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In this episode of CBS Radio Mystery Theater, hosted by EG Marshall, we delve into a tale of temptation and its dire consequences. The story, "Alias, Mister Aladdin," written by Roy Windsor, explores the life of David McNell, a man with a mysterious past and a secret source of wealth. Set in a dusty village in Southeastern New Mexico, the narrative unfolds around McNell's tumultuous relationship with his younger wife, Mildred, who is eager to uncover the source of his money. As tensions rise, McNell confides in his friend, Ben Baker, revealing his true identity as Neil Wheeler, a former gambling syndicate frontman who absconded with a fortune. The plot thickens as McNell's health deteriorates, and his secret is at risk of exposure.
The episode takes listeners on a suspenseful journey, exploring themes of greed, betrayal, and the moral dilemmas faced by those entangled in McNell's web of secrets. As Mildred and her lover, Walt Hollins, scheme to uncover McNell's hidden wealth, Ben Baker is left grappling with his conscience and the ethical implications of his friend's confession. The story raises questions about the nature of temptation and the lengths individuals will go to secure their desires, leaving listeners pondering the true cost of giving in to such impulses.
(00:31) Introduction to Temptation
(01:30) A Tavern in New Mexico
(02:04) Alias Mister Aladdin
(03:03) The McNell Household Conflict
(07:01) A Visit to Ben Baker
(09:00) The Genie and the Secret
(15:00) Temptation and Consequences
(16:07) The Assault and Aftermath
(20:20) The True Identity of David McNell
(25:00) The Final Confession
(29:05) The Dilemma of Ben Baker
(36:03) The Tackle Box Revelation
(41:03) The Ethical Quandary
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[00:00:00]
Unknown:
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[00:00:32] Unknown:
The CBS Radio Mystery Theater presents
[00:00:52] Unknown:
Come in.
[00:00:54] Unknown:
Welcome. I'm EG Marshall. The theme of our tale is temptation. It comes in many sizes and many forms. Its consequences are always the same. They vary only in degree. If you give in to temptation, you acquire a secret, and it possesses you, nags at you. It lies there waiting to be exposed. The fact is we often want to confess it to get rid of it. That's conscience at work. Confession may be good for the soul and a long stay in prison.
[00:01:31] Unknown:
We're in a tavern in a dusty little village in Southeastern New Mexico. If you could get him out on the river, Millie, that old Rio Grande would scrub that wall. Ben wouldn't take me fishing. No way. You leave it to me. I'll get him worked up real good one of these days, and you'll have the big one. Tonight helped. I wish she'd drop dead. That's the idea, darling.
[00:02:04] Unknown:
Our mystery story, Alias, mister Aladdin, was written especially for the mystery theater by Roy Windsor and stars John Beale and Robert Dryden. It is sponsored in part by Contact, the twelve hour cold capsule. I'll be back shortly with act one. If you're a regular listener, you know that our entertainment focuses on suspense or the supernatural. Sometimes it might concern itself with a phenomenon such as thought transference or sometimes simply murder. Hopefully, the murderer is caught. There are many ways of committing murder. One of them is shock.
Very effective when, for example, the younger wife of a man in his sixties knows his condition and wishes him dead. The man's name is David McNell.
[00:03:06] Unknown:
Please, Mildred. Please my foot. I made you supper and I'm going out. It's humiliating to me, Milly. Can't you understand that? You're my wife. I'm your housekeeper and cook, not a wife. And I'm still young and good looking. You expect me to sit in the house every night, look at the television, and watch you fall asleep at 10:00? I realize You don't realize anything. I'm still alive. And I'm as good as dead. You said it. I didn't.
[00:03:35] Unknown:
But to go unescorted to that tavern Unescorted.
[00:03:39] Unknown:
That's the laugh. You're living in another world, old man. Women are free today. I could take you to the tavern. Please, Dave. Don't be ridiculous. The noise would give you a stroke. No. You just settle back in your lounge chair and watch the tube or read a nice book about the good old days or go play cards with your buddy across the street.
[00:03:58] Unknown:
You're still seeing Walt Collins.
[00:04:02] Unknown:
Why not? Who else is there to talk to in this desert dump? He's still crazy about me, and he's a good dancer. And a bum. But he's a man.
[00:04:13] Unknown:
Not by my standards.
[00:04:16] Unknown:
Ben Baker's had him in court four or five times. Your buddy, the county prosecutor. I wouldn't give him the time of day. Honest Ben and his suck up daughter. I can't stand much more of this, Notre Dame. Well, you're stuck, old man. Until death us do part or death us or however it goes.
[00:04:34] Unknown:
I wonder why I married you. You didn't.
[00:04:37] Unknown:
I married you. Remember me twenty years ago?
[00:04:42] Unknown:
I wish I didn't. It should have been obvious then why you married me. Right.
[00:04:48] Unknown:
Money. All that money you get twice a month down at the bank year after year out of the blue. You never told me where it comes from. And I never will. Just keep it coming in. And if it stops? I'd still have my fine house. Yeah. Our house. Not ours for long, David. Listen. You call Walt Holland a bum. Sure. He's been picked up on a few charges, but he's open. He's out front. You're not. You're close. You've always been a kind of mister nobody from nowhere. Meaning just what? There's some secret about you. Twice a month, you go to the bank and get your money, but all you do is put 5 or $10 in savings. Then you come home and you got a wad. That's what I mean.
Where does it come from? I've got a lamp. Uh-huh. Without a bulb.
[00:05:45] Unknown:
Mhmm. That's right. No bulb. An Aladdin's lamp. And there's a genie in it. You're crazy. What? Don't tell me that's
[00:05:57] Unknown:
that's what? Why not? Well, have fun with your genie. You know where I'll be.
[00:06:08] Unknown:
I'll do it. I have to do it. I can't live like this. I'd rather die in prison.
[00:06:21] Unknown:
It's shameful, Pop. They drove off and Dave came out of the house. He just stood there kind of hunched over. I saw the whole thing when I turned off the kitchen right. Nothing we can do about it, Anne.
[00:06:32] Unknown:
Mildred's always been an alley rat. Walt Holland's even worse. I wish she'd married him before Dave settled here. By now, we'd be rid of both of them. They hang out at the tavern.
[00:06:45] Unknown:
I've been there with John, and we've seen them. Mildred still thinks she's a movie star. John coming over tonight? No. He telephoned. He's tutoring some boy. He does a lot of tutoring, you know. I do know. And I'm saving as much as I can, but nurses don't earn very much. I can help, Annie. No, pa. The house, I can No. And double no. I won't have you mortgage the house to give John and me a steak. We'll make it on our own. But when? Two, three years?
[00:07:16] Unknown:
You'll be stuck in this little village forever. You haven't found life here so bad. You're an attorney and county prosecutor. And there isn't much law business, and the prosecutor job just about pays for my shotgun shells. I'm not complaining, Anne, because I chose to stay here. Your mother and I were born in this village. She always loved the desert, and I still like the hunting and fishing in the Rio nearby. You had a good life. Oh, I think so. Nope. Here's where I'll stay. But you and John are just itching to begin life in Santa Fe, and I really would like
[00:07:53] Unknown:
I'll see. No. I'll get it, Pop. Hi, Dave.
[00:07:58] Unknown:
My beautiful goddaughter. Come in.
[00:08:02] Unknown:
It's Dave, pop. Oh, I'm glad to see you, friend. I,
[00:08:06] Unknown:
saw your light on. I'm not You're always welcome here. Sit down, please. Oh, thank you. Thank you. I suppose you saw or heard what happened. I did, Dave.
[00:08:19] Unknown:
I saw them leave.
[00:08:21] Unknown:
I'm a very poor excuse for a man, I'm afraid.
[00:08:24] Unknown:
Why don't you leave her, Dave?
[00:08:27] Unknown:
I've just about come to that decision. Funny you're suggesting it, Ben. Well, your situation is intolerable.
[00:08:35] Unknown:
It's a peculiar situation.
[00:08:38] Unknown:
I have no feeling for Mildred. You know how she feels about me. I really wouldn't mind if she and Walt Collins just disappeared.
[00:08:48] Unknown:
What's intolerable is how they flaunt me. If I had your money, Dave, I'd do the disappearing. No. That's easier said than done.
[00:08:57] Unknown:
I have my genie to consider. Your genie? You know about Aladdin, ma'am?
[00:09:06] Unknown:
Sure. He rubbed his magic lamp, and the genie granted him what he wished for.
[00:09:12] Unknown:
Well, the genie
[00:09:14] Unknown:
likes it here. What the devil are you talking about, Dave? You alright? Oh, sure. Of course. It's just a joke. You're being mighty mysterious, friend. This Aladdin thing didn't just bump into your head just now, did it? Well, no. No. I
[00:09:30] Unknown:
tried it on Mildred just before she left the house. In connection with what?
[00:09:36] Unknown:
Money.
