Now, Roma Wines, R-O-M-A.
Made in California for enjoyment throughout the world.
Roma Wines presents Suspense.
Tonight, Roma Wines bring you Mr. Leon Ames as star of An Evening's Diversion.
A Suspense play produced, edited and directed for Roma Wines by William Spear.
Suspense, Radio's outstanding theater of thrills, is presented for your enjoyment by Roma Wines.
That's R-O-M-A, Roma Wines.
Those excellent California wines that can add so much pleasantness to the way you live.
To your happiness and entertaining guests.
To your enjoyment of everyday meals.
Right now, a glass full would be very pleasant.
As Roma Wines bring you Leon Ames.
In a remarkable tale of Suspense.
It was literally just what the doctor had ordered.
There wasn't anything in particular wrong with me.
Just feeling a little edgy.
And I went for a routine checkup.
Uh-huh. How many hours a day do you work, Mr. Edward?
I don't know, doctor. I never kept track.
Get home for dinner very often?
Not lately.
Grab a sandwich at the drug store and go on back to the office.
I imagine I got a lot of patients like you.
The ulcer type of business executive I caught you.
You mean I...
Oh, no. You haven't had an ulcer yet.
Just overworked, nervous, strained.
A month's vacation is what you need.
But, doctor, I can't...
Yes, I know. They all say that.
I'll tell you what you can do, though.
Yes?
Done wonders for some of my patients.
An evening's diversion.
Oh, I don't work late every night.
Why, I took my wife out to dinner in the theater only last week.
Oh, I don't mean that kind of diversion.
Rushing home and putting on dinner clothes.
Fighting for a table in a restaurant.
Rushing on in the theater.
That's work, too, I know from experience.
Well, then, what do you mean by an evening's diversion?
Dropping in at the club for a thrilling game of chess?
Oh, that's no good.
Either you wind up talking business.
No, what I have in mind is something different.
Go out on your own.
Go someplace you wouldn't normally think of going,
then relax and see what happens.
Well, now, look here, doctor.
I'm a married man. I can't...
Oh, then you're likely to get into any serious trouble.
Oh, so that's your prescription.
Well, really, doctor, I...
Oh, don't misunderstand me, Mr. Edwards.
There's more than one kind of adventure to be found in a city this size.
Well, you'd be surprised exactly what you'd find.
Of course I didn't take him seriously.
How could I?
In the first place, I didn't have time to go
gallivanting around the strange places looking for trouble.
And in the second place, I told myself I was too old for that sort of thing.
I made a mental note to find a sensible doctor who would prescribe some pills
the way a doctor should and went on back to the office.
It was after five when I got there,
and I could have kicked myself for wasting an afternoon like that.
There was a stack of briefs on my desk I hadn't even looked at.
I met another late night.
Hello.
Hello, dear. It's me.
Oh, hello, Lily.
Look, honey, I was just going to call you.
Oh, now, Paul, you're not going to tell me you're working late again tonight.
I'm afraid so, darling.
Oh. Well, I suppose there's no use arguing with you.
Did you see the doctor?
Yes, I saw him.
What did he say?
Oh, the usual nonsense.
Said I needed an evening's diversion.
Well, he's quite right. You do.
Maybe so. Anyway, I'll be late, so don't wait up.
Paul, do you absolutely have to stay at the office tonight?
Absolutely.
You couldn't possibly get home just a wee bit early.
Not a chance.
Oh, dear.
Well, what time do you think you will get home then?
Oh, about 11, 11.30.
Oh. Well, there's milk in the icebox if you're hungry when you get in.
Thanks, honey. Good night.
Good night, dear. Now, don't work too hard.
I'll try not to.
Yes, Mr. Edwards?
Oh, I'm working late again, Lois.
I don't suppose you'd be interested in earning some more over time.
Well, frankly, not tonight, Mr. Edwards.
I'd like to help out, but I've stayed every night this week and I'm just dead.
Hmm.
I don't see how you do it.
What do you do on your free evenings, Lois?
Oh, go to the movies sometimes.
Sometimes my boyfriend and I just drop in some place that looks interesting
and just relax and see what happens.
Well, what happens?
Sometimes nothing, sometimes all sorts of things.
