SOUND:

TRAIN WHISTLE ... TRAIN RUMBLES DOWN TRACK

ANNOUNCER:

THE MYSTERIOUS TRAVELER!

SOUND:

TRAIN WHISTLE ... TRAIN INTERIOR

MUSIC:

EERIE ORGAN ... IN AND BEHIND TRAVELER--

TRAVELER:

This is the Mysterious Traveler, inviting you to join him on another journey into the realm of the strange and terrifying. I hope you will enjoy the trip -- that it will thrill you a little and chill you a little. So settle back, get a good grip on your nerves. I hope it's not making you nervous being alone with me here in the dark. Darkness stirs strange terrors in some minds, particularly those of children, for children live in a world of their own -- a world far removed from that of adults. Who among us knows the psychology of the child mind with its devious thoughts and actions, as in the tale of--

MUSIC:

STING! AND OUT

TRAVELER:

--"The Good Die Young"!

MUSIC:

INTRODUCTION ... THEN BEHIND TRAVELER--

TRAVELER:

Years ago when I was practicing medicine, I brought a child into the world -- a girl who was named Sandra. In the years that followed she grew into an extremely beautiful and clever child. But my story begins the day that Martha the housekeeper was finishing her duties for the last time.

MARTHA:

(CALLS, STERN) Sandra?! Come in here! I want to see you! (NO ANSWER) Sandra?!

SANDRA:

(APPROACHES) Were you calling me, Martha?

MARTHA:

Yes. I told you to come right home after school. Where have you been?

SANDRA:

Oh, I'm sorry, Martha. I didn't hear you tell me to come home right after school. I'm sorry, truly I am.

MARTHA:

Save your acting for your father, young lady. It hasn't fooled me for a long time. Sandra, since your mother died you're becoming more and more of a problem every day. Well, at least after tonight I won't have to put up with your lies and your thousand and one little tricks.

SANDRA:

What do you mean, Martha?

MARTHA:

Your father won't be needing a housekeeper any more. I'm leaving tonight.

SANDRA:

But why?

MARTHA:

(MILDLY UNEASY) Well, I'm not supposed to tell you. But you may as well know now as later. Your father is bringing home a new mother for you tonight.

SANDRA:

A new mother?

MARTHA:

Yes. He's just married again.

SANDRA:

(UPSET) But I don't want a new mother! Daddy and I don't need anyone else! We're happy the way we are!

MARTHA:

Sandra, stop screaming.

SANDRA:

I won't have it, do you hear?! I won't have it!

MARTHA:

Your new mother's a very fine woman. I met her last night.

SANDRA:

(WILDLY) I hate her! I hate her! Daddy's mine and no one else's! She hasn't any right to him!

MARTHA:

If you don't stop that screaming, I'll tell your father when he comes home tonight.

SANDRA:

(CALMS DOWN, DESPERATELY) Oh, no, no, no! Don't do that. I - I'll be good. (MOVING OFF) But I hate her and I always will. I'll never stop hating her.

MARTHA:

That's a fine way to talk. (TO HERSELF, THOUGHTFUL) Perhaps I ought to warn the poor woman about Sandra. Well, then, it's none of my business. Besides, she'll find out about her soon enough.

MUSIC:

BRIDGE

SOUND:

FRONT DOOR OPENS

HELEN:

(LAUGHS HAPPILY)

STEPHEN:

(LAUGHS)

HELEN:

(LAUGHS) Stephen, it's ridiculous, your carrying me across the threshold.

STEPHEN:

Darling, it's tradition in my family to carry the bride over the threshold.

HELEN:

(CHUCKLES) Whew!

STEPHEN:

There you are.

HELEN:

(EXHALES AS SHE'S SET DOWN)

SOUND:

FRONT DOOR SHUTS

HELEN:

(EXHALES) Ohhhh! Oh, Stephen, what a lovely house.

STEPHEN:

Mmm? Oh, you haven't seen the best part of it yet: Sandra.

HELEN:

Do you think she'll like me, Stephen? I do so want her to.

STEPHEN:

Of course she will.

HELEN:

Perhaps you should have told her about us -- instead of breaking it to her so unexpectedly like this.

STEPHEN:

Oh, nonsense, Helen. I know my daughter. She's a wonderful child and she'll fall madly in love with you at the first sight -- just as her father did.

HELEN:

(CHUCKLES)

STEPHEN:

(CHUCKLES, CALLS) Sandra, where are you?! It's daddy!