[00:09:37] Unknown:
What else? Oh, I see.
[00:09:40] Unknown:
When I settled here, I was quite a rich man. It's always bothered Mildred where the money came from. She asked me again tonight. So you told her about Aladdin and his magic lamp?
[00:09:52] Unknown:
Oh, I'd like to have seen the expression on her face. Score one for you.
[00:09:59] Unknown:
The score is lopsided in her favor, but I'm about to change all that. In about time.
[00:10:07] Unknown:
Howdy?
[00:10:09] Unknown:
When you hear it, you won't like it.
[00:10:12] Unknown:
Now think twice before you think murder. I'm your friend, but I'm also the county prosecutor. There's an alternative.
[00:10:22] Unknown:
You'll never think of it. I strolled over to discuss it with you, but now I've changed my mind about telling you. Because of Anne? I'll leave you on purpose. I No. No. No. No. It's nothing to do with your being present, Anne, but it does have to do with you. I haven't been much of a godfather to you. What?
[00:10:46] Unknown:
You've been wonderful. I can remember my first communion and the bicycle you made. My pleasure.
[00:10:54] Unknown:
But let me put it this way. Wait until I, consult my genie. Then I may have a nice surprise for you. Well,
[00:11:04] Unknown:
rub him right, Dave. Because what Anne and John need Pop, please.
[00:11:10] Unknown:
Don't be crude.
[00:11:12] Unknown:
You need a steak, my dear. You let me talk to my genie, and I'll see what can be worked out. Now I've talked enough. Thank you for sanctuary. No. No. No. No. I'll let myself out.
[00:11:27] Unknown:
Good night, Aladdin.
[00:11:30] Unknown:
Don't get your hopes up, Anne. But wouldn't it be wonderful?
[00:11:35] Unknown:
Sure. Did you take a good look at him? You're a nurse. What do you think?
[00:11:42] Unknown:
He was very pale and nervous. And talking kinda crazy.
[00:11:46] Unknown:
You know he's got a bad heart. I do know that. Well, don't count on him. I think my old friend's just about run out of time.
[00:11:58] Unknown:
Maybe you're a bum wolf, but you sure can dance. An old man said that? I'm a bum. Uh-huh. I ought to put him out of his misery. No rough stuff, lover. What time is it? 11:15. Oh, I better get back home. Oh, it's early, Millie. Uh-huh. I owe him something. Yeah?
[00:12:20] Unknown:
What? He's sick.
[00:12:22] Unknown:
For all we know, maybe after you honked for me, went into his room and passed out. Ain't that just what we're waiting for? Just give it time. It's all gonna be mine one of these days. You've been saying that for a year, Billy. What's the rush? Well, it, makes me feel funny. I've seen out in the open all the time.
[00:12:43] Unknown:
Kind of a cheap shot of the old man.
[00:12:47] Unknown:
I feel bad about it. You? You said you wanted to put him out of his misery. I do.
[00:12:53] Unknown:
I want him dead or you to divorce you. Oh, boy.
[00:12:56] Unknown:
You'd still have the swell house. You could sell it now. I want the money too. I want everything. He's rich, alright. If he came back here twenty years ago, he's never done a lick of work. Where's the money come from, Millie? Oh, don't think I haven't tried to find out. He goes to the bank and he comes home with enough to choke an alligator. Maybe he keeps it in a safe deposit box. Try again. I've looked. I have watched him for as long as we've been married, and I still don't know. I never really knew anything about him. Blackmail?
Maybe he gets money through the mail and pretends he gets it from the bank. I open all the mail, Walt. Nothing. And he can't get it from the bank. There's only a thousand in savings. Now then he's got it squirreled away. So where is it? It comes from somewhere. I've searched. This time, I'll help you. Let's do it now. Why not? Take me home, wolf.
[00:14:01] Unknown:
Ben Ben, help me. Who is
[00:14:08] Unknown:
Dave. Pop. Hurry.
[00:14:13] Unknown:
Dave. Dave. I'm sorry to bother you. Don't talk.
[00:14:17] Unknown:
Hold on to my arm. What's happening? Look at him. That cut on his cheek needs stitching. Who did this to you?
[00:14:25] Unknown:
There was a quarrel. I'll tell you all about it later. Mildred? They went crazy. Began to rip the house apart. Millie and Wolf? Yeah. Yeah. I tried to stop them. Next thing, I was on the floor. I came to
[00:14:43] Unknown:
and started over here. Get the car, pop. We'll take him to the clinic. I'll string Walt Hollins from a lamp post. Oh, man. And my heart's
[00:14:51] Unknown:
going like a trip hammer. I I think I'm going to faint.
[00:15:01] Unknown:
Temptation. It encompasses many motives. Money is a primary one. The temptation to get something for nothing is a regrettable human weakness. Once you give into it, you're trapped. If the law doesn't trip you up, your conscience will. Mildred McNell's abuse of her husband just may have killed him before she discovers the source of his wealth. I'll return shortly with act two. There's an old Moroccan proverb. The cold teaches everyone to steal charcoal. Here we have a situation that is analogous. A female woman marries an older man and now wishes him dead because then she will inherit his money and marry a man her own age. But there's a problem. How can she come into the money when she cannot discover its source?
And what is that source? It's now the next morning, and Anne Baker has driven David McNell home.
[00:16:20] Unknown:
Coming days?
[00:16:22] Unknown:
I suppose so.
[00:16:24] Unknown:
I'll see you into the house. No. I I'm alright now, Anna. You lie down for the rest of the day. I'll call after work to see how you are. It was just a scratch. Kim's stitches aren't just a scratch.
[00:16:37] Unknown:
Oh, there's Millie. Well well well. So there you are. Hey.
[00:16:43] Unknown:
What happened to your head, old man? Walt Hollands will have to explain that to my father, Millie. What do you mean? Papa's picking up Holland for assault. Are you crazy? He didn't assault nobody. Oh, old man. Tell your father to proceed. What is all this? What's the old man been telling you? Last night, you and Walt walked in and began to rip the house apart. When Dave interfered, Walt slugged him and knocked him down. That's a lie. And so are these 10 stitches, Mildred. Walt didn't touch you. You fell down and hit your head on the television set. You you believe this crazy old man? A lot sooner than I believe that Walt Hollins. Ken, run along. I'll check-in after work. You try it.
[00:17:24] Unknown:
This time, you've gone too far, Mildred. I want you out of here.
[00:17:30] Unknown:
Well, do you now? Just like that. Well, I'm here and here I'm staying. If anybody's leaving, it's gonna be you feet first. You're counting on that. I know.
[00:17:45] Unknown:
Then I'll leave. Without me, my money, you won't last six months in this house. This is a common property state, old man. You may have the house. There is nothing else. Oh, yeah?
[00:17:58] Unknown:
Money. Half goes to me. There is none. There's plenty and you know it. And you'll produce it or you'll go to jail.
[00:18:08] Unknown:
What if that's what I've got in mind?
[00:18:17] Unknown:
You got nothing on me, Baker. Mister Baker to you, Holland. You got nothing on me.
[00:18:22] Unknown:
Has McNell filed a charge? He'll do what I recommend. The charge is assault. Well, I just pushed him in his cell. In his own house. I was there because his wife asked me. You know, of course, that David McNell has a heart condition. It's lucky for you and that wife of his that he didn't die. You'd be able to charge a murder. The deputy will drive you to the county seat. You better get yourself a lawyer. I wish I could explain an animal like that. And Millie, she's another. They came from poor families. Hogwash. So did I. No. And they walk a crooked line. They always have.
[00:19:05] Unknown:
They should be here by now. Did you see him after work? I tried. Millie wouldn't let me in. Oh, boy. Well, you run along. I'll wait outside for John. Don't be too late, dear. Have a nice visit with Aladdin. Hi, Dave. You alright? Sure. Pops, in the room on the porch.
[00:19:29] Unknown:
Come in, Dave. Put your feet up. Let's just for a minute.
[00:19:32] Unknown:
How's the forehead? It hurts, but it's alright. Ma'am, what do you know about me?
[00:19:41] Unknown:
Well, that's a funny question. We've been friends for almost twenty five years. You ever wonder
[00:19:48] Unknown:
why I settled here?
[00:19:50] Unknown:
All of us did at first, but nobody pride. You said your health wasn't too good and that our climate was just right for you. I remember that.
[00:19:59] Unknown:
You know my relationship with Millie. She's a shrew. She sure is. Well, she hooked me with her pretty face and figure. It's happened before. I owe her that she really was beautiful, but she's a cruel, grasping woman. Ben. So? My name isn't David McNell. It's Neil Wheeler. They mean anything to you? Can't say it does. So much for fame. Now here, I brought something to show you. A clipping. Read it, man. What has become of Wheeler the dealer?
[00:20:49] Unknown:
You? A dealer? A dealer in what? Anything. You name it. Read on.
[00:20:57] Unknown:
Disappeared. Receipt stolen.
