 Get this and get it straight Crime is a sucker's road those who travel it wind up in the gutter the prison of the grave There's no other end, but they never learn From the pen of Raymond Chandler outstanding author of crime fiction comes his most famous character in the adventures of Philip Marlowe Now with Gerald Moore starred as Philip Marlowe. We bring you tonight's transcribe story the young man's fancy It was another scorcher with smog yet The angels that flap their wings over the sleepy little Pueblo of Los Angeles were taking a summer hiatus I thought about the blue Pacific some 15 miles to the west where the friendly waves will snap your back if you happen to hit The undertow just right So I decided on some three-part harmony instead Part one vodka. I had that but no parts two and three the limes and ginger beer So before you could say Moscow mule. I was heading for the shopping district. It's about a five-minute walk from the apartment I made it quicker. I drove Alex's fruit stall gets all my lime business partly because the limes are good, but mostly because of Alex All that's kind and gentle is housed in the square frame of Alex Lesnevich His tanned old faces creased around the mouth and eyes from smiling Deep set dark eyes that look out at you from under bushy gray bras and laugh Yeah, that's Alex all the time Except this particular morning Is mr. Marlowe well hello Hot day is hot day is he'd got you Alex. Oh, no, no, no the heat I Think I go to my chair A bit you find what you want. Hey, wait a minute. Wait a minute. You're not sick. Are you? sick some Alex is sick fellow. Have you seen the doctor? No, no, no doctor Alex is sick in the heart here. No No doctor can fix mr. Marlowe someone else could fix but no doctor you want to tell me about it, darling I will go to my chair and rock and sink you find what you want. Yeah Hey, the limes look good Yeah Yeah, how much? Fine Yeah, I guess it does Hey, does it get this hot and you go slobby? Oh Maybe it's long time since I was there. Yeah, 30 years Oh, maybe it's not changed there now Maybe yeah, maybe Oh, don't Dominic, where have you been? Oh, hi, mr. Marlowe. Hi, darling. All night. I wonder what you love dad Let's not start that all over again. Will you I'm of age with baby only big fellow who's small years don't give me that stuff I'm sick of it Just came back to get some things and some money. See you might as well get the cash draw No, that's enough You do not come here just when suits you and tell your father what he will do and what you will not do look dad I'm I'm tired of fighting with you Come on to the back of the stall. We don't have to drag anyone else into this. I was pretty much of a third wheel I didn't get it. I didn't want it to Alex and son Dominic boxed the next few rounds almost out of ear shot I heard old Alex might have something finally go to the cash register and get down the money Shortly after that Dom shot past me and down the street. I Stood there like a fool squeezing a half a dozen lines you You find what you want, mr. Marlowe. Yeah, yeah, Alex easily fine Thank you. Thank you very much Alex. Yeah, well if you need any help, you know where to find me, huh? Thank you very much, mr. Marlowe, but if Alex has troubles Alex works and I'm sure sure you will I'll see you had a conversation you had mr. Marlowe. How are you? Yeah, fine? How are you miss Gabrielle boiling over that? How I am. Yeah, well, it's hot. Oh, that's not what I mean my blood boiling when I got left That is doctor says I'm anemic, you know, no, I didn't know I just want to get some ginger beer Time I was in for a checkup I thought it never was going to find any red corporal white corporals. I'm loaded with he says but red one corpusils Corpusils, that's the word not corporals. Oh, well, I don't see it makes much different I don't have any red ones no matter what you call them or how you spell them. Yeah Well, I thought maybe about six bottles of ginger beer if you have it cold, please I Saw you next door at Alex's. Yeah, well, I got limes there now if I could just have the ginger beer Got into that down. I don't know really something has I heard Alex a plain as day Dom hadn't been home all night And I'll tell you one thing. That's not the first time this has happened been going on all the live long I wouldn't know about that. I just another thing that flour stand it is You know the one he used to run right there in the front of Alex's doll wears it gone six bottles of You wear the rack and ruin and first of the summer. He's running like always doing a nice little trade, too Then I'd get so he's not coming home and the flowers are wilting and dying not smelling too refreshing either Please one more and I see old Alex carton the whole kit and caboodle out to be incinerated by Ali and that's the end of the Flower business, you know, I knew it was gonna be hot when I first woke up this morning And I thought that about six bottles of ginger beer would help a lot. Oh, you want ginger bit well Why didn't you say so? I'm just shy. I'm shy. Oh I bet you're gonna make up a bet to those Moscow mules three. I'm giving you credit for the bottles. I know you got what you never take the trouble to return Thank you. I got to bring him back Hey, you know what I think don't have a pretty good idea I think Alex has had his share of troubles and now Dom acting for all the world like one of them delinquents You