Ten Dollar Bill | The Man In 206 - Dark Venture

[00:00:03] [SPEAKER_12] Dark Venture. Over the minds of mortal men come many shadows. Shadows of greed and hate, jealousy and fear. Shadows which fog the minds of men and women, which urge them on into their venture in the dark.

[00:00:39] [SPEAKER_12] The American Broadcasting Company presents Dark Venture. Written by Larry Marcus, directed by William T. Johnson, and featuring an all-star cast. And now, your host for tonight's journey into darkness, Orson Welles.

[00:01:14] [SPEAKER_14] Tonight, the city has a fable to unfold for those who would follow us through the summer darkness. It is not quite eleven o'clock in the city. The street lamps are glowing targets for mosquitoes and moths. The endless miles of neon tubing slashing the darkness with garish reds and blues and greens.

[00:01:38] [SPEAKER_14] Traffic moves quickly down the street. The sidewalks are filled with sleepless citizens fruitlessly searching for some wayward breeze. But here, where our story begins, here in this dark alley, there is only George. A skinny, scrawny bum, whose bed for tonight is a strip of cobblestones behind a row of trash. It would be interesting to wonder what the old bum dreams about as he sleeps in the alley. But there is no time, for now suddenly, George is no longer alone.

[00:02:08] [SPEAKER_04] Get out. Listen to me, you got me all wrong. Get out. No, but wait, listen to me. Start walking down the alley. Harry, I'm begging you. Give me a break, Harry, I'm begging you. I'm begging you. Start walking.

[00:02:24] [SPEAKER_05] But Harry, listen to me. This is dark alley. Maybe you can get away. You mean you'll let me get away? You mean you'll tell the boss you couldn't help her? Is that what you mean, Harry?

[00:02:34] [SPEAKER_04] You never can tell. Oh, Harry, I always said you were okay. I always knew it.

[00:02:39] [SPEAKER_05] Go on, start down the alley. Sure, sure, Harry. And the boss will believe you too, Harry. It's a dark alley.

[00:02:45] [SPEAKER_04] Walk faster, Joe. Walk faster. Yeah. Go faster. Go on, Harry. Thanks. Run, Joe. Run, run. Yeah, run.

[00:03:12] [SPEAKER_14] Tony Bum's feet. The car races away and now George the Bum is alone in the alley with the dead man.

[00:03:20] [SPEAKER_05] Can't be found with this guy. They might blame me. Gotta get out. Gotta get out.

[00:03:26] [SPEAKER_04] Hey, but wait. Use your head, George. Look at the clothes this guy's wearing. Even in the dark you can see how classy they are. He's really got a role in his wallet and he don't need it anymore. Hurry. Can't waste any time. Here. Here's his wallet. Gotta get out of here.

[00:03:52] [SPEAKER_14] But as George turns to run, the wallet drops from his nervous fingers. The money scatters across the cobblestones. He has no time to look for it in the dark. The police are already coming up the alley. He grabs the first bill his fingers touched and then starts running. George doesn't stop running till half a dozen blocks separate him from the alley. And the dead man. And the police. Now finally he slows down to a walk, where the people on the street are staring at him.

[00:04:22] [SPEAKER_14] Fearful that they might wonder what he clutches so tightly in his fist, he steps into a doorway. Opens his hand. By the dim hallway light, he looks.

[00:04:31] [SPEAKER_03] A ten dollar bill. I'll bet there was fifty of them in that wallet. And all I got was one.

[00:04:40] [SPEAKER_05] Well, no use crying about it now. Anyway, there's still a lot of things a guy can do with a ten dollar bill.

[00:04:52] [SPEAKER_14] A ten dollar bill. But, this is a very special ten dollar bill. And you are not to lose sight of it for an instant. For in a sense, you might say, the hero of our journey into darkness tonight is this ten dollar bill. Now George folds the bill into a pocket, heads across Fifth Avenue to Charlie's Tavern. Not many in Charlie's place tonight. The usual crowd. Everybody's edgy. It's hot. It's too hot tonight to get much of a kick out of seeing old George mosey him.

[00:05:22] [SPEAKER_05] Hiya, fellas. Hot night, isn't it? Oh, that's true. And here's Charlie, the best darn bartender that ever scraped a head off a glass of cold beer.

[00:05:31] [SPEAKER_10] I don't think none of the boys is in the mood to set you up tonight, George. Why don't you, Peter?

[00:05:35] [SPEAKER_05] Just a minute. Just a minute. How many times would you say I mooched drinks off you fellas, huh?

[00:05:41] [SPEAKER_04] Too many times.

[00:05:42] [SPEAKER_03] Yeah, yeah. Yeah, too many times. But I always give you a laugh, didn't I? Old George always give you a laugh for setting them up. George, go on, Peter.

[00:05:50] [SPEAKER_05] All old George had to do was say, this is a fine end for a fella who studied business administration at Princeton University.

[00:05:59] [SPEAKER_03] And then you all had a good laugh at old George. Well, tonight's gonna be different. Look, will you scram out of here? Tonight old George is gonna set him up for you boys. Every one of you. Ten dollars worth. And this time, when he tells you about Princeton, this time, you're not gonna laugh at all. Set him up, Charlie. Anything they want. Ten bucks worth. That's all that does it. Get out of here. Well, what are you talking about? I told you to set him up.

[00:06:26] [SPEAKER_14] And I told you to get out, you drunken bum. Huh? But he's gonna try to pull ten bucks worth.

[00:06:31] [SPEAKER_03] I got the... Get out! No, no, hey, out!

[00:06:33] [SPEAKER_06] Out!

[00:06:41] [SPEAKER_14] So before George can pull the ten dollar bill out of his pocket, he finds himself sitting on the sidewalk. And through the screen door come the laughs and taunts of those inside. He picks himself up, shakes his head, starts shuffling down the street.

[00:06:59] [SPEAKER_05] Drunken bum. Laughing at me like that. Not even giving me a chance to show them my money. What do they think they are?

[00:07:13] [SPEAKER_14] And suddenly George stops. George is looking into a store window where orange-faced dummies gracefully display the very latest fashion in secondhand clothing. But George is not looking at the dummies or the clothing. He is watching his own reflection. His torn, faded shirt, his baggy pants patched, food-stained and greasy. Old bum. Old bum.

