 Let every go signal remind you that you do go farther with signal gasoline The signal oil program The signal oil company and your neighborhood signal dealer bring you another curious story by the whistler tonight Lie or consequences. I am the whistler and I know many things for I walk by night I know many strange tales many secrets hidden in the hearts of men and women who have stepped into the shadows Presently, I'll tell you of nameless terrors of which they dare not speak Within the human character the line between good and evil is a thin waving one and very often the one small Impulse for good will outweigh and nullify the bad Such was the case with Michael Cobb Mike wasn't bad really it happened while he was a kid before he knew any better He'd gotten into trouble gone to prison served a stretch Now he's out and he's learned his lesson. He's proving that he's going straight Working hard at his job in the office of a large department store. He's married to a girly love Nobody can cook a better breakfast than you darling. Thank you, sir now Don't vote your coffee. I gotta run. I'll be late a couple of minutes won't make any difference Well, maybe not most days, but today is gonna be a big one the last shopping day before Christmas You know stores will be jammed. We'll be swamped with work until late tonight Besides, I don't want to spoil my record six months and I haven't been late to work once. I know I know it's fine I'm sure the store appreciates. Yeah, Lane. I I think they do too. I really think they like me down there You know like my work and everything sure Mike. How could they help liking you? No, and I mean well, I'm beginning to feel like all that stuff is all forgotten Almost like something never happened. It is it is forgotten Mike. Everything's different now. Yeah Yeah, it is. Oh, this is gonna be a lot different Christmas than the last one, isn't it? You were wonderful Elaine coming to see me sticking by me hot darling. I promise you They'll never be another Christmas like that never I know that won't Mike From now on that they're all going to be really merry Christmas. Yeah, you bet Gosh that reminds me. I haven't got your presents yet. I'll have to run out my lunch arm and find something now No, Mike, you're not going to go spending a lot of money on me. Oh, maybe next year will be more No, no, never you mind. I'll get you what I don't please. Oh my gosh. How I will be later. I don't run Thanks. Well, goodbye, darling. I've been on can home before midnight Merry Christmas. Merry Christmas Yes, it looks like a merry Christmas for you at last doesn't it Mike for the first time In your life almost a real merry Christmas You notice the smiles on people's faces as they walk down the street It gets sort of a kick out of the fancy red and green drape windows of the store The holly smells good in the elevator and you'd chuckle as you pass the toy department with a perspiring Santa Claus pulling on his red coat then into the office everybody's smiling. Yeah, you know what Mike? Maybe you're getting that thing they call the Christmas spirit Well morning George Merry Christmas. Hi Mike pretty cheerful this morning. Oh, why not? It's almost Christmas the day of good cheer. Well, what's the matter with you sourpuss and that's humble Oh boss on the rampage again. Well, what is it this time? You haven't heard no Why somebody lifts it another thousand bucks out of the receipts last night what again? Yeah, it makes about 10 grand has been missing in the last six months Well, no wonder mr. Humboldt's upset the detectives are in there with them right now And they've got old Gus a night watchman in for questioning I suppose we'll all be on the carpet like the last time. Oh, gee. That's not so good $10,000. Hey, that's grand loss and he and the cops are probably getting pretty sore about not pinning it on somebody Now look here comes old Gus fresh from the inquisition. Yeah, yeah, thank you, mr. Humboldt Gus. Hey Gus. Yeah, mr. Ross born they're playing questions and answers in there again, Gus Yeah, there was you this time there was you that time The only time I got to sleep when they call me down here for this But for what I want to steal money for I got a wife Fine wife for kids. I steal money. I go to jail. They starve But for what I steered sure I guess but I know why you so worked up about it Yeah, you probably had to admit where you were last night between 12 and one o'clock Oh, come you know that if I was go on everybody in the store knows that Gus is a standing joke Everybody knows you eat your lunch every morning between 12 and 1 They know you go up to the 13th floor and stretch out on one of those die vans in the Louis the 15th