Diary of Fate - Joe Mattuck

Summary

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Podcast Summary: Harold's Old Time Radio

Episode: Diary of Fate – Joe Mattuck
Air Date: May 9, 2026
Host: Harold's Old Time Radio

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Main Theme

This episode features "Diary of Fate," a suspenseful morality play from the golden age of radio. The story follows Joe Mattuck, an honest truck driver whose impatience and one impulsive choice set him on a dark and tragic path, as "Fate" narrates his descent from integrity into criminality, murder, and ultimate ruin. The tale explores how seemingly small decisions can have life-altering, irrevocable consequences.

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Key Discussion Points and Story Breakdown

Introduction by Fate

• [00:35–03:17]
  The narrative begins with Fate, the omniscient narrator, introducing Joe Mattuck. Fate describes Joe as strong and honest but marked by impatience—a flaw that will lead to his undoing.
  • Quote: “[Fate]…A traffic light changed and confronted you with an opportunity, a temptation which struck at your weakest point…” (00:45)
• Fate sets the moral stage: Every mortal decision, even the smallest, can have enormous consequences.

Joe’s Routine Disrupted

• [03:18–06:49]
  Joe picks up a fellow trucker, Bill Sheldon, and later a stranger (Nick Nadella) carrying a black bag, after stopping at a red light. Their conversation exposes Joe's dissatisfaction and longing for a better life, even as he works “an honest endeavor.”
  • Quote (Bill Sheldon): “You get no place that way. You plan, you mark time, and then all of a sudden you’re old.” (05:31)
  • The stop to pick up Nick is triggered by the red light—Fate’s “little thing.”

The Temptation Emerges

• [06:50–09:02]
  At a diner, a news report reveals a bank robbery. Bill spots the black bag's contents—bundles of cash—which aligns with the radio story. He convinces Joe “opportunity” has come.
  • Quote (Bill Sheldon): “Sooner or later an opportunity comes along. And then, brother, I move and I move fast.” (05:45)
• Joe's initial hesitation gives way to greed, with Bill urging him to seize this chance.

Betrayal and Murder

• [09:03–14:49]
  The two plot to steal the money from Nick. They fake truck trouble and murder Nick to get the bag, only to find it has vanished—a consequence of their rushed, wicked plan.
  • Quote (Fate): “Yes, Joe. The bag was gone. And the man was dead because of a little thing. A red traffic signal.” (13:39)
• They discover a baggage check on Nick—he left the bag in Cedarville's bus station.

Descent into Paranoia

• [14:50–19:15]
  Joe and Bill retrieve the money, dodge Joe's wife, and plan to split the loot in a hotel. Every step is haunted by paranoia, fear, and the sense that Fate is intervening.
  • Joe's impatience causes him to miss the elevator, resulting in an accidental encounter with a fellow trucker who recognizes him.

Violence and Flight

• [19:16–23:41]
  A confrontation breaks out as Bill tries to double-cross Joe for the money. They struggle on the fire escape, resulting in Bill's (Bell’s) death. Joe flees, pursued by police.
  • Quote (Narrator): “For a horrified instant, you stared down at Bell’s crumpled form lying dead in the alley…” (21:20)
  • Joe escapes with the money but is disfigured in a car fire, forced to change his name and identity.

Final Punishment by Fate

• [23:42–26:47]
  Despite his attempts at a new life, Joe’s past catches up. The police track him, and it’s revealed the money is counterfeit—he’s sacrificed everything for nothing.
  • Quote (Nick/Police): “You see, every dollar you spent today was counterfeit.” (26:40)
  • Fate points out if Joe had paused to read the news, he would’ve learned the truth, avoided disaster, and not committed his crimes.

