Night Beat and Radio City Playhouse

Summary

The Relic Radio Show (March 10, 2026)

Episode: Night Beat and Radio City Playhouse

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Overview

This episode of The Relic Radio Show features two classic pieces from radio's golden age: the dramatic “Night Beat” and the emotionally charged “Deception” from Radio City Playhouse. The host, presenting from relicradio.com, unearths these audio artifacts to showcase gripping storytelling, human drama, and the communal power of radio entertainment.

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Segment 1: Night Beat

Starring: Frank Lovejoy as Randy Stone
Theme: The city unites to find a man bitten by a rabid dog—a thrilling, human story of desperation, guilt, and community response.

Key Discussion Points & Plot Summary

• A Hot Night in Chicago (00:44)

  • Randy Stone, journalist, reluctantly begins his evening shift at the Chicago Star. A distraught young woman, Judy Hartley, arrives at his desk in distress.

• A Life-or-Death Search (01:54)

  • Judy reveals her dog has died of rabies and had bitten a man named Fred five days prior. She doesn't know Fred's last name or whereabouts. They must find him quickly for life-saving rabies treatment.
  • Quote:

    “They called me an hour ago from the City Palm about my dog... But he died of rabies... Five days ago, he bit a man.”
    – Judy Hartley (02:09)

• Mobilizing the City (04:44 - 12:01)

  • Police, media, and the public join the race to find "Fred." Radio and TV broadcasts, newspapers, and even Boy Scouts and the Red Cross are engaged in a citywide manhunt.
  • False leads and psychos complicate the search, intensifying panic.
  • Quote:

    “The death rate from rabies is 100%... When the bite is on the face, you only have about a week at the most to begin treatment. We had a couple days to find this guy. After that, it's too late.”
    – Randy Stone (03:57)

• Judy’s Guilt and Desperation (12:33)

  • Judy feels responsible, contemplates suicide, and is found with a gun. Randy tries to comfort her, promising to find Fred.

• Citywide Effort & The "Flying Taxpayer" (15:01 - 17:15)

  • An entire metropolis fervently searches for Fred Graham, including a skywriter spelling out “Fred Graham, where are you?” with a question mark.
  • Memorable Moment:

    “I write ‘Fred Graham, where are you?’ With a question mark? You know how many guys in my racket can make a perfect question mark? Mighty few.”
    – Joe Robinson, the skywriting “flying taxpayer” (17:03)

• Breakthrough & The Truth Unveiled (18:06 - 24:40)

  • Stone receives urgent calls—Fred wants to meet. The tension peaks as Stone and Judy go to Fred's hiding place.
  • A comic, surprising twist: Fred was hiding, not from rabies, but from Judy—his jealous lover. There was no rabid dog; Judy made up the story to find Fred out of jealousy.
  • Quote:

    “So in order to find you, she came around to me with a story about her dog... He doesn't even have a dog. Scared to death of them.”
    – Randy Stone / Narrator (23:51, 23:56)

• A Lesson in Human Solidarity (24:40 - 26:58)

  • Stone reflects on the city's collective effort, expressing hope for humanity’s capacity to unite in crisis, even for a stranger.
  • Notable Quote:

    “Maybe something wonderful had taken place without anybody realizing it... When 4 million people can tear themselves apart trying to save the life of one simple guy... the race of man wasn't so bankrupt after all.”
    – Randy Stone (25:14)

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Segment 2: Radio City Playhouse – “Deception”

Written/Directed by: Harry W. Junkin
Starring: Jan Miner as Mary Harrison
Theme: The powerful burden of past trauma, secrets, and public scandal on political life.

Key Discussion Points & Plot Summary

• A Visit from the Past (30:14)

  • Mary Harrison receives a call from an old friend, Sarah Rosenberg, who reveals that reporters are digging into Mary’s past.

• Pressures of a Secret (31:00 - 34:14)

  • A reporter is poised to expose Mary’s dark secret—she killed her abusive father as a teenager, an act for which she’d been acquitted. Her husband, Reston Harrison, is running for senator and is unaware of her past.
  • Quote:

    “When I was 17, I killed my father with an axe.”
    – Mary Harrison (34:42)

• Confession and Fear (34:42 - 38:17)

  • Mary confesses her secret to Reston, fearing the impact on his campaign and their lives. The couple faces the dilemma: should Reston withdraw from the race, or fight the smear attempt?
  • Quote:

    “I loved you so much... when I met you in Chicago... Mary Regelecs was gone. I changed my name; the girl that lived on a rundown farm... ceased to exist.”
    – Mary Harrison (37:19)

• Crisis & Political Consequences (38:02 - 44:21)

  • Despite Mary's acquittal, the potential scandal threatens to end Reston's political aspirations. The family and their advisor, Judge McLean, debate whether Mary should make a public confession if the newspaper goes ahead with the story.

• Dramatic Public Speech (46:17)

  • During a political rally, Mary courageously tells her harrowing story to the crowd, appealing to their understanding and humanity.
  • Notable Speech/Quote:

    “I ask you to think of it not so much as ‘do unto others as you would have others do unto you,’ but rather... understand others as you would have others understand you...”
    – Mary Harrison, referencing Robert Frost (46:17)

• Resolution & Election Results (49:14 - 54:04)

  • Reston learns that the newspaper agrees not to print the story, but the outcome is out. The senatorial race is exceedingly close. At first, Mary and Reston believe they lost. But a last-minute update gives Reston the win by 134 votes.

  • Emotional Moment:

    “I lost… Just a thousand votes? Don't you see, Reston? They did want you. They wanted you badly enough that they just... Well, there’ll be other elections.”
    – Mary Harrison (52:31)

  • Final victory comes as a relief and a moment of catharsis for both.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Night Beat

  • “The death rate from rabies is 100%... When the bite is on the face, you only have about a week at the most to begin treatment.”
    – Randy Stone (03:57)
  • “I killed them all. Every one of them.” (Psychos flood phone lines)
    – Call-in (06:29)
  • “The whole city. Four million people. What was the caliber of that gun?... I began to realize that maybe all this wasn’t such a tragedy after all.”
    – Randy Stone (25:14)

• Radio City Playhouse – “Deception”

  • “When I was 17, I killed my father with an axe.”
    – Mary Harrison (34:42)
  • “Understand others as you would have others understand you.”
    – Mary Harrison (46:17)
  • “Just a thousand votes? Don’t you see, Reston? They did want you.”
    – Mary Harrison (52:31)
  • “He’s won, Mary, by 134 votes.”
    – Judge McLean (54:04)

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• Night Beat

  • The urgent search for Fred Graham: 01:54 – 12:01
  • Citywide mobilization & media involvement: 04:59 – 17:15
  • Twist revealed—no rabid dog: 20:12 – 24:40
  • Final humanist reflection: 25:14 – 26:58

• Radio City Playhouse – Deception

  • Sarah’s warning & Mary’s confession: 30:14 – 34:42
  • Mary’s speech at rally: 46:17
  • Election night results & emotional close: 51:05 – 54:39

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Tone & Style

• The storytelling is tense, earnest, and richly human—with moments of dark comedy (“The flying taxpayer with a question mark in the sky”) balanced by genuine emotional weight (Mary’s confession and appeal for empathy).
• The performances are grounded in realism, inviting listeners to empathize with the intense guilt, hope, and communal spirit of the characters.

