Come in. Welcome. I am E .G. Marshall. Welcome
to the world of your own terrifying imagination.
Since the beginning of time, people have argued
about the existence of ghosts. They've been called
variously wraiths, specters, phantoms, apparitions,
shadows or shades. But everyone agrees that if
there are such things as ghosts, they are the
souls of dead persons, haunting living persons.
And that's what our story is about. Ghosts. No
one, Mr. Garth, whether professional ghost hunters
or ordinary people, have ever been able to spend
an entire night in that house. Well, how many
have tried, Mr. Flanders? Well, I know of at
least a dozen. And that's within the past two
years. Did you get any reports from the professionals?
Oh, sketchy ones. But they all say the same thing.
That whatever or whoever it is that haunts that
house, the manifestations are the most powerful
and evil in their experience. They all mention...
Nameless Horrors. Our mystery drama, A Ghostly
Game of Death, was written especially for the
Mystery Theatre by Murray Burnett and stars William
Prince. Nameless horrors, a nice phrase. But
as soon as you put a name and identity to horrors,
somehow they prove bearable. In the last century,
people have shown that they can and do bear up
under mass genocide and atomic bombings. But
the horror that is nameless, that is the most
fearful of all. And our spine -tingler will try
to put a name to one kind of horror. You are
not real. There are no such things as ghosts.
I'm just imagining things. But I see you. I see
you. Now, don't, don't hurt me. Whatever you
are, please, stay away from me. You want me to
leave the house? I will, I will, if that's what
you want. Just please let me by. I'll go right
down the stairs, walk out of the house, and never
come back. Is that what you want? Please! No!
Don't touch me! Let me out! Suicide. That's what
all the papers say, Mr. Garth. But we know better.
It's ghosts. That house is haunted. Mr. Flanders,
my field of study is the supernatural. But I
can't even begin to tell you whether I can help
or not until you get control of yourself. I'm
sorry, but this whole thing is just about putting
our firm out of business. The house, Mr. Flanders.
Do you have anything on the history of the house?
Yes. It was built in the early 1800s by a sea
captain named Ephraim Hatch. For himself and
his bride young lady named Lucy Endicott And
they lived in it for some four years until the
tragedy you have the details Well Captain Hatch
was supposedly a hellraiser in his youth, but
also a great seafaring man He was in whaling
and if the room is a true slave trading At any
rate he amassed a fortune. He fell in love with
this center card girl who was the town beauty
married her, settled down and built this house.
The tragedy. Well, the story goes, as nearly
as we can piece it together, that the captain
returned from one of his voyages earlier than
expected and found his bride entertaining a lover.
He killed them both. Horribly. And ever since,
the house has been haunted and unlivable. We're
building a condominium. This house is a key location.
right in the middle of the property we own. We
can't even get records to tear it down. No one
will go near the place. Well, you keep telling
me that no one has lived in the house. What about
this girl who just died there? Oh, that was a
stupid idea of my partner's. Her name was Roberta
Ginley, a television reporter. She wanted to
make a name for herself, and my partner sold
me on the idea that if she spent a night in the
house and then went on television and told people
about it... Our problems would be solved. And
now we're in a worse mess than before. That's
why we came to you. Well, there you are, gentlemen.
The haunted house. Well, is it always this windy,
Mr. Flanders? No, Mr. Kelly. Only when the wind
blows from the east off the ocean. Well, for
a haunted house, it looks substantial enough.
Well, shall we go up to the house, Mr. Flanders?
Um, why don't you two go? I'll wait for you here.
You'll be quite safe, Mr. Flanders. It's broad
daylight. Jim Kelly here has been with me in
more haunted places and dealt with more ghosts
than any man except myself And don't forget Byron
Byron is my dog. Mr. Flanders and like me. He
doesn't believe in ghosts. Do you buy? Oh I'm
not scared gentlemen. It's just that I somebody
times I Well, I don't want to influence so she's
uh Let's go Byron Bring all our kitchen. Well,
it's back at the motel. We won't need it until
tonight Wow, they certainly built solid houses
in the old days look at this door Easy Byron
boy, everything's okay. You got the keys right
here Come on now Byron come on we're on our way
to meet the ghost Keep Byron quiet. Sit. Sit,
Byron. Come on, sit. I don't think we should
bother with the downstairs. Let's go up and see
where we're gonna sleep tonight. All right, I'm
with you. Come along, Byron. Oh, this looks like
the master's bedroom. I'll sleep here. And I'll
sleep in this little alcove here, right off your
room. Byron, what is the matter with you? I wouldn't
try to take him into that alcove, Tim. Stay in
this room with me tonight. All right. All right.
