Squeeze Play by I Was A Communist For The FBI

Summary

“Squeeze Play” – I Was a Communist for the FBI

Relic Radio Thrillers
Originally aired: August 10, 1952 (rebroadcast January 23, 2026)

---

Overview

In this taut episode of I Was a Communist for the FBI, titled “Squeeze Play,” undercover agent Matt Savetic navigates a perilous collision between corrupt political power and Communist subversion. The episode, driven by Dana Andrews’s tense narration, unravels the story of an innocent man caught in the crossfire—a pawn for both a small-town political machine and a Communist propaganda campaign. Themes of justice, manipulation, and the triumph of integrity over corruption form the backbone of this suspenseful drama, which draws on the real-life experiences of FBI informant Matt Savetic.

---

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Reds Choose a "Patsy"

[02:39–05:17]

• The Communist cell meets to devise a propaganda campaign: they’ll champion a local man, Leo Bremner, held without trial for murder, as a political “martyr” to give their cause sympathy and credibility.
• Key insight: Communists don’t always match their caricature; their manipulations are “much more subtle.”
  • Dana Andrews (as Matt): “These ordinary looking people are red functionaries… choosing a patsy, a fall guy, an unsuspecting lamb to be sacrificed on the altar of public sympathy for the commies.” [02:39]
• Mrs. Bremner, Leo’s mother, desperately wants help for her son, not realizing she and Leo are being used for a political agenda.

2. Two Corrupt Forces Collide

[05:35–11:13]

• Woodford City’s political boss, Andy Boland, is exposed as running a “political machine… as corrupt as they come.” Neither lawyers nor the police will defy him.
• The Communists and Boland both decide to use Leo Bremner: the Reds for propaganda, Boland to “eliminate” a troublesome underling and frame him for murder, using manufactured evidence.
  • Boland’s chilling pragmatism: “You know, your patsy Bremner is my patsy too... I can buy all the evidence I need.” [13:12]
• Matt Savetic is ordered by the Party to take the heat and confront Boland, highlighting the expendability of their own agents.

3. The Propaganda Campaign Escalates

[09:07–10:16]

• The Communists launch full-scale agitation—petitions, pamphlets, and protests—all designed to paint Leo as a victim of political persecution.
  • Herbert Samish on tactics: “Once we’ve chosen our man, we’ll use every propaganda device we know... to make the public believe he is being persecuted not for the crime he may have committed, but for being sympathetic to the Communist Party.” [03:50]

4. The Trial and Its Manipulation

[14:31–15:59]

• Bremner’s trial commences, tainted by phony evidence and disruptive demonstrations orchestrated by the Communists. The public is confused about the real issues—Bremner’s actual guilt is obscured.
• Both sides’ corruption is mirrored: Reds want a wrongful acquittal, Boland wants a wrongful conviction.

5. Matt's Moral Quandary and Subterfuge

[16:18–18:06]

• Matt seeks to dissuade the Red leadership but is threatened with becoming a “martyr” for the cause if he balks.
• A poignant moment with Mrs. Bremner reveals her disillusionment as she realizes the group isn’t motivated by compassion, but by political expediency:
  • Mrs. Bremner: “But, Mr. Svetik, Leo is my son. His life is my affair too.” [17:50]
  • Samish: “You must remember, Mrs. Bremner, that your son means nothing to us personally. As an individual, he is nothing.” [18:00]

6. Turning the Tables

[20:06–22:14]

• Matt tips off the anti-Communist press to investigate Bremner’s lack of genuine Red ties, hoping exposure will undermine the Reds’ campaign.
• Matt and Samish attempt to bribe the judge, only to discover he has been simultaneously solicited by Boland’s cronies.

7. The Judge’s Stand

[23:06–24:15]

• In a dramatic courtroom speech, Judge Serrano exposes both bribe attempts and denounces the corrupt environment, declaring a mistrial.
  • Judge: “The proceedings in this court have been a travesty of justice. It behooves me to declare them a mistrial.” [24:09]

8. Aftermath and Resolution

[24:15–26:24]

• The propaganda effort collapses, Samish is disgraced, and Boland’s power is thoroughly undercut.
• The FBI publicly clears Leo Bremner of Communist ties; in his honest retrial, he’s convicted of second-degree murder, but the justice is fair and lenient.
• Matt reflects on the episode’s lessons: the importance of honest men like Judge Serrano and the need for constant vigilance in preserving freedom.

