 And now, tonight's presentation of radio's outstanding theatre of thrills. Suspense. Tonight, the story of a man who tries to escape his past and is faced with no future. We call it Nobody Ever Quits. So now, starring Tom McKee, here is tonight's suspense play Nobody Ever Quits. Hey, you got any hot coffee inside? Yeah, hot and black. For me, it must be close to zero. Not that bad. Down around 20. Congrats tonight, though. Radio says we might get a blizzard. And they call this sunny California. Well, more than 5,000 feet here. 6,500 at the top of the pass up the road apiece. Yeah, I know. I just came over it. Heading north? Yeah, Vegas. How far is it from here? Let's see. 260 from Victorville. Victorville is 32 from here. It's a matter of your lost. What makes you think so? Well, Cajon pass in the direct route. Not many cars come over the mountains in the winter. Say, uh... Ain't I seen you someplace before? No. Not unless you've been through here before. No, never. I mean back east someplace. You come from back east? Never been. Come from up north. That's funny. Without that mustache, you often you'd be a ringer for a kid I once knew back in Jersey City. Joey Parino. Funny. Yeah. Lookalikes. You're running on sometime. Yeah. You sure you were never back east? Yeah, sure. That's funny. Without that mustache... You'd be mistaken. Yeah, I guess so. Well, where do I find the coffee? Right inside, sir. Sally'll take care of you. Oh, you better check the battery in the tires, too, then. Sure thing. I'll have a cup of black coffee, please. Yes, sir. Tonight's storm is expected to bring at least six inches of snow down to about the 3,000 foot level. Now let's get back to the music. Here you are. Oh, thanks. This coffee feels good. That sounds like you might be snowed in. Won't be the first time. That might be dangerous, considering... Oh, no. I'm not expecting until April. You never get any snow that late. Not even when the weather's unusual, like they say out here. Well, it's never that unusual. You better get Walt to put your chains on. Oh, I haven't got any. Well, then watch your step going down the hill. Particularly, move, show, curve. It's bad in the snow like this. Oh, thanks. I'll remember that. Is he your husband? Who? The fellow gassed me up this, uh, Walt. Yeah? You two all alone up here? Dad, you'd better get a move on. Or you won't get up that mountain tonight. Oh, where is he? Went down to Victorville this afternoon for supplies. Seems to me you're asking a lot of questions. Yeah, I may. Well, maybe I am. Sorry, just the traveling alone. Like I am, you get lonely. It's nice to talk to someone. Sure, I know it is. You, uh, you born around here? No, up north. Why, Rika? Yeah. How'd you guess? Well, your husband said that's where he comes from. He did? Yeah, doesn't he? We said he did, didn't he? Yeah. Say, um, you ever hear of a guy named Joey Parino? No. Why should I? Your, um, your husband looks like him. What if he does? Nothing. You ever been east? Nope, never outside the state. You ask more questions than a cop. Don't worry, I ain't no cop. It's all set to roll. Do I need any oil? No, full up. How much do I owe you? Let's see, 12 gallons, that'll be 395. Oh, is that plus the coffee? Compliments to the management, the policy of the establishment. Free coffee during blizzards. All right, Sally? Yeah, sure. Yeah, I'll get you changed. Don't bother. 395 for the gas and 10 cents for the coffee. I got a policy too, I don't take handouts. Oh, but what was the only thing? I don't want to be owing anybody anything, sister. Particularly rats. He's saying it, Joey. Joey? What do you mean, Walt, calling you Joey? It's nuts. He asks an awful lot of questions. What kind of questions? About me, about you. Said you told him you came from Wai-Rika. Why'd you tell him that? Look, honey, the guy's nuts. I never told him I came from Wai-Rika. You never told me where you came from, either, Walt. You just said you came from back east. What difference does it make? Didn't then when we first met, it doesn't now. If you tell me it doesn't. All right, I tell you it doesn't. Okay, forgive me for being foolish. That man had me scared. The way he asked questions, the way he looked at you. He called you a rat, he called you Joey. He's nuts, honey. Come on, you better get to bed. It's gonna be a long, cold night. All right, you coming? Yeah, in a little while. Won't be much more business than this storm. You know something, Walt? You know what? I love you. I love you very much. Is that a fact? Las Vegas in, good evening. This is Victorville, California. I have a person-to-person call for Mr. Pirelli. Hold the line, please. I'll try to locate Mr. Pirelli. Mr. Pirelli? Yeah? I have a long-distance call for you from Victorville, California. Who's calling? Just a moment, please. Who's calling, Mr. Pirelli? Mr. Battaglia. Okay, I'll try to put him on. Go ahead, sir. Hello, Pete. Yeah, Bat, what are you doing in Victorville? You're supposed to be here by dinner time. Yeah, I know, but I sort of got lost in the mountains. Yeah, I figure as I know you get lost in Jersey City. Yeah, you hear what I found. A gold mine, I suppose. No, Joey Purino. You're kidding. Where? In a gas station back in the hills. You sure it's Joey? Well, sure I'm sure. He's got a mustache and he's got a wife and he