Green Hornet 39-10-31 (0389) Cash on the Parking Lot (aka-The Parking Lot Racket)

Summary

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Podcast Summary: Harold's Old Time Radio

Episode: Green Hornet 39-10-31 (0389) – "Cash on the Parking Lot" (aka "The Parking Lot Racket")
Release Date: October 18, 2025
Host: Harolds Old Time Radio

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Overview

In this episode, listeners revisit a classic Green Hornet radio drama from 1939, "Cash on the Parking Lot." The story centers on a vicious protection racket targeting city parking lot owners, with the notorious criminal Bleecker using violence and threats to extort money. Britt Reid, aka the Green Hornet, orchestrates a daring plan to foil the racket, clear an innocent man’s name, and outwit both the criminals and the police. The episode is a gripping tale of deception, courage, and justice in true pulp-fiction style.

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Key Discussion and Plot Points

1. The Racket Emerges

• [02:11] Bleecker and his gang extort "protection" money from parking lot owners, threatening violence and destruction for non-compliance.
• Acts of intimidation include car vandalism, tire slashing, and even bomb threats.
• Key quote from a parking lot owner:

  "I'm not paying any money for racket chiselers like you. We'll be back to persuade you. No." [02:34]

2. Victims Under Pressure

• [05:01] Schaefer, a parking lot owner, voices his desperation to Britt Reid, sharing that the ongoing threats have ruined his business and made insurance impossible to secure.
• Police are aware of Bleecker’s involvement but can’t act without solid proof, leaving honest citizens exposed.
• Schaefer refuses to pay, despite having survived multiple attacks:

  "You've heard of Bleecker? ...He's behind your trouble, isn't he, Schaefer? I won't pay that dirty rat one red cent." [05:40]

3. The Green Hornet Intervenes

• [07:13] Amidst banter and city newsroom humor, a letter appears in the "Hints for Housewives" column—strangely signed by the Green Hornet.
• The newsroom realizes this is not a joke, but a direct challenge to Bleecker’s racket:

  "In cooking up a stew about a certain type of racket now being worked. Jump in, blue blazes. It's about the parking racket." [08:43]

• Both the Sentinel newspaper and Schaefer receive threatening notes attributed to the Green Hornet, escalating the situation.

4. Setting the Trap

• [12:54] Bleecker vows to deal with the Green Hornet personally, suspecting him of interfering in the racket.
• Reed (as the Hornet) and Cato tail Bleecker, stealthily plotting to expose the whole operation with minimal danger and a clever ruse.
• Reed calls Schaefer’s parking lot, pretending to be the Green Hornet, establishing a fake payout meeting for “tomorrow at midnight”, which Bleecker overhears:

  "This is the Green Hornet. ... I'll be there, Schaefer. Okay, Hornet. Tomorrow night." [18:00]

5. Double Cross and Police Involvement

• Bleecker plans to trap and kill the Hornet but chooses not to involve police, seeking to protect his “turf.”
• Meanwhile, Schaefer bravely goes to the authorities, tipping the police about the planned handoff at midnight:

  "Apparently, that guy has more fight than the Hornet and those other rats gave him credit for. They took it for granted he'd be too scared to spill. But they took it wrong." [22:21]

6. The Midnight Sting

• [24:44] As midnight approaches, police—along with newspaper reporters—stake out Schaefer's parking lot.
• Reed renders Schaefer unconscious with gas (for his safety), replaces his window shade with one featuring a cutout silhouette of the Green Hornet’s masked profile, and departs.
• Bleecker and his thugs arrive, spot the Hornet's "shadow" in the window, and shoot only to discover it's a trick:

  "Look there, boss. See the lighted window with the office shack? ... There's his shadow. You can see the profile of the mask. He's holding a gun. ... Blast him to bits." [27:18]

7. Justice Served

• As Bleecker storms the office, police pounce, arresting the racketeers in the act.
• The criminals are baffled by the Hornet’s disappearance, until the ruse is discovered:

  "A paper cutout of the Hornet pasted on the window shade. He must have done that earlier. That's what Bleeger shot at from outside." [28:25]

