WEBVTT 00:00.000 --> 00:21.120 Suspense! 00:21.120 --> 00:27.440 This is the man in black, here again to win produce Columbia's program, Suspense. 00:27.440 --> 00:32.520 Tonight from Hollywood we bring you two of America's most artful and distinguished stars. 00:32.520 --> 00:38.560 From the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer-Lotstadt studios comes Mr. Robert Young, and from Warner Brothers, 00:38.560 --> 00:41.160 Miss Geraldine Fitzgerald. 00:41.160 --> 00:45.440 Mr. Young and Miss Fitzgerald are with us to play in an unusual tale by the unusual 00:45.440 --> 00:47.640 James Thurber. 00:47.640 --> 00:52.600 An excerpt from the book My World and Welcome to It called A Friend to Alexander, adapted 00:52.600 --> 00:58.200 for radio by Freya Howard, his tonight's study in Suspense. 00:58.200 --> 01:02.320 If you've been with us before, you will know that suspense is compounded of mystery and 01:02.320 --> 01:05.080 suspicion and dangerous adventure. 01:05.080 --> 01:11.140 In this series, our tales calculated to intrigue you, to stir your nerves, to offer you a precarious 01:11.140 --> 01:18.320 situation and then withhold the solution until the last possible moment. 01:18.320 --> 01:22.680 And so it is with Mr. Thurber's poignant and strange story, and the performances of Robert 01:22.680 --> 01:28.720 Young as the man who was a friend to Alexander, and of Geraldine Fitzgerald as his wife Bess 01:28.720 --> 01:30.720 who relates these events to us. 01:30.720 --> 01:31.920 We again hope to keep you in. 01:31.920 --> 01:49.120 Suspense. 01:49.120 --> 01:54.440 Harry was a laughing, happy-go-lucky fellow before he began to have those dreams. 01:54.440 --> 01:58.980 I guess he was pretty much like dozens of other men who go to work every morning, settle 01:58.980 --> 02:03.840 down in soft chairs with their newspapers after dinner, and like a weekend in the country 02:03.840 --> 02:05.200 now and then. 02:05.200 --> 02:08.240 He was fond of easy living and good times. 02:08.240 --> 02:16.200 Like everyone else, he talked of the war, rationing tires and his golf scores, until 02:16.200 --> 02:18.520 those nightmares began to plague him. 02:18.520 --> 02:21.600 At first, I was amused. 02:21.600 --> 02:25.760 You know, I've been dreaming about Aaron Burr every night. 02:25.760 --> 02:26.760 What for? 02:26.760 --> 02:29.120 Well, how do I know what for? 02:29.120 --> 02:32.240 Aaron Burr is a funny person to be dreaming about nowadays. 02:32.240 --> 02:33.240 Why? 02:33.240 --> 02:36.680 I mean, with all the countries in the world at war with each other. 02:36.680 --> 02:38.440 What's so funny about dreaming? 02:38.440 --> 02:39.440 Maybe you're upset. 02:39.440 --> 02:41.800 Well, everybody dreams, don't they? 02:41.800 --> 02:44.440 I don't see why you'd see Aaron Burr in your dreams. 02:44.440 --> 02:45.440 Well, I do. 02:45.440 --> 02:46.760 Where do you see him? 02:46.760 --> 02:48.600 Well, places. 02:48.600 --> 02:52.200 In Washington Square, or Bowling Green, or on Broadway. 02:52.200 --> 02:54.040 Even here on 55th Street? 02:54.040 --> 02:56.160 Mostly downtown. 02:56.160 --> 03:00.880 I'll be talking to a woman in the Victoria, a woman holding a white lace parasol. 03:00.880 --> 03:01.880 Oh. 03:01.880 --> 03:08.680 And suddenly, there will be Aaron Burr, bowing and smiling and smelling like a carnation, 03:08.680 --> 03:11.640 telling his stories about France and getting off his insults. 03:11.640 --> 03:13.360 Who is the woman in the Victoria? 03:13.360 --> 03:14.360 Hmm? 03:14.360 --> 03:15.360 What? 03:15.360 --> 03:16.360 The woman. 03:16.360 --> 03:17.360 Who is she? 03:17.360 --> 03:18.620 Well, how do I know? 03:18.620 --> 03:21.000 You know about people and dreams, don't you? 03:21.000 --> 03:22.000 There's nobody at all. 03:22.000 --> 03:23.000 Or everybody. 03:23.000 --> 03:25.920 Ah, but you see Aaron Burr plainly enough, though. 03:25.920 --> 03:28.480 I mean, he isn't anybody or nobody. 03:28.480 --> 03:29.480 Or everybody. 03:29.480 --> 03:30.480 All right, all right. 03:30.480 --> 03:32.600 You have me there, but I don't know who the woman is. 03:32.600 --> 03:33.600 Are you sure? 03:33.600 --> 03:35.440 What's more, I don't care. 03:35.440 --> 03:39.640 Maybe it's Madame Jumel, or Mittens Willett, or a girl I knew in high school. 03:39.640 --> 03:41.160 Who's Mittens Willett? 03:41.160 --> 03:45.160 She was a famous New York actress in her day, 50 years ago or so. 03:45.160 --> 03:47.920 She's buried in an old cemetery on Second Avenue. 03:47.920 --> 03:49.320 I've seen the tombstone. 03:49.320 --> 03:50.320 That's very sad. 03:50.320 --> 03:51.320 Why is it? 03:51.320 --> 03:54.440 Oh, I mean, she probably died young. 