Suspense.
And the producer of radio's outstanding theater of thrills, the master of mystery and adventure,
William N. Robson.
In spite of the sometimes discouraging evidence to the contrary, crime really doesn't pay.
The chaser of the fast buck always slips upon the banana peel of retribution and ends up
with his nose to the grindstone of penal servitude, if we may be permitted to mangle the metaphor.
Upon this moral precept hangs a tale which you are about to hear.
Listen.
Listen then as Jackie Cooper stars in The Amateur, which begins in just a moment.
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And now, the amateur starring Mr. Jackie Cooper, a tale well calculated to keep you in suspense.
You see, me and Boots always been buddies, right Boots?
Right Jerry.
And you know, we're always looking for an easy way to a fast buck, so when this here
thing happens, well I mean we ain't exactly amateurs you know, so it gives us the idea.
It happened last Tuesday night.
Me and Boots had been down a pool hall shooting a few, and along about 11 o'clock we catch
the bus uptown.
Boots lives about 10 blocks north of me, so I'm hopping off the bus before him.
I see ya Boots.
Right, take it easy Jerry.
I'll call you tomorrow.
Right.
It's about a half a block from the bus stop to my castle.
Nothing but a basement apartment and one of them brownstone buildings you understand,
but it's my castle.
Well, I'm almost to my steps.
When I see this here guy come running along the other side of the street, all of a sudden
he cuts across toward me, and a car comes out of nowhere, hits the guy, and clobbers
him flat against the brownstone wall, almost at my doorstep.
Then it backs off and it's out of sight before I can breathe twice.
Hey, you alright mister?
Hey fella!
The guy was dead.
What happened down there?
Yeah, well.
Ahead and run!
I'll call the police!
Okay!
Alright, stand back everybody, now don't touch nothing till the law gets here.
Where did he come from?
The neighborhood was turning out like it was a block party or something.
I guess when a thing like this happens you can't keep him away.
Curiosity, maybe a little sympathy, I don't know.
Anyway, about five minutes later, up comes the cops.
Alright, alright, come on, move back now, stand back.
Oh, stop shooting!
Anybody see this happening?
Yeah, I did, I saw the whole thing.
Yeah, what's your name?
Malloy, Jerry Malloy.
You get the license number?
No, well I mean, see I seen this guy running down the street and then he cuts across like
he was trying to get to me or something and his car comes along and pow!
Know what kind of a car it was?
Oh, a big one, Luke.
Caddy, maybe?
You get a look at the driver.
No.
And you don't know whether it was a man or a woman?
Well he goes on asking questions and the more he asks the less I seem to know about it.
The potogs from one of the dailies arrive and it's flashing all over the place.
They even take my picture.
Why, I don't know.
But finally the wagon takes the poor guy away and the neighborhood goes back to bed.
I take off too and I go down the steps to the castle when right in front of my door
my foot hits something.
There lying at my feet is this here license plate, see?
Kind of beat up like.
I pick it up and sure enough there's blood on it.
In a moment we continue with the second act of suspense.
What are the little known facts behind the unflattering page one headlines about Bing
Crosby's boys?
Who do they blame for all the criticism that's been coming their way lately?
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about the private life problems of Bing and his boys.
Also in May McCall's find out about the immensely powerful woman behind the throne of England.
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Get exciting May McCall's on all new stands now.
Starting Mr. Jackie Cooper act two of The Amateur.
Well there's no doubt in my mind that this here plate bounced off that car that clobbered
the poor guy in the street.
My first impulse is to hightail it down to the police station, turn in the evidence.
But I decide to call my buddy first and tell him about all the excitement and see if he'll
go with me.
Boots says to stay put he'll be right over.
And you seen it all Jerry?
Yeah.
The cops don't know about the license plate huh?
No no course notcha dope I found it after everybody'd gone.
But it was a big car huh?
A caddy maybe?
I think so it all happened so quick.
But it was a big looking car.
Kinda prosperous?
Oh yeah yeah I'm sure of that.
Did you get a look at the driver?
Look Boots the cops already asked me all that come on let's go.
Oh wait a minute Jerry I got an idea.
Like what?
Well I've been thinking about it since you called me.
We might be able to promote ourselves a little dough.
Dough?
Big car rich man maybe.
Rich enough to want to buy his way out of a hit and run wrap.
You mean blackmail a guy?
No no not blackmail just a sale.
We got something he'd be mighty glad to have.
We sell it to him.
Deal's closed.
I don't know this is evidence we ought to take it to the cops.
