← Stars on Suspense (Old Time Radio)
Stars on Suspense (Old Time Radio)
Encore - Jack Benny: No Sillies, Just Suspense
01:37:19
As we head into the long Labor Day weekend, enjoy this encore episode featuring one of radio's greatest comedians trading laughs for thrills as Jack Benny stars on Suspense! First, he finds a bag of money and a pile of trouble in "Murder in...
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Now, let's see. Suspect, suspect, suspend. Ah, here we are. Suspense, the condition of mental uncertainty. Usually accompanied by apprehension or anxiety. Fear of something which is about to occur as. Do not keep me any longer in suspense. Hello and welcome to this bonus episode of Stars on Suspense. Where I look back in the archives and pick my favorite episodes from one star's run on radio's outstanding theater of Thrills. Our star today is Jack Benny, one of radio's funniest comedians who proved to be no slouch in the dramatic department. When he visited Suspense on his own long running radio comedy series. Benny perfected a Persona as the perpetual straight man to a crazy cast of supporting characters. The radio character of Jack Benny was vain, claiming to be 39, well into his 50s, notoriously cheap, a ham actor, a wannabe romantic leading man and a self proclaimed violin virtuoso. But the real Benny by all accounts was kind and generous. And as his suspense appearances show, he was a much better actor than the jokes at his own expense would suggest. Between 1951 and 1954, Jack Benny starred in four episodes of Suspense. And today we'll hear three of them. Though technically, Benny's first Suspense appearance came on December 30, 1948, when he joined William Bendix to promote the move of the Jack Benny program to CBS in January 1949. It's always a pleasure to appear on Suspense. This is probably every actor's favorite program and I know that. Help. Help. Let me out. Hey, there's someone in that closet. Well, Jack Benny, what are you doing in there? Oh, hello, Bill. I. I'm glad somebody let me out. Well, I don't get it. What's the idea, Jack? Well, you see, Bill, I'm moving my program to CBS Sunday nights. And I thought I'd drop in and look over the studio and pick one out, you know. Then all of a sudden all that shooting started and I hid in the closet. Oh, well, I'm sure glad you didn't stop any of those bullets, Jack. We all want to hear you next Sunday night on cbs. Your program has always been on my must list along with suspense. Well, thanks, Bill. By the way, what about next week's Suspense? Next week Radio's Outstanding Theater of Thrills presents Gene Kelly and Ethel Barrymore in To Find Help, another gripping study in. No, wait a minute, wait a minute. Wait. Let me say it, will you? Huh? You know that one word? Let me say. Sure, Jack. Next week hear Gene Kelly and Ethel Barrymore in To Find Help. Another gripping study in suspense. Who said I can't do drama. His first dramatic performance on the show came in murder in G flat. In this episode, originally aired on CBS on April 5, 1951, Benny plays a piano tuner with the fantastic name of Hercules Remington. One fateful day on the subway, Hercules accidentally exchanges bags with a stranger. The mystery man goes home with Hercules piano tuning tools, and Hercules discovers a bag full of money. But the tuner's bag had his name on it. And now the owner of that bag is out looking for Hercules. The supporting cast includes Bea Benedara, Joseph Kearns, Jack Krushen and Larry Thor. Playing a police lieutenant who's not too far removed from his character of Detective Danny Clover. On Broadway is My Beat Richard George Pedicini wrote the script. It's serious stuff, but they find a way to reference Benny's radio Persona at the final curtain. It's my personal favorite of Jack Benny's appearances and it's one of my favorite favorite episodes of suspense. Next is A Good and Faithful Servant, originally aired on CBS on June 2, 1952. Benny stars here as a longtime department store employee who decides to help himself to a larger pension on the eve of his retirement. One fake robbery later and he's set for life until a pair of co workers discover his scheme and blackmail him into a repeat performance. The script is by Dick Powell, the radio writer, not the big screen and radio star, and the supporting cast includes Doris Singleton, Gerald Moore, High Averback and Norma Varden. And finally, we'll head to Mars for the unusual story of Plan X. This one originally aired on CBS on February 2, 1953, and it stars Benny as Zeno, a Martian citizen who's sent to greet the occupants of a rocket recently arrived from Earth. It's a rare science fiction detour for the usually very earthbound suspense, and Jack Benny is great as an average Joe on the red planet selected for an unusual duty. And it's all part of a secret effort to put the mysterious Martian Plan X into effect. Interestingly, it's the second show we'll hear today where Benny's character still lives at home with his mother, and in both cases his mom is played by Norma Varden. Also in the cast are Howard McNear, Mary Jane Croft and John McIntyre. It's another script written by Dick Powell, and all three of these episodes were produced and directed by Elliot Lewis. Now sit back and listen as Jack Benny trades smart smiles for suspense in three old time radio thrillers. Autolite and its 96,000 dealers present suspense. Tonight. Autolite brings You a story of treachery and greed. A story we call Murder in g flat. Starring Mr. Jack Benny. Greetings, Pepito. My favorite free holy fryer. What's on the menu? The special, Senor Wilcoxi, is Autolyte Stay Full Battery. You mean you're serving the battery that needs water only three times a year in normal carios. See? See? What is better for quick, dependable starts? Ah, nothing's better than an Auto Light Stay Full. That frisky friend of car owners from coast to coast. But. But you don't want one, senor. Everybody wants an Autolite Stay Full. The buxom battery with fiberglass retaining mats protecting every positive plate to prevent shedding and flaking. And to keep the Autolite Stay Full Battery power packed for Paramount Performance. Si, si. How you want it, senor? Why, it's perfect just as it is, Pepito. And built to give longer life, as proved by tests conducted according to accepted life cycle standards. So, friends, have your neighborhood Autolite battery dealer serve your car an Autolite Stay Full Battery. The battery that needs water only three times a year in normal car use. See? See? And remember, you're always right with Auto Light. And now with Murder in G Flat and the transcribed performance of Mr. Jack Benny, autolite hopes once again to keep you in suspense, a lieutenant in here, sir. In the rec hall. What's he doing in the rec hall? Well, he thought he'd tuned the piano while he was waiting. Lieutenant. Sunday night. Why couldn't you guys pick a better night than Sunday night? My one day off and I have to come down here. Sorry we had to call you, Joe. This the guy, huh? Yeah. Hey, you. That's it. C flat. If I had my wrench. This is the Lieutenant. Oh, I'm sorry, Lieutenant. Same. Oh, my name is Remington. Hercules Remington. That's it, Joe. We checked. Pardon me, Lieutenant, but my wife Martha is going to be awfully worried. You see, I haven't seen her since this morning. They told me. You haven't seen your wife since this morning? No, and I thought that if I could phone her and at least tell her where I am. Where'd you pick him up? Coney Island, Joe. He called us from there. Yes, and I should have called my wife, too. Look, Lieutenant, I don't want to seem persistent about this. You'll have plenty of time later to call your wife. Now, give the lieutenant the story in detail, just like you told it to me on the way down here to the station. What kind of work do you do, Remington? Well, I'm a Piano tuner. Lieutenant. Yours is out of tune. C flat, Lieutenant. See if I could get my bag. I. Look, Remington, I haven't got all night. Now either get on with your story or I'll have. All right, Lieutenant, but. But I really would like to call my wife first. Start your story. All right, all right. But if there's any explaining to be done to my wife, you guys will have to do it. We'll be happy to. Now go ahead. Yes, sir. Well, Lieutenant, this whole mess started yesterday morning. Saturday. I got up, had breakfast with my wife Martha and my Uncle Herman. He's my black sheep uncle of the family. He's a carnival man. Came to work at the World's Fair here and has been living with us ever since. I think he ought to pay at least one third of the rent. But Martha, well, she feels sorry for him. Anyway, I left the house around 10 o' clock on my way to the Lippenridge School of Music. I usually tune their pianos on the first Saturday of the month, you see, because there aren't any classes there. On that Saturday I catch the BMT at 57th and get off at Union Square. Well, yesterday morning I got on the subway just like I always do. I carry a little ordinary brown bag with all my tools in it and usually lay it right next to me under the seat. I was just sitting there thinking hard, wondering how I was going to meet the bills at the end of the month, when a man sat down next to me. He shoved something under the seat and just sat there staring ahead. B flat. D flat, B flat, B flat. B flat, B flat. I