1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:14,000 And now, tonight's presentation of radio's outstanding theater of thrills, Suspense. 2 00:00:14,000 --> 00:00:21,280 Tonight, the story of several hours spent by two people in a deserted bus shelter, and 3 00:00:21,280 --> 00:00:25,520 the slow realization by one that the other is quite mad. 4 00:00:25,520 --> 00:00:29,520 So now with Joyce McCluskey as the woman and Vic Perrin as the man. 5 00:00:29,520 --> 00:00:36,520 Here is tonight's Suspense play, The Shelter. 6 00:00:36,520 --> 00:00:42,680 This is where I turn off. 7 00:00:42,680 --> 00:00:47,040 Now, if I remember right, the bus stop is just around that next bend. 8 00:00:47,040 --> 00:00:48,040 That's right. 9 00:00:48,040 --> 00:00:50,040 There's a shelter there, isn't there? 10 00:00:50,040 --> 00:00:51,040 Yes. 11 00:00:51,040 --> 00:00:52,040 Here we are then. 12 00:00:52,040 --> 00:00:55,560 Sure you don't mind walking when it's this dark? 13 00:00:55,560 --> 00:00:56,560 It's quite all right. 14 00:00:56,560 --> 00:00:58,640 I'm grateful to you for having brought me this far. 15 00:00:58,640 --> 00:00:59,640 It was a pleasure. 16 00:00:59,640 --> 00:01:00,640 Well, good night and thank you. 17 00:01:00,640 --> 00:01:01,640 Just a minute. 18 00:01:01,640 --> 00:01:02,640 You never know what these things are going to be. 19 00:01:02,640 --> 00:01:03,640 It has just been reported by the authorities at the County Mental Hospital that one of 20 00:01:03,640 --> 00:01:04,640 their patients has escaped. 21 00:01:04,640 --> 00:01:05,640 Motorists are warned to be on the lookout for would-be hitchhikers and to report any to 22 00:01:05,640 --> 00:01:06,640 the highway patrol. 23 00:01:06,640 --> 00:01:07,640 How about that? 24 00:01:07,640 --> 00:01:08,640 This person may be dangerous. 25 00:01:08,640 --> 00:01:09,640 A description of the escapee will be broadcast as soon as it's available. 26 00:01:09,640 --> 00:01:03,280 And now, back to our music brought to you at this hour by the 27 00:01:03,280 --> 00:01:04,280 Suspense. 28 00:01:04,280 --> 00:01:25,920 The 29 00:01:25,920 --> 00:01:41,000 bus won't be long. 30 00:01:41,000 --> 00:01:45,160 I'll just walk along to the shelter and then stay there, out of sight. 31 00:01:45,160 --> 00:01:47,040 Well, now if you're sure. 32 00:01:47,040 --> 00:01:48,040 Thank you once again. 33 00:01:48,040 --> 00:01:49,640 Well, that's quite all right. 34 00:01:49,640 --> 00:01:50,640 Good night then. 35 00:01:50,640 --> 00:01:51,640 Good night. 36 00:01:51,640 --> 00:02:01,720 I watched his car turn off onto a side road and fade into the night. 37 00:02:01,720 --> 00:02:04,280 Then I walked ahead towards the bus stop. 38 00:02:04,280 --> 00:02:07,640 It was farther to the shelter than I thought. 39 00:02:07,640 --> 00:02:12,720 A car passed me, slowed and then stopped a hundred yards or so ahead. 40 00:02:12,720 --> 00:02:15,800 I could hear a door slam as someone got out. 41 00:02:15,800 --> 00:02:18,840 Then the car turned around and came back past me. 42 00:02:18,840 --> 00:02:24,640 I suppose its headlights dazzled me for a moment I could see nothing but pitch blackness. 43 00:02:24,640 --> 00:02:30,600 Then I saw the shelter, like a cave in the dark mountain of trees behind. 44 00:02:30,600 --> 00:02:35,080 The light was out, but still the shelter was inviting. 45 00:02:35,080 --> 00:02:37,880 A way to get out of the night. 46 00:02:37,880 --> 00:02:39,120 So I went in to wait for the bus. 47 00:02:39,120 --> 00:02:44,680 It was unbelievably dark in there, like walking into a fold of black velvet. 48 00:02:44,680 --> 00:02:48,720 I could see nothing at all. 49 00:02:48,720 --> 00:02:49,720 Hello. 50 00:02:49,720 --> 00:02:52,280 Oh, I'm sorry. 51 00:02:52,280 --> 00:02:54,360 I'm waiting for a friend. 52 00:02:54,360 --> 00:02:55,740 It's quite all right. 53 00:02:55,740 --> 00:02:57,920 I didn't mean to frighten you. 54 00:02:57,920 --> 00:03:01,680 It's all right. 55 00:03:01,680 --> 00:03:05,880 There's a seat here, a bench along the wall. 56 00:03:05,880 --> 00:03:06,880 Thank you. 57 00:03:06,880 --> 00:03:07,880 I know. 58 00:03:07,880 --> 00:03:08,880 You know? 59 00:03:08,880 --> 00:03:12,000 I've been here before, waiting for a bus. 60 00:03:12,000 --> 00:03:13,280 Oh, I see. 61 00:03:13,280 --> 00:03:15,160 You can find the bench all right? 