Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar: The Village of Virtue Matter 04/27/1958

Summary

Choice Classic Radio Detectives | Old Time Radio
Episode Summary: “Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar: The Village of Virtue Matter”
Release Date: April 14, 2025

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Introduction

In this enthralling episode of Choice Classic Radio's Detectives series, listeners are transported back to the Golden Age of Radio with “Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar: The Village of Virtue Matter.” Starring Bob Bailey as the intrepid insurance investigator Johnny Dollar, the episode delves into a complex case involving thefts in the seemingly tranquil Village of Virtue, South Carolina. Hosted by Choice Classic Radio, this episode promises suspense, intricate character dynamics, and a classic whodunit atmosphere that will captivate both longtime fans and newcomers alike.

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Act 1: The Assignment and Inception

The story commences with Johnny Dollar being approached by Ben Orloff from the Continental Insurance Company in New York. Orloff presents Johnny with a perplexing case: a series of thefts plaguing the Village of Virtue, threatening to spiral into a civil war between the town's residents and the local ex-gangsters.

Key Points:

• Johnny is assigned to investigate the escalating thefts to prevent financial and social chaos.
• Introduction of Joseph "Smokey" Picatello, an ex-gangster turned insurance agent, who provides important background on the community and its inhabitants.

Notable Quotes:

• Johnny Dollar [00:46]: “Did you ever hear of a place called Virtue?”
• Joe Picatello [03:05]: “...Al Capone left behind. And down near the border at San Diego for a while smuggling narcotics across from Mexico.”

Insights: Joe Picatello reveals his past ties to organized crime and his strategic pivot to the insurance business, setting the stage for the intricate web of relationships in Virtue. His insights into the town’s history and the transformation from a hideout to a respectable community add depth to the narrative.

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Act 2: Arrival in Virtue and Rising Tensions

Johnny and Joe travel to the Village of Virtue, a picturesque yet deceptively serene town nestled along the Pee Dee River. The description paints a vivid image of Southern charm juxtaposed with underlying tensions.

Key Points:

• Detailed portrayal of Virtue, highlighting its beauty and the facade of peace maintained over two decades.
• First encounters with the town's ex-gangster residents, including Lefty Stemper and Bull Magoon, who exhibit hostility towards Johnny’s investigation.

Notable Quotes:

• Johnny Dollar [08:19]: “Acres and acres of huge old live oak trees festooned with Spanish moss flowers... It was a beautiful spot.”
• Lefty Stemper [10:11]: “If it's any of your business, it's my business."

Insights: The interactions in this act showcase the fragile balance between the town’s residents and their past. The confrontational stance of characters like Lefty Stemper underscores the tensions and reluctance to embrace external intervention, hinting at deeper conflicts beneath the town’s outward serenity.

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Act 3: Unmasking the Culprit and Resolution

As Johnny delves deeper, the investigation leads him to Parley Carraway, the mayor and police chief of Virtue. Through keen observation and strategic confrontation, Johnny uncovers a web of deceit orchestrated by Carraway himself.

Key Points:

• Discovery that Parley Carraway is behind the thefts, manipulating both the ex-gangsters and the townspeople for personal gain.
• Johnny’s confrontation with Carraway, culminating in the exposure of his fraudulent activities and the restoration of peace in Virtue.

Notable Quotes:

• Johnny Dollar [19:23]: “If I do call in the state police, it'll be to have you locked up.”
• Parley Carraway [19:37]: “I'll tell you, Johnny... unless you make peace.”

Insights: The resolution highlights Johnny’s unwavering integrity and determination to pursue justice, regardless of personal risk. By exposing Carraway, Johnny not only resolves the immediate crisis but also reinforces the theme of upholding honor and the rule of law against corruption and deceit.

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Conclusion

“Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar: The Village of Virtue Matter” masterfully intertwines suspense, character development, and moral dilemmas, offering listeners a compelling narrative that exemplifies the essence of classic detective storytelling. Johnny Dollar’s journey through Virtue serves as a testament to resilience and ethical steadfastness, making this episode a standout addition to the Old Time Radio canon.

