Jeopardy by The Lux Radio Theater

Summary

Detailed Summary of "Jeopardy" by The Lux Radio Theater

Podcast Information:

• Title: Relic Radio Thrillers (Old Time Radio)
• Host/Author: RelicRadio.com
• Episode: Jeopardy by The Lux Radio Theater
• Release Date: April 18, 2025

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Introduction

In this gripping episode of Relic Radio Thrillers, listeners are transported back to the golden era of radio with "Jeopardy," a suspense-filled drama originally aired by The Lux Radio Theater on March 15, 1954. Featuring the stellar performances of Barbara Stanwyck as Helen Tilwin and Barry Sullivan as Doug Tilwin, this episode masterfully blends elements of crime, mystery, and psychological thriller, keeping audiences on the edge of their seats from start to finish.

Episode Overview

"Jeopardy" unfolds the harrowing tale of the Tilwin family—Doug, Helen, and their young son Bobby—who embark on what is supposed to be a relaxing vacation in the remote landscapes of Baja California, Mexico. The family’s journey takes a sinister turn as Doug reveals his true nature, transforming from a seemingly loving father into a menacing figure hell-bent on asserting control over his family under the guise of safety and survival.

Plot Summary

Setting the Scene: The episode opens with the Tilwins preparing for their vacation, eager to escape the hustle and bustle of daily life. As they venture deeper into the desolate Mexican countryside, the serene environment quickly becomes foreboding. [02:00]

Encounter with Authorities: Their peaceful drive is interrupted when they are stopped by two Mexican police officers at a checkpoint near Ensenada. Doug's military background hints at his preparedness for potential threats, as he carries a clip of bullets "for target practice" despite claiming he has never fired a weapon in the army. [05:33]

Arrival at the Beach: The family finally arrives at a secluded beach, a spot Doug had frequented with his friend Joe. The initial tranquility is shattered when Bobby ventures onto the dilapidated jetty, leading to a tense confrontation as Doug's true intentions emerge. A series of accidents and Doug’s increasingly erratic behavior culminate in him trapping Helen and Bobby on the unstable jetty, asserting his dominance and threatening their lives. [13:03]

Helen’s Desperation: Helen, realizing Doug's dangerous transformation, attempts to seek help by breaking into a nearby shack to retrieve a heavy rope. Her efforts are fraught with fear and urgency as she returns to find Doug solidifying his control over the family, revealing his violent tendencies by admitting to killing a man who tried to interfere with him. [26:00]

The Climax: As tensions escalate, Doug's desperation for freedom and his criminal instincts push him to extreme measures. Helen's attempts to reason with him and Bobby's innocent efforts to aid his father create a poignant contrast between innocence and menace. The situation spirals further when police arrive, forcing Doug into a corner where he must choose between saving himself or his family. The struggle comes to a head as Helen and Bobby work together to free themselves from Doug's grasp, leading to a dramatic showdown on the jetty. [38:00]

Resolution: In the aftermath, Doug faces the consequences of his actions as the police apprehend him. Helen and Bobby survive the ordeal, their bonds strengthened by the harrowing experience. The episode concludes with reflections on the fragility of trust and the depths of human fear, leaving listeners contemplating the fine line between protection and control within familial relationships. [49:24]

Character Breakdown

• Doug Tilwin (Barry Sullivan): Initially portrayed as a protective father, Doug's character undergoes a dramatic shift, revealing his sinister side. His military background and preparedness hint at underlying tensions, ultimately unveiling him as a dangerous figure whose actions propel the narrative into darkness.

• Helen Tilwin (Barbara Stanwyck): The matriarch of the family, Helen embodies resilience and maternal instinct. Her journey from contentment to desperation highlights the psychological impact of uncovering a loved one’s malevolent nature.

• Bobby Tilwin (Harry Sher as Bobby): The innocent and perceptive son serves as a poignant contrast to his father's aggression. Bobby's actions and observations provide critical insights into the unfolding drama, emphasizing themes of innocence amid chaos.

Key Quotes and Moments

1. Doug’s Preparedness:

   • Doug Tilwin [05:33]: "I hope so. But there's a clip of bullets in there. Not a bad thing to have when you're traveling."

2. Helen’s Realization:

   • Helen Tilwin [03:30]: "I had to break in. You see, we've come down here on a fishing trip."

3. Doug’s Threats:

   • Doug Tilwin [27:31]: "This gun's going to blow a very pretty piece of you right over the side. Now, go on. Drive."

4. Bobby’s Innocence:

   • Bobby Tilwin [32:03]: "I'll go warm it up."

5. Helen’s Defiance:

   • Helen Tilwin [34:03]: "If my husband dies, I promise you one thing. I'll kill you."

Themes and Analysis

Transformation and Duality: Doug Tilwin’s character arc explores the duality of human nature, juxtaposing protective instincts with latent violence. This transformation serves as a commentary on the masks individuals wear and the unforeseen depths of their character.

Isolation and Vulnerability: The remote setting amplifies the family's vulnerability, enhancing the tension as they face external threats without immediate assistance. The desolate landscape mirrors their internal turmoil and the escalating danger they encounter.

Family Dynamics under Duress: The episode delves into the strain that extreme situations place on familial bonds. Helen's courage and Bobby's innocence highlight the varying responses to fear and control within a family unit.

Moral Dilemmas: Doug's final choice between self-preservation and the well-being of his family underscores the moral complexities individuals face when pushed beyond their limits. This dilemma adds a layer of psychological depth to the narrative, inviting listeners to ponder the ethical boundaries of protection and dominance.

Conclusion

"Jeopardy" stands as a quintessential example of old-time radio drama, weaving a tale of suspense, psychological tension, and emotional resilience. Through impeccable performances and a tightly constructed narrative, Barbara Stanwyck and Barry Sullivan bring to life a story that remains relevant in its exploration of human nature and familial bonds under threat. Relic Radio Thrillers successfully revives this classic episode, offering both nostalgia and timeless storytelling to modern audiences.

Listeners unacquainted with the episode will find themselves thoroughly engaged by the high-stakes drama and intricate character portrayals, making "Jeopardy" a standout installment in the Relic Radio Thrillers series.

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Notable Quotes with Timestamps:

• Doug Tilwin [05:33]: "I hope so. But there's a clip of bullets in there. Not a bad thing to have when you're traveling."
• Helen Tilwin [03:30]: "I had to break in. You see, we've come down here on a fishing trip."
• Doug Tilwin [27:31]: "This gun's going to blow a very pretty piece of you right over the side. Now, go on. Drive."
• Bobby Tilwin [32:03]: "I'll go warm it up."
• Helen Tilwin [34:03]: "If my husband dies, I promise you one thing. I'll kill you."

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Final Thoughts: "Jeopardy" masterfully combines suspenseful storytelling with deep emotional undercurrents, making it a must-listen for enthusiasts of classic radio dramas. Relic Radio Thrillers continues to honor the legacy of old-time radio by bringing such timeless stories to contemporary audiences, ensuring that the thrills and chills of yesteryear remain vibrant and accessible today.

Transcript

[Narrator]

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. Welcome back to Relic Radio Thrillers. This week we'll hear Barbara Stanwyck and Barry Sullivan in jeopardy. The March 15, 1954 episode of the Lux Radio Theater. The series debuted in October of 1934 over NBC stations and ended in June of 1955. 927 episodes later, also over NBC. In between those years, it ran over CBS. The opening and closing of this episode has been trimmed and mangled, but the story is complete. Here's the Lux Radio Theater.

