21st Precinct 54-09-01 (060) The Copperhead

Summary

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Podcast Summary: Harold's Old Time Radio

Episode: "21st Precinct 54-09-01 (060) The Copperhead"

Date: February 24, 2026

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Overview

This episode of "21st Precinct" dramatizes a tense day at a mid-century New York police station as the officers respond to the report of a missing 14-year-old boy, Eddie Campton. What begins as a routine missing persons case escalates when it’s revealed the boy may have set loose a venomous copperhead snake in the city. The episode offers a compelling look at police process, parental anxiety, and the unpredictable dangers lurking amid everyday life in urban America.

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Key Discussion Points and Events

1. A Mother's Distress: Reporting Her Son Missing

• Mrs. Eleanor Campton, worried and distressed, reports her 14-year-old son Eddie missing after he fails to return home for lunch.
• Notable detail: The family lives at a prestigious address, 695 Park Avenue, implying privilege but not insulation from trouble.
• Mrs. Campton details her son’s love of animals and mentions a recent incident involving a pet snake.

“He was a hyper atomic baby, you know. He just ran out of the apartment.”
— Mrs. Campton, [05:09]

2. The Snake Revelation: A Child's Dangerous Secret

• The boy’s absence is compounded by fears that a poisonous snake he brought home from summer camp is on the loose.
• Mrs. Campton confesses she is unsure of the species, mistakenly believing rat snakes are venomous, eventually learning from a friend that it is a copperhead—a real threat.

“...you think when you pay $1,000 to have a boy spend a summer at camp, they wouldn’t send him home with a snake!”
— Mrs. Campton, [08:54]

3. The Police Response: Mobilization and Investigation

• Captain Kennelly and Lieutenant King recognize the seriousness: it’s not just a missing child, but a public safety hazard.
• The Missing Persons Bureau, Communications Bureau, and all patrolmen in the area are alerted. Adjacent precincts are put on notice, and efforts to locate both boy and snake escalate.
• The action moves from the station house to the streets, tracking leads while balancing Mrs. Campton’s growing anxiety.

4. Locating Eddie: The Boy’s Reluctance and Motivation

• Eddie is located sitting outside Central Park, lost in a comic book and apparently untroubled, which prompts an exasperated but gentle reacquaintance with the police officers.
• In the car, Eddie resists answering where the snake is, expressing fear the animal will be killed—a point reflecting both the innocence and stubbornness of youth.

“I won’t. I just won’t. I don’t mean to be impolite. I was taught to be very polite. I won’t tell you. I won’t. Because they’ll go there and kill him.”
— Eddie, [22:19]

5. Emotional Confrontation and Resolution

• Back at the station, Eddie’s mother implores him to reveal the snake’s location. The police stress the danger to the public, confronting Eddie not just as a runaway, but as someone holding a potential weapon.
• Eddie bargains: he’ll reveal the location only if the snake is not killed, suggesting his deep connection to the animal.

“That copperhead is a menace to human life. Now I want you to tell me where he is.”
— Captain Kennelly, [27:16]

• Eventually, Eddie confesses: the copperhead was released in the basement of his apartment building. Police prepare to call in animal specialists to deal with the threat.

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Notable Quotes & Moments

• Mrs. Campton’s Anxiety:
  “I don’t know what I’m gonna do with you, Eddie. I just don’t know. When your father hears this story... I want to thank you, gentlemen. I know how much effort you put into this. I really appreciate it.”
  — Mrs. Campton, [25:01]

• Eddie’s Childlike Rationalization:
  “They have a very efficient serum today for snake bites. And besides, the copperhead is the least poisonous of all poisonous mammals.”
  — Eddie, [23:41]

• Tense Police Negotiation:
  “Look, boy, I could promise you we won’t. But I want you to tell us without my making you a promise? Because I can’t promise you anything. That copperhead is a menace to human life.”
  — Captain Kennelly, [27:16]

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• Missing Person Call & Initial Panic: [00:56]–[06:00]
• Revelation about the Snake: [06:04]–[10:18]
• Contacting Friends for Clues: [11:03]–[14:18]
• Police Mobilization & Public Danger: [14:16]–[18:20]
• Eddie Located in the Park: [18:50]–[21:26]
• Mother-Son Reunion & Emotional Debate: [24:02]–[25:41]
• Final Confrontation & Eddie’s Confession: [26:00]–[27:38]

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Tone and Style

The episode is brisk, efficient, and heavy with the sense of real-life drama common to "21st Precinct." Officers speak with measured authority, mothers with palpable distress, and the boy, Eddie, embodies both adolescent innocence and contrariness. The show effectively juxtaposes the procedural method of 1950s police work against intimate domestic anxiety and childish reasoning, creating an engaging, suspenseful slice of urban Americana.

