MUSIC:
WILLIAM TELL OVERTURE UP FULL THEN UNDER
SFX:
HOOFBEATS HEAVY
RANGER:
Hi--yo Silver!!!!
SFX:
GUNSHOTS-- (HOORBEATS CONTINUE)
ANNCR:
A fiery horse with the speed of light, a cloud of dust and a hearty hi--yo, Silver! The Lone Ranger!
SFX:
HOOFBEATS FADE OUT (MUSIC: UP FULL AND UNDER)
ANNCR:
With his faithful Indian companion, Tonto, the daring and resourceful masked rider of the plains led the fight for law and order in the early Western United States. Nowhere in the pages of history can one find a greater champion of justice. Return with us now to those thrilling days of yesteryear....
SFX:
HOOFBEATS FADE IN
ANNCR:
From out of the past come the thundering hoofbeats of the great horse, Silver. The Lone Ranger rides again!!!!
RANGER:
Come on, Silver! Let's go, big fellow!
There's danger on the trail ahead!
Hi--yo, Silver! Away--y--y!!!!
MUSIC:
THEME UP FULL, THEN DOWN AND OUT
ANNCR:
The LONE RANGER Is brought to you by CHEERIOS ... the new and exciting breakfast cereal from General Mills.
Everyone knows that breakfast is the most important meal we eat; it's where you get all that energy for an active day ahead. And everyone also knows that ordinary breakfast cereals made from wheat or corn can become pretty monotonous when you eat them day after day after day.
NOW . . you have a choice!! CHEERIOS are made from rich, satisfying, energy--producing oats. And to make them even more exciting, each one is shaped like a little 'O'. Every package of CHEERIOS is jam--packed with hundreds and hundreds of golden--brown--toasted little 'O's' . . CHEERIOS.
Ask your grocer for CHEERIOS today. Tell him you want to enjoy a new breakfast. . . a big bowlful of crispy, nutritious little 'O's'. . . CHEERIOS.
SFX:
MUSIC
ANNOUNCER:
In the sandy vastness of Arizona Territory, there was no town more cheerless and foreboding than Quartzville. Situated in the midst of arid, dun--colored hills, it sprawled like a tired dog in the never--ending sun. Yet it was beneath these grim, volcanic hills that Nature had stored her richest silver ore. So there were many mines in and around Quartzville, and it was in the deep shaft of one of them that disaster struck without warning late one afternoon.
SFX:
Terrific Explosion: Wild Yells of Fear (Back)
ANNOUNCER:
A tremendous explosion hurled untold tons of rock and gravel across the mouth of a lower cross--drift. Over twenty men were sealed in a tomb; condemned to living death.
SFX:
Dim Shouts (Greatly Muffled); Steam Whistle (Back)
ANNOUNCER:
A shrill--voiced steam whistle broke the awful news, and a few moments later hundreds of frightened townspeople raced toward the entrance to the White Hope mine.
SFX:
Large crowd of people running in gravel: excited ad libs
JULIA:
(Distraught) Mike! I Oh, Mike, is it true ? Everybody's saying that...
MIKE:
(Grimly) I'm afraid it is true, Miss Julia. Lower level of the White Hope.
JULIA:
(Horrified) But Paul...(starts to sob: recovers Paul's down there ! ! How could --(Break) -- what caused it?
MIKE:
No way of tellin'. Maybe one of the boys was usin' a short fuse or --
JULIA:
(Trying to convince herself) they're not dead-- they can't be. We've got to start tunneling through the--
MIKE:
Whole bottom of the shaft is gone. Miss Julia. It'd take us ten years to tunnel through that.
JULIA:
There must be some way. We can't just stand here and let Paul and those poor men --(Catch)-- suffocate.
MIKE:
You know the White Hope as well as I do. Ain't no way to --(Break)'-- unless--
JULIA:
What?
MIKE:
The Matchless mine right above us. Maybe there's a cross--drift in that nearer to --
JULIA:
The Matchless-- that's it!! I'll find Martin Finchley right away.
MUSIC:
BURST
SFX:
Door Bursts Open
JULIA:
(Excited) Mr. Finchley, you must--
FINCHLEY:
I've heard the news. Miss Clark. One of my men just told me. Where did it happen?
JULIA:
On the lower level. A rescue crew just went down.
FINCHLEY:
(With Feeling) It's horrible-- horrible.
JULIA:
But Mike, my foreman, tells me that we'll never be able to tunnel through the cave--in time. I mean, in time to save Paul and--
FINCHLEY:
I've already issued orders for my men to stop work. I'll send them all down to the White Hope.
