Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar: The Lost by a Hair Matter 08/19/1959

Summary

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Podcast Summary

Choice Classic Radio Detectives | Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar: "The Lost by a Hair Matter" (08/19/1959)

Main Theme
This episode features Johnny Dollar, an insurance investigator, unraveling the mystery behind a suspicious lumberyard fire and subsequent murder in a wealthy family’s circle. The story explores greed, betrayal, and the lengths some will go for inheritance.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

Case Introduction and Assignment (01:00–02:37)

• Johnny Dollar receives a call from Fred Starkey at Worldwide Mutual Insurance, Columbus, Ohio, regarding a mysterious request from wealthy widow Grace Tilford.
  • Notable exchange:
    • Fred Starkey [01:07]: "She wants to see you right away...something to do with that lumber yard fire, I suppose."
    • Johnny Dollar [01:52]: (Wryly) "As long as your company won’t quibble over the expense account. Plus my usual fee, of course."

Background on the Fire & Motives (02:37–04:24)

• Starkey details that the lumberyard fire was a total loss paid out at $330,000. No signs of arson, though the property alone is valuable.
• Dollar notes that while no motive is obvious, "that’s the way it usually turns out" in his business.

Meeting Grace Tilford (04:57–05:56)

• Dollar is struck by Grace's sparkling personality; she’s a longtime fan.
  • Memorable moment:
    • Grace [05:41]: "When you started off the letter with ‘Dear Grace’, it made me feel almost young again."
    • Johnny Dollar [05:48]: "I think you are pretty young, Mrs. Tilford."

The Suspects and the Family Dynamic (06:12–11:02)

• Grace identifies three suspects among her closest relations:
  1. Harry W. Shelder: Business manager, focused on profits, suggested developing the land for more lucrative purposes.
     • Grace [10:09]: "He did well for my husband, but I think he was really looking out for himself."
  2. Michael Tilson: Adopted son, financially dependent, stands to gain half the income upon Grace’s death.
  3. Nancy Willard: Penniless niece, heir to most of the estate out of pity, not love.
• Grace hints she has proof, but wants Johnny Dollar to reach his own conclusion.

The Family Confrontation (11:52–13:41)

• Grace leaves Dollar alone with the three, prompting a heated exchange revealing simmering resentments and motives.
  • Notable argument:
    • Harry [12:34]: "Of course I get a percentage of the capital gains I achieve for her."
    • Nancy [13:02]: "Let Auntie Grace handle things her own way."
  • The group tensions make each appear plausible as the culprit.

The Sudden Death (14:45–15:27)

• Grace is found dead upstairs, apparently succumbing to a heart attack while under a hair dryer.
• The scene shifts from suspicion over arson to the question of foul play in her sudden death.

The Reveal: Sabotage and Confession (17:39–19:39)

• Dollar recalls a recent news story about fatal electrical faults in professional hairdryers.
  • Johnny Dollar [17:39]: "My brain was fairly spinning...a tiny wire had come loose, shocked the customer..."
• He finds evidence the wire was cut, not merely broken. Nancy is implicated; she bought the machine as a "gift", but charged it to Grace’s account.
• Nancy panics, confesses, and threatens the others with a gun.
  • Dramatic moment:
    • Nancy [19:21]: “I'll kill you. I'll kill all of you. Sure, I did it. But nobody'll ever know because none of you will be alive.”
    • Johnny Dollar [19:27]: “That's where you’re wrong, Nancy. Michael!”
  • Michael subdues Nancy, but not before being injured.

Resolution (19:55–20:32)

• Nancy is taken into custody; Dollar speculates on the consequences and estate resolution.
• Signature wrap-up with Dollar’s signature expense account summary.

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Memorable Quotes

• Grace Tilford [05:41]: “When you started off the letter with ‘Dear Grace’, it made me feel almost young again.”
• Johnny Dollar [08:01]: “But if you already know. And suppose the one who did it knows that you know.”
• Grace Tilford [10:09]: “The lumber company had been in our family for generations...so I wouldn’t change it.”
• Johnny Dollar [17:39]: “My brain was fairly spinning...a tiny wire had come loose, shocked the customer...and now here was Mrs. Tilford...with a heart condition...Yeah.”
• Nancy [19:21]: “I'll kill you. I'll kill all of you. Sure, I did it. But nobody'll ever know because none of you will be alive.”
• Johnny Dollar [19:27]: “That's where you’re wrong, Nancy. Michael!”

