 Family Theatre presents James Gleason and Hugh O'Brien. From Hollywood, the mutual network in cooperation with Family Theatre presents Caboose starring James Gleason and Hugh O'Brien. Family Theatre's only purpose is to bring to everyone's attention a practice that must become an important part of our lives if we're to win peace for ourselves, peace for our families and peace for the world. Family Theatre urges you to pray. Pray together as a family. Now to our transcribed drama Caboose starring James Gleason as Pop and Hugh O'Brien as Bob Plank. I wonder how much longer it's gonna be? What's the difference? We're on company time. Have you ever been up here in the executive offices before? Yeah, once a couple of years ago. But not for anything like this. They were retiring. One of the engineers gave them a gold watch. Perfect safety record. 25 years with a road. Yeah? What's this Rogers guy like? Here he is what you'd expect. Assistant to the president. Big bag of wind. Pretty tough? Plenty tough. Well anyway, it's all out in the open now. Don't have to lie about it anymore. Rogers, we'll see you now gentlemen. Right this way please. Mr. Frisbee? That's right. And Plank? Yes, sir. Sit down please. You got your book, Miss Pooner? Yes, Mr. Rogers. I'll tell you when to start taking this down. Yes, sir. Well gentlemen, I need not remind you how serious this is. We understand. Yes, sir. I'd like to make it clear from the outset that a transcript of everything you tell me will be on Mr. Claxton's desk as soon as it can be typed up. You'll then decide personally what action should be taken. You mean whether we'll be fired or not? Among other things, yes. And I trust you both appreciate the inconvenience to which this is putting him. Yes, sir. He must be a pretty busy man. Busy is hardly the word. Presiding over a railroad is a task of unexampled complexity. Yes, sir. Now as to the bare facts. You were both assigned as breakmen on the 836th freight of Winnebago last night. Yes. That's right. You, Frisbee, according to my records, you've been with the road for nine years. Yes, sir. And you've planked less than six months. That's right. It says here that you've been working as a switch tender until this week. That's right, sir. Last night was my first run as a breakman. Very well. Suppose we begin at the beginning. Take it the freight pulled out on schedule, Frisbee. 836 on the dots. Start taking this down this corner. Yes, sir. Mr. Rogers. Yes, play. There's something that happened before we pulled out of Winnebago that really started the whole thing. Then included? By all means. Well, it was about 20 minutes before our scheduled time at departure. You're getting this, Miss Bonner. Yes, sir. I remember the time because I'd been standing on the station platform out of the rain. And I could see the clock on the wall of the telegraphers' shack. It was just a minute or two past 815. Frisbee had told me to get to the caboose early and check the flares and extra signal batteries because, well, he might not be back until the last minute. So I started down along the main track to the freight siding where the 836 was standing. It was pretty dark, and, well, like I say, it was running hard. Last thing in the world I ever expected was for someone to be out in that freight yard who didn't belong there. Bobby? Bobby, is that you? Who's that? It's me, Alice. What are you doing here? You've got to help me, Bobby. He helped you get out of here. Oh, listen to me. It's important. Ben's with me. Where? Don't get mad, please. I couldn't help you. Where is he? Waiting over there under the signal tower. Did he marry him? Yes. We're going away as soon as we can. What is happening? Ben wants you to do something for him. He promised me he won't ever bother you again if you do. Do what? I'd rather have Ben tell you. Come on. I can't see him now. My train pulls out in less than 10 minutes. Well, it's about the train. Hello, Bobby. Yes, you never expected to see me again. What's Alice talking about? What do you want? You didn't want me to ask you this, but I'm going to ask you anyhow. There's something you'll be carrying in that caboose tonight. I'd like to have you. In the caboose? Come on, Bobby. Don't dummy up on me. There's nothing in the caboose except the cold stove and a couple of chairs. What are you getting at? There's another break button