Stand By for Crime 53-xx-xx 04 Marijuana Mystery

Summary

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Podcast Summary: Stand By for Crime – "Marijuana Mystery"

Harold's Old Time Radio

Date: October 7, 2025
Episode: Stand By for Crime 53-xx-xx 04 "Marijuana Mystery"
Host: Harold's Old Time Radio (Classic Golden Age radio drama re-broadcast)

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Overview

This vintage radio drama episode of Stand By for Crime whisks listeners to the U.S.-Mexico border, where crack newscaster Chuck Morgan and his irrepressible secretary Carol Curtis become entangled in a dangerous marijuana smuggling case. Full of twists, witty banter, and undercover intrigue, this episode not only highlights the challenges of 1950s crime-fighting but also gives listeners a taste of the era's attitudes and storytelling style.

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Key Discussion Points & Episode Breakdown

1. Carol’s Disappearance and Chuck’s Reluctant Investigation (00:36–05:55)

• Carol’s “hot tip”: She claims a mysterious informant tipped her off about a major marijuana shipment crossing at Calexico. Chuck initially dismisses it, choosing to cover a tamer story.
• Carol goes missing: Chuck’s surprised to find Pappy, the station owner, at Carol’s desk. Carol is on unexpected leave, alarming Chuck.
• The phone call from jail:
  • Carol phones Chuck: “I’m in jail at Calexico. I was caught trying to smuggle marijuana across the border.” (03:00, Carol)
  • Chuck is outraged (and witty as ever), thinks it’s a prank but rushes down to help.
• Tone: Lighthearted, full of banter and mild exasperation.
  • “Now look, glamour puss, you’re fired. Do you hear that? You’re fired. Where are you anyway?” (02:47, Chuck)

2. Reunion at Calexico & the Setup Revealed (05:55–07:07)

• Carol’s predicament: At Calexico’s customs office, it's revealed she concocted her “arrest” as a ruse to lure Chuck south.
• Dave Walker, Customs Official: He’s in on the gag but warns that smuggling is serious (“Oh, four or five years. Good, good. She deserves it.” (05:25, Dave Walker))
• Chuck’s suspicion: After storming out, Chuck notices Max Craig, well-known gangster, in town—hinting the tip might be true after all.

3. Rosita Gonzalez & the Real Investigation Begins (07:07–11:00)

• Rosita’s entrance: Former ally and now with Border Patrol, Rosita sought Chuck’s help via disguised voice.
• The big picture:
  • Only 50 border patrol agents cover 2,000 miles (“It is easy enough to smuggle the dope across the border.” (08:47, Rosita))
  • The true criminals are elusive, making it difficult to capture ‘Mr. Big’.
• Pancho Florit introduced: A naturalized American, prominent banker/politician, key source of intel. Rosita: “I must ask you not to repeat. If his identity becomes known, the patrol will suffer greatly.” (09:36)

4. The Stakeout and Ambush at the Range Camp (11:00–14:24)

• Secret rendezvous: Chuck, Rosita, and Pancho plan to intercept Mr. Big that night.
• The waiting game (deserted range camp; wide, suspenseful silence).
• Things go sideways: Unexpectedly, Carol appears and is accidentally shot by Dave Walker in a scuffle—she's wounded but alive.
  • Memorable: “Hi, Chucky boy.” (Carol, wounded but unfazed) (14:50)

5. Aftermath & Team Dynamics (15:28–17:03)

• Dave chastises Rosita: She’s suspended for breaking protocol, but Carol (and Chuck) defend her intentions.
  • “Border patrolling isn’t a game for a bunch of adventurers. It’s darn serious business.” (15:38, Dave Walker)
• Chuck’s new plan:
  • Suggests baiting the suspects by telegram: “Suppose we send a telegram to the five people on your list of suspects. Just say something like, 'meet me. Rendezvous tonight, midnight. Important.'” (17:57, Chuck)
  • Predicts only ‘Mr. Big’ will show up.

