Witch's Tale (AU) 41-xx-xx (02) Four Fingers and a Thumb

Summary

Harold's Old Time Radio

Episode: Witch's Tale (AU) 41-xx-xx (02) Four Fingers and a Thumb
Release Date: March 29, 2025
Host: Harold's Old Time Radio

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Introduction

In this episode of Harold's Old Time Radio, titled "Four Fingers and a Thumb," listeners are transported to the rugged landscapes of California in 1852. The story intertwines themes of gambling, racial tensions, love, betrayal, and supernatural vengeance, all set against the backdrop of the Old West.

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Main Characters

• Dan Daly: A gambler with a troubled past and conflicted emotions.
• Cash Pelton (also referred to as Dick Burke): A seasoned card player with a penchant for defending honesty.
• Susan Pelton: Cash's wife, caught in the tumultuous dynamics between Dan and Cash.
• Chang Lu: A Chinese man associated with mystical elements and ancestral magic.
• Satan: The narrator who sets the eerie tone for the tale.

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Plot Overview

Setting the Stage (00:14 - 01:30)

Dan Daly introduces the eerie tale narrated by Satan and Nancy, the witch of Salem, setting a foreboding atmosphere. Satan urges listeners to "gaze into the embers" to witness the unfolding drama along a dusty road in 1852 California.

Gambling Tensions (02:33 - 05:26)

Dan and Cash Pelton engage in a heated conversation about an impending card game. Tensions rise as Dan accuses Cash of being deceitful and warns him about his infatuation with Susan, Cash's wife. Cash defends his character, revealing his respect for the Chinese community, which fuels Dan's resentment.

Notable Quote:

Dan ([03:24]) – "Unless you come out bold and take her away from him mighty quick, he's going to get you some way."

The Arrival of Conflict (05:02 - 09:27)

Susan warns Cash about playing cards with Dan, highlighting the racial prejudices of the time. Despite the warnings, Cash decides to proceed with the game, leading to a tense showdown. Chang Lu enters, bringing a sense of mysticism and foreboding as he discusses the power of the cards and destiny.

Notable Quote:

Chang Lu ([08:26]) – "Four fingers and the thumb which steal. The cards are servants of the soul. They can only do evil if evil soul commands them."

Supernatural Intervention (09:40 - 16:01)

The card game escalates, culminating in Dan obtaining a full house and Cash feeling the pressure of loss. The atmosphere thickens with the supernatural as violently severed hands begin to haunt Dan, symbolizing impending doom for his dishonorable actions. Chang Lu's mystical background plays a pivotal role in escalating the tension.

Notable Quote:

Dan ([20:15]) – "It's a dead thing. Ghosts can enter anywhere."

Climactic Confrontation (16:08 - 27:29)

Dan's desperation leads him to a confrontation with Cash, attempting to manipulate the situation to protect himself from the vengeful hand. Susan becomes a key figure trying to mediate between the two men while dealing with the growing supernatural threats. The severed hand's relentless pursuit symbolizes the inescapable consequences of deceit and malice.

Notable Quote:

Dan ([21:15]) – "Cause his soul is directing them. Four fingers and a thumb."

Resolution and Reflection (27:27 - End)

As dawn breaks, the supernatural forces wane, allowing Dan and Cash to reflect on their actions. The episode concludes with a calm yet eerie sign-off from Satan, hinting at the lingering presence of destiny and unresolved tensions.

Notable Quote:

Satan ([27:31]) – "Sleep good. Till next time, little children."

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Supernatural Elements

The episode masterfully weaves supernatural motifs into the narrative. The severed hand with four fingers and a thumb serves as a physical embodiment of vengeance, relentlessly pursuing those who engage in dishonorable behavior. Chang Lu's character introduces the idea of destiny and ancestral magic, suggesting that actions have inevitable consequences beyond the natural realm.

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Themes and Insights

• Moral Consequences: The story emphasizes that dishonorable actions, especially deceit and betrayal, lead to inevitable and often supernatural consequences.
• Racial Tensions: Reflecting the historical context, the narrative addresses the prejudices and misunderstandings between different cultures, particularly between white settlers and the Chinese community.
• Destiny and Fate: The recurring mention of destiny suggests a belief that one's actions set in motion unavoidable outcomes, a common theme in folklore and ghost stories.
• Redemption and Forgiveness: Characters grapple with their past actions, seeking forgiveness and a path to redemption amidst unfolding chaos.