---

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the Communists’ tactics:

  • “Our job is to convince the American public that we communists are poor, mistreated, misunderstood darlings who are being persecuted unjustly according to their constitution.”
    — Herbert Samish [03:32]

• Corruption in politics:

  • Boland: “Look, in our racket, tools are necessary when you want to build a case for yourself. And Bremner is a tool.” [13:08]
  • Boland: “The people stand for what I give them, son. And I’m gonna give them just what you’ve got them yelling for.” [13:24]

• The human cost:

  • Mrs. Bremner: “I don’t care about the world. Leo is my world.” [07:37]
  • Samish (coldly): “You must remember, Mrs. Bremner, that your son means nothing to us personally. As an individual, he is nothing.” [18:00]

• The collapse of both corruptisms:

  • Judge Serrano: “In this atmosphere of corruption, it’s impossible to weigh evidence objectively… The proceedings in this court have been a travesty of justice. It behooves me to declare them a mistrial.” [23:40–24:15]
  • Matt’s summation: “Red treachery, dirty politics and an honest man won.” [25:17]
  • Matt: “Quietly, fervently, secretly, I thanked the Lord for putting more Judge Serranos in America than Andy Bolands or Herbert Samishes.” [26:04]

---

Timestamps For Key Segments

• Communist strategy session, picking the patsy: [02:39–05:30]
• Interaction with Mrs. Bremner: [07:22–09:07]
• Boland lays out his political cynicism: [11:20–13:24]
• Courtroom chaos and Communist agitation: [14:31–15:59]
• Matt vs. Samish; Mrs. Bremner’s heartbreak: [16:18–19:03]
• Samish and Matt attempt judicial bribery: [20:06–22:14]
• Judge Serrano declares mistrial: [23:06–24:15]
• Matt and Boland’s final encounter: [25:07–25:17]
• Matt’s closing reflection: [26:04–26:24]

---

Closing Reflections

Squeeze Play masterfully interweaves suspense and social critique, pitting two forms of corruption—the Machiavellian politician and the unfeeling ideologue—against each other, with innocent lives caught between. The episode’s moral anchor is Judge Serrano, whose integrity and courage briefly restore justice. Through taut scripting and evocative performances, this story resonates as both a historical snapshot and a timeless warning.

---

For more episodes and information, visit RelicRadio.com.

Transcript

[Relic Radio Host]

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. We're going to hear Dana Andrews in I Was a Communist for the FBI this week. The series was first heard from March of 1952 to September of 1953. It would eventually air over all of the major networks. 78 episodes all starring Dana Andrews. We'll hear their story from August 10, 1952 titled Squeeze Play.

[Matt Savetic (Dana Andrews)]

I was a communist for the FBI.

[Herbert Samish]

Playing Dana Andrews and an exciting tale of danger and espionage. I Was a Communist for the FBI. From the actual records and authentic experiences of Matt Savetic come many of the incidents in this unusual story. Here is our star, Dana Andrews as Matt Savetic who for nine fantastic years lived as a communist for the FBI.

[Matt Savetic (Dana Andrews)]

When two corrupt forces meet head on and one of them is communism, the explosion is terrifying for it sprays disaster in every direction. This is the story of such an explosion and the tragedy of the innocent bystanders.

[Herbert Samish]

In a moment, listen to Dana Andrews as Matt Sebetic, Undercover Man. Now here is Dana Andrews as Met Sebetic, Undercover Man. This story from the confidential file is marked Squeeze Play.

[Matt Savetic (Dana Andrews)]

In spite of the political cartoons you've seen, Communists seldom look like long haired zombies with bombs in every pocket. Their sinister aspects are much more subtle. For example, well, here. Consider this group seated around this table. They might be the local PTA board discussing school lunches or the social committees or bowling league planning a dance. But unfortunately they're not. These ordinary looking people are red functionaries in the act of choosing a patsy, a fall guy, an unsuspecting lamb to be sacrificed on the altar of public sympathy for the commies. The purpose of this unholy ritual?

[Herbert Samish]

Of course, comrades, you understand the real purpose of this public sympathy project is to prove the strength of our cause.

[Matt Savetic (Dana Andrews)]

This mild little man, Herbert Samish, our fellow.

