(74) Escape - Red Wine - (Willard Waterman)

Summary

Podcast Summary: Harold's Old Time Radio

Episode 74: Escape - "Red Wine" (Willard Waterman)

Date: August 10, 2026
Podcast Host: Harold’s Old Time Radio

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Overview

This episode showcases a classic episode from the show "Escape," titled "Red Wine," starring Willard Waterman. Listeners are transported back to the golden age of radio, immersing them in a tense, atmospheric mystery set in the steamy jungles of Borneo. The story centers on Paul Veneer, a detective tasked with apprehending a cunning murderer, Jerome Steeks, who has taken refuge at a remote rubber plantation—under an unknown identity. The drama explores themes of identity, trust, and the inescapability of one's past.

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Key Discussion Points & Plot Breakdown

1. The Arrival and the Mission (02:14 - 07:55)

• Setting: Paul Veneer, American detective, arrives at the isolated Tanjong Samar rubber plantation in Borneo.
• Purpose: He’s hunting Jerome Steeks, a sophisticated murderer wanted for killing his wife in San Francisco but whose appearance and name are unknown—save for a fleeting written description.
• Complication: Three American foremen (Prale, Duran, and Wilmerding) fit parts of Steeks’s potential profile, but none seem to match entirely.
• Herr Kurt (local district controller) warns Veneer:
  • “Men rarely come here unless they’re running away from something, trying to lose their past. I think you’ll find all three men have manufactured stories.” (05:53)

2. Introductions and Misdirection (08:13 - 11:48)

• Veneer is introduced to the three suspects. There’s immediate camaraderie but undercurrents of suspicion.
• A knowledge of wine and refined tastes come up as a clue, pointing towards Steeks’s cosmopolitan past. Veneer probes the group about wines, observing their reactions:
  • Duran jokes about “warm beer,” Prale downplays his connoisseurship, and Wilmerding says little.
  • Veneer sets a subtle linguistic trap by attempting to discuss French language and culture.
• Tensions rise as Veneer reveals his true identity as a detective in search of a murderer. Finger-pointing starts among the three men.
• Memorable quote:
  • “Whichever one is Steeks is putting on an awfully good act. Most likely they’re all acting to a greater or lesser extent, which of course makes your problem exceedingly difficult.” — Herr Kurt (13:17)

3. Attempts on the Detective’s Life (15:42 - 23:14)

• First Attempt: Late at night, while Veneer tries to rest, a knife is hurled at him through the window. Checking outside, he encounters Nilana, a mysterious local woman.
  • Nilana: “Please, Don, the gun. You are going to shoot me?” (17:16)
• Herr Kurt confronts Veneer and identifies the knife as one belonging to the Americans, used for target practice.
• Second Attempt: At dawn, Veneer awakens to find a deadly jungle snake in his room, which he narrowly kills.
  • “I’m not sure it did crawl in. Got an idea it may have been dropped in through the mosquito netting there at the window.” — Veneer (21:26)
• Each suspect continues to deflect attention and suspicion, and the atmosphere among the men grows ever more tense.

4. The Key Witness and Her Fate (23:23 - 27:16)

• Nilana, risking Herr Kurt’s anger, sneaks into Veneer’s room to warn him. She hints at knowing who the killer is, having witnessed the attempt with the knife.
  • “Tonight, when everyone sleeps, wait by the tall palm at the edge of the clearing. I will come.” — Nilana (24:09)
• Nilana never makes the arranged meeting. Veneer, searching the next day, finds she’s been murdered—her throat cut by the hidden killer.
• Herr Kurt, in sorrow, confides his love for Nilana, who was his wife, adding personal loss to the case’s stakes.

5. The Trap and Unmasking the Killer (27:16 - 29:54)

• A final dinner is arranged by Veneer as a ruse to draw out Steeks.
• The menu includes an extremely rare and prestigious wine—Chambertin, vintage 1911—served with ice as a deliberate faux pas.
• Turning Point: Wilmerding’s visceral objection to serving fine red wine with ice exposes his deep, cultivated knowledge of wine, betraying his true, refined identity.
  • “You’re well aware of the fact that ice kills the bouquet of Chambertin. Isn’t that it, Steeks?” — Veneer (29:18)
• Realizing he’s been found out, Wilmerding/Steeks reaches for his gun but is shot and killed by Herr Kurt.
• Herr Kurt explains his actions:
  • “Alana had been seeing Wilmerding. I’d guessed it was one of the three. And apparently she found out he was Steeks.” (30:16)

