In this gripping episode of the Mystery Theater, host E.G. Marshall delves into the intricate web of secrets and power struggles that define the lives of politicians and criminals alike. The story unfolds with Senator Frank Stoddard, a man of integrity, who finds himself embroiled in a dangerous game of deception and murder. As he navigates the treacherous waters of political ambition and personal loyalty, Frank is confronted with the harsh realities of corruption and the moral dilemmas that come with it. The episode explores themes of truth, power, and the eternal struggle to maintain one's integrity in the face of overwhelming temptation.
As the plot thickens, Frank is drawn into a deadly conspiracy involving his father-in-law, Lou Hurley, and the shadowy figure of Joe Bassett, a man with deep ties to organized crime. With the murder of Al Dorian, a key witness, Frank is forced to confront the possibility that his rise to power may have been tainted by the very corruption he seeks to eradicate. In a dramatic climax, Frank must decide whether to uphold his ideals or succumb to the pressures of political expediency. This episode is a riveting exploration of the human condition and the complex interplay between morality and ambition.
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Come in. Welcome. I'm E. G. Marshall. Nothing is is secret that shall not be revealed so the great book tells us and yet you think of the herculean efforts that are made to keep things hidden Nations spend billions of dollars on secrecy Men and women desperately devote unlimited amounts of time and effort to prevent certain personal facts from coming to light. But sooner or later a time comes for the truth to emerge. Then no pit is deep enough to hide it No vault strong enough to confine it and no friends devoted enough to deny it
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Why did you want to see me? Step this way, Venator A bit further off the road? Wait a
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minute What is that?
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Anyone can see it but please go, Senator I'm going to kill you Why?
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I don't know you You don't know me
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That's true Then why? Think, senator In all your life Have you ever done anything you deserve to die for?
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Our mystery drama The Look was written especially for the mystery theater by Sam Dann and stars Michael Tolan it is sponsored in part by true value hardware stores I'll be back shortly with that one As the poet said I drank every vine the last was like the first I I came upon no wine so wonderful as thirst Thirst to thirst is to live just as we must constantly slake the thirst for water or wine there are those who can never satisfy the thirst for love or for power Our scene one that is quite familiar to all by now a public hearing held by a senate subcommittee Thank you mister chairman I have only a few questions to put to this witness.
Mister Dorian, we are all unaware completely innocent of how you make your living. Will you tell us the source of your income? I I must respectfully refuse to answer that question, senator. But you do have an income? I must respectfully refuse to answer that question. Respectfully. Are we then to understand that you have no income? I must respectfully refuse to answer that question Mr. Dorian, I have seldom seen anyone so splendidly turned out as you are That suit is obviously the creation of a master tailor Shirt, tie, shoes everything speaks of elegance May I ask where the money comes from to indulge such expensive tastes? I much respectfully refuse to answer that question senator I ask all of you here to look upon one of fortune's elect he is supplied it seems free of charge with a wardrobe fit for a king We know he lives in a luxurious penthouse and evidently no one presses him for the rent He is obviously well known as the no one presses him for the rent He is obviously well nourished and yet from whence comes the wherewithal How does he manage to survive indeed thrive without any source of income?
Could you enlighten us, mister Dorian? I must refuse to answer that question, senator. Respectfully. I have no further questions, mister Dorian. But neither I nor this committee nor the American people are finished with you Mister chairman, I reserve the balance of my time Alright. Alright. Alright. Turn it over I think they're due to recess for lunch anyhow
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Isn't Frank absolutely magnificent, Dad?
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We have a presidential candidate. I don't know if he wants it He wants it Well he told me he didn't He has to say that It's such a matter of form You mean he has to lie to his wife?
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Especially to his wife Why? We never held any secrets from each other And you see when a man becomes president
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his wife loses him I refuse to believe that No no no the presidency comes between you and he senses that already
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That's why he's protesting to himself that he doesn't want it but it's all ritual I want him to become president He'd make a great president
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and I'll do all I can to make him see it Well I've been talking to people Are they impressed? Well if the convention were tomorrow he'd be taken very seriously But it's a year and a half away Oh that's why we have to be careful How do you do? Very careful
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Oh listen to us sitting here plotting It's It's like like one of those old Byzantine
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intrigues Yes, well politics never change
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Hey, is Frank coming home for lunch? No, he has a date with guess whom? Elizabeth Atwell
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Oh, the Dowager Empress of the Washington press corps Well, our boy has arrived really and truly I must be losing my grip, Senator I wonder what that means How long have you been here in Washington? I was appointed by governor Lansdowne to fill out the remaining year of Carl Aberle's term when he died. And then four years ago, I was elected on my own. Oh, yes. And I've never interviewed you. Why should you interview a junior senator from a
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spotted you. You work hard. You do a good job. You're respected on both sides of the aisle. In addition,
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you also married well. I like to think so. So. Irma Hurley.
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Smart, attractive, Lou Hurley's daughter. Lou Hurley, formerly Hurley and Bassett.
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Quite possibly the most prestigious law firm in Washington. Yes. Lou's retired. He's concentrating on my career. And now
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this committee, you're making a great many friends.
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I'm a friendly person. Oh, and does it come over? A nice guy, but no pushover
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Smart, decent, idealistic
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I don't remember, Liz. Did I check my halo at the door when we came in? And this morning,
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the way you handle that, well well, he is a punk, isn't he? The contrast between you are simply
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electrifying Yes, he's a punk, the worst kind A protected punk But we'll find out who's behind him And I'm sure there's considerable influence and power there. It can reach pretty high. I don't care how high it goes. Al Dorian belongs to me. That man and everything he stands for is an abomination.
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You mean that? Frank, I've seen them come and go since before you were born Should you give away your age so readily? I'm supposed to be old Frank That means I can dispense wisdom Such wisdom as? For one thing we don't elect a man to high office Frank What we actually elect is his character Men run on their records Oh, what does that mean? A man starts life all over again once he's been chosen. The office works a peculiar chemistry on him. Do you follow me? I think I do. I've seen liberals become conservatives and the other way around. I have seen hawks become doves and also the reverse. So what a man really needs is the character to meet the incredible demands.
I think you got it, Frank.
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Well, thank you. I hate to argue with one so wise and experienced, but surely you admit that appearances can be deceiving. Yes.
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To some people, but not to all. Not to me.
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How can you be sure?
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Did you ever hear of a Roman poet named Aelianus? No. He was a minor poet. He wrote, Votus fictus, Auris Rictus. Do you know what that means? No. Literally translated, it has to do with a fixed face and an open mouth. Yes? Actually, it means the look.
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What look? The look.
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That's what we gather from the sense of the poem which just goes on and on But what look is he talking about? The look you can see on every face if you search deeply Now, my old Roman poet believed that man is commanded by the gods to tell the truth I would agree Therefore he felt that the mouth offends the gods when it speaks a lie
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That's one way to think about it. Therefore
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the gods brand this this mouth this Auras Men Doctors this mouth of a liar
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with a look. You haven't told me what kind of look. It's just a look.
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You know it the moment you see it. That crook on the stand this morning that, that that Al Dorian, does he have the look?
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Oh yes Yes absolutely Can you describe it? Well it
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Of course you can't It's a look without a shape a a line a a a form but it's there
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I understand what you mean
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I don't see that look on your face Frank I hope it never gets there
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Hello Irma darling
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Lou? Well, how did go with Liv that well at lunch? Fine?
