High Adventure and The Zero Hour

Summary

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Podcast Summary: The Relic Radio Show

Episode: High Adventure and The Zero Hour
Date: August 26, 2025
Host: RelicRadio.com

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Overview

This episode of The Relic Radio Show uncovers two dramatically different pieces from the golden era of radio:

1. High Adventure – “The Curse of Dagon”
   • A thriller about a mysterious and violent plague sweeping through an English town, prompting desperate scientific and military action.
2. The Zero Hour – “Carnival of Menace” (Aired 1974)
   • A gritty crime drama set amid the chaos and intrigue of a traveling carnival, involving a daring heist, betrayal, and murder.

Both stories are rich in suspense and period flavor, offering listeners a window into classic radio's blend of horror, mystery, and adventure.

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Segment 1: High Adventure – “The Curse of Dagon”

Start: [01:12]
Length: ~25 min

Key Discussion Points & Story Progression

• The Outbreak Begins

  • The episode opens in the quiet English town of Bellwater, where normality is shattered as townspeople randomly fly into violent rages.
  • The virus causes high fevers and extreme aggression, leading to deaths and chaos.
  • Authorities lock down the town, with Professor Jeffrey Brindle leading the medical response and Brigadier Crawford in command of military containment.
  • "It's as though this blasted virus has dropped out of the sky from nowhere." – Professor Brindle [04:54]

• Desperation & Dilemmas

  • The virus resists all known treatments, and efforts to communicate with the town are futile.
  • Authorities consider mass extermination to prevent the infection's spread.
  • "If you can't find a solution to this dilemma in a few hours my men will release a gas … The lives of these people will have to be sacrificed if the plague is to be contained." – Brigadier Crawford [06:59]

• Race for a Cure

  • Scientists hurry to develop a treatment; early success is stymied by ethical dilemmas (testing requires victims' consent when “of sound mind”).
  • Three volunteers are infected and treated, but die due to a reaction between the virus and the test vaccine.
  • "The army can kill thousands, but we can't use a few to save their lives without permission." – Professor Brindle [09:25]

• A Clue from the Past

  • Dr. Barnes, a medical historian, reveals similar outbreaks were recorded millennia ago, dubbed the Curse of Dagon. The historical accounts suggest a cure once existed, probably something simple and commonplace.
  • "The deaths were mostly caused from violence, starvation and poisoning. In fact, recovering victims suffered little... except for a loss of memory." – Dr. Barnes [13:12]

• Breakthrough: The Accidental Cure

  • A recovered survivor provides the crucial clue: she had not eaten any food but did consume mussels in vinegar.
  • The scientists infer that acetic acid (i.e., vinegar) is lethal to the virus.
  • "There’s no time. We’re going to have to gamble on vinegar... my guess is that you ate those mussels while you were in the late stage of the disease and bingo, the acetic acid killed the virus." – Professor Brindle [22:44]

• Resolution

  • Vinegar is distributed. Recovery is rapid. The catastrophe is halted with nearly 2,000 deaths, but the formula to beat the ancient curse is now known.
  • "Within 10 minutes, the victims began to behave normally. First the berserk soldiers were treated, and then at first light teams of soldiers entered the town and began to treat the victims of the disease..." – Narrator [24:00 approx.]

Notable Quotes / Moments

• "What are Bellwater’s inhabitants at this moment? Human vegetables or raving homicidal maniacs?" – Professor Brindle [07:24]
• "Acetic acid? Good grief. Yes, it could be." – Dr. Barnes [22:39]
• "Amazing though it was, we’d hit on the answer. Acetic acid, as is found in vinegar." – Narrator [24:00 approx.]

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Segment 2: The Zero Hour – “Carnival of Menace”

Start: [25:33]
Length: ~22 min (excluding ads)

Key Discussion Points & Story Progression

• Setting & Mood

  • The story is set in a small-town carnival, painting vivid images of its seedy glamour and interwoven relationships.
  • Side characters and performers establish authenticity and tension behind the scenes.

• The Heist

  • Rusty and Turk plot to rob the carnival’s money wagon, containing over $20,000.
  • Betrayal is in the air: "You and me could take it and have a real swing in time on it." – Rusty to Princess [31:07]
  • The plan is carefully laid out, but suspicion abounds, especially among those romantically linked.

• Double-Cross

  • During execution, Turk abruptly turns on Rusty, attempting to keep the whole score: "So long, chump." – Turk [34:15 approx.]
  • Rusty survives and divides the loot with Princess, proposing a new partnership; "No catch. Just that we spend the dough together, that's all." – Rusty [37:08]

• The Investigation

  • Sherlock, a former police detective now working carnival security, begins putting together clues.
  • "It seems like more than a coincidence that Rusty left our poker game at about 2:30..." – Sherlock [39:11]
  • Forensic evidence begins to mount, with tools and timelines incriminating Rusty.

• Climax & Arrest

  • Authorities close in as the duo attempts to escape, and Rusty is arrested for robbery and murder after Turk’s body is found.
  • "You're under arrest for robbery and murder... Your prints are all over them can opening tools you chucked in the ravine. And the blood on the hammer matches up with Turks." – Sherlock [44:53]

Notable Quotes / Moments

• "You set it up, and I'm not going to leave you here where they can put the squeeze on you, make you spill your guts. Now get in there, slide over. Let me in behind a wheel..." – Rusty [43:32]
• "Sheridan Lockman, Sherlock. Oh, that's why they called you Sherlock. You really are a detective." – Rusty [45:25]

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Memorable/Atmospheric Interludes

• Dark Humor & Pathos: Carnival life contrasted with its grim realities; comic dialogue masks the lurking violence and treachery.
• Meta Moments: Sherlock’s playful dialogue on detection and carnival trappings, blending genre tropes with banter.

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Timestamps for Important Segments

| Timestamp | Segment / Topic | |-----------|----------------------------------------------------| | 01:12 | Start of “High Adventure – The Curse of Dagon” | | 04:54 | Virus description and escalation | | 06:59 | Moral dilemma: Containment by deadly gas | | 08:53 | Breakthrough in lab research | | 13:12 | Dr. Barnes recounts historical outbreaks | | 22:39 | Discovery of vinegar as the cure | | 25:33 | Start of The Zero Hour “Carnival of Menace” | | 31:07 | The heist plotters’ pivotal exchange | | 34:15 | Double-cross during the heist | | 39:11 | Sherlock’s investigation builds momentum | | 44:53 | Rusty’s arrest and Sherlock's confrontation |

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Final Thoughts

This episode skillfully presents two self-contained old-time radio dramas:

• “The Curse of Dagon” blends medical thriller, ethical quandaries, and echoes of pandemic anxiety—made all the more striking by its solution’s simplicity.
• “Carnival of Menace” dips into noir with a tight plot, colorful characters, and a satisfying detective denouement.