6. The Aftermath (29:54 - 30:40)

• Herr Kurt mourns Nilana:
  • “She was young, Mr. Veneer. Foolish, perhaps, but I… I loved her very much.” (30:27)
• The spilled rare wine mingling with blood becomes a final, haunting visual:
  • “Only one thing, though—not all of it is red wine.” — Veneer (30:40)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Men rarely come here unless they’re running away from something, trying to lose their past. I think you’ll find all three men have manufactured stories.” — Herr Kurt (05:53)
• “You’re well aware of the fact that ice kills the bouquet of Chambertin. Isn’t that it, Steeks?” — Paul Veneer (29:18)
• “She was young, Mr. Veneer. Foolish, perhaps, but I… I loved her very much.” — Herr Kurt (30:27)
• “Only one thing, though—not all of it is red wine.” — Paul Veneer (30:40)

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Key Timestamps for Important Segments

• [02:14] – Paul Veneer’s arrival and mission explained
• [08:13] – Introduction to the three suspects
• [11:15] – Veneer outs himself as a detective; suspicions mount
• [15:42] – First attempt on Veneer’s life (knife incident)
• [20:46] – Second attempt on Veneer’s life (snake incident)
• [23:23] – Nilana warns Veneer, promises help
• [24:59] – Veneer sets his trap, pretends to drop the case
• [27:16] – Discovery of Nilana’s murder and emotional fallout
• [27:21] – The "trap dinner" begins
• [29:18] – Wilmerding's reaction unmasks him as Steeks
• [30:16] – Resolution; Herr Kurt’s tragic loss

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Tone and Language

The episode remains faithful to the hardboiled, atmospheric storytelling of vintage radio dramas: terse, suspenseful, layered with suspicion, and punctuated by moments of dark emotional resonance. The dialogue is sharp, brimming with era-specific wit and grit.

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Overall

This episode is a tightly woven mystery-thriller, blending evocative sounds, clever clues, and tense confrontations. It’s a fine showcase of the clever puzzles, sharp dialogue, and rich settings that made “Escape” such a beloved program in the golden age of radio. The unmasking of the killer combines deduction with a human touch, and the closing moments—mingling rare red wine and tragedy—leave a lasting impression long after the audio fades.

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For old-time radio enthusiasts and newcomers alike, this is a masterclass in suspenseful storytelling.

Transcript

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[Narrator]

Suspense, which is usually heard at this hour on Thursday nights, is taking its customary summer holiday Suspense returns to the air. Three weeks from tonight, on Thursday, September 1st,

[Prale]

You are with three men on a jungle plantation on the Rubber coast of Borneo. You know that one of the men

[Paul Veneer]

is a desperate criminal whom you've come to arrest, but you don't know which one.

[Prale]

You have to find him before he

[Paul Veneer]

can save himself by killing you.

[Narrator]

We offer you escape, designed to free you from the four walls of today for a half hour of high adventure. Tonight we escape to Abornio Jungle in a tantalizing search for a murderer, as LG Blockman told in his famous story Red Wine.

[Paul Veneer]

As the rusty little tramp freighter bumped against the rickety wharf, I dropped from the rail onto the planking and for the first time felt the humid heat roll out of the jungle like steam from the back door of a Turkish bath. I'd come a long way six days before, I'd stepped off a float in San Francisco Bay, time to board a Pan American clipper headed for the South Pacific. Two days later, I'd boarded the mailboat in Batavia. And now Tan Yong Samar, sweltering and half forgotten, last outpost on the Rubber coast of Borneo. Yes, a long journey, but here would now mark the end of it. I'd come to arrest a murderer. I crossed the beach and walked up the path of crushed shells leading to a low bungalow at the edge of the jungle. The freighter would lie at the wharf for four hours, plenty of time for me to get the thing over with and Be back aboard when she sailed. I was expecting danger, of course, but no real trouble. I'd done jobs like this before. So I stepped confidently up on the porch and met Herr Kurt, controller of the Tanyang Samar district.

[Herr Kurt]

Yeah, yeah, I am in here. Kurt the controller. What is it I can do for you?

[Paul Veneer]

I have a letter of introduction here from the Governor General. Here. Here you are. Hmm? Yeah, yeah.

[Herr Kurt]

Mr. Paul Veneer from the United States.

[Paul Veneer]

The Governor promised me your cooperation.

[Herr Kurt]

So I see. Cooperation. That's good. But he doesn't say cooperation in what?

[Paul Veneer]

I've come here after a killer, Mr. Kert.

[Herr Kurt]

Oh, Dyaks, maybe. Headhunters.

[Paul Veneer]

No, no, this one's a civilized killer. An American wanted in San Francisco for murdering his wife. His name is Jerome Steeks.

[Herr Kurt]

Oh, I see. Won't you sit down, Mr. Vanilla?

[Paul Veneer]

Yes, thank you.

[Herr Kurt]

Won't come borrow a coffee?

[Paul Veneer]

That's one matar I bring lightweight.

[Herr Kurt]

We will have coffee in a moment.

