WEBVTT

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Auto Light and its 98,000 dealers bring you Mr. Jack Benny.

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In tonight's presentation of Suspense.

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Tonight, Auto Light presents a story about a man who worked for 30 years to prepare a most unique personal retirement plan.

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The story is called, A Good and Faithful Servant. Our star, Mr. Jack Benny.

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Hello there, Harlow.

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Well, the legislative luminary. How are you, Senator?

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My car is giving me trouble, Harlow.

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Your car? What's wrong with it, Senator?

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Well, it gets going slower than a loser leaving office.

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It rides rougher than a tax debate and uses more gas than a three-day filibuster.

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Well, it may be spark plug trouble, Senator.

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Spark plugs should be checked every 3,000 to 4,000 miles.

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So, see your nearest Auto Light spark plug dealer.

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His exclusive Auto Light plug check indicator will quickly show the exact condition of your spark plugs.

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If they're worn out or wrong for your style of driving,

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he'll recommend resistor or standard type ignition engineered Auto Light spark plugs for smoother performance, quick starts, and gas savings.

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Sounds like a propitious proposal, Harlow. How do I find this Auto Light spark plug dealer?

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Why, just phone Western Union by number and ask for operator 25.

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She'll quickly tell you the name of your nearest Auto Light spark plug dealer where you can get the finest spark plug service money can buy.

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And remember, from bumper to tail light, you're always right with Auto Light.

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And now, with the performance of Mr. Jack Benny, Auto Light presents transcribed,

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a good and faithful servant, hoping once again to keep you in suspense.

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I know you've been through a lot, Mr. Fenton, but if you could just try to recall anything else about the appearance of the two of them.

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Lieutenant, couldn't this wait? Fenton has spent 14 horrible hours locked in a vault.

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And while I admire his spirit and pluck and bearing up as well as he has...

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I'm just trying to get something to go on, Mr. Waterman. Do you want your money back or don't you?

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The welfare of my employees comes first, Lieutenant, first, last, and always.

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And you're insured.

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Mr. Fenton...

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Don't answer if you don't feel up to it, Fenton.

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I don't mind, Mr. Waterman. I'm anxious to cooperate.

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Now, as near as I can remember...

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Be sure you get this, Florence.

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As near as I can remember... Of course, I had only a flash before they forced me into the vault.

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Yeah, we understand, Mr. Fenton.

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I had the impression of one being tall, but not too tall, and the other one was shorter.

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But not too short.

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Exactly. And they were wearing masks, rubber masks.

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One had a Lionel Barrymore mask, and I think the other was Dick Tracy. It was quite a shock to see him.

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Aha! The Brinks Gang, Lieutenant. The Brinks Gang to a T.

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Maybe.

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Mr. Cartwright, would you come over here, please?

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Mr. Cartwright, is it the practice to keep large sums of cash on hand overnight at the store?

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Yes, the store does a tremendous cash business, Lieutenant. Tremendous.

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And yesterday was Dollar Day.

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Thank you.

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Mr. Cartwright, how does it happen that Fenton was alone in the cash room when the bandits entered?

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Did he customarily close the vault for the night?

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Not customarily, no. When I'm unavoidably called away from the store...

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Will this happen often?

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Well...

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Very seldom, Lieutenant. Very seldom.

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But it happened yesterday. Two men walked in, put you in the vault, and walked out with a big hunk of money.

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At precisely 5.56. Mr. Cartwright opened the vault this morning at 8.02.

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Correct, Lieutenant. We won't know how much they got until I can make an audit.

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And if there's any question, Lieutenant, of corroborating Fenton's story, I need only to say that he's been with Waterman's for 30 years.

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A good and faithful servant.

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More exactly, Mr. Waterman, 29 years, 11 months, and 29 days.

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I was due to retire tomorrow before this unfortunate circumstance arose and...

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Hello, Nonsense Fenton. You'll retire tomorrow.

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And if there's any question, Lieutenant, of Fenton's character, his honesty, his devotion...

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Yeah, sure, sure, sure.

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You can go home, Mr. Fenton. Better get some rest.

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If you want to duck the reporters, go out this back way.

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Well, what do you think, Mr. Waterman?

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Entirely up to you, my boy, entirely.

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But in these days of doubt, of confusion, and dishonesty in high places,

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I believe your simple story of courage and devotion to duty will be an inspiration everywhere.

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Mr. Waterman, I am ready to face the press.

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They were all very nice to me.