03:54.440 --> 03:56.600 Just all women did in those days. 03:56.600 --> 03:59.840 He's a vile, cynical cad. 03:59.840 --> 04:03.160 I was standing and talking to Alexander Hamilton when Burr stepped up and slapped him in the 04:03.160 --> 04:05.100 face. 04:05.100 --> 04:08.320 When I looked at Hamilton, who do you suppose it was? 04:08.320 --> 04:09.320 I don't know. 04:09.320 --> 04:10.320 Who? 04:10.320 --> 04:12.760 My brother, Walter, the one I've told you about. 04:12.760 --> 04:14.600 The one who was killed by that drunk in the cemetery. 04:14.600 --> 04:16.440 Harry, I never could get that story straight. 04:16.440 --> 04:17.880 I've told you about it a dozen times. 04:17.880 --> 04:20.000 This drunk came up to him when his back was turned and... 04:20.000 --> 04:21.520 What was he doing in the cemetery? 04:21.520 --> 04:22.520 That's not the point. 04:22.520 --> 04:23.520 He was killed. 04:23.520 --> 04:26.320 And I loved him very much. 04:26.320 --> 04:27.440 I don't understand what you... 04:27.440 --> 04:28.960 What's the use of telling you every time I mention it? 04:28.960 --> 04:32.280 You start asking the same questions. 04:32.280 --> 04:34.440 I understand now, dear. 04:34.440 --> 04:37.880 When you looked at Hamilton, he was your brother, Walter. 04:37.880 --> 04:38.880 Yes. 04:38.880 --> 04:43.640 Harry, maybe... maybe we ought to go to the country for more weekends. 04:43.640 --> 04:44.640 Weekends? 04:44.640 --> 04:45.640 Yes. 04:45.640 --> 04:55.680 I'm going to bed. 04:55.680 --> 04:59.240 For a time that evening, I worried about Harry. 04:59.240 --> 05:00.240 Not about his dream. 05:00.240 --> 05:01.480 Why shouldn't he dream? 05:01.480 --> 05:04.040 But I wondered about his health. 05:04.040 --> 05:06.820 He looked so... so worried somehow. 05:06.820 --> 05:08.520 So unlike himself. 05:08.520 --> 05:10.160 I was glad when he went to bed. 05:10.160 --> 05:13.240 A good night's sleep was just what he needed, I thought. 05:13.240 --> 05:15.240 How could I know? 05:15.240 --> 05:20.840 The next morning, we were quietly eating our grapefruit when Harry flung down his spoon. 05:20.840 --> 05:23.600 I wish he'd go back to France and stay there, him and his la-la. 05:23.600 --> 05:24.600 Who, dear? 05:24.600 --> 05:26.600 Oh, you mean Aaron Burr. 05:26.600 --> 05:28.120 Did you dream about him again? 05:28.120 --> 05:29.120 Yes. 05:29.120 --> 05:30.800 He said la-la to me. 05:30.800 --> 05:32.000 Why should he say la-la? 05:32.000 --> 05:34.880 I was at the tavern and we were drinking ale and I said something funny. 05:34.880 --> 05:36.360 I don't remember what it was. 05:36.360 --> 05:40.720 Something amusing about what Ben Franklin had said to Washington once. 05:40.720 --> 05:42.080 One of those things, you know. 05:42.080 --> 05:44.120 No, I don't. 05:44.120 --> 05:46.080 Have some... have some more coffee, dear. 05:46.080 --> 05:47.560 I don't want any coffee. 05:47.560 --> 05:50.440 I made this remark and everyone laughed. 05:50.440 --> 05:52.160 Everyone but Burr, that is. 05:52.160 --> 05:56.240 He sort of sniffed and then he said la-la. 05:56.240 --> 05:59.240 Well, why not? 05:59.240 --> 06:01.560 I mean, is there anything wrong about him saying la-la? 06:01.560 --> 06:02.760 It was the way he said it. 06:02.760 --> 06:04.200 He was sneering at me. 06:04.200 --> 06:05.200 They all noticed it. 06:05.200 --> 06:06.200 Who, dear? 06:06.200 --> 06:07.200 Who noticed it? 06:07.200 --> 06:08.280 The others, all of them. 06:08.280 --> 06:09.640 And Hamilton. 06:09.640 --> 06:10.840 I was there with Hamilton. 06:10.840 --> 06:14.000 It was swell until Burr came in. 06:14.000 --> 06:15.240 Aaron Burr. 06:15.240 --> 06:18.640 I don't see why you dream about him all the time. 06:18.640 --> 06:20.520 Don't you think you should take some luminal? 06:20.520 --> 06:21.720 I'm not sick, I tell you. 06:21.720 --> 06:22.720 I know what I'm dreaming. 06:22.720 --> 06:27.040 I just thought, well, it's always Burr and that seems odd. 06:27.040 --> 06:28.040 Well, why? 06:28.040 --> 06:29.480 Why shouldn't I dream about Burr if I want to? 06:29.480 --> 06:30.480 But you don't want to. 06:30.480 --> 06:32.240 No, but I can't help it. 06:32.240 --> 06:36.240 Everywhere I go with Alexander, sooner or later, Burr shows up and makes those nasty 06:36.240 --> 06:37.640 remarks. 06:37.640 --> 06:40.440 Last night he elbowed Alexander out of his way, did it deliberately. 06:40.440 --> 06:41.440 Alexander? 06:41.440 --> 06:42.440 Hamilton. 06:42.440 --> 06:44.680 Oh, Alexander Hamilton. 06:44.680 --> 06:47.920 Yes, goodness knows I'm familiar enough with him by this time to call him by his first 06:47.920 --> 06:48.920 name. 06:48.920 --> 06:53.640 Harry, you know, we might go to the old Rover's Inn this weekend. 06:53.640 --> 06:55.200 You like it there. 06:55.200 --> 06:59.000 Hamilton has become not only my brother, Walter, but practically every other guy I've ever 06:59.000 --> 07:00.000 liked. 07:00.000 --> 07:02.440 Don't you like the old Rover's Inn anymore? 