KEEPER:

(CACKLES MACABRELY) The Sealed Book!

MUSIC:

GONG! ... EERIE ORGAN THEME ... THEN IN BG

ANNOUNCER:

Once again the Keeper of the Book is ready to open the ponderous volume in which is recorded all the secrets and mysteries of mankind through the ages -- all the strange and mystifying stories of the past, the present, and the future!

MUSIC:

GONG! ... EERIE ORGAN FILLS LENGTHY PAUSE FOR COMMERCIAL ANNOUNCEMENT ... OUT FOR--

ANNOUNCER:

Keeper of the Book, what tale will you tell us this time?

KEEPER:

What tale shall I tell you? I have tales here of every kind! Tales of murder, tales of madness, of dark deeds and events strange beyond all belief.

SOUND:

BOOK OPENS ... PAGES FLIPPED BRIEFLY BEHIND--

KEEPER:

Here, let me see. Yes-- Yes, here's a tale for you -- a strange and terrible story of two old ladies and how they tried to escape from their doom. I call the story (MUSIC: STING) "Escape by Death."

MUSIC:

GONG! ... THEN EERIE ORGAN BEHIND KEEPER--

KEEPER:

My story begins in a big shabby old house in the country, fully a mile from any other habitation. In a large, ground-floor room, which is both their bedroom and sitting-room, Martha and Louise Abbott listen to the wind howl outside. Louise is an invalid, confined to a wheelchair. Martha, though able to walk, can only hobble a few steps at a time, so that to them the lonely house is almost like a prison.

SOUND:

HARSH WIND BLOWS ... THEN IN BG

MARTHA:

Oh, listen to that wind, Louise! Oh, I do hate living out in the country like this. We're so isolated from everybody.

LOUISE:

Oh, yes, Martha, it was so much nicer when we lived in our own house in the village.

MARTHA:

Even if Roger and Hester are our nephew and niece, we should never have let them persuade us to move out here with them.

TOBY & QUEENIE:

(MEOW UNHAPPILY)

MARTHA:

(SYMPATHETIC) Oh, what is it, Toby? Queenie? Oh, are mother's darlings hungry? Hmmph! Even Toby and Queenie don't like living here.

LOUISE:

Yes, they do seem unhappy. Queenie hasn't been eating well.

MARTHA:

Louise, it's very foolish for us to stay here with Roger and Hester. I think I hear Hester coming now. We'll tell her right away that we want to go back to our old home!

HESTER:

(APPROACHES, VERY PLEASANT) Here I am at last, Aunt Louise; Aunt Martha. I brought you tea -- and some cake I just made this afternoon.

SOUND:

OF LOADED TRAY SET DOWN

LOUISE:

Mmm, thank you, dear.

ROGER:

(APPROACHES, CHEERFUL) And I have the Daily Sentinel for you. George Gibson just delivered it. I haven't even opened it yet.

MARTHA:

Thank you.

SOUND:

WIND FADES OUT BEHIND--

MARTHA:

Roger, Louise and I have been talking things over. It was very kind of you to invite us to live here with you, but we were much happier living in the village. We want to go back.

ROGER:

But, Aunt Martha, it's much better for you here. Really it is.

HESTER:

Of course! You're just homesick, both of you.

ROGER:

You'll get over it. Pretty soon you'll love the country as much as we do.

HESTER:

Now, we don't want to hear another word about your leaving us. We couldn't be happy thinking of you alone and helpless in the village. (MOVING OFF) Come along, Roger. Let them drink their tea.

ROGER:

(MOVING OFF) All right, Hester. See you both later.

SOUND:

MARTHA AND LOUISE DRNK THEIR TEA (CUPS, SAUCERS, SPOONS, ET CETERA) IN BG

LOUISE:

Ohhhhh, I do wish they'd let us go back.

MARTHA:

There's no reason why we shouldn't!

LOUISE:

Do you remember the teas we used to give? Mary Thompson came over every afternoon. It was so nice.

MARTHA:

There's no reason we can't move back and give those teas again! We won't be alone or helpless either. With all the money father left us, we can afford a dozen servants! Louise, we are going back. I've made up my mind.

LOUISE:

Oh, Martha, I'm so glad.

TOBY & QUEENIE:

(MEOW HAPPILY)

MARTHA:

(AFFECTIONATELY) Ah, listen to Toby and Queenie. They're glad we're going back, too. Aren't you, you fat old darlings?

