Dangerous Assignment: The Lost City 05/17/1950

Summary

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Dangerous Assignment: The Lost City (Aired 05/17/1950)

Podcast: Choice Classic Radio Detectives | Old Time Radio

Host: Choice Classic Radio
Starring: Brian Donlevy as Steve Mitchell
Date of Episode: March 18, 2026 (Rebroadcast)

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Episode Overview

In this thrilling episode of "Dangerous Assignment," government agent Steve Mitchell is dispatched to Arabia on a mission to uncover the disappearance of 100,000 barrels of oil. The investigation leads him through a web of murder, deceit, and international intrigue, culminating in a dramatic standoff in a lost city's underground pipeline. Listeners are transported into the heart of classic radio detective storytelling with sharp banter, colorful characters, and a climactic bluff for survival.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Assignment: Missing Oil in Arabia

• Commissioner gives Steve his mission: 100,000 barrels of oil are missing from Five Star Oil in Arabia. Stakes are high, as the loss could mean the forfeit of a major international oil concession.
  • “Get out your pith helmet, Steve. You’re leaving for Arabia on the next plane.” (01:24, Commissioner)

2. The Investigation Begins

• Steve meets with Mr. Williams (field manager) and Harun (assistant manager):
  • Discrepancy first spotted when the checker at the Morani field reported a shortfall; the regular checker, Youssef, died in a bar brawl the night before.
  • “Youssef... died in a cafe brawl. He was very fond of the dancing girl, Sarita, and very jealous of her.” (04:50, Harun)

3. At the Oasis Club

• Steve investigates Youssef’s death:
  • He questions Sarita and her acquaintance, Triflis, about the murder.
  • Triflis, who owns the truck line moving oil, reveals business ties to both the oil field and Sarita.
  • Memorable exchange with Sarita:
    • “Many men are in love with Sarita, Mr. Mitchell. It is a pity, but it is fate. Youssef was merely one of them.” (06:35, Sarita)
    • “Modesty is for the unlovely.” (07:29, Sarita)

4. Unraveling the Oil Theft

• Discussion with Harun and Williams:
  • Steve probes procedures for tracking oil from field to trucks to tankers, suspects potential for truck-based theft, but Harun insists it’s impossible as he checks trucks himself.
  • Revealed: Triflis (truck owner) is Harun’s brother-in-law.
  • “Triflis is my brother-in-law.” (09:27, Harun)

5. The Pipeline Patrol

• Steve rides with Dean, the pipeline’s patrol pilot:
  • No evidence is spotted from the air; theft at pipeline level seems implausible. Dean mentions ruins called “The Lost City of Inzac.”
  • “That’s what they call the Lost City of Inzac. Several thousand years old.” (11:00, Dean)

6. Warehouse on the Waterfront

• Steve investigates suspicious warehouse in Kwatif:
  • Learns the “Royal Institute of Archaeology” is a front; the warehouse is owned by Triflis (along with his truck line).
  • Steve’s web of suspicion tightens: Triflis owns truck line, warehouse, is related to Harun, and was close to Youssef.

7. Ambush and Attack

• Steve is attacked under the pier while inspecting a barge holding stolen oil:
  • Escapes by diving into the water, is rescued by police Lieutenant Samka.
  • “Well, thanks for fishing me out.” (15:55, Steve Mitchell)

8. A Fatal Parachute Jump

• Steve decides to parachute into the ruins to catch the thieves; Samka insists on joining:
  • Sabotaged parachute: Samka’s doesn’t open (it was meant for Steve). Steve lands safely, suspecting Williams.

9. The Real Culprit Revealed

• The confrontation in the lost city’s ruins:
  • Steve and Harun discover an underground pipeline connected to the main line, invisible from above.
  • “No wonder Dean couldn’t spot anything from the air. Well, it was a pretty nice scheme, Harun.” (21:28, Steve Mitchell)
  • Mr. Williams surprises them, admitting to masterminding the scheme, planning to kill Steve and Harun and destroy evidence.
  • “You had a pretty good scheme cooked up here. You organize a fake expedition... and tap the main line.” (23:04, Steve Mitchell)
  • “15,000 a year, but 100,000 barrels of oil is worth a quarter million bucks, Mitchell. You figure it out.” (23:13, Mr. Williams)

