Come in. Welcome. I'm E .G. Marshall. Welcome
to a chilling insight into the powers of witchcraft.
and an ancient curse. Witchcraft today is an
end thing with the young, which may appear somewhat
incongruous, since witches, demons, and warlocks
are older than the beginning of recorded time.
And somehow, despite all of society's maledictions
and efforts to stamp it out, witchcraft has survived,
as we will demonstrate in our spine -tingling
tale. Do you believe in demons, Miss Bell? Frankly?
No. Do you believe in God? Any God? Of course.
Then you must also believe in angels. And demons,
according to all we know about them, they are
simply fallen angels, fixed eternally in evil.
And although we may not know whether we are being
fanned by airs from heaven or blasts from hell,
It is best to be on guard. And having said that,
I should not like to be Robert Anthony, whom
you will meet very soon. Our mystery drama, This
Will Kill You, was written especially for the
Radio Mystery Theatre by Murray Burnett. and
stars Norman Rose and Larry Haynes. Rage, my
friends, is one of the curses of mankind. Rage
thickens the blood, assails the eardrums, racks
the body with a mad urge to destroy. It has been
said that whom the gods would destroy, they first
make mad. And that applies to all of us, even
if some are on speaking terms with God or the
devil. Witness a man who is consumed with rage,
Theodore Rakatsi. Obviously, you couldn't have
heard me come into it. What are you breaking
things for? Are you thinking of redecorating?
This is the wrong time to try to be amusing,
Liz. Well, what should I do? Ask if you've gone
crazy? Evidently, you have not read this filthy,
ignorant, arrogant, vicious review of my book.
Oh, of course I have. That presumptuous idiot
Robert Anthony to write such a review. Oh, come
off it, Ted. You know, you sound like you're
back to the Middle Ages. What are you going to
do, challenge him to a duel? I have other powers.
Other resources you're serious serious after
this review. Let me read just one part to you
Mr. Ragazzi, possessor of an awesome reputation
as an expert on witchcraft, in this unnecessarily
long book titled Demons and Demonology, has gathered
the wildest concoction of all wives' tales, superstitions
and demons ever brought before the public. And,
what is worse, he has given credence to them.
To take witchcraft as seriously as Mr. Ragazzi
does is simply childish. Ted, he's just another
writer reviewer trying to be clever. Yes, at
my expense. At anybody's expense. You just happen
to be the target of the day. And now he is my
target. For what? A nasty letter to the editor?
For... for death. Oh, sure. If you thought this
review was bad, wait until you see the ones you
get after you kill him. I will not kill him.
Oh, that's a relief. Liz, pick a date. What?
Pick a date. Any date that comes to your mind.
And the time. Write them down on this slip of
paper. What for? To please me. All right. What's
today? The 14th. Here. Okay, will this do? The
28th. 10 .53 p .m. Yes, it will do beautifully.
Thank you, Liz. You're welcome. And now that
we finished playing games, can we go? Of course.
But the game is just about to begin. Have I ever
remarked how well you drive, Liz? Often, thank
you. I think that's what attracted me to you
in the first place. You're driving? and your
legs. I'm happy to see that you're feeling better.
Yes, due to you, as usual. I haven't done a thing.
Oh, yes, you have. You know that date you wrote
down for me? Yes. That is the exact date and
time that Robert Anthony will die. Oh, sorry
I asked. You don't believe me. Oh, I thought
you'd forgotten about that silly review. Where
are you going? To the party. Ted... Why did you
ask me to write down the date? Oh, a whim. It
amused me to leave the amount of time that Anthony
has left to live to mere chance. Well, suppose
I'd picked a date next year. That would have
given Anthony more time, that's all. You sound
so certain. I am. What's the matter with me?
What am I talking as if there were any possibility
that you have the power to kill another human
being? Why, indeed. I can almost understand why
Anthony wrote about your book the way he did.
Of course. Like Mr. Anthony, you also are a dabbler
in the occult. Like him, you are an innocent,
naive, playing like children with forces you
neither understand nor respect. How about a bet?
On what? on me and my powers against Robert Anthony.
Don't be ridiculous. Yes, you're afraid to trust
your skepticism. It's very simply proven. If
Anthony dies on the day and at the exact time
we both know, then I win. If he doesn't, you
are the victor. And you know once and for all
that Theodore Eccodzi is a fraud and a cheat.
