Rocky Fortune: Hollywood or Boom (Encore) (EP4677)

Summary

Detailed Summary of "The Great Detectives of Old Time Radio" – Episode: Rocky Fortune: Hollywood or Boom (Encore)

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1. Host's Announcement

At [01:52], Adam Graham begins the episode with a personal update. He shares the sad news of his father-in-law's passing on April 2nd and explains that he will be taking an unscheduled recording break to attend the funeral. Adam expresses his uncertainty about the duration of the hiatus but hopes it will only last about a week. During his absence, he assures listeners that the podcast will continue by airing episodes from the Listener's Choice Countdown, a feature launched in 2019 to celebrate the podcast's 10th anniversary. He extends heartfelt thanks to his audience for their unwavering support, stating:

"I really want to take a moment just to really express appreciation for all your kind words of support. It means a lot to me and to my family." [01:52]

2. Introduction to the Listeners Choice Countdown

At [03:43], Adam introduces the Listeners Choice Countdown, outlining its structure and purpose as the podcast concludes its 10th season. The Countdown is divided into three categories:

• Standard Division: Features programs with 11 or more episodes.
• Short Division: Showcases shows with 3 to 10 episodes.
• Wild Card Programs: Includes Adam's personal favorites not selected by listeners.

Adam explains that each week, the podcast will present episodes from these categories, gradually ascending to the top choices in the Standard Division. This format allows listeners to revisit beloved episodes and discover hidden gems from the vast archive of old-time radio detective series.

3. Featured Episode: Rocky Fortune: Hollywood or Boom

Plot Overview

At [08:03], the episode "Rocky Fortune: Hollywood or Boom" takes center stage. Originally aired in 1954 during Season Nine, this installment features Frank Sinatra portraying Rocky Fortune, a charming and adventurous truck driver. The story unfolds as Rocky takes on a risky job transporting nitroglycerin, which leads him into a web of deception, danger, and unexpected alliances.

Key Scenes and Notable Quotes

• Accepting the Hazardous Job

  • Rocky Fortune responds to a truck driver ad, intrigued by the challenge:

    "I'll take it. My name's Fortune. Rocky Fortune." [09:16]

• Meeting Doc Dougherty

  • Doc Dougherty briefs Rocky on the dangerous cargo and strict protocols:

    "Nobody except me opens the truck. See? Also, there's a steel shutter between the cab and the back part of the truck." [10:27]

• Encounter with Linda

  • At the toll booth, Rocky and Doc pick up Linda, a distressed woman seeking a ride to Los Angeles:

    "Tough is the understatement of the year. First, I lose my job in the chorus at Sam and Eddie's. Then I lose my pocketbook with every cent in the world in it..." [12:17]

• Suspicious Inspection by the Officer

  • A state trooper inspects the truck, raising red flags about the high explosives:

    "Only 200 grand in the hoods. Who stole it? Gang of hoodlums held up the United States post office." [13:16]

• Discovery of Doc's Death

  • Rocky realizes Doc has been murdered, leading to a tense confrontation:

    "Just take a good look at them finger marks on his throat. You'll understand." [15:47]

• Revelation of Mike the Butcher's Betrayal

  • The antagonist, Mike the Butcher, unveils his true intentions and confronts Rocky:

    "Doc got a little too clever, fly boy. When Blinky Harry comes along on his kiddie car..." [21:09]

• Climactic Chase and Showdown

  • In a high-stakes pursuit, Rocky maneuvers the truck to thwart Mike's plan to detonate the nitroglycerin:

    "We're doing 50 miles an hour. Mike, you can't bluff me." [25:54]

    "You just can't shoot her in the back." [25:33]

• Resolution with Linda's True Identity

  • Linda reveals herself as an agent for the United States Postal Department, leading to Mike's downfall:

    "We were tipped off that Mike the Butcher had double-crossed. The gang was trying to get out of the state. I was what you might call a plant." [28:41]

Notable Elements

• Frank Sinatra's Performance: Sinatra brings charisma and depth to Rocky Fortune, enhancing the narrative's engagement.
• Script and Direction: Written by George Lefferts and directed by Andrew C. Love, the episode boasts tight scripting and dynamic pacing.
• Classic Detective Drama: The story encapsulates the essence of old-time radio mysteries, blending suspense, wit, and memorable characters.

