WEBVTT 00:00.000 --> 00:14.000 And now, tonight's presentation of radio's outstanding theater of thrills, Suspense. 00:14.000 --> 00:21.280 Tonight, the story of several hours spent by two people in a deserted bus shelter, and 00:21.280 --> 00:25.520 the slow realization by one that the other is quite mad. 00:25.520 --> 00:29.520 So now with Joyce McCluskey as the woman and Vic Perrin as the man. 00:29.520 --> 00:36.520 Here is tonight's Suspense play, The Shelter. 00:36.520 --> 00:42.680 This is where I turn off. 00:42.680 --> 00:47.040 Now, if I remember right, the bus stop is just around that next bend. 00:47.040 --> 00:48.040 That's right. 00:48.040 --> 00:50.040 There's a shelter there, isn't there? 00:50.040 --> 00:51.040 Yes. 00:51.040 --> 00:52.040 Here we are then. 00:52.040 --> 00:55.560 Sure you don't mind walking when it's this dark? 00:55.560 --> 00:56.560 It's quite all right. 00:56.560 --> 00:58.640 I'm grateful to you for having brought me this far. 00:58.640 --> 00:59.640 It was a pleasure. 00:59.640 --> 01:00.640 Well, good night and thank you. 01:00.640 --> 01:01.640 Just a minute. 01:01.640 --> 01:02.640 You never know what these things are going to be. 01:02.640 --> 01:03.640 It has just been reported by the authorities at the County Mental Hospital that one of 01:03.640 --> 01:04.640 their patients has escaped. 01:04.640 --> 01:05.640 Motorists are warned to be on the lookout for would-be hitchhikers and to report any to 01:05.640 --> 01:06.640 the highway patrol. 01:06.640 --> 01:07.640 How about that? 01:07.640 --> 01:08.640 This person may be dangerous. 01:08.640 --> 01:09.640 A description of the escapee will be broadcast as soon as it's available. 01:09.640 --> 01:03.280 And now, back to our music brought to you at this hour by the 01:03.280 --> 01:04.280 Suspense. 01:04.280 --> 01:25.920 The 01:25.920 --> 01:41.000 bus won't be long. 01:41.000 --> 01:45.160 I'll just walk along to the shelter and then stay there, out of sight. 01:45.160 --> 01:47.040 Well, now if you're sure. 01:47.040 --> 01:48.040 Thank you once again. 01:48.040 --> 01:49.640 Well, that's quite all right. 01:49.640 --> 01:50.640 Good night then. 01:50.640 --> 01:51.640 Good night. 01:51.640 --> 02:01.720 I watched his car turn off onto a side road and fade into the night. 02:01.720 --> 02:04.280 Then I walked ahead towards the bus stop. 02:04.280 --> 02:07.640 It was farther to the shelter than I thought. 02:07.640 --> 02:12.720 A car passed me, slowed and then stopped a hundred yards or so ahead. 02:12.720 --> 02:15.800 I could hear a door slam as someone got out. 02:15.800 --> 02:18.840 Then the car turned around and came back past me. 02:18.840 --> 02:24.640 I suppose its headlights dazzled me for a moment I could see nothing but pitch blackness. 02:24.640 --> 02:30.600 Then I saw the shelter, like a cave in the dark mountain of trees behind. 02:30.600 --> 02:35.080 The light was out, but still the shelter was inviting. 02:35.080 --> 02:37.880 A way to get out of the night. 02:37.880 --> 02:39.120 So I went in to wait for the bus. 02:39.120 --> 02:44.680 It was unbelievably dark in there, like walking into a fold of black velvet. 02:44.680 --> 02:48.720 I could see nothing at all. 02:48.720 --> 02:49.720 Hello. 02:49.720 --> 02:52.280 Oh, I'm sorry. 02:52.280 --> 02:54.360 I'm waiting for a friend. 02:54.360 --> 02:55.740 It's quite all right. 02:55.740 --> 02:57.920 I didn't mean to frighten you. 02:57.920 --> 03:01.680 It's all right. 03:01.680 --> 03:05.880 There's a seat here, a bench along the wall. 03:05.880 --> 03:06.880 Thank you. 03:06.880 --> 03:07.880 I know. 03:07.880 --> 03:08.880 You know? 03:08.880 --> 03:12.000 I've been here before, waiting for a bus. 03:12.000 --> 03:13.280 Oh, I see. 03:13.280 --> 03:15.160 You can find the bench all right? 