Once there was a shooting right in the place where we were sitting. Gangsters.
That doesn't sound very relaxing to me.
Oh, but it is.
I mean, you've gotten a lot kind of going to the office and home again day after day.
I couldn't stand it if there wasn't some excitement down there.
Well, have a good time this evening.
Thanks, Mr. Edwards.
Anything you want me to do before I go?
No. Good night.
Oh, Lois.
Yes, Mr. Edwards?
What was the name of that place where those gangsters were?
Oh, let me think.
Oh, yes, Palacinos.
It's in a basement sort of over on Rod Street near 3rd.
Must be quite a place.
Well, good night, then.
Good night.
After she'd gone, I opened a folder and started to read one of the briefs.
But I couldn't concentrate. It was stuffy in there.
I got up and crossed the room and raised the window, and I stood there for a few moments,
looking out at all the vast cities spread out below me.
A warm breeze was blowing from across the river, bringing with it a disturbing smell of trees and damp earth
that mingled with smoke and fumes and fetid air of the city and seemed to breathe a kind of excitement.
Well, suddenly I remembered that I had missed lunch and I was hungry.
So I walked out into the corridor of the building and started toward the elevator.
I hadn't bothered to get my hat. I was only going out for a sandwich.
Going down. Oh, it's you, Mr. Edwards.
Good evening, Joe. How's everything?
Oh, you know, you know. Can't complain. Going home?
No, no, just downstairs for a sandwich.
Oh, man, you sure put in the hours, don't you?
Oh, I don't mind.
I guess your work must be pretty interesting.
Man, if I didn't do something besides run this elevator and go home, I'd go nuts.
Well, what else do you do?
Oh, I don't know. Seems like there's always something.
Just walking around the city is a heck of a good time as far as I'm concerned.
You might have something there.
Yeah. Well, here you are, Mr. Edwards.
Thanks, Joe. See you in...
Yeah, yeah, I know. In 15 minutes.
Yes, I... No. By George, I won't. I won't go back.
Something in his tone of voice must have decided me.
He wasn't just a fresh kid. He was really sorry for me.
When I got outside on the street, that air hit me again.
That warm summer air.
I started walking, not paying any attention to where I was,
just walking and enjoying that wonderful air.
I must have been walking for nearly an hour before I noticed where I'd got to.
It was Rod Street. And up ahead was a flickering neon sign.
Pirochino.
The place was bigger than I expected and stock empty.
There were double rows of booths down the two sides of it
and a high partition in the middle.
In the gray overhead lighting, it looked like an abandoned stable.
I was on the point of leaving the place when a sloppy looking waitress appeared from nowhere.
Just you alone?
Yes, I... This way.
Look here. It seems as if I've come in at an awkward time.
Early for dinner, but you can have a sandwich.
Oh, well, all right then.
Is Booth all right?
Fine, fine.
We got ham and Swiss cheese.
And that's all.
That'll be fine. All right.
Both?
Yes.
It won't be long.
I sat there watching her as she slouched down the narrow aisle of Booth's to the kitchen.
Then she was gone and there was nothing to look at.
The silence in the place was beginning to get me.
Then I heard the door open and steps coming down the stairway from the entrance.
Sitting down, I couldn't see over the top of my booth and I didn't have the curiosity to stand up.
They went down the aisle between the booths on the other side of the room.
They were both men. One had metal cleats on his heels.
The whole row of booths shook when they sat down.
They were apparently rather heavy men.
When I started talking, I could hear them as plainly as if they were sitting across the table from me.
I told you this place had been empty.
Why couldn't we talk just as well in your room?
I like it here.
Well, what do you want?
Am I cut about 50 grams?
Don't rush me.
What happened? Same, same, double-cross you?
I didn't say that.
All she's got to do is slip that stuff in this coffee.
Why don't you do it?
I'm seeing her tonight.
You've been seeing her every night for three months.
What are you talking about?
I'm doing this my own way, see?
You're nuts about her, aren't you?
What if I am?
Bad business.
You don't understand a dame like that.
It takes time with a dame like that.
In the meantime, maybe she gets tired of you and spills the whole caper.
That's my lookout.