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Conclusion

"Four Fingers and a Thumb" is a gripping tale that encapsulates the essence of the Golden Age of Radio storytelling. Through its rich characters, intense plot, and supernatural undertones, the episode offers listeners a captivating journey into the darker aspects of human nature and the unyielding grip of destiny.

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Transcript

[McDonald's Advertiser]

Get more than you expect with the $5 meal deal. Part of new McValue.5 gets you a McDouble or McChicken and a small fry and a small drink and a four piece McNuggets.

[Susan]

Whoo.

[McDonald's Advertiser]

New McValue at McDonald's. Prices of participation may vary. McDouble meal, $6 in some markets for.

[Dan]

A limited time only. The witch's tale. The fascination of the eerie, weird, blood chilling tales told by old Nancy, the witch of Salem and Satan, her wise black cat. They are waiting. Waiting for you. No.

[Satan]

117 year old I be today. Yes, sir. 117 year old. Well, Satan, this be a nice night for one of our cheerful little bedtime stories.

[Dan]

Yes.

[Satan]

Oh, Satan's gonna yarn to fit just such a night as this. Satan, tell everyone to douse their lights. That's it. Now draw her up to the fire and gaze into the embers. Gaze into em deep. And soon you'll see a dusty road way out in Californy in the year of 1852. Now down that road you'll hear a horseman riding as he rides into our story we'll begin. And it's what we calls four fingers and a thumb. Four fingers and a thumb.

[Chang Lu]

Wait up for me, Bert.

[Cash Pelton]

I'm waiting, Dan.

[Dan]

Hey, there ain't no end to travel alone when I can find a sociable fellow to talk to. You going to the mine on business?

[Cash Pelton]

Well, Cass sent in word by one of his Chinamen that he was itching to play a little stud poke this evening.

[Dan]

Yeah, like everybody else in these parts. I think he's a low down dirty skunk.

[Cash Pelton]

Well, if he wants to risk his money against mine, there's no reason why I shouldn't let him do it. Cash is a good card player.

[Dan]

Yeah, and the boys have got an idea that you're deliberately easy with him.

[Cash Pelton]

Well, they're entitled to their opinion, I reckon.

[Dan]

Burke, I want to talk to you like a Dutch uncle and to warn you.

[Cash Pelton]

Warn me?

[Dan]

Yes. You ain't deceiving anybody by your actions, Cash Pelton least of all Dan.

[Cash Pelton]

I guess I don't understand you.

[Dan]

Well, here it is in plain words then. You're crazy about Cash's wife and she's crazy about you. Cash is old enough to be her father and someone ought to bash his head in for the way he treats her. Unless you come out bold and take her away from him mighty quick, he's going to get you some way.

[Cash Pelton]

Cash has no reason to be jealous of me. Decent women neither respect or fall in love with my kind, Dan, I make my living with my wits and four trained fingers and a thumb.

[Dan]

You're a square gambler, Dick Burke.

[Cash Pelton]

How you getting along with the Chinese at the mine, Dan? Do you dislike them as much as ever?

[Dan]

Don't every decent white man in Canne fawny despise the yellow devils, excepting you?

[Cash Pelton]

Well, they're mostly clean, conscientious and honest.

[Dan]

Yeah, you wag your tongue too free sometimes, defending them heathens. The general feelin agin them is get nigher all the time.

[Cash Pelton]

You know, I lived in China for nigh on five years, Dan. Yeah, that's where I learned the fine points of gambling. And I also learned the Chinese are mighty fine people if you treat them right.

[Dan]

Maybe so. But you better not be spouting such ideas to anyone but a friend like me round here. If it was thought you looked on Chinamen as equals, you'd just have to close your card room and get out of town.

[Cash Pelton]

Yeah, I know, but I don't want to leave this town yet.

[Dan]

I know, Zapp. Well, there's Cassius House ahead of us. And it looks like Mrs. Pultey's standing by the road.

[Cash Pelton]

Yeah, I see.

[Dan]

Well, I'll turn off here.

[Chang Lu]

See you later, Burke.

[Cash Pelton]

Good night, Dan.

