 presents Jeanette MacDonald and Barry Sullivan. From Hollywood the mutual network in cooperation with Family Theatre presents the dotted line starring Barry Sullivan. And now here is your hostess Jeanette MacDonald. Thank you Tony LaFranco. Family Theatre's only purpose is to bring to everyone's attention a practice that must become an important part of our lives if we are to win the peace for ourselves, peace for our families, and peace for the world. Family Theatre urges you to pray. Pray together as a family. Now to our transcribed drama the dotted line starring Barry Sullivan as Wayne. All that was needed was a signature just a few marks with a pen and a man's life would have been saved but only one person in the world could make those marks a very special person the president of the United States. I should call myself Mr. Cromer because there are some facts about this episode that I'm not permitted to reveal and one of them is my true identity. But the important thing is not so much when or where this took place or even the real names of the people or countries involved. What matters is that we live in a world where it could happen at all. A world that needs a lot of fixing. My part of the incident began one night at the National Airport in Washington DC during a time when Americans were fighting and dying in Disneyland. But yes it goes Cromer. Yeah they never do any good. Any questions. No I think I understand most of it. I remember. You're a commercial out of shame. With the Middle East trade delegation I've got it. That means you're diplomatic personnel so don't stand for any nonsense about that pouch you carry. You think this is likely to be any. Never know. There's always some of your customs official or a nervous policeman but whatever comes up use your passport. Like it's time for you to get aboard. Yeah well thank you very much Mr. Star I you know I must confess I still don't understand why a regular White House courier wasn't picked for this job. You know what you've got in that pouch. That's the main reason. Have a nice trip Mr. Cromer. It was a few minutes past eleven when the four engine military transport lifted from the runway and climbed into the night banking East or the Atlantic. Far below I could see the jagged strand of the Potomac River shining in the moonlight. I looked at the leather portfolio in my lap. Ten years in executive in the import export business and it turned out I'd come to Washington to run errands. At ten o'clock the following morning we put down at the Azores to refuel and nine hours later I was sitting in the main lounge of a hotel on Lisbon's Avenida de Libertad talking to an American correspondent for one of the wire services. Oh come on I'm Mr. Cromer. Joe Joe that's all there is to it. I was attached at the last minute to the Middle Eastern delegation and I'm just catching up with them. Well then how come you've got a diplomatic passport. Is that what I've got. That's what you've got. At least that's what you flashed at customs. Joe Joe in the first place there's no story or I'd give it to you. It's not just a story I'm after. Secondly I don't know much about passports but my understanding is that a commercial attaché has diplomatic status so maybe that's why they gave it to me. Yeah except that when the rest of that trade delegation came through ten days ago all they had were consular passports. What makes you so special. I can't imagine Joe. All right. Suppose I just do a little adding and you stop me when I make a mistake. Meaning what. Two and two. The president's been out of the country since Tuesday. Don't worry it's official came over the wires half an hour ago. Well. What of it. Yeah that was the wrong question Mr. Cromer you should have said where is he now look here Joe I apparently you already know how look you haven't any basis for that conclusion this is off the record just a private conversation. All right. The president left the country Tuesday. Now what's that got to do with me. Two days later yesterday afternoon at four o'clock Congress passed a special piece of Legislature. The boy of the asylum act. Yeah I think I heard something about it on the radio. OK OK so all you know is what you hear on the radio. But it's a fact that being technically an undesirable alien but boy of death can't be admitted to the United States until the president signs that bill and makes it law. I believe that's right. In your mind of I also believe it's right that you've got a copy of that bill in your brief case for the president's signature. Joe. Even if you were right and a special courier had been selected to deliver that bill to the president it would still be a routine mission. Not be so sure that is simply to get around a technicality. Congress plans to adjourn sometime next week if the president doesn't sign the bill within the next 10 days it won't become law. As everyone knows he wants it to become law so hence the high class Aaron boy. Mr. Cromer I knew that I'm a boy. Well what if I am. It's important Mr. Cromer are you. Yes. How soon do you expect to see the president sometime in the next few