In this episode of CBS Radio Mystery Theater, host EG Marshall invites listeners into a world where silence speaks volumes and reality blurs with illusion. We meet Regina Summerfield, a woman who converses with her husband, Lieutenant Everett Summerfield, despite his reported death at Pearl Harbor. Regina's belief in her husband's presence is challenged by those around her, leading to a court case where her sanity is questioned. As the story unfolds, we explore themes of love, memory, and the fine line between reality and imagination.
Walter Owens, a lawyer and aspiring artist, becomes entangled in Regina's world, questioning his own life choices and the nature of truth. The episode delves into the complexities of human perception and the struggle to hold onto one's beliefs in the face of societal pressure. As Regina fights to maintain her version of reality, listeners are left to ponder the power of the mind and the essence of identity.
(00:00) Introduction and the Power of Silence
(01:28) The Mysterious Summerfield Encounter
(07:08) Dinner with the Summerfields
(16:12) The Truth About Everett Summerfield
(23:01) The Legal Battle Begins
(32:06) The Courtroom Drama
(40:43) Conclusion and Reflections on Childhood
Listen to our radio station Old Time Radio https://link.radioking.com/otradio
Listen to other Shows at My Classic Radio https://www.myclassicradio.net/
Entertainment Radio | Broadcasting Classic Radio Shows | Patreon
Remember that times have changed, and some shows might not reflect the standards of today’s politically correct society. The shows do not necessarily reflect the views, standards, or beliefs of Entertainment Radio
[00:00:00]
Unknown:
CBS Radio Mystery Theater
[00:00:09] Unknown:
presents
[00:00:20] Unknown:
Come in. Welcome. I'm EG Marshall. He who sleeps in eternal noise is awakened by silence. Silence. As we all know, silence can sometimes be the loudest sound there is. Certainly, it can be the most eloquent. We spend so much time and energy learning to speak as if it requires neither effort nor wisdom to know
[00:00:49] Unknown:
when to keep still. I should like you to meet my husband, lieutenant Everett Summerfield.
[00:00:55] Unknown:
Your, your husband? Of course.
[00:00:59] Unknown:
Everett, dear. This is mister Walter Owens. Who who? Everett, mister Owens is also an artist. Missus Summerfield, who are you talking to? To my husband, of course. Can't you see?
[00:01:13] Unknown:
No. That's just the trouble. I can't I mean I mean, I I don't I'm missus Summerfield, there is no one here.
[00:01:28] Unknown:
Our mystery drama First Childhood was written especially for the mystery seer by Sam Dan and stars Eileen Heckert. It is sponsored in part by ARM, allergy relief medicine, and Buick Motor Division. I'll be back shortly with act one. The years go by. We're aware of the breath in our mouths, the feeling in our bones, our image in a glass. Yes, we stumble through a universe of illusion, constantly threatened by quicksands of uncertainty and doubt. Yet, our basic hold on sanity is ourselves. We may know nothing else, but each of us knows who he or she is. Or do we, really?
That's too nice a day for all. Join us at a beach on the Northeastern Coast, a private secluded place on a day when the brilliant sunlight dances on the sparkling waves and the air crackles. And as the poet might have said, just to be alive is paradise
[00:02:40] Unknown:
now. Good.
[00:02:44] Unknown:
What? Oh. Oh. Oh, I'm sorry. Did I startle you? I was I was busy concentrating on this canvas. I didn't hear anyone coming.
[00:02:52] Unknown:
That is rather a good inkling. Do you really think so? I wouldn't have said so if I didn't. That doesn't mean I like it. Oh, I I I see.
[00:03:01] Unknown:
It shows promise.
[00:03:03] Unknown:
Shows promise. Sort of miss the kiss of death for an artist.
[00:03:07] Unknown:
But you're not an artist.
[00:03:09] Unknown:
Oh, why do you say that?
[00:03:10] Unknown:
You don't have enough paint on your clothes. I know. You see, the the idea is to get the paint canvas either. There's not enough meaningful paint there. Oh, you've smeared pigment into fusion, But so few of those strokes signify anything. You hadn't.
[00:03:27] Unknown:
Oil.
[00:03:28] Unknown:
Are you, are you a fortune teller? Do you deny it? You're very handsome. You're charming. I'm sure women think you're attractive. Men find you like them. You can have anything you want except
[00:03:40] Unknown:
Except what?
[00:03:41] Unknown:
Except art. You can't get back to nothing. You have to work for it. Now what makes Obvious.
[00:03:47] Unknown:
But what have you really got against this painting?
[00:03:50] Unknown:
You don't have to be an artist to paint it. Madam, I intend no disrespect.
[00:03:55] Unknown:
Your sense of color. My hair is white. I was trying to be tactful. Was Rembrandt tactful? I am not Rembrandt.
[00:04:03] Unknown:
My point exact.
[00:04:05] Unknown:
That an opinion should be based on more than prejudice, bias, or emotion. An opinion, hopefully, should have its foundation in fact, in evidence, in the authenticated truth.
[00:04:18] Unknown:
You sound like a lawyer.
[00:04:21] Unknown:
Well, it so happens that, I am a lawyer.
[00:04:24] Unknown:
Well, then how can you be an artist? I'm a lawyer and an artist. I know that you listed lawyer first. I I I'm both.
[00:04:32] Unknown:
And what what business is it of yours? And and what do you know about art anyhow? And who asked you in the first place?
[00:04:38] Unknown:
Those are three questions. And the answers are none, nothing, and nobody.
[00:04:45] Unknown:
And now, sir, if you'll excuse me. I know. I'm madam. I'm sorry. It's it's it's you who must excuse me. I'm I'm I'm not myself. I'm under a strain. I had no right to behave so boorishly. Please forgive me. While I may not be an artist, I can at least be a gentle.
[00:05:04] Unknown:
You could also be an artist.
[00:05:07] Unknown:
You think so? I do do you really think so? Oh, I see. Your problem. You want assurances. Well, I I'd like to be sure that I could succeed. That's another one of those words. Sure. Yes. But suppose I devote a lifetime of hard work and and and I fail.
[00:05:25] Unknown:
The devotion is your success.
[00:05:28] Unknown:
But, you breathe rarefied air.
[00:05:32] Unknown:
My name is Regina Summers.
[00:05:34] Unknown:
How do you do? I am Walter Owens. Thank you. Thank you for talking to me, for spending so much of your time with a complete stranger.
[00:05:43] Unknown:
But you're not a complete stranger or even an incomplete stranger.
[00:05:47] Unknown:
Oh, have we met? Yeah.
[00:05:50] Unknown:
I think we have. No. I I I don't think so. I mean, I say this because I am sure I would never have forgotten. You're how old?
[00:05:59] Unknown:
30? Yeah. We met, I think, before you were born. Oh, before I was born? Yes. I'm sure of it.
[00:06:08] Unknown:
Well,
[00:06:09] Unknown:
Well, is that so strange? Yes. Frankly. Why? Where do you think you were before you were born? Where do I think I was before Inside you, there's an essence. Now something that makes you Walter Owens. Wouldn't you agree? Well, on the face of it, I suppose I would agree.
[00:06:25] Unknown:
Now I have to be careful with you, don't I? You have a way with words. Oh, Oh, nonsense. I'm just a little old lady and you're a brilliant lawyer. Yes. We, we're talking about where I was before I was born. This, unique essence that happens to be me. I think I didn't say unique essence. There's nothing singular about it.
[00:06:46] Unknown:
Many people can have the identical sort of essence. I know a man who seemed to have the same essence as you do when he was younger. Oh.
[00:06:54] Unknown:
Oh, then I remind you of someone. Oh, yes. For who?
[00:06:59] Unknown:
Would would you care to dine with us this evening? Well, well, I Please do. It'll be such a treat for Everett. My husband doesn't go out much. We can talk about art. You can see our place from here. You see the, the hill that rises up from the beach? That's the house on top.
[00:07:21] Unknown:
It is. It's beautiful.
[00:07:23] Unknown:
Say you'll come. Alright.
[00:07:34] Unknown:
Missus Lorschach. Wait. Don't tell me. You're in Room 212? 211. I'm close. Yes. And your name is mister Owens? No. Owens. Oh, well, at least I was right about it beginning with an o. Yeah. Do I have any mail? No, sir. I see you got your paint set with you. A paint set? Is that what it's called?
[00:07:54] Unknown:
Yeah. Yes. I I suppose so. No mail.
[00:07:59] Unknown:
Could I say something, mister Olens? Owens. Oh, yeah. Well, I remember when you checked in last night, you said you wouldn't be expecting any mail. Now you're hardly here one day and already you're asking if you got me. Yes. The, mail habits are hard one to break. It's a great place for painting pictures. Lots of artists come around. And you know what they paint mostly? Tell me. The Summerfield Place. You can see it from everywhere on the beach. It's on top of the hill. Yes. Yes. It's a magnificent mansion. Oh, it's falling apart. Forty, fifty years ago before the war. I mean, the second world war.
Oh, that was a place to see. Well, it's still very imposing. Look close. It's falling apart. A pity you won't get to see the inside of it. She won't let hardly anybody in there. Uh-huh. But I will get to see the inside.
