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Green Hornet 39-07-04 (0355) Put It on Ice
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Green Hornet 39-07-04 (0355) Put It on Ice
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Do you know what happens when you replace your regular old electric water heater with a new electric heat pump water heater? You boost your savings a lot. In fact, Energy Star estimates that a family of four will save an average of $550 a year on their electric energy bills. And your new heat pump water heater can pay for itself in as little as three years. Level up with a heat pump water heater. Go to levelupmywaterheater.com to learn more. The Green Hornet. He hunts the biggest of all game public enemies that even the G Man cannot reach. The Green Hornet the adventurer put it on ice. The events and characters depicted in this drama are fictitious. Any similarity to actual persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental. Ms. Williams, what's that? Why is the whistle blowing? I don't know, Mr. Brinkley. Something's gone wrong. Find out what it is. At once, Mr. Brinkley. The refrigerating system. Open packing plant six. What? The new system we installed yesterday. Better come along and look for yourself. I Most certainly will, Ms. Williams. Mr. Brinkley. Call the police. Emergency squad. If any men are overcome by the ammonia fumes we'll need all the help they can give us. Right down here, Mr. Brinkley. Around the corner. Yes. Yes. How did it happen, Carson? Are there any men inside the plant? Can't tell how it happened, Mr. Brinkley. The system was okay when we inspected it yesterday. I hope this won't spoil all that meat we've got in there. Forget that. What does it matter what happens to the meat? It's the man who may be trapped inside I'm worried about. We'll soon see, Mr. Brinkley. They're right through this door. Are they all right? Watch out for the ammonia fumes. Bring him out here. Stand back. Give them air. One side, one side. Are they all out? Out of the way. Let us through, please. It's Mr. Brinkley. Yeah, we got them out, Mr. Brinkley. Pretty close call, but they'll pull through. How many were there, Hendricks? Lucky thing there was only two of them, sir. Me and Smith just managed to get them before that ammonia. Hendricks, you got quite a dose of that ammonia yourself. Better have the doctor take a look at you. Well, I'm all right now, sir. Just got a little whiff. Nothing to worry about. Just took a look in through the open door. Mr. Brinkley, that meat is ruined. Is that true, Hendricks? I guess so, Mr. Brinkley. You know it ain't no good when ammonia's been at. It completely spoiled two carloads of beet that we might Just as well throw away. Carson. I can't understand it. We've had one serious loss after another and now this. Look here, Hendricks, you were in charge of this unit. How do you explain this mess? I Wish I knew, Mr. Carson. It don't make sense. We don't want excuses, Hendrix. Easy, Carson. There's plenty of time to get Hendrik's account of things. But, Mr. Brinkley. Never mind. You go over and have the doctor check you up. Hendricks, we'll go into this tomorrow. Yes, sir. I can't figure it happening the way I did it, Carson, you and I better go inside and look around ourselves. Now, Mr. Brinkley, there may still be some ammonia in there. No, there ain't, sir. Hendricks busted all the windows when we went in. Gas is practically all out by now. Come on, then, Carson. Is it okay if I go in with you, Mr. Brinkley? Who are you? Lowry's my name, sir. From the Daily Sentinel. Oh, Brick reads paper. Come along. Do you think it's wise, Mr. Brinkley? How do you mean? Well, there's been quite a bit of trouble in our packing plant already, sir. Perhaps it's best to keep reporters away. You're wrong there. Better take me along, Mr. Brinkley. I don't exactly. I have a story already, Mr. Brinkley, from the men who were inside. Do you want me to print that? Or would you rather have me get the straight dope from seeing it myself? Look here, young man, what do you imply? Well, one of them, one that was working inside when the pipes burst, said it looked like plain criminal carelessness. Now, listen to his story, Mr. Brinkley. My meat packing plant has always been the safest in the country. Then it's okay for me to go with you? Yes, it is. Besides, Brit Reed is a friend of mine and I want him to have a good idea of what's happened here. From someone who won't color the story. Put a handkerchief over your nose. We're going in. In the office of Britt Reed's