Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar: The Sunny Dream Matter 12/01/1957

Summary

Summary of "Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar: The Sunny Dream Matter"

Choice Classic Radio Detectives | Old Time Radio
Episode Title: Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar: The Sunny Dream Matter
Release Date: November 25, 2024
Original Air Date: December 1, 1957
Host: Choice Classic Radio

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Introduction

Choice Classic Radio presents one of the Golden Age of Radio's most beloved detective series, Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar. In this episode, titled "The Sunny Dream Matter," listener Johnny Dollar investigates a series of suspicious accidental deaths at the Sunny Dream Home for the Aged. As Dollar delves deeper, he uncovers shocking truths about the home's management and the true nature of the accidents.

---

Act One: The Investigation Begins

[00:21]
Johnny Dollar, portrayed by Bob Bailey, is introduced as a seasoned freelance insurance investigator working for the Universal Adjustment Bureau in Hartford, Connecticut.

[00:25] Frank Skinner:
"Mr. Dollar, the investigator?"

[00:38] Frank Skinner, representing the Sunny Dream Home for the Aged, expresses concern over an unusual increase in accidental deaths among the elderly residents.

[00:43] Frank Skinner:
"We've been having a lot of deaths here at the home these past months. Too many, Mr. Dollar."

Despite Johnny Dollar's initial skepticism, Frank insists that the accidents seem orchestrated rather than genuine.

[01:16]
The narrator sets the stage for Johnny's journey to the Sunny Dream Home.

[02:01]
Johnny submits an expense account detailing his preliminary investigation expenses, emphasizing his professional approach.

[03:38]
Upon arriving at the Sunny Dream Home, Johnny observes a peaceful environment but feels something amiss.

[04:19] Frank Skinner:
"Mr. Dollar? I'm Frank Skinner, the one that called you."

Johnny meets Frank Skinner, who is assisted by a wizened old man named Walter. Frank urges Johnny to appear as a prospective client to avoid alarming the current residents.

[05:14]
Frank Skinner directs Johnny to behave like a potential resident, ensuring that the investigation remains discreet.

---

Act Two: Unveiling Secrets

[08:43]
The narration transitions to Sergeant Donald Bellwether, providing a brief interlude unrelated to the main plot.

[11:30]
Johnny returns to the Sunny Dream Home, where Martha Skinner, Frank's wife and co-manager, confronts him aggressively.

[12:00] Martha Skinner:
"If anything were to happen to them, you collect a nice big fat hunk of insurance money."

This confrontation raises Johnny's suspicions about the Skinner family's involvement in the deaths.

[14:21] Walter:
"I hear about all the time on the radio."

Johnny interacts with Walter, who expresses frustration with the management of the home and hints at internal conflicts.

[15:31] Johnny Dollar:
"You're a pretty husky fellow, Walter."

Frank and Martha attempt to downplay Johnny's concerns, but inconsistencies in their stories persist.

---

Act Three: The Truth Unveiled

[16:42]
A monologue by Thomas Jefferson underscores the theme of vigilance, paralleling Johnny's investigative role.

[17:47]
Johnny engages with Mrs. Baker, a resident, who provides insight into Martha Skinner's dedication and Frank Skinner's financial management.

[19:26] Martha Skinner:
"And we'll talk again tomorrow, won't we?"

As night falls, Johnny discovers suspicious marks and a piece of cloth near the stairway, indicating potential foul play.

[21:16]
Johnny confronts Frank Skinner, revealing Frank's deceit about his wheelchair.

[21:46] Johnny Dollar:
"You persuaded the old folks to name you as beneficiary of their insurance policies. Then you proceeded to shove them down those stairs."

In a dramatic revelation, Johnny exposes Frank Skinner's scheme to profit from the residents' deaths through manipulated insurance policies.

[21:48] Frank Skinner:
"Would you like to see how?"

Frank attempts to intimidate Johnny, but Dollar remains resolute.

[21:51] Johnny Dollar:
"He'll live to go to trial. And whatever sentence they hand him will be much too short."

Johnny concludes his investigation, ensuring that justice will be served.

---

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

1. Frank Skinner on the suspicious deaths:
   *"[00:43] 'We've been having a lot of deaths here at the home these past months. Too many, Mr. Dollar.'"

2. Martha Skinner confronting Johnny Dollar:
   *"[08:05] 'Investigator, huh? Well, you can march yourself right out of here.'"

