Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar 48-12-07 000 Milford Brooks III

Summary

Podcast Summary: "Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar 48-12-07 - 000 Milford Brooks III"

Podcast Information:

• Title: Harold's Old Time Radio
• Host/Author: Harold's Old Time Radio
• Episode: Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar 48-12-07 - 000 Milford Brooks III
• Release Date: March 29, 2025

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Introduction

In this episode of "Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar," hosted by Harold's Old Time Radio, listeners are transported back to the Golden Age of Radio. The show features the adventures of Johnny Dollar, a savvy freelance insurance investigator based in Hartford, Connecticut. This particular episode, titled "000 Milford Brooks III," delves into a complex case involving insurance fraud, deception, and high-stakes gambles.

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Case Assignment

The episode kicks off with Johnny Dollar receiving a case from Austin Farnsworth, the general manager of East Coast Underwriters. Farnsworth presents a troubling situation involving Milford Brooks III, a policyholder with a $2 million insurance policy that covers suicide attempts.

Johnny Dollar (00:59): "The following is an accounting of my expenditures and the investigation of Milford Brooks III for your company expense account."

Johnny's meticulous nature is evident as he details his expense account, showcasing his methodical approach to investigations.

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Investigation Begins

Johnny visits Farnsworth to gather more details about Milford Brooks III. Farnsworth reveals that Milford altered his insurance policy by changing the beneficiary to Harold Hatcher, a notorious gambler, and demanded a $500,000 loan, threatening suicide to trigger the insurance payout.

Farnsworth (03:16): "And the boy seems bent on committing suicide. I want you to stop him."

Johnny quickly deduces that the key issue is preventing Milford from committing suicide to avoid the insurance claim.

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Encounter with Butter/Janelle

During his investigation, Johnny encounters Butter, also referred to as Janelle, a femme fatale sent by Harold Hatcher to monitor his activities.

Butter (08:38): "Johnny darling. Welcome to New York."

Johnny attempts to build rapport with Butter, who seemingly assists him while secretly advancing Hatcher's interests. Their interactions are filled with witty banter and subtle tensions.

Johnny Dollar (09:48): "A kiss for luck. What do you want to do? Nothing. Just a little phone call."

Butter provides pivotal information, hinting at Milford's motives and directing Johnny to crucial evidence.

Janelle (20:16): "The personal note that Brooks was going to get back if he made Harold beneficiary."

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Uncovering the Scheme

As Johnny delves deeper, he uncovers that Milford Brooks III was entangled in a gambling debt with Harold Hatcher. Milford's strategic move to change the policy's beneficiary was a desperate attempt to extort money from the insurance company.

Johnny Dollar (23:07): "With the final signature on his expense account, Dick Powell as Johnny Dollar has just closed the books on his first adventure in this new CBS series."

The tension escalates when Farnsworth confronts Johnny with incriminating evidence linking him to the scheme, suspecting him of insurance fraud.

Johnny Dollar (18:24): "Motives don't come much bigger."

A high-octane chase ensues, leading to a dramatic confrontation between Johnny, Milford, and Harold Hatcher. The climax reveals the depth of the fraud and the lengths to which Milford and Hatcher went to manipulate the system.

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Confrontation and Resolution

In a heated showdown, Johnny exposes the fraudulent activities, culminating in a physical altercation that incapacitates Harold Hatcher and ensures Milford's scheme collapses.

Johnny Dollar (24:13): "It's beyond me. I sent you out to protect the life of a very important policyholder. And now where are we? Standing in a hospital corridor worrying about whether he's going to live or die."

With the truth unveiled, Johnny prepares his expense account report, detailing the investigation's expenses and the fraudulent maneuvers of Milford and Hatcher.

Johnny Dollar (26:43): "It all adds up to a little matter of 11.82.23. Which you may say, Mr. Farnsworth, is a lot of money for one man to spend in two days."

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Conclusion

The episode wraps up with Johnny Dollar successfully thwarting the insurance fraud, ensuring that Milford Brooks III's suicide attempt does not result in an unjust insurance payout. His detailed expense account report serves as a testament to his diligent investigative work, highlighting both his professionalism and the intricate nature of insurance investigations.

