Yours Truly Johnny Dollar: The Alkali Mike Matter (EP4627)

Summary

Podcast Summary: "Yours Truly Johnny Dollar: The Alkali Mike Matter (EP4627)"

Podcast Information:

• Title: The Great Detectives of Old Time Radio
• Host/Author: Adam Graham, Radio Detective Podcasts
• Episode: Yours Truly Johnny Dollar: The Alkali Mike Matter (EP4627)
• Release Date: February 14, 2025

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Introduction

In this episode of The Great Detectives of Old Time Radio, host Adam Graham presents "Yours Truly Johnny Dollar: The Alkali Mike Matter," an enthralling installment of the classic radio detective series starring America's favorite freelance insurance investigator, Johnny Dollar. This episode delves into the mysterious death of Alkali Mike Murphy, unraveling layers of family intrigue, suspicion, and unexpected revelations.

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Summary of the Radio Drama

Act One: The Case Unfolds

The episode opens with Johnny Dollar receiving a distressing call from Meg McCarthy (03:00), who informs him about trouble in Port Hopeful, Nevada. Meg hints at issues surrounding Western Life and Trust Insurance Company's policyholder, Alkali Mike Murphy Jr. She mentions that Mike's sudden death has ramifications for the insurance payout of $200,000, equally divided among his three nephews, niece, and an old housekeeper.

Johnny's conversation with Bill Kemper from the insurance company (06:00) raises suspicions about Meg's involvement in Mike's death. Bill hints at a possible foul play linked to the beneficiaries, particularly pointing fingers at Meg.

Determined to get to the bottom of the matter without financial incentive, Johnny decides to take on the case pro bono (06:30), emphasizing his commitment to uncovering the truth over monetary gain.

Act Two: Investigating Port Hopeful

Johnny arrives in the arid landscape of Winnemucca, Nevada (09:00) and meets Sergeant Otis Framley at the local police headquarters. The sergeant presents Meg McCarthy as the prime suspect in Mike's poisoning, but Johnny's instincts tell him otherwise.

Convincing the sergeant to let him speak with Meg, Johnny brings her out of jail (12:00). During their intense interrogation, Meg reveals the dynamics of Mike's family:

• Edgar Murphy: The eldest nephew, described as the "nice one."
• Margaret Murphy: A manipulative niece with a penchant for exploiting familial ties.
• Danny Murphy: A wanderer with gambling issues.

Meg emphasizes her lack of motive, denying any desire for Mike's insurance money despite being named as a beneficiary. Johnny's probing leads to the revelation that Mike's death was ruled accidental, caused by quintanagen sulfonate, a poison linked to Native American arrow poisons (19:00). However, inconsistencies in the evidence prompt Johnny to suspect foul play.

Act Three: The Truth Emerges

Johnny and Meg revisit Port Hopeful's Palace, uncovering discrepancies in the crime scene (21:00). Clues about the "death cup," an old mug used by Mike's father to commit suicide, surface. Meg unwittingly reveals that residual poison from the cup was used in Mike's whiskey, leading to his accidental poisoning (20:00).

The final confrontation exposes the true nature of the Murphy family dynamics. While familial greed paves the way for suspicion, the investigation concludes that Mike's death was indeed an accident, not a murder. Johnny underscores the value of friendship and integrity over financial gain, subtly criticizing the family's unscrupulous behavior.

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Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Meg McCarthy (03:35): "With the very same identical company that's insured the life of this blessed man what's laying dead at me feet."

• Johnny Dollar (09:14): "I'll grab the first plane."

• Host Adam Graham (23:08): "I have to appreciate the rarity of having it actually turn out to be an accident when everyone was suspecting murder, even though it was a really freak accident."

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Host's Commentary and Insights

After the dramatic conclusion of the Johnny Dollar story, Adam Graham provides insightful commentary on the episode. He draws parallels between "The Alkali Mike Matter" and other serials, noting structural inconsistencies and character development challenges (23:08).

Key Points from Adam Graham:

1. Story Structure Critique:

   • Introduction of Meg: Graham suggests that having Meg initiate the trouble via phone call may have disrupted the narrative flow. He believes it would have been more impactful if the insurance agent had contacted Johnny directly, creating immediate suspense.