[00:21:01] Unknown:
Contract on his life, marvelled in every major city. You? Mhmm.
[00:21:07] Unknown:
Me. I was part of a gambling syndicate.
[00:21:11] Unknown:
We were into everything,
[00:21:13] Unknown:
entertainment, tables, real estate, travel. I was the front man. I spoke good English, and I dressed like a banker. The rough boys stayed in the background. And then
[00:21:27] Unknown:
I got ambitious. You wanted a bigger take, is that it? That's right.
[00:21:32] Unknown:
That was a mistake. So you got out before they got you? With over $200,000. Well over. I'd planned it for months. You sure you wanna tell me all this, Dave? You know what I have to do.
[00:21:46] Unknown:
Turn me over to the police? That's right. You did abscond with money. How'd you get away with it? You can get away with anything if you prepare carefully enough. Well, that's what I did.
[00:21:58] Unknown:
Six months before, I dropped out of sight. I'd prepared a new identity. One night, as usual, two bodyguards accompanied me to the bank to make a deposit of the night's casino receipts. I carried the money in an attache case. In my office, I made the substitution. I had another attache case. It was filled with very high grade worn counterfeit money. It was on my way. And you've been a a fugitive all these years? I still see faces in the dark, Ben. How much money you got left? Over 50,000.
[00:22:41] Unknown:
Well, you'll have to turn it over to me, old friend. I want to. Where is it?
[00:22:46] Unknown:
It? Mildred's been trying to find out all our married life. She and Walt Hollins tried again last night. I'll bring it to you sometime tomorrow when she's out of the house. I don't want her to have a cent of the money. All the same, you'd better tell me where it's hidden. I If something happens to you, Dave The dizziness again. Where's the money hidden? Tackle box. Oh. False bottom. The money is hidden in a waterproof rubber envelope. I had made it. It says fly tying. Dave.
[00:23:40] Unknown:
Ben Barker, Grace. Find doctor Jessup and have him come to my house at once. Emergency.
[00:23:49] Unknown:
I got here as fast as I could, Paul. How's Dave? Who's the doctor? Terry Richards. And the nurse is Tina Wheeling. Couldn't reach Jessup. And Dave's in good hands. What happened, pop?
[00:24:00] Unknown:
Dave had another of those dizzy spells, then he passed out. The telephone operator, Grace, located Richards, and he rushed to the house. We got Dave into the station wagon, brought him here. Heart? Yeah. But Dave's also showed signs of stroke. Go in and find out how he is, and they won't tell me anything. Right away. It was those stitches.
[00:24:18] Unknown:
He was badly shaken up.
[00:24:20] Unknown:
Walt Holland is responsible for Dave's condition. If he died There's nothing I can do to Holland's. Dave never brought a charge against him. Holland will go free. But he and Millie I know. They're as good as murder, Dave. And they'll get away with it. Now please go and see Anne. I have to know what's happening. I won't be long.
[00:24:43] Unknown:
He's pale as the sheets.
[00:24:45] Unknown:
Coronary thrombosis. Blood pressure way down.
[00:24:49] Unknown:
Poor Aladdin. Can he survive?
[00:24:52] Unknown:
Doctor Richards doesn't think so. That's the only reason he let you in to see him.
[00:24:57] Unknown:
How long do you think, Anne?
[00:24:59] Unknown:
Minutes.
[00:25:00] Unknown:
Maybe hours. No one can tell.
[00:25:03] Unknown:
Why don't you go home? I'll telephone if there's a change. No. No. I'll stick it out. Does his wife know? By George,
[00:25:10] Unknown:
no. I never think of Dave's having a wife. I suppose I'd better break the news to her. You want me to telephone her? No. Thank you. I'm Dave's executive, you know. There are certain things I have to attend to. He he left a few personal things to me. Mhmm. Aladdin's lamp. You never can tell. I think he'd want me to have it. Don't you?
[00:25:46] Unknown:
Well, the big lawman himself. I don't want any. Thank you. What are you doing here? You know what time it is? Late. Where's Dave?
[00:25:55] Unknown:
At the clinic.
[00:25:57] Unknown:
I see. What happened? You beat him at gin roaming and he flipped out?
[00:26:03] Unknown:
He's dead, Millie.
[00:26:05] Unknown:
Comes as no surprise to me.
[00:26:08] Unknown:
Being slugged by Walt Hollins didn't help me. He didn't slug him. He pushed Dave out of the way. Sure. Sure. No matter now. He's dead. Okay.
[00:26:17] Unknown:
So you've told me I'll handle this. You run on home, get your sleep. You know, I'm executor of Dave's estate. Oh, yeah? What's he need an executor for? What's his is mine.
[00:26:29] Unknown:
No big deal. They've left a few personal items for me. I'll come by later and pick them up. You just think you will.
[00:26:37] Unknown:
You get nothing from this house, mister Baker. Then I'll get a court order and prevent the estate from going to probate until you give me what Dave want me to have. You got them personal items written down in writing? Yes. I have. Then you just show me where Dave says you get this and that, and I'll see. It's gotta be in writing. Otherwise, it's just your word against mine.
[00:26:59] Unknown:
I'll stop by tomorrow.
[00:27:01] Unknown:
What personal items?
[00:27:06] Unknown:
Mostly books. Anything else? I'll show you the list of more.
[00:27:12] Unknown:
Anything important? No. I don't believe you.
[00:27:18] Unknown:
I won't bother to answer that, Millie. Just don't touch anything in the house until I show you the will.
[00:27:25] Unknown:
You know something, don't you, law man? Something mighty important. Sure you do.
[00:27:43] Unknown:
It's almost midnight, Pop. I know.
[00:27:46] Unknown:
I'm just sitting here thinking about Aladdin.
[00:27:50] Unknown:
How did charming Millie take the news?
[00:27:53] Unknown:
As expected. Said thank you and good night. She'll handle everything from now on. I telephoned the minister. Oh, that was thoughtful of you, Anne. There has to be a service. Everyone loved Neil David McNair. Who?
[00:28:07] Unknown:
Neil who?
[00:28:10] Unknown:
I was thinking of somebody else. A a friend of mine when I was in my teens. Oh? Association of ideas. That boy died too. I see.
[00:28:21] Unknown:
Sure. But I felt that you were referring to Dave.
[00:28:28] Unknown:
Grief can play tricks.
[00:28:30] Unknown:
Mhmm. What's really on your mind, pop? I feel kinda old.
[00:28:40] Unknown:
I've been running a long time. Maybe you were right when you said the time's come for me to sell the house and go to Florida. A steak for you and enough for me. This is kinda sudden. It's been coming for some time.
[00:28:52] Unknown:
Dave's death tipped it.
[00:28:55] Unknown:
I have lost a a very valuable friend.
[00:29:05] Unknown:
A valuable friend indeed. Our tale has become more entangled because of a secret confession, and temptation now invites honesty to look the other way. It comes down to which instinct is stronger, a philosophical problem. The dilemma for Ben Baker is what to do about the stolen money that Dave McNell has left to his discretion. We face that problem when I return with act three. Many eminent writers think that a man's fate is his character. You can get into all kinds of arguments about heredity versus environment, but neither can exclude the other. Essentially, we are what we come from.
A lineage of honesty becomes a general characteristic of certain families. Ben Baker comes from one such family, and we're about to test character being fate. It is noon the next day, and Walt Hollands rings a doorbell at Millie's house.
[00:30:14] Unknown:
Well, if it isn't the village bad guy. Hi, Millie.
[00:30:18] Unknown:
I heard the news. Come on in.
[00:30:24] Unknown:
The county prosecutor had to sprung and the charge against me dropped. Lucky for you, Baker's bad to tangle with. When's the funeral? No funeral. He's being cremated. There's a memorial service since Sunday afternoon. And the house is yours? Everything is mine. Well, you need his money to keep this place up. Yeah. Don't I know it? But where is it? Where did it come from? It's gotta be here somewhere. Well, he turned the place inside out the other night. I hear Baker brought you the news. Yeah. He said he's coming back for some things Dave's supposed to have left him. What kind of thing? Oh, books. Junk like that.
I told Baker where to head in. Yeah. But if the stuff's been given to Baker If Baker shows me a paper saying Dave left him so and so, okay. Otherwise, the county prosecutor can go whistle. You know something, Millie? Go on. If Dave told anybody where his money came from, it'd be Ben Baker. They was best friends. Hey. Yeah. That's a pretty good point. The money ain't in the bank, and it don't come through the mail, so it's cash. And it's somewhere right here in the village. And if anybody knows where, it's vacant. That makes sense. Why would Dave hide the money where you just might find it?
Why wouldn't he hide the money at Baker's? Yeah. Why not? If you're right, I'm sunk. Baker never admit he had the money. But what if I found it for you? The house is empty all day long. He's at work and the daughter is at the hospital. What's wrong with that? Nothing. That's wonderful and funny, Hal. Stealing something that rightfully belongs to me.
