 from hollywood, the hollywood lady of the earth speaking from hollywood ladies and gentlemen can you imagine the indecision and torment of a boy's hurt on the high ledge of a building? have you make up, make up his mind whether or not to judge? no, you probably can't but you can understand the concern of a policeman who tries to save him and the agony of his fiancé as they send a terrifying 14 hours and as the stars of this talk and moving drama from 20th century fox we have that talk for laughter Paul Douglas his original role and Kerry Moore has a lovely and devoted sweetheart now 14 hours starring Paul Douglas as Dunnigan and Kerry Moore as the king it started at 10am on the morning of St. Patrick's Day on a busy street in New York City it started with a woman's sudden scream what's the matter, lady? you see a flyer's saucer or something? look, look the whole floor window that man is going to jump in the window he ain't going to jump hollywood don't do something the police won't... hey officer come on, come on, come on the crowd started to gather most of them not quite sure just what the excitement was all about so what is it? somebody advertising something maybe? you got me, lady, could be crazy, crazy people anything for St. Patrick's Day by now the policemen have rushed to a call box to report to the street this is Dunnigan Dunnigan traffic aid is a jump from the ledger to Hotel Rodney a man, yes feet to 16th floor yes sir, I'm on my way 15th floor to Hotel Rodney room 1505 the manager is at the window fleeting frantically with a young man who's standing on the narrow lane you want to kill yourself? tell him or I'll call the police if the police come near me I'll jump where is he, where? he's on the ledger very careful he said he's jumping he can't look at him what's with me? putting your tie is it? I'll take my coat off if he takes off my jacket put your tie on and maybe he won't think I'm a cop now who is he? I don't know we're checking the guest registrations now well there'll be an emergency squad here any minute get word down to the lobby and stand back and see what I can do hello? hello, this is Mr. Regan it's a pretty dangerous thing you're doing after a kid you might fall off and hurt somebody down there what are they watching me for? you know how people are somebody tries to look and before you know it there's a whole crowd if you're wondering about me will I hear you? if you come any closer I'll jump who's coming closer? this ledger too bad for me, kid but if you stay out there much longer the joint's going to be creeping with cops you hear those sounds? I hear them they may be just a little bit sore about this happening on St. Patrick's Day it's a big day for the cops they got their buttons polished and look I got an idea I could sneak you down the hall into my room before I get here we could you know water up a slow breakfast who's in the room? who's in there with you? just a couple of guys from the hotel anyone come near me? I'll jump they won't bother you, kid stay right there stay there I'll be back in a minute who are you? son of a kid who's this guy? I'm Mr. Regan the manager one of those stores connecting doors to a joining room okay get some keys and open them up if the rooms are occupied people will get out you sergeant get up to the roof there are two more stories see if we can drop a loop on them come up there six minutes two seconds each I am telephone okay you're done again get away from that window hello that's right I'll have him off that list in a few minutes what? no, no, no, no I don't want any brain specialist okay send them around make them happy I told you to keep away from that window I will serve I promise you my kids look kids I'm going to level with you I'm a cop but I don't shoot anybody I'm on traffic details down here in the street I don't know from nothing about what you're doing or why but you look like a nice kid and I hate to see him make a bad mistake what I'm doing is violent business well sure, sure it is but you got to come in and think it over the longer you stay out there the ruffer's just get in here I'm sorry kids the chief wants me what do you think you're doing son of a kid where's your jacket where'd you get that next oh I I was hoping for I checked in late last night what do you mean cook well up there it'll be funny but check this man in a dress right away now what were you going to say Son of a I think I got him going sir maybe if we could find out who he is we'd find out what these maybe he was in the army if we could get his prints on something or maybe they're in the bathroom we could check the files and then we could check you off the me traffic ace traffic see about your traffic yes sir get away get away from me I'll jump so officer dronegan went back to the street to see about traffic well there's plenty to see about two of the sidewalks are jammed now traffic has started to stall thousands of new yorkers on their way to work stand and stare at the spectacle of the young man on the ledge now a fire truck pulling its way up to the curb the fireman is spreading a net and like everyone else they're necks staring up to the ledge on the 15th floor who are they kidding if he comes from that high he'll go through that net like a bullet I'll give him something to aim at anyway they sure pick