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The reporters, the police, Mr. Cartwright, and especially Mr. Waterman.

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All that money missing.

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Fifty thousand.

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Yet his only concern was for me.

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I thought that if I could afford it, I'd like to buy him some little token of gratitude.

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Then I thought again.

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In my desk at the office, there was a secret compartment, and...

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And that compartment was fifty thousand dollars.

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I guess I could afford it.

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Yoo-hoo!

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Mother, I'm home.

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Good morning, Harold.

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I hope you haven't had breakfast. I've kept it hot for you.

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You're not going to ask me how it went, Mother?

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Oh, I heard over the radio.

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But I wish there'd been some way of doing it, that it wouldn't have kept you out all night.

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Oh, I wasn't out all night, Mother. I was in a vault.

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I know you were, Harold.

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And if you keep on, you're going to end up with that same sign or strip your father used to have.

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Oh, Mother, it was a perfectly dry, warm...

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Oh, never mind.

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Eat your cereal, Harold. You'll feel better.

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Mr. Waterman told me to take the day off, Mother.

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I'm not going in until tomorrow.

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That's certainly big of him. After all you've done for them.

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How much did you get?

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Fifty thousand.

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It's in my desk at the office, in the drawer with the false bottom.

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In your desk? Will it be safe there, Harold?

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Well, no one will be looking for it.

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Harold, you don't think you'll have any trouble getting the money out of your desk?

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I think things will work out all right.

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See, according to my plan, it...

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It...

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Harold, you see, I told you from the beginning you weren't strong enough for this type of thing.

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The next morning at 8.43, I punched in at the store.

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Figuring 308 working days a year, that made 9,240 punches.

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It was a little strange to think of this being my last.

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I walked through the store to the elevator,

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past lingerie, ladies' gloves, and perfume the way I always went.

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But this morning was different.

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People looked up when I passed. They spoke to me.

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They knew who I was.

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Even the brunette in perfume smiled at me.

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I almost stopped, but I couldn't think of anything to say.

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In the elevator, one of the girls asked me how I felt.

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Still scared, I said, and they laughed.

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They wouldn't have laughed any harder for Mr. Waterman.

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I got out at 8, my floor, and as I went into my office,

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Miss Prentice, Mr. Cartwright's secretary, looked at me.

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Twenty-three months and two days, she'd been looking at the top of my head.

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But this morning, she looked at me, and she smiled.

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I guess I smiled back.

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Good morning, Mr. Fanton.

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Good morning, Miss Prentice.

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It wasn't much, but I felt it could have been a start.

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I was almost sorry this was my last day.

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Fanton, Fanton, did you hear me?

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Yes, Mr. Cartwright. I heard you, Mr. Cartwright.

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All right. A big workload piled up yesterday when you took off,

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and we haven't anyone new coming in till tomorrow.

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Not that I want to overload you on your last day.

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It's an honest day's work for an honest day's pay, Mr. Cartwright.

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Oh, good. I'm still trying to find out how much was taken in the hold-up

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so you're on your own.

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I think I can tell you almost to the penny, Mr. Cartwright.

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I'll make my own check.

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And how about the work I... Oh, good morning, Mr. Waterman. I was just...

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Well, Fanton, back at the old desk, eh?

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I just didn't feel right away from it, Mr. Waterman.

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I got a surprise for you this afternoon, Fanton.

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I'm going to make a little ceremony out of your retirement.

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A ceremony?

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Good for store morale. Right, Cartwright?

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Oh, absolutely, Mr. Waterman, absolutely.

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And about that request of yours you made last week, Fanton,

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I wouldn't be a bit surprised if we can swing it.

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Oh, you're too kind, Mr. Waterman.

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Oh, my boy. When you work for Waterman's 30 years,

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you've got something coming to you.

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No. Really?

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I ate my usual lunch that day,

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the Thursday blue plate special at Elmo's Grotto.

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70 cents plus the usual 10% tip.

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Seven cents.

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With the usual 20 minutes left in my lunch hour,

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I headed for the park with a nickel bag of peanuts.

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The squirrels were going to miss me.

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No, no, Mr. Waterman, you've had three already.

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Give Mr. Cartwright a chance.

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Sit up, Mr. Cartwright. Sit.

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That's it. That's it.

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Excuse me. Would you mind if I join you, Mr. Fanton?

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Why, Miss Prentiss? Of course.

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I mean, of course not.

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Sit down. Sit down.

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Thank you.

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Move over, Mr. Waterman.

