21st Precinct 56-05-24 (138) The Paperhanger

Summary

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Episode Overview

Podcast: Harold's Old Time Radio
Episode: 21st Precinct 56-05-24 (138) "The Paperhanger"
Date: February 28, 2026

This episode of 21st Precinct—set in 1950s New York—centers on a seemingly innocent case of a young woman who claims she’s lost her wallet after arriving from the airport, only for police to discover a deeper pattern of forged checks across the city. It’s a dramatic, procedural story touching on family, trust, and the impacts of crime both big and small in the community the precinct protects.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Opening Incident: The Lost Wallet (00:04–05:15)

• A late-night encounter: Cab driver Joe brings Elizabeth Pendleton, a well-dressed young woman, to the station over an unpaid fare, as she claims she lost her wallet.
• Sergeant Collins and Captain Cronin manage the dispute. She offers a check, which the cabbie reluctantly accepts after some persuasion by Cronin.
• Memorable line:
  • Captain Cronin: “You don't want to spend the morning in court, do you, Joe?” (03:27)

2. The Initial Investigation (05:16–10:35)

• Cronin shows empathy: Despite regulations, Cronin cashes another $10 check from Elizabeth so she can travel home, after she offers her watch as collateral.
• The station atmosphere: The plot pauses for precinct business and banter, establishing the everyday reality of police work.

3. Discovery of the Scam (11:00–12:14)

• Lieutenant King informs Cronin (11:03) that Elizabeth's checks are forgeries and she has used this story in over 35 incidents around town.
• Quote:
  • Lieutenant King: “This babe has been plastering the town with those checks.” (11:21)
  • Captain Cronin: “She sold me a bill of goods. Came in here with a real sad sob story.” (11:45)

4. Family Ties and Confrontation (13:56–20:54)

• Elizabeth's mother visits the station: Mrs. Pendleton arrives to repay Cronin and reveals knowledge of her daughter’s actions.
  • Mrs. Pendleton: “You were being a good Samaritan.” (14:49)
• Revealing the motive: The mother recounts a traumatic family incident—Elizabeth witnessing her father with another woman—which may have triggered her behavior.
• Discussion on the limits of parental guidance and unanswered questions about motivation and mental state.

5. The Arrest (21:04–22:40)

• Cronin and Collins find Elizabeth in a club, socializing with a stranger. The pattern continues as she explains why “everybody cashes her checks.”
  • Elizabeth Pendleton: “You would have, Carl. You would have. Everybody does. Even the policeman.” (22:08)

6. Resolution and Emotional Fallout (22:42–26:16)

• Police questioning: Elizabeth cannot fully articulate her need to forge checks, hinting at seeking affection and validation more than the money.
  • Elizabeth Pendleton: “I just wanted to get money from people to prove their liking, that's all. If they were willing to take a check from me, that proved their liking, didn’t it?” (23:42)
• Failed reconciliation: Her parents call, but Elizabeth refuses to speak with them, further highlighting the emotional distance underlying her actions.
• Captain Cronin’s closing reflection: The precinct's work is relentless and unpredictable—everyone is susceptible to the unexpected.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

Encounter at the Station (00:46–05:15)

• Narrator: “The security of their homes, persons, and property is the job of the men of the 21st Precinct.” (00:46)
• Elizabeth Pendleton: “I really appreciate it. You don't know how much I appreciate it.” (03:34)

The Fraud Unveiled (11:03–12:14)

• Lieutenant King: “She’s really been laying down that paper. Just small amounts. She sure has been getting away with it. I don’t see how she does it.” (11:38)

Emotional Core—Motivation Revealed (17:09–19:46)

• Mrs. Pendleton: “She's had everything all her life... And she just left home all of a sudden. And the next thing we knew, the check started.” (17:36)
• On her daughter witnessing her father: “She saw her father there. He was with another woman. How old is 19, maybe 20. In October.” (18:43)

Elizabeth’s Perspective (23:41–23:58)

• Elizabeth Pendleton: “I just wanted to get money from people to prove their liking, that's all. If they were willing to take a check from me, that proved their liking, didn’t it?” (23:42)

Closing Monologue (26:02–26:16)

• Narrator: “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.” (26:07)

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Important Timestamps

• 00:04–05:15: The lost wallet incident at the station
• 11:00–12:14: Revelation of the check forgery scam
• 14:00–20:54: Mrs. Pendleton’s visit and family backstory
• 21:04–22:40: Arrest of Elizabeth in a nightclub
• 22:42–26:16: Interrogation, family contact, and philosophical wrap-up

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Tone and Style

The episode blends procedural realism with personal drama, demonstrating both the emotional labor of police work and the complex, all-too-human motivations behind crime. The writing and performances are natural, compassionate, and at times tinged with melancholy.

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Summary

“The Paperhanger” weaves a vivid tapestry of police life, exploring a crime that is both deeply personal and wholly public. It illustrates how even the most routine incidents—like a lost wallet—can reveal tangled stories of family hurt, longing for affection, and the limitations of law and love. Through steadfast empathy and realism, 21st Precinct delivers an impactful episode resonant with classic radio drama’s emotional and narrative power.

Transcript

[Sergeant Collins]

21st Precinct. Sergeant Collins. Yes, I can hear you. What's the trouble there? Was she all alone? Well, how much is on the clock? $4. And what? Why can't you pay it? Oh, yeah.