[00:32:32] Unknown:
I'm home, Pop.
[00:32:34] Unknown:
Oh, did did you come home earlier, Anne? Me? No.
[00:32:38] Unknown:
I've been on duty since eight this morning. Why? Something wrong?
[00:32:44] Unknown:
I think somebody's been going through this house.
[00:32:47] Unknown:
What?
[00:32:49] Unknown:
That's unheard of around here. Is anything missing? No. Nothing valuable. Few newspaper clippings that I had in my roll top. Somebody went through that desk. What clippings? Oh, a few I cut out about a case that interested me. You were pretty distracted last night, pop. Or maybe you mislaid them. Maybe, but I don't think so. And something else. The carbon of a codicil to Dave's will. How strange. Yeah. Isn't it?
[00:33:16] Unknown:
What's in the codicil?
[00:33:18] Unknown:
Well, it's a fake. I admit that. I wrote it to give to Mildred McNell. That's illegal. I'm aware of that. The other night when Dave was here, just before he had another dizzy spell, he said if anything happened to him, there were certain things of his that he wanted me to have. Some books, his fly rod, fishing tackle, and his outboard motor. So? Well, that witch across the street won't let me have them. Then I forget about them. Well, that I won't do even if I have to steal them. So you prepared a codicil? Yeah. Well, that may not work anyway.
She said she'd have to see what Dave gave me in his writing. You're the executor of Dave's estate. Oh, it amounts to nothing at all. Everything goes to Millet. Well, can't you hold up probate until you get those things you want?
[00:34:07] Unknown:
It would be your word against hers about what Dave left to you. Yes. I mentioned that to her, and I'd win. Her word's good for nothing. Then handle it that way for goodness sakes. Don't march in and grab the stuff. You've got time on your side, pop. I wonder how much.
[00:34:33] Unknown:
Good evening.
[00:34:34] Unknown:
That's what you think? May I come in? I think you're better. Walt's here.
[00:34:41] Unknown:
So much the better. Hi, mister Baker.
[00:34:44] Unknown:
You got that paper and Dave's writing about the stuff he left to you? I have. Let me see it. I think you've already seen it, Millie.
[00:34:54] Unknown:
You're off the rails, mister. And you've also seen something else, haven't you? Don't you, Bradley. Here's the original of the codicil. The carbon was stolen from my desk. Oops. You would. Or Walt here would steal it for you. You're accusing me. Certainly not. I have no proof. Well, what did you think of the clipping about Neil Wheeler, Millie? Don't answer him.
[00:35:19] Unknown:
Get a lawyer. Let him answer the question. A lawyer for what?
[00:35:23] Unknown:
How many persons do you want to know the story?
[00:35:28] Unknown:
You knew all the time, didn't you, mister Baker? Millie. Shut up.
[00:35:33] Unknown:
Dave told me the night he died. I suppose I'm obligated to tell the police. The press will find out. It's a big story. Don't you dare tell the police. But you were married for twenty years to a very clever criminal, And the mob just might come looking for you. All that money. You've got that money, Baker. Wrong. Then where is it? Well, you've searched your own house and someone searched mine. Any luck?
[00:36:03] Unknown:
Apparently not. Help us find the money, and I'll divide it with you, mister Baker.
[00:36:09] Unknown:
Afraid not. If the money ever is found, it won't be yours. Dave left you the house and nothing more.
[00:36:19] Unknown:
What? Get them the stuff. Sure. I got it all in the pile. You're a very clever housebreaker, Hollins. I'm admitting nothing. Here's the books, garage, half boards in the garage. Here's Dave's old tackle box. That's it.
[00:36:39] Unknown:
Thank you. That's it.
[00:36:46] Unknown:
And you were going to steal this if Millie didn't give it to you? Oh, pop. The fly rod looks okay, but that tackle box is beaten up. No trouble with Millie? Nope. I can see why.
[00:37:01] Unknown:
Well, I wanted them for, well, sentimental value. I understand.
[00:37:07] Unknown:
Poor mister Aladdin. It'll be an upset you having to scrap with Millie. She won't be around for long.
[00:37:15] Unknown:
She'll have to sail. And then I'd guess she and Ward will head for Santa Fe. And good riddance to both of them. Well, I'll put the books away. Do you want me to dump the tackle box in the garage? I don't know. I might go through it later. See what Dave has that I can use. Alright.
[00:37:32] Unknown:
See you in the morning, Pop.
[00:37:34] Unknown:
Good night. Aladdin's tackle box. Now who the
[00:37:49] Unknown:
You alone?
[00:37:50] Unknown:
I am left half an hour ago. What can I do for you, Mildred? Come in.
[00:37:56] Unknown:
You can return what you took last night. I can.
[00:38:01] Unknown:
I mean I mean, I should? Why? After you left last night,
[00:38:07] Unknown:
Walt and me went down to the tavern. The two of you ought to buy it. We bumped into a friend who is a lawyer. He said you had no right to those things unless David put it in writing. He didn't.
[00:38:20] Unknown:
So I want them back. Then I'll take you to court. So what? So the entire story will come out.
[00:38:27] Unknown:
I told you what most likely would happen. The police Oh, sure. Sure. And the newspapers and the mob after me. Lies. Why are you making such a big fuss about nothing, Millie? Because the lawyer and Walt and me talked it over. And you know something? The lawyer's gonna get it all out in the open. I was married to a crook, and the crook's best friend was you. You, honest Ben Baker. You think anyone's gonna believe you didn't know who Dave really was or where he kept his money? Oh, sure. My life gets messed up. But what about you? You'll be disgraced
[00:39:08] Unknown:
and ruined. And that's what you dearly love. Exactly. Well, your lawyer is right about one point. Until I can prove it, those items Dave left to me will have to be returned to you. You may have them. All of them. Even the books Dave borrowed with my name in them? Everything. Why?
[00:39:31] Unknown:
Because we think there's a clue in those things where the money is.
[00:39:35] Unknown:
Wish I'd thought of that.
[00:39:37] Unknown:
Well, they're all yours, Millie.
[00:39:44] Unknown:
Did you get all the stuff back? It's all there in the middle of the living room. Nothing. What? Nothing in the books? No clue? The handle of the fly rod? No. And nothing in the tackle box except it smells of dead bait and fish. Yeah. Let me see the thing. Oh, don't be stupid. Who'd hide anything valuable in a tackle box? I never can't tell. Hey. It's got a false bottom. What? Look look look how it's disguised. See the tape wrapped around it like it's part of the design? Well, get it open. Look at that. It's about three inches from top to bottom. Hey. What's this?
Look. It's a waterproof kind of briefcase with a zipper on. Walt. That's where the money was. Was? But it's empty. Baker walked out of here last night with the tackle box, took out the money, and that's why he let you take all stuff back this morning. Baker's got the money. And I'm left with, oh, I'll claw his eyes out. Now you just calm down. We can't prove a thing. You got taken, baby.
[00:41:03] Unknown:
And now you know everything, Anne. How much did Aladdin leave? A small fortune. A little over 50,000. I wasn't gonna tell you. I'm glad you did, pop.
[00:41:15] Unknown:
What are we gonna do about it? Well, it's money stolen from a mob.
[00:41:20] Unknown:
Illegitimate money. It doesn't belong to anybody. What about Millie? Oh, she has the house. Aladdin meant this money for us. It'll set you and John up. You'll get most of it. I don't want much, just enough for Florida. What about your conscience, pop?
[00:41:37] Unknown:
Can you live with it?
[00:41:39] Unknown:
Well, I'm sure gonna try, my dear.
[00:41:49] Unknown:
I wonder, in a similar situation, what would you do? Return the money? To whom? To whom did it rightly belong? It was not stolen from a business, but from organized crime by one of its mom. You might perhaps make out a case for the wife, but that is not what David McNell intended. He indicated that as Anne Baker's godfather, he wanted to help her realize her dream. It's a tricky question. I'll have something further to say right after this. We began with a theme of temptation, and we end with it. Even an entirely honest man can be tempted by the prospect of found
[00:42:41] Unknown:
money. Would he be a fool to turn it down?
[00:42:44] Unknown:
Ben Baker's rationalization is that he inherited the money from David McNell. That is what McNell intended. Well, you try to resolve the ethics. Our cast included Robert Dryden, John Beale, Roberta Maxwell, and Terry Keen. The entire production was under the direction of Hyman Brown.
[00:43:08] Unknown:
And now a preview of our next tale by McCost analyst. Offhand, I wouldn't think there's much call for that in Council Forks. Well, I I I I also know how to cook. Cook. Yes. I, I, I'm a splendid amateur chef. You know something? I'm stunned. Oh? Some old lady was supposed to come up to keep house but she never showed up. Now how'd you like to stay here and cook? Oh, oh, I don't I got a whole bunch of stuff in the freezer, but I don't know how to boil water and I'm starving to death. Yes. But but but see, I'm not interested in cooking. So maybe if I could get my car started. You're not going anywhere.
