Dangerous Assignment: Forged Papers 09/29/1950

Summary

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Dangerous Assignment: "Forged Papers" (Aired 09/29/1950)

Podcast: Choice Classic Radio Detectives | Old Time Radio
Date: June 17, 2026
Episode Theme:
Steve Mitchell, a U.S. government agent, investigates a deadly scheme involving foreign agents using stolen identities to infiltrate America. His mission takes him from Miami to Trinidad, uncovering a sinister operation that preys on solo American travelers.

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Main Theme Overview

In this suspense-filled episode, Steve Mitchell pursues a sophisticated international operation that murders solo U.S. tourists, steals their valid papers, and substitutes enemy agents in their place. As Mitchell tracks clues from Miami to the Caribbean, he goes undercover and becomes entangled with a charming but dangerous travel agent, a slippery American conspirator, and a local calypso singer—eventually betting his life on a desperate bluff in the wilds of a deserted island.

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Key Discussion Points & Plot Breakdown

1. The Case: Stolen Identities and Murder

• Assignment Briefing (00:43 – 02:10):
  • Mitchell learns from his Commissioner that three suspected foreign agents died in a Miami car crash. Two had genuine papers stolen from lone American tourists—who are presumed murdered.
  • “We've got to keep them from continuing. Get down to Miami, Steve. Backtrack their operation until you find out who's behind it. Then smash it once and for all.” – Commissioner (01:58)

2. Miami Clues and the Trinidad Connection

• Investigating Luggage (03:04 – 04:14):
  • Sifting through recovered luggage, Steve spots a photo linking the murdered tourist, Harold Davis, to Trinidad.
• Fresh Lead:
  • Realizing the substitution happened in Trinidad, Steve books a flight to follow the trail.

3. Undercover in Trinidad: The Lure of the Travel Agency

• Meeting the Airline Agent (05:02 – 06:12):
  • Steve adopts the persona of a traveler “completely unattached,” attracted the attention of the cynical ticket agent, who refers him to the Interocean Travel Agency.
• Travel Agency Encounter (06:50 – 07:57):
  • Steve meets Susan Gray, who tries to assess whether he's truly alone—mirroring the MO seen with previous victims.
  • “I’m what you might call completely unattached.” – Mitchell (07:31)
• Baiting the Trap:
  • Susan quickly encourages a private excursion, revealing herself as more than just a travel consultant.

4. The Social Web: Lord Byron and the Nightlife

• Trade Winds Bar (08:30 – 10:16):
  • Steve reconnects with Lord Byron, a calypso singer and old friend, who warns him: “Why don’t you give it up, Steve? Always you look for bad men. Why don’t you forget it? ... To go fish, to go sail, to lie in the sun, to be happy.” (09:29)
• More Trouble:
  • In the bar, Steve observes Susan with powerful local Carlos Gelder—raising his suspicions—and immediately finds himself ambushed and warned off by thugs.

5. The American Tourist Ploy and Final Setup

• Clay the “Tourist” (15:13 – 16:59):
  • Abner H. Clay, a boisterous American, unwittingly describes being lured on a solo trip by Susan’s agency—clearly the next intended victim.
• Steve Joins the Trap (19:08 – 19:46):
  • Steve tags along for Clay’s boat trip—a set-up for another lethal substitution—resolving to protect him and get closer to the syndicate’s core.

6. Betrayal on the Island: The Truth Revealed

• On the Boat (20:01 – 21:29):
  • Steve, Susan, and Clay (now revealed as a key conspirator) abduct Steve and Lord Byron, heading not for the advertised cruise, but a deserted island.
  • “You've been the big boy in this deal all along, Clay, huh?” – Mitchell (21:31)
  • “Not bad at all, is it?” – Abner H. Clay (21:41)
• In the Jungle Bluff (24:20 – 27:12):
  • On the island, Lord Byron and Steve bluff about the dangers of quicksand, trying to buy time and sow panic in their captors.
  • “All over the island, quicksand.” – Lord Byron (26:01)
  • Their bluff becomes fate: Clay, attempting escape, falls into real quicksand and disappears.

7. Denouement: The Scheme Smashed

• Villains Defeated (27:12 – 28:26):
  • Susan is left in custody; Steve and Lord Byron, shaken but alive, return Susan to face justice and send the authorities after the remaining agents.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

Steve’s Undercover Bait:

• “I’m what you might call completely unattached.” – Steve Mitchell (07:31)

Susan’s Assessment:

• “Is there anyone in the States who's expecting you back at any particular time?” – Susan Gray (07:22)
  Indicates they target tourists with no close ties.

Lord Byron’s Warnings and Wit:

• “Oh, he's a bad man, Steve. Stay away from him. Oh, Carlos Gelder, he's a very powerful man.” (11:52)

Travel Agency Ploy Exposed:

• “Well, that's right. Matter of fact, they told us to be sure and bring them [papers].” – Abner H. Clay (17:41)
  The trap: lure singles with all their identification on supposed routine trips.

