December 31, 2023 • 23 mins
The Zero Hour (aka Hollywood Radio Theater) was a 1973–74 American radio drama anthology series hosted by Rod Serling. With tales of mystery, adventure and suspense, the program was broadcast for two seasons. Some of the scripts were written by Serling.
The radio series debuted on September 3, 1973, in syndication, and was picked up by the Mutual Broadcasting System in December. The original format featured five-part dramas broadcast Monday through Friday with the story coming to a conclusion on Friday. Including commercials, each part was approximately 30 minutes long. Mutual affiliates were free to broadcast the series in any available time slot that they wished.
In 1974, still airing five days a week, the program changed to a full story in a single 30-minute installment with the same actor starring throughout the week in all five programs. That format was employed from late April 1974 to the end of the series in July 1974.
The radio series debuted on September 3, 1973, in syndication, and was picked up by the Mutual Broadcasting System in December. The original format featured five-part dramas broadcast Monday through Friday with the story coming to a conclusion on Friday. Including commercials, each part was approximately 30 minutes long. Mutual affiliates were free to broadcast the series in any available time slot that they wished.
In 1974, still airing five days a week, the program changed to a full story in a single 30-minute installment with the same actor starring throughout the week in all five programs. That format was employed from late April 1974 to the end of the series in July 1974.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
(00:10):
I'm Rod Sterling. You're listening tothe Zero Hour. Rest your eyes,
exercise your imagination today Glenholf Taylor's suspensefulComma, A hidden Comma The Past is
(00:37):
Always Present, starring Peter Lucas inthe Mutual Broadcasting System presentation of the Zero
Hour, brought to you by theFord Motor Company and Lazy Boy Recliners.
(01:00):
Also by State Farm Insurance, InternationalHarvester and Quaker State Motor Oil. This
is the Zero Hour on Mutual Radio. This is Hugh Downs with another Car
Buyers Report from Ford. Car sizeand fuel economy are important considerations today,
(01:23):
but so is the total cost ofownership, which involves purchase price, trade
in value, and operating economy andFord Fields. If you compare mid sized
cars, you'll choose Ford. Torino. Take some operating economy examples. Torino
offers gas saving steel belted radio,apply tires, standard, runs on regular
gas, and has a twenty sixand a half gallon fuel tank that's twenty
(01:46):
percent more capacity than its closest salescompetitor. And compare some scheduled maintenance costs.
You will find in the course offifty thousand miles that compared to its
closest sales competition. Toreno's chassis isscheduled to be lubricated only once to there
eight times. Spark plugs are scheduledto be replaced only half as often.
Everyone says compare, Ford says,compare not only the cars, but the
(02:10):
total cost of owning your car.The closer you look, the better we
look. Past shapes the present,an occasion that may destroy the present.
The young man in our story haslearned to live with his past. The
(02:31):
young lady is fiance has not learnedof his past. As it is that
these two people must face a crisis, a crisis spawned by a past of
which one of them is unaware,at which the other is long presumed.
Who have been forgotten Tonight they've enjoyedattending their weekly movie. As our story
(02:52):
starts to unfold, they have comefrom the theater's auditorium to walk blinking into
the brightness of the crystal chandelier atloppy Let me help you on with your
jacket, Mary, Thanks, agood movie. Can I have my handkerchief
back? Now? Well? I'msorry here, Thanks, and next week
I'll bring an extra work. Nextweek I won't need one it's a woody
(03:12):
alland picture member. Oh you cryanyway? By the way, how can
you cry and eat popcorn at thesame time. It's strictly a faminine trick.
I'll wait a minute, Larry,I'll be right back all the time
of my nose. Okay, I'llwait right over there near the axcit.
I'll turn around. That's got inmy pocket. Well, who are never
mind? I start walking? What'sthe idea? Where are you taking me
(03:37):
to that car at the curb?But my girl expects me to be He's
just going to have to wait.Why are you doing this? Frank A.
Gordon wants to see you and I'llget in okay, Smitty take off
(03:59):
into was still in the car intowhich I've been tumbled with a culck in
my head. It was throbbing,as though it were being alterately blown up
and deflated, like a kid's balloon. My first thought was whereing the heck
am I? And my second wasa panicky one, wondering what had happened
to Marian Floyd. That creeper hadknocked me out? Was watching me suspiciously.
Well, I don't know why,because I couldn't have done a thing
(04:20):
if I tried. He had meon the floor in the rear of the
car with the heels of his elevatorshoes resting on my ribs. He must
have looked through that hole I feltin my head and rid my mind,
because the first thing he said whenI looked up at him was, don't
worry about that little broady. Uh, she's gonna be okay if you behave
yourself. Where are we going?Never mind? Just enjoy a ride.
(04:44):
Oh did you have to slug meso hard? And I like to be
sure the first time? Oh part, aren't you afraid it? When Marian
can't find me, she'll contact thepolice. I sure figured it was a
mistake. Should check out you padme for your reports, your mission.
By that time, we'll have thingsunder control. What's Frankie want to see
(05:05):
me about it? I already toldhim I couldn't help him on that store
job. Man, I worked there. I have a legitimate job. I'll
live a legitimate life. Yeah,I got news for you, loh boy.
