Yours Truly Johnny Dollar: The Missing Mouse Matter (EP4579)

Summary

The Great Detectives of Old Time Radio

Episode Summary: "Yours Truly Johnny Dollar: The Missing Mouse Matter" (EP4579)

Release Date: December 20, 2024
Host: Adam Graham
Main Characters:

• Johnny Dollar – A freelance insurance investigator.
• George Reed – Representative from Floyd's of England American Branch.
• Jediyah Gillis – Associate of George Reed.
• Bert Glazer – Father of Marion Gillis.
• Marion Gillis – Daughter of Bert Glazer.
• Bobby Neaves – A young boy assisting Johnny.
• Harry McQueen – Theatrical agent suspected of kidnapping.

---

Introduction to the Case

The episode opens with Johnny Dollar receiving an unusual case from George Reed concerning Jediyah Gillis (00:12). Unlike typical insurance claims, the missing item is a mouse named Gulliver, insured for $5,000. George describes Gulliver as an "unusually talented, grayish brown mouse" (03:45), piquing Johnny's curiosity and setting the stage for a peculiar investigation.

Notable Quote:
Johnny Dollar reflects on the absurdity of insuring a mouse, saying, "Anybody who'd insure a mouse deserves what he gets" (04:07).

---

Initial Investigation and Encounter

Johnny travels to the Gillis residence in Providence (06:01), where he meets Bert Glazer and his daughter, Marion. The mansion is depicted as grand, surrounded by a large wooded park and an old-fashioned iron fence, adding an air of mystery (06:15). Inside, Johnny observes two other mice, Hecuba and Esmeralda (11:13), but the focus remains on the missing Gulliver.

Notable Quote:
George Reed explains the uniqueness of Gulliver’s talent: "He sings. He carries a tune, you know, with the clarity of a clarion, the fervor of a female opera star and the tone of a tenor" (09:04).

---

Unraveling the Mystery

As the investigation progresses, Johnny learns from George and Jediyah that Gulliver was kidnapped to exploit his singing talents (08:22). They suspect Harry McQueen, a theatrical agent with a history of pilfering, as the prime suspect (13:03).

Notable Quote:
Harry McQueen confronts Johnny over the phone, stating, "I never had to stoop so low as to steal a mouse from any hotel, garbage dump, trap or field" (18:27).

Suspecting McQueen’s involvement, Johnny delves deeper, uncovering that Gilzer is a master ventriloquist using the mice as performers (19:30). This revelation casts doubt on the kidnapping narrative, suggesting instead that Gulliver’s disappearance was part of a staged act.

---

The Turning Point

A pivotal moment occurs when a young boy, Bobby Neaves, arrives at the Gillis residence with a mouse he found, noting its distinctive white mark (25:48). Realizing that Bobby has inadvertently returned Gulliver, Johnny pieces together that the supposed kidnapping was orchestrated to boost the mouse’s showbiz profile.

Notable Quote:
Johnny acknowledges Bobby's honesty, promising him, "You're gonna get a reward. Word of honor" (25:21).

---

Resolution and Conclusion

During the Christmas Eve show, Gulliver makes a grand appearance, not as a victim but as the star performer, validating that he was never truly missing (26:32). The act reveals that the entire scenario was a elaborate setup by Bert Glazer and his team to highlight Gulliver's singing prowess.

Notable Quote:
Johnny concludes the case with a reflective insight: "Bert Glazer had a logical answer for having lied about his old vaudeville act. He knew I wouldn't believe the mice could really sing if I'd known he was a ventriloquist" (28:15).

The episode wraps up with Johnny's financial report, highlighting his meticulous record-keeping, and a hint at future adventures (29:20).

---

Host Commentary and Listener Engagement

After the narrative, Host Adam Graham provides insightful commentary on the episode, addressing the frequency of the character Jediyah Gillis in the series and appreciating the Christmas-themed storytelling. He shares a listener's comment appreciating Johnny Dollar's generosity, tying it back to the episode's themes and real-world implications like supporting the Community Chest (31:53).

Notable Quote:
Adam Graham muses, "Johnny's a big-hearted guy, and just like in this episode, he likes to give back and help people who need it" (32:00).

---

Final Thoughts

"Yours Truly Johnny Dollar: The Missing Mouse Matter" masterfully blends mystery with holiday spirit, showcasing Johnny Dollar's investigative prowess while delivering a heartwarming Christmas story. The episode underscores themes of generosity, honesty, and the magic of the holiday season, all wrapped in the nostalgic charm of old-time radio drama.

For more episodes and insights into classic radio mysteries, subscribe to The Great Detectives of Old Time Radio and follow on your favorite podcast platform.

Transcript

[Johnny Dollar]

How do you feel when you switch to GEICO and save on your car insurance? It's like finishing your laundry and successfully matching all your daughter's baby socks together on the first try. Let's see. Panda socks, firetruck socks, socks with those.

[George Reed]

Cute little strawberries on them.

[Johnny Dollar]

You matched each and every one of those tiny socks. I mean, has this ever happened in the history of laundry? And a penguin wearing a cowboy hat? Socks. Done. Enjoy the moment, dad. You've earned it. Yep, switching and saving with GEICO feels just like that. Get more with.