2. Character Development:

   • Meg McCarthy's Role: While Meg was intended to showcase a strong, fiery character, limited airtime and the presence of multiple characters hindered her development. Graham expresses a desire for more focused episodes that allow characters like Meg to shine fully.

3. Appreciation of Plot Resolution:

   • Accidental Death Twist: Graham appreciates the unexpected twist where Alkali Mike's death is ruled accidental. This departure from the usual murder mystery trope adds depth to the narrative, emphasizing that not all cases are black and white.

4. Listener Engagement:

   • Comments and Feedback: Graham highlights positive listener feedback, including praise for storytelling and character portrayals. He addresses a specific listener query about the plausibility of Johnny’s ability to discern numbers via rotary phone sounds, providing a plausible explanation based on the mechanics of rotary dialing (24:00).

5. Missed Opportunities:

   • Missing Episodes: Mentioning a missing episode, "Glacier Ghost Matter," Graham expresses interest in how Meg's character was further developed, hinting at the richness of the series beyond what's presented.

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Conclusion

"Yours Truly Johnny Dollar: The Alkali Mike Matter" stands out as a compelling episode that intertwines classic detective elements with thoughtful character dynamics. Despite some structural critiques, the episode successfully delivers suspense, unexpected twists, and meaningful resolutions. Adam Graham's detailed analysis enriches the listening experience, offering listeners both entertainment and thoughtful reflection on old-time radio detective storytelling.

For enthusiasts of vintage radio dramas, this episode is a testament to the enduring allure of detective fiction, seamlessly blending mystery with human complexity.

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Thank you for listening to The Great Detectives of Old Time Radio. Subscribe to stay updated on future episodes and delve deeper into the golden age of radio mysteries.

Transcript

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[Podcast Host]

Welcome to the Great Detectives of Old Time Radio. In a moment, we're going to bring you this week's episode of yours truly, Johnny Dollar. First, I do want to encourage you if you're enjoying the podcast to please follow us using your favorite podcast software. And remember, when making your travel plans, check johnnydollerair.com Johnnydoller air.com is a Priceline affiliate link, so if you book through there, part of the purchase price supports the great detectives of Old Time Radio at no additional cost to you. So remember when making your travel plans, check out Johnny Dol air.com First now from November 10, 1957, here is the alkali mic matter.

[Johnny Dollar]

Johnny$ Ah, it is.

[Meg McCarthy]

A joy to me. Hard to be hearing the voice of me lover boy Meg McCarthy. How could you tell from the far away so long ago? Now answer me that.

[Johnny Dollar]

Oh Meg. I'd recognize that soft dulcet voice of yours anywhere. How are you Johnny Boy?

[Meg McCarthy]

I've got trouble.

[Johnny Dollar]

And where are you? By the way, Port Hopeful is the name of the place Port Hopeful, huh? You just can't stay away from the sea and ships and sailing men, can you?

[Meg McCarthy]

And whose leg would you be after trying to pull now?

[Johnny Dollar]

Port Hopeful.

[Meg McCarthy]

Nevada.

[Johnny Dollar]

Nevada?

[Meg McCarthy]

Right out in the middle of the desert.

[Johnny Dollar]

Well, what are you doing there? And why do they call it a port then?

[Meg McCarthy]

With the very same identical things? I'll be telling you when you get here. And if you take to my advice, you won't waste no time along the way. There's trouble out here. Insurance trouble.

[Johnny Dollar]

Oh, what company?

[Meg McCarthy]

Western Life and Trust they calls it. The very same identical company that's insured the life of this blessed man what's laying dead at me feet.

[Johnny Dollar]

Dead at your feet? Meg, you. You don't mean.

[Meg McCarthy]

Just a minute. You're by way of implicating that I done him in. You're just an evil minded, suspicious young. Aw, forgive. Give me sweetheart boy, huh? Well, you was worried about me, wasn't you?

[Johnny Dollar]

Well, certainly, of course, love you.