[Paul Veneer]

Nice of you, but maybe I'd better pick this guy up first. I'd hate to miss the boat and have to lay over five days.

[Herr Kurt]

You are acquainted with Esteeks, Mr. Veneer?

[Paul Veneer]

No, no, I've never seen him.

[Herr Kurt]

But you do have photographs?

[Paul Veneer]

No, I'm afraid not. This was a very clever killer. He apparently took great pains to see that he was never photographed. He carefully eliminated all fingerprints as well. What are you driving at, Mr. Kirk?

[Herr Kurt]

Simply this. There is no one in my district by the name of Steeks.

[Paul Veneer]

Oh, no, of course not. He wouldn't be using his own name. There is an American here though, isn't there?

[Herr Kurt]

Three of them, Mr. Vanier. Employed as foreman on the Cotta rubber plantation.

[Paul Veneer]

According to my information, Steeks came here from Batavia about six months ago.

[Herr Kurt]

We all arrived six months ago on the same boat. The Cotta company is just going back into operation.

[Paul Veneer]

I see. Well, according to the people who've seen him, Jerome Stiegs is a man about 35 years old, of medium height and slight build. Pale complexion with black hair and mustache.

[Herr Kurt]

Amazing. Any one of these men might fit the description. Except that all are clean shaven and heavily tanned from tropical sun. Furthermore, Mr. Vanir, all three of the men have light blond hair. Good. Pour out two cups, Wong. I'll have Wong bring you baggage up from the wharf, Mr. Veneer.

[Paul Veneer]

Thank you, Wong.

[Herr Kurt]

It appears your business may take a little longer than four hours.

[Paul Veneer]

I'm certain of the information I got in Batavia. I know the man's here.

[Herr Kurt]

Then the problem resolves itself into a matter of identification.

[Duran]

No.

[Paul Veneer]

An hour's talk with the three of them ought to do that.

[Herr Kurt]

I doubt it, Mr. Vanir. The swamps here at Tanjong Samar are infested with fever. It's always hot, like now. And the jungles back there swarm with long tailed, true snakes and deadly cobras in the rivers, crocodiles. So men rarely come here unless they're running away from something, trying to lose their past. I think you'll find all three men have manufactured stories. So how is one to choose?

[Paul Veneer]

Well, I.

[Herr Kurt]

Moreover, according to this letter, I'm authorized by the governor to assist you in arresting and extraditing Jerome Stiegs. One man, not three.

[Paul Veneer]

So it's up to me.

[Herr Kurt]

Oh, do not misunderstand me, Mr. Veneer. I will cooperate with you in every way. But I think it will be a very hard thing to identify this man. You have never seen when he doesn't wish to be identified.

[Paul Veneer]

I don't know. Sometimes it's easier to identify a man from his personality than from his physical.

[Herr Kurt]

And the personality of this man Steeks is something out of the ordinary.

[Paul Veneer]

Yeah, for a foreman on a rubber plantation. Yes. I doubt if all three of these men can be aristocrats. And in a sense, that's what Steeks is. A cosmopolitan, lived all over the world, always associating with top society. He's a lover of fine foods and wine. Speaks French and German fluently. He's a gourmet, a bon vivant man of perfect taste in clothes and manners.

[Herr Kurt]

And murderer.

[Paul Veneer]

Yes, and murderer.

[Herr Kurt]

When the three men return from the clearing this evening, I shall be happy to introduce you to them. Though it's quite probable they are aware of your identity already.

[Paul Veneer]

What do you mean?

[Herr Kurt]

Jungle grapevine. Before you stepped off the wharf, my houseboat told me that you were a detective. Undoubtedly the same information has reached the clearings by now.

[Paul Veneer]

I see. So in other words, the murderer probably knows who I am and what I'm here for. But I haven't the slightest idea who he is.

[Herr Kurt]

Huh? Exactly. It's quite an interesting thought, isn't it? More coffee, Mr. Veneer? Mr. Veneer, I would like you to meet Mr. Doran.

[Paul Veneer]

Hi, Mr. Veneer.

[Herr Kurt]

And this is Mr. Wilmerding.

[Paul Veneer]

Pleasure, Mr. Veneer.

[Prale]

I'll save you the trouble, Kurt. My name's Prale.

[Herr Kurt]

Glad to meet you.

[Paul Veneer]

Same here, Mr. Prale.

[Prale]

You might as well drop that, mister. We don't use it much around here. I'm Prale. That's Doran and Wilmerding. And you're Vernier. If it's all the same to you.

[Paul Veneer]

Sure, sure, Prale. Why not?

[Herr Kurt]

Now, if you gentlemen will excuse me, I have a number of things to do. Bring Mr. Veneer to my bungalow for dinner. We'll celebrate having a guest at Tanjong Samar.

[Duran]

Oh, sure.

[Herr Kurt]

Yeah, we'll see you.

