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In this intriguing episode of CBS Radio Mystery Theater, host EG Marshall explores the thin line between life and death, inspired by Edgar Allan Poe's musings. The story, "A Casual Affair," written by Sam Dan, follows Richard Pomeroy, a seemingly moral and upright man, who finds himself challenged by a mysterious woman named Cressida Harlow. As Richard navigates the complexities of temptation and fidelity, he is drawn into a web of deceit and blackmail, threatening his marriage and career.
Richard's journey takes him from a chance encounter in a bar to a dangerous game of smuggling and espionage. As he grapples with his conscience and the consequences of his actions, Richard must find a way to escape the clutches of those who seek to exploit him. With themes of morality, love, and betrayal, this episode delves into the human psyche, questioning the boundaries of right and wrong. Join us as we unravel the mystery and suspense in this captivating tale.
(00:00) Introduction and Philosophical Musings
(02:07) The Modern Traveling Salesman
(06:25) A Chance Encounter
(16:20) A Dreamlike Affair
(20:02) The Blackmail Scheme
(30:02) Caught in a Web
(36:39) A Desperate Plan
(40:41) Resolution and Reflection
Listen to our radio station Old Time Radio https://link.radioking.com/otradio
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[00:00:00]
Unknown:
The CBS Radio Mystery Theater presents Come in. Welcome. I'm EG Marshall. The boundaries which divide life from death, said Edgar Allan Poe, are at best shadowy and vague. And who shall say where the one ends and the other begins? Who indeed? Certainly not mister Poe when he wrote those sentiments over a hundred years ago, and how curiously modern they seem today. Where does life and death begin? And who is to judge?
[00:00:56] Unknown:
What makes you so sure of yourself, sir?
[00:01:00] Unknown:
I know what I believe. I know how I was raised. I know my attitude toward life. Is that so?
[00:01:08] Unknown:
And do you consider yourself a moral, upright, honest man? With all with all modesty,
[00:01:15] Unknown:
I would say yes.
[00:01:17] Unknown:
Well, I've only known you for these past few minutes, but I'll make a bet that I could make you cheat on your wife, steal from your boss and even commit murder during the next forty eight hours.
[00:01:40] Unknown:
Our mystery drama, A Casual Affair, was written especially for the mystery theater by Sam Dan and stars Mason Adams. It is sponsored in part by General Electric and Buick Motor Division. I'll be back shortly with act one. The traveling salesman used to be very much a part of the folklore of America. The traveling salesman, or drummer, as he was also called, was usually brash, gaudy, outrageous in speech and manner. Well, times and types change. Today, you have men who travel for their companies, who are the very models of conservatism. They wear quiet but expensive clothes.
They stop at the best hotels and dine in the most exclusive restaurants. Thousand miles from home. He's waiting to die, is a thousand miles from home. He's waiting to dine alone, sitting at the bar until he will be shown to a table. Sitting next to him is a rather attractive woman of about 30. Richard is a man who doesn't play around, but it shouldn't be implied that he never thinks about it.
[00:03:14] Unknown:
Very nice. I wonder if she's married. She's wearing a ring. But is it a wet no. Better not start anything. Start. I wouldn't know how to start. Some fellas, it just goes. They smile, say care for a drink, and they're home. If I try something like that, alright. The truth is I don't wanna try it. I'm just not interested. I've never done anything like it in all the years I've been married, and I don't intend to start now.
[00:03:48] Unknown:
Mark, you want to buy me a drink? Buy me a drink. I I beg your pardon? Oh, you've been in our soul searching. You've made all the normal objections.
[00:03:59] Unknown:
Are you a mind reader? I'll have a bourbon
[00:04:02] Unknown:
sour. Bartender, are they the same here?
[00:04:06] Unknown:
No. I'd say I'm a mouth reader.
[00:04:09] Unknown:
A mouth reader?
[00:04:11] Unknown:
Just watch a person's mouth. See how his lips narrow, become tight. He'll bite one of his lips when he's under stress. There are those who bite their upper lip and those who bite the lower. Which type are you? I hadn't thought about it. Well, everybody bites one or the other. You're an upper biter. I've been watching you. I never knew that. Upperbiters form the minority. They're usually highly introspective
[00:04:40] Unknown:
people. Yes. Yes. I I have been called introspective.
[00:04:44] Unknown:
Scientifically inclined.
[00:04:46] Unknown:
So you know there might be something to it. I'm an engineer. That's fair. You think proves my fairies correct? No. I I don't I don't work as an engineer exactly. I I sell motors, but I I have to troubleshoot for the entire corporation.
[00:04:59] Unknown:
Our providers are also very hard workers. Yes. That describes me alright. I've
[00:05:06] Unknown:
my name is Richard Pomeroy.
[00:05:08] Unknown:
And I'm Cressida Harlow.
[00:05:10] Unknown:
Cressida? Mhmm. That's a most unusual name. That's very pretty. Are you, I mean,
[00:05:17] Unknown:
Am I waiting for a new? No. I'd love to have dinner with you. Oh, well, of course. Do you live here? No. I'm traveling just as you are. What do you do?
[00:05:31] Unknown:
What you do?
[00:05:32] Unknown:
I sell market research.
[00:05:35] Unknown:
Must be a fascinating field. Just a job.
[00:05:38] Unknown:
Do you really wanna talk shop?
[00:05:41] Unknown:
No. Not really.
[00:05:44] Unknown:
Are you married?
[00:05:46] Unknown:
Yes.
[00:05:49] Unknown:
That slight hesitation is if you weren't sure how you wanted to answer.
[00:05:54] Unknown:
You're a very disconcerting woman.
[00:05:59] Unknown:
Life is a disconcerting disconcerting experience. Are you married? Divorced. Are you, happily married?
[00:06:10] Unknown:
Yes.
[00:06:12] Unknown:
I see you had to stop to think again.
[00:06:15] Unknown:
I wanted to be honest.
[00:06:16] Unknown:
With who? Me or yourself?
[00:06:25] Unknown:
Right now, I should run. Run from this place. Go to the airport and get on a plane. If there's nothing flying to Chicago at this hour, I should rent a car and drive through till morning. I am getting involved. I never met anyone like her in my life. I thought I did when I met Jeanette. She's what I hoped Jeanette would become, but never did. This gray eyed woman, she's like a goddess. Something's happened between us. I know it, and she knows it. And we'll end this evening in my room or hers. And I will have started something I won't know how to finish.
I should say goodbye right now. But why can't it just end with dinner and a pleasant good night? Who says it has to go further?
[00:07:22] Unknown:
I would assume you are doing something for the first time.
[00:07:26] Unknown:
Doing what?
[00:07:27] Unknown:
Technically, what you've done is you've picked me up at a bar.
[00:07:32] Unknown:
Technically,
[00:07:33] Unknown:
I believe you spoke first. But you intended to speak first. You just didn't know how. Which leads me to assume you have very little experience at this sort of thing. Practically not. You can thank woman's lib. For what? Well, in the ordinary way, I would never have had the courage to strike up a conversation in a bar with a strange man. But I've learned that it simply isn't right for the man to have all the options. If I see an attractive person, why shouldn't I say hello? I agree. It's a difficult life. Constantly traveling Why are you at present company at dinner?
[00:08:17] Unknown:
Dinner was wonderful I've never felt so happy but that we would just let things take their proper course. But that we would just let things take their proper course. And they did. Our hands met and clasped across the table, and we looked deeply into each other's eyes. The moment had arrived, and the movement was automatic. We kissed. It was a light brief brush of the lips, but it was a promise of what was to come, of what had to be. Following morning, we had breakfast together at the hotel. And where will you be going today?
[00:09:13] Unknown:
Indianapolis.
[00:09:15] Unknown:
Indianapolis, Indiana. Did you know that's the only major city in The United States that isn't on a river? No.
[00:09:22] Unknown:
Oh, you have a wealth of knowledge.
[00:09:24] Unknown:
Trebia. Do you know why, darling? Tell me, darling. Because till now I had nothing better to occupy my time. But now I have you.
[00:09:36] Unknown:
Mhmm. And where are you going? Chicago. Richard, is is this goodbye?
[00:09:44] Unknown:
Do you want it to be? Can you ask me that after last night? When can we meet again?
[00:09:51] Unknown:
Whenever you say.
[00:09:53] Unknown:
But, darling
[00:09:54] Unknown:
Yes?
[00:09:55] Unknown:
How?
