21st Precinct 54-10-20 (067) The Virtuoso

Summary

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Podcast Summary: Harold's Old Time Radio

Episode: 21st Precinct 54-10-20 (067) "The Virtuoso"

Original Airdate: October 20, 1954
Podcast Release: February 25, 2026
Host: Harold's Old Time Radio

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Overview

This episode of "Harold's Old Time Radio" features a classic installment of the police procedural "21st Precinct." Titled "The Virtuoso," the story revolves around the theft of an invaluable cello belonging to a renowned virtuoso, and the ensuing investigation by Captain Frank Kennelly and his precinct team. The episode offers a compelling blend of procedural police work, human drama, and poignant backstory, underlined by themes of artistry, loss, and redemption.

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Key Discussion Points & Story Beats

1. The Incident at the Precinct (00:34 – 03:15)

• The episode opens with Captain Frank Kennelly returning to the 21st Precinct after addressing a suicide attempt in the holding cells.
• Captain Kennelly checks in with Sergeant Waters about the quiet status of the night shift and the condition of the attempted suicide victim.

2. The Cello Theft (03:52 – 08:10)

• Irene Rudkovic and her husband Igor—revealed to be an acclaimed cello soloist— arrive at the precinct to report a stolen "Joseph" cello.
• The instrument, a rare Giuseppe Guarnerius cello (1759), was stolen from their car outside their Park Avenue apartment as they prepared for a weekend trip.
• Captain Kennelly and Sergeant Waters express disbelief at the cello’s immense sentimental and monetary value:
  • "A Stradivarius is a tone, sweet, sugary. Joseph is robust, full. No comparison." — Igor Rudkovic (06:31)
  • "For one cello? Oh, the money is nothing. I don't want the money. I can get money. But where can I get another Joseph? I want my Joseph." (07:44)

3. Investigation and Recovery (10:00 – 11:41)

• On patrol, Kennelly and Waters spot an intoxicated "bum" sleeping on church steps—next to a cello case bearing the Rudkovic initials.
• The officers suspect the cello is the stolen instrument and take both the suspect (later identified as Jason Newfield) and the cello to the station.
  • "What's he doing with the cello, Captain? Where'd he get it?" — Sergeant Waters (10:48)

4. The Suspect's Tale (18:02 – 23:51)

• In the detective’s office, Jason Newfield claims he doesn’t remember stealing the cello and launches into a story of his past as a failed cello prodigy.
  • "I was with the Hamburg Symphony... He came to be the soloist for a concert... he wanted to hear me play alone…"—Jason Newfield (21:26)
  • He details his descent into obscurity, blighted by alcoholism and a failed love affair with a singer in Prague.
  • "I haven't been any good for 20 years. Would you believe me? To look at me, I'm only 51 years old. That's all. I must look 70." — Jason Newfield (23:04)
• The officers, skeptical, press him for the truth, suggesting his story is a fabrication.
  • "You're the lousiest thief and the best liar I've seen to date." — Sergeant Waters (24:52)

5. Resolution and Human Connection (25:18 – 29:46)

• Mr. and Mrs. Rudkovic return to the precinct and confirm the cello's undamaged state.
• Igor Rudkovic, realizing Newfield's musical past, insists he play the cello before them:
  • "The virtuoso. All right, Mr. Virtuoso. Play." — Rudkovic (27:10)
• Newfield, despite years without practice, plays haltingly but movingly, bringing a moment of grace and sorrow to the scene.
• Rudkovic offers Newfield shelter, food, and the chance to play music together, disregarding Newfield’s tattered appearance and crime.
  • "An artist is not to be judged by his clothes. Wouldn't you like to come to my home to play my Joseph? Also, I have an Amati. You can shave and eat. I have some clothes for you." — Rudkovic (29:27)
• Sergeant Waters insists theft is still a crime, leaving Newfield’s fate ambiguous but the emotional resolution intact.