TOBY & QUEENIE:

(MEOW IN AFFIRMATION)

LOUISE:

Oh, they understand you, Martha. They know we're not going to stay here much longer.

MARTHA:

Of course they do. Well, now that's settled, let's see what's in the Sentinel.

SOUND:

TEA DRINKING ENDS ... NEWSPAPER UNFOLDED ... THEN HANDLED IN BG, IN AGREEMENT WITH FOLLOWING--

MARTHA:

Hmm, let's see now.

LOUISE:

(WITH EAGER DELIGHT) Oh, Martha, let's look at the obituary notices first.

MARTHA:

(THE SAME) That's just that I was turning to, Louise.

LOUISE:

Hmm?

MARTHA:

Ah, here we are.

LOUISE:

Did anyone we know die?

MARTHA:

Now, let me see. Ah, yes, yes. You remember Amos Wilson, don't you?

LOUISE:

Yes!

MARTHA:

He died two days ago.

LOUISE:

(CLICKS TONGUE WITH DISAPPROVAL) Poor Amos. He was about your age, wasn't he, Martha?

MARTHA:

(COOL) Certainly not. He was a good deal older.

LOUISE:

(INHALES EXTRAVAGANTLY) Martha! Look at this.

MARTHA:

Hm?

LOUISE:

Why, it says that Mary Thompson is entering the county home for the infirm.

MARTHA:

(INHALES SHARPLY) The poorhouse?! Oh, no, no, it can't be.

LOUISE:

You can read it for yourself. Oh, that dreadful place. I'd rather be dead than in that home!

MARTHA:

Poor Mary.

LOUISE:

Martha, after we move back to the village, can't we have Mary come to live with us?

MARTHA:

Yes, of course! Why, going to the poorhouse would be the death of her.

LOUISE:

(SHAKEN, QUIETLY) No. No, it can't be.

MARTHA:

What can't be?

LOUISE:

(WITH HORROR) Read what it says there in the real estate column.

MARTHA:

Hm?

LOUISE:

(READS) "The old Abbott mansion, owned by the Misses Martha and Louise Abbott, has been put up for sale by their nephew Roger Clark." (HYPERVENTILATES BRIEFLY)

MARTHA:

What? Why, it must be a mistake! We never told Roger to sell our house! (CALLS) Roger! Roger!

LOUISE:

Now, Martha, we mustn't get excited.

MARTHA:

But why should he want to sell our house? I won't permit it!

ROGER:

(APPROACHES) You calling me, Aunt Martha?

MARTHA:

Yes, Roger. What's this in the Sentinel about our house being up for sale?

ROGER:

(DEFLATED) Oh. Is it in the Sentinel? Oh, I'm so sorry.

LOUISE:

It is a mistake, isn't it, Roger?

ROGER:

Well, no, Aunt Louise. Since the house isn't being used, I thought it would be a good idea to sell it.

LOUISE:

(GASPS)

MARTHA:

But you had no right to put the house up for sale without telling me!

ROGER:

Now, don't get yourself excited, Aunt Martha. If you don't want the house sold, I'll remove it from the market.

LOUISE:

You must, Roger! We couldn't live if the house was sold!

ROGER:

All right, all right. Now, I'll take care of everything. (MOVING OFF) Don't you worry. Everything is going to be all right.

MARTHA:

I don't like it, Louise. I don't like it at all. Why should he try to sell it without telling us?!

LOUISE:

It does seem strange.

MARTHA:

Louise, we must get in touch with Judge Morris at once. He's the administrator of father's estate. He'll take care of everything for us the way we want it. I didn't like the look in Roger's eyes just now. I've always been suspicious of Roger -- and if you want my opinion, he and Hester are up to something.

MUSIC:

BRIDGE

QUEENIE:

(MEOWS HUNGRILY)

MARTHA:

(WITH AN AFFECTIONATE CHUCKLE) Oh, is mother's beautiful Queenie hungry? Well, here's a nice piece of meat from the lovely supper Hester just brought us.

LOUISE:

Oh, Queenie is hungry, Martha. She's got her appetite back since she learned we intend going back to the village.

MARTHA:

Yes, she has, but, er, where's Toby? I don't see him around any place.

LOUISE:

Oh, he's probably in the kitchen. Martha, when are you going to speak to Roger and Hester again about our leaving?