[Herbert Samish]

Our job is to convince the American public that we communists are poor, mistreated, misunderstood darlings who are being persecuted unjustly according to their constitution.

[Matt Savetic (Dana Andrews)]

The cure for that is to eliminate their decadent constitution.

[Herbert Samish]

Naturally, comrades. Vedic, but we don't say that.

[Matt Savetic (Dana Andrews)]

What is the procedure, Comrade Savage?

[Herbert Samish]

Ah, the procedure. It's been outlined for us by the National Board of the Party. We are to choose a man who is awaiting trial in jail for some crime or other and help in every possible way to set him free. Once we've chosen our man, we'll use every Propaganda device, we know. Publications, petitions, public demonstrations, that sort of thing. To make the public believe he is being persecuted not for the crime he may have committed, but for being sympathetic to the Communist Party. Political persecution, for some reason, is distasteful to America. Comet.

[Matt Savetic (Dana Andrews)]

Sammy, I have the file here on untried criminal cases. Oh, very good, good. All the people listed here are in jail now awaiting their trial.

[Herbert Samish]

What about this Leo Bremner? You've circled his name.

[Matt Savetic (Dana Andrews)]

Bremner. Oh, he's worth considering. One of our front organizations in Woodford City received a letter from his mother asking us for help.

[Herbert Samish]

Woodford City, huh? That's good territory for us.

[Matt Savetic (Dana Andrews)]

Mrs. Brimner claims her son was picked up on a murder charge two months ago and he'd been held without a hearing. Lawyers won't take the case. The police refuse to act on it.

[Herbert Samish]

In Woodford City, that's quite possible. This man may be made to order for us.

[Matt Savetic (Dana Andrews)]

Bremmer, sympathetic to the proletariat. What difference does it make? Our propaganda will make it seem that he is. Of course.

[Herbert Samish]

And remember, comrades, we'll be helping this poor man. He's in no position to look a gift horse in the mouth.

[Matt Savetic (Dana Andrews)]

Even a red gift horse.

[Herbert Samish]

These big excavation jobs sure are fun to watch, aren't they?

[Matt Savetic (Dana Andrews)]

Yeah, sure are.

[Herbert Samish]

I'm a sidewalk superintendent from way back. These shovels attract me like. Like red to a bul.

[Matt Savetic (Dana Andrews)]

Does this bull see red? Yeah.

[Herbert Samish]

Come on over here.

[Matt Savetic (Dana Andrews)]

We can see better. Well, what's the latest, Matt? Well, he finally picked a patsy for that big propaganda campaign I told you about. Who is he? A guy named Leo Bremner. He's been held incommunicado for two months over in Woodford City. That figures. Why? The FBI got something on Bremer? No, but we know enough about Woodford City. That's Andy Bolan's town. You know Boland, the political boss? Yeah, one of those two bit tyrants who makes the laws as he goes along. Boland's political machine is as corrupt as they come. Very politic. No wonder Samus were so interested in Woodford City. Sure ready made propaganda for the commies. Just be thankful there aren't more towns run by characters like Boland. I guess that's why lawyers won't touch Bremner's case. They must be afraid to buck Boland's machine. Be careful of him, Matt. He can make things rough for you. And rougher for the Bremner kid. Nice spot for Bremner. Dirty politics on one side and the Reds on The other? Yeah. Just see that you're not caught in the middle with him. The next day, Herbert Samish and I started to prepare the lamb for the sacrament. We went to visit Leo Bremner's mother in Woodford city. She was a tired, defeated little woman, dulled by a life of hard work, dismal tenement surroundings and tragedy. I wanted to warn her somehow of the true nature of our plan. But my hints were buried in her desperate, pathetic eagerness for help.

[Mrs. Bremner]

Mrs. Bannister. Mr. Savannick. I can't tell you what this means to me. If you could only get them to listen. To give Leo a hearing, a trial.

[Matt Savetic (Dana Andrews)]

We'll do more than that, Mrs. Bremner. We'll let the world know of the injustice done to him.

[Mrs. Bremner]

I don't care about the world. Leo is my world.

[Matt Savetic (Dana Andrews)]

Your son is a symbol, Mrs. Bremner. A symbol of the little people as struggling masses crushed under the heel of decadent concepts of justice.

[Mrs. Bremner]

Justice in this town. A person named got a chance, not people like us.