secretary. Who's the boss with, anyhow? I don't know. Lowry. I told him you were waiting, but he said to wait. He's tied up with someone who came in while I was out to lunch. Who is it? Don't ask me. He left those packages on that other desk. Well, Katie, expert Grey. Golly, youngsters, glad I am to see you. You're the one who was with Mr. Reed. That I am. And I'm to be back at me old job. By golly, ain't that something? How are you, Laurie? I was all right till you blew in, but anyhow. Welcome, Axford. The same old Laurie. Now, he can be giving you me help in cracking some of the stories that happened around this town. If that's all. Yeah, ain't it? What's in those packages, Axford? Well, first, some brass polish to keep in me disk, and then there's some polishing clothes. Polish? For what? What, the big package there? It's a brand new cuspidor I brought with me all the way from the Wish. Oh, my, it starts all over again. Well, keep it in your desk. And take off that hat. Oh, by golly, it's just like being home. That it is. I better see the boss. I'll be trying, Casey, not to get in your hair, boss. I'll get right to facts. I told you something about that Brinkley outfit already. Oh, yes. I went to the place with Brinkley and his assistant, a guy named Carson. That ammonia leak was caused by a valve being opened when it should have been closed. It's a wonder those two men weren't killed. How did you like Brinkley? Okay. He told me he was in the Civic Club with you. That's true. Look here, Lowry, what is there to these stories that Brinkley's meat isn't up to the Board of Health requirements? That's what I'd like to get more dope on. Yes? Mr. Brinkley is here to see you. Brinkley? Oh, send him right in. I want to see him, wants to see me. And at this particular time. Yes, I'd better be going alone. No, Lowry, stay here. Go right in, Mr. Brinkley. Thank you. How are you, Brinkley? You've met Mr. Lowry, haven't you? Yes. Yes, I have. Went through the plant with me. How are you, Reed? That's what I've come to see you about. The accident at your meatpacking plant this morning. By the way, how are the two men who were overcome by ammonia? Oh, they're fine, Reed. Resting comfortably. The men got them out in the nick of time, frankly. Is it true that you've been having a lot of trouble lately? Well, yes. Yes, it is. Laurie's been telling me that some of the restaurants are turning down your product. They have? And I can't say I blame them. Quite a lot of it's not up to standard. Why not bring it up to standard again? You know the reputation of my plant, Reed. It's always been very good. Yeah, up to now, before this. I've prided myself on the fact that the Board of Health has always Given my products the highest possible rating. You mean that rating has changed? Changed is putting it mildly. The Board of Health has condemned more than half of the meat in my plant in the last week. Well, things sure have gone haywire when I think of the juicy steaks used. Unless something's done, I'll go bankrupt. I'll be forced to sell my business. That's too bad, Brickley. Yet at the same time, I scarcely see what this has to do with a newspaper publisher. Why come to me, Reid? I'm convinced there's something crooked behind it. Crooked? What makes you think that, Mr. Brinkley? This accident today, for one thing. Any evidence of tampering? None. I didn't see any either. Look like just plain carelessness to me. I'm sure it isn't. What makes you so positive? Well, it's nothing tangible. Then. If you can't put your finger on it, Mr. Brenker, yet all the trouble has started since I turned down an offer to sell my business. Oh, I see. You think this is an attempt to force you to sell. Exactly. I take it this attempt is proving successful. Read my backs to the wall. Sounds simple enough to me. Get the police after it. Have them check up. I have, with no results. They believe I'm simply trying to cover up my own negligence. Have they investigated the outfit that wants to buy you out? They've tried to. What do you mean exactly that they haven't been able to find out? Well, isn't it a bit unusual for a prospective buyer to conceal his identity? Yes, Reed, it is. But it's not unheard of. Sure. Might be a rival meatpacking concern that wants to put you out of business, then buy your equipment for practically nothing. Unless I can stop these accidents. They'll get it. Frankly, you supply meat to all the hospitals and city food centers, don't you? That's true, Reed. It's imperative that they're sure of the quality and purity of the meat they use. In that case, clearing up