 Roma wines present suspense Roma wines made in California for enjoyment throughout the world Salute your health senior Roma wines toast the world the wine for your table is Roma wine made in California for enjoyment throughout the world This is the man in black here for the Roma wine company of Fresno, California to introduce this weekly half-hour of suspense Tonight from Hollywood Roma wines bring you miss Faye Bainter, Mr. Ralph Morgan and Mr. Dane Clark in a suspense play dealing with a mother and a son and a larger who kept an appointment with death and so with life ends at midnight and with the performances of Faye Bainter as Mrs. Bates of Dane Clark as her son Walter and of Ralph Morgan as Mr. Chalmers. We again hope to keep you in suspense That's right. Mom. It's your little sunny boy waller. You still remember my whistle, eh? Oh, yes But what I didn't know no one I'll turn up. Hey, mom What's the matter? We have to stand here in a hole. Oh, no, no come in. It's just Come in Ward. Well, it's the same old crummy joint. I do my best to keep it clean Yeah, I know regular old mother Hubbard Now to clean up the whole South side before you get them a goo out of this flea bag Boy, am I tired up all night the stinking day coach full of snoring jerks at squalling babies Babies are the worst all I do is ball and slobber You left Pittsburgh last night one in the morning didn't sleep a wink. Yeah, look at my collar But tomorrow is Monday. You have to be at work in the morning. Sure. I what's the matter? You're worried. Oh, no No, I just don't just can't a guy come home to see his mother once in six months That's a mother for you break your back You set up all night to see your mother for one day and she tells you have to be at work in the morning How do you like? Well, I'm sorry. I didn't miss you. So I just worry Yeah, yeah, I know well don't worry so much. It makes me nervous here sit at the table dear. You must be starved All right now. It's like coming home. Oh my baby. I'm so glad to see you You did come just to see me. Didn't you? Well, Sadie Lamar, of course. You came to see me It's just that I always worry so about you one get it Well, what's the eat? I was just making a chop for my lunch. That's all there seems to be in the house right now We enough for me. It'll be ready in a minute. Now. Tell me about yourself your job. Never mind about me How are you doing? Well, I try not to complain Walter things are not easy prices high rents going up all the time Even on this old house honest. I don't know what I'm going to do with things Don't you had some bonds Papa left you had about $2,000 bonds. He left you Still got well, I'm trying to tell you Walter things haven't been easy always the poor mouth every time I see her She's putting on a poor. I'm just saying things aren't easy and for me. Do you think it's a picnic? I got enough trouble and for what for what all year? I work like crazy for what a man must work Walter a man must work Walter Yes, that's true a man must work and live like a person and not be afraid so that he can sleep without worrying about About what? About a bell ringing at night or the knock on the door in the morning or someone touching you on the arm Yes, it's a nice feeling and a free feeling to be able to walk down the street in the sun With your eyes meeting another man's without wondering if he shut up shut up I ain't in trouble against a stop mouth and at me. You're always mouth and you haven't You know what the judge said the last time water. He was nice now He gave you another chance. He saw you were really a good boy and he gave you another chance He got you a nice job and you promised to you must Oh, you're all right. Walter you didn't meet ball A herring on a plate all your life. You're a tomcat in the garbage. You find a fishhead and you say thank you, mister Get you a fish good and you smile pretty well not for me You take a chance and you throw away the fish heads you get one break and you're out of the garbage can for life You threw a time clocks and shiny pants you're gonna hire brackets and nobody gets you Yeah, you're a mister with a future you hold your nose when you walk from the day coach of your compartment You leave the stinks behind in a pot of dusty air in front of you and that's for me One break one break in yours hot as a rocket shooting diamonds for spoils You're a p-38 in the world full of flippers a bucket you two to get you for one blanket ticker and a kisser It's all right. I took another chance. I Try to run it up. No dice. I gotta make it good Tomorrow morning, I gotta make it good the books of the office will show it. I gotta make it good How much? 1500 1500 dollars by midnight tonight 1500 if I missed that 12 20 for