himself a good popper yeah no way they'll reach him except along the ledge now let's do a little come on get back will you save those coins for new years I don't want to just go up on stay up and just move it's so gay he's spreading the jump then give him a ticket that's a crime he snatched that guy out on the ledge he's got a hey, he's just a kid maybe he's a loopy but he doesn't look like it's a me hey, you were up there did you see them they talked to him hey, my crew was who was it come on will you come on why don't you people go to work not stand back there folks have it an idiot that jobs keep moving now keep moving high over their heads up at the window someone else is now talking to the young man a doctor he's making very little progress so if you're upset about anything well I'd like to help you I'm Dr. Strauss now don't you even answer me where's the policeman policeman which one the one who was up here first I don't want to talk to anyone else will you come back in the room if we let you talk to him I'll have him up here right away you know who he means probably that's glad to have watched the report and came up so what do you want to talk to him for doesn't matter to get him in Mancoot so what about the room like I said there's just no chance to drop him down a loop there's no clearance okay okay now what was the name of that cop the one from traffic I'm sorry chief I don't know we'll find him check he's probably working at three get him up here on a double there must be fifty cops working the speakers find them Phillip you get that description on the ass there's a radio crew setting up let me get to that window hey fella it's me again you're not the one get away get away I know I'm not the one but we're getting him chief to take it easy we'll have your friend up here in a couple of minutes broadcasting from the 15th floor of the hotel Rodney and here's the description please listen carefully he's about 23 years old he's wearing grey flannel trousers and a white shirt brown eyes and wavy brown hair he's about 5'10 and weighs about three pounds this is extremely important if you recognize this man call spring 7300 and now I'm turning over to George Button on the 15th floor of the office building directly across the street come in George well the man we have just described for you ladies and gentlemen appears cool and detached as he stands on that narrow ledge across from where I am talking now and then he teeters precariously over the ledge calmly looking down at the abyss below the crowd is galvanized fellbound by the breathtaking and he was just where he belonged out on the street trying patiently to clear the traffic they've got a cordon of police now all around the hotel too many people are trying to get in take this man for example I demand to get in officer I'm the Rev. Dr. J. C. Parkinson the boy well if you just wait here Rev. now your parents sent me here what church do you represent well I work in faith and magnetism I stayed 17 souls last month souls respond I've been I tell you what pop you come back tomorrow right now we're pretty busy hey don't know how far will you tell the chief I'm on my way up you're looking for me chief who are you done again this joke is father or something he wants you what did you say to him before I don't know said nothing special well whatever you said get over to that window and say it again okay I'm sorry chief but I don't know what you want me to do you got to me love you you won't talk to anybody else he doesn't like me and he doesn't like to go on get to work look this is this is a little out of my line I I don't know anything about loopy stop tell him just be natural with him just talk to him yeah but what do I say doesn't matter anything anything to sublimate his drive easy doc I took a little French but I didn't keep up with it sorry try to break his drive spoil the momentum he's building up out there I'm making talk if you can no hurry okay okay I'll try yeah ah it's me again how you doing chief bro down there the traffic's all tied up you're telling me my fault I I I'm holding up the parade I guess take Patrick's day parade aha don't worry about that I feel better than I did before well it's going to be a great parade you buy your shamrock yet are you ironing take a good look at my kisser kid you don't have to be a heart to wear the green today everybody does it you know make them feel good they get me acting hey suppose I get the hotel to fix up a room on the other side and then we can sit out like this and see the parade huh how about that oh no I've got to think this through sure it's just an idea but what was it you wanted me for kid why'd you bother to send for me everybody else lies to me well right I appreciate that kid but but I better tell you I don't like it up here you see I'm I'm on a spot with the chief I don't think he likes to flat put muscle in but you send for me I'll help you if you're so busy you you can go back no no I didn't mean that hey look if it's a girl kid I can tell you all about well there was a girl once in Bayside can I have a cup of water please sure sure thing anything you like to speak up and maybe a little ice not much just a little sit tight kid I'll be right back well there's once a glass of water would ice in that water what for I guess he's thirsty I don't know