Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar 49-03-11 005 Murder is a Merry-Go-Round

Summary

Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar - Episode 49-03-11 "Murder is a Merry-Go-Round"

Host: Harold's Old Time Radio
Release Date: June 9, 2025

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1. Introduction to the Case [00:15 - 00:50]

The episode opens with Johnny Dollar, America's premier freelance insurance investigator, detailing his latest assignment for Nutmeg State Casualty and Bonding Company. He embarks on a case involving a series of mysterious accidents plaguing the Fun, Fair, and Weatherly Carnival Shows. Johnny's meticulous nature is evident as he begins logging his expenses, hinting at the complexity and depth of his investigation.

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2. Arrival at Talladega and Initial Investigations [00:50 - 03:01]

Upon arriving in Talladega, Alabama, Johnny interacts with the carnival's mechanic, who is reluctantly aware of a recent Ferris wheel accident that injured three patrons. Johnny describes the mechanic's demeanor, noting, “He was charming” ([01:10]). His initial inquiries face resistance from the carnival staff, particularly from Shanty Brennan, the general manager, who is dismissive and hostile towards Johnny's probing questions about the accidents.

Notable Quote:

• Johnny Dollar: “Strictly academic. I'm only representing the insurance company that's paying off on those accidents.” ([03:26])

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3. Confrontation with Shanty Brennan [03:01 - 08:07]

Johnny's quest for information leads him to a tense exchange with Shanty Brennan. Shanty warns Johnny against digging deeper, leading to a veiled threat about staying out of trouble. Despite the hostility, Johnny remains undeterred, suspecting that someone is intentionally causing the accidents to sabotage the carnival.

Notable Quotes:

• Shanty Brennan: “Somebody's out to get it.” ([05:29])
• Johnny Dollar: “But 10 straight nights now you've had at least one big accident every night. What's your guess, Brandon? Has fate taken a steady job on your show or is somebody out to get you?” ([05:19-05:29])

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4. Unveiling Connections with Carter Lacey [08:07 - 13:14]

Johnny delves into the background of the carnival's operations and uncovers a connection to Carter Lacey, a man recently released from prison. Through a series of strategic phone calls and visits to local establishments, Johnny discovers that Carter might still harbor vendettas against key figures of the carnival.

Notable Quote:

• Johnny Dollar: “I supplied you with an alibi today. I don't see him in the lobby.” ([21:52])

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5. The Warning and Rising Tensions [12:00 - 19:23]

Myrtle Pepper, Louisa Pepper's niece, becomes a pivotal character as she delivers Carter Lacey's ominous message: “I'm gonna kill two of those people.” ([12:17]). The carnival staff, now aware of the imminent threat, are on edge. Johnny takes protective measures, instructing Louisa and Myrtle to stay secure while he contacts the police.

Notable Quote:

• Myrtle Pepper: “He said he'd join us here.” ([12:22])
• Johnny Dollar: “Have you got a gun in here, Louisa?” ([17:57])

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6. The Climax: Confrontation with Carter Lacey [19:23 - 26:37]

As tensions peak, Carter Lacey confronts Johnny within the snake tent, leading to a standoff. Johnny cleverly maneuvers the situation by using the environment to his advantage, ultimately causing chaos that allows him to escape. The climax reveals Carter's true motives and the extent of his manipulation, highlighting Johnny's ingenuity in resolving the perilous situation.

Notable Quotes:

• Johnny Dollar: “He set himself up as a patsy. He'd been framed by you once before.” ([25:04])
• Shanty Brennan: “The only one that's going to get out of here is $beat it.” ([26:37])

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7. Resolution and Reflection [26:37 - 29:21]

In the aftermath, Johnny assesses the situation, concluding that the series of accidents were orchestrated attempts by Carter Lacey to wreak havoc on the carnival. Through strategic thinking and resourcefulness, Johnny ensures the safety of the carnival staff and secures evidence that will hold the perpetrators accountable.

Notable Quote:

• Johnny Dollar: “But a little black book stashed among them did. I needn't have rushed my search though, because Myrtle Pepper was still gone after 10 minutes.” ([12:45])

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8. Closing Remarks and Final Thoughts [29:21 - 30:42]

The episode concludes with Johnny reflecting on the case, emphasizing the unpredictability of human motives and the importance of vigilance. His final remarks tie together the threads of the investigation, showcasing his unwavering commitment to solving complex cases.

