 In just a moment, suspense with Gregory Peck. Oh, Hap, did you find that old picture album? Yep. Yeah. Take a peek at yourself in the old, old look. What is the funniest thing I've ever seen? Oh, dear me. Oh, Mary, here's a shot of a first car. Rolled-down curtains and everything, remember? Oh, yes, and weren't we proud of it? But what an arm-breaker. Crank, crank, like a rusty old coffee grinder. What a whale of a difference a quick-starting auto-light stay-full battery makes. Are you going to thank Auto-Lite again, honey? For stay-full batteries? Oh, you said it, Mary. Why, I wouldn't trade that thirst-free powerhouse and our car for all the tea in China. Same goes for our Auto-Lite spark plugs and Auto-Lite ignition systems. I don't suppose you'd care to trade this small talk for a half hour of suspense. Oh, sure, Mary, sure. Suspense, Auto-Lite, and its 60,000 dealers and service stations bring you. Radio's outstanding theater of thrills. Starring tonight, Mr. Gregory Peck in Anton Leader's production of Hitchhike Poker. A tale well-calculated to keep you in suspense. Want a ride, young fella? Oh, you bet. How far you going? Oh, hi. Well, hop in. Thanks. That's how I met J. Stuart Belden and his canary yellow convertible. That's how I took the ride. I'll be a long time forgetting. He looked to be about 45, and he wasn't bad looking for a guy that old. He was well-built, about my size, no grain is here, and that coat he was wearing. Boy, I'll bet plenty of camels went under the clippers for that one. So you're a student, eh? I graduate from Berkeley this year. I suppose you're a vet. Oh, yes, more than half the guys are vets. What's your name, son? Ridge Fowler. Mary? Not me. Don't tell me you're a woman-hater. Oh, no, it's not that. It's just, well, I have enough trouble feeding myself. I said the same thing years ago. Ah, but you'll change your mind when the right girl comes along. 9B1863. Uh, dud. Huh? Oh, didn't you ever play license plate poker? License plate poker? Never heard of it. It's just like regular poker, except instead of drawing cards, you draw license plates. Now, I drew that hand. There was nothing in it. Let's see what we see. It'll be your hand. Here comes one now. Watch the license plate. 4J3134. Two pair. Threes and fours. You beat me. Hey, that's a good game. What are the stakes? Make it easy on yourself. Shall we say a hundred thousand dollars a hand? See what I mean? Good Joe. A lot of laughs and small talk. And all the time, that convertible eating the miles. What a car. We practically flew through Salinas, San Luis, Bispo, and Santa Maria. Well, son, what do you say to a hamburger? I know a little place in Santa Inés where they make a hamburger that drips with royalty. Oh, you got me sold. And on the side, French fried onions, shoestring potatoes, and the coldest beer in the world. Stop, you're killing me. Oh, tell me, did I overrate the place? Boy, that was terrific. The trouble is they give you too much food in there. I've got to quit eating like that. My clothes are getting tight. Especially this coat. That coat sure is a beauty. I'm nuts about camels here. You are? See, I've got an idea. Why don't you try it on? Oh, no, Mr. Belden, I didn't mean that. Go ahead. You're just enough thinner than I am that it ought to fit your fine. Well, gosh, I... Here, go ahead. Try it on. College boy can always use a coat. That's a good fit. It was made for you. Well, I don't know what to say. That's a coat for a king. Well, I guess that makes you a monarch then, son. Because it's your coat now. Couldn't get over it. A coat like that in mine? I'll bet mom's eyes will really pop when she sees it on me. Must have cost her years tuition. I climbed back into the car and sloshed down into the maroon leather seat and waited for him while he made a phone call. Boy, I felt like a king all right. I was deep in a daydream when he came out of the phone booth. Okay, Rach, here we go. Hey, look, a straight. Huh? I drew a straight. Three, four, five, six. Really? Straight? That's the highest hand today. That'll be tough to beat. I'm tongue-tough. Well, we drove for quite a while. Not talking much. We'd left Highway 101 at Santa Ines where we got the hamburgers. There weren't many cars on the road, and Belden hadn't been able to draw anything to beat my straight. In fact, he seemed to lose interest in the game. He was concentrating on the road. It was a treacherous road, high, full of hairpin turns, but he handled the car beautifully, taking those