07:02.440 --> 07:08.080 Isn't it natural that Hamilton should represent my brother and guys I like? 07:08.080 --> 07:10.360 That's natural, isn't it? 07:10.360 --> 07:11.560 Yes. 07:11.560 --> 07:12.560 I suppose it is. 07:12.560 --> 07:14.960 Well, then why are you looking at me like that? 07:14.960 --> 07:18.600 You know, dear, I wish you'd go and see Dr. Fox. 07:18.600 --> 07:20.640 I don't want to see Dr. Fox. 07:20.640 --> 07:24.240 I want Aaron Burr to stop sneering at me in my clothes. 07:24.240 --> 07:28.760 He looks at me and his lips curl up and he says, la la, Mr. Andrews, what odd taste you 07:28.760 --> 07:30.600 have. 07:30.600 --> 07:32.760 I wish you'd go and see Dr. Fox. 07:32.760 --> 07:36.240 I'm going to the zoo and feed popcorn to the rhinoceros. 07:36.240 --> 07:49.480 That makes the singing things seem right for a little while anyway. 07:49.480 --> 07:55.160 I thought he'd forgotten all about that ancient pistol duel because for two days after that, 07:55.160 --> 07:59.160 he lost his haggard, tired look and actually seemed cheerful. 07:59.160 --> 08:05.360 But one night, about five in the morning, he came into my room in pajamas and bare feet. 08:05.360 --> 08:07.920 His head is shoveled and his eyes wild. 08:07.920 --> 08:09.560 He's got him. 08:09.560 --> 08:10.560 He got him. 08:10.560 --> 08:12.320 The rotter got him. 08:12.320 --> 08:16.600 Alexander fired in the air and smiled at him, just like Walter must have smiled. 08:16.600 --> 08:17.600 Like Walter? 08:17.600 --> 08:20.840 Oh, yes, dear, your brother Walter, who was killed in the cemetery. 08:20.840 --> 08:22.320 This was at Weehawken in New Jersey. 08:22.320 --> 08:23.320 What? 08:23.320 --> 08:24.320 Your brother? 08:24.320 --> 08:25.320 No, Hamilton and Burr. 08:25.320 --> 08:26.320 The duel. 08:26.320 --> 08:28.240 Hamilton had a white ruff around his neck. 08:28.240 --> 08:31.080 Burr was in black tights, French clothes. 08:31.080 --> 08:35.440 Alexander lifted his pistol and fired in the air and then smiled at Burr. 08:35.440 --> 08:38.320 And then that fiend from hell took deliberate aim. 08:38.320 --> 08:39.800 He took so long. 08:39.800 --> 08:41.160 He meant to take his time about it. 08:41.160 --> 08:42.160 I saw him grin. 08:42.160 --> 08:45.440 And then he pointed his pistol at Alexander and fired. 08:45.440 --> 08:48.320 He killed him with cold blood, the foul scum. 08:48.320 --> 08:50.720 Oh, darling, don't, darling. 08:50.720 --> 08:53.560 Here, here, dear. 08:53.560 --> 08:54.560 Take some of these pills. 08:54.560 --> 08:55.560 I don't want any. 08:55.560 --> 08:56.560 Oh, take it. 08:56.560 --> 08:57.560 You'll feel better. 08:57.560 --> 08:59.560 I don't want any, I tell you. 08:59.560 --> 09:00.560 Here, darling. 09:00.560 --> 09:01.560 Swallow. 09:01.560 --> 09:02.560 Please, swallow. 09:02.560 --> 09:03.560 All right. 09:03.560 --> 09:04.560 There. 09:04.560 --> 09:05.560 That's better. 09:05.560 --> 09:17.160 The cad, the rotten, sneaking cad. 09:17.160 --> 09:18.880 He grinned just as he fired. 09:18.880 --> 09:24.720 And Alexander clutched himself at the stomach and shook his head and tried to walk forward. 09:24.720 --> 09:27.320 And he fell. 09:27.320 --> 09:30.600 And his mouth opened as though he wanted to say something. 09:30.600 --> 09:46.560 And Burr stood there, grinning. 09:46.560 --> 09:48.200 He was better after that. 09:48.200 --> 09:51.120 But I kept urging him to see Dr. Fox. 09:51.120 --> 09:52.920 At first he refused. 09:52.920 --> 09:56.480 But later he decided to humor me. 09:56.480 --> 09:58.840 He was humoring me by this time. 09:58.840 --> 10:01.840 And Dr. Fox, too. 10:01.840 --> 10:02.840 How you been feeling, Doc? 10:02.840 --> 10:05.080 Oh, fairly well, Mr. Androse. 10:05.080 --> 10:07.040 My pulse has been a sta... 10:07.040 --> 10:10.320 Now, just what seems to be the trouble? 10:10.320 --> 10:11.320 Nothing. 10:11.320 --> 10:12.320 Nothing wrong with me. 10:12.320 --> 10:13.320 He has nightmares. 10:13.320 --> 10:14.880 You look a little underweight. 10:14.880 --> 10:15.880 Perhaps your diet. 10:15.880 --> 10:17.720 Oh, I'm not underweight. 10:17.720 --> 10:20.880 Overweight maybe, but not underweight. 10:20.880 --> 10:22.520 Getting enough exercise? 10:22.520 --> 10:23.520 Same as usual. 10:23.520 --> 10:25.640 He's, he's worried about something. 10:25.640 --> 10:27.600 He always has this same dream. 10:27.600 --> 10:28.600 Aha! 10:28.600 --> 10:29.600 A dream, eh? 10:29.600 --> 10:30.600 What kind of a dream? 10:30.600 --> 10:31.600 Just a plain old dream. 10:31.600 --> 10:32.600 Aha! 10:32.600 --> 10:33.600 No, it isn't. 10:33.600 --> 10:36.760 It's about his brother Walter, who was killed in a cemetery by a drunken man. 10:36.760 --> 10:38.880 Only it isn't really about him. 10:38.880 --> 10:39.880 Really? 10:39.880 --> 10:43.640 Why, very few people are actually killed in cemeteries. 10:43.640 --> 10:46.240 It's an interesting coincidence, if I may say so. 10:46.240 --> 10:49.800 You mean, you know somebody who was killed in a cemetery, too? 10:49.800 --> 10:50.800 Is that the coincidence? 