these difficulties at your plan is a matter of public concern. Right, boss. And when the public welfare is jeopardized, the Daily Settler is interested. Very interesting. I knew I could count on you, Reid. A reporter can find out a lot of things that the police can't. Yeah, especially a good reporter. Aubrey, see what you can dig up. Track down this outfit, the one that's made Mr. Brinkley that offer. Cover that plant from cellar to skylight. Check on everyone and everything. Check, boss. It's an assignment. I'll give you all the help I can. Brinkley what happens to your business is a private concern. But when the quality of the food you sell the public is being tampered with, then it's a matter for investigation. And believe me, boss, when I start investigating, I investigate. Before I'm through, I'll know this setup like I know the palm of my hand. Now, this here room, bud, where we cut the meat up into different sections. What about that saw? What's that for? Oh, same thing. Sometimes we have to saw through big bones. This belt here is a conveyor for carrying the meat from one operation to the next. Look behind this door. Come on in. Ooh. Say, it's cold in here. I'll just. Don't close that door. This is a refrigerator room. We should get stuck in here with the door closed. We'd be out of luck. Might freeze to death. I'm that way already. This is where you hang the meat, huh? Yeah. Gotta keep it cold so as it don't spoil. Mr. Carson, our expert on refrigeration, is mighty particular about that. He can have it. I've seen plenty. Let's get out of here before they use me for a snowman. You say your name's Lowry? That's right. Mr. Brinkley sent me over to find out about that offer for his meatpacking plant. I. I understand that offer came through you. Yes, it did. I'm a broker, sort of a middleman. Who made that offer? Sorry, but I'm not at liberty to give out that information. What do you mean, not at Liberty? I told Mr. Brinkley the same thing. This sort of transaction comes my way quite frequently. My client doesn't wish to have his identity revealed. Now, listen here, you're. Furthermore, I don't know who made the offer myself. The whole affair has been conducted by mail. The bank account, A phony name. I checked on it. It's a registered business name, which is perfectly legal. And Brinkley knows the money's good. But I Still. That's all I can tell you. Good day. Casey. You see before you a reporter without a story. Don't tell me Lowry the demon reporter couldn't discover anything. I know the meatpacking business from A to Z. I know it cold. In fact, after being in that ice room, very cold. Well, that ought to make a nice feature next to the SAMP column. What is it? Lawyer is back, Mr. Reed without a story. Shall I send him in? Oh, yes. No, no. I'll be out, Casey. I never want to look a sirline in the face again. No luck, eh, Lowry? Not a trace Boss, if you ask me, Brinkley's having pipe dreams. No trace of any dirty work going on in his place. As far as I could see, those accidents were caused by carelessness, nothing more. You couldn't track down the outfit that's offered to buy his business? I drew a blank on that too. It's a blind alley, boss. What did you find out? Oh, I know the business. I know that there's a big shipment of beef coming in by truck tomorrow night, for example. But you can't call that a new scoop. Tomorrow night, eh? Is there anything unusual in that, Mr. Reed? Huh? Oh, no, Ms. Case, not exactly. But what's on your mind, boss? Just thinking. I have a dinner appointment with Brinkley and Carson at the Civic Club. I'll have just time enough to go home and dress. Goodbye, Lowry. Keep trying. Well, how do you like that, Casey? We have a mystery on our hands and he's thinking about dinner. As soon as Britt Reed reached his apartment, he sat down at his desk and wrote a letter. Cato, I'm having dinner at the Civic Club with Mr. Brinkley and his assistant, Carson. Yes, Mr. Britt? I'll put the Hornet seal on this letter. There. It's addressed to Mr. Brinkley, Cato. Be sure he gets it at dinner this evening. I tell you, Carson and I are worried, Reed. The Board of Health has threatened to shut the plant up if there's one more case of contaminated meat. Let me see. Carson, you're the chemist of the plant, aren't you? You're responsible for the condition of the meat. Yes, I am. I inspected very carefully. Pardon me. A letter for you, Mr. Brinkley. Just came by messenger. I wonder who this letter's from. The Green Hornet. The Green Hornet? That's impossible. Look at this seal. Yes, I'm quite familiar with the