 Tired of the everyday grind ever 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 making your way Tiffle and alone through the dark Caribbean night While I head of you arms held up to you Stands the most beautiful girl you've ever seen And the most evil Listen now as escape brings you her burdens terrifying story the running man It was hot in Taylor that night when it began The little Honduran banana ports simmered and stewed in a sticky heat that made your bones soft and your skin wet Even Chattel's casino wasn't much relief The usual handful of chapines and caribs crowded around Chattel's warped and tired roulette table While above the big ceiling fans slowly churned up the warm smoky air Oh You win again Captain Marcus You've got it mark them all of it Not me. I don't have lucky nice that's That's a lot of money. Yeah, I'm sorry too. I Was hoping you would not be coming to see me tonight. Oh, it's a monotonous world chattel Every night you sit there on your stool playing that mandolin and watching me lose money Every night I lose it and come to you to borrow it back It's a pretty dull circle for you Girl I lost him. I don't want pity. Just funny 500 lempiras. Oh, yes Well, come on. Let's have it You're in a hurry Owen always in a hurry. I like to get places fast I know but I think maybe you're running so fast. You miss what you are passing. Thanks for the philosophy But I need the money more. What's the matter my credit? No good. You owe me four thousand already Oh, and so my plantations worth ten times that plantations. I don't want just money. Okay. Okay, forget it Just have to sell some more bananas Good night, cheddar. We're not just a meal. Good evening, Owen. Oh, Mr. Limous Mind if I sit down Hey, you lose again tonight, Owen Chatterwater oil is swing. We've been asking him to do that for 15 years. Yeah Always the same answer mañana tomorrow. You'll do it. He's a car. He's happy and the swing still squeaks Hey, look Owen your socks are nearly half finished. They'll be ready by Christmas Christmas and slow work You spend months letting me a pair of socks you could buy for five bucks Like to knit gives me time to meditate is that the same reason you stay in this hole? You've been a big man for the American fruit company 20 years You must have enough to get out of Honduras. Yeah, so and I have enough money to retire more than enough I guess but it's not just the job. Okay, there's my home as it will become yours Oh, no somehow. I'm gonna make enough money to pull out it. You change your mind You're young new patient with life at least I get things done. It's true Three years you've built up a fine plantation you work hard on But you also throw a great deal away on shadows wheel trying to get rich in a hurry Well, if you don't mind sir, no lectures tonight. When can I start shipping? What's your deadline? I've got an order for 3,000 stems of Baltimore cut do there in 60 days The company boat will be here in three weeks. I'll make space for your load. Thanks, Owen You went broke in China Yeah, borrow Yeah, we need some money to pay your field hands. Tell him to see my pay master. He'll advantage it Mr. Loomis that I Don't know what to say. It just seems you're always helping me. Well, it's my pleasure, Owen Perhaps someday you'll take over my place with the company. I could make an old man very happy It'd make a young man happy too Good night. So one thing more Yes, a word of advice Owen about Selena Stay away from her. Why because of all the talk about her. She's a bad one on a devil Even her own people are afraid of her, but I'm not a carrot and speaking of the devil. I've got a date with her down at the beach Look, sir, you don't believe in bulldozer. Not exactly, but I respect it But I don't sir and Selena's the prettiest girl around here. She's beautiful. Yes But sooner or later you will find out we really are speaking of the devil When I got to the beach it seemed empty except for a few sleeping girls And I saw her coming towards me in the brilliant moonlight Selena walked like a cat on parade her body swaying in unconscious rhythm Her long black hair flowing loose and glistening over her bare shoulders Swimming or talking or just lying quietly beside me on the warm white sand Selena was a wonderful antidote for long boy You are happy with me. Yes Sure, Selena Sure, I am then Why you look at me so funny tonight? Didn't realize I am But senior Loomis you tell you bad things about me. No, forget it You know, I am not Sure, I know, but others don't I'm tired of defending you. You've just got to stop playing around with boo-doo Selena. That's all I understand I will let Nothing come between us Nothing Selena Now you will not pay attention for what stupid people say about me Will you? Glad you came I've got a surprise for you Surprise how's the loading go same as always ships pulling out now What's the surprise my socks finished ahead of time? Oh, no, this is far more important than my knitting come inside Certainly being mysterious about it. What is it? You must be Owen. I'm Betty's daughter. Betty's a daughter of a friend of mine. Oh, yeah And there's a tourista. She'll need showing around the island. Oh, but I need some showing around Owen Of course she does and I'm the one to do it. You don't understand. She's all right. We'll let her decide How about it miss standard? Well, you're rather impetuous aren't you? You should see money gambling. Well miss standard What's the verdict? Can I be your guide? Well, since you insist that I need one? I'll be delighted Well, you've now traveled on Taylor's one railroad 56 miles other belongs to the American fruit company, but those last four miles are all ours Oh and so impressive Him from the maintenance car There's our house Your house. I'm only a tourist. Remember, but if you stay you'll be a chapina. I think I'd rather be a tourist What give up a chance at this wonderful life of tropical skies and red banana and chiggers and scorpions and opals and mosquitos