Man In The Storm by The Whistler

Summary

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Relic Radio Thrillers: "Man In The Storm" by The Whistler

Original Air Date: February 18, 1951
Podcast Release: August 15, 2025
Featuring: William Conrad

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Episode Overview

This episode presents "Man In The Storm" from the classic CBS series, The Whistler. The story combines suspense, crime, and psychological drama, centering on Reed Gordon, the town’s city treasurer, as he faces a literal and metaphorical storm threatening both Groves Landing and his own secrets. Against the dramatic backdrop of a raging flood, Reed’s personal misdeeds rise to the surface, forcing him to desperate measures. As the tension mounts, moral choices, guilt, and fate collide with a signature Whistler twist.

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Key Discussion Points and Plot Highlights

1. The Storm's Onslaught and Reed’s Determination

[02:24 – 05:47]

• A devastating flood endangers Groves Landing; the recreation building, close to the river, is under imminent threat.
• Reed Gordon, city treasurer and passionate advocate for the building, is found working tirelessly to save it when called away by the mayor.
• The mayor, city engineer, and army officials decide it’s best to abandon the building to save the town, despite Reed's protests.

Notable Quotes:

• Reed (to the mayor, [04:55]):
  "But that building is the town, Mayor Wilson. You know what it means. How the school kids say the nickels and dimes to help build it. We can't let it go like this."

• Reed (resolutely, [05:32]):
  "No? Well, go ahead then, Mayor. You may not have any choice, but I have. I'm going on with this right here."

2. Personal Confessions and Moral Crisis

[06:18 – 09:17]

• After giving up, Reed visits Claire, his secretary (and implied lover or confidante), revealing his exhaustion and deeper troubles.
• He confesses he never insured the recreation hall and has been embezzling city funds, leaving both himself and the building vulnerable.

Notable Quotes:

• Reed (to Claire, [08:22]):
  "That building's supposed to be fully insured. But if that building falls, Reed Gordon, the city treasurer, falls with it. ... I've been pocketing all the premiums since the day they laid the cornerstone."

• Claire (steadfast, [08:55]):
  "Don't worry, darling. We'll find a way out of this."

3. A Desperate Plan and Escape

[10:31 – 13:25]

• Reed wrestles with his guilt and fear of exposure. He feigns a plan to help the town—claiming he’ll secure equipment from Fairview—but instead plans to flee north with Claire.
• Claire insists on joining him, regardless of the risks, revealing the depth of their entanglement.

Notable Quotes:

• Reed (revealing the depth, [14:12]):
  "Yes. I just came to say goodbye. Claire, I'm leaving."
• Claire (committing, [14:29]):
  "I'm going with you."

4. The Theft and Flight

[16:02 – 20:13]

• Together, they raid city hall for more cash before attempting to elude police by taking a barge at the quarry instead of the main bridge.
• A tense escape sequence follows, including a close call with the night watchman—who shoots at them as they cross the river.

Notable Quotes:

• Claire (concerned, [18:41]):
  "There's a car following us. Looks like a state patrol car."

• Reed (rationalizing, [16:04]):
  "What difference is a few more thousand dollars going to make now? After all I've done? Believe me, this money will mean more to us than it will to Grove's Landing."

5. After the Storm – A Twisted Relief

[21:15 – 23:53]

• Having escaped the town, Reed and Claire hear the storm is over and the recreation building reportedly survived.
• Reed phones his wife, Margaret, to confirm. Margaret assures him the building is intact; Reed resolves to return and discreetly replace the stolen money.

Notable Quotes:

• Margaret (reassuring Reed by phone, [23:35]):
  "You don't have to worry about your precious building anymore... It's still standing in the dangerous path."
• Reed (relieved, [23:53]):
  "Don't worry, I. I will, Margaret. Goodbye. Well, everything's fine. Just fine."