What did you say? I said you're not going anywhere. Radio Mystery Theater was sponsored in part by Contact, the twelve hour cold capsule, and Zurich Motor Division.
[00:44:15] Unknown:
This is EG Marshall inviting you to return to our Mystery Theater for another adventure in the macabre. Until next time,
[00:44:25] Unknown:
pleasant
Hello. This is Discover, and we take customer service very seriously. We know that if you have a question or concern about your credit card, that's a serious matter, and you need to talk to a real person about it. So we offer around the clock access to seriously talented representatives in The USA. Again, it's a serious endeavor. The only funny thing about it is Bob. If you call us and Bob answers, you're in for a treat. Get 100% US based customer service and talk to a real person day or night. Discover exceptionally common sense.
[00:00:32] Unknown:
The CBS Radio Mystery Theater presents
[00:00:52] Unknown:
Come in.
[00:00:54] Unknown:
Welcome. I'm EG Marshall. The theme of our tale is temptation. It comes in many sizes and many forms. Its consequences are always the same. They vary only in degree. If you give in to temptation, you acquire a secret, and it possesses you, nags at you. It lies there waiting to be exposed. The fact is we often want to confess it to get rid of it. That's conscience at work. Confession may be good for the soul and a long stay in prison.
[00:01:31] Unknown:
We're in a tavern in a dusty little village in Southeastern New Mexico. If you could get him out on the river, Millie, that old Rio Grande would scrub that wall. Ben wouldn't take me fishing. No way. You leave it to me. I'll get him worked up real good one of these days, and you'll have the big one. Tonight helped. I wish she'd drop dead. That's the idea, darling.
[00:02:04] Unknown:
Our mystery story, Alias, mister Aladdin, was written especially for the mystery theater by Roy Windsor and stars John Beale and Robert Dryden. It is sponsored in part by Contact, the twelve hour cold capsule. I'll be back shortly with act one. If you're a regular listener, you know that our entertainment focuses on suspense or the supernatural. Sometimes it might concern itself with a phenomenon such as thought transference or sometimes simply murder. Hopefully, the murderer is caught. There are many ways of committing murder. One of them is shock.
Very effective when, for example, the younger wife of a man in his sixties knows his condition and wishes him dead. The man's name is David McNell.
[00:03:06] Unknown:
Please, Mildred. Please my foot. I made you supper and I'm going out. It's humiliating to me, Milly. Can't you understand that? You're my wife. I'm your housekeeper and cook, not a wife. And I'm still young and good looking. You expect me to sit in the house every night, look at the television, and watch you fall asleep at 10:00? I realize You don't realize anything. I'm still alive. And I'm as good as dead. You said it. I didn't.
[00:03:35] Unknown:
But to go unescorted to that tavern Unescorted.
[00:03:39] Unknown:
That's the laugh. You're living in another world, old man. Women are free today. I could take you to the tavern. Please, Dave. Don't be ridiculous. The noise would give you a stroke. No. You just settle back in your lounge chair and watch the tube or read a nice book about the good old days or go play cards with your buddy across the street.
[00:03:58] Unknown:
You're still seeing Walt Collins.
[00:04:02] Unknown:
Why not? Who else is there to talk to in this desert dump? He's still crazy about me, and he's a good dancer. And a bum. But he's a man.
[00:04:13] Unknown:
Not by my standards.
[00:04:16] Unknown:
Ben Baker's had him in court four or five times. Your buddy, the county prosecutor. I wouldn't give him the time of day. Honest Ben and his suck up daughter. I can't stand much more of this, Notre Dame. Well, you're stuck, old man. Until death us do part or death us or however it goes.
[00:04:34] Unknown:
I wonder why I married you. You didn't.
[00:04:37] Unknown:
I married you. Remember me twenty years ago?
[00:04:42] Unknown:
I wish I didn't. It should have been obvious then why you married me. Right.
[00:04:48] Unknown:
Money. All that money you get twice a month down at the bank year after year out of the blue. You never told me where it comes from. And I never will. Just keep it coming in. And if it stops? I'd still have my fine house. Yeah. Our house. Not ours for long, David. Listen. You call Walt Holland a bum. Sure. He's been picked up on a few charges, but he's open. He's out front. You're not. You're close. You've always been a kind of mister nobody from nowhere. Meaning just what? There's some secret about you. Twice a month, you go to the bank and get your money, but all you do is put 5 or $10 in savings. Then you come home and you got a wad. That's what I mean.
Where does it come from? I've got a lamp. Uh-huh. Without a bulb.
[00:05:45] Unknown:
Mhmm. That's right. No bulb. An Aladdin's lamp. And there's a genie in it. You're crazy. What? Don't tell me that's
[00:05:57] Unknown:
that's what? Why not? Well, have fun with your genie. You know where I'll be.
[00:06:08] Unknown:
I'll do it. I have to do it. I can't live like this. I'd rather die in prison.
[00:06:21] Unknown:
It's shameful, Pop. They drove off and Dave came out of the house. He just stood there kind of hunched over. I saw the whole thing when I turned off the kitchen right. Nothing we can do about it, Anne.
[00:06:32] Unknown:
Mildred's always been an alley rat. Walt Holland's even worse. I wish she'd married him before Dave settled here. By now, we'd be rid of both of them. They hang out at the tavern.
[00:06:45] Unknown:
I've been there with John, and we've seen them. Mildred still thinks she's a movie star. John coming over tonight? No. He telephoned. He's tutoring some boy. He does a lot of tutoring, you know. I do know. And I'm saving as much as I can, but nurses don't earn very much. I can help, Annie. No, pa. The house, I can No. And double no. I won't have you mortgage the house to give John and me a steak. We'll make it on our own. But when? Two, three years?
[00:07:16] Unknown:
You'll be stuck in this little village forever. You haven't found life here so bad. You're an attorney and county prosecutor. And there isn't much law business, and the prosecutor job just about pays for my shotgun shells. I'm not complaining, Anne, because I chose to stay here. Your mother and I were born in this village. She always loved the desert, and I still like the hunting and fishing in the Rio nearby. You had a good life. Oh, I think so. Nope. Here's where I'll stay. But you and John are just itching to begin life in Santa Fe, and I really would like
[00:07:53] Unknown:
I'll see. No. I'll get it, Pop. Hi, Dave.
[00:07:58] Unknown:
My beautiful goddaughter. Come in.
[00:08:02] Unknown:
It's Dave, pop. Oh, I'm glad to see you, friend. I,
[00:08:06] Unknown:
saw your light on. I'm not You're always welcome here. Sit down, please. Oh, thank you. Thank you. I suppose you saw or heard what happened. I did, Dave.
[00:08:19] Unknown:
I saw them leave.
[00:08:21] Unknown:
I'm a very poor excuse for a man, I'm afraid.
[00:08:24] Unknown:
Why don't you leave her, Dave?
[00:08:27] Unknown:
I've just about come to that decision. Funny you're suggesting it, Ben. Well, your situation is intolerable.
[00:08:35] Unknown:
It's a peculiar situation.
[00:08:38] Unknown:
I have no feeling for Mildred. You know how she feels about me. I really wouldn't mind if she and Walt Collins just disappeared.
[00:08:48] Unknown:
What's intolerable is how they flaunt me. If I had your money, Dave, I'd do the disappearing. No. That's easier said than done.
[00:08:57] Unknown:
I have my genie to consider. Your genie? You know about Aladdin, ma'am?
[00:09:06] Unknown:
Sure. He rubbed his magic lamp, and the genie granted him what he wished for.
[00:09:12] Unknown:
Well, the genie
[00:09:14] Unknown:
likes it here. What the devil are you talking about, Dave? You alright? Oh, sure. Of course. It's just a joke. You're being mighty mysterious, friend. This Aladdin thing didn't just bump into your head just now, did it? Well, no. No. I
[00:09:30] Unknown:
tried it on Mildred just before she left the house. In connection with what?
[00:09:36] Unknown:
Money.
[00:09:37] Unknown:
What else? Oh, I see.
[00:09:40] Unknown:
When I settled here, I was quite a rich man. It's always bothered Mildred where the money came from. She asked me again tonight. So you told her about Aladdin and his magic lamp?
[00:09:52] Unknown:
Oh, I'd like to have seen the expression on her face. Score one for you.
[00:09:59] Unknown:
The score is lopsided in her favor, but I'm about to change all that. In about time.
[00:10:07] Unknown:
Howdy?
[00:10:09] Unknown:
When you hear it, you won't like it.
[00:10:12] Unknown:
Now think twice before you think murder. I'm your friend, but I'm also the county prosecutor. There's an alternative.
[00:10:22] Unknown:
You'll never think of it. I strolled over to discuss it with you, but now I've changed my mind about telling you. Because of Anne? I'll leave you on purpose. I No. No. No. No. It's nothing to do with your being present, Anne, but it does have to do with you. I haven't been much of a godfather to you. What?
