 The time is 7 o'clock, the following program is transcribed. This is the Mysterious Traveler, inviting you to join me on another journey into the realm of the strange and terrifying. I hope you will enjoy the trip, that it will thrill you a little and chill you a little. So settle back, get a good grip on your nerves and be comfortable, if you can. As you hear the story I call, The Man in the Black Derby. Where are we going? Tonight we're going to delve into the mind of Florence Gordon, a young attractive woman with a secret fear. A fear that is buried deep in her subconscious, but of late has more and more frequently crept into her conscious, bleeding her pale and trembling. It's just dust and Florence is entering Central Hospital to visit a friend who's a patient. As she walks to the information desk, an uneasy feeling comes into Florence. For a moment she stops and glances around the lobby of the hospital, as if searching for someone and yet not sure what this person would look like. As she stares at the people of her, a nurse approaches. Is anything wrong, Miss? No, no, it's not even that. You seem so nervous, huh? I'd like to see Agnes dearing. You tell me the number of the room. Oh, I'm afraid you can't see her. She's very sick. Please, she's an old friend of mine. I've come a long way to see her. May I please for just a minute? Well, all right. It just down the hall to your right, room 12. Thank you. As Florence Gordon walked down the hall, she unconsciously glanced back over her shoulder. There was no one following her. But as she reached the end of the hall and turned to her right, she bumped into a tall man wearing black dirt. Oh, I'm sorry I didn't notice you. Is this room 12? Yes, it is. Thank you. Hello, Agnes. Nice to see you. As soon as I heard you were ill, Arnold and I came right over to Madison City. How do you feel? I'm... I'm good. No, don't say that. The nurse said you were coming along all right. She's alive. Well, you're alive. I'll never get well. Of course you will. No. Well, we'll go home again. Tell me, how will Chicago? It's the same as that. You will see it again. No, I'll never see it again. I'll push her past. Arnold's fine. He's been delayed, but he'll be here soon. It's going to be good to see him again. I haven't had many visitors. Agnes, that man outside your door. Isn't he a visitor? A man? A very nice door. Yes. He's wearing a black derby. He looks familiar. Black derby? Black derby? It's all very black. Oh, sorry. I'm afraid you'll have to leave now. Yes, ma'am. I'll come back later. Bye. Good bye. You're still here? Yes. I am. Are you a friend of Agnes'? Yes. I'm a friend. If you'll excuse me, I'll go in to see her. No, she's delirious. The nurse won't let anyone in now. She'll let me in. That's strange. Where have I seen him before? He brightens my strange face. Poor Agnes. She's so thin and pale. So terrible she's going to die. What a terrible thing it is to die. My purse. I left it in Agnes' room. I've got to go back. Agnes? Agnes? Yes. She's not asleep. She's not breathing. Nurse! Nurse! The nurse came running into the room. The nurse quickly summoned a doctor who had her brief examination. Her non-stagnant theory. Florence, leaving hysterically, was let out of the death room by the nurse. About a few minutes later, Florence's husband, Dr. Gold, went to the back of the small hotel where they were staying. He gave her a stent and sat by the bedside, holding her hand in a fantasy. Florence awoke the next morning. Her husband introduced her to Dr. Richard, an associate of the word, with the psychiatrist. But both men were still quietly as Florence spoke with the nurse. Oh, I know the nurse. She was lying there so thick and pale. Then she became delirious. When I came back from my first, she was dead. Poor Agnes. She had a tough time with it. Did you know Agnes during Dr. Richard's? Yes. She came to my office once. There was nothing I could do for her. Nothing at all. Ma'am was a black jury. He had something to do with her death. Darling, what man was the black jury? He stood outside the door of Agnes' room. Just stood there. Right after he walked in, she died. I see. Then you attribute Mrs. Dearing's death to the man in the black jury. Yes. I know it sounds foolish, but he seemed to wait for the proper moment to walk in. It's frightening. That man has something to do with death. Please, Florence, you'll get yourself into a state again. I can't help it. There's some horrible connection between that man and her death. I've seen him before. I know I have. Can you remember, Mrs. Gordon, where you've seen him before? Think about it. No. No, I can't think. That man had the face of death. Don't you think, Mrs. Gordon, that death is something that happened? It isn't somebody. I know. I know inside of me that he exists. Tell me, what do you fear most? I suppose death. I wonder. That's only natural. But to be concerned with death constantly is the true way to die. Suppose you come down