 signal gasoline let every traffic signal remind you you do go farther with signal gasoline yes you do go farther with signal the signal oil company and your neighborhood signal dealer bring you another curious story by the whistler tonight blueprint for suicide and the whistler and I know many things for 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 the paliachi legend of the show must go on even though the heart is breaking has been played out many times upon the stages of the world but sometimes it doesn't come off just right for instance take the case of David Dane the comedian he's one of the most popular performers in the theater and as he stands out in the glare of the footlights on the stage of the regent theater you think he would be the most carefree man in the world everybody loves him he's got everything same fortune a pretty wife there she is standing in the wings watching him smiling at his joke and anyone who saw you Martha greeting David as he comes off the stage would be sure you meant what you say how was it Martha wonderful darling yeah but I'll take another curtain Mr. Dane go ahead David okay did you really like it tonight Martha are you a terrific darling the audience loved every line I think the routine is getting a little worn out I called my gag right it's together for tomorrow we'll work up some new stuff this routine seems all right to me awesome new gags won't hurt yes but but what how are you feeling David me fine you're not tired are you no feeling of strength of course not Martha if you don't stop worrying about me I'll take you to the doctor anyone's bound to get a little upset sometime don't let the other night worry it wasn't just the other night well the time before that to be for that really darling we've been married four years I'm entitled to some lapses from perfection and all that time of course David of course I'm sorry I said that I didn't you're right it's just that just what just that oh it's nothing David we can't stand here all night let's get down to the dressing room you wouldn't tell him Martha you know very well what you meant and so does David you think it's more effective just to leave it at that for the time being anyway you go down to the dressing room with David and keep talking just anything just so that you can delay him until everyone else is left the theater then the two of you walk through the darkness backstage nothing so somber and eerie as an empty dark theater is it David oh it frightens me so empty and sismal oh I'm sick of it something for here let me help you after all this time you should know the places will arrive I'm all right now I know my way oh here's the table on the table feels like a knife well that gives us the murder weapon now with this setting all we need is the corpse David don't say that sorry down here give me the knife oh it's pretty sure not a prop let's have a look let's see oh one of Marvello's knives for a super special knife throwing act think Martha what is it nothing for Martha why did you scream oh that's my nerves I told you this place was frightening me get out of here not your nerves and you know it I could see your eyes you were terror-stricken you were afraid of me no it was just the way you were holding the match David through such a strange light on your face it wasn't just a match there's a lot more to it isn't there Martha great deal more what you started to say before when I finished my act you wouldn't continue I know what you were going to say you're worried worried about me you think there's something wrong with me don't you whistler fans I'm mighty happy to remind you tonight that in just 75 more hours this Friday your new gasoline a stamps will become worth six gallons each instead of four that'll certainly help but it's still far from enough you'll still want to stretch those coupons and more and more wise Western drivers who keep a careful record of gasoline mileage are finding there's no better coupon stretcher in all the west than signal go farther gasoline why does signal gasoline go farther well for two good reasons one signal oil company in keeping with its 14-year tradition of quality is marketing the very finest gasoline at wartime regulations permit and to the famous signal formula still places the emphasis on mileage aren't those two mighty good reasons for giving signal gasoline a try in your car just invest your next gas stamps at one of the friendly stations displaying signals yellow and black circle signs and then let your own phenomena prove you do go farther with signal gasoline and now back to the whistler I say your little plan is working very well isn't it you started it only a few days ago and already you have David believing that there's something wrong with him that you're in terror of him now Martha what's the next step you have that figure too it's just a little suggestion you plan for the way home tonight you get him to walk from the theater the night air will relax in you say and soon you're coming to the river we should do this more often I've always enjoyed this walk home along here like a stop at the river and stand on the bridge and look down into water tonight Martha listen it's just that I'm a little nervous I haven't been myself lately I'll be okay of course darling of course you just forget about it but Martha I can't forget up you were frightened you you were afraid of me darling no it was just circumstances circumstances yeah not please look around the bridge let's stop for a minute all right there isn't that beautiful the moonlight on the water darling I ought to be getting home I have some letters to write before I go now you're not going to say you're writing letters you need rest besides you've been dictating your secretary in the morning oh I guess I forgot to tell you Grace resigned last week you mean yes I don't have a secretary at the moment but oh no David you didn't want