WEBVTT 00:00.000 --> 00:13.000 Auto Light and its 96,000 dealers bring you Mr. John Hodiac in a story taken from life. 00:13.000 --> 00:17.000 Tonight's presentation of Suspense. 00:17.000 --> 00:29.000 Tonight, Auto Light presents a dramatic report from the roaring twenties about a man whose way of life destroyed him. 00:29.000 --> 00:36.000 A factual document we call The Case History of a Gambler, starring Mr. John Hodiac. 00:36.000 --> 00:42.000 Hello, Harlow. 00:42.000 --> 00:47.000 Well, it's Oscar, the loquacious limousine. Why so down in the dumps, Oscar? 00:47.000 --> 00:50.000 My battery went dry and I can't get started. 00:50.000 --> 00:56.000 Well, you ought to have an Auto Light. Stay full, Battery, the famous battery that needs water only three times a year in normal car use. 00:56.000 --> 00:58.000 Only three times, Harlow? 00:58.000 --> 01:05.000 Right, my querulous car. The Auto Light Stay Full has over three times the liquid reserve of batteries without Stay Full features. 01:05.000 --> 01:11.000 And it gives longer life, too, as proved by tests conducted according to accepted life cycle standards. 01:11.000 --> 01:21.000 So, friends, visit your nearest Auto Light battery dealer. He's equipped to service all makes of batteries, and if a replacement is needed, he has an Auto Light Stay Full. 01:21.000 --> 01:25.000 To quickly learn his location, just call Western Union by number... 01:25.000 --> 01:31.000 And ask for me, Operator 25. I'll gladly tell you the location of your nearest Auto Light battery dealer. 01:31.000 --> 01:36.000 And remember, from bumper to tail light, you're always right with Auto Light. 01:36.000 --> 01:46.000 And now, with The Case History of a Gambler and the performance of Mr. John Hodiac, Auto Light hopes once again to keep you in... 01:46.000 --> 02:06.000 Suspense! 02:06.000 --> 02:17.000 It's not easy to walk when you're weighted down with a bullet in your body. But keep walking, because six blocks away, less than half a mile, there's a hospital. 02:17.000 --> 02:24.000 Think. Think about something, anything, anything to get your mind off the pain. 02:24.000 --> 02:28.000 Think about the beginning, the beginning of this. 02:28.000 --> 02:34.000 When was it? A thousand years ago? A hundred? 02:34.000 --> 02:43.000 No. No, it's closer than that. Three years. Three years ago. In the kids dressing room at the arena. 02:43.000 --> 02:55.000 It began with a fight. A prize fight. 02:55.000 --> 02:59.000 Look, Matt, when you called me and asked for ten thousand, I sent it over and didn't ask any questions. 02:59.000 --> 03:00.000 Then why start now? 03:00.000 --> 03:03.000 I think I got a right to know why you wanted the dough. 03:03.000 --> 03:05.000 I'll tell you when the fight's over. 03:05.000 --> 03:08.000 Fight? You mean you put my ten grand on a fighter? 03:08.000 --> 03:09.000 Yes. 03:09.000 --> 03:10.000 Give me back my dough. 03:10.000 --> 03:11.000 Now, wait a minute. 03:11.000 --> 03:12.000 Give it back. 03:12.000 --> 03:13.000 But you don't know what... 03:13.000 --> 03:15.000 I don't want to know. I want my money. 03:15.000 --> 03:17.000 Relax for a couple of minutes, Frank. 03:17.000 --> 03:23.000 Don't get cute with me, angle boy. Tell me the score or give me ten thousand dollars now. 03:23.000 --> 03:24.000 You won't wait, huh? 03:24.000 --> 03:25.000 Now! 03:25.000 --> 03:29.000 You should know me better than to think I'm going to throw away your ten grand. 03:29.000 --> 03:31.000 I thought I did. 03:31.000 --> 03:34.000 I've been booking bets long enough to know that you can't beat the fights. 03:34.000 --> 03:35.000 Well, then why... 03:35.000 --> 03:37.000 But I know you can beat one fight. 03:37.000 --> 03:38.000 How do you figure? 03:38.000 --> 03:41.000 Because the boy I bet on is my fighter. 03:41.000 --> 03:46.000 I planned this match a year ago, and when I win, I'm through with prize fighting. 03:46.000 --> 03:48.000 There's got to be an angle. 03:48.000 --> 03:51.000 There is. I bought a fighter last year, a kid. 03:51.000 --> 03:52.000 So? 03:52.000 --> 03:56.000 I saw this boy in some amateur bouts, and I bought him and trained him and booked fights for him. 03:56.000 --> 03:57.000 What's he done since? 03:57.000 --> 04:02.000 Lost 12 fights, four by knockouts, three by TKOs, and five by unanimous decisions. 04:02.000 --> 04:04.000 And how do you know he can win tonight? 04:04.000 --> 04:08.000 Up to now, I've had him fighting pretty good. Not the way he can. 04:08.000 --> 04:12.000 I've had him training at a little private camp up in the mountains, going five, six rounds. 