10. The Oil-Flooded Stand-Off

• Steve’s climactic bluff:
  • He and Harun flood the basement with oil, threatening to ignite it with a lighter to force Williams to surrender.
  • “This is a cigarette lighter. I’m holding it right next to this stream of oil. All I have to do is make a small—this whole place will go up in flames.” (25:47, Steve Mitchell)
  • Williams backs down—only to later learn Steve’s lighter has no flint.
  • “You were just bluffing... a bluff is the best poker hand in the world as long as the opposition doesn’t call.” (27:31, Steve Mitchell)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the assignment:

  • “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.” (00:59, Steve Mitchell)

• Sarita’s worldview:

  • “Modesty is for the unlovely.” (07:29, Sarita)

• Commissioner’s dry humor:

  • “You won’t be riding any camels unless you find some carrying oil in their humps.” (01:30, Commissioner)

• Steve’s bluff:

  • “Look, when you’ve got no cards, you’ve got to bluff. But a bluff is the best poker hand in the world as long as the opposition doesn’t call.” (27:31, Steve Mitchell)

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• Assignment details and missing oil: 01:24 – 02:18
• Interview with Williams & Harun: 03:13 – 04:50
• Oasis Club, Sarita & Triflis: 05:24 – 08:09
• Pipeline & patrol pilot perspective: 09:48 – 11:22
• Warehouse discovery & attack: 12:05 – 13:56
• Interrogation with police & parachute plot: 15:18 – 19:10
• Lost city, pipeline revelation, and main confrontation: 20:45 – 25:56
• Steve's bluff and the wrap-up: 25:59 – 27:31

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Episode Tone and Style

With wisecracks, suspenseful narration, and atmospheric soundscapes, "Dangerous Assignment" pulses with the intrigue and bravado of mid-century pulp adventure. Steve Mitchell’s wry observations and fearless improvisation drive the story, balanced by colorful supporting roles and the exotic trappings of classic radio adventures.

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Summary

An assignment to investigate missing oil in Arabia plunges Steve Mitchell into a tangled web involving murder, smuggling, and an elaborate underground theft scheme. Through sharp detective work and a bold, high-stakes bluff, Steve turns the tables on the real villain, field manager Williams. The episode captures the spirit and energy of radio’s golden age with witty exchanges, nail-biting suspense, and the satisfying comeuppance of a well-executed con.

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Transcript

[Choice Classic Radio Announcer]

Welcome to Choice Classic Radio where we bring to you the greatest old time radio shows like us on Facebook, subscribe to us on YouTube and thank you for donating at choiceclassicradio.com Wheaties presents Dangerous Assignment.

[Narrator]

On stage tonight from Hollywood. Dangerous Assignment. Another in the Wheaties big parade of exciting half hour presentations. 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 that this assignment is going to end up with me depending for my life on my own cigarette lighter. Morning, Commissioner.

[Commissioner]

Get out your pith helmet, Steve. You're leaving for Arabia on the next plane.

[Steve Mitchell]

Arabia? Now look, my days as a camel jockey are over.

[Commissioner]

Don't worry, you won't be riding any camels unless you find some carrying oil in their humps.

[Steve Mitchell]

Oil? What's the deal?

[Commissioner]

That's the deal. 100,000 barrels of it missing.

[Steve Mitchell]

Look, since when have we been playing nursemaid to oil companies?

[Commissioner]

This is a lot bigger than any oil company. Steve. Three days ago the sheik's inspector found a discrepancy in the figures of one of the oil companies, the Five Star. Unless the matter is cleared up to the Sheik's satisfaction, we may lose the entire concession.

[Steve Mitchell]

Oh, who do I talk to over there?

[Commissioner]

Mr. Williams, the field manager of Five Star. Their headquarters are in Merani, near the Persian Gulf. Steve, get over there and find out what happened to that oil. Well, that's it. You've got your assignment. Good luck.

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[Narrator]

Now here is Dangerous Assignment starring Brian Dunleavy in the role of Steve Mitchell, colorful two fisted government agent.

[Steve Mitchell]

Yeah, this is going to be a breeze. All I have to do is fly halfway around the world to a Sweltering spot in Arabia take care of a little matter like finding a mere hundred thousand barrels of missing oil. And I've got a strong hunch that somewhere along the line I'll run into someone who'll say drop dead to me and mean it. It's Thursday when I get the Morani and Williams, the field manager of Five Star Oil, is waiting for me in his office together with his assistant, a guy named Haroun.