[Meg McCarthy]

But me skirts are clean. Now will you get moving and come out here?

[Johnny Dollar]

Well, it kind of depends.

[Meg McCarthy]

Oh, and just what kind of fancy double talking is that supposed to. Oh, no you don't.

[Johnny Dollar]

What?

[Meg McCarthy]

Get your dirty, filthy, conniving hands off.

[Johnny Dollar]

Meg, what's the matter? Take them bracelet out of here.

[Meg McCarthy]

And you.

[Johnny Dollar]

Me?

[Meg McCarthy]

Well, I guess I was wrong, Johnny. I guess I am in trouble now.

[Johnny Dollar]

I'll grab the first plane. Bob Bailey in the exciting adventures of the man with the action packed expense account. America's fabulous freelance insurance investigator, yours truly, Johnny Dollar. And now act one of yours truly, Johnny Dollar expense account submitted by special investigator Johnny Dollar to Western Life and Trust Insurance Company, San Francisco office. Following is an account of expenses incurred during my investigation of the alkali Mike Matter expense account. Item 1, 375. Telephone call to Bill Kemper at Western Life and Trust, who talked only long enough to order me onto the first plane for the coast. Item 2, 153 50. Transportation on a late evening flight to San Francisco. Item three, the next morning, 4:25 cab from the airport to Bill Kemper's office in the Lawson building. Ever hear of Alkali Mike Murphy, Johnny? Yeah, sure, Bill. At least I think so. Isn't he the kind of legendary character who found so much gold somewhere out here over in the Black Rock Desert, Nevada? Yeah, place called Port Hopeful. That's right. The original Alkali Mike had been the skipper of a sailing ship before he got the lust for gold back in the last century. Yeah? Well, what about it? Finally found it. Plenty of it out there in the desert near the little town of Winnemucca and built himself a regular palace out of rocks from the nearby mountains. Named it Port Hopeful. Settled down to spend the rest of his days enjoying his money. But then he died. Legend says it was suicide. Now, what's that got to do with you or me or the company ALKALI Mike Murphy Jr. His son, who spent the last 40 years living there. But now he suddenly died. And how he died affects payoff on the insurance policy we wrote. How much? 200,000. Straight life. Ah, we beneficiaries. Two nephews, one niece and an old housekeeper. All sharing equally. Provided, of course, that one of them didn't help him on his way to the great beyond. And you think maybe one of them did? 50,000 a piece is a lot of money, Johnny. Which one, Grant? It's only a hunch, but if I were you, I'd make a pretty careful check on that housekeeper, Meg McCarthy. She's an old. Yes. What do you know about this McCarthy woman? Oh, plenty, Bill. Then you think my hunch is right? No. Why? Because if it is, I'll handle this case for nothing. But according to the police officer, what's more, I'll quit the insurance business. Item 4. 1320. Cab to the airport, plane fare and incidentals to Reno, Nevada. There I rented a car. That's item five. And headed north and east on Route 40. After about 165 miles of nothing but sagebrush and cactus, I pulled into the town of Winnemucca. I dropped off my bags at the motel Winnemucca. Then headed for the local police headquarters. I was introduced to a Sergeant Otis Framley. There's no point in driving out to Fort Hopeful, Mr. Dollar. We've got the number one suspect right here. Picked her up last night. Her? Meg McCarthy. Right. And you suspect her of what? Murder. If she didn't poison old Alkaline Mike, I'll eat my shirt. Then you'd better decide right now if you want it baked, boiled or fried. Where is she? In her cell. Come on. You mean you got some reason for thinking she didn't do it? I know Meg McCarthy, but don't you see? She's the only one who's anywhere near him. Besides, look at the motive. Suppose you tell me about it. Well, she's only been out there at Hopeful taking care of him about six months. Yet she gets under the skin of the old codger enough to make him turn over a big hunk of his insurance money. And that takes care of motive, huh? Well, doesn't it? Let's go talk to Maggie. Look, she's a pretty tough customer when she wants to be so she's a pretty tough customer.

[Meg McCarthy]

And if you silly stupid income poop store j.