if I can calm him into coming a little closer to the window because well when he reaches for the glass maybe I can make a grab for you alright yank you and then both you go over not if some of the fellas here hung on to me he yanked us all I don't mind losing you but I don't want a whole day he's staying a cop sailing outside winter hey chief why don't put a rope on jennigan's leg and then put some feet on the rope out in the hall then if he makes the grass right and gets this microphone near the window we can catch some of that conversation from the leg get this screw what about those fingerprints in the bathroom we're working on change you're playing poker hey I'm getting a water kid I said with some ice you know not much just a little like you did never mind it'll just take a second I'll be right back oh that's fine keep talking he's starting to relax I think he's getting heated with me for it yes and here's the glass of water give us a little more slack here on that rope tight enough jennigan yeah that's okay now I only remember this you guys if I get a chance I'll make a grab for him but when I do just be sure your hands are out of your pocket well put your back the most you can follow is a couple of stories oh wait a minute I want to put this tablet in the glass of water what is it sir stimulant may pick him up a little lazy spirit don't worry he won't take it good luck jennigan or you can but don't let him see that rope around your leg okay chief go ahead get going they saw him in the street jennigan the traffic stopped falling out of the window and onto the leg and suddenly there was silence and tense a great sea of people frozen motionless but like him now like the young man who clings hard and stiff against the side of the building here here you are kid that's the water thanks he can't reach it huh it's okay I'll get out a little closer to you there if you just let it down you're trying to grab me you want to grab me I won't let you power producer must be coming at two of fourteen hours starring paul druggers as jennigan and terry moore as the junior with marvin brine as robin a moment later officer jennigan and the young man are still on the leg face the time being anyway I hope you don't do that again kid another inch and you'd have been down there on the sidewalk I thought you were going to grab me and I thought we were getting to know each other a little all I was trying to do was give you this glass of water just let it down huh how's this be careful you might fall okay the doctor put anything in the water oh I don't think they do a thing like that so we'll give it to them you can test I'll sample it first anything I can drink is all right for babies go ahead take a drink all right well there you are see thanks okay I'll go back in I'll take it easy kid sit tight what do you think you're doing no use cheating too sharp go back out there and stall and we just got a report on him we're trying to get his family up there to see what they can do with him okay whatever kind of a name matters okay his mother and father are divorced he may not want to talk about that but he will find out look doc I okay what you say his first name is Robert keep that rope on your life you may get your chance yet to be a hero what about the stuff I drank in that water forget it Donnegan it won't hurt you here hi kid you want another drink no could I could I have a cigarette sure thing Robert here take take the peg put it in your left hand now drop it on the left okay that name how did they find out police routine they got a pretty good line on you Robert none of that business they're just trying to help you everybody's trying the cops the fireman the people down there in the street the radio people everybody all we want for you none of that business I don't want anybody clowning me cigarette I I don't smoke much usually I I try to take care of myself good idea everybody ought to take good care of themselves my father drinks too much yeah I get a cousin like that real nice fellow see only every time he drinks and so they caught the policeman and the young man and as the moment went by and the gaping crowd below stood watching the phone in Robert's room ranked once again we got a lead on his father Chief I just talked to the bond hopper his old man works to stay open but he's not somewhere they can't locate him and what about his mother he lives with his sister in Jersey but they can't reach her either somebody thinks she wants shopping well give the dope on both of them to those radio blums it'll give them something to do maybe somebody will be listening yes a few moments later the appeal went out on the radio well any information at all concerning them please call this station or the police immediately I'll repeat the name of the father is Paul E. Cossack the mother is Mrs. Christine Cossack this is urgent well we're still in the office building ladies and gentlemen some four or five hundred feet across from the hotel Rodney where Robert an officer at Benagon are out on the lead Benagon is just an average hard-working New York cop but he seems to be winning Robert's confidence where everyone else has failed and back at them in the hotel room experts of every description have been trying to set it on them so on and so on well a lot of people heard that radio appeal