Rocky Fortune and Have Gun, Will Travel

Summary

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Podcast Summary

Podcast: The Relic Radio Show (Old Time Radio)
Episode: Rocky Fortune and Have Gun, Will Travel
Date: February 3, 2026
Host: RelicRadio.com

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Overview

This episode of The Relic Radio Show transports listeners to the golden age of radio drama by featuring two classic programs: Rocky Fortune starring Frank Sinatra, and Have Gun, Will Travel with John Dana as Paladin. The two stories explore themes of deception, mistaken identity, justice, and the complexities of conscience, each delivering suspense, sharp dialogue, and memorable performances.

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Segment 1: Rocky Fortune – “The Room for Rent”

Start: [00:11]
End: [23:39]

Main Theme

Rocky Fortune, a "footloose and fancy free" young man (played by Frank Sinatra), stumbles into a suspicious boarding house where a simple search for a room descends into a complex web of deceit, missing persons, and criminal intrigue.

Key Discussion Points & Moments

Rocky’s New Digs

• Rocky Fortune narrates his hunt for better living arrangements, humorously lamenting how his old place became a “numbers drop.”

  • Notable Quote:

    "When they started using my mailbox as a numbers drop, I decided it was time to find a new pad." – Rocky ([00:17])

• He finds a room at 55 Bishop Street, only to be greeted by a gun-toting superintendent (Lenny) and an iron-willed landlady, Ma Thompson.

The Intruder and the Mystery

• A confused, nervous man named Gerald Kinsey bursts in, claiming Rocky is in his room. Gerald insists his wife, Helen, is missing and that the landlady and Lenny deny ever knowing him.

  • Notable Quote:

    "My wife Helen and I have lived in this room." – Gerald ([07:39])
    "They're just pretending they never saw me. They've done something to my wife. I know they have." – Gerald ([07:58])

• Rocky discovers a cufflink with “G.K.” initials, confirming Gerald's story.

Down the Rabbit Hole

• Rocky discovers Helen, drugged and imprisoned in a backyard garbage shed. Helen pleads innocence but hints at marital strife.

  • Notable Quote:

    "I didn't run away from Gerald. Honest I didn't." – Helen ([11:55])
    "We had a big fight this morning, but... it's those people, Ma and Lenny. They put me out here." – Helen ([11:58])

• Rocky hides in a garbage can to avoid Lenny, leading to a comedic scene with the sanitation crew.

  • Memorable Moment:

    Rocky emerges from a trash can, asking, "Is this the subway to Jackson Heights?" ([14:13])

Truth Unveiled

• The situation escalates rapidly. Revealed through confrontations:

  • Helen staged her own disappearance, bribing Ma and Lenny to hide from her husband.
  • Gerald, far from a hapless victim, is also a criminal, seeking stolen jewels.
  • Ma and Lenny were complicit for profit but turn violent when events spiral.

• Ultimate confrontation: Lenny is shot, the police arrive, and the real criminal identities are revealed:

  • Gerald Kinsey is actually Gerald Kent, wanted for the Rensselaer jewel thefts, with Helen (Norma Lin) as his accomplice.
  • Rocky orchestrates an impromptu sting, leading to their arrest.
  • Notable Quote:

    "Stick around, Hennessy. We'll be out in a minute with two cans full and you can dump them off at the city jail." – Rocky ([23:39])

Notable Quotes

• “When Lenny loses his temper, he’s liable to do anything. Anything?” – Ma and Rocky ([03:27])
• “You better start talking, sonny. Or I’m gonna get rough.” – Rocky ([07:19])
• “What is this, Kill Fortune Day in Brooklyn?” – Rocky ([16:34])
• “You're a murderer, too. Or isn’t that news?” – Rocky ([19:10])
• “Suppose I don't? I'll kill you. I'll help. Ready? Now put the COVID on.” – Gerald and Rocky ([19:43])

Segment Timestamps

• Rocky looks for a new room: [00:11]–[03:27]
• Gerald Kinsey’s arrival & confusion: [04:27]–[07:58]
• Discovery of Helen and garbage can scene: [11:14]–[14:29]
• Action and reveals crescendo: [16:03]–[23:39]

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Segment 2: Have Gun, Will Travel – “Conscience and Justice”

Start: [26:13]
End: [44:06]

Main Theme

Paladin, a professional gunfighter, is summoned by Will Stanhope to the town of Hammond, where a recently freed man seeks justice—or vengeance—for two years wrongfully spent in prison. The story examines the fallout of wrongful accusations and the limits of retribution and forgiveness.

Key Discussion Points & Moments

The Sting of an Old Case

• Paladin regrets bringing in Ed Stacy, who was later exonerated after two years in jail. He’s plagued by guilt, seeking resolution.

  • Notable Quote:

    “You tell yourself, but at the same time, I don’t like to feel that I’ve been responsible for taking two years out of an innocent man's life.” – Paladin ([27:07])

• Will Stanhope fears Ed’s return, believing he’s a target for revenge.

• Stanhope proposes paying Paladin $3,000 to persuade Ed to leave Hammond forever.