Turning the Tables – The Quicksand Bluff:

• “All over the island, quicksand.” – Lord Byron (26:01)
• “It's no fairy tale. Look, Lord Byron's the only one who knows where to walk safely. You kill us and you'll never make it back to the beach.” – Steve Mitchell (26:12)
• “Clay…what if he's telling the truth?” – Susan Gray (26:19)
• “There it is again. Where did it come from?” – Susan Gray (26:32)
  The tension peaks as reality and bluff blur—until Clay’s fate proves the island’s deadly reputation.

Coda – Lord Byron’s Final Song:

• “Oh, Steve's friend Lord Byron has saved the day. And under the quick sand you'll find Clay. Now, two more words and then I'm through. My dear Lord Byron, after you.” – Steve Mitchell (28:05)
  The episode closes on a sharp mix of relief, irony, and calypso song.

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• Assignment Setup: 00:43 – 02:10
• Miami Luggage & Trinidad Lead: 03:04 – 04:14
• Meeting Susan at Travel Agency: 06:50 – 07:57
• Trade Winds Bar & Gelder’s Warning: 08:30 – 12:00
• Steve Attacked in Alley: 12:09 – 13:16
• New “Tourist” Clay Introduced: 15:13 – 16:59
• Invitation on the Fatal Boat Trip: 19:08 – 19:46
• Capture on the Launch: 21:19 – 22:20
• San Miguel Island and Quicksand Bluff: 24:20 – 27:19
• Clay’s Fate and Wrap Up: 27:19 – 28:26

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Tone & Style

The episode blends hard-boiled detective action with post-war intrigue. Steve Mitchell’s narration is dryly witty and self-effacing, while the supporting cast mixes earnestness (Lord Byron), charm masking malice (Susan, Clay), and Caribbean local color. Danger, suspense, and flashes of humor interweave throughout, culminating in a darkly ironic twist.

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For New Listeners

This episode stands out for its intricate plot, international locations, and rich characterization—especially the use of Lord Byron for both comic relief and cunning stratagem. Listeners experience the high tension and clever dialogue without needing previous context to enjoy the suspense and climactic reversal.

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This is a perfect standalone “Dangerous Assignment” episode for fans of classic radio detective thrillers, encapsulating the genre’s peril, wit, and world-weary heroics.

Transcript

[Steve Mitchell]

Welcome to Choice Classic Radio, where we

[Abner H. Clay]

bring to you the greatest old time radio shows. Like us on Facebook. Subscribe to us on YouTube and thank you for [e-mail].

[Narrator]

Dangerous assignment starring brian donlevy as steve mitchell.

[Steve Mitchell]

Yeah, danger is my assignment. I get sent to a lot of places I can't even pronounce. They all spell the same thing, though. Trouble. But when I walk into the Commissioner's office, I don't realize this assignment's gonna wind up with me staking my life on a bluff. And then finding out, much to my surprise, that I wasn't bluffing. Morning, Commissioner. Ruth said you wanted to see me.

[Narrator]

Steve, last night, three men landed in Miami by plane. They were picked up in a limousine. The local police chased them and the car crashed, killing all three men.

[Steve Mitchell]

So what's all this got to do with us?

[Narrator]

Commissioner, one of those men was a well known foreign agent.

[Steve Mitchell]

Oh, I see. How about the other two?

[Narrator]

A check was made on their identities. Phony. Both of them.

[Steve Mitchell]

Oh, you mean they were carrying phony identification papers?

[Narrator]

No, the papers were legitimate enough, but they didn't belong to the men who were carrying them. We believe those papers were stolen from US Citizens who were traveling abroad. And in each case, those citizens were traveling alone and unattached.

[Steve Mitchell]

Five will get you 10 that also in each case, those US citizens are dead right now.

[Narrator]

Exactly, Steve, it looks like we're up against a clever and vicious scheme to get foreign agents into the States.

[Steve Mitchell]

Yeah, they grab one of our tourists, bump them off, take his papers, and then slip one of their boys into the States with those papers. We've got to work fast.

[Narrator]

We don't know how many times they pulled this trick so far, but we've got to keep them from continuing. Get down to Miami, Steve. Backtrack their operation until you find out who's behind it. Then smash it once and for all. Well, I said you've got your assignment.

[Lord Byron]

Good luck.

[Narrator]

The National Broadcasting Company is presenting Dangerous Assignment, starring Brian Dunleavy in the role of Steve Mitchell, colorful, two fisted government agent. At all those places of the world where danger and intrigue walk hand in hand. There you will find Steve Mitchell on another dangerous assignment.

[Steve Mitchell]

Well, ordinarily there's nothing I'd like better than a trip to Miami. But from the look on the commissioner's face, I've got a strong hunch I won't be spending my time water skiing through a blue lagoon with a beautiful perched on my shoulder. My plane lands there on Friday morning and I Head for the immigration office.

[Airport/Police Official]

Oh, Mitchell, we've been expecting you. I've got some luggage here you might be interested in looking through this stuff here. Yeah, just help yourself. This is stuff that originally belonged to the tourists that we think these foreign agents murdered and then impersonated.

