 Let's read the next story in this book, gang. The Debt from Impact Comics number three from 1955 from EC Comics Okay, and this is the second story in the book. The script is by Carl Wessler Okay Pencils, inks by Jack Davis and colors by Mary Sever But the sun's shining here, gang. I'll try to get you guys good pictures of these. The Debt Eight years before it had It eight years before it had seemed like a bad dream to Joe Wyler They'd closed the closed the ponderous Prison gates behind him locked them off from a familiar sights and sounds and friends Locked them inside a strange new world of bars and gray concrete Walls and unfriendly faces then Joe did his ten years sentence in eight on coming out seemed like a bad dream to for his once familiar World had changed only George Rider hadn't changed Mr.. Rider George How good of you to be here after after what happened? It's the least I could do for a friend Joe As far as I'm concerned the past eight years are gone and forgotten I want everything to be as it was before the trouble He says The two men got into George Floyd's Cadillac and drove slowly out of the shadows of the grim pen and pen and pen Penitentiary walls Things can never be as they were George. Look at me My hair is white. I'm stooped. I'm an old man. He says There's a job waiting for you at the bank Joe Joe Weiler stared silently head through the Crystal clear windshield. He saw not the beauty of the open world before him But rather the long ago past those wild days of his Son Ted he's thinking yes, I suppose that's when it all began If I'd been stronger with Teddy back then none of this might have happened the memories of those days Brought vivid pictures to Joe Wiler's mind and yet it seemed a part of another man's life Not his own Joe remembered one night Is this the time for a 15 year old boy to be coming home? Two o'clock in the morning. He says What difference does it make? It's summer. I don't have to get up to go to school So get off my back paw paw. I don't need a nursemaid. He says Joe remembered how he could never even get mad at his son. Not really. He could only act mad Don't talk to me that way Ted You think I don't know where you've been and what you've been up to Those hoodlums your pals stealing a car Stealing we we just took a ride. He says and the police picked up a lot of you and You got another ride to jail How did how did it feel being in a cell like a criminal? He says It was only for an hour then the guy who owned owed the car came down But he didn't bring any charges. He says So captain Higgins told me when he phoned Ted you you were lucky this time But next time well, they better not be a next time Lay off Paul. Will you I'm tired. He says But there's been a neck but there's did There'd be been a next time and many times after during the years that followed But one way or another usually with Joe's help Ted had time and Again squeezed out of serious trouble You know, I don't mind giving you time off Joe But you'd be better off letting that boy of yours take his medicine for once Ted's young mr. Rider. Oh, that's the guy's picking him up Ted's young mr. Rider. He's only 22 he'll straighten We he'll straighten himself out. He promised the father says 22 Promised good Lord man Ted isn't a kid any longer. He ought to be working paying his own way He's spoiled rotten. He says It hasn't been easy for him growing up without a mother. He's been on his own too much the father says So Joe Weiler had another excuse for Ted, but the time Came when excuses were not enough The cops there. I know but Michaels is everything you say he is mr. Weiler a thief perhaps a cheap hoodlum But he still gets the protection of the law But captain Higgins Ted and his girl Lois They were just taking a walk not harming anyone What about a protecting them if Michael hadn't passed that? Remark about Lois Ted wouldn't have hit him Unfortunately for Ted there aren't any witnesses that Michael said anything wrong. The girls word isn't enough I'm afraid we're in for it this time Ted Please captain if ever I needed a break I need one now Lois and I are going to be married Married on what Ted you haven't even got a job. It's hard enough for me to support you alone I'll get a job first dad. I've been looking nobody wants to give me a break. I've got a Bad reputation. Okay. That's my fault, but I've got to have a chance. He says You hear that captain he wants to straighten himself out get a job get married Joe I've heard Ted's Lip talk before I think this is more of the same, but well For your sake, but next time I throw the book at him the cops says cameras having a hard time Focusing with all the money pretty cool actually That same day Joe had taken taken Ted to the bank to George Ryder's office Joe I do anything for him for you anything but this George listen you said Ted ought to be working. All right, then let him work He wants to settle down. I know he means it this time George give him a chance Please the father says it's not my money in this bank. Joe is the depositors I'm responsible. No, I can't do it. I'd be crazy Mr. Ryder, I'll give up all my old friends. Lois made me do it If you give me a break sir, I couldn't let her down Or my father the boy says Very well Ted, but get this straight your father has worked in this bank for years One bad act by you and he'll be thrown He'll be through here understand through Mr. Ryder says so Ted started his job at the bank the next day and a week later He and Lois were married The honeymoon can wait that we're going to buy a little house and house That's going to be a bit steep Ted You can't expect to make the down payment with your weak salary from the bank the father says I'm still working mr. Wiler and I have the money