21st Precinct 56-08-16 (150) The Glass

Summary

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Podcast Summary: Harold's Old Time Radio

Episode: 21st Precinct 56-08-16 (150) The Glass
Air Date: February 28, 2026
Host: Harold's Old Time Radio
Main Theme:
A classic radio drama episode from the golden age of radio, focusing on an unusual and increasingly tense police call in New York City: a woman trapped inside a closed drugstore after hours. The episode follows the officers’ efforts to free her and highlights the challenges and quirks of nightly police work.

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Episode Overview

"The Glass" delivers a slice-of-life police procedural set in the night shift of Manhattan’s 21st Precinct. The heart of this episode is a seemingly minor but gradually escalating incident—a woman, Drake Leehart, gets unintentionally locked inside a drugstore while making a private phone call. The tension rises as police officers attempt, with growing frustration and resourcefulness, to get her out, all while navigating bureaucracy, missing keys, and a cast of neighborhood characters.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

Introduction to the Precinct (01:04–02:20)

• Captain Keogh sets the scene, describing his precinct—173,000 people squeezed into less than a square mile—and the duties of his officers.
• The officers begin their nightly rounds, with routines like checking shop doors and dealing with neighborhood issues such as faulty street lights.

Discovery of the Incident (02:21–05:10)

• Sergeant Waters, Patrolman McArdo, and Patrolman Ahern notice unusual knocking sounds late at night.
• They trace the sound to a closed drugstore and discover, through muffled conversation and investigating, someone is locked inside.
• The trapped individual, Drake Leehart, reveals she was using the phone booth at the back of the store when it was locked up.
  • Quote:
    "I was in the telephone booth and all of a sudden the lights went out. I didn’t know what happened. I hung up and the place was closed. It was locked tight."
    — Drake Leehart, (05:24)

The Rescue Attempts Begin (05:11–13:00)

• The officers try to calm Drake, instruct her to look for a door latch, and discuss options.
• They learn there is only one entrance/exit, with no accessible transom or back door.
• Quote:
  "Now look, don’t get panicky. Just take it easy. We’ll get you out."
  — Sergeant Waters, (06:09)
• Officer McArdo is sent to use the call box to inform the station, and they start investigating who has keys.
• A humorous interruption from a drunken passerby attempts to offer “technical know-how,” illustrating the colorful challenges of city policing.

Escalating Efforts and Frustrations (13:01–18:15)

• The officers confirm with various sources—building super, business office, drugstore’s owner’s wife—that there is no key easily available.
• The owner is recently separated, and his wife doesn’t know his current address, only that she sometimes contacts him at the store.
  • Quote:
    "If all this concerns me, I wish you’d let me know what’s going on."
    — Drake Leehart, (14:38)
• Attempts to contact other keyholders (including the mother in the Bronx and a new pharmacist employee) are unsuccessful.
• Frustrations rise for both the officers and Drake, whose composure frays as time drags on.

The Captain Weighs In (15:44–19:55)

• Captain Keogh joins the scene, conferring with his team.
• He decides to delay any dramatic measures (like smashing the glass or removing the door) until all key possibilities are exhausted.

Mounting Tension & Drake’s Desperation (20:00–25:14)

• Drake grows more anxious and physically uncomfortable, requesting water and expressing her impatience.
  • Quote:
    "I’m getting very nervous. I want to get out of here. Right now."
    — Drake Leehart, (22:54 and again at 22:57)
• Attempts to get a key from the real estate company lead nowhere—none are held by the management office; only tenants have keys.
• After nearly 25 minutes, Drake’s patience breaks. She picks up a chair and, despite warnings, smashes through the glass to free herself.
  • Memorable Moment:
    Drake’s taking matters into her own hands breaks the tension (24:50–25:14). "Well, I did it." – Drake Leehart
    "Yeah, you did it." – Captain Keogh
  • Officers quickly and carefully clear the glass so she can exit safely.

