 We offer you escape Escape with us now to the Old West and the unusual story of a merciless Professional killer as Ernest Haycox tells it in while Jack Rhett red mason a little town Springing out of the hot dry prairie beside the Chisholm Trail a Saloon a hotel two general stores and a tiny church Where the decent citizenry might pray for salvation while a wilder element trail driver and Teamster and Buffalo hunter Restlessly searched out friend and enemy along the dusty Main Street a Small hill rose on the western edge of red Mesa Plague with a rash of graves Some marked and cared for others sinking and forgotten Man that is born a woman has but a short time to live and is full of misery He comes up and he's cut down like a flower. He flies as it were a shadow While we're praying a cup of you boys start throwing some dirt on the sheriff Oh Lord with whom do live the spirits of them that be dead and in whom the souls And that same evening a committee of the leading citizens of red Mesa gathered together at Mayor Wayne's home to decide upon a new sheriff All right gentlemen sit down. Let's get this Gentlemen to make this town a decent place for our women-broken children We've got to have a sheriff taught Malon and his kind can't kill We need the toughest gunfighter available and I want to propose a minute Mayor Wayne. Let me speak All right Go ahead boy Ellen. I don't think we should get all upset just because we lost another share Jim speed worked off fine for red Mesa all we need is another sheriff just about like him I expected that boy Ellen all you look out for is to keep that saloon of yours full of anybody who'll buy whiskey and gamma I Still propose we Reformed this town by sending for a man some of you may have heard of Jack Rhett I Do want my saloon for and full of the only man will bring any money at all into red Mesa Cow punchers coming up the chiseled trail with Texas cattle thirsty men on the prod from a long drive But you give them Jack red instead of a little fun and this time will go broke We'll chance that boy Ellen we'll chance that what about Matt Travenner what you got to say I'm nothing to say gentlemen as US Deputy Marshal for the district my job is strictly outside red Mesa You're on your town any way you like I'll handle the surrounding territory know anything about Jack Rhett Travenner Just by reputation Professional town tamer and I've heard is the most cold-blooded killer ever drew a gun having us right We can't afford a man like that here. Let's put it to a vote gentlemen All in favor of sending for Jack Rhett raise their right hand Five to one the matter is settled gentlemen. Good night I wait You'll wait and see you marry Travenner if you don't mind mayor, of course sit down. You'll be out in a minute Well Well, it was pretty mad after Jack read it here for a while at least I'll be less gunfighting It'll less anyway if Todd Mellon were out of the way. That's a bad example. It's a hard man to catch Well, it was all you can remember There's just too much territory around here for Malin his gang to lose themselves in He'd have to be taken by a town officer and I think Rhett is the man to do it if Malin comes to town again He'll come there the word gets out that read his sheriff here. Malin will have to face him or lose his reputation with his own men Hello, darling well mad Travenner, aren't you gonna kiss me? Of course sure Mary what is shameless the way you are? Oh Father your old-fashioned after all we're engaged your mother God rest her soul didn't behave like that when we were engaged The war changed things father. I know but not for the better Well, I'm off to bed. Don't stay up too late now. Good night. Good night, father Get up worried man. Do I tell me about it? Well, it's just that they're sending for a new sheriff legal killer named red He has quite a reputation and they'll always be men to challenge it. That means more gunfighting Is that it? I'm afraid so. It's a bloody way to peace Mary. I know Let's not worry about it now. Come on. I'll pick some coffee for us Three weeks later while Jack Rhett rode into Red Mesa He was 38 and at the peak of his reputation He stood well over six feet better than 200 pound of plain sinew Taune blonde hair grew long in the frontier style and his features fair and tinted like a girls were boldly acquittal He was a picturesque man Till one looked at his eyes Which were large and pale blue and had the disconcerting trick of remaining too steadily on people There was to be seen in him the suggestion of inhumanity He sent word to the committee that he'd meet him at the mayor's office that evening There's a chain o'clock now. Where is he is in town? And that's bad enough here sport for Helen We took a fair vote on Rhett here. He comes now. My name is Jack Rhett. I have your offer I'm Peter Wayne mayor of Red Mesa. Do you accept it? Depends on what you want. Tell me Rhett, this is a difficult town Chisholm trail lies just across the river and we get most of our money from the riders passing through a Texas cat Now we want them to have a decent time for their money, but we don't like a lot of gunplay and killing I've always been accustomed to complete authority there. I Presumed to know my job and I won't have interference. That's agreed Rhett By the way, the last sheriff had a rule that riders leave their hardware at his office. He had trouble enforcing it a poor rule Let them pack their guns. That gives the wild ones a fair chance at you. I never give a man a fair chance at me Is that all gentlemen? Bo Helen saloon was the usual deadfall With a huge bar along one side of the room and gaming tables toward the rear Next morning Bo Helen stood tapping the mahogany of the bar with his fingertips Staring thoughtfully at nothing. It's