 The radio theater brings you Alan Ladd, William Demeris, and Marjorie Reynolds in Salty Your Lord. Ladies and gentlemen, we're happy again to present our producer, Mr. William Keeley, who gave you such screen hits as Brother Rat, Valley of the Giants, God's Country and the Woman, Tarad Zone, Each Dawn I Die, and many others. Mr. William Keeley. Greetings from Hollywood, ladies and gentlemen. We bring you on this stage tonight an exciting drama of the racetrack. Paramount screen hit, Salty O'Rourke. Stard in our cast is a gentleman for whom this theater has great affection. Alan Ladd in his original screen role as Salty. Co-starred with Alan is Bill Demeris, also from the screen cast, and Marjorie Reynolds as Barbara Brooks, the girl whose charm and loveliness melt the hearts of two men who supposedly have hearts above the melting point. It's post-time, and here's the first act. Starring Alan Ladd as Salty O'Rourke, William Demeris Desmitty, and Marjorie Reynolds as Barbara, with James Cardwell as Johnny Kate. It's a chilly, rainy afternoon in Los Angeles. In a deep, dimly-lighted corner of a second-rate cafe, three men discussed the recent death of a mutual acquaintance. Yes, Salty, it certainly was too bad about you, your partner. Jackson was a nice fellow. Yeah, I guess somebody must have had it in from her, Salty. Four bullets in his head. Now, you guys didn't follow me to LA to cry over Jackson. No, you owe me $20,000. Oh, now, wait a minute. Jackson borrowed that dough from you, not me. That's right. And then he skipped town. I never even saw the money. Jackson was your partner. What he does you're responsible for, see? That's what the law says, and I say I want my dough. Or, uh, Elson. Something like that, yeah. Well, I'm broke. Give me a little time. Of course, I say no. Now you know better than that. The dead man can't pay off. OK, I'm giving you 30 days. Hey, tell me something. How are you going to raise $20,000 in 30 days? Well, I, uh, I got a horse in mind. Yes, I'm thinking of buying a racehorse. Good luck, Salty. Come on, babe. You heard him. 30 days. Yeah, I heard him. But, boss, where are you going to raise $20,000? That's what Baxter wanted to know. I don't know, Smitty, but we're starting with my cufflinks. Get him back to the hawk shop. Again? Well, they'll bring enough to buy the horse. Horse? What horse? The Merifax horse, Whipper. Oh, boss, I told you a dozen times. Whipper's great, but there ain't a jockey living that can stay on his back. He's a man either. Well, that's why we can buy us a cheap. As for a jockey, I think maybe Johnny Cates our boy. Have you blown your topper? A horse nobody can ride in a jacket has been bought from every track in the country. Well, it's the best I can do with the tools I've got. Well, promise me one thing, that you won't buy this horse until you find out whether this little crook and rider might not. OK, got any ideas where Johnny Cates might be right now? Yeah. Do you want it? All right, then get going with these cufflinks we're on our way. Here he is, Salty. Here's the little punk. I got you big mitts off me before. Oh, a copper, huh? No, I'm no copper. Then what's the idea of going around scaring people? I found him inside there, boys. Him and a couple of blondes playing the slot machines for nickels. Johnny, my name's Salty O'Rourke. What do you want? What's that you're eating? Show him the barker. Any objections? Plenty. Then give me a cigar. I don't have a cigar. Then shut up. Now, do you boys mind if I get in on this elevating discussion? I asked you what it's all about, didn't I? How'd you like to be a jockey again, Johnny? Come again? My jockey and my partner. I'm the owner, Smithy. Here's the trainer, and you do the booting. We work together, live together, when the Dellington Handicap together. $50,000. Roll over, mister. To win a race like that, it takes a pretty first pig. Oh, I got the pig all I needs of the boy. Well, what's the hitch? You wouldn't be coming to me if you were to me. Oh, it's this horse we got. He eats jockeys. You can't ride him, it's no deal. The Beatles don't live what I can't ride. But they won't let me near a track in the state, see? Some beef about a crooked race. I was innocent as a baby. Oh, never mind that. I can get your license. You've got a brother, haven't you? Yeah, Buck and Brooklyn. Yeah, and he's 17 years old named Timothy. A regular information group. And you're 21. You're wrong. 22. Well, there's nothing to it. All you do is write for Timothy's first certificate, and that's that. Say, you're a pretty cagey citizen, huh? OK. Where's this pig I can't ride? I got him in a ranch in San Diego. We'll take a look at him tonight. That, uh, that right, Smithy? That's right. Say around 1130. What do you mean, 1130? Don't worry, kid. He don't mind running in the dark. I don't get this at all. OK, Smithy, I guess the boy wants a... Oh, relax, will you? What have I got to lose? Oh, that's better. Oh, uh, Smithy, you want to make a phone call, don't you? Yeah, yeah. I guess I better. Sure you want to go through with this, boss? No, stop being so chicken. What'd the watchman say? Just like he said when I found him. Oh, I guess everything is OK. I gave him 10 bucks and he disappeared. Still in all, I... Stop worrying, will you? The brawl's settled. He's settled? Only I think that... Hey, what a layout. Why don't you tell me this here's the crust you stable? Will you pipe down? Huh? What's the matter? Shut up. What's everybody whispering for? Oh, uh, we just don't want to wake up the other horse's kid. Huh? Oh, oh. Well, this is Whipper. Great horse. Great. Bring him around, Smithy. What am I trying to do? You get over there, you