1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:10,000 Autolite and its 96,000 dealers present Suspense. 2 00:00:10,000 --> 00:00:19,720 Tonight, Autolite brings you the story of a woman who finds a letter warning of death 3 00:00:19,720 --> 00:00:22,360 and has only three hours to deliver it. 4 00:00:22,360 --> 00:00:32,640 A transcribed tale we call The Death Parade, starring Miss Agnes Moorhead. 5 00:00:32,640 --> 00:00:38,880 Before our play begins, here is a word about Autolite from our good friend, Harlow Wilcox. 6 00:00:38,880 --> 00:00:41,080 Hi Harlow, you got the time? 7 00:00:41,080 --> 00:00:46,080 Always have the time to discuss those great ignition engineered Autolite spark plugs, half 8 00:00:46,080 --> 00:00:47,080 an hour. 9 00:00:47,080 --> 00:00:48,080 No, the time of day. 10 00:00:48,080 --> 00:00:53,680 Day or night, those matchless marvels designed by Autolite ignition engineers are magic for 11 00:00:53,680 --> 00:00:54,680 merry motoring. 12 00:00:54,680 --> 00:00:58,480 Harlow, I'd like to know what time it is. 13 00:00:58,480 --> 00:01:01,000 Oh, oh, ten to one. 14 00:01:01,000 --> 00:01:02,000 Ten to one? 15 00:01:02,000 --> 00:01:06,280 Yeah, ten to one, that when you replace worn out spark plugs in your car with ignition 16 00:01:06,280 --> 00:01:13,680 engineered Autolite spark plugs, you'll get smoother performance, quick starts, gas savings. 17 00:01:13,680 --> 00:01:16,200 Oh, three o'clock. 18 00:01:16,200 --> 00:01:18,040 Then your watch is working. 19 00:01:18,040 --> 00:01:22,920 With all the precision of Autolite spark plugs, Hap, why they're designed by the same Autolite 20 00:01:22,920 --> 00:01:28,400 engineers who designed the complete ignition system for many leading makes of our finest 21 00:01:28,400 --> 00:01:29,400 cars. 22 00:01:29,400 --> 00:01:33,520 And that's why Autolite spark plugs are world famous for quality and dependability. 23 00:01:33,520 --> 00:01:40,400 And now with The Death Parade and the performance of Miss Agnes Moorhead, Autolite hopes once 24 00:01:40,400 --> 00:01:42,920 again to keep you in suspense. 25 00:01:42,920 --> 00:01:48,400 Some parade, eh? 26 00:01:48,400 --> 00:01:49,400 I'll say. 27 00:01:49,400 --> 00:01:50,760 Something about a parade. 28 00:01:50,760 --> 00:01:53,640 Yeah, you can say that again. 29 00:01:53,640 --> 00:01:59,000 Well, I guess it's all over. 30 00:01:59,000 --> 00:02:01,360 Sure has been a nice day for it. 31 00:02:01,360 --> 00:02:02,360 Yeah. 32 00:02:02,360 --> 00:02:03,360 Not a cloud in the... 33 00:02:03,360 --> 00:02:06,360 Hey, hey, look up there on the roof. 34 00:02:06,360 --> 00:02:07,360 Where? 35 00:02:07,360 --> 00:02:08,360 The Benson building. 36 00:02:08,360 --> 00:02:09,360 Hey, look out, look out! 37 00:02:09,360 --> 00:02:10,360 She's gonna fall! 38 00:02:10,360 --> 00:02:11,360 She's gonna fall! 39 00:02:11,360 --> 00:02:12,360 Go back! 40 00:02:12,360 --> 00:02:13,360 No! 41 00:02:13,360 --> 00:02:14,360 No, don't! 42 00:02:14,360 --> 00:02:15,360 Don't! 43 00:02:15,360 --> 00:02:32,200 All right, now, Miss Johnson, let's try and talk about this. 44 00:02:32,200 --> 00:02:35,900 This girl fell or was pushed off a roof this morning? 45 00:02:35,900 --> 00:02:38,400 You say you were the only other person there at the time. 46 00:02:38,400 --> 00:02:39,400 I was. 47 00:02:39,400 --> 00:02:40,400 I told you. 48 00:02:40,400 --> 00:02:41,400 Oh, what do you mean? 49 00:02:41,400 --> 00:02:42,400 What do you mean, pushed? 50 00:02:42,400 --> 00:02:43,400 You think that... 51 00:02:43,400 --> 00:02:44,400 Oh, can you? 52 00:02:44,400 --> 00:02:45,400 I can't even... 53 00:02:45,400 --> 00:02:46,400 I know you're upset. 54 00:02:46,400 --> 00:02:47,400 Just take it easy. 55 00:02:47,400 --> 00:02:48,400 I'm upset. 56 00:02:48,400 --> 00:02:49,400 I'm nearly out of my mind. 57 00:02:49,400 --> 00:02:52,400 I don't see how you can expect me to tell you anything. 58 00:02:52,400 --> 00:02:53,400 First you accuse me and now... 59 00:02:53,400 --> 00:02:54,400 How can you believe me so unfeeling? 60 00:02:54,400 --> 00:02:55,400 All I was trying to do was just... 61 00:02:55,400 --> 00:02:56,400 Oh, it's freezing in here. 62 00:02:56,400 --> 00:02:57,400 You've no right to keep me in here. 63 00:02:57,400 --> 00:02:58,400 Here, try some coffee. 64 00:02:58,400 --> 00:03:07,400 It'll make you feel better. 65 00:03:07,400 --> 00:03:10,400 You've told us you know something about this accident. 66 00:03:10,400 --> 00:03:12,400 Something more than we already know. 67 00:03:12,400 --> 00:03:13,400 Yes, I do, Lieutenant. 68 00:03:13,400 --> 00:03:16,400 I mean, it never would have happened, don't you see? 69 00:03:16,400 --> 00:03:17,400 Oh, sure. 70 00:03:17,400 --> 00:03:18,400 Well, come on, Donna. 71 00:03:18,400 --> 00:03:19,400 This will help. 72 00:03:19,400 --> 00:03:20,400 I'm so nervous. 73 00:03:20,400 --> 00:03:21,400 Oh, no, it spills. 74 00:03:21,400 --> 00:03:22,400 Oh, that's all right. 75 00:03:22,400 --> 00:03:23,400 We'll clean it up later. 76 00:03:23,400 --> 00:03:24,400 That's how it started. 77 00:03:24,400 --> 00:03:25,400 That's how it started this morning, just like that. 78 00:03:25,400 --> 00:03:26,400 The coffee. 