days. Rumor has it he's on a battle cruiser somewhere near Gibraltar I honestly wouldn't know. You've been in touch with the American Embassy since you got here just by phone speak to the ambassador. I wasn't in but I'm expecting a call in a minute. Joe what's it all about. The friends have just canceled the boy of Duff's visa. You're kidding. Wish I was. I talked long distance less than an hour ago to be your chief in Helsinki. But boy of Duff's got until midnight tonight to find another country that will take him. Otherwise he goes back behind the iron curtain. Oh no I can't believe it. They agree they agree to keep them. Oh sure sure. But the big bear growled. They know how he can scratch. You can't very well blame him. I suppose not plus which they've stuck their necks out already. He's in their country illegally. But if the boy of Duff would request asylum in the American legation for a day or so already been thought of immigration people took him in custody last night in grief. This time of the year the heat up there must be terrific. Yeah that's why your mission isn't so routine anymore. I don't see that at all those things. Mr. Cromer as of now that piece of paper in your briefcase is the only chance before you got it simply a case of my getting it to the president in the next seven hours. Yeah but that works both ways. How do you mean. With the people who want the boy of Duff back. Simply a case of seeing that you don't. I'm glanced down on my watch. It'd been almost two hours since I called the embassy and spoke to the Chaget affairs. He should meet ambassador would have returned by six. It was now 10 of seven. Gavin had a little grin on his face. I must have looked rather piqued. Mr. Cromer I'm not trying to scare you. That's all right Joe I'm glad you told me. Look I got an idea why don't I give you a left over to the embassy and the whole things in their lap. You know that's not a bad idea. I suppose by now they know about the boy of Duff's visa being canceled. Well if they don't you can tell them I'll I'll just go upstairs listen with your mind checking with your office once more just to make sure the story is official. I don't want to make a fool of myself. I understand. You wait here I'll be down before you can smoke a cigarette. I will move. Cigarette. It's not a bad idea either. Mr. Wayne Cromer over here boy over here. Mr. Wayne Cromer. That's right. Telephone call for you sir. The moment while I plug in the instrument. There you are sir. Thanks here you go. Thank you sir. Thank you very much. Hello. Mr. Cromer speaking. This is Miss Almada. Mr. Brock and Secretary of the embassy. Yes. The ambassador has not returned yet. There have been some sudden developments in the past few hours. Yes I think I know what you mean Miss Almada. For that reason a car is being sent to your hotel to pick you up and bring you back here immediately. Fine that's that's very good. But meantime you must stay in your room. Well I'm not in my room just now I'm in the lobby. Then you are to go there immediately and stay there. These are express instructions from the ambassador. Very well. And you are not to answer the phone or open the door for any reason. All right. But how will I know when the people from the embassy. It is now four minutes to seven in exactly 15 minutes. A piece of embassy stationery with my last name written on it. Almada A L M A D A will be pushed under your door by the man who is to drive you back here. Okay. And there are no conditions must you admit anyone else. Don't worry I won't. 15 minutes Mr. Cromer. I'll be ready. Bye. Oh young fellow. You are finished on the phone Mr. Cromer. Yes thanks. Very well sir. By the way son I am I'm going out and I'd like to I'd like you to give a message to the girl on the switchboard. Yes sir. I tell her that if a Mr. Joseph Gavin asks me or tries to call my room that I've I've had to go out for a while and if there's anything he wants me to know would he leave a note at the desk. You got that. If Mr. Joseph Gavin calls you are out and leave a note at the desk. Wait until the bellhopper crossed the lobby and then I walk quickly to the bank of elevators. My room was on the ninth floor at the west end of the hotel overlooking the river Alcantara. It was dark now and I could see the lights along the Rua Gusta stretching away to the paved square the ratio. I sat down to wait and at exactly 11 minutes past seven I heard a piece of paper being slipped under my door. Yes. My name is Sam Meyer Mr. Cromer your car is down. Pleased to meet you. Should I check out of the hotel now. No no we can take care of that later for you. Oh bring the portfolio of course. Right here. Fine we better be going. The elevator was crowded with people and it made at least three stops before we got to the main floor. Sam Meyer stood in front of me all the way down a husky light head man of about 30 who looked like he could handle most anything. I was still mighty relieved when we stepped out into the lobby and started for the front door. We weren't a pretty big rush. This won't take a minute. Mr. Cromer this is a note from