[Paul Veneer]

Well, Herr Kurt tells me all three of you are Americans.

[Duran]

Well, I don't know whether I'm still one or not. Haven't been to the States in seven years.

[Paul Veneer]

Seven years, huh? Then you're an old timer here, Duran.

[Duran]

Oh, not here. Australian.

[Herr Kurt]

Oh, don't let Duran get started, Veneer.

[Paul Veneer]

He'll spend two hours telling you how he lost his shirt trying to raise sheep down under.

[Duran]

Well, if I had either money or sense, I wouldn't have come to this stinking hole.

[Paul Veneer]

Oh, I wouldn't say you fellas had it too rough. I've been noticing those empty bottles there in the show.

[Prale]

What do you mean, Frontier?

[Paul Veneer]

Well, here, Piper Heidzik, 1936. That's good champagne. You boys are living like gourmets. Connoisseurs. Ah, you're overrating us, Veneer. Those empty bottles were already here when he came. Just never got around to throwing them out.

[Duran]

Prale here's the only connoisseur in the bunch. He can tell you anything you want to know. About wines?

[Herr Kurt]

Yeah.

[Paul Veneer]

Or about anything.

[Prale]

Oh, dry up. Just because a guy happens to know a little more than somebody else is no reason to keep riding him all the time.

[Duran]

I wish you knew some way to make ice. I'm getting plenty fed up with warm beer day in, day out.

[Paul Veneer]

Yes, that would get pretty tiresome. I think I'd switch a Shambutan or Chablis or something. Come again? Well, Wilmading, I didn't necessarily mean those in particular, but there are quite a number of wines that are even better warm than they are chilled.

[Duran]

You're in the wrong place, chum. We wouldn't know what to do with them if we had them. This is strictly a beer and gin crowd.

[Paul Veneer]

There'd be no kick on that if

[Herr Kurt]

we had some ice to go with it.

[Paul Veneer]

Oh, what I wouldn't give for a cold frosty.

[Prale]

Oh, relax, Wilmer Dane. You make me thirsty. What do you say to some music?

[Paul Veneer]

Oh, music. Does one of you play some instrument? Sure, sure.

[Duran]

Preo. He's terrific on that phonograph over there in the corner. Only trouble is he thinks Three o' Clock in the Morning is the greatest song ever written.

[Paul Veneer]

Well, I can see that leading to quite an argument, Duran. Particularly if you're a Lover of the classics?

[Herr Kurt]

Oh, no, no, no, no, no.

[Duran]

I don't go for that long haired stuff. But I would like to hear a fast number once in a while. It's less than 10 years old.

[Herr Kurt]

Yeah, you ought to see this collection, Prale. Dragged up here from Batavia strictly from the gay 90s.

[Paul Veneer]

Prale, you don't by any chance have a number called Ilhe au metrier dans' maison?

[Herr Kurt]

What's that, Semi Italian opera?

[Paul Veneer]

No, no, it's French. Approximately.

[Duran]

Well, come on, Prale, translate it for us. You claim to be an expert on the French language.

[Prale]

Well, it's worded kind of funny. It's like poetry.

[Paul Veneer]

Oh, sure, sure.

[Prale]

That last word though, that maison, that means house. I.

[Paul Veneer]

That's too bad. I thought maybe Jerome Steeks might translate it.

[Herr Kurt]

Huh?

[Paul Veneer]

It refers to him, of course.

[Herr Kurt]

Sticks, what are you talking about?

[Paul Veneer]

Sentence reads, there's a murderer in this house.

[Duran]

Well, so you're finally coming out in the open.

[Herr Kurt]

Yeah, we heard you were a detective.

[Paul Veneer]

Yeah, that's right. So what about it, Steeks? You want to give up now or try to go on with your act?

[Prale]

Wait a second, Vernier. I get it now. You're after some killer you've never seen named Steeks. And you figure one of us is it, huh?

[Paul Veneer]

That's right, Prale.

[Prale]

Then the guy you're after is Wilmerding.

[Paul Veneer]

Are you crazy?

[Prale]

Whoever hurt anybody with a name like Wilmerding, unless they made it up.

[Paul Veneer]

Made up nothing. I got a passport to prove it. What are you trying to do, Prale? Turn attention away from yourself?

[Prale]

I got nothing to hide. It's either you or Duran.

[Herr Kurt]

What?

[Duran]

Listen, you can leave me out of this right now. There's plenty of people in Australia that can tell you who I am.

[Paul Veneer]

Unfortunately though, there's nobody in Tanyang Samar who can tell me for certain who any of you are. But one of you is a murderer. By the time the boat gets back here. Since I'm obviously not going to be able to leave with it when it sails in an hour, I'll know which one. Either I'm going to take Jerome Steeks back to San Francisco with me or I'm going to kill him. Trying to. You can count on it. Well, what do you say we go on over to Kurt's bungalow and have dinner?