[Susan]

I've been watching for you, Mr. Daly. You must go back the way you came. Before Cash sees you.

[Cash Pelton]

Go back? Why, he sent word for me to come here.

[Susan]

I know. If you play cards with him tonight, no other white man in this county will ever play with you again. Why, he's got a Chinaman waiting in the house to join your game.

[Cash Pelton]

A Chinaman?

[Susan]

Yeah, a channel who's head man among the coolies. Oh, Cash hate you, Mr. Daly. If you play means to spread the word around and ruin you. And if you don't play. But he's got a gun strapped on his hip and he's been drinking.

[Cash Pelton]

But if I go away, he'll know you warned me.

[Susan]

Oh, he won't hurt me.

[Cash Pelton]

Say, why do you keep that side of your face turned away from me, Mrs. Pelton? You kept it so ever since you came to meet me. Let me see.

[Susan]

No, no.

[Cash Pelton]

I thought so. It's all bruised where he's hit you again.

[Susan]

Oh, Cash ain't ever hit me. And anyway, there's nothing you can do. Nothing.

[Cash Pelton]

Oh, if only you'd give me the right. I've never said it before. But you've known it without my saying that I love you just as Cash has known it.

[Susan]

Oh, don't.

[Cash Pelton]

I'm Dylan. A Square hand. Susan, let me send you to my sister in Virginia till you get a divorce. Then let me come and marry her or marry some other fellow who's a whole lot better just so you could get away from this.

[Susan]

Oh, there couldn't be anybody better, Susan.

[Cash Pelton]

You mean.

[Susan]

Oh, I mean I married Cash Purton for better or for worse, and there's nothing to be done about it.

[Cash Pelton]

There is no.

[Susan]

Please go away now.

[Dan]

Hey, Bert Daly show. My little wife went to meet you daily. Well, hurry up. My fingers are itching for the cards.

[Cash Pelton]

So am I. Cash.

[Susan]

What are you going to do?

[Cash Pelton]

Play.

[Susan]

But it'll ruin you to play with a chink.

[Cash Pelton]

I'll gamble on that.

[Susan]

Oh, you mustn't.

[Cash Pelton]

Quiet.

[Dan]

Oh, come on. Daily table, cards and whiskey all waiting. All you gotta do is lay your money down and meet the fellows. Gonna make our third. Come here. Chang Lu. I want you to meet a friend of mine.

[Chang Lu]

This humble person is honored to stand before the most excellent Mr. Daly.

[Cash Pelton]

I am very pleased to meet you, Mr. Chang. And I shall be pleased to play cards with you.

[Dan]

You're willing to shake hands too? With a Chinaman?

[Cash Pelton]

It's a custom to shake hands with the friends of your host.

[Chang Lu]

I clasp esteemed hand in spirit which offers is written that four fingers and a thumb extended in friendship greater than 10,000 hands coming with swords.

[Cash Pelton]

And another sage of your country has said, evil plans redound upon the planner. I knew a namesake of yours, Mr. Chang.

[Chang Lu]

You refer to the sorcerer Cheng Lu?

[Dan]

Sorcerer?

[Cash Pelton]

Yes. Are you of his family?

[Chang Lu]

It is my privilege to honor a great man of whom you speak of his revered ancestor. Wise student.

[Cash Pelton]

They say his magic powers were transmitted to his descendants. That'll make you a dangerous man to play stud poker with.

[Dan]

Sit down. And no one around here better try any magic with these cards.

[Chang Lu]

Four fingers and the thumb which steal. The cards are servants of the soul. They can only do evil if evil soul commands them.

[Cash Pelton]

That's also the case when a man's hand is doubled to hit a woman.

[Dan]

What do you mean by that?

[Cash Pelton]

I was just thinking. Cut the deal.

[Dan]

So you get out of here.

[Susan]

Yes, Cash.

[Dan]

I've got a hunch this is gonna be my night, Mr. Daly.

[Cash Pelton]

Tonight I'm out to win.

[Chang Lu]

We may anticipate pleasant game.

[Cash Pelton]

That's a hundred.

[Dan]

Them three five you got shown don't look like much to me.

[Cash Pelton]

Daily.

[Dan]

My two pair raises you a hundred.

[Chang Lu]

The wise man does not go to war unarmed. I prudently withdraw.

[Cash Pelton]

Let's raise it another 500.