[Mr. Williams]

Well, I'll tell you all I know, Mitchell, but that isn't much. On our last shipment, the sheik's inspector claimed we were 10,000 barrels short of what their figures showed we pumped out of the ground. The sheik gets royalty on every barrel, so he was pretty sore about it.

[Steve Mitchell]

Yeah, I can imagine.

[Mr. Williams]

William Harun here can probably tell you more about this than I can. I was on a business trip to Cairo when it all came up, as my assistant, Haroun was in charge here.

[Steve Mitchell]

I see. What happened after discrepancy was spotted? Harun?

[Harun]

In order to pacify the sheik, we passed the matter off as an error in our bookkeeping and paid the royalty. But then we started investigating quietly and discovered that over the past month there has been a loss of 100,000 barrels.

[Steve Mitchell]

Well, tell me what happens to the oil from the time it leaves the wells until it's shipped out of here?

[Mr. Williams]

The wells are north of here. The oil's pumped down here to Morani through a patrol pipeline. There's a checker on each end of the line.

[Steve Mitchell]

Then, as I get it, on this particular shipment, your checker at the fields checked a certain amount of oil into the pipeline. But your checker at this end checked out 10,000 barrels less.

[Harun]

Yes, it was his first day on the job.

[Steve Mitchell]

Oh. Well, what happened to the regular checker?

[Harun]

Oh, you mean Youssef. The evening before he died in a cafe brawl.

[Steve Mitchell]

Oh, that's very interesting. Where did this fight take place?

[Harun]

At the Oasis Club. Yusef went there regularly. He was very fond of the dancing girl, Sarida, and very jealous of her. She is believed to be the reason for the fight.

[Steve Mitchell]

I see. Well, I think I'll go over to the Oasis Club and see what I can turn up there. I'll see you around. Gentlemen.

[Oasis Club Host]

Good evening, effendi. Welcome to the Oasis Club. You would like a table?

[Steve Mitchell]

That dancing girl out there, is her name Sarita?

[Oasis Club Host]

Oh, yes, that is Sarita. Is she not beautiful?

[Steve Mitchell]

Yeah, I guess she's not afraid of catching cold either.

[Oasis Club Host]

I do not understand, effendi.

[Steve Mitchell]

Oh, skip it, will you? Tell her I'D like to talk to her when she's through with her dance.

[Oasis Club Host]

At once, effendi. Our table is over in the corner. If you will wait there, I will send her to you.

[Narrator]

Thank you.

[Commissioner]

Yes?

[Steve Mitchell]

Oh, I'm sorry. I thought this was Sarita's table.

[Triflis]

But it is. Sit down.

[Steve Mitchell]

Oh, thanks. Are you a friend of Sarita's?

[Triflis]

Ever so.

[Steve Mitchell]

And you? Well, I'm sort of a friend of a friend of hers.

[Triflis]

Yeah. I see. Oh, here she comes now.

[Sarita]

You are the one who wished to see Sarita?

[Steve Mitchell]

Yeah. My name's Steve Mitchell.

[Sarita]

I see the two of you have already met.

[Steve Mitchell]

Well, not officially.

[Sarita]

This is trifless.

[Triflis]

I delighted.

[Sarita]

And what do you wish of Sarita, Mr. Mitchell?

[Steve Mitchell]

A little information about your dead boyfriend, Yusuf.

[Sarita]

Many men are in love with Sarita, Mr. Mitchell. It is a pity, but it is fate. Yusuf was merely one of them.

[Steve Mitchell]

I see. Well, was it fate that killed him?

[Sarita]

I do not understand.

[Steve Mitchell]

How did it happen?

[Sarita]

It was during my dance. I heard sudden shouts, then the lights went out.

[Steve Mitchell]

Such a pity.

[Triflis]

I might have saved Yosef had I acted more quickly.

[Steve Mitchell]

What do you mean, Treflis?

[Triflis]

Well, I was standing over at the bar when the fighting started. But just as I got to Yusef, the lights went out and there he was lying on the floor with a

[Steve Mitchell]

knife in his back.

[Triflis]

Such a pity. He was a very dear friend of mine. I miss him greatly.

[Steve Mitchell]

Did Yusuf ever mention his job with a Five Star to you? Sarita?

[Sarita]

No, Sarita is not interested in such things.

[Steve Mitchell]

Oh. What sort of things is Sarita interested in?