  • Notable Quote:

    “$3,000 is a lot of persuasion. Use whatever you have to and keep the rest.” – Stanhope ([31:31])

Confrontation with the Past

• Ed Stacy only wants to start over, but the town, pressured by Stanhope, ostracizes him: no credit, threats of foreclosure.
• Stanhope’s heavy-handedness ignites a personal uprising in Ed’s brother, Ben—who tries to assault Paladin, then later causes a scene in town.
  • Notable Quotes:

    “I was willing to forget that Stanhope in this town cost me two years out of my life. I just wanted a chance to start over.” – Ed Stacy ([37:14]) “A man can take just so much pushing around.” – Ed Stacy ([39:20])

Escalating Tensions

• Ben is jailed following a rampage triggered by news of tax foreclosure. Stanhope intends to drive Ed away by any means.
• An organized attempt is made to rob Stanhope's stage, but Ed and Ben intervene, stopping the would-be robbers.

  • Action:

    • Stage robbery is foiled by the Stacy brothers ([41:40]–[42:09])
    • Sheriff fines the brothers only for disturbing the peace, handing the $3,000 reward to them for their heroism.

  • Notable Quotes:

    “I'm the sheriff here, Mr. Stanhope. I hand out the sentences.” – Sheriff ([43:11])

Justice, in the End

• Paladin brokers justice—and some poetic irony—one last time:
  • Stanhope must pay the Stacys the $3,000 intended to drive Ed out of town.
  • Paladin and Miss Wong reflect on the compromises made to deliver justice, with a sly nod to gray morality.
  • Notable Quote:

    “I believe I can truthfully say I have no pain from conscience.” – Paladin ([44:01])

Segment Timestamps

• Paladin’s guilt and Stanhope’s plea: [26:13]–[32:08]
• Ben’s attack, Ed’s return, and town tensions: [32:08]–[37:47]
• Jailbreak and Stanhope’s trap: [39:05]–[41:40]
• Stage robbery and final justice: [41:40]–[44:06]

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Top Memorable Moments

• Rocky Fortune’s garbage can escapade merges suspense and humor, typifying the show's tone.
• The twist in Rocky Fortune when Helen brandishes a gun, revealing her true nature ([16:34]).
• In Have Gun, Will Travel, the biting exchange:

  “I fine you both $25 for disturbing the peace.” ([43:10]) – subverts expectations for a dramatic showdown.

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Conclusion

This episode of The Relic Radio Show revives the art of the classic radio drama with two vibrant, atmospheric mysteries. Rocky Fortune delivers sharp wit amidst noir intrigue, while Have Gun, Will Travel contemplates the nature of justice and the variances of the human conscience. Both stories are packed with shifting alliances, moral ambiguities, and just enough action to keep listeners rapt from start to finish.

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Transcript

[A]

This is the Relic Radio Show Old Time Radio Entertainment still standing the test of time from relicradio.com. Frank sinatra transcribed as rocky fortune. Here's Frank Sinatra starring as that footloose and fancy free young gentleman, Rocky Fortune. Hi. Did I ever tell you about the time I decided to give up my place on Bleakman street in find a new room? Oh, not that the place was bad, but when they started using my mailbox as a numbers drop, I decided it was time to find a new pad, which I did. The only trouble was the landlady, she wanted to collect the first month's rent in blood. And when I objected, her superintendent tried to terminate my lease on life. Hello? Anybody home? Hey, where's the management? Right behind you. Put up your hands. What is this? You tell me, bright boy. I'm looking for a room. What brought you here? The sign in the window that says room for rent. Now, would you mind pointing that horse pistol the other way? What's Your name? Julius LaRosa. What's yours? Ah, you're a wise guy. Listen, Sammy, put down the artillery and let's get back.

[B]

What is it, Lenny?

[A]

This joke was won around inside, Ma. The door was open. The sign said room for Rent, so I came in.

[B]

You want to rent a room?

[A]

That's the general idea, Ma.

[B]

Put away the gun, Lenny.

[A]

Ma, how do you know who this character is?

[B]

Put it away.

[A]

Thanks, Ma.

[B]

We've been having trouble with thieves lately. Lenny thought maybe you was one.

[A]

Well, I'm glad you protect your guests. Do you have a room?

[B]

We got one vacancy on this floor, third door down.

[A]

Can I see it?

[B]

This way. $5 a week in advance.

[A]

This is a peachy view of the garbage bin.

[B]

Take it or leave it.

[A]

Well, I'd like to leave it, but I need a flop until I can locate an apartment. I'll take it.

[B]

5.

[A]

Wait till I get the vault open, will you? 1, 2, 3, 4, 5.

[B]

No heavy drinking in the rooms. Keep off the second floor. That's where me and Lenny live.

[A]

It's a deal. You keep off my floor and I'll keep off yours.

[B]

I ain't joking, mister. You set foot on those stairs and Lenny's liable to lose his temper. When Lenny loses his temper, he's liable to do anything. Anything? Well, welcome to 55 Bishop Street. My name's Thompson. You call me Ma.

[A]

That's touching.

[B]

If you go out at night, be careful. This is a tough neighborhood.

[A]

I come from a pretty tough neighborhood.

[B]

This ain't pretty tough, it's real tough.

[A]

Oops. I Park my duffel and flop down on the mattress, which is a cross between a sack of cement and the Aberdeen Proving Grounds for light, medium and heavy tanks. No sooner do I close my eyes and the door opens. In walks a little bald headed guy about 40, wearing rimless glasses. A Casper Milk Toast if I ever seen one, and I seen several.

[B]

Wha f. What are you doing here?