JULIA:
That's very kind of you, Mr. Finchley. I know you want to help.
FINCHLEY:
(Firmly) In every way possible.
JULIA:
Mike says that maybe there's a cross--drift in your mine, the Matchless. We might be able to reach the White Hope that way.
FINCHLEY:
I never thought of that -- but it's possible. The Matchless is much older than the White Hope. As you know, I've been operating it less than a year and --
JULIA:
You must have sketches of the original diggings.
FINCHLEY:
I don't know. If I have, they're here in the office someplace. I'll look for them.
JULIA:
Please do--then maybe we can--(Break)--
FINCHLEY:
What is it, Miss Clark?
JULIA:
I just remembered something. Mike has been here in Quartzville longer than any of us. He's either dug or helped dig every mine within twenty miles. May he_ has sketches of the Matchless and the White Hope.
FINCHLEY:
Ask him by all means. And I'll look around here to see if I have any.
JULIA:
Thank you, Mr. Finchley. You don't know how much I appreciate your help.
MUSIC:
Burst
MIKE:
(Fading in) Yeah--come to think of it, I did make a sketch of the old Matchless when we sunk the first shaft. That's a good idea, Miss Julia..
JULIA:
If you'll get them, I'm sure Mr. Finchley will help us with men, tools or anything else.
MIKE:
I've got a crew down there workin' on the cave--in right now. Soon as I see how they're makin' out, I'll go over to my place and find those sketches.
JULIA:
Oh, Mike--we will save the men, won't we.
MIKE:
Now don't you worry too much. Miss Julia. If it's humanly possible, we'll get the boys out of there.
MUSIC:
Burst
SFX:
Key turns in Lock: Door opens and closes
MIKE:
(To Himself) ummm--got to make a light here--
SFX:
Strike Match
Mike:
--that's better. So I can look through the papers in my desk and see if ---
SFX:
Pull out drawer, Rattle papers
MIKE:
(To Himself) Yeah-- here they are. By Juniper, I knew that--
SLIM:
(Coming up) I'll take those sketches. Hand 'em over.
MIKE:
(Surprised) What the--?
SLIM:
(Level) This is a forty--five that's nudgin' your ribs. (Effort) Hand 'em over before I--
MIKE:
No! You can't get away with this. (Effort)
SLIM:
Can't I?
MIKE:
I know you. You're one of --
SFX:
Gun Shot; Groan; Body Falls
MUSIC:
Interlude
ANNOUNCER:
The Lone Ranger and Tonto had made camp beside one of the few streams near Quartzville. They were busy repairing saddle gear while their horses enjoyed a well--earned rest.
SFX:
Clump of horses, back. Creak of leather on mike
RANGER:
This isn't an ideal camp--site, Tonto. (Effort) But it'll give us a chance to get things in shape before we head for Texas.
TONTO:
Ugh. This plenty bad country--too dry. Me not like it.
RANGER:
We won't stay long. By the way, when you went into Quartzville to get supplies this morning, did you. hear any more about that explosion at the White Hope mine?
TONTO:
Ugh-- me hear people talk. They say, miners trapped in mine not get out-- buried plenty deep.
RANGER:
It's too bad.
TONTO:
What make mine blow up?
RANGER:
There's no way of telling, Tonto. Maybe a premature powder blast or a match igniting a gas pocket. Any one of a dozen things could have caused it.
TONTO; Me think work in mine plenty dangerous.
RANGER:
It is. I wish there was some way we could help those men who are trapped down there.
TONTO:
Ugh.
RANGER:
But I don't know what it would be.
MUSIC:
Interlude
ANNOUNCER:
It was two days later that a heavy stagecoach pounded along the dusty road from Tucson to Quartzville.
SFX:
Stagecoach
ANNOUNCER:
Only one passenger had chosen this particular time to visit Quartzville, and he rode on the high box--seat beside the driver. Oliver Hornblow was not a large man, but he made up in dignity what he lacked in size. His black beaver hat might be dusty and far from new-- his frock coat and stripped trousers had obviously seen better days-- but he wore them with striking conviction. Because Oliver Meredith Hornblow was an actor.
DRIVER:
(Yells) Git along there, you critters!! So you're one o' them play-actors, eh?
OLIVER:
(Ruffled) Actor? My good man, I have been privileged to read the Bard's immortal lines in some of the world's finest theatres.
DRIVER:
(Dry) Yeah?
OLIVER:
And aren't we all actors? "All the world's a stage, and all the men and women merely players. They have their exits and their entrances. And one man in his time plays many parts."
