21st Precinct 53-07-14 (002) Case of the Young Incorrigible

Summary

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Podcast Summary: 21st Precinct 53-07-14 (002) Case of the Young Incorrigible

Podcast: Harold's Old Time Radio
Episode Date: February 22, 2026
Original Air Date: July 14, 1953
Host: Harold's Old Time Radio

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Episode Overview

This episode of "21st Precinct" dramatizes the case of George Rostek, a 17-year-old accused of a string of violent muggings. The narrative centers on the police investigation, the anguish of George's mother as she grapples with the charges against her son, and the procedures of justice as experienced in a mid-century New York precinct. Themes of family, law enforcement, and the struggle for redemption amid adversity are explored with characteristic realism.

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Key Discussion Points & Plot Progression

1. A Mother’s Desperation

• [00:38 – 04:00]
  • Mrs. Rostek, worried and confused, comes to the precinct to ask Captain Kennelly for help after hearing her son George has been arrested for robbery.
  • She recounts detectives visiting her home in the middle of the night and her distress at not understanding the severity of the accusations.

Quote (Mrs. Rostek, 03:11):
"It's my boy, George. You remember my boy George? He got arrested."

2. Police Routine & Investigation

• [01:27 – 05:00]
  • Captain Kennelly oversees roll call and issues instructions regarding a separate escaped patient from a state hospital, providing a glimpse into the daily life and responsibilities at the precinct.
  • The investigation into George's case unfolds, with the Captain seeking details from Detective Tully.

Quote (Captain Kennelly, 05:00):
"What does George say?"
Det. Tully: "Nothing, Captain. He's about the meanest, surliest kid I've seen all year..."

3. The Case Against George

• [05:00 – 06:56]
  • Evidence mounts: George is caught with victims’ wallets and a pocketbook, and a recent victim is in the hospital with serious injuries.
  • Mrs. Rostek is heartbroken, struggling to reconcile the boy she raised with the accused criminal.

Quote (Mrs. Rostek, 06:10):
"I don't believe it. I don't."

4. Parental Anguish & Legalities

• [06:38 – 07:21]
  • Discussion about the need for legal counsel, the court process, and Mrs. Rostek’s guilt over her son's troubles.

Quote (Mrs. Rostek, 07:06):
"I... I raised him good. I sent him to school and to church... He's a good boy."

5. Attempting to Reach George

• [08:11 – 10:00]
  • Captain Kennelly promises Mrs. Rostek he’ll speak to George to seek understanding.
  • Upstairs, the detectives express skepticism about getting through to the defiant teen.

Quote (Det. Tully, 09:19):
"You can talk to him, Captain, but he won't say anything to you..."

6. Interrogation: George’s Defiance

• [10:00 – 12:25]
  • George is hostile and unrepentant during Captain Kennelly’s attempted conversation, denying responsibility and mocking his parents and the police.

Quote (George, 10:59):
"That's the trouble with them. Slobs. Nothing but slobs."

• Detectives prepare for a lineup as the victims arrive to identify their attacker.

7. The Police Lineup

• [14:18 – 18:35]
  • Mrs. Brown and another victim successfully identify George in the lineup, confirming his involvement in the assaults.
  • The procedure is careful and deliberate to ensure accuracy and fairness.

Quote (Mrs. Brown, 17:41): “Oh, there won’t be any mistake. I’ll be sure.”

Quote (Captain Kennelly, 18:31): "That wouldn’t be a bad idea, George. I’d think a lot more of you if you did." (After suggesting he could show remorse)

8. Escape and the Precinct’s Response

• [18:35 – 22:46]
  • As George is being booked, he makes a daring escape through an open door, outrunning officers and vanishing into the neighborhood.
  • The precinct responds with a city-wide search and surveillance on his mother's business and home.

9. A Mother’s Reluctant Confession

• [22:46 – 25:39]
  • Kennelly visits Mrs. Rostek’s store, gently pressing her for George’s whereabouts.
  • She deflects and denies knowledge, then subtly reveals that she’s been helping her son by providing money and hints at his hideout.

Quote (Mrs. Rostek, 23:01):
“Maybe I didn’t raise him right... But I tried... He’s a good boy.”

Quote (Captain Kennelly, 24:40): “If we don’t get him soon, Mrs. Rostek, he’s finished. He’s young and he’s got a chance to get straightened out… If we don’t get him, he can’t do anything but get worse... The next charge will be murder.”

