A WORLD ALL HIS OWN and THE GIRL IN THE PARK NIGHT BEAT

Summary

1001 Radio Crime Solvers - Episode: "A World All His Own and The Girl in the Park – Night Beat"

Release Date: November 27, 2024
Host: John Hagadorn

Welcome to another gripping episode of 1001 Radio Crime Solvers, where host John Hagadorn brings you the best of golden age radio detective stories. In this episode, titled "A World All His Own and The Girl in the Park – Night Beat", listeners are treated to two compelling narratives featuring Frank Lovejoy as the intrepid reporter and detective, Randy Stone. Both stories delve deep into the dark alleys of human emotion and the lengths one will go to uncover the truth.

---

Story 1: "A World All His Own"

Timestamp: 00:59 - 26:19

Overview: In "A World All His Own," Randy Stone finds himself entangled in the turmoil of his old friend, Billy Candel—a former middleweight champion struggling with inner demons. The story unravels the complexities of friendship, loyalty, and the desperate need for redemption.

Key Characters:

• Randy Stone (Frank Lovejoy): A dedicated reporter for the Chicago Star's "Night Beat," always on the lookout for stories in the city's underbelly.
• Billy Candel (Bill Conrad): Randy's former champion friend whose temper has flared uncontrollably.
• Edna: Billy's estranged girlfriend, grappling with their troubled relationship.
• Mrs. Walter Compton Sweet: A prominent society figure connected to Billy's past.

Plot Details: Billy Candel's volatile behavior reaches a breaking point one night at Pop Gordon's training gym. His aggressive outburst threatens the safety of those around him, including Randy. Determined to help his friend regain control, Randy vows to uncover the root cause of Billy's distress.

As the night progresses, Randy learns that Billy's anger is deeply rooted in unresolved issues with Edna and his past love for Mrs. Compton Sweet. The tension escalates when Billy insists on seeing Mrs. Compton one last time, threatening violence if his demands are not met.

Notable Quotes:

• Billy Candel (03:18): "Somebody call the Cops. And get that punchy loon out of here, you yelling stupid bum."
• Randy Stone (06:07): "Yeah, I know. Don't worry, I don't want any rematch. I'd like to know why he blew his lid in the first place and my jaw in the second place."
• Billy Candel (16:14): "You're a guy trying to do a job. Now if you'll step out of my way."

Resolution: In a dramatic confrontation at Mrs. Compton's suite, Randy attempts to calm Billy, urging him to let go of his anger and seek peace. However, the situation spirals as Billy's instability threatens further chaos. The story concludes with a tense standoff, leaving listeners pondering the thin line between friendship and madness.

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Story 2: "The Girl in the Park"

Timestamp: 26:19 - 58:51

Overview: "The Girl in the Park" follows Randy Stone as he encounters Fran Fowler, a distressed nightclub singer haunted by her involvement in a past murder case. This narrative explores themes of guilt, fear, and the quest for closure.

Key Characters:

• Randy Stone (Frank Lovejoy): The ever-persistent reporter seeking the truth behind enigmatic cases.
• Fran Fowler (Joan Banks): A nightclub singer tormented by her past and the actions of her ex-boyfriend.
• Tommy Mason (Paul Duboff): The "funny man" and Fran's former lover, whose obsession leads to dark consequences.
• Peggy: A supportive figure attempting to help Fran find peace.

Plot Details: Randy's routine night takes a turn when he spots Fran Fowler in Lincoln Park. Sensing her distress, he approaches her, only to be met with resistance. Fran reveals her involvement in the Charlie Dana case—a murder where she provided a questionable alibi for Tommy Mason.

Haunted by Tommy's threats and her own fear of retribution, Fran confides in Randy about a note she received, directing her to Peggy's cabin at the dunes. As Randy delves deeper, he uncovers the tangled web of Fran's past and Tommy's relentless pursuit to make her confront her fears.

The tension heightens as Randy and Fran return to her room, only to face Tommy's menacing presence. In a climactic encounter, Randy intervenes to protect Fran from Tommy's vengeful wrath, ultimately leading to Tommy's downfall.

Notable Quotes:

• Fran Fowler (33:54): "It's not my purse."
• Randy Stone (43:57): "Well, if it's true, this fear you have, you've got to find it out tonight. If you don't, it'll haunt you the rest of your life."
• Fran Fowler (44:03): "He promised and I know he'll keep his promise."
• Billy Candel (57:13): "I can't shoot."

Resolution: The story reaches its peak when Tommy confronts Randy and Fran, driven by jealousy and unresolved emotions. In the ensuing struggle, Randy manages to disarm Tommy, ensuring Fran's safety. The resolution brings a sense of closure to Fran's fears, allowing her to move forward free from the shadows of her past.

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Conclusion

In this dual narrative episode, "A World All His Own and The Girl in the Park – Night Beat", listeners are immersed in the intricate lives of Randy Stone, Billy Candel, and Fran Fowler. Through suspenseful storytelling and vivid character portrayals, 1001 Radio Crime Solvers masterfully captures the essence of classic radio detective dramas. Noteworthy is the seamless blend of personal conflict and broader societal issues, making each story not just a mystery to solve but a deep exploration of human nature.

Listeners are left reflecting on the profound bonds of friendship and the haunting effects of past actions, all while being entertained by the enthralling performances of Frank Lovejoy and his stellar cast.

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Stay Tuned: Don't miss next week's episode, where Randy Stone continues his relentless pursuit of truth in the city's darkest corners. Subscribe to 1001 Radio Crime Solvers on www.1001storiespodcast.com and join us every Sunday at 5 PM ET for more captivating crime-solving adventures.

Transcript

[John Hagedorn]

It's better over here. Now.

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[John Hagedorn]

Welcome back everyone to 1001 Radio Crime Solvers. This is your host, John Hagedorn and two episodes of Night Beat, starring Frank Lovejoy, one of NBC's top detective shows in the early 50s.

[Randy Stone]

Enjoy.

[Frank Lovejoy]

Nights Beat.

[Billy Candel]

Hi, this is Randy Stone. I cover the Night Beat for the Chicago Star. You know, stories start out in many different ways. Tonight's story started when I walked into a nice little guy's private world and it blew up right in my face.

[Frank Lovejoy]

Nightbeat, starring Frank Lovejoy as Ramdy Stone.

[Billy Candel]

When the streetcars and the subway spill out, their thousands of tired ones who scurry off into a million directions to find home, that's when my job begins. I start walking looking for my story so that you can read about it in your morning newspaper and feel good because it didn't happen to you. Tonight. I got my story fast. Just walking down Madison street west, away from the center of things. I kept walking past the shooting gallery, the nickel arcade with the peep shows and the fortune telling machines, the jukebox taverns, Madison street, the quick route to happiness with the world's worst hangover. And then straight ahead of me was Pop Gordon's training gym.

[Randy Stone]

Gym.

[Billy Candel]

That's where the public pays 30 cents to watch fellas training to beat each other's brains out. You know, when I got inside, it looked like just one of those fights. And then I heard one voice over the others. It was a voice I knew.

[John Hagedorn]

Somebody call the Cops. And get that punchy loon out of here, you yelling stupid bum.

[Billy Candel]

What's the matter, Pop? This crazy owls don't clear off his rocker. That's Billy.

[Randy Stone]

Yeah.

[John Hagedorn]

Somebody call a cop.

[Billy Candel]

Wait a second, Pop. He's all right.

[John Hagedorn]

Sure, sure. Listen to him kill you. Anybody lays a glove on me gets killed. You want place for a loon like.

[Billy Candel]

That in a bug house. I'm going to get the cops and.

[John Hagedorn]

Have this old tighter.

[Billy Candel]

Oh, now wait a minute, Pop. Let me talk to him. Randy, stay away from that blood. Five of us couldn't hold him. He knows me, Randy.

[John Hagedorn]

The guy's gone nuts. Y Like I said, everybody's scared of getting the.

[Billy Candel]

Billy.

[Randy Stone]

Billy.

[John Hagedorn]

What?

[Billy Candel]

Hi, Billy. How's it going?

[John Hagedorn]

You coming in with me?

[Billy Candel]

Oh, sure. Sure, make me a big man. Getting into the same ring with a champ.

[John Hagedorn]

Well, that's me champ. And you're a to pit bum.

[Billy Candel]

Well, that's a thumbnail description. Have I ever heard one?

