Rocky Fortune and Box 13

Summary

The Relic Radio Show: "Rocky Fortune and Box 13"

Released on March 25, 2025, "Rocky Fortune and Box 13" is a captivating episode of The Relic Radio Show, expertly unearthing the suspenseful narratives of old-time radio adventures. This episode, featuring the star power of Frank Sinatra as Rocky Fortune and Alan Ladd as Dan Holiday, weaves a tale of deception, mystery, and redemption set against the backdrop of a gritty urban landscape.

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Introduction

"The Relic Radio Show" specializes in bringing to life the golden age of radio entertainment, offering listeners immersive experiences across genres like horror, science fiction, comedy, and adventure. In the episode "Rocky Fortune and Box 13," listeners are introduced to Rocky Fortune, a charming yet perpetually unemployed gentleman whose latest job delivery plunges him into a web of intrigue and danger.

Main Characters

• Rocky Fortune (Frank Sinatra): The protagonist, a resourceful and witty messenger with a knack for finding himself in precarious situations.

• Laura Chandler (Marion Richmond): Rocky's enigmatic client, a high-class fashion designer with hidden motives.

• Sam Socrates (Ted Von Eltz): A philosophical pickpocket and old acquaintance of Rocky, who plays a crucial role in unraveling the mystery.

• Eve Hobson (Georgia Ellis): Laura Chandler's devoted secretary, involved deeply in the conspiracy.

• Sergeant Hamilton J. Finger (Justine Parley Bear): A determined homicide officer intent on solving the case.

Plot Overview

The episode begins with Rocky Fortune securing a lucrative job offering him $100 per hour to deliver a mysterious package for Laura Chandler. Despite initial skepticism, Rocky accepts the job, only to discover that the delivery is anything but straightforward.

[02:03] Laura Chandler: "I handle all of Ms. Chandler's affairs and we don't want a messenger."

From the onset, Rocky senses something amiss. His delivery leads him to 14 Barbary Street, a notorious neighborhood, where he encounters Laura’s neighbor, an old blind lady named Eve. The encounter quickly turns hostile when Rocky is ambushed and becomes entangled in a staged robbery meant to frame him for a murder.

As Rocky navigates the perplexing situation, he reconnects with Sam Socrates, who provides crucial insights into the deception surrounding Laura Chandler. Together, they begin to uncover the layers of deceit, revealing that Laura had orchestrated the entire scenario to manipulate and incriminate Rocky.

[11:02] Rocky Fortune: "You recognize this picture in the paper?"

The plot thickens as Laura attempts to deflect suspicion and maintain control over the narrative, leading to a tense confrontation where the truth begins to surface. Rocky's determination and resourcefulness, combined with Sam's street-smart wisdom, drive the investigation forward, exposing Laura's intentions and the real motives behind the packages.

Key Moments and Discussions

1. The Mysterious Package Delivery
   Rocky’s acceptance of the job sets the stage for the unfolding mystery. His interaction with Laura displays her composed yet evasive nature, hinting at deeper secrets.

   [02:10] Laura Chandler: "This doesn't sound like fashion proofs."

2. The Staged Ambush
   Rocky is unexpectedly assaulted, leading to a misleading trail that suggests his involvement in a criminal act. This pivotal moment shifts the narrative from a simple delivery to a complex investigation.

   [09:09] Laura Chandler: "Keep your trap shut. The stuff here."

3. Revelation with Sam Socrates
   Rocky’s reunion with Sam Socrates brings fresh perspectives and critical analysis, helping them piece together the true sequence of events.

   [10:15] Frank Sinatra: "Rocky, my old companion from Gramercy Park."

4. The Confrontation and Accusations
   The tension peaks when Laura confronts Rocky, leading to explosive revelations about the true nature of the packages and the intended framing.

   [16:09] Laura Chandler: "I see you opened my package."

5. Unveiling the Imposter Plot
   Rocky deduces that Laura orchestrated a fake murder to manipulate circumstances to her advantage, revealing her as the antagonist.

   [22:44] Rocky Fortune: "Eve Hobson."

6. Climactic Showdown
   The culmination of the episode sees Rocky and Sam confronting Laura and her accomplices, leading to arrests and the restoration of justice.

   [50:18] Sam Socrates: "And they got some kind of a test to prove if a party fired a gun."

Notable Quotes

• Rocky Fortune on His Job Troubles:
  [01:30] "When it comes to losing jobs, I got about the best batting average in town."

• Laura Chandler on the Delivery:
  [04:12] "Here's the package."

• Sam Socrates on the Situation:
  [10:15] "Rocky, my old companion from Gramercy Park."

• Rocky’s Realization of the Conspiracy:
  [22:44] "Eve Hobson."

• Final Confrontation:
  [50:00] "You better take him inside. Oh, back off."

Conclusion

"Rocky Fortune and Box 13" masterfully blends suspense, humor, and classic radio drama elements to deliver an enthralling story. Rocky's journey from a simple messenger to a detective unraveling a complex conspiracy showcases his resilience and ingenuity. The episode not only entertains but also pays homage to the rich tradition of old-time radio storytelling, complete with memorable characters and a tightly woven plot.

As the episode concludes, listeners are left anticipating the next installment, eager to follow Rocky Fortune’s further adventures and the enduring allure of "Box 13." This episode stands as a testament to The Relic Radio Show's commitment to reviving and preserving the golden age of radio entertainment.

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Notable Cast and Crew:

• Stars: Frank Sinatra (Rocky Fortune), Alan Ladd (Dan Holiday)
• Supporting Cast: Marion Richmond, Georgia Ellis, Justine Parley Bear, Ted Von Eltz
• Scriptwriters: George Leppert and Andrew C. Love
• Director: Eddie King
• Music: Composed and conducted by Rudy Schrager
• Production Supervision: Vern Carstenson
• Production Company: Mayfair Production from Hollywood Watch for Paramount Pictures

Tune in next week for another riveting episode as Rocky Fortune navigates through new challenges and mysterious escapades, continuing his legacy as an old-time radio hero.

Transcript

[Frank Sinatra]

This is the Relic Radio Show Old Time Radio Entertainment.

[Rocky Fortune]

Still standing the test of time from.

[Frank Sinatra]

Relicradio.Com.

[Rocky Fortune]

Frank Sinatra transcribed as Rocky Fortune NBC presents Frank Sinatra starring as that footloose and fancy free young gentleman, Rocky Fortune.

[Frank Sinatra]

Hi there.

[Rocky Fortune]

You know, when it comes to losing jobs, I got about the best batting average in town. Something always happens. I mean, either I strike out on a secretary's curves or else I. I get put out for dropping a suggestion in a suggestion box suggesting that the boss drop dead. I start out with the best of intentions, but there's always something wrong with the setup. You take what happened last week. I land myself a job that pays 100 bucks an hour, and at last I think I'm really living. And then I find out when it's time to collect that you're liable not to be living.

[Laura Chandler]

One moment, please.

[Rocky Fortune]

What is it, Ms. Chandler?

[Laura Chandler]

I'm a secretary. What do you want?

[Rocky Fortune]

Instant messenger service.

[Laura Chandler]

We don't want any.

[Rocky Fortune]

Look, honey, it's 8:00am this is my first job. Now don't give me a hard time.

[Laura Chandler]

Now look, sonny, I handle all of Ms. Chandler's affairs and we don't want a messenger.

[Rocky Fortune]

Oh, how would you like to get a.

[Laura Chandler]

This boy in the man suit says you called for a messenger. Yes, I did. The package. You're not really going to send it? Laura, I've got to. I still think you're making a mistake. I haven't any choice. Well, then why not let me deliver it for you? No, I thought it over. That neighborhood's dangerous, Eve. Well, nobody's going to kidnap little Evie, darling.

[Rocky Fortune]

Who's going to pay the ransom?

[Laura Chandler]

Why don't you run along? Please, Eve, let me handle it. Yeah, all right, honey. It's your own funeral. Only I wouldn't trust him as far as I could throw him.

[Rocky Fortune]

About 800 yards left handed.

