Rocky Fortune: The Shipboard Jewel Robbery 10/20/1953

Summary

Podcast Summary: Rocky Fortune – The Shipboard Jewel Robbery (10/20/1953)

Podcast: Choice Classic Radio Detectives | Old Time Radio
Episode Airdate: April 2, 2026 (originally aired October 20, 1953)
Starring: Frank Sinatra as Rocky Fortune

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Episode Overview

This classic episode of "Rocky Fortune" transports listeners aboard a luxury liner traveling from Bermuda to New York. Frank Sinatra’s Rocky Fortune—forever unlucky with steady work—takes a steward’s job at sea. The voyage quickly turns turbulent when a $50,000 jewel heist, an assault, and murder interrupts the cruise, with Rocky as the prime suspect. Juggling romance, comic relief, and a mounting body count, Rocky must clear his name and trap the real criminals before the ship docks.

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Key Discussion Points & Story Breakdown

1. Rocky’s New Job and Flirtation with Helen (01:04–04:04)

• Rocky, ever the drifter, gets hired as a steward, joking about his inability to hold down a job.
• His playful exchanges with nurse Helen Travers, RN ("Registered Knockout"), set a flirtatious tone.
• Rocky’s comedic advances:

  "My heart is going pitter pat." (01:57, Rocky)
  "Open wide. Ah, your eyes, I mean." (02:52, Helen)

2. Jewel Robbery and Rocky’s Injury (04:30–07:14)

• Rocky discovers Lady Harkness, a wealthy passenger, unconscious in her cabin just after a scream. He’s knocked out as well.
• Wakes up injured; learns from Helen and Doctor Harper that $50,000 in jewels has been stolen from Lady Harkness.
• Captain Bly suspects Rocky and confines him to crew quarters.

  "You will remain standing in the presence of a ship’s officer." (08:35, Captain Bly) "If you don't turn up those jewels, you have my permission to comb the entire ship from stem to stern." (09:26, Captain Bly)

3. Cabin Confrontations and Underlying Tensions (10:35–11:18)

• Rocky overhears a heated argument between Chief Steward Larry and Helen, hinting at their secret involvement.
• Rocky intervenes after Larry threatens Helen:

  "You know, Emily Post says it ain't polite to hit a young lady unless she belts you first." (10:55, Rocky)

4. The Murder of Doctor Harper (12:54–14:46)

• Rocky is at sick bay for his arm’s X-ray; Doctor Harper leaves to develop plates. Screams follow.
• Helen finds Dr. Harper murdered in the dark room; panic ensues.

  "Larry, he's been murdered!" (14:06, Helen Travers)

• Rocky is immediately blamed and detained by Captain Bly.

5. Rocky’s Imprisonment and Showdown (15:10–17:33)

• Rocky is locked in the ship’s lazarette (hold) as the chief suspect.
• Chief Steward Larry, on guard, threatens Rocky at gunpoint to reveal the jewels’ location. Rocky subdues him by smashing his cast on Larry’s head.
• The captain appears, re-arrests Rocky, and rebuffs his plea of innocence.

  "Robbery, murder, assaulting a ship's officer. You know, Fortune, we can make trouble for you." (17:11, Captain Bly)

6. The Final Reveal – Jewels in the Cast (18:21–21:22)

• Rocky notices something inside his damaged cast.
• In sick bay, Helen tries to remove the cast and is visibly anxious.
• Rocky deduces and confronts Helen: the jewels were hidden in the cast placed on his arm after the assault.

  "The jewels you mixed into the plaster for this cast in my arm." (19:56, Rocky)

• Helen, armed, tries to force Rocky to reveal where he’s hidden the jewels. She’s stopped by Captain Bly, who overheard her confession.

