 The signal oil program The whistler Whistle is your signal for the signal oil program The whistler I'm the whistler and I know many things where I walk by night I know many strange tales hidden in the hearts of men and women who have stepped into the shadows Yes, I know the nameless terrors of which they dare not speak. Yes friends It's time for the signal oil program the whistler Rated tops in popularity for a longer period of time than any other West Coast program in radio history and Signal gasoline is tops to tops in quality It takes extra quality, you know to give you extra mileage and signal is the famous go farther gasoline So look for the signal circle sign in yellow and black that identifies friendly dealer owned signal stations from Canada to Mexico And now the whistler strange story Meeting on 10th Street on February 25th The final edition of the Daily Bulletin was a sellout ten minutes after it hit the street Across the top of the page headlines screamed that the district attorney's office had at last won its long fight against the city's organized crime But the real drama was below Neatly centered on the page in an article by Steven North the Bulletin star reporter an article titled retraction In 25 years in the newspaper game this reporter has never before been forced to print a retraction Today I break that record Last week I called a man a weakling in a coward. I vilified him told him he'd failed me I said these things not knowing he had already made up his mind to tackle a tremendous task I said them not knowing that Gerald Wright an ordinary citizen of this city intended to challenge Gangdom's most vicious killers alone Now I want to correct the injustice The story of Gerald Wright is one that every reader of this newspaper every taxpayer of this city Yes, the story of Gerald Wright was all there a neat black type Worded in the dramatic style of a famous reporter. It was all there But the truth Actually, the true story had begun late on a Friday evening more than a week before When a man entered a drugstore on 10th Street a reporter like this guy north I'd lay off this murder incorporated ring They're too tough. Would you hear what happened? No, they shot north put him in the hospital this afternoon couple of slugs in his leg I'll tell you if that guy doesn't like oh Yes, sir. What can I do for you? Bottle of soda pop pop sir right back this way We got cream strawberry flavor doesn't matter. Huh? I said the flavor doesn't matter just anything. I Want to take with me? Oh Okay I'll be 15 nickel deposit on a bottle. There you are. Oh, yeah My doctor has given me some medicine. I'm supposed to take it with water This will work the same one. Oh sure, but it's your first time Another thing there's a movie house around here somewhere, isn't it movie? Yeah, one three blocks down a couple more of Ron Park Street Punk pictures though. Now if I was you I'd go back just the same, but the picture doesn't matter either funny one That comes in here Wait a minute Sam. Yeah, what's the matter that guy? Do you see which way he went? What do you mean? He just went out the door like something wrong. I don't know we come in here asking for soda pop flavor didn't matter Did he had some medicine to take with it? Well, I don't like it Sam look out the door and see if you can see which way he went I got an idea that guy's going to commit suicide With the prologue of meeting on 10th Street the signal oil company is bringing you another strange story by the Whistler But now friends just for a moment Let's suppose this were a quiz show and you were asked what gasoline is known as the go farther gasoline What would your answer be? Well, if you've lived out west any length of time, you know that from Canada to Mexico signal is known as the go farther gasoline Now naturally we're mighty proud of signals good mileage But even more so we're proud of what makes such mileage possible the extra efficiency today's signal gasoline gets from your motor Because when your motor runs more efficiently, you also enjoy quicker starting faster pickup and smoother knock-free power The things that make driving more fun That's why folks who want superior performance as well as those who insist on mileage are both switching to signal They've discovered that to get the tops in gasoline quality. There are just two things to remember one in gasoline it takes extra quality to go farther and two Signal is the famous go farther gasoline And now back to the question Yes, Gerald when it was all over the Daily Bulletin had your whole story in a special article by Stephen North on page one The whole story that is except for a few rather important details There was nothing about that first Friday night. What's there Gerald? Nothing about the bottle of soda pop the square box of medicine from your doctor and most ironic of all There was only a passing mention of Denise Beautiful dark-eyed Denise the cause of it all the girl for whom you'd live or die You were thinking of Denise of course as you stood at the box office of the all-night theater