That part tempts me. Then... I have your word.
It is a bet. What are we betting? Your soul.
Robert, Anthony, you're not leaving the party
already. I'm sorry, Carla. I just dropped by
to meet your guests, but my publishers are getting
uptight about my new book. Well, everyone here
is talking about the hatchet job you did on Rakatsi.
Why do they think I've got a bone to pick with
Rakatsi? Well, I've read a lot of reviews, but...
Look, I've had a job to do, to review a book.
I never even met the man. I took off because
his book was so ponderous. Instead of writing
a history of demons and demonology, which would
be interesting, Rakatsi wrote as if he were putting
down facts. Sorry if I touched a nerd. It's all
right, forget it. I just think there's entirely
too much fuss about the review. I know a little
about witchcraft and I think it can be amusing,
but... Okay, but I hear Rakatsi's taking it very
big. Well, I don't want to hear that Rakatsi's
out to get me with the same crazy, demonic, cursed,
superstitious idiots believe it. Well, let's
forget Rakatsi. What about that play we cooked
up? Well, I just told you, Carl, my publishers
are getting restless. I'm spending most of my
time in the library. Look, can we put it off
for a week or two? Okay. Fine. I've got to run.
But I'll call, Carl. Just to let you know I'm
still alive. This is Jennifer Bell and another
broadcast of The Author Speaks. My guest for
today is the man who has written the most controversial
book about devils and devil tree, Theodore Rokotsy.
I am happy to be here. Mr. Rokotsy, I must confess
your book scared the daylights out of me. Was
that your intention? No, not at all. My intention
was to inform, to let people know that there
are forces in this world that they may not have
been aware of. Oh, well. Then you're serious
in your thesis about demons and their powers.
Oh, absolutely. Which naturally leads me to that
review by Robert Anthony. How did you feel about
it? Well, I would be less than honest if I said
I was pleased, but it caused me only a small
annoyance. Really? You are asking the wrong question.
Oh? Well, then set me straight. You should not
ask if I were annoyed about it, but... rather
how Uziel Rabdus Belet are angry about their
powers being mocked. Well, I'm not acquainted
with those gentlemen you mentioned. Which is
just as well for you. You see, they are demons.
Powerful demons. And if they take offense, well,
I should not like to be Mr. Robert Anthony. You're
predicting that some harm might come to Robert
Anthony? I predict nothing. Forgive me, but didn't
you just issue a warning? A warning is not a
prediction. Do you believe in demons, Miss Bell?
Frankly, no. Do you believe in God? Any God?
Of course. Good. Then of course you must believe
in angels. And demons, according to all we know
about them, are simply fallen angels, turned
away from God, fixed eternally in evil. I would
like to inform you, madam, that a belief in the
existence of angels and demons is an article
of faith with two of our major world religions.
All I say is that I should not like to be in
the company of Robert Anthony during the next
month. Good morning. I see you have my books
waiting for me. Those five over there. Thank
you. Today I want to finish my research. I'm
going to miss the peace and quiet of this library.
My name is Theodore Ragazzi. I called about a
book you said you would have waiting. Ah, yes.
Thank you. Oh, excuse me. Yes? It sounds absurd,
I know, but I am superstitious about where I
sit. when I work here. Also, the light. Oh, yes,
it's okay. Sit right down. Oh, yes, you're so
kind. Oh, I'm so sorry. Forgive my clumsiness.
I've knocked your books down. Let me help you.
It's all right. I can pick them up. I cannot
think how I could be so clumsy. Maybe I should
wear glasses. Don't worry about it. Accidents
happen. Yes, of course. Oh, this... Piece of
paper is yours, I believe. Oh, thank you. Is
something wrong? You keep looking over your shoulder.
No, no, no. It's nothing. I don't feel well.
It'll pass. Oh, yes, of course. Sir, can I have...
No, I think I need a little fresh air. Oh, yes,
of course. Sir, your books. Oh, forget them.
I'll be back when I feel better. I've got to
slow down. I must slow down. There's nothing
following me, nothing. Now that's better. Get
some control. What's the matter with me? Why
do I feel I'm being followed? That I'm going
to get away. What's with you? Trying to get yourself
killed? I guess it looked like it, didn't it?