[Laura Chandler]

Leave us alone, Eve. Please. Please.

[Rocky Fortune]

Nice kid. Where does she live? In the refrigerator.

[Laura Chandler]

You'll have to excuse Eve. She's been with me for years. She's very devoted. I. Have a seat, Mr. Fortune.

[Frank Sinatra]

Rocky Fortune.

[Laura Chandler]

You don't look like a messenger boy. You're older.

[Rocky Fortune]

My boss is very inefficient. He always sends a man to do a boy's work.

[Laura Chandler]

Will you have a drink? I think I need one.

[Rocky Fortune]

Well, I don't usually start at 9:00am Excuse me. Steady, honey. Here, pull yourself together. You're shaking.

[Laura Chandler]

I had a bad night.

[Rocky Fortune]

Hey, charge your batteries.

[Laura Chandler]

Thank you. Now, let me see.

[Rocky Fortune]

Messenger service, remember?

[Laura Chandler]

Oh, yes. I left the package in my room. I won't be a moment.

[Rocky Fortune]

Will you wait forever? Laura Channel is a blonde with a figure like Swedish stemware. Tall and slender and curved in the right places. She walks out and I look around. The place is a plush two story studio apartment. From the drawing equipment, I figure her for one of these high class fashion designers. I begin to wonder if she'll make it back before the nervous breakdown sets in.

[Laura Chandler]

Here. Here's the package.

[Rocky Fortune]

Where to?

[Laura Chandler]

14 Barbary Street.

[Rocky Fortune]

Oh, that's a pretty rough neighborhood.

[Laura Chandler]

Room 2B. Here's the key. Go in and leave this package on the table. You'll find another package, pick it up and bring it to me.

[Rocky Fortune]

This doesn't sound like fashion proofs.

[Laura Chandler]

That's my business.

[Sam Socrates]

Pardon me.

[Laura Chandler]

And one thing, I don't want you snooping in the packages.

[Rocky Fortune]

Well, it's been grand meeting you, Ms. Chandler.

[Laura Chandler]

Where are you going?

[Rocky Fortune]

I insult very easily.

[Laura Chandler]

Just a minute. Well, I. I'm sorry. Please, I'm terribly upset.

[Rocky Fortune]

Hungover, they call it.

[Laura Chandler]

No, I. I haven't been well. Please forgive me.

[Rocky Fortune]

Okay. Want kiss and makeup?

[Laura Chandler]

It's very important to me that this package be delivered and the other package returned unopened. I. I'll pay you well.

[Rocky Fortune]

Well, meaning what?

[Laura Chandler]

$100.

[Rocky Fortune]

What's in this package? A new slim silhouette for the H bomb?

[Laura Chandler]

Nothing like that. Will you take the job?

[Rocky Fortune]

Yeah. One condition.

[Laura Chandler]

What's that?

[Rocky Fortune]

Advance me 30 cents for a couple of subway tokens.

[Laura Chandler]

Here. Here's $10, honey.

[Rocky Fortune]

I just want two tokens, not a seat on the stock exchange.

[Laura Chandler]

Take a cab. Here's the package. Be careful.

[Rocky Fortune]

Don't worry.

[Laura Chandler]

Do a good job and yeah, I'll be very grateful.

[Rocky Fortune]

In that case, lay off the happy juice. I may even ask you out to dinner tonight. I'd rather you were sober.

[Laura Chandler]

I'm afraid I'm too expensive, Mr. Fortune.

[Rocky Fortune]

Rocky. And don't worry about it. I'm rich if I live to collect. I leave the apartment with the distinct feeling that something peculiar is in the wind and that it ain't the Fulton Fish Market. I leg it out the lobby, past the doorman in full admiral's uniform and flag down a cab with her, too. 14 Barbary street and Powell. Don't ever put the flag down before the cab starts next time. I can see this is going to be a fat tent. Don't give me a hard time, Max. Yes, sir. I can remember when the subway was good enough for you guys. It still is. If you'd like to stop here. Oh, no offense, Excellence. You know, if you pipe some of that gas into the tank, you'd be a rich hackie. Don't look around, Junior, but the light is green. Move. I feel refreshed after this little exchange of pleasantries and settle back to untie the wrapping on Laura Chandler's package. Not that I'm the suspicious type, understand, but when somebody offers me a hundred dollars to deliver a package, I like to make sure I'm not playing patsy with a pumpkin full of microfilm. And just as I get the wrapping undone, Max chomps the brake pedal and I find myself up to the knees in nice crisp hundred dollar certificates. Hey, mister, you dropped your money. Why don't you give out safety belts and these things if you're gonna stop this way? What are you, a messenger for the United States? Men, just turn around, pal, and keep going. I'll gather up the cabbage. What do you think this is, an armored truck? Next time you rob a bank, hire a van. If you really want to know, this is Halloween money. I got it playing trick or treat.

[Sam Socrates]

Where?

[Rocky Fortune]

The First National Bank. You're clever. Yeah. Stop soaping me, bud. I know real money when I see it, and I seen it. Max guns the cab while I collect the spill lettuce. I figure there must be four or five thousand. And I've just wrapped it up again when Max goes in another one of his famous quick stops. What now? Out. New summer eve, Lafayette. Which means we're here. 14 and Barber. I never thought we'd make it. What's the wrap? 65 cents. Here's a 10. Thanks.

[Frank Sinatra]

Hey.

[Rocky Fortune]

Huh?

[Sam Socrates]

It.

[Rocky Fortune]

Excuse the expression. The change. $9.35.

[Sam Socrates]

Here.

[Rocky Fortune]

Here's a buck. Get yourself a B29. I already got one. Bobbery street is a dead end in the worst slum in town. Number 14 is a condemned building. I pick my way past a couple of prostrate bums in a garbage can and I'm about to walk in when somebody taps me.

[Laura Chandler]

Pencil, Mister. Help an old blind lady. Pencil.

[Rocky Fortune]

Here, Mom. Keep the pencil. I got nobody to write to.

[Laura Chandler]

Bless you, son.

[Rocky Fortune]

On second thought, I'll take it, Mother.

[Laura Chandler]

Here, you crumb.

[Rocky Fortune]

The hallway is decrepit pink plaster that is crumbling crumb by crumb. I let myself into room 2B, which resembles a sanctuary for unemployed mice. There's no packet. So I deposit my bundle of government greenery and wait. After a couple of minutes, I hear something coming. It's the old blind lady's stick tapping down the hall. She comes in and goes to the moolah on the table like a Saint Bernard goes to A fallen traveler pays better than selling pencils, huh, Mom?

[Laura Chandler]

Keep your trap shut. The stuff here.

[Rocky Fortune]

The stuff is there. And it's so green, it's mellow. How about the package I was supposed to collect?

[Laura Chandler]

In my bag. Here.

[Rocky Fortune]

Their exchange. What's in it?

[Laura Chandler]

None of your business.

[Rocky Fortune]

Thanks. Can I help you down the stairs, Mother dear?

[Laura Chandler]

I can find my way. Don't try to follow me.

[Rocky Fortune]

Me, follow a lady? Perish the thought. I give her a head start and pick up the package and head for the door. And I am just in time for lowering of the 9 o'clock boom which descends on the back of my skull as I step into the hall. Sometime later, I regained consciousness. The first thing I notice is a clammy hand inside my pocket. The second thing I notice is that it ain't mine. I keep my eyes closed and then mousetrap the guy. Okay.

[Laura Chandler]

You're breaking my arm, brother.

[Rocky Fortune]

I ought to break your. Well, well, if it ain't Sam Socrates, the philosophical pickpocket. I is the biggest thief in town.

[Frank Sinatra]

Rocky, my old companion from Gramercy Park. As Schopenhauer said, it's a small world.

[Rocky Fortune]

Is that what he said? How are things in a pickpocket union?

[Frank Sinatra]

Oh, haven't you heard, my boy? I've been elected international representative. Oh, goody for you.

[Rocky Fortune]

Congratulations.