[Steve Mitchell]

Routine stuff. Clothes, curios.

[Airport/Police Official]

Yeah. That suitcase that you're going through now belonged to a Harold Davis.

[Susan Gray]

Yeah.

[Steve Mitchell]

According to my information, three guys landed here in Miami and were whisked away in a limousine.

[Airport/Police Official]

Yeah, that's right. When their car crashed, they're all killed. And that's where we recovered this luggage in those identification papers. But it didn't take us long to discover that the men in the car didn't belong to this stuff.

[Steve Mitchell]

Oh. What kind of a plane did they land in?

[Airport/Police Official]

Regular passenger plane. Caribbean Airlines from Trinidad. What is it?

[Steve Mitchell]

Hey, this picture here in the suitcase, is this the real Davis?

[Airport/Police Official]

Oh, yeah, yeah, that's Davis all right. Well, maybe you should say it was Davis. That girl with him in the picture is not bad.

[Steve Mitchell]

Not bad at all. You say the guy who was impersonating Davis flew in from Trinidad?

[Airport/Police Official]

Yeah, that's right. You think that this picture was taken?

[Steve Mitchell]

I know it was. I recognized the hotel in the background.

[Airport/Police Official]

Oh, well, in other words, this picture shows that the real Davis was in Trinidad, but the man who flew up here from Trinidad wasn't Davis. Well, that means that.

[Steve Mitchell]

That means that Trinidad is my next stop. So the trail's warming up. At this point, it looks. Looks like Trinidad is the spot where the switch has been taking place. I realize I've got to operate undercover and fast. So far, we've managed to keep that autocrash in Miami a secret. But it's only a question of time before the outfit that's running the racket finds out we're on their trail. And when they do, they'll drop their quaint little habit of bumping off tourists and concentrate on bumping off the guy who's after them. Namely me. My plane lands in Trinidad the next afternoon. As usual, it's hot. But I've got an uneasy feeling that before I wind this one up, it's going to get a little hotter. I scout around to find the office of the Caribbean Airlines. Back of the counter, a tall, skinny gent is sleepily fanning himself with a travel folder.

[Abner H. Clay]

Good afternoon, sir.

[Steve Mitchell]

Are you the ticket agent here? Yeah. What charming and delightful spot in the

[Abner H. Clay]

Caribbean do you want to fly to?

[Steve Mitchell]

You sound bitter.

[Abner H. Clay]

Well, this morning I didn't get a

[Steve Mitchell]

job I was counting on back in the States. And I also didn't get a raise here. Instead, I got a heat rash.

[Abner H. Clay]

I should be happy.

[Steve Mitchell]

Courage, Camille. Thanks, old man. Now, where do you want to go?

[Abner H. Clay]

Or did you just want to browse through some rare travel folders?

[Steve Mitchell]

I'm checking on a friend of mine, a guy named Harold Davis.

[Abner H. Clay]

Oh, what about him?

[Steve Mitchell]

Oh, I owe him some dough, and somebody told me he left Trinidad by plane the day before yesterday. I thought you might be able to check it for me.

[Lord Byron]

Okay.

[Abner H. Clay]

Davis. Davis. Oh, yes.

[Airport/Police Official]

Yes, sir.

[Steve Mitchell]

Harold Davis. Took off for Miami night before last.

[Airport/Police Official]

Flight 17.

[Steve Mitchell]

Wonder why he decided to leave here.

[Airport/Police Official]

This is something we don't ordinarily ask our customers.

[Steve Mitchell]

He make the reservation in person?

[Lord Byron]

Well, no.

[Steve Mitchell]

It was handled through Interocean. Interocean? MM Travel Agency here in Trinidad. I see. You happen to have their address.

[Lord Byron]

Yeah.

[Abner H. Clay]

Here's their card. It's just down the street.

[Steve Mitchell]

Thanks.

[Narrator]

I.

[Steve Mitchell]

What's the matter? Nothing. I won't keep you up any longer. What snapped me into action is a girl walking along the sidewalk outside the airline office. I only get a brief glimpse, but it's enough to tell me that that's the same girl who posed with the real Davis in that picture I found in the suitcase. I go outside and follow her down the street. A few doors down, she turns into an office. And that's where I get my second surprise, because there's a sign on the door. Interocean Travel Agency. The outfit that's been booking passengers on Caribbean Airlines. Now, I know the trail's heating up. I follow her inside.

[Susan Gray]

Hello.

[Airport/Police Official]

Hi.

[Susan Gray]

What can I do for you?

[Steve Mitchell]

Well, that's what I came in here to find out. You run this travel agency?

[Susan Gray]

Sort of. I'm Miss. Gray. Susan Gray. You a tourist here?

[Lord Byron]

Yeah.

[Steve Mitchell]

Sorta.

[Susan Gray]

Sounds like you're a little at loose ends right now.

[Steve Mitchell]

Matter of fact, I am. Maybe it's just that I'm running out of places to go and things to do.

[Susan Gray]

Can't your wife suggest something?

[Steve Mitchell]

I'm not married.

[Susan Gray]

I see. Traveling alone?

