Whistler 42-09-20 ep019 Fog

Summary

Podcast Summary: "Whistler 42-09-20 ep019 Fog"

Podcast Information:

• Title: Harold's Old Time Radio
• Host/Author: Harold's Old Time Radio
• Episode: Whistler 42-09-20 ep019 Fog
• Release Date: July 3, 2025

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Introduction

In the Whistler episode titled "Fog," listeners are immersed in a classic tale of mystery and deception set against the backdrop of a foggy harbor. The narrative unfolds through the voices of Danny, Captain Fowler, Faye, Joe Rodriguez, and the enigmatic Whistler, who serves as the storyteller and observer of human secrets.

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Setting the Scene

The episode opens with Danny expressing concern over the strange occurrences surrounding him:

• [00:02] Danny: "Wait a minute. Have you heard the strange tales of the Whistler?"

The Whistler introduces himself, setting the tone for a night filled with suspense and hidden motives:

• [00:23] The Whistler: "I'm the Whistler."

Captain Fowler shares his uneasy experience with Danny:

• [00:30] Captain Fowler: "I was with Danny when it happened, but I couldn't hang on to him. He ran off and left me, and I've been looking for him ever since."

---

Character Introductions and Initial Conflict

Danny is portrayed as a man grappling with hidden turmoil:

• [00:40] Danny: "I ain't going to no doctor at this time of the night. Tomorrow, maybe, but I'm not going tonight."

Faye, Danny's girlfriend, provides emotional support:

• [00:50] Faye: "But, Danny, you couldn't have done a thing like that. I know. Don't worry, Danny."

Joe Rodriguez, a fisherman and friend, hints at Danny's instability:

• [01:07] Joe Rodriguez: "It's much better that I leave town, Danny. If I stay, I might forget I am your friend."

The Whistler sets up the central mystery of the episode:

• [01:24] The Whistler: "I, the Whistler, know many things... And so I tell you tonight the strange story of fog."

---

The Foggy Night and Rising Tensions

As Danny and Captain Fowler navigate through the thick fog towards the Anchor Pool Room—a known haunt of Duke Moran—tensions rise over Danny's possession of a gun:

• [02:04] Captain Fowler: "Hey, Danny, you didn't bring your gun, did you?"
• [02:12] Danny: "Sure I did. Why?"
• [02:19] Captain Fowler: "Well, you might lose your temper and do something you'd regret."

Danny's anger towards Duke Moran is palpable:

• [03:11] Danny: "He borrowed money from me, and he ain't kept his word about paying it back."
• [03:18] Danny: "Oh, no, he won't. He's planning to skip town and leave me holding the sack."

A sudden altercation occurs when Danny stumbles:

• [03:39] Captain Fowler: "Danny, are you hurt?"
• [04:11] Danny: "Keep your hands off me. Who are you?"

Danny flees into the fog, leaving Captain Fowler and others searching for him:

• [04:41] The Whistler: "Danny breaks away and quickly disappears into the fog."

---

Revelations and Accusations

Captain Fowler discovers unsettling information:

• [05:51] Captain Fowler: "Oh, no, not tonight, Faye. I'm looking for Danny. Have you seen him?"
• [06:06] Captain Fowler: "Danny's had an accident. Fell down on the Street. He tripped over a fire hydrant."

Faye expresses concern over Danny's memory loss:

• [07:22] Captain Fowler: "Yes, I've been everywhere. Been to the casino, over to the bowling alley."
• [07:36] Captain Fowler: "We got to find that kid. He's like a crazy man."

As dawn approaches, tensions escalate with the arrival of a police car reporting Duke Moran's murder:

• [10:07] Danny: "Well, how do you like that? That guy gets bumped off owing me a hundred bucks."
• [10:17] Captain Fowler: "Who was he?"
• [10:18] Danny: "Do you know? Yeah. Duke Moran."

The Whistler hints at a possible connection between Danny's impaired state and the murder:

• [10:29] The Whistler: "Could it be that after your mind went blank, you continued on to the anger pool room?"

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Doubt and Suspicions

Danny grapples with the possibility that he might be the killer:

• [14:22] Captain Fowler: "Well, Danny, to be honest with you, it does. Still, there's room for doubt."
• [14:48] Danny: "I know one thing. I could never be convicted of murder, even if I did do it."
• [14:55] Captain Fowler: "Trouble is, how we gonna prove that?"

Joe Rodriguez surfaces with a bombshell accusation:

• [16:54] Joe Rodriguez: "I see you shoot Duke man twice to the heart."

Danny confronts Joe, leading to heightened emotions:

• [18:16] Danny: "Cap? Cap, you wake."
• [19:07] Danny: "Portugid Joe was an eyewitness. He saw the whole thing."
• [20:05] Joe Rodriguez: "I ain't fed up with East Town. Needless to rotten."