6. The Showdown and Unmasking Mr. Big (19:54–22:47)

• Repeat stakeout: Under Chuck's plan, Pancho Florit—the trusted informant—shows up for the handoff.
• Dramatic confrontation:
  • Gunfire is exchanged. Carol, hiding in Pancho’s car, knocks him out with a wrench—helping save the day.
  • Chuck to Carol: “Remind me to tell you how wonderful I think you are the next time we're alone.” (22:06, Chuck)

7. Closing Wrap-up: Who Was Mr. Big? (23:01–24:43)

• Back in LA: Carol, in a sling, explains Chuck’s reasoning—why Pancho, not Max Craig, was ‘Mr. Big’: “Poncho was in the business, so he knew everyone else… he just informed on them and had them eliminated…” (23:33, Carol)
• Exposition and wit: Banter between Carol, Pappy, and Chuck, closing on a playful, affectionate note.
  • Chuck: “Want to know something? … You’re wonderful.” (24:43, Chuck)

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Memorable Quotes & Moments

• “I’m in jail at Calexico. I was caught trying to smuggle marijuana across the border.”
  — Carol, underlining the comedic yet suspenseful start of the mystery. (03:00)

• “If you're seen so frequently in the company of Senor Florit, wouldn't it—”
  “Oh, Senor Morgan, no one knows I am a member of the patrol.”
  — Chuck and Rosita, on secret identities (10:38)

• “He has three children. People who handle dope PTs—more than the lowest form of life. He has seen too many lives—rape.”
  — Rosita explaining Pancho’s hatred for drug dealers. (11:37)

• “Remind me to tell you how wonderful I think you are the next time we're alone.”
  — Chuck to Carol, after their teamwork cracks the case. (22:06)

• “Poncho was in the business, so he knew everyone else… he just informed on them and had them eliminated…”
  — Carol summing up the twist and Chuck's deductive reasoning. (23:33)

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Key Timestamps

| Segment | Timestamp | |---------------------------------------|---------------| | Carol phones Chuck from jail | 02:44–03:03 | | Chuck arrives at Calexico customs | 05:06–06:05 | | Rosita approaches Chuck in Calexico | 07:07–09:00 | | Secret meeting with Pancho | 11:00–12:21 | | Ambush, Carol shot | 14:10–14:56 | | Dave suspends Rosita | 15:28–15:55 | | Chuck proposes telegram plan | 17:57–18:32 | | The trap is set, confrontation | 20:08–22:06 | | Final deduction and wrap-up | 23:01–24:43 |

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Tone & Style

• Snappy, witty dialogue between Chuck and Carol—mixing suspense with lighthearted, almost screwball humor.
• Exposition on crime-fighting challenges at the border, with a somewhat idealized but earnest picture of 1950s law enforcement.
• Dramatic radio conventions: swift reversals, step-by-step narration, and colorful supporting characters (e.g., Rosita, Dave, Pancho).
• Strong female presence: Carol’s courage and Rosita’s undercover work defy period stereotypes—even when things go awry.

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Summary Takeaway

"Marijuana Mystery" is a vintage, campy crime caper blending tongue-in-cheek humor, retro attitudes toward narcotics, and multi-layered deception. It’s a showcase for radio-era plotting and lively characterization—delivering clever banter, a satisfying twist, and an old-fashioned affirmation: sometimes, it’s the overlooked “secretary” who delivers the knockout blow.

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Transcript

[Liberty Mutual Announcer]

Limu Emu and Doug.

[Liberty Mutual Narrator]

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.

[Carol Curtis]

Limu is that guy with the binoculars watching us.

[Liberty Mutual Narrator]

Cut the camera. They see us.

[Liberty Mutual Announcer]

Only pay for what you [e-mail] Liberty Liberty, Liberty. Liberty Savings vary underwritten by Liberty Mutual Insurance Company and affiliates. Excludes Massachusetts.

[Chuck Morgan]

Stand by for crime. Chuck Morgan speaking. KOP newscaster in Los Angeles. You know, in spite of all the kidding that goes on between my blonde secretary, Carol Curtis and me, she's really quite a gal. I depend upon her more than I sometimes care to admit. She's an eager beaver when it comes to lining up feature stories for my broadcasts, which, when you have to dig up two features a day, is a big help. But every once in a while, Carol goes overboard in her attempts to ferret out these features. Like last week, she claimed she had a hot tip from a mysterious person whose name she didn't know and who told her that a big shipment of marijuana was scheduled to be smuggled across the border at Calexico. And if we wanted an eight columned headline yarn, we'd better be on hand. Well, I wrote that one off to one of those crackpots that were forever phoning in and told Carol we'd cover the Iowa State picnic instead. Two mornings later, I arrived at my office, prepared to be greeted by Carol's cheerful grin as usual, and instead found Pappy Mansfield, owner of kop, sitting at her desk. Hello, Pappy. Where's Carol?

[Pappy Mansfield]

Hi, Chuck. What do you mean, where's Carol? Didn't she tell you?

[Chuck Morgan]

Tell me what?

[Pappy Mansfield]

Why, day before yesterday, she asked for a couple of days off and I told her she could have them.

