 The signal oil program The whistler that whistle is your signal for the signal oil program The whistler I am the whistler and I know many things for I walk by night I know many strange tales hidden in the hearts of men and women who have stepped into the shadows Yes, I know the nameless terrors of which they dare not speak Yes friends, it's time for the signal oil program the whistler Rated by independent research the most popular West Coast program in radio history In gasoline, you know it takes extra quality to give you extra mileage and Signal is the famous go farther gasoline So look for the signal circle sign in yellow and black that identifies friendly dealer-owned signal service stations from Canada to Mexico And now the whistler strange story a black book Paul had looked forward to the opening night in Philadelphia for months And if anything it had exceeded his brightest hopes In a way it was a reward for the four long years of struggle Since he'd come to Cecil Wenham's Ballet Arts Company as an unknown dancer from London Yes, Philadelphia was a wonderful opening with five curtain calls for him alone After specter of the road He knew he had America in the palm of his hand now that the morning papers would hail him as a star But he was no longer a promising newcomer, but a great dancer So it was ironic on that night in Philadelphia Where the applause still ringing in his ears that Cecil Wenham should come into Paul's room and Shatter his dream into a thousand bits Paul. Hello, Cecil. Paul. I've done it. I've signed her up You better tell me tomorrow. I'm dining with some friends a three-year contract exclusive with options on two more Look says I want you to meet up Paul. She's up in my office now. All right Who is it Cecil? Of course? I couldn't tell you her name until now, but Paul We've got the greatest choreographer and ballet mistress in the business I had a hard time persuading her to leave London a minute London. Oh, she's been topped over there for years. Who is it Cecil? Tell me Catherine Valadon Catherine Valadon You you hired Valadon. You know her but she doesn't turn. I'm buying her head not her feet She'll direct the company for us. She's she's out there now. Yes. Come on. I said I was late Cecil. Oh, come on Did you hear me? I'm late. I don't want to talk to anybody now. Please leave me alone Yes, it's ironic isn't it Paul this night of triumph the great performance the resounding applause Suddenly becomes meaningless And there's a heavy feeling of defeat inside you as you sink into the sofa in your dressing room alone now You sit there thinking half hearing the music of the finale and in your mind It seems to change slowly and strangely into another melody on a rehearsal piano Four years ago in a London theater a Couple moves downstage Center the young man steps to one side as the woman comes to a point in front of him The man is you Paul and the woman Catherine Valadon What's the matter now? You're supposed to lift me up that path. I know it then why did you stand there like an oaf? You are at least two beats behind. I was following the music. That's more than I can say for you Calling won't get us anywhere What's the trouble Catherine? I am waiting for Paul to decide to become a dancer Perhaps you can convince him mr. Brady. I am ready to give up. I'll be in my dressing room if you need me What's the idea Paul? She's always waiting for me to slip so she compounds. I had no right to talk to her like that The timing was off, and you know it. No wonder it's off. I told you I can't dance with her She's a she's a machine not a woman listen to me Paul I'm not going to let that phony artistic temperament of yours upset this company You're going to her dressing room right now and apologize to her. I'll do nothing of the kind You'll do it or leave the company Look Brady, that's pretty unreasonable of you. I'm dealing with an unreasonable man What do you do as I say? Very well Brady Well Paul I've come to tell you that I'm sorry. How sweet of you. You can write that in your little black book, too In exactly three fifteen and a half on the afternoon of October 18th Paul Cartwell came into your dressing room and apologized humbly. Did you come here to insult me again? It would be a charming woman if you weren't such a machine Everything so so prompt precise exact. It's my profession. It's your life You're not human Catherine. Suppose you forget about me and concentrate on your own shortcoming. All right All right, I'm sorry Is he going on with the rehearsal? Of course All right. Let's try it again and this time keep your mind on your work Yes, it's coming back to you, isn't it Paul how you walked back on the stage with her humiliated raging inside Trying to ignore the embarrassed faces of the rest of the cast the pianist picked up your cue and the two of you move together She was poised before you on the point and as you moved in to lifter a single idea took hold of you Yes, there's a traditional hazard in the ballet Paul a dancer Dropped hard on a pointed toe will never dance again. You lift her above you higher and higher Then in a blind rage you relax your whole wishy-doctor. I can't say yet We're waiting for the X-rays is it is it all right for me to go in? Oh, of course her friends are in there with her. Thank you Why not you don't think a little thing like a bruised toe Hello Catherine Paul but a lovely bouquet. Hi, I hope you like them. I love them darling. It's