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In this gripping episode of our mystery drama, we delve into the complexities of love, memory, and justice. Lydia Prentiss, a young woman deeply in love, finds herself confessing to a crime she didn't commit to save her fiancé, Herb Larson. As the story unfolds, we explore the depths of Lydia's devotion and the lengths she is willing to go to protect the man she loves, even as the truth becomes increasingly murky. The narrative takes us through a journey of sacrifice, betrayal, and the haunting power of memory.
As the years pass, Lydia's life is consumed by her time in prison, and her unwavering resolve to confront Herb upon her release. The episode raises poignant questions about the nature of love and justice, and whether true redemption is ever possible. With a dramatic climax that challenges our perceptions of guilt and innocence, "Killer's Appointment" leaves us pondering the true cost of love and the enduring impact of our past choices.
(01:24) Introduction to Memory and Truth
(02:00) Lydia's Confession
(03:07) Love and Marriage
(07:00) Herb's Arrest
(12:00) The Crime and the Confession
(20:00) Lydia's Sacrifice
(29:11) Time in Prison
(34:02) Lydia's Release and Revenge
(40:00) The Confrontation
(42:36) Resolution and Reflection
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[00:01:20] Unknown:
Come in. Welcome. I'm EG Marshall. Oh, memory, thou dear deceiver, thou precious liar. Without thee, how could one ever bear the past? Poetry aside, isn't it memory that gets us off the hook? After all, we don't lie. It's our memory that takes certain liberties with the truth. Who among us is brave enough to want to remember the past exactly the way it happened? Morning, Lydia. How can I help you? You know that robbery last night, sheriff?
[00:02:03] Unknown:
$50,000 was taken? Yeah. Well, I've come here to make a confession.
[00:02:11] Unknown:
I did it. Oh, come on, Lydia. It's too early in the day for Joe. I was the one who robbed the safe, sheriff. Lydia, Prentiss, are you crazy? You?
[00:02:21] Unknown:
You a safe cracker? Right here in this bag sheriff the money. $50,000. Count it.
[00:02:37] Unknown:
Our mystery drama, Killer's Appointment, was written especially for the mystery theater by Sam Dam and stars Marion Seldes. It is sponsored in part by Buick Motor Division and Anheuser Busch Incorporated, brewers of Budweiser. I'll be back shortly with act one. Love, it is said, gives a woman full stature. And if that's true, some women must be ten feet tall. They are the women for whom love is all. Love is enough. Love is both the meaning and the purpose of existence. How marvelous to be able to love like that. How wonderful and how terrible.
Twenty years ago, 19 year old Lydia Prentice was sitting in her mother's kitchen.
[00:03:42] Unknown:
How do I love thee? Let me count the way. Lydia, you've been late for work. I love thee with the breath, smiles, tears of all my life. It isn't as if Herb is making enough to support the child. And if I choose, I shall but love thee better after death. Oh, Lidya, there's no point in talking to you. I'm sorry, mama. What will you say? Honestly, Lydia, you can be so provoking sometimes. Now a body is trying to talk sense to you and you sit there mumbling that silly poetry. Isn't silly poetry, mama? It's a prayer and I say it every morning. A prayer? Yes, mama. I say it because that's just the way I feel about Herbert.
As if the poet who wrote it was looking into my own heart and my soul. Oh, my little girl that never grew up. I am grown up, mama. I'm 19 and I'm going to be married tomorrow. You live in a a fantasy world. Honestly, mama. I don't know what you're talking about. Of course, you don't. But I know. I know in my heart that I haven't prepared you for marriage. You haven't been like a lot of mothers in this town. You did tell me the facts of life. Oh, those aren't the facts of life, honey. That only has to do with nature and such, but there are real facts of life. Like what? Oh, like like money. Oh, I don't care about money. And neither does Herbert. Oh, that's only true at 19. You'll be 30, 40, 50.
Maybe then you won't care about anything else. Oh, darling. Life is more than poetry. More than beautiful flowers. Life is pain and disappointment. The world is a cruel place. Not my world. My world will be Herbert and me and our children, our folks and our friends. Oh, mama. It will be glorious. You'll see. Oh, I I hope so. Herb and I are satisfied with just each other and books and music. Are you sure Herbert will be satisfied with that? Mama, Herbert chose me. He could have had Karen Jordan. Now, darling, you don't know that for a fact. Oh, the whole town knows it. She had her cap set for him. Not just her cap. That mansion on the hill, that sports car. Alright. Alright.
Maybe you're right. You're right. That's why I say my prayer to love every morning. And that's why I'm so thankful. I know it doesn't happen to everyone. Not every girl gets a man like her. I guess not. Now who do you suppose this can be? Hello?
[00:06:28] Unknown:
Is that you, Jenny?
[00:06:30] Unknown:
Yes. I didn't recognize your voice. This is Tom Garrity. Oh, good morning, Tom. Is that the sheriff? Is, is Lydia still there? What's he calling us for? Do you want to talk to her? Yeah.
[00:06:44] Unknown:
No. No.
[00:06:47] Unknown:
Jenny What does he want? Oh, what is it, Tom?
[00:06:50] Unknown:
I guess it's better if you tell her. Tell her what?
[00:06:54] Unknown:
Herb. Herb Larson. Yes?
[00:06:58] Unknown:
Well, we're holding him here.
[00:07:00] Unknown:
Where? In the jail. What for?
[00:07:04] Unknown:
Robbery, assault. Oh, you
[00:07:07] Unknown:
you can't be serious. Mama, what is it? I'm afraid it's it's very serious.
[00:07:11] Unknown:
He stole $50,000 and almost killed old Jerry Cookman. But
[00:07:17] Unknown:
but Hernd could never do a thing like that.
[00:07:19] Unknown:
What can Hernd never do? Well, seeing as how he and Lydia was scheduled to get married tomorrow, I think she ought to know about it. Don't you?
[00:07:30] Unknown:
Yes.
[00:07:31] Unknown:
Goodbye, Jenny. You, you better tell her.
[00:07:35] Unknown:
Yes. I'll I'll tell her. Tell me what, mama? Tell me what? No, sheriff.
[00:07:50] Unknown:
No. Sorry, Lydia. Who else but Herb would have known there was that much money in the safe last night? Please, sheriff. Herb's the only one who knew the combination of the safe. Herb didn't do it. I know, but he didn't. Herb spends a lot of time there nights going over the books. So he knew that a 10:00 regular, Jerry Coopman, the night watchman, has himself a sandwich in the utility room. But you can't prove it. So Herb was able to sneak up behind him, hit Jerry on the head, make it look like a professional job. It's just a mistake.
[00:08:21] Unknown:
I know Herb. It's a mistake.
[00:08:23] Unknown:
It's a mistake. Alright. Evidently Herb didn't know that the money had all been registered. Every one of them bills is recorded. That money is gonna be too hot to spend. Oh, Sheriff Herb is innocent. I tell you Herb is innocent. I didn't expect you to say anything else. But just between you and me and off the record, you gotta get him to confess.
[00:08:47] Unknown:
Confess to a crime he didn't commit?
[00:08:49] Unknown:
If he confesses and tells us where he hid the money, we could maybe be talking in terms of three to five, five to seven. Five five to seven what? Years. Years in jail.
[00:08:59] Unknown:
Seven years in jail? What are you getting so excited about? I don't wanna hear another word. Do I have the right to see a Why? Why? Oh, my poor Darlene. What are they trying to do?
[00:09:18] Unknown:
What? It doesn't matter. It's what it will do to you. We'll fight it. It isn't any use. Everyone
[00:09:24] Unknown:
is convinced I'm guilty. Well, I don't care about everyone. I believe in truth and I believe in justice. Oh, Lydia. It happened to us now. The the day before We'll be married. I promise you. It's no use, Lydia. You'll not go to jail. I don't care how many voices are raised against you. One voice will be raised for you and that's the only voice that counts. The voice of God. Lydia, don't. Don't what? Don't believe it? Well, I do believe it. God isn't just something to talk about. He is here. He is with us all the time. Let's pray to him.
