The Black Book 52-02-02 (x) The Price of the Head

Summary

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Podcast Summary: Harold's Old Time Radio

Episode: The Black Book 52-02-02 (x) The Price of the Head
Date: November 17, 2025
Main Theme:
A chilling tale from radio’s Golden Age, "The Price of the Head," dramatizes the dangerous bond between a disreputable colonial outcast and a native friend in the South Seas, revealing the darkness beneath human relationships and the cruel fascination with the “exotic.”

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Episode Overview

In this episode, "The Man in Black" narrates John Russell’s suspenseful story, "The Price of the Head." Set among the Solomon Islands, it follows the dissolute European Christopher Pellet and his enigmatic native companion, Karaki, through a violent, alcohol-ridden flight from justice—all culminating in a grim twist of colonial betrayal. The entire story exudes the mysterious, haunting style of classic radio drama, inviting listeners into a world where civilization and savagery tragically blur.

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Key Discussion Points and Plot Breakdown

1. Setting the Tale (00:41–02:09)

• Narrative Framing:
  The Man in Black introduces a “strange story of the South Seas,” painting a mood of shadowy suspense and latent danger beneath a thin surface of Colonial civilization.
• Character Introductions:
  • Christopher Pellet: Infamous for his “bad name in the islands,” drunkenness, and striking red whiskers.
  • Karaki: His loyal Bougainvillean friend, a “heathen” in the eyes of whites.

Quote:

"For down among the Solomon Islands, the terrors of pure savagery lay just beneath the thin cover of the white men's civilization."
— The Man in Black (01:12)

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2. Pellet’s Drunkenness and Friendship with Karaki (02:09–03:31)

• Karaki patiently cares for Pellet, carrying him home from the bar and nursing him through episodes of abuse and drunkenness.
• The local white assumption deems Karaki’s loyalty a mystery, hinting at deeper motives.

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3. Conflict and Murder at the Bar (03:31–05:58)

• After discovering he was drugged by bartender Moy Jack, Pellet—egged on by alcohol and rage—fatally attacks Moy Jack.
• Karaki attempts to guide and protect Pellet, but the murder instantly brands Pellet an outlaw.

Quote:

"He's dead, Crocky. I killed him."
— Christopher Pellet (05:58)

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4. Flight and Survival (06:04–10:27)

• Escape:
  Karaki orchestrates their frantic escape by sabotaging all other boats, stealing supplies and a canoe, and setting off for Bougainville—800 miles away.
• Hardships:
  Pellet is gripped by withdrawal, forcing Karaki to restrain, nurse, and sustain him on meager rations during the grueling sea journey.
• Violence:
  When pursued by two armed white men, Karaki defends them both, resulting in further deaths.

Quote:

"Not catching Karaki and Pellet. No way."
— Karaki (09:31)

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5. Bonding amid Hardship (10:27–11:31)

• On a remote island, Pellet finally expresses gratitude, acknowledging Karaki’s steadfastness.
• Their friendship feels genuine, if complicated––two “damn big fellow friend always.”

Memorable exchange:

Pellet: "Why, even I'd like to know what goes on under that top nut of yours, my boy. I'd also like to tell you how grateful I am. Wish I could show you, Rocky." (10:48)
Karaki: "Me one big fellow friend long."
Pellet: "We too damn big fellow friend always." (11:15–11:20)

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6. The Grim Twist—Karaki's True Motive (11:31–13:27)

• Upon arrival in Bougainville, Pellet is ambushed by Karaki, who reveals he values Pellet’s unique red-haired head as a trophy, not friendship.

Key quotes:

"Me lack em head."
— Karaki (12:41)
"Red hair, fine red whisker, Big price here. Smoke em head, make em Karaki big man on island."
— Karaki (13:04)

• Tragic Irony:
  Karaki’s patience and care were a calculated means to secure a prized head for his tribe—savagery hidden beneath devotion.

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7. Epilogue and Reflection (13:34–14:14)

• Narrator’s Closing:
  The Man in Black reflects on the futility of Pellet’s end: “A white man’s head, well smoked, was indeed a prize.” Pellet’s fate was sealed from the start, whether by colonist justice or island tradition.

