1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:10,000 Now, Roma Wines, R-O-M-A, made in California for enjoyment throughout the world. 2 00:00:10,000 --> 00:00:14,000 Roma Wines presents Suspense. 3 00:00:17,000 --> 00:00:23,000 Tonight, Roma Wines bring you Mr. Alan Hale, a star of The Leading Citizen of Pratt County, 4 00:00:23,000 --> 00:00:32,000 a suspense play produced, edited and directed for Roma Wines by William Spear. 5 00:00:32,000 --> 00:00:39,000 Suspense, Radio's outstanding theater of thrills, is presented for your enjoyment by Roma Wines. 6 00:00:39,000 --> 00:00:42,000 That's R-O-M-A, Roma Wines. 7 00:00:42,000 --> 00:00:46,000 Those excellent California wines that can add so much pleasantness to the way you live, 8 00:00:46,000 --> 00:00:51,000 to your happiness and entertaining guests, to your enjoyment of everyday meals. 9 00:00:51,000 --> 00:00:57,000 Yes, right now a glass full would be very pleasant, as Roma Wines bring you Alan Hale, 10 00:00:57,000 --> 00:01:00,000 in a remarkable tale of Suspense. 11 00:01:04,000 --> 00:01:08,000 I'm an old man now, and I'm afraid I'm not a very good old man. 12 00:01:08,000 --> 00:01:13,000 In fact, by every conceivable standard, I am a thoroughly bad old man. 13 00:01:13,000 --> 00:01:18,000 Not that such a thing is known or even suspected in Pratt County, to the contrary. 14 00:01:18,000 --> 00:01:22,000 Here it is the universal and unshakable opinion that I combine the wisdom of Solomon 15 00:01:22,000 --> 00:01:25,000 with the virtues of the Twelve Apostles. 16 00:01:25,000 --> 00:01:29,000 But since I now have every reason to believe that I must shortly shuffle off this mortal coil, 17 00:01:29,000 --> 00:01:33,000 both honor and what I freely confess to be a perverted sense of humor, 18 00:01:33,000 --> 00:01:38,000 impel me to expose this pleasant notion for the outrageous fraud that it is. 19 00:01:38,000 --> 00:01:43,000 And so it happens that I hereby leave to my heirs and assigns this true account 20 00:01:43,000 --> 00:01:48,000 of how I became the leading citizen of Pratt County. 21 00:01:53,000 --> 00:01:57,000 It was some 20 years ago that I first found myself driving through this part of the country 22 00:01:57,000 --> 00:02:02,000 with an associate of mine, after the completion of a fairly successful operation on the west coast, 23 00:02:02,000 --> 00:02:05,000 which necessitated our speedy trip east. 24 00:02:05,000 --> 00:02:09,000 We had been driving along the banks of a lovely stream across a grassy plateau 25 00:02:09,000 --> 00:02:14,000 known in some western states as a park, and were heading toward a lush and fertile valley 26 00:02:14,000 --> 00:02:19,000 of farmland that could be seen some miles below. 27 00:02:19,000 --> 00:02:24,000 But for some unaccountable reason, the intervening area was the hottest, the dustiest, 28 00:02:24,000 --> 00:02:31,000 the most desolate and altogether poisonous strip of country it has ever been my misfortune to encounter. 29 00:02:31,000 --> 00:02:37,000 And right in the middle of this desert was a, I use the word loosely, a town. 30 00:02:37,000 --> 00:02:43,000 And it was right on the outskirts of this town that my partner at last forced me to divulge certain unfortunate facts 31 00:02:43,000 --> 00:02:47,000 that were destined to alter the entire direction of my life. 32 00:02:47,000 --> 00:02:50,000 Why, you crook, you dirty lousy old crook. 33 00:02:50,000 --> 00:02:53,000 No, Harry, how was I to know the horse would lose? 34 00:02:53,000 --> 00:02:56,000 You knew that half the dough was mine, didn't you? You knew that much. 35 00:02:56,000 --> 00:03:01,000 But I thought I was doing you a favor, Harry. I had the most positive assurances that that horse... 36 00:03:01,000 --> 00:03:06,000 Our whole take lost. Six months' work. Every dime we made on that oil stock racket. 37 00:03:06,000 --> 00:03:11,000 And now you tell me. Now. A thousand miles from civilization in the middle of a dust ball somewhere. 38 00:03:11,000 --> 00:03:14,000 Oh, I'm sorry, Harry. I'm truly sorry. 39 00:03:14,000 --> 00:03:18,000 And I give you my solemn promise that such a thing will never happen again. Why, that horse... 40 00:03:18,000 --> 00:03:24,000 You bet your life it won't, because you and me are through. As of now. Through. Finished. Washed up. 41 00:03:24,000 --> 00:03:28,000 Oh. Now, now, now, wait a minute, Harry. Let's not be hasty. 42 00:03:28,000 --> 00:03:29,000 You heard me. Out. 43 00:03:29,000 --> 00:03:32,000 Just a moment. By what right do you presume... 44 00:03:32,000 --> 00:03:33,000 By this right. 45 00:03:33,000 --> 00:03:34,000 Oh. Oh. 46 00:03:34,000 --> 00:03:39,000 And here's your suitcase. And I wish you all the tough luck in the world. Goodbye. 47 00:03:39,000 --> 00:03:42,000 Oh. Oh. 48 00:03:42,000 --> 00:03:43,000 Oh. 49 00:03:43,000 --> 00:03:44,000 Oh. 50 00:03:44,000 --> 00:03:45,000 Oh. 51 00:03:45,000 --> 00:03:47,000 Gracious. What happened? Are you all right? 52 00:03:47,000 --> 00:03:48,000 Oh. 53 00:03:48,000 --> 00:03:49,000 Oh, here. Help me with the mop. 54 00:03:49,000 --> 00:03:50,000 Yes, of course. 55 00:03:50,000 --> 00:03:53,000 Help with the... Why, that poor fellow's about all in. 56 00:03:53,000 --> 00:03:56,000 We've got to take him inside. He ought to lay down for a spell. 57 00:03:56,000 --> 00:03:57,000 Brush him off here. 58 00:03:57,000 --> 00:03:59,000 Say, can you make him scream? 59 00:03:59,000 --> 00:04:02,000 Well, yes. Yes. Thank you. You're very kind. 60 00:04:02,000 --> 00:04:04,000 Oh, that's all right. It's a pleasure. 