7. Resolution and Exoneration (21:23–22:12)

• Captain Bly acknowledges Rocky’s innocence:

  "I must apologize for you. Until you showed me how the jewels had been hidden in your cast, I really didn't believe a word you said." (21:34, Captain Bly)

• Rocky negotiates his resignation:

  "If you don't [fire me], I quit." (21:54, Rocky)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Comic Flirtation:

  "You can do anything you want. Would you like to take out my tonsils or saw me in half? Anything. Just name it." (03:16, Rocky to Helen)

• Rocky's Sarcasm:

  "I called the doc on the phone. Then I carefully swallowed the jewels, hit myself on the head with a piece of stale salami, broke my own arm and passed out." (09:02, Rocky’s 'confession')

• Tense Showdown:

  "You knew the X-rays would show those jewels and they would fix your cute little wagon but good. So you knocked [the doctor] off and ruined the plates." (20:23, Rocky reveals the plot)

• Justice Restored:

  "You nearly gave her enough [rope] to include me." (21:30, Rocky to Captain Bly)

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• Rocky Meets Helen (Flirtation): 01:49–04:10
• Jewel Robbery & Rocky’s Assault: 04:30–05:49
• Captain Bly Accuses Rocky: 07:46–09:41
• Sick Bay Argument & Larry’s Violence: 10:35–11:18
• Doctor Harper Murdered: 12:54–14:46
• Rocky’s Lazarette Escape: 15:10–17:33
• Cast Reveal – The Jewel Hiding Place: 18:21–21:22
• Helen’s Confession & Arrest: 21:22–21:54
• Rocky Quits: 21:54–22:12

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Overall Tone and Style

With classic 1950s radio drama flair, Sinatra’s Rocky Fortune blends sardonic wit, screwball humor, and hard-boiled detective tropes. Banter with Helen provides levity amidst suspicion, while the bantering interplay with Captain Bly and other crew is brisk and sharp. The episode combines suspense with a breezy, charismatic performance, ultimately delivering a satisfying whodunit with a twist ending.

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In Summary

"The Shipboard Jewel Robbery" masterfully packs larceny, romance, and murder into a single turbulent voyage. Rocky Fortune—though framed for theft and murder—uses his street smarts and humor to uncover the jewel thieves and restore justice, resigning with a wink before the ship reaches port.

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Transcript

[Rocky Fortune (Frank Sinatra)]

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 Frank Sinatra

[Narrator/Announcer]

transcribed as Rocky Fortune. NBC presents Frank Sinatra starring as the footloose and fancy free young gentleman, Rocky Fortune.

[Rocky Fortune (Frank Sinatra)]

Hi. You know, sometimes my friends ask me, rocky, why can't you hold a job? That's a good question and I don't know the answer. Maybe I just get restless or something. Anyway, whatever it is, me and steady employment don't get along. Now, you take the last job I had Stewart on a big luxury liner from Bermuda to New York. I figured I'd like to see the ocean, you know. And a couple of guys were trying to help me too. Only they wanted me to see it the hard way, from the bottom.

[Helen Travers, RN]

Come in.

[Rocky Fortune (Frank Sinatra)]

Pardon me, Ms. Nightingale. This is sick bay, isn't it?

[Helen Travers, RN]

Yes. Something wrong?

[Rocky Fortune (Frank Sinatra)]

My heart is going pitter pat.

[Helen Travers, RN]

I beg your pardon?

[Rocky Fortune (Frank Sinatra)]

Nothing, blue eyes. I'm the steward from adec. I came for the pills.

[Helen Travers, RN]

Pills?

[Rocky Fortune (Frank Sinatra)]

The Dramamine for Lady Jupe Snoot. You know, the duchess in A seven.

[Helen Travers, RN]

Oh, you mean Lady Harkness.

[Rocky Fortune (Frank Sinatra)]

Yeah, anything you say.

[Helen Travers, RN]

Well, you'll have to wait a moment for Dr. Harper. He'll be back.

[Rocky Fortune (Frank Sinatra)]

That's too bad.

[Helen Travers, RN]

Is something wrong, Mr. Fortune?

[Rocky Fortune (Frank Sinatra)]

Rocky Fortune? No, why?

[Helen Travers, RN]

You keep staring and winking.

[Rocky Fortune (Frank Sinatra)]

Oh, I. I've got something in my eye. I'm just trying to wink it out.

[Helen Travers, RN]

You better let me take a look. Yeah, well, just sit down there in the light.

[Rocky Fortune (Frank Sinatra)]

How's this?

[Helen Travers, RN]

Now lean closer.

[Rocky Fortune (Frank Sinatra)]

Like this?

[Helen Travers, RN]

A little closer.

[Rocky Fortune (Frank Sinatra)]

Does this make it.

[Helen Travers, RN]

That's too close. Now, which eye is bothering you right now?

[Rocky Fortune (Frank Sinatra)]

Both. Try the left one.