[Chuck Morgan]

Oh, she did. And you did? Yeah. How do you like that? She's got a nerve. What does she think she's working for anyway? If she wants to be my secretary, then she'll.

[Pappy Mansfield]

Now just take it easy, Chucky boy. It happens that you weren't around when Carol made that request. And since I only happen to own this coffee pot you're both working for, she probably figured that I was next in authority, so she asked me for the leave of absence.

[Chuck Morgan]

Leave of absence? That sounds as though she's going to be gone for a year. Where'd she say she was going?

[Pappy Mansfield]

Your phone's ringing, Chucky boy.

[Chuck Morgan]

I asked you where she said she was going.

[Pappy Mansfield]

She didn't say, and your phone's still ringing.

[Chuck Morgan]

How about That I hire a secretary and she walks out on me just when I need her the most. I ask you. How about that? Chuck?

[Pappy Mansfield]

Answer that phone.

[Chuck Morgan]

You know what I think I'll do? I think I'll fire that one.

[Narrator/Chuck's Companion]

Chuck.

[Chuck Morgan]

Hello? She's got to understand that I'm the boss as far as she's concerned.

[Pappy Mansfield]

Someone's talking to you, Chucky boy.

[Chuck Morgan]

Huh? Oh, hello? Who is it? What do you want?

[Carol Curtis]

It's Carol, darling. Now listen.

[Chuck Morgan]

Now look, glamour puss, you're fired. Do you hear that? You're fired. Where are you anyway?

[Carol Curtis]

I'm in jail at Calexico.

[Chuck Morgan]

A likely story. Now what did you say?

[Carol Curtis]

I said I was in jail in Calexico. I was caught trying to smuggle marijuana across the border.

[Chuck Morgan]

Oh, you dope. You empty headed dope. Pappy, kick that chair over here, will you? I think I better sit down.

[Pappy Mansfield]

Sure. So she got caught, did she?

[Chuck Morgan]

You're not being funny, Pappy.

[Pappy Mansfield]

I think I am.

[Carol Curtis]

Chuck, are you still there? Who are you talking to?

[Chuck Morgan]

A man with no sense of humor. Now look, glamour, I frame Chuck and.

[Carol Curtis]

I'm mad and uncomfortable and disgusted. And you've got to come down and identify me because they won't believe I'm who I am.

[Chuck Morgan]

What do you mean you were framed?

[Carol Curtis]

Well, a. I went across the border and when I came back, the customs officials opened my suitcase and there was about a ton of marijuana inside. Oh, Chuck, the meals are horrible in this jail. Would you please hurry up?

[Chuck Morgan]

Framed meals are. Hurry up. Okay, glamour puss, I'll be there.

[Pappy Mansfield]

Anything wrong, Chuck?

[Chuck Morgan]

No, no, not a thing, Pappy, not a thing. By the way, I'd like to have a two day leave of absence. How about it?

[Pappy Mansfield]

Why sure, Chuck. Of course, you realize when you take a leave of absence, your pay stops.

[Chuck Morgan]

Yeah, I know. Okay, Pappy, stop my pay. I'm leaving for Calexico. Calexico is a border town lying some 200 miles southeast of Los Angeles. On the other side of the line in old Mexico. The town is called Mexicali, the names of both being a play on words. A bunch of years ago there was a song written about Mexicali and some kind of rose. I can hear it now as I recall it. One popular favor. When I pulled him to town around four in the afternoon and went immediately to the customs office. Glamour puss had said she was in jail. But I figured it might be a good idea to establish her identity before I went over to bail her out. I was pleasantly surprised to discover that the customs official in Charge was a man named Dave Walker, whom I knew when he was stationed at Tijuana. Dave was sitting in his office with his feet cocked up on his desk and there was a good looking blonde babe with him. The blonde babe I recognized too. Her name was Carol Curtis.

[Carol Curtis]

Hi, Chucky boy. Come on in and sit down.

[Dave Walker]

Chuck Morgan. How are you, boy? Long time no see.

[Chuck Morgan]

Good to see you, Dave. Who's a babe?

[Dave Walker]

Who's it? Okay, I'll go along with a gag. The babe claims she's Carol Curtis. She was picked up this morning trying to run some marijuana across the line.

[Chuck Morgan]

I see. What's the wrap for that, Dave?

[Dave Walker]

Oh, four or five years.

[Chuck Morgan]

Good, good. She deserves it.

[Dave Walker]

Yeah, yeah. Say, look, Chuck, if you really want in on a big.

[Chuck Morgan]

Sorry, Dave, I'll see you around, Chuck. Who said that?

[Carol Curtis]

Okay, funny man, you've had your joke. Now if you'll just listen, ma', am.

