The Haunted Cell by Lights Out

Summary

The Haunted Cell by Lights Out – Detailed Summary

Podcast Information:

• Title: The Horror! (Old Time Radio)
• Host/Author: RelicRadio.com
• Episode: The Haunted Cell by Lights Out
• Release Date: March 1, 2025

---

Introduction

"The Haunted Cell" is a gripping episode from the classic Old Time Radio series Lights Out, brought to life by RelicRadio.com. This episode delves into the eerie tale of Maxi, a man wrongfully accused of murder, who finds himself entangled with the restless spirit of Skeeter Dempsey in a haunted jail cell. The story masterfully intertwines themes of guilt, fear, and the supernatural, keeping listeners on the edge of their seats from start to finish.

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Characters and Setting

• Maxi: The protagonist, a gambler and criminal who is apprehended for murder.
• Miller: A relentless police officer determined to extract a confession from Maxi.
• Skeeter Dempsey: The ghost of a former inmate who haunts the cell Maxi is confined to.
• Judge: The authoritative figure overseeing Maxi's trial.
• Johnny: A minor character, likely another officer assisting Miller.

The setting is primarily within the confines of a county jail cell where Maxi is held. The atmosphere is thick with tension, darkness, and the supernatural presence of Skeeter Dempsey.

---

Plot Overview

1. Maxi’s Arrest and Imprisonment

The story opens with Maxi recounting his arrest by police officers, led by Miller, after being caught during a robbery at a filling station. As Maxi describes his apprehension, tension builds:

Maxi (02:36): "So you don't believe in ghosts, huh? Let me tell you something, friend. Guys that don't believe in ghosts, just guys that ain't never seen none."

Accusations fly as Miller confronts Maxi about the murder of Ambrose Hogan, asserting Maxi's involvement and demanding a confession.

Miller (04:22): "I don't think you're gonna get anything out of a Miller."

Despite Maxi's protests of innocence, Miller is adamant about his guilt, leading to Maxi's confinement in a specific cell known for its ominous reputation.

2. Introduction to Skeeter Dempsey

Once inside the haunted cell, Maxi encounters the ghost of Skeeter Dempsey, a former inmate who was reportedly executed in the same cell. Skeeter begins to torment Maxi, discussing themes of death, punishment, and the afterlife.

Skeeter Dempsey (09:21): "Don't you know me, Maxie? I'm Skeeter Dempsey."

Maxi grapples with skepticism and fear as Skeeter reveals unsettling truths about death and the consequences of Maxi's actions.

3. Maxi’s Psychological Toll

The ghostly interactions take a psychological toll on Maxi. He experiences intense fear, sleepless nights, and a growing belief that he is doomed to the same fate as Skeeter. Skeeter manipulates Maxi's despair, encouraging thoughts of suicide as an escape from his predicament.

Skeeter Dempsey (14:35): "There's one way you could get out of some of the hell, though, Max."

Maxi's internal struggle becomes palpable as he contemplates Skeeter's suggestions, leading to a climactic decision influenced by Skeeter's haunting presence.

4. The Final Confrontation and Maxi’s Fate

As Maxi succumbs to his fears and the oppressive atmosphere of the haunted cell, he ultimately follows Skeeter's advice. The story culminates in Maxi taking his own life, transforming him into a ghost bound to the cell, echoing Skeeter's eternal torment.

Maxi (29:37): "Well, there you are. That's your ghost story. You believe in ghosts now? You don't? Well, you oughta. You see, I took Skeeter's advice. I hung myself. I've been dead six months."

This chilling conclusion serves as both a cautionary tale and a testament to the power of guilt and supernatural influence.

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Themes and Insights

• Supernatural Retribution: The episode explores the idea that wrongful actions and unresolved guilt can lead to supernatural consequences, as seen through Maxi's haunting by Skeeter Dempsey.

• Fear and Mental Struggle: Maxi's journey highlights the psychological impact of fear and the struggle between rational disbelief and supernatural realities.

• Consequences of Crime: The narrative underscores the inevitability of facing the repercussions of one's actions, whether through legal means or metaphysical punishment.

---

Notable Quotes

• Maxi on Ghosts:

  Maxi (02:36): "So you don't believe in ghosts, huh? Let me tell you something, friend. Guys that don't believe in ghosts, just guys that ain't never seen none."

• Skeeter Dempsey on Death:

  Skeeter Dempsey (14:35): "There's one way you could get out of some of the hell, though, Max."