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What did you talk about? We talked about a very very obscure Roman poet Just kidding! What do you call that science of you know where you attempt to discover a person's character by examining his face? A physiognomate
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That's not a science that's a fraud Well, whatever That's what you talked about? All through lunch Oh darling You wasted a golden opportunity. To do what? But this woman is syndicated in 300 newspapers. She she has a national network spot every night. I know that. This was your golden opportunity to lay out your ideas, your philosophy. But if you wasted the entire lunch I haven't enjoyed a lunch like that in years Well you weren't there to enjoy yourself Oh wasn't I? Oh I'm sorry
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Dad talk to him he's right, Irma He's what? Now listen I've been in politics for sixty years and as a schoolboy in knee britches I gave out circulars during the Harding Cox election For which side? Oh both sides No I don't know if Fran carefully plans this strategy or just happens to do the right thing by instinct The right thing? Yes, you know here she is this mistress of the media with her fantastic clout And when our Frank meets her for lunch what do they talk about? Something that's dear to her heart This phrenology, physiognomy Phrenology has to do with bumps on the head Well Frank comes off as that rarer abyss that one of a kind Can you imagine a politician who isn't dying to talk about himself but is actually interested in what's going on in your mind? Frank is not a politician, dad. He is a statesman.
A statesman is a dead politician who was never indicted I, should consider getting some work done before dinner I have some committee reports to go over I'll, I'll be in the study a back offer a moment What? I may save it For what?
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The big one What big one?
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I I don't know yet. What are you talking about dad? Well sooner or later somewhere down the line he is going to have to make a deal. Frank? Never.
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He is going to have to you know yield on something accommodate somebody. But that's not how Frank sees things. What kind of a a deal will he have to make and with whom?
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Well, I don't know but it's out there It's waiting for him Oh surely dad you must have some idea Oh no dear I haven't but out of a clear blue sky when we least expect it there'll be a knock on the door a ring on the phone expect it There'll be a knock on the door, a ring on the phone And Frank will have to cut off or blow maybe just the tiniest, thinnest slice of his integrity He won't do it He will Then you'll have to help him. So don't waste your strength on these meaningless little skirmishes. Save it for the war. The war.
Yes. It's true. Every day of our lives, we must fight to preserve and protect our integrity. We're assailed on all sides by the easy way, the convenient, perhaps the profitable way. And the higher we stand in the world, the stronger the temptation. As an experienced listener, you have already guessed that in the near future, Frank Stoddard is going to have to wheel and deal. With whom? For that, we have a second act. It was the Greek historian Herodotus who told us that the bitterest pain known to man is to have much knowledge but little power Today the situation seems reversed in so many places the people are ruled by those who have much power but little knowledge and here we are in the midst of a story that deals with a man who has power but whose knowledge is yet to be ascertained.
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Frank? Oh, dinner time? Darling, am I a pain in the neck? How can you ask such a question? Answer it. Sometimes. I don't mean to be. I know. I just know the country needs a man like you. I'm not thinking about that right now. You're not? I'm trying not to. But it's there. Yeah? Frank, I want you to make it. It's a long way off, Irma. No. Not really. You've got it. What have I got? What What are we talking about?
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The nomination You're forgetting the the primaries, the convention Oh, that'll just be going through the motion Pretty strenuous motion if you ask me You have it
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Your problem is not to lose it You think so? It's It's in your pocket. You seem so sure? It it's a matter of timing. Timing? Look, you've come along at a moment when you're the brightest, freshest, most exciting face on the national scene.
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Thank you, kind lady. Darling, please get that and save me the trouble of turning down an invitation. Oh, I've learned how to do that with elegance and finesse.
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Hello? Is,
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Senator Starla there? Oh, well, the Senator is out just now. May I take a message? Yeah. This is Al Dorian. Al Dorian?
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And, how much you wanna bet the senator just came in?
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One moment, please.
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Frank. Well, what do you know? Thank you, my dear. Hello?
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Yeah. Yeah. Hello.
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And what can I do for you? Well, that's what we ought to talk about, senator. You had your opportunity to talk at the hearing. I mean, yeah, face to face, man to man, and, off the record. I don't usually indulge in that kind of conversation.
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You're a lawyer. You used to be a DA. You know, you gotta give to get.
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And just what have you got to give?
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The name of the guy you want. And who might that be? What would I get for the name of the guy that pulls all the strings?
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That would have to be negotiated at a meeting of the full committee. No no no, Senator,
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I am making a deal with you. I have no authority. I trust you, senator. You wanna meet me tonight?
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Where?
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My place over on the Northwest. 2 4 3 2 Bellison. Around, 10:00?
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Ten o'clock at 2432
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Bellison. Nobody else is gonna know about this till it's all set, Nobody? Nobody.
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He wants to see you. It means he wants wants to make a deal. Frank, it's fantastic. It's to be
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kept a secret. I have to respect his confidence. I understand. Don't tell anyone. Is anybody there?
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Anyone
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home?
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What's wrong? Dorian? Where's the light? Wait Dorian? Oh Dorian what what happened? I I've been shot that's what happened A doctor where where's it? Oh I see it. An emergency number. Dorian are you are you Hello? Hello police. Police listen. A man has been shot at 2432 Bellison. 2 4 3 2 get an ambulance here and hurry. You shut your mouth off didn't you? No. No. Believe me. I kept my worry. Yeah. Yeah. Dorian. Uh-oh. Maybe they maybe they figure they'd play it safe. Look, don't don't try to talk. Save your strength. What what strength? Man, I'm dying. The ambulance will be here. What what are you doing here? Look, save every comfort of strength. Who are you? Who who who?
Oh. Oh. I respectfully refused to answer because because why why didn't I wanna ask? Answer? I can't remember. That's not important right now. I'm trying to remember the name of of this guy, you know? But nobody knows him, see? But drugs and girls and and, gambling. He owns it. He he got all of it. You understand? Look. Just just try to be Who who are you? What what are you doing here? I'm I'm Senator Scott, Eddie. Light in shining armor. I'm gonna make you president of The United States. I'm a bum, but I'm gonna make you president even if you don't like my shoes, my shirt, my suit I never said I didn't like them. I'm gonna give you something and you can't give me nothing.
I I'm to payin'. Dorian, can you tell me this man's name? I've never squealed in my life. But this man tells you, Dorian. You're Yeah. You're dying. No. Just hold on. Let me keep me here. I'll tell you his name. His name is is Joe O. Joe name? Joe what? Joe Joe Joe Bizette is that is that it Dorian? Dorian
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Dorian Frank
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it's been on the news. Are you alright, darling? Yes. I'm I'm okay. Just a little shaky. You want a drink? Oh, everybody's
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just just talking about your courage and going in to meet that that gangster.