03:15.160 --> 03:17.160 Yes, thank you. 03:17.160 --> 03:22.640 Ah, yes, you're sitting down now, at the other end. 03:22.640 --> 03:24.760 You must have extremely good eyes. 03:24.760 --> 03:25.760 Yes. 03:25.760 --> 03:28.480 Yes, I suppose so. 03:28.480 --> 03:32.520 You've become accustomed to the dark after a while. 03:32.520 --> 03:33.520 Yes. 03:33.520 --> 03:34.840 Do you know about the eyes? 03:34.840 --> 03:41.440 They say that the way to see objects at night is to avoid looking directly at them. 03:41.440 --> 03:42.440 That's very interesting. 03:42.440 --> 03:46.280 They say that the human eye is made up of things called rods and cones, although I can 03:46.280 --> 03:48.120 never remember which is which. 03:48.120 --> 03:51.480 The rods or the cones, whichever it is, are in the middle. 03:51.480 --> 03:54.320 You use them for looking at things in an ordinary light. 03:54.320 --> 04:00.640 The rods are on the outside and you sort of look sideways with them at objects at night. 04:00.640 --> 04:02.080 I'm not boring you. 04:02.080 --> 04:04.160 No, no. 04:04.160 --> 04:06.200 I'm interested in facts, are you? 04:06.200 --> 04:07.920 Well, I... 04:07.920 --> 04:09.520 I get them from the digest, you know. 04:09.520 --> 04:11.040 It's a great place for facts. 04:11.040 --> 04:12.280 I expect so. 04:12.280 --> 04:13.760 It's practically all I read. 04:13.760 --> 04:17.400 And what's the use of reading if you can't talk about it, eh? 04:17.400 --> 04:19.600 Well, I agree. 04:19.600 --> 04:22.560 Where I've been staying, they all read the same thing. 04:22.560 --> 04:24.600 You can't tell them any facts they don't know. 04:24.600 --> 04:26.320 I like to talk. 04:26.320 --> 04:28.480 But when you start, they say, we know. 04:28.480 --> 04:29.480 And of course they do. 04:29.480 --> 04:33.040 They think you're mad or something. 04:33.040 --> 04:34.040 That's very discouraging. 04:34.040 --> 04:35.040 Yes. 04:35.040 --> 04:37.440 Especially when you're an old chatterbox like I am. 04:37.440 --> 04:39.640 Are you a good listener? 04:39.640 --> 04:41.800 I think so. 04:41.800 --> 04:43.060 That's good. 04:43.060 --> 04:47.440 Because as I say it, they wouldn't listen to me. 04:47.440 --> 04:48.440 You've gotten up? 04:48.440 --> 04:49.440 Well, yes. 04:49.440 --> 04:51.440 Where are you going? 04:51.440 --> 04:52.440 Nowhere. 04:52.440 --> 04:54.880 Then why did you get up? 04:54.880 --> 04:56.640 The seat is a little hard. 04:56.640 --> 05:00.240 I thought perhaps you were going outside to walk around. 05:00.240 --> 05:03.200 Well as a matter of fact, I thought I might. 05:03.200 --> 05:06.600 Then my conversation does bore you. 05:06.600 --> 05:08.440 No. 05:08.440 --> 05:14.000 I think you'd better stay here in any case. 05:14.000 --> 05:16.920 What do you mean, I'd better? 05:16.920 --> 05:19.840 Because it's not safe out there. 05:19.840 --> 05:20.840 Not safe? 05:20.840 --> 05:22.840 No. 05:22.840 --> 05:23.840 What do you mean? 05:23.840 --> 05:24.840 You don't know. 05:24.840 --> 05:25.840 It was on the radio. 05:25.840 --> 05:26.840 What was? 05:26.840 --> 05:28.320 Then you didn't know. 05:28.320 --> 05:30.560 Well, no. 05:30.560 --> 05:31.560 About the lunatic? 05:31.560 --> 05:32.560 Lunatic? 05:32.560 --> 05:36.880 One of the inmates from the asylum up on the hill. 05:36.880 --> 05:39.320 You mean one of the patients from the hospital? 05:39.320 --> 05:41.720 That is perhaps a kinder way of putting it. 05:41.720 --> 05:43.560 But just the same, they might be dangerous. 05:43.560 --> 05:46.960 So you'd better stay here with me. 05:46.960 --> 05:50.240 Were it safe? 05:50.240 --> 05:51.400 What did the radio say? 05:51.400 --> 05:53.080 I didn't listen too closely. 