Oh, no, it's not, Maxie.
There's me to think of too and the rest of the boys.
Okay, okay. I'll give her the final pitch tonight.
If she stalls me again...
You know what to do, Maxie.
Where's that slob of a hash slinger? I'm hungry.
Buy her big feed, Maxie. Uptown afterwards.
What makes you so sure I'll have to kill her?
Oh, my God.
Nothing, Maxie. Just a hunch.
Come on, let's get out of here.
One thing more, Maxie.
Take the subway. No taxis, you hear?
My my goodness.
Here's your sandwich.
Want anything with it?
No, no, no, no, no. Never mind.
I've got to leave right away.
Here, here's for the sandwich and keep the change.
I caught up with him near the corner of 7th Avenue.
I knew it was him because of those metal cleats on his heels.
I followed him down into the subway.
He walked up to the end of the platform.
I waited where I was.
It was as hot as a furnace down there.
My heart was pumping fast with excitement.
And I could hardly breathe.
But this was doctor's orders.
And he means diversion.
I walked to the far end of the platform.
He didn't look around at me.
When the train stopped, he went in through the center door.
I went in by the door at the rear of the car.
Inside the train, I saw him for the first time in a good light.
He was well dressed, almost too well dressed.
He must have felt me staring at him.
He didn't look my way, but he began to jitter.
He kept jiggling his right leg and looking at his watch.
He wound it and then he put it to his ear.
I studied him.
He was more than nervous.
He was worried, perhaps frightened.
He unfastened the top button of his shirt and loosened his tie.
He looked over at me once or twice as if he knew me but couldn't place me.
He unbuttoned his coat and tried to relax.
But I knew that he couldn't relax.
Not with a gun holster under his coat.
For suspense, Roma Wines are bringing you a star, Leon Ames, in an evening's diversion.
A radio play by Stan Schlesinger.
Roma Wines presentation tonight in radio's outstanding theater of thrills, Suspense.
Between the acts of suspense, this is Truman Bradley for Roma Wines.
When you finish work hot from these blistering summer days, you deserve something cool to come home to.
And what could be more refreshing than the frosty luxury of Roma Wine and Soda, iced.
America's smartest, coolest summer drink.
For Roma Wine and Soda, so good, so cool, so refreshing, is the perfect summer thirst quencher.
On a moment's notice, you can serve and enjoy Roma Wine Coolers.
Delicious as a family treat, delightful for entertaining too.
First half fill a tumbler with Roma California Burgundy or any other fine Roma Wine of your choice.
Then add ice.
Fill with sparkling water and stir.
If you prefer a sweeter drink, simply add sugar.
Press stole.
Your Roma Wine Cooler is ready to enjoy.
And because Roma draws upon the world's greatest reserves of fine wines,
a cooler made with Roma is bound to be better tasting.
So for cool, satisfying refreshment, enjoy Roma Wine and Soda.
Insist on Roma.
R-O-M-A.
Remember, more Americans enjoy Roma than any other wine.
And now Roma Wines bring back to our Hollywood Soundstage, Leon Ains as Paul Edwards in An Evening's Diversion.
A tale well calculated to keep you in suspense.
The Train Stopped at the 59th Street Station and he got up to leave.
I followed him out of there.
We got off the train and he hurried across the dark, deserted platform.
I walked slowly so that he wouldn't know he was being followed.
He went to the rear of the platform and his phone rang.
His call didn't take more than three minutes.
And as he came out, I thought I saw a faint smile on his lips.
I flattened myself against the wall hoping he wouldn't notice me.
But he lit his cigarette and walked right over.
Something I can do for you, Mr.
What?
I said is there something I can do for you.
No, no, no, not that is.
You're following me, aren't you?
Well now, see here, I don't know.
Shut up. What are you, a dick?
What?
A flatfoot, a copper.
Well, no, no, I'm not.
But you're following me.
Well, I don't know what you're talking about.
We got on at the 8th Street Station.
You followed me when I got off here.
You watched me when I went into the phone booth.
Well, I...
And now you're on my tail again.
What's the game? Maybe I'd like to play.
No, no, you play with guns. I don't.
Pretty sharp guy, aren't you?
Well, you must have a guilty conscience.
