 Family Theater presents Joan Leslie and Jerry Kelowna from Hollywood the beautiful network and cooperation with Family Theater Presents night caller starring Joan Leslie and now here is your host Jerry Kelowna Thank You Tony Lafranco Family Theater's only purpose is to bring to everyone's attention a practice that must become an imported part of our lives If we are to win peace for ourselves peace for our families and peace for the world Family Theater urges you to pray pray together as a family and now to our transcribed drama night caller Starring Joan Leslie as Nora couldn't sleep Maybe it was the bright moonlight coming in through my window since the storm ended Maybe it was just because I was all alone Whatever the reason I was still wide awake at 2 30. I Got out of bed and went over to the window Below me far across the valley The last of the storm clouds drifted quietly against a clear night sky. I could see some stars. I Looked down the dark winding driveway that led from the house to the road along the edge of the bluff The motionless trees the shaded surface the mountain side the white ribbon of highway All seem deserted and very distant. I Looked again at the luminous doll of the clock on my night table 2 30 in Los Angeles that would make it 4 30 in Chicago. I Wished I could pick up the phone and die a long distance Hello, mom. Hello, dad It turns out your daughter is not a big girl after all She's sleeping in your bedroom, but she's still afraid of the dark Would you mind singing her to sleep? Pick up the phone. I did get that far just to see how it fell Then I decided I should stop feeling sorry for myself two seconds later. I Saw the light flash on my ceiling. It was a car slowly making its way up the driveway I watched it pull up to the house and stop a man got out. I'd never seen him or the car before Maybe he was lost and wanted to use the phone. Well, I didn't care. I wasn't going to let him in I Slipped into my bathrobe and started up the hall toward the vestibule. There wasn't a light on anywhere in the house He'd think it was empty and go away. That's all he could do When I got to the end of the hall I stopped and peeked into the vestibule Through one of the glass panels at the side of the front door. I could see him standing on the porch I waited expecting him to turn away and get back into his car But instead he did something that made my blood free Where are the lights? Where's the light switch? What do you want? I Thought this place was empty No, no, but my parents are righty there. I must be pretty heavy sleepers. You get out before I call the police You're all alone, aren't you? Look, I've got some money about $30. You can have it. Has anyone else been here tonight? No, no Listen, I'll give you the money take anything else you want. I promise. I won't call the police Where's the phone? The phone you heard me In the bedroom show me there you want to stay out of trouble keep your mouth shut Hello, who's calling? Yeah, yeah, it's me Now they've left already, huh? Well, that's not very smart. What if somebody else sees it from the highway? Okay, he's the boss. Yeah, I'll turn it on Ah, I went off like clockwork Yeah Good enough so long. Who is that friend of mine? Where do you turn on the porch light back in the recipe? Oh, but how did anyone know to call you here because I told him to Let the switch by the front door. Yes Look, what come you didn't go to Chicago with your folks. I changed my who told you they were in Chicago friend of mine Are you what's this all about a mind what it's all about turn on that porch light Aren't those headlights coming up the driveway? Yeah, and don't look so hopeful they're friends of mine, too Where's that door lead to the den? Inside but what are you going to do stop asking somebody questions and get in there? Inside the den I could imagine him crossing the vestibule and opening the front door. I Remember looking around the room Trying to decide whether I'd have a chance if I climbed out the window and made a run for it But before I could make up my mind Come out here But come on come on What's the difference you'll ever see us again? What do you want? How long your parents can be out of town? I Don't know and we have fallen. I don't know until the weekend You've got no relatives in LA. No, we just moved out from the Midwest last spring your work What's this all about answer him? Where do your work the London film company in Hollywood? I'm an illustrator and better have her call in in the morning. So she's sick call him. Yeah You're gonna have guests for the next few days You can't stay here. Well, sure we can honey. It'll be nice and cozy Why here because we like it here because it's quiet not many people come around you know I'm beginning to wonder about this. Well, maybe we got a clear out right now forget it kid Your heart your picture be all over the front page. That was five years ago I've lost a lot of weight shave the mustache size. We got a weight here for Frank He could catch up to us. He knows the place. Well, you're cool down that dough is not gonna run away Well, which is it? We stay we go we stay through tomorrow anyway How you fix for groceries lady? Well, this is not much. Whatever may take her out in the kitchen see what you can rustle up, huh? Come on, honey. You want a hand getting your stuff out of the car? Yeah, I might as well bring it in Hmm cute kitchen, I'm glad you like it. Don't be rude, honey. Don't be rude Well, let's see what the icebox has to offer Hmm whole chicken the police are after you aren't they not us dear just Clint What did he do here take the milk? He sprung