Hey, there's a door here leading outside to what
you call the widow's walk. Want to come out and
look around? I'll be right with you. Just checking
the fireplace. Gonna need logs. Okay. Where's
the door? Ah, it's right here. It hasn't been
open in a long time. What a view. Look at that
ocean. to see her husband's ship come in, I'd
be blown away. And what Flanders tells, the captain's
wife wasn't too anxious for her husband to return.
That's right. She was too busy entertaining her
lover. Now you go over the rail. Thanks, Mr.
Garth. If you hadn't caught me, I would have
gone over. What happened? Oh, nothing. Nothing.
I don't know. I just lost my balance. Come on,
Jim. We know each other better than that. What
happened? I really don't know Alex I swear I
thought someone pushed me right thing and I'll
understand if you don't want to go through with
this I'll pay all your expenses to date you're
concerned about my safety yes a real estate deal
is important but not that important mr. Flanders
you'll have nothing on your conscience Tim and
I will spend tonight in the house and by tomorrow
the ghost should be at rest and you think there
is a ghost well of course I just don't believe
in its malevolence Have you taken care of the
wooden logs for the fireplaces? The men wouldn't
go into the house, but you'll find plenty of
firewood outside the door. Fine. Then I'll be
on my way. I've never seen Byron act like this.
Hmm, something to think about. Well, I've been
with you on about 50 of these haunted house deals.
You think there's something different about this
one? Well, I don't know, but I'm going to find
out. Well, I've heard that sort of moan before.
According to you, Alex, it's a ghost in pain.
It is. Sounds like the evening's entertainment
is about to start. Tim? Yes, Alex. We've worked
together for a long time, and we get along so
well because I respect your disbelief in the
supernatural. Yeah, which has come in handy when
I uncovered a few tape recorders and other little
fake devices. Right, right. But for your own
sake, Jim, there's something about this house
that seems different. Now, please, be careful.
Huh? You trying to scare me? I don't think that's
possible. Right, right. Now, how about some wood
for my fire? if you're trying to scare us it's
not gonna work you know in all the years we've
been working together Alex I've yet to see a
ghost but you've heard them oh so you tell me
you talk with them I just hear noises and sometimes
they're man -made and sometimes not would you
strike a match please that's better Get some
of the chill off the room. Fireplaces always
seem to make a room more cheerful. The electricity
must have been installed around, oh, I guess
the turn of the century, huh? Well, I've seen
brighter lights. But at least we have lights.
And candles. Oh, did I share mine with you? No,
I have a supply bag in my room. Oh, all right.
All right, here we go again. Spirit wrapping.
Oh, now I've made it angry. Shut up. Listen to
me. Whoever you are My name is Alex Garth. I
would like to help you but I can't unless Huh
doesn't want to talk to you evidently Alex. We'll
see Although you're my friend in the lie. You
are often the disturbing influence now I won't
deny that I'm an unbeliever So I'll turn in now
that the fire is going you can go back to your
side of the room and commune with the spirits
and with each other Jim We'll check with each
other, as we always do. Oh, quiet, Byron. It's
all right, boy, it's all right. Oh, trust me,
Byron. Ah, you like your ears rocked, huh? Oh,
no, you expect me to sleep with all that racket
going on? So I'm trying to quiet him. Easy, boy,
easy. It's all over. Tim, is there any way we
can get Byron out of here? He's beginning to
frother the mouth. He's covered with perspiration.
Well, I don't want to let him out now. He'll
just get lost. He'll get over it when he sees
nothing's happening. Hey. What? My lights just
went out. How are yours? Easy, boy, easy. I know
you're in trouble. Please, let me help you. If
you'll show yourself, I could help you. I've
helped others. Believe me. Is your name Lucy?