10:50.800 --> 10:51.800 I know I. 10:51.800 --> 10:54.640 I meant your brother being killed in a cemetery. 10:54.640 --> 10:57.480 You know, dead in a cemetery. 10:57.480 --> 11:01.400 A sort of, do you follow me? 11:01.400 --> 11:02.760 No. 11:02.760 --> 11:06.520 I think you should go see Dr. Fox, Dr. Fox. 11:06.520 --> 11:08.000 Hmm, interesting. 11:08.000 --> 11:10.320 Yes, very interesting. 11:10.320 --> 11:14.000 I wonder if you would mind stepping into the next room, Mr. Andrews. 11:14.000 --> 11:16.800 I want to give you a thorough examination. 11:16.800 --> 11:28.880 Right in here, sir, and we'll just have a look at you. 11:28.880 --> 11:29.880 Well I hope you're satisfied. 11:29.880 --> 11:30.880 You heard what he said. 11:30.880 --> 11:32.840 There's nothing to matter with me at all. 11:32.840 --> 11:35.080 I'm glad your heart is so fine. 11:35.080 --> 11:36.080 He said so, you know. 11:36.080 --> 11:37.760 He said your heart is fine. 11:37.760 --> 11:38.760 Sure it's fine. 11:38.760 --> 11:39.760 My heart's fine. 11:39.760 --> 11:40.760 Everything's fine. 11:40.760 --> 11:42.960 And you know, you know what I was thinking? 11:42.960 --> 11:43.960 No, what? 11:43.960 --> 11:49.560 I was just thinking that now that Alexander Hamilton is dead, why, you won't see any more 11:49.560 --> 11:50.560 of Aaron Burr. 11:50.560 --> 12:04.280 Yeah, yeah, I guess you're right. 12:04.280 --> 12:06.080 But I was wrong. 12:06.080 --> 12:10.800 Aaron Burr did not leave my husband to sweet or more peaceful dreams. 12:10.800 --> 12:15.720 Harry said nothing about it for several mornings, but I could tell he was still being tortured 12:15.720 --> 12:17.760 by those ghosts. 12:17.760 --> 12:19.680 He brooded over his breakfast. 12:19.680 --> 12:21.720 He didn't answer me when I spoke to him. 12:21.720 --> 12:23.960 I dropped my butter knife and he jumped. 12:23.960 --> 12:24.960 What was that? 12:24.960 --> 12:26.960 Only my knife. 12:26.960 --> 12:27.960 Oh. 12:27.960 --> 12:32.640 Harry, are you still dreaming about that man? 12:32.640 --> 12:34.400 Oh, I wish I hadn't told you about it. 12:34.400 --> 12:35.400 Forget it, will you? 12:35.400 --> 12:37.240 I can't forget it with you going on this way. 12:37.240 --> 12:39.880 Can't you forget I mentioned it? 12:39.880 --> 12:42.160 Maybe you should see a psychiatrist. 12:42.160 --> 12:43.640 Oh, Bosh. 12:43.640 --> 12:45.360 What does he do now? 12:45.360 --> 12:46.840 What does who do? 12:46.840 --> 12:48.120 Aaron Burr. 12:48.120 --> 12:51.240 I don't see why he keeps coming into your dreams now. 12:51.240 --> 12:54.520 He goes around bragging that he did it with his eyes closed. 12:54.520 --> 12:56.520 He says he didn't even look. 12:56.520 --> 12:57.520 Didn't look when? 12:57.520 --> 12:58.520 When he killed Alexander in that duel. 12:58.520 --> 12:59.520 Well, what? 12:59.520 --> 13:02.040 He claims he can hit the ace of spades at 30 paces blindfolded. 13:02.040 --> 13:06.120 Furthermore, since you ask what he does, he jostles me at parties now. 13:06.120 --> 13:07.880 I think you should stay out of this, Harry. 13:07.880 --> 13:11.040 It wasn't any business of yours anyway, and it happened so long ago. 13:11.040 --> 13:12.160 I'm not getting into anything. 13:12.160 --> 13:13.160 It's getting into me. 13:13.160 --> 13:14.160 Can't you see that? 13:14.160 --> 13:16.240 I see that we've got to get you away from here. 13:16.240 --> 13:20.760 Oh, maybe if you slept some pace out for a few nights, you wouldn't dream about him 13:20.760 --> 13:21.760 anymore. 13:21.760 --> 13:22.760 I don't know. 13:22.760 --> 13:24.160 Let's go to the country tomorrow. 13:24.160 --> 13:27.000 We'll stay at the Limelock rog. 13:27.000 --> 13:31.240 Bess, why can't we visit the Crowley's? 13:31.240 --> 13:32.240 They live in the country. 13:32.240 --> 13:34.240 All right, fine. 13:34.240 --> 13:38.120 Bob has a pistol, and we could do a little target shooting. 13:38.120 --> 13:39.880 What do you want a pistol for? 13:39.880 --> 13:41.440 Plenty of open space. 13:41.440 --> 13:44.200 I think you'd want to get away from shooting. 13:44.200 --> 13:45.200 Yes. 13:45.200 --> 13:46.200 Sure, dear. 13:46.200 --> 14:02.680 The vacation seemed a success at first. 14:02.680 --> 14:06.920 When we arrived at the Crowley's house in the cab, I thought I'd left my suitcase at 14:06.920 --> 14:08.480 the railroad station. 14:08.480 --> 14:12.800 Harry laughed his old normal laugh for the first time in many days as he found the bag 14:12.800 --> 14:14.520 and handed it to me. 14:14.520 --> 14:18.360 And then he leaned over and kissed me. 14:18.360 --> 14:19.360 Good old kinetic. 14:19.360 --> 14:20.880 Oh, Harry, this is wonderful. 14:20.880 --> 14:22.880 Oh, we'll have a grand time, Bess. 14:22.880 --> 14:23.880 Yes, dear. 14:23.880 --> 14:24.880 Hello, Bess. 14:24.880 --> 14:25.880 Hi, Harry. 