Expense Account Summary: Johnny meticulously documents his expenses throughout the investigation, emphasizing his professionalism and the meticulous nature of his work. Notably, he humorously notes, “Expense account total, including the trip back to Hartford. Call it a hundred bucks even” [21:05], underscoring his role as a freelance investigator operating with integrity.

Final Thoughts: This episode not only entertains but also resonates with timeless themes of trust, redemption, and the pursuit of truth. Whether you're a seasoned aficionado of old-time radio or a newcomer seeking quality detective stories, “The Village of Virtue Matter” promises an engaging and memorable listening experience.

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Notable Cast:

• Johnny Dollar: Bob Bailey
• Joe Picatello: [Character voiced by Frank Nelson]
• Parley Carraway: [Character voiced by Billy Halop]
• Lefty Stemper: Jack Crucian
• Additional Characters: Peter Leeds, Gil Stratton, Will Wright

Production Credits: Produced and directed by Jack Johnstone, the episode showcases stellar writing and performances, ensuring a captivating narrative that stands the test of time.

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Thank you for tuning into Choice Classic Radio’s Old Time Radio series. Be sure to subscribe on YouTube, follow us on Facebook, and support us through donations at [e-mail]. Join us next week for another thrilling adventure with Johnny Dollar!

Transcript

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[Johnny Dollar]

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[Lefty Stemper]

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[Parley Carraway]

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[Parley Carraway]

My school uses Podbean.

[Johnny Dollar]

My church too.

[Podbean Announcer]

I love it. I really do.

[Johnny Dollar]

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.

[Narrator]

It's time now for.

[Johnny Dollar]

Johnny duller. Ben Orloff. Mr. Duller, at Continental Insurance Company in New York. Oh, yes, Mr. Orloff. What can I do for you? Did you ever hear of a place called Virtue? Are you kidding? I'm very serious. Wait a minute. Virtue, South Carolina? That's right. You want me to go down there? Yes, if you will. Do you have a bulletproof vest and a couple of extra handguns I can take along? My one suggestion would be that you do not take along any firearms. After all. Ex gangster. Yeah, I see what you mean. All right, what do you want me to do? Our representative has his office in Georgetown. He can give you the whole story. His name is Joseph Picatello. Got it. Joseph Pig Smokey Picatello. The guy whose name was linked with Murder Incorporated a few years back? Yes, $. Joe Smokey Picatello. You sure you want this assignment? Well, I'll tell you this, Mr. Orloff. Yes. If you don't have to pay off on my insurance policy before I'm through. Well, mister, this is going to cost you a whopping big expense account.

[Narrator]

Bob Bailey in the Exciting Adventures of the man with the Action Packed Expense Account. America's fabulous freelance insurance investigator.

[Johnny Dollar]

Yours truly, Johnny Dol. Expense accounts submitted by Special investigator Johnny Dollar. To the Continental Insurance Company, Georgetown, South Carolina office. Following is an account of expenses incurred during my investigation of the Village of Virtue Matter. Expense account item one, $47. Even transportation and all the incidentals I could think of. Hartford, Connecticut to Georgetown, South Carolina. Item two. A dollar for a cab to Continental's office on Screven Street.

[Joe Picatello]

Hi, Dollar. I'm Joe Pigatello. Glad to see you. Sit down.

[Johnny Dollar]

Thanks. Now look, Joe, before we go into this matter, there's something I'd like to know.

[Joe Picatello]

Sure, pal, ask it.

[Johnny Dollar]

Just what are you doing in the insurance business?

[Joe Picatello]

Look, you remember back in New York just before Tom Dewey took over as DA The Great Holy Racket buster.

[Johnny Dollar]

Yeah, and I'm sure you do okay.

