Diary of Fate - Paul Reese

Summary

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Harold's Old Time Radio: "Diary of Fate – Paul Reese"

Podcast: Harold's Old Time Radio
Episode Date: May 9, 2026
Golden Age Drama: "Diary of Fate – Paul Reese"

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Episode Overview

This episode of Harold’s Old Time Radio features "Diary of Fate," an anthology series where fate narrates and intervenes in the lives of ordinary people enticed into wrongdoing. In "Paul Reese," listeners are drawn into the story of a jaded sports reporter whose small, seemingly trivial actions—forgetting a pipe, stopping to tie a shoelace—spiral into betrayal, crime, and ultimately his own doom. The omniscient Fate offers a dark commentary about consequence and morality, warning listeners that random moments can seal destinies.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Introduction by Fate (00:45–03:20)

• Fate’s Premise: Fate opens the story, choosing Paul Reese’s entry in its diary—a weary, frustrated sports reporter, longing for a better life but embittered by his lack of advancement.
• Theme Establishment: Fate emphasizes the power of small events to transform lives: “Trifles are the sum of life…in my hands, these little things become immeasurably important.” (03:35)

2. Paul’s Personal & Romantic Frustration (04:41–06:22)

• Dialogue with Carol, his fiancée: Paul is resistant to an immediate marriage, citing financial instability as a sports reporter.
  • Carol: “Plenty of young couples get married on a lot less than we’re making.” (05:15)
  • Paul: “Someday I’m gonna get a break. When it comes, I intend to be in a position to grab it.” (05:22)

3. The Accidental Eavesdropping – The Forgotten Pipe (07:09–08:16)

• By forgetting his pipe in a phone booth, Paul overhears a crucial, suspicious conversation:
  • Unseen Man (Rocky): “It’s a perfect frame, I tell you…Supposed to send the money by messenger Saturday night at 8…711 Ardmore, right? Goodbye, Arthur.” (07:54–08:06)
• Fate notes: This little oversight becomes the catalyst for Paul’s temptation.

4. Piecing Together a Crime – The Fix Is In (09:19–12:08)

• Paul visits Rocky Nelson, fight manager, who unwittingly confirms bits of the conversation Paul overheard.
• Paul discovers a fixed fight: “Your boy’s a three to one favorite…but he’s gonna lose, he’s gonna take a dive.” (12:21–12:27)
• Paul blackmails Rocky for half the payoff, threatening to expose the fix: “We’re not playing marble. You’re getting $50,000. I want half.” (12:43)

5. Crossing the Line: Carol’s Involvement (13:46–15:57)

• Paul persuades Carol to steal $5,000 from her cashier job to bet on the fixed fight, under the promise of doubling or tripling their money.
  • Carol’s reluctance: “If we use that $5,000 from the store, we’ll be stealing it.” (13:51)
  • Paul presses: “Saturday you take the cash…we borrow it just for Saturday night…and by Monday morning you can make the deposit.” (14:00–14:09)
• Carol concedes, clouded by love and dreams of a future together.

6. Doublecross and Deadly Consequences (16:41–19:50)

• Rocky Nelson, to clean up the blackmail, contracts a hit on Paul with local thug Tony:
  • Rocky: “You get rid of Paul Reese and I’ll make it worth your while.” (17:04)
  • The plan: After Paul collects his payout, Tony will stage an “accident” with his truck.

7. Attempted Murder and Realization (19:14–20:09)

• Paul narrowly avoids being killed by a truck driven by Tony. He immediately suspects Rocky and confronts him:
  • Paul: “You just left me for dead...a truck missed killing me by inches.” (20:25–20:31)
  • Paul claims to have a letter ready to expose Rocky if anything happens to him.

8. Closing In – Everything Unravels (22:09–25:05)

• Carol alerts Paul about needing to return the stolen money, or face prison—Fate weaves another layer of pressure.
• Paul devises a plan to receive his bribe earlier, hoping to replace Carol's stolen money before it’s missed.

9. ‘Little Things’ Lead to Ruin (25:09–27:12)

• Due to another small event (a loose shoelace), Paul overhears Rocky calling off the fixed fight.
• Paul confronts Rocky; a struggle ensues, and Paul kills Rocky in a fit of panic and desperation.
• Paul tries to keep the criminal conspiracy in play by calling Tony, Rocky’s contact, pretending Rocky wants the deal back on—dooming himself.