[Sarita]

Her beauty.

[Steve Mitchell]

Modest little Daisy, aren't you?

[Sarita]

Modesty is for the unlovely.

[Triflis]

Is she not completely charming, Mitchell?

[Steve Mitchell]

Well, that's one word for it. This fight that killed Youssef took place four nights ago, right?

[Triflis]

Let me see. Yes, yes, that is correct. I remember because the next morning I made a business trip to the coast.

[Steve Mitchell]

What kind of business?

[Triflis]

You entered with several little enterprises. This trip involved one of them a truck line which I operate.

[Steve Mitchell]

What do you haul?

[Triflis]

Oil. From here in Marani to the town of Katif on the Persian Gulf.

[Steve Mitchell]

You don't haul for the Five Star Oil Co. By any chance, do you?

[Triflis]

Well, as a matter of fact, yes. They are one of my accounts.

[Steve Mitchell]

I see. Oh, thanks for the conversation, Sarita. Tripless. It was very interesting,

[Triflis]

Everyone.

[Harun]

Yes.

[Steve Mitchell]

This swindle has undoubtedly been going on for some time. If the missing total adds up to 100,000 barrels. Now look, suppose all the oil has reached this end of the line. Could amounts of it be stolen after that?

[Harun]

Why, it would be very difficult.

[Steve Mitchell]

What happens to the oil after it gets here?

[Harun]

It is pumped into large storage tanks.

[Steve Mitchell]

Are those tanks checked regularly?

[Triflis]

Fairly regularly.

[Steve Mitchell]

Well then after that the oil is pumped into trucks and taken to the town of Kwatifies on the Persian Gulf.

[Harun]

Why yes, I believe I forgot to

[Steve Mitchell]

tell you that I picked it up. Is it possible that a couple of extra truckloads could be slipped out without the company knowing it?

[Harun]

Absolutely impossible. I checked the trucks out myself.

[Steve Mitchell]

I see. Incidentally, a guy named Triflis runs that truck line, doesn't he?

[Harun]

Why yes he does.

[Steve Mitchell]

You know much about him?

[Harun]

Why of course. I'm sure he's a man of character.

[Steve Mitchell]

How do you know?

[Harun]

Triflis is my brother in law.

[Mr. Williams]

Oh, hello Mitchell. Turned up anything so far?

[Steve Mitchell]

Oh, nothing except a bunch of loose ends, Williams.

[Mr. Williams]

That's too bad. Means my job. This mess isn't cleared up, it means

[Steve Mitchell]

your whole company and all the other oil companies too. Look, you say this pipeline is patrolled?

[Mr. Williams]

Yes, by plane, every day.

[Steve Mitchell]

Who's your pilot?

[Mr. Williams]

Guy named Dean. Matter of fact, he should be getting ready to take off right now.

[Steve Mitchell]

Well, call the airfield and tell Dean to wait for me. I'd like to go along for the ride. Lots of sand down there, Dean.

[Dean]

You can say that again, Mitchell. A lot of sand and a lot of pipe. And this is about the most monotonous job in the world.

[Steve Mitchell]

Yeah, I can imagine. You keep this baby at a pretty low altitude, don't you have to?

[Dean]

So I can spot leaks in the line?

[Steve Mitchell]

Look, could anyone tap into the pipeline without your spotting it?

[Dean]

I don't see how. Even if they tried it at night I fly so low I could spot the tire tracks the next day. And you can see yourself. There's not a track in that sand for miles around.

[Steve Mitchell]

Yeah. Hey, getting kind of dark. I guess waiting for me made you later than usual, huh?

[Dean]

Oh, a little, but that's okay.

[Steve Mitchell]

The water over there, is that the Persian Gulf?

[Dean]

Yeah.

[Steve Mitchell]

How far from here is it?

[Dean]

Oh, eight, ten miles.

[Steve Mitchell]

What are those ruins over there on the coast?

[Dean]

That's what they call the Lost City of Insac. Several thousand years old. Great spot for archaeologists.

[Steve Mitchell]

Wait a minute.

[Dean]

What's the matter?

[Steve Mitchell]

I thought I saw a light over there.

[Dean]

Probably a reflection off the water. Nobody's been around there for at least six months. The last expedition was from London. I think they still have their equipment stored in a warehouse over in Kwatif, down the coast.