6. The Final Twist

[27:13 – 28:47]

• Back in Groves Landing, Reed visits the mayor, only to learn the recreation building has been destroyed after all.
• The real cause: the barge Reed and Claire took was left unsecured, broke free, and crashed into the building, causing its destruction. The mayor states, “Whoever’s responsible will pay for this,” unwittingly telling Reed that his own actions were the ultimate cause.

Notable Quotes:

• Mayor (delivering the twist, [27:39]):
  "Reed, I… I don't know how to tell you this... The barge, yeah, got away, picked up momentum on its way downstream, finally crashed into the pilings supporting the recreation building and toppled it into the river..."

• The Whistler (ironic closure, [25:56]):
  "Well, Reed, the storm is over and its threat to the recreation building is gone with it. The panic within you is gone too, isn't it? And you're certain you're in the clear now. Free to return to Grove's Landing..."

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Memorable Moments & Quotes

• Reed’s confession of embezzlement to Claire
  [08:22]:
  "If that building falls, Reed Gordon, the city treasurer, falls with it."

• Claire pledging loyalty
  [14:29]:
  "I'm going with you."

• The great Whistler irony
  [27:39]:
  "Whoever’s responsible will pay for this, Reed. I promise you."

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Important Timestamps

• Reed learns the town will abandon the recreation building: [03:29 – 05:32]
• Reed confesses his crime to Claire: [07:35 – 09:17]
• Decision to flee and plan made: [13:24 – 14:32]
• Theft at city hall: [16:02 – 16:39]
• Escape on the barge: [17:36 – 20:13]
• Phone call confirming building survived: [23:03 – 23:53]
• Final twist—their actions destroy the building: [27:13 – 28:47]

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Tone and Style

The episode maintains a tense, foreboding atmosphere, with Reed’s inner turmoil narrated by the iconic Whistler. Moral ambiguity, suspenseful pacing, and dramatic irony are all front and center, culminating in a darkly comic ending with Reed unwittingly responsible for his own undoing.

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Summary for New Listeners

"Man In The Storm" captures the classic Whistler blend of suspense, fraught psychology, and dramatic irony. Reed’s steadfastness and desperation turn him from a crusader into a criminal, only to see his own escape plan destroy what he fought so hard to protect. The masterful twist—where his fate is sealed not by the flood but by his own hand—delivers the Whistler’s signature chilling lesson: no secret or crime can outpace fate.

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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. Hear from the Whistler this week, a CBS series of almost 700 episodes that aired from May of 1942 to September of 1955. It also spawned eight feature films in the 40s and a short lived television series in 1954. Our story today is from February 18, 1951. We'll hear William Conrad in Man in the Storm.

[Announcer]

And now stay tuned for the mystery program that is unique among all mystery programs because even when you know who is guilty, you always receive a startling surprise at the final curtain. In the Signal Oil program, the Whistler Signal. The famous go farther gasoline invites you to sit back and enjoy another strange story by the Whistler.

[The Whistler]

I am the Whistler, and I know many things, for I walk by night. I know many strange tales hidden in the hearts of men and women who have stepped into the shadows. Yes, I know the nameless terrors of which they dare not speak.

[Announcer]

And now for the Signal oil company. The Whistler's strange story. Man in the Storm.

[The Whistler]

The storm had been raging for two days, a solid downpour overflowing the storm drains, inundating town after town, particularly Grove's Landing, where the fury of its violence seemed a center. The river, which usually wound around Groves landing so caressingly, had turned into an overflowing, uncontrollable force. The townspeople, lining the banks with hastily filled sandbags had the assistance of a group of soldiers and army engineers. Engineers rushed to the area at the request of the governor, but it was a losing battle. The rushing floodwaters were winning even now, threatening to sweep away the town recreation center, a building placed precariously close to the river's edge. Some of the men were giving up in spite of the excited shouted orders they received from one man who was working waist deep in the mire. Struggling tirelessly, as if possessed, he kept on as the others withdrew, almost failed to look up or listen as someone shouted to him over the tumult. But at last he did respond and waded in toward the bank.