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Important Timestamps

• 01:00 – Johnny Dollar is summoned to investigate by Fred Starkey.
• 04:40 – Johnny Dollar’s arrival at the Tilford home.
• 06:12 – Grace introduces the idea of three “suspects”.
• 10:09 – Motive of Harry W. Shelder explained.
• 11:33 – Grace leaves Johnny Dollar with the suspects.
• 14:45 – Grace discovered dead in her room.
• 17:39 – Johnny Dollar's realization about the hair dryer sabotage.
• 19:21 – Nancy’s confession and violent outburst.
• 19:55 – Aftermath and Dollar’s closing thoughts.

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Tone and Style

The episode is rich in snappy, sometimes cynical dialogue, characteristic of hard-boiled detective radio dramas. Relationships are fraught, motives clear yet complex, and plot twists are delivered with dramatic flair. Johnny Dollar’s narration is coolly analytical but with a steady undercurrent of empathy for victims, and world-weary wit towards suspects.

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For those who missed the episode:
The story is a classic closed circle mystery with multiple suspects, cleverly shifting from suspected insurance fraud to a murder investigation. It’s a sharp slice of Golden Age radio, exemplifying the genre’s strengths in suspense, characterization, and tightly plotted storytelling.

Transcript

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[Johnny Dollar (Narrator/Investigator)]

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] from Hollywood. It's time now for.

Johnny Dollar. This is Fred Starkey, Starkey Worldwide Mutual, out here in Columbus, Ohio. Oh sure, Fred, how are you? Lucky Dollar. If you're free for a couple of days, I'd like to have you come on out here. Oh, what's it all about? This is George Hemingway Tilford. Ever hear of her? Tilford? No, I don't think so. Pretty wealthy, especially since a fire a few months ago. It destroyed a big lumber yard that her husband left to her and Dolly. She wants to see you right away. Did she tell you why? No, she's being very mysterious about it. Something to do with that lumber yard fire, I suppose. Well, she simply wouldn't say. But she insists on having you come out to see her. Well, as long as your company won't quibble over the expense account. Yes, I guess we're stuck for it. Plus my usual fee, of course. Well now, that depends on what you mean by usual. Let's talk about it when I get there.

CBS radio brings you Bob Bailey in the exciting adventures of the man with the action packed expense account, America's fabulous freelance insurance investigator, yours truly, Johnny Dollar.

Foreign.

Account submitted by special investigator Johnny Dollar to the Worldwide Mutual Insurance Company, Columbus, Ohio office. Following as an account of expenses incurred during my investigation of the loss by a hair matter.

Expense account. Item 1, 4175. Plane fare from Hartford to New York to Columbus, Ohio. It was after 2am when the big silver bird dropped me off at Port Columbus Airport. Item 2. 250 for a taxi into the Deshlik Hilton. There was no time to rouse Fred Starkey out of bed. So item three, 1420 for a nightcap, a comfortable room there in the hotel and the kind of brunch late the next morning. So late, as a matter of fact, that I had to wait for Starkey to come back from his lunch before I could see him at the office of Worldwide Mutual. See him and ask him questions. Sorry, Darla, but you just won't say. Yeah, well, now, look, Fred, I. I like to know something about a case I've come this far to handle. I'm not even sure there's a case here. You told me that she owned a big lumber yard that had burned down some months ago. Exactly nine weeks ago. All right. How much insurance? Dollar was a total loss. It cost the company 330,000. Wow. Fortunately, it was underinsured. Underinsured? These days the ground alone out there is worth that much. Out where? It's near Minerva Park. Arson, by any chance? No, no sign of it whatsoever. She possibly need the money? Hardly. Her husband left her over a quarter of a million in securities when he died a couple of years ago. No, nothing suspicious at all. Huh. Except that suspicious mind of yours. Now, listen, Johnny, I didn't say her wanting to see you has anything to do with that fire. That was your idea. Maybe she just wants a look at you. A great admirer of yours, I understand. Oh, sure. Well, do you always expect to find arson, fraud or murder some sort of crime whenever somebody calls on you? No, not always. That's the way it usually turns out. But don't you see? If this had something to do with her insurance, she would have said as much. But if it hasn't, why did she ask for me? Well, I told you. You told me what?