[Adam Graham]

Welcome to the Great detectives of Old Time Radio from Boise, Seattle. This is your host, Adam Graham. In a moment, we're going to bring you this week's episode of Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar. But first, if you're enjoying the podcast, I'd encourage you to follow us using your favorite podcast software. And also encourage you that if you want to hear all of the Christmas specials we've done over the course of the podcast history going back to 2009, you can find them over at christmasfeed.greatdetectives.net we skipped over this episode so we could play it at Christmas time, and it features Jedi Gillis. So as a consequence of that, we are playing the first Jedi Gillis story after the second and third ones have played on the podcast. But I think this stands well on its own. Here from December 23, 1956 is the missing Mouse Manor.

[Bob Bailey]

From Hollywood. It's time now for.

[Johnny Dollar]

Johnny Dollar.

[Jediyah Gillis]

Hi, Johnny.

[Johnny Dollar]

Who? Dad?

[Jediyah Gillis]

George Reed.

[Johnny Dollar]

Well, Merry Christmas. George, is it? What's the matter?

[Jediyah Gillis]

You ever hear of Jediyah Gillis?

[Johnny Dollar]

Eccentric, owns about half of Rhode Island.

[Jediyah Gillis]

That's the boy. Couple of weeks ago, he wrote a special policy on an item he wanted insured.

[Johnny Dollar]

And it's up and disappeared. Huh?

[Jediyah Gillis]

How'd you know?

[Johnny Dollar]

Oh, just a wild guess. What did he lose?

[Jediyah Gillis]

I hope you're sitting down, Johnny.

[Johnny Dollar]

Yeah, why?

[Jediyah Gillis]

Because the insured item is a mouse.

[Johnny Dollar]

House mouse. What?

[Bob Bailey]

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.

[Johnny Dollar]

Expense account submitted by Special investigator Johnny Dollar to Floyd's of England American Branch Office, 443 North 15th Street, Hartford, Connecticut. The following is an account of expenses incurred during my investigation of the missing mouse matter expense account item 185 cents. Taxi. From my apartment to George Reed's office. He was on his feet, waiting for me. His Ivy League suit looked as though it had been slept in and he needed a shave.

[Jediyah Gillis]

Close the door, Johnny.

[Johnny Dollar]

Yeah, sure, Johnny.

[Jediyah Gillis]

I'M going to level with you. This thing has me going.

[Johnny Dollar]

Well, it serves you right. Anybody who'd insure a mouse deserves what he gets.

[Jediyah Gillis]

Yeah, but it isn't an ordinary. No, not according to Mr. Gillis's original application. Yeah, Take a look.

[Johnny Dollar]

Item to be insured. One unusually talented, grayish brown mouse. Unusually talented? Like how?

[Jediyah Gillis]

I don't know.

[Johnny Dollar]

What.

[Jediyah Gillis]

I tried to find out, but Gillis wouldn't tell me.

[Johnny Dollar]

And still you issued the policy.

[Jediyah Gillis]

You know our company, Johnny. We have a reputation for insuring almost anything. But we have to draw the line occasionally. And we would have here, except for one thing.

[Johnny Dollar]

What's that? And believe me, it better be good.

[Jediyah Gillis]

It is. Gillis carries all of his insurance with us. Yeah, but even so, just one of his several policies is a straight life for 350,000.

[Johnny Dollar]

Wow. King size premiums, huh?

[Jediyah Gillis]

Exactly. So when he called asking us to insure this fellow's mouse for a few weeks.

[Johnny Dollar]

Wait a minute. Gillis doesn't own it? No. Well, who does?

[Jediyah Gillis]

It belongs to a friend of his, a man named Glazer. He's spending the holidays with Gillis. Gillis didn't want to be responsible if something happened to Glazer's mouse while he's there, so he asked us to write the policy.

[Johnny Dollar]

How much did you insure it for?

[Jediyah Gillis]

All the company would allow. 5,000.

[Johnny Dollar]

Ah, now, George, you think I want to get all worked up over a lousy five grand? Laws. What kind of a commission can I possibly make on.

[Jediyah Gillis]

Look, give me a chance to finish, will you?

[Johnny Dollar]

All right, but only because it's Christmas. All right.

[Jediyah Gillis]

Late last night I received a call from Gillis. He wanted to know whom we considered the best investigator in this part of the country. When I told him, he told me about the mouse and insisted I send you up to help look for it.

[Johnny Dollar]

No, no, George, I'm sorry, but I'm gonna pass. I've handled some screwy cases in my time, but this is.

[Jediyah Gillis]

Please wait till I finish. I told Gillis you wouldn't be interested. That's when he started putting on the squeeze.

[Johnny Dollar]

Squeeze? How do you mean?

[Jediyah Gillis]

He said if I didn't get you, he'd cancel his policies.

[Johnny Dollar]

Oh, come on. You don't believe that, do you?

[Jediyah Gillis]

I don't know what to believe. Gillis is a screwball of the first water. We've known that for a long time. And frankly, I'd rather not take a chance.

[Johnny Dollar]

Well, you've got to.

[Jediyah Gillis]

Maybe not. I've received an okay from upstairs on this one. You can Write your own ticket.

[Johnny Dollar]

Well, why didn't you say so in the first place?

[Jediyah Gillis]

You didn't give me a chance. Look, there's a train for Providence at 3:30. Here's Gillis address. He wants you to stay with him.

[Johnny Dollar]

That'll cost more, Georgine.

[Jediyah Gillis]

It figures. Merry Christmas, Johnny.