read about here's to me. Then there is thing to a blessing that Alex can count as Helena Helena oh, yeah, I don't suppose you remember her. Do you mr. Marlowe well as beautiful a girl Is it ever care to see? Lovely and I mean lovely in every way as you went to that Secretarial school, you know took a nice job up in San Francisco Understand she's just doing real well to rise to Alex just as regular and is just a lovely person I Remembered Helena no red-blooded man who had all his corporals would ever forget her Quiet little thing dark radiant with Alex's deep-set black eyes the kind that laugh Yeah, I remember her voice too soft just the right amount of pussiness It's been about three years. I guess since I'd seen it that would make us somewhere in our early 20s now and That would make her even love At the time I got to my car I'd have forgotten about old Alex and Dom I Pulled out of the parallel parking spot and before I reached the corner. I was in the proper lane minding my own business Nice work All I need more crack Yeah, that much I noticed Glad you keep your service station so handy Nick. Yeah. Yeah, you know what was don't you? Yeah? Yeah? I think so the dark will cut right in front of you from the wrong lane. I'll show be a witness for you, mr. Marlowe Thanks, Nick Tell me was that Alex's car Dom was driving. Yeah Don't take a look at the heap here. You think you can fix it up. Yeah, sure I can looks like he just scraped along his side offenders curl under there, but I Think we can knock that out for you in no time. Oh good Of course, if you want that paint touched up that's gonna take some time. No, no skip the paint for now, huh? Hey, Nick, you and Dom are pretty good friends, aren't you? I used to think so. I I don't see much of Dom anymore He's I don't know. He's screwy or something. What do you mean? Wow like that tricky just pulled running in here and driving on He didn't used to be like that Well, what do you think's happened to him? Or do you know? Well, whatever it is it's happened since we got out of school last spring all of a sudden He doesn't come around anymore Nobody a gang sees him and when we do, you know, we meet him on the street or something He just sort of looks down. He says hi and it keeps on going But don't let you come park there. I'll tell you what I get back. Are you steady? There's Dom's friend mr. Marlow only guy sees anymore that truck driver. Yeah making his daily delivery I see delivering himself to saw these bar half the time Dom goes there with him. He does huh? Yeah Yeah, well you see what you can do with a car Nick just so I can drive it Okay, huh sure sure mr. Marlow buds here today between us. We can fix it in a hurry, okay? I'll be back in a few minutes. See how you're doing as well. Oh and Nick. Yeah. Yeah, Nick. Yeah, I'm gonna tell Alex It was my fault. I don't want him worrying about it. So don't make a liar out of me, huh? Sure not mr. Marlow Only Dom doesn't deserve it. Maybe not but Alex does But I don't care about the car the car don't miss all right He's not no no Dom's fine Alex. He was well. He was in a hurry drove on to wherever he was going. Oh Good that don't miss nothing. Yeah, I just thought I'd tell you it was my fault and whatever damages there are you let me know, huh? Oh, if anything, I let you know you don't worry mr. Marlow you I'll try more carefully next time, no Yeah, yeah, I will Alex. Oh look, please look look look what is just coming in order fragment I almost forgot look it's letter from Helene. Oh swell. How is she? Oh, it's fine job Really funny. He's worked very hard. She said feel very good any Sunday Maybe soon come down to see her. Oh, that's fine. Is she still in San Francisco? Oh, yeah, and it's like we're very much, but mrs. Popper and Dom and Marlow Popper and Dom mr. Lane. Yeah, I'll bet When Helene comes everything again, it's all right I get the letter almost every other day two three times a week. Oh, well, that's swell Well, I got to see about my car. Alex and remember. Let me know what I did the yours And you remember now you try much more carefully, mr. Marlow He's got the responsibility to our fellow. He's right He's right Alex was feeling better Helene his letter had given him something else to think about for a while On the way back to Nick's service station. I ignored miss Gabrielle's nose Which was pressed flush with a free ice cube sign in a window You know with very little effort. I could have no use for that type female Well, Nick said the car would take about 10 minutes. I figured a beer would just about take as long The sign said salty's bar. No dogs allowed Bottle of beer any kind just so it's cool Okay, here you go. Thanks I'll play you as soon as I can see You keep it pretty dark in here. It's like golly. Tell more booze that way. Don't ask me why I won't Ah Anybody mentioned the jukebox is a little loud. Yeah, I have either can hear they like it that way they You'll see him when you guys get used to the place the guys play the record nine times now She's still not sold. Yeah. Well, some days you get nowhere Yeah, sure car Call the truck driver Nick pointed out to me was seated two stools down at the bar I noticed him for the first time just before he ordered the beer He's a big guy even sitting down. He had a placid looking face the kind you could never tell anything about He looked at me for a moment and then over to the couple in the booth by