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Yeah. Yeah. It's quite a thing, Frank. People are actually saying that you could have been ambushed and killed too. Look, I I want to say something to both of you. I I know you both love me and you're completely swept up with the idea that I that I can go all the way. But you can, Frank. You can. People are saying it Let me put all that aside. Something terrible happened tonight. Do you understand that? Of course. I'm not sure. It seems likely that life has become just a series of of political maneuvers Darling, that's not true Everything's been reduced to a simple consideration Is it or or is it not good for my prospect? That isn't fair! Look a man was murdered He may have been a punk, a gangster, a killer but but he had decided for reasons of his own to cooperate with the United States government I I I understand But there were those who said you shall not do it and they killed him They defied the people of The United States They won't get away with it I'm gonna hunt them down whoever they are and not because it's gonna be good for my prospects but because I have no choice Of course, right? Whether it wins me the presidency or or cost me the presidency I'm gonna do it. Darling, I I'm sorry
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It's just that I get carried away by the I know I know
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I get carried away myself It's a bug and it bites you and you itch all over and the only cure is election But right now I have a personal stake in a murder and it won't be turned aside And all mine you shouldn't Now if it happens to be good politics at the same time well that's so much gravy Lou, you're incorrigible
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The committee began in just another one of those ho committees. Ride the current wave of law and order sentiment, get a few headlines, and then fade away as all of them do. But on this committee, we have senator Frank Stoddard who played it for real and for peace. Now it's not going to fade away quietly because there has been a murder. And each of us is outraged Liz Atwell. Good night.
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Thank you. This is Liz Atwell. Good night. Thank
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you, Liz.
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What's that up ahead? Have an accident?
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I could answer with that old old gag. No. Thanks. I just had one, but I didn't.
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Oh, something wrong with your car? Car's in great shape. Are you okay? In the pink as they say. Why'd you flag me down?
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Because you're senator Frank Stoddard.
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And therefore?
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I had to see you. About what? I waited for you to leave the Senate Office Building. I followed you I got ahead of you pulled over and
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trusted to your gentleman's instincts to stop and help a lady in distress If you wanted to see me so badly you could have made an appointment
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People who make appointments to see you wind up getting killed
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That only happened once What's your name?
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How long do you have to live with a guy before you can claim to be his common law wife?
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I'm not sure I think seven years maybe five
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Al and I had nine together so I guess that makes me Justine Dorian Dorian? Yeah
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Alright What do you wanna see me about?
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Step this way, senator Let's get a bit further off the road Wait a minute
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What's that? Oh, what a question
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Don't you know a pistol when you see one? It's only a 22 caliber but it makes a neat little hole going in and kind of a jagged one going out I'm going to kill you, Senator. Kill me? But why? You know why. No, I don't. Come on, Senator. I have to spell it out. Why do you wanna kill me? Because you killed Al Dorian.
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Is that why? But wait, we were there We know that Al Dorian was already dying when Frank Stoddard arrived Evidently, she doesn't have that information but she has a gun and her mind seems to be made up A pity none of us can tell her she's mistaken We'll see how well Frank does when I return with act three in just a few minutes Three. There is an entire body of so called philosophy which insists that the ultimate truth comes from the barrel of a gun as a premise for a scholarly discussion it is of course highly dubious but as a practical matter when one is faced with a physical fact it becomes a serious debate indeed and if you are the person without the gun it's an argument you cannot afford to lose How can you say I killed Al Dorian?
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You're pretty good you are the way you put on that injured innocent But it doesn't make sense No?
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Al would be a key witness for the committee
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What is there about you? I know you're lying but that face that innocent face those deep blue eyes so filled with honesty, sincerity In just a minute you'll have me crying What am I lying about? Oh cut it out
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You're talking to me What am I saying that's making you so angry?
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We had this argument Al and I I said Al, he knows he's playing a game And Al said no, he's a chump. He don't know What don't I know? Al figured he could shake you down All he had to do was tell you and you'd cave in Tell me what? I said Al it's dangerous You can't fool around with those guys But Al kept insisting It'll be private between me and him Who's gonna know? But you had to kill him because he knew too much Please listen to him Poor Al, underneath he was just small time He didn't realize he was only playing a part that you were playing a part What part am I playing? What are you doing on that committee?
Who are you kidding? You're there to make sure it doesn't get out of hand to steer it away from your father-in-law What did you say? Don't You take another step What did you say? Oh shoot! What did you say? Yeah! You're hurting me! What about my father-in-law?
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Tell me about my father-in-law
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Tell me and let go of this gun I don't need a gun I've already killed you I've killed you without
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it What are you saying? You
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You you didn't know I see it now I'm sorry No, I'm not sorry Al's dead. That's all that counts He's dead
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The two of you What about my father-in-law? Al told you just before he died He didn't mention my father in law's name I know that
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But the name he did mention should have told you everything It told me nothing.
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Joe Biz Zed I never heard of it neither has anyone else Joe Bizette that's not the name What is it then? Bassett
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Joe Bassett What? You know who Joe Bassett is?
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No no that's impossible
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Why is it impossible?
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Joe Bassett is was my father in law's partner The famous law firm of Hurley and Bassett You can't be serious You can't even be sane Why not? Lew Hurley and Joe Bassett
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two of them must upright Oh come on bitch Lew Hurley handled the corporations and Joe Bassett took care of the criminals Not that Lew's people weren't criminals too they just stole in a different way Joe made the great courtroom reputation, the great mouthpiece I refuse to believe a word of this All those big mobsters Joe Bassett saw how he could play his cards in such a way that they would be working for him You can't prove any of this And he did He had enough on everybody to keep them all in line Prove it
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You know I'm telling the truth Even if you are which I doubt why does Lou have to be involved? Lou knew
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he kept his mouth shut and took his piece Proof Proof? Where's your proof? For years Al Dorian's been the errand boy the gopher the connection you married Lou's daughter. Who are you? What are you? Just a a kid lawyer and nobody on the DA staff in some jackrabbit sheep ranch county. But you get an idea you wanna run for your boss's job. Who put up the dough for your campaign? Lou loaned me $5,000
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and my wife and I toured the state in my car Good lord you really believe it?
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You think that's what does it? You shake hands with a couple of apple knockers you invest a few thousand in some bumper stickers and buttons and you're in? Who bought the votes? Who twisted the arms? Who called in the favor? I was elected on my platform. Oh sure sure. Who got you the editorials? The endorsement? Do you know? Can you even begin to imagine the kind of money that's been spent on you? What may Who ordered old Governor Lansdowne
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to pick you to fill the senate vacancy when Aberle died? I made my reputation as a district attorney who cleaned out organized crime Sure!
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And who thought to it that you got the evidence? Who made sure you got the good gun guys they no longer had any use for?
[00:33:23] Unknown:
All right, go ahead
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Tell me why anyone would do it? Why not own a man who might one day be in the White House?
[00:33:32] Unknown:
How could anyone hope to own me? Senator
[00:33:37] Unknown:
One day they might want something very bad and they'd say to you Frank you have to make it happen or else could it come out that it was racket money mob money that supported you all along I I don't believe it Oh, I'm not saying they pull a stunt like that just to fix the traffic ticket Oh, no. It would have to be something big And they could maybe only do it once or maybe they'd never have to do it at all
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How do I know you're telling the truth? How do I know it is no just a story to
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to To what, Senator? Have I asked you for anything? Am I looking for something? I'm even sorry Because I can believe you didn't know And that means you didn't kill Al But who did? You can find that out Who knew you were going to need him? And where? Who knew? Who? Darling, you're late.