We knocked over that store already tonight. You did. My head hurts
(05:26):
like my brains were leaking out.Let me set up with you. But
I watched that guide click that trick. I'll worry. I can handle him.
You just keep your money at driving, Okay, punk you can get
up, but don't try nothing funnyor I'll fill your foot of thirty eighths.
Oh man, I thought i'd neverget my back strink down. I
(05:50):
should have worn that do not fullspindle or mutilate sign if you knocked over
the store already? Why just Frankiewant to see me? The cops give
us some trouble to night. Frankie'sbrother got shot real bad. You only
want to could have tipped them offwith you. No way, man,
that's a lie, and you knowit. I don't know nothing. Frankie's
(06:12):
doing our nose. Oh my head. You got a cigarette? You're luckier
in my left hand pocket because I'mnot about to let go of this gun.
I guess I can reach you.Hey many he jumped and slow down?
(06:39):
Hello, Harry, what happened toyou? I looked all into the
lobby and I waited and I waited. I'm in trouble, trouble. I
can't explain over the phone. Look, do me a favorite anything, darling?
Now? What is it you?There's a suitcase in the hull cloth
get a pair of slacks and coatsof shirts and socks and handkerchiefs and my
shaving things to rushes tuck. Tellthem all in a suitcase and take them
(07:01):
to your place. Can I stayhere until morning? No, they'll be
snooping around my pad. O nevermind. You stay at your own place
tonight. Pack my things and getout of my apartment as soon as you
can. Bring the suitcase and stuffover to me tomorrow morning. Where are
you? I'm in a don calledthe Terminal Hotel, first Avenue near the
railroad tracks, Room fifty one.Okay, see in the morning, all
(07:29):
right, just coming on duty.Yeah. I had to stop off at
impounds to identify an abandoned car Iticketed last night. Hey, what's this
I hear about a robbery at Morgan'sdepartment store. Yeah, about nine o'clock
tonight. Two policemen have to bepassing the store and they recognize Frankie Gordon
and his brother Charlie. Two otherguys were also involved, and I had
watchmen identify them for mugshots, andthere was some gun play and Charlie got
(07:53):
hit badly. How they get intape by hitting a closing time? Nope?
Both of them flashed both police Departmentid's on the watchmen. So they
were on assignment to trap some thievesthat were due to hit the store.
Now the watchman fell for the story, let them in and got slug first
operation. It was a slick,safe job too, not a tool mark
or a fingerprint on it. Howmuch loot did they get? Oh good
(08:13):
hunkle the day I get Yes,a couple of grands probably, and several
trays of jewelry, inexpensive watches.Nice hole. Now what about the other
two guys? And I think definiteother than what the watchman told us,
and he was kind of woosing.The two officers were lucky enough to get
the license number of the car theyuse. We got out of pickup water
on the Gordon brothers and the car. That's good, and maybe the watchmen
(08:35):
will come to enough to give usa fix on the other two guys.
Even though I knew Marian would keepher word, I spent a restless night
wondering if anyone might have seen herleave in my pad with the suitcase.
I watched the don come up.Wished I had some toothpaste and a brush
because my mouth tasted like an ecologicaldisaster, the flea trap I had checked
(08:56):
in too, didn't even have abell hop to send for coffee, and
I didn't dare go out on myown. And just as I looked in
the mirror my bloodshot eyes for thefifth time, I nearly jumped out of
my skin at the sound. Iwent to the door, but was afraid
to open it for even a littlepeak. Who is it, Mary Darling?
(09:22):
Where's the suitcase? Oh? Rightthere, I dropped it when you
gave you that bear hug trumping?What on earth is this all about?
Wait? I close the door.Look, I don't mean to scare you,
but I'm scared already. Someone wantsto kill me. I his name
is Frankie Gordon. One of hismen was waiting in the theater lobby last
night, came up behind me witha gun in his pocket and forced me
(09:43):
to go with him in a car. So that's what happened. How'd you
get away? Took a chance andjumped out of the car or outside of
a skin thee in a room pairof jeans. I made it okay.
Then I out putted it right overhere, figuring they wouldn't be looking for
me in this part of town.Who is this Gordon and why would they
want to kill He's a crook,real heavy and safe Robin. Last night
(10:03):
they knocked over Morgan's apartment store.They were surprised by the police and Frankie's
brother was shot. Now Frankie thinksI tipped off the police double crussed him.
You mean you knew they were goingto rob the store? O.