Green Hornet seal. There's no mistake about that. He says he's going to hijack that shipment of meat tomorrow night. You can usually depend on the Green Hornet to do as he says. How are we going to stop him? Why not delay the shipment? Can't do that, Reid. That meat has to be here on time. Well, then send it ahead. Send it by train. Have the trucks take a different route. There ought to be some way. That's it, Reid. We can't send it by train because of the cost. But we can reroute the truck so the Green Hornet won't know about the change. It's an idea, Mr. Brinkley. So suppose the Hornet learns of this change of route. How can he if we take the right precautions. If you say so, Mr. Brinkley. I do say so. And we'll do it right now, at this table, secretly. So the Green Hornet will never be able to find out our plan. The curtain falls on the first act of our Green Hornet adventure. Before the next exciting scenes, please permit us to pause for just a few moments. Ram now to continue our story. Returning from his dinner at the Civic Club with Brinkley and Carson Brickfeed told Cato what had occurred. You had the letter brought to the Civic Club at just the right time, Cato. When Brinkley opened it and saw the Green Hornet's seal he didn't know what to say. Did your plan work? I sent that letter to Brinkley for a purpose, Cato. The Green Hornet threatened to hijack a truck caravan of meat that's coming to Brinkley's plant. I suggested that the trucks be rerouted over a different road to evade the green hornet. Why, Mr. Britt? Well, only a few of Brinkley's employees will know of the new route we decided on this evening. I'm convinced that all Brinkley's troubles are being planned by one of those employees in order to gain control of Brinkley's business. I see. Brinkley thinks I'm going on a fishing trip. Instead, we're meeting that truck. You go with the Green Hornet. We'll take the mask and the gun and all our equipment. But not the Black Beauty. No. We'll be out on the open road tomorrow afternoon. The Black Beauty will be too easy to recognize. This time, Cato will travel in a small sedan with a mask. Handy is Mr. Brinkley. Brinkley isn't going out on the road at all, Cato. So we won't run into someone like him who might recognize me. You and I are the only living men to know me as the Green Hornet, Cato. And no one else ever will. Yes? Yes, Ms. Williams, what is it? I called Mr. Reed's office. He's already left on that fishing trip. Already left? I didn't think he'd go so early. He left orders that Lowry was to come over to see you. He's on his way, all right. Lowry's a reporter who was here the day of the accident, isn't he? Yes. I'm glad. As long as Reed himself isn't available. But he's having Lowry come over. You'll pardon me, Mr. Brinkley. I can't understand why you're so nervous. That shipment. If the Green Hornet should discover our new route. Only about 10 of us here in the plant know that still, if you're so jumpy, why not call in the police? And increase the chances of a leak? The less people who know, the less chance of the Green Hornet finding out. I think you're unduly alarmed about oak. It's Mr. Lowry, sir. Good. Come right in. Lowry. Hello, Mr. Brinkley. You know Mr. Reed's out of town. A fishing trip. Yes, I know. You know Carson. Yes, I'll be going along. Got a lot of meat to inspect this afternoon. See you again, Larry. Well, sure. Say, what's eating him? He looks like he bit on a tough stake. Pardon me. Carson doesn't approve of your employer's ideas. The Green Hornet threatened to. What? The Green Hornet? Yes. Don't tell me he's mixed up in this. He sent me a letter threatening to hijack a truck caravan full of meat. Reed told me not to release it for publication. Mr. Reed said that in order to avoid publicity. Lowry. Oh, I get it. You've made plans to checkmate the Green Hornet and you don't want to take any chances of letting them get out. Is that it? Precisely. Hasn't greed told you? All he said was to stay close to you. Now I see why I'm worried about tonight. I wish I could make sure nothing happens to that shipment. Why don't you, huh? What's to stop you? You have a car, haven't you? Yes, I have. Come on. If we leave now, you'll be able to meet those trucks halfway. If anything starts to happen, you'll be right there. What could I do? You can decide that later. Come on, briefly. All right, I'll go. Maybe I'll meet this Green Hornet face to face. But where are you going, Larry? Why do you think if anybody's meeting the Green Hornet, this is one baby who wants a grandstand seat. I'm going to be right beside