1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:20,000 And now, tonight's presentation of radio's outstanding theater of thrills, Suspense. 2 00:00:20,000 --> 00:00:25,000 Tonight, we bring you a transcribed story of a man who thought the best way to commit 3 00:00:25,000 --> 00:00:27,640 murder was to plan it first. 4 00:00:27,640 --> 00:00:30,640 We call it Variations on a Theme. 5 00:00:30,640 --> 00:00:58,640 So now, starring Parley Bear, here is tonight's Suspense play, Variations on a Theme. 6 00:00:58,640 --> 00:01:14,640 Dear old girl, your head, your head is bleeding. 7 00:01:14,640 --> 00:01:29,640 Hello? 8 00:01:29,640 --> 00:01:30,640 Who? 9 00:01:30,640 --> 00:01:34,640 Oh, no, no, she isn't here. 10 00:01:34,640 --> 00:01:36,640 Well, this is Mr. Milford. 11 00:01:36,640 --> 00:01:40,640 Oh, oh, Mrs. Wadwood, how are you? 12 00:01:40,640 --> 00:01:43,640 Fine, just fine. 13 00:01:43,640 --> 00:01:46,640 No, she left this morning. 14 00:01:46,640 --> 00:01:48,640 I'm taking the train this afternoon. 15 00:01:48,640 --> 00:01:53,640 No, the kids aren't going till Thursday. 16 00:01:53,640 --> 00:01:56,640 I imagine so. 17 00:01:56,640 --> 00:01:59,640 All right, I'll tell you a call. 18 00:01:59,640 --> 00:02:02,640 Oh, I'm sure she'll write. 19 00:02:02,640 --> 00:02:09,640 Goodbye. 20 00:02:09,640 --> 00:02:10,640 Joe? 21 00:02:10,640 --> 00:02:12,640 Joe, can you hear me? 22 00:02:12,640 --> 00:02:15,640 That was Mrs. Wadwood. 23 00:02:15,640 --> 00:02:18,640 I told her you left this morning. 24 00:02:18,640 --> 00:02:23,640 I'll bet that old parodin is going to miss you. 25 00:02:23,640 --> 00:02:24,640 But I won't. 26 00:02:24,640 --> 00:02:28,640 Come to think of it, not many people are going to care one way or the other. 27 00:02:28,640 --> 00:02:33,640 You're just a habit, Joe, a bad habit. 28 00:02:33,640 --> 00:02:37,640 There. 29 00:02:37,640 --> 00:02:39,640 That hurt your ears, Joe? 30 00:02:39,640 --> 00:02:44,640 Well, that's what I've had to put up with from you yapping at me for the past 20 years, 31 00:02:44,640 --> 00:02:47,640 just banging on my ears. 32 00:02:47,640 --> 00:02:50,640 Bang, bang, bang. 33 00:02:50,640 --> 00:02:52,640 I hope you're comfortable in there, dear. 34 00:02:52,640 --> 00:03:00,640 You've got a long trip to take. 35 00:03:00,640 --> 00:03:06,640 It had taken me five years to work it out and a couple of minutes to do the thing. 36 00:03:06,640 --> 00:03:10,640 It was the morning we were to go up to the cabin for a month. 37 00:03:10,640 --> 00:03:15,640 Beautiful Tuesday morning, July, warm, sunny. 38 00:03:15,640 --> 00:03:18,640 I had the trunk all ready for her. 39 00:03:18,640 --> 00:03:23,640 She was finishing packing in the bedroom and as usual nagging, griping. 40 00:03:23,640 --> 00:03:24,640 Herman? 41 00:03:24,640 --> 00:03:25,640 Herman! 42 00:03:25,640 --> 00:03:27,640 Did you pack your hairbrush? 43 00:03:27,640 --> 00:03:28,640 Yes, dear. 44 00:03:28,640 --> 00:03:31,640 Oh, I don't know why you want to take all that fishing tackle. 45 00:03:31,640 --> 00:03:33,640 You never catch any fish anyway. 46 00:03:33,640 --> 00:03:35,640 What time are they coming for the luggage? 47 00:03:35,640 --> 00:03:37,640 One o'clock. I told you. 48 00:03:37,640 --> 00:03:41,640 Oh, I don't feel right taking off and leaving the children to follow. 49 00:03:41,640 --> 00:03:42,640 If anything... 50 00:03:42,640 --> 00:03:45,640 Herman, for heaven's sake, what are you doing with that trunk? 51 00:03:45,640 --> 00:03:46,640 We don't need a trunk. 52 00:03:46,640 --> 00:03:49,640 Now you get that thing put away. 53 00:03:49,640 --> 00:03:51,640 Oh, it's all dusty. 54 00:03:51,640 --> 00:03:53,640 Look at my nice clean room. 55 00:03:53,640 --> 00:03:55,640 What are you doing with that trunk, Herman? 56 00:03:55,640 --> 00:03:56,640 I need it to pack, dear. 57 00:03:56,640 --> 00:03:59,640 Have you gone out of your mind? We are packed. 58 00:03:59,640 --> 00:04:02,640 No, not quite, Joe. I forgot something. 59 00:04:02,640 --> 00:04:04,640 Now you're not taking another thing. 60 00:04:04,640 --> 00:04:06,640 Oh, yes, I am. 61 00:04:10,640 --> 00:04:15,640 Oh, I...I've wanted to do that for a long time. 62 00:04:18,640 --> 00:04:19,640 She wasn't dead. 63 00:04:19,640 --> 00:04:21,640 I didn't hit her hard enough for that. 64 00:04:21,640 --> 00:04:23,640 Just out like I liked. 65 00:04:23,640 --> 00:04:29,640 I taped her hands behind her back, folded her up nicely and taped her ankles. 66 00:04:29,640 --> 00:04:33,640 Particularly...oh, particularly. 67 00:04:33,640 --> 00:04:38,640 I enjoyed putting two yards of electrical tape over her mouth. 68 00:04:38,640 --> 00:04:41,640 She came to just as I got her in the trunk. 