And now, tonight's presentation of radio's outstanding theater of thrills, Suspense.
Tonight, the story of fear in surgery.
We call it The Operation.
So now, starring Mary Jane Croft with High Averback, here is tonight's suspense play,
The Operation.
Okay, Danny.
Back her into the driveway.
Let's go on a little further.
What for?
It's too much of a run from the store.
Who's gonna run?
Come on, back her in.
Hey, supposing someone comes out of the house.
Danny, will you shut up?
There's no one home.
Well, I don't like it.
What's the matter with you?
You've gone yellow?
No, but what's the sense of taking...
Well, stop talking.
Come on, let's get out of the car.
Come on, move.
Hey, wait a minute, Al.
What's the gun for?
I thought you said we...
Danny, it ain't loaded.
Use it to scare old man Shawl if we have to.
What are you waiting for?
You coming?
Sure, I'm coming.
Okay, let's go.
You know what to do.
Keep your eyes open.
You see a cop, you come and get me.
I know, I know.
How many more times are you gonna tell me?
Well, don't get scared and forget.
Oh, cut it out.
I'm not gonna forget.
Okay.
Stay put.
I'll be out in a minute.
Danny, it was morning.
What did you want to say?
It was a very long day.
All right.
Well, yeah, we'll have to go keep it for you.
Al, Al, there's a cop at the end of the block.
He's coming this way.
Yeah.
I've been waiting for the last time.
Where?
You're getting nothing from me, mister, except maybe this.
Come on, come on, Al.
Al, I'm hit.
Get your arms around me.
I'm shot.
I'm shot, Al.
You'll be all right.
Come on.
The street was held up tonight by two gunmen.
They're armed and dangerous.
Stay tuned to this station for further bulletins.
We return you now to the concerto hour.
Yes?
Can I see the doctor?
No, he's out.
His hours are from five to seven.
Well, yes, lady, I know.
I saw him this evening.
Oh?
Yes.
My name's Carter.
He gave me some pills in the clinic and I forgot them.
Oh, well, you'll have to come back tomorrow.
I'll tell him you called.
Tomorrow?
Look, I can show you where I left them.
I'm sorry, but you'll have to see the doctor about it.
He'll be back in about an hour.
Oh, excuse me, the phone.
There's a seat on the porch if you want to wait.
Hello?
Hello, dear.
Did I leave my wallet?
Oh, yes, I put it in your desk.
Oh, good, I was worried.
Everything all right?
Mm-hmm.
I heard the radio bulletin on the car.
Oh, yes, I heard that too.
Don't worry, though.
I'm fine.
I better lock the doors and windows.
I did that anyway.
Good girl.
Say, Mrs. Thomas phones.
Tell her I'm on my way.
Yes, all right, I will.
Oh, have you got a clinic patient named Carter?
Yes, I have.
I'm sorry.
Is this the same Carter?
Yes, yes, he's new.
Came in about six o'clock.
Why?
Well, he just called for some pills he left in the office.
Oh, did you find them?
I didn't look for them.
I told him to wait for you.
Is he still there?
I don't know.
I left him on the porch.
Well, tell him to come in if he wants.
He'll make a good bodyguard till I get back.
Be about an hour.
Darling, I don't need a bodyguard.
Now, please, I get worried with you alone there.
Okay, all right, if it'll make you happy, I'll ask him in.
If he's still there.
Thanks, dear.
Now, goodbye.
See you in about an hour.
Bye, darling.
Mr. Carter.
Oh.
Will you come in, please?
That was the doctor on the phone.
He said if you'd like to wait, he'll be back in an hour.
Oh, all right.
Please sit down.
Thanks.
I, uh, I suppose it's lonely at nights for a doctor's wife.
Oh, I'm used to it.
I was head nurse at St. James Hospital.
Oh, really?
That's very interesting.
Mm-hmm.
Well, uh, look, lady, I'm sorry I gotta do this, but I've got to.
What?
I want some dough.
Why don't you?
I've never robbed anyone before, but I've gotta have some money.
I left the pills before on purpose.
I figured I'd come back when the doctor went out on a call.
I've been waiting around for two hours.
Well, I haven't got anything.
Look, lady, I'm sorry.
I figured this out for a long time.
I paid the doctor two bucks, my last two bucks, for the visit today.
There must have been 20 others like me.
Now, that dough's here.
And I want it.
So please don't make any trouble.
Just a few bucks, that's all.
That'll see me through.
Well, why don't you just get a job instead?
Look, lady, I've got no time to argue.
I lost my job.
That's the trouble.
Come on now.
All right.
Get away from that phone.
Get away.
Wait.
Get away.
Look, lady, if you don't keep quiet, you're gonna get hurt.
All right.
Now, please, don't do anything like that again.
I just want some cash.
Nothing else.
Now, just tell me where you keep it.
There's a few dollars in my bag.
Five bucks.
It's not enough.
Where's the office?
He keeps his money in there, doesn't he?
