 That look in his eyes, like a madman, he wants to kill me. Someone does, like the other three, flying on the floor in a pool of blood. Almost twelve o'clock at night. Any minute now there'll be a ring or a knock. Midnight, the witching hour when the night is darkest, our fears the strongest, and our strength at its lowest end. Midnight, when the gravescape opened and deaths. How? You learn the answer in just a minute then. The Creeper. On this program we bring you the best and most blood-curdling stories ever written. And so now we bring you a tale which you may have heard before. A tale which we consider a classic in terror and suspense. The Creeper by Joseph Ruskal. In the kitchenette to the New York apartment, a man and his wife listened to the evening news broadcast. New York. The unknown killer called the Creeper has struck again, adding a third female corpse to his toe. Virginia Peters, a comely waitress, was found strangled to death in her third floor apartment early this morning while her radio blared. As in the previous murders, a note was found scrolled on the wall with the victim's lipstick, and the plea for heaven's sake, catch me before I kill more. I cannot control myself. Police insist. Now, why'd you turn it off? Oh, how awful. Awful. And in this very neighborhood. Let's hear the rest. It's very interesting. Oh, you... Don't go turning that radio on against Steve Grant. I heard enough. I'll go out of my mind for heaven's sake. That's it. A good, solid clue. What is? For heaven's sake. How many men ever use that expression? Oh, shut up. Okay, Mrs. Grant. Pass the biscuits, my little pigeon. Pass the biscuits. E-D-D. Two women in three days murdered in cold blood by a mad fiend right here in Washington Heights. I'm too sick to go out, too scared to stay in. The locks broke. He sits there eating, eating, eating. Pass the biscuits. There's nothing wrong with my appetite, my love. Of course. That's what cost you your job on the police force. When I even think of... Some men drink to escape. I eat. Escape? What? What? An ugly tongue, a beautiful face, and a roving eye, and short a wife. Oh, so you're starting that again. You and your crazy jealousy. Yeah, maybe that's the creeper's way of escaping, too. Georgia, who knows? Shut up. Go ahead and get a divorce. Go ahead. Can I help it if men look at me? I know why you come home at all. Where do you go? What do you do with yourself? Where were you this morning? Why'd you come back? To eat. But someday I'll lose my appetite for that, too. And when I do my dear, there'll be no escape. And now I'm off again. Just still using stage lipstick. Wipe it off. My friends must have told you you're married now, remember? Steve, wait. Yeah? At least go buy my medicines. Sorry, I got no time. Don't leave me here alone. Stay home this evening. Please, I'm afraid. Oh, don't be silly. Pet, nothing will happen to you. You got a doorman here, an elevator boy, and Mrs. Stone across the hall, a phone. You're safe enough. But the night lock, it doesn't work. Oh, now you can't lock me out anymore. It doesn't catch. Something's happened to it since last night. Steve. Get a new one. I can't get a locksmith. I've tried all day. Steve, please. If I want to phone you, where will you be? Out. Goodbye. Take care of your cold. Here you got thrown off the force, Steve. Yeah, here you got thrown off the news, Perley. You heard wrong. I wasn't fired. I was just warned. I wasn't fired either. Just suspended for three days. Eating a lamb chop at Casey's when I should have been ringing in from the box at 162nd with all that trouble up there. On my way to headquarters now for reinstatement. I eat too much, my trouble is. I drink too much. Hey, you're living up at the height, Steve. Yeah. That's funny me, too. Yeah? Hey, you're married now to a beautiful and lovely young... with admiration. Say it again. I think I knew her. Wasn't there a stage named Georgia Dixon? Yeah, that's her. I love that wence, but... Women. How does a guy handle him? You know, maybe the creeper has the right method. Thank you for taking the words out of my mouth. Who's the creeper, Steve? Any angles? You tell me and I'll split the reward with you. Say, what do you think of Inspector Bradley's inside job here? Nuts. Every janitor's a creeper. And it's for that doorman Jim Ellis. It's because he worked at two of the three murder apartments. Pure coincidence. Anyway, they've released him. One thing, though. And I don't think even Bradley's put it together yet. Eh? In all three cases, just before the creeper struck, the door locks had already been tampered with. You don't say. You got a theory? Well, sure. I mean, you take that note on the wall. For heaven's sake, in every case, for heaven's sake, catch me before I kill more. I cannot control myself. Right. Now, what man uses an expression like that? You want the low down? It's just this. A creeper is a woman. A gimmick, eh? Eh. Like the height of the message from the floor is a trick, six feet. And yet I'll lay odds that creepers no more than a guy your height say, or mine. Five, nine. Just like us. You were me. Only crazy. How do you figure that? How do I figure lots of things? How do I know where the creeper's going to strike next? You do? Certainly. The