04:12.000 --> 04:14.000 They're the best boys I could find. He's knocked them all out. 04:14.000 --> 04:22.000 That's all? You mean you took my ten grand and put it on this wonder boy just because he's been knocking out bums in training camps? 04:22.000 --> 04:26.000 Ha ha. No, you're kidding me, Matt. You got the other boy to take a fall. 04:26.000 --> 04:29.000 You think I'd stick my neck out and try to fix a fight? 04:29.000 --> 04:31.000 You would if you thought you could do it. 04:31.000 --> 04:35.000 Well, even if I could, there'd be too many people taking a cut of the pie. My pie. 04:35.000 --> 04:38.000 Better to take a piece than try for it all and get none. 04:38.000 --> 04:41.000 Not me, Frank. I'll roll for the bundle. 04:41.000 --> 04:46.000 When you loaned me 10,000, it made an even hundred grand I've spread all over the country. 04:46.000 --> 04:48.000 Why the big deal all of a sudden? 04:48.000 --> 04:51.000 I want money, real money. I'm tired of nickel and dime operations. 04:51.000 --> 04:52.000 What are you going to do if you win? 04:52.000 --> 04:56.000 When I win, I'm going to open up the biggest, safest gambling casino this side of the Mississippi. 04:56.000 --> 04:58.000 Ha ha! We did it! We did it! 04:58.000 --> 04:59.000 Shut the door, Lou. 04:59.000 --> 05:00.000 Oh, but I... 05:00.000 --> 05:01.000 Shut the door! 05:01.000 --> 05:03.000 Okay, okay. 05:04.000 --> 05:05.000 What round? 05:05.000 --> 05:06.000 Knock out the fifth. 05:06.000 --> 05:08.000 A 20 to 1. 05:08.000 --> 05:14.000 That's right. Two million bucks. Matt, you just won two million bucks. 05:14.000 --> 05:19.000 Get in touch with the boys, Lou. I want Al to pick up the dough in Frisco, Seattle, Los Angeles, and San Diego. 05:19.000 --> 05:22.000 Tell Willie to cover Phoenix, Tucson, Albuquerque, and El Paso. 05:22.000 --> 05:24.000 And go to Ciaga. 05:31.000 --> 05:35.000 63rd Street. Five blocks to go. 05:35.000 --> 05:39.000 Walk. Keep walking. And think. 05:39.000 --> 05:43.000 That was the beginning. What came after the beginning? 05:43.000 --> 05:45.000 The casino. 05:45.000 --> 05:47.000 The suburban gambling casino. 05:47.000 --> 05:50.000 My reward for fixing one fight. 05:50.000 --> 05:52.000 Then came the friends. 05:52.000 --> 05:56.000 Matthew Miller's giving money away. Get some of it. 05:56.000 --> 05:59.000 But be sure you give it back when you're through. 05:59.000 --> 06:01.000 And always the gratitude. 06:01.000 --> 06:03.000 Always the benediction. 06:11.000 --> 06:15.000 Much obliged, Matt. I was real short on operating capital. 06:15.000 --> 06:17.000 That's all right, Charlie. Glad I could help. 06:17.000 --> 06:20.000 I'll see you on the 15th of next month to get my IOU back. 06:20.000 --> 06:24.000 See that you do, Charlie. You know how I feel about Welsh's. 06:24.000 --> 06:28.000 Yeah, yeah, I know. Well, good night, Matt. Thanks again. 06:28.000 --> 06:30.000 Good night, Charlie. 06:31.000 --> 06:36.000 Well, maybe you know what you're doing, Matt, but sometimes I think you're too loose with your dough. 06:36.000 --> 06:37.000 You mean Charlie? 06:37.000 --> 06:40.000 No, him for one, and other guys I've seen you lend money to. 06:40.000 --> 06:41.000 What's wrong with lending now and then? 06:41.000 --> 06:46.000 Oh, nothing. Only any grifter or hood that runs out of money in this town knows they can get to you for a touch. 06:46.000 --> 06:51.000 All right, bookkeeper. How much money have I lost since I started helping the less fortunate of my fraternity? 06:51.000 --> 06:55.000 Well, there was Richie Fowlow from Detroit. He nicked you for 80 grand. 06:55.000 --> 07:00.000 Where's he now? And incidentally, where's anyone who ever Welsh'd on a loan or a gambling debt? 07:00.000 --> 07:02.000 So they're not around anymore. 07:02.000 --> 07:03.000 Cancels out, doesn't it? 07:03.000 --> 07:08.000 Just because a guy knows better than to try to Welsh on you is no excuse to be Mr. Soft-Touch. 07:08.000 --> 07:09.000 Why not? 07:09.000 --> 07:10.000 It's not businesslike. 07:10.000 --> 07:12.000 I'm not in the lending business. 