so thoughtful of you Catherine I I Want to tell you how awful I feel I I don't know what happened. I'm not another word now It was an accident Paul cause it was happens in the best of come and they've all told me I'll be as good as ever in a week or so Now run along you too. I want the talk to pass sure enough. Keep it up old girl. Goodbye Kathy. Good. Bye 130 dear visiting ours, you know I'm so glad to take me this way Catherine. I felt like such a heel That's just it. You are a heel. What do you mean? Do you think I'm stupid Paul? Do you think I'm blind? Accident everyone's talking about my unfortunate accident not just a minute. You did not slip Paul I felt you let me go deliberately And don't think I've swallowed that sugar-coated nonsense about coming out of it as good as ever I'm through as a dancer And I know it Do you know what it's like to be through Paul? You know how it feels to lie in a hospital bed with everything behind you and Nothing ahead Well, you're going to know Paul. I'm going to show you if you take the rest of my life And that's what brought you to America Paul You never admitted it even to yourself Told yourself it was the war gave yourself a thousand other reasons But at the bottom of it was fear of a little black-eyed ballerina You knew would kill you if everything else failed her Yes, Paul Catherine Valadon has caught up with you at last in spite of the new name Paul Cooper the new country the new career And as you lean back on the sofa in your dressing room You know that here in Philadelphia in a single evening you've won and you've lost Mademoiselle Valadon may I present our star Paul Cooper? Don't get up. I didn't intend to well Paul don't let it bother you mr. Venom Paul and I are old friends. We've been through a lot together in London Hadn't be Paul in those days it was Paul Cartnell though. I haven't say Catherine is always this way when he's tired mr. Venom Well, I better run along You can call the rehearsal tomorrow morning at 9 sharp Please see that no one is late. Well taking over tomorrow. Yes, mr. Venom. I'm taking over tomorrow With the prologue of the black book the signal oil company brings you another strange story by the whistler But now a timely tip for you drivers The hot summer months ahead put an extra strain on a car's cooling system often causing motors to overheat That's why it's a good idea to have your signal dealer inspect your radiator now as Cars grow older radiators often become choked with rust and sludge To take care of this signal dealers have special rust and sludge dissolving compound That restores the radiators cooling efficiency, but can't harm the metal If your radiator has any small leaks your signal dealer has radiator sealer that stops them in a jiffy and In any case even with new cars It's wise to add rust preventative that protects both radiator and motor from future corrosion You see signal service stations are much more than places to buy signals famous go farther gasoline and signal premium motor oil Wherever you see signal circle sign in yellow and black there You'll also find complete conscientious signal service to help your car run better Look better and last longer And now back to the whistler So it all came to a climax in Philadelphia Paul with a ballet performance of specter of the rose that made all the years of struggle worthwhile and It's strange somehow that on your night of triumph a woman named Catherine Valadon should walk out of your past and threaten to destroy it all You're positive There's only one reason why she came to the company as choreographer The reason she gave you in that London hospital room four years ago You know how it feels to lie in bed with everything behind you and nothing ahead. Well, you're going to know Paul I'm going to show you if it takes the rest of my life By morning, you know, there's only one answer you've got to make when him change his mind Tell you it won't work. Cecil. I the valedon goes that I do What's happening to you Paul? Catherine's doing such a fine job. I want you to pull yourself together and start that I refuse to go on tour under these conditions Oh Must I remind you of your contract? I don't care. Well, you'd better care if it's violated. You'll never dance again Never dance again That's what you said. Well, listen when him You don't know her. She's not just trying to drive me out of the company. It's more than that She'll stop at nothing. I don't understand you Paul what I can't tell you anymore But you've got to make a choice right now Cecil Valedon or me I want you both for the good of the company However, if you force me well, you're big, but you can be replaced. All right All right replace me. There are other companies who you're talking nonsense Furthermore, your contract is not for sale. I can hold you for two years Even if I put you to work shifting scenery, you don't even have to dance, you know You better run along now. Valadon's waiting for you at rehearsal It's no use Paul you're back in the old routine under Catherine's thumb again Just like four years ago in London only she's worse now, isn't she much worse because she's doing it all for a purpose Yes, and she doesn't let up for an instant everyone Well, our prima donna has finally decided to attend the rehearsal I'm Sorry, I'm late. I wasn't sure what time the call is on the board Yes, a Parisian 10 30 a.m. Sharp Can I be clearer than that is the world going to fall apart if I'm two