himself. He won't he sprung himself went over the wall That's all the butter you got. Yes, you mean he escaped from jail. That's what I mean Where to keep the bread? Right over here. Get some plates, huh? All right. Oh and stop being so nervous. Nobody's gonna eat you But why did you come here? We heard it was gonna be empty for a few days Who told you that? We just heard How about putting on some coffee? What was he in jail for armed robbery five to ten he's younger than I expected Kind of cute too, I thought you were good friends. We are now Salt and pepper on that shelf over the stove You don't even know this man, and you helped him to break out of jail. We didn't help him He did that all by himself, but you're helping him to get away. We've got our reasons, honey Won't be long Where's Clint putting the car away? Are you getting along with the Hostess all right shooting your mouth off. I didn't tell her anything. She won't hear on the radio. She's gonna listen to the radio What'd she tell you nothing Leave her alone. He already said his picture'd be in the paper and about the dough Anyone could figure he's on the run that all she told you. Well, that's all really all right, and you know we aren't fooling around Yes, I know don't you forget it What's that? That's Clint at the back door. Let him in Thanks, it's getting cold get the car in early. Yeah, come on sit down. Let's eat Huh got a lot of planning to do in front of her lady. You think I'm nuts or something? Oh May we're gonna have to lock you two girls up in the bedroom tonight. What am I a watchdog? Don't give me any lip That's what you're gonna do. Come on pass the chicken. I'm starved I sat there watching them eat The others do most of the talking once or twice. I realized he was looking at me puzzled But he didn't say anything After May and I had finished the dishes Clint and the other man locked us up for the night in my parents bedroom It was starting to get light may sat down in the rocker next to the phone stand I lay in bed watching her pretending to drop off The first time her eyes closed it was only for a few moments Next time a little longer. I waited it had to look right By 635 she'd been asleep for almost 10 minutes. I Got out of bed and as quietly as I could Tiptoed over to the phone stand and lifted the receiver from the hook may stirred in her sleep. I stood there inches from her Then she began to breathe evenly again Hello. Hello. Is this the police? What are you? Is this the police? All right may hang that thing up and put it back in the table I Thought you were gonna behave yourself Well, you thought wrong you fell asleep, huh? Just for a minute. It's all she needed. How come you didn't tell us the phone was in here. I forgot about it That's a nice thing to forget. Don't make me any speeches. I forgot it. That's all right. Take it easy kid Don't get excited. I'm funny excited. Tell you we ought to get out of here soon as Frank shows What's so big with you and Frank? I'm the guy who has to do all the work on this your buddy Clint He stopped being my buddy when he saw half this mark to you. Well, you needed the dough It's what got you loose. All right, so now I'm loose. What do we need with him? Wait a minute. Wait a minute. You think this is smart talk in front of the little lady It's no dumb and sticking around here. Well the cops chase that call. She does made I don't think she got through to the cops Why not? Well, when I hung up the receiver the number was still ringing. She probably got disconnected and you heard the dial tone I know the dial tone. This was a number ringing. I know was she talking to ask her Oh, sure that'll wait a minute Clint even if she got the cops they'd call back They don't come running every time a phone rings. All right Well, what if they come running this time then she'll answer the door and she'll tell them it's all a mistake Oh, that's brilliant. Look at kid. I got 15 grand tied up in this mark. I'm not going anywhere still a guy I've paid it to shows up use your head Frank's no good to you from now on you already know the bank, don't you shut up We do well that in my signatures. Oh, you're talking too much All right I'm true talking Wait for Frank as long as you want I'm getting out of here. You're not going always good I'm ready That goes off pointed at me you wind up with 50% of worry about that one Frank gets you're gonna be sorry for that I'd rather be sorry than be double-crossed Your hands up. All right get out in the hall You too lady. What are you going to do? You'll see when I do it. Oh, honey. You promise no rough stuff Lock them up in the den a while is that rough stuff? What's the matter with you? Go on get in there the both of you I'm gonna forget this mister. I'll give you something else not to forget this thing is loaded And I'll be watching the back of the house and I'll get the ideas by climbing out that window Make yourselves comfortable Even though the window in the den faced west There was enough gray early morning light coming through it for me to make out Clint's face He's slumped down in the chair by the window staring out at the mountains After a while he turned and looked at me Come over here. Will you I won't hurt you come over here by the window What is it keep your voice down they might be listening Well I've been trying to think of a way to get you out of here get me out of here. That's right I'll give it to you all at once I'm not an escaped convict. I'm a policeman a policeman. Keep your voice down Oh, what do you take me for I take you for a girl who's gonna be awfully sorry when that guy frank shows up and finds out. I'm