[Steve Mitchell]

Oh yeah? Hey, just a hunch, but I think I'll take a trip over To Kwatif. As soon as you get this buggy back. It's night. When I get to Kwatif, I nose around until I locate the warehouse. Right on the waterfront and all boarded up. The sign on it says Royal Institute of Archaeology, London. I nose around some more and find out that the warehouse is owned by an outfit called Gulf Enterprises. I head for their office. I wonder if you could tell. Well, my old friend Trestles.

[Triflis]

Oh, Mitchell, is it not?

[Steve Mitchell]

It is, yes.

[Triflis]

But of course. We met at the Oasis Club in Malani only last evening. The beautiful Sarita.

[Steve Mitchell]

My compliments to the beautiful Sarita. Don't tell me that you run Golf Enterprises. Why not? Looks like you're a pretty enterprising gent. A truck line. A warehouse.

[Triflis]

Warehouse? Oh yes, the one in the waterfront. I had almost forgotten the place. I have not been near there in months.

[Steve Mitchell]

That archaeology outfit rents it from you, huh?

[Triflis]

Yes. They still have much of their equipment stored there. They send me a check every few months from London.

[Steve Mitchell]

Why do you ask? Oh, just curious. You seem to have your finger in quite a few pies. Trifless.

[Wheaties Announcer]

Indeed.

[Steve Mitchell]

Indeed. You truck oil here to the coast for the Five Star outfit. You also happen to own a warehouse that's rented to an outfit who's been poking around in some ruins up the coast.

[Mr. Williams]

And?

[Steve Mitchell]

And you also happen to be the brother in law of Harun, the assistant manager of Five Star. To say nothing of being a friend of the dead checker Youssef.

[Triflis]

This is all quite accurate and interesting, Mitchell, but what does it prove?

[Steve Mitchell]

It doesn't prove anything. Trifless. But it sure sounds like a nice cozy arrangement. I'll be seeing you. I head back to the warehouse and try to get in, but it's boarded up tight. I circle around into the water. The back end of the building rests on a pier. Then I spot something under the pier. A good sized barge. I climb aboard and a strong smell hits me. Oil. Now I know I'm getting warm. Then I hear a sound behind me. I spin around and spot three gents in white robes. And just one look at them tells me they don't want to shake hands. I swing on the nearest one. He goes down. I hit the water. Start swimming. Do not let him get away.

[Harun]

Stay careful.

[Steve Mitchell]

I didn't figure them for guns. I've got to get underwater. But just as I start to dive.

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[Narrator]

Now back to dangerous assignment and Steve Mitchell.

[Steve Mitchell]

There he is, floating in the water.

[Harun]

Stop the launch.

[Lieutenant Samka]

Abura Abdul. Pull him out of the water.

[Harun]

Easy, easy.

[Steve Mitchell]

So put him down on deck. Oh. Oh my head.

[Lieutenant Samka]

Oh, he's still alive.

[Steve Mitchell]

You want to bet? You're lucky. This is lucky.

[Lieutenant Samka]

It appears the bullet merely creased the skull.

[Steve Mitchell]

Well, if it's all the same to you, I like to part my hair on the other side. Hey, look. Who are you?

[Lieutenant Samka]

Lieutenant Samka of the police. We heard shots and came here in the launch to investigate. You were floating in the water, about to go under.

[Steve Mitchell]

Well, thanks for fishing me out.

[Lieutenant Samka]

It's now my turn to ask questions. Who are you?

[Steve Mitchell]

Steve Mitchell.

[Harun]

Steve Mitchell?

[Lieutenant Samka]

Ah yes, a government agent from the United States States.

[Steve Mitchell]

You've got big ears, Lieutenant.

[Lieutenant Samka]

It is my business. Start the launch, Abdul. Yes, you are here to investigate the oil scandal. Or is the purpose of your visit rather to whitewash the company involved?

[Steve Mitchell]

That's a pretty bad guess, Samka. Hey, where are we going? Back to the dock. Well, it's been a short acquaintance, but a happy one, Lieutenant. Thanks again.

[Lieutenant Samka]

Oh, do not think that our acquaintance will be ended when I reach the dock, Mitchell. I will be seeing you again soon. Oh yes indeed. I will make a point of it, Mitchell.

