MUSIC:

"ON STAGE" INTRO, THEN OUT

ANNCR:

Cathy and Elliott Lewis - On Stage.

MUSIC:

"ON STAGE" THEME. ESTABLISH, AND CONTINUE UNDER

ANNCR:

Cathy Lewis. Elliott Lewis. Two of the most distinguished names in Radio. Appearing each week, in their own theatre. Starring in a repertory of transcribed stories of their own, and your, choosing. Radio's foremost players in Radio's foremost plays. Drama, comedy, adventure, mystery, melodrama.

Ladies and gentlemen, Mr. Elliott Lewis!

MUSIC:

THEME TO A FINISH

ELLIOTT:

Good evening. May I present my wife, Cathy.

CATHY:

Good evening. Many people have asked us if there's a difference between married couples in show business and married couples anywhere else. There isn't. For example, it being that time of the year, the other day, Elliott said to me...

MUSIC:

LIKE A STIRRING OF SPRING, UNDER

SFX:

RUSTLE OF NEWSPAPER

ELLIOTT:

Spring. Isn't it beautiful? Green grass, clear warm days... (HAPPY SIGH)

CATHY:

And then, he put his newspaper down, and said to me...

SFX:

RUSTLE OF NEWSPAPER

ELLIOTT:

Cathy?

CATHY:

Yes, dear?

MUSIC:

"TAKE ME OUT TO THE BALLGAME", LIKE THE TWINKLING IN AN EXPECTANT MOTHER'S EYE, UNDER

ELLIOTT:

Do you suppose it would be all right if we did a baseball story on "On Stage"? I- it's that time o' the year, you know?

MUSIC:

OUT

CATHY:

And of course, I agreed. And so, tonight, a new dramatization of Ernest Lawrence Thayer's classic, "Casey at the Bat". With Hy Averback as the Mighty Casey.

ELLIOTT:

We take you now to the most famous baseball game of them all...

SFX:

"BALLPARK" AMBIENCE, UNDER

SFX:

BALL CAUGHT IN CATCHER'S MITT

UMPIRE:

(OFF-MIKE) STRIKE THREE!!! YOU'RE OUT!!!

SFX:

CROWD BOOS, GRUMBLES, UNDER

MAN:

We haven't got a chance.

OLD MAN:

No, not a prayer.

MUSIC:

SAD, DEFEATED, UNDER

NARR:

It looked extremely rocky for the Mudville Nine, that day.

The score stood two to four, with but one inning left to play.

So, when Cooney died at Second, and Borrows did the same,

A pallor wreathed the features of the patrons of the game.

MUSIC:

OUT

SFX:

"DEFEATED BALLPARK" ATMOSPHERE, UNDER

MAN:

Oh, there's no use stickin' around here any more. Mudville's done for.

OLD MAN:

Well, maybe Casey'll get his bats.

MAN:

No. No, old-timer. It's all over but the funeral.

OLD MAN:

(GROANS SADLY)

NARR:

A straggling few got up to go, leaving there the rest,

With that hope which springs eternal within the human breast.

For they thought...

OLD MAN:

If only Casey could get a whack at that! If- if Casey'd just get up there and take a swing!

NARR:

Yes, they'd put even money with Casey at the bat.

MUSIC:

"TAKE ME OUT TO THE BALLGAME" IN MINOR KEY, WITH HANGING END NOTE

UMPIRE:

(OFF-MIKE) BATTER UP!!!

OLD MAN:

(MOANING) Oh, Casey...

MAN:

Flynn! Flynn up. Blake on deck, and Casey in the hole, and two outs.

OLD MAN:

Maybe... Just maybe...

MAN:

No, not a chance, Pop.

OLD MAN:

(GROANS)

NARR:

But Flynn preceded Casey, and likewise, so did Blake.

And the former was a puddin', and the latter was a fake.

MAN:

Casey'll never get up there with those two bums ahead of him!

SFX:

CROWD MUTTERING, UNDER

UMPIRE:

(OFF-MIKE) PLAY BALL!!!

SFX:

CROWD SILENT

NARR:

So, on that stricken multitude, a deathlike silence sat,

For there seemed but little chance of Casey's getting to the bat.

SFX:

CRACK OF BAT ON BALL

SFX:

CROWD REACTS, UNDER

OLD MAN:

It's a single!

NARR:

Yes, Flynn let drive a single, to the wonderment of all!

UMPIRE:

(OFF-MIKE) SAFE!!!

OLD MAN:

That bum got a hit!

MAN:

I'll be darned!

NARR:

And...

