ANNCR:

NBC presents Frank Lovejoy...in....

MUSIC:

TYMP OPENING

ANNCR:

(ON ECHO) Night Beat!

MUSIC:

(THEME HIT AND UNDER:

RANDY:

Hi. This is Randy Stone. I cover the Night Beat for the Chicago Star. (BEAT) Yeah, Night's my baby...that blanket of star-freckled blackness that God drops over us so everyone can relax and be comfortable in the darkness. (BEAT) Unless, of course, you have troubles. That's when Night becomes your enemy. It makes all those little fears grow into terror, like when you're a kid and you wake up to spot Dad's coat and hat hanging over a chair in the shadows. Oh, yeah, it's only a coat and hat...but with night's help, it grows into the biggest, most terrible monster that ever ate a little boy alive.

MUSIC:

PUNCTUATE

RANDY:

And at that point, you'd hock your white mice and every toy you own for one good shot of daylight. (BEAT) Then Night is gone...and it's only Dad's hat and coat again...or whatever little fear it was that you had before. (BEAT) Maybe that's why Night is a good time to pick up a story. Like when I dropped into one of the night courts to look over the evening crop of unhappiness....

(MUSIC: OUT)

 

SOUND:

CROWD SHUFFLING, MUTTERING

CAST:

(SULLEN BABBLE)

BIG ED:

(OFF. LOUD AND NASTY) Well, well! Here come the sweet and innocents! Someone must have opened a sewer! (LAUGHS BOISTEROUSLY) Move it along, punks.. move it along!

CAST:

AD LIBS UNDER:

RANDY:

(BEAT, NARRATING OVER SOUND) They were filing out from the bullpen. Drunks, thieves, mashers.. their stories were as old as Time. (BEAT) And pushing them around - and liking it - was Big Ed Jardin, one of the small-time political leeches that managed to talk his way into a job as a courtroom guard.

BIG ED:

(OFF, LOUDLY) Want me to count cadence, you malletheads? Move! Line it up! You, too, Porky.. (EFFORT) Line it!

PORKY:

(SLIGHTLY OFF) (ANGRY) Aah, stop shovin'! Just because you gotta badge, you think you're...(TAKES) Hey!.... Randy!

RANDY:

Hello, Porky. What's the charge tonight?

PORKY:

(FADE ON) Same charge. My old lady broke my bottle. It was nearly full!

RANDY:

So?

PORKY:

So, I slugged her. Gonna keep on slugging her until she quits bustin' my bottles.

RANDY:

Maybe you should quit drinking.

PORKY:

Nuts. She ain't got no right to bust my bottle, just 'cause she's my old lady.

BIG ED:

(OFF, LOUD) That's the way, characters... now keep in line, and try to look human for the judge! He's kinda sensitive!

MUSIC:

UP AND UNDER:

RANDY:

Yeah, all of the stories were old, I'd heard them before. But it was Big Ed who really decided me to skip night court. There were other petty hangers-on, filling odd jobs around the city building. But nobody like Big Ed. I just couldn't take watching him shove the people around. He enjoyed himself too much.

SOUND:

DOOR OPEN AND CLOSE. CUTTING OFF CROWD SOUNDS. STEPS DOWN HALL (SLIGHT ECHO)

RANDY:

Outside I wandered down the big empty corridor through the sick musty smell of age that all old buildings seem to have. (STEPS ON STAIRS) I took the stairs down, but just before I reached the next floor, I heard him. (STEPS STOP)

WILLIE:

(OFF) (SHRILL, BOASTFUL) Just listen to me, you guys... yeah, you, too, Big Ed! You've lorded it over me for a long time, but that's all over... understand?

RANDY:

It sounded like a man trying to prove something. I edged down the stairs silently, curious as to how he was talking to Big Ed down here, when I'd just seen him upstairs.

WILLIE:

(FADE ALMOST ON) Ain't none of you Kings gonna fool with Willie Hooper when he's chief runner! Yeah, Chief runner Hooper! You'll be mighty glad to get me to join your old club then!

RANDY:

It was Willie Hooper, the janitor......a little guy, not much over five feet tall......skinny, with a big nose and soft brown eyes that would have been more at home on a poodle. He was shaking his fist as he talked, like a man practicing what he was going to say to the boss the next day. In front of him was his audience.....four rubbish cans, two brooms, one mop.

MUSIC:

OUT:

WILLIE:

(SLIGHTLY OFF) In fact, I may not even want to join the Kings. So what do you think of that!

RANDY:

(GENTLY) You don't sound very sure of that, Willie.

WILLIE:

(REACTING) Wh-who-----oh, it's you, Mr. Stone.

RANDY:

Yeah. Sorry to interrupt.

WILLIE:

(EMBARRASSED) Uh, yeah----I-----. I was just getting ready to tell off the Kings.....you know, the City Building Kings.

RANDY:

That wouldn't be Big Ed's social club?