• Maxi’s Realization:

  Maxi (29:37): "Well, there you are. That's your ghost story. You believe in ghosts now? You don't? Well, you oughta. You see, I took Skeeter's advice. I hung myself. I've been dead six months."

---

Conclusion

"The Haunted Cell" masterfully combines suspense, horror, and emotional depth to deliver a haunting narrative that resonates with listeners. Through Maxi's harrowing experience, the episode delves into the darkest aspects of human fear and the supernatural, leaving a lasting impression that underscores the timeless appeal of classic horror storytelling.

For those who cherish the eerie allure of Old Time Radio and spine-chilling ghost stories, "The Haunted Cell" is a quintessential episode that exemplifies why Lights Out remains a beloved staple in horror entertainment.

Transcript

[Maxi]

Oh, stories, weird stories and murders do turn out your legs. Turn them out.

[Judge]

Good evening.

[Maxi]

Come in, won't you? What's the matter? Surely you're not nervous for that to be calm, I think restored we are meant to call from out of the past. Stories strange and weird.

[Skeeter Dempsey]

Tales of mystery and terror by radio's masters of the maa.

[Maxi]

Stories of the supernatural, the supernormal dramatized mysteries, the unknown.

[Miller]

We tell you this.

[Maxi]

Frank. Frank. So if you wish to avoid the excitement of these magic play. Ladies, we heard our latest series. Turn off your.

[Narrator]

Welcome back to the horror Old Fashioned Fear. Every Saturday@ RelicRadio.com we're going to hear from lights out this week. A series that debuted in January of 1934 and aired until August of 1939. That was the longest run of the series. Returned in October of 1942 and ran until September of 1943. Then it was back three more times. 1945, 40, 46 and 47. With eight episode rebroadcasts in the summertime. This story today comes from July 20, 1946. We'll hear the haunted cell.

[Skeeter Dempsey]

Lights out everybody.

[Miller]

This is the witching. It is the hour when dogs howl and evil things are let loose on a sleeping world. Sit in the dark now and listen to lights out.

[Maxi]

So you don't believe in ghosts, huh? Let me tell you something, friend. Guys that don't believe in ghosts, just guys that ain't never seen none. Ain't that right? Listen, I can tell you a ghost.

[Skeeter Dempsey]

Story that'll make your hair curl.

[Maxi]

I don't say it'll make your hair curl. Listen, last August I was nabbed by.

[Skeeter Dempsey]

A couple of coppers.

[Maxi]

Never mind the details. It just so happened that they come up on me when I was sticking up a filling station and well, they drugged me in. It was a tough rap to beat since they got me standing there flat footed holding a gun on one of the filling station guys and well, the coppers didn't like me anyway, huh? Oh yeah, sure. Cause I'd had to bump off a copper a week or two before. And wouldn't it be my luck to be picked up by this guy's partner. Well, they took me in and they decided to show me the goldfish. You don't know what that is, huh?

[Skeeter Dempsey]

Well, I think you're a liar.

[Maxi]

Yeah, so what, copper?

[Miller]

You rat. I know you knocked off Ambrose Hogan and you're gonna fry for it.

[Maxi]

You gotta prove it first.

[Miller]

Miller, pull the light over this way. A little more, John. Okay. Light in his eyes. I'll prove it. Rap.

[Maxi]

Go ahead.

[Miller]

Hand me the hose, John.

[Maxi]

Now, look here. Don't you go hit.

[Miller]

Now, what do you say?

[Maxi]

I'm not going to wreck to no.

[Miller]

He ain't, huh?

[Maxi]

You'll wait till I get to a mouthpiece, mother. You'll be walking a beat out in Circleville where the elf.

[Miller]

It won't make no difference to you, punk, where I'm walking a beat. Not when you're burned.

[Maxi]

Yeah? Who's gonna burn me?

[Miller]

You knocked off Ambrose Hogan.

[Maxi]

I was in Omaha the night he got knocked off.

[Miller]

Listen, Maxie, get this. Now, Ambrose Hogan was a white guy. When I seen him laying on a slab downstairs, I took a solemn oath I'd get the rat that done it.

[Maxi]

If it took me. You ought to hire a. I'll get you for this, copper.

[Miller]

I don't think you're gonna get anything out of a Miller.

[Maxi]

There's a smart copper. Miller.

