CBS Radio Mystery Theater

Share on social media:

In this gripping episode of Mystery Theater, host E.G. Marshall delves into the world of compulsive gambling through the story of Jeremy Dyckman, a financial consultant who abandons his stable life for the thrill of blackjack. As Jeremy becomes consumed by his obsession, he risks losing everything, including his wife Virginia and their future together. The episode explores the psychological and emotional turmoil of gambling addiction, highlighting the tension between Jeremy's rational mind and his compulsive behavior.

Virginia struggles with her own decisions as she grapples with the reality of Jeremy's addiction and the impact on their marriage. Meanwhile, Jeremy's gambling success attracts the attention of casino bosses, leading to dangerous consequences. As the story unfolds, listeners are taken on a journey through the highs and lows of Jeremy's gambling life, ultimately questioning the true cost of his obsession. The episode is a poignant exploration of the destructive nature of gambling and the personal battles faced by those caught in its grip.

https://serve.podhome.fm/cbs-radio-mystery

https://serve.podhome.fm/episodepage/cbs-radio-mystery/hit-me-again

(00:00:17) Introduction to Mystery Theater

(00:03:39) The American Dream and Its Discontents

(00:10:00) The Gambler's Dilemma

(00:18:32) Possession and Obsession

(00:33:10) The Cost of Winning

(00:43:01) A Miracle and Redemption

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:

An Amex card with you on your morning coffee run and earn cash back. On a weekend trip, earn miles.   See if you prequalify for an American Express card with no impact on your credit score. Learn more at americanexpress.com/check-4-offers.   Your credit score may be impacted if you accept a card. Terms apply.  

[00:00:18] Unknown:

And now, WR invites you to listen to the mystery theater.  

[00:00:38] Unknown:

Come in.  

[00:00:40] Unknown:

Welcome.   I'm E. G. Marshall.   There are fevers for which medicine has no cure.   The fevers that are self infected.   Drug abuse, alcohol,   and perhaps the most totally engulfing of all,   the rage to gamble.   Gambling, the most insidious of all compulsions,   because the weight of figures and odds cannot fail to provide a justification   for the gambler,   suggesting that he is unaffected by emotional stress,   operating on sheer scientific   principles.   Our mystery drama, Hit Me Again, was written especially for the mystery theater by Ian Martin and stars Paul Hecht.   It is sponsored in part by Anheuser Busch Incorporated, brewers of Budweiser, and Contact, the twelve hour cold capsule.  

I'll be back shortly  

[00:01:33] Unknown:

with act one. It is a magic moment.   You are at your Buick dealers about to drive home in your brand new Buick LeSabre.   It's lean and trimmed, classic lines.  

[00:01:45] Unknown:

As Buick, you can remember.  

[00:01:47] Unknown:

You get in.   A heavy new car smell surrounds you. Your LeSabre feels the way it looks, tight.   You turn the wheel a little. No wasted motion in this car.   Big brushed metallic gauges look back at you. That v six engine is doing great.   You rub your hand on the seat. Six people could be really comfortable in here. You swing into your driveway.   Your wife, the kids, the dog, everyone with the parakeet, descends in the car and gets in. Off you go to nowhere in particular.   Life and your Numa Sabre are great.   Maybe the dog shouldn't sit on the seats.  

[00:02:34] Unknown:

I'm E. G. Marshall, host of Mystery Theater. It's Christmas time, and you are Santa   Claus, the spirit of Christmas.   And with your generosity, the reality of Christmas will be brought to thousands of needy children in the w o r listening area.   Your contribution means gifts of toys and clothing for each of them under Christmas trees in hundreds of hospitals   and institutions.   You light up those little faces on Christmas morning because you have taken the time   now to send your check to the w o r children's Christmas fund.   The nicest thing about your contribution is that 100%   of it, the entire amount,   is used to buy gifts for the children.  

Send your check today to the WOR Children's Christmas Fund, box seven ten,   Times Square Station, New York one double o three six.   Thank you.   To outward view,   no one could be more happily establishment   than Jeremy Dyckman,   a nice button down bridge playing commuter from Westchester,   Financial Consultant in a brokerage firm, already tabbed to go all the way to the top,   an expensive split level ranch house in the suburbs,   and a honey colored wife.   The epitome of the American dream,   except that for one reason or another,   there are no children yet   till the evening this story begins.  



[00:04:14] Unknown:

Hi, darling. I have the martinis all ready. Uh-huh. Great.  

[00:04:18] Unknown:

You don't know it, Virginia. You're going to need them more than me.  

[00:04:26] Unknown:

What are you looking so grouchy about? Oh, hi, darling. Let's not push it, Far be it for me.  

[00:04:32] Unknown:

Shall I pour? Maybe you better hold up till I hit you with the news.  

[00:04:36] Unknown:

What news?  

[00:04:38] Unknown:

On second thought,   yeah, let's have the drink first. Don't you wanna change your clothes? Nope. But you usually do. Tonight's different. I've already made my change.   Into what? Into something rich and strange.   A sea change as mister Shakespeare had it. Oh, you know, I'll take that drink you offered.  

[00:04:57] Unknown:

You certainly   are a little weird husband of mine.  

[00:05:01] Unknown:

Here's to the future   when we might own the world.   To us, to the stars, and to the time we can smile down on the Rockefellers and all the oil   boys   in   Texas.   You're not drinking, Ginny?  

[00:05:16] Unknown:

It's kind of spoiled for me since I  

[00:05:19] Unknown:

don't know what we're drinking to. Well, first off, to my freedom. What do you mean? Freedom? I quit the firm today. I'm on my own.   Cherry. Yeah. You see, there it is. Criticism, fear, antagonism.  

[00:05:30] Unknown:

I I I didn't mean anything. It's just  

[00:05:33] Unknown:

Well Why would you quit? Because I was drowning. Couldn't breathe.   And most of all, because I finally saw if the object was just making money,   well, there had to be a better way, a surer   way, at least a more exciting way.   Well, it would start with just one little pack of cards   like this.  

[00:05:55] Unknown:

You must be crazy.   How could you, a mathematician, a computer expert,   even think that in games of chance, there's But but that's just the point.  

[00:06:05] Unknown:

I am also an expert on games of chance now   now that a friend has pointed the way. What friend? A man I know. You don't.   That's unimportant.   What is   is a principle that he taught me.  