79 00:03:26,400 --> 00:03:27,400 That poor girl wouldn't have died if the coffee hadn't spilled. 80 00:03:27,400 --> 00:03:28,400 That's just how it started. 81 00:03:28,400 --> 00:03:43,400 My name's Ellen Johnson. 82 00:03:43,400 --> 00:03:45,400 Oh, I told you that. 83 00:03:45,400 --> 00:03:47,400 I work at the Farnsworth Chemical Plant. 84 00:03:47,400 --> 00:03:50,400 For 12 years, I've been there and never missed an hour of work. 85 00:03:50,400 --> 00:03:51,400 That is, until today. 86 00:03:51,400 --> 00:03:52,400 It was so unnecessary. 87 00:03:52,400 --> 00:03:53,400 That horrible, rude little man. 88 00:03:53,400 --> 00:03:54,400 He was the one. 89 00:03:54,400 --> 00:03:58,400 I'm very precise about my daily habits. 90 00:03:58,400 --> 00:03:59,400 Very. 91 00:03:59,400 --> 00:04:01,400 When you live alone, you arrange things that way. 92 00:04:01,400 --> 00:04:04,400 In the morning, I get up and allow myself time to take coffee 93 00:04:04,400 --> 00:04:06,400 and toast at the cafe on the corner. 94 00:04:06,400 --> 00:04:08,400 I've always disliked cooking in the morning. 95 00:04:08,400 --> 00:04:13,400 I leave the cafe at 8.15 precisely in order to be at my desk exactly at 9. 96 00:04:13,400 --> 00:04:15,400 Well, this morning, it was the same. 97 00:04:15,400 --> 00:04:17,400 It was just the same, except that horrible man. 98 00:04:17,400 --> 00:04:19,400 He was just awful. 99 00:04:19,400 --> 00:04:22,400 As I sat at the counter, you know, I could feel him there. 100 00:04:22,400 --> 00:04:25,400 He was two seats away, thin and dark, 101 00:04:25,400 --> 00:04:28,400 making a nasty noise as he drank his coffee. 102 00:04:28,400 --> 00:04:31,400 It was all his fault. 103 00:04:31,400 --> 00:04:34,400 Are you going to see the parade this afternoon, miss? 104 00:04:34,400 --> 00:04:35,400 I'm afraid I'll be working. 105 00:04:35,400 --> 00:04:36,400 Too bad. 106 00:04:36,400 --> 00:04:37,400 It should be good for business. 107 00:04:37,400 --> 00:04:38,400 I imagine so. 108 00:04:38,400 --> 00:04:39,400 Anything else? 109 00:04:39,400 --> 00:04:40,400 No, thank you. 110 00:04:40,400 --> 00:04:41,400 Hey, you. 111 00:04:41,400 --> 00:04:42,400 25. 112 00:04:42,400 --> 00:04:43,400 Coffee and toast, right? 113 00:04:43,400 --> 00:04:44,400 Yeah, that's right. 114 00:04:44,400 --> 00:04:45,400 Hey, you. 115 00:04:45,400 --> 00:04:46,400 Thanks. 116 00:04:46,400 --> 00:04:47,400 Pass the sugar with him. 117 00:04:47,400 --> 00:04:48,400 Good morning. 118 00:04:48,400 --> 00:04:49,400 See you tomorrow. 119 00:04:49,400 --> 00:04:50,400 What's the matter? 120 00:04:50,400 --> 00:04:51,400 I asked for the sugar. 121 00:04:51,400 --> 00:04:52,400 You want it? 122 00:04:52,400 --> 00:04:53,400 I beg your pardon. 123 00:04:53,400 --> 00:04:54,400 Yeah, yeah, sure. 124 00:04:54,400 --> 00:04:55,400 Oh, why, look at that. 125 00:04:55,400 --> 00:04:58,400 You deliberately spilled that coffee all over my... 126 00:04:58,400 --> 00:05:03,400 Oh, gee, ain't that a shame. 127 00:05:03,400 --> 00:05:06,400 What a clumsy gee. 128 00:05:06,400 --> 00:05:09,400 Am I sorry? 129 00:05:09,400 --> 00:05:10,400 He wasn't. 130 00:05:10,400 --> 00:05:13,400 He wasn't in the least sorry. 131 00:05:13,400 --> 00:05:16,400 He'd done it on purpose, on purpose. 132 00:05:16,400 --> 00:05:19,400 I was wearing a gray silk dress and it's probably ruined. 133 00:05:19,400 --> 00:05:24,400 And he just stood there and wiped it to stay with his napkin, smiling, his dirty, crooked 134 00:05:24,400 --> 00:05:25,400 teeth. 135 00:05:25,400 --> 00:05:27,400 I pushed him away and I walked out. 136 00:05:27,400 --> 00:05:30,400 I knew I was going to be late because I had a change, so I went home again. 137 00:05:30,400 --> 00:05:40,400 Well, if I hadn't gone home, this awful thing might never have happened. 138 00:05:40,400 --> 00:05:46,400 It took me 15 minutes to get back to the apartment, change my dress, and leave again for the office. 139 00:05:46,400 --> 00:05:49,400 Well, I'd walked three blocks when I saw the letter. 140 00:05:49,400 --> 00:05:52,400 It was lying on the pavement in front of an apartment house. 141 00:05:52,400 --> 00:06:00,400 It was unsealed and addressed simply to Miss Sheila Mannix, no house number or street. 142 00:06:00,400 --> 00:06:03,400 Dear Sheila Mannix, you don't know me. 143 00:06:03,400 --> 00:06:04,400 I just got into the city. 144 00:06:04,400 --> 00:06:08,400 It doesn't matter who I am, but this is a warning. 145 00:06:08,400 --> 00:06:10,400 Believe me, you better take notice. 146 00:06:10,400 --> 00:06:12,400 Jack's got it in for you. 147 00:06:12,400 --> 00:06:14,400 I stopped reading. 148 00:06:14,400 --> 00:06:16,400 There was some more, but I didn't want to go on. 149 00:06:16,400 --> 00:06:17,400 It frightened me a little. 150 00:06:17,400 --> 00:06:22,400 And well, I'm not one to pry into other people's business, but this wasn't prying, really. 151 00:06:22,400 --> 00:06:23,400 It wasn't. 152 00:06:23,400 --> 00:06:25,400 The letter was important. 153 00:06:25,400 --> 00:06:28,400 Whoever had written it must have forgotten to put the address on it and it had fallen 154 00:06:28,400 --> 00:06:29,400 out of their pocket. 