Remembering the way you met the way she laughed Even remembering how sorry she looked when she sent your world toppling with her promise to marry Bob You were thinking of the nightmare that followed the three days and nights of self-torture That ended with your decision to take your own life Yes, Gerald as you settle back into the darkness of the back row of the theater your decision is made Denise is lost to you and there's no point left in living You hadn't intended to pay any attention to the picture of course But as you become aware of the movements of the actors listen to the words coming from the screen you find yourself Fascinated outside She heard about it. Yeah, she's all busted up You know it's a shame in a way she loved the guy shut up Okay Tell me how did it go? There was all of them. I found them three miles out of town in a ditch Solid, huh? No slips. Go slay. Don't make no slips. That's why he cost you five grand And I guess that does it Yeah That does it You must love her well Putting out five grand like that to get the number one boy out of the way. You think so. That's a good jazz I'm not paying you to guess Beat it Mike You feel a strange excitement watching the hero a two-fisted good-looking young man carry the story forward He had a rival to Gerald just like you but he found another way of solving the problem You watch the screen listen more avidly as the story progressed Suddenly you're seeing yourself up there on the screen in place of the hero and the girl becomes Denny's yes, I'm sorry But these things happen darling just got mixed up in the wrong company, don't you see Denise the police say it was a gangsta murder I I still can't believe I'm going to stand by you darling. Please remember that. Oh, thank heaven Thank heaven for you You sit there fascinated for the rest of the picture Seeing yourself as the hero fighting back winning Denise in the only way open to you with a hired murder And that's when you suddenly recall something else Gerald the news item You heard the clerk discussing back at the drugstore the headline the news boy was shouting outside the theater as you came in Excuse me, please. I'm sorry. I want to get out Steven North Author of a series of articles published by this paper exposing activities of an alleged murder Incorporated ring in this city was injured in a shooting fray this afternoon on 18th Avenue from his bed at st. Michael's Hospital North asserted it was an attempt on his life by the ring. He was exposing writer incorporated Steven North Wonder if he really knows who these people are these men who murder for hire Taxi taxi St. Michael's Hospital Me for saying I was a friend of yours mr. North the nurse wouldn't have left all right What's on your mind mr. Right? I've been reading your articles mr. Noi. I think you've done a magnificent thing and Well, that's that's what I wanted to tell you Not all you want. Yes, I just think the average citizen simply doesn't believe that there are people who commit murder for money That's why it's so important these things come out in the open Why until I read about what happened to you this afternoon I couldn't believe it myself And you just came here to tell me I was doing a good job. That's right. I thought if you knew people like me were behind you Yeah As I said most of us just can't believe it could happen why if anyone told me I could go to someone and Pay to have a man killed Why it's possible all right They got an organization mr. Right just like a factory that makes shoes or bottle tops Only they manufacture Murders now come on. Why don't you tell me where you really came here? Well? You'll probably think this is ridiculous maybe I want go on mr. North I Want to help you want it. I knew you think it was crazy mr. North It just seemed to me if these people are as highly organized as you say that the best way to get evidence against Them would be for someone someone they couldn't suspect like me for instance To go to them and and buy a murder Well Yes, that's it. So you're offering to help me Tell me right what's your business? What do you do? I work in a bookstore the eages bookshop Yeah, how did you I know I'd seen you before I couldn't remember where wait you can check on me mr. North That is if you if I have any sense Yeah Only at this point. I'm wondering what there is to lose What do you mean? Well, I've been careful up to now and all it got me was a couple of slugs in the leg Maybe I do need some help mr. Right. Maybe I ought to just believe what you're telling me and Look, I want you to understand this these boys are tough. They just soon shoot you as look at you I know that and yet you're offering to north you see I haven't anything to lose either Step to your life. I'll take the chance if you'll just tell me where to go Who to see Anyone see you come here tonight. No good You don't come back here understand if you want to contact me use the phone. Did you let me help you? You're asking for it I'm giving it to you Now here's what you do Tomorrow you go into the elite barber shop. I think that's the