WILLIE:

(EAGER) That's it. And I'm going to join them.

RANDY:

Then why the speech?

WILLIE:

Well, I don't know -- it's --- well, it's on accounta the way Big Ed and the others have been riding me. They know I want to join to the Kings.

RANDY:

You must want to join in a bad way.

WILLIE:

I guess I do. You see, Mr. Stone, I ain't never belonged to nothing in my whole life.

RANDY:

Oh.

WILLIE:

(I mean I was never an Elk, or a Mason, or a Lion, or a Optomist. I never belonged to a Union, or a club, or a league -- or anything like that. Just to feel you were part of something -- getting mail telling you about a beer-bust, or a card game -- even to get a letter saying you owe dues. Someplace where you really feel like you belong.) A man's got to belong to something, Mr. Stone. If he don't belong to something he might as well be dead!

RANDY:

Yeah, but Willie, the Kings -- I've kinda always thought the Kings were barely one rung above sea level!

WILLIE:

I know, it isn't the best club in the world. But it's a club, Mr. Stone. All the members wear pins....little silver crowns on their coats. 'Cept Big Ed, of course. Being president, he wears a Gold Crown! (HUSKILY) A gold crown. Boy, is that a beautiful pin......

RANDY:

Think someday you'll be wearing it yourself, Willie?

WILLIE:

You never can tell. Maybe I will. After I'm made Chief runner!

RANDY:

That's a pretty big order.

WILLIE:

Don't you know? Didn't I tell you? It's all set! Why, Mr. Stone, I worked for weeks, every day....posting handbills, running errands. I didn't even sleep! And Mr. Grayson got elected Alderman. And he promised me the job!

RANDY:

Well, if he promised - But just remember, Willie, campaign promises are easily broken.

WILLIE:

He wouldn't break his promise to me, Mr. Stone.

SOUND:

STEPS FADE ON:

WILLIE:

(HUSHED) Oh - oh. It's Big Ed.

BIG ED:

(FADING ON) (JOVIALLY) Hi, Stone! Thought I saw you upstairs.

RANDY:

You did. But I couldn't stand the noise.

BIG ED:

(NOT GETTING IT) Yeah, those bums are like that.

WILLIE:

Hiya, Big Ed.

BIG ED:

Well, well, if it isn't little Willie. Did he tell you, Stone? Willie here is going to be a runner.

WILLIE:

Chief runner!

BIG ED:

Chief runner, huh? Willie, I'll make you a proposition. When you're chief runner, I'll personally put you in as president of the Kings.

WILLIE:

I don't want to be president. I just want to be a regular member. And after all, Grayson promised me the job.

BIG ED:

(SLYLY) Of course he did, Willie......of course he did. That's why he gave the job to Kittredge last night.

WILLIE:

What? No. You're kidding me. No, no, he wouldn't do that. You're just trying to get me mad. It's a lie. You're lying! YOU'RE LYING!

SOUND:

SLIGHT SCUFFLE:

BIG ED:

(EFFORT, BUT LAUGHING AT WILLIE) Hey, punk, what do you think you were going to do?

WILLIE:

(PANTING, CRYING) Let me go! I'll kill you!.....

RANDY:

(HARD) Hands off, Jardin.

BIG ED:

(PANTING) (SARCASTICALLY) I can't let go. It's dangerous. You heard him, Stone. He'll kill me! (NEEDLING) Isn't that what you said, Willie?

RANDY:

Put him down, Jardin!

BIG ED:

(BRUTALLY) Okay, down he goes! (EFFORT)

SOUND:

SMALL MAN SHOVED BACK, STAGGERING AND FALLING:

BIG ED:

There! Is that what you wanted? (TAKE) Hey Stone, now, wait......

SOUND:

RANDY GRABS BIG ED:

BIG ED:

(AFTER PAUSE) Now look, Stone, I ain't got nothin' against you!

RANDY:

(TIGHTLY AND FLAT) It's an old song, Jardin, but it never gets any funnier.

BIG ED:

(WORRIED NOW) What's the big idea? Get back!

RANDY:

You take a human being....give him a desire that means more than anything in the world to him. You needle him well, then when he's ready to crack, hit him below the belt and watch him fall apart. Lots of fun.

BIG ED:

Stay away! I'm warning you!

RANDY:

(GOING ON) Yeah, it's a real boffola...like watching your mother get run over by a steam roller. Only it makes me sick...so sick I've got to hit something! (EFFORT)

BIG ED:

Wait!....Ohhhhh!

SOUND:

HARD SMACK AND BODY FALL (STEPS STOP)

WILLIE:

(SLIGHTLY OFF) You hit him, Mr. Stone, what did you have to do that for?

RANDY:

(SURPRISED) What?

WILLIE:

(ON) He was just kidding. He didn't mean it. Here, Big Ed...

BIG ED:

(GROANS) Get away from me! (GETTING UP) I'll remember you for that, Stone!