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The Unraveling Plot

Faye assists Danny in uncovering the truth, revealing Captain Fowler's deceit:

• [22:07] Captain Fowler: "Well, it's a.38."
• [22:09] Faye: "Danny, you didn't kill him. He was shot with a.45."

The subplot thickens as Faye discovers Captain Fowler's true intentions:

• [25:16] Faye: "Danny, there's something wrong with the captain. He's been acting very queerly."
• [26:11] Danny: "Because he was in love with you."

The final revelation uncovers Captain Fowler's jealousy-driven scheme:

• [27:01] Danny: "They've signed over the Dolphin. You’ll find the papers in my desk."

The Whistler adds the final twist, revealing that Captain Fowler tampered with Danny’s gun:

• [27:32] The Whistler: "The captain... fired a couple of shots from the gun and then slipped it back into Danny's pocket."

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Conclusion and Resolution

With the fog lifting and truths unveiled, Danny confronts Captain Fowler:

• [27:01] Captain Fowler: "But wait."

However, the full extent of Fowler's deception is exposed, clearing Danny of wrongdoing. Faye's unwavering support solidifies their relationship:

• [29:05] The Whistler: "Whistler, will return to tell you the unusual story of jealousy."

The episode concludes with Captain Fowler's confession and departure:

• [27:27] Captain Fowler: "But wait."

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Notable Quotes

• The Whistler on Secrets:
  [01:24] "I, the Whistler, know many things... many secrets hidden in the hearts of men and women who have stepped into the shadows."

• Danny on Accusation:
  [10:07] "Well, how do you like that? That guy gets bumped off owing me a hundred bucks."

• Faye’s Declaration of Innocence:
  [13:35] "He might have fired those shots anywhere for no reason at all."

• Captain Fowler’s Final Plot:
  [27:32] "The captain... fired a couple of shots from the gun and then slipped it back into Danny's pocket."

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Themes and Insights

"Fog" delves deep into themes of trust, betrayal, and the murky boundaries of memory and reality. Captain Fowler's jealousy and manipulation contrast sharply with the loyalty displayed by Faye, highlighting the destructive power of hidden emotions. The episode masterfully uses fog both as a literal and metaphorical barrier, obscuring truths and casting doubt until the final revelation clears the air.

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Conclusion

"Fog" stands out as a compelling episode of Whistler, weaving a narrative rich with suspense and intricate character dynamics. Harold's Old Time Radio captures the essence of the Golden Age of Radio, delivering a story that is both engaging and thought-provoking for listeners seeking timeless tales of mystery and human drama.

Transcript

[Danny]

Wait a minute. Have you heard the strange tales of the Whistler?

[The Whistler]

I'm the Whistler.

[Captain Fowler]

I was with Danny when it happened, but I couldn't hang on to him. He ran off and left me, and I've been looking for him ever since.

[The Whistler]

That was Captain Fowler. Something had happened to his friend Danny.

[Danny]

I ain't going to no doctor at this time of the night. Tomorrow, maybe, but I'm not going tonight.

[The Whistler]

That was Danny. Danny knew something had happened to him, but he didn't know what it was.

[Faye]

But, Danny, you couldn't have done a thing like that. I know. Don't worry, Danny.

[The Whistler]

That was Fay, Danny's girlfriend. And this is Joe Rodriquez, a fisherman.

[Joe Rodriguez]

It's much better that I leave town, Danny. If I stay, I might forget I am your friend.

[Danny]

Sunday night and again, CBS presents the Whistler.

[The Whistler]

I, the Whistler, know many things, for I walk by night. I know many strange tales, many secrets hidden in the hearts of men and women who have stepped into the shadows. And so I tell you tonight the strange story of fog.

[Captain Fowler]

Well, Danny, my boy, this is the thickest fog I've seen in this harbor in many a year. Mm. I've been a sailor man for a long time.

[Danny]

That's right, Captain. Can't see a single light along the entire waterfront. But we don't need light for where we're going. I know the way to the Anchor Pool Room.

[Captain Fowler]

Yeah, yeah, I know, too. Hey, Danny, you didn't bring your gun, did you?

[Danny]

Sure I did. Why?

[Captain Fowler]

Now, wait a minute. I am not going to let you talk to Duke Moran with a gun in your pocket.

[Danny]

Why not, Captain?

[Captain Fowler]

Well.

[Joe Rodriguez]

Well, you.

[Captain Fowler]

You might lose your temper and do something you'd regret.

[Danny]

What's the matter with your cap? I ain't going to shoot anybody. I just want it in case Duke Moran gets tough.

[Captain Fowler]

Oh, sure, I know, I know. But if he gets tough, you can handle him with your fist.

[Danny]

Sure, unless he tried to slip a knife through my ribs. Ah, don't worry about the gun, Captain. I won't lose my head.