Moral and Reflection

• [26:48–28:31]
  Fate closes the ledger on Joe Mattuck. The tale ends moralistically, reinforcing that "little things" determine destiny and that evil choices, however small, inevitably bring ruin.
  • Quote (Fate): “…the result of an evil choice was certain, brought about by the little unnoticed things which are my instruments.” (28:22)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Book 63, page 397 in the diary of Fate... Occupation, truck driver... Life could have been good, but you were impatient.” — Fate, 00:45
• “Don’t be a fool, Joe… We’re going to get it, share. You and me. I told you that sooner or later, opportunity comes along.” — Bill Sheldon, 09:51
• “For a horrified instant, you stared down at Bell’s crumpled form lying dead in the alley three stories below.” — Narrator (Faith), 21:20
• “You see, every dollar you spent today was counterfeit.” — Police, 26:40
• “And so the bag of money that you thought would bring a rich new life brought only disgrace and death.” — Fate, 26:48

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Key Timestamps

• 00:35 — Fate introduces Joe Mattuck and the nature of the series.
• 03:18 — Initiation of Joe's moral downfall.
• 06:50 — Nick Nadella enters, bearing the fateful black bag.
• 09:03 — Revelation that the bag holds stolen money; temptation intensifies.
• 13:39 — Joe and Bill murder Nick; the bag is missing.
• 17:00 — Joe and Bill retrieve the black bag with money.
• 20:33 — Bill attempts to double-cross Joe. Deadly struggle ensues.
• 21:20 — Bill’s death; Joe’s frantic escape.
• 23:41 — Joe is burned in a car crash, changes name.
• 26:40 — Final twist: the money is counterfeit; Joe’s doom.
• 28:22 — Fate’s closing moral: small choices shape destiny.

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Tone & Atmosphere

The episode maintains a tense, fatalistic tone, narrated by the all-knowing, impartial Fate. There is palpable suspense, desperation, and moralizing woven throughout the dialogue and narration, characteristic of mid-century radio dramas.

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Takeaway for Listeners

"Diary of Fate – Joe Mattuck" is a classic cautionary tale demonstrating how one impulsive act or overlooked detail—“a little thing”—can cause one’s entire life to unravel. The episode is rich in period atmosphere, dramatic irony, and reinforces the eternal lesson: ill-gotten gains always come at a greater cost.

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Cast: Frank Albertson, Gloria Blondell, Herbert Lytton, Jerry Hausner, Ray Erlenborn, Ivan Ditmars, Hal Sawyer (as announced [28:31])
Transcription: Larry Finley
Setting: Classic radio play from Hollywood.

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Transcript

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[Narrator (Faith)]

The diary of faith.

[Narrator (Additional Commentary)]

Faith plays no favorites.

[Narrator (Faith)]

It could happen to you. Book 63, page 397 in the diary of Fate. Yes, here it is. The name Joe Matic. Occupation, truck driver. An honest endeavor and one which requires strength and endurance. It was work well suited to you, Joe Mattock. You were robust, strong and courageous. Life could have been good, but you were impatient. And then I. Fate intervened at just the wrong moment. A traffic light changed and confronted you with an opportunity, a temptation which struck at your weakest point. Yes, because a traffic light changed, your life will be utterly destroyed. Take heed, you who listen, lest you think me unjust, I am not cruel, not unmindful of mortal rights. But soon it will be time for a further entry under the name Joe Matic. When I have written, I will read from his page in the Diary of Faith. No mortal eye can penetrate the dark curtain of the future. Even as the mind of Joe Matic could not foretell what the few hours of one night would bring when he yielded to temptation and gave free rein to his impatience, he could not tell where it would end. But he stood on a third floor fire escape and stood struggle for a precious black bag.

[Joe Matic / Joe Mattock]

Try to double cross me, will you? I'll show you your cheap no good. No, Joe.

[Antagonist / Attacker]

Stop it. Give me that bag.

[SpinQuest Announcer]

I won't.

[Joe Matic / Joe Mattock]

Give it to me. Turn loose of it or I'll break you.

[Antagonist / Attacker]

Please, come on. Turn loose of it.

[Joe Matic / Joe Mattock]

Give it to me.

