WEBVTT 00:00:18.420 --> 00:00:26.039 Come in. Welcome. I am E .G. Marshall. Welcome 00:00:26.039 --> 00:00:30.500 to the sound of suspense. The voices of victims. 00:00:31.600 --> 00:00:36.060 The fear you can hear. For the next 52 minutes, 00:00:36.539 --> 00:00:39.079 we're going to take you into the world of mystery 00:00:39.079 --> 00:00:43.640 and murder. But mostly, into the world of terrifying 00:00:43.640 --> 00:00:47.439 imagination. The story you're about to hear might 00:00:47.439 --> 00:00:51.520 be called a morality play. It's a story which 00:00:51.520 --> 00:00:55.280 has a question you can ask yourself. What is 00:00:55.280 --> 00:01:00.020 your price tag for killing a man? If you think 00:01:00.020 --> 00:01:03.560 you don't have one, listen to the story of Walter 00:01:03.560 --> 00:01:08.640 Van Haas and the Chinaman Button. Mr. Van Haas, 00:01:08.760 --> 00:01:12.859 I'm making this as easy for you as pushing a 00:01:12.859 --> 00:01:16.430 button. Now if you give your approval my agents 00:01:16.430 --> 00:01:19.209 in Johannesburg will be contacted within hours 00:01:19.209 --> 00:01:24.549 the rest will be handled simply and with dispatch 00:01:24.549 --> 00:01:30.849 My god, I really think you mean it. I Really 00:01:30.849 --> 00:01:42.340 think you'd commit murder Our mystery drama, 00:01:42.560 --> 00:01:45.519 The Chinaman Button, was written especially for 00:01:45.519 --> 00:01:48.579 the Radio Mystery Theatre by Henry Slesser and 00:01:48.579 --> 00:01:52.480 stars Paul Hecht. I'll be back shortly with Act 00:01:52.480 --> 00:02:08.599 One. And now, Act One of The Chinaman Button. 00:02:09.189 --> 00:02:13.250 But it does not begin in China. It begins in 00:02:13.250 --> 00:02:16.770 New York City on the executive floor of a bustling 00:02:16.770 --> 00:02:29.789 advertising agency. My partner getting yet or 00:02:29.789 --> 00:02:32.270 is he goofing off? Oh, no, mr. Michaels is in 00:02:32.270 --> 00:02:34.349 his office. He's been there since 8 o 'clock 00:02:34.349 --> 00:02:36.349 Don't give me that. I'll bet Lou hasn't been 00:02:36.349 --> 00:02:38.930 in the office before 10 since I went on vacation 00:02:38.930 --> 00:02:43.490 Well, what do you know? There you are. Just like 00:02:43.490 --> 00:02:46.750 Susan said Hello Phil. Welcome back. How do I 00:02:46.750 --> 00:02:49.289 look fat and sassy three weeks in Hawaii luau 00:02:49.289 --> 00:02:51.389 every night plenty of rum and pineapple I forgot 00:02:51.389 --> 00:02:53.830 I gained ten pounds. Well, it looks good on you 00:02:53.830 --> 00:02:56.069 Phil. No kidding. What is this? What's the matter 00:02:56.069 --> 00:02:59.000 with you? I'm nice and brown, you're white as 00:02:59.000 --> 00:03:01.900 a sheet, you look terrible. Lou, are you sick 00:03:01.900 --> 00:03:04.599 or something? No, I'm okay, I'm fine. You look 00:03:04.599 --> 00:03:06.379 like you've been sleeping in the office or something. 00:03:07.099 --> 00:03:10.800 Well, let's hear it. There's some bad news, right? 00:03:11.919 --> 00:03:14.740 Something happened while I was away? Yeah, that's 00:03:14.740 --> 00:03:17.300 right, something's happened, Phil, but it wasn't 00:03:17.300 --> 00:03:20.199 my fault, so help me. Okay, come on, let's have 00:03:20.199 --> 00:03:23.699 it. We lost an account, Phil. Okay, so we lost 00:03:23.699 --> 00:03:29.500 an account. We lost the Brewster account You 00:03:29.500 --> 00:03:31.900 want to tell me that again I know it's real bad 00:03:31.900 --> 00:03:34.300 news, but I don't know how else to tell you Brewster's 00:03:34.300 --> 00:03:36.860 definitely out You want to tell me what you did 00:03:36.860 --> 00:03:39.219 wrong Lou or nothing Phil I swear it'll come 00:03:39.219 --> 00:03:41.319 out sooner or later Phil I had nothing to do 00:03:41.319 --> 00:03:44.199 with it It started with a call from Charlie Edwards 00:03:44.199 --> 00:03:47.139 a week after you left He wanted to talk to you. 00:03:47.199 --> 00:03:49.400 He said it was urgent. I told him you weren't 00:03:49.400 --> 00:03:52.199 here. He hung up Next thing I know there's a 00:03:52.199 --> 00:03:54.159 letter from old man Brewster the official 90 00:03:54.159 --> 00:03:55.939 -day notice of termination. What did you call 00:03:55.939 --> 00:03:59.400 Charlie? Oh sure I called him Only Charlie isn't 00:03:59.400 --> 00:04:02.819 the ad manager anymore Charlie's got a new job. 00:04:02.840 --> 00:04:05.360 He was kicked upstairs. He's in customer relations 00:04:05.360 --> 00:04:08.520 out of advertising completely There's a new guy 00:04:08.520 --> 00:04:10.680 in charge. Oh, you know what you're telling me 00:04:10.680 --> 00:04:13.060 You are telling me that our gross profit has 00:04:13.060 --> 00:04:15.759 been cut in half. I think I don't know that I 00:04:15.759 --> 00:04:19.509 better sit down The new ad manager's name is 00:04:19.509 --> 00:04:22.970 Walter Van Haas six million dollars in billing 00:04:22.970 --> 00:04:25.290 just just like that Charlie said the whole thing 00:04:25.290 --> 00:04:29.009 was his fault. Who's? Walter Van Haas the new 00:04:29.009 --> 00:04:32.029 ad manager Charlie says he started the whole 00:04:32.029 --> 00:04:35.529 thing, but I never got the full story Charlie's 00:04:35.529 --> 00:04:37.810 been too busy in his new job to talk to me. Give 00:04:37.810 --> 00:04:41.750 me that phone. Yeah Charlie is not gonna be too 00:04:41.750 --> 00:04:45.290 busy to talk to me I haven't been kicking back 00:04:45.290 --> 00:04:48.230 ten grand a year to Charlie for him not to talk 00:04:48.230 --> 00:04:57.149 to me. You want to know who Walter Van Haas is? 00:04:58.209 --> 00:05:02.149 I'll tell you Phil, he's a boy scout and he won 00:05:02.149 --> 00:05:05.110 his merit badge for backstabbing. So Walter Van 00:05:05.110 --> 00:05:08.389 Haas is a backstabber. How did he get close enough 00:05:08.389 --> 00:05:12.050 to do the job? He's my assistant. He's been my 00:05:12.050 --> 00:05:14.310 assistant for like eight months. How come I never 00:05:14.310 --> 00:05:16.629 knew him? Because that's the kind of guy Walter 00:05:16.629 --> 00:05:21.350 is. He keeps in the background. He's a mouse, 00:05:21.610 --> 00:05:25.470 Bill. A 200 buck a week mouse. Only this mouse 00:05:25.470 --> 00:05:29.290 roared like a lion, right? Two weeks ago, he 00:05:29.290 --> 00:05:32.089 came running into my office with a box full of 00:05:32.089 --> 00:05:35.540 invoices. It seems he was conducting a private 00:05:35.540 --> 00:05:37.439 investigation, Phil. Can you believe that guy? 00:05:38.240 --> 00:05:40.899 He was checking into all the supplier bills you 00:05:40.899 --> 00:05:43.560 guys sent over. He was actually checking out 00:05:43.560 --> 00:05:46.660 every engraver, every stathouse, every printer, 00:05:46.759 --> 00:05:49.759 every artist bill. Phil, he found overcharges 00:05:49.759 --> 00:05:54.019 like 50, 60, even 100%. You were his boss, Charlie. 00:05:54.259 --> 00:05:56.100 Why don't you tell him what to do with his invoices? 00:05:56.459 --> 00:05:59.079 He thought I'd be shocked. He wanted us both 00:05:59.079 --> 00:06:01.560 to go to Old Man Brewster and expose your agency. 