[Miller]

Yeah. Listen, I got a way to get things out of smart guys like you, Maxie. Come on over here. John.

[Maxi]

What are you gonna do? Listen, Miller. Shut up. You can. I want a lawyer. You gotta let me have a lawyer. You can't get away.

[Miller]

You wanna sing, Maxie? Or do you want to spend a few hours in the haunted cell upstairs?

[Maxi]

The what? Oh, another gag, huh?

[Miller]

Think so? Listen, I bet you $8 you change your mind, baby.

[Skeeter Dempsey]

Get up.

[Maxi]

What do you got?

[Miller]

Get going. Go ahead, John. Open the door.

[Skeeter Dempsey]

Okay.

[Maxi]

What are you going to do to me? You can't get away. Ever.

[Miller]

No. Skeeter Dempsey, Maxi, come on. This.

[Maxi]

What about him? They burned him last winter.

[Miller]

Yeah, that's right. Friend of yours?

[Skeeter Dempsey]

I know them.

[Miller]

Well, that's just fine, Maxie. Yes, sir, that'll be just dandy.

[Maxi]

What you asking about Skeeter Dempsey? Formula.

[Miller]

Skeeter killed a copper, too.

[Maxi]

So what?

[Miller]

It's bad business to kill coppers, Max. All righty, John. All ready. Y. Right this way, Maxie. My boy watch you up? I'll tell you. Right in there, baby.

[Skeeter Dempsey]

Get in.

[Miller]

Now, listen, this here is the cell that Skeeter Dempsey was locked up in when he first came here. He liked the cell, Maxie. He still likes it.

[Maxi]

What do you mean?

[Miller]

He'll probably be around to see you before the night's over.

[Maxi]

Yeah. Another one of your gags, huh? Well, you won't kid me, copper.

[Miller]

This whole corridor, Maxie, you're the only guy in it. Except Skeeter Dempsey. We'll see what a night here with him will do to you, huh, John?

[Skeeter Dempsey]

Yeah.

[Miller]

If you get scared, Maxie, Just call.

[Maxi]

Just yell.

[Miller]

Nobody will pay any attention to you. Nobody at all. Except maybe Skeeter Dempsey. Good night, Mac. Come on, John.

[Maxi]

Hey, listen now.

[Miller]

Pleasant dreams. You rat.

[Maxi]

You can't scare me, Miller. I know your gags. You can't scare me. No?

[Miller]

We'll see about that.

[Maxi]

Ghosts. Hey, I want a lawyer.

[Miller]

Good night, Maxie.

[Maxi]

Hey, you can't. Turn the lights out on me, Miller. Turn the lights back on, Miller. You can't leave me here in the dark. Yeah, dad. Miller. Miller. Why, you flat. Frank. Miller, Come back here. Miller, I'm scared. Turn the lights on, Miller. For the love of Mike. I'm scared of the dark. Good. Turn the lights on, Miller. Please, Miller, listen. Take me out of here.

[Skeeter Dempsey]

Nod out the yellow and sit down.

[Maxi]

Who. Who are you?

[Skeeter Dempsey]

Don't you know me, Maxie? I'm Skeeter Dempsey.

[Maxi]

You. You can't be. It's a gag. Listen, copper.

[Skeeter Dempsey]

I'm no copper. Max. Sit down. Let's talk about things.

[Maxi]

Where are you?

[Skeeter Dempsey]

Right here.

[Maxi]

Wait, wait. I. Light a match. I want to see what you look like.

[Skeeter Dempsey]

You'll be surprised, Max.

[Maxi]

There. There ain't nobody here.

[Skeeter Dempsey]

Oh, yes, there is, Maxie. I'm right here beside you, kid.

[Maxi]

Yeah, it was Geeta Dempsey, all right. I recognized his voice right away when I lit the mansion. Couldn't see nobody there. I guess I fainted. I remember trying to yell, only my voice wouldn't work. And when I come to, I was laying on a cell floor. For a minute, I couldn't figure out what happened. And then it all come back to me. You know how it is when you're really scared? Or maybe you never been real scared, huh? Well, I'll tell you, my mouth was so dry, I couldn't hardly breathe. All I could hear was my heart pumping away as loud as an old fliver engine. I was too scared to say a word. I just crawled up onto the buck. Been late there. Listen. Listen.

[Skeeter Dempsey]

So I scared you, huh, Maxi?

[Maxi]

Listen. Go away now. Whoever you are. Go away. Go away.