[Frank Sinatra]

A hipster like you should know better than to lay in the dust in a creep joint like this. Why, if I hadn't come along, you might have been rolled.

[Rocky Fortune]

Somebody laid one on my skull bone. Hey, you know the old blind woman, Rosie? I think she hit me with a pogo stick.

[Frank Sinatra]

Rosie's new around here, but I don't think she goes for mugging. It was probably the other one, the blonde.

[Eve Hobson]

Blonde?

[Frank Sinatra]

The one who came out after Rosie.

[Rocky Fortune]

You don't say. How is she dressed?

[Frank Sinatra]

Oh, very glad. About two grand worth of mink, present market value. Figuring a 10 kickback to the fence.

[Rocky Fortune]

Figures. You notice anything else?

[Frank Sinatra]

She was carrying a package about this big.

[Rocky Fortune]

Go on.

[Frank Sinatra]

I assumed you had been mugged. Naturally, I don't like to interrupt the colleague while she's working, so I waited, naturally. Professional courtesy. I come in to cop a quick snoop, as they say, and find you laying here like a dead lox.

[Rocky Fortune]

Thanks, Socrates. Here. Here's a fin for your trouble.

[Frank Sinatra]

Oh, Rocky, I couldn't accept a gratuity from an old pal. The Beggars Guild would have me up on charges.

[Rocky Fortune]

Sorry. I didn't mean to offend.

[Frank Sinatra]

However, if you'll just turn around and permit me to Sop it out of your pocket. I think we avoid a jurisdictional dispute.

[Rocky Fortune]

Have it your way, Sam. Brush the creases out of the cashmere while you're at it. I leave the house and walk about three steps when a hand falls on my shoulder like it was judgment day. I turn around to look into the bloodshot eyes of my good friend Sergeant Hamilton J. Finger of Homicide. I'm halted unclasped finger. You're bruising the button.

[Frank Sinatra]

This the guy?

[Rocky Fortune]

That's him. He had a role like he was Boba Rockefeller. What's the problem, Finger?

[Frank Sinatra]

The Hyatt Cure says you were flashing a lot of letters.

[Rocky Fortune]

He's dreaming. He smok smokes old socks. I tell you, I seen it.

[Frank Sinatra]

What about it?

[Rocky Fortune]

I don't know what you're talking about. He knows. All right.

[Frank Sinatra]

Let's have a quick frisk. He's clean.

[Sam Socrates]

Then he hit it.

[Rocky Fortune]

You better take him inside. Oh, back off. Just a minute. What's the charge? Remember, sarge, you gotta have a charge. Sarge, to arrest the taxpayer, you got.

[Frank Sinatra]

A charge to bring.

[Rocky Fortune]

He was carrying, like, five grand in real money. That's a crime, ain't it? He's a suspicious character. You got a charge or just suspicious?

[Frank Sinatra]

I ain't got a charge. You got a charge, Max.

[Rocky Fortune]

Me? I ain't got no charge. I just told you what I saw, that's all. If you two gentlemen will excuse me, I'll be on my way.

[Frank Sinatra]

Just a minute.

[Rocky Fortune]

Yes, sergeant.

[Frank Sinatra]

Nothing. Beat it.

[Rocky Fortune]

I walk away like I own City hall. But inside I'm still six different shades of green. I make it to the subway and jockey my way to Laura Chandler's apartment. My head feels like the inside of Yogi Berra's mitt after a hot day in the bullpen.

[Laura Chandler]

Oh, you.

[Rocky Fortune]

It's me. It is Also I. You got any of that 100 proof battery acid left?

[Laura Chandler]

There's some bourbon on the table.

[Rocky Fortune]

Thanks.

[Laura Chandler]

Did you get the package?

[Rocky Fortune]

Well, it's a long story, but I'll boil it down. No. Oh, I'm sorry.

[Laura Chandler]

Well, it doesn't really matter.

[Rocky Fortune]

No, you were pretty upset this morning. You see a psychiatrist or something.

[Laura Chandler]

I decided to calm down. If you don't mind, Mr. Fortune, I'll pay you the hundred dollars and get it over with.

[Rocky Fortune]

I don't mind. Only I don't get it.

[Laura Chandler]

Don't get what?

[Rocky Fortune]

Why a dame pays five grand for a package he doesn't get and then brushes it off like it was dead flies.

[Laura Chandler]

I see you opened my package. That isn't Polite?

[Rocky Fortune]

It isn't polite to hire a guy to get a package and then hit him over the head and steal the package.

[Laura Chandler]

I don't know what you mean.

[Rocky Fortune]

You know what I mean, baby. You followed me down there and pulled me in a noggin.

[Laura Chandler]

You're insane.

[Rocky Fortune]

You left your mink coat on the table over there. And one will get your tennis covered with pink plaster from 14 Barbary Street.

[Laura Chandler]

Here's your money. Now get out. I said get out.

[Rocky Fortune]

Let's have the package.

[Laura Chandler]

That package is none of your business.

[Rocky Fortune]

I got a lump in my head that says it is.

[Laura Chandler]

Get back. I got a gun.

[Rocky Fortune]

I can see that. And I can also see that you don't know how to use it.

[Laura Chandler]

I warn you.

[Rocky Fortune]

It's a funny thing about those automatics. You can't pull the trigger with a safety catch on. Now let's have it. Come on.

[Frank Sinatra]

Give me the. Go there.

[Rocky Fortune]

Sit down.

[Laura Chandler]

Take your hands off me.

[Rocky Fortune]

I said sit down. That's better. Now fess up.

[Laura Chandler]

I went to a party last night at my editor's. I met a couple. A young man, he said he was an artist. And a woman, a redhead. We'd been drinking.

[Rocky Fortune]

I gathered as much.

[Laura Chandler]

He invited us up to his apartment to see his work.

[Rocky Fortune]

Oh, brother. Where was the apartment? On Barbary Street.

[Laura Chandler]

Yeah. Somehow I. I got in a quarrel with the other woman. I don't even remember what it was about. So I said I was leaving. He said have one more drink first and then he'd call a cab. I. I took the drink and then suddenly I felt funny. After that. It felt so horrible.

[Rocky Fortune]

Give, baby.

[Laura Chandler]

I don't know what happened, really. I came to, sitting on the sofa. The red haired woman was lying on the floor. There was blood in my hands. I had a gun.

[Rocky Fortune]

Whose gun?

[Laura Chandler]

Mine.

[Eve Hobson]

Naturally.

[Rocky Fortune]

No nice girl is ever without one.

[Laura Chandler]

Well, there have been so many muggings and robberies in the neighborhood lately. My secretary thought I'd better carry one in my purse.

[Rocky Fortune]

Back to Barbary Street. What happened next?

[Laura Chandler]

He told me I'd gotten very drunk and we'd quarreled. He said she'd slapped me and I'd taken this gun out of my person. It seemed to go off before I realized what I was doing. I'm not a murderer. I've never hurt anyone in my life.

[Rocky Fortune]

All right, all right. Take it easy, baby. Now look. What's with the packages?

[Laura Chandler]

The man, Charles, his name was. He told me to go home. That he could have the whole thing hushed up. He said the woman was a tramp. And well, I was too frightened to argue. I went home and about five this morning he called. He said he'd need money. $5,000. He said he had the gun with my fingerprints on it and if I wanted it, I'd better pay up or he'd go to the police.

[Rocky Fortune]

And you fell for it. Oh, baby, how square can you get?

[Laura Chandler]

I don't know why I did it. I suppose the police. Police is the only way.

[Rocky Fortune]

Just a minute. One more item. How come you conked me?

[Laura Chandler]

Well, after you left, I began to wonder if I could trust you. So I followed you down there. I overheard your talk with a blind woman and I knew you'd opened the package. I waited. And then I hit you and took the package with the gun.

[Rocky Fortune]

Is this the gun?

[Laura Chandler]

Yes, that's my gun. What are you doing?

[Rocky Fortune]

Just want to look inside. Uh huh.

[Laura Chandler]

I think we'd better call the police. I'll feel better.