4. Host's Reflection and Feedback

At [31:58], Adam Graham shares his thoughts on the "Rocky Fortune" episode. He praises the series for its evolving quality, emphasizing how later episodes surpass the earlier ones in terms of storytelling and character development. Adam highlights Sinatra's charm and the script's inventive concepts, noting:

"Frank Sinatra's charisma and just the joy of the scripts as well as the concept which really did allow for some stories like this one that you wouldn't necessarily see on every other mystery drama." [31:58]

5. Listener Feedback and Conclusion

Adam reads a comment from a listener named Jason, expressing gratitude for making old-time radio accessible:

"Thank you, Adam, for making Old Time Radio available." [31:58]

He responds warmly:

"Thanks so much for listening, Jason. I'm glad to share this radio." [31:58]

In concluding remarks, Adam previews upcoming content, encouraging listeners to stay tuned for the next episode featuring "standby for crime" and the continuation of the countdown. He also invites listeners to send their comments and follow the podcast on social media platforms.

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Overall Insights:

• Emotional Connection: Adam's personal announcement fosters a deeper connection with listeners, showcasing the human side of podcast hosting.
• Engaging Content: The replay of "Rocky Fortune: Hollywood or Boom" offers both nostalgia and fresh entertainment, bridging generations of radio enthusiasts.
• Community Building: Through listener feedback and interactive countdowns, the podcast cultivates a loyal and engaged audience base.

Conclusion This episode of "The Great Detectives of Old Time Radio" serves as both a tribute to classic radio dramas and a testament to the enduring appeal of detective storytelling. Adam Graham's thoughtful hosting and the captivating narrative of Rocky Fortune ensure that both new listeners and long-time fans find value and enjoyment in each broadcast.

Transcript

[Nicole Byer]

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[Adam Graham]

Hello from Boise, Idaho. This is your host Adam Graham and I have an important announcement about the show. My father in law passed away on April 2. He lived out of state in the Midwest and will be traveling for the funeral. As a result of this, I'm taking a previously unscheduled recording break. At this point, I don't know for sure how long the break will be. I'm hoping just a week, but we'll play this by ear. I still want to be sure that we are continuing to provide you the stories that you expect every day, even if they aren't quite the episodes that we come to know and love. Now. During this absence, we will be playing episodes from our Listener's Choice Countdown that we did during 2019 to celebrate 10 years of the podcast. I will note that the intros for future episodes will not be this detailed and I also want to say that I've shared about this on social media and also over on my Patreon and I really want to take a moment just to really express appreciation for all your kind words of support. It means a lot to me and to my family. Thank you so much. And just finally I will state that as these episodes are six years old, any offers or information contained in them may not be valid unless they are on our great Detectives website. With that said, please enjoy these encore presentations.

Welcome to the Great Detectives of Old Time Radio from Boise, Idaho. This is your host, Adam Graham. If you have a comment, email it to me. Box Thirteenreatetectives.net Follow us on Twitter at radiodetectives and become one of our friends on Facebook facebook.com RadioDetectives Today's program is brought to you in part by the financial support of our listener and I want to thank Jason so much for his support of the program at support.greatdetectives.net you can also send in one time donations with the Zelle app to box13reatdetectives.net or by mail to Adam Graham, P.O. box 15913, Boise, ID 83715 and you can also become one of our ongoing Patreon supporters for as little as $2 a month. Go to Patreon Great. Our Listeners Choice Countdown begins. If you've been listening to the show any length of time, then you know that in January and February I encourage folks to go and vote for their favorite programs in both standard and short division. And we're going to be playing those choices over the next several weeks. And so I want to let you know just what we'll have on Monday. We'll have three types of programs. First, we will be counting down the top 20 in the standard division. Now in the standard division for the purpose of listeners choice voting, these are Programs that have 11 or more episodes in circulation. And then we also will be counting down the top four five in the short division, which are shows that had three to 10 programs in circulation and we had people vote in both polls and we'll be counting down on that. In addition, there's a third type because we will actually be doing five additional weeks. These will be host choice or wild card programs which while they were not chosen by the voters I nonetheless enjoyed and thought it'd be fun to play and remember. And combined those will get us to the end of this 10th season. To start out, we'll play one from each of these three categories of programs and then we'll do four consecutive episodes from the standard division and then one from the short division and then another wild card and so on until we get to the top choices in the standard division. Alright, well now we're going to go ahead and play number 20 in the standard division. And number 20 was Rocky Fortune. This series lasted during this original airing 26 weeks in 1953 and 1954. We played it at the start of season nine. So it was not that long ago that we started and finished Rocky Fortune. As is usual on all of these listeners choice request, Patreon supporters were asked for their opinion. And the only request I received was from Tim, who said that a lot of podcasts play the first episode and that he's heard that several times and asked that we not play it again. So we'll go ahead and do something much later in the series. And this one actually originally aired January 26, 1954. And this one is Hollywood or boom.

[Frank Sinatra]

Frank Sinatra transcribed as Rocky Fortune. Here's Frank Sinatra starring as that footloose and fancy free young gentleman, Rocky Fortune.