curves fast, but sure, never slowing down a bit. I liked speed, but all of a sudden I felt nervous the way he was hugging the edge. I turned to look at him to say something, and the words stuck in my throat. More the smiling host. Instead, he was fastened to the wheel like a hawk. That's what he looked like, a hawk, ready to strike. His tongue tied at the changing. I guess my reflexes worked slowly, but his didn't. He threw up in his door, twisted the wheel. Hey! So long, sonny! He jumped clear, and when the car hurtled into space, I was alone in it. Smashed into the windshield. Another joke flew me against the door. I'm not too clear at this point, but the next thing I knew, I was flying through space again. Only this time I was free of the car. I landed, sprawled against the side of the hill, and I began to slip, and roll. I grabbed wildly desperately for just anything to stop myself. When it happened... Twisted an old old tree that grew out of the hillside, hit me square in the stomach, knocked the wind right out of me. Too hurt to care. It was a minute or two before I got up enough breath to move. Finally I edged my way up the cliff, hand over hand. It was brutal, but I was surprised to discover that I hadn't fallen as far as it seemed. I was climbing around a mose of boulders, not more than eight feet from roadside level when I looked gone in his hand. I ducked in the bullets, scaled off the boulders. He wanted me dead, that was for sure. He wanted to kill me. Why? Why? I waited. Then I heard the horn. Came out from behind the boulders, crawled up on the road. Belden was nowhere in sight. I didn't see what kind of a car it was. I didn't even think to look. All I saw was he beat my straight. 4L5555 That was the license. 4L5555 Four of a kind. All of a sudden I was shaking. I looked at myself. I was beat up, cut, filthy. But what was worse, the camel's hair coat was a mess. King? I had to laugh. Belden was king. I was just the joker. My back hurt. My head throbbed. I ached all over. But I walked every inch of the way back to Santa Inés. It was dark by the time I got there. When I stood in front of the police station, I realized for the first time the meaning of the word sanctuary. I took a deep breath. I wanted to tell the police as straight a story as possible. I opened the door. There he is, officer. That's the boy who stole my car, forced me out, took my coat. Just look in the side pocket of the coat. You'll find my wallet. For suspense, auto light is bringing you Mr. Gregory Peck. In radio's outstanding Outstanding Theatre of Thrills Suspense I'm sure getting a big kick out of Gregory Peck tonight. Good, maybe you'll put that old picture album away now. Why, Mary, don't you like old photos? No, they make us look so silly. Besides all they've made you do is talk about auto light. And when it comes to auto light I'd rather listen to Frank Martin. He really knows what he's talking about. Auto light news, stay full batteries. Need water only three times a year in normal car use. This means less trouble and care for you. For auto light's greater water reserve practically eliminates one of the major causes of battery failure. Auto light, stay full batteries are a great U-development of auto light engineers who produce complete ignition systems for many of America's finest cars. They work in complete harmony with your car's entire electrical system. Car owners everywhere tell us auto light batteries are the greatest batteries ever built. Heck, Mary, I could have told you all that and never stopped looking at the sound. Quiet, huh? So friends, stop at your neighborhood auto light dealers and get an auto light, stay full battery. Then you'll know what fast starts really are. And remember this. The auto light, stay full battery you buy needs water only three times a year in normal car use. You know, Mary, I can repeat every word Frank Martin said about auto light, stay full batteries. Auto light, stay... Here's suspense again. And now auto light brings back the Hollywood soundstage. Mr. Gregory Peck is Ridge Fowler in Hitchhike Poker. A tale well calculated to keep you in suspense. Couldn't be. What was Belden doing here in the police station? What was he trying to pull? I knew even before I put my hand in the coat that Belden's wallet would be there. And I knew too that the police would never believe me, no matter what I said. I was trapped. The desk sergeant was waiting for me to talk, but my throat was dry, my tongue was paralyzed, my brain spinning. Well, when