 Tired of the everyday routine? Ever dream of a life of romantic adventure? Want to get away from it all? Escape, designed to free you from the four walls of today for a half hour of high adventure. Tonight we escape to the waterfront of Havana and to an underworld where men live and sometimes die by a bizarre code of their own. As Burnham Carter tells it in his exciting story, Night in Havana. Something was wrong. Halfway of the street of pious works that evening I realized that something was wrong. None of the regulars were to be seen. Assuredly something was wrong. But what? And then I remembered that since I had decided to live an honest life it was really no concern of mine. As I came abreast of the Why Worry restaurant I saw the Dutchman Maru who owned a cabin cruiser and who was consequently a man of some prominence in the smuggling trade. He was standing on the weighing machine and the door slapping him with his big hands. Ah! Tio, do you have a penny? A penny? See, see. Thanks. A hundred and ninety-three pounds. When I reach one ninety-five I'll switch from beer to coffee. When I hit one ninety I go back to beer. It's like the rice and fall of the tide in Havana Harbor. Two pounds of beer to go. If you're headed for the Cafe Mosca I'll join you. Well, bueno, bueno. Hey, come along. Eh, Tio. Got a few dollars to lend me? Aye. I have not seen any money in weeks. I was hoping to find a purchaser for my gun this evening. Oh, Tio, you're kidding. You're going to sell your gun? How will you live? Honestly. Honestly, Maru, please. Please, you are attracting attention. Quiet, you have attracting attention. Quiet, quiet, quiet. The police are please, Lieutenant Molina, across the street. Oh, here they come. Who's that with him? This newly promoted, very ambitious... Oh, no, I missed the highlight game last night, Maru. I remained at home and read in station. Stand where you are. Oh, it is, Lieutenant Molina and Sergeant... Search this one, Sergeant. Nothing, Lieutenant. This one conceals nothing. You see, I lead a dull and peaceful life. See that you do. Use your handkerchief, Tio. Your lips bleeding. She seemed upset. I bear the noble will. They have a hard life, too. It is still bleeding, huh? Yeah, yeah. You can doctor it at the cap in Moscow. They must have been told to get someone for something. You know, I held my breath doing that frisk. I was afraid you might be carrying your gun. I was, but when I saw them coming towards us, I put it in your pocket. May I have it now, please? Here. That is not what I would call honorable, Tio. Maru, there is solely honor in this world that one is just not able to toss it about indiscriminately. Tell me, does my look look bad? Yeah, just beginning to swell. Ah, Amalia will be very upset. Amalia? Who owns the Moscow? Say, say, we are betrothed. No, I did not know that. Congratulations. Come, come, come. I buy you a beer. Come on, step up to the bar. Later, later, Brad. Thank you, but now I must see Amalia. Tio, little one. Oh, oh, Tio, your lip. Oh, there's nothing, Amalia. Nothing that the police were in a tetel and more. There is nothing. Oh, the police, yes. They were here. A lieutenant. Wait, he gave me his card. Yes, Lieutenant Molina. Ah, tell me, did he mention the cause of all this ill-feeling? An American tourist, a very rich one. A very gay one. She has been robbed. Ah, and so soon after the police chief let it be known that American tourists were not to be robbed. See. Hey, Amalia, what did she lose? An emerald. An emerald of great size. She had it in her purse, left the purse in the Café Diablo. Tio, you had nothing to do with this matter, did you? Oh, no, no, my friend, nothing. I wish I had. You promised, Tio, you promised. Ah, I know, I know, but... Ah, Amalia is not easy to be honest. I would have been honest years ago. Could I have earned money? Little one, listen to me. After each of your transactions they have kept you in the jail. It is like my account books. One malefaction, one payment in jail. See. Now you owe them nothing. There are no debts. But you have a debt. The mortgage, up $2,100 on this café. Oh, let that be little by little we shall pay it. But there is my pride to consider my dove. To this marriage you bring the Café Mosca. I bring nothing. Ah, Tio, you bring your love. Is that nothing? Oh, in your eyes it is much civil. In the eyes of the bank is nothing. Who is this American tourist who carries emeralds in her purse? Oh, Mrs. Turner. She is here with her husband. They have great wealth. They came from Miami in their own cruiser. It is called the seabird. And it is almost as large as Maruz. Tio, promise me you will not become involved. I promise that if I do, it will be within the law. Oh, little one, I beg you. It will be