[00:09:56] Unknown:
How? We can meet whenever we want each other or need each other. All we have to do is board an airplane. But darling It's another way of looking at the world, Richard. You see, till now the traveling each of us does was a job. Now it's a joy and a deliverance. It enables us to come together. But I don't see how we Meet me in San Francisco on Friday. I have no reason to go there. Oh, yes. You have. I'm the reason. I'm sure there are motors which aren't functioning to your complete satisfaction in the San Francisco plant. True. I'm never really satisfied with our manufacturing processes. Of course. And my company always has clients who need extra service. Till extra service.
[00:10:38] Unknown:
Till Friday, darling. Till Friday?
[00:10:51] Unknown:
Would you care for some eggs, Richard? No. Thank you, dear. The Collins have asked us to dinner. Oh, that's good. I like George and Marie. I know you do. Therefore, I accepted without consulting you.
[00:11:03] Unknown:
Without consulting me? Me? Mhmm. Really, Jeanette, you make it sound as if I'm your lord and master without whose permission you are scarcely permitted to breathe. Richard, it's just that you travel so much. I told you. You are in complete charge of social arrangements.
[00:11:19] Unknown:
Very well. Dinner at eight. Good. Friday night.
[00:11:23] Unknown:
We can't go. What? I'm sorry, Jeanette. Really. I'll be out of town on Friday.
[00:11:30] Unknown:
It's alright. The Collins will understand. It's something everybody understands today, the demands of a man's
[00:11:37] Unknown:
job. Yeah. Jeanette, darling, this this trip is absolutely necessary. I assume it is. You see, the q series of motors, the ones that power the operating arm is oh, boy. I'm not I'm not supposed to talk about it. Sure. I couldn't hope to understand. No. No. No. I'm not even supposed to say I'm working on something top secret either. Even that's top secret.
[00:11:59] Unknown:
Richard. Richard, where will you be going Friday? Where?
[00:12:05] Unknown:
San Francisco.
[00:12:06] Unknown:
Do you suppose I could go with you?
[00:12:09] Unknown:
You you you wanna come with me? Yes. Oh, well, I I would think that you had a million things to do. That is you usually have.
[00:12:19] Unknown:
Why shouldn't I come to San Francisco with you? Well, you'd be bored silly. The truth is I'm bored silly here at home.
[00:12:27] Unknown:
We could have so much fun in San Francisco. Well, yeah. But I'm not going there to have fun. I'll be in meetings all day, and they usually run through dinner.
[00:12:36] Unknown:
I understand, but we could have Saturday and Sunday. There's so much to do and to see.
[00:12:44] Unknown:
The truth is, darling, we won't have Saturday and Sunday. See, the reason I'm going Friday is is to watch the production line in operation, and that leaves me the weekend when the line is down to make whatever alterations that I've Yes. Yes. I understand.
[00:12:59] Unknown:
I'll be at it straight through. I'll be lucky to finish on Sunday night.
[00:13:03] Unknown:
And Monday, of course, I have to be at the office. So what kind of weekend would that be for you? Well, another time. Of course. Another time. It was the first time I'd ever lied to Jeanette. I was sorry. Felt badly. As a matter of fact, I was still feeling badly at dinner Friday night in San Francisco with President.
[00:13:31] Unknown:
You have a guilty conscience. Well, how do you know? This is the first time for you again, isn't it? Yes. How about you?
[00:13:41] Unknown:
Weren't you married?
[00:13:43] Unknown:
Always grew tired of each other. It had to happen. What do you mean? Well, you change every day. If you're honest, you admit it. Most people don't. They try to hold on to what they were, what they had, so they harden into a mold. Wouldn't be happy you're breaking out of yours, Richard.
[00:14:02] Unknown:
I am not sure I follow that. Oh, but you do. You and your wife.
[00:14:07] Unknown:
You're no longer the same people you were when you met and fell in love and married, are you? No. Then why do you try to hold on to it now? Live now. Love now. Make no promise you cannot keep.
[00:14:22] Unknown:
President, I promise you. No. You love me now. It's enough. I've never really lived for the moment. But the moment is all there is I could never give you up Think Richard
[00:14:37] Unknown:
Didn't you once say something like that to the woman you married?
[00:14:41] Unknown:
Yes I may have But this time, I mean it. I could never give you up. You never know, Richard, darling.
[00:14:49] Unknown:
The time may come when you can't wait to get rid of me. Never. Never is a long time, Richard.
[00:15:04] Unknown:
And so it is. What kind of lady is this Cressida Harlow? This beautiful woman who only wants
[00:15:19] Unknown:
a
[00:15:27] Unknown:
Act two may bring us another perspective. Well, here we have mister Richard Pomeroy, an engineer. We mention his profession because engineers are, as a group, serious, sober minded fellows who weigh and measure and who deal in the sciences, a conservative group, to say the least. Mister Pomeroy has been married for some fifteen years to a very quiet lady, and suddenly, he has strayed off the reservation. He has been absolutely knocked off his feet by a woman named Cressida Harlow.
[00:16:20] Unknown:
The next several months passed as it had been a dream, a dream paradise. Each of us had jobs which allowed us unlimited, unquestioned travel, and we met once or twice a week all over the country, all over the world. My home was no longer my base of operations. It was merely a place where I had to make certain ritual visits. My true home was with Cressida. And then one morning, Jeanette looked at me.
[00:16:54] Unknown:
Who is she, Richard?
[00:16:56] Unknown:
Who who is who? The woman
[00:16:59] Unknown:
with whom you're having an affair.
[00:17:01] Unknown:
I this is It isn't true.
[00:17:05] Unknown:
What makes you say I'm I'm having an affair?
[00:17:08] Unknown:
You dress differently now, Richard. You're lighter, quicker on your feet. You seem happy. But, Jeanette I thought we built something these past fifteen years. Jeanette Something that would sustain us. But I suppose it. I know I'm no longer young. Jeanette. Do you deny it? Please, darling. You want a divorce? I see. You're not that sure of her. What does she want, Richard? You make a very good living, but you don't have what could be considered real money.
[00:17:45] Unknown:
What does she want? Has it ever occurred to you that she wants me? Why? Why? Why? Because because I'm an exciting person. No, Richard.
[00:17:57] Unknown:
Exciting. You're not. Serious, sober minded. Yes. But exciting. Definitely not. Jeanette, I don't wanna talk about this now. She doesn't want to marry you. You're not all that rich. What does she want, Richard?
[00:18:17] Unknown:
How could I hope to explain? There are free spirits in the world, and they come down to Earth now and then. Cressida is one of them. And the last time she came down to Earth, I'm I'm talking figuratively now, you understand? She happened to light beside me. What does she want? She wants nothing. Nothing but the joy of the moment. How could I explain that to Jeanette? I didn't. I simply left for the office. But just thinking about Cressida maybe Warner. And so as soon as I reached my desk, I picked up my phone and I dialed a number. And it rang and it rang, and there was no answer.
Funny she had a service. I could always leave a message. I tried her at her office.
[00:19:10] Unknown:
Call Roland Carson. Miss Cressida Harlow, please. Miss Cressida Hollow is no longer with us.
[00:19:17] Unknown:
I beg your pardon? Miss Harlow is no longer with us. But where is she? Miss Harlow resigned last week. She couldn't have. Where did she go? Miss Harlow said she would send us an address where where we could forward her messages.
[00:19:31] Unknown:
Would you care to leave your name?
[00:19:34] Unknown:
No. I was stunned. Shocked. I couldn't imagine what had happened or why. How could she just disappear? I know she had said it would be over one day, but like this so abruptly? But before I could think it through, I became aware of a man standing next to my desk. How'd you get in here? I walked in. Who? Who are you? I think I better close the door.
[00:20:12] Unknown:
So what makes you think you can just barge in here? Okay. Okay. Let's get with it. Never mind how I got in here and what you think you can do about it. I want you to do me a favor. Paris? You. You gotta check out the motors in the French factory. I refuse to hear another word. You have no right to be in here. We're engaged in government contracts. Can get a lot of trouble. I'm gonna call a guard this minute. Yeah. You do that. You call a guard, and I'll show him this picture, and then I'll show him this one. I see.
You're not gonna call a guy. That's very good thinking. Where did you get the the guy who took these photos, isn't he just terrific? He calls it a pictorial essay. Here's you and this gorgeous dame sitting so cozy in this nightclub, and here are you, Romeo, leaning across the table to give her a great big kiss. End of act one. Act two takes place in the hotel. How did you get how did you Go ahead. Go ahead. Bear them up. We have the negatives. This is this is Words say they are. Well, they should. Now while you're trying to find the right ones, let me analyze the situation. You're being offered a job with my company, a part time job. It won't interfere with your regular activity. Activity. I refuse to Why do you interrupt?
