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Burnt Offering by I Was A Communist For The FBI
We'll hear Dana Andrews in, I Was A Communist For The FBI on this week's Relic Radio Thrillers. This episode, titled Burnt Offering, aired on August 3, 1952. Listen to more from I Was A Communist For The FBI https://traffic.libsyn.com/forcedn/e55e1c7a-e213-4a20-8701-21862bdf1f8a/Thriller912.mp3 Download Thriller912 | Subscribe | Spotify | Support Relic Radio Thrillers Relic Radio Thrillers is made possible by your support. [...]
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Relicradio.com presents stories of mystery and intrigue, espionage and suspense. Hear tales of ticking time bombs, mysterious crime scenes and cloak and dagger action. This is Relic Radio Thrillers. This week on Relic Radio Thrillers, we'll hear Dana Andrews in Iowa. Communist for the FBI. A series that aired over all four major networks and was produced between March of 1952 and September of 1953. Our story today is titled Burnt Offering. This one aired August 3, 1952.
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Out of the Communist for the FBI starring Dana Andrews in an exciting tale of danger and espionage. I was a Communist for the FBI. Many of the incidents in the story you're about to hear are based on the actual records and authentic experiences of Matt Civetic. Over nine fantastic years lived as a Communist for the FBI. Where is our star, Dana Andrew? They call each other comrades, talk a lot about the brotherhood of man. Well, you can add that one to the long list of their lives. How can a man who has no identity, no mind or soul of his own be a comrade or a brother to anybody? I know. I was one of them. I was a Communist for the FBI. In a moment, listen to Dana Andrews as Maps of Addict Undercover Man. Now here is Dana Andrews as Matt Savatic, FBI Undercover Man. This story from the confidential file is marked Burnt Offering. One thing that always excited the local party members was the arrival of a visitor from Europe. Any sort of an official from one of the Iron Curtain countries. These messengers from headquarters always demanded and got the full plush carpet treatment with all the trimming. It was assumed, of course, that they were here for some secret purpose beside their official duties. And they usually were. Like Zubansky, the diplomatic courier from, well, let's just say from a certain country in Europe. Zubanski had a purpose and if necessary, he was ready to kill to carry it out. I know this is extremely short notice. How much of that? But the tremendous importance of Comrade Zubansky's mission fully justified. I understand. Camera. Jones. I'm glad you were able to find me. What is the mission, Comrade Zabowski? Questions, Comrade? A most remarkable attitude. I'm sorry, I didn't mean to try, but, well, if I'm assigned to work on it. You'll assignment is to accompany Comrade Zabotsky to Socorro. He's going to meet a contact there and return immediately to New York. And from there go on back to Europe. He'll carry out the mission. Your job is to facilitate it. I've made plane reservations. You're to be at the airport in 30 minutes. Oh, and One more thing. You'll carry this with you, Comrade Civetic. Oh, God, this must be a big one. The biggest job we've ever done. The man you're going to contact has been in Chicago only a week. He came there from Los alamos, New Mexico. 30 minutes. No time to discuss anything with the FBI. In fact, I didn't see how I was even going to contact them. Lebronski went to my hotel with me and stayed with me while I packed. Finally, we were ready to leave and there was no way around it. I had to take a chance with Lebonski standing a dozen feet from me. I picked up the phone and called the FBI number. Hello? Hello, City Cab Company? No, this is not. Will you hold a cab at the stand in front of the Gavin Hotel, please? A friend and I have to get to the airport right away to catch Flight 9 to Staro. Is this Richard? Right. It's very important that we catch that plane. Something big. Yes, yes, the Gavin Hotel. Right away. All right, we'll cover you. Thanks. Thanks a lot. A taxi will be waiting. Cover Jabonski. Shall we go? I think that'll be all for now, boy. There you are. Thanks. What did you say is the name of this hotel? Conventile. The Handley House, One of the best in Chicago. Oh, yes, it is most delightful. Very luxurious. Now, to business. I have a telephone number here. Conrad Civetic. I wish you to put the call through and then let me talk with the person who answers. All right, fine. Operator, will you get me Iroquois 7349? Yes, that's right. They're ringing now. Good looking at it. Hello, this is Ivanov. Zubansky. You have been informed of my identity, I believe. Good. I am here now and prepared to complete the transaction at once. Number 14, Cottage Grove. Nine tonight. Excellent. Very well. Goodbye, comrades of