you get to save yourself... You don't understand, you see. He gave me the coat. I didn't know about the wallet. Is that the best you can do? But I tell you, he picked me up when I was hitchhiking. I was going home from school for the weekend. Then he forced me off the road. He tried to kill me. He shot at me. Sergeant, let the boy go. But Mr. Belden... I've changed my mind. I don't intend to press charges. But this kid's crazy. Easy, Sergeant. He's the war veteran. No, no, no. Lock me up, please. Don't believe him. Everyone is entitled to one mistake. Any boy who is big enough to come into the police station voluntarily gives himself up, deserves another chance. If I could have erased the memory of his face when he twisted that wheel and screamed so long, Sonny. All these benevolent words would have fooled me like they were fooling the desk sergeant. Belden was bursting with sweetness and light. But every word he said to release me only tightened the web tighter. And I knew just as sure as I was standing there that he wasn't through with me, that walking out of that door would be like releasing the clay bird at a trap shoot. Well, it's up to you, Mr. Belden, if you're sure he won't cause any more trouble. I'm positive. But after tonight, this young man will be no trouble to anyone. No trouble to anyone. After tonight, I had to get away from there. I had to run. I was. The town was behind me. I stopped out of breath. I tried to light a cigarette. My hands shook like I had the palsy. It was like the South Pacific. Snipers and trees. But what trees? Where? Then I saw the bright glaring neon ahead. Mackinac's one sign said, and wayside rest trucks welcome the other. Just a dinky service station and a lunch wagon. But it was an oasis to me. Howdy. What's the matter, bud? You sick? No, no, I'm all right. You sure look greener on the gills. Been in a fight? How soon will the trucks start coming through? You got a long wait, about two, three hours. Been in an accident? Look, mister, I've got to get a ride to Ojai. Do you mind if I hang around and wait? No, I don't mind. Won't do no good, though. Ain't allowed to pick up riders and company rules. Might be lucky and catch a wildcatter, but I doubt it. Oh, thanks. You sure you're all right? Maybe you better go next door and get yourself a cup of coffee. Sure look like you could use one. Yeah. That's a good idea. If a ride turns up, I'll call you. Thanks, Mack. Oh, I'm not Mack. I'm Al. Mack works days. I felt halfway decent when I came out of the lunch wagon. I'd cleaned myself up and reduced my capital to 15 cents. Al had a customer. Huh? I got you a ride to Ojai. Oh, you have? Who with? The little lady here. She's been driving all day, got an awful headache. She's going straight to Ojai. Here's the fella I was telling you about, lady, that needed a ride to Ojai. Oh, I'm afraid you misunderstood. I just said I wished I had somebody to drive me. Oh, well, I don't blame you for not wanting to take a ride of it. I'd appreciate it if you'd change your mind. I've got to get to Ojai tonight. Well, I... I am tired. Go ahead, miss. He's a nice fella. Well, if you'll vouch for me. Now, wait a minute, lady. I don't vouch for anybody. All right. I guess it'll be all right. It was a pleasure to drive for her. She didn't say much, and I didn't feel like talking. She just sat there beside me. Her eyes closed, resting. Once in a while, I snatched a quick look at her. She had long, dark eyelashes resting on her marble-like cheeks, hands folded in her lap. I found myself remembering when the right girl comes along. I was trying to remember who said it when I saw her looking at me. Feel better? Much better. I'm ashamed of myself, hesitating to let you drive my car. I'm afraid I'm overcautious. Oh, I wouldn't say that. Can't be too careful. One reads of such awful things happening on the road. Yeah. Awful things. I hadn't thought of Belden since we left Al's gas station. Now he was back in the front of my mind. You're going awfully fast. These curves are treacherous. I guess I'm just anxious to get home. Oh, yes, but look out! Do you want to kill us both? You're almost sideswiped. Oh, I'm sorry. I... What are you honking now for? He's gone. You're... you're horn. What about it? Oh, nothing. I... I... I thought I'd heard it before. Before? Uh, look, maybe I'd better drive. Oh, no, no, I'm sorry. I'll be all right. I'm sorry. I'd be sewing up my sleeves if I didn't get a hold of myself. I must have been crazy, thinking