[00:06:20] Unknown:

And the principle? Card counting.  

[00:06:22] Unknown:

Well, not just a simple matter of remembering what cards are in and out of the deck, but the mathematical   odds on the hidden ones.   With a little practice, I can now go to a town like Las Vegas and know that I'll win.  

[00:06:36] Unknown:

I don't think I can believe what I'm hearing. You should know that the odds are all with the house. Of course. Of course. I could I could quote you chapter and verse.  

[00:06:46] Unknown:

One armed bandits, between 1020%.   Craps, dice, even averaging all the way. You still run behind the house by 1%.   Kino, you buck a 25%   edge. Mad.   Roulette, play it in Europe. You still stand to lose, but at less than half what we do in this country.   But blackjack,   21.   That's something else again.   What are the odds there? Never mind what they are in in actuarial figures. The point is   that the odds can be tipped. In the better's favor There is no reason to do worse than fifty fifty.   And if you really watch what you're doing and learn to play your luck,   you can draw down from the house.  



[00:07:27] Unknown:

And you quit your job because that's what you expect to do? Oh, I quit my job for so many reasons.  

[00:07:34] Unknown:

I guess you'll be the only one to regret it.  

[00:07:38] Unknown:

That isn't fair, Jerry. I'll be with you. Oh, will you?  

[00:07:41] Unknown:

Are you ready to give up the house from all your friends? What do you mean? Look. If I play cards, Ginny, I have to go I have to go with the place. Vegas, the islands, Europe, Macau. I mean, it's a gypsy life, but it's not all that bad.   But what do we do with the house? Well, sell it. Rent it. Who cares? We have no children, no ties. You mean you've,  

[00:08:00] Unknown:

just wander and gamble? Yeah.   I know what's at the bottom of all this.   What?   I never gave you a child. Or  

[00:08:10] Unknown:

I never gave you one.  

[00:08:12] Unknown:

Is that why you're doing this? I'm not doing it.  

[00:08:16] Unknown:

It's already done.   Now   where do we go from here?  

[00:08:27] Unknown:

Damn it, Kurama. It just doesn't make any sense. I mean, it it just doesn't program.  

[00:08:34] Unknown:

I'm sorry, KG. I can't really explain it myself except   well, it's it's a challenge.  

[00:08:40] Unknown:

You insist on resigning? I wanna take a whirl at this idea of mine. It doesn't make sense, you know? I'll never know until I prove it out.  

[00:08:49] Unknown:

How long is that gonna take? As long as it has to. Now what does that mean? I just I just wanna break out of the cage.   Take a flyer at something I believe might work. You have a contract with us, and I'm damned if I'll let you go.  

[00:09:02] Unknown:

Too valuable a man to waste chasing a rainbow. I'll give you a leave of absence. No strings. Long as you want. Within reason.  

[00:09:08] Unknown:

What would you say was within reason, KG?  

[00:09:12] Unknown:

You're the nut.   What would you say?  

[00:09:16] Unknown:

Nothing.   No time is with reason.   The whole point in a gamble is that there are no deals. Nothing held back. It's all   right out on the table.  

[00:09:28] Unknown:

Not even a hedge bet on the side? No. No, Kitchy.  

[00:09:31] Unknown:

Because no matter how I tried to forget it, if I knew I wasn't laying my neck on the line every time,   somehow it would fudge up the whole deal.   It's gotta be all or nothing.  

[00:09:45] Unknown:

Okay, Jerry. You want it that way. Remember, you said it.  

[00:09:49] Unknown:

If it doesn't prove out,   don't you come crawling to me.   You've had it.  

[00:10:01] Unknown:

It's   all so senseless, Jerry. I won't defend it. But you're going through with it. Something I gotta do. But I don't. Well, that's up to you.   If I walked out, you wouldn't even try to stop me. I wouldn't have any right.   Darling,   would you see Frank first? Just talk it over with him. It wouldn't do any good. What do you mean?  

[00:10:23] Unknown:

Well, I   I mean, I'm well, I guess you could say   a a closet gambler.   What does that mean? I've been gambling for years without you ever knowing. Horses, football games, the numbers, dice cards.   Maybe it's just a reaction to what I've always done for a living. Always dealing with about as close to predictable results as possible.   Gah. What am I talking about?   Phew. I sound like I really needed Franklin. Actually, he's the last person in the world I need. A psychiatrist.  

[00:10:58] Unknown:

Virginia, he's perfectly right.   Jerry is? About not needing a psychiatrist.   That's a terrible thing to say. Trying to be honest. There are certain areas where, at least I feel,   psychiatry doesn't work.   Alcoholism,   drugs, and gambling.   In many ways, gambling is the worst compulsion of all because there is a kind of arguable rationale for it. You can get rich quick,   and that's what our society seems to be all about.  

[00:11:28] Unknown:

You're not much help, Frank.  

[00:11:30] Unknown:

I don't really know how to be Virginia.   First off, anyway, Jerry'd have to come to me by himself.  

[00:11:37] Unknown:

You know he'll never do that.  

[00:11:39] Unknown:

Yeah.   So   that brings me to something else.   He isn't my patient.   But what about you?  

[00:11:47] Unknown:

We're friends for heaven's sakes.   Do you think I need a psychiatrist?  

[00:11:52] Unknown:

It could have been the real reason you're here. Don't be silly. I'll try not to be.   You're walking the ragged edge. You're going to have to fall one side or the other. Either way, I think you'll need help.  

[00:12:06] Unknown:

What do you mean   Either way?  

[00:12:09] Unknown:

We don't have to cut corners, Virginia.   Either you go with him or you   walk out on him.   One way,   the only thing I can offer you is   something to stave off hypertension at the least.   The other  

[00:12:25] Unknown:

What about the other?  

[00:12:27] Unknown:

Well,   you are the girl I loved and lost.  

[00:12:32] Unknown:

You'd still be interested   in damaged goods?  

[00:12:36] Unknown:

I only see the goods.   The damage could be repaired   if you break away.  

[00:12:42] Unknown:

Is that what you'd advise me to do?  

[00:12:46] Unknown:

You have to make that decision.  

[00:12:50] Unknown:

I guess   I've already made it, Frank.   Now that I found out that Jerry has had a   mistress for all these years, I'm not about to settle for second best.   Let him get married to Dame Fortune, and I wish both him   and the lady luck.  