thick-headed beetle. Come on, now. Watch it, Smithy. I'm making him dizzy. Well, what do you think he's doing to me? Get down and back. Back you fool, back. What's him and the horse supposed to be doing? Oh, uh, oh, Smithy, just, just playing. He loves horses. All right, kid. Come on, take them. Give me a shovel, Roark. All right. Watch it, Smithy. OK? OK. I just take a couple of turns in the practice track there. I, uh, I want to see how you handle it. And remember, this snag's got a mind of his own. I'm the guy that's going to change it. Let him go. All right, Whipper. Come on, get out your bag of tricks. Come on, come on. Close me, why don't you? Go on, go on, can't get them still on, ain't I? Tough, eh? Well, I'm tough, too. Come on, get over here and run. Come on, now. Let's go. This way, I said. This way. Look at that bang-tail go. And that kid. Look at him. Look at him. All right, bring him in, kid. Bring him in. Well, how did you do it? That horse is a man killer. I just talked to him. Man to man. You talked to him? Yes. He says everything's going to be OK. Well, what do you know? A talking horse. OK, Smitty, take him back to his stall. We'll stop by later and buy him. Buy him? Don't you already own this snag? I had to see if you could ride him, didn't I? Holy cow, let's get out of here. Well, how do you like the bungalow, kid? Yeah, no complaints. Well, this is home sweet home till after the Delington handicapped. You mean it's our eyes, boss? Yeah, I just saw the real estate man downtown. Oh, uh, Johnny, I stopped by the track, too. I saw the racing secretary. I thought we settled all that yesterday. Well, everything's OK. There's just a little matter of going to school. Going to where? School, that birth certificate says you're 17. And the state law says you got to go till you're 18. Oh, they're wasting their time. The horses I ride don't read nor write. They got a schoolhouse right at the track. All underage jockeys go there. But if you want a ride, that's where you're going. I got all the education I need. I ain't going to overdo it. Now, look, it's three weeks before the handicapped. Are you going to kick aside a bundle of dough just because you don't want to go to school? I ain't gone. OK. OK, toss it in the gutter. One third of 50 grand. Over $16,000. Yeah, think it over, stupid. Well, come on, Sviti. Let's go get dinner. What about me? Well, it's up to you. OK, OK. I'll case the joint in the morning. If I like it, maybe I'll try it for a couple of days. Well, that's better. Here you are, junior. Have a cigar. This is France and England in 1700. Come in. Yes, young man? Where can I find a dame that runs this brain coop? I miss Brooks. And if you don't mind, I'm not a dame. Oh, a good-looking babe like you, the teacher? What did you want to see me for? Oh, you asked me that a minute ago and I'd have been stuck. But now I can think of a lot of things. That's enough of your impudence. What do you want? It ain't what I want, sister. I'm Timothy Kate and they hung a school wrap on me. How old are you? 17, but that don't crap my style, baby. Sit down. And just for that last remark, I'm keeping you after school. Well, what do you think I'm angling for, Toots? That settles it. Get out. Don't get sore, sister. Get out. You're expelled. Well, what do you know? A new track record. In and out of school in two minutes. So long, fellas. I still don't understand what you're beefing about, boss. You don't understand. I sent you out to buy a whipper and you come back with two horses. But I told you, they give me railery here for nothing. You didn't have to take him, did you? He'll eat more than a whipper. All you got to do is drop him in a cheap brace. How about Friday? Some suck will claim him and you'll make a quick profit. All right, all right. Tell Mac to stop walking him. He's level to get all out of breath. If he don't keep moving, he'll sit down. Hey, Mac, that's enough of railery. Put him next to whipper. Sure, Smitty. Oh, now look. The kid. Hey, you, why aren't you in school? I've been looking for you. They sprung me. Sprung you? Yeah. She don't want me to teach her. You'd think I was rat poison. Why doesn't she want you? I don't know. That's what I get for acting like a gentleman instead of being myself. Can't you get it through your thick skull that you've got to go to school? Well, no school teacher's going to blow our chances. All right, what's her name? Miss Snooks or something. Well, whatever her name is, she's going to get my number one pitch in quick. Find out when school's out, Smitty. You and I are calling on a teacher. Must have made a mistake. I'm looking for Miss Snooks. I'm the only teacher here. My name is Brooks. Oh, then you're the one who expelled Timothy Kate. Yes, I did. Are you his father? Oh. No, but Smitty here, I mean, Mr. Smith, he's Timothy's godfather. You sure you're the teacher we're looking for? Yes, why? Oh, nothing except for the way Timothy spoke. You expected a spinster? Well, no, not exactly. Just what did Timothy do that made you throw him out? He was insolent, impudent, and disrupted my entire class. Oh, Miss Brooks, I'd hate to see you make a mistake that might be on your conscience the rest of your life. Mistake? Yes, right now, this boy is on his way up. He's supporting an invalid mother and two little sisters. One of them works at a church. If you make a wrong decision at this point, well, you're liable to ruin his entire life. Well, I'm supporting a mother, too. What's going to happen to her if the board discharges me for inefficiency? Well, you see, Mr. Smith, the old law of self-preservation, no matter who else it hurts. I wish you wouldn't put it that way. You know, it's