beg your pardon? Oh, I'm sorry. I guess I got carried away for a moment. Four stops later, the man got up, reached under the seat, pulled out a little brown bag and started for the door. I remember noticing he was bald headed and wearing big black horn rimmed glasses. For a minute I thought he'd stolen my bag of tools. But I reached my hand under the seat and found my bag was still there. I remember sort of chuckling to myself, thinking of the coincidence that he'd been carrying the same type of bag. Well, anyway, I got off at Union Square and walked up to the Lippenridge School of Music on 14th. There are four floors there, you know. A piano on each floor. I usually start at the top and work my way down. Well, since the school doesn't have any classes on Saturday, the place was deserted. Hmm, that one's sour. Yeah, D flat. I'll soon have that in shape. What the. I zipped open My bag to take out my tuning hammer and my wedges. But. But there were no tools in my bag. The tools were gone. And in their place were bundles and bundles of crisp ten dollar bills. And then it hit me. The little bald headed man on the subway. The man who sat down next to me. This bag belonged to him. He picked up mine by mistake. There was no name on the bag, no identification of any kind. I started counting one of the bundles. Each bundle contained $1,000 in $10 bills. And there were 25 bundles. I had just come here to $25,000. When I got home, Martha was washing some clothes out on the back porch. And Uncle Herman was rolling pennies for his pitch penny concession. I called both of them into the living room, pulled all the shades down, closed and locked all the doors and set the bag on the table. Hercules, what are you doing back home so soon? What kind of nonsense is this? Nephew. Martha. Uncle Herman. You look awful pale. I guess I do. Hercules, what's the matter with you? Listen to me, both of you. I. I'm rich. Oh, for heaven's sake, Hercules, act your age. I'm not lying to you. Look, I gotta get out. You must be sick. Look, will both of you be quiet for just a minute? Sounds like he's drunk. Are you sick, Hercul? Look, I'm not sick and I'm not drunk. I've got it right here. You've got what? Look. Wow. Hercules. Now do you believe me? Now do you believe I'm not sick or drunk? Look at it. $25,000. $25,000. That's a lot of money. Hercules. Hercules, where'd you get all this money? I found it. Found it? Found it? Yes, I. Listen to me, Hercules. Remington. Don't you lie to me. Where'd you get all that money? I told you, Martha. I found it. I haven't lived with you for 10 years for nothing. I know when you're lying to me. Tell me, where'd you get all this money? If I tell you the truth, I know you won't believe it. Well, tell me anyway. Well, all right. Look. This morning I got on the subway just like I always do. Some little bald headed man with black horn rimmed glasses sat down next to me. When he got up to get off the subway, I noticed he was carrying a brown bag just like mine. At first I thought it was mine, but mine was still under the seat. Anyway, when I got to the music school, I opened my bag and all this money was in it. Sounds fantastic, Hercules, but it's the truth. The little man picked up my bag by mistake. I searched this one for some identification, but there isn't any. Then. Then you mean the little bald headed man has your bag with the tools in it? I guess he does. It seems odd that anyone would be carrying this much money around in a little brown bag. Odd or not, the fact still remains that I didn't steal it. Well, I guess there isn't any way that you can get a hold of this man. So we'll just have to turn the money over to the police. The. The police? Yes, I said the police. But. But why? Why? Good heavens, Hercules, you don't expect to keep this money? Why not? It isn't ours. Why? Why isn't it ours? I found it. I didn't steal it. Martha. Hercules. Martha, don't you see? Maybe this is fate. Maybe we were meant to have this money. Maybe if you just. Tracy, you're out of your head. You're talking like a madman and I won't have it. But Martha, you didn't come by this money honestly. It isn't legally yours. Now wait a minute, Martha. Maybe Hercules is. You stay out of this, Uncle Herman. Hercules, you're going to take this money to the police. No, no I'm not. I'm not going to take this to the police or anyone else. Do you understand me? I'm not going to take this money to the police. Hercules, I don't understand you at all. But mark my words, you'll pay for this. Well, don't pay no attention to her, nephew. But why does she have to be that way? Why can't she understand me just this once? Why can't she see my side of it? I didn't steal this money. No, you didn't, nephew. Then I'm going to keep it. Sure you are, nephew. Sure you are. You're going to keep it. You bet I am. The next morning. That was this morning Sunday. Martha wouldn't speak to me at all. Her eyes were all red and puffed up. I could see that she'd been crying. Uncle Herman wasn't doing much talking either. Martha just kept sniffling as she puttered around the stove. Martha, my peach isn't peeled. Peel it yourself. But I. Here, I'll peel it for you, nephew. Thanks, Uncle Herman. Martha, please, won't you try? Don't talk to me. No. Don't be too hard on him, Martha. After all, a man's got a right. I told you once. Uncle Herman, you stay out of this. It's none of your business. Sorry she's plenty mad. Well, ain't you gonna answer the phone? Hello? Mr. Remington? Yes? Hercules Remington? Yes. Who is this, please? I. I want to return your bag of piano tools to you, Mr. Remington. I. I believe there was a slight mix up. I believe in my haste I picked up your bag instead. But. But how did you find me? I mean. Oh, it was quite simple. There's only one piano tuner with the initials HR In New York City. Well, well, what do you know? You do want your piano tools back, don't you? Mr. Remington, listen to me. I don't think you'd like the idea of not being able to tune any more pianos. Why? And I'd like to have my bag returned, of course. As soon as possible. Yes. Tonight. Tonight at 9:30. Tonight. Meet me at Madison Square Garden. Madison Square Garden at 9:30. At the 49th street entrance. The door on the far end will be left slightly open. And Please be prompt, Mr. Remington, with my brown bag. You see, it will displease my business partner considerably if he finds I've lost the bag. All right. The 49th street entrance. The door on the far end. Hercules, what's wrong? Well, you're as white as a ghost. I am? You sure are. I guess I should be. That was the little bald headed man with horn rimmed glasses. Uncle Herman, I've just lost 25,000 doll. Uncle Herman went in the living room to read the Sunday paper. I went in the bedroom to tell Martha about the phone call. But she wasn't there. In fact, she wasn't anywhere in the house. She was gone. And I figured that she'd probably gone over to her sister's house. I was so nervous the rest of the afternoon I couldn't eat a thing. I left the house for Madison Square Garden about 9 o'. Clock. From riches to rags. In about 24 hours I was back riding the subway. I walked up 8th Avenue to the Garden. I turned and walked up 49th street to the entrance. And stopped. Sure enough, one of the doors on the far end was open a little. Just as the little man had told me it would be. I slipped in through the open door. It was pitch black. I couldn't see a thing. Hello? Hello. Anybody here? Hello? Is there anyone here? What the. I stumbled over something and almost fell. I struck a match and looked down at a body. The body of the little man in horn rimmed glasses. His head was all covered with blood. I started to blow out the match. Then something caught my eye. Lying next to his body was my brown bag with the initials HR and next to the bag covered with blood was my tuning hamper. Autolite is bringing you Mr. Jack Benny in Murder in G Flat. Tonight's production in radio's outstanding theater of thrills Susp. Senor Wilcox, why does the Autolite stay Full Battery need water like Pepito needs a hole in the head. Well, Pepito, the Auto Light Stay full needs water only three times a year in normal car use. Because that consistently conserving and constantly cooperating battery has over three times the liquid protection of batteries without Stay full features. Ah. And why is the Autolite stay full strong as a bull, senor? Because of the fiberglass retaining mats protecting every positive plate. They prevent shedding and flaking and keep the power producing materials in place. Greater convenience and dependable starting. Yes, senor. Right, Pepito. And in addition, the Autolite Stay full battery gives you longer life as proved by tests conducted according to accepted life cycle standards. And all these make the Stay Full welcome as fiesta after fiesta. Right you are. So, friends, visit your neighborhood Autolite battery dealer for an Autolite Stay full. The battery that needs water only three times a year in normal car use. Your Autolite batteryman is fully equipped to give you the best in battery advice and service. Because. Because you are always right with Auto Light. And now, Auto Light brings back to our Hollywood soundstage, Mr. Jack Benny in Elliot Lewis production of Murder in G Flat. A tale well calculated to keep you in suspense. Please, Lieutenant, may I call my wife? I want