[Rocky Fortune]

Relax baby. Nobody's calling the police.

[Laura Chandler]

But the murder.

[Rocky Fortune]

There was no murder.

[Laura Chandler]

What?

[Rocky Fortune]

Look at the barrel of this gun. It's loaded with rust. I'm gonna bullet through here since Grant took Richmond.

[Laura Chandler]

But I heard.

[Rocky Fortune]

You heard? A blank. And honey, I got news for you.

[Laura Chandler]

News?

[Rocky Fortune]

When PT Barnum said there was one born every minute, he meant you.

[Laura Chandler]

I don't understand.

[Rocky Fortune]

It's the old badger game in reverse. The whole thing was staged. The artist was phony, the corpse was phony, the bullet was a blank and the blood was ketchup. You sure make bets on it.

[Laura Chandler]

Rocky, I don't know how to thank you.

[Rocky Fortune]

I got a suggestion.

[Laura Chandler]

Yes, what?

[Rocky Fortune]

Don't hurry me now. Just give me time to pucker up. I exit later feeling like a Beaver scout with a year's backlog of good deeds. I can still taste Laura Chandler's lipstick. And I got a hundred bucks burning a hole in my jeans. I got back to the messenger service and put in a phone call to the precinct station. I figure if the crooks aren't in Argentina by this time, my friend Sergeant Finger can start trying to recover the five G's. Finger ain't in. So I finish out the day, then hit my flat for a change of drapery. There is a reception committee from the city of New York. And it ain't Grover Waylon.

[Frank Sinatra]

Good evening.

[Rocky Fortune]

Well, well, Sergeant Hamilton J. Finger, as I live and don't breathe.

[Frank Sinatra]

Don't bother to shut the door.

[Rocky Fortune]

You're leaving? I wanted to see you.

[Frank Sinatra]

We're leaving. I wanted to see you. Hello.

[Rocky Fortune]

To the place Gendarme.

[Frank Sinatra]

The same.

[Rocky Fortune]

You mind if I ask you why?

[Frank Sinatra]

Not at all. You read?

[Rocky Fortune]

Not fluently.

[Frank Sinatra]

You look at pictures?

[Rocky Fortune]

Fluently.

[Frank Sinatra]

You seen the newspapers?

[Rocky Fortune]

I seen the green sheet in the Morning Telegraph.

[Frank Sinatra]

According to the evening papers, a woman named Gloria Verne was found murdered shut through the heart. Here's a picture in the paper.

[Rocky Fortune]

So?

[Frank Sinatra]

So she was found in a place on Barbary street, number 14, according to the Journal. Apartment 2B. You familiar with this place?

[Rocky Fortune]

I spent half the morning laying on my face.

[Frank Sinatra]

So I recall.

[Rocky Fortune]

So?

[Frank Sinatra]

So the lieutenant invites you to the Irish Clubhouse for tiffin and mixed grilling.

[Rocky Fortune]

Shall we promenade?

[Frank Sinatra]

Be my.

[Rocky Fortune]

I spend the next few hours being pounded on the ear drum by the Inquisition squad. I tell them everything I know, including about the gun which Laura Chandler has at home.

[Frank Sinatra]

You say she thought she killed this woman, but the gun wasn't fired.

[Rocky Fortune]

The barrel was stuffed with rust.

[Frank Sinatra]

She has this cannon.

[Rocky Fortune]

She had it when I left her this morning.

[Frank Sinatra]

And she dropped five grand to an old blind woman without even feeling sorry.

[Rocky Fortune]

I told you, Sarge, this is a nice girl. She didn't kill Gloria Verne.

[Frank Sinatra]

Nice girls don't go on drunks with Greenwich Village con artists.

[Rocky Fortune]

So she made a mistake.

[Frank Sinatra]

Maybe you made a mistake, Rocky. Come on.

[Sam Socrates]

Where now?

[Frank Sinatra]

Laura Chandler's apartment. I want to gaze into her cold blue eyes. Also her cold blue automatic.

[Rocky Fortune]

We prowl up the Park Avenue and press the buzzer of Laura Chandler's apartment.

[Laura Chandler]

Rome, it's you.

[Rocky Fortune]

I brought a friend along for you, baby. Sergeant Finger of Homicide. This is Eve Hobson, Ms. Chandler's secretary.

[Frank Sinatra]

Pleased, I'm sure. Is your employer home?

[Laura Chandler]

She's asleep. She wasn't feeling well, so she took some sleeping pills.

[Frank Sinatra]

She'd been asleep all day, as far as I know.

[Laura Chandler]

I went out on business for about an hour.

[Frank Sinatra]

Wake her up?

[Laura Chandler]

Not without a pretty good reason.

[Frank Sinatra]

Murder is a pretty good reason.

[Laura Chandler]

Murder?

[Frank Sinatra]

Get her, Ian.

[Laura Chandler]

Who is it? Oh, hello, Rocky.

[Frank Sinatra]

Ms. Chandler?

[Laura Chandler]

Yes?

[Frank Sinatra]

Sleeping pills don't work so good, I see. They never do much for a guilty conscience.

[Laura Chandler]

I beg your pardon?

[Rocky Fortune]

This is Sergeant Finger, Laura. Homicide.

[Laura Chandler]

Homicide?

[Frank Sinatra]

You've heard of it, I see.

[Laura Chandler]

I. I don't understand.

[Frank Sinatra]

I'll be brief. You're under arrest.

[Laura Chandler]

Under arrest?

[Frank Sinatra]

You recognize this picture in the paper?

[Rocky Fortune]

Laura. Don't say a word.

[Laura Chandler]

Laura, you. It was nice of you to pretend. I didn't kill her. But it's her picture. That's the woman I shot.

[Rocky Fortune]

Laura, for Pete's sake, You didn't.

[Frank Sinatra]

Have you got the gun?

[Laura Chandler]

Yes, I. I left it in my desk drawer here.

[Rocky Fortune]

That gun hasn't Been fired for years, I tell you.

[Frank Sinatra]

Have a look. Okay, Ms. Chandler, get your code.

[Rocky Fortune]

Fill it with rust, huh?

[Frank Sinatra]

Rocky, the barrel of this gun is as clean as the inside of a hospital cafeteria. And judging by the smell, it's been fired recently.

[Rocky Fortune]

What? Let me. Holy smokes. Lloyd, you use this gun?

[Laura Chandler]

I left it in the desk drawer.

[Rocky Fortune]

You've been asleep all afternoon.

[Laura Chandler]

Yes, I took some sleeping pills.

[Frank Sinatra]

Okay, Ms. Chandler.

[Rocky Fortune]

Hold it, sergeant.

[Frank Sinatra]

Well?

[Rocky Fortune]

And they got some kind of a test to prove if a party fired a gun.

[Frank Sinatra]

A paraffin test.

[Rocky Fortune]

If Laura fired a blank, could you tell?

[Frank Sinatra]

It's the same as if she fired a real bullet.

[Rocky Fortune]

In other words, anybody who fired a gun, it shows up, huh?

[Frank Sinatra]

That's right.

[Laura Chandler]

Rocky, it's no use.

[Rocky Fortune]

Let me handle it.

[Frank Sinatra]

Baby, you can get 10 years in the Kirst Iron Academy for shielding a murderer.

[Rocky Fortune]

Rocky, let me talk a minute, will you?

[Frank Sinatra]

Talk.

[Rocky Fortune]

How long has this Gloria Verne been dead?

[Frank Sinatra]

The medical examiner says about four hours.

[Laura Chandler]

Four hours? Oh, no. I killed her last night.

[Rocky Fortune]

Hold it, honey. Laura, tell me, could anybody have taken that gun out of your jaw, gone downtown, shot the dame and then put the gun back?

[Laura Chandler]

Who would have done anything like that? And why?

[Rocky Fortune]

I don't know, but I got a good idea.

[Frank Sinatra]

Go ahead, Fortune.

