Suspense. And the producer of radio's outstanding theater of thrills, the master of mystery
and adventure, William N. Robeson.
There's an easily recognizable distinction between a bookkeeper and a bookmaker. They
usually are to be found one within and the other without the law. But when a bookkeeper
starts taking from a bookmaker, such a nice distinction is apt to become confused amid
photo finishes, scratch sheets, and the morning wire. With results ranging from welshing to
grand larceny, from mayhem to murder. Results which we hope will keep you in suspense. Listen,
listen then as Frank Lovejoy stars in Win Place or Die, which begins in exactly one
minute.
The bronze medal, information about our military awards and decorations. The highly rated
air medal is a bronze compass rose suspended by a pointer and charged with a swooping American
eagle clutching lightning bolts in its talons. The ribbon consists of a wide blue band flanked
by narrow golden orange bands with the blue repeated along the edges. This dramatically
designed decoration is given for meritorious achievement while participating in an aerial
flight under circumstances which do not justify awarding the higher ranked distinguished flying
cross. The air medal was authorized for heroic action after September 8, 1939. It has proved
to be a major source of pride to those airmen who have earned it and a stimulus to others
for greater devotion to duty. Extra service and extra accomplishment merits special attention
and recognition. The air medal pays tribute to those who distinguish themselves and do
honor to their country and their branch of service while participating in aerial flight.
And now, Win Place or Die starring Frank Lovejoy, a tale well calculated to keep you in suspense.
A salary will only go so far and a bookkeeper's salary like mine not quite that far. But I
thought I saw an out and I played it. It seemed like a sure thing. You see there were only
three of us in the main office of the Randolph Theater chain. The boss, me and Jeannie, the
gal I was going to marry.
Joe?
Yeah honey?
You gonna take me to dinner tonight?
Well I don't feel much like going out. Why don't you grab some frozen stuff and I'll
come by your place.
Broke again?
Oh Jeannie, don't start that. You know I got a lot of old bills.
You promised to give me some money each week to save for the house and the furniture.
Well I will next week. I'll start next week.
Joe, what's wrong?
Nothing.
Yes there is. Something wrong. Something you're not telling me.
Ah drop it Jeannie, will you just drop it?
Randolph Theater.
Papa?
Yeah?
Sitcarts?
Ah yeah.
You're late Joe.
Yes, yes I know. I'm going out to lunch now. I'll see you in a few minutes.
Nice Joe. I'll be waiting at the corner.
Who is that?
That's the guy I'm working on a deal with. I'll tell you all about it someday.
You're way too long Joe.
Randolph Theater.
Joe this is Rita. I didn't get a letter from you this morning.
Oh. Oh I know. Rita look, I can't give you anything this week.
Joe I have the rent to pay and Jimmy needs clothes.
Yeah I know, I know. But I'm in a jam.
I should think you'd at least want to support your son.
Oh get off my back will you?
Maybe if that girl you're running around with down at the office found out you have an ex-wife
and a kid to support you, it wouldn't look so much of you. Maybe I ought to tell her.
You do that and you'll never get another dime.
Once one of them gets on your back they all climb on. But there was one I couldn't stop.
I opened the bag with the cash receipts from the Tivoli Theater, changed the figures and
took what I needed. It was mounting up. Every day it was mounting up and I needed a break
to pay it back.
Well late chum.
Well I had to make a phone call.
I mean three days late. I pay off on Fridays. I like to collect on Fridays. This is Monday.
Now where's the dough?
It's right here. Fifty four dollars Ryan.
That's right chum. But this week remember, win or lose. Friday.
I can find another bookie.
Sure but we all work for Charlie McManus. You'll get it anyhow Joan. You'll get it on Friday.
Remember that.
There's nothing you can do when the ponies start running against you. A hundred was easy
to cover but it got to be two hundred, five hundred, nearly a thousand.
Is that the box office total for last week?
Yeah.
Mr. Randolph wants to see it.
Why does he want to see it?
He checks it every once in a while doesn't he? Is something wrong Joan?
Do I act as though there's anything wrong?
Oh hello Harper.
Here's the tape Mr. Randolph.
The roses seem a bit low.
Television. Or the weather maybe.
Yeah. Well it's the long haul that counts. My profit for the year. We'll know that after
the audit.
Audit?
Yes. Well that's right. You weren't with us last year. We make our annual audit the end
of this month Harper. That'll be in eight days.
