Generic Radio Workshop Script Library (GO BACK) (Downloadable Text File)

Series: Suspense
Show: Love, Honor, or Murder
Date: Jun 29 1950

Transcribed by Patte Rosebank


"Suspense" Team:

JOSEPH KEARNS - The Voice of Suspense
HARLOW WILCOX
HAP
OPERATOR (1 line)
CBS ANNOUNCER (1 line)

Characters:

HARRY BLAKE (Elliott Lewis) - gentle, soft-spoken cab driver
HELEN BLAKE (Cathy Lewis) - his vicious, scheming wife
WALKER'S HOUSEKEEPER (Verna Felton) - older woman
DAVE HARRIS - cab dispatcher
MACK - easygoing mechanic
CAB DRIVER (Jerry Hausner)
POLICE SERGEANT
ANNOUNCER - on Sidney's show (1 line)
SIDNEY WALKER - radio broadcaster (2 lines)

MUSIC:

"SUSPENSE" THEME, UNDER

KEARNS:

Auto-Lite and its ninety-six thousand dealers present...

MUSIC:

KNIFE CHORD

KEARNS:

SUSPENSE!

MUSIC:

THEME CONTINUES, UNDER

KEARNS:

Tonight, Auto-Lite brings you "Love, Honour, or Murder", a suspense play produced and edited by William Spier, and starring Cathy and Elliott Lewis.

MUSIC:

DRAMATIC ENDING, THEN OUT

HELEN:

(ON PHONE, COLD, EXASPERATED) Hello, Alice. (PAUSE) Yeah, this is Helen. Look, kid, I'm not gonna be able to go the dance after all. (PAUSE) Well, Harry works the late shift with that taxi of his, so I've got to stay home and look at the four walls again. Aw, I'm so fed up sometimes, I feel like leaving this house and Harry and the whole works! Believe me, the only reason I haven't is because I need the money to do it! (PAUSE, SARCASTIC) Seven years of wedded bliss. Only thing to show for it is this stinkin' place. If I ever get my hands on a thousand bucks, I'd get out of here so fast it'd make ya-- (PAUSE) I SAID, if I had a thousand bucks, I'd kiss off Harry so fast, it'd make ya--

SFX:

KEY IN DOOR ... DOOR OPENS, OFF

HELEN:

(QUIETLY) Hold it a minute, Alice; somebody came in. Hold it.

SFX:

DOOR CLOSES, OFF. FOOTSTEPS OFF, APPROACHING, UNDER

HELEN:

(CALLS) Is that you, Harry?

HARRY:

(VERY HAPPY AND EXCITED) Yeah! It's me! Came home early.

SFX:

FOOTSTEPS OUT

HELEN:

Well, if ya expect to find dinner at this hour, you're gonna be disappointed. (ON PHONE) It's Harry, Alice.

HARRY:

(TRYING TO GET HER ATTENTION) Honey?

HELEN:

(ON PHONE) What was I saying? Oh, yeah...

HARRY:

(UNDER) Honey, cut the conversation; somethin's happened!

HELEN:

It's the same old thing, I-- What?!

HARRY:

I said, cut the conversation! Here, gimme that phone.

HELEN:

But what for, Harr--

HARRY:

(INTO PHONE, QUICKLY) Alice, Helen'll call ya later. G'bye!

SFX:

HANGS UP PHONE FAST

HELEN:

(SARCASTIC) Big man!

HARRY:

Baby, you know what I got here? Twelve thousand dollars!

MUSIC:

"SUSPENSE" THEME, UNDER

KEARNS:

Yes. In a moment, Cathy and Elliott Lewis, and a tale well-calculated to keep you in...SUSPENSE!

MUSIC:

OUT

HAP:

Wilcox, where do you spend your summer vacation?

WILCOX:

On the open road, Hap, my hapless pedestrian, enjoying the remarkable performance of my Auto-Lite Sta-Ful Battery, the battery that needs water only three times a year in normal car use! Ah, what sweet Sta-Fulment!

HAP:

Correction, Wilcox. You mean sweet FULfilment.

WILCOX:

Ah, you walked into a trap, Hap, me lad! The Auto-Lite Sta-Ful Battery brings sweet STA-Fulment... because it has three times as much liquid reserve as batteries without Sta-Ful features. That's why it needs water only three times a year in normal car use.

HAP:

A man who puns like that won't live long, Wilcox.

WILCOX:

Ah, but Hap, the Auto-Lite Sta-Ful Battery lives an incredibly long life. According to tests based on SAE Life Cycle Standards, for example, this famous battery gave seventy percent longer average life than batteries without Sta-Ful features.

HAP:

I shouldn't have started all this.

WILCOX:

Oh, and speaking of starting, my friend, the Auto-Lite Sta-Ful Battery has plenty of starting stamina and dependability! So, friends, see your friendly Auto-Lite Battery dealer tomorrow. And ask for an Auto-Lite Sta-Ful Battery for your car. And remember, you're always right with Auto-Lite.