61 00:04:04,000 --> 00:04:08,000 Oh, you're the first stranger to stop off here in Pratsville since about... 62 00:04:08,000 --> 00:04:09,000 ...1929. 63 00:04:09,000 --> 00:04:11,000 You able to walk all right? 64 00:04:11,000 --> 00:04:13,000 Yes. Yes. Thank you. 65 00:04:13,000 --> 00:04:16,000 Oh, my gracious. What in the world ever happened? 66 00:04:16,000 --> 00:04:19,000 Oh, young scoundrel. Hitchhiker. 67 00:04:19,000 --> 00:04:22,000 Picked him up a few miles back and the next thing I knew, he assaulted me. 68 00:04:22,000 --> 00:04:24,000 Took my money and made off with my car. 69 00:04:24,000 --> 00:04:26,000 Well, I can tell you. Come on into the house. 70 00:04:26,000 --> 00:04:27,000 Yes. 71 00:04:27,000 --> 00:04:30,000 Well, yes. You see, it's not that I care about the money and the car is heavily insured. 72 00:04:30,000 --> 00:04:32,000 Of course, it's the inconvenience. 73 00:04:32,000 --> 00:04:37,000 I suppose that I shall have to stay over somewhere until my agent can send me funds. 74 00:04:37,000 --> 00:04:39,000 Now, don't you give it another thought. 75 00:04:39,000 --> 00:04:42,000 You can stay right here with us just as long as you have a mind to. 76 00:04:42,000 --> 00:04:45,000 You can have this very room, Sonny's room. 77 00:04:45,000 --> 00:04:48,000 Well, Sonny will be coming home any day now, though, Ma. 78 00:04:48,000 --> 00:04:51,000 Then he can have the spare room. Sonny's our boy. 79 00:04:51,000 --> 00:04:53,000 He's up at State University. See? 80 00:04:53,000 --> 00:04:55,000 Here's his picture with the swimming team. 81 00:04:55,000 --> 00:04:56,000 He's captain of it. 82 00:04:56,000 --> 00:04:57,000 He's the captain. 83 00:04:57,000 --> 00:04:59,000 And here he is with the lacrosse team. 84 00:04:59,000 --> 00:05:04,000 Yes, yes. Well, believe me, I am deeply grateful for your hospitality, 85 00:05:04,000 --> 00:05:08,000 but I'm afraid the air here wouldn't agree with my constitution, heart, you know. 86 00:05:08,000 --> 00:05:10,000 Now, don't you worry none about the air. 87 00:05:10,000 --> 00:05:15,000 Of course, it is a little hot and dusty this time of the year, but it won't hurt you none. 88 00:05:15,000 --> 00:05:17,000 Other times of year, it's different, eh? 89 00:05:17,000 --> 00:05:18,000 Mm-hmm. 90 00:05:18,000 --> 00:05:21,000 The rainy season. It gets real muddy there. 91 00:05:21,000 --> 00:05:23,000 Yeah, well, I see how it would. 92 00:05:23,000 --> 00:05:25,000 Well, there's a funny thing about this town, though. 93 00:05:25,000 --> 00:05:30,000 I do say that when it was first settled, it was one of the prettiest little places you could find in the whole state. 94 00:05:30,000 --> 00:05:32,000 Of course, that was a long time ago. 95 00:05:32,000 --> 00:05:34,000 Oh, yeah. It must have been. 96 00:05:34,000 --> 00:05:36,000 You, uh, you come down through the park, didn't you? 97 00:05:36,000 --> 00:05:37,000 Well, of course you did. 98 00:05:37,000 --> 00:05:40,000 You notice that fine-looking river flowing alongside the road? 99 00:05:40,000 --> 00:05:41,000 Yeah. 100 00:05:41,000 --> 00:05:45,000 Well, sir, that river used to flow right through the center of town. 101 00:05:45,000 --> 00:05:47,000 You can still see where it did. 102 00:05:47,000 --> 00:05:51,000 And then about, oh, 89 years ago, there was a tremble or something way up the mountains, 103 00:05:51,000 --> 00:05:56,000 and a big hole opened up in the ground, and that river just dropped plum out of sight right on the edge of the park. 104 00:05:56,000 --> 00:05:57,000 Is that...? 105 00:05:57,000 --> 00:06:02,000 Yeah. She'd come out of the ground and get knocked clear down the valley about ten miles away. 106 00:06:02,000 --> 00:06:04,000 That's why it's a dry apiece. 107 00:06:04,000 --> 00:06:06,000 Well, well, you don't say. 108 00:06:06,000 --> 00:06:07,000 Yeah, yeah. 109 00:06:07,000 --> 00:06:12,000 A few years back, there was talk about the WPA closing up that hole so the river would run right through the town again. 110 00:06:12,000 --> 00:06:17,000 Oh, I tell you, folks here got pretty excited about it, even after putting up half the money. 111 00:06:17,000 --> 00:06:19,000 And they raised it, too, they did. 112 00:06:19,000 --> 00:06:21,000 They did, eh? 113 00:06:21,000 --> 00:06:22,000 Yes. 114 00:06:22,000 --> 00:06:23,000 They raised the money? 115 00:06:23,000 --> 00:06:24,000 That's right. 116 00:06:24,000 --> 00:06:28,000 Oh, there's folks around here that got money all right when they got a mind to let loose of it. 117 00:06:28,000 --> 00:06:29,000 Oh, I see. 118 00:06:29,000 --> 00:06:33,000 And would it be too much to ask how much they raised? 119 00:06:33,000 --> 00:06:36,000 Oh, come to pretty near $50,000 as the town share of it. 120 00:06:36,000 --> 00:06:40,000 But then some fella come up from Washington and look things over, and he said, 121 00:06:40,000 --> 00:06:44,000 we closed up the hole, let it dry up the valley down below and ruin all the farmers down there. 122 00:06:44,000 --> 00:06:47,000 So then, of course, we just had to give up the whole idea. 123 00:06:47,000 --> 00:06:49,000 Well, now, that is interesting. 124 00:06:49,000 --> 00:06:51,000 Most interesting, Mr.... 125 00:06:51,000 --> 00:06:53,000 Neff. Woodrow Neff. 126 00:06:53,000 --> 00:06:55,000 Of course, this is Mrs. Neff. 127 00:06:55,000 --> 00:06:57,000 A great pleasure, Mr. Neff. Mrs. Neff. 128 00:06:57,000 --> 00:06:58,000 Thank you. 129 00:06:58,000 --> 00:07:02,000 My name is Witherspoon. Alonzo P. Witherspoon. 