Johnny Dollar (27:00): "Yours truly, Johnny Dollar."

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Notable Quotes

• Johnny Dollar: "If you knew how that guy has been bothering you." [02:35]
• Farnsworth: "When I explained to him that there were no provisions for a loan in his policy, he threatened suicide." [04:00]
• Johnny Dollar: "Saving the insurance company $2 million." [23:54]
• Butter/Janelle: "I look like the kind of girl who'd put the finger on her boyfriend?" [20:08]
• Johnny Dollar: "It all adds up to a little matter of 11.82.23." [26:43]

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Insights and Themes

This episode masterfully intertwines themes of deception, greed, and the moral dilemmas faced by individuals involved in high-stakes financial schemes. Johnny Dollar's character exemplifies integrity and intelligence, navigating through layers of fraud and manipulation to uphold justice.

The intricate plot highlights the complexities of insurance investigations, where financial motives can drive individuals to extreme measures. The introduction of characters like Butter/Janelle adds depth and intrigue, portraying the often unseen personal conflicts that underpin broader financial crimes.

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Conclusion

"Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar 48-12-07 - 000 Milford Brooks III" is a quintessential episode that encapsulates the essence of the Golden Age of Radio. Through its engaging narrative, compelling characters, and sharp dialogue, the episode offers listeners a captivating journey into the world of insurance investigation and the human stories behind financial deceit.

For those unfamiliar with "Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar," this episode serves as a perfect entry point, showcasing the series' ability to blend suspense, drama, and intricate storytelling into a seamless auditory experience.

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Transcript

[Johnny Dollar]

Geico's motorcycle expertise means I'm covered by people who know bikes like I do. I'm happy as a clam. No, conclusive scientific research has shown clams can experience happiness. It just meant that I feel really good about my coverage. I mean, even if you took the clam out for the best day ever, visiting the zoo, taking a scenic ride, knowing you're insured by specialists, and sharing a strawberry ice cream cone together, the clam would not feel happy. And your strawberry cone would taste sort of clammy. Geico's motorcycle specialists, who know bikes like you do, assume no liability for clammy ice cream cones. GEICO expertise for your motorcycle. The Columbia Broadcasting System presents a thrilling new adventure series starring Dick Powell. I'm an insurance investigator. My name is Johnny Dollar.

[Austin Farnsworth]

What?

[Johnny Dollar]

You heard me, Johnny Dollar. And I can pad an expense account with the best of them. Yep. I'm a freelance insurance investigator and I live in Hartford, Connecticut. At least that's where I pay rent. My work sees to it that I really live anywhere except at home. If you're interested in buying me Christmas presents, I take a size 42 suit shirts, 15 and a half collar sleeve length 33. My hat size is 7 and 8, except when I wind up a success for case, then it runs about 7 and 3. 8. At insurance investigation, I'm just an expert at making out my expense account. I'm an absolute genius. Expense account submitted by investigator Johnny $2. Home Office, East Coast Underwriters Terminal Building, Hartford, Connecticut. Attention Austin Farnsworth, general manager. The following is an accounting of my expenditures and the investigation of Milford Brooks III for your company expense account. Item one, cab fare to your office in answer to your original call. $0.75 tip to driver, $1. Expense account. Item two, shoe shine, $0.25. You'll remember I got my shoes scuffed when I unsuspectingly walked into your.

[Milford Brooks III]

Milford, no. You must have always hungry$, get your boy from that window.

[Johnny Dollar]

Don't you you. No. No. No, you don't. Let go of me.

[Austin Farnsworth]

Let go of me.

[Johnny Dollar]

No. No. There are better ways of making a big splash in life.

[Milford Brooks III]

Get away.

[Johnny Dollar]

Well, nice try, sonny. Now, pay attention to teacher. Oh, didn't know I had it in me.

[Milford Brooks III]

Oh, goodness gracious. $, did you have to hit him so hard? I hope we haven't killed him. He isn't too strong, you know.

[Johnny Dollar]

Don't worry. There. Now. Now, Mr. Farnsworth, would you mind telling me on whose head have I the dubious pleasure to be sitting?

[Milford Brooks III]

That, sir, is Milford Brooks. III his policy with this company is in the amount of $2 million.