[John Hagedorn]

Admit it. The truth. A to bit bum. Admit it.

[Billy Candel]

I admit it. I admit it, Billy.

[John Hagedorn]

Yeah, but you don't mean it. You're laughing at me like a rest of me. You're laughing. Me?

[Billy Candel]

Billy, I never laughed at you in my life.

[John Hagedorn]

You're laughing. Well, I'll show you what happens to anybody who laughs at Billy. The kids.

[Billy Candel]

As the world flew away in all directions, I dimly remembered how the sportswriters used to speak so respectfully of Billy's fast left hand. But, brother, if they know what I just found out about his right. When the fog finally cleared, Pop Gordon was bending over me. And there were a lot of other faces, too. But I didn't see Billy when I stood up.

[John Hagedorn]

You okay, Randy?

[Billy Candel]

Oh, this is being okay. I don't want any part of it.

[John Hagedorn]

He slugs you but good.

[Billy Candel]

Where is he? He took off before the cops come. Took off before anybody could grab him. I don't. Yeah, I let that bum come in.

[John Hagedorn]

At Jim and sit around.

[Billy Candel]

Everybody else pays 30 cents but him. I let him free. What's he do?

[Randy Stone]

Huh?

[Billy Candel]

What's he do?

[John Hagedorn]

He busts loose. He blows his top.

[Billy Candel]

But why? What happened to Billy?

[John Hagedorn]

I don't know.

[Billy Candel]

Tonight I catch him putting a bite on my customers.

[John Hagedorn]

Two bits here, a dime there.

[Billy Candel]

Billy was panhandling.

[John Hagedorn]

Sure.

[Billy Candel]

Like I said, I didn't like it.

[John Hagedorn]

So I tell him.

[Billy Candel]

And then when I don't know, I'm over at the other side of the gym.

[John Hagedorn]

I hear somebody laughing. The next thing I know, the owl swinging like a windmill. He's going to kill everybody. Just for being around.

[Billy Candel]

He ought to be tied up. Uh huh. Just like that, huh? He ain't safe. What do you want? The Black Maria to come around, cart him away like a load of rubbish?

[John Hagedorn]

Yeah, but for his own good.

[Billy Candel]

Oh, Pop, remember when he was champ? He packed him in every club where he fought. He had a dollar or five dollars for anybody who held out a hand.

[John Hagedorn]

Joe, what are you getting at?

[Billy Candel]

Well, now he's got no one, Poppy. Now he's out in the cold.

[Randy Stone]

Yeah.

[Billy Candel]

Oh, I'll forget the cops, but we.

[John Hagedorn]

Still got to put them away.

[Billy Candel]

Well, all right, sure, but let's do it as painless as possible. I'll. I'll keep him with me tonight and then tomorrow.

[John Hagedorn]

You going after him?

[Billy Candel]

Yeah. Which way to go?

[John Hagedorn]

Straight up the streets. But watch out, Randy, he blows his lid.

[Billy Candel]

Yeah, I know. Don't worry, I don't want any rematch. I'd like to know why he blew his lid in the first place and my jaw in the second place. I'd known Billy a long time. A sweet, gentle guy who always seemed to be living in a world all of his own. A world that nobody else knew about and cared less. And now he was in. In his mood he might hurt someone. Or worse, he might get himself hurt. I must have walked for half an hour before I finally spotted him. He was standing on a corner. I stopped and watched him for a couple of minutes. I watched his hesitant and embarrassed panhandling. Then I walked over to him slowly. Hello, Billy.

[John Hagedorn]

What? Oh, hi. Hiya, Randy or Paul, pal? Hiya.

[Billy Candel]

You want some company?

[John Hagedorn]

Oh, sure, sure. Riley, where you been keeping yourself? I ain't seen you for a couple of weeks.

[Billy Candel]

You haven't seen me for a couple of weeks?

[John Hagedorn]

Well, I thought maybe you'd forget. An old pal, huh?

[Billy Candel]

You're not the kind of a fellow one forgets, champ. Now, what was the trouble back at the gym?

[John Hagedorn]

Gym? What gym?

[Billy Candel]

Pop Gordon's.

[John Hagedorn]

Pop's place?

[Billy Candel]

Yeah. Well.

[John Hagedorn]

Well, let's go. I gotta help Pop. He's a good Joe, you know, he never charges me nothing.

[Billy Candel]

Hold on a second. Billy.

[John Hagedorn]

Yeah?

[Billy Candel]

Weren't you at the gym tonight?

[John Hagedorn]

Oh, no, not tonight.

[Billy Candel]

I've been here and you didn't massage my chin.

[John Hagedorn]

You've given me a rib. What's your looking at me for like that, Randy?

[Billy Candel]

Forget it, Billy.

[John Hagedorn]

You was just ribbing, huh?

[Billy Candel]

Oh, sure. I'm just kidding.

[John Hagedorn]

I like ribs. Not giving the hot foot. Nothing like that, but funny ribs that don't hurt nobody.

[Billy Candel]

No, sure. Can I ask you a $64?

[Randy Stone]

Question?

[John Hagedorn]

Why, sure not. You can ask me anything, Randy. Anything.

[Billy Candel]

I saw you a minute ago, Billy.

[John Hagedorn]

What?

[Billy Candel]

I never seen you ask for a touch before.

[John Hagedorn]

I ain't never gonna do it no more. But, Randy, I got it tonight. I gotta get a few bucks, maybe 15. I already got $2. Maybe.

[Billy Candel]

Why do you need $15?

[John Hagedorn]

What? I gotta get a new suit.

[Billy Candel]

A new suit? What's so special about tonight?

[Randy Stone]

Billy?

[John Hagedorn]

What? There's something. I gotta do it. I just gotta do it, Randy. I gotta have 15. But. Hey. Them. Scott. Hey, is that you, Randy?

[Billy Candel]

Yeah. Oh, Sullivan.

[Randy Stone]

Yeah.

[John Hagedorn]

Randy, don't let him pick me up for panhandling, please.

[Billy Candel]

No, I won't, Billy. Now, you wait here. Wait here.

[Randy Stone]

I'll be right back.

[John Hagedorn]

Yeah.

[Billy Candel]

That's Billy back there, isn't it? Yeah, that's right, Sullivan. Why? Heard you had a little trouble with.

[John Hagedorn]

Him back at the gym.

[Billy Candel]

Maybe we ought to put him in.

[Randy Stone]

The for the night.

[Billy Candel]

Keep him out of trouble, huh?

[Randy Stone]

Look.

[Billy Candel]

Look, Sullivan. He's going away tomorrow for a long time.

[Randy Stone]

Oh, like that, huh?

[Billy Candel]

Yeah, that. That's it. This is his last night, huh?

[Randy Stone]

Yeah.

[John Hagedorn]

I see. Okay, good.

[Billy Candel]

It's the way I do it myself. I see you around, Randy, but keep an eye on him. Yeah, I'll watch him like a hawk. Thanks, Sullivan. So long.

[John Hagedorn]

What they say, Randy? They. They ain't gonna pick me up for mooching on it. Ain't gonna.

[Billy Candel]

No, no, no, of course not. Look, Billy, how'd you like to come to my apartment for a while?

[John Hagedorn]

You can't. I told you, I gotta get 15 bucks.

[Billy Candel]

Well, we'll talk about it.

[John Hagedorn]

Well, I gotta get it tonight now. I gotta get a new suit because. Because.

[Billy Candel]

Yeah, go. Go on. Why?

[John Hagedorn]

I can't be wearing this crummy rag when I. When. When I see her.

[Billy Candel]

I didn't know what he meant. But whatever had made him go crazy at the gym, whatever had made him hit me, was tied in with her. Who she was, I didn't know. And I wasn't sure that he knew. I finally talked him into going to my place. And when we went in, I watched that slow, gentle smile come over his face.

[John Hagedorn]

Hey, this place is a number one.

[Billy Candel]

Yeah. Sit down, Billy.

[John Hagedorn]

I ain't got much time.

[Billy Candel]

Just a couple of minutes.

[John Hagedorn]

Yeah, okay. I'm awful tired, Randy. Seems like a lot of things has happened tonight. You know, I'm kind of tired, sir.

[Billy Candel]

Want a drink, Billy?

[John Hagedorn]

Oh, no. I never touch it. You know that.

[Billy Candel]

Yeah, and you never panhandled before.

