Family Skeleton 53-07-27 #36-Phase 2 The Explanation of Two Necklaces

Summary

Summary of "Family Skeleton 53-07-27 #36-Phase 2 The Explanation of Two Necklaces"

Podcast Title: Harold's Old Time Radio
Episode Title: Family Skeleton 53-07-27 #36-Phase 2 The Explanation of Two Necklaces
Release Date: March 19, 2025
Host/Author: Harolds Old Time Radio

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Introduction

"Family Skeleton" is a gripping installment from Harold's Old Time Radio series, delving deep into mystery and suspense. This episode, titled "Phase 2 The Explanation of Two Necklaces," continues the intricate narrative surrounding Sarah Ann Spence and the enigmatic necklaces that have disrupted her seemingly ordinary life. The story weaves through tension-filled interactions, hidden secrets, and the unraveling of a complex plot that keeps listeners on the edge of their seats.

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Plot Summary

1. The Mysterious Necklaces

The episode opens with Sarah Ann Spence grappling with an unsettling discovery: two identical gold medallion necklaces have mysteriously appeared in her room upon her return to Florence. The perplexity deepens as Sarah contemplates the significance and origin of these necklaces.

2. Investigation at Funston's Jewelry Store

Driven by curiosity and unease, Sarah visits Funston's Jewelry Store to seek answers about the necklaces. Upon her entrance, she encounters Mr. Funston, the seasoned jeweler, whose reaction hints at a deeper connection and hidden knowledge about the necklaces.

• Sarah Ann Spence (02:29): "What do you mean by that? Let's not make too much of it."
• Garth Waite (02:35): "It's not the most important feature."

3. Unveiling the Secret Compartment

Mr. Funston examines the necklaces meticulously, revealing that the pearls at the heart of the medallions are mounted on small screw bases, indicating tampering. This discovery suggests the existence of a secret compartment within each necklace.

• Garth Waite (05:46): "Creamy."
• Garth Waite (06:00): "Just as I thought. The pearl is on a small screw base. Someone's tampered with this."

4. The Revelation and Escape

As Sarah uncovers a hidden message within the necklaces, the tension escalates. She learns that the necklaces contain crucial information tied to her husband, Garth Waite, and his mysterious mission. Fearing the implications and potential danger, Sarah hastily exits the store with the necklaces, evading Mr. Funston's disapproving gaze.

• Garth Waite (06:28): "You're not a very happy girl these days, are you, Mrs. Garthwaite?"
• Sarah Ann Spence (06:28): "All she wanted to do was stuff the necklaces back into her purse and get back home."

5. The Hidden Message

Back in her home, Sarah delves into the hidden compartment, uncovering a tightly wound piece of tissue containing a heartfelt letter from Garth Waite. The letter reveals Garth's desperate mission in Argyle, Canada, and instructs Sarah to deliver the necklaces to the Last Chance pawn shop near the Dragline bar, signaling a pivotal turn in their lives.

• Garth Waite (10:19): "What does it say?"
• Sarah Ann Spence (10:23): "Just a minute, will you? Why don't you follow instructions?"

6. Community and Consequences

The episode concludes by highlighting the community's reaction to Sarah's actions and the impending election. Mr. Funston and the local taxi driver discuss the scandal surrounding the Spence family, indicating broader societal implications and setting the stage for future developments.

• Taxi Driver (08:47): "Judge Spence blowed out of his Superior Court judgeship in tomorrow's election."
• Taxi Driver (09:41): "It's a mighty good thing the election's tomorrow."

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Character Analysis

1. Sarah Ann Spence

Sarah emerges as a determined and resilient character, facing unexplained intrusions and mysterious discoveries with a mix of fear and courage. Her proactive decision to seek answers about the necklaces underscores her agency and the depth of her involvement in the unfolding mystery.

• Sarah Ann Spence (03:27): "Yes, I do."
• Sarah Ann Spence (06:14): "I've decided differently."

2. Garth Waite

Garth serves as both a supportive husband and a pivotal figure in the mystery. His interactions with Sarah reveal underlying tensions and secrets tied to his mission, hinting at a broader conspiracy affecting their lives.