155 00:06:29,400 --> 00:06:33,400 I made up my mind then I would go into the apartment house. 156 00:06:33,400 --> 00:06:38,400 It was possible that the writer lived there and on his way out had dropped it. 157 00:06:38,400 --> 00:06:39,400 Janitor. 158 00:06:39,400 --> 00:06:40,400 Oh, Janitor. 159 00:06:40,400 --> 00:06:41,400 Yes, he was. 160 00:06:41,400 --> 00:06:44,400 Yeah. 161 00:06:44,400 --> 00:06:47,400 Are you the janitor? 162 00:06:47,400 --> 00:06:49,400 Yeah, I'm sorry. 163 00:06:49,400 --> 00:06:51,400 We've got no vacancy. 164 00:06:51,400 --> 00:06:52,400 No, I don't want... 165 00:06:52,400 --> 00:06:54,400 Look, this letter, it's not addressed. 166 00:06:54,400 --> 00:06:55,400 Do you know the handwriting? 167 00:06:55,400 --> 00:06:56,400 I thought maybe you might... 168 00:06:56,400 --> 00:06:57,400 No, nobody by that name living here. 169 00:06:57,400 --> 00:06:58,400 I didn't ask you that. 170 00:06:58,400 --> 00:07:01,400 All I want you to do is to tell me if you recognize the handwriting. 171 00:07:01,400 --> 00:07:03,400 It might belong to someone living here. 172 00:07:03,400 --> 00:07:04,400 How come you opened it? 173 00:07:04,400 --> 00:07:06,400 Well, it was lying on the pavement outside. 174 00:07:06,400 --> 00:07:07,400 So give it to the mailman. 175 00:07:07,400 --> 00:07:08,400 It's important. 176 00:07:08,400 --> 00:07:11,400 I mean, what's in the letter is important. 177 00:07:11,400 --> 00:07:12,400 I think she ought to get it. 178 00:07:12,400 --> 00:07:14,400 So the post office will forward it. 179 00:07:14,400 --> 00:07:16,400 Well, can't you see there's no address? 180 00:07:16,400 --> 00:07:17,400 How can they forward it? 181 00:07:17,400 --> 00:07:18,400 How stupid. 182 00:07:18,400 --> 00:07:20,400 Listen, you don't have to get nasty. 183 00:07:20,400 --> 00:07:22,400 I told you she don't live here no more. 184 00:07:22,400 --> 00:07:23,400 I'm sorry. 185 00:07:23,400 --> 00:07:25,400 Who doesn't live here anymore? 186 00:07:25,400 --> 00:07:26,400 Mannix. 187 00:07:26,400 --> 00:07:28,400 She had to wait about six months ago. 188 00:07:28,400 --> 00:07:29,400 Sheila Mannix lived here? 189 00:07:29,400 --> 00:07:30,400 Where did she move to? 190 00:07:30,400 --> 00:07:31,400 Can you tell me? 191 00:07:31,400 --> 00:07:32,400 No forwarding address. 192 00:07:32,400 --> 00:07:33,400 But I must find her. 193 00:07:33,400 --> 00:07:34,400 I'm sorry, lady. 194 00:07:34,400 --> 00:07:35,400 I can't find her. 195 00:07:35,400 --> 00:07:38,400 But I must find her. 196 00:07:38,400 --> 00:07:39,400 I'm sorry, lady. 197 00:07:39,400 --> 00:07:40,400 I can't help. 198 00:07:40,400 --> 00:07:48,400 Then I thought of the police. 199 00:07:48,400 --> 00:07:50,400 I should have told them about the letter, but I didn't. 200 00:07:50,400 --> 00:07:53,400 I didn't know what else was in it then. 201 00:07:53,400 --> 00:07:57,400 So I went back to my own apartment and I looked through the telephone book. 202 00:07:57,400 --> 00:07:59,400 There were two Sheila Mannix's lists. 203 00:07:59,400 --> 00:08:02,400 The first lived on Maple Street and the second on South Tower. 204 00:08:02,400 --> 00:08:13,400 I rang the Maple number first. 205 00:08:13,400 --> 00:08:14,400 Hello? 206 00:08:14,400 --> 00:08:15,400 Hello? 207 00:08:15,400 --> 00:08:17,400 Is this Miss Sheila Mannix speaking? 208 00:08:17,400 --> 00:08:19,400 Mrs. Sheila Mannix, who is this? 209 00:08:19,400 --> 00:08:24,400 My name is Ellen Johnson and I found a letter this morning addressed to Sheila Mannix. 210 00:08:24,400 --> 00:08:29,400 I thought it was important and I wanted to make sure it got to the right party. 211 00:08:29,400 --> 00:08:31,400 Who is it from? 212 00:08:31,400 --> 00:08:32,400 Well, that's it. 213 00:08:32,400 --> 00:08:33,400 I don't know. 214 00:08:33,400 --> 00:08:34,400 Well, why don't you open it? 215 00:08:34,400 --> 00:08:37,400 Well, I have, but I only read a few lines. 216 00:08:37,400 --> 00:08:38,400 Oh. 217 00:08:38,400 --> 00:08:40,400 Do you know someone named Jack? 218 00:08:40,400 --> 00:08:41,400 Jack? 219 00:08:41,400 --> 00:08:43,400 Yeah, I have a nephew. 220 00:08:43,400 --> 00:08:44,400 Well, then perhaps maybe... 221 00:08:44,400 --> 00:08:45,400 But he's in Colorado, though. 222 00:08:45,400 --> 00:08:48,400 Well, it seems to be some sort of a warning. 223 00:08:48,400 --> 00:08:49,400 Warning? 224 00:08:49,400 --> 00:08:50,400 Yes. 225 00:08:50,400 --> 00:08:51,400 I'm afraid I don't understand. 226 00:08:51,400 --> 00:08:55,400 Well, the letter says that Jack has got it in for you. 227 00:08:55,400 --> 00:08:57,400 It's a, well, a warning from... 228 00:08:57,400 --> 00:08:59,400 Oh, well, I'm afraid the letter isn't for me. 229 00:08:59,400 --> 00:09:01,400 My Jack is ten years old. 230 00:09:01,400 --> 00:09:02,400 Oh. 231 00:09:02,400 --> 00:09:04,400 Oh, well, I'm sorry to have troubled you. 232 00:09:04,400 --> 00:09:05,400 It's all right. 233 00:09:05,400 --> 00:09:06,400 Goodbye. 234 00:09:12,400 --> 00:09:15,400 As I hung up, I looked at my watch. 235 00:09:15,400 --> 00:09:16,400 It was nine o'clock. 