3. Johnny Dollar's confrontation with Frank Skinner:
   *"[21:46] 'You persuaded the old folks to name you as beneficiary of their insurance policies. Then you proceeded to shove them down those stairs.'"

4. Frank Skinner's final threat:
   *"[21:48] 'Would you like to see how?'"

5. Johnny Dollar's resolve:
   *"[21:51] 'He'll live to go to trial. And whatever sentence they hand him will be much too short.'"

---

Conclusion

In "The Sunny Dream Matter," Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar masterfully combines suspense and detective work to uncover a chilling plot of greed and manipulation. Through astute investigation and unwavering determination, Johnny Dollar exposes Frank Skinner's fraudulent activities, ensuring the safety and integrity of the Sunny Dream Home for the Aged. This episode exemplifies the classic elements of old-time radio detectives, delivering an engaging and thought-provoking narrative for listeners.

---

Production Credits:
Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar stars Bob Bailey and features performances by Virginia Gregg, Peggy Weber, Junius Matthews, Larry Dobkin, and Burt Holland. Produced and written by Jack Johnstone, the episode originates from Hollywood and is presented through the facilities of the United States Armed Forces Radio and Television.

Transcript

[Narrator]

Welcome to Choice Classic Radio where we.

[Frank Skinner]

Bring to you the greatest old time radio shows.

[Johnny Dollar]

Like us on Facebook, subscribe to us.

[Frank Skinner]

On YouTube and thank you for donating@Choice ClassicRadio.com from Hollywood.

[Bob Bailey]

It's time now for.

[Johnny Dollar]

Johnny Dollar.

[Frank Skinner]

Mr. Dollar, the investigator?

[Johnny Dollar]

That's right. Insurance investigator.

[Frank Skinner]

Yes, well, my name is Frank Skinner.

[Johnny Dollar]

Mr. D. Yes, you see, my wife.

[Frank Skinner]

And I run the Sunny Dream Home up here at Buckland Center. Old folks home it is.

[Johnny Dollar]

I see. Well, now, what can I do for you, Mr. Skinner?

[Frank Skinner]

I'm afraid there's something wrong here, Mr. Dollar. You see, we've never had anything like this before.

[Johnny Dollar]

Like what, sir?

[Frank Skinner]

Well, to begin with, all our clients are pretty well insured.

[Johnny Dollar]

Yes, all right.

[Frank Skinner]

We've been having a lot of deaths here at the home these past months. Too many, Mr. Dollar.

[Johnny Dollar]

Well, after all, if your clients are all very old people. Yes, sir, they are.

[Frank Skinner]

But you see, these have all been accidental deaths.

[Johnny Dollar]

Yeah, well, don't forget, sir, that older people are very often quite prone to accidents.

[Frank Skinner]

Yes, sir, that's true. But if you want the truth, I don't think they've been accidents. Oh, no, sir. And if something isn't done to stop this, I think maybe you'd better come.

[Johnny Dollar]

Up here and see us, Mr. Skinner. I think you're right.

[Bob Bailey]

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. And now, act one of yours truly, Johnny Dol.

[Johnny Dollar]

Expense account submitted by Special investigator Johnny Dollar to the Universal Adjustment Bureau, Hartford, Connecticut. Following is an account of expenses incurred during my investigation of the Sunny Dream matter. Expense account, item one, 10 cents for a phone call to Pat McCracken, my old friend in contact at Universal Adjustment Bureau.

[Narrator]

Oh, say, I'm glad you called, Johnny.

[Johnny Dollar]

Yeah. Well, Pat, I just want you to know I won't be available for a couple of days.

[Narrator]

Oh, yes, you will.

[Johnny Dollar]

And it is because of any insurance matter.

[Frank Skinner]

Yes, it is.

[Johnny Dollar]

What's happened is that I've just received a phone call that's aroused my curiosity and, well, at any rate, any assignments you may have for me will have to wait until I get.

[Narrator]

That's where you're wrong, Johnny.

[Johnny Dollar]

I said we'll have to wait until. What just happens?

[Narrator]

You have an assignment right now. As a matter of fact, I was.

[Frank Skinner]

Just about to call you.

[Johnny Dollar]

Whoa. Can I wait a couple of days?

[Narrator]

Oh, no, no, Johnny. I want you to run over to Buckland Center.

[Johnny Dollar]

Huh?

[Narrator]

I think you heard me.