[Johnny Dollar]

All right, Meg, take it easy.

[Meg McCarthy]

Oh, take it easy. If you blink an idiom, think you can keep a decent self respected lady.

[Johnny Dollar]

I said take it easy.

[Meg McCarthy]

And I say and I. Oh, Johnny. Darnt me ever loving boy.

[Johnny Dollar]

Hi, Maggie. Old rascal.

[Meg McCarthy]

Sweetheart. I knowed you'd come to save me out of this horrible place.

[Johnny Dollar]

Yeah, well, that pretty much depends on you. On what you're able to tell me about this whole thing.

[Meg McCarthy]

You bet I'll tell you.

[Johnny Dollar]

Only. Only.

[Meg McCarthy]

Johnny, what's the matter? Sure, I'll tell you all I know. It'll be the honest truth, Johnny Boyce. But don't you see? The only evidence I can give is enough to hang me.

[Johnny Dollar]

Max.

[Meg McCarthy]

God, Johnny, I need your help. I need it back.

[Johnny Dollar]

Act two of yours truly, Johnny Dollar, in a moment. And now, act two of yours truly, Johnny Dollar and the Alkali Mike matter. The Sergeant left Meg McCarthy and me alone there at the jail in Winnemucca, Nevada, and she told me all she knew.

[Meg McCarthy]

Jeremy had just plain got fed up with all the noisy roister and drunken tailors that used to come to me fancy cafe back on the east coast. So when I heard that alkali Mike Murphy was looking for a nice, quiet, respectable lady to be his housekeeper out here in the peaceful, quiet desert where I took the job.

[Johnny Dollar]

You've been out here about six months? Yes.

[Meg McCarthy]

Johnny Boy and me and Alkali, we just got along fine. I cooked good meals for him when we played cribbage together in the evening. And it got me a real bang out of keeping that old palace of his all neat and tidy for him.

[Johnny Dollar]

Yes, sure. But now, Meg, I understand he named you as a beneficiary of his big insurance policy.

[Meg McCarthy]

I told him I didn't want it. And besides, I have plenty of money of me own from selling out me cafe back east.

[Johnny Dollar]

Do you know the other beneficiaries?

[Meg McCarthy]

Huh? Do I know them? Them nephews and that? Me just hanging around waiting for him to die. These last 20 years, that's all they've been doing. Except maybe Edgar.

[Johnny Dollar]

Edgar?

[Meg McCarthy]

Edgar Murphy. The oldest Nevy. The nice one. This has had the fine job over to the bank in Lovelock.

[Johnny Dollar]

Any others?

[Meg McCarthy]

Margaret. She's a disgrace to me. Fine old name. Playing around with every Tom, Dick and Henry she can get her hands on. Looking for the one with the most money so she can snag him and live the easy life.

[Johnny Dollar]

Where is she?

[Meg McCarthy]

It's for Danny. Well, he's another no con. Spends all his time horsing around and gambling.

[Johnny Dollar]

Where are they now?

[Meg McCarthy]

Out to Port Hopeful, where else? Each of them trying to chisel the others out of all the fine furniture and old silverware and lovely china. You know, when the estate gets settled.

[Johnny Dollar]

All right, Meg, all right. If I'm going to try to help you, there are some things I have to know.

[Meg McCarthy]

I'll tell you everything, Johnny Boy.

[Johnny Dollar]

How did Alkali Mike die? Pies.

[Meg McCarthy]

And the doctor said it was in something that he ate.

[Johnny Dollar]

And who could have given it to him?

[Meg McCarthy]

There's the trouble, darling. I was the only one with him. I was the only one ever touched his horse food.

[Johnny Dollar]

Could it have been poisoned before it was brought into the house?

[Meg McCarthy]

No, never. Everything I bought for him and me come from the markets right here in Winnemucca. Besides, Johnny, I always had the same things he did.

[Johnny Dollar]

Even the day he died?

[Meg McCarthy]

Yes, even that same fateful morning.

[Johnny Dollar]

Well, did the doctor say what the poison was?

[Meg McCarthy]

Yes. Quinitip teni.