[Helen Travers, RN]

Open wide. Ah, your eyes, I mean.

[Rocky Fortune (Frank Sinatra)]

Oh. Ah.

[Helen Travers, RN]

Don't be fresh.

[Rocky Fortune (Frank Sinatra)]

Don't be so beautiful.

[Helen Travers, RN]

I don't see a thing.

[Rocky Fortune (Frank Sinatra)]

I do.

[Helen Travers, RN]

Please, Mr. Fortune, you're not cooperating.

[Rocky Fortune (Frank Sinatra)]

I don't even know your name.

[Helen Travers, RN]

My name is Helen Travers, RN for real?

[Rocky Fortune (Frank Sinatra)]

Nice.

[Helen Travers, RN]

For registered nurse. Now, about the eye. Do you mind if I wash it out?

[Rocky Fortune (Frank Sinatra)]

Honey, you can do anything you want. Would you like to take out my tonsils or saw me in half? Anything. Just name it.

[Helen Travers, RN]

You're impossible. Hold still. There.

[Rocky Fortune (Frank Sinatra)]

Ow.

[Helen Travers, RN]

That's for being so fresh.

[Rocky Fortune (Frank Sinatra)]

Something wrong, Ms. Travers?

[Helen Travers, RN]

Oh, hello, Doctor. The steward would like some Dramamine.

[Rocky Fortune (Frank Sinatra)]

Seasick? You don't look well. I haven't looked well since I was nine. It's for a passenger. An A7. A7? That's Lady Harkness, isn't it? That's right. I'm afraid I can't give you any more. What's wrong, Doc? The chief steward was up less than an hour ago to get some Dramamine for Lady Harkness. Stuff isn't candy. You know the chief. He just sent me up. There must be some confusion here. I think you better check. All right, doc. Sorry. Not at all. It was a pleasure.

[Helen Travers, RN]

I hope your eye improves.

[Rocky Fortune (Frank Sinatra)]

Yeah, the wash seemed to help it a little bit. Say, maybe I could come back later on for another eyeful.

[Helen Travers, RN]

I'm afraid my boyfriend wouldn't approve.

[Rocky Fortune (Frank Sinatra)]

Anybody I know? Yes.

[Helen Travers, RN]

Yes, the Chief Steward. Goodbye, Mr. Fortune.

[Rocky Fortune (Frank Sinatra)]

I walk out on deck still thinking about Helen Travis, RN which stands for Registered Knockout, and leg it down to A deck. I get my hand on the doorknob of A seven when I hear something which ain't exactly music. Lady Harkness. Lady Harkness.

[Captain Bly]

Open up. Open up.

[Rocky Fortune (Frank Sinatra)]

When nothing happens, I put my shoulder against the door and heave. When nothing happens, I tie the knob and it opens. I practically fall into the cabin which is dark in the inside of a coal miner's boot. The reason I fall is quite simple. Lady Harkness is stretched out on the broad loom like a dead lizard. I take one look and reach for the phone. Give me the shifts, Doctor. Honey. Hurry. Hello, Doc. This is Rocky Fortune. I'm in cabin A7 and the place looks like Act 2 of Arsenic and Old Lace. You better get down here before. Whoever it is has been hiding behind the door. When I come in, I never know what hits me. The top of my head exploded and the floor kept coming up to meet me. Only it took a long time to fall and I must have had some crazy dreams on the way down.

[Helen Travers, RN]

Rocky.

[Rocky Fortune (Frank Sinatra)]

Huh? What?

[Helen Travers, RN]

Up here on this cloud?

[Rocky Fortune (Frank Sinatra)]

Well, Helen, how'd you get away up there?

[Helen Travers, RN]

I flew. Come on up.

[Rocky Fortune (Frank Sinatra)]

How?

[Helen Travers, RN]

Fly. Are you kidding? Try it. You can fly. Spread your wings.

[Rocky Fortune (Frank Sinatra)]

Holy mackerel, I got wings.

[Helen Travers, RN]

Flap harder.

[Rocky Fortune (Frank Sinatra)]

I can't make it. Maybe I've been grounded.

[Helen Travers, RN]

Try again. Fetch it. Flap harder.

[Rocky Fortune (Frank Sinatra)]

I'm off the ground.

[Helen Travers, RN]

Hey. Hey.