[Joe Picatello]

Well, I was just a young punk then, but I was a bright one. Ambitious, you know. Finished up my high school, started taking, studied law. Why not? I could have cleaned up, you know, mouthpiece for some of the mob. Some of the boys I knocked around with. But then Dewey came along, broke up the rackets, so I gave it up.

[Johnny Dollar]

To do what, Joe?

[Joe Picatello]

Oh, you know, this and that. Chicago for a while with some of the boys Al Capone left behind. And down near the border at San.

[Johnny Dollar]

Diego for a while smuggling narcotics across from Mexico.

[Joe Picatello]

Then some of us tried Las Vegas, but we didn't get any. What was that crack? Well, listen, I'm clean. You make a crack like that, you can prove it. Okay, if you can't, don't say it.

[Johnny Dollar]

You were telling me how you got into the insurance business.

[Joe Picatello]

All right. Where I'm taking you on this case. Don't talk like that. The gents I deal with don't like it. And don't forget, whatever you think about them, you could also be wrong.

[Johnny Dollar]

Okay, Joe.

[Joe Picatello]

Two kinds are wrong $. Just plain wrong and dead wrong. You see what I mean? All right. As I was saying, how I got in this insurance racket.

[Johnny Dollar]

As you were saying?

[Joe Picatello]

Well, some of the boys from New York and Chicago went around, did pretty good. Instead of blowing all their dough on booze and dames and big times, they were smart. They leased an old plantation up in the valley north of here on the Pee Dee River. The old Caraway Plantation. It's right next to the town of Virtue.

[Johnny Dollar]

Great name for a hideout, I'll say that.

[Joe Picatello]

I didn't say hideout $. It was just a nice, quiet place where they could live it up in a nice, quiet way. And at the same time, they wouldn't have any cops around their neck.

[Johnny Dollar]

No police in Virtue.

[Joe Picatello]

Nobody but old Polly Carraway. Anyhow, after six, eight months of taking it easy. Mint juleps and hunting and fishing instead of being on the lam all the time. Well, Johnny, you wouldn't believe it.

[Johnny Dollar]

What do you mean?

[Joe Picatello]

Well, they all settled down there to spend the rest of their life. They all weren't respectable, Every last one of them.

[Johnny Dollar]

You sure of that?

[Joe Picatello]

It's been 20 years now. Can you be any more sure than that?

[Johnny Dollar]

I don't know, but go on with what you were saying.

[Joe Picatello]

All right, I got an idea. I signed up with this little insurance company. Then I went up to Virtue and made the pitch. They're all respectable now and they gotta make like respectable people and cover Themselves with a lot of insurance.

[Johnny Dollar]

And it worked.

[Joe Picatello]

You remember Lefty Stumper, the old time.

[Johnny Dollar]

Numbers king for Chicago, right?

[Joe Picatello]

Bookies, slot machines, everything. Oh, pal of mine. So when he told the rest he was buying insurance. Well, Johnny, I got policies on every one of them. The rest of the town, too. On their life, their homes, everything.

[Johnny Dollar]

Okay, now let's get to the point. What's happened up there in Virtue?

[Joe Picatello]

Trouble, Johnny, old man Carraway for me.

[Johnny Dollar]

What kind of trouble?

[Joe Picatello]

Twenty years now, the boys and the people in Virtue have been getting along fine. The boys have been behaving themselves. And the people in town are all nice people. Until a couple of weeks ago.

[Johnny Dollar]

What happened?

[Joe Picatello]

Bully Magoon had himself a nice little fishing boat. Had it ever since he went straight and moved in up there 20 years ago. Now somebody stole it.

[Johnny Dollar]

Well, why don't you just pay off his claim and forget it?

[Joe Picatello]

Listen, a couple of days after that Mr. Avery that runs the general store in Virtue had his boat stolen.

[Johnny Dollar]

So you'll have to pay another claim, but small ones, too.