[Matt Savetic (Dana Andrews)]

This could never happen in a classless dictatorship of the proletariat.

[Mrs. Bremner]

We got our dictator right here. And Ms. Bolan. Him and his dirty politicians. Look what they're doing to my Leo.

[Matt Savetic (Dana Andrews)]

Would you mind reviewing the facts for us, Mrs. Bremner?

[Mrs. Bremner]

Oh, there was a killing here about, oh, maybe six or eight months ago. The police sort of ignored it, I guess, but everybody kept saying it should be solved. That's killing.

[Matt Savetic (Dana Andrews)]

So Boland's police went out and found themselves a suspect to satisfy the public demand, is that it?

[Mrs. Bremner]

I guess so. All I know for sure is Leo wouldn't kill nobody. I know he wouldn't.

[Herbert Samish]

Has he ever been in trouble before?

[Mrs. Bremner]

He never had time for trouble. School every night and working in the city hall every day, reading books and studying. What for? For what?

[Matt Savetic (Dana Andrews)]

Mrs. Bremner, we'll help your son. We'll do everything we possibly can to help him.

[Mrs. Bremner]

I can't pay nothing. Look how we live. We ain't got money to pay lawyers or.

[Matt Savetic (Dana Andrews)]

We're not interested in money, Mrs. Bremer. No, Mrs. Brender. We are much more interested in your son. And it wasn't long before everyone was interested in Mrs. Bremner's son. The red propaganda machine buzzed into action with Herbert Samish in the pilot seat and I as his co pilot. Have the pamphlets been distributed to Vedic? Yes, Cameron. We covered the tenement district thoroughly.

[Herbert Samish]

300 signatures, all demanding a trial for Bremner. Good work, comrades.

[Matt Savetic (Dana Andrews)]

The other petitions are circulating right now.

[Herbert Samish]

Fine, fine. Now to get to the newspapers. Any of the Woodford City newspapers using our stories?

[Matt Savetic (Dana Andrews)]

None. They're afraid to fight Boland. We'll have to rephrase the stories.

[Herbert Samish]

Look at this headline.

[Matt Savetic (Dana Andrews)]

Comrade Police hold Red sympathizer for murder. Well, it worked.

[Herbert Samish]

It's marvelous. Everyone thinks Brener is a Red because we're supporting him. Now we can accuse Boland of political persecution.

[Matt Savetic (Dana Andrews)]

We'd better be careful. Coward. Boland is bound to strike back.

[Herbert Samish]

I'm quite prepared for that. Oh, by the way, Svetic, this message came for you.

[Matt Savetic (Dana Andrews)]

Oh, thanks.

[Herbert Samish]

Well, anything wrong?

[Matt Savetic (Dana Andrews)]

And just what does this mean?

[Herbert Samish]

Just what it says. You've been invited to visit Andy Boland. Sort of a command performance.

[Matt Savetic (Dana Andrews)]

I imagine. The message is addressed to you. Boland wants to see you, not me. Oh, no.

[Herbert Samish]

I phoned him and explained that you, not I, were in charge of the Bremner campaign.

[Matt Savetic (Dana Andrews)]

But that's not so. Of course not.

[Herbert Samish]

Just a matter of protection, that's all.

[Matt Savetic (Dana Andrews)]

I don't understand.

[Herbert Samish]

Well, Boland obviously wants a showdown. It's very possible that he can undo all the good we've done for our cause. Our party leaders would be terribly displeased.

[Matt Savetic (Dana Andrews)]

With that, wouldn't they? I see. You'd rather they were displeased with me than with you, More or less.

[Herbert Samish]

Let's just consider it your sacrifice for the good of the party.

[Matt Savetic (Dana Andrews)]

