Autolight and its 96,000 dealers present Suspense.
Tonight, Autolight brings you a story of tension and heroism.
Fragile, contents, death.
Starring Mr. Paul Douglas.
Before our play begins, here is a word about Autolight from our good friend, Harlow Wilcox.
Hello, Harlow Wilcox.
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As gay as a giddy gazelle, since you told my owner.
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And now with fragile, contents, death, and the performance of Mr. Paul Douglas, Autolight
hopes once again to keep you in suspense.
All it took was a phone call.
Until it came that morning, everything at the post office was the same as it had always
been.
I was just another postmaster, 40 years old, with the problems of some 80,000 people to
look after.
All it took was that phone call to make things a nightmare.
As I said, the day was, well, just the day.
I remember I was making up my mind to get busy on the stuff piled on my desk.
It was 9.15.
Morning, Mr. Jordan.
Morning, Hartford.
I was just going to send for you.
Don't tell me that all this heap is for me.
That's right.
Well, didn't anybody weed it out?
Oh, it's been weeded, Mr. Jordan.
Oh, no.
Well, if I must, I must.
Well, even a parcel, I see.
It's marked personal.
Hmm, from Paxman Brown, something around the Broadway, New York City.
Hmm, something Alex ordered.
Oh, I remember.
Sure, this must be that new type of lawn sprinkler I ordered.
I should have had it sent to the house.
You'd have it over there, would you?
I'll take it along with me when I go home.
Here?
Yeah, that's fine.
Post office, this is Jordan.
Jordan?
That postmaster Jordan?
That's right.
What can I do for you?
Plenty.
You got a bomb someplace in the mail down there.
What?
Hey, is this a joke?
This is no joke.
Listen carefully.
A guy I know sent another guy a bomb, a time bomb.
It'll be delivered here in town.
It was supposed to be set to go off at 7 tonight, but it ain't.
He forgot to change the timer before he shipped it.
It's set for 2.30 this afternoon, five hours from now.
I don't like that.
I'm going to have to go to the post office.
Maybe some poor guy like a mailman will get it instead of the guy who's supposed to.
That's why I'm telling you about it.
You got to fight it and stop it.
Yeah, and another thing.
It's fixed so it'll go off when you open the package.
You got all that?
Sure, I got it, but how do I recognize this bomb?
Who's it addressed to?
I ain't telling who sent it.
I don't care about who sent it.
Who gets it?
I...
Hello?
Don't hang up on me.
Who gets the bomb?
Don't hang up.
Look, you're still there.
I can hear you breathing.
Hello?
He hung up.
Hartley.
Yes, sir?
You probably heard enough of that to know what's going on.
Something about a bomb in the mail.
Yes.
Now listen carefully.
I'm only going to tell you once.
Get out of here on the double.
I want the assistant superintendent of mails and the dispatcher, Stuart and Fox.
Get them in here as quick as you can.
Got that?
Yes, sir.
I'll get all the help I can get.
Operator?
This is Jordan.
How many inspectors are in today?
Do you know?
Just a moment, Mr. Jordan.
Mr. Williams is in.
Mr. Jackson left word that he'll be out in Lincoln County until tomorrow.
Mr. Thompson entered the hospital this morning to have his appendix out.
One out of three.
I suppose I should be thankful for that much.
What, Mr. Jordan?
Ring Ed Williams for me, please.
Tell him to get over to my office right away.
It's urgent.
Yes, sir.
All the police are here.
I'm going to call the police.
All the possibilities.
Sent for me?
Yes, Foxy.
Sit down.
Something wrong?
Plenty.
Bomb in the mail.
Know much about it?
I'll tell you later.
Williams and Stewart are in on this too.
Man, are we in for a busy day.
Oh, Hartley said there was a hurry-up call in here, so I can't excuse the loose calling.
Well, forget it.
Will you?
Hey, practically close that door in my face, Joe.
Morning, everybody.
Sit down, you two.
Sit down and listen, will you?
Uh-oh, no raises this year.
I've been waiting for them to spring it on us.
Now, button it up, Joe.
Here's what we do have staring us in the face.
I just told Fox a minute ago.
There's a bomb in the mail someplace.
A bomb?
Holy.
That's right.
A few minutes ago, I got a phone call.
I don't know who it was.