Pittsburgh. It's all up. I Might as well take gas By midnight tonight Where am I gonna get it? Bonds you got the bonds pop the bonds How do you think I got you out of the last trouble bribes bail paying back every dime? Where do you think I got I'll get 10 years you heard the judge last time Ten years and start ten years. I won't be no reform school this time Please ma, please get me the money. I'll get if me. I'll be good. I'll work hard I won't give you no more trouble, but help me now. Please mama, please I Don't care where you get it. It's your fault. You gotta help me. I only wanted to help you It is my fault. I've always protected you, but I can't protect you anymore I'll give you the few dollars I have go away. It'll be enough to help you run away. That's all I can do You're holding out on me. You're worrying about your old age. You're making yourself a cushy little cell Oh, oh, I I'm sorry. I I hope I'm not intruding who Who's this? Mr. Chalmers? This is mr. Chalmers water. He has the back bedroom this This is my son walled her mr. Chalmers. How do you do mr. Bates? I feel that I know you very well Your mother and I sit here in the kitchen sometimes over a cup of tea and she talks about you for hours and hours Yes, I can see why mother is so proud of you. How do you do mr. Bates? Yes, you're a fine-looking your man, uh, Mrs. Bates if you'll excuse me I'm just going to the corner for my paper. I think that little man with the tiny moustache You know who I mean the insurance agent. I think he might call again to collect Please tell him to go away. You will do that for me. Mrs. Bates. Yes, mr. Chalmers. Thank you, mr. Bates They tell him not to come back anymore. I don't want to pay anymore on the policy You remember I told you my nephew was very sick and spoke hand. Yes, mr. Chalmers. Well the poor young man passed away Yes, I was going to leave him a few dollars when I died But now well, I have no one left at all and well a dollar a week You tell that to the little man with the tiny moustache. Yes, mr. Chalmers. Thank you, Mrs. Bates. Good day, mr. Bates Water I have $40 in the house for the rent. You can take that Brow me a card when you get settled someplace. Let me know where you are I'll thank you some more as soon as I can get it. Maybe later. I'll be able to straighten it out Maybe later. I'll be able to speak to your boss. I promise to pay back every dime, but you must go away You must tell me something about mr. Chalmers He interests me very strangely Walter. Don't be so nervous ma We got plenty of time We got a midnight Tonight for suspense roma wines bring you a star's fey bainter ralf morgan and dane clark You have heard them in the prologue to our suspense play this evening Robert Talman story life ends at midnight Before we return to the scene of our play Let us journey in fancy to Havana and sit at a table in the gay restaurant paris At the next table we see perhaps a farewell party given for an american visitor The american is wondering how he'll be able to repay in his own country the hospitality shown him in cuba Reassuringly his cuban host might remark as muy facile amigo Just be sure to serve wonderful roma wine. It is wine imported by us from your own country roma wine Indeed americans can well be proud that judges of fine wines in so many lands now acclaim the wines of california Among the world's most enjoyable of all time Of these truly superb wines roma wines are especially honored by the number of countries now supporting them for enjoyment as rare luxuries But roma wines are not lacking in honors bestowed them here in america because roma wines are america's largest selling wines If you aren't already one of the millions enjoying roma wines regularly as a delicious beverage anytime to add sparkle to any meal To smarten your entertaining Make your own taste test to choose your favorite choosing from roma wines many different wine types When you learn their modest cost here in america with no import duty to pay No expensive shipping charges to absorb. You'll know why we say roma wines are for your daily enjoyment I'll spell out the name for you r o m a roma wines made in california for enjoyment throughout the world And now it is with pleasure that we bring back to our soundstage fe beta Ralph morgan and dane clark in life ends at midnight a tale well calculated to keep you in suspense Yes, I I do think I'll have another cup if you don't mind mrs. Bates now as the charmer suppose you look at it this way You've been paying one buck a week for how many years now? I'd say 20 years would be a conservative estimate. All right 20 years now. Let's see. That's uh 50 bucks a year say that's One thousand bucks you paid in no yes one thousand bucks This coffee