Notable Quote:

• Johnny Dollar: “When you start any kind of pain reaction you should be careful because you're never going to be sure where it's going to stop.” ([28:33])

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Conclusion:

"Murder is a Merry-Go-Round" is a quintessential Johnny Dollar adventure, blending suspense, intricate plotting, and sharp dialogue. Johnny's relentless pursuit of the truth amidst a web of deceit and danger underscores his prowess as an insurance investigator. For listeners, this episode offers a riveting journey through the dark underbelly of carnival life, highlighting themes of betrayal, revenge, and the quest for justice.

Transcript

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[Johnny Dollar]

The Columbia Broadcasting System presents yours truly, Johnny Doll. The next half hour has its baggage packed to take a trip with America's fabulous freelance insurance investigator Johnny Dollar at Insurance Investigation. He is just an expert at making out his expense account. He is an absolute genius.

Expense account submitted by special investigator Johnny Dollar to home office Nutmeg State Casualty and Bonding Company, Hartford, Connecticut. The following is an accounting of my expenditures during investigation of series of accidents affecting your policyholder the fun, fair and weatherly carnival shows or how I went for a spin on a case we might refer to as Murder is a Merry Go Round. Expense Account, Item 1, $0.25 Purchase of Billboard, Theatrical magazine to check the route of fun, fair and weatherly carnival shows. Expense Account, Item 2, $68 air and train fares to Talladega, Alabama. Item 3, $1.10 cab fare and what was only a fair imitation of a cab from Talladega depot to the dusty vacant lot which had overnight found itself wearing theatrical makeup brightly as the hot sun beat down on it. Couldn't help the layout of canvas and flats from looking beat up. A perspiring mechanic shot sparks of profanity back in an obstinate motor if he tried to get it to roll the giant hoop of a Ferris wheel. I asked him what he knew about the accident of a week before when a car dropped off the same Ferris wheel badly injuring three. He was charming.

[Shanty Brennan]

Listen, pretty boy, don't go get nosy around here.

[Johnny Dollar]

The joe in charge of the electric screen was just as sweet on the subject of how come one of his scooters blew up a few nights back sending a citizen to the hospital. He just didn't feel like talking.

[Shanty Brennan]

If you ain't a cop, start moving. If you are, where's your warrant?

[Johnny Dollar]

I was just asking the pilot of the giant airplane spin who he thought might have cut the cables the night one of his wallboard gliders took off across the carnival crowd crashing and busting up a few more customers when I got a canvassman's version of a sharp answer. A tent stake right behind my ear.

[Shanty Brennan]

Well, those sleeping beauties waking up, huh?

[Johnny Dollar]

Who are you?

[Shanty Brennan]

I thought maybe you'd be sick of asking questions first. Maybe you better answer a few before you get up.

[Johnny Dollar]

Number one.

[Shanty Brennan]

Who are you?

[Johnny Dollar]

A pilgrim from Hartford?

[Shanty Brennan]

Never mind the double talk, wise guy. What's your name?

[Johnny Dollar]

My name is Johnny Dollar, but right now I feel like 2 cents.

[Shanty Brennan]

What's your big interest in those accidents you were asking questions about?

[Johnny Dollar]

Strictly academic. I'm only representing the insurance company that's paying off on those accidents. Now maybe you'll tell me who you are and where I am.

[Shanty Brennan]

Thought you guys were smarter. Donna, I'll let you in on a little secret. Next time you want to find something out on a traveling show, get to the boss first. Asking a lot of questions around a circus or carnival lot is unhealthy.

[Johnny Dollar]

Where is the boss?

[Shanty Brennan]

Ms. Pepper Louise is in the other end of this trailer. He'll be right out. Okay, you can get up on your feet. Thanks.

[Johnny Dollar]

I hope you don't mind if I don't stay up on him. I feel more like sitting down.

[Shanty Brennan]

Go ahead.

[Johnny Dollar]

You still haven't told me who you are.

[Shanty Brennan]

My name's Brennan.

[Johnny Dollar]

Oh, yeah, Shanty Brennan. Yeah. You're the general manager of the show. They told me all about you. Louisa Pepper's right on. And strong on. How long will she be?