Quote (Mrs. Rostek, 25:36): “He’s a good boy, Joe. A good boy.”

• Kennelly follows a tip, deducing where George is hiding.

10. Closing Reflections

• [25:39 – 27:35]
  • The episode ends reflecting on the relentless churn of the city and police life—the "flesh and blood merry-go-round"—and the ongoing, often ambiguous fight to save youth from ruin.

Quote (Narrator, 26:52): “Anyone can catch the brass ring, or the brass ring can catch anyone.”

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Notable Quotes & Moments with Timestamps

• Mrs. Rostek’s Plea – "I raised him good. I sent him to school and to church. Been hard since I buried his father, but I sent him. He's a good boy." (07:06)
• Detective Tully on George: – "You can talk to him, Captain, but he won’t say anything to you. I know kids. I like kids. I got one of my own his age. But this one, brother..." (09:19)
• George’s Defiance – "That’s the trouble with them. Slobs. Nothing but slobs. Not a brain in their heads. He’s dead and he’s just as smart now as he was before." (10:58)
• Mrs. Brown at the Lineup – "Oh, there won’t be any mistake. I’ll be sure." (17:41)
• Captain Kennelly’s Warning to Mrs. Rostek – "If we don’t get him soon, Mrs. Rostek, he’s finished… The next charge will be murder." (24:40)
• Narrative Closure – "Anyone can catch the brass ring, or the brass ring can catch anyone." (26:52)

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Important Segment Timestamps

• First Plea from Mrs. Rostek: [03:03]
• Detective Tully Details the Evidence: [05:00]
• Interrogation of George: [10:00 – 12:25]
• Police Lineup Scene: [14:18 – 18:35]
• George’s Escape: [18:35 – 22:46]
• Interview with Mrs. Rostek at the Store: [22:46 – 25:39]
• Final Reflection/Narration: [26:52]

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Tone & Style

The tone is earnest, somber, and reflective. Dialogue is realistic, with subdued emotion—there are no easy answers or moralizing, but instead a steady search for truth, understanding, and justice. The episode is a classic slice of mid-century radio drama: methodical, character-driven, and rooted in its sense of place and era.

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Final Thoughts

This episode offers a poignant exploration of youth delinquency, parental guilt, and the processes—both bureaucratic and deeply human—that define police work in a big city. The drama is as much about the struggles of Mrs. Rostek as it is about the investigation, making the "Case of the Young Incorrigible" a powerful study of how easily the “brass ring” of fortune—or misfortune—can ensnare anyone.

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Transcript

[A]

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[B]

TUNE FOR THE DAY TOUR Yeah.

[C]

Could I talk to you, Captain, please?

[B]

Well, you're Mrs. Rostek, aren't you?

[C]

Yes, Mrs. Craft.

[B]

Well, it's been a long time. You still got the star?

[C]

Oh, yeah, sure. I got it when Joe died. I thought maybe I'd sell it, but I couldn't get nothing for a little store like that. I got the store. How much did $0.05 candy, $0.10 sodas mean in newspapers?

[B]

Well, what can I do for you, Mrs. Rosting?

[C]

It's. It's my boy George. You remember my boy George?

[B]

Yes.

[C]

He got arrested.

[B]

Where?

[C]

Here, upstairs. The detective?

[B]

What for? Captain. Yes? They're about to turn out. Do you want to talk to them? Yes, I'll be right there.

[C]

Oh, she're busy, Captain.

[B]

Oh, you sit right down here. Mrs. LUSTICK. I'll be back.

[C]

Yes, you're busy.

[B]

I walked out into the muster room and stood behind the desk. The bell rang. In marched the platoon for the day tour. Patrol sergeant brought them to a halt. He reported the platoon inspected. The desk officer ordered the roll. Martin Rifkin, Rose Shaw, Sutton, Thompson, Bavasino. Zalek. F100. Well, a couple of things. Men. We've had an alarm from the Harlem Valley State Hospital. An escaped metal case. His name is Lester c. Trey. Age 58, 5ft 10 and a half inches, 165 pounds, gray hair, blue eyes, light complexion, medium build. And he walks with a slight limp in his right leg. They say this fella used to hang out in bar and grills on Second Avenue in the 70s before he was confined. You sector men and you men on post there, keep your eyes out for him. Now, I don't like to talk about this. I'm not going to mention any names because I don't want to embarrass anybody. But get your house tax paid up. Those of you who are delinquent will have forthwith sent to your home. All right, Sergeant, quote to platoon. Platoon, left face. Forward Hotel. The men who would patrol the precinct on foot and in cars for the next eight hours. Walked out the door and onto the street. I looked over entries in the blotter and I walked back around the desk toward my office, where Mrs. Rostek was waiting. 21st Precinct. Sergeant Klein. All right, 671. All right, Mrs. Rostak.