you didn't frighten her too did you Martha for heaven's sake I didn't sorry darling I'm sorry never mind oh I'm sorry Grace left you seem like a very nice girl yeah but I'll take your letters until you get another one not tonight you're going to rest tonight I guess I am sort of tired of course you are darling just try to relax a minute and we'll walk on home there I always found that standing here looking down at the water relax me the river looks so cool and inviting inviting yes David did you ever look down there and feel like well just like ending your troubles I don't know I did once when I was lonely and discouraged I guess a lot of people felt that way standing here that's why they call this suicide bridge just a suggestion nothing more but a suggestion that will stick in his mind in the days to come you can tell that by the look in his eyes but you don't press it you just walk on home chattering about things you're pretty satisfied with yourself aren't you Martha you were even able to twist Grace's resignation the way you wanted it you're happy to have her out of the way to aren't you his pretty secretary might have made your job more difficult but now you're so contented when you arrive home that you take time off for a phone call hello darling yes I'm home no no he can't hear he's in the shower I just wanted to hear your voice oh yes yes tomorrow too same place let me hang up now I love you too darling isn't that romantic you love him don't you Martha and he loves you but what about your husband David how many times have you vowed never to leave him and he never depart with you and you know that he meant it but you have your own ideas on the subject a plan that's bound to work it's dark now David asleep but you're not you can't sleep you've got work to do you've got a lot of work to do. What's wrong what is it? Where's that light? Oh here. Oh David why did you do it? Why? Why did you get hold of yourself something? I thought my throat I thought I was having a nightmare but I couldn't breathe. Martha you don't know what you're saying you were having a nightmare. No I won't. No Martha it's impossible I couldn't it's so incredible. I'm sorry to help you. You couldn't help it you didn't know what you were doing you must have been asleep. I'm not responsible for my actions I tried to... tonight I tried. One night I succeed it's horrible Martha I can't go on like this. You just get some rest now David. Tomorrow you'll be feeling fine again. Sure I'll rest and maybe tomorrow morning you'll be dead. I'm the one who should be dead. Stop that David. Yes I should be dead but even dead I'm worth nothing to you if I committed suicide you couldn't even collect my insurance. You're talking nonsense David. You know I'm not interested in your money. Now leave you right now if you don't stop talking of suicide. You're much too good for me Martha. Why did you ever marry me you're stuck by me through so much trouble. Now I'll never leave you. Never Martha. Of course not. Let's stop talking about it. As long as we can't sleep would you like for me to read to you? Anything you say. Well then here's some of our wild poetry. I started reading it last night. Would you like to hear it? Yes okay with me. Nothing you just lie back and try to get to sleep David. I guess I'll start with this. I don't seem familiar. He did not wear his scarlet coat for blood and wine or red. Blood and wine were on his hands when they found him with the dead. Poor dead woman whom he loved and murdered. What are you waiting for? Go ahead. I don't think this is very good. Here I guess I'll try something else. No I think it's excellent. Go ahead. It's totally wrong. I've got time. Well I get some. Yet each man kills the thing he loves. By each let this be heard. Martha. Did you try different poem darling? No no. Some kill their love when they are young and some when they are old. Some strangle with the hands of life. It's quite a bedtime story Martha. You picked it at random with great care and it hit the mark. David laid tensely listening taking it in. Your schedule is working perfectly Martha. But aren't you just a little worried doesn't it seem too easy somehow too smooth? There can't be a slip up can there? No one knows. Not even the man you love. When you meet him the next afternoon he says. You look radiant today Martha. Why so happy? Oh it's a beautiful day darling. I'm meeting you. I really shouldn't be feeling so happy though. I was up most of the night. Oh again? Yes it's David. Just isn't well I can imagine what the matter with him. He acts so strangely. Martha darling you can't go on like this. Yes I know I know darling. I almost asked him for a divorce last night but I just couldn't. Oh he's so ill and he needs me. It would break his heart. But Martha you've got to think of yourself. I know but I just can't. I don't love him anymore but I just can't hurt him now. Not now. Well I admire you for it Martha but what about us? Oh I don't know darling I don't know. Maybe later something will work out but now I. Oh I mustn't stay much longer. I have to get back to him. Why? I thought we were going to spend the afternoon. Nobody's having a conference with his writers and his secretary quit him last week so he needs me to take notes. I can't disappoint him. Please understand. Very clever Martha. You're going home now and you're thinking there will be many other pleasant afternoons with Jerry soon. You have no foreboding of disaster when you stand before the door of your house. You think it rather unusual the front door is locked. David must still be out. You take out your key open the door. You hear David's voice. That's strange who could he be talking to. You stand by the door listening. Then you realize the truth. David's on the phone. And he's speaking to Dr. Stevens as soon as you can. Well I told you it's hard to explain over the phone. I know it's been a while since