[John Hagedorn]

But I ain't gonna do that. No more. Just tonight. I never bummed off of nobody. I paid my own way. Come anything, I paid my own way.

[Billy Candel]

Yeah, that's why I want to know why you're putting the bite on people tonight.

[John Hagedorn]

I ain't gonna tell you. You laugh.

[Billy Candel]

I won't laugh.

[John Hagedorn]

You will. Somebody else laughed when I told you. Somebody laughed. When somebody laughs at me, I don't like it.

[Billy Candel]

All right, easy, easy, easy, easy. Come on, now.

[John Hagedorn]

Hey, that's better. I tell you, I gotta get 15 bucks. Hey, hey, look. Look at this.

[Billy Candel]

What's that, Billy?

[John Hagedorn]

I cut it out of the paper today. I seen it. You take a look at it, huh? You'll read what it says.

[Billy Candel]

Mrs. Walter Compton and her husband.

[John Hagedorn]

Yeah, yeah, go on. There's more.

[Billy Candel]

Prominent society leaders of New York will be in town tonight. They're staying at the Lakeshore and I.

[John Hagedorn]

Can'T go there in this crummy rag.

[Billy Candel]

Why do you have to see her?

[John Hagedorn]

What? Well, I gotta tell her something. This is getting late, Randy. I gotta kick.

[Billy Candel]

I'll lend you the $15, Billy.

[John Hagedorn]

You. Oh, no, no. I pay my own way.

[Billy Candel]

Well, pay it back whenever you get a job.

[John Hagedorn]

No, I don't want any handoffs.

[Billy Candel]

It's just a loan, Billy. It's a loan.

[John Hagedorn]

What? Thanks, Randy. You're a champ.

[Billy Candel]

Now tell me why you gotta see her.

[John Hagedorn]

You ain't gonna laugh. I can take anything but that. Anything.

[Billy Candel]

I won't laugh, Billy.

[John Hagedorn]

No, I guess you wouldn't. Okay. You remember once I was champ?

[Billy Candel]

Oh, everybody knows you a champ now. What about her? Mrs. Cum?

[John Hagedorn]

Yeah. Well, it's one night after a fight, see? I ain't champion, but this one fight, she ain't there. So I go to see her at her place. She's there, she's there. And so what are we?

[Edna]

Who's that?

[John Hagedorn]

It's me, Billy. Where are you?

[Edna]

Yeah, out in a minute.

[John Hagedorn]

Sure. Hey, I win tonight. I said I win tonight. Edna.

[Edna]

Yeah, I heard on the radio.

[John Hagedorn]

Well?

[Edna]

Well, what?

[John Hagedorn]

It don't mean a thing.

[Edna]

Sure means a lot, I guess.

[John Hagedorn]

You guess?

[Billy Candel]

A kid.

[John Hagedorn]

For a doll who's going to marry the next middleweight champ, you should take things like a lump of ice.

[Edna]

Yeah.

[John Hagedorn]

Edna. Anything wrong?

[Edna]

No.

[John Hagedorn]

There is.

[Edna]

Okay, something's wrong. Have it your way.

[John Hagedorn]

You wasn't at the fight tonight, baby. I look for you. It took me 3, 4 rounds to get going because I didn't see you.

[Edna]

You won.

[John Hagedorn]

Kid. Look at me.

[Edna]

Sure, the eye got torn open again, huh?

[John Hagedorn]

That's nothing. Collodion fixed it.

[Edna]

Collodion fixes everything. Huh? Get cut up. Use collodion. That's nice. That puts you all together again. How long do you think you'll stay together?

[John Hagedorn]

What's eating on you, honey? The last two, three weeks.

[Edna]

The last two, three weeks. The last two, three years?

[Billy Candel]

Yeah, that's right.

[Edna]

I hate it.

[John Hagedorn]

You hate what?

[Edna]

Oh, shut up.

[John Hagedorn]

Oh, kid. Kid, what's wrong?

[Edna]

You and me, I don't get it. The only thing you do get is a measly few bucks. Forget your head knocked off.

[John Hagedorn]

Oh, I'm a fighter.

[Edna]

So you're a fighter. All right, fight, but count me out.

[John Hagedorn]

Oh, now, wait a minute.

[Billy Candel]

I've been waiting.

[Edna]

I've been waiting for him to carry you home.

[John Hagedorn]

Me?

[Billy Candel]

Me.

[Edna]

It can't happen, huh?

[John Hagedorn]

Well, all of a sudden you start blowing your top.

[Edna]

It's not all of a sudden.

[John Hagedorn]

You said it.

[Edna]

You said there was something wrong for the last two or three years.

[John Hagedorn]

Okay.

[Billy Candel]

Okay, spill it.

[Edna]

I'm through, Billy. Washed up, finished what you and me done.

[Billy Candel]

Since when?

[Edna]

Since right now.

[John Hagedorn]

Oh, baby, it's just the eye.

[Edna]

You see me this way and you the eye.

[John Hagedorn]

Don't laugh at me, Edna. Don't laugh at me. I take anything but being laughed at.

[Edna]

It is a laugh.

[John Hagedorn]

Oh, now, listen, honey.

[Edna]

I don't care if you get punched all over the state. I don't care if you get your.

[Billy Candel]

Brains rattled so hard.

[Edna]

It's me I care about from now on.

[Billy Candel]

Okay?

[John Hagedorn]

So I'll be champ. So you'll get your fur coat. Not from you.

[Edna]

Not from a guy who was beginning to look like a punching bag instead of a man. Look at me. Take a good look.

[John Hagedorn]

I am. Yeah, I am.

[Edna]

I got looks. I got class. I can do. All right.

[John Hagedorn]

I still don't get it.

[Edna]

All right, I'll lay it on the line for you.

[Billy Candel]

Want me to go ahead.

[Edna]

I'm not gonna tie myself to a punchy character. I'm not gonna have to walk in nice places with a guy whose face is.

[Fran Fowler]

Well, look at her.

[Edna]

Go on, take a look in the mirror.

[Randy Stone]

You see what I mean?

[John Hagedorn]

You want me to quit.

[Edna]

I don't care if you do or not. Because it's too late, Billy. It's too late.

[John Hagedorn]

Edna, you shouldn't say things. Please, Ed. That's the way it was, Randy. That's the way it was.

[Billy Candel]

Yeah, I see. Look, Billy, you don't want to go and see her after that.

[John Hagedorn]

I tell you, Randy, I gotta see her. There's something I gotta tell her. It's gotta be tonight because tomorrow she'll be gone.

[Billy Candel]

Billy, how do you know that she'll. Well, that she'll see.

[John Hagedorn]

Oh, I know. I know, because there's something I ain't told you. There's something. Something I ain't never going to tell nobody. And, Randy, please don't try to stop me. Please don't let nobody try to stop me, because. Because if they do, I'll kill.

[Billy Candel]

You.

[Frank Lovejoy]

Are listening to Nightbeat, starring Frank Lovejoy as Randy Stone.

[Billy Candel]

Billy said he'd kill anybody who'd try to stop him from seeing Mrs. Walter Compton. I looked at his scarred face and into his eyes. A wild fever you see, in the eyes of a dog everyone says is mad but only wants a drink of water.

[John Hagedorn]

And then. I guess I shouldn't have said that, Randy.

[Billy Candel]

Well, let's forget it for a minute, Billy. Now, tell me, why do you want to see her?

[John Hagedorn]

You don't understand dames, huh?

[Billy Candel]

No, my mother never told me.

[John Hagedorn]

Well, she gives me the brush, see. Like I tell you, she gives me the brush, but she does it for me, see? She don't want me to get my brains knocked out, see?

[Billy Candel]

Yeah, I'm beginning to see, Billy, sure.

[John Hagedorn]

But me, I got no sense, so I don't see it her way. So I let her walk out and I don't see her no more. Not until I get hold of that.

[Billy Candel]

Paper today and tonight. You want to see her? To say what, Billy?

[John Hagedorn]

But don't you see? She loves me. All these years, she never lets up. And I want to tell her it's okay. That maybe her and me, we can start all over, like, see? What's the matter, Randy?

[Randy Stone]

Nothing.

[Billy Candel]

Nothing, Billy. Look, don't let anybody kid you, pal. You're still champion.

[John Hagedorn]

Oh, I ain't nothing. But I gotta go now. I gotta get 15 bucks for a suit.

[Billy Candel]

Now, look, look, you're tired. You need a shave, maybe take a shower. You thought of that?