If he's just rich this ought to be worth a couple of grand to him.
If he's important oh maybe ten.
It's blood money in a way kinda.
But if he's important and rich who knows.
We might be set to spend the winter in Florida Jerry.
Get us a couple of dolls.
But Boots listen.
Then we'll spend the summer in Europe.
Them French babes.
Ooh la la.
How are we going to find out who he is?
Trace the plate.
Not only the cops can do that.
I got a friend Andy.
He can find out for us.
Suppose he gets suspicious.
No not Andy.
Look let me handle it.
Don't go to the cops till we have a chance to see if it works okay?
Well okay.
We're going to be up there Jerry.
Them little jobs we pulled from time to time peanuts compared to this.
Yeah but they were safe.
You want to be an amateur all your life?
This will make a pro out of you.
Set us up for a good long time.
Well okay.
That's the boy.
I'll drop around the garage tomorrow after I talk to Andy okay?
Yeah yeah okay.
Morning comes and I take off for work at the garage on 85th street.
I'm on my way to the bus when I pass the news stand at the corner.
And there I am staring right back at myself from the morning papers.
Right on the front page.
My picture.
I buy a couple of papers and hop the bus downtown.
I'm shaking with excitement.
Me on the front page.
There's a story about the guy being clobbered in front of my place.
One night then a fine victim the paper says.
But they got me pictured for being the eye witness.
First to arrive on that scene it says.
And then it goes on about me seeing it and where I live, where I work and all.
I don't even remember telling them all that.
But boy the picture sure came out good.
Yeah I get to the garage and I'm a celebrity.
All the guys have seen the paper and the boss says it's a thousand bucks worth of advertising
for the garage and he tells me to take the day off.
So I'm just about to leave and go see Boots when there's a call for me.
So I take it in the office and it's this guy.
Hello Mr. Malloy.
Yeah.
I read in the paper this morning that you witnessed the tragedy on 110th Street last
night.
Who are you a reporter?
No.
But you might give me some information.
I told the cops all I know which was a munch.
The paper says you were the first to reach the victim.
Yeah that's right.
And it happened right in front of your apartment.
Hey what is this?
I'll come right to the point Mr. Malloy.
I was wondering if what if you might have found something.
What do you mean?
Something I might be interested in having back.
Oh.
Did you find something?
Maybe.
You know it's missing huh?
Yes.
I'll be willing to pay.
Well.
Then you do have it.
Maybe.
Where can I meet you?
Well I got the day off.
I'll pick you up any place you say.
Make it one o'clock.
Corner of Broadway and 96th.
I'll be there.
I'll be driving a dark green Cadillac.
Okay.
One o'clock.
I'll recognize you.
From the paper.
Well things was happening even faster than we could have planned.
I wanted to give myself time to see Boots and talk it over with him.
It's great.
Great.
Right on our laps.
Maybe.
Now don't take the plate with you.
Talk terms first.
Size them up.
Yeah.
Yeah he sounded kind of educated.
Or high class like.
He's probably a millionaire scared silly about a hidden run rap.
Now play it cagey.
You got him right in the palm of your hand.
Remember he looked you up so he's scared.
You can make your own deal.
Yeah.
I'll wait for you down the pool hall.
Okay.
Okay I'll see you there as soon as I'm finished.
At a quarter to one I'm waiting on a corner of 96th and Broadway.
About five minutes to one a big green caddy drives around a corner and goes on down Broadway.
I'm wondering if that can be the guy when sure enough comes around a block again stops
and a well dressed guy at the wheel opens the door.
Mr. Malloy.
Yeah.
Get in.
I wanted to be sure it was you before I stopped.
It's me.
What's your name?
Edward Keller.
We'll take Riverside Drive.
The traffic's light and I prefer to keep my mind on business rather than traffic.
Okay by me.
He's not a bad looking guy.
About 45 maybe.
Just to the teeth and sort of high class look about him.
I feel sort of shabby next to him in spite of him wearing my best suit but I got the upper
hand no matter what.
While we hit Riverside Drive the traffic thins out and he looks over at me.
I took a long chance you might have found what I want.
Kind of coincidental ain't it?
Quite.
I may as well be frank Malloy.
If the police had found that it could have put me in a very serious position.
You're telling me.
But as it turned out you found it and kept your mouth shut.
I'm willing to pay for that service and for your silence afterwards of course.
Sure.
Package deal.
I'm wondering though how come you thought I had it?
You were the first one to reach the victim.
Yeah.
And the newspaper story made no mention of the police finding it.
Fat chance landed right in front of my door.
