WEBVTT 00:00.000 --> 00:08.600 Now, Roma Wines, R-O-M-A, made in California for enjoyment throughout the world. 00:08.600 --> 00:13.080 Roma Wines presents Suspense. 00:13.080 --> 00:21.960 Tonight, Roma Wines bring you Mr. Elliot Lewis as star of Can't We Be Friends, a suspense 00:21.960 --> 00:27.160 play produced, edited, and directed for Roma Wines by William Spear. 00:27.160 --> 00:31.160 Suspense. 00:31.160 --> 00:38.200 Radio's outstanding theater of thrills is presented for your enjoyment by Roma Wines. 00:38.200 --> 00:40.200 That's R-O-M-A. 00:40.200 --> 00:45.400 Roma Wines, those excellent California wines that can add so much pleasantness to the way 00:45.400 --> 00:51.160 you live, to your happiness in entertaining guests, to your enjoyment of everyday meals. 00:51.160 --> 00:57.040 Yes, right now a glass full would be very pleasant as Roma Wines bring you Elliot Lewis 00:57.040 --> 01:06.160 in a remarkable tale of Suspense. 01:06.160 --> 01:07.800 I suppose you want to know how it happened. 01:07.800 --> 01:09.560 Yes, I'd like very much to know. 01:09.560 --> 01:12.000 Then will you tell me how you got here? 01:12.000 --> 01:14.160 I'm Dr. Meir. 01:14.160 --> 01:15.160 Did you look at her? 01:15.160 --> 01:16.160 Is she dead? 01:16.160 --> 01:18.640 You tell me your story first. 01:18.640 --> 01:19.640 Who's he? 01:19.640 --> 01:21.320 This gentleman lives in the next apartment. 01:21.320 --> 01:22.320 Yeah? 01:22.320 --> 01:24.960 Yes, go on, go on, let's hear your story. 01:24.960 --> 01:30.040 Well, her name was, is, Francis Murphy. 01:30.040 --> 01:31.360 I've known her for about six months. 01:31.360 --> 01:33.400 I met her at a party. 01:33.400 --> 01:38.000 We went out together a few times, liked each other, and started going together. 01:38.000 --> 01:41.640 She's fascinating, I guess. 01:41.640 --> 01:46.000 I fell in love with her, and I think she was in love with me for a while anyway. 01:46.000 --> 01:47.000 What's your name? 01:47.000 --> 01:48.000 Michael Gordon. 01:48.000 --> 01:50.960 Yeah, well, go on. 01:50.960 --> 01:54.640 She wasn't well for a while, and then she told me she had to go to the hospital. 01:54.640 --> 01:56.320 Some minor surgery. 01:56.320 --> 01:57.320 Minor surgery? 01:57.320 --> 01:59.320 Why, that girl. 01:59.320 --> 02:02.240 So that's what she told you, eh? 02:02.240 --> 02:03.240 Yeah. 02:03.240 --> 02:07.160 Well, anyway, I got sort of busy, and I didn't get a chance to see her while she was sick. 02:07.160 --> 02:10.400 And when I saw her again, she wouldn't talk to me, so I started seeing another girl I 02:10.400 --> 02:11.400 know. 02:11.400 --> 02:14.040 But this afternoon, I got to thinking about Fran. 02:14.040 --> 02:17.200 I kept seeing her when I was with the other girl. 02:17.200 --> 02:20.040 It bothered me. 02:20.040 --> 02:22.920 So I decided I'd come over and see her. 02:22.920 --> 02:33.560 I got here at 6 o'clock. 02:33.560 --> 02:36.480 This apartment, in case you don't know, is very easy to get up to. 02:36.480 --> 02:39.200 The desk clerk sits around the corner from the elevator, and you don't have to see him 02:39.200 --> 02:40.800 if you don't want to. 02:40.800 --> 02:44.160 I didn't want him to call and tell Fran I was coming up, so I went over to the elevator 02:44.160 --> 02:50.320 without talking to him, and came directly up to the fourth floor, knocked on her door. 02:50.320 --> 02:52.040 Hello, Fran. 02:52.040 --> 02:53.800 Oh, it... my... 02:53.800 --> 02:55.800 How are you, Fran? 02:55.800 --> 02:56.800 Can I come in? 02:56.800 --> 02:57.800 What do you want? 02:57.800 --> 02:59.320 Oh, I was just passing by. 02:59.320 --> 03:01.400 I thought I'd stop in and see how you were feeling. 03:01.400 --> 03:03.520 You're a little late, aren't you? 03:03.520 --> 03:05.560 You've been feeling better for three weeks. 03:05.560 --> 03:07.560 Oh, and I don't be like that, honey. 03:07.560 --> 03:08.560 I was busy. 03:08.560 --> 03:09.560 That's why I didn't see you. 03:09.560 --> 03:11.560 You aren't going to ask me in? 03:11.560 --> 03:13.560 All right, come in. 03:13.560 --> 03:15.160 But you can't stay long. 03:15.160 --> 03:17.560 I've got an engagement with a very good friend tonight. 03:17.560 --> 03:18.560 Oh, thanks. 03:18.560 --> 03:23.640 Ah, the apartment looks very nice. 03:23.640 --> 03:26.560 Sit down if you like. 03:26.560 --> 03:28.560 Oh, thanks. 03:28.560 --> 03:31.240 Care for a cigarette? 03:31.240 --> 03:32.240 No, thanks. 03:32.240 --> 03:35.800 Ah, you look swell. 03:35.800 --> 03:36.800 Not your fault, I do. 03:36.800 --> 03:38.880 Oh, now, don't be like that, Fran. 03:38.880 --> 03:41.800 I feel awful about not seeing him when you were sick. 03:41.800 --> 03:43.200 I had to see a fellow from out of town. 03:43.200 --> 03:45.160 Did it take you ten days to see him? 03:45.160 --> 03:47.160 Oh, honey, you know how those things are. 03:47.160 --> 03:48.160 It was business. 