noon, Samus. Huh? Oh, sure. Hey, draw me a beer Mike Where's new sheriff Bo Helen over there at the corner table came in just before you did Barkeep bring me a cigar glass of rye Now he's gonna clean and reload his six guns One at a time. I got it. He is How'd you know it's an old gunman's trick to impress the citizens, but there's no one here except you and me Then it's to impress me Don't Goodbye Bo Helen Mike You've got something to say to me Bo Helen. Yes. Yes. I have You're smart red I recognize that but your record for killing is too severe and my business depends on an open town Now the reform element got you know, I'll go along for now. I'll just remember one thing. I Can break you red any time. I was waiting for that Bo Helen. Well, and I guess we understand each other Oh Any luck Matt just a morning's ride Matt here's Jack red right. This is Mac traveling a US deputy marshal for the district glad to know you're red You're young. Don't be misled Right your job is in town mine is everything outside So I'll either back you up here in red Mesa or leave you strictly alone. I'll handle red Mason. All right One more thing. I want Todd Mellon Who comes to town again? I'll have to be taken Will you do that or shall I what is he outlaw? Mainline is plain robbery now. I want them for killing Jim speed. Let me handle Malin. Why killings my trade Man doesn't live with enough animal instinct to get me maybe Killing you would build a man's reputation considerable just so Yeah, good luck red there was peace for a full week in red Mesa and Then on Saturday night Matt traveling his prediction came true Jack Rhett was at his customary post just opposite Bo Helen saloon in a chair on the porch of the Chinook Hotel Obscured by the Shatters and watching the crowd his cold pale eyes half concealed by cigar smoke Trouble found him thus Evening sheriff evening, ma'am Come on. I'll have one on the house and Mike fix them up I can pay for my liquor Kind of sure if you got stands and a shot on kills one man and then jumps 50 feet from his gun flash and shoots down two more Those boys never had a chance at him. Let's drink a drink. Oh boy. That was the most merciless killing I ever seen He's a butcher. I wish I'd done this. This is my game They were fools to play it Never buck a man who spent his life learning to kill son get out of town Get out now. What if I don't try it son? Don't let your anger destroy I can hold my thirst another 200 miles up the trail. They'll send word back to Texas to go around red mason Let it dry up how it won't do red It'll do Bo Ellen barkeep Bring me glass of rye on the house red stood with his back to the bar holding his drink and a thin black cigar carefully in one hand He stood there for about 10 minutes Then trouble came again Well Jack right now, let's see you shoot down Todd Mallon and four men from the shadows Good night, Bo Helen. Todd Mallon was riding into red Mesa with four men Jack Rhett simply walked out crossed the street to his office sat down and waited 20 minutes later Todd Mallon had arrived and departed not a shot fire Then Jack Rhett went quietly to bed But early Sunday morning. He was back in his office. I'm in There's talk red. I expect that now right you told me you'd handle Mallon if he came to town Yes, Travis well, they say Mallon rode into town last night with four men Road right up to this office got down came inside That you and he stood here with this desk between you talk And then a few minutes later Mallon left and rode out of town. I play the game my own way Flamener And I don't want interference From anybody people are saying maybe you and Mallon made a deal of some kind Somebody's breaking the Sabbath No, who could beat Flamener It's a rifle Sounds like one of those seven shots Spencer. Well, it's all hack pro. Who's he? No trapper comes to town every few months sells his first gets drunk goes a little crazy Kim speed always laid him away in jail to sober Take a look You better stop him red. He's only got two shots left that'll satisfy him I doubt if he'll reload and if he notices us and decides to shoot then I'll have to kill him Who's that coming out of Bo Helen's you all pay gambler. He's a fool You're gonna stop him red. Oh let him go red The town is your territory and I won't interfere, but why did you refuse a fair shot at hack crow? He won't pay is dead. Which is the more useful citizen Travner Crow or Bay West is full of gamblers there was considerable talk that day in red Mesa over jack rats a loop and cruel calm and Condoning the shooting that had occurred under his very eyes and within reach of his formidable guns Then mid-afternoon a rider came up from the prairie and reported finding old hack crow dead in a cool dry ghost and Rob Mary Wayne heard about it and went to Bo Helen saloon to hear more Good evening, man. Hello, Bo Helen Charlie Brandy, and what do you think you're great Jack Rhett now man? It looks bad. I look mad Everyone knew hack crow carried his profits in his pocket always did that So red allowed him to leave and Todd now and his men were waiting for him in the Coulee Simple as that. You have no proof of that Bo Helen. Oh And why didn't red take malon when he wrote in here last night because they made a business arrangement. That's why Doesn't look good, but shh As Rhett now last ride. I don't want to talk to him yet. I'm leaving. Good night. Bo Helen. Good night, man Mike Give me that ride. I'll take it over the sheriff myself. Here's your drink sheriff Mind if I sit down Game never changes Bo Helen. I know what you're gonna say. I warned you. I could break your rent No story to me Every town's got one insider who plays along with the outlaws. I knew you to be that one here when I first saw you Running a saloon. You'd know when a cattle buyer was riding out of