62 00:03:15,160 --> 00:03:17,160 Yes, thank you. 63 00:03:17,160 --> 00:03:22,640 Ah, yes, you're sitting down now, at the other end. 64 00:03:22,640 --> 00:03:24,760 You must have extremely good eyes. 65 00:03:24,760 --> 00:03:25,760 Yes. 66 00:03:25,760 --> 00:03:28,480 Yes, I suppose so. 67 00:03:28,480 --> 00:03:32,520 You've become accustomed to the dark after a while. 68 00:03:32,520 --> 00:03:33,520 Yes. 69 00:03:33,520 --> 00:03:34,840 Do you know about the eyes? 70 00:03:34,840 --> 00:03:41,440 They say that the way to see objects at night is to avoid looking directly at them. 71 00:03:41,440 --> 00:03:42,440 That's very interesting. 72 00:03:42,440 --> 00:03:46,280 They say that the human eye is made up of things called rods and cones, although I can 73 00:03:46,280 --> 00:03:48,120 never remember which is which. 74 00:03:48,120 --> 00:03:51,480 The rods or the cones, whichever it is, are in the middle. 75 00:03:51,480 --> 00:03:54,320 You use them for looking at things in an ordinary light. 76 00:03:54,320 --> 00:04:00,640 The rods are on the outside and you sort of look sideways with them at objects at night. 77 00:04:00,640 --> 00:04:02,080 I'm not boring you. 78 00:04:02,080 --> 00:04:04,160 No, no. 79 00:04:04,160 --> 00:04:06,200 I'm interested in facts, are you? 80 00:04:06,200 --> 00:04:07,920 Well, I... 81 00:04:07,920 --> 00:04:09,520 I get them from the digest, you know. 82 00:04:09,520 --> 00:04:11,040 It's a great place for facts. 83 00:04:11,040 --> 00:04:12,280 I expect so. 84 00:04:12,280 --> 00:04:13,760 It's practically all I read. 85 00:04:13,760 --> 00:04:17,400 And what's the use of reading if you can't talk about it, eh? 86 00:04:17,400 --> 00:04:19,600 Well, I agree. 87 00:04:19,600 --> 00:04:22,560 Where I've been staying, they all read the same thing. 88 00:04:22,560 --> 00:04:24,600 You can't tell them any facts they don't know. 89 00:04:24,600 --> 00:04:26,320 I like to talk. 90 00:04:26,320 --> 00:04:28,480 But when you start, they say, we know. 91 00:04:28,480 --> 00:04:29,480 And of course they do. 92 00:04:29,480 --> 00:04:33,040 They think you're mad or something. 93 00:04:33,040 --> 00:04:34,040 That's very discouraging. 94 00:04:34,040 --> 00:04:35,040 Yes. 95 00:04:35,040 --> 00:04:37,440 Especially when you're an old chatterbox like I am. 96 00:04:37,440 --> 00:04:39,640 Are you a good listener? 97 00:04:39,640 --> 00:04:41,800 I think so. 98 00:04:41,800 --> 00:04:43,060 That's good. 99 00:04:43,060 --> 00:04:47,440 Because as I say it, they wouldn't listen to me. 100 00:04:47,440 --> 00:04:48,440 You've gotten up? 101 00:04:48,440 --> 00:04:49,440 Well, yes. 102 00:04:49,440 --> 00:04:51,440 Where are you going? 103 00:04:51,440 --> 00:04:52,440 Nowhere. 104 00:04:52,440 --> 00:04:54,880 Then why did you get up? 105 00:04:54,880 --> 00:04:56,640 The seat is a little hard. 106 00:04:56,640 --> 00:05:00,240 I thought perhaps you were going outside to walk around. 107 00:05:00,240 --> 00:05:03,200 Well as a matter of fact, I thought I might. 108 00:05:03,200 --> 00:05:06,600 Then my conversation does bore you. 109 00:05:06,600 --> 00:05:08,440 No. 110 00:05:08,440 --> 00:05:14,000 I think you'd better stay here in any case. 111 00:05:14,000 --> 00:05:16,920 What do you mean, I'd better? 112 00:05:16,920 --> 00:05:19,840 Because it's not safe out there. 113 00:05:19,840 --> 00:05:20,840 Not safe? 114 00:05:20,840 --> 00:05:22,840 No. 115 00:05:22,840 --> 00:05:23,840 What do you mean? 116 00:05:23,840 --> 00:05:24,840 You don't know. 117 00:05:24,840 --> 00:05:25,840 It was on the radio. 118 00:05:25,840 --> 00:05:26,840 What was? 119 00:05:26,840 --> 00:05:28,320 Then you didn't know. 120 00:05:28,320 --> 00:05:30,560 Well, no. 121 00:05:30,560 --> 00:05:31,560 About the lunatic? 122 00:05:31,560 --> 00:05:32,560 Lunatic? 123 00:05:32,560 --> 00:05:36,880 One of the inmates from the asylum up on the hill. 124 00:05:36,880 --> 00:05:39,320 You mean one of the patients from the hospital? 125 00:05:39,320 --> 00:05:41,720 That is perhaps a kinder way of putting it. 126 00:05:41,720 --> 00:05:43,560 But just the same, they might be dangerous. 127 00:05:43,560 --> 00:05:46,960 So you'd better stay here with me. 128 00:05:46,960 --> 00:05:50,240 Were it safe? 129 00:05:50,240 --> 00:05:51,400 What did the radio say? 130 00:05:51,400 --> 00:05:53,080 I didn't listen too closely. 131 00:05:53,080 --> 00:05:55,200 Just that there'd been this escape. 