 And now tonight's presentation of radio's outstanding theater of frills Suspense tonight we bring you a transcribed story of a man who used a gun once too often So now starting mr. Joseph Kerns iris tonight suspense play hold up Be staying there mine Hazel Open the cash register quick unlock the safety catch on the gun hear me Tim What's wrong never mind do what I say? I'll get away from the counter quick I'll take care of everything. I'd like a pack of cigarettes any special brand. Yeah. Yeah. Give me the ones with the green Okay, stay where you are you both this is a hold up. I Haven't got much just give me what you got and hurry got a gun you got in your pocket Just don't don't you try and find out mr. Okay? All my receipts are in here stand away. I'll get it. Yeah, you'll get it Tim please stay away from here. Can't you see he's already dead or happened here a shooting match? No Five bullet holes all on the head. I tried to hold me up. What was I supposed to do? Where's his gun in his pocket just pointed it through his jacket the right pocket no gun here Maybe the left. I know he had something in his right pocket this That's your gun You ever see the boy before no first time I saw us tonight My husband saw the boy standing outside our store a few moments before it happened. I'll handle it If you don't mind, I'd like to hear what your wife has to say Well, Tim had a feeling something was wrong We both saw the boy standing outside looking in at us And then he decided to come in That's when Tim told me to unlock the safety catch on the gun in the cash register You've had experience with hold up men before haven't you mr. Chase twice you people were in on them both. Yeah. Yeah, I remember Pretty rough on them aren't you if you mean I don't give them a chance to rob me. Yeah Good shot, too. You don't miss I didn't miss over there Shooting Japs then shooting hoods now. What's the difference guy who shoots first gets to talk afterwards How much money do you have on the premises? $15 and change the rest was over at the house And you shoot it out for that listen, I'm not in business to give money to hoodlums gun or no gun Thiefs a thief better off dead Tim, please. No I want it known to any of these punks who want to stick me up They better come in shooting because that's the way I'll meet them. Did you notice if anyone was with a boy? No, no, I I didn't see anyone. No, there was no one we could see Mr. Chase you'll have to come downtown to make a full report just routine Yeah, sure. Hey, so you close up on the cop set through here captain run you and this is mr. Chase Hold up shooting on the east side. You want to see him? Oh, yeah Definitely a hold-up attempt although no gun was found on or near the hold-up man No, not yet, but it's a kid 19 or 20. Thanks, Bill. Call you in a few minutes Chase Won't you sit down? Oh, yeah, sure Cigarette. No, I don't smoke tanks in what's all right Chase We've met before him. We yes, sir about More eight months ago. Yeah, that was the Hendricks shooting, right? That's right. Hold up attempt About six or seven months before that there was the scene. Oh, yes, the Delano killing hold up to I remember in each case the hold-up man was shot and killed So that's wrong No But I'd say very foolish look they were trying to rob me I killed him Oh, was I supposed to do just give them the money and wish them luck perhaps what for every hold-up man You've shot it out with I can show you in our files a dozen dead heroes They shot it out, too But they were killed for their pains not me and I never will be because I I know how to use a gun And I know those punks too. They're all yellow when things are equal I know I've killed three of them And I'll kill three more and three more after that chase listen what I'm trying to say is this our job is to apprehend the bandit It's not your job. You're not being paid to risk your life or shoot up your neighborhood If there's any shooting needed, we'll do it. I don't get you cops a man shoots a bandit while defending his property And and then you you give me a lecture. Let me put it this way Someday you'll find a gunman who'll be a little faster than you then what that day will never come You know why because I know my guns My wife thought I might be killed when I was in the Pacific, but I killed instead Mean guns have got an understanding neither has failed the other yet. You're a very sure man. Aren't you mr. Chase? Yeah, I try to be I'm not mistaken. You've got a boy almost that kid's age, haven't you? so I was just thinking out loud Terrible price the young sometimes have to pay for living a look captain. I don't feel sorry Do you I didn't know the boy I couldn't say except Like you I have a boy on the stage Captain Runyon Yes, we'll