MARTHA:

I'm waiting until we can get in touch with Judge Morris. He'll come get us whether Roger wants us to go or not. There's been something very strange about Roger's manner ever since we told him yesterday we didn't plan to stay.

QUEENIE:

(MEOWS IN PAIN ... CONTINUES IN BG)

LOUISE:

Martha, look! Queenie's ill.

MARTHA:

(WORRIED) Oh!

LOUISE:

That meat you gave her; it's made her sick!

MARTHA:

Queenie! Oh, what's the matter with mother's darling?

LOUISE:

Oh, Martha, there's something terribly wrong with her!

MARTHA:

Queenie, what is it?! Oh, Louise, what can we do?!

LOUISE:

Oh, give her some water; maybe that'll help!

QUEENIE:

(MEOWS SHARPLY IN PAIN ... THEN A DYING MEOW ... THEN SILENCE BEHIND--)

LOUISE:

Oh! Oh, Martha! She's fallen down! Is she--? Is she--?

MARTHA:

(QUIETLY HORRIFIED) She's dead, Louise. Queenie is dead.

LOUISE:

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

MARTHA:

But she is. (REALIZES) Though she was perfectly all right until I gave her that meat.

LOUISE:

She was so hungry. She just bolted it down. (TEARFUL) Oh, Martha, she must have choked on it. She's choked to death.

MARTHA:

(GRIM) Did she? I'm not so sure.

LOUISE:

Martha, what do you mean? What else could it have been?

MARTHA:

She acted more as if she were poisoned.

LOUISE:

Poisoned?

MARTHA:

Yes, I'm sure of it. The meat was poisoned. That's why Queenie died.

LOUISE:

But how's that possible?

MARTHA:

It was poisoned because that meat was meant for us.

LOUISE:

Martha, you - you don't mean that Roger and Hester--?

MARTHA:

Yes, Louise. Oh, I see it now! That's why they brought us out here. Why they won't let us leave. They're planning to kill us. They're after our money.

LOUISE:

Oh, Martha, what are we going to do?

MARTHA:

Well, we've got to get in touch with Judge Morris right away. He'll save us.

LOUISE:

But, Martha, how can we? The telephone -- it's upstairs in Hester's room and neither of us can climb stairs.

MARTHA:

I know that. We've got to figure another way to reach him. Louise, our lives depend upon it.

MUSIC:

BRIDGE ... THEN BEHIND KEEPER--

KEEPER:

All that night, the two old ladies, terror in their hearts, tossed and turned in an effort to think of a way of escape from the horrible trap in which they found themselves. In the morning, they thought they had discovered how to do it. When George Gibson, the rural mail carrier, came by, Louise called to him and gave him a frantic message to Judge Morris, which he promised to deliver. However, a few minutes later, encountering Roger, their nephew, George Gibson told him what had happened, and Roger managed to persuade him not to deliver the message. Then Roger hurried home to consult with Hester.

HESTER:

Roger, you say that while Martha was out here in the kitchen with me, Louise was giving George Gibson a message for Judge Morris?

ROGER:

Yes. And she seemed so excited that George stopped me on the road to tell me about it. Hester, I'm afraid they suspect.

HESTER:

Oh, no, no, they mustn't. We mustn't let them!

ROGER:

I should say not, after all the trouble we've gone to. Why, it would ruin everything.

HESTER:

Yes.

ROGER:

We've got to quiet their suspicions somehow. We've got to make them like it here, so they'll be perfectly content to stay with us until they die.

MUSIC:

BRIEF CURTAIN ... THEN GONG! ... THEN FILLS LENGTHY PAUSE FOR COMMERCIAL ANNOUNCEMENT ... THEN GONG! ... THEN BEHIND KEEPER--

KEEPER:

And now to return to the story of "Escape by Death" as it is written in the Sealed Book. For twenty-four hours Martha and Louise have waited in trembling impatience for George Gibson to bring word that Judge Morris had received their frantic appeal for help.

LOUISE:

Oh, Martha, where can George be? He's more than an hour late.

MARTHA:

Well, he's probably just been delayed. Maybe the car broke down. He'll be here soon.

LOUISE:

(RELIEVED) Yes, here he comes now! He's turning up the drive. Oh, Martha, I was so worried.

MARTHA:

I told you he wouldn't fail us.