[Steve Mitchell]

Yeah.

[Susan Gray]

Well, I'd be very happy to suggest any number of interesting little side trips.

[Steve Mitchell]

Good.

[Susan Gray]

That is, if you're not on any fixed schedule. What I mean is, is there anyone in the States who's expecting you back at any particular time?

[Lord Byron]

No.

[Steve Mitchell]

I'm what you might call completely unattached.

[Lord Byron]

Oh.

[Steve Mitchell]

Well, in that case, yeah, that's what I was thinking. I could sure use someone to show me around Trinidad. That is, if you happen to have any spare time.

[Susan Gray]

I think that could be arranged.

[Steve Mitchell]

Steve Mitchell.

[Susan Gray]

Okay. Tell you What, Steve? I'll try to line up a little trip for you. Then we can talk about seeing some of the sites around Trinidad. Where can I reach you?

[Steve Mitchell]

Hispaniola Hotel. I'll be hearing from you then, Susan.

[Susan Gray]

Yes, you will, Steve. And very soon.

[Steve Mitchell]

I start back to my hotel. So I dangle a little alone, an unattached bait in front of little Susan's nose, and she snaps it up like an underfed cobra. Which is all very fine, except that what it boils down to is that I'm setting myself up as a Grade A clay pigeon. Then, as I'm walking down the street, I pass a bar and I hear a very familiar voice. I shove open the door and go in. It's my old friend Lord Byron, the calypso singer.

[Lord Byron]

So come to the Trade Winds Bar for your drinks. The price is right and the food, it's good too.

[Steve Mitchell]

And Lord Byron spots me at the bar and his face lights up like a neon sign.

[Lord Byron]

Oh, once was a brave man, Steve Mitchell. He the best ever came to Trinidad Colony. He made a friend of Lord Byron, that's me. And both of us went sailing out to sea. We ran into bad men in diving suits and had much trouble, you can bet your boots. But when all the fighting was over and done, the bad men had lost and Steve Mitchell had won. Steve. Steve Mitchell.

[Steve Mitchell]

Hello, Lord Byron. Hey, look, thanks for the free publicity, but I just assumed that nobody knew I'd ever been to Trinidad before but twice. Steve, at present I'm making like a typical tourism.

[Lord Byron]

Oh, you're after someone again, Steve.

[Steve Mitchell]

That's right.

[Lord Byron]

Why don't you give it up, Steve? Always you look for bad men. Why don't you forget it? Now, me, I'm a happy man. This is the life here. To go fish, to go sail, to lie in the sun, to be happy.

[Steve Mitchell]

That's nice work if you can get it.

[Lord Byron]

There is more to life than this.

[Steve Mitchell]

Well, I guess there shouldn't be, but.

[Lord Byron]

What's the matter, Steve?

[Steve Mitchell]

That girl who just came in.

[Lord Byron]

Girl? Oh, sure. She's nice looking, Steve. You want to meet her?

[Steve Mitchell]

I've already met her. Susan Gray. Works for a travel agency. Does she come in here often?

[Lord Byron]

Oh, yes, she comes in here almost every night. The tourists, she's always with them.

[Steve Mitchell]

I see. Well, that checks okay. I think I'll go have another talk with her.

[Lord Byron]

Be careful, Steve. No trouble.

[Steve Mitchell]

No trouble. Hi.

[Susan Gray]

Well, hello, Steve. I was just thinking about you.

[Steve Mitchell]

How was it?

[Lord Byron]

Hmm?

[Steve Mitchell]

Thinking.

[Susan Gray]

Nice.

[Steve Mitchell]

When do we start seeing the town together? Tonight, maybe.

[Susan Gray]

Oh, I'm Sorry, I have plans tonight, but we'll make it real soon.

[Steve Mitchell]

Okay?

[Susan Gray]

And in the meantime, I'm trying to line up a little trip you might be interested in.

[Abner H. Clay]

Oh, good evening, my dear.

[Susan Gray]

Oh, hello, Carlos.

[Airport/Police Official]

I do not believe I have met this man.

[Susan Gray]

Well, you couldn't have. Very well. I just met him a couple of hours ago myself. Steve Mitchell. Carlos Gelder.

[Steve Mitchell]

Hello.

[Airport/Police Official]

This man is perhaps bothering you, my dear?

[Susan Gray]

Of course not.

[Airport/Police Official]

He seems to be presuming upon a very short acquaintance.

[Steve Mitchell]

Look, buster, is there any law against talking to a girl in a bar?

[Airport/Police Official]

In this particular part of the world, there are many unwritten laws covering various subjects.

[Steve Mitchell]

Oh, what subjects? For instance?

[Airport/Police Official]

For instance, you.

[Susan Gray]

Carlos, please.

[Steve Mitchell]

Just a minute, Susan. Okay, Gelder, just what are those unwritten laws covering me?

[Airport/Police Official]

The same which applied to anyone who seeks to tread on forbidden ground.

[Steve Mitchell]

I could take that either of two ways.

[Airport/Police Official]

You may choose whichever you like, but just be certain that you do take it.