[Rocky Fortune]

Well, let me paint the picture. Somebody stages a fake murder to make Laura think she killed Ms. Verne. Somebody gets five grand, a return for the murder weapon and disposing of the body. And then I fumble my way into the frame and spot it for a fake. Maybe I called the police. So somebody takes the gun and kills Ms. Verne for real.

[Frank Sinatra]

Okay, who done it?

[Rocky Fortune]

Eve Hobson.

[Sam Socrates]

What?

[Laura Chandler]

Sergeant, the boy is delirious.

[Rocky Fortune]

You're the only one who could have taken that gun. Gone out, shot Ms. Vernon, replaced the baby.

[Laura Chandler]

Rocky, it's a little preposterous. Eve has been with me for years.

[Rocky Fortune]

If it's so preposterous, then how about little Eve here taking a paraffin test to see if she's fired a gun recently?

[Laura Chandler]

Don't be ridiculous.

[Rocky Fortune]

And while we're at it, honey, how's the pencil selling business?

[Laura Chandler]

Pencil selling business? Now I know he's mad.

[Rocky Fortune]

You do a pretty convincing old blind woman. Except for one thing. You were selling artist pencils with a special soft lead. The kind your boss uses for making her fashion sketches. Here's the one she sold me, Sarge.

[Frank Sinatra]

Ms. Hobson, do you object to a paraffin test?

[Laura Chandler]

Not in the slightest. I'll get my coat.

[Frank Sinatra]

Okay.

[Rocky Fortune]

If that dame didn't do it, then my name is look out. She's got the window open. Grab her something. Okay, Miss, may I?

[Laura Chandler]

Take it easy.

[Frank Sinatra]

Take it easy. Maybe you won't.

[Rocky Fortune]

Is that enough for you, Sergeant?

[Frank Sinatra]

That's enough. Let's go.

[Laura Chandler]

Miss, do you want me.

[Frank Sinatra]

Just stay where we can reach you. You too, Rocky. Let's go. Ms. Hobson.

[Rocky Fortune]

Well, well. You got any more messages to be delivered, lady?

[Laura Chandler]

Only one.

[Rocky Fortune]

What's that?

[Laura Chandler]

This. I like your messenger service, Mr. Laura. Yes, Rocky?

[Rocky Fortune]

Next time don't send for a boy. This is a man's work. Yeah. NBC has presented Frank Sinatra as that footloose, fancy free and frequently unemployed young gentleman, Rocky Fortune. Tonight's cast included Marion Richmond, Georgia Ellis Bill, Justine Parley Bear and Ted Von Eltz. Tonight's script was written by George Leppert and Andrew C. Love. Directed. Eddie King speaking. Now, to tell you about next week's adventure, here's Frank Sinatra as Rocky Fortune. Did I ever tell you about the bebop musician who dropped me into a hotel shaft and said, man, dig that crazy grave? He meant mine. Tell you about it next week. See you around. Let's Visit with Pippa McGee and Molly tonight on the NBC Radio Network, box.

[Sam Socrates]

13 with the star of Paramount Pictures, Alan Ladd as dan holiday.

[Dan Holiday]

Box 13, care of the Star Times. I should like very much to see you and offer a proposition which could be of mutual profit to us. Of course there is some danger involved, but then your advertisement asks for adventure. So if you are interested, perhaps we could have lunch tomorrow afternoon at 1:00 o.

[Sam Socrates]

Perhaps we could have lunch tomorrow afternoon, say at 1:00. The Golden Arrow ask for Mr. Waring's table. There's some danger involved, he said. Yes, that's what the man said. And brother, that's exactly what he meant. And now Back to box 13 and Dan Holliday's newest adventure, daytime nightmare.

[Laura Chandler]

Well, at least this letter invites you to lunch, Mr. Holiday.

[Sam Socrates]

Huh? Lunch and then what danger, it says.

[Laura Chandler]

That sounds exciting.

[Sam Socrates]

It always does. You know, Susie, someday I'm going to walk into one of these things and not walk out, then follow up.

[Laura Chandler]

One of these other letters. There's one that asks for a babysitter. The woman says her children are an adventurer.

[Sam Socrates]

Oh, no, thanks. I'll take Mr. Waring's letter and his proposition.

[Laura Chandler]

Then you'd better hurry. It's almost 12:30 now.

[Sam Socrates]

Oh, don't push, Susie, don't push.

[Laura Chandler]

What time will you be back?

[Sam Socrates]

Probably this evening. But don't wait for me. Just lock up the office and take off. So long, Susie. The golden Arrow is one of those ultra, ultra dining and luncheon spots where you can get a swell dollar lunch for five. I asked for Mr. Waring's table, and the waiter showed me to a nice support. A small orchestra was playing, a couple were dancing, and Mr. Waring was just sitting there. I took a good look at him before I sat down. He was big and handsome, maybe about 50. And the diamond he flashed on the little finger of his right hand was spelled with 1500 capital dollars. He looked up, saw me standing there. How do you do?

[Dan Holiday]

You're box 13.

[Sam Socrates]

Yes, that's right. You're Mr. Waring, and you're right.

[Dan Holiday]

Please sit down. I've ordered lunch. I hope you approve.

[Sam Socrates]

Oh, thanks. I'm sure I will.

[Dan Holiday]

You're younger than I expected.

[Sam Socrates]

Oh? Disappointed?

[Dan Holiday]

No, no. Please, Tell me, is box 13 the way you make your living?

[Sam Socrates]

Ah, not quite.

[Frank Sinatra]

Yeah.

[Dan Holiday]

Read your advertisement several times. Adventure wanted. Go any place, do anything, write box 13.

[Sam Socrates]

Is that said with disapproval?

[Dan Holiday]

No, not at all, Mr. That holiday. Oh, no, not disapproval then. Just regret. Regret that I hadn't the nerve to do such a thing when I was your age.

[Sam Socrates]

Sometimes the regrets are mine.

[Dan Holiday]

Huh?

[Rocky Fortune]

Oh.

[Dan Holiday]

Oh, I see. You mean once in a while you get something that's hard to handle.

[Sam Socrates]

That's it.

[Dan Holiday]

But you've always come out on top.

[Sam Socrates]

Well, I've had a lot of luck.

[Dan Holiday]

Is there any of it left?

[Sam Socrates]

Do I need some?

[Dan Holiday]

If you do what I ask, you will.

[Sam Socrates]

All right. What's on your mind, Mr. Waring?

[Dan Holiday]

First we'll have lunch. Then we'll talk. Will that be all right with you?

[Sam Socrates]

You say so? Yes.

[Dan Holiday]

Good. Charles, you may bring our lunch now. Now let's enjoy ourselves. There's lots of time to get serious after lunch.

[Sam Socrates]

Well, Waring was a very good conversationist. I learned he was an attorney. And a attorney for one of the biggest estates in the country. He kept leading the conversation around to that every time we got on something else. Then when lunch was over.

[Dan Holiday]

Enjoy it then?

[Sam Socrates]

Very much.

[Dan Holiday]

Cigar?

[Sam Socrates]

Oh, no, thank you.

[Dan Holiday]

Now, if you'll come with me.

[Sam Socrates]

Come with you? But I thought we were going to talk.

[Dan Holiday]

Well, I'd rather have more privacy. You'll understand why when I tell you what I have in mind.

[Sam Socrates]

It's that important?

[Dan Holiday]

Would you say $10 million was important?

[Sam Socrates]

It commands attention, yes.

[Dan Holiday]

Then please come with me.

[Sam Socrates]

We left the golden arrow. The doorman saluted Waring and signaled a big limousine that sneaked up along the curb and purred to a stop.

[Dan Holiday]

Please get in then.

[Sam Socrates]

Oh, pardon me. Where are we? Going?

[Dan Holiday]

Oh, for a ride through the park.

[Sam Socrates]

Wait a minute. I. I want to know what this is all about before I go in for.

[Dan Holiday]

You're not very trusting, are you, dad?

[Sam Socrates]

It's not that.

[Dan Holiday]

Something wrong, Dan?

[Sam Socrates]

Yeah.

[Dan Holiday]

Get in the car, Dan. A little air will make you feel better.