LOUISE:

(DISMAYED) But--! There's Roger taking the mail from him. Suppose Roger doesn't let him see us. He might--

MARTHA:

(INTERRUPTS, WORRIED) Louise!

LOUISE:

What is it, Martha? What's wrong?

MARTHA:

That isn't George Gibson delivering the mail.

LOUISE:

Not George Gibson?

MARTHA:

No, that's a much younger man and-- Now he's leaving. Roger's coming back in the house.

LOUISE:

Martha, where do you suppose George is?

MARTHA:

I don't know. I don't understand.

LOUISE:

Perhaps he's sick today.

MARTHA:

Sh. Here comes Roger.

ROGER:

(APPROACHES, A LITTLE TOO FRIENDLY) Hello, Aunt Martha; Aunt Louise. Here's a magazine that came in the mail. I thought you might like to see it.

LOUISE:

(MEEKLY) Thank you, Roger.

MARTHA:

(SUSPICIOUS) Why didn't George Gibson deliver the mail today?

ROGER:

(TAKEN ABACK) Oh, you saw that there was a new driver? (RELUCTANT) Well, I - I'm sorry to have to tell you this, but yesterday afternoon poor George was killed.

MARTHA:

Killed?

LOUISE:

Oh, no!

ROGER:

(UNCOMFORTABLE) He, er-- He had, er, a bad accident as he was returning to the village.

MARTHA:

An accident?

ROGER:

Yes, and I'd rather not talk about it any more now. It'll just upset you. (MOVING OFF) Hester'll bring you some supper soon.

LOUISE:

Poor George.

MARTHA:

Well, that means Judge Morris didn't get our message.

LOUISE:

Oh, Martha!

MARTHA:

Don't you see, Louise? That wasn't any accident. George was killed to keep him from going to Judge Morris.

LOUISE:

(GASPS) Martha! You - you can't mean that Roger and Hester--?

MARTHA:

Yes, Louise. They'll stop at nothing to get our money!

LOUISE:

But what are we going to do? We can't get a message to anyone. And - and they're poisoning our food. We haven't eaten a thing since poor Queenie died. We can't go on throwing the food away or we'll starve.

MARTHA:

There's only one thing to do. Toby must sample our food.

LOUISE:

You mean -- to see if it's poisoned?

MARTHA:

Yes. It's dreadful having to risk poor Toby's life, but it's the only thing we can do.

MUSIC:

BRIDGE

TOBY:

(MEOWS)

MARTHA:

Here you are, Toby -- a nice piece of meat for mother's darling.

LOUISE:

Oh, Martha, I get so frightened every time I see Toby eating something. I keep remembering Queenie -- and the dreadful way she died.

MARTHA:

Now, now, Louise, we mustn't think of that.

TOBY:

(MEOWS)

MARTHA:

Here, Toby dear.

HESTER:

(APPROACHES) Aunt Martha, why are you feeding Toby?

ROGER:

(LIGHTLY) Well, he gets plenty to eat in the kitchen. He'll die of overeating if you aren't careful.

LOUISE:

(INHALES EXTRAVAGANTLY)

MARTHA:

(FIRMLY) I've always fed Toby from my own plate. He expects it.

ROGER:

But, Aunt Martha, if you feed that meat to the cat, there won't be enough for you.

HESTER:

No. And if you're to get well, you need all that food. Now, I don't want you feeding Toby any more of it.

ROGER:

(BENDS TO PICK UP CAT) Here, Toby! Come on, boy!

TOBY:

(MEOWS AS HE'S PICKED UP BEHIND--)

ROGER:

Come on, come on, come on, come on out in the kitchen and let Aunt Martha and Louise eat their supper.

MUSIC:

BRIDGE

HESTER:

Here you are, Aunt Martha; Aunt Louise. I've brought you your lunch. Doesn't it look good?

SOUND:

OF LOADED TRAY SET DOWN

LOUISE:

(MEEKLY) Yes, Hester. It's very nice.

MARTHA:

(CALLS) Here, Toby! Here, kitty-kitty-kitty! (WORRIED) Hester, have you seen Toby?

HESTER:

No, Aunt Martha, I haven't.

LOUISE:

Oh, but where could he be? Toby's always on time for meals.

HESTER:

Oh, he's probably someplace around the house. (MOVING OFF) Now eat your lunch before it gets cold!

LOUISE:

Oh, Martha, where can he be?

MARTHA:

Toby'll be along in a few minutes. We won't touch a bit of this food until he's eaten some of it.