[Joe Picatello]

Would you listen? Ever since then, not a day has gone by that somebody hasn't had something stolen from him. Mostly the people in Virtue. Votes, cars, money, furniture, anything you can think of. The people blame the boys and the boys blame the people. And Johnny, there's going to be a civil war in Virtue unless somebody finds out who's doing this. And if that happens, there's going to be a lot of killing. And, well, with all the insurance I've sold, me and the company are going to be in trouble.

[Johnny Dollar]

Well, can't you get the state police to come in? State police invite you, you said It's a real respectable community now.

[Joe Picatello]

Yeah, sure it is. But. Well, dragging him in might really start things off. That's why I had to send for you.

[Johnny Dollar]

Look, why don't we go up there so I can see for myself?

[Joe Picatello]

Sure, Johnny, sure. But, hey, open your coat.

[Johnny Dollar]

What?

[Joe Picatello]

I mean, if you're going to take along that lemon squeezer. Well, take my advice.

[Johnny Dollar]

And don't you have a pretty sharp eye, Joe?

[Joe Picatello]

Johnny boy, I can spot a shoulder holster a mile away. But so can some of the boys up in the valley on the plantation. And I don't want you to end up with a slug between your eyes.

[Johnny Dollar]

Real respectable people.

[Joe Picatello]

Well, shall we go? My car's outside.

[Johnny Dollar]

Into the valley of Death rode the 600. At least a couple of them.

[Joe Picatello]

What are you talking about?

[Johnny Dollar]

Nothing, Joe. Let's go.

[Narrator]

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

[Unknown]

Our flag now numbers 50 stars and behind each star there stands yet another flag representing one of the 50 states. Florida's state flag bears the Red Cross of St. Andrew in sympathy with the flag of the Confederacy. On a field of white centered over the cross is the state seal. Within a golden circle, the sun, an emblem of glory and splendor representing absolute authority, peers over a highland. In the distance, flowers, a symbol of hope and joy, are scattered by an Indian maiden indicative of the Indian influence within the state. Centered is the cocoa or palm tree, an emblem of victory, justice and royal honor. Florida state flag. The flag of the 27th state to enter the union was adopted in 1900.

[Narrator]

And now, Act 2 of yours truly, Johnny Dollar and the Village of Virtue matter.

[Johnny Dollar]

Joe Picatello, erstwhile gangster turned insurance agent, led me out to his car and we headed north out of Georgetown. South car. After 20 miles or so, we swung onto a side road paralleling the Pedy River. Then finally we came to the old Caraway plantation. Acres and acres of huge old live oak trees festooned with Spanish moss flowers, millions of them. Azaleas, iris, roses, rhododendron bushes aflame with color in the afternoon sun. Then at the end of a broad tree lined path, the fine old colonial mansion with its towering pillars. The property faced the curving lazy Yellow river, and lying across it was a broad expanse of marshy gr crisscrossed here and there by canals through which the slaves in olden times hauled the rice crop to the riverboats. Yeah, it was a beautiful spot. A calm, quiet, peaceful spot, apparently.

[Joe Picatello]

Well, here we are, Johnny. Let's go in and see if anybody punts. Hey, hey, hold it. Hold it, you punks. It's me, Smokey. Smokey? Who else? Put those guns away. You want to get in trouble?

[Johnny Dollar]

Don't you guys know no better to.

[Lefty Stemper]

Come barging in this way without letting us know you're coming.

[Joe Picatello]

Come on, Johnny.

[Johnny Dollar]

Sure. Nice peaceful spot, huh?

[Lefty Stemper]

Who's that you got with you, Smokey?

[Joe Picatello]

Boys, this is Johnny Dollar. He's from the insurance company. Johnny, this is Bull Magoon.

[Johnny Dollar]

Yeah, hi.

[Joe Picatello]

And this is Lefty Stemper.

[Johnny Dollar]

Hi.

[Lefty Stemper]

Johnny Dollar, huh?

[Joe Picatello]

And the shrimp there is Flippy. Lack of itch. Hiya, Jet.