236 00:09:16,400 --> 00:09:20,400 There was my job, but I just had... 237 00:09:20,400 --> 00:09:23,400 The second Sheila Mannix listed in the directory lived on South Tower. 238 00:09:23,400 --> 00:09:37,400 I dialed the number and I waited. 239 00:09:37,400 --> 00:09:39,400 I got the letter out of my purse and read it. 240 00:09:39,400 --> 00:09:42,400 This time I read all of it. 241 00:09:42,400 --> 00:09:43,400 Dear Sheila Mannix, you don't know me. 242 00:09:43,400 --> 00:09:44,400 I just got into the city. 243 00:09:44,400 --> 00:09:46,400 It doesn't matter who I am, but this is a warning. 244 00:09:46,400 --> 00:09:47,400 Believe me, you better take notice. 245 00:09:47,400 --> 00:09:49,400 Jack's got it in for you. 246 00:09:49,400 --> 00:09:52,400 He was drunk one night and told me about it. 247 00:09:52,400 --> 00:09:55,400 Somebody you knew pretty well died last year. 248 00:09:55,400 --> 00:09:57,400 He didn't fall off that building. 249 00:09:57,400 --> 00:09:59,400 He was pushed and Jack did it. 250 00:09:59,400 --> 00:10:01,400 He said he was going to get you, too. 251 00:10:01,400 --> 00:10:05,400 I would have told the police, but they'd start to get nosy about me. 252 00:10:05,400 --> 00:10:07,400 Jack's on his way here and from the way he talks, 253 00:10:07,400 --> 00:10:10,400 he better not find you around. 254 00:10:10,400 --> 00:10:14,400 He talked crazy about a parade, the corner of Maine and Thomas, 255 00:10:14,400 --> 00:10:16,400 and 12 o'clock. 256 00:10:16,400 --> 00:10:18,400 That's when he's going to do it. 257 00:10:18,400 --> 00:10:23,400 A friend. 258 00:10:23,400 --> 00:10:26,400 I sat there holding a piece of paper that carried a death warning 259 00:10:26,400 --> 00:10:28,400 for a woman I'd never seen, 260 00:10:28,400 --> 00:10:32,400 and I knew where and when she was going to be killed. 261 00:10:32,400 --> 00:10:37,400 The Death Parade 262 00:10:47,400 --> 00:10:50,400 All the light is bringing you Miss Agnes Moorhead 263 00:10:50,400 --> 00:10:52,400 in The Death Parade, 264 00:10:52,400 --> 00:11:02,400 tonight's production in radio's outstanding theater of thrills, Suspense. 265 00:11:07,400 --> 00:11:11,400 The second Sheila Mannix's address was 317 South Tower Street. 266 00:11:11,400 --> 00:11:14,400 I got my car out and I drove there. 267 00:11:14,400 --> 00:11:17,400 It must have been nearly a quarter to ten when I drove up outside. 268 00:11:17,400 --> 00:11:22,400 It was an old rooming house. 269 00:11:26,400 --> 00:11:31,400 Oh, hurry up. Come on, come on, come on. 270 00:11:36,400 --> 00:11:37,400 What do you want? 271 00:11:37,400 --> 00:11:40,400 I'm very sorry to trouble you. Is your name... 272 00:11:40,400 --> 00:11:43,400 You have to talk louder. I can't hear you. 273 00:11:43,400 --> 00:11:48,400 I'm sorry. I wonder if you could tell me, is your name Sheila Mannix? 274 00:11:48,400 --> 00:11:50,400 No, it's not. 275 00:11:50,400 --> 00:11:54,400 But the phone book has a Sheila Mannix listed at this address. 276 00:11:54,400 --> 00:11:58,400 Oh, it's her phone. She pays for it. I never have no cause to use it. 277 00:11:58,400 --> 00:11:59,400 She does live here then. 278 00:11:59,400 --> 00:12:02,400 Yes, she has a room upstairs. What's the matter? 279 00:12:02,400 --> 00:12:04,400 Does she work? Is she at work now? 280 00:12:04,400 --> 00:12:08,400 Well, how should I know? I never ask her where she goes. What's she done? 281 00:12:08,400 --> 00:12:09,400 You mean you don't know where she works? 282 00:12:09,400 --> 00:12:12,400 Do you know where she lived before she moved here? 283 00:12:12,400 --> 00:12:16,400 No. You see, she never says nothing. She's quiet and keeps to herself. 284 00:12:16,400 --> 00:12:20,400 But where can I find her? It's important that I learn where she is right away. 285 00:12:20,400 --> 00:12:24,400 Well, she'll be home prompt by seven. She always is, you know. 286 00:12:24,400 --> 00:12:26,400 You come back then if you got to see her. 287 00:12:26,400 --> 00:12:29,400 Well, seven will be too late. I've got to find her now before twelve. 288 00:12:29,400 --> 00:12:31,400 There ain't no you shouting at me. 289 00:12:31,400 --> 00:12:33,400 Well, I can't tell you no more than I already have. 290 00:12:33,400 --> 00:12:34,400 I'm sorry. 291 00:12:34,400 --> 00:12:35,400 I don't know nothing about Sheila Mannix. 292 00:12:35,400 --> 00:12:43,400 I'm sorry. Good morning. 293 00:12:43,400 --> 00:12:48,400 Now, I knew that I'd wasted far too much time. I had to call the police. 294 00:12:48,400 --> 00:12:53,400 There was a drug store in the corner and I ran down the block to it. 295 00:12:53,400 --> 00:12:55,400 Good morning. Can I help you? 296 00:12:55,400 --> 00:12:56,400 Yes. Do you have a phone? 297 00:12:56,400 --> 00:12:58,400 One over there, but it's out of order. 298 00:12:58,400 --> 00:13:01,400 Oh, then could I use yours? It's an emergency. 299 00:13:01,400 --> 00:13:02,400 I'm sorry. I don't have a private phone. 300 00:13:02,400 --> 00:13:05,400 I've got to call the police. I've never been mixed up in anything like this before. 301 00:13:05,400 --> 00:13:09,400 It's a letter I found this morning, a warning about somebody being killed. 