[C]

I don't want to take up your time, Captain.

[B]

That's what I'm here for. What was your boy arrested for?

[C]

I don't know. Robbery.

[B]

Tell me what happened.

[C]

I was asleep. Two or three o'clock this morning.

[B]

I don't know.

[C]

Somebody was knocking on the door. I thought George. I thought he forgot his keys. Was two men, not. Not policemen. Detectives. They said, where's George? I said, I don't know. He isn't home yet. If he sleeps on the couch, he isn't home. They said, should we wait? I didn't want them there. But I said, all right, then they want to look at George's face. I don't know. I told them I got no right to show them. Ask George. All right, they said, pretty soon George come home. Maybe 3:30, 4 o'. Clock. There wasn't any trouble? No trouble. George told them his things and they said it would be better to come here and talk. George said, go back to sleep. I'll be home right away. I thought they just wanted to talk. So I went back to sleep.

[B]

Who told he is being held for robbery?

[C]

I woke up and he wasn't there. So I came here and asked the man out there.

[B]

He said, the desk lieutenant?

[C]

Yeah, the lieutenant. He said, go upstairs to the detectives.

[B]

Was George upstairs?

[C]

Yeah, in a little office with one of the detectives who came last night. They were still talking. I went in and I said, what did you do, George? He told me, go home, Margaret. Get out of here.

[B]

What was the name of the detective who arrested him?

[C]

Oh, it's two something. I don't know.

[B]

How old is George?

[C]

Seventeen. Seventeen?

[B]

In January he was 17. Or he will be 17.

[C]

He was in January? I don't know, Captain. They came, they took him. He's a good boy. He goes to the school. He works after.

[B]

Let me see what I can find out. Yes, sir. Give me Lt. King upstairs, will you? Yes.

[C]

A good boy. He wouldn't do anything like robbery.

[B]

21st Squad. Detective Tully. This is Captain Kelly. Is Lieutenant King around? No, sir. I don't expect him back until 11:30 or 12. Oh, listen, Tully. Whose squeal is that? George Rostek being held for robbery. That's my squeal, Captain. Oh, well, what's it look like? We've got a maid and three muggings. The last one was about one o' clock this morning. Definitely him. He had the man's wallet in his pocket when we arrested him. The man's in the hospital with two broken ribs and a kick in the face. There was another wallet and a lady's pocketbook in his drawer at home. Those are the other two. What does George say? Nothing, Captain. He's about the meanest, surliest kid I've seen all year. He won't tell me the right time of day. What are you gonna do with him? We're waiting for the other victims, the man and the woman. When they get here, we'll have a lineup and we'll take them down to court. Any particular reason you're interested, Captain? Well, his mother's here. Oh, yeah? He wouldn't even say hello to her when she was upstairs. She's had her hands full with that one, all right. Yeah. Well, thanks, Tony. Anytime, Captain. Yes? He's charged with robbery, Mrs. Rossick.

[C]

I don't believe it. I don't.

[B]

I say he mugged three people.

[C]

Mugged? What's mugged?

[B]

Beat them up and robbed them on the street. One last night. He's still in the hospital.

[C]

Not my George. I don't believe it.

[B]

He's been in trouble before, hasn't he?

[C]

He's a good boy, Captain. A very good boy. What are they going to do? What happens now?

[B]

They'll take him down to court this morning.

[C]

Not for a trial.

[B]

No to felony court. For a hearing, to set bonds.

[C]

He needs a lawyer.

[B]

Wouldn't be a bad idea.

[C]

He. Oh, I don't know a lawyer. Do you know somebody, Captain?

[B]

I can't recommend anyone. Mrs. Rostick.

[C]

Oh, Mrs. DePromio, from the hardware store. Her oldest boy is a lawyer. I'll ask her. What? Diamond Court. Where?

[B]

Well, I've got to get through here first, but they'll go to felony court. 100 Center street, in the criminal courts building.

[C]

You sure it's not the trial? They won't send him away.