[A]

What do I look like I'm doing, playing Scrabble? Do you believe in knocking?

[B]

Get out of this room.

[A]

Oh, you gotta get a little bigger before you talk like that to a full grown man, buster.

[B]

Where are my things? Where's Helen?

[A]

I ain't seen your things. And the only Helen I know is Helena Troy, and she moved to Utica about three years ago.

[B]

Very funny.

[A]

I didn't think it was that good.

[B]

It wasn't. Now, see here. I want you out of our room and I demand to know where. Nothing wrong, Mr. Fortune?

[A]

This billiard head keeps acting like somebody's in the wrong department.

[B]

Mrs. Thompson, what is this man doing in my room? Who are you? Who. Who am I? Why, I'm Gerald Kinsey. My. My wife Helen and I have. We've had this room for a week.

[A]

Now.

[B]

Mister, you're nuts. I ain't never seen you in my life. Never seen me? I. Why, I paid you a week's rent this morning. My wife Helen was. I don't know anybody named Helen except Helena Troy and she.

[A]

He knows. He knows.

[B]

Come on, Horace, get out of here. Oh, are you all out of your minds? What is this? You heard me, Homer. Vanish. I demand my wife. I demand.

[A]

You demand a belt and a mouth. If you don't beat it, I will.

[B]

Now I'll. Something wrong, Ma? We got a stray bedbug. He thinks he lives here. Lenny, Len, you remember me? Gerald Kinsey. My wife Helen and I were.

[A]

Keep talking about. Ma.

[B]

Lenny. Look, Zeke, you got the wrong house maybe, huh? Wrong house? Why, this is 55 Bishop street, room one. My wife and I will. Lenny, show em the door. Let's go.

[A]

I will not go.

[B]

I demand my wife. I demand my wife.

[A]

One, two, and away we go.

[B]

Take your hands off of me and I'll.

[A]

You're nothing. Now get out.

[B]

And if you come back here, I'll kill you.

[A]

Understand? I'll break every bone in your body.

[B]

Ow. Ow.

[A]

I watch Lenny give Gerald a bicep like he was a sack of old feathers. And then I start to unpack. Inside the dresser drawer, I spot a cufflink with a monogrammed initials GK on it. Also There is some spilled face powder. I put the cufflink in my pocket and lie down on my bed to think things over. I'm just starting to doze off when I hear a sound at the window. So I make like I'm asleep and I wake. A second later. Gerald slips into the room with a medium sized paving stone in his mitt. He tiptoes over to the bed and gets ready to drop the concrete on my skull as I mouse trap him. Hold it. Drop it. Come on, drop it.

[B]

Ouch, my arm. You're breaking it. Drop the mickey.

[A]

Now sit down.

[B]

Oh, please.

[A]

You better start talking, sonny. I'm gonna get rough too.

[B]

Who are you?

[A]

My name is Rocky Fortune. I just rented this room. They forgot to tell me it was an outpatient clinic for Bellevue. You're.

[B]

You're not with them?

[A]

With who? I'm not with anybody.

[B]

Oh. Oh, then. Then you've got to help me.

[A]

Give me one convincing reason.

[B]

Listen, you've got to believe me, mister. For the past three days, my wife and I have lived in this room. This morning I went out to look for a job. When I came back just now, they rented the room to you. They're just pretending they never saw me. They've done something to my wife. I know they have.

[A]

Why should they?

[B]

I don't know. They. They. They may be in some shady business or something. Maybe she found out about it. Please, please, you must believe me.

[A]

Hold it, hold it. Your initials are G.K. aren't they?

[B]

Why, yes. Gerald Kinsey.

[A]

You ever see this cufflink? What?

[B]

Why, that's the one I lost. Helen and I looked all over for.

[A]

It was under the shelving, paper and some newspaper in the dresser.

[B]

But. Well, that. That should prove I lived here.

[A]

It's enough to go on, Gerald.

[B]

You see, the whole thing is a plot to.

[A]

Shh. Fortune. Just a minute. Just a minute. Look, you better use the emergency exit out the window. If nature boy finds you in here, he'll take you apart like a jigsaw puzzle.

[B]

What'll I do?

[A]

I got a friend who's a cop. 21st Precinct. Sergeant Finger. Tell him I sent you and bring him back here quick.

[B]

Open up.

[A]

Now beat it. Remember Finger? Sergeant Hamilton J. Finger. I thought I heard somebody talking in there. Talking? Oh, that was me. I always talk to myself. Oh, that's a bad habit. I never listen to it. That's a good one. It'll keep you out of trouble. What kind of trouble did you have in mind? The kind where they bury you. Remember it, And I settle down to Wait for Gerald and the John Doms. After a couple of minutes, I hear the steps creak. I cracked the door in time to see Grandma carrying a brown paper bag to the back of the hall. She takes maybe two steps and stops.

[B]

You're liable to get your nose caught in the crack of that door, Mr. Fortune.

[A]

I could spare a little.

[B]

We like the border to keep the door closed.

[A]

You and Lenny are a couple of real trusting souls, ain't you?

[B]

I told you we've been having sneak thieves.

[A]

Can I help you with that paper bag?

[B]

Just going out back to put the garbage out. I can manage.

[A]

Just try to be friendly.

[B]

Try it with the door closed.