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Conclusion

“The Copperhead” is a classic radio police drama that skillfully blends city procedural, family drama, and unexpected danger—showing just how quickly a simple missing person’s case can spiral into a citywide emergency. The interplay between the seasoned police officers, the frantic mother, and Eddie’s childlike stubbornness drives home the persistent unpredictability—and human stakes—of everyday life in the precinct.

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Transcript

[A]

At vrbo, we understand that even the best of plans sometimes need a little support. So we plan for the plot twists. Every booking is automatically backed by our VRBO Care guarantee, giving you confidence from the very start. Whenever you need help, it's ready before your stay, through the moments in between and after your trip. Because a great trip starts with peace of mind and maybe a good playlist. But we've got the peace of mind part covered. 21st Precinct. Sergeant Tierney? Yeah. All right, get out your book and take down this alarm. 14 year old boy missing from home. His name is Eddie Campton. Yeah. Yeah, that's right. Five feet four inches. You are in the muster room at the 21st Precinct. The nerve center. A call is coming through. You will follow the action taken pursuant to that call from this minute until the final report is written in the 124 room at the 21st Precinct. All right, Just keep your eyes open for him. Yeah, that's right. Missing from home. Okay. All right. 21st Precinct. Just lines on a map of the city of New York. Most of the 173,000 people wedged into the 9/10 of a square mile between Fifth Avenue and the east river wouldn't know if you asked them that they lived or worked in the 21st. Whether they know it or not, the security of their homes, their persons and their property is the job of the men of the 21st Precinct. The 21st. 160 patrolmen, 11 sergeants and four lieutenants, of whom I'm the boss. My name is Kennelly, Frank Kennelly. I'm captain in command of the 21st. I was working my night tour, 4pm to 8am when I came into the station house. At 3:35pm I went around the desk to sign the blotter. Lt. Gorman, who would be desk officer during the forthcoming tour, was already there and getting a summary of patrol conditions in the precinct from Lieutenant Snyder, who was working the 8 to 4. I walked into my office where I found a message to call the district surgeon of the department. As the call was being put through, I glanced at a few reports and communications which seemed important to the 124 man who left them in a prominent place on my desk. When I spoke to the doctor on the phone, he told me that the neurological tests and X rays that had been made of me after an accident between an RMP car in which I was riding and another automobile were all negative. There was no sign of a head injury. I thanked the doctor for the good news and went out into the Muster room and around behind the desk for the turnout of the platoon. The 58 men who would patrol the precinct for the next eight hours had marched out of the back room in a military manner and lined up in front of the desk where the roll call was just ending. Back up. Underwood. Yes. The Caro, Valentine, White, Wyatt, Ziggler. All right, Captain. Just one thing, men. We've had several complaints about automobiles illegally parked in bus stops and too near fire hydrants. I want you to pay particular attention to this condition. When I'm out on patrol later, if I see an automobile parked in that manner illegally, I also expect to see a summons hanging from it. All right, Sergeant, boost your platoon. Platoon, 10 shots. Right. Safe. Forward arch. Okay, Ren. Just a second, Captain. Yes, Ren? Cap, Lt. Snyder told me they're down to two pickets over there in that leather goods factory strike. Oh, things are pretty quiet after 6 o'. Clock. I'd like to pull the man we've got over there on a fixer off. I've got use from elsewhere. Okay, Red, if things are quiet all right. Yeah, hold on. Lieutenant Gloomy. Yes, Sergeant? I've got a detective of the narcotics squad on here. He just wanted to let you know they bagged three pushers in this precinct. They're on their way in with them to be booked. Okay. Anything else, friend? Nothing certain, Captain.