[Johnny Dollar]

Same to you, Santa Claus. Expense account item 2, 85 cents. Cab fare back to my apartment. I was intrigued by what George had told me and by what his company was going to add to my bank account. So I didn't really mind changing my plans for the holidays. Expense account item 3, $18.90. Transportation including a round trip ticket Hartford to Providence and Care fare out to the Gillis residence. Palace would be a better word for it. It stood in the middle of a large wooded park. Must have been half a dozen acres. All of it surrounded by an old fashioned iron fe. I dismissed the cab and had started toward the front door when it opened. And standing against the light, watching me was a tall, beautiful girl.

[Marion Gillis]

Careful of the steps.

[Johnny Dollar]

Why the steps? They're icy. Oh, thanks.

[Bert Glazer]

We've been expecting you, Mr. Dollar. Hi.

[Johnny Dollar]

Well, hi.

[Bert Glazer]

Mr. Glaser and Father are in the library. Would you like to meet him now or wait till after you're settled?

[Johnny Dollar]

I'm afraid I'd better see them right away, Ms. Gillis.

[Bert Glazer]

Marion. Johnny. Well, come along. You know, for the first time I'm glad I came home for the holidays.

[Johnny Dollar]

Home from where?

[Bert Glazer]

New York. Here we are. You'll have to come visit me, Johnny. Maybe I'll do something drastic like losing a mouse to guarantee it.

[Mr. Gillis]

Marian, I told you to keep that door closed.

[Bert Glazer]

Oh, Mr. Doll is here, Father.

[Marion Gillis]

Oh.

[Mr. Gillis]

Oh, well have him come in. Yes, by all means, have him come in.

[Bert Glazer]

See you later, Johnny.

[Mr. Gillis]

Well, darling, glad you finally got here. Yes, indeed.

[Johnny Dollar]

Thank you, sir.

[Mr. Gillis]

This is my friend and associate, bert Glazy.

[Johnny Dollar]

Hi, Mr. Glazer.

[George Reed]

Bertie and his pals, Mr. Dollar.

[Johnny Dollar]

Beg pardon?

[George Reed]

My dog act. You investigators are supposed to have good memories. I hoped you might have caught us at some time or other.

[Johnny Dollar]

No, pray not.

[Mr. Gillis]

Would you like to have a drink, Mr. Doller?

[Johnny Dollar]

No thanks.

[Mr. Gillis]

Now suppose I got anything you want to drink? I got an eggnog, hot buttered.

[Johnny Dollar]

Well, maybe later. Right now I'd like to hear the details of your loss.

[Mr. Gillis]

You mean that insurance agent didn't give you all the information?

[Johnny Dollar]

He didn't know it all, Mr. Gillis. All he did know was that a so called talented mouse has disappeared.

[Mr. Gillis]

So called. And he hasn't disappeared either. Not at all. He's been Kidnapped, that's what.

[George Reed]

Kidnapped? Yes, sir. And we know who did it and why.

[Mr. Gillis]

We know why, too.

[George Reed]

And it's your job to get him back.

[Johnny Dollar]

Oh, now, wait a minute.

[Mr. Gillis]

And I'm not going to pay one red sinful ransom. Not one cent.

[George Reed]

Not one cent.

[Johnny Dollar]

Okay, okay. But what makes you so sure the mouse was kidnapped?

[Mr. Gillis]

Well, I'm afraid I can't tell you that without bert's permission.

[Johnny Dollar]

Well, Mr. Glaser?

[George Reed]

Well, if we tell you, we must have your solemn promise you won't repeat it to anybody until Christmas Day.

[Johnny Dollar]

Well, I. I'm not sure I can do that.

[George Reed]

If you can't, we don't open our mouths.

[Mr. Gillis]

Right.

[Johnny Dollar]

Well, okay. Till Christmas Day.

[George Reed]

Good.

[Johnny Dollar]

Good.

[George Reed]

$. Suppose I told you Gulliver was worth at least $50,000?

[Johnny Dollar]

Gulliver?

[Mr. Gillis]

The missing mouse.

[George Reed]

Oh, you'd be surprised if I said he was worth that much.

[Johnny Dollar]

Depends. You claim he's talented. Does that have something to do with this valuation you put on him? Something? Something.

[Mr. Gillis]

It has everything to do with it.

[George Reed]

Yes, sir.

[Johnny Dollar]

Well, what does Gulliver do that other mice can't?

[George Reed]

Nothing. But it's how he does it that counts.

[Johnny Dollar]

How he does what?

[George Reed]

Sings what?

[Mr. Gillis]

Can't you Hear the man, Ms. Dell? Can you hear him? Gulliver sings. He carries a tune, you know, with.

[George Reed]

The clarity of a clarion, the fervor of a female opera star and the tone of a tenor. That's how we plan to bill him.

[Johnny Dollar]

I. I see.

[Mr. Gillis]

Well, Bert, he doesn't believe us.

[Johnny Dollar]

Oh, no, wait, I. I didn't say that.

[Mr. Gillis]

There's no need to. We can tell by your face, can't we, Bert?

[Johnny Dollar]

But a mouse.

[George Reed]

Mr. Dolly, it is a scientific fact that mice sing.

[Mr. Gillis]

Mice sing?

[George Reed]

Well, known magazines have published articles proving it. Unfortunately, most of them sing in a scale too high for human hearing. But not Gulliver.

[Johnny Dollar]

Not Gulliver.

[Mr. Gillis]

That's right. He's a bosso.

[Johnny Dollar]

A bosso.

[Mr. Gillis]

By mousy standards, that is. Oh, no, no, Bert, he still doesn't believe us.