[Johnny Dollar]

The Sunny Dream Home for the Aged. That's right.

[Narrator]

How did you know?

[Johnny Dollar]

Never mind that. What's wrong over there that you know about?

[Narrator]

Oh, the number of deaths over there within the past few months have made our actuarial tables look like a big fat mistake. And the companies that have carried the insurance on them are getting a little worried.

[Johnny Dollar]

All separate companies, huh?

[Narrator]

Yeah, but they all cleared their policies through us, fortunately. Otherwise we'd never have gotten wind of this. Anyway, I promised to send you over there.

[Johnny Dollar]

Any particular reason for thinking something's wrong? Aside from the unusual number of deaths? Yes. What?

[Narrator]

The beneficiary of the policies that have had to be paid.

[Johnny Dollar]

Who?

[Narrator]

The Sunny Dream Home for the Aged.

[Johnny Dollar]

I gassed up my jalopy at the sign of the flying red horse, that's item 2425 and drove some 30 miles south and east on Highway 2. I found the Sunny Dream Home just north of Buckland Center. It consisted of a huge old frame house surrounded by trees and well kept gardens. In comfortable chairs scattered here and there on the wide porch and lawn. Nice looking, well dressed. Older folks sat around reading, chatting, playing cards, enjoying the late afternoon sun. The whole place looked clean, quiet and restful. After packing my car, I walked slowly up the long flower boarded walk under the trees toward the entrance. And as I did so, a little wizened old man in a wheelchair detached himself from a group of the old folks and wheeled over to me.

[Frank Skinner]

Mr. Dollar?

[Johnny Dollar]

Yeah, that's right.

[Frank Skinner]

I'm Frank Skinner, the one that called you.

[Johnny Dollar]

Oh, how are you, Mr. Skinner?

[Frank Skinner]

Come right along in the office where we can talk.

[Johnny Dollar]

Yeah, sure. Oh, may I give you a hand with that chair?

[Frank Skinner]

Nope, don't need it.

[Johnny Dollar]

I must say. You handle it well.

[Frank Skinner]

Should have been on my feet in over five years.

[Johnny Dollar]

Now.

[Frank Skinner]

You can help me up this little ramp though, if you don't mind.

[Johnny Dollar]

Oh, sure. Good job.

[Frank Skinner]

Walter. My stepson built me that ramp.

[Johnny Dollar]

Good idea.

[Frank Skinner]

Yes, sir. It's a big help to a man that can't use his legs. Now, right around the side of the porch here. Oh, evening, Miss Baker.

[Mrs. Baker]

Good evening, Mr. Skinner.

[Frank Skinner]

Here we are. If you just open the door.

[Johnny Dollar]

Sure.

[Frank Skinner]

You just sit down there and I'll get right to the point.

[Johnny Dollar]

Okay, fine.

[Frank Skinner]

Now can you listen to me? I'd appreciate it if you'd let the folks here think that you've just come to look over the place. Like maybe you've got some old relative you'd like a nice home for.

[Johnny Dollar]

In other words, you don't want to alarm your clients.

[Frank Skinner]

Guests, Mr. Dollar. They are honored guests. All happy and with no worries. Uh huh.

[Johnny Dollar]

Well, I must say that those I saw outside looked perfectly content. But now, about those so called accidents.

[Frank Skinner]

Five of our people have died within the last six months, Mr. Dollar. Five of them. Terrible. And like I told you on the telephone, they looked like accidents.

[Johnny Dollar]

What kind of accidents?

[Frank Skinner]

Well, now, the first one. Well, maybe it was. That was old Ms. Epp. Lived in the little guest cottage out back.

[Johnny Dollar]

What happened?

[Frank Skinner]

Small fire must have started in the wastebasket or something. By the time we got to her, well, she suffocated. And I suppose Mr. Parley might have been accidental, too. Food poisoning it was. At least that's what the doctor called it. But nobody else got sick on all Those canned peaches, Mr. Dollar.

[Johnny Dollar]

Who was the doctor?

[Frank Skinner]

Oh, Doc Cherry from town, of course, Mr. Perley was the only one that had three helpings of them. But my wife never had trouble with her canning before.

[Johnny Dollar]

Well, go on, Mr. Skinner.

[Frank Skinner]

Well, old Miss Sharmley fell down the main stairs to the living. Look through the door there, you can see the stairs.

[Johnny Dollar]

Well, that's a long stairway for elderly folks.