Sobalotes and paladismo. Well, wait, wait, stop Something wrong What is wrong? I spent three days showing you the sights of Taylor and the banana plantations But I never said anything about black buzzards or malaria What'd you learn all right here? I was raised in Taylor Well, are you going to show me your house and the rest of your plantation so you can make more fun of me You were the one who insisted I needed a guide you and Loomis must have had quite a laugh Well, I admitted started out as a joke but Yes Well, I've spent every day with you since I came here I've got a lot of time to waste on a joke. Perhaps you mean it's a lot of time to waste on me. It wasn't wasted on it Betty I owe you an apology on with me it started as a kind of a game tool, but now It's changed in three days of change Changed for me too Then you get on fair way before you say anything on there's one thing in the saddle You're gambling What about it you must quit on completely you're certain I've never been more so Will you do it for me? Well? With my bad luck, I guess it won't be too hard to quit promise me all right. You have my word on it Good and now go on about the tropical skies We had bananas zoom focus and all don't focus and all What was that? I don't know came from those trees there in my house This is somehow probably just a wild cat I think I'd better take you home Betty Owen That wasn't a wild cat. Let's not talk about it. There's nothing to worry about Betty nothing When I got back to my house and found the carib servants gone The reason was in the living room In the flickering light of seven small candles lay what was left of three white chickens ripped apart in a fury of feathers and bones But it was the blood that made the scene one of utter horror dark glistening blood and Crouching in the candlelight with Selena When she lifted her head, I saw her eyes They were dark fires of hate now that she was no longer beautiful, but something incredibly evil Selena why are you here? Why did you do this? Okay Gods and devils love and hate, but no one knows why why why get out Selena Get out and take this food. Who jumped with you. I will go see But you will come to me You will come never you will come For you are cursed tonight. I Have put the curse of fortune on you. Oh, what from now on You will never be able to lose My wedding gift the way dark Will return to escape and tonight's story the running man in just a moment Unifax the magic electronic computer that adds up figures faster than people can think will be on the job election night along with CBS Radio's top newsmen Don't miss the special election returns broadcast at 6 15 p.m. New York time and make CBS radio your election headquarters on election night Starting at 8 p.m. New York time and now back to escape Will never be able to lose a bet No, of course, I didn't believe it a voodoo curse by a hysterical carrot girl Who would But I found myself thinking about it Wondering what it would be like never to lose a bet And I kept thinking about it about all the wealth it could bring the freedom the chance to get out of Taylor And finally I decided to test it at least then I could forget the whole ridiculous business My my this last batch of yarn is certainly inferior. It's time today. It's broken. Mr. Loomis Do you have a deck of cards here? Yes, I don't I think I do where well, let's see. Oh, yes, in that drawer there No, it's it. Yes, you know good. You're going to play some Romney with Betty. I always liked that game Would you cut cards with me sick? What's that? Oh now and you know that I don't gamble penny. That's all just a penny. Go ahead. Oh very well there Queen of clubs now my King I went try again nine Jack again keep cutting Six of hearts Eight of hearts again again. Oh, and it's just a little bit. No, no, please. All right King yeah, try and eat that Ace well, you are in luck today. I can't lose. Do you understand? I can't lose the curse is working Darling that sounds like voodoo voodoo. Maybe Maybe I just don't know but I just won four times in a row. Oh, and what are you talking about? It's something to matter. I don't know but I'm gonna find out right now Chateau, I've got to play the wheel So much impatience my friend the coupier is not here. No one is here but me Then you run the wheel me but I'm the owner. It's not proper that I wrote my proper. Who cares if it's proper. I do What later and you can run here. Well, I want to play that wheel now from it Primitivo You're giving me machine soul, sir An apology would save me the trouble of having to kill you. I'm sorry. Chateau. I That was a stupid thing for me to do I hope I didn't break it. It is all right. I lost my head. You lost the friend. I said I was sorry See, I'll come back later. My casino is open to the public. Yeah, look Chateau I didn't mean that crack about Primitivo. Oh, yes, sir, but I I followed you here own Aren't you forgetting something? I don't understand any a promise you made to me. Oh Of course, but but this won't be gambling better. Oh, then what will it be? You don't understand. I've got a curse on me I've got to find out if it works and if it does then I'll be rich. I can't lose you can lose me on And if you break your promise about gambling You will Betty wait Betty. Please try and understand what On your food Captain Markham you're taking a big risk for that girl. She means what she says She'll get over it. She's just worried that I'll gamble away the plantation or something She doesn't understand about about the voodoo curse of Selena How did you know about that if I told you all I know about Selena would turn your stomach inside out She's pure evil lad. I learned that ten years ago her curse will destroy you the curse of winning That's a nice way to be distraught. There's no nice way to lose your soul Just what is it you know about Selena? Nothing you'd believe now But I know she wants you and she may get you and if that happens make God have mercy on you because she won't I Was warned