[A]

Sure, Ma. I hear Mar go out the back door with a bag of garbage. After about 20 minutes, I hear a close the door and go up the steps again. I figure either she went all the way to the city disposal plan with that stuff or it wasn't a bag of garbage. After things quiet down, I tiptoed down the hall and opened the back door. There's a small yard with a high concrete wall. It's filled with broken bottles, old almanacs and other valuable stuff. At one end is a small wooden shed big enough for a half a dozen garbage cans with a cheap padlock on the outside. Just in a hunch, I go over to the shed and knock. Anybody home? Now, why would anybody want to put a padlock on the garbage? Anybody here beside you chickens? Okay, we'll just do a little lock picking and have a look. Well, don't tell me the housing authority has this place listed as an apartment. You're Helen, right?

[B]

Who are you?

[A]

My name is Rocky Fortune. How does that guy raid a knockout like you?

[B]

Are you. Are you working for Gerald?

[A]

More or less. He and I seem to share a room.

[B]

Listen, you've got to help me.

[A]

Hey, we better close the door just in case Lenny decides to check on his guests. Why have they got you locked up here?

[B]

I. I don't know, man. The big one, Lenny. They must have drugged me or something. You got to tell that to Gerald. They locked me out here. They told me they'd kill me if I made a sound. No kidding, mister.

[A]

What are you so scared of me for?

[B]

You tell Gerald I wouldn't want him to think I left him on my own or anything. You know how he gets.

[A]

You have been drugged. I'll take it easy. Kid will have you out of here no time. As soon as I figure out a way.

[B]

Believe me, don't you? I didn't run away from Gerald. Honest I didn't.

[A]

Did you want to?

[B]

We had a big fight this morning, but I didn't mean what I said. It's those people, Ma and Lenny. They put me out here.

[A]

All right, come on, let's get out of here. The fragrance from these garbage cans is a little bit too.

[B]

Oh, what is it?

[A]

That was the back door to the house. Here comes Lenny and Grandma.

[B]

You'd better hide.

[A]

Where? In my pocket.

[B]

The garbage can.

[A]

Smart girl. Okay, put the lid on. Hey, turn on the air conditioning, will you? I'm feeling a little bit like a rotten pimento in an undersized olive. When it dawns on me that Lenny's gonna notice that the lock has been opened. He does? Were you out here, Ma?

[B]

I just brought her some food.

[A]

Lock is open.

[B]

I locked it.

[A]

It didn't open itself. You gotta be careful.

[B]

I told you I locked it.

[A]

We better go in. Food.

[B]

Okay, dearie? Yes.

[A]

You better finish it. We're getting you out of here in about 15 minutes.

[B]

Out?

[A]

Your husband was snooping around. Things might get a little too hot.

[B]

Where will you take me?

[A]

Oh, I know a nice quiet spot where nobody will look in a million years. I gotta buy a car. As soon as I get it, we move out. Come on, Ma.

[B]

You better take the full garbage cans out front for the collection. Lenny, what's today? Tuesday. We got a load of stuff. Okay, I'll stay here and watch. Mrs. KINSEY.

[A]

Here's the gun. I'll just throw this one out first. What you got in here, old lad? For a couple of minutes, I die while Big Lenny rolls me out to the front of the house to be picked up by a gent from the sanitation department. As I feel myself lifted into the truck, I decide I'll keep quiet till Lenny gets back to the house. It's then that I hear the machine that grinds the stuff. Okay, Charlie, toss up that next can. What's the matter, Charlie? You forget to eat your Crispy Crunchies? Come on, let's have it. Hey, I see what you mean. Now, let's get the COVID off this one and take a look. Hey, pardon me, Sam. Is this the subway to Jackson Heights? What are you doing in that can? Can? Holy mackerel. I thought I was in a subway car. Give me a hand, will you, Sam? Yeah, sure. Are you nuts, buster? I guess I am.

[B]

Sam.

[A]

Would anybody in his right mind get into a garbage can by mistake? I'll see you around. I shake a few breadcrumbs out of my hair and climb off the truck. I sneak back into the house and make for my room. I get there and hear voices inside. I told you to stay away from here.

[B]

I want my wife, Lenny. And I'll. I'll kill you if you don't tell me where she's hiding.

[A]

Go ahead, pull the trigger. You haven't got the guts to kill anybody.

[B]

It won't be the first time.

[A]

It may be the last.

[B]

Leg on my throat. Rocky. Rocky.

[A]

Hit him. A pleasure, pal.

[B]

Is he out?

[A]

Like a busted street lamp.

[B]

I guess. You saved my life.

[A]

How come you didn't get the cops?

[B]

I got a gun instead. I was determined I'd handle it myself.

[A]

Somehow you just don't seem the type. Anyway, I located your ever loving wife, Helen. Where? They got her stashed in a wooden garbage shed in the back.

[B]

No, I'll get her.

[A]

You stay here and keep the gun on lover boy. In case he recovers from that belt I gave him. I'll get Helen.

[B]

Okay, maybe that's best.

[A]

And keep an eye out for Ma. I don't think she's gonna like. I leave Gerald and Lenny in my room and slipping my way out to the shed, I do another halfpen job in the lock and open it up. Helen's sitting on a stack of old newspapers waiting. Helen.

[B]

Rocky. You all right?

[A]

Yeah, except for a slight tinge of city dump number five. You ready to get out of the shoebox?

[B]

Yes. But what about Lenny?