132 00:05:55,200 --> 00:05:58,240 But we shall be all right here in the shelter. 133 00:05:58,240 --> 00:06:00,920 That's right. 134 00:06:00,920 --> 00:06:03,120 Sit down again. 135 00:06:03,120 --> 00:06:05,280 What was I saying before? 136 00:06:05,280 --> 00:06:06,880 That you were interested in facts. 137 00:06:06,880 --> 00:06:07,880 I expect you smoke. 138 00:06:07,880 --> 00:06:08,880 No, I don't. 139 00:06:08,880 --> 00:06:09,880 Oh. 140 00:06:09,880 --> 00:06:15,000 I was wishing I could offer you a cigarette, but I don't smoke myself. 141 00:06:15,000 --> 00:06:16,000 What was that? 142 00:06:16,000 --> 00:06:18,320 It's the branch of a tree tapping on the roof. 143 00:06:18,320 --> 00:06:21,320 It happens every once in a while when the wind shifts. 144 00:06:21,320 --> 00:06:22,320 Oh? 145 00:06:22,320 --> 00:06:23,320 Yes. 146 00:06:23,320 --> 00:06:26,240 I've read some interesting facts about drinking in the digest. 147 00:06:26,240 --> 00:06:27,240 People become addicts. 148 00:06:27,240 --> 00:06:29,480 Yet the solution is quite simple. 149 00:06:29,480 --> 00:06:33,400 They should invent another habit to counter the bad one. 150 00:06:33,400 --> 00:06:34,600 That sounds like a good idea. 151 00:06:34,600 --> 00:06:39,280 I have all sorts of useful habits which make up for my having no vices. 152 00:06:39,280 --> 00:06:41,120 Counting things is one of them. 153 00:06:41,120 --> 00:06:43,480 You understand what I mean by counting things? 154 00:06:43,480 --> 00:06:46,160 Well, not exactly. 155 00:06:46,160 --> 00:06:49,400 You take wood block flooring, for example. 156 00:06:49,400 --> 00:06:52,800 How many blocks would you say there were in a floor 40 feet by 15? 157 00:06:52,800 --> 00:06:53,800 Never mind working it out. 158 00:06:53,800 --> 00:06:55,240 I can give you the answer at once. 159 00:06:55,240 --> 00:06:56,240 It's 1,470. 160 00:06:56,240 --> 00:06:57,240 Fancy. 161 00:06:57,240 --> 00:07:01,240 In the same room, there are 10 iron bedsteads with rails top and bottom. 162 00:07:01,240 --> 00:07:04,800 If there's a knob at the end of each rail, how many knobs altogether? 163 00:07:04,800 --> 00:07:05,800 No. 164 00:07:05,800 --> 00:07:07,680 Don't try to answer. 165 00:07:07,680 --> 00:07:10,760 In this room, three of the beds have a knob missing. 166 00:07:10,760 --> 00:07:13,120 So the answer is 37. 167 00:07:13,120 --> 00:07:15,320 That's exact knowledge. 168 00:07:15,320 --> 00:07:18,000 Counting things is the only way of coming to exact knowledge, you know. 169 00:07:18,000 --> 00:07:20,640 Mathematics will let you down every time. 170 00:07:20,640 --> 00:07:23,640 Well, I was never very good at math. 171 00:07:23,640 --> 00:07:25,480 Approximation, that's all it is. 172 00:07:25,480 --> 00:07:27,080 This fellow Einstein knows that. 173 00:07:27,080 --> 00:07:30,080 Yes, I've read all about Einstein and the others in the digest. 174 00:07:30,080 --> 00:07:31,560 They're theorists, of course. 175 00:07:31,560 --> 00:07:32,560 Yes? 176 00:07:32,560 --> 00:07:36,720 I'm a practical man myself, and I believe in counting things. 177 00:07:36,720 --> 00:07:39,280 Did you walk to the door and back again? 178 00:07:39,280 --> 00:07:41,120 You couldn't see me? 179 00:07:41,120 --> 00:07:44,520 I could hear your voice come and go, and I thought I saw your shadow at the door. 180 00:07:44,520 --> 00:07:46,840 I wasn't sure. 181 00:07:46,840 --> 00:07:49,480 I knew you couldn't possibly have heard me walking. 182 00:07:49,480 --> 00:07:50,480 How? 183 00:07:50,480 --> 00:07:51,880 I took my shoes off. 184 00:07:51,880 --> 00:07:52,880 They squeak. 185 00:07:52,880 --> 00:07:53,880 Oh? 186 00:07:53,880 --> 00:08:00,000 Also, it isn't natural for human beings to wear shoes. 187 00:08:00,000 --> 00:08:01,000 Perhaps it isn't. 188 00:08:01,000 --> 00:08:03,240 When you wear shoes, you bang down on your heel too much all the time. 189 00:08:03,240 --> 00:08:04,240 This jars the brain. 190 00:08:04,240 --> 00:08:07,480 As a matter of fact, there's a lot to be said for not walking upright at all. 191 00:08:07,480 --> 00:08:10,880 Oh, there's that tree branch again. 192 00:08:10,880 --> 00:08:13,240 It squeezes your entrails all together. 