that her horn was the same as the one that had honked for Belden when I was hanging on the side of that hill. It was just a horn, a lot of horn sound alike. I tried to steady myself. I didn't want her to catch on how rattled I was. I turned to her to apologize. She was putting a cigarette in her mouth, but it was purely automatic. She was sitting up straight, tense. Her eyes were glued to the road ahead. I'd been over this road earlier tonight with Belden. Suddenly it loomed up. That wide bank curved just ahead. The spot where Belden had tried to kill me. My hands froze on the wheel. I held my breath, and then I saw her hand reach out. What are you doing? Oh, my wrist. What's wrong with you? I was only reaching for the cigarette lighter on the dashboard. Oh, I'm sorry. Let that curve back there. Pull over and stop. Pull over. I'm going to drive. I guess neither one of us said anything. Then without any warning, she took a sharp turn off the highway on a rutted dirt road. Hey, miss, you're leaving the highway. We'd better stop a while. You don't look so well. Oh, I'm all right now. You don't look in. Better have a drink. I'll reach in the glove compartment to find some scotch. Oh, really, I'm all right. Well, then maybe I need it. Maybe it was the drink. Maybe it was the girl. Maybe it was just relief. But I felt peace for the first time that night. I watched her inhale. The glow from the cigarette lit up her high cheekbones. I couldn't see her eyes until she turned her head. What's your name? Ridge. Mine's Virginia. Hi. Hi. You must think I'm pretty much of a jerk the way I've been acting. That's all right. Things like that happen to everybody. Yeah, I guess so. Look, I'm all right now. I could drive. What's your hurry? Well, I thought... What's the matter? Don't you like to sit here with me? Well, no, it's just that I thought you were in a hurry. I'm not now. Are you? No, I'm in no hurry at all. Seemed to be moving it with so gradual. I caught a trace of warm perfume in her hair. She smiled at me. One of those elusive smiles, half innocent, half... Her head touched my shoulder, accepted the invitation. I like you, Ridge. I like you a lot. Yeah. You know, tonight back in the filling station, when I first saw you, I... What's the matter, Ridge? The miniature license tag on your key ring. Yes? 4L5555. Four of a kind. Four of a... You play... License plate poker? I'm afraid so, Ridge. Four fives. It's the license of the car that picked Belton up after he tried to kill me. That's right. Then you're in it with me, sonny. Hard. My face buried in the dirt. Black out, but... It would have been much easier if I had only my mind functioned. Everything else seemed paralyzed. Well, you took your time getting here. I was delayed. I had to be here waiting. What if I hadn't been able to keep him? Oh, I knew I could depend on you, darling, to detain him. What is that supposed to mean? Do you have to go as far as you're dead? Do you have to let him kiss you? Do you know a better way to keep a man on ice? Perfect wife. A little help, mate. Oh, shut up. Put him in the back seat. Just a moment, darling. I'm gonna do it right this time. There'll be no slip-ups. You fool! Put that gun away. Why? Don't you realize if a bullet is found in the body, it won't be accidental death? You're always so right, aren't you, darling? Only because you're so stupid. Stupid, am I? Don't you understand this whole thing? You did it badly. If you'd handle it right in the first place, his body would be burned up by now along with the car. Now put him in the back. But what... Why do they want to kill me? Why? Belden picked me up. Throw me in the back of the car. Uh-huh. Hand me the wrench, Virginia. Stewart! It's time. Warm, black oblivion. After a second, the pain was gone. And so was I. Consciousness returned in splotches. My head was like a shortwave receiver now, static. Now clear. Now clear. Now static now. Anything behind us? Nobody. We're almost there. Are you sure no one has discovered the car yet? Of course not. The way it's lying, nobody will see it till daylight. And then J. Stewart Belden will be found dead, burned to an unrecognizable crisp. We can shake this place, go to South America. You can go. I have to stick around, remember, to collect the insurance and pretend I'm heartbroken. You're dead. Will that be so hard? You didn't talk like this when you married me. But of course, there was a lot more money then. Yes, swindled from suckers. Since when have you become fussy about where