finish your story first, Mr. Remington. You can call her after that. Oh, all right. Now, you were standing over the body of this man in Madison Square Garden. You found your tuning hammer next to the body. Yes. Yes, my tuning hammer. Let me tell you, Lieutenant, I was scared. Plenty scared. Here I was standing over a dead man in Madison Square Garden. And clutched in my hand was his brown bag containing $25,000. Who had killed him? Who had. But I couldn't stop to think about that now. I had to get out of there and fast and take my bag and hammer lying on the floor with me. I started to reach for my bag when a sound. G flat. Someone had opened up a knife. Whoever was coming toward me. I blew out the match and waited. Who was in that corridor with me? Was it the business partner? The little man? Was it? I started to move backwards. And then a big black figure loomed up at me. With all my strength, I brought the brown bag swinging up from the floor. I ran until I thought my legs were dropped. My mind was all fogged up now. I couldn't think straight. Who was the guy who just tried to kill me? One thing I knew for sure. I had to get rid of this money until I could think things out. But where? Where could I get rid of it? I neared the corner of 59th and 8th Avenue and then saw it. A bus terminal. Why not a public locker in the. In the bus station? I opened the door and walked in. Scranton, Pittsburgh and Philadelphia. Leaving in 10 minutes? Yes, ma', am, in about 20 minutes. Excuse me, mister. I'd like to have a key for a locker. Just a second. G sharp. What'd you say? Hmm? Oh. Oh, nothing. What do you know? Haven't got an empty one right now. Have to wait a little while. You mean out of all of these hundreds of lockers, you. You haven't got one empty? Well, I'm sorry, mister, but you can see for yourself. A lot of servicemen in town over the weekend. Well, how long will it be? 10, 15 minutes, maybe a couple hours. Okay, I'll wait. I'll sit over there. I bought a paper at the newsstand and sat down on one of the benches. I didn't even know what I was reading. I just kept. And then I saw it on page two. A complete account of a robbery that had occurred on Friday night at one of the downtown post offices. Two bandits had escaped with $25,000 in ten dollar bills. This was must have been. But would the police believe a story like that? Of course they wouldn't. I had the money, and it was my tuning hammer there lying next to the body in the garden. I got out of that bus tournament in a hurry and walked up 8th Avenue. Where could I go? The only place I could think of was Coney Island. Coney island and Uncle Herman and his pitch penny concession. It was late and the the Island Amusement park was almost deserted. It was cold and close to 11. Uncle Herman was leaning against the side of his concession as I walked up. Why, my nephew. What. What are you doing out this way? Uncle Herman. Quick, let's go. And back. All right. There ain't no customers anyway. Yeah. Ah. What happened, Hercules? Did you give the money back to the man? I went to meet him at the Garden, just like he told me. But when I got there and I found him, he was dead. Dead? He'd been beat over the head with my tuning hammer. Why, Hercules. I was just about to grab my hammer and bag and get out of there when someone made a lunge at me in the dark. But I got away. I went to a bus terminal to put the money In a locker. I had to wait, and then I read that the money is stolen. Post office money. Oh, you got yourself in a mess, Nephew. I'm frantic. I don't know what to do. That's why I came here. Well, I'm glad you did, nephew. Glad you did. But what am I gonna do? Best thing would be to go back and get that hammer and bag. Leave the money here. I'll hide it for you. But maybe I ought to go to the police. You can't go to the police with that story. They'd never believe you, Hercules. I know. Bring your bag and come with me, Nephew. I got a hiding place for that money that no one will ever find. Uncle Herman locked his place up, and then he led me over to the fun house. It was closed now, and the place was all dark, but Uncle Herman had a key. He led me up some stairs to a high ramp that people climb on, you know, to slide down the big chute. He stopped at one of them. Here, nephew, right under this top chute. We'll just pry one of the boards loose a little and slip the bag with the money underneath. No one in the world will ever look for it. There we are. Now, give me the bag, nephew. Here you are, Uncle Herman. Are you sure that no one will find it here? Absolutely, Nephew. You and I are the only ones who know where it is. There's nothing to be afraid of. Now, hand me the bag. Here you are. That's it. Now, let's just check to make sure that. What's the matter, Uncle Herman? Where's the money, Nephew? The money? What are you talking about? It's in the. Is this what you call money? This bag's got nothing in it but bundles of torn newspaper. I. I don't understand. I. Hercules, dear nephew, what did you do with the money? I don't know. It was in there. You saw it yourself when I brought it home. This is a scheme of yours, Hercules. Scheme? Trying to cheat on your dear old uncle, aren't you, Hercules? Uncle Herman, what are you talking about? Where's the money, Hercules? G flat. That knife. G flat. This ain't no time to play games with your Uncle Herman, Hercules. Uncle Herman. Where were you tonight? What's that, Hercules? G flat. Your knife. It's G flat. Looks like this thing has got you going, Hercules. It was you in the garden, wasn't it, Uncle Herman? You killed him. Let's not waste any more time, Nephew. Now tell me where that money is. I don't know. Stop lying to your dear uncle, Hercules. I'm not lying. I usually use this knife to scale fish. The smell of fish is stronger than the smell of blood. But I tell you, I don't know where that money is. You're lying to me. You came down here just to throw me off, didn't you? Make me think you lost the money. Uncle Herman. Stay away from me. All right, Hercules. So you won't tell your dear uncle. He rushed at me with the knife. I stepped back, tripped over the board he had pried loose and fell down. But Uncle Herman, he went hurtling over me, head over heels down the long slide. When I got back down at the bottom of the slide chute, he was dead. The uncle had his neck broken. Lieutenant. Yeah? What about the money? Well, Mr. Remington's wife turned it over to the authorities this morning about 11 o'. Clock. She said the money wasn't his and she didn't want him carrying it around. Well, I guess that'll be all, Mr. Remington. You can go now. But isn't it dangerous? I mean, the. The partner is still. We picked up his business partner a few hours after the robbery. Oh. Just in case you happen to come across another $25,000 that doesn't belong to you, Promise me that you'll get in touch with the authorities, will you, Mr. Remington? Oh, I've learned my lesson, Lieutenant. Believe you me, I have. Good. Oh, for heaven's sakes. I almost forgot. I gotta call my wife. She's probably frantic by now. There's a payphone right outside in the corridor. Payphone? Yeah, right around the corner. You can't miss it. Hmm. Well, she's waited this long. I think I'll just tell her when I get home. Suspense presented by autolite. Tonight's star, Mr. Jack Benny. Ah, fine meal, Pepito. So long. Hey. No dessert, Senor Wilcox. I never desert, Pepito. I'm always faithful to those 400 fine products for cars, trucks, tractors, planes and boats made by autolyte in 28 plants from coast to coast. These include complete ignition systems used as original factory equipment on many leading makes of our finest cars. Generators, coils, distributors, electric windshield wipers, voltage regulators, wire and cables, starting motors, and many more. And they're all engineered to fit together perfectly. Work together perfectly. Because they're all part of the Autolite team. So, friends, don't accept electrical parts supposed to be as good. Ask for and insist on Autolight original factory parts at your neighborhood service station, car dealer, garage or repair shop. Remember, you're always right with Auto Light. Next week on Suspense. Our stars will be Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz in Early to Death. And in weeks to come, you will hear such famous stars as James Stewart, Anne Baxter and Rosalind Russell, all on suspense. Suspense is produced and directed by Elliot Lewis with music composed by Lucian Morowek and conducted by Lud Bluskin. Murder in G Flat was written for suspense by Richard George Pedicini. Portions of this program were transcribed. In tonight's cast, Joseph Kearns was heard as Uncle Herman B. Benedara as Martha, and Larry Thor as the lieutenant. Others in the cast are Clayton Post, Jack Crucian and Paul Fries. Jack Benny may be heard each Sunday on CBS on his own radio program, the Jack Benny Show. And remember, next week on Suspense, Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz in a story about a mysterious airplane crash in the mountains of Mexico. A tale we call early. You can buy Autolite Stay Full batteries, Autolite resistor type or standard type spark plugs, auto light electrical parts at your neighborhood Autolight dealers. Switch to Autolite. Good night. Tonight, Autolite salutes the men and women leaders in boys Clubs all over America. This