193 00:08:13,240 --> 00:08:17,920 It's better to walk on all fours like animals do, so the internal organs hang freely inside 194 00:08:17,920 --> 00:08:20,880 the natural protective cage formed by the ribs. 195 00:08:20,880 --> 00:08:28,400 I read an article where it said that most of man's hair... 196 00:08:28,400 --> 00:08:35,960 His voice went on in the darkness, and as it went on somehow, even uneasy as I was, I 197 00:08:35,960 --> 00:08:38,680 stopped listening to him. 198 00:08:38,680 --> 00:08:42,400 I could hear another voice out of the past. 199 00:08:42,400 --> 00:08:48,640 Years ago, it was a loud voice, and I could overhear it from outside the window. 200 00:08:48,640 --> 00:08:49,640 It was talking about me. 201 00:08:49,640 --> 00:08:50,640 But didn't you notice? 202 00:08:50,640 --> 00:08:51,640 He just walked out on me. 203 00:08:51,640 --> 00:08:52,640 What's the matter with that child? 204 00:08:52,640 --> 00:08:53,640 Surely she's not afraid of me. 205 00:08:53,640 --> 00:08:54,640 I don't know. 206 00:08:54,640 --> 00:08:55,640 Perhaps she is. 207 00:08:55,640 --> 00:08:56,640 But that's ridiculous, Martha. 208 00:08:56,640 --> 00:08:59,640 I was just talking. 209 00:08:59,640 --> 00:09:00,640 Now what was there to be afraid of? 210 00:09:00,640 --> 00:09:01,640 Well, what were you talking about? 211 00:09:01,640 --> 00:09:02,640 I don't know. 212 00:09:02,640 --> 00:09:03,640 Nothing much. 213 00:09:03,640 --> 00:09:05,640 You know the way you talk to kids. 214 00:09:05,640 --> 00:09:06,640 Yes. 215 00:09:06,640 --> 00:09:08,320 Well, then she got up and walked out. 216 00:09:08,320 --> 00:09:09,320 She looked scared. 217 00:09:09,320 --> 00:09:11,320 Well, perhaps she's abnormally timid. 218 00:09:11,320 --> 00:09:12,320 I've noticed it before. 219 00:09:12,320 --> 00:09:16,840 When the Parkinson's were here, she used to go missing for hours at a time. 220 00:09:16,840 --> 00:09:17,840 I just couldn't find her. 221 00:09:17,840 --> 00:09:21,440 Well, they were strangers to her, but she knows me for heaven's sakes. 222 00:09:21,440 --> 00:09:23,560 I always thought I was her favorite uncle when she was a baby. 223 00:09:23,560 --> 00:09:24,560 You remember? 224 00:09:24,560 --> 00:09:27,040 She certainly wasn't afraid of me then. 225 00:09:27,040 --> 00:09:30,280 I sometimes think her father's death affected her. 226 00:09:30,280 --> 00:09:31,280 Oh? 227 00:09:31,280 --> 00:09:37,080 Well, this strangeness about her, it seems to have started shortly after the accident. 228 00:09:37,080 --> 00:09:38,480 For goodness sakes, Martha. 229 00:09:38,480 --> 00:09:39,480 It's been two years. 230 00:09:39,480 --> 00:09:40,480 But she's only 12. 231 00:09:40,480 --> 00:09:42,480 She'll grow out of this strangeness. 232 00:09:42,480 --> 00:09:44,480 Well, I sure hope so. 233 00:09:44,480 --> 00:09:46,880 Say, what are you whispering for? 234 00:09:46,880 --> 00:09:47,880 Was I? 235 00:09:47,880 --> 00:09:49,480 Well, yes, and you still are. 236 00:09:49,480 --> 00:09:51,520 Well, I'll tell you, Will. 237 00:09:51,520 --> 00:09:56,080 I get the feeling when she goes missing the way she does that she hangs around listening 238 00:09:56,080 --> 00:09:57,080 to conversations. 239 00:09:57,080 --> 00:10:01,200 I have the feeling she's listening to us now. 240 00:10:01,200 --> 00:10:02,200 You do? 241 00:10:02,200 --> 00:10:03,200 Yes. 242 00:10:03,200 --> 00:10:04,200 Well, where then? 243 00:10:04,200 --> 00:10:05,200 Outside the window. 244 00:10:05,200 --> 00:10:06,200 I'll take a look. 245 00:10:06,200 --> 00:10:07,200 No, Will, don't be a fool. 246 00:10:07,200 --> 00:10:13,760 That's the worst thing you could possibly do. 247 00:10:13,760 --> 00:10:17,360 I got away, as always. 248 00:10:17,360 --> 00:10:22,080 Although Mother always seemed to know when I was around or near, just as I always knew 249 00:10:22,080 --> 00:10:26,200 when she'd gone out, even though the house was so big you couldn't hear the closing of 250 00:10:26,200 --> 00:10:27,200 a distant door. 251 00:10:27,200 --> 00:10:30,160 And it's true what Uncle Will said. 252 00:10:30,160 --> 00:10:31,800 I was afraid. 253 00:10:31,800 --> 00:10:35,040 I was scared of his voice talking on and on. 254 00:10:35,040 --> 00:10:38,760 It was the same with all men's voices except my father. 255 00:10:38,760 --> 00:10:43,040 And of course, he was dead. 256 00:10:43,040 --> 00:10:45,240 Then in the shelter. 257 00:10:45,240 --> 00:10:49,400 All these years later, I was listening to another voice talking on and on. 258 00:10:49,400 --> 00:10:55,280 Only this time, it seemed I couldn't get away. 259 00:10:55,280 --> 00:10:56,280 Where would I run to? 260 00:10:56,280 --> 00:10:59,440 Out in the dark highway? 