[B]

Excuse me. Who do I see here?

[A]

Yes, ma', am, what is it?

[B]

Well, I've been very worried about my son. I don't know where he is.

[A]

How old is he?

[B]

He's 14.

[A]

He's gone from home?

[B]

Yes.

[A]

When did he leave?

[B]

About 10:30 this morning. He didn't come home for lunch. That's what worried me. And he didn't come home all afternoon. You see, I had Jenny get this beautiful lunch. We were going to have it on the terrace. And I know he loves lobster salad. He wouldn't miss that for the world.

[A]

Do you have any idea where he went?

[B]

No, I don't. I don't know. He didn't tell me. He just walked out. If I had any idea where he went, I'd go and get him.

[A]

Well, why did he walk out?

[B]

Oh, you know how boys are. He wanted to do something and we had an argument. Well, Eddie's a little bit high strung. He's always been high strung. He was a hyper atomic baby, you know. He just ran out of the apartment. He's been gone since 11 o'. Clock.

[A]

Well, it's 4 o' clock now. He's only been gone five hours. He knows his Way around New York.

[B]

Oh, yes, yes, of course. He lived in the same apartment since he's born. 695 Past Avenue. He knows the neighborhood. He knows it very well.

[A]

Did he have any money in his pocket?

[B]

Oh, a couple of dollars, I imagine.

[A]

Three or four, maybe.

[B]

He always carries some money.

[A]

Well, then he could have bought lunch, couldn't he?

[B]

Yes, he could have. But he liked lobster salad.

[A]

I wouldn't worry too much, ma'. Am. He's 14 years old. He knows his way around. If he doesn't show up by dinner time, you call his friend. But I'm. I'm sure he's at home by dinner.

[B]

Well, I'm not so sure. Not after what happened with the snake.

[A]

Excuse me.

[B]

Yes?

[A]

What snake?

[B]

Well, the snake you brought home from camp.

[A]

What happened with the snake?

[B]

Well, you see, it got away.

[A]

Was it the poisonous snake? Of course.

[B]

That's what I'm so worried about.

[A]

Where did he get away?

[B]

I don't know. He didn't tell me. He just. He just came into the bedroom and I was having breakfast this morning, and he said, mother, you. You told me to get rid of that snake, to give it to the zoo or someplace, and I didn't. I hid him.

[A]

It got away and sneaked in your apartment?

[B]

Well, no, thank goodness. He took it out of the apartment. When I told him to get rid of it, I. I saw him go with it.

[A]

I.

[B]

He had the box with him.

[A]

When was this?

[B]

Yesterday afternoon.

[A]

Do you know where he took it?

[B]

No, I hadn't any idea.

[A]

Well, didn't you ask him?

[B]

Well, I was going to, but I was so upset at him lying to me over not getting rid of it. He promises. I just. I just blew up. I just hit the ceiling and he ran out.

[A]

What's your name, please?

[B]

My name?

[A]

Yes.

[B]

Mrs. Eleanor Campton.

[A]

And you live at 695 Park Avenue?

[B]

Yes, that's right.

[A]

And your boy's name is? Edwin. Edwin.

[B]

We call him Eddie for short.

[A]

This was a poisonous snake he brought home from camp?

[B]

Yes. He made a little cage for it. He brought it home to camp. He got home Friday.

[A]

And he told you it had escaped, Mrs. Campton?

[B]

Yes, that's right.

[A]

Look, Mrs. Canton, would you mind going over and waiting in my office a minute? I'll be right in. I'd like to talk to you about him.

[B]

You don't think he'll be home by dinner time?

[A]

Oh, he probably will. But I'd like to talk to you about him.

[B]

All right. Over there?

[A]

Yes, right over there. Just go in and have A seat.

[B]

I will. Thank you very much.

[A]

Ring upstairs to the detective's friend. Yes. If that boy had a poisonous snake, we'd better start looking for him. Have somebody come down to my office. Yes, sir. Get me the detectives on this side. Yes, he was going right away. Lieutenant Garmin, the desk officer. Oh, sit down, Miss Gamb.

[B]

Oh, do you. Do you think something happened to Eddie?

[A]

No, I don't think so. I'm sure he's all right. I'm Captain Finelli.