room the classiest in the joint Okay, so what's wrong with that? I got to eat. Why not in style? Only for that hour Anybody could come in and move out the other 12 floors and you'd never know it all right So what maybe that he's been somebody stole money. I do not know I only know I did not steal And this is the only time I got to sleep when they have to go asking me What a character hey, yeah, is that true about his breakfast from 12 to 1 yeah There's a night watchman for you I probably explains why they're so sure the thief is somebody inside the store Somebody who knows about Gus and what time he won't be on this floor. Yeah, it could be That's humble Yes, mr. Humboldt Yes, it's right away, sir That's what I thought it's my turn now man if I start screaming you'll know he's putting me on the rack Okay, I'll bring a branding iron to your rescue. Don't laugh yet. You'll probably be next if Humboldt really decides to catch a thief He'll catch one by hook or crook Merry Christmas Mike. Oh now. What's the matter? You don't seem as happy as you were Something happened to dampen the Christmas spirit. Maybe something you can't describe can't even put your finger on Just a funny sinking feeling forget it George Osburn has been in and out of Humboldt's office and almost the whole day has gone by and nothing happened And everything seems to have calmed down In fact, it's George's turn to have the Christmas spirit I really didn't expect it this year, but there it was in my pay envelope nice and crisp and green With the best Christmas wishes of the JC Dever store. I see that's well George. Yeah, real honest that guy's Christmas bonus I can show you who couldn't I don't know whether you get one or not Mike. You've only been here six months Then maybe by the way, why don't you mosey in and pick up your pay? It's almost nine o'clock. We close in five minutes Well, I guess I better wait for mr. Humboldt to call me Valia don't we get paid earlier still haven't bought a lanes present Oh, well, don't worry most of the smaller stores will still be open for a couple of hours Yes, sure, but I yeah, I've got to get her something. She liked real well a little store up on 10th Avenue Oh, well, it'll be open till late say I wonder if they've found out anything about the 10 grand for they've really questioned everybody around though They didn't question me. In fact, they've never questioned me about it. I don't quite understand that. Oh, well, I don't know I guess you got such an honest face or something. Yeah. Oh Yes, mr. Humboldt Yes, sir, I'll send them right in Maybe we spoke too soon. He wants to see you. Oh The other hand maybe just wants to hand you your Christmas bonus in person After all you are getting to be the fair-haired boy around here these days. I better go in you might even be in line for a promotion You can't tell okay, okay You want to see me mr. Humboldt? Yes. Oh, yes, come come sit down. Oh, thank you Come you've been with us six months now. Yes, sir And I must admit that in that time you've demonstrated an admirable aptitude for the work. Thanks, mr. Humboldt Yes, in fact, there's been some discussion of raising your salary promoting you I even talked to mr. Prentice a manager about it myself. Well, thanks, mr. Humboldt Yes, and that's why I regret very much to tell you this I Must inform you that we're forced to dispense with your services as of tonight this but you Mean I'm fired. I'm afraid that's it. Yeah, you're two weeks pays in this envelope. Wait a minute I'm fed so good Why am I being fired? I'm not at liberty to offer any explanations. I have my orders just got something to do with this Mr. Money hasn't I told you this is your way of telling me you think I took it, isn't it now calm? That's it isn't it mr. Humboldt you've questioned everyone else in the department with me you figure questions are unnecessary, don't you? Well since you put it that way come Naturally we must take into consideration You know about my prison record. I told you about it. What I've told you about if I was gonna steal again I'm not accusing you of stealing again. I only say we can't afford to take chances. We simply find it advise. All right, I Understand I understand a lot of things now mr. Humboldt Thanks Thanks, mr. Humboldt for the Christmas bonus Well, did you get it did you give you a Christmas bonus? Yeah Yeah, I got a Christmas bonus all right. Hey, what's up? What's the matter? Oh nothing? I'll I'll tell you about it later I'm leaving now. Oh, yeah, you're in a hurry. Yeah, but wait. I almost forgot with my bonus I can you pay you that 30 bucks. Oh, yeah, yeah then Hey That ought to help with that present for your wife, huh? Yeah Yeah, thanks