[George Reed]

Very well, Jediyah. There is only one thing to do.

[Mr. Gillis]

There's only one thing to do.

[George Reed]

You follow us, dollar, we'll erase the doubt in your mind forever.

[Johnny Dollar]

I took a good look at Bert Glazer, then reluctantly followed the two of them out of the library and down a long hall. At the moment, this thing had all the earmarks of a good old fashioned con game. Or better still, a benefit. On behalf of Bert Glaser, with Jodiah, Gillis and Floyds of England as the sole cash contributors, we Wandered for what seemed like blocks through the old mansion and finally reached a large playroom. On top of one of the billiard tables was a small brass cage. In it were two small, grayish brown mice. Glazer opened the cage and let them out.

[George Reed]

Mr. Dollar, allow me to present Hecuba and Esmeralda.

[Johnny Dollar]

Oh, how do you do? I mean, I suppose they sing too.

[George Reed]

Oh, they certainly do. But not nearly as well as Gulliver. Just don't have the instrument, you know.

[Johnny Dollar]

Instrument? The voice.

[Mr. Gillis]

The voice down of the voice. The vocal cords.

[Johnny Dollar]

Oh, yeah, I. I see. But now, where did you keep Gulliver?

[Mr. Gillis]

In here with the others. Burke didn't want to separate them.

[George Reed]

That's right. I originally started to make the three of them into a singing, you know, trio. Like the Andrews Sisters. But Gulliver advanced so rapidly I decided he should be a soloist.

[Mr. Gillis]

Oh, sure you aren't afraid of mice, Mr. Danna?

[Johnny Dollar]

No, no.

[Mr. Gillis]

Well, that's fine. Nice. Sensitive. Here, you know, it upsets them.

[George Reed]

It upsets them all right. Now, Heck, you better move over a bit. Give Esmeralda some room. That's it. Now, up on your haunches. Up, up, up, up. There we are. Now, what would you like to hear, Mr. Dollar?

[Johnny Dollar]

Oh, anything at all.

[Mr. Gillis]

Oh, Bert, how about my favorite, over the Waves?

[George Reed]

Good, good, good. You got it, Esmeralda. Over the Waves. That's it, Hecky Boo. Already, then. Good. That'll be fine. Ready now? One, two, three. One, two, three. Oh, that's it. Oh, beautiful, Esmeralda, beautiful.

[Johnny Dollar]

Well, I won't say I was convinced, but I won't say I wasn't. But I will say those mice were singing something. Or giving a mighty good imitation of it. We returned to the library, and this time I sampled the eggnog liberally.

[Mr. Gillis]

Is that all right, Dollar?

[Johnny Dollar]

Oh, fine, thanks.

[George Reed]

Well, Dollard, you know now why we believe Gulliver was kidnapped?

[Johnny Dollar]

Well, I'm not sure.

[George Reed]

To exploit him.

[Mr. Gillis]

What else, exactly?

[Johnny Dollar]

You have any idea who did it?

[George Reed]

Harry McQueen, that's who.

[Mr. Gillis]

McQueen.

[Johnny Dollar]

Who's McQueen?

[George Reed]

Used to be my agent.

[Johnny Dollar]

Theatrical agent.

[Mr. Gillis]

He's been snooping around here lately, Johnny. We figure he's gotten wind of our mice.

[Johnny Dollar]

What do you mean by snooping around, Mr. Gillis? No.

[Mr. Gillis]

You know, he's been out here twice this week wanting to see me.

[George Reed]

Had to kick him out of here yesterday morning.

[Johnny Dollar]

How'd he get in?

[Mr. Gillis]

Well, my daughter answered the door.

[George Reed]

Yes.

[Mr. Gillis]

She didn't know McQueen from Adam. So when he asked for me, she figured he belonged in here rehearsing the.

[Johnny Dollar]

Show with the rest of us rehearsing. What show, Mr. Gillis?

[Mr. Gillis]

What show? The show for the children's hospital.

[George Reed]

Jodiah puts one on for the sick kids every Christmas Eve. Of course, you know dollar variety acts of Santa Claus. This year, though, we got a radio hookup go all over the state. And Gulliver, well, he was going to headline.

[Mr. Gillis]

And that's why I sent for you. $I figured you can get him back by tomorrow afternoon. If anybody can.

[Johnny Dollar]

How long was McQueen in here before you noticed?

[Mr. Gillis]

Long enough to lift Gulliver.

[George Reed]

This was our dress rehearsal, Dolly. We'd asked some of the kids from around the neighborhood in to watch, so it was pretty crowded.

[Johnny Dollar]

Where were the mice during the rehearsal?

[George Reed]

Well, that's where I made my mistake.

[Johnny Dollar]

What do you mean?

[George Reed]

We were keeping them a secret till the real show.

[Johnny Dollar]

Where were they?

[George Reed]

In their cage over there on the mantle.

[Mr. Gillis]

Now, we were using this part of the room for the stage. So McQueen could have just reached in and taken Gulliver without us seeing him.

[Johnny Dollar]

Now, what makes you so sure McQueen did it? We told you.

[Mr. Gillis]

Besides, who else would want him?

[Johnny Dollar]

Who else?

[George Reed]

And it was right after I kicked him out here that I discovered Gulliver was missing.

[Johnny Dollar]

Why'd you do that?

[George Reed]

I called off the rehearsal and started searching for him.