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Yes. I'm I'm very late. Something wrong? Irma, someone knew I was gonna meet Aldorian. But only you and I were aware of it And I know I didn't tell anybody
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Fine! Oh, what are you trying to say? Did you tell anybody? Why would I tell anyone? Well, of course not
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Not even Lou? Oh, well Well what?
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I told you not to tell anyone Lou isn't just anyone Then you did tell him? But he wanted to know where you were going But I said not to tell anyone But we have no secrets from Lou. Oh, that's a fact.
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Why don't we have any secrets from Lou? We're a married couple why can't there be things just between the two of us?
[00:35:44] Unknown:
Why did you tell him? Because he's my father. But I'm your husband. Where's your first loyalty? Frank, don't put it that way. You didn't answer the question. You have no light to talk to me like that not after the way I work. Work for what? For your career. Who asked you? Frank, we're under a strain. I think I'm going to go inside right now before you or I say something neither one of us has any business saying and which can never be unsaid.
[00:36:25] Unknown:
She loves you, Frank. Yeah. What does she know about you, Lou? Well, she thinks I'm the the greatest dad in the world. Aside from that, what does she know? Aside from that, what does she know? Everything. The name Al Dorian wanted to give me wasn't Joe Bissette. Al was very far gone by then What he was trying to say was Joe Bassett Oh So Lou, where are we? Well, that all depends You were part of it with Joe, weren't you?
[00:37:12] Unknown:
Yeah
[00:37:13] Unknown:
Why? The money You were never a poor man Well I guess the answer is you have to have larceny in your heart That was so easy So now what do I do? Put my father-in-law and his partner on the witness stand? You sworn old Frank? So that's what you have to do You and Joe Bassett you deny every word Of course And there's nothing on paper anywhere No, not a solo It would be your word against that of a dead racketeer He was the only one who knew we were involved But I could give you a very hot time on that stand Well, I know that. I might even shake something loose somewhere.
Someone sitting in jail or someone who likes to make a deal with the cops or plea bargain with some district attorney might put two and two together and come forward. Yes. It's entirely possible. Of course, I would look great doing it. There are people who'd say, is this man so power hungry he'd even try to railroad his own father-in-law? Look at all his pistol whipping that fine dignified old gentleman. He could end my career. Well, that shouldn't stop you. And it would also destroy my wife. Well, that shouldn't stop you either. The history of high office is filled with devastated lives Now you have your oath and your job and your duty It comes down to this I'm not tough enough or ruthless enough Then you have another alternative.
Just forget the whole thing. I suppose that is a way out. We've always had grass, crime, corruption. Maybe we always will And occasionally a hot young crusader comes along and makes a few waves But it's all froth Underneath it's still business as usual And giving me and Joe a hard time will get you all that far I've been out of it for quite a while Now Joe is a sick man And already new people and we don't even know who they are New people are moving in So you advised me to forget it? It's over, Frank It was a dim forgotten receding past The murder of Al Dorian is very much in the present Yeah, that was just kind of a last hurrah And it was done for your sake For my sake? Yes To spare you this trauma I'm sorry it was botched You should have been dead before you got there You had to get away with murder I know you're a man of ideals to a certain extent we all are You see life forces you to make compromises The minute you make the first one you begin to die Lou, you're the only one who can save me Take it out of my hands Come forward on your own. Turn yourself in.
I'm sorry, Frank. At the same time, you'll be saving yourself. From what? Come here, Lou. To the mirror. See? It's on your face. I never noticed it, but it's there. What is there? A look. What look? There's that we'll call it oris mendactus The look of the liar But I saw the same look on Aldorian's face Only it gets deeper and wider and it becomes the look of death Can't you see it? I I I think you're crazy. All the years you worked with Joe Bassett you knew it was wrong. You tried to break away and then I came along. Oh, how hard you worked for me, Lou. You saw it as kind of an atonement for the things you did, but it's not enough.
You have to do a lot more. Yeah. Destroy myself. Save yourself. Come forward freely and that look will disappear. Prove it. Just decide right now to turn yourself over and watch how that look will fade away. I can. Go ahead and then see what happens in the looking glass. I can. Irma, I I I don't want her to know. She'll know. You wouldn't tell her Frank, now you wouldn't No, but you will You'll have to If you don't help me Lou I'll just walk away from everything She'll wanna know why I won't say a word She'll turn to you Sooner or later she'll get it out of you And if she gets it that way You'll have lost her forever.
Frank. This way is the only way you can keep her. You tell her Lou. It's what you have to do. And I can see it on your face. You've already decided You knew all along the moment would come
[00:42:47] Unknown:
Daddy, why are you staring at the glass? What do you see there?
[00:42:54] Unknown:
I I see, nothing nothing nothing at all honey Thank you Frank
[00:43:01] Unknown:
What are you thanking him for dad?
[00:43:03] Unknown:
Well it's a long story You remember I used to tell you long stories when you were just a little girl?
[00:43:12] Unknown:
That's what I miss most of all. The stories.
[00:43:16] Unknown:
Well, darling, tonight, I think I'd like to tell you another story. In a kind of wild and ironic way it was as fantastic as any of the fairy tales he told her when she was a child but unlike the fairy tales it didn't have a happy ending but it had a realistic ending the ending life calls for but so seldom gets I shall return shortly The look how the ancients believed in it. To our remote ancestors, men were but materials used by the immortal gods and they wrote on our faces. They wrote our fears, our fantasies and our fate. Yes. The face of a human being is an open book.
If only you know how to read it. Our cast included Michael Tolan, Carol Teitel, Terry Keane and Earl Hammond the entire production was under the direction of hymen Brown this is e g marshall inviting you to return to our mystery theater for another adventure in the macabre. Until next time. Pleasant dream.
[00:45:23] Unknown:
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[00:00:34] Unknown:
Come in. Welcome. I'm E. G. Marshall. Nothing is is secret that shall not be revealed so the great book tells us and yet you think of the herculean efforts that are made to keep things hidden Nations spend billions of dollars on secrecy Men and women desperately devote unlimited amounts of time and effort to prevent certain personal facts from coming to light. But sooner or later a time comes for the truth to emerge. Then no pit is deep enough to hide it No vault strong enough to confine it and no friends devoted enough to deny it
[00:01:20] Unknown:
Why did you want to see me? Step this way, Venator A bit further off the road? Wait a
[00:01:26] Unknown:
minute What is that?
[00:01:28] Unknown:
Anyone can see it but please go, Senator I'm going to kill you Why?
[00:01:36] Unknown:
I don't know you You don't know me
[00:01:38] Unknown:
That's true Then why? Think, senator In all your life Have you ever done anything you deserve to die for?
[00:01:59] Unknown:
Our mystery drama The Look was written especially for the mystery theater by Sam Dann and stars Michael Tolan it is sponsored in part by true value hardware stores I'll be back shortly with that one As the poet said I drank every vine the last was like the first I I came upon no wine so wonderful as thirst Thirst to thirst is to live just as we must constantly slake the thirst for water or wine there are those who can never satisfy the thirst for love or for power Our scene one that is quite familiar to all by now a public hearing held by a senate subcommittee Thank you mister chairman I have only a few questions to put to this witness.