to my office. We'll have a chat. I'm sorry, Dr. Richards, I draw you. Please, Florence. It would be better. You're not afraid of doctors, too. I don't believe there's anything to matter with you. I just know that the man in the black derby has something to do with death. Well, I've got to leave. You change your mind. I'll drop over soon. Who knows? Maybe the man in the black derby is dead. It won't hurt to talk about it. With this last suggestion, Dr. Richards said goodbye to Florence and Lex. Arnold told his wife that he would return in a minute and follow Richards to the hotel corridor. They had requested Richard anxiously. Well, Doctor, what do you think? This fear your wife has of death is very intense. It shows how deep losing it is. She needs treatment. Yes, I felt that all along, but you heard what she said. She absolutely refuses to place herself under your care. Yes, I know, I know. Don't urge her to see me. You'll only antagonize her. I think that in a very short time she'll come to see me with treatment of her own will. Well, darling, we'd better go to bed. It's very late. I'm not sleeping. What about the man in the black derby? I can't get him out of my mind. Florence, as your husband and a doctor, please take my advice. There's nothing really to... What happened? The car smashed into a telephone pole right outside this hotel. Good hand. Come on, Florence. Someone touch. Get my medical bag and hurry. Quickly Florence snatched up her husband's medical bag and followed him from their suite into the corridor. He took an impatient look at the elevator indicator and moved from Florence to follow him down the stairs. He took them but a few seconds to descend three flights to the lobby. But as they rushed out into the street, they could see the wrecked car just a few yards away. Oh, look. The driver's pinion behind the wheel. Florence, that man standing there. Get him to come over and help me. Well, I wonder why he's just standing there. Go over and get him. Hurry. I beg your pardon. Were you talking to me? My husband needs help. The driver's pinion behind the wheel. Yes, he's a doctor. Please hurry. How do you know it's too late? It's you. I thought I recognized you. The man in the black derby. Arnold! Arnold! It's too late, Florence. The man's dead. I know. You know? Yes. He told me. The man in the black derby. For a long moment, Arnold stared at his terror-stricken wife. Then took her gently by the arm and led her into the hotel and up to their suite. Mary gave Florence a sedative and watched her fall into an uneasy sleep. The next morning, when Florence awoke, she said nothing about the man in the black derby. But all day long, she kept looking nervously out the window. The slightest noises made her jump. As night came, he paced up and down the room. The man in the black derby sat still. Arnold, trying not to show his anxiety, went to his suite. Why don't you sit down, darling, and whisper a bit? The serious man keeps following me everywhere. Hospital facts. Somewhere in the back of my mind has seen him before. I know his face. What if you had? It doesn't mean anything. I'm going to die, Alan. Please, stop talking nonsense. I am, Alan. Why don't you go see Dr. Richards? He can really do you a lot of good. There's nothing he can do for me. Well, how about coming along with me? I've got to drive to Westville on a case. Arnold, your practice isn't here. You're only 50. Yes, I know, dear, but several of the local doctors have learned that I'm a lung specialist and have asked me to examine some of their patients. Why don't you come with me, Pawn? The ride will do you good. I don't feel like going there. All right. You want to stay here by yourself? No. I don't feel wish. Here, here's your coat. It's such a dark night. Yes, it is dark tonight. Do I have the car? It's open. Come on, he's right. I must have left it open myself. No, we're so careful about locking the car. Look, Florence, don't start your imagination going again. Believe me, it wasn't the man in the black car. I simply forgot to shut the door. Now, please, get in. How far is it to Westville? Oh, about 10 miles. Such a lonely road. Ah, that makes it even better. You can be sure you won't meet anyone, especially your mysterious stranger. Why do you keep looking in the mirror? It's just a habit. I always look in the mirror. There's no car behind me. Well, it's just a habit, Florence. What's the matter? I thought I saw something in the mirror. I thought I saw someone in the back seat. There's no one in the back seat? Turn around. Look for yourself. It's so dark I can't see. Well, just switch the light on the side and see for yourself. There's no one. I could have sworn it was coming in. All right, now that you're satisfied, you turn the light off, huh? I can't shake off the feeling that someone else is in the car. But you must know there's no one here. You just saw that yourself. Maybe it is my imagination, but I have such a dread feeling that something