14:25.880 --> 14:26.880 Here they come. 14:26.880 --> 14:27.880 Good old Bob. 14:27.880 --> 14:28.880 Remind me to tell him that rabbit joke. 14:28.880 --> 14:29.880 Hello, Madison. 14:29.880 --> 14:30.880 I'll take your bags, Mr. Andrews. 14:30.880 --> 14:31.880 Thank you, Madison. 14:31.880 --> 14:32.880 Thank you. 14:32.880 --> 14:33.880 Thank you, sir. 14:33.880 --> 14:34.880 Hello there. 14:34.880 --> 14:35.880 Bess, what a wonderful day. 14:35.880 --> 14:36.880 Well, Bob, how's the old country squire? 14:36.880 --> 14:37.880 Oh, fine. 14:37.880 --> 14:38.880 How have you been? 14:38.880 --> 14:39.880 Never better. 14:39.880 --> 14:40.880 Boy, it's good to be here. 14:40.880 --> 14:41.880 Hello, Alice. 14:41.880 --> 14:42.880 Well, you too. 14:42.880 --> 14:43.880 I'm so glad you've come. 14:43.880 --> 14:44.880 It gets kind of dull here in the hinterland. 14:44.880 --> 14:45.880 Oh, I'm glad too. 14:45.880 --> 14:48.440 Say, will you get one of our extra special cold martinis into you? 14:48.440 --> 14:49.440 You'll feel ship-shaped. 14:49.440 --> 14:51.000 Still know how to mix them, huh? 14:51.000 --> 14:52.000 Better never. 14:52.000 --> 14:54.880 Get lots of practice these long country winters. 14:54.880 --> 15:07.240 Oh, it was grand seeing Harry's face relaxed and smiling over his cocktail glass. 15:07.240 --> 15:10.800 When I went to bed that night, I felt that at last that nasty old business of the dream 15:10.800 --> 15:14.000 was over, and I was happy. 15:14.000 --> 15:21.240 But when I woke the next morning, when I woke, I saw my husband lying rigid on his back staring 15:21.240 --> 15:22.920 at the ceiling. 15:22.920 --> 15:25.280 One Henry Andrews, an architect. 15:25.280 --> 15:26.280 What's the matter, dear? 15:26.280 --> 15:27.280 Nothing. 15:27.280 --> 15:29.200 Oh, why don't you go back to sleep, Harry? 15:29.200 --> 15:31.480 It's only eight o'clock, and this is the country. 15:31.480 --> 15:34.040 One Henry Andrews, an architect. 15:34.040 --> 15:35.040 What are you talking about? 15:35.040 --> 15:36.040 That's what he calls me. 15:36.040 --> 15:37.840 Calls you who? 15:37.840 --> 15:39.560 One Henry Andrews, an architect. 15:39.560 --> 15:43.800 He keeps saying in his nasty little sneering voice, one Henry Andrews. 15:43.800 --> 15:45.920 Harry, Harry, please don't yell. 15:45.920 --> 15:47.520 You'll wake the whole house. 15:47.520 --> 15:48.520 It's early. 15:48.520 --> 15:49.520 People want to sleep. 15:49.520 --> 15:50.520 I'm beneath him. 15:50.520 --> 15:51.520 I'm just anybody. 15:51.520 --> 15:52.520 I'm a man in a gray suit. 15:52.520 --> 15:57.240 Be on your good behavior, my good man, he says to me, or I shall have one of my lackeys 15:57.240 --> 15:58.840 give you a taste of the writing crop. 15:58.840 --> 16:00.360 Why should he say that to you? 16:00.360 --> 16:01.360 You ask me why. 16:01.360 --> 16:04.000 He wasn't such a great man, was he? 16:04.000 --> 16:08.040 I mean, didn't he try to sell Louisiana to the French or something behind Washington's 16:08.040 --> 16:09.040 back? 16:09.040 --> 16:10.040 He was a traitor. 16:10.040 --> 16:11.040 Then why worry what he says? 16:11.040 --> 16:14.680 He was a scoundrel, but a very brilliant mind. 16:14.680 --> 16:18.000 I was in hopes you weren't going to dream about him anymore. 16:18.000 --> 16:19.400 I thought if we came up here... 16:19.400 --> 16:20.760 It's him or me. 16:20.760 --> 16:21.760 I can't stand this forever. 16:21.760 --> 16:35.280 Neither can I. 16:35.280 --> 16:40.320 As I had expected, Harry spent most of the afternoon with Bob shooting at targets. 16:40.320 --> 16:42.840 At first they just aimed at the paper squares. 16:42.840 --> 16:45.920 It all seemed to be good nature and in fun. 16:45.920 --> 16:50.120 After a while, Harry stood with his back to the dead tree trunk on which the targets were 16:50.120 --> 16:51.640 nailed. 16:51.640 --> 16:57.960 Then he walked 30 paces ahead in a stiff legged manner and his face was set in stern lines. 16:57.960 --> 17:00.720 His revolver was at arm's length above his head. 17:00.720 --> 17:04.800 When he turned suddenly and fired, Bob dropped to the ground scared. 17:04.800 --> 17:07.000 Hey, what's the big idea, Harry? 17:07.000 --> 17:08.440 But Harry didn't answer. 17:08.440 --> 17:11.760 He started to walk back to that dead tree trunk again. 17:11.760 --> 17:16.360 Then with his back to the target, he began marking off the 30 paces. 