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Concluding Thoughts

This episode of The Relic Radio Show is a powerful showcase of old-time radio’s ability to stir collective emotion, provoke reflection on morality and community, and capture the urgency of human drama. Both stories—one a city-wide race against death, the other an individual's fight against her past—remind listeners how stories connect and unite us, bridging years and experiences through the shared magic of classic radio.

Transcript

[Narrator/Announcer]

This is the Relic Radio Show, Old Time Radio Entertainment. Still standing the test of time. From relicradio.com. NBC presents frank lovejoy in

[Randy Stone]

night beat. Hi, this is Randy Stone. I cover the Night Beat for the Chicago Star. This little jewel, this little beauty, this little sweetheart of a story started on a hot night In June, around 7pm I was at my desk trying to convince myself that there was really a good reason to get up and roll down my sleeves, tie my shoelaces and start walking those steaming sidewalks so that my 400 words could end up next to the girdle ads and the Shipping News, Arrivals and departures, page 38. Now. Well, it's a living, so dry your tears and think. She had stopped a few feet from my desk, looking at me like I was one of those $60 embalming jobs. A cute little thing in crisp linen and wet cheeks. Can't be that bad, kid.

[Judy Hartley / Mary Harrison]

I'm sorry. I just can't seem to control Cecil. It's so awful. The old airman said you were the

[Randy Stone]

only one around and that's why you're crying.

[Judy Hartley / Mary Harrison]

Oh, I just don't. I just don't know what to do.

[Randy Stone]

About what?

[Judy Hartley / Mary Harrison]

They called me an hour ago from the City Palm about my dog.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Your dog?

[Judy Hartley / Mary Harrison]

He did?

[Randy Stone]

Oh, that's too bad.

[Judy Hartley / Mary Harrison]

But he died at rabies. Oh, in six days. I should have taken him to the veterinarian right away. Oh, it's my fault.

[Randy Stone]

Well, those things happen. I know it's tough losing a double,

[Judy Hartley / Mary Harrison]

but that's not it. Five days ago, he bit a man.

[Randy Stone]

Well, this man better start the Pasteur treatment post haste.

[Judy Hartley / Mary Harrison]

That just did. Oh. Tell you, since I got that call, I've been going crazy. What am I gonna do?

[Narrator/Announcer]

Do?

[Judy Hartley / Mary Harrison]

I don't know who the man is.

[Randy Stone]

Do that over again.

[Judy Hartley / Mary Harrison]

True.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Sit down.

[Judy Hartley / Mary Harrison]

What am I gonna do?

[Randy Stone]

The first thing you're gonna do is start talking.

[Judy Hartley / Mary Harrison]

He was such a nice young fellow. His name. He said his name was Fred.

[Randy Stone]

Fred what?

[Judy Hartley / Mary Harrison]

I don't know. He passed by my house every day on his way to work. My dog took a liking to him.

[Randy Stone]

Yeah,

[Judy Hartley / Mary Harrison]

it was five days ago, last Monday. The dog had been sick, like I said. Fred came to pet him. The dog bit him on the face. I went into the house to get some first aid stuff, but when I came out, Fred was gone. It's the last I saw of him.

[Randy Stone]

Yeah, it'd be the last you'd see of me, too. Now, just sit where you are. Get me one of the doctors over at the Board of Health. I'LL hang on. What's your name, kiddo?

[Judy Hartley / Mary Harrison]

Judy Hartley. I feel terrible.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Why? You relax now. Everything will be okay. Oh, hello.

[Randy Stone]

Say, this is Randy Stone of the Scarlet. A fellow gets bit by a dog five days ago. The dog later dies of rabies. A face. Now, we don't know where he is right now. Yeah, I'm going to do what I can. I will. Thank you.

[Judy Hartley / Mary Harrison]

What did he say?

[Randy Stone]

He said the death rate from rabies is 100%. Now, just. Just relax. The Pasteur treatment has begun. In time. There's no danger.

[Judy Hartley / Mary Harrison]

Then we gotta find him.

[Randy Stone]

Well, there's another little gimmick kid. When the bite is on the face, you only have about a week at the most to begin treatment. We had a couple of days to find this guy. After that, it's too late. Well, that's how it began. 7:35 Thursday night, June 6th. The girl and I went right to police headquarters through streets choked with thousands of listless Chicagoans looking for a small breeze. When I told the lieutenant in charge what had happened, he turned as yellow as calcimine and put in a call for the captain. The captain had been called right in the middle of his son's wedding. When he came down to the station, he was wearing a white tuxedo, a red carnation and a purple Rage. Only after I told him what the score was. The carnation seemed to wilt in his lapel. And he looked a little like the calcimine too.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Rabies. Good Lord. Where do you live, young lady?

[Judy Hartley / Mary Harrison]

3201 Palmer Place. Oh, I feel so guilty about anybody

[Narrator/Announcer]

who has a dog doesn't give an anti rabies shot should cable.

[Judy Hartley / Mary Harrison]

I know, I know.

[Narrator/Announcer]

I'm sorry. Forgive me. You say he walked past your place every day on the way to work. How do you know he was on his way to work?

[Judy Hartley / Mary Harrison]

Well, he wore mechanics overalls and he carried a lunch pail.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Undoubtedly work so lives in that neighborhood.

[Randy Stone]

Along with a hundred thousand other people.

[Narrator/Announcer]

You're telling me. Radio room. Cross your fingers. Hello. I want every squad car in the Logan Square area alerted. I want five special squads.

[Randy Stone]

I uncrossed my fingers long enough to call in all the newspaper, radio and television boys. We set up a news pool with me as liaison man because it all started at my little weather beaten desk. And then the coverage began with a 9pm Break. Every radio and television station threw away their jingles and endorsements to announce that anyone bitten by a collie dog five days before should report to Captain Blair of the police at once. The Evening edition of the Sun Times, the Tribune and the Star carried the same item on the front page. By 10 o', clock, the police switchboards were lit up like Christmas trees by people wanting to help. And by 10:30, the psychos were making their appearance. Oh, yes.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Yes.

[Randy Stone]

I'm the one all right.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Hi. Biddy did what? Julius?

[Randy Stone]

No, no, but I am. I confess. I confess. You must believe me. I killed them all. Every one of them.

[Narrator/Announcer]

If you want me to, I'll take you to the body. That's sporting of you. Sergeant, will you escort the gentleman to the bodies?

[Randy Stone]

10 after 11. Still nothing, Judy. The Captain and I sweating it out in his office, avoiding each other's eyes. The captain now with his white tuxedo coat hanging over a chair and his black tie dangling from one ear and trying not to look at the clock. Judy chewing on her knuckles and me making one trip after another to the water cooler in the corner. The minutes passed and then the phone started ringing again. Like it had been ringing all night with one false alarm after another. Hello?