[Captain Vincent P. Cronin]

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 read in the

[Sergeant Collins]

124 room at the 21st Precinct. All right. Drive her here to the station house. We'll talk about it when you get here. We'll just come on over here and we'll get it all settled. Yeah, all right. I'll see you.

[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 if 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.

[Sergeant Collins]

The 21st.

[Captain Vincent P. Cronin]

160 patrolmen, 11 sergeants and four lieutenants, of whom I'm the boss. My name is Cronin, Vincent P. Cronin. I am captain in command of the 21st Precinct. I was doing night duty 4pm to 8am at 1:55am after I'd been on patrol of the precinct then turning out the platoon. At midnight, I returned to the station house where Lt. Snyder was desk officer and Sgt. Collins had telephone switchboard duty. As I came through the door into the muster room, I saw a hack driver in a well dressed, very pretty young woman about 20, standing in front of the desk. I walked around behind the desk to sign the block. What's doing, Sergeant?

[Sergeant Collins]

Nothing much, Skipper. It's been a quiet tour. Look, I've got no time to stand here and discuss the pros and cons. There was $4.40 on the clock. All I want is my money, that's all.

[Elizabeth Pendleton]

I'd tell you that if I had it, Skipper.

[Captain Vincent P. Cronin]

Hello, Lieutenant.

[Elizabeth Pendleton]

I told you, I.

[Sergeant Collins]

Well, you just give me four dollars and forty cents. That's all I want.

[Captain Vincent P. Cronin]

She says she's lost her wallet.

[Sergeant Collins]

Well, why couldn't she look and see if she had a wallet before she got in my car in an idle while? Airport. Why did she have to wait until we got to 80th street and Park Avenue before she found it out?

[Elizabeth Pendleton]

It so happened. I looked in my place for a cigarette and I noticed the wallet was missing.

[Mrs. Elizabeth Pendleton (Mother)]

I told you I'd give you a chance, lady.

[Sergeant Collins]

When I turned the cabin at 7 o' clock in the morning, the boss wants cash for what's in the clock. He doesn't want checks.

[Elizabeth Pendleton]

I don't have the cash. I lost my wallet.

[Sergeant Collins]

Why do I get all the sad stories? I've never seen a cup fail.

[Captain Vincent P. Cronin]

Where were you going from? Idle idleness, he said.

[Sergeant Collins]

Faint spaces. What's your name, honey?

[Captain Vincent P. Cronin]

Yes.

[Elizabeth Pendleton]

Elizabeth Sanderson.

[Captain Vincent P. Cronin]

Do you have any identification?

[Elizabeth Pendleton]

No. All my identification is in my wallet.

[Sergeant Collins]

I've got my checkbook, though I am not interested.

[Captain Vincent P. Cronin]

What's your name?

[Sergeant Collins]

Kevin Colafo. Joe Colafo.

[Captain Vincent P. Cronin]

Look, Joe, these things happen, but always for me.

[Sergeant Collins]

Why, who are you, anyway?

[Captain Vincent P. Cronin]

He's Captain Cronin, the commanding officer of the precinct.

[Sergeant Collins]

Oh, I beg your pardon. I'd just like to know who I'm talking to.

[Captain Vincent P. Cronin]

You're wasting your time here, Joe.

[Sergeant Collins]

Oh, that's not news to me.

[Elizabeth Pendleton]

I didn't want to come here.

[Captain Vincent P. Cronin]

Joe. Joe, I suggest you take the lady's check, get back on the job. You don't want to make a complaint, go to court.

[Sergeant Collins]

Do you got a good mind just to do that?

[Elizabeth Pendleton]

What does that mean? Have me arrested?

[Captain Vincent P. Cronin]

You know anybody around here you can call mess? You know, to get the money from?

[Elizabeth Pendleton]

I don't know, a soul. Not a soul. I'm from out of town.

[Captain Vincent P. Cronin]

You don't want to spend the morning in court, do you, Jo?

[Sergeant Collins]

I want to spend the morning in the bed. All right, give me the check and let me get out of here.

[Elizabeth Pendleton]

Oh, I really appreciate it. You don't know how much I appreciate it.

[Sergeant Collins]

I know, I know. Here, do you want a pen?

[Elizabeth Pendleton]

Oh, yes.

[Mrs. Elizabeth Pendleton (Mother)]

Thanks.

[Elizabeth Pendleton]

Thanks a lot. How do you want it made up?

[Sergeant Collins]

Just the cash.

[Narrator]

That's good enough.

[Elizabeth Pendleton]

It is $4.40. I'll make it $6. That'll be a good tip for you for all the trouble I cause.

[Sergeant Collins]

That's up to you ladies. Uh, yeah.

[Elizabeth Pendleton]

No, I lost my wallet. I don't have a cent of cash. I couldn't make the check for $10 and you give me $4 change.

[Sergeant Collins]

No, you couldn't. Listen, just make it for $4.40. Just give it to me and let me get out of here. And don't do me any favors, all right?

[Elizabeth Pendleton]

Was there any harm to that?

[Sergeant Collins]

I'm stuck enough already. Yeah, to hold her. Got him thrown in Division on the line for you.

[Captain Vincent P. Cronin]

Okay.