[Johnny Dollar]

Wow. Yes.

[Milford Brooks III]

And the boy seems bent on committing suicide. $I want you to stop him.

[Johnny Dollar]

What do you want me to do? Threaten him with death?

[Milford Brooks III]

Anything. Anything. The conditions of his policy are such we would be forced to meet with the claim in the event of his suicide. Oh, I see. Dollar sitting on his head that way. Aren't you in danger of smothering the boy?

[Johnny Dollar]

Smothering him doesn't worry me, but these crew haircuts don't make very comfortable cushions. I'll move down a little now. There. Okay, okay. So far, I know this kid is insured for 2 million and that his policy pays off on suicide. What else?

[Milford Brooks III]

1/2 hour ago, Milford Brooks walked into this office and changed the beneficiary in his policy. Then, sir, he proceeded to demand. Not request, mind you, but demand a loan of $500,000.

[Johnny Dollar]

Quite a touch.

[Milford Brooks III]

When I explained to him that there were no provisions for a loan in his policy, he threatened suicide, which would.

[Johnny Dollar]

Cost you 2 million. So all we have to do is keep him alive, huh?

[Milford Brooks III]

And he's managed to make that? No small problem. His choice of a new beneficiary is downright frightening. One of the most notorious gamblers in the East. His name is Hatcher, Harold Hatcher.

[Johnny Dollar]

Ouch.

[Milford Brooks III]

Oh, do you know him?

[Johnny Dollar]

Sure. That kid's been a post office pinup boy for a lot of years.

[Milford Brooks III]

Well, that's the situation. I'm engaging you to protect Milford Brook's future. $I want you to protect the boy. Give him something to live for. You know, an interest in life.

[Johnny Dollar]

An interest in life. Let's see. Oh, I know. Here, this should help.

[Milford Brooks III]

What's that you got there?

[Johnny Dollar]

Well, it's. What's commonly referred to in the more successful of bachelor circles is my little black book. Well, now, let's. Let's see. Ruby. No, no. Her favorite expression is about dead. Bernardine. No, she'd be the new beneficiary by midnight. Oh, dear. Now, here, here. Here's the one. Butter. Say, Farnsworth, would you mind passing me that phone, the one with the long cord? Oh, no, no, I still.

[Austin Farnsworth]

Buster.

[Johnny Dollar]

Our little friend here showing signs of life.

[Milford Brooks III]

Here you are. Maybe you should let him breathe a bit more.

[Johnny Dollar]

Ah, don't worry, don't worry. He'll be all right. Hello? Oh, hello. I want to call New York. Yeah, yeah. Hudson 24292. $, you're not thinking of taking this.

[Milford Brooks III]

Boy to New York, are you?

[Johnny Dollar]

Well, I'm going there myself. You want me to keep an eye on him, don't you? Now, don't fret, Farnsworth. All is not lost.

[Milford Brooks III]

You do worry me sitting on his chest that way.

[Johnny Dollar]

Hello? Hello, Butter? This is Johnny. Yeah, I'll be in town tonight. I want to see you. Look, here's what I want you to do. Yes, yes, it's all right to say over the telephone now. I want you to reserve a table at the hatchery in my name for 10 o'clock tonight. Will you do that?

[Austin Farnsworth]

Okay.

[Johnny Dollar]

I'll see you at your apartment in a few hours. Well, honey, I can't make it any earlier. I'm sitting up on a sick friend. Okay. Goodbye.

[Milford Brooks III]

I'm not sure that I agree with your methods.

[Johnny Dollar]

Ow.

[Milford Brooks III]

What's the matter? Did he hit you?

