Dragnet: The Big Squealer 05/17/1955

Summary

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Podcast Summary:

Choice Classic Radio Detectives | Old Time Radio
Episode: Dragnet: The Big Squealer 05/17/1955
Date: February 24, 2026

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Episode Overview

This episode of Choice Classic Radio Detectives features a classic installment of Dragnet, titled "The Big Squealer" (originally aired on May 17, 1955). Sgt. Joe Friday and his partner, Frank Smith, investigate the stabbing of a teenage boy found in a downtown Los Angeles alley. The case leads them through a tangled web of teenage angst, parental neglect, and peer pressure, ultimately unraveling the complicated lives of troubled youth in 1950s Los Angeles.

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Key Discussion Points & Story Breakdown

1. The Case Introduction [00:22–02:46]

• Joe Friday and Frank Smith are on juvenile detail.
• They respond to a report of a teenage boy found critically injured in a downtown alley.
• The case weighs heavily on the detectives, sparking a brief personal exchange about fatherhood and family worries:
  • Frank: "15 years old, trying to hold up a liquor store." (01:11)
  • Joe: "Most of them turn out OK. I can't help worrying though." (01:17)

2. The Crime Scene & Initial Canvassing [02:46–08:36]

• The detectives survey the alley where the victim was found. Details include:
  • Knife wound in the back, evidence of being beaten, and lack of witnesses or suspects.
• Sam Crest, a tobacco shop owner, gives a memorable commentary on law and society:
  • Sam Crest: "You know, the way they keep making up new laws nowadays. A person can be a criminal without even half trying. Too many rules. That's what's wrong with this country." (04:34)
  • Sam recalls a nervous, red-haired teenager using his phone around 9 PM.

3. Hospital Interview With Victim [10:19–13:59]

• Doctors allow a brief interview with the victim, who identifies as "Tom" (later revealed as Tom Marcotte).
• Tom is evasive, first pretending amnesia, then spinning a tall tale:
  • Tom: "There was this black sedan, see?... 12 guys jumped out..." (12:04–12:19)
  • Joe Friday: "All right, that's enough." (12:19)
• Eventually, Tom provides a name and address, but claims ignorance about his assailant.

4. At the Marcotte Home: Family Dynamics [14:16–17:27]

• Interview with Tom's father reveals a broken, distant relationship:
  • Mr. Marcotte: "We aren't very close."
  • He admits little knowledge or interest in his son’s life, reflecting parental apathy.
  • Mr. Marcotte: "Father and son living in the same apartment. Like we speak a different language." (17:04)

5. School Investigation [17:27–19:40]

• The detectives learn from school staff that Tom is a poor, troubled student but capable of better.
• Ms. Rollins (homeroom teacher) explains Tom’s disruptive tendencies and hints at his lack of parental support:
  • Ms. Rollins: "He's noisy, lazy, impossible to discipline. Similar to a number of the others." (18:08)
  • Memorable moment: She wishes she’d been taught judo for the realities of teaching, not just literature. (19:34–19:40)
• Ms. Rollins mentions Arthur Jollett as Tom’s only close friend.

6. Arthur Jollett and the Code of Silence [19:40–23:32]

• Arthur is evasive and fearful, trying to cover for himself and Tom.
  • Arthur: "I’m no squealer." (22:33)
  • The detectives press for the truth, alluding to the danger Arthur might face for "squealing."
• After pressure, Arthur identifies the real assailant: Jerry Longren, a fellow student.
  • "It was Jerry. Tom tried to date his girl. Jerry heard about it, followed us last night." (22:55–23:04)
  • Arthur expresses real fear: "Jerry finds out I squealed on him, he'll do even worse to me. He ain't gonna find out, is he?" (23:09–23:14)

7. Aftermath and Moral Reflection [23:32–24:11]

• Narrator: The names have been changed, but the story is true.
• Both victim (Tom Marcotte) and attacker (Jerome "Jerry" Longren) face court: Tom goes to foster care; Jerry is sent to juvenile correction.
• The episode closes with a somber note about the real-life consequences of violence, troubled youth, and the complexities faced by families and schools.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Sam Crest on Law & Life:
  "Too many rules. That's what's wrong with this country. Too darn many rules. Ought to be just one. How's that do unto others as you would have them do unto you." (04:34–04:52)

• Ms. Rollins on Teaching:
  "As I continue in the profession, I discover that I omitted one essential course... Judo." (19:34–19:40)

• Arthur Jollett, resisting pressure:
  "I'm no squealer." (22:33)

• Frank Smith, parental anxiety:
  "You see a kid like that, you start wondering... how are your own kids going to turn out?" (01:07–01:17)

• Mr. Marcotte on his son:
  "Father and son living in the same apartment. Like we speak a different language." (17:04)

• Arthur Jollett, expressing fear of retaliation:
  "Jerry finds out I squealed on him, he'll do even worse to me. He ain't gonna find out, is he?" (23:09–23:14)

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Key Timestamps

• Case intro, personal exchange: [01:07–01:28]
• Crime scene interview, Sam Crest: [04:19–08:36]
• Hospital interview with Tom: [10:19–13:59]
• Marcotte home, father’s apathy: [14:28–17:27]
• Ms. Rollins’ teaching revelations: [18:08–19:40]
• Arthur under pressure: [21:02–23:32]
• Revelation and confession: [22:55–23:32]
• Court outcome & closing narration: [23:32–24:11]

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Tone & Style

• The episode maintains Dragnet’s hallmark terse, stoic delivery, balanced with occasional dry humor (notably in banter between Joe and Frank and in Ms. Rollins’ remarks).
• The storytelling is gritty and direct, highlighting both procedural police work and deeper social issues of adolescent alienation and strained familial ties.