05:53.080 --> 05:55.200 Just that there'd been this escape. 05:55.200 --> 05:58.240 But we shall be all right here in the shelter. 05:58.240 --> 06:00.920 That's right. 06:00.920 --> 06:03.120 Sit down again. 06:03.120 --> 06:05.280 What was I saying before? 06:05.280 --> 06:06.880 That you were interested in facts. 06:06.880 --> 06:07.880 I expect you smoke. 06:07.880 --> 06:08.880 No, I don't. 06:08.880 --> 06:09.880 Oh. 06:09.880 --> 06:15.000 I was wishing I could offer you a cigarette, but I don't smoke myself. 06:15.000 --> 06:16.000 What was that? 06:16.000 --> 06:18.320 It's the branch of a tree tapping on the roof. 06:18.320 --> 06:21.320 It happens every once in a while when the wind shifts. 06:21.320 --> 06:22.320 Oh? 06:22.320 --> 06:23.320 Yes. 06:23.320 --> 06:26.240 I've read some interesting facts about drinking in the digest. 06:26.240 --> 06:27.240 People become addicts. 06:27.240 --> 06:29.480 Yet the solution is quite simple. 06:29.480 --> 06:33.400 They should invent another habit to counter the bad one. 06:33.400 --> 06:34.600 That sounds like a good idea. 06:34.600 --> 06:39.280 I have all sorts of useful habits which make up for my having no vices. 06:39.280 --> 06:41.120 Counting things is one of them. 06:41.120 --> 06:43.480 You understand what I mean by counting things? 06:43.480 --> 06:46.160 Well, not exactly. 06:46.160 --> 06:49.400 You take wood block flooring, for example. 06:49.400 --> 06:52.800 How many blocks would you say there were in a floor 40 feet by 15? 06:52.800 --> 06:53.800 Never mind working it out. 06:53.800 --> 06:55.240 I can give you the answer at once. 06:55.240 --> 06:56.240 It's 1,470. 06:56.240 --> 06:57.240 Fancy. 06:57.240 --> 07:01.240 In the same room, there are 10 iron bedsteads with rails top and bottom. 07:01.240 --> 07:04.800 If there's a knob at the end of each rail, how many knobs altogether? 07:04.800 --> 07:05.800 No. 07:05.800 --> 07:07.680 Don't try to answer. 07:07.680 --> 07:10.760 In this room, three of the beds have a knob missing. 07:10.760 --> 07:13.120 So the answer is 37. 07:13.120 --> 07:15.320 That's exact knowledge. 07:15.320 --> 07:18.000 Counting things is the only way of coming to exact knowledge, you know. 07:18.000 --> 07:20.640 Mathematics will let you down every time. 07:20.640 --> 07:23.640 Well, I was never very good at math. 07:23.640 --> 07:25.480 Approximation, that's all it is. 07:25.480 --> 07:27.080 This fellow Einstein knows that. 07:27.080 --> 07:30.080 Yes, I've read all about Einstein and the others in the digest. 07:30.080 --> 07:31.560 They're theorists, of course. 07:31.560 --> 07:32.560 Yes? 07:32.560 --> 07:36.720 I'm a practical man myself, and I believe in counting things. 07:36.720 --> 07:39.280 Did you walk to the door and back again? 07:39.280 --> 07:41.120 You couldn't see me? 07:41.120 --> 07:44.520 I could hear your voice come and go, and I thought I saw your shadow at the door. 07:44.520 --> 07:46.840 I wasn't sure. 07:46.840 --> 07:49.480 I knew you couldn't possibly have heard me walking. 07:49.480 --> 07:50.480 How? 07:50.480 --> 07:51.880 I took my shoes off. 07:51.880 --> 07:52.880 They squeak. 07:52.880 --> 07:53.880 Oh? 07:53.880 --> 08:00.000 Also, it isn't natural for human beings to wear shoes. 08:00.000 --> 08:01.000 Perhaps it isn't. 08:01.000 --> 08:03.240 When you wear shoes, you bang down on your heel too much all the time. 08:03.240 --> 08:04.240 This jars the brain. 08:04.240 --> 08:07.480 As a matter of fact, there's a lot to be said for not walking upright at all. 08:07.480 --> 08:10.880 Oh, there's that tree branch again. 08:10.880 --> 08:13.240 It squeezes your entrails all together. 