MUSIC:

"SUSPENSE" THEME UP, UNDER

KEARNS:

And now, with "Love, Honour, or Murder", and the performances of Cathy and Elliott Lewis, Auto-Lite hopes once again to keep you in...SUSPENSE!

MUSIC:

CHANGE TO SLIGHTLY UNEASY MUSIC, THEN FADE OUT

HARRY:

That's what I said, baby. Twelve thousand dollars!

HELEN:

Are you out of your mind, Harry?

HARRY:

Helen, I found this wallet in my cab, just a few minutes ago.

HELEN:

Wallet?

HARRY:

Here, look inside. Open it up.

SFX:

FLIPPING THROUGH MONEY IN WALLET

HELEN:

Harry! Hundred-dollar bills...

HARRY:

And fifties and twenties and tens! More than twelve thousand dollars!

HELEN:

Twelve thousand dollars...

HARRY:

Now is it all right to come home early?

HELEN:

Oh, gee, I... I dunno what to say...

HARRY:

Now, take it easy, baby. Don't get too excited. I gotta give it back.

HELEN:

(COLDLY) Give it back???

HARRY:

Well, yeah. Look at the name inside the wallet.

HELEN:

Well, first ya--

HARRY:

It belongs to a regular customer o' mine. Sidney Walker, the news commentator? I take him around town every afternoon. He calls up for me personally.

HELEN:

Twelve thousand dollars...

HARRY:

Yeah. But as far as we're concerned, it's not worth twelve cents, huh? If I don't turn it into the company before Walker calls about it, they can throw me in the pen for five years.

HELEN:

(COLDLY) Then why did ya bring it home?

HARRY:

(PAUSE) Oh, I don't know. I guess I shouldn't have, at that. It's just that I never saw so much money before. I wasn't so far away, and I-- I just had to bring it home and show it to you.

HELEN:

(ANGRY) You hadda bring it home and wave it under my nose! That's like you!

HARRY:

(CONCILIATORY) Oh now, Helen...

HELEN:

That's JUST like you, Harry!

HARRY:

Now, gimme the money, Helen. Walker's gonna remember leavin' the money in my cab. He'll call up the company.

HELEN:

Wait a second. How long ago d'you find the money?

HARRY:

Twenty minutes ago. I came straight home.

HELEN:

So, what's the hurry?

HARRY:

What?

HELEN:

As long as you're home, why don't you wash up? I'll fix you some supper. I'll make ya a good supper.

HARRY:

Well, I dunno. I oughtta get back--

HELEN:

Come on, honey, go on and wash up. Go ahead. Give us a chance, for a little while, to kind of pretend the money belongs to us.

MUSIC:

TENSE, BRIEF, THEN OUT

SFX:

MEALTIME AMBIENCE (DISHES, CUTLERY) UNDER

HARRY:

My, this coffee really hits the spot! Why didn't ya eat, honey?

HELEN:

Mm? Oh, I was just thinking...

HARRY:

'Bout the twelve thousand bucks? Well. Someday, we'll have it too, baby.

HELEN:

We've got it RIGHT NOW, Harry.

HARRY:

W-- well, yeah, for about five more minutes. Well. I guess I better report in now. It's been almost an hour. Walker'll be callin' the company pretty soon. I want the money to be in the safe when he does. (PAUSE) Uh... Will you give me the wallet, Helen?

HELEN:

How do ya know Walker'll call the company?

HARRY:

Oh, we've been through all o' that. He'll call because he'll remember the ride with me. We went over a bumpy stretch. Easy for his wallet to pop out then. He'll probably remember that.

HELEN:

He could'a lost it in so many other places. He may not even THINK of the cab ride, and if he doesn't, WON'T YOU FEEL LIKE A FOOL?

HARRY:

Well, it's better than coolin' my heels in some jail.

HELEN:

I know what I'd do...if I were you.

HARRY:

What?

HELEN:

I'd take the chance that Walker wouldn't remember, that he wouldn't call. I'd keep the money.

HARRY:

Now, Helen, stop that.

HELEN:

That's what I'D do! But not YOU. You've always been afraid to take a chance! You'll always be content to be nothing!

HARRY:

I'm sorry I ever came here with the money. Now, give it back to me. I'm turnin' it in to the company.

HELEN:

Do you love me, Harry?

HARRY:

Why, that's got nothin' to do with it!

HELEN:

Now it has everything to do with it. If you leave this house with this money, when you come back, I'll be gone.

HARRY:

(PAUSE) Now you're talkin' like a sap.

HELEN:

I mean it!

HARRY:

Come on, gimme the wallet.

HELEN:

(PAUSE, QUIETLY) Here it is, Harry.

SFX:

DROPS WALLET ON TABLE

HELEN:

(PAUSE, RESIGNED) When you come back, I'll be gone.

HARRY:

Yeah. I'll BET you will. (PAUSE) Well... I gotta be goin'.