[00:13:16] Unknown:

Six of   hearts. Hit me again. Bar clubs.  

[00:13:21] Unknown:

Stay. Cards, ma'am.   Big king. That puts you over. What about you, sir?   Gentleman stands pat.   Lady draws a nine, busted.   Dealer shows 17 of my stand. Pay 18.  

[00:13:34] Unknown:

Pay me.  

[00:13:39] Unknown:

Alright. Slammer, what is it? We got another counter.  

[00:13:44] Unknown:

Yeah, sure. I was dealing, but you can check it out with the pit boss and the cameras.   He's a counter, all right? How's he doing? Treading water.  

[00:13:53] Unknown:

He could get better. So, few wins is good PR.   If he don't get too much   better. That's what we said about the last guy. He was taken care of. Well, what about the new talent? We'll watch him.   Figure what it's worth.   If we have to turn it over, it's no skidding our fire noses.   We don't have to fit them for the concrete boots and dump them in the lake.   The troops handle that.   So what else is new? Nothing.   The suckers still rollin'. Yeah, and since you brought it up, let's just keep remembering what puts us where we are.   Anybody takes a real shot at throwing a monkey wrench in the works,   ain't gonna be around to even have the chance.  



[00:14:41] Unknown:

Jeremy Dyckman has rejected his predictable world to enter a world of chance.   And whatever his system, whatever his dreams,   he already seems well on the way to being the classic gambler,   a loser.   His job, his wife, and even now his life seem to have been thrown away   because of his compulsion.   No. Let's say a better word is obsession.   And the first dictionary   definition for that word is an act of the devil,   impelling a person to action   from without.   I shall return shortly with act two.  

[00:16:17] Unknown:

You said all. Anheuser Busch, headquarters, Saint Louis, Missouri.  

[00:16:21] Unknown:

This message is rated m for men only. The subject is Christmas. It's coming up fast. And if you still haven't decided on a gift for that special lady in your life, well, this Christmas, why not give her the gift she deserves, the gift she really wants, the gift of fabulous fur. When you select a superb quality fur coat or other fur fashion at the famous Flemington Fur Company in Flemington, New Jersey, you can be sure you're getting the gift that's perfect in every way. The quality is assuredly the finest. The selection is so vast that you're certain to find the fur that's right for her, and the prices at Flemington Fur always guarantee value.   So that you know that you're getting the finest furs available at the lowest possible price.  

Yes. When you give her the everlasting loveliness of a fine Flemington fur for Christmas, you can be sure you'll be making her the happiest gal in town. So men this Christmas give her the gift she wants most. A fabulous fur from the Flemington Fur Company in Flemington, New Jersey. Open Sunday and every day until six.  

[00:17:34] Unknown:

In France,   romance is a national passion.   So is Madame Rochechase.   Because there's never been a more romantic fragrance or a more beautiful interpretation of what it means to be a woman.   Madame Rochechase.   Perfume and eau de cologne.   Madame Rochechase,   The fragrance is so extraordinary, so unlike anything you've ever experienced,   you'll understand why there's never been a more beautiful interpretation of what it means to be a woman.   Madame Rochas.   Perfume and eau de cologne.   But why wait for him to make a gift of it? Discover Madame Rochas for yourself.  

[00:18:15] Unknown:

One of the sensual things in store for you, perfume Rochas.   Available at Bloomingdale's in all fashion branches.  

[00:18:33] Unknown:

When I left you, we were concerned with the definition of obsession.   But what of another definition   for   possession?   It is an active   and a passive state. Active in the sense that one takes over something   or someone.   Passive   in that you are the one taken over as,   wouldn't you agree,   Jeremy Dykeman has been?  

[00:19:03] Unknown:

Hello? Hi.   It's Gerry. Gerry.  

[00:19:07] Unknown:

Where are you? Same old stand.  

[00:19:10] Unknown:

How are you, Jen?  

[00:19:11] Unknown:

Don't call me that. Sorry.   Has too many overtones I don't like. Okay.   Virginia?   That has some overtones I don't care for either. I'll settle for Jenny. Okay, Jenny.  

[00:19:24] Unknown:

How are you?  

[00:19:26] Unknown:

I survive.   What's more to the point?   How are you?  

[00:19:30] Unknown:

The same.  

[00:19:32] Unknown:

You don't   sound as if it's good.   It isn't. Are you out of money?  

[00:19:37] Unknown:

Just about. Oh. But not out of hope and belief.  

[00:19:41] Unknown:

Oh,   why did you call?  

[00:19:44] Unknown:

Oh, just to touch base and That's good because I and to ask you one thing.  

[00:19:51] Unknown:

What's that?  

[00:19:52] Unknown:

I don't know about lawyers, but our agreement is pretty   well drawn up, isn't it? Yes. And part of it was we could split the joint account. Yes.   Well,   I don't mean to make it anything difficult, but could I draw on a thousand or two right now?  

[00:20:09] Unknown:

I kinda need it. That's alright with me, Jerry, but But what?   Don't throw it away.   Jerry, please. Don't throw everything away. Why make it tough?  

[00:20:21] Unknown:

Do I get it or not?  

[00:20:24] Unknown:

Wouldn't you rather have me? Oh, for heaven's sake.   How do I answer that? This doesn't seem so difficult. It's just a yes  

[00:20:33] Unknown:

or a no. Forget it. I'll raise the dough somewhere else.  

[00:20:37] Unknown:

Jerry?   Jerry?   Oh, no.   Oh, Lord. Why?   Why?  

[00:20:51] Unknown:

Your fault.   My daily, sir,   You stand back.   Yes, ma'am. Queen, you're busted. You, sir? Hit me. Yes, sir.  

[00:21:00] Unknown:

Three of spades. Hit me again.   Five of diamonds, eight showing. Stand? You have a king up? That's what shows.   Hit me again. Five of clubs.   I showed 21.  

[00:21:13] Unknown:

Nine in a hole.   Pay 20 or over. Pay me. That's your bet.  

[00:21:18] Unknown:

Hello, Jerry. Ginny.  

[00:21:20] Unknown:

What are you doing here? What am I doing anywhere? You're not you just bought me good luck. I cleaned up. You mean it hasn't been going so well? I just started to turn. No. Don't leave. Don't leave. Just stick around.   Make your bets, please. I'm up for blood this time. I'll let it all ride. You'll make your own bets, mister.  