[Narrator (Faith)]

Yes, in that instant, Joe Matic, your life became a churning maelstrom of horror. And now you know, too late that if your choice be for evil, the end is inevitable. For that is all part of a plan. And I, Faith, am but the instrument. And the little things, the trifles of life, are the tools with which I work. Remember, Joe Mattock, how it all started? You were leaving on your regular run to Morristown, and you'd picked up a hitchhiker, a girl, and you conversed easily with her as you drove through the traffic toward the suburbs and the open highway.

[Bill Sheldon (Truck Driver)]

Same. So Tuesday night it was a bus and A hitch the next morning with a fresh guy from Buffalo and iu. That's the story. By the way, I'm Bill Sheldon. What's your name? Joe.

[Joe Matic / Joe Mattock]

Joe Mattock. I'm out of Morristown and that's as far as I'll be able to take it.

[Bill Sheldon (Truck Driver)]

Every little bit helps, Joe. You know, hitchhiking is kind of tough for a girl. Too many Romeos that they figure women spell trouble. You married?

[Joe Matic / Joe Mattock]

Married and working at it. I got a beautiful wife.

[Bill Sheldon (Truck Driver)]

Uh huh. You should. You're easy to look at. How often you live here?

[Joe Matic / Joe Mattock]

Oh, every third day. That's the only thing I don't like about this job. You see, the pay is good and it works well. I'm built for it. But.

[Bill Sheldon (Truck Driver)]

But you don't like being away from the Mrs. So much. And with the amount of cash you stock away each week, it'll be six or seven years before you can get a truck of your own and have a business going.

[Joe Matic / Joe Mattock]

Yeah, that's hit on the button. How'd you know?

[Bill Sheldon (Truck Driver)]

You're not the first truck driver I've hitched with. An old story, Joe. It's a sad one.

[Joe Matic / Joe Mattock]

What do you mean?

[Bill Sheldon (Truck Driver)]

Doesn't work. Believe me, Joe, I've been around. You get no place that way. You plan, you mark time, and then all of a sudden you're old.

[Joe Matic / Joe Mattock]

Oh, what's your answer?

[Narrator (Faith)]

You've got life figured out.

[Bill Sheldon (Truck Driver)]

I have to keep my eyes open. Wide open, Joan. Sooner or later an opportunity comes along. And then brother, I move and I move back fast. Hey, what's that? Traffic signal for counter hit.

[Joe Matic / Joe Mattock]

No, that's us 12 out of Carsburg. Busy road. Maybe we'll make the light.

[Bill Sheldon (Truck Driver)]

No, turn red, we lose. Joe.

[Narrator (Faith)]

Yes, Joe. Madic. A little thing happened. I fate moved my hand and at just that instant the traffic light turned red and you stopped. But before you started again, a man approached carrying a coat and a black overnight bag. He asked you for a ride. Bell didn't mind being crowded and you gave the stranger a lift. Ten minutes later, as the truck rolled along the even highway, he was fast asleep.

[Bill Sheldon (Truck Driver)]

Oh, great conversationalist you picked up. He's sound asleep.

[Joe Matic / Joe Mattock]

Well, in that case, you'll have to talk for two. Tell me, Bill, what do you think?

[Antagonist / Attacker]

Don't look out at that car.

[Joe Matic / Joe Mattock]

Crazy drunk. What happened?

[Bill Sheldon (Truck Driver)]

That was too close.

[Joe Matic / Joe Mattock]

A pint of whiskey and some guys figure they're supposed to straddle a white line.

[Bill Sheldon (Truck Driver)]

Here, mister, you drop dropped your bag.

[Joe Matic / Joe Mattock]

Give me that. Hey, easy, brother. She was doing you a favor.

[Bill Sheldon (Truck Driver)]

It opened. Sure you didn't lose anything?

[Nick Nodella]

Oh, no, I didn't lose anything.

[Narrator (Faith)]

Sorry I got rough with you, lady.

[Bill Sheldon (Truck Driver)]

It's all right. Forget it.

[Joe Matic / Joe Mattock]

There's a chow wagon at Cedarville around this next couple. Shake Sleeping Beauty? Maybe. Want some coffee?

[Bill Sheldon (Truck Driver)]

Coffee's a good idea. Hey, Beauty, wake up. Huh?