SFX:

FOOTSTEPS, UNDER

HARRY:

I'll see ya later, honey. (NO ANSWER) I'll be home later.

HELEN:

Doesn't matter when you come home. You won't find me here.

HARRY:

Awww.

SFX:

OPENS DOOR

HARRY:

You stop talkin' like that. (PAUSE) So long, Helen.

HELEN:

It's really goodbye, Harry. I mean it.

HARRY:

(FRUSTRATED) You...!

SFX:

SLAMS DOOR ... FOOTSTEPS STOMP BACK TO HER

HARRY:

You...! (PAUSE. QUIETLY) From the first day we were married, you've been twistin' me around your little finger. Only cause you know how much I love you, how much I need you. (PAUSE) And yet, you'll never stop doin' that, will ya, Helen?

HELEN:

Well?

HARRY:

(NO CHOICE) Whattaya want me to do?

HELEN:

(LIKE A CAT CORNERING A MOUSE) Nothing. Nothing! Leave everything to me!

MUSIC:

TENSE, BUILDING, THEN FADING OUT

SFX:

PHONE "RINGING" TONES, AS HEARD BY THE CALLER

DAVE:

(FILTER) Peerless Cab Company.

HELEN:

Uh, this is Mr. Sidney Walker's personal secretary calling.

DAVE:

(FILTER) Don't tell me that cab Mr. Walker ordered hasn't got there yet. I sent it out hours ago.

HELEN:

Oh! Oh, it got here all right. It's not that. I-- Uh... we're trying to locate Mr. Walker, and I just wondered if, by any chance, you might have heard from him?

DAVE:

(FILTER) What? Oh, no, if he got his cab all right, why should he have called us?

HELEN:

Oh, of course! You're right. Well, thank you very much.

SFX:

HANGS UP PHONE

HARRY:

Well?

HELEN:

He hasn't reported anything yet.

HARRY:

That don't make sense! Twelve thousand bucks is a lotta money, even for Walker!

HELEN:

Gimme the phone book.

HARRY:

Who you gonna call now?

HELEN:

Mr. Walker, of course. We gotta find out why he hasn't reported losing his wallet!

HARRY:

What? (PLEADING) Oh, look... Why don't ya let me bring the money back? Maybe-- Hey, maybe he'll give me a good reward! He might even gimme the--

HELEN:

You're not gonna do ANYTHING.

SFX:

FLIPPING THROUGH PHONE BOOK, UNDER

HELEN:

(TO HERSELF) Lemme see now, there we are. Here it is, here.

SFX:

PICKS UP PHONE ... DIALS, UNDER

HARRY:

(DESPERATELY) You're gonna get us in trouble, Helen!

HELEN:

I know what I'm doing!

SFX:

PHONE "RINGING" TONES, AS HEARD BY THE CALLER

SFX:

PHONE ANSWERED, AS HEARD BY THE CALLER

HOUSE:

(FILTER) Hello?

HELEN:

He-- Hello? I'd like to speak to Mr. Walker, please.

HOUSE:

(FILTER) Well, he's not in right now. This is Mr. Walker's housekeeper. Could I take a message?

HELEN:

Uh, no, no. This is a personal matter. Where could I be certain of reaching him?

HOUSE:

(FILTER) Nowhere until ten o'clock.

HELEN:

Ten o'clock?

HOUSE:

(FILTER) Yes. That's when he does his nightly broadcast, you know.

HELEN:

Oh, yes, of course. And, uh, what time does he reach the station?

HOUSE:

(FILTER) Five minutes of ten.

HELEN:

Uh-huh. You're quite sure he'll be there, then?

HOUSE:

(FILTER, LAUGHS) Oh, my heavens! You could stake your life on it! That's been his schedule for a good many years. Uh, who's this talking? Are you a friend of Mr. Walker's?

HELEN:

Oh, yes, yes. My husband and I have known... Sidney for a long time.

HOUSE:

(FILTER) Well, as long as you're a friend, I can tell you. Mr. Walker has a busy evening ahead of him.

HELEN:

Oh?

HOUSE:

(FILTER) He lost his wallet, an hour or so ago. It contained a lot of money, enough for a payment on a house he's wanted.

HELEN:

That's too bad. I do hope he finds it.

HOUSE:

(FILTER) Oh, he'll find the wallet, all right! He's out looking for it right now.

HELEN:

Does he have any idea where he might have lost it?

HOUSE:

(FILTER) Oh, yes, he certainly has, and he's mighty disappointed it hasn't been returned!

HELEN:

He knows who found the wallet?

HOUSE:

(FILTER) Mmm, not exactly. The way he told it to me, he knows who SHOULD have found it. But, that is, he didn't tell me the rascal's name.

HELEN:

I see.

HOUSE:

(FILTER) He's too kind and easygoing, that's what he is.

HELEN:

Er, he's always been that way.

HOUSE:

(FILTER) I'd have called the police, and right away!

HELEN:

Why hasn't he?