00:06:02.699 --> 00:06:05.319 That's when I did the only sensible thing and 00:06:05.319 --> 00:06:08.379 what was that I offered him part of my take a 00:06:08.379 --> 00:06:12.399 third of it Phil he practically turned blue when 00:06:12.399 --> 00:06:15.420 I offered him that money him take a bribe the 00:06:15.420 --> 00:06:17.860 honorable Walter Van Haas Are you kidding me? 00:06:18.000 --> 00:06:21.160 It could have been the whole 10 ,000 and it wouldn't 00:06:21.160 --> 00:06:23.980 have been enough It was a matter of principle 00:06:23.980 --> 00:06:29.079 you dig. No, I don't He didn't tell Brewster 00:06:29.079 --> 00:06:31.899 about my offer He wouldn't rat on me. That was 00:06:31.899 --> 00:06:34.480 part of his code, too. But he did tell the old 00:06:34.480 --> 00:06:37.220 man about the phony charges. I couldn't stop 00:06:37.220 --> 00:06:40.480 him. That's when I got booted upstairs, and you 00:06:40.480 --> 00:06:43.579 got booted out. And Mr. Walter Van Haas gets 00:06:43.579 --> 00:06:45.680 your job. He didn't even want to accept that. 00:06:45.779 --> 00:06:48.600 Can you believe it? Old man had to twist his 00:06:48.600 --> 00:06:51.500 arm to get him to accept it, and a 50 -buck -a 00:06:51.500 --> 00:06:54.040 -week raise. What is this guy, some kind of a 00:06:54.040 --> 00:06:55.980 fanatic? I don't know how to describe Walter. 00:06:56.060 --> 00:06:59.910 He's so square. He's so honest. I swear it's 00:06:59.910 --> 00:07:03.089 true. You couldn't budge this guy for a million 00:07:03.089 --> 00:07:05.610 bucks. A million bucks. A million bucks. The 00:07:05.610 --> 00:07:08.529 great American words. The incantation of the 00:07:08.529 --> 00:07:15.170 American dream. Charlie, did you ever hear of 00:07:15.170 --> 00:07:19.990 the Chinaman button? The which? When you were 00:07:19.990 --> 00:07:22.410 a kid. Didn't anybody ever ask you about it? 00:07:22.449 --> 00:07:25.629 It's this kind of a puzzle. I guess you could 00:07:25.629 --> 00:07:28.649 call it a moral dilemma. No, I never heard of 00:07:28.649 --> 00:07:32.069 it. What's a Chinaman button? It goes like this 00:07:32.069 --> 00:07:35.170 now suppose you were told that by simply pressing 00:07:35.170 --> 00:07:38.629 a button you could kill the Chinaman thousands 00:07:38.629 --> 00:07:41.990 of miles away a Chinaman whose fate meant nothing 00:07:41.990 --> 00:07:44.889 to you no more than the fate of a fly on a table 00:07:44.889 --> 00:07:48.269 and yet by pushing this button by sending just 00:07:48.269 --> 00:07:51.250 one anonymous oriental to his death you would 00:07:51.250 --> 00:07:58.079 receive one million dollars tax -free What would 00:07:58.079 --> 00:08:04.740 you do Charlie I Don't know press the button 00:08:04.740 --> 00:08:07.620 I guess sure that's right. You'd press the button 00:08:07.620 --> 00:08:11.420 I'd press the button even Walter van Watts his 00:08:11.420 --> 00:08:14.079 face would press the button No, not him not that 00:08:14.079 --> 00:08:16.660 guy. Oh, yeah, sure. He would Charlie. No, I 00:08:16.660 --> 00:08:19.600 really don't think so Phil Wally would think 00:08:19.600 --> 00:08:22.259 about it and begin wondering if that Chinaman 00:08:22.259 --> 00:08:25.810 might not have a wife and kids Walter does. He's 00:08:25.810 --> 00:08:28.069 got five kids, as a matter of fact. You're wrong, 00:08:28.250 --> 00:08:30.769 Charlie. Everybody's the same when it comes to 00:08:30.769 --> 00:08:32.909 money as the great leveler. No, no, I really 00:08:32.909 --> 00:08:35.470 mean it. Walter wouldn't push that button for 00:08:35.470 --> 00:08:38.029 ten million dollars. That's the kind of guy he 00:08:38.029 --> 00:08:42.210 is. And that's why you don't have the Brewster 00:08:42.210 --> 00:08:45.769 account anymore. He pushed that button just like 00:08:45.769 --> 00:08:49.509 anybody else. Okay, okay. What's the difference? 00:08:50.110 --> 00:08:53.379 There isn't any chiming button. So, what's the 00:08:53.379 --> 00:08:56.879 difference? That's right. There isn't any Chinaman 00:08:56.879 --> 00:09:07.059 button. Or is there? I don't get you, Phil. What's 00:09:07.059 --> 00:09:10.240 all this talk about a button? I didn't say there 00:09:10.240 --> 00:09:14.379 had to be a button, Lou. Not literally. Or a 00:09:14.379 --> 00:09:17.159 Chinaman, for that matter. Van Haar sounds Dutch. 00:09:17.159 --> 00:09:19.620 How about a Dutchman? What are you talking about? 00:09:20.040 --> 00:09:21.879 I think he drank a little too much at lunch. 00:09:22.139 --> 00:09:23.820 He wouldn't be so high and mighty once he pressed 00:09:23.820 --> 00:09:25.480 that button, would he? That would knock his halo 00:09:25.480 --> 00:09:28.759 off. What? Which is worse, Lou? Taking a kick 00:09:28.759 --> 00:09:31.700 back or killing a man? Oh, come on, Phil. Will 00:09:31.700 --> 00:09:34.059 you talk sense? We'd have him right where we 00:09:34.059 --> 00:09:36.179 want him. We could call the shots then, Lou. 00:09:36.240 --> 00:09:38.340 We can get Charlie his job back. We might even 00:09:38.340 --> 00:09:40.179 get our account back. Oh, for Pete's sake, Phil, 00:09:40.179 --> 00:09:41.980 will you tell me what you're talking about? Better. 00:09:42.179 --> 00:09:45.200 I'll show you what I mean. Only first, I gotta 00:09:45.200 --> 00:09:48.200 compose a letter. A letter to who? Don't rush 00:09:48.200 --> 00:09:51.840 me. This has got to be done right. We're going 00:09:51.840 --> 00:09:53.899 to have to print up a special letterhead, something 00:09:53.899 --> 00:09:57.179 that really looks authentic. Somebody in the 00:09:57.179 --> 00:09:59.559 art department can do that. But what for? Here, 00:09:59.559 --> 00:10:02.539 let me use that portable of yours. We'll have 00:10:02.539 --> 00:10:04.159 to find one of those services that post letters 00:10:04.159 --> 00:10:11.580 from overseas. Dear Mr. Van Haas, you're writing 00:10:11.580 --> 00:10:14.399 this guy? Yep. Well, what are you going to say 00:10:14.399 --> 00:10:18.649 to him? I am going to offer him... The American 00:10:18.649 --> 00:10:29.029 Dream, love. Millie? Oh, Walter, I didn't know 00:10:29.029 --> 00:10:32.129 you were home. I got here about ten minutes ago. 00:10:32.649 --> 00:10:34.830 I was looking through the mail. How are you? 00:10:35.070 --> 00:10:39.429 Oh, all right. Tired as usual. Isn't it kind 00:10:39.429 --> 00:10:41.850 of chilly to be out here? Oh, I just had to get 00:10:41.850 --> 00:10:44.669 out of the house. Kids have been impossible all 00:10:44.669 --> 00:10:47.029 day. You know how hard it rained this morning. 00:10:47.370 --> 00:10:49.889 Yes, yes, I know. Honey, did you see the letter? 00:10:50.110 --> 00:10:53.110 The one from South Africa? Oh, yeah, sure, I 00:10:53.110 --> 00:10:56.269 noticed it. Say the stamps, will you? Peter wants 00:10:56.269 --> 00:10:58.830 them. Millie, Millie, do you know what the letter's 00:10:58.830 --> 00:11:03.490 about? No, can't imagine. You don't know anyone 00:11:03.490 --> 00:11:06.870 in South Africa, do you? Of course not, but somebody 00:11:06.870 --> 00:11:10.309 there knows me. It's from some law firm. Look 00:11:10.309 --> 00:11:16.559 at the letterhead. Dries, Hurtug, and... Beer... 00:11:16.559 --> 00:11:20.000 Berenbroek? What a name. It's Dutch, I guess. 