[00:07:35] [SPEAKER_04] You interested in some nice garments, mister? Huh? I seen you standing there looking at the display. Oh. Why don't you come inside and look around? Don't hurt to look. But I can't. Sorry, you can't buy, you can't buy. Look, between me and you, I ain't had a customer inside the store for so long, even a guy just looking would be a relief. Well, alright. Eh, sit by myself and... All I do is think. What do I think about? How the lousy business has ruined my nerves. How I treat my wife, Eva.

[00:08:04] [SPEAKER_04] It's like she was a dog.

[00:08:05] [SPEAKER_05] Well, maybe, maybe I do want to buy...

[00:08:08] [SPEAKER_04] I mean, I could use some clothes, I guess. And I got a little money. How little?

[00:08:13] [SPEAKER_05] Ten dollars.

[00:08:14] [SPEAKER_04] A little money. Mister, for ten dollars you could get dressed from head to bottom and maybe have a couple of bucks left. What? I got good values. Only today who buys second hand clothes. Here, take a look at this suit. Fill the material. Sixty percent wool wears like that.

[00:08:36] [SPEAKER_14] And in a very short time, George the old bum finds himself in the washroom. Behind the store, changing into his new second hand clothes. Then he finds a razor on the sink. He shaves himself, comes back his hair. After that, he walks out.

[00:08:54] [SPEAKER_04] Say! Hey! That looks more like it. Look. Look at yourself in the mirror. Well... Yeah. Looks pretty good, doesn't it? Pretty good. Terrific. You really look like something. Well... Well...

[00:09:07] [SPEAKER_05] You know, I wasn't always a bum. Once I was headed for big things. I... I even studied business administration at Princeton University. Yeah? Say, I hear that's a pretty good college. You...

[00:09:22] [SPEAKER_04] You believe me? Why shouldn't I believe you? You look like a man who has a head for that stuff. I... I got sidetracked, that's all. A lot of bad luck and then... Everything went to pieces. So what? The guy can bounce back. Look, I bet you could go out tomorrow if you told people about this Princeton deal. I'll bet you could name your own job.

[00:09:43] [SPEAKER_05] You... Really think so?

[00:09:44] [SPEAKER_04] Sam Bernstein never says anything you don't think. Life's too short. It'll be eight dollars even. Yeah, here's a ten dollar bill. Here you are. Get changed. Uh... You wouldn't know of any, uh... A fairly good hotel around here, would you? Well, yes, certainly. It's a place down the street where you get a room for a buck and a half. So it's not fancy. But it's clean. Fine.

[00:10:09] [SPEAKER_05] I want to get a good night's sleep. I got a lot of things to do tomorrow.

[00:10:15] [SPEAKER_04] Good night. Oh, say, mister. Wait a second. Yes? What do you want me to do with your clothes? Do anything you want. What would I have use for them?

[00:10:25] [SPEAKER_05] Those clothes are only good for an old bone.

[00:10:36] [SPEAKER_14] And George leaves the second hand store and disappears into the night. Maybe tomorrow night he'll sell his new clothes for a pint of gin. Then again, let's hope he won't. It's almost 11.30 when Sam closes the store. He walks down the street toward the bus stop. The ten dollar bill is in his pocket with the other money. The bus is late and he waits in the doorway of the Pearson Flourish shop. Mr. Pearson is closing up and taking the flowers out of the window.

[00:11:03] [SPEAKER_14] Sam watches him and remembers how long it has been since he brought Eva, his wife, anything. Before he knows it, he's going inside the shop.

[00:11:12] [SPEAKER_04] Yeah, hello. I just got a minute before I catch my bus. I thought maybe I'd like to buy there a little flower. I'm sorry, but I'm closed for a night. Yeah, but look, I want to bring my wife home a little something, you know, and I thought I'd... Why don't you come back tomorrow? I don't want it tomorrow. I want it now.

[00:11:26] [SPEAKER_03] I'm sorry, but I...

[00:11:26] [SPEAKER_04] So, look, buddy, that flower there on the desk. Now what does it take to put in the little box? Give it to me. How about it, huh? That's an orchid. Orchid? Yes, it's pretty expensive. Six dollars. Six bucks for one flower?

[00:11:38] [SPEAKER_03] Yeah.

[00:11:40] [SPEAKER_04] Okay, wrap it up. Give it to me. Well, all right. I suppose I can. Will this box be all right? Sure, sure. You don't even have to tie it. Here, it's ten dollars. Oh, don't you have anything smaller?

[00:11:53] [SPEAKER_06] No.

[00:11:55] [SPEAKER_04] I put all the money in this safe. I've only got a dollar. Hey, look, that's my bus coming down the street. I got my own store block away. Just give me the dollar. I'll pick up the rest tomorrow. All right. If that's all right with you. Yeah, sure, sure, sure.

[00:12:07] [SPEAKER_03] I come in here with a ten dollar bill, and all I got to show for it is one buck and a flower. Eh, I don't know. I guess maybe it's... Fluff.

[00:12:22] [SPEAKER_14] And now the florist has the ten dollar bill. He folds it into a tiny square and stuffs it into his watch pocket. He yawns and finishes putting the flowers into the ice box, and by ten to twelve he's finished. He washes up and back, straightens his tie, turns out the lights, and starts for the front of the store. In the darkness, someone is waiting for him.

[00:12:42] [SPEAKER_08] Who is it? Never mind. Just stay where you are. I'm not kidding with this gun. Gun? Yeah. Yeah, just hand over the door, mister. The money's in the safe. Then open the safe. I can't. It's automatic. It can only be opened by... Look, maybe you think I'm kidding with this gun. Maybe you think I won't use it if I have to. Take it easy. Take it easy. I told you the safe is not... Never mind the safe. Give me what you got on you. I haven't got a penny. Look, wise guy. I'm telling you. I'm gonna kill you. Maybe you think I ain't got the guts. Maybe that's what you think.

[00:13:11] [SPEAKER_08] No, I... Hand over your door. I told you I don't have a penny. Okay, I'm gonna show you. Wait. Yeah, I forgot. I do have some money. Ten dollars. Hand it over quick. Uh, to my watch pocket. Get it. Okay, mister. That's better. Maybe I oughta let you kiss this dough before I take it. It just saved your life.

[00:13:40] [SPEAKER_14] So now our ten dollar bill is in the hands of a young thief, running now down a dark side street. His face plastered with sweat, his heart beating wildly against his ribs.

[00:13:51] [SPEAKER_08] I knew I could do it. I knew I could do it.