[Skeeter Dempsey]

Oh, shut up. I ain't going to hurt you.

[Maxi]

I could pray you away.

[Skeeter Dempsey]

No, you couldn't, Maxie. You couldn't pray me away. What they got you in here for?

[Maxi]

Bump it off?

[Skeeter Dempsey]

Nothing. You knocked off that Hogan guy, didn't you? Well, it's too bad for you, man.

[Maxi]

Yeah.

[Skeeter Dempsey]

Yeah.

[Maxi]

Are you still here?

[Skeeter Dempsey]

Sure. You.

[Maxi]

You ain't Skitter Dempsey?

[Skeeter Dempsey]

Yes, I am.

[Maxi]

Listen, Skitter Dempsey was burned last winter. I don't report it. I'd seen him sit in a chair.

[Skeeter Dempsey]

That's Right.

[Maxi]

Well, then you ain't Skeeter Dempsey.

[Skeeter Dempsey]

Yes, I am.

[Maxi]

I know. I know you're a Skeeter. I know. I know.

[Skeeter Dempsey]

Stop jittering. I ain't gonna hurt you.

[Maxi]

But you're a ghost.

[Skeeter Dempsey]

Well, what if I am?

[Maxi]

I wish you'd go away.

[Skeeter Dempsey]

Why should I? This is my cell, after all.

[Maxi]

Oh, Skitter, please.

[Skeeter Dempsey]

Oh, can I listen? Let's talk. I haven't had nobody to talk to for two months.

[Maxi]

Who'd you talk to then?

[Skeeter Dempsey]

George Brown. You remember him?

[Maxi]

Yeah. Heist guy.

[Skeeter Dempsey]

Yeah.

[Maxi]

Hey, George Brown hung himself in a cell here.

[Skeeter Dempsey]

Yeah, this. This, uh huh. Him and me sat up and talked all night and he hung himself next day.

[Maxi]

Why'd he hang himself for?

[Skeeter Dempsey]

Oh, he'd have got burned anyway. They had him for two jobs. One knocking off an old lady for 70 bucks and the other shooting that bank guy down in Springfield.

[Maxi]

Did you see him hang him yourself, S.K.

[Skeeter Dempsey]

No, I wasn't here at the time.

[Maxi]

Where was you?

[Skeeter Dempsey]

I was away. SK yeah?

[Maxi]

What does it feel like to be dead?

[Skeeter Dempsey]

All right.

[Maxi]

Yeah.

[Skeeter Dempsey]

Yeah.

[Maxi]

Oh, my God.

[Skeeter Dempsey]

What's the matter?

[Maxi]

What? What about hell and all that.

[Skeeter Dempsey]

You get used to it.

[Maxi]

My old lady used to make me go to Sunday school. And they used to talk about hell there. Fire and everything.

[Skeeter Dempsey]

There ain't no fire.

[Maxi]

Ain't they?

[Skeeter Dempsey]

No, it's worse than that. What?

[Maxi]

What's it like?

[Skeeter Dempsey]

You'll find out.

[Maxi]

If I get out of this rap, I'm. I think I'll go straight.

[Skeeter Dempsey]

You're too late, Max.

[Maxi]

No, I ain't. I'll beat it.

[Skeeter Dempsey]

No, you won't.

[Maxi]

You gotta croak sometime. Yeah.

[Skeeter Dempsey]

You'll croak on this rap.

[Maxi]

How do you know? I know.

[Skeeter Dempsey]

There's one way you could get out of some of the hell, though, Max.

[Maxi]

How?

[Skeeter Dempsey]

Bump yourself up.

[Maxi]

What do you mean?

[Skeeter Dempsey]

Well, if you wait for the law to punish you, that's one thing. If you take the law in your own hands and, well, kind of punish yourself, it'll make a difference.

[Maxi]

Is it pretty tough, Skier?

[Skeeter Dempsey]

What? Hell?

[Maxi]

Dying. It hurts awful. The chair, I mean.

[Skeeter Dempsey]

They go in feeling pretty cocky and figuring you can take it and you're gonna be a tough guy and all.

[Maxi]

And then quit that scare.

[Skeeter Dempsey]

All of a sudden, you find you can't take it. You don't want to yell and scream, but. Well, it's awful.

[Maxi]

God. What? That Skeeter.

[Skeeter Dempsey]

You ain't never had no pain in all your life, Max. Can begin to compare with the chair.

