In this gripping episode of the CBS Radio Mystery Theater, host EG Marshall takes us on a suspenseful journey with the story "Wilhelmina Wilson," written by Sam Dan. The episode begins with the mysterious disappearance of a young woman named Margaret Truesdale, also known as Margie True, a promising Olympic swimmer. Her parents, Sydney and Molly Truesdale, report her missing after she fails to return home from the library. As Sergeant Keller investigates, he uncovers a web of potential motives, from kidnapping to amnesia, and even a publicity stunt gone wrong. The tension builds as the investigation reveals the pressures and expectations placed on Margie by her family and society.
As the story unfolds, Sergeant Keller discovers that Margie has been living a double life under the alias "Wilhelmina Wilson," a name she used as a rhythm for her swimming. The episode explores themes of identity, ambition, and the struggle for personal freedom. Margie's journey from a sickly child to a celebrated athlete is marred by the overwhelming expectations of those around her. In a surprising twist, Sergeant Keller finds Margie, now living independently, and offers her a chance at a new life, free from the burdens of her past. This episode delves into the complexities of familial relationships and the pursuit of dreams, leaving listeners questioning the true cost of success.
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[00:00:06]
Unknown:
So it's a good idea not to wait till the last minute to apply. If you have to double check what to bring with you, call any Social Security office. Someone there will be glad to help you. In the Denver Metro Area, call 232-3650.
[00:00:23] Unknown:
The CBS Radio Mystery Theater presents Come in. Welcome. I'm EG Marshall. For a brief moment during the darkest night, we have a glimpse of ourselves and of our world, islanded in the stream of stars, pilgrims of mortality, voyaging between horizons across the eternal seas of space and time. Yes. For a moment, For only the briefest moment.
[00:01:15] Unknown:
She was kidnapped, sergeant. That's right. There were people on the street. Someone would have seen something. Are you sure she didn't run away? She was kidnapped, sergeant. But if she were kidnapped, you'd have received a ransom note. Is it possible for a girl to disappear without a trace
[00:01:31] Unknown:
as if the earth just swallowed her up? Our mystery drama, Wilhelmina Wilson, was written especially for the mystery theater by Sam Dan and stars Paul Hecht. I'll be back shortly with act one. Absence, said the Roman philosopher, makes the heart grow fonder. However, an unexplained absence is bound to make the heart grow anxious. Society takes note of this fact, which is why every police department has its bureau of missing persons.
[00:02:24] Unknown:
My name is Truesdale, Sydney Truesdale. Yes, mister Truesdale. I'm his wife, Molly Truesdale. Is the lieutenant downstairs? At the desk, he said to see you. Is sergeant Keller? Yes. So you wish to report a missing person? Well, now that you asked. Sid, there's no way to get around it. She's a missing person. Who are we talking about? My,
[00:02:43] Unknown:
our daughter. And her name? Margaret Truesdale.
[00:02:47] Unknown:
But she's known professionally as Margie True.
[00:02:49] Unknown:
Margie True. Yes. It's shorter, snappier than Margaret Truesdale. Yeah. That's not important.
[00:02:55] Unknown:
Besides, I'm sure he never even heard of her. Now I need some statistics.
[00:03:00] Unknown:
Female, Margaret or, Margie Truesdale, or True.
[00:03:06] Unknown:
Age? 23. She'll be 23. Is she 22?
[00:03:10] Unknown:
Hair. Blonde. Natural.
[00:03:12] Unknown:
Height? Five nine. Weight? One twenty five. Now how long has she been missing? How long?
[00:03:20] Unknown:
About three hours, I should think. It's almost 01:00 in the morning. At least four hours. Yeah. Well, that's hardly enough time to be
[00:03:29] Unknown:
What were you going to say? It's hardly something to be concerned about.
[00:03:34] Unknown:
Yes.
[00:03:35] Unknown:
Now when was she due home? Oh, the library closes at 08:30. Yes. She gone there to return a book. She always comes right back. She should have been home 09:00 at the latest. Oh, she might have gone to a movie. Well, she would have called us. Besides,
[00:03:49] Unknown:
she doesn't like to go alone. Yeah. Just because a girl, well, actually, a young lady, just because you haven't heard from her in four hours,
[00:03:58] Unknown:
she may have met someone. She doesn't. Stay up late. Oh, she can't. She's in training. She is missing. There's nowhere she might have gone. Nowhere she's supposed to have gone except home.
[00:04:09] Unknown:
And that's four hours ago. Sergeant, you have to find her. Yes.
[00:04:14] Unknown:
Now I suggest you go home. What are you trying to do? Get rid of us? I don't think you're taking this seriously, Sergeant. Please, mister and missus Truesdale, your place is home by the phone in case she's trying to reach you. Now, you saw her last At At 06:30. And she was wearing?
[00:04:34] Unknown:
The, cocoa brown slacks and an eggshell blouse. Yes. She was carrying the beige sweater. Do you have a picture of her?
[00:04:41] Unknown:
See, I told you they'd want a picture.
[00:04:44] Unknown:
Thank you. She's, very pretty.
[00:04:51] Unknown:
Your address? At 613 Delaware. And the library is at the corner of Garfield. So somewhere in those eight blocks
[00:04:58] Unknown:
Right. Right. We'll start the routine.
[00:05:00] Unknown:
Routine? Routine. This is our daughter. He means the police routine, Molly. What are you going to do?
[00:05:08] Unknown:
I I mean, right now. Well, we'll check out the hospitals. Oh, how could you say a thing like that? We'll do everything we can to find your daughter. Sergeant Keller? Oh, yeah, Marty. The Truesdale girl? Yeah. What have you got? Nothing. Anything from the cup on the beat, hospitals? How about, the morgue? Oh, okay. Thanks. May I help you? Yes. I'm a police detective. My identification Oh. Were you working here at the library last night, miss Stacy? Oh, yes, sir. To when? Oh, well, Wednesday nights, we close the library at 08:30. Uh-huh. Do you know a miss Margaret Truesdale?
[00:06:02] Unknown:
Oh, yes. What do you know about her? What? Is she in any trouble? I hope not. Well, I I really don't know very much about her. Was she in last night? Oh, yes. She was. And what time did she arrive? I'm not sure. I see, I didn't see her come in.
[00:06:19] Unknown:
Do you know when she left? Oh, yes. At exactly 07:30.
[00:06:23] Unknown:
You're sure? Oh, absolutely. Because when she said goodnight to me, I remember saying to her, I've got one more hour to go. Do you know anything at all about her? Oh, she's a very pretty girl. Yeah. Yeah. She is. Oh, let's see. She looks to be about 19. She comes in quite often early in the evening. She reads for a while and then she takes out a book and and leaves. Is she ever in here with anyone? Oh, no. No. She's always alone.
[00:06:53] Unknown:
Does she talk to anybody?
[00:06:55] Unknown:
Just to me, as far as I know. What do you talk about? Oh, books mostly. What kind of books? Fiction. Usually, short stories. Who's her favorite author? Oh, I would say Edgar Allan Poe. See, there's one book she'd had out for quite a while. By that, I mean, she'd keep renewing it. And what book was that? Well, as a matter of fact, she'd returned it last night. She said she'd finally bought herself a copy and didn't need ours anymore.
[00:07:25] Unknown:
What's the name of the book? Oh,
[00:07:28] Unknown:
William Wilson and Other Stories by Edgar Allan Poe. Why do I ask, sergeant?
[00:07:34] Unknown:
I'm just hoping one thing may lead to another.
[00:07:37] Unknown:
May? What is this all about?
[00:07:41] Unknown:
Miss Stacy, it seems you're the last person I can find so far who has seen miss Truesdale since she left here last night. I don't understand. She, she disappeared.
[00:07:53] Unknown:
Oh. Well, does anyone have any ideas as to why? I came here to see if you have any ideas. Well, as I said, I don't really know her. She's very quiet. She's been coming in for a long time. We say hello. We say goodbye. We occasionally pass the time of day while she checks out a book.
[00:08:16] Unknown:
On those occasions, what do you talk about?
[00:08:19] Unknown:
Oh, nothing. There is nothing of any significance. Maybe the weather, if it's unusually hot or cold or rainy or dry. And that's all? Oh, yes. Just about. Miss Daisy, try to think.
[00:08:32] Unknown:
Did she ever say anything else? Not really. Nothing significant. That could even be insignificant.
[00:08:41] Unknown:
Oh, Sergeant, I I wish I had some idea of what you want. Yes. So do I.
[00:08:46] Unknown:
Is it at 07:30 last night? She left here presumably to return home. Uh-huh. It's an eight and a half block walk south along Delaware. It's a wide well lighted street filled with people. If there was any violence, it would have been noticed. Well, then perhaps she didn't go home. But where else was she bound for and why? Was there anything unusual in her manner last night? Oh, no.
[00:09:13] Unknown:
Not that I could see. Miss Daisy,
[00:09:16] Unknown:
could you keep thinking and see if you come up with anything? Anything at all? Hi, missus Truesdale.
[00:09:30] Unknown:
Oh, it's the police sergeant. Sid, it's the sergeant. May I come in? Oh, have you found her?
[00:09:39] Unknown:
No. Oh,
[00:09:40] Unknown:
is there any news? I'm afraid not. Do you hear what he says, Sid? He's afraid not. Oh, what's that supposed to mean? Well, I guess it means they have no news yet. I think it means a little bit more than that. Like what? It means they've been looking, but so far, they're licked. Isn't that a fact, sergeant? Well, we need more information.