[00:21:35] Unknown:

Everyone in? Yep.   Cards.   And a subnet of the dealer. Second cards.  

[00:21:48] Unknown:

Jenny?   Jenny?  

[00:21:52] Unknown:

Oh. Jenny. Jerry. Come on, honey. Come on. Let's get you under the covers into bed. Oh, what time is it? It's, half past four.  

[00:22:00] Unknown:

And I came up to the room just after twelve.  

[00:22:04] Unknown:

Did you miss me? Sure, Jenny. Only well, I figured you were tired. I wanted to get to bed. I was tired.  

[00:22:12] Unknown:

Tired of that silly game. Same old thing over and over again. Not tonight. Not tonight.  

[00:22:17] Unknown:

Not the same thing one bit.   Look. I think I've got it all put together.   All what put together? The system. The counting. The way to beat the house.   Look.   Oh, read them and weep. 3,500   gilt edged American dollars that I parlayed at the 21 table out of my last 300.   You won. Oh, you better believe it, baby. From here on in, we've got it made. Doc, what made? Us. Life. The big steak.   Oh, darling, you don't know what luck you brought me and how I'm gonna need you now. How will you need me? I have got the whole system now. It proves out. It works. It's it's infallible. I know it. Even if they switch to more than one deck, even as many as four, the constants are set. It's it's it's just adjustment.   All I have to do is study, study, study, and practice, practice, and study.  

And you can help. How?   Look. Here's a pack of cards.   Brand new.   Now   I'll shuffle,   and clear off the table there. Gerry,   there's something I wanna say first. Now look, in in a in a moment, honey. I I I just wanna show you how it works. And no tricks. Just me and my mind against the house.   Clear the table.   Okay.   Now, deal.   Jerry, I don't know anything about blackjack. You know how to handle cards? You play bridge, gin? You take the cards. I will say four hands and the dealer. I'll be number one hand, three dummies, and you're the dealer. Jerry,  

[00:23:49] Unknown:

please listen to me. Me a card.  

[00:23:53] Unknown:

Three more face down to the dummy players.   And now yourself, one face up.   Fine.   Now do you all five of us another card face   down.   Now the object is To get as near 21 in your card count without going over because that's a buck. But to score more than the dealers count to win. Oh, Jerry. Honestly, I couldn't care less than that. Listen. Just let me show the beauty part here.   Now, I've got a 10 and a three, so I ask for a hit.   Deal.   Five of diamonds.   I stand on that, but that's plus one card in my system. Next guy, hit him.   Deuce, hit him again.  

A 10, that busts him. But the 10 is a minus one card, so they cancel out. Hit the next guy. Six.   He stands. But that's another plus one, though, because it's a six.   Try the last one.   Deuce. Hit him again.   Four. He stands, but that's two more pluses. That's plus four. But who wins? In this case, you have to stand on 17 as the dealer, so I win. But that's not important.   It's only one hand.   What counts is if the plus score stays high, I bet more unit, higher wagers.   Why? Because the longer the plus score stays high, the more chance there is to draw down a face card or a 10 because more and more of them are left in the deck.   And the thing is to keep it all computed in the head,   and that's why you can be so valuable.  

Me? You can deal for me. Set me up in game conditions. Allow me to concentrate on the count. Oh, honey, you don't know what a lifesaver you are turning up just at this moment. You are just what I need. We've got it made. Oh, if only you knew we have. Sure. Sure. Tonight, I really proved it. I can play the house at the worst fifty fifty on my system. And most times, I can tip the odds my way. What more do you want? What we had, Jerry.  

[00:25:52] Unknown:

Just what we had.   No pie in the sky and not this sickness that's got you. What's wrong? I wanted to tell you something.   Now doesn't seem the time. Well,  

[00:26:05] Unknown:

where where are you going? Away  

[00:26:08] Unknown:

from you.  

[00:26:09] Unknown:

To another guy? No.  

[00:26:12] Unknown:

Maybe.   Maybe there's one who wants me. Frank Dexter, I'll bet.   Yes.  

[00:26:18] Unknown:

He could be better off.   Maybe he can give you a child.   I haven't figured a system on that one yet.  

[00:26:25] Unknown:

Okay. Go. Oh, Jerry. You   can't say that.   You've got to give me a chance to change your mind. No. I'm seeing this through to the bitter end.   And there isn't any point in my sticking around. You don't even wanna listen.   You'd never guess, would you?   But I was sitting up in this   plastic room praying   that you would lose your shirt   because I knew if you won,   I'd lose.   Goodbye, Jerry.   I hope lady luck can give you more than I seem to be able to.   And you didn't tell him, Virginia? No, Frank. I I I couldn't.  

[00:27:13] Unknown:

Why not? I mean, it's his right to know.  

[00:27:16] Unknown:

It wouldn't have made any difference to him. Nothing would.   He's in love with another woman who possesses him, body and soul. There's another woman as well? No.   Just the same old Spellbinder,   Lady Luck,   Dame Fortune, the Queen of Spades, whatever you wanna call her. But if you had told him you were news, perhaps that would honestly think it might, Frank.   You were the one who first diagnosed Jerry's sickness, gambling fever, chronic, prognosis   negative, no cure.   Oh, and you were right.   I still say he has the right to know he's gonna have a child. Who says he is? I don't have to bring a child in the world to be hurt as his father could hurt him.   That's another gamble I'm afraid I may not be able to take.  



[00:28:10] Unknown:

Plus two, minus one,   minus   two, even, even,   plus three.   Yeah. Yeah. In a minute. When do you split nines? When dealer shows no seven,  

[00:28:24] Unknown:

but anything from two to nine. What?  

[00:28:28] Unknown:

You   you understand?   You see it now, Ginny. Not Ginny.   Who   who are you?  

[00:28:36] Unknown:

The woman you really love.   I love Ginny. Your little queen of hearts.   Don't worry, Jerry.   Look at her closely in the past.   So light,   and yet   so unlike.   I'll make you forget her light beauty   for my top one.   Who are you? Your lady luck.   Just call me   the Queen of Spain.   What?  

[00:29:14] Unknown:

It's the phone.   Yeah. Yeah. Where is it?   Oh, yeah. That's right. I'm sorry. I did leave a call.   I don't I don't know. Thank you. Thank you. Give me give me room service, will you?  