Frankie came to see me there yesterdaywhen I came back from lunch. He
was waiting for me. Wanted meto get the combination of the jewelry department
safe. Well, I refuse,But you can't hide forever go to the
(10:26):
police. I can't try, forHeaven's sake, because they'd asked me how
I knew Frankie. Well, Idon't get what's wrong with that? How
did you happen to know him?I knew him in prison. I'm still
wanted by the police. Hi,this is Jim Packer's with news about why
Lazy Boy is America's comfort favorite.It appeals to men because of rugged construction
(10:48):
and he man comfort. Women loveit because there are beautiful styles that match
any decar and there's an amazing choiceof hundreds of colors and fabrics. A
lazy boy lets you recline to anyeven full bed, but a lazy boy
in your living room and into yourlife. See you're a lazy boy dealer
today. He's waiting run down therego if indeed, certainly, State Farm
(11:13):
has been one of the most competitivecompanies when it comes to rates. State
Farm agent Bob Westbrook talks about carinsurance value. But I think even more
important than rates to most people isthe service they know their buying. With
State Farm, you're in a positionto get more service from more agents throughout
the entire country than any other companyin the industry. Indeed, a processing
(11:43):
center in New York City where clothingand goods are collected, packaged, and
stored. Should disaster to strike,the lagas late business and you get us
up start your clothing, or thegood earthquake or Vanglidas, any crisis like
that. The warehouse is operated byCatholic Relief Services. The concept is that
we get staff, we get foodand water for the disaster achieve and then
(12:07):
we get supplies. We get itall out at lunch. We have a
shortwave radio equipment transceivers to communicate amongthe teams. The center functions on a
daily basis, sending food, clothing, and medicines where they're needed. That's
the passic way to get it there. We have just real ship it commercially
to Catholic Relief Services. Responds quicklyto the needs of people through disaster relief
(12:28):
activities and helps the overseas poor theyear round. Supports CRS through the American
Catholic Overseas Aid fun the Empire StateEnter New York one dou below one Oh,
we're ready to go on a moment'snotice. When I told Mary and
(12:48):
I was still wanted by the police, the expression on her face gave my
heart such a stab I'll bet there'sstill a scar on it. But being
the kind of Gale she is,she listened patiently as I explained. You
see, it happened when I wasa kid of seventeen. At that age,
I thought it was real far outto drink, gamble and even carry
a gun. Two other guys andI held up a gas station. It
(13:11):
netted us thirteen dollars and a fiveyear since in a southern prison. I
suppose in some other prison, wemight have stuck it out longer, hoping
to get time off for good behavior. But you know, they still used
chain games for roadwork, and wejust couldn't hack it. Chain gangs.
I thought that sort of thing wentout, I hope so maybe some states
still had them. At any rate, the three of us saw a chance
(13:33):
to escape and took it. Maryand I still owe them four big,
long years. But you've been anhonest, law abiding guy for all the
years. Things well, that shouldcount for something. No wearing a sweet
idiot? Why didn't she tell mesooner? I should have known she'd be
on my team no matter what.When I finished explaining, she was full
(13:56):
of love and understanding, and suddenlymy arms were full of her. She
stayed there for a long long time, and while we clung to each other,
she convinced me I really should goto the police, no matter what
the outcome. What really convinced me, I guess, was when she said
she'd go with me. I I'dcover anything up the department store. Yeah,
(14:22):
I got a new angle. Ithink it was a five man job,
even though the watchman saw only four. Though I showed pictures of Frankie
and Charlie Gordon, all the personnelwho work in or near the jewelry department.
A couple of them positively identified Gordonas the man they saw talking with
a store employee yesterday. His name'sLarry Webster. Wro't you question him?
He didn't show up for work today. Well, that's two marks against him.
(14:43):
And he leads on where he mightbe. And I got his home
address from the store and go overwhat everybody was gone. The land lady
showed me through his apartment and aidhadn't been sucked in some of the clothes
shop got three marks? Does thestore know anything about this Webster guy?
Nothing that helps. He'd been withhim nine years, worked his way up
(15:03):
from shipping clerk. His coworkers apparentlyliked him, and he was valuable a
player. Hey, where you're goingnow, I'm gonna teletype Washington to see
if the FBI has anything on website. Then I'm going to see at the
lamp as anything conclusive on that bloodsample they scraped up at the score.
Hey, good hunting. As soonas I put on my coat, I'll
(15:24):
leave my suitcase and stuff here.I'll get it later if the police will
let me. Otherwise you can pickit up. Okay, all said,
Now, let's get out of herebefore anybody sees this go on someplace?
Floyd, how did you find outthat's the easy punk? One of her
boys was watching your pen in caseI missed you to see it. We
(15:48):
tailed the broad from there to herplace, staked out on a rovernight,
and followed here this morning. Whyall that, Larry, Floyd's not only
pretty good with the artillery, butI can handle it anything he can't.
I'm back in there, watch him, Floyd, shure, Bush, What
do you want with me? AndI'm sure Floyd made that clear last night.
(16:11):
He told me you thought I'd doublecrossed you, but I didn't.
I don't believe you. Well youI probably got shot in that heist when
he died this afternoon. So nomatter what you say, I'm going to
even things up. And with hissermons are on the gun, we can
do it nice and quiet right here. You can't shoot him in cold right
(16:34):
It's the efficient way. And Iguess you know, lady, we can't
have no witnesses. There's something goingon. It's your local international dealer right
now? Would you buy the otherpickup from International? You get four?
Hold it? Hold it? What'sthis? The other pickup from International?