[Rocky Fortune]

Hi. You know, when a guy needs work real bad, sometimes he'll take a job doing almost anything. Last week I was down to my last subway talking. So I answered an ad for a truck driver. Hazardous work, the ad said. And brother, they weren't kidding. Before the job ended, that truck was a hearse and I was almost a client. So pour yourself a hot seltzer and I'll tell you about it.

[Doc Dougherty]

Come.

[Rocky Fortune]

Mr. Dougherty? Yeah, you the party advertised for a truck driver?

[Doc Dougherty]

That's right.

[Rocky Fortune]

I'll take it. My name's Fortune. Rocky Fortune.

[Doc Dougherty]

Three other guys just turned it down. Better let me tell you what you have to do.

[Rocky Fortune]

Just tell me how much it pays.

[Doc Dougherty]

$50 a day.

[Rocky Fortune]

Now I want to know what I have to do.

[Doc Dougherty]

Drive a truck from here to la.

[Rocky Fortune]

What's in it? Uranium?

[Doc Dougherty]

Nitroglycerin.

[Rocky Fortune]

Yeah. Well, I'll see you around, Mr. Dougherty. A fortune? Yeah.

[Doc Dougherty]

75 a day, Mr. Dockety.

[Rocky Fortune]

I was a PFC with a bazooka during the Battle of the Bulge. I didn't have a scratch in my body when it was over, but somehow my mind got kind of scratched. I don't like loud explosions.

[Doc Dougherty]

$500 bonus if you make it.

[Rocky Fortune]

I said I didn't. 500 cash. You got yourself a boy. When do we leave?

[Doc Dougherty]

In 10 minutes.

[Rocky Fortune]

Somebody's in a hurry.

[Doc Dougherty]

A fella in LA wants to blow up a movie lot. He needs his stuff.

[Rocky Fortune]

Okay. I assume I get a relief driver.

[Doc Dougherty]

That's right.

[Rocky Fortune]

Who is he?

[Doc Dougherty]

Me?

[Rocky Fortune]

Yeah. You really having trouble finding drivers?

[Doc Dougherty]

I live in la. I just came east with a truck to pick up the nitrogen.

[Rocky Fortune]

Okay, Mr. Dougherty, we're gonna be living.

[Doc Dougherty]

In a truck cab for 10 days. Call me Doc.

[Rocky Fortune]

Okay, Doc. I'll phone my landlady.

[Doc Dougherty]

Oh, before you go.

[Rocky Fortune]

Yeah?

[Doc Dougherty]

The company's got rules about driving explosives.

[Rocky Fortune]

I'm listening.

[Doc Dougherty]

Nobody except me opens the truck. See? Also, there's a steel shutter between the cab and the back part of the truck. Nobody opens that either. We take back roads all the way. No main highways. Got it?

[Rocky Fortune]

I got it.

[Doc Dougherty]

Also, this stuff goes off when you shake it, so try to Mr. Bumps, huh, Doc?

[Rocky Fortune]

On the level. What are the chances, huh?

[Doc Dougherty]

There ain't a thing to worry about. Only.

[Rocky Fortune]

Only what?

[Doc Dougherty]

Well, when you call your landlady, tell her if you're not back in a month, she can hang out the vacancy side.

[Rocky Fortune]

Oops. Ten minutes later, I'm driving across the George Washington Bridge in a red and white trailer truck marked Danger High Explosives. We stop at the toll booth on the Jersey side of the bridge and pay the passage. Just as I'm about to give her the gun, the most gorgeous redhead you ever laid eyes on lays eyes on me.

[Linda]

Hello.

[Rocky Fortune]

Hi.

[Linda]

Wonder if you boys could give me a lift.

[Rocky Fortune]

Stranded, huh, Doc?

[Doc Dougherty]

Why not hop in, kid.

[Rocky Fortune]

We're carrying high explosives.

[Linda]

Honey, I can read. Also, I explode very easily myself.

[Rocky Fortune]

All right, Dick, take it easy. Take it easy. We seem to be holding up traffic. Excuse me.

[Doc Dougherty]

How far are you going, miss?

[Linda]

All the way.

[Rocky Fortune]

I beg your pardon?

[Linda]

Hollywood, USA how far are you going?

[Rocky Fortune]

All the way. Right, Doc?

[Doc Dougherty]

Why not we?

[Linda]

You mean you'll drive me all the way to la?

[Rocky Fortune]

If Doc says it's all right, it's okay with me.

[Doc Dougherty]

Just don't say anything to the company when we get out there.

[Linda]

Oh, that's wonderful. How do you like that? Linda, baby, your luck is beginning to change already.

[Rocky Fortune]

You been having a tough time, Red?

[Linda]

The name is Linda.

[Rocky Fortune]

Okay, Red.