[Steve Mitchell]

Okay, for the time being.

[Airport/Police Official]

And I can assure you I am not talking in terms of the time being.

[Abner H. Clay]

Yeah, yeah.

[Steve Mitchell]

See you later, kids.

[Susan Gray]

Steve, I'm sorry. I'll get in touch with you later.

[Lord Byron]

Oh, Steve. She's a popular young lady.

[Steve Mitchell]

Too popular. Lord Byron. Who's that little gent in the white suit I was just exchanging gay repartee with?

[Lord Byron]

Oh, he's a bad man, Steve.

[Steve Mitchell]

Stay away from him.

[Lord Byron]

Oh, Carlos Gelder, he's a very powerful man.

[Steve Mitchell]

What's he do?

[Lord Byron]

No one knows. But in Trinidad, his name means trouble.

[Steve Mitchell]

I see. He and Susan seem pretty thick. One trouble plus one trouble is double trouble. Hey, wait a minute. They're leaving together.

[Lord Byron]

No, Steve.

[Steve Mitchell]

Yeah, I know. No trouble. See you later, Lord Barn. By the time I get outside, Susan and Gelder and Noah are in sight. I start along the sidewalk. Suddenly there's a guy walking beside me, a grinning native. I speed up. He stays with me. I stop. He throws a show and sends me lurching into the alley. Whirl around. There's another guy in the alley waiting for me also with a big grin on his face. And in his hand is a wicked looking knife with a spring blade. He edges towards me quietly, the knife held low and pointing up. The first guy is somewhere behind me. I flatten myself against the wall and wait, watching the knifer's eyes. He starts to jab. I swing my butts. The knife goes flying. But the guy just keeps grinning and moving in. I dive to the end of the valley, but the first guy jumps on me. I give him a left, but too late. They're both swarming all over me. One of them pins my arms, the other starts working me over. He's doing a good job on me. Body punches enough to hurt, but not enough to knock me out. After what seems like an hour, I guess he gets tired. He winds up and lets fly with one to my face. And that does it.

[Narrator]

Here's a word about another NBC chime favorite returning to the air this fall. It's Chester A. Riley, played by William Bendix in the hilarious Life of Riley. Riley will be back over most of these stations just one week from today. Chester may not be the combination of lady killer, star athlete and mental giant he thinks he is, but Mom, Babs and Junior love him anyway. And you love them all, even the friendly undertaker, Digger Odell. When the Life of Riley returns just one week from tonight, the chimes are your invitation. Now back to Dangerous Assignment and Steve Mitchell.

[Lord Byron]

Steve. Steve. Oh, Steve. Come on. Steve.

[Susan Gray]

Steve.

[Steve Mitchell]

Oh, Lord Byron.

[Lord Byron]

What happened? Steve?

[Steve Mitchell]

Oh, I wasn't playing tic tac toe.

[Lord Byron]

I don't know, Steve. It's no good. Someone was giving you a warning. Come on back into the bar with me.

[Steve Mitchell]

I could use a drink along about now. Look, did Susan and Gelder come back into the bar after I left?

[Lord Byron]

No, I. I didn't see them. Steve, Lord Byron is your friend. He gave you good advice.

[Steve Mitchell]

Yeah, yeah, I know his trouble. I'm afraid it's a little late in the game to back out now. Come on, let's go on over to the bar.

[Abner H. Clay]

So just then, this other guy sticks his head out and says, now get this. He says, okay, wise guy, how are you gonna get back? Don't you get it? How are you gonna get back? Yeah, that's the trouble. You guys just don't appreciate a good American joke.

[Steve Mitchell]

Scotch and soda, bartender.

[Abner H. Clay]

Hey, another American.

[Steve Mitchell]

Oh, yeah, another American.

[Abner H. Clay]

Clay's the name, friend. Abner H. Clay. Put her there.

[Airport/Police Official]

Hi.

[Steve Mitchell]

Mitchell's mine.

[Abner H. Clay]

Here, let me buy you a drink. Thanks, but I. I insist, friend. I insist.

[Steve Mitchell]

Okay, thanks.

[Abner H. Clay]

Well, well, well, well, well, well. It sure is good to run into another traveler from the blessed land. Yeah. Now, don't get me wrong, friend. I'm having a whale of a lot of fun on this trip, but I just haven't seen anything that compares with a little old hometown. Good old Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Yes. Say, say, I got a great idea. Why don't you and me do this town up together?

[Steve Mitchell]

Thanks a lot, but no thanks.

[Abner H. Clay]

Oh, come on. I can show you places you never even dreamed about.

[Steve Mitchell]

And girls, I suppose you've even got a chicken inspector badge, too, huh? Well, skip it.

[Abner H. Clay]

Oh, come on, friend. Let's make a night of it, huh? What do you say? After all, it's my last night here for a few days. I want to make the most of it.

[Steve Mitchell]

What do you mean, your last night?

[Abner H. Clay]

Well, gonna take a little boat trip around the islands. We shove off first thing in the morning. We just small party. About three others, I think.

[Steve Mitchell]

Just a minute. Are you by any chance traveling alone, Clay?