261 00:10:59,440 --> 00:11:04,400 And if I did get up and flee into the night, how did I know he wouldn't follow me, overtake 262 00:11:04,400 --> 00:11:05,400 me? 263 00:11:05,400 --> 00:11:10,160 Now, these are known facts. 264 00:11:10,160 --> 00:11:11,600 And sitting down is bad, too. 265 00:11:11,600 --> 00:11:14,280 One should recline in a tilted forward position. 266 00:11:14,280 --> 00:11:15,760 I try to do it whenever possible. 267 00:11:15,760 --> 00:11:20,400 Though I have to admit, I'm finding it very difficult on this hard wooden seat. 268 00:11:20,400 --> 00:11:24,000 Yes, I should think so. 269 00:11:24,000 --> 00:11:26,960 Perhaps you think me eccentric. 270 00:11:26,960 --> 00:11:31,720 Your ideas seem very sensible. 271 00:11:31,720 --> 00:11:32,720 They're facts. 272 00:11:32,720 --> 00:11:33,720 That's... 273 00:11:33,720 --> 00:11:36,320 Oh, I startled you. 274 00:11:36,320 --> 00:11:37,320 Yes. 275 00:11:37,320 --> 00:11:40,160 I was sitting at the other end of the seat. 276 00:11:40,160 --> 00:11:41,680 It didn't seem sociable. 277 00:11:41,680 --> 00:11:44,240 I forgot for the moment that you can't see anything. 278 00:11:44,240 --> 00:11:45,240 I must have startled you. 279 00:11:45,240 --> 00:11:46,240 You... 280 00:11:46,240 --> 00:11:47,240 You're touching me. 281 00:11:47,240 --> 00:11:48,240 Why, so I am. 282 00:11:48,240 --> 00:11:49,240 Take your hands off me. 283 00:11:49,240 --> 00:11:50,240 Why, I was only trying... 284 00:11:50,240 --> 00:11:51,240 Go away! 285 00:11:51,240 --> 00:11:52,240 Go away! 286 00:11:52,240 --> 00:11:53,240 Let me alone! 287 00:11:53,240 --> 00:11:54,240 Be quiet! 288 00:11:54,240 --> 00:11:55,240 Be quiet, you little fool! 289 00:11:55,240 --> 00:11:56,240 Let me alone! 290 00:11:56,240 --> 00:11:57,240 I said be quiet! 291 00:11:57,240 --> 00:11:58,240 Be quiet. 292 00:11:58,240 --> 00:12:24,720 You are listening to The Shelter, tonight's presentation in radio's outstanding theater 293 00:12:24,720 --> 00:12:29,480 of thrills, Suspense. 294 00:12:29,480 --> 00:12:39,840 Gunsmoke, CBS radio's thrilling stories of the Western frontier is now heard twice on 295 00:12:39,840 --> 00:12:41,200 Saturdays. 296 00:12:41,200 --> 00:12:45,200 There's a daytime edition of Gunsmoke on most of these same stations, in addition to the 297 00:12:45,200 --> 00:12:47,400 regular evening show. 298 00:12:47,400 --> 00:12:50,400 Both heard Saturdays at the Star's Address. 299 00:12:50,400 --> 00:12:57,720 This Saturday, every Saturday, hear two stories of Matt Dillon, U.S. Marshal on Gunsmoke. 300 00:12:57,720 --> 00:13:03,440 And now we bring back to our Hollywood soundstage, Joyce McCluskey and Vic Perrin, in tonight's 301 00:13:03,440 --> 00:13:12,840 production of The Shelter, a tale well calculated to keep you in suspense. 302 00:13:12,840 --> 00:13:28,840 Then I heard the tree branch tapping on the roof. 303 00:13:28,840 --> 00:13:33,800 The stranger was gripping my upper arm so tight it hurt and bruised me. 304 00:13:33,800 --> 00:13:38,040 I'm sorry I had to do that, to slap you. 305 00:13:38,040 --> 00:13:39,040 But you screamed. 306 00:13:39,040 --> 00:13:41,800 Why did you scream? 307 00:13:41,800 --> 00:13:44,240 I was- You're not afraid of me, are you? 308 00:13:44,240 --> 00:13:46,440 Because there's no need to be, you know. 309 00:13:46,440 --> 00:13:48,400 I had to slap you because you screamed. 310 00:13:48,400 --> 00:13:50,020 You were hysterical. 311 00:13:50,020 --> 00:13:52,040 Your scream might have attracted attention. 312 00:13:52,040 --> 00:13:55,920 If we stay here quietly, we shall be safe. 313 00:13:55,920 --> 00:14:01,320 It's so dark, no one would notice this place unless they actually knew it was here. 314 00:14:01,320 --> 00:14:04,560 I suppose not. 315 00:14:04,560 --> 00:14:07,920 The lunatic might be a homicidal maniac. 316 00:14:07,920 --> 00:14:10,280 Had you thought of that? 317 00:14:10,280 --> 00:14:12,800 Probably just a sick man. 318 00:14:12,800 --> 00:14:13,800 Then why did he escape? 319 00:14:13,800 --> 00:14:18,840 It must be terrible to be confined against your will. 320 00:14:18,840 --> 00:14:20,720 Perhaps you can't imagine what it would be like. 321 00:14:20,720 --> 00:14:24,120 On the contrary, perhaps I can. 322 00:14:24,120 --> 00:14:25,120 What? 323 00:14:25,120 --> 00:14:27,480 What do you mean? 324 00:14:27,480 --> 00:14:30,480 Surely everyone has been hospitalized at some time or another. 