Resolution & Final Reflections (25:15–End)

• The incident resolves without major injury, but not before highlighting the stress and unpredictability of police work, as well as the personal stories behind every call.
• The captain humorously concludes that Drake probably won’t mind if her roommate overhears her phone conversations from now on.
  • Quote:
    "From now on, I don’t think she’ll mind if her roommate overhears her phone conversations."
    — Captain Keogh, (25:15)
• The episode closes with a glimpse of the never-ending merry-go-round of police life: another call comes in as this case is filed away.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Drake’s dilemma:
  "I was making a call of a rather personal nature. I didn’t care to have my roommate overhear." (08:51)
• Sergeant’s reassurance:
  "All right, lady, we’ll get you out. Don’t worry about it." (07:09)
• Building super on the search for a key:
  "Mr. Matthews assured him there was no master key to these stores in their office. The only one who has a key is the tenant." (23:32)
• Culmination of Drake’s anxiety:
  "No, I got to get out of here." (24:14)
• Breaking through:
  "Well, I did it." (24:50)
• Playful reflection:
  "From now on, I don’t think she’ll mind if her roommate overhears her phone conversations." (25:15)

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Key Timestamps

• 01:04–02:20: Introduction to 21st Precinct, setting the scene.
• 02:21–05:10: Discovery of the knocking and Drake locked inside.
• 05:11–13:00: Early rescue efforts and investigation into keys.
• 13:01–18:15: Increasing frustration as contact attempts fail.
• 20:00–25:14: Tension escalates, Drake’s desperation peaks, and she finally escapes.
• 25:15–End: Aftermath, police reflection, new call begins.

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Tone and Language

The episode blends urgency with understated humor and urban authenticity. The police speak in straightforward, practical language, using empathy and patience with civilians but also exhibiting the world-weary, sometimes brusque tone of seasoned New York officers. Drake Leehart’s increasingly anxious and candid responses add emotional realism, while the supporting characters, including the inebriated passerby, give a touch of local color and humanity.

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TL;DR

"The Glass" is a charmingly tense police procedural in which an everyday mishap—a woman trapped inside a closed drugstore—becomes a showcase for the persistence, problem-solving, and patience of New York’s finest, as well as a reminder of the human stories behind every call for help. Drake’s eventual decision to break her own way out offers a memorable twist and a light-hearted reflection on a night in the life at the 21st Precinct.

Transcript

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[Captain Thomas P. Keogh]

When he placed preaching. Sergeant Waters. Yeah, that's right. Those are policemen working over there. What do you want to know for? Well, how does what they're doing concern you? Yeah. Yeah. Well, you just have to bear up. You are, by transcription 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.

[Sergeant Waters]

All right.

[Captain Thomas P. Keogh]

Yeah, we'll be through there right away, as soon as possible. Yes, Sir. You're welcome. 21st Precinct. It's just lines on a map of the city of New York. 173,000 people wedged into 9/10 of a square mile between 5th Avenue and the East River. 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 Keogh. Thomas P. Keel. I'm captain in command of the 21st Precinct. I was doing night duty 4pm to 8am after I turned out the platoon at midnight, I went into my office to read and sign reports and communications that had piled up. Meanwhile, the men were taking over their posts, and one of them, Patrolman Daniel McArdo, walked over the prescribed route from the station house to Madison Avenue. After relieving Patrolman Edward Farrell on his assigned post, he began to try the doors to the shops along the avenue. As he was in the Process of this operation. The car in which Sergeant William Waters was riding his recorder and Patrolman Joseph Ahern as operator pulled up to the curb. Okay, stay in the car while I talk to him. Yes, Marcado. Yes, Roger. There's a street light out down the next block. Did you report it? Farrell said it had been out for about two hours. When I relieved him, he reported it. Okay. He said they're on the way to fix it. All right. If it's still out at the end of the tour, I'll make another report of it. Yes, sir. And I've been having trouble on this whole circuit up here the last couple of days. What's that? What's what? A knocking. I don't hear any knocking. Serge. Stop now. There it is. Sounds like somebody hitting a window. Where's it coming from? Everything's closed in the blocks. What about upstairs in one of the apartments? Could be. Sergeant. Hold it. I don't think it's from upstairs, Ahern. Sounds like it's from way down that way. Sergeant.

[Drake Leehart]

Yes, Sergeant.

[Captain Thomas P. Keogh]

Come here, Esther. Here it is. Yeah, I think it's from way down that way. The next block. Air charge. Hi, Mercy. Joe, somebody's knocking on some glass. I don't hear it. Oh, wait just a second. You will. There it is. Oh, yeah, down the next block. What do you think? Joe? Got me. Could be coming from across the street. Hold it. All right, we'll walk down. You'll be in the car. Okay. Come on, Mikado. There it is. Still sounds from down that way. Come on. Keep your eyes on those apartment windows upstairs. Yeah, okay. I'll look in the stores. It rings out like a bell. Sure does. There's nothing to stop it at this time of night.