00:11:20.279 --> 00:11:23.299 Dries Hardhagen Berenbroek. 200 Commissioners 00:11:23.299 --> 00:11:26.019 Street, Johannesburg, South Africa. Read it, 00:11:26.019 --> 00:11:30.120 huh? Well, it says, Dear Mr. Van Haas, our firm 00:11:30.120 --> 00:11:32.559 is collecting data for record -keeping purposes 00:11:32.559 --> 00:11:35.059 concerning the surviving family of one of our 00:11:35.059 --> 00:11:38.000 clients. Would you be so good as to confirm the 00:11:38.000 --> 00:11:41.679 following facts? Your name? Walter von Haas, 00:11:41.740 --> 00:11:44.120 I can confirm that all right. Well, go on read 00:11:44.120 --> 00:11:47.620 the rest your father's name Benjamin von Haas 00:11:47.620 --> 00:11:51.600 right again your mother's name Sylvia reach Didn't 00:11:51.600 --> 00:11:53.980 know your mother's name was Sylvia. She always 00:11:53.980 --> 00:11:55.559 hated the name. That's why she called herself 00:11:55.559 --> 00:11:59.080 Sally Anyway, now, let's see paternal grandparents 00:11:59.080 --> 00:12:03.360 Jan von Haas Elsevort If the foregoing facts 00:12:03.360 --> 00:12:05.840 are not correct, would you kindly advise us by 00:12:05.840 --> 00:12:09.279 return mail? Well, I just saved some postage 00:12:09.279 --> 00:12:12.320 anyway Is that all it says? Now, just one more 00:12:12.320 --> 00:12:15.100 sentence. If these facts are correct, there is 00:12:15.100 --> 00:12:17.700 no need for further communication. Thank you 00:12:17.700 --> 00:12:19.919 for your attention to this matter. Yours faithfully, 00:12:20.000 --> 00:12:21.980 L, something or other. I can't make out the signature. 00:12:22.480 --> 00:12:24.340 For heaven's sakes, Walter, what do you suppose 00:12:24.340 --> 00:12:28.419 it means? I've got the faintest idea. Maybe I've 00:12:28.419 --> 00:12:31.320 got a rich uncle in South Africa. Maybe he owns 00:12:31.320 --> 00:12:34.559 one of those diamond or gold mines. Oh, if only. 00:12:35.159 --> 00:12:38.179 Tell him to send us a couple of diamonds fast. 00:12:39.500 --> 00:12:41.980 Maybe we could start looking for a new house. 00:12:42.460 --> 00:12:45.379 If I don't get out of this cheese box soon, I'll 00:12:45.379 --> 00:12:47.600 just go out of my mind. I'll settle for a couple 00:12:47.600 --> 00:12:49.899 of golden nuggets. We can melt them down and 00:12:49.899 --> 00:12:51.980 use them to fill Elsa's teeth. That ought to 00:12:51.980 --> 00:12:55.340 cut down that dental bill. Look, why don't you 00:12:55.340 --> 00:12:57.740 write to those people in South Africa and ask 00:12:57.740 --> 00:12:59.980 them what it's all about? Well, you heard what 00:12:59.980 --> 00:13:03.460 the man wrote. If these facts are correct, there 00:13:03.460 --> 00:13:15.320 is no need for further communication. Thank you 00:13:15.320 --> 00:13:17.919 for your attention to this matter, faithfully 00:13:17.919 --> 00:13:22.840 yours. Scribble, scribble. How does that sound, 00:13:23.019 --> 00:13:25.870 Lou? Sounds like the real thing, Phil. Look at 00:13:25.870 --> 00:13:27.990 that letterhead. Is that perfect or is that perfect? 00:13:28.330 --> 00:13:30.470 Harry Trinner in the art department did it. Use 00:13:30.470 --> 00:13:32.990 the transfer type you just rub on the paper. 00:13:33.149 --> 00:13:34.529 You can't tell it from the real thing. Where'd 00:13:34.529 --> 00:13:36.629 you get the maids from? Van Haas's family? I 00:13:36.629 --> 00:13:38.529 got them from Charlie Edwards right out of the 00:13:38.529 --> 00:13:40.250 files at the Brewster Company. And you really 00:13:40.250 --> 00:13:42.590 got it mailed from South Africa? Yeah, straight 00:13:42.590 --> 00:13:45.750 from Johannesburg. Air mail, special delivery. 00:13:46.929 --> 00:13:51.000 Should have arrived by now. Phil, it's crazy. 00:13:51.539 --> 00:13:53.019 You're going to all that trouble just for a joke 00:13:53.019 --> 00:13:57.419 on the guy? It's not a joke. It's serious business. 00:13:59.159 --> 00:14:09.740 Hand me that phone. What are you doing now? Hello, 00:14:09.820 --> 00:14:14.460 Brewster Company? Mr. Van Haas, please. My name 00:14:14.460 --> 00:14:19.309 is Thompson. Just tell Mr. Van Haas that I wish 00:14:19.309 --> 00:14:22.509 to speak to him in connection with South Africa. 00:14:22.710 --> 00:14:27.250 I'm sure he'll understand. Yeah. Yeah, I'll wait. 00:14:28.470 --> 00:14:30.649 Phil, will you please tell me what you're doing? 00:14:31.950 --> 00:14:34.070 I'm going to make an appointment with this man, 00:14:34.309 --> 00:14:38.769 Lo. I'm going to make a deal with him. For the 00:14:38.769 --> 00:14:47.460 Chinaman button. Phil Thurston seems to have 00:14:47.460 --> 00:14:51.879 invented his own Chinaman button. But will his 00:14:51.879 --> 00:14:56.759 improved model work? It all depends on Mr. Walter 00:14:56.759 --> 00:15:13.899 Van Haas. We'll return shortly with Act 2. Now 00:15:13.899 --> 00:15:18.340 let's go back to Phil Thurston. Or rather, let's 00:15:18.340 --> 00:15:21.860 go back to Mr. Thompson, since that's the name 00:15:21.860 --> 00:15:25.059 Mr. Thurston used to make his reservation at 00:15:25.059 --> 00:15:28.120 the Ebtide restaurant in downtown Manhattan. 00:15:31.690 --> 00:15:33.850 Nice of you to come all the way downtown to meet 00:15:33.850 --> 00:15:36.490 me for lunch, Mr. Van Haas. That's okay. I'm 00:15:36.490 --> 00:15:38.629 sorry I don't have a permanent office, so a place 00:15:38.629 --> 00:15:41.470 like this is convenient for me. You still haven't 00:15:41.470 --> 00:15:43.590 told me what business you're in, Mr. Thompson. 00:15:43.610 --> 00:15:45.070 I would have come to your home for this meeting, 00:15:45.110 --> 00:15:47.450 but I didn't want to disturb your wife and children. 00:15:47.629 --> 00:15:50.330 You do have children, don't you? I sure do, five 00:15:50.330 --> 00:15:53.129 of them. How old are they? Step ladder, two, 00:15:53.149 --> 00:15:55.230 four, six, eight, ten. That's a lot of mouths 00:15:55.230 --> 00:15:58.350 to feed. Yep, and teeth to fill. I don't doubt 00:15:58.350 --> 00:16:02.340 it. Did you say that you were with that law firm 00:16:02.340 --> 00:16:05.700 in Johannesburg grease Hartog and sorry can't 00:16:05.700 --> 00:16:07.840 remember the last name I'm not sure I could pronounce 00:16:07.840 --> 00:16:10.519 it if I did your family is Dutch isn't yeah, 00:16:10.519 --> 00:16:12.980 my grandparents were hollanders But the rest 00:16:12.980 --> 00:16:16.000 of us are strictly Yanks. Well, the answer is 00:16:16.000 --> 00:16:18.440 no I don't come from the attorneys in Johannesburg, 00:16:18.440 --> 00:16:21.360 but I wanted to talk to you about their letter 00:16:21.360 --> 00:16:23.460 and frankly We couldn't figure it out million. 00:16:23.580 --> 00:16:27.059 I that's my wife I don't remember having any 00:16:27.059 --> 00:16:29.240 relatives in South Africa, and neither does my 00:16:29.240 --> 00:16:31.419 father. Oh, your dad's alive then? Yes, he lives 00:16:31.419 --> 00:16:33.960 in Allentown. I called him, but he didn't have 00:16:33.960 --> 00:16:36.980 any answers. Well, maybe I can help. You see, 00:16:37.399 --> 00:16:40.159 there is a relative, but a very distant one, 00:16:40.200 --> 00:16:42.940 one of those cousins four and five times removed. 