WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:20.600 The CBS Radio Mystery Theater presents... Come 00:00:20.600 --> 00:00:28.640 in. Welcome. This is E .G. Marshall. The doors 00:00:28.640 --> 00:00:33.020 of the mind can be opened into corridors of unlimited 00:00:33.020 --> 00:00:36.619 possibilities where time and place have a way 00:00:36.619 --> 00:00:40.100 of melding into strange and provocative patterns. 00:00:41.659 --> 00:00:44.359 Most ghost stories take place in the dark of 00:00:44.359 --> 00:00:48.640 night or when shadows are long and the moon is 00:00:48.640 --> 00:00:52.909 crossed by clouds. But we're about to meet A 00:00:52.909 --> 00:00:57.270 ghost at high noon on a blistering hot day without 00:00:57.270 --> 00:01:01.250 a shadow in the sky. In the course of our story, 00:01:01.729 --> 00:01:04.489 the two women who are embarked upon a fateful 00:01:04.489 --> 00:01:08.209 journey find respite from the merciless sun when 00:01:08.209 --> 00:01:11.489 they are drawn toward a barn from which comes 00:01:11.489 --> 00:01:48.689 a very human sound. Our mystery drama Ghost at 00:01:48.689 --> 00:01:51.799 High Noon. was written especially for the Mystery 00:01:51.799 --> 00:01:55.739 Theater by Elizabeth Pennell and stars Celeste 00:01:55.739 --> 00:02:00.299 Holm. It is sponsored in part by View Sugar -Free 00:02:00.299 --> 00:02:05.239 Diet 7 Up and Contact, the 12 -hour allergy capsule. 00:02:05.920 --> 00:02:24.979 I'll be back shortly with Act 1. Our story begins 00:02:24.979 --> 00:02:28.759 on a long straight ribbon of highway in an arid 00:02:28.759 --> 00:02:33.520 section of the western United States Marion Jeffries 00:02:33.520 --> 00:02:37.479 and Janet Marston are longtime friends who are 00:02:37.479 --> 00:02:40.819 returning home after having driven Marion's son 00:02:40.819 --> 00:02:48.159 to a summer camp What a lonely stretch of road 00:02:48.979 --> 00:02:52.199 I don't like it. Oh, come on, Marion. No road 00:02:52.199 --> 00:02:54.099 is lonely at 10 o 'clock in the morning. This 00:02:54.099 --> 00:02:56.439 one is. George was right when he said we should 00:02:56.439 --> 00:02:58.620 make this part of the trip either very early 00:02:58.620 --> 00:03:01.400 or late at night. Well, neither of us ever gets 00:03:01.400 --> 00:03:03.620 up at dawn. And I don't think two women should 00:03:03.620 --> 00:03:05.599 travel the highways after dark. Oh, I don't mind 00:03:05.599 --> 00:03:07.840 driving at night. Then why didn't you say so 00:03:07.840 --> 00:03:10.479 yesterday? That motel we stayed in was certainly 00:03:10.479 --> 00:03:14.280 no prize. Oh, not so bad. Anything to get away 00:03:14.280 --> 00:03:17.740 from home for a few days. Not from my point of 00:03:17.740 --> 00:03:19.900 view. Well, you can travel anywhere you want 00:03:19.900 --> 00:03:22.840 to at any time. Sometimes I do it only to keep 00:03:22.840 --> 00:03:26.060 from being bored. Nonsense. You don't know what 00:03:26.060 --> 00:03:30.800 being bored is like. I wanted to make this trip 00:03:30.800 --> 00:03:34.340 last longer. Really, Janet, it's an adventure 00:03:34.340 --> 00:03:37.439 for me. Well, I've enjoyed it, too. It's given 00:03:37.439 --> 00:03:40.500 us a chance to catch up. But I must say, this 00:03:40.500 --> 00:03:43.240 stretch of highway is deadly dull. Well, I wouldn't 00:03:43.240 --> 00:03:45.960 mind if it went so beastly hot. There's not a 00:03:45.960 --> 00:03:50.539 car in sight. Marion, I have an uncomfortable 00:03:50.539 --> 00:03:53.360 feeling that there are things ahead of us on 00:03:53.360 --> 00:03:56.180 the road. I'm glad you're not driving, but don't 00:03:56.180 --> 00:04:01.020 you see those wavy lines? Shapes rising up, coming 00:04:01.020 --> 00:04:04.400 closer and then fading away? Sure, heat haze. 00:04:04.580 --> 00:04:08.620 And over there, look. Look! Nothing but bare 00:04:08.620 --> 00:04:13.939 dry land and sagebrush. I swear I see buffalo. 00:04:14.759 --> 00:04:18.600 An Indian? Oh, the terrible August heat has gone 00:04:18.600 --> 00:04:20.720 to your head. But I admit I'll be glad when we 00:04:20.720 --> 00:04:26.339 get to the next... Uh -oh. What's the matter? 00:04:27.220 --> 00:04:31.379 We're losing speed. The accelerator isn't working. 00:04:32.519 --> 00:04:35.459 Oh, please, let's not have a breakdown way out 00:04:35.459 --> 00:04:40.259 here. Motor's dead. But we're miles and miles 00:04:40.259 --> 00:04:45.319 from anywhere. I know. Well, let's do something. 00:04:45.500 --> 00:04:54.300 We can't just sit here. I'm just running the 00:04:54.300 --> 00:04:56.860 battery down. Then we'll be in a worse mess. 00:04:57.279 --> 00:04:59.420 Are you absolutely sure we have gas? Of course 00:04:59.420 --> 00:05:01.100 I am. Look at the gauge. And you'll remember 00:05:01.100 --> 00:05:05.279 when we got it. I'll look under the hood. Isn't 00:05:05.279 --> 00:05:06.980 that what you're supposed to do? Well, if you 00:05:06.980 --> 00:05:10.410 know what you're looking for. Good Lord! Feel 00:05:10.410 --> 00:05:12.930 that blast of hot air! You better get back in 00:05:12.930 --> 00:05:14.850 while I check the manual. It's here, somewhere 00:05:14.850 --> 00:05:18.250 in the glove compartment. Marion! It must be 00:05:18.250 --> 00:05:22.209 110 out here! Ouch! What's the matter? The hood! 00:05:22.389 --> 00:05:24.870 It's so hot I can't touch it! Well get back in 00:05:24.870 --> 00:05:27.750 the car while the air conditioning lasts! We 00:05:27.750 --> 00:05:30.470 just better let the motor cool off. Cool off? 00:05:30.930 --> 00:05:36.389 In this blazing sun? Hurry, close the door! So 00:05:36.389 --> 00:05:39.870 now what do we do? I feel so helpless not knowing 00:05:39.870 --> 00:05:44.730 about what makes a car run or stop running. George 00:05:44.730 --> 00:05:48.149 always says, oh, skip it. I'm going to study 00:05:48.149 --> 00:05:50.209 this manual and see what happens when a motor's 00:05:50.209 --> 00:05:53.290 overheated. Maybe if I put on these gloves. Gloves 00:05:53.290 --> 00:05:55.009 in this weather? Well, then I could open the 00:05:55.009 --> 00:05:58.149 hood and look for a loose wire. You stay here. 00:05:58.230 --> 00:06:01.269 We'll think of something. I'm thinking very hard. 00:06:02.029 --> 00:06:06.939 No barn, no tree. Marion. What if we really are 00:06:06.939 --> 00:06:09.879 taking easy, Janet? I said this trip was an adventure, 00:06:10.420 --> 00:06:12.779 so let's make the most of it. Then I suggest 00:06:12.779 --> 00:06:15.100 that we get out and start walking. Absolutely 00:06:15.100 --> 00:06:17.560 not. The best thing we can do is sit quietly 00:06:17.560 --> 00:06:20.300 here in the car. That's not my idea of an adventure. 