[00:13:53] [SPEAKER_14] I knew I could do it. Even in the darkness, it's easy to see his youthfulness. The slender, undeveloped shoulders, the smooth unshaven face, the kid mouth sagged open, gasping in the air as he runs.

[00:14:02] [SPEAKER_08] Not so bad for my first job. So was that guy scared? Oh man, was he scared?

[00:14:07] [SPEAKER_14] What is not apparent in the darkness are the years that brought the boy to this street on this night with a gun in his pocket and a stolen ten dollar bill. The poverty, the loneliness, the many hungers. Now the boy slows down, standing under a street lamp, puts the ten dollar bill into his wallet. At this moment, a little man in a doorway, biting a toothpick, smiles and glides out of the shadows.

[00:14:29] [SPEAKER_08] Hey, buddy. Huh? What do you want?

[00:14:32] [SPEAKER_04] Hey, uh, buddy, you wouldn't mind a chance to be having a match for my cigarette now, would you?

[00:14:37] [SPEAKER_08] Oh yeah.

[00:14:38] [SPEAKER_04] Here's a pack. Keep them. Oh, thank you, thank you very kindly. But John Forrest is not a man to keep what ain't his under no circumstances. No, sir, so I'll just strike one of your fine matches, light my cigarette,

[00:14:52] [SPEAKER_02] and deposit the book of matches right in the same pocket that you took them out of. Hey.

[00:14:59] [SPEAKER_04] And now, begging your pardon, sir, I will proceed on my way. Good night, and thank you.

[00:15:06] [SPEAKER_08] Yeah. Yeah, beat it.

[00:15:13] [SPEAKER_14] The young thief continues down the dark street, not quite sure where he's going, but glorying in his newfoundous courage. Then just ahead, he sees a pair of headlights coming his way.

[00:15:32] [SPEAKER_08] Okay, okay. What do you want from me? I... I didn't do nothing. No staying still. What are you doing that for? I don't carry no gun if that's what you're looking for. Come on over to the squad car with me. Sure. The only reason I ran, I... I got kind of rattled, is all.

[00:15:49] [SPEAKER_03] Yeah. All right, Mr. Pearson. Take a good look at him. Is he the one I held you up? Uh, I don't know. Like I said, I didn't see much of his face in the dark. How about his voice? The fellow who held me up was pretty excited. I... I don't know. Well, he's not carrying a gun. I don't know any other way. Oh, wait. Yeah? Look at his wallet. See if he has a $10 bill.

[00:16:13] [SPEAKER_08] Oh, hey, now.

[00:16:14] [SPEAKER_03] What would that prove? Well, if he doesn't have a 10 spot, at least it proves he isn't the one.

[00:16:19] [SPEAKER_04] If he does, well, I don't know. He might be. Let me see what kind of money you're carrying, son.

[00:16:24] [SPEAKER_08] No. You ain't got no right to search me.

[00:16:26] [SPEAKER_04] Okay, I'll find it myself. Stand still. Hey, you.

[00:16:30] [SPEAKER_08] All right.

[00:16:32] [SPEAKER_03] This isn't our man. He don't have a dime on him. Did you look in his wallet? He doesn't have a wallet. Go on, buddy. Beat it. This is one time when it's lucky not to have a $10 bill.

[00:16:48] [SPEAKER_14] Two blocks away, a spindly-legged little man, still smiling, throws away an empty wallet and pockets our $10 bill. Yeah, punk kid. He really thought I was drunk. I could have picked his pocket with my teeth. The little man walks through the night humming to himself, his eyes darting up and down the dark streets, till suddenly he stops, like a man who suddenly beholds an image of unbelievable loveliness.

[00:17:15] [SPEAKER_04] Hey. A liquor store. Open this late? But all the lights are on. And there's a fella working inside. Hey. Hey, open up, young fella. When you see it, we're closed.

[00:17:40] [SPEAKER_10] What? With all the lights burning? And you and your shirt sleep? I'm taking inventory, that's all. Come back tomorrow. Oh, no, wait, no, wait. Tomorrow? That's a poor word.

[00:17:49] [SPEAKER_04] What is tomorrow but a great big question mark.

[00:17:51] [SPEAKER_10] Yeah, yeah, okay. Good night.

[00:17:52] [SPEAKER_04] No, no, wait, no, wait a minute.

[00:17:53] [SPEAKER_10] Take your foot out of the door.

[00:17:55] [SPEAKER_04] Oh, man, can't you see? I'm ready to drop something or other, huh?

[00:18:03] [SPEAKER_10] Sorry, sorry.

[00:18:03] [SPEAKER_04] But, but, but, I, I got money. Look, a $10 bill.

[00:18:07] [SPEAKER_10] It's after three in the morning. I can't sell you anything. Didn't you ever hear about the law? Law. That's another word that don't bring no joy to my heart. Look, pal, I only work here. I'm tired, I wanna go home. Yeah, look, hey, that, uh, that bottle of bourbon standing over there.

[00:18:24] [SPEAKER_04] Yeah? You could just reach back and grab it without even stretching your little fingers. Now, look, I told you, didn't I? Well, it's, uh, it's marked, uh, it's marked $6 plus tax, right?

[00:18:33] [SPEAKER_08] Now, I'll just give you this $10 bill for it, and I won't even complain a bit. In fact, uh, I'll be the happiest guy in the world.

[00:18:42] [SPEAKER_10] Pal, you picked the right man. Yeah, I guess it's like they say. Takes a heel to know a heel. Hand over the 10.

[00:18:57] [SPEAKER_14] So by 3.20, our $10 bill is owned by a clerk in a liquor store, a clerk named Eddie. And by a quarter to four, Eddie's locking the store, starting his walk across town to his rented room in 4th Street. But at this time of night, Eddie doesn't mind that walk so much. In the darkness, Eddie can relax. He even dropped a scowl that's his defense against whatever life might do to him. Eddie's never had much faith in life. And what little he had, he lost in the mud before casino.

[00:19:25] [SPEAKER_14] Now Eddie's out to get whatever he can. Any way he can. He's thinking about that now as he reaches the bridge that spans the North River. Then he sees the girl standing near the middle of the bridge, looking down.

[00:19:38] [SPEAKER_10] Hey, what's she doing here? Maybe she's lonely. Maybe I'll say hello. Hey, what's she trying to do? Hey lady, don't do that!

[00:19:47] [SPEAKER_04] Get off that ledge!

[00:19:49] [SPEAKER_10] Get off that ledge!

[00:19:51] [SPEAKER_04] Amy, stop me!

