let me help you.
34:22Oh, it's very kind of you.
34:23Not at all.
34:26You certainly cut that close.
34:28I'm afraid I don't walk as quickly
34:30as I used to.
34:30It's hard to get accustomed
34:32to growing old.
34:33Yes, I suppose it is.
34:35I hope you'll forgive
34:36an old man's curiosity,
34:38but that book you're reading...
34:40The Dynamics of Witchcraft.
34:42Yes, yes, that subject
34:43has always fascinated me.
34:46Did you ever study it?
34:48No, no, but when I was younger,
34:51Halloween was my favorite holiday.
34:54You know, dressing up
34:55and trick-or-treating.
34:56Yes, I know.
34:57Oh, that was such great fun.
34:59Yes, yes.
35:00Well, I won't disturb you anymore.
35:02I know you're anxious
35:04to get on with your reading,
35:05but where are you getting off?
35:08At Curtis.
35:08Is that before or after Mount Kisco?
35:11After.
35:12I wonder.
35:13I mean, I have a tendency
35:14to drowse off.
35:16You know, I wonder
35:17if when we reach Mount Kisco
35:18it would be kind of...
35:19Yes, yes, I will let you know.
35:30Excuse me, is it...
35:32It's the next station.
35:34Did you have a nice man?
35:35Oh, yes, yes.
35:36Very refreshing.
35:39I do hope my nephew
35:40will be at the station.
35:41Yes, I'm sure he will.
35:43What time is it?
35:4420 past 10.
35:46Are we on time?
35:47I don't know.
35:48I suppose so,
35:49but even if we're running late,
35:50I'm sure your nephew will wait.
35:52Yes, I hope so.
35:53When you get old,
35:54you seem to worry about everything.
35:56The young have their worries.
35:57They're not the same, are they?
35:59Sometimes they are.
36:01Sometimes a young man
36:02can worry himself
36:03almost to death.
36:05Oh, that seems such a waste.
36:06Or even worry about dying.
36:09Yes.
36:10I have known some young people
36:12who are simply terrified of dying.
36:14Oh, I didn't think the young
36:15gave much thought to death.
36:17Oh, some of them do.
36:18Some of them do indeed.
36:19Take my word for it.
36:20Oh, that seems strange.
36:22Strange?
36:22Old men, I could tell you stories
36:24that are beyond belief.
36:25Stories that...
36:28Well, I seem to be talking a lot.
36:30Well, I enjoy it.
36:31But we're coming into Mount Kisco.
36:33Oh, well, I've enjoyed talking to you.
36:35And now I'll just get my luggage
36:37from the rack.
36:39Oh, my.
36:40Look what I've done.
36:41I've dropped my bag.
36:42Here, let me help you.
36:43No, no, no, no.
36:44I've caused you too much trouble.
36:45I'll be able to...
36:46Oh, your book.
36:49I just seem to make things worse.
36:51If you will let me do it,
36:52it will be much simpler.
36:52Oh, yes, yes.
36:54Thank you, thank you.
36:54But don't let me return your book.
36:56I believe this is yours.
36:58Yes, yes.
36:59And now you'd better start
36:59if you want to get off
37:00and meet your nephew.
37:01Yes, yes, goodbye.
37:02And thank you.
37:03Wait.
37:04What?
37:05You...
37:07You passed it.
37:08The paper.
37:08Please.
37:09Let go of me, my nephew.
37:11Stop acting.
37:12You're Anthony.
37:12I know it.
37:13Yes, you're right.
37:13And I'm getting off here.
37:15Not until you tell me
37:15where you hid the curse.
37:16That paper you passed to me.
37:17Don't miss your train.
37:18Stand the train.
37:19Where is it?
37:19The paper.
37:20I'll do anything.
37:21But you know how close it is.
37:22It's very little time.
37:23I beg you, please,
37:24for the love of God,
37:25tell me where you put that paper.
37:26It's in the book.
37:27I slipped it in the book
37:28when I gave it back to me.
37:28The book.
37:29The book.
37:29Where?
37:30Where?
37:31Oh, my God.
37:32Catch it.
37:33Catch it, Anthony.
37:33Grab it.
37:34No way, Rikosi.
37:35Get it yourself.
37:35It's blowing away.
37:36You know I'm lost
37:37if I don't get that paper.
37:38Come back.
37:40Come back.
37:41I'll get you.
37:42Rikosi.
37:43Look out.
37:43The train.
37:45Ah!
37:52The end of our story
37:54of witchcraft and demons.
37:56The obituary notice
37:57said that Theodore Rikosi
37:59met his death
37:59when he inexplicably
38:01ran in front
38:02of a southbound express
38:03at the Mount Kisco station.
38:06Inexplicably?
38:08I'll be back shortly.
38:20I'm sure we all know
38:21what the forces were
38:22that made Theodore Rikosi
38:24run in front of the train
38:25that killed him.
38:26He panicked
38:27because of a superstitious
38:29belief in the supernatural.
38:31That, of course,
38:31is the explanation.
38:34Or is it?
38:36Our cast included
38:37Norman Rose,
38:38Larry Haynes,
38:39E.V. Juster,
38:40Roger Decoven,
38:41and Gil Mack.
38:42The entire production
38:44was under the direction
38:45of Hyman Brown.
38:45This is E.G. Marshall
38:48inviting you to return
38:49to our mystery theater
38:50for another adventure
38:51in the macabre.
38:53Until next time,
38:56pleasant dreams.
38:57And then,
38:59because we all know
39:02we have no clue
39:02to your court
39:03The entire programme
39:03nothing
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