[Doug Tilwin]

In the near future, most of you will be packing for those annual few weeks of fun and relaxation. But in tonight's play, our travelers start their long anticipated vacation on a highway that leads them into the most frightening adventure of a lifetime. It's Metro Goldwyn Mare's thrilling drama of suspense jeopardy.

[Helen Tilwin]

This year we decided to do something different on our vacation. We packed two weeks camping equipment in the little pickup trailer and headed south into Mexico. Once you're beyond Tijuana, you begin to realize you're a long way from home. The highway settles down into a single winding tape of asphalt and the country starts to open up. But you don't have to worry which road to take. There's only one.

[Doug Tilwin]

You see that sign, Bobby? What's it say?

[Bobby Tilwin]

Mexico 1.

[Doug Tilwin]

That's right. It also says Ensenada, 92 kilometers. Say, Honey, how about putting the top down after we get a little further out in the country, huh? It won't blow too much.

[Helen Tilwin]

Wonderful. The sun will feel good. It was a little foggy when we got to Ensenada, but even with the fog, it had something with its quiet harbor, its little lobster boats. And the sign as you entered the town that said the Envenidos. That means welcome. Ensenada is a place where you fill your gas tank and check your tires. You'd better. It will be a long time before you get another place to do it. It's a good idea to look at the map, too. You see what isolation you're heading into, and you make sure you know exactly where you're going.

[Doug Tilwin]

You see, honey, here's where we are now. Ensenada. And down here is where we're going.

[Helen Tilwin]

How far is it to La Paz? Does la Paz?

[Doug Tilwin]

Oh, 400 miles, I guess. Only we're not going that far.

[Helen Tilwin]

Well, according to the map, there aren't any other towns in between.

[Doug Tilwin]

Who wants towns? That's what we're getting away from, huh, buddy?

[Bobby Tilwin]

You bet, Pop. Who wants towns.

[Helen Tilwin]

Below? Ensenada is a road of dirt and desolation through the desert country. A road of shifting sands and bruising rock. Of quail that scoot through clumps of cactus and doves that rise in soft whirring clouds. We saw a very lonely beautiful too, I suppose. And a little frightening. Ah, yes. I had been to beckoned down this road, but never again will it beckon to me. It was Doug who saw them first. The two police cars. And across the road a wooden barrier. It said, auto halt.

[Doug Tilwin]

Hello. Hello. Your pass, please, Tourist. The pass, huh? Oh, sure. Key to the back, please. Here. I hope so. This is your pass, senor. You are a Douglas tilwin? That's right, Mrs. Tilwin. This is your son?

[Helen Tilwin]

Yes. Doug.

[Doug Tilwin]

He must be the boss. That fellow over there. He's the captain, probably.

[Bobby Tilwin]

How come you're looking in the trailer?

[Helen Tilwin]

Any of them?

[Doug Tilwin]

Quiet, Bobby. You may proceed now, senor. I'm sorry for the inconvenience. That's okay. Put your address in your.

[Bobby Tilwin]

What they want Dan. How come you stopped it?

[Doug Tilwin]

Well, Bobby, somebody probably lost a goat or a cow or something. Mexicans have a way of taking things big.

[Helen Tilwin]

Mexicans? Or you and Bobby acted as if you hadn't seen a police car in your lives?

[Bobby Tilwin]

Oh, mom, you always treat me like a kid.

[Helen Tilwin]

I wonder why.

[Bobby Tilwin]

What was it really?

[Doug Tilwin]

Who knows? Checking stolen cars, looking for contraband. What difference does it make?

[Helen Tilwin]

You could have asked, couldn't you?

[Doug Tilwin]

They never would have told me.

[Helen Tilwin]

How do you know?

[Doug Tilwin]

Four years in the army, they never tell you. Besides, I didn't want them to go poking around in that glove compartment. Why not open it up? Find out.

[Helen Tilwin]

Wow. Doug, what did you bring this thing for? Is it loaded?

[Doug Tilwin]

Of course not. But there's a clip of bullets in there. Not a bad thing to have when you're traveling. You sick, kid? Well, it's pretty desolate country down here. You never know. I never fired at once in the army. I thought we might pop off a tin can or two, huh? Bubbly?

[Bobby Tilwin]

You bet. And who knows what perils there are down here.

[Doug Tilwin]

It's okay, Helen. We'll just use it for target practice.

[Helen Tilwin]

Just don't use me for the target. What are you smiling about?

[Doug Tilwin]

Nothing. Nothing at all. I love you.

[Helen Tilwin]

I love you too. But how are you smiling?

[Bobby Tilwin]

Oh, cut it out.

[Helen Tilwin]

Oh, I guess so.

[Bobby Tilwin]

Will we get to the ocean in time for lunch?

[Doug Tilwin]

I hope so, Bobby. Now, you put on your sunglasses before you get a headache.

[Helen Tilwin]

An hour later, the car started making strange unhappy noises. The radiator was beaming. We pulled off the road and Doug went through back to the trailer for the water can.

[Doug Tilwin]

Oh, this is just fine. This is great.

[Bobby Tilwin]

What's the matter?

[Helen Tilwin]

The water can, it's. Well, it's empty.

[Doug Tilwin]

Yeah. I thought I appointed you vice president in charge of water can.

[Helen Tilwin]

Oh, Doug, I'm sorry. I forgot to tell you to fill it back there.

[Bobby Tilwin]

Hey, mom, you forgot.

[Helen Tilwin]

Yes, I goofed off, but it's really no problem.

[Doug Tilwin]

Oh, no, no, of course not. We'll probably run into a nice shiny 50 pump gasoline station and get plenty of water. As a matter of fact, I think I see one right now.

[Bobby Tilwin]

Where, dad? Where?

[Helen Tilwin]

Pay no attention to your father, son. He's just being humorous.

[Bobby Tilwin]

Dad, this is no time for jokes. Why, we might be imperiled.

[Helen Tilwin]

Are we, mom? Oh, darling.

[Doug Tilwin]

You think I'm kidding, huh? Look straight ahead to the left. You know, there are only two persons per square mile in Baja California. And you hit a gas station just when you need it.

[Helen Tilwin]

Well, naturally. I live right. I don't know how to describe the place. Doug called it a ranch. There were three or four shacks, each more dilapidated and weather beaten than the other. One of the shacks seemed to be a garage. In front of it, alone and forlorn, was a rusty old gas pump.

[Bobby Tilwin]

Hola. Hola.

[Doug Tilwin]

No high 90. A key.

[Bobby Tilwin]

Hey, that's good, Dad.

[Doug Tilwin]

I just looked it up in the dictionary. Hola.

[Bobby Tilwin]

Hola. Maybe nobody's here.

[Helen Tilwin]

You know something? Maybe you're right.

[Doug Tilwin]

Well, of course it works. Bring the can, Bobby. Doug, look. You see someone?

[Helen Tilwin]

There's a poster on the side of that Barn. A Fiesta Marte 22. A Ghost.

[Doug Tilwin]

That was two days ago. August 22nd.

[Helen Tilwin]

Well, they should be back.

[Doug Tilwin]

It takes them three days to get over a fiesta.

[Bobby Tilwin]

What's a fiesta?

[Helen Tilwin]

Feast day.

[Bobby Tilwin]

Gee, I'm starved.

[Helen Tilwin]

Well, we'll have lunch at the beach, Tommy. That is, if we ever get there.

[Doug Tilwin]

You were going to bring me that water can, amigo. Remember?

[Bobby Tilwin]

Huh?

[Doug Tilwin]

Oh, I'll get heaven. Look through this window. Well, they've got a lot of equipment in there. See? Tires, tubes, all sorts of things.