Mister Dorian, we are all unaware completely innocent of how you make your living. Will you tell us the source of your income? I I must respectfully refuse to answer that question, senator. But you do have an income? I must respectfully refuse to answer that question. Respectfully. Are we then to understand that you have no income? I must respectfully refuse to answer that question Mr. Dorian, I have seldom seen anyone so splendidly turned out as you are That suit is obviously the creation of a master tailor Shirt, tie, shoes everything speaks of elegance May I ask where the money comes from to indulge such expensive tastes? I much respectfully refuse to answer that question senator I ask all of you here to look upon one of fortune's elect he is supplied it seems free of charge with a wardrobe fit for a king We know he lives in a luxurious penthouse and evidently no one presses him for the rent He is obviously well known as the no one presses him for the rent He is obviously well nourished and yet from whence comes the wherewithal How does he manage to survive indeed thrive without any source of income?
Could you enlighten us, mister Dorian? I must refuse to answer that question, senator. Respectfully. I have no further questions, mister Dorian. But neither I nor this committee nor the American people are finished with you Mister chairman, I reserve the balance of my time Alright. Alright. Alright. Turn it over I think they're due to recess for lunch anyhow
[00:04:56] Unknown:
Isn't Frank absolutely magnificent, Dad?
[00:04:59] Unknown:
We have a presidential candidate. I don't know if he wants it He wants it Well he told me he didn't He has to say that It's such a matter of form You mean he has to lie to his wife?
[00:05:12] Unknown:
Especially to his wife Why? We never held any secrets from each other And you see when a man becomes president
[00:05:20] Unknown:
his wife loses him I refuse to believe that No no no the presidency comes between you and he senses that already
[00:05:29] Unknown:
That's why he's protesting to himself that he doesn't want it but it's all ritual I want him to become president He'd make a great president
[00:05:40] Unknown:
and I'll do all I can to make him see it Well I've been talking to people Are they impressed? Well if the convention were tomorrow he'd be taken very seriously But it's a year and a half away Oh that's why we have to be careful How do you do? Very careful
[00:05:55] Unknown:
Oh listen to us sitting here plotting It's It's like like one of those old Byzantine
[00:06:00] Unknown:
intrigues Yes, well politics never change
[00:06:04] Unknown:
Hey, is Frank coming home for lunch? No, he has a date with guess whom? Elizabeth Atwell
[00:06:09] Unknown:
Oh, the Dowager Empress of the Washington press corps Well, our boy has arrived really and truly I must be losing my grip, Senator I wonder what that means How long have you been here in Washington? I was appointed by governor Lansdowne to fill out the remaining year of Carl Aberle's term when he died. And then four years ago, I was elected on my own. Oh, yes. And I've never interviewed you. Why should you interview a junior senator from a
[00:06:45] Unknown:
spotted you. You work hard. You do a good job. You're respected on both sides of the aisle. In addition,
[00:06:55] Unknown:
you also married well. I like to think so. So. Irma Hurley.
[00:06:59] Unknown:
Smart, attractive, Lou Hurley's daughter. Lou Hurley, formerly Hurley and Bassett.
[00:07:06] Unknown:
Quite possibly the most prestigious law firm in Washington. Yes. Lou's retired. He's concentrating on my career. And now
[00:07:15] Unknown:
this committee, you're making a great many friends.
[00:07:19] Unknown:
I'm a friendly person. Oh, and does it come over? A nice guy, but no pushover
[00:07:26] Unknown:
Smart, decent, idealistic
[00:07:29] Unknown:
I don't remember, Liz. Did I check my halo at the door when we came in? And this morning,
[00:07:34] Unknown:
the way you handle that, well well, he is a punk, isn't he? The contrast between you are simply
[00:07:45] Unknown:
electrifying Yes, he's a punk, the worst kind A protected punk But we'll find out who's behind him And I'm sure there's considerable influence and power there. It can reach pretty high. I don't care how high it goes. Al Dorian belongs to me. That man and everything he stands for is an abomination.
[00:08:04] Unknown:
You mean that? Frank, I've seen them come and go since before you were born Should you give away your age so readily? I'm supposed to be old Frank That means I can dispense wisdom Such wisdom as? For one thing we don't elect a man to high office Frank What we actually elect is his character Men run on their records Oh, what does that mean? A man starts life all over again once he's been chosen. The office works a peculiar chemistry on him. Do you follow me? I think I do. I've seen liberals become conservatives and the other way around. I have seen hawks become doves and also the reverse. So what a man really needs is the character to meet the incredible demands.
I think you got it, Frank.
[00:09:04] Unknown:
Well, thank you. I hate to argue with one so wise and experienced, but surely you admit that appearances can be deceiving. Yes.
[00:09:13] Unknown:
To some people, but not to all. Not to me.
[00:09:17] Unknown:
How can you be sure?
[00:09:19] Unknown:
Did you ever hear of a Roman poet named Aelianus? No. He was a minor poet. He wrote, Votus fictus, Auris Rictus. Do you know what that means? No. Literally translated, it has to do with a fixed face and an open mouth. Yes? Actually, it means the look.
[00:09:46] Unknown:
What look? The look.
[00:09:49] Unknown:
That's what we gather from the sense of the poem which just goes on and on But what look is he talking about? The look you can see on every face if you search deeply Now, my old Roman poet believed that man is commanded by the gods to tell the truth I would agree Therefore he felt that the mouth offends the gods when it speaks a lie
[00:10:16] Unknown:
That's one way to think about it. Therefore
[00:10:18] Unknown:
the gods brand this this mouth this Auras Men Doctors this mouth of a liar
[00:10:27] Unknown:
with a look. You haven't told me what kind of look. It's just a look.
[00:10:33] Unknown:
You know it the moment you see it. That crook on the stand this morning that, that that Al Dorian, does he have the look?
[00:10:44] Unknown:
Oh yes Yes absolutely Can you describe it? Well it
[00:10:53] Unknown:
Of course you can't It's a look without a shape a a line a a a form but it's there
[00:11:01] Unknown:
I understand what you mean
[00:11:04] Unknown:
I don't see that look on your face Frank I hope it never gets there
[00:11:17] Unknown:
Hello Irma darling
[00:11:19] Unknown:
Lou? Well, how did go with Liv that well at lunch? Fine?
[00:11:23] Unknown:
What did you talk about? We talked about a very very obscure Roman poet Just kidding! What do you call that science of you know where you attempt to discover a person's character by examining his face? A physiognomate
[00:11:37] Unknown:
That's not a science that's a fraud Well, whatever That's what you talked about? All through lunch Oh darling You wasted a golden opportunity. To do what? But this woman is syndicated in 300 newspapers. She she has a national network spot every night. I know that. This was your golden opportunity to lay out your ideas, your philosophy. But if you wasted the entire lunch I haven't enjoyed a lunch like that in years Well you weren't there to enjoy yourself Oh wasn't I? Oh I'm sorry
[00:12:08] Unknown:
Dad talk to him he's right, Irma He's what? Now listen I've been in politics for sixty years and as a schoolboy in knee britches I gave out circulars during the Harding Cox election For which side? Oh both sides No I don't know if Fran carefully plans this strategy or just happens to do the right thing by instinct The right thing? Yes, you know here she is this mistress of the media with her fantastic clout And when our Frank meets her for lunch what do they talk about? Something that's dear to her heart This phrenology, physiognomy Phrenology has to do with bumps on the head Well Frank comes off as that rarer abyss that one of a kind Can you imagine a politician who isn't dying to talk about himself but is actually interested in what's going on in your mind? Frank is not a politician, dad. He is a statesman.