[Abner H. Clay]

Alone? I sure am. You know. Tell you how it happened. I was sitting there in my office in Milwaukee three months ago, and I suddenly said to myself, abner, my boy, what you need is a vacation. So here I am.

[Steve Mitchell]

I see. And this little boat trip you're leaving on in the morning. Mind telling me who arranged that for you?

[Abner H. Clay]

Not at all, my friend. Interocean Travel Agency right here in town. Hey, there's a little lady there who is Susan. Yes. You know her?

[Steve Mitchell]

Slightly.

[Abner H. Clay]

Oh, she sure been mighty sweet to me.

[Steve Mitchell]

I don't doubt it.

[Abner H. Clay]

Oh, come on, friend. Why don't you change your mind, make the rounds with me tonight?

[Steve Mitchell]

I just did change my mind. Let's go, friend.

[Abner H. Clay]

Oh, brothers. This someplace, huh, Steve?

[Steve Mitchell]

It looks about the same as the last five bars we've been in. Clay. Look, this boat trip you're taking in the morning. They told you where you're going?

[Abner H. Clay]

Oh, they said we'd poke around a few little islands in the out of the way places.

[Steve Mitchell]

I suppose you're taking all your luggage and papers with you?

[Abner H. Clay]

Well, that's right. Matter of fact, they told us to be sure and bring them. Oh, well, they said we might stay longer than we expected if found places we like.

[Steve Mitchell]

I see. Look, Clay, I.

[Abner H. Clay]

What's the matter, friend?

[Steve Mitchell]

Somebody just walked in, huh?

[Abner H. Clay]

Oh, Susan. Hey, Mitchell, I got a great idea. Why don't you come along on this trip?

[Steve Mitchell]

I don't know. It's pretty short notice.

[Abner H. Clay]

Well, Susan. Susan.

[Susan Gray]

Oh, well, it's Mr. Clay and Steve.

[Steve Mitchell]

Hello, Susan.

[Susan Gray]

I'm glad I ran into you again.

[Steve Mitchell]

Where's your boyfriend, Gelder?

[Susan Gray]

Oh, we had a quarrel. I'm awfully sorry about that scene he caused at the Trade Winds Bar.

[Steve Mitchell]

I collected a few lumps in an alley right after that.

[Susan Gray]

What?

[Steve Mitchell]

But I don't suppose you or Gelder would know anything about that.

[Susan Gray]

Of course not. I don't understand, Steve.

[Steve Mitchell]

I'll skip it.

[Abner H. Clay]

Say, Susan, I just had me a great idea.

[Susan Gray]

What is it, Mr. Clay?

[Abner H. Clay]

Well, Steve and me, we got to be old buddies. And I was wondering why couldn't he go along on this boat trip in the morning.

[Susan Gray]

I was working on a trip for Steve a little later on. I'm afraid the one tomorrow is pretty well booked up.

[Abner H. Clay]

Oh, well, I'll bet you could change that little lady, now couldn't you?

[Susan Gray]

Well, I suppose I could make some last minute arrangements.

[Abner H. Clay]

I'd sure appreciate it.

[Susan Gray]

All right.

[Abner H. Clay]

There. That's my girl. That's my girl all right.

[Susan Gray]

Yeah.

[Abner H. Clay]

How about that, Steve? Isn't that swell?

[Steve Mitchell]

Yeah, yeah.

[Abner H. Clay]

All right. And I'll tell you what. Meet me down at the dock at 7 tomorrow morning, okay?

[Steve Mitchell]

All right, Clay, I'll be there. Well, things are turning out a little differently than I'd bargained for. I'd figured on having more time to find out a few things about the Interocean Travel Agency before I took one of their little trips. But now here I am scheduled to sail in the morning. I'm not sure I like it, but I don't have any choice. To back out would probably arouse their suspicions. And besides, looks like I'm stuck playing nursemaid to the happy American tourist Clay, who's looking for all the world like the pigeon of the same name right now. The next morning I take my luggies down to the dock at seven o'.

[Abner H. Clay]

Clock.

[Steve Mitchell]

Susan and Clay are all ready there beside a small motor launch.

[Abner H. Clay]

Morning, Mitchell.

[Steve Mitchell]

Hi.

[Susan Gray]

Come on board, Steve.

[Abner H. Clay]

Okay.

[Steve Mitchell]

Now, where are all the other passengers?

[Susan Gray]

They should be along any minute.

[Steve Mitchell]

How many are there?

[Susan Gray]

Three.

[Abner H. Clay]

Well, great morning for a trip, huh?

[Steve Mitchell]

Yeah, but how about this boat? It doesn't seem to look big enough for much cruising.

[Susan Gray]

Oh, this is just a launch that'll take you to an island down the coast away. You'll pick up the cruise boat there.

[Steve Mitchell]

I see.

[Abner H. Clay]

Oh, here comes one of the other passengers now. No, no, I guess it isn't. Hey, it's that calypso singer.

[Steve Mitchell]

Hey, Lord Byron.

[Lord Byron]

Oh, Steve.