• Garth Waite (03:18): "Well, you don't believe these two necklaces have anything to do with God's weight?"
• Garth Waite (05:30): "You're doing her a favor."

3. Mr. Funston

Mr. Funston embodies the archetype of the knowledgeable yet secretive jeweler. His subtle cues and reactions towards Sarah suggest a hidden agenda and prior knowledge of the necklaces' significance, adding layers to the mystery.

• Mr. Funston (05:07): "Well, here you are."
• Mr. Funston (06:57): "It's a mighty good thing the election's tomorrow."

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Themes and Insights

1. Mystery and Suspense

The episode masterfully builds suspense through the enigmatic appearance of the necklaces and the cryptic interactions between characters. The gradual revelation of secrets keeps listeners engaged and eager to uncover the truth.

2. Trust and Deception

Themes of trust and deception are prevalent, especially in Sarah's interactions with Mr. Funston and the community's perception of her family. The hidden messages and Tampering of the necklaces symbolize the deceptive layers that characters navigate.

3. Community and Reputation

The narrative explores the impact of personal secrets on public reputation, as seen in the community's reaction to the Spence family's turmoil. The impending election becomes a critical backdrop, emphasizing how personal actions can influence broader societal standings.

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Conclusion

"Phase 2 The Explanation of Two Necklaces" serves as a compelling continuation of the "Family Skeleton" saga, intertwining mystery, personal drama, and community intrigue. Through well-crafted dialogue and suspenseful storytelling, the episode leaves listeners anticipating the next phase of Sarah Ann Spence's quest to uncover the truth behind the necklaces and their connection to her husband's enigmatic mission.

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Notable Quotes with Timestamps:

• Sarah Ann Spence (02:29): "What do you mean by that? Let's not make too much of it."
• Garth Waite (05:46): "Creamy."
• Sarah Ann Spence (06:14): "I've decided differently."
• Garth Waite (10:19): "What does it say?"
• Taxi Driver (08:47): "Judge Spence blowed out of his Superior Court judgeship in tomorrow's election."

Transcript

[Sarah Ann Spence]

Geico's motorcycle expertise means I'm covered by people who know bikes like I do.

[Garth Waite]

I'm happy as a clam.

[Geico Representative]

No, conclusive scientific research has shown clams can experience happiness.

[Sarah Ann Spence]

I just meant that I feel really good about my coverage.

[Geico Representative]

I mean, even if you took the clam out for the best day ever, visiting the zoo, taking a scenic ride, knowing you're insured by specialists, and sharing a strawberry ice cream cone together, the clam would not feel happy and your strawberry cone would taste sort of clammy.

[Sarah Ann Spence]

Ew.

[Geico Representative]

Geico's motorcycle specialists who know bikes like you do assume no liability for clammy ice cream cones. GEICO expertise for your motorcycle.

[Mr. Funston]

Wake up, wake up, wake up.

[Sarah Ann Spence]

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[Mr. Funston]

So wake up, wake up, wake up.

[Sarah Ann Spence]

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[Mr. Funston]

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[Garth Waite]

Never mind how Sarah Ann Spence had come into possession of two gold medallion necklaces since returning home to Florence. Never mind that the first one was called to her attention. The same or the next day she'd forgotten which, that she'd arrived back home and the second one had come into her possession this same afternoon some 10 days later. Let's not even make too much of the fact that both of the necklaces were found in Sarah's room. Which could only mean that some mysterious shadowy figure had, on at least two occasions not only entered the Judge Spence household, but had crept swiftly, purposefully up the stairs and into Sarah's room and no one the wiser.

[Sarah Ann Spence]

What do you mean by that? Let's not make too much of it.

[Garth Waite]

It's not the most important feature.

[Sarah Ann Spence]

I think it's important. Not only important, but pretty terrifying that a stranger's coming and going in and out of my room at the slightest whim.

[Garth Waite]

Uncomfortable?

[Mr. Funston]

Yes.

