CBS Columbia Workshop 1941-12-21 - Miracle in Manhattan

Summary

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Podcast Summary: CBS Columbia Workshop – "Miracle in Manhattan"

Podcast: Harold’s Old Time Radio
Episode Date: December 12, 2025
Original Air Date: December 21, 1941
Description: An evocative journey through Christmas Eve in 1940s Manhattan, exploring themes of hope, despair, and unexpected miracles, as imagined by the Columbia Workshop radio drama.

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Overview of Episode Theme

This Columbia Workshop episode, "Miracle in Manhattan," embodies the classic Golden Age of Radio tradition—using vivid dialogue, sound effects, and an evocative premise. Structured as a Christmas Eve taxi ride through Manhattan, it spotlights a sharply realist cab driver, his mysterious, philosophical passenger, and the vignettes of urban New Yorkers whose lives intersect in miraculous, heartwarming ways. The format intertwines the grit of city life with transformative moments, culminating in a series of small but profound Christmas miracles.

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Key Discussion Points and Story Highlights

1. Establishing the Christmas Eve Mood (00:39 – 03:55)

• The episode opens in a bustling Manhattan cab with a cab driver jaded by holiday chaos (“Christmas Eve is nothing but a first class headache. Slippery streets, screwy people with too many drinks under their belts...” – Cab Driver, 03:56).
• His passenger, mysterious and quietly observant, proposes a meandering tour of the city, setting the night’s adventure.

2. A Visit to Church – Reflecting on Faith and Aims (03:55 – 07:27)

• The passenger persuades the hesitant, lapsed cabbie to accompany him into a church:

  “Christmas Eve is Christmas Eve. ...People can come and think.” (Passenger/Narrator, 06:52)

• The cabbie’s reluctance signals skepticism but also a heart longing for meaning.

3. Miracle on the Corner: Jimmy the Newsboy Walks (09:00 – 13:38)

• In a classic New York vignette, the cab pulls up for a paper from Jimmy, a well-liked but physically disabled newsboy.
• Jimmy expresses his admiration for Joe DiMaggio, calling the Yankees’ pennant win his Christmas (11:57).
• A visitor, seemingly DiMaggio himself, arrives; the passenger orchestrates a handshake but only if Jimmy walks. Miraculously, urged by excitement and encouragement, Jimmy overcomes his disability and walks (“I’m walking. Look, I’m walking.” – Jimmy the Newsboy, 13:38).
• The cabbie is shaken by what he’s witnessed, hinting at disbelief and awe.

4. The Suicide Jumper – Redemption at the Brink (16:08 – 24:38)

• The narrative shifts to a tense crowd gathered beneath a hotel where a desperate former actor, Paul, is threatening to jump.
• The cab driver and passenger finagle their way inside, despite police keeping everyone out (18:13).
• A poignant exchange ensues:
  • Cab Driver vividly describes the reality of a suicide leap:

    “You tip off... your heart pounding in your throat... the night air hits your face... the people run, they yell like crazy... Suddenly it’s over.” (Cab Driver, 19:09)

  • Paul, brokenhearted, confesses how deeply he misses his estranged wife (21:44), waiting in despair for her arrival.
  • At the last possible moment—after tense, drawn-out seconds—the wife appears, and Paul is saved:

    “Thank God. Thank God you’ve come back.” (Paul, 23:44)

5. Another Miracle: The Blind Man (26:01 – 27:35)

• Back in the cab, a sudden accident: the car hits a blind man. The crowd’s panic yields, however, to amazement as the man spontaneously regains his sight (“I got up. I can see... And I can see!” – Blind Man, 27:02).
• The man credits a “cool hand” for his restoration, hinting at the miraculous influence of the mysterious passenger.

6. Reflections, Disbelief, and the Mysterious Stranger’s Departure (28:00 – 30:53)

• Incredulity sweeps through the crowd, some suspecting a scam, others defending the passenger. The cab driver is left to defend what he’s witnessed:

  “First it was Jimmy the Newsboy... then the jumper... now this blind man. All right, now, this ain’t funny, I’m telling you.” (Cab Driver, 28:41)

• The cabbie, now changed by the night’s miracles, searches for his enigmatic fare, but the stranger vanishes quietly into the Manhattan night. The significance of the night's events dawns as the once-jaded cabbie finds new meaning in the familiar Christmas carol—“Silent Night.”