It's almost incredible.
I don't know you hit him pretty hard.
I what?
You really clobbered that guy.
I mean it's a wonder you didn't lose a friend or two.
What are you talking about?
The accident.
Your license plate.
You're not making sense.
Who knew it was you?
You trying to back down or something?
I don't know what your dodge is Malloy but don't you think...
Now listen I ain't dodging.
You are.
You want to buy back your license plate or don't you?
I'm not interested in any license plate.
I want that hundred thousand dollars worth of heroin the man was carrying.
In a moment we continue with the third act of suspense.
Sociable, up to date, debonair.
What's this a new word game?
No I'm just mentioning the qualities that people admire in other people.
Oh I see if you're sociable, up to date and what was another word debonair?
Yes debonair but listen to it this way.
Be sociable, oh smarty.
Keep up to date with Pepsi.
Drink light, refreshing Pepsi.
Stay young and fair and debonair.
Be sociable, have a Pepsi.
Notice how many of your friends are serving Pepsi-Cola these days.
It's the up to date refreshment.
Be sociable, serve Pepsi.
And now starring Mr. Jackie Cooper act three of The Amateur.
Well I'm sitting there like I'm turned to stone or something.
Heroin.
This caper was getting too hot for me.
He pulls up to the curb and stops the car.
Alright Malloy we can cut out the cat and mouse routine.
Now wait a minute, wait a minute.
You mean to tell me you ain't the guy driving that car last night?
I'll ask the questions.
But I thought you...
I'm not interested in what you thought.
I want that packet.
Will you listen to me for a minute.
I don't know nothing about no H or packet or nothing.
Malloy the man who was killed was purchasing that heroin for me.
He was carrying it when he was run down.
This I know nothing about.
The police didn't report finding anything on him and you know as well as I they would have.
Now it adds up doesn't it?
No heroin on Jackie.
You the first to reach him.
I didn't touch the guy.
I swear.
You led me to believe on the phone you had it.
On my mother's grave I don't know nothing about it.
I found a license plate.
I beat up plate.
I figured it came from the car that hit him.
I thought you was the driver and wanted to get the plate back to save your skin from
a hit and run rap.
That's quite a story.
Look if I had this stuff don't you think I'd be bargaining with you right this minute?
Would I be making up a story about a license plate?
Wouldn't I be naming my price for the stuff?
Wouldn't I?
Well maybe you would at that.
Now you're looking at the situation from the right angle.
The police didn't find the stuff and if you're telling the truth it means Jackie wasn't carrying
it.
Sure sure that's it.
And if he wasn't carrying it he never got it.
Well I got an appointment I just remembered.
I'll catch the subway downtown.
Sit still.
No no I can get back okay.
You'll get back when I'm ready to take you.
We start back uptown.
This guy's really sore but not at me.
That I'm sure of.
When we get to 106th street he pulls up in front of an apartment and stops.
We're only four blocks from my place.
He gets out and motions me to go ahead of him.
We walk up the steps to a foyer.
He rings a bell in a sort of rhythm like a code or something and after a couple of seconds
a buzzer opens the door.
We take an elevator to the third floor and when the door is open he steps out into a
little hall with one door open.
Keller goes through the same ring a bit and the door opens a crack.
What do you want Keller?
I want to see Giacomo.
He's not here.
I'll wait.
Who is this punk?
Never mind.
Look come back later huh.
Come on in Keller.
Take off.
The room's dark not pitch dark but gloomy kind.
The voice comes from a big fat guy sitting behind the biggest desk I ever seen.
Sorry about Jackie Keller.
I'll bet you are.
Who is this?
The man who saw Jackie get hit.
Oh bringing him here wasn't very wise.
I want to get something cleared up.
Indeed.
What did you pull on me last night?
I don't think I like your tone Keller.
What do you mean?
Jackie didn't have the stuff all the money on him when they scraped him off the sidewalk.
Oh.
How do you explain that?
Why ask me?
Because I think Jackie gave you the money but you didn't give him the heroin.
Really Keller?
What do you take me for?
Jackie never showed up last night.
What?
I was expecting him.
As a matter of fact I inconvenienced myself waiting for him.
Then this morning we read of his demise.
I presume he was on his way here when he was hit.
And why didn't he have the money?
One hundred thousand dollars in cash.
The papers would surely have latched onto that.
Why don't you ask your friend here?
Wasn't he the first to reach Jackie?
Now wait a minute.
I'm really annoyed with you Keller.
We've been dealing with each other for years and you let a punk like this pull the wool
over your eyes.