You're sitting there with a bust hand against four races. Now who you're trying to bluff? You see, Richard, we deliver things from a client in one country to a client in another. Jewels, drugs, for example, negotiable bonds. But you didn't get the idea? Well, you can't come in. We need messengers, the kind of messenger that no customs officer, no cop would ever dream to suspect. I won't do it. You won't, Richard? What can you do? Show those pictures to my wife? Well, she already knows I'm having an affair, so do your worst. Richard,
[00:22:32] Unknown:
don't make it come to the worst. I think that I actually thought I was in love with that
[00:22:37] Unknown:
miss Crescent of Harlow. You gotta admit she does a great job.
[00:22:43] Unknown:
Where where is she now?
[00:22:45] Unknown:
We call her sergeant Harlow. You ever meet a better recruiting sergeant? You've stated your proposition. The answer is no. Ah, you're upset. And I understand. But you'll be in shape to listen to reason in a couple of days.
[00:23:06] Unknown:
What does she want from you, Richard? I could hear Jeanette's question. It was obvious what she wanted from me. Obvious now. How could such a thing happen to me? I was a foolish middle aged man looking for a fling. And the tragedy was I didn't know I was looking. My marriage was ruined, but at least the damage would stop there. Blackmail. How could they hope to blackmail me by telling my wife? The fools didn't realize I already lost it. And in the midst of this reverie, the telephone rang. It was the big boss himself. Wanted to see me immediately.
[00:23:51] Unknown:
Yes, mister Darling. Oh, sit down, Richard. Sit down. What did I wanna see you about? Let me look it up here. Oh, yes. Yes. How is Janae? Oh, she's she's fine. Alright. We're here. She's one of my favorite ladies. There are very few ladies around these days. Lots of women, but very few ladies. You all hear yes. Yes. Yes. Here it is. My note. Tell Richard why I won't hire Jim Demorest. You won't hire Jim Demorest? No, Richard. I will not. Well, you asked me for my recommendation. I ordered. He's a first grade engineer. I'm sure he is. But I always hire the men in my department. You usually do, but we must make an exception in the case of Jim Demorest. I won't have him in my company. Why, mister Darling? Man has no morals.
[00:24:36] Unknown:
What do you mean, sir? Far as women are concerned.
[00:24:39] Unknown:
I don't think it's necessary to go into details. But isn't that Jim Demorest, Sophia? No, Richard. He's a married man with children, and he's a notorious rake. Well, well, isn't that word still used today? Oh, whatever. Well, mister Darling, a man's private life A man who cheats on his wife cheats. Part of his makeup. If he cheats her and he's bound to her by the laws of both the church and state, well, that does sound a bit stuffy. I admit. Well, then, well, how else can I put it this? At any rate, why shouldn't he cheat me? I'm only his employer. Mister darling, good engineers are very hard to find. All good men are hard to find. And this is a hard company to work for. We can only do quality work because we have quality employees.
Look for men like yourself, Richard. Honest, loyal, sincere people. You understand?
[00:25:30] Unknown:
Yes, sir. I understand. Mind if I join you? Yes. I do. I'll even pick up the tab. Oh, it's nice little joint here.
[00:25:47] Unknown:
How's the food? I told you I wouldn't have anything to do with your Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Let me tell you how it works. What works? The switch.
[00:25:56] Unknown:
You see, you have an attache case, and we make up one exactly like it. Now before you leave for the trip, in this case, Pat How many times do I have to tell you? For an engineer, you really can't read diagrams too good. You know that? What diagrams? That little pictorial essay. Show it to my wife. It doesn't matter. It's not such a good idea. You see, we thought we'd show it to your boss.
[00:26:26] Unknown:
To my
[00:26:27] Unknown:
Richard, in all these situations, you always go to the top. That's how to get results. You can't do that. He he wouldn't fire you right off, Richard. He'd be very disappointed.
[00:26:40] Unknown:
And at first, he'd start cutting your various responsibilities. And after a while, you'd, well, you just have to resign. What do you want from me? Just listen. You have this attache case. When you get off at Orley Field in Paris, there's a newsstand near the gate. You'll see it. Go there. Stop at the counter. Put your attache case down the floor. You'll be looking at the newspapers. A man will come over and stand next to you, and he'll have a case just like yours. He'll put it down next to yours. You don't do anything. When he leaves, he'll pick up your case instead of his.
Then you pick up his and be on your way. Paris. I really have no reason to go to Paris. Find one. We have a customer who has to send some merchandise. But you Richard, we've been through it all. But, Paris, I'd have to convince my boss. Convince him. Listen. There's one thing you don't seem to take into consideration. Yeah. Me.
[00:27:53] Unknown:
My personality. Alright, you can force me to do this. Sure. Who would suspect me? No one ever asks. That's because every time I travel, I I have nothing to hide.
[00:28:04] Unknown:
But this time I'll have guilty knowledge. I'll be nervous. I'll I'll excite suspicion. Well, you just have to stop being nervous. I can't control that.
[00:28:13] Unknown:
I I might easily be arrested.
[00:28:15] Unknown:
That's always possible. You want me to talk. What can you tell him? I'll tell him about you. You don't even know my name I could describe you I deny it But my description used with other information could be just what they need That's true I wouldn't worry about it Look, I'm just trying to explain I said not to worry, Richard. Things will never get that far. If it looks like the cops are getting wise to you, you'd never even get a chance to talk. We'd knock you off first.
[00:28:51] Unknown:
And that parting shot certainly had the ring of conviction, didn't it? It doesn't get better for poor Richard, does it? Of course, he could have avoided this entire problem by not speaking to a beautiful stranger in a bar in the first place, but I'm sure he wouldn't appreciate this kind of moralizing. What he needs is a way out, and what we need is a third act, which we shall produce for you in just a few moments. And is a third act, which we shall produce for you in just a few moments. If I may paraphrase, some men are born thieves.
Some become thieves. Others have thievery thrust upon them. Does it matter if the fault is in our stars or in us? Either way, we pay the price. Paying full price with no hope of rebate or discount is our friend Richard Pomeroy. And all he wanted was just a little female companionship in a bar one night. Well, that sort of thing can become prohibitively expensive.
[00:30:02] Unknown:
I
[00:30:09] Unknown:
walked about in a daze. What was to become of me? I was a fool. But to be punished so severely? At home, things had become unbearable. Jeanette, well, she was so understanding. I could kill her. Richard. Why don't you come out with it and tell me you want a divorce?
[00:30:36] Unknown:
But I don't want a divorce. I've been unfaithful to you. That's true. But
[00:30:41] Unknown:
is that a reason to divorce you? I should think you'd be furious.
[00:30:45] Unknown:
I am. I was. But But what?
[00:30:49] Unknown:
Well, I have to be practical. Practical. You see, Ritter, I can't afford to divorce you. I'm too old, too old and too insecure to try to be on my own. I'm frightened. At least this way, I'm still missing somebody. But that's wrong. Of course. But it's practical.
[00:31:09] Unknown:
Practical.
[00:31:11] Unknown:
Will you be home to dinner tomorrow? No. Where will you be? Paris. Paris? But you hardly ever have to go overseas.
[00:31:22] Unknown:
I know. It's an emergency at the Paris plant.
[00:31:25] Unknown:
Let me come with you. Maybe if we could do more things together Well, what is it, Richard?
[00:31:36] Unknown:
I can't have you come with me. Oh, well, I'm sorry. I No. No. No. No. No. No. It's not what you think. It's not that at all. Well, then what is it? Well, Richard, tell me. I can't tell you. Don't ask me. You must never ask me. And so there was no hope. What kind of misfortune was dogging my footsteps? How much worse could things get? Get? He met me at the airport just a few minutes before the plane was scheduled to take off.
[00:32:12] Unknown:
Yeah. Figured I wouldn't make it, Listen. Have you done what I told you? I
[00:32:18] Unknown:
I think so. You had a safe case? You got nothing in it? No legit papers you're gonna need for your job? My case is empty. Oh, that's good. Because this one I got here, this one, that's a dead ringer for yours. This one ain't empty. What's in it? Oh, couple of pads, pencils, magazine,
[00:32:39] Unknown:
and then there's a little compartment on the bottom. What's in there? What do you care? The less you know, the less loud we are to blow.