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Christmas Eve’s Realities

  “To me, Christmas Eve is nothing but a first class headache... a cab driver’s gotta watch your step on a night like this.”
  – Cab Driver (03:56)

• On Hope and Prayer

  “When I was a kid, they used to teach us all kinds of prayers. Our Father… and now I forget the rest. Say, that’s kind of pretty, ain’t it?”
  – Cab Driver (06:10)

• The Miracle Moment

  “I’m walking. Look, I’m walking.”
  – Jimmy the Newsboy (13:38)

• Describing the Leap

  “You tip off... your heart pounding in your throat... the night air hits your face, ice cold... The lights go brighter. Down, down, down. Suddenly it’s over.”
  – Cab Driver (19:09)

• On Regret and Redemption

  “I haven’t been good for anything without her. ... I’ve tried everything—written, prayed… but it isn’t any use.”
  – Paul (21:44)

• Restoration of Sight

  “I got up. I can see. I can see!”
  – Blind Man (27:02)

• Cabbie’s Changed Heart

  “Before, it almost drove me fast... Now all of a sudden, I feel like I’d give anything to hear [‘Silent Night’] again… What a night this is, huh?”
  – Cab Driver (29:26)

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Key Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:39 – Introduction by cab driver and setup of the “Miracle in Manhattan” premise
• 03:55 – Cab driver, passenger, and reflections on the meaning of Christmas
• 10:46 – 13:38 – Interaction with Jimmy the Newsboy and the miracle of his walking
• 16:08 – 24:38 – High-rise suicide scene and emotional rescue by wife’s arrival
• 26:01 – 27:35 – Cab accident and blind man’s miraculous recovery of sight
• 28:00 – 30:53 – Aftermath, debates, and the mysterious passenger vanishes

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Tone and Style

True to its era, this drama weaves everyday hardship and hope through fast, colloquial banter—a snappy cabbie, a cool, enigmatic passenger, and colorful side characters. The dialogue is sometimes wry, sometimes earnest, shifting from skepticism to wonder as each “miracle” unfolds. The atmosphere oscillates between gritty realism and magical possibility in the tradition of classic holiday radio stories.

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Conclusion

“Miracle in Manhattan” is both a quintessential Christmas tale and a tapestry of urban life—showing how small, mysterious acts of kindness can ripple through even the toughest city streets. In just thirty minutes, listeners encounter skepticism, faith, desperation, joy, and ultimately, a reaffirmation that miracles—big or small—can happen, especially on Christmas Eve.

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Transcript

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[Cab Driver]

Hello, Duffy Tavern. Where do you leave me? She's speaking. Duffy ain't here.

[Passenger / Narrator]

Hello, Duffy.

[Cab Driver]

What am I doing? I'm in the Columbia workshop. What am I in for, Duffy? I said workshop. Yes, tonight I am an artist, an actor. We're doing a thing called Miracle in Manhattan. What do you mean? If it's good, it'll be a miracle. Duffy, you ain't got no Christmas spirit, that's all. Whose idea is it? Well, it's Columbia's Western program director. He dreamed it up. Yeah, Charlie Vanden. Friend of mine came to New York on a bus. A bus? A busmas holiday from Hollywood. He's directing us, too. Well, I don't know. It starts like all Christmas plays. You know, the band play Silent Night and we're into it.

[Passenger / Narrator]

Sam.

[Cab Driver]

How much? The Times Square driver. From here? Certainly. From here? Six bits, mister. Okay, let's sort of take it easy. Like I want to take a gander town. Okay. Want a little music? Don't turn on the radio. Go ahead. Ah, that thing again. I'll try to get you something different. Now. You'd think there was nothing else on the air tonight. Oh, get that, will you? Listen to that. It's enough to drive a kind nut. I'm sorry, miss. I guess this is all we're going to get. Over and over and over. Doesn't bother me. Matter of fact, I kind of like it.

[Passenger / Narrator]

No kidding?