[Helen Tilwin]

Come to stiff breeze, the whole place will fall down.

[Doug Tilwin]

The least we can do for them is lock it up.

[Helen Tilwin]

What are you talking about?

[Doug Tilwin]

This garage. You see the padlock on the door? They forgot to snap it.

[Helen Tilwin]

Well, then there must be someone around.

[Doug Tilwin]

If there is, let's hope he has a key. That's valuable stuff in there. Yeah, I better lock it. Their next Callers may not be as honest as we are. There we are. Okay, Bobby, let's fill that water tank.

[Helen Tilwin]

Doug, are you sure we're on the right road?

[Doug Tilwin]

Absolutely positive. You see that rock formation up ahead? Those funny looking boulders? Well, I remember them, that's all. We're getting closer to where we're going.

[Helen Tilwin]

Well, I'm glad we're getting close to something.

[Bobby Tilwin]

Hey, look at the quail.

[Helen Tilwin]

I suppose you recognize some of them, too.

[Doug Tilwin]

It seems like only yesterday that Joe and I were scouting around here looking for the best hunting and fishing. Ah, those were the days. Bobby, what an outing.

[Bobby Tilwin]

Tell me about it, dad. Where it became of Joe.

[Helen Tilwin]

He probably never survived the outing. You could have asked, couldn't you?

[Doug Tilwin]

Ask what?

[Helen Tilwin]

Directions. If we're on the right road.

[Doug Tilwin]

Ask who? We haven't seen a soul.

[Helen Tilwin]

Well, those policemen back there.

[Doug Tilwin]

Oh, them. Well, honey, why should I ask when I know?

[Bobby Tilwin]

Don't be so nervous, Mom. Dad knows. I just wish the road wasn't so bumpy.

[Doug Tilwin]

You got a point there, boy. But just remember this. If the road were any better, why, this part of Mexico would be full of tourists. And what are we looking for?

[Bobby Tilwin]

To have fun all by ourselves.

[Doug Tilwin]

And that is just what we're gonna have. Personally, I'm very thankful for this miserable road. Doug, you still think I'm lost, huh? Okay, take a look over there.

[Bobby Tilwin]

Oh, boy. The ocean. Mom, it's the ocean.

[Helen Tilwin]

Well, so it is. And to think that for a moment or two, I doubted your father.

[Doug Tilwin]

Turn off to the beach down there about three miles ahead. Another few minutes and you'll be swimming in that wonderful cool surf. And think of all that wonderful privacy.

[Helen Tilwin]

Looks beautiful, guys. But there's a little bay down there.

[Bobby Tilwin]

Not the little he and. And a dock. How come this dock.

[Doug Tilwin]

And that's what you call a jetty, Bobby. That's where Joe and I camped, right at the base of that jetty. And let's all keep our eyes open for that road down to the beach.

[Helen Tilwin]

Doug's deserted beach was all he said it would be. But there was something about that jetty. I. I didn't know what. The way it reached out into the water, gaunt and ugly at low tide. I hated that jetty the moment I saw it.

[Doug Tilwin]

Well, this is it. Everybody else.

[Bobby Tilwin]

Boy, this jetty goes right out into the ocean. It looks awful rickety, huh?

[Helen Tilwin]

Doug, what was that pier for?

[Bobby Tilwin]

Mom, it's a jetty.

[Doug Tilwin]

Whatever they used to fish here commercially. When the war ended, they gave it up. They used the jetty for loading.

[Bobby Tilwin]

Gosh, look at the beach, I mean, all the firewood. I'm vice president in charge of the fire. You promised.

[Helen Tilwin]

Okay, z. Lunch in 10 minutes.

[Bobby Tilwin]

I won't go far. Dad, Mom. I'm glad we're here, that's for sure.

[Helen Tilwin]

This is where we set up camp, huh?

[Doug Tilwin]

You couldn't find a more perfect spot. Now, before we unpack, I think I'd better move the trailer through unloading.

[Helen Tilwin]

Well, can it wait for a moment?

[Doug Tilwin]

Sure can wait.

[Helen Tilwin]

First thing I'm going to do is take my shoes off.

[Doug Tilwin]

Oh.

[Helen Tilwin]

Oh, this dam feels wonderful.

[Doug Tilwin]

You know something, Helen? I'm glad we're here. That's for sure. Gosh, honey, I've looked forward to this for years. Just the three of us out here in the middle of nowhere. Nothing to do but eat, swim, sleep.

[Helen Tilwin]

Nothing to do but eat, swim, sleep. You're like a kid out of school, kid.

[Doug Tilwin]

Come here.

[Helen Tilwin]

We'll. We'll talk about that later. I have a feeling I'm going to enjoy it here too.

[Doug Tilwin]

You will.

[Helen Tilwin]

I'm enjoying it more already. Hey, you. Get up off that sand. Lunch is ready.

[Doug Tilwin]

You mean I'm not dreaming?

[Helen Tilwin]

The IP will get warm.

[Doug Tilwin]

Let it.

[Helen Tilwin]

Well, the sun was hot. We'll get warm.

[Doug Tilwin]

Where's Bobby?

[Helen Tilwin]

Oh, I don't know. Off in a cloud of firewood, I guess. You better call him later.

[Doug Tilwin]

No, no.

[Helen Tilwin]

Won't you come on, start calling. We told him lunch in 10 minutes. He must be starving.

[Doug Tilwin]

Okay, okay, I'll call him. Machacho, venga. Come here.

[Helen Tilwin]

Doug, I can't even see him.

[Doug Tilwin]

He can't be fine. Machacho, venga.

[Helen Tilwin]

Stop being so native and get him here.

[Doug Tilwin]

Hey, Bobby. Lunch.

[Helen Tilwin]

Bobby.

[Doug Tilwin]

That kid. The way he's able to disappear. Doug, look.

[Helen Tilwin]

Out there on the jetty.

[Doug Tilwin]

Bobby. Hey, come on back here. Run. Bobby, come back.

[Helen Tilwin]

I just stood there, petrified. Bobby was at the very end of the jetty, high above the water. Underneath, through the surf and the rocks, the sea had all but demolished the jetty. The piling shook and trembled with each wave and the heavy timbers were battered and broken. Doug was running towards the jetty now, and I followed him.

[Doug Tilwin]

Bobby, come back. Bobby, can you hear me?

[Bobby Tilwin]

I must have a report. I can't get it out.

[Doug Tilwin]

I can't hear you. Just get back.

[Helen Tilwin]

That sign on the jetty, what does it mean?

[Doug Tilwin]

To Legro means danger. Now, Helen, don't worry. Nothing's going to happen.

[Helen Tilwin]

How did he get out there? Half the boards are missing. Bobby. Doug, he's trying to say something to us.

[Bobby Tilwin]

Listen, I can't get food.

[Doug Tilwin]

I'll go out after him. Bobby, stay where you are. I'm coming out after you. Don't get excited, Bobby. I'll be right there.

[Helen Tilwin]

The jetty went out for 200ft or more. I could hear the rotten planks creak and splinter as Doug worked his way out to Barbie. There was nothing I could do. Just stand there and. And wait.

[Bobby Tilwin]

Be careful, Pop.

[Helen Tilwin]

Both of those boards aren't any good.

[Doug Tilwin]

Stay where you are, son. Don't move.

[Bobby Tilwin]

My foot got caught. The board's broken. This other one came down on it.

[Doug Tilwin]

Yeah. Now let me take a look. Does it hurt?

[Bobby Tilwin]

No, no, it doesn't hurt at all. Only this thing's too shaky, Dad. I don't think it'll hold the two of us.