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Conclusion

Dragnet: The Big Squealer offers a window into 1950s juvenile crime, the reluctance to "squeal," and the struggle for adults to connect with troubled youth. The case is resolved through steady detective work and the breaking of the adolescents’ code of silence, painting a vivid picture of a society—and a justice system—grappling with youthful violence, fractured homes, and the silence that endangers them all.

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Transcript

[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 [e-mail]

[Narrator / Joe Friday]

Dragnet

[Joe Friday]

Ladies and gentlemen, the

[Narrator / Joe Friday]

story you're about to hear is true. The names have been changed to protect the innocent. You're a detective sergeant. You're assigned to juvenile detail.

[Frank Smith]

You get a report that a teenage

[Joe Friday]

boy has been found in a downtown alley. He's in critical condition.

[Frank Smith]

Your job.

[Joe Friday]

Check it out. It was Wednesday, November 16th. It was cool in Los Angeles. We were working the day watch out of juvenile detail. My partner's Frank Smith. The boss is Captain Powers. My name's Friday. We're on our way into the office and it was 9:17pm when we got to the second floor of Georgia Street Juvenile Squadron.

[Frank Smith]

I don't know, Joe.

[Tom Marcotte / Arthur Jollett]

What?

[Frank Smith]

You see a kid like that, you start wondering.

[Joe Friday]

Yeah?

[Frank Smith]

15 years old, trying to hold up a liquor store.

[Joe Friday]

Kind of worries the guy. What do you mean?

[Frank Smith]

What about your own kids? How are they going to turn out?

[Joe Friday]

Most of them turn out okay. I can't help worrying though. Well, you're a father.

[Frank Smith]

Maybe you're better off, Joe, not having the worries.

[Joe Friday]

You really believe that?

[Narrator / Joe Friday]

I guess so.

[Joe Friday]

Why don't you stop down and marry me off?

[Frank Smith]

Oh, say, that reminds me.

[Joe Friday]

Yeah?

[Frank Smith]

You know the Phillips lived down the street from us.

[Joe Friday]

I don't think I do.

[Frank Smith]

They were over for dinner the same night you were. Well, last summertime, Faye made fried chicken.

[Joe Friday]

Oh, yeah. Remember? I remember the chicken. Go ahead.

[Frank Smith]

You're gonna spend Christmas with us, aren't you?

[Joe Friday]

Christmas?

[Frank Smith]

Faye told me to be sure and remind you it's only a month or so off.

[Joe Friday]

That soon, huh? Yeah.

[Frank Smith]

Can we count on you?

[Joe Friday]

Yeah. We're not working. Swell. I'll let Fay know. What's this got to do with the Phillips?

[Frank Smith]

Nothing.

[Joe Friday]

It's got nothing to do with them. Joe.

[Frank Smith]

Why are you so darn suspicious?

[Joe Friday]

Which one of them has the sister?

[Tom Marcotte / Arthur Jollett]

Huh?

[Joe Friday]

Come on. Mr. And Mrs. Which one?

[Frank Smith]

Both of them, for all I know.

[Joe Friday]

Well, which one has a sister who's coming out here for the holidays? Which one?

[Narrator / Joe Friday]

Mrs. Phillips.

[Joe Friday]

And they're all going to be at your place for Christmas dinner, is that it?

[Frank Smith]

Well, Faye hasn't asked them yet. She wanted to be sure that you

[Joe Friday]

okay to ask him. They're your friend. You won't regret it. Joe.

[Frank Smith]

You know, Mrs. Phillips is darn nice looking. Good talker to her. For sisters, anything like she do me

[Joe Friday]

one big favor with you.

[Frank Smith]

What's that?

[Joe Friday]

Christmas is still five weeks away. Don't start selling me now.

[Frank Smith]

I wouldn't try to sell you on any girl.

[Narrator / Joe Friday]

You know that.

[Joe Friday]

You bet.

[Frank Smith]

I never even met this one. I was just thinking that sometimes you can kind of sort of judge a person by family and

[Joe Friday]

Funeral Friday where's that? I see. Yep. Found a kid lying in an alley off Sheridan Street. He's hurt pretty bad.

[Frank Smith]

An accident.

[Joe Friday]

Knife in his back. Frank and I drove out to the address where the victim had been found. It was a dark alley that opened onto Sheridan street in the block between 5th and 6th. An ambulance had been called and the boy had already been moved to Georgia street receiving hospital. 9:42pm we talked to one of the patrol car officers who had discovered the body. We're only a couple of blocks away. We headed right over. Where'd you find him? Yeah, I'll show you. Right here against that wall.

[Frank Smith]

Must lost a lot of blood.

[Joe Friday]

Yeah. Knife still in him.

[Narrator / Joe Friday]

Small of the back.

[Joe Friday]

Look like he'd been beat up too. You say anything about who did it? Well, he mumbled something, we couldn't understand him and then he passed out.

[Frank Smith]

How old would you say he was?

[Joe Friday]

Oh, 15, 16 maybe. He's a good looking kid.

[Frank Smith]

About five, eight.

[Joe Friday]

Black hair, blue eyes, regular features. What kind of clothes? A jeans and a jacket. Windbreaker type. See anybody around who might have done it?

[Sam Crest]

No, not a soul.

[Joe Friday]

Street was deserted. My partner's out looking now.