Eric, do you know the location of a place called Cottage Grove? Yes, as I recall it, Sir. Summer resort 10 or 12 miles up the lakeshore. Probably deserted this time of year. Not entirely. There will be someone waiting for us in number 14 at 9 o'. Clock. Would it be possible for us to obtain an auto? Yes, I can rent one to the hotel. So simple, it's amazing. We will make history tonight if everything goes well. Make history. Conrad Saverick. I have been an agent of the party for 20 years. Years. And I have never carried out an assignment even approaching this one in importance. Arrange for the car. An hour later we left the room and headed for the elevators. I was worried, plenty worried. Because I couldn't be sure the FBI was on hand and covering me. We left the elevator and started across the hotel lobby. Then I saw him sitting in a chair near the reservation desk, reading a paper. It was David, an agent I'd contacted before the FBI was on the job. At the door, I glanced back and saw that Davis had folded his paper and was sauntering along behind us with apparent unconcerned. The doorman pointed out the rented car. And we walked over and climbed into it. Now, Conrad Tavedic. Let us go now. Quickly. Just a second. Their motor's cold. We leave now. All right, you're the boss. But why? I don't get it. The secret police, comrade. You mean the FBI? Yes, the secret police. You see, there were no taxis at the door when we came out. It was better to leave quickly before one should arrive. So if there were secrets police, they would be unable to follow us. You understand, Conrad? Yeah, I understand. The timing was excellent. It worked perfectly. I'll say it worked perfectly. I caught one last glimpse of Davis in the rearview mirror. He was frantically trying to flag down a cab. And then I was on my way to meet an unknown contact with a gun in my pocket and a Commie sitting beside me who turned out to be smarter than he looked. And I was out of touch with the FBI on my own. That must be number 14 there at the edge of the sand. We will soon know. Come. You will leave everything to me, Con? I'll have to. I don't even know what it's all about. No matter. I do. Be on guard. Be careful. Right. This is number 14, all right. You'd think he would find so. Get your hands up. Who are you? I am Ivanov Zubansky. Your friend. Friend of whom? A friend of a friend. All right, the door's unlocked. Open it and go on in. I'll be behind you. How come there's two of you? I understood you'd be alone. This is one of our American comrades. Comrades of Eddie, a US Commie. I told you guys I wanted no part of these local jerks. Mind if I say something, fella? I'm not interested in anything. Maybe you'll be interested in this, comrades. Packing a rider. And I'll take your gun, if you don't mind. Thanks. Comrades. I am not sure of the avisibility. I know this type. Comrades of Uncle. He'd keep us here arguing for half the night if we'd let him. And probably try to raise the ante. As it is, we can do business and get out. Right, pal? I still don't like it, but did you bring the money to Bunsky? Yes, I have it here in my dispatch case. $10,000? Correct. There you are. You may verify the amount if you wish. No, no, you wouldn't try to shave it. You're getting a bargain and you know it. Suppose we find out what we are getting. There's the money produced. All right, take it easy. There you are, boys. Fine. Let's see what. I'm not ready. I'll take care of it. Sorry, I didn't mean to get out of line. Not at all. You had been most helpful. But the one important thing now is to transport this item safely to Europe. And at that I am a pass master. Shall we go? I drove back into the hotel with Lebronski holding the dispatch case as though it were stuffed with diamonds and neither of us talking very much. I still didn't know what it was he'd bought, but it was a bound report of some sort and the man who'd sold it had come from Los Alamos. Two good reasons why it shouldn't get out of the country. We just got inside our hotel room when the phone rang. Who's that? Well, I don't know. I'll get him. Hello, Bishop? Yes. Yes, this is Mr. Fletter. Davis here. I'm calling from the lobby. Pretend it's a room clerk. I see some bad luck there. When you left the hotel, I saw you come back. Picked up anything? A report or film? Of course. I thought so when I saw that dispatch case. Well, we have a plane reservation out on Flight 12 in the morning, so the room will be available by 9 o'. Clock. All right, I'll check with headquarters and contact you before then. No trouble at all. Bye. A room clerk. They've got a convention coming in tomorrow. Wanted to know when we were leaving. Oh yes, Is he matter of fact comercially. I think we shall leave immediately. But I thought we were staying over until morning. There's hardly any point in it now. I have what I came for. It is better to get it out of the country as quickly