[Sergeant Collins]

Clean up against the desk and write the check.

[Captain Vincent P. Cronin]

Don't I? I'll take it here,

[Sergeant Collins]

21st base.

[Captain Vincent P. Cronin]

Thank you, Captain Cronin. Yes, Inspector. No, sir. No, I'll be swinging on Sunday. No, no, sir. I. Well, I hadn't heard about it, Inspector. All right, I'll. I'll leave the instructions for the sergeants to ride by there frequently and have a look. How's that? Yes, sir. All right. Second. Okay.

[Elizabeth Pendleton]

I knew. Sorry to cause so much trouble. I made it for $6 anyway. See that?

[Sergeant Collins]

Braxton, Pennsylvania. Where's Braxton, Pennsylvania?

[Elizabeth Pendleton]

It's New Philadelphia. Did I get this pen from you?

[Sergeant Collins]

That's fine.

[Elizabeth Pendleton]

Well, thanks. Thanks a lot.

[Narrator]

You're welcome.

[Sergeant Collins]

Can I go now? Yes, go ahead. Well, I'll be seeing you.

[Elizabeth Pendleton]

Goodbye. Can't blame him, I guess. I couldn't help it.

[Sergeant Collins]

Lieutenant Singleton is ringing in. You wanted to talk to him.

[Captain Vincent P. Cronin]

You live in Braxton.

[Sergeant Collins]

Put him on here.

[Elizabeth Pendleton]

That's right near Philadelphia.

[Sergeant Collins]

21st.

[Captain Vincent P. Cronin]

What are you doing in New York?

[Sergeant Collins]

Well, listen, you put on identifiers.

[Elizabeth Pendleton]

Oh, that's a long story.

[Captain Vincent P. Cronin]

Ernest, would you walk across into my office? I want to talk to you.

[Elizabeth Pendleton]

Which is right over there.

[Captain Vincent P. Cronin]

And you just have a seat in there.

[Sergeant Collins]

How do you spell out?

[Mrs. Elizabeth Pendleton (Mother)]

Yes, sir, he was B, L, E

[Sergeant Collins]

or T, L, E. Simon, did you

[Captain Vincent P. Cronin]

check, see if a wallet was turned in at Idlewild?

[Sergeant Collins]

No, sir.

[Captain Vincent P. Cronin]

They.

[Sergeant Collins]

They just came in a minute before you did.

[Captain Vincent P. Cronin]

All right. Give the Port Authority Police a ring out there. See if they found it.

[Sergeant Collins]

Yes, you're right. That's the way to handle it. If you was registered under another name.

[Elizabeth Pendleton]

Is this chair all right?

[Captain Vincent P. Cronin]

Yeah, that's there. Fine.

[Lieutenant King]

All right.

[Captain Vincent P. Cronin]

Elizabeth. Pen. How you spell that?

[Elizabeth Pendleton]

T, E, N, D, E, I, T,

[Captain Vincent P. Cronin]

N. What were you doing at idle wild, Ms. Penton?

[Elizabeth Pendleton]

Well, you see, I came to New York on the train with a friend of mine. He flew to Europe, and I was going back to Philadelphia.

[Captain Vincent P. Cronin]

All right, now, come on. Come on. Everything's okay.

[Elizabeth Pendleton]

I'm sorry. I put her on the plane and I took a cab to go back to Penn Station. When I opened my pocket filled for a cigarette, I noticed my wallet was missing. That's all there is to it. I couldn't help it.

[Captain Vincent P. Cronin]

Yeah. Did you have your pocketbook open at the airport?

[Elizabeth Pendleton]

Oh, yeah, several times. I bought her a couple of magazines and we went into the bar and had a drink several times.

[Captain Vincent P. Cronin]

You didn't miss it before you got into the camp?

[Elizabeth Pendleton]

No, sir. I told you I was going to smoke a cigarette.

[Captain Vincent P. Cronin]

You're on your way to Penn State. Can you get a train to Philadelphia?

[Elizabeth Pendleton]

Yes, sir, that's right. To Philadelphia? Well, then I'd have to change there for Braxton. It's on the other side of Philadelphia, on the main line.

[Mrs. Elizabeth Pendleton (Mother)]

Well, I really couldn't help it.

[Elizabeth Pendleton]

I can't blame the cat driver for being mad. He's a master entitled to his money. But I couldn't help it. I didn't want to lose my wife.

[Captain Vincent P. Cronin]

Yes, sure, I know. The only friends in New York there.

[Elizabeth Pendleton]

There are a couple of people. Girls I went to school with. I wouldn't know where they are exactly.

[Captain Vincent P. Cronin]

Would you like to make a collect call to your home?

[Elizabeth Pendleton]

Oh, I don't think that would be a good idea at this time of night. You see, I didn't. Didn't tell my father and mother I was coming to New York.

[Mrs. Elizabeth Pendleton (Mother)]

Ticket?

[Elizabeth Pendleton]

Scared to death. He's nervous. Anyway, he's probably not at home. He stays in town a lot. In Philadelphia, that is. Did you ever hear of him?

[Captain Vincent P. Cronin]

No, I don't think so.

[Elizabeth Pendleton]

Charles C. Pemberton. He's a pretty big man.

[Captain Vincent P. Cronin]

Well, if you don't call him, you'll have to do something.