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He does look a little pompous, doesn't he?

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Which one is Mr. Cartwright?

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There, with the small mustache. He bites.

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And is there a Miss Prentiss?

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Well, there is, but I believe she is... well...

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Nesting?

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Well...

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How long have you been feeding them, Mr. Fanton?

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They seem so friendly.

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30 years, Miss Prentiss. My favorite animal.

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You give a squirrel a nut and does he eat it?

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No. He runs away and stores it in a hole.

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We could all benefit from their example.

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And now that you've stored your little nest egg, you're retiring, Mr. Fanton.

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Well, you might say that, yes.

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You're quite a fascinating character, Mr. Fanton.

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Me?

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I'm... I'm sorry I didn't know you sooner.

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You know, the whole store is talking about your ordeal in that vault.

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Oh, it wasn't so bad.

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In fact, I've always rather liked the vault.

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What an odd thing to say.

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Well...

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It's so good, Miss Prentiss.

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That's French for each to his own taste.

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Oh, you've been abroad, Mr. Fanton.

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Me? Oh, my goodness, now.

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Oh, but you will now that you're retiring.

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No, no. I've got my eye on a little cottage by a lake.

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And woods. Lots of squirrels there.

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And no time clocks.

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You and your wife?

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Mother.

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Oh, I hope you get it, Mr. Fanton.

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Thank you, Miss Prentiss.

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What the robbers are going to do with all that money?

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I wonder.

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Five to one.

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Shall we go back and punch in, Miss Prentiss?

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She let me walk all the way back to the store with her.

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And in the elevator, Mr. Bixler, sporting goods, winked at me.

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I'd been waiting for this money for ten years. I'd had the feeling Mr. Bixler didn't like me.

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There was quite a gathering in the cashier's office when we arrived.

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All the executives from Mr. Waterman's down.

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And the editor of the store paper wandering through Waterman's.

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I'd sent an item to him last summer.

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Mr. Fanton of Cashier's department spending his two-week vacation at home.

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But he never printed it.

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Well, come in, come in, Fanton.

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We've been waiting for our, shall we say, guest of honor.

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Me, Mr. Waterman?

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You, Fanton.

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We have a little ceremony which I'd hope to conclude before the lunch hour.

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Oh, it's over.

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Oh, I'm sorry, Mr. Waterman.

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Think nothing of it. This is your day, Fanton. Your day.

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Oh, going to get a shot of the two of us, Wolves?

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Yes, sir, Mr. Waterman. Over by the door.

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Oh, if you don't mind, I'd like it sitting at my desk.

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I feel more, well, secure there.

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By your desk. How's this?

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Got it? Good, good.

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And now, Fanton, we all say farewell to a good and faithful servant.

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One who has given 30 years of his life as a contribution, however small,

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to making Waterman's the great institution it is today.

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Well done, Harold Fanton.

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Thank you.

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A modest man, but conscientious.

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His regular comings and goings passed almost unknown to many

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until his ordeal of two days ago,

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locked all night in the vault by brutal and rapacious thieves,

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a night in which, in his own words,

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he relived each and every day of his 30-year services to Waterman's.

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Oh, greater devotion hath no man.

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Oh, it was nothing, really.

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And now his labor's done, his burden borne,

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Fanton will live out the rest of his days in ease and comfort,

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because he has arrived at the retirement age of the Waterman pension plan,

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by which he will receive...

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$31.68 a month.

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$31.68 a month for as long as he lives.

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Thank you.

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And now a little surprise for Harold Fanton.

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A week ago, in a letter to me, our good and faithful servant asked

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that on his retirement he be given permission to purchase for his home his old desk.

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Actually, Mr. Waterman, I don't know what I'd do without it.

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Oh, frankly, I put in a lot of thought on this simple request.

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Hmm?

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I weighed the factors in my mind.

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On the one hand was Fanton's 30-year service.

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On the other...

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Mr. Waterman.

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On the other, he was already receiving his pension of...

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well, his pension.

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However...

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Please, Mr. Waterman.

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However, Fanton, my boy, I decided to go you one better.

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One better?

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Not a new desk.

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Nothing so unsentimental.

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Fanton, instead of allowing you to purchase the desk, I'm giving it to you.

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Phew!

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All right, boys, right in here.

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Take the desk wherever Fanton here wants it.

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And now back to work, everybody.

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Month-end clearance today.

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Whoops!

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Easy, man, don't drop it.

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Easy.

