 Tired of the everyday grind? Ever dream of a life of romantic adventure? Want to get away from it all? We offer you... Escape. Escape, designed to free you from the four walls of today for a half hour of high adventure. You are on a paradise island, living in happiness and freedom. While the woman who loads you for what you are, is planning to take away your freedom and forever put an end to your happy life. Listen now, as Escape brings you Somerset Mom's unusual story, The Vessel of Wrath. As I sit here with the sea-cooled breezes coming into the open window and the sounds of the breakers washing the sands before my house, I think of the far places and the people I have known there. In particular, I think of the thing that happened in the train of islands known as the Alas Group, which is a fair distance from Drava. It extends about 75 miles east and west and 40 miles north and south. At a certain moment of the world's history, the controller of the principal island, which is called Baru, was my here Everett Gruter. And he ruled the people who inhabited the Alas Islands with firmness tempered by a keen sense of the ridiculous. He was very short and extremely fat, and he had twinkling blue eyes. He knew that he had no dignity in his form, but for the sake of his position, he made up for it by dressing very dapply. One morning in the early heat of summer, his head boy came into his bedroom while he was dressing. What is it? Tuan Jones, my dear. He wishes to see you. Oh, but an holy hour for a holy man to call. Yes, my dear. Very well, ask the Tuan to wait and say I shall come directly. Tuan Jones was the reverend Owen Jones in charge of the Baptist mission on the Alas Islands. His headquarters were also on the island of Baru. He was a tall, thin, melancholy man with a long-faced, salo and brawn of about forty. He lived with his sister in a little white house about a half mile from the village. She was about the same age as her brother and bore a remarkable resemblance. Mr. Gruter both disliked and respected the reverend Mr. Jones. Disliked him because he was narrow-minded and dogmatic. Respected him because he was honest and good, and he only qualified doctor in the group. At any event, Mr. Gruter, buttoned up his tunic, went into the sitting room. The reverend Owen Jones got up. Good morning, Mr. Jones. Have you come in to have a peg with me before I start my day's work? I've come to see you upon a very distressing matter, Mr. Gruter. Oh, sit down, my dear fellow and have a cigar. Thank you, no. I neither smoke nor drink, Mr. Gruter. Yes, of course. How could I forget? Please, sit down, Mr. Jones. What can I do for you? I've come to see you about the man they call Ginger Ted. I want to know what you're going to do about him. Why, what has happened? It's disgraceful. There was a disgraceful row in one of the Chinese shops last night. Ginger Ted wrecked the place and half-killed the owner. Drunk again, I suppose. Naturally. When is he anything else? It took six men to get him to jail. Well, he is a hefty fellow. He must be deported from these islands, Mr. Gruter. Absolutely must. The man's presence is a public scandal. He's never sober from morning to night. And as for his behavior with the native women... Well, Mr. Gruter, you know this man's transgressions just as well as I do. It's grown steadily worse ever since he came here. Now he has really overstepped the limit. I beg you to use your power and turn him out once and for all. It is time for me to go to my office, Mr. Jones. I shall see what must be done. I wish you good morning. A few minutes later, Mr. Gruter was in his office, where he immediately called for Ginger Ted to be brought before him. The man was led in with the water on either side. He left him standing there. He swayed a little and obviously was suffering from a furious hangover. He had a black eye and his mouth was cut and swollen. And Mr. Gruter was quite upset for this unappetizing object that shared many a bottle of beer with him. And he liked the reckless way in which Ginger Ted squandered the priceless treasure of life. He looked at the tarred sheet before him. I see that she has smashed up Luang's shop to smithereens, then proceeded to break his head with a bottle, resisted arrest and knocked flat the sergeant. What have you to say for yourself? I was blind. I don't remember a thing about it. They say I off-killed him, I suppose I did. I'll pay the damage if they give me time. You will, Ginger, but it's me who will give you time. You are a disgrace, incorrigible. You have kicked up row after row. I can see it as hopeless. You know I meant no harm. Not this what you always say. Why can't you behave yourself? We are friends, aren't we? Of course we are. Well, you have made a devil of a mess this time and the Rev. Jones is all for having you kicked out. I have got to do something about it or he will write to the Governor and Batavia. And he is quite right. You have got to be punished. I am sentencing you to six months on Mapetiti. Hard labor. All right. Now, how about a bottle of beer with me before you go? Look as though you needed. It's the truth I do. You are a pal, Mr. Gruter. Ginger Ted took his sentence with good grace. One, he knew he had overstepped the bounds and two, there were several rather delightful native