[00:10:46] Unknown:
You've been wonderful. I can remember my first communion and the bicycle you made. My pleasure.
[00:10:54] Unknown:
But let me put it this way. Wait until I, consult my genie. Then I may have a nice surprise for you. Well,
[00:11:04] Unknown:
rub him right, Dave. Because what Anne and John need Pop, please.
[00:11:10] Unknown:
Don't be crude.
[00:11:12] Unknown:
You need a steak, my dear. You let me talk to my genie, and I'll see what can be worked out. Now I've talked enough. Thank you for sanctuary. No. No. No. No. I'll let myself out.
[00:11:27] Unknown:
Good night, Aladdin.
[00:11:30] Unknown:
Don't get your hopes up, Anne. But wouldn't it be wonderful?
[00:11:35] Unknown:
Sure. Did you take a good look at him? You're a nurse. What do you think?
[00:11:42] Unknown:
He was very pale and nervous. And talking kinda crazy.
[00:11:46] Unknown:
You know he's got a bad heart. I do know that. Well, don't count on him. I think my old friend's just about run out of time.
[00:11:58] Unknown:
Maybe you're a bum wolf, but you sure can dance. An old man said that? I'm a bum. Uh-huh. I ought to put him out of his misery. No rough stuff, lover. What time is it? 11:15. Oh, I better get back home. Oh, it's early, Millie. Uh-huh. I owe him something. Yeah?
[00:12:20] Unknown:
What? He's sick.
[00:12:22] Unknown:
For all we know, maybe after you honked for me, went into his room and passed out. Ain't that just what we're waiting for? Just give it time. It's all gonna be mine one of these days. You've been saying that for a year, Billy. What's the rush? Well, it, makes me feel funny. I've seen out in the open all the time.
[00:12:43] Unknown:
Kind of a cheap shot of the old man.
[00:12:47] Unknown:
I feel bad about it. You? You said you wanted to put him out of his misery. I do.
[00:12:53] Unknown:
I want him dead or you to divorce you. Oh, boy.
[00:12:56] Unknown:
You'd still have the swell house. You could sell it now. I want the money too. I want everything. He's rich, alright. If he came back here twenty years ago, he's never done a lick of work. Where's the money come from, Millie? Oh, don't think I haven't tried to find out. He goes to the bank and he comes home with enough to choke an alligator. Maybe he keeps it in a safe deposit box. Try again. I've looked. I have watched him for as long as we've been married, and I still don't know. I never really knew anything about him. Blackmail?
Maybe he gets money through the mail and pretends he gets it from the bank. I open all the mail, Walt. Nothing. And he can't get it from the bank. There's only a thousand in savings. Now then he's got it squirreled away. So where is it? It comes from somewhere. I've searched. This time, I'll help you. Let's do it now. Why not? Take me home, wolf.
[00:14:01] Unknown:
Ben Ben, help me. Who is
[00:14:08] Unknown:
Dave. Pop. Hurry.
[00:14:13] Unknown:
Dave. Dave. I'm sorry to bother you. Don't talk.
[00:14:17] Unknown:
Hold on to my arm. What's happening? Look at him. That cut on his cheek needs stitching. Who did this to you?
[00:14:25] Unknown:
There was a quarrel. I'll tell you all about it later. Mildred? They went crazy. Began to rip the house apart. Millie and Wolf? Yeah. Yeah. I tried to stop them. Next thing, I was on the floor. I came to
[00:14:43] Unknown:
and started over here. Get the car, pop. We'll take him to the clinic. I'll string Walt Hollins from a lamp post. Oh, man. And my heart's
[00:14:51] Unknown:
going like a trip hammer. I I think I'm going to faint.
[00:15:01] Unknown:
Temptation. It encompasses many motives. Money is a primary one. The temptation to get something for nothing is a regrettable human weakness. Once you give into it, you're trapped. If the law doesn't trip you up, your conscience will. Mildred McNell's abuse of her husband just may have killed him before she discovers the source of his wealth. I'll return shortly with act two. There's an old Moroccan proverb. The cold teaches everyone to steal charcoal. Here we have a situation that is analogous. A female woman marries an older man and now wishes him dead because then she will inherit his money and marry a man her own age. But there's a problem. How can she come into the money when she cannot discover its source?
And what is that source? It's now the next morning, and Anne Baker has driven David McNell home.
[00:16:20] Unknown:
Coming days?
[00:16:22] Unknown:
I suppose so.
[00:16:24] Unknown:
I'll see you into the house. No. I I'm alright now, Anna. You lie down for the rest of the day. I'll call after work to see how you are. It was just a scratch. Kim's stitches aren't just a scratch.
[00:16:37] Unknown:
Oh, there's Millie. Well well well. So there you are. Hey.
[00:16:43] Unknown:
What happened to your head, old man? Walt Hollands will have to explain that to my father, Millie. What do you mean? Papa's picking up Holland for assault. Are you crazy? He didn't assault nobody. Oh, old man. Tell your father to proceed. What is all this? What's the old man been telling you? Last night, you and Walt walked in and began to rip the house apart. When Dave interfered, Walt slugged him and knocked him down. That's a lie. And so are these 10 stitches, Mildred. Walt didn't touch you. You fell down and hit your head on the television set. You you believe this crazy old man? A lot sooner than I believe that Walt Hollins. Ken, run along. I'll check-in after work. You try it.
[00:17:24] Unknown:
This time, you've gone too far, Mildred. I want you out of here.
[00:17:30] Unknown:
Well, do you now? Just like that. Well, I'm here and here I'm staying. If anybody's leaving, it's gonna be you feet first. You're counting on that. I know.
[00:17:45] Unknown:
Then I'll leave. Without me, my money, you won't last six months in this house. This is a common property state, old man. You may have the house. There is nothing else. Oh, yeah?
[00:17:58] Unknown:
Money. Half goes to me. There is none. There's plenty and you know it. And you'll produce it or you'll go to jail.
[00:18:08] Unknown:
What if that's what I've got in mind?
[00:18:17] Unknown:
You got nothing on me, Baker. Mister Baker to you, Holland. You got nothing on me.
[00:18:22] Unknown:
Has McNell filed a charge? He'll do what I recommend. The charge is assault. Well, I just pushed him in his cell. In his own house. I was there because his wife asked me. You know, of course, that David McNell has a heart condition. It's lucky for you and that wife of his that he didn't die. You'd be able to charge a murder. The deputy will drive you to the county seat. You better get yourself a lawyer. I wish I could explain an animal like that. And Millie, she's another. They came from poor families. Hogwash. So did I. No. And they walk a crooked line. They always have.
[00:19:05] Unknown:
They should be here by now. Did you see him after work? I tried. Millie wouldn't let me in. Oh, boy. Well, you run along. I'll wait outside for John. Don't be too late, dear. Have a nice visit with Aladdin. Hi, Dave. You alright? Sure. Pops, in the room on the porch.
[00:19:29] Unknown:
Come in, Dave. Put your feet up. Let's just for a minute.
[00:19:32] Unknown:
How's the forehead? It hurts, but it's alright. Ma'am, what do you know about me?
[00:19:41] Unknown:
Well, that's a funny question. We've been friends for almost twenty five years. You ever wonder
[00:19:48] Unknown:
why I settled here?
[00:19:50] Unknown:
All of us did at first, but nobody pride. You said your health wasn't too good and that our climate was just right for you. I remember that.
[00:19:59] Unknown:
You know my relationship with Millie. She's a shrew. She sure is. Well, she hooked me with her pretty face and figure. It's happened before. I owe her that she really was beautiful, but she's a cruel, grasping woman. Ben. So? My name isn't David McNell. It's Neil Wheeler. They mean anything to you? Can't say it does. So much for fame. Now here, I brought something to show you. A clipping. Read it, man. What has become of Wheeler the dealer?
[00:20:49] Unknown:
You? A dealer? A dealer in what? Anything. You name it. Read on.
[00:20:57] Unknown:
Disappeared. Receipt stolen.
[00:21:01] Unknown:
Contract on his life, marvelled in every major city. You? Mhmm.
[00:21:07] Unknown:
Me. I was part of a gambling syndicate.
[00:21:11] Unknown:
We were into everything,
[00:21:13] Unknown:
entertainment, tables, real estate, travel. I was the front man. I spoke good English, and I dressed like a banker. The rough boys stayed in the background. And then
[00:21:27] Unknown:
I got ambitious. You wanted a bigger take, is that it? That's right.
[00:21:32] Unknown:
That was a mistake. So you got out before they got you? With over $200,000. Well over. I'd planned it for months. You sure you wanna tell me all this, Dave? You know what I have to do.
[00:21:46] Unknown:
Turn me over to the police? That's right. You did abscond with money. How'd you get away with it? You can get away with anything if you prepare carefully enough. Well, that's what I did.