[Shanty Brennan]

She's getting dressed. Just finished taking a nap. We drove all night to get here. How about having a blast with me while you're waiting?

[Johnny Dollar]

No, thanks. I haven't enjoyed a noon bottle since I was 2, but don't let me stop you. Thanks.

[Shanty Brennan]

You sure you won't have one?

[Johnny Dollar]

I'm sure. Brand, the insurance company taking up on your show, the police chiefs in the last 10 towns you've played say it's a clean one.

[Shanty Brennan]

We haven't got a pickpocket or a grifter on the lot.

[Johnny Dollar]

But plenty of trouble, huh? During those past tense stops, at least.

[Shanty Brennan]

Once a night somebody's got hurt, but never any of us. Always one or two of the townies, the citizens. Last night, a car on the whip cut loose that sent four to the hospital.

[Johnny Dollar]

Uh huh. Four more insurance claims for Nutmeg State Casualty and Bonding, huh?

[Shanty Brennan]

Yeah, and one more time. We won't be able to play again for a couple of years. No wonder we didn't travel out of that town last night by rails, tarred and feathered.

[Johnny Dollar]

But 10 straight nights now you've had at least one big accident every night. What's your guess, Brandon? Has fate taken a steady job on your show or is somebody out to get you?

[Shanty Brennan]

Somebody's out to get it.

[Johnny Dollar]

Okay. Well, do you have any idea?

[Louisa Pepper]

Oh, why didn't you tell me? We Were entertaining a gentleman shanty and to put on some more clothes.

[Johnny Dollar]

It would have taken a lot more clothes to cover all there was of Louisa Pepper. She looked like an aging pupid doll, but even in a carnival, she was no prize. I didn't like the look in her eye. It looked much too friendly. So right away I decided to change the unspoken subject. Ms. Pepper, I'm here on business. Insurance.

[Louisa Pepper]

No, you were not buying any, and.

[Johnny Dollar]

I'm not selling any. The way things have been going, the insurance company I represent would probably like to buy some of yours back.

[Louisa Pepper]

Oh, yeah.

[Johnny Dollar]

I'm going up. Make state casualties investigating the accident.

[Louisa Pepper]

Hope you find out more than we've been able to and fast before we go broke. The word's traveling one town ahead of us. They got us pegged for a dangerous midway.

[Johnny Dollar]

Have you been using police protection?

[Louisa Pepper]

20 extra cops a night at $10 a cop. So night before last, a guy winds up with a hammer to try and ring the bell and win a cigar. The top of the hammer flies off and almost brains a cop around this show. The police need protection.

[Johnny Dollar]

I see what you mean. How are you fixed for people who don't like you? We got money to choose from dollar.

[Shanty Brennan]

We treat our health fair and square. We know them all and trust them all.

[Johnny Dollar]

Fire anybody lately?

[Louisa Pepper]

Nobody. The only ones who left were floaters, but none of them had a beef.

[Johnny Dollar]

Okay, Ms. Pepper, now think back in all your life. Who do you know who'd most like to see you have a real bad time?

[Louisa Pepper]

Only one guy and he's not around.

[Johnny Dollar]

Dead.

[Louisa Pepper]

Not good as he's in jail. Has been for the last eight and a half years.

[Johnny Dollar]

That's a long time. How long did he go up for?

[Louisa Pepper]

10.

[Shanty Brennan]

What are you thinking?

[Johnny Dollar]

$I'M thinking that with time off for good behavior, maybe he's not in jail.

[Louisa Pepper]

Not in jail? Sandy, he's got to be in jail. He's got to be, I tell you. You've told me you were.

[Shanty Brennan]

All right, Break it up, Louisa. God. At least he had a voice as sharp as yours. He could saw his way out of jail. Okay, dollar you made a guess about seeing how good it is.

[Johnny Dollar]

Sure. I'll find out if your bogeyman is still in jail. But I didn't catch that name.

[Louisa Pepper]

Lacey. Carter Lacey.

[Johnny Dollar]

And where has he been?

[Shanty Brennan]

In the Pokie Massachusetts State Prison at Charleston.

[Johnny Dollar]

What did he go up for? What's that to you?

[Shanty Brennan]

Cut it, Louisa. $we sent Carter Lacy to jail for attempted murder. He tried to kill Louise's niece Myrtle.