[Dan]

Cash. If you got me beat Again.

[Cash Pelton]

There's only one way to find out.

[Dan]

You can't bluff me. I'll see you.

[Cash Pelton]

Only see me? Haven't you got a full house, Cash?

[Dan]

Yes, I got a full house. And here it is. And if you got another five in the hole, here it is. I never saw such luck.

[Cash Pelton]

If it's only luck, it's only luck and purpose. Your deal, Mr. Chang.

[Dan]

I'm quitting for a while to stretch my legs.

[Cash Pelton]

Walking around your chair don't do much good, Cash. Why not try unbuckling that pistol from your belt? Guns and a friendly game is most unlucky to the wearers.

[Dan]

You never mind about this gun.

[Cash Pelton]

Oh, it doesn't bother me. It's you I'm thinking of.

[Dan]

Well, you better just think of yourself.

[Cash Pelton]

I'm thinking of me too.

[Dan]

I. Sue. Sue, bring me another bottle of whiskey.

[Susan]

Yes, Cass.

[Cash Pelton]

It's pretty late. Be a good idea, don't you think, to let your wife go to bed and get some sleep instead of topping liquor?

[Dan]

You're giving a little more advice than is wanted around here daily.

[Cash Pelton]

I'm here tonight to give you only what you asked for.

[Dan]

What do you mean by that?

[Cash Pelton]

What do you think I mean?

[Susan]

Here's the whiskey, Cash.

[Dan]

I'll tell you what I think now while she's here to listen.

[Susan]

Cash.

[Dan]

So you told him tonight was to be a showdown between him and me. That's why you sneaked outside to meet him. But you walked into it anyway daily thinking you'd find a way to bluff yourself out. Well, you won't. Tomorrow I spread the news that you played cards with his heathen Chinee. And if that don't drive you out of town, I'm coming gunning for you.

[Cash Pelton]

You haven't nerve enough to gun for me.

[Dan]

My God. I'll do it now. Don't draw that gun.

[Susan]

My.

[Dan]

My wrist.

[Cash Pelton]

That's a trick I learned in China.

[Dan]

And now you'll get your showdown. Don't show now.

[Cash Pelton]

I don't use a pistol on an unarmed man. I'm gonna throw this gun into that far corner, Cash.

[Dan]

And the best man gets it.

[Cash Pelton]

We start even now.

[Susan]

Come on.

[Dan]

I'm coming.

[Susan]

Stop them, Chang Lu. Stop them.

[Chang Lu]

Man's destiny cannot be altered.

[Susan]

Just stand there. Stop them.

[Chang Lu]

A good clock does not strike before the hour.

[Susan]

Burke. He's drawn a knife by. Fair, Cash. Fair.

[Dan]

I'm gonna kill you, lover.

[Susan]

Kang Lew.

[Chang Lu]

Now destiny time is here.

[Dan]

Get out of this, Chinese. Look out, Kang Lu.

[Susan]

Good knife.

[Cash Pelton]

I gotcha now, Cash.

[Dan]

Gotcha back.

[Chang Lu]

A good blow. You have fueled him into the land of sleep, Mr. Daly, from which he will presently return more sober, if no less evil.

[Cash Pelton]

If you hadn't stepped in, he'd have got me.

[Susan]

There's blood dripping from your sleeve, Cheng Lu. His knife struck you.

[Chang Lu]

Hey. Me? Nothing for a friend.

[Cash Pelton]

Susan.

[Susan]

Look on the floor.

[Dan]

God.

[Chang Lu]

Here's his blow. Cut off my unworthy hand, Cheng Lu. Accept it as payment for four fingers and a thumb extended to one of Hayd's pious race in gracious spirit.

[Cash Pelton]

Get a bandage, Susan. Then run for old Dan and send him for a doctor right away.

[Chang Lu]

You trouble too much. Destiny cannot be altered.

[Susan]

Holy miss feeding.

[Chang Lu]

But four thinkers and the thumb, though severed, are still servants of the soul. Tell unworthy Mr. Cashkelton that when he recovers.

[Susan]

What? What did he mean by that?

[Cash Pelton]

I don't know.

[McDonald's Advertiser]

Get more than you expect with the $5 meal deal. Part of new McValue.5 gets you a McDouble or McChicken and a small fry and a small drink and a four piece McNuggets. New McValue at McDonald's. Prices of participation may vary. McDouble Meal, $6. In some markets for a limited time only.