302 00:13:09,400 --> 00:13:12,400 Oh, there's a phone in the next door. You can use that. 303 00:13:12,400 --> 00:13:15,400 Maybe you know her. She lives down the block. 304 00:13:15,400 --> 00:13:16,400 Who? 305 00:13:16,400 --> 00:13:18,400 Sheila Mannix. She's the one. At least I think so. 306 00:13:18,400 --> 00:13:22,400 Mannix? Sure, sure. She comes in often to have a prescription filled. 307 00:13:22,400 --> 00:13:23,400 Very nice young woman. 308 00:13:23,400 --> 00:13:25,400 Do you know anything about her? I mean, where she works? 309 00:13:25,400 --> 00:13:27,400 I've got to find her right away. 310 00:13:27,400 --> 00:13:28,400 No, I... 311 00:13:27,400 --> 00:13:30,400 Please, it's urgent. I asked her, landlady. She didn't know. 312 00:13:30,400 --> 00:13:33,400 Well, it seems to me she did mention it once, but... 313 00:13:33,400 --> 00:13:35,400 Think you must think, please. 314 00:13:35,400 --> 00:13:39,400 Well, now, it was just the other day we were chatting while I filled her prescriptions. 315 00:13:39,400 --> 00:13:40,400 She said something about work... 316 00:13:40,400 --> 00:13:42,400 Was it a restaurant? A cashier, maybe? 317 00:13:42,400 --> 00:13:43,400 No, no. 318 00:13:43,400 --> 00:13:45,400 Department store elevator operator? Cats? Clothes? Shoes? 319 00:13:45,400 --> 00:13:46,400 No. 320 00:13:45,400 --> 00:13:47,400 Telephone operator, maybe? 321 00:13:47,400 --> 00:13:49,400 No, no. Doesn't hit. I'm sorry. 322 00:13:49,400 --> 00:13:50,400 You're not thinking. Try to think. 323 00:13:50,400 --> 00:13:52,400 Listen, ma'am, if I could help you, I would, but... 324 00:13:52,400 --> 00:13:57,400 Oh, my. I have to keep friends in the neighborhood. Somebody you might know. 325 00:13:57,400 --> 00:13:58,400 No, never mentioned them. 326 00:13:58,400 --> 00:14:02,400 Can't you remember? Maybe she worked in an office, huh? 327 00:14:02,400 --> 00:14:06,400 Excuse me a moment. It's a customer. You better go next door and call the police. 328 00:14:06,400 --> 00:14:07,400 But can't you remember? 329 00:14:07,400 --> 00:14:08,400 I'll be back. 330 00:14:08,400 --> 00:14:11,400 Maybe a chorus girl. Does she work in a bookstore? 331 00:14:11,400 --> 00:14:14,400 Oh, well, I can't wait. I'll come back after I've called. 332 00:14:17,400 --> 00:14:22,400 Oh, a bar. What will they think a woman going into a bar... 333 00:14:22,400 --> 00:14:24,400 Hey, ma'am, wait a minute. 334 00:14:24,400 --> 00:14:25,400 Huh? 335 00:14:25,400 --> 00:14:28,400 Look, I remember. You said bookstore. It's a book company. 336 00:14:28,400 --> 00:14:30,400 Simmons Book and Stationery Corporation. 337 00:14:30,400 --> 00:14:31,400 Oh, thank you. Thank you. 338 00:14:31,400 --> 00:14:32,400 Simmons Book and Stationery Corporation. 339 00:14:32,400 --> 00:14:35,400 Thank you. It's on Main. Yes, I know the place. Thank you very much. 340 00:14:42,400 --> 00:14:46,400 Simmons Book and Stationery. Why, I had been there dozens of times. 341 00:14:46,400 --> 00:14:49,400 She might even have waited on me. I looked at my watch. It was 10.30. 342 00:14:49,400 --> 00:14:53,400 I really meant to call the police from the bar, but I didn't know how long it would take to explain. 343 00:14:53,400 --> 00:14:56,400 And even then, they might not investigate without seeing the letter first. 344 00:14:56,400 --> 00:15:00,400 I thought of the corner of Maynard and Thomas, the parade at 12 o'clock. 345 00:15:00,400 --> 00:15:03,400 An hour and a half. I ran to get my car. 346 00:15:03,400 --> 00:15:08,400 I knew that once I found Sheila Mannix and gave her the warning, she'd be safe. 347 00:15:14,400 --> 00:15:16,400 Good morning. May I help you? 348 00:15:16,400 --> 00:15:19,400 Yes, please. I'd like to speak to Miss Mannix, Miss Sheila Mannix. 349 00:15:19,400 --> 00:15:21,400 I understand that she works here. 350 00:15:21,400 --> 00:15:25,400 Yes, of course. Is there anything I can help you with? 351 00:15:25,400 --> 00:15:27,400 No, no, thank you. It's personal. 352 00:15:27,400 --> 00:15:29,400 Oh, yes. One minute, please. 353 00:15:32,400 --> 00:15:35,400 I'd found her and it was going to be all right now. 354 00:15:35,400 --> 00:15:38,400 While I waited, I looked at the books lining the walls. 355 00:15:38,400 --> 00:15:40,400 I was standing in front of the mystery section. 356 00:15:40,400 --> 00:15:44,400 You know the first title that caught my eye was Time for a Murder. 357 00:15:44,400 --> 00:15:49,400 I'm very sorry, ma'am, but one of the other girls tells me that Miss Mannix had an appointment. 358 00:15:49,400 --> 00:15:50,400 She's not here. 359 00:15:50,400 --> 00:15:51,400 I'm sorry. Now, perhaps I should... 360 00:15:51,400 --> 00:15:53,400 But where did she go? Let me talk to the girl. 361 00:15:53,400 --> 00:15:54,400 I think to the doctor. 362 00:15:54,400 --> 00:15:56,400 What doctor? Where? When did she leave? 363 00:15:56,400 --> 00:15:59,400 Well, if you'll wait here, I'll find out for you. 364 00:16:05,400 --> 00:16:11,400 Oh, I could have cried. It was almost 11 o'clock and that silly precious little salesman, he took forever. 365 00:16:11,400 --> 00:16:14,400 How long does it take to get in the dress? 