LOUISE:

(WHINING) I do wish he were here. I'm so hungry.

MARTHA:

Louise! Don't touch a thing on that tray. It isn't safe.

LOUISE:

(CALLS) Here, Toby! Here, kitty-kitty-kitty! Kitty-kitty-kitty!

MARTHA:

(OVERLAPS WITH ABOVE, CALLS) Here, kitty-kitty-kitty! Kitty-kitty-kitty!

MUSIC:

BRIDGE

SOUND:

LOADED TRAYS HANDLED IN AGREEMENT WITH FOLLOWING--

ROGER:

(APPROACHES, FRIENDLY) Good evening, Aunt Martha; Aunt Louise. How are you?

MARTHA:

(COOL) Good evening, Roger.

HESTER:

(APPROACHES) I have supper here for you two. I-- Why, Aunt Martha! Neither of you ate your lunch. What's wrong?

LOUISE:

We - we weren't hungry, Hester.

MARTHA:

(SHARP) Have you found Toby yet?

HESTER:

No, I've looked everywhere for him, but - he seems to have disappeared.

LOUISE:

Oh, no!

ROGER:

Now-now-now, you mustn't worry. I'm sure he'll turn up all right.

HESTER:

Aunt Martha, you and Aunt Louise can't afford to miss meals in your state of health.

ROGER:

Certainly not. Now, we want you to eat everything that Hester's brought you.

HESTER:

(YES) Mm-hm. You'll make us very unhappy if you don't. Now, please eat it while it's hot. (MOVING OFF) Come along, Roger. I'll get you your supper.

ROGER:

(MOVING OFF) All right, dear.

MARTHA:

Did you hear what she said about Toby, Louise?

LOUISE:

Yes. He's vanished.

MARTHA:

Nonsense. They've killed him.

LOUISE:

What?

MARTHA:

You saw how angry they were last night when we fed Toby from our plates. They've killed him so he won't spoil their plans.

LOUISE:

Oh, Martha, what are we going to do? I'm so hungry that my - my head spins and I'm dizzy!

MARTHA:

I know, Louise. So am I. (SAVAGELY) Oh, I hate them, I hate them!

LOUISE:

We're leaving them our money in our wills. They'll get it soon enough. Why must they kill us?

MARTHA:

Because they're nothing but common murderers. I distrusted Roger from the minute Hester first brought him to our house.

LOUISE:

Yes, it's his fault. He's changed Hester. She used to be such a sweet girl.

MARTHA:

Oh, if there was some way to get word to the village. Or to bring somebody here to help us. (BEAT, AN IDEA) Louise-- I have an idea.

LOUISE:

What is it, Martha?

MARTHA:

There's one way to bring people here.

LOUISE:

What, Martha?

MARTHA:

If we were to set fire to the house, somebody would be sure to see the flames.

LOUISE:

Yes, of course. And then the fire company would come out.

MARTHA:

Then we'd be able to tell them. We'd be saved.

LOUISE:

Oh, but, Martha-- Hester and Roger would put out the fire before it could get big enough to be seen.

MARTHA:

Louise, I know a way we can prevent them from putting out the fire.

LOUISE:

You - you do?

MARTHA:

Yes. We can save ourselves, Louise. We can save ourselves!

MUSIC:

BRIDGE

MARTHA:

(CALLS) Here, Toby! Here, kitty-kitty-kitty.

HESTER:

(APPROACHES) Aunt Martha, why are you looking down the cellar stairs like that? Now, you should be in your room.

ROGER:

You certainly should. It's drafty out here in the hall. Now, close the cellar door and go back to your room.

MARTHA:

But I heard Toby crying. He's down in the cellar and I won't go to my room until I get him!

ROGER:

But, Aunt Martha--

HESTER:

(INTERRUPTS) Roger, just to put Aunt Martha's mind at ease, why don't you go down the cellar and see if Toby is there?

ROGER:

Oh, all right.

SOUND:

ROGER'S STEPS DOWN STAIRS

ROGER:

(MOVING OFF) But if you ask me, it's just a waste of time.

MARTHA:

Please help him look for Toby, Hester. You'll find him so much quicker if you both look for him. Please.

HESTER:

But, Aunt Martha-- Oh, very well.

SOUND:

HESTER'S STEPS DOWN STAIRS

HESTER:

(MOVING OFF) But you go back to your room so you don't catch cold. (OFF, CALLS) Roger, do you see him?