[Johnny Dollar]

Is she around, around running the snake.

[Louisa Pepper]

Show on the midway. $How soon can you check where the Carter got out?

[Johnny Dollar]

Soon as I can make a telephone call. But Shani, before I do, I'd like to elaborate on that guess I made. Now I'd not only guess that Carter Lacey is out of jail, but I'd also guess that he's been out a little over 10 days. Expense account. Item 4, $3 telephone call to Massachusetts State Prison confirming both of my guesses. Connor Lacy had checked out of the Vay State Hotel gravestone for bad boys two weeks previously. Item 5, $32 telephone calls to various hotels. In the last 10 pounds the fun fair and weatherly carnival shows have played. Item six, 10 cents, two nickels spent calling two hotels right here in Talladega. Then I drop one more nickel in the telephone. Got the lucky number?

[Myrtle Pepper]

Yes sir, we do have a Mr. Carter Lacey. Register Bloom 312.

[Johnny Dollar]

Shall I talk and hit the jackpot? Friends. Account item seven, 65 cents. Cab fare to Sunshine Hotel. Tip the driver $1 from the lobby. I call room 312. He invited me up, I invited him down. I know I'd feel better talking to Carter Lacey with a lot of people around. They'd make nice witnesses if he suddenly got homesick for prison life and used me as a ticket back. I waited in the coffee shop. The waitress brought me a cup of coffee and my palate went to work refereeing a one sided bout between the strong jabba and the weak cream.

[Shanty Brennan]

Hello dollar.

[Johnny Dollar]

All right. Sit down.

[Shanty Brennan]

Thanks.

[Johnny Dollar]

You're caught A Lacey, huh? Have some coffee.

[Shanty Brennan]

No thanks. It keeps me awake. Night.

[Johnny Dollar]

How about your conscience having the same trouble with that?

[Shanty Brennan]

My conscience deserves an eight and a half year rest but it can't start its vacation until I even up a few scores.

[Johnny Dollar]

Busting up carnivals?

[Shanty Brennan]

Child play. Look dollar over the phone you told me you're an insurance investigator. You can save your company a lot of money.

[Johnny Dollar]

How?

[Shanty Brennan]

Call them up and tell them not to insure the lives of three people. Because any minute now two of them are going to be dead.

[Johnny Dollar]

Louisa, Pepper Hanish, Myrtle and Shanti Brennan.

[Shanty Brennan]

Yeah$I'm going to kill two of those people. The other one's still my friend. Who's going to help me do it. In case you don't know your law dollar don't bother calling the cop. I can't be held for making a threat unless I put it in writing.

[Johnny Dollar]

Well, Lacy, I don't know what your beef is against the people running that carnival but have been hurting a Lot of innocent bystanders.

[Shanty Brennan]

$. You're talking to a guy who really knows what it means getting hurt as an innocent bystander.

[Johnny Dollar]

Expense account out of me. $25 Retainant's a local detective agency hiring Shadow for Mr. Carter Lacy. Explanation? An ounce of crime prevention is worth a ton of trials. Item 9. A $20 cab fare back for the evening's festivities at the fun, fair and weatherly carnival, which was rapidly becoming more and more of a thrill show. Expense account. Item 10. $0.30 down payment on ulcer eating. Separate, what the carney people call a grease joint. I made my way among the trailers that were lined up behind the midway. And as I looked for the one housing Louisa Pepper's snake charming niche, Myrtle, the burning sensation around my heart wasn't all caused by the hot dogs I'd just eaten.

[Myrtle Pepper]

Who is it?

[Johnny Dollar]

I've got a message from Carter Lacey.

[Myrtle Pepper]

What did you say?

[Johnny Dollar]

I said I've got a message from Carter Lacey for you and your Aunt Louisa. Shanti Brennan. You're the only one I haven't met yet, so I thought I'd deliver it to you first.

[Myrtle Pepper]

Where is he?

[Johnny Dollar]

In town. Got any snakes in the trailer?

[Myrtle Pepper]

No, of course not.

[Johnny Dollar]

All right then, how about inviting me in?

[Myrtle Pepper]

Are you the insurance guy they told me about?

[Johnny Dollar]

Yeah, that's right.

[Myrtle Pepper]

Okay. Come in. What did Lasus say?