[The Whistler]

So Danny and Captain Fowler continue on their way toward the Anchor Pool Room, Duke Moran's usual hangout, where Danny intends to have a showdown with Moran. But the captain is worried about Danny's gun, for he knows that Danny hates Moran to the core of his being.

[Captain Fowler]

Now, look, son, I. I hate to keep bringing this up, but you know I wouldn't go storming up to the Duke and start raising the debt.

[Danny]

He borrowed money from me, and he ain't kept his word about paying it back.

[Captain Fowler]

I know, I know, my boy, but he'll pay it back.

[Danny]

Oh, no, he won't. He's planning to skip town and leave me holding the sack.

[Captain Fowler]

Now, look, you're working for me, Danny, and you're my best friend. I. I'm going along to back up your claims because I was a witness when the loan was made. But look here, I don't want to see you in no trouble.

[Danny]

Oh, I'll take it easy. But I can tell you one thing.

[Captain Fowler]

Hey, look out for that hydra.

[Danny]

Danny. Danny.

[Captain Fowler]

Danny, are you hurt?

[Danny]

Here, here, here.

[Captain Fowler]

Here, let me help you.

[Faye]

No.

[Captain Fowler]

There. That's it. Now, easy does it. Up now. There we are. Nasty spill. You just sit here for a bit.

[Danny]

Oh, you.

[Captain Fowler]

You took a real header.

[Joe Rodriguez]

Yeah.

[Captain Fowler]

How do you feel, Danny? Yeah, better. Let me see if you cut yourself.

[Danny]

Keep your hands off me. Who are you?

[Captain Fowler]

What?

[Danny]

What is this? A stick up? Danny.

[Joe Rodriguez]

Danny.

[Captain Fowler]

Are you kidding?

[Danny]

Go away. Get away or I'll call the cops.

[Captain Fowler]

Why, Danny, you're out of your head.

[Danny]

Get away.

[Captain Fowler]

But don't you know me?

[Danny]

Let me alone. Let me alone.

[Captain Fowler]

Oh, come back here.

[Danny]

No, don't go away. Come back.

[Faye]

Danny. Danny.

[The Whistler]

Danny breaks away and quickly disappears into the fog. For a quarter of an hour, Captain Fowler searches the vicinity and finally hurries on to the Anchor pool room.

[Captain Fowler]

Hey, any of you guys here in the pool room seen Danny Price?

[Joe Rodriguez]

Oh, hello there, Cap. No, I haven't seen Danny.

[Danny]

Neither have I, Cap. Don't think he's been around.

[Captain Fowler]

Oh, I see. Well, is Duke Moran here?

[Danny]

The Duke?

[Joe Rodriguez]

He was here a minute ago. Where'd he go, George?

[Danny]

Out in the alley, I think.

[Joe Rodriguez]

Yeah, that's right. Some guy opened the back door and called him.

[Captain Fowler]

Some guy?

[Joe Rodriguez]

Oh. Huh?

[Captain Fowler]

Tell me, tell me, was it Danny?

[Joe Rodriguez]

I don't know.

[Danny]

I don't know either, Captain.

[Joe Rodriguez]

We didn't pay no attention to who it was.

[Captain Fowler]

Oh, I see. Well, okay, boys. Thanks.

[The Whistler]

Later that night, groping his way along the waterfront, Captain Fowler arrives at the box office of the Crystal Motion Picture Theater. An attractive girl is selling tickets.

[Captain Fowler]

Hello, Faye.

[Faye]

Well, hello there, Captain. Going to the show?

[Captain Fowler]

Oh, no, not tonight, Faye. I'm looking for Danny. Have you seen him?

[Faye]

No, I haven't. I'm sore at that big lug too. He promised faithfully he'd be here to take me home. And it's time to close the box office right now.

[Captain Fowler]

Look, Fay, I don't want to excite you, but I gotta tell you something. Danny's had an accident.

[Faye]

An accident?

[Captain Fowler]

Yeah. Fell down on the Street. He tripped over a fire hydrant. And when he got up, you know what happened? He couldn't remember nothing. He was walking around some place in a daze.

[Danny]

Good heaven, yes.

[Captain Fowler]

I was with him when it happened, but I couldn't hang on to him. He run off and left me, and I've been looking for him ever since.

[Faye]

Will you tell the police?

[Captain Fowler]

No.

[Faye]

Well, for heaven's sake, tell him, Captain. Maybe they can find you.

[Captain Fowler]

Oh, Fay, I don't want to tell the cops.

[Faye]

Why not?

[Captain Fowler]

There's a certain reason, and I don't want to talk about it here.

[Faye]

Look, you wait here till I check in the cash. It'll only take a few minutes. I'll be right with you.

[Captain Fowler]

All right, Faye?

[Faye]

All right, Captain. Now, tell me, why didn't you notify the police?

[Captain Fowler]

Because Danny's got a gun on him.

[Joe Rodriguez]

Oh?

