 Tired of the everyday grind? Have a 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 the English Channel in wartime on a harrowing night crossing the grey cold waters in a small boat. And at the tiller, the threat of instant death is in command from which there may be no escape. Listen now, as escape brings you David Divine's story, Flood on the Good Wind. Why, Dundas, is that one? Well, about half the starboard. No, it's a mattress. Lost it's fog. Couldn't see the living let alone the dead. I don't think we'll be finding any more bodies. Not the way the stuff settling down now. Where do you figure the cutter is? It should be about a couple of hundred yards to port. Take it easy now, uncle, don't want to rammer. Don't you worry about me, Dundas. You start singing out. Arthur! Of the Mary! It's time to be dead ahead, man. Better cut it back. I see her. We'll come about her. We're coming around your stern. Yes, three. Watch out for those thingies. I see them. There and there. They're all coming aboard. Is he alive? No, all round. Let's get them up there. Don't you bother, Dundas. Hey there! Can you send down a couple of men? Sure. My mate here, he's only got one flipper. Now look, mate, that doesn't make any difference. What's the matter? You're proud of it? No, but... Where are the blotters, mate? A blotter. Oh, oh. Then a porrid there. Porrid? Right. Pop back! Let it get you, boy. He's not the one-armed man working these days. If you have to talk about it, why don't we know why? That isn't being one of those. They're roisting there. Don't remind me of my arm, that's all. Blotter, they call them. Man's been floating around dead in the water. He gets bloated, see? Bloated. Very pretty. You know what they call an old man like you? Never mind. Now never you mind. Oh, it's a bunch of... How many have been brought into you so far? Counting your three, that makes... 30. Huh! Lucky we got this bug. We'll be sitting ducks without it for a few days, or measurements it might be about. Or you both. Oh, you both. That's right. Was it a you-boat temper-tanker down? No. No, a man they brought in an hour ago, he said it was a time bomb. Sabotage. Yes, went off in the porrid hole. Who hear that, don't you? I heard. Oh, whenever you lost this flipper in the RIS, taking it real hard. Oh, poor you. You shouldn't take it hard. No, who said I shouldn't? No, no. I'm just trying to cheer you. You know, cheer me by getting off this boat so we can shove off. Go, laddie. Sure. Casting off. Going back to Dover. My's wall, bogged in for the night. We'll just make it by jar. Bye, Dover. And the barge's head off. Lay off me, Mac. What, you didn't mean any of that? I said lay off, Mac. Lay off. Oh, God. Persia. Oh. That's what he said. Sabotage. You imagine doing a thing like that. Can you see a man doing it? Man, it's war, you know. War. Fighting is war. They didn't all drown. No. No. Only 29 of them. You say one was alive? Yes. They also could drown. Or the way to die. I wonder if it'll clear tomorrow. Pull up a head. Yeah. Put an abrogate on this. Or it'll be right ahead of us. Mary, coming in. Get a head, Mac. Grant. I'll jump it. Hello, you two. Look out, Mary. How was it, Mac? Terrible, dear. Just terrible. Where are the many? 30. Oh, dear. That's it. Mac, how's the fuel? Ampleway. Didn't use a quarter of it. Are you going to fish tonight? That's Mac. This is both. Fishing tonight, Uncle Mac? In this fog, I should say, not. But Dundas can navigate for you. And the water, they say it's calm as a bathtub. Well, I don't know. I brought you food, Dundas. I think that husband of yours needs to sleep. Are you going to start again? What's wrong? All day long, he's been complaining like an old woman. Just because he had the bad luck to lose his arm. Shut up. See, she wasn't me. Well, you know you are a little rough about it, Uncle Mac. Well, what I do helps him feel solid for himself. Now, cut it, both of you. There was a man to see you, Uncle Mac. Oh, who? Well, he didn't say. Said he'd drop back. Well, what do you look like? He was very tall, distinguished looking. Who's that, Mac? Oh, got me. All you say? Yes. He's carrying a little briefcase. Hmm. Come for the payments on the both, Mac. No. Huh. Would this be him? Yes. Uh... Oh, you were looking for me? Yes. You're Captain Mac. That's right. And who is this? I'm Mr. Dundas, my nephew. The husband of this lady? Look, mister, who are you and what do you want? Well, that's very simple, but you