[Johnny Dollar]

Quintanagen.

[Meg McCarthy]

Yes, that was it. Sulphur or something.

[Johnny Dollar]

Quintanagen. Sulfonate.

[Meg McCarthy]

Yes, it turns to sulfonate now.

[Johnny Dollar]

That's strange. Because if I remember correctly, that's related to one of the old Indian arrow poisons.

[Meg McCarthy]

Ah, but Danny, there ain't been no Indians around here for years. At least the wild one.

[Johnny Dollar]

Look, Meg, I want to go out to that so called Palace Port Hopeful. But I want you with me.

[Meg McCarthy]

Well, a corpse lover Only. How can they get out of this jail?

[Johnny Dollar]

Let me worry about that. It took the help of a local attorney that sent him 500 bucks, but I managed to get Meg out of the clink. As long as Sergeant Framley stayed with us, that is. We headed out across the desert over a road that should have been traveled only by jeep. And finally, after about 60 miles of it, we came into a bare, rocky valley. And there in the middle of it sat the Palace Port Hopeful. Only it should have been called Port Hopeless.

[Meg McCarthy]

Ain't it a beautiful spot, Johnny boy?

[Johnny Dollar]

It was an atrocity. A huge, rambling jumble of native stone badly cemented together. There were almost as many doors sagging on their hinges as there were windows, as though the whole place had been put together one room at a time. Windows were set in at cockeyed angles and most of them were dirty. Three fairly new cars were parked out in front. The relative dollar. They've been here ever since the old Coot died like a bunch of buzzard vultures. Yeah, I know what you mean. Well, come on, let's go in.

[Meg McCarthy]

Yes, and see how they've messed up our lovely palace whilst I've been languishing mechanical way in that hoof car.

[Johnny Dollar]

Hey, look, Sergeant, if old Alkali was murdered. Of course he was. How else would he get that poison? Well, how about these relatives?

[Meg McCarthy]

That's what I've been trying to tell these hare brains.

[Johnny Dollar]

All right, all right, Meg, please.

[Meg McCarthy]

These bird tail idioms around here seem to think I'm the only one.

[Johnny Dollar]

Meg, shut up.

[Meg McCarthy]

Yes, dearie. You know I love you when you talk to me like that. Just like my dear departed husband, Garfield.

[Johnny Dollar]

Yes, yes, all right. Well, what about it, Sergeant? You mean his own kin? No, no, Mr. Dollar. People out here in this part of the country have too much respect for their own kin. Even when there's a lot of money involved. Yes, I even go so far as. What do you mean, Sergeant? Bringing that killer back here? Well, it's this way, Edgar. Sergeant, how dare you. Look, it's all perfectly legal. Legal? This woman killed our uncle. Now, look, will you? Mr. Dollar here is an insurance investigator.

[Meg McCarthy]

Johnny Dollar?

[Johnny Dollar]

That's right. Oh, I've heard about you. Well, I haven't.

[Meg McCarthy]

I'm Margie. And believe me, Edgar, everything will be all right with him here. Will you, Johnny Willis? I'm sure it will.

[Johnny Dollar]

Well, we'll see. You want to come in?

[Meg McCarthy]

What do you mean, do we want to come in? You think we're gonna stand out here on our feet our day?

[Johnny Dollar]

Why don't you drop bladder?

[Meg McCarthy]

Sc.

[Johnny Dollar]

All right, May. Come on, come on.

[Meg McCarthy]

Sit down.

[Johnny Dollar]

Johnny. Here. Incidentally, where's the other nephew, Danny? I'm Danny Murphy Dollar. And I agree with Ed. You've got no business bringing that old witch that murdered our uncle back into this house. Oh, that's all. She had no business ever being here. Chiseled her way into his affection so she could cut in on whatever dough he'd leave. And then to make sure he'd leave it in a hurry, she knocked him off. Wouldn't that same reason make all three of you want to see him out of the way? Now, just a minute. Just take it easy, Danny. What do you mean, take it easy? He's practically accusing us of killing Alkali. If the shoe fits. Danny boy, are you dirty.