girls on the island of Mapetiti that he had not seen for several months. He bore the controller no malice for his punishment and he was sent to pay his debt. The six months had passed but for a few days when chance stepped in. The head man of Mapetiti was stricken with a sudden illness. Messengers were sent to Baru fifty miles across the sea and help was begged of the missionary, the Rev. Mr. Jones. But Mr. Jones was at that moment enduring an attack of malaria. He was in bed and talked a matter over with his sister. It sounds as though the head man had acute appendicitis. You can't go Owen. You can't. I can't let the man die. But you couldn't operate in this state, Owen. No, no, I suppose not. I'll do it. You can't remove an appendix. Why not? I've seen you do it. Then lots of minor operation. I can't allow it. It's too dangerous. They wouldn't understand. No, no. I'm going and that's all there is to it. And so Miss Jones went by launch to Mapetiti. She performed the operation on the head man under the greatest difficulties and it is to her everlasting credit that she saved his life. And when she saw that he was well on the mend she packed up the medicine chest down to the wharf where she embarked on the launch to take her back to Baru. On the out journey she had been the only passenger but now there was another Ginger Ted. He had paid his debt to society and was returning for another transfer. The crew consisted of the head boatman and a mechanic, both native. They were about 30 miles out in the open sea when Ginger Ted took the stopper out of a bottle of Arak and took a long boat. Oh, it's him. That's about a swig. Thank you, Ginger. Boatman, I do not wish you to drink anything while we're on the journey. Do you understand? Yes, oh yes. The little Arak can do no one any harm. Thank you. If you drink again, I shall complain to the controller. Malafouti. Miss Jones knew they were being extremely rude at her expense and she closed her thin lips and her long bony face became grim. They went due east then the sun set radiantly behind one of the small islands. She was like glass and Miss Jones suddenly felt her heart filled with gratitude for the beauty of the world. Because then, as there was a lurch and the launch began to vibrate and the engine raffled. What's up? What's up, Ginger? It's great rain. We're going to drop off the island and fix it. Right. Oh, Miss, we're going to have to put over it a little island over there. Put out a new propeller in the morning when the tide's out. That's impossible. I can't spend the night on an uninhabited island with three men. A lot of women would jump at it. How dare you speak to me like that? I think you're very insolent. If you don't go on to Baru, I'll have you all put in prison. Next down all the way who knows where we'll drift to. Now, if you don't like it, you can get out and swim. Oh, you'll pay for this. Oh, shut up, you old cow. From then on, Ginger Ted was occupied with the rather tricky job of beaching the launch. Miss Jones sat quivering with indignation and then as the full meaning of what lay before her dawned, her anger turned to fear. I see it all now. I see it all. He wants to get me ashore, where he has me at his will to do his worst. Oh, I know his character. Despicable, horrid. And there can be no help from the natives. He's bribed them to help. But I must have courage. I shall sell my virtue dearly. Dearly. And if he kills me, then I should rather die than... And in her fear, she removed a scalpel from the surgical incident she had so lately used to save her life and hid it in her clothing. Then they were ashore and the night came. Ginger Ted did his best. Oh, I miss. Come on over to the fire. You've got some lovely grovey. Nip of abac won't hurt you neither. I want nothing. I want to be left alone. Go with him. Go hungry. Don't mean nothing to me. He walked away with her direct. The scalpel held tightly in her fist and though she was looking for a place to hide, a place of safety, her instinct told her it was better to keep that bad man in sight. And then if he came toward her, she would be prepared. The moonlight would show him to her. Presently she found a little hollow and sank down into it, where in the distance she saw dreadful shapes of men around it. He's plotting it now. He's making them drink. He's going to sleep soundly. I'm afraid. I'm so afraid. Oh. But if that horrible, lonesome man makes a step, comes near, I'll kill him. I'll kill him. I'll kill him. We will return to escape in just a moment. But first, in time of accident or emergency, it helps to be in good financial condition. That's why it pays to invest in United States Savings Bonds. When you need money, the new 3% United States Savings Bond is better than ever. And now, back to escape. It should be mentioned again that Miss Jones was a woman hard on 40. She had an odd grouping in gracefulness and was extremely flat and thin. Her features were much like her brothers, the Reverend Owen Jones, and she suffered a good deal from indigestion. But at that moment her suffering bore a pain which was far more exquisite. What shall I do? What have I done to deserve this? Then she prayed and trembled as terrible phantoms crossed her mind. And the time passed. She saw the fire at the beach die down. And now was the time that