[Linda]

Tough is the understatement of the year. First, I lose my job in the chorus at Sam and Eddie's. Then I lose my pocketbook with every cent in the world in it including a train ticket to la, which some movie companies sent me.

[Rocky Fortune]

Screen test, huh?

[Linda]

Better get there.

[Rocky Fortune]

Well, good luck. Hey, Doc, just think. We may be riding with another Linda Darnell.

[Doc Dougherty]

The only movie star I ever liked was Rin Tin Tin. Pardon me while I grab some shut eye.

[Rocky Fortune]

As anybody could plainly see, Linda was no dog. However, Doc falls asleep and we head out Route 3. And it ain't long before I hear that old familiar sound, A motorcycle siren. Sure enough, a boy in a blue suit pulls alongside and gives me the wig wag with his glove. All right, pull it over. Some difficulty, officer?

[Officer]

Just a routine inspection, chief.

[Rocky Fortune]

You looking for Anything special?

[Officer]

Only 200 grand in the hoods. Who stole it?

[Rocky Fortune]

How? What happened?

[Officer]

Gang of hoodlums held up the United States post office. Day four. Yesterday. Got away with 200 grand.

[Rocky Fortune]

Can you nab any of them?

[Officer]

We got one who was shot by a guard. The brains of the outfit is a hood named Mike the Butcher.

[Rocky Fortune]

Oh, I read about that bum.

[Officer]

What's in the trailer?

[Rocky Fortune]

Nitro.

[Officer]

Let's open it up and have a look.

[Rocky Fortune]

Okay.

[Officer]

What's with your buddy there?

[Rocky Fortune]

Oh, he had a hard night. He's sleeping it off. Just a minute. I'll get out and open the back for you.

[Linda]

I think I'll stretch my legs too.

[Officer]

First time I ever seen a Dameron in high explosives.

[Linda]

Women are doing everything these days, officer. Why? I understand they're considering ladies State troopers.

[Officer]

When it happens, I resign.

[Rocky Fortune]

Just let me slip these bolts.

[Officer]

Open it.

[Doc Dougherty]

Right.

[Officer]

Packed solid, huh?

[Rocky Fortune]

Yeah. That's mostly straw, though, to keep it from bumping the nitros in metal containers buried in the hay.

[Officer]

It looks legitimate. You got a license?

[Rocky Fortune]

Right here.

[Officer]

Okay, buster, close it up.

[Rocky Fortune]

We cleared.

[Officer]

Just keep off of the main highways.

[Rocky Fortune]

Right.

[Officer]

Take off.

[Rocky Fortune]

The trooper who looks like he escaped from the gorilla cage at Ringling Brothers, speeds out in front till he's out of sight. The redhead and I climb back in the cab. Doc is sleeping like he ain't got a care in the world. So I start up the motor and we head for Pennsylvania.

[Linda]

Rocky.

[Rocky Fortune]

What's up, kid?

[Linda]

I'm hungry.

[Rocky Fortune]

Yeah, you know, I could stand some of that fodder myself. I'll pull into that roadside place up ahead.

[Linda]

Thanks, Rocky.

[Rocky Fortune]

Don't mention it. I'll wake up Doc. He could probably use some job himself.

[Linda]

Okay.

[Rocky Fortune]

Hey, Doc. Doc, wake up. Hey, Doc. Come on, line up your flu.

[Linda]

Doc, can't you wake him up?

[Rocky Fortune]

No.

[Linda]

Well, let me try.

[Rocky Fortune]

Wait a minute. Take it easy, Grant. Nobody's gonna wake him up.

[Linda]

What?

[Rocky Fortune]

He's dead, baby. Stone cold dead just a little while ago.

[Linda]

Are you sure?

[Rocky Fortune]

Uh huh.

[Linda]

I don't understand how.

[Rocky Fortune]

Just take a good look at them finger marks on his throat. You'll understand. Somebody choked this guy to death.

[Linda]

Rocky, you're dreaming. We've been right in this cab with him. Except for one minute when the state troopers stopped us.

[Rocky Fortune]

That was the minute that did it.

[Linda]

You. You mean we've been riding with a dead man all this time? Oh, Rocky.

[Rocky Fortune]

I throw a blanket over Doherty and head for the roadside rest with Linda right behind me. Inside is a small bar and a couple of tables. I'm just going for the phone when a familiar voice stops me.

[Officer]

Well, look who's here. The high explosive kid.

[Rocky Fortune]

Officer, you're just the guy I want to see. Hmm.

[Officer]

Let me buy you a cup of coffee. It's freezing out.

[Rocky Fortune]

Before you do, I think I ought to tell you I got a stiff out in the truck.

[Frank Sinatra]

A what?