[Frank Skinner]

Then. Ms. Lizzie Bell, we called her Miss Lizzie Belle, though her real name was.

[Johnny Dollar]

What happened to her?

[Frank Skinner]

She fell out the window of her bedroom. And Mr. Dollar, she just wasn't strong enough to get her window open that wide. She was 94 then. Poor old Miss Betzler. She fell down the stairs, too.

[Johnny Dollar]

Well, Mr. Skinner, if those people aren't able to negotiate a stairway like that, you're at fault for requiring them to do it.

[Frank Skinner]

Well, most of them are. The others have their rooms here on the first floor, like I have, too.

[Johnny Dollar]

How about Miss Lizzie Bell, who was 94?

[Frank Skinner]

Well, she never left her room until she fell or until she was pushed by somebody younger and stronger than she was.

[Johnny Dollar]

Well, unless you can prove something like.

[Frank Skinner]

That, I have to prove that those others were pushed down the stairs.

[Johnny Dollar]

Right. So you see, from what you've told me so far, Mr. Skinner, there's no reason to suspect those deaths weren't accidental.

[Frank Skinner]

Even so many of them, all within a space of only six months.

[Johnny Dollar]

Unless, as I say, you can come up with some concrete evidence to indicate otherwise.

[Frank Skinner]

All right, then you can tell me this. Why did all those things happen late at night when those poor old folks wouldn't have any reason to be up and around when there wasn't anybody around who could help them until it was too late?

[Johnny Dollar]

Well, so far as that's concerned, why.

[Frank Skinner]

Sure, sure, folks have got to get up at night sometime for one reason or another. But they all had their Own private bars. And if they want anything from downstairs, like something to read or some hot milk, something like that, why, all they have to do is ring the push button in their room and my wife gets it for them. We do that all the time.

[Johnny Dollar]

Where is your wife, by the way?

[Frank Skinner]

Martha.

[Martha Skinner]

Why, she's right here, Frank. Who's this you're blabbing off your mouth to?

[Frank Skinner]

Why, Martha, this is Mr. Johnny Dollar, insurance investigator.

[Martha Skinner]

Investigator, huh? Well, you can march yourself right out of here.

[Johnny Dollar]

Oh, not. Just a minute, Mrs. Skinner.

[Martha Skinner]

Just a minute nothing. You get out of here and leave.

[Johnny Dollar]

Us alone, Mrs. Skinner.

[Martha Skinner]

And if you don't, I'll throw you out. And if you don't think I'm young and strong enough, then I'll show you.

[Johnny Dollar]

Strong enough to throw a little old lady out of a window or shove a couple of people downstairs.

[Frank Skinner]

Get out.

[Bob Bailey]

Act two of yours truly, Johnny Dollar. In a moment.

[Sergeant Donald Bellwether]

And now for another episode in the life of Sergeant Donald Bellwether. My husb.

[Reba]

Oh, that's what I call a good dinner, Reba. Oh, that was delicious.

[Martha Skinner]

Well, I'm glad to hear that, dear.

[Sergeant Donald Bellwether]

More coffee?

[Reba]

Yeah, just about a half a cup, please.

[Martha Skinner]

All right.

[Sergeant Donald Bellwether]

There you are.

[Reba]

Thank you.

[Sergeant Donald Bellwether]

Now, tell me all about your safety class. Did the boys enjoy your speech?

[Reba]

Oh, yeah, they sure did. Thanks to you. I did quite well. My lieutenant complimented me afterwards.

[Frank Skinner]

Good.

[Reba]

Yeah, but that same lieutenant threw me a curb too.

[Sergeant Donald Bellwether]

How, dear?

[Reba]

Well, after I gave my talk, he asked the men if there were any questions. Well, that did it. One of the guys stood up and said, look, Sarge, you claim There were over 95,000 deaths and over 9 1/2 million people injured in accidents in the US last year. Looks to me like all those safety campaigns and slogans are doing no good at all.

[Sergeant Donald Bellwether]

Well, how did you answer it?

[Reba]

I didn't. I couldn't think of an answer. I got out of it by saying I'd have more facts and figures at the next meeting.

[Sergeant Donald Bellwether]

All right, let's see now. Oh, yeah, here it is. Now, First Sergeant Bellwether, you start off by telling the boys that since 1913, the accidental death rate has been reduced 35%. Or in other words, if there hadn't been campaigns and safety measures put into effect to reduce accidents, almost a million more people would have been killed in the last 46 years.