HOUSE:

(FILTER) Oh, he doesn't want to cause any embarrassment or hard feelings, you know. So, first, he's going to look everywhere else he's been this evening.

HELEN:

Mmm. And if it still doesn't turn up?

HOUSE:

(FILTER) Well, he says if this fellow he suspects hasn't come by the apartment to return the money by the time he gets home, then he'll report it, all right! (LITTLE LAUGH) Oh, but my gracious! Here I am, gabbing away, a mile a minute! I'm sure all this doesn't interest YOU.

HELEN:

Oh, it does! Of course it does! Er, now, if we wanna reach Sidney before he gets home, you say he will arrive at the radio station just before ten?

HOUSE:

(FILTER) At five minutes to ten. On the dot.

HELEN:

Well, then, we'll contact him there. Thank you.

SFX:

HANGS UP PHONE

HELEN:

(URGENTLY) Harry...

HARRY:

(QUIETLY) Yeah?

HELEN:

That was his housekeeper. Now, what she says, he knows he left the wallet in your cab.

HARRY:

See? I told you!

HELEN:

Yeah, but he hasn't reported it yet! Mr. Walker is a very fair man.

HARRY:

(RELIEVED) Oh. Well, I'll have time to bring it down to the company, then.

HELEN:

Harry, how many times do I have to tell you, we're not gonna bring it down to the company?! (PAUSE) Now, come on. We gotta decide what we can do between now and midnight to keep Walker from reporting his loss.

HARRY:

(DESPERATELY) But there's nothin' we CAN do! You just said he knows he left the money in MY cab!

HELEN:

(PAUSE. HAS AN IDEA.) That's right.

HARRY:

Well, then, what is there to decide? (PAUSE) What are ya smilin' about?

HELEN:

Was I smiling? I was thinking of something.

HARRY:

Of what?

HELEN:

Now there is really only one way, in all the world, to keep Walker from telling about that wallet...

HARRY:

What are ya talkin' about? The only way to keep Walker from tellin' would be to kill him. (NO ANSWER) Now, now, look... We gotta decide what we're gonna do, so let's stop the jokes.

HELEN:

(SLOWLY) Do I look like I'm joking?

HARRY:

(PAUSE) No. (PAUSE) No, you don't.

HELEN:

There's that gun in the dresser drawer. Never been used. They can never trace anything to you.

HARRY:

Oh, Helen, what are you talkin' about?

HELEN:

You've GOT to kill him. It's simple arithmetic!

HARRY:

How CAN I? He's-- He's never done me any harm.

HELEN:

If he lives, he'll call the police and tell 'em you've stolen his money!

HARRY:

That's why I gotta return the money!

HELEN:

If ya do that, you'll lose your wife!

HARRY:

(PLEADING) No-- no, but Helen, look--

HELEN:

Listen to me. Look how simple it is. At five minutes to ten, you can be absolutely certain that he'll be entering the broadcasting studio. If you were waiting outside for him, the-- There's... so many quiet places you could take him... with a gun.

HARRY:

Yeah, but, Helen, li-- listen to me. Even... Even if-- if I wanted to kill him... I-- I couldn't. (PAUSE, QUIETLY) I haven't the nerve.

HELEN:

Oh, yes you have!

HARRY:

What?

HELEN:

You see, Harry, there are some men who can kill a hundred times. It doesn't bother their appetite; they still get a good night's sleep--

HARRY:

Yeah, but not-- not--

HELEN:

No, I know. No. Not you. Not you, Harry. But EVERY man, even a weakling like you, can kill ONCE. If he's GOT to kill to get rid of the thing that'll destroy him.

HARRY:

Now, Helen, please! I can't!

HELEN:

You CAN! Harry, you CAN do it for me!

HARRY:

(PLEADING) Oh, why don't ya let me just bring the money back? It'd be so much better that way!

HELEN:

Harry! (PAUSE) What time is it?

HARRY:

(CONFUSED) What?

HELEN:

(PAUSE) What time is it?

HARRY:

Uh... It's ten after nine.

HELEN:

You couldn't bring the money back now, even if I let ya.

HARRY:

But why?

HELEN:

What time should you have reported in with your cab?

HARRY:

Why... [RECORDING SKIPS] Oh. (PAUSE. QUIETLY) So THAT'S it.

HELEN:

See what I mean? (PAUSE) If Walker reports his loss now, you're in trouble no matter what you do. They'll know you were THINKING of keeping the money. In their eyes, that's almost as bad as REALLY keeping it!

HARRY:

Yeah, but I have--

HELEN:

You know the rules of that company. You're supposed to inspect your cab after every fare. If they don't arrest ya, they'll FIRE ya! They'll blackball ya! You'll never get another job!

HARRY:

(PAUSE. QUIETLY) That's why you kept me here. Made supper for me. Dolled around. You figured that one out too, didn't ya, Helen?

HELEN:

Yes, I figured that one out too! Walker'll get to the station at five to ten. You've got forty-five minutes. Start out, and act as if you're on a regular run. This'll be your alibi later. Just... stop at all the usual places, and talk to the boys, and act as if it were just another night.