Jindra Ted might be expected to turn on the woman who was at his mercy. This mother to cry for suddenly he got up and walked in her direction. She clenched the scalpel more tightly. She couldn't understand it. Why? Why? And then when she saw him go back to the fire I knew that for the moment at least she was spared. Her nerve gave way. After that she felt a little better as her eyes for a moment. The strain of watching had tired them and then she opened them again. It was morning. And with a sudden shock of fear she found that she was covered with two copersacks. He must have done it. Good morning. I was just going to wake you up. There's bananas, breakfast. Come on, easy hands. Thank you. Mr. What? Same tea you, Mr. Grutter. Eh, you don't bear me any malice for the sentence I gave you, I hope? No, no, no bloody fear. I didn't have a bad time, you know. Nice lot of girls. I met Piatiti. You ought to give me a look over one of these days. You are a bad lot, isn't it? Oh, by the way, I've been saving your remittance from England while you were away. I took out for the damage you did and still there is a little over something useful with it. I'm going to. Spend it. Mind here. Juan Jones wishes to speak with you. Very important, he says. Mr. Grutter, I shan't detain you long. I heard that, oh, there you are, Ginger. I've been trying to find this good man all day, Mr. Grutter. And I heard he was here. How is Miss Jones? None the worse for her night in the open, I tell you. No, no, not at all. I want to thank you. You're the good in there, fellow man. I have misjudged you in the past. I beg your pardon. What in the blazes are you talking about? You had my sister at your mercy and you spared her. She was defenseless in your power and you had pity on her. I thank you from the bottom of my heart. Neither my sister nor I will ever forget I. I thank you. What in bloody blue blazes does he mean? Oh, I grutter. What's so funny? Oh, if you don't stop laughing, I'll break your bloody head open. Well, he's... Ginger, he's thanking you for having respected the virtue of Miss Jones. What? Me? Me? That old cow? What does he take me for? Well, you have a reputation of being with other hot stuff with a girl, Ginger. Oh, I wouldn't touch her with the fag end of a ten-foot barge pole never entered my head. Well, what in the... I'll wring his blasted neck. Okay, give me my money. I'm going to get drunk. I don't blame you. That old cow. Here you are. Go and get drunk, Ginger Ted, but I warn you, if you get into mischief, it'll be 12 months next. I shan't kill it, Mrs. Don't worry. He's swine. What does he take me for? Ginger Ted got drunk, then he stayed drunk for a week. His pride had been heard. And to make matters worse, the Reverend Mr. Jones and his sister decided it was their duty to save him and do something for him. They appealed to Mr. Gouda, who said, Well, if I were you, Mr. Jones, I wouldn't try to save him until he's got through his money. Then if he is not in jail, he'll be saved. He spent his money and then sulked waiting for the next remittance from London. Mrs. Jones was unrelenting. He invited him to dinner and spoke to Mr. Gouda about it. Oh, Mr. Gouda, my brother is very anxious that we should have the man they call Ginger Ted to suffer with us. And I've written him a little note inviting him for the day after tomorrow. I think he's rather shy. I wonder if you'd come with him. Well, that is very kind of you. My brother feels that we ought to have women's influence and all that sort of thing. Will you persuade him to come? Well, I do my best, Mr. Jones. Tell me, Mr. Gouda, how old is he? According to his passport, 37. And what is his real name? Surely not Ginger Ted. Edward Wilson. Edward Wilson. Yes. Edward Wilson. The controller actually persuaded Ginger Ted to join him. This on the promise of several drinks at his own house before they went to dine. But on the night of the party, Mr. Gouda had to go alone. Ginger Ted was dead drunk outside the Chinese wine and grocery shop and not fit for anything. I am very shy, Mr. Jones. I'm afraid it's no good, Marth, of the man's hopeless. No. Never, Owen. No one is hopeless. Everyone has some good in him. I shall pray for him every night. I shall pray that he sees the light. Perhaps Mr. Jones was right in this, but the divine providence took a very funny way of affecting its ends. It came in the form of a cholera epidemic on Baru and several other of the neighboring islands, and the natives were in a panic. It was more than the reverend Mr. Jones could handle and it was going to need more doctors and this would take time. Mr. Grutter held a conference with Mr. Jones and his sister. We are ready to put ourselves at your disposal, Mr. Grutter. I need not tell you that my sister is as competent as any man. But I am afraid it does not work for a woman. She would have to go to some of the outlying islands. We cannot possibly spare you, Mr. Jones. Then, of course, I shall go. But it might be dangerous. Some of the natives are still treacherous. You would have too much trouble with them. I'm not afraid. I dare say, but if you get your throat cut, I shall get into trouble. Besides, we are so short-handed here on Baru, I do not want to risk losing your health. Then let Mr. Wilson come with me. He knows the natives