[Steve Mitchell]

What's the matter, Lord Byron?

[Lord Byron]

Nothing, nothing. I came down to give you a goodbye serenade.

[Susan Gray]

Oh, well, you really get service, Steve.

[Steve Mitchell]

Yeah, so it seems.

[Abner H. Clay]

Now where else could you find atmosphere like this? Our friend. Okay, let her go. Lord Byron.

[Lord Byron]

Oh, Steve Mitchell came down to Trinidad and met a girl who sure made him glad she worked for a travel agency and arranged little trips for a

[Susan Gray]

modest fee well, thanks for the plug then.

[Lord Byron]

Steve met a tourist in the bar last night who took him around and showed him the sights. But poor Steve Mitchell. He doesn't see that the tourist owns a travel agency. Well, happy trip, Steve.

[Abner H. Clay]

Lord Byron, come on back here. You're not going Anywhere, friend. Come on, get in the boat.

[Narrator]

Move.

[Lord Byron]

Very well.

[Steve Mitchell]

Thanks for the try anyway, Lord Byron.

[Lord Byron]

Sure, Steve.

[Abner H. Clay]

Okay, Susan, shove off.

[Susan Gray]

What about the other passengers?

[Abner H. Clay]

We can't wait for them. Now. We'll take care of these two birds first and then come back with the others. Get going.

[Susan Gray]

All right.

[Steve Mitchell]

You've been the big boy in this deal all along, Clay, huh?

[Abner H. Clay]

I sure have. Friendly.

[Steve Mitchell]

Well, I guess congratulations are in order. That's quite an act you put on being the great American tourist.

[Abner H. Clay]

Not bad at all, is it?

[Steve Mitchell]

And with Susan giving them the come on, I don't suppose you have much trouble getting all the unsuspecting tourists you need.

[Abner H. Clay]

We haven't had much trouble so far and that's the way we're gonna keep it.

[Steve Mitchell]

Do you mind telling me where we're going?

[Abner H. Clay]

Not at all, friend. Tobago Island, a little way down the coast. But, you know, really shouldn't matter much to you where you're going. As I'll tell you something, you and Lord Byron aren't coming back.

[Lord Byron]

Oh, Steve and Lord Biden got big troubles now they're locked up in the cabin of a little scowling the bad man. Tell them they are holding his sack. They go to an island, but they don't come back.

[Steve Mitchell]

Hey, look, will you lay off? It's bad enough being cooped up in here waiting for the axe without you making a musical comedy of it.

[Lord Byron]

All right, Steve, but why is he taking us to Tobago Island?

[Steve Mitchell]

That's probably where his agents are hiding out, waiting. It's probably also the tourist graveyard. Incidentally, where is Tobago Island?

[Lord Byron]

We've been cruising about two hours. There's another hour left to go.

[Steve Mitchell]

Wait a minute. We're turning and slowing up. I'm going to take a look out the portal. Hey, I thought you said it was another hour to Tobago Island.

[Lord Byron]

That's right, Steve.

[Steve Mitchell]

Well, don't look now, but there's a little island right in front of us.

[Lord Byron]

What?

[Steve Mitchell]

Yeah, and we're heading toward what looks like a little abandoned dock.

[Lord Byron]

Let me see. It's not Tobago Island. San Miguel.

[Steve Mitchell]

Wonder why the switch. You familiar with this island?

[Lord Byron]

Sure, Steve. Deserted island. I was here once.

[Abner H. Clay]

All right, friend. Holland Deck.

[Steve Mitchell]

I thought you said we were going to Tobago Island, Clay.

[Abner H. Clay]

We were, but Susan and I got to figuring maybe you were a little wiser to our operation than you've been letting on.

[Steve Mitchell]

I still don't get you, Clay.

[Abner H. Clay]

Maybe you already knew Tobago island was our rendezvous point. Maybe before you came down to the dock this morning, you arranged to have a little help show up There. All right, Come on ashore.

[Steve Mitchell]

Seems to me you're giving me a lot of credit, Clay.

[Abner H. Clay]

I figure it's always safer to overestimate the opposition than underestimate them. Susan. I spotted this little deserted island and figured it'd be a convenient place to stop for a while.

[Lord Byron]

I will lead the way. There is no train.

[Abner H. Clay]

I just don't get too far ahead of us.

[Steve Mitchell]

You've got the whole deal figured out, haven't you?

[Abner H. Clay]

I sure have, friend.

[Steve Mitchell]

Look, it seems to me you're taking care of Lord Byron and me the hard way. You could have tied us up and thrown us overboard.

[Abner H. Clay]

No, there's always the chance your bodies would start drifting around and be discovered. Much better to have you safely buried in the ground.

[Steve Mitchell]

I see. Just like you did with the other tourists, huh?

[Abner H. Clay]

You catch on quick, Mitchell. This underbrush is pretty thick.

[Lord Byron]

Follow closely in my tracks and you will have no trouble.

[Susan Gray]

Hey, he's an obliging guy all of a sudden, isn't he?

[Abner H. Clay]

Yeah. I don't get it. Well, here's a little clearing.