69 00:04:41,640 --> 00:04:43,640 You should have seen her eyes. 70 00:04:43,640 --> 00:04:48,640 Just before I put the lid down, I told her what was going to happen. 71 00:04:48,640 --> 00:04:51,640 You've never looked better, dear. 72 00:04:51,640 --> 00:04:56,640 Now, don't you worry about a thing because I have taken care of everything. 73 00:04:56,640 --> 00:04:59,640 You're going on the train with the rest of the baggage. 74 00:04:59,640 --> 00:05:04,640 And when we get to Pinecrest, old man Butterfield will haul you out to the cabin. 75 00:05:04,640 --> 00:05:09,640 And then tonight, when it's nice and dark, I'm going fishing, dear. 76 00:05:09,640 --> 00:05:15,640 And I'm going to put you in the boat, take you out of the middle of the lake, and drop you down. 77 00:05:15,640 --> 00:05:19,640 It's a metal trunk. It'll sink. 78 00:05:19,640 --> 00:05:22,640 If you'd ever listened long enough to hear what anybody else was saying, 79 00:05:22,640 --> 00:05:26,640 you might remember that they have never found the bottom in that lake. 80 00:05:26,640 --> 00:05:31,640 Oh, you're thinking that Mr. Butterfield will wonder where you are or why you haven't showed up. 81 00:05:31,640 --> 00:05:33,640 That's what you're thinking, isn't it? 82 00:05:33,640 --> 00:05:35,640 Well, I'm going to be worried, see. 83 00:05:35,640 --> 00:05:39,640 I put you on the train this morning and had some work cleaned up in the office, 84 00:05:39,640 --> 00:05:41,640 so I had to take the next one. 85 00:05:41,640 --> 00:05:44,640 But I'll figure you stopped off to see your mother in Greenwood. 86 00:05:44,640 --> 00:05:46,640 You said that you might, remember? 87 00:05:46,640 --> 00:05:49,640 You talked to her the other night and said you might. 88 00:05:49,640 --> 00:05:51,640 There were two witnesses. 89 00:05:51,640 --> 00:05:56,640 That sick name Mrs. Dolman and your dear girlhood friend Louise. 90 00:05:56,640 --> 00:05:59,640 If their husbands had any sense, they'd murder them, too. 91 00:05:59,640 --> 00:06:02,640 And besides, even if anybody does suspect anything, 92 00:06:02,640 --> 00:06:06,640 Corpus Delecti, you know, is just find the body. 93 00:06:06,640 --> 00:06:09,640 And nobody's going to. 94 00:06:09,640 --> 00:06:11,640 It's worth taking the chance, dear. 95 00:06:11,640 --> 00:06:13,640 Have a nice trip. 96 00:06:13,640 --> 00:06:20,640 Oh, incidentally, in case you're wondering why I didn't kill you just now, 97 00:06:20,640 --> 00:06:23,640 I want you to have time to think for the next three hours. 98 00:06:23,640 --> 00:06:28,640 Go through a little of what you've put me through for the last 20 years 99 00:06:28,640 --> 00:06:32,640 and keep your big mouth shut! 100 00:06:32,640 --> 00:06:43,640 I made some coffee and waited for the expressman. 101 00:06:43,640 --> 00:06:47,640 Every once in a while I'd creep up quiet as a mouse, 102 00:06:47,640 --> 00:06:52,640 go over to the trunk and give it a kick right where her ear was. 103 00:06:52,640 --> 00:06:56,640 And every time I did it, I felt a year younger. 104 00:06:56,640 --> 00:07:03,640 At one o'clock, right on the nose. 105 00:07:03,640 --> 00:07:04,640 Mr. Milford? 106 00:07:04,640 --> 00:07:05,640 That's right. 107 00:07:05,640 --> 00:07:06,640 You've come for the luggage? 108 00:07:06,640 --> 00:07:07,640 Yes, sir. 109 00:07:07,640 --> 00:07:08,640 Well, it's all there. 110 00:07:08,640 --> 00:07:11,640 Suitcases, trunk, fishing tackle. 111 00:07:11,640 --> 00:07:13,640 Oh, going to do a little fishing, huh? 112 00:07:13,640 --> 00:07:18,640 I sure am. 113 00:07:18,640 --> 00:07:19,640 The trunk's pretty heavy. 114 00:07:19,640 --> 00:07:21,640 Oh, would you like me to give you a hand? 115 00:07:21,640 --> 00:07:22,640 Oh, no, no, that's all right. 116 00:07:22,640 --> 00:07:35,640 I've got the dolly right outside. 117 00:07:35,640 --> 00:07:43,640 Okay, here we go. 118 00:07:43,640 --> 00:07:46,640 Oh, boy, that thing really weighs. 119 00:07:46,640 --> 00:07:47,640 Well, it's all right. 120 00:07:47,640 --> 00:07:49,640 There's nothing breakable in there. 121 00:07:49,640 --> 00:07:51,640 It is a good solid trunk. 122 00:07:51,640 --> 00:07:53,640 They don't make them like that anymore. 123 00:07:53,640 --> 00:07:54,640 I guess not. 124 00:07:54,640 --> 00:07:57,640 Well, I'll put the rest of the stuff on top of the trunk. 125 00:07:57,640 --> 00:07:59,640 All right. 126 00:07:59,640 --> 00:08:02,640 Oh, be careful of my tackle, that's all. 127 00:08:02,640 --> 00:08:06,640 I know what you mean. 128 00:08:06,640 --> 00:08:09,640 Okay, is that it? 129 00:08:09,640 --> 00:08:11,640 Yep, that's it. 130 00:08:11,640 --> 00:08:15,640 One trunk, three suitcases, fishing tackle. 131 00:08:15,640 --> 00:08:17,640 Will you sign here, please? 