08:13.240 --> 08:17.920 It's better to walk on all fours like animals do, so the internal organs hang freely inside 08:17.920 --> 08:20.880 the natural protective cage formed by the ribs. 08:20.880 --> 08:28.400 I read an article where it said that most of man's hair... 08:28.400 --> 08:35.960 His voice went on in the darkness, and as it went on somehow, even uneasy as I was, I 08:35.960 --> 08:38.680 stopped listening to him. 08:38.680 --> 08:42.400 I could hear another voice out of the past. 08:42.400 --> 08:48.640 Years ago, it was a loud voice, and I could overhear it from outside the window. 08:48.640 --> 08:49.640 It was talking about me. 08:49.640 --> 08:50.640 But didn't you notice? 08:50.640 --> 08:51.640 He just walked out on me. 08:51.640 --> 08:52.640 What's the matter with that child? 08:52.640 --> 08:53.640 Surely she's not afraid of me. 08:53.640 --> 08:54.640 I don't know. 08:54.640 --> 08:55.640 Perhaps she is. 08:55.640 --> 08:56.640 But that's ridiculous, Martha. 08:56.640 --> 08:59.640 I was just talking. 08:59.640 --> 09:00.640 Now what was there to be afraid of? 09:00.640 --> 09:01.640 Well, what were you talking about? 09:01.640 --> 09:02.640 I don't know. 09:02.640 --> 09:03.640 Nothing much. 09:03.640 --> 09:05.640 You know the way you talk to kids. 09:05.640 --> 09:06.640 Yes. 09:06.640 --> 09:08.320 Well, then she got up and walked out. 09:08.320 --> 09:09.320 She looked scared. 09:09.320 --> 09:11.320 Well, perhaps she's abnormally timid. 09:11.320 --> 09:12.320 I've noticed it before. 09:12.320 --> 09:16.840 When the Parkinson's were here, she used to go missing for hours at a time. 09:16.840 --> 09:17.840 I just couldn't find her. 09:17.840 --> 09:21.440 Well, they were strangers to her, but she knows me for heaven's sakes. 09:21.440 --> 09:23.560 I always thought I was her favorite uncle when she was a baby. 09:23.560 --> 09:24.560 You remember? 09:24.560 --> 09:27.040 She certainly wasn't afraid of me then. 09:27.040 --> 09:30.280 I sometimes think her father's death affected her. 09:30.280 --> 09:31.280 Oh? 09:31.280 --> 09:37.080 Well, this strangeness about her, it seems to have started shortly after the accident. 09:37.080 --> 09:38.480 For goodness sakes, Martha. 09:38.480 --> 09:39.480 It's been two years. 09:39.480 --> 09:40.480 But she's only 12. 09:40.480 --> 09:42.480 She'll grow out of this strangeness. 09:42.480 --> 09:44.480 Well, I sure hope so. 09:44.480 --> 09:46.880 Say, what are you whispering for? 09:46.880 --> 09:47.880 Was I? 09:47.880 --> 09:49.480 Well, yes, and you still are. 09:49.480 --> 09:51.520 Well, I'll tell you, Will. 09:51.520 --> 09:56.080 I get the feeling when she goes missing the way she does that she hangs around listening 09:56.080 --> 09:57.080 to conversations. 09:57.080 --> 10:01.200 I have the feeling she's listening to us now. 10:01.200 --> 10:02.200 You do? 10:02.200 --> 10:03.200 Yes. 10:03.200 --> 10:04.200 Well, where then? 10:04.200 --> 10:05.200 Outside the window. 10:05.200 --> 10:06.200 I'll take a look. 10:06.200 --> 10:07.200 No, Will, don't be a fool. 10:07.200 --> 10:13.760 That's the worst thing you could possibly do. 10:13.760 --> 10:17.360 I got away, as always. 10:17.360 --> 10:22.080 Although Mother always seemed to know when I was around or near, just as I always knew 10:22.080 --> 10:26.200 when she'd gone out, even though the house was so big you couldn't hear the closing of 10:26.200 --> 10:27.200 a distant door. 10:27.200 --> 10:30.160 And it's true what Uncle Will said. 10:30.160 --> 10:31.800 I was afraid. 10:31.800 --> 10:35.040 I was scared of his voice talking on and on. 10:35.040 --> 10:38.760 It was the same with all men's voices except my father. 10:38.760 --> 10:43.040 And of course, he was dead. 10:43.040 --> 10:45.240 Then in the shelter. 