[A]

Lenny's in on his face in my room and your husband's holding a heater on him.

[B]

Gerald is here?

[A]

Uh huh.

[B]

I see. Puts a slightly different color on things.

[A]

You don't look very happy.

[B]

I'm not.

[A]

What's wrong?

[B]

It's none of your business.

[A]

Now look, baby, I almost got myself bumped off getting you out of this trap. Now level with me.

[B]

I'll level Rocky, but at you, not with you. Get him up.

[A]

What is this? Kill Fortune day in Brooklyn? Where did you get the artillery?

[B]

I had it.

[A]

I don't get it.

[B]

You will. Turn around.

[A]

So you ain't exactly the damsel in distress I figured you for.

[B]

Look, button brain, for reasons of my own, I'm not interested in meeting my dear husband right now. I told Ma and Lenny that he was an escaped convict holding me prisoner. I talked them into hiding me out here and pretending they'd never seen me.

[A]

How did you manage that?

[B]

Little money can make people do very noble things. No more talk now. This won't hurt a bit. I'll just hold it. Helen, drop the gun. You keep away from it, Fortune. Okay, Ma. Into the Shed, you can't do this. Lenny needs a doctor. I'm doing it. And he'll come to in an hour or so. I. I just kick him once or twice.

[A]

Oh, you're a nice kid.

[B]

We're even, Fortune. You saved me. I saved you.

[A]

Shall we dance?

[B]

The only ones who are gonna dance are me and my sweet little double crossing wife. Gerald, I swear I didn't double cross you. The old woman and her son, they found out about the jewels. They locked me out here and tried to make me give them up. That's a lie. You told us your husband took dope and beat you. You asked us to help you get away from them. That sounds more like my little girl. She's lying, Gerald. They kidnapped me. Sure, sure. Where's the stuff? I hid it. I'll bet you did. Well, find it. It's in the ash can. Here. Is this all the stuff from the Rensselaer jobs? All there, Gerald. It better be. Cause you and I are going for a little journey. And you know how it upsets me when somebody tries to pull a fast one on me. Hello there. Okay, Fortune, you and Ma here are lucky. I'm gonna give you a chance to stay alive for a while longer. Cause you've been so good. Come on, baby, we're going.

[A]

You ain't going any place, mister.

[B]

Well, look who woke up. Step aside, big boy.

[A]

Not till I finished that little job on you that I started a while back.

[B]

Hey, don't do it. She isn't worth. It was a trick. They're both thieves.

[A]

I ain't interested in what they are and what they ain't. I'm going to take your pot, baldy. And then I'm going to work on your pal here.

[B]

I warn you, Lenny. I'll shoot you.

[A]

You don't scare me.

[B]

Lenny, don't. Please, Mr. Isil Gro. He don't know what he's doing. Tell him to step right. Lenny, don't do it. Going to give you something to remember. Lenny. Letty. Oh, no. No. Keep away from him, Ma.

[A]

You're a murderer too. Or isn't that news? Shut up.

[B]

Helen, take Ma into the house and lock her in a cellar. What are you gonna do? Never mind that. Get going. Somebody might have heard those shots. Come on, Ma. Jerry, there's a cop standing out at the end of the alley. Is he coming? No, he's just looking around. He heard the shots. Hurry up. Get going. Let's go. Now don't try anything. I got 50 grand worth of stuff here. I won't okay, Fortune, help me get this stiff into one of those empty cans.

[A]

Suppose I don't? I'll kill you. I'll help. Ready?

[B]

Now. Now put the COVID on.

[A]

Hello.

[B]

Shut up.

[A]

Anybody in that shed?

[B]

Climb into that other can.

[A]

Now listen.

[B]

I said climb in. One peep and I'll let you have it.

[A]

Anything you say.

[B]

Now sit down. I'm gonna put the COVID on. Now listen, do what I say, okay?

[A]

Okay. Anybody in here?

[B]

Hello, officer.

[A]

Oh, I thought I heard somebody in here.

[B]

Oh, I. I live here. I. I just came out to take the garbage cans out front.

[A]

Oh, didn't happen to hear a sound like a couple of shots a minute ago, did you?

[B]

Shots? I was rattling these garbage cans so that I. I couldn't even hear you come down the alley.

[A]

Funny, I thought sure they came from behind the house. See, you're a small man to be handling those heavy cans. Let me help you roll them out in front.

[B]

Oh, that's all right, officer. I. I can manage them.

[A]

Ah, nonsense. I hate to see a man hurt himself. I was out of work for three months myself once lifting a car off a dead body.

[B]

What? You don't say.

[A]

Here, here, I'll wrestle this one for you. Oh, my Thompson must do some heavy bacon.

[B]

Well.

[A]

So there I am again, headed for the city dump. I'm afraid to open my app because I don't know whether Gerald has his cannon pointed at me or not. So I figure I'll let him roll me out to the sidewalk before I make my move. By the time I reach the street, I'm so dizzy I feel like I'm in somebody's mixer with the dial set at Heavy Whip.

[B]

Oh, thanks, officer. You. Well, you. You can just leave them right here. Oh, looks like we missed the morning pickup anyway.

[A]

Yeah, there's an empty one here. Well, I'll just be moving along.

[B]

Oh, thanks a lot. You're a real lifesaver.

[A]

I hate to see a man strain himself. I was. Well, you're in luck. Here comes the garbage truck back from his run. I'll just stop him.