[Narrator/Announcer]

Yeah. What? Where?

[Randy Stone]

Hey, what is it?

[Narrator/Announcer]

Hey, Dirt. Good work, Harris. Be right over.

[Judy Hartley / Mary Harrison]

They found you?

[Narrator/Announcer]

No, but the next best thing. They found out where he lives. Come on.

[Randy Stone]

It was a rambling frame house over on Kedsey Avenue with a tin sign that announced housekeeping rooms newly decorated. Two squad cars were parked in front and a little gathering of citizens hung around wondering what the excitement was all about. A scrawny hawk faced landlady led us upstairs to a back bedroom, swinging a wadded newspaper at Mars and Flood.

[Judy Hartley / Mary Harrison]

Well, here we are.

[Randy Stone]

As soon as Judy looked into the room, she stiffened with excitement and pointed to the dresser.

[Judy Hartley / Mary Harrison]

His lunch pail. He always carried it as his sort of tears. Clothes in the closet are his too. That whiskey bottle his also them girly

[Randy Stone]

pictures in the mirror. Nothing I hate worse than flies.

[Narrator/Announcer]

What's this man's last name?

[Judy Hartley / Mary Harrison]

Red crayons, the name he gave me.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Good.

[Randy Stone]

Now do you have any?

[Judy Hartley / Mary Harrison]

It might hit 103 degrees tomorrow.

[Randy Stone]

How do, fellas? No, answer me that.

[Judy Hartley / Mary Harrison]

Well, it fixes your wagon, son.

[Narrator/Announcer]

You dirty little lady. Do you have any idea where we can find Graham?

[Judy Hartley / Mary Harrison]

Now the proper asked me that.

[Randy Stone]

And what did you tell the other couple?

[Judy Hartley / Mary Harrison]

Told him I didn't have the slightest idea where Graham is.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Now, when's the last time you saw him?

[Randy Stone]

Four or five days ago.

[Judy Hartley / Mary Harrison]

All them girly pictures though I figure

[Randy Stone]

he's got a roof over his head.

[Narrator/Announcer]

All right. Much obliged, Mother Now.

[Judy Hartley / Mary Harrison]

Thank you to watch your language anyway.

[Randy Stone]

Oh, it's real.

[Judy Hartley / Mary Harrison]

Why hey, think I got away.

[Randy Stone]

I hate crying. So at a few minutes before midnight, we had his name, Fred Graham. And after the cops finished going through his room, we also had his personality. This was a lover boy from way back. Couple dozen love letters that made Chicago's heat wave seem puny by comparison. A large handful of girly pictures, each thoughtfully inscribed hair pomades and toilet waters galore. And two tins of sen. Also some paycheck stubs from the A1 auto repair service. Also a postcard from his mom. And she and Wyoming hoping he was being a good boy. Good? This guy must have been terrific. By 1:30am every girl who'd sent a letter had been contacted. No, Freddy, the owner of the garage, hadn't seen him for five days. All his poor ma and Wyoming could offer were her tears. The one break with a snapshot. He appeared on a few of them and his likeness was blown up full size and handed around. Two television stations returned to the air to transmit the picture for a solid hour. And the 2am edition of all the papers tore out every story of disaster and war and hate and carried nothing on the front page but the smiling face of Fred Graham. The radio boys brought a wire recorder to the captain's office and he transcribed a message.

[Narrator/Announcer]

This is Police Captain Blair. I am broadcasting this urgent message to Fred Graham. The dog that bit you 5 days ago has died of rabies. You must have treatment at once. You are doomed. Report to the police or to any doctor in Chicago immediately.

[Randy Stone]

And for the rest of that night, the message was broadcast every 15 minutes on all the stations that remained in operation. But still nothing happened. And then, around 4am the captain rolled up his sleeves, picked up the phone and really went to work.

[Narrator/Announcer]

I'm sorry I had to get all

[Randy Stone]

you good people up, but we need

[Narrator/Announcer]

all the help we can and we need it passed.

[Randy Stone]

I want to bring all your people up. The Red Cross people were there. The FBI, the Civil Defense people, representatives from the mayor, the Board of Health, Scout organizations, the Salvation Army. A sweltering room full of people. I spotted Judy in the back of the room, looking very pale and drawn. I sat next to her and she sagged against the Board of Health.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Doctor tells me that already it might be too late for us to help Fred Graham. That's certainly that. Every hour that passes reduces our chances of reaching him in time. Therefore, I've decided to call the entire

[Randy Stone]

city into the hunt.

[Judy Hartley / Mary Harrison]

Let's find him. The whole city.

[Randy Stone]

Judy. She folded up like a rag doll. I carried her outside to the first aid room where a nurse began bringing her around. When I returned to the conference room, I saw Judy's purse on the floor where she dropped it. I picked it up. It sagged suspiciously. I opened it. A gun. When I went back to the first aid room, she was feeling better. That is, until I handed her back the purse.

[Judy Hartley / Mary Harrison]

You found the gun. I want it back.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Why?

[Judy Hartley / Mary Harrison]

Because it's mine. I have a permit.

[Randy Stone]

You'll have to come up with a better reason than that.

[Judy Hartley / Mary Harrison]

It doesn't matter. I'll get another gun. Not a gun, something else.

[Randy Stone]

Now, kid, don't you understand?

[Judy Hartley / Mary Harrison]

It's like I killed him. It's just the same.

[Randy Stone]

That's nonsense.

[Judy Hartley / Mary Harrison]

That's how I feel. If they don't find him in time, I couldn't live either.

[Narrator/Announcer]

NBC is bringing you Nightbeat, starring Frank Lovejoy as Randy Stone. It's the Silver Jubilee on NBC. I'd like to take just half a minute to alert our listeners for two more top mystery shows heard tonight on NBC.

[Randy Stone]

First, straight from the famous Craig Rice

[Narrator/Announcer]

novels, hear the amazing Mr. Malone. Then later hear Herbert Marshall starring as the man called X who proves that the symbol X stands for adventure in all the distant and dangerous places of the world. Listen for the amazing Mr. Malone and Herbert Marshall as the man called X later tonight over many of these same NBC stations. And now back to Nightbeat and Randy Stone.

[Randy Stone]

It started out as just another hot Chicago night and now it had disintegrated into a first class nightmare. An entire city trying to find Fred Graham who had been bitten by a rabid dog and who would surely die if he weren't located very soon where

[Narrator/Announcer]

I am broadcasting this urgent message to Fred Graham, the dog that bit you five days ago.

[Randy Stone]

And all through the long hours of the night the disc jockeys interrupted old soldiers never die and dabba dabba dabba to play the Captain's recorded message. And all that morning on the Wake up and Shine show and the television station room and the newspapers playing up the photograph of Fred Graham. But nothing happened. Around 6am I sent Judy home with a nurse and told the nurse to watch her every minute. And after that I just hung around the hallway of the Central Police Station watching the ruby red sun start a new sizzling day. The last day we'd have to find Graham in time. The Captain called me in around nine. A white tuxedo looking like something left over from war circles.