[Claire]

Will you listen? Read the mayor.

[Reed Gordon]

The mayor? Why isn't he down here fighting this thing, Cal? We could lick it if only. Everybody, never mind. The mayor is here and he wants to see you right away. Huh? Yeah, he's across the road there in that army car. What's the deal? I don't know. The city engineer's with him. And they're having some sort of meeting, I guess, with an officer from the Army Engineers. I better get over there then. Uh huh. Take my place, will you, Cow? We can whip this. Maybe you can, Reed. I'm for waiting this storm out. It's too risky now. Go on, stay with it. Well, okay, okay, but just till you get back. Fools. Attaboy, Pete. Get that load of sandbags to him. Well, there you are, Reed. Mr. Mayor Reed, Lieutenant Avery, army engineer. Lieutenant Reed Gordon, our city treasure. Lieutenant, you know City engineer Hollister. Of course. Hello, Hollister. You look kind of used up, Reed. No, I'm all right. Now to get to the point quickly. Lieutenant Avery's been giving us some advice, Reed. A good advice, I feel, and we're prepared to take it. I just wanted you to know. Wanted me to know what? Well, I know how you're going to take this. I've been watching the fight you've been making out there. But. Well, Reid, the simple fact of the matter is that in Hollister and the Lieutenant's opinion, they don't want us to give up here. I think it's the only thing to do, Mr. Gordon. Me too, Reed. We ought to move farther down the river. They had a narrower point. But we can't. It. It's like pushing the recreation hall into the river. We can't do that. These gentlemen feel that letting a recreation building go well is the surest way to save the town. The town is a lot more important.

[The Whistler]

Than the recreation building.

[Reed Gordon]

Oh, I know how you feel about.

[The Whistler]

The recreation hall, Reed, but.

[Reed Gordon]

But you're going to let them do this, is that it? That's exactly it. I'm not letting anyone do anything that I don't think is for the best. They're qualified engineers, Reed, after all. But that building is the town, Mayor Wilson. You know what it means. How the school kids say the nickels and dimes to help build it. We can't let it go like this. We've got to abandon this position, Reid. Save all this effort and material for a spot where it will do some good. Check. Just give up. Let the recreation hall go under the river. Reid, we know how you feel. That hall was your baby.

[The Whistler]

But we haven't any choice.

[Reed Gordon]

No? Well, go ahead then, Mayor. You may not have any choice, but I have. I'm going on with this right here, Reed. Just a moment, Reed.

[The Whistler]

Yes, Reid. You're going on with it. Not letting any of them stop you prevents you from doing everything humanly possible to prevent the floodwaters from toppling the recreation building into the river. It isn't long before you find yourself virtually alone at the river's edge, doggedly struggling to drag the few remaining piles of sandbags into position. You work frantically for several hours till you feel as if you're going to drop it. And then, as you wade back through the waters to shore and drop down from exhaustion, you hear a familiar voice.

[Claire]

Read, look up.

[The Whistler]

To find that your wife, Margaret, is at your side.

[Claire]

Read, please. You've got to give this up. Come home and get some rest.

[Reed Gordon]

No, I'll rest right here. In a few minutes. I gotta tackle it again. Margaret, you've got to understand that.

[Claire]

Don't you think everyone understands, dear? They know how you work to get the recreation building in the first place. But, Reed, it's no use.

[Reed Gordon]

Maybe. Maybe you're right and I'm worn out.

[Claire]

Of course you are. Go home, dear, please. Everyone understands.

[Reed Gordon]

Yeah. Yeah, I guess they do. All right, Margaret. I guess I'm late. I'll see you back at the house.

[The Whistler]

You feel beaten, don't you, Reed? And the thought of what it means creates a strange feeling of numbness, something not caused by your weariness. And driving through the flooded streets of Grove's Landing, you decide you've got to talk to someone, get it all off your chest. And so, instead of going home, you pull up in front of an apartment building, get out of the car and hurry upstairs.