[00:32:49] Unknown:
Hey. That rhymes. Wow. Alright. Now let's each put our attache case on this empty seat. And when we get up, I take your empty case and you take my live one. It's like shooting fish in a barrel.
[00:33:07] Unknown:
Yes. And I felt just like the fish. I took his attache case and boarded the plane. I thought I'd feel terrified, but surprisingly, I felt nothing. Nothing at all. It was only when the plane touched down that I felt a wave of agitation sweep through me. I knew my entire body was trembling as I approached the customs counter. The officer was a tall, fat man with small eyes and a mean look on his face. He permitted some people to just pass him by, but he looked at me and he made me stop. Bad sign. Could it be my manner? Was he suspicious?
He nodded at me to open my bag. Suitcase, I knew it was safe. And that inspection took less than a minute, but then he said,
[00:34:00] Unknown:
We have the check case, monsieur.
[00:34:02] Unknown:
We have the check case. Yes, monsieur. We need to object on Object? Well, why should object on? I mean, if I were to object, it would automatically mean that I I was hiding something, wouldn't it? It could also mean that monsieur is a fool You're absolutely welcome to search this thing as as as thoroughly as possible. Oh, you may pass, monsieur. Oh, thank you. Thank you very much. What was the matter with me? I was so nervous. I couldn't stop jabbering. This particular customs officer took me for a fool But I know that I'd really become suspicious I almost forgot what I was supposed to do And then I remembered I walked over to the newsstand Pretended to be interested in some foreign papers I'd be becoming more and more frightened. Suddenly, I became aware of a voice in my ear. Put that case downtown on the floor. You're holding it in your hand.
And so I was, not just holding it, but gripping it, clutching it, hanging on to it as if my life depended on it. I forced myself to relax my grip. I was aware of a man in a raincoat when a hat pulled over his eyes. He placed his case down on the floor. Shape up, buddy, or you'll never get out of this racket alive. He picked up my hat to shave his, leaving me his. Finally, I was able to pick his up and get out of there as fast as I could. That was my first delivery, and it was successful. At least once or twice a month, there were other deliveries.
And although my face might have been composed and relaxed, each time I became more and more frightened, I didn't know how to escape.
[00:35:42] Unknown:
The great attache case mystery. What what did you say to that? I've decided to do something in my old age. I've decided to write mystery stories. Mystery stories? Why not? The best of them seem to be written by mature ladies. What what's this about an attache case? Perhaps I should have said your attache case. What what what about it? Panel. I notice each time you returned on a trip, it was a different one. A different one. Put in that. Get on that. Attache case. Where they all look more or less the same, but not to me. You see, there are minute differences in size and shade and the amount of wear.
Very trivial differences, but obvious to me. Ask me why. Go ahead. Why? I look at you very closely, Richard. I have nothing else to do. So I sit and I speculate. Where is he going? What is he doing? And at night when you're asleep, that is the night you're home. I sneak downstairs and examine those briefcases. Jeanette. Each briefcase has a secret compartment. Jeanette. And so I could only deduce that my husband is engaged in smuggling. How did you ever figure that? I'll be honest. Actually, you talk in your sleep. Oh. Darling.
[00:37:15] Unknown:
Darling, let me help you. No one can help me. Danette, I'm so frightened. There are times when I could die of fright. You don't know what it is.
[00:37:24] Unknown:
Each time I carry that attache case, I think I'll get a heart attack.
[00:37:28] Unknown:
Sooner or later, I'll be picked up and go to jail. I'll be disgraced for life. What is it? Those people don't kill me first. Let me help you. Help me? How can you help me? You'll go to the police. No.
[00:37:41] Unknown:
Don't you think I thought of that? What good would it do? We could explain how you were trapped.
[00:37:46] Unknown:
In return for your cooperation, you'd be set free. It would probably never even be published on you. Can't help me. Even if I get some of them arrested, they could still make sure that mister Darling sees those pictures.
[00:37:59] Unknown:
What pictures?
[00:38:01] Unknown:
I didn't I didn't talk about those in my sleep, did I? No. They're pictures of me photographs of me with that that woman. And so now
[00:38:10] Unknown:
I don't suppose I'll save you, Richard.
[00:38:17] Unknown:
Anything I say, it sounds so stupid. But I love you. I've been stupid and I have been selfish. I know. But I love you. I I haven't really shown it lately.
[00:38:30] Unknown:
That's true. What are we gonna do? How are we Let me do this, Richard. I have to do it alone. Do what alone? I'm going to the police.
[00:38:42] Unknown:
Before I knew what she was doing, she was out of the house. I didn't know what to say. Was she just playing with me? Was she gonna turn me in? Was that to be her revenge? Now why did I even think that? But still after the way I treated her, wouldn't she save me? I don't know how long I kept pushing it all around, but after a while, she came home.
[00:39:08] Unknown:
It's fixed. Fixed? What do you mean fixed? As far as you're concerned, it's all over. Over? Just like that? It will be over after your next job. How? You're not to ask. Just do the same thing you always do. But what's gonna happen? You'll see.
[00:39:26] Unknown:
And I saw. I met him at the airport as usual, and we chatted as usual. And then after each of us had set his attache case on an empty chair I must say, Richard, you're getting to be an old timer.
[00:39:38] Unknown:
Is that so? Mhmm. Cool. That's you. Oh, really? First couple of times, I thought we was gonna lose you. But you like good wine, pal. You're mellow with age. Alright. You better beat it. You'll miss your plane.
[00:39:55] Unknown:
I picked up the wrong briefcase as usual. And just as I walked away, I turned around to look. I saw some men suddenly converge on him, and they just hustled him out of the terminal. The men did look like police and I became frightened was this how Jeanette would help me how would this stop them from sending the pictures to mister darling I worried about it all the way to Paris and there at the news stand, I set the attache case down on the ground. And as usual, the man in the raincoat was waiting, and he picked up my attache case. He hadn't gone 10 feet when a couple of gendons grabbed him.
Janette. Oh, Richard Darling. You're home. How do you know what happened? Both those men, they were arrested. That's right. Well, how does that help me? Mister Darling is definitely gonna receive those photographs. Oh, I'm sure he will. Do you know what that means? Yes. He'll kick me out. He won't tolerate that kind of conduct. I don't think he will. How can you say that? You know, mister Darling? Mister Darling has just received a letter from the police. A letter? I made
[00:41:09] Unknown:
you. Certain photographs would be shown to him. Now he's gonna get it for both sides. You see, he will be told that you were doing undercover work for the police and that these pictures were made during the line of duty. Oh. And he is not to even mention it to you in any way.
[00:41:33] Unknown:
Richard.
[00:41:34] Unknown:
You sent for me, mister Darling? Yes.
[00:41:37] Unknown:
Richard, I I think it's splendid that a private citizen, a civilian, could go out of his way to assist the authorities in undercover activities. Sir. No. I'm not supposed to say anything about it, but I I want you to know that I appreciate what you've done for law and order and morality.
[00:42:00] Unknown:
Thank you, sir.
[00:42:07] Unknown:
And there, the the matter must rest. Undercover activities indeed. I should tell you that Richard and Jeanette lived happily ever after. Richard made that one mistake, and he paid for it. And if some of you think he should have paid more, well, what is it they say about those who reside in glass houses? I shall be back in a few moments. The 1977 Buick Regal. It comes with Buick's terrific v six engine. It carries six people and lots of Buick comfort. It's lean. It's maneuverable in city traffic. It's the most luxurious midsize car Buick builds. Yeah. This new Regal is pretty much everything a car should be, except for one thing. It isn't yours yet, but it can be. Just see a Buick dealer for a test drive soon.
This has been a story about everyday people, nonheroes, people who have no great talent or ability, people who just get along as best they can from day to day, people who have virtues and vices, who range midway between the sinner and the saint.
[00:43:36] Unknown:
In short,
[00:43:37] Unknown:
people very much like you and me. Our cast included Mason Adams, EV Juster, and Robert Dryden. The entire production was under the direction of Hyman Brown. And now
[00:43:53] Unknown:
a preview of our next tale. You mean when I crashed during the Stuttgart raid, he helped you and the others smuggle me out and back to England? He was the one who picked you up when you parachuted down. He risked his life for you dragging an unconscious man in daylight right under the noses of the Germans to one of our hideouts. Well, somebody hats off to him, but these are different, you know. Different times. To help any member of the underground is simply a reflex action as tonight. And at any time, I would trust Jean with my life. I would always be sure that
[00:44:26] Unknown:
What what is it? There's something in the pocket of my coat. He must have slipped it there when he embraced me. What? You said neck? Diovan neck?