terrible about to happen. What is it? What's the matter? I want to scream. What's wrong? I saw it. The man of the black derby? Now calm yourself, Florence. Listen, your mysterious stranger exists only in your mind. Can't you understand? I saw him, I tell you, I saw it. Florence, that isn't possible. You only think of it. What's the matter? Road. Look. A dead tree across. It's right in front of you. Right around a blind curve. We hadn't stopped when I screamed. We would have been killed. I don't understand. I can't figure it out. I understand. It was meant for me. You understand, huh? My time is up. I'm going to die. Unnerved by the near accident, half believing Florence's statement, Arnold turned the car around and started driving back to Central City. As he drove, he spoke long and earnestly to Florence, pleading with her to consult Dr. Richard. That last Florence gave in and agreed to do with her husband that. Arnold, afraid that you might change your mind, drove directly to Dr. Richard's home. Shortly afterwards, they were seated in Dr. Richard's house. Well, so you saw your mysterious stranger again. I hadn't seen him in time, but Arnold and I were in town. You say you saw him in the mirror of the car? Yes, that's right. Well, now, I've driven the car and Arnold will bear me out. You can't see anything in the mirror at night, unless there's a car behind you. Both of you admit there wasn't any cars. But I'm positive I saw them. Don't you think that in your state of mind, fear plus darkness, might make you see anything? You can put mysterious interpretations on many things when you're fighting. She's even got knee jittery now. Panic is contagious. The only interesting thing is, where did you first see the man with the black dovetail? I saw him at the hospital in my friend's house. But you said you knew him. You've seen him before that? Yes, I have. Must've been a long, long time ago. That's what you've got to tell me. Do you think you can remember? I can't. Can you describe his face? It's kind of blurred. I can't describe him, but I... I recognize him when I see him. He's always wearing a black dovetail. Try to concentrate on where you saw him first. I can't remember. All I know is that it has something to do with death. A long time ago. If you can remember where you saw him for the first time, we'll be getting somewhere. I'm a little tired. We'll stop. I'll expect you tomorrow evening, same time. You don't believe he exists, do you? You think I'm seeing things? No, no. I think he's real all right. Very real. I don't think so. Well, now that Dr. Richardson, you get along tonight. Not very well. Talked to me a long time, but I still couldn't remember anything. Well, it takes time. You've got to keep going to him. I'm not going to see him any more. It's no use. Oh, please, darling, don't try. I'm going to die. I'm afraid. I'm so afraid. Now you must stop thinking about it. For us, I'd rather die. I'm afraid. For us, I'll tell you what we'll do. Let's go to the carnival, huh? They set one up right outside the town. It's been years since we've been to one. I want to stay right here. As a favor to me. Oh, really? Oh, that's right. The man in the black derby follows you tonight. I swear I'll punch him right in the nose. A few minutes later, Arnold and Florence were driving to the carnival. Arnold, trying his best to make Florence forget about you. They parked on the outskirts of the carnival grounds, and Florence reluctantly left the car and followed her husband through the lights and music. Soon they were in the midst of the pushing, swirling, joy-seeking crowd. But the noise and excitement and color had no effect on Florence. She surely stared at everything through unsealing eyes. Oh, it's like the old days, isn't it? Yes, like the old days. Please, darling, it's pointless to keep looking behind you. There's no one but all these people who are trying to have a good time. I can't help it. Well, just hold on a minute. Arnold, this is different. The Ferris wheel and all of Wayne County sees the lights of Central City below you for 25 cents, only one quarter of a dollar. Saint Rick, Saint Dean, brilliant, only 25 cents. Sit right up, get your tickets. Look, here's the Ferris wheel. How would you like to go up in it? No, I don't think I would. I'd like some tickets. Two, please. Yes, two at it. Who's next? It'd be a lot of fun. I sure take. Of course it is. Here, here. We'll take this compartment. Come on. No, no, I'm not going. Why, what's the matter now? Don't wait in here. Please. All right, all right, folks. Just room for two more on the biggest Ferris wheel in the country. Only 25 cents, one quarter of a dollar. Arnold, there you go. And what in the world has got into you? Why did you run away? I saw him. I saw him. Where? Sitting in the Ferris wheel by himself. All by himself. Oh, for heaven's sake, darling. You just imagined that you saw him. He was sitting in the next compartment to the one we were going to