10:45.240 --> 10:49.400 All these years later, I was listening to another voice talking on and on. 10:49.400 --> 10:55.280 Only this time, it seemed I couldn't get away. 10:55.280 --> 10:56.280 Where would I run to? 10:56.280 --> 10:59.440 Out in the dark highway? 10:59.440 --> 11:04.400 And if I did get up and flee into the night, how did I know he wouldn't follow me, overtake 11:04.400 --> 11:05.400 me? 11:05.400 --> 11:10.160 Now, these are known facts. 11:10.160 --> 11:11.600 And sitting down is bad, too. 11:11.600 --> 11:14.280 One should recline in a tilted forward position. 11:14.280 --> 11:15.760 I try to do it whenever possible. 11:15.760 --> 11:20.400 Though I have to admit, I'm finding it very difficult on this hard wooden seat. 11:20.400 --> 11:24.000 Yes, I should think so. 11:24.000 --> 11:26.960 Perhaps you think me eccentric. 11:26.960 --> 11:31.720 Your ideas seem very sensible. 11:31.720 --> 11:32.720 They're facts. 11:32.720 --> 11:33.720 That's... 11:33.720 --> 11:36.320 Oh, I startled you. 11:36.320 --> 11:37.320 Yes. 11:37.320 --> 11:40.160 I was sitting at the other end of the seat. 11:40.160 --> 11:41.680 It didn't seem sociable. 11:41.680 --> 11:44.240 I forgot for the moment that you can't see anything. 11:44.240 --> 11:45.240 I must have startled you. 11:45.240 --> 11:46.240 You... 11:46.240 --> 11:47.240 You're touching me. 11:47.240 --> 11:48.240 Why, so I am. 11:48.240 --> 11:49.240 Take your hands off me. 11:49.240 --> 11:50.240 Why, I was only trying... 11:50.240 --> 11:51.240 Go away! 11:51.240 --> 11:52.240 Go away! 11:52.240 --> 11:53.240 Let me alone! 11:53.240 --> 11:54.240 Be quiet! 11:54.240 --> 11:55.240 Be quiet, you little fool! 11:55.240 --> 11:56.240 Let me alone! 11:56.240 --> 11:57.240 I said be quiet! 11:57.240 --> 11:58.240 Be quiet. 11:58.240 --> 12:24.720 You are listening to The Shelter, tonight's presentation in radio's outstanding theater 12:24.720 --> 12:29.480 of thrills, Suspense. 12:29.480 --> 12:39.840 Gunsmoke, CBS radio's thrilling stories of the Western frontier is now heard twice on 12:39.840 --> 12:41.200 Saturdays. 12:41.200 --> 12:45.200 There's a daytime edition of Gunsmoke on most of these same stations, in addition to the 12:45.200 --> 12:47.400 regular evening show. 12:47.400 --> 12:50.400 Both heard Saturdays at the Star's Address. 12:50.400 --> 12:57.720 This Saturday, every Saturday, hear two stories of Matt Dillon, U.S. Marshal on Gunsmoke. 12:57.720 --> 13:03.440 And now we bring back to our Hollywood soundstage, Joyce McCluskey and Vic Perrin, in tonight's 13:03.440 --> 13:12.840 production of The Shelter, a tale well calculated to keep you in suspense. 13:12.840 --> 13:28.840 Then I heard the tree branch tapping on the roof. 13:28.840 --> 13:33.800 The stranger was gripping my upper arm so tight it hurt and bruised me. 13:33.800 --> 13:38.040 I'm sorry I had to do that, to slap you. 13:38.040 --> 13:39.040 But you screamed. 13:39.040 --> 13:41.800 Why did you scream? 13:41.800 --> 13:44.240 I was- You're not afraid of me, are you? 13:44.240 --> 13:46.440 Because there's no need to be, you know. 13:46.440 --> 13:48.400 I had to slap you because you screamed. 13:48.400 --> 13:50.020 You were hysterical. 13:50.020 --> 13:52.040 Your scream might have attracted attention. 13:52.040 --> 13:55.920 If we stay here quietly, we shall be safe. 13:55.920 --> 14:01.320 It's so dark, no one would notice this place unless they actually knew it was here. 14:01.320 --> 14:04.560 I suppose not. 14:04.560 --> 14:07.920 The lunatic might be a homicidal maniac. 14:07.920 --> 14:10.280 Had you thought of that? 14:10.280 --> 14:12.800 Probably just a sick man. 14:12.800 --> 14:13.800 Then why did he escape? 