130 00:07:02,000 --> 00:07:04,000 Professor Witherspoon. 131 00:07:04,000 --> 00:07:08,000 A professor? My weight of sunny heels, we got a real professor in the house. 132 00:07:08,000 --> 00:07:14,000 Yes. As I say, Mr. Neff, this is most interesting, particularly interesting to me, 133 00:07:14,000 --> 00:07:18,000 as it happens that I am a professor of geology, and in that capacity, 134 00:07:18,000 --> 00:07:24,000 I serve as technical advisor to Senator Cotton of the Committee of National Parks and Monuments 135 00:07:24,000 --> 00:07:27,000 and Subterranean Waterways. You've heard of Senator Cotton? 136 00:07:27,000 --> 00:07:29,000 Oh, why, sure, sure. 137 00:07:29,000 --> 00:07:33,000 Well, say, maybe you've already heard of this river, Vars. Green River, it's called. 138 00:07:33,000 --> 00:07:36,000 Precisely what I was coming to, Mr. Neff. 139 00:07:36,000 --> 00:07:40,000 As you were speaking, I began to remember the discussions we had had in committee. 140 00:07:40,000 --> 00:07:42,000 It was some years ago, wasn't it? 141 00:07:42,000 --> 00:07:44,000 1936, wasn't it, Pa? 142 00:07:44,000 --> 00:07:46,000 The summer of 1936 was when the flutter came out here. 143 00:07:46,000 --> 00:07:52,000 Exactly, and I remember telling Senator Cotton at the time that we must look into the whole project again, 144 00:07:52,000 --> 00:07:56,000 when the sedimentary substrata had been given time to settle. 145 00:07:56,000 --> 00:07:59,000 Then, of course, it was forgotten in the press of other matters. 146 00:07:59,000 --> 00:08:01,000 You know how those things are in Washington. 147 00:08:01,000 --> 00:08:07,000 And now, by the merest chance, I am given the perfect opportunity of examining Green River for myself. 148 00:08:07,000 --> 00:08:11,000 Oh, it's an ill wind that blows nobody good, eh, Mr. Neff? 149 00:08:11,000 --> 00:08:14,000 Well, say, now you will have to stay with this a while. 150 00:08:14,000 --> 00:08:19,000 Yes, yes, Mr. Neff, I think I must. I really think I must. 151 00:08:27,000 --> 00:08:33,000 For Suspense, Roma Wines are bringing you as star Alan Hale in The Leading Citizen of Pratt County, 152 00:08:33,000 --> 00:08:35,000 a radio play by Robert Richards. 153 00:08:35,000 --> 00:08:41,000 Roma Wines' presentation tonight in radio's outstanding theater of thrills, Suspense. 154 00:08:48,000 --> 00:08:53,000 Between the acts of Suspense, this is Truman Bradley for Roma Wines. 155 00:08:53,000 --> 00:08:58,000 One of the best-natured men I know has a knack for enjoying life's leisure moments. 156 00:08:58,000 --> 00:09:01,000 He's a hard worker on the job, but when he comes home, 157 00:09:01,000 --> 00:09:05,000 he and his wife make a ritual of a quiet, companionable chat 158 00:09:05,000 --> 00:09:09,000 and a glass or two of delightful Roma California Sherry before dinner. 159 00:09:09,000 --> 00:09:13,000 Millions of other men look forward daily to such a welcome with Roma Sherry. 160 00:09:13,000 --> 00:09:20,000 For millions of wives have made gold and amber Roma Sherry America's favorite first call to dinner. 161 00:09:20,000 --> 00:09:27,000 Yes, Roma Sherry, with its mellow, inviting nut-like taste, makes mealtime more welcome, 162 00:09:27,000 --> 00:09:31,000 helps you appreciate more keenly the good food to come. 163 00:09:31,000 --> 00:09:37,000 Enjoy the tempting fragrance and satisfying taste luxury of Roma Sherry yourself. 164 00:09:37,000 --> 00:09:41,000 Make glorious Roma Sherry your first call to dinner, as I do. 165 00:09:41,000 --> 00:09:46,000 If friends drop in later on, greet them graciously with Roma Sherry, 166 00:09:46,000 --> 00:09:49,000 the keynote of friendly hospitality. 167 00:09:49,000 --> 00:09:56,000 Best of all, Roma, America's favorite wine, costs no more than ordinary wines. 168 00:09:56,000 --> 00:10:02,000 So tomorrow, insist on Roma, R-O-M-A, Roma wine. 169 00:10:02,000 --> 00:10:08,000 Remember, more Americans enjoy Roma than any other wine. 170 00:10:08,000 --> 00:10:13,000 And now, Roma wines bring back to our Hollywood sound stage, Alan Hale, 171 00:10:13,000 --> 00:10:18,000 as Professor Alonzo P. Witherspoon in The Leading Citizen of Pratt County, 172 00:10:18,000 --> 00:10:26,000 a tale well calculated to keep you in suspense. 173 00:10:26,000 --> 00:10:33,000 And thus in Bonney-Prattville, I became a professor of astrology, geology, 174 00:10:33,000 --> 00:10:36,000 and advisor to a senator whom I had never met, 175 00:10:36,000 --> 00:10:39,000 and a Senate committee of which I was not even sure, existing. 176 00:10:39,000 --> 00:10:45,000 Of course, at first I had no way of knowing whether this pitch, as we call it in the trade, 177 00:10:45,000 --> 00:10:50,000 was merely good for the cashing of a modest check on one of my many non-existent accounts, 178 00:10:50,000 --> 00:10:53,000 or whether it could be run up into something really big. 179 00:10:53,000 --> 00:10:58,000 But as a firm believer in aiming always at the maximum objective, I made my plans accordingly. 180 00:10:58,000 --> 00:11:03,000 And that night, with the aid of certain gadgets I never permit myself to be without, 181 00:11:03,000 --> 00:11:06,000 I wrote myself a couple of checks on the Federal Treasury, 182 00:11:06,000 --> 00:11:11,000 contrived some quite impressive looking business cards, and was ready to go to work. 183 00:11:11,000 --> 00:11:15,000 And then, Sonny arrived. 