calls himself Walt something or other, but it's Joey all right. Did he recognize you? Well, sure he did, but he didn't let on. I thought I'd better tell you... Hey, wait a minute. If he recognized you'll take it on a lamb. He's up there all along with his wife. She's in a family way and it's blowing up a blizzard. He wouldn't risk getting her out in this kind of weather. Where are you? In a joint called White Spot. All right, now you sit tight. I'll be there in a couple hours. Well, how are you going to do that? I'm going to charter a plane. But boss, I'll be glad to handle him for you. I'm sure you would, Bat, but this one I want to take care of myself in my own way, if you get what I mean. I'll wait for you here. What's the name of this place where he's at? Walt's Summit Service. Why? I thought I might give him a ring before I leave. I tip him off? No, I'm going to offer him another chance. Are you kidding? What do you think? Walt's Summit Service, good evening. Hi, Joey. You must have the wrong number. This is Walt's Summit Service. No, no, no, no. Bat just told me it was by your joint a little while ago. There's some mistake. I don't know what you're talking about. This is Walt's Summit Service. Okay, but me in particular. I miss you so much, Joey. I feel like just got to talk to you. I'm sorry. You have the wrong number. Yeah, honey? Who was there? Hey, you're supposed to be asleep. I was... Somebody had a wrong number. Tell him. Ah, a guy was drunk or something. Oh? Look, you go back to sleep, honey. Aren't you coming? No, I don't feel very sleepy. I'll sit up a while away for your dad. Oh, I don't think you'll try to come up the mountain tonight in the storm and all. I'll sit up a while anyway. Keep the coffee hot in case he does. All right, honey. But don't make it too late. I get lonely in here without you. I know, darling. Look, you go to sleep now. You are listening to Nobody Ever Quits, tonight's presentation in Radio's Outstanding Theater of Thrills. Suspense. Put spring cleaning on the list early this year. If you do, you're bound to put a crimp in those home fire statistics. Clean out all accumulated rubbish. When it's gone, it can't burn. Another thing, if you have frayed electrical wiring anywhere, have it replaced. Be fire-sighted about your home, and it'll always be there when you want it. Prevent home fires. It's cheaper and safer than putting them out. And now we bring back to our Hollywood soundstage, Tom McKee, starring in tonight's production of Nobody Ever Quits, a tale well-calculated to keep you in suspense. In conception to Point Doom, the Weather Bureau predicts that close on the heels of the present storm is another, developing off the coast of Northern California. This is an undisguised bus-hand for the farmer in the San Joaquin County. The goer is an Orange County. Wild Summit Service. Hi, Joey. Wrong number. You should... Wrong number. You listen to me. You got the wrong number. Yeah, I know it. Good. Taking off of him five minutes, you take off in five minutes, too, Joey. Look here. Don't hang up on me again, Joey. You listen to me. If I'm to get down off the mountain, it'll take me to fly to Victorville. You meet me in the white spot. Now that's an order. I don't take orders from you anymore. You take this one and I'll come up there and shove it down your throat. Listen. Highway patrol car, just pull up outside. Caps. I'm not trying to kid you, Pete. That's my boy. I'm not a squealer, Pete. Ain't you? No. I'm telling you. I just wanted a house. Yeah, yeah. I'll be right there. Who are you talking to? State cops. I told you. I don't tell nothing to nobody. I just want to be left alone. I want it out. I got out. Leave me alone, will you, Pete? Sure. So I wait for you. I draw for you. I don't know nothing. I ain't talking. Sure, you ain't. I got to go now. Just let me alone, Pete. But I'd love to heaven let me alone. Well? I know it, honey. Who are you talking to now? My wife. She's awake. Well, you get rid of the cops showing you send your wife back to bed. You'll meet me in two hours at the white spot in Victorville. You got it? Didn't do it. Well, it was on the spot. Yeah, Sergeant. Some crackpot. Second time he's called tonight. He's got a wrong number. He can't get out of his drunken head. I just stopped by to see if your folks were all right. Oh, sure, sure. Snug is a bug in a rug. Have a cup of coffee? Well, yes. Thanks, Miss Parsons. I guess maybe I dropped for that, too. I thought maybe you might have an ulterior motive. Uh, how's the weather outside? Tain't fit night for a man or motor car. The pass is closed and we won't be able to get plows through from the other side until the more of four noon. Well, that's what you can expect in February. Yeah. There are books about unusual whether fellow lives his life in California like you and me, and we know how she goes. They won't. That's a fact. There you are, Sergeant. Sugar, cream, and hot, I hope. Oh, wonderful, Miss Parsons. Just as advertised. Sally. Yes, darling? Like the Sergeant says, Tain't a fit night out for a man or motor car. Yes. I thought maybe we might put him up for the night. Well, of course. No, no, I wouldn't want to inconvenience you. Oh, but it wouldn't be. Not at all, Sergeant. No inconveniences at all. Would you sure like to have you stay? Well, that's