07:12.000 --> 07:15.000 Well, the amount of dough you got spread around, you might just as well be. 07:15.000 --> 07:18.000 Now supposing Charlie goes out of here and gets knocked off, where's your dough then? 07:18.000 --> 07:19.000 That's a chance I have to take. 07:19.000 --> 07:27.000 You shouldn't have to take chances. Charlie's wife isn't taking a chance. If Charlie gets knocked off tonight, she's rich tomorrow. He's got enough insurance to... 07:27.000 --> 07:29.000 Say that again about Charlie's wife. 07:29.000 --> 07:30.000 Why? What'd I say? 07:30.000 --> 07:32.000 What happens if Charlie gets knocked off tonight? 07:32.000 --> 07:35.000 Well, I said she'd be rich tomorrow. Why? 07:35.000 --> 07:37.000 That's what I thought you said. 07:37.000 --> 07:40.000 Hey, Matt, what are you gonna do? 07:40.000 --> 07:41.000 Luke, call my lawyer. 07:41.000 --> 07:42.000 What are you gonna do? 07:42.000 --> 07:44.000 I'm about to become an actuary. 07:44.000 --> 07:45.000 A what? 07:45.000 --> 07:50.000 An actuary. According to Webster, one who is skilled in life assurance. 07:50.000 --> 07:57.000 Oh, Matt, you're out of your mind. You'll never get away with it. If the state would be on your neck so fast, the stock issue would never clear the broker's office. 07:57.000 --> 08:00.000 Stay down, counselor. You're wearing the nap off my carpeting. 08:00.000 --> 08:02.000 Oh, all right. 08:02.000 --> 08:15.320 First of all, is it possible to form a dummy corporation for the purpose of the 08:15.320 --> 08:20.320 floating a stock issue? 08:20.320 --> 08:21.320 Well, yes, it is. 08:21.320 --> 08:24.320 Answer with a yes or no. Don't embellish your sentences. 08:24.320 --> 08:25.320 Oh, sorry. 08:25.320 --> 08:33.320 To go on. Since the stock issue will be thrown open to the public, there'll be no necessity for me to control more than 25% of the issue, right? 08:33.320 --> 08:34.320 Right. 08:34.320 --> 08:39.320 And when I sell a policy to a client, the majority of the first premium will go to me as the selling agent. 08:39.320 --> 08:40.320 That's right. 08:40.320 --> 08:48.320 Now we come to the important point. Is it perfectly legal for me to be named a beneficiary of any policy I may issue? 08:48.320 --> 08:49.320 Well, in the event... 08:49.320 --> 08:51.320 Is it legal, yes or no? 08:51.320 --> 08:53.320 Yes, yes, it's legal. 08:53.320 --> 08:56.320 Then why are you fighting me? What can the state possibly do to me? 08:56.320 --> 09:00.320 Now, since that question can't be answered by a yes or no, have I your permission to elaborate? 09:00.320 --> 09:01.320 Sure, go ahead. 09:01.320 --> 09:09.320 All right. Now, what guarantee have you that these men to whom you lend money will continue to pay the premiums after they have repaid the loan? 09:09.320 --> 09:14.320 Why none, of course. I don't care if they keep up the policy or not. All I'm interested in is protection for myself. 09:14.320 --> 09:21.320 And with that protection, if I can make an extra dollar by issuing the policy, I don't see how that can be construed as fraud or any other illegal practice. 09:21.320 --> 09:23.320 You know what happens with the company in the long run? 09:23.320 --> 09:27.320 Frankly, I don't care. By that time, I expect to have gotten what I wanted out of it. 09:27.320 --> 09:30.320 The stockholders would cause you trouble if they got together. 09:30.320 --> 09:34.320 If, Chris, people don't help each other. They're too busy helping themselves. 09:34.320 --> 09:35.320 Yeah, like you. 09:35.320 --> 09:39.320 Maybe. The difference is most of them don't know what they want. 09:39.320 --> 09:40.320 Do you, Matt? 09:40.320 --> 09:45.320 Of course I do. That's why I don't need any help. I'm just going to do it all by myself. 09:47.320 --> 09:48.320 Any more question? 09:48.320 --> 09:50.320 Oh, no, I suppose not. 09:50.320 --> 09:52.320 Then how about a drink? 09:52.320 --> 09:53.320 I can use one. 09:53.320 --> 09:54.320 Lou? 09:54.320 --> 09:55.320 Coming right up. 09:56.320 --> 10:00.320 Don't pout, Chris. Losing this decision to me won't hurt your reputation. 10:00.320 --> 10:02.320 It's not me I'm thinking about. It's you. 10:02.320 --> 10:03.320 Me? 10:03.320 --> 10:11.320 You're reaching. One of these days, you'll reach out too far, and it'll be a long, long fall to the bottom. 10:11.320 --> 10:13.320 It'll break every bone in your body. 10:13.320 --> 10:18.320 Dramatic, but unnecessary. No matter what happens, people will gamble. 10:18.320 --> 10:24.320 And the only safe place in the state is right here. This casino is my bumper, and it can cushion any fall I may take. 10:24.320 --> 10:26.320 Here they are. Help yourself. 10:26.320 --> 10:29.320 Well, Chris, let's drink to our new venture. 