Well... No, it's nothing, Carl. Believe me, I...
I was in the library and suddenly I had a crazy
impulse to start running. Bob, what's the trouble?
Nothing, nothing. There's no trouble. It's just
that... What do you expect to find over your
shoulder? Nothing, nothing. If I didn't know
that your last novel sold over a million I'd
say you just held up a bank and we're running
away look forget the jokes, huh? I'm sorry. I'm
sorry. I really am calm But leave me alone Whom
the gods would destroy they first make mad But
are the gods desirous of destroying Robert Anthony
or the demons? And who are the demons that are
driving him? I'll be back shortly with Act Two.
I am back to lead you along the dark roads of
witchcraft. The demon -ridden Robert Anthony
has turned to the twentieth century remedy against
magical spells, psychiatry, and is attempting
to explain his terror to an eminent psychiatrist.
How can I make you understand, doctor, how intensely
real this fear is? I'm not imagining it. It's
there. I feel it. Every minute I feel it. It's
at my shoulder, behind my back, pressing in on
me. Of course. Have you ever heard of anything
like this before? Nothing exactly similar, but
fear is quite common. Most people are afraid
of something. But don't they know what they're
afraid of? They sometimes think they do. And
what do you tell them? I think it would be best
if you talk about yourself. You say you first
felt this way about a week ago. Yes, yes. I was
working in the library and I suddenly felt I
just had to get out and run. Had anything happened
that day to upset you? Anything out of the ordinary?
No, no, nothing. Nothing, Doctor. Have you felt
this fear before? I mean, early in your life.
Well, just the usual, Doctor. You know, when
my friends would dare me to jump over a large
hole in the ground or something like that, but...
Wait. Yes? Yes, I just remember it. When I went
to college, there was a suspension bridge, a
shortcut from the campus to my dormitory. Everyone
took it. Well, one night I was with some friends,
and we came to the bridge, and it was out. There
was only one single plank, and this was a deep,
deep chasm, doctor, maybe 100 feet. Yes. Well,
I wanted to go back to walk around it, but the
others voted against that. They all walked across.
And I can remember how terrified I was. I got
down on my hands and knees and crawled across
the single plank with the water. roaring below
me. I was terrified. You're afraid of heights.
Well, I'm not comfortable with them, but... Would
you say that today you're somewhere near the
height of your profession as a writer? Oh, come
on, Doctor. This has nothing to do with any fear
of heights. This is... Well, this is... Yes?
This is witchcraft. Interesting. Why do you say
that? Look, we've been through it. The review
you wrote on the Rakatsi book Demons and Demonology?
Right. Are you sorry you wrote such a scathing
review? No. No? Well, I... I don't know. I think
you are. Well, if I was wrong and possibly there
are such demons and spells as Rakatsi describes
in his book, that would or might account for
this fear of mine, wouldn't it? You mean you
think Rakatsi might have put a spill on you?
Well, it's possible, isn't it? Can't you think
of another explanation? Can you? Yes. Let's examine
what you've told me. On the one hand, you believe
that Ragazzi has put some sort of a spell on
you, am I correct? That's all I can think of,
doctor. Why would he do that? Well, because he...
Exactly. Because you have hurt him severely.
So your statement that he wasn't injured by your
review is false, isn't it? Well... Or illogical.
All right, it would seem so. Very well. You admit
that to yourself. And then think that as a sensitive
man, you've satisfied your own ego with a review
that you think might be unfair. Where does that
take us? Doctor, do you believe that I feel so
guilty that I run through the streets pursued
by shadows? That I can't sleep because I feel
a presence in my room? That I feel threatened
every second of the day and it's getting worse
by the minute? Do you really believe that? It's
a possibility. Oh, no, no. You'd rather believe
in witchcraft. Why? Doctor, you're not helping
me. If you'll examine your motive as to why you
insist that Rakatsu has some power to cast a
spell over you, then I think... All right, I'm
getting out of here. That won't help. Neither
do you. I tell you, I feel that I'm gonna die
and you talk about guilt? I'm getting out. Desperate
men take desperate measures, and Robert Anthony
was desperate. As he ran from what he thought
pursued him, he held on to the last of his sanity.