Charlie McManusby.
Uh Charlie. This is Joe Harper.
Yeah Harper.
A bet for Sid Kurtz book.
Alright sure.
What's the line on Sturdy Duke and the Sixth?
Pay the money. You should walk in.
Well I want a thousand on the nose.
Did you say a grand Harper?
Yeah on the nose.
Just a minute.
Harper. Sid Kurtz wants you to meet him for lunch.
Oh I can't. I got work to do.
I won't take the bet unless you talk to Sid before the race.
Okay tell him to meet me at the cafeteria.
About this bet Joe.
What's wrong with it?
Nothing. Except I'd like to have the dough before the race. That's McManus's order.
But I haven't got it.
That's what I mean Chum. You can't afford that kind of dough.
Oh you've got to take the bet.
I don't got to do anything unless McManus tells me.
Well look Sid. I'm going to tell you something I'm not supposed to.
Well it isn't my bet.
What do you mean?
I'm planting it for Mr. Randolph.
Randolph? Your boy?
Yeah.
You wouldn't kid me would you Harper?
No Sid. You know me.
Yeah I know you.
Alright tell your boss he's got a bet.
And the pay off day is Friday.
Sure Sid. Thanks.
I'm glad it ain't your bet.
I've seen guys get themselves in a bind.
They bet two bucks and lose. Then it's five, ten, a hundred.
And it gets to be a grand.
That's where the trouble starts Harper.
Loser starts more on.
Sometimes he winds up betting his life.
In a moment we continue with the second act of...
Suspense.
Another visit with Joe and Daphne Forsythe.
Oh Joe. What are you doing?
Oh hi Daphne. Just eating a midnight snack.
What is that mess?
That mess is a liverwurst, salami, lettuce and peanut butter delight.
Nightmares no like it. What woke you up?
My stomach was growling. What woke you up?
You.
And I was dreaming such a pleasant dream.
Oh? What?
I dreamed all of our savings bonds had matured and we were cashing them in.
That's kind of a dream I can appreciate.
We were planning a trip around the world and you bought me a fur coat.
And I bought you that fishing tackle you want.
Oh it was gorgeous.
Well it doesn't have to be just a dream.
Some of our savings bonds are ready to mature now.
Joe, maybe we shouldn't cash them in.
You're the one earning interest you know and it adds up fast.
I know. That's why we started buying savings bonds remember?
With a bond a month on the payroll savings plan our money is saved automatically.
Stop waning that sandwich under my nose. You're making me hungry.
Well fix yourself a sandwich ma'am. I got all the makings right over here.
Alright. Move over you bond buying midnight maverick.
I'm going to fix myself a hung dinner.
And now, starring Frank Lovejoy, act two of Win, Place, or Die.
The trouble with horses is they can't read. At least they don't read the racing form.
Sturdy Duke finished fourth. Next day Time Step finished out of the money.
Thursday Atomic Dust ran out.
By Friday I was into Sid Kurtz book for forty six hundred bucks.
I waited all day for his call but it never came.
I thought I had one more day. But when I got home I found I was wrong.
You keep late hours Joe.
Kurtz?
Yeah Kurtz. The guy who gets saw when people break dates with him.
I tried to call you.
You did? Funny I never got the message. McManus must be getting absent right now.
I tried all day. I tell you the line was busy.
That's a pity Joe.
They must have been booking a lot of action today to tie up your lines like that.
The play was light today Joe. Very light. We had a bad week.
Book got hit hard. I'm glad you got forty six hundred for me Joe.
You have got forty six hundred haven't you?
No. I haven't got it.
Oh it's too bad. I can't tell you how sorry I am Joe. I started to choke up. I can't find a way.
Ah Sid now listen to me. I'll have the dough for you tomorrow. Tomorrow sure. It isn't my fault.
They weren't my bets you know that.
How you told me?
Randolph was away all day. I even waited for him late but he didn't even call me.
He'll be in tomorrow though. I'll get the dough for you. I'll get it.
Alright Joe. Get a good night's sleep kid. I'll wait till tomorrow.
Ah thank you Sid. You're a friend.
Sure. Every day. Except Friday.
Yeah. Good night Sid.
Good night Joe.
Joe.
Yeah.
There's something I think you ought to know.
What's that?
I hate a Welcher. Used to be an elevator operator in your office building.
