Little Orphan Annie - Bill Corwin Has Disappeared

Summary

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Little Orphan Annie – "Bill Corwin Has Disappeared"

Podcast: Harold's Old Time Radio
Episode Date: May 26, 2026
Episode Theme:
A thrilling installment from the classic radio serial "Little Orphan Annie," centering on the mysterious disappearance of Bill Corwin. The episode skillfully blends suspense, small-town personalities, and Annie’s unflagging detective spirit as Annie, her friends, and concerned neighbors try to uncover what happened to Bill and whether his absence is connected to a previous payroll robbery.

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Main Theme & Purpose

The episode follows Annie and her friends as they investigate the sudden vanishing of Bill Corwin, a young man staying with the Wigglesworths. The tension revolves around whether Bill left of his own accord, suffered foul play, or is entangled in the ongoing local scandal involving a payroll robbery for which Tony Ronelli is in jail. The story draws on community concern, youth ingenuity, and the uncertainties of rural life.

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Episode Highlights by Segment

1. Arrival at Wigglesworth Farm (04:06–06:07)

• Annie, Joe, and Walter drive to the Wigglesworth farm in Walter's famously slow old car, filled with character-driven banter.
• They discuss Bill’s disappearance—he didn’t return home last night, which worries Mrs. Wigglesworth.
• The group encounters Mrs. Wigglesworth and Marshall Elmer Slim at the farmhouse, and the sense of urgency ramps up.

Memorable Quotes:

• "Can't this old car go any faster than this, dog?" – Annie (04:06)
• "If she thought we could walk, she'd just likely as not stop right here where she is." – Joe, about the old car (04:48)

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2. The Confrontation and Suspicion (06:07–10:12)

• Mrs. Wigglesworth presses Annie and friends about Bill, revealing he has never been out all night before, intensifying fears that something is truly wrong.
• Marshall Slim tries to keep things calm, but Mrs. Wigglesworth is adamant Bill is missing and it's his duty to find him.
• The group debates if Bill’s absence is innocent or suspicious, with Marshall Slim hesitant to call it a disappearance.

Notable Quotes:

• "Oh, that something had happened to Bill." – Mrs. Wigglesworth, in distress (06:43)
• "What are you getting paid for as marshall in this township for anyhow? To find people when they get lost!" – Mrs. Wigglesworth (07:55)
• "He never stayed out all night before. He was allers in bed by 10 o'..." – Mrs. Wigglesworth (07:03)

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3. Annie’s Hunches and Secrets (10:12–12:08)

• Annie hints she knows more than she can reveal, tying Bill’s disappearance to Tony Ronelli’s conviction for the payroll holdup.
• Marshall Slim maintains his belief in Tony’s guilt, while Annie warns evidence can be planted.
• Annie believes Bill "knew something" crucial about the case and insists his absence is not by choice.

Key Quotes:

• "Evidence can be planted, Marshall, and you know it." – Annie (10:41)
• "I think Bill Corwin has disappeared… not of his own free will." – Annie (10:53)
• "A lot more than you think. Tony's in jail now, and we gotta watch out for him, too, so I can't tell you." – Annie (11:51)

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4. The Dock Discovery & Final Realization (12:08–13:17)

• Walter discovers the Wigglesworth’s rowboat and fishing tackle are missing; Mrs. Wigglesworth is alarmed.
• The group suspects someone staged it to look like Bill went fishing, but Annie believes it’s a cover for foul play.
• Climactic Moment: Annie is adamant—Bill's life is in danger, and they must act fast.