[Johnny Dollar]

He said that he's gonna kill two of the three of you.

[Myrtle Pepper]

Which two? Didn't he say?

[Johnny Dollar]

No, he didn't. He just said the two of you are gonna get it. And that his one friend among you, the remaining one, is gonna help him do it.

[Myrtle Pepper]

Oh, God, he hates it. I know he'll kill it. You say Louisa and Fanny don't know yet?

[Johnny Dollar]

No, they don't. You're the first to know.

[Myrtle Pepper]

Well, then, wait here. I'll run tell him I'll stop back here before I go into the tent to do my next show. Grab yourself a drink. I'll be right back.

[Johnny Dollar]

But she wasn't right back. And it's just as well she wasn't. She might have interrupted me while taking a sightseeing trip through the drawers in the trailer's built in bureau. The piles of silky nothings that give gals that certain something didn't tell me anything I hadn't known about women before. But a little black book stashed among them did. I needn't have rushed my search though, because Myrtle Pepper was still gone after 10 minutes. That's about the time I headed back to her Aunt Louise's trailer. Pulled Open the door and walked in.

[Louisa Pepper]

You scared me, Della, barging in like that.

[Myrtle Pepper]

Mr. Delaware. I told you I'd be right back.

[Johnny Dollar]

Did Myrtle here deliver Mr. Lacy's little love letters?

[Louisa Pepper]

Yes.

[Shanty Brennan]

The fool.

[Louisa Pepper]

He always was a fool. He can't kill us.

[Johnny Dollar]

It's against the law. I mean.

[Louisa Pepper]

I mean, it's impossible, that's all.

[Johnny Dollar]

Look, Ms. Pepper, you and your niece here are both plenty scared while you're out shaking those two stances you got working over on the midway. Myrtle, have you told Shanny about Lacey's threat?

[Myrtle Pepper]

Yeah, I met him on the way over here. Asked him if he'd feed my snakes before showtime. Said Shani's just to work with if they're hungry. Yeah, I told him. He said he'd join us here.

[Johnny Dollar]

What did he say when you told him?

[Myrtle Pepper]

He said if Lacey had one of us helping him, then the three of us had better stick together so we could at least watch each other.

[Johnny Dollar]

Smart man. He had a good idea. I see. The three of you had better stick close to each other, beginning right now. Come on.

[Louisa Pepper]

Where are we going?

[Johnny Dollar]

Over to the snake tent. And when we get there, Myrtle, you'll be the only one of us who will be among friends. The three of us left Louise's trailer. We walked past the back of the shooting gallery concession, right in the front of it and along the back of the line of canvas shanties. We stopped at one. Myrtle pulled back the canvas flap and I stepped in, ready for anything. With the ladies not far behind me, I edged slowly over to the square red board fence set up in the center of the tent. There were danger signs splashed in white paint along the outside walls of the pit. I clenched my teeth and looked down to the wire mesh top at a slithering tangle of writhing, angry reptiles. And there, lying among them, with a vicious red welt splashing his forehead, was Shanty Brennan. He was feeding his snakes.

[Shanty Brennan]

Foreign.

[Johnny Dollar]

Just a moment. We'll return to the second act of yours truly, Johnny Dollar. But first, here is some news. 30 minutes of new thrills will be added to CBS 10 Great Sunday Night Entertainment this coming Sunday at 6:30pm Eastern Standard Time, where you formerly heard Mike Jones, CBS will bring you screen star John Lund in an adventure packed tale of a ship filled with terror and horror. This story, a shipment of mute fake, starring John Lund, is the first of three special broadcasts from CBS Famous Escape series. It will be heard over most of these stations immediately preceding a familiar show which brings you a different kind of escape. The Jack Benny Show.

[Public Service Announcement Speaker]

Use of flavored Tobacco by teens is a crisis. Tobacco companies use flavors like cotton candy, watermelon ice and cool mint tobacco. Hook kids like me. They seem harmless, but they aren't. Addiction to nicotine sets us up for a lifetime of health problems. Oregon legislators can do something about it. Passing Senate Bill 702A will keep flavored tobacco away from kids. But there are just a few short weeks left for lawmakers to act. Take action to protect kids like me. @ flavorshookorgankids.org paid for by the Campaign.

For Tobacco Free Kids Action Fund.