UMPIRE:

(OFF-MIKE) BATTER UP! PLAY BALL!

SFX:

HUSHED CROWD ... PAUSE ... CRACK OF BAT ON BALL

SFX:

CROWD REACTS, UNDER

NARR:

And that much despised Blakey tore the cover off the ball!

MAN:

Get goin'! Get goin'!

OLD MAN:

Come on, boy! Move!

MAN:

SLIDE, BLAKE! SLIDE, BOY!!!

SFX:

BALL CAUGHT IN MITT

UMPIRE:

(OFF-MIKE) YOU'RE SAFE!!!

SFX:

CROWD REACTS WITH CHEERS AND WHISTLES, UNDER

NARR:

When the dust had lifted, and they saw what had occurred,

There was Blakey safe on Second, and Flynn a-huggin' Third.

SFX:

CROWD STARTS CHANTING "WE WANT CASEY", THEN UNDER, GROWING LOUDER

NARR:

And from that gladdened multitude, went up a joyous yell!

It rumbled on the mountain-tops; it rattled on the dell!

It struck upon the hillside, and rebounded on the flat!

(PAUSE) For Casey, Mighty Casey, was advancing to the bat!

SFX:

CROWD CHANT FADES, AS MUSIC COMES UP

MUSIC:

STIRRING, DRAMATIC VERSION OF "BALLGAME", ENDING ON LONE CLARINET ... VICTORIAN ARRANGEMENT OF "BALLGAME", STARTS AT [X] UNDER

NARR:

There'd been all kinds of rhubarbs about that [X] ballgame in Mudville, back in 1888. They say Casey was a big goof or a pea-brain, a no-talent kid. They say a lot of things. But I'm gonna give you the real story about Casey and that day. And what really happened when he got up to bat.

A long time ago, 1888. A lotta ball played since then. Why, the National League was just a baby, and there wasn't any American League at all.

First thing you oughtta know is that Casey didn't always play for Mudville. Oh, no. He first started beltin' them outta the park in a little town upstate, called Prattsburgh.

MUSIC:

OUT

SFX:

"SMALL-TOWN BALLPARK PRACTICE" AMBIENCE, UNDER

JUNIPER:

(CALLING) Casey? Paul Casey!

CASEY:

(CALLING) Yes, Mr. Juniper. (NORMAL) Hold it a minute, Birdy.

JUNIPER:

(CALLING) Come over here a minute, willya?

CASEY:

(CALLING) Uh, sure! (NORMAL) There ya go, Eddie.

EDDIE:

Right.

BIRDY:

Hey, Eddie! How 'bout tossin' me a few?

SFX:

CASEY TROTS OVER TO JUNIPER

JUNIPER:

Casey... Casey, this is Mr. Wicks.

CASEY:

(A BIT BREATHLESS) Yeah. How do you do?

WICKS:

Fine. So, you're Casey, huh?

CASEY:

Yes, sir. You heard o' me?

JUNIPER:

Mr. Wicks saw you play against Burns yesterday.

CASEY:

Oh.

JUNIPER:

We're mighty proud o' Casey around here, Mr. Wicks.

WICKS:

Yeah. What'd ya think o' that pitcher?

CASEY:

O'Dell?

WICKS:

Uh, the lefty on the other side.

CASEY:

That's O'Dell. He's an awful good pitcher.

JUNIPER:

You hit him every time you're up at bat.

CASEY:

Oh, sure. Of course.

JUNIPER:

Can't be too good a pitcher.

CASEY:

Oh, he's still a good pitcher. It's just that I'm a better batter.

EDDIE:

(CALLING, OFF-MIKE) Coach? Hey, Coach?

JUNIPER:

Excuse me a minute, Mr. Wicks.

WICKS:

Why, sure.

SFX:

JUNIPER TROTS OVER TO PLAYERS

WICKS:

You think quite a bit o' yourself, don't you, Casey?

CASEY:

(SIMPLY) Sure I do.

WICKS:

Whatta you think about when you're standin' across the plate, waitin' for the pitch?

CASEY:

About hitting a ball. That's what I'm there for, isn't it?

WICKS:

M-hm. Who's that over there?

CASEY:

Uh, Birdy Peterson.

WICKS:

Is he a good pitcher?

CASEY:

Just the best.

WICKS:

Let's watch.

CASEY:

Why not?

SFX:

THEY WALK ALONG THE DIRT, UNDER

WICKS:

Did you know they pay people to play ball, in some parts o' this country?

CASEY:

Sure. (PAUSE) I get paid. A buck a game.