03:48.160 --> 03:49.760 You just can't make any other plans. 03:49.760 --> 03:51.760 You really don't have to explain it to me. 03:51.760 --> 03:54.560 I'm not the least little bit interested in what you do. 03:54.560 --> 03:56.640 Fran, look at me. 03:56.640 --> 03:58.600 I'm sorry, Fran. 03:58.600 --> 04:00.960 I don't blame you for being mad at me. 04:00.960 --> 04:02.840 I'm no good, I guess. 04:02.840 --> 04:05.760 I'm just a no-good bum. 04:05.760 --> 04:08.200 I never deserved having a girl like you anyway. 04:08.200 --> 04:09.200 How true. 04:09.200 --> 04:14.000 But let's let bygones be bygones and at least part good friends. 04:14.000 --> 04:15.200 That's really why I came by today. 04:15.200 --> 04:16.200 I wanted to ask you. 04:16.200 --> 04:18.200 Can't we be friends? 04:18.200 --> 04:19.200 Well... 04:19.200 --> 04:21.080 Because I loved you, Fran. 04:21.080 --> 04:22.080 You know that I did. 04:22.080 --> 04:24.080 I still do. 04:24.080 --> 04:27.880 But, of course, I realize that's beside the point. 04:27.880 --> 04:30.880 You still do, huh? 04:30.880 --> 04:31.880 Whatever do you mean? 04:31.880 --> 04:34.960 Well, I've been thinking about you a lot, Fran. 04:34.960 --> 04:40.520 About how you walk, the fingernail polish you use, the perfume you wear. 04:40.520 --> 04:42.520 You gave me for my birthday. 04:42.520 --> 04:43.520 Did I? 04:43.520 --> 04:46.760 Well, you know, that's right. 04:46.760 --> 04:47.760 I remember now. 04:47.760 --> 04:49.760 You sure were surprised. 04:49.760 --> 04:51.520 It's very nice of you. 04:51.520 --> 04:53.280 It was nothing, honey. 04:53.280 --> 04:54.280 Nothing at all. 04:54.280 --> 04:57.240 I wish I could have gotten you a mink coat. 04:57.240 --> 04:59.520 Two mink coats, one for afternoon, one for nighttime. 04:59.520 --> 05:00.520 Really? 05:00.520 --> 05:02.520 Mind if I sit here next to you? 05:02.520 --> 05:05.520 Well, I don't know. 05:05.520 --> 05:06.520 Thanks. 05:06.520 --> 05:09.520 You're wearing the perfume now, aren't you? 05:09.520 --> 05:10.520 Uh-huh. 05:10.520 --> 05:13.520 Yeah, perfume has a better smell when you wear it, you know? 05:13.520 --> 05:17.520 Oh, will you forgive me, Fran, for being such a heel? 05:17.520 --> 05:18.520 Well, you really didn't... 05:18.520 --> 05:19.520 No, don't answer that, honey. 05:19.520 --> 05:21.520 It wasn't nice of me to ask you that. 05:21.520 --> 05:24.520 There's no reason why a girl like you should get stuck with a bum like me. 05:24.520 --> 05:26.520 You're better off going out with other people. 05:26.520 --> 05:29.520 Who's this friend you had the engagement with tonight? 05:29.520 --> 05:32.520 Are you really sorry you didn't see me, Mike? 05:32.520 --> 05:34.520 I told you I was. 05:34.520 --> 05:35.520 I could have killed myself. 05:35.520 --> 05:37.520 I felt so bad. 05:37.520 --> 05:41.520 Oh, give me a kiss. 05:41.520 --> 05:46.520 Sure, honey. 05:46.520 --> 05:48.520 I missed you, Mike. 05:48.520 --> 05:50.520 And I haven't got an engagement with anyone tonight. 05:50.520 --> 05:52.520 I haven't been out of the house. 05:52.520 --> 05:54.520 Dr. Merritt said I should take it easy. 05:54.520 --> 05:55.520 Oh, that's good, honey. 05:55.520 --> 05:57.520 We'll go out tonight, huh? 05:57.520 --> 05:59.520 Or would you rather I stayed here with you for dinner 05:59.520 --> 06:01.520 and then we could listen to some music tonight? 06:01.520 --> 06:03.520 I haven't heard your records in a long time, you know. 06:03.520 --> 06:04.520 No, no, you'll have to go, Mike. 06:04.520 --> 06:06.520 I have some packing to do. 06:06.520 --> 06:08.520 I have to go away and rest a while. 06:08.520 --> 06:10.520 Guess I was pretty sick. 06:10.520 --> 06:12.520 Oh, it's all the more reason for me to stay, honey. 06:12.520 --> 06:14.520 I'll help you pack. We'll have a little farewell party. 06:14.520 --> 06:16.520 No, no, I'm sorry, Mike. 06:16.520 --> 06:18.520 I have to go to sleep as soon as I finish packing, 06:18.520 --> 06:20.520 so I'll be fresh for the trip tomorrow. 06:20.520 --> 06:22.520 Well, that's ridiculous. I'm just going to sit here. 06:22.520 --> 06:24.520 I won't bother you. 06:24.520 --> 06:26.520 Who are you trying to kid? 06:26.520 --> 06:27.520 What do you mean? 06:27.520 --> 06:28.520 I mean, what are you trying to pull? 06:28.520 --> 06:30.520 If you've got a date with another guy, tell me. 06:30.520 --> 06:31.520 I don't care who you go out with. 06:31.520 --> 06:33.520 I told you I didn't have a date. 06:33.520 --> 06:35.520 Well, you think I'd believe that? 06:35.520 --> 06:37.520 You're sick to see me, huh? That's a laugh. 06:37.520 --> 06:38.520 You certainly look well enough to me. 06:38.520 --> 06:39.520 But I'm not. 06:39.520 --> 06:41.520 That's one of the reasons I didn't go to see you in the hospital. 