Quote:

"Did it really matter to Pellet how or why he died, since his own race would have hanged him for murder anyway?"
— The Man in Black (14:10)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “For down among the Solomon Islands, the terrors of pure savagery lay just beneath the thin cover of the white men's civilization.”
  — The Man in Black (01:12)
• “He’s dead, Crocky. I killed him.”
  — Pellet (05:58)
• “Not catching Karaki and Pellet. No way.”
  — Karaki (09:31)
• “We too damn big fellow friend always.”
  — Pellet (11:20)
• “Red hair, fine red whisker, Big price here. Smoke em head, make em Karaki big man on island.”
  — Karaki (13:04)

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• Opening narration/setup: 00:32–02:09
• Bar scenes and murder: 02:09–05:58
• Flight and survival at sea: 06:04–10:27
• Bonding on the isle: 10:27–11:31
• Arrival and betrayal revealed: 12:34–13:27
• Epilogue/reflection: 13:34–14:14

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Tone and Style

The episode maintains the dramatic, foreboding ambiance typical of mid-20th-century radio dramas, with moments of black humor, irony, and fatalism. The Man in Black’s narration is both intimate and chilling, emphasizing the darkness of human nature.

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For Listeners

This story stands as a striking example of the moral ambiguity and dark intrigue of classic pulp fiction, layered with a haunting twist. Even without prior knowledge of radio drama, listeners are drawn into a world where “civilized” and “savage” blur—and the ultimate price of trust is chillingly revealed.

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Transcript

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[The Man in Black (Narrator)]

THE MAN IN Black.

[Radio Host / Show Announcer]

Come with me down the long corridor, through the shadows to the secluded study of the famous teller of tales.

[The Man in Black (Narrator)]

Welcome. I am the man in Black. These magnificent volumes you see surrounding me contain the world's greatest collection of unusual and fantastic stories. Today I have selected A tale by Mr. John Russell. A strange story of the South Seas. The Price of the Head. The possessions of Mr. Christopher Pellet were these a bad name in the islands? A continuous thirst of liquor and a set of fine red whiskers. Also, he had a friend, Karaki. It was a strange thing, this friendship between Pellet and the native. For down among the Solomon Islands, the terrors of pure savagery lay just beneath the thin cover of the white men's civilization.

[Christopher Pellet]

Bring me another bottle, Moyjack.

[The Man in Black (Narrator)]

At first it involved nothing more than Karaki patiently standing outside Mojak's bar at Fafuti and waiting for Pellet to get drunk enough to take along home.

[Karaki]

Please, Mr.

[Christopher Pellet]

Pellet, we're closing up now.

[Karaki]

You're pretty drunk already.

[The Man in Black (Narrator)]

Night after night, Karaki waited while the white man sat roaring inside.

[Christopher Pellet]

Don't tell me when to drink. Now you get that bottle. Jump. All right, all right, Mr.

[Karaki]

Pellet.

[Christopher Pellet]

All right.

[Additional Narrator / Minor Character]

I'll get the bottle. I'll fix you the bottle. Right.

[Christopher Pellet]

And hurry up, you bald clown. Yeah, well.

[Karaki]

Plenty good rum.

[The Man in Black (Narrator)]

Hey, Mr.

[Karaki]

Pellet.

[Christopher Pellet]

It stinks. And so do you. And so does this old bloody eye.

[Karaki]

Then don't you like my rum?

[Christopher Pellet]

Yes, well, I think of your rum. Come here, Mojek. I'm gonna crack your ribs.

[The Man in Black (Narrator)]

Crack.

[Christopher Pellet]

Yo.

[Karaki]

Karaki.

[Additional Narrator / Minor Character]

Karaki.

[Christopher Pellet]

Take him home.

[The Man in Black (Narrator)]

A few minutes later, Karaki had the white man across his shoulder and bore him down the beach to the miserable shelter of Pandana sleeves that they called home. There he Pellet to a mat, bathed him with cool water and carefully brushed the dirt from his bright red hair and whiskers. It was quite a mystery at Fu Foodi, the friendship between these two men. After all, Karaki was nothing more than a heathen from Bougainville, a place where some people were smoked and others eaten. It was midday when Mr. Christopher Pellet awoke, groaned his way out Of a painful fog of alcohol.

[Christopher Pellet]

Rum, Crocky, rum.

[Karaki]

No rum. You drink too much rum last night. Too much Moy Jack rum, huh?