[00:08:51] Unknown:
Yeah? Yes. I'm invited there to dinner. Your what? Yes. I met missus Summerfield about an hour ago out at the beach. She spoke to you? Yes. We had quite a talk. Well, if that don't be So I'm dining tonight with the Summerfields. The,
[00:09:08] Unknown:
Summerfields?
[00:09:09] Unknown:
Yes. Mrs. Summerfield and her husband. I believe his name is, Everett. Yeah. Well, What's the matter, missus Marcia?
[00:09:16] Unknown:
Look. What you have to understand is that there is no mister Everett Summerfield.
[00:09:22] Unknown:
No mister
[00:09:23] Unknown:
what are you saying? I'm saying there isn't any mister Everett Summerfield. There isn't? No, sir. There isn't. And she simply won't accept that. Uh-huh. So what happened? Well, you see, Everett Summerfield was in the Navy. He he was a lieutenant on board the USS Arizona, which was at Pearl Harbor. Mhmm. The ship was blown up on December 7 and sank to the bottom. And he was killed? Yeah. He was killed. But you see, they never did find his body. I see. As she pretends he's come back, she talks to him just as if he's sitting there and she she cocks her head as look, she's listening to him. I swear it is scary.
Yeah. It's quite a place but, she's not gonna be able to keep it much longer. Why do you say that? Well, because she's got a relative. Some niece or something that's trying to get the place away from us. On what grounds? On what grounds? Well, the woman's a nut. I mean, I I like her personally, but she is a prime candidate for the nuthouse. Look. You you're going there tonight. You'll see for yourself. I mean, the the the curtains on the windows are red. The upholstery is all worn out on the furniture. The place needs paint all over. But she thinks you know what she thinks.
What? She thinks the place is in shape for the for the president of The United States to be entertained in.
[00:10:56] Unknown:
What you're intimating is that she's crazy.
[00:11:00] Unknown:
Intimating? It's a fact. Mister Owens, it's a hard, cold, cruel fact.
[00:11:17] Unknown:
Mister Owens. Good evening, missus Summerfield. Do do commit.
[00:11:23] Unknown:
I brought you this. Oh, you shouldn't have. It's a favorite dinner wine of mine.
[00:11:28] Unknown:
Wine of mine. That sounds so pretty. I'm sure Everett will enjoy it. Perhaps it will help him sleep. Poor Everett, he's been out of sorts lately. I'm sure you must be starved. Come on. No. We're not I whipped up, that's a modern term that's so descriptive. I whipped up dinner myself. We let the servants go. Well, why keep them? We don't use all the house these days. It's a small part of it, and it's enough for the two of us. This is Everett's library. Oh, but he'll wanna show it to you himself. And this is a small room that we use as a combined sitting and dining salon. Lovely, isn't it? It's,
[00:12:12] Unknown:
yeah. Is that Yeah.
[00:12:14] Unknown:
Now these are genuine hefewe whites. The drape on the window, if you look, a bit more closely, is a genuine Gaublin. That is, it's purported to be. But this is Limoges, China.
[00:12:33] Unknown:
I see.
[00:12:34] Unknown:
The tablecloth is a type of pure linen that doesn't seem to be made anymore. It was the exclusive secret of an old family in Ireland, which is now extinct. I understand.
[00:12:45] Unknown:
But you can see the fine weave, can't you? Oh, yes. Oh, yes. Absolutely.
[00:12:50] Unknown:
And this cup, it's quite small, you see. Oh, so exquisite. It's a Chilleen. Yes. Beautiful. Please forgive me. For what? Oh, I babble on and on about all these lovely things. It suddenly seems to me I must sound like a Philistine.
[00:13:08] Unknown:
Don't you think? No. No. No. Not at all. Why do you say that?
[00:13:11] Unknown:
Listen how I emphasize this as a genuine that. Cellini Gobland Limoges. I'm trying to impress you with names. That doesn't seem that way. Oh, and how rare and expensive those things are. Well, it's true. They do happen to be. But I shouldn't brag about it. I can't help it. I was very poor. I never knew my mother. My father was the town drunk. Oh, lovable man, but he had the sickness. He couldn't support himself, let alone me. And so I ate the bread of charity all during my childhood. It's a bitter hard loaf. I never had a new dress or doll or toy.
I was determined I would have money. When I was old enough to work, I was a maid to some wealthy sum up people. I thought they were big bankers and brokers from Wall Street. When I entered the room, they didn't stop talking. I mean, they never even noticed me. Why should they? You know how I became rich? Can you guess? Well, no. By listening to that conversation. What do you wanna do about consolidated engines, Jim? Why don't we buy Northmont Steel? She'll surely go up 10 points and so on. And I bought two. I put my pennies together. I bought what they did, sold and they did. And soon, I had money. A great deal of money.
Oh, excuse me. We'll talk about it later. Here's Everett now. Everett? Good evening, Everett, darling. We have a guest for dinner, mister Walter Owens. I don't know. I didn't ask him. Are you mister Owens?
[00:14:52] Unknown:
Am I what? Are you from New York? Oh, no. Philadelphia.
[00:14:57] Unknown:
Everett. Why do you think everybody's from New York? Well, shall we all be seated? No. No. I'll carve the roast, ever. You're always complaining about the knife. Yes, dear. Mister Owens, in order to maintain domestic tranquility, will you do the honors and carve?
[00:15:19] Unknown:
Yes. Yes. I suppose
[00:15:27] Unknown:
so.
[00:15:31] Unknown:
Well, now, how many people are at that table? Two or three? And just who is missus Summerfield? When we first met her, she seemed like a rather sharp, smart, with it old lady. Everett is obviously supposed to be Lieutenant Everett Summerfield who was killed many years ago at Pearl Harbor. What is he doing having dinner here tonight? Or is he? Things will either get clearer or cloudier when I return shortly with act two. Home is the sailor, home from the sea, said the poet. But some sailors can never come home again. They lie buried forever under a watery grave of warm green or cold blue.
Lieutenant Everett Summerfield went down with his ship at Pearl Harbor on that terrible day, but not according to his wife who is now having dinner with him many years later.
[00:16:40] Unknown:
I hope you enjoyed your dinner, mister Owens. Oh, yes. Yes. Excellent. Excellent. Some more coffee? No. No. Thank you. This is fine. Just fine. Everett. Everett. Oh my goodness. Look at him and listen to him. He's fast asleep. Honestly, mister Owens, that man can go off just anywhere. Or was it your wine? I just wish he wouldn't snore so loudly. Does it disturb you? Does does what disturb me? Well, can't you hear that man snore?
[00:17:09] Unknown:
Oh, I I don't mind.
[00:17:12] Unknown:
You're very kind. I was telling you how I became so rich by just listening to wealthy men talk. I was 19 years old, and I had almost half a million dollars. Can you believe it? Yes. I could believe it. I couldn't. But there it was in my account in my broker's office in New York. Meanwhile, I'd I'd fallen in love. Can you guess at whom?
[00:17:37] Unknown:
Everett.
[00:17:38] Unknown:
Yes. Everett. Everett Summerfield. It was a miracle. What do you mean? A miracle that he would fall in love with me. Why? Well, why shouldn't I fall in love with him? He was tall and handsome and rich. But for him to love me, mousy little Regina Nelson, a a penniless orphan girl. Yes. But but you were rich. But who knew that? No one. Not yet. I was miss nobody who had nothing. Yet he fell in love with me. His parents were furious. And then they died. An automobile accident. And do you know what came out? Mister Summerfield senior was broke.
It was a disaster. Do you know what really bothered Everett? The thought that he might have to lose this house, this magnificent home. He always loved it. Well, you can see why. Oh, yes. Yes. I can. You can't imagine what happened when I said to him, darling, here's enough money to save the house. And we saved it. We were very happy until the war clouds began to threaten. Everett had a commission in the naval reserve, he volunteered for active duty. Was
[00:18:52] Unknown:
was he at Pearl Harbor? Oh, yes. Yes. Wasn't there a report that he had gone down with his ship?
[00:19:01] Unknown:
Oh, you must have been listening to some of the town talk. Is that what you heard? Yes. I believe so. It was many years ago. I received a wire from the war department. They said he was killed in action. But, you know, I refuse to believe it. You refute? But why? Because I knew it couldn't be true. He couldn't be dead. He just couldn't be. And so I was not going to believe it. I went to Hawaii to look for him. But but if he was reported killed in action, where could you look? Under the sea? Well, there's no point in looking there. If he was there, he'd be dead, wouldn't he? No. I thought perhaps he'd been wounded, lost his identification, or he might have been suffering from amnesia. He could have been wandering around the island.
[00:19:46] Unknown:
I just knew I had to look. Or did you ask the war department for assistance?
[00:19:50] Unknown:
According to the war department, my effort was dead. They wrote me a letter to that effect. Now ask me what I wrote back to them. Well, what did you write? I wrote, if Everett Summerfield is dead, show me the body. They couldn't. And that's how I knew Everett must still be alive and I was right. What makes you say that? I was right, wasn't I? Here he is today. Uh-huh. But the truth is, I didn't find him. You didn't? No. In the end, he found me. I came home. I waited. I knew he'd returned to the place he loved best, the person he loved best. We did.