I was in. This is very urgent. Tomorrow morning we'll be fine. No one's saying Dr. Stevens this probably won't come up but I wouldn't want my wife to know about this. I don't want to worry you. Yes. Well that'll be fine thank you doctor. Bye. Well Martha that's not so good. It wouldn't do to have David go to the doctor and find out the truth that there's nothing at all wrong with him. It wouldn't do to have the doctor know about this either. You will have to think of some way for the boys. I thought you were going to have a conference. They'll be here soon. Chuck called to say they got held up. What happened this time. I don't know. I think he told me I wasn't paying much attention. What you need is a rest. I know tomorrow morning bright and early let's pack up and go to the beach. I'd like to but I can't. I've got to rehearse. Well I can wait. Welcome back in plenty of time for rehearsing. Well I'll have to go over to the theater early see about props for the new route. All right then I'll go along with you. I've got something to do there too. There's no reason for you to get up so early. I must. What's so important. Well I think your costume is ripped. I meant to check it last night. I can take a look at it. There's anything wrong with this. David. David. You didn't succeed that time. You must stop David from seeing that doctor. Very fast. But what can you do with all these people here except hammer away on the same old theme again. Of course I know songs aren't your usual style David. But think of how this would go over. Now here's the idea. You pretend you're a jockey see and as you sing about that. Oh I love to write the winner down the stretch. And so on and so forth. Why you go through all the motions. Why boy it'll be the funniest thing that's hit the theater in a long time and you can do it. Not many comedians could but you could. Well how does it sound. Sounds pretty good to me. It's not bad at all with a little polishing is working to a terrific showpiece. What do you think Martha. Sounds pretty good but. But why do you think it's a little strange for you string you so now after all Marty is a really going to ride a horse over the hurdle you know what do you think. Or I don't know that is I mean I think maybe. It's easy to see that David will go places with your help Martha. His writers are a little bewildered by your behavior but you don't explain the conference continues you do your best to slow things up. You disagree you suggest changes until everyone's worn out but still you won't stop because you decided on a plan and you're waiting waiting and hoping. Luck is with you Martha the phone rings you hurry over and answer if you carry on a conversation no one can hear what you're saying. You just tell the man that David's busy now can't be disturbed but you go on talking even after he hangs up finally you hang up David. Just the wrong number or the long wrong number when he was hard to convince you feel happy now Martha everything's running just right again. Now you can't wait until they leave you want to be alone with David so you rush. Finally decide the new routine is just right for David perfect in fact and they believe you turn to David. I think it's one of the best routines I've ever had would you like to take a nap. I feel better than I haven't a long time to rest before tonight matter my beg to differ in fact my ideas that we go out and celebrate as a cocktail party at the Bennett's how about surprising him and showing up. But you'll tie yourself out you have a show to do now you know what I'm going to try out that new routine I'll prove to you what a great comedian you married come on we'll go right to the theater from the party. No no David I wanted to talk to you talk to me at the party come on a party is just what I need right now. All right David did you say you gave in rather quickly Martha you decided a cocktail party might be just what you needed to not that your spirits need any lift. It's just a party atmosphere suddenly appealed to you as a very place to strike that final blow. I must say I feel honored having you here you've been behaving like her. David's been working so hard thinking of you every minute. I haven't had a talk with him in months in the kitchen getting more I go and help mom in valuable. I doubt if you even know what I looked like you put a little in your. That's my unselfish spirit I don't want to take the other. Excuse me David feeling good you encourage him bring him more drinks laugh and chatter it's a very gay party. But it's getting late you still have work to do that empty balcony will serve very well you and David can go out there. Oh it feels good to get out in the air with the beginning. The air does feel good I hate to leave here though I'm having such a swell time we'll have to go in a few minutes or I'll be late. Are you really going to do the new routine tonight. It'll knock them over tonight I'll show that audience the true David Dane and by tomorrow night I'll have that act so polished up the shine will hurt their eyes. You have to rest up tomorrow. You can sleep all morning. Yeah I mean no I have to go out. You can sleep all morning David. No I can't. Yes you can David you don't have to see Dr. Stevens tomorrow. Martha what are you saying. I know about Dr. Stevens. But how could you you weren't there. It was Dr. Stevens who called during the writers conference this afternoon. I know David I know he promised not to tell me. But he had to call he had to talk to me. I don't understand he promised. He didn't know what to tell you. Well if it was just to break the appointment I don't see why he had to make such a ceremony out how I wish it were that dear but it wasn't. You see he didn't know what to tell you after he examined you. How could he until the examination was over. After all if I wanted my doctor to be psychic I'd go to some sort of spiritualistic medium. No no