the Mr. Gavin you said might call. We thought you were not in. That's all right son. In this envelope. Thanks very much. Here you go. Thank you sir. What's your place. That kid's really in business. Mr. Cromer look you're my responsibility. Okay okay I'll read it in the car. Get in Mr. Cromer. I didn't expect you'd be along. Yes the ambassador returned to the embassy a few moments after a phone conversation. Good good. But of course there was no way of calling you back. So that's right I wouldn't advance it if you had. The point is arrangements have been made for you to complete your mission tonight. Tonight. It is not a difficult matter you may think. The person that you are to contact is scarcely 300 miles from here. On a battle cruiser. Yes that is my understanding. A sea plane a P.B.Y. I think you'll call them we'll be waiting for you just a few miles west of here. Good enough. And knowing from experience the way that Mr. Sanmaier drives we should be there in no time. Pulled away from the hotel and started up the avenue to Deliverdad. I set the portfolio on the floor next to my feet and leaned back to enjoy the ride. The windows were down and a sharp stale breeze blew in from the ocean. We've been driving for about five minutes when I remember the note from Joe Gavin the bellboy had given me. I fished the envelope out of my pocket and tore it open. Is anything wrong Mr. Cromer. You know it's just a note from a newspaper friend of mine I said I'd have lunch with him tomorrow. Well perhaps you can if you come back this way. I folded up the note and put it back in my pocket. My hands were shaking as I reached down for the portfolio and laid it across my lap. Gavin's handwriting was large and the notes had been short. Dear Mr. Cromer the Baboyer deaf visa cancellation has been officially verified. I tried to reach your embassy for comment was informed their phone had been out of order since five o'clock. Good luck Gavin. Gone through the night and I tried to fit the pieces together. If Gavin couldn't phone the embassy then the embassy couldn't phone me. So Miss Elmada was lying and Mr. Sandmire was not what he seemed. It might very possibly be a seaplane bobbing in a surf off the coast but it certainly wasn't pointed towards your brawler and neither in that case was my unsigned copy of the Baboyer deaf asylum act. I could try to bluff them. I could say that another copy of the bill could be flown to the president in time to beat the deadline and save Mr. Nicolai Baboyer deaf. And maybe it could. But my making such a statement at this point would practically rule out the saving of Mr. Wayne Cromer. It had to be something else something something in character. Something that only a bumbling American businessman would be likely to do in a high priority situation like this. Say you know this is a beautiful city Miss Elmada just beautiful. You like least one Mr. Cromer love it always loved it used to come here in the old days before the war made a lot of friends import export that's my line. You must find that very interesting. I love it. Can't wait to get back to it either. Sometimes this government stuff can be a lot of nonsense you know there are no offense and my know not at all. I guess someone has to do it. You've been with the department long all five years. It's five more than I could stand. Nothing personal. It's not I understand. Well you either Miss Elmada. It is quite all right. But I mean well now you just take us take this mission as an example as an example of what a duplication of effort duplication with that matter. Here we are three of us three of us doing a job of Western Union delivery boy could handle. I think perhaps you have a tendency to oversimplify things Mr. Cromer around the surface we're all pretty well occupied. I've got a paper in my briefcase to rattle and send my as a steering wheel to twist and you Miss Elmada. Yes. Well I guess if we could court exceeding the speed limit you can always argue in Portuguese with the traffic. Yes among other things. I say incidentally what time am I scheduled to take off eight o'clock sharp. We're only a few minutes from the dark. Well now now there's a perfect example of what Mr. Cromer waste genuine waste of the one thing that money cannot buy time. No offense and I am of course not look at my watch Miss Elmada 735 735 25 minutes before my plane leaves and you say we're just a skip and a jump from being well now after all Mr. Cromer I know I know I know things got a little mixed up the picture change cloak and dagger and all that but you know after all in my business I have to meet emergencies like this and on schedule on schedule Miss Elmada well we will do our best to adhere to your schedule from here on you know I think I've finally got your number Miss Elmada I beg your pardon I've got your number I know what you do what you really do to earn your money. You are hired to smooth the ruffle feathers of VIPs like me who come around growling about governmental inefficiency. Mr. Cromer that is not true. Secretary like you back in New York. She can sound the birds off the trees. Yes sir. Well