Lucy Endicott? If you are Lucy, would you rap
twice? Can you Lucy You're frightening a dumb
animal. You're not frightening me. I'm sure you
don't want to terrify a beast you've ever done
you any harm Pirate come here Come to me Yeah,
I'm fine, but I'm really worried about Byron.
Oh, somebody's playing games. I'd try to find
the fuse box if I could, but... Hey! What is
it, Tim? Well, whoever's at the controls is pretty
good. Nice cold gust of wind just blew out the
match I was using to light the candle. Well,
I've got a couple of candles lit. You want one?
Oh, no, thanks. I'm not scared of the dark. Ah!
That pounding, that's a new one, isn't it, Alex?
It's new to me. It isn't spirit rapping sounds
like someone wants in want to go down and open
the door. Oh, no chance Hey Alex your side of
the room Rocking like a boat. I'm steady as a
rock Was that Byron yes, what happened I'm not
sure He's he's dead Tim what His neck seems to
have been broken Tim did you hear me? I said
Byron is dead Tim are you all right? Something
from which he will run, driven by the secret
whips of his own fears. But I suspect that Alex
Garth could not tell you what it was that Tim
Kelly ran from that night in the house at Face
the Sea. We'll be back shortly with Act Two.
Alex Garth, authority on the supernatural, has
undertaken to spend a night in a house so demon
-ridden that workmen have even refused to tear
it down. Deserted by his friend and ally, Tim
Kelly, who fled in terror from unknown fears,
Garth knew that he had to face the rest of the
night alone as the heavy outer door boomed closed
behind Tim Kelly. Show yourself now. I promise
not to run away like my friend. You'll never
find peace unless you let me help you. There
can be no rest for you except through me. Do
you think you're being punished for some sin
you committed when you were alive? That isn't
you. Is it, Lucy? Please, let me help you. I
will not let you in and I will not leave this
house. Rocking the room doesn't frighten me.
I'm not afraid. Mr. Coggins! We've split it up,
Gallard. Keep her steady or I'll kill you! That
letter I received in Trinidad tells me that my
Lucy, my wife, is in... So, Mr. Coggins, we're
gonna drive home, and to hell with the storm!
Nightmares. We've all experienced them. But I
venture to say that none of us has experienced
the horrible sights, shapes, and sounds that
Alex Garth saw and heard in that dark room of
the haunted house for the next hour. And... When
he still held hard to his sanity and what remained
of his courage, the apparitions changed in character.
Garth no longer knew what was real and what was
fantasy. He later told me that he may even have
fallen asleep, hard as that may be to believe.
Alex? Alex Garth? Lucy? I am Lucy. Am I not?
Fair, Alex Garth? Yes. Even beautiful? Very beautiful.
Would you not like to touch me, Alex? Even if
I wanted to, I could not. You think I am cold
and repulsive. That is what you think. John,
tell Alex how nice I am to touch. You are very
nice to the touch, Lucy. Was John your lover?
You do nothing but ask questions, Alex Garth.
What should I do, Lucy? Make me feel once more
the touch of a man. A man you love and... Lucy,
you're in torment. I can only give you peace.
Torment? Why should I be unhappy? I live here
in my house and... Of course, we were naughty,
John and I. We tried to frighten you. But that
was only because I don't like strangers in my
home. Apologize to Alex, John. This is a childish
game you're playing, Lucy. But I adore games.
I love games. Come dance a minuet with me, Alex.
Listen. Isn't the music lovely, Alex? I don't
dance the minuet, Lucy. John, you dance with
me. This was how John and I first met. Doesn't
he dance beautifully, Alex? Very beautifully.
Remember, John? Remember how you looked at me
that night? Yes, and that old witch Hannah saw
it and wrote the letter to your husband. Oh,
nothing, John. It was much later. Look at me
that way again, John. You're no fun. No fun anymore
at all, John. Alex, you come and dance with me.
No, thank you. You are afraid, Alex. Yes, I am
afraid. John, you heard. He is afraid. I said
I was afraid, Lucy, but not... Terrified. Fiddlesticks,
you play with words, Alex Garth. And you want
me to play ghostly games with death, don't you,
Lucy? Alex, Alex Garth, wake up. I wasn't asleep.