SANDRA:

(APPROACHES, HAPPILY) Daddy, you're home early! Oh, I'm so glad!

STEPHEN:

How are you, darling?

SANDRA:

(GIVES HIM A BIG HUG) Oh, daddy! (GIGGLES)

STEPHEN:

(CHUCKLES, THEN MORE SERIOUS) Um-- I have a surprise for you.

SANDRA:

A surprise?

STEPHEN:

(YES) Mm-hmm. Sandra, this is Helen. Helen, I want you to meet my daughter, Sandra.

HELEN:

(NERVOUS, BUT WARM) Hello, Sandra.

SANDRA:

(PUZZLED) Hello.

STEPHEN:

Darling--? The, er, surprise I just mentioned -- is Helen. We were married this afternoon. That means that Helen is now your mother.

SANDRA:

(PLEASED) Oh, daddy, that's wonderful. Now I'll have a mother just like all the other girls do. Oh, I'm so glad.

HELEN:

(RELIEVED) So am I, Sandra. And I'm sure we're all going to be very happy together.

STEPHEN:

Of course we are.

MUSIC:

BRIDGE ... THEN BEHIND TRAVELER--

TRAVELER:

That night after the family had said goodbye to Martha and seen her off, Sandra was sent to bed. She lay quietly in the darkness, thinking. Occasionally she would speak softly to her doll, Barbara.

MUSIC:

UP AND OUT

SANDRA:

(UNHAPPY) She hasn't any right being here, Barbara. Daddy and I were perfectly happy until she came along. Tonight he didn't even notice me. Just kept looking at her. Well, she shan't have him. He's always been mine and he always will be!

MUSIC:

BRIDGE ... THEN SOLO PIANO AS SANDRA PLAYS THE FINAL BARS OF A CLASSICAL PIECE ... THEN OUT

SANDRA:

(TO HERSELF) There. That's enough of that. Now let me see.

MUSIC:

SOLO PIANO AS SANDRA PLAYS ANOTHER CLASSICAL PIECE ... PROPERLY AT FIRST, THEN INCREASINGLY LOUD AND DISCORDANT ... OUT ABRUPTLY WITH--

HELEN:

Sandra! This is the second time this afternoon I've asked you not to pound the keys that way. That's no way to play.

SANDRA:

I'm sorry, mother.

HELEN:

(SIGHS) It's not only the piano, dear. There are many other little things. And you pay no attention when I speak to you about them.

SANDRA:

I don't mean to do them, mother; I just forget.

HELEN:

Well, please try to remember, dear. Now I want you to play the piano as you did last night for daddy. (MOVING OFF) He was very pleased.

SANDRA:

Yes, mother.

MUSIC:

SOLO PIANO AS SANDRA PLAYS YET ANOTHER CLASSICAL PIECE ... PROPERLY AT FIRST, THEN INCREASINGLY LOUD AND DISCORDANT ... OUT ABRUPTLY WITH--

HELEN:

(OFF) Sandra! (APPROACHES) Sandra?

SANDRA:

Yes, mother?

HELEN:

I thought I asked you to stop pounding the piano like that.

SANDRA:

But, mother, I was just composing a new piece for daddy.

HELEN:

(EXHALES) Well, that wasn't music, Sandra, but just noise. That'll be enough for today.

MUSIC:

BRIDGE ... POINTEDLY DISCORDANT, IN ECHO OF SANDRA'S PLAYING

SOUND:

DOOR CLOSES

STEPHEN:

Hello, beautiful!

HELEN:

How are you, darling?

STEPHEN:

(CHUCKLES AS HE KISSES HER, BEAT) Well, why wasn't Sandra at the door to meet me? She's all right, isn't she?

HELEN:

Oh, of course, dear. (UNEASY) Er-- Stephen--?

STEPHEN:

Hm?

HELEN:

I - I was a bit angry with Sandra this afternoon.

STEPHEN:

Angry? With Sandra? Why? What'd she do?

HELEN:

Well, several times this afternoon I had to speak to her about pounding the piano -- being loud and discordant.

STEPHEN:

Hm. Well, that isn't like Sandra. You know how well she plays.

HELEN:

Yes, of course. That wasn't the way she played today.

STEPHEN:

Well, I'll go up and see her.

HELEN:

All right. (FADING AS STEPHEN MOVES OFF) Supper will be ready soon.

STEPHEN:

All right, Helen.