00:06:20.660 --> 00:06:27.160 Someone's bound to come along. Janet? What? Look. 00:06:27.980 --> 00:06:30.819 Look over there. Is your window closed tight? 00:06:31.100 --> 00:06:34.560 Make sure. It's a dust... heading straight for 00:06:34.560 --> 00:06:40.259 us. That's not a storm. It's someone coming. 00:06:40.939 --> 00:06:43.480 But there's no road out there. Nevertheless, 00:06:43.660 --> 00:06:46.040 someone is coming. Well, they must be choking 00:06:46.040 --> 00:06:49.180 with dust. It's almost too sick to see us. We'll 00:06:49.180 --> 00:06:51.379 flag them. We'll flag them down. I'll get out 00:06:51.379 --> 00:06:55.740 and wave the scarf. Oh, fantastic. It's horses. 00:06:56.319 --> 00:07:00.500 It's Janet. Janet, this is unbelievable. Look 00:07:00.500 --> 00:07:03.279 at what they're pulling. It's a mirage. It must 00:07:03.279 --> 00:07:05.879 be a mirage. No, no, they're real. Marion, you 00:07:05.879 --> 00:07:08.019 said I was suffering from heat waves. Not this 00:07:08.019 --> 00:07:10.800 time. You do see what I see, don't you? A covered 00:07:10.800 --> 00:07:14.959 wagon. And a man who looks at least 150 years 00:07:14.959 --> 00:07:24.240 old. Morning, ladies. Good morning. Who are you? 00:07:24.680 --> 00:07:28.509 I'm usually called Old Timer. But my name is 00:07:28.509 --> 00:07:32.430 George. That's my husband's name. I do not have 00:07:32.430 --> 00:07:34.970 the pleasure of knowing your husband, Miss Jefferies. 00:07:35.850 --> 00:07:38.189 How do you know my... I've come to take you and 00:07:38.189 --> 00:07:41.209 Miss Marston to the village. He knows my name 00:07:41.209 --> 00:07:44.709 too. Of course I know your names. And now if 00:07:44.709 --> 00:07:47.209 you were both... You will fix the car for us, 00:07:47.310 --> 00:07:50.870 won't you? I have no idea whatsoever how you 00:07:50.870 --> 00:07:54.769 prepare these remarkable new conveyances. But 00:07:54.769 --> 00:07:57.709 you knew we were here. You... You must have come 00:07:57.709 --> 00:08:00.670 to help us. Yes, I am here to be of service. 00:08:01.350 --> 00:08:04.649 Come along, ladies. Murado is expecting you. 00:08:04.990 --> 00:08:09.329 Murado? Murado is the town beyond the hill. What 00:08:09.329 --> 00:08:12.769 hill? Over that -a -way. It's perfectly flat. 00:08:12.990 --> 00:08:15.810 You'll see the hill when we get to it. But a 00:08:15.810 --> 00:08:18.410 hill can't... Please, ladies, step into my wagon. 00:08:18.730 --> 00:08:22.189 But we don't want to step into your wagon. We 00:08:22.189 --> 00:08:25.509 would like to be on our way. This is your way. 00:08:26.060 --> 00:08:28.879 I don't think you understand. We're going in 00:08:28.879 --> 00:08:31.600 this direction, straight ahead. Unless there's 00:08:31.600 --> 00:08:34.320 somewhere we can wait until help arrives. I have 00:08:34.320 --> 00:08:36.740 to get home. I mean, my husband's expecting me. 00:08:37.000 --> 00:08:40.120 Mr. Jefferies does not know what day this is. 00:08:40.779 --> 00:08:43.080 Well, we know what day it is, and both of us 00:08:43.080 --> 00:08:45.700 have to get back. We live quite a ways from here, 00:08:45.700 --> 00:08:48.039 but perhaps if I could call my husband... Oh, 00:08:48.039 --> 00:08:51.019 he would never hear you if you called from here, 00:08:51.100 --> 00:08:55.220 Miss Jefferies. Marion, I think this man is... 00:08:55.210 --> 00:08:58.549 Not quite right in the head. We don't want to 00:08:58.549 --> 00:09:01.289 bother you, Mr. Oltimer, but what we really want 00:09:01.289 --> 00:09:04.929 is just to be on our way in my automobile. Ladies, 00:09:05.370 --> 00:09:08.090 your automobile will never take you to where 00:09:08.090 --> 00:09:11.009 we're going. But we're not going anywhere with 00:09:11.009 --> 00:09:14.549 you. Mr. Oltimer, I think it would be best if 00:09:14.549 --> 00:09:16.509 you'd be good enough to go back to your town 00:09:16.509 --> 00:09:20.190 and ask a mechanic. A mechanic? You know, a... 00:09:20.200 --> 00:09:23.100 a garage man, someone who can fix an automobile. 00:09:23.580 --> 00:09:26.720 Why, no one in Mirado knows anything about automobiles. 00:09:27.679 --> 00:09:29.639 Marion, what are we going to do? I don't know. 00:09:30.179 --> 00:09:32.779 But if there is a town, as he says, I can't believe 00:09:32.779 --> 00:09:35.039 they don't... My orders are to take you to Mirado. 00:09:35.940 --> 00:09:39.980 What do you mean, your orders? Why, you have 00:09:39.980 --> 00:09:43.179 come to help us just as I'm here to help you. 00:09:44.379 --> 00:09:48.559 Well, then help us, will you, please? Aye, that's 00:09:48.559 --> 00:09:51.870 better. Come along. You cannot sit here in the 00:09:51.870 --> 00:09:55.769 sun. He's right, Marion. And I'm getting terribly 00:09:55.769 --> 00:09:57.950 thirsty. At least we could get some water and 00:09:57.950 --> 00:10:01.330 find a telephone. A telephone? Don't tell me 00:10:01.330 --> 00:10:04.129 your town is that primitive. I've never been 00:10:04.129 --> 00:10:07.350 privileged to see a telephone. But you will send 00:10:07.350 --> 00:10:10.309 someone for help. I will take you to Murado. 00:10:10.730 --> 00:10:30.519 That is all I can do. to be riding in a covered 00:10:30.519 --> 00:10:33.559 wagon. It's not nearly as uncomfortable as I 00:10:33.559 --> 00:10:36.879 thought it would be. That's your idea. At least 00:10:36.879 --> 00:10:39.580 the countryside is changing. It sort of lulls 00:10:39.580 --> 00:10:42.580 you. Why, look, Marion, there is a hill and we're 00:10:42.580 --> 00:10:45.500 climbing, but the horses seem so tired and old. 00:10:45.620 --> 00:10:47.399 I mean, you think we're going to make it? We're 00:10:47.399 --> 00:10:50.659 almost there, down in the valley. That's Mirado. 