10. Fate’s Conclusion – The Inevitable End (27:12–29:28)

• Unbeknownst to Paul, it’s no messenger, but his killer that awaits.
• Fate’s closing message: “Paul Reese forgot his pipe…he overheard a conversation which led him to a decision. And he chose for evil….Because he stopped to tie his shoelace…another little thing…which led him to death.” (27:12–29:28)
• Fate warns listeners about the ripple effect of trivial actions.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On fate's impartiality:
  • Fate (Narrator): “Fate plays no favorite…it could happen to you.” (00:45)
• On the power of trivia:
  • Fate (Narrator): “Trivia…these little things become immeasurably important. They are the tools with which I, Fate, shape your destiny.” (03:35)
• On self-sabotage:
  • Paul Reese: “Someday I’m gonna get a break. When it comes, I intend to be in a position to grab it.” (05:22)
• On temptation's cost:
  • Carol: “If we use that $5,000 from the store, we’ll be stealing it.” (13:51)
  • Paul Reese: “Nobody ever has to know.” (13:55)
• Fate's final warning:
  • Fate (Narrator): “Eat well the morrow, you who listen and remember. There is a page for you in the Diary of Fate.” (29:22–29:28)

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Key Segment Timestamps

• 00:45 – Fate introduces Paul Reese’s plight and sets the narrative tone.
• 04:41 – Conversation between Paul and Carol about marriage and insecurity.
• 07:09–08:16 – Paul forgets his pipe, overhears the criminals, and fate intervenes.
• 09:19–12:08 – Paul puts together the conspiracy and blackmails for a cut.
• 13:46–15:57 – Paul persuades Carol to steal the money; their fate entwined.
• 16:41–17:26 – Rocky orders a hit on Paul.
• 19:29–20:09 – Paul survives attempted murder and confronts Rocky.
• 22:09–23:10 – Paul's plan to recover their future and stolen money.
• 25:09–25:38 – The shoelace incident; critical overheard call; confrontation.
• 27:12–29:28 – Fate summarizes: the consequences of small choices seal Paul’s doom.

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Style & Tone

The episode is characterized by a grave, cautionary tone, fitting for a morality tale. The narrator, Fate, speaks with omniscient calm and an air of inevitability, while the dialogue between Paul and Carol conveys the desperation and hope that fuel their downfall. The script is tight, suspenseful, and laced with noirish fatalism.

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Takeaway

"Diary of Fate – Paul Reese" delivers a suspenseful morality play, reminding listeners that destiny is shaped not by dramatic moments, but by the smallest of overlooked actions. Through Paul’s tragic arc, the episode reinforces the timeless lesson: choices—especially the seemingly trivial—can have irreversible consequences.

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Transcript

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[Paul Reese]

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[Rocky Nelson]

The diary of fate. Fate plays no favorite.

[Narrator (Fate)]

It could happen to you. Book 89, page 754 in the diary of Faith. Yes, here it is. The name, Paul Reese. Occupation, Sports reporter. Yes, Paul. Journalism once fascinated you, but after a few years now, newspaper reporting had become for you nothing more than a hard, tiresome, poor paying job. A job that forced you to deal constantly with men of wealth, fame and power, and yet never permitted you actually to ascend to their level as an equal. That feeling caused you to choose for evil. And then I, Fate, intervened. And in your life a little thing happened. You forgot your pipe. And because of that little thing, in a matter of minutes, you will be dead. You yourself have uttered the words of your death sentence. In a moment, I will write again under the name Paul Rees. When I have written, I will read from the Diary of Faith. The life record of Paul Reese now lies open before me. And for a brief moment, I, Fate, look ahead to an instant of crises in his numbered days.

[Paul Reese]

I understand perfectly. A rat.

[Narrator (Fate)]

Paul.

[Rocky Nelson]

Paul, wait a minute. Let me explain. Paul, put down that book and.

[Paul Reese]

Paul.