A statesman is a dead politician who was never indicted I, should consider getting some work done before dinner I have some committee reports to go over I'll, I'll be in the study a back offer a moment What? I may save it For what?
[00:13:23] Unknown:
The big one What big one?
[00:13:26] Unknown:
I I don't know yet. What are you talking about dad? Well sooner or later somewhere down the line he is going to have to make a deal. Frank? Never.
[00:13:37] Unknown:
He is going to have to you know yield on something accommodate somebody. But that's not how Frank sees things. What kind of a a deal will he have to make and with whom?
[00:13:51] Unknown:
Well, I don't know but it's out there It's waiting for him Oh surely dad you must have some idea Oh no dear I haven't but out of a clear blue sky when we least expect it there'll be a knock on the door a ring on the phone expect it There'll be a knock on the door, a ring on the phone And Frank will have to cut off or blow maybe just the tiniest, thinnest slice of his integrity He won't do it He will Then you'll have to help him. So don't waste your strength on these meaningless little skirmishes. Save it for the war. The war.
Yes. It's true. Every day of our lives, we must fight to preserve and protect our integrity. We're assailed on all sides by the easy way, the convenient, perhaps the profitable way. And the higher we stand in the world, the stronger the temptation. As an experienced listener, you have already guessed that in the near future, Frank Stoddard is going to have to wheel and deal. With whom? For that, we have a second act. It was the Greek historian Herodotus who told us that the bitterest pain known to man is to have much knowledge but little power Today the situation seems reversed in so many places the people are ruled by those who have much power but little knowledge and here we are in the midst of a story that deals with a man who has power but whose knowledge is yet to be ascertained.
[00:15:53] Unknown:
Frank? Oh, dinner time? Darling, am I a pain in the neck? How can you ask such a question? Answer it. Sometimes. I don't mean to be. I know. I just know the country needs a man like you. I'm not thinking about that right now. You're not? I'm trying not to. But it's there. Yeah? Frank, I want you to make it. It's a long way off, Irma. No. Not really. You've got it. What have I got? What What are we talking about?
[00:16:26] Unknown:
The nomination You're forgetting the the primaries, the convention Oh, that'll just be going through the motion Pretty strenuous motion if you ask me You have it
[00:16:37] Unknown:
Your problem is not to lose it You think so? It's It's in your pocket. You seem so sure? It it's a matter of timing. Timing? Look, you've come along at a moment when you're the brightest, freshest, most exciting face on the national scene.
[00:16:54] Unknown:
Thank you, kind lady. Darling, please get that and save me the trouble of turning down an invitation. Oh, I've learned how to do that with elegance and finesse.
[00:17:04] Unknown:
Hello? Is,
[00:17:06] Unknown:
Senator Starla there? Oh, well, the Senator is out just now. May I take a message? Yeah. This is Al Dorian. Al Dorian?
[00:17:14] Unknown:
And, how much you wanna bet the senator just came in?
[00:17:19] Unknown:
One moment, please.
[00:17:21] Unknown:
Frank. Well, what do you know? Thank you, my dear. Hello?
[00:17:28] Unknown:
Yeah. Yeah. Hello.
[00:17:29] Unknown:
And what can I do for you? Well, that's what we ought to talk about, senator. You had your opportunity to talk at the hearing. I mean, yeah, face to face, man to man, and, off the record. I don't usually indulge in that kind of conversation.
[00:17:42] Unknown:
You're a lawyer. You used to be a DA. You know, you gotta give to get.
[00:17:48] Unknown:
And just what have you got to give?
[00:17:51] Unknown:
The name of the guy you want. And who might that be? What would I get for the name of the guy that pulls all the strings?
[00:17:59] Unknown:
That would have to be negotiated at a meeting of the full committee. No no no, Senator,
[00:18:04] Unknown:
I am making a deal with you. I have no authority. I trust you, senator. You wanna meet me tonight?
[00:18:11] Unknown:
Where?
[00:18:12] Unknown:
My place over on the Northwest. 2 4 3 2 Bellison. Around, 10:00?
[00:18:20] Unknown:
Ten o'clock at 2432
[00:18:22] Unknown:
Bellison. Nobody else is gonna know about this till it's all set, Nobody? Nobody.
[00:18:33] Unknown:
He wants to see you. It means he wants wants to make a deal. Frank, it's fantastic. It's to be
[00:18:41] Unknown:
kept a secret. I have to respect his confidence. I understand. Don't tell anyone. Is anybody there?
[00:19:01] Unknown:
Anyone
[00:19:06] Unknown:
home?
[00:19:08] Unknown:
What's wrong? Dorian? Where's the light? Wait Dorian? Oh Dorian what what happened? I I've been shot that's what happened A doctor where where's it? Oh I see it. An emergency number. Dorian are you are you Hello? Hello police. Police listen. A man has been shot at 2432 Bellison. 2 4 3 2 get an ambulance here and hurry. You shut your mouth off didn't you? No. No. Believe me. I kept my worry. Yeah. Yeah. Dorian. Uh-oh. Maybe they maybe they figure they'd play it safe. Look, don't don't try to talk. Save your strength. What what strength? Man, I'm dying. The ambulance will be here. What what are you doing here? Look, save every comfort of strength. Who are you? Who who who?
Oh. Oh. I respectfully refused to answer because because why why didn't I wanna ask? Answer? I can't remember. That's not important right now. I'm trying to remember the name of of this guy, you know? But nobody knows him, see? But drugs and girls and and, gambling. He owns it. He he got all of it. You understand? Look. Just just try to be Who who are you? What what are you doing here? I'm I'm Senator Scott, Eddie. Light in shining armor. I'm gonna make you president of The United States. I'm a bum, but I'm gonna make you president even if you don't like my shoes, my shirt, my suit I never said I didn't like them. I'm gonna give you something and you can't give me nothing.
I I'm to payin'. Dorian, can you tell me this man's name? I've never squealed in my life. But this man tells you, Dorian. You're Yeah. You're dying. No. Just hold on. Let me keep me here. I'll tell you his name. His name is is Joe O. Joe name? Joe what? Joe Joe Joe Bizette is that is that it Dorian? Dorian
[00:21:47] Unknown:
Dorian Frank
[00:21:50] Unknown:
it's been on the news. Are you alright, darling? Yes. I'm I'm okay. Just a little shaky. You want a drink? Oh, everybody's
[00:21:57] Unknown:
just just talking about your courage and going in to meet that that gangster.