[Sergeant Waters]

Hey, sergeant.

[Captain Thomas P. Keogh]

Yeah?

[Sergeant Waters]

Down here.

[Drake Leehart]

The drug.

[Sergeant Waters]

Okay.

[Captain Thomas P. Keogh]

Looks to us close.

[Sergeant Waters]

Ahern. Who is it?

[Drake Leehart]

Who is that?

[Sergeant Waters]

What?

[Captain Thomas P. Keogh]

Somebody inside the drug Story center.

[Drake Leehart]

Somebody inside.

[Sergeant Waters]

Bartley, outside. Not Barbara. Woman's lap.

[Captain Thomas P. Keogh]

In there. All right, ladies, take it easy.

[Sergeant Waters]

Take it easy.

[Drake Leehart]

Can you get me out?

[Sergeant Waters]

How did you get in?

[Drake Leehart]

I was locked in. I'm using the phone, lady.

[Sergeant Waters]

You'll have to come closer to the door and talk a little bit louder. I can't hear what you're saying.

[Drake Leehart]

I was in the telephone booth when the store closed.

[Sergeant Waters]

In the telephone booth?

[Drake Leehart]

Yes, that's right.

[Captain Thomas P. Keogh]

Wouldn't you know it? All right.

[Drake Leehart]

I was in the telephone booth and all of a sudden the lights went out. I didn't know what happened. I hung up and the place was closed. It was locked tight.

[Sergeant Waters]

How long ago was this?

[Drake Leehart]

What?

[Sergeant Waters]

How Long ago, was it?

[Drake Leehart]

I don't know. I hadn't any idea. About 10 or 15 minutes ago.

[Captain Thomas P. Keogh]

He usually closes between 12 and 12:30. Sergeant. He was closed when I came on post. I think he was.

[Drake Leehart]

What did he say?

[Sergeant Waters]

He was talking to me.

[Drake Leehart]

Oh, I think I will catch somebody's attention. I'd be just standing there knocking on the door with a half dollar.

[Sergeant Waters]

All right, lady.

[Drake Leehart]

I would have called the police, but the dime I used in the phone was the last dime or quarter or nickel I had. All I had was the half dollar.

[Sergeant Waters]

Now, look, don't get panicky. Just take it easy. We'll get you out.

[Drake Leehart]

I'm not panicky. I'm just trying to tell you what happened. I know I'll get out.

[Sergeant Waters]

Good.

[Drake Leehart]

I was getting a little worried until somebody heard me, but I know I'll be all right now.

[Sergeant Waters]

Yeah, you'll be fine. Now, what I want you to do is reach up on the inside of the door. See if you can find a latch to turn.

[Drake Leehart]

You mean a knob?

[Sergeant Waters]

That's right. See if you can find a knob.

[Drake Leehart]

The only thing we fix, and I've tried that before, that won't do it.

[Captain Thomas P. Keogh]

The key's the only thing that'll open that. Sergeant, listen, if a store has a burglar alarm service, they always have a key at the office.

[Sergeant Waters]

Well, there'd be a sign that says

[Captain Thomas P. Keogh]

protected by Holmes or Burns Patrol or whoever it was. Well, yes, sir. Usually there's no back door, is there, Mercado? No, sir. This is the only way in or out. Let me put my light up on the transom. There's no transom.

[Drake Leehart]

Joe, you think there's anything you can do?

[Sergeant Waters]

We'll get you out. Don't worry about it.

[Drake Leehart]

I'm not worried.

[Sergeant Waters]

What building is this in? Number 24.

[Captain Thomas P. Keogh]

Yes, Sergeant, 24.

[Sergeant Waters]

All right, Ahern, walk around the corner of the building entrance.

[Captain Thomas P. Keogh]

Find what apartment the 2 contender lives in. See if he's got a key to this door. Yes, sir. All right, get going. I'm on my way. Sergeant Mikado. Yes, sir.

[Sergeant Waters]

Go to the call box and ring in.