must forgive my questioning. And one is engaged in my work when can't be too careful. Your work? Intelligence? What's that got to do with us? I want to charter your boat for a trip. The government works, huh? Yes. The secret mission. Oh. Where did you want to go? To our stand. Tonight? Belgium. That's a fair hall. And there's the U-boat. The pub will cover you. I... Hmm. What will you pay? Well, the crown provides handsomely in these cases. A hundred pounds. You're wrong. Wait a minute. Uh-huh. Would you mind showing us your credentials, mister? I wouldn't mind a tour, my dear fellow, but the fact is... I'm not carrying any. You're not, eh? Well, this isn't what you'd call a casual visit. Oh, no. Use your head, Dundas. He's going where the Nazis are. No credentials. And would you mind explaining why you're sniffing around a little fishing boat like this when you could cross on one of those big, fast torpedo boats that got over at the yard? I find this man insufferable, Captain. Now, what are you saying? Time is going short. Why don't you take the torpedo boat? Oh, the sweeper. They got sweepers there, you know. Well, as a matter of fact, and you should be able to understand, those are government boats they might be seen by one of the enemy shores. In this fog... You're a liar, mister. And you're a very astute fellow. I've done it. Yes, that's my ticket to Austin, Captain. Yeah. Put that thing down. I got it, my dear fellow. Indeed I am. Now, Dundas. Do what he says, Mary. Now you, Captain. Make me. Shall I? Get him. This is crazy. And you? Untie the rope. Oh, you miss. You sit up there. Oh, you don't stand a chance. We'll see. Very unclear. Okay, mate. You're very reasonable. Captain. Why? I'll sit up in the front with the lady. Front? You don't know much about boats, do you? No, and I shouldn't pretend to. Now listen, mister. The harbor entrance is closed up. They've got the submarine nets in there. And I happen to know that they're open until 8. And I've got to warn you. No tricks. Because I'm very good. You are, eh? Dundas, he says he's very good. Shut up. And let's go. So you're a nazi. That's right. You talk like an Englishman. A nazi. Well, what are you, a spy? You could say that. What are you going back to the continent for? The war's not over. What time do you think we'll reach the Belgian coast? Around 2. You didn't answer my question. What was that? Why are you leaving England? Are you scared? If you like. As a matter of fact, I'm returning because I've completed my mission. And what was that? A matter of a bomb. A patosh. That tanker. The one that went down off the coast. That's your work? Yes. You stink. You're a bloody man. No, no, that didn't work. I find him an amusing old gatherer. 30 men now because of you. 30? But you and me, there were 45 aboard, you know. There's 29, Max. 29, sir. What does it matter? There's a nazi that's sneaking the dark with his munition completed. The giant darkness. What to do? Or to be passing Goodwin's van. It'll be over them though. What time do they expose? Both times at once. And that means we get a fast ride back anyhow. If he lets us come back, lousy nazi. How do we know you won't kill it when we let you off? You have my word. Word. Don't take on, dear. I can't help it. I'm frightened. Let her come back here with us. No. If he out toughy as he shoots women. If necessary. I'd like to see you get that close to me. Would you? Look, nazi. I'm walking towards you. Max, don't. Fine off. Yeah. Point that gun at me. You're asking for it, you know. Bloody nazi. Don't. Take another step, Captain. Duck, man. Bloody. You can't hear you, girl. Don't slow down. I won't take him up. He's dead. He's very dead. He was a good man. He deserves burial. And burial he's got. Now put your throttle back up. No. Your wife's next. Duck. Man. Now we continue our little boy. How much longer, then, this? About an hour. I know that you've changed course from time to time. Why is that? Channel current. You're right with it. You make that at time. I see. And you'd like to be rid of my company as quickly as possible. That's right. But I'm glad you're being reasonable. The old man was a fool. You think so, eh? Of course. And so do you. Why do you say that? You'll see in the war. You'll know how it is. That's right. I know how it is. You understand. Don't talk like that. Why, what's wrong, Mary? Don't talk with him. It's not right. We find each other very interesting, Mary. Yes, indeed. Tell me, how did you