(16:56):
What's that. Well, there aretwo pickups out there that I'll sell everybody
else. You know who they are? Yeah, go ahead, Well we're
the other pickup, the one withthe wider track, lower center of gravity,
the one with great handling instability,the other pick up. Okay,
all right, right now? ShouldI go ahead? Until July twentieth,
you get four Firestone gas saving steelvelvet radial tires when you buy a new
International pickup at participating dealer, theother pickup. Right, go ahead.
(17:19):
You get these gas saving radials atno extra cost on most models, and
they're worth two hundred and ninety dollarssuggested retail price, no extra cost.
Right, go ahead, I know, and you get a free tire gauge
just for coming in and correctly inflatedtires help you get better mileage. So
stop at your local inter okay national, are you telling me that all I
have to do is stop at mylocal international dealer and he'll give me a
(17:41):
tire gauge free. There's nothing tobuy. That's right, I'll buy that.
Go ahead, go ahead. AmericanLong Association is emphasima spot take one.
I hold it before we start recording. Let me get a cigarette that's
cigarette. Yeah, I'll only takea second. And look, man,
we're doing an emphaseema spy, sowell, couldn't at least overthrow? What
for? I can smoke and talk? Yeah, well that's not the point.
(18:03):
Oh now wait a minute, don'ttell me you buy all that stuff.
You mean the correlation between cigarette smokingand embasma. Yeah you really believe
that, he as a matter ofWell that's fine, but I have been
smoking for over fifteen years now andyou don't hear me he gasping for breath,
do you? It's your life?Thanks, okay, anytime you're ready.
Impasema spot Take one emphasema Now justwhat does that mean to you?
(18:26):
Well? Sorry, take two?An empisemo victim doesn't always get a second
chance, particularly if he's a heavysmoker. Remember, see you a doctor.
At the first sign of shortness ofbreath, then give up the cigarettes.
This reminder from your lung association isa matter of the life. And
(18:52):
even though I still had four yearsof prison hanging over my head, I
was never in my whole life soglad to see a pair of cops both
offices seemed to feel I was tellingthe truth and the fact that my boss
at Morgan's Department store said I wasa valuable employee. Didn't hurt. And
the cops talk with Marion. Icould see they liked and believe it,
which didn't hurt either. My bossmade bail for me, and of course
(19:15):
they didn't hold Marion. Before weleft police headquarters, the two officers and
Marion and I we wrapped over papercups of coffee. How did you tie
me in with the Gordon brothers?That is, I mean outside of finding
out Frankie had talked to me atthe store. The FBI answered to our
teletype reported the prison break you onthe Gordon brothers made down South years ago.
But how did you trace Frankie employedto the hotel? That was the
(19:37):
scientific part of our bloodhound work,it sure was. The lab report on
Charlie Gordon's blood gave us not onlyhis blood type, but the igglumination test
showed he was a very sick man, even before he stopped the officer's bullet
sick. The lab found he wasinfected with subtercosis. That's a disease transmitted
by parents, isn't it right,Which meant that we had to check out
(19:59):
every pet store. We're in townthat had recently sold parrots. Finally,
after showing the pictures of the Gordonbrothers to all those pet store people,
we did find a guy who'd soldthe parrot to Charlie. Fortunately it has
to have it delivered. We gotthe home address and lucked out. As
we approached the apartment building, wesaw Frankie just getting into a car driven
by a guy known as Smithy.Yeah. I heard Floyd call him my
(20:19):
name just as I got zapped andfill on the floor of that car.
So we followed them to the hotelwhere Floyd Cornature. As you probably guessed,
after Floyd had followed you there,he phoned Frankie to join him.
Well, I thank you all foryour help and for the coffee too.
You're welcome all on Webster. Wethink you've got a good chance of remaining
free on probation. Yeah, andwe'll help all we can issue him in
(20:44):
great Come on, Darlin, wegot to move along. So long offices,
so long, see you in court. Was the saying, good luck
folks, Oh Larry, it wasall so frightening that my dollar Marion is
probably the understatement of the century.Well, thank God for you and your
(21:07):
persuasive ways. Going to the policewas the right thing to do. Well,
it's all behind us now, you'rewrong, baby, it's all ahead
of us, a whole new lifetogether. After we get your suitcase,
let's go my place. I wantto feel your arms around me again.
What's the matter with right here?Oh? Mary? No? Please?
(21:30):
Not in the lobby in front ofall these people. Why not? I
mean, after all, it's notas though we're married. We're gonna take
the stores to school outool market markets. Short trips never give your car a
(21:52):
chance to warm up and eliminate enginedamaging deposits. Short trips call for Quaker
State Motor oil. It gives qualityprotection again these harmful deposits. And now
when we need it more than ever, you can find it more places than
ever. Hi, this is JimBeckets with a special announcement about an exciting
(22:14):
Lazy Boy chair sale taking place atYou're Lazy Boy Dealers. Now, Lazy
Boy reclining shares of your choice areavailable the unheard of savings for a limited
time only. Treat yourself and yourfamily to a lifetime of comfort and beauty.
Once you do, you'll wonder howyou ever relax without one yet America's
comfort favorite, a lazy boy chair. Now see your lazy boy dealer today.
