 The mutual broadcasting system presents The Mysterious Traveler, written, produced, and directed by Robert A. Arthur and David Cogan, and starring one of radio's foremost actors, James Stevens in The Haunted Trailer. This is The Mysterious Traveler inviting you to join me on another journey into the realm of the strange and the terrifying. 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 we take a little cross country trip in The Haunted Trailer. Even ghosts know that's good, then my story won't bother you in the least. So let me introduce Melvin McGraw, as nice a young man as you'll ever meet in this world or the next. Melvin is very unhappy. He has a story he wants to get off his chest. All right, Melvin, tell us all about it. Maybe it'll back up your spirits. Don't mention that word to me. What I could tell you about spirits. In fact, I'm going to. You are now listening to a desperate man. And yet, just two months ago, I was sitting on top of the world. I was heading for California in my coupé, pulling a brand new trailer. In California, I had a girl waiting for me. Her name was Louise, and we were going to be married. We were going to take a two weeks honeymoon trip in The Trailer, then settle down in a little vine covered cottage. But I haven't the heart to go into details. Just say that as I drove through the Catskills, I was happier than a lark. I'd made a late start so I drove until well after dark. Then I found myself on an empty stretch of road in the mountains with a bad storm coming up. I didn't want to drive through a storm, so when I came to a tiny, dark railroad station, I pulled off the road beside it and made myself comfortable in my own trailer. In no time at all, I was asleep. But about midnight, a terrific clap of thunder woke me up. I sat up, bumped my head, and blinked. The storm was raging outside and the trailer door had blown open. It was banging back and forth. I got up to close it, but before I reached it, it shut itself firmly. I was about to get back into my bunk when somewhere in the darkness a voice spoke. It was an odd, unearthly sort of voice, and at first I thought I'd just imagined it. Then it spoke again. A house on wheels, furniture, and everything. Some fun, eh, John? They never had nothing like this when I was alive. Then I realized what must have happened. I'd left the radio on and I was hearing some late program. I reached over to click it off, but it was already off. Puzzled, I found the light switch and turned it. The trailer was empty, except for me. I was staring around in perplexity when I heard it again, that strange voice. Hope to hear it, John. When I see him, I rubbed my eyes, then rub them again. There was something white and misty, sitting in my easy chair, something that grew more and more solid as I stared at it, until I could see it quite plainly, like looking at a disreputable old man carved out of a chunk of London fog. It was... the only thing it could be was... That's right, John. I'm a ghost. My name is Spike Hickins, pleased to meet you. What do you mean you're a ghost? There's no such thing as a ghost. Oh, no. Then listen to this. Uh, uh, visible footsteps, eh? I'd run like a dick and... Yeah, I bet you would. Anybody would. And now do you believe I'm a ghost? Oh, oh, should I give you some more of my repertoire? No, no, no, no. I'm... I'm convinced. You're a ghost. I could wake up. The stream I'm having is ghastly. Not ghastly, ghostly. You mean you're suggesting you're going to sleep in my trailer? Well, why not? That's what a trail is for. I won't stand for it. Now, get out. Why did you ever come in here in the first place? Well, why did you stop in my territory? Answer me that, John. Don't call me John. My name is Melvin. My name was Melvin. I'd rather be called me in. I did no such thing. I... I denied it. Well, you stopped beside my railroad station, didn't you? What do you mean you're a railroad station? That old station outside, I haunted. Oh, haunted railroad station. I never heard of such a thing. There's plenty you've never heard of. Back in 1930, I was a bomb seeer. I rode the boxcars. Well, one night I was trying to get away from a railroad bull. Toughest railroad dick in the business, named Dan Vanshin. Well, I slipped off the top of a boxcar just as we was passing the station, see. Well, sir, I got appointed resident coast for seven-pine station. A real lousy break. Hasn't