[Johnny Dollar]

Hmm.

[Reba]

Is that right?

[Sergeant Donald Bellwether]

It certainly is. I'm reading it right out of the National Safety Council record book. Oh, and another thing. Accidents in the farming areas are much higher than in the city. But you know why? Why because in rural areas, there are fewer policemen enforcing safety laws and less traffic signs and signals to guide the motorists. You know, many more cars travel the city streets and yet the per capita rate of accidents is much higher. In the rural areas, of course, the reason is obvious. In the city, more safety measures are instituted and obeyed.

[Reba]

Reba, you are wonderful. That's a good, logical answer. I don't know what I'd do without it.

[Sergeant Donald Bellwether]

Oh, that's my Donald.

[Martha Skinner]

That's my doll.

[Bob Bailey]

And now, act two of yours Truly, Johnny Dollar and the Sonny Dream Matter.

[Johnny Dollar]

Martha Skinner, co owner and the real manager of the Sunny Dream Home for the Aged, was a big woman, tall, muscular and a lot younger than her husband.

[Martha Skinner]

I don't want your kind snooping around, Mr. Dollar. So get out of here and leave us alone.

[Johnny Dollar]

Your husband seems to think those deaths here in your home for the aged weren't so accidental, Mrs. Skinner.

[Martha Skinner]

No, he does.

[Frank Skinner]

Yes, that's what I told him, dear.

[Martha Skinner]

If you'd keep that mouth of yours shut, Frank, we wouldn't have this sort of thing. Why don't you in that wheelchair get out of here?

[Johnny Dollar]

You sound as though you have something to hide, Mrs. Skinner.

[Martha Skinner]

I have nothing to hide. Don't you see what you're coming around here will do to our nice place? It'll give us a bad name, that's what it'll do. Folks come here on the recommendation of the folks that live here. If your sort starts prowling around, it'll make our nice home for them sound like a murder factory, and I won't have it.

[Johnny Dollar]

Oh, now, just calm down a moment.

[Martha Skinner]

Poor old folks. Ms. Lizzie Bell and Mr. Pearly and the rest were accidental, that's all. Have you got any reason to think they weren't?

[Johnny Dollar]

Well, I didn't have until a minute ago.

[Martha Skinner]

What do you mean by that, if they weren't accidents?

[Johnny Dollar]

Well, it certainly took somebody younger and stronger to push them down those stairs.

[Martha Skinner]

You mean me?

[Johnny Dollar]

Well, no.

[Martha Skinner]

No, Mr. Dolly, you're wrong. And if anybody started that talk about not being accidents. I guess I did.

[Frank Skinner]

Yes, you did must.

[Martha Skinner]

Oh, I was. I was so upset. Those fine old people passing away. Why, they were like family to me. I guess I said a lot of things that didn't make sense until the doctor and the police came around and told me I was wrong.

[Johnny Dollar]

The police investigated?

[Frank Skinner]

Yes, and they made quite a stir. I guess that's why your being here has upset Martha.

[Johnny Dollar]

Well, of course, if they found nothing.

[Martha Skinner]

Mr. Darler, do you think that I could do anything like what you're that I could harm a single care of any of these nice old people. What possible reason could I have? And what sense would it make why? We're being paid for their living here. And if anything happens to them.

[Johnny Dollar]

Yeah, yeah, if anything happens to them, you collect a nice big fat hunk of insurance money.

[Martha Skinner]

You know about that.

[Johnny Dollar]

Insurance investigator, remember?

[Martha Skinner]

No, no, you're wrong. It was their idea to name us in their policies now, wasn't it, Frank?

[Frank Skinner]

Yes, Martha, it certainly was.

[Johnny Dollar]

Well, let's not talk about it anymore. Now, it's getting late, so I think I'll drive back to Buckland center and have some dinner.

[Martha Skinner]

Well, you'll do no such thing. You'll have your supper, your dinner right here. And if you wish to stay overnight.

[Walter]

Oh, no, you mean I'll have another.

[Johnny Dollar]

Room to fix up.

[Martha Skinner]

Will I help you? Of course. Walter, this is Mr. Johnny Dollar Dollar, the insurance investigator.

[Walter]

I hear about all the time on the radio.

[Frank Skinner]

That's right. Sons.

[Walter]

What's your business here, Dollar?

[Martha Skinner]

Frank Collinson.