[Meg McCarthy]

You lay one hand on Johnny Dollar and I'll tear your eyes out from limb to lim.

[Johnny Dollar]

Okay, meg.

[Meg McCarthy]

Yes, darling?

[Johnny Dollar]

Mr. Dollar's right, Danny. Margie, and you know it. You Know it as well as I do. Sure, we wanted him gone. We wanted his money, that insurance. If Danny here hadn't talked him into that insurance, we wouldn't even have that to look forward to.

[Meg McCarthy]

Well, can you blame us, Johnny, for not wanting her to share it?

[Johnny Dollar]

But she will unless you can prove she killed your uncle.

[Meg McCarthy]

What she ever done, knowing him for only a few months to make her deserve a share.

[Johnny Dollar]

Margie, I suspect Meg is the only one who showed your uncle any kind of care and consideration in years.

[Meg McCarthy]

Well, what did you expect of us?

[Johnny Dollar]

Mr. Dollar's right. Why kid about it? Heaven knows she deserves his money as much as any of us, whether we like it or not. The fact remains, $, somebody killed our uncle. And you've all carefully made sure that Meg would be suspect. Well, yes. Look, I'm gonna play a hunch that maybe he wasn't murdered at all. But the evidence, Dollar. What evidence, Sergeant? He was poisoned. Yeah, all right, we'll accept that. But I'm still going to play that hunch. Act three of yours truly, Johnny Dollar in a moment. Act three of yours truly Johnny Dollar and the Alkali M. Now look here, Dollar. We know that old Alkali Mike was poisoned. That isn't murder. What is it? Have you ever thought of suicide, Sergeant? Suicide?

[Meg McCarthy]

Oh, of course not. This money grabbing old biddy here did him in. Now just a minute. Margie Murphy?

[Johnny Dollar]

Sure. Why would old Alkali ever commit suicide? I don't know, Danny. Disappointment over you three, his only relative. He paid no attention to us. What was it the other way around? You paid no attention to him.

[Meg McCarthy]

He didn't want us around.

[Johnny Dollar]

Except maybe Edgar. Well, offhand, I can't say that I blame him. But he did welcome the care and whatever affection Meg may have given him. Yes, Mr. Dollar, that's true.

[Meg McCarthy]

She was after his money, that's all. I told him I didn't want his money. And if you don't shut up you little squirm and conniving Meg. All right, Johnny, by what are you.

[Johnny Dollar]

Looking so thoughtful about, Edgar? Suicide? Old Alkali's father chose to go that way. Yeah, I know. No one understood why. He had everything. He wanted money. Even this so called palace. This atrocity that he named Port Hopeful. You mean he had no more reason to take his life than your uncle? Well, that's what I mean, Sergeant. How did his father take his life? By drinking poison. An old Indian poison. Quintanagen sulfonate. No.

[Meg McCarthy]

Oh, the cup.

[Johnny Dollar]

What?

[Meg McCarthy]

The old cup that his father drew it to.

[Johnny Dollar]

What are you talking About Meg.

[Meg McCarthy]

Come here, all of you. Come here. In the dining room.

[Johnny Dollar]

What for me? In here?

[Meg McCarthy]

Where he keeps all the old silver in china and brickety brac. Here, now look here in the china closet.

[Johnny Dollar]

There, you see that cup of mug on the top shelf? $. Is that the one his father used to drink the poison? Pass. But it's never been used since.

[Meg McCarthy]

Oh, no, no, Mr. Edgar. That's where you're wrong.

[Johnny Dollar]

What?

[Meg McCarthy]

Oh, saints preserve it, this is terrible.

[Johnny Dollar]

What is it, Meg? Get to the point.

[Meg McCarthy]

Yes, Charlie, but it scares me. Well, every night after his dinner, Alkali, God rest his poor soul, he'd have his whiskey from one of the clay mugs on that shelf. A different mug every night.

[Johnny Dollar]

Yes, that's true.

[Meg McCarthy]

Except that never would he touch that one. The lavender one also. What called it the death cup. Only he joked about it. But then the night before he died, he talked about it again.