George Thanks Merry Christmas Mike Yeah That premonition you had this morning was right wasn't it that funny sinking feeling now, you know, don't you Mike? You know it all the time really all this past six months. You've been kidding yourself that dream bubble has burst Merry Christmas Mike The crowds is still cheerful on the street the windows are still bright and gay in the holly still spices the air But you don't see your feel a smell No, there's only the sensation of a chill wind cutting you to the bone If you wander the dark streets not knowing or caring where you are Merry Christmas, huh? Oh Oh, hello Reverend you what I I Didn't see you so I noticed I was just getting home from my last-minute chopping Would you come in for a moment a cup of tea perhaps why no I oh come on. I haven't seen you for a long time That is for a chat besides it's chilly out a cup of hot tea warm you up You look as if you could stand warming up Michael. Come here. No, no, I I've got to get along Oh come now that lovely wife of yours will miss you for a few more minutes. I tell you I've got to go Very well Michael. I won't keep you. Oh, I'm I'm sorry Reverend. I didn't mean it, you know, I understand The trouble anything I can do. No, no, I'm all right I know you too well Michael known you all my life Now I've helped you before haven't I why I don't know. I don't know whether you did or not All that stuff you told me about turning over a new leaf for getting the past. I believe it Well, yes, of course, how maybe you should have told her some other people instead of me It just don't work Reverend. It just don't work all that stuff about being good and doing good Well, it don't pay you off it does Michael it does you must believe that Even a little good done brings a great reward. Yeah, maybe there's some people only maybe some of us are behind an eight ball We can't get around Michael. Please come in. I feel I must talk not tonight Reverend But all the talking I can stand now. I'm gonna do my own thinking. I know what I'm gonna do You can bet just sweet life. I know just what I'm gonna do Your mind is made up now, isn't it Mike Humboldt made it up for you, didn't he you'll hate him Don't you Mike and all the smug people like him who've never done a stretch and stir There your enemies aren't they Mike whether you wanted them to be or not and you're just one of the cell rats Okay, if that's the way it is, that's the way you'll play it What's that What's that following you? Maybe if you stop by this slighted window Yeah, you were right Mike. They're following you. All right, two of them You saw them duck into that doorway when you stopped and turned around Tell me they got dicks telling me why sure you dope they wouldn't let you just walk out of there They think you took the money. They're gonna tell you how'd you track you down? Okay, okay, if they think I took the money, I'll give them reason to this time. I will take it You are listening to the whistler brought to you by your friend the signal oil company Marketers of famous signal gasoline you are best by today Remember to let every go signal remind you you do go farther with signal gasoline Merry Christmas, Mike A very merry Christmas isn't it six months of going straight and you've given it up You're going back back to the store and get your share of those days receipts Yes, it's all so simple isn't it Mike? He'll soon be 12 o'clock midnight an old Gus will be up in the Louis 15th room on the 13th floor The safe and Humboldt office will be a cinch. You've seen it many times And as for the two dicks tailing you now, it'll be duck soup to shake them duck soup. That's right You're heading up 10th Avenue now. You can double back and that's wrong. Why are you stopping? Could it be that tune the brightly lighted window the old man standing back there? Of course now you remember 10th Avenue. This is all mr. Samuel little store This is it where you're going to buy a lane her Christmas present and there it is What you heard the music box sitting on the counter next to the open door Playing being Michael and merry Christmas. Hi, mr. Samuel. You came in just in time I was just about to close up. I guess down at your big store You've been closed for a long time, but here her be little fellows have to stay open to get all the business we can What can I do for you? I? Is this the music box the lane like so well? Yes, that is the one she was very taken with it Our eyes sparkled when she looked at it there as a powder popper Something side is not that is right and when you open it it plays the little tune. So Yes, she was saying how it was her favorite tune. Okay How much is it? Well, it's it's usually priced at 75 But I'll