[Rocky Fortune]

A body, Corpse. A duster.

[Officer]

Oh, you're kidding, aren't you?

[Rocky Fortune]

Come on out and have a look.

[Officer]

I will. You better come, too, miss. He's dead, all right, and it ain't an accident.

[Rocky Fortune]

That's what I've been trying to tell you.

[Officer]

Now, let's have a look in his pockets.

[Rocky Fortune]

Mm.

[Officer]

This is the key to the truck.

[Rocky Fortune]

That's right.

[Officer]

I see he carries a rod.

[Rocky Fortune]

I thought all truck drivers carried him in case they got trapped in a wreck or something.

[Officer]

Maybe so, Jack, but all truck drivers don't wear phony mustaches, do they? Or is that in case they get an unexpected invitation to a masquerade?

[Rocky Fortune]

Hey, that is a phony.

[Officer]

When did this job happen?

[Rocky Fortune]

Well, the only time it could have happened was when the redhead and I got out of the truck to open the back for you.

[Officer]

Okay. What's your name?

[Rocky Fortune]

Fortune. Rocky Fortune.

[Linda]

Miss Linda Crandall.

[Officer]

You two climbing the truck with.

[Linda]

With that?

[Officer]

You've been holding hands with him for two hours. Another couple of minutes, don't matter.

[Rocky Fortune]

What do we do?

[Officer]

Follow me. We're gonna drive over to headquarters and have a little conference about this with the lights on. Let's go. And keep right behind me.

[Rocky Fortune]

Anything you say, pal.

[Linda]

Rocky.

[Rocky Fortune]

Huh?

[Linda]

I think we're in trouble.

[Rocky Fortune]

I think so, too, kid. Also, I think we're going to get out of it.

[Linda]

What do you mean?

[Rocky Fortune]

I mean, keep an eye out for the first side road you see. That's where we turn off.

[Linda]

But, Rocky, that trooper.

[Rocky Fortune]

Kiddo, you see that sign post up ahead there?

[Linda]

You mean the one that says Honesdale?

[Rocky Fortune]

Huh?

[Linda]

What about it?

[Rocky Fortune]

Honesdale, my love, is in Pennsylvania. So what's a New Jersey State Trooper doing leading us to headquarters in Pennsylvania? And while I'm at it, why is he wearing a Dick Tracy badge under his coat?

[Adam Graham]

What?

[Rocky Fortune]

I saw it inside the bar.

[Linda]

You mean he's a fraud?

[Rocky Fortune]

He's as phony as Santa's beard.

[Linda]

But why?

[Rocky Fortune]

A good question. Why was Doc here choked to death? And why was he wearing a fake mustache? How come this fake trooper's going up and down the highway looking for Mike The Butcher and 200 grand in cash? You want to play 20 questions?

[Linda]

Not now. Oh, we're coming to a dirt road off this time.

[Rocky Fortune]

We'll just wait until Dick Tracy passes it on a cycle and we make like Bonnie Oldfield. Hang on, honey. How we doing?

[Linda]

He's coming after us.

[Rocky Fortune]

We'll keep tabs on him. And flash me.

[Linda]

Rocky's got a gun.

[Rocky Fortune]

Oh, brother. If he puts a bullet in that nitroglycerin.

[Linda]

Oh, this bumpy road isn't helping either.

[Rocky Fortune]

Uh oh.

[Linda]

He's gaining.

[Rocky Fortune]

Rocky. Yeah. There's a turn up ahead, though. I'm gonna try it. Hang on.

[Linda]

Rocky.

[Rocky Fortune]

Rocky, look out. Dead end. Unless this thing can climb a steel fence.

[Linda]

Rocky, Here he comes.

[Rocky Fortune]

Yeah. Rocky.

[Linda]

He'll kill it. He fell off his motorcycle.

[Rocky Fortune]

Yeah. Come on. He must have hurt himself.

[Linda]

Rocky. Rocky. Is he.

[Rocky Fortune]

He's dead, baby. Now we got two corpses on our hands.

[Linda]

He must have had an accident.

[Rocky Fortune]

He sure did. He drove into a couple of 30 caliber bullets and managed to hit him with his head.

[Linda]

But how? I don't have a gun. You don't have a gun? Doc is dead. Oh, Rocky, this is getting spooky.

[Rocky Fortune]

Let's see. He was right behind us and the bullets hit him head on.

[Linda]

And Doc was in the cab of the truck when he was killed.

[Rocky Fortune]

Honey, I just had a brainstorm.

[Linda]

Where are you going?

[Rocky Fortune]

I'm gonna open the back of that truck and have a look inside. You stay right here.

[Linda]

But the truck is filled with straw and nitroglycerin.