about Robert's parents and now about an hour later the police are rushing the woman into the hotel past the reporters past the photographers and up to the fifteenth floor just one thing chief I'd like to talk to Mrs. Cossack before you let us see him why? she might upset him you never can tell oh sure while you psychoanalyze the doc he dies Phillip tell Donigan the kids mother's coming in where is he? where is he? I'm his mother oh come in Mrs. Cossack now please this is very important who are you? he's Dr. Stroud now your son may be active Mrs. Cossack we don't know or he may jump at any moment please let me see him Bobby Bobby Mrs. Cossack now just a moment please something was wrong I didn't even know he was in New York it's my mother I can hear her I've got my mother in there that's right kid they just told me don't want to talk to me don't want to see me now look Robert she's worried about you Bobby Bobby okay let her go to the window get in here Donigan take it easy get in there just don't get upset Bobby Bobby look at me what's the matter look at me son what are you what I haven't got much time please come in please nothing is that bad I'll probably faint don't ever call me that again I'm sorry I'm sorry but please come in I love you Robert don't do this I know you don't want to do this to me Robert you love me don't you I haven't done anything have I no you haven't done anything I didn't want anything are you in trouble dear do you need money you haven't been eating right have you you're upstairs am I you've seen your father Robert oh nothing is really this bad Robert Robert what are you going to do I don't know I haven't made up my mind yet I'll do anything if you just come in it's easy Robert all you have to do is just take a few steps over here to the window no way I'm stepping down everybody why do I need to do this Mr. Donigan Mr. Donigan take our way Bobby don't do this kid just stay where you are get in here Mr. Scott oh yes Commissioner Deputy Chief Marks the emergency is there well I don't know what more we can do sir and that well yes we tried but we can't rig up any sort of a net without him saying it and once he sees it he'll jump yes sir yes I will get those firemen back here I gotta talk to him Mrs. Connick tell me has Robert ever done anything like this before no no he's always been nervous but never will why won't he talk to you Mrs. Connick I don't know him you think he's busted up about a girl or something I don't know that I haven't even heard from Robert I just think of Robert and I get through please it's his father it's Mr. Connick I don't know if there's anything I can do but oh hello Chris oh oh you're just shameless we're doing all we can why did you have to come here don't think you can do anything for him you want to talk to him no no don't let him haven't you done enough standing Chris please for the love of now wait a minute I've got enough on my hands without this I'm trying to clock your son out of taking a dive both of you outside in the hall give me a hand where's your son it'll be better out here in the hall Mrs. Connick and Robert can't hear you talking it's his fault it is after 15 years of neglect to come back here if there's anybody to blame for this okay okay you want to talk to him Mr. Connick well if you think it will do any good let Robert's been closer to his mother I've had the whole version if you've been able to give him any kind of a living any kind of a home Chris please please shut up Mr. Connick I've been out in the led with Robert most of the morning I can't come in if I can just get my hands on what's bothering him so what is it you're his father what's bothering them I I don't know in years since I really yes yes I'd like to talk to him oh this is ridiculous I'm going back there now let me go Bobby Bobby it's alright dear I won't let the doctors touch you I won't let them do anything to you I know what Virginia thinks what Virginia's wrong you're not sick don't listen to her Bobby shuttin' her down that Mrs. Connick now get away from the window ask him Donnick and ask him if we'll see his old man Robert your father's here too kids no all he wants to see you know he's afraid that maybe you got something against him you got nothing against him Eddie tell him to leave me alone who's Virginia will you tell me who Virginia is I don't know I don't know anybody by that name how long since you saw your father kid they fought all the time with his folks this is none of my business that don't get so are you you sure you're not just taking your mother's words for that for what well about your father maybe you'd like him if he gave him a chance why don't you talk to him and give him a chance huh you will oh that's swell he's right here kid hey Doc Doc you talk to his father he says you talk to him Mr. Connick I uh have to stand at the window there we're sure you've got a stand at the window no just a minute I can't stand very well he's here kid but you don't have to talk to him any longer than you want to any time you feel like you want to stop just yell like before okay thanks thanks a lot go ahead Mr. Connick Robin I want to help you if I can I I'm not going to ask you to tell me why you're doing this if you don't want to tell me I know it's difficult it's been difficult for me too why did it turn out like