been anybody in the station after dark for ten years. And then tonight you come along and park. Well, naturally, I'm fired by something. Had some layout you got here. Well, why did you stay if you disliked it so? Had to. I was doomed, never. You were doomed to stay here forever? Like I said, never to leave. Why? I'll show you, Spike. This is where you and I part company. I was dreaming, but I wasn't. I was sitting there in my trailer talking to the ghost of my father. Talking to the ghost of a very disreputable-looking hobo. And I saw that I had to take drastic action. Spike had said he was doomed to stay there forever. But I wasn't. I hurried out of my trailer, climbed into my coupé, started the motor, and pulled away from there. I didn't stop until I had gone 20 miles and left Spike Higgins ghost safely behind me. Then I found a spot off the road, stopped, and went back to my trailer, completely bushed. Oh, boy, now for some sleep. I'm dead. Watch your language, Melvin. I'm dead, not you. Spike. Here I am, Melvin, in the other bunk. No, you can't be. You said you were doomed to stay forever back at the railroad station. Well, I said I was forbidden to leave. I didn't leave. You hauled me away in your trailer. It's all now the case is broken. I can go any place I want. Any place. I don't care where, as long as it's someplace else. Oh, but I like it here, Melvin. Nice, cozy, good company, plenty of scenery. I'll tell you what I'll do. If looking at me bothers you, I'll merge. Then you won't be able to see me. Merge with what? Merge with the other where. He was gone. Except for me, the trailer was empty. Then I knew it had just been a dream. I took a stiff drink of scotch and tumbled into my bucket. The next morning, the sun was shining. I thought about Louise and cheered up. I made myself a cup of coffee and started out happy as I like again. I stayed happy almost all day. Then as it was getting on towards evening, a cold clammy draught chilled the back of my neck. And you're not my old charm. And where are you? I can't see. Well, give me time, Melvin. Give me time. I've been merged with the other where all night. I can't materialize against too fast. Transparent monstrosity. I thought you were just a dream. Oh, all over again. Okay, I'll run through my repertory. Scream the scream of the bandsheet, the hollow footsteps, the squeaking dog. No, no, no, anything but that. I couldn't stand it again. Well, okay then. Well, that ain't a real dog. It's just a standard ghost sound the fish has got to get used to. What do you mean? Well, you'll need... Nobody ever heard of a haunted trailer. Well, they're gonna hear of this one. You'll be famous for... A haunted trailer. Why not a haunted ferry boat, a haunted boxcar, or a haunted pulpit? Didn't you never hear of the Express? Yeah, yeah, it's an old pulpit, but hobos have been given a... Always traveling, never stopping. That that's heaven for us. Indeed. Yeah, so what's so funny about a haunted... The idea of taking Louise for a honeymoon in a haunted trailer didn't appeal to me. I didn't think it would appeal to Louise either, especially since Spike Higgins seemed to be a ghost completely lacking in all delicate sensibilities. But I didn't have any idea of what to do about it. Not even the ghost of an idea. Presently, Spike oozed himself back into the trailer, and I kept on driving until almost nine o'clock. Then I turned into a little motel and arranged to park overnight. I had some supper at a diner nearby and then went back to my trailer, hoping against hope that Spike would be gone. But he wasn't. The trailer was full of cigar smoke and the smell of whiskey. There was Spike sprawled out on my bunk, inhaling the smoke of a cigar that burned in the ashtray and from time to time leaning over to sniff at an open bottle of scotch. And to make it worse, another fantastical character, long and thin and disreputable looking, occupied the other bunk. They were two thoroughly intoxicated spirits. What is the meaning of this? Oh, hello, Melvin. Hey, Melvin, I want you to meet an old pal of mine, Nitro Nelson. Pleased to meet you, Melvin. I shake hands if I had any hands. Spike, I asked you a question. What is the meaning of this? Well, Melvin, we're just celebrating. That's all. I ain't seen Nitro for pretty near 25 years, so I'll have a little fun. We're just a couple of high spirits. You got it? Very funny. Well, get