[Danny]

Yes.

[Captain Fowler]

He was on his way to see Duke Moran. You know about that money? Yes, and he was afraid the Duke might start something.

[Faye]

I see. You say you've been looking for Danny?

[Captain Fowler]

Yes, I've been everywhere. Been to the casino, over to the bowling alley.

[Faye]

Have you been to Fred's Cafe?

[Captain Fowler]

I know.

[Faye]

Well, Danny goes there for coffee sometimes.

[Captain Fowler]

Well, all right. We'll take a look. Fred's Cafe? Why, it's in the next block, ain't it?

[Faye]

Yeah.

[Captain Fowler]

Oh, I tell you, Fay, we got to find that kid. He's like a crazy man. You know what he did? He looked me right in the face and he didn't know me.

[Faye]

Oh, my goodness, Captain, Suppose his memory never does come back.

[Captain Fowler]

Oh, no, no, Faye, don't carry on like that. And don't you start worrying. I know how you feel. You and Danny engaged to be married and all. But don't you worry. I think everything will turn out all right.

[Faye]

Oh, I hope so.

[Danny]

Hey, wait.

[Faye]

Listen.

[Danny]

What's your hurry, folks?

[Faye]

That's Danny.

[Captain Fowler]

Well, sure it is.

[Danny]

You going to a fire or something? I haven't chasing you for a block.

[Faye]

Oh, Danny.

[Danny]

Are you Faye?

[Faye]

Oh, Danny, you're all right.

[The Whistler]

Oh, sure, sure, I'm all right.

[Danny]

Except I'm kind of mixed up. All of a sudden, I'm sitting in the Clark Hotel, and I don't remember going there at all.

[Captain Fowler]

The Clark Hotel? Yeah. Well, so that's where you been.

[Danny]

Well, seems to me I was walking along with you camp.

[Faye]

Of course you were, Danny. Don't you know what happened? You had a lapse of memory, huh? Yeah. We've been worried to death about you. The captain and I were looking for you. Oh, Danny, I'm so glad you're all right.

[Danny]

So I've been off my knob.

[Captain Fowler]

Sure. Don't you remember falling over that fire hydrant?

[Danny]

Firehot?

[Captain Fowler]

Yes, that's what did it. Danny, when I helped you up, you thought I was a stick up man. You ran off down the street.

[Joe Rodriguez]

Well, I'll be done.

[Danny]

How long ago this happened, Cap?

[Captain Fowler]

Well, it's been an hour ago or more. You've been in the Clark Hotel all that time?

[Danny]

How should I know?

[Faye]

When did you come to your senses, Danny?

[Danny]

Just now. I'm sitting there in the lobby wondering what it's all about. When I seen you folks passing the window.

[Faye]

Oh, swell. But look, Danny boy, you're going to a doctor right away.

[Danny]

What do you mean, doctor?

[Faye]

Your head. You must have struck it when you fell.

[Danny]

Oh, my head's all right.

[Faye]

Oh, now, please don't put up an argument, Danny.

[Danny]

Well, now, look. Hey, here comes an ambulance. Maybe I better flag it down and crawl in.

[Faye]

Oh, now, don't be smart.

[Captain Fowler]

Wait a minute. That's no ambulance. Well, it's a police car.

[Danny]

Yeah, yeah.

[Faye]

Come on. Never mind the police car, Danny. Come over here under the light. Let me take a look at your head.

[Danny]

Oh, now look, Faye, I tell you, there's nothing wrong.

[Captain Fowler]

You see where that car is stopping?

[Danny]

Huh?

[Captain Fowler]

Over in front of the Anchor pool room.

[Danny]

Yeah, I wonder what's happened there.

[Captain Fowler]

I. I don't know.

[Faye]

Forget it.

[Captain Fowler]

No, no, no, I. I want to find out what's going on.

[Danny]

Yeah, yeah, so do I.

[Captain Fowler]

Come on, Danny, let's go over and see.

[Danny]

All right, all right, you people get back now. Don't block the doorway. Hey, what's happened, Officer? Guy's been killed. Shot? Yeah, yeah, he just found his body out in back of the pool hall.

[Captain Fowler]

Who was he?

[Danny]

Do you know? Yeah. Duke Moran.

[The Whistler]

Duke Moran.

[Joe Rodriguez]

Murdered.

[The Whistler]

Killed on the very night that you, Danny, with hatred in your heart and a gun in your pocket, were on your way to demand your money. Could it be that after your mind went blank, you continued on to the anger pool room? Look at your gun, Danny. If no shots have been fired, you're all in the clear.

[Danny]

Did I kill him? Did I kill him?

[The Whistler]

Did I kill him?

[Captain Fowler]

Come on, Danny, let's go.

[Danny]

Well, how do you like that? That guy gets bumped off owing me a hundred bucks.

[Captain Fowler]

Yep, and you can kiss that doe goodbye.