DRIVER:
Yeah, I know. Saw a feller one time in vaudeville show that --
OLIVER:
(Indignant) Vaudeville!! "Oh, it offends me to the soul to see a robustious, periwigpated fellow tear a passion to tatters, to very rags, to split the ears of the groundlings."
DRIVER:
What's that?
OLIVER:
Hamlet--third act.
DRIVER:
Oh. Say, ain't you kinda off your range up here in Quartzville? Only stage up here is in the Opry House, and it ain't --
OLIVER:
For your information, I have been summoned to this provincial hamlet in order to lend my art to a charitable cause.
DRIVER:
Charity, eh? You must be talkin' about the Benefit Show for the widows and children of the miners who got caught in that blast at the White Hope.
OLIVER:
That is correct. Mr. Martin Finchley was in Tucson yesterday, where I and my Company of Players are--are-- ah--temporarily resting between engagements-- and upon his request I consented to appear at the Benefit.
DRIVER:
Yeah? Well, it's too bad about them poor miners. I knew most of them personally.
OLIVER:
Isn't there still some hope of rescue?
DRIVER:
Mighty slim. Young Miss Julie Clark-- she owns the White Hope now since her Pa died last year--has got every man in town workin' on the cave--in.
OLIVER:
How about the miners who work for Mr. Finchley?
DRIVER:
They're helpin', too, but it ain't much use. Dirty shame--that's what it is. Paul Becker-- young feller Miss Clark was gonna marry is down there with the rest of 'em.
OLIVER:
Ah-- the uncertainty of life. As Shakespeare so wisely wrote in one of his deathless Sonnets "Like as the waves make toward the pebbled shore, so do our minutes hasten to their end."
DRIVER:
(Yells) Whoa!! Whoa, you critters !!
SFX:
Stage and horses come to stop
DRIVER:
This is it, Mr. Hornblow. This is Quartzville.
OLIVER:
(Surprised) You mean, this is-- (Break)-- why, it's nothing more than a collection of benighted hovels.
DRIVER:
Even so, it's where you get off. I've got to tool this rig up to the barn.
SFX:
Climbs down
OLIVER:
(Climbs down) Oh, well--"The worst is not-- so long as we can say, 'this is the worst.'" That's from King Lear--Act Four.
DRIVER:
I always say, there's nothin' worse than a ham actor. (Yells) Giddap, there.
SFX:
Stage drives away
OLIVER:
(Outraged) Ham--ham !! Did that miserable varlet--that buckskin bumpkin call Oliver Meredith Hornblow a ham? (Snorts) Ohh-- (Wincing in pain) my feet. Nothing but gravel on this street-- and me with no soles in my shoes. (To himself) And another thing--
SFX:
Rattle Coins
OLIVER:
--I'm hungry --ummmm (rattle coins)-- fifteen cents. Oh, well--"doth not good digestion wait on appetite--and health on both?". I'll find a restaurant.
MUSIC:
Burst
SFX:
Door opens and closes
OLIVER:
Ah, good day, my fine young friend. A sign on the window proclaims this establishment the "Busy Bee Restaurant". I trust you serve food?
SFX:
Scrape of chair
BOY:
Yeah.
SFX:
Rattle of silverware
OLIVER:
Good.
BOY:
Whatta yuh want, ham?
OLIVER:
(Thunders) Ham?? Ham, you say!! Why, you insolent young scoundrel of the skillet, you factor of the firkin -- You dare to call me a ham?
BOY:
No need for you to get riled up, stranger. All I said was, "whatta yuh want, ham?" 'Cause if yuh don't want ham, you're outta luck-- that's all we've got.
OLIVER:
(Chagrined) Oh--oh, I beg your pardon, young man.
BOY:
You want it alone, or with eggs?
OLIVER:
Why, --er-- what is the price of-- shall we say --a ham sandwich?
BOY:
Fifteen cents.
OLIVER:
Excellent--excellent. Prepare it at once.
BOY:
Sure. (Fading) Comin' right up.
OLIVER:
Oh, just a moment.
BOY:
(Back a little) Yeah?
OLIVER:
There's one thing more. I notice a thick and well--folded piece of parchment paper here on the table. Does it belong to you?
BOY:
Naw--somebody must've left it here. You can have it.
OLIVER:
Thank you -- thank you a thousand times (Effort & to himself) A good, thick piece of paper -- it will serve as an excellent shield for this hole in my shoe. (Effort) There--"a mender of bad soles--a surgeon to old shoes." That's from 'Julius Ceasar" Act One.