14:13.800 --> 14:18.840 It must be terrible to be confined against your will. 14:18.840 --> 14:20.720 Perhaps you can't imagine what it would be like. 14:20.720 --> 14:24.120 On the contrary, perhaps I can. 14:24.120 --> 14:25.120 What? 14:25.120 --> 14:27.480 What do you mean? 14:27.480 --> 14:30.480 Surely everyone has been hospitalized at some time or another. 14:30.480 --> 14:31.480 I'm no exception. 14:31.480 --> 14:32.480 Then- 14:32.480 --> 14:36.120 I've had my share. 14:36.120 --> 14:40.000 Just being hospitalized, that's not the same. 14:40.000 --> 14:41.000 What's the difference? 14:41.000 --> 14:44.080 You're cut off from the world against your will. 14:44.080 --> 14:46.480 Not necessarily. 14:46.480 --> 14:48.560 Not necessarily against your will. 14:48.560 --> 14:52.120 You think some people actually like to be cut off? 14:52.120 --> 14:54.120 That's possible, isn't it? 14:54.120 --> 14:55.120 Oh, yes. 14:55.120 --> 14:58.760 I was just a little surprised that you should understand that feeling. 14:58.760 --> 14:59.760 Fear. 14:59.760 --> 15:00.760 Nameless fear. 15:00.760 --> 15:04.280 Does it have to be fear? 15:04.280 --> 15:05.560 Why not just plain choice? 15:05.560 --> 15:11.760 It's usually fear of one kind or another, renouncing the world. 15:11.760 --> 15:13.320 That is an eerie sound. 15:13.320 --> 15:14.960 I don't mind. 15:14.960 --> 15:15.960 But you do mind me. 15:15.960 --> 15:16.960 Is that it? 15:16.960 --> 15:17.960 I didn't say so. 15:17.960 --> 15:20.840 You showed you were afraid of me just now. 15:20.840 --> 15:22.680 I don't know why I screamed like that. 15:22.680 --> 15:24.280 It was so stupid. 15:24.280 --> 15:26.280 Just the same, I think I'd better go. 15:26.280 --> 15:27.280 Go? 15:27.280 --> 15:28.280 Yes. 15:28.280 --> 15:29.880 I'll put my shoes on. 15:29.880 --> 15:33.260 I believe you would prefer to be alone. 15:33.260 --> 15:35.760 So I'll leave you here. 15:35.760 --> 15:38.600 Good night. 15:38.600 --> 15:39.600 I didn't mean... 15:39.600 --> 15:46.600 Are you there? 15:46.600 --> 15:50.680 I didn't mean to be rude. 15:50.680 --> 15:53.680 Are you still there? 15:53.680 --> 15:58.680 Where are you? 15:58.680 --> 16:02.280 Where are you? 16:02.280 --> 16:03.920 I'm back. 16:03.920 --> 16:12.560 I don't want you to leave me alone. 16:12.560 --> 16:15.080 I went to the doorway of the shelter. 16:15.080 --> 16:17.960 My eyes were more used to the darkness now. 16:17.960 --> 16:22.280 I could see the gray strip of highway stretching away in both directions. 16:22.280 --> 16:26.120 And across the road, the black tracery of trees. 16:26.120 --> 16:28.640 There was no sign of him. 16:28.640 --> 16:32.640 I stood there just inside the doorway, listening. 16:32.640 --> 16:38.240 But there was nothing to hear but the sounds of the night. 16:38.240 --> 16:42.600 And it was funny. 16:42.600 --> 16:44.920 Everything had changed. 16:44.920 --> 16:47.920 Before I'd welcomed the thought of the friendly loneliness of the shelter. 16:47.920 --> 16:51.100 But now, I didn't want to be alone. 16:51.100 --> 16:53.240 My nerves were jumping with every sound. 16:53.240 --> 16:57.880 I couldn't think of anything to do but retreat to the furthest corner in the darkness and 16:57.880 --> 17:01.640 try to shut out all the thoughts of the present. 17:01.640 --> 17:05.160 And after a while, I did sort of forget. 17:05.160 --> 17:08.240 Sitting there in the silence. 17:08.240 --> 17:12.280 The past came crowding back to my mind. 17:12.280 --> 17:15.760 But my terror wouldn't leave me and all I could hear in my thoughts was the sound of 17:15.760 --> 17:16.760 my own scream. 