Through well-curated classic radio, The Relic Radio Show immerses listeners in suspense and nostalgia, while offering surprising emotional and intellectual depth.

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Transcript

[Narrator / Announcer]

This is the relic radio show. Old time radio entertainment still standing the test of time from relicradio.com. welcome back to the relic radio show. On this week's hour, we begin with high adventure. You'll hear the curse of Dagon. After that, it's the Zero Hour and Carnival of Menace. That story aired July 23, 1974.

[Bill / Professor Brindle / Brigadier Crawford / Dr. Barnes (various male characters)]

High adventure. Tonight, Ron Evans tells us of the plague that was called the curse of Dagon.

[Hilda / Kathy Rowlands / Diana Newton / Female characters]

Is that you, Bill?

[Bill / Professor Brindle / Brigadier Crawford / Dr. Barnes (various male characters)]

Aye. Who else does a stupid woman think it could be?

[Hilda / Kathy Rowlands / Diana Newton / Female characters]

Well, sit down, love. And bringing your dinner in now, I.

[Bill / Professor Brindle / Brigadier Crawford / Dr. Barnes (various male characters)]

Suppose it'll be the usual rubbish.

[Hilda / Kathy Rowlands / Diana Newton / Female characters]

Yeah, doubly cottage pie again.

[Bill / Professor Brindle / Brigadier Crawford / Dr. Barnes (various male characters)]

Cottage pie again?

[Hilda / Kathy Rowlands / Diana Newton / Female characters]

What do you mean, Bill? We haven't sat down to a cottage pie for weeks.

[Bill / Professor Brindle / Brigadier Crawford / Dr. Barnes (various male characters)]

I hate cottage pie. Why are you always giving me slops to eat?

[Hilda / Kathy Rowlands / Diana Newton / Female characters]

Bill, what's wrong with you?

[Bill / Professor Brindle / Brigadier Crawford / Dr. Barnes (various male characters)]

And you know, somewhat else, Hilda, I think I hate even more than the cottage pie. In fact, you both go together.

[Hilda / Kathy Rowlands / Diana Newton / Female characters]

Please, Bill, your face is all flushed. You've never spoken to me like this before. What's wrong?

[Bill / Professor Brindle / Brigadier Crawford / Dr. Barnes (various male characters)]

Shut up, woman, and mind your own business. When you go, take the shrewdy pigs will with you.

[Narrator / Announcer]

Yeah.

[Hilda / Kathy Rowlands / Diana Newton / Female characters]

You're ill, I can tell. Look, Bill, I'm going to call the doctor.

[Bill / Professor Brindle / Brigadier Crawford / Dr. Barnes (various male characters)]

Never mind. Just get me some ad decent to eat.

[Hilda / Kathy Rowlands / Diana Newton / Female characters]

I'll be back in a minute, love. Oh, dear.

[Bill / Professor Brindle / Brigadier Crawford / Dr. Barnes (various male characters)]

Who is it? What the hell do you want?

[Hilda / Kathy Rowlands / Diana Newton / Female characters]

Oh, Dr. Pierce, is that you? What if it is?

[Bill / Professor Brindle / Brigadier Crawford / Dr. Barnes (various male characters)]

I'm tired of people calling me whenever they feel like it. Day and night and night and day. It makes no difference.

[Hilda / Kathy Rowlands / Diana Newton / Female characters]

Now.

[Bill / Professor Brindle / Brigadier Crawford / Dr. Barnes (various male characters)]

Do me a favor, will you? Go and jump in the damn river and leave me in peace.

[Hilda / Kathy Rowlands / Diana Newton / Female characters]

Oh, I don't know what's happening. Has the world suddenly gone, ma?

[Bill / Professor Brindle / Brigadier Crawford / Dr. Barnes (various male characters)]

Yes. Poor Hilda. Ratcliffe might well have wondered if the world had gone mad. Because in the small English country town of Bellwater, that is exactly what was happening. Not that Hilda ever learned the facts. A few minutes after her call to Dr. Pierce, she was beaten to death by her husband. As for the doctor, well, a few moments before Hilda had called, he had murdered both his partner and receptionist with a carving knife. By late evening, the police were receiving hundreds of phone calls which they did their best to answer until they too began to act irrationally and with great violence. By early the next afternoon, the area surrounding the town was sealed off and bacteriologists had isolated an unknown strain of virus that seemed to be causing the havoc. The virus was found to be highly infectious and strongly resistant to every kind of treatment. Bell water was officially declared a disaster area and came under immediate martial law. Brigadier James Crawford was in command, and the medical team, which had taken over a small hospital outside the town, was being run by Professor Jeffrey Prindle.

[Hilda / Kathy Rowlands / Diana Newton / Female characters]

We don't seem to be getting anywhere, do we?

[Bill / Professor Brindle / Brigadier Crawford / Dr. Barnes (various male characters)]

It's as though this blasted virus has dropped out of the sky from nowhere. It's not even related to anything we know. Yet there it is out there, creating sheer anarchy in what was yesterday a sleepy country town.

[Hilda / Kathy Rowlands / Diana Newton / Female characters]

All we know so far is that it rises the victim's temperatures and makes them behave in a dangerously aggressive manner.

[Bill / Professor Brindle / Brigadier Crawford / Dr. Barnes (various male characters)]

And that's all. We can't even ascertain if it's fatal.

[Hilda / Kathy Rowlands / Diana Newton / Female characters]

Surely there must be people in the town who haven't been affected.

[Bill / Professor Brindle / Brigadier Crawford / Dr. Barnes (various male characters)]

I doubt it. Every victim picked up by Crawford's men on the perimeter has been infected. Besides, the telephones were still operating as late as an hour ago, but the few calls coming from Bellwater have been garbled.

[Narrator / Announcer]

Nonsense.

[Hilda / Kathy Rowlands / Diana Newton / Female characters]

If only we had a clue where to make a start.

[Bill / Professor Brindle / Brigadier Crawford / Dr. Barnes (various male characters)]

Well, with 63 people working round the clock here, sooner or later one of them is going to come close.

[Hilda / Kathy Rowlands / Diana Newton / Female characters]

Yes. Meanwhile, the people of Bellwater kill each other or merely starve to death.

[Bill / Professor Brindle / Brigadier Crawford / Dr. Barnes (various male characters)]

Can't send any help into Bellwater until we know how to fight the virus, so I'm afraid it might come to that.

[Narrator / Announcer]

Hang on, Joe.

[Hilda / Kathy Rowlands / Diana Newton / Female characters]

Here's the Brigadier.

[Bill / Professor Brindle / Brigadier Crawford / Dr. Barnes (various male characters)]

Go and see how Patterson and his team are making out. I'll see you later, Kathy.

[Hilda / Kathy Rowlands / Diana Newton / Female characters]

All right? Fine.