10:29.320 --> 10:31.320 A toast, if I may. 10:31.320 --> 10:33.320 You may. 10:33.320 --> 10:36.320 To Matt. May the long fall never come. 10:36.320 --> 10:38.320 Amen. 10:47.320 --> 10:58.320 64th Street. Four blocks from the hospital. Why am I trying? Why do I want to live? There must be a reason. A reason. 10:58.320 --> 11:07.320 Ellen. I want to live for Ellen. I want to kiss her and be kissed. I want to give her all the things I promised her. 11:07.320 --> 11:14.320 So I'll keep walking. Keep walking. Walking. Walking. 11:20.320 --> 11:22.320 You look tired, Matt. Anything wrong? 11:22.320 --> 11:29.320 No, no. I'm just trying to get Chris back in line. Sometimes I wonder if he's really on my side. 11:29.320 --> 11:31.320 You don't mean it, do you? 11:31.320 --> 11:40.320 He's a fine lawyer, Ellen. I have to admit he's gotten me out of a couple of tight spots, but I wonder sometimes if he's interested in me or the retainer I pay him. 11:40.320 --> 11:45.320 Matt, what's wrong? Chris is your friend. You don't think about friends that way. 11:45.320 --> 11:54.320 I know, but tonight was different. Tonight I felt that Chris wasn't on my side. Forget it. 11:54.320 --> 11:58.320 I'm here with you and that's all I care about right now. 11:58.320 --> 12:01.320 Matt. When are you going to quit? 12:01.320 --> 12:03.320 Quit? Quit what? 12:03.320 --> 12:09.320 All this figuring and scheming and gambling. What do you know? 12:09.320 --> 12:11.320 No, I don't know. Tell me. 12:11.320 --> 12:20.320 Matt, you've got enough money to have a safe, wonderful life away from here. Away from all the hoodlums and sharpies and thieves and murderers. 12:20.320 --> 12:23.320 Why don't we just pack up and go? 12:23.320 --> 12:29.320 I'm so afraid. I love you too much to worry about you from day to day. 12:29.320 --> 12:33.320 You know, you can't live the kind of life you're living without making enemies. 12:33.320 --> 12:37.320 One of these days somebody's going to hate you enough to... 12:37.320 --> 12:39.320 Oh, Matt. 12:39.320 --> 12:42.320 Don't you understand that it's because of you that I don't quit? 12:42.320 --> 12:43.320 Because of me? 12:43.320 --> 12:48.320 Yes. I promised myself I'd give you the city for a wedding present and I'm not going to Welsh on a promise. 12:48.320 --> 12:52.320 But I don't want the city. I want you. 12:52.320 --> 12:58.320 I want to forget that there are fighters and cards and dice and roulette and all the other things you can't depend on. 12:58.320 --> 13:03.320 But I can depend on them. I can depend on them because I know the weaknesses of people. 13:03.320 --> 13:09.320 Mass man is the biggest sucker in the world and the only way to punish him for it is to take his money and that's what I'm doing. 13:09.320 --> 13:10.320 But for how long? 13:10.320 --> 13:12.320 Come with me and I'll show you. 13:18.320 --> 13:20.320 What do you see? 13:20.320 --> 13:21.320 The city. 13:21.320 --> 13:23.320 That's right. The city. 13:23.320 --> 13:41.320 I'm going to take suckers money until I have enough to buy it. 13:41.320 --> 14:01.320 Auto Light is bringing you Mr. John Hodiac in the Case History of a Gambler. Tonight's production in radio's outstanding theater of thrills, South Spence. 14:01.320 --> 14:10.320 Friends, now my starts are quick and sure. I get going right with my staple battery made by Auto Light. 14:10.320 --> 14:21.320 Well said, my orating auto. Starting is a real fast pleasure with an Auto Light Stay Full, the power packed battery that needs water only three times a year in normal car use. 14:21.320 --> 14:28.320 And what's more, the Auto Light Stay Full gives longer life, as proved by tests conducted according to accepted life cycle standards. 14:28.320 --> 14:32.320 So visit your nearest Auto Light battery dealer soon. 14:32.320 --> 14:35.320 To quickly learn his location, call Western Union by number. 14:35.320 --> 14:43.320 And ask for me, Operator 25. I'll gladly tell you the location of your nearest Auto Light battery dealer, who services all makes of batteries. 14:43.320 --> 14:50.320 And in case you need a new battery to give your car dependable starts in this cold weather, he has an Auto Light Stay Full battery. 14:50.320 --> 14:55.320 The battery that needs water only three times a year in normal car use. 14:55.320 --> 15:00.320 Remember, from bumper to tail light, you're always right with Auto Light. 15:00.320 --> 15:06.320 And now, Auto Light brings back to our Hollywood sound stage, Mr. John Hodiac. 15:06.320 --> 15:12.320 In Elliot Lewis' production of The Case History of a Gambler, a story of the roaring twenties. 