[00:29:33] Unknown:

Come.   Alley sheet, Ace. Oh, yeah. Put it down somewhere. I'll check it out in the moment. Good night.  

[00:29:41] Unknown:

That'd be worse.   The counter took us for a bundle.   How much?   About $12.  

[00:29:49] Unknown:

Yeah, it's a nice round of summer.   That's four times in the last week he stings us. Yeah.  

[00:29:56] Unknown:

Do we,   move in on him?  

[00:29:59] Unknown:

We might just have to. Waste them.   I'm gonna think about it, Sama.   I'm gonna do a lot of thinking about that.  

[00:30:13] Unknown:

Well, Jeremy Dykeman may have found a formula for winning at the tables,   but it looks as though he's a loser   all the rest of the way down the line.   He's lost his wife, he's lost his child,   and now two very hard men are in the process of considering whether or not he might lose his life.   I'll return shortly with the last act in this drama.  

[00:30:41] Unknown:

Here in my hand is a little capsule. It's contact.  

[00:30:45] Unknown:

It contains enough cold medicine to help relieve cold symptoms caused by every known virus. Think about that the next time you're sick. Sneezing, dripping, or clogged up. Then let us help you with real medicine, like contact.   We're number one in the whole world.  

[00:31:09] Unknown:

Which high potency vitamin formula do physicians and pharmacists recommend most? Theragran and Theragran m with minerals by squib.   Squib on the outside means quality on the inside.   And right now, you can take advantage of a really great offer. Buy the combination Theragran or Theragran m pack of 100 plus 30 tablets at a special low price. This economy offer is limited, so get your Theragran now. Remember, it's the brand physicians and pharmacists recommend most. America's number one high potency vitamin. Take advantage of this special Theragran offer now at Fort Schuyler Pharmacy, thirty six thirty one East Tremont Avenue in The Bronx,   Sanford Pharmacy, Spruce And Carol Streets, Ramsey, New Jersey, and Middletown Pharmacy,   Leonardville Road, Bedford, New Jersey.  

Save you time during this busy holiday season, ShopRite is featuring quick, easy, satisfying meals.   Fresh lean ground chuck, good so many ways, 79¢   a pound. ShopRite hamburger rolls, 10 ounce packages, three for a dollar. ShopRite king-size beef franks, another year round favorite, 89¢   for a one pound package.   ShopRite mixers, 28 ounce bottles, 5 for 90 9 cents. And for all your holiday needs, toys, trimmings, and wrappings too. ShopRite,   the holiday place.  

[00:33:10] Unknown:

In a lonely house where she once lived with her husband and love, Virginia Dykeman wrestles with the problem of her bleak future.   In a lonely hotel room, Jerry Dykeman   tosses and turns through dreams of a surrogate wife who is fast becoming the symbol   of the success of his system to win at blackjack.   And in the casino office,   two hard men consider dispassionately   whether his system   is to be tolerated   or even Jerry Dykeman himself. Couple of questions, man.  

[00:33:44] Unknown:

Shoot, boss.  

[00:33:45] Unknown:

You sure he's no mechanic?  

[00:33:47] Unknown:

Checked out every way. No razor blade pieces under the nails. No other marking gimmick. No computers like the guy had last year under his raincoat.   No switches.  

[00:33:58] Unknown:

You saw the films. Yeah. I studied them. I agree.   Just a straight counter.  

[00:34:05] Unknown:

Them guys really get to me.  

[00:34:07] Unknown:

Well, why do you get so mad at them, Slammer?   There's still plenty of suckers to evening out. And a fair to heavy winner within region is good public relations. Yeah, But but but a counter. Everybody's   a counter one way or another, blackjack.   Some are just better than others. Oh. Maybe I'll have a little chat with him.   Like, maybe the next time he tries to draw to his credit.  

[00:34:44] Unknown:

Oh,   evening, Frank. Virginia.  

[00:34:48] Unknown:

I,   I've been a little concerned about you. I tried to call, but the phone was busy. I've had it off the hook. Oh,   well I, I was in the neighborhood. I drove by and saw the lights and,  

[00:35:02] Unknown:

Do you wanna come   in? Yes.   Why not?  

[00:35:08] Unknown:

You're   not looking well.  

[00:35:11] Unknown:

I don't feel very well. Then for heaven's sake would you? It isn't physical.   Just   sheer brutal mental exhaustion.   Let's go in the living room. Yes.  

[00:35:24] Unknown:

Have you,   spoken to Jerry?  

[00:35:27] Unknown:

No. No. He   doesn't need me anymore,  

[00:35:31] Unknown:

if he ever did. You haven't done anything else,  

[00:35:34] Unknown:

foolish. Not yet.   If you mean   anything about my   baby.  

[00:35:41] Unknown:

Jerry ought to be told, you know.  

[00:35:43] Unknown:

It wouldn't make any difference. How do you know?   I know.  

[00:35:48] Unknown:

What do you plan to do?   I mean,   I feel   well, I think I have some right to ask. Oh, dear Frank. Of course you do.  

[00:35:59] Unknown:

But I can only give you one answer.   What?   Pray.   Pray that I'm not really going to lose Jerry forever to a rival.   I don't even know how to fight.  

[00:36:16] Unknown:

Jerry.   Jerry,   what are you dreaming about?  

[00:36:22] Unknown:

Ginny.   Ginny, how can I make you understand? Is it Ginny?  

[00:36:27] Unknown:

Ginny's gone.   It's me now, Jerry.   Me.   Who?   Who's   me? Your lucky queen.   The queen of Spain.  

[00:36:42] Unknown:

Oh, no. I don't I I want I want Ginny. Ginny's gone, Jerry. She's long gone.  

[00:36:49] Unknown:

Time to wake up and start   counting.  

[00:36:53] Unknown:

Oh, counting. Oh, I'm so tired. So tired.   Oh,  

[00:36:59] Unknown:

why go on with it? Because you can't help yourself.   It's the challenge.   Nothing matters   but the challenge.  

[00:37:08] Unknown:

What?  

[00:37:09] Unknown:

I can earn money other ways? It isn't the money. It's the dream.   The pursuit.   The battle that you love.  

[00:37:19] Unknown:

I love Ginny.  

[00:37:22] Unknown:

Not anymore, Jerry.   Not anymore.   It's me you love now.   Me,   your lady of fortune.   And you can't take your love from me because only   I can show you the way.   Only   I. I.  