creeper's not so smart. He's just crazy. You play along crazy and your one jump ahead of him. That's a trouble with Inspector Bradley while he's up a tree. You expect logical clues from a madman? You play along crazy. Make out you're the creeper. And what do you get? Well, go ahead. Let's see. All right. The victims are all red-heads. Every one. You've noticed that, of course. Three in three days? Yeah, I know what you're mentioning. They all lived in the Heights, right? Agnes Martin, Jane Krootsky, Virginia Peters. All right. What was the number of the apartment in each case? Agnes lived in 1A, Jane, 2B, Virginia, 3C. Don't ask me the why or where for. Don't ask me the logic. Just play along crazy. You know what I mean? Where's he going to strike next? Huh? I don't get you. The victim of the creeper also lives in the Heights. She's a red-head. Her night lock's been tampered with. She's going to get hers today. And her apartment number's 4D. Well, why are you looking at me? Don't you like my arithmetic? Perley. My wife's a red-head. We live in the Heights. And our apartment number is... You're just a boozy reporter. Your apartment number? 4D, I told you. 4D, of course. It's pretty late, but I'll have it delivered. I was busy admiring your lipstick, Mrs. Grant. I have nothing like it in stock. 4D, I should have guessed it anyway. Why? Well, a face is a number. Believe me, since you've moved into the neighborhood, Mrs. Grant, for me it has a special number, like a double-dandy delicious dream. 4Ds, you see? Ah, go on. But to tell that to every customer, female. I'm a lady's man, like the creeper. What did I say? What's going on in this block? Raw nerves, you can't joke. The creeper, the creeper. That's all I hear all day. It's mass hysteria. There ain't such an animal. You don't think so? I assure you, Mrs. Grant, it's a fairy tale for circulation of the tabloids. I'll send you a prescription up with a board. No, I'll just wait here for it. Well, it'll take some time. You should go right home and stay there if you're just getting over the flu. I'll tell you what. I'll deliver it myself. It'll be a pleasure. No, no, no. I'll wait. I may not go right back. I don't want to... I want to be there alone. I'm afraid. Very well. Suit yourself. Have a seat. For heaven's sake, stop me before I kill more. What? I cannot control myself. Wait! I was only joking, Mrs. Grant! Wait, Mrs. Grant! Your prescription! Well, yes. But you're hurrying here. I just got such a scare since these awful murders in this neighborhood. Isn't it terrible? I'm simply frightened to death myself. You walking home. Yeah, I guess so. Well, I'll go with you. It's good we live in the same house. At least if I had a double lock, but the night one doesn't work. Oh, really? Well, I have a chain lock besides and still... The way it is, I sit in chivalry when there's a sound at the door. Can't get a locksmith tried all day, but they're all so busy. Mr. Frank on the corner promised to, but didn't know when. Why are they all so busy? Well, my dear, because every woman in the neighborhood is changing their tools. Simply a nightmare. Oh, but don't you worry. We'll stay together this evening. Mr. Stone's out, too. Think of it. We've never visited that we'll have right across the hall from each other. Isn't that like a big city for heaven's sake? Or would you rather I drop in on you? Well, I don't know. Well, make it your place then. Isn't it horrible? The ghastly things they're saying? The series one doesn't know who to think next. You believe the latest? The latest? That maybe it's a woman. The creeper? A woman. Can you be in it? I just can't imagine how in the world a police figure that for heaven's sake, can you? I say, can you, Ms. Grant? I don't know. I was just thinking of something more... Though I can't see where a married woman now, if her husband was speechless. Well, I can understand such a theory because they take my husband now. You met Mr. Stone, haven't you? Well, Mrs. Grant, if you're staring at me like that, for heaven's sake. Here, run to the dark street. Back to her apartment on the door with the broken lock. There's the hands of the clock move on towards 12 o'clock and murder. And the creeper to Georgia Grant, hurrying hysterically to the dark street towards the apartment with the broken lock on the door. Out late, aren't you? You're the new doorman. Just relieving Charlie. Nice, nice. Yeah. He was very nice. Here, let me ring the elevator for you. No, you don't have to trouble. No trouble, ma'am. There. Apartment 4-D, huh? Hell. How did you know? Doesn't take long. Then will this elevator come? Coming now. Terrible things, ma'am. The happenings. What? The creeper. It's, uh... Going up? Up and down, up and down. The ups and downs of life, that's me. I'm a living milkshake, Mrs. Grant. What's wrong, Jimmy? Stuck. Imagine getting stuck between a third and fourth with a production like you. Get going, Sonny. You want me to report you? Okay, okay. Can't you take a joke? Maybe I misconstrued that smile you always give me. Maybe you shouldn't order a smile that way. Fourth floor. Let me out. If I drop in later, will you be more receptive? Oh. Oh, thank goodness. Must be going out of my mind. My key. With my key. I've done this lock. Turn