[Sam Socrates]

But I.

[Dan Holiday]

Go on, get in. All right, birds, you know where to go.

[Sam Socrates]

I'd been drugged before, so I knew what it felt like. Felt exactly like this. I came crawling out of the long, dark tunnel with a buzzing in my ears, my mouth dry as cotton. I was lying down and I reached out my arms. I. I was on a cut. A nice white cot in a nice white room. I sat on the edge of the bed, looked around. There was a window, but there were bars over it. I went to the door.

[Rocky Fortune]

Hey.

[Sam Socrates]

Hey. Open up. Open this door.

[Frank Sinatra]

Open this door.

[Sam Socrates]

Somebody. Come on, open the door.

[Rocky Fortune]

Get away from the door.

[Eve Hobson]

Get away from it.

[Sam Socrates]

Open it up, whoever you are.

[Eve Hobson]

Move back away from it and I will. Go on.

[Sam Socrates]

I. Move back and away. There was a pause, and then.

[Eve Hobson]

Well, Mr. Stokes, you've awakened at last.

[Sam Socrates]

Stokes, what are you talking about? Come on, get me out of this gag or I'll break my way out.

[Eve Hobson]

Samuel Hugo. Now, Mr. Stokes, you don't want Samuel and Hugo to take care of you, do you?

[Sam Socrates]

What is this?

[Eve Hobson]

Sit down, Mr. Stokes. Please sit down.

[Sam Socrates]

I won't sit down. Where's Waring?

[Eve Hobson]

He'll be here in a moment. You Want to see Mr. Waring? I'm sure that can be arranged.

[Sam Socrates]

Well, that's better. Call off those mastiffs in white coats.

[Eve Hobson]

Wait outside, Samuel Hugo. And close the door. Go ahead. I'll be all right. Stay where you are, Mr. Stokes.

[Sam Socrates]

Look, if this is a gag, let's run it off the boards and put a tag to it.

[Eve Hobson]

Gag? Why, Mr. Stokes, you sound almost rational.

[Sam Socrates]

Rational? What are you talking about?

[Eve Hobson]

Just that I've no doubt that in a year, perhaps a little more, we can discharge you.

[Sam Socrates]

You mean. You mean this is no gag?

[Eve Hobson]

No, it's not a gag. You're Edward Stokes. Remember that. You're Edward Stokes.

[Sam Socrates]

Where's Waring?

[Eve Hobson]

He'll be here to see you with your wife.

[Sam Socrates]

My wife?

[Eve Hobson]

Of course. I wonder if you remember her.

[Sam Socrates]

I don't know what you're trying to get away with, but if I have to play rough, I can play it.

[Eve Hobson]

Samuel, you go. I think Mr. Stokes needs to be quieted. Take care of it, Samuel.

[Sam Socrates]

Get them away from me.

[Eve Hobson]

When you've decided to be more calm, Mr. Stokes, we can have a talk in my office. Until then, I shall take precautions against your homicidal tendencies.

[Sam Socrates]

Well, it was no gag. Samuel and Hugo were too big for games and they played rough. Samuel left and Hugo sat beside the bed to watch me. I knew now where I was. The sanitarium.

[Frank Sinatra]

Why?

[Sam Socrates]

Why was I called? Edward Stokes had to find out. So I turned to Hugo. What? Oh, Hugo, these straps are hurting me.

[Frank Sinatra]

No dice, Mr. Stokes. I can't loosen them for him.

[Sam Socrates]

Look, get my clothes, take out my wallet, take the money that's in it and just let me get to a telephone.

[Frank Sinatra]

I'm sorry, Mr. Stokes. You know that's against the rules.

[Sam Socrates]

Who was the man who spoke to me before? It's Mr. Cordell, Mr. Not a Doctor?

[Frank Sinatra]

Well, yes and no. This here's a kind of a rest home.

[Sam Socrates]

Does everyone get as much rest as I do?

[Frank Sinatra]

Hey, you're all right, Mr. Stokes. That's pretty funny.

[Sam Socrates]

Yeah, I'm dying. Where are my clothes?

[Frank Sinatra]

We'll get them for you later.

[Sam Socrates]

Look, I'm not Edward Stokes. I'm Dan Holiday. Get it? My name's Dan Holiday. I'm a writer. Swell.

[Frank Sinatra]

I'll bring you a pencil and paper later.

[Sam Socrates]

You go. Go to a phone, call the number I'll give you and ask for Susie.

[Frank Sinatra]

She got a sister for me?

[Sam Socrates]

Now listen, you big lummox, this is a frame up. I am not Edward Stokes. I don't know who he is. I never even heard of him. I'm Dan Holiday, a writer.

[Frank Sinatra]

Yeah, okay, okay, I believe you. Once I took care of a man who was Shakespeare.

[Sam Socrates]

I believed him.

[Frank Sinatra]

I also took care of Michelangelo, Dante, Spinoza.

[Rocky Fortune]

Why?

[Sam Socrates]

I. I want to see Cridell.

[Rocky Fortune]

What for?

[Sam Socrates]

I want to talk to him.

[Frank Sinatra]

What about?

[Sam Socrates]

Does that make any difference?

[Frank Sinatra]

Yeah, because if it's not important, he'll get mad at me.

[Sam Socrates]

All right, tell him. Tell him. I remember now that I'm Edward Stokes, it all comes back to me. Now will you go to him?

[Frank Sinatra]

Yeah, okay. But please, Mr. Stokes, don't try what you did before. I. I hate to get rough.

[Sam Socrates]

Right. I promise.

[Frank Sinatra]

Ah, good boy. Keep on being a good boy and you'll be allowed visitors this afternoon.

[Sam Socrates]

I'll be very happy to see them. Very happy.

[Frank Sinatra]

All right, Mr. Stokes. I brought you to see Mr. Cordell, I guess. Now promise you'll take it easy.

[Sam Socrates]

Oh, sure. Thanks, Hugo.

[Frank Sinatra]

It's nothing. Here he is, Mr. Cordell.

[Eve Hobson]

Good. Close the door and wait outside, Hugo.

[Frank Sinatra]

You sure you'll be all right, Mr. Cordell?

[Eve Hobson]

I think Mr. Stokes has learned his lesson.

[Frank Sinatra]

Sure.

[Rocky Fortune]

Please be a Good boy now.

[Sam Socrates]

Yeah, I will. Hugo.

[Eve Hobson]

So you've become reconciled, Mr. Stokes.

[Sam Socrates]

I know I can talk myself blue in the face to Hugo or anyone else around here and not get anywhere, but I want you to tell me what this is all about.

[Eve Hobson]

I'll be glad to. You're Edward Stokes. You're here for a rest. You were formerly at the Millhaven Sanitarium, but your wife thought this would be a better place. Don't you remember?

[Sam Socrates]

Remember? Of course I do. You've made it all so clear.

[Eve Hobson]

Good, good. Oh, by the way, you're looking so much better than when I saw you last, Mr. Stokes. Would you like to see how much better?

[Sam Socrates]

What do you mean?

[Eve Hobson]

There's a mirror on the door of that closet to your right. Open it and see how you've improved.

[Sam Socrates]

I looked in the mirror. I didn't see Dan Holiday. I saw a stranger. Odell's voice came to me from a million miles away.

[Eve Hobson]

There's some gray in your hair of course, but that's to be expected. As a whole it's still a nice deep, rich black.

[Sam Socrates]

My hair has been dyed.

[Eve Hobson]

Has it? I'll bet you think it was once blonde. I imagine you think your name was once Dan Holiday. Take a good look at yourself, Mr. Stokes. Get acquainted with your new personality. You'll be with it for quite a while.

[Sam Socrates]

Cordell smiled at me. Then I knew for certain this was no joke. I was Edward Stokes. My hair dyed, clever touches of makeup here and there. Even Susie wouldn't have known me.

[Eve Hobson]

Do you know why you become Edward Stokes?

[Sam Socrates]

Why Mr. Cordell?

[Eve Hobson]

Because Mr. Edward Stokes is dead.