saved We'll be able to make a substantial down payment She says you're quite something girl Lois You'll be good for Ted I can see that the father's all happy And Joe remembered that For the first time in many years. He'd been at peace with the world Your boys your boys wife driving him to work in a nice car They own their own home and I saw them out at the country club that's Saturday Well, it's a used car George and it'll be many years before they actually own their home I used to worry about the way they spent but I guess Ted and Lois are pretty Level-headed the father says George Ryder had been had had been the one George Ryder had been the one sour note in Joel Wiler's life after Ted's marriage I Noticed the way you look at Ted all the time George worried like Rest assured that any money those kids have they've come by honestly Ted's all right now Is he we'll see Joe we'll see and then several months later it happened You wanted to see me? come in Joe and Close the door Gentlemen, this is mr. Wiler whose son. I've been telling you about Joe these men are state bank examiners Ted's accounts are five thousand dollars short. Oh, no and and you think that But you must be mistaken The father says I'm sorry, Joe. I wish they were There were some mistake, but these men know their jobs Where are Ted and his wife? Vacation in Joe. I've got to have time to think Only only a minute George, please the father says and Joe remembered how he'd Stared out the window of George Ryder's office looking out the quiet pretty streets of his town If it was up to me, I'd I've worked something out with you, Joe But it's not my money. It's the depositors for once In his life. Ted's got to take his medicine. No, not Ted the father says Joe's known then Joe known then He'd known that Ted was bad or maybe just weak But he'd still love Ted and so he turned his back on the streets and the town he loved Ted Ted didn't take the money. I took it. Yes. I gambled. I lost a little on the horses and I took a little more Hoping to win back, but I lost that so I kept taking and Joe. No, don't say it you It's true George. I I didn't gamble it all the way. I still have $2,700 in my vault downstairs. I can make Restitution to that extent Joe Joe, I never thought you'd Just taking the rock for him Joe returned more than half the missing money $2,700 of money he'd earned his life savings He'd been arrested and brought to trial. He pleaded he pleaded guilty I have taken mr. Riders plea on your behalf in consideration Therefore, I sentence you Joseph What why there to ten years in the state penitentiary ten years? He says Conditional love. I'll I'll do everything I can to To have this terrible sentence change. I'll keep my lawyers working for you Joe Ten years the father. I Never thought of myself as old before Ten years will be taken out of my life I'll be an old man He says so Joe Weiler had done the ultimate for his son He'd sacrifice himself on the altar of paternal devotion He'd left everything He felt very noble Dad, why didn't you call? Why didn't you write? I didn't find out till we got back today It's better this way son. Your name has been kept clean Mr. Ryder isn't holding this against you now keep your name clean Dad, I just can't believe that you did it ten years the Sun says My life is finished head yours and Lois's are just beginning You can make six thousand if you do the right thing. I Can't help you anymore Go now and God bless you the father says and so now with two years off for good behavior Joe Weiler was on his way home, but he no longer felt noble only tired and very old I'll never forget Your many kindnesses while I was up there George Your constant efforts to get me out the food baskets all the times you visited me It was the least I could do Joe and just remember that there's a job waiting whenever you want to start There was a joyous and tearful reunion at the Weiler home later that day This is Joseph Dad he's seven We named him after you and this is Ted jr. He's five It's good to have you home. Mr. Weiler You'll stay with us. We both want you to it was gratifying in a way Ted and Lois were showing their appreciation for Joe's sacrifice and Joe Ryder was affording him the Dignity of a job. What a wonderful world it was after all but that night Dr. Willis dad and I rushed over as soon as we got your message. What's wrong? It's mr. Ryder. He's had a heart attack. It's just a matter of minutes He's dying and he knows it. He insists upon seeing you both Joe Weiler Could hardly hold back the tears as He took the hand of his dying friend George you choke You'll be all right Why why the bank it just won't be the same you've got to hear me Joe That money that five thousand dollars. I I was on the spot deep in debt Playing the market losing steadily. I Guessed I stole that money Joe. It took some time for George Ryder's words to sink in Ted Was the first to understand you stole that money, but why didn't my father confess? Why did he go to prison in your place? I? Tried everything to save him everything but confessing Myself I couldn't face the disgrace Joe Weiler turned slowly to his son Ted you you didn't steal that money. I thought Then all my sacrificing choke. It was for nothing He says I didn't know anything about the money dad Lois was working. We were doing all right. I thought you Then Joe Weiler grabbed George Ryder by the shoulders With the grip of a madman and shook him violently and even Ted could not tear him away You cheat. That's why you were so good to me Trying to buy the eight years of my life you stole you cheat cheat cheat Dad dad that's no good now. He's dead dead great story. Wow. Wow. Wow impact comics They definitely have an impact. They definitely have an impact, right?