[Narrator/Announcer]

All right, all right. So you might say he left town without picking up his clothes or his paycheck and for no reason. Mind you, we've checked on that. He's not wanted for a thing. No. No creditors or police records, nothing like that. But for the sake of argument, okay, he left town. Now look at these newspapers. Detroit News, New York Post, Pam Herald, San Francisco Chronicle. Front page story. Every newspaper in the country. But still nothing happens. Where is he, Randy? Where is he?

[Randy Stone]

That's a good question.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Come up with a good answer, I'll fix every traffic ticket you get for life. I'm going batty.

[Randy Stone]

Maybe you need a couple of minutes sleep, huh?

[Narrator/Announcer]

Sleep? Every time I close my eyes, I hear that both of hell Doctor. Lecturing us about the way a man dies with rapists.

[Randy Stone]

That's.

[Narrator/Announcer]

That's not why I called you in, Randy. You're the boy handling the press pool for all the papers. Okay, here's the latest plan of action. We're dividing the city into eight sections. The scouts are going to supplies with 2,000 boys to cover the suburbs around Evanston. Civil defense is supplying 10,000 volunteers to handle the north side. The Red Cross is digging up another 5,000. Captain Blair? Yes. What are you making it so hard

[Randy Stone]

for a taxpayer to see you for? For an hour now I've been trying

[Narrator/Announcer]

to get in here. I've been pretty busy. What can I do?

[Randy Stone]

Robinson's the name.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Joe Robinson. It's all over. End it.

[Randy Stone]

Call off the cops. Everybody relax. Fred Graham's father. What are you talking about? Where is he? And those bums outside gave me trouble, wouldn't let me through. Look, taxpayer. Robinson, just tell us where he is. How should I know? How should I know?

[Narrator/Announcer]

I mean, not right away.

[Randy Stone]

Give me an hour or two.

[Narrator/Announcer]

But as soon as I high till

[Randy Stone]

it to the airport and get my little Piper Cub up there in the wild blue yonder. The wild blue yonder? Don't you get it? I'm a skywriter. All day long, I float around writing. Soda Seltzer is the top. Hour after hour. Soda Seltzer is the tops.

[Narrator/Announcer]

You know how many people look up and see that? Only everybody. Okay, so today I sell soda seltzer

[Randy Stone]

that keeps at 20 bucks an hour. And I write.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Fred Graham, where are you?

[Randy Stone]

With a question mark?

[Narrator/Announcer]

Sure, with a question mark.

[Randy Stone]

You know how many guys in my racket can make a perfect question mark?

[Narrator/Announcer]

Mighty few.

[Randy Stone]

As gently as possible, we eased Joe Robinson, the flying taxpayer, out of the place. But in a cockeyed way, he was symbolic of the entire city. Ready to give up 20 bucks an hour to help find Fred Graham. Yeah, that's how it was everywhere that morning. In every church a prayer was said for Fred Graham. At early mass. Around every newsstand a solemn little crowd gathered, shaking their heads and taking it as a personal tragedy around the radio shops.

[Narrator/Announcer]

This is Police Captain Flair. I am broadcasting this urgent message to Fred Graham.

[Randy Stone]

Tens of thousands searching through the city, even the winos on skid row had been organized to search through the flop houses and basements of their area. Since midnight, not a single police officer had gone off duty. But still Graham was nowhere to be found.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Why?

[Randy Stone]

Where was it? In a few hours it really wouldn't matter. Around 8 that night I left the police station where you could have cut the gloom with a butter knife. Through the hot streets where gloom followed at my heels and up to my office at the Star, where the gloom was waiting for me. Everyone crowding around me, wanting to know the latest. And when I told them there wasn't any latest, the they moved away quietly. These characters who'd covered stories of wars and famines and pestilence where millions had died needlessly. The crazy world. I went over to my desk to try to write the story. And then I saw the stack of telephone messages. I thumbed through them quickly, mostly from people wanting to help. But there were eight of them that said exactly the same thing. Call SU 13689 urgent. Nothing could be very urgent after today.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Hello?

[Randy Stone]

This is Randy Stone of the Star.

[Judy Hartley / Mary Harrison]

Why didn't you call me before? I've been going crazy trying to reach you. Didn't you get my messages?

[Randy Stone]

I've been away from the office. I'm a Graham story.

[Judy Hartley / Mary Harrison]

That's what I'm calling about. He wants to talk to you. Oh, Fred Graham.

[Randy Stone]

What?

[Judy Hartley / Mary Harrison]

You've got to come alone.

[Randy Stone]

Look, he needs help. He needs it fast.

[Judy Hartley / Mary Harrison]

I know that. That's the condition. Come alone.

[Randy Stone]

What's the address?

[Judy Hartley / Mary Harrison]

Alone.

[Randy Stone]

Yes. Yes. What's the address?

[Judy Hartley / Mary Harrison]

2830 Rogers annual partner.

[Randy Stone]

I've got it. How does he feel?

[Judy Hartley / Mary Harrison]

Terrible. Hurting.

[Randy Stone]

I was in the cab on my way over there when I remembered a beat up little dame who'd wanted to kill herself. Namely Judy Hartley. We had to pass within three blocks of her house anyhow and I figured the extra minute wouldn't make that much difference. I told the cabbie to keep the motor running and rang Judy's bell. Nurse opened the door. I would ride past her to where Judy was curled up on the couch, still gnawing on whatever was left of her knuckles. I took her gun out of my pocket and handed it to her.

[Judy Hartley / Mary Harrison]

I don't understand.

[Randy Stone]

You said you had A permit for it. So I guess. Okay. Besides, you won't have to blow your brains out after all.

[Judy Hartley / Mary Harrison]

You don't mean.

[Randy Stone]

Yes, I do mean.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Come on.

[Randy Stone]

2830 Rogers Ave. Was a punch trunk apartment building leaning up against the moldy gasworks. But to Judy and me, Buckingham palace never looked so good. The dark hallways smelled more of cabbages than of kings. Beyond was a flight of stairs lit by a single flickering light bulb that dangled listlessly, willing to let well enough alone. I pressed the button marked C, and we waited. Then, upstairs, beyond our sight, a door opened.

[Judy Hartley / Mary Harrison]

Mr. Stone?

[Randy Stone]

Yeah, Graham.

[Judy Hartley / Mary Harrison]

That's right.

[Randy Stone]

We hurried up the steps. It seemed to me like 4 million Chicagoans were running up right with us, gasping down my neck. Then it came to me that I

[Narrator/Announcer]

was doing all the gasping.

[Randy Stone]

And up ahead was another hallway lit by another known talent bulbs. A young man was standing beside an open door. Brother, am I glad to see you.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Yeah.

[Randy Stone]

No. Oh, no. He spun around, went back into the apartment, slammed the door behind him. I must make a grand first impression. Graham, open up. Graham.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Oh.

[Randy Stone]

What's wrong with you?

[Judy Hartley / Mary Harrison]

Maybe he's already starting to get sick. I read somewhere we're acting like this is one of the first symptoms.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Yeah.