Important Quotes:

• "Your rowboat, Mrs. Wigglesworth. The rowboat that's always tied up to your dock. It ain't there. And not only the rowboat ain't there. All the fishing tackle that goes with it ain't there neither." – Joe (12:38)
• "Somebody made it look as if Bill had gone out in that boat. But he didn't. He didn't at all. He wouldn't go out in the middle of the night. No, sir. There's foul play here somewhere." – Annie (13:03)

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Characters Featured

• Annie: Proactive, shrewd, insists on justice
• Joe and Walter: Friends/sidekicks, provide comic relief and support
• Mrs. Wigglesworth: Emotional, worried, treats Bill as a son
• Marshall Elmer Slim: Level-headed, cautious, but skeptical
• Bill Corwin: The missing young man (off-screen)
• Tony Ronelli: Referenced as the (possibly wrongly) jailed man

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Notable Moments & Timestamps

• Lighthearted car banter and community flavor: 04:06–05:14
• Mrs. Wigglesworth demands action: 06:46–08:18
• Annie’s suspicions and connections to Tony Ronelli: 10:05–11:51
• Climactic discovery at the dock (missing rowboat and tackle): 12:29–13:17
• Annie’s plea for help and suspicion of foul play: 13:00–13:17

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Memorable Quotes Section

• "Evidence can be planted, Marshall, and you know it." – Annie, 10:41
• "He must have met with foul play." – Mrs. Wigglesworth, 11:01
• "There's a lot more than meets the eye in this whole case." – Annie, 11:47
• "Somebody made it look as if Bill had gone out in that boat. But he didn't... No, sir. There's foul play here somewhere. We've got to find Bill." – Annie, 13:00

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Episode Tone & Style

• Language/Tone: Wholesome, lively dialogue with a rural Americana flavor; urgency and anxiety pervade the search for Bill, softened by friendly banter and community solidarity.
• Pacing: Builds steadily from light engagement to tense concern
• Atmosphere: Simple, earnest, and suspenseful—the very essence of Golden Age radio drama.

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Conclusion

In "Bill Corwin Has Disappeared," Little Orphan Annie once again takes the lead in stirring up both her friends and local authorities to solve a potential crime. The mystery of Bill’s disappearance is deepened by hints of a previous crime and evidence of deliberate misdirection. Annie’s refusal to accept easy answers, and her suspicions regarding Tony Ronelli’s guilt, set the stage for further adventure and detective work. The episode ends with Annie firmly convinced that something sinister is afoot, propelling listeners to tune in for the next installment.

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Next Episode Teaser:
“Everybody wants to be here right on the dot tomorrow to see if Annie can find any trace of the missing Bill Corwin.”—Radio Announcer (13:17)

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Transcript

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[Liberty Mutual Co-Spokesperson]

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[Joe]

Yeah, the bird looks out of your league.

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Anyways, get a'@libertymutual.com or with your local agent.

[Liberty Mutual Co-Spokesperson]

Liberty, Liberty. Liberty. Liberty.

[Little Orphan Annie Narrator]

Who's that little chatterbox the one with pretty auburn lock Whom do you see? It's Little Orphan Annie she and Sandy make a pair they never seem to have a care Cute little she this little Orphan Annie Bright eyes, cheeks a rosy glow There's a store of healthiness Handy mite's eyes always on the go if you want to know I'm so Sandy always wears a sunny smile now wouldn't it be worth the while it if you could be like Little orphan Annie?

[Radio Announcer]

It's 5:45 now the time an Orphan Annie always comes on the radio to entertain you boys and girls who drink Ovaltine regularly. And speaking of drinking Ovaltine, have you sent in yet for one of those latest design Orphan Annie mugs that are especially made for drinking hot Ovaltine? You know, it's twice as much fun to drink your Ovaltine when you have your own personal mug like this one to drink it out of. It's all made of genuine beetleware. And right in front there's the latest picture of Annie and Sandy in bright colors. Sandy's barking. And you can see Annie talking right to you every time you drink your Ovaltine. And this mug's a good size, so you can have a big delicious drink every time. And the mug has a big comfortable handle on it, too. Now, maybe you've seen these mugs in the newspapers and magazines and have sent in for yours already. But the reason we're telling you about it on the radio is so that every single one of Annie's friends could get one now if they weren't able to get it before. Remember, this mug is not for sale in the stores anywhere. It's our regular 50 cent value and they're ordered in tremendous quantities. So now all of Annie's radio friends who drink Ovaltine regularly can get one for only 10 cents in coin and just one Ovaltine aluminum seal. So if you didn't get a hot Ovaltine mug before, or if you lost yours or anything happened to it, don't Miss this opportunity to get another one. Now here's all you do. Just print your name and address plainly on a piece of paper and say, send me a hot Ovaltine mug. And then send your letter together with all of the thin round aluminum seal from underneath the lid of a can of ovaltine and also 10 cents in coin. Just mail the whole thing in to Little Orphan Annie, Chicago, Illinois. Or if you live in Canada, mail it to Ovaltine, Peterborough, Ontario. That's all you do. And then Annie will send you your hot Ovaltine mug right away. So ask your mother to get you a can of Ovaltine at her drug or grocery store right away. Even if you have some at home now, you'll be needing a new can pretty soon anyway. And the quicker you get it, the quicker you can send in for this latest design or for nanny mug. But now for Annie's newest adventure. Last time, remember, Walter Bloom drove over to the silos in his car and reported that Bill Corwin had disappeared. He has been boarding at the Wigglesworths and did not return home at all last night. Annie and Joe are certainly worried because Bill has been warned to leave town by that masked man. And here they are now in Walters old car the riding toward the Wigglesworth farm and listen to Annie say, Walter,