a funny thing, Miss Brooks, but 20 years ago, a school teacher just like you had to make a decision. And if she hadn't made the right one, well, I wouldn't be where I am today. Well, maybe I should make some concession. Oh, thank you, Miss Brooks. I'll see that you see her the first thing in the morning. Oh, I didn't say you could come back. I'll think it over. Why can't you think it over now? I'm sorry. That's my decision. Oh, certainly. Well, thank you very much for your time. Goodbye, Miss Brooks. Good afternoon. That beautiful doll like that. And what a disposition. I'm not through here. Huh? I'm making another pitch tonight. I got her a dress off that letter on her desk, and she made a crack about having a mother, didn't she? What more do I need? That's a stubborn tomato, salty. Even you can't stick to the harshest media I'll handle the things. Oh, good evening, Miss Brooks. Surprise to see me. Well, I thought you'd come in. I've only a minute. I'm afraid I must have seemed terribly insistent this morning, besides I took up a lot of your time, and, well, here's just a little trinket. A present? For me? Well, no, you see, it's a sewing basket. I saw it in the window, and it looks so much like the one my dear mother used to have that I, well, I thought your mother might like to have it. That's very sweet of you. Mother? Yes, dear? I'd like you to meet Mr. O'Rourke. He has a present for you. A present for me? How do you do, young man? How do you do? Really nothing. Oh, it's just beautiful. How many men would think it's such a thoughtful present as a sewing basket? Oh, well, thank you very much. My friends consider me very old-fashioned. Oh, well, Mr. O'Rourke is in the horse racing business, aren't you? Oh, it's really just a hobby. My chief interest right now is life insurance. Tell me, when you're at the race track, do you ever bet? Oh, well, that comes pretty close to gambling, Mrs. Brooks. No, my big thrill is trying to win the first prize. How many horses do you have, Mr. O'Rourke? Just a couple at the moment when I'm going on Friday. He is going where? Oh, well, what I meant to say, he's racing on Friday. How would you like to come out and be my guest? You mean, oh, oh, I'm afraid we couldn't. Nonsense, Mother. It will do us good to get out. Mr. O'Rourke, we accept with thanks. Well, splendid. I'll call for you at... Oh, I'm sorry, I'm having a horse running on Friday. No, I just remember when my jacket got in trouble at school today, he won't be eligible. At school, what Barbara can take care of that? Well, no, I'm not so sure. You win, Mr. O'Rourke. We'll give Timothy another chance. Oh, you don't know how happy you're making that boy. Well, I'm probably keeping your people up late. Why do you know it's 9.30? Oh, sometimes we stay up much later. Well, you probably think I'm just a little stick in the mud, but we horsemen like to keep respectable hours. I'll get your hat. Oh, thank you, Mrs. Brooks. And thank you so much for my beautiful presence. Good night, Mr. O'Rourke. Till Friday then. Good night, mother. In just a moment, we'll bring you the second act of Salty O'Rourke, starring Alan Ladd, Marjorie Reynolds, and William Demarest. Mr. William Keely returns to the microphone. Our curtain rises on act two of Salty O'Rourke, starring Alan Ladd in the title role, William Demarest as Smitty, and Marjorie Reynolds as Barbara Brooks, with James Cardwell as Johnny Cate. It's a few minutes later. Johnny Cate, the jockey, is lying in bed, lazily blowing smoke rings at the ceiling. A strange and beautiful smile is on his face as Salty O'Rourke comes in. Hi, O'Rourke. Hey, don't you know that's a dangerous smoking cigar in bed? Oh, it helps me think. What about? Oh, nothing. Smitty just tells me we got a railway set for the eighth race on Friday. Yeah. And I just got you set with Mrs. Brooks. Now, no arguments to hear you go back to school in the morning. Hey, that's great. That's swell. You, uh, you like the idea? Oh, certainly. Oh, just full of surprises, aren't you, Sonny Boy? I'd say, uh, house chances of making a light touch, Salty. Say, uh, half a seat? 50 bucks. Well, I like to go out once in a while and look at something else besides a horse's neck. Well, what are you subtle for? Uh, 15 hoodies. Here's 10. Are you sure you can spare it? Now get yourself some sleep. Well, just don't let me oversleep, you hear? They go to the post at that school at 8.30, and I ain't going to be late. Hey, Smitty, you better call a vet. I think the kid here has got a fever. Five minutes for outdoor recreation. Class dismissed. Hey, boy, hey, come here. Hey, come on, Kate, we're going to play ball. Wait a minute, wait a minute, huh? All you guys, hey, come here, come here. Why? Look, here we are, out in the nice sunshine. And there she is, cooped up inside. Mrs. Brooks, working for us. Well, do we do anything for her? Do we? I don't get it. Do we ever give Mrs. Brooks anything to show we appreciate it? Oh, what does she want? Well, she could use a lot of things. She's ever got a load of that dress she wears. Oh, brother. Well, thank her, she feels. She wants to look nice. But how can she on her school teachers grab? Maybe we could take up a collection. Charity? No, no, I got a better idea, if you guys are willing. Sure. Well, I'll buy you a ticket on that horse I'm riding this afternoon, see? One rarely. You ought to be about 15 to one. 15 to one? Oh, that goat? Well, maybe a little more than that. And where do we come in? Well, you guys were riding against me. All you got to do is give me a little head start coming out of the gate, see? And everybody ride like heck and try to catch me. You know, nothing crooked. And it's all