6. Memorable Quotes & Moments

• On the value of art:
  • Kennelly: "Does it look like $20,000? Not to me. To me either. I'd rather have the cash." (17:10)
• On human frailty and lost promise:
  • Newfield: "It was her. Manya... She was a singer. I met her in Prague and I fell deeply in love. Deeply in love. But she didn't return my love. So I started to drink more." (22:48)
• On unlikely compassion:
  • Rudkovic: "Forget the past. Come to my home. Would you like that?" (29:38)

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Important Timestamps

| Timestamp | Segment / Event | |:-------------:|----------------------------------------------------| | 00:34 | Opening action at the precinct | | 03:52 | Rudkovics report the cello theft | | 06:07 | Explanation of the "Joseph" cello | | 07:42 | Details on value and provenance of the cello | | 10:00 | Kennelly and Waters find the "bum" and cello | | 18:02 | Jason Newfield questioned, claims virtuosic past | | 21:26 | Newfield recounts his musical rise and fall | | 27:10 | Rudkovic demands Newfield to play the cello | | 28:43 | Newfield’s sorrowful performance | | 29:27 | Rudkovic’s gesture of compassion |

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Tone & Style

The episode maintains the procedural, clipped dialogue and moral seriousness characteristic of "21st Precinct." Yet, it’s laced with human warmth and a touch of bittersweet irony, especially in the exchanges around the nature of artistry, redemption, and the tragic consequences of personal failings.

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Conclusion

"The Virtuoso" is emblematic of radio drama’s ability to mix crime procedural with human drama. Its ultimate message is one of compassion and second chances, as the world-weary Captain and the devastated musician cross paths with a broken man whose greatest crime might simply be having lost hope. Listeners are left pondering the worth of art, the possibility of renewal, and the lifelong cost of a single misstep.

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Transcript

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[Captain Frank Kennelly]

21st Precinct. Sergeant Waters stole your what?

[Sergeant Waters]

Yeah.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Oh, where was this? 6:47. Where was it?

[Sergeant Waters]

Uh huh. Was it?

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

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. I'll tell you what you'd better do. You'd better come into the station house and give a report to the detectives. Yeah, that's right. Between Lexington and third. Okay, you're welcome.

[Narrator]

21st Precinct. It's 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.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

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 during the early part of the tour, I had been called in from patrol to investigate the attempted suicide of a prisoner confined in the cells in the rear of the station house. The prisoner, a young man of 23, had been arrested by detectives during the afternoon on a charge of grand larceny. After questioning, he had been booked by the desk officer and placed in a cell to await the opening of court. At the time of his booking, his necktie, belt and shoelaces had been taken from him, but he attempted to hang himself using his shirt sleeve as a noose. Patrolman Bailey, the station house attendant who was in charge of the cells and the prisoners, prevented the suicide with the assistance of the 124 man, Patrolman Fallon. When I returned to the station house, I talked to the prisoner who appeared to be demented. I instructed the desk officer, Lieutenant Gorman, to notify the communications bureau of the occurrence and to send for an ambulance. A UF49 addressed to the New York State Commissioner of Correction covering the details of the incident was prepared by Patrolman Fallon and was on my desk for my signature. When I returned from my meal at 10 minutes after 8, I signed the communications along with other reports and walked out into the muster room where Lieutenant Gorman was desk officer and Sergeant Waters was on telephone switchboard duty. 21st Precinct. Sergeant Waters.

[Sergeant Waters]

Captain.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Hello, Sergeant. What kind of prisoner? What's doing, Red?

[Sergeant Waters]

Pretty quiet tour, Captain.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Good. Oh, how's the boy that tried to string himself up back then?

[Sergeant Waters]

Did you hear? Yes, sir. Bellevue notified me he's ready for court, but they think he's a definite psycho.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Well, there's not much doubt about that, Lieutenant.

[Sergeant Waters]

Yes?

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Sergeant Coley's got a boy over there was standing near a firebox and about to pull the hook. Yeah, he thinks it might be the kid who's been turning in these false alarms. I'm gonna send a car around for them. Okay. Send number five and I want to go out on patrol then.

[Sergeant Waters]

Yes, sir. Sergeant. Yes, sir. And have number two come by the house and take the captain on patrol.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Yes.

[Irene Rudkovic]

Excuse me. Is this where we report something stolen?

[Sergeant Waters]

Yes, ma', am, right here. Oh. What is it that was stolen?

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

A violicello.

[Narrator]

Your what?

[Irene Rudkovic]

His cello. A musical instrument.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Oh, it's my Joseph.

[Irene Rudkovic]

Darling, please.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Where would I get another Joseph Ware?

[Irene Rudkovic]

Let me tell them, darling. I'm sure they can find it.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Never.

[Sergeant Waters]

Where would they find it?

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Where? Well, maybe we can if you just tell us what it's all about.

[Sergeant Waters]

Where was it stolen from?