He'll not let an innocent man go to jail. Lady gosh. He will not let an innocent man be branded a common human.
[00:10:06] Unknown:
Just don't say anything for a minute and just listen. I I'm not an innocent man. Last night, I I stayed late at the plant. I know, darling. Please don't say anything.
[00:10:30] Unknown:
Please.
[00:10:33] Unknown:
It was 10:00. I closed the ledger. I walked out of my office past the utility room. The door was open. He he was sitting at the table, old Jerry, his back toward me eating a sandwich. That Polish sausage, that kielbasi smelled so good. I I, Herb. I said to him how, how lucky me how long could that? But he kept on eating. He didn't even turn around to see. And I remembered how deaf he was. You know, his walking stick, you know, that heavy one. It was lying on the floor behind his chair.
[00:11:15] Unknown:
I pick picked it up and I'm
[00:11:19] Unknown:
I I brought it down and
[00:11:23] Unknown:
and he just
[00:11:24] Unknown:
slipped out of his chair on the floor, you see. And then I walked down the hall into mister Jordan's office and I I opened the safe. You didn't. You didn't. And I took out the $50,000.
[00:11:36] Unknown:
Anymore. I have to save the rest. I
[00:11:41] Unknown:
I hid the money in you know the old elm tree near the lane to the lake where
[00:11:47] Unknown:
where where we carved our initials. Why? Why? I don't know. There must be a reason.
[00:11:57] Unknown:
I don't know, sir. Something made me do it. Some something deep down inside me, something I never dreamed existed. No, Herb.
[00:12:07] Unknown:
What you're telling me now, it can't be true.
[00:12:10] Unknown:
You don't want it to be true, Lydia. I don't want it to be true either, but I did it without thinking. I knew I was going to do it. I didn't try to stop myself. It was as if I was standing outside my own body watching a a stranger commit that crime and I didn't try to stop him either. Herb, you're not well.
[00:12:34] Unknown:
This monstrous accusation has made you ill. Why?
[00:12:39] Unknown:
Why don't I stop lying to you and lying to myself? I wanted to do it for a long time. Don't say that. Maybe I'm maybe I'm just sick of just being a a bookkeeper, a nobody. Not a nobody. Something I I wanted money. I wanted it so bad. I I was willing to risk anything, everything,
[00:13:03] Unknown:
and I did. Oh, Herb. It was a it was a fit of madness, I guess.
[00:13:09] Unknown:
Now it's gone. I I I see now what I've just thrown away. I've destroyed my whole life. For what?
[00:13:17] Unknown:
Something I don't want.
[00:13:21] Unknown:
I I don't want that money. I I want us to be married. I I wanna have a job, a home. Children, man.
[00:13:30] Unknown:
That that's all I want.
[00:13:32] Unknown:
What do I do?
[00:13:35] Unknown:
Listen to me. Listen. You'll have those things. You and I. We'll have them together. Oh, please, Lydia. You're the most
[00:13:44] Unknown:
wonderful woman in the whole world but it's over.
[00:13:48] Unknown:
I I'm guilty. No. You're not. If you think about it carefully, you're not guilty. I'm the one that almost killed Jeri Coop. No. You're not the one. I opened the safe. I stole the money. No. You didn't. Someone else did. Someone someone else? Who?
[00:14:05] Unknown:
Who?
[00:14:07] Unknown:
Me.
[00:14:13] Unknown:
Lydia. Our shy ethereal Lydia. Our young idealistic Lydia, she hit old Jerry Koopin over the head. She stole the money from the safe. How? It's true that still waters run deep. However, this seems to be a stream that has no bottom, but it does have a second act, and I'll bring it here in just a few moments. Things are not always what they seem. Dross may be passed off as purest gold Indeed it frequently is The sweet may be only a thin patina that is laid over the bitter Indeed sometimes misfortune even turns out to be a blessing in disguise. How do you figure Lydia Prentiss?
You. How can you say you robbed the safe? Because I didn't. Oh, Lydia.
[00:15:22] Unknown:
Please don't don't you fail me. You're all I have left. Don't don't let this destroy you. You must listen. No. No. No. No. No. Not when you say you bludgeoned old Jerry and you robbed the safe because because Because why? I'm not crazy. I did it. I'll
[00:15:41] Unknown:
confess. I'll go to jail. What have I done to you? You must not be convicted. There's no way you can prevent that. I'm showing you a way. I don't understand. I will confess. But you didn't say it. I did it. You're crazy. Look. Can we consider the facts? You're convicted. You go to jail. Three years, five years, whatever. You're branded. You're a criminal and it follows you for the rest of your life. Lydia. You mustn't interrupt me. And you have a skill. It concerns figures. The handling of money. It's what you do best. It's the career you want. Lydia, what are you saying? Just a few more words and I'm finished. You'll come out of jail and they'll say that you've paid your debt to society, but we know that isn't true.
Who will ever give you a job handling money again? No one. Please don't say anymore. You'll still be in your twenties and your life, your active, productive business life will be over. But this way Which way? Sensible way, I go to jail. It doesn't matter to me. All I wanna do is be your wife. I I can't let you take the blame for what I did. I want to. I'm your Lydia. Your Lydia. You and I are in love. We're like one. And if you did this thing then I did it too. I won't even talk about it. You say you don't know what came over you. Why you did it?
Herb, you did it for me. You wanted to make our life together easier. Now, which one of us should take the blame? Which one can afford it? I can. A few years in jail won't ruin my life. Lydia Oh, Herb. Don't be foolish. You're you're serious. You you mean it. But Oh, let me do it. I
[00:17:41] Unknown:
I thought I knew about love. But I stand here looking at your face.
[00:17:48] Unknown:
The light shining in your eyes. Two years? Three years? They'll go by before we know it. And we'll be together again. You'll still have a good job and opportunity for a career and everyone will soon forget about me. No. I I
[00:18:03] Unknown:
I can't. I can't let you do it. Well, that means you don't love me.
[00:18:09] Unknown:
How can you say that? Love is more than giving. It's also taking. And if you don't take this from me it means you just don't love me enough. Yes. Don't say anymore, please. We have to do it this way. There's no choice.
[00:18:30] Unknown:
What kind of a fool did you take me for? I'm guilty, sheriff. What are you trying to do? Oh, poor Herb. He wanted to take the blame, but I just can't let him. In the first place, only Herb knew the money was in the safe. I knew. He told me. Only Herb would know the combination.
[00:18:45] Unknown:
I knew. Herb told me. Why would he tell you a thing like that? He's in love with me. I could make him tell me anything. Oh, but it took a while to worm all the information out of him, but I learned everything I had to about old Jerry and his late night lunch hour. And sure enough, Jerry was busy eating and I
[00:19:06] Unknown:
hit him over the head. You hit him over the head. Yes. Tell me, Lydia. What did you hit him with? His own walking stick.
[00:19:16] Unknown:
That heavy wooden cane that he carries. It was lying on the floor behind him and I picked it up and, oh, you're really paying attention to me now, aren't you, sheriff? Oh, Lydia. I I I can't believe it. The walking stick? You found blood on it? Well, how would I know that that walking stick was there if if I hadn't used it? Lydia, I know you since you was a little baby.
[00:19:40] Unknown:
I I just won't believe you would commit If I wasn't the one sheriff,
[00:19:45] Unknown:
how would I know where the money is?
[00:19:52] Unknown:
Oh, Lydia. I I shouldn't have let you do it. It had to be this way, Herb. Look. I'll I'll go to the judge. I'll I'll confess everything.
[00:20:02] Unknown:
Shh. Don't talk so loud. Lydia. Don't wish them now. For three years without Out them go by. There
[00:20:10] Unknown:
there'll be no living for me until we're together again. Write to me, Herb. Keep writing to me. I promise every day. And and I'll see you again next week. Visiting hours are over. So soon?