the jukebox Expression on his face didn't change as he calmly slid off the bar stool went over to the jukebox reached around to the back And turned down the volume. Hi What's the idea? It's too long. Yeah, well, it's my nickel. It's your nickel sit on Well, I will Thanks fella Well, if it isn't old Snooper himself look mr. Marlowe, I don't need any assist from you I wouldn't be too sure down. Maybe you thought it was a bright idea blabbing that fancy story to my dad Well, I don't go for it. You see okay. You don't go for it Given the kid here a bad time mr. Get lost the professional Snooper this guy already shot his face off to my dad about me You should not done that mister. Hey you guys take it easy. No brawling in here. Take your hands off me Don't let go. All right In just a moment, we will return to the second act of Philip Marlowe, but first The flood that swept the Midwest swept thousands from their homes businesses and farms The Red Cross asked your contribution now through your local Red Cross chapter the relief and rehabilitation job will take months perhaps years Now with our star Gerald Moore the second act of Philip Marlowe and tonight's story the young man's fancy I Was a wild dream My head was a punching bag and fighters with plate glass fists were taking turns cracking my skull hurt like fury Miss Gabrielle was helping me with free ice cubes the van played come on to my house and someone started mopping my face with a Cool damp cloth that smelled of beer and bourbon. It's coming around. I don't know why though. I'm really conked him How are you mr. Marlowe? There's a stupid question. Oh Nick, how'd you get here? Well, they came and got the truck Carl and down my son. I'm not here. I figure something happened Hey, I'm sure sorry mr. Marlowe. Yeah, so my Hey, Nick, huh? What's any of that company called rides for the inner city produce company? Uh-huh Alex buy stuff from him I guess that's how Dom knows him. Are you gonna tell the police mr. Marlowe? Oh, not yet, Nick That's two counts on Dom today. You're sure letting them get by with murder No, Nicky boy, I draw the line there. Oh here. Have a drink. Oh, thanks Now you think of it you have a real stylish clientele salty real stylish you're feeling good enough to crack wise You're feeling good enough to get out of here. Hey, wait a minute. Take it easy Nick. It's all he's right I just don't want no trouble. I got no trouble Come on Nick Couldn't have walked better if I had the bends They managed to get into my car at Nick's service station He checked all 96 Los Angeles area phone directories for me and Carl wasn't listed Nick had finally remembered Carl's last name. It was Madora. I Took one last look at the limes and ginger beer now quite warm in the car seat beside me But it's something sensible and drove off was even hotter down in the produce district And they're not on my head heard even more as I told Carl's boss a big fat lie Well, sir, mr. Marlowe. I'm glad our Carl was a help to you out on the ridge route Yeah, yeah, I'd like to thank him personally if you don't mind. Oh, don't mind at all The thing is he won't be in anymore today got in early this morning from San Francisco brought his load in It won't be in here again till tomorrow morning. Oh, he's going back to San Francisco. Oh, yeah That's his run up the frisk going back lays overnight both places loads up starts out again sounds like fun Say tell you what I could do. I could give you his home address Most likely that's where he is now don't know of course if you want to go to that much trouble just to thank Oh, yeah, yeah, I would After all he's done for me. I'd really like to look him up Carl's apartment building needed paint and better ventilation It was near downtown LA in an area that should have been cleared for the freeway, but it hadn't been There was no answer at apartment three Wasn't even any sound behind the door, but I had the feeling that somebody was there The corner drugstore I called the phone number calls boss penciled under his address Let it ring a long time. No answer No, my head wasn't the only thing that was giving me a rough time when I got back to Hollywood My car had developed a regular list of the starboard side where Dom had rammed me I Limped in a nicks and he spotted the trouble right away Yep, that's it. All right your front wheel alignment is not silly I know just how it feels we could fix it. Okay, if you can leave the car with us a while You're gonna have it a week. I want to take my head home and bury it. Yeah, I bet you got everything out of the car You want wait a minute. Let me see Lyme ginger beer Everything with the down payment Hello, Nick, what do you think miss? I don't know you got me Alex You don't got phone call is Helena from San Francisco. No, no, no, no, right here. No, thanks. Oh, it's come real soon Hey, that's great Oh Nick Nick you see them I have to find them for a lane up when you come you know no no Alex I haven't seen him. Oh, that's all right If you see him either one of you tell him tell him please to come for Helena. Yeah, we will Alex sure if we see him Yeah I'm going home Nick You see down a car. Let me know. I sure will mr. Mono I'm getting home a snooper. Well a bottle baby. I've been waiting to tell you something something Maybe you missed when I said it in salty. Now look all of a sudden. I'm getting sick of you down You better quit while you're a head