Let's leave my conscience out of this.
Just keep away from me, you understand?
Keep away or you'll get hurt.
Yes, yes, I think I understand.
I hope you do, for your sake.
Now, here comes the train. I'm getting on it.
You're going uptown, you'll wait for the next one.
Yes, sir.
I don't want any funny business, mister.
You'll find I've got no sense of humor.
He ran for the train, and as he ran,
a scrap of pink-colored paper fell from his pocket to the platform.
I made no move to pick it up.
He was watching to make certain I didn't board the train.
At last the train started.
I waited until it was out of sight.
People were still clearing the platform.
I was about to pick up the scrap of paper
when a man hurried by and kicked it to the tracks below.
I had to have that paper, so I jumped down to the tracks.
There were dozens of papers down there,
but only one pink-colored scrap.
There was an address written on it.
It was 375 Highland Drive.
Hey, you! What do you think you're doing down there?
Oh, I'm sorry, officer.
I dropped an address down here, but I found it.
I don't care if you dropped your old lady down there.
You're not supposed to be down on the tracks.
I know, but I...
Now get out of there, but fast!
Here, grab my hat.
Thanks. I didn't mean to break the law, officer,
but it was important that I'd get that paper.
Hey, you're up. I ought to run you in for this.
But I hope you won't.
You're supposed to get hit down there.
You'd throw the whole train schedule off.
Well, I wouldn't want to cause anyone any inconvenience.
Okay, okay, but don't let it happen again.
Outside, I hailed a taxi.
This time I was lucky. I got one.
Hop in, mister. Why, too?
375 Highland Drive, and hurry, please.
The traffic is kind of heavy tonight.
I ain't got wings, but I'll get you there as fast as I can.
I'll make it worth your while. It's a matter of life and death.
Yeah, yeah, I know.
I'm telling you the truth.
Hey, mister, I ain't going to argue with you,
but I've been driving this hack for ten years.
I've heard that song before.
All right, then, don't believe me,
but for the love of heaven, please hurry.
Okay, okay, I'm doing the best I can.
It's easy for you guys to hop in a hack and say, step on it.
But you know, I get awful tired hearing the same things.
You know what I mean?
Oh, I guess you wouldn't.
You look like the kind of guy who wouldn't let himself get in a rut.
But not me. Every day...
Why, why are you stopping?
Red light, mister.
There isn't time to stop for red lights.
I've got to get to 375 Highland Drive,
and I've got to get there before it's too late.
Relax, relax, mister. She'll wait.
See, where was I?
Oh, yeah. Yeah, like I was saying,
things get pretty dull for a hack driver.
Sometimes, sometimes I think to myself,
why not forget about it for a little while?
You know, go home, get the wife, get the kids.
The taxi seemed to crawl along,
and the driver kept talking, talking, talking.
I couldn't understand a word he was saying.
His voice, the rattle of traffic,
the ticking of the meter,
and the beating of my heart all blurred into one great din.
It seemed that the driver made every stop sign.
The cab was getting stuffy,
and his voice began to feel like red hot needles with penitent.
Shut up!
Huh? What?
I said shut up!
Wise guy.
Why are you stopping? There's no red light.
No, there ain't.
I'll shut up, okay, if you pay up and get out.
Get out?
You heard me. I don't like your attitude.
I may not be much, but nobody walks on me. Now, get out!
But I'll never get another taxi.
Stop, you're breaking my heart.
Oh, you fool, this is a matter of life and death.
I told you that. Now, look, here's $5. Get me the $3.75.
Mr. 500 bucks wouldn't get you to the next corner,
as far as I'm concerned.
Are you going to get out, or am I going to kick you out?
Look, I'm sorry. I apologize.
But please, you must get me the $3.75.
And here's your change, $4.50.
Skip the tip and get out.
I've got your number. Your company will hear about this.
Yeah, yeah, and I got your number, too.
Hit the road, brother.
I stood there for a moment, watching the taxi, until I was out of sight.
I was on Highland Drive all right, but I was five blocks from $3.75.
I began walking. I wondered if I would be too late.
The man with the gun must be out of the subway by now.
That would put him only three blocks from $3.75.