take. Sitting there watching me. Well, I guess it's no use. We may as well go... What is this? Is something wrong? The Ferris wheel. Why, the compartment has come loose. There are two people in it. What's going on? They're going to be killed. Yeah! He killed him. He killed him. You mustn't let your imagination become your master. You mustn't. What if something had to be punished? You've done nothing, even. And you're not doing anything. Sooner or later, you'll catch up to me. Darling, look, I've got to go on an emergency call to the hospital. Do you want to ride with me? Why do you have to go? Well, this is an emergency operation. They need a lung specialist, and I'm the only one in town. Oh, I have to go. I won't get into the car again. I won't be long. You're not going to be me alone. I'm afraid I'll have to. I won't stay here long. All right, that's how you do it. Patients may die because I wasn't able to get... Look, you be right back. The minute I'm through. I'll keep calling you on the phone. Keep the door bolted and don't be afraid. After all, you're in a hotel. You can get help in a minute. Please hurry like that. Please. I'll be back as fast as I can. Goodbye. I'm alone, when here with you. No. I can't carry on like this. Like that. I don't want to stay here for too long. Bye, then. Bye, then. I don't have to tell you. Why didn't you call? No idea. How much is that? Six cents. Six cents. There's no one here. No. What's that noise? It's a closet. There's someone in the closet. Nothing. It hasn't happened. What is he calling? He should be back by now. Maybe... Maybe something happened to him instead of me. No. Me, the man in the black. Hello? Hello? Hello, darling. Are you all right? Yes, I'm all right. All right. No visitors. No owners. No one's come yet. Florence! Florence! Florence, I'll be right over. No. Don't come near me. Please. Come this way. We haven't any time. I won't go in. I won't. You must. There's no time. You've got to come. Leave me alone, please. Please, leave me alone. I can't go through the door. The hotel is a fire. There's another way. Come along. Help! Help! You can't go through the window. It's three stories down. Get away from me. If you won't come, I'll have to force you. No. I'm going to jump. There is no time to waste. I'll have to... You'll never get me. Back all of you. Florence. Florence, it's me, Arnold. Don't let him come. Can someone call an ambulance? And hurry! Internal injuries and condition is fair. She's been delirious. He keeps repeating that about her mother. It's beginning to be clear to me now. No, she's coming out of it. I've got to talk to her. Florence. Florence. You're in the hospital, darling. I had a horrible dream. I jumped at my mother. I went off with the man in the black shirt. That's it. That's where I first saw him. My mother died when I was five. The physician who obtained it wore a black shirt. He was the same man. You were very much attached to your mother, weren't you? I loved her more than anyone else in the world. Yes, and since then, every time you see a black shirt you associate it with death. This is an old pattern. A lot of people still wear a derby. The man who came into my hotel? Well, I checked on that there. He was the assistant manager of the hotel. He opened your door with a pass key to see if everyone was out of their room because of the fire. Then he wasn't there. You really think it's just an association? Of course it is. This orthophobia is quite common. You go back to sleep. You will never be bothered by the man in the black derby again. I believe. It's so wonderful to be alive. I'm so... She's fallen asleep again. You made up the story of the assistant manager, didn't you? Yes, I did, Dr. Richards. Good. A lie is sometimes necessary. Probably she imagined someone came into her room. I don't know. Her room was bolded. It was never opened. No one could possibly have come in here. Except... Except what? A black derby was found in the room. This is a mysterious traveler again. How did you enjoy our trip? Very strange about that black derby that was found in Florence's room, isn't it? Perhaps Florence ought to place an advertisement in the lost and found column. But on the other hand, that might be such a good idea. The owner of the hat might not only call for the hat, but the person who found it as well. Now, I recall another young lady who was unfortunate enough to... Oh, you have to get off here. I'm sorry. But I'm sure we'll meet again. I take this same train every week at this same time. You've just heard the mysterious traveler, a series of dramas of strange and terrifying. All names of characters in tonight's story were fictional, and any resemblance to the names of actual persons was purely coincidental. In tonight's cast were Maurice Tarplin, Grace Matthews, Ted Osborne, John Larkin, and Helen Titus. Original music was played by Paul Taubman. The mysterious traveler is written, produced, and directed by Bob Arthur and David Kogan.