(22:36):
Hey, you run in there.He'll be glad to see you,
Yes he will. I'm Rod Serling. Close your eyes, exercise your imagination,
and join us again on our nextpresentation of A Zero Hour. The
Past is always present as an originalradio drama adapted by Glenn Paul Taylor.
(23:00):
Peter Lupas was heard as Larry Webster. Featured in the cast were Ruth Ansen,
Jack Prusian, Lou Krugman, JackEdwards, and Alan Bergman. Zero
Hour, created by J. M. Kullis directed by Don Hills, is
produced in Hollywood for the Mutual BroadcastingSystem by Radio Productions Incorporated. The music
is composed and conducted by Stanley D. Hoffman. Rochelle Sherman Associate Producer.
(23:22):
This has been a presentation of theMutual Broadcasting System.
I'm Rod Sterling. You're listening tothe Zero Hour. Rest your eyes,
exercise your imagination today Glenholf Taylor's suspensefulComma, A hidden Comma The Past is
(00:37):
Always Present, starring Peter Lucas inthe Mutual Broadcasting System presentation of the Zero
Hour, brought to you by theFord Motor Company and Lazy Boy Recliners.
(01:00):
Also by State Farm Insurance, InternationalHarvester and Quaker State Motor Oil. This
is the Zero Hour on Mutual Radio. This is Hugh Downs with another Car
Buyers Report from Ford. Car sizeand fuel economy are important considerations today,
(01:23):
but so is the total cost ofownership, which involves purchase price, trade
in value, and operating economy andFord Fields. If you compare mid sized
cars, you'll choose Ford. Torino. Take some operating economy examples. Torino
offers gas saving steel belted radio,apply tires, standard, runs on regular
gas, and has a twenty sixand a half gallon fuel tank that's twenty
(01:46):
percent more capacity than its closest salescompetitor. And compare some scheduled maintenance costs.
You will find in the course offifty thousand miles that compared to its
closest sales competition. Toreno's chassis isscheduled to be lubricated only once to there
eight times. Spark plugs are scheduledto be replaced only half as often.
Everyone says compare, Ford says,compare not only the cars, but the
(02:10):
total cost of owning your car.The closer you look, the better we
look. Past shapes the present,an occasion that may destroy the present.
The young man in our story haslearned to live with his past. The
(02:31):
young lady is fiance has not learnedof his past. As it is that
these two people must face a crisis, a crisis spawned by a past of
which one of them is unaware,at which the other is long presumed.
Who have been forgotten Tonight they've enjoyedattending their weekly movie. As our story
(02:52):
starts to unfold, they have comefrom the theater's auditorium to walk blinking into
the brightness of the crystal chandelier atloppy Let me help you on with your
jacket, Mary, Thanks, agood movie. Can I have my handkerchief
back? Now? Well? I'msorry here, Thanks, and next week
I'll bring an extra work. Nextweek I won't need one it's a woody
(03:12):
alland picture member. Oh you cryanyway? By the way, how can
you cry and eat popcorn at thesame time. It's strictly a faminine trick.
I'll wait a minute, Larry,I'll be right back all the time
of my nose. Okay, I'llwait right over there near the axcit.
I'll turn around. That's got inmy pocket. Well, who are never
mind? I start walking? What'sthe idea? Where are you taking me
(03:37):
to that car at the curb?But my girl expects me to be He's
just going to have to wait.Why are you doing this? Frank A.
Gordon wants to see you and I'llget in okay, Smitty take off
(03:59):
into was still in the car intowhich I've been tumbled with a culck in
my head. It was throbbing,as though it were being alterately blown up
and deflated, like a kid's balloon. My first thought was whereing the heck
am I? And my second wasa panicky one, wondering what had happened
to Marian Floyd. That creeper hadknocked me out? Was watching me suspiciously.
Well, I don't know why,because I couldn't have done a thing
(04:20):
if I tried. He had meon the floor in the rear of the
car with the heels of his elevatorshoes resting on my ribs. He must
have looked through that hole I feltin my head and rid my mind,
because the first thing he said whenI looked up at him was, don't
worry about that little broady. Uh, she's gonna be okay if you behave
yourself. Where are we going?Never mind? Just enjoy a ride.
(04:44):
Oh did you have to slug meso hard? And I like to be
sure the first time? Oh part, aren't you afraid it? When Marian
can't find me, she'll contact thepolice. I sure figured it was a
mistake. Should check out you padme for your reports, your mission.
By that time, we'll have thingsunder control. What's Frankie want to see
(05:05):
me about it? I already toldhim I couldn't help him on that store
job. Man, I worked there. I have a legitimate job. I'll
live a legitimate life. Yeah,I got news for you, loh boy.
We knocked over that store already tonight. You did. My head hurts
(05:26):
like my brains were leaking out.Let me set up with you. But
I watched that guide click that trick. I'll worry. I can handle him.
You just keep your money at driving, Okay, punk you can get
up, but don't try nothing funnyor I'll fill your foot of thirty eighths.
