MUSIC:

Organ theme up and out suddenly.

Announcer:

Another Five-Minute Mystery! See if you can solve the case before the end of the program.

MUSIC:

Theme back up and play briefly, then stop.

SFX:

Interior perspective of auto, continues until stop.

Jim:

Well, Alice, one more block and you'll behold the Brooks household.

Alice:

Two whole years, Jim. It just doesn't seem possible it's been so long. You and Dorothy married and with a place of your own.

Jim:

Ah, it's true, alright. Only too bad you haven't taken advantage of the ole' Brooks hospitality sooner.

Alice:

Well, I'm here now and I intend on having a perfectly wonderful time.

SFX:

Auto stops. Car door open during next line.

Jim:

Now, here we are.

SFX:

Car door closes. Footsteps begin.

Alice:

Oh, what a charming place this is.

Jim:

Dorothy's probably on needles and pins waiting for me to get you here.

SFX:

House door opens.

Jim:

Darling! It's Jim. Here's Alice.

Alice:

(Startled) Jim! Look!

Jim:

What? Where?

Alice:

There on the living room floor. It's Dorothy. Dead.

MUSIC:

Bridge to next scene

Policeman:

Mr. Brooks, I'm afraid you and Miss Manning will have to submit to some routine questions.

Alice:

I'll be happy to help in any way I can, Inspector.

Policeman:

Thank you, Miss Manning. Now, Mr. Brooks, while we're waiting for some information I phoned for, I want you to tell me exactly what happened this morning.

Jim:

There's nothing much to tell. Both my wife and I were quite excited - expecting Alice...that is, Miss Manning here...to visit us from Chicago. I was to wait until she called me at the office.

Policeman:

And you were there all morning?

Jim:

Yes. Until Miss Manning's train arrived and we came out here.

Alice:

I had written Mrs. Brooks to tell her that I would call Jim at the office as soon as I arrived. The train was an hour late. Maybe, if it had been here earlier, it may have prevented this...

Policeman:

Hmm. Well, that remains to be seen. Apparently Mrs. Brooks was sitting here in this chair putting red polish on her fingernails when she was shot from behind. The polish has spilled all over the carpet and she was still holding the tiny brush in her hand. She must have recognized her attacker and since she did not die instantly she printed these three initials here on the floor with the polish. D-O-C.

Jim:

D-O-C? I wish we could tell whose initials she was trying to reveal.

Policeman:

You're sure you don't know anyone whose name would fit that?

Jim:

Positive. I can't...

Alice:

(Gasp) Oh -- oh...

Policeman:

Yes, Miss Manning. Can you think of somebody with those initials?

Alice:

(Hesitatingly) Well, I, I -- D-O-C spells Doc, and it's Mr. Brooks' nickname.

Jim:

Why, it can't be.

Policeman:

Yes, Mr. Brooks.

Jim:

I haven't been called Doc for over two years. It was a nickname I picked up in school. My wife didn't like the name and never used it. No one in New York even knows me by Doc. You've got to believe me, inspector.

SFX:

Phone starts to ring.

Jim:

It's the truth.

Policeman:

Hmm. Well, that we'll see. Just a minute.

SFX:

Phone pick-up.

Policeman:

Hello. -- Yes, Grady -- Yes -- I see -- well, it's sewed up anyway. Thanks.

SFX:

Phone hang up.

Policeman:

Well, you both will be happy to know our little murder is solved.

Alice:

Oh then -- then it wasn't Doc after all?

Policeman:

No, Miss Manning, it wasn't Doc. I'm arresting you, Miss Manning, for the murder of Dorothy Brooks.

MUSIC:

Theme up and then out.

Announcer:

Why did the inspector arrest Miss Manning for the murder of Mrs. Brooks? In a moment, we'll hear. But first, this?

MUSIC:

Long musical interlude

Announcer:

And now, back to our story.

Alice:

How dare you arrest me? I was still on the train.

Policeman:

Your train wasn't late, Miss Manning. That phone call just verified the fact. You came out here, murdered Mrs. Brooks, returned to the station and called Mr. Brooks to pick you up. That wasn't what really gave you away, though, Miss Manning. Too bad you didn't know Mr. Brooks was no longer called Doc when you printed those letters on the carpet. The next time you leave a name as a clue to throw suspicion you'd better get the name right. But of course, there won't be a next time, will there, Miss Manning?

MUSIC:

Theme up and then under for:

Announcer:

Join us again next time for another chance to solve a Five-Minute Mystery.

MUSIC:

Theme up and play to end