[Cab Driver]

Sure, it's Christmas music. Heck, this is Christmas Eve. Well, I'll be frank with you. To me, Christmas Eve is nothing but a first class headache. Yeah, yeah. What have you got? Slippery streets? A bunch of screwy people with too many drinks under their belts. I tell you, a cab driver's gotta watch your step on a night like this. So it's December 24th. So all of a sudden everybody goes wacky. You never know what's liable to happen. Maybe you got something there. Yeah, everybody's got packages under their arms, you know, A lot of nice little packages. So they can't reach for the tip, huh? Well, mister, you said you wanted to See the town. What's on the menu first? How's about starting off with Park Avenue? Oh, no, just drive. Oh, wait a minute. Pull in over there. By that little church, you mean? Yeah, I'd like to sort of drop in. You know, you signs up paper funny sometimes. I've never played you with the regular type. Oh, just curious, that's all. Well, you're the doctor. Hey, how about coming in with me? Nah, Nah, not me. Ain't been to church for so long, I. That wasn't a hot. I ain't been to church much either. But Christmas Eve is Christmas Eve. Well, like I told you, mister, my racket one night ain't much different than the next. The music ought to be nice. Are you kidding? Now, listen, count me out. I just sit out here in a cab and listen to the meter stick. That's music enough for me. I'll pay the damages. No, no, no. You go ahead. I'll wait out here. It's warm inside. What are you, Mr. Missionary? Oh, no. I just want company. Come on. Well, you're paying a fright. Let's go. See you. You never go to church, huh? N you see this day kind that's dozen, the kind that don't. I'm the kind that don't. Did you ever pray? Yeah. You know, when I was a kid, they used to teach us all kinds of prayers. Our Father, what art in heaven? How be thy name? And now I forget the rest of the stuff. Say, that's kind of pretty, ain't it? You like that kind of thing? Yes. Let's sit near the back. Ignorant. Well, them people aren't an awful quiet, ain't they? Yeah. I guess this is one of the last places left where people can come and think. Think, huh? What are they thinking about? Eddie, you're just one of the people, too. What are you thinking about me? Oh, us cabbage is different from most people. I guess all we ever think. Well, we're gonna get another fair. Is that all even on Christmas Eve? What else is there to think about? Oh, all kinds of things. Spatial things. Sort of wonderful things. Look, mister, this ain't for me. I get the heebie jeebies in this joint. I'll meet you out in a cab, huh? All right, I'll go along.

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[Cab Driver]

Hey, what are you doing? The sinus is helps the poor. Don't. Well, didn't do you much good to have that meter ticking over out there in the cast. You aren't gonna break even. All right, so I don't break even. Forget it. That was a sucker. Let's get going. Hu.

[Passenger / Narrator]

Sam.

[Cab Driver]

Still that same tone. Oh, don't worry. I told you I liked it. Well, of course that's your own for negative, but you made Glenn Miller playing that Chattanooga Sho. Shoot, why does traffic stuff tonight?

[Passenger / Narrator]

Christmas paper. Catch your Christmas Eve edition? Yeah. Paper.

[Cab Driver]

Hey, Kirby, you think you could pull out of this traffic line for a minute? I want to pick up a paper. Well, you're in the right neighborhood for a paper, missy. You can buy it from little Jimmy Turner over there. Jimmy Turner? Yeah, little cripple guy. News boy. Ain't wolfed in years, but always got a smile for us. Cabbage. That's why we like to bring him business. That's him over there in the corner.

[Passenger / Narrator]

Say by Christmas Eve.

[Jimmy the Newsboy]

Addiction.

[Passenger / Narrator]

Paper.

[Cab Driver]

Crippled, huh? Wait a minute. I'll get your paper. Hey, hold on, I'll go with you.

[Passenger / Narrator]

Extract. Paper.

[Kirkland's Home Announcer]

Paper.

[Jimmy the Newsboy]

Mister. Oh, hiya, Leslie.

[Cab Driver]

Merry Christmas, Danielle. Jimmy. How's business?

[Jimmy the Newsboy]

Half sold out already. Hey, honesty.

[Cab Driver]

Thanks, Jimmy. We'll be seeing you. Jimmy, we gotta get along.

[Jimmy the Newsboy]

Look, Leslie, one of my customers threw me a nickel moved out in the street there. Wanna get it for me?

[Cab Driver]

Oh, sure, Jimmy. I'll get it why don't you walk over and get the nickel yourself? Jimmy.