WICKS:

I mean REAL money. Sometimes fifty, sixty, a hundred dollars a week.

CASEY:

Yeah?

WICKS:

Yeah! Ever been to Baltimore, Boston, or New York?

CASEY:

No.

WICKS:

That's where they pay it. How'd ya like to go and play baseball in one o' those towns?

CASEY:

For money?

WICKS:

Yeah.

CASEY:

That'd be swell.

WICKS:

It'd take time. You have a lot to learn.

CASEY:

I know how to belt that old apple, I guess.

WICKS:

You don't know anything. You're still green. Will ya take orders?

CASEY:

I suppose so. Why?

WICKS:

That's the first thing you have to learn. Get yourself a bat.

CASEY:

All right.

SFX:

TRIES OUT VARIOUS BATS ... PICKS ONE

CASEY:

Hey, this oughtta do it.

WICKS:

See if you can get a hit off Peterson.

CASEY:

Yeah. Easy as pie.

WICKS:

Do it.

CASEY:

All right, I will. (CALLING) Hey, Birdy? Like it was a ballgame, huh? (NORMAL) Catch 'em, willya, Eddie?

EDDIE:

Sure, you betcha. (TO PITCHER) C'mon, boy! Pitch to me, Birdy. Right in here, boy. Right in here. (CHUCKLES)

CASEY:

Watch this, Mr. Wicks.

WICKS:

(OFF-MIKE) I'm watchin'.

CASEY:

(GETS INTO POSITION) All right!

EDDIE:

To me, Birdy boy, right to me, baby, right to me. There ya go, Birdy.

SFX:

BALL CAUGHT IN MITT

WICKS:

(OFF-MIKE) What'sa matter, Casey?

CASEY:

That was a low ball. Put one where it's legal, Birdy!

EDDIE:

All right, Birdy, throw it to me, kid, right to me. Here we go, here we go, Birdy!

SFX:

CRACK OF BAT ON BALL

EDDIE:

Awwwww! Casey! Outta the park!

CASEY:

Yeah.

SFX:

DROPS BAT ... WALKS OVER TO WICKS

CASEY:

How's that?

WICKS:

I said, "Get a hit."

CASEY:

I knocked a homer.

WICKS:

I said, "Hit". H-I-T. If I had wanted you to knock a homer, I'd have said so.

CASEY:

Well, gosh, I--

WICKS:

You don't know how to take orders. You'll always be in Prattsburgh.

SFX:

WALKING AWAY, UNDER

WICKS:

See ya 'round, kid.

MUSIC:

"BALLGAME" DISAPPOINTED, BUT HOPEFUL, THEN UNDER

NARR:

According to the old-timers, no one knew where this Wicks came from, or what he did before he showed up in Prattsburgh, that day. They said he was a tall, thin sort of bird, with a lotta black hair, and a couple of black eyes that looked like dyed baseballs. Eddie Maytag (the catcher) and Birdy Peterson (the pitcher) saw and heard what went on there, and they both said it was like nothing they'd ever seen. Wicks seemed to reach right out and... sorta take hold of Casey.

MUSIC:

FAST FADE OUT

SFX:

"BALLPARK PRACTICE" AMBIENCE QUIETLY, UNDER

CASEY:

(PONDERING) Baltimore... Boston... New York...!

SFX:

OUT

MUSIC:

SWIRLING, SCAMPERING

CASEY:

(RUNNING AFTER WICKS) Mr. Wicks? Mr. Wicks! W- wait a minute!

SFX:

HE RUNS ON DIRT ... "BALLPARK PRACTICE" AMBIENCE NORMAL, UNDER

CASEY:

C- could I really get paid good money for playing baseball?

WICKS:

Ya ever heard o' the National League?

CASEY:

Y- yeah, I guess so. Wasn't it just started a few years ago?

WICKS:

Yeah.

CASEY:

How do I get to play ball for them?

WICKS:

Take orders. From me.

CASEY:

Well, the- the--

WICKS:

Ya got a lot to learn yet. Ya have to let ME teach ya.

CASEY:

Well, I can take any kind of orders. If you tell me to get a hit, I'll- I'll get a hit. If you say get a homer, I'll get a homer. (PAUSE) I wanna play baseball in one o' those cities, for the National League.

WICKS:

(PAUSE) All right, Casey. I'll give ya another chance.

SFX:

OUT

MUSIC:

"BALLGAME" A BIT WEARY, THEN OUT

MAYOR:

I don't understand this, Mr. Wicks. I'm afraid I don't quite understand this at all, sir.

WICKS:

I'll say it once again, Your Honour. Fire Mr. Juniper.