you. Driving out of the city, Brinkley and Larry traveled all afternoon. That evening, as darkness fell, Britt, Reed and Cato sat in a car that was pulled off the road, hidden from sight. Look, Cato, there's a car coming along the road. When it goes by, we might as well start after those trucks again. We want to be there with time to spare. It's coming fast, Mr. Biff. Kato, did you notice a license number on that car? It's Brinkley's. I noticed it last night in front of the Civic Club. He has a very low license number. Where's he going? He must be worried about his trucks. This may ruin everything. What are we doing, Mr. Rick? We have to make sure Brinkley doesn't reach those trucks before we've taken care of everything. You might recognize me in spite of my disguise. Yes, sir. We'll drive up past them. Several hundred large tacks in front of their tires would delay them a long time. Long enough for us to accomplish what we set out to do. Turning onto the road, Ditt Reed pressed down on the accelerator. The sedan sped along the concrete after Brinkley's car. There they are, Cato, stopping for that light ahead. Get the tights ready. We're in luck. The light's changing. We'll be able to pass them before they get going. Too fast. Attacks now. Good work, Cato. Both frontlines. You want to take the wheel for last, Mini? Ah, Hendricks, you keep it. Tough job driving over this strange road. Ain't like the regular one. What's the idea in shifting the root on it? Search me, Smitty. He's been jittery ever since that icing plant broke down. All I hope is he don't get wise to what's going on. Yeah, that chance. By this time tomorrow, Brinkley, you'll be glad to sell out. As long as I get my dough, that's all I'm worrying about. You and me both, Smitty. Yeah, we'll get it. And more than we figure, too. Yeah? How do you mean, Hendrix? Well, we know what's going on, don't we? Sure. We're the babies who've been doing all the dirty work for Carson. You got it, Smitty. After Carson makes Brinkley sell the plants, we ain't finished, see? You mean we tell Carson he's got to keep shelling out dough to us? All right. Either Carson keeps paying us hush money or we squeeze so you. Wouldn't Brinkley be surprised to know that Carson's the guy who's figured out this whole scheme? He ain't going to find out. You and me and Carson is the only ones who know. Carson ain't going to spell it, and neither do we. If he pays us enough. Yeah, if he pays us. Ah, he'll pay, all right. Carson's no dummy. Hey, Hendricks, look up ahead. Yeah, I seen it. A car across the road. But this ain't where we're supposed to meet Carson. Who else could it be? Yes, S. It must be Carson. Yeah, it's Carson. I recognize his car. Hey, Carson, what's the idea of meeting? I thought you was going to be five miles up further. I had to change our plans, Hendrick. A while back, I noticed that a car was trailing Me along the road. Yeah? Who was it? I don't know. But to be on the safe side, I turned into a side road to duck him. Met you here instead of the regular place. Say, what's going on? This business and making us take a different route from the regular run. What's up? The Green Hornet threatened to hijack this truck. Green Hornet? So that's it. Well, let him. Won't that help ruin Brinkley's business? Not as well as my way, Smith. I'm a chemist. I'm going to shoot the meat in this truck full of germs. When the Board of Health inspects a shipment tomorrow Brinkley will really be finished. Yes, you're right. That's why I called the state Police. What State Police? Who wants them around? I told them you were calling Hendrix. I said you wanted protection from the Green Hornet. You understand? Oh, I get it. That's in case this Green Hornet should show up later, huh? Exactly. Now let's get busy. Just a second, Carson. Me and Smitty got a paper for you to sign first. A paper? Yeah. Hold it. Under the panel light, Hendricks, so he can see. Read it, Carson. It says what we're doing this job for. All about it. But I don't understand. We want it signed. See you. We don't open this truck, that thing's practically a confession. I won't sign. Don't worry. We'll tear it up when we get paid. If we get paid enough. You'll get paid. We're making sure, that's all. Come on. We wouldn't be sad enough to show this to anybody. If that's what's born in your Carson proves we're in as deep as you. That's true. Here's a pen. Got it all ready there. Now let's not delay any longer. So the state troopers are going to make sure our plan works. Ain't that a laugh? Now come on, you two. Open up the back of this truck