[Chuck Morgan]

You seem to have the advantage. Am I supposed to know you're a prisoner, Dave?

[Dave Walker]

Well, look, Chuck, you don't have to.

[Chuck Morgan]

There's only one thing I have to do, Dave, and that's get back to LA and report to Pappy Mansfield so I can get back on the payroll. I was asked to come down here and identify someone who was mistaken for a smuggler. Well, I haven't seen anyone to identify.

[Carol Curtis]

Oh, Chuck, for heaven's sake.

[Chuck Morgan]

That expression sounds familiar, but I still don't know the face. Oh, there's just one thing, Dave. Was this babe actually picked up and did you find marijuana in her suitcase?

[Dave Walker]

Well, yeah, only it was a gag. You see, she wanted to.

[Chuck Morgan]

Me. I've been sucked in on deals like this before. This time I'm bowing out. You have your prisoner and the evidence. Carry on, old boy.

[Carol Curtis]

So off, Jock.

[Narrator/Chuck's Companion]

I went out of there and I was mad.

[Chuck Morgan]

I should have known the whole thing was a trick of Carol's to get me down. Just because of a crackpot telephone call. Well, it was high time that she understood that I. Then I stopped thinking along those lines and stood stock still, staring at a yellow custom built convertible part across the street. Most anyone in LA would have recognized a convertible. It belonged to Max Craig. The gangster, racketeer, gambler. As I watched, Max himself came along the street, got into the convertible and drove away. So what was Max doing in Calexico? For my money, there was only one answer to that. Max was mixed up in the smuggling. Well, that would make a good story. I was on the verge of turning back to the customs office when a girl came running across the Street.

[Rosita Gonzalez]

Senor Morgan. Senor Morgan.

[Narrator/Chuck's Companion]

Rosita.

[Chuck Morgan]

Well, I'll be. Rosita Gonzalez. How are things? What are you doing in Calexico?

[Rosita Gonzalez]

Oh, then you remember me. See?

[Chuck Morgan]

Remember you? How could I forget? How long ago was it we worked on that wet backstory? A couple months.

[Rosita Gonzalez]

Wasn't it almost time? I am very happy that you could come. This time I think you will have a big story.

[Chuck Morgan]

You sound as though you expected me.

[Rosita Gonzalez]

I see. Didn't Ms. Curtis tell you?

[Chuck Morgan]

Ms. Curtis. Look, Rosita, let's duck into one of these saloons where we can order a beer and talk. So it was you who called Carol?

[Rosita Gonzalez]

See, for many reasons, I disguised my voice. You must promise to keep what I tell you very secret.

[Narrator/Chuck's Companion]

Sure. I won't say a word.

[Rosita Gonzalez]

Gracias. First, you must know that I am a member of the Border Patrol.

[Chuck Morgan]

No kidding.

[Rosita Gonzalez]

I see. As you know, my husband Jose was killed by a smuggler some time ago.

[Narrator/Chuck's Companion]

Yeah.

[Chuck Morgan]

I had a hand at running down.

[Rosita Gonzalez]

His murder, and for that I am very grateful, senor. That is why I called you about the dope smuggler. It will make a big story, I think.

[Chuck Morgan]

Well, that's fine, Rosita, but dope smuggling doesn't make very good copy anymore. It's become too common. Now, if you could set it up so the boys could dig up the big shot.

[Rosita Gonzalez]

That is what we are going to do tonight. Senori, as you say, there are many little men who smuggle, Doc. All of them work for this big shot. When one of the little men is captured, the big shot nearly hires another small man to do his dirty work for him.

[Chuck Morgan]

Yeah, and Mr. Vig is too doggone smart to ever show himself.

[Rosita Gonzalez]

Ah, but we have contacts. Oh, you see, senor, in the dock division of the border Patrol, There are only 50 men to guard 2,000 miles of boundary.

[Chuck Morgan]

Yeah, I knew they were pretty badly undermanned.

[Rosita Gonzalez]

50 tiara. No, senor. It is easy enough to smuggle the dope across the border. It is after it is in the United States that the arrests are made when the contraband is transferred to the American distributors.

[Chuck Morgan]

I should think that'd be the toughest part of all. Oh, no.

[Rosita Gonzalez]

It is the contacts, the informers who make it easy. Some of these people we pay some inform because of dislike for dope smugglers. Oh, there are many reasons. I see there is one man in town who is my contact, senor. He is a very important man. Many times he has given me information that has led to the capture of the smugglers and dealers.

[Narrator/Chuck's Companion]

Who is this gent.