[Jimmy the Newsboy]

What are you trying to give me, Mister? You got eyes.

[Passenger / Narrator]

You can see, can't you?

[Cab Driver]

Yeah. And you got legs.

[Jimmy the Newsboy]

You can move your eyes.

[Cab Driver]

How long since you tried to walk?

[Jimmy the Newsboy]

As long as I can remember. I ain't chicken.

[Cab Driver]

I can yell. I heard you. You sure can.

[Jimmy the Newsboy]

Bet your life I can. That's all I need for this racket on a quiet night when I ain't too much traffic around where they can hear me. Two blocks away, clear up the 53rd Street. And that's important in my business.

[Cab Driver]

Oh, sure it is. Tell me, Jimmy, what do you want for Christmas?

[Jimmy the Newsboy]

What do I want? I already got my Christmas present last October.

[Cab Driver]

Last October? No kidding. Uh huh.

[Jimmy the Newsboy]

When the Yanks won the pennant. What a paralyzing.

[Cab Driver]

You like the Yanks, huh?

[Jimmy the Newsboy]

I'll say I do. And mainly because of one guy. Show DiMaggio. Paper, mister?

[Passenger / Narrator]

Is this the latest edition?

[Jimmy the Newsboy]

The very latest.

[Cab Driver]

Thank you. Thank you. Yeah.

[Jimmy the Newsboy]

The man's the greatest baseball player in the world. Well, you want to hear me yelling? He's in a headline.

[Cab Driver]

Oh, driver, that cabin gauge. Sorry mister, it's all tied up. Thanks. I'll get another one. Hey, Jimmy. Yeah? You know who that was? That was Joe himself. Joe DiMaggio.

[Passenger / Narrator]

No kidding.

[Jimmy the Newsboy]

Oh, gee, I, I didn't recognize those. Imagine his three clothes. Oh, gee.

[Cab Driver]

Come on, Cabbie, we gotta stop him. Hey, Imago. Hey, did you call me? Excuse me for yelling at you, but I had to stop you. You see, you got quite admire over there in that news kid, that's all. Yeah. Matter of fact, if he could shake hands with you, I, I think it'd be the swellest Christmas present he could ever get. Really? Yeah, honest. Would you mind? Certainly not. Come on. Just a minute, Joe. Let him walk over to you. What's that shit? All you need is somebody like you to, well, call him and he. I don't get it. Wait a minute, Jimmy. There's a friend of yours here. He wants you to walk over and shake hands with him. Galvin.

[Jimmy the Newsboy]

Can't you see?

[Cab Driver]

Come on, Jimmy. Come on over here and shake hands.

[Jimmy the Newsboy]

No, I, I, I can't. I.

[Cab Driver]

Come on, Jimmy. Joe. Joe.

[Passenger / Narrator]

I'm walking.

[Jimmy the Newsboy]

Look, I'm walking.

[Cab Driver]

I don't like crowds. Let's get out of here. Hey, careful, Gabby. Watch this crowd. Take it easy. I'm sorry, mister, but it's a wonder. I know what I'm doing. I swear I'm dizzy. What's the matter? That kid back there. I seen him Sitting on a corner like that for six years and now he's walking. Well, maybe he could have walked all the time. Yeah, you're the smart one. You did it, giving him the will to walk. Tell me if that was Joe DiMaggio. Well, what in luck. It's all right to fool a kid, but I know better. That wasn't the match. It wasn't, huh? No, it couldn't have been. Maybe it looked like him, but it wasn't him. No, no, of course not. Of course. Only this morning I read about him in the papers. He says that Joe DiMaggio was spending Christmas with his family in San Francis. Sa. Won't that thing ever stop? Well, I hope you'll like it. Nothing I seem to be able to do about it. Hey, what's all the excitement? Oh. Oh, say, that's something that ought to be worth seeing. I heard about it earlier this evening. There's a guy up on a window ledge down on the 22nd street floor. Claims he's gonna jump off at 11:00'. Clock. Hey, wait a minute. Listen to them chimes. Yeah, that's a quarter to 11 hours. Guy's got 15 minutes to go if he keeps his word. Look.

[Passenger / Narrator]

Look at.