so I can get inside and do a job on that meat. Okay. This is some truck, ain't it? Funny coal inside of it too. Special refrigeration and all. Here's the door, Carson. Round and back. Open it. Yeah, that's what I. Hey, Hendricks, I thought you locked it up. Sure I locked it. It ain't locked now. Never mind that. Get busy. Open those doors. Okay. They're pretty heavy. Feel that blast of cold air, Carson? Sure is chilly inside. There, that's exactly where you're going. What the devil? Who's that? He's wearing a Mask. Don't move. Any of you the Green Hornets? No. So Carson was right. You did trail him. But I took a side road. I lost you. I followed you. My lights were out. You beat that. So you're the guy who opened this lot. A bent hairpin. You've been inside the truck. Climb up. Now let's be sensible about this. Listen, Hornet climber. Would you like me to pull the trigger? No, no. Don't shoot. Hornet. Don't suppose there's nothing in that gun but gas. I've heard about the Hornet and you know I mean what I say. Sure, it's okay by that. Shut up, Hendricks. You can't bluff me, Hornet. What if you do pull that trigger? Where'll that get you? I've no time for a talk. Carson in? No. You can't make me. Take him. Gas. I can't breathe. Now you two picking up that? I didn't see you shoot? Who done it? If you didn't, I don't matter what. Behind you. Get Carson in here. Okay, okay. Only don't do nothing to us. He's heavy over the teleport. Lifting. I'm coming out. Now don't try anything. Remember, there's a man behind you. We ain't all right in with Carson. Now hold on. Hold it. We ain't done a thing. We were just working for Carson. We'll tell you anything you want to know. I don't need information. Inside. You ran. Okay, we're good. And you'll stay there. You can't close the door. You want to freeze the. Get back, both of you. There. Dr. Hurley. Tato. Yes, sir. Frankie's had time enough to fix the tires on each car will be out looking for us by now. Yes, Mr. Bear. State troopers may be out looking as well. You want to make sure they discover these rats right where they are without getting us. I understand. You got the sedan going. I'll drive this truck. Keep trailing me. We'll keep moving along this shore till we meet up with. Frankly. Get going. Sometime later, Brinkley and Larry drove along the road. I can't see any sign of our truck yet, Lowry. According to the schedule, we ought to be up with it by now. If we hadn't got those blowouts, it'd be okay. Where that car whipped past us and dropped tax on the road. It must have been the Green Hornet. We had the state troopers with us now. Even if it did locate the truck, we'll get there in time. Look, Mr. Brinkley up ahead coming toward us. Isn't that your truck? Yes, it is. Hey, you troopers. That's it up ahead. Get up there. That's it. All right. The truck stopped. There's a guy jumping out of the driver's seat. That's not the regular driver. Look. He's getting in the car beside the truck. Wrinkly. The troopers will never catch him. Hurry, your troopers after that car. Going too fast. That's the Green Hornet. I thought he had a special car. Couldn't catch that one with a bullet, the way it's traveling. Hey, what's that? Somebody's yelling for help. Whoever it is, it's from inside my truck. We'll get you out. Well, hurry up. Stand back. I'll shoot the lock off there. Swing these doors back. Hurry up. Control. We'll talk. Don't shoot. Hendrix. Smith. What happened? A Green Hornet he caught has shoved us in the eye. Hey, give me your hand. There's another guy here. In first out. Okay. It's cost by all us. Holy. What's he doing here? Look at what he had with him, Mr. Brinkley. Full equipment for infecting the meat. What do you two lugs know about this? He got nothing on us. That guy Carson was in with a Green Hornet. Sure. That's it. Is that so? Then why did the Hornet gas Carson? Yes. We don't know Runford either. Got us. Stand right here. The only place you're going is jail. What's he got in his hand? I ain't got nothing. Hand it over. Give me that. What is it, Larry? Wow. Just about. A full confession. That's all you need. Hello, you two. You're headed for the cooler. And I don't mean refrigeration. Too bad we couldn't get the Green Hornet too. To think that Carson was in with a crook like him. Anyway, Brinkley, you have one thing to be thankful for. Yes, Green Hornet or no Green Hornet your troubles have been put on ice for good. Person invited street holiday. That's no paper holiday. Paper. SA Sam. The story you have just heard is a copyrighted feature of the Green Hornet Incorporated.