And there I was, right in the middle, sharing space with the original victim, Leo Bremner, whom I'd never seen. The only way I could avoid the showdown with Bolan was to admit I was an undercover man, and that was out of the question. There was nothing for me to do but meet Bolan in his office. I found him to be fat, bluff and hearty, with a blotchy face that seemed to be all chin. All right, Svetic, let's get down to caches. You and that stoogee are Sammy commies, aren't you? Is that what you called me here? Never mind. Relax. I know your commies. And I know your angle in this Bremner campaign, too. The old sympathy routine. Yeah, used it myself a few times. But it's not gonna work for you, my boy. You're sure of that? Look, in our racket, tools are necessary when you want to build a case for yourself. And Bremner is a tool. So I'm gonna eliminate Bremner. Fair enough, eh? The people wouldn't stand for that, not even from you. The people? The people? Yeah. The people stand for what I give them, son. And I'm gonna Give them just what you've got them yelling for. You mean you'll put Bremer on trial? Yes, sir. Yeah. You look surprised. I don't believe it. You haven't got enough evidence to convict him. You sure of that? The boy man of my position can buy all the evidence he needs. You know, your patsy Bremner is my patsy too. What do you mean by that? Leo Bremler did commit that murder. What? Maybe you don't know it, but Bremner is just a two bit ward healer. Hey, worked for me buying votes. Started getting uppity, so he sent a man to straighten them up. There was a fight and Leo killed him. Why? Why haven't you put him on trial before? He knows too much. But you and your Red playmates have given me a good excuse to get him out of the way for keeps. Yeah, I'll tag him as Red. Load the evidence against him for treason, the works. Yes, sir. I'm gonna kill two birds with one conviction. The tribe will get rid of Bremner and your Commie big shots is gonna get rid of you. You see, Svetic, I can play the Red game too.

[Herbert Samish]

Now back to dana andrews as matt sebetic. And I was a communist for the FBI. And the second act in our story.

[Matt Savetic (Dana Andrews)]

There are two insidious forces of corruption threatening our freedom today. One, the cheap politicians like Andy Boland who exploit our liberty in the name of Americanism. The other, even worse, the rotten hearted subversive led by Herbert Samish and other dedicated Reds who seek to undermine America in the name of Communism. Both forces usually feed on each other, but in this case they were feeding on me. To ensure a conviction. Bolan had loaded Bremner's trial with all sorts of phony evidence. Every point against Bremner was a point against me in the Commie records. And there was nothing I could do about it. As the trial went on, though, my busy Red comrades were doing everything possible to set a murderer on screams.

[Herbert Samish]

Order. Order in the court, please. If these conference interruptions don't stop, I'll be forced to clear the court. Yeah, sure. It's easier to convict a political prisoner in private. I wish to impress upon the jury the importance of overlooking these interruptions. Please remember that the defendant is on trial for murder and nothing else.

[Matt Savetic (Dana Andrews)]

He wouldn't be on trial at all if he had reactionary. That's right.

[Herbert Samish]

That's right. There will be a recess until 10 tomorrow morning.

[Matt Savetic (Dana Andrews)]

It didn't stop there. The Red staged public demonstrations all over Woodford City claiming that the bewildered Leo Bremner was the victim of political persecution. All this in spite of the fact that Bremner was actually a murderer. At my next meeting with Herbert Samish, I tried to reason with him.

[Herbert Samish]

My dear comrade Svetik, we can't stop our work now. It would be a moral victory for the enemy.

[Matt Savetic (Dana Andrews)]

But we'll do the party more harm if we side with an out and out killer. Our leaders will be furious.

[Herbert Samish]

If that happens, I'm afraid you'll be a martyr to our cause. I've arranged for that, you know.

[Matt Savetic (Dana Andrews)]

Yes, I know. Oh, Is that what bothers you? My welfare is governed by the progress of the proletarian revolt. I have no. I have no. I'm sorry to interrupt, Mrs. Bremmer. What brings you here?

[Mrs. Bremner]

Oh, I, I just came to say how grateful I am for everything you've done.

[Matt Savetic (Dana Andrews)]

Well, that's very nice of you.

[Mrs. Bremner]

Nobody else would help me. Only you and your friend. Without you, my Leo would never have got a trial.

[Herbert Samish]

We appreciate your gratitude, Mrs. Bremner.

[Mrs. Bremner]

Well, I, I, I just wanted to say thank you.

[Matt Savetic (Dana Andrews)]

You're very welcome. Is there something else on your mind, Mrs. Bremer?

[Mrs. Bremner]

Well, I, I.

[Matt Savetic (Dana Andrews)]

That's all right. Speak up.

[Mrs. Bremner]

Well, I came to ask you something, if you please don't mind.

[Herbert Samish]

Not at all.

[Matt Savetic (Dana Andrews)]

We want to help, you know.

[Mrs. Bremner]

I wonder, would it be all right if your friends didn't keep interrupting Leo's trial like they do? I, I mean, the judge and the jury, we think.