[00:22:02] Unknown:
Yeah. Yeah. It's quite a thing, Frank. People are actually saying that you could have been ambushed and killed too. Look, I I want to say something to both of you. I I know you both love me and you're completely swept up with the idea that I that I can go all the way. But you can, Frank. You can. People are saying it Let me put all that aside. Something terrible happened tonight. Do you understand that? Of course. I'm not sure. It seems likely that life has become just a series of of political maneuvers Darling, that's not true Everything's been reduced to a simple consideration Is it or or is it not good for my prospect? That isn't fair! Look a man was murdered He may have been a punk, a gangster, a killer but but he had decided for reasons of his own to cooperate with the United States government I I I understand But there were those who said you shall not do it and they killed him They defied the people of The United States They won't get away with it I'm gonna hunt them down whoever they are and not because it's gonna be good for my prospects but because I have no choice Of course, right? Whether it wins me the presidency or or cost me the presidency I'm gonna do it. Darling, I I'm sorry
[00:23:11] Unknown:
It's just that I get carried away by the I know I know
[00:23:15] Unknown:
I get carried away myself It's a bug and it bites you and you itch all over and the only cure is election But right now I have a personal stake in a murder and it won't be turned aside And all mine you shouldn't Now if it happens to be good politics at the same time well that's so much gravy Lou, you're incorrigible
[00:23:43] Unknown:
The committee began in just another one of those ho committees. Ride the current wave of law and order sentiment, get a few headlines, and then fade away as all of them do. But on this committee, we have senator Frank Stoddard who played it for real and for peace. Now it's not going to fade away quietly because there has been a murder. And each of us is outraged Liz Atwell. Good night.
[00:24:26] Unknown:
Thank you. This is Liz Atwell. Good night. Thank
[00:24:33] Unknown:
you, Liz.
[00:24:38] Unknown:
What's that up ahead? Have an accident?
[00:24:54] Unknown:
I could answer with that old old gag. No. Thanks. I just had one, but I didn't.
[00:25:01] Unknown:
Oh, something wrong with your car? Car's in great shape. Are you okay? In the pink as they say. Why'd you flag me down?
[00:25:11] Unknown:
Because you're senator Frank Stoddard.
[00:25:14] Unknown:
And therefore?
[00:25:16] Unknown:
I had to see you. About what? I waited for you to leave the Senate Office Building. I followed you I got ahead of you pulled over and
[00:25:25] Unknown:
trusted to your gentleman's instincts to stop and help a lady in distress If you wanted to see me so badly you could have made an appointment
[00:25:33] Unknown:
People who make appointments to see you wind up getting killed
[00:25:37] Unknown:
That only happened once What's your name?
[00:25:42] Unknown:
How long do you have to live with a guy before you can claim to be his common law wife?
[00:25:49] Unknown:
I'm not sure I think seven years maybe five
[00:25:52] Unknown:
Al and I had nine together so I guess that makes me Justine Dorian Dorian? Yeah
[00:26:02] Unknown:
Alright What do you wanna see me about?
[00:26:04] Unknown:
Step this way, senator Let's get a bit further off the road Wait a minute
[00:26:09] Unknown:
What's that? Oh, what a question
[00:26:13] Unknown:
Don't you know a pistol when you see one? It's only a 22 caliber but it makes a neat little hole going in and kind of a jagged one going out I'm going to kill you, Senator. Kill me? But why? You know why. No, I don't. Come on, Senator. I have to spell it out. Why do you wanna kill me? Because you killed Al Dorian.
[00:26:49] Unknown:
Is that why? But wait, we were there We know that Al Dorian was already dying when Frank Stoddard arrived Evidently, she doesn't have that information but she has a gun and her mind seems to be made up A pity none of us can tell her she's mistaken We'll see how well Frank does when I return with act three in just a few minutes Three. There is an entire body of so called philosophy which insists that the ultimate truth comes from the barrel of a gun as a premise for a scholarly discussion it is of course highly dubious but as a practical matter when one is faced with a physical fact it becomes a serious debate indeed and if you are the person without the gun it's an argument you cannot afford to lose How can you say I killed Al Dorian?
[00:28:00] Unknown:
You're pretty good you are the way you put on that injured innocent But it doesn't make sense No?
[00:28:06] Unknown:
Al would be a key witness for the committee
[00:28:09] Unknown:
What is there about you? I know you're lying but that face that innocent face those deep blue eyes so filled with honesty, sincerity In just a minute you'll have me crying What am I lying about? Oh cut it out
[00:28:28] Unknown:
You're talking to me What am I saying that's making you so angry?
[00:28:32] Unknown:
We had this argument Al and I I said Al, he knows he's playing a game And Al said no, he's a chump. He don't know What don't I know? Al figured he could shake you down All he had to do was tell you and you'd cave in Tell me what? I said Al it's dangerous You can't fool around with those guys But Al kept insisting It'll be private between me and him Who's gonna know? But you had to kill him because he knew too much Please listen to him Poor Al, underneath he was just small time He didn't realize he was only playing a part that you were playing a part What part am I playing? What are you doing on that committee?
Who are you kidding? You're there to make sure it doesn't get out of hand to steer it away from your father-in-law What did you say? Don't You take another step What did you say? Oh shoot! What did you say? Yeah! You're hurting me! What about my father-in-law?
[00:29:43] Unknown:
Tell me about my father-in-law
[00:29:44] Unknown:
Tell me and let go of this gun I don't need a gun I've already killed you I've killed you without
[00:29:59] Unknown:
it What are you saying? You
[00:30:03] Unknown:
You you didn't know I see it now I'm sorry No, I'm not sorry Al's dead. That's all that counts He's dead
[00:30:18] Unknown:
The two of you What about my father-in-law? Al told you just before he died He didn't mention my father in law's name I know that
[00:30:25] Unknown:
But the name he did mention should have told you everything It told me nothing.
[00:30:29] Unknown:
Joe Biz Zed I never heard of it neither has anyone else Joe Bizette that's not the name What is it then? Bassett
[00:30:37] Unknown:
Joe Bassett What? You know who Joe Bassett is?
[00:30:44] Unknown:
No no that's impossible
[00:30:46] Unknown:
Why is it impossible?
[00:30:48] Unknown:
Joe Bassett is was my father in law's partner The famous law firm of Hurley and Bassett You can't be serious You can't even be sane Why not? Lew Hurley and Joe Bassett
[00:30:59] Unknown:
two of them must upright Oh come on bitch Lew Hurley handled the corporations and Joe Bassett took care of the criminals Not that Lew's people weren't criminals too they just stole in a different way Joe made the great courtroom reputation, the great mouthpiece I refuse to believe a word of this All those big mobsters Joe Bassett saw how he could play his cards in such a way that they would be working for him You can't prove any of this And he did He had enough on everybody to keep them all in line Prove it
[00:31:32] Unknown:
You know I'm telling the truth Even if you are which I doubt why does Lou have to be involved? Lou knew
[00:31:39] Unknown:
he kept his mouth shut and took his piece Proof Proof? Where's your proof? For years Al Dorian's been the errand boy the gopher the connection you married Lou's daughter. Who are you? What are you? Just a a kid lawyer and nobody on the DA staff in some jackrabbit sheep ranch county. But you get an idea you wanna run for your boss's job. Who put up the dough for your campaign? Lou loaned me $5,000
[00:32:25] Unknown:
and my wife and I toured the state in my car Good lord you really believe it?
[00:32:30] Unknown:
You think that's what does it? You shake hands with a couple of apple knockers you invest a few thousand in some bumper stickers and buttons and you're in? Who bought the votes? Who twisted the arms? Who called in the favor? I was elected on my platform. Oh sure sure. Who got you the editorials? The endorsement? Do you know? Can you even begin to imagine the kind of money that's been spent on you? What may Who ordered old Governor Lansdowne
[00:33:05] Unknown:
to pick you to fill the senate vacancy when Aberle died? I made my reputation as a district attorney who cleaned out organized crime Sure!