00:10:51.600 --> 00:10:54.820 Incredible. And Janet, look, there are houses. 00:10:55.519 --> 00:10:58.899 Houses? That means there must be water. We have 00:10:58.899 --> 00:11:02.480 a fine village pump. And people, and people who 00:11:02.480 --> 00:11:07.039 can help us. But this town is not on the map. 00:11:07.460 --> 00:11:09.879 I've studied the map very carefully. It shows 00:11:09.879 --> 00:11:13.480 nothing. Look down there, Miss Marston. See for 00:11:13.480 --> 00:11:17.299 yourself. Not very big, is it? But you must have 00:11:17.299 --> 00:11:20.779 a restaurant. We have a tavern and a church and 00:11:20.779 --> 00:11:24.759 a jail. What's the population? Well, that depends. 00:11:25.610 --> 00:11:31.409 Long live Jezebel! The street! Janet! Janet, 00:11:31.610 --> 00:11:35.830 where are the people? It looks... It looks deserted. 00:11:36.309 --> 00:11:41.309 No one round it this time of day. Why, Janet... 00:11:41.309 --> 00:11:44.990 It's a ghost town. Yes, you could call it that. 00:11:45.809 --> 00:11:48.750 But surely you don't live here alone. Oh, no 00:11:48.750 --> 00:11:51.970 indeed. Now will you please take us... Oh, no! 00:11:55.049 --> 00:11:58.490 If you'll step down, ladies, you can get yourselves 00:11:58.490 --> 00:12:01.750 a drink at the town pump. I can hardly wait. 00:12:04.649 --> 00:12:08.149 Oh, this rusty old cup. But I'm thirsty enough 00:12:08.149 --> 00:12:18.330 to drink from anything. I'd like to put my head 00:12:18.330 --> 00:12:21.139 under it. Feels wonderful on hands and arms, 00:12:21.460 --> 00:12:25.100 but it tastes so, ugh, so brackish. Hasn't been 00:12:25.100 --> 00:12:28.720 used in a long time. Now, where can we go for 00:12:28.720 --> 00:12:31.460 help? I will show you the points of interest. 00:12:31.559 --> 00:12:33.960 No sightseeing right now, please, but thank you. 00:12:33.980 --> 00:12:36.639 Do you have a telegraph office? Oh, no, indeed, 00:12:36.759 --> 00:12:39.899 Miss Jefferies. Scouts used to take our messages, 00:12:40.460 --> 00:12:43.259 although there is now no reason to send a message. 00:12:43.460 --> 00:12:46.659 No reason? Tell us right now how to find someone 00:12:46.659 --> 00:12:49.200 who will go to the next town. Ladies, you are 00:12:49.200 --> 00:12:52.419 going to stay in Murado. Well, I suppose we're 00:12:52.419 --> 00:12:55.039 going to have to for an hour or two. You have 00:12:55.039 --> 00:12:58.860 come home, Miss Jeffrey. Oh, stop making jokes, 00:12:59.080 --> 00:13:02.179 Mr. Oldtimer. Murado is a place where people 00:13:02.179 --> 00:13:07.309 stay forever. Stay? In this deserted place? We'll 00:13:07.309 --> 00:13:09.870 soon see about that. Let's go to the mayor or 00:13:09.870 --> 00:13:12.730 to the police chief or someone. Anyone in charge. 00:13:12.809 --> 00:13:15.590 You won't find them now. Not a soul till the 00:13:15.590 --> 00:13:18.370 stroke of noon. Why not? Someone must live in 00:13:18.370 --> 00:13:21.149 these houses. Where are the people? Asleep, Miss 00:13:21.149 --> 00:13:25.490 Marston. They sound asleep. That store over there. 00:13:25.570 --> 00:13:27.769 Surely inside we'll find someone. No one there 00:13:27.769 --> 00:13:29.690 yet, Miss Jefferies. Well, I'm going to look 00:13:29.690 --> 00:13:32.470 anyway. Will you come with me, Marion? Yes, but 00:13:32.470 --> 00:13:36.600 it's all so quiet and eerie and... not a sound 00:13:36.600 --> 00:13:40.940 oh you'll hear sound all right in the barn crossroad 00:13:40.940 --> 00:13:44.620 out in that field what sort of sound find out 00:13:44.620 --> 00:13:47.419 for yourself you're not being very helpful i 00:13:47.419 --> 00:13:50.740 don't like this place mr old timer you have some 00:13:50.740 --> 00:13:53.720 explaining to do you said we were expected you 00:13:53.720 --> 00:13:57.639 are dear ladies you are Who are you? How did 00:13:57.639 --> 00:14:00.580 you know our names? It was destined that you 00:14:00.580 --> 00:14:03.600 were the ones to be chosen this time. What are 00:14:03.600 --> 00:14:07.440 you talking about, Lee, Mr. Oldtimer? Chosen 00:14:07.440 --> 00:14:11.659 for what? On the hottest day of the year, when 00:14:11.659 --> 00:14:15.379 the heat haze spreads across the desert, Murado 00:14:15.379 --> 00:14:19.679 comes back to life and cleans two people from 00:14:19.679 --> 00:14:32.889 the modern world. There may be no new thing under 00:14:32.889 --> 00:14:36.710 the sun, but a frightening prospect confronts 00:14:36.710 --> 00:14:41.009 Marion and Janet if Mirado really has a living 00:14:41.009 --> 00:14:45.149 past. It is possible that George is merely a 00:14:45.149 --> 00:14:48.710 foolish old man, touched in the head by too much 00:14:48.710 --> 00:14:52.370 heat. But on the eerie streets of a ghost town, 00:14:53.009 --> 00:14:56.169 you never know what sinister forces may be at 00:14:56.169 --> 00:14:59.809 work. the two distraught ladies seem to be getting 00:14:59.809 --> 00:15:03.669 further away from help with each passing moment. 00:15:04.669 --> 00:15:08.470 We'll return to them and the old timer shortly 00:15:08.470 --> 00:15:23.929 with act two. Stranded on a lonely stretch of 00:15:23.929 --> 00:15:27.870 road when their car broke down, Marion Jeffreys 00:15:27.870 --> 00:15:30.970 and Janet Marston have been taken to the strange 00:15:30.970 --> 00:15:35.509 ghost town of Mirado. In vain they have tried 00:15:35.509 --> 00:15:38.590 to persuade their ancient escort to help them 00:15:38.590 --> 00:15:43.169 get back to civilization. But he has an unsettling 00:15:43.169 --> 00:15:47.250 way of insisting that they have come home to 00:15:47.250 --> 00:15:52.789 Mirado and that here they will stay. Their panic 00:15:52.789 --> 00:15:56.850 is growing with each new turn of events. Aside 00:15:56.850 --> 00:16:00.950 from the old man, there is no sign of life on 00:16:00.950 --> 00:16:06.330 the narrow streets. And so you see, dear ladies, 00:16:06.909 --> 00:16:11.149 we are happy to welcome you. We? You keep saying 00:16:11.149 --> 00:16:13.830 we. Where are the others? Later, Miss Marston. 