132 00:08:17,640 --> 00:08:20,640 Sure. 133 00:08:20,640 --> 00:08:21,640 There you are. 134 00:08:21,640 --> 00:08:22,640 Thank you. 135 00:08:22,640 --> 00:08:24,640 What time will they be at the station? 136 00:08:24,640 --> 00:08:25,640 Oh, about 20 minutes. 137 00:08:25,640 --> 00:08:27,640 Oh, fine, I'm catching at 2 o'clock. 138 00:08:27,640 --> 00:08:28,640 Oh, they'll be there. 139 00:08:28,640 --> 00:08:29,640 That's fine. 140 00:08:29,640 --> 00:08:30,640 Thanks a lot. 141 00:08:30,640 --> 00:08:34,640 You're welcome. 142 00:08:34,640 --> 00:08:35,640 Thanks again. 143 00:08:35,640 --> 00:08:36,640 Well, have a good trip. 144 00:08:36,640 --> 00:08:37,640 Catch a fish for me. 145 00:08:37,640 --> 00:08:42,640 Yeah, I will. 146 00:08:42,640 --> 00:08:52,640 Well, that's that. 147 00:08:52,640 --> 00:08:55,640 I went in the kitchen, had another cup of coffee, 148 00:08:55,640 --> 00:08:58,640 and didn't wash the cup and saucer or the coffee pot. 149 00:08:58,640 --> 00:09:00,640 I didn't have to when there wasn't anybody to tell me 150 00:09:00,640 --> 00:09:02,640 I was messing up the kitchen. 151 00:09:02,640 --> 00:09:09,640 It was about 10 after 1 when the doorbell rang again. 152 00:09:09,640 --> 00:09:12,640 Mr. Milford, can I use your phone? 153 00:09:12,640 --> 00:09:13,640 What's the matter? 154 00:09:13,640 --> 00:09:15,640 Oh, I can't get the pickup started. 155 00:09:15,640 --> 00:09:17,640 It's that distributor again. 156 00:09:17,640 --> 00:09:19,640 I told them at the garage. 157 00:09:19,640 --> 00:09:20,640 See here, I've got a train to catch. 158 00:09:20,640 --> 00:09:22,640 You've got to get the luggage to the station. 159 00:09:22,640 --> 00:09:24,640 Oh, I'll have them send out another pickup. 160 00:09:24,640 --> 00:09:26,640 It shouldn't take more than 15 minutes. 161 00:09:26,640 --> 00:09:27,640 I'm awful sorry. 162 00:09:27,640 --> 00:09:30,640 Well, couldn't you fix it? 163 00:09:30,640 --> 00:09:31,640 Try again. 164 00:09:31,640 --> 00:09:33,640 I just can't miss that train. 165 00:09:33,640 --> 00:09:34,640 I've tried, Mr. Milford. 166 00:09:34,640 --> 00:09:35,640 Believe me. 167 00:09:35,640 --> 00:09:36,640 All right. 168 00:09:36,640 --> 00:09:39,640 I suppose you'll have to. 169 00:09:39,640 --> 00:09:41,640 But please, tell them to hurry, will you? 170 00:09:41,640 --> 00:09:53,640 Sure. 171 00:09:53,640 --> 00:09:55,640 Tug on distributor. 172 00:09:55,640 --> 00:09:57,640 I told them, I told them. 173 00:09:57,640 --> 00:09:59,640 Sure hate to put you out, Mr. Milford. 174 00:09:59,640 --> 00:10:00,640 Hello? 175 00:10:00,640 --> 00:10:03,640 Let me have the routing desk. 176 00:10:03,640 --> 00:10:05,640 Okay, I'll wait. 177 00:10:05,640 --> 00:10:07,640 Oh, Mr. Milford, it never fails. 178 00:10:07,640 --> 00:10:09,640 When you're in a hurry, it never fails. 179 00:10:09,640 --> 00:10:12,640 Do you think it's safe leaving the things out there? 180 00:10:12,640 --> 00:10:14,640 Maybe you ought to bring them in. 181 00:10:14,640 --> 00:10:15,640 Oh, no, no, no. 182 00:10:15,640 --> 00:10:16,640 It's all right. 183 00:10:16,640 --> 00:10:18,640 As soon as I'm through, I'll go out and sit in the pickup. 184 00:10:18,640 --> 00:10:21,640 Say, look, it's almost 1.15. 185 00:10:21,640 --> 00:10:22,640 Don't you worry. 186 00:10:22,640 --> 00:10:24,640 We'll get your stuff there on time. 187 00:10:24,640 --> 00:10:26,640 Come on, come on. 188 00:10:26,640 --> 00:10:27,640 Hello. 189 00:10:27,640 --> 00:10:30,640 What's happening, honey? 190 00:10:30,640 --> 00:10:32,640 Well, I got a customer here. 191 00:10:32,640 --> 00:10:33,640 He's got to catch a train. 192 00:10:33,640 --> 00:10:34,640 My truck's walking down. 193 00:10:34,640 --> 00:10:35,640 In 45 minutes. 194 00:10:35,640 --> 00:10:37,640 Well, he says in 45 minutes. 195 00:10:37,640 --> 00:10:39,640 Okay, okay. 196 00:10:39,640 --> 00:10:41,640 Oh, boy, it's some service. 197 00:10:41,640 --> 00:10:43,640 I work for the mister, and it's a good job, 198 00:10:43,640 --> 00:10:46,640 but I tell you, sometimes, boy. 199 00:10:46,640 --> 00:10:50,640 Oh, for heaven's sake. 200 00:10:50,640 --> 00:10:51,640 Hello, Herman. 201 00:10:51,640 --> 00:10:52,640 Joe's still here. 202 00:10:52,640 --> 00:10:54,640 No, no, she's gone, Louise. 203 00:10:54,640 --> 00:10:56,640 She caught the 11 o'clock train. 204 00:10:56,640 --> 00:10:57,640 Oh, that's funny. 205 00:10:57,640 --> 00:10:59,640 She said she was going to stop by for a minute. 206 00:10:59,640 --> 00:11:00,640 Well, she was late. 207 00:11:00,640 --> 00:11:01,640 Listen, I can't talk now. 208 00:11:01,640 --> 00:11:03,640 The expressman's here, and I've got to... 209 00:11:03,640 --> 00:11:05,640 My, is that all your luggage on the truck? 