cake mrs. Bates is excellent. Do you like it? I made it yesterday when I get the coffee cave Now, uh, let's figure percentage How many more years you figure to live waltz? Oh, that's all right mrs. Bates After all i'm an old man and at my age one rather Well comes to terms with death. It's like the end of a long busy day Life ends at midnight and a new day begins Yes, water. I I think you're on the verge of making a very profound observation There you see my policy is for $2,500 and in the days that are left to me I certainly will not be required to pay in as much as I have already That's the exact point and if you drop it now will you get anything back? No You got a straight life with no cash in value If you drop the policy now the insurance company is the winner But say you live another couple of years you pay a couple hundred more and you leave the Money to somebody Now, which is a smart thing. I leave it to you. Yes, I I should like to think that when I'm gone I've left something behind for someone Mr. Chalmers. Oh, yes, I'll always remember him for this It's nice to live on in somebody's memory for a little while after we're dead But a I have no one in this world and b I must be very very frank and tell you that I can no longer afford to pay even the dollar a week You see I live on that's a problem of the most minor importance for anybody who invests in you now a buck a week would be guilt edged I mean for instance Well, take my mother here I suppose you made her the beneficiary I suppose she continued to pay the buck a week Who can lose on such a deal who can lose nobody you get the point? No, no, I couldn't buy why it's it's why not It's simple, huh? No, no, mr. Chalmers. No, you mustn't let mr. Chalmers aside How's the chalmers? It makes good sense. No, it's everybody happy. No, but we're practically strangers. We just what do you mean strangers? Who's a stranger in this world? We're just little people trying to make each other happy Mr. Chalmers Now mr. Chalmers here can die feeling he didn't waste a buck a week for 20 years and you'll know he'll live in your memory That's what he wants Now why shouldn't he have it in every man and type to at least live in somebody's memory? Yes, but mr. Chalmers doesn't have to do that. I'll think about him anyway. I promise I will He don't let him say something. You're always mounting Now what are you saying mr. Chalmers? Oh That must be the little man with the tiny moustache I'll tell him i'm keeping the policy and changing the beneficiary Or could you let me have the loan of a dollar mr. Bates? Hurry it up. Well, yeah, the old man's coming home in a minute or two. He takes a snap about this time I want this ready for him. Oh relax, sonny relax. I can't finish this job today. What are you giving me? It'll take a joint and another length of pine. I'll fix it up. You're a good plumber. You can fix it up for now Yeah, the room's pretty small What do you want the heater so close to the bed for like I told you he's got room with his me needs plenty heat Well, I can run a rubber extension, but with gas. I don't like okay So with gas you don't like it, but with gas we got to run this heater the old man's got rheumatics He can take plenty of gas Uh the heat I mean he needs plenty Hey, what are you doing now? Tighten on this joint. Look it's tightening up. Here's your three bucks and okay Okay, you're the boys bring your tools the next time. I won't be any next time sonny What do you give me now you can get somebody else to do your dirty work after this So long skippy Skippy Well, come on skippy put yourself together. We got work to do Hiya pop. Well, this is a pleasant surprise Yeah, this used to be my room the steam don't come up here so good So I talked the old lady into fixing this up for you. Well, that was a very thoughtful of you Walter Thanks. I Stuffed up the cracks in the one the two Zero whether it gets plenty of drafty in this room. You thought of everything didn't you Walter, huh? Uh, yeah, yeah, it ought to work out just fine. It'll do the job. I think I uh, I'm going to take a little nap before dinner. Do you think the heater just leave it on I'll look in after a bit to see if it's okay. Well now you needn't go to all that. No, it's no trouble at all mr. Chalmers When I do a thing I like to do it, right Who's there? Is that you water? Yeah going back to sleep pop. I'm just turning the heater off It's getting stuffy in here. Oh, you're a good considerate boy water. Oh, I skip it Go on going back to sleep Please don't walk so fast wall in my feet are hurting me again. You'll combine those shoes tomorrow I'd like to know what we're maybe you'll have dough tomorrow. Maybe we'll both have some dough if a miracle happens Maybe