[Lord Byron]

Yes, this is where we stop.

[Susan Gray]

All right.

[Abner H. Clay]

It's as good as any.

[Steve Mitchell]

So this is the last stop, huh?

[Abner H. Clay]

For you and Lord Byron.

[Lord Byron]

For all of us.

[Susan Gray]

What do you mean?

[Lord Byron]

This San Miguel Islands is a very bad place.

[Abner H. Clay]

What are you talking about, Steve?

[Lord Byron]

You've heard the legend of San Miguel, haven't you?

[Steve Mitchell]

Legend of.

[Narrator]

Oh, yeah.

[Steve Mitchell]

Why, sure, sure. It's supposed to be a pretty bad place, isn't it?

[Lord Byron]

Yes, a very bad place.

[Abner H. Clay]

Look, bluffing's not gonna do you two any good.

[Lord Byron]

Now, it's no bluff. I will tell you the story of San Miguel.

[Abner H. Clay]

Oh.

[Lord Byron]

Once came a man to this island here. He built a house and he built a pier. Then he walked into this jungle so nicely and green and never anymore was he seen.

[Susan Gray]

Look, what are you giving us anyway?

[Steve Mitchell]

It's the truth, Susan. I remember it all now.

[Lord Byron]

The ground opened up and down he went. The earth closed over him without a dent. But on some nights, you can still hear him say from San Miguel island, stay away.

[Abner H. Clay]

All right, all right. That's enough of your silly song.

[Lord Byron]

He's not a silly song, Clay. Is truth. All over the island, quicksand.

[Susan Gray]

Quicksand.

[Steve Mitchell]

Sure, that's it. Quicksand. The whole place has quicksand under it. Every once in a while, the crust over it collapses.

[Abner H. Clay]

All right, I said cut out the fairy tale.

[Steve Mitchell]

It's no fairy tale. Look, Lord Byron's the only one who knows where to walk safely. You kill us and you'll never make it back to the beach.

[Susan Gray]

Clay. What if he's telling the truth?

[Abner H. Clay]

They're not telling the truth. I tell you they're bluffy.

[Susan Gray]

What was that?

[Steve Mitchell]

Probably a hunk of ground collapsing. Shut up, Mitchell.

[Abner H. Clay]

It's just an animal of some kind.

[Steve Mitchell]

Was it?

[Susan Gray]

There it is again. Where did it come from?

[Abner H. Clay]

Came from right over there.

[Steve Mitchell]

Thanks for turning your head away.

[Lord Byron]

Let move me.

[Steve Mitchell]

Mitchell, drop that gun before I break your arm.

[Abner H. Clay]

Sir, the quicksand story was a bluff.

[Steve Mitchell]

Sure it worked. Or Byron sharpened. I figured. Now drop that gun.

[Susan Gray]

Yay.

[Steve Mitchell]

That's better.

[Susan Gray]

I'll get it.

[Steve Mitchell]

Oh no, Susan. I'll take the gun. Clay, come back here.

[Lord Byron]

Let him go, Steve.

[Steve Mitchell]

Let him go. You crazy.

[Narrator]

Clay.

[Steve Mitchell]

Now he's out of sight.

[Lord Byron]

Do we not go far? Steve.

[Steve Mitchell]

What?

[Susan Gray]

Clay.

[Steve Mitchell]

What happened?

[Lord Byron]

Don't move, anyone.

[Steve Mitchell]

But what happened to Clay?

[Lord Byron]

He's gone. Quicksand. Huh?

[Steve Mitchell]

Quicksand.

[Lord Byron]

But I thought I was telling the truth. Is San Miguel very bad place?

[Steve Mitchell]

Oh, brother. All this time I thought we were just bluffing. Come on, let's get out of here.

[Lord Byron]

Lord Byron very happy to do just that.

[Susan Gray]

Look, you can't leave me here.

[Steve Mitchell]

Don't worry. You've got a date with the jail, Susan. And I imagine the harbor patrol will be happy to head for Tobago island to pick up Clay's voice.

[Lord Byron]

Well, let's go back to the beach, Steve.

[Steve Mitchell]

Okay, but just one thing now. Oh, Steve's friend Lord Byron has saved the day. And under the quick sand you'll find Clay. Now, two more words and then I'm through. My dear Lord Byron, after you.

[Narrator]

Dangerous Assignment, starring Brian Donlevy as Steve Mitchell, is written by Bob Rife and Adrian John Doe with music by Basil Adlam and is produced and directed by Bill Karn. Be with us again next week at this time when Brian Dunlevy starring as Steve Mitchell, will embark on another dangerous assignment. Three chimes mean good times on NBC Saturday night, Chimes mean Dennis Day and Judy Canova. Dennis Day will be back on Saturday, October 7th, just one week from tomorrow with more songs and merry, mischievous mix ups. The Judy Canova show returns on the same day and when Judy and her pals get together, it's 30 minutes of mountain style music and mayhem. The chimes are your invitation to Dennis Day and Judy Canova. And now stay tuned for Dimension X on NBC.

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