[Steve Mitchell]

I go back to my hotel and change into dry clothes. My head's throbbing plenty, but I know I've still got a big night's work ahead of me. I phoned the Commissioner and asked him to check on the Royal Institute of Archaeology in London. An hour later he calls me back and tells me the phony's. It's an outfit, so there's no record of them in London. Next I call Williams, the field manager.

[Mr. Williams]

What's on your mind, Mitchell?

[Steve Mitchell]

Ever hear of the lost city of Inzac, Williams?

[Mr. Williams]

Sure, bunch of ruins up the coast Away? Why?

[Steve Mitchell]

I want to take a trip up there in a hurry.

[Mr. Williams]

How do those ruins tie into the deal?

[Steve Mitchell]

That's what I want to find out. Can you get your pilot to fly me up there tonight? Tonight?

[Mr. Williams]

There's no place to land around there.

[Steve Mitchell]

That's why I'll need a parachute.

[Mr. Williams]

Parachute? You gonna jump?

[Steve Mitchell]

You know a quicker way of getting down?

[Mr. Williams]

No, but. Okay, Mitchell, if you think it'll accomplish anything, go ahead. It's probably too late as far as I'm concerned though.

[Steve Mitchell]

What do you mean?

[Mr. Williams]

Just got a call from the president of the company. He wants me to meet him in Cairo. I got a strong hunch I'm gonna get canned, so I guess you are on your own. But be careful, Mitchell.

[Steve Mitchell]

Yeah, yeah. How about the plane?

[Mr. Williams]

I'll call Dean right now and tell him to get out of the airfield and warm it up. He'll be ready for you in a couple of hours.

[Steve Mitchell]

Sorry to pull you out of the.

[Dean]

That's okay. We're just about warmed up here. They sent this parachute for you.

[Steve Mitchell]

Thanks. You know, it's a long time since I've had one of these babies. On, Mitchell.

[Wheaties Announcer]

Huh?

[Narrator]

Mitchell.

[Steve Mitchell]

Oh, Lieutenant Samka.

[Lieutenant Samka]

Yes, Lieutenant Samka. Where do you think you're going?

[Steve Mitchell]

On a little plane trip. Look, are you my official bodyguard or something?

[Lieutenant Samka]

In this case, I am your official fellow passenger.

[Steve Mitchell]

Oh, well, I don't think you like this. It involves a parachute jumper.

[Lieutenant Samka]

Well then I must provide myself with the necessary equipment.

[Steve Mitchell]

Hey, that's my parachute.

[Lieutenant Samka]

It was your parachute. Now it is mine.

[Steve Mitchell]

If you want to go on this trip, get your own.

[Lieutenant Samka]

Thank you, but I prefer yours. It might be safer.

[Steve Mitchell]

Oh, you don't trust me at all, do you?

[Lieutenant Samka]

Frankly, no.

[Steve Mitchell]

Well, what am I supposed to use for the jump? A beach umbrella?

[Dean]

I think there's another parachute in the hangar, Mitchell.

[Steve Mitchell]

Okay, well, I'll be with you in a minute.

[Dean]

Well, as long as you two guys are determined to jump, you picked a good night for it. Look at that moon.

[Steve Mitchell]

Yeah. Aren't those the ruins just ahead? Uh huh.

[Dean]

We're a little to the windward of them. You should land pretty close.

[Steve Mitchell]

This about the right spot, Dean?

[Dean]

Anytime.

[Steve Mitchell]

Well, see you on the ground, Samka. Here goes. I bail out. The air rushes by me while I jerk at the rip cord. The chute streams out behind me. I start praying and she snaps open and yanks me upright. I look down at the moonlit desert and then. It's Samka. But his chute didn't open. I turn my head away and then I realize his chute was supposed to be my chute. And I'm pretty sure that somebody has made sure it wouldn't open. A minute later, I'm on the ground right beside the ruins. There's nothing I can do for Samka. I find a building better preserved than the rest. There are tracks leading in and out. I go in and the smell of oil hits me right in the face. There's a trapdoor on the floor. I start to open it, then I freeze. Footsteps outside. I duck back into the shadows. Hold it right there. Let me get my light on you. Well, well, if it isn't Harun.

[Harun]

Mitchell, what are you doing here?

[Steve Mitchell]

I guess I don't need to ask you the same question, Harun.

[Harun]

But you do not understand. I was merely.

[Steve Mitchell]

Save it, Harun. Open that trapdoor. Trapdoor right there in front of you. I don't think we're gonna find down below what will surprise either one of us.