[Claire]

Reed.

[Reed Gordon]

Hello, Claire.

[Claire]

Come in, darling. Sit down. I'll get you a drink of something. You don't look well.

[Reed Gordon]

No, I'm licked, Claire. Beat clean through rivers. Caught up with me.

[Claire]

What are you saying?

[Reed Gordon]

Claire, you know that money we've been playing around with hasn't come entirely from my job as city treasurer.

[Claire]

Honey, I know what you mean.

[Reed Gordon]

Okay. Okay. So even as my secretary, there are things you don't know about.

[The Whistler]

Claire, huh?

[Reed Gordon]

You've said that you love me.

[Claire]

And I do.

[Reed Gordon]

Sure, but how much? How much? After I tell you about that recreation building? Why I was down there fighting the river, trying to hold the flood back with my bare hands?

[Claire]

I don't care, Reid. I don't care what you tell me.

[Reed Gordon]

No, Claire, that building's supposed to be fully insured. But if that building falls, Reed Gordon, the city treasurer, falls with it. Yeah, sure, you've guessed it. I never took out any insurance. I've been pocketing all the premiums since the day they laid the cornerstone.

[Claire]

Oh, Reed, no.

[Reed Gordon]

And that's just part of it. If you ever take a good look at the books, they'll find other Discrepancies, too. Lots of them. Do you still love me?

[The Whistler]

Of course I do.

[Claire]

Don't worry, darling. We'll find a way out of this.

[The Whistler]

Engine wear. Engine wear. Engine wear.

[Announcer]

Engine wear. It's one of the principal reasons drivers have to spend big sums of money having their motors overhauled. Engine wear. It's one of the principal reasons motors lose pep and power, get fewer miles per gallon of gas. Engine wear. It's one of the principal reasons gars gradually use more and more oil until eventually they become oil eaters. No wonder automotive and petroleum engineers for years have sought ways to reduce engine wear. And now, at last, Signal reports startling success with an amazing new motor oil that reduces by 50% engine wear due to lubrication. That means your car can now keep its like new pep and power twice as long. It means you can now enjoy low oil consumption twice as long if your car isn't already an oil eater. So if you want to be good to your car and your pocketbook too, drain out that lazy old motor oil. Have a signal dealer refill your crankcase this week with Signal Premium, the amazing new signal oil that reduces engine wear due to lubrication. 50%.

[The Whistler]

Engine wear. Engine wear. Engine wear. Yes, Reid. The storm with its heavy rainfall has fallen the river near Grove's Landing to the point where the town is seriously threatened. But more important, there is the dread danger that Groves hall, the recreation building, will topple into the flood waters and be destroyed. Groves Hall? The building you campaigned for five years ago, Reed. The building you helped design. The building upon which you were supposed to have taken out all coverage insurance. But as city treasurer, you're in a position to omit this item because you were so certain that nothing could happen to Groves Hall. But now the storm is reaching out to destroy the building and you back home alone, you can't think of any way to prevent it or the avalanche of investigation that would follow. Finally, you begin to see a way out. You stop pacing the floor and call your wife.

[Reed Gordon]

Margaret.

[Claire]

Yes, Reed?

[Reed Gordon]

What about the recreation building? Have you heard anything?

[Claire]

No, but don't worry. You've done all you can. Besides, the building is insured.

[Reed Gordon]

Margaret, I.

[Claire]

Yes, dear?

[Reed Gordon]

Nothing. Nothing. You're right, of course. Worrying about the building isn't going to help if it's going down the river. Well, it's going down the river, that's all.

[Claire]

There's always a slim chance it won't.

[Reed Gordon]

It's doomed, Margaret. Only a matter of hours. The important thing right now is the town. We've got to Save it. And I. I should be doing my bit.