• The Green Hornet slips away, leaving law enforcement and the press to puzzle over his identity and role.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the parking lot racket:

  "Smash a couple of the cars, throw a couple of bombs, start a few fires—they'll lay it on the line." [02:48]

• Schaefer’s refusal to be cowed:

  "I've told everyone. What good does it do me? ... But Bleecker's smart. That's it. Everybody knows he's pulling the racket. But how can you stop it when you can't get proof?" [06:15]

• Newsroom banter about the Hornet’s letter:

  "It's the first time anything sensational came to this column since that cook sent in a recipe for hot buttered scones." – Casey [09:15]

• Gunnigan lays out the stakes:

  "That's going into print in the Sentinel. Are you sure this is on the level, Gunnigan? It hasn't got a Hornet seal." [10:01]

• The clever ruse:

  "A paper cutout of the Hornet pasted on the window shade. ... I tried to tell you I seen it from the outside, but you yanked me away. ... The Hornet must have got suspicious." [28:25]

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• [02:11–03:53]: Extortion scenes and Bleecker's threats
• [05:01–07:15]: Reed/Schaefer dialogue and problem exposition
• [07:13–09:20]: Newsroom discovers the Hornet’s letter
• [12:54–14:34]: Bleecker plots against the Green Hornet
• [16:15–18:00]: Reed’s gaslight ruse and phone setup
• [21:30–22:21]: Police learn about the Hornet’s “meeting”
• [24:44–28:25]: The midnight confrontation, the Hornet’s escape
• [28:25–30:35]: Aftermath, police and reporters reflect on the Hornet’s trickery

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Tone and Style

The episode maintains a classic hard-boiled detective drama tone infused with fast-paced, witty newsroom banter and tense underworld exchanges. The Green Hornet himself is portrayed with a combination of steely resolve and clever ingenuity, always several steps ahead of both criminals and law enforcement.

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Final Thoughts

This installment showcases the Green Hornet at his best—combining brains, bravado, and just a touch of theatricality. The story offers timeless themes of standing up to corruption, making the right choices under pressure, and using guile to defeat brute force. Fans of old-time radio drama will enjoy both the suspenseful plot twists and the well-drawn character interplay.

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Transcript

[A]

And Doug. Here we have the Limu Emu in its natural habitat. Helping people customize their car insurance and save hundreds with Liberty Mutual. Fascinating. It's accompanied by his natural ally, Doug.

[B]

Limu.

[A]

Is that guy with the binoculars watching us? Cut the camera. They see us. Only pay for what you [e-mail] Liberty. Liberty. Liberty. Liberty Savings. Very unwritten by Liberty Mutual Insurance Company and affiliates. Excludes Massachusetts. The Green Hornet. He hunts the biggest of all game public enemies that even the G Men cannot reach. The Green Hornets.

[B]

It's.

[A]

With this faithful, valid Cato. Brit Reed, daring young publisher. Matches wits with the underworld, risking his life that criminals and racketeers within the law may feel its weight by the sting of the Green Hornet. Ride with Britt Reed. As he races toward another thrilling adventure. The Green Hornet strikes again. Hurry, Cato. We're out to smash a parking lot racket.

[B]

1 buck.

[A]

2 bucks.

[B]

3 bucks. 4 bucks. 5 bucks. 6 bucks. 7 bucks. 8 bucks.

[A]

I want 10 from every parking lot in the city. Understand? We're getting them lined up fast. Bleacher. You got to make it faster. Get out and start collecting that dough. I want more money. Coming in.

[B]

35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 75.

[A]

Where's that dough, Carson? I'm not paying any money for rocket chiselers like you. We'll be back to persuade you. No.

[B]

160, 170, 180, 190.

[A]

They won't listen to reason. Smash a couple of the cars, throw a couple of bombs, start a few pliers. They'll lay it on the line. Parking lot. Toss that bomb. Is she going? A bomb? Break the cars. It's them racketeers.

[B]

5005-506006-50700. 750. 800.