ROGER:

(OFF) Doesn't seem to be anyplace here in the cellar.

MARTHA:

(TO HERSELF) Now we'll see just how smart you are, trying to poison us.

SOUND:

CELLAR DOOR SLAMS ... DOOR LOCKS

MARTHA:

(TO HERSELF) There! You won't stop us from escaping now. I must get Louise. (CALLS) Louise! Louise, it worked!

LOUISE:

You mean you were able to lock them in the cellar?

MARTHA:

Yes! And with the door locked, they can't get out.

LOUISE:

Ooooh.

SOUND:

BANGING ON CELLAR DOOR, OFF ... BANGING AND RATTLING CONTINUES IN BG

ROGER:

(OFF, BEHIND DOOR) Aunt Martha?! Aunt Martha?!

HESTER:

(OFF, BEHIND DOOR) Let us out! (THEIR SHOUTS CONTINUE INTERMITTENTLY IN BG)

LOUISE:

They found out they're locked in.

MARTHA:

Now, don't you worry about it, Louise. I'll take care of everything.

LOUISE:

What are you doing with that kerosene lamp, Martha?

MARTHA:

Pouring the kerosene around the room so it will burn better.

LOUISE:

Ohhhh.

MARTHA:

There! Are you ready to leave, Louise?

LOUISE:

Yes, Martha.

MARTHA:

I'll strike a match and start the fire.

SOUND:

MATCH STRIKES! ... HISS AND CRACKLE OF FLAMES INCREASES DURING FOLLOWING--

LOUISE:

Ooh! How quickly it's starting to spread!

MARTHA:

Yes. We've got to leave.

SOUND:

CREAK OF WHEELCHAIR IN AGREEMENT WITH FOLLOWING--

MARTHA:

(WITH EFFORT) I'll push your wheelchair, Louise. You try to help by rolling the wheels.

LOUISE:

(WITH EFFORT) Yes, Martha.

MARTHA:

(GRUNTS WITH EFFORT) Ah, we're coming along nicely.

SOUND:

CHAOTIC BLEND OF CRACKLING FLAMES, BANGING ON CELLAR DOOR, HESTER AND ROGER SHOUTING ("Let us out, do you hear?! Let us out!" "The house is on fire!"), AND MARTHA AND LOUISE STRAINING WITH THE CREAKING WHEELCHAIR ("A little more, dear. More.")

LOUISE:

Martha, I do hate to do this.

MARTHA:

Louise, you mustn't waste any pity on them. Even if they are our niece and nephew, they're nothing but common murderers.

LOUISE:

Yes, I suppose you're right.

MARTHA:

Now, I'll just open the front door and we'll be free.

SOUND:

CRACKLING FLAMES CONTINUE IN BG, BUT HESTER AND ROGER'S BANGING AND SHOUTING FADES OUT DURING ABOVE ... MARTHA'S STEPS TO FRONT DOOR, WHICH OPENS ... WHEELCHAIR IN AGREEMENT WITH FOLLOWING--

MARTHA:

Now, roll the wheels. (STRAINING) That's right. Just a few feet more and we'll be safe.

LOUISE:

Yes.

MARTHA:

That's it. There!

SOUND:

WHEELCHAIR STOPS

MARTHA:

Now we're far enough away from the house to be perfectly safe.

LOUISE:

(WITH DELIGHT) Oh, my! The whole house is on fire! Do you think they can see it in the village by now, Martha?

MARTHA:

I'm sure they do. Now remember, Louise, when the fire company gets here, we don't know what happened to Roger and Hester. We just managed to get out ourselves.

LOUISE:

Yes, Martha.

MARTHA:

If we told them what we were forced to do to escape, we'd have to reveal that our own niece and nephew were poisoners, murderers! We don't want to disgrace the family name, Louise.

LOUISE:

Oh, no, Martha. Of course not.

SOUND:

ROOF SLOWLY CAVES IN BEHIND--

LOUISE:

(INHALES SHARPLY, THRILLED) Look, Martha! Look! The roof is going! (EXHALES WITH DELIGHT)

SOUND:

FIRE ENGINE SIREN APPROACHES

MARTHA:

Ah! And here comes the fire engine! Louise, we're saved! We're saved!

MUSIC:

BRIDGE

MARTHA:

Good morning, Judge Morris.