[Doug Tilwin]

Really stuck there, aren't you? Look, Bobby, just relax your foot like.

[Bobby Tilwin]

Like this?

[Doug Tilwin]

Yeah, that's fine. Now lean on me. Let's see if I can get that shoe off. Just hold on now. There we go.

[Bobby Tilwin]

Jeez. All I had to do was get out of my shoe. I'm okay, Mom.

[Doug Tilwin]

We'll be back in a minute.

[Bobby Tilwin]

Just be careful.

[Doug Tilwin]

We will.

[Bobby Tilwin]

Gosh, why didn't I think of getting out of my shoes?

[Doug Tilwin]

Because you're just like your mom, son. You get too excited. That's why. Yeah. Now, let's put that shoe back on. We don't want you to pick up any splinters.

[Bobby Tilwin]

It's on, Pop.

[Doug Tilwin]

All right. See if you can stand on it.

[Bobby Tilwin]

It's fine. It doesn't hurt at all.

[Doug Tilwin]

All right, Bobby. Now here we go. Just be careful where you walk. Take it easy, son. Nice and slow.

[Bobby Tilwin]

Maybe you better go first, Pop.

[Doug Tilwin]

No, no. It's all right. I'll be right behind you. But I can't take your hand. See, these planks might not hold the two of us together.

[Bobby Tilwin]

Okay, Pop. Is he all right?

[Doug Tilwin]

He's okay. His foot just got stuck. Atta boy, kid. You're doing fine.

[Helen Tilwin]

Bobby was safe now. He was climbing down the jetty onto the beach.

[Bobby Tilwin]

Mom. Mom. What's the matter? You look like your secretary. I'm okay. Honest I am.

[Helen Tilwin]

I started to look at his foot, and then behind the came the sudden lingering crack. The boards had given way. Doug had fallen into the shallow water, and pinning him down was one of the heavy pilings.

[Bobby Tilwin]

Dad.

[Doug Tilwin]

Dad, it's. It's all right. I'm all right.

[Helen Tilwin]

Doug. Doug, are you hurt?

[Doug Tilwin]

No. No. Miss me? I'm all right, Helen. Just. Just be all right.

[Helen Tilwin]

But that beam is lying right across your leg.

[Doug Tilwin]

Yeah. Look, you see how it Missed me. These rocks. The rocks saved me. How do you like this for luck? I land in the sand and the piling hits the rocks.

[Helen Tilwin]

Get up. What's the matter, dear? Can't you get up?

[Doug Tilwin]

I. I can't move my foot.

[Helen Tilwin]

I'll get it. Oh, your foot seems to be caught.

[Doug Tilwin]

I must look pretty silly sitting here in the water.

[Bobby Tilwin]

Good thing it's low tide.

[Helen Tilwin]

Pa. Doug.

[Doug Tilwin]

I can't seem to work my foot loose. Ridiculous. There's Bobby and now me. And neither of us even get scratched.

[Helen Tilwin]

How are we going to get you out?

[Doug Tilwin]

Well, it's a cinch you can't budge this piling. Bobby. Bobby, run up to the trail to get the shovel. We just have to do a little digging, that's all.

[Bobby Tilwin]

Be right back.

[Helen Tilwin]

You're sure you're not hurt?

[Doug Tilwin]

That's a strange part of it I can't figure out. Why not?

[Helen Tilwin]

The weight of this timber.

[Doug Tilwin]

The weight's all on the rock, Helen. Look, honey, don't worry about it. We'll just shovel out enough sand to give me room to turn my foot and I'll slip right out of here.

[Helen Tilwin]

I'm making a rule right now. We're keeping away from Miss Jessie. Far away. Okay?

[Bobby Tilwin]

Here's the trouble, dad.

[Doug Tilwin]

Give it to your mother, son.

[Bobby Tilwin]

What can I do?

[Helen Tilwin]

Nothing. Nothing. You just. Just stand by.

[Doug Tilwin]

Hey, start digging, honey. I'll be out of here in no time. No time at all.

[Helen Tilwin]

The water was about 2ft deep. I dug out the stand as fast as I could. Doug didn't seem to be in any pain. There was a large rock in back of him. He pretended to relax against it as the wave broke over him.

[Bobby Tilwin]

Can I help, Pop? I can dig. Baron, Mom.

[Doug Tilwin]

You take turns, Bobby. When mom gets tired and.

[Helen Tilwin]

Does it hurt?

[Doug Tilwin]

It's no worse than a kick on the shins.

[Helen Tilwin]

Doug. Doug, we're in trouble. This isn't sand.

[Doug Tilwin]

It's solid rock. All right, Helen. Now let's rest for a moment and figure this out. If you can't dig through rock, that's a cinch. And it's piling. Well, it. It seems to be jammed in tight between these two boulders. Question remains. How do I get my foot out of here?

[Helen Tilwin]

The jack from the car. Maybe we could lift the piling with the car jack.

[Doug Tilwin]

That did. Of course. Why didn't I think of that?

[Bobby Tilwin]

I'll get it. There.

[Doug Tilwin]

Had a boy. Bobby. You know what it is?

[Bobby Tilwin]

I know. Here. With the car to.

[Helen Tilwin]

Where will I put it, Doug?

[Doug Tilwin]

Let's see. The end down there, I guess. Take A look, Helen, can you get the jack underneath it?

[Helen Tilwin]

I think so. I'll dig as far down as I can first. It'll work, Doug.

[Bobby Tilwin]

I'm sure it will.

[Doug Tilwin]

Good. Now, look, Helen, it's not hard to use. The steel rod fits into the jack, and all you have to do is turn it. Just make sure the jack is completely under the end of the piling. Okay?

[Helen Tilwin]

Okay, I got it, Jeff.

[Bobby Tilwin]

I got it.

[Doug Tilwin]

Give it to your mother, Bobby. He knows what to do.

[Helen Tilwin]

I couldn't get the jack to work. It kept flipping out. But I knew what was going. It wasn't the jack, it was me. I was all unnerved. I got hold of myself and tried again. This time the jack caught, and very slowly, the piling started to move.

[Doug Tilwin]

That's it, honey. Now you've got it. Just a few notches more. I. I think I can move my foot a little already.

[Helen Tilwin]

Hard to see what I'm doing. The water's all muddy.

[Doug Tilwin]

You're doing fine. Just a little bit more, baby. I'm sure glad you thought of that, Jack. If you hadn't, I. Ellen, what time of swimming?

[Bobby Tilwin]

What happened?

[Helen Tilwin]

What happened?

[Doug Tilwin]

I don't know. It's all right, dude. Just try it again.

[Helen Tilwin]

But the jack's under the piling.

[Doug Tilwin]

Can you reach it? All right, go ahead. That's it. Let me have it. I can't understand why it would. Ellen. We'll have to think of something else. That's useless. The angle pin's broken.

[Helen Tilwin]

Bobby, grab hold. Now we'll pull together.

[Doug Tilwin]

Pull as hard as you can, Ellen. Now, wait, Bobby, hold.

[Bobby Tilwin]

Hold.

[Doug Tilwin]

Stop it. This isn't doing any good.

[Helen Tilwin]

Bobby, get over on the other side.

[Doug Tilwin]

And Ellie, you're just wearing a circle.

[Helen Tilwin]

Bob, we've got to get her.

[Doug Tilwin]

I'll give her.

[Bobby Tilwin]

Stop it, dad.

[Doug Tilwin]

Stop. That's better. Now, look, it's not going to help. Getting panicky about this. Bobby, I want you to go back to the car and unhook the trailer. You think you can do that?