06:41.520 --> 06:43.520 I knew you were kidding. 06:43.520 --> 06:45.520 What's the matter with you? I had an operation. 06:45.520 --> 06:47.520 You want to tell me about your operation? 06:47.520 --> 06:49.520 Please go. 06:49.520 --> 06:51.520 I'll go when I'm good and ready. 06:51.520 --> 06:53.520 You go right now. Right when I tell you to. 06:53.520 --> 06:54.520 Who do you think you are? 06:54.520 --> 06:55.520 Who do you think you are? 06:55.520 --> 06:57.520 You get out of here before I call the manager. 06:57.520 --> 06:58.520 Oh, you wouldn't dare call the manager. 06:58.520 --> 07:00.520 Oh, wouldn't I? 07:00.520 --> 07:02.520 Listen, you cheap, no-good bum. 07:02.520 --> 07:03.520 You get out of here, I'll have you thrown out. 07:03.520 --> 07:04.520 Oh, shut up. 07:04.520 --> 07:06.520 Okay. All right. 07:06.520 --> 07:07.520 You ask for it. 07:07.520 --> 07:08.520 Hey, give me that phone. 07:08.520 --> 07:10.520 Get your dirty hands off of me. 07:10.520 --> 07:12.520 You go away. 07:12.520 --> 07:13.520 I told you to shut up. 07:13.520 --> 07:15.520 What do you want? Why don't you leave me alone? 07:15.520 --> 07:17.520 I want to see you uncomfortable. 07:17.520 --> 07:19.520 I want you to be unhappy the way you make me unhappy. 07:19.520 --> 07:21.520 I want to make sure you remember me. 07:25.520 --> 07:28.520 I used to fall for that crying routine, but not anymore. 07:28.520 --> 07:30.520 Now I just make you cry a little hard. 07:30.520 --> 07:32.520 You might like to know I wasn't seeing anybody about business 07:32.520 --> 07:33.520 while you were in the hospital. 07:33.520 --> 07:34.520 I went out every night. 07:34.520 --> 07:36.520 I've been seeing your friend Trudy. 07:36.520 --> 07:37.520 Trudy. 07:37.520 --> 07:38.520 Yeah, Trudy. 07:38.520 --> 07:41.520 But then I had to come back up here today and see you. 07:41.520 --> 07:43.520 Because I kept seeing you when I kissed Trudy. 07:43.520 --> 07:45.520 What's that got to do with me? 07:45.520 --> 07:46.520 You get out of here. 07:46.520 --> 07:48.520 I'm going to do something to stop that. 07:48.520 --> 07:50.520 I don't love you anymore, but I keep remembering you. 07:50.520 --> 07:51.520 That's no good. 07:51.520 --> 07:54.520 You can stop remembering me any time you like. 07:54.520 --> 07:56.520 Why are you wrecking me? 07:56.520 --> 07:57.520 I'm not wrecking you. 07:57.520 --> 08:00.520 You can stop remembering me any time you like. 08:00.520 --> 08:02.520 I hardly recognized you when you came in. 08:02.520 --> 08:03.520 That's how easy I forgot. 08:03.520 --> 08:04.520 Well, that don't work with me. 08:04.520 --> 08:05.520 Now listen to me. 08:05.520 --> 08:07.520 You listen to me. 08:07.520 --> 08:09.520 I'm tired of your little problem. 08:09.520 --> 08:12.520 I don't like you, and I wouldn't even like you if you had any money, 08:12.520 --> 08:14.520 which goodness knows you haven't. 08:14.520 --> 08:17.520 I want you to go away and leave me alone. 08:17.520 --> 08:20.520 And I want you to come back here anymore. 08:20.520 --> 08:22.520 You saw me today because you wanted to. 08:22.520 --> 08:24.520 Okay, but no more. 08:24.520 --> 08:26.520 Now I'm going into the bedroom, and I'm going to lock the door, 08:26.520 --> 08:28.520 and I'm going to lock the door until you stay here forever, 08:28.520 --> 08:30.520 but I'm not coming out until you leave here. 08:30.520 --> 08:33.520 But if you haven't left in a little while, I'm going to scream. 08:33.520 --> 08:35.520 And I'm going to keep screaming until somebody comes up here 08:35.520 --> 08:37.520 and throws you out of here. 08:37.520 --> 08:48.520 I just stood there for a while and looked at the door, 08:48.520 --> 08:51.520 and I thought, I don't love her. 08:51.520 --> 08:54.520 I don't love her at all. 08:54.520 --> 08:57.520 That's when I decided to do it, 08:57.520 --> 08:59.520 because I figured that if there was no Fran, 08:59.520 --> 09:02.520 that I could see Trudy or anybody else I wanted to, 09:02.520 --> 09:05.520 and not have to worry about being lonesome for Fran, 09:05.520 --> 09:10.520 or feeling sorry for Fran, or needing Fran. 09:10.520 --> 09:13.520 And I figured, you don't remember dead people very well. 09:13.520 --> 09:16.520 But I knew I had to do it that night before she left on her trip. 09:16.520 --> 09:18.520 I worked it out like this. 09:18.520 --> 09:21.520 I'd leave right then and leave a front door on the latch 09:21.520 --> 09:23.520 and talk to everybody in the building 09:23.520 --> 09:26.520 and go to my boarding house and tell everyone there how tired I was, 09:26.520 --> 09:27.520 and go up to my room. 09:27.520 --> 09:29.520 That would be my alibi. 09:29.520 --> 09:32.520 Everyone would have seen me go to sleep. 