the lock. Is the locksmith in yet? I want to know how soon I can get my lock changed. Yes, I know it's late, but he promised. This is Mrs. Grant. Yes, 4-D, yes. I know you just explained to me, but I must... Oh, Georgia? Yes. Yes, so won't you... I've been waiting for you. Don't you little fool, it's me. Do you want the whole house to... What are you doing here? Don't worry, you haven't got a thing to worry about now. I've come to protect you. Give me the phone. Hello? Never mind about the lock, thank you. Sit down. Make yourself at home. Been waiting here for you. Long time no see, Georgia. What do you want, Prilly? Me? A headline. Your husband wants, too. He wants I should keep an eye on you. What's that? Sure, you didn't think Steve and I were acquainted, did you? Oh, that's from way back. Just met him at a bar. I don't believe you. What do you mean, keep an eye on me? Oh, just in case the creeper... Look! You heard of the character? You're mad. You've always been mad, Prilly Chase. Where is Steve? Why should he send you here? Why should he send the creeper or come here? What are you doing here? Told you. Playing along crazy. Got a drink? You're drunk now. And you're getting right out of here. You're nothing but a no good rummy. And you're nothing but a no good... And you finish it. When I took the drink, it was to drown you out, and you know it. I'm still a rumpot angel, which means I haven't got rid of you yet. Get out! You've been a little too time in a redhead. You're all a same, you redheads. Even a wedding ring can't change your... Don't play the innocent. My business is snooping. I make a living at it, between drinks. So your new models love thy neighbor, huh? Mr. Stone across the hall? Poor dumb Steve. I'm warning you. Get out or I'll call the police. Stay where you are. Prilly, what are you doing with that gun? I wouldn't pick up that phone if I were you. You see, there's a big reward for the creeper and a heck of an exclusive, and I don't want to share it. I'm riding a hunch. Now sit down, darling. Just play along with me while I play along crazy. Sit down. That's it, like we're expecting company. Let's have some music. Oh, just sit. Let's have some music. I said turn on the radio. That's it. That's a good girl. Ah, dance music. Boy, I love your... I love your, your lovely red head. I could kill you and you'll deserve it. Put the radio on. You could scream and no one would hear. I could put my hand on your throat like this. I could strangle you. You're crying. Stop it. I'm here to protect you. Stop crying. Cut it, I said. Cut it out. I can't stand it. I never could. You want me to leave? All right, I will. Get you off your roof and you four anyway. Where's my hat? In a few minutes there'll be a knock or a ring or... the door will just open. And you'll be lying in a pool of blood like the other three. Go find my worthless... give my regards to the creeper. What if he comes back? He wants to kill me. Somebody wants to kill me. He'll slide down. He's bleeding. He'll frighten me with just a spike. Like the other three in a pool of blood. Like the other three. Like the other three. Almost... almost 12 o'clock. Any minute now there'll be a knock or a ring. Medicine? No, no, no, no. Don't let that man up. No, no, I'm perfectly all right. I don't need any... I don't need it to hear. Please, I must have it changed right away. My lock, my door lock. Yes, this is Mrs. Grant. Yes, I do want it. Of course anyone can get in, anyone. They want to murder me. But I don't know who. It's the creeper. Will you come right away? Thank you, thank you. Thank you so much for the hurry. Please hurry or I'll go out of my mind. Thanks, Lord. Like the other three in a pool of blood. Any minute now. A knock or a ring. Who's there? It's me there, Mrs. Stone. Oh, what do you want? I've been worried about you. Are you well? No, I'm all right, Mrs. Stone. I'm feeling fine. Open up, dear. Don't you want me to keep you company? No, no, thank you. I was just... Oh, stop that. No, no, please, go away. I'm going to sleep. Go away. You hear me, go away. Steve, Steve, I've been frantic. So good to hear your voice. Where are you? Oh, no, no, not now, not when I hear you, Steve. I don't know what came over me all day. I've been imagining things. So silly. My nerves. Of course, forgive me, Steve. I've been bad, bad, wicked. Darling, if you knew what I've gone through tonight, the most dreadful state, and then that... Steve, did you send someone here today? Really, James? Then you did? No, I just got rid of him. Oh, no, I won't, Steve. Steve, wait. Wait, Steve, it's... Thank goodness it lasts. Now I can breathe easy. Darling, just a minute. Come, please, step in. It's the lock on this door I want. Just a moment, my husband's on this door. It's all right, darling, everything's all right now, Steve. You needn't worry. So it's no one, dear. Just Mr. Frank, the locksmith. What a load. Nice lipstick, you... Nice lipstick. Or I'd kill more. For heaven's sake. Down the corridor, away from the door with a broken lock, now standing ajar. The body of a red-headed woman. And still, should she not have known that her only visitor would be death, the clocks struck 12-4. Strike 12-4. Music by Charles Paul. Murder at midnight was directed by...