366 00:16:14,400 --> 00:16:17,400 I started to walk to the back of the store when he came down the aisle toward me. 367 00:16:17,400 --> 00:16:20,400 I'm sorry to have taken so long. A customer on the phone, you know. 368 00:16:20,400 --> 00:16:23,400 It's all right. I don't care. Just give me that doctor's address. 369 00:16:23,400 --> 00:16:25,400 Oh, yes, yes. I have it right here. 370 00:16:25,400 --> 00:16:28,400 Dr. Morton, 101 Flowers Street. 371 00:16:28,400 --> 00:16:31,400 101 Flowers, Dr. Morton. When did she leave? 372 00:16:31,400 --> 00:16:33,400 Oh, I forgot to ask if you'll... 373 00:16:33,400 --> 00:16:38,400 No, no, I'm going there now. Listen, if she comes back, if I miss her, you tell her to stay right here. 374 00:16:38,400 --> 00:16:41,400 Don't let her leave the store again until I come back. It's a matter of life and death. 375 00:16:41,400 --> 00:16:47,400 Oh, well, all right. Is something wrong? 376 00:16:49,400 --> 00:16:52,400 Something wrong? I ran to a telephone booth. 377 00:16:52,400 --> 00:16:57,400 I knew that I'd done as much as I could alone to save that poor girl. 378 00:17:01,400 --> 00:17:02,400 Police Department, Sergeant Leonard. 379 00:17:02,400 --> 00:17:06,400 Please listen carefully. There's a murder going to be committed at 12 o'clock. 380 00:17:06,400 --> 00:17:07,400 Who is this? 381 00:17:07,400 --> 00:17:12,400 Oh, that doesn't matter. My name's Ellen Johnson. I found a letter in the street this morning. 382 00:17:12,400 --> 00:17:14,400 It was to a woman called Manix, Sheila Manix. 383 00:17:14,400 --> 00:17:16,400 Would you spell that, please? 384 00:17:16,400 --> 00:17:19,400 Manix, M-A-N-N-I-X. There's not time for... 385 00:17:19,400 --> 00:17:20,400 When did you find the letter? 386 00:17:20,400 --> 00:17:25,400 I told you this morning. Oh, what difference does it make? It was at nine, I think. 387 00:17:25,400 --> 00:17:26,400 Why didn't you call earlier? 388 00:17:26,400 --> 00:17:31,400 I didn't because... Well, I tried to find her myself. I think I know where she is, but I... 389 00:17:31,400 --> 00:17:32,400 Have you got the letter with you? 390 00:17:32,400 --> 00:17:33,400 Yes, yes, I have. 391 00:17:33,400 --> 00:17:34,400 Would you read it, please? 392 00:17:34,400 --> 00:17:37,400 One time, you've got to send some men here. It's a warning. 393 00:17:37,400 --> 00:17:42,400 Somebody called Jack is going to kill her at 12 o'clock on the corner of Main and Thomas. 394 00:17:42,400 --> 00:17:47,400 There's a parade going on then. What does this woman look like? Can you give us a description? 395 00:17:47,400 --> 00:17:49,400 No, I've never seen her. I don't even know her. 396 00:17:49,400 --> 00:17:51,400 You say you think you know where she is. 397 00:17:51,400 --> 00:17:54,400 Yes, at a Dr. Morton, 101 Flower Street. 398 00:17:54,400 --> 00:17:55,400 Where are you calling from? 399 00:17:55,400 --> 00:17:58,400 Simmons Book and Stationery Store. She works here. 400 00:17:58,400 --> 00:18:00,400 Will you get a description of the woman, please? I'll wait. 401 00:18:00,400 --> 00:18:04,400 Yes, yes, of course. Don't hang up! 402 00:18:08,400 --> 00:18:12,400 I found the young man again and he told me what Sheila Mannix looked like. 403 00:18:12,400 --> 00:18:20,400 I got back to the phone and told the officer, short, about five foot two, thin, possibly 90 pounds, 404 00:18:20,400 --> 00:18:23,400 wearing a brown coat with a brown shoulder strap bag. 405 00:18:23,400 --> 00:18:30,400 Go try to find her, Miss Johnson. Please stay there. I'll have an officer come to the store to pick up the letter. 406 00:18:36,400 --> 00:18:41,400 I put the receiver on the hook and sat in the booth. I was shaking and my hands were ringing wet. 407 00:18:41,400 --> 00:18:46,400 It was 1120. Somewhere outside I heard a band playing. The parade must have started. 408 00:18:46,400 --> 00:18:51,400 I stayed in the shop and the minutes passed 1130, 25 to 12. 409 00:18:51,400 --> 00:18:56,400 At 20 minutes two, I just couldn't stand it any longer, the waiting, you know, the awful waiting. 410 00:18:56,400 --> 00:19:00,400 I had to do something. I called Sheila Mannix's house again. 411 00:19:00,400 --> 00:19:04,400 There was just that chance, that slight chance. 412 00:19:05,400 --> 00:19:12,400 Maybe she went home after the doctor. Maybe she's there. Two more. No, three. Let it go. Three more. 413 00:19:12,400 --> 00:19:16,400 Oh, be there, be there, be there. You must. You've just got to be. 414 00:19:17,400 --> 00:19:18,400 Hello? 415 00:19:18,400 --> 00:19:19,400 Miss Mannix? 416 00:19:19,400 --> 00:19:20,400 Who is this? 417 00:19:20,400 --> 00:19:21,400 Miss Mannix? 418 00:19:21,400 --> 00:19:23,400 You'll never know. Listen, you don't know me, but I... 419 00:19:23,400 --> 00:19:26,400 I have to speak louder. I can't hear a thing on this thing. 420 00:19:26,400 --> 00:19:28,400 Who is this? Is this Miss Mannix? 421 00:19:28,400 --> 00:19:31,400 Miss Mannix ain't here. This is the landlady. 422 00:19:31,400 --> 00:19:32,400 Oh, my. 423 00:19:32,400 --> 00:19:35,400 I'm cleaning up. Is there a message? 424 00:19:41,400 --> 00:19:47,400 I couldn't stand that story any longer, so I gave the letter to the salesman and told him to give it to the police when they arrived. 