[Stiles Mackenzie]

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[Susan]

Wayfair.

[Dan]

Every style, every home.

[Susan]

You sure he's going to live, Burke?

[Cash Pelton]

You heard the doctor say we stopped the blood in time.

[Susan]

But maybe we should have stayed back. With a chink in his shack.

[Cash Pelton]

Ah, he's better left with his own people. Jiang Lu has a mighty honored name among those Chinese. They'll take care of him.

[Susan]

They. They may avenge him, too. You told Cash that when he come, too.

[Cash Pelton]

And I wasn't fooling. They know they can't expect any justice from the law around here.

[Susan]

You didn't tell him what Cheng Lu said to tell him, Luke. Just before he fainted away.

[Cash Pelton]

Ah, that didn't make sense. We're almost back to your house, Sue. And your husband. If you never knew what sort of a rat he was before you learned it tonight. Oh, you gotta let me take you to my sister in Virginia.

[Susan]

No, Burke.

[Dan]

Still.

[Cash Pelton]

For better or for worse, huh?

[Susan]

Yes.

[Cash Pelton]

Till death do us part. He's Part of the marriage service, too. I can do something about that.

[Susan]

Oh, don't talk. Ain't I seen enough fighting and blood tonight?

[Cash Pelton]

Oh, I'm sorry. I guess I'm not the killing sort anyway. If I was, I'd have finished Cash when I took his gun away.

[Susan]

I'm glad. That's why I really love you.

[Chang Lu]

Burke.

[Susan]

Susan, don't try to kiss me, please. As you can't kill, I can't cheat.

[Cash Pelton]

I know. Reckon fools like us just have to wait for destiny to help us out. Or finish us altogether.

[Susan]

When I was begging Chang Lu to stop your fighting, he talked about destiny as if he could read it. You weren't serious tonight when you said his family were magicians.

[Cash Pelton]

If poor Chang had had any magic, he'd have used it to save his hand, I reckon.

[Susan]

Of course. But he said such funny things.

[Cash Pelton]

Here's the house. I'll take you inside. But, Cash, I've got his gun and knife. Besides, he'll be too busy worrying what the Chinese are going to do with him to start anything new with me. Come on, Burke.

[Susan]

Burke, look on that door.

[Cash Pelton]

God. Chang Lu's severed hand. Someone's nailed it there.

[Dan]

And that someone was me. Cash, why did you step inside and I'll tell you?

[Susan]

He's got another gun.

[Dan]

You bet I have. Stick up your hands daily and come inside, both of you.

[Cash Pelton]

Aren't you facing trouble enough as it is, Cash?

[Dan]

You two are gonna get me out of trouble with them Chinamen.

[Cash Pelton]

What do you mean?

[Dan]

First give me that pistol you took away tonight and hold it by the barrel.

[Susan]

Nick.

[Cash Pelton]

Here it is.

[Dan]

That's fine. Now sit down and don't worry, for I ain't gonna hurt you if you do. Just like I say before you, the doctor and old Dan carried Chang Lu away from here. You told me plenty about what his people are like to do to me daily. But I've been thinking of a way to stop that, with your help.

[Cash Pelton]

I don't get you.

[Dan]

You will. I know something about Chinamen the same as you. I know they're gamblers and that every gambler hates a cheat. All of us are going to swear that I cut off Chang's hand because we caught him cheating.

[Cash Pelton]

Are you crazy?

[Dan]

Yeah. Like a fox, neither. You are going to be out of my sight until you tell that story where it's got to be told. And I'll have a gun on you every minute till you tell it.

[Cash Pelton]

They won't believe it if we do tell it.

[Dan]

I've thought of that. That's why I nailed that hand outside the door. It's going to be the clincher. When they see that, they're going to feel sure a man with nerve enough to put it there is in the right.

[Cash Pelton]

I'll never back you up in such a rotten lie.

[Dan]

If you don't, you'll get a bullet in your heart. I mean what I say. Someone's knocking. It may be the Chinese. Now open the door, sue.

[Susan]

And remember, I'll do whatever you say. Burke, you.

[Dan]

He'll do what I say, too. Open that door.

[Susan]

There's no one here.