[Bill / Professor Brindle / Brigadier Crawford / Dr. Barnes (various male characters)]

Ah, Professor Brindle. I've been waiting for some kind of report from you. If I had something to report, you'd have had it by now. I don't react well to sarcasms, Brindle, and I don't react well to being pushed. Brigadier, when you do get a report, do you want it verbal or in writing? Well, in writing, naturally. I see. So you think I can afford to sit in front of a typewriter making reports? I can provide you with a stenographer. All right, I'll be blunt. You'll get a verbal report when I have some progress to report. We're not getting along very well, are we, Brindle? It's called a personality clash.

[Narrator / Announcer]

Oh, indeed.

[Bill / Professor Brindle / Brigadier Crawford / Dr. Barnes (various male characters)]

Well, all I have to say is that your people had better come up with something pretty darn soon, or I'll. I'll have to take more drastic measures. What do you mean by that? This plague can't be allowed to spread outside the perimeter. Can you imagine the havoc it would cause if we lost control of it? You told me yourself that nobody's immune. I asked you what measures. Drastic ones, I'm afraid. Special clothing is being flown up here as as well as certain other equipment. You're being very evasive, Brigadier.

[Narrator / Announcer]

Very well.

[Bill / Professor Brindle / Brigadier Crawford / Dr. Barnes (various male characters)]

If you can't find a solution to this dilemma in a few hours my men will release a gas. What kind of gas? A special one, supplied by the Ministry of Defense. The people in this town will be peacefully put to sleep. You're looking very shifty eyed. Do you mean put to sleep permanently, like we do with sick pets? I can see no other way. You can't be serious. There are 26,000 people in Bellwater. It has been discussed at the highest level and this is the conclusion. The lives of these people will have to be sacrificed if the plague is to be contained. And every minute we wait adds to the risk. At any time one of my men could catch it and infect another hundred men. And they in turn could infect another hundred each. No, Brindle time is limited. But this is monstrous. What are Bellwater's inhabitants at this moment? Human vegetables or raving homicidal maniacs? They won't know a thing about it. The gas is odorless and undetectable. One tiny whip kills in an instant. I just don't believe this. It has to be some kind of a sick joke. Can you solve the problem without adding to the risk?

[Narrator / Announcer]

Yes.

[Bill / Professor Brindle / Brigadier Crawford / Dr. Barnes (various male characters)]

We have to find something that will kill the virus. We'll do it. Then you have 12 hours to give me a positive report. Appalled though he was, Jeff Brindle had to admit that the Brigadier was right. If a cure to this strange affliction was not found quickly, it could escape from the area with the most terrifying consequences to the country and even the world at large. What were the lives of the few thousand inhabitants of Bellwater compared to the world's villains? Without sleep for almost 20 hours, brindle frantically continued his search for the vital answer. I think we've got it.

[Hilda / Kathy Rowlands / Diana Newton / Female characters]

Oh, thank heaven for that.

[Bill / Professor Brindle / Brigadier Crawford / Dr. Barnes (various male characters)]

Jerry Lanson has developed a culture that kills the virus in seconds. It worked in 10 tests out of 10.

[Hilda / Kathy Rowlands / Diana Newton / Female characters]

Well, that's fantastic, but.

[Bill / Professor Brindle / Brigadier Crawford / Dr. Barnes (various male characters)]

Yes, I know, I know. There's a snag how to put it to a real test on a human subject.

[Hilda / Kathy Rowlands / Diana Newton / Female characters]

The army tolding at least 30 people in isolation. You know, people from the town who stumbled into the perimeter.

[Bill / Professor Brindle / Brigadier Crawford / Dr. Barnes (various male characters)]

Can't use them.

[Hilda / Kathy Rowlands / Diana Newton / Female characters]

Can't use them? For heaven's sake, why not?

[Bill / Professor Brindle / Brigadier Crawford / Dr. Barnes (various male characters)]

We need their written permission and it has to be given while they're of sound mind. Which certainly wouldn't be true in their case?

[Hilda / Kathy Rowlands / Diana Newton / Female characters]

Yes, yes, of course.

[Narrator / Announcer]

Dammit.

[Bill / Professor Brindle / Brigadier Crawford / Dr. Barnes (various male characters)]

The army can kill thousands, but we can't use a few to save their lives without permission.

[Hilda / Kathy Rowlands / Diana Newton / Female characters]

What? How do you mean?

[Bill / Professor Brindle / Brigadier Crawford / Dr. Barnes (various male characters)]

Oh, nothing. I was just thinking aloud.

[Hilda / Kathy Rowlands / Diana Newton / Female characters]

Look, it takes less than an hour from being infected to the victim showing his first symptoms. Use me.

[Bill / Professor Brindle / Brigadier Crawford / Dr. Barnes (various male characters)]

Heroic, but unthinkable.

[Hilda / Kathy Rowlands / Diana Newton / Female characters]

Kathy, look, I insist.

[Bill / Professor Brindle / Brigadier Crawford / Dr. Barnes (various male characters)]

Be logical. We need every skilled hand we can get. In this kind of situation, you're irreplaceable. If we do find a volunteer, it will have to be someone outside the medical team.

[Hilda / Kathy Rowlands / Diana Newton / Female characters]

But if you're so certain, Lanson's counter will do the trick.

[Bill / Professor Brindle / Brigadier Crawford / Dr. Barnes (various male characters)]

We can't be certain of anything.

[Hilda / Kathy Rowlands / Diana Newton / Female characters]

Right. But what are you going to do, then?

[Bill / Professor Brindle / Brigadier Crawford / Dr. Barnes (various male characters)]

See what the Brigadier can do. I have three volunteers for you. Two of my men and a police sergeant.

[Narrator / Announcer]

Where are they?

[Bill / Professor Brindle / Brigadier Crawford / Dr. Barnes (various male characters)]

They've been told to report to the isolation unit. Thanks for your cooperation, Brigadier. Have you any confidence in this cure? It stands a good chance. They 90% of success. How long before you know for certain? About five hours. Doesn't give you long, does it? The deadline stands, you know. Surely you can extend it. I'm sorry, Brindle. The equipment has arrived and my men are standing by to go in. It can't be changed now. What if the vaccine we're developing works? I shall call off the operation, naturally. But Brindle, let me warn you. This cure had better work. You'll have no time for a second chance. The three brave volunteers were locked into an isolation unit after being infected with the virus. Then came the long wait for it to take effect. When it did, it was quick and painfully evident. The three men began to quarrel and fight. Medical workers in protective clothing went in and injected them with the vaccine, at the same time strapping them down to prevent them from injuring each other. When Professor Brindle returned to his lab, he found a sealed envelope on his desk.

[Hilda / Kathy Rowlands / Diana Newton / Female characters]

What's that? Is it the pathological one?