00:16:42.980 --> 00:16:44.419 What's his name? Oh, I wouldn't mean anything 00:16:44.419 --> 00:16:46.679 to you if I told you. Yeah, but you do know his 00:16:46.679 --> 00:16:49.299 name. It is my business to know such things. 00:16:49.480 --> 00:16:53.340 Well, that brings us back to the original question, 00:16:53.440 --> 00:16:56.149 doesn't it? About what business you're in the 00:16:56.149 --> 00:16:57.809 person who told me the name of your relative 00:16:57.809 --> 00:17:01.129 was a clerk in the offices of Dries Hartog and 00:17:01.129 --> 00:17:04.609 beer and book He works for them, but you might 00:17:04.609 --> 00:17:07.710 say that he's on my payroll, too. I Don't think 00:17:07.710 --> 00:17:10.430 I understand. He's the one who informed me about 00:17:10.430 --> 00:17:14.450 the letter that was being sent to you and Why 00:17:14.450 --> 00:17:17.710 it was being sent? Is there any reason why you 00:17:17.710 --> 00:17:19.930 can't tell me my cousin's name? I'd rather not 00:17:19.930 --> 00:17:24.369 I think you'll understand why later But I will 00:17:24.369 --> 00:17:27.470 tell you something about him fine. He left the 00:17:27.470 --> 00:17:29.210 Netherlands with his family when he was when 00:17:29.210 --> 00:17:31.789 he was very young He's lived in South Africa 00:17:31.789 --> 00:17:34.890 since he's in the diamond business. Well, well, 00:17:34.890 --> 00:17:37.529 he's a widower. He has no children and he's rich 00:17:37.529 --> 00:17:42.549 He is very very rich And at the moment he has 00:17:42.549 --> 00:17:45.710 only one traceable heir. Wait a minute You mean 00:17:45.710 --> 00:17:48.930 that I actually do have a rich uncle in South 00:17:48.930 --> 00:17:52.599 Africa. No, I said cousin That's incredible. 00:17:53.180 --> 00:17:55.039 I mean, Milly and I were kidding about it. We 00:17:55.039 --> 00:17:57.599 even said that he might be in the diamond business. 00:17:57.700 --> 00:18:01.140 Oh, he is. Very much so. And are you saying that 00:18:01.140 --> 00:18:06.420 I'm his only heir? That's correct. Well, if there 00:18:06.420 --> 00:18:08.900 was the possibility of some kind of inheritance, 00:18:09.680 --> 00:18:12.099 why didn't the lawyer say so? Simple enough. 00:18:12.279 --> 00:18:14.460 There was nothing to say. What? The attorneys 00:18:14.460 --> 00:18:16.480 were only performing a routine function. Putting 00:18:16.480 --> 00:18:19.130 the gentleman's will in good order. Undoubtedly, 00:18:19.250 --> 00:18:21.369 they'll have to redraw the will sooner or later 00:18:21.369 --> 00:18:25.690 in favor of a closer relation such as a new wife. 00:18:26.230 --> 00:18:28.190 A wife? You see, this rich cousin of yours is 00:18:28.190 --> 00:18:32.130 only 41 and in excellent health. How old are 00:18:32.130 --> 00:18:37.430 you, Mr. Van Huss? 43. So that's all there was 00:18:37.430 --> 00:18:41.170 to it, just a routine inquiry. At the moment, 00:18:41.589 --> 00:18:45.730 that's all there is to it. Well, I'm not surprised. 00:18:45.970 --> 00:18:49.140 I... I never did believe you get something for 00:18:49.140 --> 00:18:52.019 nothing in this world. I said at the moment. 00:18:53.119 --> 00:18:56.519 What do you mean? Mr. Van Haas, you don't know 00:18:56.519 --> 00:18:58.539 this man in South Africa. You don't know the 00:18:58.539 --> 00:19:01.019 first thing about him. In fact, he means nothing 00:19:01.019 --> 00:19:03.579 at all to you. I guess so. The only way he could 00:19:03.579 --> 00:19:06.819 mean something to you is by dying, isn't it right? 00:19:07.420 --> 00:19:09.880 Well, that's a rough way of putting it, but if 00:19:09.880 --> 00:19:13.200 you mean that he won't benefit me until his death... 00:19:13.450 --> 00:19:16.250 I guess that's obvious now What if I told you 00:19:16.250 --> 00:19:20.670 that this man will be dead in two or three days? 00:19:21.250 --> 00:19:24.150 And that his entire estate will be yours. I thought 00:19:24.150 --> 00:19:26.269 you said he was healthy. I'm just asking how 00:19:26.269 --> 00:19:30.710 you would feel Sorry for the guy I spoke sorry 00:19:30.710 --> 00:19:34.109 about a man. You don't know he's a human being 00:19:34.109 --> 00:19:38.289 I see Mr. Van Huss did you read the newspaper 00:19:38.289 --> 00:19:41.950 this morning? Yes, I did you looked at the obituary 00:19:41.950 --> 00:19:45.690 page Yeah, briefly. Did you feel sorry for all 00:19:45.690 --> 00:19:48.289 the people whose death was reported? Did you 00:19:48.289 --> 00:19:55.269 feel any real sorrow for them? No, I can't say 00:19:55.269 --> 00:19:58.349 I felt sorrow. Because they were all strangers, 00:19:58.490 --> 00:20:03.069 weren't they? All right, Mr. Thompson, I'm a 00:20:03.069 --> 00:20:06.150 human being, too, and I guess if I got a letter 00:20:06.150 --> 00:20:08.829 from Drees, Hartog, and whatever telling me that 00:20:08.829 --> 00:20:12.130 I was rich, I wouldn't go into mourning. I'd... 00:20:12.140 --> 00:20:14.960 Probably go out and celebrate. If you saw my 00:20:14.960 --> 00:20:17.559 kids' dental bills, you'd understand. But I do 00:20:17.559 --> 00:20:20.160 understand. Believe me, I understand very well. 00:20:20.440 --> 00:20:24.160 That's why I wanted to see you, to suggest arranging 00:20:24.160 --> 00:20:26.400 that happy event without the slightest trouble 00:20:26.400 --> 00:20:29.259 on your part, without any obligation until you're 00:20:29.259 --> 00:20:33.200 completely satisfied. What the devil does that 00:20:33.200 --> 00:20:35.559 mean? All you have to do is say yes. Just that 00:20:35.559 --> 00:20:39.500 one word and your dream will come true. Yes to 00:20:39.500 --> 00:20:42.180 what? In a short time, you'll receive another 00:20:42.180 --> 00:20:44.779 letter from Johannesburg, informing you of the 00:20:44.779 --> 00:20:48.920 sad news that your cousin, Mr... Well, I still 00:20:48.920 --> 00:20:51.119 won't reveal his name. Let him remain anonymous. 00:20:52.019 --> 00:20:54.480 That'll make your decision a great deal easier, 00:20:54.480 --> 00:20:58.799 I'm sure. What decision? The decision to inherit 00:20:58.799 --> 00:21:02.519 his estate. Now hold it just a minute. Are you 00:21:02.519 --> 00:21:05.160 talking about... Please, keep your voice down. 00:21:06.680 --> 00:21:10.480 Mr. Van Haas. I'm making this as easy for you 00:21:10.480 --> 00:21:14.119 as pushing a button. If you give your approval, 00:21:14.579 --> 00:21:17.279 my agents in Johannesburg will be contacted within 00:21:17.279 --> 00:21:21.779 hours. The rest will be handled simply and with 00:21:21.779 --> 00:21:25.359 dispatch. All you'll have to do is wait for official 00:21:25.359 --> 00:21:28.220 notification of your inheritance. When the money 00:21:28.220 --> 00:21:30.059 arrives, of course, I'll expect payment in the 00:21:30.059 --> 00:21:34.259 amount of 50 % of the total. By our calculations, 00:21:34.400 --> 00:21:36.920 I'd say that total should be just about, uh, 00:21:37.420 --> 00:21:42.359 one million U .S. dollars. Good Lord, I s... 00:21:42.359 --> 00:21:45.869 I really think that... I think you mean it. I 00:21:45.869 --> 00:21:48.210 think you really do. I know you have scruples, 00:21:48.289 --> 00:21:50.630 Mr. Van Haas, but I also think you have common 00:21:50.630 --> 00:21:53.029 sense. Listen, Mr. Thompson, if that's your name... 00:21:53.029 --> 00:21:54.630 Yes, of course, you're quite right. It isn't. 00:21:54.730 --> 00:21:56.750 But it's the name you'll use to get in touch 00:21:56.750 --> 00:21:59.210 with me. I'm not getting in touch with you because 00:21:59.210 --> 00:22:02.630 I can give you your answer right now. It is no. 00:22:02.650 --> 00:22:05.630 Don't be so hasty. I've never heard such a filthy... 