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

From under my eyes. From under my very eyes. Where can I get another Joseph? All right, all right.

[Irene Rudkovic]

We were going to our place in the country in Rockland County.

[Sergeant Waters]

Nyack. You know.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Where is Nyack? Yes.

[Irene Rudkovic]

Well, we had the car parked in front of our apartment house.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

In front? Right in front.

[Sergeant Waters]

Where is Your apartment house?

[Irene Rudkovic]

647 Park Avenue.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Under my very eyes. My Joseph.

[Irene Rudkovic]

Ego.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

My life.

[Irene Rudkovic]

Please, darling, we'll try to get it back, won't you?

[Sergeant Waters]

We'll try. Sure, Captain.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

I'm a two zone away for you. Okay.

[Sergeant Waters]

You had the car parked in front of your apartment?

[Irene Rudkovic]

Yes, that's right. We were going to the country for the weekend. My husband had just gone upstairs with the doorman to get a suitcase, and I was down at the car to

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

leave the car with my Joseph inside.

[Irene Rudkovic]

All right, darling, I'm Sorry.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Sorry? What would be sorry?

[Irene Rudkovic]

Well, you see, I remembered something else I wanted my husband to bring down. So I just stepped inside the foyer for a minute to use the house phone. I was only inside a minute.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

10 seconds was too much. One second.

[Sergeant Waters]

The cello was already in the car.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

I brought it downstairs myself. And the garage came with the machine. Myself. Nobody is allowed to even lift up my Joseph except me. Now, where is it? Some teeth, some bomb. That's where it is. Did you see the thief?

[Irene Rudkovic]

No. No, I didn't see him. I couldn't from where I was phoning.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Did you notice it was missing right away? I noticed it was missing when I came downstairs.

[Irene Rudkovic]

Well, I had no reason to look in the car.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

You had no reason to look someplace else with my Joseph in there.

[Irene Rudkovic]

I never dreamed it could happen in one minute.

[Sergeant Waters]

It takes less time than that to happen. What is your name, please?

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

We are Mr. And Mrs. Rudvik Rudkvig.

[Sergeant Waters]

Your first name?

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Igor?

[Sergeant Waters]

I am.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

She is Irene.

[Sergeant Waters]

647 Park Avenue.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Yes.

[Sergeant Waters]

Yes.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Aren't you the virtuoso who'll be soloist with the Philharmonic next Monday night at

[Irene Rudkovic]

Carnegie hall in the main auditorium?

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Not without my Joseph, darling. You can use the Amati, my Joseph, or nothing. Or nothing.

[Sergeant Waters]

What is Joseph? A nickname for the cello or something.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

A nickne. It's a Joseph.

[Irene Rudkovic]

A Joseph is an instrument made by Giuseppe Guarnarius.

[Sergeant Waters]

Oh. Oh, I thought that was just what he called it.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Giuseppe, Joseph Guarnerius. It was made in Cremona in 1759.

[Sergeant Waters]

Like a Stradivarius, you mean? What?

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Like a Stradivarius? There is no comparison.

[Sergeant Waters]

None.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

A Stradvarius is a tone, sweet, sugary. Joseph is robust, full. No comparison.

[Sergeant Waters]

Cello isn't that great big one, is it?

[Irene Rudkovic]

That's a double bass.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

A double bass is not for a virtuoso. A double bass plays the boom, boom, boom in the full orchestra.

[Narrator]

Oh.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

A cello Is this high? 48 inches. You can identify the instrument if it's recovered, can't you?

[Irene Rudkovic]

Of course.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

How many Josephs are there? And how many in this country? But you're particular. I can identify it. Was it in a case? Naturally. I don't take it in the machine naked.

[Irene Rudkovic]

It's in a case. A dark brown case. His initials are on it. Ir.

[Sergeant Waters]

How valuable is this instrument?

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Very valuable.

[Sergeant Waters]

How much is it worth?

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Priceless. Extremely priceless. How much did you pay for it? I paid nothing for it.

[Irene Rudkovic]

He inherited it from his father. His father was a virtuoso before him.

[Sergeant Waters]

All over Europe.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Well, how much would it be worth in today's market? It is impossible to say. There is no today's market because there has been no Joseph sold for years. For many years. They are unique. Do you have it insured? Is it insured?

[Irene Rudkovic]

Yes, it's insured.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

For how much?