front here the barber in the back chair's name is ralston Be sure you get that chair Say tommy roy sent you but open up gradually. You know there's a guy you hate If you don't mind my saying so mr. Right, this seems kind of silly I don't understand. I just cut your hair yesterday afternoon. Of course. I can use the business. I know it looks funny I I just wanted to talk to you some more talk About what? That's all I told you about yesterday The guy that's been bothering you. Yes Why are you telling me I Thought you might be able to Do something about it So a fella's been getting in your hair so you naturally figure the place to come to is a barber shop It's not bad at all. Well, then forget it. I mean, Roy sent me Roy said out of town It's october before he left myself Look if you want to check on I didn't after you left yesterday Your name is general right One two seven. Oh, it landed place You work at the hedges bookstore The purest bookshop in st. Louis before that Came here in 43 That's an all I I just said I checked you Well, are you satisfied? Maybe There's a pawn shop, mr. Right 28 walled off By the side of town Why don't you drop in that one of these days? Yeah Fella that runs its specializes in and cheap guns Tell them you're a collector That you're after a rare one A dueling pistol called the Bronco Luigi remember that the bronco Luigi You know what you mean I think maybe he can give me just what you want The Luigi dueling pistol you say No, no, I don't believe we can help him. Oh, well Well, just forget about it then a friend told me to try this place. He's Never mind Yes This friend What was his name his name? I don't know. He runs a barbershop, but really it's look. It's all right That is you can at least leave an order for a bronco Luigi I can But they come high, you know How high One thousand dollars down that is with your order Another thousand on delivery And when could you deliver At the date we never give out my friend so many uncertainties Uh Who gets the package? I'll let you know later Shall I bring the money here? Well, that won't be necessary This is an outside transaction not entered on my books Just mail the money to a post office box 228 box 228 I'm going across town to see a friend I'll stop at the bank on the way very good And I'm sure you'll be satisfied with our, uh services I hope you don't mind my dropping in like this Denise certainly not Gerald a good friend is always welcome friend Please Denise won't you reconsider now before I Before you what? Denise Denise, you know, I do anything to make you happy Gerald We've been all through that. I've told you I'm in love with bob and don't spoil what's left You don't know what you're doing Denise. I'm sorry Really Gerald Bob's arriving in town wednesday. We'll be married next weekend. I see Oh Almost forgot. Could I use the phone? Of course, you know where it is front hall Which time this is the customer who asked about the bronchal Luigi pistol I'm sending him money The name of the man who's to receive The order Is sin claire bob sin claire. He'll be in town wednesday visiting a miss Denise evans That's 119 allison street. What about a picture a picture? I haven't got Wait, what about a picture of the girl? He'll be with her Denise yes, Gerald Oh forget something. No, I I was just wondering if it isn't asking too much Denise Could I have your picture my picture? Oh Oh, I certainly Gerald. I'd like you to have it. I'll get one for you right away. Thank you Having it will Make such a difference 20 minutes later you drop the picture and the money into a mailbox and hurry on to the hospital to see Stephen north you aren't prepared for his burst of anger when you tell him you're quitting What do you mean? You can't go through with it. Was that just a song and dance you gave me about wanting to help I'm afraid my enthusiasm sort of carry me enthusiasm You're like all the rest Cowards nine out of ten in this town are just like you. I know how you feel mr. North, but I never mind the words Oh, I know what happened. You tried it. It got too tough. You got scared. Oh, that isn't it at all Well, what is it then? I I don't think you'd understand Yeah, I think I do Run along right? You're not the first volunteer assistant to check out on me From now on I carry the ball alone I'm sorry, mr. Norris. Oh my And don't worry about being yellow You got plenty of company the line forms on the right And it's a long one Can I write? You're relieved as you leave the hospital aren't you Gerald? And certain that steven north will forget all about you The waiting for bob's accident isn't pleasant, but there isn't much that can be done about it And then one evening the telephone in your apartment rings Yes, Gerald Denise what is it? What's the matter? I'm shot Now please dear get hold of yourself. I'll grab a cab and get right over No, but I can pick you up. What do you think you'd better dear? I'm all right. I'll be there in 10 minutes All right dear and Denise I I know there isn't much I can do at a time like this But you know, I'll always be around