184 00:11:15,000 --> 00:11:19,000 That's right, Sonny, Professor Alonzo P. Witherspoon, and he's staying right here with us. 185 00:11:19,000 --> 00:11:21,000 Come on, I'll introduce you to him. 186 00:11:21,000 --> 00:11:23,000 A professor from Washington? Wow! 187 00:11:23,000 --> 00:11:26,000 Ah, I knew at a glance that Sonny would be troublesome. 188 00:11:26,000 --> 00:11:31,000 He was a student at the State University, and his education had progressed just sufficiently 189 00:11:31,000 --> 00:11:36,000 to fill him with a lot of bright ideas, but not enough to acquaint him with the worldly advantages 190 00:11:36,000 --> 00:11:43,000 of a good, sound, dishonest proposition. In other words, Sonny was smart and could not be had. 191 00:11:43,000 --> 00:11:47,000 Gee, Professor, Pop tells me maybe you're going to put old Pratsville on the map. 192 00:11:47,000 --> 00:11:50,000 Possibly, possibly. Certainly worth trying, eh, my boy? 193 00:11:50,000 --> 00:11:55,000 You bet. You know, I've been thinking along those very same lines myself lately. 194 00:11:55,000 --> 00:11:59,000 After all, what's Colorado Springs got, or Tucson, Arizona, 195 00:11:59,000 --> 00:12:02,000 or any of those places that we haven't got right here in Pratsville? 196 00:12:02,000 --> 00:12:08,000 We've got the altitude, the sunshine. All we need is water, and they can do terrific things with irrigation nowadays. 197 00:12:08,000 --> 00:12:12,000 Precisely, my boy. Precisely what I've always told Senator Cotton. 198 00:12:12,000 --> 00:12:15,000 And you really know Senator Cotton? I mean that well? 199 00:12:15,000 --> 00:12:20,000 Oh, yes, yes, intimately. I might say that we're very close. 200 00:12:20,000 --> 00:12:24,000 Gee, I was reading something about him just the other day. 201 00:12:24,000 --> 00:12:28,000 But say, you're really sure something can be done without drying up the valley? 202 00:12:28,000 --> 00:12:32,000 It would be terrible for those farmers down there if their water was cut off. 203 00:12:32,000 --> 00:12:35,000 Sonny's got a girl down there. That's the reason he's so worried. 204 00:12:35,000 --> 00:12:38,000 I guess the professor knows his business a little better than we do, Sonny. 205 00:12:38,000 --> 00:12:45,000 Oh, sure, I know. Say, you must know Dr. Hawks, up at State U. He's a geologist too. 206 00:12:45,000 --> 00:12:48,000 Ah, Hawks? Let me see. 207 00:12:48,000 --> 00:12:51,000 Ah, you must know him. John Lyman Hawks. 208 00:12:51,000 --> 00:12:55,000 Oh, of course, of course, John Lyman Hawks. Yes, yes. 209 00:12:55,000 --> 00:12:58,000 Gee, I'll bet he'll be excited when he knows you're here. 210 00:12:58,000 --> 00:13:01,000 He's supposed to be quite an authority on this part of the country, you know. 211 00:13:01,000 --> 00:13:04,000 Yes, yes, but I wouldn't trouble Dr. Hawks about this just yet. 212 00:13:04,000 --> 00:13:08,000 Not until we're a little more sure of our ground. 213 00:13:08,000 --> 00:13:09,000 Well, sure, of course. 214 00:13:09,000 --> 00:13:13,000 Oh, now, now, Sonny, press hasn't got all day to stand around here talking to you. 215 00:13:13,000 --> 00:13:15,000 He's got to go down to the bank and see Henry Wing. 216 00:13:15,000 --> 00:13:20,000 Oh, sure, but gee, I sure want to talk to you some more about all this, Professor. 217 00:13:20,000 --> 00:13:22,000 This thing can be terrific. 218 00:13:22,000 --> 00:13:27,000 Oh, it will be terrific, all right, my boy. You don't know the half of it. 219 00:13:32,000 --> 00:13:34,000 You can see what I mean about Sonny. 220 00:13:34,000 --> 00:13:37,000 Now, Henry Wank, on the other hand, was quite another proposition. 221 00:13:37,000 --> 00:13:42,000 He was and still is the town's mayor, only banker, and chief real estate owner, 222 00:13:42,000 --> 00:13:45,000 and the answer to a confidence man's prayer, 223 00:13:45,000 --> 00:13:49,000 because he was always so busy thinking what a smart crook he was 224 00:13:49,000 --> 00:13:52,000 that it never occurred to him that he might be dealing with someone 225 00:13:52,000 --> 00:13:55,000 who was even smarter and crooketer. 226 00:13:55,000 --> 00:14:00,000 Mr. Wank had larceny in his heart, and I knew we were going to do business. 227 00:14:00,000 --> 00:14:01,000 Well, what's your proposition? 228 00:14:01,000 --> 00:14:06,000 Well, well, it's always refreshing to meet a man with whom one can get right down to business. 229 00:14:06,000 --> 00:14:08,000 All right, all right, let's get down to it. 230 00:14:08,000 --> 00:14:13,000 Very well. You know, of course, Mr. Wank, that if this Green River project goes through, 231 00:14:13,000 --> 00:14:17,000 and if we do run the river through town, real estate values here will skyrocket. 232 00:14:17,000 --> 00:14:21,000 And when they do, somebody is going to make an awful lot of money. 233 00:14:21,000 --> 00:14:23,000 Yeah, meaning mostly me, that's right. 234 00:14:23,000 --> 00:14:24,000 Well, what about it? 235 00:14:24,000 --> 00:14:26,000 Well, now let me ask you something. 236 00:14:26,000 --> 00:14:31,000 About these farmers in the valley, if their water were cut off, if they were inconvenienced... 237 00:14:31,000 --> 00:14:34,000 They'd be more than inconvenienced. They'd be finished, and you know it. 238 00:14:34,000 --> 00:14:38,000 Yes, but how much would you be concerned financially? 