[Captain Thomas P. Keogh]

Tell the lieutenant what we've got. Okay, Sergeant. He might want to check home, Detective, anyway, and find. What's the name of the druggist? Erting. Paul Erding. All right, go on. Okay, Sergeant.

[Sergeant Waters]

Yes, lady?

[Drake Leehart]

You're not going away and leave me?

[Sergeant Waters]

No, we're not going anyplace.

[Drake Leehart]

Oh, that's good. I saw them leave.

[Sergeant Waters]

I sent them to see if they could find somebody with a key.

[Drake Leehart]

Oh, thank you.

[Sergeant Waters]

You're welcome.

[Captain Thomas P. Keogh]

Listen.

[Drake Leehart]

Yes?

[Sergeant Waters]

Didn't the druggist know you were in the telephone booth?

[Drake Leehart]

No, I guess he didn't. It's in a funny place. Way in the back in an alcove almost.

[Sergeant Waters]

Was he alone in the store?

[Drake Leehart]

I think so.

[Sergeant Waters]

Didn't he see you come in?

[Drake Leehart]

What?

[Sergeant Waters]

Didn't he see you when you came in the store?

[Drake Leehart]

Maybe he did, but I was in the booth so long I guess he forgot.

[Sergeant Waters]

What's your name?

[Drake Leehart]

Drake Leehart.

[Captain Thomas P. Keogh]

How do you spell that?

[Drake Leehart]

G O, R, A C, E. The last name. O, N E, I H A R,

[Sergeant Waters]

t. Is that Miss or Mrs. Miss. Where do you live?

[Drake Leehart]

Around the corner there at number 22.

[Sergeant Waters]

Don't you have a phone in your apartment?

[Drake Leehart]

Oh, yes.

[Sergeant Waters]

Why don't you use that instead of coming down here?

[Drake Leehart]

Well, the call I was making was a rather a personal nature. I didn't care to have my roommate over here.

[Sergeant Waters]

Oh, I see.

[Drake Leehart]

What did you say?

[Sergeant Waters]

I said I see. I understand.

[Drake Leehart]

Thank you very much.

[Sergeant Waters]

You're welcome.

[Drake Leehart]

How long do you think I have to stay in here?

[Sergeant Waters]

Until we can find someone with a key.

[Drake Leehart]

Do you know someone?

[Sergeant Waters]

Well, it's in this apartment. Billy the super might have a key.

[Drake Leehart]

You think so?

[Sergeant Waters]

Maybe. And if the drug is subscribed to the burglar alarm service, they'll have a key for sure.

[Drake Leehart]

It doesn't look to me like he subscribed to it. It's such a small store. And besides there's none of that silvery tank on the windows.

[Sergeant Waters]

Well, there's all kinds of burglar alarms.

[Drake Leehart]

Oh, supposedly he doesn't subscribe.

[Sergeant Waters]

Then we've got the owner's name and number and phone at the file on the station house. We'll get him down here to open up.

[Drake Leehart]

I don't think he really likes that very much.

[Sergeant Waters]

He should have looked around the store before he locked up.

[Drake Leehart]

What did you say?

[Sergeant Waters]

He should have looked around the store.

[Captain Thomas P. Keogh]

Better

[Sergeant Waters]

watch the two mouth here. Watch the two most.

[Captain Thomas P. Keogh]

All right, keep moving.

[Sergeant Waters]

I'm sorry. Excuse me, officer. I didn't make sure you stopped your not usurping anything.

[Captain Thomas P. Keogh]

Missy.

[Sergeant Waters]

You just better go on home and get in bed.

[Captain Thomas P. Keogh]

Oh, I wonder if we got a

[Sergeant Waters]

damsel in this rest. Go on, go on. You better hit the tide. I will put her in there. Yoo hoo.

[Captain Thomas P. Keogh]

Get moving.

[Sergeant Waters]

Listen, I am not drunk. I am only offering you my technical

[Captain Thomas P. Keogh]

know how for the damsel in the set.

[Sergeant Waters]

If you think I'm drunk again. Yeah, I think so. You were perfectly mistaken. All I had was one Ross on the scotch with a whisk of Pemmon wheel. Now look, get going. Go on home.

[Captain Thomas P. Keogh]

All right.

[Sergeant Waters]

Welcome to Life is Sufficient. Y. Good night. Good night. Good night. Three times building, sir. Well, he was a big help.

[Drake Leehart]

I was worried. I thought you were going to arrest him.