He tried to beat me out of a twenty dollar bet. I didn't like to do it but I gave him a...
Welch is now out of it.
That's a big idea. Just telling you the story Joe. I hit this other guy a lot harder for a lousy twenty bucks.
He was in the hospital for quite a while. See you tomorrow Joe.
Morning Jeannie.
Morning.
Morning Hopper.
Morning Sid.
Oh a day like this I'd rather play golf than work. Tell me I'm dispensable Jeannie.
You're not. Not today. Couple of distributors coming in and Mr. Charlie McManus calls you.
Who? McManus. I don't know anybody named McManus. Who's he with?
I don't know. But he said you owed him forty six hundred dollars.
Well I guess I should know him then shouldn't I? Do we have a creditor named McManus on the books Hopper?
No no no we don't Mr. Rynow.
He wasn't very pleasant about it. He wants you to meet him tonight with the money.
What did he say where?
In the bar at the tip top club. He said there'd be trouble if you went there by nine o'clock.
I don't like it Mr. Rynow.
Neither do I. Jeannie you better call Mrs. Rynow and tell her I won't be home for dinner.
You're going to meet this McManus?
Whatever he wants. I certainly should find out about it.
Well maybe he made a mistake. He might have you mixed up with some other Rynow. Let me go talk to him.
Thanks Hopper. But when a man says I owe him money, I prefer to talk to him myself.
In a moment we continue with the third act of...
Suspense.
Another visit with Joe and Daphne Forsythe.
Joe? Joe?
Joe, stop reading that paper and talk to me.
I'm listening. Go ahead.
Well I was talking to Mrs. Snyder today. You know, she's the one whose boy had 31% less cavities?
Uh huh.
Well she thinks that we should buy bigger savings bonds.
Uh huh.
She says that when people can afford it, it makes more sense.
Oh she says there are a lot of different denominations. They start at $25, but then there are 50, 100, 200, and even $500 bonds.
Is that so?
And then with the ones we've already bought through the payroll savings plan, we'd have quite a nest egg.
Uh huh.
Are you listening to me?
Uh huh.
Did you know that the total accumulated compounded semi-annual interest of the Series E savings bond will amount to 93 and a third percent of the original purchasing price?
Uh huh.
I thought so. Joe, what did I say?
Uh, you said that United States savings bonds are a safe, easy way of investing.
I did.
That they help guide our country's freedom.
And?
They're the best investment in America's future.
I said something else too.
Oh yeah. You said that the total accumulated compounded semi-annual interest of the Series E savings bond will amount to 93 and one third percent of the original purchase price.
Well now, how did you do that?
Husband's trade secret.
And now, starring Frank Lovejoy, act three of Win, Place, or Die.
It was a good thing Saturday was a half day because I had a lot of things to set up.
I dropped out on Jeannie when we left at noon.
All I needed from her was that she'd remember the phone call from McManus and I knew she would.
But I needed more from my ex-wife Rita.
I needed an alibi.
Joe.
Yes honey.
What are you doing here Joe?
May I come in?
Oh sure.
Rita, I got to thinking about you and Jimmy. I brought him a couple of things. Where is he?
At a movie. He goes every Saturday afternoon with the other kids.
Well I'm sorry I missed him but it's nice to be alone with you for a while.
Three years is a long time, Rita.
So what are you trying to say?
That I miss you.
I'm sorry about what happened to us.
I couldn't do anything else Joe.
Not after the way you treated me.
And you looked out.
Well I've been sorry ever since.
You've got another girl.
Well it's no good honey.
Nobody's any good but you.
Take me back Rita.
Oh Joe.
Honey.
Joe, I mean what to say?
What do I tell my family and Jimmy?
We'll tell them together tomorrow.
I'll rent a car. We'll go for a Sunday drive. The three of us, okay?
Oh yeah.
That's my girl.
Rita, there's something I'd like you to do for me.
What Joe?
Well I'm in a little jam. I've got to straighten it out tonight.
Anybody should ask you, would you say I spent the evening here?
Would you?
Say from about eight until midnight.
Is that why you came Joe?
Because you're in trouble?
No I'm not in any real trouble. I just have to settle something before we can start out together again.
Will you do it for me honey?
I'll do it Joe.
I don't know why but I'll do it.
It was a setup, a sure thing. It couldn't miss.