00:22:05.369 --> 00:22:08.049 proposition in my entire life. Look, if the percentage 00:22:08.049 --> 00:22:10.269 is the problem, we can discuss it. Our organization 00:22:10.269 --> 00:22:12.190 has been known to be flexible about such things. 00:22:12.250 --> 00:22:14.190 Money has nothing to do with it. We could base 00:22:14.190 --> 00:22:16.769 our agreement on a sliding scale. That is, we 00:22:16.769 --> 00:22:19.150 would take fifty percent of any inherited amount 00:22:19.150 --> 00:22:21.529 up to and including one million dollars. Anything 00:22:21.529 --> 00:22:24.009 after that, our percentage would be forty percent. 00:22:24.130 --> 00:22:26.309 Does that sound more attractive? You talk about 00:22:26.309 --> 00:22:28.789 it like it was some kind of a simple business 00:22:28.789 --> 00:22:32.650 deal. But it is. especially simple for you, a 00:22:32.650 --> 00:22:37.349 very clean, very uncomplicated deal. You do nothing 00:22:37.349 --> 00:22:39.710 at all, Mr. Van Haas. Can I make you understand 00:22:39.710 --> 00:22:42.269 that? You won't be connected to your cousin's 00:22:42.269 --> 00:22:45.410 death in any way. In fact, our agents are so 00:22:45.410 --> 00:22:47.529 expert at what they do, it's almost certainly 00:22:47.529 --> 00:22:51.029 going to be called an accident. Believe me, we've 00:22:51.029 --> 00:22:53.109 never had the slightest bit of trouble in the 00:22:53.109 --> 00:22:55.390 past. You heard my answer, Mr. Thompson. Now 00:22:55.390 --> 00:22:57.269 if you'll excuse me. You haven't had your lunch 00:22:57.269 --> 00:23:05.029 yet. My appetite is gone. Van Haas. What? I'm 00:23:05.029 --> 00:23:09.329 sorry. Perhaps I put the whole thing to you too 00:23:09.329 --> 00:23:12.450 bluntly. I shouldn't have expected a man like 00:23:12.450 --> 00:23:15.809 yourself to agree immediately. Or ever. All right, 00:23:15.869 --> 00:23:18.390 all right. Maybe you'll never agree. But at least 00:23:18.390 --> 00:23:21.109 give yourself some time to think it over. I don't 00:23:21.109 --> 00:23:23.910 need any time. Just 12 hours. 12 hours, that's 00:23:23.910 --> 00:23:26.109 all I'm talking about. Now, if you change your 00:23:26.109 --> 00:23:28.690 mind any time during the next 12 hours, you can 00:23:28.690 --> 00:23:31.769 reach me at the Florentine Hotel on 51st Street. 00:23:32.309 --> 00:23:34.369 Did you get that name? I don't need to remember 00:23:34.369 --> 00:23:36.910 it, Mr. Thompson. I'd like to forget your name, 00:23:37.150 --> 00:23:39.609 too, and this whole conversation. I'll be at 00:23:39.609 --> 00:23:42.529 the Florentine Hotel between 8 o 'clock and midnight 00:23:42.529 --> 00:23:45.529 tonight. Don't call me after 12, my sleeping 00:23:45.529 --> 00:23:48.329 habits, you understand? I don't see how you can 00:23:48.329 --> 00:23:51.390 sleep at all, Mr. Thompson. You'd be amazed at 00:23:51.390 --> 00:23:54.890 how well rich men sleep. Well, you can go to 00:23:54.890 --> 00:23:57.990 bed early tonight. Don't wait up for my call 00:23:57.990 --> 00:24:04.269 because there won't be one. Goodbye. So long, 00:24:04.289 --> 00:24:20.619 Walter. I'll be hearing from you. Honey, honey, 00:24:20.680 --> 00:24:24.539 cut it out. Stop it. No, no, no, no, no. Tell 00:24:24.539 --> 00:24:30.299 me what the matter is. Nothing. It's nothing. 00:24:30.839 --> 00:24:34.000 It's got to be something, Millie. Are the kids 00:24:34.000 --> 00:24:37.240 okay? Yes, they're all right. It's pretty quiet 00:24:37.240 --> 00:24:39.920 in the playroom. Well, that's because I bagged 00:24:39.920 --> 00:24:42.420 the twins off to mother. They were getting out 00:24:42.420 --> 00:24:46.220 of hand, Walter. I just couldn't stand it anymore. 00:24:46.880 --> 00:24:49.460 Okay, fine. I'm sure your mother is delighted. 00:24:50.019 --> 00:24:52.380 You know what's wrong with you? You're not eating 00:24:52.380 --> 00:24:54.960 right. You're eating like a bird these days. 00:24:55.180 --> 00:24:57.440 Well, that's practically all I can afford to 00:24:57.440 --> 00:25:03.180 buy these days. Bird food. I didn't mean that, 00:25:03.400 --> 00:25:05.519 Walter. Honest, I didn't. I know you didn't. 00:25:05.559 --> 00:25:08.299 I know it. Look, honey, I wish you'd see Dr. 00:25:08.559 --> 00:25:11.940 Julian and have him check you over. Walter... 00:25:13.110 --> 00:25:17.769 I did see Dr. Julian. You did? When? This morning. 00:25:17.990 --> 00:25:21.849 I didn't know you were going. Well, I didn't 00:25:21.849 --> 00:25:24.789 want you to know. Not until I was sure, anyway. 00:25:24.890 --> 00:25:27.609 Sure about what? Hey, you're not sick, are you? 00:25:27.609 --> 00:25:29.970 I mean, did he find anything serious? No, I'm 00:25:29.970 --> 00:25:37.049 not sick. I'm pregnant, Walter. What? You see, 00:25:37.369 --> 00:25:39.609 I'm not over the hill after all. I can still 00:25:39.609 --> 00:25:43.759 make babies. It should be some sort of comfort 00:25:43.759 --> 00:25:48.880 shouldn't it a baby Dr. Julian shook his finger 00:25:48.880 --> 00:25:51.779 at me and said he was going to call you sometime 00:25:51.779 --> 00:25:55.279 and give you a lecture on the population explosion 00:25:55.279 --> 00:26:00.160 Well, that's just great honey. No Walter. It's 00:26:00.160 --> 00:26:04.640 not just great. Oh Honey, don't pretend to be 00:26:04.640 --> 00:26:08.609 happy about it I just can't be. Well, it's not 00:26:08.609 --> 00:26:12.390 the end of the world. Oh, that's right. It's 00:26:12.390 --> 00:26:15.529 a beginning, isn't it? That's what Mother said 00:26:15.529 --> 00:26:18.650 when I told her. She's always said that, even 00:26:18.650 --> 00:26:22.269 with the first one, with Peter. Ten years ago, 00:26:22.329 --> 00:26:26.529 almost eleven. Walter, do you realize we've been 00:26:26.529 --> 00:26:29.829 married almost thirteen years? I know, Mellie, 00:26:29.849 --> 00:26:32.349 and I know they haven't always been easy years. 00:26:32.609 --> 00:26:36.059 Why is everything always beginning? When does 00:26:36.059 --> 00:26:38.940 the middle of everything start for us? Is our 00:26:38.940 --> 00:26:41.779 life just going to go from beginning to end without 00:26:41.779 --> 00:26:46.279 anything worthwhile in the middle? Oh, no! What 00:26:46.279 --> 00:26:48.940 was that? I asked Elsa to wash the dishes and 00:26:48.940 --> 00:26:51.440 put them away. I'd better get in there before 00:26:51.440 --> 00:26:53.859 they're all broken. Milly, we have to talk. After 00:26:53.859 --> 00:26:56.900 dinner, all right? I haven't even started it 00:26:56.900 --> 00:27:01.039 yet. I'm sorry. It's all right. I've got some 00:27:01.039 --> 00:27:08.809 work to do anyway. Or... Some thinking, anyway. 