[Sergeant Waters]

No, we've got bigger troubles.

[Drake Leehart]

I say we got bigger troubles. You know, I'm beginning to get a little bit worried.

[Sergeant Waters]

What?

[Drake Leehart]

I'm beginning to get a little bit worried.

[Sergeant Waters]

I said, are you in a hurry to get any place?

[Drake Leehart]

No.

[Sergeant Waters]

Will anyone be concerned about you?

[Drake Leehart]

That's my roommate, but I don't care about her. As ever, she's concerned.

[Sergeant Waters]

All right then relax. Enjoy the fuss that's being made over you.

[Drake Leehart]

I can't. I can't relax.

[Sergeant Waters]

You'll relax before we'll get you out.

[Drake Leehart]

Don't worry. I know you'll get me out. I have no doubt about that. I'll try to be calm and collected, but I just feel that I'm going to lose control. I feel so ridiculous in here.

[Captain Thomas P. Keogh]

How do you think I feel out here?

[Drake Leehart]

What?

[Sergeant Waters]

Nothing.

[Captain Thomas P. Keogh]

I spoke to desk officer Sergeant. Yeah? What did he say? Well, he rang over to home. This store isn't a subscriber. They got no key burns either. I didn't think they would be. How's he feeling? He's still in there.

[Drake Leehart]

Is there any news? Did you find the key?

[Sergeant Waters]

No, not yet.

[Captain Thomas P. Keogh]

Sergeant, The Lieutenant got the owner's name from the business house file. Like I told you. It's Erting, Paul Erting. He lives up in Washington Heights. The Lieutenant said if the super didn't have a key to ring in again and he'd get hold of Mr. Erding right away. Okay. Yes.

[Drake Leehart]

What's going on and you're plotting out there?

[Sergeant Waters]

We're not plotting anything, lady, except how to get you out.

[Captain Thomas P. Keogh]

Here's a hand, Sergeant. How'd you do, Joe? I woke up to super Sergeant. Yeah? He's got no key to any of these stores. Uh huh. All he handles is the residential apartments in the building. These stores here are handled right by the office. Okay. Mikado, you better ring into the Lieutenant again. Tell him we can't locate a key. Okay, right away. Cooper said he'd come and see if he could give us a hand as soon as they get stressed but doesn't know what there is he can do. There's no other way out of this door, is there? No sir. He says there isn't just this door here.

[Sergeant Waters]

Yes, lady.

[Drake Leehart]

Did you get a key?

[Sergeant Waters]

No, not yet.

[Drake Leehart]

I thought that that policeman went to wake up the super. Of the building?

[Sergeant Waters]

He did. The super's got no key to any of the stores.

[Drake Leehart]

What are we going to do? How am I going to get out?

[Sergeant Waters]

We'll get you out.

[Drake Leehart]

You keep saying that, but you don't do anything.

[Sergeant Waters]

Just don't worry.

[Drake Leehart]

I am worried. I'm getting worried to death.

[Sergeant Waters]

We got the home telephone number of the druggist in the files at the station house. The other officer went to the call box. He's going to ask the lieutenant to phone the druggist to come down here.

[Drake Leehart]

Do you think he'll come?

[Sergeant Waters]

He'll come.

[Drake Leehart]

Yeah. He might not feel very good about it.

[Sergeant Waters]

He might not feel very good about it, but he'll come.

[Drake Leehart]

Well, I hope so.

[Captain Thomas P. Keogh]

What's that trooper's name? Ahern. Charlie. He said he'd come out as soon as he got dressed. Yeah. Yeah, Sergeant. He doesn't know what he can do, though.

[Sergeant Waters]

Yes, ma'. Am.

[Drake Leehart]

Where did this Robert Mail?

[Sergeant Waters]

In Washington Heights.

[Drake Leehart]

How long did it take him to get here?

[Sergeant Waters]

About a half hour. A little more, maybe.

[Drake Leehart]

Oh, goodness.

[Sergeant Waters]

What?

[Drake Leehart]

I said my goodness.

[Sergeant Waters]

Oh. You ring in Mikado?

[Captain Thomas P. Keogh]

Yes, sir. I rang in. The desk officer called up the druggist home. Is he coming down? Open up. No, sir. His wife said he wasn't there.

[Sergeant Waters]

Well, maybe he didn't have time to get home yet.