[00:19:55] [SPEAKER_11] Yeah, yeah, I am gonna stop you. Come on, now relax, or we'll slug you right on that chin.

[00:19:58] [SPEAKER_07] Why don't you leave me alone? It's none of your business, Angelina! Hey, hey, hey, hey!

[00:20:02] [SPEAKER_10] I think that's a prowl car coming across the bridge up to you in the can for trying something like this.

[00:20:05] [SPEAKER_07] Oh no!

[00:20:06] [SPEAKER_10] Here, make like we just stopped to light a cigarette here. That's a prowl car, alright. Okay, it's passed.

[00:20:16] [SPEAKER_07] You're not gonna stop me. Nobody's gonna stop me. As soon as you leave, I'm gonna do it anyway.

[00:20:22] [SPEAKER_10] Well, that's your business.

[00:20:23] [SPEAKER_07] That's right.

[00:20:24] [SPEAKER_10] Only I don't know why a good looking dame like you wants to do something like this. You know, uh, if you wasn't so skinny, you'd really be something to write home about. Come on. What's the trouble? Go on. Beat it. Sure, I'll beat it. You can jump nice as you please. Only I got a nice long way to walk till I get to my room and... I always like to have something to think about while I walk. So, uh, you tell me why a swell looking dame like you has to kill herself and I'll think about that.

[00:20:52] [SPEAKER_07] Yeah. If I tell you, maybe you'll even help me. Since I'm such a swell looking dame. Sure. Sure you can't tell. Everybody's always willing to help a swell looking dame. And all they want in return is maybe a little gratitude.

[00:21:09] [SPEAKER_10] Well, after all, it's only humor.

[00:21:11] [SPEAKER_07] Yeah, sure. Go on. Leave me alone. Uh-uh.

[00:21:16] [SPEAKER_10] Now, now you got me really interested. That'd be like leaving a good movie right before the best part. Oh, please, leave me alone. You tell me and then I'll go. Look, it won't be so bad. We can finish these cigarettes. It's a nice night. Besides, what does a couple of minutes mean to you? One way or the other.

[00:21:36] [SPEAKER_07] Okay, Mr. Bigshot. Yeah. I'll tell you fast and sweet. And all I need is a couple violins playing softly in the background. Which version do you want? Annie, the sewing machine girl, a little Nell making paper flowers in her dark bedroom. Or maybe you want to hear about Helen. That's me. The big blonde who was gonna come to the city and set it on fire. Sing and dance and act and you name it. It's right up Helen's alley. Maybe you want to hear about her. I mean, she found out that setting the city on fire wasn't such a lead pipe cinch after all.

[00:22:06] [SPEAKER_07] Not when the city was starting with cold steel. Am I holding your interest? Yeah, yeah. Go on. You're doing fine. Oh, it gets better as it goes along. Maybe you want to follow our Helen through all the neon dives she worked in. Maybe you'd like to see her.

[00:22:23] [SPEAKER_14] The girl tells Eddie everything. And she's right. There should have been violins playing in the background. Because it's really a very trite little story. About a pretty blonde kid getting no place fast. About the late hours, the stale cigarette smoke, the sandwiches grabbed on the run finally taking their toll. Yep, and like all trite little stories, there's even a doctor in it.

[00:22:51] [SPEAKER_14] And he says what the doctor in the story always says. Mild TB. But it'll kill you if you don't get away. And of course there's a sister in Arizona who'll put her up till she gets well. If she'll only grab a bus and come right out. And all that stands in the way is $37. But in three months of trying, she hasn't been able to make it. When she passed the bridge, she wasn't thinking about suicide. But then... Then suddenly she was very tired.

[00:23:19] [SPEAKER_14] And jumping into the water seemed the only sensible thing in this world to do. Finally the girl finishes. The two stand in the dark for a very long time.

[00:23:32] Well...

[00:23:33] [SPEAKER_10] I don't believe any of it. Hey, now. I think you're a cheap little shill trying to talk me out of some dough.

[00:23:38] [SPEAKER_07] Good for you. Now you can be on your way. Good night.

[00:23:41] [SPEAKER_10] Wait. I'm not finished.

[00:23:43] [SPEAKER_07] Yeah.

[00:23:45] [SPEAKER_10] Sure, that's what I believe. But then, uh, I'm a guy that's all twisted up like a pretzel. And because I believe it, that doesn't have to make it so. Uh, how much dough do you need?

[00:23:58] [SPEAKER_07] Oh, now listen.

[00:23:59] [SPEAKER_10] Look, Curly, get it fast before I start thinking about it. How much dough do you need? I... How much dough?

[00:24:05] [SPEAKER_07] Get a bus out of here in just two hours, it'll take me all the way for $37. That's with meals. I mean, I got about $6.

[00:24:12] [SPEAKER_10] Yeah. You need 31 more.

[00:24:16] [SPEAKER_04] Yeah.

[00:24:16] [SPEAKER_10] Well, this is your lucky night. Usually I wouldn't have that much with me, but a guy slipped me an extra ten. Come on. You said the bus leaves in two hours. We gotta be getting down to the station.

[00:24:34] [SPEAKER_14] At 6 a.m., a sleepy little crowd is gathered around the door of a bus marked Phoenix. The girl is the last to get on.

[00:24:43] [SPEAKER_07] Well, I guess I'd better get my feet out of here.

[00:24:46] [SPEAKER_10] Yeah. Uh, good night, kiddo.

[00:24:50] [SPEAKER_07] I don't know what to say except thank you.

[00:24:53] [SPEAKER_10] Oh, it's okay. Me and Rock is probably, you know. Well, go on. You better get on the bus.

[00:24:58] [SPEAKER_07] Yeah.

[00:25:01] [SPEAKER_10] I'll be going. So long.

[00:25:03] [SPEAKER_07] So long.

[00:25:05] [SPEAKER_11] Hey, Helen, wait a minute. Don't get on the bus yet.

[00:25:07] [SPEAKER_07] What is it, Eddie?

[00:25:08] [SPEAKER_11] You know, I'm always thinking that someday I might go out to the West Coast. Yeah.

[00:25:16] [SPEAKER_07] Just a second. Eddie, you were saying.

[00:25:19] [SPEAKER_11] And if I do, well, I gotta go through Phoenix.

[00:25:21] [SPEAKER_07] Oh.

[00:25:22] [SPEAKER_11] And maybe, uh, well, maybe if you give me your sister's address, maybe, uh, maybe I'll look you up.