give it to you and the young lady for 50 $50. Well, yes, you see it's a genuine antique and it's the best thing I have in this store Well, I'm I'm sorry, but that's more than I think you know, I'm sorry, too I I would have let you have it for less if I could but 50 is the lowest sure sure Well, okay, forget it. I'm sorry come back again Now what's the matter Mike? Why are you stopping? Could it be you can't make up your mind Could it be you're thinking about the music box about it lane about Christmas? Yes, this may be your last Christmas with her, you know your last chance to give her a decent present with clean money Money you earned it might be a nice gesture I might a little token of all that might have been oh Mr. Samus, I'll take it wrap it up as a gift and I'll take it Christmas Mike, that's what's written across the packet It was going to be a symbol for a wonderful new life, wasn't it? And now it's an ironic farewell Your last attempt at doing good is Reverend Hewitt called it too bad It won't bring you that great reward. He promised it won't have a chance Because there are those two dicks still following you And you you're heading for JC Diva's department store office of Henry Humboldt The interior of it's safe. It's almost 12 midnight The greatest little show in town selling to the sale of earned in a 30 raving beauty's a new show just started Only 40 cents ticket, mister. Oh, yeah. Yeah, 40 cents. Thank you, sir A new show just started hurry hurry hurry ladies and gentlemen You're doing great Mike those dicks will follow you in but you won't be there will you? No You're heading for that exit sign down at the side through the curtain push out through the door and there you are In the alley free Okay Now up to the street Lose yourself in the crowd turn down fifth toward the store. You're okay now. No need to look back or is there You didn't shake them after all they were wise to that trick and they were waiting for you outside the theater Yes, you should have known now what? Have you got an idea? Yeah a good idea honey Why not lead them to the store? Sure, that's where they expect you to go But beat them there and hide down in the freight dock behind one of those big crates They'll never find you in that mess then when they get tired looking you'll be able to sleep in and do the job How's that? Brilliant. Yes brilliant Yes, here's the store there They are a quarter of a block behind when you hit the alley you'll run for it Make a dash back to the back and you'll be so far ahead then they won't know whether you got in or not And you'll fool them entirely you'll have them searching the whole store Okay, here it is. You left them way behind. Here's the freight dock. Okay. Come on coppers Just try and find me in here Sure, sure. Let's not waste time. You had plenty of time to get in probably with employees key Okay, you're not just skeleton. Let's go in after them Work like a charm, didn't it Mike? You're sitting here in your crate comfortably waiting while they search the entire store They've been there long enough to do it. It's almost one if they don't hurry you'll have guts to worry about Not that that's too much of a worry, but wait hold it Flash your lighter up. He could have ducked in one of these crates here. Yeah, yeah, yeah, but we never find him in that mess You can play hide and seek with us there for days There you are. I guess we might as well call it a day. It's a fine way to spend Christmas Eve anyway. Come on, let's go home Okay, I'm right beside you Mike Merry Christmas. This is better than you expected. They're leaving actually going away Leaving the place to your tender mercy You won't have to dodge him coming out. They aren't going to camp out in Humboldt's office and actually walking away Down the alley and you're set. It's wrong. It's going I can't stop. I can't. Hey right here in this crate Too late. Okay, Cobb. We finally cornered you. Come on out. No, you're sitting in there now cab. Come on. Come on. Come on We want to talk you. Yeah, yeah, I know I got the idea Okay Okay, you got me. Yeah, thanks for the music. Let us right to the dance floor. Yeah, that's the great reward The minister was talking about great. I don't get you. Oh, you wouldn't it's a private little joke on me Yeah Well that music maybe did you a big favor Cobb favor. That's right Maybe you'll see what I mean if you'll answer a few questions for us I don't see why I should you got nothing to be afraid of kid if you just answer a couple of questions straight I'll answer one. I didn't do it. I had nothing to do with it. Okay. Okay. You had nothing to do with it We didn't ask you that question when answer this You bought that music box at the