I don't know. I don't know why she wants to see you. But I'm willing to bet that it has nothing to do with that prior. 500 bucks. 500 bucks.

Frank, how do I get there?

Item 4, a 50 buck deposit on a rental car. And I drove north on Cleveland avenue, that's Route 3. To the pleasant little town of Minerva Park. The Tilford home, while not a mansion, was a large stone and stucco affair with plenty of trees and well kept lawns. All in all, a real nice place. In good condition.

[Grace Tilford / Nancy Haskell / Other Characters]

Yes. Oh.

[Johnny Dollar (Narrator/Investigator)]

The surprise was the widow Tilford, in her middle 60s, I guess, but with a sparkle in her eye that made you feel she ought to be 25 years younger. She was dressed in Welsh Taylor's sport clothes. Her hair was gray but cut in a short bob. And her subtle use of makeup made her look like a million.

[Grace Tilford / Nancy Haskell / Other Characters]

Johnny. Caller.

[Johnny Dollar (Narrator/Investigator)]

Mrs. Tilfin.

[Grace Tilford / Nancy Haskell / Other Characters]

That's right. And Johnny, I'm such a fan of yours and that radio program that I hear every Sunday on WBNS that. Well, I'll break down and confess that about a year ago I wrote and asked for your picture. And you wrote me the nicest letter when you said it.

[Johnny Dollar (Narrator/Investigator)]

Oh, of course. Grace Tilford.

[Grace Tilford / Nancy Haskell / Other Characters]

That's right. And when you started off the letter with Dear Grace, what made me feel almost young again?

[Johnny Dollar (Narrator/Investigator)]

I know something. I think you are pretty young, Mrs. Tilford.

[Grace Tilford / Nancy Haskell / Other Characters]

Oh, one look at you, Johnny, and I wish I was.

But with this old heart of mine hitting on only about one cylinder.

Come in. Come in.

[Johnny Dollar (Narrator/Investigator)]

Yeah, sure.

[Grace Tilford / Nancy Haskell / Other Characters]

And now this. We're going to bypass the living room and sneak into the library.

[Johnny Dollar (Narrator/Investigator)]

Sneak in?

[Grace Tilford / Nancy Haskell / Other Characters]

Yes, so that we can talk alone for a little while. You see, your three suspects are there in the living room. You see?

[Johnny Dollar (Narrator/Investigator)]

Just what do you mean by suspects?

[Grace Tilford / Nancy Haskell / Other Characters]

Right in here, Johnny.

[Johnny Dollar (Narrator/Investigator)]

And they won't disturb us.

[Grace Tilford / Nancy Haskell / Other Characters]

Okay.

Now, it's a bare little construct.

[Johnny Dollar (Narrator/Investigator)]

Thanks.

[Grace Tilford / Nancy Haskell / Other Characters]

Now, Johnny, I suppose you're curious about why I send for you.

[Johnny Dollar (Narrator/Investigator)]

Yeah. Well, according to Fred Starkey, it's all a big mystery.

[Grace Tilford / Nancy Haskell / Other Characters]

Oh, mystery's right. Was right. But, Johnny, I've solved it. Oh, yes. The mystery of why my lumberyard burned down a few weeks ago.

[Johnny Dollar (Narrator/Investigator)]

You mean it was set?

[Grace Tilford / Nancy Haskell / Other Characters]

That's exactly what I mean. I had no proof in the beginning, no reason to think it was set, but I have now.

[Johnny Dollar (Narrator/Investigator)]

By who, Mrs. Tufen?

[Grace Tilford / Nancy Haskell / Other Characters]

Oh, I wish you'd call me Grace, Johnny, just to flatter me a bit.

[Johnny Dollar (Narrator/Investigator)]

Okay, sure. But who set the fire?

All right. You said three suspects out there in the living room.

