 In just a moment suspense with Gregory Peck oh Have did you find that old picture album? Yeah? Take a peek at yourself on the old old look Here's a shot of a first car roll down curtains and everything remember yes, and weren't we proud of it? But what an arm-breaker crank crank like a rusty old coffee grinder What a whale of a difference the quick-starting auto light stay full battery man Are you going to thank auto light again, honey for stay full batteries? Oh, you said it Mary why I wouldn't trade that thirst-free power house and our car for all the tea in China Same goes for our auto lights park plugs and auto light ignition. I don't suppose you'd care to trade this small talk for a half hour of Suspense Suspense Auto light and its 60,000 dealers and service stations bring you Radio's outstanding theater of thrills starring tonight. Mr. Gregory Peck in Anton leaders production of Hitchhike poker a tale well-calculated to keep you in Suspense on the ride young fella. Are you bad? How far you going? Oh, hi. Well, hop in. Thanks That's how I met Jay Stewart Belden and his canary yellow convertible That's how I took the ride. I'll be a long time forgetting He looked to be about 45 and he wasn't bad looking for a guy that old He was well built about my size. No grain is here And that coat he was wearing boy. I'll bet plenty of camels went under the clippers for that one So you're a student a graduate from Berkeley this year. I suppose you're a vet Oh, yes more than half the guys are vets. What's your name son Ridge Fowler married not me Don't tell me you're a woman-hater. Oh, no, it's it's not that it's just well I have enough trouble feeding myself I said the same thing years ago. Oh, but you'll change your mind when the right girl comes along 9b 1863 Dad, huh? Oh, didn't you ever play license plate poker license plate poker never heard of it It's just like regular poker except instead of drawing cards. You draw license plates. I drew that hand There was nothing in it next car. We see it'll be your hand Here comes one now watch the license plate 4j 3134 two pair threes and fours you beat me. Hey, that's a good game. What are the stakes? I'll make it easy on yourself. Shall we say a hundred thousand dollars a hand? See what I mean good Joe a lot of laughs and small talk and all the time that convertible eating the miles What a car we practically flew through Selena, San Luis, Obispo and Santa Maria Well, son, what do you say to a hamburger? I know a little place in Santa Anais They where they make a hamburger that drips with royalty. Oh, you got me sold and on the side French fried onion Shoe string potatoes and the coldest beer in the world. Stop. You're killing me Tell me did I overrate the place boy? That was terrific. The trouble is they give you too much food in there I've got the quid eating like that my clothes are getting tight Especially this coat. Oh, that coat sure is a beauty. I'm nuts about camels here. You are See I've got an idea. Why don't you try it out? Oh, no, mr. Belden. I I didn't mean go ahead You're just enough thinner than I am that it ought to fit your fine. Well, gosh. Yeah, go ahead. Try it on College boy can always use a coat That's a good fit. It was made for you. Oh, I I don't know what to say. That's a coat for a king Well, I guess that makes you a monarch then son because it's your coat now You couldn't get over it coat like that mine I'll bet mom's eyes will really pop when she sees it on me must have cost her years tuition I climbed back into the car and slouched down into the maroon leather seat waited for him while he made a phone call Boy, I felt like a king. All right. I was deep in a daydream when he came out of the phone Okay, right here we go. You look a straight, huh? I drew a straight 2j 3 4 5 6 Really straight. That's the highest hand today. That'll be tough to beat. I'm tough We drove for quite a while Not talking much We've left highway 101 at San Díaz where we got the hamburgers There weren't many cars on the road and Belden hadn't been able to draw anything to beat my straight In fact, he seemed to lose interest in the game He was concentrating on the road It was a treacherous road Curved and high full of hair can turn He handled the car beautifully taking those curves fast, but sure never slowing down a bit I like speed, but all of a sudden I felt nervous the way he was hugging the edge I turned to look at him to say something And the words stuck in my throat No more the smiling host Instead he was fastened to the wheel like a hawk. That's what he looked like a hawk ready to strike I was tongue-tied at the changing I guess my reflexes worked slowly, but his didn't he threw open his door twisted the wheel Jump clear when the car hurtle in the space. I was alone in it Another joke through me against the door I'm not too clear at this point, but the next thing I knew I was flying through space again only this time I was free of the car I landed sprawled against the side of the hill and I began to slip Role I grabbed wildly desperately for just anything to stop myself It was the trunk of it Twisted narrowed old tree that grew out of the hillside Hit me square in the stomach knocked the wind right out of me too hurt to care It was a minute or two before I Got up enough breath to move Finally, I edged my way up the cliff hand over hand It was brutal, but I Surprised to