[Irene Rudkovic]

$20,000.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

For one cello? Oh, the money is nothing. I don't want the money. I can get money. But where can I get another Joseph? I want my Joseph.

[Irene Rudkovic]

Do you think you can find it?

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Never.

[Sergeant Waters]

Never.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

It's gone. Well, we'll try. You better send them up to the detectives, Lieutenant. The detectives? Yes, they'll make an investigation and try to locate it.

[Sergeant Waters]

Captain, the car's here.

[Irene Rudkovic]

Okay, thank you. Thank you so much.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

That's all right. We'll see what we can do. Captain.

[Sergeant Waters]

What?

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

What is it? Canelli? Canelli. Yes? The Lieutenant will send you upstairs and the detectives will handle the case. I'm going to roll, Ren.

[Sergeant Waters]

Yes, sir. You go through that door and up the stairs.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

I'll see you, Sergeant. Yes, sir.

[Irene Rudkovic]

Through that door here.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

That's.

[Sergeant Waters]

Hello, Captain.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Car up. There's a political rally at 80th Street, New York Avenue. Let's take a look over there.

[Sergeant Waters]

Yes, sir. Well, who do you think it's going to be this year, Captain? In what? Republicans or Democrats? Oh, who do you think?

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

I wouldn't know.

[Sergeant Waters]

The press keeps harping on the fact that registration is way down from the last off year election. Supposed to be some sort of indication which way? Well, that's something the experts couldn't make up their minds about. Some say one way, some say the other.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Well, I guess it depends which side the expert is pulling for, sir.

[Sergeant Waters]

I guess it does. But it's a hard one to figure, though. You take things like what happened in Maine, and the President with his personal appeal and scandal here and there, and kennel dogs. You roll them up and what do you got?

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

What?

[Sergeant Waters]

Beats me.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Well, I wouldn't worry about it, Vaccaro. It'll all be solved for you the morning after election.

[Sergeant Waters]

Yes, sir, I guess it will. Oh, you want to go up first to York, Captain?

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Either way.

[Sergeant Waters]

Yes, sir.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Pull in, Vaccaro. Yes, sir.

[Sergeant Waters]

What's the matter?

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Oh, I. I want to take a look at that man sleeping on the steps back there.

[Sergeant Waters]

He looks like a bum, Captain. A rummy? Yes, sir, he is a bum. Boy, these guys will crawl in any place. What's. What's that he's got with him there? Oh, come on. This guy isn't any working musician.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

No, I Don't think so.

[Sergeant Waters]

All right, come on, Mr. Left to do your sleeping at home. Come on. Boy, this guy is blotto, Captain. All right, come on, dad. Let's put the show on the road, huh?

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Watch out for that thing, Vacaro.

[Sergeant Waters]

Yes, sir. What's in there? Cello or something?

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Yeah, a cello.

[Sergeant Waters]

All right, listen, Pops, you'll have to go someplace with room service. Now, come on, huh?

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Little action here.

[Sergeant Waters]

Let's go. Go. Look, Pop, you'll have to do better than that. What's he doing with the cello, Captain? Where'd he get it?

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

I've got a good idea with those initials.

[Sergeant Waters]

All right, come on, dad. All right. Hey, come around the corner. You're on a house there. I knew that'd get a rise out of him.

[Irene Rudkovic]

What's the matter here?

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

All right, you'd better move on, folks. It's just a man drunk. Come on, dad, sit up.

[Sergeant Waters]

All right, sit up.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Come on.

[Sergeant Waters]

He's gonna need more convincing than that, Captain.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Let's get that cello out of the way. I don't want to damage. Watch it. Be careful.

[Sergeant Waters]

Yes, sir, I will. Now look, dad. Fun's fun. Let's sit up, huh? True fun.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Hold him up there. I've got this signed.

[Narrator]

All right.

[Sergeant Waters]

Come on, dad. Party's over. Oh, this bum is really polluted.

[Traveler 1]

We're lost. I'm gonna pull over and ask that man for directions.

[Sergeant Waters]

Hi there.

[Traveler 1]

We're looking to get to the campground.

[Traveler 2]

Well, you're gonna take a left at the old oak tree end of this here road. No, I'm just kidding. Let me get my phone out.

[Traveler 1]

How are you getting a signal out here?

[Traveler 2]

T Mobile and US Cellular decided to merge. So the network out here is huge. We're getting the same great signal as the city and saving a boatload with all the benefits. Oh, and a five year price guarantee. Okay, here's those directions.