[Bill / Professor Brindle / Brigadier Crawford / Dr. Barnes (various male characters)]

Yes, on ten of the victims. A bit skimpy on detail. They all died because of the disease, but not by it. Five from falls and the others from poisoning.

[Hilda / Kathy Rowlands / Diana Newton / Female characters]

Poisoning?

[Bill / Professor Brindle / Brigadier Crawford / Dr. Barnes (various male characters)]

Obviously, when they're in the later stages, they eat anything. Anything at all. It's odd. As for the disease itself, it causes high temperatures and a swelling of the brain tissues. What we need is.

[Hilda / Kathy Rowlands / Diana Newton / Female characters]

Hello?

[Bill / Professor Brindle / Brigadier Crawford / Dr. Barnes (various male characters)]

Professor Brindle? Yes. Can I help you? I'm Dr. Howard Barnes. I've been talking to Brigadier Crawford. He seems to think I might be of some help to you. Well, I must admit we need all the help we can Get. What can you offer, Doctor? Only a few facts, I'm afraid, but I think you might find them useful. My particular field is medical history, in which I've been termed a leading authority. How could medical history help us? You see, this virus you're fighting, it is known, but we thought. Please, a moment. The virus is known, but only from ancient writings. It was known in the second and third millennium B.C. when it struck down whole communities.

[Hilda / Kathy Rowlands / Diana Newton / Female characters]

Like it has now?

[Bill / Professor Brindle / Brigadier Crawford / Dr. Barnes (various male characters)]

Yes, exactly. It was first recorded in the ancient city of Dagon and became known as the Curse of Dagon. Over the following thousand years, there were sporadic outbreaks when entire communities went berserk for long periods. Work was neglected, people starved to death and mass murder became commonplace.

[Hilda / Kathy Rowlands / Diana Newton / Female characters]

The story of Bell water today.

[Bill / Professor Brindle / Brigadier Crawford / Dr. Barnes (various male characters)]

Yes, my dear, just like Bellwater. And like here. The Assyrians and Babylonians isolated the stricken communities until nature took its course, which was? About One fifth of the population would survive and return eventually to normal. The virus killed its victims? No, no, not at all. The deaths were mostly caused from violence, starvation and poisoning. In fact, the recovering victims suffered little in effect from the disease except for a loss of memory.

[Hilda / Kathy Rowlands / Diana Newton / Female characters]

What happened eventually? Did the disease just fade away?

[Bill / Professor Brindle / Brigadier Crawford / Dr. Barnes (various male characters)]

Oh, dear. No, no. A cure was found for it. You know the cure. What is it? Ah, that's the snag. It's never been recorded. Damn it, man. Not even a clue. No, it faded from history. But I will say this. It must have been something relatively simple. A herb, perhaps, or some kind of chemical preparation.

[Hilda / Kathy Rowlands / Diana Newton / Female characters]

Is it possible the disease just ran its course? I mean, that the victims developed an immunity?

[Bill / Professor Brindle / Brigadier Crawford / Dr. Barnes (various male characters)]

No, no, a definite cure was found. Answered. Will you, Cassie?

[Hilda / Kathy Rowlands / Diana Newton / Female characters]

Yes, sure.

[Bill / Professor Brindle / Brigadier Crawford / Dr. Barnes (various male characters)]

I'd be only too happy to assist you in going over the substances and flora that were available to the people in the affected area at the time.

[Hilda / Kathy Rowlands / Diana Newton / Female characters]

That's right. I'll tell Professor Brendel right away.

[Bill / Professor Brindle / Brigadier Crawford / Dr. Barnes (various male characters)]

What is it?

[Hilda / Kathy Rowlands / Diana Newton / Female characters]

It's bad news, Jeff. The three volunteers, they're.

[Bill / Professor Brindle / Brigadier Crawford / Dr. Barnes (various male characters)]

As we found later, the death of the three brave volunteers was due neither to the virus nor the vaccine, but a combination of both reacting with one another, which resulted in heart failure. Professor Brindle told no one of the true reason for his haste. Instead, he threw himself and his staff into a frenzy of work. I worked with Kathy Rowlands, who put data into a computer. This in turn poured out combinations of substances for the medical team to test.

[Hilda / Kathy Rowlands / Diana Newton / Female characters]

Well, that seems to exhaust all the mineral and vegetable matter available to the Assyrians.

[Bill / Professor Brindle / Brigadier Crawford / Dr. Barnes (various male characters)]

So now we go on to.

[Hilda / Kathy Rowlands / Diana Newton / Female characters]

Is something wrong, Doctor?

[Bill / Professor Brindle / Brigadier Crawford / Dr. Barnes (various male characters)]

No, no, no. But I just can't help feeling that we're barking up the wrong tree. The cure we're looking for is something simpler.

[Hilda / Kathy Rowlands / Diana Newton / Female characters]

Well, as fast as the computer prints out the combinations, they're being tested. We must hit on the right one sooner or later.

[Bill / Professor Brindle / Brigadier Crawford / Dr. Barnes (various male characters)]

But is there much time to spare? Professor Brindle is racing about as though we're facing doomsday.

[Hilda / Kathy Rowlands / Diana Newton / Female characters]

Can you blame him? I mean, if this virus escapes from inside the perimeter, it will be doomsday. Shall we get on with it?

[Bill / Professor Brindle / Brigadier Crawford / Dr. Barnes (various male characters)]

Very well. Let's go on to the fauna of the region. Oh. Who goes there?

[Hilda / Kathy Rowlands / Diana Newton / Female characters]

Help. Help me.

[Narrator / Announcer]

Stop or I'll fire.

[Hilda / Kathy Rowlands / Diana Newton / Female characters]

No. No, don't shoot. For the love of heaven, don't shoot me.

[Bill / Professor Brindle / Brigadier Crawford / Dr. Barnes (various male characters)]

Don't you come any closer.

[Hilda / Kathy Rowlands / Diana Newton / Female characters]

Now, listen to me. I haven't got the disease.

[Narrator / Announcer]

You all have. You stay where you are.

[Hilda / Kathy Rowlands / Diana Newton / Female characters]

I did have, but I'm all right now.

[Narrator / Announcer]

This is your last warning. You stay away from here.

[Hilda / Kathy Rowlands / Diana Newton / Female characters]

I want to see.

[Bill / Professor Brindle / Brigadier Crawford / Dr. Barnes (various male characters)]

The soldier on guard duty fired at the distant shadow of a woman. When the guard commander came, the soldier explained what the woman had said. This was finally reported to the brigadier, who ordered four men in protective clothing to go out and see if she was still there and bring her back dead or alive. Brindle here just caught a young woman who was trying to get through the perimeter. You might be interested to know that she seems all right. I put her into an isolation unit, but she's quite rational. Normal, in fact. Says she's had the disease and can't remember the last 18 hours or so, but feels fine now. I'd be right over. Kathy, you'd better come with me. I think we found our first incident of an effective cure. The young woman was named Diana Newton. She was a housewife whose husband was serving with the RAF in Germany. When Brindle and his assistant saw her, she was in an isolation unit, which meant they could only see her through a glass window and speak to her by the intercom system. However, a test showed that she no longer carried the virus in her bloodstream, so the interrogation was then allowed to continue in Professor Vendel's office. I see you were with some friends at home when the disease struck.