[Rocky Fortune (Frank Sinatra)]

I'm falling. Helen. Helen, I'm falling. Helen, I'm falling.

[Helen Travers, RN]

Helen, take it easy.

[Rocky Fortune (Frank Sinatra)]

Rocky, my wing. I can't fly.

[Helen Travers, RN]

Who can? Come on, snap out of it.

[Rocky Fortune (Frank Sinatra)]

I. Hey, where am I?

[Helen Travers, RN]

In Chick Bay.

[Rocky Fortune (Frank Sinatra)]

What happened? My arm.

[Helen Travers, RN]

Your arm is in a cast.

[Rocky Fortune (Frank Sinatra)]

How come?

[Helen Travers, RN]

You must have fallen and sprained it. Dr. Harper told me to put a temporary cast on it just in case. It's badly hurt.

[Rocky Fortune (Frank Sinatra)]

Gee, feels like lead.

[Helen Travers, RN]

What hit me I don't know. We found you stretched out on the floor of Lady Harkness cabin.

[Rocky Fortune (Frank Sinatra)]

Well, how's the patient? Say, you look awful. We've been through that already. How do you feel? Arm hurt? Not bad. Yeah. Let's have a look, huh? Well, it's a Nice job, Ms. Travis.

[Helen Travers, RN]

Thank you, Doctor.

[Rocky Fortune (Frank Sinatra)]

Oh, Fortune, if you can make it, the captain would like to see you. What's on his mind? Well, I don't know for sure, Mr. Fortune, but I guess it's the $50,000 worth of jewelry that was stolen from Lady Harkness. I staggered down at the old man's cabin feeling like somebody left me in one of those fancy washing machines with the dial set on. Rinse dry when I get there. The reception committee included Lady Harkness, who is about 60, wears a tweed suit and talks like an English Tallulah, the chief steward, who looks like a clothing dummy, and the old man, £350 of human meanness.

[Captain Bly]

Close the door. Steward.

[Rocky Fortune (Frank Sinatra)]

Aye.

[Captain Bly]

I believe you know Lady Harkness. Aye, aye, and the chief Steward.

[Rocky Fortune (Frank Sinatra)]

We've had the pleasure. Sit down. Thank you.

[Captain Bly]

Thank you, sir.

[Rocky Fortune (Frank Sinatra)]

Thank you.

[Captain Bly]

Is this the man you saw, Lady Harkness?

[Helen Travers, RN]

Young man, would you mind bending over me?

[Captain Bly]

You hop to it.

[Rocky Fortune (Frank Sinatra)]

Okay, but what for?

[Helen Travers, RN]

Well, you see, it was dark and I'd been asleep. When I opened my eyes, I only saw this strange man leaning over me. I screamed, and he put a pillow or something over my face before I could get a good look at him.

[Captain Bly]

Is this the man?

[Helen Travers, RN]

Well, it might be, Captain.

[Captain Bly]

All right, Photon, straighten up.

[Rocky Fortune (Frank Sinatra)]

Do you mind if I sit down, Captain? I've had a hard tap on the skull.

[Captain Bly]

You will remain standing in the presence of a ship's officer.

[Rocky Fortune (Frank Sinatra)]

Thanks.

[Captain Bly]

No insolence excuse it.

[Rocky Fortune (Frank Sinatra)]

Now, would you mind telling me what this is all about?

[Captain Bly]

Fortune, there is $50,000 worth of jewelry

[Rocky Fortune (Frank Sinatra)]

missing from this cabin.

[Captain Bly]

I don't suppose you'd like to confess.

[Rocky Fortune (Frank Sinatra)]

Confess?

[Helen Travers, RN]

Sure.

[Rocky Fortune (Frank Sinatra)]

I've been waiting all night to confess. You see, it was like this. Mr. Wardrobe. Yes, sir. I crept in through the porthole, see, And Lady Harkness here was asleep. I scragged the ice.

[Captain Bly]

I beg your pardon?

[Rocky Fortune (Frank Sinatra)]

High stood the jewels. She started to wake up, so I smothered her with kisses. Then she screamed. I saw I couldn't escape, so I called the doc on the phone. Then I carefully swallowed the jewels, hit myself on the head with a piece of stale salami, broke my own arm and passed out. And I'd be very happy to sign a statement. That's Screamingly funny, old boy.

[Captain Bly]

How'd you like a punch in the jaw?