[Dan]

Someone knocked twice.

[Susan]

I know, but they're gone.

[Dan]

Let me see. That's funny. No one in sight. Guess we didn't hear no knocking. Close the door.

[Susan]

There it is again.

[Chang Lu]

What the.

[Susan]

There's still no one here.

[Dan]

But we heard it that time. Sure.

[Cash Pelton]

There's old Dan.

[Dan]

He's the one.

[Susan]

He's 50 yards away.

[Dan]

Dan, were you knocking at this door? How could I be knocking? I just come to your house to tell you that Chang Lou is dead.

[Satan]

Dead?

[Cash Pelton]

The doctor said he'd get well.

[Dan]

The doc was wrong. Chang came out of his paint, asked the time, then said he'd be dead in just five minutes. And he was.

[Susan]

He knew when he was going to die?

[Dan]

Yep. And his last words was a message to you, Cash. Seems he wanted to tell you that four fingers and a thumb are always servants of the soul. What?

[Cash Pelton]

That knocking again.

[Dan]

Beside me.

[Susan]

Get that hand on the door.

[Dan]

It's moving, pulling loose from the nails. The thing's alive.

[Susan]

It dropped to the ground.

[Dan]

It's coming towards me. It's climbing up your leg. Knock it loose. It wants to reach me throat. It's fallen off.

[Susan]

There it goes through the grass.

[Dan]

But it'll come back again. It'll come back to kill me. Four dead fingers on the thumb. You sure can't get in here, or you're sure it can't get in?

[Cash Pelton]

You barred the doors closed and shut at every window. And you've been over the house a hundred times to make certain nothing bigger than a fly can enter.

[Dan]

But this is a dead thing. Ghosts can enter anywhere.

[Susan]

That hand is flesh and bone, Cat.

[Dan]

Yeah, dead. Flesh and bone that moves. Like something living. I can still feel its clutching fingers as it tried to clamber up my leg.

[Susan]

That was near an hour ago. And we ain't seen or nor heard it since. Maybe we'll never see it again.

[Dan]

No, it'll come back. Come back for me. Cause his soul is directing them. Four fingers and a thumb. Just like he said. You Won't leave me, you two. I'd go plumb crazy if I had to wait alone.

[Chang Lu]

Daly.

[Dan]

I've even gone down on my knees to say I'm sorry for what I've done to you and Sue. I'll go down on my knees again if you'll swear that you won't leave me.

[Cash Pelton]

Ah, for God's sake, stop that and try to be a man. We've said we'd stay. I wouldn't leave even you to face that thing alone. I still can't believe we really saw it.

[Susan]

We really saw it, Beth.

[Chang Lu]

I saw it, heard it, felt it.

[Susan]

Old Dan ran away after it. It happened, Cash. And later we heard a galloping horse he must have led out for town to tell folks. And soon he'll be back here with help.

[Dan]

Folks can't help me again. The dead. I might be surrounded by army. And still them fingers would come a clutching for me. Oh, God. What time you say it was when it wrenched itself off that door and come for me?

[Susan]

Near five o'clock. Now it's almost six.

[Dan]

An hour it seems like a hundred years. I never meant to hurt. Was just an accident. Accident?

[Cash Pelton]

You can't lie to the dead, Cash. You lunged at him deliberately with that knife because he came between you and me.

[Dan]

I was drunk. I didn't know what I was doing.

[Cash Pelton]

You were drunk when you struck your wife. Drunk when you tried to shoot me. Yes. And I'd have had a bullet in my body if I didn't move faster than you. And Chang Lu is dead.

[Dan]

I know. I know. Oh, God, forgive me, Chang Lu. Forgive me. Say, an hour ago it was still dark night. Since then the sun's been coming up. It's nearly day. We could blow out these lamps if we didn't have the shutters drawn. Maybe that's the reason we ain't seen or heard that hand no more. Cause the dead and their power is only strong in darkness.

[Susan]

Rick, let me be so.

[Cash Pelton]

I never thought of that.

[Dan]

It is so. While it's light, that thing can't come for me. And by the time it's dark again, I can be so fur away it won't even find me. It's only a cut off hand with just fingers and the thumb to pull it along. It can't follow a man on a good fast horse. Pack your things, Sue. We're getting away from here.