[Johnny Dollar]

Hit me? He bit me. Expense account. Item 3. Liquor. $18. Keeping Milford Brooks III peaceful seemed to be the immediate problem. And a bottle of rare old brandy seemed to be the immediate answer. I poured most of it into him, and by the time he started to tick again, he'd gone through the unusual process of going to sleep sober and waking up enchanted. I loaded him into my car and we headed for New York. As we passed through New Haven, he opened one eye, looked up, saw the Yale bowl and gave three cheers for old Eli Ray. Ray. Ray, Old Yale would sure be proud of you. Why anybody would want to insure you for $2 million is more than I can figure. My daddy loved me very much. And my mother loved me very much. Now that's nice. And not only that, but I love somebody very much. And not only that, but I hate somebody very much. That's interesting. You know, something? Next to one other guy, I hate you more than anybody else. Oh, here, lover boy. It's the cocktail hour again. Time for your bottle rolling along the Merritt Parkway. I felt very much alone with my thoughts. And believe me, they weren't very pleasant company the way it stacked up for me. Brooks had built up a fat gambling debt with Harold Hat and had been forced into making him his beneficiary. The suicide threat that he was holding over the insurance company was a little tougher to figure, unless he was trying to finance a trip for himself to get away from the man with a murder motive. Hatcher. My hungry little mind nibbled away on those unsavory morsels of food for thought all the way to Butter's apartment. Hey, hey, where you taking me? I want to go to New York. If you don't behave, buster, I'll punch your tickets.

[Butter]

Johnny darling. Welcome to New York.

[Johnny Dollar]

Well, that's the fastest trip I ever had. Quiet.

[Butter]

Well, where did you find this?

[Johnny Dollar]

In a box of Cracker Jack. Let us in, dear.

[Butter]

I don't know about you. Some men bring me flowers, some bring me candy. What do you bring me? A boiled owl in a Brooks Brothers suit?

[Johnny Dollar]

Pleased to reach you. Now let's trot him into the bedroom.

[Butter]

Honey, look more at home in the bathtub. I need to pull down the cup.

[Johnny Dollar]

All right, now, come on, buster, lie down. Charm, Charm, charm. That kid's liquor sure can hold him.

[Butter]

How long have you been playing nursemaid to this bottle baby?

[Johnny Dollar]

Get behind that bar suite and I'll tell you all about it.

[Janelle]

Sure.

[Butter]

Horrible examples don't seem to bother you, do they?

[Johnny Dollar]

If you knew how that guy has been bothering you. Me?

[Butter]

What did he do to you?

[Johnny Dollar]

Well, let's just say he put the bite on me. Gosh, the river sure does look pretty tonight.

[Austin Farnsworth]

Bourbon and soda now, please.

[Johnny Dollar]

Anything but brandy. I've been sniffing that second hand all the way from Hartford. Butter. See that big boat out there? I sure would like to be on it with you. Sailing off to far away romantic places.

[Butter]

Get with it, darling. That's the 125th Street Ferry. Oh, here's your drink. Come on now, tell Butter all about it.

[Johnny Dollar]

So, friend, Bourbon. And I proceeded to tell her all about it. It wasn't easy. Everything about her kept flagging down my train of thought. The longer she looked at me, the less I wanted of Milford Brooks III and the more I wanted of beautiful Butter. The first and only. She was a sympathetic listener to my story until I gave her the answer to her first and only question.

[Butter]

And where do I fit into all this?

[Johnny Dollar]

Baby, I thought you understood. My job is to give this poor, misguided boy something to live for. That's you. Well, now, honey, hold everything. Don't go get in your corn. All pot. You. You misunderstand. I really mean it. I thought if he just got a look at you and realize that things like you exist, why, you'd make any man glad to be alive. Come on now, Butter, melt a little. I wouldn't let anything happen to you, you know that.

[Butter]

Did I hurt you?

[Johnny Dollar]

Oh, no. I'm getting used to it. People have been taking pokes at me all day.

[Butter]

I'm sorry.

[Johnny Dollar]

Ah, that's better.

[Butter]

You want some more burden?

[Johnny Dollar]

Uh, I want some more you.

[Butter]

Well, help yourself.

[Johnny Dollar]

Honey. It's getting late. Let's make this the last drink.

[Butter]

What time is it?

[Johnny Dollar]

Oh, it's. It's 20 to 10. My reservation at the hatchery is for 10. Here.

[Butter]

Thanks.

[Johnny Dollar]

Cigarette?

[Butter]

Oh, empty some more out in the other room. I'll get him.

[Johnny Dollar]

I'd love to get you on a slow boat to China. Johnny. Coming. He's gone. What? Well, he can't be. But he is.

[Butter]

The window's wide open.