lose your arm? How, yes. I was a navigator. And a very good one, I imagine. Uh, did it happen in England? No. Brahman. Brahman? I see. You did a very thorough job in Brahman. Yes. You got to be complimented. Thank you. Stand it. Relax, Mary, relax. Oh, stand it. You must understand, Mary. May I call you, Mary? You must understand that it's a very extraordinary thing for the soldiers of warring nations to get together for a chat like this. Take a nap, Mary. What? Yes, why don't you hear? Who can pull this tarpaulin over you? Not that. What? It's got blood on it. That tarpaulin. Blood. Well, really, the old man was over there. Don't you see? Not from him. Oh. We spent the day picking up after you. Oh, I see. And you used the tarpaulin for the bodies. Yes. Well, then, of course, you mustn't use that. Please. May I sit for my husband? No, you may not. Just be very quiet, Mary. Everything will be all right. Of course, a lot depends on you who's done. Why do you say that? But don't you know what I'm talking about? No. That wrench you picked up about 15 minutes ago, it's right behind you on the list. What? What? It's right behind you on the porch. Do you mind dropping it overboard like a good fellow? That would be a foolish waste, wartime, you know. Ventures are hard to come by. Yes, I'm sure. You may not slide it over here. All right. Slide it. Even if you could hit me accurately enough to disable me, the gun would go off and... Oh, you know. I know. Thank you. Thank you. Dumbass. Hello. What are you fearing? Why don't you come and look? No, I don't think I'd better. Why not? Well, you may have another wrench there, or perhaps you'll try to take my gun, in which case I'll have to kill you. Then where would I be? I might feel all the way back to Dover without knowing. So, then I'd have to kill your wife so she couldn't inform. You see how it is. How do you know I'm not tricking you? I'm sure you're not. If we don't arrive by three, I'm going to kill her. And then if you should continue to be stubborn, there are ways of forcing you. I mean torture. It's very difficult to do alone, but in your case, one arm, there should be a compilat of discipline. That's not sweet words and all that. I'm taking you where you want to go, and I'm counting on you to keep your words for our safety part. Of course. Look how you are, what you are. I've done the same to see they'll torture you. You're blind and... Please, Mary, please don't worry. You have my word. My word of honor to gentlemen. You see, Mary, we have nothing to worry about. Yes, it must be wonderful to be out of the fighting. Not bad. I'll be glad when it's over. I think it'll be over soon. Oh, yes, quite soon. You heard about Buzzfong? Yes, Professor, at the beginning. We're developing weapons of thousand times as terrible. Ten thousand times as effective. Really? Oh, your wife seems to have gone to sleep. Well, I can't see very well in this dark. Against my knees. About your new weapon. You wouldn't tell me all this if it were your intention to allow a safe departure, now would you? Well, I'm sure your agents know this. By now? I don't know. Um, how much longer until we reach the shore? Not long now. I'm bringing her into a deserted beach a few miles outside of our tent. I see. If you'll look ahead, you may see lights soon. Straight ahead? Yes. Huh, impossible. There's fog as much as this. I saw it! I saw the tan! Give me that! Hand back! That's it. I'll raise them good and high. I thought he'd never drop his whip. I've waited and waited. Good work, Mary. Take the wheel. Yes, darling. Well, well. Remarkable woman, your wife. Yes, indeed. Unfortunately, there's no cartridge in the trailer. Point it at your gut. Why don't I pull the trigger and see if you're telling the truth? Perhaps you'd better not. I don't see why not, if it's empty. No, no, no. It's loaded. You? I mean, if you're the type who can kill a man with his face. I don't know. I've never done it. It's very difficult, you know. Just think of me as a fellow human being, flesh and blood like yourself. Think of the infinite genius that went into making this body of mine. The skin, muscles, arteries, veins, organs, vessels. And the blood. The blood. It's a very difficult thing when your face to face with the murder. I know. I don't feel as though I could kill you right at this minute. Suppose I try. All I have to do is squeeze the trigger. Effort a little. Can I wait? No, don't. Why not? My life is worth a lot to me. It's