RANDY:

Please do.

BIG ED:

And you too, Willie, get your big hero to tell you about Grayson and his promises. (FADING) Tell him, Stone.

SOUND:

STEPS FADE OFF

WILLIE:

(PAUSE) What did he mean?

RANDY:

Willie...(SIGH) Grayson's not a bad public servant, but his personal promises before an election are something you don't want to depend on.

WILLIE:

But he meant his promise to me! I know he did! (PAUSE, EAGERLY PLEADING) Mr. Stone...I wonder... would you come with me to see him? I got to know. Would you Mr. Stone?

RANDY:

(SLOWLY) All right, Willie. Maybe we can straighten this thing out. I'll set up an appointment for tomorrow.

WILLIE:

Boy, thanks, Mr. Stone.

MUSIC:

UP AND UNDER

RANDY:

It was nearly four when I arrived at Willie's house the next afternoon. There wasn't much I could do but help let Willie down easy. (BEAT) His wife opened the door.

SOUND:

DOOR OPEN

MRS. H:

Yes? Oh, you must be Mr. Stone. Come in, won't you? I'm Catherine. I'm Bill's wife.

RANDY:

(BEAT) She was small and her gray hair looked as if it had never seen the inside of a beauty parlor. Her face was lined, and the skin on her hands was red and shrivelled. Bill's wife, she said...funny. I'll bet she was the only person in the world who called Willie Hooper Bill.

MUSIC:

OUT

MRS. H:

It's nice of you to go with Bill, Mr. Stone. He has so -- few friends.

RANDY:

Mrs. Hooper....Maybe Grayson won't keep his promise.

MRS. H:

(FIRMLY) He will. (BEAT) But if he doesn't, Bill will be elected to the club anyway. They're bound to want Bill!

MUSIC:

UP AND UNDER

RANDY:

It was as simple as that with her. (PAUSE) A half an hour later I was entering Grayson's office with a scrubbed and shining Willie Hooper. His gray hair was slicked back, his suit pressed, his tie straight. He kept rubbing his palms on his trousers nervously. He was trying to look at ease, but it was a picture he couldn't quite make come off.

SOUND:

DOOR OPENS.

GRAY:

(JOVIALLY) Well, well, well, come in, come in! Good to see you again, Stone.

RANDY:

That was Grayson. White-haired and with a forty pound ball of rich living at the waist, giving his belt a bad time. He flashed us a white and gold smile and made like a politician.

MUSIC:

OUT.

GRAY:

Cigar, Mr. Stone?

RANDY:

No, thanks.

GRAY:

How about you, Mr....er, uh?

WILLIE:

Hooper, Mr. Grayson! You remember me! Third precinct. I worked for you in the last election!

GRAY:

Oh, yes, of course. It's you men in the field that made my position attainable. Fine job. Fine job, indeed. Well, Mr. Stone....is this an interview?

RANDY:

Not exactly an interview, Mr. Grayson.

WILLIE:

It's about me, Mr. Grayson. It's about your promise.

GRAY:

(SHARPLY) Promise? What promise?

WILLIE:

You remember, before you got elected. Right here. Right here in this office. You said I could be chief runner in the City Building.

GRAY:

I don't remember making any such promise. Of course, I might have been joking. People sometimes tell me my sense of humor is misunderstood.

RANDY:

Sense of humor?

WILLIE:

Mr. Grayson, you promised me. I don't think you understand. This job means more to me than anything in the world. I told everybody. I already told everybody.

GRAY:

I don't see how I ever could have made such a commitment. I've given the position to a man well qualified for the job, Paul Kittredge.

WILLIE:

So Big Ed was right!

GRAY:

(COLDLY) I told you, you must have misunderstood me. (TO RANDY) Just what's your angle on this, Mr. Stone?

RANDY:

(EQUALLY COLD) Maybe it's that I don't like seeing human beings hurt, Grayson. I...

WILLIE:

(QUIETLY) You've got to give me the job, Mr. Grayson. I've told everybody. If you don't give me that job, I'll kill you!

GRAY:

You'll what!

WILLIE:

I'll kill you!

RANDY:

(SHARPLY) Easy, Willie!

GRAY:

Get out of here, Hooper.

WILLIE:

I mean it, Mr. Grayson. If you don't give me that job in one week, I swear...I'll kill you!

RANDY:

Willie, cut it! Go on, wait outside.

SOUND:

CHAIR SCRAPE, STEPS RUN OFF, DOOR OPEN AND SLAM (OFF)

RANDY:

Sorry, Mr. Grayson, I didn't know anything like this was in the cards.

GRAY:

He's a maniac. A homicidal maniac. And as for you, Mr. Stone, I'm going to give you some advice. This isn't to get into the papers. Not a word of it!!

RANDY:

Get off my back, Grayson!