[Claire]

Nonsense, dear. You haven't had any sleep in 36 hours. You need your rest now. Please. Forget the river. Going back there.

[Reed Gordon]

I could help. Without going to the river.

[Claire]

What do you mean?

[Reed Gordon]

Margaret, I've got an idea. I'm going to drive down to Fairview now.

[Claire]

But, Read, it's one o' clock in the morning.

[Reed Gordon]

Yes, I know. I know.

[Claire]

Why on earth do you want to go to Fairview?

[Reed Gordon]

Jess Morton, you remember. He owns a construction company. I've done him a favor or two in the past, and now it's. It's time to do one for me.

[Claire]

I don't understand.

[Reed Gordon]

I'm going to see if I can talk him into sending some of his heavy equipment up here. It's one chance to save Grove's Landing.

[Claire]

Well, couldn't you phone him?

[Reed Gordon]

You forget, Margaret, the lines are down.

[Claire]

Perhaps they've been repaired. Let me try.

[Reed Gordon]

No, no, never mind. I. I'd rather talk to Jess in person.

[Claire]

Dear.

[Reed Gordon]

I'm leaving, Margaret. Right now.

[The Whistler]

You've made up your mind, haven't you, Read?

[Reed Gordon]

Yes.

[The Whistler]

Suddenly it all became quite clear to you what you must do. It's your one chance.

[Reed Gordon]

Now.

[The Whistler]

You hurry from the house, drive into town through the heavy downpour, finally stop in front of Claire's apartment building, enter the front door and walk to her apartment and ring her doorbell.

[Reed Gordon]

Read. Let me in.

[Claire]

Lyling. What's the matter? The building has.

[Reed Gordon]

No, no, not yet.

[Claire]

What is it?

[Reed Gordon]

I'm on my way to Fairview.

[Claire]

Fairview?

[Reed Gordon]

To see if I can talk my old friend Jess Morton into sending some heavy equipment up here. At least that's what I told Margaret.

[Claire]

Oh, you have other plans?

[Reed Gordon]

Yes. I just came to say goodbye. Claire, I'm leaving.

[Claire]

Leaving?

[Reed Gordon]

But not in the direction of Fairview. I'm headed north. By the time the building collapses and they get around to checking up on the insurance, I'll be miles away.

[Claire]

And you came to say goodbye. Well, you won't have to.

[Reed Gordon]

What?

[Claire]

I'm going with you.

[Reed Gordon]

Oh, now, wait a minute.

[Claire]

I'm going.

[Reed Gordon]

You don't have to. You know. You're not involved in this thing in any way.

[Claire]

I couldn't stay on here and Grove Landing without you.

[Reed Gordon]

Reid. You don't know what you're letting yourself in for.

[Claire]

I know about the insurance premiums. You haven't paid the city's books that won't bear investigation. What else is there to know?

[Reed Gordon]

It isn't pretty, Claire. Ever hear of Donetti? Mario Donetti?

[Claire]

Dracula? Vaguely. Yeah.

[Reed Gordon]

I've. Well, I've done him favors. The big payoffs. I'm in up to my neck. When this thing breaks, he'll be gunning for me, too. He'll kill me on sight.

[Claire]

Reed, why did you get.

[Reed Gordon]

I said it wasn't pretty.

[Claire]

I'm going with you, Reed, no matter what. I have to be with you.

[Reed Gordon]

Oh, you're wonderful, Claire. I didn't expect this.

[Claire]

We'll make it all right, the two of us. We'll go somewhere far away. They'll never find us. Never.

[Reed Gordon]

Okay, if you're sure. Now, you better get your things. We haven't got much time.

[Claire]

The whole town seems deserted. I hope it is. Wouldn't do if anyone saw us running out like this.

[Reed Gordon]

No one's going to see us. They're all down at the river. I passed the City hall on the way over to your apartment. Black as pitch there. It's a good thing, too.

[Claire]

What do you mean?