for Mrs. Brooks. Now, what do you say? Oh, sure. Gee, that's swell, fellas. You make me very happy. Oh, glad to do it. Oh, glad to do it. Oh, glad to do it. Now, listen to me, Johnny. When you get this dog on the track, just walk him to the gate. He's got to save his strength. OK, Smithy. He hasn't got a chance of making him look good. He's not claimed we don't eat. I wouldn't say he ain't got a chance. He felt like man of war when I worked him out. Yeah? Well, don't break out in front of somebody's label to run over you. I'm telling you, you better have a chunk on him. Come on, Robert. We'll show him. Where you going to watch, Saltie? Up in the box. Oh, yeah, I forgot. The school teacher and the old lady. Have fun, boys. Most unexpected, mother. It's Railery by Seven Lakes. The lady's now on his second bike. At least one of them are late. They're only in his house right now, and they're moving up. Oh, whether you like it or not, Mr. O'Rourke, I'm going to buy a chance of Railery right now. No, it's too late. You can't. Neither can I. Just don't look back. We'll see how far in front of you is a drop dead. Come on, Grandpa. Come on. They're coming down to the left of me now, and Railer will make a pass to the winner circle. Mr. O'Rourke, it's all in there for the numbers. Now, what does that mean? Murder. Railery, $122 to win. And $0.40. Oh, no. I've got a surprise for you. Look. It's a $5 ticket. On Railery's nose. When did you buy that? I didn't buy it. It came with a snow. Here, read it. Dear teacher, if this horse wins, you can buy yourself a new dress. You're a loving student. Doesn't that look like Timothy's handwriting to you? Oh, well, it couldn't be. He knows better than to do a thing like that. Oh, let's go and redeem it. I have a better idea. I'll return it to the boys and let them cash it in for the athletic fund. Well, that's lovely, dear. Oh, well, I wouldn't do that if I were you. You're liable to get the boys in trouble. They didn't do anything dishonest. Oh, no, but the school board might think they did, and that's just as bad. Hey, boss, hey, boss, I got to see you. Oh, excuse me a minute, ladies. Did you see what I saw? Oh, it's worse than that spin. That punk bought a ticket for the school teaching. She's going to turn the money over to the athletic fund. We'll be bad for life. Not if I can get her to spend some of that dough. She'll be a partner, and then she can't squawk. Get on it, boss. Get on it fast. Where are we going now, Salty? I'm driving you home. Your mother might be worried. Oh, it's a wonderful night, and it's been such a wonderful day. Forget it. The races, dinner, a drive in the country. And that new dress you bought? The dress. Why did you do it? Do what? Well, I wasn't going to buy the dress. It was much too expensive. 1975, too expensive. Salty, I saw you pay the sales lady the difference. Oh, oh, I'm sorry. Why did you do that? Because it was the dress you liked. Because I wanted you to have it. Are you going to take it back? No, I should, but I'm not. Well, you had one good idea anyway, about giving the boys a party at the end of the term with the rest of my winnings. Oh, sure. They'd like that better than turning it over for athletics. You know, you're a strange person. Me? Strange? Yes. Why should a man like you be carrying a gun? I'd like. Why do you carry a gun? I'm sorry. I'm getting careless. I didn't think it was noticeable. Salty, I'd like to go home right away. That's where I said I was taking. All right, Johnny, your wife's on her wake up. Who? Oh, you're talking to me? And start explaining. Oh, you ain't so, because I won this afternoon. Can I help her to some crooked jockey shoe me in? And look that dough alone. You no good lying little crook. I got a lift, don't I? Besides, I told you to bet on him. So you could pull a fix that could have tossed the handicap and 50 Gs right out of the window? Except I wasn't caught, was I? You don't know how close you came. That school teacher friend of yours was going to give the winnings from the ticket you sent her to the athletic fund. So what happened? So I stopped her. Oh, but that was hard. I never seen a dame yet that couldn't use a little extra cash. I've seen you guys. The neighbors can hear you all over the block. All right, listen to me, punk. From now on, you're going to get me an honor shake and start training. And if you're done, I'm getting me a new boy. No, you're not. Yeah, who says so? The talking horse says so. Whipper, the horse nobody else can ride, remember? So why don't you two get out of here? I've got to get my rest. Good night, boys. Come on, Smitty. You're not going to let that saddlemorky take charge, are you? There's two ways to kill a cat, Smitty. You can hit him over the head, or you can feed him chloroform that tastes like cream. In this case, I'm using cream. Well, Timothy, I suppose you realize why I'm keeping you after school. Sure, Miss Brooks, but I only whistled because you look so pretty in your new dress. Timothy, why is it that you do a nice thing one minute and spoil it the next by being so ill-behaved? What did I do nice? Oh, this dress, it was very sweet of you. But you must promise never to do it again. Oh, it was nothing. You don't even have to mention it. I know there's a lot of good in you, and I do want to see you amount to something. Say, are you on the level? Of course I am. I like you. I want to help you. If you'll let me. If I'll let you? Oh, listen, Cupcake, you and me are going to make beautiful music together. How dare you say such things to me? Huh? You get out of here. And if you ever say anything like that again, I'll expel you for good. But Miss Brooks, I... Get out! Here, Sharpie. I