00:27:18.450 --> 00:27:20.390 That's right, Charlie. I'm staying downtown tonight. 00:27:20.869 --> 00:27:22.789 Ah, you got something going for you, Phil? You 00:27:22.789 --> 00:27:25.289 might say that. Oh, you bachelors really have 00:27:25.289 --> 00:27:28.150 a good life. Where does she live? Pat around 00:27:28.150 --> 00:27:30.190 here? Actually, I took a hotel room for a couple 00:27:30.190 --> 00:27:31.990 of days at the Florentine. She wouldn't have 00:27:31.990 --> 00:27:34.950 a friend, would she? Well, I could call Louise 00:27:34.950 --> 00:27:38.529 and tell her I have to work tonight. Now, forget 00:27:38.529 --> 00:27:41.730 it. She'll never buy that. My wife's got a built 00:27:41.730 --> 00:27:44.069 -in lie detector. Don't eat your heart out, Charlie. 00:27:44.190 --> 00:27:46.730 This is strictly a business proposition. Yeah, 00:27:46.730 --> 00:27:49.589 I know your business proposition's filled monkey 00:27:49.589 --> 00:27:52.190 business. You're trying to get a new client for 00:27:52.190 --> 00:27:55.069 the agency, right? Something like that. How do 00:27:55.069 --> 00:27:58.450 you think it looks? Will you get the deal? Charlie, 00:27:58.869 --> 00:28:12.009 I'm almost dead sure of it. Will Walter Van Haas 00:28:12.009 --> 00:28:16.410 press the Chinaman button? Would you press it? 00:28:16.769 --> 00:28:20.430 To make a million dollars? Before you answer, 00:28:21.170 --> 00:28:37.640 wait until we return with Act 3. Now let's pay 00:28:37.640 --> 00:28:41.940 a visit to the Florentine Hotel. It's a posh 00:28:41.940 --> 00:28:45.539 little hotel with all the conveniences. And in 00:28:45.539 --> 00:28:48.720 room 610, there's a gentleman registered under 00:28:48.720 --> 00:29:02.259 the name of Thompson. That was a request for 00:29:02.259 --> 00:29:07.309 the gang at the Williamsburg warehouse. Hello, 00:29:11.250 --> 00:29:17.069 Phil. Hi, Lou. Come on in. So, this is the Florentine 00:29:17.069 --> 00:29:20.410 Hotel, huh? Well, it's not a bad -looking room. 00:29:20.809 --> 00:29:22.549 Why, the corners are sweet. That's right. The 00:29:22.549 --> 00:29:24.750 bedroom is in there. Look at this bar set up. 00:29:24.809 --> 00:29:27.250 Glasses, refrigerator, everything. It's nice. 00:29:27.250 --> 00:29:29.509 Very nice. You want a drink? All I got is vodka. 00:29:29.690 --> 00:29:32.759 Oh, no, thanks. I'm strictly a Scotch, man. You 00:29:32.759 --> 00:29:35.920 know that. Sorry about that. That's okay. I'm 00:29:35.920 --> 00:29:38.079 not staying long. I'll just leave the layouts 00:29:38.079 --> 00:29:39.900 and the reports for you to look over. We can 00:29:39.900 --> 00:29:41.859 talk about them in the morning at the shop. Relax, 00:29:42.079 --> 00:29:44.460 Lou. Your wife knows you're working late tonight, 00:29:44.559 --> 00:29:46.700 doesn't she? Yeah, she knows. Sit down. Take 00:29:46.700 --> 00:29:49.500 it easy. Look, I got some orange juice. I can 00:29:49.500 --> 00:29:52.819 make you a screwdriver. No, thanks, Phil. Guess 00:29:52.819 --> 00:29:58.380 I have to drink alone, then. Well... Aren't you 00:29:58.380 --> 00:30:01.819 gonna ask me about your friend Van Haas? What 00:30:01.819 --> 00:30:03.619 about him? I told you I was going to see him 00:30:03.619 --> 00:30:06.140 today or rather that Mr. Thompson was going to 00:30:06.140 --> 00:30:08.440 see him. Did you? That's right. I saw him for 00:30:08.440 --> 00:30:10.140 lunch and told him the whole story about how 00:30:10.140 --> 00:30:12.259 easy it was for him to become a millionaire just 00:30:12.259 --> 00:30:15.859 by pushing the Chinaman button. Or maybe I should 00:30:15.859 --> 00:30:18.319 have called it the Dutchman button. Did he believe 00:30:18.319 --> 00:30:22.259 it, Phil? All the way. But did he go for it? 00:30:22.380 --> 00:30:25.319 I mean about having the guy in South Africa killed. 00:30:26.839 --> 00:30:31.380 No. No, he wouldn't go along. Ah, so Charlie 00:30:31.380 --> 00:30:33.259 was right. He said no because he was scared. 00:30:33.720 --> 00:30:35.460 He was afraid that he was getting into something 00:30:35.460 --> 00:30:38.079 too deep for him. Well, maybe that wasn't it, 00:30:38.259 --> 00:30:41.420 Phil. Maybe he is the kind of guy Charlie says 00:30:41.420 --> 00:30:45.259 he is. Maybe he was that kind of guy, Lou. That 00:30:45.259 --> 00:30:48.359 was before he ever got really tempted. A lot 00:30:48.359 --> 00:30:50.400 of people are honest because they never had anything 00:30:50.400 --> 00:30:54.559 worth being dishonest about. Am I right? You 00:30:54.559 --> 00:30:56.759 don't think much of people, do you? I think people 00:30:56.759 --> 00:30:59.319 are people, that's all. Open your eyes, Lou. 00:31:00.099 --> 00:31:02.400 Look at what's happening all around you. Everybody's 00:31:02.400 --> 00:31:05.579 on the grab. You don't know that by now. You've 00:31:05.579 --> 00:31:07.460 been living in a cave all your life. All right, 00:31:07.460 --> 00:31:09.599 all right. I don't want to argue with you. Everybody's 00:31:09.599 --> 00:31:13.140 corruptible, Lou. Everybody. High and low. Yeah, 00:31:13.140 --> 00:31:15.019 it sure looks like it these days. These days, 00:31:15.099 --> 00:31:17.119 old days, any days. We're just hearing more about 00:31:17.119 --> 00:31:19.339 it now. That's the only difference. But there 00:31:19.339 --> 00:31:24.019 are limits, Phil. I mean... Like what you offered, 00:31:24.140 --> 00:31:26.859 Van Haas. Well, let's face it, you were talking 00:31:26.859 --> 00:31:29.019 about murder. Maybe that's the word that came 00:31:29.019 --> 00:31:32.319 to his mind, too. But when he thinks it over, 00:31:32.440 --> 00:31:34.920 he'll give it a different name. He'll come to 00:31:34.920 --> 00:31:38.000 the conclusion that all I was talking about was 00:31:38.000 --> 00:31:41.700 pushing a button. You mean you still think he'll 00:31:41.700 --> 00:31:44.599 say yes? I told him to call me here. That's why 00:31:44.599 --> 00:31:46.539 I took this suite at the hotel under the name 00:31:46.539 --> 00:31:51.500 of Thompson. So that's what it was. And I figured... 