[B]

Oh, no, no, no, no, no. There's no need for that since he's.

[A]

An old pal of mine. Hey, Henness.

[B]

What's the. Well, well, if it ain't New York's.

[A]

Finest officer Clarence Kill Cannon. Hey, Hank, do us a favor, will ya? Ma Thompson missed the morning pickup, and she's got a couple of cans loaded to the brim. Would you dump them out, Thompson? Huh? Say, you know, I was emptying one of her cans this morning, and a Live character steps out and asks me if this is the subway. Ah, sure, and you're pulling my leg. May I never take another breath if it ain't true. Another drop would be more fitting. Here now.

[B]

Hey, Charlie, give the officer a hand with those.

[A]

I wouldn't want him to strain himself. Up we go. And off with the lid. Oh, no. Top of the can to you.

[B]

What the. Hey, mister. Hey, come back.

[A]

Officer, grab him. There's a corpse in that other can.

[B]

Hey, come back. Come back or I'll shoot.

[A]

My arm. Stand still. It's just a scratch. Now, what's this about? He shot Mrs. Thompson's son. The body's in the other can, Officer.

[B]

It's. Oi.

[A]

We'll just go back and have a look. Hey, wait a minute.

[B]

What is it?

[A]

I know you're from someplace. The lineup, maybe. Line up by Godfrey. There's an APB out for this character, Gerald Kent, alias Kinsey, alias Kenoit. Wonderful. Rensselaer jewels theft with a woman named Norma Lin. That's the boy. His wife's inside the house. Well, just go in and see about that. Hey, Kid Cannon.

[B]

What do you want me to do about the garbage?

[A]

Stick around, Hennessy. We'll be out in a minute with two cans full and you can dump them off at the city jail. NBC has presented Frank Sinatra as that footloose and fancy free young gentleman, Rocky Fortune. Others in tonight's cast include Frank Richards, Gloria Ann Simpson, Jim Eagles, Virginia Gregg, Eddie Fields and Maurice Hart. Tonight's script was written by George Lefferts. Andrew C. Love directed. Here is a question. What is the top speed you can safely drive after dark if you have to rely on your own headlights to show up? Danger? The answer, according to the national safety council, is 45 miles per hour. If you exceed 45, you're driving beyond the visibility limit of your headlights. Keep plenty of distance between yourself and the car ahead. The secret of safe driving is simply to use common sense. Take your time, not your life. Tonight, enjoy fiber McGee and Molly on the NBC radio network. I don't need a gun for you, mister. You're all eaten up with fear and hate. The most you can hope for now is a fast death. Have gun will travel. Starring Mr. John Dana as Paladin. San Francisco, 1875. The Carlton Hotel, headquarters of a man called Paladin.

[B]

Mr. Paladin?

[A]

Oh, yes, Ms. Wong.

[B]

You want light for a cigar?

[A]

Oh, I didn't realize I hadn't lighted it. Thank you.

[B]

I noticed. You see here long time study item in newspaper.

[A]

Yeah, sort of turn back the clock. This is the hammond sentinel. Last week's edition. Now read you the item. Deathbed confession clears ed Stacy dying of gunshot wounds suffered in a futile attempt to rob the overland stage. Joe barnes, a former driver. Conference confessed to another hold up two years ago and exonerated ed Stacy who had been convicted of the crime and sentenced to a long term imprisonment. Oh, so see, Ms. Wong, two years ago I brought ed stacy back for trial.

[B]

Oh, you have pain from conscience, but you only do job, Mr. Pilot.

[A]

That's what I've been telling myself. You tell yourself, but at the same time, I don't like to feel that I've been responsible for taking two years out of an innocent man's life over. Now I'm not so sure. Here's the rest of the newspaper report. Will Stanhope, president of the overland line, announced he would personally arrange for stacy's release and expressed profound regret at the miscarriage of justice. Oh, sounds fine, doesn't it?

[B]

Oh, Easter.

[A]

Well, that telegram you delivered to me a half an hour ago was from the same Will Stanhope. What can I do with him? I don't know. Oh, now, here, listen, need you life in danger. Come at once.

[B]

Mike. How unfortunate. Oh, what you plan, Mr. Paladin?

[A]

Well, he says at once. I guess I better get started. Hello, this is marvin miller with another page from your american heritage scrapbook. In the 17th and 18th centuries, newly discovered America offered breathing space for the cramped peoples of Europe. But no one could guess how rapidly the vast, unsettled wilderness could be tamed. Englishmen arriving in Jamestown and Plymouth were beset by famine, disease and hostile Indians. They were lucky to survive at all. Populating the colonies was a slow and arduous process, but due largely to the great puritan migration from Europe. By 1641, some 50,000 English settlers had reached North America. 75 years later, this continuous migration from Europe and the british isles had brought the colonial population to 435,000. On the eve of the revolution in 1775, two and a half million people inhabited the 13 colonies, approximately one third of the population of all great britain. The first Federal Census in 1790 disclosed that less than 3% of the population were in towns of more than 10,000. Most immigrants lived on the land, but cities were beginning to flourish. Revolutionary Philadelphia, with its 40,000 inhabitants, was the first colonial city in size. New York was second with 25,000, Boston with 16,000, third. Charleston, the largest city of the south, numbered 12,000. America was growing. And in spite of all adversity, America Was destined to continue its growth.