told you we'd find the kid in a joint like this. Feed it. So this is where you've been all night. Drinking beer. Button it up. All right, take it easy, Smithy. Maybe the boy's got something on his mind. Maybe I have. Not that Model T school teacher again. Don't you talk about her like that. She's swell. Now, wait a minute. You're not stuck on this thing, are you? What if I am? Oh, easy, kid. We're only trying to help you. Well, fix it up so Miss Brooks will talk to me again. OK, but you've got to start doing your part. What do you mean? Well, in the first place, a fine girl like Miss Brooks doesn't go for guys like us. She goes for guys that drink milk, not beer. Go on. Well, in the second place, you've got to train every day. Treat her with respect. Prove to her that you've got a fine, clean-cut character. Then on the far turn, you start making your move, see? That's the Dellington handicap. The girl in 16 grand in your pocket. Don't win it. He's right, kid. I would have thought of it. Go get her on the phone, talk to her. Oh, sure. Sure, partner. The number's Dellington 727. There's a phone back there. What did she say? I told her I had something important to discuss. She said I can come right over. OK, just remember whose side you're pitching on. I have to be nice to her, don't I? Just don't be too nice. Now, how do you know how I have to be? Every time you talk to her, you get your nose in the sling. All right, Smitty, you and Johnny better get back to the bungalow. Now, when you get through talking to her, don't hang around her house. Do you hear? You got a kind of bad habit, Johnny. Give you a full report when I get back. Don't worry, kid. Salty'll put it over for you. He's in with her old lady, too. Even had him to the races. Even picked out that dress from Miss Brooks. What? He picked it. Sure. Smitty, look, you want to run next door and give me a couple of stovies? It's embarrassing when they ask me my age. Here. Forget it, kid. These here will be on me. Thanks, Smitty. Hey, Herman. When that guy comes back, tell him I just disappeared. You don't know where I went. Sure kid, I'll tell him. No, what can be keeping Barbara, Mr. O'Rourke? Well, I hope she's not getting all dressed up. I just thought we'd have a little chat. You can't fool me. This is no place to talk. And anyway, a new dress ought to be taken out. Oh, Mother, the pleasure's all mine. Hello, Salty. What were you two talking about? Oh, Salty was asking me if he could take you out. I said he could. Oh, Mother, you're still... Well, I think it's a very good idea. Now, you two run along. Don't worry about me, dear. Run along. Good night. Good night. Good night, Mom. Hello? Hello, Mrs. Brooks? This is Mrs. Brooks. I'm sorry, but Mrs. Brooks is out for the evening. Oh, say, Mr. O'Rourke ain't around, either, huh? Oh, no. He and my daughter were out for the evening. Well, who's calling, please? Never mind. Is there any message? Yeah. He's a dirty double-crossed chiseler. Oh, Mom! And if he starts looking for his boy, tell him not to buy it. Tell him I'm getting crack-eyed drunk. Goodbye. In just a moment, we'll bring you the third act of Salty O'Rourke, starring Alan Ladd, Marjorie Reynolds, and William Demerest. Here's our producer, Mr. William Keely. We continue with act three of Salty O'Rourke, starring Alan Ladd as the gentleman in question, William Demerest as Smitty, and Marjorie Reynolds as Barbara Brooks, with James Cardwell as Johnny Cate. Johnny Cate is sure that double Salty has double-crossed him with a beautiful Miss Brooks. And while he's drowning his sorrow the only way he knows how, Salty's taken Barbara to a nightclub. True to his promise to Johnny, Salty builds him up to stratostatic heights. Beautiful boy. Loyal, ambitious, clean-cut. And what do you suggest I do about it? Well, you could invite him over to your house, get the knowing about it. But Timothy seems so, well, precocious. Yeah, he is old for his years. But underneath he's just a sweet, lovable kid. All right, I'll invite him over. Now, do you suppose you'd consider asking me to dance? Oh, hello, Rourke. Oh, Baxter, what do you want? I thought you'd be glad to see me. You see, I heard about a long shot that came in, 60 to 1. Sorry, I didn't bet the race. You didn't bet the race? That's right. OK, but the mortgage is still due. And payable after the handicap. You seem pretty sure of winning. Sure, I've got the right eyes. I hope so, Solvee. Yeah, let me up again sometime. Sorry, Barbara. You're in trouble. That's why you carry the gun. Who was that man? Let's talk about it some other time, huh? Solvee, won't you please quit this life you're leading? Fine, what's it to you? You're right. What's it to me? Come on, let's get out of here. You in bed yet? I didn't turn in because of the kid's sleep. Well, that's what I've been waiting up to tell you. He, uh, he gave me the slip, boss. Gave you the slip? What do you use for brains? I knew you was going to ask me that. Well, all we can do is that all you've got to say. Oh, that's great. Tomorrow's Saturday. You know whippers running that prep race, and look at the shape you're in. You're drunk, and jockeys that drink. Shut up. Look at this, Leroy. You got to lay off on this brook. Oh, why don't you get smart? I was only trying to straighten you out with it. Give me that. I never looked sideways. I don't mind a lie. You better not look at her again, brother. Because I got you right in my pocket, see? I'm the only Buddha that can ride whippers. I can ride him with the range in my teeth, see? And you shut up. I didn't say anything. I am might. But make one false move with that girl over there. Can you and that nag wind up in the glue factory. It's for you. Yeah? Bring me some ice. My head's killing me. I'll bring you some ant paste. Get him the ice. Come on. I told you we got to use cream on this cat, it still holds. Come on, Johnny. Wake up. Add a boy, add a boy. How do you feel? Add out of here. Did you have a good night, kid? What's the matter with you, guy? Why, not a thing. Now, if you can stand some good news, I'd just call Miss Brooks. She said she'd be very happy to see you at her house after you worked out whippers. She did? You sure you're on the level? Well, I've always been on the level with you. Oh, boy. Thanks, SOTY. Give me my clothes, I'm getting up. Oh, my head. Now that you're here, Timothy, let's review your geography. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, later. Miss Brooks. Yes? I got you a little something. Here. In this box, it's a pin. Timothy, it's beautiful. Oh, but you shouldn't spend your money like that. You have your future to think about. I have thought of it. It only upsets me. Why? Someday a girl will come along and you'll be thinking of settling down, having your own home. You should start saving right now. You think so? Well, certainly. You mean if I had, say, 15 grand in a bank, a girl might take a chance with me? Exactly. And I'm a little old fashioned, Timothy. I believe in early marriage. Oh, you don't have to say any more, baby. I'm way out in front of you. You have a funny look in your eye, Timothy. Is there someone? I ain't cracking now, but when I do, you'll be the first to know about it. Say, there's a prep race for the handicapped this afternoon. Me and Ripper's running. Now, Timothy, don't you dare. Oh, no, I was just going to say when we come down that finish line, we'll be thinking about you. Me and Ripper? You'll very sweet. I'll speed everything by a city block. Oh, what a jockey. Now, if I'm going to keep that kid in the right frame of mind for one more week, we've got a beautiful chance of hitting that jackpot. I've got an idea. Look, the night before the handicapped is the jockey's ball. All them punks in school will be trying to take the teacher, see? Now, if you could muscle Johnny into that spot, we'd have a happy character in our hands. How about it? Hey, wait a minute. I think you got something. Hustle down to the winter circle, Smitty. I'm seeing this book right away. Look at him, Watson, boss. But once that Johnny is teaching teacher something. You know, I can't get over the way that kid's been behaving. I'm beginning to believe he's all right. I was even thinking the same thing. Hey, they stopped dancing. Well, are you blaming? Look, he's taking her outside, boss, out in the moonlight. Why, that two-bit little Romeo. Oh, now, easy, boss, easy. That's what we wanted, wasn't it? Well, that's the matter with me. Certainly, it's what we wanted. All right, Timmy. Now, what is it you wanted to talk about that we couldn't talk about inside? Well, first off, have you noticed any change in me, Miss Books? Yes, and I'm very proud of you. Oh, am I glad to hear you say that. It sure makes it easier for me to talk about us, knowing for sure how you feel. About us? Yeah, I, uh, been to the jewelry store again. You know what it is this time? I haven't any idea. Here, an engagement ring. Timothy. Oh, don't stop me now. I, I, I love you, and I'm going to say it. I, I, I want to marry you. Oh, heck, I, I know this is a rotten proposal. Timothy, you're not serious. Serious? Oh, Timothy, I like you very much, but if I've given you the impression that my feelings went any deeper. When you said about me meeting the right girl and saving my dough and getting married, you, you didn't mean us? And then you. Oh, I had no idea you'd listen to her. Is this somebody else? That doesn't make any difference. There is somebody else. It's a ruric, ain't it? Ain't it? Well, what if it is? I knew it. What a lot of fun you must have laughing at me to both of you. No one's been laughing at you. Oh, no. Who was he who's going to laugh last? Boy, what a sucker I've been. What's wrong? Come out here on the terrace. You're the most contemptible man that ever lived. Oh, now wait a minute. That trick you played on Timothy was the most heartless. How could you do such an unholy thing and make me a partner to it? Would you please tell me what you're talking about? Timothy proposed to me just now, and it's all your fault. Where is he? He's gone. He couldn't stand it when I told him I. When you told him what? Never mind. You must have told him something to drive him away. Well, I guess I did, but I can't tell it to you. You've got to tell me. Everything may depend on it. I told him I was in love with you. Oh, what in the world did you tell him that for? Because I am. Well, at least I was. Now go away and let me alone. Go away. He's a rock's jockey. Send him in, babe, then beat it. OK, go right in, kid. I ain't got much time, Baxter, and I know all about you. Smart kid, what can I do for you? Nothing. I come to your hotel to tell you what I can do for you. You'd like to have whipper in your pocket tomorrow, wouldn't you? Sure, I would. But a job like that's worth more dough than I can afford. Well, this time, money don't count. I don't like a roarick any more than you do. Is that so? Yeah. What horse are you on? Black armor. I got quite a little sack on black armor. We'll put $500 on his nose for me, and we've got a deal. Oh, I can do a little better than that. I'll grand on his nose, and here, say, five Cs for spending money. OK. There's just one thing I don't understand. Oh, well, it goes you dough. $20,000. And how are you going to collect it if whipper don't win? Who cares? If black armor wins, and now I'm pretty