that's making a run with you. I had a call from the station master by half hour ago. I haven't seen him since. I guess he's the one. Okay, you don't know anything about it. Let's just keep it that way. What is this? I'm going to be on that freight tonight. Wait a minute. You're going to give me what that partner of yours brings back from the station. Listen, I'm going to make it look good. I'll come into the caboose sometime while he's up checking the other cars. I won't be any witnesses. You get a bump on the head and you won't know anything. I ought to cave your face in. Yeah, but you won't, Bobby. You'll do just what I tell you. You both know why. You got that, Miss Pooner? Yes, sir. I gather then, Plank, that you were well acquainted with the two people who approached you last night in the freight yard. Yes, sir. Alice used to be my girl. I thought she was, anyway. And the man called Ben? Ben Dixon. I met him in the army two years ago. I'd been in some trouble and well, he knew about it. Then he was holding it over your head? Yeah. There's something that Dixon said would be carried in the caboose last night. Did you have any idea what it was? No, sir. Not until Frisbee got back to the caboose. And then you asked him? Well, no, not exactly. Yes, Frisbee. I don't want you to get the idea that Bob tried to pump anything out of me. As soon as I climbed aboard, I told him what the deal was I had to. Had to? Well, I mean, here I was wearing a pistol and carrying this mail pouch with a lock on it. I had to say something. I suppose so. And this explanation took place before the old man boarded the train. Yeah, most of it anyway. We didn't pick up Pop until we got down to the water tower. Considering the circumstances, Frisbee, would you say you acted wisely in taking aboard an unauthorized passenger last night? How's that? Leaving aside for a moment the fact that the road has a strict rule prohibiting such a thing, you were carrying with you over $6,000 of its money. Mr. Rogers, this was Pop. He's been hitching rides on the road for years. Have you ever seen him before? Yeah, once, about five years ago, but everybody's seen him at one time or another. So you picked him up at the water tower? Yeah, that's right. I'd noticed when I first boarded the train back in the freight yard that Bob was nervous. Take us down, Miss Boone. I'm getting it. Proceed, Frisbee. Well, as I say, I could see he was nervous, but I thought it was just on account of the money we were carrying. Well, we started up and the train moved out through the yard. It was still raining. Bob was standing on the back platform of the caboose leaning out into the dark like he was looking for something up toward the cars in front. It was about five minutes later when we pulled alongside the water tower. Hey, hey, fellas. Who's that? Beats me, someone standing under the water tower. How about a lift for the Sac City? I saw you, Mr. It's against the rules, you know. Oh, rules. I know all about the rules. I'm Pop, Pop Stack, like in Smoke Stack, like you got on that engine up front. Oh, what do you know? Oh, hiya, Pop. I know this guy. Well, sure he does, sonny. Let's see, four years ago last August, you gave me a ride from Belle Plaine to Atomark, right? You don't forget much, do you? I don't forget your name, either. It's Frisbee. What, Frisbee? And you live down Benton's Port. Come on up, Pop. Get in out of the rain. Listen, we can't carry any passengers. Oh, take it easy. It's all right. What's matter, sonny? You a stock holder or something? There's nothing personal, mister. I don't want to add but 160 pounds of the hull load. Yeah, it's okay, Pop. This is his first run. He's a little eager. Come on in. Come on. We got a fire going. What? Will you settle down? I'm the senior man on this run. I take the responsibility. Come on inside, Pop. Hey, huh. This is cozy. Take off your coat and hang it on that chair there by the stove. Yeah. Yeah. I wish I could take my beard off and drive it out the same way. How about some coffee? Yes, sir. Got a cup right here in my spindle. One of them army cups they use with canteen, you know. Yeah, well, we got an extra mug. Yeah, but with my army cup I'll get more. I'll hold more. Okay, suit yourself, Pop. See, I've got a can of tomato soup too. You fellas like some soup, sonny? No, thanks. You keep it, Pop. You may need it. Well, I