[Narrator (Fate)]

Yes, Paul. In that instant, I, Fate, fashioned the final link in the chain of circumstances that soon will result in your death. It is truly said that trifles are the sum of life. And it is also true that trifles may add up to the end of life. It is ever thus. A bus missed by seconds, A door left ajar. A fuse blown out. Trivia. Yes. And yet, in my hands, these little things become immeasurably important. You see, they are the tools with which I, Fate, who am but the instrument of a plan, shape your destiny. Remember, Paul, how it all started? You had finished dinner in your fiance's apartment, and you and Carol were finishing up the dishes.

[Carol]

Oh, Paul, be careful. You'll chip the plate.

[Paul Reese]

Ah, no, I won't, honey.

[Carol]

Oh, Mr. Reese, after we're married and have our own dishes, things are going to be different.

[Paul Reese]

Oh, yeah. By that time, Carol will be too old to care.

[Carol]

If you weren't so stubborn, we could be married next week.

[Paul Reese]

Now, honey, you know perfectly well how I feel.

[Carol]

Yes, you just don't think we have enough money.

[Paul Reese]

That's right. We don't have. My chances of ever having enough as a sports reporter are slim, very slim.

[Carol]

But you're wrong, Paul. I'm perfectly willing to keep on working. In fact, I want to. And my cashier salary added to yours.

[Paul Reese]

Now, wait a minute, Carol.

[Carol]

Paul, I love you and I want to be married to you just as soon as possible. Why, plenty of young couples get married on a lot less than we're making.

[Paul Reese]

Now, listen, Carol, Someday I'm gonna get a break. When it comes, I intend to be in a position to grab it. That's the time to talk about marriage and not before.

[Carol]

All right, Paul. All right.

[Paul Reese]

That's better, baby. Look, honey, how would you like to see that new Nat Finston musical at the Orpheum, huh?

[Carol]

We can't afford that.

[Paul Reese]

I'll call the paper and see if I can get a couple of Annie Oakleys.

[Carol]

Fine. That's a part of your job. You said it. You too.

[Paul Reese]

Hello? Give me a city desk. Oh, hi, Charlie. This is Reese. Hey, listen, have you got a couple of. What? Oh, but I'm off now. I'm at my girl's house.

[Narrator (Fate)]

Well.

[Paul Reese]

Oh, I don't care if he is sick. But. But, Charlie. All right, all right.

[Narrator (Fate)]

Where is it?

[Paul Reese]

Oak Ridge.

[Rocky Nelson]

Paris?

[Paul Reese]

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Narrator (Fate)]

Okay.

[Carol]

That's not a purse.

[Paul Reese]

Oh, I'm sorry, honey, but a guy on the Nightbeat is sick. There's a hot suicide out in Oak Ridge.

[Narrator (Fate)]

I got to cover it.

[Carol]

Oh, Paul.

[Paul Reese]

Well, you see, that's what I mean about this job. Some rich babe blows her brains out and everybody gets all excited. Well, if I finish in time, I'll call you.

[Rocky Nelson]

Hello?

[Paul Reese]

Give me the desk. Oh, Charlie, this is Reese. Listen, I've been all over this district and there's nothing going on.

[Carol]

Absolutely nothing.

[Paul Reese]

That suicide tip was a complete phony. Yeah, Having a great big thrilling four handed bridge party at the address you gave me. Yeah, that's what you lost up my entire evening for. Ah, skip it. It's too.

[Narrator (Fate)]

You were angry when you slammed out of the telephone booth and strode to your car. But then I. Fate intervened and a little thing happened. You fumbled through your pockets for your pipe, but it was not there. You had left it in the telephone booth. So you returned to the drugstore and walked back to the booth. But the door was closed now and a man sat inside. You stepped close and looked in. Yes, your pipe was there on the shelf beneath the telephone. You started to move away when the man's voice filtered to you through the door.

[Rocky Nelson]

It's a perfect frame, I tell you. Fine. Supposed to send the money to your place by messenger Saturday night at 8.

[Narrator (Fate)]

Yeah.

[Rocky Nelson]

50 grand, Arthur, huh? Oh, yeah.

[Narrator (Fate)]

He knows your new place.

[Rocky Nelson]

711 Armore, right? Goodbye, Arthur.

[Narrator (Fate)]

Yes, Paul.

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[Paul Reese]

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[Narrator (Fate)]

Because of a little thing. Because you forgot your pipe. You overheard a man talking on the telephone. The conversation meant nothing to you, but yours was a reporter's brain. And unconsciously, the salient facts were filed away in your memory. The next morning, you were making the rounds of your sports beat, and you stopped at the office of Rocky Nelson, fight manager.