miracles do happen. Maybe if you're smart. Where are you taking me to water? Oh, in particular. I thought we'd stroll around the old neighborhood like old times. Oh, that's a nice idea. Walter, but my Hello, mrs. Beach. Good evening officer flanigan. This is my son Walter. He's just here from pittsburgh. I'm glad to know you How's business copper? Oh much the same Pagrancy petty larceny once in a while a suicide suicide. Yeah, that's what they start out to do But it's harder to get bumped off than most people think Case just last week over in the next precinct dame turned on the gas in a room and lay down on the bed What happened? Nothing always bungled somewhere amateurs gas petered out. She forgot to put a quarter in the meter Seven o'clock. I got a call in well. Good night. Good night, officer Walter Ma, yes, Walter When did you put a quarter in the meter at home? Well, I don't remember goodness. I'd better get some change. Never mind a change. Come on, Walter Why did you ask about the gas meter? What do you think? Walter? You didn't That isn't why you put the heater in mr. Charlie. You think I don't think anything. I just pray pray that quarter ran out before Of course, if that didn't work, I'll try another way Either that old clerk is dead before midnight or I spend 10 years in stir He's going to be dead before midnight. See and if you try to make any trouble you'll be pushing days. He's right along with him Stop sniveling. We're going in there now. Look if it took scream your head off, I'll give you a reason to scream gas I can smell it Well, good evening, Walter and mrs. Bates. I was just on my way out. Oh, mr. Charlie. You're all right. You're all right Of course, he's all right. What's eating you? I have a slight headache It's true, but a brisk walk in the open air will cure that I'm sure Have a look at this. What is it, Walter? Well, it's hose on a heater Got unhitched No wonder you got a headache. I thought I smelled gas Boy, it's lucky for your mom forgot to put a quarter in the meter providence works in strange ways. Doesn't it, Walter? Well, I must be getting on I'll be coming home rather late mrs. Bates, so I'll just let myself in Uh, how late? Well, I I thought I'd stop at the neighborhood picture house for dinner That'll be around nine o'clock. So I imagine I won't be home much before 11. Mr. Chalmers. There's something I've wanted. Yes, mrs. Bates Walter's a good boy at heart, you know, but He's been in some trouble lately. And is there anything I can do to help water? Yeah, plenty I'll tell you all about it when you get up. You get back. Come on. You better run along now, mrs. Chalmers You don't want to be late for that picture. Yes. Yes, of course. Well. Good night, mrs. Bates. Mr. Chalmers. Good night, mr. Chalmers Yes, good night Oh, Walter, Walter! Walter! Walter, no! No, no, my boy! No! You're gonna tell him, weren't you? You'd like to send me to the chair, wouldn't you? You struck your own mother I ought to have messed up your sad monkey face for good. It's your fault I pulled us up in the first place Why didn't you remember to put a quarter on that meter? Why didn't you? I'm glad I forgot. He wouldn't be alive Ah, I shouldn't have messed around with gas trying to spare your feelings, making you look like an axoner The thanks I get for it, she wants to play up the whole thing, turn me in, my own mother No, no, Walter, no, no, that's not true. You don't strike me again, Walt. Stand and... Okay, maybe now you're cooperating Now look, let's put it this way. It's either you or him If it's you, I don't care whether they get me or not. Are you listening? Oh, yes, yes, Walt Okay, now like I said, I got very little time to get this thing done I ought to have done it neat and clean in the first place, like I said He's old and weak, you just push him over on a bed, hold a pillow over his face for a few minutes and the job's done Nobody will ask any questions of a guy that old We'll live for the last time, I'm begging Okay, make sure it's for the last time and remember it's you or him, like I said What are you going to do? Now look, I'll be waiting in his room when he comes home I'm shot anyway, so I'll lay down and get 40 winks You wait up for him, tell him I've left to catch a train That's in case he suspects anything When he comes to his room, I'll take care of the rest of it How do you know I won't warn him? Because it's him or you like I told you I don't think you'll warn Mr. Chalmers And don't try to stall him when he comes in He's got to be dead by midnight Or else Hello, Mr. Chalmers Evening Joe, I'll have the late edition of the daily news as usual Oh, I saved one out for you, Mr. Chalmers Thank you, good night Joe Good night Hey, Mr. Chalmers Oh, by