[Faye]

And how, Captain, what do you suppose killed Moran?

[Captain Fowler]

Well, how should I know? Didn't have any enemies that I know of. Except Danny.

[Danny]

What do you mean, except Danny? I wasn't the guy's enemy. I just wanted my money back, that's all.

[Captain Fowler]

Sure, sure, I know.

[Danny]

You know what?

[Captain Fowler]

But you just wanted your money back. What are you getting so excited about?

[Faye]

Hey, Boyd, let's not walk down this way. There's no doctor in this direction.

[Danny]

Oh, hey, will you let up on that doctor thing? I tell you, there's nothing wrong.

[Faye]

How do you know?

[Danny]

Well, anyhow, I ain't going to no doctor at this time of the night. Tomorrow. Maybe my head starts aching or something.

[Faye]

Is that a promise?

[Danny]

Okay, that's a promise.

[Captain Fowler]

Hey, Danny.

[Danny]

Yeah?

[Captain Fowler]

You know, I went to that pool hall right after you disappeared. I thought maybe I'd find you there.

[Danny]

Yeah? Was I there?

[Joe Rodriguez]

No.

[Captain Fowler]

No, you wasn't. I asked about Moran, and they said he'd just gone out in the alley. Somebody opened the back door and called him.

[Faye]

Why, Captain, you must have been there just before the murder.

[Captain Fowler]

Sure looks like it. I'm sorry. Now, I didn't go out and back and see who Moran was with.

[Faye]

It's a shame you didn't.

[Captain Fowler]

Yeah. Hey, Danny, I. I've been wondering.

[Danny]

All right, go ahead and say it. It was me that called him out and back. It was me that killed him.

[Faye]

Why, Danny?

[Danny]

Well, that's what he's thinking, Faye. I can see it sticking out all over him.

[Faye]

Danny, you mustn't say that.

[Danny]

He knows I've been out of my head for an hour, can't remember a thing, so now he's trying to pin a crime on me.

[Captain Fowler]

Shut up, you fool. Shut up. Why should I want to pin a crime on you?

[Danny]

That's what I'd like to know.

[Captain Fowler]

But if you did kill Moran, I'm not holding it against you. You couldn't be blamed. You was off your nut.

[Danny]

Well, I didn't kill him.

[Captain Fowler]

How do you know I didn't?

[Danny]

I know I didn't.

[Captain Fowler]

Yes, but how do you know?

[Faye]

Oh, Captain, use your head. Danny lost his memory. And that includes his memory of Moran and his grudge against Moran and everything.

[Danny]

Sure. So now what do you got to say?

[Captain Fowler]

Well, maybe that grudge was in the back of your mind, Danny, even while your memory wasn't working.

[Danny]

You see, Faye, he's bound to make out I did it.

[Captain Fowler]

Oh, no such thing. But look here, if you was mixed up in this murder, Denny, it's up to me to help you. I'm your friend, and I gotta find out about it.

[Danny]

Danny, let me see your gun. Huh?

[Captain Fowler]

Let me see your gun.

[Danny]

Ah, the devil with you.

[Faye]

Let him see it, Danny. That'll settle everything.

[Danny]

Well, all right.

[Joe Rodriguez]

Sure.

[Danny]

Sure, he can see it. There you are, Captain.

[Captain Fowler]

Thanks, Danny. Well, the barrel smells of powder.

[Danny]

Oh, you're crazy.

[Captain Fowler]

And two slugs have been fired. Danny, look here.

[Danny]

All right, so the gun's been fired, and that means I killed Moran. I suppose you're crazy. I tell you.

[Faye]

He's right, Captain. That gun doesn't prove a thing. He might have fired those shots anywhere for no reason at all.

[Danny]

Sure, I've been out of my head, ain't I?

[Faye]

Don't you worry, Danny boy. You didn't kill Moran.

[Danny]

Of course I didn't.

[Faye]

You couldn't have done a thing like that, not even in a trance. So don't worry. Everything's going to be all right. Don't worry, Danny, darling.

[Joe Rodriguez]

Poor Fay.

[The Whistler]

She doesn't believe her own brave talk. Deep down in her heart, she's afraid. Afraid that Dany is a killer. It is nearly midnight now. Danny and Captain Fowler have returned to their boat, the fishing boat Dolphin. In the harbor, Danny sits on the deck, gazing morosely into the fog.

[Captain Fowler]

Well, hadn't you better turn in, kid? You ought to get some sleep.

[Danny]

I couldn't sleep. Stick here a minute, will you, Cap? I'd like to talk to you.

[Captain Fowler]

Sure.

[Danny]

I'm sorry I blew my top the way I did when we was ashore.

[Captain Fowler]

Oh, that's all right, Danny.

[Danny]

I know you was thinking of my interest when you asked to see the gun.

[Captain Fowler]

Are you sure?