as possible. What about this? Getting it out of the country, comrade? How are you going to get it through customs? Dispatch case, of course. I'm about to put the seal on it now. Diplomatic immunity. I hadn't thought of that. Comrade Zveredi, I think you might be interested in seeing what a tremendous prize we have acquired tonight. I will show you just the title of the report before I seal it up. Look. I stood there aghast, watching him put the Customs immunity seal on the case. Realizing the full meaning of the title. On the front of the bound pages it read, quarterly progress report, Secret Weapons. Now back to Dana Andrews, starring as Matt Sabetic. And I was a Communist for the FBI. And the second act of our story. Once again, the timing was against me. Zabotsky's sudden decision to leave immediately put me out of touch with the FBI again. And that diplomatic immunity seal was another problem. A problem even for the FBI. I didn't dare let that report leave the country. And yet I didn't know how to prevent it. So we boarded the airliner and took off from Chicago. According to this schedule, we will arrive in New York at 6:40. And at 8:10, I catch a transatlantic plane to Europe. Excellent. Yes, the timing seems to be with you all right. Because the times are with his comrades of Eddie. The march of history. Better go kind of easy on this comrade stuff. Want the secret Police on our necks. Oh, so I forgot. It is well that you accompanied me. Who knows what errors I should have made. Glad to do it all for the cause. You know, always before I have come only to New York or Washington. And I've seen no one outside our own embassy. I. I know very little of your custom. Yes, I began to realize that, Mr. Zabansky. Well, when you're in doubt, just follow my lead. I shall come, Mr. Savetti. That's the idea. Oh, stewardess. Yes, sir. What can I do for you? I wonder if I could have something to eat. Certainly. Would you like something, sir? Well, I. I go. You might as well. It's on the house. Bring us both a snack. Yes, sir. I'll bring it right away. Such luxury, such service. You said it. Oh, by the way, I guess I'd better send a radiogram to the chairman. Tell him everything went off all right. So. Wait a minute. Why, Mr. Savelli. Oh, those were my instructions. Oh. Oh, I understand you can send the message from the plane. Yes, another one of those luxuries. But isn't there danger of it being intercepted by the Secret police? Wouldn't do them any good. I use a coat of my own, see? Now I want to let him know we got the item. You're hurrying on to Europe. But I'll be there by noon today. I guess that's it there. Think the Secret Police could make anything out of that? Say, fly boys, this Ollie. Same upstairs. Draw. Keep mum. You're truly long side. Wrong. G up front. Sing plenty Here. No. Can you fix him? Nixon tipple. Let's see. A remarkable cold yes, isn't it? And here's your food, gentlemen. Well, thanks. Curtis. Would you mind giving this radiogram to the pilot? Well, I. Just give it to him, please. He'll take care of it. Well, I'll be glad to. Thanks. I sat there eating and listened to Zabanski congratulating himself on the great job he'd done. And then what I've been waiting for happened. The stewardess came back. The pilot's compartment, sir. The pilot can't make out some of the words in your radiogram. He wonders if you'd come up and explain it. Yes, I'll be happy to. I'll be right back, Mr. Zabotsky. Five minutes later, I was back in my seat again and the pilot was trying to make radio contact with the FBI in New York. New York, I believe. The immigration office is over this way, Mr. Zabonski. Yes, right ahead there. It is such a nuisance to require foreign diplomats to check through immigration. It is always a mere matter of routine clearance. Well, it won't be long now, and you'll be in the air and safely on your way to Europe. Quite so. And with the satisfaction of having completed a highly successful mission. Here we are. Can I help you, gentlemen? I am Ivanov, Zubansky. My passport. Ah, yes. Ivan Zabonski, government colonel. It is a diplomatic passport, you may notice. Yes, I see it is. Mr. Zabonski, I'm afraid I'll have to ask you to step inside. Step inside? What is this? A slight irregularity. I'm sure we can clear it up in no time. This way, please. You too, sir, if you don't mind. What is the meaning of this? I don't know, but I'm afraid we'll have to go along with it for the time being. Come on. This way, gentlemen. My government will hear of this. I hope you know what you're doing, chum. This is the next thing to an out and out insult to the official representative of a friendly foreign power. I'm sure it can all be straightened out, sir. Through here, please. Hey, what's the idea? This is the detention section, the cell block. It's quite all right, sir. There's nothing to be concerned about. Here we are, gentlemen. Inside, please. A cell? A