[Traveler 1]

Actually, can you point us in the direction of a T Mobile store?

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[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Did you get it, Dan?

[Sergeant Waters]

Huh? Where'd I get what? All right, all right. Sit up, then.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

The cello. Where'd you get the cello?

[Sergeant Waters]

What cello? That cello, right there in Milano. In Milano? A long, long time ago.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Oh, dad, come off it, will you? You've never been to Milano.

[Sergeant Waters]

Oh, I've been. I've been. I've been again. You've been a lot of places, huh, pup? Most any place you can name. Rikers island included. Rikers island included. And Bellevue.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

You lifted that cello out of a car on Park Avenue, didn't you?

[Sergeant Waters]

No.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Hold him up.

[Sergeant Waters]

Come on, dad. Sit up.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Hold him.

[Sergeant Waters]

All right. Come on, dad. No. This old bird sure knows when to lose consciousness, don't he?

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Come on, dad. On your feet.

[Sergeant Waters]

On the feet. Watch it now.

[Narrator]

Please.

[Sergeant Waters]

Watch.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

All right, all right.

[Sergeant Waters]

Where are we going? Would you mind telling me where we were going?

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

To the station house, Dan.

[Sergeant Waters]

Oh, well, don't forget the chubble. We won't.

[Narrator]

You are listening to 21st Precinct, a factual account of the way police work in the world's largest city.

[Bill Smith (Narrator/Commentator)]

If you were to sit down and list some of the rights and freedoms that you have, you'd probably list the big things, like, oh, freedom of speech, freedom of the press, freedom of religion and others. Well, those are mighty important. But what about the little things? Things you don't think about much because you pretty well accept them as a matter of course. Like choosing the business or profession you want to go into. You know, in some countries, you work at the job assigned to you with no free choice at all. Or like getting as much education as you can in schools that are open to all. In some countries, education is only for the privileged few. Or take a little thing like buying a house or renting an apartment for your family. There are places in this world where you live right where you're told. Have you ever thought about why you're allowed these free choices? Why you accept it as your right? It's because such free choices are guaranteed to you and your children and to generations in the future, to be exact. It's in Article 9 of our bill of Rights. The men who wrote our Constitution and our Bill of Rights put this in just in case they forgot to mention something important in the others. It says, the enumeration in the Constitution of certain rights shall not be construed to deny or disparage others, retained by the people. You get that? It's not left to Congress or the president or any special group. These rights belong to all of us. To the people. It's one of our freedoms.

[Narrator]

Now back to 21st Precinct and Captain

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Kennelly, after considerable trouble Vaccaro and I got both the cello and the drunken suspect into the car and drove to the station house. As soon as we arrived, the suspect passed out cold and was stretched out on a bench in the detective squad office. Lieutenant Matt King, the commander of the 21st squad, told me that Mr. And Mrs. Rudkovic had left a few minutes earlier after giving their report of the theft to Detective Goldman. They said they were going to a restaurant to have dinner, and they had promised Lt. King they would check by telephone before driving to the country. We took the instrument out of the case and carefully examined it. There was no visible damage. I returned to the muster room and instructed the desk officer to send for another car to take me on patrol. I visited the political rally I had started for earlier. The crowd was small and there appeared to be no police problem. I made two or three other stops on precinct business before I returned to the station house at 10:35pm 21st Precinct, Sergeant Waters.

[Sergeant Waters]

All right.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Hello, Rand.

[Sergeant Waters]

Captain.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Oh, did that Mr. Rudgevik come by the house?

[Sergeant Waters]

No, sir, not yet.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Sergeant, get me Lieutenant King on here, will you?

[Sergeant Waters]

Yes, sir. 21st Squad, Lieutenant King.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Now this, Captain Kennelly. Matt, did you hear from Mr. Rudgevik? No, sir, not yet.

[Sergeant Waters]

That stu bomb has come around. I'm just beginning to talk to him.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

All right, I'll be right upstairs.

[Sergeant Waters]

Yes, sir.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

I'm going upstairs to the detectives.

[Sergeant Waters]

Yes, sir.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Did you get any look at that cello, Captain? I did.

[Sergeant Waters]

Yeah.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Does it look like $20,000? Not to me. To me either. I'd rather have the cash. I'll be upstairs. Yes, sir. When he faced Precinct Sergeant Waters. Now, wait a minute.