be out in a moment. I'll have a statement to make then The newsmen want to talk with you take some pictures of mine. Oh sure. Why not? Yes, I forgot we've we've been all over the front pages together before twice in fact It makes you an old hand at meeting the press Maybe that's why these hoods keep trying to hold me up. It's a game They read about me now. I want to see if they can take me. Well, Chase I might say that you should get a medal for shooting these holed-up men men again If it were me I'd find me a business where I didn't need a cocked gun to ensure my profits. I manage. Yes. I guess you do Are you ready? Gentlemen, let's make this a short session. Will you sure cap now mr. Chase doesn't a gun pointed at you scare you Oh, oh, maybe at first. But if I have a gun to I feel a little more equal Fear is gone. Well, you feel your money is more important than your life when you choose to shoot it out with a holed-up man It's not a question of which is more important I never worry handling a gun as a matter of reflex and when there's two of you facing each other Who has the best aim? Well, have you ever thought of moving away from where you are because of your store being the target for so many hold-ups Why should I I've got a right to make a living because a man with a gun wants to take my living away from me Should I just give it to him? Do you feel your service experience gives you this assurance you have with guns? Maybe When you see death all the time it becomes less of a shock to you less important after a while And so do people well captain here says a citizen shouldn't try to apprehend a gunman single-handed But leave that job to the police. I don't have time to wait for the police besides when a man's wrong. He's wrong I'd rather have him dead wrong Gentlemen if I may I'd like to clarify the department's position. I'll go ahead cap. Thank you We ask all citizens that one face to an armed hold-up in which the other party has a deadly weapon that they Do not resist but rather that they observe the party closely and be able to identify them when apprehended And mr. Chase could you tell us more about gentlemen the entire incident is on report as well as all statements made you can get The rest of your story there you can talk with mr. Chase at his home or store if you wish to interview him further Now let's have your picture. Okay, I'm mr. Chase. Will you stand here? Right here, please Anything more on the kid now he's in fingerprints now kind of gives you an odd sensation Something you can't describe this Meeting a killer with legal guns. That is I get you cap. He's a cold one. All right. It's lousy Man who has an excuse to kill and he does Jerry's defending his home as rights, but somehow it's still wrong Three in a row all shots through the head not one bullet late his way every homicide just a pile What's the big book say? The wages of sin Tim you've been up all night. Why don't we close today? No, no, no business as usual We only got a lot of new customers with all this in the papers. I Only hope Jerry doesn't read it You hope Jerry doesn't read about me my own son Should be proud he will be proud. Dad's not afraid Dad went through a war and he came back. He can still take care of himself Jerry'll be like me to meet the world face-to-face. He won't take anything from anybody. I Wonder Well, what's the matter with you? I'm sick of all this the newspapers people coming in congratulating you for what you're just upset. That's all Tim this is no good all of this Jerry's coming home from his first year at college and he comes home to murder Hazel I don't like that kind of talk. Well, what do you call it? Well, he'd have shot me all of them would have shot you Is that it? Hey, who's side are you on? protect ourselves yes, but You know that none of those people is a we're in business. I've got to protect that business That's why I've always got a gun handy. Is it Tim? Oh Captain run Well, mr. Chase I do mr. Fine. Thank you like to have a little chat with you on the missus if I might mr. Chase, of course I Know that you've both been through a lot, but I feel this is important We have very good reason to believe that the man shot here last night did have an accomplice. Oh, that right? Yes A brother when'd you find out this morning when we got back positive identification of the boy from Washington Two and two still make form. He had a brother who was released from state's prison only last week. Hmm. What was this troll? robbery and attempted murder You people think maybe he was outside last night. Yeah The woman who lives a few doors down from your store said she saw a car pull out about the same time She heard gunshots, so maybe ditched his brother and doesn't want any part of