[Bobby Tilwin]

Sure, dad. You taught me your own, remember?

[Doug Tilwin]

Darling, what are you trembling for?

[Helen Tilwin]

I can't help that. I can.

[Doug Tilwin]

Darling, do you remember that time when Bobby was 2 years old and he cut himself on some glass?

[Helen Tilwin]

Yes.

[Doug Tilwin]

You saved his life that day. Remember how? By keeping your head. You got a little hysterical for a while, but I finally convinced you that you had to calm down. One of us had to go for the doctor while the other one stayed with Bobby. It worked out fine, didn't it? Just work along the same lines today, huh? Above all, don't let yourself go to peace.

[Helen Tilwin]

Oh, well, I promise. What do you want me to do?

[Doug Tilwin]

We could use the car to pull off the piling. But we'll need a rope.

[Helen Tilwin]

But we've got a rope. The tarpaulin rope on the trailer.

[Doug Tilwin]

Much too light. It'll break. We've got to get a heavy rope. Tod, where the nearest place is that ranch where we stop the water. They'll have rope there. I saw some in the garage. Maybe someone can come and help too.

[Helen Tilwin]

Hours away.

[Doug Tilwin]

Just a few.

[Helen Tilwin]

And hours back.

[Doug Tilwin]

I'll wait for you.

[Helen Tilwin]

Road you. You know, I'm not a very good driver.

[Bobby Tilwin]

That's for sure. Sure, I could drive. Oh, I. Unhook you, Pop.

[Doug Tilwin]

Good boy.

[Helen Tilwin]

The. The tide is coming in.

[Doug Tilwin]

Yeah. Yeah, I know.

[Bobby Tilwin]

Yeah, the tide will blow the timber off.

[Doug Tilwin]

Yeah, maybe so. That's a good thought, Bobby, but Mom had better go for the rope anyway.

[Helen Tilwin]

How much time do I have?

[Doug Tilwin]

Well, I'd guess the tide's been coming in now for a couple of hours. I should be okay for about four hours. You can make it. Fine. Bobby will wait here with me. What time is it now?

[Helen Tilwin]

Almost 3:00.

[Doug Tilwin]

Okay, give me a kiss and get going.

[Helen Tilwin]

Don't worry, I'll get the rope.

[Doug Tilwin]

By the way, the Mexican word for.

[Helen Tilwin]

Rope with Cora qua, I'll ask for quera.

[Bobby Tilwin]

Don't go. Drive too fast now and don't take any chance.

[Helen Tilwin]

I. I won't, Bobby. Now, you stay here and take good care of Dad.

[Bobby Tilwin]

I will.

[Helen Tilwin]

You do whatever he says and try.

[Bobby Tilwin]

To stay on the right side of the road. See you later, Mom.

[Helen Tilwin]

Goodbye, dear. Now get back to dad.

[Bobby Tilwin]

You comfortable, dad?

[Doug Tilwin]

Yeah, sure, Bobby. This is just like sitting in a bathtub.

[Bobby Tilwin]

Only. Only the water's getting higher, huh?

[Doug Tilwin]

Not much. Just a little. You know, Bobby, there are lobster boats that cross this bay all the time. Now, when one comes along, maybe we can yell for help, huh?

[Bobby Tilwin]

Yeah, when one comes along, I'll get it to stop the worry.

[Doug Tilwin]

Oh, boy.

[Bobby Tilwin]

Want your cigarettes?

[Doug Tilwin]

Oh, yeah, fine. Bring my lighter too, huh, Pop?

[Bobby Tilwin]

The tide won't float is piling off of you, will it?

[Doug Tilwin]

What makes you think it won't?

[Bobby Tilwin]

Well, it's water logging. Once you told me when something gets waterlogged, it's too heavy to think.

[Doug Tilwin]

Well, we'll see.

[Bobby Tilwin]

I just said that before to make mine feel better.

[Doug Tilwin]

Thanks, Bobby. Now you go get my cigarette.

[Helen Tilwin]

I drove as fast as I dared. It was like being in a nightmare. The holes in the road and the dust and the thought of Doug helpless in the Water. And every moment, the tide rising higher and higher. And then ahead of me, I saw people. A group of people. A family of Mexicans. They were leaving a couple of donkeys loaded with wood. I stopped the car and ran to them.

[Doug Tilwin]

La senora, que pasa? Cone a que lo que quere?

[Helen Tilwin]

Please, I need help. Do you speak English?

[Doug Tilwin]

No, senora. No problem with English.

[Helen Tilwin]

I'm in trouble. I need help. My husband is trapped down by the water. I need a rope. You want money? I'll pay you a lot of money if you'll come with me. Oh, no, no, no. Please don't go. Please come with me. Please. Then tell me where I can get a coy. Esta loca de la vamo. It was no use. They just stared at me, then smiled and started down the road again. I was wasting time. I went back to the car. Americano Turista.

[Bobby Tilwin]

Hey, dad, how long has mom been gone?

[Doug Tilwin]

Oh, not very long, son. Not long at all.

[Bobby Tilwin]

Dad, did you really see lobster boats going by when you were here before?

[Doug Tilwin]

Sure, lots of them. But they don't come along till pretty late in the evening after they get to catch.

[Bobby Tilwin]

It's a clown, Joseph. Fear.

[Doug Tilwin]

I sure they're fears. Now, Bobby, we weren't going to worry, remember?

[Bobby Tilwin]

Sure, dad, but gee, the water is getting unclear. Chair.

[Doug Tilwin]

We weren't going to talk about that either, remember?

[Bobby Tilwin]

Oh, I'm sorry. Hey, how about me building a fire and making you some coffee?

[Doug Tilwin]

Fine.

[Bobby Tilwin]

Would you like some?

[Doug Tilwin]

That's the best idea yet.

[Bobby Tilwin]

I got plenty of firewood, Pop. You wait, Pop. I'll make you the best cup of coffee you ever saw. Let me know if you see one of them lobster dog.

[Helen Tilwin]

I will.

[Doug Tilwin]

You'll hear a yell like you've never heard before.

[Helen Tilwin]

I made it. I reached the shack with a gasoline pump in a little less than two hours. It was just as we'd left it. No one. No one was there. I ran to the garage. Locked padlock, weedlock. A Doug had locked it to be helpful. I wanted to scream. I wanted to cry. There was a rake on the ground. I grabbed it and smashed the window. I climbed in. There were ropes in the garage, all sorts of ropes. I grabbed the heaviest one I could manage and climbed out the window.

[Doug Tilwin]

And you know you can get arrested doing a thing like that.

[Helen Tilwin]

Oh, you're American. You can help me. I'm in trouble. My husband is trapped by a timber back there on the beach. And once we get there soon, the tide will drown him.

[Doug Tilwin]

I want to get in the car.

[Helen Tilwin]

Hope you have we needed a rope. That's why I came back here. I. I had to break in. You see, we've come down here on a fishing trip. And there was this jetty and my husband, and he. You haven't heard a word I've said. Don't you understand? I'm in trouble.

[Doug Tilwin]

Aren't we off?

[Bobby Tilwin]

Who are you?

[Helen Tilwin]

What were you doing back there? I turned around and all of a sudden there you were.

[Doug Tilwin]

Out of the nowhere, into the here. You got anything to eat?

[Helen Tilwin]

I don't know the. There may be a candy bar in the glove compartment.

[Doug Tilwin]

Hello. Hello. This is a real break. Automatic, huh? Cartridges, too.

[Helen Tilwin]

What are you stopping for?

[Doug Tilwin]

A gun's no good unless it's loaded. Didn't you know that?