[Harun]

Mitchell, you must listen to me.

[Steve Mitchell]

Open it.

[Harun]

Very well.

[Steve Mitchell]

Short flight of stairs and more oil smell. Okay, you go first. And remember, I've got you covered. Hey, pretty large basement for an old ruined building, isn't it?

[Harun]

Yes, it seems to be.

[Steve Mitchell]

Okay, stay put while I flash my light around. Yeah, there it is.

[Harun]

A small pipeline.

[Steve Mitchell]

Yeah, a small pipeline. Underground, heading straight west toward the Five Star pipeline. No wonder Dean couldn't spot anything from the air. Well, it was a pretty nice scheme, Harun.

[Harun]

Mitchell. Mitchell. I swear, even though he is my brother in law, I did not dream until now that he.

[Steve Mitchell]

What are you talking about?

[Harun]

Why my brother in law, Triflis. I realized that you suspected him and it aroused my suspicions of him. I also found out he owned the warehouse that the expedition had rented. I came here to investigate. I realize now that your suspicions were justified.

[Steve Mitchell]

Look, as assistant field manager, you could have engineered the whole deal. And Tripless was in a good spot to help you. Now you're trying to pin the whole deal on him.

[Harun]

No, no, no, no. It is not true. You must believe me, Mitchell. I have had nothing to do with it.

[Steve Mitchell]

Come on, I've seen enough here. I'm going back to town and tell him about this underground pipeline. And you're coming with me. It won't work.

[Mr. Williams]

Mitchell.

[Harun]

Mitchell. A flashlight.

[Mr. Williams]

Now you're trying to ease out of a tight space, pretending Harun is the boy. But it won't work. Drop the gun, Mitchell.

[Steve Mitchell]

Williams. I said drop the gun.

[Mr. Williams]

Okay, now kick it over towards me.

[Commissioner]

That's a boy.

[Steve Mitchell]

I kind of figured you'd be hanging around in the shadows. Here somewhere. Williams, as soon as that parachute failed to open, I knew you were my boy.

[Mr. Williams]

So you weren't wearing that. Shoot, Mitchell.

[Steve Mitchell]

How'd you get up here so fast?

[Mr. Williams]

I got a two hour head start on a fast launch and waited here just in case anything went wrong with my parachute gang.

[Steve Mitchell]

You know, I gotta hand it to you, Williams. You had a pretty good scheme cooked up here. You organize a fake expedition to come up to these ruins. They run an underground pipeline over to the main line and tap it. And then you cart the oil away on barges from here.

[Mr. Williams]

Yeah. Too bad that Checker mine got himself killed in that fight when I was in Cairo. He's been covering for me.

[Steve Mitchell]

What's the matter, Williams? Wasn't Five Star paying you enough salary?

[Mr. Williams]

Sure, 15,000 a year. But 100,000 barrels of oil is worth a quarter million bucks, Mitchell.

[Steve Mitchell]

You figure it out. Right now I'm trying to figure out what you're going to do with Haroun and me.

[Mr. Williams]

I think you'll see the answer to that as soon as I get some stuff I've got upstairs.

[Steve Mitchell]

What stuff?

[Mr. Williams]

Oh, just a couple of little items like rope and dynamite.

[Wheaties Announcer]

Some people are very lucky they don't have to buy Wheaties. They just pitch a no hit, no run ball game or slam the apple out of the park and they win a whole case of Wheaties. Take Ralph Kiner. He's probably still working on the Last of the 54 home run cases he got last season with the Pittsburgh Pirates. Ralph figures Wheaties are plenty okay. He told us. I don't think there's a breakfast dish anywhere that can beat milk, fruit and Wheaties. Breakfast of champions. From that remark, I just figured that Mr. Kiner wouldn't even mind going out and buying his Wheaties if he had to. And I reckon you won't either. After all, it isn't much of a trip. Just down to the grocery.

[Narrator]

And now here is the conclusion of dangerous assignment.

[Harun]

Mitchell. What is he going to do?

[Steve Mitchell]

It's pretty obvious. Wait. Hey, that valve in the pipe overhead. What? Here, give me a hand with it. We've got to get it open in a hurry.

[Harun]

But I still don't understand.

[Steve Mitchell]

Help me open it. William's just gonna tie us up here and then blow the whole works up.

[Harun]

It is opening.