210 00:11:05,640 --> 00:11:06,640 Yes, yes, it is. 211 00:11:06,640 --> 00:11:08,640 Oh, I think that's very sensible, taking the trunk. 212 00:11:08,640 --> 00:11:10,640 I told Joe she ought to. 213 00:11:10,640 --> 00:11:11,640 Things don't crease so much. 214 00:11:11,640 --> 00:11:14,640 Nothing annoys me more than having all my nice summer things 215 00:11:14,640 --> 00:11:17,640 all creased when I take them out of the suitcase. 216 00:11:17,640 --> 00:11:19,640 You're going to have to excuse me, Louise. 217 00:11:19,640 --> 00:11:20,640 I'm trying to get this express... 218 00:11:20,640 --> 00:11:22,640 You're going to be so nervous, Herman. 219 00:11:22,640 --> 00:11:25,640 Goodness, you make a body nervous, being so nervous. 220 00:11:25,640 --> 00:11:28,640 You men, you and Jack. 221 00:11:28,640 --> 00:11:30,640 I'll bet Joe did all the packing, 222 00:11:30,640 --> 00:11:32,640 and all you have to do is see it gets to the station. 223 00:11:32,640 --> 00:11:35,640 You men, honestly, talk about nervous. 224 00:11:35,640 --> 00:11:37,640 When are Julie and William going up? 225 00:11:37,640 --> 00:11:38,640 The day after tomorrow, Louise. 226 00:11:38,640 --> 00:11:39,640 Oh, yeah, that's right. 227 00:11:39,640 --> 00:11:41,640 They're spending a couple of days at the beach 228 00:11:41,640 --> 00:11:42,640 with the Buford kids, huh? 229 00:11:42,640 --> 00:11:43,640 Yeah. 230 00:11:43,640 --> 00:11:46,640 Honestly, I don't know how you let them go there alone. 231 00:11:46,640 --> 00:11:47,640 I've heard. 232 00:11:47,640 --> 00:11:50,640 Well, there's been talk of pretty wild parties. 233 00:11:50,640 --> 00:11:52,640 Of course, it's none of my business, but... 234 00:11:52,640 --> 00:11:54,640 Thanks for stopping by, Louise. 235 00:11:54,640 --> 00:11:55,640 Goodbye. 236 00:11:55,640 --> 00:11:57,640 Well, I think you're being very rude, Herman. 237 00:11:57,640 --> 00:11:59,640 I think you're being very rude. 238 00:12:01,640 --> 00:12:02,640 What did they say? 239 00:12:02,640 --> 00:12:04,640 Well, it's nothing to worry about, Mr. Milford. 240 00:12:04,640 --> 00:12:06,640 The other pickup will be on its way in a couple of minutes. 241 00:12:06,640 --> 00:12:09,640 Oh, my, look, it's 20 past 1. 242 00:12:09,640 --> 00:12:10,640 Now, you just take it easy. 243 00:12:10,640 --> 00:12:13,640 I'll go out and see if I can't get that pile of junk started. 244 00:12:13,640 --> 00:12:14,640 You just take it easy. 245 00:12:14,640 --> 00:12:17,640 You'll make it all right. 246 00:12:17,640 --> 00:12:19,640 Now, remember, take it easy. 247 00:12:22,640 --> 00:12:24,640 Don't worry, Louise, I could have killed her. 248 00:12:24,640 --> 00:12:25,640 No, let Jack kill her. 249 00:12:25,640 --> 00:12:27,640 I had my own problems. 250 00:12:27,640 --> 00:12:31,640 I tell you, those women, she would notice the trunk. 251 00:12:31,640 --> 00:12:33,640 Oh, well, that wouldn't mean too much. 252 00:12:33,640 --> 00:12:35,640 I had the other one, a duplicate, 253 00:12:35,640 --> 00:12:37,640 already up at the cabin to bring back. 254 00:12:37,640 --> 00:12:38,640 Nobody'd see me take it there. 255 00:12:38,640 --> 00:12:40,640 I was safe on that. 256 00:12:40,640 --> 00:12:41,640 I don't mind telling you, I was a little nervous 257 00:12:41,640 --> 00:12:43,640 waiting for that truck to come. 258 00:12:43,640 --> 00:12:46,640 Of course, there was some consolation. 259 00:12:46,640 --> 00:12:52,640 The sun was nice and hot, shining right on the trunk outside. 260 00:12:52,640 --> 00:12:55,640 Joe must have been roasting nicely. 261 00:12:55,640 --> 00:12:58,640 It was like that lamb she was always cooking. 262 00:12:58,640 --> 00:13:02,640 Every Saturday for 20 years, roast lamb. 263 00:13:02,640 --> 00:13:04,640 She knew I hated it. 264 00:13:04,640 --> 00:13:05,640 That's why she made it. 265 00:13:05,640 --> 00:13:08,640 No more roast lamb ever. 266 00:13:08,640 --> 00:13:13,640 Oh, the truck. 267 00:13:13,640 --> 00:13:14,640 Hi, Dad. 268 00:13:14,640 --> 00:13:15,640 Hi, Pop. 269 00:13:15,640 --> 00:13:21,640 Julie, William, what are you doing home? 270 00:13:21,640 --> 00:13:24,640 Oh, Mac Buford got sick, appendix or something. 271 00:13:24,640 --> 00:13:25,640 Real square. 272 00:13:25,640 --> 00:13:26,640 We all got thrown out. 273 00:13:26,640 --> 00:13:27,640 No beach party, nothing. 274 00:13:27,640 --> 00:13:29,640 So we decided to go up to the cabin with you. 275 00:13:29,640 --> 00:13:31,640 Yeah, we put our suitcases on the truck outside 276 00:13:31,640 --> 00:13:33,640 and we're all set. 277 00:13:33,640 --> 00:13:51,640 Let's go, Pop. 278 00:13:51,640 --> 00:13:54,640 You are listening to Variations on a Theme, 279 00:13:54,640 --> 00:13:57,640 tonight's presentation in radio's outstanding 280 00:13:57,640 --> 00:14:09,640 Theatre of Thrills, Suspense. 