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Fanton, my boy, in the years ahead when you're seated at your old desk,

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think of us, won't you?

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I certainly will, Mr. Waterman.

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I certainly will.

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Auto Light is bringing you Mr. Jack Benny in

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A Good and Faithful Servant.

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Tonight's presentation in radio's outstanding theater of thrills,

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Suspense.

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Well, Senator, did you take my advice?

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Why, yes, Harlow.

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My Auto Light spark plug dealer turned my worn spark plugs out of office

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and elected a set of ignition engineered Auto Light spark plugs.

15:38.000 --> 15:40.000
Now, wise move, Senator.

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Those Auto Light spark plugs are designed by the same Auto Light engineers

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who designed the coil, distributor, generator,

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and all the other important parts of the complete ignition system

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used as original equipment on many leading makes of our finest cars,

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trucks, and tractors.

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They're world famous for quality and performance.

15:59.000 --> 16:04.000
And my Auto Light spark plug dealer nominated Auto Light resistor spark plugs

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for my car, Harlow.

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Ah, you're on top now, Senator, because Auto Light resistor spark plugs

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represent one of the greatest advancements in spark plugs for automotive use

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in the past 20 years.

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They offer proven advantages such as double life, gas savings,

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and smoother performance.

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And they're specified as original equipment on many leading makes of our finest cars.

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What's more, the Auto Light resistor spark plug is just one of a complete line

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of ignition engineered Auto Light spark plugs for every use.

16:34.000 --> 16:39.000
So, fellow citizens, be sure, vote for Auto Light.

16:39.000 --> 16:41.000
Right, Senator.

16:41.000 --> 16:45.000
Friends, take a tip from me and see your nearest Auto Light spark plug dealer this week.

16:45.000 --> 16:50.000
And remember, from bumper to tail light, you're always right with Auto Light.

16:50.000 --> 16:55.000
And now, Auto Light brings back to our Hollywood sound stage,

16:55.000 --> 17:01.000
Mr. Jack Benny in Elliot Lewis's production of A Good and Faithful Servant,

17:01.000 --> 17:08.000
a tale well calculated to keep you in suspense.

17:08.000 --> 17:17.000
Retirement agreed with me.

17:17.000 --> 17:22.000
I walked to the park to see my friends when I felt like it,

17:22.000 --> 17:26.000
a leisurely lunch at Elmo's Grotto when I felt like it,

17:26.000 --> 17:29.000
and when the need arose, a little gardening.

17:29.000 --> 17:33.000
Mother and I were very happy.

17:33.000 --> 17:35.000
You've done enough for one morning, Harold.

17:35.000 --> 17:37.000
Your battle go out again.

17:37.000 --> 17:40.000
All through, Mother, just cleaning off the spades.

17:40.000 --> 17:43.000
What were you planting this morning, Harold?

17:43.000 --> 17:47.000
Mother, if anything should happen to me, knock wood.

17:47.000 --> 17:48.000
Knock wood?

17:48.000 --> 17:54.000
Right in between the beets and the radishes, there's a very rich patch of dirt.

17:54.000 --> 17:58.000
Sir, aren't we going to get our little cottage by the lake?

17:58.000 --> 18:01.000
I have to go in town today, Mother. I might just inquire around.

18:01.000 --> 18:03.000
Oh, good.

18:03.000 --> 18:06.000
You know, Mr. Waterman is really a very sweet man.

18:06.000 --> 18:09.000
The Waterman pension plan.

18:09.000 --> 18:18.000
I just wish I could tell him how happy it's made me.

18:18.000 --> 18:22.000
I hadn't told Mother, but Miss Prentice had called that morning.

18:22.000 --> 18:26.000
Mr. Cartwright wanted to see me that afternoon at the office, she said,

18:26.000 --> 18:28.000
and she asked how I was.

18:28.000 --> 18:31.000
What would have happened if I'd asked her to lunch?

18:31.000 --> 18:37.000
I almost did, too.

18:37.000 --> 18:41.000
In the cashier's office at the store, Miss Prentice smiled when she saw me,

18:41.000 --> 18:43.000
and I smiled back.

18:43.000 --> 18:45.000
In fact, we struck up quite a conversation.

18:45.000 --> 18:48.000
Oh, Mr. Fenton, how are you?

18:48.000 --> 18:51.000
Fine. Just fine, Miss Prentice.

18:51.000 --> 18:52.000
Retirement agree with you?