00:16:14.190 --> 00:16:16.769 You'll meet them later. We really can't stay 00:16:16.769 --> 00:16:20.509 very long. Miss Jefferies, I'll show you to your 00:16:20.509 --> 00:16:25.059 quarters. My quarters? Truly, we are not planning 00:16:25.059 --> 00:16:32.519 to be here long. Come with me, both of you. We 00:16:32.519 --> 00:16:36.120 need you, Mrs. Jefferies, in the tavern here. 00:16:36.559 --> 00:16:43.580 Come, we'll go inside. Oh, I don't want to go 00:16:43.580 --> 00:16:47.259 in there. Oh, nothing to be afraid of. Come along. 00:16:48.059 --> 00:16:54.720 Janet, the pewter plates. And the glassware. 00:16:55.220 --> 00:16:58.480 My, I'd like to take these home. Maybe we are 00:16:58.480 --> 00:17:04.440 in luck after all. Marion, I didn't touch it. 00:17:04.740 --> 00:17:07.079 Honestly, I didn't. I just put my hand toward 00:17:07.079 --> 00:17:11.920 that goblet and it shattered. Follow me, ladies. 00:17:13.839 --> 00:17:17.000 The kitchen here is equipped in the best possible 00:17:17.000 --> 00:17:20.779 way. It's covered with dust. That wood stove 00:17:20.779 --> 00:17:23.680 hasn't been touched for years. I think you will 00:17:23.680 --> 00:17:27.400 find that it will soon be ready for use. But 00:17:27.400 --> 00:17:30.599 who's going to use it? It's not for you, Miss 00:17:30.599 --> 00:17:35.279 Marston. We have other plans. But we understand 00:17:35.279 --> 00:17:39.240 that Miss Jefferies is a very good cook. What 00:17:39.240 --> 00:17:43.319 are you talking about? This stove is for you, 00:17:43.420 --> 00:17:48.759 Miss Jefferies. Marion, your reputation has really 00:17:48.759 --> 00:17:53.289 gotten around. Me? Cook on that? Oh, I believe 00:17:53.289 --> 00:17:57.069 you'll get used to it. Well, who pray tell is 00:17:57.069 --> 00:18:01.329 there to cook for? You'll meet them all at high 00:18:01.329 --> 00:18:05.950 noon. Marion, we have to get out of here. Oh, 00:18:05.950 --> 00:18:09.369 yes, Miss Marston. I'll show you to the place 00:18:09.369 --> 00:18:13.730 we have for you. For me? I'm leaving. We are 00:18:13.730 --> 00:18:17.589 both leaving. We have real need of a school teacher. 00:18:18.990 --> 00:18:20.750 And what makes you think that I know anything 00:18:20.750 --> 00:18:24.240 about teaching school? We know a great many things 00:18:24.240 --> 00:18:26.859 about both of you. But I haven't taught school 00:18:26.859 --> 00:18:29.079 for... We know that you like teaching school. 00:18:29.539 --> 00:18:33.019 And this is a fine opportunity... Stop it! I 00:18:33.019 --> 00:18:36.460 won't listen to anymore! You said... Janet! Janet, 00:18:36.480 --> 00:18:40.680 I hear something. A voice from the barn. A voice? 00:18:41.339 --> 00:18:44.059 Oh, please make it a human voice. I'll be back 00:18:44.059 --> 00:18:47.119 at high noon, ladies. The bell on the church 00:18:47.119 --> 00:18:51.279 steeple will strike the hour. And then... At 00:18:51.279 --> 00:18:59.400 one o 'clock, it will all be over. Janet, I'm 00:18:59.400 --> 00:19:09.779 terrified. He's a man man. Listen. Oh, I hear 00:19:09.779 --> 00:19:13.000 it. Hurry. There's someone in that barn. It's 00:19:13.000 --> 00:19:15.259 a welcome sound for the crying baby. There must 00:19:15.259 --> 00:19:19.839 be a woman nearby. Help me. Help me to open the 00:19:19.839 --> 00:19:25.740 door. It's stuck. Well, we've got to open it. 00:19:26.299 --> 00:19:32.619 I think it's starting to... This door hasn't 00:19:32.619 --> 00:19:35.480 been opened in years. How could it go harder? 00:19:41.200 --> 00:19:49.039 Oh, there. Oh, dank and monkey. place for a baby 00:19:49.039 --> 00:19:52.480 the sound comes from over there no no the sound 00:19:52.480 --> 00:19:56.680 comes from over here right here the sound is 00:19:56.680 --> 00:19:59.339 right here in the corner look look in the corner 00:19:59.339 --> 00:20:03.640 i don't see anything it's so dark crib oh with 00:20:03.640 --> 00:20:09.079 a lovely handcarb crib you're right this is a 00:20:09.079 --> 00:20:19.119 crib i know i know There's no baby in it. Marion, 00:20:19.740 --> 00:20:23.299 tell me you hear what I hear. A baby crying right 00:20:23.299 --> 00:20:26.599 here in this crib. But there is no baby. Are 00:20:26.599 --> 00:20:29.160 we losing our mind? Janet, be sensible. We both 00:20:29.160 --> 00:20:32.160 hear it. But there must be an explanation. Oh, 00:20:32.259 --> 00:20:35.700 I can't stand it. It's a spooky barn. Let's get 00:20:35.700 --> 00:20:38.319 out. We can't just walk out on a crying baby. 00:20:38.799 --> 00:20:40.680 You look on that sign, I'll go over here. But 00:20:40.680 --> 00:20:43.299 Marion, I'm frightened. I always was afraid of 00:20:43.299 --> 00:20:45.380 the dark. Janet, Janet, we've got to keep our 00:20:45.380 --> 00:20:49.359 heads. That baby must be here somewhere. It's 00:20:49.359 --> 00:20:51.420 weird. There's no sense to any of this. Now, 00:20:51.440 --> 00:20:54.400 come on. It must be something about the acoustics 00:20:54.400 --> 00:21:05.259 of this old barn. The crying has stopped. Oh, 00:21:05.400 --> 00:21:08.619 Mary and I are scared to death. Listen to that 00:21:08.619 --> 00:21:19.519 bell. Hey? The old man kept talking about something 00:21:19.519 --> 00:21:21.980 happening at 12 o 'clock. Let's get back to town. 00:21:22.220 --> 00:21:23.940 I tell you, I'm afraid. Well, you're the one 00:21:23.940 --> 00:21:26.380 who doesn't like the dark. We can't stay in here. 00:21:26.400 --> 00:21:29.819 But the baby that was crying. But there's no 00:21:29.819 --> 00:21:33.579 crying now. There must be a reason. Come on, 00:21:33.579 --> 00:21:37.700 we've got to find out. Look, Marion. Out on the 00:21:37.700 --> 00:21:41.619 road to town. People. Thank heaven. Those two 00:21:41.619 --> 00:21:47.479 men in the field. Let's go talk to them. They 00:21:47.479 --> 00:21:53.599 aren't moving. They look like statues. Or that 00:21:53.599 --> 00:21:58.640 painting. Yes. It's the Angelus. And that girl 00:21:58.640 --> 00:22:01.319 who's running. Only she isn't running. She's 00:22:01.319 --> 00:22:05.779 standing still. Twelve. Twelve must be the magic 00:22:05.779 --> 00:22:08.339 number. That girl is moving now and she's coming 00:22:08.339 --> 00:22:18.720 this way. Little girl! He didn't even see us. 00:22:19.559 --> 00:22:23.440 Oh, those two men. Let's talk to them. Sir, would 00:22:23.440 --> 00:22:26.559 you tell us, please, please, we don't want you 00:22:26.559 --> 00:22:28.839 to stop your work, but we do need your help. 00:22:29.119 --> 00:22:31.700 I mean, can, where can? No use, they can't see 00:22:31.700 --> 00:22:35.559 us or hear us. This is impossible. They're here. 00:22:36.539 --> 00:22:38.819 Janet, you do see what I see, don't you? A man 00:22:38.819 --> 00:22:42.299 with a spade and a man with a hoe. Exactly. So 00:22:42.299 --> 00:22:44.299 I'm going to find out the way they're behaving. 