281 00:14:09,640 --> 00:14:11,640 You can't expect the rest of the world to know how strongly 282 00:14:11,640 --> 00:14:14,640 you favor our democratic way of life unless you tell them, 283 00:14:14,640 --> 00:14:17,640 and you can tell them, the resounding truths about freedom 284 00:14:17,640 --> 00:14:20,640 by lending your support to the Crusade for Freedom. 285 00:14:20,640 --> 00:14:23,640 Yes, one dollar sent to Crusade for Freedom 286 00:14:23,640 --> 00:14:26,640 will pay for a minute of truth on Radio Free Europe. 287 00:14:26,640 --> 00:14:29,640 Send your truth dollars to Crusade for Freedom, 288 00:14:29,640 --> 00:14:31,640 care of your local postmaster. 289 00:14:31,640 --> 00:14:34,640 That's Crusade for Freedom, care of your local postmaster. 290 00:14:34,640 --> 00:14:39,640 This has been a public service message from CBS Radio. 291 00:14:39,640 --> 00:14:42,640 And now we bring back to our Hollywood soundstage 292 00:14:42,640 --> 00:14:45,640 Parley Bear, starring in tonight's production, 293 00:14:45,640 --> 00:14:49,640 Variations on a Theme, a tale well calculated 294 00:14:49,640 --> 00:15:11,640 to keep you in suspense. 295 00:15:11,640 --> 00:15:15,640 I knew they'd be better off without her, but what could I say? 296 00:15:15,640 --> 00:15:17,640 Kids, I got your mother outside in the trunk, 297 00:15:17,640 --> 00:15:20,640 I'm going to drop her in the lake when we get up to the cabin. 298 00:15:20,640 --> 00:15:22,640 They liked me, maybe they liked me better than her, 299 00:15:22,640 --> 00:15:25,640 but she was their mother. 300 00:15:25,640 --> 00:15:28,640 They might be sympathetic, because she nagged them 301 00:15:28,640 --> 00:15:29,640 almost as much as she did me. 302 00:15:29,640 --> 00:15:32,640 Still, murder, I didn't think they'd go for that, 303 00:15:32,640 --> 00:15:35,640 so of course I didn't tell them. 304 00:15:35,640 --> 00:15:37,640 But I was in a mess. 305 00:15:37,640 --> 00:15:40,640 How was I going to get rid of her with the kids around? 306 00:15:40,640 --> 00:15:43,640 Well, they were all excited to get going and called a taxi, 307 00:15:43,640 --> 00:15:46,640 and by the time it got to the house, the other express truck had arrived 308 00:15:46,640 --> 00:15:48,640 and taken off at the trunk and the cases. 309 00:15:48,640 --> 00:15:52,640 We made it to the station with five minutes to spare. 310 00:15:52,640 --> 00:15:58,640 I guess I'm a fatalist, what's done is done, what's to be is to be. 311 00:15:58,640 --> 00:16:02,640 I figured I'd get rid of the kids long enough when we got to the cabin 312 00:16:02,640 --> 00:16:04,640 to take care of Joe. 313 00:16:04,640 --> 00:16:07,640 As we walked along the platform past the baggage car, 314 00:16:07,640 --> 00:16:10,640 I saw them loading the trunk. 315 00:16:10,640 --> 00:16:15,640 I must admit, I got a kick out of the way they banged it around. 316 00:16:15,640 --> 00:16:19,640 It's funny how you get a kick out of something like that. 317 00:16:30,640 --> 00:16:32,640 You want the sports section, Pop? 318 00:16:32,640 --> 00:16:35,640 Oh, no thanks, I read it. 319 00:16:35,640 --> 00:16:37,640 You look tired. 320 00:16:37,640 --> 00:16:38,640 I do. 321 00:16:38,640 --> 00:16:39,640 You need a good rest. 322 00:16:39,640 --> 00:16:40,640 Right. 323 00:16:40,640 --> 00:16:42,640 You and me will do some fishing. 324 00:16:42,640 --> 00:16:44,640 Maybe this evening, huh, Pop? 325 00:16:44,640 --> 00:16:46,640 No, I don't know, maybe. 326 00:16:46,640 --> 00:16:50,640 You know Mother, she'll have a million things for us to do when we get there. 327 00:16:50,640 --> 00:16:52,640 I can hear her now. 328 00:16:52,640 --> 00:16:53,640 Let her stew. 329 00:16:53,640 --> 00:16:55,640 It's vacation time. 330 00:16:55,640 --> 00:16:57,640 How was she this morning, Dad? 331 00:16:57,640 --> 00:17:00,640 Oh, all right, her usual self. 332 00:17:00,640 --> 00:17:03,640 Your mother's a rather nervous woman, you know. 333 00:17:03,640 --> 00:17:05,640 Nervous? 334 00:17:05,640 --> 00:17:09,640 Pop, you know, this year I've been studying some psychology, 335 00:17:09,640 --> 00:17:14,640 and, well, Pop, she's your wife and our mother. 336 00:17:14,640 --> 00:17:18,640 But boy, if I've ever seen a psychotic, that's it. 337 00:17:18,640 --> 00:17:22,640 No, no, no, no, you really shouldn't talk about your mother that way. 338 00:17:22,640 --> 00:17:25,640 Oh, Dad, sometimes I wonder how you put up with it. 339 00:17:25,640 --> 00:17:27,640 I'll bet right now she's complaining. 340 00:17:27,640 --> 00:17:28,640 All to herself. 341 00:17:28,640 --> 00:17:30,640 It's either too hot or too cold. 342 00:17:30,640 --> 00:17:34,640 I imagine it's the heat more than the cold right now. 343 00:17:34,640 --> 00:17:37,640 You know, I hope I find a man like you to marry. 