MUSIC:
Interlude
ANNOUNCER:
In the meantime, a man who had committed murder tried hard to explain a loss.
SLIM:
(Fading in) I tell yuh, Reno, I had it with me --had it right here in my pocket--but now it's gone.
RENO:
(Very angry) Yuh half--witted loco coyote! Yuh lost it. What do yuh think the Boss'll say when he finds out we--
SLIM:
(Protesting) It ain't my fault, Reno. Just an accident, that's all. I've been carryin' them two pieces of paper around in my pocket ever since--
RENO:
We've got to find 'em. Where've yuh been lately?
SLIM:
No place, except --(Break)-- say, maybe them sketches could have slipped outta my pocket when I was--
RENO:
Where?
SLIM:
Down at the Busy Bee Cafe. I was gettin' somethin' to eat in there about an hour ago and--
RENO:
Come on -- We're gonna find out!!
MUSIC:
Burst
SFX:
Door bursts open & Slams
RENO:
Hey, Kid !!
BOY:
(Coming Up) Yeah?
RENO:
See anything around here like a couple of piece of paper folded together?
SLIM:
I thought I might've left 'em here when I--
BOY:
Paper? Was it kind of yellow and thick--like?
SLIM:
(Eagerly) That's it.
BOY:
Sure-- peppery old gent had a sandwich in here about five minutes ago. It was layin' right there on the table so he --
RENO:
Did he pick it up?
BOY:
Yeah-- I was watchin' 'im; he crammed the whole thing inside his right shoe.
SLIM:
In his shoe?
RENO:
(Rapidly) Which way did this gent go?
BOY:
Down the street-- towards the Opry House. He--
RENO:
(Fading) come on, Slim !!
SFX:
Door opens & slams
MUSIC:
Burst
SFX:
Street noises: horses, wagons, etc.
OLIVER:
Ah, this is indeed an ideal day for--
RENO:
(Yells: Back) Hey, you !!
OLIVER:
(Surprised) What the--??
SLIM:
(Yells: Back) Stop !! You've got somethin' that--
OLIVER:
Two angry townsfolk--and they're earring guns!! Oliver, this is a time for action!!
SFX:
Running footsteps in gravel
SLIM:
(Yells, Back) Stop--stop, you old coot ! !
RENO:
(Yells, Back) Aim for his legs, Slim. (Effort) We'll get that shoe off fast !!
SFX:
Faster footsteps; Gunfire
OLIVER:
(Breathing Hard) They've mistaken me for criminal. But this is no time to argue. I must get away-- and what I need is a horse. That's it--"my kingdom for a horse!!" (Puffing) There-- there's one !
SFX:
Horse whinny fades in; Gunfire
OLIVER:
(Effort to Mount) This is on oddly shaped saddle--and Heaven forbid I should ever become a horse thief--but -- giddap !!
SFX:
Hoofbeats start to fade
JULIA:
(Comes up, excited) Wait !!I Wait, that's mv horse !!
RENO:
(Comes up, breathing hard) Come on. Slim, we'll straddle our broncs and run that critter down !!
MUSIC:
Interlude
RANGER:
There, Tonto-- I think we've got all the gear packed now. As soon as I tighten this saddle cinch-- (Effort) --we'll--
SFX:
Hoofbeats Approaching
TONTO:
Kemo Sabay !
RANGER:
What's the matter?
TONTO:
Look -- little feller--tall hat-- ride this way plenty fast.
SFX:
Hoofbeats & distant gun--fire
RANGER:
Yes, and--(Break)-- the two men chasing him are using guns.
TONTO:
Ugh.
RANGER:
(Effort to mount) I don't know who that man is, Tonto, but he needs help.
TONTO:
(Effort to mount) Ugh.
RANGER:
Come on. Silver !
TONTO:
Gittum up, Scout !
SFX:
Hoofbeats
MUSIC:
Interlude
ANNOUNCER:
The curtain falls on the first act of our Lone Ranger story. Before the next exciting scenes, please permit us to pause for just a moment.
MUSIC:
Interlude
ANNOUNCER:
The Lone Ranger and Tonto are riding to help an actor who is playing his most exciting real--life role. Will they be successful? We'll find out, but first...
ANNCR:
Here's some thrilling news for all of you Lone Ranger fans.
Do you remember just a few weeks ago when the Lone Ranger and Tonto captured a large gang of cattle rustlers? They brought those outlaws to justice when Tonto pretended to be a rustler and joined the gang. Then he and the Lone Ranger sent messages to each other in secret code by means of a rare, old Indian finger ring. Remember . . . when the ring was held up to a light, mysterious signs and symbols appeared in its transparent stone.