18:52.000 --> 18:54.000
Yes, yes, indeed. Fine.

18:54.000 --> 18:56.000
You notice we haven't filled your old job.

18:56.000 --> 18:59.000
No? Oh, yes. Yes, indeed.

18:59.000 --> 19:07.000
Haven't been able to find another man of your type.

19:07.000 --> 19:08.000
Well...

19:08.000 --> 19:09.000
Well...

19:09.000 --> 19:12.000
Is that you, Fenton? Come on in here.

19:12.000 --> 19:16.000
Coming. Coming, Mr. Cartwright.

19:16.000 --> 19:18.000
Sit down, Fenton, sit down.

19:18.000 --> 19:19.000
Thank you.

19:19.000 --> 19:21.000
Just trying to clean up accounts on the robbery.

19:21.000 --> 19:23.000
Fenton, what was your final tally again?

19:23.000 --> 19:26.000
50,000 almost exactly, Mr. Cartwright.

19:26.000 --> 19:30.000
You're way off. That doesn't check with my audit at all.

19:30.000 --> 19:32.000
I'm quite sure of my figures.

19:32.000 --> 19:34.000
Well, then you're wrong, that's all.

19:34.000 --> 19:37.000
My check shows they got away with 82,000.

19:37.000 --> 19:38.000
82,000?

19:38.000 --> 19:42.000
Right. Now, if you'll just sign the necessary statements corroborating my audit...

19:42.000 --> 19:44.000
I can't do that, Mr. Cartwright.

19:44.000 --> 19:47.000
And just why can't you? Don't you take my word for it?

19:47.000 --> 19:49.000
Frankly, no.

19:49.000 --> 19:54.000
Fenton, look, you're retired. It's nothing to you one way or the other.

19:54.000 --> 19:56.000
You just made a little mistake in your figures, that's all.

19:56.000 --> 20:01.000
Mr. Cartwright, are you asking me to help cover up a shortage in your accounts?

20:01.000 --> 20:04.000
All right, Fenton, I'll lay it on the line.

20:04.000 --> 20:06.000
Temporarily, I'm a bit short.

20:06.000 --> 20:10.000
Involvement with a woman and... you wouldn't understand.

20:10.000 --> 20:12.000
I most certainly wouldn't.

20:12.000 --> 20:13.000
Look, I'll make it worth your while.

20:13.000 --> 20:16.000
Shortages, I found out sooner or later, Mr. Cartwright.

20:16.000 --> 20:19.000
All right, if that's your attitude, let me tell you something, Fenton.

20:19.000 --> 20:22.000
I don't like the smell of this robbery of yours. I don't like it at all.

20:22.000 --> 20:24.000
What do you think of that?

20:24.000 --> 20:28.000
You're implying that I made off with $50,000 belonging to Waterman's?

20:28.000 --> 20:30.000
I think it's highly possible.

20:30.000 --> 20:33.000
And how are you so sure it was 50,000?

20:33.000 --> 20:37.000
Supposing me, for one instant, capable of such a thing, Mr. Cartwright,

20:37.000 --> 20:41.000
wouldn't I be much too clever to put my head in a noose by covering up for you?

20:41.000 --> 20:46.000
Fenton, if I was talking to an honest man, wouldn't he have taken my story right to Mr. Waterman?

20:46.000 --> 20:48.000
Hmm.

20:48.000 --> 20:50.000
I'll give you five minutes.

20:50.000 --> 20:56.000
I'll assign my audit or I go to the police and accuse you of stealing $82,000.

20:56.000 --> 20:58.000
Take it over, Fenton.

20:58.000 --> 21:08.000
No question about it, Mr. Cartwright's dishonesty might be a bit awkward for me.

21:08.000 --> 21:11.000
My instinct about the man had been thoroughly sound.

21:11.000 --> 21:14.000
I had disliked him for 16 years.

21:14.000 --> 21:18.000
Well, there was only one safe way out of it.

21:18.000 --> 21:20.000
Well?

21:20.000 --> 21:22.000
Mr. Cartwright, if you need money...

21:22.000 --> 21:23.000
Yes?

21:23.000 --> 21:25.000
Why don't you rob the vault?

21:25.000 --> 21:27.000
Actually, it isn't hard at all.

21:27.000 --> 21:31.000
Well, how did you... how do I get away with the money?

21:31.000 --> 21:33.000
I'm sorry, I never reveal professional secrets.

21:33.000 --> 21:35.000
Well, then you'll have to help me, Fenton.