MAYOR:

Fire Mr. Juniper? (CHUCKLES) And what would Prattsburgh's baseball team do without Mr. Juniper? Answer me that. Why, we'd have a baseball team with no one to run it.

WICKS:

I'll run it.

MAYOR:

I don't even know you, sir. Mr. Juniper's done a splendid job. We have a winning baseball team.

WICKS:

And they're going to start to lose, if you don't fire Juniper and hire me.

MAYOR:

(FIRMLY) I'm afraid you're a little misinformed, Mr. Wicks. In case you weren't aware of it, we have a fine ball-player, right here in Prattsburgh. By the name of Casey.

WICKS:

I'm aware of it, Your Honour.

SFX:

WALKS TO DOOR ... OPENS IT

WICKS:

Casey!

CASEY:

(SLIGHTLY OFF-MIKE) Yes, sir?

WICKS:

Get in here.

SFX:

CASEY WALKS INTO ROOM ... DOOR CLOSES ... HE AND WICKS WALK TO MAYOR'S DESK

MAYOR:

Why... Why, Casey. I- I--

CASEY:

Hello, Your Honour.

WICKS:

Tell His Honour, Casey.

CASEY:

I want Mr. Wicks to be our new Manager.

MAYOR:

(CLEARS THROAT UNEASILY) Casey... What is this?

CASEY:

I'll quit the team if you don't fire Mr. Juniper and hire Mr. Wicks.

MAYOR:

What? Why, I can't believe this.

WICKS:

Well, Your Honour. What do you want in Prattsburgh? A winning ball-club, or a losing Manager?

MAYOR:

I want to think this over.

WICKS:

(QUICKLY) Come on, Casey! Let's go.

MAYOR:

No, no, no. Wait, wait, wait.

WICKS:

Well?

MAYOR:

Do you really mean what you say, Casey?

CASEY:

Yes, Your Honour.

MAYOR:

I have no choice, then. No. (SIGHS) Well... You're the new Manager, Mr. Wicks.

WICKS:

Thank you.

SFX:

WICKS AND CASEY WALK TO DOOR ... OPEN IT ... STEP OUT ... CLOSE DOOR ... WALK A FEW STEPS

CASEY:

(NERVOUSLY) How'd I do, Mr. Wicks?

WICKS:

You CAN take orders. We'll get along fine, Casey.

MUSIC:

"BALLGAME" IN MINOR KEY, UNDER

NARR:

According to the record books, the Prattsburgh club didn't lose a game for the rest o' the year.

MUSIC:

"BALLGAME" IN MAJOR KEY, A BIT WISTFUL, UNDER

NARR:

No one ever knew if it was because Wicks managed it, or Casey played on it. But everyone knew that Casey wouldn't do anything or go anyplace without Wicks' say-so. And no one ever knew what Wicks' full name was either. But after a while, seeing how things were, between him and Casey, they gave him one.

MUSIC:

OUT

NARR:

(PAUSE) Svengali.

MUSIC:

"BALLGAME" LURCHING ALONG, TO A FINISH

ANNCR:

You are listening to Cathy and Elliott Lewis - On Stage. Tonight's play: "Casey at the Bat".

This Sunday night, CBS Radio and your "Hall of Fame Playouse" pay tribute to a great veteran actor--the program's host, narrator, and frequent star, Lionel Barrymore. The occasion of the tribute is Mr. Barrymore's sixtieth anniversary in show business, and an observance of his upcoming seventy-fifth birthday. Be sure to be listening to the special "Hall of Fame Playhouse" broadcast, paying tribute to Lionel Barrymore. This Sunday night, on most of these same CBS Radio stations.

MUSIC:

"BALLGAME" BUILDING DRAMATICALLY, ENDING ON A HANGING NOTE

SFX:

"BALLGAME" AMBIENCE, UNDER

SFX:

CROWD CHANTING "WE WANT CASEY" ... ESTABLISH, THEN FADE OUT AS MUSIC COMES UP

MUSIC:

"BALLGAME" PIZZICATO WALTZ, THEN UNDER

NARR:

Now, before Casey got up there to bat for Mudville, that day, you should know the other things about him. I mean, uh, besides Wicks. First, he got out o' Prattsburgh the next season, and played ball for Emery Corners. Naturally enough, Wicks went with him as the Manager there. After that, they played two seasons at Pittstown. From there, they went to Yardley. You might say, it was the old squeeze play. If anybody wanted Casey, they had to take Wicks as Manager. It was a pretty nice ride for Wicks. But sometimes, it got a little tough for Casey.

