Ace Williams 38-xx-xx (05) The Tunis Terror

Summary

Harold's Old Time Radio

Episode: Ace Williams 38-xx-xx (05) The Tunis Terror
Release Date: March 2, 2025

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Introduction and Mission

The episode kicks off with Ace Williams, the intrepid Commissioner of Police from Marseille, embarking on a perilous mission to uncover the mysteries surrounding the notorious Tuna Terror. Despite initial setbacks in obtaining concrete information about the Terror's headquarters, Ace secures the assistance of Lieutenant Demnay, a skilled seaplane pilot. Together with his assistant, Dick, Ace sets out to Valencia to meet Don Carlos Domingo, a man reputed to possess unparalleled knowledge about the Tuna Terror.

“The Commissioner of Police at Marseille was unable to furnish Ace Williams with definite information concerning the headquarters of the Tuna Terror. However, he arranged with the seaplane pilot, Lieutenant Demnay, to fly Ace and Dick to Valencia...”
[00:45] Ace Williams

Encounter with Air Pockets

As Ace, Dick, and Lieutenant Demnay navigate the skies over the Mediterranean, they encounter unexpected turbulence caused by air pockets—an atmospheric phenomenon resulting from the mixing of hot Saharan winds with cooler Mediterranean air. These air bumps create moments of tension, testing the crew's composure and the plane's stability.

“Air bumps are not there yet. They are caused by the odd wind blowing over from the Sahara Desert.”
[04:23] Ace Williams

Engine Trouble and Emergency

The flight takes a dire turn when the seaplane's engine begins to falter. Dick notices unusual behavior with the control board, signaling potential engine failure. Ace attempts to calm the situation, attributing the issue to minor carbon buildup. However, it's soon evident that the problem is more severe, leading to a rapid loss of altitude and compromised safety.

“Ace, there's something wrong. The last two times we dropped, Lieutenant Demnay did something to the control board. We're having engine trouble.”
[05:59] Dick

As the plane descends closer to the water, Ace and Dick grapple with the malfunctioning engine, striving to prevent a catastrophic crash. Their efforts include attempting to access the reserve gas pump and manually rectifying the fuel line issues.

“The motor is choking. All right, Dick. All right, come on...”
[10:01] Ace Williams

Rescue Attempt and Conflict

In the midst of the emergency, a speedboat adorned with a mysterious purple flag appears on the horizon. Initially hopeful for rescue, the situation quickly deteriorates as the speedboat's intentions come into question. Ace and Dick realize that the rescuers, identified as Algerians, may have hostile motives, leading to a tense confrontation.

“A boat. A boat. Can you see it, Lieutenant? Not yet...”
[10:34] Ace Williams

The Algerian sailors, with apparent ties to the Tuna Terror, begin to secure Ace and Dick, indicating that their rescue might not be as benevolent as hoped. The crew faces betrayal and the grim reality that they may be left to drown, heightening the episode's suspense.

“They've deliberately leaving us here to drown.”
[13:32] Dick

Cliffhanger Ending

As the seaplane loses its pontoons and becomes increasingly unstable, Ace and Dick are forced into a life-or-death situation. With limited time and resources dwindling, they make the harrowing decision to abandon the aircraft. The episode concludes on a gripping cliffhanger, leaving listeners eagerly anticipating the resolution of Ace Williams' harrowing adventure.

“Both pontoons are gone. Now we'll have to jump, Dick. We don't want to be caught in the suction when this wing goes under the water. Jump.”
[13:39] Ace Williams

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"The Tunis Terror" masterfully combines elements of suspense, adventure, and intrigue, transporting listeners back to the thrilling days of Golden Age radio. Through Ace Williams' daring exploits and the palpable tension of airborne challenges, the episode encapsulates the essence of classic radio drama, keeping audiences engaged and eager for more.

Transcript

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[Ace Williams]

The recorded adventures of Ace Williams. The Commissioner of Police at Marseille was unable to furnish Ace Williams with definite information concerning the headquarters of the Tuna Terror. However, he arranged with the seaplane pilot, Lieutenant Demnay, to fly Ace and Dick to Valencia, where they can interview Don Carlos Domingo, who is reputed to know more about the Terror than any other man in Europe. We find them now flying high over the Mediterranean Sea on a southwesterly course towards the coast of Spain. Here's the binoculars, Dick. Perhaps you'd like to take one last look at that speedboat.

[Dick]

Oh, thanks, Ace. Boy, we're leaving it far behind. I can hardly see it.

[Ace Williams]

How fast are we flying, Lieutenant? 125 miles an hour. You will be in Valencia long before sunset.

[Dick]

How fast will that. That speedboat going, Lieutenant?

[Ace Williams]

I should judge about 45 miles an hour. It is the fastest boat on the Mediterranean. Have you seen it before? Just a few times, Monsieur Williams. It has docked at Marseille on several occasions. And once I saw it in the arbor at the island of Mortar.

[Dick]

What does the purple flag stand for?

[Ace Williams]

That I cannot say. Nobody seems to know.

[Dick]

It's following our course. Maybe it's going to Valencia, too.

[Ace Williams]

Perhaps you can make inquiries along the waterfront. Oh, it's of no particular importance. Our liner almost ramped us as we pass through Gibraltar.

[Dick]

Holy Ghost.

[Ace Williams]

Just a few feet, Dick. That's nothing.

[Dick]

What was it? The whole plane seemed to tremble.

[Ace Williams]

Don't be alarmed, my young friend. That was an air bump.

[Dick]

An air bump?

[Ace Williams]

We have bumps up in the air just like the Voltaire has waves. We hit another. Yeah, that one seemed to slow off the motor.

[Dick]

I don't like them.

[Ace Williams]

Air bumps are not there yet. They are caused by the odd wind blowing over from the Sahara Desert.

[Dick]

Sahara desert?

[Ace Williams]

See?

[Dick]

Where are we?

[Ace Williams]

We're only 200 miles from the north coast of Africa. When the hot winds blow across the Mediterranean and begin to mix with the cool air. Over here we have air pockets. Oh, boy.

[Dick]

There's another one.

[Ace Williams]

Yeah, don't get excited, Essay. Air in an air pocket's just too thin to support the weight of the safe plane, so it drops down a few Feet to heavier air, that's all.

[Dick]

Just a few feet. It feels like the plane will drop right off under me cat.

[Ace Williams]

Dick, you're on the cabin. Perhaps I can afford my young friend with a bit of distraction. Look through the binoculars. Far over to the right.

[Dick]

I can't see anything. Oh, yes, I do. It's an island.

[Ace Williams]

A mighty large island, too. It is Europe.

[Dick]

Doesn't look like Europe to me. It's only a speck sticking out of the sea.

[Ace Williams]

That speck is the top of the Pyrenees Moss. The booty of the Eden. The Arno rides in the water.

[Dick]

Oh, we skipped again.

[Ace Williams]

Can't say that was a deep one, too. Don't be fighting, my young friend. Air pockets are like lightning. The damage is over before you know it. Well, there's a happy thought for you, Dick.

[Dick]

You don't have to cheer me up, Ace, but how far away are those mountains?

[Ace Williams]

About 60 miles. You think you could swim that far, Dick? Old bridge. Duck your heads. Where you shaken up.

[Dick]

I wish we were closer to shore.

[Ace Williams]

Oh, forget it, Dick. Say, you ever hear that song about the rocky road to Dublin? I'll sing it for you.

[Dick]

Ace, there's something wrong. The last two times we dropped, Lieutenant Damnay did something to the control board. We're having engine trouble.

[Ace Williams]

Oh, nonsense, Dick. Everything's all right. Isn't it, Lieutenant? Monsieur. Monsieur Williams. It is just a little carbon in the exhaust line. This bottling will blow it out. There you are, Dick. You see, there's nothing to worry about.

[Dick]

I see we're a lot closer to the water than we were a few minutes ago.

[Ace Williams]

Lieutenant Demnay is doing that. Purposely getting down to heavier.

[Dick]

That's the deepest pocket yet, Ace. I'm scared.

[Ace Williams]

Just keep cool, my friend.

[Dick]

You're having trouble. I can tell by the way you're watching the control bar.

[Ace Williams]

Oh, that's no way to talk, Dick. Of course, if you'd feel better if I sat up alongside Lieutenant M Ney and gave him a hand on the oil pump or something. Why, all right, I'll. Oh, a fine suggestion, Monsieur Williams. Well, I caught that one myself. By moving around, he didn't cause the other dips. How? Don't you argue with an old pelican like me. Look out the window there with the binoculars. Maybe you can spot a goat on top of the Pyrenees. Just a little top over the gas line. The motor doesn't seem to be getting enough fuel. Yes, that's what I thought. Where's the reserve gas pump? That first one right next to your knee.

[Dick]

I can't even see the mountains anymore. And I know why, too.

[Ace Williams]

I'll bet you have your eyes shut.

[Dick]

No, I haven't. It's because we're not up as high as we were when I looked before.

[Ace Williams]

Please, Stephanie. Stump, blow. Nothing, Lieutenant Cannon. Lieutenant, We've changed our course.

[Dick]

Hey, what are you fellas whispering about?

[Ace Williams]

Oh, Lieutenant Demnay is giving me a tip on a horse, that's all. Don't block them with you.

[Dick]

I told you, Lieutenant Demnay, it's a.

[Ace Williams]

Fuel line all right. The engine is almost dry. Supposed to be clogged up. The reserve gas can't get through either. If you can handle the controls, Monsieur Williams, I'll climb up the only wing and tap the fuel line with a wax. Oh, I can't fly a kite, let alone a seaplane. Put out the gas line to me, Lieutenant. I'll climb out there myself.

[Dick]

I'll do it, Ace. I'm not afraid anymore.

[Ace Williams]

You stay right where you are, Dick. Where's that ranch, Lieutenant? Right there. Delphine, can you find it? Yeah. Let's see. Yeah, I've got it. Can I reach the wing from this cabin door? No, no, no. You have to go through that window.

[Dick]

But the window next to the wing doesn't open.

[Ace Williams]

Well, then I'll break it. There we are. Hurry, Monsieur Williams. We're losing altitude rapidly.

[Dick]

You can't get through that small hole, Ace. You better let me do it.

[Ace Williams]

The boy is white with you, William. Lieutenant, I won't let Dick go up there on that wing. Can't you land this plane on the water? No, no, no, no. It would be very dangerous, Monsieur Williams. Look at those waves down below.

[Dick]

Give me the wrench, eh? I can climb like a monkey.

[Ace Williams]

I quickly mature, Williams. The motor is choking. All right, Dick. All right, come on. Here, I'll help lift you through this window. All right, Halck. Careful, careful now.

[Dick]

I'm all right now. I got a hold of the guy wire.

[Ace Williams]

Here's the rest, Dick. Don't stand up. Stroll along the way. Oh, we want food to keep the toad from the lads. He has more courage than both of us put together. Watch yourself, Dick. Oh, it is too late. Call him back. The motor is dead. Dick. Dick, come back here.

[Dick]

But, Ace, I never.

[Ace Williams]

Do as I say, Dick. Tell him to hurry. Tell him to hurry. The noise is tipping forward. Reach out your hand to me, Dick. Come on now. Yeah, I'm all right. Get inside quickly. We're dropping every second. All right, he's in.

[Dick]

I wasn't afraid, Ace.

[Ace Williams]

Why did you call me Bear the ancient dead. We're gliding down to the water. We're going into a nose dive. Hold on tight. Grab the seat, Dick. I may be able to tighten now before we hit the wave. Look out.

[Dick]

Oh, my wind.

[Ace Williams]

Are you. Are you Earth man?

[Dick]

Oh, all right. But look at Ace.

[Ace Williams]

He's. He's breathing.

[Dick]

But look at his head.

[Ace Williams]

It's a nasty gash. I'll take care of him. Get out those ice Bizaria. They're under the sea.

[Dick]

Oh, here's the first one. Put it on, Abe.

[Ace Williams]

I will. Put on a preserve of yourself. The plane is listing badly. One of the pontoons is leaking. Well, where's Dick?

[Dick]

Here I am, Ace.

[Ace Williams]

He's injured, Monsieur Williams. Lift up your arm so I can strap on this life belt. Ah, there you are.

[Dick]

Here's a preserver for you, Lieutenant.

[Ace Williams]

There's water coming into the cabin. I can feel it. Throw out everything that's loose, Dick.

[Dick]

All right, but you better get Ace out of here. The plane's gonna tip over.

[Ace Williams]

I can take care of myself. It's a lucky thing this cabin door isn't on the low side. Don't throw out our ranch, Dick. We'll need it to drop the motel. The water's getting deeper on this side. We'd better get out of the cabin. You go there. Climb up on the high wing. Take the lance with you.

[Dick]

Yeah, but.

[Ace Williams]

Go on, Dick. Go on. We'll be right behind you. Grab onto the wing, boys. Keep it making it. All right.

[Dick]

I'm all right. Come on.

[Ace Williams]

You go next, Lieutenant. I can almost reach the guy wire from here.

[Dick]

Hey, there's something in the water.

[Ace Williams]

It's a boat. A boat. Can you see it, Lieutenant? Not yet. Wait until I get up there next to keep up.

[Dick]

It's coming our way.

[Ace Williams]

He's away. It's coming toward us. Good, Good. I'll be with you in a second.

[Dick]

Carefully.

[Ace Williams]

Yeah, I'm all right. I got a good grip now. Where's the sea boat?

[Dick]

Back over the tail of our seaplane. See it?

[Ace Williams]

Yes. It's not far away either.

[Dick]

Oh, the wing is tipping.

[Ace Williams]

Hold on there. Get steady again. One of our pontoons is gone. We better drop the motor. Hand me a wrench stick. Here.

[Dick]

Want me to tear off my shirt and make a banding for your head?

[Ace Williams]

No, no. Don't tear it, Dick. Take it off and wait at the bolt while Lieutenant Devney and I pass the motor. Here are the bolts along the cow. Hold my left arm, Lieutenant, so I can lean over and get at the bolt. I have you can you do it with one hand? Yeah, I think so. There. One bolt.

[Dick]

Give me my shirty. The waving jacket.

[Ace Williams]

Good, good. Keep it out. Now. This boat seems to be stuck. It's moving. There. There. You've loosened it.

[Dick]

They're waving a purple flag. It's that speedboat.

[Ace Williams]

It is a speedboat. I can see it from here. Well, Pop, always only about 200 yards now. All right. Yeah. There goes the last bolt now. Now inside top of the motor block. With your ranch, it ought to knock it forward all right. Went right out through the bottom. You could feel the main rise when all that weight went through the water. Let's get up on the wing with second.

[Dick]

They're lowering a small lifeboat.

[Ace Williams]

It is a small one. Only three men in the crew.

[Dick]

The two men at the oars look like Arabs.

[Ace Williams]

Al. Jillian, listen. Listen. The man with the megaphone is calling something at us. Throw away your life belt. We haven't much room in this thingy. He said throw away our life belts. They haven't much room in the small boat.

[Dick]

I can get mine off easily.

[Ace Williams]

Throw up the water like I'm doing with mine. They're stopping about 20ft away. We don't dare conclude there in this rough. Boy. Wait a minute. Wait a minute. That fellow's calling something again. We'll have to take you off one at a time. Swim over here, someone. All right, you go first, Dick. He can get us on the next trip.

[Dick]

No, I'll stay here with you. You go first, Lieutenant.

[Ace Williams]

We. I might as well. It's only a matter of a few minutes.

[Dick]

He should have taken off that heavy flying suit. He's having trouble.

[Ace Williams]

Oh, no, no, no. He's all right. See? Just a few more strokes now. There. There. He's alongside their boat.

[Dick]

Look at him pull him in.

[Ace Williams]

They're starting over toward the speedboat now. They'll be back after us in a few minutes.

[Dick]

What did Lieutenant M. Nate call those dark skinned sailors?

[Ace Williams]

Algerians. Oh, there. Hold on, Dick. Wingstipping again.

[Dick]

Waiters are washing. Put her over the cabin. This plane won't stay afloat much longer.

[Ace Williams]

Look, Dick. They're taking Lieutenant Demnay aboard the speedboat.

[Dick]

Why are they holding his arm?

[Ace Williams]

Why? Say, he's struggling to get free.

[Dick]

It's a fight, Ace.

[Ace Williams]

They're shoving Denmay down the hatch.

[Dick]

What does it mean, Ace?

[Ace Williams]

Well, I don't know. Look. Look what they're doing now.

[Dick]

Taking up the small lifeboat. Why aren't they coming back after us?

[Ace Williams]

Oh, yeah. Speedboat, complete your rescue.

[Dick]

They don't seem to hear you. Our life belts are gone too.

[Ace Williams]

They hurt me, all right. They're deliberately leaving us here to drown.

[Dick]

Hey, you big Algerian, come back and get out. Where's the thing again?

[Ace Williams]

Grab the wing brace, stick.

[Dick]

We're thinking, ace.

[Ace Williams]

Both pontoons are gone. Now we'll have to jump, Dick. We don't want to be caught in the suction when this wing goes under the water. Jump.