 Tired of the everyday routine? Ever a dream of a life of romantic adventure? Wanna 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. Tonight we escape to Soviet Russia and to the story of a man and a woman who dared to defy a social system in order to be together. As Roger Bax tells it, in his tale of intrigue and excitement, to if by sea. Before we hear tonight's story, a brief message from the Ford dealers of America. Again, for 1954 has won the Fashion Academy Gold Medal Award as the fashion car of the year. Listen to what Mr. Ralph Shanessy of Everston, Illinois, one of the more than 220,000 delighted owners says about his 54. I've been a Ford user for many years and my new 54 has made me more enthusiastic than ever. That quiet V8 engine is packed with pickup and gold and it gives the feel of real extra power performance. As for appearance, inside and out, it is a style leader. The smart clean lines of the body designer, particularly appealing to me, no wonder respect again this year as the best looking car on the road. Yes, comments like that are heard every day by Ford dealers. What we want you to prove for yourself that the new 1954 is the one truly fine car in its field. The classified phone directory will give you the name of your nearest Ford dealer, or perhaps you know him personally. Call him tomorrow and ask for a test drive in the new 1954. Feel its comfort. Hear the purr of its mighty V8 or 95 horsepower 6. See its many big car features. Yes, see, hear and feel the difference yourself. Test drive the new 1954 tomorrow. And now we bring you... Escape! Finally the day arrived, our last day in Moscow. We stood in the chill wind at the airport watching the huge four motor plane taxi to the loading ramp. A pair of newlyweds. Philip Sutherland, Moscow reporter for the London Press. Homeward bound after three years in the Soviet Union. And his bride Maria, ballerina of the state ballet. Oh, and Steve Quillen, American newscaster, he was there too. Only Steve was green with envy. Oh, I hate you both. This time tomorrow you'll be in London and me. I must remain to languish amidst the caviar and mud. But don't forget, Steve, you've got a vacation coming soon. And you're to spend it in London with us. Yes, that's right, Steve. We're looking forward to it. Don't worry, I'll be there. Well, that's us. Mrs Sutherland. Oh darling, I can't believe it. It's last. Oh, you're going to love London. I'd love any place with you. Well, this is goodbye, kids. Well, Steve. Well, we're in a hurry, officer. They've just announced our plane. I talked to the woman. You're Maria Lamarkina? I'm Maria Sutherland now. May I see your transportation papers, please? Oh, yes, of course I have them right here. They're all in order. You may keep yours. Just the woman's. Give them. Thank you. Maria Lamarkina, you will remain in Moscow. Your permission to travel has been revoked. Revoked? Why? Well, not just a moment. You can't do this. Why can't she leave? The commissar of travel... I come from the office of the commissar of travel. Is she under arrest? No. She has simply been denied the privilege of travel. Well, if Maria can't go, I won't. I have orders to see that you do go, Mrs Sutherland. Oh, Philip. No, no, it's all right, darling. Now look, I'm not leaving here without my wife. You have no right to... You'll be escorted to your plane. I'm not going to be escorted anywhere. Ivan, Vasilo! Oh, Philip, you'd better do what they say or it might be worse. All right, Mrs Sutherland. That's your plane. Philip, oh, Philip! Don't worry, Phil. I'll take care of her. We'll get this all straightened out. You'd better go. Well, goodbye, Maria. Goodbye, darling. If I can't get out, come back for me. Please, come back. For the next couple of months, those two words rang in my ears a thousand times a day. They never let me rest. Come back. Come back. London, with all its freedom, was a dark, cheerless prison without Maria. I wrote every day. And when, as the weeks passed, I heard no word from her. It became unbearable. And, finally, my newspaper arranged a personal interview at the Soviet Embassy. No, no, no, absolutely not. But Maria's my wife. She isn't married to the Soviet Union. You knew the official attitude when you married, no? The state frowns on Russian women marrying foreigners. And when such a marriage occurs, you take your own risk. Very well, then, grant me a visa to return to the Soviet Union. Mr. Sutherland, I am forced to be blunt. You are no longer welcome in my country. And besides, to return would only work a hardship on both of you. What do you mean? Forget Maria Lamarkina, Mr. Sutherland. She is a prominent ballerina. The premier danseuse of Moscow. A girl of exceptional talent. And you may as well know this. Even now, the state is