[Maxi]

Yeah.

[Skeeter Dempsey]

You'll find out.

[Maxi]

Do you really think I Will skid it.

[Skeeter Dempsey]

What do you think?

[Maxi]

I wonder how it feels to bump yourself off.

[Skeeter Dempsey]

George Brown said it was all right. Kind of made him feel better. He said.

[Maxi]

He said?

[Skeeter Dempsey]

Yeah, I seen him the day after.

[Maxi]

Oh. Huh.

[Skeeter Dempsey]

If I was you, Mag, I think I'd do it.

[Maxi]

Yeah. I'm not gonna bump myself off. I won't do it. These Aussie coppers ain't gonna make me. Who's that?

[Skeeter Dempsey]

Miller, I guess.

[Maxi]

Is that you, Miller?

[Miller]

Who was you talking to, Maxie? Skeeter Dempsey.

[Maxi]

Listen, Miller, let me out of here. No kidding, let me out. Put me any place you want to. But listen, Miller.

[Miller]

Scared, Maxie. Who was you talking to, Maxi? Skeeter Dempsey.

[Maxi]

Listen. Will it turn on the light? Will you turn him on, Willard? Just for a minute.

[Miller]

Dark's got you down, Miller.

[Maxi]

Please turn on the lights.

[Miller]

Why not? It'll be darker still when I turn them off again. What's the matter now, Miller?

[Maxi]

There ain't anybody here.

[Miller]

That's right. Was Skeeter in here with you, kid?

[Maxi]

I thought. I thought there ain't anybody here.

[Skeeter Dempsey]

Oh, yes, there is, Max.

[Miller]

I wouldn't worry about that.

[Skeeter Dempsey]

I'm right here beside you, and I'm gonna stay.

[Maxi]

They kept me in that cell there for four weeks. Every once in a while, Miller come in and stand there in front of the door and laugh at me. Gonna sign a confession, Maxie, he'd say.

[Skeeter Dempsey]

I wasn't gonna give him nothing.

[Maxi]

But that place got me. As soon as it was dark, I'd hear Skeeter Dempsey's footsteps and come and sit down. I was awful scared at first. It's kind of hard to get used to practically living with a ghost. But then I kind of got used to him. It was always telling me how I was gonna burn and how I'd be better off to hang myself like George Brown done. I guess I was afraid of nothing. Well, I wouldn't ever have no lawyer through. They was keeping me in there without knowing anything about it so as they could hand me the wrap when the time come. Well, the time come someplace or other. Miller dug up the evidence that I wouldn't give him, and they had me.

[Skeeter Dempsey]

And how they had me.

[Maxi]

So one morning, a few weeks later, I'm sitting in the courtroom. The jury's been up 20.

[Judge]

Everybody rise.

[Miller]

Sit down.

[Judge]

Gentlemen of the jury, have you arrived at a verdict?

[Miller]

We have, your honor.

[Judge]

Will you pass the verdict to the bailiff, please?

[Maxi]

We, the jury, find the defendant, Mac.

[Miller]

Young, guilty of murder in the first degree.

[Judge]

Mr. Foreman, is this your verdict?

[Miller]

It is, your Honor.

[Judge]

The defendant will rise.

[Miller]

Get up, Maxi.

[Judge]

Max Young, have you anything to say before sentence is passed on you?

[Maxi]

Well, I.

[Skeeter Dempsey]

Know, you, Honor, you realize.

[Judge]

That in a verdict of guilty of first degree murder, the death penalty is mandatory.

[Maxi]

Yeah. Yeah, your Honor.

[Judge]

Very well, then. It is the sentence of this court, if you are to be taken from this place and between the 21st and 30th December, shocked to death by electricity, and may God have mercy on your soul.

[Miller]

All right, Maxie. Come on. This way. Well, Max, that's that.

[Maxi]

Yeah. What you say?

[Miller]

I didn't say nothing.

[Skeeter Dempsey]

It was me, Max. I said, there's only one way out now.