325 00:14:30,480 --> 00:14:31,480 I'm no exception. 326 00:14:31,480 --> 00:14:32,480 Then- 327 00:14:32,480 --> 00:14:36,120 I've had my share. 328 00:14:36,120 --> 00:14:40,000 Just being hospitalized, that's not the same. 329 00:14:40,000 --> 00:14:41,000 What's the difference? 330 00:14:41,000 --> 00:14:44,080 You're cut off from the world against your will. 331 00:14:44,080 --> 00:14:46,480 Not necessarily. 332 00:14:46,480 --> 00:14:48,560 Not necessarily against your will. 333 00:14:48,560 --> 00:14:52,120 You think some people actually like to be cut off? 334 00:14:52,120 --> 00:14:54,120 That's possible, isn't it? 335 00:14:54,120 --> 00:14:55,120 Oh, yes. 336 00:14:55,120 --> 00:14:58,760 I was just a little surprised that you should understand that feeling. 337 00:14:58,760 --> 00:14:59,760 Fear. 338 00:14:59,760 --> 00:15:00,760 Nameless fear. 339 00:15:00,760 --> 00:15:04,280 Does it have to be fear? 340 00:15:04,280 --> 00:15:05,560 Why not just plain choice? 341 00:15:05,560 --> 00:15:11,760 It's usually fear of one kind or another, renouncing the world. 342 00:15:11,760 --> 00:15:13,320 That is an eerie sound. 343 00:15:13,320 --> 00:15:14,960 I don't mind. 344 00:15:14,960 --> 00:15:15,960 But you do mind me. 345 00:15:15,960 --> 00:15:16,960 Is that it? 346 00:15:16,960 --> 00:15:17,960 I didn't say so. 347 00:15:17,960 --> 00:15:20,840 You showed you were afraid of me just now. 348 00:15:20,840 --> 00:15:22,680 I don't know why I screamed like that. 349 00:15:22,680 --> 00:15:24,280 It was so stupid. 350 00:15:24,280 --> 00:15:26,280 Just the same, I think I'd better go. 351 00:15:26,280 --> 00:15:27,280 Go? 352 00:15:27,280 --> 00:15:28,280 Yes. 353 00:15:28,280 --> 00:15:29,880 I'll put my shoes on. 354 00:15:29,880 --> 00:15:33,260 I believe you would prefer to be alone. 355 00:15:33,260 --> 00:15:35,760 So I'll leave you here. 356 00:15:35,760 --> 00:15:38,600 Good night. 357 00:15:38,600 --> 00:15:39,600 I didn't mean... 358 00:15:39,600 --> 00:15:46,600 Are you there? 359 00:15:46,600 --> 00:15:50,680 I didn't mean to be rude. 360 00:15:50,680 --> 00:15:53,680 Are you still there? 361 00:15:53,680 --> 00:15:58,680 Where are you? 362 00:15:58,680 --> 00:16:02,280 Where are you? 363 00:16:02,280 --> 00:16:03,920 I'm back. 364 00:16:03,920 --> 00:16:12,560 I don't want you to leave me alone. 365 00:16:12,560 --> 00:16:15,080 I went to the doorway of the shelter. 366 00:16:15,080 --> 00:16:17,960 My eyes were more used to the darkness now. 367 00:16:17,960 --> 00:16:22,280 I could see the gray strip of highway stretching away in both directions. 368 00:16:22,280 --> 00:16:26,120 And across the road, the black tracery of trees. 369 00:16:26,120 --> 00:16:28,640 There was no sign of him. 370 00:16:28,640 --> 00:16:32,640 I stood there just inside the doorway, listening. 371 00:16:32,640 --> 00:16:38,240 But there was nothing to hear but the sounds of the night. 372 00:16:38,240 --> 00:16:42,600 And it was funny. 373 00:16:42,600 --> 00:16:44,920 Everything had changed. 374 00:16:44,920 --> 00:16:47,920 Before I'd welcomed the thought of the friendly loneliness of the shelter. 375 00:16:47,920 --> 00:16:51,100 But now, I didn't want to be alone. 376 00:16:51,100 --> 00:16:53,240 My nerves were jumping with every sound. 377 00:16:53,240 --> 00:16:57,880 I couldn't think of anything to do but retreat to the furthest corner in the darkness and 378 00:16:57,880 --> 00:17:01,640 try to shut out all the thoughts of the present. 379 00:17:01,640 --> 00:17:05,160 And after a while, I did sort of forget. 380 00:17:05,160 --> 00:17:08,240 Sitting there in the silence. 381 00:17:08,240 --> 00:17:12,280 The past came crowding back to my mind. 382 00:17:12,280 --> 00:17:15,760 But my terror wouldn't leave me and all I could hear in my thoughts was the sound of 383 00:17:15,760 --> 00:17:16,760 my own scream. 384 00:17:16,760 --> 00:17:17,760 No! 385 00:17:17,760 --> 00:17:18,760 No, no, you can't make me! 386 00:17:18,760 --> 00:17:19,760 All right, Rufus, I've got her. 387 00:17:19,760 --> 00:17:20,760 Don't hurt her, Will. 388 00:17:20,760 --> 00:17:21,760 No. 389 00:17:21,760 --> 00:17:22,760 You can't keep me here! 390 00:17:22,760 --> 00:17:23,760 Oh, yes! 391 00:17:23,760 --> 00:17:24,760 Oh, will you make me? 392 00:17:24,760 --> 00:17:27,760 Stay! 393 00:17:27,760 --> 00:17:28,760 Martha! 