[Herr Kurt]

That's Wilmerding's room there. Doran sleeps here and pray on down at the end. Oh yes, and this is the guest room. At least the only guest room that's usable at the present.

[Paul Veneer]

It looks all Right.

[Herr Kurt]

Well, it's used for the time you're here, Mr. Veneer.

[Paul Veneer]

They do all of these rooms open out under the porch?

[Herr Kurt]

Yes, the veranda, as we call it.

[Paul Veneer]

There's no way to lock this door, I suppose?

[Herr Kurt]

Unfortunately, no. And anyway, the windows are covered only by mosquito netting. It makes another interesting situation, does it not?

[Paul Veneer]

Yeah, I suppose interesting is the word for it.

[Herr Kurt]

I assure, Mr. Veneer, that you have not been able to identify your man by his personality.

[Paul Veneer]

No, whichever one is Sticks is putting on an awfully good act.

[Herr Kurt]

Most likely they're all acting to a greater or lesser extent, which of course makes your problem exceedingly difficult.

[Paul Veneer]

That's right, Mr. Kid. You did say a man rarely came here unless he wanted to lose his past. And yet you're here.

[Herr Kurt]

Yeah, yeah, that is true. But then I am only a servant of the government and have little choice where I am sent. Well, good night, Mr. Vanir.

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[Paul Veneer]

in the lamplight for a long time after Kurt left, trying to figure things out and getting nowhere. Gradually, the night breeze brought the smell of the jungle into the room. Rich, exotic, fragrant as a midnight orchid. As disturbing as the scent of danger. Or maybe. Maybe it was danger itself I was smelling. The heavy knife missed my throat by 2 inches, fed it into a bamboo partition and stuck there quivering. I dropped down on the floor and slid my.38 out of its holster. I could hear nothing but the rustle of palm thatch along the eaves, low creaks from the paddocks underneath the bungalow, and the soft night sounds from the jungle. Finally, I slipped my shoes off, pulled the knife out of the wall and dropped it in my pocket, moved to the door, and stepped quietly out into the veranda. It was empty. Across the railing, the fringe of undergrowth was dappled in silver moonlight, and nothing moved. I paused quickly at the three doors and from each heard the sound of snoring. One of the men was faking, but which one? I'd reached the end of the porch when my eye caught a slight movement in a banana clump a few yards from the steps. Someone was hiding there. I moved swiftly, holding the gun ready, and came within a few feet before I could make out a shape in red and white sarong. And shape was right, complete with dark tumbled curls and a flower behind one ear. It was a girl.

[Nilana]

Please, Don, the gun. You are going to shoot me.

[Paul Veneer]

No, no, no. Relax, honey. I was looking for somebody else.

[Nilana]

And now you have found Nilana. So. So you are disappointed.

[Paul Veneer]

Ah, Pleasantly surprised. Nilana, huh?

[Nilana]

In your language it means flower of love.

[Paul Veneer]

It's perfect fit. Are you blooming out here all along?

[Nilana]

I do not understand one.

[Paul Veneer]

I mean, did you see anybody moving around up there on the veranda a while ago?

[Nilana]

Only you, Tuan. I became frightened and ran to hide.

[Paul Veneer]

Frightened? Why?

[Nilana]

I should not be here at night. I mean, I. Let us talk of something else, all right?

[Paul Veneer]

Nalana. The moon, for instance.

[Nilana]

Oh, yes. Look. Is it not big and soft and warm?

[Paul Veneer]

Yeah, all of that.

[Nilana]

Tuan, you like Nilana, perhaps?

[Paul Veneer]

Definitely.

[Nilana]

Why do we not go somewhere else? Along the beach? Perhaps you would like that.

[Herr Kurt]

Well, I'm afraid Mr. Veneer is too serious minded for such things. Nalana veneer.

[Paul Veneer]

Well, Mr. Cat, join us, won't you?

[Herr Kurt]

Thank you. Nalana, go to the bungalow at once.

[Nilana]

Yes, my near. I go. I go immediately.

[Herr Kurt]

She has no business being out alone at night. But, Mr. Veneer, is something wrong with your room? Is it not comfortable?

[Paul Veneer]

It was until this flew in through the window.

[Herr Kurt]

A knife?

[Paul Veneer]

Yeah, throwing knife. You ever see it before?

[Herr Kurt]

Oh, yeah, yeah. It is one of the collection there in the bungalow. The three Americans throw them at targets every evening and wager on the results. I believe Mr. Dorant taught the other two.

[Paul Veneer]

What about you, Mr. Kurt? Do you ever bet with him?

[Herr Kurt]

It would be too easy. Watch. I learned to throw a knife at Java many years ago.