this father I tried to tell you chief the kid's mother she hit him with somebody named Virginia he turned white as a duck I said who's Virginia and he clammed up I figured there's a girl mixed in it somewhere see what you can get out of the mother well well where did she go a reporter chief I got her that room down the hall well get her back here no what's the rush Donnick and maybe the old man is getting to him get back to the window see what he's saying I know I made a lot of mistakes your mother I don't know really what happened you know what I'm trying to tell you son now I never understood you you're afraid to look down there aren't you father thousands of people and cars thousands of people they're all looking at us Robert are you trying to punish punish you're being here tell me is it some way to try to make me feel all these years I was just far below them down on the street the tension is eased a little it's become a sort of sort of a holiday some of the cab drivers are making up a pool there'll be quite a prize going to the driver who'll get the hour closest to that moment when Robert jumps the concessionaires are there too hot dogs balloons ice creams but now in the room on the 15th floor Dr. Strauss is reporting back to the deputy chief of the police well what a bomb Mrs. Karczyk he's still talking about the reporters say what goes with her anywhere she's a case herself just like the boy she keeps telling them how much she gave up for her baby seems to be a musician might have been a concert pianist if she hadn't devoted her life to her son well what's that supposed to prove hard to say guilt complex I suppose I'm not along with her chief please let me talk to her there's one thing you can do Donick and get down there and clear out those reporters then can I talk to her but there's nothing much I can do I can do them Doc go ahead Donick and take him to the hospital why did you send the reporters away I want the doctor I'm under the care of that doctor you just been transferred to me lady you're under my care now and I want to know about the girl now who is she that Virginia is she Robert's girl or something oh please please let me alone I'm his mother don't you think I can feel anything I don't think you can feel anything but sorry for yourself look I've been out there all day now hanging from that window by the seat of my pants I don't know what's wrong with your boy I don't know why I care but I do I'm going to do everything I can to get him off that ledge you're just a policeman the doctor said you're interrupting me now if there's any chance that Robert has a girl that might help him to get back in I'm going to find out about her even if I have to get a little rough with you I'm that kid and I want to know now why did Virginia leave him why give me another chance brother I'm your father I was wrong to leave you mother I I didn't want to hurt you but I just couldn't stand a bickering me constant coughing and complaining what right have you got to say that got so I couldn't go home I hated the sight of her the sound of her voice no no I I didn't mean to say that you ever say that again if you ever so much as touch my mother I'll kill you I'm sorry Robert really I'm sorry ten minutes more twenty thirty Robert's alone now he just stands on the ledge and looks down at the crowd what does he see down there? not much really he's too far away to see the faces just a vast name of the ray of humanity patiently waiting for him to make up his mind and among the sea of people is the evangelist remember him the one who talked about faith and magnetism he still wants to see Robert and he won't give up he's in the hotel now down in the basement he told the guard he was from the water company somehow he's going to get upstairs what's waiting for you oh what a bother Don again you get anything out of his mother the girl's name is Virginia Forrest they got engaged and we now it's busted up I couldn't tell what where is she now this Virginia she lives with her folks in Connecticut Stanford it'll take a couple of hours to get her down here even if we find her what's the difference okay we'll give it a whirl you hear that man Cusso put a pick up on her yes sir Virginia Forrest Stanford Connecticut now get back to the window Don again and keep your boyfriend busy we're going to drop a man in a rig from the roof and try to grab him a rig? what if the kid sees anything like that and now it's an order sorry sir Doc Doc how is he he's getting pretty confused I'm glad you're back you know what they're going to do that's that rig routine from the roof they're crazy keep the boys from looking up that's all you can do hey kid it's me again Done again I got you some more cigarettes no no thanks it looked like a pretty good thing you had with Virginia why'd you throw her over she's probably worried sick about you wasn't any good wasn't any good why not just was why did they ever have to find out about her I didn't want her to know anything about it So Done again keeps talking to them holding the boys' attention and as the minutes go by a man is being lowered from the roof a man in a chair a sort of breach is brewing orders from the commissioner maybe it's going to work maybe the man will get to him get to Robert before the boy even knows he's there and hit him against the