Would you like to have one of those exciting code rings? They're not for sale in any store, but you can get one simply by eating CHEERIOS. All you have to do, after you finish a box of CHEERIOS is tear off the top which says, "LONE RANGER CODE RING," and send it to the address printed on the label. Write your name and address on the indicated lines, and enclose twenty five cents in coin or stamps to cover mailing costs. Your LONE RANGER Code Ring will be shipped Immediately . .and remember . . .it comes to you from . . .
FX:
VOICE & HOOFBEATS SOUND EFFECT; GRADUAL DECRESCENDO "CHEERIOS .. CHERRIOS .. CHERRIOS .. CHEERIOS .. CHEERIOS .. CHEERIOS .. (fade out)
MUISIC:
BACK IN
ANNOUNCER:
Urging their mounts forward at top speed, the Lone Ranger and Tonto were soon racing along side the horse that carried a badly frightened Oliver Hornblow.
SFX:
Hoofbeats; Gunfire (Back)
OLIVER:
(Riding, scared) Who are--(Break)--more outlaws!! Ohhhhhhh!!
RANGER:
(Riding) Guide him over that ridge, Tonto. Then circle back to our camp. I'll stop these men behind us!!
TONTO:
(Riding) Ugh. (Yells) You -- straight ahead-- do like me !!
OLIVER:
(Frightened) No !! No, I --
TONTO:
(Yells) Do--um fast!! Gittum up, Scout !!
OLIVER :
Ohhhhh !!!
SFX:
Fast Hoofbeats that fade
RANGER:
Whoa!! Whoa, Silver!!
SFX:
Hoofbeats stop, more Hoofbeats approaching
RENO & SLIM:
(Ad Lib "Whoas")
SFX:
Hoofbeats stop (Back)
SLIM:
(Back) Look, Reno!!
RENO:
(Back) Yeah-- an owlhoot!! Him and the old gent must be workin' together.
SLIM:
There was a redskin ridin' with 'em. There they go--hightailin' it over the ridge!!
RENO:
We'11 trail 'em-- soon as I crease this hombre with the mask. Get that cayuse off the trail-- (Effort)-- before I--
RANGER:
Better not use that gun-- you'll regret it.
RENO:
Why, you! -- (Effort)
RANGER:
(Quick) I warned you! (Effort)
SFX:
2 quick shots
RENO:
Ohhhh!! My hand-- he put a slug right through my hand !!
SLIM:
I'm gonna--(Effort)
RANGER:
(Sharp) Keep it in leather!! Unless you want the same thing he got-- or worse.
RENO:
Listen, no lead-slingin' long-rider's gonna--
RANGER:
(Level) I'm going to count three. And if you men don't turn those horses around and head the other way before I've finished--(Effort)--I'll plant some bullets where they'll do the most good. One... two...
SLIM:
(Scared) Come on, Reno. I ain't hankerin' to stop his kind o' lead. Giddap!!
RENO:
Yeah, I.--(Break)-- giddap!!
SFX:
Hoofbeats that fade away
RANGER:
Ummm--(Effort to holster guns) -- come on, Silver!!
SFX:
Hoofbeats
MUSIC:
Interlude
SFX:
Hoofbeats
RANGER; Whoa! Whoa, Silver!!
SFX:
Hoofbeats stop
RANGER:
(Dismount) Well, Tonto. I see that you and he made it back to camp all right.
TONTO:
Ugh. Man plenty scared--not talk.
OLIVER; (Fading In) Scared? Who wouldn't be scared? For no reason at all, I'm pursued by armed brigands--forced to seize the first horse I can find and --
RANGER:
I thought that horse belonged to someone else. You seemed to be having a little trouble riding side--saddle.
OLIVER:
Side--saddle? No wonder I can't --(Break)--I mean, I think I'll just stand up. And what difference does it make-- I'm now the prisoner of a masked outlaw. "One whom the vile blows and buffets of mankind have so incensed that you are reckless in what you do to spite the world." That's from the Third Act of--
RANGER:
Macbeth.
OLIVER:
Why, yes it --(Break)-- how did you know?
RANGER:
"After a well--graced actor leaves the stage--"
OLIVER:
(Stunned) An outlaw who quotes Shakespeare. Tell me, who are you?
RANGER:
I'm not an outlaw, neither is Tonto. And it's far more important that you tell me why those men were chasing you.
