Suspense. And the producer of radio's outstanding theater of thrills, the master of mystery
and adventure, William N. Robeson.
The American standard of living is the highest on earth. We no longer consider an automobile
or an electric refrigerator or a TV set a luxury. They're necessities and taken for
granted. Who cares if the smallest practical coin is a dime? We've got it made. Yet in
this richest land on earth, there are communities where a ten cent candy bar acquires a strange
and distorted value, where a box of peanut brittle can be worth a man's life. Communities
you and I never visit. The places where we, like careless housekeepers, sweep our dirt
under the national rug so it will not be seen. The gray walled communities where thousands
of men live a restless and useless existence. The prisons of America. Of one of these, we
have a story to tell. Listen. Listen then as Skip Holmeyer stars in Peanut Brittle, which
begins in exactly one minute.
Do you know the social security benefits to which you will be entitled when you separate
from the service and take a civilian job? Here's a tip from social security.
You wouldn't think of letting your bank savings pile up year after year without getting an
occasional statement, would you? Well, your social security taxes are similar to savings.
They are held for you by the government until you need them. How much money you make determines
how large your benefit will be. If you or your employer should make a mistake in reporting
your social security taxes and it is not discovered within three years, it may be too late to
correct it. That's why we say check your account. Better be on the safe side. It's so easy to
get a postcard form 7004. Just write to Social Security, Department 15, Hollywood 28, California.
After sending form 7004, in a couple of weeks you will get a statement of the amount credited
to your social security record by name and number. This statement is free, but it must
be requested by you. Just ask for form 7004 and that's Social Security, Department 15,
Hollywood 28, California. And now, skip home I are in, peanut brittle, a prison tale well
calculated to keep you in suspense. Wow! The bell, it jarged you, huh? Well, it's awful
loud. You'll get used to it. Everything's loud in here. Bells, whistles, the cell doors.
Where you from? Upstate. Put your stuff on the top bunk, that's your new home. What you
carrying? What? What you carrying? Time. Oh, one to ten. Climbing in windows, huh? They
got me on armed robbery. You ain't gonna be here long. Well, I got one to ten. Man, you'll
do a hot minute. The warden will kiss you on the cheek and you'll be home with mother
before you know it. I don't know about that. Listen man, doing time in this joint is nothing.
It is if you know how. You hungry? Sort of. Don't be afraid to speak up. Man, you'll
always be hungry in this lousy place. You like candy? Sometimes. You're a fish, all right.
But you'll get to like candy real well, real soon. Man, it's the only thing inside. You
want some? What kind? You never asked that in here. Just take it. You got any money on
the books? What? Money. Credit in the warden's office so you can have canteen in here. No.
How you gonna smoke and eat things you like? Man, after a few weeks them candy bars start
tasting like caviar. Here. Here, have some peanut brittle. It's good, man. Have some.
Thanks. Forget it. Anyway, we can get a lot more. Ever played dominoes? When I was a
kid. Listen man, you're gonna play again. You and me. We're gonna play for candy. Lots
and lots of candy. Well, the captain of the yard told us... He told you gambling wasn't
nice, right? Well, not like that. He told us... He told you you'd get in trouble. Listen
man, we're gonna play it real cool. As soon as you get around this place a little and
the hedge rinkers get through quizzing you, we're gonna hit the yard as the domino team
to beat. Well, I heard about those games. Don't it take cigarettes or canteen duckets
to get in them? You got big ears, man. Well, hear this. We're gonna bust into those games
with next to nothing. How? The buildup. Huh? You're new. You're fish. I'm gonna build you
up as really somebody. A guy with clear dough and connections on the outside. Get it? I
don't know. It sounds kind of like asking for trouble. What happens if we lose? What
happens if we have to keep eating this lousy chow? What happens if you hit the rack every
night so hungry you could chew the bars off the cell door? What happens if I think you're
chicken? I don't know. Now listen man, I'm telling you we can't miss. When I get through
spreading the word about you, those guys will break their necks, getting us into a big game.