side of the building they're yelling at him yelling at Robert people from the office building across the street the windows are full of them they're warning Robert for some crazy reason they don't want him to be fooled and finally Robert hears and looks up don't get that man at him taking off what do you think you're yelling at he's gone isn't he not pulling him up aren't they you open your trap to me like that just once more and I'll come over there and push you off myself Robert Robert keep quiet you realize he was risking his neck for you you realize half the police force in New York is climbing around his hotel holding their breath to see what you're going to do I'm going to jump I'm not going to jump don't let anybody touch me can you give me a glass of water okay dear they're going to jump go ahead jump jump I'm dropping you I got a belly full of you a belly full of you is what I got I don't know why I bother when you're the first place I'm going to we'll continue with a third act of 14 hours in a few moments all right the curtain rises on act 3 of 14 hours starring Paul Douglas as Johnnigan and Terry Moore as Virginia with Marvin Bryan as Rob no Robert didn't jump he's still there and up on the roof commissioner or no commissioner the police and the fireman are hauling back the ropes the breeches boy and the man they lowered to the 15th floor Mr. Donagas I got nothing more to say to you I appreciate what you've been trying to do I'm all mixed up I'm sorry so you're sorry look but don't you see your mother gave you a wrong steer about your father don't you see he's really good Joe and he well he likes you I guess so I just don't know what to do your father's still here why don't you tell him you were wrong why don't you okay Mr. Cosy it's all right Robert I understand I guess we both understand each other a little better now yes doesn't matter so much anyway listen to me Robert why don't you come on in for a little while I'll make a deal with you now you've been out there a long time you're tired you haven't had anything to eat and I'll make a deal with you you haven't even heard it yet if you want to come in and take a shower and think things over I'll clear everybody out of the room I'll give you the key and you can lock yourself in and then if you want to go back out there on the ledge again okay that'll be your own decision how do I know you're doing how do I know because you got my word for it you didn't tell me before when I tried to grab me no I didn't but I think that's a little different don't you kid anyway I couldn't have stopped them if I don't want to but this is it's just between us if I say so you've got my word for it alright I believe you now stay where you are don't come near the window I'll give you the sign I'll need a couple of minutes to clear the room stay there come on everybody everybody out out all you jumpers there clear the room out out maybe you've got something here Donnigan you're the guys don't thank you so talk it up you know make some noise come on I want a man in the closet a man in the bathroom and I know I'll get behind the chair Donnigan you hug the wall he won't see you till he gets in then slam that window yeah yeah yeah sure okay now now who's got the key I promised I'd give him the key and I'll hand it over I hope you know what you're doing Donnigan everybody out in the hall I mean everybody I'll leave the key here Robert here on the ledge in front of the window now just give me a couple of seconds to get out and I'll guard the door and see that nobody busts in until you get it locked okay count to ten kid count to ten and then come in the room is quiet now the police are hiding Robert stands on the ledge counting seven eight nine ten he makes his way to the window crouches and looks in he sees no one and then suddenly the door leading to the adjoining room is plung open kneeling the evangelist kneeling but Robert is gone again back on the ledge trembling and quiet his eyes shudders arms flung wide against the walls of the building and he stands there gasping I'm sorry Robert I'm sorry I did it was a mistake I don't even know where he came from why wasn't somebody watching that door we almost had him he'll never believe me now no matter what I say to him I'll pray for him I don't need not in here you won't get rid of this car you've got any other ideas of the girl you got anything on the girl ah nothing more I'm going down to get a cup of coffee you want to stay here whatever you say you can stay can I use your phone yeah go ahead clear the line for Donegan I'll be back in 10 minutes okay on the phone Donegan thanks hello look at me Bayside 99970 yeah thanks hey where are the others the doctor the kids parents down the hall reporters again you want anything no no hello oh Helen I'm going to be a little late tonight yeah yeah are the kids there Harry okay I don't know I still have to check in Donegan hang on Helen yes sir they found the girl for Virginia they're flying it down stick around yes sir Helen Helen I'll explain when I see you no no now it's okay now go ahead will you start without me yeah save me a piece of liver goodbye flying it down huh well maybe she's all we need I don't know for nothing anymore hey look starting to get dark out now I better stick my head out there if you're talking getting kids