[B]

All it's for is the set bail.

[C]

Oh. How much does their cost?

[B]

You better get your lawyer, Mrs. You can ask him all about that.

[C]

Oh, all right. I don't know, Captain. I. I raised him good. I sent him to school and to church. Been hard since I buried his father, but I sent him. He's a good boy.

[B]

You get your lawyer.

[C]

I know you're very busy, Captain. Just one more thing. You know me. You know Joe a long time. 10, 12 years. I don't know. I do my best for him, Captain. My best.

[B]

Yes, I'm sure you do.

[C]

Please, one favor. If I can go upstairs, talk to him, say something to George. Ask him why. I want to know why he did this. I can't. Ask him.

[B]

I can't.

[C]

He needed money.

[B]

I don't know. Well, that case is not in my hands, Mrs. Rostick.

[C]

Please. Kathy. Please.

[B]

All right, I'll talk to him. Come in. Captain. Yes? Patrolman Farrell has your car outside, Captain. He wants to know whether you're going to patrol any this morning. If not, he'll take it down to motor Maintenance. Have him look at a sticky valve.

[C]

Well, excuse me, dear.

[B]

Yes? Thanks for stopping in, Mrs. Rosdick.

[C]

Just talk to George. You'll speak. He's a good boy. He's a very good boy.

[B]

That's all right. Bye. Oh, what'd you say about my car? Sergeant Farrell's got it outside, sir. If you're not going to patrol this morning, he'll drive down the motor maintenance and have him look at that sticky belt. I was off all day yesterday. Why didn't you take it down there? Beats me, Ken. Why? Would you tell him? Just a second. Yes? 21st Precinct, Captain Canary. Who? Oh, hello, Eddie. Yeah, sure, I. I got it down on my calendar. Wednesday, 4pm Clinton playground, softball field, Comets vs. Eagles. The roof doesn't fall in on us. I'll be there to see at least part of the game. I'd sure like to. Thanks for calling to remind me, Andy. Okay. Tell Farrell to come in here and talk to me about the car. Yes. Oh, and there's a communication from the Chief Inspector's office. We're getting three brand new rookies for the night tour today. Tell McCarty I want Sergeant Burns to put them on six posts tonight. Put them someplace he can keep an eye on them. Yes, right away. My operator, Patrolman Johnny Farrell, came in first and I told him to drive down to Motor Maintenance Service station number one at 16th street and Avenue C and get the valve repaired. I finished up the morning's paperwork and looked over the departmental records of the three new rookies who would report at 4pm for the night tour. At 10 o', clock, I walked upstairs to the 21st Detective Squad to keep my promise to Mrs. Rostek. Most of the men were out as they should have been, making investigations on squeals assigned to them. The on duty detective sat at his desk typing out a UF61 report. A woman, obviously a narcotics addict, was on the bench in a corner waiting for detectives of the narcotics squad to come and talk to her. Door to Lt. King's office stood half open. Detective Jim Tully, who was inside, saw me come into the room and walked out to greet me. Hello, Kevin. How are you, Tully? Dragging. No sleep. I promised the mother I'd talk to that rustic boy. I've known her for years. You can talk to him, Captain, but he won't say anything to you. I know kids. I like kids. I got one of my own his age. But this one brother. Well, what does he say about these deals? He's not even sorry he'd do it again. If you can figure him, Captain, you win the prize. He tried to pull away from me. I had to put the cuffs on him. Now you talk to your lawyer man. Oh, hello, Matt. I didn't think you were here. Just got back, Captain. What is this, Lieutenant? Yeah, go ahead. His mother asked me to talk to him. Sure. Hello, George. If you're another cop, I don't want to talk to you. I've talked to enough cops. Now listen, you. You're not in here to do what you want to do. Okay, Jim? Not in here because I want to be either. George, this is Captain Kennelly. He's the commanding officer of this precinct. So? And I'm a friend of your mother's. What's that supposed to get you? Listen, boy, you're looking at a rough deal. There's no sense making it any rougher. What else could I make it? What do you want, mister? I told you I'd talk to enough cops. I've known your mother for 10 years, George, and I knew your father. Good, hard working people. That's the trouble with them. Slobs. Nothing but slobs. Not a brain in their heads. He's dead and he's just as smart now as he was before. You think you're so smart. Three years standing around trying to find out something from me, aren't you? We don't have to find out anything from you, boy. We've got you. Right, you mug. Three people on the street in this precinct alone. We found that one man's wallet in your pocket. I picked it up on the subway. Lost it. Biddy. Well, tell me how you got the property that belonged to the other two. How did that wind up in your drawer? How should I know? This guy put it there to get something on me. Now listen. You weren't happy enough taking the money from them. You had to knock them down and kick them all over the sidewalk. You're the one kind of Guy we don't want around here. George, we're bringing every mudding victim in from the 19th and 23rd to have a look at you. Boy, if what I think is true, we'll just about clear the books. Sure, clear them all up. 17 years and you've already done more damage than the average guy we get in here, we're doing 70. There's no juvenile anymore. You can get the book thrown at you, George. And I'm gonna help do the throwing, See, Captain, you can get back and tell my mother how nice they treat me around here. Give her a written report. Why don't you be sensible about this thing, George? Get it straightened out. Be a little help. Help for what? Come in. Whitey's back with the victims, Lieutenant. The woman, too? Yes, sir. He's here. All right, let's have a lineup. Who've we got? There's a couple of fellas, 18 or 19, down in the cells. Car thieves. All right, get them up here. Give them a hand getting it set up, Jim. Yeah, Lieutenant?