[00:10:01] Unknown:
Well, you know her name, what she looks like, how she was dressed.
[00:10:06] Unknown:
What more can we tell you? Would she have any reason for leaving home?
[00:10:10] Unknown:
What are you saying? It's obvious what he's saying, Sid. He's implying she ran off. I'm suggesting it
[00:10:17] Unknown:
as a possibility. And I'm here to go on record that it's an impossibility.
[00:10:22] Unknown:
Why is that, mister Truesdale? Now you have no right to ask No. Simmer down, Sid. Simmer down. He's a cop. They've got a right to ask anything they please. No, sergeant. She did not run off. Can you be sure of it? Why would a girl who loved her home, loved her parents, and loved her career just hop and take off?
[00:10:42] Unknown:
Yes. Where did she work? At the Sunrise Athletic Club. What sort of job did she have there? No. She wasn't employed there. What my wife means is that she worked out there. Oh, she was an athlete.
[00:10:56] Unknown:
See, Sid? He never heard of her. You never heard of Margie True, sergeant? And no, not until you reported her missing. He doesn't know who she is, what she does. And we're paying your friend Morrison a pretty penny for publicity too. She's not my friend. Alright. Alright. She goes to the athletic club. Now why? She's probably the best swimmer in the world. What do you mean probably? When she was about 14, she was very sick. And the doctor said the best thing for her would be to swim. She became a champion swimmer by the time she recovered her health. That took more than six years. Anyhow, she decided she should go into the Olympics.
[00:11:33] Unknown:
She's almost 23. That's maybe a little old. Actually, she started at a time when most of these kids are ready to retire, But she's got it. And we've been working with her setting things up. This is the year she has to make it. Yes.
[00:11:51] Unknown:
But the fact is she's missing. Now people disappear for one of three general reasons. First, foul play. Oh, say that. Second, for some reason of their own. She'd have absolutely no reason to run away. Third, this is very rare, amnesia.
[00:12:09] Unknown:
That's it? Our little girl is wandering around somewhere not even knowing who she is. I'd like to talk with some of her friends. I'm sure they wouldn't know very much. Could you give me some names? Well, she wasn't really that close with too many
[00:12:24] Unknown:
people. Does she have a boyfriend?
[00:12:27] Unknown:
No. You can't say it because she isn't pretty. If she was interested, why they buzz around like bees after honey. But she's in training. Early to bed. No distractions. The idea is you win the Olympics. You get the fame, the publicity. And you go on from there. Endorsements, TV, movies, a whole new important career. And then then you're exposed to a totally different class of men. Tell me about her daily routine. Well, she'd leave at the club in the morning. Say about nine,
[00:12:58] Unknown:
and she'd work out till lunch. Then she'd rest.
[00:13:02] Unknown:
And back again for lessons and practice till four. That's a pretty solid day. And that's all she did? Oh, it's enough.
[00:13:09] Unknown:
We'd go out to dinner. A show. Or we'd stay home and watch TV. She liked to go to the library. She loved to read. She was very intelligent.
[00:13:19] Unknown:
She could talk about things. Like what? Well, you know,
[00:13:24] Unknown:
things. Specifically? Just things in general. Can you remember any individual topics? Sergeant,
[00:13:31] Unknown:
there's no point giving me the third degree. Now don't speak to the sergeant like that, Sid. Right now, he's our only hope. Well, what do people talk about? The weather, sports, the news.
[00:13:44] Unknown:
What's happening? Did she seem nervous or scared lately?
[00:13:49] Unknown:
What does that mean? It means, I guess, was she maybe afraid of something? Of what? That's what this police officer wants to know. Let me set you straight, sergeant. She had nothing to be afraid of. She'd done nothing bad. Was there anything at all
[00:14:04] Unknown:
unusual about her behavior? No. Nothing.
[00:14:08] Unknown:
She's got amnesia. I know it.
[00:14:12] Unknown:
Well.
[00:14:13] Unknown:
What does that well mean? It means he's in the dark. He's up a tree just like us. Well, what are you standing around here for, sergeant? Why aren't you out looking for her? Out where?
[00:14:25] Unknown:
I need help. We're willing to help. You are willing, but I'm afraid you're not able. We're doing everything we can. You're not answering my questions. That isn't so. You don't know who her friends are? You don't know what she thinks about? She she's a very dedicated girl. Yes? Then why does she run off? She would never run
[00:14:47] Unknown:
off. She has amnesia.
[00:14:49] Unknown:
Why would she have amnesia? Well, because She's an athlete in training. She's in perfect health. Well, then then she was kidnapped. How?
[00:14:59] Unknown:
Right off the street to Delaware Avenue? They could have overpowered her, forced her into a car. She wouldn't go quietly. She seems a big strong girl. Don't say it like that. You make her sound ungainly. She's beautifully built. You can't rule out the possibility of kidnapping, sergeant. Sergeant. Well, you'd have received word by now about a ransom. Well, maybe it's the kind of kidnapping where girls are sold into, you know, slavery. Oh, please, Molly.
[00:15:26] Unknown:
Sergeant, we're desperate. Yes. I understand. And I just wish you knew a little more about her. Sergeant,
[00:15:35] Unknown:
find her. Please. She's our little girl and we love her.
[00:15:51] Unknown:
There is a public service announcement question more to the point is one that asks, do you know who your child is? I suppose some people would be afraid to find out. More information on this general subject in act two shortly. You need not wander far to seek out the stranger. He is with you, within you. What the poet is saying is, how can we hope to see the truth in others when we are unaware of what the truth is about ourselves? Who are we? What are we? And why? This has preoccupied the finest brain since the beginning of time. So if we don't completely settle it here, please don't ask for your money back. Sergeant Keller,
[00:17:06] Unknown:
What can I do for you? What do you know about Margie Truesdale? Well? Not trying to evade your question, sergeant. I'm just trying to think. What do I know about Margie? Yes. There has to be nothing. Mister Sparta, you're her swimming coach. She spends eight hours a day here or did. I think she was 14. Skinny, consumptive, anemic little thing. And just barely alive. Today, would you believe it? I can't believe you know nothing about her. Some people go through life talkers. This one's a listener. Are you telling me she says nothing at all? No. She talks. I even go so far as to say she chatters.
But you analyze the conversation, and there's nothing there. Still, you've known this girl for eight years. You do have some sort of relationship. Look out that window, sergeant. See that swimming pool? Mhmm. That forms the boundaries of our relationship. But you do talk about something. Sure. We have long talks about diet, breath control, coordination. Look. I played ball at school. I was I was close to my coach. I mean, there were times when we just sit around, you know, and I know what you're looking for, but it's it's not here. Not like with the other kids where you become more than just a coach. You're you're sort of an older brother, maybe a second father.
You talk about what really bothers kids today, sex, friendship, life. But not with her. I can't even begin to imagine. Well, why was she training all out constantly? I mean, was it something she wanted or and were her parents putting on the pressure? I don't know where all that tremendous dedication came from. It could have been hers. It could have been theirs. How did she feel toward her mother and father? Well, I never saw so much love on the part of a kid considering the circumstances. What circumstances? Well, considering they weren't her real father and mother. Now just because two people adopt a child, that doesn't mean they're not the real parents. Well, I didn't mean it to sound that way.
He was her stepfather. And then when her mother died, Margie was still a little girl and he married Molly. It's in Molly raised her like their own. What were her chances for making the Olympics? Well, a lot goes into that, but I don't see how how she can be kept out. She's ready. The trials begin in a couple of weeks, but if she's not around, she'll miss them. Also, every day she's gone, she's losing out on training. You really can't give me anything to go on, can you? Sorry. Friends? I don't think she had any. She had to be friendly with somebody. Oh, with everybody. That's not the same as having friends. I can't believe there was nothing to this girl's existence except swimming. She must have had another life, one that nobody knew about.
Maybe. But where did she lead it? And when did she find the time?
[00:20:21] Unknown:
Well, hello there, sergeant. Hi, moms.
[00:20:24] Unknown:
What are you drinking? Oh, I'm on duty. Lemonade. Make it sour.
[00:20:31] Unknown:
Well, that's, 60¢,
[00:20:33] Unknown:
Sarge. Gotta keep things on the up and up, you know. Did you read in the papers about a girl named Margaret Truesdell? Yeah. I never read the papers. Why should I go chasing at the bad news? It'll come soon enough. Yeah. Well, this one just disappeared. Oh, well. Girls do that quite often. Yeah.
[00:20:50] Unknown:
Hey, this is a photograph.
[00:20:54] Unknown:
Nice. Yes. Indeed. Lot of meat on those bones. And it all looks like grade a prime. Yeah. She's a swimmer.
[00:21:02] Unknown:
She just vanished.
[00:21:04] Unknown:
Well, if I can paraphrase the French, she or she l'am.
[00:21:09] Unknown:
No. No. No. There's no man involved. That you know of. That anybody knows of.
[00:21:15] Unknown:
Joe, you got a certain tone in your voice. Yeah? Could you be fallen for this chick? I don't even know her.
[00:21:23] Unknown:
The ones you don't know are the most dangerous kind. And look, the way it is now, she just vanished from the face of the earth. No motive, no clue, nothing.