[Paul Veneer]

And Nalana, I suppose she's an expert at it too.

[Herr Kurt]

Nalana knows nothing of knives. Her greatest accomplishment is that of making friends too easily.

[Paul Veneer]

I see just who she is. She anyway. She live here?

[Herr Kurt]

Yeah, she lives here. She is my wife.

[Paul Veneer]

Wife.

[Herr Kurt]

Exactly. My wife. Good night, Mr. Vanille.

[Paul Veneer]

I stood there in the moonlight and watched him walk toward his bungalow. My simple task was fast becoming involved. When I finally turned in that night, I undressed in the dark, pushed the bed up to block the door and propped a chair against the windowsill and lay down on the floor. I kept trying to fit some theory together to account for the things that had happened. When I drifted off to sleep, I was no nearer any answer than before. I woke up with the first light of dawn. For a full minute was ready to predict a peaceful day. Then I turned my head slightly and saw it on the floor. Against the wall, 18 inches from my left hand, its eyes opening and unmoving, lay a long tail. One of the deadliest snakes in Borneo. Cold sweat broke out of my forehead, ran into the corners of my eyes. Not daring to make any sudden move, I slid my right hand slowly up behind me, found my gun under the pillow. The snake moved slightly and I froze for one long minute. Carefully, I brought the gun over until I had the ugly head centered above the foresight. Then who fired that shot?

[Prale]

I didn't care.

[Paul Veneer]

It didn't hear him.

[Duran]

Hey, cop. What's all this shooting about?

[Herr Kurt]

I found out now.

[Nilana]

Doran. It's Mr.

[Duran]

Vanilla Fire.

[Paul Veneer]

What's up, Doran?

[Prale]

Yeah. What was that, man?

[Duran]

I guess Vernier's doing a little target practicing. Come on, guys.

[Paul Veneer]

Just a minute. Just a minute.

[Nilana]

I'll.

[Paul Veneer]

I'll let you in. Yeah. There.

[Herr Kurt]

Mr. Veneer. You all right?

[Paul Veneer]

Sure. Could come in? I had an early Morning. Visitor there on the floor.

[Herr Kurt]

A long tail. Did he bite you?

[Paul Veneer]

No. No, he didn't.

[Duran]

What the devil's all the racket of

[Paul Veneer]

a. Oh, a snake, eh?

[Duran]

That's funny.

[Paul Veneer]

What's funny?

[Prale]

Doran.

[Paul Veneer]

A longtail wimading. I just killed one here in my room.

[Prale]

There's plenty of them around, but I never heard of one crawling into a room before.

[Paul Veneer]

I'm not sure it did crawl in. Got an idea it may have been dropped in through the mosquito netting there at the window.

[Duran]

Yeah?

[Herr Kurt]

By whom?

[Paul Veneer]

By a guy named Jerome Steeks. Ever hear of him? Duran.

[Duran]

Oh, that again.

[Prale]

Why don't you pick up Wilmerding? He's your man. Oh, sure.

[Paul Veneer]

I always carry a couple of snakes around in my pocket just for luck. What I want to know is who carries this around in their pocket for luck?

[Prale]

Hey, that's one of our knives from the living room. We throw them at a target.

[Paul Veneer]

I know. Only last night I was the target.

[Duran]

Oh, then Prale's your boy. He's an expert. Wins every time we play.

[Prale]

Dry up, Duran. One more crack like that.

[Paul Veneer]

Okay, relax. Nobody knows anything about these accidents. They just happen, huh? Well, here's a warning to whichever one of you is Steeks. The next time, you better cover yourself. And through being a clay pigeon, from now on, it's gonna be a lot tougher. A whole lot tougher. That day passed and the next, and I got exactly nowhere. And the third day I managed to search the men's quarters and found nothing. Mainly, I'd hoped to find some kind of a bleaching agent. Stiecks was described as having black hair, while all three of these men were blonde. Furthermore, I was convinced after three days of observation that all three were naturally blonde. Things didn't fit. They didn't add up. I saw Nalana several times, but had no chance to speak to her. When Herr Kurt was with me, she'd pass without a glance. But if I was alone, she'd manage a quick, provocative smile that sent shivers down my spine. By the fourth day, the tension among us was grown almost unbearable. Steamer was due the next evening on his return trip to Batavia. I needed a break of some kind. Had to have one. And it came at dusk when I dropped in my room to change for dinner.

[Nilana]

Close the door. Quick, Tuan. Speak softly. He desired Elana.

[Paul Veneer]

What in the devil are you doing here?

[Nilana]

To see you, Toan. Does that make you unhappy? No.

[Paul Veneer]

No, it doesn't. But I doubt if Herr Kurt would think much of the idea.

[Nilana]

He must not find Out. But I wish to ask you something.

[Paul Veneer]

All right, honey.