[Joe Rodriguez]

I was.

[Danny]

All kidding aside, it looks pretty much like I bumped off Moran, doesn't it, Cap?

[Captain Fowler]

Well, Danny, to be honest with you, it does. Still, there's room for doubt. And if I was you, I'd lay low and say nothing.

[Danny]

I know one thing. I could never be convicted of murder, even if I did do it.

[Captain Fowler]

Why not?

[Danny]

Because I was suffering from amnesia.

[Joe Rodriguez]

Yeah.

[Captain Fowler]

Trouble is, how we gonna prove that?

[Danny]

How are we gonna prove it? Well, couldn't you prove it? You was there when it happened. You saw me go slug nutty.

[Captain Fowler]

Sure, but who's gonna believe me? I'm your friend. Think I was lying to save your neck.

[Danny]

Yeah, I see what you mean. The things look pretty bad then, don't they?

[Captain Fowler]

Ah, now, look, Danny, don't go hanging yourself in advance. You know, maybe it's like Faye said. Maybe you just happened to fire them shots.

[Danny]

Hey, listen, I hear a motorboat.

[Captain Fowler]

So what?

[Danny]

It's coming this way. Hear it?

[Captain Fowler]

Well, yeah, sure, sure, I hear it.

[Danny]

It's the cops. They're coming here to ask questions. No, I'm getting out of here, Captain.

[Captain Fowler]

Now, you keep your shirt on. I'll hail the boat and find out who it is. Now, you wait right here.

[Danny]

Ahoy there.

[Faye]

Ahoy.

[Danny]

Who is it?

[Joe Rodriguez]

It's me, Joe Rodriguez.

[Captain Fowler]

Oh, there you are, Danny. It's only Portuguese Joel.

[Danny]

What's he doing out here at this time of night?

[Captain Fowler]

Well, I don't know.

[Joe Rodriguez]

It is my life, Captain. You make me fast. I'm coming aboard.

[Danny]

Okay, Joe. How'd you know we'd be up this late?

[Joe Rodriguez]

Yeah, they just took a chance, Danny. But I am glad you are up.

[Danny]

Well, don't tell me you ran out of live bait again.

[Joe Rodriguez]

Oh, no, I got plenty live bait.

[Captain Fowler]

What can we do for you, Joe?

[Joe Rodriguez]

Captain, I got a little business proposition I would like to talk over with Danny. And I would like to talk to him.

[Danny]

Private.

[Captain Fowler]

Private.

[Danny]

Well, now, wait a minute. Anything you got to say to me, you can say in front of the captain.

[Joe Rodriguez]

Oh, no, Denny. This is Private. Very private. Oh, see?

[Captain Fowler]

Well, that's okay, kid. I'll go below. I was about to turn in anyway.

[Joe Rodriguez]

Thanks, Joe. Captain.

[Captain Fowler]

Oh, don't keep him up too long, Joe. He needs some sleep.

[Joe Rodriguez]

That'd just be a few minutes, Captain. Good night.

[Danny]

Good night. Well, what's on your mind, Danny?

[Joe Rodriguez]

I ain't fed up with East Town. Needless to rotten. Here. I want to go to Seattle.

[Danny]

Yeah?

[Joe Rodriguez]

And I need a little money, Danny. $200. And I want for. You should let me have it.

[Danny]

Are you kidding?

[Joe Rodriguez]

Ain't you got $200?

[Danny]

Sure, sure I have. But I'm getting married in a few days. I need every cent I've got.

[Joe Rodriguez]

Oh, yeah, the sweet young lady who work at the Crystal Theater. You'll be very happy with her, Danny.

[Danny]

You bet I will.

[Joe Rodriguez]

But you'll be much more happy if you give me the money so I can get out of town, Danny.

[Danny]

What do you mean?

[Joe Rodriguez]

I am your friend, Danny, and I do not wish to cause you any trouble. But I know something about you that nobody else in this world knows. Not one soul.

[Danny]

Yeah?

[Joe Rodriguez]

Yeah. Tonight I am in an alley behind the anchor pool room. There is much fog, but I can see a little bit because there is a light. I sees you shoot Duke man twice to the heart.

[Danny]

You're a dirty liar.

[Joe Rodriguez]

So you see, then it's much better I should leave town. If I stay here. I might get drunk someday and forget I am your friend. I might talk, Danny.

[Danny]

You climb in that boat of yours and get back to shore. Go on, or I'll throw you overboard.

[Joe Rodriguez]

You come to see me tomorrow, huh? Before noon. If you don't come by Noon. Well, maybe I get drunk, huh?

[Danny]

Cap? Cap, you wake.

[Captain Fowler]

Oh, yes. Yes, Dan.

[Danny]

Well, there's no room for doubt now. I'm the guy that did it.

[Captain Fowler]

How do you know?