[Helen Tilwin]

Put it back. That gun belongs to my husband. I said put it back.

[Doug Tilwin]

You want to play games, huh? Okay.

[Helen Tilwin]

Don't you understand? I'm in trouble. My husband.

[Doug Tilwin]

Stop it, lady. You'll have me crying. I'm a very sensitive man.

[Helen Tilwin]

Get out of this car. I need someone who can help me get out.

[Doug Tilwin]

Real boss, huh? You must drive your husband nuts.

[Helen Tilwin]

Oh, please. Please, Whoever you are, you. You've got to believe me. Unless I. You're lying. There isn't any car.

[Doug Tilwin]

There's a bend in the road. You'll see it in a minute. Police car. Changing the seat, sister. If you're going to drive now, don't you try and help the stupid. I have to kill you. Nobody's going to know your husband's trapped at the. Be no one. I will, kid. Honest. Move over. Start driving. I make out like I'm sleeping. My eyes be closed, my head on your shoulder. Put my finger on the trigger. So you behave now. This gun's going to blow a very pretty piece of you right over the side. Now, go on. Drive. Okay. See this? Pull over the side of the road. Stay where you are. Senora, I have a patrol.

[Helen Tilwin]

What do you want?

[Doug Tilwin]

Have you seen anyone on the road hitchhiking? A man?

[Helen Tilwin]

No.

[Doug Tilwin]

Where are you going, please?

[Helen Tilwin]

Back to the beach. My boy is there now. Yes, I. We're on a fishing trip.

[Doug Tilwin]

Well, do not speak of anyone, senora. There is a dangerous criminal who's down here. Big fellow, an American. If you see anybody, of course, you will call the police.

[Helen Tilwin]

Yes? Yes, of course.

[Doug Tilwin]

Gracias. When you get back to the beach, senora, take your boy and go back into town. Look again.

[Helen Tilwin]

Yes.

[Doug Tilwin]

Keep driving a while. You're doing fine. I know some women who tried something just now, got their brains blown out. They're smart, honest, I like smart women. They got cat in them.

[Helen Tilwin]

Now that I didn't give you away, will you take me back to my husband?

[Doug Tilwin]

I'm going straight to Laaz. Nonstop.

[Helen Tilwin]

But you've got to. If you don't, he'll drown.

[Doug Tilwin]

You're mad. The specks in your eyes.

[Helen Tilwin]

What kind of a man can let a man die? No one knows he's there.

[Doug Tilwin]

Let's just keep it a little secret then.

[Helen Tilwin]

The least you can do is take me back there. Then you can go on.

[Doug Tilwin]

Look, I can save your husband or I can save myself. I can't do both on a dice roll. You gotta take what comes. I'll try. Now, you don't have to stop. I got the will. That's more over there. Yeah. Oh, it's nice perfume, sister. Anyway, believe me or don't believe me. I'm sorry.

[Helen Tilwin]

You are not.

[Doug Tilwin]

You're right. I'm not. Look at old Spec Stands now.

[Bobby Tilwin]

Dad, I got your coffee. It's nice and hot.

[Doug Tilwin]

Easy now, son. The waves getting pretty rough.

[Bobby Tilwin]

I hope you like.

[Doug Tilwin]

Sure smells good.

[Bobby Tilwin]

Gosh, Wave Z of your hand, huh, Pop?

[Doug Tilwin]

I'm in trouble, Bobby. It's mostly spray.

[Bobby Tilwin]

How's the coffee? I know you like it strong. I put a whole handful of coffee into the pot.

[Doug Tilwin]

Oh, very unusual. Very.

[Bobby Tilwin]

Gee, thanks.

[Doug Tilwin]

You know, Bobby. Bobby, I was thinking about you while you made this coffee. I was pretty proud of you.

[Bobby Tilwin]

That's it?

[Doug Tilwin]

Well, yes, but I also mean you. Well, Bobby, there are gonna be a lot of times in your life when you have to do things you've never done before. Things that have to be done. You know what I mean?

[Bobby Tilwin]

Well, no, not for sure, dad.

[Doug Tilwin]

Well, like. Like here. Today. Here I am in sort of a scratch, son, and you're helping me. This is a problem you never faced before. There'll be others. I want you to tackle them just like you did the quarter.

[Bobby Tilwin]

Sure.

[Doug Tilwin]

Dad and his mom should be late getting back here.

[Bobby Tilwin]

But she won't be.

[Doug Tilwin]

No, no, no. But if she is. Bobby. Look, son, what I'm trying to tell you is I. I don't want you to get into a panic to run away. Your mother's gonna expect to find you here when she gets back. You keep that fire going so she'll know where to look for us. You take care of your mother, Bobby. Always. You hear me?

[Bobby Tilwin]

Oh, sure, dad, but Mom's not gonna do that.

[Doug Tilwin]

No, no, no, of course not, son. You run on back to your fire.

[Bobby Tilwin]

Your coffee. I'll go warm it up.

[Doug Tilwin]

Okay, thanks.

[Bobby Tilwin]

Boy, that wave. That Was a big one. Dad.

[Doug Tilwin]

All right? I'm all right, Bobby. I'm okay.

[Helen Tilwin]

For a long time, the men kept quiet. I could see he was tired. His face was drawn. He needed a shave. He wore a jacket that didn't fit and blue denim. He must have known I was studying him. He started to talk.

[Doug Tilwin]

Back there, back at the shack where you got the rope. What did you see? I said, what did you see?

[Helen Tilwin]

Nothing. Nothing at all.

[Doug Tilwin]

There was a man back there. I killed him. About five minutes before you drove up. He tried to run me off. I hit him with a rat.

[Helen Tilwin]

That's your problem.

[Doug Tilwin]

You bet. Sure is.

[Helen Tilwin]

I have lots of problems about my husband. You're. You're going to have to go by the road that leads to the beach. Oh, well, that's where he is.

[Doug Tilwin]

Last time I was with another guy's wife. She was perfectly happy to forget all.

[Helen Tilwin]

About him if he dies. If my husband dies, I promise you one thing. I'll kill you.

[Doug Tilwin]

You put you in a class with 10,000 cops. They all got the same idea.

[Helen Tilwin]

It's a good idea.

[Doug Tilwin]

Shut up.

[Helen Tilwin]

That hurt, didn't it?

[Doug Tilwin]

I like being alive. I like eating, drinking. I like dice. I like talking. I like a woman. But I don't like you.

[Helen Tilwin]

Better slow down there. Waiting for you up ahead.

[Doug Tilwin]

Yeah. Red light, huh? The bar across the road. All right, you hang on, sister. We're going through. I'll slow down. Like we're going to stop some, see, and then I'll. Get your hand off the ignition. Cake is off. I'll kill you. But no tricks, lady. Believe it. No tricks. Better step on that butt. 10 seconds and maybe some lead flying. Be smart. Duck your head. Okay, now. Here we go. You like that, huh?

[Helen Tilwin]

Crazy. Crazy.

[Doug Tilwin]

Maybe they'll try to follow us. He asked me. They'll stay put. And the one. They're on the radio right now. Calling another car up ahead. Boy's been looking for me for three days now, and the first. Go on, try. Open the door. Go ahead. Open it and jump. To splash that beautiful build all over the road. Troop for speed, baby, but not that kind.

[Helen Tilwin]

You've never been married, have you?

[Doug Tilwin]

Yeah. Yeah, once. Heard your kind of cat. She was all.

[Helen Tilwin]

It wasn't a shock. A front tire had blown out. He drove the car off the road down an embankment where we couldn't be seen. Then he got out and opened the trunk.