arranging an official divorce. Good day. It was monstrous. Incredible. Never would I believe that Maria had requested a divorce. I was sure of the love we had shared all too briefly, even though I never received a single letter from her. No, no, no, it was something bigger than the frowning labyrinth of bureaucracy. It was a giant conspiracy to keep us apart. I used the influence I could bring to bear on the people in high places. But I went at last to the British Foreign Office. Red tape, it would seem, was not a monopoly of red Russia. No, we grew a vigorous and hardy variety in Whitehall. So I made my own plan. And by the time Steve Quillen arrived on his vacation, I was ready to put it into action. Oh, Phil, Phil, you're crazy. It can't be done. Oh, yes it can, Steve. Here, look, look at this map. Now here, a small boat could sail out of South Fleet. Cross the North Sea, work into the Baltic, through the Skagorak, and then sail northeast into the Gulf of Finland. Phil, I know how badly you want Maria, but that kind of a trip would be impossible. It can be done if it's planned right. All right, look, suppose you get as far as the Gulf. Yes. And suppose no patrol boat or observation plane uses you for target practice. What then? Maria's in Moscow. That's in the heart of White Russia. Ah, yes, but every summer her ballet troupe goes on tour through the North, and they always hit Purita, a summer resort. Here, look here on the map. It's right here on the coast. I was there once. It's just a little town, no harbor. The small craft could put in there one night and pick someone up with no trouble at all. That night? Yes. How could you possibly get in? Follow the Vimsi Light about four miles up from the main beach at Purita, somewhere in that dark stretch. Do you realize how that would have to be timed? Or it'd have to be there not only on the right day, but almost at the right minute. And you have no way of knowing exactly when Maria will be in Purita. Well, I was sort of counting on you for that, Steve. I'd be glad to write and tell you, Phil, but suppose there were some last-minute changes in her schedule and you were out at sea waiting to... You have a schedule that doesn't change, Steve. What? You broadcast from Moscow to New York once a day. That's your job. Now, perhaps some way we could work out a code system and I could tune in on your newscast from aboard ship and keep informed. What ship? Oh, well, the boat, the one I bought yesterday. What? There's the dawn. I spent every shilling I had on her. She's a small schooner with an auxiliary engine, but she can make that trip. Phil, do you mean you're actually going through with this? Well, of course, Steve. Look, I love Maria and she loves me and this is all I can see to do about it. All right, Phil. If you're willing to take such a chance, I'm with you. Oh, thank you, Steve. But, Phil, you can't sail all alone. I know you're a good sailor. Oh, no, no, no, no. I don't intend to. I have a friend who knows the Baltic waters like he knows his own bathtub. And he's going with you? You've already talked to him. Oh, yes, he's a fine chap. Oh, that must be he now. I asked him to come over tonight. Hello, Philip. Good to see you. Good to see you. Come in. This must be Mr. Quillen. I'm Denny. Hello, fellow Consverter. It's going to be something, don't you think? That, Mr. Denny, is the understatement of the week. We spent the next seven days working out a careful timetable and a code. And when Steve went back to Moscow, we rehearsed the code and it worked. Every ninth word on his daily broadcast was a message to us. And one day, a month later, we put out for the Baltic Sea, keeping daily radio contact with Steve. Finally, we dropped anchor in the Gulf of Finland 30 miles off the beach at Purita and waited for the final message. This is Radio Consverter calling. This is it, yes. I'm ready. The standard broadcasting system in New York in correspondence with standard broadcasting system with broadcast for two minutes, beginning five minutes past four o'clock. Hello, New York. Hello, New York. This is Quillen. It's a time check coming up on my watch. Four minutes and 30 seconds past four. It was four minutes and 30 seconds past four. I'll go ahead at exactly 15 seconds after work. Double-check this, Denny. Don't worry, I will. Blonde. Tell me that on all occasions, Leningrad had reckoned to show the way to other parts of Soviet Russia in making good progress to this economic plan, and that with luck and hard work, it should keep the lead. Okay, Denny, that's all of it. What did he say? This is what we've been waiting for. Yeah, all set. Blonde on way. Good luck. That means by 10 o'clock tonight you'll be holding Mario in your arms. Wouldn't Uncle Joe just bite the stem of his pipe if