within the law, I swear it to you. Did Lieutenant Molina mention a reward? No, he said that if I acquired information concerning the emerald I was to inform either him or Mr. and Mrs. Turner at the hotel florist. Ah, well, perhaps it would be best to learn whether there is a reward and of a size sufficient to warrant time and effort. I am going to see Senior Turner Amalie. Tio, little one, I am afraid. There is nothing to fear. An honest man need never have anything to fear. Let me have Lieutenant Molina's card, my doll. It may help me to impress the Americans. Yes? Hey, Senior Turner. Yeah. I am Lieutenant Molina of the secret police in my car. Oh, well, come in, Lieutenant Molina. Tell me, is there another detective with that name? It seems to be... Well, well, it is a common patron name, like in your country, Smith. Oh, oh, yeah. Have you found the emerald? Regrettably, sir, no. But I would like to talk about it. And I call my wife. She's the one who lost it. Knucklehead Lucille. Here I am. Don't yell so, Ducky. Ah, this is Lieutenant Molina of the secret police. Ah, it is a great honor, senora. Just see that, Ducky. It's just my hand. I saw. Now, sit down, Lieutenant. Care for a drink. No, thank you. Not while on duty. Well, what's on your mind, Lieutenant? My wife and I have a dinner date tonight. It has occurred to us, the chief and I, that although we will, of course, eventually catch the thief, it will take some time. You understand. There are a thousand rat holes and rats of many nations and much cunning. We don't have much time. Mrs. Sternner and I are leaving Havana tomorrow afternoon. And that brings me precisely to my point, the matter of a reward. Oh, no, no, no, no, no, no, no. Not another nickel. If I can't grease the wheels with 750 bucks, they just won't be greased. I'm a reasonable man, Lieutenant, but I'm no sucker. Of course you are not. Seven hundred and fifty. Ducky, I'm sure the Lieutenant knows his business. If he thinks the reward ought to be boosted, then boost it. I want that emerald back. Now look, Lucille, I... Would a thousand be better, Lieutenant? Oh, indeed it would, Senora. Then offer a thousand, Ducky. You see, Senora Sternner, whether I go between... Yeah, yeah, yeah, I know how it works. Okay, call it a thousand. A thousand dollars? It would not pay the mortgage on the Café Moscow, of course, but considering that virtue is said to be its own reward for being, it was handsome. I spend the next two hours seeking knowledge of the emerald, but the activities of the police had forced the best of the regulars into hiding, and I learned nothing. And then, as I was walking along the street of Solz in the old city, a voice spoke to me from the darkness of the gateway to the ancient convent known as El Corazón. Teo Martinez? Your servant. I got a matter we'd like to talk to you about. We? Him and me. Oh, your pardon. I could not see your friend in the shadows. We got a mutual acquaintance. Georgie Young. Georgie Young? Oh, see, see. I have not seen him since the profitable years of prohibition. Before we left Miami, he said to look you up if we ever needed someone to work an angle. He'd give us this letter of introduction. Oh, thank you. Strike him much, please. Yeah, a little closer, please. Ah, dear friend Teo, these muchachos are okay. I have a deal with them just like in the old days, Georgie. Well, you know my name? What is yours? More, Gus Moore. My name's none of your business. Stop it, Leo. His name's Leo Wach. We only been here in Cuba a little while. You said that you needed somebody to work an angle. Yeah, we got a shipment on a Florida coast just beyond Key West. We want it brought here tonight. There's 400 rifles. Ah, please, please, please. I am not interested in the nature of your cargo. You tell me that you are important, and that is all an honest man, you know. Eh, is it Georgie Young who provides you with the merchandise? Oh, yeah, yeah. Just like in the old days. Eh, it can be done, gentlemen, but it will cost money, of course. $1,500. That's highway robbery. Let me rough him up a little. Stop it, Leo, will you? Okay, Martina, it's $1,500. Cash on delivery. Uh, half of it now. Uh, $300 now. I'm sorry, no. Well, that's all the cash we have. How do you propose to get more? How much is this worth? The American tourist assembly. What's so funny? Just the ways of fortune. And sorry you would not understand. You talk too much. Yeah, see, one of my great failings. I can fix that. Kind of, Leo. Well, how about it? That rocks worth more than $1,200. Oh, much more? But the question is, what can one unload it for? Tell me, how did you acquire this? Oh, a day and I picked up at a bar while the husband was dead drunk. Well? I will make the arrangements. You give me $300 on the emerald. You get the $300 now as a binder. I'll hand you the stone when you deliver it. Very well, I agree. Now, you listen carefully to me. You will both meet me at the Café Mosque at 11 o'clock. We shall drive from there to a certain beach where we pick up the boat. Is that clear? Yeah, Leo won't meet you. And you? Oh, I'm staying at the van. I gotta make arrangements for the truck. I'll meet the boat when it comes back and hand over the emerald. Just tell me where. The beach at Marienau. There's a dirt road. You cannot miss this. Two hours to Key West. 15 minutes to load. Three hours back to Cuba. The boat will arrive at Marienau by five tomorrow morning. Is it well? Yeah. Here's your $300. Much thanks. You know what? I do the chapies who talk too much. Stop it, Leo. Will you? You'll meet at the Mosque at 11. It will be my pleasure. Well, is that coffee you drink, Maru? Oh, sit down, Theo. Sit down. Yeah, it's coffee o'clock. I hit $195 a half hour ago. What's up? If you're not too busy tonight, there's a little shipment to be moved in from Key West. Oh, how much? $1,000 for you. And for you? Ah, only $100. Go on. What do you think? I'm stupid. Oh, you're a devil. One can hide nothing from you. Very well. I receive $150. Ah, you. Easy to deal. What time do we leave? Around 11. I'll have the boat ready just off Guanabaco. You know the dock, sir? Yes. Bring the thousand with you. I will give you the thousand tomorrow, soon after we return. Bring it with you, or we do not even leave. Well? I will bring it with me. Good. Have some coffee. No, gracias. It is necessary now to see Amalia. Until 11. Until 11. I was worried, little one. You were gone so long. Oh, I had much business to transact. Amalia, I am working on a deal, a very big deal. So big that I need a thousand dollars to swing it. Deal. See, see, I have 300, and I need 700 more. Amalia, will you lend it to me? I have, but 800 in the whole world. Well, lend me seven. Oh, if this deal proceeds as planned, Amalia, you and I will be married this week, and then I shall settle down as an honest cafekeeper. Deal. For that, I would give all the money there is. Where is this boat? I don't see it. Inpatient, Senor Walsh. It's the end of the dock. A dock, he calls it. Some crummy dock. Not quite. Quiet, please. Maru. Here, Tio. Captain Maru, this is Senor Leo Walsh. Uh-huh. Yeah. You, uh, have some money, Tio? Here. $1,000 has agreed. Senor Walsh will guide you to the exact spot at Key West. And gentlemen, I wish you both a good journey. Save your wishes for somebody else. You're coming with us. No, no, I make it a point. Never to... I say your heart is this. I have a repugnance for guns between associates. And I don't trust people who talk so much. You're coming with us. Now get in. I shall do as you say. All right, now you, Skipper. Thank you. Some tub. You'll never see a faster one. How fast? 40 knots. All right, shove off. Now come here, it's a quiet big mouth. Oh, I was just thinking. I was thinking that the life of honesty contains almost as much interest as the kind I have formerly liked. In just a moment, we will return to Escape. But first, a favorite program with CBS listeners who want to keep abreast of the times is the news report by Alan Jackson, broadcast every Sunday morning over most of these same CBS stations. Jackson is one of CBS's ace reporters who has covered important world events in New York, London, and Berlin. Now stationed in CBS Washington News Bureau, Alan Jackson brings you the news in a clear, informed manner that has become a CBS tradition. Remember to listen this Sunday to Alan Jackson and the news, a regular CBS feature. Tune in, tune in this fall for the shows that you love best of all. Listen carefully, here's the address. It's CBS, CBS. And now back to Escape and the second act of Night in Havana. In three hours, we were passing through the Florida Keys. Maru had no difficulty in following his own urology's directions. There was a place where a finger of land got into the water, an old rum-runner's landing base which I remembered well. A truck was waiting, and three men who came forward as we tied to the dock of rotting planks. Senior Walsh spoke to them briefly, and in ten minutes the heavy crates were on board and we were off again, clearing the land quietly at a low speed and then roaring into the open. Come on, pour it on, pour it on. I'm giving it full throttle now. Relax, suddenly. You talking to me? Who else? I don't like for you to call me sonny. I do it because you're so bright. How would you like a third eye? Senior Walsh, Maru, enough, enough. Carry this as far as you please once we are in trouble. Until then... I led them to the squabbley and stretched out on the bench in the cockpit, my head