17:16.760 --> 17:17.760 No! 17:17.760 --> 17:18.760 No, no, you can't make me! 17:18.760 --> 17:19.760 All right, Rufus, I've got her. 17:19.760 --> 17:20.760 Don't hurt her, Will. 17:20.760 --> 17:21.760 No. 17:21.760 --> 17:22.760 You can't keep me here! 17:22.760 --> 17:23.760 Oh, yes! 17:23.760 --> 17:24.760 Oh, will you make me? 17:24.760 --> 17:27.760 Stay! 17:27.760 --> 17:28.760 Martha! 17:28.760 --> 17:30.960 You think I should call him now, Will? 17:30.960 --> 17:31.960 It's up to you. 17:31.960 --> 17:32.960 But I have to be right. 17:32.960 --> 17:34.880 I can't do this to her unless she... 17:34.880 --> 17:35.880 What else can you do? 17:35.880 --> 17:38.880 What are you planning, you two? 17:38.880 --> 17:41.440 Now, Martha, now that she's quieter. 17:41.440 --> 17:44.440 I should blame myself for the rest of my life if we were wrong. 17:44.440 --> 17:45.440 Let go of me! 17:45.440 --> 17:46.440 Let go! 17:46.440 --> 17:47.440 Let go! 17:47.440 --> 17:50.440 There's nothing to blame yourself for, Martha. 17:50.440 --> 17:51.440 It couldn't be helped. 17:51.440 --> 17:52.440 I'll call him now. 17:52.440 --> 17:53.440 Oh! 17:53.440 --> 18:09.880 The sound of the trees rattling against the roof brought me back to the present, back 18:09.880 --> 18:13.240 to the loneliness of the dark shelter. 18:13.240 --> 18:15.840 And now I was thoroughly scared. 18:15.840 --> 18:18.320 My companion of the darkness had gone. 18:18.320 --> 18:27.680 But I had an overwhelming feeling he was still out there in the night, watching, waiting. 18:27.680 --> 18:32.640 But as I sat huddled in my corner, listening for the slightest sound of him, I heard something 18:32.640 --> 18:35.640 else. 18:35.640 --> 18:36.640 The bus was coming. 18:36.640 --> 18:41.040 Oh, now at last I could get away. 18:41.040 --> 18:43.520 I went out to the edge of the highway to signal for it. 18:43.520 --> 18:46.520 It seemed to be going so fast. 18:46.520 --> 18:48.520 I waved my arms. 18:48.520 --> 18:53.520 There was a blinding glare of headlights. 18:53.520 --> 18:54.520 Stop! 18:54.520 --> 18:55.520 Stop! 18:55.520 --> 18:56.520 Please stop! 18:56.520 --> 18:59.520 Oh, please stop! 18:59.520 --> 19:03.120 Well, why don't you go? 19:03.120 --> 19:04.120 You were there. 19:04.120 --> 19:05.120 I was never far away. 19:05.120 --> 19:06.120 But you... 19:06.120 --> 19:07.120 Why don't you go? 19:07.120 --> 19:08.120 It's waiting for you. 19:08.120 --> 19:09.120 I... 19:09.120 --> 19:10.120 I don't know. 19:10.120 --> 19:11.120 I... 19:11.120 --> 19:12.120 I can't go. 19:12.120 --> 19:19.120 It won't wait. 19:19.120 --> 19:27.120 It's too late now. 19:27.120 --> 19:31.360 You would prefer to wait here with me, wouldn't you? 19:31.360 --> 19:32.360 Come inside. 19:32.360 --> 19:33.360 No. 19:33.360 --> 19:34.360 My friend will be here soon. 19:34.360 --> 19:35.360 Your friend? 19:35.360 --> 19:38.120 I told you I was waiting for him. 19:38.120 --> 19:39.120 Oh. 19:39.120 --> 19:40.120 Yes. 19:40.120 --> 19:42.120 He'll be giving me a lift into town. 19:42.120 --> 19:45.120 We can take you. 19:45.120 --> 19:47.120 I can't go. 19:47.120 --> 19:51.120 Perhaps you believe there is no such person as my friend? 19:51.120 --> 19:53.120 Why did he leave you here? 19:53.120 --> 19:56.120 He'll be back soon and we can go into town. 19:56.120 --> 19:58.120 Or do you want to go back to where you came from? 19:58.120 --> 20:01.120 I think... 20:01.120 --> 20:02.120 I'd better. 20:02.120 --> 20:03.120 Come back into the shelter. 20:03.120 --> 20:04.120 No. 20:04.120 --> 20:05.120 Come on. 20:05.120 --> 20:06.120 Don't touch me. 20:06.120 --> 20:09.120 Why are you suddenly afraid again? 20:09.120 --> 20:11.120 I don't know. 20:11.120 --> 20:14.120 Come inside and wait. 20:14.120 --> 20:17.120 That's the way. 20:17.120 --> 20:18.120 Oh. 20:18.120 --> 20:20.120 Was that... 20:20.120 --> 20:21.120 tripped on something? 