[00:20:24] Unknown:
Oh, so soon. Oh, Herb, darling. Alright. Keep a pot. You know you ain't supposed to touch. Just say goodbye. Goodbye, Lydia. Goodbye. Goodbye, Herb. Through there, mister. Change of path to the guard at the door. Yes, ma'am. Goodbye, Herb. Goodbye. Okay, sister. You could have let us guess goodbye. And you know the rules. I know all the other guards will break some. Look. I'm doing you a favor. Why don't you forget him? He's a punk. You you may be a prison guard and I be less than dirt under your feet, but don't you dare say Oh, shut up, will you? You took the rap for him, didn't you? I hear what's going on. You couldn't prove it. Why would I want to?
But he's a punk for letting you do it. We love each other. Ditch that guy. He's bad news. Do it before he gives you the gate. What do you want? You didn't give me my mail today. How could I give you your mail when you didn't get me? That's impossible. I get a letter from from him every day. Yeah. Well, maybe he's got right as cramp. Now what do you want? You know what day this is? I got a calendar. It's Sunday. You know what time it is? It's one. Well, it's visiting hours. I know it's visiting hours. Well, aren't you gonna take me down to What for? You don't have a visitor. Well, of course, I have a visitor. My my fiancee, he comes to see me every Sunday. Yeah.
Well, maybe he found himself a girlfriend. Oh, don't say that. Why not? You're no use to him. Please. Please. Something something maybe something's wrong. You can say that again. I mean, maybe yes. That's it. Maybe he's sick. Poor Herb. And he don't want to look after him. Ain't that a shame?
[00:22:23] Unknown:
Please. Please don't make fun of me. I don't know what I'm going to do.
[00:22:36] Unknown:
Hey. Hey. Are you okay? Let me alone, please. I you've got a visitor. What? I said you got a visitor. You see, I told you he didn't forget me. He loves me. He's here. There's an amazing He loves me. Why didn't you tell me it was here? I don't have any makeup on. Some lipstick. Oh, for crying out loud. I didn't say he was here. It's your old lady. I I didn't know what to do. Someone had to tell you. Yes, Bubba. I I know he promised to wait for you, but but you really couldn't expect him to. No. Darling, please. He well, he's been going with her for almost a year.
Ever since you ever since Has he? She's rich. Her father owns the plant. It's it's a golden opportunity. It would seem to be. But what did you expect? You you did something crazy. I see that now. It was crazy. How could you do it? I'm sorry, mama. I how well, do do do you need anything? No, mama. Well, I I'll I'll try to get up here again real soon. Thank you, mama. Through that door, hand your pass to the guard, please. Good goodbye, Lydia. I'm sorry. I'm going to kill him. Yeah. I guess you would if you could get to him tonight. But you're lucky. You still got two years to go. You'll you'll cool off.
I'm going to kill him. It ain't worth it. You knock him off, it's a minimum of at least ten, fifteen more years here. It ain't worth it. It is to me. I'm going to kill him. What's the matter? I I I don't feel well.
[00:24:54] Unknown:
Yeah. But where? It's my head, and I wanna see a doctor.
[00:24:58] Unknown:
Okay. Okay. Out of bed. Look. I'll I'll I'll take you to the dispensary. No. Wait. I can't seem to walk. Could you hold out your hand for me? Oh, alright. Hello, Herbert. But Olivia, are you surprised to see me? Are you you're supposed to be in in the jail? Yes. Well, that was my mistake. You are supposed to be in jail. What are you talking about? Oh, I understand. Now, we're at that point. What am I talking about? You've rewritten some history, haven't you?
[00:25:55] Unknown:
But, yeah, fate does crazy things. We can't predict our actions. Yes, we can.
[00:26:02] Unknown:
I can protect mine. I know what I'm going to do. I'm going to kill you. What? What is that gun? This gun? A very cheap, badly made. Lydia, you you can't kill me. You you love me. I did love you, Herb. How I loved you. No one will ever love anyone the way I loved you and perhaps no one should. Love can be too strong, too terrible, too all consuming. I
[00:26:36] Unknown:
I can't help it, Liddy. I just fell out of love with you. That's all. That's all. I'm telling you the truth. By her vet. Pull on her foot up. Oh. Oh. Let go of that gun, Lydia. Let go. No, I'm going to kill him. Lydia, let go of that gun. I missed him. My first shot missed him. I'm gonna kill him. No, Lydia, no.
[00:26:57] Unknown:
Now, you don't stand still and behave or do I have to put the handcuffs on you?
[00:27:03] Unknown:
Why didn't you let me kill him, sheriff?
[00:27:06] Unknown:
Why? Just be thankful I stopped you. They called me from a penitentiary. They figured you'd beheaded this. I'm going to kill himself. Lydia, you talk like that and you'll never get out of jail.
[00:27:29] Unknown:
I'm sorry I hurt you. Listen. You ain't nearly as sorry as you're gonna be. Well, I suppose you do have the right to make it tough on me. Oh, not as tough as you're about to make it on yourself. Let me see. Your original sentence was three out of six. That goes up to the full six now. You got seven for assault, another seven for escape. So, tonight's little paper just lost you the best years of your life. You could have been out when you were 22. Instead, you stay here till you're 39, at least. It doesn't matter. Whenever I get out, I'm going to kill him. Sure.
I don't care how long it takes, but I'm going to kill him. I promise you, I'm going to kill him.
[00:28:30] Unknown:
Promises, promises. But if you analyze what we've had so far, you will see that this is a story that's based on broken promises. Meanwhile, here, Lydia is back in jail for what appears to be a very long time. Well, in a very short time, I promise to be back here with the third act, and that's a promise you know I'll keep. The years between '19 and '39, perhaps the most crucial twenty year period in anyone's life, the transition from youth to maturity. Two fantastic decades of infinite possibilities. Well, not for everyone. Certainly not for Lydia Prentiss.
Lydia Prentiss is spending those twenty years in prison. Lydia Prentiss with a raven black hair. There are little strands of gray here and there by now, and, there's a line or two, oh, still very faint, near the eyes, the mouth. Twenty years, a life time. And yet, she has kept busy in a way. She has compiled a scrapbook, painstakingly, over the years.
[00:30:02] Unknown:
Mail call. Here's that hometown paper of yours. Thank you, Agnes. Got another picture of him in it. Hey. He don't change a bit, does he? Yeah. I see. He's been named president of the plant. Herbert Larson, new president and chief executive officer of Jordan Industries. Good. Good? Why is it good? Shouldn't you be rooting for him to fall on his face? No. I want him to succeed. Well, I gave up trying to figure you out a long time ago. No picture this time, just a story. Mister and missus Herbert Larson returned from round the world tour. A shame the boat didn't sink. I hope he had a wonderful time.
I hope he's happy. Happy beyond his wildest dreams. You know, you're kind of peculiar. That takes all kinds. Why do you want him to be happy? Why? Isn't it obvious? Not to me. Look at him. His career is flourishing. There's even talk of him running for the senate. He's madly in love with his wife, a beautiful wealthy woman. Charming children. He still has his looks, his youth, everything to live for. And I am going to take it away from him. Yeah. How? I am going to kill him. Oh, yes. His cup will be running over. He'll have everything. And then he'll have nothing. Now, Lydia, listen. That's a bad thought. Get rid of it. Get rid of it?
What do you think keeps me alive? Come in, Lydia. Sit down. Thank you, Borden. Oh, come on. Old pals like us. You can still call me Agnes. It's been a lot of water under the bridge since you was a new fish in this joint, and I was a wet behind the ears god. Exactly twenty years ago. Tomorrow. Yeah. I'm gonna miss you, Lydia. Let's face it. What you get in the jail is mostly riffraff, but I don't know. You you're a lady. Well, you try to hide it. You're one too. Well, now what are you gonna do? You know what I'm going to do. Kill him. Oh, talk sense. This is sense for me. But it's been twenty years. What do you think has sustained me all this time? What's kept me sane? They'll only send you back here. I know. You'll throw your whole life away.
I threw my life away a long time ago. Listen. You kept your looks more. When you came here, well, you're only a pretty girl. Now you're a you're a beautiful woman. It's not too late for you. I'm not interested. Oh, come on. Be sensible. My brother, he he's in real tight with the governor. That that's how I got here behind this desk. Well, I spoke to him about you. Now things can be arranged. A job, a a good job could be found, say, somewhere downstate. With your looks, you could still meet guys, interesting, important guys. This don't have to be the end of your life.