he knew he was going to lose one of his prettiest citizens tonight? The seconds ticked slowly into sluggish minutes. The minutes stretched into unending hours until sundown, when we would start our dash for the beach. I had waited too long and travelled too far to let any hitch-ups at our plans, but to wait those long hours was pure agony. At last darkness fell and we turned over our engines and started to the beach. Our running lights extinguished. There it is, Phil. Yeah. Over there. Those are the Vimsy lights. Now, down there about a mile down the beach, where you see all the smaller lights, the bathing beach and the dancing pavilions. The town's farther in. Mario should be right opposite us now on the dark stretch straight ahead. Denny, I can hardly believe it. Mario, only a mile away! Come on, let's drop the hook and get the dengue over the side. We rode silently toward the shadowy shore and I strained my eyes for the sight of Mario standing on the beach where it was too dark to see anything but the line of sullen, brooding hills against the sky. And then suddenly, suddenly I made out of figure standing alone, quiet, waiting. Did you see something? Maria, Maria, she's there. You see? Be quiet. Sit down your capsizes. It's only a few yards. I can't wait, Denny. Feel your pull. Be careful. Maria, Maria, Maria, here I am. Oh, oh, Maria darling, you. You are Philip Sutherland? Who are you? Where's Maria? Do not be afraid of me. I am a friend of Maria Lamarquina. Where is she? Maria cannot meet you tonight. Why? What has happened? Listen to me carefully, Mr. Sutherland. She tried desperately. Yes, yes, yes. But it was impossible, so she sent me to give you a message. What, what? I repeat, word for word. There is no hope of ever getting out of Russia. I will never stop loving you, but this must be. Goodbye forever. Phil, Phil, come on, you two. You can talk later. Let's get out of this place. Danny, this isn't Maria. This is a friend of hers. She says Maria's not coming, and she'll never come. What? Why not? I don't know. Tonight, Maria Lamarquina is with ballet at Prytina. She has been commanded to give special performance, having Colonel General Obliomov of Red Army. There was no possible way she could. Where is this ballet? At Theatre in Purita, three miles from here. Oh, no. No, I must go before they find me. I am sorry. My heart goes out to you. No, no, wait. Let it go. Let it go. She risked her life to come here at all. I'm going into that theatre and get Maria and bring her back to the boat. Phil sailing into a dark beach is one thing, but trying to walk through a Russian town and kidnap a well-known ballerina is quite another. Phil, don't be... Listen, I'm going in. And if I'm not back here in four hours at 2 a.m. with her, then leave by yourself, Danny. Oh, Phil, I could. Look, I'll be here with her by two o'clock, or I won't be back at all. In just a moment, we will return to escape, but first, a message from the Ford dealers of America. The more than 220,000 proud owners of a 1954 say that driving is proof positive that it is America's outstanding value, the one fine car in the low-price field. We Ford dealers invite you to test drive the 1954 yourself. You'll thrill to its tremendous power and flashing acceleration. You'll marvel at its ease of handling and ease of parking. And when you try a rough road, you'll experience a luxurious big car feel with solid roadability and genuine comfort. Yes, 54 owners are proud owners. Proud of the performance of their cars and proud of the beauty, which for the second straight year has won Ford, the New York Fashion Academy Gold Medal Award is the fashion car of the year. Tomorrow, drop in to see your Ford dealer. If you don't know him personally, he's listed in the classified telephone directory. He'll gladly arrange a test drive for you in either the great new V8 or the 95 horsepower 6. Then you'll see, hear and feel the difference. Before you buy any car at any price. Test drive the 1954. And now we return you to the second act of Escape. It was three long, dangerous miles into the town of Purita. And somehow I had to get Maria out of the ballet theater and back aboard our schooner. But in spite of the fact I spoke Russian fluently, just the way I was in soil sailing clothes I didn't stand a chance. For the next half hour I walked steadily, passing a few night swimmers along the beach. Then I came to a crowded area where there was a dancing pavilion. And a sudden idea came to me. I walked over to a man in uniform standing by a pile of clothes, on top of which was a red army cap. Oi, corporal. What is it you want, comrade? I'm glad I found you. There is some trouble on the road back there. Someone tried to steal a car. Where? What sort of car, Tuvaris? It was a black army