[B]

Why?

[A]

Possibly because america was a dream for freedom loving people. Then, as it is today, The trip to hammond wasn't exactly a pleasant one. Before I reached town, my horse foundered. I walked the last three miles carrying my saddle and bag. I was exhausted, but the matter seemed urgent, and I'd already wasted time. So I went directly to the overland stage office. Except that he appeared to sheriff shrunk a bit, and his skin seemed to be drawn even tighter over his thin, sharp face. Will stanhope hadn't changed much in the two years since I'd last seen him. I recognized the man with him as sheriff clyde. Hello, paladin.

[B]

Paladin, glad you got here.

[A]

Sit down. I'm tired. So whatever it is you've got on your mind, stanhope, let's get started on it, shall we? Halligan. He's come back for revenge. He just came home. Back to his ranch. What else would he do? You talking about ed? Stacy? You know about stacy? Read it in the paper. Stanhope here thinks ed's gonna be gunning for him. Boy's got a right to be sore, considering what happened. I say if we try to make it up to him, show him we're glad he's back, he'll cool off. I agree. Let's wait and see, huh? Wait for him to kill me, I suppose. Well, all I know is I can't arrest a man for what he's thinking. Better get back to the office. Fool.

[B]

Now do you know why I sent you that wire, paladin? I need someone to protect me.

[A]

Just what do you want me to do, Mr. Stanhope? There's $3,000 in this envelop. If stacy could be persuaded to leave Hammond for good. $3,000 is a lot of persuasion. Use whatever you have to and keep the rest.

[B]

I. I wouldn't even care if you kept it all.

[A]

As long as I never had to worry about stacy again. That kind of deal is out. I'll find stacy and talk to him in the morning.

[B]

Maybe if you saw him tonight.

[A]

I assure you I'll be much more persuasive after a night's sleep. I was just settling down to get that night's sleep When I heard someone in the hall outside my hotel room and a splintering sound as the flimsy door gave way to pressure. I made a try for my gun, but it hung just out of reach. Who are you? My name is ben stacy. You and me are going to have a little talk, Ben. Stacy. You're going to have a Little talk about the way you and Stan Hope railroaded my brother. Admiral, I wasn't his judge and jury. I did the job I was paid for. You're wrong, mister. You ain't been paid yet. I'm taking care of that right now. Ben. Ben, stop it.

[B]

Stop in your.

[A]

Oh, you want to kill him. We're only trying to help you, Ed. I. I know, but you go on, man. Go on. All right. I was only trying to help. Yeah, I know. Pellen. Pellen, you all right? Yeah, I guess so. Oh, God. I was close. I was too close. I heard you were in town. I was afraid. You see, Ben, he gets an idea somebody's trying to do me harm. It's hard to shake the idea out of him. Why don't you let him? Let him finish the job. It might have saved you some trouble. I don't see there's any trouble between us. There's going to be if you don't leave Stanhope alone. Me leave him alone? That's right. You got things backwards.

[B]

Why don't he leave me alone?

[A]

You say Stan Hope is after you. Tell me about it. When I came back, I made up my mind to forget what had happened. I. I didn't expect any favors. I just wanted to start from scratch. But with a fair shake. You aren't getting a fair shake. Huh? I made this trip into town to get supplies my ranch needs. I'm going back tomorrow. My wagon is empty as it was when I came. Now the merchant in Hammond will extend me credit. The pressure's been put to him. Stanhope carries a lot of weight around here, huh? Here. What's this? It's from Stanhope. $3,000. I don't get it. I think I do. You're his conscience. You bother him. His conscience? Why? The price tag on it. There's a condition. What? You're to leave Hammond. How come? Stanhope believes you're going to kill him. Oh, I thought about it. I was going to make him pay for every rotten second.

[B]

Huh?

[A]

And now. Now he's just a sniffling, scared little man. He's not worth going to prison for. Now take his 3,000 back to him. His conscience is going to stick around and bother him for a long time. The next morning, I went to make my report to will Stanhope. There was a crowd gathered in front of the overland office. Debris littered the street. The windows were broken, and the door was ripped off its hinges. As I walked in, it sounded as though somebody were tearing the place apart. Somebody was. Big Ben Stacy was on A ramp.

[B]

Sheriff, Stop him. He's going crazy. Sheriff.

[A]

Ben, I order you to stop. Ben, don't cry. I don't shoot. You better get the cuffs on him, sheriff, before he comes, too. Yeah. That boy really went loco.

[B]

He. He'd have killed me.

[A]

What happened?

[B]

Somebody told me.

[A]

Ben. He'll be all right, Ed. Sorry, ed. Gonna have to lock him up. Ben do this? Yeah. Ben's a simple guy, easy going. As a rule, only one thing sets him off. It's always been that way, ever since we were kids. Easy. Ben don't like seeing anybody shove me. All right. What started him off? Well, I gave him a letter. A letter was for you. He read it and busted loose. What was in the letter? It was a delinquent tax notice on ed's ranch. You're threatening foreclosure for $3,000? Taxes haven't been paid for two years. You know why they weren't. Couldn't you have waited? Routine business, Paladin. I'll handle it my way. You're handling it stanhope's way. Everybody in town's handling things his way.

[B]

And I'm up to here with easy there.

[A]

Boy, I was willing to forget that stanhope in this town cost me two years out of my life. I just wanted a chance to start over.