[Rosita Gonzalez]

I will tell you his name, senor, because you must meet him. But again, I must ask you not to repeat. If his identity becomes known, the patrol will suffer greatly.

[Narrator/Chuck's Companion]

I understand perfectly.

[Rosita Gonzalez]

His name is Pancho Florit, a naturalized American. He is an important man, a town, a banker and politician. He has many friends among the Theons. Many sources of information are open to him.

[Chuck Morgan]

And does Senor Florid know the identity.

[Narrator/Chuck's Companion]

Of the big shot?

[Rosita Gonzalez]

Several days ago a big shipment of marijuana came across the border. It will be worth many thousands of dollars when it is sold retail. Pancho has information that the big shot himself will be on hand to pay the money and receive the contraband.

[Chuck Morgan]

Does Clarit know where the transfer will take place?

[Rosita Gonzalez]

Tonight Senor Pancho will meet you and me at a secret place. He will give us the information we need.

[Chuck Morgan]

You and me. Well, isn't the patrol going to be in on this?

[Rosita Gonzalez]

Senor, as you know, I am a very excellent shot.

[Chuck Morgan]

Yeah.

[Rosita Gonzalez]

It would be a great honor to me to make this arrest alone. And to you, senor, would go the honor of what you call the scoop.

[Chuck Morgan]

If you hadn't held me prisoner for a whole day in Dead Horse Canyon a couple of months ago. I turned this deal down flat, but.

[Rosita Gonzalez]

Oh, then you will do it, Senor.

[Chuck Morgan]

C C for many more reasons than you think. There's just one thing. If you're seen so frequently in the company of Senor Florid, wouldn't it?

[Rosita Gonzalez]

Oh, Senor Morgan, no one knows I am a member of the patrol. And this Senor Florite is young and very handsome.

[Chuck Morgan]

I drove out of town about 10 miles and stopped at a motor cart.

[Narrator/Chuck's Companion]

At 10 o' clock that night, Jose.

[Chuck Morgan]

To pick me up. We drove along the highway for half a dozen miles, then turned off into the desert. We came to a wide spot in the dirt road and parked, switching off the lights. There was a crescent moon hanging on the horizon and a soft breeze blowing. You sure your boyfriend will show up?

[Rosita Gonzalez]

He is not my boyfriend. Senor Pancho is married and very happy with his family. I envy him.

[Dave Walker]

But you said that.

[Rosita Gonzalez]

That he is young and handsome. See? It is very convenient for the roles we both play in this game.

[Narrator/Chuck's Companion]

I see.

[Chuck Morgan]

Does the patrol pay Florit for the information he supplies?

[Rosita Gonzalez]

Pancho will accept no money. He has three children. People who handle dope PD tests. More than the lowest form of life. He has seen too many lives. Rape.

[Chuck Morgan]

Yeah. I can go along with him there.

[Narrator/Chuck's Companion]

Listen. A car was approaching over the bumpy road. Its lights out in a moment. It drew alongside. A man got out and Rosita introduced me to him.

[Chuck Morgan]

In the dim light I could see that he was, as Rosita said, young and handsome.

[Narrator/Chuck's Companion]

He motioned was he to get out, and they crouched over a smooth place on the ground.

[Chuck Morgan]

Barit drew a rough map with a.

[Narrator/Chuck's Companion]

Stick, speaking rapidly in Spanish, and he.

[Chuck Morgan]

Scuffed out the map, said goodbye to me briefly, and drove away. Rosita and I started ahead along the gravel road. This is all very mysterious.

[Rosita Gonzalez]

It is the only way the smugglers will operate when they make the transfer.

[Chuck Morgan]

Oh? Why is that?

[Rosita Gonzalez]

It is very quiet on the desert at night. And approaching automobile.

[Liberty Mutual Narrator]

And Doug, here we have the Limu imu 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.

[Carol Curtis]

Uh, Limu is that guy with the binoculars watching us?

[Liberty Mutual Narrator]

Cut the camera. They see us.

[Liberty Mutual Announcer]

Only pay for what you [e-mail] Liberty Liberty Liberty Liberty Savings Ferry Unwritten by Liberty Mutual Insurance Company and affiliates excludes.

[Rosita Gonzalez]

Massachusetts can be heard a long way off.

[Chuck Morgan]

I get it. Where are we going now?

[Rosita Gonzalez]

There is a deserted range camp not far from here. It is there that the rendezvous will be made.

[Narrator/Chuck's Companion]

We reached the range camp in about half. Rosita parked behind a group of mesquite.

[Chuck Morgan]

And she opened up the trunk compartment.