HARRY:

Yeah, what... What about my schedule? I'm supposed to be in at eight-thirty.

HELEN:

You can always tell 'em that business was so good, you couldn't come in. (PAUSE, COLDLY) Shall I... get the gun, Harry?

HARRY:

(PAUSE, RESIGNED) Yes.

MUSIC:

DRAMATIC, THEN A STING, THEN UNDER

KEARNS:

Auto-Lite is bringing you Cathy and Elliott Lewis, in "Love, Honour, or Murder". Tonight's production in Radio's outstanding theatre of thrills..."SUSPENSE"!

MUSIC:

UP, THEN FAST FADE OUT, AT [X]

HAP:

Say, Wilcox, if you drive across [X] the Arizona Desert, take special note of the barrel cactus.

WILCOX:

Why, Hap?

HAP:

It's a desert "phenomenom". Holds water like a well.

WILCOX:

Well, well! That reminds me of the Auto-Lite Sta-Ful Battery, the battery that needs water only three times a year, in normal car use.

HAP:

I was afraid it would.

WILCOX:

Ah, no need for fear, lad! Because the Auto-Lite Sta-Ful Battery has plenty of starting stamina and dependability! You see, this super battery has a fibreglas retaining mat, protecting every positive plate. That keeps the power-producing material in place, and means extra-long life.

HAP:

The little cactus lives a mighty long life too.

WILCOX:

Now, pardon me, Hap, but SAE Life Cycle Standard Tests show that the Auto-Lite Sta-Ful Battery gives seventy percent longer average life than batteries without Sta-Ful features.

HAP:

Oh, there's no use talking.

WILCOX:

You're so right, Hap! The thing to do is see your friendly Auto-Lite Battery dealer tomorrow! Ask for an Auto-Lite Sta-Ful Battery, the battery that needs water only three times a year, in normal car use. And remember, you're always right with Auto-Lite!

MUSIC:

FADE IN "SUSPENSE" THEME, AT [X], CONTINUING UNDER

KEARNS:

And now, Auto-Lite [X] brings back to our Hollywood soundstage, our stars, Cathy and Elliott Lewis, in "Love, Honour, or Murder", a tale well-calculated to keep you in...

MUSIC:

KNIFE CHORD, UNDER

KEARNS:

...SUSPENSE!

MUSIC:

FADES OUT, INTO

SFX:

PHONE RINGS ... ANSWERS PHONE

HELEN:

(ANXIOUS) Harry? Is it you?

DAVE:

(FILTER) Uh, beg pardon?

HELEN:

Oh, I'm sorry. I thought it was my husband. What do you want?

DAVE:

(FILTER) Oh, you must be Mrs. Blake, Harry's wife, huh?

HELEN:

Yeah. What do you want?

DAVE:

(FILTER) Say... uh, have I talked to you on the phone before?

HELEN:

Why?

DAVE:

(FILTER) Your voice sounds kinda... familiar.

HELEN:

You may have. Who is this?

DAVE:

(FILTER) This is Dave Harris, over at Peerless Cab Company.

HELEN:

Peerless Cab Company?

DAVE:

(FILTER) Yeah. Say, uh, have you seen Harry in the last coupla hours?

HELEN:

Why, no. He's out working.

DAVE:

(FILTER) Well, he should have been through with his shift at eight-thirty. It's twenty-five to ten already. That's not like Harry.

HELEN:

(SOTTO) Twenty-five to ten... (UP) Is-- is something wrong?

DAVE:

(FILTER) Well, I don't know. One o' Harry's regular customers, Sidney Walker, called up a few minutes ago from a restaurant on the way to that broadcast he does...

HELEN:

(ANXIOUS) Yeah?

DAVE:

(FILTER) He thinks he left a wallet in Harry's cab. (NO ANSWER) He said he thinks he left--

HELEN:

I heard you.

DAVE:

(FILTER) Well, there was twelve thousand dollars in the wallet, Mrs. Blake. Walker says he's looked everywhere else that he might have lost it, and it hasn't turned up. He just wants me to contact Harry as soon as possible, and tell him to look in the back of his cab.

HELEN:

Well, if Harry should call, I'll tell him to get in touch with you right away, I should-- (REALIZES) What did you say before?

DAVE:

(FILTER) Huh?

HELEN:

Walker called and told all this... BEFORE he started for the station? (WEAK)

DAVE:

(FILTER) Er, what? What are you talkin' about, Mrs. Blake?

HELEN:

(WEAK) Nothing. Nothing!

MUSIC:

DRAMATIC, TENSE, THEN CONTINUES, LOW, UNDER

HELEN:

(WITH MOUNTING FEAR) Walker called BEFORE he reached the station! Harry'll be waiting at the station to kill him! Now Walker's already told 'em that maybe Harry kept the wallet! Everything'll point to Harry! They'll arrest him ten minutes after he kills Walker! And Harry'll tell 'em everything. (DISGUSTED) He's weak. He'll try to blame me! He'll tell 'em I made him do it! (MOUNTING DESPERATION) I've gotta call him back! I gotta stop him before he kills Walker! Twenty-five to ten? Twenty minutes to reach him! I've got to reach him!