[Joe Matic / Joe Mattock]

What's wrong? Nothing. We're just gonna stop for some jabba. Say, what's your name, fella?

[Nick Nodella]

My name? Nick. My name is Nick.

[Bill Sheldon (Truck Driver)]

Nick what?

[Nick Nodella]

Nick Nodella. Well, here we are.

[Joe Matic / Joe Mattock]

Chuck's Chuck Wagon. The best coffee and the worst food between here and the coast. You can leave your bag and coat in a cab, Nick. They'll be safe.

[Nick Nodella]

Thanks, but I'll take this stuff with me.

[Bill Sheldon (Truck Driver)]

Hey, this is quite a little town.

[Joe Matic / Joe Mattock]

Yeah, Cedarville's all right. Kind of quiet, though. Come on, I'm hungry. Let's go, nick.

[Narrator (Additional Commentary)]

According to C.R. matthew, chairman of the committee, the university

[Narrator (Faith)]

will enlarge on the program.

[Joe Matic / Joe Mattock]

You know, I might have a steak to go on that cup of coffee. What about you, Bill? I'll buy if you're broke.

[Bill Sheldon (Truck Driver)]

Thanks. I'll pay my own way. Now, there's a table, Joe, on the corner.

[Narrator (Additional Commentary)]

Carsberg, in a daring daylight.

[Bill Sheldon (Truck Driver)]

Hold up the radio. Listen.

[Narrator (Additional Commentary)]

National bank was robbed of more than $100,000. Three men, armed and wearing handkerchiefs over their faces, entered the bank shortly before closing time this afternoon. They overpowered the bank guard at one teller and got away in a waiting car. No description was gotten of, and the police believe that they split up before leaving Carsburg. And now a last minute.

[Joe Matic / Joe Mattock]

Come here, Joe.

[Bill Sheldon (Truck Driver)]

Where's Nick?

[Joe Matic / Joe Mattock]

Nick? Outside, I guess. Fine. What's the matter?

[Bill Sheldon (Truck Driver)]

This bag, Joe. I saw what he's carrying. When it drops and it opened, Joe, it's filled with money. What money, Joe? You understand? It's full of money.

[Narrator (Faith)]

For a moment, Joe Matic, you were stunned. Then slowly, the full implication of Bell's words struck you. You quickly followed her out of the restaurant, but Nick was nowhere in sight. Then you thought of the bus station when you ran across the street and searched a small building.

[Joe Matic / Joe Mattock]

He's not on station, Bell. We better call the police.

[Bill Sheldon (Truck Driver)]

Don't be a pool, Joe. Mick Modela has a hundred grand. Or a good poor in that little black bag. We're gonna get it, Shell. You and me. I told you that sooner or later, opportunity comes along. Quiet.

[Narrator (Faith)]

Bell.

[Joe Matic / Joe Mattock]

There he is, over in the shadow of the truck you sold me on it.

[Bill Sheldon (Truck Driver)]

Bell.

[Narrator (Faith)]

We're partners.

[Joe Matic / Joe Mattock]

Come on. Hey, Nick, you gonna have coffee?

[Nick Nodella]

No, no, I changed my mind.

[Bill Sheldon (Truck Driver)]

No, you didn't. Miss a thing, Nick. Strictly muddy.

[Nick Nodella]

Hey, Joe, any objection to my sleeping in the back for a while? I'm beat. Dead tired.

[Joe Matic / Joe Mattock]

Oh, suit yourself. That gives us more room up in front here. I'll open it up.

[Bill Sheldon (Truck Driver)]

Got your coat and stuff, Nick?

[Nick Nodella]

Not yet. How far you going, Joe?

[Joe Matic / Joe Mattock]

Morristown. I'll wake you up when we get there.

[Narrator (Faith)]

Okay, thanks.

[Joe Matic / Joe Mattock]

Let's get rolling, Bill.