17:16.360 --> 17:17.360 Bob called to him. 17:17.360 --> 17:19.640 I think they kept their arms hanging straight down. 17:19.640 --> 17:21.720 I don't think they struck him up in the air. 17:21.720 --> 17:23.800 But my husband continued to count off. 17:23.800 --> 17:29.400 At the 30th step, he lowered his arm, wheeled about suddenly and fired from his hip. 17:29.400 --> 17:31.360 Hey there, watch out! 17:31.360 --> 17:35.040 Two of the shots missed the tree, but the last one hit it. 17:35.040 --> 17:39.520 Like a mechanical man or someone in a trance, Harry began to walk back to the tree again 17:39.520 --> 17:40.960 without a word. 17:40.960 --> 17:44.320 His lips tight, his eyes bright, his breathing coming fast. 17:44.320 --> 17:45.880 And look, it's my turn. 17:45.880 --> 17:48.480 But Harry about faced and stalked on. 17:48.480 --> 17:53.720 This time when he fired, his eyes were closed. 17:53.720 --> 17:56.360 Poor Bob didn't know what to make of this strange behavior. 17:56.360 --> 17:59.200 Hey, good heavens, man, give me that gun, will you? 17:59.200 --> 18:01.640 Without a protest, Harry let him have it. 18:01.640 --> 18:05.040 For the first time, he spoke. 18:05.040 --> 18:06.040 I... 18:06.040 --> 18:08.280 I need a lot more practice, I guess. 18:08.280 --> 18:10.360 Well, not with me standing around. 18:10.360 --> 18:12.680 Come on, let's get back to the house and shake up a drink. 18:12.680 --> 18:14.280 Gee, I've got the jumps. 18:14.280 --> 18:25.080 I need a lot more practice. 18:25.080 --> 18:30.280 I guess I must have slept soundly that night because I didn't hear him leave the room. 18:30.280 --> 18:35.160 He must have crawled out of bed, dressed silently and crept out of the room. 18:35.160 --> 18:40.600 The sun was just coming up and the light was hard and the air was cold. 18:40.600 --> 18:43.600 Then I heard the shots. 18:43.600 --> 18:47.760 I threw on a dressing gown and ran downstairs. 18:47.760 --> 18:49.560 The crowlies were in the hall. 18:49.560 --> 18:51.320 Oh, good heavens, Beth. 18:51.320 --> 18:52.320 Is Harry all right? 18:52.320 --> 18:53.320 It sounds like it. 18:53.320 --> 18:54.320 Where is he? 18:54.320 --> 18:55.320 What's he doing? 18:55.320 --> 18:57.320 It sounds as though he's out behind the studio shooting. 18:57.320 --> 18:58.320 Oh, Alice. 18:58.320 --> 18:59.800 Oh, no, no, take it easy, Beth. 18:59.800 --> 19:01.000 Bob will go out and get him. 19:01.000 --> 19:03.480 Maybe... maybe he had a nightmare or walked in his sleep. 19:03.480 --> 19:05.440 No, no, he never walks in his sleep. 19:05.440 --> 19:06.440 He's awake all right. 19:06.440 --> 19:08.120 Now let's go down and get some coffee. 19:08.120 --> 19:09.120 He'll need some. 19:09.120 --> 19:10.560 Yes, I'll need some too. 19:10.560 --> 19:11.840 What the dickens is the matter with him anyway? 19:11.840 --> 19:12.840 I don't know. 19:12.840 --> 19:13.840 I'm so sorry. 19:13.840 --> 19:14.840 Bob, you go get him. 19:14.840 --> 19:15.840 At your service, madam. 19:15.840 --> 19:16.840 Alive or dead. 19:16.840 --> 19:17.840 Bob, stop it. 19:17.840 --> 19:21.560 Okay, I'll do my best. 19:21.560 --> 19:22.560 Come on, Beth. 19:22.560 --> 19:23.560 We'll go to the kitchen. 19:23.560 --> 19:24.560 What's that noise? 19:24.560 --> 19:25.560 Where? 19:25.560 --> 19:26.560 In the kitchen. 19:26.560 --> 19:27.560 Oh, oh, it's you, Madison. 19:27.560 --> 19:28.560 Yes, ma'am. 19:28.560 --> 19:29.560 Well, you're shaking. 19:29.560 --> 19:30.560 I was just wondering, ma'am. 19:30.560 --> 19:31.560 No, no, no, it's all right, Madison. 19:31.560 --> 19:32.560 You go on back to bed. 19:32.560 --> 19:33.560 Clothida was scared, ma'am, and I thought... 19:33.560 --> 19:34.560 Will you tell me what happened? 19:34.560 --> 19:35.560 I was just wondering, ma'am. 19:35.560 --> 19:36.560 Oh, I'm sorry. 19:36.560 --> 19:37.560 I was just wondering, ma'am. 19:37.560 --> 19:38.560 Oh, I'm sorry. 19:38.560 --> 19:39.560 I was just wondering, ma'am. 19:39.560 --> 19:44.560 Will you tell me what happened? 19:44.560 --> 19:47.560 Andrews is shooting a little. He couldn't sleep. 19:47.560 --> 19:48.560 Yes, ma'am. 19:48.560 --> 19:49.560 Yes. 19:56.560 --> 19:59.560 I don't know what to do, Alice. 19:59.560 --> 20:15.560 I guess the Crowley's were relieved when the cab came to drive us to the station early that day. 20:15.560 --> 20:22.560 Their maid had threatened to leave. The neighbors were complaining about the early morning disturbance, and their own nerves were ragged. 20:24.560 --> 20:26.560 Boy, I'll need a drink after that. 20:26.560 --> 20:28.560 Here's an eight-miner's stiff one. 20:28.560 --> 20:30.560 Gee, I'm sure glad he's gone. 20:30.560 --> 20:34.560 Well, it was either he or Clotheda. You can't afford to lose a good cook these days. 20:34.560 --> 20:36.560 Say, what do you think's the matter with him? 20:36.560 --> 20:40.560 I don't know. It's what Clotheda would call the shoots, I guess. 20:40.560 --> 20:43.560 You know, he said a funny thing when I went out and got him this morning. 20:43.560 --> 20:46.560 Well, let's have it. I could stand the funny thing. 20:46.560 --> 20:53.560 I asked him what the deuce he was doing out there in that freezing air with only his pants and shirt and shoes on, and you know what he said? 20:53.560 --> 20:54.560 What? 20:54.560 --> 20:58.560 I'll get him one of these nights. That's just what he said. 21:07.560 --> 21:10.560 By this time, I was really frightened. 