GRAY:

I've got a lot of influence, friends. Pretty high up in the publishing business, too. I'd hate to see a bright fellow like you -- ohh!

SOUND:

RANDY GETS UP QUICKLY.

RANDY:

Now, Buster, you listen to me and listen to me good. Because I'm only going to sing this song once, and I don't want you to miss a note!

GRAY:

Listen, Stone...

RANDY:

(GOING RIGHT ON) You've made your last unkept promise to the Willies of this town. They're a little too trusting, maybe, but they're human beings, and they can get hurt, real hurt, by phoney promises.

GRAY:

But I...

RANDY:

You've just got yourself a Boswell, Grayson. I'm going to keep tabs on you so close you won't be able to sneeze without me saying Gezundheit. I'm not only going to write about Willie Hooper, I may even decide to serialize it - day after day -

GRAY:

(WANTING TO BACKTRACK) Wait...now wait - we -- well, we're grown men - and we're acting like children!

RANDY:

Maybe I'm allergic to men with influence.

GRAY:

(TRYING A FEEBLE LAUGH) Why I didn't mean it exactly that way. It was a joke.

RANDY:

Your sense of humor again.

GRAY:

Look, maybe I can find a job for Hooper as a watchman or something. There's no reason for you and I to fight.

RANDY:

Isn't there? Okay, I'll tell Willie about the job. Maybe it will help him pick up the pieces.

MUSIC:

UP AND UNDER:

RANDY:

I found Willie back at his job in the City Building. He was mopping the floor slowly, and he was trying to keep from crying -- like a kid that just heard that the department store Santa Claus was really a dressed up wino. (BEAT) I swallowed a lump the size of a cantaloupe and tried to find some words...

SOUND:

MOPPING SLOWLY.

RANDY:

I'm sorry, Willie.

WILLIE:

(SOBBING) He could have done it, Mr. Stone. He coulda. All he had to do was lift the phone.

RANDY:

He said he might find another job for you.

WILLIE:

You just don't understand. I told all the Kings I was going to be Chief Runner. If I don't get that job, they'll never let me in the club...never!

RANDY:

Maybe they'll...

WILLIE:

No! They'll ride me. They'll keep on riding me. You don't know them....

RANDY:

Listen, Willie, a threat's not the answer. If it weren't for the publicity involved Grayson'd have you locked up.

WILLIE:

I meant it. If he doesn't give me that job, I'll kill him.

RANDY:

Forget that crazy talk, right now!

WILLIE:

You don't think I'll go through with it! Nobody does. But I will, Mr. Stone! If Grayson doesn't give me that job in one week...he's going to die!

MUSIC:

STAB AND UNDER:

RANDY:

It was the cry of a cornered rabbit. Willie didn't mean it, and we both knew it. But even as I was telling myself he couldn't hurt a fly, I caught the look in the old man's eyes. No, it wasn't hate...or murder...only desperation fighting its way out. But it made me wonder. How desperate did a man have to be before he'd kill?

MUSIC:

UP AND OUT FOR FIRST ACT CURTAIN.

[...]

MUSIC:

SECOND ACT OVERTURE. UNDER FOR:

ANNCR:

And now back to "Night Beat" and Randy Stone...

RANDY:

(BEAT) Willie Hooper had given Alderman Grayson a week to make good his promise of a job. The job that would bring Willie an invitation to join a social club called the Kings. In my books, the Kings weren't much of a social club, but to Willie, belonging to that club was the most important thing in his life. Yeah. To belong to it, Willie would do almost anything. Even threaten Grayson with death. That's what was worrying me. (PAUSE) But I had my own problems. Stories to write. Bills to pay. It was a couple of days before I looked Willie up. It was his night off as janitor at the City Building. I found him rooting for the Kings...in a bowling alley.

SOUND:

BALL BOWLED, PINS FALLING (OFF) REPEAT THROUGHOUT THE SCENE

CAST:

(BABBLE)

WILLIE:

(YELLING) Atta boy, Harry! Come on, you Kings! Those bakery punks can't lick you!

RANDY:

Hello, Willie. How's the game going?

WILLIE:

Kings are winning. They're wonderful. Sit down, Mr. Stone.

RANDY:

Thanks. (BOWLING, PINS FALLING--OFF)

WILLIE:

(SHRIEKS) Yaaaay, a strike! That's the way, Big Ed! Man, did you see that strike, Mr. Stone?

RANDY:

Yeah. Nice.

WILLIE:

I'm going to practice a lot, so when I join the club I won't be dragging 'em down. I bowled a hundred and twenty-five last week! Pretty good for an old man, huh?

BIG ED:

(FADE ON) Hi, Stone, how's the boy?

RANDY:

Hello, Jardin.

BIG ED:

(BLUFFLY) Call me, Big Ed. I'll call you Randy. We're friends, aren't we?

RANDY:

I hadn't noticed it.