[Rocky Fortune (Frank Sinatra)]

Just try it, Hercules.

[Captain Bly]

That's enough from both of you. Mr.

[Rocky Fortune (Frank Sinatra)]

Waters. Sir?

[Captain Bly]

I want Mr. Fortune's belongings. Sir. If you don't turn up those jewels, you have my permission to comb the entire ship from stem to Stern.

[Rocky Fortune (Frank Sinatra)]

Yes, sir.

[Captain Bly]

Mr. Fortune, you may consider yourself discharged. You are confined to crew's quarter.

[Rocky Fortune (Frank Sinatra)]

Just a minute, Captain Bly. Well, don't you think this amateur gumshoe work ought to be left to the law?

[Captain Bly]

Mr. Fortune, in case you are not familiar with the maritime code on this

[Rocky Fortune (Frank Sinatra)]

vessel, I am the law. I execute a very unflattering salute with my good wing and stagger back to my bunk where I fall into the sack like a dead man. Only trouble is, I can't sleep. My head aches, my arm aches and my heart aches. About 1am after three hours of whirling like a drunken dervish, I climb out of the hammock and head to sick bay. Figuring I can pick up some sleeping pills. I get to the sick bay door just in time to hear voices inside. Don't try to give me that.

[Helen Travers, RN]

I tell you it's true.

[Rocky Fortune (Frank Sinatra)]

Larry, can I tell you you're a liar?

[Helen Travers, RN]

Larry, please.

[Captain Bly]

Nobody's gonna double cross me, Helen.

[Rocky Fortune (Frank Sinatra)]

Particularly not my own girl.

[Helen Travers, RN]

Larry, you've got to believe me.

[Rocky Fortune (Frank Sinatra)]

I'll give you one more chance to tell me the truth.

[Helen Travers, RN]

But I told you.

[Rocky Fortune (Frank Sinatra)]

All right, baby. You want to play rough, Larry? No.

[Helen Travers, RN]

Okay.

[Rocky Fortune (Frank Sinatra)]

Good evening. Am I interrupting something? Fortune, get out of here. You know, Emily Post says it ain't polite to hit a young lady unless she belts you first. Get out. You all right, Ms. Travers?

[Helen Travers, RN]

Yes. Please. Rocky, do as he says.

[Rocky Fortune (Frank Sinatra)]

Sure, anything you say. Only before I go, Chief. Yes. Here,

[Helen Travers, RN]

Rocky.

[Rocky Fortune (Frank Sinatra)]

I suppose they'll hang me for mutiny now. Oh, well, it was worth it. I go back to my pad and spend a few more restless hours trying to figure out what goes between Larry the steward and Helen Travis. In the morning, I wake up and head back to sickbay for a checkup on the arm. How's it feel? Hurts. I think I'd better X ray in case it's a green twig fracture instead of a sprain. Does that mean you take the cast off? No, no. You can X ray right through the cast. I'd hate to spoil Ms. Travers. Beautiful work. Her beautiful work. Weighs about a ton. How long do I wear it, Doc? I'll let you know after the X rays. Just step over here, please. Now place your arm right here. That's fine. You just hold that now. Just hold steady. Ah, good. That's fine. Now, you wait here. I'll go into the dark room and develop it. Say, Doc, is Ms. Travers in this morning? No, no, she said she didn't feel well. Had a bad night, I expect. I expect she did. This will only take a minute or two. Just make yourself comfortable. I sit down and slough my way through a couple of issues of National Geographic while the doc steps into the dark room. After a little while, I have a visitor. Oh, it's you. Come on in, Chief. Looking for a little medical aid?

[Captain Bly]

I'm looking for Helen.

[Rocky Fortune (Frank Sinatra)]

Oh, that's a lovely mouse you got under your eye. Did you bump into a door? Very funny. Have a seat. The doc's in the closet developing some X rays. Is she here? Haven't seen her. Say, they find the missing jewels yet?

[Captain Bly]

You know darn well they haven't found them.

[Rocky Fortune (Frank Sinatra)]

Did you look in the captain's cabin? You know, I don't trust him. He's a sneaky character. Fortune, when we get into New York tomorrow, the police are going to have a little talk with you. And frankly, I wouldn't want to be in your shoes. Chief, I'm going to level with you. If you were in my shoes, I'd throw him away. What's that? It came from the dark room. Try that door there. Locked. There's another door that leads to the office.