[Bill Sheldon (Truck Driver)]

All for it, now that we've got our pigeon cooped up. I tell you, Joe, it's simple. As soon as you get to a crossroad, kind of an open spot where we can see cars coming in either direction, you take motor trouble. Then get Nick out of the back to help you.

[Joe Matic / Joe Mattock]

Will we go for them?

[Bill Sheldon (Truck Driver)]

Oh, sure. He's anxious to get out of here. Give him a screw driver to hold or something while you turn the motor over. Then when he gets around in front, just flip the truck into gear.

[Joe Matic / Joe Mattock]

And Nick Nadella is a hit and run case. Yeah, it'll work, all right. We got to remember to throw his coat out, too.

[Bill Sheldon (Truck Driver)]

The coat, yes, but not the little black bag.

[Joe Matic / Joe Mattock]

No, Bell. We'll keep the little black b.

[Bill Sheldon (Truck Driver)]

All right, Joe. No cars in sight, right?

[Joe Matic / Joe Mattock]

I can't figure the trouble, Bill. I'll get Nick to give me a hand. Hey, Nick. Nick, wake up.

[Bill Sheldon (Truck Driver)]

Huh?

[Joe Matic / Joe Mattock]

We Morse down already? No, it's motor trouble. I need your help.

[Nick Nodella]

I. I don't know anything about motors.

[Joe Matic / Joe Mattock]

You don't have to. Just hold a screwdriver where I show you.

[Nick Nodella]

Okay, let's get it over with.

[Joe Matic / Joe Mattock]

Here, hold the flashlight. Bill, you and Nick touch the screwdriver.

[Bill Sheldon (Truck Driver)]

Here.

[Nick Nodella]

No, no.

[Joe Matic / Joe Mattock]

You got to get it in closer. Get around front. Oh, yeah. Yeah, that's it. Now I'm going to race the motor. Don't worry. If there's a spark, it can't hurt you.

[Nick Nodella]

It's all right, Joe. I don't scare easy.

[Joe Matic / Joe Mattock]

Good. Now we're all set.

[Bill Sheldon (Truck Driver)]

Okay, we got to move fast. Now.

[Joe Matic / Joe Mattock]

Let's do this. Belle, get the bag. Joe.

[Antagonist / Attacker]

Joe, the bag is gone.

[Narrator (Faith)]

Yes, Joe. The bag was gone. And the man was dead because of a little thing. A red traffic signal. You had committed murder. Soon, Joe Matic, I will write another entry under your name in the diary of Facebook. Yes, Joe. In the dark of night on a lonely highway, a man lay dead. Killed by you for a black bag full of money. And now that money was gone.

[Joe Matic / Joe Mattock]

What are you talking about? That bag's gotta be there. Come and look.

[Bill Sheldon (Truck Driver)]

It's not here, I say it.

[Joe Matic / Joe Mattock]

Well, then where is it? He had it when he Got in back here, didn't he?

[Bill Sheldon (Truck Driver)]

I thought so. He was holding a coat over his hands. I figured the satchel was under the coat.

[Joe Matic / Joe Mattock]

Those doors weren't open until we stopped right here. They can't be open from the inside. What did he do with it? How'd he get rid of him?

[Bill Sheldon (Truck Driver)]

Now, wait a minute.

[Joe Matic / Joe Mattock]

Listen, we can't hang around here forever. We gotta get going. Anybody sees him under there, why, we're through.

[Bill Sheldon (Truck Driver)]

I know it. Keep your shirt on. Look, something was funny about him walking across the street back there in Cedarville and then showing up at the truck again.

[Joe Matic / Joe Mattock]

Bill, come on, we gotta get out of here. Joe, wait.

[Grainger Announcer]

I've got it.

[Bill Sheldon (Truck Driver)]

I'll bet anything.

[Joe Matic / Joe Mattock]

I'm all right.

[Bill Sheldon (Truck Driver)]

Come on, help me.

[Joe Matic / Joe Mattock]

What? What are you gonna do? We gotta search his pocket. Search him? What for?

[Bill Sheldon (Truck Driver)]

Maybe he's got a baggage check on him. He could have checked that satchel in the bus station at Cedarville.