[Maxi]

Well, so that was that. They wasn't ready to send me down to the state prison where they bump off guys. So they kept me in this here wing of the county jail where they had me in Skeeter Dempsey's old cell. I guess this guy Muller must have liked his pal Ambrose Hogan quite a lot. The guy I knocked off, huh? Sure, I knocked him off. What's the use of kidding around? Yeah, I guess he must have thought a lot of him. Cause he kept me in there where it was dark, where I'd be scared to death all the time, really getting even. But I kind of fool him. I wasn't so scared of Skeeter by this time I got. So I'd sit in the dock there and be waiting for him. And we'd talk about everything in the world. It was funny people out of history and funny places and stuff, and a lot of things. Skeeter told me he saw a lot of the guys we talked about. Nero and Judas Iscariot. But why not?

[Skeeter Dempsey]

He was dead, wasn't he? And so was they.

[Maxi]

Oh, but I gotta hurry up with my ghost story, ain't I? That's right. What I was gonna say was. I was sitting there one night, the 23rd. It was day before Christmas Eve, sitting in the dark, and I heard Skitty. Hello, Skeeter.

[Skeeter Dempsey]

Hello, Max. How you feeling?

[Maxi]

Not so hot.

[Skeeter Dempsey]

Still thinking about the Hot Squad, huh?

[Maxi]

What else you expect me to think about? I wish they'd hurry up and get it over with. That's what I wish.

[Skeeter Dempsey]

It's tomorrow night.

[Maxi]

What is? They burned you on Christmas Eve?

[Skeeter Dempsey]

Yep.

[Maxi]

Honest, Skeeter, how do you know?

[Skeeter Dempsey]

I found out.

[Maxi]

Oh, God.

[Skeeter Dempsey]

Well, don't take it so hard. I'll walk in with you. When I take you to the chair, I'll stand right there alongside you.

[Maxi]

Will you scare? Will you? Honest?

[Skeeter Dempsey]

Sure. Won't do you much Good, though.

[Maxi]

Why, I can't keep it from hurting you, honest. Skeeter. Does it hurt a lot, or is it all over with pretty quick?

[Skeeter Dempsey]

It seemed to me to last a hundred years.

[Maxi]

Oh, I'm a sucker for pains, Keter.

[Skeeter Dempsey]

I.

[Maxi]

Sure, I cut my finger once I put in there. Croaked with the pain.

[Skeeter Dempsey]

You ain't felt nothing yet.

[Maxi]

Yeah.

[Skeeter Dempsey]

Yeah.

[Maxi]

Gee, I remember too, when I busted my leg, my old lady sat up all night holding my hand and me brawling.

[Skeeter Dempsey]

This'll feel like a million busted legs.

[Maxi]

Listen, Skeeter.

[Skeeter Dempsey]

What?

[Maxi]

Didn't you say George Brown told you it didn't hurt much? Bumping yourself off.

[Skeeter Dempsey]

That's what he said.

[Maxi]

Why, I. I was wondering.

[Skeeter Dempsey]

Well, I know what I'd do if I was in your place.

[Maxi]

Yeah? Would you bump yourself off?

[Skeeter Dempsey]

Yeah.

[Maxi]

I. I don't think I got the guts to do it.

[Skeeter Dempsey]

Skitter ain't hard. You got a belt. You could get it around your neck and climb up on the bunk, fasten the belt to the bars up above. Then all you gotta do is jump off.

[Maxi]

Yeah. Yeah.

[Skeeter Dempsey]

You know, it would help you out if you did.

[Maxi]

What do you mean?

[Skeeter Dempsey]

Well, you know I told you. Kind of punishing yourself, see?

[Maxi]

I know. But I can't, Peter. I can't. I can't. I don't want to die.

[Skeeter Dempsey]

Well, it's all right with me. I was just telling you. Believe me, lad, I know what I'm talking about.

[Maxi]

Do you have a skeeter? Do you?

[Skeeter Dempsey]

Yeah.

[Maxi]

I wish I had that guts to do it.

[Skeeter Dempsey]

I don't care what you do, Maxie. Only you're gonna get burned tomorrow night anyway. And if you want to get out of the most awful pain you ever had, do yourself a good turn at the same time.

[Maxi]

Well, I wonder what it feels like.

[Skeeter Dempsey]

George Brown said it only hurt for a minute.

[Maxi]

He never had much guts, that I remember.

[Skeeter Dempsey]

No. Here comes Miller gonna tell you, I guess.

[Maxi]

Yeah.

[Skeeter Dempsey]

He don't look very happy.

[Maxi]

He what? Can you see in the dark?

[Skeeter Dempsey]

Yeah.

[Miller]

Hello, Max.

[Maxi]

Hello, Miller.

[Miller]

Want me to turn on the light?