00:22:44.809 --> 00:22:47.390 This can't be true! It can't be real! Nonsense! 00:22:49.490 --> 00:22:52.329 They're...they're ghosts! I don't believe in 00:22:52.329 --> 00:22:55.069 ghosts. Now I'm gonna make this man talk to me. 00:22:55.109 --> 00:22:58.210 Look out! You'll be hurt. That hoe is sharp. 00:22:58.950 --> 00:23:02.430 This man is real! His hoe is real! Marion, don't 00:23:02.430 --> 00:23:05.369 go any closer! I'm gonna touch it. No! Marion, 00:23:05.529 --> 00:23:08.470 no! You can't grab his arm! Mister! Mister, you 00:23:08.470 --> 00:23:14.789 have to listen to him! Just stop breathing! I'm 00:23:14.789 --> 00:23:17.670 not sure he ever was breathing. But he's standing 00:23:17.670 --> 00:23:22.309 there. His eyes. Look at his eyes. Let go of 00:23:22.309 --> 00:23:29.109 him. It can't be. It can't be. He's coming right 00:23:29.109 --> 00:23:31.269 back to work again. What about the other man? 00:23:31.569 --> 00:23:33.950 No use. It would be the same thing. We can try. 00:23:34.970 --> 00:23:37.829 No. Marion, I can see the look in his eyes, too. 00:23:38.809 --> 00:23:41.680 He's... He's dead. Just like the other ones, 00:23:41.779 --> 00:23:44.319 let's get away from here. Honey, where can we 00:23:44.319 --> 00:23:47.500 go? I'm coming around to your point of view. 00:23:48.440 --> 00:23:51.759 We must be very calm and think this whole thing 00:23:51.759 --> 00:23:55.339 out very sensibly. Let's move as far as possible 00:23:55.339 --> 00:23:58.180 away from these robots. How about that hillside 00:23:58.180 --> 00:24:02.480 over there? Maybe if we sit down in the shade 00:24:02.480 --> 00:24:21.039 of a tree, we'll come to our senses. It's peaceful 00:24:21.039 --> 00:24:26.339 here. But Janet, we can't stay here. I'm getting 00:24:26.339 --> 00:24:31.119 hungry. Maybe that old man was right. What do 00:24:31.119 --> 00:24:33.700 you mean? Perhaps you do belong in the kitchen. 00:24:34.000 --> 00:24:36.920 What a terrible thing to say. Oh, I'm only kidding, 00:24:37.240 --> 00:24:40.259 Marion. But you were the one who wanted adventure. 00:24:40.700 --> 00:24:44.619 Enough is enough. Today will last me a lifetime. 00:24:45.680 --> 00:24:50.180 That's what I mean. You're talking very strangely. 00:24:50.619 --> 00:24:55.160 I feel strange. I felt strange all day, ever 00:24:55.160 --> 00:24:58.579 since seeing those buffalo. What buffalo? Back 00:24:58.579 --> 00:25:02.220 on the road, when we were in the car. It all 00:25:02.220 --> 00:25:06.640 seems like such a long time ago. Oh Janet, the 00:25:06.640 --> 00:25:10.259 heat haze, it's gotten to you again. Perhaps 00:25:10.259 --> 00:25:13.599 we're still back in that car. No, we're here, 00:25:14.180 --> 00:25:17.880 in Mirado. And that is the strangest part of 00:25:17.880 --> 00:25:21.759 all. I agree that Murado is a very unusual town, 00:25:22.279 --> 00:25:25.019 but now that it's 12 o 'clock, if George was 00:25:25.019 --> 00:25:27.740 right, if we just go down to the center of things... 00:25:27.740 --> 00:25:31.240 Marion, do you really believe there is such a 00:25:31.240 --> 00:25:34.599 town as Murado? But Jonathan, you can see it 00:25:34.599 --> 00:25:41.319 from here, just as clearly as I do. Listen. I've 00:25:41.319 --> 00:25:43.759 heard that sound before, when the old man came. 00:25:44.079 --> 00:25:46.079 No, but this is different. the way they're traveling 00:25:46.079 --> 00:25:48.440 this must be young men and they're heading down 00:25:48.440 --> 00:25:51.119 the main street there must be someone who can 00:25:51.119 --> 00:25:54.380 help us ghosts they're all of them ghosts Janet 00:25:54.380 --> 00:25:58.059 snap out of it come on come on where are we going 00:25:58.059 --> 00:26:02.039 back into town i don't think i can stand anymore 00:26:02.039 --> 00:26:05.180 of these ghostly people but the horses Janet 00:26:05.180 --> 00:26:07.519 maybe we can get some horses and ride away from 00:26:07.519 --> 00:26:10.230 this frightening place. I haven't been on a horse 00:26:10.230 --> 00:26:12.430 in a thousand years. Neither have I, but we can 00:26:12.430 --> 00:26:26.569 try. Oh Janet, we can try. See? They all look 00:26:26.569 --> 00:26:29.109 so pretty. What did I tell you? See us the time 00:26:29.109 --> 00:26:32.029 is over. Everyone's awake now. They're far from 00:26:32.029 --> 00:26:34.150 awake, Marion. The blacksmith shop's over there, 00:26:34.230 --> 00:26:35.849 and that should be the place to find out about 00:26:35.849 --> 00:26:38.240 the horses. Hello, ladies. How are you getting 00:26:38.240 --> 00:26:40.599 along? It's the old timer. Thank goodness, Mr. 00:26:40.599 --> 00:26:44.759 Old Timer. George, please, please, we can talk 00:26:44.759 --> 00:26:47.539 to you. At your service, ladies. You'd better 00:26:47.539 --> 00:26:49.519 be of more service than you were the last time. 00:26:49.839 --> 00:26:51.599 Well, I know it was you who brought us here, 00:26:51.839 --> 00:26:54.700 but we, you see, we simply don't understand. 00:26:54.720 --> 00:26:57.759 It's all very simple, Miss Jefferies. You heard 00:26:57.759 --> 00:27:00.359 the clock strike twelve? Yes, yes, we heard the 00:27:00.359 --> 00:27:03.319 clock and we can see the people. I had my orders. 00:27:03.640 --> 00:27:06.380 Everything will work out within the hour. Good. 00:27:06.599 --> 00:27:09.359 Then you will take us back to civilization. Nothing 00:27:09.359 --> 00:27:13.160 of the sort. As I told you before, you're staying 00:27:13.160 --> 00:27:17.119 here. But we don't belong here. Those other people, 00:27:17.380 --> 00:27:20.500 they're ghosts. I've told you over and over again. 00:27:20.799 --> 00:27:23.819 You have been selected. But you said at 12 o 00:27:23.819 --> 00:27:25.720 'clock we would understand. And that everything 00:27:25.720 --> 00:27:29.259 would be all right. It is, dear ladies. It is. 00:27:29.839 --> 00:27:33.700 We need you. Both of you. to go with the others. 