[Lefty Stemper]

Johnny.

[Johnny Dollar]

I'm pleased to meet you. Catch away, Flippy.

[Lefty Stemper]

What did you bring here? Smoking your dick or something? Yeah, Dollar. What's the idea, Pa?

[Joe Picatello]

All right, all right, let him go, you guys. Oh, yeah, yeah, look, he's on our side. He's up here to find the stuff that's been stolen.

[Lefty Stemper]

Yeah, we don't need no Outside help.

[Johnny Dollar]

Oh, you've found who's behind the thefts, Lifty, no.

[Lefty Stemper]

If it's any of your business, it's my business. You're interrupting me. Yeah, Dolly, shut up. I say we'll find out who's coming over here for you and taking our stuff ourselves. And when we do, we'll eliminate us.

[Johnny Dollar]

Right back to the old days, huh?

[Lefty Stemper]

If we got to, to protect our rights.

[Johnny Dollar]

How about letting me have my gun? Well, here.

[Lefty Stemper]

That Flippy, he wants his gun.

[Joe Picatello]

You make a move the dollar and I'll flip you so fast.

[Johnny Dollar]

Oh, you mean like this?

[Joe Picatello]

Hey, hey, hey. It's Flippy got flipped. Attaboy, Johnny.

[Lefty Stemper]

The shrimp finally got it. Hey, Johnny. Dolly, you're okay.

[Johnny Dollar]

Anybody else want to get smarter?

[Joe Picatello]

He cut me off of the guy.

[Lefty Stemper]

Expert have Flippy.

[Johnny Dollar]

Well, you ain't anymore, Lefty. I'll take my gun.

[Lefty Stemper]

Oh, sure. Yeah, yeah. You're okay, Johnny.

[Johnny Dollar]

All right, now let's get things straight. I'm not the cops, but I'll drag him in if necessary.

[Lefty Stemper]

Oh, now listen.

[Johnny Dollar]

You listen. I'm gonna try to stop what's going on around here. And if any one of you interferes, I'll have you locked up so fast you won't know what's happened to you.

[Lefty Stemper]

Wait a minute. Now listen to me, will you? $wow. Look, I. I guess we're all kind of shaky, you know, we're. Well, we're sort of somewhat upset by the events of the past couple of weeks or two. You know what I mean?

[Johnny Dollar]

Lefty Joe told me that if the burglaries, robberies, whatever they are, go on much longer, there's liable to be a war between you and the people of the town.

[Lefty Stemper]

We ain't worried now. We got enough guns and ammo stashed the way around to. Shut up.

[Johnny Dollar]

Oh, yeah, yeah, sure, Matthew, I'm sure you have. But if you ever expect to make peace again with the townspeople, if you expect to stay on here, we got.

[Lefty Stemper]

At least 15 years to go. Shut up.

[Podbean Announcer]

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[Johnny Dollar]

Ready to share your message with the world. Start your podcast journey with Podbean.

[Podbean Announcer]

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[Parley Carraway]

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[Podbean Announcer]

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[Lefty Stemper]

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[Podbean Announcer]

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[Johnny Dollar]

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[Podbean Announcer]

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[Johnny Dollar]

Okay.

[Lefty Stemper]

All right, look, all we got here is our hunting Rifles and with shotguns and a couple of pistols in case of a snake, you know, while we're hunting or fishing here in the swamps. A lot of cottonmouths around here, you know.

[Joe Picatello]

That's a fact, Johnny.

[Johnny Dollar]

The point is I didn't come here without providing for any and every exigency.

[Joe Picatello]

What's that mean?

[Lefty Stemper]

Oh, boy, what a dope. It means if anything happens to him, we're dead. Now, ain't that. Excuse me. Isn't that right, Dollar?

[Johnny Dollar]

Right.

[Lefty Stemper]

You see?