MUSIC:

DRAMATIC, THEN CONTINUES, LOW, UNDER

HELEN:

(DESPERATELY) Twenty minutes to reach Harry. Twenty minutes to call him back. I told Harry to make all the regular stops, so everybody'd remember him. Oh, lemme think!! Think!!! He'll stop for gas at the taxi garage. Yeah! Yeah, I reached him there before. The number's written down someplace in... his little book!

SFX:

SEARCHING IN A DRAWER, UNDER

HELEN:

(TERRIFIED, ALMOST IN TEARS) I'm shaking so, I can't-- Here! Here it is! Two, oh, six, five...five, two...

SFX:

LIFTS RECEIVER ... DIALS PHONE

SFX:

PHONE "RINGING" TONES, AS HEARD BY THE CALLER

SFX:

PHONE ANSWERED, AS HEARD BY THE CALLER

MACK:

(FILTER) Peerless Garage. Mack speaking.

HELEN:

This-- (STEELS HERSELF) This is Mrs. Blake calling. Harry Blake's wife?

MACK:

(FILTER) Yeah, Mrs. Blake?

HELEN:

Has Harry been there yet? To-- to get his gas, I mean?

MACK:

(FILTER) No, he hasn't been here all night. Say, what's he been up to?

HELEN:

What do you mean?

MACK:

(FILTER) Well, I just got a call from the main office to hold him here when he does show up.

HELEN:

Look... Mack... Harry always talked o' you as friends.

MACK:

(FILTER) Why, sure! But, uh--

HELEN:

(QUICKLY) Well, he's in trouble, terrible trouble! I haven't got the time to explain, but if I don't reach him right away, I don't know what'll happen.

MACK:

(FILTER) Well, uh, I don't know what I can do, Mrs. Blake.

HELEN:

Well, you-- you can tell me the names and the telephone numbers o' some of the places that cabbies like Harry stop off at--

MACK:

(FILTER) Well, he's--

HELEN:

...while they're on their runs?

MACK:

(FILTER) Uh... Well, sometimes, the boys stop at Kessler's Coffee Shop, on Sixth Avenue for coffee.

HELEN:

(URGENTLY) What's their number?

MACK:

(FILTER) Uh... Wait a minute. It's, uh... It's EState, uh, eight, five, seven, oh.

HELEN:

In EState, eight-- eight, five, seven, oh. All right, all right. Where else?

MACK:

(FILTER) Oh, maybe if he had a few minutes to spare, he'd go into Frank's Tavern on Washington Boulevard. I dunno the phone number there.

HELEN:

I'll look it up, I'll look it up! Where else?

MACK:

(FILTER) Of course, he might go up to Union Headquarters to chew the rag with the boys.

HELEN:

Union Headquarters. Yeah. Where else?

MACK:

(FILTER) Look... There's lotsa places he might stop off at. Ya gotta reach him by ten o'clock, huh? Well, that doesn't leave ya much time.

HELEN:

No, it doesn't leave me much time!

MUSIC:

DRAMATIC, THEN FADES OUT AT [X]

HELEN:

(ON PHONE, URGENTLY) I'm trying to locate Harry Blake. Has he been there tonight? (PAUSE) He hasn't. [X] Well, if he does show up, willya tell him to call his wife? Tell him it's very important.

MUSIC:

DRAMATIC, THEN FADES OUT AT [X]

HELEN:

(ON PHONE, URGENTLY) You're SURE Harry isn't in? Could you just kinda look around again? It's-- [X] it's-- (SIGH) All right. If you're sure. But, but, listen, if he does drop in, tell him to call home right away!

MUSIC:

DRAMATIC, THEN FADES OUT AT [X]

HELEN:

(ON PHONE, DESPERATE) Harry Blake! Yeah, the cab driver! [X] He WAS in your place??? Just a few minutes ago? Can you call him back? Please! It's terribly important! I know you're awful busy and everything-- (PAUSE, DESPERATE) Hello??? Hello, hello???

MUSIC:

DRAMATIC, THEN LOW, UNDER

HELEN:

(ALMOST CRYING WITH DESPERATION) What am I gonna do? What am I gonna do? I gotta stop him! (GASP) Oh! Fifteen minutes to ten. Ten minutes, only ten minutes! I gotta think! I got to think! The radio station's on Sixth and Main. That's...two miles away. Maybe I could get to Harry before Walker reaches there! I've got to try, I've got to try! I've got to stop him!!!

MUSIC:

DRAMATIC, MOUNTING TENSION, THEN OUT INTO

SFX:

"INSIDE DRIVING CAR" AMBIENCE + OCCASIONAL CAR HORNS OUTSIDE CAR, UNDER

HELEN:

Driver!