[00:33:14] Unknown:
And who thought to it that you got the evidence? Who made sure you got the good gun guys they no longer had any use for?
[00:33:23] Unknown:
All right, go ahead
[00:33:25] Unknown:
Tell me why anyone would do it? Why not own a man who might one day be in the White House?
[00:33:32] Unknown:
How could anyone hope to own me? Senator
[00:33:37] Unknown:
One day they might want something very bad and they'd say to you Frank you have to make it happen or else could it come out that it was racket money mob money that supported you all along I I don't believe it Oh, I'm not saying they pull a stunt like that just to fix the traffic ticket Oh, no. It would have to be something big And they could maybe only do it once or maybe they'd never have to do it at all
[00:34:11] Unknown:
How do I know you're telling the truth? How do I know it is no just a story to
[00:34:16] Unknown:
to To what, Senator? Have I asked you for anything? Am I looking for something? I'm even sorry Because I can believe you didn't know And that means you didn't kill Al But who did? You can find that out Who knew you were going to need him? And where? Who knew? Who? Darling, you're late.
[00:35:01] Unknown:
Yes. I'm I'm very late. Something wrong? Irma, someone knew I was gonna meet Aldorian. But only you and I were aware of it And I know I didn't tell anybody
[00:35:14] Unknown:
Fine! Oh, what are you trying to say? Did you tell anybody? Why would I tell anyone? Well, of course not
[00:35:22] Unknown:
Not even Lou? Oh, well Well what?
[00:35:26] Unknown:
I told you not to tell anyone Lou isn't just anyone Then you did tell him? But he wanted to know where you were going But I said not to tell anyone But we have no secrets from Lou. Oh, that's a fact.
[00:35:37] Unknown:
Why don't we have any secrets from Lou? We're a married couple why can't there be things just between the two of us?
[00:35:44] Unknown:
Why did you tell him? Because he's my father. But I'm your husband. Where's your first loyalty? Frank, don't put it that way. You didn't answer the question. You have no light to talk to me like that not after the way I work. Work for what? For your career. Who asked you? Frank, we're under a strain. I think I'm going to go inside right now before you or I say something neither one of us has any business saying and which can never be unsaid.
[00:36:25] Unknown:
She loves you, Frank. Yeah. What does she know about you, Lou? Well, she thinks I'm the the greatest dad in the world. Aside from that, what does she know? Aside from that, what does she know? Everything. The name Al Dorian wanted to give me wasn't Joe Bissette. Al was very far gone by then What he was trying to say was Joe Bassett Oh So Lou, where are we? Well, that all depends You were part of it with Joe, weren't you?
[00:37:12] Unknown:
Yeah
[00:37:13] Unknown:
Why? The money You were never a poor man Well I guess the answer is you have to have larceny in your heart That was so easy So now what do I do? Put my father-in-law and his partner on the witness stand? You sworn old Frank? So that's what you have to do You and Joe Bassett you deny every word Of course And there's nothing on paper anywhere No, not a solo It would be your word against that of a dead racketeer He was the only one who knew we were involved But I could give you a very hot time on that stand Well, I know that. I might even shake something loose somewhere.
Someone sitting in jail or someone who likes to make a deal with the cops or plea bargain with some district attorney might put two and two together and come forward. Yes. It's entirely possible. Of course, I would look great doing it. There are people who'd say, is this man so power hungry he'd even try to railroad his own father-in-law? Look at all his pistol whipping that fine dignified old gentleman. He could end my career. Well, that shouldn't stop you. And it would also destroy my wife. Well, that shouldn't stop you either. The history of high office is filled with devastated lives Now you have your oath and your job and your duty It comes down to this I'm not tough enough or ruthless enough Then you have another alternative.
Just forget the whole thing. I suppose that is a way out. We've always had grass, crime, corruption. Maybe we always will And occasionally a hot young crusader comes along and makes a few waves But it's all froth Underneath it's still business as usual And giving me and Joe a hard time will get you all that far I've been out of it for quite a while Now Joe is a sick man And already new people and we don't even know who they are New people are moving in So you advised me to forget it? It's over, Frank It was a dim forgotten receding past The murder of Al Dorian is very much in the present Yeah, that was just kind of a last hurrah And it was done for your sake For my sake? Yes To spare you this trauma I'm sorry it was botched You should have been dead before you got there You had to get away with murder I know you're a man of ideals to a certain extent we all are You see life forces you to make compromises The minute you make the first one you begin to die Lou, you're the only one who can save me Take it out of my hands Come forward on your own. Turn yourself in.
I'm sorry, Frank. At the same time, you'll be saving yourself. From what? Come here, Lou. To the mirror. See? It's on your face. I never noticed it, but it's there. What is there? A look. What look? There's that we'll call it oris mendactus The look of the liar But I saw the same look on Aldorian's face Only it gets deeper and wider and it becomes the look of death Can't you see it? I I I think you're crazy. All the years you worked with Joe Bassett you knew it was wrong. You tried to break away and then I came along. Oh, how hard you worked for me, Lou. You saw it as kind of an atonement for the things you did, but it's not enough.
You have to do a lot more. Yeah. Destroy myself. Save yourself. Come forward freely and that look will disappear. Prove it. Just decide right now to turn yourself over and watch how that look will fade away. I can. Go ahead and then see what happens in the looking glass. I can. Irma, I I I don't want her to know. She'll know. You wouldn't tell her Frank, now you wouldn't No, but you will You'll have to If you don't help me Lou I'll just walk away from everything She'll wanna know why I won't say a word She'll turn to you Sooner or later she'll get it out of you And if she gets it that way You'll have lost her forever.
Frank. This way is the only way you can keep her. You tell her Lou. It's what you have to do. And I can see it on your face. You've already decided You knew all along the moment would come
[00:42:47] Unknown:
Daddy, why are you staring at the glass? What do you see there?
[00:42:54] Unknown:
I I see, nothing nothing nothing at all honey Thank you Frank
[00:43:01] Unknown:
What are you thanking him for dad?
[00:43:03] Unknown:
Well it's a long story You remember I used to tell you long stories when you were just a little girl?
[00:43:12] Unknown:
That's what I miss most of all. The stories.
[00:43:16] Unknown:
Well, darling, tonight, I think I'd like to tell you another story. In a kind of wild and ironic way it was as fantastic as any of the fairy tales he told her when she was a child but unlike the fairy tales it didn't have a happy ending but it had a realistic ending the ending life calls for but so seldom gets I shall return shortly The look how the ancients believed in it. To our remote ancestors, men were but materials used by the immortal gods and they wrote on our faces. They wrote our fears, our fantasies and our fate. Yes. The face of a human being is an open book.
If only you know how to read it. Our cast included Michael Tolan, Carol Teitel, Terry Keane and Earl Hammond the entire production was under the direction of hymen Brown this is e g marshall inviting you to return to our mystery theater for another adventure in the macabre. Until next time. Pleasant dream.
[00:45:23] Unknown:
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The Unveiling of Secrets
The Mysterious Mr. Dorian
Political Ambitions and Intrigues
The Look of Truth and Lies
A Deal with the Devil
The Murder of Al Dorian
Confrontation with Justine Dorian
Family Secrets Revealed
The Choice of Integrity