[Cab Driver]

He got a spotlight on him. They don't want to miss nothing. Guys don't do this every night in a week, you know. Guy must be off his bean, huh? Who is he? Oh, some guy. Used to be an actor, they tell me. Certainly. Hogging the spotlight for this performance, huh? Abby, you think we can get into this hotel, huh? You mean you don't want to stay outside here and watch? I want to get inside right away. Listen, who are you anyway? You a newspaper reporter? Maybe? Well, listen, there's cops all around. You can't. Well, wait, I tell you, I got an idea. You walk in the front door with me behind you, see, they. They'll think you live there and that I'm going to carry your luggage. Oh, good. Come on. Look at that. It's disgusting. Look at them folks. I'm telling you that that's the kind of a thing that can only happen on a night like this. That was close. Well, we're in. Now what? 22nd floor. Going up, boy? Yes, sir, 22. I can take you up, sir, but the police aren't letting anyone into the west wing. That's where that room is. It's a man's jumping out of. I know. Listen, miss, I hope you ain't going to try nothing screwy here, especially when the kid says that they got cops Guarding the room. And besides, you kids. Come on. See? Look at it. Just like I told you. Three cops in front of the door Ain't got a chance of getting in there. Come on, before they kick us out with a try. Maybe one of us will make it back down. Here we are. Yeah. Just a minute. Where do you think you're going, tabby? I'm just following my friend here. You let him through, didn't you? We didn't let nobody through and we ain't letting nobody. We got orders that nobody should go into this room. Yes. You mean to say that you guys didn't see nobody go into that room just now?

[Passenger / Narrator]

Of course we didn't, because nobody went in.

[Cab Driver]

Huh?

[Passenger / Narrator]

You must be drunk, buddy. I run along and sit and wait for Santa Claus to come down the chimney. We got strict orders to keep everybody out of this room until the wife of that nut gets down here to try and talk him out of jumping.

[Cab Driver]

Okay, okay. Wise guys, have it your way. But my fair snake Brian, he's up there in that suicide jumper right now. Now, you guys can laugh all yous want, But I'll bet my hack that there's a mighty interesting conversation going on right now. Mighty interesting.

[Passenger / Narrator]

Listen, you. I thought they promised there wasn't going to be anyone else out here to bother me.

[Cab Driver]

I just want to talk to you. Who knows, maybe I can help.

[Passenger / Narrator]

You suppose that I don't want your help?

[Cab Driver]

Well, people have refused help from me before. But it doesn't matter.

[Passenger / Narrator]

Just remember what I told the others. If you come one step towards me, I'll jump. Or maybe that's what you're here for. They got a better view of it.

[Cab Driver]

No, I don't need to watch it to know what'll happen. I know. So are you. In a few minutes and those church chimes ring. You'll hesitate a second and you tip off. And the Your heart pounding. Your throat, the hard distinctive choked you. Then the night air hits your face, Ice cold. And you grab at that air. Nothing there. You have a sick, helpless feeling in your stomach. You thought, it's going to be over fast. It lasts a long time. A heck of a long time. Long enough to bring back every memory you ever knew. Look down, but you can't help it. You hear a scream. You hear an ambulance bell. You see the lights on the street. People run sharpen. They're rushing up to you like lightning. The people run. They yell like crazy. The lights go brighter. Down, down, down. Suddenly it's over.

[Passenger / Narrator]

And you don't hear the police you don't hear at all. You can't scare me.

[Cab Driver]

I know. I'm not trying to. I thought maybe you'd like to hear exactly how it would happen without going through it.

[Passenger / Narrator]

Who are you, anyway?

[Cab Driver]

Just a guy. Who are you?

[Passenger / Narrator]

Don't tell me you don't know that. Don't you read the papers?

[Cab Driver]

Well, not very often. Hey, I hope you're not doing this just to break into print.

[Passenger / Narrator]

I've got good reason for what I'm doing.

[Cab Driver]

A lot of people down there trying to be happy because this is Christmas Eve here. You are making them all feel sick.

[Passenger / Narrator]

Christmas Eve. A fine Christmas Eve it is for me. Now shut up.

[Cab Driver]

No. What do you do for a living?

[Passenger / Narrator]

I was an actor. A good one, too.

[Cab Driver]

Start putting on a show here too, ain't you? Go on, tell me about yourself.