[Rocky Nelson]

Oh, sure, Reese, sure. My boy's in a pinker condition. He's a three to one favorite already, you know. So if you want to make some easy scratch on the side.

[Paul Reese]

No, thanks, Rocky. It's still a big gamble, no matter what you say. Anything can happen in the ring.

[Rocky Nelson]

You know, Reese, you're a smart boy. You know, just between you and me, I never bet on a fighter. Never had anything to do with gamble. Rocky Nelson, Huh? Oh, the phonograph. No, no, that goes. That's not for the office. That should be delivered at my house. Yeah, that's right. 711 Ardmore. It's a new place. Yeah, okay.

[Paul Reese]

Oh, you moved into a new place, huh, Rocky?

[Rocky Nelson]

Yeah, but I don't like it much. Gonna get me a farm out of town. Been in this racket a long time and I'm getting tired. One of these days, I'm gonna retire

[Paul Reese]

yeah, we all say that. Only I'm gonna.

[Narrator (Fate)]

Yes, Paul. As you left the office, something about the interview troubled you. Then suddenly it hit you. Rocky's address. It was the same one you had heard the man in the telephone booth mention. Now your brain began to work. Soon you would remember almost all of that sketchy conversation. $50,000 to be delivered by messenger Saturday night at 8 to Rocky's address. But the name mentioned was Arthur. Then, on an inspiration, you called Rocky.

[Paul Reese]

Oh, this is Reese again, Rocky. Say, that new place of yours on Ardmore got any vacancies in it?

[Rocky Nelson]

It's not an apartment house, Reese.

[Paul Reese]

It's a cottage. Oh, I see. Oh, and one other thing, Rocky. While you're on the wire, what's your real name? Your first name? I want to do a feature on you, you see.

[Rocky Nelson]

And your name? Arthur. Arthur Nelson. I don't care for what I like, Rocky.

[Paul Reese]

Arthur, huh? That's just what I expected.

[Rocky Nelson]

What do you mean?

[Paul Reese]

I mean, Arthur, that you and I had better get together and discuss a little business proposition. Something about the fight Saturday and the arrangements that have been made.

[Rocky Nelson]

What? What do you know about that lease?

[Paul Reese]

I'll meet you in 30 minutes at the Pelican Club. And don't be late.

[Narrator (Fate)]

Rocky.

[Paul Reese]

Never mind how I found out, Rocky.

[Narrator (Fate)]

I know.

[Paul Reese]

I know the whole setup. Your boy bit the 3 to 1 to win, but he's gonna lose. He's gonna take a dive.

[Rocky Nelson]

For which you were to be paid

[Paul Reese]

off at your house Saturday night at 8 o'.

[Rocky Nelson]

Clock. All right, all right, it's a fix. So now what are you gonna do, Mr. Wise Guy Reporter?

[Paul Reese]

Well, that's up to you.

[Rocky Nelson]

Okay, five grand.

[Paul Reese]

Come on, Rocky.

[Rocky Nelson]

Come on, you dirty chiseller. Okay, I'll go 10.

[Paul Reese]

Well, get this straight, Rocky. We're not playing Marvel. You're getting $50,000. I want half.

[Rocky Nelson]

Why, you cheap2bet reporter.

[Paul Reese]

Come on, let's have an answer, Rocky, and fast, or I'll do a story on you. It'll blow you sky high.

[Rocky Nelson]

Okay. Okay, you win. I'll split with you.

[Narrator (Fate)]

50. 50? Yes, Paul, because of a little thing. Because you forgot your pipe? You had an opportunity. You had discovered a gambling conspiracy and you decided to sell your silence for $25,000. But even that was not enough. The odds of 3 to 1 were there, and there was no doubt of the winner. It was too appealing to you to be ignored. Somewhere you had to find money to wager. And then you remembered Carol and her position as cashier.

[Paul Reese]

Carol, how many times do I have to tell you this is not a gamble. It's a sure thing.

[Carol]

I don't care, Paul. If we use that 5,000 from the store, we'll be stealing it.

[Paul Reese]

But nobody ever has to know.

[Rocky Nelson]

Honey, look.