SOUND:

STEPHEN'S STEPS TO SANDRA'S BEDROOM DOOR ... HE KNOCKS, THEN OPENS DOOR

SANDRA:

(WEEPS QUIETLY)

STEPHEN:

Why, Sandra -- what's this?

SOUND:

BEDROOM DOOR CLOSES

SANDRA:

(WEEPS LOUDER) Oh, daddy! Daddy! (CONTINUES WEEPING, IN BG)

STEPHEN:

What's wrong, dear? You never cry.

SANDRA:

I - I was only trying to compose a new piece for your birthday next month.

STEPHEN:

A new piece for my birthday?

SANDRA:

Yes, I wanted to surprise you.

STEPHEN:

Oh, there, there, dear. You mustn't cry. I'm sure mother understands you didn't mean to be bad. Now here, let me wipe your tears.

SANDRA:

Oh, daddy, I love you so. I just wanted to compose something wonderful for you.

STEPHEN:

I understand, darling.

SANDRA:

(STOPS WEEPING, PLEASED) Oh, daddy, you always understand.

MUSIC:

BRIDGE ... SNEAKY AND DISCORDANT

STEPHEN:

Is supper ready, dear?

HELEN:

(YES) Mm-hmm. Where's Sandra?

STEPHEN:

She'll be down in a minute. (BEAT) Helen--?

HELEN:

Yes, Stephen?

STEPHEN:

She really didn't mean to pound on the piano and get on your nerves. It's just she was trying to compose a new piece for me.

HELEN:

But, Stephen, it wasn't music. It was just noise.

STEPHEN:

Well, you mustn't be harsh with her. You know what children are like in their enthusiasm. They forget what they're told.

HELEN:

But, Stephen-- (BEAT, EXHALES HELPLESSLY) I don't know exactly what to say.

STEPHEN:

Well, it's just a question of being patient with her -- winning her love.

HELEN:

(EXHALES) All right, Stephen. Perhaps I was a bit impatient with her. You know I want nothing more than for the three of us to be happy together.

STEPHEN:

I know that, darling. And the three of us will be happy together.

MUSIC:

BRIDGE ... THEN BEHIND TRAVELER--

TRAVELER:

In the weeks that followed, Helen tried to overlook Sandra's slamming of doors and constant droppings of objects and other nerve-wracking incidents. In time, she felt, Sandra would come to accept her love and guidance. It was just a matter of patience.

MUSIC:

UP AND OUT

HELEN:

(CALLS) Sandra? Is that you?

SANDRA:

(OFF) Yes, mother.

HELEN:

Please sit down, dear. I want to talk to you.

SANDRA:

(CLOSER) All right, but do hurry. Daddy'll be home soon.

HELEN:

Sandra, every day I've been giving you milk money for school. Why haven't you been buying milk with that money?

SANDRA:

But I have been mother.

HELEN:

Now, please, Sandra, I won't punish you. I just want to know what you've been doing with that money.

SANDRA:

I've been buying milk with it.

HELEN:

Please, Sandra. Mrs. Gordon, your teacher, told me you haven't bought milk for almost a month now.

SANDRA:

(EXPLODES) But I have! She just doesn't--!

HELEN:

(INTERRUPTS) Sandra! I won't have you lying to me.

SOUND:

FRONT DOOR OPENS ... THEN CLOSES BEHIND--

HELEN:

Now that's your father. We'll see what he has to say about this.

SANDRA:

(WEEPS EXTRAVAGANTLY) You don't understand! You don't understand! (WEEPS, IN BG)

HELEN:

Stephen--?

STEPHEN:

(APPROACHES) Hello, darling. (WORRIED) Well, Sandra, what are you crying about?

HELEN:

I'm sorry, Stephen, but Sandra's been misbehaving.

STEPHEN:

Hm?

HELEN:

I think you'd better speak to her.

SANDRA:

You just don't understand! (WEEPS, IN BG)

STEPHEN:

What's she done, Helen?

HELEN:

Mrs. Gordon, her teacher, told me today that for the past month Sandra hasn't been buying milk with her milk money.

STEPHEN:

Is that true, Sandra?

HELEN:

And what's worse, Stephen, when I asked Sandra about it, she lied and said that she had been buying milk at school.

STEPHEN:

Why, Sandra, it isn't like you to lie about things.

SANDRA:

I didn't mean to lie about it! I just wanted to keep it a surprise!

STEPHEN:

Keep what a surprise?

SANDRA:

Your - your birthday present.