minutes late a real artist takes pride in precision I Prefer to save it for the dance an Excellent idea. You'll need it in the new specialty. I'm preparing. What are you talking about? I'm working out the choreography now. It's a part to do especially for you Paul I want to have it ready by the time we go on tour You're frantic now not knowing what's in the back of her mind and during the days that follow you wonder about the special dance She's preparing what she meant when she said it was especially for you It becomes clear the afternoon. She introduces you to Eric Ballard a big hulking man Who'd look more at home in the wrestling ring than on a ballet stage? I meant to tell you more about Eric Paul. He'll be an excellent supporting partner for you partner The new ballet I'm creating Mr. Benham thinks it's very original Actually, it's based on something we used to do in London. You and I Captain, what are you trying to do? Remember Paul the one we were rehearsing the day you slipped I've rearranged it entirely Eric here takes your place you take mine I take your place. It sounds like an exciting number to me. Mr. Cooper Eric Why don't you go get mr. Benham will run through it for him sure thing miss Bella don't be right back Kevin what is this? Why did you hire that hot? Please He's sweet to his friends and devoted to I suppose he'd do anything you tell him perhaps But you needn't worry about the dance. He is very strong Paul, but I won't do it captain If you think I'll fall for this crude attempted revenge revenge That's the most you ever admitted. Well, I don't know. Perhaps I should recall that little London incident to the trade papers Let them know that they're celebrated Paul Cooper. It's actually the Paul Cartnell who deliberately dropped the great ballerina And made certain that Catherine Balladon would never dance again That's all forgotten you wouldn't make a new rehearse this number with Eric Have it ready for the time when we want to add some variety to the program Whatever you say good You should enjoy it Paul as Eric said it will be very exciting The tour that follows is a nightmare with each new city at threat You've rehearsed the new ballet with Eric and all but the spectacular bit which is to be performed on a high platform And you never know when Catherine will decide that the time is right for her revenge She knows you're afraid Paul. That's all part of it keeping you in suspense this way From Philadelphia the company goes to Cincinnati then St. Louis Chicago and on west to Denver You expect the crisis there, but it doesn't happen Finally in the last night in Denver when there's only San Francisco left ahead You decide you can't stand it any longer that you must face Catherine and have it out As you approach your dressing room you hear her talking to someone and step back out of sight as the door opens Are we going on ahead of the rest of the company miss balladon? Yes? I have to make extra arrangements the thing we discussed Eric It's coming off in San Francisco. Well, I've been wondering if you changed your mind You start after them Paul and then stop confused wondering Through the open door of Catherine's dressing room You catch sight of a notebook on a dressing table the famous black book that contains every move She makes every decision every appointment you hurry over to it come through the pages before she comes back It's all there Paul the hotel on Knob Hill where Catherine will be staying her room number the business meeting A list of appointments the last one with Eric to end promptly at 11 tomorrow night Then at the top of the next page the thing you're looking for final rehearsal Cooper specialty Monday 9 a.m. There's no question now Paul. She's made up her mind. You're going to have an accident Monday Oh There's still an alternative of course you can let Catherine end your career or Meet her on her own ground By the time she's left on the train. You still haven't decided It's the only thing on your mind as you stand in line at the railroad terminal waiting to pick up your reservation There's a worried little man ahead of you. Listen. I've simply got to get space on that San Francisco train I can give you an upper on the next one, but it won't do it won't do it all You see I'm meeting the steamer there the silver star sailing for Shanghai the next train will miss it. I'm awfully sorry, sir Perhaps if you wait around there'll be a cancellation. Oh, I see. Thank you It comes to you at that moment Paul this is perfect This train you'd plan to take ahead of the rest of the company the frantic little man desperate for a ticket on his way out of the country You pick up your reservation Walk over to the stranger pacing anxiously in the corner of the station lobby Excuse me You wanted to go to San Francisco tonight. Yes. I've simply got to get on that train. So I heard I Have a ticket here. I want somebody to use. Oh, I'm a traveling man. You see and uh, well I I want my boss to think that I'm on that train. Oh, but isn't nothing to it All you have to do is travel in my name of Paul Cooper What about it a cooper and mr. For a place on that train I travel is Mickey Mouse. Oh, fine. Then it's a deal Mr. Cooper Time is your next flight for San Francisco. Oh, not till then I could do almost as well by leaving by train tonight I guess I can use an hour and a half extra sleep as well as anybody Send the ticket over to the Denver Hotel, please. I'll leave the money at