One day, one lovely summer's day, he walked into the house. I'll never leave this place again, he said. I'll never leave you again. He hadn't.
[00:20:44] Unknown:
How nice.
[00:20:46] Unknown:
Are you perhaps wondering why I stopped to talk to you this morning? Why did you? I spoke to you about an essence that forms the core of each of us. Remember?
[00:20:56] Unknown:
I remember.
[00:20:57] Unknown:
It reminded me of what was inside Everett before he went away to war. I didn't wanna see him waste yours the way his was wasted. Everett wants to be a painter too. I'm afraid he wasn't good enough just as you are. It's something to be afraid of.
[00:21:12] Unknown:
Why? Why? Because if it should turn out that one is not good enough, what has one done with one's life?
[00:21:19] Unknown:
Lift it. But I know I'm a good lawyer. Then why aren't you happy? I'm very happy.
[00:21:25] Unknown:
Well, I was very happy as a matter of fact until I met you this morning. Oh, I am sorry. You see, every so often, I take some time off. I go somewhere and just paint furiously for a week or so. I have to get it out of my system.
[00:21:41] Unknown:
Can you ever really get it out of your system? Well, it's getting late. Thank you for a fine dinner. Everson. I'm glad you could come. There's no point in trying to wake him. He'll get up in his own time. I'll say goodnight for him. Yes. Goodnight. And please come again soon.
[00:22:12] Unknown:
Well, hello there, mister Owens. Good evening, missus Marchek. I'd rather you called me Dell. I can't get used to this, missus Marshak. I only been married to him a week. Yes, sir. Were there any calls for me? Look. You said you weren't expecting any mail or calls or anything. Yes. Well, actually, I'm not. How was, dinner at at the castle? Oh, quite an experience. Does she still have any furniture left?
[00:22:38] Unknown:
You know, it's very sad. She thinks she's surrounded by priceless antiques and works of art. That's pitiful. And yet she's such a bright lady.
[00:22:49] Unknown:
It's love.
[00:22:50] Unknown:
She just could never get over them. It must be terrible to be in love like that. I could never be. Never. Well, that'll come to an end maybe by next week. Why next week? Well, I was telling you about this niece.
[00:23:05] Unknown:
There's gonna be a hearing in court. A hearing? When?
[00:23:09] Unknown:
I guess, day after tomorrow. Judge Sterling is in town. He's staying here at the motel. Judge Donald f Sterling? Yeah. Yeah. That's the one. He he comes from around here.
[00:23:20] Unknown:
Do you know? Well, where is he?
[00:23:22] Unknown:
Well, I saw him go into supper excuse me, dinner. He should still be in the dining room.
[00:23:34] Unknown:
Judge. Judge Sterling. Walter. Had you dinner? Yes, sir. Yes, sir. Sit down and have some coffee. Thank you. Thank you, What are you doing out here? Oh, just a little vacation.
[00:23:44] Unknown:
I hear young lawyers get all the breaks. I'm working. This place is part of my circuit. I've got what I call a COL. Oh, what's that? Oh, it's my own private code for a crazy old lady. Oh. Well, I shouldn't say that. It's just that I hate these things. You get some greedy, shifty eyed relative who wants the old gal put away for all good, naturally. Naturally. And the truth is the old gal would be better off being taken care of, but it's a messy situation. Well, anyhow, since I'll have to adjudicate this case, I'd better not discuss it. Yes, sir. The Voci's have circled in London. What's that, sir? That table near the window. Yes. That young lady, should I say woman?
That's the cousin, somewhat distant cousin, but the only surviving legal relative of the late Everett Summerfield. The Lake. Yes. That's what this thing is all about. And her estimable attorney, mister Leroy Pillow. An appetizing duo, but they may have the evidence on their side. What evidence? Enough to show that Regina should be committed. You call her Regina. It sounds as if you know her. Yeah. I've known her all my life. Well, first part of my life anyhow. Little orphan girl. Work worn little drudge. Before, she was fairly into her teens. Her face and hands were always dirty.
Heaven forgive us. We all made fun of her. All of us little rich kids. Judge, you say there's to be a hearing? That's the day after tomorrow. Does, does missus Summerfield have a lawyer? There's no one on record as yet. I suppose the court will have to appoint one. Do you suppose the court could appoint me?
[00:25:36] Unknown:
I would like to represent, missus Summerfield.
[00:25:40] Unknown:
You, know what that means? Yes.
[00:25:43] Unknown:
Yes. It means that I've taken on a very difficult case.
[00:25:54] Unknown:
Oh,
[00:25:55] Unknown:
mister Owen. Yes. I I know it's late. May I come in? Of course.
[00:26:02] Unknown:
Is something wrong, mister Owen? Missus Summerfield,
[00:26:05] Unknown:
did you know that the day after tomorrow, you are being taken to court? Yes. I've been told to appear. Do you know why you've been told to appear? I suppose it's that Marston woman. Yes. Or that Marston woman, as you call her, is out to have you committed to a mental institution. On what grounds? On the grounds that your that your faculties are impaired. In other words, I'm crazy. Well, I was only trying to say it nicely. Missus Summerfield, please let let let me explain.
[00:26:36] Unknown:
A pity you just miss Everett.
[00:26:39] Unknown:
He was quite taken with you. He he went upstairs to bed. Missus Summerfield, we must talk about Emorett. Oh, I'm delighted. I love to talk about Emorett. And, well, first, let me tell you as your attorney Oh, are you my attorney? Yeah. I was just appointed by the court.
[00:26:54] Unknown:
My now I need to have no further worries. Not that I ever had any. Judge Sterling, I've known him since we were both children. Judge Sterling is not so sure that he will be able to prevent that Marston woman from from winning the case. Judge Sterling is an honorable man. He would never permit justice to be mocked in his courtroom. He may have no choice on the basis of the evidence. What evidence? Well, Yeah.
[00:27:20] Unknown:
Miss, insistence of yours that
[00:27:24] Unknown:
that Everett is in the house. I mean, you see That will be quite enough, mister Owens. I see I have misjudged you. Missus Somerville telling me that Everett is not in the house. As your lawyer, I can owe If that is your attitude, you can no longer be my lawyer. Please, missus Somerville. Ask you to leave.
[00:27:50] Unknown:
We'll all have to leave for a few moments until the arrival of act three. But what have we here? Evidently, a tug of war between fact and fancy. Which side usually wins these affairs? A thinker moment before you answer. We'll continue shortly. Or I think, therefore I am, said the philosopher. Now if you examine that, you see it's absolutely right. If you can think, it's proof you have to be, but that's only you. If you think for someone else, does that mean that they are also there? Once again, we discover that we should never get bogged down with philosophy when we're trying to tell a story. Onward.
[00:28:50] Unknown:
Missus Summerfield, I want to help you. How? I want you to be able to stay here, to live here. I mean, after all, this is your own home. Anne. And you know that Marston woman's attorney will charge that you are no longer competent. Love it. Now I have seen these things in court. Have you? Older people can easily be victimized. Will my lawyer stand idly by and permitted? Your lawyer can only deal with facts. Oh, we're back to that. One fact your lawyer will find difficult, if not impossible to overcome, is that you talk to people who aren't here. Everett is here.
[00:29:27] Unknown:
Let let me put it this way. You talk to people who cannot be seen. Is it my fault if others cannot see clearly, truly?
[00:29:35] Unknown:
That's neither here nor there. Don't say that.
[00:29:38] Unknown:
Realistically, everything has to be in one place or the other. Yes. Well, that is your best defense.
[00:29:44] Unknown:
I will place you on the sand.
[00:29:47] Unknown:
Oh, that must be an exciting experience. I've seen it on the stage and in the motion pictures.
[00:29:54] Unknown:
It's never happened to me. Yes. Well well, I will ask you the following question. I'll be under oath, won't I? Yes. Yes. I will say, missus Summerfield, do you actually believe your husband is still alive? And I will answer yes. You will answer no.
[00:30:09] Unknown:
How can I answer no? You just told me I was under oath. Because the answer is no, and the case will be dismissed. The answer must be yes because Everett is alive.
[00:30:20] Unknown:
Our second best defense. I will ask the same question. Missus Summerfield, do you actually believe your husband is still alive? And I will answer yes. You will answer I want him to be alive and I try very hard to believe it. But I don't try hard to believe it. It happens to be true. The attorney for that masked woman will ask you that question. What will you answer? Yes. That answer opens the asylum doors.
[00:30:52] Unknown:
It's the truth, Walter. I wish you believe it. Well, it's very hard to believe it. Of course. Now you've just got the exact sense of it. If it were easy to believe, there'd be no problem with it. And that's the same with everything else. If it were easy to be an artist, anyone could do it. Missus Summerfield, please let us stay on the subject. This is the subject. Do you do what's in your heart or do you do what's easy? It's easy for you to be a lawyer, but it's right for you to be a painter. Missus Summerfield, when I talk to
[00:31:23] Unknown:
you, sometime I no longer know what I mean. Then there's hope for you. Probably.
[00:31:29] Unknown:
But is there hope for you?
[00:31:36] Unknown:
Good evening, missus Marchant. I'm glad that you called me Belle. Good night, Belle.