Wanting to help you the whistler will return in just a moment with the strange ending to tonight's story Meantime an important question for drivers Are you missing anything? Well, you're missing something very important if you haven't gotten that free checkup of your fan belt and radiator hose Which signal dealers are now offering Perhaps you didn't even know that these items need periodic checking because most service station operators never mention them But then signal dealers aren't like most operators You see each signal dealer owns his own business and has a personal interest in keeping both you and your car happy He realizes that fan belts and radiator hoses being made of rubber Can either wear out or deteriorate from age and possibly cause serious trouble Which explains why almost 2 000 signal dealers throughout the pacific coast states are now offering this valuable service without cost or obligation Moreover, if your fan belt or radiator hose has worn to the danger point signal dealers can in most cases replace them while you wait So for safer driving and your own peace of mind Plan now to stop at your neighborhood signal service station for this free checkup There's no better way to see for yourself the more thorough more conscientious service Cars get at signal service stations And now back to the whistler Well, Gerald now, you know what steven north has been writing about The incredible efficiency of the ring of hired killers known as murder incorporated Bob Sinclair is dead and as denise stops by your apartment to pick you up You know that in time she'll be yours again And then as she drives away toward the edge of town, you remember the envelope with the other thousand dollars in it addressed to box 228 The final payment for murder Denise Yes, would you mind stopping at the next letter box? I have to get this off. Oh, of course Well, here's one right in the corner Just take a second Why are you turning down here? Wait a minute I thought so What's matter that that car in back of us it's made every turn we have that's why I just swung on the 10th street to check Are you imagining things Denise? I don't like to keep repeating it, but You just can't let this upset you so much. I know you're right I just can't get it out of my mind. It was so crazy so unnecessary Bob knew about guns. He's hunted all his life He hunted What do you mean? Oh to sit there in his own house and Hartford cleaning his wife You didn't tell me Oh, he he was going to do some hunting on our honeymoon trip Oh, the usual story the unloaded gun His sister was in the next room. I had the shot Denise Well jowd, what's Denise turn off drive back to a town that car and back it is following us. They think I'm bob Bob why please Denise don't ask any questions. Just do as I say. What do you mean? They think you're bob. What what there isn't time to these hurry it's the fixer that's still on they'll kill me The fix they'll kill you. What are you talking about? I tell you there isn't time I couldn't stand to lose you. I paid them. I paid them to do it paid who they think I'm bob. They'll kill me now That's why they're following us. Gerald you you don't slow down They're catching up to me Denise please you You were going to have bob killed. That's it isn't it Gerald? Yes Yes, anything only don't stop me. Please please speed up Denise it's all right Denise please don't you wanted to take his place didn't you Gerald well you can Denise they call me yes Well, I will let them kill me. Well, let me out I gotta get away There were two stories of Gerald Wright in the meeting on 10th street The real one that Gerald himself could never tell And the other one that appeared on the front page of the daily bulletin under the byline of steven north And so it was through the self-sacrifice of Gerald Wright that the police were finally able to bring the entire murder incorporated ring into custody What prompted this courageous man to step out of the role of ordinary citizen and undertake the hazardous task that cost him his life We will probably never know But one thing is certain the people of this city will always revere the memory of Gerald Wright hero Let that whistle be your signal for the signal oil program the whistler Each wednesday night at this same time Brought to you by the signal oil company marketers of signal gasoline and motor oil and fine quality automotive accessories Signal has asked me to remind you To get the most driving pleasure drive at sensible speeds be courteous and obey traffic regulations It may save a life Possibly your own featured in tonight's story were elliot lewis and k brinker The whistler was produced by george w allen with story by joe malone and herald swanson and music by wilbur hatch And was transmitted to our troops overseas by the armed forces radio service Next wednesday for a full hour of mystery over most of these stations tune in a half hour earlier Enjoy the saint as well as the whistler This is marvin miller speaking This is cbs where 99 million people gather every week the columbia broadcasting system