town carrying a specie When the overland stage was loaded with gold There is a quarrel over the split of profits to you and mallet You fell apart. It's always the way very shrewd, right? It's an old story Bo Helen. I know it by heart very shrewd But you can't play the same game. All sheriffs are supposed to be crooked you and malon I had an agreeable little chat last night Did he make a good offer right? Maybe I should accept his offer Bo Helen just to keep you to split Maybe I should do that right. I've seen sheriff's come and go It's a chancey tree sheriffs die. They all die It's only a question of time You're a hard one jackrat. You might make your peace with malon. It'd have to be that way Otherwise, you'll have little chance of getting rid of me Bo Helen. It may be that way. I wouldn't be surprised I always expect the worst men and them seldom disappointed It was turning dark as Jack Rhett left Bo Helen saloon Cross in the street. He walked into his office, but continued on out through the back door Few minutes later he stood in the gathering shadows opposite the okay stable and what Bo Helen ride out and drift into the prairie to the south He knew now what to expect It would happen soon perhaps tomorrow To return to his office and slept the night there. I want you to meet Mary Wayne. It's Wayne very proud I I wanted to know you the medium Mary not to know him Rhett lives in a closed world See that I have no friends We're to be married on Thursday, Mr. Red. I shouldn't like you to be there. I'd be most happy Thank you. Now Mary, would you wait outside? I got some business to discuss in the share Of course Matt, but don't be long. Goodbye. Mr. Red. Bye. Miss Wayne Brett this afternoon. I'm leaving to find Todd Mallon. You had your chance, but you let him go wait, Travner Wait, I've tried patience Rhett and I'm a poor hand at it. Travner you have a fine girl If it's not presuming, let me congratulate you compliment her. Thank you Was that all? I'll take care of Mallon. Give me a little time. It's my job Rhett up. I want to believe you. No man wearing a star should believe anybody. It's a weakness. Haven't I told you? Blessed if I quite understand you, Rhett. Understand this Every man has his time When it comes, he knows it There's no turning back Nothing makes any difference then except to stand up to the finish and go out in decent style And yet you're the man never believes and give another man a break. Don't try to understand me You want help with Mallon? I have no faith in help Come and marry To wait to try Travner I'll suggest this much Take one man, ride due north to where the cattle trail crosses Tempus Creek Be there tonight Understand? Rhett, I'd hate to oppose you If you did, you'd lose. I've been 15 years of this Travner, which is five years beyond average luck That evening, Jack Rhett took up his post on the porch of the Chinook Hotel Dressed in his best, a hard white shirt, a blood red winter tie, and a suit of black broadcloth Swelling around the big uncompromising shoulders He sat there calm behind the smoke of his cigar Wait Full moon tonight, Sheriff That's right And no offense, mind you Good evening, Rhett Hello, Mayor Wayne Oh, Mayor, have you seen Travner? He rode north this afternoon He'll be back tomorrow, is he? Good Listen, I just came up South Creek and Todd Mallon and six men were only a quarter mile behind me Heading into town All right, friend Take cover Yeah Rhett stood up and moved into the shadow at the end of the hotel porch Across the street, Bo Helen appeared in the full glow of the doorway of his saloon I'm out in the dark to meet your friends, Jack Rhett What are you afraid of? It's only Mallon riding in to see you Thieves fall out But the urge for profits brings them together again They should have known it, Rhett Nothing surprises me Oh, there you are, Rhett Prize to find you're exposing your great reputation out there in the middle of the street Every man has his time You want to try it, Bo Helen? Or will you wait for help? I'll wait The arriving horses came up into the moonlit street And hauled it at the corner of the saloon Bo Helen's hand lifted toward the group And at that order, the horsemen spread out until they were flanked to flank all across the street Todd Mallon advanced from the line and stopped Square and alert above the saddle Jack Rhett stood alone in the middle of the street His eyes flash in a hard jury And he dropped his cigar and ground it beneath the boot It was a final gesture Are you Mallon? Goodbye, gentlemen The next day, Rhett Mesa buried some more men out on the hill And talked to Jack Rhett Who was more of a mystery to them now than when living All of them but one Matt Travenner Nobody knows a killer's world, Mary There wasn't any room in Jack Rhett for much pity But he sent me away to save me from what he knew was coming I think that was a kindness, although I had no fear It was a fine thing for him to do, Matt But they say he stood in the middle of the street Faced them all on the moonlight It wasn't his style As long as he was sure of himself, he never gave anybody an even chance, Mary But killers live and die by instinct And somewhere along the evening, he got the warning After that was just a matter of pride He killed Mallon and Bo Helen before he died Standing up and in good style And that's sort of a greatness, isn't it? Under the direction of Norman McDonnell, Escape has brought you Wild Jack Rhett by Ernest Haycox Especially adapted for radio by John Meston Jack Rhett was played by John Daener With Larry Dubkin as Matt And Luke Rugman as Bo Helen Parley Bear was the narrator Featured in the cast were Junius Matthews Russell Simpson Gene Bates Paul Dubov and Sam Edwards The special music for Escape was composed and conducted by Ivan Dittmar