[B]

But you won't let me.

[A]

You're pushing me around. Treat me like I was really a criminal. I had this. A man can take you so much pushing around. Paladin, you gonna take my brother to jail? I have to. It all right, stanhope. We'll play this your way from now on. Since I've already put in two years for nothing, I got something real big coming right out of your hide.

[B]

Yeah, you heard him, sheriff. He threatened me. I demand protection.

[A]

You'll get it when I see that you need it. Haladin, you didn't play straight with me. You didn't tell me you were trying to crowd stacy out. I gave you that $3,000 for him after setting him up so he'd have to take it and leave town or lose everything.

[B]

I had to do it, Paladin. He would have killed me.

[A]

He didn't want any part of you. But whatever happens from now on, you can blame yourself. Stanhope. Here. Your money. Hire an army with it. I'd had enough of hammond. Without a horse, I was at the mercy of will stanhope stage line, and I had to wait over. It was just before dawn when I was awakened by the commotion outside on the street. I got out of bed and opened the Window. You men make a circle, try to head them off. Sheriff. Sheriff. Up here.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

What happened?

[B]

Just busted ben stacy out of jail.

[A]

Did ed do it?

[B]

No, it wasn't ed. It was Dan and floyd. They worked for Ed. Ah, looks like they're fixing for real trouble.

[A]

He said it, Sheriff.

[B]

Said what?

[A]

A man can take just so much pushing around. Morning, sheriff. Morning. Your men bring in Stacy? No. Clean getaway. You leaving on the stage? Yeah. You know, you'll be sharing your seat with a shotgun rider. Shotgun guard riding inside with something new. Stanhope's orders. Oh, the trap. He figures now that ed and Ben stacy will hit one of the stages sooner or later. Wants it to look easy for him. Mr. Stanhope has a talent for conniving. Yeah, he wants to get him real bad. Even offered a reward before they've done anything. Well, it says for catching or killing anybody who tries to hold up an overland stage. Guess we know what he means. $3,000. At the Three Fort station. We had a 10 minute stopover to change teams. I went inside to have a glass of rye. The place was empty except for the bartender with his hands high. And ed and Ben Stacy with their revolvers leveled. Don't try anything, Paladin. Using up your two years in a hurry, aren't you? Didn't figure them as any more than a deposit. Why waste them on me? Not you, paladin. The stage. Dan and floyd are taking care of it right now. I'm just making sure nobody bothers. Hey, Ben. Yes? Watch my door back there. Sure. You, bartender, Keep your hands up and your mouth shut. Driver and shotgun are out of the way. Stanhope had you pegged. He pegged me two years ago. You ever hear the one about, if you have the name, you might as well play the game? You don't have the name yet. It won't be long now. Well, this time there'll be no mistake about it. This time he'll serve out your sentence. If they get me, they'll get you sooner or later. That's where I make Stanhope sweat. You going to make a fugitive out of Ben, too, don't you? Shut up. Big, simple Ben whose only concern in life is protecting you. When a posse comes after you, do you figure him to stop the slug meant for you? Ellen, you got a big mouth. And you've got a small brain. Taking this risk for some stupid idea of revenge. Revenge against a man who isn't worth it to begin with. He hit floyd and Dan. They're coming. They got it. Let's go. Ed, we got the strong bucks. Put it back, Dan. What? Put it back, I said. You're going crazy. You think we went through this whole thing for nothing? For the last time, put it back and cut out. We'll cut out, but we're taking the money with us, huh?

[B]

Floyd Lesson.

[A]

You want to stop us? If I have to. Don't try it. Thank you for showing up, men. This won't take long. Now, this is the deposition of the bartender at Three Fork Station, witnessed by Mr. Paladin here. According to this, these men, floyd smith and dan Angus, tried to rob the stage, and ben and ed stacey stopped them, shot him down. That right, Mr. Paladin? Yeah. Nice work, ed. Ben. Thanks. Now, you hold on, sheriff. These men are liable to arrest.

[B]

Wrecking my office. Jailbreakin.

[A]

That's right. I fine you both $25 for disturbing the peace.

[B]

Fined?

[A]

I'm the sheriff here, Mr. Stanhope. I hand out the sentences. What about the damages to my office? Well, I suggest that you deduct the repairs and the reward you posted.

[B]

Reward?

[A]

For the capture or death of anyone who attempts to rob an overland stage. That's the way it read, didn't it, Sheriff? Sure did. $3,000. Oh, well, thank you, Ms. Wong.

[B]

Thank you. Nice to have you home. You see, a cause of justice was, sir?

[A]

Well, I think so, Ms. Wong. Of course, there are those who might question you see, there was a little matter of convincing a certain bartender that he didn't see what he thought he saw for a certain sum of money. Understand?

[B]

Oh, Isa, I understand. Bribery.

[A]

Now, Ms. Wong. At any rate, I believe I can truthfully say that. I truthfully say I have no pain from conscience. Have gun will trouble, created by herb meadow and Sam rolfe, is produced and directed by Norman McDonnell and stars John dana as Paladin, with ben wright as hey boy. Tonight's story was written by albert alley and adapted for radio by anne Dowd. Featured in the cast were harry bartel, jack moyles, ken lynch, Barney phillips, Lou Krugman and virginia Greg. Hugh douglas speaking. Join us again next week for have gun will Travel.

[B]

Sam.