[Mr. Gillis]

McQueen, Big Gulliver and I put in a telephone call to providence house where McQueen was staying.

[Johnny Dollar]

Did you talk to him?

[Mr. Gillis]

Nope. They said he checked out.

[Johnny Dollar]

After questioning them for a while, I finally had a nightcap with Jediyah. Then went to the phone in the hall and made some calls. Including one to George Reed. Paul.

[Jediyah Gillis]

How's it going, Johnny?

[Johnny Dollar]

It's not. That's why I'm calling. Look, they think a theatrical agent named Harry McQueen stole the mouse. He has offices in Boston and New York. I placed a person to person call to both offices. But with tomorrow Christmas Eve, he might not get the message.

[Jediyah Gillis]

So what do you want me to do?

[Johnny Dollar]

Find out his home number. Ask him to call me here.

[Jediyah Gillis]

Okay. Anything else?

[Johnny Dollar]

Hello? Johnny?

[Jediyah Gillis]

Johnny, you there?

[Johnny Dollar]

Yeah. And so is a cat. What? A big yellow cat.

[Jediyah Gillis]

What's so unusual about that?

[Johnny Dollar]

Oh, nothing. Except he's got a grayish brown mouse between his two front paws.

[Bob Bailey]

Act two of yours truly, Johnny Dollar in just a moment. You can't buy happiness by the pond or the yard. But you can have it by the hour with no strings attached. Every Monday through Friday evening and each Saturday in the daytime when the Robert Q. Lewis show is on the air. Join him and his fun loving gang five nights a Week and Saturdays in the daytime on most of these same stations. Now, Act Two of yours truly, Johnny Dollar and the Missing Mouse.

[Johnny Dollar]

I was standing in the hall of Jediyah Gillis's home looking at a big yellow cat that had a mouse between its two front paws. As far as I was concerned, a mouse is a mouse. And this one could be Gulliver. I cut short my phone conversation with Jordan Reed, then started toward the cat. Here, kitty. Here, kitty, kitty. Nice kitty, kitty.

[Bert Glazer]

Where are you?

[Johnny Dollar]

Here, kitty, kitty. That's a good kitty. Ah, kitty. Let me have the little mouse, Mama.

[Bert Glazer]

You naughty cat.

[Johnny Dollar]

Where.

[Bert Glazer]

Oh.

[Johnny Dollar]

This cannibal belonged to you, Marion? Yes.

[Bert Glazer]

I promised Father I'd. What do you mean, cannibal?

[Johnny Dollar]

Take a look.

[Bert Glazer]

Oh, no.

[Johnny Dollar]

Oh, yes. And he's very, very dead.

[Bert Glazer]

Oh, you don't think it's Gulliver, do you?

[Johnny Dollar]

Well, Mr. Glaser will have to identify him. And if he is, well, that's that.

[Bert Glazer]

Oh, no, no, Johnny.

[Johnny Dollar]

What do you mean?

[Bert Glazer]

Oh, Johnny, please. You don't have to tell him, do you?

[Johnny Dollar]

Well, sure. If it's Gulliver, this thing's cleared up. If it's not, your Rama gets a reward for being a good mouser.

[Bert Glazer]

Johnny, please. Dad almost had a fit when I arrived here with Rama. He made me promise to keep him in my room.

[Johnny Dollar]

That's the only time he's been out.

[Bert Glazer]

Well, no, he was out for a little while yesterday while they were rehearsing. I didn't notice he was gone till after lunch.

[Johnny Dollar]

Then the corpse could be Gulliver's.

[Bert Glazer]

Oh, Johnny, if it is, there's nothing we can do about it now. And if you tell my father, besides making him angry, it'll break his heart.

[Johnny Dollar]

All right. I won't say anything until tomorrow night.

[Bert Glazer]

Thanks, Johnny. Good night.

[Johnny Dollar]

Good night. Christmas Eve morning came cold, crisp and clear. The Gillis grounds were covered with new fallen snow and the trees were heavy with icicles giving the whole place the look of winter wonderland. I dressed and went down to join Gillis and Bert Glazer at breakfast. I was on my third strawberry when the phone started to ring.

[Mr. Gillis]

You expecting a call, Dummer?

[Johnny Dollar]

Yeah, Matter of fact, I am, and.

[Mr. Gillis]

You'D better answer it. If it's somebody at the broadcast station for me, tell them I'll be at the children's hospital at noon. They can call me there.

[Johnny Dollar]

Right. Hello, Johnny Dollar speaking.

[Harry McQueen]

Look, I don't know what's going on down there or why you're gonna pester me about it.

[Johnny Dollar]

Who is this?

[Harry McQueen]

Harry McQueen.

[Johnny Dollar]

Who did you think Well, I wasn't sure.

[Harry McQueen]

Well, your friend Reed got me out of bed this morning, $. He told me you wanted to ask me some questions about a mouse that's missing from Jediah Gillis's place.

[Johnny Dollar]

That's right. What do you know about it?

[Harry McQueen]

Well, I've done a lot of pilfering in my time. I've taken towels from hotels from Maine to Miami and Seattle to Bridgeport. But I never had to stoop so low as to steal a mouse from any hotel, garbage dump, trap or field. Do I make myself clear?

[Johnny Dollar]

Perfectly. Except for one thing.

[Harry McQueen]

Yeah?

[Johnny Dollar]

This particular mouse was a performer.

[Harry McQueen]

Was a what?

[Johnny Dollar]

He was trained, did tricks.