[Captain Bly]

Come on.

[Rocky Fortune (Frank Sinatra)]

Here, Helen.

[Helen Travers, RN]

Doctor. Doctor.

[Rocky Fortune (Frank Sinatra)]

Holy smokes, is he stone dead.

[Helen Travers, RN]

Dr. Harper.

[Rocky Fortune (Frank Sinatra)]

Take it easy, baby. You can't do him any good. Now, what happened?

[Helen Travers, RN]

I don't know. I came in late. I wasn't feeling too good. I remember that he wanted me to change the developing solution because. Because he was going to X ray Rocky's arm. So I went right into the dark room. First I thought I was alone, it was so dark. And then I saw him. I saw him on the floor with his scissors. And he's back.

[Rocky Fortune (Frank Sinatra)]

Larry.

[Helen Travers, RN]

Larry, he's been murdered.

[Rocky Fortune (Frank Sinatra)]

Take it easy, honey. Come on, Chief, you better notify the skipper. We also better radio the New York Harbor Police to meet us. While the chief steward goes over to phone the old man, it suddenly occurs to me that I'd better have a couple of ready answers. So I go back in the little dark room to take another look at Dr. Harper and Snoop a little. Just when I think I've struck oil, the skipper barges him.

[Captain Bly]

Fortune.

[Rocky Fortune (Frank Sinatra)]

Yeah.

[Captain Bly]

I don't want anything touched.

[Rocky Fortune (Frank Sinatra)]

Just window shopping.

[Captain Bly]

Skipper, you are under arrest.

[Rocky Fortune (Frank Sinatra)]

What's the charge? Or don't you need one.

[Captain Bly]

The charge is murder.

[Rocky Fortune (Frank Sinatra)]

Now, look, Captain.

[Captain Bly]

You will be placed under guard in the foreign lazaret until the police board ship.

[Rocky Fortune (Frank Sinatra)]

Just what makes you think I slipped it to Dr. Harper?

[Captain Bly]

You were alone with him when the chief steward arrived.

[Rocky Fortune (Frank Sinatra)]

He was in the dark room.

[Captain Bly]

You had plenty of time to kill him and go back to the examining room. And you'll have plenty of time to pay for it, too, the rest of your life, I predict, Mr. Fortune.

[Rocky Fortune (Frank Sinatra)]

I got news for you, skipper. As a fortune teller, you got a crack in your crystal ball. The lazarette is a small iron box down in the hold of the ship. Just big enough for me, a couple of mice and a few hundred feet of anchor chain. A couple of deck hands to take turns guarding me, which consists of sleeping on a little cot just outside the bulkhead door. I get three square glasses of water a day and all the bread that me and the mice can eat. I am not happy. On your feet, Mr. Fortune. Well, well. To what do I owe this pleasure? To the fact that I want to talk to you. Is that gun just a conversation piece, or do you always carry? The captain authorized your guard to carry sidearms. I'm your guard. The next watch, just the two of us. Just the two of us. How cozy. Get back against the wall and keep those hands above your head. Anything you say, Larry. I'm interested in what you say, Mr. Fortune. Concerning what? Concerning what happened to those jewels. How should I know? I say you've got them. You've been smoking Dramamine. I'll give you one more chance to start talking. And if I don't, I empty this gun at you. Wait a minute, buster. That's homicide, remember? I can always say you tried to jump me. I don't get this. Is there a reward? Or are you interested in those jewels for personal reasons? Just start talking. Okay, I'll talk and make it good. I'll make it as good as I can. Is this good enough? I had my hands up in the air and I brought the arm with the cast down on the top of the the skull as hard as I could. He went out like a wet candle and I cracked the plastic cast right down the middle. I was still trying to figure out my next move when I discovered we were not alone.

[Captain Bly]

Put up your hand.

[Rocky Fortune (Frank Sinatra)]

Sure. It's getting to be a permanent position.

[Captain Bly]

Hand me that gun.

[Rocky Fortune (Frank Sinatra)]

Help yourself.

[Captain Bly]

Robbery, murder, assaulting a ship's officer. You know, Fortune, we can make trouble for you.

[Rocky Fortune (Frank Sinatra)]

I suspect it as much.

[Captain Bly]

You could save yourself some heartache by confessing where you hid the jewels.