[00:21:31] Unknown:
That's bad. I could get a young romantic guy like yourself old, bothered and curious. And, moms, now you hear a lot of things in a place like this. Oh, sure. But what I hear
[00:21:42] Unknown:
stays here. Is there a rumble on this? I haven't heard anything, Joe. I don't think anybody grabbed her off the street. You never can tell.
[00:21:54] Unknown:
I'll listen, Joe. It's against my principles, but I'll stick my ear out. You know why? Because I'm a sucker for for romance. Cut it out, will you? I can see you got a thing for this girl.
[00:22:07] Unknown:
Can't say as I blame you. I'm only doing my job. Uh-huh. You know, I'll tell you what scares me. Yeah? She's a swimmer. She's reaching for the big time. She has to get known. She has to compete. Now, she's been traveling to meets in Canada and Mexico all over. So? Or do I have to spell it out for you? Maybe she's been caught up in some smuggling. The pros have been known to use kids
[00:22:32] Unknown:
like her. You really must have fallen in love with her. Why do you insist that I'm in love with her? Well, look me straight in the eye and say, no. I'm not in love with her. Now don't be silly. Oh, that's how it is with some of you cops. You're like those, nights of old, always rescuing fair maidens in distress and
[00:22:51] Unknown:
naturally, you gotta fall in love. What else? Alright. Alright. That's enough, moms. If you hear anything at all concerning this girl, will you let me know? Oh, sure. And it won't cost you a thing.
[00:23:01] Unknown:
Let it be my wedding present. Oh, for crying out loud.
[00:23:12] Unknown:
Keller. Oh, yeah. The parents of this girl, Margaret Truesdale, what do they want, Inspector? Miracles? Inspector, they're phoning me every minute of the day and night. She just disappeared and I I know I know what you're gonna say. Nobody just vanishes into thin air. There has to be some clue. Look, I'm doing the best I can. I I got nothing to go on. I'm making bricks without straw. Okay. Okay. Yes, sir. Yes, sir. Just as soon as something turns up. Sure thing. Gee, what could have happened to her? Hello? Sergeant Keller.
[00:24:14] Unknown:
I know it's very late. I mean, very early in the morning. Yeah. It sure is. I got your home number from your office. I said it was emergency. You have to come over here right away. Have you heard from Margie? No. But I'm calling you because otherwise there's going to be a lot of trouble and embarrassment. Can you come over? No. It's my wife. She has this idea and well, you better talk to her.
[00:24:44] Unknown:
Sergeant, I know what happened to my daughter. You do? It's a wonder it didn't occur to you. After all, you're the professional and it's so simple. She's been kidnapped. Missus Truesdale, we've been through this already. There's been no note. You are not wealthy people. But she was not kidnapped for money. Oh. She was kidnapped by one or another of the iron curtain countries. Don't you understand? Well, no. She's a French. Those countries take these competitions seriously. They're doing this to keep her out of the games. You don't believe it. Well, that's pretty far fetched. You're a police officer. You have connections with the FBI. Yes. And you're coordinated with the CIA? Not that I know of. You get to work on this immediately, or you will force me to get in touch with my congressman and my senator. Now, Molly, it's awfully late. Why don't you get to bed? Don't think you can fluff me off. Nobody's got that idea.
[00:25:39] Unknown:
The sergeant is going to notify all the necessary authorities
[00:25:42] Unknown:
and get all the wheels in motion. Once the government steps in they won't dare to harm her. You look awfully tired. Yes. Yes, I am. I'm very, very tired. But, sergeant, you do believe I've given you a logical explanation? Well, it does deserve thinking about. And you'll start what you like to call the routine?
[00:26:07] Unknown:
Get on it right away.
[00:26:09] Unknown:
Well, now I can go to bed. Sid, will you show the sergeant out? Why, sure thing, Bobby.
[00:26:19] Unknown:
Good night. Good night, missus Truesdale.
[00:26:23] Unknown:
I, I had to call you. Otherwise, she'd be phoning the president of The United States. Yeah. Yeah. Okay. And besides, who says she has to be off base?
[00:26:34] Unknown:
Crazy things happen today. Yeah. Sure. Sure. Well, good night, mister Truesdale. Oh, don't go. No. It's late. My day starts early.
[00:26:44] Unknown:
I know what you must think of me and and and my wife. You you don't care for us. Now why do you say that? Well, I I guess we come over like like stage parents.
[00:26:56] Unknown:
You know, the the kind that push their kids toward a career. Well, isn't that what you did? No. This whole training routine was her idea? Yes. I remember you said she decided she should go into the Olympics. But she did. Without any help from you or missus Truesdale? Oh, we we approved, But the idea was hers. Is there any chance she might have suggested it to win your approval? No. If she were to appear right now and say, mom, dad, I wanna throw the whole thing over. What would you say to her?
[00:27:25] Unknown:
Impossible. Impossible for her to say that? Well, impossible to think she even want to. Yeah.
[00:27:33] Unknown:
Alright. Oh, do you mind if I, if I have a look at her room? Why? I don't know. Maybe I can find something. Like what? Well, I wanna know this girl better. Maybe there's something in the room.
[00:27:48] Unknown:
Right through here. See? Everything just as she left it. She, she was very neat. Oh, we haven't touched a thing. See? Even the waste baskets, we haven't even emptied it. Yeah. Just a crumpled piece of paper here. Well, it's going to stay right there. Mhmm.
[00:28:11] Unknown:
Funny, it's probably the last thing she ever wrote too. What is it?
[00:28:17] Unknown:
Nothing. Nothing at all. Just a name. A name? Whose?
[00:28:22] Unknown:
Nobody's name that I know of. What's the name? Wilson.
[00:28:26] Unknown:
We don't even know anyone named Wilson. Wilson. Yeah. Wilhelmina Wilson.
[00:28:32] Unknown:
Could I see that? What for? Oh,
[00:28:35] Unknown:
alright.
[00:28:37] Unknown:
Yeah. But I want it back. Wilhelmina Wilson. Is this your daughter's handwriting? Of course. She writes Wilhelmina Wilson as if it's a signature. She's written it four or five or six times as if she were practicing how to sign it.
[00:28:55] Unknown:
Why? I
[00:28:57] Unknown:
can't imagine. Will Halmina Wilson. Have you ever heard that name in any connection? No. Wait a minute. Maybe I have. Where? Where? I heard it somewhere before or maybe one that sounds an awful lot like it.
[00:29:28] Unknown:
He's heard one that's very close to it, and so have you. It's a name that's fraught with significance, as as they say, provided you know just how to look at it. Stop for a minute. Think for a minute, and it should all fall into place. And if it doesn't, we'll take care of it in ax three. What's in a name, asked mister Shakespeare. That which we call a rose, by any other name, would smell as sweet and so forth. While we hate to differ with the immortal bard, we must quarrel with his premise. Everything is in a name. And who can say that the rose doesn't smell sweeter precisely because it's called a rose?
The fact is, we're the captives
[00:30:27] Unknown:
of our own propaganda. Wilhelmina Wilson. You're sure this name means nothing to you, mister Truesdale? Nothing at all. Missus Truesdale? Well, I asked her. She doesn't know either. Alright. But where did I hear it? I'm sorry to bother you, mister Sparta. I'm glad to be of help. What can I tell you? The name, Wilhelmina Wilson. Is that familiar? Wilhelmina Wilson? I'm sure. Who is she? Well, she isn't anybody. Well, she has to be somebody. No. Wilhelmina Wilson is a rhythm. A what? She's Margie's rhythm. While she swims, Margie keeps saying, Wilhelmina Wilson.
Wilhelmina Wilson. Oh, yeah. It's a simple six beat rhythm. Da da da da da da. I see. It helps. So, Larmen set up a little chant like that. Yeah. That's all Will Halmina Wilson is. Yeah. Why? Oh, what do you think it was?
[00:31:43] Unknown:
Well, here's our handsome young police officer. Yep. Oh, you look like you need a drink. I do, which is why I'm not gonna have one. Well, tell old moms
[00:31:54] Unknown:
what's the problem. I just stopped by in case you may have heard something. About who?
[00:31:59] Unknown:
Oh, yeah. How about your chick? Hey. Hey. Hey. How many times I have to tell you there's nothing there? If there was nothing there, you'd only have to tell me once. Well, what do you hear? Not a whisper.
[00:32:09] Unknown:
Somebody has to know something. Oh, sure. I just can't find a handle on this case. Oh, poor Joe.
[00:32:16] Unknown:
Tell me, is this the kind of girl you've been looking for all your life? Alright. Alright, mom. She's an interesting girl. Good. We We finally got that out in the open. Now you can go to work. I've been working without let ups since the case came in. Working? Yeah. But thinking? No. I don't follow. Joe, when I saw you for the first time, you know what I said to myself? I said, that one's gonna be a smart cup once he settles down. You got this dame on the brain. Look. We don't have to keep talking about that aspect of it. But now suppose it was an old lady that was missing or a guy. Yeah. Yeah. A guy would be even better. Better for what? Better to prove my point. So far, you haven't made one. Joe, just pretend you're not in love with her. Who says I am?
[00:33:04] Unknown:
Okay. Okay. Let it go.