20:21.120 --> 20:23.120 Give it to me. 20:23.120 --> 20:25.120 It's a stick. 20:25.120 --> 20:27.120 A walking stick. 20:27.120 --> 20:28.120 Give it to me, please. 20:28.120 --> 20:30.120 A white walking stick. 20:30.120 --> 20:32.120 It's... yours. 20:32.120 --> 20:33.120 Yes. 20:33.120 --> 20:36.120 Then you're... blind. 20:36.120 --> 20:37.120 Yes. 20:37.120 --> 20:39.120 I'm blind. 20:39.120 --> 20:41.120 Blind? 20:41.120 --> 20:42.120 I don't understand. 20:42.120 --> 20:44.120 You said you read all those things in the digest. 20:44.120 --> 20:45.120 It's true. 20:45.120 --> 20:47.120 I read them in Braille. 20:47.120 --> 20:48.120 I'm afraid I frightened you. 20:48.120 --> 20:50.120 I only wanted to help. 20:50.120 --> 20:53.120 Oh, it's strange. 20:53.120 --> 20:58.120 For the first time, I can remember I was afraid of being alone. 20:58.120 --> 21:00.120 Scared of the dark. 21:00.120 --> 21:03.120 It's normal to be scared of the dark. 21:03.120 --> 21:06.120 I just didn't want to depress you by speaking of my own affliction. 21:06.120 --> 21:08.120 But now that you know about it, 21:08.120 --> 21:10.120 you realize that we both know what suffering is, 21:10.120 --> 21:12.120 what it is to be alone, 21:12.120 --> 21:15.120 what it is to be shut up, away from the world, 21:15.120 --> 21:17.120 because we don't really belong there. 21:17.120 --> 21:19.120 You mustn't say that. 21:19.120 --> 21:21.120 Why should you think you don't belong? 21:21.120 --> 21:23.120 I don't think that. 21:23.120 --> 21:25.120 I did once, at first, 21:25.120 --> 21:29.120 during the months in the hospital, but not anymore. 21:29.120 --> 21:30.120 And you? 21:30.120 --> 21:31.120 I have to go back. 21:31.120 --> 21:35.120 I must confess to you, my friend went to the hospital. 21:35.120 --> 21:37.120 He should be here any minute. 21:37.120 --> 21:40.120 We guessed when my friend saw you walking on the highway. 21:40.120 --> 21:43.120 And you kept me here in the shelter 21:43.120 --> 21:45.120 while he went to get a doctor. 21:45.120 --> 21:47.120 That's right. 21:47.120 --> 21:49.120 I must go back. 21:49.120 --> 21:51.120 There. 21:51.120 --> 21:52.120 As soon as they come for me. 21:52.120 --> 21:54.120 But will you have to stay? 21:54.120 --> 21:56.120 Will you want to? Put it that way. 21:56.120 --> 21:58.120 What? 21:58.120 --> 22:00.120 No. 22:00.120 --> 22:03.120 No, I don't think I will. 22:03.120 --> 22:07.120 Then the outside world, meeting people, 22:07.120 --> 22:10.120 this is not something to be afraid of? 22:10.120 --> 22:12.120 Not anymore. 22:12.120 --> 22:14.120 I'm glad. 22:14.120 --> 22:16.120 Listen. 22:16.120 --> 22:17.120 What? 22:17.120 --> 22:40.120 I hear my friend coming. 22:40.120 --> 22:42.120 Suspense. 22:42.120 --> 22:45.120 In which Joyce McCluskey starred as the woman 22:45.120 --> 22:48.120 and Vic Perrin as the man. 22:48.120 --> 22:51.120 Next week, the story of a man who sets out to prove 22:51.120 --> 22:53.120 that he cannot be murdered, 22:53.120 --> 22:57.120 only to find there was a slight error in his calculations. 22:57.120 --> 23:01.120 We call it the last letter of Dr. Bronson. 23:01.120 --> 23:05.120 That's next week on Suspense. 23:05.120 --> 23:18.120 Suspense is produced and directed by Norman MacDonald 23:18.120 --> 23:20.120 with music composed by Lucian Morawick 23:20.120 --> 23:22.120 and conducted by Lud Bluskin. 23:22.120 --> 23:26.120 The shelter was specially written for Suspense by Don Yarrow. 23:26.120 --> 23:29.120 Featured in the cast were Helen Klebe, Herb Alice, 23:29.120 --> 23:32.120 Dick Ryan, and Frank Gerstle. 23:32.120 --> 23:38.120 You enjoy City Hospital every Saturday in the daytime 23:38.120 --> 24:06.120 on the CBS Radio Network.