[Rocky Fortune]

So it would seem. But I'm gonna have me another look. We'll just unlock this kid, open the doors and slide this petition. And how they do.

[Mike the Butcher]

Keep your hands up or I'll give you what this phony trooper just got.

[Rocky Fortune]

Yeah, sure thing, Rocky.

[Linda]

What is it?

[Rocky Fortune]

We got guests, baby. Somebody's been living in the back of our living room here all the time. Get over here, redhead.

[Mike the Butcher]

Stand next to your pal.

[Linda]

Who are you? How'd you get in there?

[Mike the Butcher]

Never mind that.

[Rocky Fortune]

He's been in there all the time. Red, the nitro and the straw just covered up back of the half of the truck.

[Linda]

Rocky, he. He must have killed Doc.

[Rocky Fortune]

Did kill Doc, honey. He just reached through the grill that connects the cab in the truck compartment and choked him.

[Mike the Butcher]

You're both too smart for your own good. Just like Doc.

[Rocky Fortune]

Just think, honey, we've been chauffeurs for none other than Mike the butcher. Yeah, that's a pretty smart way to get across the country with 200 grand in hot money. Why'd you choke your pal Doherty, Mike?

[Mike the Butcher]

Doc got a little too clever, fly boy. When Blinky Harry come along on his kiddie car, Dockety says to me through the back of the truck, Mike, he says, unless you want me to tell Blinky Harry you're In here. You better spare that 200 GS with me. 50. 50.

[Rocky Fortune]

So you choked him?

[Mike the Butcher]

He was breathing my face. I can't stand the smell of garlic, so what else could I do? Also, I don't like double crosses.

[Rocky Fortune]

I suppose you ain't double crossing Blinky, Harry and the other boys who helped you pull that stick up. I suppose you're just lambing across the country with the loot so you can protect it for the boys.

[Mike the Butcher]

Yeah, how'd you guess?

[Rocky Fortune]

I could tell by the way Blinky and the boys were chasing you on motorcycles. Making like state troopers and searching cars. You don't think you're gonna get away with this, do you, Mike?

[Mike the Butcher]

Why not?

[Rocky Fortune]

If the law doesn't get you, the mob will.

[Mike the Butcher]

They gotta catch me first. And Mike the Butcher don't catch easy.

[Rocky Fortune]

A guy with two corpses on his hands gets to be a little prominent.

[Mike the Butcher]

I ain't worried. Business is so good, I'm even thinking of putting on a couple of fresh ones. Come on, egghead. Help me get Blinky and Doc into the back of the truck.

[Rocky Fortune]

Then what?

[Mike the Butcher]

Then we go for a drive. A nice quiet drive.

[Rocky Fortune]

Not much point in arguing with a killer like Mike the Butcher. So we stuff Blinky, Harry and the dock into the back of the truck under the straw. And then me and the redhead Mike climb into the cab and start what looks like the last lap. Where are we?

[Mike the Butcher]

Fortune, just outside Pittsburgh.

[Linda]

I'm hungry.

[Mike the Butcher]

I could stand a little chow myself.

[Rocky Fortune]

Yeah, it's getting dark too.

[Mike the Butcher]

Next place you pass with curb service, pull in.

[Rocky Fortune]

Yeah, we're coming to one now.

[Mike the Butcher]

Okay, easer in and wait for the car. Hop. I'll do all the talking. I mean all the talking.

[Rocky Fortune]

You're carrying the artillery.

[Mike the Butcher]

Pull in. I blow the hor for service and not a piece.

[Rocky Fortune]

Yes, sir. Ladies and gentlemen, what'll it be?

[Mike the Butcher]

Three hamburger plates, three coffees, three bags of popcorn, onion, no onions.

[Rocky Fortune]

Yes, sir. Hey, carrying explosives, huh?

[Mike the Butcher]

That's right, Junior.

[Rocky Fortune]

Boy, I sure wouldn't want your job. What are you loaded with?

[Mike the Butcher]

Dynamites.

[Rocky Fortune]

Wow.

[Mike the Butcher]

Get the food, Junior.

[Rocky Fortune]

Yes, sir. How about some ketchup?

[Mike the Butcher]

Bring the works.

[Rocky Fortune]

Yes, sir. Junior brings a char and we light into it like three wolves at a pastry shop. While Mike the Butcher's picking his teeth with a barrel of his.45. I see Linda writing a message on a paper plate using ketchup for ink and a French fried potato for a pen. Junior comes back out with three bags of popcorn just as Linda sells the paper plate toward the door of the eatery. Here's a popcorn, sir. Did you enjoy the hamburgers?

[Mike the Butcher]

Yes. Well, here, toss this stuff in the garbage.

[Rocky Fortune]

Oh, thank you, sir. Hey, you know, most people just throw their plates on the ground, which means I have to pick them up.