JUDGE:

Good morning, Miss Martha; Miss Louise. I trust you're well after that terrible ordeal last night.

LOUISE:

Oh, we're feeling much better, thank you, Judge Morris.

JUDGE:

I know it'll be painful for you, but now that your niece and nephew are gone, we must plan for your future.

MARTHA:

Oh, you don't have to bother, Judge. All we want to do is move back to our old house, hire a few servants, and live as we used to.

JUDGE:

(UNEASY) Er, yes.

MARTHA:

And I was wondering if you could arrange to have Mary Thompson come live with us. I won't hear of her going to that dreadful home for the infirm! Why, the poorhouse would be the death of her.

LOUISE:

Oh, no, we can't let her go there.

MARTHA:

With all the money father left us, there's no reason why she should.

JUDGE:

Er, ladies -- I'd hoped I'd never have to reveal the truth to you, but now it appears I must.

MARTHA:

The truth? I don't understand, Judge.

JUDGE:

Some weeks ago, the bonds and the trust fund your father left you became utterly worthless.

MARTHA:

What?

JUDGE:

Your nephew and niece were afraid the shock of learning you were penniless would be too much for you, so it was decided to keep the news from you.

LOUISE:

(EXHALES UNHAPPILY)

JUDGE:

That's why the three of us persuaded you to move in with them. Your house here in the village had to be sold to meet the debts of the estate.

MARTHA:

But-- But that can't be! Father left us so much.

JUDGE:

It's all worthless now. Perhaps I should have told you this a month ago, but your niece and nephew wouldn't hear of it. In spite of the fact that they had only Roger's salary to live on, they were determined to prevent you from ever learning of your misfortune.

LOUISE:

(MYSTIFIED) Oh, but the - the deaths of poor Queenie and Toby? Of George Gibson?

JUDGE:

George Gibson?

LOUISE:

Yes.

JUDGE:

I - I'm afraid I don't understand. Well, surely you heard that he was killed when a tire blew out and his car turned over.

MARTHA:

You mean he wasn't murdered?

JUDGE:

Certainly not.

MARTHA:

(UNHAPPY EXCLAMATION)

JUDGE:

Are you feeling well? Has my news has been too much for you?

MARTHA:

(UNCONVINCING) No. No.

JUDGE:

Well, now that your niece and nephew are gone and there's no one to support you, I'm afraid there's only one thing left.

MARTHA:

One thing left? What's that?

JUDGE:

(SLOWLY) I'm sorry to say -- believe me I am -- the county home for the infirm --

MARTHA:

(UNHAPPY EXCLAMATION)

JUDGE:

-- the poorhouse.

MUSIC:

CURTAIN ... THEN BEHIND KEEPER--

KEEPER:

And that is the tale of "Escape by Death" as it is written in the Sealed Book. Louise and Martha, because they could not believe that the death of their cat was an accident, convinced themselves that they were in danger of being killed and, in their frantic efforts to escape, ruthlessly destroyed their only protectors. Strange are the ways in which Fate plays tricks on mere mortals.

MUSIC:

GONG!

KEEPER:

The sound of the great gong tells me it's time to close the Sealed Book once more.

ANNOUNCER:

One moment, Keeper of the Book! What story from the Sealed Book will you tell us next time?

KEEPER:

Next time? (CHUCKLES) What kind of a tale would you like? A story of ghosts? Of vampires? Of werewolves howling in the night? A tale of dark plots and evil deeds? Of a strange fate overtaking the guilty? Let me see. I'll find one for you in just a moment.

MUSIC:

EERIE ORGAN FILLS LENGTHY PAUSE FOR COMMERCIAL ANNOUNCEMENT ... THEN GONG!

ANNOUNCER:

And now, Keeper the Book, have you found the story that you'll tell next time?

KEEPER:

Yes, yes, I found one for you. It's the amazing story of a woman's jealousy -- so great that it would not let her lie quietly in her grave, but made her seek revenge even from behind the dark veil of death. I call it--

MUSIC:

STING!

KEEPER:

--"Death at Storm House." (CHUCKLES)

MUSIC:

GONG!

ANNOUNCER:

Be sure to be with us next time to hear another strange and mysterious story from--

KEEPER:

The Sealed Book!

ANNOUNCER:

(MATTER OF FACT) "The Sealed Book," written by Bob Arthur and David Kogan, is produced and directed by Jock MacGregor.