Make it the beginning. I gave him all these things. This ease, this wealth, this pleasure. And I am going to take them away at the very height of his enjoyment. Yeah. Okay. I'll keep your old cell reserved for you. Mister Herbert Larson, please. I beg your pardon? Oh, are you his secretary? Well, I think you should tell me because we had an appointment. Yes. My name is Cynthia Powers. I'm with Fresh Faces magazine. I've come all the way from Los Angeles to interview mister Larson. He's where but you can tell me we're old friends, mister Larson and I. Where?
Oh, I see. Stirlings. I know where that is. Thank you.
[00:34:42] Unknown:
What'll it be? Ginger ale. You sure? Don't you serve Ginger ale? Well, reason I asked there's gentleman other in the bar want to know if, he could buy you drink.
[00:34:53] Unknown:
Thanks the gentleman. Tell him no.
[00:34:55] Unknown:
Yeah. I see you, you look familiar.
[00:34:58] Unknown:
Do I? Yeah.
[00:35:00] Unknown:
I don't know why. I just can't place
[00:35:03] Unknown:
you. Well, this world is full of people who look like other people. Look.
[00:35:07] Unknown:
Why don't you let the gentleman buy you drink?
[00:35:10] Unknown:
Because as I look at the gentleman from here, there's nothing about him that arouses my interest. He's Harmless
[00:35:17] Unknown:
and and Yes?
[00:35:21] Unknown:
Well, it's a it's a real sad story then. Oh, please. Go no further. I've heard too many sad stories in my life. Well, the the gentleman. How how old would you say he is? I'm not sure I care. Who cares? 60?
[00:35:36] Unknown:
You're way off. 70. Oh, look at him. Close. His hair is almost white. He's kind of fat. But he ain't nowhere near that old. Man's hardly a day over 40.
[00:35:51] Unknown:
Well,
[00:35:52] Unknown:
that's too bad. I mean, what does it cost you? He won't try to pick you up or get fresh or anything. Just give him a nod and smile. You're looking at the richest man in town. What kind of a town is this? Rich town. Lots of dough here, and he's got most of it. Oh, well, his wife has anyway. They own the mill, half the real estate, three quarters of the banks. You name it, they got it. Of course, she always had it. He he fell into it.
[00:36:20] Unknown:
Who? Who is he? Name's Verbalassen.
[00:36:24] Unknown:
A guy with everything going for him. And he well he just, he's gonna drink himself to death. It's hard to believe. Well, he's got a good constitution. It'll take him to take at least twenty years. Twenty years? Well, who knows?
[00:36:39] Unknown:
He may die sooner than that. Yeah, that's true. You never can tell. He might even die tonight.
[00:36:47] Unknown:
Are, are are you gonna kill him Lydia?
[00:36:54] Unknown:
How do you know my name? I thought you looked familiar. I'm Joe Garrity. Sheriff?
[00:37:01] Unknown:
Tom Garrity's boy? Yeah. I was a year behind you in high school. Yeah.
[00:37:08] Unknown:
How's your father? Oh, he's okay.
[00:37:11] Unknown:
He, stopped you from killing her that time you broke out of jail. That, that was many years ago. Are you
[00:37:19] Unknown:
gonna call your father now? Nope. Why not? It's your duty as a citizen.
[00:37:26] Unknown:
Yeah. I guess so. But you see Herb gets loaded here regularly. It's, it's like his real home. And he talks to me. And he told me the real story. What real story? Who really robbed that safe? So as far as I'm concerned if you want to kill him you have the right.
[00:37:51] Unknown:
That's a fine way for a sheriff's son to talk. Fact is when it comes right down to it I,
[00:37:57] Unknown:
I I don't think you'll do it. You believe that?
[00:38:00] Unknown:
I'll bet on it. Or you'll lose. I'm gonna open my purse. Take a look.
[00:38:08] Unknown:
Yeah. I see it. I still say you won't do it. Watch me.
[00:38:14] Unknown:
Mister Larson? Mister Herbert Larson?
[00:38:21] Unknown:
Oh, yeah. Yeah. It's my name. I have something for you.
[00:38:27] Unknown:
For me? Would you like to see what it is?
[00:38:31] Unknown:
I'd be delighted. So glad you decided to have a drink with me. You're a remarkably handsome woman.
[00:38:41] Unknown:
Thank you.
[00:38:44] Unknown:
You you remind me of someone.
[00:38:49] Unknown:
I seem to have that gift.
[00:38:52] Unknown:
Seemed familiar. She she'd look like you. Something like you today.
[00:39:02] Unknown:
Who would? Girl.
[00:39:06] Unknown:
Girl I loved very deeply.
[00:39:08] Unknown:
Would her name be Lydia?
[00:39:14] Unknown:
Yes. That was her name. Lydia. Lydia
[00:39:18] Unknown:
Prentice?
[00:39:20] Unknown:
How would you know? I'm Lydia. You're you're Lydia? Yes.
[00:39:33] Unknown:
Lady, you've come back? Yes, Herb. I've come back.
[00:39:36] Unknown:
Well,
[00:39:38] Unknown:
I'll I'll I'll divorce her. I I never wanted her money. None of it was any good. She She never loved me. She got tired of me. She keeps me around for show. There are other men. Oh, what a shame. My kid, they have no use for me. That's too bad. Make a business look of the papers, print articles about what a great guy I am. Everybody knows it because we own the papers. I'm a joke. Joe Gardy, bartender Askin will tell you. But all these years, I I had a dream. A dream you'd come back. I could start all over again. That was your dream? Almost twenty years. I dreamed you'd come back. We'd start all over.
And it happens. You've come back. Yes. I've come back
[00:40:28] Unknown:
to kill you. Lydia. I've come back here to kill you. That's been my dream. For twenty years, I've thought of it every moment.
[00:40:40] Unknown:
Thank you, Lydia. For setting me free.
[00:40:44] Unknown:
You're doing for me what I don't have the courage to do for myself. I tried it so many times, but I'm a coward gun. Terrifies me. Pain frightens me. Can't force myself to take the pill. Shoot me, Lydia. Please. Quickly.
[00:41:01] Unknown:
Pull the trigger. Hello, Lydia.
[00:41:04] Unknown:
Hello, Sheriff. I heard you was out of jail.
[00:41:08] Unknown:
Knowing you, I figured You figured right. I'm gonna have to try to stop you. I could kill him before you moved a step before you reach for your gun.
[00:41:17] Unknown:
Kill me Lydia, please. You'd like that, wouldn't you?
[00:41:20] Unknown:
This little 36 caliber bullet would be so quick and you'll be out of your misery.
[00:41:26] Unknown:
You were always the strong one. You were the one who knew what had to be done. Kill me. If you love me, kill me.
[00:41:37] Unknown:
No, Herb. I don't love you. And I'm afraid if you want to die you'll have to make your own arrangements. But I don't wanna live. Well, I'm afraid you'll have to. What's the matter with me? I feel Yeah.
[00:42:01] Unknown:
I hear you alright?
[00:42:02] Unknown:
Yes. I I have this feeling. This light crazy feeling. I've come away from a nightmare. I'm 19 again and my whole life is in front of me. My whole life is out there waiting for me.
[00:42:36] Unknown:
The dream, the long cherished dream, and yet it can come true in such strange and inexplicable ways. Sometimes the best way to kill someone is to keep him alive. Sometimes, life is actually death. Well, on a more definitive basis, sometimes I leave you as I do now for a few moments, but I always return.
[00:43:10] Unknown:
My
[00:43:19] Unknown:
Memory. Mysterious memory. What did happen in the past? What is the past? Ten minutes ago? Yesterday? Last week? Last year? The further back we go, the more blurred and hazy. And he is brave indeed who truthfully tries to penetrate the mist. Who was guilty? Who was innocent? Who were the heroes and who were the villains? Or were things never really clear cut? One thing is clear. We are here for your pleasure. Our cast included Marion Seldes, Michael Wager, Bryna Rayburn, and Bill Griffiths. The entire production was under the direction of Hyman Brown. Radio Mystery Theater was sponsored in part by Contact, the twelve hour cold capsule.