[Annie]

can't this old car go any faster than this dog?

[Joe]

Boom. Annie, look at that there speedometer.

[Annie]

I am looking at it. It says 18 miles an hour.

[Joe]

Sure does. And that's a mile faster than I ever got the old buggy to go before.

[Walter]

Shucks, we'll never get there at this rate.

[Joe]

Well, see here now, Joe, don't you be saying nothing about this here car. She's an old girl, she is. Had her three years myself and she was 12 years old when I got her.

[Walter]

Gosh, you mean, Walter, this old bus is actually 15.

[Joe]

Sure runs like a honey, don't she? She hadn't been so old, how do you suppose I'd have bought her for $5?

[Annie]

Jumping grasshoppers? We might just as well settle down and wait until we get there, Joe.

[Mrs. Wigglesworth]

Yeah.

[Walter]

Anyhow, it's better than walking.

[Mrs. Wigglesworth]

Shh.

[Joe]

Don't you be saying that word walking, Joe. This old car's awful temperamental. And if she thought we could walk, she just likely as not stop right here where she is.

[Annie]

Listen, Walter.

[Joe]

I'll listen the best I can. Annie. Lizzie, don't run as quiet as you used to go. Look at that.

[Walter]

Look at what?

[Joe]

That speedometer. For a second there. It's at 18 and a half miles hour whee. Wish your turn.

[Marshall Elmer Slim]

Look at that fool chicken.

[Joe]

Almost got run over, she did.

[Mrs. Wigglesworth]

Water.

[Joe]

Yeah.

[Annie]

Auntie, just what did Mrs. Wigglesworth say about Bill Corwin not coming home last night?

[Joe]

Why, she said, Annie, as how he hadn't come home and she is little worried. She said as how he always was regular and on time getting to bed.

[Annie]

And she said he didn't come home at all.

[Joe]

Reckon not. Leastwise if he had, she wouldn't been so sighted about it, would she? She wouldn't have sent me out to see if he'd got to the silos all right.

[Annie]

I guess not.

[Joe]

But anyhow you can ask her about it. Cause here we are. Hang on, I'm gonna turn in the drive.

[Marshall Elmer Slim]

Oh, God.

[Joe]

We made that there turn at 15 miles hour.

[Walter]

Say, there's another car ahead there.

[Annie]

Yeah, it looks like the marshal's car.

[Walter]

It is. It's Mr. Swamp's car.

[Joe]

Here's where we stop. Whoa, baby. Whoa, baby.

[Radio Announcer]

Yeah.

[Joe]

There we are.

[Annie]

Come on, Joe.

[Walter]

I'm riding with you, Annie.

[Joe]

Hey, wait for me. I want to be in on this.

[Annie]

There's Mrs. Wigglesworth in the doorway and

[Walter]

the marshal's with her.

[Mrs. Wigglesworth]

Come on, Annie. Oh, I'm so glad you've come.

[Annie]

Hello, Mrs. Wigglesworth. Hello, Marshall.