09:32.520 --> 09:34.520 Then I'd wait until everybody was in bed, 09:34.520 --> 09:39.520 and I'd take my gun and come back here without anybody seeing me 09:39.520 --> 09:41.520 and kill Fran. 09:41.520 --> 09:55.520 For Suspense, Roma Wines are bringing you Elliot Lewis 09:55.520 --> 09:58.520 as star of Can't We Be Friends, 09:58.520 --> 10:01.520 a radio play of which he is also the author, 10:01.520 --> 10:03.520 and which is Roma Wines' presentation tonight 10:03.520 --> 10:08.520 in radio's outstanding theater of thrills, Suspense. 10:08.520 --> 10:21.520 Between the acts of Suspense, this is Ken Niles for Roma Wines. 10:21.520 --> 10:25.520 Warm weather and cold drinks just naturally go together. 10:25.520 --> 10:28.520 And here's my favorite recipe for quick, thirst-quenching refreshment 10:28.520 --> 10:30.520 these scorching days. 10:30.520 --> 10:35.520 It's Roma Wine and Soda, America's smartest, coolest summer drink. 10:35.520 --> 10:39.520 After a hot day's work, try Roma Wine and Soda. 10:39.520 --> 10:42.520 It's refreshing as a cold shower. 10:42.520 --> 10:45.520 And when guests drop in, delight them with delicious, 10:45.520 --> 10:48.520 easy-to-serve Roma Wine and Soda. 10:48.520 --> 10:51.520 Just half-fill a tall glass with Roma California Burgundy 10:51.520 --> 10:55.520 or Sauveterne or any other Roma Wine type of your choice. 10:55.520 --> 10:59.520 Then add ice, fill with sparkling water, and stir. 10:59.520 --> 11:03.520 In less than a minute, you're sipping your way to cool contentment. 11:03.520 --> 11:07.520 Or for a short refresher that's long on taste, try this cooler offer. 11:07.520 --> 11:11.520 Just pour Roma California Sherry to cover a cube or two of ice. 11:11.520 --> 11:13.520 It's delicious. 11:13.520 --> 11:18.520 Remember, Roma Wines are selected from the world's greatest wine reserves, 11:18.520 --> 11:23.520 so refreshers made with Roma are better tasting always. 11:23.520 --> 11:28.520 For low-cost, cool enjoyment this summer, serve Roma Wine and Soda. 11:28.520 --> 11:36.520 Insist on Roma, R-O-M-A, Roma Wine, largest selling wine in all history. 11:36.520 --> 11:41.520 And now, Roma Wines bring back to our Hollywood Soundstage, 11:41.520 --> 11:45.520 Elliot Lewis as Michael Gordon in Can't We Be Friends, 11:45.520 --> 11:50.520 a tale well calculated to keep you in suspense. 11:50.520 --> 12:00.520 Hey, Fran. Hey, Fran. 12:00.520 --> 12:03.520 Well, I'm gone now. 12:03.520 --> 12:06.520 I'm sorry, we couldn't at least be friends. 12:06.520 --> 12:08.520 I went to the front door of her apartment, 12:08.520 --> 12:11.520 snapped the lock open and left, making a little noise closing the door 12:11.520 --> 12:13.520 so she'd know I'd gone. 12:13.520 --> 12:15.520 In the elevator going down, I saw a guy I didn't know, 12:15.520 --> 12:18.520 but I wanted to be seen leaving, so... 12:18.520 --> 12:21.520 Pardon me, do you have the time? 12:21.520 --> 12:24.520 Quarter to seven. 12:24.520 --> 12:26.520 Thanks. 12:26.520 --> 12:28.520 Awful tired. 12:28.520 --> 12:29.520 You been working hard? 12:29.520 --> 12:32.520 No, yeah. Early jobs every morning. 12:32.520 --> 12:37.520 As a matter of fact, this is almost my bedtime. 12:37.520 --> 12:39.520 Oh, after you. 12:39.520 --> 12:40.520 No, thanks. 12:40.520 --> 12:42.520 It's all right. I'll see you. 12:42.520 --> 12:43.520 Good night. 12:43.520 --> 12:48.520 Pardon me. 12:48.520 --> 12:50.520 Yes, may I help you? 12:50.520 --> 12:54.520 Yeah, Miss Murphy in 411 asked me to tell you she doesn't want to be disturbed. 12:54.520 --> 12:55.520 Yes, yes. 12:55.520 --> 12:59.520 You got that straight now. Miss Murphy, 411, she doesn't want to be disturbed. 12:59.520 --> 13:01.520 Not feeling bad again, is she? 13:01.520 --> 13:04.520 Oh, no, no. No, just a little tired. 13:04.520 --> 13:05.520 Taking a nap. 13:05.520 --> 13:08.520 Oh, well, thank you. I see that she's not bothered. 13:08.520 --> 13:10.520 Yeah, but I'm not going to be disturbed. 13:10.520 --> 13:13.520 I got the time. 13:13.520 --> 13:16.520 Ten minutes to seven. 13:16.520 --> 13:18.520 Ten minutes to seven. 13:18.520 --> 13:20.520 I better get my dinner and get some sleep. 13:20.520 --> 13:25.520 Got an early call in the morning. 13:25.520 --> 13:27.520 I left the building and took a cab. 13:27.520 --> 13:28.520 Although I didn't have too much though. 13:28.520 --> 13:31.520 I talked to the cabbie. I asked him about his family. 13:31.520 --> 13:32.520 I got real chummy with him. 13:32.520 --> 13:36.520 Because he was a Red Sox man, so I was a Red Sox man. 13:36.520 --> 13:41.520 At the boarding house, I gave everybody a big yawn. 13:41.520 --> 13:43.520 I louted around how tired I was. 13:43.520 --> 13:45.520 Even had the lamb lady feeling sorry for me. 13:45.520 --> 13:46.520 And she usually hates me. 13:46.520 --> 13:49.520 Everybody patted me on the back up to my room. 13:49.520 --> 13:52.520 I made a lot of noise dropping my shoes when I got there. 