[Irene Rudkovic]

Wait a minute.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Not so fast. Where is this you're talking about? Hello, Meister Farrell.

[Sergeant Waters]

Hello, Skipper. Farrell.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Yes, sir. What tour are you working? 12 to 8, captain. We came in early to talk to some of the fellas on PVA business. Oh, okay.

[Sergeant Waters]

21st Squad. Detective Goldman. Hello, Captain Goldman. How long has he been following you, lady?

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Did he ever speak to you? Captain Kennelly. Come in, Captain.

[Sergeant Waters]

Hello. His name.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Hello, Matt. Captain Vacaro.

[Sergeant Waters]

Captain. Captain, this is Jason Newfield, noted for drinking port wine and stealing cellos. I didn't realize what I was doing. I just walked by there. I didn't even know I was taking it from the car. If you stole a cello every time you killed a bottle of wine, we'd really be up to our ears in cellos, wouldn't we? I never stole anything before. Never. You told me you've been out to Rikers. Is or five times. Didn't you? Yes, but never for stealing. I. I don't steal. What for, then? For being drunk and for mooching.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Mooching, huh?

[Sergeant Waters]

Mooching and being drunk. Where'd you get that fancy handle? Jason Newfield. That's my name. I guess it's got to be. Couldn't think that up. Where do you live, Jason? Oh, here and there. Around where I flopped down on the bar.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

What were you doing uptown on Park Avenue?

[Sergeant Waters]

I was just walking. I got a right to walk on Park Avenue.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

What were you doing uptown?

[Sergeant Waters]

I went to work over on Lex this afternoon. Work? What kind of work? I wanted to make a couple of bucks. I got on setting up pins in an alley over there. Wasn't any good, though. The boss said I was too slow on the uptake. You gave me my money and told me to get out. What time was that? I don't know. It was just about getting dark. Just about. Then what'd you do? I put the money in my pocket and I went downstairs and into the first package store. You saw? Well, as a matter of fact, yes. I got a bottle of wine. There wasn't anything wrong in that, was there? I earned it, didn't I? I was entitled to buy a bottle of wine.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

What was it, the pint?

[Sergeant Waters]

The quart? You went over to Park Avenue? Well, I went walking. You know, I swigged a little bit and I walked some. That's the way I like to drink, swig and walk a little bit.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

And you walked right up to this car and stole a $20,000 cello.

[Sergeant Waters]

$20,000? Is it what it's worth? That's what the man said. $20,000. I. I didn't know that. I didn't mean to steal it. I never stole anything before. Never. Well, you started big. I had no intention of taking anything like that. I didn't. Maybe you weren't looking for a cello, but you had your eye on something, Jay. No. I was leaning against the building there. I was taking the last swig out of the bottle, and I saw this lady and this man come out of the house. He was carrying this. Joan. They walked to the car, and he put it in. Then he went back into the house with the doorman, and she waited there. I just stood there and watched her for a minute.

[Bill Smith (Narrator/Commentator)]

Jay.

[Sergeant Waters]

Now, you can be interested in either wine or the ladies, not both. I was interested in the cello.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

I thought you had no intention of stealing it.

[Narrator]

Well, I didn't.

[Sergeant Waters]

I was just interested in it. You weren't interested in the cello. Just how much you could get for it in hockey. The cello is my instrument. Oh, is it? Didn't I tell you? No. Must have forgotten to mention it. Oh, yes, I. I was with the Hamburg Symphony. Yeah. I was the only American ever to study under the great. Who? Pentech. Pentech? In Budapest.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

The only American.

[Sergeant Waters]

The only American student he ever took. I was a young man. I was in Hamburg with a symphony. I was just a nobody in the cello section. Nobody. He came to be the soloist for a concert.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

The great Pentech.

[Sergeant Waters]

Huh? Oh, yeah, Pentech. We rehearsed that day and we rehearsed. I remember. And suddenly he told the conductor to stop the whole orchestra. He wanted to hear me play alone. The conductor and the whole orchestra looked at me and I played it alone. When I finished, he said you were very good. He said Pentek, meaning himself, was getting old and would I come to Budapest and study with him. So you went to Budapest? Naturally. It was a great honor. I went and I worked and I studied with Pentek. And finally he said, you're ready. So then there were concerts arranged and recitals.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

You became the toast of Europe.