[Harry McQueen]

Still doesn't interest me.

[Johnny Dollar]

Well, then why were you trying to see Mr. Gillis?

[Harry McQueen]

I get some of my people on his Christmas show. Anything wrong with that?

[Johnny Dollar]

No.

[Harry McQueen]

There'll be a lot of publicity about it. Would have done him a lot of good.

[Johnny Dollar]

And you're sure you weren't interested in the mouse?

[Harry McQueen]

Look, Dollar, when I went into this business 18 years ago, I swore then I'd never handled kids, belly dances or animal acts.

[Johnny Dollar]

But you handled Bert Glaser's dog act.

[Harry McQueen]

His what?

[Johnny Dollar]

Dog act. Bertie and his Pals.

[Harry McQueen]

Oh, somebody's feeding you a line, $. That act was Bill Birdie and his Pal, and the pal is a dummy. Glazer's a top notch ventriloquist. He's a master. You hear me, Dollar?

[Johnny Dollar]

Yeah, Harry, I hear you fine. I had to do some thinking, so I put on my coat, went outside for a walk around that wooded park. What I had just learned about Glaser confirmed what my instinct, my common sense had been telling me all along. Except for one thing. The performance given by Hecuba and Esmeralda the night before. If Glaser had been doing the singing for those two mice, he was a master ventriloquist. Which was exactly what Harry McQueen said he was. I'd started back toward the house, wondering if I should get Jedi aside now and tell him or wait until after the show when something soft and cold hit me on the back of the head. Hey, sorry, Johnny.

[Bert Glazer]

I couldn't resist such a serious target. Anything new?

[Johnny Dollar]

Well, if you mean have I found Gulliver the singing Mouse? No.

[Bert Glazer]

Dad told me to tell you if Gulliver does turn up before 1:15, rush him off the hospital.

[Johnny Dollar]

Yeah, sure, but I think that's extremely unlikely.

[Bert Glazer]

You think Rama got him, don't you?

[Johnny Dollar]

If he did, he got a very ordinary mouse. He didn't get one that sings.

[Bert Glazer]

I'm afraid I lost you.

[Johnny Dollar]

Doesn't matter now.

[Bert Glazer]

I wonder what he wants. That boy on the porch.

[Johnny Dollar]

Oh, well, if this was Hartford, I'd say he was the paper boy coming around to collect.

[Bert Glazer]

Well, it's not Hartford, and he's not a paper boy because dad doesn't subscribe to anything. But.

[Johnny Dollar]

Oh, well, then he's selling something.

[Bert Glazer]

Well, if he is, he's not going to give us a chance to buy any. Johnny.

[Johnny Dollar]

Looks.

[Bert Glazer]

Looks like we scared him off.

[Johnny Dollar]

That's fine. Hey.

[Marion Gillis]

Hey, come back.

[Johnny Dollar]

He sure tore out of here when he saw us.

[Bert Glazer]

Wonder what he wanted.

[Johnny Dollar]

Do you suppose he was one of the kids they invited in to see the dress rehearsal?

[Bert Glazer]

Well, if he was, what would he be doing back here today?

[Johnny Dollar]

I don't know. Let's take a look around. We found it in the playroom near where Gulliver's cage had been. It was a roundish metal clamp, the kind of boy wraps around his trouser leg when he's riding a bike. I was about to call the hospital and ask Jediah for a list of all the kids they'd invited to the rehearsal when the front doorbell rang.

[Bert Glazer]

Johnny, it's that boy again.

[Johnny Dollar]

Better let me get in. Hi.

[Marion Gillis]

Hi. I was over here to see the show the other day.

[Johnny Dollar]

Oh, yeah?

[Marion Gillis]

You see it?

[Johnny Dollar]

No, I. I wasn't here then.

[Marion Gillis]

Oh, geez. Sure is, Colleen.

[Johnny Dollar]

Yeah, sure is. Oh, why don't you come in and get warm?

[Marion Gillis]

Oh, no, that's okay.

[Johnny Dollar]

No, come on. Come on. Nobody's here.

[Marion Gillis]

No. Okay.

[Johnny Dollar]

Yeah, sure.

[George Reed]

Come on.

[Marion Gillis]

I don't want to bother nobody. You know, I was just riding by and I thought I'd stop and tell old man Gillis what a swell show they put on.

[Johnny Dollar]

He really liked it, huh?

[Marion Gillis]

Yeah. All except for that Santa Claus.

[Johnny Dollar]

Oh, what was wrong with him?

[Marion Gillis]

Nothing. Just. Well, who believes in all that smushy kid stuff?

[Johnny Dollar]

Kids, I guess. How old are you, Bobby?

[Marion Gillis]

Bobby? Niece.

[Johnny Dollar]

How old are you, Bobby?

[Marion Gillis]

Almost 11.

[Johnny Dollar]

Well, being that old, I can understand why you weren't impressed with the Santa Claus.

[Marion Gillis]

All that other stuff, too. You know, like giving presents and singing those hymns and junk like that. You gotta cut it out when you. When you start growing up.

[Johnny Dollar]

You sure do, boy.

[Marion Gillis]

Yeah. You know, you and my mommy, we get along just fine.

[Johnny Dollar]

Oh, yeah.

[Marion Gillis]

She feels about Christmas. She feels about Christmas just like you and me do.

[Johnny Dollar]

All right.

[Marion Gillis]

Yeah. Boy, this log fire sure makes your eyes smart, don't it?