13:52.520 --> 13:54.520 I jumped up and down on the bed a couple of times. 13:54.520 --> 13:56.520 Then I went over to the window. 13:56.520 --> 13:58.520 And I looked out at the street. 13:58.520 --> 14:01.520 And I waited. 14:01.520 --> 14:10.520 The traffic gradually disappeared as I watched. 14:10.520 --> 14:14.520 And through the early night, one by one, I could hear the other boarders yell good night to somebody in the living room. 14:14.520 --> 14:16.520 And bang up the stairs and close their door. 14:16.520 --> 14:18.520 Pretty soon I knew they had to be asleep. 14:18.520 --> 14:23.520 About one o'clock in the morning, a last pair of footsteps came upstairs without saying good night to anyone. 14:23.520 --> 14:25.520 I knew they'd all turned in. 14:25.520 --> 14:28.520 I waited a little longer to make sure everyone was sleeping. 14:28.520 --> 14:30.520 And I put my shoes back on. 14:30.520 --> 14:32.520 I got my gun out of the bureau drawer. 14:32.520 --> 14:37.520 I opened the door to my room. 14:37.520 --> 14:40.520 Old man Epstein was sawing away down the hall making his usual racket. 14:40.520 --> 14:43.520 So I felt easier about going past this door to get to the stairs. 14:43.520 --> 14:48.520 But I was very careful and quiet. 14:48.520 --> 14:54.520 I grumbled once when I got out of his door, but I held still. 14:54.520 --> 14:57.520 Pretty soon he started sawing again. 14:57.520 --> 15:02.520 I got down the stairs. 15:02.520 --> 15:05.520 It was pretty dark in the living room and I was afraid I'd trip on some furniture. 15:05.520 --> 15:07.520 But I made it all right. 15:07.520 --> 15:10.520 I finally felt the front door knock in my hand. 15:10.520 --> 15:14.520 I opened the doors quietly as I could. 15:14.520 --> 15:15.520 And then what? 15:15.520 --> 15:19.520 I said to him, in that case, go play with Lombardo. 15:19.520 --> 15:22.520 You rocked me, J.T. 15:22.520 --> 15:23.520 Where at tomorrow? 15:23.520 --> 15:25.520 Same. I got an 88 man I want you to hear. 15:25.520 --> 15:27.520 Oh, solid, solid. See ya. 15:27.520 --> 15:29.520 Right. 15:37.520 --> 15:39.520 Oh, is that you, Lippy? 15:39.520 --> 15:40.520 No. 15:40.520 --> 15:42.520 Oh, hi, man. 15:42.520 --> 15:43.520 Good evening. 15:43.520 --> 15:44.520 The door's open if you're going in. 15:44.520 --> 15:46.520 Oh, thanks for saving me the key move, man. 15:46.520 --> 15:49.520 Hey, you still working days, fellow borderoonie? 15:49.520 --> 15:50.520 Yeah, yeah. 15:50.520 --> 15:52.520 Oh, ain't this a little past your bedtime, man? 15:52.520 --> 15:54.520 Oh, yeah, it's late, but the reason I can... 15:54.520 --> 15:56.520 Hey, why do you go out at 3 o'clock? 15:56.520 --> 15:58.520 I wasn't going out. I couldn't sleep. 15:58.520 --> 16:00.520 I was just going to get some fresh air and come right in again. 16:00.520 --> 16:02.520 You better leave the door unlocked for me. 16:02.520 --> 16:03.520 Oh, boy, I'm beat. 16:03.520 --> 16:05.520 Yeah, you better get to bed. 16:05.520 --> 16:09.520 Ah, it's a fine night for singing. 16:09.520 --> 16:10.520 Yeah. 16:10.520 --> 16:12.520 Well, don't get too much of that fresh air. 16:12.520 --> 16:14.520 I will let you get it, then. 16:14.520 --> 16:15.520 Yeah, well, good night. 16:15.520 --> 16:17.520 Oh, hey, hey, we had that joint really jumpin' tonight. 16:17.520 --> 16:20.520 Hatchetface come by, sat in with us for a while. 16:20.520 --> 16:21.520 Really? 16:21.520 --> 16:22.520 Oh, he's mellow. 16:22.520 --> 16:23.520 That boy plays fine. 16:23.520 --> 16:24.520 So I hear. 16:24.520 --> 16:25.520 Yeah. 16:25.520 --> 16:27.520 Woodle-dee-woo. Woodle-dee-ree. 16:27.520 --> 16:30.520 Woodle-dee-doodle-dee-doodle-dee-doodle-dee-do. 16:30.520 --> 16:31.520 Rip! 16:31.520 --> 16:32.520 That good? 16:32.520 --> 16:33.520 Yeah, sounds great. 16:33.520 --> 16:34.520 Yeah. 16:34.520 --> 16:35.520 Ah. 16:35.520 --> 16:38.520 Well, enjoy your company, pops. 16:38.520 --> 16:39.520 Sure thing. 16:39.520 --> 16:40.520 Good night. 16:40.520 --> 16:41.520 Yeah. 16:41.520 --> 16:43.520 Well, gotta fall in now. 16:43.520 --> 16:44.520 Hit that pan. 16:44.520 --> 16:45.520 Woodle-dee-doo. 16:45.520 --> 16:46.520 Woodle-dee-dee-dee. 16:46.520 --> 16:54.520 Woodle-dee-dee-dee-de-doodle-dee-doodle-dee-dee-do. 16:54.520 --> 16:55.520 Rip! 16:55.520 --> 16:56.520 Boing. 16:56.520 --> 16:57.520 I was frightened for a minute. 16:57.520 --> 16:58.520 I was awful frightened. 16:58.520 --> 17:01.520 If Jack remembered seeing me, my carefully planned alibi was shot. 17:01.520 --> 17:03.520 I thought better not, not tonight. 17:03.520 --> 17:04.520 But then, Jack wasn't like most people. 17:04.520 --> 17:05.520 He wouldn't remember in the morning. 17:05.520 --> 17:09.520 He'd be too busy trying to recall Hatchetface's lick. 17:09.520 --> 17:10.520 That was still all right. 17:10.520 --> 17:11.520 But I had to be careful. 