ziz. A ziz? Oh, no, no. It's not yours, is it? The militia are making trouble about the missing chauffeur. Tuvaris, help me, I beg you. Keep your eye on the colonel's uniform. I'll go see the colonel's in swimming now. I didn't hesitate a single minute. As soon as he got out of sight, I grabbed the bundle of clothes, stepped into the shadows behind the pavilion. In three minutes I was wearing a loose-fitting uniform. I told the world I was a colonel in the 12th Guard Division, wearer of the rarely-conferred Order of the Suvorov and a hero of the Soviet Union. And also, there was a billfold in my pocket, packed with Russian currency and military papers. I was now prepared to make my entrance in the ballet theater of Puritan. I would like a ticket, please. Oh, comrade colonel, I'm so sorry, but there's not one to be had, not one in the entire house. Oh, yes, there is, clerk. The colonel is invited to sit in my box. His collar insignia and his decorations glittered in the light of the theater lobby. I recognized him immediately as Colonel General Vladimir Obromov, a famous soldier of the Soviet. I had interviewed him back in 1945 and written a long story about him for my newspaper. He looked straight into my face and his eyes seemed to say, Well, Philip Sutherland, when did you join the Red Army? I see you were the order of the Suvorov, even as I would be pleased if you would join me in my private box. Well, thank you just the same general, but it wouldn't be right. Nonsense, I insist. I am alone and you can still see the last part of the ballet. Maria Lamarkina is beautiful. Come, take a look at her. He took me by the arm and led me conspicuously down the aisle to his box. It was easy to see that he was the guest of honor. The whole thing was like a dream. I couldn't believe that I was really sitting there, watching my Maria, looking so incredibly beautiful. I almost stopped breathing. Time was our enemy. I thought the ballet would never end. When it was finally over, I knew I had to do something to make my presence known to her, but she might be lost to me forever. Maria! Maria! Maria! Comrade Colonel! Yes, sir. I know her, sir. Brother Well. Really? An old lover, perhaps. Well, I'm her brother, Sergei. Ah, brother! Well, that is good. It would not do for two Russian soldiers, two orders of their Suvorov to fight over the same woman. Come, brother Sergei, let us go backstage and talk to little Maria. She will be most anxious to see you and me. I am having supper with her tonight. Look, I have surprise for you, your brother. Maria. Well, Maria, don't you know your own brother? Or has he grown too fat on red army rations? It's really me, Maria. Sergei. Oh, Sergei! Sergei! It's been so long. Too long, Maria. Oh, tender. Hey, how are you, my little sister? How's the family? How's Shura? And Mishikov? Is he still in the factory at Donets? I can't answer all your questions in one breath, Sergei. Ah, this is very happy occasion. I will go prepare drinks. Fine, fine, yes. Darling, darling, what are you doing here? They'll kill you if they find out. Why didn't you come to the beach? He was with me all day. Oh, Maria. Maria, I have never seen you perform so well. Tonight you danced my eyes out. How long are you going to be in town, Sergei? I leave with the Don, Maria Darling. Oh, well, in that case, we haven't much time. We must do our best to entertain Sergei. Ah, Maria? Of course, Colonel General. Oh, please, just call me Plain General. Here, your glasses. Thank you. And now, a toast. Until the Don. And to brothers and sisters, wherever they find themselves. Ah, brother. You don't look at her the way a brother looks at his sister. You don't hold her the way a brother holds his sister. You hold Maria the way I would like to hold Maria. I guess I was a little emotional servant. I haven't seen her for almost a year. Brother, how is it you have not seen Maria for almost a year when your 12th Guard Division is stationed just outside Moscow? Tell me that. Well, I was... You have trouble answering, huh? We were both busy. Oh, yes, I understand, Maria, busy, busy. Come to think of it, I don't remember a Colonel Lamar Kinov ever winning the Order of Zhivarov. When did you get it, Sergei? After the Battle of Kiev. Kiev? Oh, a great battle, a great battle. Only I thought that was the 10th Division. Oh, well, I was with them for six months. With the 10th Division? Yes. Who was your commanding officer? It's been so long, sir, I can't remember his name. I'll refresh your memory, brother, Sergei. It was Barovsky and, of course, now I know you lie. My brother does not lie, Jim. I'm afraid, Maria, I've trapped him. That Kiev was not the 10th Division or the 12th Division, but Temeshenko's 7th. Now let me see your papers, brother, Sergei. I'm afraid I