[Reed Gordon]

Because I'm making a stop at the City Hall. Claire, we're gonna need some extra money.

[Claire]

You and I. Oh, Reid, you wouldn't.

[Reed Gordon]

What difference is a few more thousand dollars going to make now? After all I've done? Believe me, this money will mean more to us than it will to Grove's Landing.

[Claire]

But it's risky.

[Reed Gordon]

Sure it is. So is running away, but we're doing it because we have to. That is, I have to. It's not too late to change your mind, Claire.

[Claire]

You know my answer, Raina. It'll never change.

[Reed Gordon]

All right, darling. Don't worry. Won't take long to get the money out of the safe, and we'll be on our way.

[The Whistler]

You park on the dark and deserted side street by the city Hall. Claire keeps the motor running while you use your key to open the side door. And once inside, you hurry along the familiar dark halls until you come to your own office. You take a flashlight from the top drawer of your desk, move for the wall safe, and quickly click off the combination. The flashlight leads you to the packet of bills you're looking for. Several thousand dollars, Ree. Enough to take you and Claire far away from Grove's Landing. You close the safe and rush back to the car.

[Claire]

Everything all right, Ree?

[Reed Gordon]

Perfect, darling. Now, let's get out of.

[Claire]

Reed?

[Reed Gordon]

Yeah?

[Claire]

If, as you say, we're headed north, aren't you being a little careless?

[Reed Gordon]

What do you mean?

[Claire]

The bridge. We've got across it to get out of town, and there's a roadblock. Police checking all cars. They remember us.

[Reed Gordon]

We're not going over the bridge.

[Claire]

There's another way.

[Reed Gordon]

The quarry. Upriver, about three miles. There's a big barge tied up there. It's used to haul trucks across the river.

[Claire]

But how could you?

[Reed Gordon]

We'll just drive the car onto the barge. Got across the river, and we're on our way.

[Claire]

What about the night watchman?

[Reed Gordon]

He was down at the river when the others when I left. Chances are he still is.

[Claire]

And if he isn't, well, we'll just.

[Reed Gordon]

Have to take that chance. I wish this infernal rain would stop.

[Claire]

Oh, don't let that bother you, Reed. Just think, every minute we're getting farther from Grove's Landing. You and I, Reid. Oh, I like that. I don't care if it rains forever.

[Reed Gordon]

I guess you're right, Claire. We'll start all over, the three of us.

[Claire]

Three of us?

[Reed Gordon]

You and I. And the city's money, of course.

[Claire]

I'd almost forgot.

[Reed Gordon]

Yes, it'll be wonderful. No more recreation buildings. No more.

[Claire]

No more what, darling?

[Reed Gordon]

There's a car following us. Looks like a state patrol car.

[Claire]

Oh, no. Reed, you gotta drive fast.

[Reed Gordon]

I can't. I'm right at the speed limit now.

[Claire]

They kind of found out about the money so soon?

[Reed Gordon]

I don't know how, but they must have.

[Claire]

He's gaining on it.

[Reed Gordon]

Yes, I know. I know.

[Claire]

Where did he come from?

[Reed Gordon]

I don't know, but here he comes alongside. Keep your head now.

[Claire]

Oh, re. Breathe.

[Reed Gordon]

Okay, Claire. He drove right past us.

[The Whistler]

The road to the quarry is narrow and muddy, and you're forced to drive carefully.

[Reed Gordon]

Slowly.

[The Whistler]

When you arrive, the quarry seems deserted. You drive your car aboard the heavy steel barge and then prepare to cast off as you're trying to start up the motor.

[Reed Gordon]

Come on. Come on.

[Claire]

Reed.

[Reed Gordon]

What's the matter back there?

[Claire]

The watchman's shack. A light.

[Reed Gordon]

Yeah. He would have to come back.

[Claire]

Hurry, Reed. Hurry. Get it started.

[Announcer]

That's what I'm trying to do.