this, this Nitro ghost. Out of here at once. This is my trailer, and I don't want him here. Yeah, sure, sure, Melvin. It's your trailer. Only I'm the resident ghost, see? I got full rights to extend hospitality to any other ghost, bull, phantasm, spirit, spoke-booky man, werewolf, vampire. Look it up, the spirit's handbook. Section 7, parrot grant B. Besides, Melvin, there's a lot worse things than me that Spike could have invited. You know, some of them werewolves now, bruh. Let's not talk about it. Just thinking of such things makes me nervous. But you'll have to stop singing. Suppose somebody heard you and came to investigate on the radio for what? What to hear, it's stupid. Well, let's see, uh... May I ask, nearly out of morbid curiosity, what program a ghost would listen to? Well, you don't have to ask, you'll hear it. You need to join me on another journey into the realm of the strange and the 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. Ghost listen to me. Oh, I like it all right, but you don't expect me to listen to it with two ghosts right in the same room with me, do you? Sometimes he even scares us. Okay, we'll... Well, what'll you take to go away and leave me alone, both of you? I to understand you refuse to clear out? At least absolutely. In that case, coming for the night. I couldn't possibly sleep in this trailer with you two hunks of animated fog. Suit yourself, Malvin. Anyway, me and Spike got some... Right, Spike, let's go first. The next morning, I drove on westward with my two Phantom passengers and tried to pretend they weren't there. I almost got used to them. I suppose a man can get used to anything, even to having a permanent cold chill running down his backbone. When we passed through Denver, Nitro Nelson dropped off, saying he wanted to haunt up some old cows of his, leaving me with Spike Higgins. And it's just you and me together now, Justin. I don't think Louise is going to like that. Oh, sure she will. I hate to think what Louise will say when I tell her about it. I figured on driving up to Oregon to see the mountains. Oh, that's good, that's good. Just as long as we get away from California. What have you got against California? Dan Basher lives there now. Dan Basher? You're not afraid of him now, are you? No, I'm sexy, and he might be entering the speed. He's got a grudge against me. Yes, but I don't understand... Well, and then she can see me. I rented parking space in an auto camp and immediately phoned Louise. Oh, I'll explain all about that. When can I come and see you? Well, Doctor said he must have quiet. I'll be there in an hour. I hurried back to the trailer and tried to clean it up. Spike Higgins' ghost lay on a bunk and watched me cynically. Melvin, you're no good at housework. You know, this place needs a woman's touch. Now listen, you. You've got a promise not to frighten Louise. I told you, Melvin. She won't even know I'm here. I certainly hope not. That would ruin everything. Here she comes now. Coming, darling. Thank you, Melvin. So this is it. The trailer you wrote me about. Uh-huh, darling. Look, here's the stove and an ice box and a built-in bar. Oh, now, Melvin, you know I disapprove of spirit. I resent that. Be quiet. Why, Melvin? Oh, excuse me, darling. I wasn't talking to you. Well, then who are you talking to? Oh, it's hard to explain. Look, Louise, here's a writing desk that folds into the wall and a regular easy chair. Well, it's very nice, Melvin, but all the same, we're not taking any spirit along on our honeymoon. Bar or no bar. Oh, she got a surprise coming to her. I said to be quiet. Melvin, how can you talk to me like that? Come on, show her who's boss, Melvin. I told you to shut up. Melvin! That evening I had to plead with her on the telephone for half an hour before she would consent to let me drive out and see her at her home. Oh, really, Melvin? You were very rude this afternoon. Oh, I'm sorry, darling. I'm overwrought. I apologize. Well, you do look rather haggard, Melvin. And the way your hair stands on, and you really should do something about it. I wish I could. Louise, how soon can we get married? Well, I don't know. It depends on Uncle Dan. Uncle Dan? Uncle Dan Basher, my mother's brother. He's very ill. The doctor just gives him a few more days. Your uncle is Dan Basher, who used to be a railroad detective? Why, yes. And he's dying? I'm afraid so, Melvin. But you needn't