right. Nice of you, believe me, but I've got to get down on the road. But it's after 10 now. You're off duty. Yeah, and my relief comes from the other side of the mountain and he ain't going to be able to get through, so I guess I'm still on duty. Well, what is there to do now? I never can tell on a storm like this. Orders are to patrol the highway. But the highway's likely to be closed. Right, so I'll patrol it until it is. Thanks for the coffee, Miss Parsons. Sure you won't stay? Thanks, but I can't. Won't be any trouble, Sergeant. Thanks anyway. Oh, say, um, that car out front. What car? A couple hours ago when I was going up to pass. That pink and gray job you were gassing up. What about it? In any trouble? No. I just wondered. I hope it got done all right. Cars like that weren't designed for this kind of country. No, I guess they weren't. Driver. Huh? A screwball. Maybe a little loaded, I don't know. Yeah. Well, good night, folks. Thanks again for the coffee. You're welcome. Night, Sergeant. Well? Well. I'll get it. No, I'll get it. Walt Summit service. You ain't left yet, Joey? Get gone. You got the wrong number. Again. What is it, darling? A screwball. What's he want? Who knows? He's drunk. Come on, let's go to bed. I'm not very sleeping now. I know what. We'll sit up and wait for Dad. He won't make it now. He might. Let's go to bed, I said. Didn't you hear me? All right. We'll go to bed. We'll go then. I gotta lock up. All right, honey. Walt. What? What's the matter? Nothing. Nothing's the matter. I gotta lock up. That's all. Go on. Go to bed. Stop asking a lot of stupid questions. 20 cents for three minutes. How'd you guess it would be me, Joey? Let's cut the kitten. I'm not kitten, Joey. I'm disappointed. I'm real disappointed. I fly all the way down here from Vegas just to talk to you. What happens? You ain't got the courtesy to come down the hill to see a pal. I'll come. You ain't here, Joey. I'm not coming, Pete. You're not? No. Well, I guess I'll just have to come up there. Nobody's asking you. Joey, Joey, that's no way to talk. I ain't done nothing to you. You walked out on me, Joey. Nobody walks out on Big Pete. I'll see you in an hour. Oh, and Joey, don't try taking a powder. I fell at the bar, just told me the pass is closed, and the only way out is down the hill, Joey. I know it, but it's... Want to change your mind and come on down, Joey? Joe. Joey? Yeah, yeah, I was cut off, operator. Just to be trouble on that line. Probably the storm. Oh, thanks. He ain't coming? Don't worry, it couldn't be better. The line just went out in the storm. And the pass is blocked. Oh, what a sweet setup. Yeah, ain't it. All right, come on, let's go. A pleasure. Yeah. Come to bed. I can't sleep. Why not? I'm worried. I gotta go down the hill. What's the matter, Walt? I'm worried about your dad, honey. I'm going to look for him. Now, you know he's probably staying down at the Rances. If you're worried, telephone him. No, no, I tried. Line's out. I gotta go look for him. But, Walt, you can't leave me here alone. I gotta, honey. I gotta. But, Walt, I'm afraid. There's nothing to be scared of. You'll be safe here. I feel better with a gun. Looking for dad? Walt, you're keeping something for me. Who's been telephoning all night? Has it got something to do with that man who was here this evening? Tell me, Walt. You've gotta tell me. There's nothing to tell. Now, look, go back to sleep. No, I'm going with you. You can't go out on this storm. If you're going to look for dad, I'm going with you. After all, he's my father. Get back in bed, honey. Please. If you promise you won't go out. I can't. I gotta go. I gotta go alone. Then it isn't, dad. It's something else. Look, honey, don't... Hey, how come the place all lit up like a Christmas tree? Can't be that much business tonight. Oh, dad, thank goodness you're here. This silly husband of mine was going out to look for you. He was afraid you'd skid it into the canyon or something. Oh, mountain man like me? Oh, fiddle stakes. Glad you dressed, though, Walt. I promised Sergeant Toy I'd send you down the road to give him a hand. Accident? Yep. Went through the guardrail on Mew's shoe curve. Durned fool was driving without chains. One of these fancy new two-tone jobs. Dad, was it a pink and gray hardtop convertible? Well, too, it didn't specify, but he recognized the driver. Big shot gangster from back east, he said. Didn't know the other fellow. What? Were they hurt? Hurt? Yeah. They're both as dead as the last week's hamburgers. Okay, I'll get going. Will you put the gun back in the drawer? I'll be back in a little while. All right, honey. Dad. Well... See, she gets to bed, will you? She hasn't had much sleep tonight. Don't worry. I'll sleep now. Good. Hey, you know something? What? I love you. I love you very much. Suspense. In which Tom McKee starred in tonight's presentation of Nobody Ever Quits. Next week, the story of two young men and a frightening dare. We call it the game. That's next week on Suspense. Suspense is produced and directed by Anthony Ellis. Script written by William N. Robeson. The music was composed by Lucian Marwick and conducted by Ludbloskin. Featured in the cast were Peter Leeds, Joyce McCluskey, Jack Krushen, Larry Thor, Vic Rodman, Irene Barton, John Marlowe and Bill Anders. This is the CBS Radio Network.