This is EG Marshall inviting you to return to our mystery theater for another adventure in the macabre. Until next time. Pleasant dream.
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[00:00:30] Unknown:
Whatever business you're in, growth isn't just about getting bigger. At ADP, we believe it's about getting stronger by turning data into insights so you can build teams that work as teams. By using our AI technology to help catch payroll errors before their errors and by keeping ahead of thousands of changing regulations so you can keep ahead of everything else, ADP helps businesses like yours
[00:01:20] Unknown:
Come in. Welcome. I'm EG Marshall. Oh, memory, thou dear deceiver, thou precious liar. Without thee, how could one ever bear the past? Poetry aside, isn't it memory that gets us off the hook? After all, we don't lie. It's our memory that takes certain liberties with the truth. Who among us is brave enough to want to remember the past exactly the way it happened? Morning, Lydia. How can I help you? You know that robbery last night, sheriff?
[00:02:03] Unknown:
$50,000 was taken? Yeah. Well, I've come here to make a confession.
[00:02:11] Unknown:
I did it. Oh, come on, Lydia. It's too early in the day for Joe. I was the one who robbed the safe, sheriff. Lydia, Prentiss, are you crazy? You?
[00:02:21] Unknown:
You a safe cracker? Right here in this bag sheriff the money. $50,000. Count it.
[00:02:37] Unknown:
Our mystery drama, Killer's Appointment, was written especially for the mystery theater by Sam Dam and stars Marion Seldes. It is sponsored in part by Buick Motor Division and Anheuser Busch Incorporated, brewers of Budweiser. I'll be back shortly with act one. Love, it is said, gives a woman full stature. And if that's true, some women must be ten feet tall. They are the women for whom love is all. Love is enough. Love is both the meaning and the purpose of existence. How marvelous to be able to love like that. How wonderful and how terrible.
Twenty years ago, 19 year old Lydia Prentice was sitting in her mother's kitchen.
[00:03:42] Unknown:
How do I love thee? Let me count the way. Lydia, you've been late for work. I love thee with the breath, smiles, tears of all my life. It isn't as if Herb is making enough to support the child. And if I choose, I shall but love thee better after death. Oh, Lidya, there's no point in talking to you. I'm sorry, mama. What will you say? Honestly, Lydia, you can be so provoking sometimes. Now a body is trying to talk sense to you and you sit there mumbling that silly poetry. Isn't silly poetry, mama? It's a prayer and I say it every morning. A prayer? Yes, mama. I say it because that's just the way I feel about Herbert.
As if the poet who wrote it was looking into my own heart and my soul. Oh, my little girl that never grew up. I am grown up, mama. I'm 19 and I'm going to be married tomorrow. You live in a a fantasy world. Honestly, mama. I don't know what you're talking about. Of course, you don't. But I know. I know in my heart that I haven't prepared you for marriage. You haven't been like a lot of mothers in this town. You did tell me the facts of life. Oh, those aren't the facts of life, honey. That only has to do with nature and such, but there are real facts of life. Like what? Oh, like like money. Oh, I don't care about money. And neither does Herbert. Oh, that's only true at 19. You'll be 30, 40, 50.
Maybe then you won't care about anything else. Oh, darling. Life is more than poetry. More than beautiful flowers. Life is pain and disappointment. The world is a cruel place. Not my world. My world will be Herbert and me and our children, our folks and our friends. Oh, mama. It will be glorious. You'll see. Oh, I I hope so. Herb and I are satisfied with just each other and books and music. Are you sure Herbert will be satisfied with that? Mama, Herbert chose me. He could have had Karen Jordan. Now, darling, you don't know that for a fact. Oh, the whole town knows it. She had her cap set for him. Not just her cap. That mansion on the hill, that sports car. Alright. Alright.
Maybe you're right. You're right. That's why I say my prayer to love every morning. And that's why I'm so thankful. I know it doesn't happen to everyone. Not every girl gets a man like her. I guess not. Now who do you suppose this can be? Hello?
[00:06:28] Unknown:
Is that you, Jenny?
[00:06:30] Unknown:
Yes. I didn't recognize your voice. This is Tom Garrity. Oh, good morning, Tom. Is that the sheriff? Is, is Lydia still there? What's he calling us for? Do you want to talk to her? Yeah.
[00:06:44] Unknown:
No. No.
[00:06:47] Unknown:
Jenny What does he want? Oh, what is it, Tom?
[00:06:50] Unknown:
I guess it's better if you tell her. Tell her what?
[00:06:54] Unknown:
Herb. Herb Larson. Yes?
[00:06:58] Unknown:
Well, we're holding him here.
[00:07:00] Unknown:
Where? In the jail. What for?
[00:07:04] Unknown:
Robbery, assault. Oh, you
[00:07:07] Unknown:
you can't be serious. Mama, what is it? I'm afraid it's it's very serious.
[00:07:11] Unknown:
He stole $50,000 and almost killed old Jerry Cookman. But
[00:07:17] Unknown:
but Hernd could never do a thing like that.
[00:07:19] Unknown:
What can Hernd never do? Well, seeing as how he and Lydia was scheduled to get married tomorrow, I think she ought to know about it. Don't you?
[00:07:30] Unknown:
Yes.
[00:07:31] Unknown:
Goodbye, Jenny. You, you better tell her.
[00:07:35] Unknown:
Yes. I'll I'll tell her. Tell me what, mama? Tell me what? No, sheriff.
[00:07:50] Unknown:
No. Sorry, Lydia. Who else but Herb would have known there was that much money in the safe last night? Please, sheriff. Herb's the only one who knew the combination of the safe. Herb didn't do it. I know, but he didn't. Herb spends a lot of time there nights going over the books. So he knew that a 10:00 regular, Jerry Coopman, the night watchman, has himself a sandwich in the utility room. But you can't prove it. So Herb was able to sneak up behind him, hit Jerry on the head, make it look like a professional job. It's just a mistake.
[00:08:21] Unknown:
I know Herb. It's a mistake.
[00:08:23] Unknown:
It's a mistake. Alright. Evidently Herb didn't know that the money had all been registered. Every one of them bills is recorded. That money is gonna be too hot to spend. Oh, Sheriff Herb is innocent. I tell you Herb is innocent. I didn't expect you to say anything else. But just between you and me and off the record, you gotta get him to confess.
[00:08:47] Unknown:
Confess to a crime he didn't commit?
[00:08:49] Unknown:
If he confesses and tells us where he hid the money, we could maybe be talking in terms of three to five, five to seven. Five five to seven what? Years. Years in jail.
[00:08:59] Unknown:
Seven years in jail? What are you getting so excited about? I don't wanna hear another word. Do I have the right to see a Why? Why? Oh, my poor Darlene. What are they trying to do?
[00:09:18] Unknown:
What? It doesn't matter. It's what it will do to you. We'll fight it. It isn't any use. Everyone
[00:09:24] Unknown:
is convinced I'm guilty. Well, I don't care about everyone. I believe in truth and I believe in justice. Oh, Lydia. It happened to us now. The the day before We'll be married. I promise you. It's no use, Lydia. You'll not go to jail. I don't care how many voices are raised against you. One voice will be raised for you and that's the only voice that counts. The voice of God. Lydia, don't. Don't what? Don't believe it? Well, I do believe it. God isn't just something to talk about. He is here. He is with us all the time. Let's pray to him.
He'll not let an innocent man go to jail. Lady gosh. He will not let an innocent man be branded a common human.
[00:10:06] Unknown:
Just don't say anything for a minute and just listen. I I'm not an innocent man. Last night, I I stayed late at the plant. I know, darling. Please don't say anything.
[00:10:30] Unknown:
Please.
[00:10:33] Unknown:
It was 10:00. I closed the ledger. I walked out of my office past the utility room. The door was open. He he was sitting at the table, old Jerry, his back toward me eating a sandwich. That Polish sausage, that kielbasi smelled so good. I I, Herb. I said to him how, how lucky me how long could that? But he kept on eating. He didn't even turn around to see. And I remembered how deaf he was. You know, his walking stick, you know, that heavy one. It was lying on the floor behind his chair.