money comes from? What's changed you? The schoolboy? Don't be a fool. All right, we've got to work fast. Give me a hand with him. Wait. Huh? Here comes a car. The end of the line. But anyway, now I knew why. I was a stand-in for a corpse. All clear. Yes. This was it. They were on either side of me. I had to think. Think straight. My body still felt numb. One chance. If only my muscles coordinated. I'd wait till he dragged me out of the car and then I'd fight. Virginia, get the gasoline can out. I felt him grab me under the armpits. I opened my eyes just in time to see that murderous wrench in the girl's hand. And she brought it down my eyes closed. Help! It hit me hard, but it wasn't the wrench. It was Belden. The wrench had folded him up and he collapsed on top of me. The body was alert now. I didn't know what would come next, but I was ready for it. She pulled Belden's body off me. She wasn't aware of me watching her. She was too busy dragging Belden over to the rim of the cliff. She was transfigured with hate. Planet. Accidental death. Then she kicked him and he disappeared over the edge. I didn't wait to see anymore. I crawled out of that car and I started to run right down the middle of the road. She saw me. Wait! But I kept right on going. I glanced back. She started the car. She was coming right at me. First I thought she was just trying to catch up to me. Then I realized she was trying to run me down. She was trying to kill me. I was crossing to the left side of the road. She was right behind me. It was just a question of seconds and suddenly around the bend a big truck. I was sandwiched between them. I screamed ringing through my head. And the picture of her in the car swerving off into space into the canyon below. What happened? She went off the road. Crazy woman driver. We'll have to report it. Come on. I'll give you a ride into town. Do you hear me? Don't you want a ride? Yeah. Yeah. Sure. What are you staring at? Your license plate. CM 1111. Hey! It wasn't my fault. You saw how it happened? Four aces. Four aces. I'd won. I'd taken the last hand. But as long as I live, I'll jump out of my skin whenever a car pulls up and a voice asks. Want a ride, young fella? Peck for a splendid performance. Mr. Peck will return in just a moment. Well, thank you. Get back to your old picture album after that performance. No. Guess I'll just listen to Frank Martin. Go to bed. Probably dream I'm in the Sahara without an auto-light-stay-full battery. Yes, friends. Like the faithful camel of the Sahara Desert, the auto-light-stay-full battery you buy goes a long time between drinks. It's a trouble-free battery and needs water only three times a year in normal car use. Auto-light-stay-full's greater water reserve practically eliminates one of the major causes of battery failure. Get an auto-light-stay-full. Money can't buy a better battery. Auto-light means batteries. Stay-full batteries. Auto-light means spark plugs. Ignition engineered spark plugs. Auto-light means ignition system. The lifeline of your car. In its 26 nationwide plants, auto-light manufactures bumpers, die castings, horns, instruments, engages, lights, ornamental plastics and more than 400 other automotive aviation and marine products. All are famous the world over for their auto-light engineered dependability. And now here again is Mr. Gregory Peck. It's been a great pleasure to appear here tonight with this fine cast of suspense actors. And I'm expecting almost as much pleasure from listening next Thursday when Radio's Outstanding Theatre of Thrills brings you Robert Young and Virginia Bruce in celebration. Another gripping study in... Suspense. Gregory Peck may soon be seen starred in the 20th Century Fox production Yellow Sky. Ed Begley played the part of Belden and Kay Brinker was Virginia. Tonight suspense play was written by John and Gwen Bagney with music composed by Lucian Morrowick and conducted by Lud Bluskin. The entire production was under the direction of Anton M. Lieder. In the coming weeks, suspense will present such outstanding stars as Edward G. Robinson, Lucille Ball, Ray Maland and John Garfield. Make it a point to listen each Thursday to suspense, Radio's Outstanding Theatre of Thrills. And next Thursday, same time, hear Robert Young and Virginia Bruce in celebration. This is the AutoLight Suspense Show. Attention, all men, join the fighting outfit that defends America, the new National Guard. Good night. Switch to AutoLight. This is CBS, the Columbia Broadcasting System.