[Mike the Butcher]

Oh, it's tough. What do I owe you, kid?

[Rocky Fortune]

210, sir.

[Mike the Butcher]

Just a minute.

[Rocky Fortune]

Wow, is that whole suitcase full of money?

[Mike the Butcher]

Just the trade, Junior. Here, keep the change.

[Rocky Fortune]

Gee, thanks. Is there anything else I can do for you?

[Linda]

Yes. Call the police.

[Rocky Fortune]

I beg your pardon?

[Mike the Butcher]

Shut up, Fred. She's crazy. Been eating nitroglycerin. Get going, Fortune.

[Rocky Fortune]

Okay, okay.

[Mike the Butcher]

You just talked yourself out of a long life, redhead. I can't afford to take chances.

[Rocky Fortune]

He didn't mean anything.

[Mike the Butcher]

Not much. Okay. Fortunately, next dirt road you see, turn off.

[Rocky Fortune]

Listen, this nitro won't take much more banging around this level to go boom.

[Mike the Butcher]

So is this.45? Now, you do like I say.

[Rocky Fortune]

I drive up a deserted road wondering if Junior found a message on the paper plate. And even if he did, how would the cops find us? After a couple of miles of bouncing around, Mike pokes his rod into my right eye and we stop.

[Mike the Butcher]

That is far enough. Okay, redhead, you can stop chomping the popcorn now. Here's where you get out.

[Linda]

Me?

[Mike the Butcher]

You keep the motor on. Unfortunately. Hey, step down.

[Linda]

Aren't you two getting out?

[Mike the Butcher]

Not yet. Now walk over there toward the edge of the road. Keep your back to us.

[Rocky Fortune]

What are you going to do, Mike?

[Mike the Butcher]

Going to get rid of the redhead. She's too dangerous.

[Rocky Fortune]

You just can't shoot her in the back.

[Mike the Butcher]

It's against the game regulations.

[Rocky Fortune]

Now I know why they call you Mike the Butcher.

[Mike the Butcher]

That's far enough, baby. Just stand there. Well, Papa pulls this trigger.

[Rocky Fortune]

Hey, Fortune, stop the truck. Stop her.

[Mike the Butcher]

I'll put a bullet in you.

[Rocky Fortune]

Go ahead, Mike, shoot. If this crate piles up, that TNT will go up like a Roman candle.

[Mike the Butcher]

Crazy idiot.

[Rocky Fortune]

Crazy like a granddaddy fox. Give me that gun.

[Mike the Butcher]

Are you nuts?

[Rocky Fortune]

We're doing 50 miles an hour. Mike, you can't luff me. See that stone fence up ahead, Fortune? We should be doing 90 when we hit it.

[Mike the Butcher]

Fortune, stop it.

[Rocky Fortune]

That gun, Mike. Fortune, that gun.

[Mike the Butcher]

Oh, okay, okay, here it is.

[Rocky Fortune]

One move and I'll ventilate you.

[Mike the Butcher]

All right, you win.

[Rocky Fortune]

Sit over next to the door while I drive back for the redhead.

[Mike the Butcher]

Yeah, yeah, like you say.

[Rocky Fortune]

There she is.

[Linda]

Rocky. Rocky, you all right?

[Rocky Fortune]

I'm fine. Open the door for him. I.

[Mike the Butcher]

Sure. In fact, I'll be glad to get out.

[Rocky Fortune]

Red.

[Adam Graham]

Rocky.

[Rocky Fortune]

Rocky, don't shoot.

[Mike the Butcher]

Okay. Don't move. One move, Fortune, I stick this pen knife right in her throat.

[Rocky Fortune]

Ah, you yellow. Shut up.

[Mike the Butcher]

Now toss the gun, Rocky.

[Linda]

Rocky is joking me.

[Doc Dougherty]

The gun.

[Rocky Fortune]

Take it.

[Mike the Butcher]

Okay, now both of you into the back of the truck. Come on, open it up, Fortune.

[Rocky Fortune]

Yeah.

[Mike the Butcher]

All right, get in. You first, Red. Now you, Fortune. In. Okay, I've had enough of you two. So I'm saying so long to you and the other two stiffs.

[Rocky Fortune]

What are you gonna do, Mike?

[Mike the Butcher]

Me? I'm just going to back off a couple hundred feet and start throwing lead into this nitroglycerin. Then I'm going to watch you and the redhead and the stiffs go up like a Fourth of July celebration.

[Rocky Fortune]

Well, it ought to be painless anyway.

[Mike the Butcher]

You won't feel a thing. So long, sucker. Okay, Fortune, here it comes.

[Rocky Fortune]

Wait a minute, Butcher. Yeah. If you turn around, the cops can get a better shot at you, Butcher.