You are here to drive me from my home. Are you
happy in your home, Lucy? I will not leave. You
shall fail. Others have tried. Would you like
to see what happened to those others? I have
a mirror you can look into in my room, just down
the hall. Look in that mirror, if you dare. I
think I've been given a fairly good idea already.
Leave this house, Alex. For your own sake leave
tomorrow morning Lucy tomorrow will be too late
Is going around Sit down Alex Garth and the room
will stop spinning There that's better. Isn't
it? I'm still dizzy. I warned you now Alex Garth
now look at me good Lord! You do not find me
beautiful now, Alex Garth. Not now, with the
blood flowing from the wounds inflicted on me
by my husband, when he murdered me. Not murdered,
executed. You would not like to kiss me now,
Alex Garth. Stay! Where you are. You need not
worry about my blood staining your clothes. It
will not even show. Stay away! Stay away! I warned
you, Alex Garth. You think no one would wish
to embrace me now with the cuts and wounds and
blood disfiguring me. Is that what you think?
I'm not listening! Someone will wish to kiss
me. Someone who loves me. I will kiss you, Lucy.
I will embrace you. And I will embrace you, John,
my love, even with the blood flowing from your
pores. I can't look. I can't. It will do you
no good to put your hands over your eyes, Alex.
You will still see the bloodied lover's kiss.
No, I won't witness this horror. My thoughts
are mine and they're real. You're phantoms and
you don't exist. For many we don't. But you know
that we do. We are here. And we are real. And
the only way you can banish us from your mind's
eye is to run. Run! As your wise friend did.
Run and you'll see us no more! No! No, Lucy!
I'm not leaving this house! This is the carriage
bearing me to the burial ground Alex if you open
your eyes you can see into the coffin The undertaker
did a fine job. I looked almost as pretty as
I did before I died I was wearing the dress you
see me in Alex and The only mourner following
the carriage was my mother the only person in
the town who wasn't afraid of my husband's wrath
the only person who didn't believe I was a wanton.
Do you believe that? Yes. You do? Yes. Everyone
feared Captain Hatch. And you, Lucy, most of
all, you still fear him. No. Oh, why won't you
go? Like you, Lucy, I am bound. How bound? By
my knowledge. By my pride, by knowing if I leave
now, I've failed. You have stayed longer than
anyone. Not long enough? You mustn't stay. What
you have seen is it will be worse and dangerous
for you. Even more dangerous. You mean you're
afraid for me? Yes. Why? You really don't know.
Of course not. But you've seen John. Have you
not noticed that you are very alike? Well, I
really hadn't looked that closely. Would you?
No, no, I believe you. Then you must see how
dangerous it is for you now. Then help me. I
cannot. If you would trust me and tell me what
the control is, I could help. You're very wise,
Alex, but this is something beyond your wisdom.
Try me. It's impossible. I am held here by forces
stronger than yours. How do you know what my
powers are? I told you. You are not the first
who has been here. But you are the bravest. And
your courage will destroy you. Book, what are
you doing? Mr. Flanders, I owe an apology. But
I owe Alex a lot more than that. Mr. Flanders,
you've got to get Alex out of that house. What
happened? Just get him out. It's four o 'clock
in the morning, Kelly. You woke me up. I'm not
quite functioning yet. What did you see? What's
in that house? Demons. I thought you didn't believe
in ghosts. No, but I believe in evil. And Mr.
Flanders, in that house, you can actually feel
the... presence of evil it's all around you and
it's dangerous now listen Kelly Garth knew what
he was getting into it's up to him to handle
it I tell you his life is at stake well if you're
convinced of that then it's up to you to do something
about it not to run away you speak to me of powers
Alex Garth yet you are afraid to test them what
kind of test do you propose The mirror. The mirror
in my room. Let's go. Well, come along. I'm warning
you, Alex Garth. Wait a second. Your death machine
will not help you. Death machine? Oh, you mean
the revolver. Call it what you like. It spits
fire and noise and has been used stupidly by
stupid people against us. Surely you know better,
Alex Garth. No, it gives me something to hold
on to. Come on. You could try to hold on to me.