prison cell? Nothing of the sort. There's some slight question of irregularity in Mr. Zabonski's passport and we'd like a half hour or so to check it, that's all. But he's a foreign diplomat. I'm aware of that, sir. Well, maybe we better make your superiors aware. Of it. I'm carrying out their orders now. Gentlemen. My dispatch case. That is your objective. You are going to take it and break the seal. Please, Mr. Sai, you may keep the case here with you if you like. What are we going to do, Mr. Civilian? I don't think we have much choice at the moment. At least. Come on. Thank you for your cooperation, gentlemen. So far, so good. The pilot had evidently got my message through. And the FBI had decided to go along with my plan. I'd asked them to detain us for half an hour and leave us in a cell together. The rest was up to me. The problem? Block off that report without getting the State Department involved and without arousing Zapotsky's suspicions. Quite a problem. What is taking them so long? Why doesn't he come back? Easy, comrade. He's only been gone five minutes. Somehow they have found out. Comrades of Eric. It's impossible. How could they? I have been thinking. That man who sold us the reports. A traitor and a criminal. Perhaps he sells to both sides. Yes, it's possible. Of course. That dispatch case of yours. If they do open it and find that report. They will open it. Of course they will. That official didn't even deny his intention when you accused him. It's possible they may be trying to get authorization from higher up. And they will come for it at any moment. What can we do? If we could only get rid of that report. Without that for evidence, they wouldn't dare hold you. If we could only dispose of it some way. Sure. But it's a little hard to dispose of anything when you're locked up in a cell. Like a cigarette? Yeah. No, thank you. I. Ah, that is it. The cigarettes. You have matches? Of course. You. Yeah, I get it. Burn the report right here on the floor. Exactly. We must hurry before they come for us. Where are the matches? Yeah, let's tear the thing in a shred, sort of burn in a hurry. Otherwise they may smell the smoke and get here before it's destroyed. That's a very shrewd idea. If I get out of this commencement, rest assured that I shall commend your assistance highly to your cell, Chairman. Thank you, Comic. You're too generous. Well, that ought to do it. Here goes nothing. Good, Good. It is flaring up very quickly. It will all be burned within a matter of seconds. A $10,000 blaze and an even greater loss to the party. We had the plans of secret weapons right in our hands, Comrade. Comrade. There was no way to save it. Under the circumstances, we are fortunate to have Saved our lives here. What's running in here? Just made it, comrade. And as he do for a surprise. Good Lord. What are you burning here? Private diplomatic papers to which I have no further use? I'd say you're wasting your time, pal. There's nothing left but embers. Why did you do this? Why did you burn these papers? A purely personal matter. What about Mr. Zabansky's passport? Did you get that irregularity cleared? Up Here is the passport. It's been cleared. You take it as stamped. I am free then to take the plane to Europe. I have no reason to detain you further. Not now, huh? As for you, however, my superior is waiting down the hall to ask you a few questions. Glad to oblige. I always. Hey, look at the time. What? You've got just three minutes to get aboard that plane, Mr. Zabotsky. Get out before they change their minds. Yes, yes, I understand. I. I go quickly. I will communicate with you in the very near future. Fine. Good luck, Zabotki. Nice going, sir. Thanks. You put on a pretty good act yourself. I don't exactly know who you are or entirely what this is about, but there's a man down the hall who does. I must say, though, you made a fine mess of the floor of one of my security units. Yeah, but it was a fortunate mess. Plenty fortunate. There you are. Come on in, Matt. Oh, Davis blew in an hour behind you, but I guess there's nothing much left for me to do but offer congratulations and say that we're. Wait, hold a second. Huh? I just wanted to enjoy that sound. That was Zubant, his plane taking off. Well, that was that. Davis traced the spy from his fingerprints on the gun I took from him and picked him up in Chicago a week later. But that was later. There in the immigration office, I shook hands with Davis and he left to catch a taxi to his apartment and his wife and kids, I hope. Down the long corridor toward the terminal, heading for the ticket windows, heading back to my hometown cell and the same dangerous double life. I wondered for an instant how it would be to have a wife and kids to go home to. Then I killed the thought. I can afford to have thoughts like that. I'm a Communist for the FBI. I walk alone.
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