00:27:34.039 --> 00:27:36.740 We'll pay you well, very well, for you to take 00:27:36.740 --> 00:27:40.220 us away from here. Anything you ask. I do only 00:27:40.220 --> 00:27:43.460 what I'm supposed to do for Mirado. There is 00:27:43.460 --> 00:27:46.819 no such place as Mirado! Right before your eyes, 00:27:47.039 --> 00:27:50.880 Miss Boston. As you said yourself, it's a very 00:27:50.880 --> 00:27:53.700 busy town. Oh, Janet, come on. We're going to 00:27:53.700 --> 00:28:00.930 the blacksmith's shop. I wouldn't dare touch 00:28:00.930 --> 00:28:02.809 one of those horses. Oh, they look gentle enough 00:28:02.809 --> 00:28:06.269 to me. That gray one blinks at me. I mean, are 00:28:06.269 --> 00:28:09.130 they real? Of course they're real. And that white 00:28:09.130 --> 00:28:11.130 -haired blacksmith. He's not like those other 00:28:11.130 --> 00:28:13.750 men. Look at those rosy cheeks. Most likely from 00:28:13.750 --> 00:28:16.549 all that heat. I must say the fire looks real 00:28:16.549 --> 00:28:23.109 enough. Excuse me. Um, please? Please stop for 00:28:23.109 --> 00:28:26.759 a moment. It's important. We've... We want to 00:28:26.759 --> 00:28:30.779 hire two horses. No use talking to old Sam. He's 00:28:30.779 --> 00:28:33.240 deaf and dumb. They're all deaf and dumb, every 00:28:33.240 --> 00:28:36.380 one of them. Lady, lady, you've spent enough 00:28:36.380 --> 00:28:39.220 time in here. There's someone waiting for you. 00:28:39.299 --> 00:28:41.519 Well, why didn't you say that before? You've 00:28:41.519 --> 00:28:44.359 found someone who can help us? Come along. We're 00:28:44.359 --> 00:28:51.680 going back to the tavern. Well, that sign in 00:28:51.680 --> 00:28:54.180 front of the tavern is new. It wasn't there before. 00:28:54.339 --> 00:28:57.160 Many people have been working. Right this way, 00:28:57.359 --> 00:29:01.940 ladies. Through the swinging door. And the door! 00:29:02.440 --> 00:29:05.380 It isn't rusty anymore. Someone's oiled the hinges. 00:29:07.359 --> 00:29:12.079 The place is crowded! Joe! Joe! Welcome back, 00:29:12.279 --> 00:29:15.700 old timer. Glad to see you. Did you bring her? 00:29:16.720 --> 00:29:20.519 Janet! Janet, he can talk! We found someone who 00:29:20.519 --> 00:29:36.299 can talk! Things are looking up. Or are they? 00:29:37.420 --> 00:29:40.460 At least there seems to be one other living soul 00:29:40.460 --> 00:29:45.500 in the rotto. But why did Joe ask that question, 00:29:46.019 --> 00:29:50.059 did you bring her? Which one of the ladies does 00:29:50.059 --> 00:29:53.680 he mean? It doesn't sound as though he's going 00:29:53.680 --> 00:29:58.240 to help them get away. Marion and Janet may be 00:29:58.240 --> 00:30:02.019 in yet deeper trouble. And the mystery of this 00:30:02.019 --> 00:30:07.140 ghost town is far from solved. I'll be back shortly 00:30:07.140 --> 00:30:22.299 with Act 3. At the stroke of noon, the little 00:30:22.299 --> 00:30:26.539 town of Mirado seemed to burst into life. The 00:30:26.539 --> 00:30:29.099 streets are crowded now as people come out of 00:30:29.099 --> 00:30:32.410 their houses. and go about what looks like normal 00:30:32.410 --> 00:30:35.369 everyday business. And there are workmen in the 00:30:35.369 --> 00:30:40.869 fields, but something is wrong. If you or I should 00:30:40.869 --> 00:30:44.250 try to speak to these people, would they answer? 00:30:45.589 --> 00:30:48.470 Our two frightened travelers had no one to turn 00:30:48.470 --> 00:30:51.970 to except the old timer, but at last they have 00:30:51.970 --> 00:30:55.569 heard the sound of another human voice, a man 00:30:55.569 --> 00:30:59.019 named I asked you, old timer. Did you bring her? 00:30:59.220 --> 00:31:03.660 I certainly did. She's right here. Marion, which 00:31:03.660 --> 00:31:07.559 one of us is he talking about? Mr. Joe? Is that 00:31:07.559 --> 00:31:09.519 your name? Did you explain to her that there 00:31:09.519 --> 00:31:13.400 is a great deal to be done? I tried. He didn't 00:31:13.400 --> 00:31:16.279 explain anything, Mr. Joe. You tell us. Oh, no 00:31:16.279 --> 00:31:19.299 news talking to him at this stage. He can't hear 00:31:19.299 --> 00:31:21.940 you. But he answered you. Why can't he talk to 00:31:21.940 --> 00:31:25.410 me? Not one o 'clock yet. You're still in the 00:31:25.410 --> 00:31:28.369 other world. I'll make him talk. Your name is 00:31:28.369 --> 00:31:31.609 Joe. You run this tavern and we need help. Old 00:31:31.609 --> 00:31:34.230 timer, did you show her the kitchen? Marion, 00:31:34.309 --> 00:31:36.170 it's you he's talking about. We've got plenty 00:31:36.170 --> 00:31:38.809 of complaints today about the food. Look at all 00:31:38.809 --> 00:31:41.829 the customers. Yep, looks like a full house. 00:31:41.950 --> 00:31:44.630 Did you show her where everything is? Tried to, 00:31:44.970 --> 00:31:47.809 but so far she doesn't seem to quite understand. 00:31:47.990 --> 00:31:51.410 Oh, she will. You tell her we'll take real good 00:31:51.410 --> 00:31:54.299 care of her. Nobody ever any more popular around 00:31:54.299 --> 00:31:57.039 this town than the cook. What'd you say her name 00:31:57.039 --> 00:32:01.299 is? Miss Jefferies. You stop talking about me 00:32:01.299 --> 00:32:04.660 like that and talk to me. You hear? Like I told 00:32:04.660 --> 00:32:07.599 you, Miss Jefferies, he cannot hear you. He's 00:32:07.599 --> 00:32:10.940 got to hear me. Now please, please, Mr. Joe, 00:32:11.279 --> 00:32:13.799 you look like a sensible man. You can tell us 00:32:13.799 --> 00:32:15.940 what this is all about, please. Well, George, 00:32:16.220 --> 00:32:19.059 got to be going. Trouble in the kitchen. See 00:32:19.059 --> 00:32:21.720 here. He can't see you either, Miss Jefferies. 00:32:21.950 --> 00:32:25.450 Not yet. You tell that new cook she's very welcome. 00:32:26.410 --> 00:32:29.289 You're going to like working for Joe. He's a 00:32:29.289 --> 00:32:32.490 fine gentleman. Stop it! I can't stand anymore. 