BIG ED:

Aw, come on now...I'm the one who got slugged, and I'm not holding any grudges. Besides...we got an interest in common. Willie, here.

RANDY:

You have something to say, say it!

BIG ED:

O.K. You want to see Willie happy. I want to see Willie happy. So..I'm going to see that he gets to join the Kings. (BEAT) Just as soon as he gets the job Grayson promised him.

WILLIE:

I'll get it.

RANDY:

You know Grayson turned him down.

BIG ED:

Of course he did! But Willie ain't no man to give in so easy! Didn't you hear? He's given Grayson a week to make good...or he's gonna kill him. Isn't that what you been telling the boys, Willie.

RANDY:

He's had enough, Jardin.

BIG ED:

Tell him, Willie...you're a man of your word. Tell Randy here how you're going to kill Grayson if he don't give you that job! Willie, the killer! (LAUGH) Tell him - Go on - tell him!

WILLIE:

(MUMBLING) I won't have to kill nobody. Grayson will come through. It's only Monday.

BIG ED:

(NEEDLING) But if he don't come through by Friday midnight, Willie. Then you'll kill him, won't you?

RANDY:

(SHARPLY) I told you, lay off, Jardin.

BIG ED:

I'd hate to see you turn chicken, Willie. (POINTEDLY) The Kings don't like liars.

WILLIE:

(DRIVEN) I ain't no liar! I'll keep my word...only lemme alone! Lemme alone!

MUSIC:

UP AND UNDER:

RANDY:

The ball was rolling. Big Ed had started it, but right behind him came the Kings, all eleven of them. Then the neighborhood took it up like a bunch of jackals feasting on a ripe piece of meat. Willie Hooper, the little janitor with the big talk! The old guy who wouldn't step on a cockroach if it bit him! He was going to kill Alderman Grayson! (BEAT) Yeah, it was quite a laugh for everyone....except Willie. And it kept building. On Tuesday...more on Wednesday...still more on Thursday. Willie got it from all sides. From the lushes, hanging on the nearest lamp posts..........

PORKY:

(DRUNKENLY) Hey, Willie...Willie, the Killer! Friday's the night, ain't it? (LAUGHS RAUCOUSLY) After you do it, Willie, I'll buy you a drink! I'll buy you a case..if you do it! (MORE LAUGHTER)

WILLIE:

Aw, lay off, Porky! Will you lay off!

CAST:

(BUILDING LAUGHTER THROUGH FOLLOWING)

RANDY:

The bartenders, the clerks, even the painted floozies with all the self respect of a can of beer found Willie someone they could sneer at...and always Big Ed.

CAST:

(LAUGHTER GROWING)

BIG ED:

Well, well, if it isn't my favorite killer! Come on, Willie, tell me how you're going to do it Friday night! You are gonna kill him, ain't you, Willie?

CAST:

(LAUGHTER BUILDING CONTINUE UNDER)

RANDY:

(BEAT) Yeah, everybody got into the act. A million laughs. And everybody so busy yukking at the idea of Willie killing someone, they didn't see what was happening inside him.

PORKY:

(DRUNKENLY) How you going to do it, Friday, Willie...with a gun? (LAUGHS) Thatsh my killer!

BIG ED:

Hey, Willie, it's Thursday! Tomorrow's the night, ain't it...don't turn chicken, Willie!

CAST:

(LAUGHTER REACHES CRESCENDO)

WILLIE:

(CRAZILY) I will, I told you I will! I'll kill him...(SOBS) Only leave me alone, leave me alone! (INTO LOUD SOBS)

MUSIC:

UP AND UNDER:

RANDY:

By Friday, Willie had become a hunted, cornered animal, twisting and turning to find some escape...and not finding any. By ten o'clock Friday night I gave up trying to work and headed for the City building.

MUSIC:

OUT.

SOUND:

STEPS IN HALL (SLIGHT ECHO)

BIG ED:

(OFF) Hi, Randy! (FADE ON) Where's our boy, Willie, tonight?

RANDY:

(QUICKLY) He's not here? (STEPS STOP)

BIG ED:

Hasn't shown up. (LAUGHS, A LITTLE FEEBLY NOW) Guess he's home trying to hide from his brags.

RANDY:

Yeah...I hope so, Jardin. But I want to be sure.

SOUND:

STEPS.

BIG ED:

(FADING) Hey, where you going? Hey!

MUSIC:

UP AND UNDER:

RANDY:

I wasn't really worried yet. But I wanted to play it safe, so within a half hour I was knocking on Willie's door. Mrs. Hooper let me in, and by the look on her face I knew Willie wasn't home.

MRS. H:

(DULLY) He's not here. He's gone.

RANDY:

Where, Mrs. Hooper?

MRS. H:

(VAGUE) Where?

RANDY:

You've got to tell me. Where did he go?

MRS. H:

Bill wouldn't hurt nobody, Mr. Stone. You know he wouldn't.