In his dabbling in witchcraft, he had heard,
as had everyone interested in diabolism, of Professor
Thurman Anderson, an outstanding scholar and
acknowledged authority in the field. Professor
on Ritza. Yes, I'm Robert Anthony. Oh come in.
I've been expecting you You have why because
I read your review and I know rickertsy. Oh Then
you think he might have done something to me.
I think it probable that he has tried I won't
know until you tell me what's happened Come in
and sit down. Thank you Professor do you Do you
think you can help? First, tell me why you think
Rakotsi has cast a spell. Because as I sit here
talking to you, I'm eaten up by fear. I have
a feeling that something is following me, Professor.
Something so terrible that I can't even imagine
what it is. But I'm certain. I'm certain that
it's gonna kill me. How long have you had this
feeling? About a week. And can you remember when
you first felt it? Oh, yes, very vividly. It
was... In the library, I... Do you know, Rokotsi?
No. No spell can be put upon you unless the creator
has some contact with you. Did you meet him by
chance, perhaps? Well, I don't know. No, I don't
think so. I haven't been very social this past
week. I can't even begin to think what it could
be unless you give me something to go on. Did
you have a chance encounter with anyone? Did
a stranger bump into you, perhaps? No, no, I...
I... Oh, wait, wait. Yes? In the library, there
was a man, a man with a slight accent. Because
he has an accent. Well, I remember he came over
and asked if he could sit next to me, and as
he sat down, he knocked over my books. He apologized.
And he insisted on picking them up. Anything
else? No. Yes, yes. Yes, he gave me a piece of
paper. You took it? Well, of course. I didn't
remember whether I had actually dropped it or
not. Do you have it? Well, yes, because I remember
looking at it when I got home and wondering what
it was. It just didn't make any sense to me.
Well, can I see it? Well, sure. There you are.
What is it, Professor? What do you see? The casting
of the runes. What? What does that mean? I can't
believe that even a man as vindictive as Ragazzi
would do this. Professor, what is it? You see
this writing? Yes. It is the runic alphabet.
It represents an ancient death curse. And those
figures on it? The date of your death That's
ridiculous. It was used many centuries ago There
are stories of younger brothers using it to eliminate
the rightful heir to the throne It has earned
the reputation of being one of the most powerful
of all the ancient spells The drawback of course
was the absolute necessity of having the man
or woman casting the runes to pass the curse
on directly and have it accepted. Oh no, I won't
believe that. This is the 20th century. Careful!
Careful! Lose this paper and you lose your only
chance. Chance? You mean there's something I
can do? One thing. What is it? Pass the curse
to someone else. This is unbelievable. If someone
else told me about this conversation, I'd say
we were both fit subjects for an insane asylum.
Oh, no, I can't go on this way. Professor, how
do I go about passing this on? You have someone
in mind? Do I have to know a person? No, you
could pass it to a stranger. Well, how? Simply
brush up against someone in the street or on
a bus or subway See that he drops something then
pick it up and along with the package you pass
this piece of paper saying I believe this is
yours when they accept it They have it and you
are rid of it. Oh, no, I couldn't do that to
anybody I just couldn't why not if you don't
believe in the curse. I don't know about the
curse Can't believe that it will actually kill
anyone, but I know how I feel that's that is
very real and horrible How much time do I have
today is the 23rd the date here is the 28 1053
p .m. It's not a lot of time is there plenty
if you start to pass it now. No, I just can't
professor I wouldn't give this to my worst enemy,
let alone... Hold it, hold it. How about... Rakatsi?
I wondered how long you would take before you
got around to that. Yes, of course. I'll pass
it back to him. How? Well, I'll just... Exactly.
Rakatsi obviously knows you. He is going to be
on his guard. Well, can someone else pass it?
No. It must be passed directly. There must be
a way. Hello? Liz, Bob Anthony. Oh. Liz, I must
see you. I don't understand. I hate to sound
like an old -fashioned melodrama but it really
is a matter of life and death. All right. Right?
Where shall we meet? Um, someplace where we can
talk. How about, uh, the Sheddies? Oh, I don't
think we should be seen together. Well, that's
not the kind of talk I had in mind, Liz. I know.
I still don't think we should be seen together.
You... you know? How? How about the cafeteria
at the zoo? Yeah, okay, but Liz... Half an hour.