[00:21:58] Unknown:
Six months before, I dropped out of sight. I'd prepared a new identity. One night, as usual, two bodyguards accompanied me to the bank to make a deposit of the night's casino receipts. I carried the money in an attache case. In my office, I made the substitution. I had another attache case. It was filled with very high grade worn counterfeit money. It was on my way. And you've been a a fugitive all these years? I still see faces in the dark, Ben. How much money you got left? Over 50,000.
[00:22:41] Unknown:
Well, you'll have to turn it over to me, old friend. I want to. Where is it?
[00:22:46] Unknown:
It? Mildred's been trying to find out all our married life. She and Walt Hollins tried again last night. I'll bring it to you sometime tomorrow when she's out of the house. I don't want her to have a cent of the money. All the same, you'd better tell me where it's hidden. I If something happens to you, Dave The dizziness again. Where's the money hidden? Tackle box. Oh. False bottom. The money is hidden in a waterproof rubber envelope. I had made it. It says fly tying. Dave.
[00:23:40] Unknown:
Ben Barker, Grace. Find doctor Jessup and have him come to my house at once. Emergency.
[00:23:49] Unknown:
I got here as fast as I could, Paul. How's Dave? Who's the doctor? Terry Richards. And the nurse is Tina Wheeling. Couldn't reach Jessup. And Dave's in good hands. What happened, pop?
[00:24:00] Unknown:
Dave had another of those dizzy spells, then he passed out. The telephone operator, Grace, located Richards, and he rushed to the house. We got Dave into the station wagon, brought him here. Heart? Yeah. But Dave's also showed signs of stroke. Go in and find out how he is, and they won't tell me anything. Right away. It was those stitches.
[00:24:18] Unknown:
He was badly shaken up.
[00:24:20] Unknown:
Walt Holland is responsible for Dave's condition. If he died There's nothing I can do to Holland's. Dave never brought a charge against him. Holland will go free. But he and Millie I know. They're as good as murder, Dave. And they'll get away with it. Now please go and see Anne. I have to know what's happening. I won't be long.
[00:24:43] Unknown:
He's pale as the sheets.
[00:24:45] Unknown:
Coronary thrombosis. Blood pressure way down.
[00:24:49] Unknown:
Poor Aladdin. Can he survive?
[00:24:52] Unknown:
Doctor Richards doesn't think so. That's the only reason he let you in to see him.
[00:24:57] Unknown:
How long do you think, Anne?
[00:24:59] Unknown:
Minutes.
[00:25:00] Unknown:
Maybe hours. No one can tell.
[00:25:03] Unknown:
Why don't you go home? I'll telephone if there's a change. No. No. I'll stick it out. Does his wife know? By George,
[00:25:10] Unknown:
no. I never think of Dave's having a wife. I suppose I'd better break the news to her. You want me to telephone her? No. Thank you. I'm Dave's executive, you know. There are certain things I have to attend to. He he left a few personal things to me. Mhmm. Aladdin's lamp. You never can tell. I think he'd want me to have it. Don't you?
[00:25:46] Unknown:
Well, the big lawman himself. I don't want any. Thank you. What are you doing here? You know what time it is? Late. Where's Dave?
[00:25:55] Unknown:
At the clinic.
[00:25:57] Unknown:
I see. What happened? You beat him at gin roaming and he flipped out?
[00:26:03] Unknown:
He's dead, Millie.
[00:26:05] Unknown:
Comes as no surprise to me.
[00:26:08] Unknown:
Being slugged by Walt Hollins didn't help me. He didn't slug him. He pushed Dave out of the way. Sure. Sure. No matter now. He's dead. Okay.
[00:26:17] Unknown:
So you've told me I'll handle this. You run on home, get your sleep. You know, I'm executor of Dave's estate. Oh, yeah? What's he need an executor for? What's his is mine.
[00:26:29] Unknown:
No big deal. They've left a few personal items for me. I'll come by later and pick them up. You just think you will.
[00:26:37] Unknown:
You get nothing from this house, mister Baker. Then I'll get a court order and prevent the estate from going to probate until you give me what Dave want me to have. You got them personal items written down in writing? Yes. I have. Then you just show me where Dave says you get this and that, and I'll see. It's gotta be in writing. Otherwise, it's just your word against mine.
[00:26:59] Unknown:
I'll stop by tomorrow.
[00:27:01] Unknown:
What personal items?
[00:27:06] Unknown:
Mostly books. Anything else? I'll show you the list of more.
[00:27:12] Unknown:
Anything important? No. I don't believe you.
[00:27:18] Unknown:
I won't bother to answer that, Millie. Just don't touch anything in the house until I show you the will.
[00:27:25] Unknown:
You know something, don't you, law man? Something mighty important. Sure you do.
[00:27:43] Unknown:
It's almost midnight, Pop. I know.
[00:27:46] Unknown:
I'm just sitting here thinking about Aladdin.
[00:27:50] Unknown:
How did charming Millie take the news?
[00:27:53] Unknown:
As expected. Said thank you and good night. She'll handle everything from now on. I telephoned the minister. Oh, that was thoughtful of you, Anne. There has to be a service. Everyone loved Neil David McNair. Who?
[00:28:07] Unknown:
Neil who?
[00:28:10] Unknown:
I was thinking of somebody else. A a friend of mine when I was in my teens. Oh? Association of ideas. That boy died too. I see.
[00:28:21] Unknown:
Sure. But I felt that you were referring to Dave.
[00:28:28] Unknown:
Grief can play tricks.
[00:28:30] Unknown:
Mhmm. What's really on your mind, pop? I feel kinda old.
[00:28:40] Unknown:
I've been running a long time. Maybe you were right when you said the time's come for me to sell the house and go to Florida. A steak for you and enough for me. This is kinda sudden. It's been coming for some time.
[00:28:52] Unknown:
Dave's death tipped it.
[00:28:55] Unknown:
I have lost a a very valuable friend.
[00:29:05] Unknown:
A valuable friend indeed. Our tale has become more entangled because of a secret confession, and temptation now invites honesty to look the other way. It comes down to which instinct is stronger, a philosophical problem. The dilemma for Ben Baker is what to do about the stolen money that Dave McNell has left to his discretion. We face that problem when I return with act three. Many eminent writers think that a man's fate is his character. You can get into all kinds of arguments about heredity versus environment, but neither can exclude the other. Essentially, we are what we come from.
A lineage of honesty becomes a general characteristic of certain families. Ben Baker comes from one such family, and we're about to test character being fate. It is noon the next day, and Walt Hollands rings a doorbell at Millie's house.
[00:30:14] Unknown:
Well, if it isn't the village bad guy. Hi, Millie.
[00:30:18] Unknown:
I heard the news. Come on in.
[00:30:24] Unknown:
The county prosecutor had to sprung and the charge against me dropped. Lucky for you, Baker's bad to tangle with. When's the funeral? No funeral. He's being cremated. There's a memorial service since Sunday afternoon. And the house is yours? Everything is mine. Well, you need his money to keep this place up. Yeah. Don't I know it? But where is it? Where did it come from? It's gotta be here somewhere. Well, he turned the place inside out the other night. I hear Baker brought you the news. Yeah. He said he's coming back for some things Dave's supposed to have left him. What kind of thing? Oh, books. Junk like that.
I told Baker where to head in. Yeah. But if the stuff's been given to Baker If Baker shows me a paper saying Dave left him so and so, okay. Otherwise, the county prosecutor can go whistle. You know something, Millie? Go on. If Dave told anybody where his money came from, it'd be Ben Baker. They was best friends. Hey. Yeah. That's a pretty good point. The money ain't in the bank, and it don't come through the mail, so it's cash. And it's somewhere right here in the village. And if anybody knows where, it's vacant. That makes sense. Why would Dave hide the money where you just might find it?
Why wouldn't he hide the money at Baker's? Yeah. Why not? If you're right, I'm sunk. Baker never admit he had the money. But what if I found it for you? The house is empty all day long. He's at work and the daughter is at the hospital. What's wrong with that? Nothing. That's wonderful and funny, Hal. Stealing something that rightfully belongs to me.
[00:32:32] Unknown:
I'm home, Pop.
[00:32:34] Unknown:
Oh, did did you come home earlier, Anne? Me? No.
[00:32:38] Unknown:
I've been on duty since eight this morning. Why? Something wrong?
[00:32:44] Unknown:
I think somebody's been going through this house.
[00:32:47] Unknown:
What?
[00:32:49] Unknown:
That's unheard of around here. Is anything missing? No. Nothing valuable. Few newspaper clippings that I had in my roll top. Somebody went through that desk. What clippings? Oh, a few I cut out about a case that interested me. You were pretty distracted last night, pop. Or maybe you mislaid them. Maybe, but I don't think so. And something else. The carbon of a codicil to Dave's will. How strange. Yeah. Isn't it?