Oh, Casey was all right when he was strutting out in front o' the bleachers, smiling, taking off his hat to everybody... with Wicks in the background, telling him what to do. But it was a lot different, when Wicks wasn't around.

SFX:

"SMALL-TOWN SUMMER NIGHT" AMBIENCE, UNDER

SFX:

CASEY WALKS ON DIRT ... STEPS ONTO PORCH ... KNOCKS WITH DOOR-KNOCKER ... NO ANSWER ... KNOCKS AGAIN

SFX:

DOOR OPENS

CASEY:

(A BIT SHYLY) Hello, Mary.

MARY:

Why, Casey. How nice.

CASEY:

I, uh, caught the ferry over, after the game today. They... were having a big dinner, but I wanted to see you.

MARY:

I'm glad you came. Are you alone?

CASEY:

Why, sure.

MARY:

I'm surprised HE isn't with you.

CASEY:

Who? Wicks?

MARY:

How'd you get away from him? Is he stuck at the dinner?

CASEY:

Oh, I didn't get away from him. I can come and go as I please.

MARY:

(ARCHLY) Can you?

CASEY:

Sure. Sure I can.

MARY:

Let's sit on the swing. It's a lovely night.

SFX:

THEY GO TO THE PORCH SWING

CASEY:

Swell.

SFX:

DOOR CLOSES ... THEY SIT ON PORCH SWING ... IT SQUEAKS, AS THEY SWING GENTLY, UNDER

CASEY:

I, uh... got a triple and a homer today.

MARY:

That's nice.

CASEY:

Yeah. (TAKING LARGE KEY OUT OF HIS POCKET) Mayor gave- gave me this. The Key to the City.

MARY:

(ARCHLY) Did he give one to Mr. Wicks too?

CASEY:

I- I- I dunno.

MARY:

(PAUSE) I haven't seen you in a long while.

CASEY:

It's busy playing ball, you know.

MARY:

I know. (PAUSE) Casey, what are you going to do?

CASEY:

What am I going to do about what?

MARY:

About us.

CASEY:

Why... we'll get married as soon as I get my job with the Cincinnati Red Stockings or the National League.

MARY:

Casey, you're thirty-three years old now.

CASEY:

I'm still knocking them out of the park.

MARY:

Yes. Every time Mr. Wicks tells you to.

CASEY:

Well, what's the matter with that? He- he's the Manager.

MARY:

You can't seem to do anything for yourself any more. He does it all. (PAUSE) He can't marry me, Casey.

CASEY:

Has he asked you?

MARY:

(EXASPERATED BREATH) Casey, don't you understand? I want you. But I can't have you, as long as you're with him.

CASEY:

Well... Whatta you want me to do?

MARY:

Quit.

CASEY:

Quit baseball?

MARY:

Everybody knows you're a great ball-player, but you can't make a living, and support a wife--

CASEY:

Well, I can as soon as I get into the National League or with the Cincinnati Red Stockings.

MARY:

You'll never go with any one of those teams. D'you know why? It's because of Wicks.

CASEY:

But he's helping me.

MARY:

YOU'RE helping HIM. You've gotten him every job he's ever had. He hasn't done anything for you. Don't you see that? And even if they did take you and him too, it'd just be something else. You'd still be with him.

CASEY:

Oh, you- you've got it all wrong, Mary.

MARY:

No, I haven't.

SFX:

SQUEAK OF SWING, AS MARY STOPS IT

MARY:

I won't wait forever, Casey.

CASEY:

I...(UNSURE WHAT TO SAY, THEN) I love you.

MARY:

Tell that to Mr. Wicks. If you're not afraid to.

CASEY:

(PAUSE. QUIETLY) I guess I better go.

SFX:

SQUEAK OF SWING, AS CASEY AND MARY STAND UP

MARY:

Yes.

CASEY:

Good night, Mary.

MARY:

Good night, Casey.

SFX:

SHE WALKS TO DOOR ... HE WALKS DOWN PORCH STEPS, AND ALONG PATH

MUSIC:

"BALLGAME" DESCENDING UNHAPPILY

SFX:

DOOR OPENS ... CASEY ENTERS HIS LODGINGS

WICKS:

(SLIGHTLY OFF-MIKE. ANNOYED) Casey!

CASEY:

Yeah?

WICKS:

(ANNOYED) What time is it?

CASEY:

I dunno. Midnight maybe.

WICKS:

(ANGRY) What'd I tell you about late hours?

CASEY:

I know. I- I know.

WICKS:

Come over here. Lemme look at ya.