[00:31:40] Unknown:
See you in the morning. Aren't you gonna ask me your usual questions?
[00:31:44] Unknown:
What usual question?
[00:31:45] Unknown:
Any mail? Any messages? Well, I never have any. Well, you do tonight. A message from, a mister Pillow. He's a lawyer you're gonna be up against in court. How do you know I'm going to be in court? I know everything. He'd like to see you in the lounge.
[00:32:06] Unknown:
Walter Owens? Yes.
[00:32:08] Unknown:
Pilar's name. Leroy Pilar. This is Maxton. Julia Maestro. How you doing? How you doing? The name goes against the character, miss Maestro. In what way? It seems to me that Julia is usually the heroic role of a melodrama, not the villainous. No. Wait a minute. See here, missouri. Oh, clam off it, Leroy. A bit to the point. What is the point?
[00:32:32] Unknown:
In fact, you probably think I'm trying to swindle some belly all day out of her seat. I thought you made that statement, miss Marston. Well, she's crazy. Do you deny
[00:32:42] Unknown:
it? I'm listening, miss Marston.
[00:32:44] Unknown:
She can't take care of herself. The place is falling into racking wood. Racking wood. Did you make that up? It can be saved. It can make a fantastic resort at home. Yes. Think of what a boon it would be to the economy of this town. So tell me a proposition, you mean?
[00:33:01] Unknown:
Mister Owens, why can't we settle this out of court?
[00:33:07] Unknown:
I said a what?
[00:33:09] Unknown:
Yeah.
[00:33:10] Unknown:
Problem. Well, I'm not aware of a problem.
[00:33:13] Unknown:
Can't you convince your client that it's in her best interest? No. No. I am afraid not. Look. I'm not trying to swindle her out of the property. You're not. But it'll still be hers. In Maine, at least. And she'll be away in a nice place with with nice little old lady just like I said. And she can dig in a nice little garden. What a lovely prospect. Owens,
[00:33:35] Unknown:
I'm trying to help you out. Are you? Why lose a case when you don't have to?
[00:33:41] Unknown:
Who says I have to?
[00:33:48] Unknown:
Your honor, we have one of those unfortunate cases that occur far too often in our society. A human being reaches an age where she can no longer function fully. Objection, your honor. Missus Summerfield's ability to function is what is at issue here.
[00:34:07] Unknown:
Susan,
[00:34:09] Unknown:
can't sleep. You've been quite a while with your introduction. Now may we get on with
[00:34:18] Unknown:
it? How are we doing? Badly.
[00:34:21] Unknown:
Have faith. Yes. I might as well. I don't have anything else. Your honor, we call as a witness, missus Belle Marshak. Missus Marshak, would you come up please?
[00:34:30] Unknown:
Yes, sir. I will. Raise your right hand. And do you solemnly swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth? Yes, sir.
[00:34:38] Unknown:
Miss Marshak, how long have you known missus San Xavier? All my life. You know her well then? And yes. Would you say that there is something, peculiar about her? Meaning what, sir? What does she do anything that might be considered strange? Objection, your honor. If each of us were permitted to define strange and that were to be used as a legal guideline, who would be kept out of the asylum. Now, I don't make this point, mister Lawrence, and then I'll rule on it. Thank you, your honor. And, missus Marshak, is it strange to insist that a dead man actually exists?
Well, yeah. Does missus Summerfield to your knowledge claim that her husband is alive?
[00:35:31] Unknown:
Yes.
[00:35:32] Unknown:
Isn't it the fact that on more than one occasion she was actually addressing as if he was actually there? Yes. Yes. And in your presence, didn't he actually insist that he was talking to her? Didn't he even answer him? Yes. I have no better questions.
[00:35:55] Unknown:
Well, Walter, what can I tell you? It's not good at all. But Sterling is an old fan. Sterling is first a judge.
[00:36:02] Unknown:
Fear. Justice triumphs in a Who told you that? It's supposed to. Yes. There's been a procession, a cavalcade of witnesses out there all testifying that you live in a in a in a never never land, a make believe world. I'm very much afraid.
[00:36:18] Unknown:
You're always afraid of the odds, aren't you, Walter? But they'll always be against you, always, No matter what you wanna do. That is if you wanna do it right. Yes.
[00:36:29] Unknown:
It's time to go back into the closet.
[00:36:31] Unknown:
Become a painter. Give up the law. After I lose this case, I may have to.
[00:36:42] Unknown:
In essence, miss Myson,
[00:36:44] Unknown:
why have you brought this action? Because I'm trying to solve it something. This is some of you that is no longer able to maintain the house. As everyone has testified, it's going to rock and ruin. I would like to set the place to work.
[00:36:59] Unknown:
And that is a suspect with missus Oliver.
[00:37:01] Unknown:
How can you talk to her? She lives in another world. Everybody knows that. She even thinks her husband is a lie. Objection, your honor.
[00:37:11] Unknown:
Go on, missus. The issue of her husband's death is still before the court. Yes. But the court has as exhibit a this document from the United States Navy that informs us Lieutenant Everett Summerfield died in action. Lieutenant Summerfield's body was never recovered, your honor. We can therefore never be sure that the Navy is correct. I see. This to be our line of argument? Well, it's,
[00:37:37] Unknown:
one line of argument.
[00:37:40] Unknown:
Yes. Well, I'll weigh it with the rest. I continue with your testimony miss Miley. You've got into that house and
[00:37:48] Unknown:
and you're like, oh, what other words can I use? Spinks. The the blood is just falling apart. And you talk to him. You know what? It's like talking to someone in their second time. That's the whole story. For Jamie Summerfield is in our second childhood. Your honor, I object.
[00:38:07] Unknown:
Regina, you can object. Why not? Except for your attorney. Oh, him. He knows more about painting than he does about the law. Besides, anyone has a right to object when they hear a lie. What lies? This young lady has just told a lie. She said I was in my second childhood. That's not true. I'm in my first. Well, now, who knows that brother's a real gem, mister Sterling? Did I ever have a childhood? You can answer that question because you had one. We're we're both the same age, you and I. We were both raised in this town. And while you were having your childhood, what what was I having?
What, Tammy? I was having oh, it's this club. This is the wife's clothes to launder. I had a little cot
[00:39:01] Unknown:
behind the stove in some rich lady's kitchen.
[00:39:04] Unknown:
I ate what was left over. I wore what was handed down. I lived alone without friends. Sometimes, I was so desperate to hear the voices of children that I thought you out when you were all playing in your pretty clothes with your your beautiful toys.
[00:39:24] Unknown:
I knew you didn't even make fun of me about it all up.
[00:39:28] Unknown:
At least someone was paying attention to me. Maybe you threw mud pies at me. Did the Jewish other show on my dress? Did it, Jeremy? Did it? No. No. I didn't have a childhood. You know what childhood is, Jeremy? You don't because you have one. So I'll tell you. Childhood is a time of of dreams and delusions
[00:39:59] Unknown:
and and fairy tales,
[00:40:01] Unknown:
and you have to have it. You simply have to have it or else there can't be anything to your life. And since I didn't have mine
[00:40:12] Unknown:
when I was young,
[00:40:14] Unknown:
I have to have it now before it's too late. Childhood means living in the own beautiful world. And I claim my beautiful world now. Is it too much to ask for me? The case is dismissed.
[00:40:43] Unknown:
The beautiful world of childhood, the world of innocence, the world of infinite possibility and unlimited promise. So the thing that we dreamed would one day happen. The adventures we would know, the people we would become. It's too bad most of those dreams never come through.
[00:41:03] Unknown:
What do you think? I shall return shortly.
[00:41:17] Unknown:
Childhood childhood sends a poet wonderful girl and boy land. Once you leave its portal, you can never return again. Maybe that's not true either. Certainly, so many of us strive to go back to the simplicity, the wonder of it. But the trouble is, childhood is so rare and so precious that usually they can only spare one to a customer. Our cast included Aileen Hethrick, Paul Hecht, Bryner Raven, and Robert Dryden. The entire production was under the direction of Hyman Brown. And now
[00:41:54] Unknown:
a preview of our next phase. Don't take another step. You don't wanna eat. Uh-uh. You can put down your rocket system. Leave me no harm. What do you do want?
[00:42:07] Unknown:
I hope you know it. Bring me on a better body.
[00:42:13] Unknown:
Well, we're here to that poor's body
[00:42:17] Unknown:
to take him off your land and get him a decent day.
[00:42:21] Unknown:
And where would that be? Where he belongs. Six feet under the cartons of soil. Is that it? Yes, darling. That's it. You are out of your mind, darling. What is that supposed to be? A eternal out of the two of you. And take yourself straight back to where you come from. Mister,
[00:42:40] Unknown:
that's crazy. We are not about to do that. We're not our brother's body,
[00:42:45] Unknown:
and we are here to get it. Radio anesthesia was sponsored in part by Adelix Motor Division and ARM, Allergy Relief Medicine. This is EG Marshall inviting you to return to our Mystery Theater for another adventure in the macabre. Until next time, pleasant?