15:12.320 --> 15:15.320 Well calculated to keep you in... 15:15.320 --> 15:31.320 ...suspen... 15:31.320 --> 15:36.320 65th Street. How long can it take a man to walk six blocks? 15:36.320 --> 15:39.320 How heavy can an ounce of lead be? 15:39.320 --> 15:42.320 Two more blocks to the hospital. 15:42.320 --> 15:45.320 And when I get there, what then? 15:45.320 --> 15:48.320 Is all this worth a gamble? 15:48.320 --> 15:50.320 A gamble. 15:50.320 --> 15:52.320 Matthew Miller, the gambler. 15:52.320 --> 15:55.320 The man who lived for the gamble. 15:55.320 --> 15:56.320 The good loser. 15:56.320 --> 15:58.320 The gracious winner. 15:58.320 --> 16:01.320 The man who hated a Welsh. 16:01.320 --> 16:03.320 A good gambler. 16:03.320 --> 16:04.320 A gambler. 16:04.320 --> 16:06.320 Gambler. 16:06.320 --> 16:11.320 I think I'll stretch my legs for a second. 16:11.320 --> 16:15.320 What do you know? It's daylight again. 16:15.320 --> 16:17.320 Must be Monday. 16:17.320 --> 16:19.320 We'll send out for some more food. 16:19.320 --> 16:21.320 Not for me. How about you guys? 16:21.320 --> 16:24.320 I've had it. Two days of poker is just about my limit. 16:24.320 --> 16:26.320 Let's make this the last hand, huh? 16:26.320 --> 16:27.320 Right for me. 16:27.320 --> 16:28.320 Okay. 16:28.320 --> 16:30.320 Handy up. 16:30.320 --> 16:36.320 Jacks are better to open. Any limit on this last hand, Matt? 16:36.320 --> 16:37.320 No. Why? 16:37.320 --> 16:39.320 You've been hit pretty hard this session. 16:39.320 --> 16:41.320 Afraid of your money? 16:41.320 --> 16:43.320 I know you're better than that. 16:43.320 --> 16:46.320 We think the same about bad losers, don't we, Matt? 16:46.320 --> 16:48.320 So I've noticed. 16:48.320 --> 16:51.320 Open for 5,000. 16:51.320 --> 16:56.320 As my mother would say, a stranger from every village is better than a good loser. 16:56.320 --> 17:00.320 As my mother would say, a stranger from every village. 17:00.320 --> 17:02.320 My mother. 17:02.320 --> 17:03.320 Matt. 17:03.320 --> 17:05.320 5 and up 10. 17:05.320 --> 17:08.320 Me? I'm up. 17:08.320 --> 17:10.320 Call you, Matt. 17:10.320 --> 17:11.320 Cards? 17:11.320 --> 17:12.320 2. 17:12.320 --> 17:14.320 Never keep a kicker. 17:14.320 --> 17:16.320 I'll take 1. 17:19.320 --> 17:21.320 Check. 17:21.320 --> 17:23.320 And? 17:23.320 --> 17:25.320 Up 25. 17:25.320 --> 17:27.320 Call. 17:27.320 --> 17:29.320 King's Fool. 17:29.320 --> 17:31.320 No kicker. 17:31.320 --> 17:33.320 I guess my flush isn't good enough. 17:33.320 --> 17:34.320 Guess not. 17:34.320 --> 17:35.320 What's the damage? 17:35.320 --> 17:41.320 Including the 66,000 on this hand, it comes to 483,000. 17:41.320 --> 17:44.320 That's a little more than you lost to me last month, isn't it? 17:44.320 --> 17:45.320 Uh-huh. 17:45.320 --> 17:47.320 I'll have Lou drop the dough off tomorrow, okay? 17:47.320 --> 17:48.320 Fine. 17:48.320 --> 17:49.320 How do you want it? A check or cash? 17:49.320 --> 17:51.320 Cash. 17:51.320 --> 17:53.320 Checks don't feel like money. 17:53.320 --> 17:55.320 All right, I'll send Lou over with cash. 17:55.320 --> 17:58.320 It'll be on your desk at exactly noon tomorrow. 17:58.320 --> 18:01.320 In bills of small denomination. 18:01.320 --> 18:03.320 I like the bulge it makes in my tailored suit. 18:03.320 --> 18:05.320 Anybody else know about this game? 18:05.320 --> 18:06.320 No. 18:06.320 --> 18:07.320 Of course not. 18:07.320 --> 18:08.320 Thanks, son. 18:08.320 --> 18:10.320 Chris, Lou, what are you... 18:10.320 --> 18:11.320 Matt, we're in. 18:11.320 --> 18:13.320 Oh, I didn't know you had company. 18:13.320 --> 18:15.320 It's a friendly little game. I think you know most of the boys. 18:15.320 --> 18:18.320 Oh, uh, Matt, Matt, we gotta talk private. 18:18.320 --> 18:19.320 What's the matter? 18:19.320 --> 18:20.320 Get rid of the boys so we can talk. 18:20.320 --> 18:21.320 Sure. 18:21.320 --> 18:23.320 Sure, we just finished anyway. 18:23.320 --> 18:25.320 So long, fellas. Thanks for the game. 18:25.320 --> 18:26.320 So long, Matt. 18:26.320 --> 18:28.320 Remember, small bills. 18:28.320 --> 18:29.320 See you, Matt. 18:29.320 --> 18:30.320 Yeah, see you. 18:30.320 --> 18:32.320 Okay, what's on your mind? 18:32.320 --> 18:34.320 The casino was raided Saturday night. 18:34.320 --> 18:36.320 Saturday? This is Monday. Where have you guys been? 18:36.320 --> 18:38.320 I got picked up when the joint was raided. 