Don't you see? We got a chance to clean up. Besides, I know how to play dominoes. I'm
not gonna let us lose. Oh, and by the way, my name's Marino. Tommy Marino. What's your
handle? Eddie Kip. Glad to know you, partner. Well, what do you think of the yard? It's
big, isn't it? Seems like everybody who ever lived is inside. The best citizens. Hey, hey
look, over there. That's where we're gonna open shop. One of Skye Grogan's games. Who's
he? Bad man, plain bad. But he's got all kinds of connections. He's got what we want, the
game and the loot. I've already told him about you. I don't know. It's a setup, man. Skye
wants new players with him. I've known Skye a long time. He's been here a long time too.
He's doing it all. Life without parole. But he's a good guy. Come on, let's go over and
meet him. How you doing, Skye? Hi, kid. You busy for a minute, man? What's on your mind?
I'd like you to meet my buddy I told you about. Eddie. Hi, Eddie. Hi. You letting any new guys
in this game? Like you too? That's right. I don't know. What does it take to get in?
Canteen, ducats, cigarettes, candy. What you got? Some peanut brittle. A half box of it.
Is there more where that come from? Sure. Here. Okay. But I don't want any belly aching
if you lose. If you win, I pay right then. I want it the same way. You guys playing double
a single. Together. You want him now? Well, that's why we're here. For we got our own
dominoes. Eddie? Yeah, yeah, here they are. You get over there. I'll stay this side of
the table. Hey, Skye, who are your players? Johnny, Sid, Tom, Eddie. Deuce. Here's six
for you. Six right back at you. Trey. Trey. Double four. You got it, Eddie. Double four
and I'll put an ace on top of it. It's fine. We'll see it. Hey, it's noon chow. You guys
gonna eat? Not me. How about the other guys? They'll stick if you want to. Let's play then.
Tommy, we're losing too much. Shut up. Top the tray. I got it for you. And four on that.
I'm playing a six. And a deuce. All right, put them away. That means you meant to. Come
on, wrap them up. All right, all right. Hey, are you guys forgetting something? I told
you we should have quit. Tell me up. You owe me exactly one box of pina brittle. Those
ten pegs say so, right? If that's the way you read them. Who's holding the sack for you
two? Eddie here. I haven't got anything. Well, you told me you had plenty of canteen
ducks. Hey, cut the bull. You guys come into this game talking big canteen, so I want what's
coming to me. We'll get it up. Hey, man, don't say we. You were supposed to back us up.
It was your idea. You see? You see what happens when you play with kids? Honest, Skye, he told
me he had all kinds of loot. So naturally, I figured. You're lying. I didn't say anything.
Hey, man. Man, look out who you're calling liar. Listen, you punks. I want what you owe
this game. I want candy, pina brittle. I want a real quick, a whole box. You kid, pick a
better partner next time. Don't worry, I will. Listen, punk, whatever your name is, you come
into this joint, into this game with a lot of big talk about who you were, what you had.
You said that was all Tommy's doing. I only told the guys what you told me. I don't get
it. You said if we played. Listen, you're new here, so I'm going to give you a break.
You get that candy by tonight after we're locked up from supper and we forget all about
it. OK, where am I going to get it? I don't care where or how you get it, but get it. Well,
you better find a way to beat that wall. Tommy, what am I going to do? Oh, how do I know,
man? I want to hit the sack. Do you mind? Yes, I do. You know I haven't got any money on
the books. You know I haven't got any friends outside who'd send me money. Well, what am
I going to do? You were the guy that wanted to build me up for us to play. Now you don't
know me. Is that it? Listen, I thought you was a hustler. I figured if we ever lose,
you'd be smart enough to hustle up some canteen. I put something in the game, didn't I? Why
don't you be a right guy and help us get out of this jam? Us? This is your mess, not mine.
Well, what am I supposed to do? Cook up a batch of peanut brittle here in the cell?