[Elizabeth Pendleton]

All I want to do is get the Penn Station and get on the train. That's all. I had a return ticket, but that was in my wallet, too.

[Captain Vincent P. Cronin]

How much money did you have?

[Elizabeth Pendleton]

Oh, I don't know. $35 or $40, something like that. Not much.

[Captain Vincent P. Cronin]

Excuse me. 25. 3. Thank. Captain Cronin, Sergeant Collins on Tez.

[Sergeant Collins (on telephone)]

Captain, I called the Port Authority Police at Idlewild. There's been no wallet turned in.

[Captain Vincent P. Cronin]

Okay. Thanks, Sergeant. Your wallet hasn't been turned in, Senator. Not as yet.

[Elizabeth Pendleton]

I don't know what I'm going to do. Look at me. I look terrible. Donna.

[Captain Vincent P. Cronin]

Oh, now, come on. Is there no reason for you to be trying?

[Elizabeth Pendleton]

I'll be all right

[Mrs. Elizabeth Pendleton (Mother)]

if I just

[Elizabeth Pendleton]

had the money to get home.

[Mrs. Elizabeth Pendleton (Mother)]

That's all.

[Elizabeth Pendleton]

I need about $10. Captain, would you cash a check for me for $10? $10, that's all? I could get a train home and pay the cab driver from the Braxton station to my house. That's all it would take. Just $10.

[Captain Vincent P. Cronin]

Look, Ms. Patterson, if I. If I cash a check for everybody to walk in that door.

[Sergeant Collins]

Oh, it's good.

[Elizabeth Pendleton]

I promise it's good.

[Captain Vincent P. Cronin]

Yes. I don't doubt.

[Elizabeth Pendleton]

Look, I'll tell you what I'll do. I leave my watch with you. It's a beautiful watch. My father gave it to me. 17 jewels in the gold jewel. You keep it until you're sure about the check, and then you can send it to me.

[Captain Vincent P. Cronin]

Never Mind the watchman. Just write out the check. I'll cash it for you.

[Elizabeth Pendleton]

Oh, thank you. You don't have any idea how this saved my life. It really saved my life.

[Captain Vincent P. Cronin]

I took the young woman's check and gave her $10 from my own pocket. She powdered her nose, thanked me profusely and left the station house at 2:20am the rest of the tour was quiet. I turned out the platoon for the eight to four, signed a blotter and left the station house to go off duty. 24 hours later I reported back and after signing the blotter and changing the uniform, I turned out the platoon, then returned to my office to read the reports and communications which had accumulated during my time off. These I signed while I spoke to Ezra D. Winkler, the precinct youth patrolman in regard to his progress in organizing softball teams among the youths of the precinct. Few minutes later, I walked out into the muscle ground.

[Sergeant Collins]

Winning first briefing. Sergeant Collins. Oh, Ross. Walk around the 346 and see the Super City Marshall is on his way to serve an eviction notice. And super says the tenant might give a little trouble. He's a fighter. Yes, like. Okay, let me know.

[Captain Vincent P. Cronin]

What you doing, Sergeant?

[Sergeant Collins]

Nothing much, skipper. It's pretty quiet.

[Captain Vincent P. Cronin]

Hey, Captain, you got a minute? Yeah, sure, man. Hi.

[Sergeant Collins]

Hello, Lieutenant.

[Lieutenant King]

K. How are you?

[Captain Vincent P. Cronin]

What's the trouble, man?

[Lieutenant King]

Captain, did you take a check from a girl a few days ago? A kid, 18 to 20, honey colored hair, very pretty. Uses the name Penderton?

[Captain Vincent P. Cronin]

Yeah, that's right. For $10. How you know about.

[Lieutenant King]

Well, somebody around here mentioned it yesterday that the girl came in the other night claiming she lost his purse, couldn't pay the cab driver.

[Captain Vincent P. Cronin]

Yeah, that's right, Matt.

[Lieutenant King]

The Special Fraud Squad had me on the phone this morning. Told me about her. This babe has been plastering the town with those checks.

[Captain Vincent P. Cronin]

Insufficient funds?

[Lieutenant King]

No, just forgeries.

[Captain Vincent P. Cronin]

Who wish she met. You know, Enough.

[Lieutenant King]

She's really been laying down that paper. Just small amounts. She sure has been getting away with it. I don't see how she does it.

[Captain Vincent P. Cronin]

I do, Matt. The kid sold me a bill of goods. Came in here with a real sad sob story about losing her money.

[Lieutenant King]

Yeah, that's what she's been using, according to them downtown. Same story she did about 35, 40 times. Still going strong.

[Captain Vincent P. Cronin]

She sold me. She really sold me.

[Lieutenant King]

Yes, sir. Sweet, innocent and in trouble. I can see how she was able to hang that paper all over time. She sold. You can just. Next time, take my advice, be careful.