[I]

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[Johnny Dollar]

Wayfair Every style, every home.

And now back to yours truly, Johnny Dollar.

I just seen a murder mystery where the actors had been hitching instead of the audience. The lead character in that snake pits wasn't going to win any Academy Award. The scene of the crime was no place for a man, let alone a woman. So I heard of any Louisa and I Myrtle out of the tent back into the trailer.

[Myrtle Pepper]

Poor Daddy. How horrible.

[Louisa Pepper]

You say this wrong, $. When I said Carter Le she couldn't do it.

[Myrtle Pepper]

Oh, it's gonna happen to us.

[Johnny Dollar]

According to what Lacy told me. Myrtle, what's supposed to happen is only gonna happen to one of you.

[Myrtle Pepper]

Huh? What do you mean?

[Johnny Dollar]

Well, he claims that one of you is in this with him and that one knows she's safe. This may turn out to be an acting contest between you two.

[Louisa Pepper]

What's that crack supposed to mean?

[Johnny Dollar]

Well, the one who's safe wouldn't want anybody to know she's feel safe, huh?

[Louisa Pepper]

I wish I had learned to cry.

[Myrtle Pepper]

Louise. You don't think it's me?

[Louisa Pepper]

Well, I know it ain't me.

[Johnny Dollar]

Ladies, ladies, how about observing a moment of silence in memory of the deceased while I give you a few instructions, okay? Have you got a gun in here, Louisa?

[Louisa Pepper]

Yes, and a license to carry it.

[Johnny Dollar]

Good.

[Shanty Brennan]

Where is it?

[Johnny Dollar]

The gun, not the license.

[Louisa Pepper]

I won't give it to you.

[Johnny Dollar]

Well, if you don't, people might get to thinking that you're Cartelace's girlfriend and accomplice. Anyway, I don't want the gun to take with me. I want to leave it here. Where is it?

[Louisa Pepper]

In that drawer right over there.

[Johnny Dollar]

Which end of the drawer?

[Myrtle Pepper]

What's the matter with you, Blind? You'll see it.

[Johnny Dollar]

I'm not turning my bag on you. Which end?

[Myrtle Pepper]

You'd make a lousy trapeze out of Solace. You don't take any chances. This ends toward me.

[Johnny Dollar]

Thanks. Well, now, where are the keys to the car? Hitched to the front of this land yacht.

[Louisa Pepper]

What are they for? $.

[Johnny Dollar]

Just another chance I'm not taking. With those keys in my pocket, this trailer won't be joyriding anybody off into the night. Where are they?

[Myrtle Pepper]

I'll get them for you.

[Johnny Dollar]

Wait a minute, Myrtle. How come you know where Louise's keys were?

[Louisa Pepper]

Yeah, Myrtle, how come?

[Myrtle Pepper]

Pull that. Laying right there in plain sight.

[Johnny Dollar]

Oh, thanks. Now I'm going out and call the police. Louisa, I want you to get into that chair down at the other end of the trailer.

[Louisa Pepper]

Okay, General, you've got the gun.

[Johnny Dollar]

And you, Myrtle, get on that bunk down at the other end.

[Myrtle Pepper]

I don't understand all this.

[Johnny Dollar]

And now, ladies, while I'm gone, I don't want one of you gals to be knocking off the other. But on the other hand, I can't leave you here without protection. So I'm leaving the gun right here on this table in the middle of a trailer. And if Carter Lacey comes knocking at your door, you can have yourselves a race for the gun. Expense account. Item11.5 cents. Telephone call to the local police, plus another nickel spent calling a taxi. The cops arrived in four minutes, the cab in 15. Its driver had no siren to take him to the traffic lights. Item 12, a $10 cab fare on an exceedingly slow and torturous trip to the Sunshine Hotel. As if to his kind of a driver, a nickel. I went up to the third floor and headed down the hall to Carter Lacey's room. 312. I rapped for an entrance, but all that came back was an echo. The lock on the door was the soft touch type known to the trade as the burglar's friend. So I went in. Cars still in Alabama, Stiff. Still in Alabama tonight. Operator. Operator, this is an emergency call. Let me have a Tallahe police, will you? Hello, Police department? This is the same guy who just called you from the carnival to report a murder? Yeah. Well, you can send in the second team. I've got another one for you over here at the Sunshine Hotel, room 312. The party's just been strangled. Yes, I'm sure. Lots of bruises and deep set fingernail marks on the throat. Sure I know who it is. The name of the deceased is Myrtle Pepper. Myrtle Pepper certainly has been a fast worker. She not only had beat me down to the hotel, she'd managed to get herself killed in the bargain. I dusted the room for information, which was obviously more than the floor mate had done for dirt. And came up with a kind of an eye opener. You don't drink. A pint sized surprise in the form of some old newspaper clippings and Connor Lacy's prison release form. And what? Let him out? Let me in on something. I got out of the room into the elevator and when I hit the lobby, wondering where to start looking for him, I found him sitting there looking at me.