What's Guy Grogan going to do? Kill me for a lousy box of peanut brittle? It's been done
for a lot less. In a moment, we continue with the second act of suspense. Do you know the
social security benefits to which you will be entitled when you separate from the service
and take a civilian job? Here's a tip from social security. When you open an account
at a store, a special record is usually started for you. When you get a social security account
card, a personal record is also started for you using both your name and the number of
your card. To be sure your social security record is correct, it's a good idea to check
your social security record every few years. To get a statement of your earnings from the
social security records, you can use postcard form 7004. This form is yours by writing to
social security, department 15, Hollywood 28, California. That's postcard form 7004.
And now, act two of peanut brittle, starring Skip Holmeier, a tale well calculated to keep
you in suspense.
Hey, you punk.
Huh?
You got something for me?
You know better. I haven't had time to raise anything.
You heard me. You heard what I said out in the yard, didn't you? After supper.
Sure I did, but you gotta give a guy some time.
Time? Don't give me that time, bit punk.
Leave me alone.
I'll leave you alone, hanging head down from this balcony.
Let go of me. No, let me go. Please, Sky. Help.
Hey, man, easy. You'll fall.
Shut up or I'll heave you over the railings, too.
Please, Sky, don't let me fall.
How do you like hanging five tears up in the air? All I gotta do is let go of your legs.
Please, Sky, please.
What do you say, kid? What are you gonna get me, huh? What you gonna get me, kid?
Peanut brittle, peanut brittle.
By tomorrow morning, right?
Yes, yes, yes.
Yes, yes, yes, yes.
Yeah, remember, tomorrow morning, when we go to breakfast, I want that peanut brittle,
or next time I'll let you drop.
A scram. That's the last lockup.
That guy's crazy, Tommy. He's nuts. If he let go out of four and five tears, I'd have
been killed.
He wouldn't have dropped you.
That's what you think. I gotta do something.
Why don't you go see the captain? He'd be glad to help you.
How?
Put you on protection roll.
What's that?
That's where they put you when the other cons put the heat on a guy, like if he gambles and
can't pay his losses.
You're by yourself, huh?
Sort of. If you mean the rest of the guys in the yard can't get to you.
Well, how long do you stay there?
Until the captain figures no one's after you anymore.
Maybe that's where I ought to go.
I'll tell you something, man. You picked the wrong guy to run away from. Skye's got friends
all over the joint. You know what he'd do? He'd pay a guy to mess up and get put on protection
just so the guy could get to you.
I don't get it. Why all the hell over some candy? We haven't got it.
You mean you haven't got it.
Okay, I haven't got it.
Listen, man. Skye's doing life. And when you're a lifer, you don't stand anybody giving you
a bad time.
I'm not hurting him.
No. One guy gets away owing Skye canteen. Some other character'll try it. So if you're
Skye, you don't let anybody get into you for canteen. See?
Hey, which one of you guys is Eddie?
Me.
Skye Grogan sent me down to remind you about tomorrow morning at breakfast. He said something
about peanut brittle.
What am I supposed to do? Fly out of this cell and get him his peanut brittle?
Hey, hey, hey. Don't give me a hard time. I'm just carrying the word.
I'm sorry.
Save it for yourself, man. Skye ain't kidding.
Well, won't he take any other kind of candy instead of peanut brittle?
Skye says peanut brittle. Nothing else.
Well, why just peanut brittle?
Well, he uses it to get cigarettes, a famous from the other cons.
Doesn't he want it to eat?
You kidding? Skye don't like any kind of candy, especially peanut brittle. He's got stomach
ulcers.
In exactly one minute, we continue with Act Three of Suspense.
This is Johnny Baker with Communism on the Spot.
One of the most frequent communist boasts is that they are the real champions of self-determination
of nations. They claim that this even extends to the Soviet Republics, pointing out that
under their constitution, every republic has the right to secede from the USSR.
Unfortunately, this is merely a paper guarantee. For example, even though the Ukraine and Belarus
have full United Nations representation, they do not have separate governments independent
of the Kremlin. Even their budgets are controlled by the central government in Moscow. It's
thus apparent that the privilege of self-determination, like other supposed Soviet rights, is strictly
an illusion.