18:38.320 --> 18:39.320 Well, I was out of town for the weekend. 18:39.320 --> 18:41.320 I got Lou out on a habeas corpus as soon as I returned this morning. 18:41.320 --> 18:43.320 How did the cops find out about the location? 18:43.320 --> 18:44.320 What happened to the alarm system? 18:44.320 --> 18:46.320 The grapevine has it that somebody in the organization 18:46.320 --> 18:47.320 tipped off the police. 18:47.320 --> 18:50.320 There's more than one man in this town that doesn't like you, Matt. 18:50.320 --> 18:51.320 What about the books? 18:51.320 --> 18:52.320 The cops got them, too. 18:52.320 --> 18:55.320 They were in the joint so fast I didn't have a chance to dump them. 18:55.320 --> 18:58.320 Well, guess they got me nailed. 19:00.320 --> 19:01.320 Okay, I'm getting out. 19:02.320 --> 19:04.320 Chris, dump my insurance stock on the market. 19:04.320 --> 19:05.320 I can get enough out of... 19:04.320 --> 19:05.320 No, Matt. 19:05.320 --> 19:07.320 What do you mean, no? I'm telling you to get rid of my stock... 19:07.320 --> 19:08.320 Matt! 19:08.320 --> 19:10.320 There is no insurance company. 19:10.320 --> 19:11.320 Are you crazy? 19:11.320 --> 19:14.320 The company is in receivership, and the state is conducting an investigation. 19:14.320 --> 19:15.320 But how? Why? 19:15.320 --> 19:17.320 Well, one of the stockholders thought enough of his investment 19:17.320 --> 19:20.320 to go around gathering up enough proxies to vote you out of control 19:20.320 --> 19:21.320 and to have the books checked. 19:21.320 --> 19:22.320 So what? 19:22.320 --> 19:23.320 So this. 19:23.320 --> 19:25.320 Every dime in the company is frozen, 19:25.320 --> 19:27.320 and I doubt that you'll ever get to see any of it again. 19:27.320 --> 19:28.320 What about the courts? 19:28.320 --> 19:31.320 Well, intent of the fraud is pretty tough to prove in a court. 19:31.320 --> 19:33.320 I think I can beat the rap on that count. 19:33.320 --> 19:35.320 But that's all I can promise you. 19:35.320 --> 19:37.320 Oh, I'm sorry, Matt, but... 19:37.320 --> 19:39.320 If you say I told you so, I'll kill you right now. 19:39.320 --> 19:40.320 No, Matt, no. 19:40.320 --> 19:42.320 That's not what I was gonna say at all. 19:42.320 --> 19:44.320 I'm your friend. 19:44.320 --> 19:46.320 Even though I haven't very much to give, I regret... 19:46.320 --> 19:48.320 I don't want your money, Chris. 19:48.320 --> 19:49.320 I don't need it. 19:49.320 --> 19:51.320 You see, I half expected this to happen, I guess. 19:51.320 --> 19:53.320 So I planned for it. 19:53.320 --> 19:55.320 I have a key ring in my office. 19:55.320 --> 19:57.320 On this key ring, I have ten keys, 19:57.320 --> 20:00.320 and these keys open ten safety deposit boxes 20:00.320 --> 20:02.320 with about 100 grand in... 20:03.320 --> 20:04.320 Lou? 20:05.320 --> 20:07.320 What are you looking at me like that for? 20:08.320 --> 20:10.320 Come on, speak up. 20:11.320 --> 20:13.320 Matt, I... 20:13.320 --> 20:17.320 Well, yeah, they got the key ring, too. 20:21.320 --> 20:24.320 Chris, you once told me I'd reach out too far. 20:25.320 --> 20:27.320 Well, I did. 20:27.320 --> 20:44.320 It looks as if the fall broke every bone in my body. 20:48.320 --> 20:49.320 Hiya, Matt. 20:49.320 --> 20:51.320 Decided to come yourself instead of sending Lou, huh? 20:51.320 --> 20:53.320 Come on in. 20:54.320 --> 20:56.320 You can lay the door right here. 20:56.320 --> 20:58.320 This is a pretty big desk. 20:58.320 --> 21:00.320 I don't have the dough, Gus. 21:01.320 --> 21:03.320 Don't play games with me. 21:03.320 --> 21:05.320 I don't have any sense of humor when somebody owes me money. 21:05.320 --> 21:07.320 This isn't a game. I'm broke. 21:07.320 --> 21:08.320 How broke? 21:08.320 --> 21:10.320 I'm not going to be able to pay you what I owe you right now. 21:10.320 --> 21:12.320 You're going to have to wait a little while. 21:12.320 --> 21:13.320 What do you mean, I'm going to have to wait? 21:13.320 --> 21:16.320 Just what I said, I haven't got the money right now. 21:16.320 --> 21:17.320 Better get it. 21:17.320 --> 21:18.320 Where? 21:18.320 --> 21:19.320 That's your problem. 21:19.320 --> 21:21.320 All I know is you're half an hour overdue, 21:21.320 --> 21:22.320 and I don't like to be kept waiting. 21:22.320 --> 21:23.320 But I've got to have a little time. 21:23.320 --> 21:24.320 All right. 21:24.320 --> 21:26.320 I'll give you until midnight tonight. 