[Danny]

Portugit Joe was an eyewitness. He was there in the alley, saw the whole thing.

[Captain Fowler]

Oh, now, now, wait a minute.

[Danny]

Right, Cap. A dirty rat came out here to blackmail me. Tried to shake me down for 200 bucks. Said I'd have to dig it up by tomorrow noon or he'd start talking.

[Joe Rodriguez]

Well, I'll be darned.

[Captain Fowler]

Kid.

[Danny]

Kid.

[Captain Fowler]

I guess it's time we started doing some fast thinking.

[Danny]

Now, that ain't necessary, Cap. I'm clearing out tonight.

[Captain Fowler]

Oh, now, wait a minute. Don't get panicky now. Let's. Let's give it some thought.

[Danny]

Oh, no. I'm on my way, Cap.

[Captain Fowler]

No fooling. Where are you going?

[Danny]

I don't know, but I'm going for good. I won't be back. You won't be?

[Captain Fowler]

Oh, now, look here. What about. What about Faye? What about your wedding?

[Danny]

Well, that's just a broken dream, Cap.

[Captain Fowler]

Oh, Danny. Well, at least you're gonna see her before you go, ain't you? No, Danny. What's the matter with you? It ain't fair of you to run out on Faye.

[Danny]

It's a fairest thing in the world. Why prolong the agony? There's gotta be a clean break.

[Captain Fowler]

Oh, but Faye is such a grand kid. And she'll wait for you. Faye's loyal. Yes, sir. Danny, after this thing blows over, you'll find Faye right here waiting for you.

[Danny]

I don't want her to wait for me. And I ain't coming back. Can't you understand that? You think I'd marry Faye now? Me, a killer.

[Captain Fowler]

Oh, yeah, I know.

[Danny]

I love that girl. I wouldn't bring disgrace on her. And it would be disgrace. Even if I cleared myself of the charge, I'd still be a killer.

[Joe Rodriguez]

Yeah.

[Danny]

Yeah, I guess you would.

[Captain Fowler]

Well, I guess there's no use talking to you. You won't listen to a word I say.

[Danny]

No, Cap. I've made up my mind. I'm gonna pack my grip now and go ashore.

[Captain Fowler]

Golly, kid, I sure hate to lose you.

[Danny]

I hate to go too, captain. You've been a prince to me. More like a brother than a boss.

[Captain Fowler]

Well, all I can say is thanks. Danny.

[Danny]

Even when you knew I was saving up my money to buy a boat of my own to go into competition with you, you never said a word.

[Captain Fowler]

Why should I? This is a free country. Every man has a Right to advance himself.

[Danny]

And about Faye, I wish you'd explain to her. You know what to say.

[Captain Fowler]

Well, I'm not quite as good as good a talker as you are, Danny, but I'll try.

[Danny]

You know something, Cap? I wish you and Fay get married. I know you'd make her happy.

[Captain Fowler]

Me and Faye? No, she wouldn't have me.

[Danny]

Don't be too sure about that. She'll forget about me after a while. But explain things to her, will you?

[Captain Fowler]

Well, okay, Danny, I'll try. I'll do my best.

[Danny]

Well, I'm gonna hit the first freight train out of town. So long, Cap. Danny.

[Faye]

Danny, wait a minute.

[Danny]

Hey, what are you doing here?

[Faye]

Oh, Danny, I'm so glad I saw you. I was about to get a boat and go out to the Dolphin. Yeah, I've got some wonderful news for you. What? At least I think I have. What caliber is your revolver?

[Captain Fowler]

Well, it's a.38.

[Faye]

I thought so. Danny, you didn't kill him. You didn't kill Moran. He was shot with a.45. Yeah, I just came from the police hospital. They took the bullets from Moran's body. They were bullets from a.45.

[Danny]

Oh no, no, no, that can't be right.

[Faye]

It is right, Danny.

[Danny]

Well, there's some mistake, honey. Look, I hadn't figured on telling you this, but there was an eyewitness to the murder. Portugee Joe, the bait peddler. He'd just been out to the boat trying to shake me down for some hush money.

[Faye]

Well, he's a liar if he says you did it.

[Danny]

Oh no, honey, you got a bum steer about them bullets.

[Faye]

I didn't. I tell you, I got it straight from the doctor. What's more, I've been to the Clark Hotel. The clerk said you were there for practically an hour, sitting by the window. That means you went there right after you left the captain. So you couldn't have been to the pool room.

[Danny]

Well, I'll be darned. Now look, Faye, suppose you go out to the Dolphin. Here, here, take this grip. Tell the captain what you just told me and tell him I'm paying a visit to Portage Joe. Right?

[Joe Rodriguez]

Yes, yes, just one minute. Who is it? Who's there? It's me, Danny. Well, I wasn't expecting you so soon, Danny. You could just as well have come in the morning.

[Danny]

I wanted to get this thing settled.