[00:11:15] Unknown:
I pick picked it up and I'm
[00:11:19] Unknown:
I I brought it down and
[00:11:23] Unknown:
and he just
[00:11:24] Unknown:
slipped out of his chair on the floor, you see. And then I walked down the hall into mister Jordan's office and I I opened the safe. You didn't. You didn't. And I took out the $50,000.
[00:11:36] Unknown:
Anymore. I have to save the rest. I
[00:11:41] Unknown:
I hid the money in you know the old elm tree near the lane to the lake where
[00:11:47] Unknown:
where where we carved our initials. Why? Why? I don't know. There must be a reason.
[00:11:57] Unknown:
I don't know, sir. Something made me do it. Some something deep down inside me, something I never dreamed existed. No, Herb.
[00:12:07] Unknown:
What you're telling me now, it can't be true.
[00:12:10] Unknown:
You don't want it to be true, Lydia. I don't want it to be true either, but I did it without thinking. I knew I was going to do it. I didn't try to stop myself. It was as if I was standing outside my own body watching a a stranger commit that crime and I didn't try to stop him either. Herb, you're not well.
[00:12:34] Unknown:
This monstrous accusation has made you ill. Why?
[00:12:39] Unknown:
Why don't I stop lying to you and lying to myself? I wanted to do it for a long time. Don't say that. Maybe I'm maybe I'm just sick of just being a a bookkeeper, a nobody. Not a nobody. Something I I wanted money. I wanted it so bad. I I was willing to risk anything, everything,
[00:13:03] Unknown:
and I did. Oh, Herb. It was a it was a fit of madness, I guess.
[00:13:09] Unknown:
Now it's gone. I I I see now what I've just thrown away. I've destroyed my whole life. For what?
[00:13:17] Unknown:
Something I don't want.
[00:13:21] Unknown:
I I don't want that money. I I want us to be married. I I wanna have a job, a home. Children, man.
[00:13:30] Unknown:
That that's all I want.
[00:13:32] Unknown:
What do I do?
[00:13:35] Unknown:
Listen to me. Listen. You'll have those things. You and I. We'll have them together. Oh, please, Lydia. You're the most
[00:13:44] Unknown:
wonderful woman in the whole world but it's over.
[00:13:48] Unknown:
I I'm guilty. No. You're not. If you think about it carefully, you're not guilty. I'm the one that almost killed Jeri Coop. No. You're not the one. I opened the safe. I stole the money. No. You didn't. Someone else did. Someone someone else? Who?
[00:14:05] Unknown:
Who?
[00:14:07] Unknown:
Me.
[00:14:13] Unknown:
Lydia. Our shy ethereal Lydia. Our young idealistic Lydia, she hit old Jerry Koopin over the head. She stole the money from the safe. How? It's true that still waters run deep. However, this seems to be a stream that has no bottom, but it does have a second act, and I'll bring it here in just a few moments. Things are not always what they seem. Dross may be passed off as purest gold Indeed it frequently is The sweet may be only a thin patina that is laid over the bitter Indeed sometimes misfortune even turns out to be a blessing in disguise. How do you figure Lydia Prentiss?
You. How can you say you robbed the safe? Because I didn't. Oh, Lydia.
[00:15:22] Unknown:
Please don't don't you fail me. You're all I have left. Don't don't let this destroy you. You must listen. No. No. No. No. No. Not when you say you bludgeoned old Jerry and you robbed the safe because because Because why? I'm not crazy. I did it. I'll
[00:15:41] Unknown:
confess. I'll go to jail. What have I done to you? You must not be convicted. There's no way you can prevent that. I'm showing you a way. I don't understand. I will confess. But you didn't say it. I did it. You're crazy. Look. Can we consider the facts? You're convicted. You go to jail. Three years, five years, whatever. You're branded. You're a criminal and it follows you for the rest of your life. Lydia. You mustn't interrupt me. And you have a skill. It concerns figures. The handling of money. It's what you do best. It's the career you want. Lydia, what are you saying? Just a few more words and I'm finished. You'll come out of jail and they'll say that you've paid your debt to society, but we know that isn't true.
Who will ever give you a job handling money again? No one. Please don't say anymore. You'll still be in your twenties and your life, your active, productive business life will be over. But this way Which way? Sensible way, I go to jail. It doesn't matter to me. All I wanna do is be your wife. I I can't let you take the blame for what I did. I want to. I'm your Lydia. Your Lydia. You and I are in love. We're like one. And if you did this thing then I did it too. I won't even talk about it. You say you don't know what came over you. Why you did it?
Herb, you did it for me. You wanted to make our life together easier. Now, which one of us should take the blame? Which one can afford it? I can. A few years in jail won't ruin my life. Lydia Oh, Herb. Don't be foolish. You're you're serious. You you mean it. But Oh, let me do it. I
[00:17:41] Unknown:
I thought I knew about love. But I stand here looking at your face.
[00:17:48] Unknown:
The light shining in your eyes. Two years? Three years? They'll go by before we know it. And we'll be together again. You'll still have a good job and opportunity for a career and everyone will soon forget about me. No. I I
[00:18:03] Unknown:
I can't. I can't let you do it. Well, that means you don't love me.
[00:18:09] Unknown:
How can you say that? Love is more than giving. It's also taking. And if you don't take this from me it means you just don't love me enough. Yes. Don't say anymore, please. We have to do it this way. There's no choice.
[00:18:30] Unknown:
What kind of a fool did you take me for? I'm guilty, sheriff. What are you trying to do? Oh, poor Herb. He wanted to take the blame, but I just can't let him. In the first place, only Herb knew the money was in the safe. I knew. He told me. Only Herb would know the combination.
[00:18:45] Unknown:
I knew. Herb told me. Why would he tell you a thing like that? He's in love with me. I could make him tell me anything. Oh, but it took a while to worm all the information out of him, but I learned everything I had to about old Jerry and his late night lunch hour. And sure enough, Jerry was busy eating and I
[00:19:06] Unknown:
hit him over the head. You hit him over the head. Yes. Tell me, Lydia. What did you hit him with? His own walking stick.
[00:19:16] Unknown:
That heavy wooden cane that he carries. It was lying on the floor behind him and I picked it up and, oh, you're really paying attention to me now, aren't you, sheriff? Oh, Lydia. I I I can't believe it. The walking stick? You found blood on it? Well, how would I know that that walking stick was there if if I hadn't used it? Lydia, I know you since you was a little baby.
[00:19:40] Unknown:
I I just won't believe you would commit If I wasn't the one sheriff,
[00:19:45] Unknown:
how would I know where the money is?
[00:19:52] Unknown:
Oh, Lydia. I I shouldn't have let you do it. It had to be this way, Herb. Look. I'll I'll go to the judge. I'll I'll confess everything.
[00:20:02] Unknown:
Shh. Don't talk so loud. Lydia. Don't wish them now. For three years without Out them go by. There
[00:20:10] Unknown:
there'll be no living for me until we're together again. Write to me, Herb. Keep writing to me. I promise every day. And and I'll see you again next week. Visiting hours are over. So soon?
[00:20:24] Unknown:
Oh, so soon. Oh, Herb, darling. Alright. Keep a pot. You know you ain't supposed to touch. Just say goodbye. Goodbye, Lydia. Goodbye. Goodbye, Herb. Through there, mister. Change of path to the guard at the door. Yes, ma'am. Goodbye, Herb. Goodbye. Okay, sister. You could have let us guess goodbye. And you know the rules. I know all the other guards will break some. Look. I'm doing you a favor. Why don't you forget him? He's a punk. You you may be a prison guard and I be less than dirt under your feet, but don't you dare say Oh, shut up, will you? You took the rap for him, didn't you? I hear what's going on. You couldn't prove it. Why would I want to?