344 00:17:37,640 --> 00:17:39,640 The patience of a saint. 345 00:17:39,640 --> 00:17:41,640 He'd need to be if he married you. 346 00:17:41,640 --> 00:17:43,640 Oh, hearty, hearty. 347 00:17:43,640 --> 00:17:46,640 No, no, no, don't quarrel, children. 348 00:17:46,640 --> 00:17:50,640 Hey, Julie, you remember last year that fellow, what was his name? 349 00:17:50,640 --> 00:17:52,640 Well, you remember, he was at the dance. 350 00:17:52,640 --> 00:17:53,640 Something was bothering me. 351 00:17:53,640 --> 00:17:57,640 I mean, aside from the fact that my wife was doubled up in a trunk 352 00:17:57,640 --> 00:17:59,640 a few cars away from where we were sitting. 353 00:17:59,640 --> 00:18:01,640 It had been bothering me ever since we left the house, 354 00:18:01,640 --> 00:18:06,640 and suddenly I knew what it was, the heat, the heat. 355 00:18:06,640 --> 00:18:09,640 You know what happens to tape when it gets warm, wet, 356 00:18:09,640 --> 00:18:11,640 particularly if it's in contact with flesh. 357 00:18:11,640 --> 00:18:14,640 Well, I can tell you, it gets loose. 358 00:18:14,640 --> 00:18:19,640 And I had a horrible vision of that electrical tape over Joe's mouth slipping. 359 00:18:19,640 --> 00:18:21,640 Oh, I got almost here. 360 00:18:21,640 --> 00:18:22,640 Dad? 361 00:18:22,640 --> 00:18:23,640 I felt pretty warm myself. 362 00:18:23,640 --> 00:18:26,640 Dad? Dad, are you all right? 363 00:18:26,640 --> 00:18:31,640 Oh, I was daydreaming. 364 00:18:31,640 --> 00:18:32,640 Very Freudian, Pop. 365 00:18:32,640 --> 00:18:33,640 Very Freudian. 366 00:18:33,640 --> 00:18:37,640 Yes, look, I feel a little restless. 367 00:18:37,640 --> 00:18:39,640 I'm going to walk up to the smoker. 368 00:18:39,640 --> 00:18:40,640 Hey, swell, we'll all go. 369 00:18:40,640 --> 00:18:43,640 Well, I'd kind of like to go alone. 370 00:18:43,640 --> 00:18:44,640 Go ahead, Dad. 371 00:18:44,640 --> 00:18:50,640 I won't be long. 372 00:18:50,640 --> 00:18:53,640 We had about ten minutes before the train pulled into Pinecrest. 373 00:18:53,640 --> 00:18:58,640 I thought that if she had made a sound, and when she made it, she made a lot of it. 374 00:18:58,640 --> 00:19:00,640 Somebody would have heard her by now. 375 00:19:00,640 --> 00:19:04,640 There'd have to be some kind of a commotion at the baggage car. 376 00:19:04,640 --> 00:19:08,640 When I got to the connecting door to the baggage car, there wasn't a soul. 377 00:19:08,640 --> 00:19:10,640 Still, I wanted to be sure. 378 00:19:10,640 --> 00:19:13,640 If I was going to be caught, I might as well be caught right then. 379 00:19:13,640 --> 00:19:14,640 It really wouldn't make any difference. 380 00:19:14,640 --> 00:19:24,640 So I pounded on the door. 381 00:19:24,640 --> 00:19:25,640 Yes, sir? 382 00:19:25,640 --> 00:19:29,640 Oh, I was a little worried about my fishing tackle. 383 00:19:29,640 --> 00:19:31,640 I wanted to be sure it was on the car. 384 00:19:31,640 --> 00:19:34,640 I'm sorry, no, no admittance. 385 00:19:34,640 --> 00:19:37,640 Oh, yes, well, I suppose it's there. 386 00:19:37,640 --> 00:19:38,640 Where are you getting off? 387 00:19:38,640 --> 00:19:40,640 Pinecrest. 388 00:19:40,640 --> 00:19:43,640 There's a metal trunk, some suitcases, and tackle to be put off there. 389 00:19:43,640 --> 00:19:45,640 Yes, that's mine. 390 00:19:45,640 --> 00:19:46,640 Thank you very much. 391 00:19:46,640 --> 00:19:52,640 Okay. 392 00:19:52,640 --> 00:19:55,640 Just before he closed the door, I caught a glimpse of the trunk. 393 00:19:55,640 --> 00:19:57,640 It was standing on end. 394 00:19:57,640 --> 00:20:00,640 Her head down, I hope. 395 00:20:00,640 --> 00:20:09,640 I felt better. 396 00:20:09,640 --> 00:20:13,640 Twenty minutes later, we were loading the suitcases on Old Man Butterfield's pickup truck. 397 00:20:13,640 --> 00:20:17,640 He was mighty glad to see us and mighty worried about Joe not having arrived yet. 398 00:20:17,640 --> 00:20:20,640 I explained about her visit to her mother. 399 00:20:20,640 --> 00:20:24,640 Well, sir, mighty glad to see you folks anyway. 400 00:20:24,640 --> 00:20:27,640 My stars, Mr. William, you've grown a lot. 401 00:20:27,640 --> 00:20:29,640 We'd better get the trunk on. 402 00:20:29,640 --> 00:20:32,640 William, you take this corner and I'll get on the other side. 403 00:20:32,640 --> 00:20:34,640 And you push in the middle, Mr. Butterfield. 404 00:20:34,640 --> 00:20:36,640 Okay, Pop. 405 00:20:36,640 --> 00:20:43,640 Now, all together, one, two, three, four. 406 00:20:43,640 --> 00:20:46,640 Oh, that's a mighty heavy trunk, Mr. Milford. 407 00:20:46,640 --> 00:20:50,640 Oh, we're going to be up here for a month. 