[John Hagedorn]

No.

[Billy Candel]

All right, now, you wait here and take a shower and a shave and I'll bring a suit back for you. Is that a deal?

[John Hagedorn]

Oh, gee, you're a champ, Randy. A real champ.

[Billy Candel]

I might be gone for a little while, Billy, but when I come back, everything will be okay. Sure. Okay. There was only one thing for me to do. Go and see Mrs. Walter Compton. I made sure that Billy couldn't leave my apartment. I locked the door from the outside. I didn't want him picked up before he had the chance to see her. To see the woman around whom he'd built a whole world of fantasy in which he lived for so many years. I didn't want that world to come down around his ears. My newspaper pass got me in to see Mrs. Walter Compton in her suite at the lakeshore.

[Edna]

You're Mr. Stone?

[Billy Candel]

Yes, I am, Mrs. Compton.

[Edna]

You're from the newspaper.

[Billy Candel]

Well, I'm not on newspaper business, Mrs. Compton. Not tonight. This is more personal.

[Edna]

Really? Well, what can I do?

[Randy Stone]

For me? Nothing.

[Edna]

Then please get to the point, Mr. Stone. My husband will be here shortly with guests.

[Billy Candel]

How soon?

[Edna]

An hour. Why?

[Billy Candel]

Well, because it concerns someone you used to know. Really?

[Edna]

Who?

[Billy Candel]

Billy Candel.

[Edna]

Billy Candel as he was better known.

[Billy Candel]

As Billy the Kid, once middleweight champion of the world.

[Edna]

And I was glad to.

[Billy Candel]

Mrs. Compton, he's coming here tonight to see you.

[Edna]

What? He's coming? How stupid can you get?

[Billy Candel]

Well, for a lot of people it's not hard to be stupid or heartless.

[Edna]

Yours must be a rather sentimental column, Mr. Stone.

[Billy Candel]

Yes, it's about people.

[Edna]

You better go look good.

[Billy Candel]

Please see Billy. What can you lose?

[Edna]

It's out of the question.

[Billy Candel]

Listen, all he wants is to tell you something. He wants to tell you that. That he knows that you still love him.

[Fran Fowler]

What?

[Billy Candel]

Oh, no. Now, listen to me, please. Tomorrow he's going to. Well, he's going where he can rest. He's sick, Mrs. Compton. He's desperately sick.

[Edna]

Let's not be so polite. The word is punch drunk. I believe you want me to see a lunatic.

[Billy Candel]

No, he's not. And I'll be here when he comes. We'll keep it between us three.

[Edna]

Do you know what you're asking?

[Billy Candel]

Yes. I'm asking you to give a guy a few minutes of his world. Make it real for him. Tell him anything. Tell him you still love him. Then he'll go away. After tomorrow, you'll never see him or hear from him again.

[Edna]

You're asking me to receive that. That thing and bring him into this hotel where everyone can see him? Do you know what that means?

[Billy Candel]

Well, to him, yes.

[Edna]

I'm talking about myself. Myself, Mr. Scott.

[Billy Candel]

Yes, I'd like to get off that subject from.

[Edna]

It's the only subject that matters.

[Billy Candel]

If you don't see him, he'll crack up all the way.

[Edna]

That happened long ago. Good evening, Mr. Stone.

[Randy Stone]

Three minutes of your time.

[Edna]

I said no. Did you hear, Mr. Stone? I said no.

[Billy Candel]

Okay, lady, I'm going. Thank you for everything that's been lovely.

[Edna]

You needn't be sarcastic, Mr. Stone.

[Billy Candel]

How needn't I be? Look, Queenie, I got a little spot announcement for you. Billy owes you a vote of thanks. You'll never know it, but she gave him the biggest break of his life when you walked out on him years ago.

[John Hagedorn]

Oh, really?

[Billy Candel]

Yes, positively. Tonight you're giving him even a bigger break.

[Edna]

Tell me about it, Mr. Stowe.

[Billy Candel]

Yes, I'll tell you. The only thing that poor guy's got left is his memory of a girl named Edna. Any resemblance between that memory and you was strictly coincidental. Goodbye. I was glad to get out into the fresh air. All the way back to my apartment, I kept thinking of what I'd tell Billy. How I tell him. Then as I walked across the lobby toward the elevator. Mr. Stone. Mr. Stone. Oh, what is it, Charlie? Here's a message for you. Okay. You are Mr. Stone. Thank you. How long ago he leave this? Oh, what? Just a few minutes after you left.

[John Hagedorn]

Did you know you left him locked in?

[Billy Candel]

He called down. He asked me to open the door. Yeah. Did he say where he was going? No, no, no. Just that he couldn't wait for you any longer. That is on the note. How'd he look? How did he look? Well, I mean, anything unusual about him?

[Randy Stone]

Right.

[Billy Candel]

He had on one of your suits. I remember now. That pinstripe one he must have stolen from. No, he didn't steal anything. Now, listen to me. I'm going to the Lakeshore Hotel. If he comes back here, get in touch with me there. Mrs. Compton Sweet. Mrs. Compton Sweet?

[Randy Stone]

Yes.

[Billy Candel]

Oh, and listen, I think you'd better call the police. But as for Kalski, remember that Kalski, tell him to meet me at the Lakeshore Hotel, and quick. I took a cab and I took the shortest way to the Lakeshore. I watched the pavements looking for Billy, but I didn't see him. He had some money on him, and he must have taken a cab himself. And then I was back at the Lakeshore, talking with the clerk at the desk there. Yes, sir, there was a man here of that description. He asked that a call be put through to Mrs. Compton Sweet. And was it? Well, sir, he was a rather wacky. Yes, yes, I know, I know. So he didn't get through. Oh, I called Mrs. Compton sweet myself and told her. That is, I described the man. Yes, go ahead. What'd she say? That on no account was I to put him through or send him upstairs. Oh, well, okay. That's something. What'd he do then? He left immediately.

[Randy Stone]

Which way?

[Billy Candel]

I'm afraid I didn't notice, sir. I was registering some new guest and.

[Randy Stone]

I paid no attention.

[Billy Candel]

Okay, thank you very much. I had to find Billy before. Well, before what? What would he do? Where Would he go? I asked myself those questions as I walked slowly along, watching for him, hoping to see that pathetic figure in my pinstripe suit. Hoping I'd get to him before someone else stopped him. I was afraid of what might happen or could happen. And then I saw him just past the Lakeshore Hotel, shambling slowly along, his shoulders hunched against the wind that cut in off the lake. I ran and caught up with him. Billy. Billy.

[John Hagedorn]

Hi. Your aunt.

[Randy Stone]

Hi.

[John Hagedorn]

What's you doing over here?

[Billy Candel]

Oh, I. Just looking around. Why'd you leave my apartment?

[John Hagedorn]

What? Oh, well, you was gone so long and I had to get. Go and see.

[Billy Candel]

Oh, sure. Come on, let's walk.

[John Hagedorn]

Yeah. Hey, I borrowed one of your suits. It's a real champ suit, all right.

[Billy Candel]

Here.

[John Hagedorn]

You mind? Huh?

[Billy Candel]

No, no, Billy, none at all. Did you see her? Oh.

[John Hagedorn]

Oh, sure.

[Billy Candel]

What, you did?

[John Hagedorn]

Yeah, I seen her.

[Billy Candel]

Billy, they wouldn't let you go up, remember?

[John Hagedorn]

Oh, yeah, yeah, but I went up the back.

[Randy Stone]

The back. Billy, now, look at me.

[Billy Candel]

Are you sure?

[John Hagedorn]

Oh, sure. And she still loves me, right? I said everything was okay. She's crazy about me like she always.

[Billy Candel]

What did she tell you?

[John Hagedorn]

Well, she didn't want to talk to me. You know how she is. But then I told her I love her and she loves me.

[Randy Stone]

Yeah.

[John Hagedorn]

Billy.

[Billy Candel]

Billy.

[John Hagedorn]

Tired, Randy? Lots of things happen tonight. Lots of things.

[Billy Candel]

Yeah, I know. What do you say we go someplace for coffee?

[John Hagedorn]

Yeah. Yeah, I'd like that. I'm awful tired. And when I get real rested. Good. I'll go back to see her. And maybe we'll start over again. Hey, hey, this is where she lives, you know.

[Billy Candel]

Yeah.

[John Hagedorn]

Look, I gotta see her once more, Randy. Maybe she'll talk to me this time.