[Johnny Dollar]

Now give me a hand. Cooperate with me and maybe we can clear this thing up. Don't. And I have only one alternative. What's that mean?

[Joe Picatello]

Shut up.

[Johnny Dollar]

And that's to have you legally ousted from here. Out of the state if necessary.

[Lefty Stemper]

Oh, now look, $, we'll cooperate. Now, I don't mind telling you, we love this place. Look, it's the only real home. We got Flippy and Sadie. We got Bull and Mary and me and Nora. Maybe. Maybe we got records. All right, Some of us maybe did time for some of the little jobs we pulled, huh? But we've been playing it straight since we come here. All along the line.

[Joe Picatello]

Like I told you, Johnny.

[Lefty Stemper]

Yeah. Ernest, look, that's the way we want to keep it. If the people are virtual, just leave us.

[Johnny Dollar]

Keep it that way.

[Lefty Stemper]

And you know something? I don't get it.

[Johnny Dollar]

Don't get what, Lefty?

[Lefty Stemper]

Well, over 20 years everything's been nice and okay, huh? Now they gotta start this.

[Johnny Dollar]

What about the losses they've suffered?

[Lefty Stemper]

They ask me dollar their phonies to cover up for robbing our stuff. Nobody asked you.

[Johnny Dollar]

Maybe they think the same way about your losses, huh? Same. Yeah. Now, where's the owner of this place, Caraway?

[Lefty Stemper]

Oh, yeah, he's over invite you at his office.

[Johnny Dollar]

Office?

[Joe Picatello]

Sure.

[Lefty Stemper]

He's a mayor and a police.

[Johnny Dollar]

All right. Joe and I are going over to.

[Joe Picatello]

See him now, Johnny.

[Lefty Stemper]

Smokey, will you please don't go. They see you guys coming from here, they're gonna take a shot at you. Now, Carraway told me so.

[Johnny Dollar]

Yeah, sure, we'll take that chance. Come on, Joe.

[Joe Picatello]

Well, I'll tell you, Johnny.

[Johnny Dollar]

Tell me along the way. Come on. The more I thought about the whole thing, the sillier it all seemed. Yet it was obvious that even after 20 years, lefty and Bull and Flippy might think of only one way to settle their problems. With a gun. And if the people of virtue were feeling the same way. But as Joe and I walked along the main, the only street of the little town, there were no signs of Hostility or even suspicion toward us.

[Joe Picatello]

Now look, Johnny, if those bums back at the plantation are making this trouble.

[Johnny Dollar]

Why, why would they, Joe?

[Joe Picatello]

That's what I don't get. But what if they don't like your interfering, decide to knock you off?

[Johnny Dollar]

Then I'll probably go to my grave unmourned, unremembered.

[Joe Picatello]

Yeah, but you told Lefty you'd provide it for every exigent for. Well, for if anything should happen to you.

[Johnny Dollar]

Yeah, and he and the boys believed it.

[Joe Picatello]

And if anything does the.

[Johnny Dollar]

Huh. Yeah. All I can hope is that they keep on believing.

[Narrator]

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

[Unknown]

Sometimes a quotation is a helpful thing because it points out some wisdom that helps us to lead better lives. Here's one that struck me as being very wise and true. Dr. Samuel Johnson, that wise and witty man immortalized by Boswell, said, quote, it matters not how a man dies, but how he lives, unquote. A man's life may be long or short, but the way he lives it is the important thing. It's important no matter what he does, that he have integrity, loyalty and honor and a sound code of conduct. Enlisting at the age of 17 with his parents permission, Corporal Charles L. Gilliland found himself soon after his 18th birthday in a narrow defile in the middle of the treacherous rocky terrain of Tongmani, Korea. At 2:30am that moonlit morning of April 25, 1951, Corporal Gilliland's army unit, Company I, 7th Infantry Regimental Combat Team of the 3rd Division, became the focal point of a murderous assault from Chinese communist forces. The fighting became brutal and bloody. The brunt of the attack was directed up the defile guarded by Gilliland with his automatic rifle. The slashing barrage of small arms, automatic weapons, motor and artillery fire was dropping the men all around him. Gilliland faced the full force of the assault and advancing against tremendous odds, poured a steady fire into the attacking forces and eventually halted him. For valiant and heroic conduct, Corporal Charles Gilliland was awarded the Medal of Honor. Although in age he still may have been considered a boy, he had lived and died like a man.