[B]

Oh, how do you do?

[A]

Now, about this snake your boy brought home.

[B]

Oh, I defrayed. Snake, huh?

[A]

Actually afraid of them. You're positive it was a poisonous snake? Oh, yes, of course. Excuse me.

[B]

Yes?

[A]

Yes, sir, 21st person. Captain Canelli, this is Sergeant Turney on ts cabin. Yes, Sergeant. Lieutenant Gorman spoke to the detectives and there'll be someone down to your office right away. Okay? Yes, sir. Where did Eddie go to camp in Maine. And he came home Friday?

[B]

Yes, Friday. His father and I met him at Grand Central.

[A]

Does Mr. Campton know you came over here? Oh, no, no, no.

[B]

His father's out of town on business. He's in Chicago. I didn't know who to call or what to do, so I came over here. You think when you pay $1,000 to have a boy spend a summer at camp, they wouldn't send him home with a snake? I mean, if he wants to make a pair of moccasins or a belt or something like that to bring home that pissy, all right. But to let a boy come home with a snake. A 14 year old boy and a poisonous snake.

[A]

Well, I'm sure they didn't know it. What kind of a snake is it?

[B]

Well, I don't know.

[A]

Well, you're sure it's a poisonous one?

[B]

Rat snakes are poisonous, aren't they?

[A]

No, they're not.

[B]

They're not.

[A]

Did he ever mention what kind of snake it is?

[B]

Yes, now I think he did.

[A]

Did he tell you it was a rattlesnake?

[B]

No, no, it's not a rattlesnake. I'm sure it's not a rattlesnake.

[A]

Did he say it was a copperhead?

[B]

A copperhead?

[A]

Is that what he said it was?

[B]

No, no, I don't think so.

[A]

A water moccasin.

[B]

A water moccasin?

[A]

No, no, he didn't say it was a water moccasin.

[B]

Well, Well, I thought. Bill. What he said it was.

[A]

Well, those are the only three kinds of poisonous snakes that you'll find in Maine. Oh, now I. I don't think that the Camp authorities would let him come home with a venomous snake. You're sure it wasn't one of the harmless species?

[B]

Well, I told you, Captain, to me know snakes are harmless.

[A]

Do you know where he took it when he left the apartment?

[B]

No, I haven't any idea. I really don't.

[A]

But he told you it got loose?

[B]

Yes, that's what the big fight was about.

[A]

And did you call his friends before you came over here? Yeah.

[B]

He. He only has two friends that he talked about. Possibly. Go see. He doesn't know many boys around New York. He goes way to school. And these two boys happened to be in his class at school. I. I called both of them. He wasn't with either one of them.

[A]

Well, had he been?

[B]

Well, he'd been over at Rogers yesterday, but he wasn't there today.

[A]

Did you speak to Roger or to his mother?

[B]

I spoke to both Roger and his mother. You hadn't been. Paul. Roger was home all day. He was in the apartment. Well, that's what he meant.

[A]

I see. What about the other boy? Did you speak to him or his mother?

[B]

Yes, I spoke to him and his mother.

[A]

Now, does Eddie have any place that he might go, any other friends, where he might have taken the snake, where it might have gotten loose?

[B]

Captain, if I knew, I would have been there. I really would have.

[A]

You don't know whether the snake was a water moccasin, a copperhead or a rattlesnake?

[B]

I was not that curious. I just wanted him to get rid of it.

[A]

And do you think his friend Roger would know what kind of snake it is?

[B]

He might. He. He. He probably would.

[A]

Well, before we go any farther, I suggest you call Roger and ask him if he knows what kind of snake it is. Do you know his telephone number? We could look it up.

[B]

Well, there's no need to look it up, Captain. Roger's mother and I are very good friends. I know the number. It's Regent 708-098.

[A]

21st Precinct. Sergeant Tierney. Sergeant, would you get Regent 78098? Mrs. Campton? Come in. Oh, hello, man. Everyone was tied up, so I came down myself. Good man. What have we got? Mrs. Campton, this Lieutenant King, commander of the 21st attack. Ms. Eleanor. Captain. How do you do, Captain? Did Red tell you what this was all about? Yes, sir. Captain.

[B]

Hello, mate. It's Eleanor.