[Billy Candel]

Not tonight anymore, Billy.

[John Hagedorn]

But I wanted to talk.

[Billy Candel]

Well, I don't think she will.

[John Hagedorn]

Yes, she will.

[Billy Candel]

She loves me, Billy. Now, listen to me. You let me go up there first. I'll talk to her and fix everything. Okay.

[John Hagedorn]

Tell her not to act like a kid. Tell her to talk to me.

[Billy Candel]

Yes, sure, sure, I'll tell her. But you must put. Hey, Stone. Yes, Kolsky? You put in a call for us? Oh, yes, I did. It's okay now. I found him.

[John Hagedorn]

What you call the cops for, Randy?

[Billy Candel]

Oh, Kolsky's not a cop. He's a pal of yours, huh? He thinks you're the greatest fighter that ever lived. He always wanted to talk to you about your big fight.

[John Hagedorn]

Oh, sure, sure, but. But we're busy now. I'll talk to you about it later. Koski, I gotta see Somebody.

[Billy Candel]

Billy, I promised you I'd see her, remember?

[John Hagedorn]

You're gonna tell her I'll be waiting?

[Randy Stone]

Sure, sure.

[Billy Candel]

Now, you just stay with Kulski here. Tell him about the night you won the belt. Anything the matter, Stone? No, no, no. Just keep him here. I'll answer questions later. Now, Billy.

[John Hagedorn]

Yeah?

[Billy Candel]

Promise me you'll stay right here.

[John Hagedorn]

You won't stay long, huh? Just tell her. She loves me and I want her to talk to me.

[Billy Candel]

Sure, I will.

[Randy Stone]

Okay.

[Billy Candel]

Now you wait here. I didn't think it would do any.

[Randy Stone]

Good to see her again.

[Billy Candel]

But I wanted to give Billy a.

[Randy Stone]

Good memory to take along.

[Billy Candel]

I saw her, all right, but she didn't talk to me either. I went back downstairs and out to the street. I hadn't been gone more than five minutes, but they were the longest five minutes of my life. Brother, I was Peter. Hey.

[John Hagedorn]

Hey, Rhonda. You see her?

[Randy Stone]

Huh?

[John Hagedorn]

You see her?

[Billy Candel]

Yeah, I saw her, Billy.

[John Hagedorn]

What does she say? You tell me what she said, huh?

[Randy Stone]

Well, I told her.

[Billy Candel]

Hey, Stone, how long does this go on? This is a proud car, not a bus. Yeah, we're coming along with you. Yeah, what's the idea? Get in the back, Billy.

[John Hagedorn]

Yeah, I'm. I'm kind of tired. I. I'd kind of like to ride to your place, Randy.

[Randy Stone]

Sure.

[Billy Candel]

Take us to the precinct, Kalski. Listen, Andy, did you see his girl? Yes, I saw her. But she didn't talk to me either. I guess she laughed once too often.

[John Hagedorn]

She's dead, huh?

[Billy Candel]

All right, now just take it easy, Skulsky. The poor guy doesn't even know that he killed her. 4am and the lights are going out all over the city. Even those neon signs on Madison Street. I've got to write my piece and put it in the slot. But what can I say? The story of a one sided love. Well, if that's what love does to you, I'll stick to pinochle. It's a funny thing about love, isn't it? Let someone get up and talk about hate and he's hailed as a new leader Let him speak of love and he's ridiculed, he's spat upon and even nailed to a cross Love is the greatest thing the oldest yet the latest thing yeah, yeah, yeah. Copy boy.

[Frank Lovejoy]

Night Beat, a new dramatic series stars Frank Lovejoy as Randy Stone. Tonight's story was written by Russell Hughes. Night Beat is edited by Larry Marcus and directed by Warren Lewis. Music by Frank Wirth. The part of the prizefighter was played by Bill Conrad. Others in tonight's cast were Laureen Tuttle, Bill Lally, Larry Dobkin and Leo Cleary. Frank Lovejoy will next be seen in Milton Sperling's production Rock Bottom released by Warner Brothers. Listen next week at this same time and every week as Randy Stone searches through the city for the strange stories waiting for him in the darkness, the stories that come out of the shadows to find their way into Nightbeat, there's another great action packed program you'll enjoy listening to on NBC every Sunday. It's Christopher London with Glenn Ford in the title role. Christopher London was created especially for radio by the world's most widely read mystery writer, Earl Stanley Gardner. You'll truly enjoy this fast moving mystery adventure series when you tune to NBC next Sunday on most of these same NBC stations. Stay tuned for Brian Donlevy and Dangerous Assignment on NBC.

[Billy Candel]

It's better over here.

[Commercial Voice]

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[Frank Lovejoy]

Night Feet.

[Randy Stone]

Hi, this is Randy Stone. I cover the Night Beat for the Chicago Star. Stories start in many different ways. This one started, strangely enough, with the flame of a match whose feeble glow lit up a lightened face in the darkness. A frightened face twisted by an agonizing fear of death.

[Frank Lovejoy]

Night Beat starring Frank Lovejoy as Randy Stone.

[Randy Stone]

The night is a thief, some poet once wrote, that steals the colors from the day. It's kind of pretty if you like words. But for my daw, they're not exactly true. Cause there are colors at night. The burning red of passion, the angry green of jealousy, and the ugly, terrifying black of fear. This was one of those nights when pickings were slim. I'd cover the town from Henry Sees Bar in the Mart out to Highlers on the North Shore and back downtown again with nothing to show for it. I was taking a shortcut through Lincoln park to pick up my car. At that time of night, the park was pretty deserted except for this girl walking up ahead of me. Not a bad silhouette, I might add, against the distant light. We were about halfway through the park when suddenly she stopped and threw herself onto a bench at the side of a path. There was something almost desperate about the way she did it. I ran up to her. Excuse me. Are you all right?

[Fran Fowler]

Yes, I'm all right.

[Randy Stone]

Well, I thought maybe you were sick or something.

[Fran Fowler]

I told you, I'm all right. Now, you please let me alone.

[Randy Stone]

Oh, now, look, lady, it's not what you think. I. Well, this park, at this time of night, it's no place for a girl to sit around by herself.

[Fran Fowler]

I don't need any help. Just go away.

[Randy Stone]

Oh, sure, sure. I'll get lost. I can see you're all right. Only you don't mind if I just sit here and smoke a cigarette before I go.

[Fran Fowler]

It's a public park.

[Billy Candel]

I don't care what you do.

[Randy Stone]

Thank you. You care for a cigarette?

[Fran Fowler]

No.

[Randy Stone]

Of course, in order to really enjoy a smoothie, you gotta have a match first. I said in order to enjoy his smoke.

[Fran Fowler]

I heard you. Here.

[Randy Stone]

Thank you.

[Fran Fowler]

Here, keep the book.

[Randy Stone]

No, no. You better hang on to these.

[Fran Fowler]

I won't need them.

[Randy Stone]

Well, you might need them later tonight.

[Fran Fowler]

After tonight, I won't need anything.

[Randy Stone]

Oh, now, wait a minute. That's no way to talk. The only time you're not going to need anything, sister, is after you're dead.

[Fran Fowler]

Why did you say that?

[Randy Stone]

What?

[Fran Fowler]

That.

[Billy Candel]

About being dead for no reason.

[Randy Stone]

Why?

[Fran Fowler]

Because after tonight, I will be.

[Randy Stone]

The girl jumped up and started running. Here was a kid that was afraid. Afraid of death or afraid of life. But then, isn't everybody? I turned the matchbook over and looked at the ad on the COVID Penguin Club. A little all night jumping jive place over on Clark Street. That's one I've been missing lately. On a hunch, I am up North Avenue in a general direction. Turned up Clark Aways and there it was. It was good to get inside out of that wind.

[Fran Fowler]

Check your head and cold, mister?

[Randy Stone]

No, thanks. I'm just looking around.

[Fran Fowler]

Can I get your table? It's almost the end of the floor show now.

[Randy Stone]

Anywhere in the back will be all right.

[Fran Fowler]

Okay.

[Randy Stone]

The hat check girl, hostess or whatever she was, walked Me through the bar to the edge of the main room. And then I stopped and really did a take out in the middle of the dance floor under a little baby spot singing in front of a five piece band was little miss Desperate from the park.

[Fran Fowler]

Nice voice, don't you think?