Oh man, I thought i'd neverget my back strink down. I
(05:50):
should have worn that do not fullspindle or mutilate sign if you knocked over
the store already? Why just Frankiewant to see me? The cops give
us some trouble to night. Frankie'sbrother got shot real bad. You only
want to could have tipped them offwith you. No way, man,
that's a lie, and you knowit. I don't know nothing. Frankie's
(06:12):
doing our nose. Oh my head. You got a cigarette? You're luckier
in my left hand pocket because I'mnot about to let go of this gun.
I guess I can reach you.Hey many he jumped and slow down?
(06:39):
Hello, Harry, what happened toyou? I looked all into the
lobby and I waited and I waited. I'm in trouble, trouble. I
can't explain over the phone. Look, do me a favorite anything, darling?
Now? What is it you?There's a suitcase in the hull cloth
get a pair of slacks and coatsof shirts and socks and handkerchiefs and my
shaving things to rushes tuck. Tellthem all in a suitcase and take them
(07:01):
to your place. Can I stayhere until morning? No, they'll be
snooping around my pad. O nevermind. You stay at your own place
tonight. Pack my things and getout of my apartment as soon as you
can. Bring the suitcase and stuffover to me tomorrow morning. Where are
you? I'm in a don calledthe Terminal Hotel, first Avenue near the
railroad tracks, Room fifty one.Okay, see in the morning, all
(07:29):
right, just coming on duty.Yeah. I had to stop off at
impounds to identify an abandoned car Iticketed last night. Hey, what's this
I hear about a robbery at Morgan'sdepartment store. Yeah, about nine o'clock
tonight. Two policemen have to bepassing the store and they recognize Frankie Gordon
and his brother Charlie. Two otherguys were also involved, and I had
watchmen identify them for mugshots, andthere was some gun play and Charlie got
(07:53):
hit badly. How they get intape by hitting a closing time? Nope?
Both of them flashed both police Departmentid's on the watchmen. So they
were on assignment to trap some thievesthat were due to hit the store.
Now the watchman fell for the story, let them in and got slug first
operation. It was a slick,safe job too, not a tool mark
or a fingerprint on it. Howmuch loot did they get? Oh good
(08:13):
hunkle the day I get Yes,a couple of grands probably, and several
trays of jewelry, inexpensive watches.Nice hole. Now what about the other
two guys? And I think definiteother than what the watchman told us,
and he was kind of woosing.The two officers were lucky enough to get
the license number of the car theyuse. We got out of pickup water
on the Gordon brothers and the car. That's good, and maybe the watchmen
(08:35):
will come to enough to give usa fix on the other two guys.
Even though I knew Marian would keepher word, I spent a restless night
wondering if anyone might have seen herleave in my pad with the suitcase.
I watched the don come up.Wished I had some toothpaste and a brush
because my mouth tasted like an ecologicaldisaster, the flea trap I had checked
(08:56):
in too, didn't even have abell hop to send for coffee, and
I didn't dare go out on myown. And just as I looked in
the mirror my bloodshot eyes for thefifth time, I nearly jumped out of
my skin at the sound. Iwent to the door, but was afraid
to open it for even a littlepeak. Who is it, Mary Darling?
(09:22):
Where's the suitcase? Oh? Rightthere, I dropped it when you
gave you that bear hug trumping?What on earth is this all about?
Wait? I close the door.Look, I don't mean to scare you,
but I'm scared already. Someone wantsto kill me. I his name
is Frankie Gordon. One of hismen was waiting in the theater lobby last
night, came up behind me witha gun in his pocket and forced me
(09:43):
to go with him in a car. So that's what happened. How'd you
get away? Took a chance andjumped out of the car or outside of
a skin thee in a room pairof jeans. I made it okay.
Then I out putted it right overhere, figuring they wouldn't be looking for
me in this part of town.Who is this Gordon and why would they
want to kill He's a crook,real heavy and safe Robin. Last night
(10:03):
they knocked over Morgan's apartment store.They were surprised by the police and Frankie's
brother was shot. Now Frankie thinksI tipped off the police double crussed him.
You mean you knew they were goingto rob the store? O.