STEPHEN:

Oh?

SANDRA:

I saved my milk money so that I could buy you a pipe! It's here in this box.

HELEN:

Sandra! Why, you know I would have given you money to buy a present for daddy.

SANDRA:

It isn't the same thing! I wanted to buy him a present with my own money.

HELEN:

Oh, I'm sorry, Sandra. Well, you might have told me about it when I asked you.

SANDRA:

But then it wouldn't have been a real surprise! I did want to surprise daddy so.

STEPHEN:

But you have, darling. This is a beautiful pipe.

SANDRA:

No! The surprise is spoiled! Your birthday isn't till tomorrow!

STEPHEN:

Well, this is much better, darling. It means I'll be able to smoke this pipe tonight. Oh, now, please stop crying. You go upstairs and wash your face and hands, huh?

SANDRA:

All right, daddy. (EXITS WEEPING)

HELEN:

I'm sorry, Stephen, but I had no idea what she'd done with the money. And she did lie when I asked her about it.

STEPHEN:

Well, if you'd only have a little more faith in her, Helen. I know it's difficult to understand her at times, but that's because, as a child, she looks at things differently.

HELEN:

(DISHEARTENED) I'm sorry, Stephen, if you think I failed with her.

STEPHEN:

Oh, but you haven't, Helen. I'm sure that in time she'll come to love you as much as she loves me.

HELEN:

I don't know, Stephen. I often wonder about that.

MUSIC:

BRIDGE ... THEN BEHIND TRAVELER--

TRAVELER:

As the weeks went by Helen found herself coming no closer to winning Sandra's confidence. It wasn't that Sandra was unfriendly, but there was an air of reserve about her, which vanished only in her father's presence. Helen felt Stephen watching her anxiously when Sandra was about and sought to reassure him. Her one thought was to preserve their happiness.

MUSIC:

UP AND OUT

STEPHEN:

Hello, Helen.

HELEN:

Hello, dear.

STEPHEN:

Well, what happened to that vase, dear?

HELEN:

(EXHALES, TENSE) Sandra broke it.

STEPHEN:

Oh? Well, accidents will happen.

HELEN:

Stephen, this is the fourth piece she's broken in two weeks. And each of them were pieces I've treasured and had for years.

STEPHEN:

Why, Helen, you sound as though Sandra'd deliberately broken those pieces because they were yours.

HELEN:

Well, why is it only my things are broken?

STEPHEN:

Oh, Helen, surely you don't believe she's deliberately breaking your things.

HELEN:

(HELPLESSLY) I don't know what to believe. The first few times I thought it was an accident, but now--

STEPHEN:

But, Helen--

HELEN:

Oh, please, Stephen, let's not quarrel. Perhaps I'm wrong. I admit I haven't any proof. It's - it's just all the little things adding up.

STEPHEN:

Helen, what are you talking about?

HELEN:

Oh, you wouldn't understand even if I told you.

STEPHEN:

(BEAT) Where's Sandra?

HELEN:

In her room, I suppose.

STEPHEN:

Well, I'll go up and see what she's doing, huh?

HELEN:

All right, Stephen.

SOUND:

STEPHEN'S STEPS TO SANDRA'S ROOM ... KNOCK ON DOOR

STEPHEN:

Sandra, it's daddy. Are you in your room?

SOUND:

BEDROOM DOOR OPENS

STEPHEN:

(TO HIMSELF) Hmm. That's funny. She isn't here.

SOUND:

STEPHEN'S STEPS INTO ROOM ... THEN PICKS UP PAPER BEHIND--

STEPHEN:

(TO HIMSELF) Hello, what's this? A note addressed to me. (READS) "Dear daddy, I'm sorry about the broken vase. I tried my best to be a good girl, but everything I do seems wrong. I make mother very unhappy, so -- I'm running away. I love you very much and always will. Your daughter, Sandra."

MUSIC:

BRIDGE ... THEN BEHIND TRAVELER--

TRAVELER:

After searching vainly for an hour in the dark and cold, Stephen returned and notified the police. All through the long hours of the night, he and Helen sat up, not saying a word, each afraid to speak for fear of what might be said. And as the first rays of dawn showed, the doorbell rang.

SOUND:

DOORBELL BUZZES

TRAVELER:

Stephen rushed to answer it.

SOUND:

FRONT DOOR OPENS

MATRON:

Mr. Hamilton?

STEPHEN:

(RELIEVED) Sandra!