discover that I hadn't fallen as far as it seemed I was climbing around a bowser boulders not more than eight feet from roadside level when I looked a gun in his hand The bullets scaled off the bulldozer He wanted me dead that was for sure. He wanted to kill me. Why why? I waited and I heard the horn Came out from behind the boulders crawled up on the road Bellum was nowhere in sight I didn't see what kind of a car it was. I I didn't even think to look all I saw was He beat my straight For L 55 55 that was the license for L 55 55 for of a kind All of a sudden I Was shaking I I looked at myself Beat up cut filthy But what was worse that Campbell's hair coat was a mess King I Had to laugh Belden was king. I was just the Joker My back hurt my head Throbbed I ached all over But I walked every inch of the way back to Santa Ines It was dark by the time I got there When I stood in front of the police station, I realized for the first time the meaning of the word Sanctuary I Took a deep breath. I Wanted to tell the police as straight as story as possible. I Open the door Officer My car forced me out took my coat. Just look in the side pocket of the coat. You'll find my wallet For suspense auto light is bringing you mr. Gregory Peck in radio's outstanding theater of thrills suspense I'm sure getting a big kick out of Gregory Peck tonight. Good. Maybe you'll put that old picture album away now Why Mary don't you like old photos? No, they make us look so silly besides all they've made you do is talk about Auto light and when it comes to auto light, I'd rather listen to Frank Martin He really knows what he's talking about Auto light news stay full batteries need water only three times a year in normal car use This means less trouble and care for you for auto lights greater water reserve practically eliminates one of the major causes of battery failure Auto light stay full batteries are a great new development of auto light engineers who produce complete ignition systems for many of America's Finest cars they work in complete harmony with your car's entire electrical system Car owners everywhere tell us auto light batteries are the greatest batteries ever built Mary I could have told you all that never stopped looking at this So friends stop at your neighborhood auto light dealers and get an auto light staple battery Then you'll know what fast starts really are and remember this the auto light staple battery You buy needs water only three times a year in normal car use You know Mary I can repeat every word Frank Martin said about auto light stay full batteries Now auto light brings back to a Hollywood soundstage mr. Gregory Peck as Ridge Fowler in hitchhike poker A tale well calculated to keep you in Suspended Be what was Belden doing here in the police station? What was he trying to pull? I knew even before I put my hand in the coat that Belden's wallet would be there And I knew too that the police would never believe me no matter what I said I was trapped the desk sergeant was waiting for me to talk, but My throat was dry my tongue was paralyzed my brain spinning. Well, what do you get to save yourself? Well, you don't understand you see He gave me the coat I didn't know about the wallet that the best you can do But I tell you he picked me up when I was hitchhiking I was going home from school for the weekend then he forced me off the road He tried to kill me. He shot at me sergeant. Let the boy go, but mr. Belden it. I've changed my mind I don't intend to press charges, but this kid's crazy easy sergeant. He's the war veteran. Oh, I see. Oh, no, no Lock me up. Please don't believe him Everyone is entitled to one mistake any boy who is big enough to come into the police station Voluntarily give himself up deserves another chance if I could have erased the memory of his face when I Twisted that wheel and screamed so long, sonny all these benevolent words would have fooled me like they were fooling the desk sergeant Belden was bursting with sweetness and light But every word he said to release me only tightened the web tighter And I knew just as sure as I was standing there that he wasn't through with me But walking out of that door would be like releasing the clay bird at a trap shoot Well, it's up to you mr. Belden if you're sure he won't cause any more trouble I'm positive that after tonight this young man will be no trouble to anyone No trouble to anyone after tonight. I had to get away from there. I had to run I don't know how long I ran. I didn't know where I was the town was behind me. I stopped out of breath I Try to light a cigarette My hands shook like I had the palsy It was like the South Pacific Snipers and trees, but but what trees where? Then I saw the bright glaring neon ahead Mackinac's one sign said and wayside rest trucks welcome the other Just a dinky service station and a lunch wagon, but it was an oasis to me Howdy Hey, what's matter bud you sick? No, no, I'm I'm all right. You sure look greener on the gills been in a fight How soon will the trucks start coming through you got a long wait about two three hours Been in an accident look mister. I've got to get a ride to oh, hi Do you mind if I hang around and wait? No, I don't mind won't do no good though Ain't allowed to pick up riders company rules might be lucky and catch a wildcatter, but I doubt it. Oh, thanks You sure you're all right Maybe you better