Coming now, Act Three of Peanut Brittle, starring Skip Holmeier. A tale well calculated to keep
you in... Suspense.
Hey, what are you doing dressed already? The lights just came on.
I couldn't sleep.
Hey man, relax.
Is the sky after you?
Oh, chow will make you feel better.
I'm not hungry. When the unlocked bell rings, I'm taking off.
Why?
I don't know, but I don't want any more accidents that might happen on purpose. I'll see you.
Hey, wait a minute, man.
Where's your boy going?
I don't know, Skye.
He ain't going far anyway.
Hey man, why don't you give him a break?
You want to pay the canteen?
Why no, man. I haven't got anything.
Neither has he, right?
He don't know nobody.
That's too bad. If you was any kind of a guy, you'd help the punk.
I can't, man.
You're a sad man. Real sad. If you see your boy telling there's no use running, them walls
can't run with him.
Yeah?
Is the chaplain in?
I'll see. You got a pack?
No, but I got to see him. Really, I got to see him.
Yeah.
Yes?
Chaplain here. Hey, what's your last name and number?
Kip. 99319.
There's a Kip. 99319. One special interview.
Would you tell him to wait a few moments?
Yeah, sir. Take a seat. He'll be out pretty soon.
Hey, aren't you in some sort of rubab with Skye Grogan?
I don't know what you're talking about.
Oh, yeah, you do. You and Marino played one of Skye's domino games. You couldn't come
up with the loot, could you?
That's my problem.
Taking it to the chaplain, huh? He can't do you no good, except him take you to the
captain so you can sing to him.
I'm not seeing the chaplain about that.
Oh, you're kidding. It's written all over your kisser. You're scared.
How long you think the chaplain will be?
Why don't you just pay, Skye? I ain't gonna do any good squawking to the chaplain.
Why don't you leave me alone?
I'm just telling you something for your own good, fella.
I don't need your advice.
I can take care of myself.
Yeah, sure you can.
Where is the man who wanted to see me?
He just left, sir. He said he couldn't wait after all.
Oh, was he in trouble?
Everybody in here in trouble, ain't they, sir?
You're here! Hold!
Me?
Yes, you! What's your hurry? You know the rules. Don't run it! That's a good way to
get yourself shot!
Yes, sir!
All right, on your way. But this time, what?
Yes, sir!
Hey, Eddie. Eddie, why don't you take it easy, Eddie? You'll live longer.
You tell Skye that.
Look, man, I got the solution. Why don't you just hide out somewhere? Then maybe I could
scratch up some canteen and...
Hide out where?
I know a place where no one can find you. Not even Skye. Come on, I'll show you.
Why are you worrying about me so sudden?
You want help or don't you?
Sure I want help.
Well, shut up then and listen. This place I'm talking about is on top of the east cell
block.
Where?
Right on top of the east block under the roof. You good at climbing girders and stuff?
Well, I guess so. How long do I stay there?
Until lockup before supper. When you hear the bell, come down. Now, let's go before
someone sees us. Come on.
Now, how about this? Who's going to find you here? Unless someone tells them.
I don't know. It's awful high up here. Guy don't have much room to move around.
You going to practice dancing up here or something? Now, just sit still until it's time to come
down.
You can't even see the floor from here. You can't see anything. If a guy fell, he'd just
slide off the roof of the cell block. Nothing would stop him.
You want to keep away from Skye, don't you?
Yes.
Well, then stop worrying, man. You're safe now.
Hey, Skye. Skye?
Yeah.
Hey, man. I'll make you a deal.
Coming from you, it's probably crooked.
Come on, man. I'm serious. I got a deal. You know that peanut brittle Kip owes you?
Yeah.
Put me back in one of your games and I'll tell you where you can find Kip.
Aren't you his cell partner? His buddy?
So?
You don't like him suddenly, then it...
That doesn't have anything to do with it. I'm on your side.
Like a rattlesnake.
Do you want to find Kip?
Maybe.
I need some canteen, cigarettes, candy, anything.