[Joe Matic / Joe Mattock]

Yeah, you're right.

[Bill Sheldon (Truck Driver)]

Nothing. Here, pull this curter. Okay. Yeah, Joe, here it is.

[Joe Matic / Joe Mattock]

Look.

[Bill Sheldon (Truck Driver)]

Come on. I'm pretty smart on it. Checking that tag.

[Joe Matic / Joe Mattock]

Nobody coming to us in. I hope we get out of sight before they find it.

[Bill Sheldon (Truck Driver)]

Stop worrying. We cash this inward set. Now look, got any idea how we're gonna get back to Cedarville? Yeah, that's easy.

[Joe Matic / Joe Mattock]

We'll pick up my car at home and drive back. But I gotta get this load delivered first.

[Bill Sheldon (Truck Driver)]

What about your wife?

[Joe Matic / Joe Mattock]

Well, we'll go to the house again. The car first. Then I'll call Molly from downtown and tell her I've got to go right back on some kind of a job for the company. She'll take it all right?

[Bill Sheldon (Truck Driver)]

Okay, Joe. Sounds good. By tomorrow morning you can go your way and I'll go mine. But the roads won't be nearly so rough. Right, Joe?

[Joe Matic / Joe Mattock]

Right, Belle.

[Narrator (Faith)]

As the heavy truck roared toward Morristown, Joe, you did not feel like talking. It was one o' clock in the morning when you backed the truck against the loading platform of the Morristown freight house. And a half hour later, Belle waited in your car while you called your wife from the all night drugstore.

[Joe Matic / Joe Mattock]

Molly, this is Joe. Honey, I've got to go back to Cedarville. Yeah, right away. Well, one of the trucks. Trucks had a breakdown and. Huh? Oh, yeah. I'll be back tomorrow. I was gonna leave a note for you, but I forgot. Yeah, okay, honey. Yeah, bye.

[Bill Sheldon (Truck Driver)]

Bye, baby. You sure a good driver, Joe. We really made time. Yeah.

[Joe Matic / Joe Mattock]

It's only 20 minutes after 3. I think I'll park along here and walk over to the bus depot. Unless you want to wait in the car.

[Bill Sheldon (Truck Driver)]

No, I'll go along. As a matter of fact, Joe, if there are any questions, I might be able to get it easier than you. I could say I'm his wife or something.

[Joe Matic / Joe Mattock]

Yeah, I guess you're right. Oh, you go ahead and get her. I'll wait outside.

[Bill Sheldon (Truck Driver)]

Okay, Joe. Be right back.

[Joe Matic / Joe Mattock]

Come on, Belle, get in the car. Hurry up.

[Bill Sheldon (Truck Driver)]

Okay, jello. This is it.

[Joe Matic / Joe Mattock]

I got it. Well, come on, open it up. Let's see.

[Bill Sheldon (Truck Driver)]

All right, just a second.

[Antagonist / Attacker]

Joe, look, look.

[Joe Matic / Joe Mattock]

Holy smoke. It's full. Bundles of bills.

[Bill Sheldon (Truck Driver)]

Tens and twenties. Joe, it's a fortune. Yeah.

[Joe Matic / Joe Mattock]

Oh, here, let me see.

[Bill Sheldon (Truck Driver)]

Wait a minute. We gotta decide something. Are we going to split this up?

[Joe Matic / Joe Mattock]

Oh, we could drive out some fl. Good.

[Bill Sheldon (Truck Driver)]

Somebody might see us. We got to be careful. Now look, let's go to a hotel and I'll get a room. We'll divide it up there. Got to be right, Joe. 50.

[Joe Matic / Joe Mattock]

50.

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[Narrator (Faith)]

At the hotel. Bell registered and was given a room on the third floor. And then I fate again intervened and another little thing happened. You, Joe, stopped to light a cigarette and you missed the elevator. When it came down again, it carried a friend of yours, a truck driver who was staying overnight at the hotel. It was impossible to avoid him. But you cut the conversation short and a few minutes later you followed Bell down the hall to room 314.