00:31:51.630 --> 00:31:53.630 I don't know that you had some chick you didn't 00:31:53.630 --> 00:31:55.609 want to know your right name. I told Van Haas 00:31:55.609 --> 00:31:58.430 to call me here any time before midnight in case 00:31:58.430 --> 00:32:01.789 he changed his mind. Before midnight? It's almost 00:32:01.789 --> 00:32:04.809 11 o 'clock now. That's right. Why did you give 00:32:04.809 --> 00:32:07.289 him a deadline? Because he needs one. We all 00:32:07.289 --> 00:32:11.230 need one or we postpone things forever. Phil, 00:32:11.349 --> 00:32:14.869 I don't think he'll call. Why not? I think the 00:32:14.869 --> 00:32:17.589 guy's already made up his mind. No, he hasn't. 00:32:17.769 --> 00:32:19.990 He's watching the clock right now, just as we 00:32:19.990 --> 00:32:23.549 are. He's watching those hands move towards 12, 00:32:23.769 --> 00:32:26.589 thinking about how simple it would be to pick 00:32:26.589 --> 00:32:30.150 up the phone and call. You see, that's the beauty 00:32:30.150 --> 00:32:34.089 part of the whole thing, the simplicity. You 00:32:34.089 --> 00:32:36.450 remember that old camera slogan, you press the 00:32:36.450 --> 00:32:39.829 button, we do the rest. No, I don't think you're 00:32:39.829 --> 00:32:42.869 right. I don't think he'll do it. I can see him 00:32:42.869 --> 00:32:46.269 right this minute, Lou. Maybe he's in bed, looking 00:32:46.269 --> 00:32:48.880 up at the ceiling. Maybe he's locked himself 00:32:48.880 --> 00:32:50.920 up in the study and he's telling himself all 00:32:50.920 --> 00:32:53.980 the reasons why he shouldn't say yes Then he 00:32:53.980 --> 00:32:56.240 wonders if he's really fair to make the decision 00:32:56.240 --> 00:32:58.779 all by himself. I mean, I mean there's his wife, 00:32:58.819 --> 00:33:01.880 too He remembers all the little deprivations 00:33:01.880 --> 00:33:04.039 all the promises he made to her when they were 00:33:04.039 --> 00:33:07.740 younger those trips to Europe the mink coat And 00:33:07.740 --> 00:33:10.140 there are the kids of course five kids Lou think 00:33:10.140 --> 00:33:13.519 what that money would mean to them He's really 00:33:13.519 --> 00:33:17.529 moved by the thought of the kids, you know Maybe 00:33:17.529 --> 00:33:19.670 I'll have a drink after all. He's not thinking 00:33:19.670 --> 00:33:22.569 of himself, of course. No, he doesn't count the 00:33:22.569 --> 00:33:24.710 things he would like to do, the places he wants 00:33:24.710 --> 00:33:27.970 to see, or that car he wants to own. You ever 00:33:27.970 --> 00:33:29.769 know a man who didn't want some car he couldn't 00:33:29.769 --> 00:33:33.529 afford? Yeah, and then there's that nice smug 00:33:33.529 --> 00:33:35.970 feeling of security he could have with that pile 00:33:35.970 --> 00:33:39.410 of money swelling with interest in some bank 00:33:39.410 --> 00:33:42.009 that never thought he was worth more than a calendar 00:33:42.009 --> 00:33:45.250 at Christmas. Well, maybe he is thinking all 00:33:45.250 --> 00:33:49.740 that, Phil, but... Just saying. I don't think 00:33:49.740 --> 00:34:04.640 he'll call. Walter, honey, are you still awake? 00:34:05.339 --> 00:34:10.360 Yep. Do you feel all right? Yeah, I'm okay. You're 00:34:10.360 --> 00:34:15.179 not still thinking about it, are you? About what? 00:34:16.019 --> 00:34:22.989 About... You know, the baby. Oh, no, no. I wasn't 00:34:22.989 --> 00:34:26.530 thinking about the baby. Go back to sleep, honey. 00:34:27.949 --> 00:34:31.010 You know, I'm less than two months gone, honey. 00:34:31.909 --> 00:34:34.869 If you're really upset about... Stop that kind 00:34:34.869 --> 00:34:38.889 of talk. Well, I just thought... Well, there 00:34:38.889 --> 00:34:41.690 are alternatives. I'm sick of hearing about that 00:34:41.690 --> 00:34:44.389 alternative. I... I heard about it the last time 00:34:44.389 --> 00:34:48.869 you were pregnant, remember? I'm sorry. I know 00:34:48.869 --> 00:34:51.710 you're worried about money. I know all the debts 00:34:51.710 --> 00:34:55.530 we have. We'll get along. Honey, you're not angry 00:34:55.530 --> 00:34:58.789 with me. No, I'm not angry. I'm just restless. 00:34:59.550 --> 00:35:03.730 I've got business worries. Can't turn my mind 00:35:03.730 --> 00:35:08.130 off. Why don't you read a while? The light will 00:35:08.130 --> 00:35:13.380 keep you awake. I'll go to the living room. Walter? 00:35:13.960 --> 00:35:21.719 Yep. I love you. I love you too, Milly. Listen 00:35:21.719 --> 00:35:24.940 to that clock. Why do cheap clocks have to tick 00:35:24.940 --> 00:35:28.179 so loud? We've got to get ourselves an electric 00:35:28.179 --> 00:35:30.440 one, maybe one of those digital clocks. Darling, 00:35:30.599 --> 00:35:47.099 they cost money. Yes. What doesn't? Hello? Oh, 00:35:47.139 --> 00:35:50.380 yeah, yeah, I ordered the Scotch. Oh, you can't, 00:35:50.400 --> 00:35:55.260 huh? All right, thanks. Sorry, Lou. Room service 00:35:55.260 --> 00:35:57.739 can't deliver from the bar after 11 .30. That's 00:35:57.739 --> 00:35:59.719 okay, Phil. I don't really want to drink anyway. 00:36:00.079 --> 00:36:03.039 I'm almost out of liquor myself. You're almost 00:36:03.039 --> 00:36:07.239 out of time, too. Quarter to 12. Gee, I just 00:36:07.239 --> 00:36:10.519 can't believe it. I can't believe that guy could 00:36:10.519 --> 00:36:13.820 be that stupid. Is that what you call it? Of 00:36:13.820 --> 00:36:15.989 course. I mean, who wouldn't jump at a chance 00:36:15.989 --> 00:36:21.070 like this? Oh, I'm making it so easy for him, 00:36:21.070 --> 00:36:25.289 so painless. Easier than scratching along on 00:36:25.289 --> 00:36:27.630 a paycheck shot through with deductions. Easier 00:36:27.630 --> 00:36:30.469 than bowing and scraping every day of your life 00:36:30.469 --> 00:36:34.150 to people whose guts he hates. You know, old 00:36:34.150 --> 00:36:35.929 man Brewster, can you imagine having to be nice 00:36:35.929 --> 00:36:39.730 to that guy every day? We did it. Yes. That's 00:36:39.730 --> 00:36:44.710 why I know. Ah, Phil. I think you're taking this 00:36:44.710 --> 00:36:46.929 joke much too much to heart. You're letting it 00:36:46.929 --> 00:36:48.769 mean too much to you. There's still time left 00:36:48.769 --> 00:36:50.829 for him to call. But he won't. He's probably 00:36:50.829 --> 00:36:53.090 getting panicky right now. What about you, Phil? 00:36:53.190 --> 00:36:54.929 He sees the whole thing slipping away from him. 00:36:55.050 --> 00:36:57.989 He's telling himself how dumb he is. He's telling 00:36:57.989 --> 00:37:00.369 himself that the Chinaman doesn't mean a thing 00:37:00.369 --> 00:37:02.349 to him. Dutchman. He's telling himself that he's 00:37:02.349 --> 00:37:05.070 got a bigger duty, a greater responsibility to 00:37:05.070 --> 00:37:07.210 his wife, to his kids, even to himself. Well, 00:37:07.250 --> 00:37:09.469 forget it. It's over. It's no concern of his 00:37:09.469 --> 00:37:12.230 what happened 7 ,000 miles away. He doesn't have 00:37:12.230 --> 00:37:14.789 to dirty his hands. All he has to do is call. 00:37:14.809 --> 00:37:23.929 You're lost, Phil. Why don't you admit it? Aren't 00:37:23.929 --> 00:37:25.690 you gonna answer it? Sure, sure. I'll answer 00:37:25.690 --> 00:37:33.559 it. Maybe room service again, maybe Hello, mr. 00:37:34.719 --> 00:37:44.500 Thompson, this is Walter von Haas Okay, okay, 00:37:44.500 --> 00:37:47.280 I'm coming I'm coming who is it room service 00:37:47.280 --> 00:37:53.519 ah Breakfast come on in. I'm starving. Yes Are 00:37:53.519 --> 00:37:55.019 you sure those scrambled eggs are hot? They tasted 00:37:55.019 --> 00:37:57.380 like rubber yesterday morning. They should be 00:37:57.380 --> 00:37:59.260 all right, sir. Yeah, well, you tell the chef 00:37:59.260 --> 00:38:01.559 he'll hear from me if they aren't. Yes, sir. 00:38:02.239 --> 00:38:06.539 Will you sign right here, sir? Okay. There you 00:38:06.539 --> 00:38:09.280 are. Thank you. I'll be back later for the table. 