left him in my... Let me see them. And be careful how you hand them over. Hmm. It's very interesting. Brother Sergei has suddenly become Colonel Joseph Rakursky-Skalya. What do you think of that, Sister Maria? General, it wasn't his fault, I made him do it. Don't do anything to him. No, no, no, Maria, it was my idea. Young love and mutual sacrifice and touching. Do you know what I am going to do, Sergei? No? What? Put you under arrest. Stand where you are. I would be most happy to shoot you. I will get to the bottom of this soon. Corporal! Hey, Maria! Do you... do you think I killed him? I don't know, but you did him in thoroughly with that decanter. Philip, I'm frightened. Yes, sir, am I, but let's talk about that after we get aboard the schooner. We slipped out of the theater and raced along the deserted cobbled streets. The town clock sounded 130. Three miles to cover in 30 minutes. Maria was running to keep up with my long strides. Nowhere in sight was a car I could come and deal or even a bicycle. We could count on nothing but our own strength and the driving need we both had to spend the rest of our lives together. Twenty-five minutes later, we were hurrying down the long slope toward the beach and a head of us, the Vimsy Light, twinkled mockingly and seemed just as far away. Maria's breath was coming in little sobs. My lungs ached with an agony unendurable and then I heard it. The town clock struck two. It had failed. So near to the beach and yet too far, the planning of months lost by seconds. Oh, Philip, I'm sorry I couldn't go on at first. No, no, dear, it wasn't your fault. It was just too much against us. Philip! I apologize for bothering you, comrade, but I have orders to check all persons along the beach. Colonel's uniform has been stolen. I hit him with all the strength I had left in me and as he fell, I dived after him. He rolled down the hill onto the rocks and I couldn't feel any pain or blows. All I wanted to do was get my hands around his throat and squeeze life out of him. He fell away from me and I crawled over to where Maria lay, her breath coming in painful sobs, and I collapsed beside her. I could barely lift one arm to put it around her. And then, then another man's figure loomed up out of the dark, walking slowly towards us and with him all of my hopes of rescuing Maria, all of the working and planning, all of the reason for living seemed gone, but I couldn't go down without a fight. Somehow, somewhere I dragged up enough strength to struggle to meet him. He grabbed my arm and we went down. Phil, Phil, it's me, Danny, don't... Danny! Danny, I couldn't tell in the dark. I thought you'd come. I thought that you didn't really think I'd leave without you and Mario, did you? Well, let's get Mario aboard the scooter. We're going to make it. Certainly we are. We'll be in England in a week. Yes, darling. Where are we? Far enough. You can stop looking over your shoulder. Really? Really? Yes, really. We're going home, Mrs. Sutherland. In just a moment a word about next week's exciting story of escape. But first, a message from your local Ford dealer. If housewives bought trucks, they'd rush down to their Ford dealers and place their orders right now. Why? Because the American housewife can spot a bargain a mile away. And Ford truck prices have just been reduced, making Ford America's biggest truck bargain. That's right, friends. Price reductions up to $80. These reductions are made possible by engineering advances and improved production methods. Ford trucks for $50 at these new reduced prices have all the extra value features that have enabled Ford trucks to score greater sales gains than all other makes combined. They are packed with truck advancements that give more performance at less cost. See them at your Ford dealers today. And remember, Ford trucks cost less because Ford trucks last longer. Latest available registrations prove it. Escape is produced and directed by William N. Robeson. And we have presented Two If By Sea by Roger Bax. Adapted for radio by E. Jack Newman and John Michael Hayes. Featured in the cast were John Boehner as Philip, Barton Yarborough as Denny, Paul Fries as Steve Quillen, and Marta Mitrovich as Maria. Also heard were Inga Yolos, Jack Krushan, Bill Conrad and Paul Dubov. Special music was arranged and conducted by Del Castillo. Next week! You are within a few days of your release after eight years of horror on the prison island of New Caledonia. But between you and final freedom stands the love of a beautiful girl and the monstrous figure of Monsieur Denu, the official executioner. Next week we escape with John Russell's terrifying story, The Red Mark. Good night then until this same time next week once again we offer you Escape. This is CBS, the Columbia Broadcasting System.