All I got were these facts.
It's now 9.30.
Between now and 2.30, we've got to find a time bomb which was mailed to somebody here
in town.
Somebody?
Don't have any name at all?
Well, I didn't get around to that.
Either he wouldn't tell me or he was cut off.
I'm hoping.
Just a slender hope, I know.
But I'm hoping he'll call back.
We can't count on it.
How do we know this isn't a leg, bulldog?
We don't.
But we can't afford to take chances with somebody's life.
Would you?
No.
Well, what kind of a package?
We don't know any kind.
Oh, that's great.
That spreads your field out something terrific.
How?
Not only have your truck packages, you have carrier packages, too.
Well, a carrier wouldn't have that big a package.
You can use your head.
The powerful explosives we have nowadays and the small wiring circuits possible, why not?
Yeah, that's right.
I'll give you another.
How about a newspaper roll?
That's big enough, isn't it?
Carriers handle them, don't they?
That's right.
Well, here's what I think.
If that thing was mailed early this morning, it's either out there in the parcel post bin
or at one of the substations.
If it was mailed last night, it's probably on one of the trucks right now.
Or else it's been delivered.
Or else it's been delivered, yes.
A lot of stuff's off the trucks by now.
Well, that complicates it, but let's get to the point.
We've got to find a way to get to the point.
Fox, you round up all of the special delivery cards.
Send them out after those trucks and get all packages back here.
We'll go over them after they get here.
Try to get the drivers to remember what's been delivered and where.
Skip the insured deliveries.
This won't be insured and get as much back as you can.
What if they can't remember everything?
Leave that to me.
But do this, too.
Go to the substations, get all their stuff in here.
Will do.
Anything else?
Not now.
I'm on my way.
Stewart, go through our own stuff in the back.
Let me see.
Delivery from the New York Central's number three hasn't come over from the station yet,
has it?
No.
Well, that makes it a little better.
Get everything we've got together in one place and keep it there.
Now, keep the out of town packages out of it.
Just add the stuff from the substations and the trucks as it comes in.
And the pickup trucks, of course.
What?
Drop boxes out of the suburbs are for letters and parcels both.
We'd get some packages coming in on the pickups from those boxes.
Yes, I'd forgotten that.
Yeah, the trucks will be in here by 11.
Well, might as well go ahead with everything else until they get here.
Yeah, just so we get them as soon as they come in.
I'll leave that to you.
Yeah, if we're gonna do all this, I better get on it.
You're standing here any longer than necessary.
No, no, no.
Go on.
Go ahead.
You want me to check the packages, right?
I don't have to tell you your business, Ed.
I know your record as an inspector.
Well, fill in a little more for me, won't you, Doug?
Okay.
Is this a time bomb?
Well, that's what he said.
We have less than five hours now.
I got that.
What else about it?
Would it be safe to open?
No, no, it'll go off if you open it.
He said so.
It's rougher and rougher.
Well, I'm gonna get help, Doug.
All you want.
Now use your phone.
Help yourself.
Thanks.
Operator.
Outside line, please.
Thank you.
State police, Company A. Sergeant Rock speaking.
Oh, Rocky, this is Ed Williams, post officer.
Is Jesse in today?
Yeah, why not?
No, no, don't call him.
No time.
Tell him to come on over here right away, would you?
Sure.
What do you want with explosives experts?
You got a bomb?
Well, maybe.
Keep it under your hat.
You know me.
Oh, another thing, Rocky.
You got the fluoroscope just now?
Touchy one, huh?
No, we loaded the Company E up on four.
I could use it, that's for sure.
It's only about 100 miles.
I'll call them up and get them to fly it in.
Probably get it to you in an hour or a little over.
Good.
And you'll tell Jesse?
Will do.
Now to work, Doug.
Same here, boy.
How about those carriers?
About 100 of them, aren't they?
Ninety-four.
Can you do it?
Can you hit them all?
I don't know.
All I can do is try.
I'll try.
Didn't know how to recognize you.
Oh, we used to have a bombed pilot.
He had a dream of walking into deep connected space and taking most of it.
And we became wood, wood-necked...
He didn't say a thing.
Auto Light is bringing you Mr. Paul Douglas in fragile, contents death.
Night's production in radio's outstanding theater of thrills, Suspense.