[00:33:06] Unknown:
Guys like you who are already over 30, you are always afraid of getting married. Hey. Listen. So you make up excuses. You get up this ideal of some dame that's just gorgeous, but out of reach. See? Moms, I've seen all those moving pictures too, you know? Where do you think life gets its ideas from? The movies. I'm going at this case the same way I tackle every other. That's what you say. But just take a deep breath and think. Now think about it from every angle. I am. Good. Now ask yourself the question you should have asked the very first night. Am I being had?
[00:33:45] Unknown:
What?
[00:33:46] Unknown:
Think about it, Joe. Are you being had?
[00:33:56] Unknown:
Do you have any news, Sergeant? I may have. Oh, what does that mean? Sid, what did he say? Sergeant,
[00:34:03] Unknown:
oh, what do you have to tell us? I'm thinking about what you told me.
[00:34:07] Unknown:
And all rests on the assumption that your daughter could disappear on a crowded well lighted street. Assumption?
[00:34:15] Unknown:
Sid, he said, Assumption. I heard what he said. I'm afraid it didn't work.
[00:34:19] Unknown:
The only way she could disappear was for you to arrange a place for her to go to. No. Now you'd better listen to me. At first, I had the idea maybe she might have gotten into a little jam. She went swimming meets in Canada and Mexico. Maybe she carried some pot for somebody. Maybe something a little stronger. That's a lie. Actually, I didn't believe it myself. Then what are you trying to imply? I think it's all a publicity stunt, but it's gone sour. How dare you? Sid, call this man's superior officer, whoever he is. I'll give you his name and phone number myself, but you better hear the rest of it first. Now the stakes are tremendous. I should have realized that in the beginning. The Olympics, they've become a fantastic media event. The winners get more than the old Laurel wreath, even more than the gold medal. I'll hold it a minute, Octon. You have no right to accuse swimmer disappears. That would be the headline, wouldn't it? Well, it could have been.
But all you got was a couple of lines on page 17 and nothing to speak of on the air. The media didn't bite, or maybe you didn't know how to promote it. You don't understand. She's missing. What you needed was an experienced inventive publicity guy. He might have pulled it off. It isn't true. You have to keep it alive so you feed me little things like this iron curtain plot. It could be true. Yeah. And then you try to fob off this name at me, this Wilhelmina Wilson. Why did you pretend you didn't know what it was, mister Truesdale? Well, I I I don't have the faintest idea. Sid,
[00:35:46] Unknown:
who is Wilhelmina
[00:35:48] Unknown:
Wilson? Well, didn't you think I'd check it out with Dick Sparta? I mean, you're trying to tell me you actually don't know that Will Halmina Wilson is the name she says to herself while she swims? I never heard of it. Where is she? We don't know. She disappeared. You knowingly mislead the police. We haven't. It's the truth. Wait. Will Helmina Wilson. I just remembered. I just remembered.
[00:36:17] Unknown:
Has there been any word of Marge Truesdale, Sergeant?
[00:36:20] Unknown:
No, miss Stacy. I just came by the library to ask a question. You said she liked to read a book she kept renewing. Would you tell me the name of it again? Oh, William Wilson and other stories by Edgar Allan Poe. William Wilson. Yes. Guess I made a mistake. Funny, I thought it was Wilhelmina Wilson. Well, that's close.
[00:36:43] Unknown:
Actually, Wilhelmina is the feminine form of William.
[00:36:48] Unknown:
Yes. Wilhelmina Wilson. I wonder, that story do you, do you suppose I could read it? Oh, why certainly.
[00:36:57] Unknown:
Wait here. Yes?
[00:37:11] Unknown:
Miss Willhelmina Wilson?
[00:37:13] Unknown:
Yes?
[00:37:14] Unknown:
Yes. And you dyed your hair. You changed your makeup. Instead of wearing beiges and browns, I see you've gone in for blues and grays. It does give you a different look. Who are you? Oh, sorry. I'm a police detective, sergeant Joe Keller. May I may I come in?
[00:37:33] Unknown:
Why?
[00:37:34] Unknown:
I want to talk to you about Margaret Truesdale.
[00:37:40] Unknown:
Alright. What what do you want to know?
[00:37:48] Unknown:
First, I'd I'd like to know if you'll marry me. You for what? Well, not right away. We'd have to get to know each other better or although I know all about you already. What do you know about me? Yeah. Start with a girl just in her teens. Father dies, a mother remarries. Will the stepfather accept her and then the mother dies and the stepfather remarries. Will the strange new woman accept her as a daughter? Why do you want me to relive all this? She thinks she's a very unattractive
[00:38:18] Unknown:
girl. Oh, I was. I was pale and skinny.
[00:38:22] Unknown:
Always sick. So they bring you to a friend, Dick Sparta, a swimming coach, and you work out every day. Yes. I did. Hour after hour. And it changes you. It also becomes obvious to everyone that you could be a great swimmer. Yes. And everybody begins to count the money taste the glory. Yes.
[00:38:43] Unknown:
At first Sid and Molly were only thinking of me. Later, the thing just overpowered them, blew their perspectives crazy. At first, I was so happy because finally, I could do something to please them, repay them for all they did for me. You were a good little obedient girl. Yes. But after a while, it became torture. Every stroke was agony. Every lap was, I don't want to say, purgatory.
[00:39:13] Unknown:
I understand. But couldn't you face them? Couldn't you say, look, mom. Look, dad. I I was scared. I was still very insecure.
[00:39:23] Unknown:
Besides, I told you they had changed. Now all they could talk about was how rich, how famous we would become. The
[00:39:37] Unknown:
good
[00:39:45] Unknown:
And so inside me, I created Wilhelmina Wilson. Inside, I was Wilhelmina Wilson. Every time I swam, I would say, Wilhelmina Wilson. Oh, how I wanted to run away. Just disappear. But where could I go? How would I live? All I ever learned to do was swim. Couldn't you study something? Oh, not after the kind of day I put in. Matter of fact, I wanted to take a secretarial course but Sid and Molly both jumped on me. What do you need that for? You'll never use it. You're gonna be rich. You know what I did? I tried to raise money by entering contests under the name of Wilhelmina Wilson. I never won anything anything at all until
[00:40:34] Unknown:
Yeah.
[00:40:35] Unknown:
Yeah. I know. I bought a 50¢ lottery ticket in the name of Wilhelmina Wilson and that did it. Can you imagine? The minute I saw that winning number, I took this apartment. That's how I found you. $25,000.
[00:40:50] Unknown:
It can give me a start. Yeah. But where does this leave me? Your parents reported you as a missing person. I'm a police officer. I found you. I can't go home.
[00:41:00] Unknown:
Do you know why? I just can't swim anymore. I can't take the pressure. I I'm out of it. That's gonna break their hearts. They're brokenhearted now. But this way, they'll still have their dreams that I could have been the greatest swimmer in the world. No. I I can't go back. Yes. You can. No. I'm no longer scared little Margie Truesdale. And they wouldn't understand Wilhelmina Wilson. They would never forgive her for wasting that chance of a lifetime.
[00:41:36] Unknown:
Do you know who they could understand, forgive, and accept?
[00:41:39] Unknown:
Who?
[00:41:41] Unknown:
Missus Joseph Keller.
[00:41:43] Unknown:
Who is she? She would be my wife. But
[00:41:46] Unknown:
I don't know you. Don't you want to get to know me?
[00:41:50] Unknown:
Well, I I don't know. I
[00:41:53] Unknown:
suppose I could. By that time, the Olympic trials will be over. Oh, they'll never forgive me. Sure they will. Once we make it very clear that you forgive them.
[00:42:18] Unknown:
I would assume that after a suitable passage of time, everyone in this particular story forgave everybody else. Although why and for what is not exactly crystal clear. After all, we do our best to reach a goal, but so many times that goal isn't even our own. I'll be back shortly. If you're looking for a sensible way you can profit instead of being squeezed by today's high interest rates, call this toll free number right now. 802285000. Ask the operator to send you detailed information on Dreyfus liquid assets. Find out how you can take advantage of the income earning opportunity that Dreyfus offers with its money market fund. Consider the benefits. Your money works hard because you participate in today's rising money market, and it's always available when you need it. Plus, you get the flexibility of withdrawing cash by phone or writing checks to pay larger bills. No charge for the checks and never a penalty or sales charge. Today, you owe it to yourself to earn as much as you can on your money. So call 802285000 for complete information and a prospectus including management fee, charges, and expenses. Read the prospectus carefully before you invest. Learn how you can get the lion's share of today's high interest rates from Dreyfus Liquid Assets, eight hundred two two eight five thousand. Toll free, 802285000.
pays for the call.
[00:43:40] Unknown:
This week on the Chisholm's, the journey continues as they leave the security of the wagon train behind to strike out for the promised land called California.
[00:43:49] Unknown:
We're heading our own way to California. I think we should give it careful thought. Stay in with the wagon train and be safer. You'll be traveling through mostly uncharted territory. I'm afraid of what might happen. Who will survive? The last great American adventure, The Chisholm's, starring Robert
[00:44:06] Unknown:
Saturday night at eight, seven central on CBS television. Robert Preston and Rosemary Harris, Saturday night at eight.
[00:44:16] Unknown:
You can sing smoke gets in your eyes, but when it gets into everyone else's eyes and nose and throat, it's no musical matter. Your lung association says cigarettes are a personal health hazard, and secondhand smoke is offensive to all nonsmokers.