[Sam Socrates]

And now back to daytime nightmare. Another box 13 adventure with Alan Ladd as Dan Holiday. Well, there was a twist. I was a dead man, yet I was alive and being kept alive. But for what? Later in my room I thought of making a break for it. But there was always Samuel and Hugo. Then later I was taken again to Cordell's office. This time Hugo went in with me. Cordell wasn't alone with him were wearing a woman. The woman looked me as I entered.

[Laura Chandler]

Edward.

[Sam Socrates]

Edward darling, would you mind just calling me Dan, please?

[Laura Chandler]

Edward, you remember me.

[Dan Holiday]

Of course you remember your wife, don't you Edward?

[Sam Socrates]

Hello Ering. I must buy you lunch sometime. Lunch?

[Dan Holiday]

Oh, oh, of course, of course.

[Eve Hobson]

I told your wife and Mr. Waring that you were so much better, Mr. Stokes. But now you've disappointed me.

[Sam Socrates]

Oh, I'm so sorry, Mr. Cordell.

[Eve Hobson]

Hugo, please wait outside. I'll call you if I need you.

[Frank Sinatra]

Sure, Mr. Cordell.

[Dan Holiday]

He does look like Edward.

[Sam Socrates]

Must you say it so loud, Philip?

[Dan Holiday]

Oh, sorry.

[Sam Socrates]

How long does this go on?

[Dan Holiday]

Not much longer. Of course, it all depends on you.

[Sam Socrates]

Yes. How?

[Dan Holiday]

We'll leave that until later, Clarice.

[Sam Socrates]

What?

[Dan Holiday]

You've got to sign those transfer papers. They're all right, of course. Oh, Edward. It might be interesting for you to watch yourself being committed.

[Sam Socrates]

I'm warning all of you. I'm gonna get out of here and when I do, I.

[Eve Hobson]

When you do what?

[Sam Socrates]

Where's the real Edward Stokes? How does he know about Edward Odell?

[Dan Holiday]

Did you open your mouth?

[Eve Hobson]

What's the difference? He can babble his head off and no one will pay any attention.

[Laura Chandler]

Suppose something goes wrong?

[Eve Hobson]

How can it? It's all too perfect.

[Dan Holiday]

Of course it is. Sign the papers, Clarice. Get it over with.

[Sam Socrates]

Good.

[Dan Holiday]

Now let's go.

[Laura Chandler]

Nothing can go wrong.

[Eve Hobson]

Not unless you double cross me.

[Dan Holiday]

You've got your money and you're in as deeply as anyone. You better see that everything goes all right.

[Eve Hobson]

It will.

[Dan Holiday]

Fine. Now, goodbye, Edward, and good luck.

[Rocky Fortune]

Come along.

[Eve Hobson]

Well, Mr. Stokes, you're now officially in my care.

[Sam Socrates]

That should make everything just ducky. Oh, it will, if it's not asking too much. What happens now?

[Eve Hobson]

My dear Mr. Stokes, if you knew, you wouldn't like it.

[Sam Socrates]

What's to prevent me from reaching across this desk and knocking your head off just for the fun of it?

[Eve Hobson]

This gun will prevent it.

[Sam Socrates]

You wouldn't dare use it.

[Eve Hobson]

No, not directly. But suppose you did try something. Suppose we struggled and the gun went off accidentally. Suppose it did and killed you. Who would be your witness? Not you. You'd be dead. Not Hugo. Because he saw you attack me this morning.

[Sam Socrates]

Cordell leaned back in his chair and grinned. Then he laid the gun on the desk. It was so close to me. So close. He knew what I was thinking because his grin widened. But I had to take the chance. I jump. Stay right there, Cordell.

[Eve Hobson]

All right, now that you've got the gun, what will you do?

[Sam Socrates]

Hand me that phone.

[Eve Hobson]

Certainly. Here you are.

[Sam Socrates]

Keep your hands on top of the desk.

[Eve Hobson]

With pleasure. Whom are you going to call?

[Sam Socrates]

The police.

[Eve Hobson]

All right, go ahead. Hugo. Hugo, what's the matter? Be careful, Hugo, he's raving.

[Sam Socrates]

Hugo, you've got to believe me. I'm not Edward Stokes. I'm Dan Holliday. Give me two minutes to put through a phone call.

[Frank Sinatra]

No, no, no, Mr. Stokes. You don't want to do anything with that gun. Better give it to me like a good boy.

[Sam Socrates]

Hugo, please. Please stay back.

[Eve Hobson]

Careful, Hugo. He may shoot Stay back, Mr. Cordell.

[Frank Sinatra]

I can handle him.

[Sam Socrates]

Hugo, listen to me. Listen to me. Give me two minutes on that phone. Just one minute, Mr. Stokes.

[Frank Sinatra]

Give me that gun.

[Sam Socrates]

Come on, give it to me. Wait, Hugo, wait. I don't want to shoot, but I'll have to do it if you come any closer. Better not, Hugo. I'm in a spot. The real Edward Stokes is dead, Hugo. He's been killed by his wife and his attorney. Listen to me. Stand still and listen to me. Easy. Easy, Mr. Stokes, easy. The real Stokes has been killed. He was taken from the first sanitarium and killed. I was brought here, Hugo, Brought here to impersonate Stokes. Cordell wants me to shoot you, Hugo, so I can be killed legally.

[Eve Hobson]

Stokes, Hugo.

[Frank Sinatra]

I know all that, Mr. Stokes, but.

[Rocky Fortune]

But if you'll.

[Sam Socrates]

Hugo. Hugo.

[Eve Hobson]

I'm afraid you killed him. Stokes.

[Sam Socrates]

Cordell, you shot the poor devil.

[Eve Hobson]

Of course I did, Mr. Stokes.

[Sam Socrates]

You shot him with another gun you just took out of that drawer.

[Eve Hobson]

That's perfectly true, Mr. Stokes.

[Sam Socrates]

Ballistics can prove which gun killed Hugo.

[Eve Hobson]

That's true, too, Mr. Stokes. But who would think of ballistics in connection with a maniac?

[Sam Socrates]

Cordell stood there, smoking gun in his hand. Oh, it was a beautiful frame. In a second, the rest of the people in the place would crowd into that office. What chance would I have? None. Talk myself into a ladder. Cordell put the gun back onto his desk.

[Eve Hobson]

Well, Mr. Stokes, what now?

[Sam Socrates]

I can prove I didn't shoot the gun.

[Eve Hobson]

Think you'll get the chance?

[Sam Socrates]

I'll be back. Get out of the way.

[Rocky Fortune]

Be careful, all of you. Don't chase after.

[Eve Hobson]

He's got a gun.

[Rocky Fortune]

He killed Hugo. Stay back.

[Eve Hobson]

Let him go.

[Rocky Fortune]

Send out a general alarm.

[Sam Socrates]

I ran out into the night out and the rest of my nightmare. I cleared the grounds of the rest home and took to the woods. There was only one thing in my favor. The darkness. I stayed in the woods, but I had to get to a phone. I don't know how long I walked. Maybe an hour, maybe two. Then I saw a house. There were lights in it. I hesitated, but I had to get to that phone.

[Laura Chandler]

That you worry.

[Sam Socrates]

Yeah. Yeah, it's me. Don't. Don't scream. Please get back.

[Laura Chandler]

Please. Please don't.

[Sam Socrates]

Look, I'm not going to hurt you. I. I want to get to a phone. Have you got one?

[Laura Chandler]

No, there's no phone here.

[Sam Socrates]

Where's the nearest one?

[Laura Chandler]

The filling station down the road.

[Rocky Fortune]

Have.

[Sam Socrates]

Have you got any men's clothes? Here?

[Laura Chandler]

In the closet.

[Sam Socrates]

Would you mind getting them out?

[Rocky Fortune]

Go away.

[Laura Chandler]

Please. I won't tell anybody you've been here. But don't hurt me, please.

[Sam Socrates]

You. You know who I am?

[Laura Chandler]

The radio, they said.

[Sam Socrates]

How long ago?