[A]

You bet.

[B]

Where's Whiting? What happens now? Look, Captain, if you're a friend of my mother's, tell him to take these bracelets off, huh? Look at this. They got me chained to the chair like an animal. Look at that. Would you rather be locked up? They'll come off when you settle down. We can take them off now, Captain. What is this, a new deal? The people you kicked around and robbed are here, George. We're gonna have a party. Yeah, you're the guest of honor. What's up, baby?

[A]

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[B]

Blackjack, Wanted Dead or Wild.

[A]

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[B]

The purpose of a criminal investigation is to arrive at the truth through the accumulation of evidence. Because a police officer is at the scene of a crime only in rare instances, he cannot depend upon his own direct knowledge for the truth. In cases of robbery and assault, the greatest amount of help in arriving at the truth comes from victims and witnesses who can usually identify the assailant on site. The process of identification is very exact and painstaking for two reasons. First, to protect the suspect against erroneous identification if he is innocent. And second, to establish the fact beyond all question if he's guilty. Come in. You're all set for the lineup, Lieutenant. Where are the witnesses, Jim? Across the hall. Hold them there for a minute. I'll tell you. Yes, sir. Would you like to stay around for this, Captain? Yeah, sure. Thanks, man. All right, George, on your feet. Why? Get up. Now, look, we're going out in the squad room. There's a couple more fellas we're holding out there. They and you and two young detectives are going to line up. And this woman, this Mrs. Brown and the man with the claimant are going to come in one at a time. They were both mugged on the streets. What we want to see is, can they pick out the one who mugged them? It's the frame up. It's all fixed. Is it? I guess it was all fixed that you had Mrs. Brown's pocketbook and Mr. Klayman's wallet at your house. Well, that's. Look, George, the truth has to come out. Why don't you save everybody a lot of time and trouble? Why don't you save your advice? All right, come on. Okay, let's have the lineup. Yes, sir. All right, you boys step over here. Over here. Come on. Well, what do you say, George? You can't duck it if you're the boy. Come on, George. All right, get lined up over there like I showed you. Yes, sir. Come in. All set, Lieutenant. There's one or two more men to stand up there. I don't want any Mistake about this, Whitey. Max, give us a hand with us, will you? One of you on each end. All right, all right. Keep it quiet. Okay, George, this is your party. Get wherever you like. You know, what difference does it make? Go on, pick your spot. It's all a put up job anyway. Great kid, Captain. Yeah, I know what you mean. Only for his squad. Stand up straight and don't jabber. Hold on, Captain Canelli. Formed for you. All right. Excuse me, madam. Yeah, sure, Captain. What about set, Lieutenant? Okay. Captain Canelli. Sergeant Corn, Captain. All right. What do you think? Mr. Brown from the corporation. He wants some information about a woman who fell down the subway stairs on April 6 and has a claim against the city pending. Did you get out the aided case, Carne? Yes, sir. He wanted to talk to the officer who was on the job and the. Open that door. Open. Oh, well, who was the patrolman? Eisman, sir. He worked a late tour last night. All right, Sergeant. Tell Mr. Osniel to wait in my office. I'll be downstairs in a few minutes. Yes, all right. Come in, Mrs. Brown. Come off this way, please.