[00:44:38] Unknown:
Shh. The police are coming back. You better report it to me. No. But if you love me, if you ever want to marry me, say nothing. Let me do the talking. Radio Mystery Theater was sponsored in part by Exlax and Buick Motor Division. This is EG Marshall inviting you to return to our mystery theater for another adventure in the macabre. Until next time. Pleasant dreams.
[00:45:43] Unknown:
Whatever business you're in, growth isn't just about getting bigger. At ADP, we believe it's about getting stronger by turning data into insights so you can build teams that work as teams by using our AI technology to help catch payroll errors before their errors and by keeping ahead of thousands of regulations so you can keep ahead of everything else. ADP helps businesses like yours grow stronger every day. ADP, HR talent, time, and payroll.
The CBS Radio Mystery Theater presents Come in. Welcome. I'm EG Marshall. The boundaries which divide life from death, said Edgar Allan Poe, are at best shadowy and vague. And who shall say where the one ends and the other begins? Who indeed? Certainly not mister Poe when he wrote those sentiments over a hundred years ago, and how curiously modern they seem today. Where does life and death begin? And who is to judge?
[00:00:56] Unknown:
What makes you so sure of yourself, sir?
[00:01:00] Unknown:
I know what I believe. I know how I was raised. I know my attitude toward life. Is that so?
[00:01:08] Unknown:
And do you consider yourself a moral, upright, honest man? With all with all modesty,
[00:01:15] Unknown:
I would say yes.
[00:01:17] Unknown:
Well, I've only known you for these past few minutes, but I'll make a bet that I could make you cheat on your wife, steal from your boss and even commit murder during the next forty eight hours.
[00:01:40] Unknown:
Our mystery drama, A Casual Affair, was written especially for the mystery theater by Sam Dan and stars Mason Adams. It is sponsored in part by General Electric and Buick Motor Division. I'll be back shortly with act one. The traveling salesman used to be very much a part of the folklore of America. The traveling salesman, or drummer, as he was also called, was usually brash, gaudy, outrageous in speech and manner. Well, times and types change. Today, you have men who travel for their companies, who are the very models of conservatism. They wear quiet but expensive clothes.
They stop at the best hotels and dine in the most exclusive restaurants. Thousand miles from home. He's waiting to die, is a thousand miles from home. He's waiting to dine alone, sitting at the bar until he will be shown to a table. Sitting next to him is a rather attractive woman of about 30. Richard is a man who doesn't play around, but it shouldn't be implied that he never thinks about it.
[00:03:14] Unknown:
Very nice. I wonder if she's married. She's wearing a ring. But is it a wet no. Better not start anything. Start. I wouldn't know how to start. Some fellas, it just goes. They smile, say care for a drink, and they're home. If I try something like that, alright. The truth is I don't wanna try it. I'm just not interested. I've never done anything like it in all the years I've been married, and I don't intend to start now.
[00:03:48] Unknown:
Mark, you want to buy me a drink? Buy me a drink. I I beg your pardon? Oh, you've been in our soul searching. You've made all the normal objections.
[00:03:59] Unknown:
Are you a mind reader? I'll have a bourbon
[00:04:02] Unknown:
sour. Bartender, are they the same here?
[00:04:06] Unknown:
No. I'd say I'm a mouth reader.
[00:04:09] Unknown:
A mouth reader?
[00:04:11] Unknown:
Just watch a person's mouth. See how his lips narrow, become tight. He'll bite one of his lips when he's under stress. There are those who bite their upper lip and those who bite the lower. Which type are you? I hadn't thought about it. Well, everybody bites one or the other. You're an upper biter. I've been watching you. I never knew that. Upperbiters form the minority. They're usually highly introspective
[00:04:40] Unknown:
people. Yes. Yes. I I have been called introspective.
[00:04:44] Unknown:
Scientifically inclined.
[00:04:46] Unknown:
So you know there might be something to it. I'm an engineer. That's fair. You think proves my fairies correct? No. I I don't I don't work as an engineer exactly. I I sell motors, but I I have to troubleshoot for the entire corporation.
[00:04:59] Unknown:
Our providers are also very hard workers. Yes. That describes me alright. I've
[00:05:06] Unknown:
my name is Richard Pomeroy.
[00:05:08] Unknown:
And I'm Cressida Harlow.
[00:05:10] Unknown:
Cressida? Mhmm. That's a most unusual name. That's very pretty. Are you, I mean,
[00:05:17] Unknown:
Am I waiting for a new? No. I'd love to have dinner with you. Oh, well, of course. Do you live here? No. I'm traveling just as you are. What do you do?
[00:05:31] Unknown:
What you do?
[00:05:32] Unknown:
I sell market research.
[00:05:35] Unknown:
Must be a fascinating field. Just a job.
[00:05:38] Unknown:
Do you really wanna talk shop?
[00:05:41] Unknown:
No. Not really.
[00:05:44] Unknown:
Are you married?
[00:05:46] Unknown:
Yes.
[00:05:49] Unknown:
That slight hesitation is if you weren't sure how you wanted to answer.
[00:05:54] Unknown:
You're a very disconcerting woman.
[00:05:59] Unknown:
Life is a disconcerting disconcerting experience. Are you married? Divorced. Are you, happily married?
[00:06:10] Unknown:
Yes.
[00:06:12] Unknown:
I see you had to stop to think again.
[00:06:15] Unknown:
I wanted to be honest.
[00:06:16] Unknown:
With who? Me or yourself?
[00:06:25] Unknown:
Right now, I should run. Run from this place. Go to the airport and get on a plane. If there's nothing flying to Chicago at this hour, I should rent a car and drive through till morning. I am getting involved. I never met anyone like her in my life. I thought I did when I met Jeanette. She's what I hoped Jeanette would become, but never did. This gray eyed woman, she's like a goddess. Something's happened between us. I know it, and she knows it. And we'll end this evening in my room or hers. And I will have started something I won't know how to finish.
I should say goodbye right now. But why can't it just end with dinner and a pleasant good night? Who says it has to go further?
[00:07:22] Unknown:
I would assume you are doing something for the first time.
[00:07:26] Unknown:
Doing what?
[00:07:27] Unknown:
Technically, what you've done is you've picked me up at a bar.
[00:07:32] Unknown:
Technically,
[00:07:33] Unknown:
I believe you spoke first. But you intended to speak first. You just didn't know how. Which leads me to assume you have very little experience at this sort of thing. Practically not. You can thank woman's lib. For what? Well, in the ordinary way, I would never have had the courage to strike up a conversation in a bar with a strange man. But I've learned that it simply isn't right for the man to have all the options. If I see an attractive person, why shouldn't I say hello? I agree. It's a difficult life. Constantly traveling Why are you at present company at dinner?
[00:08:17] Unknown:
Dinner was wonderful I've never felt so happy but that we would just let things take their proper course. But that we would just let things take their proper course. And they did. Our hands met and clasped across the table, and we looked deeply into each other's eyes. The moment had arrived, and the movement was automatic. We kissed. It was a light brief brush of the lips, but it was a promise of what was to come, of what had to be. Following morning, we had breakfast together at the hotel. And where will you be going today?
[00:09:13] Unknown:
Indianapolis.
[00:09:15] Unknown:
Indianapolis, Indiana. Did you know that's the only major city in The United States that isn't on a river? No.
[00:09:22] Unknown:
Oh, you have a wealth of knowledge.
[00:09:24] Unknown:
Trebia. Do you know why, darling? Tell me, darling. Because till now I had nothing better to occupy my time. But now I have you.
[00:09:36] Unknown:
Mhmm. And where are you going? Chicago. Richard, is is this goodbye?
[00:09:44] Unknown:
Do you want it to be? Can you ask me that after last night? When can we meet again?
[00:09:51] Unknown:
Whenever you say.
[00:09:53] Unknown:
But, darling
[00:09:54] Unknown:
Yes?
[00:09:55] Unknown:
How?
[00:09:56] Unknown:
How? We can meet whenever we want each other or need each other. All we have to do is board an airplane. But darling It's another way of looking at the world, Richard. You see, till now the traveling each of us does was a job. Now it's a joy and a deliverance. It enables us to come together. But I don't see how we Meet me in San Francisco on Friday. I have no reason to go there. Oh, yes. You have. I'm the reason. I'm sure there are motors which aren't functioning to your complete satisfaction in the San Francisco plant. True. I'm never really satisfied with our manufacturing processes. Of course. And my company always has clients who need extra service. Till extra service.