meant that. And again, I mean not. I'm going where it's warm. Yeah. Yeah, yeah. Have some coffee, huh? Well, thank you. Hey, that's a throat full right there. Ah, that'll dry me off. See, how come you're wearing a gun? Special job, Pop. Must be. Well, here we go. Yes, sir. Must be mighty special job. Never seen a breakman wearing a gun before. Road cops, plenty, but never a breakman. Well, you had it, Pop. New Orleans, Mardi Gras. Job got anything to do with that male sack hanging on that hook over there? Maybe. Where are you coming from? Rose Bowl game. Great contest. Great competitors. Soul program. Hey, Walt, you think I'd better check the cars now that we're in the way, huh? Well, there's no special rush. Well, I figure we can't be too careful tonight. Okay, suit yourself, kid. If you want anything, I'll be right here by the coal stove. Yeah, well, I won't be long. Well, I bet it's mighty wet up on them catwalks, sonny. You watch your step. He's an edgy one, huh? Oh, he's just eager. Hey, how about some checkers, Pop? My pleasure. Say, uh, you think it's that male sack that's got your friends a word? Pop, you're getting a free ride. You just keep your mind on these checkers and let me worry about the male sack, huh? You want the red or the black? Red. Oh, can't say I really blame him for a word when you carrying a gun and all. Well, he'd worry anyway. I think he's trying to make a name for himself. That's not an easy thing to do. Well, this kid may find it easier than most. He don't look like to me like he's got much push. You know, the old saying, Pop, in this world it ain't so much the push you got as the pull. Hey, that's pretty good. This boy got pull? Well, the talk is that's how he got the job. Oh, ain't it that way? Them as has gets. That's another old saying. Yeah, go ahead, Pop. It's your move. Yeah, I guess it is at that. Just a moment, Miss Brunner. Yes, sir? Question for Esbeen. Sure. Seems to me this Pop person displayed considerable curiosity as to the contents of the male sack. Didn't that strike you as suspicious? No, not especially. Then why not? Well, because that was his way. If he was curious about something, he just kept asking and asking until you finally gave him the answer. Then did you finally give him an answer? No, I don't know, until it was all over. And it didn't seem to matter much. I see. To resume, then, you say you were just out of Winnebago when Plank left the caboose to check the other freight cars. That's right. How long was he gone? Not more than 10 minutes, I'd say. Does that coincide with your recollection of the FACTS Plank? Yeah, that's about right, Mr. Rogers. Wouldn't you say that 10 minutes is a very short time in which to complete a single-handed check of the couplings and hatches on a 16-car train? Yes, sir. Well, that's not really why I went out, was to see if Ben was aboard. Oh, the man who approached you in the freight yard. Yes, sir. Continue, Plank, continue. Well, it was still raining when I closed the door of the caboose and stepped out onto the platform. The way I figured it, Ben not knowing much about freight so how to move around on them would probably hide himself as close to the caboose as he could. So I climbed up to the top of the first car forward and started along the catwalk on my hands and knees. Only gone about six feet when I remembered the inspection hatch on the corner of the roof. I crawled over to it and tried the cover. Sure enough, the seal was broken. Ben! Ben Dixon, you down there? It's me. I've got to talk to you. Something's gone wrong. What was that top after you? Extra batteries for your flashlight. No, not with me. Mine's going kind of dim. Yeah, we won't need it anyhow. You've got to get off the train. You're getting chicken, Bobby. I think it isn't going to work. There's someone else riding in the caboose. An old guy popped somebody. Frisbee picked him up at the water tower. So what? So he'll recognize you. That's what. How far you taking him? I'm on my way to Sac City. It'll be daylight before he gets off. Look, you're going to have to forget it. It says you... Listen, Dixon, this isn't just army-style pilfering. It's big stuff. $6,000 worth. That's why I'm not about to forget it. I'm not taking the fall for even this time. Who said you would? Ben, it can't work. If I notice the seal on that hatch was broken, Frisbee will see