[Narrator/Chuck's Companion]

Took out a flashlight and two guns.

[Chuck Morgan]

She gave me one of the guns.

[Narrator/Chuck's Companion]

And we went inside.

[Rosita Gonzalez]

It will be a long wait, senora. You do not mind?

[Chuck Morgan]

Not at all. I have charming company.

[Rosita Gonzalez]

Gracias. But we must not talk or smoke. The smugglers will arrive first with the dope. We must hold them prisoner until the man who is to buy it arrives.

[Narrator/Chuck's Companion]

So we waited. An hour passed.

[Chuck Morgan]

2.

[Narrator/Chuck's Companion]

The hankering for a cigarette was becoming unbearable. I was considering making a tent of.

[Chuck Morgan]

My coat and lighting up when Rosita.

[Rosita Gonzalez]

Said, listen, I think they are coming. This is strange. Punjo said they would arrive my horseback.

[Narrator/Chuck's Companion]

Something's gone wrong, do you think?

[Rosita Gonzalez]

I do not know. But whoever these are, they will not be friends.

[Chuck Morgan]

I had an uneasy feeling there'd been a hit somewhere along the line. But there wasn't anything we could do about it now.

[Narrator/Chuck's Companion]

The car stopped outside and we heard footsteps approaching the shaft. It sounds as though there were a.

[Chuck Morgan]

Dozen or more when the door opened and people came in.

[Dave Walker]

All right, get your hands up.

[Chuck Morgan]

Why you.

[Dave Walker]

Get up.

[Chuck Morgan]

Don't shoot again.

[Rosita Gonzalez]

Senor. It is Ms. Curtis. You have hit her.

[Chuck Morgan]

Now the conclusion of standby for crime. Well, this was a Fine kettle of fish. Lying on the floor, blood staining the right sleeve of her blouse, was Carol. Standing above her, a gun smoking in his hand, was Dave Walker. Behind Dave were two other Border Patrol officers. But all this was only subconsciously registered on my mind. All I could see was Carol lying on the floor. I crossed quickly and kneeled down. Carol, darling, glamour, speak to me.

[Carol Curtis]

Hi, Chucky boy.

[Chuck Morgan]

You're. You're all right.

[Carol Curtis]

As all right as anyone can be with a bullet lodged in her arm.

[Rosita Gonzalez]

Oh, Mrs. Curtis, I am so sorry.

[Carol Curtis]

Rosita Gonzalez, what are you doing here?

[Dave Walker]

Yeah, what are you doing here?

[Chuck Morgan]

Chuck, Never mind that. Right now we've got to get Carol to a doctor. Rosita, let me have your scarf. Here, I'll bind this up. And then we've got to get out of here. Well, there wouldn't be any dope peddlers captured this night. If anyone had been within 10 miles of that range camp, they'd have heard the shots and yells. We drove back to town, rooted out a doctor, got Carol's arm fixed up, then gathered in Dave Walker's office and were told where to head in.

[Dave Walker]

Rosader, you were under strict orders not to pull a stunt like that.

[Rosita Gonzalez]

I am sorry, senor. I only wanted.

[Dave Walker]

Sorry doesn't help matters any. You're under suspension for a month.

[Carol Curtis]

Aren't you being a little rough on her? Dave?

[Dave Walker]

If you want to know the truth, I'm being easy on her. What you people can't realize is that border patrolling isn't a game for a bunch of adventurers. It's darn serious business. As a result of tonight's escapade, we probably missed our one chance to pick up Mr. Bake.

[Chuck Morgan]

All right, all right. Simmer down a bit, Dave. I don't blame you for being sore and throwing your weight around. But if this is such serious business, why did you have any part in helping Carol trick me into coming down here?

[Carol Curtis]

Oh, Chuck, that isn't fair.

[Chuck Morgan]

Sure, it's fair. Well, Dave.

[Dave Walker]

Yeah, yeah, you're right. It's my fault as much as anybody's. I apologize. Let's skip the whole thing. I'll probably be the one to be suspended when the boss hears about this.

[Chuck Morgan]

Well, the boss won't mind if we hand him Mr. Big.

[Dave Walker]

We've got a fat chance of doing that now.

[Chuck Morgan]

I don't know. You know Max Craig was in town? Sure.

[Dave Walker]

We've had a man on him ever since he got here.

[Chuck Morgan]

You think he's your boy?

[Dave Walker]

If we did and could prove it, we'd have nailed him a long time ago.

[Chuck Morgan]

Sure you would. By the way, who tipped you off about the rendezvous at the range camp?

[Dave Walker]

Rosita isn't the only one who has good contacts in this outfit.