[Captain Thomas P. Keogh]

He's not coming home. He doesn't live there. His wife told the lieutenant they were separated about a month ago. Yeah.

[Drake Leehart]

If all this concerns me, I wish you'd let you know what's going on.

[Sergeant Waters]

Just a second, lady. Where does the wife say he's living now?

[Captain Thomas P. Keogh]

She told the lieutenant she doesn't know.

[Sergeant Waters]

Well, she knows how to get in touch with him when she has to, doesn't she?

[Captain Thomas P. Keogh]

Well, yes, sir. She knows that.

[Sergeant Waters]

Where does she reach him? Right here.

[Captain Thomas P. Keogh]

Right here at the store. I remained occupied with my paperwork, which consisted mainly of various reports concerning occurrences in the precinct to be endorsed by me and forwarded through channels for about 25 minutes. Then I got up and walked out into the muster room where I saw Lieutenant Matt King, Commander of the 21st Detective Squad, come in the front door of the station house. Matt. Hello, Captain. I see you're coming in when you should be going out. Why don't you go home? Well, I thought about it, Captain. I've got the line up in the morning. I'll just use one of the beds upstairs. Well, how about a cup of coffee? Yeah. Sir. Brad, is the coffee hot? Yes, sir. There's some sugar in the drawer. Okay. What's keeping you around here? So late, ma'.

[Drake Leehart]

Am.

[Captain Thomas P. Keogh]

Go ahead. Well, Blood and Scanlon got hold of a boy who said he knew where to find that Neota kid. Oh yeah, here. Thanks. That's good kid. Yeah. Any sugar? Yeah. Did you call him? Well, this boy said Miota was staying over in a flat on West 96th street that he heard he had a Luger over there besides the gun he used to shoot up the liquor store. So I thought we better be ready for anything over there. I took Danny Goldman in addition to Lloyd and Scanlon and we picked up another couple of men from the squad over there. We went up there to hit the flat. Yeah. And we hit the door and there was only this babe inside, a girl, 18 or 19. She was scared half to death. I asked her whose flat it was. Said a friend of hers, fellow named Kenny.

[Drake Leehart]

Kenny?

[Captain Thomas P. Keogh]

Rumor numerous something I said. Are you sure his name isn't Phil Neoda? No, she said his name is Kenny. Well, she was telling what she knew all right. Yeah, as close as your hits the spot, it helps. I'll say that. Anyway, she described this Kenny. The way she talked was talking about the Miota kid. Suddenly gave the place good going over top to bottom. Wasn't anything there. He said he gave her the key and told her to meet him there. He'd be home by 10 o'.

[Drake Leehart]

Clock.

[Captain Thomas P. Keogh]

Well, we sat down to wait Blood and scanlon and I, 10 o', clock, 10:30, 11 o'.

[Drake Leehart]

Clock.

[Captain Thomas P. Keogh]

Finally at a quarter to 12, there's a noise out in the hall. Key in the door, door opens, we jump him. But it's not the Neota boy. I know he helps scared this Kenny out of his wits. Fairly close to the physical description of Miota, but that's about all. Good hard working fellow. Well, that's how I spent the evening. Where are letting Scanlan? Oh, them. They went out to find the boy that gave them this hot information. I don't blame him. Excuse me, Cup. Yes, Lieutenant. Hi, Red. We got a woman locked in a drugstore on post 14. How did she get in there? She was in the phone booth and the drug is closed up. Super. The building says she's got no key. He got out the drugger's phone number from the business file. His wife says she's separated from him for about a month and she doesn't know where he's living. Have they got a burglar alarm service? I checked Homes, Captain Dora isn't a subscriber. Who's on the job over there? Sergeant Waters, Captain and McPardo and Mahern. Sergeant says the woman started off kind of cool and collected when they first got there. She's getting a little panicky now. Are you making any further effort to locate the drugger? Yes, sir. He's got a mother, lives in the Bronx. According to the wife, the mother's got no phone. She doesn't think he's living with the mother. But the mother might know where he is. I got the 50th Precinct to send a man over there to talk to the mother. Any friends of the man or employees of the store? The wife says he's got a pharmacist working for him. I know him. He doesn't know his name. Came to work after they got separated. She used to help them out in the store herself. She doesn't happen to have the key around the house? No, sir. Sergeant Waters wants to know what I thought about sending for the emergency spot. To take the door off or cut the glass out or whatever they can do to get her out. Well, you better hold up on that for a while, Ren. Yes, sir. I'll take a ride over there and see what it looks like. Have a car come around for me. Okay. How do we take a look, Matt? No, Captain. No, thanks. I spend too much of my time now seeing people who are locked up. In a few minutes, sector car number three came by the house for me. And drove me over to the drugstore on Madison Avenue. Where by this time a few people had gathered despite the lateness of the hour. As the car pulled to a stop behind the sergeant's car. I could see considerable activity in the doorway. All right, wait here.