[00:33:16] Unknown:
What's in the codicil?
[00:33:18] Unknown:
Well, it's a fake. I admit that. I wrote it to give to Mildred McNell. That's illegal. I'm aware of that. The other night when Dave was here, just before he had another dizzy spell, he said if anything happened to him, there were certain things of his that he wanted me to have. Some books, his fly rod, fishing tackle, and his outboard motor. So? Well, that witch across the street won't let me have them. Then I forget about them. Well, that I won't do even if I have to steal them. So you prepared a codicil? Yeah. Well, that may not work anyway.
She said she'd have to see what Dave gave me in his writing. You're the executor of Dave's estate. Oh, it amounts to nothing at all. Everything goes to Millet. Well, can't you hold up probate until you get those things you want?
[00:34:07] Unknown:
It would be your word against hers about what Dave left to you. Yes. I mentioned that to her, and I'd win. Her word's good for nothing. Then handle it that way for goodness sakes. Don't march in and grab the stuff. You've got time on your side, pop. I wonder how much.
[00:34:33] Unknown:
Good evening.
[00:34:34] Unknown:
That's what you think? May I come in? I think you're better. Walt's here.
[00:34:41] Unknown:
So much the better. Hi, mister Baker.
[00:34:44] Unknown:
You got that paper and Dave's writing about the stuff he left to you? I have. Let me see it. I think you've already seen it, Millie.
[00:34:54] Unknown:
You're off the rails, mister. And you've also seen something else, haven't you? Don't you, Bradley. Here's the original of the codicil. The carbon was stolen from my desk. Oops. You would. Or Walt here would steal it for you. You're accusing me. Certainly not. I have no proof. Well, what did you think of the clipping about Neil Wheeler, Millie? Don't answer him.
[00:35:19] Unknown:
Get a lawyer. Let him answer the question. A lawyer for what?
[00:35:23] Unknown:
How many persons do you want to know the story?
[00:35:28] Unknown:
You knew all the time, didn't you, mister Baker? Millie. Shut up.
[00:35:33] Unknown:
Dave told me the night he died. I suppose I'm obligated to tell the police. The press will find out. It's a big story. Don't you dare tell the police. But you were married for twenty years to a very clever criminal, And the mob just might come looking for you. All that money. You've got that money, Baker. Wrong. Then where is it? Well, you've searched your own house and someone searched mine. Any luck?
[00:36:03] Unknown:
Apparently not. Help us find the money, and I'll divide it with you, mister Baker.
[00:36:09] Unknown:
Afraid not. If the money ever is found, it won't be yours. Dave left you the house and nothing more.
[00:36:19] Unknown:
What? Get them the stuff. Sure. I got it all in the pile. You're a very clever housebreaker, Hollins. I'm admitting nothing. Here's the books, garage, half boards in the garage. Here's Dave's old tackle box. That's it.
[00:36:39] Unknown:
Thank you. That's it.
[00:36:46] Unknown:
And you were going to steal this if Millie didn't give it to you? Oh, pop. The fly rod looks okay, but that tackle box is beaten up. No trouble with Millie? Nope. I can see why.
[00:37:01] Unknown:
Well, I wanted them for, well, sentimental value. I understand.
[00:37:07] Unknown:
Poor mister Aladdin. It'll be an upset you having to scrap with Millie. She won't be around for long.
[00:37:15] Unknown:
She'll have to sail. And then I'd guess she and Ward will head for Santa Fe. And good riddance to both of them. Well, I'll put the books away. Do you want me to dump the tackle box in the garage? I don't know. I might go through it later. See what Dave has that I can use. Alright.
[00:37:32] Unknown:
See you in the morning, Pop.
[00:37:34] Unknown:
Good night. Aladdin's tackle box. Now who the
[00:37:49] Unknown:
You alone?
[00:37:50] Unknown:
I am left half an hour ago. What can I do for you, Mildred? Come in.
[00:37:56] Unknown:
You can return what you took last night. I can.
[00:38:01] Unknown:
I mean I mean, I should? Why? After you left last night,
[00:38:07] Unknown:
Walt and me went down to the tavern. The two of you ought to buy it. We bumped into a friend who is a lawyer. He said you had no right to those things unless David put it in writing. He didn't.
[00:38:20] Unknown:
So I want them back. Then I'll take you to court. So what? So the entire story will come out.
[00:38:27] Unknown:
I told you what most likely would happen. The police Oh, sure. Sure. And the newspapers and the mob after me. Lies. Why are you making such a big fuss about nothing, Millie? Because the lawyer and Walt and me talked it over. And you know something? The lawyer's gonna get it all out in the open. I was married to a crook, and the crook's best friend was you. You, honest Ben Baker. You think anyone's gonna believe you didn't know who Dave really was or where he kept his money? Oh, sure. My life gets messed up. But what about you? You'll be disgraced
[00:39:08] Unknown:
and ruined. And that's what you dearly love. Exactly. Well, your lawyer is right about one point. Until I can prove it, those items Dave left to me will have to be returned to you. You may have them. All of them. Even the books Dave borrowed with my name in them? Everything. Why?
[00:39:31] Unknown:
Because we think there's a clue in those things where the money is.
[00:39:35] Unknown:
Wish I'd thought of that.
[00:39:37] Unknown:
Well, they're all yours, Millie.
[00:39:44] Unknown:
Did you get all the stuff back? It's all there in the middle of the living room. Nothing. What? Nothing in the books? No clue? The handle of the fly rod? No. And nothing in the tackle box except it smells of dead bait and fish. Yeah. Let me see the thing. Oh, don't be stupid. Who'd hide anything valuable in a tackle box? I never can't tell. Hey. It's got a false bottom. What? Look look look how it's disguised. See the tape wrapped around it like it's part of the design? Well, get it open. Look at that. It's about three inches from top to bottom. Hey. What's this?
Look. It's a waterproof kind of briefcase with a zipper on. Walt. That's where the money was. Was? But it's empty. Baker walked out of here last night with the tackle box, took out the money, and that's why he let you take all stuff back this morning. Baker's got the money. And I'm left with, oh, I'll claw his eyes out. Now you just calm down. We can't prove a thing. You got taken, baby.
[00:41:03] Unknown:
And now you know everything, Anne. How much did Aladdin leave? A small fortune. A little over 50,000. I wasn't gonna tell you. I'm glad you did, pop.
[00:41:15] Unknown:
What are we gonna do about it? Well, it's money stolen from a mob.
[00:41:20] Unknown:
Illegitimate money. It doesn't belong to anybody. What about Millie? Oh, she has the house. Aladdin meant this money for us. It'll set you and John up. You'll get most of it. I don't want much, just enough for Florida. What about your conscience, pop?
[00:41:37] Unknown:
Can you live with it?
[00:41:39] Unknown:
Well, I'm sure gonna try, my dear.
[00:41:49] Unknown:
I wonder, in a similar situation, what would you do? Return the money? To whom? To whom did it rightly belong? It was not stolen from a business, but from organized crime by one of its mom. You might perhaps make out a case for the wife, but that is not what David McNell intended. He indicated that as Anne Baker's godfather, he wanted to help her realize her dream. It's a tricky question. I'll have something further to say right after this. We began with a theme of temptation, and we end with it. Even an entirely honest man can be tempted by the prospect of found
[00:42:41] Unknown:
money. Would he be a fool to turn it down?
[00:42:44] Unknown:
Ben Baker's rationalization is that he inherited the money from David McNell. That is what McNell intended. Well, you try to resolve the ethics. Our cast included Robert Dryden, John Beale, Roberta Maxwell, and Terry Keen. The entire production was under the direction of Hyman Brown.
[00:43:08] Unknown:
And now a preview of our next tale by McCost analyst. Offhand, I wouldn't think there's much call for that in Council Forks. Well, I I I I also know how to cook. Cook. Yes. I, I, I'm a splendid amateur chef. You know something? I'm stunned. Oh? Some old lady was supposed to come up to keep house but she never showed up. Now how'd you like to stay here and cook? Oh, oh, I don't I got a whole bunch of stuff in the freezer, but I don't know how to boil water and I'm starving to death. Yes. But but but see, I'm not interested in cooking. So maybe if I could get my car started. You're not going anywhere.
What did you say? I said you're not going anywhere. Radio Mystery Theater was sponsored in part by Contact, the twelve hour cold capsule, and Zurich Motor Division.
[00:44:15] Unknown:
This is EG Marshall inviting you to return to our Mystery Theater for another adventure in the macabre. Until next time,
[00:44:25] Unknown:
pleasant
Introduction to Temptation
A Tavern in New Mexico
Alias Mister Aladdin
The McNell Household Conflict
A Visit to Ben Baker
The Genie and the Secret
Temptation and Consequences
The Assault and Aftermath
The True Identity of David McNell
The Final Confession
The Dilemma of Ben Baker
The Tackle Box Revelation
The Ethical Quandary