[00:25:27] [SPEAKER_07] Come on, lady. Eddie, just look in the phone book. It's listed under Amelia Benson. Amelia Benson. Amelia Benson. She's the only one in the book. Baby, come on. That is it.

[00:25:36] [SPEAKER_11] If you want me to look you up.

[00:25:38] [SPEAKER_07] Oh, yes. Oh, yes, I do want you to look me up. I do, Eddie. I do.

[00:25:44] [SPEAKER_06] I do. I do. I do.

[00:25:46] [SPEAKER_14] And so it is dawn in the city. And as the sky lightens, an old man in a hotel room on 4th Street has just awakened and is carefully putting on his new suit. In a flat on Harrison Street, an orchid rests still fresh in an icebox put there by a grateful wife.

[00:26:12] [SPEAKER_14] Across town in a Wentworth Street studio, a florist stirs in his sleep as if suddenly reliving his moments with the gunman in the dark and the $10 bill that saved his life. In a small bedroom near Logan Square, a young kid is thinking about that $10 bill too and wondering how he could have lost it but thankful that he did because losing it has given him another chance. In a store doorway on 12th Street, the pickpocket is sleeping off a drunk, dreaming of a happy

[00:26:41] [SPEAKER_14] world he's never known. Down 6th Street, Eddie is walking toward his room, whistling to himself and wondering if maybe by next month he'll be able to buy his bus ticket for Arizona. And on the outskirts of the city, in a fast moving bus, a girl looks out the window. She sees a reflection in the glass and realizes that for a very long time, she's been smiling. Only at the ticket window of the bus company is there any real unhappiness as the cashier shakes his head and yells to his assistant.

[00:27:10] [SPEAKER_04] Hey Frank, where'd you get this bill?

[00:27:13] [SPEAKER_05] Huh?

[00:27:14] [SPEAKER_04] I don't know why. It's counterfeit, that's why. Huh? Yeah, as phony as they come. What are you gonna do with it? What can you do with it? I guess there's nothing in the world as worthless as a phony $10 bill.

[00:27:41] [SPEAKER_14] Oh, I kinda think you've already figured out the moral for tonight's story. And I guess it goes something like this. In this life, nothing is ever counterfeit that brings people happiness. Of course, that doesn't mean you should go right out and start printing $10 bills. Good night folks. See you next week.

[00:27:59] [SPEAKER_12] Listen next week for another Dark Venture with John Newland. Starring in tonight's story were Jack Moyles as Harry, Jack Edwards Jr. as Joe,

[00:28:29] [SPEAKER_12] Norman Field was George, the old bum. David Ellis was Eddie. Sam Edwards was the thief. Wilms Herbert as Mr. Pearson, the florist. Eddie Marr was Sam, Herb Vigran the pickpocket, and Virginia Gregg as the girl. Original music by Rex Corey. George Fenneman speaking.

[00:28:49] [SPEAKER_12] This is ABC, the American Broadcasting Company.

[00:29:08] [SPEAKER_02] The adventure. There come many shadows. Shadows of greed and hate. Jealousy and fear. Darkness is the absence of light.

[00:29:34] [SPEAKER_02] So in the sudden shadows which fog the minds of men and women are to be found the strange impulses which urge them into the unknown.

[00:30:37] [SPEAKER_03] Inside the room was the killer, playing the piano in the dark. I struggled to hold my nerves in check. Alone in the house. Within. him. My fingers closed around the small axe as I slowly turned the doorknob. And then, as it is with a drowning man, everything that had happened these last few weeks, everything that had brought me to this door, flashed through my mind.

[00:31:02] [SPEAKER_03] It began that night the reporter came. The fourth murder in the neighborhood had occurred only the night before, and the papers were full of it. They were calling the killer the executioner, and they said he killed only the helpless. I read all this as I sat in

[00:31:30] [SPEAKER_03] the lobby of my rooming house, and the thought wouldn't leave me. Could it be Frasier? Could it be the man in 206? Oh, I was letting my nerves run away with me. I was letting my hatred for Frasier warp my mind. It was just that everything was falling apart and I couldn't stop it. I remembered how grateful I'd been when Aunt Martha had willed me this rooming house, a chance to make something of my life. Sure, a fine chance. In less than a month, I was

[00:31:56] [SPEAKER_03] on the verge of bankruptcy. Three more talents had left me today, and all because of Frasier. The outside door opened, and a young man came in, shaking the rain from his head.

[00:32:06] [SPEAKER_13] Good evening. Good evening. What can I do for you, sir? I don't know. That sign on the door intrigues me no end. How's that? The sign that says vacancy. I didn't think they printed signs like that anymore. Oh, you want a room? Yeah, but I also want a story. A bigger part? My name's Martin. I'm a reporter on the Globe. A reporter? Yeah. Every day on my way to the police station to hear the latest exploits of our friend, the executioner, I pass this rooming

[00:32:35] [SPEAKER_13] house. Every day I see that strange little sign. Vacancy. I'm afraid I still don't understand. In this city, hundreds of good solid citizens are living in chicken coops and garages, all-night theaters or streetcars because there's no place else to live. Yet, here in their midst,

[00:32:54] [SPEAKER_03] is a vacancy. But no one accepts the vacancy. Why? Well, most of my guests are transients. They come and go. So I always have a vacancy. That's all there is to it. In times like these, why do

[00:33:08] [SPEAKER_13] they come and go? Now, look here. Your place looks clean enough. I don't imagine your rates are too high. Look, if you want a room... And also, why are you so upset? There must be a story here. Let my fellow reporters worry about the executioner. I'll tell the story of the vacant room. But I tell you there isn't any story. As I said... Yeah, yeah, I know what you said. Yeah. I also saw how pale you got when

[00:33:34] [SPEAKER_03] you said it. Look, I'm very busy tonight. When you came in, you said you wanted a room. Do you want

[00:33:37] [SPEAKER_13] it or don't you? Sure. I'll take a room. Make it for a week. Or do you think that's long enough to find

[00:33:44] [SPEAKER_03] out what drives people away? I really shouldn't have rented the reporter a room. But with so many of my rooms vacant, I just couldn't afford not to. After I'd showed him to his place, I decided to see Inspector Garland. After all, he'd been living here in the roaming house for the last eight years. And though I didn't know him very well, Aunt Martha had always considered him her prized tenant. I went