[Randy Stone]

Yeah. Yeah. Who is she? What is.

[Fran Fowler]

Franny Franzales. Have you been in here before?

[Randy Stone]

Not for quite a few months.

[Fran Fowler]

Of course, she hadn't got much experience yet. From out of town someplace over in Wisconsin. Not bad looking, huh? In everything.

[Randy Stone]

Hey, what's wrong with her?

[Fran Fowler]

I don't know.

[John Hagedorn]

I can't.

[Randy Stone]

Well, how do you like that?

[Frank Lovejoy]

Come on, folks.

[John Hagedorn]

Come on, let's give the little girl.

[Billy Candel]

A great big hand.

[Randy Stone]

Nothing like a real sad song to.

[John Hagedorn]

Light up a real sad act. Especially for a real sad tomato.

[Fran Fowler]

No, no, no.

[Billy Candel]

Call is fun.

[John Hagedorn]

So let's dance. Come on, you lucky guys and girls, get out here. Hi, Becky. You got silver live one, huh?

[Fran Fowler]

Hello, Tommy. This is Tommy Mason. Ain't he the one?

[Randy Stone]

Yes, yes, he's quite the one all right.

[Fran Fowler]

Hey, Tommy, you. You sure covered up with Franny all right.

[John Hagedorn]

Never let down.

[Billy Candel]

Keep him going all the time.

[John Hagedorn]

That's show business.

[Randy Stone]

You know how it is, mister. Oh, yes, yes, I've heard the show must go on.

[John Hagedorn]

You gotta keep him laughing.

[Fran Fowler]

Honest, mister, he's this way all the time.

[John Hagedorn]

What a joker.

[Billy Candel]

Now look, about that girl Franny.

[Randy Stone]

Yeah, Franny. What seems to be the trouble?

[John Hagedorn]

Well, that's hard to say, pal. Maybe she just found out she ain't no dinosaur.

[Randy Stone]

And she sure ain't.

[Fran Fowler]

You kill me.

[Randy Stone]

Seriously, fella. Fella, why would a girl break up that way in the middle of a number and start to cry?

[Frank Lovejoy]

Ah, could be she got a cinder in her eyes.

[John Hagedorn]

But just to make sure, I'll go ask her.

[Fran Fowler]

See you later, Tommy. Come on, fella. How's about buying a girl a drink?

[Randy Stone]

Oh, sure, sure, in a minute. About this Franny Love.

[Fran Fowler]

Do we have to talk about her? I thought you came in here for some fun.

[Randy Stone]

Maybe I get my fun wondering about people. What time's the next floor show?

[Fran Fowler]

Next one's a two, then four.

[Randy Stone]

They're not kidding about this all night business.

[Fran Fowler]

And still another one at daylight.

[Randy Stone]

She's singing all of them?

[Fran Fowler]

How should I know? She misses Most of the 12 o'clock show. Just got here for that last number.

[Randy Stone]

Any idea where she lives?

[Fran Fowler]

The room in house around an Erie Street.

[Billy Candel]

Know the number?

[Fran Fowler]

391. You know, you ask an awful lot of questions.

[Randy Stone]

Well, that's my business. I'm A reporter. Randy Stone.

[Fran Fowler]

I might have known it. Look, you. You're not going to bother her tonight, are you? Of all nights, tonight. This is the night that Charlie Dana's being executed. Donna Joliet.

[Randy Stone]

What's that got to do with her?

[Fran Fowler]

Well, how would you feel? Look, Mr. Stone, she's human. This is the night her boyfriend's gonna die.

[Randy Stone]

I went up to the front of the bar, to a phone booth and called a paper. There was something about this in the back of my mind somewhere. Something I ought to remember but couldn't. I had the girl on the board put me through the Gabby in the library. Library? Oh, hello, Gabby. This is Randy.

[John Hagedorn]

Yeah, Randy.

[Randy Stone]

What have you got on the Charlie Dana case?

[John Hagedorn]

Still a little early, Randy. Execution's not set until 1:30.

[Randy Stone]

No, no, I mean old stuff.

[John Hagedorn]

Oh, I got the file right here. Randy dug it out earlier for background.

[Randy Stone]

Good. Anything on a girl named Fran Fowler?

[John Hagedorn]

Yeah, let's see. Charlie Dana, small time gambler. Killed a guy named Tonelli.

[Randy Stone]

Oh, yes, yes, I remember that. A gambling beef.

[John Hagedorn]

Execution originally set for November. They didn't get a couple of months stay. Oh, here she is. Fran Fowler, singer in a nightclub. Was supposed to be Zalibi, but the DA blew her up in the witness stand. She admitted she wasn't positive, but when she'd been out with the guy.

[Randy Stone]

Oh, yeah, yeah, that was it. I knew it was something. Anything more? Oh, details, Randy, details. Okay, Gabby, thanks. I'll catch up with you. Oh, Mason. Excuse me. Were you waiting to use phone? No, I was waiting to talk to you. Why, certainly. But this time, no jokes, if you don't mind. I'm expecting a headache. You're not funny, Stone. Who are you talking to? Isn't that kind of my business?

[Frank Lovejoy]

Peggy says you're a reporter.

[Randy Stone]

Yes, of a sort.

[Frank Lovejoy]

You were asking about Fran, where she lived.

[Randy Stone]

That's right.

[Billy Candel]

You gotta let her alone.

[Randy Stone]

See you printed. Enough about it. Just minute. Mason knows of my lapels that you're hanging on to.

[Frank Lovejoy]

Peggy shouldn't have given you fan's address.

[Randy Stone]

I don't want you bothering her. I said let go of my lapels, funny man, or something's liable to explode in your face. Now, you stay out of my way or I'll ruffle that shiny hair. Where you going? See about a cinder in a lady's eye.

[Frank Lovejoy]

You're not going to see her.

[Randy Stone]

I won't let you. Can't you see this whole thing's driving her crazy? Tommy, believe me, I'm not interested in harming her or anyone. I'm just a guy trying to do a job. Now if you'll step out of my way.

[John Hagedorn]

You're not going there. I won't let you. I won't let you.

[Randy Stone]

My, my, that's a real nervous fella. Now that he'd made such an issue out of it, going around to see Fran follow was a definite must on my schedule. I picked up my car and drove over to Erie Street. 391 wasn't much different from any of the rest of the rooming houses on the block. I got the number of her room from the mailbox and started down a dingy card at a room eight. I knocked at the door, but there was no answer. I knocked again and then I smelled gas. Hey, anyone in there? Ms. Fowler?

[Billy Candel]

Fran?

[Randy Stone]

I put my shoulder to the door and the flimsy lock snapped open. I rushed into the gas fill room holding my breath until I could smash open a window and let in cement. Then I saw Fran Fowler, the girl from the park, lying across the bed and on a table beside her one of those two burner gas stoves with both jets wide open. I turned them off and started shaking. The girl just followed. Franny. Come on, get up. You gotta get out of here.

[John Hagedorn]

How come?

[Randy Stone]

I gonna have to carry her.

[Fran Fowler]

Put me down, you little fool.

[Randy Stone]

This woman is filled with gas.

[Fran Fowler]

It's not my purse.

[Randy Stone]

Where?

[Fran Fowler]

On the table.

[Randy Stone]

Okay, I've got it. Fine thing with a gun in it.

[Fran Fowler]

Give that to me.

[Randy Stone]

Outside, baby. Outside. It was six seconds pleasant when we hit the sidewalk in the fresh air. I put Fran on the front seat of my car and then ran around and climbed in behind the wheel. I headed out to Sheridan Road along the lake. The cool, clean air felt good in my lungs and I could see Fran drinking it in. Realizing now how close she'd been, I didn't make her talk until we were a long way out of town and I pulled over to the beach side of the road and showed my motor. We seem to keep bumping into each other in the strangest places tonight.

[Fran Fowler]

I. I guess I should say thanks.

[Randy Stone]

No, no, not at all. I'm the one who should say thanks. I still haven't returned your matches.

[Fran Fowler]

Please don't make fun of me.

[Randy Stone]

No, I'm not. You see, I know now who you are.

[Fran Fowler]

Charlie Dany's girl. Why don't you say it?

[Randy Stone]

In my book you're just a kid on up in the park.

[Fran Fowler]

What time is it?

[Randy Stone]

It's quarter to two. Then, yes, it's probably all over by now. Like me to turn on the radio?