[Cash Pelton]

Oh, no, you can go. But she don't go with you.

[Dan]

Oh, yes she does. And before we go, Mr. Daly, I ain't finished what I started on you last night.

[Susan]

Put down that gun, Cash. Burke's helped you, being your friend.

[Dan]

I don't need his help of friendship now. For I know I'm safe. I know I'm safe. Safe.

[Chang Lu]

What?

[Cash Pelton]

Something knocked on the bottom of the door.

[Susan]

And something's moving outside the cell.

[Dan]

It's some kind of little animal. Maybe a rat.

[Cash Pelton]

Animals don't knock.

[Dan]

It can't be. Can't be.

[Susan]

Something white is being pushed under the door.

[Cash Pelton]

A piece of paper.

[Dan]

Get it. Get it. What is it? Look. There's a Chinese figure on it.

[Cash Pelton]

Yeah, traced in dry blood. It's the Chinese character for six.

[Dan]

Six. That means six o'clock.

[Susan]

That knock again.

[Dan]

One knock for yes. Six o'clock. It'll be that in just three minutes. And then the hand will come for me. What am I gonna do? What am I gonna do?

[Susan]

You can't get in this house. It can't.

[Chang Lu]

Listen.

[Susan]

It'S pulling itself up the door frame by my ivy vine.

[Dan]

It can't get in here. It can't.

[Cash Pelton]

What was that?

[Susan]

A key. Turned in the lock.

[Dan]

That won't help it. This door is barred inside?

[Cash Pelton]

Yes, you fool. But you left the key outside and it's locked us in.

[Dan]

That won't do no harm. It's dropped back to the ground and.

[Cash Pelton]

Now it's pulling itself away.

[Susan]

How fast it moves. Like a rabbit jumping.

[Dan]

Maybe it's got some way to get in.

[Cash Pelton]

You barred every outside door and shut at every window.

[Dan]

Glass in the next room a little lighter than the hole in that shutter.

[Susan]

It squeezed through and broke the pane.

[Cash Pelton]

With that heavy door key.

[Dan]

It's coming its way.

[Cash Pelton]

Shut the door, quick.

[Dan]

Too late. It's slip by me. Get away from me. Away.

[Susan]

Shoot it.

[Cash Pelton]

Shoot it.

[Dan]

Oh, bullets don't stop it. And it's almost 6 o'clock. It's got me in the corner and I can get away.

[Cash Pelton]

Here, keep your wits. It's only a hand. You can throw it off like it did before. Then we'll find some way to destroy it.

[Susan]

Burke.

[Dan]

Good Lord.

[Susan]

Been pulling that table cover under the lamp.

[Dan]

The lamp has fallen. Ah, the oil's on the clothes. I'm burning.

[Susan]

You gotta save him, Burke. Even a dog on day like that.

[Cash Pelton]

I can't get to him. There's a wall of flame between the clock.

[Dan]

The clock.

[Susan]

Oh, he shot himself.

[Cash Pelton]

We must get out of here, Sue. We'll be trapped like he was. And I haven't a gun. We'll burn to death. I've got the door unbarred.

[Dan]

Come on.

[Cash Pelton]

Oh, I forgot this door is locked outside.

[Susan]

Look. The hand.

[Cash Pelton]

It dropped the key at my feet.

[Susan]

Oh, now it's going towards the flames. It's in the fire.

[Cash Pelton]

I've got the door open.

[Susan]

Come on, Burke.

[Chang Lu]

Oh, Burke. We're free. For better now and not for worse.

[Susan]

That voice.

[Dan]

I heard it too.

[Chang Lu]

It is written that four fingers and a thumb extended in friendship is greater than 10,000 hands coming with sword.

[Satan]

Well, that's the end of that.

[Dan]

Un Satan.

[Satan]

Sleep good. Till next time, little children.

[Susan]

Sa.

[Stiles Mackenzie]

We interrupt this program to bring you an important Wayfair message. Wayfair's got style tips for every home. This is Stiles Mackenzie helping you make those rooms sing. Today's style tip when it comes to making a statement, treat bold patterns like neutrals. Go wild like an untamed animal. Print area rug under a rustic farmhouse table. From wayfair.com fairs this has been your Wayfair style tip to keep those interiors superior.

[Cash Pelton]

Wayfair Every style, Every home.