17:11.520 --> 17:12.520 I couldn't take any chances. 17:12.520 --> 17:13.520 To be safe, I had to have a chance. 17:13.520 --> 17:14.520 I had to have a chance. 17:14.520 --> 17:18.520 To be safe, I had to have the alibi that I'd gone to bed early. 17:18.520 --> 17:21.520 I walked quietly to the street and started for Fran's apartment house. 17:21.520 --> 17:23.520 I was very careful all the way. 17:23.520 --> 17:25.520 A couple of times cars came by and always I ducked into the shadows 17:25.520 --> 17:28.520 and waited for them to pass before I continued walking. 17:28.520 --> 17:30.520 I got here at about four o'clock, I guess. 17:30.520 --> 17:33.520 I went up to the front door and tried to open it. 17:33.520 --> 17:35.520 The big door was locked. I couldn't get in. 17:35.520 --> 17:39.520 I took my keys out of my pocket and tried them, but none of them fitted. 17:39.520 --> 17:43.520 Then I heard someone coming up the walk. 17:43.520 --> 17:46.520 I moved back from the door and squeezed against the mailboxes and waited. 17:46.520 --> 17:50.520 I was almost afraid to breathe, except that I knew I'd get in now. 17:50.520 --> 17:53.520 I'd just wait until the people went in and then get my foot in the door 17:53.520 --> 17:56.520 to keep it from completely closing again. 17:58.520 --> 17:59.520 Good night, honey. 17:59.520 --> 18:00.520 Good night, darling. 18:00.520 --> 18:02.520 I'll call you in the morning, Betty Jane. 18:02.520 --> 18:05.520 Call me when you get home so I know you're all right. 18:05.520 --> 18:07.520 Oh, won't I wake anyone? 18:07.520 --> 18:11.520 I'll be at the phone. I'll answer as soon as it rings. 18:11.520 --> 18:14.520 Okay. Give me another kiss. 18:14.520 --> 18:16.520 Mmm. 18:16.520 --> 18:17.520 Do you love me? 18:17.520 --> 18:18.520 Uh-huh. 18:18.520 --> 18:19.520 How much? 18:19.520 --> 18:20.520 A million. 18:20.520 --> 18:24.520 Oh, that's not enough. 18:24.520 --> 18:25.520 Good night. 18:25.520 --> 18:27.520 Good night, Betty Jane. 18:33.520 --> 18:34.520 Seven million? 18:34.520 --> 18:36.520 That's better. 18:36.520 --> 18:38.520 Don't forget to call. 18:38.520 --> 18:41.520 I won't. 18:45.520 --> 18:46.520 Honey? 18:46.520 --> 18:48.520 Yes, darling? 18:48.520 --> 18:49.520 Good night. 18:49.520 --> 18:52.520 Good night, darling. You call now. 18:52.520 --> 18:55.520 I will. 19:01.520 --> 19:03.520 I was sweating. 19:03.520 --> 19:06.520 It had been close, but they hadn't seen me and my foot was holding the door open, 19:06.520 --> 19:10.520 so I just waited there until I was sure she'd gone upstairs. 19:10.520 --> 19:14.520 And then I opened the door and quietly guided it closed 19:14.520 --> 19:17.520 and walked on tiptoe across the lobby to the elevator. 19:17.520 --> 19:19.520 I needn't have wondered about avoiding the desk clerk. 19:19.520 --> 19:21.520 There was no one at the desk. 19:21.520 --> 19:23.520 The elevator was upstairs somewhere where the girl had just taken it 19:23.520 --> 19:26.520 and I rang the buzzer for it. 19:28.520 --> 19:29.520 I love self-service elevators. 19:29.520 --> 19:32.520 They make you feel like you could go to the moon in them. 19:32.520 --> 19:35.520 Elevators and subway trains I always wanted to drive ever since I was a kid. 19:35.520 --> 19:40.520 I got back in the dark just in time. 19:40.520 --> 19:44.520 The guy didn't see me. 19:50.520 --> 19:54.520 Please don't turn around. Please don't turn around. 20:00.520 --> 20:03.520 My mouth was so dry, I wondered for a few seconds how that guy had been able to whistle. 20:03.520 --> 20:06.520 You know the way you do. 20:06.520 --> 20:08.520 I opened the elevator door and got in. 20:08.520 --> 20:12.520 I pushed the button for the fourth floor. 20:13.520 --> 20:16.520 I got a little panicky because I thought that if someone was waiting on the fourth floor, 20:16.520 --> 20:18.520 they'd see me when they opened the elevator door. 20:18.520 --> 20:21.520 I almost convinced myself that someone would be there waiting for me. 20:21.520 --> 20:25.520 I put my hand in my coat pocket and felt the gun there and grabbed it hard. 20:25.520 --> 20:30.520 It was cold, so I took it out and pressed it against my forehead. 20:30.520 --> 20:34.520 That made me feel a little better. 20:41.520 --> 20:44.520 But there was no one waiting for the elevator. 20:44.520 --> 20:46.520 I stepped out into the dark hallway, 20:46.520 --> 20:50.520 and took a pencil out of my pocket and jammed it against the door so that it couldn't close. 20:50.520 --> 20:52.520 You know the way those things are. They won't run when the door is open, 20:52.520 --> 20:55.520 and I wanted it to be there waiting for me when I finished the shooting. 20:55.520 --> 20:58.520 That was the only way I figured to get out of the apartment before everybody woke up 20:58.520 --> 21:00.520 and started doing something about hunting for me. 21:00.520 --> 21:02.520 There's a basement exit, you know, and the elevator goes down in the basement. 