[Walter]

Yes, about those accidents.

[Johnny Dollar]

Yeah, that's right. What do you think about them, Walter?

[Walter]

Look, Dollar, mother's got enough trouble without you coming around.

[Bob Bailey]

Walter.

[Walter]

Well, it's true, Ma. You know it. First, it's the police making a big rack.

[Johnny Dollar]

We've been through all that, Walter. I asked you a question.

[Walter]

Why don't you get out of here and leave us alone? I'm sick of all this nonsense. I'm sick of this whole place.

[Martha Skinner]

Oh, wow.

[Walter]

Year after year, working like a dog for a lot of old fogies.

[Johnny Dollar]

Are there only the three of you to take care of this place?

[Walter]

That's right. Oh, and of course, Frank here has a lot of help tied down to that wheelchair.

[Frank Skinner]

I do all the office work.

[Walter]

Oh, sure, big deal. Handle all the money too. What about the talk that as soon as we get enough money, we can sell out and get away from here? Hey, look, Dollar, what difference is it to you who keeps this place up?

[Johnny Dollar]

You're a pretty husky fellow, Walter.

[Walter]

Yeah, yeah. Would you like a little demonstration? On you? Now, what do you mean by that?

[Johnny Dollar]

Well, maybe I'll tell you after I've had a look around.

[Martha Skinner]

Then you will stay?

[Johnny Dollar]

Oh, yeah, I'll stay until I'm satisfied.

[Walter]

You won't be here for long if I've got anything to do with it, understand?

[Johnny Dollar]

Is that a threat, Walter?

[Walter]

Take it any way you like.

[Martha Skinner]

I'm sorry, Mr. Dowler. I'm sure he didn't mean that the way it sounded.

[Johnny Dollar]

Well, tell me, do you two have joint ownership of this place. You and Mr. Skinner.

[Frank Skinner]

Well.

[Martha Skinner]

Well, it's really in my name.

[Johnny Dollar]

And if anything were to happen to.

[Martha Skinner]

You, it would go to Frank and Walter.

[Johnny Dollar]

I see. Walter said that you've talked about getting enough money to sell out and leave this place.

[Frank Skinner]

He certainly did.

[Johnny Dollar]

Is that what you plan to do?

[Frank Skinner]

Yes, sir.

[Martha Skinner]

Well, I'm not so sure.

[Frank Skinner]

Of course you are.

[Martha Skinner]

I've grown to love this place and all the nice people. Mr. Darla.

[Johnny Dollar]

Yeah?

[Martha Skinner]

Enough money, you said. Like a lot of insurance money from. Oh, no, you can't think that Walter would.

[Johnny Dollar]

Oh, no, no.

[Martha Skinner]

He's spoiled and fresh and impetuous and talks a lot.

[Frank Skinner]

But surely you don't think, Mrs. Skinner.

[Johnny Dollar]

What would you think?

[Bob Bailey]

Act three of yours truly, Johnny Dollar. In a moment.

[Thomas Jefferson]

Do you know who said, eternal vigilance is the price of liberty? Those famous words were written by Thomas Jefferson. Jefferson knew that human nature tends to cause us to take for granted the freedoms for which others have fought valiantly. He knew that Americans had to be alert or the essential freedoms of democracy would be taken away. That's why Jefferson gave his warning to the Americans of his era and to their descendants. He set the price for liberty as eternal vigilance. And Americans through the years have heeded Jefferson's warning. They have been alert to detect and resist the enemies of liberty. Remember the words of Thomas Jefferson. They are part of your American heritage. The price of liberty is eternal vigilance.

[Bob Bailey]

And now, Act Three of yours truly, Johnny Dollar and the Sunny Dream Matter.

[Johnny Dollar]

At dinner that evening, I made a point of chatting with as many guests of the Sunny Dream Home for the Aged as possible. Sweet old Mrs. Baker, who must have been in her 80s, pretty much summed things up as we talked together on the porch in the cool of the evening.

[Mrs. Baker]

You're really kind of Sorry for Walter, Mr. Donner. Young man like that doesn't really have a place here among all of us old ones.

[Johnny Dollar]

Yeah. I wonder why he doesn't go out on his own then, Mrs. Baker.

[Mrs. Baker]

Because in spite of his brash, noisy way, he loves his mother, Martha. And since she has so much to do taking care of us, why he just stays and helps her. Isn't she one of the loveliest people you ever met?