SANDRA:

Daddy! Daddy! (WEEPS, THEN BRIEFLY BEHIND--)

STEPHEN:

(SOOTHING) Darling, darling-- Everything's all right now.

MATRON:

I'm the police matron from the Fifty-Fifth Street station, Mr. Hamilton. One of the officers on the force just found her.

STEPHEN:

Thank you. Thank you very much for bringing her home.

MATRON:

Oh, that's all right, Mr. Hamilton. It's our job. Goodbye.

STEPHEN:

Goodbye.

SOUND:

FRONT DOOR OPENS

SANDRA:

(RESUMES WEEPING, CONTINUES IN BG)

STEPHEN:

There, there, there, dear. Don't cry.

SANDRA:

Oh, daddy, it was so dark out there! And I thought I'd never see you again!

STEPHEN:

Well, what a thing to say.

HELEN:

How do you feel, Sandra?

SANDRA:

(WEEPS EXTRAVAGANTLY)

HELEN:

(GENTLY) Do you want me to take her, Stephen, and put her to bed?

STEPHEN:

(UNEASY) No, uh, I'll do it, Helen.

HELEN:

(DISAPPOINTED) All right, Stephen. Just as you say.

MUSIC:

BRIDGE

HELEN:

Is she all right, Stephen?

STEPHEN:

(YES) Mm-hmm. She just fell asleep. (BEAT) I hope her being out all night won't have any after-effects.

HELEN:

Stephen, you feel I'm to blame for her running away, don't you?

STEPHEN:

Of course not, Helen. It's just that-- Well, you - you don't seem to understand her.

HELEN:

But, Stephen, I've tried so hard. (IN DESPAIR) Oh, it's no use. She doesn't want me here; never has.

STEPHEN:

Helen, how can you talk like that? Why, she was delighted the day I brought you here as my wife.

HELEN:

Yes, I thought she was in the beginning, but now I know she was just pretending.

STEPHEN:

Just pretending?

HELEN:

Yes, Stephen. From the first moment she saw me she resented me. She feels I've come between you; taken her place in your affection.

STEPHEN:

Oh, Helen, how can you say such a thing?

HELEN:

It's true, I tell you! She sees me as a rival for your love.

STEPHEN:

You're just imagining all this.

HELEN:

I'm not, I tell you! (SOBS) Oh, it's no use, Stephen. We can't go on this way.

STEPHEN:

What do you mean?

HELEN:

Don't you see? We aren't happy any more. Instead of things improving they get worse. Perhaps it would be best if we were to separate.

STEPHEN:

Helen, Helen -- I won't hear of it. I love you, darling. And I wouldn't want to live without you. Whatever misunderstandings we may have about Sandra, I'm - I'm sure we can straighten them out.

HELEN:

I don't know, Stephen.

STEPHEN:

If you love me, Helen, you won't give up so easily. Please -- say you won't leave.

HELEN:

All right, Stephen. I won't leave. Perhaps we will be able to work this out. I hope so.

MUSIC:

BRIDGE

STEPHEN:

(GENTLY) Sandra? Sandra? You awake, darling?

SANDRA:

Yes, daddy?

STEPHEN:

Sandra, mother and I were very upset when you ran away last night. Mother seems to think you ran away because you - you couldn't get along with her. She felt so badly about it she wanted to go away.

SANDRA:

(WITH A HINT OF PLEASURE) She did?

STEPHEN:

Yes. But I told her how much we both loved and needed her. So she's promised to stay.

SANDRA:

(WITH A HINT OF DISAPPOINTMENT) Oh. I see.

STEPHEN:

Sandra, you will try to be a good girl and do as mother wants, won't you? It would make daddy very happy.

SANDRA:

Oh, daddy, I'd do anything to make you happy; anything!

STEPHEN:

That's a good girl, darling. Now, you get up and get dressed, huh? (MOVING OFF) I'll wait for you downstairs.

SANDRA:

All right, daddy. (ANGUISHED, TO HERSELF) He just doesn't understand! He should have let her go, but she's still here! And she's going to stay. I won't have it! I won't have it! I hate her! I hate her!

MUSIC:

BRIDGE ... THEN BEHIND TRAVELER--

TRAVELER:

A week passed. A week in which Sandra's behavior pleased Helen no end. At last it seemed they were going to be the happy family she had always dreamed they would be.

MUSIC:

UP AND OUT

STEPHEN:

(CALLS) Helen?!

HELEN:

(OFF) Yes, dear?