[Fran Fowler]

No, no, I don't want to hear about it.

[Randy Stone]

You must love him an awful lot.

[Fran Fowler]

Love him? I despise him.

[Randy Stone]

But still, you were willing to alibi for him on a murder charge.

[Fran Fowler]

I wasn't. I told him I wasn't sure of the time I was out with him, but he made me say it was the exact hour when the man was killed.

[Randy Stone]

Didn't you realize you might have been perjuring yourself?

[Fran Fowler]

I didn't lie. I just didn't remember. It might have been like he said, when you're not sure, what else can you do?

[Randy Stone]

Yeah. Yeah, yeah. How'd you happen to get mixed up with him?

[Fran Fowler]

I. I didn't know anybody when I first came here. I was lonesome.

[Randy Stone]

And he was nice to you?

[Fran Fowler]

He was a lot more decent than most of the men who want to take you out when working in a club.

[Randy Stone]

And why do you hate him now?

[Fran Fowler]

I didn't know what he did. A lot of people gamble. I didn't think too much about it. Then we got to going out evenings between shows at the club. On my nights off.

[Randy Stone]

And the killing happened when you and he were supposed to have been out someplace together?

[Fran Fowler]

That's what he said. He wasn't arrested until a few weeks after the trouble. I couldn't remember if I'd been with him during that particular time or not.

[Randy Stone]

Well, it's all over now. You did what you had to. That's about all any of us can do.

[Billy Candel]

But you gotta forget about it. Put it out of your mind.

[Randy Stone]

There's nothing more to worry about.

[Fran Fowler]

That's just it. You don't understand. There is.

[Randy Stone]

What are you talking about?

[Fran Fowler]

He promised. He promised and I know he'll keep his promise.

[Randy Stone]

Promised what?

[Fran Fowler]

I want to see him. In prison?

[Randy Stone]

In the death house.

[Fran Fowler]

I had to. I wanted him to understand. But he said I tricked him.

[Randy Stone]

What? By telling the truth on the witnesses?

[Fran Fowler]

He said I double crossed him. He. But now he. He didn't care.

[Randy Stone]

Why would he say that?

[Fran Fowler]

He said he didn't care because the night he died, I would die. And I'm afraid.

[Frank Lovejoy]

You are listening to Nightbeat, starring Frank Lovejoy as Brandy Stone.

[Randy Stone]

This was real. This was no act. The sound she made to tear you to pieces like some fitfully frightened animal who lost everything in the world. I let her cry it out. After all those months of strain she'd have to get it out of her system.

[Fran Fowler]

He said the night he died, I died.

[Randy Stone]

Sure, sure. So you were scared. Who wouldn't be? But don't you see, that's just a cruel boast made by a cheap hoodlum who's trying to hurt you, make you feel responsible for his own plight.

[Fran Fowler]

But he meant it. I know it.

[Randy Stone]

Well, maybe he did at the time. But you got nothing to worry about now. You had nothing to do with it. He paid for his own crime. Now he's dead and you're still alive.

[Fran Fowler]

He'll keep his promise.

[Randy Stone]

How can he? He's dead.

[Fran Fowler]

Know you think I'm crazy.

[Randy Stone]

No, no, no, no, no. But has anyone really tried to harm you?

[Fran Fowler]

Oh, but this. This wasn't the night he was supposed to.

[Randy Stone]

Yes, I know. The execution was originally set for November.

[Fran Fowler]

It was that night in November. I hadn't been afraid before. I thought it was like you said, because it was bitter. But all that day I was upset. I told him at the club. I. And late in the afternoon I got a note from Peggy saying why didn't I go out to her cabin at the Dunes for a couple of days? Nobody would bother me, no reporters and I could get a good rest. So I drove out there that evening. It was quiet, nothing around. Just empty sand dunes in her cabin, all alone on the edge of the lake. I called Peggy at the club to let her know I got in all right. Oh, hello, Fran. Where are you calling from? Why, from your place. My apartment? No, your cabin at the dune. I was throw of your Peggy to let me come out here. Of course, Franny, you're welcome to use the place. But I don't quite know what you mean. Well, your note this afternoon telling me to come out here. I didn't write you any notes. Come on, Peggy. You did tell me where the key would be. Under the flower pot. But kid, that's what we always keep it. Everybody knows that. Peggy, I.

[Billy Candel]

Now, don't worry about it, kid.

[Fran Fowler]

One of the girls probably sent you the note and just hasn't had a chance to tell me about it yet. I should have thought of it myself. No, no, wait. Peggy, I'm scared. What in the world. You remember what I told you about what Charlie said the last time I saw him? It was about tonight that he said when he died, I. Cut it.

[John Hagedorn]

Franny.

[Fran Fowler]

Now cut it before you drive yourself out. Peggy, I'm all alone and I'm scared. I don't know what to do. Franny, you gotta hang up right away. You shouldn't be out there all alone tonight. Get in your car and come back to town as fast as you can.

[Billy Candel]

I'll.

[Fran Fowler]

I'll wait for you Here. All right, Peggy. All right. I hung up the phone and ran out of the house to my car. I turned on the ignition key and stepped on the starter. It wouldn't start. My car wouldn't start. I looked at the gas gauge. Empty. Somebody had drained the gas out of my car. I got out in a panic and started toward the highway. But there was a car out there, parked behind a big sand dune. I turned and ran back to the hospital. It was like some crazy, frightening nightmare. I didn't know what I was doing. But somehow I managed to get inside and lock the door. And then suddenly I was at the telephone. Operator. Operator. Answer me. Operator, you've got to answer. I want the police. Operator, please help me, someone.

[Commercial Voice]

Operator.

[Fran Fowler]

There was no use. The line was dead. When I was outside, someone had pulled the wires away from the wall, crawled over to the window, looked out to the highway. There was a car out there. Its lights were on. But as I looked, they went out. And now I was alone in the dark with him out there. When I came to, it was morning and Peggy was there. She and Tommy had driven out after the club closed to find me.

[Randy Stone]

But you see, you didn't either.

[Fran Fowler]

But neither did he.

[Randy Stone]

Could have been your imagination. You know this man in the car.

[Fran Fowler]

No, no, no. The news about this day of execution was on the radio. The man in the car must have heard it and gone away.

[Randy Stone]

Did you call the police?

[Fran Fowler]

They didn't believe me just because I'm a nightclub singer. They said I was trying to get publicity.

[Randy Stone]

How about the car not starting and the telephone being dead?

[Fran Fowler]

According to them, my car was just out of gas and I must have pulled the telephone wires off the wall myself.

[Randy Stone]

In the panic you were in, you could have.

[Fran Fowler]

But I didn't. I tell you I didn't.

[Randy Stone]

Anyway, it's tonight that we're concerned with.

[Fran Fowler]

I don't know what to do. I. I just don't know what to do.

[Randy Stone]

Well, if it's true, this fear you have, you've got to find it out tonight. If you don't, it'll haunt you the rest of your life.

[Fran Fowler]

I know, I know, but how?

[Randy Stone]

You've got to go back to your room.

[Fran Fowler]

Oh, no.

[Randy Stone]

I'm afraid I'll be with you. Still got your gun remembered. By the way, what were you going to do with it?

[Fran Fowler]

I. I didn't have the nerve to use it, even on myself.

[Randy Stone]

Well, if anything is going to happen, it'll happen tonight. Not tomorrow or any time after that, but tonight. We'll go back to your Place now and wait until it's daylight. I drove Fran back to the rooming house and Erie Streets. There were no lights on anywhere in the building. We tiptoed down the empty corridor to Fran's room, listened at the door. Remember minute and went in. The door closed all right, but it wouldn't lock. I must have sprung it when I forced the door. We settled down and waited. For what? Once I thought I heard steps on the sidewalk far out front.

[John Hagedorn]

It was that still.

[Randy Stone]

And then I did hear steps slowly coming down the hall.

[Fran Fowler]

Is someone in the hall?

[Randy Stone]

Keep it down.

[Fran Fowler]

He stopped outside the door.

[Randy Stone]

Don't move.

[Fran Fowler]

Okay.

[Randy Stone]

Go ahead, kid. Go ahead. You got it coming.

[Fran Fowler]

I'm sorry. I'm all right.

[Randy Stone]

Nothing to be sorry about. I was kind of scared myself. It's the funny thing about fear. It's catching. Look out the window.

[Fran Fowler]

It's almost light.