408 00:20:50,640 --> 00:20:57,640 Well, folks, fishing has been a mite slow, just a mite, but it should be picking up any day now. 409 00:20:57,640 --> 00:21:00,640 Fellas have been getting some nice strikes with bug-eyed poppers. 410 00:21:00,640 --> 00:21:02,640 Mighty nice strikes. 411 00:21:02,640 --> 00:21:05,640 Oh, that's fine. 412 00:21:05,640 --> 00:21:06,640 How's your wife, Mr. Milford? 413 00:21:06,640 --> 00:21:08,640 Just fine, just fine. 414 00:21:08,640 --> 00:21:12,640 Oh, proud piece of woman that, Mr. Milford, proud piece. 415 00:21:12,640 --> 00:21:14,640 Miss Julie, you favor her. 416 00:21:14,640 --> 00:21:15,640 Thank you, Mr. Butterfield. 417 00:21:15,640 --> 00:21:18,640 You say she'll be up around seven, eh? 418 00:21:18,640 --> 00:21:22,640 It depends on how long she stays where she is. 419 00:21:22,640 --> 00:21:35,640 It was a pretty narrow washboard road from the station to our cabin, about eight miles. 420 00:21:35,640 --> 00:21:38,640 I could hear the luggage bouncing around in the back. 421 00:21:38,640 --> 00:21:45,640 The kids talked about everything the kids talked about when they started vacation, and it made me feel good listening to them. 422 00:21:45,640 --> 00:21:48,640 Well, we got to the cabin and loaded. 423 00:21:48,640 --> 00:21:56,640 Mr. Butterfield took off, and there we were, the four of us, including Joe in the trunk. 424 00:21:56,640 --> 00:22:00,640 My, it was a beautiful afternoon. 425 00:22:00,640 --> 00:22:03,640 Boy, the old place hasn't changed. 426 00:22:03,640 --> 00:22:06,640 Pop, let you and me go down to the lake. What do you say? 427 00:22:06,640 --> 00:22:08,640 That's a good idea. I'll get things done. 428 00:22:08,640 --> 00:22:14,640 No, no, you kids go on down. I'd feel better putting everything away myself. It'll make your mother happier. 429 00:22:14,640 --> 00:22:15,640 Oh, Pop. 430 00:22:15,640 --> 00:22:20,640 We'll all do it together. Might as well start with the trunk. Yours and mother's clothes in that, Dad? 431 00:22:20,640 --> 00:22:25,640 Well, you kids take your suitcases up to your rooms. I'll take care of the trunk. 432 00:22:25,640 --> 00:22:26,640 Okay. 433 00:22:26,640 --> 00:22:30,640 We'll still have time to fish before dark, Dad. 434 00:22:30,640 --> 00:22:33,640 They went upstairs. I had to be very fast now. 435 00:22:33,640 --> 00:22:42,640 I dragged the trunk into the storage room, left it there in a corner, draped an old sheet over it, and brought out the empty duplicate trunk, which I'd driven up to the cabin six months earlier. 436 00:22:42,640 --> 00:22:46,640 I was afraid they'd hear me, but they were too busy chattering to each other as they unpacked. 437 00:22:46,640 --> 00:22:52,640 The old Joe would have been proud of me if she'd seen how quickly I got the clothes out of the suitcases and put away. 438 00:22:52,640 --> 00:22:59,640 When the kids came back downstairs, the trunk stood open and empty in the middle of the floor. 439 00:22:59,640 --> 00:23:01,640 Hey, that was quick work. 440 00:23:01,640 --> 00:23:04,640 Here, I'll help you put the trunk in the store room. 441 00:23:04,640 --> 00:23:09,640 All right, son. 442 00:23:09,640 --> 00:23:14,640 I'm going to lift it. 443 00:23:14,640 --> 00:23:15,640 Careful. 444 00:23:15,640 --> 00:23:19,640 Very careful. 445 00:23:19,640 --> 00:23:21,640 Look out for your foot. 446 00:23:21,640 --> 00:23:24,640 All right. 447 00:23:24,640 --> 00:23:30,640 Pop, can I use your spinning outfit? I'd like to feel a bass on it. 448 00:23:30,640 --> 00:23:34,640 Oh, of course, I'm not saying it'd be as much fun as the old fly rod, but can I try? 449 00:23:34,640 --> 00:23:35,640 Sure you can. 450 00:23:35,640 --> 00:23:39,640 Thanks. Gee, this is going to be a swell vacation, Pop. 451 00:23:39,640 --> 00:23:40,640 I hope so. 452 00:23:40,640 --> 00:23:42,640 What time do you think Mother will be here? 453 00:23:42,640 --> 00:23:46,640 Well, she must have stopped off at Greenwood to see Grandma, so I imagine it ought to be around seven. 454 00:23:46,640 --> 00:23:48,640 She said it'd be about then. 455 00:23:48,640 --> 00:23:52,640 All right. Why don't you two do some fishing for an hour, and I'll start dinner. 456 00:23:52,640 --> 00:23:54,640 Fine, dear, fine. 457 00:23:54,640 --> 00:24:12,640 This is a wonderful steak, Julie. 458 00:24:12,640 --> 00:24:13,640 Thank you, Dad. 459 00:24:13,640 --> 00:24:14,640 Great. 460 00:24:14,640 --> 00:24:17,640 Don't talk with your mouth full. 461 00:24:17,640 --> 00:24:21,640 You know, I'm getting worried about Mother. It's almost half past seven. 462 00:24:21,640 --> 00:24:28,640 Oh, I wouldn't worry, dear. She's probably... 463 00:24:28,640 --> 00:24:30,640 What was that? 464 00:24:30,640 --> 00:24:32,640 What was what? 465 00:24:32,640 --> 00:24:35,640 I heard it. Like a knocking. 