STEPHEN:

Will you bring my coat with you when you come downstairs? Sandra and I are going for a walk.

HELEN:

(OFF) All right, Stephen. I'll get it and be right down.

SANDRA:

Daddy, can we walk down to the river?

STEPHEN:

Oh, we won't have enough time for that, Sandra.

HELEN:

(OFF) Stephen?!

STEPHEN:

Hm?

HELEN:

(OFF) I have your coat, but I can't find your scarf.

STEPHEN:

Well, the scarf's down here, Helen. Just bring the coat.

HELEN:

(OFF) Oh. All right. Stephen, I hope-- (SCREAMS)

SOUND:

HELEN STARTS TO FALL NOISILY DOWN THE STAIRS

STEPHEN:

(STARTLED) Helen!

SANDRA:

Mother!

SOUND:

HELEN CRASHES TO A HALT AT THE BOTTOM OF THE STAIRS

STEPHEN:

Helen! Helen, are you all right? Helen, speak to me!

SANDRA:

(WITH A HINT OF HOPE) Daddy? Is - is she dead?

STEPHEN:

(TENSE) No. Sandra, don't talk like that. Quick! Phone Dr. Smith at once.

MUSIC:

BRIDGE ... THEN BEHIND TRAVELER--

TRAVELER:

I arrived at the Hamilton home to find Helen suffering from shock, but otherwise unhurt. I was somewhat disturbed however to find her very nervous and rundown.

MUSIC:

UP AND OUT

STEPHEN:

She'll be all right, won't she, doctor?

TRAVELER:

Yes, of course. I'm going to leave you a prescription, Mrs. Hamilton. (SOUND: SCRIBBLE OF PEN ON PAPER, IN BG) It's something that will help quiet your nerves. You ought to take it twice a day. (SOUND: SCRIBBLE STOPS) Ah, here's the prescription, Mr. Hamilton.

STEPHEN:

Thank you, doctor. I'll have it filled at once.

TRAVELER:

Well, Sandra, how are you? You've been so quiet I hardly knew you were here.

SANDRA:

(POLITE) I'm fine, thank you.

TRAVELER:

You're growing up to be quite a young lady. Are you still troubled by nightmares?

STEPHEN:

Yes, she still has them once in a while.

TRAVELER:

Well, it's just her nerves. (LOW) Er, if she continues to have them, you might give her some of the medicine I prescribed for your wife. (UP) Well, I must be leaving. Goodbye, Mrs. Hamilton, and, er, stay in bed a few days, hm?

HELEN:

I will, doctor. Goodbye.

STEPHEN:

Goodbye, doctor.

SANDRA:

Goodbye.

SOUND:

PAUSE AS TRAVELER EXITS

STEPHEN:

Well, darling, you gave us quite a scare.

HELEN:

Yes, I - I slipped on something on the top step.

STEPHEN:

Hm. You must have slipped on a marble, dear. I found seven or eight of them on the top step.

HELEN:

A marble? (BEAT) Sandra? Were they your marbles?

SANDRA:

No, mother. They belong to Margie. She must have left them on the stairs when we were playing here.

HELEN:

(TROUBLED) Oh, I see.

SANDRA:

It wasn't my fault! Truly it wasn't!

STEPHEN:

Of course it wasn't, Sandra. Mother knows you wouldn't leave marbles lying around where she could slip on them. Isn't that so, Helen?

HELEN:

(EVENLY) Yes, Stephen. I'm sure Sandra wouldn't want anything to happen to me.

MUSIC:

BRIDGE

HELEN:

(CALLS) Sandra?! Will you come into mother's room a moment, please?

SANDRA:

(APPROACHES) Yes, Mother.

HELEN:

The medicine that Dr. Smith prescribed for me is in the bathroom. Will you get it for me, please?

SANDRA:

(MOVING AWAY) All right, mother.

HELEN:

You'll find it in the medicine chest. It's in a blue bottle.

SANDRA:

(OFF) Yes, I know what it looks like. Oh, here it is.

HELEN:

That's fine, Sandra. Just bring it to me.

SANDRA:

(APPROACHES) Here you are, mother.

HELEN:

Thank you, dear. Oh, Sandra, this isn't the medicine that Dr. Smith prescribed for me. Didn't you read the label? This bottle has poison in it.

SANDRA:

Poison?!

HELEN:

Why, yes. It's right here in red letters on the label.

SANDRA:

(APOLOGETIC) I'm sorry. But this bottle is blue, too. It looks just like the one with your medicine.