sure he's going to, I'll make more off my bets. At the same time, wipe out a guy I don't like. Oh, I see what you mean. Yeah, I see what you mean. But he looked at kid's homies. Pa would have been home all the time. Hello, Johnny. Hi, kid. Boy, are we dumb. We've been checking every saloon in town. We figured you've been hanging one on again. I've got a ride to more, ain't I? Johnny, you're OK. That's for what happened tonight at the dance. Well, all I can say is I'm sorry. Ah, cut out the malarkey. You're just a dirty double-cross and buzzard. Oh, now take it easy, kid. She didn't mean a thing to you, huh? Never looked at her sideways, eh? And all the time you're playing me for a patty. Eh, I never had an honest shake with you or her. Now listen to me and get this straight. That girl didn't mean a thing to me just like I told you. As a matter of fact, until she blowed me out a couple of hours ago, I didn't even know she was alive. But brother, I know it now. Kind of a slow thinker, ain't you? All I can do is tell you again I'm sorry. And if I were you, I'd concentrate on that 16 grand you're going to pick up tomorrow afternoon. Because girl or no girl, you're still a pretty smart businessman. Well, you sure countin' on me, ain't you? Yes, because I'll have the best horse and the best booter on the track. Maybe you're right. Do you think he's right, Smitty? Well, kid, I'll tell you where to skip it. I'm going to bed. Hey, Mac. Yes, Oldie? Start looking for Smitty. Horse in the paddock and my trainer hasn't even shown up. How am I going to find him in that mob up? Oh, it's OK, Oldie. Smitty's coming. Hey, boss, boss. Where have you been? We're cooked, so I'll be cooked. Why? Baxter's got whipper in his sack and you with it. Johnny sold out to Baxter's, a little thief. Oh, quit running off at the mouth. How do you know? I got a friend at Bellhop, see? He seen him together last night in Baxter's hotel. He heard him. I don't believe him. Baxter's given them 1,500 bucks. That little gypsy's got no loyalty for him. Stop shaking your head. Aren't we giving him a third of the purse? Where's the kid now? Still in the jockey room. They'll be weighing in about now. Yeah, he ought to be out any minute. There ain't any time to lose. Now where are you going? Stay with whipper, boss. There's somebody in the grandstand. They've got to see. Look where the body is, Miss Brooks. You remember me? Yes. It's about salty, Miss. If he loses this race, you'll never see him again. Then neither will anybody else. What are you talking about? The kid's throwing the race. He's not going to try to win. And if we don't win, salty is as good as dead. Why do you come to me? Because salty is in love with you. In love with me? Oh, please, lady. You've got to believe me. The kid's coming out for the race. I want you to talk to him. Where will I find him? Well, after he leaves the jockey room, he goes to the paddy. I think maybe there's a spot between where you can grab him. Well, I can't stop now. I'm riding in this race. If it's the last thing I do, I've got to make you listen to him, Missy. What's the matter with you? I can't guarantee a winner. You said once you wanted me to be happy. Now you've got your chance to prove it. I love salty. I always will. And if he wins this race, I can get him out of all this forever. But it's up to you, Tim. You will give me that chance, won't you? I'll always remember the nice things you told me last night. And I'll always be grateful and proud of you. No matter what happens on that track, I, for one, will always know that you tried to win with all your might. Hey, hey, you kissed me. Yes, Timmy. I wanted to kiss you. Excuse me, I got to see your horse about a race. All right, kid. Whip is tight as a trough. Just remember, it's a mile and a quarter, and what am I doing trying to tell you how to ride this horse? You're the only one that does know how. Yeah. You've been hearing some talk, salty? A little, but I don't believe it. You'll know soon, though, huh? Yeah, yeah, I'll know soon. Good luck, partner. OK, Whip, let's go. That dirty little crook. Take it easy, Smitty. Maybe he's changed his mind. Yeah? Look, I've just been doing some snooping in the jockey room. Here, in the kid's locker, 500 cash. Thanks for getting this, salty. And he's riding you straight to the undertaker. Too late to worry about it. No, yank Whipper out the race. Declare him out. Well, what good would that do? We can't win with him. We can't win without him. Then let's blow out of here while we can. OK, get the car. I'll meet you in front of the gate. OK, boss, I got the car. Let's go. I, uh, I changed my mind. I think I'll just sit here on the bench for a while. You, nuts? Yeah, probably. I'll get over to the bungalow and start packing. Here, go ahead. I'll see you in a little while. Hello, salty. Hello, Bruxy. I followed you out here. I saw you leave. You're not going to watch the race? Oh, we're in the starting gate. No. You never called me Bruxy before. Oh, you're there, and let it go. I never felt this way before. I mean, love, Bruxy. Funny, but it's so. I mean, love, too small. Yeah, but I'm just a guy who found out too late. Why? Tell me, I'll be right to know. Long story, Bruxy won. Just didn't work out. If I'd have won this race, the whole world would have looked different. But you haven't lost yet. Whippa may still win it. Oh, no, he's in a boat ride. Not a chance. Aldi, I know about Timothy, but we mustn't judge him too soon. We mustn't. Bruxy, I'm no good with words unless I'm lying to somebody, but I'm not lying now. I want you to start walking to that gate and go right on through without looking back. This is goodbye. No, it