[Sergeant Waters]

All right, folks, there, you might just as well move on.

[Drake Leehart]

Captain.

[Captain Thomas P. Keogh]

Hello, Hearn. Where's Sergeant Waters? In the doorway there, talking. Okay? Yes, sir. All right.

[Sergeant Waters]

Let's just keep moving, huh, Sergeant?

[Captain Thomas P. Keogh]

Hello, Captain. How you doing? Well, she's still in there.

[Sergeant Waters]

Miss me hot?

[Drake Leehart]

Yes.

[Sergeant Waters]

I sent one of the officers with the super of the building. They went to call somebody from the real estate company. We'll see if they've got a key.

[Drake Leehart]

It's going to be an awfully long time.

[Sergeant Waters]

We'll know something in a few minutes.

[Drake Leehart]

You've been saying that. You've been saying we'll know something in a few minutes. An awful long time has gone by.

[Sergeant Waters]

We're doing everything we can.

[Drake Leehart]

I don't know about that. I don't know if you are. I'm filled up in here.

[Captain Thomas P. Keogh]

I'm Captain Keogh.

[Sergeant Waters]

We'll get you out. We'll get you out very soon.

[Captain Thomas P. Keogh]

You got to talk close if you. The door, Captain.

[Sergeant Waters]

I said we'll get you out very soon.

[Drake Leehart]

I hope so. I only hope so.

[Captain Thomas P. Keogh]

She's in there too much longer, Captain. She's going to go to pieces. Well, I don't know whether I'd blame her. No. So neither would I. I was thinking about getting the emergency truck over here and taking that door off or the glass out or something. I don't think they could take the door off. They're butted hinges Gimme had opened that caused a lot of damage. The best thing might be to cut the glass down. Yes, sir. Micarta went with the super. Yes, sir. Who are they calling? Well, some executive from the real estate company that manages this building. The super says he might know where there's a key to the store. If he doesn't, he might know who to call. There she goes again.

[Drake Leehart]

Officer. Yes? Any news?

[Sergeant Waters]

They haven't come back yet.

[Drake Leehart]

Oh, I'm getting very thirsty.

[Captain Thomas P. Keogh]

Thirsty?

[Drake Leehart]

Yes, very thirsty.

[Sergeant Waters]

Why don't you go behind the soda fountain and get a glass of water?

[Drake Leehart]

Do you think it would be all right?

[Sergeant Waters]

It'll be all right.

[Captain Thomas P. Keogh]

Sure.

[Drake Leehart]

Did you say so?

[Captain Thomas P. Keogh]

Yes. Go ahead.

[Drake Leehart]

All right, I will.

[Captain Thomas P. Keogh]

Well, that'll keep her busy for a minute anyway. Hearn. Call me Sergeant. The captain is Take a walk down to the call box. Ring into Lt. Gorman and see if he's had any luck in locating the druggers. Yes, sir. And tell him I'll be here until we get her out. Okay, Captain. I'll tell him. Let me know what he says. Yes, sir. The 50th was going to send a man around to his mother's place. Yeah, I know.

[Sergeant Waters]

All right, Ms. Nehart. Where? Right here.

[Drake Leehart]

I got my drink of water.

[Captain Thomas P. Keogh]

Well, that's good.

[Drake Leehart]

And I found this chair, too. There's Yuntang standing here where I can be sitting.

[Captain Thomas P. Keogh]

You'll be a lot more comfortable.

[Drake Leehart]

It's not how comfortable I am that makes a difference, but I'm getting very nervous.

[Captain Thomas P. Keogh]

What?

[Drake Leehart]

I'm getting very nervous. I want to get out of here.

[Sergeant Waters]

All right, we'll get you out.