Harlow, you know what we cars always say? No, what Oscar Odo? There's no business like
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Douglas in Elliot Lewis's production of fragile contents death. A tale well
calculated to keep you in suspense.
They were all on it now. Williams, Fox, Stewart and all the others we could trust
to keep a cool head. The lid was on every place possible. The average man buying
his three-cent stamp it was business as usual. We didn't even let the majority of
the help know it but off in one of our fairly isolated corners a pile of
packages was growing. I looked at the clock 10 20 just about an hour gone. Four
hours left. Stu how are things going? Well who knows? Well it can be expected in a
thing like this I suppose. Better wipe off that sweat before somebody tumbles.
You know the day isn't that hot. Oh thank you. Are many of them wise yet? I don't
think so. Yet. It'll probably get out you know things have a way. That they do. How
are you standing at yourself? Well. Worried? I'm not very happy. Happy? Well none
of us are. Yeah I keep thinking what if I get hold of the thing? Have you ever
been in an explosion? No. You weren't in the service? No. Ever see an explosion
and been close to one? Yeah well I came by once just after a gasoline truck
tangled with a pole and took off. It's pretty bad. Mm-hmm.
See Joe would you like to take the day off? Oh no no I wouldn't think of it. No
wait a minute nobody's blame you really I wouldn't. No I can't do that. What if I
did and the thing got by and I could have prevented it. I'm nervous maybe I
don't like the setup maybe but I'm not chicken. I'm staying with it. I didn't
suppose you wouldn't stay with it Joe. Well they say every soldier figures that
the next bullet isn't gonna get him. That's the way I'm figuring myself on this
deal. Good idea. The only thing we have to worry about. Where is this one aimed?
1130. Two hours gone. I went back to the mail room. Hello Doc. How's it going? We have
all day so far. A lot of work. Any leads Ed? Not yet. Not even anything
suspicious. Well how can you tell? Can't tell really. Oh sometimes there's
something about the handwriting or the printing. I guess you just feel it
sometimes. I don't know I don't get anything like that in this stuff. Well not
even a fake return address. Not a one in the lot. None of the locals anyway.
Floor a scope in yet? Oh planes in. They phoned me a few minutes ago. It's on the
way over. Be here any minute. That's a help. Mr. Jordan. Telephone. Okay what line? Eight.
Thanks I'll get it. This is Jordan. Mr. Jordan this is Malloy on truck 15. Yes
Malloy. I got the word about getting back these packages. Everything's practically
okay only this. My second delivery I left one off at this place 1724 Lyme Street. I
got back there a while ago. Nobody's home. They were there when you left the
package? Yeah. Fat bald headed guy took it as I remember. Well check the neighbors. I
already have Mr. Jordan. Nobody knows for sure where they went. There's some talk
about them leaving for Washington this morning but I can't pin it down. They drove
anyway. Cars gone. Garage is empty. Well that's using your head Malloy. At least
we have something to shoot at. Remember the name? No I don't but that fat guy
sure looked like a crook. Tapped him for one the minute of late. What's this? Oh
Miller came driving out and caught me and said you're hunting a package of stolen
goods in the mail. Maybe he shot his mouth too much huh? Wasn't I supposed to know?
No no Malloy it's it's all right. I forgot that he knew what we were after.
You say you got everything else. Yeah be right in if you say so. You do that.
Check. Foxy. Yeah. Look up 1724 Lyme Street and get the name. Anything else?
Get that name and then get on it to the state police to intercept them if
possible. Those people have received a package this morning and they may have
left town for Washington. They're probably driving. By luck they may not
have opened that parcel yet. It's a long shot. Going on a trip carrying an
unopened package. I doubt it. It's against common sense but we have to try. You try
Foxy.
Twelve o'clock. Lunchtime. I ordinarily eat at Bailey's. Not today. We had
sandwiches and coffee brought in. The coffee was welcome but we didn't seem very hungry.