This, this is your room? You fear to go in? Well,
I'm wondering what it is about this room that...
This is the room Tim ran out of, isn't it? The
mirror is over here. Now, look in the mirror,
Alex Garth. Look well. See, Alex Garth? Is that
you, Lucy? It is I, Alex. It's a very young girl.
And your schoolmates? Who are they? Schoolmates.
Is John among them? Look. Look in the mirror.
I... I can't make out the faces. Now you're grown,
I... Mirror, mirror on the wall. What did the
hunter of ghosts, Alex Garth, see in the mirror
that so terrified him he lost his head and shot
at the images in the glass? I'll be back shortly
to tell you what Garth saw. when I return with
Act 3. Some people believe in ghosts, some very
thoughtful people. There are others who say,
if you believe in ghosts, you will see ghosts.
And Alex Garth, expert on the supernatural, is
not only seeing, But talking to ghosts, as experienced
and as cool a ghost hunter as Alex Garth, has
just committed the childish act of firing his
revolver into a mirror, shattering the glass
into a million pieces, and doing the same to
his composure. Stupid, stupid. Breaking the mirror
isn't going to change anything, Alex Garth. The
only thing you can do is leave. I'm not leaving,
Lucy, until dawn. If you stay, your mind becomes
a mirror. A mirror for all the things you don't
want to look at. Well, if I have to look, I will.
Then farewell, Alex Garth. You and I will see
each other. But we can no longer talk. Until
you join us join you you are doomed You will
join John and me here in my home for all eternity
and God help you Alex Garth Because I no longer
can Lucy Lucy is that you Lucy, my darling, my
love, I must go now. No, no. Please stay a little
longer. Just a little longer, dear heart. Why
did you marry him, Lucy? You went away, John,
my love. You left and never said a word. How
could I, Lucy? You know I didn't have a penny.
You could have told me you loved me. You knew
that. You knew it all the time we were growing
up. Sometimes when people grow up, they change,
John. And I was afraid you no longer cared for
me. That's why you married the captain. I didn't
want to be an old maid. There was no chance of
that. I was afraid. I was afraid, John. He was
so strong. John, I'm going to have a child. What?
I'm going to have a baby, John. Your baby. You?
You're sure? I'm sure. Then we have to leave.
You must come away with me, Lucy. Where will
we go? West. To a new place. For a fresh start.
Somewhere where Ephraim can't find us. There
is no such place. Of course there is. Lucy, you
know what will happen if Ephraim discovers that...
Ephraim won't be home for at least a week. He
was in Trinidad the last I heard... Lucy! Lucy,
it's me! Don't be wasting your time Lucy, it's
been four months since I've seen you last All
right, Lucy, where is he who John Rogers Have
you gone mad, Ephraim? Aye, maybe. Mad with jealousy!
Stop lying and tell me where he is! You're hurting
me! Aye, and I'll be hurting you a lot more,
unless you tell me where he is. Who put those
terrible ideas into your head? The widow Davies,
that's who. And you believe that old gossip?
Tell me she lies! Tell me! Lie there and snivel
whilst I rust out your fancy man from wherever
he's cowering. There's no one here, Ephraim.
Yes, God is my witness. No one here at all. Well,
for your sake, I hope you're right. But the widow
told me she saw him sneaking into this house
tonight. She lied. She lied. got you with child
then come here and stop me come on no you know
I can't do that can't you mean you won't you
know as well as I do I've never had anything
to do with your wife just as you know very well
who I am what I'm trying to do here then do it
I'll match my blade against your pistol any time
captain so you came out at last did you now You
look as if you need it. Flanders, there isn't
enough liquor in the world to warm me. Not after
what I saw at your house. Then it is haunted.
By ghosts beyond anything in my experience. Can
you help me? I hope so, but I'm not sure. I managed
to stay the night and I barely managed to survive.
There's one room in the house. It seems to be
the focal point of all the manifestations That's
the room. I believe was occupied by Captain Hatch's
young wife Lucy That's the room from which Tim
ran last night And that's the room in which I
saw things No, man should ever have to see And
you propose to hire some work? That's impossible.