[Captain Vincent P. Cronin]

You know, Matt, next time I think I'll just take the watch. Later in the day, a teletype alarm for the young woman who had forged the name of Elizabeth Pendleton on more than three dozen checks and passed them on various merchants and individuals in the city of New York was received at the station house. But the alarm didn't stop her. In the next few days, a dozen more such checks were refused payment by the bank in Braxton, Pennsylvania. In New York. Investigation was handled by detectives of the various precincts in which the checks were passed and the Special Fraud Squad, one of the several organizations of specialized investigators who operate on a citywide basis from the central office. In the meantime, the tour by tour activities in the 21st Precinct continued. On Saturday we had a bad homicide. On Sunday morning, a seven year old girl on her way to church was struck by a hit and run driver on First Avenue. Both of her legs were broken. I returned to the station house at 11:40am from the scene of that accident. In the muster room, Sergeant Collins was on telephone switchboard duty and Lieutenant Schneider was the desk officer. I walked behind the desk to sign the blotter. All right, Captain.

[Sergeant Collins]

Watch the pen.

[Captain Vincent P. Cronin]

My phone. Oh. What soon, Harry?

[Sergeant Collins]

Oh, nothing much, Captain, except a hit and run.

[Captain Vincent P. Cronin]

Yes, I'll be in my office.

[Sergeant Collins]

I've got a few messages for you, Skipper.

[Captain Vincent P. Cronin]

Yes, sir.

[Sergeant Collins]

That Mr. Thompson wouldn't leave his first name. He said he'd call back.

[Captain Vincent P. Cronin]

Yeah, I. I know who he is. Oh, is this one Congressman? Yes, sir, that's right.

[Sergeant Collins]

He said he'd be at that number until 2:30pm all right.

[Captain Vincent P. Cronin]

So you can get the Congressman for me? Yes, I'll take him to my office.

[Mrs. Elizabeth Pendleton (Mother)]

Where will I find Captain Cronin too?

[Sergeant Collins]

Over here, ma'.

[Elizabeth Pendleton]

Am.

[Sergeant Collins]

You'll have to make inquiries of the death. That's all right, Lieutenant.

[Captain Vincent P. Cronin]

I'm Captain Cronin.

[Mrs. Elizabeth Pendleton (Mother)]

Oh, how do you do? I'm Mrs. Elizabeth Pendleton of Philadelphia, of Braxton, Pennsylvania, near Philadelphia. You know me?

[Captain Vincent P. Cronin]

Well, let's say I've heard of you.

[Mrs. Elizabeth Pendleton (Mother)]

Well, I'd like to talk to you, Captain.

[Captain Vincent P. Cronin]

Shall I? And here, Mrs. Pennington.

[Mrs. Elizabeth Pendleton (Mother)]

Thank you.

[Captain Vincent P. Cronin]

Have a seat.

[Mrs. Elizabeth Pendleton (Mother)]

Thank you.

[Captain Vincent P. Cronin]

Well, nobody's been using your name in vain, Mrs. Pendon.

[Mrs. Elizabeth Pendleton (Mother)]

That's what I want to talk to you about, Captain. How do you spell your name? With a Y or an I?

[Captain Vincent P. Cronin]

An I? C, R, O, M, I, n?

[Mrs. Elizabeth Pendleton (Mother)]

It was Mrs. Sykeston who served with me on my hospital committee. She was a Cronin, but a Cronin with a Y. I don't suppose he's your family.

[Captain Vincent P. Cronin]

No, I'm afraid not. What can I do for you, Mr. Pendleton? You know I'm not handling the investigation. I'm just another victim in this case.

[Mrs. Elizabeth Pendleton (Mother)]

Yes, and it's too bad. I know you were just performing an act of kindness. You were being a good Samaritan.

[Captain Vincent P. Cronin]

Oh, I was trying to be.

[Mrs. Elizabeth Pendleton (Mother)]

You were. And I want to make restitution for the $10 you lost.

[Captain Vincent P. Cronin]

You're under no obligation to do that, Mrs. Pennington.

[Mrs. Elizabeth Pendleton (Mother)]

I think I am. It was $10, wasn't it?

[Captain Vincent P. Cronin]

Those checks were forged on your bank account. The responsibility belongs to the fresh and darkest.

[Mrs. Elizabeth Pendleton (Mother)]

The responsibility belongs to me, Captain. You see, I know who forged all those checks.

[Captain Vincent P. Cronin]

Ah, you do?

[Sergeant Collins]

Who will,

[Mrs. Elizabeth Pendleton (Mother)]

of course.

[Captain Vincent P. Cronin]

21st Precinct. Captain Cronin.

[Sergeant Collins (on telephone)]

I have Congressman Moho for you, Captain.

[Captain Vincent P. Cronin]

All right. I'll just be a minute, Mr. Clemson.

[Mrs. Elizabeth Pendleton (Mother)]

I'm quite all right.

[Sergeant Collins]

25 brief.

[Captain Vincent P. Cronin]

Thank, Captain. Crawl in. Hello there, Congressman.

[Sergeant Collins]

I trying to rake the esterdine.

[Sergeant Collins (on telephone)]

Yes, I know. I'm sorry I didn't get back to you. What can I do for you, Vance?

[Captain Vincent P. Cronin]

Oh, just a little information, that's all. Congressman. You know Father Canaan as Saint Agnes.

[Sergeant Collins (on telephone)]

Yes, I do.

[Sergeant Collins]

Well, you see, he has a student

[Captain Vincent P. Cronin]

he's very interested in. Boy just finished his first year at ccny. He's had excellent marks.

[Sergeant Collins]

He's right up there at the top

[Captain Vincent P. Cronin]

of his class, Congressman.

[Sergeant Collins]

He's a good athlete.