[Paul Reese]

Saturday you take the cash as usual. Only you're too late to make the

[Rocky Nelson]

deposit at the bank, see?

[Paul Reese]

So you take it home, we borrow it just for Saturday night. And by Monday morning you can make the deposit and we've got $15,000 for

[Rocky Nelson]

ourselves and nobody's the wiser.

[Carol]

Oh, Paul, what's wrong? I don't know.

[Paul Reese]

Oh, Carol, honey, listen to me. I told you that someday I'd get a break.

[Rocky Nelson]

Well, this is it.

[Paul Reese]

And I intend to ride it out to the limit. You want to get married, don't you?

[Carol]

Oh, of course, you know I do.

[Paul Reese]

All right, then bring that $5,000 to me Saturday afternoon.

[Carol]

Very well. I'll do it, Pa.

[Narrator (Fate)]

Now another link was added to the chain of circumstances closing about you. Now there could be no turning back. You would follow the road of your choice to its inevitable end. And soon I will read again from your record in the diary of fate. The road of an evil choice can lead only to ordained disposition. But you, Paul Reese, were not thinking of that. You sat near the window of your room the next afternoon and stared vacantly at the rain falling on the deserted streets below. It was almost 1:00 clock when Carol arrived with the $5,000.

[Carol]

Oh, Paul, I'm worried.

[Paul Reese]

Stop worrying, Carol. Now, you just sit down and relax while I call Rocky and see about placing this money. Just think about Monday and the 15,000 this five grand will bring.

[Rocky Nelson]

Rocky Nelson, this is Paul.

[Paul Reese]

Rocky, I want to place a little folding money on the fight tonight. Can you take care of it for me?

[Rocky Nelson]

How much, Paul?

[Paul Reese]

Well, it's 5,000. Exactly $5,000.

[Rocky Nelson]

Five grand, huh? Yeah. Yeah, I think I can handle it for you. All right, I'll tell you. Be at my office at 3:00 this afternoon.

[Paul Reese]

Okay, Rocky, I'll be there. So long, Carol. We're all set. Rocky will take care of everything.

[Narrator (Fate)]

Yes, Paul. Rocky would take care of everything in his way. For only an hour later he stood in the rain and talked to an underworld character. Yes, Rocky was taking care of everything, even your death.

[Rocky Nelson]

So this is my proposition, Tony. You get rid of this Paul Reese and I'll make it worth your while.

[Narrator (Fate)]

That's the price, Rocky.

[Paul Reese]

5,000.

[Rocky Nelson]

Exactly $5,000.

[Narrator (Fate)]

You sure this guy won't give me any trouble? No, he sure he isn't somebody big?

[Rocky Nelson]

No, no, he's just a punk newspaper kid. Now what do you say?

[Narrator (Fate)]

I say okay, fine.

[Rocky Nelson]

Now here's a setup. Reese will be at my office at 3 o' clock this afternoon. I'll get him out of there. By 3:15. You'll be downstairs in your truck.

[Narrator (Fate)]

Yes, in my truck. It's raining three steps from the curb. Then there's an accident. Yeah, I like that.

[Paul Reese]

All right, honey, pull in and park over here.

[Carol]

I thought Rocky's office was on Third Avenue.

[Narrator (Fate)]

It is, but you wait over there

[Paul Reese]

across the street and that drugstore. Say, I'll only be a few minutes.

[Carol]

All right, darling. But please be careful for me.

[Paul Reese]

Paul, for the love of my Carol, nothing can go wrong. Nothing.

[Rocky Nelson]

Go ahead.

[Paul Reese]

Hello, Rocky.

[Narrator (Fate)]

Hello, Polo.

[Paul Reese]

How's it going? Oh, fine, fine, Rocky, fine. Everything all set?

[Rocky Nelson]

Yeah, yeah, I'm in great shape. Ah, you got the dough with you? Yeah, right here.

[Paul Reese]

Five thousand. And thanks for the deal, Rocky.

[Rocky Nelson]

Ah, skip it, kid. I figure business is business. You got the drop on me and that's all there is to it. Besides, things are leaving out in the long run.

[Narrator (Fate)]

At quarter past three, Rocky was suddenly busy and you left the office. But you were unmindful of the downpour as you walked towards the corner drugstore in Carol. You were also unmindful of a heavy truck parallel to you on the opposite

[Paul Reese]

side of the street.