[00:44:32] Unknown:
Give us all a break. Let the lung association help you kick the habit for your sake and for everyone's life and breath. We look at the faces of some of these high powered young performers, athletes, dancers, prodigies of one sort or another, the strained and nerve wracked faces, and we say they're hardly more than children. Why are they being thrown into the snake pit of money and notoriety so early? Why? Quite simply because so many of us are willing to pay and to cheer them. Yes, our heroes are getting younger and older before their time.
Our cast included Paul Hecht, Joan Shea, Ray Owens, and Brianna Rayburn. The entire production was under the direction of Hyman Brown. This is EG Marshall inviting you to return to our mystery theater for another adventure in the macabre. Until
[00:45:41] Unknown:
stories of love and sacrifice as World War two brings growth and change to
So it's a good idea not to wait till the last minute to apply. If you have to double check what to bring with you, call any Social Security office. Someone there will be glad to help you. In the Denver Metro Area, call 232-3650.
[00:00:23] Unknown:
The CBS Radio Mystery Theater presents Come in. Welcome. I'm EG Marshall. For a brief moment during the darkest night, we have a glimpse of ourselves and of our world, islanded in the stream of stars, pilgrims of mortality, voyaging between horizons across the eternal seas of space and time. Yes. For a moment, For only the briefest moment.
[00:01:15] Unknown:
She was kidnapped, sergeant. That's right. There were people on the street. Someone would have seen something. Are you sure she didn't run away? She was kidnapped, sergeant. But if she were kidnapped, you'd have received a ransom note. Is it possible for a girl to disappear without a trace
[00:01:31] Unknown:
as if the earth just swallowed her up? Our mystery drama, Wilhelmina Wilson, was written especially for the mystery theater by Sam Dan and stars Paul Hecht. I'll be back shortly with act one. Absence, said the Roman philosopher, makes the heart grow fonder. However, an unexplained absence is bound to make the heart grow anxious. Society takes note of this fact, which is why every police department has its bureau of missing persons.
[00:02:24] Unknown:
My name is Truesdale, Sydney Truesdale. Yes, mister Truesdale. I'm his wife, Molly Truesdale. Is the lieutenant downstairs? At the desk, he said to see you. Is sergeant Keller? Yes. So you wish to report a missing person? Well, now that you asked. Sid, there's no way to get around it. She's a missing person. Who are we talking about? My,
[00:02:43] Unknown:
our daughter. And her name? Margaret Truesdale.
[00:02:47] Unknown:
But she's known professionally as Margie True.
[00:02:49] Unknown:
Margie True. Yes. It's shorter, snappier than Margaret Truesdale. Yeah. That's not important.
[00:02:55] Unknown:
Besides, I'm sure he never even heard of her. Now I need some statistics.
[00:03:00] Unknown:
Female, Margaret or, Margie Truesdale, or True.
[00:03:06] Unknown:
Age? 23. She'll be 23. Is she 22?
[00:03:10] Unknown:
Hair. Blonde. Natural.
[00:03:12] Unknown:
Height? Five nine. Weight? One twenty five. Now how long has she been missing? How long?
[00:03:20] Unknown:
About three hours, I should think. It's almost 01:00 in the morning. At least four hours. Yeah. Well, that's hardly enough time to be
[00:03:29] Unknown:
What were you going to say? It's hardly something to be concerned about.
[00:03:34] Unknown:
Yes.
[00:03:35] Unknown:
Now when was she due home? Oh, the library closes at 08:30. Yes. She gone there to return a book. She always comes right back. She should have been home 09:00 at the latest. Oh, she might have gone to a movie. Well, she would have called us. Besides,
[00:03:49] Unknown:
she doesn't like to go alone. Yeah. Just because a girl, well, actually, a young lady, just because you haven't heard from her in four hours,
[00:03:58] Unknown:
she may have met someone. She doesn't. Stay up late. Oh, she can't. She's in training. She is missing. There's nowhere she might have gone. Nowhere she's supposed to have gone except home.
[00:04:09] Unknown:
And that's four hours ago. Sergeant, you have to find her. Yes.
[00:04:14] Unknown:
Now I suggest you go home. What are you trying to do? Get rid of us? I don't think you're taking this seriously, Sergeant. Please, mister and missus Truesdale, your place is home by the phone in case she's trying to reach you. Now, you saw her last At At 06:30. And she was wearing?
[00:04:34] Unknown:
The, cocoa brown slacks and an eggshell blouse. Yes. She was carrying the beige sweater. Do you have a picture of her?
[00:04:41] Unknown:
See, I told you they'd want a picture.
[00:04:44] Unknown:
Thank you. She's, very pretty.
[00:04:51] Unknown:
Your address? At 613 Delaware. And the library is at the corner of Garfield. So somewhere in those eight blocks
[00:04:58] Unknown:
Right. Right. We'll start the routine.
[00:05:00] Unknown:
Routine? Routine. This is our daughter. He means the police routine, Molly. What are you going to do?
[00:05:08] Unknown:
I I mean, right now. Well, we'll check out the hospitals. Oh, how could you say a thing like that? We'll do everything we can to find your daughter. Sergeant Keller? Oh, yeah, Marty. The Truesdale girl? Yeah. What have you got? Nothing. Anything from the cup on the beat, hospitals? How about, the morgue? Oh, okay. Thanks. May I help you? Yes. I'm a police detective. My identification Oh. Were you working here at the library last night, miss Stacy? Oh, yes, sir. To when? Oh, well, Wednesday nights, we close the library at 08:30. Uh-huh. Do you know a miss Margaret Truesdale?
[00:06:02] Unknown:
Oh, yes. What do you know about her? What? Is she in any trouble? I hope not. Well, I I really don't know very much about her. Was she in last night? Oh, yes. She was. And what time did she arrive? I'm not sure. I see, I didn't see her come in.
[00:06:19] Unknown:
Do you know when she left? Oh, yes. At exactly 07:30.
[00:06:23] Unknown:
You're sure? Oh, absolutely. Because when she said goodnight to me, I remember saying to her, I've got one more hour to go. Do you know anything at all about her? Oh, she's a very pretty girl. Yeah. Yeah. She is. Oh, let's see. She looks to be about 19. She comes in quite often early in the evening. She reads for a while and then she takes out a book and and leaves. Is she ever in here with anyone? Oh, no. No. She's always alone.
[00:06:53] Unknown:
Does she talk to anybody?
[00:06:55] Unknown:
Just to me, as far as I know. What do you talk about? Oh, books mostly. What kind of books? Fiction. Usually, short stories. Who's her favorite author? Oh, I would say Edgar Allan Poe. See, there's one book she'd had out for quite a while. By that, I mean, she'd keep renewing it. And what book was that? Well, as a matter of fact, she'd returned it last night. She said she'd finally bought herself a copy and didn't need ours anymore.
[00:07:25] Unknown:
What's the name of the book? Oh,
[00:07:28] Unknown:
William Wilson and Other Stories by Edgar Allan Poe. Why do I ask, sergeant?
[00:07:34] Unknown:
I'm just hoping one thing may lead to another.
[00:07:37] Unknown:
May? What is this all about?
[00:07:41] Unknown:
Miss Stacy, it seems you're the last person I can find so far who has seen miss Truesdale since she left here last night. I don't understand. She, she disappeared.
[00:07:53] Unknown:
Oh. Well, does anyone have any ideas as to why? I came here to see if you have any ideas. Well, as I said, I don't really know her. She's very quiet. She's been coming in for a long time. We say hello. We say goodbye. We occasionally pass the time of day while she checks out a book.
[00:08:16] Unknown:
On those occasions, what do you talk about?
[00:08:19] Unknown:
Oh, nothing. There is nothing of any significance. Maybe the weather, if it's unusually hot or cold or rainy or dry. And that's all? Oh, yes. Just about. Miss Daisy, try to think.
[00:08:32] Unknown:
Did she ever say anything else? Not really. Nothing significant. That could even be insignificant.
[00:08:41] Unknown:
Oh, Sergeant, I I wish I had some idea of what you want. Yes. So do I.
[00:08:46] Unknown:
Is it at 07:30 last night? She left here presumably to return home. Uh-huh. It's an eight and a half block walk south along Delaware. It's a wide well lighted street filled with people. If there was any violence, it would have been noticed. Well, then perhaps she didn't go home. But where else was she bound for and why? Was there anything unusual in her manner last night? Oh, no.
[00:09:13] Unknown:
Not that I could see. Miss Daisy,
[00:09:16] Unknown:
could you keep thinking and see if you come up with anything? Anything at all? Hi, missus Truesdale.
[00:09:30] Unknown:
Oh, it's the police sergeant. Sid, it's the sergeant. May I come in? Oh, have you found her?
[00:09:39] Unknown:
No. Oh,
[00:09:40] Unknown:
is there any news? I'm afraid not. Do you hear what he says, Sid? He's afraid not. Oh, what's that supposed to mean? Well, I guess it means they have no news yet. I think it means a little bit more than that. Like what? It means they've been looking, but so far, they're licked. Isn't that a fact, sergeant? Well, we need more information.
[00:10:01] Unknown:
Well, you know her name, what she looks like, how she was dressed.
[00:10:06] Unknown:
What more can we tell you? Would she have any reason for leaving home?
[00:10:10] Unknown:
What are you saying? It's obvious what he's saying, Sid. He's implying she ran off. I'm suggesting it
[00:10:17] Unknown:
as a possibility. And I'm here to go on record that it's an impossibility.