[Hilda / Kathy Rowlands / Diana Newton / Female characters]

One of my friends, Linda, suddenly got angry and quarreled with Janet. They began to fight, and Janet got hit over the head with a bottle of wine. Right after that, Linda ran out into the street and that was the last we saw of her. And Janet? She was knocked out cold.

[Bill / Professor Brindle / Brigadier Crawford / Dr. Barnes (various male characters)]

What happened then, Mrs. Newton?

[Hilda / Kathy Rowlands / Diana Newton / Female characters]

Well, it's a bit hazy. We tried to look after Janet, but then Vera and Audrey started to argue. Next thing, they were fighting on the floor like animals. I remember feeling very angry. And I attacked both of them. And that's about all. I can't remember anything after that.

[Bill / Professor Brindle / Brigadier Crawford / Dr. Barnes (various male characters)]

Can't you remember anything at all?

[Hilda / Kathy Rowlands / Diana Newton / Female characters]

It was so awful. Vera was lying dead on the floor. A kitchen I stuck in her. The others had all gone. Some people were sitting in the street. They looked like zombies. I tried to talk to them, but they didn't seem to understand. I knew something awful had happened, so I tried to phone my mum. She lives on the other side of Bellwater. But the phone wouldn't work. Then I listened to the radio. And there it was. Mel Water was sealed off by the army because of a disease that had mysteriously broken out. So I did the only thing I could. I waited till after dark and made my way to the perimeter. A guard fired his gun at me.

[Bill / Professor Brindle / Brigadier Crawford / Dr. Barnes (various male characters)]

Yes, dear, we know the rest. Well, it seems that you've made a complete recovery. And what we need to know is how and why. Kathy, go and call Dr. Barnes.

[Narrator / Announcer]

Right.

[Bill / Professor Brindle / Brigadier Crawford / Dr. Barnes (various male characters)]

He might be of some help here.

[Hilda / Kathy Rowlands / Diana Newton / Female characters]

He's still in the lab, I think. An officer questioned me about what I saw in town. It's a bit Brindle here.

[Bill / Professor Brindle / Brigadier Crawford / Dr. Barnes (various male characters)]

Have you found out anything? Mrs. Newton is still in a state of shock. I'm questioning her as best I can. Which means that so far you've gone nowhere. Give us a chance. I've only been talking to her for 15 minutes. Well, don't forget the deadline, Brindle. There are 90 minutes left. You can't go ahead with your operation now. There could be dozens of others in bell water like Mrs. Newton. I'm sorry, Brindle can't take the risk. 90 minutes is all you have. Tell me, Mrs. Newton, this meeting you were having, it was sort of a party?

[Hilda / Kathy Rowlands / Diana Newton / Female characters]

Well, not a party as such. I bought a couple of bottles of wine and made a buck pay. We take it in turns each Friday night to do the entertaining. When my husband's on leave, he calls it a fixing session.

[Bill / Professor Brindle / Brigadier Crawford / Dr. Barnes (various male characters)]

And what did you eat?

[Hilda / Kathy Rowlands / Diana Newton / Female characters]

Well, I made some beef curry and rice, some Cornish pasties, salads and a trifle. What was in the salad? Lettuce, tomatoes, celery, onion, some radishes. Oh, yes, a coleslaw.

[Bill / Professor Brindle / Brigadier Crawford / Dr. Barnes (various male characters)]

And you ate all this?

[Hilda / Kathy Rowlands / Diana Newton / Female characters]

No. Not a bite. The fight between Janet and Linda started before we were due to eat.

[Bill / Professor Brindle / Brigadier Crawford / Dr. Barnes (various male characters)]

I see. So you just drank the wine and some cider?

[Hilda / Kathy Rowlands / Diana Newton / Female characters]

Yes.

[Bill / Professor Brindle / Brigadier Crawford / Dr. Barnes (various male characters)]

What is it? Look, Brindle, we've got trouble. There's been an outbreak among my men, and it's spreading like wildfire. They seem to have gone mad, shooting their officers and each other. I'm still as far as ever from a solution. Look, the situation's desperate. I'm going to have to evacuate the hospital and widen the perimeter by at least another five miles. It might even be too late for that. Get ready to move. I'll have no time to warn you a second time.

[Hilda / Kathy Rowlands / Diana Newton / Female characters]

What was that all about?

[Bill / Professor Brindle / Brigadier Crawford / Dr. Barnes (various male characters)]

I don't know. Let's just carry on. Let me see. We've established you ate nothing, only drank wine and cider.

[Hilda / Kathy Rowlands / Diana Newton / Female characters]

Yes. And there were only women present. Yes.

[Bill / Professor Brindle / Brigadier Crawford / Dr. Barnes (various male characters)]

Well, go on, Mrs. Newton. There was an exception.

[Hilda / Kathy Rowlands / Diana Newton / Female characters]

Well, it was nothing, really. Just the man who called with the cockles and mussels. We gave him a drink.

[Bill / Professor Brindle / Brigadier Crawford / Dr. Barnes (various male characters)]

He was all right. Behaving naturally.

[Hilda / Kathy Rowlands / Diana Newton / Female characters]

Well, he calls every Friday night. And he was no different. A. A bit of a joker, you know.

[Bill / Professor Brindle / Brigadier Crawford / Dr. Barnes (various male characters)]

Hold it, Roland. Did you buy anything from him?

[Hilda / Kathy Rowlands / Diana Newton / Female characters]

Well, we always get a packet of mussel. Did you eat them? No.

[Bill / Professor Brindle / Brigadier Crawford / Dr. Barnes (various male characters)]

Damn it. I thought we were onto something.

[Hilda / Kathy Rowlands / Diana Newton / Female characters]

What's that?

[Bill / Professor Brindle / Brigadier Crawford / Dr. Barnes (various male characters)]

Shooting. Brigadier's having problems with his men. Just ignore it. So all this food was left even after you left to come here?

[Hilda / Kathy Rowlands / Diana Newton / Female characters]

Well, a lot of it had gone rotten by then. But I must have eaten some of the mussels, though. But two of the bags were empty and there was that paste in my mouth when I got my memory back.

[Bill / Professor Brindle / Brigadier Crawford / Dr. Barnes (various male characters)]

Mussels?

[Narrator / Announcer]

No, no, no.