[00:43:13] Unknown:
See website for details on our two month subscription offer. Ladies, lose weight, improve your health, and eat great with Nutrisystem. Get our new premium meals with up to 30 grams of protein. They're big and filling and taste delicious. Plus, try our new restaurant faves that taste like your favorite restaurant, portioned with half the calories. Beef and bean burritos, toasted ravioli, sesame beef, and broccoli. Easy to prepare and made in minutes. The secret? Advanced nutritional science that helps keep your blood sugar levels steady and you losing weight. With Nutrisystem, you get your breakfast, lunches, dinners, and snacks all delivered right to your door. Just go to Nutrisystem.com/meals right now and get 50% off. You heard me right. Go to Nutrisystem.com/meals right now and get 50% off all plans. Don't wait. This special offer will not last long. Just go to nutrisystem.com/meals right now and get 50% off. Go to nutrisystem.com/meals.
CBS Radio Mystery Theater
[00:00:09] Unknown:
presents
[00:00:20] Unknown:
Come in. Welcome. I'm EG Marshall. He who sleeps in eternal noise is awakened by silence. Silence. As we all know, silence can sometimes be the loudest sound there is. Certainly, it can be the most eloquent. We spend so much time and energy learning to speak as if it requires neither effort nor wisdom to know
[00:00:49] Unknown:
when to keep still. I should like you to meet my husband, lieutenant Everett Summerfield.
[00:00:55] Unknown:
Your, your husband? Of course.
[00:00:59] Unknown:
Everett, dear. This is mister Walter Owens. Who who? Everett, mister Owens is also an artist. Missus Summerfield, who are you talking to? To my husband, of course. Can't you see?
[00:01:13] Unknown:
No. That's just the trouble. I can't I mean I mean, I I don't I'm missus Summerfield, there is no one here.
[00:01:28] Unknown:
Our mystery drama First Childhood was written especially for the mystery seer by Sam Dan and stars Eileen Heckert. It is sponsored in part by ARM, allergy relief medicine, and Buick Motor Division. I'll be back shortly with act one. The years go by. We're aware of the breath in our mouths, the feeling in our bones, our image in a glass. Yes, we stumble through a universe of illusion, constantly threatened by quicksands of uncertainty and doubt. Yet, our basic hold on sanity is ourselves. We may know nothing else, but each of us knows who he or she is. Or do we, really?
That's too nice a day for all. Join us at a beach on the Northeastern Coast, a private secluded place on a day when the brilliant sunlight dances on the sparkling waves and the air crackles. And as the poet might have said, just to be alive is paradise
[00:02:40] Unknown:
now. Good.
[00:02:44] Unknown:
What? Oh. Oh. Oh, I'm sorry. Did I startle you? I was I was busy concentrating on this canvas. I didn't hear anyone coming.
[00:02:52] Unknown:
That is rather a good inkling. Do you really think so? I wouldn't have said so if I didn't. That doesn't mean I like it. Oh, I I I see.
[00:03:01] Unknown:
It shows promise.
[00:03:03] Unknown:
Shows promise. Sort of miss the kiss of death for an artist.
[00:03:07] Unknown:
But you're not an artist.
[00:03:09] Unknown:
Oh, why do you say that?
[00:03:10] Unknown:
You don't have enough paint on your clothes. I know. You see, the the idea is to get the paint canvas either. There's not enough meaningful paint there. Oh, you've smeared pigment into fusion, But so few of those strokes signify anything. You hadn't.
[00:03:27] Unknown:
Oil.
[00:03:28] Unknown:
Are you, are you a fortune teller? Do you deny it? You're very handsome. You're charming. I'm sure women think you're attractive. Men find you like them. You can have anything you want except
[00:03:40] Unknown:
Except what?
[00:03:41] Unknown:
Except art. You can't get back to nothing. You have to work for it. Now what makes Obvious.
[00:03:47] Unknown:
But what have you really got against this painting?
[00:03:50] Unknown:
You don't have to be an artist to paint it. Madam, I intend no disrespect.
[00:03:55] Unknown:
Your sense of color. My hair is white. I was trying to be tactful. Was Rembrandt tactful? I am not Rembrandt.
[00:04:03] Unknown:
My point exact.
[00:04:05] Unknown:
That an opinion should be based on more than prejudice, bias, or emotion. An opinion, hopefully, should have its foundation in fact, in evidence, in the authenticated truth.
[00:04:18] Unknown:
You sound like a lawyer.
[00:04:21] Unknown:
Well, it so happens that, I am a lawyer.
[00:04:24] Unknown:
Well, then how can you be an artist? I'm a lawyer and an artist. I know that you listed lawyer first. I I I'm both.
[00:04:32] Unknown:
And what what business is it of yours? And and what do you know about art anyhow? And who asked you in the first place?
[00:04:38] Unknown:
Those are three questions. And the answers are none, nothing, and nobody.
[00:04:45] Unknown:
And now, sir, if you'll excuse me. I know. I'm madam. I'm sorry. It's it's it's you who must excuse me. I'm I'm I'm not myself. I'm under a strain. I had no right to behave so boorishly. Please forgive me. While I may not be an artist, I can at least be a gentle.
[00:05:04] Unknown:
You could also be an artist.
[00:05:07] Unknown:
You think so? I do do you really think so? Oh, I see. Your problem. You want assurances. Well, I I'd like to be sure that I could succeed. That's another one of those words. Sure. Yes. But suppose I devote a lifetime of hard work and and and I fail.
[00:05:25] Unknown:
The devotion is your success.
[00:05:28] Unknown:
But, you breathe rarefied air.
[00:05:32] Unknown:
My name is Regina Summers.
[00:05:34] Unknown:
How do you do? I am Walter Owens. Thank you. Thank you for talking to me, for spending so much of your time with a complete stranger.
[00:05:43] Unknown:
But you're not a complete stranger or even an incomplete stranger.
[00:05:47] Unknown:
Oh, have we met? Yeah.
[00:05:50] Unknown:
I think we have. No. I I I don't think so. I mean, I say this because I am sure I would never have forgotten. You're how old?
[00:05:59] Unknown:
30? Yeah. We met, I think, before you were born. Oh, before I was born? Yes. I'm sure of it.
[00:06:08] Unknown:
Well,
[00:06:09] Unknown:
Well, is that so strange? Yes. Frankly. Why? Where do you think you were before you were born? Where do I think I was before Inside you, there's an essence. Now something that makes you Walter Owens. Wouldn't you agree? Well, on the face of it, I suppose I would agree.
[00:06:25] Unknown:
Now I have to be careful with you, don't I? You have a way with words. Oh, Oh, nonsense. I'm just a little old lady and you're a brilliant lawyer. Yes. We, we're talking about where I was before I was born. This, unique essence that happens to be me. I think I didn't say unique essence. There's nothing singular about it.
[00:06:46] Unknown:
Many people can have the identical sort of essence. I know a man who seemed to have the same essence as you do when he was younger. Oh.
[00:06:54] Unknown:
Oh, then I remind you of someone. Oh, yes. For who?
[00:06:59] Unknown:
Would would you care to dine with us this evening? Well, well, I Please do. It'll be such a treat for Everett. My husband doesn't go out much. We can talk about art. You can see our place from here. You see the, the hill that rises up from the beach? That's the house on top.
[00:07:21] Unknown:
It is. It's beautiful.
[00:07:23] Unknown:
Say you'll come. Alright.
[00:07:34] Unknown:
Missus Lorschach. Wait. Don't tell me. You're in Room 212? 211. I'm close. Yes. And your name is mister Owens? No. Owens. Oh, well, at least I was right about it beginning with an o. Yeah. Do I have any mail? No, sir. I see you got your paint set with you. A paint set? Is that what it's called?
[00:07:54] Unknown:
Yeah. Yes. I I suppose so. No mail.
[00:07:59] Unknown:
Could I say something, mister Olens? Owens. Oh, yeah. Well, I remember when you checked in last night, you said you wouldn't be expecting any mail. Now you're hardly here one day and already you're asking if you got me. Yes. The, mail habits are hard one to break. It's a great place for painting pictures. Lots of artists come around. And you know what they paint mostly? Tell me. The Summerfield Place. You can see it from everywhere on the beach. It's on top of the hill. Yes. Yes. It's a magnificent mansion. Oh, it's falling apart. Forty, fifty years ago before the war. I mean, the second world war.
Oh, that was a place to see. Well, it's still very imposing. Look close. It's falling apart. A pity you won't get to see the inside of it. She won't let hardly anybody in there. Uh-huh. But I will get to see the inside.
[00:08:51] Unknown:
Yeah? Yes. I'm invited there to dinner. Your what? Yes. I met missus Summerfield about an hour ago out at the beach. She spoke to you? Yes. We had quite a talk. Well, if that don't be So I'm dining tonight with the Summerfields. The,
[00:09:08] Unknown:
Summerfields?
[00:09:09] Unknown:
Yes. Mrs. Summerfield and her husband. I believe his name is, Everett. Yeah. Well, What's the matter, missus Marcia?
[00:09:16] Unknown:
Look. What you have to understand is that there is no mister Everett Summerfield.