21:35.000 --> 21:37.000
Lock me in the vault and you get away with the money.

21:37.000 --> 21:38.000
Me?

21:38.000 --> 21:39.000
Sure.

21:39.000 --> 21:41.000
Then we're both in the clear for good.

21:41.000 --> 21:43.000
Help me out, Fenton.

21:43.000 --> 21:47.000
You mean I'm going to clear out the vault a second time?

21:47.000 --> 21:49.000
You'll never regret it.

21:49.000 --> 21:51.000
Regret it?

21:51.000 --> 21:54.000
The fact is, I'd rather enjoy it.

21:54.000 --> 22:03.000
We settled on the following Friday.

22:03.000 --> 22:09.000
Friday nights, the stores stayed open till nine and they were having a big white sale that day.

22:09.000 --> 22:12.000
The money was already stacked on Mr. Cartwright's desk when I got there.

22:12.000 --> 22:14.000
It was a juicy haul.

22:14.000 --> 22:16.000
I didn't see Mr. Cartwright around, but...

22:16.000 --> 22:18.000
Hello, Mr. Fenton.

22:18.000 --> 22:20.000
Miss Prentice?

22:20.000 --> 22:22.000
But... but the money?

22:22.000 --> 22:26.000
I... I was listening when you and Mr. Cartwright made your plans, Mr. Fenton,

22:26.000 --> 22:29.000
and he caught me and forced me to help him.

22:29.000 --> 22:31.000
You understand, Harold?

22:31.000 --> 22:32.000
I mean, Mr. Fenton.

22:32.000 --> 22:37.000
Harold, times like these draw people together quickly, don't you think?

22:37.000 --> 22:39.000
Oh, I do, I really do.

22:39.000 --> 22:40.000
Miss Prentice.

22:40.000 --> 22:41.000
Helen.

22:41.000 --> 22:42.000
Thank you.

22:42.000 --> 22:44.000
Helen.

22:44.000 --> 22:45.000
Miss Prentice.

22:45.000 --> 22:48.000
Mr. Cartwright mentioned a woman in his life.

22:48.000 --> 22:51.000
You were not the one?

22:51.000 --> 22:53.000
Harold, of course not.

22:53.000 --> 22:54.000
Excuse me.

22:54.000 --> 22:58.000
I just thought, you remember the office party last Christmas?

22:58.000 --> 22:59.000
Oh, that?

22:59.000 --> 23:01.000
Well, that was just because he was under the mistletoe.

23:01.000 --> 23:04.000
And if you'd been under it, instead of Mr. Cartwright...

23:04.000 --> 23:05.000
Really?

23:05.000 --> 23:07.000
Well...

23:07.000 --> 23:09.000
Oh, Fenton, you're here good.

23:09.000 --> 23:10.000
Anybody see you come up?

23:10.000 --> 23:12.000
It doesn't matter, really, Mr. Cartwright.

23:12.000 --> 23:14.000
Might even be better that way.

23:14.000 --> 23:18.000
Then you and Miss Prentice can say that I left minutes before the bandits arrived.

23:18.000 --> 23:19.000
You're right, of course, Harold.

23:19.000 --> 23:20.000
Thank you.

23:20.000 --> 23:22.000
Are you ready, Mr. Cartwright?

23:22.000 --> 23:24.000
I brought some wrapping paper for the money.

23:24.000 --> 23:28.000
I even brought along a Handle with Care sticker.

23:28.000 --> 23:30.000
That's the Fenton touch, you know.

23:30.000 --> 23:32.000
Get on with it, will you?

23:32.000 --> 23:34.000
No need to be nervous.

23:34.000 --> 23:35.000
There.

23:35.000 --> 23:37.000
Neat.

23:37.000 --> 23:39.000
I spent eight years in wrapping and mailing.

23:39.000 --> 23:40.000
All right.

23:40.000 --> 23:41.000
You know what to do with it, Helen.

23:41.000 --> 23:42.000
I know.

23:42.000 --> 23:44.000
Just a minute, Mr. Cartwright.

23:44.000 --> 23:46.000
I'm to take the money, remember?

23:46.000 --> 23:48.000
There's been a change, Fenton.

23:48.000 --> 23:50.000
We rewrote the script.

23:50.000 --> 23:52.000
You think that's wise?

23:52.000 --> 23:53.000
To fly in the face of my experience?

23:53.000 --> 23:55.000
Now, look, Fenton, we're not children.