Frankie came to see me there yesterdaywhen I came back from lunch. He
was waiting for me. Wanted meto get the combination of the jewelry department
safe. Well, I refuse,But you can't hide forever go to the
(10:26):
police. I can't try, forHeaven's sake, because they'd asked me how
I knew Frankie. Well, Idon't get what's wrong with that? How
did you happen to know him?I knew him in prison. I'm still
wanted by the police. Hi,this is Jim Packer's with news about why
Lazy Boy is America's comfort favorite.It appeals to men because of rugged construction
(10:48):
and he man comfort. Women loveit because there are beautiful styles that match
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today. He's waiting run down therego if indeed, certainly, State Farm
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has been one of the most competitivecompanies when it comes to rates. State
Farm agent Bob Westbrook talks about carinsurance value. But I think even more
important than rates to most people isthe service they know their buying. With
State Farm, you're in a positionto get more service from more agents throughout
the entire country than any other companyin the industry. Indeed, a processing
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center in New York City where clothingand goods are collected, packaged, and
stored. Should disaster to strike,the lagas late business and you get us
up start your clothing, or thegood earthquake or Vanglidas, any crisis like
that. The warehouse is operated byCatholic Relief Services. The concept is that
we get staff, we get foodand water for the disaster achieve and then
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we get supplies. We get itall out at lunch. We have a
shortwave radio equipment transceivers to communicate amongthe teams. The center functions on a
daily basis, sending food, clothing, and medicines where they're needed. That's
the passic way to get it there. We have just real ship it commercially
to Catholic Relief Services. Responds quicklyto the needs of people through disaster relief
(12:28):
activities and helps the overseas poor theyear round. Supports CRS through the American
Catholic Overseas Aid fun the Empire StateEnter New York one dou below one Oh,
we're ready to go on a moment'snotice. When I told Mary and
(12:48):
I was still wanted by the police, the expression on her face gave my
heart such a stab I'll bet there'sstill a scar on it. But being
the kind of Gale she is,she listened patiently as I explained. You
see, it happened when I wasa kid of seventeen. At that age,
I thought it was real far outto drink, gamble and even carry
a gun. Two other guys andI held up a gas station. It
(13:11):
netted us thirteen dollars and a fiveyear since in a southern prison. I
suppose in some other prison, wemight have stuck it out longer, hoping
to get time off for good behavior. But you know, they still used
chain games for roadwork, and wejust couldn't hack it. Chain gangs.
I thought that sort of thing wentout, I hope so maybe some states
still had them. At any rate, the three of us saw a chance
(13:33):
to escape and took it. Maryand I still owe them four big,
long years. But you've been anhonest, law abiding guy for all the
years. Things well, that shouldcount for something. No wearing a sweet
idiot? Why didn't she tell mesooner? I should have known she'd be
on my team no matter what.When I finished explaining, she was full
(13:56):
of love and understanding, and suddenlymy arms were full of her. She
stayed there for a long long time, and while we clung to each other,
she convinced me I really should goto the police, no matter what
the outcome. What really convinced me, I guess, was when she said
she'd go with me. I I'dcover anything up the department store. Yeah,
(14:22):
I got a new angle. Ithink it was a five man job,
even though the watchman saw only four. Though I showed pictures of Frankie
and Charlie Gordon, all the personnelwho work in or near the jewelry department.
A couple of them positively identified Gordonas the man they saw talking with
a store employee yesterday. His name'sLarry Webster. Wro't you question him?
He didn't show up for work today. Well, that's two marks against him.
(14:43):
And he leads on where he mightbe. And I got his home
address from the store and go overwhat everybody was gone. The land lady
showed me through his apartment and aidhadn't been sucked in some of the clothes
shop got three marks? Does thestore know anything about this Webster guy?
Nothing that helps. He'd been withhim nine years, worked his way up
(15:03):
from shipping clerk. His coworkers apparentlyliked him, and he was valuable a
player. Hey, where you're goingnow, I'm gonna teletype Washington to see
if the FBI has anything on website. Then I'm going to see at the
lamp as anything conclusive on that bloodsample they scraped up at the score.
Hey, good hunting. As soonas I put on my coat, I'll
(15:24):
leave my suitcase and stuff here.I'll get it later if the police will
let me. Otherwise you can pickit up. Okay, all said,
Now, let's get out of herebefore anybody sees this go on someplace?
Floyd, how did you find outthat's the easy punk? One of her
boys was watching your pen in caseI missed you to see it. We
(15:48):
tailed the broad from there to herplace, staked out on a rovernight,
and followed here this morning. Whyall that, Larry, Floyd's not only
pretty good with the artillery, butI can handle it anything he can't.
I'm back in there, watch him, Floyd, shure, Bush, What
do you want with me? AndI'm sure Floyd made that clear last night.
(16:11):
He told me you thought I'd doublecrossed you, but I didn't.
I don't believe you. Well youI probably got shot in that heist when
he died this afternoon. So nomatter what you say, I'm going to
even things up. And with hissermons are on the gun, we can
do it nice and quiet right here. You can't shoot him in cold right
(16:34):
It's the efficient way. And Iguess you know, lady, we can't
have no witnesses. There's something goingon. It's your local international dealer right
now? Would you buy the otherpickup from International? You get four?
Hold it? Hold it? What'sthis? The other pickup from International?
(16:56):
What's that. Well, there aretwo pickups out there that I'll sell everybody
else. You know who they are? Yeah, go ahead, Well we're
the other pickup, the one withthe wider track, lower center of gravity,
the one with great handling instability,the other pick up. Okay,
all right, right now? ShouldI go ahead? Until July twentieth,
you get four Firestone gas saving steelvelvet radial tires when you buy a new
International pickup at participating dealer, theother pickup. Right, go ahead.
(17:19):
You get these gas saving radials atno extra cost on most models, and
they're worth two hundred and ninety dollarssuggested retail price, no extra cost.
Right, go ahead, I know, and you get a free tire gauge
just for coming in and correctly inflatedtires help you get better mileage. So
stop at your local inter okay national, are you telling me that all I
have to do is stop at mylocal international dealer and he'll give me a
(17:41):
tire gauge free. There's nothing tobuy. That's right, I'll buy that.