[Johnny Dollar]

Yeah, sure does. Where do you live, Bobby?

[Marion Gillis]

Across towns. Gully Avenue.

[Johnny Dollar]

Well, how'd you happen to be over here the other day?

[Marion Gillis]

Well, I. I was riding my bike when I. When I saw this dog. What he was, anyhow. When I. When I tried to catch him, he ran from me. I followed the silly mutt clear over here.

[Johnny Dollar]

Did you ever catch him?

[Marion Gillis]

No. I was about to when this man hollered and asked me if I wanted to see a free show. So I. I came in.

[Johnny Dollar]

I see. Well, you must like dogs a lot, huh?

[Marion Gillis]

Sure.

[Johnny Dollar]

You got one?

[Marion Gillis]

Used to have one when my pop was with us. But we can't have no pets where we're living now.

[Johnny Dollar]

Oh, that's rough.

[Marion Gillis]

Yeah. You know that poem?

[Johnny Dollar]

Which one?

[Marion Gillis]

You know, about all through the house. Not a creature was stirring that not even a mouse.

[Johnny Dollar]

Yeah.

[Marion Gillis]

Well, that fits our place, especially now.

[Johnny Dollar]

How do you mean?

[Marion Gillis]

Well, I didn't think he'd miss it. You know, man with a house as big as this one and all. So when I saw this cute little fella up in that cage well, I didn't really mean to take him on hold with me. But when he got under my sweater and I was real quiet, like he liked me.

[Johnny Dollar]

Look.

[Marion Gillis]

You know what I mean?

[Johnny Dollar]

Yeah, Bobby, I know.

[Marion Gillis]

But I got to thinking, decided to bring him back. So would you give him to the old man? To Mr. Gillis for me? Please?

[Johnny Dollar]

No, I think you'd better do that yourself.

[Marion Gillis]

Oh, no, no, please. He might be awful mad at me by now.

[Johnny Dollar]

No, Bobby. In fact, you're gonna get a reward. Yeah, Word of honor. Now, what do you say we go down where Mr. Gillis is putting on that Christmas show and see it? Okay?

[Marion Gillis]

Sure.

[Johnny Dollar]

Bobby?

[Marion Gillis]

Yeah?

[Johnny Dollar]

Did you notice anything unusual about this mouse?

[Marion Gillis]

Yeah, I sure did.

[Johnny Dollar]

What was it?

[Marion Gillis]

He got some white on his right hind foot.

[Johnny Dollar]

Expense account, item 4. $1.60. Cab fare from the Gillis residence to the children's Hospital for Marion, Bobby and myself. Inside, we followed the sound of children laughing and reached the auditorium. Marion found a seat among the nurses, and I took Bobby backstage. When Jediah saw Gulliver, his face lit up like. Well, like one of the trees he'd had delivered to the war.

[Mr. Gillis]

Gulliver by gully, by gully. I knew if anybody could do it, you could.

[Johnny Dollar]

$I didn't do a thing, Mr. Gillis. All the credit goes to Bobby.

[Bert Glazer]

Oh, to Bobby.

[Mr. Gillis]

Well, I'll speak to you after the show, young man.

[Marion Gillis]

Yes, sir.

[Johnny Dollar]

Bert. Bert, look.

[Mr. Gillis]

Look, he's back. Oh, my stuff.

[Johnny Dollar]

Oliver.

[George Reed]

Oh, I do declare. I have never been so glad to.

[Johnny Dollar]

See a person before. You better hurry, Bert.

[Mr. Gillis]

He's scheduled to go on in just a minute.

[George Reed]

Oh, he will, he will.

[Mr. Gillis]

And I go check on the microphone. When everything be just so.

[Johnny Dollar]

Don't go away, Dar. Now. He won't. Bobby, why don't you sit over there with. You can see the stage.

[Marion Gillis]

Yes, sir.

[Johnny Dollar]

Bert, you think Gulliver will sing today?

[George Reed]

Think? I know he will. Oh, get ready, Gu.

[Johnny Dollar]

But that boy had Gulliver all day and all night and he didn't sing once.

[George Reed]

Did the boy ask him to.

[Bert Glazer]

Ladies and gentlemen, boys and gowns.

[Mr. Gillis]

Or the post time anywhere. One of the wonders of the world. Gulliver, the singing mouse.

[Marion Gillis]

Hey, Mr. Dollar, can that mouse really sing?

[Johnny Dollar]

That is what we're going to find out, Bobby.

[Mr. Gillis]

Exciting, isn't it, dar?

[Johnny Dollar]

Sure is, Mr. Gillis.

[Mr. Gillis]

I thank you, folks. Thank you.

[George Reed]

Thank you.

[Johnny Dollar]

Now for Gulliver's first member he'd like to sing with.

[Mr. Gillis]

What's that?

[Johnny Dollar]

Gulliver. I see.

[George Reed]

He's going to sing Jingle Bells. But he wants me to get off stage so everybody will know it's really him doing it and not me. Thank you.

[Mr. Gillis]

Is he all right, Bert?

[George Reed]

Oh, fine, fine. Just feeling his hurts.

[Johnny Dollar]

Why doesn't he start?

[George Reed]

He's going to listen. Well, do.

[Johnny Dollar]

Now I have seen everything.

[Marion Gillis]

Me too.