[Bill Sheldon (Truck Driver)]

3 12, 3 4. To hear it is Joe. Come on in, Joe. Flip the chain on the door.

[Joe Matic / Joe Mattock]

Okay.

[Bill Sheldon (Truck Driver)]

Who is the guy downstairs?

[Joe Matic / Joe Mattock]

Oh, just another truck driver. Sure bum luck running into him.

[Narrator (Faith)]

Here.

[Bill Sheldon (Truck Driver)]

Stop wearing William Taylor 10 minutes, you'll be on your way home a very rich man.

[Nick Nodella]

Yeah.

[Joe Matic / Joe Mattock]

Well, let's get started. Put the stuff on the table and we'll divide it.

[Bill Sheldon (Truck Driver)]

All right. Just a second. I want to open this window a little stuffy. Ah.

[Joe Matic / Joe Mattock]

There.

[Bill Sheldon (Truck Driver)]

Now, let's get it all out of the bag and lay it on the table. Then we can count it.

[Joe Matic / Joe Mattock]

Yeah. Oh, gee, Bill, look at it. There must be a hundred thousand bucks here, at least. Boy, those guys downstairs would go nuts if they saw this.

[Bill Sheldon (Truck Driver)]

Joe, wait.

[Joe Matic / Joe Mattock]

What's the matter?

[Bill Sheldon (Truck Driver)]

Quiet. Did you hear that? I didn't hear anything. Outside the door. There's somebody out there. I heard them. What?

[Narrator (Faith)]

Well, here.

[Bill Sheldon (Truck Driver)]

Dixon. Stuff back in the bag.

[Joe Matic / Joe Mattock]

I'll take a look.

[Bill Sheldon (Truck Driver)]

Wait a minute.

[Antagonist / Attacker]

There.

[Bill Sheldon (Truck Driver)]

Okay,

[Joe Matic / Joe Mattock]

There's nobody out here.

[Bill Sheldon (Truck Driver)]

Look again. Take a good look.

[Joe Matic / Joe Mattock]

Okay, but I.

[Antagonist / Attacker]

Hey, what the.

[Joe Matic / Joe Mattock]

Get out. What the devil. Belle. Belle. Let me in. What are you doing?

[Bill Sheldon (Truck Driver)]

Be this sucker. You want the cops up here?

[Joe Matic / Joe Mattock]

Belle. Open this door. Belle. I'll bust it open. Bell. All right, then. Bell for money. So that's on a fire escape. Come back here. You try to double cross me, will you? I'll show you your cheap, no good chisel.

[Bill Sheldon (Truck Driver)]

No. Stop it.

[Antagonist / Attacker]

Stop it. Give me that bag.

[Joe Matic / Joe Mattock]

I won't.

[Antagonist / Attacker]

Give it to me. Turn loose of it or I'll break you off. Dobley, look out. I'm slipping down. Turn loose of it. Give it to me. No, it's.

[Narrator (Faith)]

For a horrified instant, you stared down at Bell's crumpled form lying dead in the alley three stories below. Then, as the crowd began to gather, you clutched the black satchel and quickly climbed to the roof of the hotel. As you jumped to the adjoining roof, you heard your friend in the crowd calling your name. You ran down a fire escape and dashed to your car. Seconds later, your tires screeching, you turned south, away from Morris Town. Behind you, a police siren wails.

[Joe Matic / Joe Mattock]

Bella Dead. I killed her. I can't go home now. I gotta drive and drive fast. They recognized me. 150 miles. Sign of the cops. Anything stop here for coffee. Better take the bag along.

[Narrator (Faith)]

The latest reports of shocking murder in Cedarville last night where an unidentified woman was hurled three stories to her death from a hotel fire escape by a truck driver named Joe Mack. When last seen him, was driving south on Highway 43 in a blue 1942 automobile, convertible, license number 3, 8, 4, 9.

[Bill Sheldon (Truck Driver)]

I'm getting tired.

[Nick Nodella]

Driving all night, all day.