[Narrator / Joe Friday]

I'll give him a hand.

[Joe Friday]

All right.

[Frank Smith]

Who filed a complaint?

[Joe Friday]

I don't know. I would check the board.

[Narrator / Joe Friday]

I'm afraid that won't help.

[Joe Friday]

Well, they don't know either. While a patrol car officer searched the neighborhood for suspects, Frank and I canvassed the area for the person who had reported the crime. 10:16pm we talked to the patrons in the nearby bar and grill. They denied having any knowledge of the assault. 10:42pm we entered a small tobacco shop on the corner of Sheridan and 8th.

[Sam Crest]

Evening, gents.

[Joe Friday]

How are you, sir? Hi.

[Sam Crest]

What can I do for you?

[Joe Friday]

For police officers, it's Frank Smith. My name's Friday.

[Sam Crest]

Sam Crest here.

[Joe Friday]

Mr. Crest.

[Sam Crest]

Something troubling you fellas?

[Joe Friday]

Like to talk to you for a minute, that's all.

[Sam Crest]

Done Anything I should?

[Joe Friday]

No, sir.

[Frank Smith]

Not as far as we know.

[Sam Crest]

Well, you never can tell. You know the way they keep making up new laws nowadays. A person can be a criminal without even half trying. Too many rules. That's what's wrong with this country. Too darn many rules.

[Joe Friday]

Yes.

[Sam Crest]

Ought to be just one. How's that do unto others as you would have them do unto you.

[Tom Marcotte / Arthur Jollett]

Golden rule.

[Sam Crest]

That ought to be more insufficient.

[Joe Friday]

Yeah.

[Sam Crest]

Don't work out that way, though. Man could live up to it every day of his life and still wouldn't keep him out of jail. Golden rule don't say nothing about paying income taxes or taking out licenses or filing Social Security reports.

[Joe Friday]

Well, does it? No, I haven't seen them.

[Sam Crest]

But you're in jail if you don't do them. Yeah, man can live, but the golden rule don't make no difference.

[Joe Friday]

It makes a difference.

[Sam Crest]

Oh, some maybe, but not enough.

[Frank Smith]

Have you been here all evening, Mr. Kraft?

[Sam Crest]

Since suppertime.

[Frank Smith]

When was that?

[Sam Crest]

6:30. Eat at the drugstore over on Soto Street. Stop serving food at 7.

[Joe Friday]

I see, sir. What time did you get back to the store? Do you remember?

[Sam Crest]

Oh, five hours maybe.

[Joe Friday]

And you've been here ever since?

[Sam Crest]

Sure. You ain't doubt my word?

[Joe Friday]

No, sir. I tell the truth, you know. Yes, sir.

[Sam Crest]

I may not get all my government forms figured out right, but I'm a truthful man.

[Frank Smith]

Anybody suspicious come in here tonight?

[Sam Crest]

Suspicious?

[Joe Friday]

Mm.

[Sam Crest]

I'm afraid you'll have to explain that. You see, I ain't no policeman. Folks don't look suspicious to me. They just look like folks.

[Joe Friday]

Well, any strangers, then?

[Sam Crest]

Sure, lots of strangers. Eight or ten, maybe. I see strangers to me, leastways. I don't get acquainted with folks easy. Man comes, buys a pack of cigarettes or some tobacco, don't make him a friend.

[Frank Smith]

ANNOUNCER had most of tonight's customers been in before?

[Sam Crest]

Oh, some of them had, yes. Some of them hadn't. I don't keep track. I see.

[Joe Friday]

Did you hear anything out on the street?

[Sam Crest]

Traffic, folks walking by? You fellas sure ain't very specific.

[Joe Friday]

Well, anything like a fight?

[Sam Crest]

Front of my place, in the neighborhood?

[Joe Friday]

Well, I didn't hear no fight.

[Sam Crest]

Somebody get to mixing it up?

[Joe Friday]

Looks that way.

[Tom Marcotte / Arthur Jollett]

Oh, yeah.

[Sam Crest]

That's the trouble with this world. People always squabbling. Wherever you go, whatever you do, it ends up in squabbling. Who was it?

[Joe Friday]

We don't know yet.

[Sam Crest]

Anybody hurt?

[Joe Friday]

Yes, sir.

[Sam Crest]

Well, probably brung it on himself, maybe.

[Frank Smith]

Were there any youngsters hanging around your place tonight, Mr. Crest?

[Sam Crest]

Youngsters?

[Frank Smith]

Teenagers.

[Sam Crest]

Well, if there was, I didn't notice. Them.

[Tom Marcotte / Arthur Jollett]

Kids, huh?

[Frank Smith]

Yes, sir.

[Sam Crest]

Well, I just don't know what we're coming to.

[Joe Friday]

Thank you very much, sir.

[Sam Crest]

Sure. Right.

[Frank Smith]

Good night, sir.

[Sam Crest]

Say, there was one. How's that one young fellow? He didn't hang around, though. He was in a big rush.

[Joe Friday]

You know him?

[Sam Crest]

No, I. No, I. I don't think I ever saw him before.

[Joe Friday]

Could you describe him for us?

[Sam Crest]

Oh, just an ordinary kid.

[Joe Friday]

How big was he?

[Sam Crest]

Oh, not big. He come up to about here on me. Probably don't have his full growth yet.

[Frank Smith]

I think you recall how he was dressed?

[Sam Crest]

Well, I didn't pay much attention. Only in the shop a couple of minutes.

[Joe Friday]

What color was his hair?

[Sam Crest]

Light reddish or bondish.