[Grace Tilford / Nancy Haskell / Other Characters]

That's right. Would you like to go in and meet them and then pick out the one it is.

[Johnny Dollar (Narrator/Investigator)]

You say that one of those three people sitting out there in the living room set that lumberyard fire?

[Grace Tilford / Nancy Haskell / Other Characters]

Yes, Johnny. And I collected $330,000 on it. After all, the police and firemen had found nothing to indicate arson.

[Johnny Dollar (Narrator/Investigator)]

Well, believe me, it's hard to spot in a fire like that.

[Grace Tilford / Nancy Haskell / Other Characters]

Then I got to thinking about those three. About how each of them could profit by it.

[Johnny Dollar (Narrator/Investigator)]

Possible that all three could have had a hand in it.

[Grace Tilford / Nancy Haskell / Other Characters]

Oh, don't three get together on anything? Trust each other always? Never. Never.

[Johnny Dollar (Narrator/Investigator)]

Okay, then.

[Grace Tilford / Nancy Haskell / Other Characters]

Then a couple of days ago, I learned something. Proof that one of them did it.

[Johnny Dollar (Narrator/Investigator)]

Which one?

[Grace Tilford / Nancy Haskell / Other Characters]

If I know you, you're clever enough to find out.

[Johnny Dollar (Narrator/Investigator)]

But if you already know. And suppose the one who did it knows that you know.

[Grace Tilford / Nancy Haskell / Other Characters]

Oh, not a chance. This. I don't think there is. And at least none of them has made Any move against them.

[Johnny Dollar (Narrator/Investigator)]

But if one of them, you better tell me which one.

[Grace Tilford / Nancy Haskell / Other Characters]

Well.

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[Grace Tilford / Nancy Haskell / Other Characters]

Oh, John, do you ever tell who's the guilty one on your radio program? Right at the beginning.

[Johnny Dollar (Narrator/Investigator)]

Oh, now let's face it. This is a little bit different. If you're holding out just for the sake of a big dramatic climax, yes. Oh, come on. Now, listen, Ms. Telford.

[Grace Tilford / Nancy Haskell / Other Characters]

Grace.

[Johnny Dollar (Narrator/Investigator)]

All right, Grace, but now please listen to me.

[Grace Tilford / Nancy Haskell / Other Characters]

You listen, Johnny, I said I have proof, but I have to be absolutely sure. And there's where you can not only help me, but you'll know exactly how to proceed. How to take him in or her without danger to the rest of us.

[Johnny Dollar (Narrator/Investigator)]

Listen, will you? If the guilty one knows that you know, you might be in pretty serious danger.

[Grace Tilford / Nancy Haskell / Other Characters]

Even with you around?

[Johnny Dollar (Narrator/Investigator)]

Yes, even with me around.

[Grace Tilford / Nancy Haskell / Other Characters]

Well, I'm simply not going to tell you until you've met them and drawn your own conclusion.

[Johnny Dollar (Narrator/Investigator)]

Okay, then, let's get in it.

[Grace Tilford / Nancy Haskell / Other Characters]

All right. The middle aged man is Harry W. Shelder, my husband's business manager before he passed on. He's not only very clever, but his sole interest in life is in money.

[Johnny Dollar (Narrator/Investigator)]

I see.

[Grace Tilford / Nancy Haskell / Other Characters]

He did very well for my husband, but I've always felt he was really looking out for himself.

[Johnny Dollar (Narrator/Investigator)]

But why set off the lumberyard?

[Grace Tilford / Nancy Haskell / Other Characters]

Because replaced by homes and stores and supermarkets. That could be worth millions, he said.

[Johnny Dollar (Narrator/Investigator)]

Ah. And you refused to do that?

[Grace Tilford / Nancy Haskell / Other Characters]

Yes. The lumber company had been in our family for generations. Gave me all the money I could want so I wouldn't change it.

[Johnny Dollar (Narrator/Investigator)]

What if it just happened to burn to the ground?

[Grace Tilford / Nancy Haskell / Other Characters]

Exactly. All of my objections would be wiped.

[Johnny Dollar (Narrator/Investigator)]

Out then if he's the one.