[00:34:13] [SPEAKER_03] down the hall to the inspector's room. I had to talk to somebody. I was desperate. Inspector, sir. I'd like to speak to you, if I may. Oh, Mr. Wilson, come in. Don't tell me I've forgotten to pay my rent again. Oh, no, it's nothing like that. It's... Don't be bashful to tell me, man. I've got no memory for details. Your poor aunt was always hemming and hoeing, trying to

[00:34:39] [SPEAKER_03] get her money without embarrassing me. Inspector Garland, it's not the rent. I need your advice. Advice? Yes. Oh, what am I going to do about him? Him? I don't understand. Well, Mr. Frazier, of course, the man in 206. Mr. Frazier? I don't think I know him. What about him? Didn't you hear him last night? Uh, I've been working nights for the last three weeks, trying to find some trace of this creature the newspapers call the executioner. You'll have to bring me

[00:35:08] [SPEAKER_03] up to date. Well, this Mr. Frazier, he must drink or something. He usually comes in after midnight and begins to pound on an old piano I have up there till he's waking the whole building. Because of him, I've lost every one of my old tenants except you, Inspector. Well, for Pete's sake, why don't you tell him to leave? Well, that's just it. I've never even seen the man. What? My housekeeper, Stella, rented the room to him a week before I came. He paid for two months in advance and no one's seen him since. But if you'd been here at night, you'd certainly have heard him. Did you ever try leaving him a note, ordering him to behave himself? Yes, last night. I left a note in his door. This morning, the

[00:35:38] [SPEAKER_03] note was torn to shreds. Well, I guess the only thing I can suggest is to wait until the next time he creates a rumpus and then call one of our boys to come in and arrest them for disturbing the peace. Inspector, I'm afraid to wait until next time. Huh? Maybe I'm crazy. Maybe it's just my imagination. But... Yes? Each time Frasier's gone into one of his rages, there was a murder reported in this neighborhood the next day. I think

[00:36:07] [SPEAKER_03] Frasier... Frasier might be this executioner. And your housekeeper is the only one who's seen Frasier? Yes. All right, come on, let's talk to her. I won't say anything about what I suspect. It'll only upset Stella. No, I won't say anything. Ah, here's her room. Stella, it's

[00:36:34] [SPEAKER_09] me, Mr. Wilson. Come in, Mr. Wilson. How are you packing, Stella? I was just going to tell you, I'm leaving. Leaving? But why? Well, I'm not at all well, you know. I've been under a doctor's care for the last five years and now this excitement. Well, it's just too much. You mean Frasier, Stella? Him and that killer, too. I'm worried and frightened all the time. It's just too much. Well, where are you going? To my sister's place. I'm sorry,

[00:37:03] [SPEAKER_09] Mr. Wilson. Before you took over, I'd work for your Aunt Martha, God rest her soul, for eight years. But I've got to think of myself. But I'm trying to get rid of Frasier. You'll never get rid of him. Why do you say that, Stella? That's just how I feel. Oh, I'm just a bunch of nerves. That's all I am. You're the one who rented Frasier's room, aren't you, Stella? Yes, I'm sorry to say. It was just a few days after Martha died and Mr. Wilson hadn't come yet to take over the place, so I was in charge. Did he seem like

[00:37:30] [SPEAKER_09] the kind of fellow who would carry on like this? Oh, no. He was real nice. Paid two months in advance. Gave me a good tip when I showed him his room. He seemed fine. When was the first time you heard him go into one of these rages? Oh, please. I told my sister I'd be in a place in an hour. I've just got to finish packing. Stella, Inspector Garland is trying

[00:37:49] [SPEAKER_03] to help me. I'm at the end of my rope. Now, please tell him what you heard. Well, all right.

[00:37:56] [SPEAKER_09] I'll tell you about the first time I heard him. It was just about ten days after he'd moved in. I'd gone to bed early, like they usually do, and it wasn't long before I was found asleep. I didn't know what had awakened me. Then I realized it was somebody playing the piano. I looked at the dresser clock. Why? It was almost two o'clock in the morning.

[00:38:22] [SPEAKER_02] I put on my robe and went to the door. It was Mr. Higgins, one of our children. What kind of a place do you people run here? Listen to that racket. How are people supposed to sleep? Well, where's it coming from? That new guy, Frazier in 206. Well, I'll go tell him to stop. Yeah, do that. He's got the whole building away.

[00:38:39] [SPEAKER_09] That piano playing. Suddenly, the piano stopped. Then I happened to look up at the transom, and I realized there was no light in the room. He'd been playing in the dark. Then I heard him walking real slow to the door. Just feeling came over me. Everything was suddenly so quiet. I looked down the hallway. All the doors were closed. Mr. Higgins had gone back to his room.

[00:39:27] [SPEAKER_09] Mr. Fraser had unlocked the door. My heart started pounding frantically. But why should it? The door started to open, but I couldn't see anything except the darkness of his room. Suddenly, I turned and started running down the hall. It's the way it happened to me. I can't explain why I ran away, even today. It's good news. All right, Stella. All right.

[00:40:03] [SPEAKER_09] My nerves aren't what they used to be. Maybe after I rest up for a while at my sister's, maybe I'll be all right. You see what he's done, Inspector? I've got to get rid of him. How many times has something like this happened, Stella? I've heard him play like that four times, and always the same song. But after that first time, I've never gone to his room again except to clean it twice a week during the day when he isn't there. The room's down the hall, isn't it? Yes. You got a key? Yes. Oh, come on. Let's take a look at it. Wait.

[00:40:32] [SPEAKER_09] Mr. Wilson. What? I don't want him to hear. Well, what are you talking about? I'll be leaving in a few minutes, but when I get to my sister's house, I'll call you. Coming, Miss Wilson? I've got something to tell you. What? You'll hear from me. Well, are you coming? Yes. Yes, I'm coming. Yes. Nice thing. The place looks all right. Where's that door go? A small dressing room. It's part of Frazier's place. Why is it locked?

[00:41:18] [SPEAKER_03] Well, it shouldn't be. Got a key to it? Yes, I think so. It's right on the string here. This one should open it. Let's look inside. Good-looking clothes. You must have money. What's this bundle in the corner? Looks like dirty clothes. Look at this shirt. Blood. And these trousers. All bloody. And I was right. It is Frazier. He is the killer.

[00:41:46] [SPEAKER_13] Maybe. Maybe not. I'll have to have the blood analyzed. But if we wait until he comes back, it may be too late. It's him. He's come back. What are you doing in this room? Didn't I tell you? I'm a frustrated paterfskate. How come I don't have a piano in my room? Haven't I seen you around headquarters? Aren't you a reporter with a globe?