[00:10:22] Unknown:
Why is that, mister Truesdale? Now you have no right to ask No. Simmer down, Sid. Simmer down. He's a cop. They've got a right to ask anything they please. No, sergeant. She did not run off. Can you be sure of it? Why would a girl who loved her home, loved her parents, and loved her career just hop and take off?
[00:10:42] Unknown:
Yes. Where did she work? At the Sunrise Athletic Club. What sort of job did she have there? No. She wasn't employed there. What my wife means is that she worked out there. Oh, she was an athlete.
[00:10:56] Unknown:
See, Sid? He never heard of her. You never heard of Margie True, sergeant? And no, not until you reported her missing. He doesn't know who she is, what she does. And we're paying your friend Morrison a pretty penny for publicity too. She's not my friend. Alright. Alright. She goes to the athletic club. Now why? She's probably the best swimmer in the world. What do you mean probably? When she was about 14, she was very sick. And the doctor said the best thing for her would be to swim. She became a champion swimmer by the time she recovered her health. That took more than six years. Anyhow, she decided she should go into the Olympics.
[00:11:33] Unknown:
She's almost 23. That's maybe a little old. Actually, she started at a time when most of these kids are ready to retire, But she's got it. And we've been working with her setting things up. This is the year she has to make it. Yes.
[00:11:51] Unknown:
But the fact is she's missing. Now people disappear for one of three general reasons. First, foul play. Oh, say that. Second, for some reason of their own. She'd have absolutely no reason to run away. Third, this is very rare, amnesia.
[00:12:09] Unknown:
That's it? Our little girl is wandering around somewhere not even knowing who she is. I'd like to talk with some of her friends. I'm sure they wouldn't know very much. Could you give me some names? Well, she wasn't really that close with too many
[00:12:24] Unknown:
people. Does she have a boyfriend?
[00:12:27] Unknown:
No. You can't say it because she isn't pretty. If she was interested, why they buzz around like bees after honey. But she's in training. Early to bed. No distractions. The idea is you win the Olympics. You get the fame, the publicity. And you go on from there. Endorsements, TV, movies, a whole new important career. And then then you're exposed to a totally different class of men. Tell me about her daily routine. Well, she'd leave at the club in the morning. Say about nine,
[00:12:58] Unknown:
and she'd work out till lunch. Then she'd rest.
[00:13:02] Unknown:
And back again for lessons and practice till four. That's a pretty solid day. And that's all she did? Oh, it's enough.
[00:13:09] Unknown:
We'd go out to dinner. A show. Or we'd stay home and watch TV. She liked to go to the library. She loved to read. She was very intelligent.
[00:13:19] Unknown:
She could talk about things. Like what? Well, you know,
[00:13:24] Unknown:
things. Specifically? Just things in general. Can you remember any individual topics? Sergeant,
[00:13:31] Unknown:
there's no point giving me the third degree. Now don't speak to the sergeant like that, Sid. Right now, he's our only hope. Well, what do people talk about? The weather, sports, the news.
[00:13:44] Unknown:
What's happening? Did she seem nervous or scared lately?
[00:13:49] Unknown:
What does that mean? It means, I guess, was she maybe afraid of something? Of what? That's what this police officer wants to know. Let me set you straight, sergeant. She had nothing to be afraid of. She'd done nothing bad. Was there anything at all
[00:14:04] Unknown:
unusual about her behavior? No. Nothing.
[00:14:08] Unknown:
She's got amnesia. I know it.
[00:14:12] Unknown:
Well.
[00:14:13] Unknown:
What does that well mean? It means he's in the dark. He's up a tree just like us. Well, what are you standing around here for, sergeant? Why aren't you out looking for her? Out where?
[00:14:25] Unknown:
I need help. We're willing to help. You are willing, but I'm afraid you're not able. We're doing everything we can. You're not answering my questions. That isn't so. You don't know who her friends are? You don't know what she thinks about? She she's a very dedicated girl. Yes? Then why does she run off? She would never run
[00:14:47] Unknown:
off. She has amnesia.
[00:14:49] Unknown:
Why would she have amnesia? Well, because She's an athlete in training. She's in perfect health. Well, then then she was kidnapped. How?
[00:14:59] Unknown:
Right off the street to Delaware Avenue? They could have overpowered her, forced her into a car. She wouldn't go quietly. She seems a big strong girl. Don't say it like that. You make her sound ungainly. She's beautifully built. You can't rule out the possibility of kidnapping, sergeant. Sergeant. Well, you'd have received word by now about a ransom. Well, maybe it's the kind of kidnapping where girls are sold into, you know, slavery. Oh, please, Molly.
[00:15:26] Unknown:
Sergeant, we're desperate. Yes. I understand. And I just wish you knew a little more about her. Sergeant,
[00:15:35] Unknown:
find her. Please. She's our little girl and we love her.
[00:15:51] Unknown:
There is a public service announcement question more to the point is one that asks, do you know who your child is? I suppose some people would be afraid to find out. More information on this general subject in act two shortly. You need not wander far to seek out the stranger. He is with you, within you. What the poet is saying is, how can we hope to see the truth in others when we are unaware of what the truth is about ourselves? Who are we? What are we? And why? This has preoccupied the finest brain since the beginning of time. So if we don't completely settle it here, please don't ask for your money back. Sergeant Keller,
[00:17:06] Unknown:
What can I do for you? What do you know about Margie Truesdale? Well? Not trying to evade your question, sergeant. I'm just trying to think. What do I know about Margie? Yes. There has to be nothing. Mister Sparta, you're her swimming coach. She spends eight hours a day here or did. I think she was 14. Skinny, consumptive, anemic little thing. And just barely alive. Today, would you believe it? I can't believe you know nothing about her. Some people go through life talkers. This one's a listener. Are you telling me she says nothing at all? No. She talks. I even go so far as to say she chatters.
But you analyze the conversation, and there's nothing there. Still, you've known this girl for eight years. You do have some sort of relationship. Look out that window, sergeant. See that swimming pool? Mhmm. That forms the boundaries of our relationship. But you do talk about something. Sure. We have long talks about diet, breath control, coordination. Look. I played ball at school. I was I was close to my coach. I mean, there were times when we just sit around, you know, and I know what you're looking for, but it's it's not here. Not like with the other kids where you become more than just a coach. You're you're sort of an older brother, maybe a second father.
You talk about what really bothers kids today, sex, friendship, life. But not with her. I can't even begin to imagine. Well, why was she training all out constantly? I mean, was it something she wanted or and were her parents putting on the pressure? I don't know where all that tremendous dedication came from. It could have been hers. It could have been theirs. How did she feel toward her mother and father? Well, I never saw so much love on the part of a kid considering the circumstances. What circumstances? Well, considering they weren't her real father and mother. Now just because two people adopt a child, that doesn't mean they're not the real parents. Well, I didn't mean it to sound that way.
He was her stepfather. And then when her mother died, Margie was still a little girl and he married Molly. It's in Molly raised her like their own. What were her chances for making the Olympics? Well, a lot goes into that, but I don't see how how she can be kept out. She's ready. The trials begin in a couple of weeks, but if she's not around, she'll miss them. Also, every day she's gone, she's losing out on training. You really can't give me anything to go on, can you? Sorry. Friends? I don't think she had any. She had to be friendly with somebody. Oh, with everybody. That's not the same as having friends. I can't believe there was nothing to this girl's existence except swimming. She must have had another life, one that nobody knew about.
Maybe. But where did she lead it? And when did she find the time?
[00:20:21] Unknown:
Well, hello there, sergeant. Hi, moms.
[00:20:24] Unknown:
What are you drinking? Oh, I'm on duty. Lemonade. Make it sour.
[00:20:31] Unknown:
Well, that's, 60¢,
[00:20:33] Unknown:
Sarge. Gotta keep things on the up and up, you know. Did you read in the papers about a girl named Margaret Truesdell? Yeah. I never read the papers. Why should I go chasing at the bad news? It'll come soon enough. Yeah. Well, this one just disappeared. Oh, well. Girls do that quite often. Yeah.
[00:20:50] Unknown:
Hey, this is a photograph.
[00:20:54] Unknown:
Nice. Yes. Indeed. Lot of meat on those bones. And it all looks like grade a prime. Yeah. She's a swimmer.
[00:21:02] Unknown:
She just vanished.
[00:21:04] Unknown:
Well, if I can paraphrase the French, she or she l'am.
[00:21:09] Unknown:
No. No. No. There's no man involved. That you know of. That anybody knows of.
[00:21:15] Unknown:
Joe, you got a certain tone in your voice. Yeah? Could you be fallen for this chick? I don't even know her.
[00:21:23] Unknown:
The ones you don't know are the most dangerous kind. And look, the way it is now, she just vanished from the face of the earth. No motive, no clue, nothing.
[00:21:31] Unknown:
That's bad. I could get a young romantic guy like yourself old, bothered and curious. And, moms, now you hear a lot of things in a place like this. Oh, sure. But what I hear
[00:21:42] Unknown:
stays here. Is there a rumble on this? I haven't heard anything, Joe. I don't think anybody grabbed her off the street. You never can tell.
[00:21:54] Unknown:
I'll listen, Joe. It's against my principles, but I'll stick my ear out. You know why? Because I'm a sucker for for romance. Cut it out, will you? I can see you got a thing for this girl.