us. Maybe Maybe not We're not paid to act on assumptions, but to always presume the worst We're going to place a stake out near your store for the next few nights What if I don't want the police around my store? I don't understand bad for business. I Can take care of myself. That isn't the object mr. Chase Our job is to catch this fellow and if you have to be a decoy We'd like to protect you and your wife as well as catch our man This guy doesn't want any part of your presuming a lot. Mr. Chase. This man is a killer too No, I don't like to say this You may try to avenge his brother if I were you I'd treat every stranger who came into my store for the next few days As the man who might not just want to rob you But perhaps to kill you You are listening to hold up tonight's presentation on radio's outstanding theater of thrills Suspense a double-barreled dramatic treat is gun smoke Written with style and acted with a flourish every drama on gun smoke is one that adults will enjoy For the adventures of United States Marshal Matt Dillon our stories about people who might have been real Every Saturday every Sunday hit your wagon to the stars address and let us take you back to the early days in Dodd City And set you down right smack in the middle of an exciting situation On gun smoke and now we bring back to our Hollywood soundstage. Mr. Joseph Kearns starring in tonight's production Hold up a tale. Well calculated to keep you in Why don't we close up the store until a police catch this fella they're looking for don't be silly cops always look for the worst Kid was probably alone so some old lady up the block here's a car pullout just as I shoot so that means we have to start running Oh, just the same. I don't like this. Hey, so why don't you quit worrying and start getting things ready for Jerry? He'll be home in a day or two. You ready to let it Yes, you're right. It'll be good to have him home forget all that's happened He's doing so fine at school It's hard to believe he's in college. It's not hard for me well with all the bills Oh, I don't begrudge him his schooling hazel. It's just that I hope maybe he'd have stayed home a year to to help me with the store Well, I his schooling is more important. Yeah, yeah, yeah, maybe so You know Tim, I Can't help but think that boy the other night. He's just Jerry's a he was nowhere like Jerry He was a thief a hoodlum He's going to rob us. Yes. I know but Maybe there were many reasons why Hazel didn't I tell you forget it look check the beer. I think we're running low I have to put in an order tomorrow and then go on home for the rest of the night. I'll close up No, I'm staying now you're being silly silly or not I'm staying been practically the whole day now and it's getting late Nothing's happened since the captain was here. Nothing is going to happen Tim You remember what he said about every customer Look if we start closing our doors in the face of every customer because some policeman thinks he might be out to kill Me we might as well close up for good Isn't the matter to shrug off we can I help you you can't find out what you want just to just ask I will oh Those are real good apples Hood River apples. We do have wonderful apples You know the Hood River apples. Yes, ma'am Like we're gonna have a storm And it's been so nice. Are we hazel? Why don't you phone you have any palm granites? I think so over in the corner by the vegetable racks Hazel I was asking why didn't you phone the depot to see what trains are doing tonight? Maybe Jerry'll be in earlier than we think would you mind waiting a minute or two before you get on that telephone? I'd like some help here. I can help you sir. Hazel you go on and make the call both of you run this store. Yeah, yeah Then why don't both of you help me? Yeah, of course. I don't know what I want exactly I Just moved into a place near here, and I was thinking of stocking up a food supply We'll be glad to help you. I'm surprised you people are still open for business So soon after what happened? Business as usual, you know No, I don't I guess those things happen to a lot of people Besides the police are pretty efficient. So are you? By what the papers say? It was unfortunate for the kid. Yeah, we're going to close very soon now, sir if I can help you you can How about you and your wife picking out a lot of canned goods for me? Anything you think a bachelor might need to set up housekeeping This is all new to me. I'll be glad to I'll just take a moment to make this call and then I'll be with you dear. I thought you said you were in a hurry to close Picking out all the things that I want might take some time Why don't you have your wife call later, huh Hazel come on and help me with this gentleman Thanks, how much is