425 00:19:47,400 --> 00:19:54,400 It was quarter to twelve. Main Street was alive with people. It seemed as though the whole city had turned out to watch the parade. 426 00:19:54,400 --> 00:20:01,400 I pushed my way along the street towards the intersection. I just couldn't have stayed away if it were my own life, depending on it. 427 00:20:01,400 --> 00:20:07,400 The crowd was so thick that it was impossible to see anything from the street, and I just had to see. 428 00:20:07,400 --> 00:20:14,400 Then I thought of the Benson Building and the roof. If I was up on the roof, I could see everything that happened on that corner. 429 00:20:14,400 --> 00:20:18,400 It was five to twelve when I got in the elevator and took it up to the 19th floor. 430 00:20:18,400 --> 00:20:25,400 I had to walk to the roof, and I could hardly breathe as I opened the door and stepped out into the bright sun. 431 00:20:25,400 --> 00:20:34,400 Instinctively, you know, I knew that this was the building, the same building that the man in the letter had been pushed from last year. 432 00:20:34,400 --> 00:20:37,400 For a minute, I didn't see anyone. 433 00:20:37,400 --> 00:20:42,400 And then, at the corner, standing near the edge, looking down, I saw her. 434 00:20:42,400 --> 00:20:47,400 A short woman, quite thin, dressed in a brown coat with a shoulder strap bag. 435 00:20:51,400 --> 00:20:55,400 Miss Mannix? You are Miss Mannix, aren't you? 436 00:20:57,400 --> 00:21:03,400 I've been looking for you. It's about a man called Jack. He's looking. 437 00:21:03,400 --> 00:21:08,400 It's all right. It's all right. Don't be frightened. Don't be frightened. 438 00:21:08,400 --> 00:21:12,400 Don't move back. Don't. Don't. Don't the edge. Don't. 439 00:21:12,400 --> 00:21:19,400 What's the matter? Get away from there. No. No, you'll just. No. No. No. 440 00:21:32,400 --> 00:21:35,400 I don't know. It's just terrible. 441 00:21:35,400 --> 00:21:40,400 Uh-huh. That's how it happened, eh? 442 00:21:40,400 --> 00:21:48,400 Yes, yes. I tried to stop her. You spend from nine o'clock till twelve looking for her, and then you don't call us till forty-five minutes before it happens. 443 00:21:48,400 --> 00:21:52,400 I told you why. I just didn't know. You know something, Miss Johnson? 444 00:21:53,400 --> 00:21:55,400 I think you're lying. 445 00:21:55,400 --> 00:21:59,400 Lying? How dare you say that? I was doing what I thought was the right thing. 446 00:21:59,400 --> 00:22:05,400 You pick up a letter, a warning letter. You go to a janitor. You call people on the phone, but not the police. 447 00:22:05,400 --> 00:22:13,400 Well, I. You visit Sheila Mannix's house, talk to the landlady, talk to the neighborhood druggists, to the salesman in the bookstore. All witnesses, all alibis. 448 00:22:13,400 --> 00:22:18,400 But I wanted to find her to warn her, don't you? And then you call the police when you're sure it's too late. 449 00:22:18,400 --> 00:22:23,400 How did I know she'd be up there? How? You set up a nice alibi for yourself. 450 00:22:24,400 --> 00:22:28,400 You were alone with Sheila Mannix. Who's to say you didn't push her? 451 00:22:28,400 --> 00:22:36,400 Oh, stop it. You don't know what you're talking about. You know, right? I was trying to help her. That's all. I won't listen to you. I'm going home. 452 00:22:36,400 --> 00:22:43,400 Now you sit down. I'm holding you for a while. We're going to check, Miss Johnson. We're going to do a lot of checking. 453 00:22:43,400 --> 00:22:48,400 Arrest me? I was a good citizen. I did my duty. I tried to save her, and you're going to. 454 00:22:48,400 --> 00:22:54,400 Listen, now. Oh, yeah? Can I see you for a minute? Sure. You stay right there, Miss. We're not through. 455 00:22:54,400 --> 00:23:01,400 This happened last year. Murdered? Murdered? That's what he's saying, that I murdered her. 456 00:23:01,400 --> 00:23:09,400 He's saying that. To me, after all the good I did. I was only trying to warn the poor girl. 457 00:23:09,400 --> 00:23:14,400 Take a look at the report. Where are they holding? He's saying it's about me. I know it. I know it. I know it. 458 00:23:14,400 --> 00:23:18,400 Okay. That's all right. That does it, then. 459 00:23:18,400 --> 00:23:22,400 All right, Miss Johnson. We know what happened now. 460 00:23:22,400 --> 00:23:27,400 You know? What do you mean, you know? I told you that's how it happened. Every word. 461 00:23:27,400 --> 00:23:32,400 I'll tell you something. I've got to believe you. There's nothing I can do about it. 462 00:23:32,400 --> 00:23:37,400 Nothing you can do? Well, what should you do? Instead of frightening the life out of me, you should thank me for doing it. 463 00:23:37,400 --> 00:23:42,400 You listen to me for a change. I'd like nothing better than to throw the book at you, but I can't. 464 00:23:42,400 --> 00:23:45,400 We've got the man called Jack. He was picked up in the parade. 465 00:23:45,400 --> 00:23:48,400 There. You see? There. I was right. 466 00:23:48,400 --> 00:23:53,400 The fellow who wrote that letter you found called the police about an hour ago. He told us the story. 