[Marshall Elmer Slim]

Howdy, Annie. Howdy, Joe.

[Walter]

Hello.

[Joe]

Hello everybody. I got back.

[Mrs. Wigglesworth]

Oh, Annie. Tell me, did Bill Corwin come to the silos house last night?

[Annie]

Sure he did, Mrs. Wigglesworth.

[Walter]

Sure.

[Mrs. Wigglesworth]

I'm glad to hear that. I'm glad.

[Walter]

Glad.

[Marshall Elmer Slim]

Maybe you got me out on a wild goose chase, Mrs. Wigglesworth.

[Mrs. Wigglesworth]

I don't know. I don't know. Oh, I was so worried I called you Marshall. Bill's never done anything like this before. Oh, Annie. Tell me, did Bill stay all night at the silos?

[Annie]

No, Mrs. Wigglesworth, he didn't.

[Mrs. Wigglesworth]

Oh, there, I knew it. I knew it all the time.

[Marshall Elmer Slim]

You knew what?

[Mrs. Wigglesworth]

Oh, that something had happened to Bill.

[Marshall Elmer Slim]

Now just a minute, Mrs. Wigglesworth. Now get a hold of yourself. There's no reason to get so excited before we know there's anything wrong.

[Mrs. Wigglesworth]

I know there is. I know there is.

[Marshall Elmer Slim]

How do you know there is?

[Mrs. Wigglesworth]

Well, if there wasn't, Bill would have been here. He never stayed out all night before. He was allers in bed by 10 o'.

[Radio Announcer]

Clock.

[Marshall Elmer Slim]

Now listen, Mrs. Wigglesworth, Bill's a young man.

[Mrs. Wigglesworth]

Oh, you listen to me, Elmer Slim. I know that young man. He's fine. When he first came here to board, when the bridge was flooded started, I said to Mr. Wigglesworth, I said, oh, ain't it a shame? We never had any sons of our own. Cause if we did, I know they'd be just like Bill Corwin. That's what I said to Mr. Wigglesworth. And he said to me, we're getting

[Marshall Elmer Slim]

a little off the track. You called me out here.

[Mrs. Wigglesworth]

I called you out here, Elmer Slamp, first on a suspicion, but now on a sure thing.

[Marshall Elmer Slim]

Then I don't get what you mean.

[Mrs. Wigglesworth]

I. Oh, if I'd have had a telephone in the house, I'd have called the silos long ago. I'd have called him to see whether Bill was there. Well, he ain't there, Marshall. So suppose you get busy.

[Marshall Elmer Slim]

Get busy on what?

[Mrs. Wigglesworth]

Find him, that's what.

[Marshall Elmer Slim]

But listen, Mrs. Wiggles.

[Mrs. Wigglesworth]

You listen to me again, Mr. Slim. What are you getting paid for as marshalling this township for anyhow? To find people when they get lost. That's one thing. That's the.

[Marshall Elmer Slim]

Now, now, just a minute, just a minute. Who says that Bill Corwin's lost?

[Mrs. Wigglesworth]

I do, sakes alive. Stands to reason, don't it? He'd have come home last night if he wasn't lost.

[Marshall Elmer Slim]

Now, now, now, Mrs. Wigglesworth, now you're getting hysterical.

[Mrs. Wigglesworth]

Oh, I'm getting nothing of the kind, Elmer Slim. I'm surprised you'd say such a thing. Here's a young man disappeared and it's your business to find.

[Marshall Elmer Slim]

But, Mrs. Wigglesworth, just because he didn't come home last night, ain't no sign he disappeared.

[Mrs. Wigglesworth]

Oh, ain't it? Then where do you think he's gone? Picking daisies?

[Walter]

Listen, Marshall, I'm.

[Marshall Elmer Slim]

Well, what is it, Joe?

[Walter]

When Bill Corwin was at the silos last night.

[Annie]

Joe what? I don't know. You should tell that.

[Walter]

But, Annie.

[Annie]

Shucks.

[Walter]

Bill had something on his mind last night.