Okay? See you. No, you're not. I'm early. What
would you like? Oh, just coffee. All right, I'll
get it for you. No, no, I really don't want anything.
Why did you call me? Liz, you wouldn't be surprised
and go all girlish on me if I tell you it's because
of your relationship with Rakatsi. No. Okay.
This is gonna sound crazy. Well, try me. Liz,
I have to know everything you know about Rakatsi,
not personal things, but... His schedule, his
plans, that sort of thing. Oh. It's terribly
important, Liz. Yes. You're not going to ask
me why? No. When I said it was a matter of life
and death, I meant that. You'll have to believe
me, Liz. Well, I do. You're entitled to an explanation.
And then... You do? Yes. You know, I'm making
a fool of myself. I'm talking to the wrong person.
I just never even... considered for a moment
that you'd be in it with them. I'm not. But you
know, you know what I'm talking about. Yes. Well,
how? I'd rather not discuss it. Well, you've
got to, Liz. Don't you see that? Isn't it enough
for you to know that I realize you're in trouble
and I want to help? All right, now it's my turn
to ask why. No comment. But Liz... You're wasting
time in arguing. What can I do? I've already
told you. But don't you see that I'll feel better
if... If you can trust me? Yes, exactly. This
isn't just fun and games for me, Liz, it's...
It's... your life. Then you are in on it, huh?
Look, I know about it. I'm involved, but I have
as much to lose as you. Maybe more. And that's
all I'm going to say. Do you think he can do
it? More important, what makes you think he can?
Everything I know tells me he could not. But...
Everything I know, everything I've learned, everything
that science says doesn't help stop the terrible
feeling I have that something, something is after
me, Liz. It's just waiting, waiting until it
has a... 10 .53 p .m. on the 28th. That's the
date. What makes you think I can help? I have
one chance to break whatever spell Rakatsi has
put on me. And what's that? It's just a slim
chance, Liz, but a chance. Just take my word
for that. If you do want to help, get me the
information I want and need. I'll try. How do
I reach you? Here, this number, any time, day
or night. If I'm not there, I'll get back to
you in five minutes. I'll try. Thanks, thanks.
And Liz... Yes? We haven't got much time. Time
is running out on Robert Anthony. Whatever it
is that's following him, or what he honestly
believes to be following him, has a target date.
I'll be back shortly with Act 3. Let us get back
with Robert Anthony under a spell and Convinced
that he has now only 24 hours to live The date
set for his death is 1053 p .m. On the 28th and
it is now the afternoon of the 27th and Theodore
rickazzi has a visitor Liz come in my dear come
in I took the chance that you'd be home. Yes,
and I am and I'm delighted Of course, I shan't
be home for long. As you can see, my bags are
all packed. Where are you going? To my little
hideaway up in Perdis. You remember it? Of course.
As a matter of fact, your dropping in might be
called providential. I was going to call you
to ask you to drive me. When are you leaving?
Tomorrow night. Fairly early. I think it would
be wise for me to be out of the city when Anthony
meets the demons. I'll call it off, Ted. I beg
your pardon? I'm asking you to call it off. Call
what off, dear Liz? You're much too modern and
liberated, a young woman, actually to believe
in demons, or even more fantastic, that, uh,
that I can control them. Don't fence with me,
Ted. Call it off. I wonder if I talked with Anthony
today, would he write the same review of my book
all over again? Or, uh, would he have a more
open mind? Why don't you ask him? I would like
to. I would very much like to, but, uh, well,
it's not practical. By the way, you haven't said
you would drive me up to Perdis. I cannot. I'm
sorry. Ted, I really want... Cannot? Liz, have
you forgotten our little wager? No. Don't you
think you might owe it to me to be with me when
we hear the news of Anthony's death? Ted... I'm
asking you to call it off. Your bet or... The
whole thing. My dear, I would like to. I would
really like to please you. Well, then... There
are others involved. I don't understand. When
you call upon these forces for help, you're taking
a very serious step. It is understood that you're
not indulging a whim. These forces do not like
the idea of being used carelessly. They are not
to be toyed with. I'm sure you could do something.
It's really amazing how you have come full circle
in your belief in my powers. Would it help if
I said I believe everything you claim? It would
be an immeasurable aid to my ego. I mean... Would
it help change your mind about Anthony? I admire
you not asking to get out of our wager. I sincerely
admire you for that. Oh, save your admiration.