isn't, Aldi. Because where you go, I'll go, too. No, you can't. Someday, when things straighten themselves out, I'll come back. I'm not in trouble. I'd like to kiss you goodbye, Bruxy. What are you letting me do? You have no right to talk to me before I raise this, you little man. You've got good horse sense. Because we want what you do. You wouldn't help it if you run away and won this race, could you? Well, what makes you think you can? All right, so don't get the name. We can quit it. Pretty far back. It looks like she's done it. All right, so backstuff, race, close my legs. You've got to get me first, don't you? All right, mister, come on, please. It isn't far back. Come on, let's go. All right, Tomer, it's your second chance. And there goes Whipper. Whipper is now at third place. It's Black Tomer, his friend is at Whipper. They're coming down to third now. It's Black Tomer by one place. His friend is by ahead. And the Whipper is Black Tomer and Whipper is Black Tomer on the outside. Whipper is now going away. It's Whipper and Black Tomer. They're coming down to third place now. What's your name, Decay? Haven't any of you seen him? Sure, Mr. O'Rourke. Timmy just beat it. He what? Yeah, just now. He sure seemed in a hurry. Say, Doc, Baxter's been looking for him, too. Baxter. If you're hurry, Salty, hit it out that way. We're all those cars apart. He knows we're after him, Doc. The little rat, he'll find a car with keys in it and lay him out of here. There he goes now. Oh, where? The doctor in that packard. I just saw him. You come on the other side, babe. I'll come up. What's your hurry, kid? You're not going anywhere. Oh, hello, Doc. That's Whipper. Sure surprised us, isn't he? Dottie! Dottie! It's O'Rourke. It's a break for you, kid. Salty! This way, I've got to give it to you fast. Salty! Where are you going? I'm dropping you off at your house. I've got a debt to clear up. You're going after those men. You're going to take revenge and they'll be more killing. You're nervous and excited, better lie down when you get home. You'll be back for me? Yeah, I'll be back for you. Don't worry, I'll be back. O'Rourke, I've been waiting for you. You're late, aren't you? Yeah, there was an accident at the track fax. I was delayed. Oh, what happened? My jockey's dead. Somebody's merged him. You sure you don't know anything about it? Why should I know anything about it? It's too bad he ran a good race. Yes, he did. For me. All right, let's cut the chatter. You owe me 20 grand. Yeah. Yeah, it's here. This envelope. Thanks. Not going to count it? Uh-uh. You see, if I was to count it, O'Rourke, you might start reaching for a gun. Well, except I don't have a gun. No? No, your pal, Babe, was waiting for me when I stepped out of the elevator. Oh. Yeah, stuck a cannon in my back and searched me. That Babe just hasn't got any manners? No, and neither have I. Let him have it, Babe. Let him have it. Sorry, Baxter, but Babe's detained. Will we do? Cops. Well, that's right, Doc. Get his gun, Johnson. Eh. It's a 38, all right. A 38, huh? Three slugs from a 38 killed that kid this afternoon. Oh, uh, you. You couldn't spare me a couple of minutes alone with this rat, would you? No, it couldn't. I didn't think so. But we might spare you a couple of minutes at the curb. Uh, there's a dame down there, O'Rourke, sitting in your car waiting for you. So this was your idea, huh? Sending for the cops. I had too salty. You might have been killed. Don't you understand? All I understand is some things are meant to be subtle just one way. No one knew that better than Timothy. That's why he won that race for you this afternoon. Yeah. Yeah, I see what you mean, Bruxy. But you're right. Some things are meant to be subtle just one way. Hey. Hmm? Would you mind trying that kiss again? Just a size. Boy, let's get out of here, teacher. I've got to catch up on my homework. Return to the kitchen, Paul. Here's an important reminder. Mr. William Tealy returns to the microphone. We leave Salty O'Rourke to catch up on his homework and bring our stars back to the footlights as they are in real life. Alan Ladd, Bill Demerist, and Marjorie Reynolds, who gave us such splendid performances. Well, thank you, Bill. But, you know, we had a good audience. That always makes a difference. Well, it just goes to show the drawing power of a Salty O'Rourke. Incidentally, Alan, I understand your native state made you an Arkansas traveler in honor of your work in Salty. Well, uh, that was before they saw the picture, sir. Now, sir, they'd probably like to see me travel. Now that we're both at Paramount, Alan, it would be fun to make a picture together. Well, I worked on one of your pictures out of Warner, sir. Now you're embarrassing me, Alan. I don't remember it. Don't remember Alan Ladd, Bill? Wait till his fans hear that. Now, just what did you do, Alan? Fell 20 feet from a scaffolding, sir, and broke my neck. What the kids will do to be a knacker, huh? And even then, the director don't notice them. Well, what were you, a stuntman, Alan? No, nothing so exciting. Just a studio carpenter, sir. Say, what is all this, sir, for? Well, uh, you remember, sir, you were my commanding officer in the Air Force. Well, we can forget all about that now, Alan. Thank you, sir, or Bill. Yeah, sounds funny. From a studio grip to stardom, well, that's great work, Alan. I know Bill Demarest and Marjorie both climbed to stardom the hard way, too. Yeah, but with her looks, Marjorie had a head start. And I got to go some to catch up with her. Yes, I see what you mean. Thank you, Bill. Good night. Good night. Good night from all our thanks to you. This is William Keely, saying good night to you from Hollywood.