[00:10:38] Unknown:
Till Friday, darling. Till Friday?
[00:10:51] Unknown:
Would you care for some eggs, Richard? No. Thank you, dear. The Collins have asked us to dinner. Oh, that's good. I like George and Marie. I know you do. Therefore, I accepted without consulting you.
[00:11:03] Unknown:
Without consulting me? Me? Mhmm. Really, Jeanette, you make it sound as if I'm your lord and master without whose permission you are scarcely permitted to breathe. Richard, it's just that you travel so much. I told you. You are in complete charge of social arrangements.
[00:11:19] Unknown:
Very well. Dinner at eight. Good. Friday night.
[00:11:23] Unknown:
We can't go. What? I'm sorry, Jeanette. Really. I'll be out of town on Friday.
[00:11:30] Unknown:
It's alright. The Collins will understand. It's something everybody understands today, the demands of a man's
[00:11:37] Unknown:
job. Yeah. Jeanette, darling, this this trip is absolutely necessary. I assume it is. You see, the q series of motors, the ones that power the operating arm is oh, boy. I'm not I'm not supposed to talk about it. Sure. I couldn't hope to understand. No. No. No. I'm not even supposed to say I'm working on something top secret either. Even that's top secret.
[00:11:59] Unknown:
Richard. Richard, where will you be going Friday? Where?
[00:12:05] Unknown:
San Francisco.
[00:12:06] Unknown:
Do you suppose I could go with you?
[00:12:09] Unknown:
You you you wanna come with me? Yes. Oh, well, I I would think that you had a million things to do. That is you usually have.
[00:12:19] Unknown:
Why shouldn't I come to San Francisco with you? Well, you'd be bored silly. The truth is I'm bored silly here at home.
[00:12:27] Unknown:
We could have so much fun in San Francisco. Well, yeah. But I'm not going there to have fun. I'll be in meetings all day, and they usually run through dinner.
[00:12:36] Unknown:
I understand, but we could have Saturday and Sunday. There's so much to do and to see.
[00:12:44] Unknown:
The truth is, darling, we won't have Saturday and Sunday. See, the reason I'm going Friday is is to watch the production line in operation, and that leaves me the weekend when the line is down to make whatever alterations that I've Yes. Yes. I understand.
[00:12:59] Unknown:
I'll be at it straight through. I'll be lucky to finish on Sunday night.
[00:13:03] Unknown:
And Monday, of course, I have to be at the office. So what kind of weekend would that be for you? Well, another time. Of course. Another time. It was the first time I'd ever lied to Jeanette. I was sorry. Felt badly. As a matter of fact, I was still feeling badly at dinner Friday night in San Francisco with President.
[00:13:31] Unknown:
You have a guilty conscience. Well, how do you know? This is the first time for you again, isn't it? Yes. How about you?
[00:13:41] Unknown:
Weren't you married?
[00:13:43] Unknown:
Always grew tired of each other. It had to happen. What do you mean? Well, you change every day. If you're honest, you admit it. Most people don't. They try to hold on to what they were, what they had, so they harden into a mold. Wouldn't be happy you're breaking out of yours, Richard.
[00:14:02] Unknown:
I am not sure I follow that. Oh, but you do. You and your wife.
[00:14:07] Unknown:
You're no longer the same people you were when you met and fell in love and married, are you? No. Then why do you try to hold on to it now? Live now. Love now. Make no promise you cannot keep.
[00:14:22] Unknown:
President, I promise you. No. You love me now. It's enough. I've never really lived for the moment. But the moment is all there is I could never give you up Think Richard
[00:14:37] Unknown:
Didn't you once say something like that to the woman you married?
[00:14:41] Unknown:
Yes I may have But this time, I mean it. I could never give you up. You never know, Richard, darling.
[00:14:49] Unknown:
The time may come when you can't wait to get rid of me. Never. Never is a long time, Richard.
[00:15:04] Unknown:
And so it is. What kind of lady is this Cressida Harlow? This beautiful woman who only wants
[00:15:19] Unknown:
a
[00:15:27] Unknown:
Act two may bring us another perspective. Well, here we have mister Richard Pomeroy, an engineer. We mention his profession because engineers are, as a group, serious, sober minded fellows who weigh and measure and who deal in the sciences, a conservative group, to say the least. Mister Pomeroy has been married for some fifteen years to a very quiet lady, and suddenly, he has strayed off the reservation. He has been absolutely knocked off his feet by a woman named Cressida Harlow.
[00:16:20] Unknown:
The next several months passed as it had been a dream, a dream paradise. Each of us had jobs which allowed us unlimited, unquestioned travel, and we met once or twice a week all over the country, all over the world. My home was no longer my base of operations. It was merely a place where I had to make certain ritual visits. My true home was with Cressida. And then one morning, Jeanette looked at me.
[00:16:54] Unknown:
Who is she, Richard?
[00:16:56] Unknown:
Who who is who? The woman
[00:16:59] Unknown:
with whom you're having an affair.
[00:17:01] Unknown:
I this is It isn't true.
[00:17:05] Unknown:
What makes you say I'm I'm having an affair?
[00:17:08] Unknown:
You dress differently now, Richard. You're lighter, quicker on your feet. You seem happy. But, Jeanette I thought we built something these past fifteen years. Jeanette Something that would sustain us. But I suppose it. I know I'm no longer young. Jeanette. Do you deny it? Please, darling. You want a divorce? I see. You're not that sure of her. What does she want, Richard? You make a very good living, but you don't have what could be considered real money.
[00:17:45] Unknown:
What does she want? Has it ever occurred to you that she wants me? Why? Why? Why? Because because I'm an exciting person. No, Richard.
[00:17:57] Unknown:
Exciting. You're not. Serious, sober minded. Yes. But exciting. Definitely not. Jeanette, I don't wanna talk about this now. She doesn't want to marry you. You're not all that rich. What does she want, Richard?
[00:18:17] Unknown:
How could I hope to explain? There are free spirits in the world, and they come down to Earth now and then. Cressida is one of them. And the last time she came down to Earth, I'm I'm talking figuratively now, you understand? She happened to light beside me. What does she want? She wants nothing. Nothing but the joy of the moment. How could I explain that to Jeanette? I didn't. I simply left for the office. But just thinking about Cressida maybe Warner. And so as soon as I reached my desk, I picked up my phone and I dialed a number. And it rang and it rang, and there was no answer.
Funny she had a service. I could always leave a message. I tried her at her office.
[00:19:10] Unknown:
Call Roland Carson. Miss Cressida Harlow, please. Miss Cressida Hollow is no longer with us.
[00:19:17] Unknown:
I beg your pardon? Miss Harlow is no longer with us. But where is she? Miss Harlow resigned last week. She couldn't have. Where did she go? Miss Harlow said she would send us an address where where we could forward her messages.
[00:19:31] Unknown:
Would you care to leave your name?
[00:19:34] Unknown:
No. I was stunned. Shocked. I couldn't imagine what had happened or why. How could she just disappear? I know she had said it would be over one day, but like this so abruptly? But before I could think it through, I became aware of a man standing next to my desk. How'd you get in here? I walked in. Who? Who are you? I think I better close the door.
[00:20:12] Unknown:
So what makes you think you can just barge in here? Okay. Okay. Let's get with it. Never mind how I got in here and what you think you can do about it. I want you to do me a favor. Paris? You. You gotta check out the motors in the French factory. I refuse to hear another word. You have no right to be in here. We're engaged in government contracts. Can get a lot of trouble. I'm gonna call a guard this minute. Yeah. You do that. You call a guard, and I'll show him this picture, and then I'll show him this one. I see.
You're not gonna call a guy. That's very good thinking. Where did you get the the guy who took these photos, isn't he just terrific? He calls it a pictorial essay. Here's you and this gorgeous dame sitting so cozy in this nightclub, and here are you, Romeo, leaning across the table to give her a great big kiss. End of act one. Act two takes place in the hotel. How did you get how did you Go ahead. Go ahead. Bear them up. We have the negatives. This is this is Words say they are. Well, they should. Now while you're trying to find the right ones, let me analyze the situation. You're being offered a job with my company, a part time job. It won't interfere with your regular activity. Activity. I refuse to Why do you interrupt?