I went home and got the gun, a war souvenir I picked up for a few bucks. No registration to be traced.
And at eight thirty I was in an alley beside the tip top club when Mr. Randolph pulled up in a taxi and paid off the driver.
Alright keep the change.
Mr. Randolph.
What?
Who is it?
Oh it's me, Joe Harper.
Harper? What are you doing here?
I came down to help you out.
Help me with what? What do you have to do with me?
Hey you come back here in the alley I'll explain it to you.
It's fine up Mr. Randolph.
Oh Harper what is it?
Harper, come on!
I walked away from it before the crowd gathered. I bought a ticket and went in to see a movie.
When I got out the midnight edition of the Sunday papers were off the press. It was all there on the front page.
Bookmaker arrested for murder of theater owner. Charles McManus charged with shooting.
I went home, I had company again. I knew I would but this was company I didn't have to worry about.
You knew about McManus' phone call to Mr. Randolph?
I didn't take the call Lieutenant. I heard Jeannie, that's Miss Thorpe. Tell Mr. Randolph about it.
Randolph say he knew this McManus?
No he denied it.
You get along with your boss?
Oh sure.
Well the old story checks out with Miss Thorpe. Oh by the way she tells me that you two are engaged.
Yes that's right.
Saturday night is a big date night. How come you two weren't together?
Oh well Lieutenant I've been married before. I've got an ex-wife and a kid. I was visiting then.
Ah I see. Well I think you better come in with me.
What for?
Well you're sort of a witness. Your testimony won't help us with Manus any and he has some bad boys on his payroll.
Oh you mean you want to take me into protective custody?
Yes that's right. Just for a couple of days. We've got Miss Thorpe too.
Well no I don't think I'd better.
Well you don't have to come in of course but it would be safer.
Well thank you just the same Lieutenant but I'm alright. I'm not afraid.
I wanted protective custody bad but I couldn't take it. I'd remembered something just in time. The auditor.
They'd be in Monday. Randolph's death wouldn't stop that and the books had to balance.
I went down to the office and started to work.
I worked the rest of the night and all day Sunday changing figures, erasing slowly and carefully.
Then I took some petty cash slips Randolph had signed and changed the amounts. By Sunday night I had it right on the nose.
I put the books away, got my code and the phone. The office phone ringing on Sunday night.
I didn't want to answer it but I had to.
Hello?
Oh Joe, Joe.
Lisa, what's the matter? Why are you calling me at the office?
Joe I've been trying to get you at home all day.
Well how did you know I was here?
Joe said you might be. He said he was going to look for you there.
What detective?
He answered the phone at your place. He asked me who I was and I told him. Then he asked me where you were last night.
Well you told him I was with you?
No.
Why Rita, why?
Because I was mad at you. You promised to come today and take me and Jimmy for a ride and you didn't show up.
I didn't know Joe. I didn't know about the murder.
And that cop Corrigan he's on his way up here?
His name was Corrigan. He said it was Kurtz. Said Kurtz.
I dropped the phone and ran into the hall and then I heard it. The whine of the night elevator stopping the door sliding open.
Hello Chum.
I said you've got to listen to me.
I'm trying to listen Chum. The pay off day has been changed. It ain't Friday anymore. It's now.
There was a fire axe on the wall. I tore it loose and threw it at him. It hit him and knocked him down.
I turned and raced for the stairway but he was on his feet and after.
I took the stairs four at a time but he was right behind me. Only one more flight to the lobby.
But I'd never make it now.
An iron gate stretched across the stairs and by the dim night bulb I read the sign.
This exit closed after 6 p.m.
Stop lying Chum. Looks like you lost another photo finished.
Say it. I'll get the money for you. I'll get it.
It ain't money anymore Chum. You bet your life Joe. And you lost the bet.
But Chum.
You lost the bet Joe. You lost the bet.
Suspense.
In which Mr. Frank Lovejoy starred in William and Robeson's production of Win Place or Die by Joel Murcott.
Supporting Mr. Lovejoy in Win Place or Die were Joan Banks, Ellen Morgan, Joe DeSantis, Bill Quinn and Jack Crotion.
Listen. Listen again next week when we return with Stan Freberg in Alibi Me.
Another tale well calculated to keep you in suspense.
Suspense has been brought to you through the worldwide facilities of the United States Armed Forces Radio and Television Service.
Thank you for watching.