is National Boys Club Week, a time to remember that our Boys clubs serve the boy, the community and the nation by training tomorrow's leaders. Today, this is CBS, the Columbia Broadcasting System. Autolight and its 98,000 dealers bring you Mr. Jack Benny in tonight's presentation of suspense. Tonight, Autolife presents a story about a man who worked for 30 years to prepare a most unique personal retirement plan. The story is called A Good and Faithful servant. Our star, Mr. Jack Benny. Hello there, Harlow. Well, the legislative luminary. How are you, Senator? My car is giving me trouble, Harlow. Your car? What's wrong with it, Senator? Well, it gets going slower than a loser leaving office. It rides rougher than a tax debate and uses more gas than a three day filibuster. Well, it may be spark plug trouble, Senator. Spark plugs should be checked every three to 4,000 miles. So see your nearest Autolite spark plug dealer. His exclusive auto light plug check indicator will quickly show the exact condition of your spark plugs. If they're worn out or wrong for your style of driving, he'll recommend resistor or standard type ignition. Engineered auto light spark plugs for smoother performance, quick starts and gas savings. Sounds like a propitious proposal, Harlow. How do I find this auto light spark plug dealer? Why, just phone Western Union by number and ask for operator 25. She'll quickly tell you the name of your nearest auto light spark plug dealer where you can get the finest spark Plug service money can buy. And remember, from bumper to tail light, you're always right with Autolite. And now, with the performance of Mr. Jack Benny, autolite presents transcribed A good and faithful servant. Hoping once again to keep you in suspense. I know you've been through a lot, Mr. Fenton, but if you could just try to recall anything else about the appearance of the two men. Lieutenant, couldn't this wait? Fenton has spent 14 horrible hours locked in a vault. And while I admire his spirit and pluck and bearing up as well as he has, I'm just trying to get something to go on. Mr. Waterman, do you want your money back or don't you? The welfare of my employees comes first, Lieutenant. First, last and always. And you're insured, Ms. Fenton? Don't answer if you don't feel up to it, Fenton. I don't mind, Mr. Waterman. I'm anxious to cooperate. Now, as near as I can remember, you get this, Florence. As near as I can remember. Of course, I had only a flash before they forced me into the vault. Yeah, we understand, Mr. Fenton. I had the impression of one being tall but not too tall, and the other one was shorter. But not too short. Exactly. And they were wearing masks, Rubber masks. One had a Lionel Barrymore mask, and I think the other was Dick Tracy. It was quite a shock to see him. Aha. The Brinks gang, Lieutenant. The Brinks gang to a tee, maybe. Mr. Cartwright, would you come over here, please? Mr. Cartwright, is it the practice to keep large sums of cash on hand overnight at the store? Well, yes. The store does a tremendous cash business, Lieutenant. Tremendous. And yesterday was Dollar Day. Thank you. Mr. Cartwright, how does it happen that Fenton was alone in the cash room when the bandits entered? Did he customarily close the vault for the night? Not customarily, no. When I'm unavoidably called away from the storm. Well, does this happen often? Well, very seldom, Lieutenant, very seldom. But it happened yesterday. Two men walked in, put you in the vault and walked out with a big hunk of money at precisely 5:56. Mr. Cartwright opened the vault this morning at 8:02. Correct, Lieutenant. We won't know how much they got until I can make an audit. And if there's any question, Lieutenant, of corroborating Fenton's story, I need only to say that he's been with Waterman's for 30 years. A good and faithful servant. More exactly, Mr. Waterman, 29 years, 11 months and 29 days. I was due to retire tomorrow before this unfortunately, unfortunate circumstance arose. Nonsense, Fenton you retire tomorrow. And if there's any question, Lieutenant, of Fenton's character, his honesty, his divorce. Yeah, sure, sure, sure. You can go home, Mr. Fenton. Better get some rest. If you want to duck the reporters, go out this back way. Well, what do you think, Mr. Waterman? Entirely up to you, my boy. Entirely. But in these days of doubt, of confusion and dishonesty in high places, I believe your simple story of courage and devotion to duty will be AN Inspiration everywhere. Mr. Waterman, I am ready to face the press. They were all very nice to me, the reporters, the police, Mr. Cartwright, and especially Mr. Waterman. All that money missing 50,000. Yet his only concern was for me. I thought that if I could afford it, I'd like to buy him some little token of gratitude. Then I thought again. In my desk at the office there was a secret compartment, and in that compartment was $50,000. I guess I could afford it. Yoo hoo. Mother, I'm home. Good morning, Harold. I hope you haven't had breakfast. I've kept it hot for you. You're not going to ask me how it went, mother? Oh, I heard over the radio. But I wish there'd been some way of doing it, that it wouldn't have kept you out all night. Oh, I wasn't out all night, mother. I was in a vault. I know you were, Harold. And if you keep on, you're going to end up with that same sinus strip your father used to have. Oh, mother, it was a perfectly dry, warm. Oh, never mind. Eat your cereal, Harold. You'll feel better. Mr. Waterman told me to take the day off, Mother. I'm not going in until tomorrow. That's a certainly big of him after all you've done for them. How much did you get? 50,000. It's in my desk at the office, in the drawer with the false bottom. In your desk? Will it be safe there, Harold? Well, no one will be looking for it. Harold, you don't think you'll have any trouble getting the money out of your desk? I think things will work out all right. See, according to my plan, it. Harold, you see, I told you from the beginning you weren't strong enough for this type of thing. The next morning at 8:43, I punched in at the store, figuring 308 working days a year. That made 9,240 punches. It was a little strange to think of this being my last. I walked through the store to the elevator, past lingerie, ladies gloves and perfume, the way I always went. But this morning was different. People looked up when I passed. They spoke to me. They knew who I was. Even the brunette in perfume smiled at me. I almost stopped, but I couldn't think of anything to say. In the elevator, one of the girls asked me how I felt. Still scared, I said, and they laughed. They wouldn't have laughed any harder for Mr. Waterman. I got out at 8, my floor, and as I went into my office, Ms. Prentice, Mr. Cartwright's secretary, looked at me. 23 months and 2 days she'd been looking at the top of my head. But this morning, she looked at me and she smiled. I guess I smiled back. Good morning, Mr. Fenton. Good morning, Ms. Prentice. It wasn't much, but I felt it could have been a start. I was almost sorry this was my last day. Fenton. Fenton, did you Hear me? Yes, Mr. Cartwright. I heard you. Mr. Cartwright. All right. A big workload piled up yesterday when you took off, and we haven't anyone new coming in until tomorrow. Not that I want to overload you on your last day. An honest day's work for an honest day's pay, Mr. Cartwright. Oh, good. I'm still trying to find out how much was taken in the holdup, so you're on your own. I think I can tell you almost to the penny, Mr. Cartwright. I'll make my own check. Now, about the work, I. Oh, good morning, Mr. Waterman. I was just. Well, Fenton, back at the old Esk, eh? I just didn't feel right away from it, Mr. Waterman. Hey, I got a surprise for you this afternoon, Fenton. Going to make a little ceremony out of your retirement. A. A ceremony good for store morale, right, cartwright? Oh, absolutely, Mr. Waterman, absolutely. And about that request of yours you made last week, Fenton, I wouldn't be a bit surprised if we can swing it. Oh, you're too kind, Mr. Waterman. Oh, my boy, when you work for Waterman's 30 years, you've got something coming to you. No, I ate my usual lunch that day. The Thursday blue plate special at Elmo's Grotto. 70 cents, plus the usual 10% tip, 7 cents with the usual 20 minutes left in my lunch hour. I headed for the park with a nickel bag of peanuts. The squirrels were going to miss me. No, no, Mr. Waterman. You've had three already. Give Mr. Cartwright a chance. Sit up, Mr. Cartwright. Sit. That's it. That's it. Excuse me. Would you mind if I join you, Mr. Fenton? Why, Miss Prentice, of course. I mean, of course not. Sit down. Sit down. Thank you. Move over, Mr. Waterman. He does look a little pompous. Doesn't he? Which one is Mr. Cartwright? There, with the small mustache. He bites. And Is there a Ms. Prentice? Well, there is, but I believe she is, well, nesting. Well, how long have you been feeding them, Mr. Fenton? They seem so friendly. 