21:10.560 --> 21:14.560 When we returned to the city, Harry was a picture of gloom. 21:14.560 --> 21:22.560 Our first night back, I looked at him as he lay on the chaise long in my bedroom in his blue dressing gown, smoking a cigarette. 21:22.560 --> 21:26.560 He was haggard and tired, and he kept biting his lower lip. 21:26.560 --> 21:29.560 I mixed a scotch and water nightcap for him. 21:29.560 --> 21:32.560 No thanks, no liquor. I need a steady hand. 21:32.560 --> 21:34.560 Watch my hand. Does it tremble? 21:34.560 --> 21:35.560 No. 21:35.560 --> 21:36.560 Is it steady? 21:36.560 --> 21:38.560 Yes, very. 21:38.560 --> 21:42.560 That's good. That's very good. You need a steady hand, you know. 21:42.560 --> 21:44.560 For what, dear? 21:44.560 --> 21:46.560 Oh, things. 21:46.560 --> 21:50.560 Harry, will you sleep in my room tonight? 21:50.560 --> 21:55.560 No, you'd keep shaking me all night to keep me awake. You're afraid to let me meet him. 21:55.560 --> 21:57.560 Are you still on that? 21:57.560 --> 22:01.560 Why do you think everybody's better than I? I can out-shoot him the best day he ever lived. 22:01.560 --> 22:02.560 Oh, of course, dear. 22:02.560 --> 22:10.560 In the Westcat, right next to the middle button. He has three big pearl buttons on his Westcat. Came from France. 22:10.560 --> 22:14.560 Why don't you dream about somebody else? Anybody else, please? 22:14.560 --> 22:18.560 You'd like that, wouldn't you? You'd like to have me dream about somebody who wouldn't hurt a fly, somebody like that. 22:18.560 --> 22:21.560 Because you'd know I'd never get in a duel with him. 22:21.560 --> 22:23.560 A duel? You're dreaming of a duel now? 22:23.560 --> 22:25.560 Ever since Hamilton died. 22:25.560 --> 22:29.560 Burr knows I hate him. It's nearly over now. 22:29.560 --> 22:30.560 Harry. 22:30.560 --> 22:33.560 It's him or me. I'll get him, the Rotter. 22:33.560 --> 22:34.560 But, Harry... 22:33.560 --> 22:35.560 I know I'll get him. 22:35.560 --> 22:41.560 You see, I have a modern pistol. He has to use an old-fashioned single-shot muzzleloader. 22:41.560 --> 22:43.560 Is that quite fair? 22:43.560 --> 22:47.560 Fair? What do I care if it's fair or not? Was it fair the way he shot Alexander? 22:47.560 --> 22:49.560 Was it? 22:49.560 --> 22:51.560 Don't be mad with me, Harry. 22:51.560 --> 22:53.560 Oh, I'm... I'm sorry, darling. 22:53.560 --> 22:55.560 I'm very unhappy. 22:55.560 --> 22:56.560 I'm sorry, darling. 22:56.560 --> 22:58.560 And I'm worried sick. 22:58.560 --> 23:02.560 I'm sorry, darling. Don't cry. Please don't cry. It upsets me when you cry. 23:02.560 --> 23:11.560 And I mustn't be upset. I must be very calm and rested. My hand must be steady tonight. Especially tonight. 23:11.560 --> 23:13.560 I'm so worried, Harry. 23:13.560 --> 23:19.560 Don't worry about me. I'll be all right. I'll be fine. My hand is like a rock. 23:24.560 --> 23:31.560 Later, when I kissed him good night, I knew it was really goodbye. He didn't say anything and neither did I. 23:31.560 --> 23:36.560 It's just that he seemed so far away. In... in another world. 23:36.560 --> 23:40.560 And each moment I felt that he was becoming more and more remote. 23:40.560 --> 23:43.560 Something told me he wasn't coming back. 23:48.560 --> 23:55.560 I couldn't sleep. After an hour of tossing and turning, I went to Harry's room. He was sleeping peacefully. 23:55.560 --> 24:02.560 I sat down in his chair and watched over him for a long while. Then, finally, I must have fallen asleep. 24:04.560 --> 24:06.560 A beautiful morning. 24:06.560 --> 24:10.560 It was about five in the morning when I awoke. Harry was talking in his sleep. 24:11.560 --> 24:17.560 Ah, yes. The doctor. Good of you to come, doctor. Yes, often misty at this hour. 24:17.560 --> 24:18.560 Harry. 24:18.560 --> 24:20.560 Are they loaded? Splendid. 24:20.560 --> 24:22.560 Harry, wake up. 24:22.560 --> 24:29.560 Yes, I'm perfectly ready. Here's Mr. Burr. He is good. Shall we proceed? 24:29.560 --> 24:32.560 No, I do not care to make a statement. 24:32.560 --> 24:39.560 Very well. Yes, I understand perfectly. Ten paces. Turn and fire at the dropping of the handkerchief. 24:39.560 --> 24:41.560 Yes, ten paces. 24:41.560 --> 24:42.560 Harry. Harry. 24:42.560 --> 24:46.560 Thank you for acting as my second, Mr. J. Of course, extremely good of you. 24:46.560 --> 24:48.560 Very well, then I'm quite ready. 24:49.560 --> 24:50.560 One. 24:50.560 --> 24:51.560 Harry. 24:51.560 --> 24:52.560 Two. 24:52.560 --> 24:53.560 Three. 24:53.560 --> 24:54.560 Harry. 24:54.560 --> 24:55.560 Four. 24:55.560 --> 24:56.560 Harry, please. 24:56.560 --> 24:57.560 Five. 24:57.560 --> 24:58.560 Don't, Harry. 24:58.560 --> 24:59.560 Six. 24:59.560 --> 25:00.560 Harry! 25:00.560 --> 25:02.560 Nine. Ten. 25:04.560 --> 25:05.560 Harry. 