[Rosita Gonzalez]

I should have known it. It is all my fault. I was thinking, selfishly only of what a great honor it would be.

[Dave Walker]

Skip it, Rosita. This will be a good lesson for you. The Border Patrol functions as a team. That's the only way it can be successful.

[Rosita Gonzalez]

Yes, I know. I shall not forget the game.

[Carol Curtis]

Have you got any ideas, Chuck?

[Chuck Morgan]

Sure, I've got ideas. I've always got ideas. You want to hear them, Dave?

[Dave Walker]

What can I lose?

[Chuck Morgan]

Thanks. That's encouraging. Look, have you got anyone else spotted besides Max Craig who might be Mr. Big?

[Dave Walker]

Sure, about five. Why?

[Chuck Morgan]

They all here in town?

[Dave Walker]

Some are, some aren't.

[Chuck Morgan]

It doesn't matter, so long as none are farther away than Los Angeles.

[Dave Walker]

I don't know what you're getting at. We've been trying for months to put our finger on the one man who handles the greater part of the stuff that comes over the line. And so far, all we've picked up is small fry.

[Chuck Morgan]

And it's high time you baited the big fish into your net. You know, whoever your boy is, he's probably already been told about the incident at the rain shack or how does.

[Carol Curtis]

That prove anything, Chuck?

[Chuck Morgan]

The chances are that no one was close enough to identify any of us. As a matter of fact, knowing the type of people who handle dope, they probably hit for the border like a bunch of scared rabbits. That sounded the first shot.

[Dave Walker]

So?

[Chuck Morgan]

So our friend Mr. Big is probably sitting at home right now wondering what the devil was happening at the rendezvous last night.

[Dave Walker]

Well, what's your Big idea?

[Chuck Morgan]

Suppose we send a telegram to the five people on your list of suspects. Just say something like, meet me. Rendezvous tonight, midnight. Important.

[Carol Curtis]

And what do you think will happen?

[Chuck Morgan]

All but one of the five who received the wire will either disregard it or turn it over to the sheriff. The fifth will be the boy we want will be the only one who knows where the rendezvous is located.

[Dave Walker]

You think he'll show up at the range camp? No good, Chuck. He'd become suspicious in a minute.

[Chuck Morgan]

I don't think so. He knows that something went wrong last night. He knows the smuggler won't contact him personally. But he'll understand that telegram. Okay.

[Dave Walker]

Now, how are you gonna get the smugglers there with their marijuana? Unless a transfer is made, we'll have nothing on the boy we want.

[Narrator/Chuck's Companion]

I'll be the smuggler and you provide the dope, Dave.

[Chuck Morgan]

Just put a little in a box and fill it up with something to make it weigh as much as the shipment that came over the line a few days ago.

[Narrator/Chuck's Companion]

Well, I finally talked Dave into it.

[Chuck Morgan]

Dave was in the position of a man who was willing to try most anything after the fiasco the night before. Frankly, I wasn't too hopeful that my plan would pay off. But I kept thinking that if this was a really big shipment, Mr. Big wasn't going to pass it up. There were too many other buyers who could take it over in small lots. So we sent the telegrams and then got some sleep. At 4pm Dave checked the sheriff's office and was told that no one had reported receiving a mysterious telegram. This wasn't surprising. The five men to whom the wires had been sent were all shady characters. And it wasn't likely that any of them would want any truck with the law. Just after dark, we all piled into my jalopy and drove off to the range camp. I parked in plain sight, told Carol to stay in the car. And if anyone showed up to get down and out of sight. I didn't want her to get mixed up in any more shooting. Azita and I went into the shack. Dave and the other officer would come along, hid in the bushes waiting was a repetition of the night before.

[Narrator/Chuck's Companion]

Only this time it was easier. I was pretty sure our man was going to show up. About a quarter of 12, we heard a car coming across the desert.

[Rosita Gonzalez]

Car is coming, senor.

[Narrator/Chuck's Companion]

Yeah, I hear it. Get over to that window. But keep down out of sight.

[Rosita Gonzalez]

You needn't worry. You have the package?

[Narrator/Chuck's Companion]

Yeah, right here. Well, here goes. So I opened the door of the shack and stepped out, keeping in the shadows, the package under my arm. A car was parked next to mine. Kramapus was nowhere in sight. I stood still and waited. At first I thought the man behind.

[Chuck Morgan]

The wheel wasn't going to get out.

[Narrator/Chuck's Companion]

He just sat there watching me. I didn't move either. After a while, the car door opened and the guy got out and walked toward me slowly. He stopped about 10ft away, his face in the shadows, not to stop.