[Narrator (Fate)]

And in a moment you were at the corner and you stood step from the curb.

[Carol]

Hey, you stupid jerk. Paul, look out. Are you all right?

[Paul Reese]

Yeah, yeah, I'm all right.

[Carol]

Oh, that crazy driver. Why, he might have killed you.

[Paul Reese]

Carol, that was no accident.

[Carol]

What? What are you saying, Paul?

[Paul Reese]

Somebody wanted to kill me and I've got a good idea who it was. Come on, let's get out of here.

[Narrator (Fate)]

Yes, Paul Reese, you had been marked for death and you knew that it was Rocky who was responsible. You went to his office at once, but he was gone. Then you drove hurriedly with Carol to his home on Ardmore Drive. You left Carol in the car and walked with determined stride to the door and rang the bell. Paul?

[Paul Reese]

Yeah, it's Paul. Surprised?

[Rocky Nelson]

What are you doing here? I just left you.

[Paul Reese]

Yeah, you just left me for dead. Two minutes after I stepped out of your office, a truck missed killing me by inches.

[Rocky Nelson]

Now wait a minute, Reese. I had nothing to do with that truck. I swear it.

[Paul Reese]

You're a liar, Paul.

[Rocky Nelson]

I had nothing to do with that accident. Now listen to me.

[Paul Reese]

No, you listen to me. I wasn't born yesterday.

[Spin Quest Announcer]

Rocky.

[Paul Reese]

When I learned about this deal and moved in, I knew there Was one thing wrong with my plan. You could kill me or have it done. Then you wouldn't have to make any split.

[Rocky Nelson]

Why would I wait so long?

[Paul Reese]

Because there was an extra five grand for you that way. The five grand I gave you this afternoon. But get this, I've covered myself, Rocky.

[Rocky Nelson]

What do you mean, out of your reach?

[Paul Reese]

There's a letter which goes to my managing editor in case of my death.

[Rocky Nelson]

A letter? What kind of a letter?

[Paul Reese]

Well, it's not a bread and butter note, Rocky. It's a detailed explanation of this whole dirty frame. And it names you, understand, you.

[Rocky Nelson]

Hey, now wait a minute. You're not trying to pull a fast double cross, are you? Don't be stupid.

[Paul Reese]

I want one thing, Rocky.

[Rocky Nelson]

I want money and you get it. Look, nothing has changed. Nothing at all. A messenger will be here at 8, sooner if you want, with the 50,000 and you'll get your half in. The fight will come off at 10 and Biff will lose tomorrow. You get 15 grand for the money you bet this afternoon.

[Paul Reese]

All right, that makes sense, Rocky. Just make sure it stays that way.

[Rocky Nelson]

Don't worry, Paul. If will. I swear it.

[Narrator (Fate)]

No, Paul. The arrangement would not be changed. You were pleased with yourself as you left Rocky's house and walked toward the car and Carol. But as you neared the automobile, a sudden wave of panic darted through you. Carol was gone.

[Paul Reese]

What? Carol. Carol.

[Carol]

Paul. Paul, here I am.

[Paul Reese]

Oh, thank goodness. For a moment I thought Rocky might. Where have you been, Paul?

[Carol]

Mr. Fitzgerald is going to be at my house at 8:00 clock to pick up the $5,000.

[Paul Reese]

What?

[Carol]

Well, I just talked to him on the phone. He discovered a mistake on the bank deposit slip. After I left the office this morning, I told him that I was late in getting to the bank and took the money home.

[Rocky Nelson]

What did he say?

[Carol]

Well, he was glad, but of all the luck. He needs the money now. The shipment of furniture came in late this afternoon.

[Paul Reese]

But why did you call him?

[Carol]

I got nervous thinking about the money and I called my place. The boy at the desk said that Mr. Fitzgerald had been trying to reach me, so I called him. Oh, Paul, what are we going to do? If we don't get that money back, it means prison for both of us.

[Rocky Nelson]

Paul, wait a minute.

[Paul Reese]

Sure, sure, I've got it. We'll have the money there on time.

[Carol]

Oh, how?

[Paul Reese]

Well, I'll go back to Rocky now, see, and I'll get him to move the delivery of the money up to seven o'.

[Rocky Nelson]

Clock.