21:26.320 --> 21:29.320 If I don't have it by then, I'll send one of my boys to see you. 21:29.320 --> 21:31.320 What are you trying to do, frighten me? 21:31.320 --> 21:32.320 No. 21:32.320 --> 21:34.320 Just letting you know where I stand. 21:34.320 --> 21:36.320 Like you once told me, 21:36.320 --> 21:39.320 if you can't pay, don't play. 21:39.320 --> 21:41.320 Well, I'm telling you that now. 21:42.320 --> 21:44.320 You shouldn't play without dough to back you up. 21:44.320 --> 21:46.320 But this is different. I had the money when I started to play. 21:46.320 --> 21:48.320 And I won it all. 21:49.320 --> 21:51.320 I don't think you like to lose, Matt. 21:51.320 --> 21:53.320 Why, you two-bit pitch-pinny. 21:53.320 --> 21:54.320 Hold it! 21:55.320 --> 21:57.320 I don't like to see blood on my carpet. 21:58.320 --> 22:00.320 You're going to be sorry you pulled that gun on me. 22:00.320 --> 22:02.320 By the time I get through with you, 22:02.320 --> 22:04.320 you'll be back peddling punch boards for a nickel a crack. 22:04.320 --> 22:08.320 As long as you don't forget you got till midnight to pay me the 483 grand. 22:08.320 --> 22:10.320 After that, you can start breaking me. 22:10.320 --> 22:14.320 But I got a hunch you're not going to do very much breaking in this town. 22:14.320 --> 22:17.320 You stepped on too many hands on your way up. 22:17.320 --> 22:23.320 And there are a lot of guys really eager to give you a push on the way down. 22:23.320 --> 22:25.320 Now get out of here. 22:31.320 --> 22:33.320 I'm tired. So tired. 22:33.320 --> 22:35.320 66th Street. 22:35.320 --> 22:37.320 One more block. 22:37.320 --> 22:39.320 I know I'm going to make it. 22:39.320 --> 22:40.320 Because of Ellen. 22:40.320 --> 22:42.320 Ellen would want me to. 22:42.320 --> 22:44.320 Ellen would help me. 22:44.320 --> 22:46.320 But she isn't here now. 22:46.320 --> 22:48.320 And I don't want to be alone. 22:48.320 --> 22:50.320 I won't be alone. 22:50.320 --> 22:52.320 Ellen will be there. 22:52.320 --> 22:54.320 She's always there. 22:54.320 --> 22:56.320 And I don't want to keep her waiting. 22:56.320 --> 22:57.320 I must hurry. 22:57.320 --> 22:59.320 Walk. Walk. 22:59.320 --> 23:01.320 Walk. Walk. 23:10.320 --> 23:11.320 It's midnight. 23:11.320 --> 23:13.320 Yes, I know. 23:13.320 --> 23:15.320 What are you going to do? 23:15.320 --> 23:17.320 What is there to do? 23:17.320 --> 23:19.320 Wait for Gus, I suppose. 23:21.320 --> 23:24.320 I'm afraid I have to welsh in another promise. 23:24.320 --> 23:26.320 What promise? 23:26.320 --> 23:28.320 The one I made to myself to give you the city. 23:28.320 --> 23:31.320 Oh, Matt, darling, I don't care. 23:31.320 --> 23:33.320 I told you once before I didn't want anything but you. 23:33.320 --> 23:35.320 And now I... 23:35.320 --> 23:37.320 Oh, Matt. 23:37.320 --> 23:40.320 I wish I was somewhere starting all over again. 23:40.320 --> 23:42.320 Do you really mean that, Matt? 23:42.320 --> 23:43.320 Of course I do. 23:43.320 --> 23:45.320 Here. 23:49.320 --> 23:50.320 Here. 23:50.320 --> 23:51.320 What's this? 23:51.320 --> 23:53.320 I had them appraised today. 23:53.320 --> 23:56.320 They're worth almost $175,000. 23:56.320 --> 23:58.320 With these we can go to Mexico, South America, 23:58.320 --> 24:00.320 where they never even heard of you or Gus 24:00.320 --> 24:02.320 or any of the whole rotten mess in this town. 24:02.320 --> 24:04.320 You mean you want me to run away? 24:04.320 --> 24:07.320 To class myself with all the cheap welshers I hate? 24:07.320 --> 24:08.320 Do you know what you're asking? 24:08.320 --> 24:10.320 Yes, I know what I'm asking. 24:10.320 --> 24:12.320 Matt, I love you. 24:12.320 --> 24:14.320 I want you alive with me. 24:14.320 --> 24:18.320 I've been afraid all this time and I'm tired of being afraid. 24:18.320 --> 24:21.320 Oh, please, Matt, before it's too late. 24:21.320 --> 24:23.320 Ellen. 24:24.320 --> 24:26.320 Where do we go? 24:26.320 --> 24:27.320 Mexico or South America? 24:27.320 --> 24:29.320 South America. It's further. 24:29.320 --> 24:30.320 South America it is. 24:30.320 --> 24:31.320 I'll go down and get your car. 24:31.320 --> 24:32.320 But then I... 24:32.320 --> 24:33.320 Don't worry. 24:33.320 --> 24:34.320 I'll be safe. 24:34.320 --> 24:36.320 Nobody knows where I am. 24:36.320 --> 24:38.320 I want you to wait here for about eight minutes, 24:38.320 --> 24:40.320 then leave and meet me in the garage. 24:40.320 --> 24:43.320 Then we're off to the west coast of South America. 24:43.320 --> 24:45.320 Oh, Matt, I'm so happy. 