your coffee in the ground coffee, sir? I don't know dollar three a pound Okay, now you pick up like I say what a person needs to keep eating a week So you better take care of the butter and milk now handle the canned goods you folks have got a nice little store here We like it Maybe that's why you don't like people sticking up I guess How about beans and corned beef some tuna sure two of each be enough Yeah, excuse my curiosity But what did this kid say that held you up the other night why I don't remember exactly If a person held me up, I'd sure remember everything that happened I'd always remember did this kid show you his gun thought you read about it in the papers. I did Sometimes I forget details I Never met a man who'd stand up to a man. I mean a kid With a gun who was about to hold him up. I Do remember the papers saying the only shots fired were yours Clean through the head Real clean to will there be anything else? Yeah, how about some of those apples you folks were talking about a little while ago? I'll get them Tim. Okay You want all your groceries and boxes or shopping bags boxes have a car to carry all this stuff Yeah down the street away. I'll help you. No, I can manage Well, now let's see that comes to The paper said you only had $15 in your cash register when that kid held you up You'll have a lot more after you finish with my bill, huh? That'll be $23.44 Alrighty, you can get ready to close up after this gentleman leaves right after I called here We're expecting our son home from college any day now We thought he might be coming sooner than he said You know boys always anxious. Yeah That kid the other night was anxious too But he got over it quick didn't he Hello Oh captain runyon. What oh wait a minute. Uh, thank you very much, sir Yeah, oh captain runyon you there. I'm sorry for the interruption. I was just finishing up with a customer and I help you Yeah Yeah, well what time? No sooner. Oh No, nothing Okay, thanks cap What do you want? He does call to say that a team of detectives are being assigned from midnight on around our house, too Didn't I tell you about not worrying that man that just left he worried me Is it clear and all right like I said we just can't be jumping every time a customer comes in the door Besides tomorrow, we'll all feel less jumpy I'll call a depot now. No, no never mind Now Jerry won't be coming home with a storm coming up Let's close up There's a car pulled up on the other side of the street He turned their lights off so I'd probably someone who lives around here. Why would they stop outside the store? Oh, now you're just sitting in the car. They aren't going to get out Well, would you and all this rain? Looking over here, huh? What what do you mean they? It's only one person. I don't like it Tim It doesn't look right What's your worry and we wish we wouldn't have been so independent when the captain offered his protection No one's going to bother us. I Still haven't forgotten how to shoot Tim Tim I'll call the police and come out. I don't be silly He's getting out car crossing the street He's coming here. All right Hazel turn out the lights You throw the latch on the door We're closed. That's all Get the gun out of the register Tim he's coming to the door. Let me call the police, please. No, no, no I'll handle this Call the police now is he Tim turn him over. Why turn him over? I want to see his face Jerry Oh, you must have got that car. He was telling us about I didn't know I Didn't expect him tonight. I didn't know After Joseph Kern starred in tonight's presentation of hold up Next week we bring you a story of flight to freedom and how it ended. It is called security agent That's next week on Suspense Transcribed and directed in Hollywood by Anthony Ellis Tonight's script was written for suspense by Jules Maitland Directed by Wilbur Hatch Featured in the cast were Alice Bacchus, Leonard Weinrib, Shepard Menken, Larry Thor, Byron Kane, Frank Kirstle and Sam Edwards The foot soldier in the fight for justice anywhere is the man on the beat But in a big city a policeman has many other responsibilities in addition to the big one of maintaining law and order For no matter what the situation the man in blue is likely to be the first one called when help is needed Is a neighbor too noisy a customer abusive a woman ill or a little boy lost No matter what the reason someone is sure to call the police and in each call the men of the precinct answer There is sure to be an intensely human story For drama as rich in emotion as it is an excitement of action Listen for 21st precinct every Thursday night. Don't miss it tomorrow over most of these same stations Stay tuned for five minutes of CBS news to be followed over most of these same stations by my son G