I must say you do it very well. Thank you. However it is not what I am paid for Mr. Cromer. I am a secretary. There is no law against doing two jobs at once young lady no law on the land. You know that's what I had in mind when I made this trip. Well look good it did me. How do you mean. Renew old business contacts while I'm running this air and a lot of friends here in Lisbon Joe Gavin John Henry. It is too bad you did not have a chance to see more of more of them. I miss John completely and only saw Joe for a minute in the lobby this evening. I'm really very sorry. Well I guess it can't be helped. We turn here. That's right. The ocean is just a few blocks away. I wish I could have explained to George about that luncheon date tomorrow. Hey to miss it. Well you may not have to honor me. I love Lisbon but once my job is finished here I'm heading straight for a little old New York. Yes sir. No stop ups when you speak of Mr. Gavin. Is that the newspaper man. Yeah and the contacts I've made through him. He knows every businessman and Lisbon every single one. You have a great admiration for business man. Do you know Mr. Cromer. I ought to. I'm one myself. It's what makes the world go round Miss Elmada. The poets. The poets say it's love but take it from me. I've got a great idea. Stop the car. You see that little cafe ahead pull up there. Stop the car. Mr. Cromer. I just want to make a phone call. Leave a message back at the hotel for Joe. I'm afraid that would be impossible. Don't you stop worrying about security Miss Elmada with me. Mum is the word name rank serial number. No more. I know a little bit about these things. But you have to be aboard the plane in 20 minutes. Only a few blocks away. Now let's be fair Miss Elmada. I'm making quite a financial sacrifice to work for my government. I don't think one personal phone call is too much to ask in exchange. We'll over Mr. Sandmeyer. It weren't taking any chances. Both of them came into the cafe with me. It was crowded and smoky and there was only one public phone. But I gambled in one so far so I decided to let the bet ride. Very well Mr. Cromer. Make your call. No no you dial the hotel and I'll tell you the message to leave. I don't want you to fret your pretty little head about anything. As you wish. Hello. I would like to leave a message for a Mr. Joseph Gavin. Hold the line a moment please. Anything wrong. Mr. Gavin is in the hotel. Come on let me talk to him. I won't give anything away. And tell you the truth I'll get a bigger kick out of being mysterious. And I guess it's all right. Hello. Can you connect me to Mr. Gavin's room please. Thank you. You think it's a gag. I'm always kidding. Hello. We're speaking please. Would you hold the line Mr. Gavin. A friend of yours wishes to speak with you. Here as well. Be careful what you say. Don't you worry. We can't afford to take chances. Mr. Sandmeyer if I utter one word you don't like just yank down that receiver. Remember we're all in this together. Go ahead Mr. Cromer we don't have much time. Good enough. Hello Joe. Show your old dog. Can't have lunch with you tomorrow after all Joe. You're what. It's out. I wish I could make it but it's impossible. I just wanted to let you know. Anything right. The first time. What is it. I'm going back to the states. What. I don't give me that Joe. I've got your number. What do you mean. I say I've got your number. Trouble is you haven't got mine. That's the difference between us. It's called. Yeah but I can't make it for lunch. The police are here. We'll put a trace around it right away. Trace this call right now. Can anyone at Joe right here what I'm saying. No and I'm afraid I'm going to miss seeing John too. John. John Henry I told you I was looking for I guess I'm out of luck. You mean the president's signature you're stalling for time. No question about it. That's a very important commodity Joe. What have you got half an hour. Oh I wouldn't go that high like 15 minutes. That's better. If you get into that figure you may hit the jackpot like in Las Vegas with a slot machine. Mr. Cromer I'm afraid we have to go. You bet. It looks like I've got to sign off Joe. Wait a minute. Don't forget how that jackpot pays and drop me a line when you get a chance. So long Joe. Thanks much folks. I guess we can get going now. Yes I think we had better. For a moment I thought San Mayer had seen it. He seemed to be staring at the phone as I stepped away and followed Miss Almata back through the cafe toward the front door. He said nothing when we got outside nor during the short drive that took us the rest of the way to the waterfront. I looked at my watch as we pulled to a stop in front of a small boat house at the foot of the deserted pier. Seventeen minutes to eight. Inside of the place smell like a fish market. The boat slippers deserted so we sat down to wait. Another five minutes past and 10 things were beginning to look black. Mr. Cromer is the dampness bothering you. A little bit. I noticed you were shivering. I guess I'm just a little anxious to get underway. Of course I understand. Delays always make me nervous. The