[Frank Smith]

Nice looking boy?

[Sam Crest]

Oh, no. Better or worse than most.

[Joe Friday]

What time did you see him?

[Sam Crest]

Must be nearly a couple of hours ago. Along about 9 o'.

[Narrator / Joe Friday]

Clock.

[Sam Crest]

Come charging in all out of breath.

[Joe Friday]

Yeah.

[Sam Crest]

Asked if I had a phone. I pointed out the booth over there in the corner.

[Joe Friday]

Go ahead.

[Sam Crest]

Well, there's nothing more to tell. He went over the booth, made a call, wasn't on the phone more than a few seconds and he come out and left the shop.

[Frank Smith]

Anything else you can tell us about him?

[Sam Crest]

I don't think so, no. Except that when he was leaving.

[Narrator / Joe Friday]

Yeah?

[Sam Crest]

He wasn't in a hurry. Like when he come in, he sort of peered out the door first. Seemed as though all the steam had

[Joe Friday]

gone out of him.

[Sam Crest]

He looked back over his shoulder.

[Joe Friday]

Yes, sir.

[Sam Crest]

The old ghost expression on his face.

[Joe Friday]

What do you mean?

[Sam Crest]

Like he was scared to death.

[Joe Friday]

While we're in the tobacco shop, we telephoned Georgia Street Receiving Hospital and talked to Dr. Sebastian. He told us that the victim was in a critical condition and had been moved to General Hospital. He also told us that they'd not been able to identify the boy. We called General and asked to be notified when he was able to talk. 11:31pm Frank and I went back to the office. Homicide was notified. Patrol car officers who discovered the body reported that they had not found any suspects in the vicinity of the crime. 11:46pm we checked with the crime lab. An examination of the weapon had revealed no useful fingerprints. It was a spring blade knife with an 8 inch blade. 12:02am Frank and I went off duty and another team of detectives continued the investigation. The next morning. Thursday, November 17th 8:12am

[Tom Marcotte / Arthur Jollett]

Morning, Joe. Hi. Anything new?

[Joe Friday]

No, not so far.

[Frank Smith]

How about Missing Persons?

[Joe Friday]

Nobody's reporting them.

[Frank Smith]

It's funny. You'd think somebody'd be looking for him by now. His folks or somebody.

[Joe Friday]

Yeah, you would.

[Frank Smith]

Any coffee or nothing?

[Joe Friday]

Yeah, help yourself. All right. Probably cold by now.

[Tom Marcotte / Arthur Jollett]

Better? Nothing.

[Joe Friday]

Did you miss breakfast?

[Frank Smith]

I wasn't hungry.

[Joe Friday]

Oh,

[Tom Marcotte / Arthur Jollett]

you're right.

[Joe Friday]

Huh? It's cold. Yeah.

[Frank Smith]

Say, Joe, about Christmas.

[Joe Friday]

What about it?

[Frank Smith]

Well, we won't invite Mrs. Phillips sister if you don't want us to. Now I Got to thinking last night. People shouldn't force a guy to get married and raise a family if it's against his best judgment.

[Joe Friday]

Well, who's getting married and raising a family? It's just a Christmas dinner, huh?

[Frank Smith]

Yeah, but you know Fang.

[Joe Friday]

Well, you know me. I got it. Juvenile. Friday? Yes, sir. All right, sir. Thank you very much. General Hospital. The boy's coming, too, huh?

[Frank Smith]

Can we talk to him?

[Joe Friday]

Yeah, for a minute or two. We better get a move on. Oh, Doc said to hurry. Frank and I drove out to General Hospital. The doctor in charge of the case was waiting for us in the hall outside the patient's room.

[Narrator / Joe Friday]

Smith and fighting.

[Joe Friday]

Yes, sir. I like to go in. Don't stay too long. All right.

[Frank Smith]

You gonna be all right, doc?

[Tom Marcotte / Arthur Jollett]

It's too soon to tell. If the wound was an inch higher,

[Joe Friday]

I could give you an answer. Yeah, it'd be. We went on into the room. The shades were drawn and the victim was in semi darkness. His eyes were open, but he closed them as soon as he saw us enter.

[Frank Smith]

How you feeling, son?

[Joe Friday]

Son?

[Tom Marcotte / Arthur Jollett]

I'm okay.

[Joe Friday]

Like to talk to you for a couple of minutes.

[Tom Marcotte / Arthur Jollett]

No way stopping you, is there?

[Joe Friday]

What's your name, son?

[Tom Marcotte / Arthur Jollett]

What's yours?

[Joe Friday]

Smith. Frank Smith.

[Frank Smith]

My partner's Joe Friday.

[Joe Friday]

Cops? That's right. Well?

[Tom Marcotte / Arthur Jollett]

Well, what?

[Joe Friday]

How about telling us who you are? I forgot. Well, you know, Amnesia. Yeah. How'd you get hurt? Kid forgot that too.

[Frank Smith]

They're trying to help you, son.

[Tom Marcotte / Arthur Jollett]

Not my fault. I don't remember nothing.

[Joe Friday]

You know, you're pretty sick. Sure, but it's not amnesia.

[Tom Marcotte / Arthur Jollett]

You a duck?

[Joe Friday]

No.

[Tom Marcotte / Arthur Jollett]

Can you tell what's wrong with me?

[Frank Smith]

Who knifed you?

[Tom Marcotte / Arthur Jollett]

Now, what happened?

[Joe Friday]

Come on. What's your name?