[Doug Tilwin]

I gotta change the wheel. Where's the jack?

[Helen Tilwin]

At the beach. We tried to lift the timber off with it.

[Doug Tilwin]

It's fine. It's just Fine. Looks like I gotta do it the hard way, huh? Don't go away.

[Helen Tilwin]

Where would I go?

[Doug Tilwin]

Yeah, that's right. I'll show you how to change a wheel without a jacket.

[Helen Tilwin]

There was a fence near the road. The kind they used to keep cattle in. He pulled out one of the wooden posts and set it against a large flat boulder. Then he ran the car up the post till the wheel was clear and the car dropped down on the axle. He took off his jacket. On the back of his shirt was a number. His convict's number. He dragged out the tools in the spare wheel. He worked very fast. The wheel was on now. He was starting to tighten the lugs. I was in back of him. He couldn't see me. I picked up the tire iron. I started towards him. I raised it over my head. And.

[Doug Tilwin]

Try to kill me, huh? Yeah, you would have too, wouldn't you? Only I saw your shadow coming up from behind me. I saw your shadow in a car. Now you stand over there where I can see you.

[Helen Tilwin]

You're. You're going to kill me, aren't you?

[Doug Tilwin]

Yeah, maybe so. I guess I'll have to. I'll let you know just as soon as we're ready to rol.

[Helen Tilwin]

We were on the road again. I tried to figure out what was in his mind. I knew the police were closing in and that he knew it too. Whatever was going to happen would happen soon. Every moment in the car was bringing me closer to the beach. But even if he let me go, what good was it? Without help, Doug would be dead. The tide would rise and cover him up. And he'd d.

[Doug Tilwin]

Bobby. Bobby, come here. I bet Bobby, you pay. It's a boat.

[Bobby Tilwin]

A lobster boat, just like you said. Help.

[Doug Tilwin]

Help. Yell, Bobby.

[Bobby Tilwin]

Help. Help. Come and help us.

[Doug Tilwin]

Come back around the beach. Wave a towel, Bobby. Wave a towel and take me home.

[Bobby Tilwin]

Help. Help. We're in trouble. Help. I can see a man, dad. He's waving.

[Doug Tilwin]

Bobby, build up the fire. Throw something out of anything. Anything that'll burn.

[Bobby Tilwin]

Bob. Help. Help. We are bad trouble. Help.

[Doug Tilwin]

No. You're sorry. They see us, but they think we're just waving at them.

[Bobby Tilwin]

K. It's disappearing. The ghost is disappearing.

[Doug Tilwin]

There'll be another boat. The next one will help.

[Bobby Tilwin]

Maybe they know, dad. Maybe they're just going somewhere to get. To get help.

[Doug Tilwin]

Yeah, sure, John. Tide's getting high. It's almost. Boy, you better. Better not come out into the water anymore. Go back to the beach, then. Go back to the fire. Dry out again.

[Bobby Tilwin]

I'm okay, dad.

[Doug Tilwin]

Yeah. I know. But you. You're going to need your strength when your mother gets here. Getting dark, Bobby. She might be alone. She's going to need somebody she can attend.

[Bobby Tilwin]

Okay, dad. And you wait. There'll be other logs. Today I'll blow up the fire real good. Don't stop, dad. Next time they'll be sure to stop.

[Doug Tilwin]

Helen. I've got maybe half an hour. Please, Helen. Come, Helen, please. People like you, you're just begging for trouble. Do you know enough to carry two spare ties?

[Helen Tilwin]

There's something I haven't told you. My boy, he's on the beach with his father.

[Doug Tilwin]

One good spare and a cheap retread. Just.

[Helen Tilwin]

He's told to wait there for me. Can't you understand what it will mean if my husband drowns. And the boy has to wait there for someone who isn't coming?

[Doug Tilwin]

I know a gas station guy. Used to take the nail out of a flat. Throw it back in the street.

[Helen Tilwin]

It's completely deserted. Section. No one knows he's there.

[Doug Tilwin]

One Sunday, he fixed seven flats off of the same.

[Helen Tilwin]

How would you feel if it were your own son?

[Doug Tilwin]

Frankly, I'm not a family man.

[Helen Tilwin]

I wondered what I would do if it ever came to something like this.

[Doug Tilwin]

I wonder if every wife wonders getting off the road.

[Helen Tilwin]

What's wrong?

[Doug Tilwin]

The last. You'd like me to stay on it, huh? Cops, that's what's wrong.

[Helen Tilwin]

They may be a mile away, maybe 10 miles.

[Doug Tilwin]

We're gonna haul up for a while.

[Helen Tilwin]

Where?

[Doug Tilwin]

That's a good question. I don't know, but hang on. We're cutting across the desert and back of those hills.

[Helen Tilwin]

In the hills, he found the ruins of a farmhouse. The roof had caved in, but the walls were still standing. We could see the road in the distance. We saw the police car roaring by. Then he lit a cigarette. He smiled.

[Doug Tilwin]

Pretty neat, huh? Figured him out? Almost for the second. Yeah, pretty neat.

[Helen Tilwin]

Where do you go from here?

[Doug Tilwin]

We're going to La Paz.

[Helen Tilwin]

What are you going to do there?

[Doug Tilwin]

One thing at a time. Can't plan too far ahead in this place.

[Helen Tilwin]

You're amazing.

[Doug Tilwin]

Yeah, that's what I always tell myself.

[Helen Tilwin]

What are you going to do about your clothes? You left your coat back there. Those numbers on the back of your shirt.

[Doug Tilwin]

I'll find a guy someplace. We'll switch.

[Helen Tilwin]

My husband is your size.

[Doug Tilwin]

Honest.

[Helen Tilwin]

There are other things at the beach you could use.

[Doug Tilwin]

For instance?

[Helen Tilwin]

Identification papers. They'd prove you were Douglas Stillwyn. They'd match the registration papers on the car. Now that the other police car has Gone by, you could spare the time.

[Doug Tilwin]

Got it all figured out, huh?

[Helen Tilwin]

I could go into the stores for you, buy food for you. We'd look like an ordinary couple traveling together on a fishing trip. Disclosed his identification. Everything is there on the beach.

[Doug Tilwin]

That's good perfume you got out, huh? Yes, I like cheap perfume. Don't last as long, but it hits harder. Is there anything else your husband's got I could use?

[Helen Tilwin]

I can't think of anything.

[Doug Tilwin]

I can't.

[Helen Tilwin]

What?

[Doug Tilwin]

His wife, his clothes, his papers and his wife.

[Helen Tilwin]

I'll do anything to save my husband. Anything.

[Doug Tilwin]

Come here. I only like a woman when she smiles. Otherwise, what's the kick?

[Helen Tilwin]

How long since you've talked to a woman?

[Doug Tilwin]

Could get rough, you know.

[Helen Tilwin]

How long since you talked to.

[Doug Tilwin]

Any kisses for your husband, huh? I said to me, bobby, no, go back. Go back to the fire.

[Bobby Tilwin]

Dad, will you take me out tomorrow on one of those freaking goats?

[Doug Tilwin]

Bobby.

[Bobby Tilwin]

Catch some barracuda, such as crabby things.

[Doug Tilwin]

Bobby, get out of this water. Get back on the beach.

[Bobby Tilwin]

I won't leave you, Dad. I won't. I won't. I won't. Bobby, please don't give up, dad. Please don't ever. Someone's coming. The car. I told you. I told you. It's Mom.

[Doug Tilwin]

Bobby.

[Bobby Tilwin]

I told you mom would come back.

[Doug Tilwin]

Bobby, don't stay here.