Ginger Ted? Oh, no, he's just getting over an attack of the DTs. He has been drunk for weeks. That's out of the question. I wonder if it would be wise, after all... I trust him, Owen. I shall always trust him. There was a great deal more discussion, but in the end, Ginger Ted was sent for. He looked ill. He was in rags and hadn't shaved for weeks. No one could have looked more disreputable. Look here, Ginger. We've got to force the natives to take precautions, and we want you to help us. Why the devil should I? It was my suggestion, Mr. Wilson. You see, I was afraid to go alone. I thought if you came, I should be safer. Well, what do you suppose I care if they cut your nutty throat? They don't mean a thing to me. There's no reason you should care, I suppose. It's all right. I'll go alone. I've got a bloody foolishness for a woman to go out there alone. I dare say, but it's my job, and I can't help myself. I'm sorry if I offended by asking you. It wasn't really fair to ask you to share such a risk. It wasn't fair. All right, all right. I'll come with you when you want to start. They started the next day with drugs and disinfectants in the government lawn. For four months the epidemic raged, and then one day it was over. I don't know if you've heard of Ginger Ted or Miss Jones, but he had heard from Mr. Jones that they had performed a Herculean task in the Outer Island. Mr. Guter was singing of Ginger Ted over a bottle of beer one evening when the man came in. He was wearing a clean suit of white ducks. He was shaved. He looked another man. I... Ginger! What on earth has happened? I haven't, I'm glad to see you. You look wonderful. Here, have some beer. Man, I have missed you. Here, let me pour it. What? I don't mind having a cup of tea, though. A cup of what? On the wagon. Martha and I are going to be married. Ginger, you can't marry Miss Jones. No one could marry Miss Jones. Well, I'm going to. That's what I've come to see you about. First thing, as soon as I get off the launch, we want to be married by Dutch law as well as chapel. Oh, come on, a joke is a joke, Ginger. She wanted it. After that night, we're spent on the island when the propeller broke. Ginger... Ginger, she'll make you into a missionary. Well, I don't know, as I'd mind if we did have a little mission of our own. She says I'm a bloody marvel with the natives. She says I can do more in five minutes with her than Owen cared in a year. I guess she had an eye on you. But this... Listen to me, Ginger. We have had some grand times together. And a friend is a friend. You're going to the launch, and you can go away from... It's no good, Mr. Grutter. I know you mean well, but I'm going to marry the blasted woman, and that's that. You must do something about it, Mr. Jones. This is madness. My sister is a full-aged and entitled to do as she pleases. But you don't mean to tell me you approve of it. You know Ginger Ted? Ginger Ted, Mr. Jones. Have you told her the risks she is running? Does the leopard ever change his spot? My sister is a very determined woman, Mr. Grutter. That night they spent on the island together, he never had a chance. Mr. Grutter was beaten and he knew it. Then the next day, sportingly, he went to pay his compliments to Mr. Jones, who was preparing for her wedding. How nice of you to come, Mr. Grutter. I've been wanting to tell you how splendid Edward was through this terrible time. He's a hero. He's a saint. Even I was surprised. I hope you will be very happy, Mr. Jones. Oh, I know, I share. And you'll never guess where we're going for our honeymoon. Java? No. If you lend us the launch, we shall go to that island where we were marooned. It has very tender recollections for both of us. It was there that I guessed how fine and good Edward was. It is there that I shall let Edward begin his new life. Mr. Grutter caught his breath. He left quickly, for he thought that unless he had a bottle of beer at once, he would have a fit. He was never so shocked in his life. Escape has brought you Somerset Mom's The Vessel of Wrath. Direction and adaptation of the story were by Anthony Ellis. In order of their appearance, you have heard Ben Ride is the narrator, Parley Bear is Mr. Grutter, Eric Snowden is Mr. Jones, Alan Reed is Ginger Ted, Jeanette Nolan is Miss Jones, and Dave Young as the head boatman. Special music for escape is composed and conducted by Leith Stevens. Next week. You are on a planet of desolation and utter ruin, awaiting the return of your comrades to carry you to safety. While about you, the crawling and evil remains of life are slowly hemming you in and ruthlessly tracking you down to your death. So listen next week. When Escape brings you Charlie Smith's unusual story, North of Polaris. Tomorrow night on CBS Radio, here concluded suspense's production of Shakespeare's tragic drama Othello, Richard Widmark plays Iago, Elliot Lewis Othello, and Kathy Lewis Desdemona. Also tomorrow night, don't miss the Lux Radio Theater's charming excursion into fantasy, The Bishop's Wife starring Kerry Grant and Phyllis Thakster. Othello concluded on suspense, and The Bishop's Wife on Lux Radio Theater, tomorrow night on most of the same CBS radio stations. This is Roy Rowan speaking, and remember America buys 30,000 new radio sets a day and listens most to the CBS Radio Network.