[Garth Waite]

Even embarrassing under certain circumstances.

[Sarah Ann Spence]

It's not uncomfortable and it's not embarrassing. It's frightening. They followed me back here from Canada, Don Juan. Yes, they followed me back from Canada, just as Cobb Stacey said they might. Who? I don't know who. The men who killed Garth's friend Denny, or the men who shot Echoes, or the friends of the man Cobb Stacey killed at that phantom Canadian airfield. How do I know who? The people who did their best to stop Garth Waite from carrying out his desperate mission for some unexplainable reason, had its beginning right here in Florence. And now he's completing a worldwide circle, ending up right here where it began.

[Garth Waite]

Well, you don't believe these two necklaces have anything to do with God's weight?

[Sarah Ann Spence]

Yes, I do.

[Garth Waite]

And that's why you're standing here in front of the Funston Jewelry Shop?

[Sarah Ann Spence]

Yes.

[Garth Waite]

You think Mr. Funston's going to look at these two medallions with the pearl centers and read you the past, present and future Garth weight like some crystal gazer?

[Sarah Ann Spence]

Oh, I didn't say that.

[Garth Waite]

But that's your secret hope.

[Sarah Ann Spence]

No, I just want to know what a jeweler thinks of them, how much they're worth, whether they're meant to be some kind of bribe, or if an orchid or a pearl or even just a necklace has any special meaning in the language of jewelers.

[Mr. Funston]

Well, here you are.

[Sarah Ann Spence]

What?

[Garth Waite]

Funston's. Funston's? The jewelry store?

[Sarah Ann Spence]

Oh. Oh, yes.

[Garth Waite]

Afraid to go in and lay those two twin necklaces on the counter?

[Sarah Ann Spence]

No, of course not.

[Garth Waite]

Well, go on, then. Go on.

[Sarah Ann Spence]

All right, I will.

[Garth Waite]

Sarah stepped inside, closed the door behind her, and stood still. The lighting in Funston's was subdued, almost dusk, like after the outdoor sunlight. Shaded lamps gleamed on silver and velvet in warm yellow cools. The jeweler, Mr. Funston, unscrewed the eyeglass from his eye where he sat behind the black drape which concealed his workshop bench, arose and came up to his hesitant customer.

[Sarah Ann Spence]

He knows me, too.

[Garth Waite]

His first startled look told Sarah that she didn't know Mr. Funston, but Mr. Funston knew her. Just one glimpse of surprise and was it disapproval? And then the curtain of courteous blankness came down over his face. He came behind the counter nearest Sarah.

[Sarah Ann Spence]

Oh, Mr. Funston.

[Mr. Funston]

Yes, miss.

[Sarah Ann Spence]

Well, I'm Sarah Ann Spence. Mrs. Garth.

[Mr. Funston]

Wait.

[Sarah Ann Spence]

Would you look at these?

[Garth Waite]

We don't buy old jewelry.

[Sarah Ann Spence]

Oh, no, they're not for sale. I just want you to tell me about them. They seem to be identical.

[Garth Waite]

They're not yours?

[Sarah Ann Spence]

Oh, yes, certainly. I mean, they're. They're.

[Garth Waite]

They belong to a friend who probably needs money. You're doing her a favor.

[Sarah Ann Spence]

Yes, something like that.

[Garth Waite]

Of course. Gold flashed orchid medallion. Inch and a half high, inch and a half cross. Yes, rather pretty. Delicate 16 inch chain. A safety clasp.

[Mr. Funston]

Yes, rather good.

[Garth Waite]

Luminous.

[Mr. Funston]

Creamy.

[Garth Waite]

Semi. That pearl here in the heart of the flower.

[Sarah Ann Spence]

Hello. What is it?

[Garth Waite]

Here, here, look at this through my eyeglass for a second.

[Sarah Ann Spence]

Something the matter?

[Garth Waite]

Just as I thought. The pearl is on a small screw base. Someone's tampered with this.

[Sarah Ann Spence]

You mean that.

[Mr. Funston]

See?