[Passenger / Narrator]

All right, I will. I might as well tell him the time between now and 11. Maybe they told you why they stopped trying to talk me out of this.

[Cab Driver]

They're waiting for your wife to get here.

[Passenger / Narrator]

That's right. But they'll wait forever. She won't be here. That's why I'm doing this. I haven't known one detail a moment since she left me or until I left her.

[Cab Driver]

You're sorry about that, huh?

[Passenger / Narrator]

I haven't meant good for anything without her.

[Cab Driver]

I suppose you had to do it all over again. Things you do, Jesse.

[Passenger / Narrator]

Oh, what's the use of even talking about it? Nothing means anything.

[Cab Driver]

So that's why you're up here tonight. Yeah.

[Passenger / Narrator]

Yeah, I've tried everything to get her to come back. Me, I've written to her, tried to see her, make promises. I. I even pray. Yeah, but it isn't any use. You see that clock over there? In about five seconds, it'll ring out the hour.

[Cab Driver]

And that's when I'm jumping right with those times. Why don't you wait? Give your wife a chance to get here. They're trying to reach you.

[Passenger / Narrator]

Well, that's plenty of time if he won't come when they do. Rika, what's keeping those chimes? They could ring any second now. Any second.

[Cab Driver]

Those seconds are going to seem kind of long to you because they're the last seconds you'll ever have.

[Passenger / Narrator]

Well, they're not important because my life isn't important. Not anymore. Don't think I'm going to back out, mister. Come on, Time. Bring out like you've been doing all day. You see, I've heard them ever since I've been standing out here. I can tell almost Of a second when they're going to ring.

[Cab Driver]

But it's like I told you, these last moments are changing all that. The second seem like years.

[Passenger / Narrator]

Well, but this can't keep up. They'll go in a moment now anymore. And then I am going to jump. And you'll see, all of you, that you were wrong. That she didn't get here. She didn't come back to me. Even at a time like this. Oh, Paul. Paul. Anne. Yes, darling, it's Anne. Please, Paul, aren't you going to take me in your arms?

[Cab Driver]

She's waiting for you, Paul. What are you going to do?

[Passenger / Narrator]

Do what? What am I going to do? Thank God. Thank God you've come back.

[Cab Driver]

Anne.

[Passenger / Narrator]

Those times I was going to jump. When I heard the man, I was going to jump. I know, I know. I got here as soon as I could. And all the while I was afraid I was too late. I thought I was too late for.

[Cab Driver]

That. Blame it. I've been caring for these chimes nearly 20 years now.

[Passenger / Narrator]

And this is the first time I ever known them to ring late. And on Christmas Eve, too. What do you suppose? Senate.

[Cab Driver]

Sam. Hey, Abby, what's wrong? You haven't tried to get some other music, huh? Oh. Huh. I guess I'm kind of mixed up. You got me thinking. Listen, mister, do you mind if I shut this radio off? All together that silent night is beginning to get me back. Oh, do anything you like. Look, look, mister, you gotta tell me what happened up there. How did you sneak past the cops? What made that guy change his mind? What did you do anyhow? Oh, I only gapped with him a little while until his wife got there. Listen, I've had some screwy Christmas Eves, but this one tops them all. First it was that little newsboy. Hey, hey, that man crossing the street. I've known Jimmy for the cow. Hey.

[Passenger / Narrator]

Don'T worry, driver.

[Cab Driver]

I saw it happen.

[Passenger / Narrator]

He walked right out in front of you.

[Cab Driver]

Yeah, you did see him, didn't you, miss? He walked right in front of me. Come on, come on, come on, let's get out.

[Passenger / Narrator]

Well, the driver didn't stop. No, the man stepped right out there without warning. Somebody better call him. Don't worry.

[Cab Driver]

There's one coming right now.

[Passenger / Narrator]

Hey, I saw it happen, officer.

[Cab Driver]

He walked right out.

[Passenger / Narrator]

It wasn't the driver's fault. This guy stepped right out in front of him like a blind man. Hey, wait a minute. He is a blind man. I've seen him around here before. Yeah, so have I.

[Cab Driver]

There, you get your hands over. Don't be trying to pick him up.

[Passenger / Narrator]

It's against the law.