Alone in my office sipping coffee all I could think about was the time was half
gone. It made me forgetful. This is Jordan. Haven't you forgotten something? Oh
hello dear. Forgotten something? I'm down at Bailey's waiting for you. I've been
here 25 minutes. We're lunching together today. Remember? Oh that's right. Today is
Thursday. Well look Alice I'm afraid I'm gonna have to stand you up. Something's
come up. You'll be sorry. There's some fast looking man sitting in here all by himself. Tall, rugged, iron gray type. You know how I go for
those. He'd probably be glad to buy me a meal. Yeah try him and see. I have confidence in you
sweetheart. Anything to save us a buck. Then you definitely aren't coming. I'm afraid not. I'll tell you all about it tonight. Sometime remind me never to marry a busy executive again. Bye. Bye. What have you got there Foxy?
Things on my mind Doug. First let me get this one off. The cops picked up the
Morgans. The Morgans? A couple who were driving to Washington. Found them in a
service station on the edge of town. You get the package? It already opened it.
Nothing much in it except some fancy sports shirts for Morgan himself. They're
on their way again. With apologies. Understand they were scared silly. Morgan
offered to show the cop the shirts. Even wanted to give them one. Afraid they were
stolen goods. Well I'm glad that's cleaned up. Just had a call from the Woodmount
branch. Go on. Remember Spicer? Who? Spicer? Yes, yes. Suspicion of robbing the
males. What about him? Looks as though he hung one on himself this time. How's
that? Well as I say this clerk out at Woodmount put a bunch of packages in the
bins just before he quit last night. He remembered one for Dr. Turner. This
Turner it seems collects magazine first editions. Sometimes these aren't worth
insuring. Sometimes they are. They're always worth something more than their
original price. This package looked like one of those. What about the carrier
Spicer? Seems he blew in just as the place was about to close. Said he forgot a
bag of his with some new shoes he bought. He drifted through and out again. Nobody
paid any attention at the time. And this morning Turner's package is gone. Is that
it? Where's Spicer? His day off. Substitutes working. They're sure the
package is gone? Turner called to ask her to come and they couldn't trace it.
That's how they were sure it was missing. I don't have to tell you the next move
do I? Already tried. Called his rooming house. He's not in. Didn't come in last
night either. Do I call the police? I'd better do that Foxy. Thanks. Even if he
has the thing he surely open it by now. Think so myself but we can't be sure. We
we can't take chances. I'd better call.
Operator? Get me the police station.
Ed, any luck with this pile of stuff? One that's uncertain. Trying to make up my
mind. Let's see. Here. Not very big. Wouldn't have to be. Addressed to Jack
Gordon 128 Andrew Street. That anybody important? Never heard the name. You asked
me it's a kid. And so why? The return address. Oh Columbia Foods and corporate. I
don't know. Serial coupons. Florescope indicates a watch inside. Furthermore
let's put a stethoscope on it. Put it in your ears. Okay. You get it? Yeah it ticks
all right. Question is it a dollar watch or or is it it? It's a watch probably.
Probably. Look let's play it safe. That's what I thought. In here? Ordinarily no. But
we couldn't detect anything that would trigger the thing so we'll put her in the
water bucket. Here. Did you put the wedding agent in the water? Yeah it'll soak through
the wrapping quicker and through anything else inside that much faster.
That doesn't. The inside takes a little longer. Reminds me of the time I put in as
an inspector. I hear you're pretty good Doug. Just lucky. Getting the walkers
lucky? Well better have a look at your toy here. Yeah. Easy.
Oh she comes. Looks like we're right the first time Doug. Here have a pocket
watch. Genuine Hoppy. Keep it for a souvenir. That's one kid we owe a watch.
Will the budget stand it? It'll strain it but it won't break it. Let's step out
back. I need a cigarette. Good idea. You heard about this carrier Spicer. Foxy
told me. Got him yet? No the police haven't. Maybe the police haven't got him but
has it.
The clock's hands were still going around 1 30. Just about one hour to go and still
we hadn't found that bomb. We hadn't found it. We hadn't found the missing
carrier. All we found was a new headache every few minutes. This is Jordan. Mr.
Jordan this is Malloy again. The driver you know. Oh yes Malloy. Do you have
something new? Sort of. See Mr. Jordan is like this. While I was eating lunch I
kept thinking and all of a sudden I remember this other package I delivered
this morning out on Beach Ave. So I drive over here to see about it. I'm at the
house now. You got the package? Have they opened it? No it ain't opened but well you
better talk to this lady Mr. Jordan she won't listen to me. Here Mrs. Bates this is
the postmaster on the line himself and first. Hello this driver says you're the
postmaster is that right? That's right this is Douglas Jordan. I don't understand
all this about the package which came from my husband. First this man delivered it and now he wants it back.