I don't know.
It's locked.
Okay.
Maybe one of these will open the door.
Let it ring.
Come on.
You'd better let me answer that.
I'd better not.
Now, you stand over there and don't move.
There.
Well, it's a nice wallet.
I always wanted an alligator wallet.
Let's see.
Listen, lady, there's better than a hundred bucks in here.
I don't need all that.
Maybe you think I'm crazy, but I'm just gonna take fifty.
I'll send it back as soon as I can.
So just give me a break, will you?
Don't tell the cops.
I'm on the level.
I've just got to have the dough.
But you're stealing.
There's no excuse.
I'm sorry.
I've got to lock you in.
I'm sorry.
Goodbye.
You.
What?
You stand still.
What's the idea?
Turn around and walk.
Get through that hedge.
All right.
OK.
Let's get it over with.
Here's my wallet.
Now can I go?
No.
Keep moving.
It hurts.
Al.
It's OK, Danny.
It's me, Al.
Do something.
Do something quick.
All right, kid.
I got the doc.
It hurts bad, Doc.
I'm gonna die.
No, you won't, Danny.
You're gonna be all right now.
What's wrong with him?
Got a slug in his guts.
Help me, Doc.
Help me, please.
I'm not a doctor.
No?
Your shingle says you are.
We'll see what your wallet says.
It's not mine.
James Bell, M.D.
Listen, I'll tell you what I...
You tell me nothing.
You do as I tell you, so help me.
I'll kill you right now.
Let me talk.
Shut up.
We're going inside.
Inside?
He ought to go to a hospital.
Pick him up.
I'm going to the hospital.
I said, he ought to go inside.
He ought to go to a hospital.
Pick him up, Doc.
I said, you're going back inside.
But I...
Oh, what's the use?
Look, you make a run for it.
Leave your pal here with me.
I'll get him to a hospital.
Don't leave me now.
Don't leave me, please.
I won't, Danny.
I won't.
Okay?
Help me pick him up, Doc.
You're going to get the bullet out of the kid.
You are listening to The Operation,
tonight's presentation in radio's outstanding theater of thrills, Suspense.
Two thrilling dramas of Gunsmoke will be here Saturday on most of these stations.
CBS Radio presents a daytime edition of Gunsmoke.
Then Saturday night, an entirely new story of Matt Dillon, U.S. Marshal in old Dodge City,
shooting hard, riding hard, fighting hard to bring civilization to America's new frontier.
Gunsmoke, now twice Saturdays at the Star's address. Don't miss it.
And now we bring back to our Hollywood soundstage Mary Jane Croft and Hi Aberback,
starring in tonight's production of The Operation, a tale well calculated to keep you in suspense.
Okay, I'll hold him. You open the door.
Let's get in.
All right.
Hey, he's passed out. Let's put him on the couch for a minute.
Where are you going to operate on him?
What I try?
Through there, in the office.
All right, let's get him in there.
Listen, would you let me explain something?
Shut up!
Jim, I'm in here!
What's that?
She must have got locked in.
Jim! Jim!
We'll open it and don't try anything.
Move over.
Come on, Doc. Let's get him up on the table.
He's not in here.
I didn't want to bring him in here. I said I'd take him to the hospital, but he is...
Doc's going to take care of him.
What's the matter with him?
He's been shot.
Oh. Put him down, gently.
All right, now stand away. Let me look at him.
That boy's got to go to the hospital.
Shut up! Who asked you?
Why don't you give the kid a chance?
Quit talking and take the slug out of him.
Well, don't stand there! Come on, let's go!
You let it ring. I said let it ring.
Where are you going, lady?
To shut the door.
I've had enough of your big talk. Now you listen to me and put that gun away.
If you want to help your friend, make up your mind to take orders from now on.
How come I take orders from you?
He's the Doc.
If you're trying to stall me, lady...
She's a nurse.
What she says goes.
Okay. What do I do?
Keep an eye on the boy until the doctor and I are washed up and ready.
Keep your voice down.
What am I supposed to do? I can't do an operation.
Take your coat off and scrub your hands.
What for?
We're going to help him.
Me?
Yes, you.
I won't go through with it. I can't.
Please, yourself.
I know what you're trying to do.
You do?
You're playing for time and trying to scare me.
Maybe waiting for the doctor to get back.
That's not going to do you any good.
We're both in this. It's now that counts.
Oh?
Sure. He finds out I'm not a doctor. He's going to use that gun now.
On you, too.
Oh, stop talking. Dry your hands and put on this gown.
You, take your coat off and get ready to scrub up.
Looks better, don't he?
We should have taken him to a hospital.
Don't tell me what I should have done.
I'm telling you what you're going to do.
Now, if you think it makes any difference whether I kill you or not,
you've got another thing coming.
Now, get on with it.
Hurry and get washed up.
He's a game kid.
I'm right here, Danny, right here.
Quiet. Don't talk to him.