23:55.000 --> 23:57.000
You lock us in a vault and take off with the money.

23:57.000 --> 23:59.000
You think we'd ever see you again?

23:59.000 --> 24:03.000
Well, you're questioning my honesty?

24:03.000 --> 24:06.000
I'm sure Miss Prentice will vouch for me.

24:06.000 --> 24:09.000
We're rather good friends.

24:09.000 --> 24:11.000
Miss Prentice.

24:11.000 --> 24:13.000
I'm sorry, Fenton.

24:13.000 --> 24:16.000
Unfortunately for you, Fenton, Helen's on my side.

24:16.000 --> 24:18.000
Now, if you wouldn't mind getting into the vault, huh?

24:18.000 --> 24:19.000
Me? Me?

24:19.000 --> 24:20.000
In the vault?

24:20.000 --> 24:21.000
But...

24:21.000 --> 24:22.000
This is a loaded gun, Fenton.

24:22.000 --> 24:23.000
Get in the vault.

24:23.000 --> 24:24.000
But...

24:24.000 --> 24:26.000
You came back for a second helping, that's all.

24:26.000 --> 24:28.000
The Confederate got away with the money,

24:28.000 --> 24:31.000
but I courageously slammed the vault door on you and went for help.

24:31.000 --> 24:32.000
But...

24:32.000 --> 24:33.000
Will they believe me?

24:33.000 --> 24:36.000
I imagine they'll find 50,000 somewhere around your house.

24:36.000 --> 24:37.000
They'll believe me.

24:37.000 --> 24:39.000
Helen.

24:39.000 --> 24:40.000
I see.

24:40.000 --> 24:43.000
Harold, it's a nasty trick, but we're nasty people.

24:43.000 --> 24:44.000
You should have stuck to squirrels.

24:44.000 --> 24:46.000
Just one thing, Fenton.

24:46.000 --> 24:49.000
How did you ever get that 50,000 out of here the first time?

24:49.000 --> 24:51.000
How?

24:51.000 --> 24:53.000
Well...

24:53.000 --> 24:55.000
I didn't, Mr. Cartwright.

24:55.000 --> 24:56.000
You didn't?

24:56.000 --> 24:57.000
Then where is it?

24:57.000 --> 24:58.000
It's still in the vault.

24:58.000 --> 24:59.000
I don't believe it.

24:59.000 --> 25:01.000
Oh, it's quite cleverly hidden.

25:01.000 --> 25:03.000
It took me most of that night. I was locked in.

25:03.000 --> 25:04.000
Get in there and show me.

25:04.000 --> 25:05.000
I'm sorry, Mr. Cartwright.

25:05.000 --> 25:06.000
Get in there!

25:06.000 --> 25:07.000
No.

25:07.000 --> 25:09.000
I went through a lot for that money, Mr. Cartwright.

25:09.000 --> 25:10.000
30 years.

25:10.000 --> 25:12.000
I just assumed you shot me.

25:12.000 --> 25:13.000
Helen, hold the gun on him.

25:13.000 --> 25:14.000
I'm going in and looking.

25:14.000 --> 25:15.000
Well, don't be long.

25:15.000 --> 25:16.000
What if somebody should walk in?

25:16.000 --> 25:17.000
I'll be able to see if he's lying.

25:17.000 --> 25:19.000
Just watch him.

25:19.000 --> 25:20.000
You see anything?

25:20.000 --> 25:21.000
Not yet.

25:21.000 --> 25:23.000
I don't think it's possible.

25:23.000 --> 25:26.000
Open the door so I can get some more light.

25:29.000 --> 25:30.000
Must be true.

25:30.000 --> 25:32.000
Crime changes people.

25:32.000 --> 25:35.000
I had never lied, yet I lied to Cartwright.

25:35.000 --> 25:38.000
I never used violence, yet I got behind him.

25:38.000 --> 25:40.000
Yet I got behind Helen and...

25:43.000 --> 25:45.000
I...I guess I'll go home.

25:45.000 --> 25:48.000
Mother will be wondering what's happened to me.

25:57.000 --> 25:59.000
Some more cereal, Harold?

25:59.000 --> 26:01.000
I don't think so, Mother. Thanks.

26:01.000 --> 26:02.000
What time is it?

26:02.000 --> 26:04.000
Eight ten, son.

26:04.000 --> 26:06.000
Well, they would have opened the vault at eight this morning.

26:06.000 --> 26:08.000
The police should be here any minute.