239 00:14:38,000 --> 00:14:43,000 Well, I'd be sorry to see it happen, but financially it wouldn't worry me a bit. 240 00:14:43,000 --> 00:14:44,000 I see. 241 00:14:44,000 --> 00:14:48,000 The courier quoted you as saying that wouldn't happen, that we could have our river 242 00:14:48,000 --> 00:14:50,000 and the farmers would get their water just the same. 243 00:14:50,000 --> 00:14:53,000 Oh, you know how inaccurate the newspapers are, Mr. Wank. 244 00:14:53,000 --> 00:14:55,000 No, then it would happen. 245 00:14:55,000 --> 00:15:02,000 Mr. Wank, have you ever stopped to consider how much you personally would make if this did go through? 246 00:15:02,000 --> 00:15:06,000 Well, I'd say it could run up to three or four million in time. 247 00:15:06,000 --> 00:15:09,000 Well, you can sometimes get things done in Washington for... 248 00:15:09,000 --> 00:15:11,000 Aha! I knew you had a proposition. 249 00:15:11,000 --> 00:15:15,000 You realize, of course, Mr. Wank, that I'm an essential factor in this whole thing. 250 00:15:15,000 --> 00:15:18,000 You just can't send anybody to Washington on a thing like this. 251 00:15:18,000 --> 00:15:24,000 You have to have someone who is in on the inside, who enjoys the complete confidence of the... of the right people. 252 00:15:24,000 --> 00:15:28,000 I know all about that. I just want to know how you get yours. 253 00:15:28,000 --> 00:15:33,000 By the very simple expedient of becoming your partner, Mr. Wank, in a small way. 254 00:15:33,000 --> 00:15:36,000 How small? 255 00:15:36,000 --> 00:15:39,000 Well, I have here a government check for $2,500. 256 00:15:39,000 --> 00:15:41,000 I suggest we form a little syndicate. 257 00:15:41,000 --> 00:15:47,000 I think this check should entitle me to a modest share of, uh, say, five percent. 258 00:15:47,000 --> 00:15:50,000 Then you figure the whole thing can be swung for, uh, $50,000? 259 00:15:50,000 --> 00:15:53,000 Approximately. Can you raise the money? 260 00:15:53,000 --> 00:15:56,000 Well, it's a lot, but I can get it. 261 00:15:56,000 --> 00:15:58,000 Uh, we'd better put this in writing. 262 00:15:58,000 --> 00:16:03,000 Oh, now really, Mr. Wank. One hardly puts things of, uh, this nature in writing. 263 00:16:03,000 --> 00:16:05,000 Then how do I know you'll come through with your end? 264 00:16:05,000 --> 00:16:08,000 Well, you have my check. I'll endorse it to you. You hold it. 265 00:16:08,000 --> 00:16:13,000 Any investigation of how a man in my position happened to be giving you $2,500 266 00:16:13,000 --> 00:16:16,000 would be seriously embarrassing for me. 267 00:16:16,000 --> 00:16:18,000 Heh, heh. Yes, it sure would, at that. 268 00:16:18,000 --> 00:16:20,000 One more thing, Mr. Wank. 269 00:16:20,000 --> 00:16:24,000 You understand that all of this must be kept in the strictest confidence, 270 00:16:24,000 --> 00:16:27,000 and all transactions will have to be in cash. 271 00:16:27,000 --> 00:16:29,000 Don't you worry about what I understand. 272 00:16:29,000 --> 00:16:32,000 I wasn't born yesterday, neither. 273 00:16:32,000 --> 00:16:37,000 The technique is scarcely new, but almost invariably successful. 274 00:16:37,000 --> 00:16:41,000 The victim is made to feel that he is the chief conspirator, 275 00:16:41,000 --> 00:16:43,000 and his own dishonesty and greed accomplishes the rest. 276 00:16:43,000 --> 00:16:45,000 So with Henry Wank. 277 00:16:45,000 --> 00:16:49,000 Next afternoon, for the sake of appearances, Mr. Wank and I headed a small group 278 00:16:49,000 --> 00:16:53,000 to look over once again the crucial spot where Green River dips into the earth 279 00:16:53,000 --> 00:16:55,000 to begin its subterranean wanderings, 280 00:16:55,000 --> 00:17:00,060 and once again I clambered down over the 281 00:17:00,060 --> 00:17:04,000 mass of rocks through a little ledge some 20 feet above the water. 282 00:17:04,000 --> 00:17:07,000 Now, look down there, Professor. 283 00:17:07,000 --> 00:17:10,000 You see, it falls into that big pool down there, 284 00:17:10,000 --> 00:17:12,000 and then it just disappears. 285 00:17:12,000 --> 00:17:15,000 Ah, yes, yes. Excellent possibilities. Excellent. 286 00:17:15,000 --> 00:17:17,000 There, there, you see, gentlemen? 287 00:17:17,000 --> 00:17:21,000 The Professor figures to begin the concrete work just about here. 288 00:17:23,000 --> 00:17:27,000 The trap was baited, set, and ready to be sprung. 289 00:17:27,000 --> 00:17:31,000 All seem for the best in this best of all possible worlds. 290 00:17:36,000 --> 00:17:39,000 Well, good evening, sunny lad. 291 00:17:39,000 --> 00:17:42,000 Huh? Oh, hello, Professor. 292 00:17:42,000 --> 00:17:44,000 What's the matter, my boy? 293 00:17:44,000 --> 00:17:46,000 Do you have a spat with that young lady of yours? 294 00:17:46,000 --> 00:17:48,000 No, nothing's the matter. 295 00:17:48,000 --> 00:17:49,000 Well, how are things? 296 00:17:49,000 --> 00:17:51,000 Well, things are definitely progressing, 297 00:17:51,000 --> 00:17:54,000 and that reminds me I shall be leaving you soon, 298 00:17:54,000 --> 00:17:56,000 within the next day or two. 299 00:17:56,000 --> 00:17:58,000 What? You're leaving, Professor? 300 00:17:58,000 --> 00:18:00,000 Oh, just for a short time. 301 00:18:00,000 --> 00:18:02,000 Have to get things started in Washington, you know, 302 00:18:02,000 --> 00:18:04,000 have a talk with Senator Cotton, and so on. 303 00:18:04,000 --> 00:18:06,000 Well, but you will be coming back. 304 00:18:06,000 --> 00:18:08,000 Oh, by all means. 305 00:18:08,000 --> 00:18:10,000 Say, uh, Professor Witherspoon. 