30 years, Ms. Prentice. My favorite animal. You give a squirrel a nut and does he eat it? No, he runs away and stores it in a hole. We could all benefit from their example. And now that you've stored your little nest egg, you're retiring, Mr. Fenton. Well, you might say that, yes. You're quite a fascinating character, Mr. Benton. Me? I'm. I'm sorry I didn't know you sooner. You know, the whole store is talking about your ordeal in that vault. Oh, it wasn't so bad. In fact, I've always rather liked the vault. What an odd thing to say. Well, Chaugou, Ms. Prentice. That's French for each to his own taste. Oh, you've been abroad, Mr. Fenton. Me? Oh, my goodness, now. Oh, but you will now that you're retiring. No, no. I've got my eye on a little cottage by a lake and woods. Lots of squirrels there. And no time clocks. You and your wife, Mother. Oh, I hope you get it, Mr. Fenton. Thank you, Ms. Prentice. I wonder what the robbers are going to do with all that money. I wonder. Five to one. Shall we go back and punch in Ms. Prentice? She let me walk all the way back to the store with her. And in the elevator, Mr. Bixler Sporting Goods winked at me funny. For 10 years, I'd had the feeling Mr. Bixler didn't like me. There was quite a gathering in the cashier's office when we arrived. All the executives from Mr. Waterman's down and the editor of the store paper wandering through Waterman's. I'd sent an item to him last summer. Mr. Fenton of cashier department, spending his two week vacation at home. But he never printed it. Come in. Come in, Fenton. We've been waiting for our, shall we say, a guest of honor. Me, Mr. Watermer? You, Fenton. We have a little ceremony which I hope to conclude before the lunch hour was over. Oh, I'm sorry, Mr. Waterman. Think nothing of it. This is your day, Fenton. Your day. Oh, going to get a shot of the two of us wool? Yes, sir. Mr. Waterman over by the door. Oh, if you don't mind, I'd like it sitting at my desk. I feel more well secure there by your desk. How's this? Got it. Good, good. And now, Fenton, we all say farewell to a good and faithful Servant. One who has given 30 years of his life as a contribution, however small, to making Waterman's the great institution it is today. Well done, Harold Fenton. Thank you. A modest man, but conscientious. His regular comings and goings past almost unknown to many until his ordeal of two days ago, locked all night in the vault by brutal and rapacious thieves. A night in which, in his own words, he relived each and every day of his 30 year service to Watermans. Oh, greater devotion hath no man was nothing really. And now his labors done, his burden borne, Fenton will live up the rest of his days in ease and comfort because he has arrived at the retirement age of the Waterman Pension Plan, by which he will receive $31.68 a month. $31.68 a month for as long as he lives. Thank you. And now, a little surprise for Harold Fenton. A week ago, in a letter to me, our good and faithful servant asked that on his retirement he be given permission to purchase for his home his old desk. Actually, Mr. Waterman, I don't know what I'd do without it. Oh, frankly, I put in a lot of thought on this simple request. I weighed the factors in my mind. On the one hand was Fenton's 30 year service. On the other, Mr. Waterman. On the other, he was already receiving his pension of. Well, his pension. However. Please, Mr. Waterman. However, Fenton, my boy, I decided to go you one better. One better? Not a new desk. Nothing so unsentimental. Fenton, instead of allowing you to purchase the desk, I'm giving it to you. Phew. All right, boys, right in here. Take the desk wherever Fenton here wants it. Now back to work, everybody. Month end clearance today. Whoops. Easy, men. Don't drop it. Easy. Fenton, my boy, in the years ahead when you're seated at your old desk, think of us, won't you? I certainly will, Mr. Waterman. I certainly will. Autolight is bringing you Mr. Jack Benny in a good and faithful servant. Tonight's presentation in radio's outstanding theatre of the thrills Suspense. Well, Senator, did you take my advice? Why, yes, Harlow, my auto light spark plug dealer turned my worn spark plugs out of office and elected a set of ignition engineered Autolite spark plugs. A wise move, Senator. Those Autolight spark plugs are designed by the same Autolite engineers who design the coil, distributor, generator and all the other important parts of the complete ignition system. Used as original equipment on many leading makes of our finest cars, trucks and tractors. They're world famous for quality and performance. And my auto light spark plug dealer nominated auto light resistor spark plugs for my car. Harlow. Ah, you're on top now, Senator, because auto light resistor spark plugs represent one of the greatest advancements in spark plugs for automotive use in the past 20 years. They offer proven advantages such as double life gas savings and smoother performance. And they're specified as original equipment on many leading makes of our finest cars. What's more, the auto light resistor spark plug is just one of a complete line of ignition engineered auto light spark plugs for every use. So, fellow citizens, be sure vote for auto light. Right, Senator. Friends, take a tip from me and see your nearest auto light spark plug dealer this week. And remember, from bumper to tail light, you're always right with Auto light. And now, Auto Light brings back to our Hollywood soundstage, Mr. Jack Benny in Elliot Lewis's production of A Good and Faithful Servant, a tale well calculated to keep you in suspense. Retirement agreed with me. I walked to the park to see my friends when I felt like it. Leisurely lunch at Elmo's grotto when I felt like it. And when the need arose, a little gardening. Mother and I were very happy. You've done enough for one morning, Harold. Your bat'll go out again. All through, Mother. Just cleaning off the spades. What were you planting this morning, Harold? Mother, if anything should happen to me, knock wood. Knock wood. Right in between the beets and the radishes, there's a very rich patch of dirt, Sir. Aren't we going to get our little cottage by the lake? I have to go in town today, Mother. I might just inquire around. Oh, good. You know, Mr. Waterman is really a very sweet man. The Waterman pension plan. I just wish I could tell him how happy it's made me. I hadn't told Mother, but Ms. Prentice had called that morning. Mr. Cartwright wanted to see me that afternoon at the office, she said, and she asked how I was. What would have happened if I'd asked her to lunch. I almost did, too. In the cashier's office at the store. Ms. Prentice smiled when she saw me, and I smiled back. In fact, we struck up quite a conversation. Oh, Mr. Fenton, how are you? Fine. Just fine, Ms. Prentice. Retirement agree with you? Yes, yes, indeed. Fine. You notice we haven't filled your old job? No. Oh, yes. Yes, indeed. Haven't been able to find another man of your type. Well, well. Is that you, Fenton? Come on in here. Coming, coming, Mr. Cartwright. Sit down, Fenton. Sit down. Thank you. Just trying to Clean up accounts on the robbery. Fenton, what was your final tally again? 50,000, almost exactly. Mr. Cartwright, you're way off. That doesn't check with my audit at all. I'm quite sure of my figures. Well, then you're wrong, that's all. My check shows they got away with 82,000. 82,000? Right. Now, if you'll just sign the necessary statements corroborating my order. I can't do that, Mr. Cartwright. And just why can't you? Don't you take my word for it? Frankly, no, Fenton. Look, you're retired. It's nothing to you one way or the other. You just made a little mistake in your figures, that's all. Mr. Cartwright, are you asking me to help cover up a shortage in your accounts? All right, Fenton, I'll lay it on the line temporarily. I'm a bit short. Involvement with a woman and you wouldn't understand. I most certainly wouldn't. Look, I'll make it worth your while. Shortages are found out Sooner or later, Mr. Cartwright. All right, if that's your attitude. Let me tell you something, Fenton. I don't like the smell of this robbery of yours. I don't like it at all. What do you think of that? You're implying that I made off with $50,000 belonging to watermans? I think it's highly possible. And how are you so sure it was 50,000? Supposing me for one instant capable of such a thing? Mr. Cartwright, wouldn't I be much too clever to put my head in a noose by covering up for you? Fenton, if I was talking to an honest man, wouldn't he have taken my story right to Mr. Waterman? Hmm? I'll give you five minutes. Either sign my audit, or I go to the police and accuse you of stealing $82,000. Think it over, Fenn. No question about it, Mr. Cartwright. Dishonesty might be a bit awkward for me. My instinct about the man had been thoroughly sound. I had disliked him for 16 years. Well, there was only one safe way out of it. Well, Mr. Cartwright, if you need money. Yes? Why don't you rob the vault? Actually, it isn't hard at all. Well, how did you. How do I get away with the money? I'm sorry, I never reveal professional secrets. Well, then you'll have to help me, Fenton. Lock me in the vault and you get away with the money. Me? Sure. Then we're both in the clear for good. Help me out, Fenton. You mean I'm going to clear out the vault a second time? You'll never Regret it. Regret it. The fact is, I. I'd rather enjoy it. We settled on the following Friday. Friday nights the store stayed open till nine. And they were having a big white sale that day. The money was already stacked on Mr. Cartwright's desk when I got there. It was a juicy hall. I didn't see Mr. Cartwright around, but. Hello, Mr. Fenton. Ms. Prentice. But. But