[Captain Vincent P. Cronin]

Nice young man.

[Sergeant Collins]

Yes, well, you see, there's not much

[Captain Vincent P. Cronin]

money in the family. They just have a little hardware store.

[Sergeant Collins]

The boy wants to get into West Point.

[Captain Vincent P. Cronin]

And, well, I think he'd be a good cadet. Father Canaan knows their competitive examination before you make your appointment. And he just wants to find out how to go about getting him on the list. So I told him I'd call you.

[Sergeant Collins (on telephone)]

Sure, Vince. I'll have my administrative assistant get in touch with Father Canaan.

[Captain Vincent P. Cronin]

All right, fine, fine. Do you want the boy?

[Sergeant Collins (on telephone)]

No, no, not yet. We'll get all the information from Father Canaan. Thanks for calling, Vince.

[Captain Vincent P. Cronin]

Oh, thank you, Congressman.

[Mr. Pendleton (Father)]

Bye.

[Mrs. Elizabeth Pendleton (Mother)]

Once a good Samaritan, always a good Samaritan.

[Captain Vincent P. Cronin]

It's all part of the job, Ms. Penton. Now, you say you know who forged those checks?

[Mrs. Elizabeth Pendleton (Mother)]

Yes, I do. Oh, my daughter.

[Captain Vincent P. Cronin]

Your daughter?

[Mrs. Elizabeth Pendleton (Mother)]

Don't look so surprised, Captain. I have a daughter that age. My daughter, Elizabeth. So you see, it's really not forgiven. Her name is Elizabeth Pendington too. It's not really forgery.

[Captain Vincent P. Cronin]

Does she have an account at that bank?

[Mrs. Elizabeth Pendleton (Mother)]

No, but she has an account in the bank in Philadelphia. In her own name. She has money in there. Plenty of money. I deposit $60 a week to her account. I don't understand why she does it. I just don't understand.

[Captain Vincent P. Cronin]

How many police officers come to see you at your home, Mrs. Sanderson?

[Mrs. Elizabeth Pendleton (Mother)]

Oh, yes. A very nice young detective from the Pennsylvania State Police. A very nice young man.

[Captain Vincent P. Cronin]

Did you tell him that you suspected it was your daughter?

[Mrs. Elizabeth Pendleton (Mother)]

No.

[Captain Vincent P. Cronin]

Why not?

[Mrs. Elizabeth Pendleton (Mother)]

Well, my husband told me not to. I wanted to tell the bank to pay the check, just to let them go through. But my husband told me not to do that either.

[Captain Vincent P. Cronin]

Do you have any idea why your daughter's doing this? You know she's forged and passed nearly 40 checks in New York City alone.

[Mrs. Elizabeth Pendleton (Mother)]

No, I don't. No, I really don't. She's had everything all of her life. Everything. There's not a thing she's wanted that we didn't give her. And she just left home all of a sudden. And the next thing we knew, the check started. I didn't even know that she was in New York.

[Captain Vincent P. Cronin]

Why did she leave home, Mrs. Pendant?

[Mrs. Elizabeth Pendleton (Mother)]

I. I don't know.

[Captain Vincent P. Cronin]

There must have been a reason.

[Mrs. Elizabeth Pendleton (Mother)]

There was something with her father.

[Captain Vincent P. Cronin]

Yes. What? Well, it's really very personal, Mrs. Penderton. Your personal matter isn't personal anymore. It's very public. About 40 people in New York are victims of it.

[Mrs. Elizabeth Pendleton (Mother)]

I'd rather not go in.

[Captain Vincent P. Cronin]

I'm afraid you'll have to.

[Mrs. Elizabeth Pendleton (Mother)]

Well, I'm involved in it, too, in a manner of speeches.

[Captain Vincent P. Cronin]

Yes.

[Mrs. Elizabeth Pendleton (Mother)]

You see, my husband was away. He told us that he was going to Chicago on business. The weekend came, and Liz was invited out to Wilmington to a party on Saturday night. She didn't want to go. She never wanted to go. But I. I talked her into it. Anyway, she went. She had a very good time. And after the party, the young hostess and her friends decided to go to an inn on the store for coffee and a snack. She saw her father there. He was with another woman. How old is 19, maybe 20. In October.

[Captain Vincent P. Cronin]

Did she talk to her father?

[Mrs. Elizabeth Pendleton (Mother)]

No. Luckily, he didn't see her. But she came home very upset. I had no idea what the trouble was. Finally, on Monday or Tuesday, she spoke to me. She told me she seen her father and what the circumstances were. Well, I said, miz, I'm sorry you had to find out this way, but it's been going on for years. Your father has his friends, and I have mine. That's the way it is.

[Captain Vincent P. Cronin]

What did she say to that?

[Mrs. Elizabeth Pendleton (Mother)]

Nothing.

[Captain Vincent P. Cronin]

Nothing at all.

[Mrs. Elizabeth Pendleton (Mother)]

Well, as a matter of fact, I was just on my way out of the House. When I told her I was very late for a dinner party.

[Captain Vincent P. Cronin]

Did she leave home right away?

[Mrs. Elizabeth Pendleton (Mother)]

Oh, no. In a day or so.

[Captain Vincent P. Cronin]

You have any idea where she's staying in New York?

[Mrs. Elizabeth Pendleton (Mother)]

No.