[00:09:22] Unknown:
No mister
[00:09:23] Unknown:
what are you saying? I'm saying there isn't any mister Everett Summerfield. There isn't? No, sir. There isn't. And she simply won't accept that. Uh-huh. So what happened? Well, you see, Everett Summerfield was in the Navy. He he was a lieutenant on board the USS Arizona, which was at Pearl Harbor. Mhmm. The ship was blown up on December 7 and sank to the bottom. And he was killed? Yeah. He was killed. But you see, they never did find his body. I see. As she pretends he's come back, she talks to him just as if he's sitting there and she she cocks her head as look, she's listening to him. I swear it is scary.
Yeah. It's quite a place but, she's not gonna be able to keep it much longer. Why do you say that? Well, because she's got a relative. Some niece or something that's trying to get the place away from us. On what grounds? On what grounds? Well, the woman's a nut. I mean, I I like her personally, but she is a prime candidate for the nuthouse. Look. You you're going there tonight. You'll see for yourself. I mean, the the the curtains on the windows are red. The upholstery is all worn out on the furniture. The place needs paint all over. But she thinks you know what she thinks.
What? She thinks the place is in shape for the for the president of The United States to be entertained in.
[00:10:56] Unknown:
What you're intimating is that she's crazy.
[00:11:00] Unknown:
Intimating? It's a fact. Mister Owens, it's a hard, cold, cruel fact.
[00:11:17] Unknown:
Mister Owens. Good evening, missus Summerfield. Do do commit.
[00:11:23] Unknown:
I brought you this. Oh, you shouldn't have. It's a favorite dinner wine of mine.
[00:11:28] Unknown:
Wine of mine. That sounds so pretty. I'm sure Everett will enjoy it. Perhaps it will help him sleep. Poor Everett, he's been out of sorts lately. I'm sure you must be starved. Come on. No. We're not I whipped up, that's a modern term that's so descriptive. I whipped up dinner myself. We let the servants go. Well, why keep them? We don't use all the house these days. It's a small part of it, and it's enough for the two of us. This is Everett's library. Oh, but he'll wanna show it to you himself. And this is a small room that we use as a combined sitting and dining salon. Lovely, isn't it? It's,
[00:12:12] Unknown:
yeah. Is that Yeah.
[00:12:14] Unknown:
Now these are genuine hefewe whites. The drape on the window, if you look, a bit more closely, is a genuine Gaublin. That is, it's purported to be. But this is Limoges, China.
[00:12:33] Unknown:
I see.
[00:12:34] Unknown:
The tablecloth is a type of pure linen that doesn't seem to be made anymore. It was the exclusive secret of an old family in Ireland, which is now extinct. I understand.
[00:12:45] Unknown:
But you can see the fine weave, can't you? Oh, yes. Oh, yes. Absolutely.
[00:12:50] Unknown:
And this cup, it's quite small, you see. Oh, so exquisite. It's a Chilleen. Yes. Beautiful. Please forgive me. For what? Oh, I babble on and on about all these lovely things. It suddenly seems to me I must sound like a Philistine.
[00:13:08] Unknown:
Don't you think? No. No. No. Not at all. Why do you say that?
[00:13:11] Unknown:
Listen how I emphasize this as a genuine that. Cellini Gobland Limoges. I'm trying to impress you with names. That doesn't seem that way. Oh, and how rare and expensive those things are. Well, it's true. They do happen to be. But I shouldn't brag about it. I can't help it. I was very poor. I never knew my mother. My father was the town drunk. Oh, lovable man, but he had the sickness. He couldn't support himself, let alone me. And so I ate the bread of charity all during my childhood. It's a bitter hard loaf. I never had a new dress or doll or toy.
I was determined I would have money. When I was old enough to work, I was a maid to some wealthy sum up people. I thought they were big bankers and brokers from Wall Street. When I entered the room, they didn't stop talking. I mean, they never even noticed me. Why should they? You know how I became rich? Can you guess? Well, no. By listening to that conversation. What do you wanna do about consolidated engines, Jim? Why don't we buy Northmont Steel? She'll surely go up 10 points and so on. And I bought two. I put my pennies together. I bought what they did, sold and they did. And soon, I had money. A great deal of money.
Oh, excuse me. We'll talk about it later. Here's Everett now. Everett? Good evening, Everett, darling. We have a guest for dinner, mister Walter Owens. I don't know. I didn't ask him. Are you mister Owens?
[00:14:52] Unknown:
Am I what? Are you from New York? Oh, no. Philadelphia.
[00:14:57] Unknown:
Everett. Why do you think everybody's from New York? Well, shall we all be seated? No. No. I'll carve the roast, ever. You're always complaining about the knife. Yes, dear. Mister Owens, in order to maintain domestic tranquility, will you do the honors and carve?
[00:15:19] Unknown:
Yes. Yes. I suppose
[00:15:27] Unknown:
so.
[00:15:31] Unknown:
Well, now, how many people are at that table? Two or three? And just who is missus Summerfield? When we first met her, she seemed like a rather sharp, smart, with it old lady. Everett is obviously supposed to be Lieutenant Everett Summerfield who was killed many years ago at Pearl Harbor. What is he doing having dinner here tonight? Or is he? Things will either get clearer or cloudier when I return shortly with act two. Home is the sailor, home from the sea, said the poet. But some sailors can never come home again. They lie buried forever under a watery grave of warm green or cold blue.
Lieutenant Everett Summerfield went down with his ship at Pearl Harbor on that terrible day, but not according to his wife who is now having dinner with him many years later.
[00:16:40] Unknown:
I hope you enjoyed your dinner, mister Owens. Oh, yes. Yes. Excellent. Excellent. Some more coffee? No. No. Thank you. This is fine. Just fine. Everett. Everett. Oh my goodness. Look at him and listen to him. He's fast asleep. Honestly, mister Owens, that man can go off just anywhere. Or was it your wine? I just wish he wouldn't snore so loudly. Does it disturb you? Does does what disturb me? Well, can't you hear that man snore?
[00:17:09] Unknown:
Oh, I I don't mind.
[00:17:12] Unknown:
You're very kind. I was telling you how I became so rich by just listening to wealthy men talk. I was 19 years old, and I had almost half a million dollars. Can you believe it? Yes. I could believe it. I couldn't. But there it was in my account in my broker's office in New York. Meanwhile, I'd I'd fallen in love. Can you guess at whom?
[00:17:37] Unknown:
Everett.
[00:17:38] Unknown:
Yes. Everett. Everett Summerfield. It was a miracle. What do you mean? A miracle that he would fall in love with me. Why? Well, why shouldn't I fall in love with him? He was tall and handsome and rich. But for him to love me, mousy little Regina Nelson, a a penniless orphan girl. Yes. But but you were rich. But who knew that? No one. Not yet. I was miss nobody who had nothing. Yet he fell in love with me. His parents were furious. And then they died. An automobile accident. And do you know what came out? Mister Summerfield senior was broke.
It was a disaster. Do you know what really bothered Everett? The thought that he might have to lose this house, this magnificent home. He always loved it. Well, you can see why. Oh, yes. Yes. I can. You can't imagine what happened when I said to him, darling, here's enough money to save the house. And we saved it. We were very happy until the war clouds began to threaten. Everett had a commission in the naval reserve, he volunteered for active duty. Was
[00:18:52] Unknown:
was he at Pearl Harbor? Oh, yes. Yes. Wasn't there a report that he had gone down with his ship?
[00:19:01] Unknown:
Oh, you must have been listening to some of the town talk. Is that what you heard? Yes. I believe so. It was many years ago. I received a wire from the war department. They said he was killed in action. But, you know, I refuse to believe it. You refute? But why? Because I knew it couldn't be true. He couldn't be dead. He just couldn't be. And so I was not going to believe it. I went to Hawaii to look for him. But but if he was reported killed in action, where could you look? Under the sea? Well, there's no point in looking there. If he was there, he'd be dead, wouldn't he? No. I thought perhaps he'd been wounded, lost his identification, or he might have been suffering from amnesia. He could have been wandering around the island.
[00:19:46] Unknown:
I just knew I had to look. Or did you ask the war department for assistance?
[00:19:50] Unknown:
According to the war department, my effort was dead. They wrote me a letter to that effect. Now ask me what I wrote back to them. Well, what did you write? I wrote, if Everett Summerfield is dead, show me the body. They couldn't. And that's how I knew Everett must still be alive and I was right. What makes you say that? I was right, wasn't I? Here he is today. Uh-huh. But the truth is, I didn't find him. You didn't? No. In the end, he found me. I came home. I waited. I knew he'd returned to the place he loved best, the person he loved best. We did.
One day, one lovely summer's day, he walked into the house. I'll never leave this place again, he said. I'll never leave you again. He hadn't.
[00:20:44] Unknown:
How nice.
[00:20:46] Unknown:
Are you perhaps wondering why I stopped to talk to you this morning? Why did you? I spoke to you about an essence that forms the core of each of us. Remember?
[00:20:56] Unknown:
I remember.
[00:20:57] Unknown:
It reminded me of what was inside Everett before he went away to war. I didn't wanna see him waste yours the way his was wasted. Everett wants to be a painter too. I'm afraid he wasn't good enough just as you are. It's something to be afraid of.
[00:21:12] Unknown:
Why? Why? Because if it should turn out that one is not good enough, what has one done with one's life?