26:08.000 --> 26:11.000
Are you sure those two will implicate you, Harold?

26:11.000 --> 26:12.000
It seems likely, Mother.

26:12.000 --> 26:14.000
The gun would be hard to explain.

26:14.000 --> 26:17.000
And I think Miss Prentice will turn on Mr. Cartwright

26:17.000 --> 26:19.000
after a night in the vault.

26:19.000 --> 26:21.000
Yes, she's just the type.

26:21.000 --> 26:23.000
I'm sorry, Mother.

26:23.000 --> 26:25.000
I guess I just don't know much about women.

26:25.000 --> 26:27.000
It's all right, son.

26:27.000 --> 26:30.000
You think they'll be hard on you?

26:30.000 --> 26:31.000
Not very.

26:31.000 --> 26:33.000
I haven't spent any of the money.

26:33.000 --> 26:36.000
The insurance companies always look kindly on such cases.

26:36.000 --> 26:38.000
There they are.

26:38.000 --> 26:41.000
Harold, how long?

26:41.000 --> 26:43.000
Two years, Mother.

26:43.000 --> 26:45.000
Maybe less. Maybe even one.

26:45.000 --> 26:47.000
It's still a long time.

26:47.000 --> 26:49.000
A long time?

26:49.000 --> 26:53.000
After 30 years in waterman's? Hardly.

26:53.000 --> 27:13.000
I'll get the door.

27:13.000 --> 27:15.000
Suspense.

27:15.000 --> 27:19.000
Presented by Auto Light. Tonight's star, Mr. Jack Benny.

27:19.000 --> 27:23.000
This is Harlow Wilcox speaking for Auto Light,

27:23.000 --> 27:27.000
world's largest independent manufacturer of automotive electrical equipment.

27:27.000 --> 27:31.000
Auto Light is proud to serve the greatest names in the industry.

27:31.000 --> 27:34.000
They are members of the Auto Light family,

27:34.000 --> 27:38.000
as are the 98,000 Auto Light distributors and dealers in the United States

27:38.000 --> 27:42.000
and thousands more in Canada and throughout the world.

27:42.000 --> 27:45.000
Our family also includes the nearly 30,000 men and women

27:45.000 --> 27:49.000
in 28 great Auto Light plants from coast to coast

27:49.000 --> 27:52.000
and in still other Auto Light plants in many foreign countries,

27:52.000 --> 27:58.000
as well as the 18,000 people who have invested a portion of their savings in Auto Light.

27:58.000 --> 28:02.000
Every Auto Light product is backed by constant research

28:02.000 --> 28:06.000
and precision built to the highest standards of quality and performance.

28:06.000 --> 28:12.000
So remember, from bumper to tail light, you're always right with Auto Light.

28:12.000 --> 28:22.000
Next week, a story of revenge.

28:22.000 --> 28:27.000
The desperate effort of a murderer to destroy the man who had committed him to prison.

28:27.000 --> 28:32.000
The story is called Concerto for Killer and Eyewitnesses.

28:32.000 --> 28:36.000
Our star, the director of Suspense, Mr. Elliot Lewis.

28:36.000 --> 28:42.000
That's next week on Suspense.

28:42.000 --> 28:45.000
Suspense is produced and directed by Elliot Lewis

28:45.000 --> 28:49.000
with music composed by Lucian Morawick and conducted by Lud Bluskin.

28:49.000 --> 28:55.000
A good and faithful servant was written for Suspense by Richard M. Powell.

28:55.000 --> 28:57.000
Portions of this program were transcribed.

28:57.000 --> 29:01.000
In tonight's cast, Norma Varden was heard as Mrs. Fenton,

29:01.000 --> 29:04.000
Doris Singleton as Helen, Gerald Moore as Mr. Cartwright,

29:04.000 --> 29:07.000
Joseph Kearns as Mr. Waterman,

29:07.000 --> 29:09.000
I. Everback as Lieutenant Miller,

29:09.000 --> 29:14.000
and Charles Calvert as Mr. Wolf.

29:14.000 --> 29:18.000
For the location of your nearest Auto Light spark plug or Auto Light battery dealer

29:18.000 --> 29:21.000
or your nearest authorized Auto Light service station,

29:21.000 --> 29:25.000
phone Western Union by number and ask for operator 25.

29:25.000 --> 29:27.000
Switch to Auto Light. Good night.

29:27.000 --> 29:30.000
This is the CBS Radio Network.

29:30.000 --> 29:40.000
Music