[Captain Vincent P. Cronin]

Could you be with some friends?

[Mrs. Elizabeth Pendleton (Mother)]

She has only one friend here. I called her even before the check started, but she hasn't heard from this captain. That girl has had the best education money can give her. She's had a car all her own. A 1965 convertible all her own. She has clothes, lots of clothes. And money of her own.

[Captain Vincent P. Cronin]

What made you decide to come to New York, Mrs. Patterson?

[Mrs. Elizabeth Pendleton (Mother)]

I wanted to find her and bring. That's a natural thing for a mother to do. I want to get things straightened out. Besides, my friends, we're beginning to ask questions.

[Captain Vincent P. Cronin]

Does your husband know you can't?

[Mrs. Elizabeth Pendleton (Mother)]

No, he'd be against it. He's afraid she'll cause a lot of trouble. He doesn't want any trouble or any scandal. He's very annoyed with me.

[Captain Vincent P. Cronin]

Yes.

[Mrs. Elizabeth Pendleton (Mother)]

And I have to admit I don't understand myself. What's gotten into her? Why would you do a thing like a silly.

[Captain Vincent P. Cronin]

Well, I'm not sure I can answer that, Mrs. Penderton. I'm only a policeman. I took Mrs. Pendleton upstairs to the 21st Detective Squad and introduced her to Lt. King. She repeated the story she told me and insisted she had no idea where her daughter could be located. A new alarm was put out for the young woman and a communication to the Pennsylvania State Police advised them of the actual circumstances in the case. The next day, a teletype order came from from the chief inspector instructing each precinct commander to make a personal check of cabaret in his command. Delegates at two recent conventions had complained that they were being overcharged in a few midtown nightclubs.

[Sergeant Collins]

In order to accomplish this work as

[Captain Vincent P. Cronin]

speedily as possible I decided to visit the cabaret in my command in company with a patrol sergeant on his regular inspection.

[Sergeant Collins]

Everything looks all right here, skipper.

[Captain Vincent P. Cronin]

Yep. Yeah. How about the kitchen? You take a look in there.

[Sergeant Collins]

Yes, sir.

[Captain Vincent P. Cronin]

Are they prepared to serve food?

[Sergeant Collins]

Yes, sir. The cook on the job.

[Captain Vincent P. Cronin]

All right s it.

[Sergeant Collins]

Let's go. While we're here, we can take a look at that club around the corner, Captain.

[Captain Vincent P. Cronin]

Now, let's see. Just a second. Wait a minute. Someone at the bar. I want to talk to get you.

[Sergeant Collins]

That depends, honey. That depends on how you feel about it.

[Captain Vincent P. Cronin]

Excuse me, miss.

[Sergeant Collins]

Me? What's your trouble?

[Captain Vincent P. Cronin]

I want to talk to the young lady.

[Elizabeth Pendleton]

What do you want to talk to me about?

[Sergeant Collins]

Listen, officer, we didn't do anything I'd

[Elizabeth Pendleton]

like to know what you want to talk to me about.

[Sergeant Collins]

Listen, what's the trouble, anyway?

[Captain Vincent P. Cronin]

What's your name, mister?

[Sergeant Collins]

Why do you want to know that?

[Captain Vincent P. Cronin]

Because this girl is one of the passing 39 Ford checks, that's why.

[Sergeant Collins]

Oh, don't kid me.

[Elizabeth Pendleton]

It's so, Carl. It's absolutely so.

[Sergeant Collins]

Listen, I. I only met her tonight, an hour ago.

[Captain Vincent P. Cronin]

What's.

[Sergeant Collins]

Langby. Carlingby. That's the truth. You can ask her. Isn't it the truth?

[Elizabeth Pendleton]

It's the truth.

[Captain Vincent P. Cronin]

Did you cash a check for her, Mr. Langley?

[Sergeant Collins]

Me? No.

[Elizabeth Pendleton]

You would have, Carl. You would have. Everybody does. Even the policeman.

[Mrs. Elizabeth Pendleton (Mother)]

Everybody loves me.

[Elizabeth Pendleton]

Everybody.

[Captain Vincent P. Cronin]

I called Sergeant Collins over, and we took Liz Pemberton and a companion to the station house. Well, we went directly upstairs to the 21st Detective Squad. After a few minutes of questioning, Carl Langley convinced Lieutenant King that he had, in fact, only met the girl that evening in another bar. He gave his address and promised to appear again if needed. He was allowed to go then. Lt. King and I talked to the girl.

[Lieutenant King]

Is that the only reason, Liz?

[Elizabeth Pendleton]

Well, I had to leave.

[Captain Vincent P. Cronin]

You want to call your mother, you can place a call to her.

[Elizabeth Pendleton]

No, I don't want to call her.

[Mrs. Elizabeth Pendleton (Mother)]

I don't want to talk to you.

[Captain Vincent P. Cronin]

Well, if you don't, Liz, I do. Can I use this one?

[Lieutenant King]

Yes, I saw it.

[Elizabeth Pendleton]

I haven't anything to say to her.

[Sergeant Collins (on telephone)]

Wait for his briefing.

[Captain Vincent P. Cronin]

Sergeant Collins, this is Captain Cronin.

[Sergeant Collins (on telephone)]

Yes, sir.