more, believe it or not, than my pride. My honor, my love of Germany. Much more than that. All right. You have a proposition? Still marry? I don't know what I'm doing. Yes, you keep out of it. What is your proposition? Money. You're going to need money, aren't you? A man with one arm has a tough time of it in peacetime. Jobs are hard to get. Go on. But I have several accounts in London banks. Big accounts. I can write you a check. You can cash it tomorrow. How much? A thousand pounds. I can't hear you. John, just don't do this. Two thousand? Why, then, that's all the money I have in the world. What about on you? Yes, yes. In the briefcase, a hundred and fifty pounds. I'll get it off. But the briefcase... I'll take care of that after you leave. Write the check for five thousand pounds. Oh, John, just please don't do this thing. Your wife doesn't understand these things. No. For this, I'll let you off at the beach. Of course, I want to warn you against mentioning my name. Oh, but of course, yes, I'll make it out in cash. Yes, you check. Thank you. Are you going to shoot? No. Bargain to bargain, I'll follow through. You are a... an honest man. Deal's a deal. Yes, yes, that's right. Better take the wheel. Shall I take the gun, Dundie? No. Please, Dundie, please let me hold you. No, Mary. But why in the name of heaven can't I? You can't steer and cover him at the same time. Not with your one hand. If you take the gun, you'll shoot him, Mary. I know you'll... No, no, I wouldn't... Yes, you would. That would be dishonest, Mary. We've made a deal, this man and I. Yes, we have an honorable deal. The Count has steer and all that does pose a problem. Mary, bring me that big wrench. All right, Dundie. What are you going to do? Since I can't handle the three lands of gun, if Mary's not to be trusted, I'll keep the wrench for just in case. Solve the problem very simply. Dundie, you see... You'll throw the gun in the sea. And you, sir, you'll find a fishing line with lead on the end of it, right up there in the front locker. I'm going to slow down now. We're almost there. You'll do the sounding for me. Yes, yes, yes, of course. You'll deliberately throw the gun overboard. You're selling out. Five thousand pounds. I have the line. All right, throw it ahead of you. Then feel when it touches bottom. Then measure the depth by your spread arms. Here it goes. Dundie, Dundie, sir. I know the war is a shock to you losing your arm and all, but don't do this. You'll regret it all the rest of your day. It's bottom. How deep? Two, five, that's all. We're closing it on the coast. Bring it again. We'll hear the surf in a minute now. It'll not be very strong. We'll tide you, no? Two, three, and a half. All right. Ready to jump? Jump? Well, it hasn't wheels. You'll have to walk the last ten feet in. All right. Get ready. Here we are. The minute you hear a great jump out and push the bow around. Right. Dundie, Dundie. Quiet. Good night. Good night. Sucker. Why sucker? That's shit. The bank is short of funds and the name I signed. Oh, really? Found the beach? Yes, I'm honest. Take a few steps. Right. The bank is short of funds. That beach is short of fans. Where am I? You're on good wind fans. Dover is just six miles that way. Which way? I didn't say. And if you're thinking of swimming, I can tell you you don't stand a chance. You see? I don't know. It's low tide now, but weight of wire. In a few hours, it'll be ten feet over your head. Drowning is not pleasant, it's not safe. If you had your gun, you could shoot yourself. You could hang yourself with yourself, but there are no trees. So think about those men you drown today. Think about them while you wait. I may be around to pick up your body soon. Maybe. Wait! Escape has brought you the David Friedkin Morton Fine Production of Flood on the Good Wind. The story is by David Devine and adapted for radio by James Poe. Featured in the cast were Betty Harford, Vic Perron, Joseph Kearns, and Ben Rice. Also heard were Richard Peele and Alec Harford. Your announcer, George Walsh. The special music for Escape is composed and conducted by Leith Stephen. Next week. You are in the jungles of Haiti outside of Port-au-Prince and a night heavy with tropics and small sounds of terror. Below you, a sheer drop of almost half a mile. In back of you, a man with a submachine gun, from whom there is no escape. So listen next week when Escape brings you the Friedkin Fine Story, Night of the Gun. Stay tuned for Night Watch.