go next door and get yourself a cup of coffee sure look like you could use one. Yeah That's a good idea. Hey if a ride turns up. I'll call you thanks Mac. Oh, I'm not Mac Mac works days Well, I I felt halfway decent when I came out of the lunch wagon I'd clean myself up and reduce my capital of 15 cents Al had a customer Huh, I got you a ride to oh, hi. Oh, you have who with the little lady here She's been driving all day got an awful headache. She's going straight to oh, hi Here's the fellow I was telling you about lady that needed to ride to oh, hi Oh, I'm afraid you misunderstood. I I just said I wished I had somebody to drive me Oh, I don't blame you for not wanting to take a ride of it. I'd appreciate it if you change your mind I've got to get to oh, hi tonight Well, I I am tired. Oh go ahead miss. He's a nice fellow Well, if you'll vouch for now wait a minute lady. I don't vouch for anybody All right, I guess it'll be all right It was a pleasure to drive for her. She didn't say much and I Didn't feel like talking she just sat there beside me her eyes closed resting once in a while I Snatched a quick look at her. She had long dark eyelashes resting on her Marble-like cheeks hands folded in her lap. I Found myself remembering when the ripe girl comes along. I Was trying to remember who said it when I Saw her looking at me Feel better much better I'm ashamed of myself hesitating to let you drive my car. I'm afraid I'm over cautious. Oh, I wouldn't say that Can't be too careful. One reads of such awful things happening on the road. Yeah Awful things I Hadn't thought of building since we left Al's gas station now. He was back in the front of my mind You're going awfully fast these curves are treacherous. I guess I'm just anxious to get home. Oh, yes, but Do you want to kill us both you almost I'm sorry. I What are you honking now for he's gone? You're you're horn What about it? Oh nothing, I I Thought I'd heard it before before Look, maybe I'd better draw. Oh, no, no. I'm sorry. I'll be all right. I'm sorry They'd be sewing up my sleeves if I didn't get a hold of myself I must have been crazy thinking that her horn was the same as the one that had honked for Belden when I was hanging on the side of that hill It was just a horn a lot of horn sound alike. I Tried to steady myself. I didn't want her to catch on how rattle. I was I turned to her to apologize She was putting a cigarette in her mouth, but it was purely automatic She was sitting up straight tense her eyes were glued to the road ahead I've been over this road earlier tonight with Belden Suddenly it loomed up that that wide bank curved just ahead the spot where Belden had tried to kill me my hands froze on the Wheel my breath and then I saw her hand reach out. What are you doing? Let go of my wrist. What's wrong with you? I was only reaching for the cigarette lighter on the dashboard I'm sorry that that curve back there it pull over and stop pull over. I'm going to drive She drove about a mile I guess Neither one of us said anything Then without any warning she took a sharp turn off the highway and down a rutted dirt road Hey miss you're leaving the highway. We better stop a while. You don't look so well. Oh, I'm all right now You don't look it better have a drink. I've reached in the glove compartment to find some scotch. Oh, really. I'm all right Well, then maybe I need it Maybe it was the drink Maybe it was the girl Maybe it was just relief But I felt peace for the first time that night. I watched her inhale the glow from the Cigarette lit up her high cheekbones. I couldn't see her eyes until she turned her head What's your name Ridge? Mine's Virginia Hi You must think I'm pretty much of a jerk the way I've been acting. That's all right Do you like that happen to everybody? Yeah, I guess so Look, I'm all right now. I could drive What's your hurry? Well, I I thought what's the matter? Don't you like to sit here with me? Well, no, it's it's just that I Thought you were in a hurry I'm not now Are you? No, I I'm in no hurry at all Seem to be moving it was so gradual. I Caught a trace of warm perfume in her hair She smiled at me one of those Elusive smiles half innocent half her head touched my shoulder. I Accepted the invitation. I like you Ridge. I like you a lot. Yeah You know Tonight back in the filling station when I first saw you I What's matter Ridge the miniature license tag on your key ring. Yes For L 5 5 5 5 4 of a kind 4 of it You play License plate poker. I'm afraid so Ridge for fives The license of the car that picked Belton up after he tried to kill me. That's right Then you're in it with me sonny Out of the car hard Much easier if I had only my mind function Everything else seemed Paralyzed well you took your time getting here. I was delayed. You were supposed to be here waiting What if I hadn't been able to keep him? Oh, I knew I could depend on you darling to detain him What is that supposed to mean you have to go as far as you did just let him kiss you Do you know a better way to keep a man on ice perfect wife a little help mate? Oh shut up Put him in the back seat. Just a moment darling. I'm gonna do it right this time. There'd be no slip up You fool put that gun away. Why don't you realize if a bullet is found in the body? It won't be accidental death All right, aren't you darling only because you're so stupid stupid am I who planned