I'm not asking to be released. I'm telling you
that I'm not going through with it. Oh, you disappoint
me, Liz. You really do. But I don't think you
can withdraw. I can do what I want. And I don't
want to play this game any longer. You have no
choice. But I do. We're talking now about my
soul. I don't know whether a person has a soul
or not. Take my word for it, Liz. You have a
soul. Oh, fine. But it's mine. And I'm not giving
it to anyone. You have already committed yourself.
To what? To a bet made on the spur of the moment
and not in any seriousness. I only made it to
keep you happy. Whatever your motives, you made
it. I intend to hold you to it. Hold me to what?
An oral agreement? In the circles in which I
move, it is binding. And I say no. That is most
unwise. Are you threatening me? Of course. I
think you should know that I will be powerless
to help if you should change your mind. I'll
remember that. I advise you to keep it very strongly
in mind and along those lines. You won't change
your mind about driving me to Perdis? I can't,
really. Then I shall have to take the train.
That seems obvious. I'm going to ask another
favor. For your own sake, it is necessary that
you be with me the day after I have won my wager.
I would take it kindly if you would get me a
ticket on the 9 .30 to Perdis. Ted, I... I believe
there is such a train. And then I'll give you
the keys to my car, and you can drive up the
following day. What makes you think that... Because
of our relationship, I've been extraordinarily
patient with you, Liz. Now, you will do me these
favors. It may predispose me to have more patience
with you on the day my wager is due. Oh, Liz,
I've been waiting for your call. Do you have
anything for me? I don't know whether or not
it helps, but he's taking the 930 train to Purdy's
on the 28th. The 930? That doesn't give me much
time. For what? For what I have to do. Liz, that
makes it so close. Are you sure about the train
and the time? Positive. I bought the ticket myself.
930, huh? Yes. Now, that's gonna be awfully close.
Did he give any reason for picking that particular
train? Well, first he asked me to drive him up.
What what did he say Liz everything is important.
What did he say? Yeah sure that makes sense Yes
Liz I'm trying A lot better now than before you
called Yes, pray for me. And you for me. What?
Why? How are you involved? Forget I said that.
How can I forget it? Believe me, if I tell you
that my problem is... Well, it has something
to do with you. But I'll be okay if you're okay.
Oh, you sound like a book title. Well, at least
you can joke. I hope it isn't gallows humor.
Liz, I've got a lot to do. I have a plan. I don't
know whether it'll work, but it's made me feel
that I can do something. And I'm gonna do it.
Good luck. Bob Anthony! I didn't believe it when
you called. How can I help you? I need a makeup
job. For a TV appearance? No, no, no, no. I must
be disguised so that even my own mother wouldn't
know me. Can you do that? Well, maybe if you
tell me what it's for, it might help. No, I can't
tell you. You'll have to take my word that it's
deadly serious. How long will you need to wear
the disguise? Four hours at the outside. How
many people do you want to fool? One. A man.
How well does he know you? Well, that's hard
to say. He's not an intimate friend. In fact,
I only met him once, but he knew me then. Yeah,
I want one more question. How does this guy think
of you? Oh, I suppose he sees me as a young,
smart aleck. Good, good. So we have to make you
old. Step into my parlor. Okay. Aren't you gonna
lock it? Okay. Sit in that chair over there.
Now relax. You're too tense. I'm sorry. See now,
the hairpiece is no problem. Your head and hairline
are easy, but the eyes. The eyes? Exactly. With
the hair you have, you can't have those alert
brown eyes. Let me see. Watery blue with little
veins running through them. Okay now, ever wear
contact lenses? No, of course not. You'll love
them. Slight effort. There. How's your vision?
Well, I can see. Good, good. The wrinkles come
last and I think a little goatee. Yeah, yeah,
yeah. Bushy beard wouldn't be right. Now just
put your head back. Grand Central Station in
New York City at nine o 'clock. of any evening
is a dreary place. The waves of homebound commuters
have washed away. The garish light serves only
to point up the cruel deterioration of past grandeurs.