24:45.320 --> 24:46.320 Yes. 24:46.320 --> 25:10.320 I think I'm going to like South America. 25:10.320 --> 25:26.320 That's what happens to welshers. 25:26.320 --> 25:29.320 68th Street. Hospital. 25:29.320 --> 25:31.320 I've made it. 25:31.320 --> 25:34.320 It's cold now. So cold. 25:34.320 --> 25:37.320 A few more steps. Got to hurry. 25:37.320 --> 25:40.320 Ellen has been waiting so long for me. 25:40.320 --> 25:42.320 Don't want to keep her waiting. 25:42.320 --> 25:46.320 When I get there, she'll take me in her arms. 25:46.320 --> 25:49.320 I'll feel the strength of her love. 25:49.320 --> 25:51.320 Chris will be there too. 25:51.320 --> 25:53.320 And Lou. 25:53.320 --> 26:09.320 I want to tell him that I didn't break every bone in my body. 26:09.320 --> 26:10.320 Nurse. 26:10.320 --> 26:11.320 Yes. 26:11.320 --> 26:13.320 My... 26:13.320 --> 26:16.320 My name is Matthew Miller. 26:16.320 --> 26:20.320 And I guess... 26:20.320 --> 26:27.320 Didn't make it after all. 26:51.320 --> 26:53.320 Suspense. 26:53.320 --> 26:55.320 Presented by Auto Light. 26:55.320 --> 26:58.320 Tonight's star, Mr. John Hodiac. 26:58.320 --> 27:01.320 And here once again is our personable young star, John Hodiac. 27:01.320 --> 27:02.320 Thanks, Harlow. 27:02.320 --> 27:04.320 John, it's always a treat having you on Suspense, 27:04.320 --> 27:06.320 and tonight was no exception. 27:06.320 --> 27:08.320 We all enjoyed your performance as Matt very much. 27:08.320 --> 27:10.320 That's very nice, Harlow. 27:10.320 --> 27:12.320 And if I may, I'd like to urge everybody in our audience 27:12.320 --> 27:15.320 to be sure and hear next week's unusual show, 27:15.320 --> 27:17.320 The Night Before Christmas. 27:17.320 --> 27:20.320 A great suspense story starring Miss Greer Garson. 27:20.320 --> 27:22.320 That's my good advice for tonight. 27:22.320 --> 27:26.320 And I'll join you, John, with good advice for motorists everywhere. 27:26.320 --> 27:27.320 I know, Harlow. 27:27.320 --> 27:29.320 You're always right with Auto Light. 27:29.320 --> 27:30.320 Correct. 27:30.320 --> 27:33.320 You're always right because Auto Light is the world's largest 27:33.320 --> 27:36.320 independent manufacturer of automotive electrical equipment. 27:36.320 --> 27:41.320 Auto Light makes over 400 products for cars, trucks, tractors, planes, and boats. 27:41.320 --> 27:45.320 These include Auto Light batteries, such as the famous Auto Light Stay Full. 27:45.320 --> 27:50.320 Electrical systems used as original factory equipment on many leading makes of cars. 27:50.320 --> 27:53.320 A complete line of ignition-engineered Auto Light spark plugs, 27:53.320 --> 27:55.320 both standard and resistor types. 27:55.320 --> 27:58.320 All are backed by constant Auto Light research 27:58.320 --> 28:03.320 and are precision-built to highest standards of quality and performance. 28:03.320 --> 28:08.320 No wonder from bumper to tail light, you're always right with Auto Light. 28:08.320 --> 28:16.320 Music 28:16.320 --> 28:22.320 Next week on Suspense, our star will be Miss Greer Garson in a special Christmas program, 28:22.320 --> 28:27.320 the unusual dramatization of Twas the Night Before Christmas. 28:27.320 --> 28:32.320 In weeks to come, we shall also present Mr. Herbert Marshall, Mr. Jeff Chandler, 28:32.320 --> 28:35.320 and the First Lady of Suspense, Miss Agnes Moorhead. 28:35.320 --> 28:40.320 All on Suspense. 28:40.320 --> 28:45.320 Suspense is produced and directed by Elliot Lewis, 28:45.320 --> 28:49.320 with music composed by Lucian Morawek from a New York theme by Fred Steiner, 28:49.320 --> 28:51.320 and conducted by Lud Gluskin. 28:51.320 --> 28:56.320 The case history of a gambler was written for Suspense by Ross Murray. 28:56.320 --> 29:01.320 Featured in tonight's cast was Lillian Bief, Bill Boucher, Joseph Kearns, Lou Merrill, 29:01.320 --> 29:06.320 Herb Bygren, Martha Wentworth, Charles Calvert, and Clayton Post. 29:06.320 --> 29:10.320 John Hodiac can be seen in the soon to be released The Sellout. 29:10.320 --> 29:15.320 And remember next week on Suspense, Miss Greer Garson in a special Christmas broadcast, 29:15.320 --> 29:18.320 Twas the Night Before Christmas. 29:18.320 --> 29:23.320 For the location of your nearest Auto Light battery or spark plug dealer, 29:23.320 --> 29:28.320 or your nearest authorized Auto Light service station, phone Western Union by number 29:28.320 --> 29:33.320 and ask for operator 25. Switch to Auto Light. Good night. 29:33.320 --> 30:00.320 This is the CBS Radio Network.