DRIVER:

Huh?

HELEN:

When I got in your cab, you told me you could get me to the radio station in ten minutes!

DRIVER:

Oh, I didn't give ya no guarantees, lady. I'm doin' the best I can.

HELEN:

But I-- I've GOT to get there before five of ten! You told me you could make it.

DRIVER:

It don't do no good to holler in my ear, lady.

HELEN:

(DESPERATE) There must be... SOME way to make better time! Can't you take side streets...or something?

SFX:

CAB SLOWS, THEN STOPS

HELEN:

Again, you've stopped!

DRIVER:

It's the traffic, lady.

HELEN:

But you TOLD me you--

DRIVER:

I know what I told you, but I didn't figure on so much traffic.

HELEN:

(LITTLE WHIMPER)

SFX:

CAB STARTS DRIVING AGAIN, UNDER

HELEN:

(LITTLE WHIMPER OF HOPE, THEN) Please hurry!

DRIVER:

Yeah, yeah.

HELEN:

I'll pay ya anything if you get me there!

DRIVER:

(SIGHS, SOTTO) Dames. Always in a hurry to move.

SFX:

CAB SLOWS AND STOPS

HELEN:

NOW what's wrong?

DRIVER:

I TOLD ya, lady, the traffic is lousin' us up.

HELEN:

What time is it now?

SFX:

CAR HORNS, OUTSIDE

DRIVER:

Oh, about ten minutes to ten.

HELEN:

Don't tell me "about"! I want the exact time!

DRIVER:

Exact time? Uh... Seven minutes to ten.

HELEN:

Seven minutes to ten? How much farther is it to the station?

DRIVER:

Well, I can tell ya this: We're not gonna make it in two minutes.

HELEN:

(FLAT) Then there's no need to make it at all. (PAUSE. COLDLY) Take me home.

MUSIC:

SAD, TENSE, RESIGNED, THEN UNDER

SFX:

CAB DOOR OPENS ... SHE STEPS OUT ... CAB DOOR CLOSES

SFX:

FOOTSTEPS, UNDER, THEN OUT AT [X]

HELEN:

Just a minute or two before ten. He'll be coming home soon. [X] (BITTERLY) Wantin' to hide under the bed. Whimpering like a dog. They'll trace the killing to him fast enough. They'll come here; they'll take us both away. And the money too.

MUSIC:

BECOMES LOUDER AND MORE SINISTER

HELEN:

(PAUSE. HAS AN IDEA) The money? The money too... Wait a minute. Why should they come here? Why should THEY get the money? Why do I have to take the blame for what HE did? I didn't commit the murder! Maybe I could get away. They wouldn't look for me too hard. Yeah!

SFX:

FAST FOOTSTEPS, UNDER

HELEN:

Yeah, why should I take the blame for what Harry did?

SFX:

OPENS DOOR ... CLOSES DOOR

SFX:

PICKS UP RECEIVER ... DIALS PHONE ... RINGING TONE, AS HEARD BY CALLER

SGT:

(FILTER) Police Department, Sergeant Graham speaking.

HELEN:

(CALMLY) I... want to report a murder.

SGT:

(FILTER) What's that?

HELEN:

(PAUSE) It's too late to stop the murder, but... you can still catch the killer.

SGT:

(FILTER) Wait a second. (PAUSE) Now, just who is this killer?

HELEN:

(PAUSE) His name is Harry Blake.

SFX:

DOOR OPENS

HELEN:

He drives a taxi cab.

SFX:

DOOR CLOSES

HELEN:

The taxi number is three, six, five.

SFX:

SLOW, QUIET FOOTSTEPS, UNDER

HELEN:

You should find... (LIMPLY, AS SHE NOTICES HARRY IS HOME) him... somewhere... around the radio station. And...

SGT:

(FILTER) Uh, just who did he kill?

HELEN:

(LIMPLY) He... He killed... Harry?

MUSIC:

DRAMATIC CHORD ... OMINOUS MUSIC CONTINUES, UNDER

HARRY:

(QUIETLY AND CALMLY) Evening, Helen. Go on, finish your conversation.

HELEN:

(LIKE SHE'S SEEN A GHOST) How did you get back here so soon?

HARRY:

A good cabbie can make time when he has to.

HELEN:

You killed him?

HARRY:

It's just after ten o'clock. Turn on the radio and find out. Oh. You're talkin' on the phone. I'll turn the radio on for ya.

HELEN:

Harry... The police are coming to look for you! They'll catch you, Harry!

SFX:

CLICK OF RADIO BEING TURNED ON ... RADIO WARMS UP, UNDER

HELEN:

Did anybody see you do it? Did they try to-- Harry!

ANNCR:

(FILTER, ON RADIO, FADING UP) ...with his brilliant analysis of foreign affairs, Mr. Sidney Walker.

HELEN:

(HORRIFIED GASP)

WALKER (FILTER, ON RADIO) Good evening, ladies and gentlemen, this is Sidney Walker.