[Narrator]

And now, act three of yours truly, Johnny Dollar and the village of Virtue matters.

[Johnny Dollar]

Joe Picatello and I walked the main street of Virtue, South Carolina, unmolested, virtually unnoticed. And we found the mayor, Parley Carraway, and the little shack that served for an office.

[Parley Carraway]

I'm also the police chief, Mr. Dollar. Don't you forget that, sir.

[Johnny Dollar]

And you found no clue as to who has been committing the robberies?

[Parley Carraway]

No, sir. None whatsoever. But who else would do it? They're all three of them. Ex gangsters?

[Joe Picatello]

Sure. Ex gangsters.

[Johnny Dollar]

Why, Mr. Carraway, why would these men suddenly want to make trouble with their friends, your townspeople?

[Parley Carraway]

I don't know. I honestly don't know. Unless, of course, they think they can take over the way they used to take over gangs in the old days.

[Johnny Dollar]

After 20 years of a happy relationship.

[Joe Picatello]

Mr. Carraway, they never made a bit of trouble in all that time.

[Parley Carraway]

I know it. I know it. But the fact remains that unless this trouble stops. After all, Virtue was here long before they came. Unless it stops, I say, I shall have to break their lease and make them leave the plantation.

[Johnny Dollar]

Oh, they pay you pretty well for it, huh?

[Parley Carraway]

Enough to keep it in good repair.

[Johnny Dollar]

Cindy, that's a beautiful ring you're wearing.

[Parley Carraway]

Oh. Oh, yes. Yeah. Two and a half carat diamonds.

[Johnny Dollar]

Yeah. And is that your nice new car out front?

[Parley Carraway]

Yeah, it certainly is. Ain't it pretty?

[Johnny Dollar]

About $8,000, Purdy.

[Joe Picatello]

Didn't you have a new one last year, too, Mr. Caraway?

[Parley Carraway]

Hush. I try to have one every year.

[Johnny Dollar]

But now, tell me one thing, Mr. Caraway.

[Parley Carraway]

Yes, sir?

[Johnny Dollar]

If you really think the robberies around here are going to cause so much trouble.

[Unknown]

Oh, I do.

[Parley Carraway]

I do. That's why I contacted Mr. Picatello.

[Johnny Dollar]

Or why haven't you called in the state police?

[Parley Carraway]

Because I am the mayor of Virtue. I'm the police department. And I can take care of these things myself. And now that you gentlemen have witnessed the bad blood between these gangsters and the people of the town, well, sir, I'm going to throw them off that plantation.

[Johnny Dollar]

In spite of all the money they've been paying you?

[Parley Carraway]

Yes, sir. And I'm sure you gentlemen will back me up in all the money, did you say?

[Johnny Dollar]

Enough to keep you well dressed, well fed and fancy cars.

[Parley Carraway]

Now, look here, sir. You realize how much that property will bring?

[Johnny Dollar]

Why, now, that depends. How much have you been offered?

[Parley Carraway]

I'll tell you how much. 124. How did you know?

[Johnny Dollar]

You just told me.

[Parley Carraway]

Well, now listen.

[Johnny Dollar]

You also told me why you've been robbing the people of Virtue and those men at the plantation. To stir a bad feeling. Give you an excuse to get them out. What?

[Joe Picatello]

Johnny, you're right.

[Parley Carraway]

Now, just, just.

[Johnny Dollar]

If I do call in the state police, it'll be to have you locked up. No. And if Joe here has any sense, he'll tell the insurance company to bring charges of fraud against you.