OLIVER:
Alas, I haven't the slightest idea.
RANGER:
You are a professional actor, aren't you?
OLIVER:
I, sir, am Oliver Meredith Hornblow. An humble delineator of the Bard's immortal--
RANGER:
Just visiting Quartzville?
OLIVER:
I accepted an engagement in this misbegotten hamlet for this evening. A Charity performance for the benefit of--
RANGER:
Oh, yes. I heard about it.
OLIVER:
Upon my arrival, I hastened to a restaurant for a bite to eat. Leaving there, I was set upon by those scoundrels who tried to kill me. So I purloined a horse and --
RANGER:
There must have been some reason for them to chase you.
OLIVER:
None whatsoever. They just began to shoot-- and one of them yelled, "aim for his legs-- we'll get that shoe off fast!!"
RANGER:
Ummm then it must be something connected with your shoe that--(Break)-- let's have a look at them.
OLIVER:
I--ah--(Break)-- well, to tell the truth, this is most embarrassing. You see, the trunks containing my wardrobe have been delayed and these shoes are--well, you know how we people of the theatre are superstitious about old things--they are slightly worn.
RANGER:
Let me see them.
OLIVER:
The fact is I have an old piece of paper serving as a sole for one of them. Just for a joke, of course.
RANGER:
Paper? Where'd you get it?
OLIVER:
In that restaurant I told you about. It was just laying there--and as it was a good, stout piece of parchment, I--(Effort)--see.
SFX:
Rattle of paper
RANGER:
Ummm-- (Rattle of Paper)-- why, there are two pieces of paper folded together. And they--
SFX:
Rattle of Paper
OLIVER:
Such a trivial matter, I'm sure isn't--
RANGER:
You're wrong, Oliver. These are no ordinary pieces of parchment.
OLIVER:
What do you mean?
RANGER:
They are plans of some kind. Sketches of-- (Break)--here it is--written right at the bottom.
OLIVER:
What?
RANGER:
A plan of all the levels, drifts and cross-- shafts of the Matchless and White Hope mines.
OLIVER:
But that couldn't be the reason for--
RANGER:
I think it is. Yes-- I'm sure of it. Because (Suddenly Tense)-- according to this plan of the Matchless, there's an old drift that cuts down to--
TONTO:
(Coming Up) Kemo Sabay.
RANGER:
What is it, Tonto?
TONTO:
Horse that him ride with side--saddle -- there name on saddle--bag.
RANGER:
Yes, it probably belongs to some woman who--
TONTO:
Name say, "Julia Clark".
RANGER:
(Suddenly interested) dark? Julia Clark-- why, that's the girl who owns the White Hope. The mine where the men are--
OLIVER:
My good fellow, if you really aren't an outlaw, and if you'll be so good as to return my shoe, I'll--
RANGER:
Unpack the gear, Tonto. We're not leaving here--at least for a while.
TONTO:
(Back) Ugh.
OLIVER:
I say, you will allow me to go into town, won't you? Even though my reception in Quartzville has-- so far been one of the unmitigated rudeness, Oliver Hornblow never cancels an engagement. I'll appear at the Benefit this evening and give several readings from the Bard's plays. Handicapped as I am by the lack of a supporting cast, I shall--
RANGER:
Don't worry, Oliver, I'll see that you get to the Benefit on time. And I might even rake up a supporting cast for you.
MUSIC:
Interlude
ANNOUNCER:
It was later that evening that three figures moved quietly through the shadows surrounding the Matchless Mine.
SFX:
night noises. Footsteps on gravel
OLIVER:
(Hoarsely) Such Stygian blackness. "In the dead vast and middle of the night." That's from the First Act of --
RANGER:
(Low) Quiet... I don't think there are any men working here tonight--but we can't be sure, Tonto.
TONTO:
(Low) Ugh.
RANGER:
(Low) This is the engine house right ahead of us.
TONTO:
(Low) Ugh.
RANGER:
(Low) There may be an engineer in there. I hope so because that'll mean there's steam up to operate the cage. You can handle him, can't you Tonto?
TONTO:
(Low) Ugh--me do.
RANGER:
(Low) Go ahead.
SFX:
soft footsteps in gravel: door opens: hiss of steam in b.g.
VOICE #1:
(Surprised) Hey, what the--(Break)-- a redskin!! Listen, Injun, you can't--
TONTO:
No more talk--me shut--um up. (Heavy Blow)
SFX:
Heavy blow
SFX:
Groan. Body slumps to floor
TONTO:
That good.