HELEN:

(HORRIFIED WHIMPERS OF DISBELIEF, UNDER. ANGUISHED MOAN AT [X], TURNING HYSTERICAL) Oh, I don't wanna hear it! Turn it off! (HYSTERICAL LAUGHING & SOBBING)

WALKER:

Tonight, I'm going to bring you a report on a recent interview I had with [X] one of the most prominent stock dealers of America. When I tell you his name--

SFX:

CLICK OF RADIO TURNED OFF

HELEN:

(HYSTERICAL LAUGHING & SOBBING) You couldn't after all! I should'a known! I should'a known! I actually thought you went through with it! You didn't have the nerve! (HYSTERICAL)

HARRY:

(QUIET & CALM) I know. I didn't kill him. But I did have the nerve.

HELEN:

(PAUSE. STOPS CRYING, LIMPLY) W--what?

HARRY:

Sit down. You gave me the nerve. That pep-talk before I left, it was very true, you know.

HELEN:

(PAUSE) What are you talking about?

HARRY:

(SLOWLY AND QUIETLY) You remember. Even a weakling like me can kill once, if he's gotta kill to get rid of the one thing that'll destroy him. Those were your very words.

HELEN:

Then why didn't you kill Walker?

HARRY:

Because I got to thinking about what you said. And how right you were. And the more I thought about it, the more I realized.

HELEN:

Realized... what?

HARRY:

That I was headed in the wrong direction.

HELEN:

What do you mean by that? (PAUSE) Put... that gun away, Harry.

HARRY:

In order to rid myself of the one thing in the world that can destroy me, I had to come back here to you. Helen. (STEELS HIMSELF)

SFX:

THREE FAST GUNSHOTS ... THREE STAGGERING STEPS ... THUD OF BODY

SGT:

(FILTER, SLIGHTLY OFF-MIKE) Hello?

SFX:

QUICK FOOTSTEPS, UNDER

SGT:

(FILTER, SLIGHTLY OFF-MIKE) Hello? What happened there? Hello???

HARRY:

(QUIETLY, ON PHONE) Hello. This is the police department, isn't it? I heard her speaking to you, as I was opening the door.

SGT:

(FILTER) Yeah, yeah, yeah, sure, it's the police department. What's goin' on there? What were those shots?

HARRY:

Wasn't my wife reporting a murder?

SGT:

(FILTER) Yeah, she was. She gave us all the information, except she didn't tell us who was gonna be killed.

HARRY:

Oh. (PAUSE) Well, you see, Officer... Until this very moment, she really didn't know.

MUSIC:

DRAMATIC, BUILDS TO A FINISH

KEARNS:

SUSPENSE! Presented by Auto-Lite. Tonight's stars, Cathy and Elliott Lewis.

HAP:

Well, Harlow, I hope you and your Auto-Lite Sta-Ful Battery have a wonderful vacation together!

WILCOX:

Thanks, Hap! And the same to you. See you August thirty-first, when "SUSPENSE" will return to the CBS airwaves, same time, same stations. Until then, we'll say so long, for Auto-Lite, makers of more than four hundred parts for cars, trucks, planes, and boats, in more than twenty-eight plants, coast to coast. Now, if you're planning a vacation motor trip, be sure to have your car carefully checked at your neighbourhood service station, car dealer, garage, or repair shop. And, if your Auto-Lite equipped car needs replacement parts, ask for, and insist on, Auto-Lite original factory parts. Because they're engineered to fit together perfectly, work together perfectly, because they are a perfect team. Best wishes for a happy and carefree summer, and remember, friends, you're always right with Auto-Lite!

MUSIC:

UP TO A FINISH

WILCOX:

Remember, Thursday, August thirty-first, "SUSPENSE" returns to the air with the first of a series of stories that is, as we say...

KEARNS:

A tale well-calculated to keep you in...

MUSIC:

KNIFE CHORD

KEARNS:

SUSPENSE!

MUSIC:

CLOSING THEME, UNDER

WILCOX:

Tonight's "SUSPENSE" play was produced and edited by William Spier, and directed by Norman MacDonnell. Music for "SUSPENSE" was composed by Lucien Moraweck, and conducted by Lyn Murray tonight. "Love, Honour, or Murder" is an original play, written for radio by Larry Marcus. Cathy and Elliott Lewis can be heard in their new Columbia record albums, "Happy Anniversary" and "Happy Holidays". Don't forget, "SUSPENSE" returns to the air, Thursday, August thirty-first.

MUSIC:

OUT

SFX:

PHONE RINGING, THEN QUICKLY ANSWERED

OPERATOR:

(FILTER) You can buy Auto-Lite Sta-Ful Batteries, Auto-Lite Standard or Resistor Spark Plugs, Auto-Lite electrical parts at your neighbourhood Auto-Lite dealers. Switch to Auto-Lite! Goodnight!

CBS:

This is CBS, the Columbia Broadcasting System.

MUSIC:

CLOSING THEME, THEN OUT