[Grace Tilford / Nancy Haskell / Other Characters]

Wait, wait, wait, Johnny. Then there's Michael. Michael Tilson.

[Johnny Dollar (Narrator/Investigator)]

Well, the younger man I noticed in there.

[Grace Tilford / Nancy Haskell / Other Characters]

Our adopted son after college. Business. College. He tried to make his way, but not very successfully. Actually, he's been living on our bounty the past few years.

[Johnny Dollar (Narrator/Investigator)]

A near do. Well, Grace.

[Grace Tilford / Nancy Haskell / Other Characters]

Oh. Oh, well, he's not very good at anything. His ideas for that property aren't so ambitious as Harry show does. But he's wanted me to sell it out to one of the development companies. And why? Because my husband's will provided that in the event of my death, he'd get half the income from it.

[Johnny Dollar (Narrator/Investigator)]

I see.

[Grace Tilford / Nancy Haskell / Other Characters]

So he was bitterly opposed to my keeping it as a lumber yard.

[Johnny Dollar (Narrator/Investigator)]

Motive for one, motive for two. And who's the third?

[Grace Tilford / Nancy Haskell / Other Characters]

The girl I saw in the Nancy Willard, my niece. Ever since her parents died. Quite penniless, by the way we've taken care of her. It's simply out of pity, Johnny, not love. And although I may change it now she's heir to the bulk of my fate.

[Johnny Dollar (Narrator/Investigator)]

Well, offhand, I'd say that Michael is the least suspect of the three. Let's go talk to them.

[Grace Tilford / Nancy Haskell / Other Characters]

Then I'll leave you alone with them. I want to clean up before dinner and wash my hair. It's a mess.

[Johnny Dollar (Narrator/Investigator)]

Looks great to me.

[Grace Tilford / Nancy Haskell / Other Characters]

What, like this?

[Johnny Dollar (Narrator/Investigator)]

Okay, okay. You gals have to have something to fuss about, I suppose. Now, let's go in and see those folks.

Under the circumstances, there was nothing I could do but play along with her little game, her dramatic little mystery matter. But not for too long. On the excuse she had to go up and wash her hair. She left me with them there in the living room. And what a trio. As I've told you half a dozen times now, $, Mrs. Tilford hasn't long to live, according to her doctor, not more than five or six years at the most. Don't you see what I mean? Maybe Mr. Shelter. Go on. As long as she's alive and lets me handle things, she can make millions with that property. And you. Well, of course I get a percentage of the capital gains I achieve for her. And I say those fancy plans of yours are too much of a gamble. Harry. Just wait, I say play it safe. Let somebody else take the risk, that's all. Then all we have to do is. I mean, all Mother has to do is sit by and share in the profit. A small share instead of all the profits. With you running things, I'd want a pretty good accounting. Harry, you think you could handle a project like I have in mind? One like I have in mind. Nothing to it. I wouldn't trust your judgment. Or you, as a matter of fact.

[Grace Tilford / Nancy Haskell / Other Characters]

Oh, now, stop it, kid. What kind of people will Johnny Dollar think we are? Sorry, Johnny.

[Johnny Dollar (Narrator/Investigator)]

Oh, I find this all very interesting, Nancy, don't you see? Dollar, listen to me.

[Grace Tilford / Nancy Haskell / Other Characters]

No, you listen, Michael. Every time we get together this way. It's the same old thing. I've said it before and I say it again. Let Auntie Grace handle things her own way.

[Johnny Dollar (Narrator/Investigator)]

Of course, you're well provided for without even having to lift a finger.

[Grace Tilford / Nancy Haskell / Other Characters]

That's right, Harry. I'm not one of the hired help, Nancy.

[Johnny Dollar (Narrator/Investigator)]

I resent that, but she does have a point there.

[Grace Tilford / Nancy Haskell / Other Characters]

Sure. So go ahead and resent. But. Oh, now look, it's. It's cocktail time. So let's have Haskell bring in the drinks and talk about other things or just get quietly loaded. Haskell. This is Haskell.

[Johnny Dollar (Narrator/Investigator)]

There's no reason why one of us can't bring this. Don't bother, Harry.

[Grace Tilford / Nancy Haskell / Other Characters]

Yes, you called to me, Miss? Bring in the portable bar and plenty of ice cubes. Yes, ma'.