[Cab Driver]

Wait till the ambulance gets you. Against the law. Help, someone. Sure it is. You never know when you're doing them more harm than good. Okay, officer. Oh, hey. Hey, wait.

[Passenger / Narrator]

You're getting up. Getting up, everybody. What? What hit me? I was so excited Christmas Eve. I was in a hurry to get home.

[Cab Driver]

Tell me.

[Passenger / Narrator]

Wait a minute. What's wrong? Light and faces.

[Cab Driver]

Easy, mister. You better not try to get up.

[Passenger / Narrator]

I got up. I can see. I'm all right, I tell you. And I can see. I can see. He can see. It must have been the shock. The shock when the cab hit him.

[Cab Driver]

You know, I didn't mean to hit him.

[Passenger / Narrator]

Didn't mean to say you've done him a favor. The shock of it brought back his eyesight. No, no, that's not in it. Someone touched me. It was a cool hand. The cool hand of the man that helps me. The minute he touched me, I was all right. Where is he? Where is he?

[Cab Driver]

Hey, wait a minute. I'm beginning to get this. It's a racket a minute.

[Passenger / Narrator]

These guys will be passing the hat. He's never been blind at all.

[Jimmy the Newsboy]

What?

[Passenger / Narrator]

I've been giving him money on this corner all winter and he's a phony. Hey, wait a minute. Wait a minute. Wait a minute. There was another guy with a cabbie. He looked like a suspicious character to me, Officer. You ought to run him in, Officer. I bet they staged the whole thing.

[The RealReal Advertiser]

Shut up.

[Passenger / Narrator]

The whole thing.

[Cab Driver]

Where'd he go?

[Passenger / Narrator]

Ellie was here a second ago. He looked like one of those aversive guys to me. Imagine pulling a trick like that on Christmas Eve.

[Cab Driver]

Wait a minute. Wait a minute here. This guy's got this all wrong. Huh? This guy you're talking about is a very good guy. Now, wait a minute. He's a stranger in town, but he's all right. Hey, where did he go?

[Passenger / Narrator]

You see, he even ducks out on you, buddy. I knew it was all an accident.

[Cab Driver]

Wait. He was dead. You see, a second ago. This guy's been riding my cab all night. He was a regular sort of a guy. Listen, let me tell you what he done. First it was Jimmy the Nose Boy. See, he was crippled. And all of a sudden he started a walk. All right, now, this ain't funny. I'm telling you. Then it was that guy that was going to jump off the building. And now this blind man.

[Passenger / Narrator]

Hey, what are you handing us?

[Cab Driver]

Any of.

[Passenger / Narrator]

Get moving, buddy. What a frame up.

[Cab Driver]

Better get moving, Fabby.

[Passenger / Narrator]

This. This mob don't like what's happened.

[Cab Driver]

All right, I'm going. Fine thing. The guy just ducks out when I need him to prove a point. In addition, he fixed me with a cab. What a guy. Just two more blocks. Two minutes to Christmas in Times Square. Hey, hey, would you want a cab all the time? What do you think I am, magician? Sometimes I wonder. Now, in case you lose me in the crowd again, here's your fare. Keep the change. Five bucks and Merry Christmas, Mr. Look, look. What goes on here anyway? Who are you? You talk like one of us. I mean, real lingo. And yet you say you're a stranger. Oh, wherever I go, I sort of seem to be just like everybody else. See? Talking their language. It's always in that way. Mister, do you mind if I turn on the radio again? No, go ahead. She says, funny. Now, you don't know what happened to that Silent night. All night long they play that one tune and you know, it's a funny thing be. Before, it almost drove me fast. And now all of a sudden, I got a funny feeling. I feel like. Like I'd give anything to hear it again. Can you beat that? No. Silence. What a night this is, huh? Mr. I never had such a time before. All them things that happened, I wish I could figure them out. What's your slant on it, Mr. I said, what's your slant? Hey. Hey, where are you?

[Passenger / Narrator]

I'll be.

[Cab Driver]

Geez, he disappeared again. Director for cbs director.

[Passenger / Narrator]

This is the Columbia Broadcasting System.

[Kirkland's Home Announcer]

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[The RealReal Advertiser]

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[Shopify Advertiser]

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[The RealReal Advertiser]

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[Kirkland's Home Announcer]

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