SFX:

CASEY WALKS TO HIM

WICKS:

Huh. Where you been? Answer me, ya big dumb stoop! Where ya been? Prattsburgh?

CASEY:

(QUIETLY) I went to see Mary.

WICKS:

Do you wanna play baseball?

CASEY:

Yeah.

WICKS:

D'you wanna play in the National League?

CASEY:

Yeah.

WICKS:

Forget her!

CASEY:

Look... Look, Wicks, i- it's been almost six years now, and we're no closer than when we started out--

WICKS:

Shut up!

CASEY:

Well, look what--

WICKS:

This happens every time ya talk to her. Well, I been doin' some talkin' myself, tonight. Ya know what happened?

CASEY:

What?

WICKS:

We quit.

CASEY:

Huh???

WICKS:

We're going over to Mudville in the morning. From there, we go to New York.

CASEY:

Mudville?

WICKS:

D'you know how close that is to Boston and New York, huh? Well, I'll tell ya. It's just a two-hour train ride, and anybody from any o' those places can come down and see you play ball. This is the place we've been wanting to get into all the time!

CASEY:

It is?

WICKS:

You start playing ball for Mudville, tomorrow. And ya play the best baseball ya ever played anywhere, any time! You do exactly what I tell ya, and you'll be all right. Understand?

CASEY:

Yeah.

WICKS:

EXACTLY what I tell ya, Casey, all the way!

CASEY:

(PAUSE) You're the Manager.

WICKS:

And don't ever forget it! Get the lamp.

CASEY:

I think I'll just go to bed.

WICKS:

Get the lamp.

CASEY:

All right.

SFX:

HE GOES TO OIL-LAMP ... TURNS DOWN WICK ... BLOWS OUT FLAME ... REPLACES CHIMNEY

WICKS:

Now. Get to bed.

MUSIC:

"BALLGAME" IN MINOR KEY, THEN UNDER

NARR:

That's how Casey finally got tied up with the Mudville club. Wicks got him there, true. And he also got himself hired as the team Manager. And Casey did everything he was told to do, just the way Wicks told him to do it. They loved Casey in Mudville; they had to. Who wouldn't love a batter who was averaging an even four-hundred?

Well, that's what Casey was doing that afternoon, in Mudville.

MUSIC:

OUT

SFX:

"BALLPARK CROWD" AMBIENCE, UNDER

SFX:

CROWD CHANTING "WE WANT CASEY", UNDER

WICKS:

All right, Casey, it's up to you. Get out there, and do your stuff!

CASEY:

Ehh. What's the Pitcher's name?

WICKS:

Vance. He's a bum. You'll flash them outta the park, hear?

CASEY:

Gotcha.

WICKS:

Listen to those yokels! Don't let 'em down, now.

SFX:

CHANTING OUT

CASEY:

Ehhh.

WICKS:

And don't let me down.

CASEY:

Have I ever let you down, Wicks?

WICKS:

Heh! Attaboy, Casey!

CASEY:

(DETERMINED) You say get a hit, and I get a hit. You say get a homer, and I get a homer.

WICKS:

Get a homer, this time, Casey.

CASEY:

All right. A homer it is. (SNIFFS)

WICKS:

Andy Cummings is here today.

CASEY:

Cummings? Here in Mudville?

WICKS:

Up there. In the derby.

CASEY:

Hey!

WICKS:

Fella next to him is Honus Wagner. You get your homer now, and you'll be beltin' us right outta this hick town. This is what we been waitin' for, Casey! They're lookin' at you, today!

CASEY:

Yeah.

WICKS:

Take yourself a bat.

SFX:

CASEY SELECTS A BAT

WICKS:

And, Casey?

CASEY:

Yeah, Wicks?

WICKS:

Play to 'em.

CASEY:

Right.

SFX:

CROWD CHEERS, UNDER

MARY:

(OFF-MIKE, CALLING) Casey? Casey, wait!

CASEY:

(CALLING) What?

MARY:

(OFF-MIKE, CALLING) Casey! Casey, it's me!

CASEY:

Oh, Mary! Well, what are you doing here?

MARY:

(APPROACHING) I'm here to see you for the last time.

CASEY:

What???

MARY:

Casey... I've made up my mind. You quit Wicks and baseball, or we're through.

CASEY:

Well, look... He- he's depending on me.

MARY:

Him or me.

CASEY:

Mary, please!

MARY:

I mean it, Casey.

CASEY:

They're here from the big league, today. I- I've gotta get a homer!

MARY:

If you go with them, you'll go with Wicks, and you'll never see me again as long as you live.