[Tom Marcotte / Arthur Jollett]

Abraham Lincoln. You guys can call me Abe.

[Joe Friday]

All right, we'll find out.

[Frank Smith]

Go ahead. What are you doing on Sheridan street last night?

[Sam Crest]

At where I was?

[Joe Friday]

You want him to get away with it?

[Tom Marcotte / Arthur Jollett]

Who?

[Joe Friday]

Fella that stuck a shiv in your back.

[Tom Marcotte / Arthur Jollett]

Now, who'd do a thing like that?

[Joe Friday]

That's what we want you to tell us.

[Tom Marcotte / Arthur Jollett]

Hey, you know what? It's all starting to come back to me.

[Joe Friday]

Tell us about it.

[Tom Marcotte / Arthur Jollett]

There was this black sedan, see? Great big job.

[Joe Friday]

Yeah.

[Tom Marcotte / Arthur Jollett]

I was walking along the street. Sedan pulled up beside me. 12 guys jumped out.

[Joe Friday]

Yeah.

[Tom Marcotte / Arthur Jollett]

Told you it was a big job. Six of them tried to grab.

[Joe Friday]

All right, that's enough.

[Tom Marcotte / Arthur Jollett]

Thought you want to know what happened. It was all wearing masks.

[Joe Friday]

I said, that's enough.

[Tom Marcotte / Arthur Jollett]

Sure.

[Joe Friday]

Now, you listen to me, son. We're gonna find out who you are and who stabbed you sorry?

[Tom Marcotte / Arthur Jollett]

I ain't in a position to offer a reward.

[Joe Friday]

You want your face in all the newspapers?

[Sam Crest]

What for?

[Tom Marcotte / Arthur Jollett]

I ain't important.

[Joe Friday]

I said we're gonna find out who you are. Well, okay.

[Tom Marcotte / Arthur Jollett]

You want to play detective, let's have it. Tom.

[Joe Friday]

Tom what?

[Tom Marcotte / Arthur Jollett]

Marco?

[Joe Friday]

Where do you live?

[Tom Marcotte / Arthur Jollett]

Diamond Street.

[Joe Friday]

What number?

[Tom Marcotte / Arthur Jollett]

Apartment house. Corner of Diamond Olympics. Second floor in the back.

[Joe Friday]

Now I suppose you tell us what happened last night.

[Tom Marcotte / Arthur Jollett]

Guy jumped me. That's all I know.

[Joe Friday]

Who was he?

[Tom Marcotte / Arthur Jollett]

I don't know. I never saw him before.

[Joe Friday]

You sure about that?

[Tom Marcotte / Arthur Jollett]

Yeah.

[Joe Friday]

What did he look like?

[Narrator / Joe Friday]

I don't know.

[Tom Marcotte / Arthur Jollett]

It was Doc.

[Joe Friday]

Somebody your own age?

[Sam Crest]

Heck, no.

[Frank Smith]

How old was he?

[Sam Crest]

30, 35.

[Joe Friday]

Why'd he pick you?

[Sam Crest]

I don't know.

[Tom Marcotte / Arthur Jollett]

Must have thought I had some dough.

[Joe Friday]

You never saw him before?

[Tom Marcotte / Arthur Jollett]

That's what I said.

[Joe Friday]

How tall was he?

[Sam Crest]

I don't know.

[Joe Friday]

Did you get a look at his face? Uh. Can you tell us anything about him?

[Tom Marcotte / Arthur Jollett]

Nope.

[Joe Friday]

But you know how old he was?

[Tom Marcotte / Arthur Jollett]

I got a feeling, that's all.

[Joe Friday]

Yeah.

[Narrator / Joe Friday]

Where do you go to school?

[Tom Marcotte / Arthur Jollett]

Taylor high.

[Sam Crest]

What year?

[Narrator / Joe Friday]

10.

[Joe Friday]

Any gangs in your school? I don't know. You don't belong to one, do you? Nope. You had any kind of trouble lately?

[Tom Marcotte / Arthur Jollett]

What kind of trouble?

[Joe Friday]

With the other kids at the school.

[Tom Marcotte / Arthur Jollett]

Didn't you guys get anything straight? I wasn't a kid.

[Joe Friday]

Who do you live with? Martha?

[Tom Marcotte / Arthur Jollett]

My old man.

[Frank Smith]

Where's your mother?

[Tom Marcotte / Arthur Jollett]

Under a tombstone.

[Frank Smith]

We'll get in touch with your dad.

[Tom Marcotte / Arthur Jollett]

What for?

[Frank Smith]

He might be worried about you.

[Tom Marcotte / Arthur Jollett]

Want to bet?

[Joe Friday]

We were unable to get any additional information from the victim. We went back to the office and checked the name Tom Market through R and I. They had Nothing on them. 9:47am Frank and I drew out to the address he'd given us. It was a two story stucco apartment house badly in need of repair. We went up the second floor.

[Frank Smith]

Must be this one.

[Joe Friday]

Yeah. I don't hear anybody.

[Narrator / Joe Friday]

Take it easy, William.

[Joe Friday]

All right.

[Narrator / Joe Friday]

What's all the pounding for?

[Joe Friday]

Market.

[Narrator / Joe Friday]

Yeah?

[Joe Friday]

We're police officers. Frank Smith. My name's Friday.

[Narrator / Joe Friday]

Well, what do you want?

[Joe Friday]

Come in for a minute.

[Narrator / Joe Friday]

If you don't, I'm gonna fall flat on my face. Oh, boy. My head's coming apart in shreds. Kind of tied one on last night.