the desk. The name is Jackson An hour and a half Paul that's how much time you'll have but it's enough for your honor schedule now too as Exact a schedule is the one in tasselans little black book You stay overnight at the Denver Hotel under the name of Jackson then pick up your plane ticket the next afternoon at 5 You're taking off for San Francisco It's a swift flight uneventful and half an hour after landing at mills field You're stepping out of the elevator on the top floor of Catherine's hotel You wait until the elevator starts down and then hurry to the stairs Catherine's room is actually two floors below You glance at your watch as you knock softly on a door 1135 and the black book told you her appointment with Eric was to end promptly at 11 You can depend on that You're doing here at the sum of night. I thought you were on the train. I am on the train Catherine What's the matter with you? Have you been drinking no Catherine? What's this all about? I have you come here to see you what about Your unfinished business Catherine. I don't want to discuss that now. Please go Paul. No more discussions. Hey Catherine The appointments for the day over Complete There'll be no interruptions What are you come here Catherine? Oh, no Let go of me. Oh, I'll let go Catherine just as I did once before but first As she falls to the floor You put the heavy brass candlestick back on the table cross quickly to the French doors leading onto the balcony and open them wide a Moment later you stand near the railing high over the glittering city Catherine's body in Iran The little black book will tell him she was all alone. Hold it Paul. No more appointments The body hurtling to the street will establish the moment of her death beyond any doubt And you can slip quietly down to the station just in time to make an appearance when the train arrives You lift her high upon the railing and then Cooper, what are you? Let go of her. Put her down get away from me. Leave me alone Okay Whatever was he trying to Good Lord, she's dead How did he ever expect to get away with it? Operator get me the police the whistler will return in just a moment with a strange ending to tonight's story Right now however, I'd like to clear up another mystery that baffles a good many drivers There are many brands of gasoline on the market some are naturally better than others But how can you measure the quality of gasoline? Well, there's one very simple way if you just keep this in mind to give you superior performance quicker starting faster Pick up and smoother knock-free power a gasoline must help your motor run more efficiently Now when your motor runs more efficiently you naturally get better mileage and Mileage is something you can measure with your speedometer That's why signal says your speedometer is your best yardstick of gasoline quality Check yours and you'll find it's true in gasoline. It takes extra quality to go farther and Remember signal is the famous go farther gasoline And now back to the whistler The last you remember Paul is the smashing blow of Eric's fist there in Catherine Baladon's hotel room on the 12th floor Everything's quiet now. No tension. No fear. Just soft warm black No Paul it doesn't seem to matter now that you killed Catherine Baladon Because she forced you to choose between murder and a brilliant career And it doesn't matter either that on this night for the first time in all the years You've known her she failed to follow the schedule in the little black book to the minute You open your eyes Blinking into the glare of a white light at police headquarters Eric Ballard is talking to a quiet-faced man in plain clothes At first I couldn't see how he expected to get away with it the door unlocked and everything I got up there and walked right in I Found him about to drop the body over the balcony rail to the street trying to make it look like a suicide in What were you doing there Ballard? I was keeping an appointment. I had with her You were a little late for that appointment. What's your way? Yeah, I'm boys back with us. That's what did it. You know, Eric The first time in Catherine's life. She didn't go by the book. What's he talking about the notebook Miss Valadon kept her appointments in She changed the appointment didn't she Eric She changed you know her better than that that book was a religion with her. She lived by it Don't tell me she lived by it. I saw that book back in Denver Your appointment with her was to end at 11. That's where you slipped up. No, I didn't slip up. I was too careful I tell you I saw it. That's not what I'm talking about What do you mean? Take a look at your watch Cooper Watch yeah You forgot to set it back You see Cooper you're still on mountain standard time Let that whistle be your signal for the signal oil program the whistler each Monday at eight brought to you by the signal oil company marketers of signal gasoline and motor oil and fine quality automotive accessories Signal has asked me to remind you to get the most driving pleasure drive at sensible speeds be courteous and obey traffic regulations It may save a life possibly your own Featured in tonight's story were Jeanette Nolan and David Ellis The whistler was produced by George W. Allen with music by Wilbur hatch story by William Engvich and Was transmitted to our troops overseas by the armed forces radio service? This is Marvin Miller speaking for the signal oil company CBS the Columbia broadcasting system