HELEN:

(REALIZES) Yes, it does at that. Now put this bottle of poison back and get me my medicine.

SANDRA:

Yes, mother.

HELEN:

I'll have to get rid of that poison. It's too dangerous to keep in the medicine chest.

SANDRA:

(WITH A HINT OF INSPIRATION) It would have been awful if you took the poison, wouldn't it, mother? Why, you might have died.

MUSIC:

BRIDGE

SANDRA:

(EXTREMELY AGITATED, IN HER SLEEP) No! Go away! I hate you! I hate you! He's mine! [?] We don't want you! We don't want you!

STEPHEN:

(GENTLY) Darling, darling, wake up, wake up, wake up.

SANDRA:

(SOBS AS SHE WAKES)

STEPHEN:

You're having a nightmare.

SANDRA:

Oh, daddy! Daddy! Don't leave me! Don't leave me! (WEEPS AND GIBBERS, IN BG)

STEPHEN:

Well, of course I won't, Sandra.

HELEN:

(WORRIED) Stephen, she's so frightened.

STEPHEN:

Yes, these nightmares leave her nervous for hours. (GENTLY, TO SANDRA) Sh-sh-sh. Darling, there's nothing to cry about now.

SANDRA:

Oh, daddy! I was so frightened.

HELEN:

(OFF) Stephen, come here a moment, will you, please?

STEPHEN:

All right, Helen.

SANDRA:

Oh, daddy, don't leave me!

STEPHEN:

Now, now, Sandra. I'm not going to leave you. I'm just going to see what mother wants.

SOUND:

SANDRA'S WEEPING FADES BACK AND CONTINUES IN BG

STEPHEN:

What is it, Helen?

HELEN:

Stephen, Dr. Smith said if she had a nightmare, some of the medicine he prescribed for me would help her.

STEPHEN:

Well, Sandra doesn't like taking medicine.

HELEN:

But this medicine is very easy to take. And it'll have her asleep in no time.

STEPHEN:

All right, if you think it's best.

HELEN:

Yes, I'm sure it is. Now, you go back to Sandra while I get the medicine and a glass.

STEPHEN:

All right, Helen.

SOUND:

SANDRA'S WEEPING FADES ON AND CONTINUES IN BG

STEPHEN:

(COMFORTING) Now, now, Sandra. You must stop your crying. Daddy's here.

SANDRA:

Don't go 'way, daddy! I need you to stay with me!

STEPHEN:

Of course I'll stay with you. (BEAT) What were you dreaming about, dear?

SANDRA:

I - I don't know. It was all so mixed up. Oh, daddy, will you always love me? More than anybody else in the world?!

STEPHEN:

(REASSURING) Of course. Now stop your crying.

SANDRA:

(STOPS WEEPING BEHIND--)

HELEN:

(APPROACHES) All right, Stephen, I have it. Now, if you'll just have Sandra sit up.

STEPHEN:

(TO SANDRA) Come on, darling. Sit up now. (BEAT) That's it.

SOUND:

BOTTLE ON GLASS ... MEDICINE POURED

SANDRA:

(TENSE) What's mother doing?

STEPHEN:

She's pouring you some medicine. It'll help you sleep, darling.

SANDRA:

Medicine?

STEPHEN:

Yes, it's the same medicine mother takes for her own nerves.

SANDRA:

(PANICS, HYSTERICAL) No! No, I don't want it!

HELEN:

Now, please, Sandra. It'll make you feel much better.

SANDRA:

No, don't come near me! I don't want it!

STEPHEN:

But, Sandra, mother takes it twice a day. There's nothing to it.

SANDRA:

No! I won't take it! I won't! (WEEPS, IN BG)

STEPHEN:

(UNEASY) Ah, perhaps we'd better let it go, Helen.

HELEN:

Nonsense, Stephen. She'll have us up all night if she doesn't take it.

STEPHEN:

(CONCEDES) All right.

HELEN:

Now, Sandra, stop being a baby and take this medicine.

SANDRA:

No! Daddy, don't let her make me take it! Don't let her! (WEEPS, IN BG)

HELEN:

Sandra, are you going to let me give you this quietly or do I have to make you take it?

SANDRA:

No! No, it'll kill me! I know it will!

SOUND:

OF BRIEF STRUGGLE IN BG, UNTIL SANDRA SWALLOWS THE MEDICINE--

HELEN:

(WITH EFFORT) Here, let me hold your head. That's it.