306 00:18:10,000 --> 00:18:11,000 Yes, my boy? 307 00:18:11,000 --> 00:18:14,000 Oh, look, I'm going down to see Jane Austerman 308 00:18:14,000 --> 00:18:16,000 and her mother for a little while this evening, 309 00:18:16,000 --> 00:18:19,000 saying you may not have another chance to meet them for a while. 310 00:18:19,000 --> 00:18:21,000 Why don't you come along? 311 00:18:21,000 --> 00:18:22,000 Well, uh... 312 00:18:22,000 --> 00:18:24,000 Jane's a girl, but the Professor don't want to go 313 00:18:24,000 --> 00:18:26,000 traipsing way down in the valley tonight, sonny. 314 00:18:26,000 --> 00:18:29,000 Well, why not? He's never even seen the valley. 315 00:18:29,000 --> 00:18:32,000 I think before he goes to Washington, he ought to see it. 316 00:18:36,000 --> 00:18:38,000 I didn't want to go, of course, 317 00:18:38,000 --> 00:18:41,000 but every instinct told me that there was something in the wind 318 00:18:41,000 --> 00:18:42,000 and that I should. 319 00:18:42,000 --> 00:18:44,000 Contrary to my expectation, however, 320 00:18:44,000 --> 00:18:47,000 the evening was a quiet one, and indeed a most pleasant surprise. 321 00:18:47,000 --> 00:18:50,000 Jane Austerman turned out to be a very charming little thing, 322 00:18:50,000 --> 00:18:52,000 and her mother was a most attractive, 323 00:18:52,000 --> 00:18:55,000 and in fact an altogether stunning woman. 324 00:18:55,000 --> 00:18:57,000 And it was with genuine regret 325 00:18:57,000 --> 00:19:00,000 that I found myself at last standing on their veranda 326 00:19:00,000 --> 00:19:03,000 under a brilliant moon saying goodbye. 327 00:19:03,000 --> 00:19:05,000 It's been grand, Professor. 328 00:19:05,000 --> 00:19:08,000 I do hope you'll drop in on us again before you come back. 329 00:19:08,000 --> 00:19:11,000 My dear lady, wild horses couldn't keep me away. 330 00:19:11,000 --> 00:19:14,000 Oh, that's a promise, then. Good night. 331 00:19:14,000 --> 00:19:16,000 Good night, my dear. 332 00:19:18,000 --> 00:19:20,000 Well, what do you think, Professor? 333 00:19:20,000 --> 00:19:23,000 They're charming people, my boy, charming people. 334 00:19:23,000 --> 00:19:25,000 And isn't Mrs. Austerman nice? 335 00:19:25,000 --> 00:19:27,000 Nice is hardly the word. 336 00:19:27,000 --> 00:19:29,000 In fact, I'm quite smitten. 337 00:19:29,000 --> 00:19:33,000 Yeah, it'd be terrible if anything was to happen to people like that. 338 00:19:33,000 --> 00:19:37,000 I mean, this whole valley, they're all like that. 339 00:19:37,000 --> 00:19:40,000 I mean, if anything was to happen to hurt them... 340 00:19:40,000 --> 00:19:42,000 Why, Sonny, what have you got on your mind? 341 00:19:42,000 --> 00:19:45,000 Oh, heck, I have something on my mind, Professor, 342 00:19:45,000 --> 00:19:48,000 and I just thought if you could see these people, 343 00:19:48,000 --> 00:19:51,000 like the Austermans, you'd understand better how I feel. 344 00:19:51,000 --> 00:19:54,000 All right, all right, my boy, out with it. What is it? 345 00:19:54,000 --> 00:19:58,000 Well, I just remembered today what it was I saw about Senator Cotton. 346 00:19:58,000 --> 00:19:59,000 Senator Cotton? 347 00:19:59,000 --> 00:20:01,000 Yeah, in Time magazine. 348 00:20:01,000 --> 00:20:03,000 He's just been indicted for graft. 349 00:20:03,000 --> 00:20:06,000 He's been indi... Senator Cotton? Indicted? 350 00:20:06,000 --> 00:20:09,000 Yeah, some sort of land-grab scandal. 351 00:20:09,000 --> 00:20:12,000 Why, why, I can't believe it. There must be some mistake. 352 00:20:12,000 --> 00:20:14,000 No, it's true, all right. 353 00:20:14,000 --> 00:20:15,000 Oh, that's it. 354 00:20:15,000 --> 00:20:20,000 Oh, but surely, my boy, you don't think that I'm involved in anything like that. 355 00:20:20,000 --> 00:20:23,000 Oh, no, of course I don't. I couldn't, but... 356 00:20:23,000 --> 00:20:27,000 Well, don't you see, I thought he might be fooling you some way. 357 00:20:27,000 --> 00:20:29,000 I see, I see. 358 00:20:29,000 --> 00:20:33,000 If there was something wrong, if something did happen to all these people in the valley, 359 00:20:33,000 --> 00:20:35,000 well, it'd be terrible. 360 00:20:35,000 --> 00:20:39,000 Yeah, well, I'd better get off a telegram to Washington right away. 361 00:20:39,000 --> 00:20:42,000 Oh, look, Professor, I've got a telegram here in my pocket. 362 00:20:42,000 --> 00:20:43,000 You have? 363 00:20:43,000 --> 00:20:47,000 To Dr. Hawks up at the university. I want him to come down here. 364 00:20:47,000 --> 00:20:48,000 Oh. 365 00:20:48,000 --> 00:20:52,000 Oh, it's not that I don't trust you, but, well, two heads are always better than one. 366 00:20:52,000 --> 00:20:55,000 And if he says it's all right, then I'll know. 367 00:20:55,000 --> 00:20:57,000 But you haven't sent this telegram yet. 368 00:20:57,000 --> 00:21:02,000 Well, I was going to, but, well, I didn't think it'd be fair without telling you. 369 00:21:02,000 --> 00:21:04,000 You do understand, don't you? 370 00:21:04,000 --> 00:21:06,000 Of course, of course, my boy. 371 00:21:06,000 --> 00:21:09,000 Boy, is that a weight off my mind. 372 00:21:09,000 --> 00:21:14,000 But I think I have even a better idea. Look, why don't you and I, first thing tomorrow, 373 00:21:14,000 --> 00:21:18,000 get in the car and drive up to the university and bring Dr. Hawks back for this? 374 00:21:18,000 --> 00:21:21,000 That way we could explain the whole situation to him. 375 00:21:21,000 --> 00:21:25,000 Gee, that is an idea. If you ask him, he'd be sure to come. 376 00:21:25,000 --> 00:21:28,000 Ah, gee, Professor, you're sure a wonderful guy. 377 00:21:28,000 --> 00:21:30,000 Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha. 378 00:21:30,000 --> 00:21:39,000 And you won't even have to bother with that telegram. We'll just, ah, ah, tear it up. 379 00:21:39,000 --> 00:21:44,000 I had grown quite fond of Sonny, but when it's a matter of fifty thousand dollars, 380 00:21:44,000 --> 00:21:51,000 particularly to one of my advancing years, sentiment must yield to necessity. 