I walked faster and faster until I was almost running.
I knew I was becoming involved in something,
but just how involved, I didn't know.
If I had felt then like I do right now,
I would have been able to get out of the car.
If I had felt then like I do right now,
I would have turned around and walked in the other direction.
As I neared the apartment house, I instinctively slowed down,
not out of fear of what was ahead of me, but for what was behind me.
I stopped. Someone was behind me.
I didn't have to turn around. I knew who it was.
You shouldn't have followed me here, pal.
But what makes you think I don't have business of my own here?
Start walking. I got a gun in your back.
Where are you taking me?
I'm going to start walking across the street.
Don't try anything. I'll just let you have it an hour later.
You're going to kill me?
You catch on fast.
But why? I haven't done anything to you.
I don't even know who you are.
That's rough. Straight ahead.
We're going to take a little walk through the park.
Listen, let me go. I will repeat this to the police.
You have my word.
I don't want your word.
I told you not to follow me, which you did.
I don't know how you did it, but you're here.
Turn right down this path.
You're out of your mind.
And you'll be out of your misery.
I've got money. I'll give you anything you want.
I don't want to see you get frapshed.
Let me do the talking.
Oh, say, son, do you live around here?
Who wants to know?
Me? I was wondering if you know this neighborhood.
No.
How about you, mister?
Well, I...
We don't know the neighborhood either.
No? Well, could you tell me this much?
Would, let me see now,
485 Highland Drive be in this direction?
I said we don't know the neighborhood.
Oh, you don't?
Well, thanks anyway.
I guess I'm going the right direction.
Oh, hey, you.
Shut up.
Yeah, what is it?
Nothing.
We weren't talking to you.
Oh, sorry.
Okay.
Start walking again.
Do you, uh...
Do you mind if I ask you something?
It all depends.
Just who were you going to kill tonight other than me?
A certain party in Apartment 1A.
What?
What are you going to do about it?
Oh, I was just curious, that's all.
Like a cat, huh?
Why were you going to kill this party?
This is far enough.
You didn't answer my question.
I'm through answering questions, pal.
Look, why, why, what are you going to kill?
It'll get gained by killing me.
Nothing.
But I swear...
I swear...
Save your breath.
Someone else is coming.
You can't get away with this.
Why, the devil is always traffic coming from...
Listen, if I...
You listen, mister, keep your eye on me.
Remember, I've got this gun on you.
Don't try any funny stuff like you did the last time.
It's a policeman, cop.
It doesn't make any difference to me.
What I said still goes.
Nobody can talk to me like that.
I'll have you know my kid can lick your kid any old ass.
Shut up, I said.
Don't tell me to shut up.
Hey, what's going on here?
You keep out of this, officer.
Take it easy, buddy, take it easy.
What's with this guy?
Oh, don't pay any attention to him, officer.
He's nuts.
Well, I'm not a fat head like you, you flatfoot.
You don't know what he's talking about, officer.
He just talks a lot too much.
You know what I'm going to do when you go?
Jump in the river, I hope.
I'm going up and down the street and break every window I can reach.
Not while I'm around you, not.
I'm taking you along with me just for safe keeping.
Okay.
Oh, yeah?
You and who else?
I'll take care of them, officer.
I'll take care of them good.
Yeah?
Well, all right.
But you're responsible for it.
Yeah.
I don't want to see any broken windows, you understand?
Oh, sure, sure thing, officer.
Okay.
No one is going to take care of me.
I'll take care of myself.
Hey, hey, come back here.
Come back here, I said.
I don't want any broken windows, you hear?
I ran deep into the heart of the park.
I knew he wouldn't fire after me with the policeman there.
I hid in the bushes for almost 20 minutes.
From time to time, I could hear his searching steps.
Occasionally, he would walk slowly toward the bush I was hiding under.
I was afraid to breathe, afraid to allow my heart another beat.
Then for a moment, he would stop.
I could easily have reached out and touched him.
He was that close.
Then he would go, still searching.
I waited five minutes more, 10, 20, a half hour.
He didn't return.
I knew where he had gone.
I knew he was about to commit a murder.
I went into the apartment house through the service entrance.
My legs felt like rubber and my clothes were torn from the bushes in the park.