on my arms gazing into the sky and soothed by the powerful hum of the engines, so steady that they were in themselves a sort of silence. I thought of Amalia and how soft and comfortable she was and that we were both at the right age for marriage. Steady people who knew that what we had was worth a dozen romantic flights to the moon and I thought of how now there would be a little money for the racing of the mortgage and the Café Mosca and then I'm dosed and then... What's the matter? I'll come you cut the motor. Shut up. Leo, are you awake? Do you hear it? See. Where are you binoculars? Binoculars? What are you looking for? Coast Guard. Where are we, Maru? About two miles off the coast between Matanzas and Havana. Ah, I see them. They're to the west about the same distance out. What is the time? Four twenty. The sun will be up in less than two hours. Which way are they heading? I cannot... There's a searchlight. They were tipped off. They were looking for us. Somebody talked. Martinez? Shut up. It's radar. They're also equipped. I can't find them. They come towards us. Dump the cargo. When they come, we've been fishing. No, every set I got is tied up in those boxes. I said dump the gun. And I said no. We'll run for it. This boat's faster than that one. At this angle they have us cut off from the open sea. If we go west, we pass Havana. If we go east, Matanzas. As soon as we move the radio for help, we call. And I said we'll run for it. Now take the wheel, fat boy, and pour it on. But on, they're moving fast. I command you. No, you don't. This does. Get back to the wheel. Careful, Maru. Careful, he's frightened. Put away your gun, sonny. Stand where you are. I said... Shoot me, will you? Enough, Maru, enough. His spine has cracked like a banana stalk. Enough, I say. Teo... I hurt. I hurt bad. Ah, light on me. Let me see. Ah... Well? Ugly, Maru. Very ugly. Help me to the wheel. Yeah. Then drop the dinghy and roll to shore. I try to make it back to Key West. Ah, you need care immediately. We'll both go to shore in the dinghy. But my boat's a coast guard. I will turn it out to sea and set the throttles. She'll give them a run for their money. But once they overtake us, they'll find the cargo. They know the boat is mine. One step at a time, Maru. The moment we will do as I say. First we feed senior wars to the fishes. Then the dinghy goes over the side. Then you and I. I landed the dinghy only a short distance below the place where I'd left the car. Before 5.30, Maru was in good hands and I was at the Flores Hotel, knocking at the door of this suite occupied by Senor and Senor Stern. At that moment I would have surrendered all thoughts of profit for this night's labor and return for assurance that only Amalia's $700 would not be lost. Oh, Lieutenant Molina, this is a sweet time. I give you a thousand apologies, Senor. Only an emergency forces me to do this. We can't get your emerald now, do you understand? Yeah, sure, sure. Only we need your cruiser. You must come with me in your cruiser, and now, now. I assure you it is our only chance. There is no danger, Senor. All right, I'll get dressed. I'll be waiting for you across the street in the black touring car. You come quickly, wear dark clothes, bring the money. But quickly, Senor, quickly. Where are we going? We're bound for the beach called Marianao. I've never heard of it. As I wouldn't peer. It should be just about light enough to distinguish. We've arrived. Hey, you have brought the cash. Yeah, yeah. How much do I have to pay? By the maximum, Senor, $1,000. They would not do it for less, I am sorry. No, it's okay. I didn't think you could keep them down even to that. Am I on course? Yes, exactly on course. We are almost there. I think that you had better give me the money now. It's in my right hip pocket, Lieutenant, help yourself. Ah, much thanks. Senor, I am sorry that our original laxity and guarding the possessions of your wife has put you to all this trouble. No, forget it, forget it. It's one piece with the rest of the trip. I've had a lousy time. Oh, I am most sorry. We naturally prefer to have the tourists as love cookers. Oh, it's not your fault. I was mostly too drunk to see any of this. I have always tried. Senor, there is more than $1,000 in this pocket. There is $1,100. Oh, yeah, yeah. I meant to tell you, the thousands for the emerald, the other hundreds for you for all of your courtesy and attention. Oh, regulations forbid me to accept, Senor. But since it would be discourteous, much thanks. Here we are passed, come and eat us now, I think. Yes, yes, there is the dock. Hey, let me take the wheel. Hey, someone on shore is blinking a light there. Three times. I have noticed. Hey, what are you doing, heading out to sea? No, no, no. I will