[00:37:46] Unknown:

I No. No. Wait. I  

[00:37:49] Unknown:

what?   Oh, phone.   Yeah.   Who?   No, I won't accept the call.   Tell Doctor. Dexter the patient is long since out of his hands.   Oh, I,   be an angel. Send me up some coffee, will you? I   gotta clear my head before I get back to the casino.  

[00:38:19] Unknown:

I'm doubling down. Sorry, mister Dykeman. Your bet is over the table limit. Will the house extend the courtesy?   I'm told your bet is accepted.   Do I hit you?   I'll stand, Pat.   Madam,   one card of queen busted.   One card to you, sir. Five.   10?   King puts you over on the table.   Two to the next gentleman.   Hit again.   10 of diamonds.   House wins.   And the last gentleman stands back. Dealer has a six showing, 10 in the hole.   Dealer must draw.   Five of spades to the house. 21 pay no one.  

[00:39:02] Unknown:

Sorry, mister Denkman. Yeah. Wow. You win one, you lose one.   Well, that wipes the 5,000 in chips I started with. What you asked the pit boss to credit me with another five?  

[00:39:12] Unknown:

He signals me we can't extend that credit.  

[00:39:16] Unknown:

I have 25,000   on deposit.  

[00:39:18] Unknown:

Well, I'm sure it can all be arranged if you don't mind just stepping over to the cashier's cage. Okay. Hold my seat. Would you? I'll be right back.  

[00:39:30] Unknown:

Come in, mister Dykeland.  

[00:39:33] Unknown:

What's all this, runaround, mister, Drew.  

[00:39:37] Unknown:

Ace Drew.  

[00:39:39] Unknown:

You wanna make any jokes about it? No. No. No jokes. None of this is very funny.   I have 25,000   on deposit with you, and I ask for a 5,000 credit, and the dealer ducks it to the pit boss, the pit boss to the cashier's cage, and finally I end up here.   Look. I I wanna know what's the runaround.  

[00:39:56] Unknown:

You play blackjack, mister Daichman.   What do you know about   counting?   I know an ace counts either one or 11. What percentage of plus or minus cards are out of the deck, or what the percentage on a stiff is, or when the bet maximum when you read the deck is flush, or a thousand other tricks. What are you leading up to?  

[00:40:18] Unknown:

Are you gonna close your tables, Stewie? Our competitors already have.  

[00:40:22] Unknown:

This here is the only game in town for you.   No.   No, I don't wanna close it.  

[00:40:30] Unknown:

You're too valuable to us. Me?  

[00:40:33] Unknown:

How? Well, the more you hit, the more the ropes try to follow you.   The only thing is, you're getting too much action.   That's,   that's why I wanted to see you private.  

[00:40:47] Unknown:

A deal? A deal.  

[00:40:50] Unknown:

I leave you alone.   You count all you want.   I just want my cut. How much?   I'll settle for 75%.   What?  

[00:41:01] Unknown:

To you? To me.   Who? Brother, a lion at lion's den. And the lion takes his share.  

[00:41:09] Unknown:

Suppose I refuse?  

[00:41:10] Unknown:

You don't play anymore. That is still the Caribbean, Macau, the island? If you get there.   What does that mean?  

[00:41:18] Unknown:

You'll figure it out.  

[00:41:26] Unknown:

Why couldn't we have talked at the hotel? Let's say I didn't wanna share our conversation with anyone else. You mean your room is bugged? I mean my life is wired, programmed, computed to pick the term of your choice.   I'm just an end result. Nobody asks you to commit yourself. Not even myself.   You could get out.   Maybe.  

[00:41:45] Unknown:

Isn't it worth trying?  

[00:41:47] Unknown:

You ever think I don't want to?   Yeah, certainly you'd be the last one to want me to, right?   Yeah, that's what you're up here for, to talk about me and Ginny.  

[00:41:56] Unknown:

The reason   I came up here   is to tell you what Virginia won't tell you herself.   What?   She's pregnant, Jerry.  

[00:42:08] Unknown:

I  

[00:42:10] Unknown:

I should go back to her. Of course you should.   Only   you know I won't.  

[00:42:17] Unknown:

That's what you came up here to clear away. I'm not going to sort out my motives.  

[00:42:23] Unknown:

I offer you a fact.   You give up all this and come back to Virginia now, or Or what?   Or do you face a fact I've had to face that I don't even think this is enough to bring you back, which really gives you some big left? Not really.   I love Virginia,   but she loves you.   She just can't live with you as you are. No one could.   If she can't have you,   I want her to settle for second best.  

[00:42:52] Unknown:

Yeah.   I better have her settle.   And I'm not downgrading you, Frank.  

[00:42:59] Unknown:

Even with  

[00:43:00] Unknown:

a child. What good am I to anyone or anything except to win a game   in which the prize is worth fighting for.   Only the compulsion that I cannot end a loser.  

[00:43:15] Unknown:

What's the matter, Jerry boy?   You ready to be counted out?  

[00:43:21] Unknown:

Has to be a losing streak.   Just a streak. The count.   The count still must be right. Right? Don't be too sure. The car  

[00:43:32] Unknown:

and even  

[00:43:33] Unknown:

me are pickled. Oh, why do I have to win? Why can't I accept losing? Because you're a gambler.  

[00:43:41] Unknown:

You're caught.   You're hooked. I can't.   Caught.  

[00:43:48] Unknown:

Caught. Ginny. But, Ginny. I heard Jerry.  

[00:43:50] Unknown:

She's gone. She  

[00:43:52] Unknown:

can't help you. Ginny.  

[00:43:55] Unknown:

Ginny, what have I what have I done to you?  

[00:44:02] Unknown:

Stay ahead, mister Dykeman.   I wanna double down.  

[00:44:06] Unknown:

The house will accept the bet.   Okay. Okay.  

[00:44:10] Unknown:

Get get Ace over here.   He's right at the next table. Mister Drill.  

[00:44:16] Unknown:

Yeah. What is it? Gentleman wants to talk to you.   Oh.  

[00:44:21] Unknown:

What can I do for you, mister Dykeman? I want you to raise the table limit.  

[00:44:26] Unknown:

How high will you  

[00:44:27] Unknown:

go? How high do you wanna push it?  