But he's a punk for letting you do it. We love each other. Ditch that guy. He's bad news. Do it before he gives you the gate. What do you want? You didn't give me my mail today. How could I give you your mail when you didn't get me? That's impossible. I get a letter from from him every day. Yeah. Well, maybe he's got right as cramp. Now what do you want? You know what day this is? I got a calendar. It's Sunday. You know what time it is? It's one. Well, it's visiting hours. I know it's visiting hours. Well, aren't you gonna take me down to What for? You don't have a visitor. Well, of course, I have a visitor. My my fiancee, he comes to see me every Sunday. Yeah.
Well, maybe he found himself a girlfriend. Oh, don't say that. Why not? You're no use to him. Please. Please. Something something maybe something's wrong. You can say that again. I mean, maybe yes. That's it. Maybe he's sick. Poor Herb. And he don't want to look after him. Ain't that a shame?
[00:22:23] Unknown:
Please. Please don't make fun of me. I don't know what I'm going to do.
[00:22:36] Unknown:
Hey. Hey. Are you okay? Let me alone, please. I you've got a visitor. What? I said you got a visitor. You see, I told you he didn't forget me. He loves me. He's here. There's an amazing He loves me. Why didn't you tell me it was here? I don't have any makeup on. Some lipstick. Oh, for crying out loud. I didn't say he was here. It's your old lady. I I didn't know what to do. Someone had to tell you. Yes, Bubba. I I know he promised to wait for you, but but you really couldn't expect him to. No. Darling, please. He well, he's been going with her for almost a year.
Ever since you ever since Has he? She's rich. Her father owns the plant. It's it's a golden opportunity. It would seem to be. But what did you expect? You you did something crazy. I see that now. It was crazy. How could you do it? I'm sorry, mama. I how well, do do do you need anything? No, mama. Well, I I'll I'll try to get up here again real soon. Thank you, mama. Through that door, hand your pass to the guard, please. Good goodbye, Lydia. I'm sorry. I'm going to kill him. Yeah. I guess you would if you could get to him tonight. But you're lucky. You still got two years to go. You'll you'll cool off.
I'm going to kill him. It ain't worth it. You knock him off, it's a minimum of at least ten, fifteen more years here. It ain't worth it. It is to me. I'm going to kill him. What's the matter? I I I don't feel well.
[00:24:54] Unknown:
Yeah. But where? It's my head, and I wanna see a doctor.
[00:24:58] Unknown:
Okay. Okay. Out of bed. Look. I'll I'll I'll take you to the dispensary. No. Wait. I can't seem to walk. Could you hold out your hand for me? Oh, alright. Hello, Herbert. But Olivia, are you surprised to see me? Are you you're supposed to be in in the jail? Yes. Well, that was my mistake. You are supposed to be in jail. What are you talking about? Oh, I understand. Now, we're at that point. What am I talking about? You've rewritten some history, haven't you?
[00:25:55] Unknown:
But, yeah, fate does crazy things. We can't predict our actions. Yes, we can.
[00:26:02] Unknown:
I can protect mine. I know what I'm going to do. I'm going to kill you. What? What is that gun? This gun? A very cheap, badly made. Lydia, you you can't kill me. You you love me. I did love you, Herb. How I loved you. No one will ever love anyone the way I loved you and perhaps no one should. Love can be too strong, too terrible, too all consuming. I
[00:26:36] Unknown:
I can't help it, Liddy. I just fell out of love with you. That's all. That's all. I'm telling you the truth. By her vet. Pull on her foot up. Oh. Oh. Let go of that gun, Lydia. Let go. No, I'm going to kill him. Lydia, let go of that gun. I missed him. My first shot missed him. I'm gonna kill him. No, Lydia, no.
[00:26:57] Unknown:
Now, you don't stand still and behave or do I have to put the handcuffs on you?
[00:27:03] Unknown:
Why didn't you let me kill him, sheriff?
[00:27:06] Unknown:
Why? Just be thankful I stopped you. They called me from a penitentiary. They figured you'd beheaded this. I'm going to kill himself. Lydia, you talk like that and you'll never get out of jail.
[00:27:29] Unknown:
I'm sorry I hurt you. Listen. You ain't nearly as sorry as you're gonna be. Well, I suppose you do have the right to make it tough on me. Oh, not as tough as you're about to make it on yourself. Let me see. Your original sentence was three out of six. That goes up to the full six now. You got seven for assault, another seven for escape. So, tonight's little paper just lost you the best years of your life. You could have been out when you were 22. Instead, you stay here till you're 39, at least. It doesn't matter. Whenever I get out, I'm going to kill him. Sure.
I don't care how long it takes, but I'm going to kill him. I promise you, I'm going to kill him.
[00:28:30] Unknown:
Promises, promises. But if you analyze what we've had so far, you will see that this is a story that's based on broken promises. Meanwhile, here, Lydia is back in jail for what appears to be a very long time. Well, in a very short time, I promise to be back here with the third act, and that's a promise you know I'll keep. The years between '19 and '39, perhaps the most crucial twenty year period in anyone's life, the transition from youth to maturity. Two fantastic decades of infinite possibilities. Well, not for everyone. Certainly not for Lydia Prentiss.
Lydia Prentiss is spending those twenty years in prison. Lydia Prentiss with a raven black hair. There are little strands of gray here and there by now, and, there's a line or two, oh, still very faint, near the eyes, the mouth. Twenty years, a life time. And yet, she has kept busy in a way. She has compiled a scrapbook, painstakingly, over the years.
[00:30:02] Unknown:
Mail call. Here's that hometown paper of yours. Thank you, Agnes. Got another picture of him in it. Hey. He don't change a bit, does he? Yeah. I see. He's been named president of the plant. Herbert Larson, new president and chief executive officer of Jordan Industries. Good. Good? Why is it good? Shouldn't you be rooting for him to fall on his face? No. I want him to succeed. Well, I gave up trying to figure you out a long time ago. No picture this time, just a story. Mister and missus Herbert Larson returned from round the world tour. A shame the boat didn't sink. I hope he had a wonderful time.
I hope he's happy. Happy beyond his wildest dreams. You know, you're kind of peculiar. That takes all kinds. Why do you want him to be happy? Why? Isn't it obvious? Not to me. Look at him. His career is flourishing. There's even talk of him running for the senate. He's madly in love with his wife, a beautiful wealthy woman. Charming children. He still has his looks, his youth, everything to live for. And I am going to take it away from him. Yeah. How? I am going to kill him. Oh, yes. His cup will be running over. He'll have everything. And then he'll have nothing. Now, Lydia, listen. That's a bad thought. Get rid of it. Get rid of it?
What do you think keeps me alive? Come in, Lydia. Sit down. Thank you, Borden. Oh, come on. Old pals like us. You can still call me Agnes. It's been a lot of water under the bridge since you was a new fish in this joint, and I was a wet behind the ears god. Exactly twenty years ago. Tomorrow. Yeah. I'm gonna miss you, Lydia. Let's face it. What you get in the jail is mostly riffraff, but I don't know. You you're a lady. Well, you try to hide it. You're one too. Well, now what are you gonna do? You know what I'm going to do. Kill him. Oh, talk sense. This is sense for me. But it's been twenty years. What do you think has sustained me all this time? What's kept me sane? They'll only send you back here. I know. You'll throw your whole life away.
I threw my life away a long time ago. Listen. You kept your looks more. When you came here, well, you're only a pretty girl. Now you're a you're a beautiful woman. It's not too late for you. I'm not interested. Oh, come on. Be sensible. My brother, he he's in real tight with the governor. That that's how I got here behind this desk. Well, I spoke to him about you. Now things can be arranged. A job, a a good job could be found, say, somewhere downstate. With your looks, you could still meet guys, interesting, important guys. This don't have to be the end of your life.
Make it the beginning. I gave him all these things. This ease, this wealth, this pleasure. And I am going to take them away at the very height of his enjoyment. Yeah. Okay. I'll keep your old cell reserved for you. Mister Herbert Larson, please. I beg your pardon? Oh, are you his secretary? Well, I think you should tell me because we had an appointment. Yes. My name is Cynthia Powers. I'm with Fresh Faces magazine. I've come all the way from Los Angeles to interview mister Larson. He's where but you can tell me we're old friends, mister Larson and I. Where?