[A]

Some blasted rat's going to slash all the tires in the lot. Have to pay plenty for this. Morning, Blake. How's your parking lot going, huh? What you believe? 10%, Blake. Pay it and you won't run into grief with your parked car. All right, you got me. I'll pay. 10, 20, 30, 40.

[B]

4,500. 5,000. Pay up.

[A]

Pay for protection, wreck cards. Ruining my business. 10% are out. Okay, I'll pay. You win. Go for the racket. Kick in 10%. Here you are. Don't smash any more cars. I'll pay. Hand it toe over. Here's the money. There. We got a wind up. Count the money, mate.

[B]

19,000. 20,000.

[A]

Look at it pile up. Look at them smile, G. We must have driven Downtown early. Why exit no earlier than usual then? Holy crow. What? Was the parking lot so empty you don't think it's buried today And Sunday, is it? Don't tell me we made a mistake and come down to the Sentinel on Sunday? Why not? The Sentinel's a daily paper. They're plenty down on Sunday. So for the snakes, I never come down up. Well, like Saxford, it's not Sunday. Lookit, There ain't hardly six cars in the parking lot. Morning, Mr. Reed. Hello, Shaffer. What have you weared the long face for, Schaefer? You're looking like a candidate for the marg with the other cadavers. You better go to that parking lot across the street, Mr. Reed. What? I can't handle you here. Suffering snakes. What's he trying to do? Don't you like it? Or maybe Reed sedan ain't good enough for your parking lot. Giving us the cold shoulder. Shut up, Haxford. Can't you see something's wrong?

[B]

Huh?

[A]

Oh, golly, is there? Why can't we park here, Shaffer? There's plenty of room. Yeah, after all the accidents I've been having. Yeah, we've heard about them at the Sentinel. So the city, they may take away my parking lot license. Golly. The insurance company has already turned me down as a bad risk. So since you're a particular customer of mine, you'd be better off at another parking lot. Your license hasn't been revoked yet, has it? Not yet. I have my own insurance on the car. Hey, Reed, where are you going? Not Oxford. We're parking the car here, Mr. Reed. How's your Shaffer? I'll call for it at the end of the day. Suppose something happens. What about these other cars? Well, I told them the same thing, but no, they wouldn't listen. Now, put me down as the same kind of sucker then, Shaffer. This is swell of you, Mr. Re. You see, Shaffer, I know something about those. Those accidents. How do you eat the way you say it? You don't mean accident. I don't. You've heard of Bleecker? You mean that? I can hear. He's behind your trouble, isn't he, Schaefer? I won't pay that dirty rat one red cent. I thought that was it. 10% he wants for protection. Protection? Holy crow. Why don't you tell the police? I've told everyone. What good does it do me? No, don't tell me he's bribing the police. Of course not, Axford. But Bleecker's smart. That's it? Everybody knows he's pulling the racket. But how can you stop it when you can't get proof that it's his Guerrillas who go around smashing cars and cutting up the tires in parking lots. You've heard that happen? Oh, everything. And still you refuse to knuckle under. I don't know. Maybe I'm wrong. Maybe you ought to pay the 10%. Now, you've fought them thus far. Why lose your fight now? I wouldn't mind if it was fight, so long as it was a fair fight. But them rats work in the dark. The police can do nothing, huh? Not a thing. I see. Hey, Reed. What are you daydreaming about? Daydreaming? You had a kind of far away look in your eye like you was up to something. Only just when I was getting me brain around to figuring out what you lost. That far away, Luke and darling. Now I can't tell. You'll just have to wait till that look comes back. Ah, you got something up your sleeve. I know it. Just as well you're not a mind reader. Action. There are times when I like to keep my thoughts to myself. And this is definitely one of them.

[B]

Letters, letters and more letters. How do you bake a chicken pie? Is barbequed beef made in barbershops? Gunnigan, if you keep grinning at me, I swear I'll get the screaming Mimi's.

[A]

Don't you like my always Ms. Gay's?

[B]

No, but even less do I like handling this cooking advice for the homebody column.

[A]

It's only for one day. Somebody had to take Ms. Topper's plates.

[B]

Good grief. Why does Mr. Reed have to pick this one day to be out of the office? Leaves me with so little work on my desk that I just couldn't excuse myself from this.