[Reed Gordon]

Ah, there it goes. Hey. Hey, you out there.

[Claire]

Hurry, Reed. Hey, you. Stop.

[Reed Gordon]

Stop.

[The Whistler]

You breathe a sigh of relief as the heavy barge moves out into the river. That was close, wasn't it, Reed? A little too close. The night watchman might have ruined everything for you. The crossing takes only a matter of minutes. And then as you reach the other side, Claire drives the car off the barge. You shut down the motors, and as you do.

[Reed Gordon]

Keep down.

[Claire]

Are you all right?

[Reed Gordon]

Yes, yes.

[Claire]

Let's get out of here. I didn't like those shots.

[Reed Gordon]

I'm afraid old Pop Willis takes his job too seriously. He could have killed us.

[Claire]

Think you recognize it or the car. Do you?

[Reed Gordon]

In this darkness? Of course not. Relax, honey. We're okay now.

[Claire]

Looks like I sort of dozed off.

[Reed Gordon]

You've been sound asleep for over an hour.

[Claire]

Where are we, darling?

[Reed Gordon]

About 75 miles away from Grove's Landing.

[Claire]

Well, we have been traveling. Reed. It stopped raining.

[Reed Gordon]

Uh huh. Look up there. Stars are out.

[Claire]

Oh, what do you know? Storm's over, huh?

[Reed Gordon]

Yeah, it looks that way. At least in this region of this. How about some coffee?

[Claire]

I love it.

[Reed Gordon]

We'll pull into that place up ahead there.

[Claire]

Fine. Read about the state storm?

[Reed Gordon]

Yeah.

[Claire]

You thought by any chance the recreation building?

[Reed Gordon]

I've been wondering the same thing. I'll have to be sure. Very sure. Well, come on, Cliff. Howdy. Good morning.

[The Whistler]

What'll it be, folks?

[Reed Gordon]

Coffee. Would you like some breakfast, darling?

[Claire]

Nope. Coffee will be fine.

[Reed Gordon]

Right.

[The Whistler]

Well, looks like she's all over with, huh?

[Reed Gordon]

Storm, I mean. Yeah. Yeah, it looks that way. According to the weather bureau, it is. No. Yep. Heard it on the news about 15 minutes ago. River ought to start going down pretty soon.

[Claire]

Well, that is good news.

[Reed Gordon]

Yep. Sure had folks up and down this valley worried for a while. It did.

[The Whistler]

Things sure look bad.

[Reed Gordon]

Yeah, so I understand. Let me hear your cream. Oh, thanks. Funny thing about that storm. It's real sudden like. Goes out same way, just like that. Do you have a telephone here? Yep, right back there. Help. Thanks.

[Claire]

Operator.

[Reed Gordon]

Operator, would you give me one seven zero Groves Landing, please?

[Claire]

Deposit 35 cents for three minutes, please.

[Reed Gordon]

Okay.

[Claire]

Hello?

[Reed Gordon]

Hello, Margaret?

[Claire]

Oh, Reed. Where are you?

[Reed Gordon]

On the highway. I just heard the news about the storm. It's really over, huh?

[Claire]

Yes, it's all over. And you don't have to worry about your precious building anymore. The mayor called me only a few minutes ago. He and the city engineer went down to look it over. It's still standing in the dangerous path.

[Reed Gordon]

That's fine, Margaret. I guess I'll start back home now, huh?

[Claire]

Be careful on the road.

[Reed Gordon]

Don't worry, I. I will, Margaret. Goodbye. Well, everything's fine. Just fine.

[Claire]

Claire Reed. You mean.

[Reed Gordon]

I mean the building's okay. The danger's past. We can go back to Grove's Landing now.

[Claire]

Oh, re. This is money. Money you took from the safety. You'd have to get it back somehow.

[Reed Gordon]

Don't worry about that. I'll stop by City hall when we get back to town. Nobody will ever know we borrowed the money, even for a little while. We're okay, Claire. There's not a thing to worry about. Another thing.