[C]

Having a plane?

[B]

No, I don't think so. This is Captain Canelli, Mrs. Brown. How do you do?

[C]

Hello.

[B]

I'm Lieutenant King.

[C]

Hello.

[B]

You see those men standing over there, Mrs. Brown?

[C]

Yes.

[B]

Could you identify any of them as the man who robbed you?

[C]

Well, it's an awful thing.

[B]

I want you to be sure. I don't want any mistakes.

[C]

Oh, there won't be any mistake. I'll be sure.

[B]

Why don't you look them all over good? Every one of them. All right, look them over twice. You have to keep quiet. If you see the one, tap him on the shoulder.

[C]

Now?

[B]

Yes, now.

[C]

All right,

[B]

Tap him on the shoulder.

[C]

This one?

[B]

Who are you kidding, Mr.

[C]

Winner?

[B]

All right, hold them. The other victim is here, too.

[A]

All right.

[B]

The rest of you. All right. What do you think this is? Quiet dog.

[C]

You ought to be ashamed of yourself, young man. Do you know that I had a cut in my thigh and my back was sore for a week? A week?

[B]

What do you want me to do, break down and cry? That wouldn't be a bad idea, George. I'd think a lot more of you if you did. After the second victim had identified George Rostek as his assailant, I left the detective squad and walked down the stairs through the back room to my office. Mr. Othniel of the Corporation Counsel's Office of the City of New York was waiting. He explained to me that a woman who slept on the subway stairs was making what appeared to be an unfounded claim for damages against the city. I arranged for the patrolman who answered the original call to give his immediate and full cooperation with the Corporation Council's office. Meanwhile, the robbery suspect, George Rostek, had been taken by detectives to Miss York Hospital, where he was also identified by his latest victim. I was still at my desk when Detective Tully returned from the hospital with George Rostake with instructions to book the suspect on three charges of robbery and assault. The act of booking is the first step in the judicial process leading to trial. The charges and the circumstances of the arrest are entered in the arrest record by the desk officer in the muster room. I sat at my desk and watched the procedure through the open door of my office. Rostec Hros T, E, K. George. Any middle initials? No, no middle initial. Age? 17. Occupation? What are you? A student, George? When I work at it. Student. Robbery and assault three times. He's going down to 240 to be mugged and printed. And then the felony courts. Yeah. Let's see what you got on you, George. Negative, Tom. 50 78. It happened faster than it can be told A citizen. A woman had opened the front door leading to the street, apparently to make some inquiry or register a complaint. She held the door open while talking to a friend who remained on the sidewalk. The 17 year old suspect saw his chance and made a break for the door. We were all out the door and onto the crowded street a few feet behind him. But he was young and fast and he knew the neighborhood. He ran across the street down the block and disappeared between buildings. Within minutes There were over 30 uniformed officers and detectives on the job. The search continued late into the afternoon. No luck. An alarm was put out by CB to every precinct in the city of New York. The store owned by his mother and the flat in which they lived were both put under surveillance. Detectives were sent to talk to all his known friends. By 6:15, when I signed the blotter and left the precinct to go off duty, there was still no sign of him. Nor was there when I called in twice that night and three times the next morning. When I came back on the job at 3:45 in the afternoon, Lt. King was waiting in the muster room for me. Hello, Captain. Matt. You look deep. I am. No sign of him, huh? Nothing. Want to talk to you about it, Captain. Yeah, sure. We think the mother knows where he is. Yeah. Hello, Sergeant. Captain, 21st Precinct. Sergeant Klein. Yeah, all right. Nine, eight. Well, what's doing, Sergeant? Nothing much, sir. A few messages I left them on your desk. Nice. We're sure she knows where he is. Did you talk to her? Yes, sir. She's a pretty bad liar, but she keeps on lying. He's not in the house or the store. I've had men watching both ever since. A lot of people go in and out of that store. What's the point, Captain? Somebody that went in knows where George is and told her. What do you want me to do? Talk to her? Yes. You've known her a long time. Maybe she'll open up with you. Sure, Matt. I'll talk to her. Nothing to lose? Nothing, captain. Nothing except sleep. We've all lost plenty of that already. I signed the blotter, read the communications and reports and turned out the platoon for the night tour. At 4. 45, I had Patrolman Farrell drive me over to Second Avenue to the small candy store run by Mrs. Rostig. I got out of the car and told him to wait. As I crossed the sidewalk, I spotted Detective Jim Kelly standing in the doorway 100ft or so down the block. He'd been on the job 48 hours straight. It was his prisoner. He wanted him back. Hello, Mrs. Laric.