[A]

Casey, why don't you take those letters back where they belong?

[B]

I like it better here.

[A]

This is the city editor's cubbyhole. My cubbyhole.

[B]

It could do with a good cleaning.

[A]

Don't go domestic on me.

[B]

Why not? I'm reading very domestic letters.

[A]

Ms. Topper's desk is out in the city room. See through the glass out there?

[B]

Too drafty. I like it better here. Or did I say that you did? Well, here's a typewritten letter. Most of them are in longhand.

[A]

All right. One housewife can have a typewriter. No law against it.

[B]

Let's see what recipe she wants.

[A]

Go ahead, Casey, but never mind the talk.

[B]

Okay, I won't bother you.

[A]

Casey, what's the idea of knocking the typewriter table over. If that's your substitute for talk yougan this.

[B]

This letter.

[A]

What's the matter with you?

[B]

Why, it's from a man, not a woman. A man.

[A]

What? Men are interested in cooking.

[B]

Read it. Go ahead.

[A]

I have a front page makeup to schedule.

[B]

Read it. Does it say what I think it does?

[A]

In cooking up a stew about.

[B]

Ah.

[A]

Casey, I am not interested in this hooey.

[B]

What grief. Will you finish? There's more.

[A]

In cooking up a stew about a certain type of racket now being worked. Jump in, blue blazes. It's about the parking racket.

[B]

That's what I read too. I couldn't believe it. But look. Look at the signature.

[A]

Signature? Well, I'll be a first cousin to an animal trainer. It's signed the Green Hornet.

[B]

That's what I thought. The Green Hornet.

[A]

That cruise got a sense of humor sending it to the Hints for Housewives column.

[B]

It's the first time anything sensational came to this column since that cook sent in a recipe for hot buttered scones.

[A]

Never mind the banter. This is big.

[B]

Where are you going? Larry.

[A]

Hey, Larry. Take your elbows off that desk and come in here. Casey, get on the phone, call the studio.

[B]

What for?

[A]

Get him. Tell him I want a sample made of this Hornet ladder. Half tone for the front page.

[B]

Right. Give me the darkroom operator.

[A]

What's the four star special, chief? Get in here and close that door. We got a note from the Green Hornet. Holy mackerel. The door. What about? What did it say? Here. Read proof on it yourself.

[B]

Oh, dark room. Send a boy to the city desk. There's a rush job on a snapshot and Gunnigan's waiting.

[A]

Where? Is that something? Great guns. According to this, the Hornet's coming right out and saying he's going to take that racket away from Bleecker.

[B]

One crook fights another.

[A]

That's going into print in the Sentinel. Are you sure this is on the level, Gunnigan? It hasn't got a Hornet seal.

[B]

Gosh, that's a thought.

[A]

Yeah. Why isn't Reed here? He's an authority on the Hornet notes. He checked the paper it's written on.

[B]

I don't know where he is.

[A]

Holy cow. Guess what, expert? This is no telephone booth. Get back. Reader. Glad you're here, boss. Take a look at this. We run into more excitement, it seems. More? There can't be more. What this guy's got to show you is more exciting than anything you got. Gunnigan.

[B]

What guy?

[A]

Who is he? His name's Schaefer. He runs a parking Lot across from the Sentinel building.

[B]

A parking lot? Well, that's just what we were talking about.

[A]

He got a threatening letter. What? Yeah, he's gonna get dough from me or else. Now, wait a minute. One thing at a time. Read. We got a letter too. I'm telling you, it can't be as important as this, Gunnigan. Why, golly. Schaefer got a trick from the Green Hornet.

[B]

So what?

[A]

The letter we got. What? What's that?

[B]

The.

[A]

The Green Hornet. Yes, Gunnigan. Axford and I got into the parking lot when he was looking it over. Well, what are y' all staring at us for?

[B]

Because your big lug. This letter is from the same writer.