[The Whistler]

Engine wear. Engine wear. Engine wear.

[Announcer]

Is engine wear causing Your expensive motor to wear out twice as fast as necessary. It is if you're still using lazy motor oils that merely lubricate. Here's what I mean. In amazing new Signal Premium motor oil, special properties are engineered into the oil through the marvels of modern chemistry. As a result, New Signal Premium not only reduces engine wear due to lubrication 50%, but also protects your motor in all these important extra 1. Keeps oil rings clean and free. 2. Controls and reduces harmful engine deposits such as carbon gum and varnish. 3. Prevents sticking of hydraulic valve lifters. 4. Stops acid corrosion and rust. Best of all, New Signal Premium motor oil gives you all this extra protection at no increase in price. Good reason to get your next oil change at a signal service station. Change this week to the amazing new signal oil that reduces engine wear due to lubrication 50%.

[The Whistler]

Engine wear. Engine wear. Engine wear. Engine wear. Well, Reed, the storm is over and its threat to the recreation building is gone with it. The panic within you is gone too, isn't it? And you're certain you're in the clear now. Free to return to Grove's Landing. But you've made up your mind to see to it that the building is going to be properly insured from now on. You're not going to take another chance, are you? Go through the torture of the past two days again? No, you're going to play it safe somehow. You'll even dissolve your connection with Mario Donnetti, even though it will mean losing that easy money. But a man in your position as city treasurer, well, it shouldn't be too difficult to arrange another profitable sideline. It's almost dawn when you arrive at Grove's Landing. Drop Clare off at her apartment. Then on your way home, you see the lights are on in the mayor's office and you decide to drop in for a chat.

[Reed Gordon]

Well, good morning, Mayor. Morning, Reed. Just get back from Fairview? Yes. Good. Glad you dropped by. Got to leave for the county seat in a little while. Wanted to check our insurance with you. Insurance? What insurance? Oh, that's right. That's right. You've been out of town. I guess you didn't come in by the river. Well, should have seen for yourself. You didn't know that.

[The Whistler]

Reid, I. I don't know how to tell you this.

[Reed Gordon]

Just. Just take a look out the window. What, the recreation building? Yeah. Toppled over into the river. A total loss. But what happened? I talked to Margaret on the phone around three this morning, and she said that didn't happen shortly after 4. But the storm, it was all over. No, it wasn't a storm, Reed. You see, last night, someone stole a quarry barge a few miles up the river. Took it across when they left it. They didn't tie it up properly. The barge, yeah, got away, picked up momentum on its way downstream, finally crashed into the pilings supporting the recreation building and toppled it into the river. Whoever's responsible will pay for this, Reed. I promise you. Now, let's take a look at that insurance.

[Announcer]

Let that whistle be your signal for the Signal Oil program. The Whistler. Each Sunday night at this same time throughout the seven Pacific coast states, the same independently operated Signal Service stations who help you go farther with Signal gasoline are now prepared to reduce your engine wear due to lubrication 50% with amazing new Signal premium motor oil. Why not let a friendly signal dealer change your motor oil tomorrow? Featured in tonight's story were Bill Foreman, William Conrad, Virginia Agnello, Gene Tatum, Hal Dawson, Herb Lytton and Charles Calvert. The Whistler was produced and directed by George W. Allen with story by Adrian John Doe, music by Wilbur Hatch, and was transmitted to our troops overseas by the Armed Forces Radio Service. The Whistler is entirely fictional and all characters portrayed on the Whistler are also fictional. Any similarity of names or resemblance to persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental. Remember, at the same time next Sunday, another strange tale by the Whistler. Marvin Miller, speaking for the Signal Oil Company. Stay tuned now for our Miss Brooks, starring Eve Arden, which follows immediately over most of these stations. This is cbs, the Columbia Broadcasting System.