better listen I told you to stay out of my business and now I'm telling you the same thing for Carl You're doing nobody any favors going to his boss poking around where you're not wanted Tell Carla come here and tell me that he comes you'll really flatten you get out of here William get rid of that gin smell before you go home. That's something else. It's my business Listen your little punk. I ought to slap you silly and I made I get this Helena's in town What she just called Alex. She's coming to see him. No now go home and get cleaned up and behave yourself And on the whole like you've been fired on and like I said I was sick of it the whole thing Damn Carl, whatever they were up to I'd had it Inside the apartment I left the lines and ginger beer on a chair But the vodka straight I don't know how long I was sprawl on the couch Okay, okay, okay That might be cow Waiting to see that boy didn't think you'd remember me Elena Remember Don't think you would sure Sure, I remember you Helena It's been a long time. Yeah long time long long time I Haven't changed have I mr. No No, honey. I haven't like the men always have to lie No, you haven't changed you make me sick mr. Marl Man, make me sick You're seeing your father yet John Carl said the way here I'm sick of Carl telling me what to do What's in the bottle? No, it's vodka Tell me about your job. I'll give it to me the bottle. That's my job tomorrow You can forget Anything Take it easy kid, will you Elena You got it here. Yeah She she passed out she's over on the couch come on car. It's okay done Let her sleep it off. Yeah, what else? Well, mr. Marl, they're going to get the idea I guess I am How long has she been like this? Oh, I don't know quite a while. I guess I Thought something was cock-eyed when she was homelaced Christmas, and then All late this spring her letters to dad got to read and kind of funny though. She sent to him. I Hooked a ride with Carl here and went up to the Frisco founder Well, how could she hold a job like this? job You got a drink to hold some jobs mr. Marl who I see you don't mind about her job She's Sick we brought her down here Carl did Now now we don't know what to do She can't see dad like this. No You're right. Dom it'd kill him and her too. She's a been staying in my apartment I've been sleeping in my truck when I was in town Don stay with her a lot of the time Dom's been writing the latest Alex for her and you've been mailing him from San Francisco, huh? Yeah, that way and Alex didn't know you see but now that she's called him and said she was in town I don't know Dom's had a pretty tough time with it. He's threw a glass of gin all over him today. Yeah, I know it's not her fault Sick that's all well. We've got to do something. We will we will down I Think maybe I can help you with that I called a friend of mine an MD with a small sanitarium in the Glendale Hills He specialized in Helena's kind of sickness We made a deal and a half hour later. We took her there It was going to take some time, but it was good building time Don and I had our story pretty well rehearsed and we got back to alex's But I don't understand why she told you this. Why did she not call any now? Look Dom told you she was pretty disappointed in herself that she had to go right back to san francisco She was afraid if she called you she'd cry and get you all upset. Sure. That's right dad. She thought it'd be easier for you this way Oh, I I think Oh, he's nice of helena to think of her papa. He's nice. Yeah She come soon again as soon as she can alex I don't think it'll be very many more weeks. Do you done? Oh, no, no, she'll be back before we know it there Oh Dominic she looks good It's barely oh sheet Well, you just wait till you see her. She'll look great. Won't you mr. Monk? Oh just great Alex I've got a hunch. She'll be staying home quite a while after this Helena home You can buy fresh cut flowers again in front of alex lesnevic's fruit stall They throw the smiles in for free Even miss gabrielle's changed her mind about dominic being one of those delinquents you'll read about I learned something about him the other day myself That kid can really paint a car Well, so much for that cost One muskow mule the adventures of philip marlowe bringing you raymond chandler's most famous character star jerald moore Are produced and transcribed by norman mcdonnell and written for radio by cathleen height Featured in the cast were tony barrett as alex larry dobkin is dumb georgia ellis is helena and paul dubow as nick with ruth parrot frank richards lou krugman and jack crucian Gerald moore may currently be seen in the santana production sir rocko The special music for philip marlowe is composed by pierre garagank and conducted by wilbur hatch Be sure to listen again next week at the same time when philip marlowe says This time the main theme was main street And the counter melody was full of shops from a burlesque house and flats from skid row It was wine women And murder Tony arden and tenor frank parker will be singing those brand new songs for sale introduced by steve allen tonight on most of these same cbs stations Don't miss ray blocks orchestra playing them steve allen describing them and more tin pan alley notables judging them tonight When cbs radio brings you a full hour of songs for sale Friends just as systematic exercise builds a strong body. 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