[Johnny Dollar]

Let me see that, Monk. I'll get it for you.

[Meg McCarthy]

He said it was making a superstitious old fool out of him.

[Johnny Dollar]

Here.

[Meg McCarthy]

He said his father drank from it and died. But that he would drink from it and live. That he'd show he weren't superstitious about it.

[Johnny Dollar]

Oh, good heavens. Look here.

[Meg McCarthy]

And I poured the drink.

[Johnny Dollar]

Fine. What is a dollar? Yeah, what is it? The heavy deposit in the bottom of this mug. Hard as a rock, but still the poison. Yeah, the same deep purple color of quintanagen sulfonate.

[Meg McCarthy]

After 40 years, I tried to wash it out, Johnny. Before and after she used.

[Johnny Dollar]

Oh, water wouldn't touch that stuff.

[Meg McCarthy]

Oh, that's why I thought it was part of the clay.

[Johnny Dollar]

But the alcohol in this whiskey would. It released enough of that poison to kill it.

[Meg McCarthy]

Oh, if only I'd have known.

[Johnny Dollar]

The police took a long time over this one. But they finally reached the same conclusion I had. Accidental death. So the relatives will collect the insurance. And Meg, bless her heart. But I'm afraid that mere money will never take the place of a friend. Alkali Mike. Expense account total including incidentals and fareback to Hartford. $525. Even yours truly, Johnny Dol.

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[Podcast Host]

Welcome back. I've heard this cited as a remake of the serial the Indestructible Mic Matter, and while the idea of Alkali Mike's father's name might have been inspired by that incident, it's obvious he's not that same person. Or based on that, the whole structure of the story does seem a bit off. I think having Meg make the opening phone call really didn't work given the way the story progressed. She told Johnny she was in trouble and so Johnny flies to the west coast and doesn't get out to Nevada for another day. It'd make far more sense for the insurance agent to call and then Johnny to be surprised by Meg being there. I also don't think this was a great story for Meg. What I liked about her and the Meg's palace matter is that it gave her time to do her thing. To be blowing up and telling everyone off, but then to also have other moments that allowed her to be more of a full developed character. With the limited time and so many other characters, it didn't feel like she had time to do much of anything. As I've mentioned before, there is another episode in between the Meg's palace matter and this one featuring Meg, the Glacier Ghost matter that is missing that I would love to hear, but this I believe is her last appearance in the series. Back to this story. I did appreciate the relative who was thoughtful enough to say, you know, fair point, we really were the worst regarding the way they treated their uncle. At least you have to admire the honesty in terms of the actual cause of death. I have to appreciate the rarity of having it actually turn out to be an accident when everyone was suspecting murder, even though it was a really freak accident. Alright, well, listener comments and feedback now. And we start out on Spotify where old man Alan comments regarding the silver bell matter. Two thumbs up. And then we turn to YouTube and we have this comment from a listener regarding the Mary Grace matter. Actually, I think this is the strongest episode since the serials. What they did in three short acts is simply remarkable. And yes, Bob Bailey nails every nuance. Well, thank you so much. And then we actually have a comment. This comes on a much, much older episode and typically I don't address those, not because they're not worthwhile, but just because vast majority of listeners will have no idea what we're talking about. And to be honest, I don't keep all the plot details in my head, so I have to go back and listen to, you know, years old stuff and all the time to be able to engage effectively in that. But this one is one that I kind of remember the scenario. But more importantly, it's actually relevant to a lot of detective fiction from this era. This particular comment goes all the way back to the Charles Russell era. Mildred writes, I didn't understand the part of Johnny getting the phone number that Mrs. Drake holds simply by listening to the numbers being dialed. I know the phones were rotary at the time. I remember the days of rotary phones. But apparently there was a trick that Johnny knew that I didn't. And as I said, there is a lot of detective fiction. You might read it in a book from the era or see it in a movie, or certainly hear it on a radio program. And the question is, is this a trick that actually could exist? And to borrow a phrase from the series mythbusters, I think that this is actually something that is at least plausible. Now I'll admit my experience with rotary phones was minimal. We never had them in my house when I was growing up. But we did see them a few places. And the way that you dial with a rotary phone is that you put your finger in the number that you're dialing and you pull it back to the stop and then you release it. And then once the dials return back into position, you then go ahead and dial the next number. Now, that explanation is not clear enough or the language doesn't communicate. There are actually all kinds of YouTube videos on it, although I should warn you, many of them are quite snarky. Explaining how this rotary dialing works, but relevant to our point. It takes longer for the rotary dial to go around the further you get away from the stop. And let me go ahead and we'll play out an audio clip. This comes from a YouTuber who, who did a very helpful video YouTube channel, My Compass TV, where this person dialed every number on the rotary dial for people to use for sound effects. And we're going to go ahead and we will play you what a 1 sounds like followed by a 0 because the order on the rotary dials goes from 1 to 9 and then 0 is the last number on the dial. Now, as you can hear there, you can tell the difference between the 1 and the 0 because with the 0. The dial's having to be pulled back more and it also spins longer. But as I said, that's on kind of the extreme end of the dial. How easy would it be to tell numbers that are very close together, like say 8 and 9 or 2 and 3? That's a bit more of a precise measurement. I tend to think that sort of thing is plausible, though. It might require some specialized sense of hearing and those sort of things exist. But I think it may also be something that people could learn by observation, particularly if you're in a profession where you might find this an important skill. And keep in mind that this is something that people would observe, not just overhearing phone calls, but as they made their own phone calls. So yes, there is a difference in the sound of dialing each particular number, and I think certain people could learn it through various practices or observation. But I have to admit that it's not necessarily the most useful tool in a detective's toolkit. I mean, you have to get close enough to them to be able to hear the sound the dial's making and it's got to be relevant to the case. I mean, how often is that actually going to happen? And of course you would hate to be that one detective who decided, I've got to learn this. This is a really important skill and you spent years applying yourself and you got it all figured out and then people switched over to touch tone dialing. Alright, well, now it is time to thank our Patreon supporter of the day. And I want to go ahead and thank George, patreon Supporter since November 2016, currently supporting the podcast at the rookie level of $2 or more per month. Thank you so much for your support, George. And that will actually do it for today. If you're enjoying the podcast, please follow us using your favorite podcast software and be sure to rate and review the podcast wherever you download it from. We'll be back next Friday with another episode of Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar. But join us back here tomorrow for Dragnet wear.