[Paul Reese]

That gives us an hour to get to your place.

[Carol]

Oh, Paul, will it work all right?

[Rocky Nelson]

Yes, Carol, it'll work.

[Paul Reese]

I'm positive.

[Narrator (Fate)]

Yes, Paul, your plan would work. There was no doubt of that in your mind. And as you walked back to Rocky's door, a smile of self satisfaction crossed your face as you thought once again of the wealth that would be yours in a matter of hours. But take heed, you who listen, lest you think that I, fate, am a conspirator in evil, an accomplice in crime. For in a few moments I will write again in the record of Paul Reese. And when I have written, I will read from the diary of fate. Yes. Now, everything you had plotted and schemed for was only hours away, Paul. But as you walked back to the door of Rocky's house, another little thing happened. Your shoelace came untied and you stopped to tie it. A moment later you were going to ring the bell when you noticed the door was still ajar. You stepped into the house and were about to call out to Rocky when you heard his bell from the next room.

[Rocky Nelson]

No, no, no. Operator, I want Long Branch. 3000, 352. Yes, that's right. 3000, 352.

[Narrator (Fate)]

Hello?

[Rocky Nelson]

Hello, is that you, Tony? Look, this is Rocky. Now, listen, the deal's off. Forget about the money. I'm in a jam and I can't go through with it. That's all. Yeah, yeah, yeah. I'll call you up if plans are changed. Okay, so long.

[Paul Reese]

Will you call me too? Rocky?

[Rocky Nelson]

What? Phone. What are you doing here, you dirty double crosser?

[Paul Reese]

You can't call this thing off now. I've got to have that money. Paul, wait.

[Rocky Nelson]

Paul, you don't understand. Now, wait a minute.

[Paul Reese]

I understand perfectly. A rat.

[Rocky Nelson]

No, no, Paul, you don't. You don't pork. Let me explain.

[Carol]

Paul.

[Rocky Nelson]

Put down that bucket.

[Carol]

Paul.

[Paul Reese]

You filthy scum.

[Rocky Nelson]

Rocky.

[Carol]

Rocky.

[Narrator (Fate)]

Dead.

[Paul Reese]

Well, you have it coming to you.

[Rocky Nelson]

Still got time.

[Carol]

Operator.

[Paul Reese]

Operator, I want Long Branch.

[Rocky Nelson]

3352.

[Carol]

3000, 352.

[Rocky Nelson]

Yes. Hurry up, please.

[Carol]

Your number, please.

[Rocky Nelson]

My number.

[Paul Reese]

It's Walker. 7437.

[Carol]

Thank you.

[Narrator (Fate)]

Hello?

[Paul Reese]

Oh, hello.

[Rocky Nelson]

Is this you, Tony?

[Narrator (Fate)]

Yeah, Mr. Paviera. Who's this?

[Paul Reese]

Well, I'm calling for Rocky. Look, the deal is on again, Tony.

[Narrator (Fate)]

On again. Your price is saying.

[Paul Reese]

Sure, sure. The price is just the same. But Rocky wants you to move the time up. Make it just as soon as you can.

[Narrator (Fate)]

Okay. Where do I deliver the goods?

[Paul Reese]

Well, there'll be a guy waiting for you at 71 1-North- Ardmore.

[Narrator (Fate)]

All Right guy.

[Paul Reese]

Oh, yeah, Tony. The right guy. You can give it to him.

[Narrator (Fate)]

Yes, Paul Reese, in a matter of minutes you will be dead. For as you wait calmly for what you think is a messenger with money, it is a messenger of death who approaches the same man who tried to run you down with the truck. And now it is time to close the book. Another entry has been duly noted and justice has been served. You see, I, fate, am but the instrument of a plan. And the trivia of life are the tools with which I work. Paul Rees forgot his pipe. A little thing. But as a result, he overheard a conversation which led him to a decision. And he chose for evil. And then, because he stopped to tie his shoelace, another little thing. The precious seconds he consumed caused him to overhear and misunderstand. Another conversation which led him to death. Eat well the morrow, you who listen and remember. There is a page for you in the Diary of Faith. The cast included lois andrews, steve brody, herbert lytton, jerry hausner, ivan ditmars, ray erlenborn and hal sawyer. This is a larry finley transcription brought to you from hollywood.

[Carol]

It's.

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