[Captain Vincent P. Cronin]

Sergeant, will you step into my office? Look in the corner of my desk. Slaughter. There's a note there with a number of a Mrs. Elizabeth Penderson in Braxton, Pennsylvania.

[Sergeant Collins (on telephone)]

Braxton?

[Captain Vincent P. Cronin]

Yes, that's right. Place a collect call to Mrs. Penderson with that number. I'll be up here right away, Captain.

[Lieutenant King]

You have a bank account of your own, Liz.

[Captain Vincent P. Cronin]

Why did you have to forge checks

[Lieutenant King]

in your mother's name?

[Elizabeth Pendleton]

I don't know. It just seems as though I should.

[Lieutenant King]

What made you?

[Elizabeth Pendleton]

I don't know. If I knew, I'd tell you.

[Lieutenant King]

You know, you hurt a lot of people.

[Elizabeth Pendleton]

Did I? I didn't mean to.

[Lieutenant King]

About 40 people, including Captain Cronin.

[Elizabeth Pendleton]

Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to hurt anyone. You know. I'm sorry, Captain.

[Captain Vincent P. Cronin]

I hope you are.

[Elizabeth Pendleton]

I didn't mean to hurt anyone. Anyone. I just wanted to get money from people to prove their liking, that's all. If they were willing to take a check from me, that proved their liking, didn't it? That's all I wanted to prove.

[Lieutenant King]

Could have given checks on your own account, to prove the same thing.

[Mrs. Elizabeth Pendleton (Mother)]

No, it's not so.

[Elizabeth Pendleton]

It wouldn't prove the same thing. It wouldn't prove the same thing because. I don't know.

[Mrs. Elizabeth Pendleton (Mother)]

It just wouldn't.

[Captain Vincent P. Cronin]

Liz, what were you doing at Idle Wild that night either?

[Elizabeth Pendleton]

What?

[Sergeant Collins]

The airport.

[Elizabeth Pendleton]

When?

[Captain Vincent P. Cronin]

The night you said you didn't have the money to pay the cab driver.

[Elizabeth Pendleton]

Oh.

[Captain Vincent P. Cronin]

What were you doing there?

[Elizabeth Pendleton]

I just went out there to cash a check, that's all. I thought it would be a nice place. I'm sorry. I didn't realize I would cause so much trouble. I really didn't.

[Mrs. Elizabeth Pendleton (Mother)]

If that's my mother, I don't want

[Elizabeth Pendleton]

to talk to her. I really don't.

[Captain Vincent P. Cronin]

I'll get it, mom.

[Mrs. Elizabeth Pendleton (Mother)]

I won't.

[Captain Vincent P. Cronin]

25.

[Sergeant Collins]

3.

[Captain Vincent P. Cronin]

Thank Captain Cronin.

[Sergeant Collins (on telephone)]

Sergeant Collins on TS. Captain, I have Mrs. Penderson.

[Captain Vincent P. Cronin]

All right, put her on.

[Sergeant Collins (on telephone)]

Go ahead, please.

[Captain Vincent P. Cronin]

Hello?

[Mr. Pendleton (Father)]

Captain Cronin?

[Captain Vincent P. Cronin]

Yes, this is Captain Cronin. We have Liz here, Mrs. Penderton.

[Mr. Pendleton (Father)]

Oh, you have? How is she? Is she all right?

[Elizabeth Pendleton]

I won't talk to her.

[Captain Vincent P. Cronin]

Yes, she seems all right.

[Mr. Pendleton (Father)]

May I talk to her?

[Captain Vincent P. Cronin]

Liz?

[Elizabeth Pendleton]

No. I told you, no.

[Captain Vincent P. Cronin]

I'm sorry, Mr. Pen. See, he won't come to respond.

[Mr. Pendleton (Father)]

Why won't she?

[Captain Vincent P. Cronin]

She just refuses.

[Mr. Pendleton (Father)]

Tell her I'll be there. Tell her I love her. Tell her I'll take the next train. Her father, too.

[Captain Vincent P. Cronin]

All right. Goodbye.

[Mr. Pendleton (Father)]

The next train.

[Elizabeth Pendleton]

I couldn't talk. I'm sorry, but I couldn't. I'm not ashamed of anything, but I couldn't talk to her.

[Captain Vincent P. Cronin]

You mother sent her. Tell you she loves you. She and the father are taking the next train.

[Elizabeth Pendleton]

They won't be here.

[Lieutenant King]

They told the Captain they would.

[Elizabeth Pendleton]

No, they won't. All they'll do is send money. They always send money. They think that's the same thing, but it isn't. It really isn't the same, is it?

[Captain Vincent P. Cronin]

Knowledge. Nothing's all the difference in the world. When he.

[Sergeant Collins]

First Precinct. Sergeant Cummins. You lost your wife, Your son. How old is he?

[Captain Vincent P. Cronin]

And so it goes, around the clock

[Sergeant Collins]

through the week, every day, every year,

[Captain Vincent P. Cronin]

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 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,

[Sergeant Collins]

City of New York.

[Narrator]

James Gregory, in the role of Captain Cronin and Ken lynch as Lt. King. Featured in tonight's cast were Bill Zuckert, Les Damon, Joan Loring, Abby Lewis, George Petrie and Frank Campanella. 21st Precinct is written, produced and directed by Stanley Ness. Our pan of speaking.