[Shanty Brennan]

Hi.

[Johnny Dollar]

Why do you want to talk, Lacy?

[Shanty Brennan]

I don't wanna, but if you want to try and make me. What's the matter with.

[Johnny Dollar]

Right here. Okay. I supplied you with an alibi today. I don't see him in the lobby.

[Shanty Brennan]

That detective, he had stomach trouble. He got sick in it. You can reach him at the city hospital. You know, in prison I was a thrusty. I get out, nobody trusts me.

[Johnny Dollar]

Oh, with that forecast you gave me this morning. What else?

[Shanty Brennan]

Forecast?

[Johnny Dollar]

Yeah. You predicted that you'll kill two people. Well, tonight the two people are dead. Shanty out at the carnival and now Myrtle up in your room. What does that make you? A good forecaster or a killer? Maybe.

[Shanty Brennan]

Thanks for the maybe. Look, dollar, I came to this town to take care of something. I took care of it. You want to yell cops? Go ahead. From now on, nothing bothers me.

[Johnny Dollar]

Well, then stop chewing your nails. You told me this morning that one of those three people was working with you. There's only one left. And suddenly. Lacy, I don't believe your story.

[Shanty Brennan]

Suddenly I don't care.

[Johnny Dollar]

Danny Brennan lied to me this morning. He said that you went to prison on a charge of attempted murder. Your prison release papers say you went up for grand larceny.

[Shanty Brennan]

You see what happens to bad little boys that tell lies?

[Johnny Dollar]

I'm not through yet. I searched a bank book out of Myrtle Pepper's trailer. A three way joint account. Myrtle, Shanty and Louisa. The first deposit, $60,000. The date the same year you were thrown to the can for stealing $60,000. To me that spells a three way split for them and a frame for you. Also. To you it spells a motive for hating all three of them.

[Shanty Brennan]

So I lied to you. What are you gonna do? Wash my mouth out with dope?

[Johnny Dollar]

From now on I don't need any answers from you including smartwear. But look, you better stick around. If the cops don't pick you up for murder, maybe the hotel will want to press charges against you for having an extra unregistered person occupying your room.

[Myrtle Pepper]

Where is it?

[Johnny Dollar]

Johnny Dollar.

[Myrtle Pepper]

Oh, wait a minute.

[Louisa Pepper]

Where's Carter? They arrested him. Tell me, did he escape?

[Johnny Dollar]

He's at the hotel and the cops are on their way down there right now. I hope he's more talkative with them than he was with me.

[Louisa Pepper]

You talked to him?

[Johnny Dollar]

Yeah, I had a long one sided conversation with him. There's one thing I still can't quite figure out. Whether he really intended to kill Shanty and Myrtle or not. Yeah. Strangled. Murder.

[Louisa Pepper]

Poor little angel. Of course he meant to kill him. He hated him.

[Shanty Brennan]

He hated us all.

[Johnny Dollar]

Well, you can hardly blame a fellow for being annoyed. Framed in a grand larceny trap by three old chums. But you've got the wrong idea, Louisa. What I meant was, did he ever really intend to kill him himself? Or did he just intend to set off the greatest chain reaction since the atom bomb and just sit back and watch the three of you try to beat each other to it?

[Louisa Pepper]

Well, that's crazy talk.

[Johnny Dollar]

Yeah, like a fox. Maybe he made his threat to me knowing I'd carry it back to you. I say you because you're the only one left. You see, he set himself up as a patsy. He'd been framed by you once before. To me it looks like Carter Lacey learned a few things about wrong people during that eight year stretch. Namely that they never trust each other.