the same thing when he makes his rounds. I figure it will. What you may not figure is that he's got a gun. What do you think this is? Well, that does it. Deal me out. All right, listen. Listen good. You're in this to stay and nobody's going to get hurt unless you want them to. And what about Frisbee? Just like you tap on the head, you meet nice and warm down here. The old guy? Same thing. Keep his back to the door of that caboose. You never even see me come in. What do I say to Frisbee when he comes to and wants to know how come I didn't notice the broken seal on that hatch when I checked the cars? You just missed it. That's all. It was raining hard. You missed it. You made a mistake. Yeah, like I made a mistake covering for you two years ago. Forget it, Dixon. Where you going? Back to the caboose. Why not? Put away that gun. You don't need it. You turn me in. You know what happens. Don't worry. I'm not turning you in. I'm going to do you a favor. Just a little one. Me? Yeah. You, Alice, Frisbee, me and everybody involved. What's a favor? I'm going to give you a chance to get off this train before anybody else sees you. This thing's going 40 miles an hour. It slows down to about 15 outside of Mount Pleasant just the other side of the bridge. It'll be around 20 minutes from now. You hop off there and we'll forget the whole thing. What about that broken seal on the hatch you're so worried about? I'll tell Frisbee about it after we're out of Mount Pleasant. Once you're gone, I won't make any difference in here. Mm-hmm. Quite a few reports you've been taking so long to say anything. Oh, I broke a rule. He's breaking another given the old guy a ride. We both got something to forget. You're a pretty smart guy, Bobby. We could go quite a ways together. Yeah, well, not tonight we couldn't. You're getting off at Mount Pleasant. Question, Frank? Keep writing, Miss Boone. I want this in the transcript. Very well, Mr. Rogers. You have already stated that you realize Dixon boarded the train with a criminal motive. Yes, sir. And you've stated further that you realize the seriousness of the crime he intended to commit. Well, only after Frisbee told me how much money was in that sack. And yet knowing all this, you still connived to let a would-be fellow on escape? Well, like, I told you I was thinking of other people involved. I mean, his wife, Alice. And yourself? Yeah, and myself. Well, did you suppose, Plank, that the company was still unaware of the false statement you made in your application regarding the army discharge? Well, I... You mean you knew about it? The discrepancy became apparent about two months ago. Why didn't you fire me? Because, upon investigating, we learned from the authorities that you had refused to defend yourself at the court martial and were suspected of shielding the guilty party. Was that the pilfering that you referred to in your conversation with Dixon? Yeah. He was the company's supply sergeant and I was his clerk. I knew what he was doing. But a misguided sense of loyalty kept you from speaking up? Well, it wasn't just that. You see, by the time the court martial came along, he and Alice were going together. And I thought if I said anything, she might think I just dragged him into it for spite. Apparently what this young lady thinks is very important to you. Used to be. Doesn't anymore. So, because Dixon knew that you falsified your record to get a job and threaten to inform on you, you gave him an opportunity to escape. Yeah, that's right. And what happened after you left the freight car? Well, I closed the hatch and crawled back along the catwalk toward the caboose. The one thing I couldn't afford was to have Frisbee or the old man leave the car any time before we got past Mount Pleasant. And after that, it wouldn't matter. So, we sat around for the next 20 minutes chewing the rag and listening to Ponte lies about himself. Then I could tell by the sound of the wheels that we'd started across the bridge. Coming into Mount Pleasant. Say, hey, we're slowing down. I don't recollect this. Well, I'm making a stop here. Doesn't pop. There's a grade on the other side of the bridge. You got to slow up for it. Hey, go on, Pop. Finish telling us how you like the Kaiser. Oh, well, now. I don't want to give the impression I'd done it single-handed. I sure wouldn't have got fur with a little pea shoot or like