[A]

Holy cow. The Hornet must have mail them both at once, boss. Let me see that. I'll compare them. There's no doubt, Gunnigan. These are identical. Same paper. The Hornet. I'm as certain as. Here we have the Limu Emu in its natural habitat helping people customize their car insurance and save hundreds with Liberty Mutual. Fascinating. It's accompanied by his natural ally, Doug Limu. Is that guy with the binoculars watching us? Cut the camera. They see us. Only pay for what you [e-mail] Liberty. Liberty. Liberty. Liberty Savings. Very unwritten by Liberty Mutual Insurance Company and affiliates. Excludes Massachusetts. As if I had written these myself. That's bad business, Mr. Reed. I've been standing off Bleaker. But now if the Hornets stepping in, I'll be given from two racketeers. You keep your chin up, Schaefer. When the Sentinel prints this and the news gets around, Bleecker and the Hornet may battle it out just long enough for the cops to pick up the remains. Sentinel Hornet X RAY Green Hornets parking lot owner Frito Abone Bracket trapped undistanto Rex Free Piper Rick Reed returned to his apartment that evening, spoke to Cato, his valet and the only living man to know him as the Green Hornet. Cato. Cato. Yes, Mr. B. The sentinel's out in the street with the two green haunted notes I wrote. It's time for us to get moving. You want a Black Beauty car and the mask too. I'll need the gas gun as well. Bleeker is reading this Sentinel himself. Like everyone else in town. We've got to be ready for him.

[B]

Bleeker. Bleeker.

[A]

Don't shout your lungs off me. I already saw the Sentinel with them two Green Hornet notes. That guy's got a nerve.

[B]

You going to let him step in?

[A]

I was just talking to Hackley. You want the car? The car? Sure. I want you and Dirk to bring your guns. We're going to be ready for the Green Hornet. A lot depends on how Schaefer reacts, Cato. He's almost at the end of his rope. He can't hold out against those racketeers much longer. He's a brave man. Yeah, he's taken a lot from those rats already. Cars smashed, tires ripped open. His business is practically sunk. That is true. Unless I'm mistaken, Bleecker's gonna make it even tougher now that he believes the Green Hornet is muscling in on his territory. I see. Open the sliding panel, Cato. We're going to the hiding place of the Black Beauty. Where are you going? Bleecker is just the kind of gorilla to make sure that Schaefer doesn't slip out from under him. Now he wants whatever extortion money Schaefer's paying out for himself and it's up to the Green Hornet to stop him. It all depends on that mug Shaffer. We've been putting enough pressure on him to make him ready to crack wide open. His business is shot already. He can't keep holding out.

[B]

He's got plenty of water take.

[A]

He's due to crack. But get this. Schaefer's paying us, not the Hornet. Nobody's muscling in on us. We better get moving. Where's the car? In the garage, waiting. Okay, open the door, mate.

[B]

Where you going, Bleecker?

[A]

Me and the boys are paying a little social call on Schaefer. Got the car already, boss. All right, get in. Take the wheel, Dirk.

[B]

Better be careful when you get to Shaffer's parking lot, Bleeker. The cops can read the papers too.

[A]

Gonna wait until it's clear for us to go in and talk to him, eh? Get going, Dirk. We're gonna stop that crook that calls himself the Green Hornet. As Bleecker's car swung into the street and turned towards Shaffer's parking lot a huge, sleek black car started along behind them. It was the car of the Green Hornet. 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 moment.

[B]

Sam.

[A]