467 00:23:53,400 --> 00:23:59,400 That's how we got our boy. Then she was safe. He couldn't kill her. She wasn't in any danger then, was she? 468 00:23:59,400 --> 00:24:03,400 Oh, yes, she was. You. Because you found her and frightened her to death. 469 00:24:03,400 --> 00:24:07,400 I was only telling her that there was nothing to be afraid of. 470 00:24:07,400 --> 00:24:14,400 Sure, sure. That's all. Do you know that she was standing in the same place where her boyfriend was killed a year ago? 471 00:24:14,400 --> 00:24:18,400 Then you come along and mention the name of the man she knew killed him. 472 00:24:18,400 --> 00:24:22,400 Now maybe you know why she was afraid and backed away from you. 473 00:24:22,400 --> 00:24:29,400 You didn't know a thing, huh? Well, I want you to know something, though. I want you to sleep with for the rest of your life. 474 00:24:29,400 --> 00:24:34,400 If you'd called the police when you picked up that letter, Sheila Mannix would be alive right now. 475 00:24:34,400 --> 00:24:39,400 You think about that. I can't see where I was wrong. 476 00:24:39,400 --> 00:24:44,400 Oh, maybe I should have called sooner, but I did call if you hadn't taken so long. 477 00:24:44,400 --> 00:24:50,400 Get out of here. Go on, get out. It's too bad we can't send you where the other guy's going. 478 00:24:50,400 --> 00:24:56,400 He killed last year, and you did it today, just as sure as if you'd shot her. 479 00:24:56,400 --> 00:24:58,400 Go on. 480 00:24:58,400 --> 00:25:05,400 It's all right, Lieutenant. I understand. I can see why you're upset, and I'm sorry. 481 00:25:05,400 --> 00:25:13,400 Sergeant, you understand that I was only doing what I thought right, don't you? 482 00:25:13,400 --> 00:25:23,400 It wasn't my fault. It wasn't. If it got there sooner, it never would have happened. 483 00:25:23,400 --> 00:25:28,400 I have nothing to reproach myself about. Nothing. 484 00:25:28,400 --> 00:25:35,400 Oh, I'm so upset. A whole day's work and my gray silk dress ruined. 485 00:25:35,400 --> 00:25:58,400 They'll never be able to get that coffee stain out. 486 00:25:58,400 --> 00:26:06,400 Suspense presented by Auto Light. Tonight's star, Miss Agnes Moorhead. 487 00:26:06,400 --> 00:26:12,400 Backward turn backward, old time in your flat, and give us a minute to talk Auto Light. 488 00:26:12,400 --> 00:26:19,400 That's a good idea, Hap, but it would take us hours to tell about the more than 400 fine products made by Auto Light 489 00:26:19,400 --> 00:26:23,400 for cars, trucks, planes, and boats in 28 plants from coast to coast. 490 00:26:23,400 --> 00:26:30,400 These include complete electrical systems used as original equipment on many leading makes of cars, 491 00:26:30,400 --> 00:26:37,400 electric windshield wipers, starting motors, wire and cable, voltage regulators, coils, distributors, generators, 492 00:26:37,400 --> 00:26:43,400 all engineered to fit together perfectly, work together perfectly as a part of the Auto Light team. 493 00:26:43,400 --> 00:26:47,400 So friends, don't accept electrical parts supposed to be as good. 494 00:26:47,400 --> 00:26:55,400 Ask for and insist on Auto Light original factory parts at your neighborhood service station, car dealer, garage, or repair shop. 495 00:26:55,400 --> 00:27:06,400 And remember, you're always right with Auto Light. 496 00:27:06,400 --> 00:27:10,400 Next week on Suspense, in answer to your many requests, 497 00:27:10,400 --> 00:27:15,400 backseat driver repeated for you with its original stars, Fibber McGee and Molly. 498 00:27:15,400 --> 00:27:22,400 And during the month of March, you will hear Mr. William Bendix, Mr. Ronald Coleman, and Mr. Jack Carson. 499 00:27:22,400 --> 00:27:29,400 All on Suspense. 500 00:27:29,400 --> 00:27:36,400 Suspense is produced and directed by Elliot Lewis, with music composed by Lucian Morrowek and conducted by Ludd Bluskin. 501 00:27:36,400 --> 00:27:38,400 Portions of this program were transcribed. 502 00:27:38,400 --> 00:27:46,400 Tonight's cast included Joseph Kerns, Jack Crouchon, Byron Cain, Shimon Ruskin, Jerry Hausner, Lou Krugman, 503 00:27:46,400 --> 00:27:49,400 Jeanette Nolan, Jane Avello, and Lou Merrill. 504 00:27:49,400 --> 00:27:54,400 For some interesting backstage pictures of Agnes Moorhead rehearsing for today's Suspense play, 505 00:27:54,400 --> 00:27:58,400 see the current issue of Quick Magazine. 506 00:27:58,400 --> 00:28:03,400 The Death Parade was written by Shirley Gordon and adapted for Suspense by Anthony Ellis. 507 00:28:03,400 --> 00:28:09,400 Agnes Moorhead is currently on tour with Charles Lawton, Charles Boyer, and Sir Cedric Hardwick 508 00:28:09,400 --> 00:28:13,400 in the drama quartet presentation of Man and Superman. 509 00:28:13,400 --> 00:28:27,400 And remember next week on Suspense, Fibber McGee and Molly in Backseat Driver. 510 00:28:27,400 --> 00:28:32,400 You can buy world famous auto light standard type or resistor type spark plugs, auto light day full batteries, 511 00:28:32,400 --> 00:28:35,400 auto light electrical parts at your neighborhood auto light dealers. 512 00:28:35,400 --> 00:28:38,400 Switch to auto light. Good night. 513 00:28:38,400 --> 00:29:07,400 This is CBS, the Columbia Broadcasting System.