[Laura Chandler]

Half an hour, maybe.

[Sam Socrates]

Get those clothes for me, please. Get them. All right.

[Laura Chandler]

It won't fit you. They're too small.

[Sam Socrates]

I don't care about that. Throw them on the table there. Just trousers and coat. Right. I pulled the trousers and coat on over the pajamas I was wearing. The woman watched me and she watched the door. She was expecting someone. Wally. Probably her husband.

[Laura Chandler]

Then please, please go now.

[Sam Socrates]

How far is that filling station?

[Laura Chandler]

About two miles.

[Sam Socrates]

There's no phone closer than that? No.

[Rocky Fortune]

All right.

[Sam Socrates]

You stay in here. You're not going to get hurt. Just stay in here until you're sure I'm far enough away. You get that?

[Laura Chandler]

Yes, I. I won't move.

[Sam Socrates]

Good. I'll return the clothes later.

[Rocky Fortune]

She screamed.

[Sam Socrates]

I could hear her screams fading into the night as I ran. I had two miles to go. Two miles to the brush and woods. I couldn't risk getting to the road. Then I heard something. I ran. I ran until my legs were torn by the brush. I ran into. My breath, choked in my throat. Then I saw the station, but I couldn't get to it. I crept close and lay down in the mud filled ditch. I knew then what a fox must feel like with the hounds tearing at his heels. I listened. I heard Cordell's voice To begin with.

[Eve Hobson]

He's dark haired, wearing pajamas. But he may have picked up some clothes somewhere.

[Rocky Fortune]

I haven't seen anybody. Better be careful of him, Clay. He's got a gun already. Killed a man back at the home. Don't take no chances.

[Sam Socrates]

Shoot to kill.

[Rocky Fortune]

I will, Sheriff. Thanks for warning me.

[Sam Socrates]

Okay. Clay.

[Frank Sinatra]

Oh.

[Rocky Fortune]

Got a gun?

[Eve Hobson]

Sure.

[Rocky Fortune]

Always keep one in the station.

[Sam Socrates]

Good.

[Rocky Fortune]

Keep your radio turned on too.

[Dan Holiday]

We're running bulletins on the air.

[Rocky Fortune]

That way you can tell if he's headed this way. Sure. See you later, Sheriff.

[Frank Sinatra]

Remember, he's dangerous.

[Eve Hobson]

A homicidal maniac.

[Rocky Fortune]

Take no chances. Okay, Mr. Cordell.

[Sam Socrates]

Thanks.

[Rocky Fortune]

Go on.

[Sam Socrates]

I watched the attendant played for back into the filling station. I watched him take a gun from a drawer and shove it into his pocket. I cut across the road. My stomach hurt from pressing it close against the concrete. Fred came out of the station, looked up and down the road. Then he turned off the lights and locked the door. Don't take another step. Don't look around. Don't reach for that gun in your pocket.

[Rocky Fortune]

What are you going to do?

[Sam Socrates]

Nothing. You won't get hurt. I want to use the phone in the station.

[Rocky Fortune]

It's out of order.

[Sam Socrates]

You're lying.

[Rocky Fortune]

I'm not lying. Why don't you try it?

[Sam Socrates]

Where are the keys to the door?

[Rocky Fortune]

In my pocket.

[Sam Socrates]

Keep your hands out of that pocket.

[Rocky Fortune]

You want the keys, don't you?

[Sam Socrates]

Keep your back turned. I know that gun is in your coat pocket. The keys there, too.

[Rocky Fortune]

No, in my trousers.

[Sam Socrates]

Reach in. Get them out, but be careful. Now, unlock the station door and go in ahead of me. Never mind the lights.

[Rocky Fortune]

Look, why don't you give me your gun? You haven't got a chance, fella. The roads are crawling with prowl cars. They were here just a minute ago.

[Sam Socrates]

Yes, I know. What? I saw them. I reached in that coat pocket. Back to me. Reach in and take out that gun. All right. Hold it by two fingers and drop it on the floor. Go on. Now stand over there while I use the phone.

[Rocky Fortune]

Out of order.

[Sam Socrates]

I told you. Stay where you are. Hello? Hello?

[Eve Hobson]

I told you.

[Sam Socrates]

Where's another phone?

[Rocky Fortune]

The nearest one's about five miles down the road.

[Sam Socrates]

You're lying, like I was about this phone.

[Rocky Fortune]

Look, please, why don't you give up?

[Sam Socrates]

Give me that gun. We'll go into town.

[Eve Hobson]

Please. They'll shoot you down on sight if. If you leave here alone.

[Sam Socrates]

I gotta take that chance.

[Rocky Fortune]

No, you don't.

[Eve Hobson]

I want to give you a break, fella.

[Rocky Fortune]

I want to give you a break because.

[Sam Socrates]

Because once I saw a dog shot.

[Rocky Fortune]

A dog they all said was mad. It wasn't mad. All it wanted was water. But they shot it without giving it a chance.

[Sam Socrates]

Please, give me your gun. Look, if I tell you a story, you won't believe it. I know you won't.

[Rocky Fortune]

Maybe I will. Go ahead.

[Sam Socrates]

I'm. I'm not Edward Stokes. I'm not the man they're hunting for. He's dead. Killed by his wife and his attorney.

[Rocky Fortune]

What?

[Sam Socrates]

I think because they want his estate. If I'm killed as Stokes, they'll identify me as him.

[Rocky Fortune]

Please give me the gun.

[Sam Socrates]

You. You don't believe me, do you?

[Rocky Fortune]

I believe only that if you leave here and get out on that road, you'll be shot down.

[Sam Socrates]

I.

[Rocky Fortune]

You're hurt.

[Sam Socrates]

Never mind. Get me to a phone.

[Rocky Fortune]

I can't.

[Sam Socrates]

All right. Here, take the gun. Take it. What's the way forward now you've got the gun. I want you to do one thing. Get me to a phone. Let me call the police. Let me identify myself, will you? Come on.

[Rocky Fortune]

I've got a car.

[Sam Socrates]

They got me to a phone. I called Lieutenant Cling. And told him the story. And less than an hour later, the sheriff, his men, Clayton. I walked into Cordell's office.

[Eve Hobson]

Oh, you got him. Good work, Sheriff.

[Frank Sinatra]

Yeah, we got him.

[Eve Hobson]

I'm surprised you took him alive.

[Frank Sinatra]

Yeah, so are we.

[Dan Holiday]

Mind stepping over here a minute, Mr. Cordell?

[Eve Hobson]

What? What for?

[Dan Holiday]

Get over.

[Eve Hobson]

What is this?

[Sam Socrates]

You'll find the gun that killed Hugo in that drawer, Sheriff.

[Eve Hobson]

What? Why, this man's mad, Sherry.

[Dan Holiday]

I heard different from the city.

[Sam Socrates]

Look out.

[Rocky Fortune]

Hey, take it easy, Cordell. Get that gun.

[Frank Sinatra]

Sir.

[Sam Socrates]

That'S the gun that killed Hugo, not the one I gave Clayton. You were right, Mr. Cordell. No one would have thought of ballistics to see which gun had killed Hugo. Now I think I need a bath and a nice long rest.

[Laura Chandler]

Were arrested on suspicion of murder. Police are searching for the body of Edward Stokes. Gee, Mr. Holliday.

[Sam Socrates]

Well, it wasn't nice, Susie, but let's forget it.

[Laura Chandler]

Sure, I know what you mean. Oh, say, I have to remind you.

[Sam Socrates]

Of what?

[Laura Chandler]

You've got a luncheon appointment today at luncheon.

[Sam Socrates]

Oh, no, Susie. Next week, same time, through the courtesy of Paramount Pictures. Alan Ladd stars as Dan holiday in box 13. Box 13 is directed by Richard Sanville with this week's original story by Russell Hughes. Original music is composed and conducted by Rudy Schrager. Part of Susie is played by Sylvia Picker and production is supervised by vern Carstenson. Box 13 is a Mayfair production from Hollywood Watch for Alan Ladd and his latest Paramount Picture.