Now to continue our story in the Black Beauty. Rick Reed and Cato trail the racketeers car until they were certain Bleecker was heading for Schaefer's parking lot. Keep watching them, Cato. They turn that next corner, there won't be any doubt about where they're going. Yes, sir. Fortunately for us, it's too late for there'll be much Traffic on the streets. Otherwise, we might be running constant risk of being recognized as The Green Hornet. Mr. Brayer. What is it? The car. Oh, yes, Bleeca. He's turned the corner, Cato. Heading for Schaefer's. Look. Quick, turn in this alley. Do as I say. Swing the black beauty in here. Hurry, before we're past it. Good enough. I don't understand why we didn't continue after them. Yes, but those three crooks were desperate men, Cato. They're sure to be heavily armed. If the Green Hornet walked in on them, we'd run into a hail of lead. Wait here a few minutes to give them time to get to where they're going. I'm going into that drugstore to make a phone call. And I want to be certain Bleecker is there when that phone rings. There's Schaefer talking to a cop. Come on. Who's gonna take care of the cop, Leaker? I'll handle him. This way we can get around behind the shack he uses for an office and slip up on him before they know it. They're standing right next to the door. Take care of that cop before he spots us, Dirk. I don't want any interference. When we start talking to Schaefer, a tap over the head will take care of him. Take it easy now. Here's the shack. Head around this way so we'll come right up behind him. There ain't nothing happened yet, Schaefer, and there won't be nothing. You got police protection now. Protection? Why don't you get those racketeers? We'll get them. We need proof, that's all. Leaker. Another Green Hornet. Better make one slip and we'll pick him up so fast you won't see him for the dust. Meantime, my business is ruined. You're okay now. I got take him. Look out. What?

[B]

That?

[A]

No, you don't, copper. You killside shaper. You hit him with a blackjack. I saw it inside. What do you want? Send me to a job on him, boss. Keep an eye on that cop. I don't want him coming to and identifying us. Okay. You can't shut me up. I'll tell the police as long as the cop didn't see it. You can blab all you like. It's your word against ours, Schaefer. That ain't worth talking about. What are you after? But we've been after all along. Since we started giving your place of works extortion money. I won't pay. You're a tough nut, but we can crack You. Or maybe you got a reason, huh? Reason? Don't play dumb. Are you already paying off? No. Maybe you got the Hornet behind. I don't deal with crooks. Any crooks. You figure paying the Hornet will keep us away? Get it out of your head. We're controlling the parking lots and the Hornet ain't stopping us. Where is he? I don't know. I never saw him. We read the Sentinel. You got a note from him? Where is he? I tell you, I don't know. Sure, I got the note, but I didn't see him. You're paying us and nobody else see the phone? Get away from that. I'll answer it. Keep your gun on him, Hackley. Right. Hello, Schaefer. Parking lot. Let me speak to Schaefer. Who wants him? This is the Green Hornet. The Green Hornet? What? Don't move. Green Hornet, huh? I. I got your notes. This Schaefer? Yeah, yeah, this is Schaefer talking. You calling about the note? When are you gonna pay up, Schaefer? Pay up? Well, that's tall. You agreed already. Oh, so I agreed to pay you, did I not? Pack out. No, no, I ain't backing down. Sure, I'll pay you. Sure. When are you coming around to collect? Sometime this week. Okay, Harnet, I'll pay you. I'll have the dough for you. When? When? How about tomorrow night? Yeah, tomorrow night. Say, around midnight. How's that? I'll be there, Schaefer. Okay, Hornet. Tomorrow night. Just coming here? Bleacher. Tomorrow night. It was a Hornet. Hacked me. He took me for Schaefer. So you was planning on paying the Hornet off, huh, Schaefer? I'm not paying anyone. The Hornet's coming here tomorrow midnight. You have the dough ready for him, Schaefer, like you said. You tell you not to. I was just talking to him. Hey, boss. Yeah? If we tell the cops, they can make a pinch. The Hornet? Sure, he's due here. The cops can nab him like that, it'll get him out of the way for a long time. Listen, Hackley, the Hornets are crook and so are we. Everybody knows that. When I tell you to talk, I'll tell you. Shaffer, we're not telling the cops hackery. But we got. This is our job. Taking care of rats who try to cut in. We look after death, baby, ourselves. Yeah, I guess that's the regular way it is. We'll be here. And Schaefer ain't blabbing a word to nobody. No, you ain't got the nerve, Schaefer. I thought you were tough. But from what the Hornet said over the phone, it was him behind you that was giving you backbone. Sure. Otherwise Schaefer'd have folded up like the rest of them parking lot owners. When we put the pressure on. Yeah. Schaefer, you'll keep your mouth shut. Because you know if you don't, we'll shut it for good. And if we don't, the Hornet will. So you're playing ball with our team. See, the Hornet's coming here tomorrow night and we'll be around to meet him with a dose of lead. Ms. Kate. Where's Reed?