[Rocky Fortune (Frank Sinatra)]

Why don't you ask the guy who heisted him?

[Captain Bly]

I suppose you can identify him.

[Rocky Fortune (Frank Sinatra)]

Your chief steward, sir.

[Captain Bly]

That's an interesting bit of information. Can you prove it?

[Rocky Fortune (Frank Sinatra)]

No.

[Captain Bly]

All right, Mr. Fortune, back in the lazarette.

[Rocky Fortune (Frank Sinatra)]

Will you listen to what I have to say? At least?

[Captain Bly]

Save it for the homicide boys. They'll be coming aboard when we reach quarantine in the morning.

[Rocky Fortune (Frank Sinatra)]

So I am back in the Bastille with my rodent companions. I spend the rest of the night trying to imagine what it's going to feel like when they sit me down on the Sing Sing Chippendale with wiring by Con Edison. Trouble? You'll excuse the cliche, but it shouldn't happen to two dogs because one dog couldn't handle it all along. About daybreak, I'm nervously peeling pieces of plaster off my arm and I get the shock of my life. But before I can recover, somebody arrives.

[Captain Bly]

All right, Fortune, on your feet.

[Rocky Fortune (Frank Sinatra)]

I've been on them all night.

[Captain Bly]

Let's go. The police cutter should be here in 15 minutes.

[Rocky Fortune (Frank Sinatra)]

Now look, Captain, before the John Doms start working me over, I think I can crack this case. I'm serious. I can trap the doc's murder in just 10 minutes. Will you listen to me?

[Captain Bly]

No.

[Rocky Fortune (Frank Sinatra)]

Well, can I at least get some medical attention? What for? This cast is falling off and I'd hate to appear in the police lineup with a crummy cast. Might look like you twisted my arm.

[Captain Bly]

I'm not an unduly cruel man, Fortune. We'll let the nurse take a look at it.

[Rocky Fortune (Frank Sinatra)]

Attaboy, Captain. I knew that underneath that rough exterior that beats a heart of solid stone. Ten minutes later, I am in the sick feeling like an oyster which has just escaped from six months in an undersized shell and is about to be eaten alive.

[Helen Travers, RN]

Rocky. I was so worried about you.

[Rocky Fortune (Frank Sinatra)]

Hi, baby.

[Helen Travers, RN]

When the captain told me you'd broken the cast on Larry's head.

[Rocky Fortune (Frank Sinatra)]

How is he?

[Helen Travers, RN]

He's sleeping it off in the captain's cabin. Let's get that new cast on your arm.

[Rocky Fortune (Frank Sinatra)]

How about a new arm while you're at it?

[Helen Travers, RN]

Let's get the old one off the

[Rocky Fortune (Frank Sinatra)]

arm of the cast. Hey, take it easy.

[Helen Travers, RN]

This won't hurt. Here, I'll just tap it a few times with his mallet and. There.

[Rocky Fortune (Frank Sinatra)]

What's the matter, honey?

[Helen Travers, RN]

Matter? Oh, nothing.

[Rocky Fortune (Frank Sinatra)]

Don't kid me, baby. You look like you just shot six holes in the high 80s.

[Helen Travers, RN]

There's nothing wrong.

[Rocky Fortune (Frank Sinatra)]

Suppose I tell you what's wrong.

[Helen Travers, RN]

All right.

[Rocky Fortune (Frank Sinatra)]

The Jewels are missing.

[Helen Travers, RN]

What jewels?

[Rocky Fortune (Frank Sinatra)]

The Lady Harkness Loot. The jewels you mixed into the plaster for this cast in my arms.

[Helen Travers, RN]

You're crazy.

[Rocky Fortune (Frank Sinatra)]

I'm crazy? Like King Solomon. You and Larry boy heisted those jewels. Larry did the muscle work and conked me when I came into the cabin at the wrong moment. Then he got scared and passed the jewels to you. You knew that they'd searched the ship, so you put him into that plastic cast on my arm, figuring you'd get him back after the ship made port and we were all ashore. That's why you were so nice and sweet to me. I was worth plenty to you.

[Helen Travers, RN]

You've got it all figured out, haven't you?

[Rocky Fortune (Frank Sinatra)]

All figured out. I even figured out why you knocked off the good doctor.