[A]

She's calling one of his friends to find out if the snake was poisonous. No.

[B]

No, he didn't come home yet? No, not yet. Well, I haven't any idea. May I wish I knew Darling, you're sure Roger doesn't know more than he's telling? Uh huh. Yes, I. I see. Well, I'm at the police station.

[A]

Would you ask for the boy, Mr. Scanton?

[B]

Yes.

[A]

May.

[B]

Yes, May I talk to Roger, please? I just have to ask him something. Well, the policeman wants me to ask him something. Well, it's nothing really, just a little information. All right, thank you. Mary, you have to know everything going on to the past.

[A]

Does this boy know whether the snake is poisonous or not?

[B]

Well, you should. He's almost as bad as Eddie. And he's very good friend of Eddie's too.

[A]

He's.

[B]

He's really. Oh, hello, Roger. No, not yet. Not yet, Roger. I'll. I'll let you know as soon as he does. I'll tell him to call you. Listen, Roger, darling, did Eddie ever tell you what kind of snake that was? Yes, yes. Oh, he did? Well, well, what kind of snake did he tell you it was? I see. All right, Roger, darling, yes, thank you very much. Will you tell your mother I'll call her this evening? No, no, no, I don't have time to talk to her now. I'll call her as soon as I get home. Yes, yes dear. Yes, Roger, I will, I will. Goodbye.

[A]

Well, what kind of snake was it,

[B]

Mrs. Well, Roger says that Eddie told him it was a cocker head. Oh, now that's one of the bad kind, isn't it?

[A]

Yes, yes it is. Especially when it's running around loose. You are listening to 21st Precinct, a factual account of the way police work in the world's largest city. Here's George Flame with a word of advice. Get on the right track, baby. Get on the right track, baby. And what track? The right track. The white one that leads to the bank or wherever you're keeping those Series E United States Savings Bonds you've been getting through the payroll savings plan. Sure is a good feeling. You know, those bonds are coming in regularly, isn't it? Like old Ben Franklin said, a penny saved is a penny earned. And by putting your pennies and dollars into United States Savings Bonds, you earn yourself a mighty nice interest rate. So remember what George Cross right. Now back to 21st Precinct. And Captain Canelli. There was very little doubt in the minds of either myself or Lieutenant Matt King, commander of the 21st Detective Squad, that the 14 year old boy, Eddie King would return to his home before long. My concern at this time was not so much the boy, but the fact that it was he alone who knew where a venomous snake was loose as Anyone under the age of 18 who was reported missing from home for any reason can technically be considered a missing persons case. The investigation was undertaken on that basis. Lieutenant King assigned two detectives to start work immediately to locate the boy. Lieutenant Gorman, the desk officer notified the Missing Persons Bureau. The Communications bureau was also notified. And a description of the boy was put out on the telescope circuit, which reaches federal proofing count in the city.

[B]

In the meantime, as each patrolman on

[A]

post and those on radio motor patrol in the 25th first made his hourly ring into the station house from call boxes scattered throughout the precinct, he was given a description of the Boy by Sergeant Kearney on telephone chipboard duty. The adjacent 19th and 23rd Precincts and the 22nd Precinct, which cover Central park, were notified and requested to give similar alarms to patrolmen on coast. By 6pm When I went out on patrol, there was no sign of the Boeing. I toured the entire precinct in sector car number two with Patrolman Paul Vaccaro as operator. And at 20 minutes after seven we were driving north on Madison Avenue in the 70s. Take a Turn up to 86 the cow. Okay, then we'll come back on Lexington, but stop at the next call box. I want to ring in. That kid stays out on the street after dark. We ought to be able to spot a men, Captain. Maybe he's not out on the street. You want to ring in from there, Captain? Yeah, that's all right. The channel hang a summons on that Plymouth for parking illegally in a bus stop, zone. Seventeen. Any sign of the boy, Sergeant? No, sir, not yet.

[B]

All right.

[A]

Let me speak to Lieutenant Gillman. Yes, Lieutenant. Captain Caneli.

[B]

Hold on,

[A]

Captain Kennelli. What's going on, Red? Nothing went, Captain. Quiet. Did you talk to the detective? Any sign of that boy? Yes, sir. I. I spoke. I spoke to Lt. King. I got no mind on him at all. Nothing.