[00:21:19] Unknown:
Lift it. But I know I'm a good lawyer. Then why aren't you happy? I'm very happy.
[00:21:25] Unknown:
Well, I was very happy as a matter of fact until I met you this morning. Oh, I am sorry. You see, every so often, I take some time off. I go somewhere and just paint furiously for a week or so. I have to get it out of my system.
[00:21:41] Unknown:
Can you ever really get it out of your system? Well, it's getting late. Thank you for a fine dinner. Everson. I'm glad you could come. There's no point in trying to wake him. He'll get up in his own time. I'll say goodnight for him. Yes. Goodnight. And please come again soon.
[00:22:12] Unknown:
Well, hello there, mister Owens. Good evening, missus Marchek. I'd rather you called me Dell. I can't get used to this, missus Marshak. I only been married to him a week. Yes, sir. Were there any calls for me? Look. You said you weren't expecting any mail or calls or anything. Yes. Well, actually, I'm not. How was, dinner at at the castle? Oh, quite an experience. Does she still have any furniture left?
[00:22:38] Unknown:
You know, it's very sad. She thinks she's surrounded by priceless antiques and works of art. That's pitiful. And yet she's such a bright lady.
[00:22:49] Unknown:
It's love.
[00:22:50] Unknown:
She just could never get over them. It must be terrible to be in love like that. I could never be. Never. Well, that'll come to an end maybe by next week. Why next week? Well, I was telling you about this niece.
[00:23:05] Unknown:
There's gonna be a hearing in court. A hearing? When?
[00:23:09] Unknown:
I guess, day after tomorrow. Judge Sterling is in town. He's staying here at the motel. Judge Donald f Sterling? Yeah. Yeah. That's the one. He he comes from around here.
[00:23:20] Unknown:
Do you know? Well, where is he?
[00:23:22] Unknown:
Well, I saw him go into supper excuse me, dinner. He should still be in the dining room.
[00:23:34] Unknown:
Judge. Judge Sterling. Walter. Had you dinner? Yes, sir. Yes, sir. Sit down and have some coffee. Thank you. Thank you, What are you doing out here? Oh, just a little vacation.
[00:23:44] Unknown:
I hear young lawyers get all the breaks. I'm working. This place is part of my circuit. I've got what I call a COL. Oh, what's that? Oh, it's my own private code for a crazy old lady. Oh. Well, I shouldn't say that. It's just that I hate these things. You get some greedy, shifty eyed relative who wants the old gal put away for all good, naturally. Naturally. And the truth is the old gal would be better off being taken care of, but it's a messy situation. Well, anyhow, since I'll have to adjudicate this case, I'd better not discuss it. Yes, sir. The Voci's have circled in London. What's that, sir? That table near the window. Yes. That young lady, should I say woman?
That's the cousin, somewhat distant cousin, but the only surviving legal relative of the late Everett Summerfield. The Lake. Yes. That's what this thing is all about. And her estimable attorney, mister Leroy Pillow. An appetizing duo, but they may have the evidence on their side. What evidence? Enough to show that Regina should be committed. You call her Regina. It sounds as if you know her. Yeah. I've known her all my life. Well, first part of my life anyhow. Little orphan girl. Work worn little drudge. Before, she was fairly into her teens. Her face and hands were always dirty.
Heaven forgive us. We all made fun of her. All of us little rich kids. Judge, you say there's to be a hearing? That's the day after tomorrow. Does, does missus Summerfield have a lawyer? There's no one on record as yet. I suppose the court will have to appoint one. Do you suppose the court could appoint me?
[00:25:36] Unknown:
I would like to represent, missus Summerfield.
[00:25:40] Unknown:
You, know what that means? Yes.
[00:25:43] Unknown:
Yes. It means that I've taken on a very difficult case.
[00:25:54] Unknown:
Oh,
[00:25:55] Unknown:
mister Owen. Yes. I I know it's late. May I come in? Of course.
[00:26:02] Unknown:
Is something wrong, mister Owen? Missus Summerfield,
[00:26:05] Unknown:
did you know that the day after tomorrow, you are being taken to court? Yes. I've been told to appear. Do you know why you've been told to appear? I suppose it's that Marston woman. Yes. Or that Marston woman, as you call her, is out to have you committed to a mental institution. On what grounds? On the grounds that your that your faculties are impaired. In other words, I'm crazy. Well, I was only trying to say it nicely. Missus Summerfield, please let let let me explain.
[00:26:36] Unknown:
A pity you just miss Everett.
[00:26:39] Unknown:
He was quite taken with you. He he went upstairs to bed. Missus Summerfield, we must talk about Emorett. Oh, I'm delighted. I love to talk about Emorett. And, well, first, let me tell you as your attorney Oh, are you my attorney? Yeah. I was just appointed by the court.
[00:26:54] Unknown:
My now I need to have no further worries. Not that I ever had any. Judge Sterling, I've known him since we were both children. Judge Sterling is not so sure that he will be able to prevent that Marston woman from from winning the case. Judge Sterling is an honorable man. He would never permit justice to be mocked in his courtroom. He may have no choice on the basis of the evidence. What evidence? Well, Yeah.
[00:27:20] Unknown:
Miss, insistence of yours that
[00:27:24] Unknown:
that Everett is in the house. I mean, you see That will be quite enough, mister Owens. I see I have misjudged you. Missus Somerville telling me that Everett is not in the house. As your lawyer, I can owe If that is your attitude, you can no longer be my lawyer. Please, missus Somerville. Ask you to leave.
[00:27:50] Unknown:
We'll all have to leave for a few moments until the arrival of act three. But what have we here? Evidently, a tug of war between fact and fancy. Which side usually wins these affairs? A thinker moment before you answer. We'll continue shortly. Or I think, therefore I am, said the philosopher. Now if you examine that, you see it's absolutely right. If you can think, it's proof you have to be, but that's only you. If you think for someone else, does that mean that they are also there? Once again, we discover that we should never get bogged down with philosophy when we're trying to tell a story. Onward.
[00:28:50] Unknown:
Missus Summerfield, I want to help you. How? I want you to be able to stay here, to live here. I mean, after all, this is your own home. Anne. And you know that Marston woman's attorney will charge that you are no longer competent. Love it. Now I have seen these things in court. Have you? Older people can easily be victimized. Will my lawyer stand idly by and permitted? Your lawyer can only deal with facts. Oh, we're back to that. One fact your lawyer will find difficult, if not impossible to overcome, is that you talk to people who aren't here. Everett is here.
[00:29:27] Unknown:
Let let me put it this way. You talk to people who cannot be seen. Is it my fault if others cannot see clearly, truly?
[00:29:35] Unknown:
That's neither here nor there. Don't say that.
[00:29:38] Unknown:
Realistically, everything has to be in one place or the other. Yes. Well, that is your best defense.
[00:29:44] Unknown:
I will place you on the sand.
[00:29:47] Unknown:
Oh, that must be an exciting experience. I've seen it on the stage and in the motion pictures.
[00:29:54] Unknown:
It's never happened to me. Yes. Well well, I will ask you the following question. I'll be under oath, won't I? Yes. Yes. I will say, missus Summerfield, do you actually believe your husband is still alive? And I will answer yes. You will answer no.
[00:30:09] Unknown:
How can I answer no? You just told me I was under oath. Because the answer is no, and the case will be dismissed. The answer must be yes because Everett is alive.
[00:30:20] Unknown:
Our second best defense. I will ask the same question. Missus Summerfield, do you actually believe your husband is still alive? And I will answer yes. You will answer I want him to be alive and I try very hard to believe it. But I don't try hard to believe it. It happens to be true. The attorney for that masked woman will ask you that question. What will you answer? Yes. That answer opens the asylum doors.
[00:30:52] Unknown:
It's the truth, Walter. I wish you believe it. Well, it's very hard to believe it. Of course. Now you've just got the exact sense of it. If it were easy to believe, there'd be no problem with it. And that's the same with everything else. If it were easy to be an artist, anyone could do it. Missus Summerfield, please let us stay on the subject. This is the subject. Do you do what's in your heart or do you do what's easy? It's easy for you to be a lawyer, but it's right for you to be a painter. Missus Summerfield, when I talk to
[00:31:23] Unknown:
you, sometime I no longer know what I mean. Then there's hope for you. Probably.
[00:31:29] Unknown:
But is there hope for you?
[00:31:36] Unknown:
Good evening, missus Marchant. I'm glad that you called me Belle. Good night, Belle.
[00:31:40] Unknown:
See you in the morning. Aren't you gonna ask me your usual questions?
[00:31:44] Unknown:
What usual question?
[00:31:45] Unknown:
Any mail? Any messages? Well, I never have any. Well, you do tonight. A message from, a mister Pillow. He's a lawyer you're gonna be up against in court. How do you know I'm going to be in court? I know everything. He'd like to see you in the lounge.
[00:32:06] Unknown:
Walter Owens? Yes.
[00:32:08] Unknown:
Pilar's name. Leroy Pilar. This is Maxton. Julia Maestro. How you doing? How you doing? The name goes against the character, miss Maestro. In what way? It seems to me that Julia is usually the heroic role of a melodrama, not the villainous. No. Wait a minute. See here, missouri. Oh, clam off it, Leroy. A bit to the point. What is the point?