[Garth Waite]

It unscrews out of the heart of the flower. There must be a secret compartment.

[Sarah Ann Spence]

Well, thank you very much. I'll take them now.

[Garth Waite]

But don't you want.

[Sarah Ann Spence]

No, if you don't mind, I'll have them back. Please. Thank you. Now, how much do I owe you?

[Garth Waite]

Well, really, miss, it's all right.

[Sarah Ann Spence]

Thank you just the same. I've decided differently.

[Garth Waite]

You're not a very happy girl these days, are you, Mrs. Garthwaite? No, she wasn't a very happy girl. But who was Funston the jeweler to say so? Just another one of the little resentful, angry people of Florence. Sarah didn't care, though. There was a secret compartment in these two particular necklaces. And inside was bound to be a secret meant only for her. All she wanted to do was stuff the necklaces back into her purse and get back home.

[Mr. Funston]

Hurry. Hurry.

[Garth Waite]

Under the disapproving eyes of Mr. Funston, it seemed to be taking her forever to get her purse open and the necklaces stuffed inside. Actually, she swept the jewelry up and had it out of sight in two seconds. But to her racing mind, everything was in slow motion. The closing of her purse, the interminable walk to the door. She started to look back over her shoulder once, but it seemed to take so long for her to turn her head, she decided not to keep onto the door. Keep going. Once outside in the street.

[Mr. Funston]

There.

[Garth Waite]

She'd made it. She was outside. And there was a taxi stand and a taxi with a door open.

[Sarah Ann Spence]

Quick, quick, inside, driver. Number one, Mountain Avenue. And hurry.

[Taxi Driver]

What's the matter, Mrs. Waite? You ain't being followed, are ya?

[Sarah Ann Spence]

What?

[Taxi Driver]

Maybe you're being haunted by a bad conscience. That it, Mrs. Waite?

[Sarah Ann Spence]

You either stop this car and take me home.

[Taxi Driver]

Oh, sure, your money's just as good as anyone else's.

[Garth Waite]

And back in the Funston jewelry store, Mr. Funston had watched all Sarah's fumbling and fluttering and running away with a disapproving eye. And this is how he told it to Mrs. Funston at home that evening. And the minute I told her that the center of the flower came unscrewed. You'd have thought a big whirlwind had broken loose inside her. She whipped these necklaces into her bag and was out of my store so fast it. You know what I think, my dear? I think that that girl's still up to some mischief in this town. It's a mighty good thing the election's tomorrow. I want you to go down and vote early. And I want you to get all your friends out and vote. We can't get the Spence family out of our community life fast enough. And when the taxi driver had let Sarah out at number one Mountain Drive, it was time for him to turn in his taxi and go home to dinner. And he also had a titillating bit of gossip to pass on to his wife over the meat, hash, cornbread, coffee and.

[Taxi Driver]

Yeah, and when I seen this Sarah Ann Spence character come out of Funston's jewelry store and run across the sidewalk and plop into my cab, I said to her, I said, what's the matter, Mrs. White? You ain't being followed, are you? You ought I seen the look on her face. Absolutely flabbergasted. You know, Ada, these high and mighty folks ain't so tough. All you gotta do is catch em off base just once. Find one little crack in their armor, like the fellow says. Like this Sarah Ann Spence Garthwaite elopem. Why, Ada, until Judge Spence's daughter done that, you'd have thought the Spence family was gods in this town. And now look at him. Judge Spence blowed out of his Superior Court judgeship in tomorrow's election. I can talk up to this Sarah Ann Spence, and all she does is look scared and puny and cut down to size. That's all you gotta do. Eight old girl. Just catch em off base. After that, they ain't any better than anybody.

[Garth Waite]

But at number one Mountain Drive, Sarah wasn't interested in what Mr. Funston told his wife, nor what the taxi driver told his wife. Because up in her room, she had taken the two necklaces and unscrewed the lustrous little pearl heart of the medallion. And underneath it was a tiny cavity. And out of that cavity, with the aid of a hairpin, she had fished a tiny roll of tissue like paper.