381 00:21:51,000 --> 00:21:56,000 And so when Sonny and I started out in the family car next morning, I had my plans prepared. 382 00:21:56,000 --> 00:22:00,000 I also had the fifty thousand dollars in cash. 383 00:22:00,000 --> 00:22:04,000 We ought to be there sometime this afternoon. It's only about three hundred miles. 384 00:22:04,000 --> 00:22:08,000 Splendid, splendid. Well, look here. 385 00:22:08,000 --> 00:22:11,000 We're right about to go past the place where Green River goes underground, aren't we? 386 00:22:11,000 --> 00:22:12,000 Uh-huh. 387 00:22:12,000 --> 00:22:17,000 Well, why don't we stop a moment? You know, there's a couple of things that you really ought to see for yourself 388 00:22:17,000 --> 00:22:20,000 before we talk to Dr. Hawks. That's John Lyman Hawks, that is. 389 00:22:20,000 --> 00:22:23,000 Well, all right. 390 00:22:23,000 --> 00:22:28,000 I may, ah, I may be able to prove to you right here on this spot that the old professor's ideas 391 00:22:28,000 --> 00:22:31,000 aren't quite so wild-eyed as you may suppose. 392 00:22:31,000 --> 00:22:33,000 Ah, Professor, you know I don't think that. 393 00:22:33,000 --> 00:22:37,000 Oh, just joking, my boy, just joking. Come along. 394 00:22:37,000 --> 00:22:40,000 Now, careful climbing down over those rocks. They're a bit treacherous, you know. 395 00:22:40,000 --> 00:22:41,000 Yeah, I'll be careful. 396 00:22:41,000 --> 00:22:45,000 Well, there we are. Now, come out to this little ledge. You see, plenty of water here. 397 00:22:45,000 --> 00:22:48,000 Perhaps, ah, perhaps we wouldn't need to divert at all. 398 00:22:48,000 --> 00:22:49,000 Mm-hmm. 399 00:22:49,000 --> 00:22:55,000 Now, notice the formation of this, this rock. Typical of the, ah, the Neo-Berstezene period 400 00:22:55,000 --> 00:23:00,000 and, ah, a marked tendency to form vast caverns with underground springs. 401 00:23:00,000 --> 00:23:05,000 Oh, you mean you've got some idea about there being caves under there? 402 00:23:05,000 --> 00:23:08,000 Well, yes, that is in a way. Oh, that's exactly it. 403 00:23:08,000 --> 00:23:11,000 Just step a little closer to the edge. 404 00:23:11,000 --> 00:23:14,000 Shine your flashlight down there. I wouldn't be surprised if you could see the beginnings 405 00:23:14,000 --> 00:23:18,000 of some quite extensive, carnivorous formations even here. 406 00:23:18,000 --> 00:23:25,000 Yeah, yeah, I say, gee, maybe if there wasn't so much water, people could even go down there and explore. 407 00:23:25,000 --> 00:23:29,000 Ha-ha. The rock was quite slippery. 408 00:23:29,000 --> 00:23:33,000 And he was very near the edge when I slipped against him. 409 00:23:33,000 --> 00:23:35,000 Ah! 410 00:23:41,000 --> 00:23:45,000 I saw his flashlight bobbing for a moment in the dark pool below, 411 00:23:45,000 --> 00:23:49,000 and then the current swept it on, and it was gone. 412 00:23:54,000 --> 00:23:59,000 It was with a heavy heart, at all possible speed, that I headed for the Mexican border. 413 00:23:59,000 --> 00:24:03,000 I was on the main highway, booming along and just coming out into the valley 414 00:24:03,000 --> 00:24:06,000 when I saw the thing that spelled my doom. 415 00:24:06,000 --> 00:24:12,000 For there, dead ahead were two police cars and a group of men standing in the middle of the road, 416 00:24:12,000 --> 00:24:17,000 prominent among them, dripping wet and wildly waving his arms, was Sonny. 417 00:24:17,000 --> 00:24:19,000 There he is! He's the one I was telling you about. 418 00:24:19,000 --> 00:24:21,000 Yes, sir. Are you Professor Witherspoon? 419 00:24:21,000 --> 00:24:22,000 Yes, yes. 420 00:24:22,000 --> 00:24:24,000 Well, we've got a young fellow here who would like to talk to you. 421 00:24:24,000 --> 00:24:25,000 Well, I haven't any time now to talk. 422 00:24:25,000 --> 00:24:28,000 I know you've come down this way after what you said about the caves. 423 00:24:28,000 --> 00:24:29,000 What caves? Charges. 424 00:24:29,000 --> 00:24:31,000 When I slipped and fell in, gee, I was scared for a minute. 425 00:24:31,000 --> 00:24:32,000 Well, when I... 426 00:24:32,000 --> 00:24:34,000 You must have known it all the time, didn't you? 427 00:24:34,000 --> 00:24:35,000 Known? Known what? 428 00:24:35,000 --> 00:24:37,000 About the caves. And boy, what caves. 429 00:24:37,000 --> 00:24:38,000 Yeah. 430 00:24:38,000 --> 00:24:40,000 You know, I'm quite a swimmer, and I had my flashlight, 431 00:24:40,000 --> 00:24:43,000 and I just went along with a car all the way down and came out the other end here. 432 00:24:43,000 --> 00:24:46,000 And what I saw, boy, were you ever right. 433 00:24:46,000 --> 00:24:48,000 Uh, uh, was I? 434 00:24:48,000 --> 00:24:50,000 Look about your mammoth cave of Kentucky. 435 00:24:50,000 --> 00:24:51,000 What? 436 00:24:51,000 --> 00:24:55,000 Oh, gosh, once we've diverted some of the river out of there, boats could go all the way down. 437 00:24:55,000 --> 00:24:56,000 That's what I was telling you before. 438 00:24:56,000 --> 00:24:58,000 With Henry Wayne's money, we could put in lights and everything. 