look so pleased about it. Oh, sorry, darling. Look, I must talk to him now. Oh, but the doctor said he can't... Just for a minute, darling. It's very important. Well, maybe, just for a minute. Come this way. This is his door. Uncle Dan? Yeah? Do you feel strong enough to talk? What about? Well, it's Melvin, my fiance. He wants to meet you. Uh, sentiment. Come in, Melvin. Oh, thank you, Louise. Look, I must speak to your uncle in private. Oh, but Melvin... I'll explain later. That's a good girl. Thank you, Louise. Good work. I can never get rid of her. What do you want to marry Louise for, anyway? Oh, I love her. You're pretty poor excuse for getting married. She's like a mother, my sister. The reason I spend all my life on a railroad... Well, that's what I want to talk about, sir. Uh, do you remember a certain Spike Higgins? Do I remember him? If I could ever get my hands on him, you know him. I know his ghost. He's haunting my trailer. He is, huh? I'd certainly like to meet up with him. Oh, I'd certainly like you to. He's outside now. My trailer is parked at the curb. Well, in that case, I was figuring on postponing the event for a few days, but for the privilege of meeting up with Spike Higgins' ghost. Yes. Lad, go outside and wait. I'll be out in a couple of minutes. In the spirit. I made some excuse to Louise and hurried out to the trailer. Spike Higgins' ghost was lolling on my bunk. Oh, out so soon, Melvin? What's the matter? Oh, nothing, Spike. Nothing. Nothing, I tell you. Oh, relax, Spike. Relax. I got a funny feeling. What do you mean, someone? A lot of spookies. Get this. Endless spirit, Spike. I've been waiting for this meeting for a long time. Oh, no, Melvin, you double-crossed me. Halfway, quick, Mr. Basher. Right, you're a lad. Rushed outside. Three blocks away, I saw a long freight train puffing away. Spike Higgins' ghost was racing for it with Dan Basher's spirit gating on him. For the first time in a week, I felt happy again. Melvin. Louise. Melvin. Uncle Dan. He's gone. Yes, I know he is. You know? Well, what do you mean? Well, I just saw everybody for that freight train. You saw Uncle Dan running for a freight train? I certainly did. Wonderful fellow, your uncle. Well, Melvin, are you mad? Mad? Not a bit. I am as happy as a lark. Well, you must be out of your mind. Your poor Uncle Dan has sent me back my ring, and I'm stuck with Spike Higgins' ghost. I should have known he'd outsmart Dan Basher. He left Dan's spirit hunting the freight train for him and came straight back to me. Now I'll never get rid of him. I'm just a shadow of my former self. I can't get a job. Oh, look. Do any of the radio stations carrying my story need a good sound effects man for mystery programs? Oh, with me and Spike Higgins' ghost working together, we can guarantee authentic effects. Here, look. We'll give you a demonstration. Spike, let's have the creaking door. Now, the fatal warning. I'll be in the cemetery. Whether to take it seriously or not, a haunted train. It would be just the thing for my summer vacation. I do know a haunted telephone booth where I make all my calls. Well, but I'm just joking. There are no such things as ghosts. Ah, there's Spike. Oh, of course there ain't. What a whole idea, sweet dick. If you see... 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 have just heard the mysterious traveler. And now you can also enjoy other tense and dramatic stories of the mysterious traveler in the June issue of the Mysterious Traveler magazine. In our cast were James Stevens, Larry Haynes, Bill Ziggert, and Shirley Blank, with Maurice Tarplin starred in the title role. Music is under the direction of Emerson Buckley and was composed by Richard DuPage. This program came from New York. The stories of crime and the events leading up to the capture of the perpetrator are the order of the day on True Detective Mysteries. These stories are based on actual police file cases and have an air of authenticity seldom captured by a crime program. So for the best in mystery listening, make a date to tune in True Detective Mysteries every Sunday over most of these stations. This program was transcribed especially for presentation to the West Coast audience at this hour. Listen again next week at this same time for Mysterious Traveler. And stay tuned now for Let George Do It, heard over most of these same stations. This is the mutual Don Lee Broadcasting System.