not Clint sandis But may in that man. She's with ward remember his name jerry ward They've never met clint. They think I'm him because I said so and showed up at the right time I don't believe you. Why would I lie to save yourself from what you? I want you to get to the police as a witness both of us can't make it If you're not sandis, where is he and the infirmary at the state penitentiary was shot last night trying to break out He talked a lot That's why I took his place Talked about what bank job a thing he went to prison for They never recovered the money almost a hundred thousand and they never tagged the brains behind it either Who would that be frank? Well, we think so but we can't make it stick without the money But you told me and ward you knew where the money was I told them they knew where the money was it was just a hunch, but they took the bait I figured frank must have told them something for their 15,000 Have you any idea where it is? Yeah safely deposit box in mexico northern mexico. That's all clinted tell us Then you you really want to help me escape? Yeah And I think we can swing it Now Yeah These are the keys to ward's car So far he's forgotten. He didn't get them back Why don't I use your car? It's in the garage because it won't move. I took the plugs out. I didn't want anyone chasing you Besides wards is the one I want the police to get its evidence probably got his prints all over it All right, but how do I get to the garage? Well, I'll climb out this window and make a run for it toward the bluff But ward said he'd be watching the bag. Well, that's the idea Well, he's busy trying to catch up with me. You'll have a clear field of the garage What about me? I've got a hunch you'll stick with ward once the excitement starts And you want me to go straight to the police fast as you can Say incidentally You didn't happen to get through to them while you were on the phone, did you? No Too bad There's something I should tell you about that phone call It was just a trick an idea. I had what do you mean a trick? Well, when I heard you suggest I'd better call in to work this morning. I realized you hadn't guessed Well getting along fine, ain't you? What's it to you? Nothing Just happen to remember you still got the keys to my car. Let's have them, huh? Yeah, and if it's for the girl telling me got the wrong number All right, let's have the keys You must be getting soft in the head. I gave them to you when I came in from the garage Oh, come on wise guy might tell you I don't have them search me if you don't believe it Look, I haven't got those keys neither is me Are you gonna hand them over? Do I have to get rough? How can I hand them over if I don't have them? Oh, yeah, where's he called from down at the gas station? He's on his way over here now. Good All right wise guy. All right, we'll forget about the keys until we see what frank's got to say about you Honey, yeah, ask me to remind you. Oh, yeah, yeah Uh lady, what's the name of your boss down where you work? Mr. Harper charles hopper. Okay. All right. Come on both of you. I'm gonna make a little phone call Don't tell me you're gonna put her on the telephone. That's right. Oh brilliant. What if she starts yelling again? She won't What's the address of that place? London film company on melrose. London film. All right. Look up the number, man. What do you think you're of? You're right. Shut up will you? Come on, mate. Come on. Come on. Let's see. Yeah, here it is. London film. Yeah. All right. Let me see Only with two, huh? Yeah All right. Listen lady. Here's the deal Last night you twisted your ankle. See nothing serious, but it's gonna keep you off your feet for a few days Reason, you know, it's nothing serious because I'm a doctor and I told you Just like I'm gonna tell you a boss hopper before you talk to him You savvy Yes, all right When you get on the line, you just make some small talk with him. See but don't get no smart ideas I won't okay Oh, may I speak to mr. Harper, please Mr. Hopper, uh, this is dr. Walter Barnes. I'm calling in for one of your employees miss walcott No, no, no. She just had a little accident last night. She turned her ankle It's nothing serious, but I recommend her that she keep her weight off it for a few days. Yeah Yeah, well, she's right here. She wants to talk to you. Hold on, will you? Okay, don't try anything funny Hello, mr. Harper This this is nora. Can you hear me? All right There seems to be something wrong with the connection Oh, oh by the way, I called my folks in chicago last night long distance I It was kind of lonesome. I just wanted to hear their voices What? Oh, yes. Yes. I'm home No, no the doctor came over here I called him yes Well, thanks mr. Harper I'll take care of myself Goodbye That was very convincing you're getting smart. It's more than I can say for you shut up Why don't you quit swinging that rod around and get wise to yourself this deal can't even get off the ground without me Listen, I want you to know one thing, buddy. It's frank, honey Well, let him in Look, fella, frank's gonna think you're punchy if he comes in here and sees you with that guy He is, huh? Yeah, that kind of stuff makes him nervous Who is this guy you get him up get him up Who is this who is it you don't know him? I never saw him before Where's clint? I knew there was something funny about him. He said he was clint You boneheads. He's a plant Who's she is girl? No, she lives here Where's clint copper Where is he? Same place he's been for the last five years. I knew something smelled about you. Yeah, you're a genius. Shout out both of you May you go out and start the