25:07.560 --> 25:08.560 Harry, dear. 25:11.560 --> 25:12.560 Harry. 25:22.560 --> 25:25.560 Dr. Fox was puzzled when he examined Harry the next morning. 25:25.560 --> 25:30.560 Oh, extraordinary. His heart was as sound as a dollar when I saw him the other day. 25:30.560 --> 25:32.560 He seemed to be fine, Dr. Fox. 25:32.560 --> 25:33.560 I can't understand it. 25:33.560 --> 25:34.560 What? 25:34.560 --> 25:37.560 Why his heart stopped as if he'd been shot. 25:37.560 --> 25:38.560 Shot? 25:38.560 --> 25:41.560 Yes. Of course, there are no gunshot wounds and no... 25:41.560 --> 25:42.560 Shot. 25:42.560 --> 25:43.560 Now, Mrs. Andrews. 25:43.560 --> 25:44.560 That's it. Shot. 25:44.560 --> 25:47.560 Now, now, you'll have to calm yourself. You can't help him now. 25:47.560 --> 25:49.560 I should have known it would happen. 25:49.560 --> 25:52.560 I kept staring at Harry's right hand. 25:52.560 --> 25:56.560 The three fingers next to the index finger were closed stiffly on the palm, 25:56.560 --> 25:58.560 as if gripping the handle of a pestle. 25:59.560 --> 26:04.560 The taut thumb was doing its part to hold that invisible handle tightly and unwaveringly. 26:04.560 --> 26:07.560 But it was the index finger which held my eye the longest. 26:07.560 --> 26:10.560 I looked carefully to make sure I was right. 26:10.560 --> 26:13.560 Yes. Yes, it was so. 26:13.560 --> 26:16.560 That index finger was curved inward slightly. 26:16.560 --> 26:19.560 As if it were about to press the trigger of a pistol. 26:20.560 --> 26:23.560 So there had been a duel after all. 26:23.560 --> 26:26.560 Perhaps there was no gunshot wound. 26:26.560 --> 26:30.560 But Harry had been shot as surely as he was dead. 26:31.560 --> 26:34.560 Dr. Fox saw me staring and spoke to me. 26:34.560 --> 26:36.560 What are you looking at, Mrs. Andrews? 26:36.560 --> 26:40.560 Harry never even fired a shot. 26:40.560 --> 26:43.560 Aaron Burr killed him the way he killed Hamilton. 26:43.560 --> 26:46.560 Aaron Burr killed him the way he killed Hamilton. 26:46.560 --> 26:47.560 What are you talking about? 26:47.560 --> 26:50.560 Aaron Burr shot him through the heart. 26:50.560 --> 26:51.560 I knew he would. 26:51.560 --> 26:52.560 Yes, but there's no evidence to... 26:52.560 --> 26:54.560 I knew he would! 26:57.560 --> 27:00.560 Then Dr. Fox put an arm around me. 27:00.560 --> 27:04.560 He looked at me gently and a bit frightened, 27:04.560 --> 27:08.560 the way I used to look at Harry when he told me about his dreams. 27:08.560 --> 27:11.560 He led me to his assistant and whispered something. 27:11.560 --> 27:14.560 He thought I didn't hear him, but I did. 27:14.560 --> 27:15.560 She's crazy. 27:15.560 --> 27:18.560 Stark raving crazy. 27:18.560 --> 27:20.560 I let the assistant take me away. 27:20.560 --> 27:23.560 Maybe he thought I was crazy too. 27:23.560 --> 27:26.560 But now I knew. 27:26.560 --> 27:30.560 Aaron Burr got Harry. 27:30.560 --> 27:35.560 Just as he had killed Hamilton in that old quarrel long ago. 27:37.560 --> 27:39.560 I knew he would! 27:39.560 --> 27:41.560 I knew he would! 27:59.560 --> 28:03.560 And so closes A Friend to Alexander, 28:03.560 --> 28:06.560 starring Robert Young and Geraldine Fitzgerald, 28:06.560 --> 28:10.560 the James Thurber story which was tonight's tale of... 28:10.560 --> 28:12.560 Suspense. 28:14.560 --> 28:17.560 The producer of these broadcasts is William Spear, 28:17.560 --> 28:19.560 who with Robert Louis Shea on guest director, 28:19.560 --> 28:21.560 Freya Howard author, 28:21.560 --> 28:25.560 and Bernard Herman and Lucy Ann Marowick conductor and composer, 28:25.560 --> 28:30.560 collaborated in presenting A Friend to Alexander. 28:30.560 --> 28:35.560 Now CBS is pleased to announce that beginning August 17th 28:35.560 --> 28:38.560 at 10 to 10.30 Eastern War time, 28:38.560 --> 28:42.560 Mr. Robert Young, whom you've heard as star of tonight's suspense, 28:42.560 --> 28:47.560 will begin a brand new CBS series entitled Passport for Hunter. 28:47.560 --> 28:50.560 Passport for Hunter will bring you each week the adventures 28:50.560 --> 28:54.560 of an American newspaper reporter among the people of the United Nations. 28:54.560 --> 28:57.560 Next week's broadcast will be written and directed by Norman Reed, 28:57.560 --> 29:01.560 next week's broadcast will be written and directed by Norman Corwin, 29:01.560 --> 29:03.560 with music by Bernard Herman, 29:03.560 --> 29:06.560 and the stars we have said will be Robert Young. 29:08.560 --> 29:10.560 This is your narrator, the man in black, 29:10.560 --> 29:15.560 inviting you to be with us next week at the same time when with Miss Agnes Moorhead, 29:15.560 --> 29:20.560 and with a repeat performance by popular request of the play called Sorry Wrong Number. 29:20.560 --> 29:22.560 We again hope to keep you in... 29:22.560 --> 29:24.560 Suspense. 29:24.560 --> 29:29.560 This is CBS, the Columbia Broadcasting System.