[Johnny Dollar]

Oh, the fire escape. What a smart guy I am. Trading three drinks of bourbon for 2 million bucks on the hoof. Oh, that's the biggest bar check I ever picked up. That's a big bar check for anyone to pick up. As a matter of fact, it's a bigger bar check than you've ever heard of anyone picking up before. And that should give you an idea of what to expect in the second act as you follow this new CBS series starring Dick Powell in the title role. Yours truly, Johnny Dollar. Well, nobody could say I wasn't working fast. I'd only been in town for an hour and I'd already succeeded in losing Milton Brooks iii. I spent another hour of his all too short life expectancy unsuccessfully shaking down the neighborhood for him. And then, feeling very much like a bloodhound that had flunked his sniffing exam, I went back to but his apartment.

[Butter]

No luck, Johnny?

[Johnny Dollar]

Oh, sure, plenty of luck. All bad.

[Butter]

Is there anything I can do to help?

[Johnny Dollar]

A kiss for luck. What do you want to do? Nothing. Just a little phone call.

[Austin Farnsworth]

Police headquarters.

[Johnny Dollar]

This is Johnny Dollar. Give me Missing Persons. Any particular one? Don't be a wise guy. Lieutenant Fisher. Yes, sir, Lieutenant Fisher. Fisher, this is Johnny Dollar. Hello, Dollar. Who'd you lose? One man, my mind. And if I'm not careful, my professional reputation. The guy's name is Brooks Milford iii. Got anything on him? Hold on.

[Butter]

All right, don't look at me like that. It wasn't all my fault.

[Johnny Dollar]

Yeah, we haven't found him yet, but we think we know where he is. Huh? The Hudson River. At 11:15 tonight, his top coat, complete with identification, was found taking a ride on 125th Street Ferry. Oh. Anything else? Nothing much. A package of matches was found under the coat. Monogram. You don't happen to know anybody whose initials are H.H. do you? H.H. there's always Horace Height. Thanks, Fisher. I'll check back with you later. I'll be here. HH Harold Hatcher.

[Butter]

What are you mumbling about?

[Johnny Dollar]

Bad news. Looks like about 2 million bucks worth. They found Milford's coat on the 125th street ferry.

[Butter]

You and your far away romantic places.

[Johnny Dollar]

Very funny. Now, I'll see you later, honey. Maybe about 11. Expense account. Item four, nightclubs, $28. Harold Hatcher's Hatchery was in a cellar under a hotel, but the prices were high enough to rate a penthouse. The club was draped in too much satin, its lady customers and too little. The decor was French provincial, the music was Brazilian and the food was from Dixie. The drinks looked weak and the waiters looked strong. All in all, the joint was a sight for sore eyes, for making them sore. The only pretty thing in the place was a blonde. She came strolling up to my table, her hips unconsciously sending subtle little messages back to the rumba band. She opened her mouth, slit her tongue over her lower lip and let a few warm, soft words slide out.

[Janelle]

Looking for someone?

[Johnny Dollar]

And you'll do until the real thing comes along. Sit down.

[Janelle]

Thanks, I won't have a drink.

[Johnny Dollar]

I didn't ask you.

[Janelle]

My name is Janelle.

[Johnny Dollar]

Janelle? Wow. It's a nice name.

[Janelle]

I understand you were asking about Mr. Hatcher.

[Johnny Dollar]

Well, I asked if he was there and the waiter said he wasn't. Do you know him?

[Janelle]

More than someone. What do you want to see him buy?

[Johnny Dollar]

A mutual friend. Milford Brooks?

[Janelle]

Uh huh. I know most of the quiet clothes boys around here. So you want a cop? You don't look like the type. That would be a society friend of the Brooks family. So what are you?

[Johnny Dollar]

I'll ignore that one. Is Hatcher around?

[Janelle]

He might be.

[Johnny Dollar]

Come on. Where's his office?

[Janelle]

The top of those stairs.

[Johnny Dollar]

Can I expect any trouble getting in?

[Janelle]

You won't have any trouble.

[Johnny Dollar]

How do you know?

[Janelle]

Because Harold sent me down here to look you over. Oh, I think you're all right.

[Johnny Dollar]

So I won myself a Good Housekeeping seal of approval, huh?