21:02.520 --> 21:05.520 I had all that figured, too. 21:05.520 --> 21:10.520 The pencil seemed to work, but to make sure I stepped back into the elevator and pushed the button. 21:12.520 --> 21:14.520 And the motor clicked and the door strained but stayed open. 21:14.520 --> 21:16.520 The elevator didn't go anywhere. 21:16.520 --> 21:20.520 Then I stepped out into the hall and listened. 21:21.520 --> 21:23.520 It was awful quiet. 21:23.520 --> 21:27.520 Not even anyone snoring, which you usually hear at night in a big apartment house like this. 21:27.520 --> 21:30.520 I tried to remember if there was a squeaky board in the floor anywhere down the hall, 21:30.520 --> 21:34.520 but couldn't, so I just crossed my fingers and tiptoed down the long dark hallway. 21:35.520 --> 21:38.520 The only light was the red exit sign that shows you where the fire escape is. 21:38.520 --> 21:43.520 And seeing from that is like working in a dark room developing pictures, which I did for a while. 21:44.520 --> 21:46.520 Two doors from Fran's apartment. 21:52.520 --> 21:56.520 That's the most frightened I ever was in my life, when a kid started to yell. 21:56.520 --> 21:58.520 Because in the first place I didn't know what it was right away. 21:58.520 --> 22:01.520 In the second place I thought, they'll wake up everybody in the apartment 22:01.520 --> 22:04.520 and they'll be up and on their feet when I start shooting. 22:05.520 --> 22:08.520 I guess I held my breath for a couple of minutes because when I started to try and relax, 22:08.520 --> 22:10.520 my breath came out in a little whistle. 22:10.520 --> 22:14.520 That scared me, too. I thought, it'd be great if I get a heart attack right here in the hall 22:14.520 --> 22:17.520 of a strange apartment house in the little hours of the morning with a gun in my pocket. 22:17.520 --> 22:21.520 It's like being afraid of a fire at night because you don't want to go out in the street in your pajamas. 22:21.520 --> 22:23.520 It's worse, I guess. 22:23.520 --> 22:28.520 Anyhow, the baby finally quieted down. 22:30.520 --> 22:35.520 I waited a while, because I didn't know whether his mother had gotten up to quiet him 22:35.520 --> 22:37.520 or whether he'd just gone back to sleep again. 22:38.520 --> 22:42.520 I wasn't taking any chances now. It was too close to the finish. 22:44.520 --> 22:46.520 I waited. 22:48.520 --> 22:51.520 I figured it was safe a few minutes later and continued snail-ing down the hall. 22:51.520 --> 22:54.520 I stopped at Fran's door and listened. 22:55.520 --> 22:59.520 It was quiet inside. I put my hand into my pocket and grabbed hold of the gun. 22:59.520 --> 23:03.520 Then I slowly turned the doorknob, slid the door open. 23:04.520 --> 23:08.520 It didn't creak or anything, which was lucky. I got into the room, quietly closed the door again. 23:10.520 --> 23:13.520 I took the gun out of my pocket and released the safety and went to the bedroom door. 23:13.520 --> 23:16.520 It was already a little bit open. Through the crack, I could see her figure lying on the bed. 23:16.520 --> 23:21.520 I pushed the door enough ajar so that I could move into the room and look closer. 23:21.520 --> 23:26.520 That chop-sui sign across the street was flashing on and off as I got used to the pattern it made on the walls. 23:26.520 --> 23:30.520 I saw Frances lying on the bed, dressed as she had been when I'd seen her early in the evening. 23:30.520 --> 23:34.520 She was lying on her stomach with her face turned toward the far side of the room, toward the shadow. 23:34.520 --> 23:39.520 My nose started to tickle. I thought I was going to sneeze, but when I pressed the cold gun against my upper lip, the desire left me. 23:40.520 --> 23:43.520 I moved slowly and quietly toward the bed. 23:43.520 --> 23:48.520 I got in a few feet of her and pointed the gun right at her head. 23:48.520 --> 23:52.520 The gun was weight-weaving around, so I held out with both hands. 23:52.520 --> 23:55.520 I took very careful aim. 24:06.520 --> 24:10.520 It was done. I threw the gun down on the bed right next to Pranenstater for the door. 24:10.520 --> 24:15.520 I knew I didn't have much time to get out of there. I tripped over one of her packed suitcases in the living room, but didn't fall. 24:15.520 --> 24:19.520 It reminded me, though, that I'd gotten there in time. She hadn't had a chance to go on her trip. 24:19.520 --> 24:21.520 I got to the front door of the apartment and jerked it open. 24:21.520 --> 24:23.520 Watch the hurry. Get back in there. 24:23.520 --> 24:24.520 Get out of my way! 24:24.520 --> 24:25.520 Get back in there! 24:25.520 --> 24:41.520 I told you to get back in there! 24:41.520 --> 24:43.520 And that's all I know of what happened. 