Relic Radio Thrillers: "The Lloyd Mawson Entry" by Diary Of Fate
Original Air Date: February 7, 1948
Podcast Release: February 27, 2026
Host: RelicRadio.com

Episode Overview

This episode from the golden age radio series Diary Of Fate presents a tightly-woven tale of fate, chance, and moral collapse. Listeners follow Lloyd Mawson, a struggling junior executive whose yearning for success—and a couple of seemingly insignificant incidents—set him on a path to ruin. Narrated by “Fate” itself, the story explores how minor moments can become the catalysts for life-altering decisions, culminating in suspense, crime, and poetic justice.

Key Discussion Points & Plot Breakdown

Introduction to Lloyd Mawson (00:51)

• Fate introduces Lloyd Mawson: an executive convinced his lack of success is due to bad luck, not his own efforts.
  • “Fate plays no favorite. It could happen to you… The name Lloyd Mawson, Jr. Executive. Yet, Lloyd… you are a failure… convinced that the ledgers of life are carelessly audited…” – Fate (00:51)

The Coincidence That Starts It All (02:00–05:20)

• Running late, Lloyd stops to make a phone call, but doesn't have change.
• He meets his old friend Jim Wyatt—prosperous and confident now.
  • “Jim Wyatt. Why, Lloyd Mawson. Well, well, this is a surprise… You certainly look successful enough.” – Lloyd (Approx. 02:02)
• They agree to meet for cocktails later, a result of Lloyd’s chance encounter (“lack of a coin”).

Dissatisfaction and Envy (05:39–06:35)

• Over lunch, Lloyd complains to his girlfriend Christine about his lack of luck and envies Jim’s success.
  • “That storybook rags to riches stuff makes me sick.” – Lloyd (06:05)
  • Christine counsels patience: “No one can afford to sit and wait for lady luck to smile… It just doesn’t work that way, Lloyd.” – Christine (06:35)

At Work: Temptation Brews (06:58–08:58)

• Lloyd’s boss, Mr. Barnes, reassures him over a lost account, shares concerns about security (recent robberies), and mentions the company safe’s new combination.

The Proposal and Desperation (09:00–12:00)

• At drinks, Jim invites Lloyd to invest $10,000 for a share in his growing real estate venture.
  • “For every dollar I make, the boss gets 50… I’m ready to go into business for Jim Wyatt… You, Lloyd… it’ll cost you $10,000…” – Jim Wyatt (10:10–11:10)
• Lloyd is determined but can only raise half; he becomes obsessed with getting the funds “one way or another”—planting the seed for what follows.

Fate Intervenes: The Gust of Wind (12:00–14:00)

• Distracted, Lloyd opens his office window. A gust of wind blows a memo to the floor, revealing the new safe combination embedded in the paper—a classic twist of fate.
  • “A gust of wind… the impression… you could plainly see the combination… the safe that held $5,000…” – Fate (13:25)

The Alibi Plot (15:07–19:29)

• Lloyd starts constructing his alibi:
  • Announces to Christine he’ll be home working.
  • Overhears Mr. Barnes declining dinner plans, uses that as conversational “evidence” he’s home.
  • Visits a radio station to obtain a list of songs for “Lucky 12,” which will air during his intended heist.

Execution of the Crime (19:29–23:00)

• Lloyd carefully puts his alibi into place:
  • Leaves evidence he’s home (car, conversations with neighbors, radio playing).
  • Calls Christine at 8:30, reinforcing his “at home” story.
  • Slips out while the radio plays, breaks into the safe, steals the payroll.
• Caught unexpectedly by the night watchman, Charlie. In panic, Lloyd kills Charlie.
  • “No, you’re doing. Now. Give me that gun. Give it to me. Give it here. I see. Now, Charlie, you’re not going to make any phone call.” – Lloyd (21:39)

Fate’s Poetic Justice (24:00–29:00)

• Lloyd returns home, convinced his alibi is perfect.
• Mr. Barnes and police come to question him. Lloyd proudly claims he can name every song played on “Lucky 12”—then fate intervenes.
• The radio program actually calls Lloyd live for a jackpot question, proving he couldn’t have been listening (“Tonight’s Lucky 12 jackpot question is worth $5,000…” – Radio Host, approx. 27:40).
• Lloyd exposes himself and is arrested.
  • “…what might have been your good fortune instead became the instrument of your destruction.” – Fate (28:20)

Fate’s Closing Reflection (29:00–29:45)

• Fate sums up Lloyd’s story as a lesson: chance and small decisions can lead to downfall when character is weak.
  • “Through the simple lack of a coin and a sudden gust of wind, Lloyd Mawson chose for evil. And the end for him was death.” – Fate (29:37)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On fate’s impartiality:
  “Fate plays no favorite. It could happen to you.” – Fate (00:51)

• On Lloyd’s worldview:
  “You are convinced that the ledgers of life are carelessly audited and that your failure can only be attributed to an unequal distribution of fortune’s bounty.” – Fate (00:51)

• Christine’s grounded warning:
  “No one can afford to sit and wait for lady luck to smile. It just doesn’t work that way, Lloyd.” – Christine (06:35)

• Justification for the crime:
  “I’ll have that money. One way or another.” – Lloyd (approx. 13:52)

• The ultimate irony:
  “What might have been your good fortune instead became the instrument of your destruction… Through the simple lack of a coin and a sudden gust of wind, Lloyd Mawson chose for evil. And the end for him was death.” – Fate (28:20, 29:37)

Important Timestamps

• 00:51: Introduction by Fate, setting the scene
• 05:39: Lloyd’s frustrations and envy
• 06:58: Office discussion—payroll & security
• 10:10: Jim Wyatt’s business proposal
• 13:25: Lloyd discovers the safe combination by chance
• 15:07: Starts alibi planning with Christine
• 19:29: Final preparations for his crime
• 21:39: Confrontation with the night watchman (“Give me that gun…”)
• 27:40: Lucky 12 program exposes Lloyd
• 29:37: Fate’s closing reflection

Tone and Style

The episode sustains a taut atmosphere of suspense, regret, and cosmic irony—the signature style of Diary Of Fate. The fate narrator’s solemn, omniscient commentary frames Lloyd’s tragic descent, turning what might be a simple crime drama into a meditation on luck, character, and destiny.

Final Note

“The Lloyd Mawson Entry” is a classic suspense morality tale: engaging, tightly plotted, and wholly characteristic of old time radio’s ability to draw big themes from little details. The relentless, impartial "Fate" looms over every conversation and coincidence, making this cautionary episode as thought-provoking today as it was in 1948.