[Bill / Professor Brindle / Brigadier Crawford / Dr. Barnes (various male characters)]

There were no mussels in the Middle East. Ah, but yes. Were they in vinegar?

[Hilda / Kathy Rowlands / Diana Newton / Female characters]

Of course.

[Bill / Professor Brindle / Brigadier Crawford / Dr. Barnes (various male characters)]

That could be it. Acetic acid? Good grief. Yes, it could be.

[Hilda / Kathy Rowlands / Diana Newton / Female characters]

We must test it.

[Bill / Professor Brindle / Brigadier Crawford / Dr. Barnes (various male characters)]

There's no time. We're going to have to gamble on vinegar. My guess is that you ate those mussels while you were in the late stage of the disease and bingo, the acetic acid killed the virus. I think we've got it. Drink some vinegar. Not much. No more than a tablespoonful. Have you gone crackers as well, Brindle? No. Get all the vinegar you can and start giving it out. There's no time to argue. Amazing though it was, we'd hit on the answer. Acetic acid, as is found in vinegar. For several hours after the discovery, there was pandemonium, which was caused by a sudden spread of the disease among the military personnel. To give Brigadier Crawford his due, he went about ordering his men to take a dose of vinegar without further questions. The effect of the acetic acid on the virus was astounding. Within 10 minutes, the victims began to behave normally. First the berserk soldiers were treated, and then at first light teams of soldiers entered the town and began to treat the victims of the disease, people who were by now long past the violent stage. Nearly 2,000 died during those three days of horror. But now it will be forever on record how to cure the curse of Dagon should it ever mysteriously recur in the world again. High Adventure is produced by Henry Dufenthal.

[Narrator / Announcer]

I'm Rod Shirley. You're listening to the Zero Hour. Rest your eyes, exercise your imagination today. Glen Hall Taylor's Black Episode Circus Life Carnival of Mass starring Ross in the Mutual Broadcasting System. From presentation of the Zero Hour, brought to you by the Ford Motor Company and Lazy Boy Recliners, this is the Zero Hour on Mutual Radio.

[Bill / Professor Brindle / Brigadier Crawford / Dr. Barnes (various male characters)]

Foreign.

[Narrator / Announcer]

Chief Engineer WCVB TV if I were buying a TV color receiver, today would be 100 solid state. RCA asked these TV Chief Engineers a question you could be asking yourself. If you were buying a color TV, would you pick a tube type set or 100% solid state? Robert Porter KMEX TV I'd buy a 100% solid state set for the low maintenance, high reliability and low power consumption. In a nationwide survey, 95% of the TV chief engineers polled said they'd prefer to buy solid state for their next color tv. So if you've been asking yourself the question, you know what these experts say. Otis Freeman, New York I buy 100% solid state, like the RCA XL100 for color, for reliability. Consider the new RCAs. Everyone is an RCA XL100, 100% solid state. Don't settle for less. To a young generation, the big circus is a mammoth variety show performed in a huge auditorium such as a giant sports palace or a convention hall. Only the little circus is still performed under canvas in the manner tradition once decreed. Such a circus is the Lang and Haley Showman Carnival, which is winding up an engagement in a small Indiana town. It is sacred Saturday night shortly after dark as the dancing girls of the sideshow prance onto the platform for a final teaser before the crowd files into the main tent. A crowd unaware of the tawdry life behind the brightly spangled, exciting world they're about to enter. Rusty, before you go out there to give your spiel, I got a tip for you. Yeah, what's that? Just that you're asking for trouble hanging around that Carol dame in the money wagon, the one they call Princess. Oh, are you jealous, Dolly? She's Turk's girl, you know. Look, Dolly, I just kid around with all the girls, you know that. Okay? But Turk's going to catch you guessing her weight one of these days. And he's like, friend, baby, I ain't trying to cut in on them. Come on, start tickling the keys on that calliope G. Okay, sugar, just tipping you off. Get away. Get away. Hey, hey, hey. Come over, come over, come over. The free show. The free show by your last chance to see the free show before we make sure. That's it, folks. That's it. Gather round a little closer. That's the idea. All right, Dolly, shut it down. That's it, folks, closer.

[Bill / Professor Brindle / Brigadier Crawford / Dr. Barnes (various male characters)]

Right over here.

[Narrator / Announcer]

That's right. Get off the platform, will you, kids? Now, don't get restless, folks. There's plenty of time before the main show starts under the big top. Now then, before I tell you all about the sensational attractions inside, I want these beautiful little ladies with their silver baubles and their bouncing personalities to put on a little dance for you. A dance that'll put a bowl full of jelly the same. Hey. Hey, you with the bald head. Hey, Rusty, come here, will you? Yeah, Hiya, Turk. Yeah, I haven't seen you around all day. What's up? Well, I only got a minute. Tonight's the night. Now, listen, we'll be pulling out of the railroad yard after midnight, about 1 o'. Clock. Yeah. All right. As soon as the train's underway, you get the poker game started. Make sure the security man is in it. That flat foot hasn't missed a game since we hit the road with the show. Stay about even in the game yourself so nobody squawks. Then pull out about 2:30. Okay? All right. I'll be waiting for you out on the platform and we'll make it up to the flat car where the money wagon is. There'll be more than 20 grand in the safe tonight. Hey, that's a lot of bread. Like a whole loaf. Now then, you stay away from me until we meet on the platform. You got it? Gotcha. See you tonight.

[Bill / Professor Brindle / Brigadier Crawford / Dr. Barnes (various male characters)]

Hey.

[Narrator / Announcer]

Hiya, princess. How's the most devastating creature in the world? Lonesome, I hope. Oh, brother, are you a cornball, Texas. Tonight's a night, honey. Well, don't broadcast it. What do you want? Well, you know, I got to thinking. 2/3 of 20 grand is nearly 14,000 claims. You and me could take it and have a real swing in time on it.

[Hilda / Kathy Rowlands / Diana Newton / Female characters]

You and me?

[Bill / Professor Brindle / Brigadier Crawford / Dr. Barnes (various male characters)]

Mm hm.