[Marshall Elmer Slim]

What's this all about, Joe?

[Walter]

I don't know, Mr. Marshall.

[Marshall Elmer Slim]

Well, Annie, you seem to be the one who's keeping quiet about this. What have you got to say?

[Mrs. Wigglesworth]

For land's sakes, Annie, if you got anything to say, say it.

[Annie]

I don't know as I've got anything to say. But when Bill was at the silos last night, he was awful worried.

[Mrs. Wigglesworth]

Why, the poor boy's been worried ever since he was held up and robbed of the bridge.

[Annie]

Prey roll.

[Marshall Elmer Slim]

Naturally, Mrs. Wigglesworth, naturally. Anything unusual like that would be bound to upset a young fella. Course he's been worried about it.

[Walter]

Shucks, it was more than that he was worried about.

[Marshall Elmer Slim]

What do you mean, Joe?

[Annie]

Gino.

[Little Orphan Annie Narrator]

Huh?

[Annie]

You don't have to tell all you know, do you?

[Walter]

What do you mean, Annie?

[Annie]

Mr. Slim. Yes, Annie, You've been called in on a case, haven't you?

[Marshall Elmer Slim]

Of course I've been called in on a case.

[Mrs. Wigglesworth]

Mrs. Wigglesworth called you to look for poor Bill Marshall. Land sakes, the poor boy hit on the head with that gun the time he was robbed and now disappeared in the night. It's no wonder I called you.

[Marshall Elmer Slim]

But listen, Mrs. Wigglesworth, I want to do my duty. I always been a man to do my duty. But I can't see just because Bill didn't come home last night.

[Annie]

Marshall, there's a good reason why Bill Corwin didn't come home last night.

[Marshall Elmer Slim]

What's that, Annie?

[Annie]

I can't tell you about it because it goes into too many other things, but I think that.

[Marshall Elmer Slim]

What other things?

[Annie]

Tony Ronelli for one. And his being arrested for that payroll holdup.

[Marshall Elmer Slim]

Well, what's Tony Ranelli, who's safe in jail got to do with Bill Cohwan's disappearance?

[Annie]

A lot, I'm sure of it. I can't prove it, Marshall, but I

[Marshall Elmer Slim]

know it seems to me if you knew this thing.

[Annie]

I know it all right. I know a lot of things you don't know, Marshall. It wouldn't do any good to tell you about them. Because you believe Tony's guilty.

[Marshall Elmer Slim]

Of course I do. I arrested him myself. I know he's guilty.

[Radio Announcer]

All the evidence.

[Annie]

Yeah, all the evidence. But evidence can be planted, Marshall, and you know it.

[Mrs. Wigglesworth]

Lands sakes, what's all this got to do with poor Bill Corwin?

[Annie]

Listen, Mrs. Wigglesworth, I think Bill Corwin has disappeared. Has?

[Mrs. Wigglesworth]

Goodness sakes child, we know he has. He didn't come back last night, did he?

[Annie]

But I mean not of his own free will. What?

[Mrs. Wigglesworth]

Oh, I knew it. I knew it, Marshall. He's met with foul play.

[Marshall Elmer Slim]

Now, Mrs. Wigglesworth.

[Annie]

That's right, Marshall. Mrs. Wigglesworth's right. He must have met with foul play.

[Marshall Elmer Slim]

Annie, I'm a fair minded man. But how do you get that Bill Corwin met with foul play?

[Annie]

Because Marshall, he didn't come home last night. He started for home and he didn't get here. He left the silos to come here, but he never did.

[Marshall Elmer Slim]

Well, even so.

[Walter]

Shucks, Annie, why don't you tell him? Why don't you tell him about the cement and about how Bill was warned?

[Marshall Elmer Slim]

You'd better tell me, Annie, if you've got anything to tell. This thing's getting serious.

[Annie]

It is serious, Mr. Slant, awful serious. And I Tell you in a minute.

[Mrs. Wigglesworth]

If only.

[Walter]

If what?

[Annie]

Well, if you weren't so sure Tony Ronelli was guilty of doing that payroll robbery.