[Judy Hartley / Mary Harrison]

Oh. Break down the door. Break it down.

[Randy Stone]

Stand back. Me and my dynamic tension.

[Judy Hartley / Mary Harrison]

That's it. That's it.

[Randy Stone]

I stepped through the broken door and into the small bedroom. He'd been desperately trying to get out the window, and now we were cowering against the wall light like a mad dog. Judy, get on that phone quick. Call Captain Barnes. Have you got an ambulance over here? Right away.

[Judy Hartley / Mary Harrison]

He will need an ambulance. You'll need a hearse.

[Randy Stone]

Fine. Oh, now listen to me, sweetheart. I can explain everything. Sweetheart. Hey, Judy. Judy, what are you doing with that gun?

[Judy Hartley / Mary Harrison]

Killing a dirty rat.

[Randy Stone]

Yes, the gun I'd given back to a half an hour before. The first shot shattered the window. The second knocked the head off a pink kewpie doll on the dresser. And the next two did terrible things to the ceiling plaster. The fifth went through a silk lampshade, making the tassels wave back and forth. The last shot was really a dangerous one. It came within three feet of Fred. And after that, the gun just clicked harmlessly several times. And after that, Judy began crying, which is where I came in. And then Fred started crawling over to me.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Come on, sweetheart, don't cry.

[Randy Stone]

Please don't cry.

[Judy Hartley / Mary Harrison]

Oh, Freddy. Freddy. I wanted to find you and kill you. Now look at me.

[Randy Stone]

You wanted to kill him? Graham, where are the dog bites? That Hurt so much of our.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Oh, isn't this a fantastic little thing? But I do love her. I love her. I love her.

[Judy Hartley / Mary Harrison]

Oh, the next time I get jealous, I want you to turn me over your knees.

[Randy Stone]

Wait a minute. Wait a minute. Wait a minute. Wait.

[Judy Hartley / Mary Harrison]

What is this?

[Narrator/Announcer]

Last fight we had, that was a real lulu, wasn't it? You made me give her back all the letters and pictures, and still she wasn't satisfied. When I heard she bought a gun to kill me, I figured it was time for me to drop out of sight.

[Randy Stone]

Oh.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Huh.

[Randy Stone]

So in order to find you, she came around to me with a story about her dog.

[Narrator/Announcer]

He doesn't even have a dog. Scared of death. Of him.

[Randy Stone]

Oh, no, no. This isn't really happening to me.

[Judy Hartley / Mary Harrison]

Well, gee, I never expected there to be such a fuss about it, Mr. Strong.

[Randy Stone]

Oh, no. Randy Tall, and this is dream.

[Judy Hartley / Mary Harrison]

I just thought that maybe you'd help me find him yourself.

[Randy Stone]

Oh, hang on, Randy. Everything's gonna be okay with all Weird.

[Judy Hartley / Mary Harrison]

That's why when the captain called all those people in, that's why I fainted.

[Randy Stone]

Oh, that's why you fainted? Sarah Bernhardt, you know what you've done to this fair city of 4 million people in the last 24 hours?

[Judy Hartley / Mary Harrison]

I guess that was sort of a silly thing to do, wasn't it, Mr. Stone?

[Randy Stone]

Well, since there were no more bullets in the gun, I couldn't get killer or myself for not checking with a dog pound. But who could doubt a story like that, Tommy? I took a walk through the city where 10,000 Boy Scouts and 8,000 Red Cross workers, the entire civil defense setup were searching for Fred Graham. Door to door. Television people, the newspaper people, the radio people.

[Narrator/Announcer]

I am broadcasting this urgent message to Fred Grail.

[Randy Stone]

Shut up. All those cops working the night crew without a moment's sleep. The wino searching the flop houses, every church offering up prayers. Dismally, I looked up into the sky myself, only to see in the fast fading dust a sky rider putting a smoky question mark on Fred Graham. Where are you? The whole city. 4 million people. What was the caliber of that gun? And then gradually, I began to realize that maybe all this wasn't such a tragedy after all. Oh, sure, I was in for the rising of my life. But just the same, maybe something wonderful had taken place without anybody realizing it. So what if the thing turned out to be a phony? There was nothing phony about the way this town of 4 million closed ranks and forgot all their petty little problems and went to work. If this was a sample of What. What happened if a real test came? Well, you know, things were pretty good. When 4 million people can tear themselves apart trying to save the life of one simple guy without caring how much money he had in the bank, or whether he was for Truman or MacArthur or what church he went to, when all they cared about was that one human being was in trouble. Well, by golly, the race of man wasn't so bankrupt after all. Copy boy. Oh, no. No. Wait a minute.

[Narrator/Announcer]

No.

[Randy Stone]

You better get me Captain Blair. I. I just hope he's had his rabies shot.

[Narrator/Announcer]

All right. Nightbeat, starring Frank Love Joy, is produced and directed by Warren Lewis. Tonight's story was written by Larry Marcus with music by Robert Armbruster. The part of the captain was played by Alan Reed. Others featured were Virginia Greg as the landlady and Laura Paul Freeze as Fred, Joyce McCuskey as Judy and the pilot, Homer Welch.

[Randy Stone]

Frank Lovejoy can currently be seen co

[Narrator/Announcer]

starring with Joan Crawford and Robert Young in Warner Brothers. Goodbye, my fancy.

[Randy Stone]

Listen.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Next week at this time and every week as Randy Stone searches through the city for the strange stories waiting for him in the dark, Nightbeat came to you from Hollywood from station wis in Columbia, South Carolina. The National Broadcasting Company presents Radio City Playhouse.

[Randy Stone]

Attraction 61, Deception, as written and directed

[Narrator/Announcer]

by Harry W. Junk. Ladies and gentlemen, here is Harry W. Junkin. Thank you, Solar Graster, and welcome, everyone, to Radio City Playhouse. Our show today is coming to you from the magnificent new studios of station WIS in Columbia, South Carolina. The building was formally opened last night with an impressive inaugural broadcast, and our program this afternoon is the first network origination from WIS in its impressive new home. We're very happy to be here, and we wish WIS continued success and prosperity. With the exception of Ms. Jan Miner, who came with us from New York and who is, of course, a favorite with Radio City Playhouse listeners. Our entire cast is composed of Columbia, South Carolina talent. Dr. Shield and our orchestra are in New York. Here then, is our show. Jan Miner as Mary Harrison in Deception Attraction 61 on Radio City Playhouse.

[Judy Hartley / Mary Harrison]

Hello, is Mrs. Harrison there, please? This is she speaking. Mary, It's Sarah.

[Randy Stone]

Sarah?

[Judy Hartley / Mary Harrison]

Sarah Rosenberg, all the way from South Dakota. Sarah, for heaven's sake, what are you doing in town? Where are you staying? Where did you get in? I'm down at the station. Station? I'm not staying anywhere. I just got in this morning. Well, how long you going to be here? I'm going back tonight. As a matter of fact, I came especially to see you. To see me? Well, Sarah, Come up. Come up right away. You know where we live. I've got your address. I'll be up in 15 minutes. Well, wonderful. Have you had breakfast? No. Then don't. We'll have something here. Reston just leaving for the office and we can sit all morning over coffee. I'll be up in 20 minutes. Wonderful. See you then, Sarah. Goodbye.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Who was that on the telephone? Darling?