RANDY:

I know. But where is he?

MRS. H:

Bill's a talker. Bill just likes to talk. He talks but he wouldn't ever do anything.

RANDY:

(GENTLY) Mrs. Hooper, if you don't tell me, I'll have to call in the police.

MRS. H:

No! (PLEADING) No, don't do that!

RANDY:

I don't want to, but...

MRS. H:

Bill's left town, Mr. Stone. He..he went to visit his cousin in Los Angeles. She works for the phone company. See, that's her picture there. She wrote him to come, because she..she's sick.

RANDY:

When did he leave?

MRS. H:

This afternoon.

RANDY:

(DEEP BREATH) I see. Do you have the letter?

MRS:

H: (QUICKLY) No. Bill took it with him.

RANDY:

I see. Mrs. Hooper, I'll have to check this. What is the cousin's address?

MRS. H:

Check? Oh...I...I don't know her address.

RANDY:

Her name?

MRS. H:

M-Mary. Bill never told me her last name. (PAUSE) It's the truth!

MUSIC:

UP AND UNDER:

RANDY:

No, I didn't believe her. But I wanted to. There was still time to check her story. I borrowed the picture of Bill's cousin and headed for the Herald-American, a friend and some help.

SOUND:

NEWSPAPER OFFICE B.G. STEPS, STOPPING:

PETE:

(FADE ON) Well, hiya, Randy. What can I do for you?

RANDY:

A big favor I hope. I'll split a story with you in the bargain. Your syndicate has a Herald in Los Angeles, doesn't it?

PETE:

That's right. Herald Express.

RANDY:

I need to know something from a woman who works at the phone company out there. No name on her, but I have a picture. Think you can help?

PETE:

Let's get hold of Aggie Underwood and see. She's the boss lady out there on the day side.

SOUND:

RECEIVER LIFTED, ZERO DIALED.

PETE:

(BEAT) Hello, Sally. Get Aggie Underwood in Los Angeles. Ask her to standby for a picture. (BEAT) Yeah. I'll be in the I.N.S. sound photo room.

SOUND:

RECEIVER REPLACED. CHAIR SCRAPE.

PETE:

Come on, Randy. We'll wire the picture to L.A. (STEPS) You can tell Aggie what you want to know over the phone.

SOUND:

STEPS, DOOR OPEN AND CLOSE CUTTING OFF OFFICE B.G.

PETE:

Set up the picture on the drum, Randy, while I get clearance from New York.

RANDY:

Sure thing. Where's the tape? Never mind, I see it.

SOUND:

TWO STEPS, TEARING OF TWO STRIPS OF SCOTCH TAPE FROM HOLDER. IN B.G.: SOUND OF TWO RINGS ON OLD FASHIONED HAND CRANK PHONE.

PETE:

(OFF) New York? Chicago clearance to L.A. One picture. (PAUSE) Thanks.

SOUND:

RECEIVER REPLACED

RANDY:

Picture's on.

PETE:

(FADE ON) Okay, start her up.

SOUND:

SWITCH, LIGHT HUM; STEADY 1800 CYCLE NOTE ON SPEAKER (OFF)

PETE:

(LONG PAUSE) That's enough. Start the drum spinning. The setting's okay. Give me a little dash.

SOUND:

SWITCH, NOTE ON SPEAKER CHANGES TO RHYTHMIC BEEPS, ONE A SECOND AND SOUNDING IN TWO PARTS LIKE: "BEE-DEEP, BEE-DEEP, BEE-DEEP"

PETE:

Good. While Los Angeles is synchronizing its reception, we'll talk to Aggie.

SOUND:

FEW STEPS, FOUR RINGS ON OLD FASHIONED CRANK PHONE.

PETE:

(PAUSE) Hello, Los Angeles. Aggie Underwood there? Yeah, put her on. (PAUSE) Hello, Aggie. Friend of mine on the opposition needs a favor - Randy Stone of the Star. (BEAT) Okay, Randy, you're on. (GOING SLIGHTLY OFF) I'll start the picture rolling.

RANDY:

Thanks. (BEAT) Hello, Miss Underwood.

AGGIE:

(FILTER) Hi. What's your problem?

SOUND:

BEE-DEEPS ON SPEAKER CHANGE TO CONSTANT BEEPS AT SAME SPEED.

RANDY:

The picture is of a woman who works at the phone company there. How long would it take to find if she wrote her cousin, William Hooper, to come to L.A. because she was sick?

AGGIE:

(FILTER) No name and address on the woman?

RANDY:

Just the first name -- Mary.

AGGIE:

(DRYLY) Big help. I'll get a picture to the phone company and have a mobile radio car standing by to go to the address..

RANDY:

It's important.

AGGIE:

I'll do my best.

MUSIC:

UP AND UNDER:

RANDY:

One hour, twenty-two minutes by the clock after the picture was transmitted to Los Angeles, they'd identified the woman, and a radio car had gotten the answers and reported them to Aggie at her office. She gave me the report over the phone...