[Joe Friday]

That so?

[Narrator / Joe Friday]

Haven't got an aspirin, have you? No, sir.

[Joe Friday]

Right.

[Narrator / Joe Friday]

Not can of beer?

[Frank Smith]

No, no.

[Narrator / Joe Friday]

That's what I really need. Usually keep a couple in a refrigerator for an emergency like this, but that kid of mine's been guzzling him again.

[Joe Friday]

Could I talk to you about your son, Mr. Market?

[Narrator / Joe Friday]

Yeah.

[Joe Friday]

You know he didn't come home last night.

[Narrator / Joe Friday]

Didn't he?

[Joe Friday]

Nope.

[Narrator / Joe Friday]

No way of me knowing it. I work nights, drive a hack. Don't get home before or 5. He leaves for school before I wake up. What'd you pick him up for?

[Joe Friday]

He's not under arrest.

[Tom Marcotte / Arthur Jollett]

Huh?

[Joe Friday]

He's in the hospital. Hospital? That's right. He was stabbed last night, huh? Yeah.

[Narrator / Joe Friday]

It's gonna be all right, ain't he?

[Joe Friday]

They don't know yet. Oh.

[Frank Smith]

He thought you might be able to help us.

[Joe Friday]

Help you?

[Tom Marcotte / Arthur Jollett]

Yeah.

[Frank Smith]

Find out who did it.

[Joe Friday]

You know who your son's friends are?

[Narrator / Joe Friday]

I don't know nothing about him. We don't? Well, we aren't very close.

[Frank Smith]

Has he been worried lately about anything?

[Joe Friday]

Upset?

[Narrator / Joe Friday]

No more than usual.

[Joe Friday]

How's he doing? School lousy.

[Narrator / Joe Friday]

Well, always ask me to come down and talk to him. Principals, teachers, what do they say about him?

[Joe Friday]

I don't go.

[Narrator / Joe Friday]

I went a couple of times when he first came to live with me. Didn't do any good.

[Joe Friday]

That so?

[Narrator / Joe Friday]

I can't change him. Anything I tell Tom just rubbed him the wrong way. So he's on his own.

[Joe Friday]

How long has your son lived with you? Three years. How about before that?

[Narrator / Joe Friday]

He was with his mom.

[Joe Friday]

Yeah.

[Narrator / Joe Friday]

She divorced me a couple years after he was born. Took him with her when she died. There was nobody else to look after him. He had to come back to me.

[Joe Friday]

Yeah.

[Narrator / Joe Friday]

I gotta get me a glass of water. And only take a second.

[Joe Friday]

Yeah. Looks like the kid was right about his father. Maybe. He doesn't seem very upset. No.

[Narrator / Joe Friday]

This guy has stopped his drinking.

[Joe Friday]

Yeah.

[Narrator / Joe Friday]

Never used to feel like this when I was younger.

[Joe Friday]

Is that right?

[Narrator / Joe Friday]

Could go on a bat for two, three days, come out of it and feel okay. Can't take it anymore.

[Joe Friday]

Officer will be leaving if you'd like to see your son. He's at General Hospital.

[Narrator / Joe Friday]

Tom asked to see me.

[Joe Friday]

He's pretty sick. Market.

[Narrator / Joe Friday]

You talked to him, didn't you?

[Joe Friday]

That's right.

[Narrator / Joe Friday]

He asked to see me.

[Joe Friday]

No, he didn't.

[Narrator / Joe Friday]

Didn't think so. I guess I can't blame him for hating me. He figures I didn't want him after his ma died. Figured I had to take him.

[Tom Marcotte / Arthur Jollett]

Yeah.

[Narrator / Joe Friday]

Tried to tell him different. He didn't believe me. We just can't talk, Tom and me. Father and son living in the same apartment. Like we speak a different language. Think I'd go down and see him?

[Joe Friday]

Well, that's up to you.

[Narrator / Joe Friday]

Be nice for me. It's funny. Live with somebody who hates you. Your own son.

[Joe Friday]

Now maybe you're wrong about him.

[Narrator / Joe Friday]

I see it in his face, his eyes, the way he talks. Every time I look at him, I can see it. Tom's the one who's wrong.

[Joe Friday]

Yeah.

[Narrator / Joe Friday]

It's not his fault, but he's wrong. You wouldn't believe it on a stack of Bibles. Even you guys don't.

[Frank Smith]

What's that?

[Joe Friday]

That I love. Frank and I drove out to the Taylor High School on Grand Avenue. 10:57am we interviewed the principal, James Wingore. He told us that Tom Market was a poor student and that he was difficult to manage. He also told us that the boy had a good mind and was capable of much better work than he performed. He was unable to throw any light on the knifing and suggested that we talk with the Victim's homeroom teacher, Ms. Nora Rollins. 11:16am we interviewed Ms. Rollins in a small room which adjoined the principal's office.

[Ms. Nora Rollins]

I'm supposed to be giving an English examination during this period. Sergeant.

[Joe Friday]

Yes, ma'.

[Narrator / Joe Friday]

Am.

[Joe Friday]

This will only take a couple minutes.

[Frank Smith]

You have a student named Tom Marcotte?

[Ms. Nora Rollins]

Certainly. He's in my homeroom.

[Joe Friday]

What kind of a boy is he?

[Ms. Nora Rollins]

Noisy, lazy, impossible to discipline. Similar to a number of the others. He's absent today, though.

[Joe Friday]

Yes, ma'. Am.

[Ms. Nora Rollins]

We know something happened to Tom.