[B]

All right.

[A]

I'll be in the house in about 10 or 15 minutes. Just a sec, captain. Are you here, sergeant? Yeah, yeah. Where? We've got him. The boy? Yes, sir. Where? Call right here. You saw the kid sitting on the back house during the first. Making sure of the kids identity. Is he sure that's the boy? Yes again, sure. I'll send a car to bring him in. That's all right, Brad. I'll go. We're right close to that. Oh, notify his mother we've got him. Did you hang a summons on that Plymouth McDonald? There's one on it already, Captain. Oh, good. Let me take some ships. MC located the boy of years was sitting On a bench outside the park wall. He did say where the snake was. Jacobe was just ringing in when I did. We're going over to get him now, I think. I don't know what that kid would want with a snake on Park Avenue.

[B]

Have you got any brothers and sisters?

[A]

No. Probably be better than you.

[B]

No.

[A]

We thought I'd go out, but everybody to their own place, I guess. I had a friend who raised Handful.

[B]

He could just sit and watch him for hours.

[A]

I can never see him close to me running around a cave. There they are. Hello, Jacoby. Captain. Good work. Thank you. You're Eddie Camden, is that right?

[B]

That's right. Yes.

[A]

You had your mother plenty worried.

[B]

Did I? Oh, I don't think so. She doesn't worry much. Not about anything.

[A]

You see here, right across the street, on the bench outside the park wall, reading a comic book.

[B]

Oh, it's not one of those glory ones. It's one of the tears we.

[A]

I recognize him from a description of his clothing. Okay, Jacoby, you stay on the job here. We take him back. Yes, sir. In the car, son.

[B]

Okay. Goodbye and thanks a lot.

[A]

You're welcome. Go ahead, Eddie. Yes, sir.

[B]

Hello.

[A]

Hi. Come on, move all the way over here.

[B]

Boy, this is the first time I ever rode in a police car.

[A]

Okay, the cow. Let's go to the station. Right. That's it.

[B]

Where's the siren? Where's the button you're supposed to make the siren go?

[A]

Right there. Right on the floor.

[B]

This?

[A]

No, don't. Don't touch it.

[B]

Oh, I won't.

[A]

Where did the snake get loose?

[B]

Can you blow the fire anytime you want to?

[A]

Where did the snake get loose, Eddie?

[B]

I'm sorry, I can't tell you.

[A]

You can't or you won't?

[B]

I won't. I just won't. I don't mean to be impolite. I was taught to be very polite. I won't tell you. I won't. Because they'll go there and kill him.

[A]

Don't you think you ought to get a cop ahead that's running around loose?

[B]

There's a lot worse things running around loose.

[A]

A lot worse things. When we reached the station house, Eddie had still not told us where the Copperhead had gotten loose. Lt. King was waiting in the muster room. We took Eddie into my office and sat him down on a chair for some minutes. We tried to convince him of the urgency involved. Now look, boy. If someone gets bitten by that night, you know whose fault it'll be.

[B]

Hunchin I was willing to keep it in My apartment. In my room. I wanted to keep him in the cage. My mother wouldn't let me. Oh, you've got plenty of room up there. But do you know how many bedrooms we have in that apartment? We have five bedrooms. And there's just my mother and my father and myself and the maid. That's all. And the maid doesn't even sleep there. There's plenty of room. She wouldn't let me keep them.

[A]

Well, it's not a question of that anymore, Eddie. You don't want to be responsible for someone getting bitten. Maybe someone dying.

[B]

They have a very efficient serum today for snake bites. And besides, the copperhead is the least poisonous of all poisonous mammals.

[A]

Eddie, let's come off it now, huh? Where is it? Where does it get loose?

[B]

I'm sorry. I'm really sorry. But you go there and you'll shoot him. And I don't want you to shoot him.

[A]

What else do you expect us to do with him? Let that thing roam around till it bites somebody?