[Randy Stone]

And this all night has gone for good. You see, it was all in your mind, Things you were frightened of. It was nothing, really. You won't be afraid if I go now?

[Fran Fowler]

No. I've caused you an awful lot of trouble.

[Randy Stone]

Oh, now you cut the hat or you'll get me going.

[Fran Fowler]

And the kids at the club. I guess I should go back there and let them know I'm all right.

[Randy Stone]

What the doctor ordered for you was a little shut eye. I'll stop by on my way and give them a word.

[Fran Fowler]

Good night.

[Randy Stone]

Good night. Oh, there's your gun. You might want to pawn it for a couple of pair of nylons. Yes, a real nice tomato type tomato, as the funny man at the club would say.

[Billy Candel]

On the way over, I got thinking.

[Randy Stone]

About him and that girl Peggy. Come to think of it, that was one point Fran had forgotten to clear up for me.

[Billy Candel]

About the note that sent her out.

[Randy Stone]

To Peggy's cabin at the Dunes that night. Yeah, my mind wouldn't let go of that.

[Billy Candel]

When I got to the club, it.

[Randy Stone]

Was daylight and they were folding up the joint and Peggy was sitting alone at the bar.

[Fran Fowler]

Well, you got a nerve coming back here after.

[Randy Stone]

How's your boyfriend?

[Fran Fowler]

He's not my boyfriend.

[Randy Stone]

The figure of speech. Where is he?

[Fran Fowler]

He just left.

[Billy Candel]

Okay, I'll settle for you if you don't mind.

[Fran Fowler]

It's a little late for small talk, mister.

[Randy Stone]

Okay, I'll give it to you fast. It's about that note you wrote to Fran Fowler last November on the night Charlie Dana was supposed to die.

[Fran Fowler]

What note?

[Randy Stone]

Been late for small talk, remember?

[Fran Fowler]

I don't know what you're talking about.

[Randy Stone]

You don't know anything About a note inviting Fran to stay out at your place at the Dunes.

[Fran Fowler]

I told her I didn't know who wrote it.

[Randy Stone]

Were you telling the truth?

[Fran Fowler]

Yes. Yes, I was.

[Billy Candel]

Okay, okay, maybe you were.

[Randy Stone]

But you found out later who wrote it, didn't you?

[Fran Fowler]

No, I.

[Randy Stone]

Now, tell me the truth. Or would you rather tell the police?

[Fran Fowler]

All right, I did find out. But it wasn't like you think.

[Randy Stone]

Well, who was it?

[Fran Fowler]

Tommy. Tommy Mason.

[Randy Stone]

Tommy Mason? The funny man? His idea of a joke, no doubt. A hilarious joke that might have scared a poor kid to death.

[Fran Fowler]

No. No, you're wrong. It wasn't a joke.

[Randy Stone]

Well, then why? Why did he do it?

[Fran Fowler]

Because he's in love with her. He made me swear I wouldn't tell her. He wanted to wait until the time when she needed him and then he'd.

[Billy Candel]

Tell her himself until she needed him, that's how was he going to make her need him?

[Randy Stone]

Use a condemned murderer's empty threat to frighten her out of her sanity so she'd need him?

[Billy Candel]

Is he crazy?

[Fran Fowler]

He is where Fran's concerned.

[Randy Stone]

Where is he?

[Fran Fowler]

I don't know. He's been like a maniac all night. Since you left here after every show. He's gone over to Fran's place looking for. He's crazy jealous.

[Randy Stone]

Jealous of whom?

[Fran Fowler]

Of you. Thought she was with you.

[Randy Stone]

What if she were?

[Fran Fowler]

This was the night. This was the night he was sure she would need him. And instead she turned to you. Don't you see?

[Randy Stone]

Yes, I do now. Thanks. It was only about a half mile to France, but it seemed more like 20 miles until I turned off Clark up Erie street and slammed into the curb. There was no one on the street. I was hoping he'd walked and I'd pass him on the way, but there was no one. I ran down the narrow hall, not daring to think what I'd find, and I flung open the door. Are you alone?

[Fran Fowler]

You're frightened.

[Randy Stone]

Are you alone?

[Fran Fowler]

Well, yes. I've been sitting here since you left. I'm too tired to. Andre.

[Randy Stone]

Come on, let's get out of here. Grab your coat. Never mind, never mind, never mind. I'll tell you on the way. I shoved Fran out the door and we started cautiously back down the hall. We got about halfway when I grabbed her arm. The front door was opening slowly and a man made a dark silhouette against the gray light of the dawn. It was the funny man. The man with the slick, shiny hair and a permanent smile and the fast jokes. Only the smile was gone and he had a gun in his hand.

[Frank Lovejoy]

Keep coming.

[John Hagedorn]

Keep coming.

[Randy Stone]

We started towards him slowly.

[Fran Fowler]

Tommy. Tommy. It was you. You who were going to kill me.

[John Hagedorn]

You didn't know.

[Frank Lovejoy]

You didn't know that I had a.

[John Hagedorn]

Hard coat just like Charlie Dana did.

[Fran Fowler]

Tommy, you never told me.

[John Hagedorn]

You never let me. You didn't need me. You would have laughed at me like you laughed at my jokes.

[Fran Fowler]

It couldn't have been you at the dunes that night. I followed you out and then drove back to the club. No, Tommy. No so much.

[John Hagedorn]

You didn't need me.

[Billy Candel]

You needed Charlie Dana. I thought if you were afraid, you'd need me.

[John Hagedorn]

And then you were afraid. But still you didn't need me. But I'd make you need me.

[Randy Stone]

I'd make you. Step by step, we moved closer.

[John Hagedorn]

Keep coming in.

[Randy Stone]

I could see his face twisted with jealousy and hate. His eyes wild, as though a spark might make him explode. And tonight, when you were afraid and.

[Frank Lovejoy]

Should have needed me, you didn't.

[John Hagedorn]

You turn to him, Tommy, please. But now you need me. Now that I have my finger on this trigger, you need me more than you've ever needed anyone in your life. You need me. You need me, Freddy. You need me. Say it. Say you need me.

[Billy Candel]

I. I can shoot. I can't shoot.

[Randy Stone]

He started to shake, and I ran forward. It's all right. I've got the gun.

[Fran Fowler]

Is he hurt?

[Randy Stone]

Not to what he will be. Get up, funny man.

[Fran Fowler]

No. Don't be too hard on him. He didn't realize.

[Randy Stone]

No. No, I. I guess maybe he didn't. It's funny, isn't it? You never really know what's going on in some of the best combed heads. Well, that's the way it goes. A little later than usual this morning. The day shift has already moved in and let the night crew wander off to their own private little beds.

[Billy Candel]

Well, at least I got to see.

[Randy Stone]

The sun come up. Here I sit still, trying to make it all add up. But no matter how I figure it, the only answer I get is, you never know about people, but bless them. Maybe that's why we love them. See that man walking towards you with a smile on his face? What's he smiling about? Or is it just so you won't notice how he's screaming inside? Oh, Trouble with me is I haven't had my coffee yet. Copy boy.

[Frank Lovejoy]

Nightbeat a dramatic series stars Frank Lovejoy as Randy Stone. Nightbeat is edited by Larry Marcus and directed by Warren Lewis. Music by Frank Wirth. The part of Fran was played by Joan Banks. Paul Duboff played Tommy. Others in the cast were Georgia Ellis, Ken Christie and Carol Richards. Frank Lovejoy will next be seen in Milton Sperling's production Rock Bottom released by Warner Brothers. Throughout the week, NBC brings you the best adventure mystery dramas on the air. You will hear action packed, fast moving parts to hold your interest right up to the smashing climax on such thrilling programs as big town, Mr. District Attorney, the Big Story and Dragnet. Every week on most of these NBC stations, on Dragnet you'll hear documented cases from the Los Angeles Police files. The Big Story brings you true tales from the front pages of America's newspapers. Mr. District Attorney, the chance champion of the people, takes you through an exciting episode in the conviction of a criminal. And tomorrow night on Big Town, you'll hear crusading editor Steve Wilson crack down on the forces of evil. For the best high tension dramas, hear NBC's great mystery and adventure programs. Listen next week at this same time and every week as Randy Stone searches through the city for the strange stories waiting for him in the darkness. The stories that come out of the shadows to find their way into Night Bait. Now stay tuned for Brian Don Levy as a soldier of fortune on Dangerous Assignments on NBC.

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