WICKS:

(OFF-MIKE, YELLING) Leave the girl alone, Casey, and get out there!

CASEY:

Wicks--

WICKS:

Go on!

MARY:

Casey?

CASEY:

I'm a ball-player, Mary.

MARY:

You're... (CRYING) You're nothing but a puppet!

SFX:

SHE RUNS OFF

WICKS:

GET OUT THERE!

UMPIRE:

(OFF-MIKE) BATTER UP!

SFX:

CROWD CHEERS, UNDER

NARR:

There was ease in Casey's manner, as he stepped into his place.

There was pride in Casey's bearing, and a smile on Casey's face.

And when responding to the cheers, he lightly doffed his hat,

No stranger in the crowd could doubt 'twas Casey at the Bat!

CATCHER:

Any time you're ready to play with us, Mr. Casey! Any time at all!

CASEY:

Relax!

NARR:

Ten-thousand eyes were on him, as he rubbed his hands with dirt.

Five-thousand tongues applauded, when he wiped them on his shirt.

UMPIRE:

(OFF-MIKE) PLAY BALL!!!

SFX:

CROWD OUT

MUSIC:

OMINOUS CHORD, HELD UNDER

NARR:

Then, when the writhing pitcher ground the ball into his hip,

MAN:

(OFF-MIKE) GET A HIT, CASEY!

OLD MAN:

(OFF-MIKE) KNOCK IT THROUGH A ROW OF SUNDAYS!

MUSIC:

ANOTHER DRAMATIC HANGING CHORD, UNDER

NARR:

Defiance glanced in Casey's eyes; a sneer curled Casey's lip,

CASEY:

(SNEERS)

CATCHER:

Right here, boy (AD-LIB CHATTER TO PITCHER)

NARR:

And now, the leather-covered sphere came hurtling through the air,

And Casey stood a-watching it, in haughty grandeur there.

Close by the sturdy batsman, the ball unheeded sped,

SFX:

BALL CAUGHT IN MITT

CATCHER:

(AD-LIB CHATTER TO PITCHER)

CASEY:

That ain't my style!

NARR:

Said Casey.

UMPIRE:

(OFF-MIKE) STRIKE ONE!!!

NARR:

The umpire said!

SFX:

ANGRY CROWD, UNDER

NARR:

From the benches, black with people, there went up a muffled roar,

Like the beating of the storm-waves, on the stern and distant shore.

MAN:

Kill him! Kill the umpire!

NARR:

Shouted someone in the stand,

And it's likely they'd have killed him, had not Casey raised his hand.

CASEY:

(FIRMLY, TO CROWD) Please! Please.

SFX:

CROWD GOES QUIET

CASEY:

He's only doing his job. Now, please.

NARR:

With a smile of Christian charity, great Casey's visage shone.

He stilled the rising tumult; he bade the game go on.

SFX:

CROWD QUIETLY GRUMBLES, UNDER

SFX:

CASEY TAPS BAT ON HOME PLATE ... CROWD GOES QUIET

CASEY:

All right, Mr. Pitcher! If you please.

MUSIC:

TENSE, HANGING CHORD, UNDER

NARR:

He signalled to the pitcher, and once more the spheroid flew,

But Casey still ignored it, and the umpire said...

SFX:

BALL CAUGHT IN MITT

UMPIRE:

STRIKE TWO!!!

SFX:

FURIOUS CROWD BOOS LOUDLY, UNDER

NARR:

"Fraud!" cried the maddened thousands, and the echo answered, "Fraud!"

But one scornful look from Casey, and the audience was awed.

SFX:

CROWD GOES QUIET

NARR:

They saw his face grow stern and cold; they saw his muscles strain,

And they knew that Casey wouldn't let the ball go by again.

SFX:

CATCHER BEATS HIS MITT, UNDER

CATCHER:

C'mon now, pitch it to me, boy, pitch it to me. Let's fan this windbag... Pitch right here to me, right into here, Vance. C'mon right in here!

MUSIC:

DRAMATIC HANGING CHORD, UNDER

NARR:

The sneer is gone from Casey's lips; his teeth are clenched in hate.

He pounds with cruel vengeance, his bat upon the plate.

And now, the pitcher holds the ball... and now, he lets it go,

SFX:

GRUNT AS PITCHER THROWS BALL

NARR:

And now, the air is shattered, by the force of Casey's blow!

SFX:

BALL CAUGHT IN MITT

UMPIRE:

(OFF-MIKE) STRIKE THREE!!! YOU'RE OUT!!!