this whole thing? You didn't badly if you'd handle it right in the first place his body would be burned up by now along with the car Now put him in the back wife, but what Why do they want to kill me? Why? Belton picked me up throw me in the back of the car Huh hand me the ranch Virginia Stuart this time Warm like oblivion after a second the pain was gone And so was I Consciousness return in spudges. Oh, it was like a shortwave receiver now static now clear Now clear now static now anything behind us. Nobody. We're almost there. Are you sure no one's discovered the car yet? Of course not the way. It's lying. Nobody will see it till daylight Then Jay Stewart Belton will be found dead burned to an unrecognizable crisp We could shake this place go to South America you can go I have to stick around remember to collect the insurance and pretend I'm heartbroken you're dead. Well, that'd be so hard You didn't talk like this when you married me, but of course there was a lot more money then yes Swindle from suckers since when have you become fussy about where money comes from what's changed you the school boy Don't be a fool All right. We've got to work fast. Give me a hand with them. Wait. Here comes a car The end of the line but anyway now I knew why I was a stand-in for a corpse This was it they were on either side of me I had to think think straight my body still felt numb one chance If only my muscles coordinated I'd wait till he dragged me out of the car, and then I'd fight Virginia get the gasoline can out Felt him grab me under the armpits. I opened my eyes just in time to see that murderous wrench in the girl's hand And she brought it down my eyes closed Hit me hard, but it wasn't the wrench. It was Belden the wrench had folded him up, and he collapsed on top of me My body was alert now. I didn't know what would come next, but I was ready for it She pulled Belden's body off me. She wasn't aware of me watching her She was too busy dragging Belden over to the rim of the cliff. She was Transfigured with hate Then she kicked him and he disappeared over the edge. I didn't wait to see anymore I crawled out of that car, and I started to run right down the middle of the road. She saw me But I kept right on going I glance back. She started the car. She was coming right at me First I thought she was just trying to catch up to me then I realized she was trying to run me down She was trying to kill me was crossing to the left side of the road She was right behind me. It was just a question of seconds and suddenly around the bend a big truck I was sandwiched between them Her scream ring you through my head and the picture of her in the car Swerving off into space into the Canyon below. What happened went off the road a crazy woman driver will have to report it Come on. I'll give you a ride into town Jamie don't you want to ride? Yeah Yeah, sure. What are you staring at your your license plate? cm One one one one. Hey, it was in my fault. You saw how it happened four aces four aces I've taken the last hand But as long as I live I'll jump out of my skin whenever a car pulls up and a voice asks Want to ride young fella? Thank you Gregory peck for a splendid performance. Mr. Peck will return in just a moment Thank you get back to your old picture album after that performance have no Guess I'll just listen to Frank Martin go to bed and probably dream I'm in the Sahara without an auto light stay full battery as friends like the faithful camel of the Sahara desert the Auto light stay full battery you buy goes a long time between drinks It's a trouble-free battery and needs water only three times a year in normal car use Auto light stay falls greater water reserve Practically eliminates one of the major causes of battery failure get an auto light stay full money can't buy a better battery Auto life means batteries stay full batteries Auto light means spark plugs ignition engineered spark plugs Auto light means ignition system the lifeline of your car In its 26 nationwide plants auto light manufacturers bumpers die castings horns instruments engages Lights ornamental plastics and more than 400 other automotive aviation and marine products All are famous the world over for their auto light engineered dependability And now here again as mr. Gregory Peck It's been a great pleasure to appear here tonight with this fine cast of suspense actors And I'm expecting almost as much pleasure from listening next thursday When radio's outstanding theater of thrills brings you robert young and virginia bruce in celebration another gripping study in suspense Gregory peck may soon be seen starred in the 20th century fox production yellow sky Ed begley played the part of belton and k brinker was virginia Tonight suspense play was written by john and gwen bagney with music composed by lucian morrowick and conducted by ludd bluskin The entire production was under the direction of anton m leader In the coming weeks suspense will present such outstanding stars as edward g robinson lucille ball rama land and john garfield Make it a point to listen each thursday to suspense radio's outstanding theater of thrills And next thursday same time here robert young and virginia bruce in celebration Spent show attention all men join the fighting outfit that defends america the new national god Good night switch to auto light This is cbs the columbia broadcasting system