launch should be along any minute now. I don't see any lights out there. No it won't be running any. You care for a cigarette Mr. Cromer. Thanks. I'm going to pack up my own brand right here. Yeah she's right on schedule at the launch. Here's the light Mr. Cromer. Thanks. Mr. Cromer you dropped something. That piece of paper out of your pocket. Yeah I got it. Oh yeah that's not from Joe Gavin. I'll take a time out. Now look here that's personal correspondence. He knows we're not from the embassy. Well read it yourself. His phone called Mr. Gavin was a sick man. I can't imagine what you're getting at. Almost but not quite. You're going for a little boat ride. Motor launch pulled along side and I got in the front seat next to the man at the wheel. Send my head of my portfolio to a second man in the back. A few moments later we were headed out to open water. As far as I can see it was all over but the shooting. Mr. Cromer are you all right. Oh just grand. Permit me to introduce myself. Sergeant Valdez. He's been police. I've got what. Police. We were able to trace your call to the cafe and with ship to show radio. The rest was easy. You mean I'm safe. See and by now your captors are in custody. Holy cats you guys are well that was quite clever leaving Mr. Gavin's envelope in the coin return slot to the phone in the cafe in order to keep the line open so that we could trace the call. Yeah a little trouble folding it with one hand. Very clever indeed. Don't forget how the jackpot pays. Mr. Gavin had some trouble with that one. Well I'm glad he finally figured it out. Oh he is a smart one. Tell me is that really how these slot machines work in Las Vegas. Going afternoon I was taken aboard a cruiser and at exactly two thirty six. I laid my copy of the Bo Boyer death asylum act on a wide mahogany desk and handed a pen to the man seated behind it. If you'll sign there sir. Thank you. Thank you Mr. President. And now to our hostess Jeanette McDonald and our star Barry Sullivan. Thank you Tony. Thanks Tony. Do you know what I was thinking Barry? Oh what Jeanette? When you stop to think about it anything can be a prayer anything. A sob, a tear, a cry for help, a shout of joy. You just can't rule the heart's desire into a rigid form when asking for God's help. That's why I guess our whole language is sort of embedded with little prayers. They're in our greetings, our partings, our exclamations, our love making even in some of our Christian and family names. And of course in our songs. Jeanette you mean we more or less accidentally call on God each day lots of times without remembering that we're doing it? That's just what I mean Barry. We get the ready made prayers in our language from our ancestors. Their very lives were constant prayer crossing the ocean, conquering a new land, fighting the Indians. To that constant prayer they owed survival. We owe our country. That's true. Yes. They never left God out of a moment of their daily lives. It's shocking to realize how much we take for granted today. How often we forget to let God into our daily lives. You were saying that nowadays prayers have become a sort of a lost art. Well Barry prayers are not an art to me. They're the heart of living and certainly we haven't lost heart. We just need more and more of it. And of course there's nothing to prevent us from tuning our ears to a little what did you call them Jeanette? Was it the embedded prayers? You put it very nicely Barry. The embedded prayers. That's a good start toward bringing back to our daily life what we might call the missing prayers. Why shouldn't we call them the sleeping prayers? Anyone who thinks about them can wake them up and make them real prayers again. The instant he alerts his ears and his heart. You got the message Barry. Just on time. It is time you know. Time to say the family that prays together stays together. More things are brought by prayer than this world dreams of. Family theater has brought you transcribed the dotted line starring Perry Sullivan. Jeanette McDonald was your hostess. Others in our cast were Jack Krushen, John Larch, Lillian Bayef, Herb Ellis and Jane Avello. The script was written by John T. Kelly and was directed for Family Theater by Robert Hewitt Sullivan with music composed and conducted by Harry Zimmerman. This series of Family Theater broadcasts is made possible by the thousands of you who feel the need for this type of program by the mutual network which has responded to this need and by the hundreds of stars of stage screen and radio who give so unselfishly of their time and talent to appear on our Family Theater stage. To them and to you, our humble thanks. This is Tony LaFranco expressing the wish of Family Theater that the blessing of God may be upon you and your home and inviting you to be with us next week when Family Theater will present. Today is Sunday starring Robert Stack. Jean Crane will be your hostess. Join us, won't you? Family Theater is broadcast throughout the world and originates in the Hollywood studios of the world's largest network. This is Mutual, the radio network for all America.