[00:22:07] Unknown:
Can't say as I blame you. I'm only doing my job. Uh-huh. You know, I'll tell you what scares me. Yeah? She's a swimmer. She's reaching for the big time. She has to get known. She has to compete. Now, she's been traveling to meets in Canada and Mexico all over. So? Or do I have to spell it out for you? Maybe she's been caught up in some smuggling. The pros have been known to use kids
[00:22:32] Unknown:
like her. You really must have fallen in love with her. Why do you insist that I'm in love with her? Well, look me straight in the eye and say, no. I'm not in love with her. Now don't be silly. Oh, that's how it is with some of you cops. You're like those, nights of old, always rescuing fair maidens in distress and
[00:22:51] Unknown:
naturally, you gotta fall in love. What else? Alright. Alright. That's enough, moms. If you hear anything at all concerning this girl, will you let me know? Oh, sure. And it won't cost you a thing.
[00:23:01] Unknown:
Let it be my wedding present. Oh, for crying out loud.
[00:23:12] Unknown:
Keller. Oh, yeah. The parents of this girl, Margaret Truesdale, what do they want, Inspector? Miracles? Inspector, they're phoning me every minute of the day and night. She just disappeared and I I know I know what you're gonna say. Nobody just vanishes into thin air. There has to be some clue. Look, I'm doing the best I can. I I got nothing to go on. I'm making bricks without straw. Okay. Okay. Yes, sir. Yes, sir. Just as soon as something turns up. Sure thing. Gee, what could have happened to her? Hello? Sergeant Keller.
[00:24:14] Unknown:
I know it's very late. I mean, very early in the morning. Yeah. It sure is. I got your home number from your office. I said it was emergency. You have to come over here right away. Have you heard from Margie? No. But I'm calling you because otherwise there's going to be a lot of trouble and embarrassment. Can you come over? No. It's my wife. She has this idea and well, you better talk to her.
[00:24:44] Unknown:
Sergeant, I know what happened to my daughter. You do? It's a wonder it didn't occur to you. After all, you're the professional and it's so simple. She's been kidnapped. Missus Truesdale, we've been through this already. There's been no note. You are not wealthy people. But she was not kidnapped for money. Oh. She was kidnapped by one or another of the iron curtain countries. Don't you understand? Well, no. She's a French. Those countries take these competitions seriously. They're doing this to keep her out of the games. You don't believe it. Well, that's pretty far fetched. You're a police officer. You have connections with the FBI. Yes. And you're coordinated with the CIA? Not that I know of. You get to work on this immediately, or you will force me to get in touch with my congressman and my senator. Now, Molly, it's awfully late. Why don't you get to bed? Don't think you can fluff me off. Nobody's got that idea.
[00:25:39] Unknown:
The sergeant is going to notify all the necessary authorities
[00:25:42] Unknown:
and get all the wheels in motion. Once the government steps in they won't dare to harm her. You look awfully tired. Yes. Yes, I am. I'm very, very tired. But, sergeant, you do believe I've given you a logical explanation? Well, it does deserve thinking about. And you'll start what you like to call the routine?
[00:26:07] Unknown:
Get on it right away.
[00:26:09] Unknown:
Well, now I can go to bed. Sid, will you show the sergeant out? Why, sure thing, Bobby.
[00:26:19] Unknown:
Good night. Good night, missus Truesdale.
[00:26:23] Unknown:
I, I had to call you. Otherwise, she'd be phoning the president of The United States. Yeah. Yeah. Okay. And besides, who says she has to be off base?
[00:26:34] Unknown:
Crazy things happen today. Yeah. Sure. Sure. Well, good night, mister Truesdale. Oh, don't go. No. It's late. My day starts early.
[00:26:44] Unknown:
I know what you must think of me and and and my wife. You you don't care for us. Now why do you say that? Well, I I guess we come over like like stage parents.
[00:26:56] Unknown:
You know, the the kind that push their kids toward a career. Well, isn't that what you did? No. This whole training routine was her idea? Yes. I remember you said she decided she should go into the Olympics. But she did. Without any help from you or missus Truesdale? Oh, we we approved, But the idea was hers. Is there any chance she might have suggested it to win your approval? No. If she were to appear right now and say, mom, dad, I wanna throw the whole thing over. What would you say to her?
[00:27:25] Unknown:
Impossible. Impossible for her to say that? Well, impossible to think she even want to. Yeah.
[00:27:33] Unknown:
Alright. Oh, do you mind if I, if I have a look at her room? Why? I don't know. Maybe I can find something. Like what? Well, I wanna know this girl better. Maybe there's something in the room.
[00:27:48] Unknown:
Right through here. See? Everything just as she left it. She, she was very neat. Oh, we haven't touched a thing. See? Even the waste baskets, we haven't even emptied it. Yeah. Just a crumpled piece of paper here. Well, it's going to stay right there. Mhmm.
[00:28:11] Unknown:
Funny, it's probably the last thing she ever wrote too. What is it?
[00:28:17] Unknown:
Nothing. Nothing at all. Just a name. A name? Whose?
[00:28:22] Unknown:
Nobody's name that I know of. What's the name? Wilson.
[00:28:26] Unknown:
We don't even know anyone named Wilson. Wilson. Yeah. Wilhelmina Wilson.
[00:28:32] Unknown:
Could I see that? What for? Oh,
[00:28:35] Unknown:
alright.
[00:28:37] Unknown:
Yeah. But I want it back. Wilhelmina Wilson. Is this your daughter's handwriting? Of course. She writes Wilhelmina Wilson as if it's a signature. She's written it four or five or six times as if she were practicing how to sign it.
[00:28:55] Unknown:
Why? I
[00:28:57] Unknown:
can't imagine. Will Halmina Wilson. Have you ever heard that name in any connection? No. Wait a minute. Maybe I have. Where? Where? I heard it somewhere before or maybe one that sounds an awful lot like it.
[00:29:28] Unknown:
He's heard one that's very close to it, and so have you. It's a name that's fraught with significance, as as they say, provided you know just how to look at it. Stop for a minute. Think for a minute, and it should all fall into place. And if it doesn't, we'll take care of it in ax three. What's in a name, asked mister Shakespeare. That which we call a rose, by any other name, would smell as sweet and so forth. While we hate to differ with the immortal bard, we must quarrel with his premise. Everything is in a name. And who can say that the rose doesn't smell sweeter precisely because it's called a rose?
The fact is, we're the captives
[00:30:27] Unknown:
of our own propaganda. Wilhelmina Wilson. You're sure this name means nothing to you, mister Truesdale? Nothing at all. Missus Truesdale? Well, I asked her. She doesn't know either. Alright. But where did I hear it? I'm sorry to bother you, mister Sparta. I'm glad to be of help. What can I tell you? The name, Wilhelmina Wilson. Is that familiar? Wilhelmina Wilson? I'm sure. Who is she? Well, she isn't anybody. Well, she has to be somebody. No. Wilhelmina Wilson is a rhythm. A what? She's Margie's rhythm. While she swims, Margie keeps saying, Wilhelmina Wilson.
Wilhelmina Wilson. Oh, yeah. It's a simple six beat rhythm. Da da da da da da. I see. It helps. So, Larmen set up a little chant like that. Yeah. That's all Will Halmina Wilson is. Yeah. Why? Oh, what do you think it was?
[00:31:43] Unknown:
Well, here's our handsome young police officer. Yep. Oh, you look like you need a drink. I do, which is why I'm not gonna have one. Well, tell old moms
[00:31:54] Unknown:
what's the problem. I just stopped by in case you may have heard something. About who?
[00:31:59] Unknown:
Oh, yeah. How about your chick? Hey. Hey. Hey. How many times I have to tell you there's nothing there? If there was nothing there, you'd only have to tell me once. Well, what do you hear? Not a whisper.
[00:32:09] Unknown:
Somebody has to know something. Oh, sure. I just can't find a handle on this case. Oh, poor Joe.
[00:32:16] Unknown:
Tell me, is this the kind of girl you've been looking for all your life? Alright. Alright, mom. She's an interesting girl. Good. We We finally got that out in the open. Now you can go to work. I've been working without let ups since the case came in. Working? Yeah. But thinking? No. I don't follow. Joe, when I saw you for the first time, you know what I said to myself? I said, that one's gonna be a smart cup once he settles down. You got this dame on the brain. Look. We don't have to keep talking about that aspect of it. But now suppose it was an old lady that was missing or a guy. Yeah. Yeah. A guy would be even better. Better for what? Better to prove my point. So far, you haven't made one. Joe, just pretend you're not in love with her. Who says I am?
[00:33:04] Unknown:
Okay. Okay. Let it go.
[00:33:06] Unknown:
Guys like you who are already over 30, you are always afraid of getting married. Hey. Listen. So you make up excuses. You get up this ideal of some dame that's just gorgeous, but out of reach. See? Moms, I've seen all those moving pictures too, you know? Where do you think life gets its ideas from? The movies. I'm going at this case the same way I tackle every other. That's what you say. But just take a deep breath and think. Now think about it from every angle. I am. Good. Now ask yourself the question you should have asked the very first night. Am I being had?
[00:33:45] Unknown:
What?
[00:33:46] Unknown:
Think about it, Joe. Are you being had?
[00:33:56] Unknown:
Do you have any news, Sergeant? I may have. Oh, what does that mean? Sid, what did he say? Sergeant,
[00:34:03] Unknown:
oh, what do you have to tell us? I'm thinking about what you told me.