the money. I. I was listening when you and Mr. Cartwright made your plans. Mr. Fenton, and. And he caught me and forced me to help him. You understand, Harold. I mean, Mr. Fenton. Harold. Times like these draw people together quickly, don't you think? Oh, I do. I really do, Ms. Prentiss. Helen. Thank you, Helen. Ms. Prentice, Mr. Cartwright mentioned a woman in his life. You're not the one, Harold. Of course not. Excuse me. I just thought. You remember the office party last Christmas? Oh, that. Well, that was just because he was under the mistletoe. And if you'd been under it instead of Mr. Cartwright, really well. Oh, Fenton, you're here. Good. Anybody see you come up? It doesn't matter, really, Mr. Cartwright. Might even be better that way. Then you and Ms. Prentice can say that I left minutes before the bandits arrived. You're right, of course, Harold. Thank you. Are you ready, Mr. Cartwright? I brought some wrapping paper for the money. Even brought along a handle with care sticker. That's the Fenton touch, you know. Get on with it, will you? No need to be nervous. There. Neat. I spent eight years in wrapping and mailing. All right. You know what to do with it, Helen. I know. Just a minute, Mr. Cartwright. I'm to take the money, remember? There's been a change, Fenton. We rewrote the script. You think that's wise to fly in the face of my experience? Now, look, Fenton, we're not children. You lock us in the vault and take off with the money, you think we'd ever see you again? Well, you're questioning my honesty. I'm sure Ms. Prentice will vouch for me. We're rather good friends, Ms. Prentice. Helen. Unfortunately for you, Fenton, Helen's on my side. Now, if you wouldn't mind getting into the vault. Me? Me? In the vault? But this is a loaded gun, Fenton. Get in the vault. But you came back for a second helping, that's all. The Confederate got away with the money, but I courageously slammed the vault door on you and went for help. But will they believe me? I imagine they'll find 50,000 somewhere around your house. They'll believe me, Helen. I see. I'm sorry, Harold. It's a nasty Trick. But we're nasty people. You should have stuck to squirrels. Just one thing, Fenton. How did you ever get that 50,000 out of here the first time? How? Well, I didn't, Mr. Cartwright. You didn't? Then where is it? It's still in the vault. I don't believe it. Oh, it's quite cleverly hidden. It took me most of that night. I was locked in. Get in there and show me. I'm sorry, Mr. Cartwright. Get in there. No. I went through a lot for that money, Mr. Cartwright. 30 years. I just as soon you shot me. Helen, hold the gun on him. I'm going in and look. Well, don't be long. What if somebody should walk in? I'll be able to see if he's lying. Just watch him. You see anything? Not yet. I don't think it's possible. Open the door so I can get some more lights. Must be true. Crime changes people. I had never lied, yet I lied to Cartwright. I never used violence. Yet I got behind Helen and I. I guess I'll go home. Mother will be wondering what's happened to. Some more cereal, Harold? I don't think so, Mother. Thanks. What time is it? 8:10, son. They would have opened the vault at 8 this morning. The police should be here any minute. Are you sure those two will implicate you, Harold? It seems likely, Mother. The gun would be hard to explain. And I think Ms. Prentice will turn on Mr. Cartwright. After a night in the vault. Yes, she's just the type. I'm sorry, Mother. I guess I just don't know much about women. It's all right, son. You think they'll be hard on you? Not very. I haven't spent any of the money. The insurance companies always look kindly on such cases. There they are, harold. How long? Two years, Mother. Maybe less. Maybe even one. It's still a long time. A long time after 30 years in Waterman's? Hardly. I'll get the door. Suspense presented by autolite. Tonight's star, Mr. Jack Benny. This is Harlow Wilcox speaking for Autolite, world's largest independent manufacturer of automotive electrical equipment. Autolite is proud to serve the greatest names in the industry. They are members of the Autolite family, as are the 98,000 autolite distributors and dealers in the United States and thousands more in Canada and throughout the world. Our family also includes the nearly 30,000 men and women in 28 great autolite plants from coast to coast and in still other Autolite plants in many foreign countries, as well as the 18,000 people who have invested a portion of their savings in Autolite. Every Autolite product is backed by constant research and precision built to the highest standards of quality and performance. So remember, from bumper to tail light, you're always right with Autolight. Next week, a story of revenge. The desperate effort of a murderer to destroy the man who had committed him to prison. The story is called Concerto for Killer and Eyewitnesses. Our star, the Director of Suspense, Mr. Elliot Lewis. That's next week on South Spence. Suspense is produced and directed by Elliot Lewis with music composed by Lucian Morowic and conducted by Lud Gluskin. A good and faithful servant was written for suspense by Richard M. Powell. Portions of this program were transcribed. In tonight's cast, Norma Barden was heard as Mrs. Fenton, Doris Singleton as Helen, Gerald Moore as Mr. Cartwright, Joseph Kearns as Mr. Waterman, high ever back as Lt. Miller and Charles Calvert as Mr. Wolf. For the location of your nearest Autolite spark plug or Autolite battery dealer or your nearest authorized auto light service station for on Western Union by number and ask for operator 25. Switch to auto Light. Good night. This is the CBS Radio Network. Autolite and its 98,000 dealers bring you Mr. Jack Benny in tonight's presentation of suspense. Tonight, Autolyte, following a popular trend, anticipates the strange disappearance of experimental rocket ship Y272B. The time, the year 2053, the place, the planet Mars, the star. Mr. Jack Benny. Say, Hap, that was quite a speech you made last night. You were as dynamic as an Autolite Stay Full battery. Oh, that's flattery, Harlow. And what a battery it is, Hap. The Autolite Stay Full is the power packed Pepster that needs water only three times a year in normal car use. I really don't deserve such praise, Harlow. Why not? That's the battery with the fiberglass retaining mats protecting every positive plate to reduce shedding and flaking and give the Autolite Stay Full longer life as proved by tests conducted according to accepted life cycle standards. That was really good, eh, Arnold? No one could do any better than to visit his nearest Autolite battery dealer who services all makes of batteries. To quickly locate him, just call Western Union by number and ask for operator 25. I'll tell you the name of your nearest Autolyte battery dealer where you can get an Autolite Stay Full. The battery that needs water only three times a year in normal car use. And remember, from bumper to tail light, you're always right with Autolight. And now, Autolight presents Transcribed Plan X starring Mr. Jack Benny. Hoping once again to keep you in suspense, the card. Do you have the card yet? One more run through the machine. Torygg. When do you think the Earth rocket is arriving? Tomorrow. But if the Grand Council wanted the card before now, they should have asked me before. Is that it? Let me see it. Here. 13756, Zeno, assembly line worker, Atomic escalator factory, Touareg. This is the man for the job. He has the specifications. Called for an assembly line worker. Quite incredible. Incredible. Yes, yes. Right away. You may go in now. Zeno, the Grand Council is ready for you. 13756, called. Zeno, come forward. Yes, sir. Zeno, the Grand Council of Mars has a mission for you to perform. Me? A mission? You have been selected because of the qualities shown on your work and Identity Card Form 42A set habit patterns, attention to detail, no strong emotional or biological drives, and complete suppression of imagination. Well, I always pride myself. Do not speak unless questioned. Zeno, the Grand Council has other important matters of state. Of course, of course. You have heard the telephone broadcast that an armed rocket from the planet Earth is approaching Mars. Hmm? Oh. Oh, I did hear something about it, yes. Their course has been plotted as bringing them to a landing on the plane outside the city at 10:14 tomorrow morning. 