[Sergeant Waters]

Well, not quite. But I played in Rome and Munich and Paris, London, Copenhagen and Oslo and Warsaw. All over. I.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Did you ever play in New York?

[Sergeant Waters]

Well, no, never. Why not? It was her. Manya. Oh, Mania.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

She was a dancer?

[Sergeant Waters]

No, she was a singer. I met her in Prague and I fell deeply in love. Deeply in love. But she didn't return my love. So I started to drink more. More and more.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

In Prague?

[Sergeant Waters]

Yes, in Prague. And finally I was no good at all. And I haven't been any good for 20 years. Would you believe me? To look at me, I'm only 51 years old. That's all I know. I must look 70. Tell me something.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

How did you get back to this

[Sergeant Waters]

country if you were in such bad shape in Prague? Well, some very kind friends took pity on me and bought my passage home to New York. They. They put me on the boat. Yeah, the boat from Prague to New York. No, first the train to Hamburg, then the boat. You never saw Manya again? Never. And I never will.

[Traveler 1]

We're lost. I'm gonna pull over and ask that man for directions.

[Sergeant Waters]

Hi there.

[Traveler 1]

We're looking to get to the campground.

[Traveler 2]

Well, you're gonna take a left at the old oak tree end of this here road. Nah, I'm just kidding. Let me get my phone out.

[Traveler 1]

How are you getting a signal out here?

[Traveler 2]

T Mobile and US Cellular decided to merge. So the network out here is Huge. We're getting the same great signal as the city and saving a boatload with all the benefits. Oh, and a five year price guarantee. Okay, here's those directions.

[Traveler 1]

Actually, can you point us in the direction of a T mobile store?

[T Mobile Announcer]

America's best network just got bigger. Switch to T mobile today and get built in benefits the other guys leave out, plus our five year price guarantee. And now T mobile is available in U. S Cellular stores.

[Grainger Announcer]

Best mobile network based on analysis by Google of speed test intelligence data 2H 2025 bigger network. The combination of T Mobile's and US cellular network footprints will enhance the T mobile network's coverage price guarantee on talk text and data exclusions like taxes and fees apply. See t mobile.com for details.

[Sergeant Waters]

Jason, I've been in this job 14 years. I've seen a lot of everything, especially thieves and liars. You're the lousiest thief and the best liar I've seen to date. No, no, that's true. The only boat trip you ever took was to Rikers Island. 21st Squad, Lieutenant King. Oh, yeah.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

All right.

[Sergeant Waters]

Goldman, Tom. I'll be right out. Mr. Rudgevick is outside, Captain. You want to come? Yeah.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Oh, just a second, Matt. Jason, did you ever hear of Mr. Igor Rudkovic?

[Sergeant Waters]

Who?

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Igor Rudkovic.

[Sergeant Waters]

No.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

A great virtuoso. You stole his cello.

[Sergeant Waters]

Oh, him. Yeah, I've heard of him, but, well, I haven't been keeping track of things lately.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

I guess you haven't.

[Sergeant Waters]

I've been kind of out of touch with the musical world. You sure have.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

They have told me. You have my Chaucer.

[Sergeant Waters]

Yes, we do. Where is it?

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Is it all right? We think so, Mr. Rigvik. Oh, I'm so grateful. I don't know what to say. I couldn't put it in words. You're sure it wasn't heart? Not that we can tell.

[Irene Rudkovic]

See, I told you. Ego.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Where is it?

[Sergeant Waters]

In my office, in there. Good. Ric, the thief is in there, too.

[Irene Rudkovic]

Oh.

[Sergeant Waters]

Oh, he is?

[Irene Rudkovic]

Igor, please, please don't get upset. You have a concert Monday, remember?

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

I don't care for the thief. My chosen.

[Irene Rudkovic]

He dangerous, Captain?

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

No, I don't think so.

[Irene Rudkovic]

Oh,

[Sergeant Waters]

There he is. Mr. Rudgevic.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Yes, yes. My kids. We looked at it. We didn't see any damage.

[Sergeant Waters]

Listen, I want to tell you I'm sorry.

[Irene Rudkovic]

Sorry.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Irene, don't speak to him.

[Sergeant Waters]

I won't bite anybody.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Yes, yes, he looks all right. He looks fine. Just fine.

[Sergeant Waters]

I wouldn't hurt it. That's the last thing I do.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Mr. Rudgevik. This is Jason Newfield. He says he was once a cello virtuoso. That's why he was so attracted to the instrument. Oh, virtuoso too.