00:38:09.539 --> 00:38:14.780 Half an hour. That's all I need. Yes, sir. Well, 00:38:15.179 --> 00:38:19.400 I guess my shower's gonna have to wait. Oh, now 00:38:19.400 --> 00:38:23.599 what? Hello? Phil. It's Lou. Oh, hi. What's up? 00:38:24.139 --> 00:38:26.119 How come you're still at the hotel? I thought 00:38:26.119 --> 00:38:27.559 you were just going to stay there one or two 00:38:27.559 --> 00:38:30.480 days. It's the third day now. I like it here. 00:38:30.719 --> 00:38:32.780 I may stay until the end of the week. Besides, 00:38:32.940 --> 00:38:35.239 I saw some great -looking chicks at the bar downstairs. 00:38:35.360 --> 00:38:38.760 Well, what's happening? Nothing. I was just wondering 00:38:38.760 --> 00:38:42.599 if you knew anything about, you know, Van Haas. 00:38:43.179 --> 00:38:46.280 Walter Van Haas? He's just waiting for the mailman, 00:38:46.420 --> 00:38:49.179 Lou, waiting to hear the good news from South 00:38:49.179 --> 00:38:53.199 Africa. I spoke to Charlie Edwards. He says Van 00:38:53.199 --> 00:38:55.780 Haas called in sick yesterday. I'll bet he was 00:38:55.780 --> 00:38:58.320 sick. I'll bet he was home planning on ways to 00:38:58.320 --> 00:39:00.119 spend all that money he thinks he's gonna get. 00:39:00.340 --> 00:39:04.519 One million bucks. No, 500 grand. Are you coming 00:39:04.519 --> 00:39:06.579 into the office soon, Phil? Sure, I'll be there 00:39:06.579 --> 00:39:08.480 just as soon as I finish breakfast and grab a 00:39:08.480 --> 00:39:10.860 shower. I'll see you later, then. All right. 00:39:12.219 --> 00:39:15.559 I'll bet those eggs are cold for sure. Oh, for 00:39:15.559 --> 00:39:21.289 Pete's sake, it's a conspiracy. Hello, Mr. Thompson. 00:39:21.730 --> 00:39:25.530 Well, what are you doing here? May I come in? 00:39:25.650 --> 00:39:28.329 I told you not to get in touch with me, Van Haas. 00:39:28.769 --> 00:39:32.309 Yes, I know you did, but I... I had to talk to 00:39:32.309 --> 00:39:34.670 you in person. I told you that it was for your 00:39:34.670 --> 00:39:37.809 own protection. Don't worry. I found out your 00:39:37.809 --> 00:39:40.550 room number and I came up the back stairs. Nobody 00:39:40.550 --> 00:39:44.289 knows I'm here. Well, why are you here? Please, 00:39:44.409 --> 00:39:49.380 let me come in. All right. As you can see, I'm 00:39:49.380 --> 00:39:51.300 just about to take a shower, so whatever you 00:39:51.300 --> 00:39:53.360 have to say, would you make it fast? Yes, I'll 00:39:53.360 --> 00:39:55.139 make it fast. I hope you haven't come here to 00:39:55.139 --> 00:39:56.539 say that you've changed your mind because it's 00:39:56.539 --> 00:39:58.579 too late for that. The thing is over and done 00:39:58.579 --> 00:40:01.420 with. It is? You're sure of that? As soon as 00:40:01.420 --> 00:40:03.320 you gave me your okay, I was in touch with our 00:40:03.320 --> 00:40:05.199 agents in Johannesburg. They didn't waste any 00:40:05.199 --> 00:40:09.659 time either. And it went all right? Flawlessly, 00:40:09.739 --> 00:40:14.039 just as I promised. All you have to do is wait. 00:40:14.599 --> 00:40:19.780 Yes, I see. Hi, I just had to hear it from you. 00:40:19.780 --> 00:40:22.159 Mr. Thompson. I I had to hear it from myself 00:40:22.159 --> 00:40:24.659 Well now you've heard it now you go home and 00:40:24.659 --> 00:40:30.519 you wait for the mailman Yes the mailman What's 00:40:30.519 --> 00:40:33.539 the matter van house? He looks strange you feel 00:40:33.539 --> 00:40:39.559 all right. Oh, yes, I feel fine Truth is I I 00:40:39.559 --> 00:40:41.920 Never felt better in my life good good. I'm glad 00:40:41.920 --> 00:40:44.199 to hear I feel a lot different than I felt two 00:40:44.199 --> 00:40:48.519 days ago I can't tell you what a torture it was 00:40:48.519 --> 00:40:52.699 for me to make that phone call to you. Absolute 00:40:52.699 --> 00:40:57.800 torture. But after I hung up, I felt as light 00:40:57.800 --> 00:41:00.800 as a feather. You did, huh? Yeah, I felt fine. 00:41:00.820 --> 00:41:04.880 I felt wonderful. Even though I got myself involved 00:41:04.880 --> 00:41:10.980 in killing a man. It's funny, isn't it? It was 00:41:10.980 --> 00:41:13.539 easy, wasn't it? Just like I said it would be. 00:41:13.539 --> 00:41:16.869 Yes, that's the word. I never knew anything could 00:41:16.869 --> 00:41:22.409 be that easy. Changed me, Mr. Thompson. I saw 00:41:22.409 --> 00:41:25.489 how stupid I'd been all my life. How stupid most 00:41:25.489 --> 00:41:28.469 of us are. To waste the one life we're given. 00:41:29.489 --> 00:41:31.710 I owe you a lot. Well, if you came to say thanks, 00:41:32.010 --> 00:41:34.250 you're welcome. Now, if you'll excuse me... I 00:41:34.250 --> 00:41:36.760 felt like a giant. I felt... I felt... There 00:41:36.760 --> 00:41:40.019 was nothing I couldn't do. I was a coward before, 00:41:40.440 --> 00:41:44.059 a weakling. But you showed me a better way. Okay, 00:41:44.179 --> 00:41:46.480 okay. Would you go home now, Mr. Van Haas? I 00:41:46.480 --> 00:41:48.260 mean, the less we see of each other, the better. 00:41:48.519 --> 00:41:50.219 Now, when the money arrives, I'll be in touch 00:41:50.219 --> 00:41:53.980 with you. About my 50%. Yes, your 50%. That's 00:41:53.980 --> 00:41:56.460 really what I wanted to discuss, Mr. Thompson. 00:41:58.059 --> 00:42:02.460 Tell me, does this fireplace work? Or is it just 00:42:02.460 --> 00:42:05.199 for show? I really wouldn't know. But I see that 00:42:05.199 --> 00:42:07.360 they have all the implements. What are you doing 00:42:07.360 --> 00:42:11.820 with that poker? Van Haas. Are you crazy? Sorry, 00:42:11.940 --> 00:42:19.820 Mr. Thompson, but 100 % is so much better. I 00:42:19.820 --> 00:42:22.940 thought I'd have to bring a hammer or something, 00:42:23.119 --> 00:42:28.579 but a poker was so much better. Now, into the 00:42:28.579 --> 00:42:38.789 bathroom, Mr. Thompson. Into the shower What 00:42:38.789 --> 00:42:41.929 a shame that you slipped in the tub mr. Thompson, 00:42:41.929 --> 00:42:48.449 what a terrible shame Now I have to go to wait 00:42:48.449 --> 00:42:59.329 for the mailman There's an old saying If you're 00:42:59.329 --> 00:43:02.829 going to dig a grave for a man, make sure you 00:43:02.829 --> 00:43:20.730 dig two. I'll return shortly. Ready for an instructive 00:43:20.730 --> 00:43:25.269 statement? It goes like this. The wonderful thing 00:43:25.269 --> 00:43:29.030 about radio is... that it can be enjoyed in complete 00:43:29.030 --> 00:43:32.869 darkness. And isn't darkness the natural medium 00:43:32.869 --> 00:43:38.110 for mystery? Our cast included Paul Hecht, Ralph 00:43:38.110 --> 00:43:42.130 Bell, Mason Adams, Evie Juster, and Will Hare. 00:43:43.070 --> 00:43:45.230 The entire production was under the direction 00:43:45.230 --> 00:43:48.969 of Hyman Brown. This is E .G. Marshall inviting 00:43:48.969 --> 00:43:52.789 you to return to our mystery theater for another 00:43:52.789 --> 00:43:58.579 adventure in the macabre. Until next time, pleasant 00:43:58.579 --> 00:43:59.500 dreams.