10:14? You know, I wouldn't mind seeing that. You will see it, Citizen Zena. Me? You? Well, I'd certainly like to, but I'm due in the atomic escalator factory at 8. I'm on stair treads, you know, and we've arranged to leave from your job. Leave? Well, I'm not arguing with the Grand Council, but I've got a pretty important job there. And 13756, you've been selected to meet and deal with the Earth rocket. Me? You will put Plan X into operation. Plan X? Citizen Zeno, every Martian for the last 50 years has been thoroughly grounded in Plan X. If and when a rocket should come from the Earth. Oh, oh, oh. Plan X. Oh, you see, I thought you said Plan X. Of course. Then you understand and accept the responsibility? Oh, anything to help out. Those assisting you on the mission will be in contact with you. Good, good. Have the other Council members any questions? I don't believe so. 13756. Cold. Zeno, you are now officially operating under the provisions of Planx. Well, thank you. I took the aerial transmission belt directly home. Let them get along without me at the escalator factory if they could. Besides, it was almost quitting time. I went to bed early that night. Tomorrow was going to be a big day. Plan X. Out of the whole population of Mars, I was picked to carry out Plan X. Oh, I'll admit I had my criticisms of the Grand Council in the past, but this restored my confidence in them. Yes, sir. They couldn't have picked a better Martian. I think I'll have a second cup of ostrich, Mother. Zeno, you haven't time. You'll be late for the factory as it is. As I told you, Mother, I'm on leave. Orders of the Grand Council. Oh, yes, of course. Plan X. But will the Grand Council care if you don't get your job back? There won't be any trouble. They couldn't replace me in stair treads and they know it. Pass the gorot, will you, Mother? Here. But it's fattening, Zeno. I got a hard task coming up, Mother. I owe it to myself. And you will be careful, Zeno. Oh, Mother, if I've told you once, I've told you a thousand times, it's just an invasion rocket from that stupid planet Earth. So will you stop worrying? You're just like your father was, Zeno. Too brave for your own good. I am. Well, it's nothing, really. I took my time going over to the field where the Earth rocket was to land. I got there at 10 with not another soul around. Another few minutes and I had my pocket radar screen working. Yep, the rocket was coming in right on time. Then I could hear it out in space. And soon after that, I could see it bearing our first visitors from Earth. See, I was thinking, they must be a brave crew. I almost felt sorry for them. It wasn't a bad landing. Not the greatest, but not bad. After another 10 minutes, a port in the side of the rocket started to swing open and I walked over. I do say it myself. I made quite an impression. Commander. Commander, look. Great Scotch. What is it, Commander? I. I think we've met our first Martian. All right, keep back, everybody. Dr. Fielding and I will deal with it. Him, Whatever it is. Hand me the Martian kit, Parker. All ready, Seth? Come on, Fielding. Be ready for anything. Right, Commander. Incredible. Absolutely incredible. I'll try to talk to him. We Earth people. We friends. Friends? We come from out there. Blasted feeling. I feel like a fool. Let me try. Commander, we bring you presents here. We bring you beads, cloths of many colors. Take them. You wouldn't have something a little more conservative, Fielding? He speaks Esperanto. Incredible. Incredible. Gentlemen, welcome to Mars. It's. It's almost as if he was expecting us. Oh, yes, for some days now. Ever since you left Earth, as a matter of fact. You hear that feeling, Commander? We may very well be in the presence of a superior race. Well, thank you. You. You say you expected us. Everyone expected us. Oh, certainly. But you're here alone? Yes. Well, unfortunately, all other adult Martians are, shall we say, unavailable. For how long? Not wishing to pry, but how long are you staying? Well, they've taken to the hills. Have they? No need to be afraid of us. No need at all. There's no one in your city over there? Mainly unavailable. But I'll be glad to show you around. Martian hospitality, you know. Amazing. Can we go? Right away, Commander. I'll get Connie. You can call her Fielding, but we don't want to blunder into a trap. All right, men, all in. Parker, take three men and stay here for rocket guard. Yes, sir. Ready, Fielding? All set, Commander. Connie, I want you to meet our first Martian. Dr. Fielding. I don't believe it. Ms. Morrison, this is 13756. Call Zeno. Ms. Morrison, this is Zeno. How do you do? Well, how do you do? Incredible. But he's almost handsome in a strange way. And he speaks our language. Maybe a trick of some kind. Expedition force. On to. To. It's a little difficult to pronounce. On to the city. We march into the city, which, of course, appeared quite deserted. Plan X. I show them a few of the sites, the canals. The OG factory in the hall of the Grand Council. I was walking alongside of Connie, this Morrison, who was most unlike the women of Mars. I caught myself showing off, riding the aerial transmission belt with one hand. Finally, I took them all to the art museum. Oh, Commander, this place, this civilization. It's fantastic. Fantastic. Look at this sculpture, Dr. Fielding. The line, the detail. I've never seen anything so beautiful. It's nothing, really. Zino, you don't mean that you. Well, no, no, no. You see, I work at an atomic escalator factory. I'm in stair treads. Everybody, over here. Look at this. Oh, what is it? Isn't that what Zeno is? Is this what I think it is? Hmm. I'll have to read the nameplate. Oh, yes, yes. A flying saucer from 1952. Your calendar. 100 years old. 1952. The year of the flying saucers. Then they did come from Mars? Oh, yes. But none of them ever landed on Earth. Why? It just didn't seem worthwhile. Nothing personal, of course. I just can't get over this planet. It's so different from anything we imagined. Now, here's something you might be interested in. Right over here. What? Looks like a weapon of some kind. Yes. Yeah. You see, it's a paralyzer ray. 300 years old. But why do you have it in a museum? You don't mean that weapons like this Are 300 years obsolete? Well, you might say that, yes. You see, no adult Martian has carried a weapon from. For hundreds of years. Why not? Why should we? But to defend yourself? Well, we just have no aggressive impulses, that's all. If someone struck you, wouldn't you strike back? I couldn't. But it doesn't matter. No one could strike me. No Martian, that is. Yes. We've never had any trouble, Zeno. You're in the diplomatic service, the escalator game. Yet you were delegated to meet us. Yes, by the Grand Council. You see, we stopped having diplomats handle our important missions years ago. Again, nothing personal, of course. I see. But you are empowered to deal with us. Deal with you? I certainly am. Good. Now, it seems logical to me that we should work out a mutual defense pact. Not right now, of course. Mr. Zeno. Mr. Zeno. Who's that? It looks like children. We have to see them, Mr. Zeno. Just some little friends of mine. Oh, they're darling. What's the problem? Army. We're building something. And we're all out of uranium. We need some right away. And Zeno, does he mean real uranium? Oh, of course, Dr. Fielding. Oh, it won't hurt them a bit. We have to have it right away, Mr. Zeno. We just have to have it. This city was deserted. Where did these children come from? Oh, you know how it is with kids when they get to playing. You'll get the uranium for us, won't you, Mr. Zeno? Will you? Fascinating. What are they playing? Zeno. Yes. What's the game? I don't think you've heard of it, commander. It's called Plan X. Autolite is bringing you Mr. Jack Benny in Plan X. Tonight's presentation in radio's outstanding theater of thrills, Suspense. Say, Harlow, do you like to make speeches? Sure, Hap. Especially about the Autolite staple battery. Friends, Romans, motorists, lend me your ears while I praise the greatest of the great, the incomparable Autolite. Stay full. The battery that needs water only three times a year in normal car use. The battery that gives longer life. As proved by tests conducted according to accepted life cycle standards. The famous Autolyte Stay full. Has over 3 times the liquid reserve of ordinary batteries. And because every positive plate is protected by fiberglass retaining mats to reduce shedding and flaking, the Autolite Stay Full just naturally gives longer life than ordinary batteries. And where can one get this glorious battery? From your nearest Autolite battery dealer who services all makes of batteries. To quickly locate him, just phone Western Union and ask for operator 25. And I'll tell you where you can get an auto light. Stay full, the battery that needs water only three times a year in normal car use. And remember, from bumper to tail light, you're always right with Autolight. And now, Autolite brings back to our Hollywood soundstage, Mr. Jack Benny. In Elliot Lewis's production of Plan X, a tale well calculated. To keep you in suspense for the next week, I showed the Earth Expedition around the city, signed a few treaties, and had several long conversations with Ms. Morrison. Well, not too long. But I felt we were building a solid friendship. It was too bad it was coming to an end. You're not going out again this evening, Zeno? Mother. So I've been out two evenings in a row. Doesn't have to be fatal, you know. This is the time of year you always get that chest cold. Oh, chest cold. Chest cold. Anyway, Mother, I have to go over to the rocket. Don't they plan to go back to Earth tomorrow? They plan to, yes. Ms. Morrison promised to take a little farewell walk with me this evening. Don't let her keep you out in the moonlight too long, Zeno. Mother, why, that's the most ridiculous thing. You just don't know how attractive you are. Now, Mother, Ms. Morris and I are merely friends. And to think of anything beyond that is just. Mr. Zeno. Mr. Zeno. We're almost finished the game, Mr. Zeno. Good, good. All finished, Army? Just about. It's tomorrow morning at 8:45, isn't it? 8:45. Anything else you need, Army? I mean, any more uranium? No, I just wanted to make sure it was 8:45. Well, see you in the