[Narrator / Announcer]

Get this, Rusty, once and for all. I like it the way it is with Turk and me, and it's gonna stay this way. Listen, I got what Turk hasn't got. Maybe brains all he's got is muscle. How far are you gonna get on that? Why don't you ask him? Here he comes now. Ah, princess. Do you want me to ask him? Hey, Rusty. What's up? Well, I just dropped over to check the time we meet tonight. I told you, 2:30. Yeah. Yeah, that's what I thought. Well, see you later, huh? Okay. Turk. Yeah? There's something I gotta tell you. You may think Rusty's a pal of yours, but do you think it's safe having him on this job? I got to have help. Why? Well, he makes his living talking. I. I'm just afraid he might let something slip. N. I don't worry nothing about him talking. He wouldn't cut his own throat. Turk. Yeah? Be careful tonight, please. Don't worry, sweetheart. I'll be care. Raise it five. Hey, come on. Don't everybody fool. I gotta get even. What's a possible three fives do, Sherlock? Rusty, if that eight hits you in the middle and straightens you, boy, you're a cop. Sherlock, you can always pinch us for gambling. You know, if he doesn't start winning, he's liable to or running my own dash. Oh, yeah. Five up. Okay, I see you. Well, the eight minute, boys. Six, seven, eight, nine, ten. You are one lucky step. Oh, well, I'm a little short of even, but I got to get me some shut. Ey, you sleepy? Yeah. It's 2:30. I'm a working man, Sherlock. You get to sleep on a job. Get out of here. Good night. Good night. Good night, boy. What's the situation, Rusty? Sherlock's loser in the game, he'll stick to get even. Okay. I will be hitting that long, steep grade on the other side of the Wabash River. Any minute now. The train will slow down almost to a walk. And when she does, I'll get off on this side, you drop off on the other. That way we can see the coast is clear on both sides, right?

[Bill / Professor Brindle / Brigadier Crawford / Dr. Barnes (various male characters)]

Right.

[Narrator / Announcer]

Okay. And we run alongside the train and climb on the flat car with the money wagon. As soon as the train gets over the hump and picks up speed, we get to work. You got it? Got it. You got the tools? Right here. We ought to finish the job just before we get to that deep ravine, remember? Yeah. What about it? He toss the tools in the ravine, nobody will ever find him. We've hit the grade. She's slowing down. Okay, that's slow enough. Here, jump off your side. We'll meet at the money wagon. Okay. She's starting to highball. Here, hold this. Chisel against the wagon lock. Right. Okay, Turk, hit it again. That got us. All right, inside the wagon. Quick. Work fast. Now, I'll hold the flash, you take the hammer and knock off the knob. Then I'll take the center punch and do the sprint on the sockets. Right. Oh, man, am I glad to get out of that wagon. Some hole, huh? We got better than 20 grand in this sack. Hey, how's that for timing? Look, the ravines right up ahead here. Okay. Hey, get ready to throw the tools into it. Okay. All set, Rusty. Hey, you got the hammer, ain't you? Yep. Right here. So long, chump. Hi, I'm Jim Bacus. With news about an exciting sale taking place at your La Z Boy dealers today. You may now put a famous La Z Boy reclining chair into your living room. At Unbelievable savings. The ultimate in beauty and comfort can be yours in the style of your choice to match your favorite decor. Don't just sit, relax and recline sumptuously in a La Z Boy. Your choice of quality colors and fabrics. See your La Z Boy dealer today. Do that. Hurry up, he's waiting. Yes, he is. This is Jim Backus with news about the most comfortable experience of a lifetime. A La Z Boy reclining chair. It's ideal for apartments. Living rooms, dens, family rooms. La Z Boy is as beautiful as it is comfortable. Available in any style you can imagine and in hundreds of decorator. Fabrics and vinyls make your favorite room a haven of gracious living. See your La Z Boy dealer today. Hurry up. He's waiting. Run down there. Go. Yes, indeed. Rusty, what happened last night? What happened to Turk? I guess he just split with his share of the loot. Took his dough and jumped off the train. But why? That ain't hard to figure, princess. He's a wrong guy, that's all. I tried to tell you. I set up the whole deal for him. Well, that kind of shows where his gratitude is, doesn't it? Well, he won't get very far. He's running away. Has put the cops on him. Remember what I told you about muscles and brain, sweetheart? Yeah, I remember. Look, I still got half to take. Princess, it's a little over 10 G's. I'm cutting it down the middle with your 50. 50?

[Hilda / Kathy Rowlands / Diana Newton / Female characters]

What's the catch?

[Narrator / Announcer]

No catch. Just that we spend the dough together, that's all. Come on. How about it, sweetheart? Sure, why not? Don't. Don't, Rusty.

[Hilda / Kathy Rowlands / Diana Newton / Female characters]

Not here.

[Narrator / Announcer]

Okay, Princess, we better figure on cutting out of this county real fast. What about the law? After all, I've been keeping the books and I wouldn't want anyone to suspect me in this deal. Relax, baby. Turk's the only one they're looking for. We're clean. Get your things together. We'll be out of here tonight. Oh, darling.

[Hilda / Kathy Rowlands / Diana Newton / Female characters]

Yeah?

[Narrator / Announcer]

It's me, Sherlock. Oh, hi, Copper. Open the flap and come on in. Hope you don't mind my calling on you in the dressing tent, but I did want to ask you a couple of things. Like what? Well, you've been kind of friendly with Rusty Macon, haven't you?

[Hilda / Kathy Rowlands / Diana Newton / Female characters]

Ben is the right word.

[Narrator / Announcer]

Oh, brother. Him and his grabby hands and roving eyes. Like that, huh? Why didn't mine so much when he was roving and grabbing around me? But he played the field with with it. And I kind of like to be exclusive. Was he trying to move in on Turk's girl? The princess? The way Rusty puts it, he kidded around with all the girls. I think he had a thing about the princess. Could be. I did see him hanging around her now and then. You working on this case, Sherlock? Well, unofficially. You see, I was on the force before I got well getting the bottle. But since I've been a plain clothes security guy and with the circus here, even though I haven't had a drop nearly five years, all they think I'm good for is bouncing drunks and kicking kids in the pants when they try to sneak under the tent. But I got a hunch about this robbery thing. Oh, who do you suspect? Rusty was a pal of Turks, wasn't he? He acted like he was, except for the way he'd ogled a princess. Why'd he ask about Rusty? That makes three questions you've tossed me about him. Well, it seems like more than a coincidence that Rusty left our poker game at about 2:30, wasn't it? That morning saying he was sleepy. The watchman said his birth was still unmade at a quarter after three. That doesn't prove anything, does it? No, but I also know that between 2:30 and 3:15 the train was on this side of the Wabash, rolling toward Al here in Illinois. What does that mean?

[Bill / Professor Brindle / Brigadier Crawford / Dr. Barnes (various male characters)]

I don't know.

[Narrator / Announcer]

But the robbery could have happened around that time. And that means Rusty just might have suckered me into staying in that poker game after he'd said he was going to go beddy by. Well, Dolly, thanks for laughing with me. Hope I didn't take up too much your time. No trouble, Sherlock. What are you gonna do next? I think I'll talk the section gang foreman into loaning me a Crew and a motor car. I'd like to take a good look along that stretch of track on both sides. Hey. All packed, baby? Sure, Rusty. Good. I got a car parked up in the street. Who's that? Well, how should I know? Who is it? It's me, Rusty and Sherlock. Be right with you. That's okay. Son of a bit. Hurry up. Yeah. Hi Rusty. Hi Sherlock. How you doing, princess? Okay, Sherlock. How are you? Oh, fine thanks. Sorry I have to bring you bad news. Bad news? Yeah, about Turk. What about Turk? Well, they found his body this morning in the ravine just east of Ali.