are you all right are you all right yes it's getting dark now the lights are starting to come on there's one right across the way in the office building where the radio announces is filled with microphones and the darkness is transforming this entire scene into well it's a strange fantastic sight the police have brought in search lights now they're training them on the building Robert Cossick stands they're transfixed by the sudden glare he's waving his arms he's oh wait a minute they're being turned off and very wisely I should say there's no telling how that intense light might affect them and they're taking no chances there's been a rumor that the police have found a girl some girl who's made getting out of the elevator Donigan Mark you're watching 1507 just you and the doc you want you to talk to the girl hey doc Mark you're watching it's better if we talk alone Virginia just you and I and Officer Donigan here thank you Robert are you still out there still out on the ledge that's right Mr. It's okay with you let's get right to the point you were engaged to Robert then why'd you break it off I didn't you did he did why well he he just said that he couldn't but he'd make me unhappy did you have a fight no nobody'd get mad what about Virginia whenever I tried to help him oh he did get in an argument and lose his job and get sick really sick I tried to get him to see a doctor and he'd get angry about that yes all I had to do was mention it we want you to talk to first we want to be sure you understand oh I couldn't talk to him I couldn't well don't you want to help him Virginia oh yes yes I do but I we were hoping that well maybe you could make him see that oh that he was important to you but what can I say we've put some of the pieces together Virginia part of it's only guesswork but it's an old old pattern been going on as long as they've been family what's been going on doctor I don't understand well briefly crudely it's something like this Robert's mother didn't want not really he spoiled a beautiful dream of a great career but she didn't blame Robert no on the other hand she babied him all his life said she blamed everything on her husband and probably without even knowing it she taught Robert the Haiti father well in recent years Robert realized it was wrong so he took on an ad to hate himself Robert hated himself and everything that happened proved he was right he's convinced himself he's of no use to anyone Virginia you love him yes yes I do I've always loved him oh and tell him so please make him believe it once we get him off that ledge we'll do everything possible to straighten him out you see he he wants to love you Virginia but he feels unworthy he's a pro doctor dark priest can we try it now yeah yeah yeah go ahead Danica we're taking Virginia now to room 1505 and downstairs in the lobby the police and the fireman has still another idea they'll bring a net up on the elevator to the 13th floor they'll turn out as many lights as they can and in the darkness Robert won't see them stringing the net beneath him well it's an idea this is the one that will work he'll be occupied anyway talking to Virginia in the distance the clock and time square says nine o'clock and twelve hours twelve hours and ten minutes Robert Robert it's Virginia Virginia but I told them I told them this doesn't have anything to do with you or why do they have to drag you into this but Robert I love you I need you and I want you that's all I I won't ask you to do anything you don't want to do they're doing something down there they're taking something out of the window down there what does it matter what they're doing don't you love me Robert I thought you loved me oh Robert I kept the point you wrote me your last letter when you went away I didn't quite understand it but it was beautiful I know it by heart I do you're gone Virginia I remember the empty doorways the soft dark shadows it said goodnight the heavy anguish on my shoulders I look at the awkward hand that cannot touch your beauty I hear the silent footsteps of funding in the silent streets forgive me Virginia I am empty why don't you finish it go on Virginia finish it no oh no Robert I didn't mean I don't I have tasted the wind I have tasted the earth there's nothing in between nothing but empty anger below no gold but the restless of the dead in the darkness they're stretching the net out of the 13th floor window but it's taking too much time more time than they thought and Deputy Chief Marks who has gone upstairs for Donegan we need maybe 10 or 15 minutes more to get the net up and then bingo let him jump and we've got him the point is can you keep him busy that long yeah you okay I'm okay what happened to the girlfriend she did all she could she's inside now with his folks 7507 you know maybe the box better give you some I'm okay well he's all yours Donegan yeah it's me kid what's the trouble why can't you tell me what is I don't know Virginia said you were acting kind of funny I can't breathe I can't breathe I couldn't breathe if I can't well I think I know how you feel about it you're mixed up about Virginia I guess gone no no of course not you want to see it again oh no okay okay maybe you want to marry her only you don't want to you can't you think you should you know that's a tough one that could happen to