I walked quietly up the steps to the first floor, made sure the corridor was empty.
Then moved to the door of apartment 1A and listened.
For a moment, I heard nothing.
And then that familiar voice seeped through the crack beneath the door.
So, you decided to back out, huh?
Oh, Max, I'm afraid.
What's there to be afraid of, sweetheart?
I'm afraid for you.
We'd never get away with it.
It says we wouldn't.
Just you let me take care of him.
Or maybe you still love him.
I loathe him and you know it.
Then why hold back?
Why make yourself miserable any longer?
It's you and me, sweetheart.
You get that? You and me.
That's the way it's gotta be.
I'm sorry, Max. I can't do it.
I won't.
You can't back out now.
Why can't I?
You know too much.
Oh, Max, if that's what's worrying you, I would...
That's what's worrying me.
Don't you trust me, darling.
Sure, when I can see you.
That's why we've gotta be together.
Or maybe you want to bump him off
and take all the dough yourself.
Oh, Max.
Sure.
That's it.
Oh, what a sap I've been.
Don't be a fool.
I'm going.
I'll... I'll hear from you, won't I, darling?
Not a chance.
You won't be hearing from anyone, sweetheart.
Max. Max, put away that gun.
I'm checking you out, Lily.
Max, listen, please.
Max, listen, don't do it.
I'm with you. You know that, don't you?
That's all I am.
Let go, I tell you.
Be careful of your...
Lily.
Max.
Max, darling, I...
Max, I didn't mean to do it.
Her back was to me as I opened the door.
She was on her knees weeping for the man she had just killed.
I walked quietly toward her,
knelt down and reached for the gun at her side,
picked it up, moved a few steps back and waited.
She must have felt my presence in the room
because she stopped sobbing,
stood up and turned to face me.
Nothing was said.
Her eyes were searching mine,
growing wider and wider as she found my thoughts.
Tiny streams of blood began to trickle
from those places where her sharp fingernails
had penetrated the palm of her hand.
The silence of the room began to roar.
And then...
Number, please.
Get me the police department.
Police department.
You'd better send someone over to 375 Highland Drive right away.
Apartment 1A.
375 Highland Drive, Apartment 1A, huh?
What's up?
I think you'll call it murder.
I just killed my wife.
Suspense!
Presented by Roma Wines, R-O-M-A.
Made in California for enjoyment throughout the world.
Before we hear again from Leon Ames,
the star of an evening's diversion to night's suspense play,
this is Truman Bradley for Roma Wines.
The Fourth of July marks not only Independence Day,
but also the beginning of the really hot summer weather.
The sweltering throat-parching days that melt your energy
and burn your disposition.
Well, here's a clever California recipe
that's famous as a heat beater.
To get cool, comfortable and contented,
enjoy an ice-cold, taste-tingling Roma Wine Lemonade.
That's right, Roma Wine Lemonade.
Delicious, refreshing and expensive.
Now, here's how.
Place ice and the juice of half a lemon in a tall glass.
Pour three-quarters full with zestful Roma California Burgundy
or any other Roma wine you prefer.
Add water and sweeten to taste.
Then, sit back and sip your way to cool contentment.
Roma Wine Lemonade.
The most refreshing summer drink you ever tasted.
So cool to come home to.
And remember, Roma, America's favorite wine,
makes America's finest wine coolers.
So refresh with Roma.
R-O-M-A. Roma Wines.
America's first choice in wine.
This is Leon Ames.
I hope you've had a pleasant Fourth of July.
I know that for me it's been an exciting holiday
to appear here on Suspense.
Next Thursday, I'm sure you'll want to listen
when a very wonderful actor, Sheldon Leonard,
appears in a Suspense play called
Feast of the Furies, which Mr. Spear has just described to me
and which sounds like one of the really dramatic events
of the radio season.
Leon Ames appeared through courtesy of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer,
producers of the Technicolor musical Easy to Win.
Next Thursday, same time, Roma Wines will bring you
Sheldon Leonard as star of Suspense,
radio's outstanding theater of thrill,
produced by William Spear
for the Roma Wine Company of Fresno, California.
This is CBS, the Columbia Broadcasting System.