You're sitting there with a bust hand against four races. Now who you're trying to bluff? You see, Richard, we deliver things from a client in one country to a client in another. Jewels, drugs, for example, negotiable bonds. But you didn't get the idea? Well, you can't come in. We need messengers, the kind of messenger that no customs officer, no cop would ever dream to suspect. I won't do it. You won't, Richard? What can you do? Show those pictures to my wife? Well, she already knows I'm having an affair, so do your worst. Richard,
[00:22:32] Unknown:
don't make it come to the worst. I think that I actually thought I was in love with that
[00:22:37] Unknown:
miss Crescent of Harlow. You gotta admit she does a great job.
[00:22:43] Unknown:
Where where is she now?
[00:22:45] Unknown:
We call her sergeant Harlow. You ever meet a better recruiting sergeant? You've stated your proposition. The answer is no. Ah, you're upset. And I understand. But you'll be in shape to listen to reason in a couple of days.
[00:23:06] Unknown:
What does she want from you, Richard? I could hear Jeanette's question. It was obvious what she wanted from me. Obvious now. How could such a thing happen to me? I was a foolish middle aged man looking for a fling. And the tragedy was I didn't know I was looking. My marriage was ruined, but at least the damage would stop there. Blackmail. How could they hope to blackmail me by telling my wife? The fools didn't realize I already lost it. And in the midst of this reverie, the telephone rang. It was the big boss himself. Wanted to see me immediately.
[00:23:51] Unknown:
Yes, mister Darling. Oh, sit down, Richard. Sit down. What did I wanna see you about? Let me look it up here. Oh, yes. Yes. How is Janae? Oh, she's she's fine. Alright. We're here. She's one of my favorite ladies. There are very few ladies around these days. Lots of women, but very few ladies. You all hear yes. Yes. Yes. Here it is. My note. Tell Richard why I won't hire Jim Demorest. You won't hire Jim Demorest? No, Richard. I will not. Well, you asked me for my recommendation. I ordered. He's a first grade engineer. I'm sure he is. But I always hire the men in my department. You usually do, but we must make an exception in the case of Jim Demorest. I won't have him in my company. Why, mister Darling? Man has no morals.
[00:24:36] Unknown:
What do you mean, sir? Far as women are concerned.
[00:24:39] Unknown:
I don't think it's necessary to go into details. But isn't that Jim Demorest, Sophia? No, Richard. He's a married man with children, and he's a notorious rake. Well, well, isn't that word still used today? Oh, whatever. Well, mister Darling, a man's private life A man who cheats on his wife cheats. Part of his makeup. If he cheats her and he's bound to her by the laws of both the church and state, well, that does sound a bit stuffy. I admit. Well, then, well, how else can I put it this? At any rate, why shouldn't he cheat me? I'm only his employer. Mister darling, good engineers are very hard to find. All good men are hard to find. And this is a hard company to work for. We can only do quality work because we have quality employees.
Look for men like yourself, Richard. Honest, loyal, sincere people. You understand?
[00:25:30] Unknown:
Yes, sir. I understand. Mind if I join you? Yes. I do. I'll even pick up the tab. Oh, it's nice little joint here.
[00:25:47] Unknown:
How's the food? I told you I wouldn't have anything to do with your Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Let me tell you how it works. What works? The switch.
[00:25:56] Unknown:
You see, you have an attache case, and we make up one exactly like it. Now before you leave for the trip, in this case, Pat How many times do I have to tell you? For an engineer, you really can't read diagrams too good. You know that? What diagrams? That little pictorial essay. Show it to my wife. It doesn't matter. It's not such a good idea. You see, we thought we'd show it to your boss.
[00:26:26] Unknown:
To my
[00:26:27] Unknown:
Richard, in all these situations, you always go to the top. That's how to get results. You can't do that. He he wouldn't fire you right off, Richard. He'd be very disappointed.
[00:26:40] Unknown:
And at first, he'd start cutting your various responsibilities. And after a while, you'd, well, you just have to resign. What do you want from me? Just listen. You have this attache case. When you get off at Orley Field in Paris, there's a newsstand near the gate. You'll see it. Go there. Stop at the counter. Put your attache case down the floor. You'll be looking at the newspapers. A man will come over and stand next to you, and he'll have a case just like yours. He'll put it down next to yours. You don't do anything. When he leaves, he'll pick up your case instead of his.
Then you pick up his and be on your way. Paris. I really have no reason to go to Paris. Find one. We have a customer who has to send some merchandise. But you Richard, we've been through it all. But, Paris, I'd have to convince my boss. Convince him. Listen. There's one thing you don't seem to take into consideration. Yeah. Me.
[00:27:53] Unknown:
My personality. Alright, you can force me to do this. Sure. Who would suspect me? No one ever asks. That's because every time I travel, I I have nothing to hide.
[00:28:04] Unknown:
But this time I'll have guilty knowledge. I'll be nervous. I'll I'll excite suspicion. Well, you just have to stop being nervous. I can't control that.
[00:28:13] Unknown:
I I might easily be arrested.
[00:28:15] Unknown:
That's always possible. You want me to talk. What can you tell him? I'll tell him about you. You don't even know my name I could describe you I deny it But my description used with other information could be just what they need That's true I wouldn't worry about it Look, I'm just trying to explain I said not to worry, Richard. Things will never get that far. If it looks like the cops are getting wise to you, you'd never even get a chance to talk. We'd knock you off first.
[00:28:51] Unknown:
And that parting shot certainly had the ring of conviction, didn't it? It doesn't get better for poor Richard, does it? Of course, he could have avoided this entire problem by not speaking to a beautiful stranger in a bar in the first place, but I'm sure he wouldn't appreciate this kind of moralizing. What he needs is a way out, and what we need is a third act, which we shall produce for you in just a few moments. And is a third act, which we shall produce for you in just a few moments. If I may paraphrase, some men are born thieves.
Some become thieves. Others have thievery thrust upon them. Does it matter if the fault is in our stars or in us? Either way, we pay the price. Paying full price with no hope of rebate or discount is our friend Richard Pomeroy. And all he wanted was just a little female companionship in a bar one night. Well, that sort of thing can become prohibitively expensive.
[00:30:02] Unknown:
I
[00:30:09] Unknown:
walked about in a daze. What was to become of me? I was a fool. But to be punished so severely? At home, things had become unbearable. Jeanette, well, she was so understanding. I could kill her. Richard. Why don't you come out with it and tell me you want a divorce?
[00:30:36] Unknown:
But I don't want a divorce. I've been unfaithful to you. That's true. But
[00:30:41] Unknown:
is that a reason to divorce you? I should think you'd be furious.
[00:30:45] Unknown:
I am. I was. But But what?
[00:30:49] Unknown:
Well, I have to be practical. Practical. You see, Ritter, I can't afford to divorce you. I'm too old, too old and too insecure to try to be on my own. I'm frightened. At least this way, I'm still missing somebody. But that's wrong. Of course. But it's practical.
[00:31:09] Unknown:
Practical.
[00:31:11] Unknown:
Will you be home to dinner tomorrow? No. Where will you be? Paris. Paris? But you hardly ever have to go overseas.
[00:31:22] Unknown:
I know. It's an emergency at the Paris plant.
[00:31:25] Unknown:
Let me come with you. Maybe if we could do more things together Well, what is it, Richard?
[00:31:36] Unknown:
I can't have you come with me. Oh, well, I'm sorry. I No. No. No. No. No. No. It's not what you think. It's not that at all. Well, then what is it? Well, Richard, tell me. I can't tell you. Don't ask me. You must never ask me. And so there was no hope. What kind of misfortune was dogging my footsteps? How much worse could things get? Get? He met me at the airport just a few minutes before the plane was scheduled to take off.
[00:32:12] Unknown:
Yeah. Figured I wouldn't make it, Listen. Have you done what I told you? I
[00:32:18] Unknown:
I think so. You had a safe case? You got nothing in it? No legit papers you're gonna need for your job? My case is empty. Oh, that's good. Because this one I got here, this one, that's a dead ringer for yours. This one ain't empty. What's in it? Oh, couple of pads, pencils, magazine,
[00:32:39] Unknown:
and then there's a little compartment on the bottom. What's in there? What do you care? The less you know, the less loud we are to blow.
[00:32:49] Unknown:
Hey. That rhymes. Wow. Alright. Now let's each put our attache case on this empty seat. And when we get up, I take your empty case and you take my live one. It's like shooting fish in a barrel.
[00:33:07] Unknown:
Yes. And I felt just like the fish. I took his attache case and boarded the plane. I thought I'd feel terrified, but surprisingly, I felt nothing. Nothing at all. It was only when the plane touched down that I felt a wave of agitation sweep through me. I knew my entire body was trembling as I approached the customs counter. The officer was a tall, fat man with small eyes and a mean look on his face. He permitted some people to just pass him by, but he looked at me and he made me stop. Bad sign. Could it be my manner? Was he suspicious?