[Herbert Samish]

Leo.

[Matt Savetic (Dana Andrews)]

Just a minute, please.

[Herbert Samish]

Is this your doing, Sveti?

[Matt Savetic (Dana Andrews)]

Absolutely not. In fact, I resent her telling us how to run our affairs.

[Mrs. Bremner]

But, Mr. Svetik, Leo is my son. His life is my affair too.

[Matt Savetic (Dana Andrews)]

There's a time and place for that sort of sentimental path. Exactly.

[Herbert Samish]

You must remember, Mrs. Bremner, that your son means nothing to us personally. As an individual, he is nothing.

[Mrs. Bremner]

Nothing. Then why. Why do you.

[Matt Savetic (Dana Andrews)]

If you have anything else on your mind, Mrs. Bremer, stop dawdling and say it.

[Mrs. Bremner]

Well, Yes, I, I keep hearing people say Leo and me are communists. The newspapers, they keep saying we got communist friends.

[Matt Savetic (Dana Andrews)]

What's wrong with having communist friends?

[Mrs. Bremner]

But it ain't so. Leo and me, we've been good Americans. We don't.

[Matt Savetic (Dana Andrews)]

Are you going to stand for this, comrade?

[Herbert Samish]

Certainly not. You're a blind fool, Mrs. Bremner. The trouble with poor simpletons like you is that you haven't enough communist friends. You're all alike. You and all the spineless, underfed people like you. You don't know what you Want or how to get it? You're suckers. You don't belong in any society. And you have the nerve to tell us how to run things.

[Mrs. Bremner]

I. I don't understand. You were my friend. You never spoke to me this way.

[Matt Savetic (Dana Andrews)]

I don't understand. Troublesome, isn't she, Comrade Samish?

[Herbert Samish]

More trouble than she's worth. Sometimes I doubt whether these little people, these downtrodden masses, are worth all the bother.

[Matt Savetic (Dana Andrews)]

Our superiors on the Control Commission would be interested in that statement.

[Herbert Samish]

Well, I mean it. They ju. What do you mean?

[Matt Savetic (Dana Andrews)]

I mean that you've talked too much for your own good or the good of the Party.

[Herbert Samish]

What?

[Matt Savetic (Dana Andrews)]

Your attitude toward Mrs. Bremner is detrimental to our work. And your comment about the masses is downright disloyal.

[Herbert Samish]

You don't intend to report me, do you?

[Matt Savetic (Dana Andrews)]

It's my duty as a sincere Party worker.

[Herbert Samish]

But you. You. You can't. Comrade, you know how hard I work. You know how I.

[Matt Savetic (Dana Andrews)]

As far as I'm concerned, you bungled this entire Bremner assignment. Oh, now, Comrade, I. I have made.

[Herbert Samish]

A few mistakes, but really.

[Matt Savetic (Dana Andrews)]

And you've made me responsible for your mistakes. You seem to value your personal welfare far more than the Party.

[Herbert Samish]

No, no, Comrade.

[Matt Savetic (Dana Andrews)]

Now, really.

[Herbert Samish]

I hold you responsible only for your advice, your suggestions. My mistakes are my own.

[Matt Savetic (Dana Andrews)]

Then take my advice and ensure the success of the Bremner assignment once and for all. Ensure it?

[Herbert Samish]

How?

[Matt Savetic (Dana Andrews)]

Sit down. I'll explain. Poor Mrs. Bremner didn't know it, but she had helped me needle Samish into a trap. Now that I had him there, I had to use my advantage. Before I was caught there with him, I wasn't sure which would close first, the trial of Leo Bremner or the trap. And I couldn't wait to place any bets.

[Herbert Samish]

Beaker speaking.

[Matt Savetic (Dana Andrews)]

Beaker, this is Red. Hi. You all right? So far, but it's been a battle. Who's winning? Score's even now, but I need your help. That's what we're here for. Check up on Leo Bremner. If there's no evidence that he's a Red or shouldn't be, publish the report in all the papers. If we get the commie element out of this case, the whole Red plan will fall apart. Yeah. I'll give Bremner a chance to be tried for the crime he's accused of. Okay. What's your next step? Samish and I are going to bribe the judge. When I suggested bribery to Samish, he was surprised and pleased. He wished he'd thought of it himself. So I told him to take full credit for it in his report to the Control Commission. That made him even more enthusiastic. As far as Judge Serrano was concerned, I had checked his record in public office and felt pretty sure that his reaction would be characteristic. Why, of course, I'm interested in the money.