[00:34:07] Unknown:
And all rests on the assumption that your daughter could disappear on a crowded well lighted street. Assumption?
[00:34:15] Unknown:
Sid, he said, Assumption. I heard what he said. I'm afraid it didn't work.
[00:34:19] Unknown:
The only way she could disappear was for you to arrange a place for her to go to. No. Now you'd better listen to me. At first, I had the idea maybe she might have gotten into a little jam. She went swimming meets in Canada and Mexico. Maybe she carried some pot for somebody. Maybe something a little stronger. That's a lie. Actually, I didn't believe it myself. Then what are you trying to imply? I think it's all a publicity stunt, but it's gone sour. How dare you? Sid, call this man's superior officer, whoever he is. I'll give you his name and phone number myself, but you better hear the rest of it first. Now the stakes are tremendous. I should have realized that in the beginning. The Olympics, they've become a fantastic media event. The winners get more than the old Laurel wreath, even more than the gold medal. I'll hold it a minute, Octon. You have no right to accuse swimmer disappears. That would be the headline, wouldn't it? Well, it could have been.
But all you got was a couple of lines on page 17 and nothing to speak of on the air. The media didn't bite, or maybe you didn't know how to promote it. You don't understand. She's missing. What you needed was an experienced inventive publicity guy. He might have pulled it off. It isn't true. You have to keep it alive so you feed me little things like this iron curtain plot. It could be true. Yeah. And then you try to fob off this name at me, this Wilhelmina Wilson. Why did you pretend you didn't know what it was, mister Truesdale? Well, I I I don't have the faintest idea. Sid,
[00:35:46] Unknown:
who is Wilhelmina
[00:35:48] Unknown:
Wilson? Well, didn't you think I'd check it out with Dick Sparta? I mean, you're trying to tell me you actually don't know that Will Halmina Wilson is the name she says to herself while she swims? I never heard of it. Where is she? We don't know. She disappeared. You knowingly mislead the police. We haven't. It's the truth. Wait. Will Helmina Wilson. I just remembered. I just remembered.
[00:36:17] Unknown:
Has there been any word of Marge Truesdale, Sergeant?
[00:36:20] Unknown:
No, miss Stacy. I just came by the library to ask a question. You said she liked to read a book she kept renewing. Would you tell me the name of it again? Oh, William Wilson and other stories by Edgar Allan Poe. William Wilson. Yes. Guess I made a mistake. Funny, I thought it was Wilhelmina Wilson. Well, that's close.
[00:36:43] Unknown:
Actually, Wilhelmina is the feminine form of William.
[00:36:48] Unknown:
Yes. Wilhelmina Wilson. I wonder, that story do you, do you suppose I could read it? Oh, why certainly.
[00:36:57] Unknown:
Wait here. Yes?
[00:37:11] Unknown:
Miss Willhelmina Wilson?
[00:37:13] Unknown:
Yes?
[00:37:14] Unknown:
Yes. And you dyed your hair. You changed your makeup. Instead of wearing beiges and browns, I see you've gone in for blues and grays. It does give you a different look. Who are you? Oh, sorry. I'm a police detective, sergeant Joe Keller. May I may I come in?
[00:37:33] Unknown:
Why?
[00:37:34] Unknown:
I want to talk to you about Margaret Truesdale.
[00:37:40] Unknown:
Alright. What what do you want to know?
[00:37:48] Unknown:
First, I'd I'd like to know if you'll marry me. You for what? Well, not right away. We'd have to get to know each other better or although I know all about you already. What do you know about me? Yeah. Start with a girl just in her teens. Father dies, a mother remarries. Will the stepfather accept her and then the mother dies and the stepfather remarries. Will the strange new woman accept her as a daughter? Why do you want me to relive all this? She thinks she's a very unattractive
[00:38:18] Unknown:
girl. Oh, I was. I was pale and skinny.
[00:38:22] Unknown:
Always sick. So they bring you to a friend, Dick Sparta, a swimming coach, and you work out every day. Yes. I did. Hour after hour. And it changes you. It also becomes obvious to everyone that you could be a great swimmer. Yes. And everybody begins to count the money taste the glory. Yes.
[00:38:43] Unknown:
At first Sid and Molly were only thinking of me. Later, the thing just overpowered them, blew their perspectives crazy. At first, I was so happy because finally, I could do something to please them, repay them for all they did for me. You were a good little obedient girl. Yes. But after a while, it became torture. Every stroke was agony. Every lap was, I don't want to say, purgatory.
[00:39:13] Unknown:
I understand. But couldn't you face them? Couldn't you say, look, mom. Look, dad. I I was scared. I was still very insecure.
[00:39:23] Unknown:
Besides, I told you they had changed. Now all they could talk about was how rich, how famous we would become. The
[00:39:37] Unknown:
good
[00:39:45] Unknown:
And so inside me, I created Wilhelmina Wilson. Inside, I was Wilhelmina Wilson. Every time I swam, I would say, Wilhelmina Wilson. Oh, how I wanted to run away. Just disappear. But where could I go? How would I live? All I ever learned to do was swim. Couldn't you study something? Oh, not after the kind of day I put in. Matter of fact, I wanted to take a secretarial course but Sid and Molly both jumped on me. What do you need that for? You'll never use it. You're gonna be rich. You know what I did? I tried to raise money by entering contests under the name of Wilhelmina Wilson. I never won anything anything at all until
[00:40:34] Unknown:
Yeah.
[00:40:35] Unknown:
Yeah. I know. I bought a 50¢ lottery ticket in the name of Wilhelmina Wilson and that did it. Can you imagine? The minute I saw that winning number, I took this apartment. That's how I found you. $25,000.
[00:40:50] Unknown:
It can give me a start. Yeah. But where does this leave me? Your parents reported you as a missing person. I'm a police officer. I found you. I can't go home.
[00:41:00] Unknown:
Do you know why? I just can't swim anymore. I can't take the pressure. I I'm out of it. That's gonna break their hearts. They're brokenhearted now. But this way, they'll still have their dreams that I could have been the greatest swimmer in the world. No. I I can't go back. Yes. You can. No. I'm no longer scared little Margie Truesdale. And they wouldn't understand Wilhelmina Wilson. They would never forgive her for wasting that chance of a lifetime.
[00:41:36] Unknown:
Do you know who they could understand, forgive, and accept?
[00:41:39] Unknown:
Who?
[00:41:41] Unknown:
Missus Joseph Keller.
[00:41:43] Unknown:
Who is she? She would be my wife. But
[00:41:46] Unknown:
I don't know you. Don't you want to get to know me?
[00:41:50] Unknown:
Well, I I don't know. I
[00:41:53] Unknown:
suppose I could. By that time, the Olympic trials will be over. Oh, they'll never forgive me. Sure they will. Once we make it very clear that you forgive them.
[00:42:18] Unknown:
I would assume that after a suitable passage of time, everyone in this particular story forgave everybody else. Although why and for what is not exactly crystal clear. After all, we do our best to reach a goal, but so many times that goal isn't even our own. I'll be back shortly. If you're looking for a sensible way you can profit instead of being squeezed by today's high interest rates, call this toll free number right now. 802285000. Ask the operator to send you detailed information on Dreyfus liquid assets. Find out how you can take advantage of the income earning opportunity that Dreyfus offers with its money market fund. Consider the benefits. Your money works hard because you participate in today's rising money market, and it's always available when you need it. Plus, you get the flexibility of withdrawing cash by phone or writing checks to pay larger bills. No charge for the checks and never a penalty or sales charge. Today, you owe it to yourself to earn as much as you can on your money. So call 802285000 for complete information and a prospectus including management fee, charges, and expenses. Read the prospectus carefully before you invest. Learn how you can get the lion's share of today's high interest rates from Dreyfus Liquid Assets, eight hundred two two eight five thousand. Toll free, 802285000.
pays for the call.
[00:43:40] Unknown:
This week on the Chisholm's, the journey continues as they leave the security of the wagon train behind to strike out for the promised land called California.
[00:43:49] Unknown:
We're heading our own way to California. I think we should give it careful thought. Stay in with the wagon train and be safer. You'll be traveling through mostly uncharted territory. I'm afraid of what might happen. Who will survive? The last great American adventure, The Chisholm's, starring Robert
[00:44:06] Unknown:
Saturday night at eight, seven central on CBS television. Robert Preston and Rosemary Harris, Saturday night at eight.
[00:44:16] Unknown:
You can sing smoke gets in your eyes, but when it gets into everyone else's eyes and nose and throat, it's no musical matter. Your lung association says cigarettes are a personal health hazard, and secondhand smoke is offensive to all nonsmokers.
[00:44:32] Unknown:
Give us all a break. Let the lung association help you kick the habit for your sake and for everyone's life and breath. We look at the faces of some of these high powered young performers, athletes, dancers, prodigies of one sort or another, the strained and nerve wracked faces, and we say they're hardly more than children. Why are they being thrown into the snake pit of money and notoriety so early? Why? Quite simply because so many of us are willing to pay and to cheer them. Yes, our heroes are getting younger and older before their time.
Our cast included Paul Hecht, Joan Shea, Ray Owens, and Brianna Rayburn. The entire production was under the direction of Hyman Brown. This is EG Marshall inviting you to return to our mystery theater for another adventure in the macabre. Until
[00:45:41] Unknown:
stories of love and sacrifice as World War two brings growth and change to