He's perfectly right Mrs. Bates we'd very much like to have that parcel. I don't
see why. It has my husband's name on it. It's the correct address. Well I'm afraid that I can't give it back until my husband has a chance to examine it. What did our driver tell you Mrs. Bates?
He had some story about stolen goods but that doesn't make sense. Well you see. Anyone would know that my husband would never. Someone may have confused him with another Bates have you thought of that? No I hadn't but I am still sure that my husband should pass judgment on this. But if you. If I were to take the responsibility and I were wrong. Let me take the responsibility Mrs. Bates. He might not see it that way. He might say I let myself be talked into something. Mrs. Bates believe me I'm sure your husband would be the first to thank of
a scene if he knew. On my word of honor we must have that package. Well it's your responsibility do you understand. Here young man. Thank you lady. But I don't think my husband will thank you. He doesn't like anyone connected with the government none of you. For that I'm sorry Mrs. Bates but thank you for giving us that parcel. One hour. Please let this one be it.
But it wasn't what we were after. A box of advertising pencils. That was all. Then it was a half an hour. I forced myself to stay in my office waiting for a call that they caught Spicer or that someone somewhere had turned up something. Ed any luck. Not a bit we've combed everything not a thing. They haven't caught up with Spicer yet. I think that's a false lead anyway. If he has the
thing he's opened it by now. That leaves us nowhere. Yes it does. Somebody's forgotten something. That must be it. Maybe. It'll be all a hoax you know. What's the matter don't you want it to be a hoax. All this effort and nothing to show for it. That it. Want to repeat the Walker business catch a murder through the mail. No no Ed no. I just want to be sure. He's out you know. Who? Steve Walker the brother he's out of jail. He's out of jail.
Didn't you know. Why are you looking so funny. Steve. Walker Steve. He said he'd get me. So what. Where do they put it where do they. Where's that lawn sprinkler. Now I know. Hey where'd that package come from. I had it right here all day didn't even think about it came early this morning. Let's not think let's move give me that. Is there time. I think so. Better be. Hey Jesse got another one. Florescope. Yeah.
Get around the floor. Look at her brother that's her all right you have time to take it out to a safe place or all we can do is put her in the water bucket take her into the alley and pray OK here goes. Water get through that wrapper. Get out of here. We'll give her an hour just in case.
Five minutes. Fifteen minutes. Thirty minutes. Forty five minutes. One hour. Well Doug there she is all in little pieces. We glad those pieces aren't you. I am. Believe me I am pretty good collection of evidence. You can go after Steve Walker.
Mr. Jordan. Got it. This is Jordan. I couldn't.
Bear the thought of you plotting a way down there maybe you'd like to hear about my luncheon here it was the most. Better be good when you hear the one I thought up for you.
Suspense presented by auto light tonight star Mr. Paul Douglas. I've got a new slogan for you. What is it Oscar. Keep your auto right with auto light. Yes sir because auto light makes over 400 fine products for cars trucks planes and boats in 28 plants from coast to coast.
These include complete ignition systems used as original factory equipment on many leading makes of our finest cars generators coils distributors electric windshield wipers voltage regulators wire and cable starting motors and many many more.
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Ask for and insist on auto light original factory parts at your neighborhood service station car dealer garage or repair shop. And remember you're always right with auto light.
With auto light next week on suspense Mr. Fred McMurray in Windy City six featuring the Dixieland music of red nickels and his five pennies.
This to be followed by the First Lady of suspense Miss Agnes Moorhead. Then on February 22nd in answer to your many requests backseat driver repeated for you with its original stars Fibber McGee and Molly. All on suspense.
Suspense is produced and directed by Elliot Lewis with music composed by Lucien Moore Oweck and conducted by Lud Bluskin. Portions of this program were transcribed.
You can buy auto light staple batteries auto light standard type or resistive type spark plugs auto light electrical parts at your neighborhood auto light dealers switch to auto light. Good night.
Nearly half of the people who died in America last year were victims of heart disease our number one killer. This week the American Heart Association appeals for your support to combat and conquer this scourge. Send your contributions to heart care of your local post office.
This is CBS the Columbia Broadcasting System.