[Joe Friday]

He's had an accident.

[Ms. Nora Rollins]

An accident? Or a fight?

[Joe Friday]

Why do you say that? It'll be the first time he had any fights lately.

[Ms. Nora Rollins]

Came to school with a cut lip two or three weeks ago.

[Frank Smith]

Does Tom have any particular enemies?

[Ms. Nora Rollins]

I really don't know. There are over 75 students in my homeroom. It's a little difficult to know very much about any of them.

[Frank Smith]

Yes, ma'.

[Tom Marcotte / Arthur Jollett]

Am.

[Joe Friday]

How about friends? Who's he pal around with? Do you know?

[Ms. Nora Rollins]

Nobody in particular as far as I can tell, no. Wait a minute. There's one boy, ma'.

[Tom Marcotte / Arthur Jollett]

Am.

[Ms. Nora Rollins]

Arthur Jollett.

[Joe Friday]

What does he look like?

[Ms. Nora Rollins]

He's small, red haired. Almost as troublesome as Tom.

[Joe Friday]

Is he in school today?

[Ms. Nora Rollins]

I believe so, ma'.

[Joe Friday]

Am.

[Frank Smith]

Is there anything else you can tell us about Tom?

[Ms. Nora Rollins]

No, except that I don't have much hope for him.

[Joe Friday]

How's that?

[Ms. Nora Rollins]

I've asked his father to come in and see me several times. So far, he's always declined the invitation.

[Joe Friday]

Really?

[Ms. Nora Rollins]

Is Tom badly hurt?

[Joe Friday]

Yes, ma', am. Pretty bad.

[Ms. Nora Rollins]

What was it?

[Joe Friday]

Knife wound. Oh.

[Ms. Nora Rollins]

17 years ago, when I first started teaching. That would have shocked me. I see. Was a very naive young lady, Sergeant.

[Frank Smith]

Is that right?

[Ms. Nora Rollins]

I thought All a person had to do to become a teacher was to take the right courses, get a degree and a credential. Seems such a simple matter. I wanted to teach English literature, so I studied English literature. Shakespeare, Chaucer, Browning, Keats, Shelley.

[Joe Friday]

Yes, ma'. Am.

[Ms. Nora Rollins]

As I continue in the profession, I discover that I omitted one essential course.

[Joe Friday]

What's that?

[Tom Marcotte / Arthur Jollett]

Judo.

[Joe Friday]

We asked Mr. Wingore if we could interview a student named Arthur Jollett. He asked his secretary to have the boy sent into us.

[Frank Smith]

Sounds like he's the one who called in the report. Well, must have been with Marcotte when it happened, huh?

[Joe Friday]

Come in.

[Tom Marcotte / Arthur Jollett]

You want to see me?

[Joe Friday]

That's right. Come in, son.

[Frank Smith]

You're Arthur Jolland, huh?

[Tom Marcotte / Arthur Jollett]

Ain't that who you asked for?

[Joe Friday]

Sit down, son. We're police officers. Smith. My name's Friday.

[Frank Smith]

Do you have a friend named Tom Marcotte?

[Joe Friday]

I know him. Pretty good. Friend of yours, is he?

[Tom Marcotte / Arthur Jollett]

He's a friend.

[Joe Friday]

You been with him lately?

[Tom Marcotte / Arthur Jollett]

When?

[Joe Friday]

Yesterday, Day before.

[Tom Marcotte / Arthur Jollett]

Sure.

[Joe Friday]

Where?

[Tom Marcotte / Arthur Jollett]

Here. We've got some of the same subjects.

[Joe Friday]

How about after school? Huh? You saw him after school, did you?

[Tom Marcotte / Arthur Jollett]

Night before last.

[Joe Friday]

Last night, too. Uh, where were you last night?

[Tom Marcotte / Arthur Jollett]

Movie.

[Joe Friday]

Well, who'd you go with?

[Tom Marcotte / Arthur Jollett]

Went alone.

[Frank Smith]

What movie?

[Tom Marcotte / Arthur Jollett]

Double bill in Hollywood.

[Frank Smith]

What'd you do afterwards?

[Tom Marcotte / Arthur Jollett]

Fixed a ride home.

[Joe Friday]

Spend any time around Sheridan Street? Where's that? Want us to show you, huh? Come on. We'll take you over there.

[Tom Marcotte / Arthur Jollett]

What for?

[Joe Friday]

Like to have you meet a man who runs a tobacco shop in that part of town.

[Tom Marcotte / Arthur Jollett]

You kidding us, huh?

[Joe Friday]

Young fella came into his place last night. So? The way he described him, it could be you.

[Tom Marcotte / Arthur Jollett]

He must be blind or something.

[Joe Friday]

Well, let's find out. Come on. Come on.

[Tom Marcotte / Arthur Jollett]

Okay, so maybe I was in his neck of the woods. What's the beef?

[Joe Friday]

Your friend Market was around there too, wasn't he?

[Tom Marcotte / Arthur Jollett]

Coincidence?

[Joe Friday]

Yeah.

[Tom Marcotte / Arthur Jollett]

What's the matter with Tom, anyhow? Why ain't been in school today?

[Joe Friday]

He's in the hospital.

[Tom Marcotte / Arthur Jollett]

Oh.

[Joe Friday]

Good thing you called us when you did. He might be dead by now. Who says I called you? Man who runs the tobacco shop.

[Sam Crest]

How the heck could he tell the.

[Tom Marcotte / Arthur Jollett]

Well, I mean, who I was calling.