[Judy Hartley / Mary Harrison]

It was a girl I knew a long time ago. Heaven, it must be 17 years since I've seen her.

[Narrator/Announcer]

From Chicago?

[Judy Hartley / Mary Harrison]

Yes, from Chicago. Sara. I just can't believe it. I just can't believe they'd rake it all up after 17. All I know is that this reporter turned up in Pier and started asking questions about Mary Regelecs. I found out he made photostatic copies of the peer papers from February 13, 1932 to February 24. I see. We read, of course, that Reston was running for senator. Arthur said they were going to use you as some sort of smear campaign. I don't. No, I just wanted suddenly to see you, to tell you myself just because. Well, I wanted to repay you if I could. Sarah, down. You don't owe me anything. I owe you everything. You're the. Well, you're the finest woman I've ever known. Well, it's true, Mary. There. What was his name? Who? The reporter from here. Oh, Evans. We couldn't find out which paper, but I think he's after you, Mary. I think he's after you. I had a lot of trouble finding you, Mr. Evans. I phoned every newspaper in the city.

[Narrator/Announcer]

That's too bad.

[Judy Hartley / Mary Harrison]

Well, are you going to run the story or not?

[Narrator/Announcer]

I don't know. We might. It depends on Mr. Wardlaw, our managing editor.

[Judy Hartley / Mary Harrison]

Why do you have to rake up something that's old and finished and ended? Do you want to deliberately ruin us? Ruin him? Ruin both of us.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Mrs. Harrison, doesn't your husband know what you did?

[Judy Hartley / Mary Harrison]

No. No, he doesn't.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Why didn't you tell him?

[Judy Hartley / Mary Harrison]

Because being Mrs. Reston Harrison, I don't know, I. I don't know why I didn't tell it.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Mrs. Harrison, you're going to be in a mighty rough spot come election day next Thursday. Fix my tie, will you, darling? Of course, you know, I look pretty slick in evening clothes, don't you think?

[Judy Hartley / Mary Harrison]

Preston. Fred.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Mary, what is it? Are you sick?

[Judy Hartley / Mary Harrison]

Yes. Yes, I am. Mary, I'm so sick I could die.

[Narrator/Announcer]

You want to stay home? Shall I phone Judge McCranton?

[Judy Hartley / Mary Harrison]

Do you love me? Really, deeply love me?

[Narrator/Announcer]

Why, Mary, what brought this on, do you? Well, of course I love you. I should think you'd know that. I should think everything I've ever said or done would make you know I love you.

[Judy Hartley / Mary Harrison]

Reston, will you just keep very quiet and let me tell you something? Will you please just sit down and not say anything? If you interrupt me, I'll cry, and I. I don't want to cry.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Mary, you're shaking. What's the matter? What is it?

[Judy Hartley / Mary Harrison]

No, please keep quiet. When I was 17,

[Narrator/Announcer]

I. Darling, what are you trying to say to me?

[Judy Hartley / Mary Harrison]

When I was 17,

[Narrator/Announcer]

I. Mary, you don't have to be afraid to tell me anything. What is it? I've never seen you like this before.

[Judy Hartley / Mary Harrison]

When I was 17, I killed my father with an axe.

[Narrator/Announcer]

You're not serious?

[Judy Hartley / Mary Harrison]

Yes, I'm serious. Do I look like I was joking?

[Narrator/Announcer]

Now, please, marry up.

[Judy Hartley / Mary Harrison]

Don't interrupt me, Reston. Just let me tell it. I wasn't born in Chicago. I was born in Pierre, South Dakota. We were poor, so poor. But my father had a farm. A farm that he never worked much. Instead, he fixed things. Tractors, machinery, threshers. He never made much money. And the little bit he did make went on liquor. My mother used to go out cleaning by the day. My father drank. He didn't drink the way some people do. He never got roaring, wild drunk. He'd take 10 or 12 drinks a day and always be a little bit under. He was big and mean and cruel. I was so afraid of him. I used to get sick at my stomach when I'd see him coming home. And one night he went at my mother. And when she tried to get away from him, he hit it with a poker. I screamed and he turned on me. And I backed away from him. And he shoved me up against the stove. It was a wood stove, and it burned me. And there was an axe in the kindling box, and I hit him with it. He fell dead.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Mary, you don't have to put yourself.

[Judy Hartley / Mary Harrison]

Let me finish, please. It was a trial, of course. During the trial, my mother died from the beating he'd given her with a poker. The jury found me not guilty. I can remember the words the judge said. He turned to the jury and told them that if they decided I had used only reasonable force to prevent my father inflicting grievous bodily injury on myself and my mother, their verdict must be not guilty. Reasonable force, he said. I. I practically got his neck right through. Oh, darling, there's more yet. Please. I was acquitted and I went to Chicago. I sold a farm and scraped Together a few dollars and went to Chicago. Reston. I was only 17. I. Anyway, this morning Sarah Rosenberg came all the way from Peard, South Dakota to tell me that a reporter named Evans from the Courier. Yes, he was out there and he photostated the papers after I was arrested. There were photographs. Terrible, dreadful photographs of a young girl crying with rage in Haiti with her clothes torn and an axe in a.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Darling, why didn't you tell me?

[Judy Hartley / Mary Harrison]

Because I loved you so much. I. Well, when I met you in Chicago, resting, I was 27. You were an up and coming young lawyer. And I. Mary, Red Jacks was gone. I changed my name and the girl that lived on a run down farm in South Dakota had ceased to exist. I almost had myself convinced that it never happened. And I didn't tell you because I was afraid.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Afraid that

[Judy Hartley / Mary Harrison]

your mother. Darling, I wouldn't have cared. I went to see this reporter this afternoon. Reston. They're publishing the story.

[Narrator/Announcer]

If they do, I. This just doesn't happen to people like us, Mary. It can't happen.

[Judy Hartley / Mary Harrison]

He said they weren't interested in you politically, but that it was a good story and that's the kind they print. It means I'm finished. Maybe it won't matter. Nobody ever won an election by being dirty and cheap and peddling a scandal. It's over and done with.

[Narrator/Announcer]

I mean, I read it up.

[Judy Hartley / Mary Harrison]

Well, you're not going to quit, are you? Oh, you can't quit, Reston. They can't beat you with a smear campaign.

[Narrator/Announcer]

I'm finished.

[Judy Hartley / Mary Harrison]

Mary.

[Narrator/Announcer]

I couldn't put Jock and Judge McLean through a thing like this.

[Judy Hartley / Mary Harrison]

I couldn't. But it wasn't wrong. I was acquitted. I was innocent. The jury even said I'd been brave.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Couldn't have been worse if you'd been found guilty.