[Joe Matic / Joe Mattock]

Gotta stop and rest. Soon. Maybe they won't. Gnarly in this town. Maybe I can get some sleep. Cops spotted me again. Gotta go fast. I'll shake Em.

[Bill Sheldon (Truck Driver)]

I'll turn.

[Joe Matic / Joe Mattock]

Oh, too fast.

[Antagonist / Attacker]

I'm skinny. Come on. I'm not gonna make it.

[Bill Sheldon (Truck Driver)]

Fire.

[Joe Matic / Joe Mattock]

I'm on fire. Gotta get out. No, not the bag. The bag of money. There. Now I gotta get out. Get out and run.

[Narrator (Faith)]

Yes, Joe. Your car crashed and burst into flames. But you got out. And you got the bag of money out, too. But only at the expense of bad burns on your face and hands. You ran into the railroad yards and boarded a freight train. Finally, days later and hundreds of miles away, you changed your name, bought new clothes and had your burns treated. You were scarred and disfigured from the fire. Now no one could recognize you. And you had more than $100,000 in cash to start your new life. Take heed, you who listen, lest you think fate is a conspirator in evil. In a few moments, I will write the final entry in the record of Joe Matic. When I have written, I will read from the diary of fate. Yes, Joe Maddock. You would have given up everything. Your wife, your name, your honor, and even your handsome face for a black bag filled with money. Now you were John Warren, a man with a scarred face and a fortune. Yes, your new life was going to be quite enjoyable. You decided, and you sat in your new apartment after a day of lavish spending.

[Joe Matic / Joe Mattock]

Good evening.

[Nick Nodella]

Are you Mr. John Warren?

[Bill Sheldon (Truck Driver)]

That's right.

[Nick Nodella]

Ah, mind if we come in?

[Joe Matic / Joe Mattock]

Certainly. What's on your mind?

[Nick Nodella]

Well, we got something to talk over with you. Now, Mr. Warren, what's your real name?

[Joe Matic / Joe Mattock]

Real name? What do you mean? Who are you?

[Narrator (Faith)]

We're the police.

[Nick Nodella]

You birds always work under an alias. What's your real name?

[Joe Matic / Joe Mattock]

Why, I don't know what you're talking about.

[Nick Nodella]

Well, doesn't make any difference. We'll take your fingerprints when we get down to headquarters. And then we'll find out who you really are. You spent quite a tidy piece of change today, didn't you?

[Joe Matic / Joe Mattock]

Yes. What's wrong with that? It's my money.

[Nick Nodella]

I'll say it's your money. We traced it all back here to you.

[Joe Matic / Joe Mattock]

Hey, what's this all about anyway?

[Nick Nodella]

I'm glad you admitted it was your money, Mr. Warren. You see, every dollar you spent today was counterfeit.

[Narrator (Faith)]

Yes, Joe. The money you had sacrificed everything for was counterfeit. If you had taken time to read a newspaper, you would have known that the bandits who robbed the Carsberg bank were captured and the money recovered. You would also have known that a notorious counterfeiter was found dead on the highway near Cedarville. But you didn't. And so the bag of money that you thought would bring a rich new life brought only disgrace and death. And now it is time. Time to close the book. Another entry has been duly noted on the pages of eternity and justice has been served. In the case of Joe Matic, as in the cases of all mortals, it was the little things which determined the ultimate outcome. Because I fate caused a traffic light to change at the right moment, Joe Matic was faced with a decision and he chose for evil. And because he stopped to light a cigarette and missed an elevator, he was recognized by a fellow truck driver. The result of an evil choice was certain, brought about by the little unnoticed things which are my instincts instruments. Ponder well the moral you who listen. And remember that there is a page

[Narrator (Additional Commentary)]

for you in the Diary of Faith. The cast included Frank Albertson, Gloria Blondell, Herbert Lytton, Jerry Hausner, Ray Erlenborn, Ivan Ditmars and Hal Sawyer. This is a Larry Finley transcription brought to you from Hollywood.

[Antagonist / Attacker]

Sam. Ram.

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