anybody by the way you know how many girls go up this hotel here today and say they marry you how many well a lot about 10 I think they told me they're crazy I'd really like to come in Mr. Donegan but I can't why not I just can't now not after this I might though if you could give me a good reason to but but you can't life is rotten and you know it just a rat race sure sure sure but there's a lot in it that's okay like what well I I'm not so sure that I can explain it I never counted it all up I guess rat race anybody that puts up with it is just dumb what are they doing down there they've got ropes again I can see them what's happening they're just pulling around kid you know how cops are they got to do something don't worry about it they're waiting for me to jump everybody's waiting for me to jump could be but I'll make you a bet you come in this room and you'll hear a cheer go up like when DiMaggio belts one into the stands if they weren't waiting for me to jump they'd go home yeah yeah sure a lot of jerks will look at anything I don't know maybe I agree with you a rat race like you said man washing a window making cigars everybody wants to see what's going to happen but jumping off buildings doesn't buy any potatoes you don't get anything out of this racket you don't put into it what about you you happy me? you want to hear about me? okay well some days I get real tired like now my back's been troubling me a little lately but I forget about it when I get out of the suit and get a couple of beers in me that's one thing it's okay a beer now and I get a kick out of that first swallow when I'm dry I could never understand how anybody could drink beer my wife used to feel the same way as you do I showed her something I put a little salt in it she drinks it all the time now is she nice? is she pretty? well she's well she's not a park avenue photographer's model no I no I don't suppose you'd say she's pretty she oughta had her teeth fixed when she was a kid but they didn't do much about that in those days and she's taken a little around the hips since the two kids but that's to be expected that's natural we have a lot of laughs maybe well maybe I could explain better how I feel if I'd read more books who are going to church more Helen's more for that but that's natural that's going to be Easter soon too you know I kind of like Easter the family we sort of make a thing of it last Easter though I was down on the avenue jockeying a top hat maybe we'll get to go this year hey why don't you come out this Sunday and meet the wife we'll eat oh she's a good cook and then we can go over to sheep's head and fish for floppers off the pier floppers? what are floppers? floppers give you know flat white on one side you know how about it how about coming out no why not I can't tell you but why can't you tell me I can't tell you just just trying to trick me again you mean you wouldn't like to go fishing with me I didn't say that but we could have a swell time honest this Sunday sure sure this Sunday any Sunday you'll pick it and then as they talk through the darkness a blinding flash struck the building down the street some boys just kids it turned on the search light Robert spun around like a bullet had hit him for a split second he stood there nailed by the glaring light and then his foot missed the ledge and he fell and the voice of the crowd was like something done again yes me done again Mark said all right we got him we got him in the net on the level done again go ahead Doc tell him he's all right he's suffering from shock but he's all right oh come in Virginia I mean later will it just happen again we'll all have to help him Virginia but he wants to live so the worst is over right now he needs rest Mr. Donegan I can't it's okay you just do what the Doc tells you thank you I'm gonna get a drink done again you come with me oh thanks but I better get on home if it's okay with you oh yeah go ahead go ahead go on things on the street are quickly returning to normal now people come and go without policemen stopping them maybe some good has come out of all this maybe they've learned something kindness maybe to be a little kinder to each other I don't know Officer Donegan is walking across the lobby now a little girl runs up to him and picks her up his daughter she tells him that her mother and brother are just outside that they've come for so you heard it on the radio huh well here come on honey come on honey let's find your mummy go home and here they are for a well-deserved curtain call Paul Douglas and Terry Moore play for next week Irving next week's play is an across all its own it's a beautiful tale of faith and a miracle a story that reminds us that indeed there are more things in heaven and earth than are dreamt of in our philosophy it's the miracle of Pathema and as our stars of this inspiring Warner Brothers picture we will have that remarkable young actress Susan Whitney in her original role and that brilliant character actor Jay Carroll Nash it's a wonderful picture Irving is the nice to be here good night good night good night the direction of Rudy Schrager this is Ken Carpenter inviting you to join us next week at this same time for another presentation of the Hollywood Radio Theater Radio Theater is a presentation of the United States Armed Forces Radio Service