[00:32:32] Unknown:
In fact, you probably think I'm trying to swindle some belly all day out of her seat. I thought you made that statement, miss Marston. Well, she's crazy. Do you deny
[00:32:42] Unknown:
it? I'm listening, miss Marston.
[00:32:44] Unknown:
She can't take care of herself. The place is falling into racking wood. Racking wood. Did you make that up? It can be saved. It can make a fantastic resort at home. Yes. Think of what a boon it would be to the economy of this town. So tell me a proposition, you mean?
[00:33:01] Unknown:
Mister Owens, why can't we settle this out of court?
[00:33:07] Unknown:
I said a what?
[00:33:09] Unknown:
Yeah.
[00:33:10] Unknown:
Problem. Well, I'm not aware of a problem.
[00:33:13] Unknown:
Can't you convince your client that it's in her best interest? No. No. I am afraid not. Look. I'm not trying to swindle her out of the property. You're not. But it'll still be hers. In Maine, at least. And she'll be away in a nice place with with nice little old lady just like I said. And she can dig in a nice little garden. What a lovely prospect. Owens,
[00:33:35] Unknown:
I'm trying to help you out. Are you? Why lose a case when you don't have to?
[00:33:41] Unknown:
Who says I have to?
[00:33:48] Unknown:
Your honor, we have one of those unfortunate cases that occur far too often in our society. A human being reaches an age where she can no longer function fully. Objection, your honor. Missus Summerfield's ability to function is what is at issue here.
[00:34:07] Unknown:
Susan,
[00:34:09] Unknown:
can't sleep. You've been quite a while with your introduction. Now may we get on with
[00:34:18] Unknown:
it? How are we doing? Badly.
[00:34:21] Unknown:
Have faith. Yes. I might as well. I don't have anything else. Your honor, we call as a witness, missus Belle Marshak. Missus Marshak, would you come up please?
[00:34:30] Unknown:
Yes, sir. I will. Raise your right hand. And do you solemnly swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth? Yes, sir.
[00:34:38] Unknown:
Miss Marshak, how long have you known missus San Xavier? All my life. You know her well then? And yes. Would you say that there is something, peculiar about her? Meaning what, sir? What does she do anything that might be considered strange? Objection, your honor. If each of us were permitted to define strange and that were to be used as a legal guideline, who would be kept out of the asylum. Now, I don't make this point, mister Lawrence, and then I'll rule on it. Thank you, your honor. And, missus Marshak, is it strange to insist that a dead man actually exists?
Well, yeah. Does missus Summerfield to your knowledge claim that her husband is alive?
[00:35:31] Unknown:
Yes.
[00:35:32] Unknown:
Isn't it the fact that on more than one occasion she was actually addressing as if he was actually there? Yes. Yes. And in your presence, didn't he actually insist that he was talking to her? Didn't he even answer him? Yes. I have no better questions.
[00:35:55] Unknown:
Well, Walter, what can I tell you? It's not good at all. But Sterling is an old fan. Sterling is first a judge.
[00:36:02] Unknown:
Fear. Justice triumphs in a Who told you that? It's supposed to. Yes. There's been a procession, a cavalcade of witnesses out there all testifying that you live in a in a in a never never land, a make believe world. I'm very much afraid.
[00:36:18] Unknown:
You're always afraid of the odds, aren't you, Walter? But they'll always be against you, always, No matter what you wanna do. That is if you wanna do it right. Yes.
[00:36:29] Unknown:
It's time to go back into the closet.
[00:36:31] Unknown:
Become a painter. Give up the law. After I lose this case, I may have to.
[00:36:42] Unknown:
In essence, miss Myson,
[00:36:44] Unknown:
why have you brought this action? Because I'm trying to solve it something. This is some of you that is no longer able to maintain the house. As everyone has testified, it's going to rock and ruin. I would like to set the place to work.
[00:36:59] Unknown:
And that is a suspect with missus Oliver.
[00:37:01] Unknown:
How can you talk to her? She lives in another world. Everybody knows that. She even thinks her husband is a lie. Objection, your honor.
[00:37:11] Unknown:
Go on, missus. The issue of her husband's death is still before the court. Yes. But the court has as exhibit a this document from the United States Navy that informs us Lieutenant Everett Summerfield died in action. Lieutenant Summerfield's body was never recovered, your honor. We can therefore never be sure that the Navy is correct. I see. This to be our line of argument? Well, it's,
[00:37:37] Unknown:
one line of argument.
[00:37:40] Unknown:
Yes. Well, I'll weigh it with the rest. I continue with your testimony miss Miley. You've got into that house and
[00:37:48] Unknown:
and you're like, oh, what other words can I use? Spinks. The the blood is just falling apart. And you talk to him. You know what? It's like talking to someone in their second time. That's the whole story. For Jamie Summerfield is in our second childhood. Your honor, I object.
[00:38:07] Unknown:
Regina, you can object. Why not? Except for your attorney. Oh, him. He knows more about painting than he does about the law. Besides, anyone has a right to object when they hear a lie. What lies? This young lady has just told a lie. She said I was in my second childhood. That's not true. I'm in my first. Well, now, who knows that brother's a real gem, mister Sterling? Did I ever have a childhood? You can answer that question because you had one. We're we're both the same age, you and I. We were both raised in this town. And while you were having your childhood, what what was I having?
What, Tammy? I was having oh, it's this club. This is the wife's clothes to launder. I had a little cot
[00:39:01] Unknown:
behind the stove in some rich lady's kitchen.
[00:39:04] Unknown:
I ate what was left over. I wore what was handed down. I lived alone without friends. Sometimes, I was so desperate to hear the voices of children that I thought you out when you were all playing in your pretty clothes with your your beautiful toys.
[00:39:24] Unknown:
I knew you didn't even make fun of me about it all up.
[00:39:28] Unknown:
At least someone was paying attention to me. Maybe you threw mud pies at me. Did the Jewish other show on my dress? Did it, Jeremy? Did it? No. No. I didn't have a childhood. You know what childhood is, Jeremy? You don't because you have one. So I'll tell you. Childhood is a time of of dreams and delusions
[00:39:59] Unknown:
and and fairy tales,
[00:40:01] Unknown:
and you have to have it. You simply have to have it or else there can't be anything to your life. And since I didn't have mine
[00:40:12] Unknown:
when I was young,
[00:40:14] Unknown:
I have to have it now before it's too late. Childhood means living in the own beautiful world. And I claim my beautiful world now. Is it too much to ask for me? The case is dismissed.
[00:40:43] Unknown:
The beautiful world of childhood, the world of innocence, the world of infinite possibility and unlimited promise. So the thing that we dreamed would one day happen. The adventures we would know, the people we would become. It's too bad most of those dreams never come through.
[00:41:03] Unknown:
What do you think? I shall return shortly.
[00:41:17] Unknown:
Childhood childhood sends a poet wonderful girl and boy land. Once you leave its portal, you can never return again. Maybe that's not true either. Certainly, so many of us strive to go back to the simplicity, the wonder of it. But the trouble is, childhood is so rare and so precious that usually they can only spare one to a customer. Our cast included Aileen Hethrick, Paul Hecht, Bryner Raven, and Robert Dryden. The entire production was under the direction of Hyman Brown. And now
[00:41:54] Unknown:
a preview of our next phase. Don't take another step. You don't wanna eat. Uh-uh. You can put down your rocket system. Leave me no harm. What do you do want?
[00:42:07] Unknown:
I hope you know it. Bring me on a better body.
[00:42:13] Unknown:
Well, we're here to that poor's body
[00:42:17] Unknown:
to take him off your land and get him a decent day.
[00:42:21] Unknown:
And where would that be? Where he belongs. Six feet under the cartons of soil. Is that it? Yes, darling. That's it. You are out of your mind, darling. What is that supposed to be? A eternal out of the two of you. And take yourself straight back to where you come from. Mister,
[00:42:40] Unknown:
that's crazy. We are not about to do that. We're not our brother's body,
[00:42:45] Unknown:
and we are here to get it. Radio anesthesia was sponsored in part by Adelix Motor Division and ARM, Allergy Relief Medicine. This is EG Marshall inviting you to return to our Mystery Theater for another adventure in the macabre. Until next time, pleasant?
[00:43:13] Unknown:
See website for details on our two month subscription offer. Ladies, lose weight, improve your health, and eat great with Nutrisystem. Get our new premium meals with up to 30 grams of protein. They're big and filling and taste delicious. Plus, try our new restaurant faves that taste like your favorite restaurant, portioned with half the calories. Beef and bean burritos, toasted ravioli, sesame beef, and broccoli. Easy to prepare and made in minutes. The secret? Advanced nutritional science that helps keep your blood sugar levels steady and you losing weight. With Nutrisystem, you get your breakfast, lunches, dinners, and snacks all delivered right to your door. Just go to Nutrisystem.com/meals right now and get 50% off. You heard me right. Go to Nutrisystem.com/meals right now and get 50% off all plans. Don't wait. This special offer will not last long. Just go to nutrisystem.com/meals right now and get 50% off. Go to nutrisystem.com/meals.