[Joe Rodriguez]

Sure, sure did. You got any money?

[Danny]

Joe? You didn't see me shoot Moran.

[Joe Rodriguez]

Danny, I hope you're not going to put up no argument.

[Danny]

You lied to me and I'm here to get the truth.

[Joe Rodriguez]

Now, look, Danny.

[Danny]

Come on, admit it. You lied to me, didn't you?

[Joe Rodriguez]

No. No.

[Danny]

You sure did. Let me go. Let me go. I'll choke the living daylights out of you, you rat. Come on. Come on. Tell me you lied to you. I thought so.

[Faye]

Let me go now.

[Danny]

Sure, I'll let you go. But you're gonna come clean. You're gonna give me the lowdown on this whole rotten business. Come on now, start talking. Yeah. Yeah.

[The Whistler]

The fog has lifted now, and the eastern sky heralds the approach of dawn. As Danny returns to the Dolphin, he finds Faye standing on the deck.

[Faye]

Gee, Danny, I thought you'd never get back. It's almost daylight.

[Danny]

I had a long ways to go, honey. Joe lives way out at the end of the Channel street wharf. That's where his bait shack is.

[Faye]

Well, what'd you find out? Did you face him with his lie?

[Danny]

I sure did. Is the captain in his cabin?

[Faye]

No, he's not. He's gone ashore.

[Danny]

Gone ashore?

[Faye]

Danny, there's something wrong with the captain. He's been acting very queerly.

[Danny]

Yeah?

[Faye]

When I told him you'd gone to see Portugid Joe, his face went as white as a sheet. Then he went over to his desk and wrote a note, sealed it in an envelope and told me to give it to you when you come back.

[Danny]

I'll bet I know what's in it.

[Faye]

What?

[Danny]

A confession. But I won't need it now. I got one from Joe. What do you mean, honey? The captain's been framing me.

[Faye]

Framing you?

[Danny]

Yeah, that's right. It's hard to believe, but it's true. Remember, he said he didn't go out in back of the pool hall to see who it was that called Moran out in the alley?

[Faye]

Yes.

[The Whistler]

Well, he lied.

[Danny]

He did go out there and he saw the murder committed. He knew who did it.

[Faye]

Why, Danny.

[Danny]

And right then he got a bright idea. He figured he'd make me believe I committed that murder so I'd take it on the land, get out of town. You see, honey?

[Faye]

Well, why would he do that?

[Danny]

Because he was in love with you.

[Faye]

What?

[Danny]

Our wedding day was getting closer, and the captain was half crazy with jealousy. He wanted me out of the picture so that he could marry you.

[Faye]

Oh, Danny, I can't believe that.

[Danny]

It's true, honey. Joe told me. I'd have gotten a lot more out of Joe, too, only he broke loose from me and dived into the water. Last I seen of him, he was swimming away.

[Faye]

What about the murder? Did you find Out. Who killed Moran?

[Danny]

I got a hunch that Joe himself did it. After he left, I looked around his shack. I found an IOU there signed by the Duke.

[Faye]

You did? Then the Duke owed Portuguese Joe money, too?

[Danny]

Yep. And I figured the captain made Joe a proposition. If Joe'd come here and make me believe I was the killer, the captain wouldn't squeak.

[Faye]

Sure, Danny. That makes sense.

[Danny]

Well, I better see what the captain wrote.

[Faye]

Yeah. Open it up, Danny.

[Danny]

Dear Danny, I suppose you know everything by now. I haven't got the nerve to face you, kid, so I'll be the one to hit the freight. You won't need to save any more money for that boat. I've signed over the Dolphin. Do you? You'll find the papers in my desk. Good luck, Danny. And make Faye a good husband.

[The Whistler]

Yes, the captain was the villain in our story.

[Captain Fowler]

But wait.

[The Whistler]

What about Danny's gun with the two empty shells? That doesn't fit into our solution at all.

[Danny]

Or does it?

[The Whistler]

Remember when the captain and the Danny were on their way to the pool hall. And Danny stumbled over the hydrant? The fog was pretty thick, you know. The captain didn't have a bit of trouble in slipping that gun out of Danny's pocket. He wanted to make sure Danny didn't use it on Moran. And later, after the captain had formulated his plot against Danny. It was a simple matter for him to fire a couple of shots from the gun. And then slip it back into Danny's pocket. When he met Fay and Danny on the street. Yes, a fog sometimes has its advantages.

[Danny]

CBS has presented the Whistler. Original music for this production was composed and conducted by Wilbur Hatch. Tonight's Whistler story was written by Herbert Connor. Directed by J. Donald Wilson and originated from Columbia Square in Hollywood. Next Sunday, same time, 9:15 I, the.

[The Whistler]

Whistler, will return to tell you the unusual story of jealousy.

[Joe Rodriguez]

Good night.

[Danny]

This is the Columbia Broadcasting System.