[Christopher Pellet]

What do you mean, too much? Moy Jack rum.

[Karaki]

Moy Jack put white powder in bottle. Make him use sleep.

[Christopher Pellet]

So that's it. Why this little rat. Poor Terry. Throttle.

[Karaki]

Be careful, Moy Jack. All time carry knife cut face all.

[Christopher Pellet]

Up that little wax man. All murder him. Come on, Karaki.

[The Man in Black (Narrator)]

Half in anger and half in anticipation of the pleasure of beating someone up, Pellet staggered off down the beach toward Mojak's bar. Karaki followed him. It was the noon hour of repose and all for food. He was asleep. Pellet reached the bar and found Mojak dozing peacefully among his bottles. He woke him with a savage kick.

[Christopher Pellet]

Get up, you dirty scum. Get up so I can bust holes.

[Karaki]

You're hurting me.

[Christopher Pellet]

Feed me a mickey, will you? Not again, you won't. Now I'll cut you, Pellet. Ah, will you now? Well, I'll just fix me a knife, too. Well, come on, my Jack. I want to twist this bottle around in your face. That'll learn you to fight with a reddited man. That'll learn. He's dead, Crocky. I killed him.

[Karaki]

Yes, dead. Plenty trouble now.

[Radio Host / Show Announcer]

Police.

[Christopher Pellet]

Come on, let's get out of here. Where we go, Karaki? I gotta hide someplace.

[Karaki]

You go house. House on beach. Wait there. Me fix some boat. Leave foo footy.

[Christopher Pellet]

What boat? You got no boat.

[Karaki]

Me find the boat.

[Christopher Pellet]

All right, all right. I trust you. But hurry, man. Hur.

[Radio Host / Show Announcer]

We return to the price of the head in just a moment.

[Additional Narrator / Minor Character]

But first, hello, everyone. This is Ray Milan. You know, making motion pictures is a difficult chore and doesn't leave one very much time for too many outside interests. However, even when making something to live for, there was one must on my weekly schedule, and that was listening to the Amos and Andy program every Sunday on CBS Radio.

[Radio Host / Show Announcer]

Thank you, Mr. Milland. And now, once again, the man in black.

[The Man in Black (Narrator)]

Pellet waited in terror in the shack on the beach while Karaki broke into the boat sheds and with an axe, smashed the bottoms out of the three craft sheltered there. Then he opened the trade room and quickly gathered together a big bundle of supplies, including a Winchester rifle and box of cartridges. Next, he carried everything out onto the beach and loaded it into a stout outrigger canoe that belonged to the company agent. And finally he fetched Pellet from the shack and together they hurriedly launched the canoe. In the lagoon, Karaki rigged the big mat sail and they paddled out into the breeze just beyond the harbor entrance.

[Christopher Pellet]

We made it, Karaki. We're safe.

[Karaki]

Yes.

[Christopher Pellet]

I look. Where we headed for anyway? What island we go, Karaki?

[Karaki]

Bougainville.

[The Man in Black (Narrator)]

Bougainville?

[Christopher Pellet]

You crazy? That's 800 miles from here.

[Karaki]

All same, we go my home. 800 miles we go all fine. Otherwise want to bring you my home.

[Christopher Pellet]

All right, you idiot.

[The Man in Black (Narrator)]

Savage.

[Christopher Pellet]

I don't know why you're doing it for me, but I'll see you through.

[The Man in Black (Narrator)]

It was not the beginning of a very pleasant voyage for Mr. Christopher. For Pellet, the fear of being captured and hanged was great enough. But added to it were the horrors brought on by a sudden and complete lack of alcohol. And Pellet had been constantly drunk for over two years. The first night he was too seasick to care. But by morning, he was raving. However, Karaki quickly tied him up hand and foot. And lashed him under a thwart. And continued to sail off into the open sea. And now and again, he threw a dipper full of seawater over the white man. And occasionally fed him with coconut milk. Karaki was an excellent nurse. He even combed Pellet's red hair and whiskers twice every day. By the time they reached the Santa Cruz region. Pellet's condition had improved. And Karaka released him. They were now in an area peppered with tiny islets. And Karaki decided to land on the lee of one. In order to replenish their water supply. He dropped sail and was paddling slowly into the beach. When suddenly, from out of nowhere. A cutter carrying two white men appeared behind them. One of the men signaled for the canoe to stop and surrender. But Karaki had other ideas.