that thing. That's a 32. Yeah, and that's just about the number of feet it'll fire. Now, when I was soldier and they gave me a pistol, they pumped a slug to knock a man back 10 feet. Well, picking up speed again. Hey, how about some checkers, Pop? I'm agreeable. Oh, Walt, by the way. Well, I was out there making my rounds. I noticed a seal on one of the inspection hatches that had been broken. Broken? Well, it's all right. I checked the inside of the car. Nothing's wrong. Well, if it's broken at all, that's wrong. Well, that's why I checked the car to make sure it was empty. I'll tell you the truth. It didn't even look like a new seal. Maybe they overlooked it, huh? Never heard of that happening. That's how I found it. Nothing else was wrong. Which car? First one forward. I better go have a look. You're the boss. Here, you strap on this gun. What do I need with it? Well, they're supposed to be an armed guard watching that male sack every minute. Now, put this on and don't give me any trouble. Okay, what have you said? Now, I'll be right back. Just one double check. Well, he sure got the wind up handy. Yeah. He's the one that's calling you eager. Well, maybe I am. Yeah. You want pretty hard to make good of this job, don't you, sonny? Yep. Someone dependent on you? A couple of people. My mother went out on a pretty big limb to get this job for me. Oh. Yeah, she used to know the man who's the head of the road now, the president. She wrote him a letter. Well, you have got connections, haven't you? I just don't reckon. Well, I've always said it. Connections are an advantage and a man who's got them and don't use them is a plain fool. I'd sit right where you are, Pop. Ben. You too, Bobby, stand here and get your hands up. Don't turn around. That's the idea. Where's Frisbee? Warm and dry on the floor of that freight car. That's where I said he'd be. Okay, Bobby, on your feet now real slow. Get over by Pop. I don't want everybody to spread out here. Now, keep your hands high so you won't be tempted to try for that gun on you. Listen, Ben, you'll never make it. Let me worry about that. Look, you're going to be identified. Frisbee never even knew what hit him. Sonny, speaking of hitting people, that gun you got here... Don't worry, Pop, it won't go off unless I want it to. Yeah, you mean until you want it to. Just keep your hands up, Bobby. Get the sack off the hook here. Ah! Get him, Sonny. Pick up his gun. Oh, you'll be fine. Just nicked your nose. Hey, Pop, what did you... I mean, when... Right out of your own holster, Bobby. Lucky you didn't have the safety on it. Except that's a terrible way to carry a pistol. Holy suffering cats. You better go forward to the next car and wake up Frisbee. Yeah. I'll just keep an eye on Benny the Kid here while you're gone. I see. And you say that this Pop character got off the train of pilot grove while you were turning Dixon over to the police and simply vanished. That's right, Sonny. And Mr. Rogers... Yes, Frisbee. I think he did it to try to protect me from getting into trouble for giving him a ride. He probably figured if he wasn't there and Dixon didn't mention him, well, then we'd get the credit. I don't know, Walt. The more I go over the thing, the less that seems like the reason. What do you mean? Yes, Blank? Well, a minute Dixon stepped into the caboose he called me by name and the old man wouldn't have missed that. We could tell we knew each other and I'm sure he must have been able to figure that, well, that Dixon had something on me. Or be that as it may, he seems to have vanished without a trace. Oh, we'll just have to take your word that the incident occurred as you described it. Well, I think that's all, gentlemen. You'll be on temporary suspension until otherwise notified. Yes. Miss Spooner, you'll have that typed up for Mr. Clarkson as soon as possible. Immediately, Mr. Rogers. Well, you can show these gentlemen up. Mr. Rogers. Yes, Blank. I just want to say that, well, whatever happens, I think I've been given a very fair hearing, sir. And while I just... I understand, Blank. We'll let you know. Goodbye. Goodbye, sir. Frisbee. Bye, Mr. Rogers. Yes. Well, yes, Mr. Clarkson, I'll be right in. Well, you heard their statements over the intercom. Miss Spooner's tapping up a full transcript. What's your general impression, sir? Young Plank's telling the truth from what I saw