He nodded at me to open my bag. Suitcase, I knew it was safe. And that inspection took less than a minute, but then he said,
[00:34:00] Unknown:
We have the check case, monsieur.
[00:34:02] Unknown:
We have the check case. Yes, monsieur. We need to object on Object? Well, why should object on? I mean, if I were to object, it would automatically mean that I I was hiding something, wouldn't it? It could also mean that monsieur is a fool You're absolutely welcome to search this thing as as as thoroughly as possible. Oh, you may pass, monsieur. Oh, thank you. Thank you very much. What was the matter with me? I was so nervous. I couldn't stop jabbering. This particular customs officer took me for a fool But I know that I'd really become suspicious I almost forgot what I was supposed to do And then I remembered I walked over to the newsstand Pretended to be interested in some foreign papers I'd be becoming more and more frightened. Suddenly, I became aware of a voice in my ear. Put that case downtown on the floor. You're holding it in your hand.
And so I was, not just holding it, but gripping it, clutching it, hanging on to it as if my life depended on it. I forced myself to relax my grip. I was aware of a man in a raincoat when a hat pulled over his eyes. He placed his case down on the floor. Shape up, buddy, or you'll never get out of this racket alive. He picked up my hat to shave his, leaving me his. Finally, I was able to pick his up and get out of there as fast as I could. That was my first delivery, and it was successful. At least once or twice a month, there were other deliveries.
And although my face might have been composed and relaxed, each time I became more and more frightened, I didn't know how to escape.
[00:35:42] Unknown:
The great attache case mystery. What what did you say to that? I've decided to do something in my old age. I've decided to write mystery stories. Mystery stories? Why not? The best of them seem to be written by mature ladies. What what's this about an attache case? Perhaps I should have said your attache case. What what what about it? Panel. I notice each time you returned on a trip, it was a different one. A different one. Put in that. Get on that. Attache case. Where they all look more or less the same, but not to me. You see, there are minute differences in size and shade and the amount of wear.
Very trivial differences, but obvious to me. Ask me why. Go ahead. Why? I look at you very closely, Richard. I have nothing else to do. So I sit and I speculate. Where is he going? What is he doing? And at night when you're asleep, that is the night you're home. I sneak downstairs and examine those briefcases. Jeanette. Each briefcase has a secret compartment. Jeanette. And so I could only deduce that my husband is engaged in smuggling. How did you ever figure that? I'll be honest. Actually, you talk in your sleep. Oh. Darling.
[00:37:15] Unknown:
Darling, let me help you. No one can help me. Danette, I'm so frightened. There are times when I could die of fright. You don't know what it is.
[00:37:24] Unknown:
Each time I carry that attache case, I think I'll get a heart attack.
[00:37:28] Unknown:
Sooner or later, I'll be picked up and go to jail. I'll be disgraced for life. What is it? Those people don't kill me first. Let me help you. Help me? How can you help me? You'll go to the police. No.
[00:37:41] Unknown:
Don't you think I thought of that? What good would it do? We could explain how you were trapped.
[00:37:46] Unknown:
In return for your cooperation, you'd be set free. It would probably never even be published on you. Can't help me. Even if I get some of them arrested, they could still make sure that mister Darling sees those pictures.
[00:37:59] Unknown:
What pictures?
[00:38:01] Unknown:
I didn't I didn't talk about those in my sleep, did I? No. They're pictures of me photographs of me with that that woman. And so now
[00:38:10] Unknown:
I don't suppose I'll save you, Richard.
[00:38:17] Unknown:
Anything I say, it sounds so stupid. But I love you. I've been stupid and I have been selfish. I know. But I love you. I I haven't really shown it lately.
[00:38:30] Unknown:
That's true. What are we gonna do? How are we Let me do this, Richard. I have to do it alone. Do what alone? I'm going to the police.
[00:38:42] Unknown:
Before I knew what she was doing, she was out of the house. I didn't know what to say. Was she just playing with me? Was she gonna turn me in? Was that to be her revenge? Now why did I even think that? But still after the way I treated her, wouldn't she save me? I don't know how long I kept pushing it all around, but after a while, she came home.
[00:39:08] Unknown:
It's fixed. Fixed? What do you mean fixed? As far as you're concerned, it's all over. Over? Just like that? It will be over after your next job. How? You're not to ask. Just do the same thing you always do. But what's gonna happen? You'll see.
[00:39:26] Unknown:
And I saw. I met him at the airport as usual, and we chatted as usual. And then after each of us had set his attache case on an empty chair I must say, Richard, you're getting to be an old timer.
[00:39:38] Unknown:
Is that so? Mhmm. Cool. That's you. Oh, really? First couple of times, I thought we was gonna lose you. But you like good wine, pal. You're mellow with age. Alright. You better beat it. You'll miss your plane.
[00:39:55] Unknown:
I picked up the wrong briefcase as usual. And just as I walked away, I turned around to look. I saw some men suddenly converge on him, and they just hustled him out of the terminal. The men did look like police and I became frightened was this how Jeanette would help me how would this stop them from sending the pictures to mister darling I worried about it all the way to Paris and there at the news stand, I set the attache case down on the ground. And as usual, the man in the raincoat was waiting, and he picked up my attache case. He hadn't gone 10 feet when a couple of gendons grabbed him.
Janette. Oh, Richard Darling. You're home. How do you know what happened? Both those men, they were arrested. That's right. Well, how does that help me? Mister Darling is definitely gonna receive those photographs. Oh, I'm sure he will. Do you know what that means? Yes. He'll kick me out. He won't tolerate that kind of conduct. I don't think he will. How can you say that? You know, mister Darling? Mister Darling has just received a letter from the police. A letter? I made
[00:41:09] Unknown:
you. Certain photographs would be shown to him. Now he's gonna get it for both sides. You see, he will be told that you were doing undercover work for the police and that these pictures were made during the line of duty. Oh. And he is not to even mention it to you in any way.
[00:41:33] Unknown:
Richard.
[00:41:34] Unknown:
You sent for me, mister Darling? Yes.
[00:41:37] Unknown:
Richard, I I think it's splendid that a private citizen, a civilian, could go out of his way to assist the authorities in undercover activities. Sir. No. I'm not supposed to say anything about it, but I I want you to know that I appreciate what you've done for law and order and morality.
[00:42:00] Unknown:
Thank you, sir.
[00:42:07] Unknown:
And there, the the matter must rest. Undercover activities indeed. I should tell you that Richard and Jeanette lived happily ever after. Richard made that one mistake, and he paid for it. And if some of you think he should have paid more, well, what is it they say about those who reside in glass houses? I shall be back in a few moments. The 1977 Buick Regal. It comes with Buick's terrific v six engine. It carries six people and lots of Buick comfort. It's lean. It's maneuverable in city traffic. It's the most luxurious midsize car Buick builds. Yeah. This new Regal is pretty much everything a car should be, except for one thing. It isn't yours yet, but it can be. Just see a Buick dealer for a test drive soon.
This has been a story about everyday people, nonheroes, people who have no great talent or ability, people who just get along as best they can from day to day, people who have virtues and vices, who range midway between the sinner and the saint.
[00:43:36] Unknown:
In short,
[00:43:37] Unknown:
people very much like you and me. Our cast included Mason Adams, EV Juster, and Robert Dryden. The entire production was under the direction of Hyman Brown. And now
[00:43:53] Unknown:
a preview of our next tale. You mean when I crashed during the Stuttgart raid, he helped you and the others smuggle me out and back to England? He was the one who picked you up when you parachuted down. He risked his life for you dragging an unconscious man in daylight right under the noses of the Germans to one of our hideouts. Well, somebody hats off to him, but these are different, you know. Different times. To help any member of the underground is simply a reflex action as tonight. And at any time, I would trust Jean with my life. I would always be sure that
[00:44:26] Unknown:
What what is it? There's something in the pocket of my coat. He must have slipped it there when he embraced me. What? You said neck? Diovan neck?
[00:44:38] Unknown:
Shh. The police are coming back. You better report it to me. No. But if you love me, if you ever want to marry me, say nothing. Let me do the talking. Radio Mystery Theater was sponsored in part by Exlax and Buick Motor Division. This is EG Marshall inviting you to return to our mystery theater for another adventure in the macabre. Until next time. Pleasant dreams.
[00:45:43] Unknown:
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