[Janelle]

Keeping a house with you would meet with my approval.

[Johnny Dollar]

I ran for my life at a slow walk up the stairs. When I located the door to Hatch's office, I knocked once and went in.

[Austin Farnsworth]

Come on in.

[Johnny Dollar]

Thanks. So I'm Johnny Dollar. I was hired by east coast underwriters to protect the interest of a kid named Milford Brooks the Third.

[Austin Farnsworth]

Now what's that supposed to mean to me?

[Johnny Dollar]

You know him, don't you?

[Austin Farnsworth]

Well, he isn't exactly one of my boozing buddies.

[Johnny Dollar]

How much money does he owe you now?

[Austin Farnsworth]

We've got him on the books for a few bob.

[Johnny Dollar]

Why? They picked up his top coat tonight on the 125th Street Ferry. He wasn't in it. It might have been suicide. It might have been a knockover made to look like a suicide. What's your choice?

[Austin Farnsworth]

What do you get off asking me about my choice?

[Johnny Dollar]

Where were you between 11 and 11:30 tonight?

[Austin Farnsworth]

What's it to you?

[Johnny Dollar]

I thought you might like to rehearse some answers. The law will be asking some questions real soon.

[Austin Farnsworth]

Now, I don't know why I should tell you, but I was driving around in my car getting some air.

[Johnny Dollar]

Oh, now, you'll have to do better than that. They found one of your match folders on a brook's coat.

[Austin Farnsworth]

You're out of your mind. Let me ask you. The kid owed me a couple of hundred thousand. You think I'm going around knocking off my own assets?

[Johnny Dollar]

Hatcher, I don't know whether you're stupid or bright.

[Austin Farnsworth]

Don't worry about it. I know.

[Johnny Dollar]

What about that insurance policy?

[Austin Farnsworth]

What insurance policy?

[Johnny Dollar]

Now, look, Hatcher, we're big boys. We both know that changing a beneficiary in an insurance policy is a legal transaction. That means witness. That means it isn't secret.

[Austin Farnsworth]

What are you talking about?

[Johnny Dollar]

But you and east coast underwriters and I know all. All know that books made you the beneficiary in his policy. And that you stand to come into 2 million bucks when they fish out his body.

[Austin Farnsworth]

I don't know anything about it.

[Johnny Dollar]

Motives don't come much bigger.

[Austin Farnsworth]

I'm telling you, this is all news to me. And you and nobody else is gonna make me move off that story.

[Johnny Dollar]

I feel the same about mine. It doesn't take a genius to know that Brooks didn't love you. $2 million worth. There's only one logical reason for his making you the beneficiary. You forced him into it. Who'd believe anything else?

[Austin Farnsworth]

Who cares? They'd have to prove it. Brother, that can't be done. Now, how would you. Yeah, okay, Rocky. Thanks for the news. Take the inspector into the bar and buy him a drink. I'll be right down. Dollar, did you turn me in?

[Johnny Dollar]

They're here, huh?

[Austin Farnsworth]

Yeah.

[Johnny Dollar]

No, I didn't turn you in. I'm not a cop.

[Austin Farnsworth]

Well, come on. Maybe they just want to sell me some tickets to the Policeman's Ball.

[Johnny Dollar]

For a guy in a hot spot, Hatcher was certainly a cool customer. I followed him out of the office, down the stairs and back into the club. Janelle was sitting there, right where I'd left her. And I thought to myself, now there's a gal who should never sit down. She looks so pretty standing up.

[Austin Farnsworth]

Janelle, buy Mr. Dollar a drink. I have to go play 20 questions with some fellas in the bar.

[Johnny Dollar]

Sure, baby.

[Janelle]

Anything you say. Anything.

[Austin Farnsworth]

I'll see you, darling.

[Janelle]

How'd you make out?

[Johnny Dollar]

Well, you can never tell about a guy like that. He's a smart boy, strong, silent type.

[Janelle]

Wouldn't talk, huh? A real close mouth act. About what?

[Johnny Dollar]

Oh, just a little doodad. Two million dollar life insurance policy.

[Janelle]

Wait a minute. A young Brooks kid.

[Johnny Dollar]

That's right.