[Hilda / Kathy Rowlands / Diana Newton / Female characters]

Oh no.

[Narrator / Announcer]

You sure? Identification was positive. Well, I. I guess that's all for now. Just thought you two want to know. Especially you, princess. I know you and Turk was friends. Kind of. Well, close. Thanks for dropping by, Sherlock. Yeah, yeah, thanks. So long. Did you do it? Do what sugar? You did. You killed Dirk. Poor old Rover. He gets worried every time we go off on an outing without him. But I just can't get my family and Rover into my pickup. So why don't you get a Ford Super Cab pickup and take them along? Super Cam? Sure. My better half and the three kids and the family dog all fit in very neatly. You mean my wife, teenage son, overgrown collie and camping gear could all fit into a super cab? Yep. Cuz Ford's new Super cab is the only two door pickup roomy enough for a full back seat. Holds a family of six. I didn't know that. Bet you didn't know you can get Super Cab with either a rear bench seat or a facing jump seat seat option. Or you can order it without rear seats and get 44 cubic feet of storage space. Terrific room for all my camping gear. And for Rover, whatever type of pickup you have in mind, Ford has great news and great values for you. It's truck clearance time at your four dealers now. Prices may never be this low again. Check the complete choice of Ford trucks and check their prices too. Go get yourself a good buy today at your local Ford dealers. Fall in love with a bottle of ketchup. Real love is eating corn flakes. The taste of love is ginger ale. Well, do you think that ginger ale tastes like love? No.

[Hilda / Kathy Rowlands / Diana Newton / Female characters]

Ginger ale doesn't taste like love.

[Narrator / Announcer]

Well, what about ketchup? I know what. I'll bet corn flakes taste like love. Huh?

[Hilda / Kathy Rowlands / Diana Newton / Female characters]

Not corn flakes either.

[Narrator / Announcer]

By the way, what is love?

[Hilda / Kathy Rowlands / Diana Newton / Female characters]

Love is love.

[Narrator / Announcer]

And kiss. Oh, and do you know anything that tastes like love? Uh huh. People could taste like love. People could. I know people that taste like Love. You do?

[Bill / Professor Brindle / Brigadier Crawford / Dr. Barnes (various male characters)]

Who?

[Hilda / Kathy Rowlands / Diana Newton / Female characters]

My mommy, my daddy, my sister and my brother.

[Narrator / Announcer]

We use things. Love is for people. From the Franciscans. With love. Are you the special agent in charge in this area? Good. The reason I'm calling the FBI is that I've got a felony case here involving the crossing of state lines Indiana and Illinois. I'm the security officer with the Lang and Haley shows. The circus and Carney outfit named Sheridan Lockman. On the way here, the show's money wagon safe was robbed of some $20,000. Yeah, there's a homicide involved too, huh? Well, the sheriff here is on top of the homicide. But you guys will want to move in on the robbery. I'm in the little town of Flora and Clay County. Okay, fine. I'll meet you at the money wagon on the circus lot. Don't lose any time. I think the suspects may make a run for it. Okay. Get in the car, princess. You. I'm not going. And I say you were. Look, you're up to your level ear in this and you know it. You set it up, and I'm not going to leave you here where they can put the squeeze on you, make you spill your guts. Now get in there, slide over. Let me in behind a wheel. Yeah, that's better. What's that guy think he's doing? He's nosed into the curb right in front of us. Hey, you. Hey, pull up a little, will you? Oh, the heck with that jerk. I'll back up and get a.

[Hilda / Kathy Rowlands / Diana Newton / Female characters]

What's the matter?

[Narrator / Announcer]

It's another car right behind us. You are going somewhere, Rusty? What's it to you, flatfoot? To me? Well, it's part of my job. You're under arrest for robbery and murder. Oh, now what's that? A shot in the dock? It's a carom shot, Rusty, from me to get the boss's money back to the FBI for crossing the state line while committing a felony. And to the local fuzz for homicide. And all of us are here. Go on, look around. See for yourself. Homicide. You're right. You're good.

[Bill / Professor Brindle / Brigadier Crawford / Dr. Barnes (various male characters)]

Who is it?

[Narrator / Announcer]

I'm supposed to waste it? Your pal, jerk. And you can cut the innocent act, Rusty. Your prints are all over them can opening tools you chucked in the ravine. And the blood on the hammer matches up with Turks. Hey, now look, Sherlock. My name is Sheridan Lockman to you. Sheridan Lockman, Sherlock. Oh, that's why they called you Sherlock. You really are a detective. You got it right, boy. What was it you were saying about how having brains. Rusty, you don't have to rub it in, princess. Got to admit, I didn't claim I was the only guy with brains. You wait in the car kiddo. And leave the motor running. Okay boss. May I help you? Yeah sweetheart. I heard you Ford dealers were having a late late show and I was wasn't invited. Well, we are having a spectacular end of the season clearance sale on all our models. But. But what pal? Well, everyone's invited. Yeah, everyone's invited to take advantage of the low clearance prices on the quiet LTD and our mid sized Torino. Hey, that's well. And if you're interested in economy, just look at the late late show prices on the compact Ford Maverick and our basic Pinto. Even our sporty Mustang too and the magnificent Thunderbird are going at low 74 prices. Now let me get this straight sweetheart. You guys are selling all these swell cars at these low low prices during your late late show? That's right sir. Little My mom hears about this. Don't miss your Ford dealers late late clearance show. There are plenty of good seats left and the price of admission may never be this low again.

[Bill / Professor Brindle / Brigadier Crawford / Dr. Barnes (various male characters)]

Foreign.

[Narrator / Announcer]

Close your eyes, exercise your imagination and join us again on our next presentation of the Zero Hour Carnival of Menace was adapted for radio by Glenn Hall Taylor. Ross Martin was heard as Rusty. Featured in the cast were Jane Webb, Charlie Dugdale, Johnny Hamer and Diana Hale. Zero Hour Creative by JM Colis, directed by Don Hills is produced in Hollywood for the Mutual Broadcasting System by Radio Productions Incorporated. Music is composed and conducted by Stanley B. Hoffman. Rochelle Sherman, Associate Producer this has been a presentation of the Mutual Broadcasting System. You can find more from High Adventure, the Zero Hour, the Relic Radio show and all of the Relic Radio podcasts at the website relicradio.com Thousands of episodes to listen to there and a shout cast stream with even more old time radio. If you'd like to help support it all, visit donate. Relicradio.com or click on one of the support links. Thanks to those who have thanks for joining me this week. I'll be back tomorrow with an hour of mystery with Philip Marlowe and Mystery House and next Tuesday with our next episode of the Relic Radio Show.