[C]

Captain. Hello.

[B]

Well, it looks like George is in more trouble.

[C]

He's a good boy, captain. I tried. I did my best. It's not my fault.

[B]

Nobody's blaming you.

[C]

Soda? Would you like a soda? No.

[B]

No, thanks.

[C]

I take one. It's hot out.

[B]

Where is he, Mrs. Rock?

[C]

I don't know. Not even a glass of water? No. I have something myself. Chocolate's nice, the way I make it. George? I don't know. Maybe I didn't raise him right. Maybe I don't give him what he needs when Joe is alive. Maybe I spent too much time in the store with Joe. Not enough raising George. Now, since I buried Joe, I have not even as much time for George. He was in trouble? Sure, kid trouble. This kid's fooling around. But I tried. You can't say I don't cry and I love him. He's a good boy.

[B]

Lt. King tells me he thinks you know where he is.

[C]

No, I don't know. Don't ask me. I don't know.

[B]

It's in the neighborhood someplace, isn't it?

[C]

I don't know. Hello, Mrs. Rabsky. Have you got Movie Glamour magazine? Right in back of your top shelf? Movie Glamour? Where? Top shelf. C.C. oh, yeah, yeah. Can I have two dimes in the nickel and change, Mr. Rockford? Use telephone? Yes, please. May find George? No, not yet. Oh, excuse me.

[B]

That's all right.

[C]

Well, I'll use the telephone. Don't you Worry about him, Mrs. Rostick. He's smart. They won't get here. Yes, very smart. Me too. I'm very smart. Are you sure? Most of the Captain?

[B]

Positive.

[C]

A nice cream yet?

[B]

No.

[C]

You tell me, Captain. You tell me what's best.

[B]

If we don't get him soon, Mrs. Rostick, he's finished. He's young and he's got a chance to get straightened out. A good chance to get straight. If we don't get him, he can't do anything but get worse and worse.

[C]

Good boy.

[B]

Very good. Worse and worse. So bad he'll never get straightened out. There'll be more muggings. He'll get a gun. He'll kill somebody or get killed himself.

[C]

Himself? No.

[B]

That's the way it'll be. The next charge will be murder.

[C]

The line was busy, so wait and try again. I've been on the phone all the time. What's the use? Thank you, Ms. Drastic. Bye.

[B]

Where is he?

[C]

I don't know.

[B]

You want him to get straightened out, don't you?

[C]

I don't know, but he does. Jonah?

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

He's been coming in for money to buy him food. He hiding in a club room someplace. A club room? With the boys have got. I put money in the magazine.

[B]

$5. Thanks, Mrs. Marstick.

[C]

Captain.

[B]

Yes.

[C]

He's a good boy, Joe. A good boy.

[B]

I hope he turns out to be. I looked both ways on the street. I saw that the girl had turned north and was walking slowly away from the store. I followed her until I got to the point where Detective Jim Tully was waiting in the vestibule. Jim. Hello, Captain. That girl, yellow dress and blonde hair. Yes, sir. George is hiding in a close. Stay with her. She'll need you there. Thanks. Who told you? The mother? Yep. I don't get it. She was a clam with us. Why? Because George is a good boy. You're going. You're a loser. Yes. And so it goes on around the clock, through the week. Every day, every year. A police precinct in the city of New York is a flesh and blood merry go round. Anyone can catch the brass ring or the brass ring can catch anyone. 21st Precinct. Sergeant Klein. Yes, sir. What's the address? 205. 209. Inside, in front of the shoemakers. What's the trouble there? What the men have. What kind of a gun? Incidents portrayed on tonight's 21st Precinct occurred last year. Names were changed to protect the interests of persons involved. 21st Precinct is presented with the official cooperation of the Patrolman's Benevolent association, an organization of more than 19,000 members of the Police Department, City of New York. Everett Sloane in the role of Captain Kennelly Ken lynch as Lieutenant King. Featured in tonight's cat cast were Barbara Weeks, Elaine Ross, Linda Watkins, Lawson Zerby, Bob Redick and George Petrie. Written and directed by Stanley Niss. Produced for CBS Radio by John Ives. Art Hannah speaking

[A]

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