[Mike the Butcher]

Not this boy, Copper.

[Rocky Fortune]

Come on, kid, let's get out of this fireworks factory. You two all right? We're okay. How's the Butcher? Had to finish him. How'd you find us? The car hop at the curb. Restaurant called us when he found the lady's message on the plate and we followed the popcorn. Popcorn?

[Linda]

Uh huh. I managed to drop some out the window all along the road.

[Rocky Fortune]

Well, cut off my legs and call me Shorty. All right, where's the rest of the money? How'd you know about that? Those bills they used to pay the car hopper marked like a theater exit. They're part of the post office loot. They're in that suitcase next to Mike's body. All right, let's have a look. Wow. I'll just take these.

[Linda]

I'm afraid you won't, Officer. I'll take them.

[Mike the Butcher]

Huh?

[Rocky Fortune]

Who do you think you are?

[Linda]

Well, if you'll look at my credentials, you'll see that I'm an agent for the United States Postal Department.

[Rocky Fortune]

What?

[Linda]

We were tipped off that Mike the Butcher had double crossed. The gang was trying to get out of the state. I was what you might call a plant.

[Rocky Fortune]

Holy smokes. Isn't there a reward for recovering this stuff?

[Linda]

Oh, yes. It goes to Mr. Fortune here.

[Rocky Fortune]

No kidding. What is it?

[Linda]

This. That's for saving my life.

[Rocky Fortune]

Yeah. When we go home, baby, you better ride in the back of the truck with the rest of the high explosives.

[Linda]

Suppose I don't?

[Rocky Fortune]

Pow.

[Frank Sinatra]

NBC has presented Frank Sinatra as that footloose and fancy free young gentleman, Rocky Fortune. Others in tonight's cast included Frank Gerstel, Lynn Allen, Bill Justine, Howard Culver, Jack Carroll, and Maurice Hart. Tonight's script was written by George Lefferts. Andrew C. Love directed. Now to tell you about next week's adventure, here's Frank Sinatra as Rocky Fortune.

[Rocky Fortune]

Say, do you ever notice how every week I get dragged or thrown into a homicidal picnic where I get pushed around? I'm not complaining, but I got so many bumps lately, I have to pay overtime for head readings. And speaking about lumps and stuff reminds me another form of homicide, the football racket. That'll be the background for next week's little Tater Tay. I'll see you around.

[Frank Sinatra]

It said, the Lord loveth a cheerful giver. So do thousands upon thousands of polio victims who receive merciful aid through your cheerful contributions to the March of Dimes. Your extra help is needed now to pay for history's greatest assault against infantile paralysis, a 1954 polio prevention program through gamma globulin and vast field tests of a polio vaccine. This is the year that the March of Dimes has started its polio prevention program. Your dimes and dollars are going to help pay for more gamma globulin and the mass tests of the trial vaccine. Join the March of Dimes and give extra for victory over polio. You'll be glad you did. Visit with Fiber McGee and Molly tonight on the NBC Radio Network.

[Nicole Byer]

If your job at a health care facility includes disinfecting against viruses, you know prevention is the best medicine. And maintaining healthy spaces starts with a healthy cleaning routine. Grainger's world class supply chain helps ensure you have the quality products you need when you need them, from disinfectants and cleaning supplies to personal protective equipment so you can help deliver a clean bill of health. Call 1-800-GRAINGER click grainger.com or just stop by Grainger for the ones who get it done.

[Adam Graham]

Welcome back. Well, I really did enjoy this episode. It just did have a lot of great surprises, moved at a pretty good pace and was really fun. This is a series, I think, that got better as it went along. And usually when I choose a show for great detectives, I'll evaluate episodes generally from the start. And then once that's done, when I have time to have some leisure time listening, I'll just throw in an episode. So right now I'll grab an episode of something like Broadway's My Beat. But I don't get all the way through a series usually, so I was really surprised how good and you know, just how much fun it got with Frank Sinatra's charisma and just the, the joy of the scripts as well as the concept which really did allow from some for some stories like this one that you wouldn't necessarily see on every other mystery drama. All right. Well, listener comment and feedback. And this one is from Jason who says thank you, Adam, for making Old Time Radio available. Well, thanks so much for listening, Jason. I'm glad to share this radio. It's available other places on the Internet, but I'm glad to make it easy for people to get this downloaded and to enjoy it. All right. Well, that will do it for today. Join us back here tomorrow for standby for crime. Then next Monday, we'll be bringing you number five on our short division countdown. You won't want to miss it. In the meantime, send your comments to box13reatetectives.net and follow us on Twitter. Radio Detectives from Boise, Idaho, this is your host, Adam Graham signing off.