He's got to keep quiet. Go away.
You're a nurse?
Yes.
I want out.
You'll be back soon.
How is he?
Bad.
Well, what are we going to do?
We?
You've got to help me get a house cut.
We can't go through with this trying to get that bullet out.
Don't be a fool. Get me a wet towel.
I'll answer it.
You stay right where you are.
It's only a patient.
There's your patient right over there.
Come on, what are you waiting for?
Get that wet towel quickly.
Al, where does your friend live?
Why?
If he's got any folks, you'd better get them over here.
Never mind.
Doc's going to take him home as soon as he gets through.
If he's got a mother and father, you'd better get them here.
Danny, you're trying to scare me?
You don't look so bad.
That boy's awfully sick.
Nurse.
You feeling better?
I want out.
Danny, I'm right here.
Where's your gun?
Take it easy. You'll be home in no time.
Where's your gun?
I'm going to get it.
Come on, Doc. Get started.
You stop talking. You'll never get better.
You said the gun wasn't loaded.
Danny, take it easy.
Why did you shoot him?
Those shoulders didn't do nothing.
It's all right. You just take it easy.
You said there wasn't going to be no shooting.
Keep quiet.
Let the Doc go to work.
Now, close your eyes.
That's good. That's fine.
Don't go, Al.
No, I won't.
You stay with him.
You'll get the instruments.
How long are you going to keep this up?
We're going to get that bullet out.
Now, you switch on the sterilizer and hold this instrument tray.
Look, if you get him to hold this tray, he'll have to put his gun down.
I'll grab it and you run for the door.
What do you say? I'll take the chance.
All right.
Al, would you come here and hold the tray, please?
What's the matter with you holding it?
Well, I've got to help her with the instruments.
You're nuts. If you think I'm going to put the gun down, I'll help her.
All right. I can manage.
Take that jar of swab and put it on the little table.
Okay.
I'm sorry.
It's not your fault. Come on.
I can't do it. I can't.
All right. You tell him that.
Go ahead.
It'll be murder.
Here, help me get his shirt off.
He's passed out again.
Good.
That'll make it easier.
Okay. What now?
You sit over there and you'll be quiet.
Now, listen.
That kid means a lot to me.
I got him into this and I'm going to see that he gets out.
You make him well. You do that.
I'm going to sit where you said, but I'm going to watch you.
I'm going to watch every second.
Lady, if he dies, you die too. I got nothing to lose.
All right.
I'll give him an anesthetic to put him under.
You keep your back to Al.
Look as if we're both working.
You hand me the instruments as I ask for them.
No, I'll point to them.
You know how to do this?
I hope I do.
How's he doing?
Be quiet.
Give me the hypodermic.
Oh, yeah.
There.
Now, that.
This?
No, not that one.
Okay.
Swab.
Those cotton things.
Quick.
Swab.
Wipe.
He moved.
Doesn't matter.
Give me that one.
Too deep.
I can't.
What are you doing?
Why isn't the doc taking the bullet out?
I tried to tell you.
Shut up, both of you.
More swabs.
You're killing them.
There.
Now, that one.
What?
This?
All right.
Quick.
All right.
No.
Hold this.
All right.
The other hand.
All right.
Danny?
He's dying.
Look at him.
He's dying.
I'll kill you.
Well, you're both.
You're.
How about it?
Think we should wait?
No, they're probably out of movie.
Yeah, this might be them.
Anything wrong, officers?
Dr. Bell?
Yes.
We're just checking.
the wounded holed up man yes sir can't be here though because there's no one at a
home my wife's there I know she is headquarters phone twice and got no
reply we called all the doctors in this area that's impossible she must be home
I told her come on keep it quiet doctor
I understand maybe she's taking a bath there's a light in that room that's the
office keep me covered right
all right take a look at the boy I got the bull it was the guy on the floor
he's one of the men who held up the store what happened to Carter got his
gun away from him and hit him you better give me the gun sir oh yeah here all an
ambulance where you officer you did a nice job there he's going to be all
right call the hospital Eakins this must have been quite something for you mr.
Carter we are something I'm very grateful to you mr. Carter very grateful
and about that other matter you don't have to worry I'm sure the doctor will
help
suspense in which Mary Jane Croft and hi ever back starred in the operation by
Charles Jacobs next week the story of a man's search for the murderer of his
brother a killing in Abilene that's next week on suspense
suspense is produced and directed by Anthony Ellis the music was composed by
Lucian Morawick and conducted by Wilbur Hatch featured in the cast were her
ballast Sam Edwards John fell Bill Justine and John Stevenson Saturday
night on CBS radio gangbusters brings you the case of the careless dynamiter
it's the true story of a bad man whose vanity proves his Achilles heel after
an exciting manhunt by police with brains plus persistence don't miss
gangbusters Saturday night with a complete file on the case of the
careless dynamiter over most of these same stations
you enjoy City Hospital every Saturday in the daytime on the CBS radio network