394 00:17:28,760 --> 00:17:30,960 You think I should call him now, Will? 395 00:17:30,960 --> 00:17:31,960 It's up to you. 396 00:17:31,960 --> 00:17:32,960 But I have to be right. 397 00:17:32,960 --> 00:17:34,880 I can't do this to her unless she... 398 00:17:34,880 --> 00:17:35,880 What else can you do? 399 00:17:35,880 --> 00:17:38,880 What are you planning, you two? 400 00:17:38,880 --> 00:17:41,440 Now, Martha, now that she's quieter. 401 00:17:41,440 --> 00:17:44,440 I should blame myself for the rest of my life if we were wrong. 402 00:17:44,440 --> 00:17:45,440 Let go of me! 403 00:17:45,440 --> 00:17:46,440 Let go! 404 00:17:46,440 --> 00:17:47,440 Let go! 405 00:17:47,440 --> 00:17:50,440 There's nothing to blame yourself for, Martha. 406 00:17:50,440 --> 00:17:51,440 It couldn't be helped. 407 00:17:51,440 --> 00:17:52,440 I'll call him now. 408 00:17:52,440 --> 00:17:53,440 Oh! 409 00:17:53,440 --> 00:18:09,880 The sound of the trees rattling against the roof brought me back to the present, back 410 00:18:09,880 --> 00:18:13,240 to the loneliness of the dark shelter. 411 00:18:13,240 --> 00:18:15,840 And now I was thoroughly scared. 412 00:18:15,840 --> 00:18:18,320 My companion of the darkness had gone. 413 00:18:18,320 --> 00:18:27,680 But I had an overwhelming feeling he was still out there in the night, watching, waiting. 414 00:18:27,680 --> 00:18:32,640 But as I sat huddled in my corner, listening for the slightest sound of him, I heard something 415 00:18:32,640 --> 00:18:35,640 else. 416 00:18:35,640 --> 00:18:36,640 The bus was coming. 417 00:18:36,640 --> 00:18:41,040 Oh, now at last I could get away. 418 00:18:41,040 --> 00:18:43,520 I went out to the edge of the highway to signal for it. 419 00:18:43,520 --> 00:18:46,520 It seemed to be going so fast. 420 00:18:46,520 --> 00:18:48,520 I waved my arms. 421 00:18:48,520 --> 00:18:53,520 There was a blinding glare of headlights. 422 00:18:53,520 --> 00:18:54,520 Stop! 423 00:18:54,520 --> 00:18:55,520 Stop! 424 00:18:55,520 --> 00:18:56,520 Please stop! 425 00:18:56,520 --> 00:18:59,520 Oh, please stop! 426 00:18:59,520 --> 00:19:03,120 Well, why don't you go? 427 00:19:03,120 --> 00:19:04,120 You were there. 428 00:19:04,120 --> 00:19:05,120 I was never far away. 429 00:19:05,120 --> 00:19:06,120 But you... 430 00:19:06,120 --> 00:19:07,120 Why don't you go? 431 00:19:07,120 --> 00:19:08,120 It's waiting for you. 432 00:19:08,120 --> 00:19:09,120 I... 433 00:19:09,120 --> 00:19:10,120 I don't know. 434 00:19:10,120 --> 00:19:11,120 I... 435 00:19:11,120 --> 00:19:12,120 I can't go. 436 00:19:12,120 --> 00:19:19,120 It won't wait. 437 00:19:19,120 --> 00:19:27,120 It's too late now. 438 00:19:27,120 --> 00:19:31,360 You would prefer to wait here with me, wouldn't you? 439 00:19:31,360 --> 00:19:32,360 Come inside. 440 00:19:32,360 --> 00:19:33,360 No. 441 00:19:33,360 --> 00:19:34,360 My friend will be here soon. 442 00:19:34,360 --> 00:19:35,360 Your friend? 443 00:19:35,360 --> 00:19:38,120 I told you I was waiting for him. 444 00:19:38,120 --> 00:19:39,120 Oh. 445 00:19:39,120 --> 00:19:40,120 Yes. 446 00:19:40,120 --> 00:19:42,120 He'll be giving me a lift into town. 447 00:19:42,120 --> 00:19:45,120 We can take you. 448 00:19:45,120 --> 00:19:47,120 I can't go. 449 00:19:47,120 --> 00:19:51,120 Perhaps you believe there is no such person as my friend? 450 00:19:51,120 --> 00:19:53,120 Why did he leave you here? 451 00:19:53,120 --> 00:19:56,120 He'll be back soon and we can go into town. 452 00:19:56,120 --> 00:19:58,120 Or do you want to go back to where you came from? 453 00:19:58,120 --> 00:20:01,120 I think... 454 00:20:01,120 --> 00:20:02,120 I'd better. 455 00:20:02,120 --> 00:20:03,120 Come back into the shelter. 456 00:20:03,120 --> 00:20:04,120 No. 457 00:20:04,120 --> 00:20:05,120 Come on. 458 00:20:05,120 --> 00:20:06,120 Don't touch me. 459 00:20:06,120 --> 00:20:09,120 Why are you suddenly afraid again? 460 00:20:09,120 --> 00:20:11,120 I don't know. 461 00:20:11,120 --> 00:20:14,120 Come inside and wait. 462 00:20:14,120 --> 00:20:17,120 That's the way. 463 00:20:17,120 --> 00:20:18,120 Oh. 464 00:20:18,120 --> 00:20:20,120 Was that... 465 00:20:20,120 --> 00:20:21,120 tripped on something? 