[Steve Mitchell]

Come on, get the valve wide open. There.

[Harun]

But what good will it do to flood this basement with oil? Those. Those fumes.

[Steve Mitchell]

The fumes and the oil are the only things that can save us. Harun, wait. Maybe.

[Harun]

Maybe we can follow the pipeline underground. And escape that way.

[Steve Mitchell]

No soap. They filled in the tunnel all around that pipe.

[Harun]

Mitchell. Mitchell, the oil is ankle deep already.

[Steve Mitchell]

Good. Now, where's that cigarette lighter of mine?

[Harun]

Lighter? Wait, Mitchell, wait.

[Steve Mitchell]

Brother, you could cut these fume glasses. Okay, boys, get up on the beam of my flashlight. Here we are, William. Hey. Hey, wait a minute.

[Mr. Williams]

Mitchell, what are you doing?

[Steve Mitchell]

Just giving the place a little oil bath, Williams. What have you got in your hand? Drop it. Oh, no. You drop that gun, Williams, right now.

[Dean]

You crazy?

[Mr. Williams]

I'll fill you so full at home.

[Steve Mitchell]

Oh, no, you won't. This is a cigarette lighter. I'm holding it right next to this stream of oil. All I have to do is make a small. This whole place will go up in flames so quick you'll never make it

[Triflis]

to that trap door.

[Mr. Williams]

Cigarette lighters don't always light, Mitchell.

[Steve Mitchell]

Sorry, buster. This is an Evans. It never misses. I'll give you just three seconds. I could kill you before you light it. Try it. One. Talking like a madman.

[Dean]

Two.

[Steve Mitchell]

Wait. No, no. Stop the gun. Okay, okay. Now come here. I want to use that rope you're carrying. Tie him up. Harun. Look out.

[Harun]

M. I'll take that lighter.

[Steve Mitchell]

Have a fist and stuff that. My, my, my. Well, I guess there's one way of rubbing his nose in it. Hell. Come on, Har. Let's get him upstairs.

[Harun]

He is covered with oil.

[Steve Mitchell]

Yeah. You got him?

[Harun]

Yes.

[Steve Mitchell]

Up the steps with him.

[Harun]

These fumes, M. One spark would have turned this place into an inferno.

[Steve Mitchell]

You're telling me. Here we are. Set him down on the floor. All right. Now, come on. Let you and me get some fresh air before we keel over.

[Harun]

That is better. Mitchell, I must say, you have nerves of steel.

[Steve Mitchell]

Yeah. Right. Now they're creaking a little bit. I could use a cigarette.

[Harun]

Yes, of course. Here, I have one.

[Steve Mitchell]

Thanks. How about a light?

[Harun]

Oh, but your cigarette lighter.

[Steve Mitchell]

Oh, that. I keep forgetting to get flints for it. It doesn't work.

[Wheaties Announcer]

What?

[Harun]

But I heard you say to Williams that.

[Steve Mitchell]

Yeah, Williams didn't know. I didn't have any flint in it.

[Harun]

Mitchell, you were just bluffing.

[Steve Mitchell]

Look, when you've got no cards, you've got a bluff. But a bluff is the best poker hand in the world. As long as the opposition doesn't call. You and Williams didn't call. Now, how about a match?

[Narrator]

Dangerous Assignment, starring Brian Donlevy as Steve Mitchell, is written by Bob Rife with music by Basil Adlam, and is produced and directed by Bill Karn. Join us again next Wednesday when Brian Donlevy as Steve Mitchell embarks on another dangerous assignment.

[Wheaties Announcer]

And this is your Wheaties man, Frank Martin, inviting you to listen next Monday night to Frank Lovejoy in Nightbeat on the Wheaties Big Parade. See you then.

[Narrator]

Going to bake a pie sometime soon. Make it with crust, quick. The Betty Crocker Pie Crust Mix. You know, it's a tender, flaky crust that's at the bottom of every delicious pie. Sure as you used. Crust quick and so easy.

[Sarita]

Just add water to crust quick.

[Steve Mitchell]

Mmm.

[Narrator]

And what? Pie crust, Tender crust, tasty crust, Rich, short, lovely crust. Just like Betty Crocker makes. And you can make it.

[Sarita]

Just add water to crust quick.

[Narrator]

Crust quick. The Betty Crocker Pie Crust Mix. Tomorrow's family programs include the aldrich's and father knows best on NBC.