00:32:33.029 --> 00:32:36.450 Janet, that sad -faced woman in the corner. Let's 00:32:36.450 --> 00:32:39.130 ask her. I already tried. Just like the rest. 00:32:39.630 --> 00:32:43.750 That's Miss Crawford. Widow lady. You'll find 00:32:43.750 --> 00:32:46.190 her a very good friend when you get to know her. 00:32:46.230 --> 00:32:49.329 I want to know her right now, right this minute. 00:32:49.390 --> 00:32:53.750 You must be patient, dear lady. Not now. We're 00:32:53.750 --> 00:33:03.509 on our way to the schoolhouse. We're here, everybody. 00:33:03.789 --> 00:33:08.089 Get ready. Oh, Janet. What a darling one -room 00:33:08.089 --> 00:33:10.809 schoolhouse. No one -room schoolhouse was ever 00:33:10.809 --> 00:33:18.630 darling. These children are charming. What do 00:33:18.630 --> 00:33:21.660 you think of them, Miss Marston? They all look 00:33:21.660 --> 00:33:25.220 like normal, healthy children to me. Only I know 00:33:25.220 --> 00:33:28.240 they're not. I don't know from minute to minute 00:33:28.240 --> 00:33:30.440 what to believe anymore. You had better believe, 00:33:30.460 --> 00:33:33.799 Miss Marston. The children are doing this especially 00:33:33.799 --> 00:33:36.099 for you. They look as though they're singing. 00:33:36.259 --> 00:33:39.900 They are. And very nicely, too. Well, then why 00:33:39.900 --> 00:33:44.279 can't I hear them? Why? In time. You'll hear 00:33:44.279 --> 00:33:47.920 them when you are their teacher. But I'm not 00:33:47.920 --> 00:33:50.900 going to be their teacher. Miss Marston. Our 00:33:50.900 --> 00:33:54.400 teacher is old, as you can see. All the children 00:33:54.400 --> 00:33:59.000 have learned songs and games. I didn't think 00:33:59.000 --> 00:34:01.579 anyone still used those little bells. What are 00:34:01.579 --> 00:34:05.019 you going to do now? I think it's time for arithmetic. 00:34:06.099 --> 00:34:09.039 Oh, what a bright -looking little girl. The one 00:34:09.039 --> 00:34:14.719 going up to the blackboard. Yeah, you see? Seven 00:34:14.719 --> 00:34:17.960 times nine... Seven times nine does not equal 00:34:17.960 --> 00:34:22.260 56. That's just what I mean, Miss Marston. But 00:34:22.260 --> 00:34:25.159 that teacher is nodding her head. This is outrageous. 00:34:25.420 --> 00:34:28.500 Just as I told you, we need someone like you 00:34:28.500 --> 00:34:31.019 around here. Why, I'm going up to that blackboard 00:34:31.019 --> 00:34:33.820 and put her straight. Oh, no, Miss Marston. You 00:34:33.820 --> 00:34:37.860 can't do that yet. But I'm going to. Don't do 00:34:37.860 --> 00:34:41.019 it, Miss Marston. Children, children, this number 00:34:41.019 --> 00:34:43.820 on the blackboard is wrong. Here's the way it 00:34:43.820 --> 00:34:48.269 goes. Oh, dear, this chalk, it... The chalk won't 00:34:48.269 --> 00:34:51.070 write on the blackboard. Don't worry, Miss Marston. 00:34:51.170 --> 00:34:53.409 Here, young lady. You take the chalk and I'll 00:34:53.409 --> 00:34:58.989 show you the right answer. They've gone back 00:34:58.989 --> 00:35:01.929 to their game. Here, now I want to show you something. 00:35:01.989 --> 00:35:05.070 It's no use, Miss Marston. None of them can see 00:35:05.070 --> 00:35:07.610 you. Well, then why did you bring me here? So 00:35:07.610 --> 00:35:11.110 you'd know what to do later on. You keep saying 00:35:11.110 --> 00:35:13.250 that. We've been looking for someone like you 00:35:13.250 --> 00:35:16.010 for a long time, Miss Marston. And you've come 00:35:16.010 --> 00:35:20.199 to us at last. You will be there, teacher. You 00:35:20.199 --> 00:35:23.039 must be joking. Everything is a ghastly, hideous 00:35:23.039 --> 00:35:26.219 joke. That will be enough, children. It's time 00:35:26.219 --> 00:35:30.059 for us all to go. Marion, I have a feeling that 00:35:30.059 --> 00:35:32.800 the stage is being set for some tremendous catastrophe. 00:35:32.860 --> 00:35:35.599 The hour is approaching, and I must get to my 00:35:35.599 --> 00:35:37.920 station. Old timer, old timer, please don't leave 00:35:37.920 --> 00:35:42.880 us. George! George! You're our only hope! It's 00:35:42.880 --> 00:35:47.260 one o 'clock! Hurry! Hurry! Run to the town hall! 00:36:02.440 --> 00:36:11.559 I told you I told you this morning when I saw 00:36:11.559 --> 00:36:36.579 those buffalo This sure is a stinking piece of 00:36:36.579 --> 00:36:39.980 road. Come on. It's my favorite stretch of highway. 00:36:41.440 --> 00:36:43.840 Glad it's not my Pete. Well, if you had the right 00:36:43.840 --> 00:36:46.820 car, you could do 200 miles an hour longer. That 00:36:46.820 --> 00:36:49.340 will watch it, bud. A cop's supposed to set an 00:36:49.340 --> 00:36:53.860 example. Bet I can do 150. Shall we try? No, 00:36:53.900 --> 00:36:57.199 no thanks. You never make it in this thing. And 00:36:57.199 --> 00:37:00.480 we're supposed to be saving gas, remember? This 00:37:00.480 --> 00:37:02.820 road's only fun when you drive as fast as you 00:37:02.820 --> 00:37:06.130 can. Especially on a day like today. You know, 00:37:06.250 --> 00:37:09.190 Sweeney, sometimes I just feel sorry for the 00:37:09.190 --> 00:37:11.690 poor slobs we haul in for speeding on stretches 00:37:11.690 --> 00:37:14.610 like this. Yeah, right along here's the best 00:37:14.610 --> 00:37:17.630 place to get them. You actually come out here 00:37:17.630 --> 00:37:19.869 on purpose just to give them speeding tickets? 00:37:20.929 --> 00:37:23.610 Sometimes, when I have nothing better to do. 00:37:24.809 --> 00:37:27.889 Hey, slow down, will you? Why, why? There's something 00:37:27.889 --> 00:37:31.639 up there on the road. Heat haze no no no no come 00:37:31.639 --> 00:37:37.400 on now sweetie slow down with you Hey, I think 00:37:37.400 --> 00:37:43.280 you're right It's a stalled car that's for sure 00:37:43.280 --> 00:37:46.639 yeah rotten place to run out of gas California 00:37:46.639 --> 00:37:51.639 plates Nobody in it Maybe they're sleeping well 00:37:51.639 --> 00:37:54.159 we'll soon find out and this is supposed to be 00:37:54.159 --> 00:37:57.639 your day off But I'm still on duty so here goes 00:37:57.639 --> 00:38:03.670 no no I'm coming, too Man, feel that heat. Nobody 00:38:03.670 --> 00:38:06.369 in the car, Sweeney. Oh, they'd be crazy if they 00:38:06.369 --> 00:38:09.590 were. I got the license number. If it's unlocked, 00:38:09.670 --> 00:38:14.469 there should be a registration. Find anything? 