[Joe Picatello]

You said it.

[Parley Carraway]

Oh, but the money. Think of all the money I could make shelling the old place.

[Johnny Dollar]

Now, where is the stuff that's been stolen?

[Parley Carraway]

It hasn't been harmed. It's stored away. Carefully stored away. I was going to give it back when. When those men left and I could sell the play.

[Johnny Dollar]

Give them their stuff too.

[Parley Carraway]

Well, I'd make up for it in cash. Every cent of it. In cash? Yes. I'd say it was for breaking the lease. Truly, Mr. Dollar.

[Johnny Dollar]

Now you listen, you old money grubbing crook. You're in trouble.

[Parley Carraway]

You. You call in the state police.

[Johnny Dollar]

You bet I will. Unless.

[Parley Carraway]

Unless what, sir?

[Johnny Dollar]

First you lay off the plantation. You've leased it to those men. Let them have it and return all the stuff you stole.

[Parley Carraway]

Oh, but if they find out you.

[Johnny Dollar]

Figured how to get it away from them. Now figure out how to get it back. Discover it, anything you like. The point is that if you don't get it back, I'll tell them where it is. And you know what that'll mean.

[Parley Carraway]

Oh, yes, Mr. Gallahan. I'll get it back.

[Johnny Dollar]

Also, respect that lease. I believe it has 15 more years to run.

[Parley Carraway]

Yes, sir, it has.

[Lefty Stemper]

I will.

[Johnny Dollar]

Okay, do all this and Joe and I will forget the whole thing. But if you don't. And Joe will be checking on you.

[Joe Picatello]

You said it.

[Parley Carraway]

Oh, but I will. I will, Mr. Dollar. I promise you I'll.

[Johnny Dollar]

Come on, Joe. Let's go back to the plantation and have a drink with some respectable citizens. Yeah, this insurance business really has some funny ones. And I guess it's the funny ones that balance out the bad, the tragic cases. Anyhow, I like it. Expense account total, including the trip back to Hartford. Call it a hundred bucks even. And in view of our little secret, Joe, well, maybe you'd better pay it out of petty cash. And listen, those pals of yours, you better drop in on them now and then to make sure they do stay on the straight and narrow. As well as that old coot Caraway. Yours truly, Johnny Doll.

[Narrator]

Our star will return in just a moment.

[Unknown]

Our flag now numbers 50 stars and behind each star there stands yet another flag representing one of the 50 states. Michigan's state flag was born on February 22, 1837. Because of the strategic role played by Michigan in the War of 1812, the word to aboriginal I will defend is prominent on the blue flag of Michigan. Beneath it, a rising sun casts its rays over a lake. And a man standing on a peninsula with his right hand raised, symbolizing peace, while in his left hand he holds a gun indicating that although they love peace, the people of Michigan are ready to defend their state and nation. Another motto, the state's official one, is at the base of the flag. See Querus Peninsulam Aemonam Circumspace. If you seek a pleasant peninsula, look about you. Thus does Michigan's flag carry its own invitation to visit one of America's scenic areas. Michigan State Flag the flag of the 26th state to enter the union was adopted on August 1, 1911.

[Narrator]

Now here's our star to tell you about next week's story.

[Johnny Dollar]

Next week, a strange series of fires. And believe me, the reason for them is a a strange one too. Join us, won't you? Yours truly, Johnny Dolly.

[Narrator]

Yours truly, Johnny Dollar, starring Bob Bailey, originates in Hollywood and is produced and directed by Jack Johnstone, who also wrote today's story. Heard in our cast were Frank Nelson, Billy Halop, Jack Crucian, Peter Leeds, Gil Stratton and Will Wright. Be sure to join us next week, same time and station, for another exciting story of yours truly, Johnny Dollar. This is Dan Cubberley speaking.

[Johnny Dollar]

This is the United States Armed Forces Radio and Telev Service.

[Joe Picatello]

RA.