[Joe Friday]

All right, Jollo, give us the whole story now, will you?

[Tom Marcotte / Arthur Jollett]

What story?

[Narrator / Joe Friday]

Come on.

[Joe Friday]

Let's get it over with.

[Tom Marcotte / Arthur Jollett]

It's about Tom. Ask him.

[Joe Friday]

We're asking you. You want us to take in?

[Sam Crest]

Of course not.

[Joe Friday]

It's up to you.

[Tom Marcotte / Arthur Jollett]

Ain't much to tell. Just walking around, Tom and me.

[Joe Friday]

Yeah.

[Tom Marcotte / Arthur Jollett]

Fellow jumped out from an alley, came at us with a knife. Go Ahead took a swing at Tom. I ducked off.

[Joe Friday]

Yeah?

[Tom Marcotte / Arthur Jollett]

Called the cops. That's all I know.

[Joe Friday]

Who was it?

[Tom Marcotte / Arthur Jollett]

Joe guess is as good as mine.

[Joe Friday]

We don't think so.

[Tom Marcotte / Arthur Jollett]

Suit yourself.

[Joe Friday]

I thought Tom was a friend of yours. He is, but we want to know who stabbed him.

[Tom Marcotte / Arthur Jollett]

What do you expect me to do? Dream up a name.

[Joe Friday]

How big was he?

[Tom Marcotte / Arthur Jollett]

Medium size.

[Joe Friday]

How old?

[Tom Marcotte / Arthur Jollett]

19, 20.

[Joe Friday]

Tom says he was about 35.

[Tom Marcotte / Arthur Jollett]

Tom ought to know. He's a lot closer to him.

[Joe Friday]

All right, let's go down to the juvenile bureau.

[Tom Marcotte / Arthur Jollett]

Oh, I told you everything I know.

[Joe Friday]

Want to show you some mug shots. Forget it.

[Tom Marcotte / Arthur Jollett]

I wouldn't recognize this picture.

[Joe Friday]

Let's give it a try anyway.

[Tom Marcotte / Arthur Jollett]

I'll take it easy, will you?

[Joe Friday]

What's the matter?

[Tom Marcotte / Arthur Jollett]

I don't want to be seen leaving with you guys.

[Joe Friday]

Is that right?

[Tom Marcotte / Arthur Jollett]

Wouldn't do my reputation any good.

[Joe Friday]

Who are you afraid of?

[Tom Marcotte / Arthur Jollett]

I ain't afraid.

[Joe Friday]

The guy who knifed your buddy. Is that who you're afraid of?

[Tom Marcotte / Arthur Jollett]

Look, if Tom wanted you to know, he'd have told you, wouldn't he? Tom ain't dead.

[Joe Friday]

All right, come on, John. Let's go.

[Tom Marcotte / Arthur Jollett]

Give me an answer. Is Tom okay or not?

[Joe Friday]

Does that make any difference to you?

[Tom Marcotte / Arthur Jollett]

Sure it makes a difference.

[Joe Friday]

It doesn't look like it to us.

[Tom Marcotte / Arthur Jollett]

I'm no squealer.

[Joe Friday]

All right, you've had your chance. Now you got to go in. Come on.

[Tom Marcotte / Arthur Jollett]

You can't arrest me.

[Joe Friday]

A boy was stabbed last night. You saw it. As far as we know, you're the only other person who was there. Now, you figure it out.

[Tom Marcotte / Arthur Jollett]

I didn't have nothing to do with it. Tom will tell you. So throw me in jail. My old man will kill me.

[Joe Friday]

Well, that's tough.

[Tom Marcotte / Arthur Jollett]

I ain't gonna take the rap.

[Joe Friday]

It's up to you. Okay. Okay.

[Tom Marcotte / Arthur Jollett]

It was Jerry.

[Joe Friday]

Jerry who? Longer he'd go to this school.

[Frank Smith]

Yeah.

[Joe Friday]

What was it all about?

[Tom Marcotte / Arthur Jollett]

Tom tried to date Jerry's girl. Jerry heard about her, followed us last night.

[Frank Smith]

I'll get a hold of longer.

[Joe Friday]

All right.

[Tom Marcotte / Arthur Jollett]

Hey, wait a minute.

[Joe Friday]

Yeah.

[Tom Marcotte / Arthur Jollett]

Jerry finds out I squealed on him, he'll do even worse to me. He ain't gonna find out, is he?

[Joe Friday]

We won't tell him.

[Tom Marcotte / Arthur Jollett]

If it tumbles, you can start sending flowers. Jerry's the big man around school.

[Joe Friday]

Yeah.

[Narrator / Joe Friday]

What?

[Tom Marcotte / Arthur Jollett]

Six foot, lots of muscle, lots of shove?

[Joe Friday]

Well, that doesn't make him a big man, does it? Huh?

[Tom Marcotte / Arthur Jollett]

He needs a knife.

[Narrator / Joe Friday]

The story you've just heard is true.

[Joe Friday]

The names were changed to protect the innocent.

[Judge / Court Announcer]

On December 2, a hearing was held in juvenile departments Superior Court, State of California, in and for the county of Los Angeles. Petitions were filed on both the victim and the subject. The victim, Thomas Marcotte, was placed under 24 hour supervision in a foster home. The subject, Jerome Longren, due to a previous juvenile record and the viciousness of the attack, was sentenced to a juvenile correctional establishment.

[Narrator / Joe Friday]

You have just heard Dragnet. The authentic story of your police force in action. And starring Jack Webb. A presentation of the United States Armed Forces Radio Service.