[Judy Hartley / Mary Harrison]

But why? And the people won't let a thing like this interfere.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Being a United States Senator is a serious thing. I'm afraid I just couldn't go on. I'll just withdraw my name. And not say what?

[Judy Hartley / Mary Harrison]

I won't let you. I just won't let you throw everything over.

[Judge McLean]

It doesn't matter.

[Narrator/Announcer]

I just wanted it so badly, that's all.

[Judy Hartley / Mary Harrison]

Then fight, Reston. Don't give up. Fight it. We'll go to Judge McLean's tonight.

[Narrator/Announcer]

No. No, I think we better stay home.

[Judy Hartley / Mary Harrison]

If we won't stay home, we'll go and we'll say nothing. Not a thing. We'll think of something to do. Reston, we can fight this thing together.

[Narrator/Announcer]

No, ma'.

[Judy Hartley / Mary Harrison]

Am. If you won't Quit. I won't let you quit. We're going to Judge McLean's for dinner and we'll pretend nothing has happened.

[Narrator/Announcer]

I thought we'd never get home. Never.

[Judy Hartley / Mary Harrison]

You get ready for bed, dear. I'll bring you some hot milk.

[Narrator/Announcer]

I told Judge McLean.

[Judy Hartley / Mary Harrison]

Oh, no, Reston, you didn't. Now, you promised that you wouldn't.

[Narrator/Announcer]

He'd heard rumors. This sort of thing travels like wildfire. He asked me point blank. He said he'd heard rumors of some sort of scandal about you. And I told him everything.

[Judy Hartley / Mary Harrison]

Why? Why, Reston?

[Narrator/Announcer]

Somebody hinted at it.

[Judy Hartley / Mary Harrison]

Who?

[Narrator/Announcer]

He wouldn't say who. I said I'd withdraw my name. He's not going to tell him the real reason. Just in case the courier doesn't come,

[Judy Hartley / Mary Harrison]

he's got to tell him something.

[Narrator/Announcer]

He'll simply say, I don't care to run. Nobody will believe it, but it'll save our faces.

[Judy Hartley / Mary Harrison]

Oh, Eston, I. I'm so terribly, terribly sorry. You wanted this so much, didn't you?

[Narrator/Announcer]

There's nothing very much either of us can do about it.

[Judy Hartley / Mary Harrison]

If you'd only lose your temper or stop doing it.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Stop that right now. No question of guilt about this. Mary. You and I know the truth. We know what happened. Let them say what they're like.

[Judy Hartley / Mary Harrison]

But you wanted it so much.

[Narrator/Announcer]

I wanted other things and not gotten them.

[Judy Hartley / Mary Harrison]

Oh, let's go to bed, dear. There's no use torturing ourselves.

[Narrator/Announcer]

I. I think I'll sit up a while. I'll go in the library. I don't feel much like. Sleep with me.

[Judy Hartley / Mary Harrison]

Come in. Just a minute.

[Judge McLean]

Good morning, Mary.

[Judy Hartley / Mary Harrison]

Judge Mc. Come in.

[Judge McLean]

Thank you. Resting up yet?

[Judy Hartley / Mary Harrison]

He didn't go to bed. He sat in the library all night. Old Judge. This is killing him. It's killing him and he doesn't say anything. He just sat there all night. Mary.

[Judge McLean]

Mary, hang on to yourself. No use you getting upset, too.

[Judy Hartley / Mary Harrison]

He counted on it. He wanted it so terribly. Chuck. In here, reston. Here's Judge McLean.

[Judge McLean]

What's this I hear about you sitting up all night?

[Narrator/Announcer]

It isn't every night one loses a senatorship, is it?

[Judge McLean]

It isn't lost yet.

[Narrator/Announcer]

What do you mean?

[Judge McLean]

What I say, it isn't lost yet.

[Judy Hartley / Mary Harrison]

Sit down, Judge McLean. Would you like some coffee?

[Judge McLean]

No, thanks, Larry.

[Narrator/Announcer]

You don't have to be optimistic to me. I know. When?

[Judge McLean]

Supposing you let me do the talking. Now, after you left our place last night, I called a special meeting of the committee on vacancies. I told them the truth. They refused to accept your withdrawal.

[Narrator/Announcer]

They've got to accept.

[Randy Stone]

I told them that.

[Judge McLean]

So they did accept it and then redesignated you as your own successor. There was some pretty fine things said about you last night, Reston. Some pretty fine things.

[Judy Hartley / Mary Harrison]

I knew it. Nobody ever won an election yet by mudslinging and scandal.

[Narrator/Announcer]

I haven't a chance. Not a chance.

[Judge McLean]

No other man can do the job. You can.

[Narrator/Announcer]

But I'd never be elected. Never.

[Judge McLean]

Reston, don't give up. Good night. Man, you've got to fight.

[Narrator/Announcer]

You can't fight scandal if it's true, you know that. You've been in politics yourself.

[Judge McLean]

Reston. Listen, there's a big rally at the Coliseum tomorrow night. Now, if we could get the Courier to promise that they wouldn't publish.

[Narrator/Announcer]

That's ridiculous. Why wouldn't they publish?

[Judge McLean]

Because they've nothing against you politically. And because Karl Wardlaw is their managing editor. He's also the owner. You know how obligated he is to us.

[Narrator/Announcer]

He's not very active in the Courier anymore. This managing editor stuff is mostly title.

[Judge McLean]

Listen, Reston, if the Courier doesn't publish, you'll be elected. It'll be a landslide. Now look, if they insist on publishing, Mary will stand up there tomorrow night and tell that crowd in her own way just what happened. After all, man, she was acquitted.

[Narrator/Announcer]

She couldn't. She simply couldn't marry. What about anything.

[Judy Hartley / Mary Harrison]

Absolutely anything.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Mary, they'll heckle you. They'll boo and shout at you. You're not used to speaking in public. They'd crucify you.

[Judge McLean]

It's our only chance.

[Judy Hartley / Mary Harrison]

It's our only chance. Reston, you've got to listen. Please, dear.

[Narrator/Announcer]

How do you get to Wardlaw?

[Judge McLean]

Well, unfortunately, he's out of town on a hunting trip in Canada. Impossible to reach him. But he's flying back tomorrow. Now, the butler said he'd be home by 9. Lives up in Connecticut. You go up there and see him yourself. Tell him the story. Try to get his word he won't let this thing be published.

[Narrator/Announcer]

But the rally starts at 8:30.

[Judge McLean]

It's running it a bit close, but you'll just have to take that risk. Mary will come with me. Now, he may be home earlier than 9. You get up to his house by 8. You may be back in time to appear at the rally yourself. If not, you can telephone her judge.

[Judy Hartley / Mary Harrison]

Do you really think there's a chance

[Judge McLean]

If Wardlaw agrees not to publish you keep quiet. If he says he is going to publish, you talk. It's as simple as that.

[Judy Hartley / Mary Harrison]

Judge, it's nearly 10 o'. Clock. Where can Nesson be. Why hasn't he telephoned?

[Judge McLean]

I don't know. No, I. I just can't imagine what's keeping.