[Radio Host / Show Announcer]

No.

[Karaki]

Not catching Karaki and Pellet. No way.

[Christopher Pellet]

Put that gun down, Karaki. We're in enough trouble now.

[Karaki]

Okay, I shoot.

[The Man in Black (Narrator)]

For some foolish reason. The two white men didn't believe a native would dare resist them. And for their mistake, they were both killed and the cutters sunk. Karaki, however, wasted no time. Sailing back into the open sea without his precious water. 29 days later, he was doling out the few remaining drops to Pellet. Taking none for himself. His every gesture was one of sacrifice. That his white companion might survive. Finally, on the 36th day, they sighted Choisil. By noon, they came ashore. There they stayed for a week. Fattening themselves on the unlimited supply of coconut.

[Christopher Pellet]

Do you think Bougainville's just under the horizon? Eh, Karaki?

[Karaki]

Yes.

[Christopher Pellet]

Well, all right, old chip. You got me this far. I trust you. You know, Karaki, you're quite a Fellow. Yes, yes. You sure don't talk much, though I.

[The Man in Black (Narrator)]

Don'T seem to reach you somehow.

[Christopher Pellet]

Why, even I'd like to know what goes on under that top nut of yours, my boy. I'd also like to tell you how grateful I am. Wish I could show you, Rocky.

[The Man in Black (Narrator)]

Now listen. Me one big fellow friend long.

[Christopher Pellet]

You savvy?

[The Man in Black (Narrator)]

You big fellow friend long.

[Christopher Pellet]

Me savvy. We too damn big fellow friend always.

[Karaki]

Aye. Yes. My word.

[Christopher Pellet]

My word. Oh, Karaki, you kill me.

[The Man in Black (Narrator)]

And so Christopher Pellet warmed to a man. For the first time in his mean life, he actually felt grateful to this quiet savage who had, with rarest self sacrifice, saved his life again and again. And now that he was thoroughly sober, he could understand it even less. The native islander was a mystery to the end. The end came two days later at Bougainville. Under a gorgeous dawn. They sailed into a bay that was crystal blue and right up onto a dazzling white beach. Pellet was the first ashore, and he ran up to a rocky point to see all the charm of the place for himself. Crocky, in his simple and efficient way, proceeded about his own affairs. He landed what was left of the supplies stolen at Fafuti and piled them high on the beach. A few minutes after, Pellet heard a gentle footstep behind him and turned to find Karaki standing there with the rifle at his hip and an axe in his hand.

[Karaki]

Me like.

[Christopher Pellet]

Oh, sir, me like too. This is a great place you have here, Crocky.

[Karaki]

Me lack em head.

[The Man in Black (Narrator)]

Huh?

[Christopher Pellet]

Huh? Oh, well, I like you too, Karaki. We big fellow freight, right?

[Karaki]

Me like him too much. One flat head belong you.

[The Man in Black (Narrator)]

What do you mean? I don't understand.

[Karaki]

Red hair, fine red whisker, Big price here. Smoke em head, make em Karaki big man on island.

[Christopher Pellet]

You mean. You mean you. You're gonna. My head.

[Karaki]

Thine head. Very fine head.

[Additional Narrator / Minor Character]

Cut him off.

[Karaki]

Now.

[The Man in Black (Narrator)]

That was the way of it. That was all the mystery in Karaki's country. A white man's head, well smoked, was indeed a prize. But that of Mr. Christopher Pellet, with his precious red whiskers, was a thing to be desired above the love of women and the simple, patient, enduring. Karaki had served hard to win it. And did it really matter to Pellet how or why he died, since his own race would have hanged him for murder anyway.

[Radio Host / Show Announcer]

And so ends the man in black story for today. The Price of the Head by John Russell. Before we hear of next week's tale, let me remind you that Hearthstone of the death squad follows on this station in just a moment.

[The Man in Black (Narrator)]

Next week, I've selected for you one of the most unusual and terrifying stories in my library. Mr. William Faulkner, one of America's most distinguished authors, wrote it, and he calls it simply a Rose for Emily.

[Radio Host / Show Announcer]

The man in black stars paul freeze today, assisted by the noted hollywood actor john dana. This is the cbs radio network.

[Karaki]

Foreign.

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