[Louisa Pepper]

You're absolutely nuts, Dolla. You'd better get out of here. Go peddle your insurance. The cops will take care of Mr. Lacey.

[Johnny Dollar]

I don't think they will, Louisa.

[Louisa Pepper]

Why not?

[Johnny Dollar]

Myrtle was strangled. That's the kind of murder a man would commit. Well, but there was a set of deep fingernail marks on her throat. And Connor Lacy bites his nails. So maybe you'd better get yourself a manicure before the police arrive.

[Louisa Pepper]

Thanks for the advice. Stand right there, Dar. This time I guess I done hold everything, Louisa.

[Shanty Brennan]

Connor, it's the standoff. Louisa. Point that thing someplace else before I point mine up your snout. Okay, Donna, get out.

[Johnny Dollar]

What's the matter with you, Lacey? Are you cracking up? Your plan was going along fine. First Myrtle tossed Shani to a snake. Then Louisa took care of Myrtle. There's only one left. And the state will take care of her for you.

[Shanty Brennan]

That's not enough. There's one satisfaction I haven't enjoyed so far. That's Hearing one of these pigs squeal.

[Louisa Pepper]

We can still split the money in the show and get out of here.

[Shanty Brennan]

The only one that's going to get out of here is $beat it.

[Johnny Dollar]

I beat it all right. I was the only one in the trailer without a gun. I plunged into the darkness looking for something and came up with a tent rope dashed back to the trailer door and lashed and onto the guide rail. I didn't want those gun happy birds flying the coupe. Just then the season opened. I didn't know who was going to come out the worst in there the hunter or the hunted. The only key I had to the situation was the key to the car the one I'd picked up earlier in the day. Car turned the trailer to the carnival back lot and out to the highway. When I hit the cement, I started spinning the rubber. Just as we hit the streets of the sleeping city things woke up whoever was griff back there snapped a shot at me through the trailer's front window. Second shot was my cue to try to ruin their aim by playing rock a by trailer Swinging the car from one side of the street to the other this not so sharp shooter made another try. I picked up just what I was looking for A game of trash with a police patrol car. Spence accounts item 1315 cents. Bicarbonate of soda. Those midway hot dogs I'd had for supper were no surveys. Item 14 $35 cigars for a night shift. Talladega police for whom I had started things smoking item 15, $3 hotel bill. But never let it be said that I ever turned in a measly $3 hotel bill for myself. This was to check out of the Sunshine Hotel. The man who had checked out in the trailer at the hands of Louisa Pepper. Louisa Pepper, the only one who was a good bet to catch up with Brennan who had been murdered by Myrtle and Myrtle who had been loused up by Louisa and Carter whom she had also carted out of this world proving that when you start any kind of pain reaction you should be careful because you're never going to be sure where it's going to stop. Express account total what? Only $692.18? I must be slipping. Yours truly, Johnny Dollar.

The madman of music is moving.

Yes.

By Joan, formerly heard on CBS on Sunday is already unpacking his famous collection of flit guns, dishpans and other instruments ready for tomorrow night's premiere broadcast as a CBS Saturday star hear the Spike Jones show on most of these same stations tomorrow night at 7 o' clock Eastern Standard Time when it joins Bar Monroe, Gene Autry Gangbusters and Sing It Again as a regular Saturday night CBS feature. Listen in again next week when CBS brings you Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar with Charles Russell as Johnny. Yours truly, Johnny Dollar is written by Paul Dudley and Gil Dowd with music by Mark Warno and is produced and directed by Richard Sanville for CBS the Columbia.

[Public Service Announcement Speaker]

Nearly 90% of kids who vape say flavors are why they do it.

A lot of the flavors that I've heard are like peach, mango, watermelon. It makes it seem like more childlike and innocent. Oh, if I try this once, it won't be that much of a problem. But then eventually it becomes a problem.

It's time to restrict the sale of flavored tobacco products in Oregon and protect our kids from nicotine addiction. Urge lawmakers to Pass Senate Bill 702A. Take action at flavorshookoreegoids.org paid for by the Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids Action Fund. With the American Express Platinum card, you can unlock over 1500 dollars in value annually with statement credits on select purchases and other benefits so you can access more jet setting and more resetting and downward dog. Learn more at americanexpress.com us explore-platinum terms apply.