24:43.520 --> 24:47.520 I see. Did you hit me? 24:47.520 --> 24:50.520 Yes. I was helped by this gentleman here. 24:50.520 --> 24:52.520 I used that book. 24:52.520 --> 24:53.520 What are you doing here? 24:53.520 --> 24:56.520 The young lady had called me and asked me to stop by. 24:56.520 --> 24:58.520 At four o'clock in the morning? 24:58.520 --> 25:00.520 Oh, look here. I'm her doctor. 25:00.520 --> 25:03.520 Yeah? You must have got pretty clubby with her while she was in the hospital. 25:03.520 --> 25:04.520 Hmm? 25:04.520 --> 25:06.520 I was right about her. That's swell. 25:06.520 --> 25:08.520 Now, I don't feel badly about having shot her. 25:08.520 --> 25:09.520 The police will be here soon. 25:09.520 --> 25:10.520 Isn't there something I'm going to wait for? 25:10.520 --> 25:11.520 Watch him, Doctor! 25:11.520 --> 25:13.520 What's going on? Hey! 25:13.520 --> 25:18.520 Wow! 25:18.520 --> 25:20.520 It's just as well. 25:20.520 --> 25:22.520 Aren't you going to call the ambulance? 25:22.520 --> 25:24.520 I already had. 25:24.520 --> 25:25.520 Yeah. 25:25.520 --> 25:27.520 I called the ambulance for the young lady. 25:27.520 --> 25:30.520 The state she was in when she talked to me on the phone, I... 25:30.520 --> 25:33.520 I knew we'd have to take her back to the hospital tonight. 25:33.520 --> 25:35.520 There's not much they can do for her now. 25:35.520 --> 25:37.520 Well, there wasn't much they could do for her. 25:37.520 --> 25:39.520 I'm sure they'll do something. 25:39.520 --> 25:43.520 Well, there's not much they can do for her now. 25:43.520 --> 25:45.520 Well, there wasn't much they could have done for her before. 25:45.520 --> 25:47.520 An embolism, uh, blood clot. 25:47.520 --> 25:51.520 The result of her surgery and the excitement she must have had earlier in the evening. 25:51.520 --> 25:54.520 Then, he didn't kill her? 25:54.520 --> 26:10.520 She was dead three hours before he got here. 26:10.520 --> 26:13.520 Suspend! 26:13.520 --> 26:15.520 Presented by Roma Wines. 26:15.520 --> 26:21.520 R-O-M-A. Made in California for enjoyment throughout the world. 26:21.520 --> 26:27.520 This is Ken Niles for Roma Wines, suggesting a refreshing idea for warm weather entertaining. 26:27.520 --> 26:31.520 Serve your guests tall frosty glasses of Roma Wine Lemonade. 26:31.520 --> 26:35.520 An ice cold, taste tingling treat that's a summer favorite here in Hollywood. 26:35.520 --> 26:39.520 For Gala Garden Party, or neighbors casual call, 26:39.520 --> 26:44.520 the delicious thirst quenching refreshment of Roma Wine Lemonade pleases everyone. 26:44.520 --> 26:50.520 And Roma Wine Lemonade is easy on you because it costs so little, is so easy to serve. 26:50.520 --> 26:54.520 You just place ice and the juice of half a lemon in a tall glass. 26:54.520 --> 26:58.520 Pour three quarters full with zestful Roma California Burgundy, 26:58.520 --> 27:00.520 or any other Roma Wine you prefer. 27:00.520 --> 27:02.520 Add water and sweeten to taste. 27:02.520 --> 27:07.520 And because Roma Wines are selected from the world's greatest wine reserves, 27:07.520 --> 27:12.520 a refresher made with Roma is better tasting naturally. 27:12.520 --> 27:14.520 So, start now. 27:14.520 --> 27:18.520 Cool off and refresh yourself with Roma Wine Lemonade. 27:18.520 --> 27:23.520 Insist on Roma, R-O-M-A, Roma Wine. 27:23.520 --> 27:28.520 Discover why more Americans enjoy Roma than any other wine. 27:28.520 --> 27:30.520 This is Elliot Lewis. 27:30.520 --> 27:35.520 It's always a pleasure to appear on Suspense, and tonight I'm especially grateful to Mr. Spear 27:35.520 --> 27:40.520 for the opportunity to not only hear one of my own radio plays presented here, 27:40.520 --> 27:43.520 but also to appear in the starring role. 27:43.520 --> 27:50.520 I'd certainly like to thank my good friends and fellow radio countrymen who contributed their usual wonderful performances. 27:50.520 --> 27:58.520 Lorene Tuttle, who was Fran, Wally Mayer, who was the doctor, Jerry Hausner, who was the vout kid, 27:58.520 --> 28:02.520 Betty Moran and Irvin Lee, who were the two kids outside the apartment house, 28:02.520 --> 28:06.520 and Bill Johnston, who can do almost anything. 28:06.520 --> 28:11.520 Next Thursday, a very wonderful actor, Mr. J. Carroll Nash, will be starred on Suspense 28:11.520 --> 28:17.520 in a play called Commuter's Ticket, which goes to prove that nobody notices you on a commuting train, 28:17.520 --> 28:20.520 except when you don't want to be noticed. 28:20.520 --> 28:28.520 Next Thursday same time, Roma Wines will bring you J. Carroll Nash as star of Suspense, 28:28.520 --> 28:33.520 radio's outstanding Peter of Frills. 28:33.520 --> 28:39.520 Produced by William Spear for the Roma Wine Company of Fresno, California. 28:39.520 --> 29:02.520 This is CBS, the Columbia Broadcasting System. 29:09.520 --> 29:14.520 Thank you.