[00:44:29] Unknown:

You wanna let me bet 5,000 a deal?   You got your limit. Okay, dealer. Five grand says I can beat your probable 20, draw to 18.   Hit me.  

[00:44:44] Unknown:

Blackjack, pay me double. Gentleman has a jack and an ace, house pays double.  

[00:44:52] Unknown:

Hit me.   Deuce. Hit me.   Five. Hit me.   Big ace to give me five under at 21.   Hit me. 10 of spades.   Nine and deuce in the hole. Name of the game, 21.  

[00:45:09] Unknown:

Go ahead. Beat me. Dealer has a queen up, six in the hole.   He draws seven of clubs.   House pays everyone.  

[00:45:20] Unknown:

Did you look at him? Oh, we blew. 52,000   he took the house for tonight, and the big boss had to be here. And you tell him about the public relations and all? Yeah, sometimes it can get too expensive. So we find him. If he's smart, he'll duck out on his eye. Yeah, but the big boy Well, let me handle him.   Certain reasons I don't want him to look into this whole deal too   careful.   I can't handle the roasting we took just so long as mister Jerry Dykeman never shows up again.  

[00:45:56] Unknown:

I can't believe it, Jerry,  

[00:46:00] Unknown:

but I want to. You can, my darling. My little mother to be.   I can promise you I'll never gamble on cards again as long as I live.  

[00:46:10] Unknown:

Darling,   I I don't mean to doubt your promise but  

[00:46:13] Unknown:

but how can How can you be sure?   Yes. Oh, it won't be easy.   Let me try to explain.   Gambling   gambling is a macho thing. There's no use denying it.   I bet my manhood against the house trying to make me just another nobody.   I mean, they have the odds. I try to beat them.   And if I flog my brain twenty four hours a day, maybe,   maybe I found a way to make them close to even.   But then suddenly,   a miracle happened.   A miracle? I I can't explain it.   And I don't intend to try to.   But something happened which means I will never touch a card game again.  

[00:46:56] Unknown:

What is the miracle?  

[00:46:58] Unknown:

Well,   it's all gone. The thrill, the combat.   What makes machismo work. I I don't know how or why,   but, Ginny, before a dealer deals any card,   I can see   exactly what it is. I   mean, it it isn't a matter of winning or losing. I know.   So it's like taking the alcohol out of whiskey, the kick out of heroin.   What's the point without that?   So I'm I'm home. I'm home to say.   I only wish I knew what miracle made it possible. Oh, darling. Will you buy me?   What do you have to say?  

[00:47:38] Unknown:

Just something very simple.   And don't ask me what it means.   I get at least one free statement without question. What?   Don't ever underestimate   the power of prayer.  

[00:47:56] Unknown:

Jerry and Virginia   moved to a small town on the East Coast   and opened a community shop for local artisans and artists.   It enjoys a comfortable success,   and not the least of its values are Jerry's watercolors,   which are fast becoming collector's items. So   with apologies,   may I paraphrase an old aphorism?   It's better to have lost   and won   than never to have lost   at all.  

[00:48:27] Unknown:

There are two kinds of first class service.   First class first class and second class first class.   As the Red Baron have looked on the German airlines,   I would like to explain the difference.   Mine is first class first class.   There is fresh orange juice,   freshly scrambled eggs, fresh flowers,   caviar, and you'll find at least seven entrees on the menu.   Just a few reasons many professional travelers call mine the best first class service across the Atlantic.   But I won't go into greater detail about them. There's a better way for both of us.   Fly my first class first class on your next trip to Europe. You'll never fly second class first class again.  



[00:49:30] Unknown:

Here's a free minute from Pippin,   Broadway's musical comedy sensation   directed by Bob Fosse.   You can see the other one hundred nineteen minutes of Pippen   live   at the Imperial Theatre   without commercial interruption.  

[00:50:34] Unknown:

Perhaps the most curious psychological factor in the gambler's makeup is that one would think that constant losses would eventually lead to a cure,   teach him that he can't win.   But the truth is that the gambler is the one man who expects   and welcomes   failure.   The only thing he may not be able to withstand   is success.   And therein   may lie his only cure,   a pleasant one. Even if Jeremy Dykeman didn't choose to exercise his special powers.   He ended up happier just letting life deal the cards,   and allowing them to fall as they may. Our cast included Paul Hecht, Patricia Elliott, Jackson Beck, and Ian Martin.   The entire production was under the direction of Hyman Brown.  

Radio Mystery Theater was sponsored in part by 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   dream.  

[00:51:57] Unknown:

Tonight's WR Mystery Theater was also brought to you in part by ShopRite Supermarkets where you get a lot more for a little less. The preceding program is furnished by CBS Radio.  

[00:52:08] Unknown:

This is Geoffrey Holder   for the beautiful   W. O. R. Children's Christmas Fund.   Christmas here at the hospital would not be the same for our little patients   without the continuing   interest and support   of the W. O. R. Children's Christmas Fund.   Those words are from the Memorial Sloan   Kettering Cancer Center.   And that's what the fund is all about.   Give your support   again this year.   Send what you can to Box 710,   Times Square Station,   New York 10036.  

[00:52:48] Unknown:

This is W. R. New York, an RKO General Station at the time signal exactly 08:00.  

[00:52:56] Unknown:

Carter's economic brain and what he calls himself,   death on 40.   Taxi fares in New York going up,   it's   13 degrees. That's minus 10 Celsius in very cold and windy Mid Manhattan.   Weather watch outlook,   high wind   warnings in effect for this evening.   Bitterly cold tonight with northwest winds gusting to more than 40 miles an hour at times this evening.   Hi.   John Wingate   with the 08:00 report from WOR News.   The man president-elect Carter is expected to name as chairman of the Council of Economic Advisors   now describes himself as a liberal economist.   Charles Shultz got his doctorate degree in economics from the University of Maryland in 1960   and has taught economics at Indiana University   and Maryland. He's a native of Alexandria, Virginia.  

Shultz, now 62 years of age, was budget director under former president Lyndon Johnson from 1965   to '67.   He has been a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution,   a think tank since 1968.   At Brookings,   Shultz helped author a number of major studies,   including a 1975   report on the impact of the 1973   increase in world oil prices   on the American economy.   The study concluded that the full impact of the price increase   should be felt and passed through the economy by 1980   without lasting   adverse consequences.   Shultz has also argued the Nixon administration made a mistake by trying to fight the inflationary effect of the oil price increase through conservative economic policies.   Shor's contends the Nixon policies helped bring on the recession   of 1974   and 1975.  