I told you what happened when I had I can understand
why no workmen from around this area will go
near the place. I intend to import a couple of
men I've used before. Well, you could try it,
but what would you want them to do? To dig into
and around that room and see if we can find something
that will account for the hauntings. We? Well,
you and I will be with them. A correction. I
hired you, Garth. You'll be with them. and report
back to me. Hello. Flanders, this is August Graf.
I'm calling you from a diner just down the road
from the house. With good news? With news. My
workman walked out. Well, that's sad. If you
want that house cleansed, all I ask is you meet
me there in half an hour. Well, why do you need
me? Well, for two. I see what you mean about
this room. We'll try not to think about this
house or the stories about it. Just hand me that
hammer. What do you want with the hammer? I want
to test these walls and floors. You think there's
a secret passage or some nonsense like that?
Well, I don't know what there is, but there must
be something. You'll have to take my word for
it that what goes on in this house isn't an ordinary
lost or restless spirit seeking solace. It's
something that's planned and controlled. How?
That's what I hope to find out. Ah! Here. You
found something. I think so. Listen. That sounds
hollow. Yes. And the further down you go towards
the floor, the holler it sounds. Hand me that
crowbar. Well, maybe we should let things be.
Not if you want to rid the house of the ghosts.
But what will we find? Lord knows. Here goes.
Wait. Can't you handle this without me? You scared?
Well, I think I'd feel better if I stepped outside.
Be over in a minute. I don't think I'm going
to be able to stand this. What if this thing
is something else? You get a thought and you're
home and into it. Well, I can only think of the
sea and the storm and a ship driving and a woman.
Flanders, hold on to me. Hang on and look. Look
there's nothing down there, but a room look look
for yourself God why should I be so terrified?
Why do I want to run there steps? Come on. No
you want me to go down come on. It's only an
empty room I'm not so sure it's empty come on
No steady now What sir it's a table There's something
on it I know. Let's see. It's just a plain saucer.
Yeah, the saucer's plain, but look what's in
it. What is that stuff? Well, I'm not sure, but
it looks to me like something like mercury. I
bet there's mercury in it. We'll have to have
it analyzed. What's that on top of it? A needle.
Look at it spin. I see. But don't you see anything
else? No. Well, look under the saucer. Looks
like a slip of paper. It does indeed. Let's have
a look at it if I can get it out without disturbing
the... There we are. There's writing on it. What
does it say? As... Moves this needle, so moves
my will. Accursed be this house and all who dwell
therein. See to it that they find neither rest
nor tranquility, but be doomed to eternal agony
and torment beyond the ken of man and woman.
To which I affix my seal and signature, Ephraim
Hatch, Master of the Schooner, Lucy. Do you mean
to tell me that this piece of paper... That source
of liquid and a needle... Look out! The saucer!
Be careful! Quick! Quick! The ladder! Hurry!
Hurry, Flanders! The smoke! I can't breathe!
The ladder! Quickly! I'm right behind you! How
do you say thanks to a man who saved your life?
Oh, don't, don't bother. You wouldn't have been
down there in the first place if I hadn't insisted.
I owed it to you to get you out of there. Garth.
Yes? I want to explain about my upsetting the
saucer. I wouldn't say this to anyone except
you, but... I swear that something pushed my
hand. Do you believe that? Yes, Flantis, I believe
it. And now your house is cleansed. The fire
will see to that. For those of you who are skeptical
about the existence of such things as ghosts,
I have a suggestion. Find a house reputed to
be haunted. and spend a night there, and then
let me know about it. I'll be back shortly. Alex
Garth is still an avid investigator of the supernatural.
However, he has a curious reluctance to tell
people about what he saw during the night he
spent in that house. on the New England coast.
And he never admits that many times in the dead
of night he sees again the face of Lucy, her
lover, and the terrible sword of Captain Ephraim
Hatch. And he awakens with his mouth open in
a soundless scream. Our cast included William
Prince, Ralph Bell, Joan Tyson, William Redfield,
and Gil Mack. The entire production was under
the direction of Hyman Brown. This is E .G. Marshall
inviting you to return to our Mystery Theatre
for another adventure in the macabre. Until next
time, pleasant dreams.