SFX:
Quick footsteps across the floor: Into gravel: night noises
RANGER:
(Fading in low) Tonto?
TONTO:
Ugh-- me fix--um. Just one man.
RANGER:
Everyone else must have left--gone into town.
OLIVER:
The more I think of what you've told me-- that unwittingly, I have crossed the path of a knave so foul--so treacherous-- so--
RANGER:
Wait-- we haven't proved anything yet. We can't be sure 'til you and I go down into the mine and follow this map.
OLIVER:
I? You mean, you want me to --
RANGER:
There's no telling what we'll find. I may need your help. Someone has to stay above ground to operate the steam hoist. You can do that, can't you Tonto?
TONTO:
Me do whatever you say, Kemo Sabay.
RANGER:
Good. There's probably an indicator in the engine room to show the different levels. When I give the signal, let us all the way down.
TONTO:
Ugh.
RANGER:
Come on, Oliver.
SFX:
Footsteps in gravel: Stop
RANGER:
Here's the shaft -- and that's the cage. Step right over there.
OLIVER:
(Shocked) You mean we're going to entrust our lives to this fragile bit of wood and metal?
SFX:
Footsteps onto hollow platform
RANGER:
Hundreds of men do it every day. Hang on-- I'm going to signal Tonto to let us down. (Effort)
SFX:
Clang of distant gong
RANGER:
Here we go.
SFX:
Metallic whirr
OLIVER:
Ohhhhhhhh!! "Oh, what a fall was there, my countrymen." (Shaky) That's from--
RANGER:
'Julius Ceasar'
SFX:
dull thud; whirring stops
RANGER:
Here we are, Oliver.
SFX:
cave effect
OLIVER:
(Shivers) It's cold, dark and--
RANGER:
That's why I brought a candle and matches.
SFX:
rattle of paper
RANGER:
Here hold this map while I strike a light.
SFX:
STRIKE A MATCH
RANGER:
Ummm-- let's see-- we'll follow the lower level for about two hundred yards--then take a cross drift that angles to the left and --(Break)-- come on.
OLIVER:
Ah-- methinks, "I would give all my fame for a pot of ale and safety." But lead off-- I will follow.
SFX:
Footsteps in gravel
MUSIC:
Burst (Montage)
OLIVER:
How much further?
RANGER:
I don't know. All we can do is follow the map.
MUSIC:
Burst
OLIVER:
We've walked a thousand leagues.
RANGER:
Not quite that far, Oliver. Come on.
MUSIC:
Burst (Montage Ends)
RANGER:
Now-- at this point we should be--
OLIVER:
(Shivering) Half way to China. A curse, I say, upon the --
RANGER:
Wait: : I think I hear--(Break)-- it's up ahead.
SFX:
Quick footsteps. Fade in sound of murmuring voices (greatly muffled)
RANGER:
(Excited) It's the miners-- we've found them!!
OLIVER:
Thank Heaven they're alive!
RANGER:
Two days and nights without food or water. (Effort) Stand back, Oliver, I'm going to shoot that padlock off the door.
SFX:
3 gunshots
RANGER:
Now-- (Effort)-- if I can just--
SFX:
creak of heavy door
PAUL:
(Fades in: back) Watch out, men!! It might be another one of Finchley's tricks.
SFX:
angry muttered adiibs from crowd of men
RANGER:
Don't worry, we're not--
PAUL:
(Coming up) Masked!! So Finchley's sent an owlhoot down here to finish his dirty job. (Yells) Come on, boys, at least we can--
RANGER:
Wait!! I'm not an outlaw. You're the miners from the White Hope, aren't you?
PAUL:
This is the White Hope. We've been trapped down here ever since some of Finchley's men set off a blast that closed our main shaft.
RANGER:
I thought so.
PAUL:
If you're not one of his bunch, how come you found this tunnel? It must be part of the old Matchless mine.
RANGER:
It is-- and we never would've found it without this sketch.
SFX:
Rattle paper
RANGER:
A friend of mine talked to Miss Clark this evening--evidently Mr. Finchley didn't stop at one more murder to try and keep all of you here.
PAUL:
Julia-- is she all right?
RANGER:
I'm sure she is. I wonder why he went to all of this trouble to--
PAUL:
I know-- because the mother lode in the Matchless has played out. He tried to kill all of us with the blast-- when that failed, he figured he'd keep us bottled up here 'til we starved to death. Then maybe he could cut through here and tap the White Hope. Wait'11 I get my hands on that murderin' skunk, I'll--
RANGER:
It'll be a hard thing to prove. Finchley will claim the blast was an accident, unless we can--(Break) --Oliver, you can prove it.