[Marshall Elmer Slim]

G rob Willie Corzani. What's that got to do with Bill Carwin's disappearance?

[Annie]

A lot more than you think. Tony's in jail now, and we gotta watch out for him, too, so I can't tell you. But, Mr. Slemp, there's a lot more than meets the eye in this whole case. There's a lot more in that payroll robbery to be looked at. There's a lot more than anything.

[Marshall Elmer Slim]

Now, Annie, how does all this hook up with Bill Cowan's disappearance?

[Annie]

It hooks up because Bill knew something. He knew something that was too important to ever let get out.

[Walter]

Shucks, Annie, I see what you mean now.

[Annie]

Good for you, Joe. I knew I could count on you.

[Walter]

I see why you wanted me to keep quiet before. It was because of Tony. It was because of that you wanted.

[Marshall Elmer Slim]

If you know something about this thing, it's your duty to tell me.

[Joe]

Annie. It's Annie.

[Walter]

Listen, there's Walter calling.

[Annie]

I hear him. What is it, Walter?

[Joe]

Oh. Oh, there you are. I've been down to the dock, Annie. The Wigglesworth dock on the river.

[Mrs. Wigglesworth]

Well, what about it, Walter? It's a good dock.

[Joe]

Sure, sure, Ms. Wigglesworth. But your boat's missing.

[Mrs. Wigglesworth]

Huh? What's that? Land sakes? Our boat's missing?

[Joe]

Yeah. Your rowboat, Ms. Wigglesworth. The rowboat that's always tied up to your dock. It ain't there. And not only the rowboat ain't there. All the fishing tackle that goes with it ain't there neither. Looks to me as if Bill Corbin had just gone fishing in that there rowboat.

[Annie]

It's not so. It's not so. So, friend Sunfish. Somebody made it look as if Bill had gone out in that boat. But he didn't. He didn't at all. He wouldn't go out in the middle of the night. No, sir. There's foul play here somewhere. We've got to find Bill.

[Radio Announcer]

You're right, Annie. We certainly do have to find Bill. Because it doesn't seem likely that he'd go out fishing in the middle of the night. But where in the world do you suppose Bill is gone? And say, if you haven't got one of Orphan Annie's latest design hot Ovaltine mugs, don't forget that you have another opportunity. You get one now, and believe me, it'll be more fun than ever drinking your Ovaltine when you have this keen looking mug. For your very own. It's made of genuine beetleware with a new and beautifully colored picture of Sandy and Annie right on it. And so if you haven't got one of these mugs, you want to ask your mother to get you a can of Ovaltine at your grocery or drugstore now, so you can send in right away. Because here's all you do. Just print your name and address plainly on a piece of paper and say, send me a hot Ovaltine mug. And mail your letter in together with all of the thin round aluminum seal from underneath the lid of a can of ovaltine. And also 10 cents and coin mail the whole thing in to Little Orphan Annie, Chicago, Illinois. Or if you live in Canada, mail it to Ovaltine, Peterborough, Ontario. Remember to put the Ovaltine seal and also 10 cents in coin in with your letter to Annie. And then you'll get your keen looking hot Ovaltine mug in a very few days. And everybody wants to be here right on the dot tomorrow to see if Annie can find any trace of the missing Bill Corwin. We'll be seeing you tomorrow at Orphan anytime. Then goodbye.

[Liberty Mutual Spokesperson]

And Doug, there's nowhere I wouldn't go to help someone customize and save on car insurance with Liberty Mutual. Even if it means sitting front row at a comedy show.

[Liberty Mutual Co-Spokesperson]

Hey, everyone. Check out this guy and his bird. What is this, your first date?

[Liberty Mutual Spokesperson]

Oh, no. We help people customize and save on car insurance with Liberty Mutual together. We're married. Me to a human, him to a bird.

[Joe]

Yeah, the bird looks out of your league.

[Liberty Mutual Spokesperson]

Anyways, get a [e-mail] or with your local agent.

[Liberty Mutual Co-Spokesperson]

Liberty. Liberty. Liberty. Liberty.

[Liberty Mutual Spokesperson]

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