the way, Joe, I almost forgot Can you give me the change of a dollar? Oh, sure, Mr. Chalmers Hey, here you are 50, 75, 85, 90, and one dollar Well, thank you I just happened to think of something I need change for A little good deed for a friend of mine Mr. Chalmers Well, I didn't think you'd be up so late, Mrs. Bates I waited up especially I wanted to talk to you about Walton Mrs. Bates, your eye, it's all discolored Yes, sir The light burned out in the bathroom and When I went to replace it in the dark, that is I bumped into the door No, I would have thought Walter would have done that for you Oh, no, Walter didn't I mean, Walter's left already He had to catch the 12, 20 for Pittsburgh, you know But it's only 11 now, the clock did Perhaps he had some things to do on the way I mean Of course Well, I'm afraid I must be getting on to bed No, not just yet I mean, won't you sit down for a minute and have a cup of tea with me Well, I'd like to, but tea keeps me awake, Mrs. Bates I'd be getting long to my room now if you don't mind No, no, don't go into that room, Mr. Chalmers Why, Mrs. Bates, whatever's the trouble My son, Walter, there's something I must tell you Forgive me, Mrs. Bates, but I'm an old man And I need my rest If it could possibly wait until morning No, no, no, it can't wait until morning It's got to be told before midnight What was that? Sounds like someone moving about in the back of the house It's one of the shutters It's loose, the wind Oh, you were saying, Mrs. Bates Nothing I can't tell you after all I'm afraid I'm afraid to tell it Afraid There, there, Mrs. Bates Perhaps in the morning, try to get some rest You're going in there now I think that will be the best thing to do all the way around Don't you, Mrs. Bates? Good night No, no, wait Mrs. Bates, I... What is it, Mrs. Bates? That smell Well, gas Walter, Walter Why don't you lie down for a few minutes, Mrs. Bates? I'll call you when the ambulance arrives Striking 12 Dead before midnight That's what he said Dead before midnight Poor lad, fell asleep If only I hadn't remembered to go back for that change He'll look water in the meter That's what turned on the gas That killed him Well, you mentioned the gas having gone off And forgetting to put a quarter in the meter So on the way to the picture house I just went around to the back entry and dropped the coin I suppose I should have remembered about the connection Being loose on the heater in my room But I wanted to surprise you with my good deed I didn't mean to do anything wrong, Mrs. Bates Truly, I didn't No You didn't do anything wrong, Mr. Chalmers You didn't do anything wrong And so closes life ends at midnight Starring Faye Bainter, Ralph Morgan and Dane Clark Tonight's tale of suspense Miss Bainter appeared by courtesy of Metro-Goldwyn Mayer Producers of Madame Curie Dane Clark is currently being seen And the Warner Brothers production Destination Tokyo Before Ralph Morgan returns to our microphone Let me give you a suggestion A suggestion you will find can add to the success of your next dinner party at home At one end of the dining table, place a bottle of Roma wines Not sweet, not dry burgundy At the other table end, place a bottle of Roma wines Delicately delicious or turn Then let each of your guests select the Roma wine to his liking You'll know that whatever the individual choice of a guest Both of these Roma-California wines will delight By their superb quality The quality that has made Roma wines America's largest selling wines Whichever of Roma wines, many different California wine types you choose at your dealers The small purchase price he asks will surprise and delight you While the superb quality of these good Roma wines Will win your full accord with the judgment of wine experts Of many lands that Roma wines are truly magnificent Let me repeat the name R-O-M-A Roma wines made in California for enjoyment throughout the world This is Ralph Morgan First I'm sure I speak for all of us, Ms. Bainter, Mr. Clark and myself In saying how much we've enjoyed appearing on suspense this evening We will all be listening as we hope you will Next week when Ms. Agnes Morehead is your star In one of the most talked about plays ever to be presented in this series Called Sorry Wrong Number And now one more word Here's something our fighting men may never forget The price of victory is sacrifice You help bring the victory nearer When you make the sacrifices that make it possible for you To buy more war bonds Thank you Suspense is produced and directed by William Spear Don't forget then next Monday for Agnes Morehead in Suspense Presented by Roma wines R-O-M-A Made in California for enjoyment throughout the world This is CBS The Columbia Broadcasting System