David please darling you don't understand. He realized why you wanted to see him and after all he knows you and. But he didn't see any point in examining you but he was willing to go through the motion. He wanted to talk to me about what what to tell you. I mean how much to tell you. Oh David I'm telling this very badly on the contrary. You're making it very clear. No I'm not it's just that I can't. Nothing any doctor can do but break it to me gently. That's it isn't it. That's what it amounts to. Hey David you're going to be late for the show. Yes by all means I mustn't be late for the show. Martha's timing was perfect as usual. She doesn't have much more left to do. You trust her David and she trusts you trust you to do the right thing. No pity moves her as you fall her out onto the stage as you stand before the audience laughter greets you. The audience knows David Dane always puts on a good show and they're waiting. But you just stand there. Oh God is there. Come on. They're calling to you David and you start your routine faltering late within a minute they're laughing. But this time it's not with you David but at you. The audience you usually hold in the palm of your hand has become a fearful thing. And all of Martha's insinuations come up and overwhelm you suddenly. You break and can't go on. But you try even though you know this is the end of David Dane's comic. Martha's leaving the theater now even though David's still on stage. Yes Martha those who see you leave think you can't bear the sight of David's failure. But that's not exactly the reason. You don't want to wait for David. You'd rather drive off in the car and leave David to walk home alone. Walk home alone. And pass by the clear inviting waters under suicide bridge. You go back to the house and wait. The phone call probably won't come for hours. You keep watching the clock eleven thirty midnight. You don't want to be far from the phone. You curl up on the big chair in front of the make-believe fireplace. You're almost wishing this for all make-believe too. Almost. The phone still doesn't ring your eyes won't stay open. It's almost one o'clock. You're fast asleep Martha. Martha Martha Martha. You don't hear it Martha Martha. All these days and nights have made you very tired so tired that you sleep soundly now. And David doesn't see you hidden in that big chair facing the fireplace. It looks as if your plan didn't succeed Martha not the water. No not for David the river. There's another way a shore away. No one can see him and stop him. You better wake up Martha. Can't you hear that sound it's gas. Gas to take David's life. Gas Martha. You are right to trust David he'll always do the honorable thing. He won't burden you with himself anymore Martha. But it's getting late. You better wake up now. Or you won't ever know how your plan succeeded. You're awake now Martha. But you're weak. You're trying hard to move from the chair. You're weak Martha. Two weeks you can barely stand up. Slowly and painfully you try to reach the kitchen. Then you'll turn off the gas. Then everything will be all right. Quistler will return in just a moment with a strange ending of tonight's story. Meantime because car batteries are still on the list of critical shortages. Your signal gasoline dealer wants to pass along these tips on summer care that will help your battery last longer and give better performance. First of all batteries need a drink often or in summer at least every two weeks to replace water that evaporates. But water isn't the only attention your battery needs. Terminals corrode and cut down the battery's efficiency. If the corrosion isn't stopped it can spread and ruin the battery cables. Fortunately your signal dealer is a trained expert at battery care. He not only has complete equipment for battery testing cleaning and recharging but he also has replacement cables in case yours is too badly corroded. Yes and if need be he can supply you with a premium quality fully guaranteed signal battery. Although because of the wartime shortage he'd rather make your present battery last. So get in the habit of stopping in at one of the friendly stations displaying signals yellow and black circle sign at least every two weeks for a battery checkup. It's part of your signal dealer's complete service to help your car run better look better and last longer. And now back to the whistler. Arthur you figured it perfectly up to a point. You hadn't figured on David choosing that way. When you woke up to find the apartment filled with gas you tried desperately to reach safety. But you couldn't make it could you. Too bad. And the real tragedy of it for you was you figured it all wrong. You needn't have played such a dangerous game at all. If only you could have known the things that David put into the suicide note he wrote just before he turned on the gas. They found it beside your two bodies next day. It read. I couldn't help myself. You were right when you resigned as my secretary. Our love was doing terrible things to us both that made me subconsciously hate Martha enough to try to kill her in my sleep. I should have left her but I couldn't. She was so tender and understanding. And she kept telling me how she'd never leave me. I couldn't tell her that I really loved you. Goodbye Grace. The Whistler will bring you another strange tale. The Whistler is broadcast for your entertainment by the marketers of signal, gasoline and motor oil and fine quality automotive accessories and by your neighborhood signal dealer. This program directed by George W. Allen with tonight's story by Geraldine Merkin music by Wilbur Hatch is transmitted to our troops overseas by the Armed Forces Radio Service. This is Marvin Miller speaking and suggesting that you let every traffic signal remind you that you do go farther with signal gasoline. Yes you do go farther with signal. This is CBS the Columbia Broadcasting System.