The waiting rooms are almost empty. It was nine
-twenty exactly that Robert Anthony, carrying
a small suitcase and disguised as an old man,
walked slowly up to the ticket window. Mount
Kisco one way please. Anthony walked slowly to
the station platform where the 9 .30 was about
to depart. He wanted to be almost the last one
to board the train so that he could locate the
car that Rokatsi had selected. He boarded the
train and passed through several cars and then
his pounding heart slowed. He saw Rokatsi. seated
in the middle of the car and with a seat next
to him vacant. Excuse me, would you mind if I
put my police on the rack? Oh, not at all. Let
me help you. Oh, that's very kind of you. Not
at all. Well, you certainly got that close. I'm
afraid I don't walk as quickly as I used to.
It's hard to get accustomed to growing old. Yes,
I suppose it is. I hope you'll forgive an old
man's curiosity, but that book you're reading...
The Dynamics of Witchcraft. Yes, yes, that subject
has always fascinated me. Me too. Did you ever
study it? No, no, but when I was younger... Halloween
was my favorite holiday. You know, dressing up
and trick -or -treating. Yes, yes, I know. Oh,
that was such great fun. Yes, yes. Well, I won't
disturb you anymore. I know you're anxious to
get on with your reading, but... Where are you
getting off? Purgis. Is that before or after
Mount Kisco? After. I wonder... I mean, I have
a tendency to drowse off, you know. I wonder
if when we reach Mount Kisco... Yes, yes, I will
let you know. Excuse me, is it? It's the next
station. Did you have a nice nap? Oh, yes. Yes,
very refreshing. Thank you. I do hope my nephew
will be at the station. Yes, I'm sure he will.
What time is it? 20 past 10. Are we on time?
I don't know. I suppose so, but even if we're
running late, I'm sure your nephew will wait.
Yes, I hope so. When you get old, you seem to
worry about everything. The young have their
worries. But they're not the same, are they?
Sometimes they are. Sometimes a young man can
worry himself almost to death. That seems such
a waste. Or even worry about dying. Yes. I have
known some young people who are simply terrified
of dying. Oh, I didn't think the young gave much
thought to death. Oh, some of them do. Some of
them do indeed. Take my word for it. Well, it
seems strange. Strange? Old man, I could tell
you stories that are beyond belief. Stories that...
Well, I seem to be talking a lot. Well, I enjoy
it. Thank you, but we're coming into Montkisco.
Oh, well, I've enjoyed talking to you. And now
I'll just get my luggage from the rack. Oh, my.
Look what I've done. I've dropped my bag. Let
me help you. No, no, no. I've caused you too
much trouble. I'll be able to... Oh, your book.
I just seem to make things worse. If you would
let me do it, it would be much simpler. Oh, yes,
yes, thank you, thank you, thank you. But don't
let me return your book. I believe this is yours.
Yes, yes, and now you'd better start if you want
to get off and meet your nephew. Yes, yes, goodbye,
and thank you. Wait, what? You... you bastard!
The paper! Please! Go off me! My nephew! Stop
acting! You're Anthony! I know it! Yes, you're
right. And I'm getting off here! Not until you
tell me where you hid the curse! That paper you
passed to me! Miss your train! Damn the train!
Where is it? The paper! I'll do anything. But
you know how close it is. This very little time,
I beg you, please, for the love of God! Tell
me where you put that paper! It's in the book.
I slipped it in the book when I gave it back
to him. The book! The book! Where? Where? Oh!
My God! Catch it! Catch it, Anthony! Grab it!
No way, Roccozzi! Get it yourself! It's blowing
away! You know I'm lost if I don't get that paper!
Come back! Come back! I'll get you! Roccozzi!
Look out! The train! The end of our story of
witchcraft and demons. The obituary notice said
that Theodore Ricazzi met his death when he inexplicably
ran in front of a southbound express at the Mount
Kisco station. Inexplicably? I'll be back shortly.
I'm sure we all know what the forces were that
made Theodore Racazzi run in front of the train
that killed him. He panicked because of a superstitious
belief in the supernatural. That, of course,
is the explanation. Or is it? Our cast included
Norman Rose, Larry Haynes, E .V. Juster, Roger
DeKoven, and Gil Mack. The entire production
was under the direction of Hyman Brown. This
is EG Marshall inviting you to return to our
mystery theater for another adventure in the
macabre until next time pleasant dreams