Oh, I see. Stirlings. I know where that is. Thank you.
[00:34:42] Unknown:
What'll it be? Ginger ale. You sure? Don't you serve Ginger ale? Well, reason I asked there's gentleman other in the bar want to know if, he could buy you drink.
[00:34:53] Unknown:
Thanks the gentleman. Tell him no.
[00:34:55] Unknown:
Yeah. I see you, you look familiar.
[00:34:58] Unknown:
Do I? Yeah.
[00:35:00] Unknown:
I don't know why. I just can't place
[00:35:03] Unknown:
you. Well, this world is full of people who look like other people. Look.
[00:35:07] Unknown:
Why don't you let the gentleman buy you drink?
[00:35:10] Unknown:
Because as I look at the gentleman from here, there's nothing about him that arouses my interest. He's Harmless
[00:35:17] Unknown:
and and Yes?
[00:35:21] Unknown:
Well, it's a it's a real sad story then. Oh, please. Go no further. I've heard too many sad stories in my life. Well, the the gentleman. How how old would you say he is? I'm not sure I care. Who cares? 60?
[00:35:36] Unknown:
You're way off. 70. Oh, look at him. Close. His hair is almost white. He's kind of fat. But he ain't nowhere near that old. Man's hardly a day over 40.
[00:35:51] Unknown:
Well,
[00:35:52] Unknown:
that's too bad. I mean, what does it cost you? He won't try to pick you up or get fresh or anything. Just give him a nod and smile. You're looking at the richest man in town. What kind of a town is this? Rich town. Lots of dough here, and he's got most of it. Oh, well, his wife has anyway. They own the mill, half the real estate, three quarters of the banks. You name it, they got it. Of course, she always had it. He he fell into it.
[00:36:20] Unknown:
Who? Who is he? Name's Verbalassen.
[00:36:24] Unknown:
A guy with everything going for him. And he well he just, he's gonna drink himself to death. It's hard to believe. Well, he's got a good constitution. It'll take him to take at least twenty years. Twenty years? Well, who knows?
[00:36:39] Unknown:
He may die sooner than that. Yeah, that's true. You never can tell. He might even die tonight.
[00:36:47] Unknown:
Are, are are you gonna kill him Lydia?
[00:36:54] Unknown:
How do you know my name? I thought you looked familiar. I'm Joe Garrity. Sheriff?
[00:37:01] Unknown:
Tom Garrity's boy? Yeah. I was a year behind you in high school. Yeah.
[00:37:08] Unknown:
How's your father? Oh, he's okay.
[00:37:11] Unknown:
He, stopped you from killing her that time you broke out of jail. That, that was many years ago. Are you
[00:37:19] Unknown:
gonna call your father now? Nope. Why not? It's your duty as a citizen.
[00:37:26] Unknown:
Yeah. I guess so. But you see Herb gets loaded here regularly. It's, it's like his real home. And he talks to me. And he told me the real story. What real story? Who really robbed that safe? So as far as I'm concerned if you want to kill him you have the right.
[00:37:51] Unknown:
That's a fine way for a sheriff's son to talk. Fact is when it comes right down to it I,
[00:37:57] Unknown:
I I don't think you'll do it. You believe that?
[00:38:00] Unknown:
I'll bet on it. Or you'll lose. I'm gonna open my purse. Take a look.
[00:38:08] Unknown:
Yeah. I see it. I still say you won't do it. Watch me.
[00:38:14] Unknown:
Mister Larson? Mister Herbert Larson?
[00:38:21] Unknown:
Oh, yeah. Yeah. It's my name. I have something for you.
[00:38:27] Unknown:
For me? Would you like to see what it is?
[00:38:31] Unknown:
I'd be delighted. So glad you decided to have a drink with me. You're a remarkably handsome woman.
[00:38:41] Unknown:
Thank you.
[00:38:44] Unknown:
You you remind me of someone.
[00:38:49] Unknown:
I seem to have that gift.
[00:38:52] Unknown:
Seemed familiar. She she'd look like you. Something like you today.
[00:39:02] Unknown:
Who would? Girl.
[00:39:06] Unknown:
Girl I loved very deeply.
[00:39:08] Unknown:
Would her name be Lydia?
[00:39:14] Unknown:
Yes. That was her name. Lydia. Lydia
[00:39:18] Unknown:
Prentice?
[00:39:20] Unknown:
How would you know? I'm Lydia. You're you're Lydia? Yes.
[00:39:33] Unknown:
Lady, you've come back? Yes, Herb. I've come back.
[00:39:36] Unknown:
Well,
[00:39:38] Unknown:
I'll I'll I'll divorce her. I I never wanted her money. None of it was any good. She She never loved me. She got tired of me. She keeps me around for show. There are other men. Oh, what a shame. My kid, they have no use for me. That's too bad. Make a business look of the papers, print articles about what a great guy I am. Everybody knows it because we own the papers. I'm a joke. Joe Gardy, bartender Askin will tell you. But all these years, I I had a dream. A dream you'd come back. I could start all over again. That was your dream? Almost twenty years. I dreamed you'd come back. We'd start all over.
And it happens. You've come back. Yes. I've come back
[00:40:28] Unknown:
to kill you. Lydia. I've come back here to kill you. That's been my dream. For twenty years, I've thought of it every moment.
[00:40:40] Unknown:
Thank you, Lydia. For setting me free.
[00:40:44] Unknown:
You're doing for me what I don't have the courage to do for myself. I tried it so many times, but I'm a coward gun. Terrifies me. Pain frightens me. Can't force myself to take the pill. Shoot me, Lydia. Please. Quickly.
[00:41:01] Unknown:
Pull the trigger. Hello, Lydia.
[00:41:04] Unknown:
Hello, Sheriff. I heard you was out of jail.
[00:41:08] Unknown:
Knowing you, I figured You figured right. I'm gonna have to try to stop you. I could kill him before you moved a step before you reach for your gun.
[00:41:17] Unknown:
Kill me Lydia, please. You'd like that, wouldn't you?
[00:41:20] Unknown:
This little 36 caliber bullet would be so quick and you'll be out of your misery.
[00:41:26] Unknown:
You were always the strong one. You were the one who knew what had to be done. Kill me. If you love me, kill me.
[00:41:37] Unknown:
No, Herb. I don't love you. And I'm afraid if you want to die you'll have to make your own arrangements. But I don't wanna live. Well, I'm afraid you'll have to. What's the matter with me? I feel Yeah.
[00:42:01] Unknown:
I hear you alright?
[00:42:02] Unknown:
Yes. I I have this feeling. This light crazy feeling. I've come away from a nightmare. I'm 19 again and my whole life is in front of me. My whole life is out there waiting for me.
[00:42:36] Unknown:
The dream, the long cherished dream, and yet it can come true in such strange and inexplicable ways. Sometimes the best way to kill someone is to keep him alive. Sometimes, life is actually death. Well, on a more definitive basis, sometimes I leave you as I do now for a few moments, but I always return.
[00:43:10] Unknown:
My
[00:43:19] Unknown:
Memory. Mysterious memory. What did happen in the past? What is the past? Ten minutes ago? Yesterday? Last week? Last year? The further back we go, the more blurred and hazy. And he is brave indeed who truthfully tries to penetrate the mist. Who was guilty? Who was innocent? Who were the heroes and who were the villains? Or were things never really clear cut? One thing is clear. We are here for your pleasure. Our cast included Marion Seldes, Michael Wager, Bryna Rayburn, and Bill Griffiths. The entire production was under the direction of Hyman Brown. Radio Mystery Theater was sponsored in part by Contact, the twelve hour cold capsule.
This is EG Marshall inviting you to return to our mystery theater for another adventure in the macabre. Until next time. Pleasant dream.
Introduction to Memory and Truth
Lydia's Confession
Love and Marriage
Herb's Arrest
The Crime and the Confession
Lydia's Sacrifice
Time in Prison
Lydia's Release and Revenge
The Confrontation
Resolution and Reflection