morning, Mr. Zeno. Goodbye, Mrs. Zeno. See you in the morning, Army. Such a cute little fellow, Zeno. And smart. Is he? Mother, you have no idea. The Earth Expedition was camped beside their rocket, getting ready for takeoff the next day. Connie. Ms. Morrison waved when she saw me coming. I waved back. Then she smiled at me, and I smiled back. It was a beautiful evening. We walked out over the plane, Connie and I, and then we sat down quite close. Connie lit a cigarette and I opened up a package of Gurkhog. Zeno. Yes, Connie, Ms. Morrison. Connie. How is it you're not married, Zeno? Don't Martians believe in it? Oh, definitely. But there's Mother and. And what, Connie? You don't find me a little bit strange. You mean because you're a Martian? Not exactly. You see, even a Martian girl, I'm a little bit strange. I find you very attractive, Zeno. Really. You're from a superior race. Well, the Commander may not see it, but Dr. Fielding does, and I do. Your civilization, your culture. And you. Actually, I'm. What are the other Martians like? You know, I seem to feel there are people all around, watching, waiting. And yet we've seen only you. And the children, of course. Yes. And the children. They've been playing around the rocket all day. Yes. Yes. Zeno, what'll happen to this planet, this beautiful planet, when the next Earth rocket comes? And the next one? Connie, I'd almost like to stay here. Or I wish we'd never come. None of us. Connie, there's something I. I. What, Zeno? What is it? It's just that it's getting cold. Maybe we better go back. I walked with Connie back to the rocket and then I went home. There was a message on the autofona pad. The Grand Council wanted to see me at once. You sent for me, gentlemen? 13756 called Zeno. You are nearing the completion of Plan X. I hope my work has been satisfactory. You were selected for certain qualifications, Zeno. Set habit patterns, attention to detail, no strong emotional drives. I remember. Yes. You have assumed a responsibility based on those qualifications. I suppose you might put it that way. Are you still prepared to discharge that responsibility? Well, I. I think you might as well know that it's been my criticism in the past, as well as that of a lot of other taxpayers, that the Grand Council interferes entirely too much in the private lives of. Well, what I mean to say. Are you prepared to discharge your responsibility? But about Connie, I mean. Ms. Morrison, isn't there some way, you know that. There is not? Well, I. I suppose not. No. Plan X will then be completed, I assure the Grand Council. At 8:45 tomorrow morning, Plan X will be completed. I didn't sleep well that night. Mother was worried when I hadn't any appetite in the morning. She thought it was the start of one of my chest colds. Purposely. I didn't go out to the rocket until almost 8:40. They were blasting the motors, getting ready to take off. Zeno, I thought you weren't coming. I. I overslept, Connie. That is, I. I didn't really oversleep. But the children have been here for an hour. We're just about finished playing, Mr. Zeno. Oh, good. Army, did you win the game? Plan X? I think so. We'll know in a minute, Mr. Zeno. They're so intense. Are the children on Mars always that way, Zeno? Well, not always, no. Ah. Come to see us off, did you, Zeno? Good boy. We counted on you. Well, thank you. Come over here, Fielding. Yes, Commander. Connie. Fielding, Zeno here has been so helpful to us that I've come to a decision. That's very nice of you, but I'm pretty well stocked up on beads right now. A different kind of a present. Zeno, I have decided to invite you to come with us to Earth. To Earth. How about it, Zeno? We're taking off in 16 minutes at 09:00'. Clock. How about it? Well, it's not that I don't appreciate your thinking of me, but. Mother, would you see, we need you, Zeno. That's not true. Well, I'm afraid it is. You see, I think Zeno is a much more important man than a worker in an elevator factory. Escalator. I'm in stair traps. And if we have Zeno along, the next time we come back to Mars, we'd be much less likely to run into, well, an ambush. I'm afraid he's right, Connie. He's not right. How about a Zeno? Thanks, but no. Commander. Those kids, they've got some sort of. Of a ray gun setup. Fielding. Is it real, Fielding? It looks like it, Commander. Get Zeno over in front of us quick. Now. They can't shoot without hitting him. Get your gun out, Parker. You mean the kids, Commander? If we have to, yes. Tell them not to fire on us, Zeno. I'm sorry, Connie. Really sorry. Oh, it's all right, Zeno. Do what you have to do. Shall we shoot, Mr. Zeno? Have your gun ready, Parker. Wouldn't do any good, Commander. All right. Army, Plan X. Did you. Did you fire, Parker? Me? S. Fire a gun? Fire. Well, I couldn't. I couldn't do a thing like that. No, no, of course you couldn't. I don't know what made me ask. The rocket. Its motors have stopped. Its motors have stopped, Commander. Well, we aren't going anywhere, are we? Someone said something about going back to Earth. Back to Earth? Oh, no, of course not. Of course not. Everybody all right? What happened, Commander? What happened? Nothing, really. It's just that army and his little friends built a maturity ray. It takes people who are, shall we say, less advanced and increases their IQ by several thousand years. That's amazing. Child's play, Zeno. Do you mean to say, Commander, Dr. Fielding. Parker. Connie, Permit me to congratulate you as fellow Martians. Utterly amazing. Connie, look. Here come the Martians. Our fellow Martians. Thousands of them. They're coming to welcome us. Connie. Oh, look at them. Oh, they look so handsome. So intelligent. So. Connie. Yeah? Excuse me. Zeno. I'll be back. Commander. I have to go to them. I'll be back. Well, she did like me for a while before Plan X. But she did like me, even just for a while. That's something, isn't it? Suspense presented by autolight. Tonight's star, Mr. Jack Benny. This is Harlow Wilcox again speaking for Autolite, World's largest independent manufacturer of automotive electrical equipment. Autolite is proud to serve the greatest names in the industry. That's why during the early months of 1953, as we did last year, the Autolight family will join in saluting the leading car manufacturers who install Autolight products as original equipment. Our Autolite family is a worldwide family and numbers among its members some 30,000 men and women in Autolite plants in the United States, Canada and many foreign countries. And the 18,000 people who have invested a portion of their savings in Autolite, as well as thousands of Autolite distributors and dealers and the many leading manufacturers who use Autolite products as original equipment. Our Autolight family will salute the Dodge division of Chrysler Corporation on the next Autolite suspense program on television. If you live in a television area, check the day and time of suspense so that you'll be sure to see this program next week. The dramatic report of a man's desperate race for freedom. A true story with names and places changed in order to protect the lives of the principals. The story is called the man who Cried wolf. Our star, Mr. Jeff Chandler. That's next week on suspense. Suspense is transcribed and directed by Elliot Lewis with music composed by Lucian Morowic and conducted by Lud Gluskin. Plan X was written for suspense by Richard Powell. Featured in tonight's cast were Mary Jane Croft, Norma Varden, John McIntyre, through to Marson, Howard McNear, William Conrad, Jack Crucian, Joseph Kearns and Stuffy Singer. The Jack Benny show may be heard every Sunday on the CBS Radio Network. And remember next week, Mr. Jeff Chandler in the man who Cried Wolf. The 1953 March of Dimes has nearly passed by. If you haven't given your dime or dollar to help in the crusade against polio, why not do it now? Send your contribution to your local March of Dimes headquarters. This is the CBS Radio Network. We just heard Jack Benny in Murder in G Flat. A good and Faithful Servant and Plan X that will do it for this bonus episode. Thanks so much for joining me today. I hope you'll be back tomorrow when our star will be Van Heflin. We'll close out the month next week with Edgar Barrier before we head into October and our bonus series of Halloween episodes, some from suspense and some from other shows, all designed to get you in the trick or treating spirit. In the meantime, you can check out down these Mean Streets, my old Time Radio Detective Podcast. New episodes of that show are are out every Sunday. If you like what you're hearing, don't be a stranger. You can rate and review the show in Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, or wherever you listen. And if you'd like to lend support to the show, you can Click over to buymeacoffee.com Meansts OTR now good night until next time when we'll hear Van Heflin in More Tales well calculated to keep you in in suspense. Ladies and gentlemen, the chief hope of our enemies is to divide the United States along racial and religious lines and thereby conquer us. Let's not spread prejudice. A divided America is a weak America. Through our behavior, we encourage the respect of our children and make them better neighbors to to all races and religions. Remind them that being good neighbors has helped make our country great and kept her free. Thank you.