[00:42:18] [SPEAKER_13] That's right, Inspector. I'm also a fellow tenant in Mr. Wilson's establishment. Does this room hold the mystery? What mystery? Of the little vacancy sign. Or maybe of the executioner. There you go, getting pale again, Mr. Wilson.

[00:42:38] [SPEAKER_03] I'm very upset. But I tried not to show it until after the reporter and Inspector Garland had left. Most of my life, I bummed around the world doing everything imaginable. Steve at all, clerk, worked in nightclubs, everything. I was in a hospital clear across the country, recovering from a barroom brawl, when I'd learned I'd inherited the rooming house.

[00:43:04] [SPEAKER_03] It was like a godsend. And now this frightening thing was happening. And if I didn't make a go of my rooming house, I'd be right back where I started. Then at about 11.15 that night, the phone in the lobby started ringing. Oh, yes, Stella.

[00:43:24] [SPEAKER_09] I told you you'd hear from me, remember? Yes. What did you want to tell me, Stella? I wouldn't want to say it over the phone, Mr. Wilson. Well, then why didn't you tell me before? I couldn't. Not with the inspector around. I don't understand. And I lied to the inspector that night when all the noise was going on. I did see something in Mr. Frazier's room that I didn't want to tell about. Why? Because I don't think I really understand it.

[00:43:48] [SPEAKER_09] What did you see? Well, like I said, I don't want to tell you over the phone, Mr. Wilson. You come over to my... But there's nobody here to watch the place. Just the same, you come along, Mr. Wilson. It's 3.5, only about a mile.

[00:44:03] [SPEAKER_03] Oh, well, all right. 3.54 Westover. There's not much doing here. I'll be over in half an hour.

[00:44:09] [SPEAKER_09] Fine. I'll wait up for you. And don't you tell Inspector Garland you're coming. Understand?

[00:44:15] [SPEAKER_03] Yes, yes. I understand. But after I'd hung up, two people came in for rooms, and I was busy with them. And then it started raining again, and I couldn't walk through the rain. I tried calling a taxi, but there weren't any available. And when I looked at my watch again, it was after midnight. Then I tried calling Stella to tell her I wouldn't be able to make it that night and not to wait up for me. But I didn't know her sister's number.

[00:44:43] [SPEAKER_03] At 12.30, I went to bed, and I couldn't fall asleep from all the excitement. I finally got up and took some aspirin, and within minutes, I was dead to the world.

[00:44:54] [SPEAKER_00] Mr. Garland, what's wrong?

[00:45:09] [SPEAKER_03] There's been another killing. Only this time it strikes home. What? Your housekeeper, Stella. She was found on the porch of her sister's house. Strangled. After Inspector Garland told me about Stella, I told him about her phoning me earlier and saying she'd seen something unusual in 206. Then the inspector wanted to see the rooming house register. I took him downstairs, and he thumbed through the pages till he found what he wanted.

[00:45:39] [SPEAKER_03] William Fragge. Here we are. Registered November 2nd. And the first of these killings was around then, wasn't it? Yeah. Home address, Spokane, Washington. Business salesman. Not much help. No. There were an address in California. Maybe we could trace him. But we don't have any description to go on. Stella's the only one who's ever seen him. Wait. Here's that reporter. I don't want him to know we suspect Frazier.

[00:46:07] [SPEAKER_13] Say that's Stella Falvin, the woman who got killed tonight. She worked for you, didn't she, Mr. Wilson?

[00:46:13] [SPEAKER_03] Yes. Why do you suppose she was murdered? Well, I'm sure. I don't know.

[00:46:17] [SPEAKER_13] Looks like the work of our friend the executioner. Huh, Inspector? Perhaps. Being a reporter's worse than being a milkman. My paper sent a kid over here at 3 o'clock to wake me up and have me cover this killing. A fine life. Trouble was, I'd just fallen asleep about an hour before. You didn't tell me about these piano recitals, Mr. Wilson. Piano? Take it easy. When I saw you two in room 206, I figured it was vacant. It is vacant. Uh-uh.

[00:46:46] No.

[00:46:47] [SPEAKER_13] Some guy was inside 206 hammering on that piano. And I mean hammering. Is that what chases all the tenants away, Mr. Wilson? I told you. Yeah, I know what you told me. I'm gonna hit the hay for a while. I'm dead. He's going to his room. Come on.

[00:47:08] [SPEAKER_03] Let's go upstairs to 206. Quick. You think Frazier's in there now? There's a chance. Not here. What has been here? Look at this room. Thrown to pieces. Yeah. I don't want that reporter to know about Frazier. If he finds out about him, he'll plaster the story all over the front page of that paper.

[00:47:38] [SPEAKER_03] Ah, I guess that doesn't matter anymore. Oh, but it does matter.

[00:47:41] [SPEAKER_06] Hmm?

[00:47:42] [SPEAKER_03] Frazier's some kind of a nut. I'll bet anything on it. And he'll be coming back to this rooming house if he doesn't find out where wise to him. You think so? You're getting a guest tomorrow. A guest? I'm planning a man in this house to watch a day and night. And one of these nights, if we're lucky, we're going to hear that piano again. He didn't hear the piano again.

[00:48:12] [SPEAKER_03] And Inspector Garland didn't seem to make any progress finding Frazier. I checked with all the California police chiefs. Any luck? None. He's not wanted for anything. That's a sanction. Maybe he uses a false name. Maybe. Well, that makes it even better. You sure he's never come back to the room? I'm sure. Well, I guess we'll just have to keep waiting. I lost all interest in the rooming house. I wasn't able to hire another housekeeper.

[00:48:40] [SPEAKER_03] Although there was no more piano playing, one by one, my other tenants left me.

[00:48:44] [SPEAKER_02] I'm checking out, Mr. Wilson. Prepare my bill. Yes, Mr. Higgins. This certainly isn't the same kind of rooming house your aunt used to run.

[00:48:50] [SPEAKER_03] No, I'm sorry, Mr. Higgins. Finally, the only tenants left were Inspector Garland, the policeman he planted in the house to watch for Frazier, and Martin, the newspaper man.

[00:49:01] [SPEAKER_13] I see you took your vacancy sign down today.

[00:49:03] [SPEAKER_03] Yeah, I'm thinking of closing my rooming house.