[Maxi]

I don't care.

[Miller]

You getting used to the dark.

[Maxi]

Yeah.

[Miller]

Well, I'll turn them on anyway. Well, Max, it's about the end of the string tomorrow, huh? Yeah.

[Maxi]

Well, that makes you and me even.

[Miller]

Listen, Max, I wanted to see you knocked off on account of Ambrose Hogan. I.

[Maxi]

Well, I ain't sure, Miller.

[Miller]

Ah, you know.

[Maxi]

Yeah. No hard feelings, Miller. It's your job being a copper and mine being a hoot.

[Miller]

Yeah. Well, is there anything you want, Maxie?

[Maxi]

No, I Guess not.

[Miller]

You ain't got no folks?

[Maxi]

No.

[Miller]

I could get you a bottle of bourbon if you wanted.

[Maxi]

Nah. What's the news?

[Miller]

Well, we gotta get ready to go down to the state prison in a little while. They got the. Well, I mean, that's where you gotta go.

[Maxi]

Do I have to go today?

[Miller]

Yeah, I guess so.

[Maxi]

Well. Kinda hate to leave this place at that. Do you? Yeah. Scared me quite a lot at first. But I guess it's taught me a lot being here in the dark all along.

[Skeeter Dempsey]

Except for me, Max.

[Maxi]

Yeah.

[Miller]

Well, Max, listen, try to take it standing up, will you?

[Maxi]

You know, I'll try, Mother, but it's gonna be awful tough.

[Miller]

Yeah. Well, look, I'll. I'll be back in a little bit and we'll go. Sure there ain't anything you want me to get, Maxie?

[Maxi]

No.

[Miller]

All right, I'll. I'm. I'm sorry, Max.

[Maxi]

Huh? It's okay, Miller. Forget it.

[Skeeter Dempsey]

I told you, Max. Yeah, Well, I gotta be going. So long, Max.

[Maxi]

You going, Skeeter?

[Skeeter Dempsey]

Yeah. I'll see you tomorrow night.

[Maxi]

But listen, Skidden, don't go away now.

[Skeeter Dempsey]

I have to. And just in case you decide to do what George Brown did, there's an extra piece of rope under the mattress. You won't have to use your belt. So.

[Maxi]

Well, there you are. That's your ghost story. You believe in ghosts now? You don't? Well, you oughta. You see, I took Skater's advice. I hung myself. I've been dead six months.

[Miller]

All right, you can turn them on now.

[Announcer]

You have just heard the third in the summer series of Lights Out. Tonight's story featured Norman Gottschalk as Maxi, Stanley Shul as Skeeter Dempsey and Roy Engel as Miller. Boris Aplon was hurt as the judge, and Nathan Davis as Johnny. Next Saturday night, come 9 o'clock, we've got a story cooked up for you that ought to give you a chill. In the hottest weather, two master magicians, both in the inner cult of Haitian voodooism, lock horns and the titanic struggle, which comes to a climax over the Chicago airport. So you'd better make a mental note to be near your radio next Saturday evening. Lights out is produced and directed by Albert Cruz.

[Skeeter Dempsey]

This is.

[Maxi]

And I hung Myself. I've been dead six months.

[Miller]

All right, you can turn them on now.

[Announcer]

You have just heard the third in the summer series of Lights Out. Tonight's story featured Norman Gottschalk as Maxi, Stanley Shul as Skeeter Dempsey and Roy Engel as Miller. Boris Aplon was heard as the Judge and Nathan Davis as Johnny. Next Saturday night. Come 9 o'clock, we've got a story cooked up for you that ought to give you a chill. In the hottest weather, two master magicians, both in the inner cult of Haitian voodooism, block horns in the titanic struggle, which comes to a climax over the Chicago airport. So you'd better make a mental note to be near your radio next Saturday evening. Lights out is produced and directed by Albert Cruz. This is NBC, the national broadcasting Company.

[Narrator]

There's more from Lights out, the Horror, the Relic Radio podcasts and everything else. Relic Radio at the website relic radio radio.com youm'll find our shoutcast stream there with even more old time radio 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Lots to listen to there. And if you'd like to help support it all, there's a way to do that as well. Click on the Donate button or one of the support links on the podcast episodes. Your support makes all of this possible and has since 2007. Thanks to those who have helped out. Thanks for joining me this week. Be back tomorrow with Strange Tales and next Saturday with our next episode of the Horror.