SANDRA:

No!

HELEN:

Sandra, stop clenching your teeth. Open your mouth, do you hear?

SANDRA:

Daddy, don't let her--! (SWALLOWS MEDICINE, THEN STARTS CHOKING IN BG)

HELEN:

(SATISFIED) There! She's taken it. All this fuss over nothing.

STEPHEN:

Helen--? She's choking.

SANDRA:

(IN PAIN) Daddy! Daddy, it burns!

STEPHEN:

Sandra, what's wrong?

SANDRA:

It's burning me, daddy! Help me! Help me, I can't breathe--

STEPHEN:

Helen, quick! Call Dr. Smith! Tell him it's an emergency!

SANDRA:

(BLOODCURDLING) Daddy!

MUSIC:

BRIDGE

HELEN:

(BREATHLESS) Stephen, here's Dr. Smith.

TRAVELER:

Let me see her.

STEPHEN:

She's been unconscious for ten minutes now. Doctor, you must do something.

TRAVELER:

(BEAT, SLOWLY) I'm afraid it's too late, Mr. Hamilton. She's dead.

HELEN:

Oh, no! No, she can't be!

TRAVELER:

I'm sorry.

STEPHEN:

(STUNNED) But - how can she be? We only gave her the medicine you prescribed for Helen.

HELEN:

Yes! Here it is!

TRAVELER:

Let me see it. (BEAT, PUZZLED) But this medicine wouldn't kill her. It's only a nerve tonic. You can see-- (SHARP INTAKE OF BREATH)

STEPHEN:

Doctor--? What is it?

TRAVELER:

Why, this is the bottle all right, but the medicine in it isn't the medicine I prescribed.

HELEN:

But it is! I took some of it last night.

TRAVELER:

I assure you, this isn't the medicine I prescribed.

STEPHEN:

Then what is in that bottle?

TRAVELER:

It smells like - carbolic acid.

HELEN:

(GASPS)

STEPHEN:

Carbolic acid?

HELEN:

But that's impossible! Look at the label! You can see it's my medicine!

TRAVELER:

Yes, the label's right, but someone poured out the medicine I prescribed and replaced it with carbolic acid.

HELEN:

(SHUDDERS) Oh, no.

STEPHEN:

But why?! Why should anyone want to do such a thing?! Who could possibly want to kill Sandra?! Everyone loved her! Ask Helen! She'll tell you that Sandra--! (STOPS SHORT)

HELEN:

(PAUSE) Stephen--? Why are you looking at me like that? (NO ANSWER) Surely you don't believe I poisoned her? (NO ANSWER, HORRIFIED) Stephen! No! No! (SCREAMS IN HORROR) Stephen!

MUSIC:

CURTAIN

SOUND:

TRAIN INTERIOR ... THEN IN BG

TRAVELER:

This is the Mysterious Traveler again.

SOUND:

TRAIN WHISTLE

MUSIC:

ORGAN ... IN AND BEHIND TRAVELER--

TRAVELER:

(AFFABLY MACABRE) Have you enjoyed our little trip? Er, by the way, do you have a child in your home? If so, I do trust it isn't angry with you. You can't be too careful with children. Why, I recall another child who, after being punished by his parents, took a razor and-- Oh, you're getting off at the next stop? I'm sorry. Perhaps you'll join me again soon. I take this same train every week at the same time.

SOUND:

TRAIN INTERIOR FADES OUT, TOPPED BY--

MUSIC:

TAG

ANNOUNCER:

You have just heard Chapter 13 of THE MYSTERIOUS TRAVELER, a series of dramas of the strange and unusual, brought to you each week by Station WOR. In tonight's program, "The Good Die Young," Betty Jane Tyler played Sandra. THE MYSTERIOUS TRAVELER, written by Bob Arthur and David Kogan, is directed by Jock McGregor. Original music was played by Doc Whipple.

MUSIC:

TAG

ANNOUNCER:

Listen next week to a tale titled--

TRAVELER:

--"Design for Death"--

ANNOUNCER:

--another tale of THE MYSTERIOUS TRAVELER.

SOUND:

TRAIN WHISTLE ... TRAIN RUMBLES DOWN TRACK

ANNOUNCER:

THE MYSTERIOUS TRAVELER is presented by WOR-Mutual every Sunday at seven over most of these stations. (PAUSE) This - is - MUTUAL.

MUSIC:

FINAL EERIE CURTAIN