[Johnny Dollar]

Bert Glaser had a logical answer for having lied about his old vaudeville act. He knew I wouldn't believe the mice could really sing if I'd known he was of an ventriloquist and you know well after all. Yet sometimes. Expense account total, including cab fare, Hartford Station in my apartment, $38.20. As for my separate and additional fee as a greeting bond before I took this matter. Well, there's a boy named Bobby Neaves who lives on Scully Avenue over in Providence. See that he gets it, huh? Yours truly, Johnny Dollar.

[Bob Bailey]

Our star, will tell you about next week's story in just a moment. Meantime, I'll make a deal with you.

[Johnny Dollar]

Oh, let me have the mic for a second. Then you can tell them about next week's story.

[Bob Bailey]

By all means, be my guest.

[Johnny Dollar]

I do. I just don't want to pass up a chance to do two things. First, well, Pam and Eric and Fran. Mr. Mrs. Frohley, Helen, Will, Scotty. Oh, all the rest of you nice people who've written in to tell us how much you like the program. Thanks. I really appreciate hearing from you. And believe me, I'll answer your letters just as quickly as I can. Second, well, I'm sure you know what this is. And I want you to know it comes from the heart. Merry Christmas to you. God bless you. Now, next week, next week.

[Bob Bailey]

The case of a prize fighter who could win only by losing because his life depended on it.

[Johnny Dollar]

Right, Join us, won't you? Yours truly, Johnny Dollar.

[Bob Bailey]

Yours truly, Johnny Dollar, starring Bob Bailey, originates in Hollywood. It is written by Charles B. Smith and produced and directed by Jack Johnstone. Heard in our cast were Mary Jane Croft, Howard McNear, Harley Baer, G. Stanley Jones, Bill James, Lawrence Dobkin and Richard Beals. Musical supervision is by Amerigo Marino. Be sure to join us next week, same time and station for another exciting story of yours truly, Johnny Dolly. Dan Cubberly.

[Adam Graham]

Welcome back. A really sweet and simple Christmas story with a good bit of humor and even a little bit of music at the end. I know that not everyone has liked the Jediya Gillis stories and there's a case to be made that the series over exposed this character a bit. There were three Jediya Gillis episodes in seven months, which was almost certainly too much whimsy for a series like yours truly, Johnny Dollar. But I think for his initial introduction and in a Christmas episode, he works beautifully. Wonderfully eccentric, but very generous and a really appropriate figure for the Christmas season. Well, now we turn to listener comments and feedback. And we have a comment on Pondbean from Mailbox Uno. And he writes. So Johnny goes all the way to Vermont, has his life threatened twice, climbs out on a ledge and doesn't think that deserves a payment. Johnny did not order his contribution sent to the Community Chest because he didn't think he deserved the payment. He did it because the series shows that he's a generous person. Now, sometimes that generosity serves another purpose for our world. This episode aired in September, which is traditionally where a lot of the Community Chest, the predecessor to the United Way, when those campaigns get underway. So it was kind of a nudge to the audience, or think, I probably should be giving to the Community Chest. I wonder how much I'll give. Of course, in universe, it also makes sense for Johnny, as he's on the road a lot and it can be a bit of a hassle for him to find the right address and mail it. And who knows when he'll be back in Hartford for any extended length of time. Just have the insurance company go ahead and mail it for him. But Johnny, as was the case in this episode, is often quite generous with his fees and money. And Johnny does earn good money. I think that's pretty well established throughout the series. Even if you can't always lay a formula on it, he always has expenses covered and then there are unknown fees for each case. And sometimes there's a recovery based on the way Johnny undertakes it. Although we're not privy to all those details. Johnny's a big hearted guy, and just like in this episode, he likes to give back and help people who need it. But thank you so much for the comment. Well, now it is time to thank our Patreon supporter of the day. And I want to thank Gretchen. Gretchen's been one of our patreon supporters since September 2017, currently supporting the podcast at the Detective Sergeant level of $7.14 or more per month. Thank you so much for your support, Gretchen. 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 will be back on Sunday with a yours truly, Johnny Dollar Serial Omnibus, and then of course, our regular program next Friday. But join us back here tomorrow for Dragnet wear.

[Johnny Dollar]

When you find Juanita, we should have.

[Marion Gillis]

Her call me right away.

[Johnny Dollar]

I. I'll pay for the call. We'll do that, Ms. Lasky. What's your number up there? This is the neighborhood, but they'll call me.

[Marion Gillis]

It's fountain green, 14R2.

[Johnny Dollar]

Yeah. You will try to find her as.

[Marion Gillis]

Fast as you can.

[Johnny Dollar]

We'll go to work on it. Well, Juanita always comes home for the Christmas holidays. Do you think she's all right? I wouldn't Worry about it, Ms. Lasky. We'll call you just soon as we get any kind of a lead on her. Thank you so much, Sergeant. And if there's any charge, I'll be glad to pay it. No charge. If your daughter's in Los Angeles, I think we can find her.

[Marion Gillis]

Oh, if there's anything wrong, you'll let.

[Adam Graham]

Me know right away?

[Johnny Dollar]

Yes, ma'am. You're very kind.

[Marion Gillis]

Goodbye.

[Johnny Dollar]

Bye. What you got, Jill? Some girl owes her mother a letter. Come on, Ben.

[Adam Graham]

I hope you'll be with us then. In the meantime, send your comments to Box13GreatDefectives.net follow us on Twitter at radiodetectives and check us out on Instagram. Instagram.com Great. Detective detectives from Boise, Idaho, this is your host, Adam Graham, signing off.