[Judy Hartley / Mary Harrison]

Did you telephone Wardlaw's house?

[Judge McLean]

The butler said Wardlaw and Reston left together around 8:30. They should have been here by 9:15. 9:30 at the latest.

[Judy Hartley / Mary Harrison]

But there couldn't be a telephone.

[Judge McLean]

Oh, maybe he figured he'd be here.

[Judy Hartley / Mary Harrison]

Well, what are we going to do?

[Narrator/Announcer]

Well, if.

[Judge McLean]

If you tell the story and the Courier doesn't publish, we've let the cat out of the bag for no good reason. On the other hand, if the Courier does publish and you don't get out on that stage and tell your side of it first, we're sunk. I don't know. I just don't know what to do. We may as well wait 10 more minutes and then go ahead. So, ladies and gentlemen, the committee on vacancies decided to ignore this tragic story of a young girl's misery. I have told the story badly, but I have given you the essential facts. After he withdrew his name last night, we redesignated him for senator on the unified government ticket. We need men like Reston Harrison. And we need men with wives like Mrs. Reston. Harry Harrison. Tell them, Mary. Just tell them the truth.

[Judy Hartley / Mary Harrison]

Ladies and gentlemen, I. I'm grateful for the opportunity to. I've tried so hard to forget this story myself that it's difficult to speak of it without emotion. Now. It is to be a news item in the Courier tomorrow night and the actions of a terrified young girl are once again to be held up for public ridicule and scandal. I know that as human beings, you're too mature, too kind, too fair and too honest to allow this story to influence your judgment of my husband's qualifications. There's nothing about him that isn't good or kind. There's nothing that. Well, Do I look like a murderess? It's true. I did kill my father. But he killed my mother. And in defending her and myself, I killed him. But I was acquitted. Does this ghastly story of 17 years ago have anything to do with my husband's career today? Please, I beg of you to think for a moment of the Golden Rule and perhaps to transpose it slightly. I ask you to think of it not so much as do unto others as you would have others do unto you, but rather to think of it as understand others as you would have others understand you, understand their griefs, their humiliation, their self respect, as you would have them understand your griefs, your humiliation, your self respect. Robert Frost wrote If one by one we counted people out for the least sin, it wouldn't take us long to get so we had no one left to live with. Thank you for listening to me. Rest and no rest and. Where have you been? We've been worried sick. I've been sitting here since 11 o'. Clock. Well, finally we had to go ahead. I made my speed. Preston, what happened to you? Couldn't you have phoned or something?

[Narrator/Announcer]

We ran out of gas. Wardlaw said he'd drive me in. Right smack in the middle of nowhere, we ran out of gas. We'd have been there at half past nine. But I've walked 11 miles. No cars, no telephones, no houses, no nothing. Eleven miles before I got a ride into town.

[Judy Hartley / Mary Harrison]

Arreston. Reston. What did he say?

[Narrator/Announcer]

I hear you made a wonderful speech, darling.

[Judy Hartley / Mary Harrison]

Reston. Did Wardlaw agree that. No.

[Randy Stone]

Yes.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Wardlaw agreed not to publish the story. Oh, it'll be in every paper now. But I hear it was a wonderful speech. Mary. The returns will be starting to come in now. I'm going down to campaign headquarters.

[Judy Hartley / Mary Harrison]

Rusty, do you mind if I don't come? Please. I just can't stand anymore. I know.

[Narrator/Announcer]

I know just how you feel. I can't stand much more myself.

[Judy Hartley / Mary Harrison]

You win, darling. I know you'll win. Let me stay home here. I'll listen to the radio. All the stations will be carrying the

[Narrator/Announcer]

election, whatever you like.

[Judy Hartley / Mary Harrison]

And, Reston, you won't take it too badly if you lose, will you?

[Narrator/Announcer]

No.

[Judy Hartley / Mary Harrison]

Promise.

[Narrator/Announcer]

I can't help it, Mary, but I'll do the best I can. I may be very late, especially if I happen to win.

[Judy Hartley / Mary Harrison]

I'll wait up for you and rest. And yes, don't take it too badly.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Four hundred and fifty precincts heard from. Out of 3,071. Latest count of the senatorial race is as follows. Joel Williams, 1,364,000. I'm rounding these figures. Reston. Harrison, just 2,000 votes behind, with 1,362,000. Williams, just 2,000 votes ahead. We'll bring you more election returns as they become available. Now we return you to our studio.

[Judy Hartley / Mary Harrison]

Our Father, which are in heaven, let him win. Please, God, let him win. He wants it so terribly. If it's right for him, let him win. He wants it so much. Please. Hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as

[Randy Stone]

it is in heaven.

[Judy Hartley / Mary Harrison]

Reston, four o'. Clock. Dear, I thought you were never coming home.

[Narrator/Announcer]

I lost.

[Judy Hartley / Mary Harrison]

Turn the lights on, darling. I had them out just to rest my eyes. I lost Rest and Has it. Has it been that bad? Oh, Reston, you look so sick. Darling, it was only by a thousand votes. Less than that, really. Just a thousand votes? Don't you see, Reston? They didn't care about me. They did want you. They wanted you badly enough that they just. Well, there'll be other elections, dear. Now, please don't take it this badly. Oh, my darling, I love you. We've still got each other arrested. Please, darling, you mustn't cry. It just tortures me to see you look like this.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Derrick, I want to be by myself for a bit. I'm all right. Really I am. You go to bed. I'm going into the library. I just feel like being alone for a while. I'll be all right.

[Judge McLean]

Hello, mary, it's judge McLean. Is Reston there?

[Judy Hartley / Mary Harrison]

Judge, he's terribly upset. Can I give him a message?

[Judge McLean]

The last count has him winning by 134 votes. We thought the 63rd pre save would be solid against him. It wasn't. He's won, Mary, by 134 votes.

[Judy Hartley / Mary Harrison]

Just a minute. Reston. Reston, come here, quick. Oh, Ratan. Reston. No, you couldn't.

[Randy Stone]

You have just heard deception attraction 61 on Radio City Playhouse. Starring Jan Minor as Mary Harrison and coming to you from the new studios of Station WIS in Columbia, South Carolina. Other players in the cast, all of whom were recruited from Columbia, South Carolina

[Narrator/Announcer]

talent, were Mackie Quave as Reston Harrison

[Randy Stone]

and Josephine Brown, Tom Linton, Roy Lind and Sam Zurich. The special music was composed and conducted by Dr. Roy Shield. Deception was written, directed and produced for the National Broadcasting Company by Harry W. Junkins.

[Narrator/Announcer]

This is Harry Junkin again. Our sincere thanks to everyone at station WIS for their wonderful cooperation and a sincere invitation to all of you to join us next week on Radio City Playhouse for an exciting story called Interview by Robert Athens. That's next week on Radio City Playhouse. Be sure to listen to Hollywood Calling tonight with Maureen o' Hara and Dan Daly. Good afternoon, everybody.

[Randy Stone]

Speaking. Stay tuned now for james melton and the harvest of stars on NBC.