[Johnny Dollar (Narrator/Investigator)]

Am.

[Grace Tilford / Nancy Haskell / Other Characters]

I'll be after getting it for you right away. Where's my aunt? About to get under the hair dryer. Last time I was up the stairs. Tell her to come down and join us. Yes, Mum, that'll work. And while we're waiting, let's try to be civil to each other.

[Johnny Dollar (Narrator/Investigator)]

To say I didn't particularly like these three would be another statement. And I could picture any one of them having set that fire. For the next few minutes, they simply sat and glared at each other until we heard Mrs. Haskell come running clumsily down the stairs.

[Grace Tilford / Nancy Haskell / Other Characters]

Ms. Nancy. Mr. Shelter. Mr. Michael Haskell. I thought you were gonna bring.

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[Johnny Dollar (Narrator/Investigator)]

Haskell, what's the matter?

[Grace Tilford / Nancy Haskell / Other Characters]

It's Mrs. Tifford, upstairs in her room. Well, she's. She's dead.

[Johnny Dollar (Narrator/Investigator)]

Misses Tilford, there in her bedroom, had died alone. Apparently she'd been sitting under a hairdryer, then simply fallen to the floor, the big professional looking machine falling beside her. Fortunately, the heating coils had apparently broken before they could set fire to anything. A big hunk of suspicion started building up at the back of my head. But then Dr. Taylor came and pronounced it death from a heart attack.

I must confess, I certainly didn't. Well, she took such good care of herself, I was certain she'd live on for several years. I'll go downstairs and make up my report and arrange to have the body taken care of. Well, we won't have to argue about the handling of her affairs anymore. Unless, of course, the court lets me act as executor of her estate. In which case, I warn you. Harry, how can you be so callous about it?

Oh, shut up.

[Grace Tilford / Nancy Haskell / Other Characters]

But Michael's right, Harry.

[Johnny Dollar (Narrator/Investigator)]

Oh, sure, I suppose you two are heartbroken about her dying like this. Alone. She died all alone up here while we were downstairs trying to pick her apart like a bunch of bolsters. In spite of the way she treated all of us. What do you mean by that, Mike? We got so much better than we deserved. That's what I mean. All three of us. Harry never bothering to see her, to come here and be nice to her. Just parked in his office in town juggling figures to get as much out of her as he could. Michael, I resist. I don't care if you do. Heaven only knows how much you've cheated her since father died. Only your foster father, remember? And Nancy sitting around here sponging off her sweet talking her, waiting for her to die.

[Grace Tilford / Nancy Haskell / Other Characters]

Look who's talking. With all the things she's done for you, Michael, you haven't even had the decency to come and visit her now and then.

[Johnny Dollar (Narrator/Investigator)]

Yes, I know.

[Grace Tilford / Nancy Haskell / Other Characters]

When was the last time you were here? A month ago? Six weeks ago? The last time that Harry was here.

[Johnny Dollar (Narrator/Investigator)]

Is that true, Mike? Yes, Mr. Dollar, I'm afraid.

[Grace Tilford / Nancy Haskell / Other Characters]

But you didn't hesitate to accept the money she kept sending.

[Johnny Dollar (Narrator/Investigator)]

At least I. I tried to make my own way.

[Grace Tilford / Nancy Haskell / Other Characters]

Oh, sure. Big, ambitious little Michael.

[Johnny Dollar (Narrator/Investigator)]

Well, what have you done for her?

[Grace Tilford / Nancy Haskell / Other Characters]

At least I've stayed here these past few weeks and gone through the motions of being nice to her. Kept her company, helped her with her clothes, fixed her hair for her and, well.

[Johnny Dollar (Narrator/Investigator)]

Is that true, Mrs. Haskell?

[Grace Tilford / Nancy Haskell / Other Characters]

Yes, sir.

[Johnny Dollar (Narrator/Investigator)]

Fixed her hair for our big deal, Ms. Man.

[Grace Tilford / Nancy Haskell / Other Characters]

Ms. Nance even bought her that big hair drying machine.

[Johnny Dollar (Narrator/Investigator)]

Ah, and the poor dear loved it so.