You come in here accusing me.
Take it easy.
I don't know nothing about any hundred thousand bucks.
Let me handle this Keller.
If he's got the money I'll find out my own way.
I'm afraid not.
It's become my concern now.
What do you mean?
I mean I can't have a punk like this knowing about my operations here.
Take him down to the garage.
We'll find out what he did with your money during the ride.
Ride?
Hey.
You guys kidding or something?
Wait a minute Giacomo.
I'm not so sure that's the right way.
It is the only way.
I have to protect my interests and yours as well if you know what I mean.
Use this private elevator.
I'll meet you in the garage.
All right Giacomo.
But if anything happens before I get that money.
You have nothing to worry about Keller.
Nothing at all.
Get going.
I don't mind saying now I was scared out of my sunny pants.
I didn't have to ask any more questions to know what these birds were up to.
These were the real pros.
And I knew this Giacomo guy was playing for keeps.
Well the elevator glides through a stop and out we get.
The doors close and it goes back up again.
I see we're in a small garage with two big jobs parked facing the doors.
And then it hits me.
I'm seeing a familiar looking license plate on the rear of the black Caddy.
Maybe this is my chance.
Over there Molloy and keep quiet.
Now Keller you got to listen to me.
Shut up.
Now listen that's the car.
The black Caddy on the left.
That's the one.
The one what?
That's the car I seen run down that pall of yours.
What?
Believe me.
Believe me I know that license number.
And I'll give you ten to one odd the front plate's gone.
You see it ain't there.
Because at this minute it's behind the bottom drawer of my dresser.
Don't you see I've been leveling with you.
I'm beginning to see a lot of things.
This schmone jockemo rode down your power with his own car.
Look at him dance in a bumper.
Uh oh.
Keep out of the way Molloy.
I've got a little matter to take up with jockemo.
But watch out he's got his goon with him.
Well Keller why aren't you in the car?
Which one jockemo?
The one you murdered Jackie with?
What?
No.
No the other one.
Or perhaps you'd like to run for it as Jackie did.
Oh no jockemo.
You can take the punks for rides and squash the flunkies on the sidewalk.
But you don't push me over.
I am eliminating my middleman Keller.
You're eliminating nothing.
I want that hundred thousand.
You won't be needing it.
What are you?
I've decided not to sell to you anymore.
And the nature of our business makes a permanent termination necessary.
I think you know what I mean.
You fat pig.
Get in that car.
You fat rat.
And then all three of them were in a heap on the floor and I was in the caddy stop in
the motor.
I stepped on the gas and I went in and locked the doors like a dog through a hoop.
And then.
Well you guessed it.
I run smack into a police car.
And I'm never so glad to see cops in all my life.
Well they go in and clean up jockemo and his playmates.
But if you don't think I had some explaining to do.
They had me tied up with them ghouls.
So I have to get them to take me home where I give them the license plate and tell them
the whole story.
I get a hold of Boots and like the buddy he is he backs me up.
But we have to spill the whole thing to the cops to get ourselves out of being connected
with the dope pushers.
Right Boots?
Right Jerry.
So they're holding us for intent of blackmail withholding evidence and I don't know what
all.
But the mouthpiece says we'll probably get off easy since we made a clean breast of it
and help catch them harpies.
Hey by the way Mac.
What are you in for.
Suspense in which Jackie Cooper starred in William M. Robeson's production of The Amateur
written by Robert Juren.
In a moment the names of our supporting players and a word about next week's story of suspense.
A young lady by the name of Scheherazade kept her audience of one enthralled for a thousand
and one nights with one of the longest stories in history.
That's a long time to devote to one chronicle but some of CBS radio's winning seven weekday
dramas have put that record in the shade.
Entertaining audiences in the millions with many times a thousand and one days of continuing
dramatic serials.
Each weekday on the CBS radio network there's a wealth of daytime drama including such outstanding
serials as The Romance of Helen Trent.
The Couple Next Door.
Ma Perkins.
Whispering Streets.
The Right to Happiness.
The Second Mrs. Burton.
And Young Dr. Malone.
Monday through Friday follow these absorbing true to life stories.
Only CBS radio brings you the winning seven combination of top daytime dramas.
Another important reason for the different sound of this CBS radio station.
Including Jackie Cooper in The Amateur were Tommy Cook, Peter Leeds, Barry Kroger and
Norm Alden.
Listen.
Listen again next week when we return with Ida Lupino and Howard Duff starring in On
a Country Road.
Your tale well calculated to keep you in suspense.
This ends our show.