[Janelle]

I knew it. Tried to tell him he'd get into trouble but he wouldn't listen to me.

[Johnny Dollar]

Oh, you knew about it, huh? I suppose you also know what was behind it.

[Janelle]

Sure. Milford owed him some money. A lot of money. It's in writing.

[Johnny Dollar]

What kind of writing?

[Janelle]

The personal note that Brooks was going to get back if he made Harold beneficiary.

[Johnny Dollar]

Where is this note?

[Janelle]

I look like the kind of girl who'd put the finger on her boyfriend?

[Johnny Dollar]

You look like the kind of girl who'd do anything if she wanted to.

[Janelle]

Thanks. I'll give you a slight hint. It's in his office. You'll find it in the inside pocket of one of his suits in the wardrobe. Are you waiting for. I'll watch the blog.

[Johnny Dollar]

Nothing, sweetheart. Nothing at all. Whatever her reasons, Mr. Harold Hatch's little female playmate was trying awful hard to send him up on a murder app. And I was going to try awful hard not to let her down. Back in Hatch's office, I found myself alone in a room with a telephone. And being a guy who can never resist a free call, I unleashed the magic wonders of the AT&T.

[Butter]

This better be you, Johnny Dollar.

[Johnny Dollar]

Quiet, Butter. I've only got a few seconds.

[Butter]

It seems that's all you ever have for me.

[Johnny Dollar]

Now if you look. Angel, angel, just another hour. I'll get you a nice present.

[Butter]

I don't care if you're another century. And as for presents, the last one you brought me was a drunk. And you even let him get away from me. Good night.

[Johnny Dollar]

Life presents A gloomy picture ever downward toward the tomb. Having wasted those few precious moments of an already misspent youth, I decided I had to get on my pony before Mr. Hatcher showed up. I found Milford Brooks personal note in one of Hatch's suits all right. As a matter of fact, I found something in all his suits. A great big glimmer of light. Expense account, item 5, taxi fare, $10. I left the office in a hurry, Janelle at her table and Hatcher at his bar. I got out of the club and into a taxi parked a half block down the street. There I waited until my favorite suspect left the hatchery and piled into another cab. And off we went on a chase that would have made Ben Hurl look like a plowing bee. We skidded over to Lexington and headed uptown. At 72nd, the cab turned right and pulled to a stop. My driver was on his toes and his toes were on his break. We stopped too. Half a block behind the one. I should wait, huh?

[Austin Farnsworth]

No.

[Johnny Dollar]

Here you are. Keep the change. Hey. Dang. It was a garage that belonged to a residence on the parallel street a block away. The living quarters upstairs were dark enough to look interesting. I indulged in a bit of genteel breaking and entering. Entering? That old barn didn't take much breaking. I crept up the stairs. It sounded like they were left over from an old ghost story. And so did the first voice I heard when I stopped halfway up.

[Milford Brooks III]

We've got to be careful, especially about that Johnny Dollar. Are you sure he didn't follow you?

[Johnny Dollar]

That voice sounded awfully dry to be coming from a guy who supposedly had spent most of the night snoozing on the bottom of the Hudson River. It was Milford Brooks iii. Get up on your feet, Brooks.

[Milford Brooks III]

Now wait a minute.

[Johnny Dollar]

I am. I started this thing slugging you and I might as well finish it the same way. Leave him alone.

[Milford Brooks III]

Now pull in.

[Johnny Dollar]

Pull in the claws, angel, and sit on his lap. You hard footed Hank. I'll kill you.

[Milford Brooks III]

Get off of me. I should have known better than to get mixed up with a low class female like you.

[Johnny Dollar]

Why you punk. Now hold it. We pushed the lady around enough.

[Milford Brooks III]

Brooks, tell me to be careful, will you? Why didn't you think of that before you let him?

[Johnny Dollar]

Here. Squat your nose, little boy. Now don't you go getting fat headed, gorgeous. I'm only interested in one thing. Saving the insurance company $2 million. And Buster, I think you've done it. Farnie$I. This is insurance fraud. It has been ever since you put on that fake suicide attempt trying to extort 500,000 bucks out of the company.

[Milford Brooks III]

Wait a minute.

[Johnny Dollar]

Ah, come on, we're leaving.