00:38:15.690 --> 00:38:20.989 Yep. Belongs to a Mr. George Jeffries, Vallejo 00:38:20.989 --> 00:38:23.369 Street, San Francisco. You want me to get that 00:38:23.369 --> 00:38:29.730 down? Okay, but where's Mr. Jeffries? Wait a 00:38:29.730 --> 00:38:35.090 minute. Lady's gloves in here. A scarf? Guess 00:38:35.090 --> 00:38:38.590 he wasn't traveling alone. It looks like women's 00:38:38.590 --> 00:38:41.630 luggage on the back seat, too. Say, you don't 00:38:41.630 --> 00:38:44.469 suppose it was some dame who got stuck way out 00:38:44.469 --> 00:38:47.170 here all by herself, do you? No. Well, it's my 00:38:47.170 --> 00:38:49.949 hunch that there were at least two people in 00:38:49.949 --> 00:38:52.909 this car. But whoever they are, they took the 00:38:52.909 --> 00:38:56.210 ignition key. Air conditioning. But that wouldn't 00:38:56.210 --> 00:39:00.630 work if the motor conked out. Yeah. Which way 00:39:00.630 --> 00:39:03.389 do you think they'd go? Wouldn't be stupid enough 00:39:03.389 --> 00:39:07.269 to walk on such a hot day. They got a ride. But 00:39:07.269 --> 00:39:10.170 we didn't pass anybody coming this way. They 00:39:10.170 --> 00:39:13.690 must have gone straight ahead. Could have been 00:39:13.690 --> 00:39:17.510 some time ago. What do you think? Could we push 00:39:17.510 --> 00:39:22.590 the car off the road? Cars in plain sight, no 00:39:22.590 --> 00:39:26.510 traffic, and midway's only about 10 miles. We'll 00:39:26.510 --> 00:39:29.559 find a better... Maybe I should stay here. Oh, 00:39:29.559 --> 00:39:31.940 you're awful. Well, I mean, just in case, you 00:39:31.940 --> 00:39:34.800 know. I'm sorry we don't have the patrol car. 00:39:35.400 --> 00:39:38.440 If we did, I'd check with headquarters. I'll 00:39:38.440 --> 00:39:40.820 make my report, and if there's any trouble, you 00:39:40.820 --> 00:39:43.260 can come back with me. We'll bring a tow truck. 00:39:43.420 --> 00:39:48.260 Okay. I got it all down. Sedan, color blue. Come 00:39:48.260 --> 00:39:55.380 on, come on. Get in, and let's go. There's something 00:39:55.380 --> 00:39:58.179 in this book I want to check. What are you carrying 00:39:58.179 --> 00:40:00.920 that thing around with you for? Boy, what a rookie. 00:40:01.079 --> 00:40:03.099 Well, I haven't worked this territory as long 00:40:03.099 --> 00:40:04.940 as you have. Maybe they'll assign me to a car 00:40:04.940 --> 00:40:07.579 out here. Oh, just ask me any. I just want to 00:40:07.579 --> 00:40:10.400 make sure that there isn't some other town or 00:40:10.400 --> 00:40:12.460 farm or someplace where those people could have 00:40:12.460 --> 00:40:15.480 gone. Nothing but desert for miles in every direction. 00:40:15.599 --> 00:40:23.269 Well, let's just see. There's Baker. Razor. Hey, 00:40:23.429 --> 00:40:25.289 Sweeney, listen to this, will you? Listen to 00:40:25.289 --> 00:40:28.769 what? Ever hear of a town called Mirado? Mirado? 00:40:29.309 --> 00:40:31.829 What's not around here? Well, it's a ghost town, 00:40:31.869 --> 00:40:36.190 or at least it was. Old trading post. Uh, maybe 00:40:36.190 --> 00:40:39.130 100 years ago. Oh, longer than that. Well, then 00:40:39.130 --> 00:40:43.130 who cares about it today? I do. You're really 00:40:43.130 --> 00:40:44.590 something. Well, just a minute. Can I read it 00:40:44.590 --> 00:40:46.250 to you? Read it, read it. Since I got nothing 00:40:46.250 --> 00:40:48.610 better to do, go on, go on, read it. It says 00:40:48.610 --> 00:40:54.829 here... that in August of 1846 a band of bloodthirsty 00:40:54.829 --> 00:40:57.590 Indians swooped into the little town of Mirado 00:40:57.590 --> 00:41:01.530 and killed all but one of its inhabitants. All 00:41:01.530 --> 00:41:05.789 but one? The lone survivor was a baby boy who 00:41:05.789 --> 00:41:09.889 was found asleep in a crib in a barn. There is 00:41:09.889 --> 00:41:13.730 a legend that once a year the residents of Mirado 00:41:13.730 --> 00:41:17.670 come back to haunt the place. What do you think 00:41:17.670 --> 00:41:21.940 of that? I think it's poppycock, made up for 00:41:21.940 --> 00:41:26.099 the tourist trade. Hey, look over there, that 00:41:26.099 --> 00:41:28.760 great big spiral of smoke. Oh, Johnson, you're 00:41:28.760 --> 00:41:31.139 a fool. That's a dust storm, and it's coming 00:41:31.139 --> 00:41:33.760 our way. Come on, step on it. If anyone else 00:41:33.760 --> 00:41:36.599 drove as fast as I'm about to, even you would 00:41:36.599 --> 00:41:51.119 arrest of us speeding. Some people believe in 00:41:51.119 --> 00:41:55.880 predestination and almost everyone at some time 00:41:55.880 --> 00:42:01.019 in life comes across a ghost. Our traveling ladies 00:42:01.019 --> 00:42:04.619 may have met with an unfortunate accident or 00:42:04.619 --> 00:42:09.059 perhaps they really were sojourners in time who 00:42:09.059 --> 00:42:12.480 found a better or at least a different place 00:42:12.480 --> 00:42:16.380 to fit into the scheme of things. The ghosts 00:42:16.380 --> 00:42:22.380 of times past are all around us and legends persist. 00:42:23.460 --> 00:42:27.239 The present is made up of the past and a clock 00:42:27.239 --> 00:42:32.840 of one century tells time in another. I'll be 00:42:32.840 --> 00:42:48.480 back shortly. Be grateful for the energy crisis 00:42:48.480 --> 00:42:51.579 this summer. It may keep you from driving along 00:42:51.579 --> 00:42:56.340 a deserted highway. Check your automobile and 00:42:56.340 --> 00:43:00.860 drive with care. There could be a ghost town 00:43:00.860 --> 00:43:05.940 waiting for you. Our cast included Celeste Holm, 00:43:06.300 --> 00:43:09.519 Frances Sternhagen, Nat Poland, and Gilbert Mack. 00:43:10.239 --> 00:43:12.719 The entire production was under the direction 00:43:12.719 --> 00:43:16.389 of Hyman Brown. Radio Mystery Theatre was sponsored 00:43:16.389 --> 00:43:19.909 in part by Buick Motor Division and Anheuser 00:43:19.909 --> 00:43:23.329 -Busch Incorporated, brewers of Budweiser. This 00:43:23.329 --> 00:43:25.909 is E .G. Marshall inviting you to return to our 00:43:25.909 --> 00:43:29.090 Mystery Theatre for another adventure in the 00:43:29.090 --> 00:43:59.360 macabre. Until next time, pleasant dreams. CBS 00:43:59.360 --> 00:44:01.639 News, next on WBBM Chicago.