store on 10th Avenue a while ago You know I did you saw me buy it and you paid for it with 220s and a 10 Well part of that money was marked it was money that had been stolen from Deaver's department I said it wasn't stolen up with the dough I got my pay envelope all of it didn't somebody else give you a part of it. No, I just earned the whole thing Didn't George Osbrink give you part of it? Oh Yeah Yeah, he did. Oh, he paid me $30. He oh, okay Now this is very important How does rent pay you in what denomination of bills? Well, I Yeah, yeah, I remember He gave me three 10s 10s You're sure sure. I'm sure and the 20s came to you in your pay envelope, huh? Yeah, you'll swear to that in court. Of course Okay, that does it Thanks, come. Hey wait You mean That's all you wanted me for it was enough You just proved for us who stole that 10 grand from the store and the way you were acting We did almost thought it was you. We hadn't known better all the time But that's not the end of the story the whistler will bring it to you in just a moment meantime signal oil company joins with 1800 signal gasoline dealers throughout the West from Canada to Mexico and hoping that this has been a good Christmas for you It wasn't the Christmas. We had all hoped and prayed for there were too many empty places at the table Too many empty places in our hearts As we look back We may wonder if perhaps we didn't give quite enough Not quite enough of our effort of our money and of our blood which can mean life itself to avoid at the front Yet even the regrets that may tinge this season's gladness can prove its greatest blessing if they fire us to new Determination to new and greater effort through the coming year until our prayers are finally answered and Peace again returns to heal this confused and torn world Yes, if as this Christmas of 1944 draws to a close, we will rededicate ourselves to this our job We may each of us hastened the realization of that ancient promise peace on earth Goodwill toward men and now back to the whistler Oh Quite surprising isn't it the police didn't suspect Mike at all. You see it was this way Because of his record the cops began to tail Mike in the very beginning when the money first began to be missed Twice they had him under observation at the very time the money was stolen so they knew he didn't do it But they kept watching him and the hope he would leave them to the real thief and he did Yes, because when things got hot the thief finally tried to frame Mike by giving him some of the stolen money Marked money this time George Osburn. Oh, no. In fact Osburn almost gummed things up by paying his debt The detectives hadn't counted on that. That's why they had to be sure which bills Osburn gave Mike The tens weren't marked the 20s were the 20s Mike got a new pay envelope from Humboldt Yes, Henry Humboldt the office manager You see things were getting too hot for him. The trail was getting too close He knew the money was marked and he knew the detectives were watching Mike So he gave him some of the marked bills and his severance pay trying to frame him It couldn't have worked of course, but Humboldt didn't know that and neither did Mike and Mike almost did something He regretted all his life. He almost went back to a life of crime Yes, if the music box hadn't of jammed and started playing just when it did and the detectives had gone off Mike's life would have gone down the skid Because it did play when it did Well next week, he'll be back at the store in a better job Yes, and he got a Christmas bonus too. They saw to that after Humboldt was arrested and all because the music box played Maybe that's why Mike says no sir that music box It's right there on the table where everybody can see it darling. I really think it means much to you I guess maybe a dad away Just like you revenue. It says a little good brings a great reward Yeah, the rest of my life that little gadget's gonna mean a merry Christmas darling Merry Christmas Merry Christmas Mike Fuck the signal oil program will bring you another strange tale by the whistler the signal oil program is broadcast for your entertainment by the signal oil company Marketers of signals famous go farther gasoline and motor oil and by your neighborhood signal oil dealer Who is at your service daily to keep your car running for the duration? The signal oil program produced by George W. Allen with music by Wilbur hatch is transmitted to our troops overseas by the armed forces radio service Bob Anderson speaking for your friend the signal oil company and Suggesting once again that you let every go signal remind you that you do go farther with signal gasoline This is CBS the Columbia broadcasting system