SFX:

CROWD BOOS AND GROANS

MUSIC:

"BALLGAME" IN A MINOR KEY OF GREAT DEFEAT, THEN UNDER

NARR:

Oh, somewhere, in this favoured land, the sun is shining bright.

The band is playing somewhere, and somewhere, hearts are light.

And somewhere, men are laughing, and somewhere, children shout.

But there is no joy in Mudville. Mighty Casey has struck out.

MUSIC:

FINISHES

NARR:

Well, you all knew that happened.

MUSIC:

"BALLGAME" AS IF ON A MUSIC BOX, UNDER

NARR:

And, as you might have guessed, everybody was calling Casey a bum. But, for some reason--and he had one--Casey didn't mind, the way you'd think he should. No, he didn't seem to mind it a bit.

SFX:

CASEY SLOWLY WALKS ON DIRT, UNDER

NARR:

He just packed up his gear, and walked outta the park. All alone.

MARY:

(OFF-MIKE, QUIETLY) Casey? (NO ANSWER) Casey?

CASEY:

(NOT SURE HE'S REALLY HEARING HER) What?

MARY:

(OFF-MIKE) Over here.

CASEY:

Mary!

SFX:

HE RUNS TO HER

(THEY EMBRACE)

 

MARY:

(HAPPY SIGH, THEN) I've been waiting for you, Casey.

CASEY:

(SHYLY) Yeah. I- I hoped you would be.

MARY:

Honestly?

CASEY:

Honest. (PAUSE) Wicks' gone. Looking for another ball-player, I guess. They... fired us both.

MARY:

(REALIZES) Casey... Oh, Casey, you DID strike out, didn't you?

CASEY:

C'mon. (SNIFFS) I'll walk ya home.

MARY:

(BREATHLESSLY HAPPY) Oh, Casey!

SFX:

THEY EMBRACE, AND WALK TOGETHER

MUSIC:

"BALLGAME", QUIETLY ROMANTIC, UNDER

NARR:

Now, I'm not gonna say he struck out on purpose. And I'm not gonna say he didn't. I- I don't wanna start any more rhubarbs. But I can tell you, Casey never played ball after that. And he did get married.

MUSIC:

INSTRUMENTAL FINAL LINE OF "BALLGAME", TO A FINISH

ANNCR:

"Casey at the Bat", starring Cathy and Elliott Lewis. In a moment, Mr. and Mrs. Lewis will tell you about next week's play.

This Sunday, Claire Trevor, winner of an Academy Award for her acting, stars in a moving drama titled "Taos Incident". The story will be featured on your "Theatre of Stars", over most of these same stations. Don't miss "Taos Incident", the high-tensioned account of a woman's innocent truck ride that leads her into a terrifying maze of suspicion and the threat of reprisal swifter than justice. Sunday nights, on CBS Radio's "Theatre of Stars".

And now, once again, Cathy and Elliott Lewis.

MUSIC:

"ON STAGE" TRANSITIONAL, THEN OUT

ELLIOTT:

And that was E. Jack Neuman's dramatization of Ernest Lawrence Thayer's "Casey at the Bat".

CATHY:

Our thanks to Hy Averback, the Mighty Casey. The Mayor of Prattsburgh was portrayed by Howard McNear, and the Manager of the Prattsburgh Nine was Byron Kane.

ELLIOTT:

Hal March caught the game.

CATHY:

And Peter Leeds umpired. Sidney Miller heckled from the stands...

ELLIOTT:

And Casey finally escaped the clutches of Manager Wicks, as played by Herb Butterfield.

CATHY:

Our thanks to all of them, for a tightly played game.

ELLIOTT:

Next week, the story of a woman with a problem. She was young, successful, intelligent... but not at all pretty. You probably know her.

CATHY:

The story is called "Skin Deep". And it was written for us by Richard Chandlee.

ELLIOTT:

Two weeks from tonight, we celebrate our tenth wedding anniversary with all of you. And, in answer to many of your requests, Ray Noble will join us, in order that we might present our "Happy Anniversary" album.

CATHY:

Until next week, thank you for listening. And goodnight.

ELLIOTT:

Goodnight.

MUSIC:

"ON STAGE" THEME UP, UNDER

ANNCR:

Music for tonight's story was composed and conducted by Fred Steiner. The "Cathy and Elliott Theme" is by Ray Noble. And the program was transcribed and directed by Mr. Lewis. George Walsh speaking.

America is cooking with fourteen-million kitchen radios, and listens most to the CBS Radio Network.

MUSIC:

"ON STAGE" THEME CONTINUES TO END