[B]

He left about an hour ago. Gunnigan.

[A]

Where?

[B]

I don't know.

[A]

Well, get him. Try his apartment. Try every place.

[B]

I already have, but it's no soap. Gunnigan. I wanted to get in touch with him on another matter and I couldn't locate him.

[A]

He's missing something.

[B]

Don't tell me it's another Hornet note.

[A]

More than a note this time, Casey.

[B]

Good grief. You mean they got the Hornet?

[A]

Yep. Well, that is practically When? About seven hours from now. They're brushing out a cell at headquarters. Already.

[B]

Seven hours? I thought it was in the past, not the future, Casey.

[A]

By the time tomorrow's Sentinel comes out, it will be over. The Green Hornet'll be a crook with a past and no future.

[B]

There isn't much future in bars.

[A]

Bars, my foot. That baby'll get the chair.

[B]

Where are they going to pick him up?

[A]

Right across the street.

[B]

What?

[A]

Right there, Shaver's parking lot. Midnight tonight.

[B]

But how do the police know?

[A]

For a very good reason, Casey. The Shaver told them.

[B]

Shaffer and Help in person.

[A]

Apparently, that guy has more fight than the Hornet and those other rats gave him credit for. They took it for granted he'd be too scared to spill. But they took it wrong.

[B]

They? I thought you said it was the Hornet.

[A]

Did I forget to mention Bleecker?

[B]

What? Bleeker Tool Works.

[A]

Casey, Will this make a headline for the Public Gaze? I might try an experiment on this yarn. Slap the headline, that new red ink instead of black.

[B]

Got it all settled already, haven't you?

[A]

By gravy, Casey, you don't seem elated. Wake up. The Green Hornet's going to be captured.

[B]

Yes, I can see that. And frankly, I'm a little bit sorry.

[A]

Oh, you dames. You think he's a knight in armor?

[B]

No, in a mask. Honestly, he's not as bad as he's painted.

[A]

No, he's worse. Hey, Cunigan. You've been looking for me? Well, say I have. Laurie, where have you been downstairs in a place. Never mind, never mind. I know you have an assignment tonight. Tonight? I was going to the fights. Throw the tickets in the ashcan. This assignment is a racketeer roundup, Bleecker. Not only Bleecker, my little news hound. The big bug as well, huh? The will of the wisp known as the Green Hornet. Holy mackerel. Chief, when? Where? You'll get the details later. Just be at Shaver's parking lot with the police tonight, will I? This is better than any fight.

[B]

Looks like the finish of the Hornet.

[A]

Where'd you get the tip? Gunnigan from Oxford. He was at headquarters with his pal Doyle when Shaffer came in. Axford?

[B]

Good grief, Cunningham. That big lug couldn't get anything straight.

[A]

He's always wrong. It's probably a month from tonight. Schaefer never said anything. And besides, it wasn't the Green Hornet in the first place.

[B]

Sure, that's how Axford's tips always turn out.

[A]

This time it's accurate. I wouldn't bet a plug nickel on anything. That gang. Larry, I'm not a fool. I know how Axford is. So I spoke to Doyle myself. This tip is authentic. The real McCoy.

[B]

Well, that makes a difference.

[A]

There's plenty. We'll hold page one open.

[B]

Gosh, I wish I could get in touch with Mr. Reed. He'd want to know about this.

[A]

He'll read it in tomorrow's Sentinel. Reid's plain out of luck, Casey. But what's the difference? He'll still be able to pay the reward for the capture of the Hornet. Now get going. Lowry, over to police headquarters. I'm on my horse. Safer's parking lot. Midnight. I'll be there. No, there's no sign of anything yet. It's only 10 o'. Clock. What time are you cops gonna show up?