466 00:24:35,640 --> 00:24:40,640 Oh, woodpecker, probably. 467 00:24:40,640 --> 00:24:43,640 Hey, that's no woodpecker. 468 00:24:43,640 --> 00:24:44,640 What is it? 469 00:24:44,640 --> 00:24:46,640 I don't know. 470 00:24:46,640 --> 00:24:47,640 Oh, dear. 471 00:24:47,640 --> 00:24:51,640 Where's it coming from? 472 00:24:51,640 --> 00:24:53,640 It's not outside. It's... 473 00:24:53,640 --> 00:24:56,640 Pop, a rat, maybe? 474 00:24:56,640 --> 00:25:01,640 I think it's coming from the storeroom. 475 00:25:01,640 --> 00:25:06,640 Sounds like a woman. Listen. 476 00:25:06,640 --> 00:25:08,640 It is in the storeroom. 477 00:25:08,640 --> 00:25:09,640 I'm scared. 478 00:25:09,640 --> 00:25:10,640 You stay here. Come on, Pop. 479 00:25:10,640 --> 00:25:19,640 Be careful. 480 00:25:19,640 --> 00:25:24,640 Pop, it's coming from over there, under the sheet. 481 00:25:24,640 --> 00:25:26,640 It's... 482 00:25:26,640 --> 00:25:31,640 It's your mother, William. The tape slipped. I was afraid it would. 483 00:25:31,640 --> 00:25:32,640 Pop? 484 00:25:32,640 --> 00:25:40,640 Come on. 485 00:25:40,640 --> 00:25:43,640 Mother's in there? 486 00:25:43,640 --> 00:25:45,640 Mother? 487 00:25:45,640 --> 00:25:49,640 Help me unstrap it, William. Don't just stand there. 488 00:25:49,640 --> 00:25:51,640 What's she doing in there? 489 00:25:51,640 --> 00:25:54,640 That's a pretty stupid question. She'll answer. 490 00:25:54,640 --> 00:25:57,640 Oh, my house, she'll answer. 491 00:25:57,640 --> 00:26:00,640 Pop. Oh, stop saying Pop. 492 00:26:00,640 --> 00:26:04,640 All right. Stand back. 493 00:26:04,640 --> 00:26:06,640 Mother. 494 00:26:06,640 --> 00:26:07,640 Mother. 495 00:26:07,640 --> 00:26:13,640 Ma, here, I'll get the tape off. 496 00:26:13,640 --> 00:26:14,640 Ma. 497 00:26:14,640 --> 00:26:16,640 I'll have to think of something else. 498 00:26:16,640 --> 00:26:18,640 This won't work again. That's for sure. 499 00:26:18,640 --> 00:26:21,640 He tried to murder me. He tried to murder me. 500 00:26:21,640 --> 00:26:32,640 He tried to murder me. 501 00:26:32,640 --> 00:26:35,640 Herman? Herman, did you pack that hairbrush? 502 00:26:35,640 --> 00:26:37,640 Yes, dear. 503 00:26:37,640 --> 00:26:40,640 I don't know why you want to take all that fishing tackle. 504 00:26:40,640 --> 00:26:41,640 You never catch any fish anyway. 505 00:26:41,640 --> 00:26:43,640 What time are they coming for the luggage? 506 00:26:43,640 --> 00:26:45,640 One o'clock, I told you. 507 00:26:45,640 --> 00:26:49,640 Oh, I don't feel right taking off and leaving the children to follow. 508 00:26:49,640 --> 00:26:53,640 If anything, for heaven's sake, what are you doing with that trunk? 509 00:26:53,640 --> 00:26:57,640 We don't need a trunk. You get that thing put away. 510 00:26:57,640 --> 00:27:00,640 Oh, phew. Oh, it's all dusty. 511 00:27:00,640 --> 00:27:02,640 Look at my nice clean room. 512 00:27:02,640 --> 00:27:04,640 What are you doing with that trunk, Herman? 513 00:27:04,640 --> 00:27:07,640 Nothing, dear. I decided not to. 514 00:27:07,640 --> 00:27:10,640 Not to? Not to what? 515 00:27:10,640 --> 00:27:12,640 What's the matter with you, Herman? 516 00:27:12,640 --> 00:27:16,640 Nothing. Just a little idea I had. 517 00:27:16,640 --> 00:27:42,640 I'll think of something else. 518 00:27:42,640 --> 00:27:50,640 Suspense, in which Parley Bear starred in tonight's presentation of Variations on a Theme. 519 00:27:50,640 --> 00:27:56,640 Next week, the true story of a daring escape through the Iron Curtain of Czechoslovakia. 520 00:27:56,640 --> 00:27:59,640 We call it Listen Young Lovers. 521 00:27:59,640 --> 00:28:16,640 That's next week on Suspense. 522 00:28:16,640 --> 00:28:21,640 Suspense is transcribed in Hollywood by Anthony Ellis, who also wrote tonight's script. 523 00:28:21,640 --> 00:28:26,640 The music was composed by Rene Gerrigan and conducted by Wilbur Hatch. 524 00:28:26,640 --> 00:28:33,640 Featured in the cast were Paula Winslow, Helen Quibb, Sam Edwards, Barbara Fuller, George Walsh, and Peter Leeds. 525 00:28:33,640 --> 00:28:38,640 Joan Loring, Young Broadway star and winner of both the Donaldson and the Critics Circle Awards, 526 00:28:38,640 --> 00:28:44,640 will be adding to her prestige as a dramatic actress tomorrow night when she stars in The Payoff Girl, 527 00:28:44,640 --> 00:28:49,640 tomorrow night on The FBI in Peace and War. 528 00:28:49,640 --> 00:29:07,640 Stay tuned for five minutes of CBS News to be followed on most of these stations by The Jack Carson Show. 529 00:29:07,640 --> 00:29:28,640 The Radio Workshop presents the new and unusual Friday nights on the CBS Radio Network. 530 00:30:07,640 --> 00:30:14,640 Thank you.