[Grace Tilford / Nancy Haskell / Other Characters]

She was washing her hair three and four times a week.

[Johnny Dollar (Narrator/Investigator)]

Now, what's that got to do with what?

[Grace Tilford / Nancy Haskell / Other Characters]

That's right.

[Johnny Dollar (Narrator/Investigator)]

If it hadn't been for this crazy wait, no sheen, she would have been downstairs where we might have helped Wait.

[Grace Tilford / Nancy Haskell / Other Characters]

Well, don't take it out on the hairdryer.

[Johnny Dollar (Narrator/Investigator)]

I said wait a minute.

My brain was fairly spinning. A news item in the New York papers less than a month ago. A freak accent. One in a million at a beauty parlor. A professional hair dryer machine. Exactly like the one lying here on the floor that took pictures of it. Sketches to show exactly what had happened? A tiny wire had come loose, had shocked the customer so badly that she'd lost consciousness. There'd been a bit big noise over it. And now here was Mrs. Tilford, a little, frail old lady with a heart condition. Yeah. Yeah, what is it, Mr. Dollar?

[Grace Tilford / Nancy Haskell / Other Characters]

Yes, Johnny. What's that funny look supposed to mean?

[Johnny Dollar (Narrator/Investigator)]

Plenty. Mrs. Haskell, did you ever help Mrs. Tilford with this machine? Oh, geez.

[Grace Tilford / Nancy Haskell / Other Characters]

I'd never even touched that contraption of.

[Johnny Dollar (Narrator/Investigator)]

The devil, sir$, this old Betty wouldn't even let Mrs. Tilford install an electric stove. But I failed. Listen, when was this thing purchased? Why, about three weeks ago. I still have the bill for it in my office. Another of Nancy's little tricks. Gave it to Mrs. Tilford as a gift, but charged it to her account. But I failed this three weeks ago. So when I find the wire on it, it was cut instead of simply broken off when it fell. Mr. Darling. Yeah, and I'm glad you didn't kick this thing anymore, Mike. You see it here. When she clamped this thing on her head, this wire touched her wet scalp, and I just. Good heaven. Then when she turned on the switch, well, that was it. Harry, you haven't been here for weeks. Well, I know, but I now. Have you, Michael? And Mrs. Haskell was afraid to touch the thing. Well, Nancy. Yeah, Nancy. You were here, Nancy. And a few weeks ago when you read in the papers how one of these machines might. No.

[Grace Tilford / Nancy Haskell / Other Characters]

Kevin. Darck.

[Johnny Dollar (Narrator/Investigator)]

Oh, put it down, Nancy. No.

[Grace Tilford / Nancy Haskell / Other Characters]

I'll kill you. I'll kill all of you. Sure, I did it. But nobody'll ever know because none of you will be alive.

[Johnny Dollar (Narrator/Investigator)]

That's where you're wrong, Nancy. Michael. All right, Nancy.

[Grace Tilford / Nancy Haskell / Other Characters]

No. Let go of me. Sorry.

[Johnny Dollar (Narrator/Investigator)]

Learned a little lesson in clean living from this, Harry.

Yes. Yes, Dollar, I. I'll call the police.

So Nancy's wild shot busted one of his ribs. But Mike will recover. Nancy. I don't know what the penalty for murder is in Ohio, but believe me, she'll find out the hard way. As for the estate, well, that's up to the courts, too. No doubt much of what might have been Nancy's share will go to the company for that payment on the fire. Expense account total, including the trip Back to Hartford, 162.70. Yours truly, Johnny Doll.

Our star, to tell you about next week's story. Next week, a night in Paris that brings me fun, romance and a quick brush with that old, old character known as death. Join us, won't you? Yours truly, Johnny Dollar.

Yours truly, Johnny Dollar. Starring Bob Bailey originates in Hollywood and is written, produced and directed by Jack Johnstone. Heard in our cast were Virginia Greg, Ellen Cleave, Shirley Mitchell, Ben Wright, Sam Edwards, Harry Bartel and Lawrence Dobkin. Be sure to join us next week, same time and station for another exciting story of yours truly, Johnny Dollar.

This is Jim Matthews speaking.