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Yeah, they said they'd be here around 12. But you better go over early, huh? Be here before midnight. Okay, Sergeant. So long as you grab those crooks. Sounds sensible. Cops not wanting to get here too soon in case Bleecker and the Hornet have someone watching. I want you, Schaefer. You get outside. You said 12 o'. Clock. It was our sight. Don't try anything while I come out. The man out there with a gun on you. Yeah, I see him. Another man with a mas. Leave him there. I'll be out in a moment. Closing the door of the shack, Brick Reed took down the one window shade in the small office and replaced it with another he had prepared. And he shifted the desk lamp around a few Moments later. All right, back inside. Schaefer, you put out the lights. I don't want you making any phone calls between now and midnight. A gun like it? Yes. You. I can't breathe. All right, to the Black Beauty. It's all ready, Mr. Ritz. I fixed the window shade, Cato. I didn't like the gassing, but it was necessary for our plan. We're coming back. According to the way you prepared the gas Schaefer should be unconscious till around midnight. When he recovers, he'll put on the lights. By that time, Bleecker and his rats will be here. We come back, the Green Hornet'll be here at midnight, Cato, but not in person. We got all the men placed around the parking lot. But where's Schaefer? Was he going to be here, darling? That's what he said, Lori. But there ain't no lights. Not even in the shack. Almost 12. Come on, we'll go in. Holy crow, what's that? Turn on the light. Shaffer. What happened? I'm all right. Green Hornet. Trooper. Snakes. Was he here already? He asked me and left. What time is it? It's almost 12. Hey, we better get out of here with the cops. Right. Come on. You stand right here outside the door where you told them crooks you would be. We'll have you covered. Okay. Remember, the cops want to catch the haunted as well as Baker. Yeah, I got it. Cater. Coming. Stay here, Shaffer. We'll be here within earshot. Hey, Lody, I just noticed something. Stay here. You lugged. Come on back out of sight. Come on. Dirk Hackley.

[B]

Who?

[A]

Who's that? Okay, Schaefer. Is the Hornet here yet? He was here. Now he's gone. What? So you called him after we left? No, I didn't. Oh, then he'll be back, huh? I guess so. Yeah, we'll get him. He ain't cutting in on us. But right now, end over that doe. Wait a minute, I. We wrecked your cars a couple of times already. Schaefer. Pay for protection or we'll do our final job. Hey, boss, Pay that dough you got for the Hornet. You take a hymn when he shows up. Boss, it's the Hornet.

[B]

Huh?

[A]

I didn't hear nothing. Sure, he's been here all the time. What? Look there, boss. See the lighted window with the office shack? What the. There's his shadow. You can see the profile of the mask. He's holding a gun. Listening, huh? Yeah. He don't know the light makes his shadow a perfect target. Well, what are you waiting for? Blast him to bits. Right through the window. That does it. Hey, he ain't falling down. He's got to. I caught him square. I can see the bullet holes in the window shade. Come on inside. We'll finish him. You too, Schaefer. Stick them up. Well, I'll be a Dutch uncle. Look at that. The cops. We're trapped. Make a break for us. Hey, what are you. Drop that gun. Take it. No, no. Don't hit me.

[B]

You.

[A]

You got her? Said the rights, you rat. We heard what you said to Schaefer. Get moving. Take these cooks to the jug. Okay, Sarge. Come on. Hey, what about the Hornet? I heard those crooks say he was in here. Yeah, I saw him in the window. But where's he gone? There wasn't no one here when Bleecker shoved me in. Hey, Loady. Holy crow. Will you look at this? Window shade. Window shade. Axford. You go on, Bats here. You can see for yourself. I tried to tell you I seen it from the outside, but you yanked me away. Holy mackerel. A paper cutout of the Hornet pasted on the window shade. He must have done that earlier. That's what Bleeger shot at from outside. Blast it. I don't know how, but the Hornet must have got suspicious. So do Snakes Lowry. We better give Gunnigan the story. But, golly, what kind of story is it when we ain't nab? The Green Horn, the Celestial Piper. Green Hearted Debate Police Parking lot Rocket smash. Read all about it. Green Hearted still enlarged.

[B]

Sentinel X Street Paper. Sam.

[A]

The story you've just heard is a copyrighted feature of the Green Hornet Incorporated. The situations and characters depicted in this drama are fictitious. Any similarity to actual persons or events of the past or present is coincidental. Field and Farrington speaking. This is the Mutual Broadcasting System.

[B]

Sat.