AGGIE:

(FILTER) Woman is Miss Paula Markham, 1804 Jasmine Street. Admits William Hooper is her cousin, but denies having written him in the last six months. According to our radio car, she's as healthy as a Notre Dame tackle.

RANDY:

Thanks, Miss Underwood. Thanks very much.

MUSIC:

STAB AND UNDER:

RANDY:

Mrs. Hooper had lied all right. I stabbed the receiver on the hook and glanced at my watch. Nearly eleven-thirty. I went out of there like the cork of a champagne bottle. In five minutes I was back at Willie's house talking with his wife. I told her I checked her story and it was no good. After that I got the truth.

MUSIC:

OUT.

MRS. H:

(CRYING) He told me to tell you that story. I tried to stop him...But I couldn't. It was like he went crazy, Mr. Stone. He was crying. I never saw Bill cry before. He kept saying over and over that he'd prove he wasn't afraid. Then he grabbed his old army pistol and ran out. Just before you came. I...I don't know where he went.

MUSIC:

UP AND UNDER:

RANDY:

I finally put in the call to the police. It wasn't an easy call to make. I beat them to Alderman Grayson's home. Coming up to the big stucco house, I saw lights in the side windows. Then as I looked, the lights were shuttered into blackness. I ran up on the porch and rang the bell...

SOUND:

STEPS UP PORCH STAIRS, ACROSS THE PORCH AND STOP. DOOR BUZZER (OFF AND MUFFLED)

RANDY:

No answer. It was my cue to play it safe and wait for the police, but I was afraid if Willie was inside, he might forget to wait. (SOUND: DOOR KNOB TRIED VAINLY) (BEAT) The door was locked. I tried the porch window...... (TWO STEPS, WINDOW RAISED)........with better luck. (MAN CLIMBING IN WINDOW) Inside the foyer I saw a yellow light coming from under a door of Grayson's. (LIGHT STEPS) I made for it and opened it quietly. (DOOR KNOB TURNED) (PAUSE) Grayson was there all right. And so was Willie Hooper. He was holding a big black .45 with both hands to keep it from shaking. When Willie saw me, he backed a little to cover me, too. The muzzle of his gun was a big dark hole.......big enough to get buried in.

MUSIC:

OUT

WILLIE:

(OFF) (QUIETLY) I wish you hadn't come, Mr. Stone. No! Don't come any closer.

RANDY:

Put it down, Willie. That won't solve anything.

GRAYSON:

(OFF, BABBLING) Don't let him kill me, Stone.....

RANDY:

Put the gun away, Willie.

WILLIE:

(OFF) No! (A LITTLE WILDLY) You heard them....the Kings think I'm afraid to kill him. Everybody thinks I'm afraid. But I'm not, Mr. Stone. I'm [not] afraid to kill him.

RANDY:

No one thinks you're afraid, Willie.

WILLIE:

(OFF) Yes, they do! But I'm not. I'm not afraid anymore. I'll show them.

RANDY:

Drop the gun, Willie!

WILLIE:

(OFF) Stay back!

RANDY:

I just called the police.

WILLIE:

(OFF) That's fine. That's the thing to do. Call the police. I'll give myself up. But afterwards.

RANDY:

Listen, Willie.....

WILLIE:

Get out, Mr. Stone. Get out! Or I'll kill him right now!

MUSIC:

UP AND UNDER:

RANDY:

I got out. There was nothing else I could do. But I didn't go far. I waited out in the hall....waited and listened to Grayson begging for his life while Willie tried to make up his mind to shoot. The police came, and we all stood helplessly in the hallway. There was only one way into that room....the door. We all knew that the turning of the doorknob might be the one thing to make Willie's trigger finger tighten that last eighth of an inch. So we waited..

GRAYSON:

(OFF, MUFFLED) Don't......please don't....now listen to reason, Hooper.

WILLIE:

(OFF, MUFFLED) Lying to me, making a fool out of me.

BIG ED:

(LOW, HOARSELY) The crazy fool! The crazy little fool!

RANDY:

Hi, Jardin. Come to get a laugh?

BIG ED:

(DEFENSIVELY) It ain't my fault! I wasn't the only one....

RANDY:

(SUDDENLY SHARP) Wait! That pin! (THOUGHTFULLY) Yeah....

BIG ED:

Nobody thought he'd have nerve enough to.......

RANDY:

Take off that pin!

BIG ED:

Huh?

RANDY:

(HARSH) That gold crown in your lapel! Quick!

BIG ED:

Well...well, sure. But what good's that going to do?

RANDY:

(GRIMLY) Your club has a new president, Jardin.

BIG ED:

What?

RANDY:

You just abdicated.

BIG ED:

(PAUSE) Oh, I get it, O.K. Mr. Stone.