[Johnny Dollar]

Well, she certainly seems devoted to you folks.

[Mrs. Baker]

And she is. Makes us toe the line. Bawls us out sometimes, just like a mother hen. But she's all hard.

[Johnny Dollar]

And Mr. Skinner, very nice.

[Mrs. Baker]

Handles the business affairs of the home real good, too. It isn't generally known, but he's the one who Gave us the idea of making out our insurance to the sunny dream. Oh, of course, I never told Martha.

[Frank Skinner]

Oh, there you are. Evening, Miss Baker.

[Mrs. Baker]

What a nice young man. This is, Mr. Skinner. We've been having a wonderful time talking away about this and that.

[Frank Skinner]

That's fine. They make you a comfortable room upstairs, Mr. Dallas?

[Johnny Dollar]

Yeah, right at the head of the stairs. Very comfortable.

[Frank Skinner]

Good. Well, don't let me interrupt.

[Johnny Dollar]

I'd like to talk to you a minute, if Mrs. Baker will excuse us.

[Mrs. Baker]

Why, of course.

[Johnny Dollar]

Thank you.

[Martha Skinner]

And we'll talk again tomorrow, won't we?

[Johnny Dollar]

Sure. Of course we won't. Good night. Mr. Skinner. When was the last accident when someone fell down those long stairs?

[Frank Skinner]

Huh? Why, that was Ms. Betzler, earlier this month. Why?

[Johnny Dollar]

Well, at the head of them, as I came out of my room, I found something that. Well, they were marks that looked to me as though they'd been made by some kind of struggle up there. Oh, and a tiny piece of cloth from a man's suit caught in a splinter on the new post.

[Frank Skinner]

Well, what are you going to do about it?

[Johnny Dollar]

Oh, just leave it there. Tomorrow I'll get somebody from the police. The police laboratory over here to look at it.

[Frank Skinner]

Well, whoever suit that was must have a tear.

[Johnny Dollar]

Oh, no, not necessarily. It was really just a few threads that had been pulled out. But they might be the clue to a killer.

[Frank Skinner]

I see. Well, good luck, Mr. Dollar.

[Johnny Dollar]

Yeah. Thanks. In my room, I waited until long after the big home was quiet and wondered. Wondered if my hunch was going to pay off. Hunch? Sitting there in the porch, Talking with old Mrs. Baker, I suddenly remembered something Pat McCracken had told me in the very beginning. He had notified the home I was coming here to investigate. That meant he'd notified Frank Skinner. Could that have been why Skinner phoned me? Do I lay any suspicion the insurance companies might have? Yeah, I wondered. Finally, about midnight, I heard a noise at the head of the stairway. Quietly, I opened my door. And there at the top of the stairs, armed with a flashlight and standing solidly on his own two feet, was the man who said he was confined to a wheelchair.

[Frank Skinner]

Where, Mr. Dollar?

[Johnny Dollar]

You won't find anything there, Mr. Skinner, because there isn't anything, see?

[Frank Skinner]

You lied to me.

[Johnny Dollar]

It got you up out of that phony wheelchair, didn't it? To see if you'd left some trace of your last murder.

[Frank Skinner]

Now, listen, $.

[Johnny Dollar]

Pretty rotten racket, Skinny. You and only you handle all the finances of this place. You persuaded the old folks to name you as beneficiary of their insurance policies. Then you proceeded to shove them down those stairs.

[Frank Skinner]

Would you like to see how?

[Johnny Dollar]

Yes. Can I?

[Frank Skinner]

Then I'll show you.

[Martha Skinner]

No.

[Johnny Dollar]

No, you don't. Yeah. He'll live to go to trial. And whatever sentence they hand him will be much too short. The sunny dream home. Well, I hope it'll be the quiet, peaceful place his wife wants it to be. Expense account total, including incidentals, $12. Even yours truly, Johnny Dollar.

[Bob Bailey]

Yours truly, Johnny Dollar, starring Bob Bailey, originates in Hollywood and is produced and by Jack Johnstone, who also wrote tonight's story. Heard in our cast were Virginia Gregg, Peggy Weber, Junius Matthews, Larry Dobkin and Burt Holland. Be sure to join us next week, same time and station for another exciting story of yours truly, Johnny Dollar. This is Dan Cubber.

[Johnny Dollar]

Johnny Dollar has come to you through the worldwide facilities of the United States Armed Forces Radio and Television.