[Sergeant Waters]

Well, well.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

As one virtuoso to another.

[Sergeant Waters]

You stink. I didn't mean any harm.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

The virtuoso. All right, Mr. Virtuoso. Play.

[Sergeant Waters]

Well, I haven't practiced it.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

A virtuoso. The virtuoso. Practice or no practice. Play.

[Sergeant Waters]

I caught you enough trouble. Play.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Maybe I could learn some technique, Mr. Virtoso. Here, take it.

[Sergeant Waters]

Play.

[Irene Rudkovic]

Igor, you shouldn't.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

I insist. He didn't steal it to sell. He stole it to play. So play. Sit down. Take the fiddle. Take the bow.

[Sergeant Waters]

Here, here, here.

[Narrator]

So. Play.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Play.

[Sergeant Waters]

Make beautiful music, please.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Oh, you are shy, huh?

[Sergeant Waters]

Play well, if you want.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

So that is it. The boat on the right hand, fiddle between the legs.

[Sergeant Waters]

Ah. Play. Oh, what should I play?

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Anything.

[Irene Rudkovic]

Igor.

[Sergeant Waters]

All right.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Some virtuoso, huh?

[Irene Rudkovic]

Ego.

[Sergeant Waters]

I'm sorry. I didn't remember all the notes. It's been a very long time.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

That was very good, Jason.

[Sergeant Waters]

Yes, excellent. Very excellent. Thank you. Thank you very much.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

You stole my Joseph just to have it.

[Sergeant Waters]

It's a Joseph.

[Irene Rudkovic]

Of course.

[Sergeant Waters]

Joseph. I have never played on end. George.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Come, we'll go. We'll go home to my place. We'll forget this nonsense. You can play some more on the Joseph.

[Sergeant Waters]

Now, wait a minute. Just a second. We have a little unfinished business here.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

What unfinished business? Gob.

[Irene Rudkovic]

Igor, please. Look at him.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

An artist is not to be judged by his clothes. Look, folks, wouldn't you like to come to my home to play my Joseph? Also, I. I have an amati. You can shave and eat. I have some clothes for you.

[Sergeant Waters]

This man is under arrest for grand larceny.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

What grand larceny? Forget it. Forget the past. Come to my home. Would you like that?

[Sergeant Waters]

You know what I'd like? I'd like a drink.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

21st Precinct. Sergeant Waters. All right. Get on over to Second Avenue. The third alarm on that fire just hit. Sergeant Tierney's on a job there. He'll put you to work on traffic. Yeah, that's right. We're rerouting everything off of Second Avenue. Okay, we'll get going. 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 ring can catch anyone.

[Narrator]

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 Sloan in the role of Captain Kennelly. Ken lynch is Lieutenant King. Harold Stone as Sergeant Waters. Featured in tonight's cast were Ethel Everett Santos Ortega, George Petrie, Frank Moth and Bill Smith. Written and directed by Stanley Niss. Produced for CBS Radio by John Ives. Art Hannah speaking.

[Bill Smith (Narrator/Commentator)]

This is the United States Armed Forces Radio and Television.

[Sergeant Waters]

Sam.

[Traveler 1]

Or lost. I'm going to pull over and ask that man for directions.

[Sergeant Waters]

Hi there.

[Traveler 1]

We're looking to get to the campground.

[Traveler 2]

Well, you're going to take a left at the old oak tree end of this here road. No, I'm just kidding. Let me get my phone out.

[Traveler 1]

How are you getting a signal out here?

[Traveler 2]

T Mobile and US Cellular decided to merge. So the network out here is huge. We're getting the same great signal as the city and saving a boatload with all the benefits. Oh, and a five year price guarantee. Okay, here's those directions.

[Traveler 1]

Actually, can you point us in the direction of a T Mobile store?

[T Mobile Announcer]

America's best network just got bigger. Switch to T Mobile today and get built in benefits the other guys leave out. Plus our five year price guarantee. And now T Mobile is available in US Cellular stores.

[Grainger Announcer]

Best mobile network Based on analysis by Oogle of Speed test intelligence data at 2H2025 bigger network. The combination of T Mobile's and US cellular network footprints will enhance the T Mobile network's coverage price guarantee on talk text and data exclusions like taxes and fees apply. See t mobile.com for details.