SOUND:

KNOCKING ON DOOR

WILLIE:

(OFF), (MUFFLED) Go away! I'm warning you! Go away!

RANDY:

Bill! It's Randy Stone! Listen to me. Big Ed's here. He has something to say to you.

WILLIE:

(OFF, MUFFLED) It's too late!

RANDY:

Listen to him, Bill! (DOWN) OK, Jardin, start talking.

BIG ED:

What do I say?

RANDY:

The gold pin. You know what to say.

BIG ED:

(UP) Willie..........

RANDY:

His name's Bill.

BIG ED:

Uh... Bill! Bill, I've been thinking. You oughta be a member of the club! I got a pin here. A pin just like the one I'm wearing. (PAUSE) Bill? (DOWN) No answer, Stone.

RANDY:

Keep it up, Jardin, you're doing fine.

BIG ED:

(UP) Bill, you can have my pin if you want it. You hear me? All this kidding the last couple of days, it was just to see if you could take it. A kind of initiation into the club. And you did fine. You don't have to kill anybody. Understand, Bill? It was all a kind of a gag. (PAUSE) Why don't he answer? What's he doing in there?

RANDY:

(LOW) Shut up.

BIG ED:

(BEAT) Stone...look...the door knob! He's coming out.

SOUND:

DOOR KNOB TURNED: DOOR OPEN:

RANDY:

(PAUSE) Grayson.

CAST:

QUICK BABBLE:

GRAYSON:

(QUIETLY) All right, all right, it's all over. Let me sit down. Get me something to drink.

BIG ED:

Sure.

GRAYSON:

What an experience, what an experience. He would have killed me. Killed me. He dropped the gun. But don't take any chances, captain. Grab him when he comes out.

RANDY:

He's through, Grayson. He's not going to hurt anybody.

GRAYSON:

Don't take any chances with him, Captain. Here he comes.

WILLIE:

(PAUSE) (FADING IN SLOWLY) I don't have to kill him? I don't have to kill him? It was all a gag? And the club, I can join the club.

RANDY:

That's right, Bill. Here's your pin.

WILLIE:

The pin. Gold. Gosh, it's beautiful. I can keep it?

RANDY:

You can keep it, Bill.. Big Ed says so.

GRAYSON:

I'm going to prefer charges of attempted murder, Captain. Take him down to headquarters.

RANDY:

Just a minute. Mr. Grayson, can I have a word with you? In private?

GRAYSON:

I have nothing to say to you, Stone, bringing a maniac in here after me.

RANDY:

It'll just take a minute. I think it'll be worth your while.

GRAYSON:

(CATCHES SOMETHING IN THE TONE) Uh ...well, for just a minute.

SOUND:

TWO PAIRS OF STEPS AND DOOR CLOSES:

GRAYSON:

Listen, Stone, I won't stand for any of your blackmail tactics. If you want to print the fact that I reneged on a campaign platform go right ahead. Just see how much good it will do when this attempted murder story is printed right along side of it.

RANDY:

You've got a mind like a gutter, Grayson. But just in case you're interested in the prose I have in mind, I'll give you a small synopsis.

GRAYSON:

Now listen, Stone.....

RANDY:

You play listener for a while, Grayson. Here's the outline. A little guy named Hooper goes to work for a politician. A little guy with a ten year old brain, maybe. But he believes in something. He believes the new Alderman will make a better life for him. He believes the Alderman's big promises.

GRAYSON:

Now, Stone, I.....

RANDY:

The little guy gets the promise of the job. It means everything to him. Dignity. Respect. The decency a mop and pail never gave him. Then, after the alderman is elected, every promise falls flat on its face.

GRAYSON:

You're not suggesting that Hooper remain free to molest the community? The man is dangerous.

RANDY:

Yeah, he's plenty dangerous. So are a lot of us. People always get dangerous when somebody makes them a promise and it isn't kept. Hooper was almost driven to murder, Grayson. But not by the killer inside of him. By you. You and the others out there. And if you file charges against him, I'm going to see to it everybody responsible for Hooper's presence here tonight is made to pay the right price.

GRAYSON:

(PAUSE) All right, Stone. Perhaps the wiser alternative is to....let the entire matter drop.

RANDY:

Just what I was thinking, Grayson. Now go on upstairs. You look like you could use a good night's sleep.

MUSIC:

UP TO SEMI CURTAIN AND DOWN FOR:

RANDY:

Grayson went upstairs. William Hooper went home with a gold pin. The police climbed into their patrol cars and turned up the radio. I went back to the city room, and rolled a blank piece of paper into the machine. I sat for a while, thinking about the Willie Hoopers of the world, about how long it would take them to get angry at all the unkept promises. I finally boiled it down to something tyrants never learn. The most dangerous man on earth is a little guy pushed in a corner.

SOUND:

PHONE UP:

RANDY:

COPY BOY!

MUSIC:

TO TAG OF SHOW: UNDER: