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Narrator
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Becker
A couple of months ago, they sent out the official photographer from Toronto. I was assigned to show him around to find the pictures that were going to sell the Queen of the Rockies back east. One of the last photographs he took captured the entire staff on the front steps of the hotel. Pretty impressive. Of course, now it's hanging in an alcove where nobody's likely to see it. But every once in a while, when I meet to believe I'm really part of something, I pass by and take another look. That's me, Becker. The tiny patch in the back row. I'm the house detective. And this. This is my home.
Mr. Hickey
No, no, Becker. I'm not suggesting that you should spy on your fellow employees. However, should you hear anything, by the
Becker
way, I'll report it.
Mr. Hickey
That's all I'm asking.
Becker
If it represents a threat to the hotel or the workers or the guests.
Mr. Hickey
But it is not always up to us to judge what it represents, Becker. That the president of.
Narrator
What?
Mr. Hickey
Hasn't anyone ever taught you to knock? How do you ever expect to manage your own hotel if you can't learn the simple? One knocks and waits for an invitation before one enters a superior's office.
Mr. Lewis
Excuse me, I didn't realize.
Mr. Hickey
There's Nothing to realize, Mr. Lewis. It is a simple courtesy. And as assistant manager.
Mrs. Armstrong
Excuse me. Were you going to announce me, Mr. Lewis?
Mr. Hickey
Mrs. Armstrong.
Mr. Lewis
Mrs. Armstrong will take care of the lady.
Mr. Hickey
Mr. Lewis. Yes, sir.
Becker
Would you like me to step off?
Mrs. Armstrong
No, not on my account. I've only come to retrieve my necklace.
Mr. Hickey
Your necklace? Yes, yes, right here in the safe.
Mrs. Armstrong
I think that's where you put it.
Mr. Hickey
Oh, yes, yes. You're planning to grace us with your presence at the tea dance.
Mrs. Armstrong
Then you should be a detective, Mr. Hickey.
Mr. Hickey
Oh, I doubt that Becker would agree with you.
Mrs. Armstrong
Becker?
Mr. Hickey
Mr. Becker is our house detective, ma'.
Mr. Lewis
Am.
Becker
Yes.
Mr. Hickey
Now, the necklace. If you'll stand back, Becker. Absolutely crucial we keep the combination secret. Of course.
Mrs. Armstrong
Goodness. I'll have to be careful around you, Mr. Becker.
Mr. Hickey
And here we are.
Mrs. Armstrong
Thank you.
Mr. Hickey
Now, Becca, if you'll escort Mrs. Armstrong to the front desk, Lewis can complete the paperwork.
Becker
Don't you think you should check the box first?
Mrs. Armstrong
Well, that hardly seems necessary.
Becker
Oh, no, no.
Mr. Hickey
He's absolutely correct. Rules should be observed, Mrs. Armstrong.
Ms. Watts
Of course.
Mr. Hickey
I must say, I'm looking forward to.
Mrs. Armstrong
They're gone. They're gone. Oh, my God.
Mr. Hickey
Oh, she's fainted.
Becker
She's out for the count. Come out here, Sergeant. Clear the cobwebs out of your head. Hotel air can get very stuffy.
Mr. Hickey
You're dodging me, Becker.
Becker
What do you mean?
Mr. Hickey
I asked if Hickey was behaving suspiciously.
Becker
You really suspect Hickey, Neil?
Mr. Hickey
I don't have much choice. He admits he put the necklace in the safe and he appears to be
Becker
the only one who could have removed it.
Mr. Hickey
Why on earth is he the only one with the combination? Anyway?
Becker
It's a badge of office to him.
Mr. Hickey
But what if someone needs something and he's not around?
Becker
Well, they simply have to wait. As far as Hickey's concerned, the manager holds the combination to the safe and that's it. Case closed. It's likely to close his case, that's for sure. Hickey didn't do it.
Mr. Hickey
Now, what makes you say that?
Becker
I was there, remember? He was as surprised as she was.
Mr. Hickey
Well, when you find something a bit more substantial, let me know. In the meantime, Mr. Hickey is our prime suspect.
Becker
I wasn't entirely open with Sergeant Drake. The truth is, Hickey had seemed quite agitated. But agitated was one thing and being a jewel thief was another. It just didn't sit right. Hickey had too much pride in running the hotel to allow for anything so messy. No, whatever was bothering him that morning wasn't in the safe. Afternoon, Mr. Lewis. Echo order over here to see the valuables register.
Mr. Lewis
Of course. Right over here.
Ms. Watts
I'm calling for you now, sir.
Mr. Lewis
It's a terrible thing, isn't it?
Becker
What?
Mr. Lewis
It's jewel theft, Mr. Hickey suspected. Ridiculous, I think. Here you are.
Becker
How exactly does this work?
Mr. Lewis
Very simply. One records the date, the name and room number of the guest here, the description of the object which we're putting in the Safe goes on the right here. Then the manager signs the book and issues a receipt.
Becker
And this is the entry for Mrs. Armstrong?
Mr. Lewis
That's correct.
Becker
Seems a bit sketchy.
Mr. Lewis
There's no description, no signature. Totally inadequate, I'm afraid, because sometimes these things happen.
Becker
What things?
Mr. Lewis
Well, as you can see, I was registering Mrs. Armstrong's valuables.
Becker
The necklace?
Mr. Lewis
I believe so. I didn't actually see the necklace when Mr. Hickey came out and insisted on taking over.
Becker
But he didn't complete the registration?
Mr. Lewis
No. He took Mrs. Armstrong into his office. He probably assumed that the registration had been completed.
Becker
And you didn't think to point out that it hadn't?
Mr. Lewis
Mr. Hickey doesn't like to have things pointed out to him. I think you know that, Mr. Becker.
Becker
Does Mr. Hickey often invite guests into his office?
Mr. Lewis
Not that I've noticed.
Becker
Is there anything else you noticed, Becca? I thought I heard you.
Mr. Lewis
Come in, will you?
Becker
Right away. Thank you, Mr. Lewis.
Mr. Lewis
Mr. Becker. Come in. Come in.
Mr. Hickey
And close the door. I'm not sure I approve of your gossiping with Mr. Lewis, Becker.
Becker
Just looking around.
Mr. Hickey
I think I'd rather you weren't looking around. There's really no need.
Becker
Perhaps you don't understand.
Mr. Hickey
I understand that very well. But I'm prepared to stand on my reputation.
Becker
That may not be enough. This Mrs. Armstrong.
Mr. Hickey
That's exactly my point. An investigation of the manager can only spawn gossip and rumors.
Becker
I'm not going to repeat anything you.
Mr. Hickey
You know, Becca, this hotel is my life. I'd resign before I harmed her in any way.
Becker
Yes, I believe that.
Mr. Hickey
I give you my word, if I KNEW Anything about Mrs. Armstrong that had any bearing on the present situation, I would let you know, Mr. Hickey. But I do not.
Becker
And that's it?
Mr. Hickey
That's it.
Becker
Okay. If that's what you want. Tell me about the necklace. What does it look like?
Mr. Hickey
I don't know.
Becker
What? I don't know.
Mr. Hickey
It was in a box.
Becker
And you didn't ask to see it?
Mr. Hickey
Sometimes the guests must be respected, Becker.
Becker
The guests must be respected. Sometimes I wanted to strangle that man. Mr. Hickey doesn't like to have things pointed out to him. As a result, no one actually saw Mrs. Armstrong's missing necklace. It was obviously time to talk with the lady herself. But that wasn't going to be so easy. Mrs. Armstrong informed me she had no interest in discussing the matter further. And necklace or not, she had much more enjoyable plans for the afternoon.
Mr. Hickey
So
Becker
I must admit I could think of better places for a private conversation than a Wednesday afternoon tea dance. But as Mr. Hickey had said, the guests must be respected.
Mrs. Armstrong
So you're in logging, Mr. Schaefer. I hope you're planning to leave us a few trees around the hotel.
Becker
Oh, there's plenty to go around.
Mrs. Armstrong
And is it very profitable?
Mr. Hawkins
Profitable, ma'?
Mr. Hickey
Am?
Mr. Hawkins
It's a gold mine.
Mrs. Armstrong
Oh, how exciting.
Becker
May I come in, Mr. Becker? I'm not sure the.
Mrs. Armstrong
Perfectly all right, Mr. Schaefer. Thank you.
Mr. Hawkins
As you wish.
Public Service Announcer
Me.
Mrs. Armstrong
Till later. Shall we?
Becker
Of course. I apologize if I interrupted.
Mrs. Armstrong
You're a very persistent man, Mr. Becker.
Becker
Yes, I am.
Mrs. Armstrong
Perhaps we should sit this one out there.
Mr. Hickey
Closer, please.
Becker
Is this acceptable?
Mrs. Armstrong
Perfectly. Thank you.
Becker
Let's start with the necklace.
Mrs. Armstrong
A diamond and ruby choker valued at $40,000, give or take.
Becker
You're very calm about it.
Mrs. Armstrong
They're insured.
Becker
No sentimental value.
Mrs. Armstrong
I'm a woman alone, Becker. I can't afford to be sentimental.
Becker
I see. Do you have any idea who the thief might be?
Mrs. Armstrong
The police suspect Mr. Hickey.
Becker
Do you?
Mrs. Armstrong
No.
Becker
Why not?
Mrs. Armstrong
Mr. Hickey has always been most obliging.
Becker
You've known Mr. Hickey for some time, then?
Mrs. Armstrong
Since I arrived.
Becker
But it does appear that he's the only person who could have stolen your necklace.
Mr. Lewis
Unless.
Becker
I don't suppose there's any possibility that it was not actually in the box. Because it turns out that no one except you actually saw it.
Mrs. Armstrong
Anyone could have looked. At any time, yes.
Becker
Wonder why they didn't.
Mrs. Armstrong
Perhaps we should return to the floor, Becca. I think I prefer dancing with my feet.
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Becker
The next day, Mr. Hickey was in the quaint Victorian phrasing of the governor's Sent home to await the outcome of the investigation. Over the weekend, a blanket of silence settled down on the hotel. For the guests, of course, it was business as usual. But on the back stairs, people talked in whispers or burst into surprising fits of laughter. No one knew what was going to happen next, but it wasn't long before I was to find out.
Mr. Lewis
Come in. Megan, I'd like you to meet Mr. Hawkins.
Becker
Mr. Hawkins.
Mr. Hawkins
Becker. I wondered if it would be you.
Mr. Lewis
You know each other?
Becker
Know him?
Mr. Hawkins
Becker here was the best damn mountain guide in the province. Well, this is going to be more enjoyable than I'd imagined.
Becker
What is?
Mr. Lewis
Mr. Hawkins is with Continental Insurance.
Mr. Hawkins
We're investigating the Armstrong claim. Hell, if I knew you were the man on the spot, I could have saved myself the trip.
Becker
I don't know. I haven't got a whole lot to report.
Mr. Hawkins
Then I'll fill you in in some of the insurance background, and we'll see where we go from there.
Becker
Sounds good.
Mr. Hawkins
Oh, it is. Four years ago, a diamond and ruby necklace disappeared from the Hotel McDonald.
Mr. Lewis
That's the Macdonald in Ottawa.
Mr. Hawkins
That necklace was never recovered, and the insured was very generously compensated.
Becker
I assume you've guessed Mrs. Armstrong.
Mr. Hawkins
Precisely. Mrs. Armstrong. Now another of her necklaces has disappeared. That sounds like the same necklace to me.
Becker
As far as I know, nobody's actually laid eyes on it.
Mr. Hawkins
Which suggests a connection between Mrs. Armstrong and Mr. Hickey.
Becker
Oh, I haven't found anything.
Public Service Announcer
Keep looking.
Mr. Hawkins
You'll find it. It's got to be there somewhere.
Becker
Yes, sir.
Mr. Hawkins
Now, Mr. Lewis, let's have a look in the safe.
Mr. Lewis
Oh, I'm afraid That's impossible, sir. Mr. Hickey's the only person with the combination.
Becker
What?
Mr. Hawkins
Aren't there procedures?
Mr. Lewis
Mr. Hickey ignores them.
Mr. Hawkins
But you have asked for it back.
Mr. Lewis
I didn't feel I had the authority.
Mr. Hawkins
Well, you're now the acting manager, Louis. You have the authority. So get that combination back by tomorrow morning.
Mr. Hickey
Yes, sir.
Mr. Lewis
Very good.
Mr. Hawkins
See you in the morning, Becker.
Becker
Mr. Hawkins. Acting manager. Well, congratulations.
Mr. Lewis
Thank you. It's not actually announced yet, but now this matter of the combination. Would you see to that, Becker?
Becker
Me?
Mr. Lewis
Well, you're the man on the spot. Besides, I think you'd agree that it could be a sensitive request coming from the new manager.
Mr. Hickey
Acting, of course.
Mr. Lewis
Of course.
Ms. Watts
Hotel switchboard. Yes, sir. It's a quarter of ten. Thank you, sir. Good night. Oh, Mr. Becker. What have you got there?
Becker
The registers for the past two years.
Ms. Watts
Looking for something particular?
Becker
Someone. But I didn't find her.
Ms. Watts
Mrs. Armstrong.
Becker
Perhaps I should be talking to You?
Ms. Watts
I was a bit surprised that you didn't. After all, I was sitting right here when that woman arrived and. And Mr. Hickey knew her for the hussy she was the minute he saw her. Imagine dancing the afternoon after your jewels are stolen.
Becker
Do you think he recognized her?
Ms. Watts
Absolutely. He even warned Mr. Lewis.
Mr. Hickey
Warned?
Ms. Watts
After she left, he warned him. Of course, it wasn't the best time. Mr. Lewis was in quite a temper.
Becker
I never noticed that Mr. Lewis had a temper.
Ms. Watts
Well, you've got to know how to recognize it. He gets all broody, quiet. Of course, it's worse since Mr. Hickey arrived.
Becker
Mr. Lewis was here before Mr. Hickey?
Ms. Watts
Lord, what, you don't know? Of course he was. He was the acting manager, just like he is now.
Becker
Always a bridesmaid, never a bride.
Ms. Watts
You mustn't make me laugh. Good evening. Hotel switchboard. I'm afraid the kitchen's closed, madam. Good night. Now, where were we?
Becker
You were telling me how Mr. Lewis changed when Mr. Hickey arrived here. Do you happen to know where he came from?
Ms. Watts
Oh, that's easy. The Hotel MacDonald in Ottawa. Mr. Hickey was assistant manager at the Hotel McDonald.
Becker
Any lawyer will tell you there's nothing worse than asking the wrong question and getting an answer you didn't bargain for. True. I'd found a link between Mr. Hickey and Mrs. Armstrong. Hawkins would be pleased. And Ms. Watts had given me a hussy and a passed over assistant manager to think about. Which is considerably more than I'd had before.
Mrs. Armstrong
Yes, it's true. The McDonald lost a necklace of mine. It should have taught me, I suppose. And that necklace was diamond and ruby choker.
Becker
Sounds like the same.
Mrs. Armstrong
It was identical. I had it copied.
Becker
A copy. Not quite the same.
Mrs. Armstrong
I never found anything that looked as good on me. Could we finish this in the morning?
Becker
Becker, did you know that before he came here, Mr. Hickey was the assistant manager at the McDonald?
Mrs. Armstrong
Indeed.
Becker
There's an insurance investigator who's going to find that pretty incriminating.
Mrs. Armstrong
I think you'll find that Mr. Hickey left the McDonald's some months before they lost my necklace.
Becker
How'd you know that?
Mrs. Armstrong
Check it up if you like.
Becker
Look, Mrs. Armstrong, if there's any suspicion, any suspicion at all, Hickey's finished. Do you know what that will mean to him? This hotel is his life.
Ms. Watts
So?
Becker
So if you know something, now's the time to tell it. And I'm the person to tell it, too. I just might be able to.
Mrs. Armstrong
Are you really his friend, Becker?
Becker
No, I can't say I'm his friend, Mrs. Armstrong. But I do believe he's innocent.
Mrs. Armstrong
I'm not sure that's enough.
Becker
Mr. Hickey hired me for this job when I was so low, nobody in their right mind would have hired me as a hitching post. I owe him for that, and if it's possible, I'm going to repay him.
Mrs. Armstrong
A few years ago, when he was assistant manager at the McDonald and somewhat younger, Mr. Hickey and I had a short intrigue, quite sweet, although it ended badly. Now he thinks I'm a loose woman.
Becker
Which is why he invited you into his office that day. He was protecting his assistant manager, Lewis.
Mrs. Armstrong
He almost jumped out of his skin when he saw me at the desk. Sad, isn't it?
Mr. Lewis
It's very late, Mr. Becker.
Becker
There's just a couple of things I'd like to check.
Mr. Hickey
Sit down, then.
Becker
Whiskey in the office?
Mr. Lewis
It's one of the privileges of management. Does it make you uncomfortable?
Becker
No.
Mr. Hawkins
Go ahead.
Becker
So you enjoy being acting manager?
Mr. Lewis
Well, I haven't really had time to tell.
Becker
But you've been acting manager before?
Mr. Lewis
For a short period.
Becker
Hickey's a few years younger than you, isn't he?
Mr. Lewis
A few.
Becker
It's always like that. You carry the can for them, and then they send out a kid from Ottawa to take over.
Mr. Lewis
Mr. Hickey's been an excellent manager.
Becker
Until now, that is.
Mr. Lewis
You feel he's involved in this, don't you? Well, it's certainly possible.
Becker
It's also possible that someone might benefit from making it look that way.
Mr. Lewis
I hope you're not suggesting I had something to do with this.
Becker
Well, sometimes you've got to try a few paths before you find the right one.
Mr. Lewis
Well, then I suggest you try another.
Becker
Right. Oh, you're right. I hope you understand. I had to. No hard feelings?
Mr. Lewis
None. I appreciate your loyalty to Mr. Hickey. I hope you show the same loyalty when I'm the manager, which I suspect
Becker
will be quite soon. Oh, I wouldn't hold your breath on that one.
Mr. Lewis
Why's that?
Mr. Hawkins
Hickey will be back.
Becker
Unless they find the jewels in his pocket, that is. He's got a lot of influence.
Mr. Hickey
I don't know.
Becker
How do you think he got the job in the first place? There's something about a man who offers a whiskey to an ex drunk. Something a bit sadistic. You don't want to trust him. And you know you're not going to enjoy working for him. He was a cool customer, though, Lewis. And if he had a temper, he was keeping it well under wraps. But temper's one thing. And ambition's another. I was betting he didn't have the same control over that.
Mr. Hickey
It's 11:30, Becker.
Becker
You were asleep.
Mr. Hickey
No, I won't stay long. I suppose you've got more questions.
Becker
I've actually come for the combination to the safe. Ah. Final blow.
Mr. Hickey
Lewis thinks I'm hiding something, does he?
Becker
It's not Lewis. It's Sam Hawkins.
Mr. Hickey
Hawkins. I'm Impressed. No, honored. I. What am I going to do, Becker?
Becker
Hawkins is just being thorough.
Mr. Hickey
Yes, yes, yes, of course. And Lewis.
Becker
Well, you know Lewis better than I do.
Mr. Hickey
He's an envious little man, Becker. I've never trusted him. It occurred to me that. But he couldn't, could he? Oh, excuse me. I'll write out the combination for you.
Becker
I'd like you to write it out twice, Becca. On two separate sheets of paper. You don't need to show me. But there's a trick.
Mr. Hickey
What are you up to, Becker?
Becker
We're going to tie a fly.
Mr. Hickey
And the trick.
Becker
The trick to tying a fly is to make it look so real that the fish doesn't notice the one wrong detail.
Mr. Hickey
Which is?
Becker
The hook, Mr. Hickey.
Mr. Hickey
The hook.
Mr. Lewis
Admirably on time, Becker.
Mr. Hickey
I'm impressed.
Becker
New days, Mr. Lewis. Mr. Hawkins.
Mr. Lewis
And you have the combination?
Becker
Signed, sealed and delivered.
Mr. Lewis
Thank you.
Mr. Hawkins
Take your time, Mr. Lewis. This is a solemn moment.
Ms. Watts
Oh.
Mr. Hickey
Oh, excuse me, I. I should have knocked. Mr. Hickey.
Mr. Lewis
Good morning.
Mr. Hickey
We were about to open the safe. Yes, well, don't let me stop you. I've just got a few things to pick up. Morning, Becker.
Becker
Mr. Hickey.
Mr. Hickey
Mr. Hawkins. I thought we'd be seeing you. Go ahead. Go ahead.
Mr. Lewis
I'm not sure.
Mr. Hawkins
Get on with it, Lewis.
Mr. Lewis
Well, there's no reason to be rude.
Mr. Hawkins
Will you please open the safe, Mr. Lewis?
Becker
Right away.
Mr. Hickey
Right.
Becker
Left.
Mr. Hickey
Right onto left.
Becker
That's it.
Mr. Hickey
Excellent.
Mr. Lewis
Well, ready for inspection, Mr. Hawkins. I'm returning the combination to you, Mr. Becker.
Becker
You don't want it?
Mr. Lewis
Only if I were confirmed in my post. I'm sorry, Mr. Hickey.
Mr. Hickey
It's quite all right, Mr. Lewis. Eureka.
Mr. Hawkins
One diamond and ruby choker. I've got you, Hickey. I knew I had the minute you walked through that door. You just couldn't stay away.
Mr. Lewis
I'm sorry, Mr. Hickey.
Mr. Hawkins
What do you think, Becker? The perfect place to hide the goods. Right back where they came from. You've outsmarted yourself, Mr. Hickey.
Mr. Hickey
Well, if I had put them there, I would agree with you.
Mr. Hawkins
What do you mean, if? You're the only one with a combination.
Becker
Not quite.
Mr. Hawkins
Yes, yes, I know you have it, Becker.
Becker
The truth is, I don't have it.
Mr. Lewis
More games, Mr. Becker?
Mr. Hickey
What's this about?
Becker
Did you know that Mr. Lewis was the acting manager before Mr. Hickey arrived? Imagine how he felt when he was replaced.
Mr. Lewis
This is nonsense.
Becker
But an obvious motive, with Mr. Hickey accused of theft.
Mr. Hawkins
But Mr. Hickey was the only one with the combination.
Becker
Exactly what I thought. Until it occurred to me that the man who was acting manager when Mr. Hickey arrived might also never. So last night I suggested to Mr. Lewis that it might be necessary to actually find the necklace in Mr. Hickey's possession. That is, if we really wanted to get rid of him for good. Later that night, when I went to pick up the combination from Mr. Hickey,
Mr. Hickey
he asked me to write it out with one number changed.
Becker
Anyone who opened the safe from this paper, the paper I gave you, Mr. Lewis, had to know the combination already. Had to know it so well that he never really looked at the figures.
Mr. Hickey
That's ridiculous.
Becker
It was a risk, I admit.
Mr. Lewis
Let me see that.
Becker
Be my guest.
Mr. Hawkins
Very nice, Becker.
Mr. Lewis
This isn't the combination Exactly. But Mr. Hickey could still have placed the necklace in the safe.
Becker
He was with me all night.
Mr. Hawkins
I think you owe this man a debt of gratitude, Hickey.
Mr. Hickey
Yes, it's very satisfying when one's staff performs up to expectations. Now, as for you, Mr. Lewis.
Mr. Lewis
Don't say a word, Mr. Hickey. You've humiliated me for far too long. There's one thing I do not regret. It's that I scared you silly. I wish I'd done more. But at least I shall never have to listen to another condescending syllable from you again.
Mr. Hickey
Just a few more, Mr. Lewis. Your services will no longer be required. Becca, I think you'd better call Sergeant Drake. There is one thing I don't understand.
Becker
What's that?
Mr. Hickey
I wrote out two copies of the combination, one of them correctly, which I gave to Louis. No, you gave him the one with the number changed.
Becker
Oh, not at first. I couldn't count on him missing the mistake, so I actually gave him the correct combination. He opened the safe, he returned it. Then when he asked to see it again, I substituted the one you changed. He assumed, as anyone would, that he'd simply corrected the mistake without noticing.
Mr. Hickey
You cheated. To prove my innocence, I never thought you were guilty. I'm touched.
Becker
But I never thought you'd have a fling with a guest either.
Mr. Hickey
I beg your pardon?
Becker
That's the kind of thing that comes to the surface when we begin to spy on people. If you know what I mean, whatever
Mr. Hickey
are you talking about, Becker?
Becker
And that's as much of a thank you as I ever got from Mr. Hickey. By the next day, he was his usual self. And by the end of the week, I was beginning to agree with Lewis's assessment of his character. He was pompous, he was condescending, he was officious. So why do I continue working for him? I'm not sure. But I think of that moment sometimes when he told me the hotel was his life and that he'd resign before he ever did anything to hurt her. I believe that's true. The Queen really is his life. And I respect that. It's important.
Narrator
The sun's shining, birds are singing, and all feels right in the world.
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Narrator
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Public Service Announcer
Please visit mentallyhealthynation.org to learn more.
Date: March 14, 2026
Host: Harolds Old Time Radio
Episode Summary by Request
This episode features a full-cast dramatization of "Becker House Detective: Hotels Are My Life," an original story done in the classic radio style, set in the "Queen of the Rockies" hotel. Blending mystery, humor, and period detail, it follows house detective Becker as he unravels the overnight theft of a guest's jewel necklace—uncovering workplace tensions and personal loyalties along the way.
"Every once in a while, when I need to believe I’m really part of something, I pass by and take another look [at the staff photograph]… That’s me, Becker. The tiny patch in the back row… this is my home." — Becker (01:20)
"You know, Becker, this hotel is my life. I’d resign before I harmed her in any way."
— Mr. Hickey (07:16)
"I’m a woman alone, Becker. I can’t afford to be sentimental." — Mrs. Armstrong (09:40)
"A few years ago… Mr. Hickey and I had a short intrigue, quite sweet, although it ended badly. Now he thinks I’m a loose woman." — Mrs. Armstrong (17:23)
Becker cleverly arranges for Hickey to write the safe’s combination twice, one with an intentional mistake—a trick to see if anyone else could open the safe without checking the numbers.
At the planned safe-opening, the necklace is found back in the safe, seemingly incriminating Hickey.
Becker reveals the true culprit by showing that only someone who already knew the combination (Mr. Lewis, the resentful assistant manager) could have missed the planted error—proving he’d planted the necklace to frame Hickey.
Notable Exchange:
"The trick to tying a fly is to make it look so real that the fish doesn't notice the one wrong detail… The hook, Mr. Hickey."
— Becker (20:50–20:59)
Becker to Hawkins & Hickey:
"Anyone who opened the safe from this paper… had to know the combination already." — Becker (23:17)
Mr. Lewis confesses his resentment:
Mr. Lewis will be let go; Mr. Hickey is exonerated.
Becker muses on his complicated feelings about working for Hickey—a difficult boss, but someone who is wholly devoted to the hotel.
"He was pompous, he was condescending… So why do I continue working for him? …But I think of that moment sometimes when he told me the hotel was his life and that he’d resign before he ever did anything to hurt her. I believe that’s true." — Becker (25:53–26:29)
The episode maintains a classic, moody Golden Age detective story feel—wry, laconic narration from Becker, formal and occasionally acerbic exchanges among the hotel staff, and crisp, period-accurate dialogue. Emotional undercurrents are kept subtle but resonant, focused on themes of loyalty, pride, ambition, and the unseen dramas of daily work life in an old, storied hotel.
This summary provides a standalone, detailed guide to the episode's story, characters, and central themes, preserving the radio play’s classic tone and sharp dialogue.