[Mr. Funston]

There.

[Garth Waite]

Well, open it. Open it.

[Sarah Ann Spence]

It's so tiny. It's all wadded up.

[Garth Waite]

What does it say? What does it say?

[Sarah Ann Spence]

Just a minute, will you? Why don't you follow instructions? What are you waiting for?

[Garth Waite]

That's what it says.

[Sarah Ann Spence]

Yes. Why don't you Follow instructions.

[Garth Waite]

What instructions?

[Sarah Ann Spence]

I don't know.

[Garth Waite]

Well, doesn't the other necklace pearl unscrew too?

[Sarah Ann Spence]

I don't know. Of course it must. Let's see. Yes, it does, it does. It unscrews the same way.

[Garth Waite]

Uh huh. You know which necklace you got first?

[Sarah Ann Spence]

Uh huh. This one I'm opening now. This one was left up here in my room first.

[Garth Waite]

What's the matter?

[Sarah Ann Spence]

I've got the pearl unscrewed, but I can't seem to get the. Here it is. But it's all wadded down so hard.

[Garth Waite]

Never mind that. Open it. Read it.

[Sarah Ann Spence]

Oh no.

[Garth Waite]

Oh no, what?

[Sarah Ann Spence]

It's from Garth. It's in his handwriting.

[Garth Waite]

Garth's gone. Garth's out of your life.

[Sarah Ann Spence]

Listen to this. Dear Sarah, this is my last act up here in Argyle on the top rim of Canada before I go forever out of your life. I'm wrapping this necklace in the fold, not knowing what moment you might find it. But when you do, you will take it to the Last Chance pawn shop in the alley next to the Dragline bar and just leave it with the shopkeeper. And when you've done this, your last duty to your husband and to his mission is cross complete. I love you.

[Garth Waite]

God.

[Sarah Ann Spence]

You see, underneath the surface, something is boiling and seething. It's something about G. And right here in Florence is still the place to find the truth.

[Mr. Funston]

A final word about tomorrow's show in just a moment. Ladies. If you use the new soapless detergents when you wash dishes, you know that they clean quickly and easily. And the reason they do is very simple. These new soapless detergents dissolve oil and grease. So of course they also dissolve the natural oils of your skin. The result is often detergent hands unsightly, uncomfortable, rough, red and dry. So if you use soapless detergents, do as so many thousands of women have learned to do, that is take extra care of your hands with pure mild Sweetheart soap. See how Sweetheart's extra luxuriant lather soothes your hands. See how much softer and smoother your hands feel as you dry them. Or you see Sweetheart's pure and mild. It does not dissolve the natural oils of your skin. So to help avoid detergent fans, start Sweetheart hand care today. Keep an extra cake of Sweetheart in the kitchen. More than ever, you'll want pure mild Sweetheart, the soap that agrees with your skin tomorrow. Episode 37 Phase 2 Strange Events in the Last Chance pawn shop adjacent to the Dragline bar.

[Sarah Ann Spence]

White Rain. White Rain. Use new White Rain shampoo tonight and tomorrow your hair will be sunshine bright.

[Mr. Funston]

It's true. Wonderful new White Rain shampoo Puts sunshine in your hair. Leaves it naturally soft and silky. Shampooing with White Rain is like washing your hair in softest rain water because White Rain is a wonderful new lotion shampoo extra gentle to give you real rainwater results. Why don't you try White Rain for your next shampoo? Like the song says, use white rain tonight. Tomorrow your hair will be sunshine bright.

[Sarah Ann Spence]

White rain, White rain.

[Mr. Funston]

Family skeleton starring Mercedes Today's McCambridge was brought to you by Sweetheart Soap, the soap that agrees with your skin tomorrow by Prom P R O M. The new sure and easy Home Permanent that's self neutralizing. Today's transcription was written in conjunction with Sydney Marshall. Featured were Russell Thorson, Forest Lewis and Herb Vigren. And it was directed by Jack Johnstone. Mrs. Charles Wild family Skeleton is a Carlton E. Morse production. This is the CBS Radio Network.