[B]

The snake never bothers anybody unless they bother him. Eddie. Eddie, darling, where'd you go? Hello, Mother. Oh, Eddie, you don't know how worried I've been. I've been trafficked all day. Just do that to me, Eddie. Don't ever do that to me again. Well, you should be, darling. You don't know what you put me through today. You really. You ought to be ashamed of yourself. A grown boy like you, after all that we do for you. And I said I was sorry. Well, all I can say is that you. You missed a very good lunch, dear. With lobster salad, you know that? You missed a good dinner too. Hamburgers are back. Okay, Mommy. Hamburgers. Oh, I don't know what I'm gonna do with you, Eddie. I just don't know. When your father hears this story. Oh, I. I want to thank you, gentlemen. I know how much effort you put into this. I really appreciate it.

[A]

Well, we're not through yet, Mrs. Campton.

[B]

No.

[A]

He hasn't told us where that snake got loose.

[B]

Oh, my sweetness will only turn them, dear. Of course they'll kill it. Of course they'll kill it. That's what they should do. Eddie, you should never bring those things home. I refuse to make you have another animal in this house. I don't want another pet. I don't want another snake. I don't want a dog. I. I don't want a poodle. I don't want anything in the house. Nothing. Now, do you understand that? Yes, I understand it, Mother.

[A]

Mrs. Kenton, would you mind waiting Outside for just a few minutes. Well, we ought to talk to Eddie, wanting to tell us where that snake is.

[B]

Eddie, tell them.

[A]

Would you wait outside, please? Just outside the door. It'll be all right.

[B]

Well, he's my boy. I'm entitled to be in here.

[A]

We depreciate it, Mrs. Camp.

[B]

Well, I don't know why I can't be in here.

[A]

Matt, would you shut the door? Yes,

[B]

that's right.

[A]

There is. All right, Candy. All right, Eddie, like your mother says, you're a big boy. Now, where did that snake get loose? Eddie, now we're going to stop playing games. You brought a snake into the city of New York in violation of the law. A venomous snake. It's loose someplace and it's a danger to the lives of I don't know how many people. I want you to sit down and think about it. I want you to sit there and think about that for a minute. You know what you've done? You'll kill him.

[B]

I don't want you to kill him.

[A]

What do you expect us to do? Let some people get killed? Now, where is he?

[B]

Would you let me capstream and get him to the zoo? I can handle snakes.

[A]

I know exactly what I'm feeling and

[B]

how to do it. What I can. All I need is a fork stick. You can get me a fork stick. That'll be fine. I'll kick him just like I caught

[A]

him up in Maine. Where does he get loose?

[B]

Can I do it? Can I capture myself and take him

[A]

over to the zoo? Just tell us where he got loose. I'll be glad to tell you if you'll promise me you won't kill him.

[B]

That's what you're going to do. Kill him, isn't it?

[A]

Where is he?

[B]

Promise me you won't kill him.

[A]

Look, boy, I could promise you we won't. But I want you to tell us without my measurement you a promise? Because I can't promise you anything. That copperhead is a menace to human life. Now, I want you to tell me where he is. All right, where is it?

[B]

In the basement of my apartment house. He got loose in the basement there.

[A]

That was this morning?

[B]

Yes, about 10, 15, something like that. Anyhow, my mother told me to take

[A]

him out of the house yesterday afternoon and I did.

[B]

I took him down to the basement. I went downstairs this morning to see him.

[A]

I opened up the box and he got loose.

[B]

Well, he just got out and I couldn't find him.

[A]

I looked all over. So I went up to tell her. He got very excited so I left. Well, you have to understand, Eddie, I don't think she likes snakes. I understand.

[B]

I don't think she likes much of anything.

[A]

Matt. Let's call the aspca. Maybe they've got a fork stick. 21st Precinct. Sergeant Tierney. What do you mean he's missing? Missing from where? Yeah, yeah. Well, how long ago did he leave? Uh huh. And so it goes 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 rain can catch anyone. 21st Precinct. A factual account of the way the police work in the world's largest city is presented with the official cooperation of the Patrolman's Benevolent association, an organization of more than 20,000 members of the Police Department, City of New York. Everett's thrown in the role of Captain Janelli. Ken lynch is Lieutenant King. Featured in tonight's cast were Katherine Bard, Santa Sotega, Will Kim, Lawson Zerby and Charles Taylor. Written and directed by Stanley Nist. Produced for CBS radio by John Ives. Art Hannah Speaking.