[Chuck Morgan]

Yeah. You got the dough? Yeah.

[Pappy Mansfield]

Put the package on the ground. Back up.

[Narrator/Chuck's Companion]

So I put the package on the ground and backed away.

[Chuck Morgan]

The man waited a minute.

[Narrator/Chuck's Companion]

Then he moved forward. His hat was pulled down and his.

[Chuck Morgan]

Coat collar turned up.

[Pappy Mansfield]

Turn around.

[Narrator/Chuck's Companion]

So I turned around and waited. A couple of seconds passed.

[Pappy Mansfield]

Okay.

[Narrator/Chuck's Companion]

I turned back. The package was gone.

[Chuck Morgan]

There was an envelope lying on the ground.

[Narrator/Chuck's Companion]

The man was backing toward his car. I reached into my pocket and pulled out my gun.

[Chuck Morgan]

All right, Pancho.

[Dave Walker]

Flori, get your hands up.

[Chuck Morgan]

Are you. Florid didn't get his hands up. He'd been holding a gun all the time. He lifted one arm, slammed a shot at the shot. There was a crash of glass. Then he dropped to one knee and took a shot at me. I let go with an answer, but Fleury was on his feet, zigzagging toward his car. Dave and his power coming from their hiding places. But Florid slammed the door of his car and missed the gears. Then a figure rose up behind him and smashed something heavy down in his head. Sagged forward like an empty sack. I went running up and found Glamourpuss standing up in the back seat of the convertible with a heavy wrench in her hand. Glamour Puss?

[Carol Curtis]

I'm sorry, Chuck, but I wanted to be in on this, too. Did I do all right?

[Chuck Morgan]

Did you do Glamour Puzz? Remind me to tell you how wonderful I think you are the next time we're alone. I told you that blonde secretary of mine had what it takes. She'd been watching the shack and had seen Rosita's face at the window and had guessed what was going to happen. Rosita, after all, was a woman and was therefore curious and couldn't resist taking a look at Mr. Big. When she recognized her contact, Pancho Florite, she was probably so startled she just stood there and gaped. Fortunately, Florite's bullet missed her. Well, by 4 o' clock that afternoon, Glamour Puss and I were back in LA telling the story to Pappy.

[Carol Curtis]

Chuck figured it all out. Pappy, don't you think he's wonderful?

[Pappy Mansfield]

Oh, he's terrific. What's your arm doing in the sling, Carol?

[Carol Curtis]

Oh, never mind that. You see, Chuck reasoned that Max Craig wouldn't be stupid enough to show himself in Calexico driving his familiar yellow convertible if he were Mr. Big.

[Pappy Mansfield]

I see. You won't be able to run a typewriter for quite a spell, will you?

[Carol Curtis]

Oh, who cares? So then Chuck figured that this Poncho Florite had to be Mr. Big. You want to know why?

[Pappy Mansfield]

Was it an accident or did Chuck break your arm?

[Carol Curtis]

All right, I'll tell you. Poncho was in the business, so he knew everyone else in the business. So when anyone else began to get Big, he just informed on them and had them eliminated. And at the same time, he kept himself in solid with the Border Patrol through Rosita. Get it?

[Pappy Mansfield]

Chuck was pretty mad when he left here the other day.

[Carol Curtis]

And also, Chuck reasoned that nobody but Poncho could have had enough information to know about the trap we were setting up that first night. I don't want to sound catty, but I can't help being glad that Rosita wasn't as smart as she thinks. Do you think I'm being catty, Pappy?

[Pappy Mansfield]

Well, I'll tell you what I think, Carol, if you want to know the truth.

[Carol Curtis]

I do.

[Pappy Mansfield]

Well, then I think Happy. Oh, hello, Chuck.

[Carol Curtis]

Are you still here?

[Chuck Morgan]

Yeah. Back on the payroll again. Look, Pappy, do me a favor, will you?

[Pappy Mansfield]

Now, Chuck, I told you that I'll leave a bag.

[Chuck Morgan]

The only thing I want you to do is get out of here. What? Yeah, scram. Beat it. Get lost.

[Pappy Mansfield]

Well, if I'm in the way, you are. Well, okay. I'm the last man in the world to stick around some place that I'm not.

[Chuck Morgan]

So long, Pappy.

[Carol Curtis]

Bye, Pappy.

[Chuck Morgan]

Fam. A puss.

[Carol Curtis]

Yes, Chuck?

[Chuck Morgan]

Want to know something? What? You're wonderful.

[Carol Curtis]

Oh, Chuck.

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[Carol Curtis]

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