[Helen Travers, RN]

Tell me, I'd be interested to know

[Rocky Fortune (Frank Sinatra)]

you didn't plan on us taking any X rays of my arm in the cast. And you knew the X rays would show those jewels and they would fix your cute little wagon but good. So you knocked him off and ruined the plates. I noticed the ruined plates in the dark room.

[Helen Travers, RN]

Finished.

[Rocky Fortune (Frank Sinatra)]

I ran out of gas.

[Helen Travers, RN]

You can save your breath and just put up your hands.

[Rocky Fortune (Frank Sinatra)]

You too. I'm gonna need a special game warden if this keeps up.

[Helen Travers, RN]

Get over there against the wall.

[Rocky Fortune (Frank Sinatra)]

My favorite position.

[Helen Travers, RN]

All right, where are they?

[Rocky Fortune (Frank Sinatra)]

Where are which?

[Helen Travers, RN]

The jewels you took out of the plaster cast.

[Rocky Fortune (Frank Sinatra)]

That's an interesting question.

[Helen Travers, RN]

I'll give you just 5 seconds to provide an interesting answer.

[Rocky Fortune (Frank Sinatra)]

I don't Hear you, baby.

[Helen Travers, RN]

1. I can always say you tried to escape.

[Rocky Fortune (Frank Sinatra)]

Such a pretty girl, too. 2.

[Helen Travers, RN]

I'm ready to pull this trigger, Rocky.

[Rocky Fortune (Frank Sinatra)]

Young and tender.

[Helen Travers, RN]

3. I mean it.

[Rocky Fortune (Frank Sinatra)]

Too young to have to die.

[Captain Bly]

4.

[Rocky Fortune (Frank Sinatra)]

In the electric chair.

[Helen Travers, RN]

All right. 5.

[Rocky Fortune (Frank Sinatra)]

Grab her down, miss.

[Captain Bly]

You okay, Fortune?

[Rocky Fortune (Frank Sinatra)]

Okay, Skipper, except for a slight heart attack. You heard what she said.

[Captain Bly]

I was listening through the porthole.

[Rocky Fortune (Frank Sinatra)]

So what kept you?

[Captain Bly]

I just wanted to give her enough rope to hang herself.

[Rocky Fortune (Frank Sinatra)]

You nearly gave her enough to include me.

[Captain Bly]

Oh, sorry. You know, I. I must apologize for you. Until you showed me how the jewels had been hidden in your cast, I really didn't believe a word you said.

[Rocky Fortune (Frank Sinatra)]

Forget it. I got a dishonest face.

[Captain Bly]

Well, naturally, if there's anything I can do to make up for it now.

[Rocky Fortune (Frank Sinatra)]

Just one thing, Skipper. About my job. You remember how you threatened to fire me?

[Captain Bly]

Yes.

[Rocky Fortune (Frank Sinatra)]

Well, fire one. Ready, Gridley, because if you don't, I quit.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Tonight, NBC radio has presented transcribed Frank Sinatra as that footloose and fancy free young man known as Rocky Fortune. Others in the cast included Tony Barrett, Lynn Allen, Marvin Miller, Norma Varden and Shep Menken. Tonight's script was written by George Lefferts and Andrew C. Love directed. Eddie King speaking. Now, to tell you about next week's adventure, here's Frank Sinatra as Rocky Fortune.

[Rocky Fortune (Frank Sinatra)]

Sometimes I don't know what this younger generation is coming to. Did I ever tell you about the 10 year old cowboy who held up the stagecoach with a water pistol and got away with 50 grand? Course I thought the kid was only kidding. What is the man in the hot seat said? Brother, was I in for a shock. I'll tell you about it next week. See you around

[Narrator/Announcer]

next week. Then tune in again when Frank Sinatra returns as Rocky Fortune. One of the finest things anyone can say about you is that you're a good neighbor. That spirit has been a tradition in American life all through the years. Today, in hundreds of cities, this spirit of goodwill is expressed in a different way. It's expressed in our support of the local Community Chest, or United Fund. This support is the modern way of being a good neighbor. Through your community campaign, you can make just one yearly contribution that takes care of many needs. You know that your money is collected and administered honestly and efficiently. So make sure that your campaign pledge is large enough to cover these needed services for an entire year. This is your chance to be a good neighbor. So give to your community chest or your local United fund. Enjoy. Fibber McGee and Molly tonight on the NBC Radio Network.