[Herr Kurt]

Shoot.

[Nilana]

It is true that you look for a man who has killed a woman in your United States?

[Paul Veneer]

Yes, that's right.

[Nilana]

A man who now names himself by another name.

[Paul Veneer]

Yes, Alana, do you know, it is

[Nilana]

perhaps the same one who one night threw a knife at you?

[Paul Veneer]

Yes, I think so. You know who it is?

[Nilana]

I saw the knife thrown when I was outside by the edge of the.

[Paul Veneer]

Quiet, Quiet.

[Nilana]

It is someone.

[Paul Veneer]

Yeah, that's Herr Kurt. He's going in the living room.

[Nilana]

I'm very frightened. When I must go.

[Paul Veneer]

No, wait. I've got to know what you're gonna do.

[Nilana]

There's no time now. Tonight, when everyone sleeps, wait by the tall palm at the edge of the clearing. I will come.

[Paul Veneer]

All right, I'll be there.

[Nilana]

Elana has done foolish things to her, but tonight she will fix it all.

[Prale]

Good.

[Nilana]

You.

[Paul Veneer]

I waited for a long time in the shadow by the palm tree and watched the moonlight sift down through the shaggy fronds. But two hours passed and she didn't come. Waiting there, though, in the jungle night, a plan began to form in my mind. A long shot, true enough, but one with possibilities. It needed luck to work, but I'd come to the point where I had to count on a little luck. At any rate, I decided to start the ball rolling the next morning after breakfast.

[Duran]

Now, wait a minute, Vernier. Let's get this straight.

[Paul Veneer]

I thought I put it straight enough. Duran, I said the hunt's off. Boat's due in tonight, and when it leaves, I go with it. You can relax.

[Herr Kurt]

Oh, what changed your mind? Our sweet dispositions.

[Paul Veneer]

Exactly the opposite. Wilmer Ding. Every one of you acts as guilty as the next one. And yet, in five days, I haven't been able to find a single characteristic in any of you that fits the description of Steeks. I don't think he's that good an actor. So I'm going back to Batavia and pick up the trail there.

[Duran]

Well, at least you finally got some sense in your head and decided to believe what we told you the first day you were here.

[Paul Veneer]

Oh, no, no, Duran. I didn't say that. I doubt very much if any of you guys is who he claims to be. I wouldn't be surprised if Duran, Wilmerding and Prale are all phony names. But that's not my business. I came here after Steeks. I've decided now I made a mistake, and that's that.

[Prale]

Oh, great. You come in here and push us around for a week, and then Decide it was all a mistake.

[Paul Veneer]

I'm sorry, Prale. And I'm gonna try to make up for it this evening. See, I'm throwing a dinner party at Herrick's bungalow before the boat leaves tonight. You're all invited.

[Duran]

Well, now, that's pretty decent of you, Vernier.

[Paul Veneer]

Yeah, I'll get some food and drinks from the captain as soon as he docks. If you're as fed up with Reistoffel and warm beer as I am, you'll be ready for a change. Good.

[Duran]

Good.

[Paul Veneer]

Then it's all settled. And I can promise you at least two surprise dishes. Maybe three if you're careful.

[Herr Kurt]

I'll take your pardon, gentlemen.

[Paul Veneer]

Oh, good. Come in, come in.

[Herr Kurt]

I was wondering whether any of you had seen Alana this morning.

[Duran]

Not me.

[Paul Veneer]

Why? What's wrong, Hickard?

[Herr Kurt]

I'm rather concerned about her, Mr. Vanir. She hasn't been home since early last night.

[Paul Veneer]

I had a couple of ideas about that myself. These I wish I didn't have. As soon as the rest of the bunch went about their business, I began my own search for Nalana. It was nearly dusk before I found her. And then I said nothing about it to anyone. But sitting at the table that night while the dinner party moved along, I kept thinking how she'd never smile again. How she'd never walk in the moonlight again because somebody had cut her throat.

[Prale]

I know a story along the same lines, but I never heard that one before.

[Paul Veneer]

What a dinner, boy.

[Duran]

After six months on Reichstaffel, I could go crazy over food like this.

[Paul Veneer]

Yeah, when you throw one veneer, you really throw it. Save the credit, boys. This is only the beginning.

[Narrator]

Beginning?

[Prale]

Where can you go from here?

[Paul Veneer]

Right now, for instance, roast boar. All right, Wong, bring it over.

[Narrator]

Bring it over.

[Nilana]

Right away. I bring.

[Herr Kurt]

Look, look.

[Paul Veneer]

You like me put here for you to carve.

[Nilana]

Promise?

[Paul Veneer]

No, no, I. I wonder if you'd mind carving, Heckert.

[Herr Kurt]

Not at all, Mr. Veneer. I shall be happy to place it here. Wong.

[Paul Veneer]

Boy, oh, boy.