Violence in Midtown Manhattan.   1 Parole Officer killed. A woman passerby wounded when a man allegedly opened fire on Busy 40 Second Street. This during the noon hour.   The man who reportedly fired the shots was released from Taconic State Prison two months ago.   WOR gets these details from New York City Police Inspector Milton Schwartz. Three New York State Parole Officers  

[00:55:02] Unknown:

on information that they had were looking for a parole violator,   a man by the name of Donald Wiggins.   They went to 16 East 40 Second Street, and there,   Wiggins apparently recognized one of the parole officers as being a parole officer.   He tried to leave and they tried to stop   him. One of the parole officers,   tried to stop him by wrestling with him. Wiggins had a 32 caliber,   revolver.   At that time, he fired two shots   striking the parole officer,   and that officer subsequently has died at Bellevue Hospital.   He fired another shot, which struck a   female,   a bystander.  

And she's in Bellevue Hospital now, and her condition is serious, but, at this time, she's not likely to die.  

[00:55:50] Unknown:

New York City Police Inspector Milton Schwartz.   Cold outside.   13 degrees.   May get colder.   W o r 07:10 news time. Three minutes exactly past 08:00.   The Supreme Court has sent the Gary Gilmore case back to the state of Utah.   The fate of that convicted killer, who has said he'd rather die than face life in prison,   now rests with the fourth district court in Provo, Utah.   The high court refused to further postpone Gilmore's execution.   Lawyers for the death row inmate last week called on the state court to free Gilmore.   They said a condemned man to be executed not less than thirty days,   no more than sixty days from the date of his sentencing,   unless he appeals.  

The legal period expired six days ago.   The Supreme Court justices today voted five to four to deny a request from Gilmore's mother   that her son's life be spared until lawyers representing her could file a formal appeal with the high court.   Earlier in the day, it appeared the court had postponed at least for one week any decision in the Gilmore   case, but that was not the case.   New Jersey legislators are considering death penalty legislation.   WR's  

[00:57:01] Unknown:

Ed Nash reports. The state senate is going through an unprecedented   evening of soul searching.   This is the debate on a capital punishment bill introduced by senator John Russo   of Ocean County.   Without much difficulty,   Russo won approval   for amendments to his bill,   amendments that would prescribe the death penalty   not only for a murderer,   but also for anyone who engages another to commit murder.   But then came   another move for amendment.   This time, it came from senator James Dugan of Hudson County.   Dugan made a quiet, impassioned plea   for rejection of the death penalty.  

Dugan offered a substitute   punishment,   mandatory life imprisonment for murder,   but without chance of probation,   parole, or pardon.   And it's on that subject, Dugan's amendment,   that debate continues at this hour.   This is Ed Nash, WAR news at the New Jersey State House.  

[00:58:06] Unknown:

Cold outside.   13 degrees.   All of 13 on the December 13.   WAR 07:10 news time. Six and one half minutes past. 08:00.  

[00:58:17] Unknown:

Put on a happy face at your vision center.  

[00:58:22] Unknown:

Yes. Stop into Hillman Cohan Vision Center, grand opening in Fort Lee in Lynnwood Plaza Shopping Center, Route nine w. Open daily, ten to nine, Saturday,   until 05:00.   Fleet owners of New York City taxis have made a proposal   which their taxi drivers have accepted tentatively.   This prevents a threatened strike. Both sides have agreed to ask the Taxi and Limousine Commission   to okay a fair increase of 13%.   Industry spokesman Arthur Gore tells W. O. R. Lester Smith this fair hike will be used to cope with rising costs.   Apparently, we will not hear from mister Gore at the moment,   but we will try later.  

Last minute talks have been scheduled for tonight for the Wyandanch Long Island School Teachers who are threatening to go on strike tomorrow morning.   The Wyandanch Teachers Association has been without a contract since June 30.   Union President John O'Donnell said early today that the prospect of a settlement before tomorrow, to quote him,   doesn't look good.   Wyandanch has 150   union teachers   and 2,800 students.   O'Donnell says the union's rank and file will meet at 7AM tomorrow to take a strike vote. And if the motion carries,   the walkout, he says, will take effect   immediately.  

Now we come to the WOR weather watch update for New York City and vicinity.   High wind warnings in effect for this evening.   Forecast bitterly cold tonight with northwest winds   gusting to more than 14 miles an hour at times this evening,   then tapering off after midnight.   Clear skies with record breaking low temperatures,   near 10 here in the city, and mostly from five to ten   in the colder suburbs.   Mostly sunny and not quite so cold tomorrow, with highs tomorrow reaching the low thirties.   Fair tomorrow night with a low from 25   to 30.  

Partly cloudy and milder on Wednesday and a high Wednesday in the forties.   The chance of snow, it's near zero tonight,   up to 10% tomorrow and tomorrow night.   Winds northwest at 15 to 25 miles an hour with strong gusts of 40 miles an hour or more,   gradually diminishing to 10 to 15 by morning.   Becoming southwesterly at 10 to 15 miles an hour tomorrow   and tomorrow night.   In very cold and extremely windy, Mid Manhattan,   we're now down to   13 degrees. That's minus 10 Celsius.   Humidity,   that's 34%.   Wind northwest at 13,   gusting now to 34   miles an hour.  

Barometer is 30.44,   and that barometer is rising.   The top stories of the hour.   Charles Shultz,   who is president-elect   Carter's   economic counsel to be,   describes himself as a liberal economist.   New Jersey state legislature tonight debates death penalty.   US Supreme Court throws Gary Gilmore case   back to Utah.   And that's the 08:00 news.   John Wingate reporting.   Next news on this station always, the moment it happens.   Next scheduled news.   I'll be back with you at 09:00 tonight.   09:00.   Straight up.   Now we go   to Barry Farmer,   tossing questions and getting answers.  



[01:02:11] Unknown:

What you're hearing is Hardie fiber cement siding living up to its reputation   as the siding that handles hail impact with ease.   James Hardie knows how important a reputation is, especially when you're a contractor.   That's why Hardie's siding withstands severe weather better than vinyl siding, with styles to match its strength. So you can be sure you're providing your clients with the best.   Protect your reputation with exterior products by James Hardie.