[Bobby Tilwin]

Somebody's with her. She's got help. We'll save you, dad. We'll save you.

[Helen Tilwin]

Mom.

[Bobby Tilwin]

Mom. Doug. I brought her out of the water. Bobby, quick.

[Doug Tilwin]

Think all the cars gotten a lot of luck from all that piling. You weren't kidding, were you, lady? Oh, hold on, Doug. Please.

[Helen Tilwin]

Please.

[Doug Tilwin]

I'll get this roller on and we'll try lifting it off of you. Hang on, Max.

[Helen Tilwin]

What can I do?

[Doug Tilwin]

You stay with him. I'll go tie the other around in the car.

[Bobby Tilwin]

Doug.

[Helen Tilwin]

You're going to be all right, darling.

[Doug Tilwin]

Just hold on to me. Or what? What's he going to do?

[Helen Tilwin]

I'm not sure, but. But he'll get throughout. Don't worry.

[Bobby Tilwin]

I'm in the room.

[Helen Tilwin]

Keep tying it onto the car.

[Doug Tilwin]

Won't work. The wheels have just spin in this sand. Won't work. All right, get ready. Look forward with the next big wave.

[Bobby Tilwin]

It's coming now. Now give it my car.

[Doug Tilwin]

Oh, God. The wheels are spinning. Tell him the blankets. Blankets. Put them under the wheel.

[Bobby Tilwin]

The blankets. Put them under the wheel. Get it.

[Doug Tilwin]

Get out. Get. Now.

[Bobby Tilwin]

You hardly just make guns across.

[Doug Tilwin]

What he mean, he's getting out? You heard me, Max. Only first I need your wallet.

[Helen Tilwin]

Back pocket, huh?

[Doug Tilwin]

Yeah.

[Bobby Tilwin]

Thanks.

[Helen Tilwin]

Money.

[Doug Tilwin]

Money and identification. Who are you? What are you doing? Ask your wife. We'll tell you all.

[Bobby Tilwin]

You can't leave him now. You scare us to sale.

[Doug Tilwin]

Ah, you're a cat, all right. Why do you expect me to throw? The cops won't pull it off.

[Bobby Tilwin]

Got to be another way.

[Doug Tilwin]

You never give up, will you?

[Helen Tilwin]

All right, wait a minute.

[Doug Tilwin]

The jetty.

[Helen Tilwin]

There, that cross section.

[Doug Tilwin]

The upper beam looks solid enough.

[Helen Tilwin]

Maybe it'll hold.

[Doug Tilwin]

Untie the rope from the car. Bring it back to the water. I'm going up to the jetty. Now, when I tell you, throw the end of the rope up. Only hurry.

[Helen Tilwin]

I knew what he had in mind to lift the piling. Instead of trying to pull it off, he called for the rope. He threw it over the cross beam above the jetty and tied it onto the car again. Then he came down to the water with one of those heavy planks.

[Doug Tilwin]

All right, I'm shoving this plank under the piling.

[Helen Tilwin]

Now move that rock.

[Doug Tilwin]

Move it under the plank. More. More. Okay, now, when I step on the gas, give this plank everything you got to hear like you're prying the lid.

[Helen Tilwin]

Off of a can.

[Doug Tilwin]

Have you got it?

[Helen Tilwin]

I've got it.

[Doug Tilwin]

Doug. Doug, just do it. All right, now the cross beam holes and the rope holes. And the pieces. Blank holds. Maybe you got a chance. Don't lift it much. We gotta work fast. Just get ready to yank them out. You can't get out of here.

[Bobby Tilwin]

But I would keep on doing.

[Helen Tilwin]

I'll get you out, tonic. Just hold on a little longer.

[Doug Tilwin]

All right, are you ready with the wave? The next wave. That's yellow.

[Bobby Tilwin]

And the wave break. It's coming now.

[Doug Tilwin]

Now it's moving. You're gonna go.

[Helen Tilwin]

All right, darling girl, just. Just stay by the fire. Lie down by the fire. Bobby, there must be another blanket. She did. Warm Bobby.

[Doug Tilwin]

Warm Bobby.

[Bobby Tilwin]

We got to save dad.

[Doug Tilwin]

We got to save Mom. Where's she going?

[Bobby Tilwin]

The man she went over there to talk to. The man taking these clothes, will you?

[Helen Tilwin]

Take whatever you want.

[Doug Tilwin]

His clothes, his gun, his papers, his door and his car. How about you?

[Helen Tilwin]

I'll hate you every minute of the time, but I said I'd go with.

[Doug Tilwin]

You and I will remain here.

[Helen Tilwin]

Yeah.

[Doug Tilwin]

I thought I had a woman figured in every angle. I thought you'd come to me begging. That husband of yours. He's a lucky guy. That kind of luck I could have used myself. Better wrap some more blankets around him. Goodbye.

[Helen Tilwin]

Goodbye.

[Doug Tilwin]

You don't want to shake hands, huh? Okay. Don't Shake hands. Got any idea how much gas there is?

[Helen Tilwin]

Mc well.

[Doug Tilwin]

Tired of tires flat, spinning in the sand like that. The tire is flat.

[Helen Tilwin]

There's a car in the highway. What are you going to do? It's slowing down. Probably they've seen our fire cops.

[Doug Tilwin]

They know this car. I gotta ditch this car.

[Helen Tilwin]

I gotta get rid of it. He had time. The police car was still in the distance. There were clusters of huge rocks nearby on the beach. He hid the car behind them. Then he came running back, confused. As if he didn't know what direction to take. The police were closer now. Much closer. And this time I. I held out my hand. He touched it, turned and ran. I watched him until he disappeared in the darkness. And then two policemen came down from the road.

[Doug Tilwin]

We started fire. Senora, Everything is all right?

[Helen Tilwin]

Yes, everything is all right. Thank you. Did we not see you before? See me?

[Doug Tilwin]

Of course.

[Helen Tilwin]

This morning.

[Doug Tilwin]

The lady, the husband and the little boy.

[Bobby Tilwin]

Oh, yes, yes.

[Helen Tilwin]

Near Ensenada.

[Doug Tilwin]

The American tourists who came to fish. Please get back to town. There is a dangerous criminal loose. He may be somewhere in this neighborhood. Be careful, Seora. Tell your husband to take you back to town.

[Bobby Tilwin]

What do you want, Mom? What did the police want?

[Helen Tilwin]

Oh, nothing, dear. Just. Just to make sure that dad was all right.

[Doug Tilwin]

It's been quite a day. Ellen. The man. Where did he go?

[Helen Tilwin]

I don't know, Ducky. He was in a hurry.

[Bobby Tilwin]

See, mom? He sure was a slow guy.

[Helen Tilwin]

He killed and he deserved to be killed. And yet how will we feel when we read in the papers that he's been trapped, shot down? Yes, I. I've wondered what I would do if it ever came to something like this. I wonder if every wife won.

[Doug Tilwin]

And here they are for a well earned curtain call. Barbara Stanwyck and Barry Sullivan show the past night were Harry Sher as Bobby and Albert Morin Lillian don't know Lawton, Jack Cruchen, Bill Justine and Eddie Mar.

[Narrator]

That's our thriller for this week. You can find more from Lux radio Theater Relic Radio thrillers alongside all the other relic Radio shows at the website relicradio.com. you'll also find our shout cast stream there with even more old time radio lots to listen to there. All made possible by your support. If you'd like to help out, visit donate. Relicradio.com or click on one of the links on the website. My thanks as always to those who have and thanks for joining me this week. I'll be back tomorrow with the horror and next Friday with our next episode of relic radio thrillers.