[00:49:06] [SPEAKER_13] Looks like I'm not going to get my story after all. No, Mr. Wilson?

[00:49:09] [SPEAKER_03] Yeah, it looks that way, Mr. Martin. I placed the rooming house up for sale and started cleaning the rooms and getting everything in order. And it was while cleaning Frazier's room that I made a discovery that sent me running to Inspector Garland's room.

[00:49:24] Inspector!

[00:49:24] [SPEAKER_03] Look what I found! What is it? A snapshot? Yes, a man and a woman. And look what's written on back. Huh? Bell and William Frazier, Stockton, California, 1940. Where'd you find it? It was in one of the dresser drawers underneath the paper Stella had used to line the drawers. Uh, this is what I needed. We're going to find Frazier at last. It was three days ago. Then tonight, at about 10.30,

[00:49:54] [SPEAKER_03] Inspector Garland got a telephone call. He was out. He'd been gone all evening. But the policeman he'd landed in the house took the call, and when he hung up, I could see he was pretty excited. When Garland comes in, tell him I went to headquarters. Tell him he'd better get down there, too. Something happened? Yeah, they just located your roomer. William Frazier. You mean they've arrested him? Not exactly. His wife just came down from Stockton and identified his body. His body? Frazier checked into your rooming house on November the 2nd, didn't he? That's right. Well, on the night of November the 2nd, he was killed by a hit-and-run driver.

[00:50:23] [SPEAKER_03] I don't understand. Why are we waiting for him to start playing that piano? He's been lying on a slab in a county morgue, waiting to be identified. Then Frazier... couldn't have been the killer. You're catching on fast, Mr. Wilson. After the detective left, I was all alone in the rooming house. I locked the front door and went up to my room. My head was pounding.

[00:50:52] [SPEAKER_03] It had never been Frazier. Frazier was dead. That's all I could think. I stretched out on my bed in the darkness, my mind searching for an answer. If it wasn't Frazier, who was it? Why had I ever accepted this rooming house? Why had I ever come to this place? Why... The piano. For a moment, I thought my imagination was playing some crazy trick. I clamped my hands over my ears to see if the music was in my head.

[00:51:22] [SPEAKER_03] No, it was real. The killer had returned. And there was nobody in the house but me. I don't know how long I crouched on the bed. I was terrified. What was I going to do? The music went on and on. Then finally, I couldn't stand it any longer. I was going to see who was playing that piano. I was going to find the killer. But I needed something to protect myself. I remembered the tool cabinet in the service closet in the hallway. I left my room and hurried over to it. I snapped on the light.

[00:51:52] [SPEAKER_03] And there, on top of the cabinet, was what I wanted. A small axe. Then I started for room 206. I saw through the transom. There was no light in 206. He was playing the piano in the dark, just as Stella had said. Now I was standing before the closed door. My nerves were at the breaking point. My hand closed around the doorknob. I turned the knob ever so slowly. The door was unlocked. I gripped the axe so hard my fingers ached. Then quickly, I flung open the door and snapped the light switch.

[00:52:19] [SPEAKER_13] Are you shocked, Mr. Wilson? You killed those people.

[00:52:26] [SPEAKER_03] You're the one they're looking for.

[00:52:27] [SPEAKER_13] This should make you a big man, Mr. Wilson. But what are you going to do about it?

[00:52:32] [SPEAKER_03] I'm going to call the police.

[00:52:34] [SPEAKER_13] The telephone's downstairs. Do you think I just wait here while you call?

[00:52:36] [SPEAKER_03] Then I'll stay here with you until Inspector Garland comes back. And I'm warning you, don't try anything.

[00:52:40] [SPEAKER_13] Is it okay if I play the piano? No.

[00:52:43] [SPEAKER_03] Why did you kill them? They were all so helpless, so defenseless.

[00:52:48] [SPEAKER_13] Maybe I couldn't help myself. Maybe I didn't even know I was the killer. Maybe it was a sickness in my head. They've got a name for that, you know, for a guy who kills and doesn't know he kills. It's called schizophrenia or something like that. And if a guy gets overtired or too excited, he can get an attack even from something as

[00:53:07] [SPEAKER_01] simple as a song.

[00:53:08] [SPEAKER_01] Make it easy.

[00:53:53] [SPEAKER_03] I'm stuck. We're all alike. Always trying to outsmart the little guy. Always trying to destroy the sick and the helpless. But you can't outsmart me, can you? I don't let you get away with it, do I? I don't let you trample the helpless into the dust. I bring them rest and sleep. I bring them peace everlasting. It's your kind who hurt them. But you won't hurt anyone anymore. I'm going to kill you like I killed all the others.

[00:54:29] [SPEAKER_13] He's dead, Inspector. Sorry I had to do it that way. Why are you sorry? Isn't it best for him? Yeah, maybe it is. For a minute there, I thought you were going to stay in that dressing room until he scalped me.

[00:54:47] [SPEAKER_03] It was the only thing we could do. I had to get a confession. When did you first suspect him? When I found out he was the only one in the rooming house who'd never heard the music. And, of course, when I found out that Flazier had been dead all along. But I had to prove it. Why do you think he killed Stella? Stella had called him and told him she'd seen something in 206. You know, that sickness he had is a strange thing. He had an attack that night.

[00:55:17] [SPEAKER_03] And though he became a completely different man, he still remembered Stella's call and was afraid she'd seen him. So, he went and killed her.

[00:55:28] Huh.

[00:55:29] [SPEAKER_13] Well, kind of makes you feel woozy, don't it?

[00:55:32] [SPEAKER_00] Yeah.

[00:55:34] [SPEAKER_13] You know, after this, people are going to start saying I'm nuts, too. What do you mean? From now on, every time I see a vacancy sign, I'm going to run like the devil.

[00:55:43] [SPEAKER_02] Over the minds of mortal men come many shadows. Shadows of greed and hate.

[00:56:12] [SPEAKER_02] Jealousy and fear. Darkness is the absence of light. So, in the sudden shadows which fog the minds of men and women are to be found the strange impulses which urge them on to their venture in the dark. Dark Venture is written by Larry Marcus and directed by William T. Johnson. In tonight's Dark Venture,

[00:56:36] [SPEAKER_12] Carl Harbert was heard as Eddie. Ben Alexander is the reporter. Herb Butterfield is the inspector. Leora Thatcher is Stella. And Harry Lang is the policeman. John Lake was the narrator. Original music by Basil Adlam.