And your buddy is the price.
He's not my buddy. I thought you wanted to get the canteen he owes you.
Has he got it?
I don't know.
He's pretty scared, isn't he?
You'll come bet on that.
I'll tell you what. I've been thinking it over. The kid's new. Or he wouldn't listen to a
rat like you. I'm gonna give him a good scare. Teach him a lesson. Where is he?
Cigarettes? Candy?
All right. You got cut it in one of the games for five packs of cigs or a box of peanut brittle.
Okay. He's hiding on top of the east block, the yard end. He's up in the girders. There's
a flat spot there. That's where he is.
How'd you find that spot?
I took him there.
Real friend, huh? Okay. Take the game nearest the north block door and I'll get out of my
face.
You said you wanted to find Eddie.
Yeah. It's great to have friends. Hey, kid.
Who's that? Someone coming?
Hey. Hey, who's there? Tommy, is that you?
Friend of his.
Skye!
Yeah? It's me, kid. What you hiding for?
Look, leave me alone. Please, please leave me alone.
You can't pay a man what you owe him clear up here. Can you, kid?
Get away. Get away, please.
You're making it hard on yourself, kid. You know I'll get that canteen.
I haven't got any and I can't get any.
Hey, kid. Well, wait a minute. Come back. Come on back.
No, you ain't gonna get me.
Look out. Hey, kid, look out. Back of you. Look out.
All right. All right. Let's break it up. Sergeant, get the hospital. Send a searcher of it right
away. What happened, son?
I'm hurt. I'm hurt real bad.
All right, son. Lie still. Sergeant, you know this boy?
Yes, sir. Kip, he's new here.
Did you see what happened?
No, sir. I only heard him fall.
From one of the tiers?
I believe the roof of the block. I was on the fifth tier myself checking cells. He fell
right past me.
Eddie didn't fall, sir. He was, uh, he was pushed.
What's that, Marino?
I said he was pushed.
Pushed? Who pushed him?
Grogan, sir.
Skye Grogan.
Hey, you! You up there! Stop where you are!
Fall off the gun, bulls. I'm coming down.
All right, Grogan. Make it careful. The captain wants to see you.
Marino, you say Grogan pushed the boy here?
Oh, yes, sir. I saw him do it, sir. I was standing right here and Grogan pushed Eddie.
All right, you men. All right. Get back to the yard. The show's over. Come on. Come on.
Let's move.
Here he is, Captain.
All right. What were you doing up there, Grogan?
Trying to talk to the kid here.
Kip?
Yeah.
Marino says you pushed the boy off the top.
He's a dirty rotten son.
He was after both Eddie and me, sir. We knew too much about his gambling games. I saw him
push Eddie.
You're lying and you're...
All right, both of you, shut up. Marino.
Hey, yes, sir?
Look up there where you said you saw Kip pushed.
I am, sir.
All right. What do you see?
The fifth tier. I mean, I mean the, uh, the top of the block, sir.
You're lying, Marino. It's impossible to see the roof of the cell block from here.
How did you know the boy was up there? How did you know Grogan was up there?
Answer me, Marino. How did you know?
Oh, Captain, because I told Skye. What are you yelling at me for? Skye pushed him. I saw
it.
All right, Sergeant. Put them both in isolation.
No, Captain. Captain, you got me wrong, Captain. Eddie, Eddie was a buddy of mine, a real buddy.
I was his friend.
Sure, punk. You loved him till it hurt. You're a real friend.
Well, me and the boys in the yard are going to be real friends, too. We're going to kill
you with kindness.
Suspense.
In which Skip Homier starred in William N. Robeson's production of Peanut Brittle, written
by Jules Maitland. Listen. Listen again next week when we return with another tale well
calculated to keep you in...
Suspense.
Starring Mr. Homier and Peanut Brittle were John Danaer, Lou Krugman, Peter Leeds, Lou
Merrill, and Barney Phillips.
Suspense has been brought to you through the worldwide facilities of the United States Armed
Forces Radio and Television Service.