OLIVER:
I?
RANGER:
And have a supporting cast for your performance at the same time.
OLIVER:
I don't understand.
PAUL:
Neither do I, stranger. But I like the way you talk, even if you are wearin' a mask. My name's Paul Becker, and I--
RANGER:
We'll have to hurry, Paul, there isn't much time. The first thing to do is get above ground then I'll explain what I mean.
PAUL:
Sure. (Yells) Come on, boys!!
SFX:
Ad lib assents from men
MUSIC:
Interlude
ANNOUNCER:
The Benefit performance at the Quartzville Opera House was an assured success. The audience was large and responsive although everyone was saddened by the recent tragedy at the White Hope mine. As Oliver Hornblow waited in the wings to present his act, he was sure no one had seen him open the stage door and admit twenty grim and vengeful miners. He listened to Martin Finchley introduce him before the drawn curtain.
SFX:
murmur pf theatre audience: quiets
FINCHLEY:
(Project) And now my friends and fellow citizens , I take great pleasure in introducing a sterling artist who has so graciously consented to lend his talent to this worthy cause Mr. Oliver Meredith Hornblow!!
SFX:
Applause from audience
OLIVER:
Thank you-- thank you. As my humble contribution this evening, I will endeavor to enact the 'Trial Scene' from "The Merchant of Venice."
SFX:
Murmurs from the Audience
OLIVER:
Unfortunately, there aren't enough players to lend realism to the scene. So I must ask for your help.
SFX:
Murmurs from the audience
OLIVER:
As you know, the scene is a courtroom and I need someone to play the villain. Who'll volunteer? Let's see--
SFX:
Murmurs from the audience
OLIVER:
how about you, Mr. Finchley? Surely, you're not adverse to playing a part in one of Shakespeare's finest dramas.
FINCHLEY:
(Comes up; Gracious) Why, no, (Laugh), I'm not much of an actor, but I'll be glad to help.
OLIVER:
Splendid--splendid. Take this seat right here, Mr. Finchley.
SFX:
Scrape of Chair; Murmur from the audience
OLIVER:
Now we can proceed. I'll explain what's going to happen. Mr. Finchley is the accused. I am the lawyer. And you, the audience, are the jury.
SFX:
Murmur from audience
OLIVER:
Only one thing is lacking-- witnesses. I'll present them now. (Calls) All right, Tonto, raise the curtain!!
SFX:
Creak of rising curtain; Gasps of amazement from audience
AD LIB:
(Yells, Back) Look! It's Paul Becker and all the boys from the White Hope!!
OLIVER:
(Yells over the confusion) Yes, it's these men brought up from the secret tunnel where Martin Finchley hoped to kill them and rob the girl who owns the White Hope. These are the witnesses against Martin Finchley!!
FINCHLEY:
(Indignant) Say, you can't--!!
SFX:
Crowd confusion (Back)
OLIVER:
It's already done, Mr. Finchley. You are accused and convicted!!
JULIA:
(Joyful Cry from back) Paul !!
PAUL:
Julia!!
OLIVER:
The Sheriff and his men have already arrested your hirelings who murdered Miss Clark's foreman. They are waiting in the wings now to arrest you!!
SFX:
Wild shouts and confusion
MUSIC:
Burst
SFX:
Murmuring voices (Back)
JULIA:
(Comes up, Excited) Oh, Mr. Hornblow, you were wonderful!! Everyone in Quartzville is eternally grateful to you-- especially Paul and me.
OLIVER:
It is not I who deserves your gratitude, my child.
DRIVER:
(Comes up) Say, Hornblow--Hornblow!!
OLIVER:
Oh-- it's you-- the caustic varlet who drives the stage--coach.
DRIVER:
Yeah-- just wanted to congratulate yuh, Hornblow. You sure gave a great performance. Yes sir, it was great!!
OLIVER:
Great? Ah, my friend, if you only knew the truth. "Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon them."
DRIVER:
Guess so.
OLIVER:
(Slowly) By the Lone Ranger.
RANGER:
(Back) Hi--Yo--Silver-- Away!!!
MUSIC:
Theme
ANNCR:
THE LONE RANGER has been brought to you by CHEERIOS, the new breakfast cereal from General Mills. The program, carried by the Blue Network of NBC... the National Broadcasting Company .. originated in the studios of WXYZ In Detroit, and featured Brace Beemer as the Lone Ranger, and John Todd as Tonto. Your announcer; Fred Foy. This is the National Broadcasting Company.