[Herbert Samish]

What normal human being isn't?

[Matt Savetic (Dana Andrews)]

But is it enough money, Judge Serrano? Enough to free Leo Bremner?

[Herbert Samish]

This. This offer puts me in a peculiar position. I suppose you know, Samish, that the Bowman administration wants Bremner convicted. They've made me a similar offer.

[Matt Savetic (Dana Andrews)]

I assume they have, but I wasn't sure. Now, with this offer of yours. Well, I. I don't know.

[Herbert Samish]

I'd better think this over a bit.

[Matt Savetic (Dana Andrews)]

We'll have your answer tomorrow. Tomorrow was a long time in coming, but when the wide double doors to the courtroom opened, Hamish and I were there to seat ourselves among the spectators. From our seats near the back of the room, we could catch fleeting glimpses of Leo Bremner's face. An old face for a young man, frightened, bitter, tired. Andy Boland was there, too, shaking hands and waving to anyone who happened to brush by him. Maybe it was my own state of mind, but the scene of the trial seemed to bristle with unusual tension and excitement. Judge Serrano took his place at the bench, and the formalities were dispensed with quickly. Then the courtroom grew silent as the judge announced that he had a statement to make.

[Herbert Samish]

This trial has been extremely hard on everyone concerned. The constant interruptions from the spectators, a tendency to confuse the jury with irrelevant testimony. And now I must confess that I've been tempted with bribery. Last night, a man named Samish, Herbert Samish, tried to bribe me to favor the defense. And earlier, the Andrew Bolan administration offered me money to favor the prosecution. Order, please. Order. In this atmosphere of corruption, it's impossible to weigh evidence objectively. And it's most difficult to bring justice to the people when the people are represented by corrupt officials. The proceedings in this court have been a travesty of justice. It behooves me to declare them a mistrial.

[Matt Savetic (Dana Andrews)]

A mistrial. The only honest way to treat the vile, dishonest situation. Judge Serrano, an honest man, had stayed in character, just as I'd hoped he would. In all the confusion, I didn't see Comrade Samish leave the courtroom. In fact, I never saw him again, for he was held fully responsible for the downfall of this Commie project. As for Andy Boland, he stopped me in the corridor outside the corridor. Chaotic courtroom. Well, well. Congratulations, Cec. Nice work. Why congratulate me, Bo? Yeah, don't kid me. You were behind that job. You got the right kind of mind, kiddo. I'd give you a job with me in a minute, but looks like I'm through. That judge fixed me for keeps. Yes, I guess he did.

[Herbert Samish]

But I'll be around.

[Matt Savetic (Dana Andrews)]

Hey, look, I operate pretty much like the commies.

[Herbert Samish]

Maybe you and me can get together.

[Matt Savetic (Dana Andrews)]

On something else real soon. Maybe, Volun. But I doubt it. Red treachery, dirty politics and an honest man one. As for Leo Bremner, well, the FBI cleared him of the taint of communism. But his second trial, an honest one, convicted him of second degree murder. The sentence was lenient, but just quietly, fervently, secretly, I thanked the Lord for putting more Judge Serrano's in America than Andy Boland's or Herbert Samishes. And I vowed that until I could walk once more among honest men, I'd prefer to walk alone.

[Herbert Samish]

Dana Andrews will return in just a moment.

[Matt Savetic (Dana Andrews)]

This is Dana Andrews with a reminder that freedom is like a fateful clock. It must be wound and rewound regularly or it just stops ticking. In the story you just heard, names, dates and places are fictitious to protect innocent persons. Many of these stories are based on incidents in the life of Matt Savetic, who worked undercover for the FBI. Next week, another fantastic adventure. Join us then, won't you? Foreign.

[Relic Radio Host]

You can find more from I Was a Communist for the FBI Relic Radio Thrillers and all of the Relic Radio shows at the website relicradio.com you can donate through that website as well if you'd like to help support this and all of the shows. Thanks to those who have. Thanks for joining me this week. Be back tomorrow with the Horror and next Friday with our next episode of Relic Radio Thrillers.