[Austin Farnsworth]

You heard him, darling. Harold, he said wait a minute. He wants to talk.

[Johnny Dollar]

Yeah, everybody wants to get in on the act. How did you get here?

[Austin Farnsworth]

And the police in this town think maybe a guy's jumped off a ferry boat and nobody's seen him do it. They check the counters on the turnstiles at each end. In the case of Brooks, as many people got off that boat as got on.

[Johnny Dollar]

Well, it makes sense they'd hardly hold a guy because somebody lost a topcoat.

[Janelle]

How did you know we were here?

[Austin Farnsworth]

You know me, baby. You never go any place I don't know about. Okay, Brooks, you felt like talking. Now I feel like listening. Get it up.

[Johnny Dollar]

Lie.

[Milford Brooks III]

I don't know what you mean.

[Johnny Dollar]

I know what you mean, Hatcher. One, he gave you a big fat two million dollar motive for murder. And two, he did his best to make it look like you did murder him with that broken down match cover plant on the ferry boat. It's just that simple.

[Austin Farnsworth]

And you, baby.

[Janelle]

Harold, please.

[Austin Farnsworth]

You put him up to it, didn't you? You cheap little muscular. Trying to get rid of me, will you?

[Johnny Dollar]

No, Harold, calm down. Hatcher, you don't need any gun around here. They're tame.

[Austin Farnsworth]

Well, maybe I'm not. Since so many people have gone to so much trouble to hand me a nice easy way to make $2 million. Maybe I'll just go ahead and make it. I'll show these amateurs how these things are really done. Come on, Brooks. Would you like to go for a nice cool half a ferry boat ride?

[Johnny Dollar]

No.

[Milford Brooks III]

Hatcher, no. Look, it's her fault. I'll give you anything.

[Austin Farnsworth]

You're wrong, sonny boy. You're gonna give me everything.

[Johnny Dollar]

No. No, you can't. Let me out of here. Brooks bolted for the door. Hatcher snapped a shot at him. And I hit Hatcher with a do or die tackle from behind. The gun flew out of his hand. No, you don't. I beat him to it and swung it straight into his skull. Half the people were lying in the room bleeding. Brooks from gunshot, Hatcher from gun butt. And Janelle and I both stood there panting. Ah, but believe me, not for each other. We stood that way until the police arrived.

[Milford Brooks III]

$. It's beyond me. I sent you out to protect the life of a very important policyholder. And now where are we? Standing in a hospital corridor worrying about whether he's going to live or die.

[Johnny Dollar]

As far as I'm concerned, Mr. Farnsworth, you're only half right. I'm just standing in a hospital corridor. $.

[Milford Brooks III]

You're heartless.

[Johnny Dollar]

If you'd been bitten where he bit me, you wouldn't care if he lived or died either. I'm getting out of here. Well, where are you going? It'll be explained in my expense account on the miscellaneous expense. Now, don't fall over when you come to an item for $318.

[Milford Brooks III]

$318 for what?

[Johnny Dollar]

Not for what, Farnsworth expense account total. And it all adds up to a little matter of 11.82.23. Which you may say, Mr. Farnsworth, is a lot of money for one man to spend in two days. But you must bear in mind that the amount of steak was $2 million. And you know the price of steak these days. It might comfort you to know that I just returned from the hospital. Brooks was strong enough to make a full statement, which you will find enclosed. This in itself should prove sufficient to establish evidence of attempted fraud against your company, allowing you to immediately avoid his policy. It boils down to one sentence. To wit, Brooks and Janelle wanted to get rid of Hatcher so that they could live happily ever after. Knowing those two, they never had a chance. And oh, yes, that. That miscellaneous item, the one for $318, was a bracelet for a certain party who made this special investigation for me. Very special. Oh, if you want a receipt for this item, I'll send you a lock of her hair. Yours truly, Johnny Dol. So with the final signature on his expense account, Dick Powell as Johnny Dollar has just closed the books on his first adventure in this new CBS series. Be sure to tune in again next week when the expense account covers special investigation. Singapore, another unusual adventure starring Dick Powell in.

[Austin Farnsworth]

Yours.

[Johnny Dollar]

Truly, Johnny Dollar.