car. What's the deal now? We're getting out of here. That's a deal in these two withers What about the job? There isn't any job without clint forget it. I'm not forgetting. We gave you 15 grand It'll settle that after we get out of here now straighten this join up and get your stuff together I want to be on the road in 10 minutes Had no way of knowing if the phone call had worked, but at least I felt sure that none of them suspected anything Frank walked us from room to room and gunpoint while may and ward went through the house gathering their things It took longer than they expected It was almost 9 30 when frank herded us out through the front door Still can't find your car keys. No, and I still think he's got him. We looked all over the house Friskin you're wasting your time Sorry time friskin Nothing How about her? I don't have them Take a look me little miss tremble chin. I'm sorry forget it Look, I'll make a deal with you guys. You got nothing to deal with sure. I have If you let her go, there's nothing we can tag you with are you kidding not even a little Technically the only thing against you so far is house breaking and we can forget that And if you put her into that car it's abduction and that's the lindberg law getting the car now wait a minute. Let me hear this What about clint? What about clint? You're still in jail. You can't get in trouble for aiding in a bedding an escaped convict If he hasn't escaped And where do you come in? Now I go to the LA police and tell them who I am A cop And then say it didn't work nobody showed up here. Oh, you kid. What's to keep this girl from talking common sense She wants to get out of this alive. Oh who says she won't Ask your friend what he's got in mind for us Frank now wait a minute shut up. I'll do the thinking you will not We didn't pull up no 15 grand a buy into a murder rap you bought into a deal It's gone sour and it's going to get worse if we turn this cop loose. He hasn't got a thing on us What about the bank job that was doing clint right the first time That's why there isn't going to be any deal Maybe your clean is a whistle, but I'm filthy I'll get in the car We started down the driveway toward the road I scanned the stretch of highway leading along the bluff There wasn't a sign of anyone in either direction I looked back at ward's car following us down the hill Then I felt me press the gun into my side and I saw she was yelling at me Turn around What's the matter with you deaf shut up back there? We take this road left Where's it go covered? Toad sun and I think Well, that's as good as it May Give me that gun. What's wrong? Look I never saw anything so beautiful in my life It was two squad cars one on each side of the driveway parked along the inner edge of the bluff There wasn't a shot fired And after ward and frank and poor may had been taken into custody I couldn't resist I had to tell someone You know may was right. Oh What do you mean when she asked if I was deaf? That's just it. I am I'm as deaf as a post You know I I knew there was something I can read your lips, but I'm deaf That's how my boss knew there was something fishy about the phone call. I never use the phone. I can't Oh, I don't mind. I beg your pardon. I don't mind I'd rather talk to you in person anyhow This is jerry cologne again Remember that children's story about the wolf and the three little pigs One of the pigs built his house out of straw one out of sticks and one out of brick Well, there are a few things about that story that have always bothered me. Know what I mean No, well look at it this way According to the author the wolf huffed and puffed and blew two of the houses down But try as he might he just couldn't get into the brick house Now for me, that's where the story falls apart Past that point. I just don't buy it and you know why Because the author makes no mention of any of the houses including the brick as having a foundation So I ask you wouldn't a smart wolf or for that matter even a dumb one Have sense enough to undermine the house to just dig his way in See what I mean You may wonder why I'm bringing all this up and actually it's just to make a point Anybody knows that a house without a foundation isn't much of a stronghold Well, it's the same with the home as it is with the house Homes and families have to have something firm to stand on too If they're going to have any strength and the only thing strong enough for a home is love Love is every bit as important to the family as a stone or concrete foundation is to a house That's why family theater recommends family prayer You see family prayer is an excellent way of bringing love into the home and keeping it there When the members of a family gather together daily to sincerely thank God for his gifts And to acknowledge him as a participating member of the family They are assuring themselves of his continued blessings and assuring themselves too that he will keep love in their home 10 minutes a day devoted to family prayer can keep a home on a firm foundation Try it the family that prays together Stays together more things are wrought by prayer than this world dreams of From hollywood family theater has brought you transcribed night caller starring jone lesley Jerry cologne was your host others in our cast were john stevensson margaret brayton Lawrence dubkin and frank curstle the script was written and directed by john t kelly 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 state 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 a dog's life starring gene lockhart Join us won't you? Family theaters 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