439 00:24:58,000 --> 00:24:59,000 Big lights, yes. 440 00:24:59,000 --> 00:25:00,000 People would come from all over the country. 441 00:25:00,000 --> 00:25:01,000 Of course. 442 00:25:01,000 --> 00:25:02,000 Honestly, they're one of the seven wonders of the world. 443 00:25:02,000 --> 00:25:03,000 Yeah, we might find another one. 444 00:25:03,000 --> 00:25:05,000 They're terrific. Well, gee whiz, aren't you excited? 445 00:25:05,000 --> 00:25:10,000 Excited? My boy, I think I'm going to faint. 446 00:25:10,000 --> 00:25:19,000 And so, if you have ever been in this part of the country, 447 00:25:19,000 --> 00:25:22,000 you will surely have heard of the marvelous underground river of Pratt, 448 00:25:22,000 --> 00:25:28,000 a source of endless delight to tourists and a very substantial revenue to our citizens 449 00:25:28,000 --> 00:25:30,000 and our famous falls, Pratt Falls. 450 00:25:30,000 --> 00:25:36,000 And now Pratt'sville not only enjoys the wonders of irrigation, but of innumerable hot dog stands, 451 00:25:36,000 --> 00:25:41,000 motels, gambling casinos, and all the other adjuncts of those noisome communities known as resorts. 452 00:25:41,000 --> 00:25:47,000 As for myself, I am the general manager of the caverns at a very handsome stipend 453 00:25:47,000 --> 00:25:53,000 and have been living for many years in solid and respectable domesticity with the former widow Osterman. 454 00:25:53,000 --> 00:25:55,000 What I have done is really nothing. 455 00:25:55,000 --> 00:25:57,000 Really nothing. 456 00:25:57,000 --> 00:26:01,000 It's no more than any public-spirited man would have done, but I must confess that, 457 00:26:01,000 --> 00:26:07,000 call it vanity if you will, it is a source of enormous and constant enjoyment to me 458 00:26:07,000 --> 00:26:14,000 whenever I am proudly pointed out to the admiring newcomers as the leading citizen of Pratt County. 459 00:26:14,000 --> 00:26:23,000 Suspense! 460 00:26:23,000 --> 00:26:31,000 Presented by Roma Wines, R-O-M-A. Made in California for enjoyment throughout the world. 461 00:26:31,000 --> 00:26:37,000 Before we hear again from Alan Hale, the star of The Leading Citizen of Pratt County, tonight's Suspense Play, 462 00:26:37,000 --> 00:26:40,000 this is Truman Bradley for Roma Wines. 463 00:26:40,000 --> 00:26:47,000 When the butcher can't help you and you come home with ground beef instead of that choice juicy steak you had ordered, 464 00:26:47,000 --> 00:26:50,000 here's a sure way to save the day. 465 00:26:50,000 --> 00:26:56,000 Join the millions of clever homemakers who've discovered that serving delicious Roma California Burgundy 466 00:26:56,000 --> 00:27:00,000 makes even plain hamburger a meal to remember. 467 00:27:00,000 --> 00:27:07,000 Yes, your simple meals will delight the most particular palates when served with red, robust Roma Burgundy. 468 00:27:07,000 --> 00:27:13,000 For Roma Burgundy brings out subtle hidden food flavors usually lost to the taste. 469 00:27:13,000 --> 00:27:19,000 Yet Roma, the nation's favorite wine, costs no more than ordinary wines. 470 00:27:19,000 --> 00:27:27,000 When you shop tomorrow, insist on Roma, R-O-M-A, Roma Wines, America's first choice. 471 00:27:27,000 --> 00:27:32,000 And remember, to make a bridal shower or wedding reception truly memorable, 472 00:27:32,000 --> 00:27:37,000 serve pale gold, sprightly dry Roma California Champagne. 473 00:27:37,000 --> 00:27:43,000 And for the bridal couple, Roma Champagne makes the perfect going away gift. 474 00:27:43,000 --> 00:27:46,000 Friends, this is Alan Hale. 475 00:27:46,000 --> 00:27:50,000 Well, it's been a real pleasure to appear on Suspense, a long time favorite of mine. 476 00:27:50,000 --> 00:27:55,000 I'm sure you won't want to miss next Thursday's show when that fine actor, Mr. Robert Young, 477 00:27:55,000 --> 00:28:00,000 will star in a suspense play about a man who wakes up one morning to find that he has lost track of several months 478 00:28:00,000 --> 00:28:05,000 and that the room in which he finds himself is a cell in an insane asylum. 479 00:28:05,000 --> 00:28:06,000 I know you'll be listening. 480 00:28:06,000 --> 00:28:07,000 I will. 481 00:28:07,000 --> 00:28:08,000 Thank you. 482 00:28:08,000 --> 00:28:13,000 Alan Hale appeared to the courtesy of Warner Brothers, producers of Night and Day. 483 00:28:13,000 --> 00:28:24,000 Next Thursday, same time, Roma Wines will bring you Robert Young as star of Suspense, Radio's outstanding theater of thrill. 484 00:28:24,000 --> 00:28:29,000 Produced by William Spear for the Roma Wine Company of Fresno, California. 485 00:28:29,000 --> 00:28:31,000 Here is a message from your government. 486 00:28:31,000 --> 00:28:35,000 Millions of men, women and children in Europe and Asia today face starvation. 487 00:28:35,000 --> 00:28:41,000 America, the best fed nation in the world, can relieve this crisis by making available to foreign purchases 488 00:28:41,000 --> 00:28:45,000 increased amounts of wheat, rice, fats and oils. 489 00:28:45,000 --> 00:28:47,000 You can help vitally. 490 00:28:47,000 --> 00:28:49,000 Eat more of the plentiful foods. 491 00:28:49,000 --> 00:28:50,000 Don't waste food. 492 00:28:50,000 --> 00:28:52,000 Turn in all used fats. 493 00:28:52,000 --> 00:28:59,000 And give in money or canned goods, but preferably in money, to your local emergency food collection. 494 00:28:59,000 --> 00:29:25,000 This is CBS, the Columbia Broadcasting System.