[Drake Leehart]

I want to get out now. Right now. There's no reason why I can't get out right now.

[Sergeant Waters]

Like I told you, lady, if we can't find somebody with a key, we'll get the emergency squad over here to take off the door.

[Drake Leehart]

I sure like to know when.

[Sergeant Waters]

Very soon.

[Drake Leehart]

You've been saying that, Captain.

[Sergeant Waters]

All right, Just relax and you'll be all right.

[Captain Thomas P. Keogh]

Yes, McAdo. Captain, this is Charlie the stooper. At number 28. Glad to know you, Captain. Hello. Some deal we got here. Yes. You have any luck? No luck at all. I went inside, I called up my boss, which is Mr. Doyle. Well, Mr. Doyle's got charge of apartment rentals only. So he told me, call up Mr. Matthews, which is in charge of business rentals. I said, Look, Mr. Doyle, Mr. Matthews don't know me from a hole in the ground. So Mr. Doyle called up Mr. Matthews, and Mr. Doyle called me back. Does Mr. Matthews have the key? I know, sir. They said they've got no keys to any of these stores. Well, at least that's what Mr. Doyle told me. Mr. Matthews told me. I talked to Mr. Doyle, captain. He said that Mr. Matthews assured him there was no master key to these stores in their office. The only one who has a key is the tenant. I rang into the house, Captain. Yes. Lieutenant Coleman says the 50th got back to him. They sent a man by the house of the man's mother. She doesn't know where he's living. She hasn't heard from him in over a month, Captain.

[Sergeant Waters]

Okay, now, look, Ms. Mead, put the chair down. Put it down.

[Drake Leehart]

No, I got to get out of here.

[Sergeant Waters]

We've got the emergency squad on the way.

[Drake Leehart]

Ms. Nehart, you've been saying that.

[Sergeant Waters]

Now, put that chair down.

[Captain Thomas P. Keogh]

What's up, Sergeant?

[Sergeant Waters]

You better get back. Makado, eat the rest of the. Come on. Take it easy, Ms. Seahawk. I think he means it, Captain. Put that chair down. We'll get you out. Come on, Captain Seahawk. Captain, Come on.

[Captain Thomas P. Keogh]

You all right, sir? Yeah, I'm all right. Sorry I pushed you, Captain, but I saw that chair coming down. Don't worry about it. Thanks. Yes, sir.

[Drake Leehart]

Well, I did it.

[Captain Thomas P. Keogh]

Yeah, you did it.

[Drake Leehart]

I had to. Please help me.

[Captain Thomas P. Keogh]

Now, don't step through there yet. There's a lot of jagged glass hanging there. Mikado. Yes, Captain. Right here. Take a night stick and clean that glass off around there. Stand a few feet back in there, Ms. Neha.

[Drake Leehart]

I want to come out.

[Captain Thomas P. Keogh]

You'll be able to step out in a minute.

[Drake Leehart]

All right. It was only going to be a minute.

[Captain Thomas P. Keogh]

Excuse me, son. Go ahead, Micah.

[Drake Leehart]

It's all yours.

[Captain Thomas P. Keogh]

Yes, sir. Okay, Mikado. That's good. Well, Captain, I guess she solved the problem for us. Yeah. From now on, I don't think she'll mind if her roommate overhears her phone conversations. 21st preaching, Sergeant Waters.

[Sergeant Waters]

Who are you?

[Captain Thomas P. Keogh]

The watchman. What they break into? Did you see the thieves? Yeah. Yeah. Well, what's missing? Oh, yeah. Yeah. Or what was all that doing in a tool shack? Yeah. Was it locked? Yeah, the lock was jimmied off. Huh. All right, I'll send the officers right over there. Yeah, wait right at the gate. And so it goes around the clock through the wheat. Every day, every year, the police precinct in the city of New York is a flesh and blood merry go round. Anyone can catch the brass ring or the brass ring can catch anyone. 21st Precinct transcribed a factual account of the way police work in the world's greatest 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. Les Damon in the role of Captain Keough. Ken lynch as Lieutenant King. Harold Stone as Sergeant Waters. Featured in tonight's cast were John Sylvester, Bill Quinn, Abby Lewis, Santa Sotaga and Lawson Zerbe. 21st Precinct is written, produced and directed by Stanley Nist. Art Hannah Speaking.