of it. Even to the part about the gun? You've been out on my target, Range Rogers. I'm very good with the 32. Well, indeed, sir. But if you'll forgive my sayings, oh, Mr. Clarkson, there's semi-annual masquerade of yours in the tramp costume and the beard. You think it's childish? I think it's risky. Well, I'll go so far as to admit it's probably both, Rogers, but it gets the work done and I enjoy it. But, sir, the stockholders, what would they say? The only time the stockholders ever say anything, Rogers, is when they miss a dividend. Now, you're going to be president of this road someday, so remember that. But really? Furthermore, I think it's high time you join me in one of these masquerades, as you call them. Well, Mr. Clarkson, no. You'll never be able to gauge the temper of your coworkers by going around and asking them questions in a gray suit and a humberg. I learned that a long time ago. But, Mr. Clarkson... Also, take a memo. Plank stays on. His mother's very fine lady. I took her to a dance once when I was a conductor. Yes, sir. And Frisbee? Oh, of course, Frisbee. He gave me a ride, didn't he? He's got a good heart. Yes, sir. Yes, sir. And I've got yours all picked out, Rogers, so tell Ms. Spooner you'll be leaving town for two weeks beginning the second week in February. You have my, what, already picked out, sir? Costume. Claw hammer coat with contrasting baggy trousers, plugged hat, cigar with toothpick. Mr. Clarkson... It's a little exaggerated, I know, but you'll have to bum around as a sort of a character until you learn to slurry your arse a bit better. Well, well, where are we going, sir? New Orleans, of course, like I told Frisbee. Mardi Gras. And now, here again, is James Gleason. Thank you, Tony Lafrano. Do you remember the Edgar Allan Poe story, the Paloined Letter? In it, a person had to hide a letter, a very special letter, where no one would ever think of looking. He hid it on his mantelpiece in a handful of other letters. It's a classic story written about a very general human failing. Man's tendency to overlook the obvious. Most of us do it. Overlook the obvious, I mean. No matter of prayer, for instance. Since 1947, Family Theater has been suggesting family prayer as a means of keeping the families of America and the world strong and happy. And in these little talks, at the end of each program, we've given you hundreds of reasons why you should pray as a family. But there's one reason which is really pretty obvious we'd like to point out. The greatest prayer God gave us is not even worded to be said by one person. It's worded to be said by a group or someone speaking for a group. Our Father is the name most of us give the prayer. Not my Father. In it, we ask that He lead us, not into temptation, that He give us our daily bread, forgive us our trespasses, and deliver us from evil. Not once, the Our Father, or Lord's Prayer, does it become a personal petition rather than a family or group petition? I can think of no better endorsement for family prayer than the endorsement which already exists in the prayer God Himself composed for us. Pray together as a family, and you'll find, too, the family that prays together stays together. More things are wrought by prayer than this world dreams of. From Hollywood, Family Theater Transcribed, Caboose, starring James Gleason and Hugh O'Brien. Others in our cast were Herb Vigran, Charlotte Lawrence, Ben Wright, and Lamont Johnson. The script was written and directed for Family Theater by John T. Kelly, with music composed and conducted by Harry Zimmerman. This series of Family Theater broadcasts is made possible by the thousands of you who feel the need for this type of program, by the Mutual Network, which has responded to this need, and by the stars of stage, screen and radio, who give so unselfishly of their time and talent to appear on our Family Theater stage. To them and to you, our humble thanks. This is Tony LaFranco expressing the wish of Family Theater that the blessing of God may be upon you and your home and inviting you to be with us next week when Family Theater will present The Victim, starring Robert Rockwell. Gene Lockhart will be your host. Join us, won't you? Family Theater has broadcast throughout the world, and originates in the Hollywood studios of the world's largest network. This is Mutual, the radio network for all America.