back in, so. And now comes the most important part, Senor. Ah, when I bring the boat to a halt at the dock, you must take the wheel and keep your hand on the throttle with the motor running. And when I say to you, now, you throw in the clutch and full speed ahead, do you understand me, Senor? Sure, but why? It's all arranged, isn't it? See, see, it is arranged, and this is the most crucial part of the arrangement. OK, whatever you say, Lieutenant. Ah, all right, you take the wheel. Now, remember, keep your hand on the throttle. Don't forget easy. Here comes my man along the dock now. Remember, when I say now. Go ahead, let's get this over with. Senor, more? See, see, everything has gone well. Where's the watch? At the wheel. Oh, good. Throw me a line to get my boys to start unloading. First, before you tie us up, we will conclude our affair, huh? You have the emerald for me? Oh, yeah. Ah, good, good. Much thanks. Here is our cable. Make fast the boat, huh? Yeah, I got it. Now, Senor, now! Lie down on the deck. What? But quickly, you will not be surprised forever. Lie down, stay there. Well, I don't understand, huh? I think we'll soon be out of range. You lead an interesting life, Molina. It has its moments. When I saw you hand him the cable, I was sure I'd rip the stern off as soon as I gave it throttle. Well, Senor, I took the precaution to untie it on our side first. Look, look, the sun is rising. Senor, do you know of any satisfaction to compare with that accompanying good job? Well done. Three days later, I was sitting at a table in the Cafe Mosco with Maru. His wound still troubled him, and he had lost much weight. Ah, a matter he was remedying as quickly as he could. Two more beers! Eh, better make it three. Visit our boat. No, no, no, don't turn your head. It's Lieutenant Molina. Oh, oh, they found my boat. Ah, you are ready with the story. I was stolen while I was ill. I know nothing of it. No, no, no. I will testify to it. No, no, no, no, Maru. I have lost my taste for reading. I now spend most evenings at the highlight games, and I find that I'm... And then, Maru? Yeah? The Coast Guard has found a boat that belongs to you. Do you have so many that one may be lost without your feeling the necessity of reporting it? I've been ill. I've not been down to the harbour for three days. I have a question to ask. Ask it, sir. They found several large crates on board. They did? Do you know what we discovered in them? Scrap metal. Scrap metal? You used it for ballast. You careful beer? Yes, yes. To celebrate my wedding, which occurs this afternoon. So I've heard you are going to lead an honest life to you? Yes, yes. I have been experimenting with it and I find that it suits me. Well, keep it confidential. Otherwise the budget for the police department may be cut to the bone. Goodbye, Lieutenant. Go with God. You heard what he said? Scrap metal. I'm not surprised. In the old, my friend Georgie Young sent to me. He wrote that he was in on a deal just like in the old days. Well, in the old days, he saw many a bootlegger barrels of whiskey which contained only water. In that way, you see, he did not break the law and may be said to have earned his money honorably. As I may be said to do too. You call owning a cafe earning money honorably? Well, it depends on the clientele. And in that respect, Maru, perhaps it would be better after the wedding, of course, if you took your custom elsewhere. Suppose I tell you that from now on I will be as honest as you yourself. Will you let me patronize this bar? Gladly, Maru. But, of course, I will be doubly watchful of the cash register. Escape is produced and directed by William N. Robeson. Tonight we have presented Night in Havana by Burnham Carter, adapted for radio by Walter Brown Newman. Featured in the cast were Tony Baratistillo, Alan Reed as Maru, and Janet Nolan as Amalia and Mrs. Sterner. Also heard were Ted Van Elks, Bill Conrad, Jeff Corey, and Jack Webb. Special music was arranged and conducted by Del Castillo. Next week. You are torturously worming your way inch by inch through a narrow pipe deep under the ground, unable to turn back, not knowing what lies ahead. Possible death? Or escape? Next week we escape with William Cochran's grim story, The Blue Wall. Good night then until the same time next week when once again we offer you escape. Young and old benefit by the community chest Red Feather Services. When you make your contribution this year, you will be helping to support the Boy and Girl Scouts, the YMCA and the YWCA, Child Guidance Clinics and Day Nurseries. So give generously to the Red Feather Services. Stay tuned now for Sing It Again, which follows immediately over most of these same CBS stations. This is CBS, the Columbia Broadcasting System.