466 00:20:21,120 --> 00:20:23,120 Give it to me. 467 00:20:23,120 --> 00:20:25,120 It's a stick. 468 00:20:25,120 --> 00:20:27,120 A walking stick. 469 00:20:27,120 --> 00:20:28,120 Give it to me, please. 470 00:20:28,120 --> 00:20:30,120 A white walking stick. 471 00:20:30,120 --> 00:20:32,120 It's... yours. 472 00:20:32,120 --> 00:20:33,120 Yes. 473 00:20:33,120 --> 00:20:36,120 Then you're... blind. 474 00:20:36,120 --> 00:20:37,120 Yes. 475 00:20:37,120 --> 00:20:39,120 I'm blind. 476 00:20:39,120 --> 00:20:41,120 Blind? 477 00:20:41,120 --> 00:20:42,120 I don't understand. 478 00:20:42,120 --> 00:20:44,120 You said you read all those things in the digest. 479 00:20:44,120 --> 00:20:45,120 It's true. 480 00:20:45,120 --> 00:20:47,120 I read them in Braille. 481 00:20:47,120 --> 00:20:48,120 I'm afraid I frightened you. 482 00:20:48,120 --> 00:20:50,120 I only wanted to help. 483 00:20:50,120 --> 00:20:53,120 Oh, it's strange. 484 00:20:53,120 --> 00:20:58,120 For the first time, I can remember I was afraid of being alone. 485 00:20:58,120 --> 00:21:00,120 Scared of the dark. 486 00:21:00,120 --> 00:21:03,120 It's normal to be scared of the dark. 487 00:21:03,120 --> 00:21:06,120 I just didn't want to depress you by speaking of my own affliction. 488 00:21:06,120 --> 00:21:08,120 But now that you know about it, 489 00:21:08,120 --> 00:21:10,120 you realize that we both know what suffering is, 490 00:21:10,120 --> 00:21:12,120 what it is to be alone, 491 00:21:12,120 --> 00:21:15,120 what it is to be shut up, away from the world, 492 00:21:15,120 --> 00:21:17,120 because we don't really belong there. 493 00:21:17,120 --> 00:21:19,120 You mustn't say that. 494 00:21:19,120 --> 00:21:21,120 Why should you think you don't belong? 495 00:21:21,120 --> 00:21:23,120 I don't think that. 496 00:21:23,120 --> 00:21:25,120 I did once, at first, 497 00:21:25,120 --> 00:21:29,120 during the months in the hospital, but not anymore. 498 00:21:29,120 --> 00:21:30,120 And you? 499 00:21:30,120 --> 00:21:31,120 I have to go back. 500 00:21:31,120 --> 00:21:35,120 I must confess to you, my friend went to the hospital. 501 00:21:35,120 --> 00:21:37,120 He should be here any minute. 502 00:21:37,120 --> 00:21:40,120 We guessed when my friend saw you walking on the highway. 503 00:21:40,120 --> 00:21:43,120 And you kept me here in the shelter 504 00:21:43,120 --> 00:21:45,120 while he went to get a doctor. 505 00:21:45,120 --> 00:21:47,120 That's right. 506 00:21:47,120 --> 00:21:49,120 I must go back. 507 00:21:49,120 --> 00:21:51,120 There. 508 00:21:51,120 --> 00:21:52,120 As soon as they come for me. 509 00:21:52,120 --> 00:21:54,120 But will you have to stay? 510 00:21:54,120 --> 00:21:56,120 Will you want to? Put it that way. 511 00:21:56,120 --> 00:21:58,120 What? 512 00:21:58,120 --> 00:22:00,120 No. 513 00:22:00,120 --> 00:22:03,120 No, I don't think I will. 514 00:22:03,120 --> 00:22:07,120 Then the outside world, meeting people, 515 00:22:07,120 --> 00:22:10,120 this is not something to be afraid of? 516 00:22:10,120 --> 00:22:12,120 Not anymore. 517 00:22:12,120 --> 00:22:14,120 I'm glad. 518 00:22:14,120 --> 00:22:16,120 Listen. 519 00:22:16,120 --> 00:22:17,120 What? 520 00:22:17,120 --> 00:22:40,120 I hear my friend coming. 521 00:22:40,120 --> 00:22:42,120 Suspense. 522 00:22:42,120 --> 00:22:45,120 In which Joyce McCluskey starred as the woman 523 00:22:45,120 --> 00:22:48,120 and Vic Perrin as the man. 524 00:22:48,120 --> 00:22:51,120 Next week, the story of a man who sets out to prove 525 00:22:51,120 --> 00:22:53,120 that he cannot be murdered, 526 00:22:53,120 --> 00:22:57,120 only to find there was a slight error in his calculations. 527 00:22:57,120 --> 00:23:01,120 We call it the last letter of Dr. Bronson. 528 00:23:01,120 --> 00:23:05,120 That's next week on Suspense. 529 00:23:05,120 --> 00:23:18,120 Suspense is produced and directed by Norman MacDonald 530 00:23:18,120 --> 00:23:20,120 with music composed by Lucian Morawick 531 00:23:20,120 --> 00:23:22,120 and conducted by Lud Bluskin. 532 00:23:22,120 --> 00:23:26,120 The shelter was specially written for Suspense by Don Yarrow. 533 00:23:26,120 --> 00:23:29,120 Featured in the cast were Helen Klebe, Herb Alice, 534 00:23:29,120 --> 00:23:32,120 Dick Ryan, and Frank Gerstle. 535 00:23:32,120 --> 00:23:38,120 You enjoy City Hospital every Saturday in the daytime 536 00:23:38,120 --> 00:24:06,120 on the CBS Radio Network.