but it didn't matter then All I could think about was the way I'd won cutting cards with mr. Loomis The curse seemed to be working Maybe I was a man who couldn't lose And that night in Chattel's casino Oh You win again, Senoroy Ten times 20 times I won in half an hour at one nearly 4,000 blimp here Not just tonight from us I can't lose period and approve it. I'm gonna break the bank right now The whole works another one You're pressing your fortune, sir at 35 to one. I'm pressing your fortune Chattel when that ball drops. I'll own this place I've got Selena's curse on me Chattel. I can't lose What's the idea stopping the wheel you gave me school senior. Well, you can't do that. I've done it, Senor I'm afraid it's a Lina's curse. You've called me primitive or that gives me the right to have a savages Superstition shadow, please please give me a chance. This is the only place in Taylor to gamble and I have to know you are unwelcome here My game is close to you permanently Leave the chips on the table and your debt to me is cancelled, but All right All right, I'll get out of here. I'll get out of Taylor There are plenty of places in the world where I can play and not for them here is either One is gambling at the casino and winning Selena has him but which is right enough Isn't there a way we can stop this? Well, that's it depends on Owen if he has the will to stop gambling. Yes, but if he doesn't Oh, Mr. Lois Will you buy my plantation? Oh, and you don't mean that you can have it at a bargain It's worth 20,000. I'll sell it to you for 10. No, oh and you work for three years I can run that 10,000 either millions. Don't you understand? But not here. I've got to go where the money is Monte Carlo do you know I will not let you do this you won't You're taking a lot on yourself. Mr. Lois haven't I always though and you're like my own son You know that I can't let you throw away your life. I'm just crazy. I'm tired of having everyone tell me what to do All I want to know is what you'll give me for my plantation name your price nothing nothing Betty talk to him. This is our chance to be rich. I can make it up for all of us But I need a stake you have enough money now and if you don't throw it away throw it away I'm gonna turn it into a fortune. You call that throwing it away You don't get anything for nothing Owen, but I tell you I can't lose the curse works I tried it even if it works and you can't lose it's still a curse lab There's no shut up. I won't listen to anymore. This sanctum only is drivel Mr. Lois give me five thousand no not five cents on but you've got to there's no one all right Listen to me. I'll give you 20,000 for your plantation well Well, that's more like it on the condition that you stay here in Taylor for six months to think it over six months Yes, and if you still want to leave while you're out of your mind I'm leaving on the next boat and you can't stop me. I can I'm a big man in Taylor remember Before you get your clearances from all the ministries in the National Police I can have you wrapped up in so much red tape. You'll never get away. It won't work It will work and for your sake. I'm going to make arrangements tonight now now you can't do this to me I'm doing it for you. Oh, and that's the difference. No, I won't let you do it. I'll let me pass I'm sorry What is it? What's the matter? Is he hurt just a little push? That's all but when Markham lifted the old man. I Could see he'd fallen on the needles with which he was knitting The needles were buried in his back And now blood was dripping from them Out of the socks he'd been knitting for me You killed him He was trying to help you and you kill him. No, no, it was an accident. I didn't mean Didn't you I only pushed him. I think I'd better get the police. Markham later You know, I didn't mean to hurt him. You know that Betty don't touch me, but please Listen, I love you get away from me. I Don't want your love Just leave me alone. What she even let me explain explain to the police Please no Markham. I've got to stop Markham Markham stop Please help me. They'll hang me sure will but you know it was an accident You you can help me get away your boat my boat to get away I'd scuttle her first mark him. I'll give you anything money Get it through your head. Oh, and you killed one of the finest men that ever drew a breath, but it wasn't my fault Please Markham We're friends. You don't have any friends not now except maybe Selena Selina Yes Selina She could hide me in the jungle. Hi for the rest of your life. I don't want to go to her She'll take you. I'll let you go. There'll be a worse punishment than the hanging. I was lost One moment I was a man with friends a sweetheart a future a Man who couldn't lose I was alone in a world of hate With nothing to hope for Not even my life Unless I Turned and I saw her Selena She was standing at the edge of the jungle smiling evil She was waiting for me Under the direction of Norman McDonald escape has brought you the running man by Herb Purdham starring Vic Perrin Featured in the cast were Michael Ann Barrett and Jean Bates with Ralph Moody, Don Diamond, Barney Phillips and Byron Kane Editorial supervision is by John Meston and the special music for escape is composed and conducted by Lee Stevens Next week Standing at the entrance of a walled Arab town While behind you coming slowly through the night of the shuffling footsteps of a blind beggar Who will lead you into a harrowing world of darkness and Terror so listen next week when escape brings you Kathleen Heights strange tale of adventure in North Africa the return Tomorrow night here Herbert Marshall as Frankenstein on CBS radio suspense and be the sepata on Luxe radio theater Remember suspense and Luxe radio theater tomorrow evening on most of these same CBS radio stations Stay to you now for Robert trout with the news which follows immediately over most of these same stations Roy Rowan speaking You'll both count here the election results on the CBS radio network