[Johnny Dollar]

That's not the reason I'm here though. I'm not a one man moral squad. I'm not the type makes a habit of buying obscene photographs of young girls either. Yes sir, we understand. I bought this picture from that bartender because I know the young girl in it. She's the daughter of one of my neighbors back home, Minnesota. Known her ever since she was a baby. This girl came out here about eight months ago to live with a girlfriend. She was crazy for Hollywood. Thought she might break into the movies or Something? She stopped writing her folks about two months ago, hasn't been heard from since. Well, it sounds like a case for a missing persons bureau, Mr. Kenworthy. Well, the girls? Folks have already contacted them. Nothing's been turned up. Nothing at all. Then last night, just by an accident, the bartender shows me this photograph. It's that girl, all right. No mistake. Well, we'll do everything we can to help straighten it out, sir. That young girl. I know. Known her since she was a baby. Good family, good training. She never would have posed for a photograph like this. Rotten filth. She's just not the type, that's all. Yes, sir. I understand. What was this young girl's name, Mr. Kenworthy? Lois Brewster. That's her real name. Well, she wrote her folks she was using another name while she was out here. Thought it might help her movie chances. Drake. I think that's what it was. Linda Drake. Yeah, that's right. About 5 foot 4, 115 pounds, dark hair, dark eyes. That's right, yeah. You know where she is? Yeah, we do. We had her case called to our attention. Where is she? She all right? No, sir. She's dead.

[Podcast Host]

I hope you'll be with us then. In the meantime, send your comments to box Thirteenreatetectives.net Follow us on Twitter at radiodetectives and check us out on Instagram. Instagram.com Great. Detectives from Boise, Idaho, this is your host, Adam Graham, signing off.

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[Johnny Dollar]

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