[Duran]

I haven't had roast boar since Australia.

[Herr Kurt]

You know, we used to go pig

[Duran]

sticking all the time.

[Prale]

Even the smell's enough to drive you crazy, man.

[Paul Veneer]

You said it, Prale.

[Nilana]

Ha.

[Paul Veneer]

You haven't seen anything yet. See, the boar is the main dish, so the two surprises go right along with it. All right, Wong, bring it out.

[Nilana]

Sir. Promise, sir.

[Paul Veneer]

Already I bring. Careful now.

[Herr Kurt]

Don't drop it.

[Paul Veneer]

Yeah. Thanks. Well, there you are. What is it, some kind of wine? Not some kind. It's Chambertin, finished 1911. Unquestionably one of the finest red wines that exists in the world today.

[Duran]

Holy smoke.

[Herr Kurt]

Where'd you get it?

[Paul Veneer]

I found out on the trip in. The captain of the steamer had a few bottles. Took a lot of talking to get one out of him, but here. I'll open it up. Wong. Maybe the glasses, sire.

[Nilana]

Promise.

[Paul Veneer]

It's already here on Cyborg. Good. Well, boys, you may go back to Warmbier tomorrow. But you've got the best tonight. All right, Wong. Now show him the second surprise. Here's whompy Bucket.

[Duran]

Ice.

[Prale]

Real, honest to gosh, cracked ice.

[Duran]

Boy, I haven't seen a chunk of ice for six months.

[Paul Veneer]

I thought you'd go for that one. All right, Wong, serve the wine. Say it, Mama. Sir, it was pretty amazing to find 1911 Sambertan and a little tramp freighter down here in the South Pacific. Stuff so rare it's hard to get at any price.

[Duran]

Maybe so, but that ice is what gets me.

[Prale]

Yeah, that's it, Wong. Dump plenty in mine. I want to freeze my town.

[Duran]

Wong, stop that.

[Paul Veneer]

What the devil are you doing?

[Duran]

Wilmer? Ting, what's the matter with you? Why, he's.

[Paul Veneer]

I mean, I. I mean. You mean. You're well aware of the fact that ice kills the bouquet of Chambertin, Isn't that it, Steeks?

[Herr Kurt]

Steeks?

[Paul Veneer]

You mean Wilmerding is once a gourmet, always a gourmet? Now, you were very clever, Wilmerding. Clever enough to keep your hair dyed black for years so you could become a natural blonde if you ever had to make a getaway. Clever enough to permit no photographs to be taken. But not clever enough to keep still and let me ruin a bottle of wine. Easy with those hands. Don't try reaching for a gun.

[Herr Kurt]

Let him reach for it, Mr. Veneer.

[Paul Veneer]

No. Put down that knife.

[Prale]

Look out, Veneer.

[Paul Veneer]

He's gone for his gun.

[Herr Kurt]

Good.

[Paul Veneer]

I wanted it.

[Nilana]

Excuse. Kurt.

[Herr Kurt]

Good Lord, Kurt, You've killed him. I'm sorry you do not have a prisoner to take back with you, Mr. Vanir. But I, too, found Nelana's body. I knew you had been there. I saw your footprints.

[Paul Veneer]

I'm sorry, kid. Then, yes, she had.

[Herr Kurt]

Alana had been seeing Wilma Day. I'd guessed it was one of the three. And apparently she found out he was stiegs.

[Paul Veneer]

Yeah, I know. That was what she was gonna tell me. Only he didn't give her a chance.

[Herr Kurt]

She was young, Mr. Veneer. Foolish, perhaps, but I. I loved her very much.

[Prale]

Look. He knocked over that bottle of wine when he fell. It's pouring out all over the place.

[Duran]

Yeah, brother, what a mess.

[Paul Veneer]

Yeah, Duran, it's quite a mess. Only one thing, though not all of it, is red Wine.

[Narrator]

Escape was directed this week by Richard Sanville. And tonight brought to you red wine by L.G. blockman. Adapted for radio by Mort Lewis and Les Crutchf, with Willard Waterman as Paul Vernier. Featured players were Robert Boone, Marion Richmond, Larry Dobkin, Vic Perrin, Wilms Herbert and Clark Gordon. Music is conducted by Wilbur Hatch.

[Paul Veneer]

Next week, you are standing at the

[Prale]

doorway of a cabin on Cashier Creek. Up on the ridge.

[Paul Veneer]

The bloodhounds have caught your scent. And between you and a fortune between. Between you and escape yawn the white jaws of a deadly snake, a cottonmouth moccasin.

[Narrator]

Next week we escape with Irvin S. Cobb's ironic story. Snake Doctor Be with us next week at the same time when once again, we offer you escape tip. Corning speaking. This is cbs, the Columbia Broadcasting System.

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