Go ahead, go ahead. AmericanLong Association is emphasima spot take one.
I hold it before we start recording. Let me get a cigarette that's
cigarette. Yeah, I'll only takea second. And look, man,
we're doing an emphaseema spy, sowell, couldn't at least overthrow? What
for? I can smoke and talk? Yeah, well that's not the point.
(18:03):
Oh now wait a minute, don'ttell me you buy all that stuff.
You mean the correlation between cigarette smokingand embasma. Yeah you really believe
that, he as a matter ofWell that's fine, but I have been
smoking for over fifteen years now andyou don't hear me he gasping for breath,
do you? It's your life?Thanks, okay, anytime you're ready.
Impasema spot Take one emphasema Now justwhat does that mean to you?
(18:26):
Well? Sorry, take two?An empisemo victim doesn't always get a second
chance, particularly if he's a heavysmoker. Remember, see you a doctor.
At the first sign of shortness ofbreath, then give up the cigarettes.
This reminder from your lung association isa matter of the life. And
(18:52):
even though I still had four yearsof prison hanging over my head, I
was never in my whole life soglad to see a pair of cops both
offices seemed to feel I was tellingthe truth and the fact that my boss
at Morgan's Department store said I wasa valuable employee. Didn't hurt. And
the cops talk with Marion. Icould see they liked and believe it,
which didn't hurt either. My bossmade bail for me, and of course
(19:15):
they didn't hold Marion. Before weleft police headquarters, the two officers and
Marion and I we wrapped over papercups of coffee. How did you tie
me in with the Gordon brothers?That is, I mean outside of finding
out Frankie had talked to me atthe store. The FBI answered to our
teletype reported the prison break you onthe Gordon brothers made down South years ago.
But how did you trace Frankie employedto the hotel? That was the
(19:37):
scientific part of our bloodhound work,it sure was. The lab report on
Charlie Gordon's blood gave us not onlyhis blood type, but the igglumination test
showed he was a very sick man, even before he stopped the officer's bullet
sick. The lab found he wasinfected with subtercosis. That's a disease transmitted
by parents, isn't it right,Which meant that we had to check out
(19:59):
every pet store. We're in townthat had recently sold parrots. Finally,
after showing the pictures of the Gordonbrothers to all those pet store people,
we did find a guy who'd soldthe parrot to Charlie. Fortunately it has
to have it delivered. We gotthe home address and lucked out. As
we approached the apartment building, wesaw Frankie just getting into a car driven
by a guy known as Smithy.Yeah. I heard Floyd call him my
(20:19):
name just as I got zapped andfill on the floor of that car.
So we followed them to the hotelwhere Floyd Cornature. As you probably guessed,
after Floyd had followed you there,he phoned Frankie to join him.
Well, I thank you all foryour help and for the coffee too.
You're welcome all on Webster. Wethink you've got a good chance of remaining
free on probation. Yeah, andwe'll help all we can issue him in
(20:44):
great Come on, Darlin, wegot to move along. So long offices,
so long, see you in court. Was the saying, good luck
folks, Oh Larry, it wasall so frightening that my dollar Marion is
probably the understatement of the century.Well, thank God for you and your
(21:07):
persuasive ways. Going to the policewas the right thing to do. Well,
it's all behind us now, you'rewrong, baby, it's all ahead
of us, a whole new lifetogether. After we get your suitcase,
let's go my place. I wantto feel your arms around me again.
What's the matter with right here?Oh? Mary? No? Please?
(21:30):
Not in the lobby in front ofall these people. Why not? I
mean, after all, it's notas though we're married. We're gonna take
the stores to school outool market markets. Short trips never give your car a
(21:52):
chance to warm up and eliminate enginedamaging deposits. Short trips call for Quaker
State Motor oil. It gives qualityprotection again these harmful deposits. And now
when we need it more than ever, you can find it more places than
ever. Hi, this is JimBeckets with a special announcement about an exciting
(22:14):
Lazy Boy chair sale taking place atYou're Lazy Boy Dealers. Now, Lazy
Boy reclining shares of your choice areavailable the unheard of savings for a limited
time only. Treat yourself and yourfamily to a lifetime of comfort and beauty.
Once you do, you'll wonder howyou ever relax without one yet America's
comfort favorite, a lazy boy chair. Now see your lazy boy dealer today.
(22:36):
Hey, you run in there.He'll be glad to see you,
Yes he will. I'm Rod Serling. Close your eyes, exercise your imagination,
and join us again on our nextpresentation of A Zero Hour. The
Past is always present as an originalradio drama adapted by Glenn Paul Taylor.
(23:00):
Peter Lupas was heard as Larry Webster. Featured in the cast were Ruth Ansen,
Jack Prusian, Lou Krugman, JackEdwards, and Alan Bergman. Zero
Hour, created by J. M. Kullis directed by Don Hills, is
produced in Hollywood for the Mutual BroadcastingSystem by Radio Productions Incorporated. The music
is composed and conducted by Stanley D. Hoffman. Rochelle Sherman Associate Producer.
(23:22):
This has been a presentation of theMutual Broadcasting System.
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