 Suspense! Autolight and its 96,000 dealers present Mr. Mickey Rooney in For Love or Murder. A suspense play produced and edited by William Spears. Oh, Wilcox! Right here! Say, aren't you Remingtonchester Shotgun, the big game hunter? I am? Wilcox, someone said you could help me. Oh, what are you hunting? A battery! From a car! Well, your safari's over. Just shoot down to your Autolight dealer and get an Autolight Stay Full Battery. The battery that needs water only three times a year in normal car use. Capital! I shan't have to scout for water holes anymore. Right you are! And your Autolight Stay Full Battery has a fiberglass retaining mat, protecting every positive plate to lengthen battery life. While in recent tests, based on SAE life cycle standards, Autolight Stay Full Batteries gave 70% longer average life than batteries without Stay Full Features. Get an Autolight Stay Full Battery, the battery that needs water only three times a year in normal car use. Remember, you're always right with Autolight. And now with For Love or Murder, and with the performance of Mickey Rooney, Autolight hopes once again to keep you in suspense. Nothing could have stopped me. Nothing on Earth could have stopped me. There were drums beating in my head as I left the taxi and started down 55th Street. The moon was high over Jersey, staring. There was no one outside the building, no one near it at all. I walked slowly toward the service entrance and into the cellar. I knew where the back stairs were, we'd rehearse the whole thing on paper a hundred times, more than a hundred times. It wasn't something you blundered into, and it taught me that. It wasn't something you did on the spur of the moment. Murder had to be a calm, organized thing. Murder had to be planned. If anyone saw me going up the back stairs, it might cause a little fuss. But if I were calm, if I were organized, if I moved slowly and acted as though nothing was wrong, they'd pass and ignore me. I was just an eccentric fellow who'd rather walk upstairs than ride elevators. New York was full of such people. No one saw me. All the way up to the fourth floor, no one saw me. Then I stepped out onto the landing. I waited an hour or ten seconds or ten years. Time meant nothing. I wasn't aware of it passing. I slid the gun into my hand. It felt as hot and heavy as death itself. Oh, you're late. You're a few minutes late. I thought you weren't coming. Where is he? In there. In there. Who is it, Anne? Who is it? Do it quickly, darling. Do it fast. Who is it, Anne? Who are you? What do you want? That little man who was about to die looked at me at my face, at my neck, and then his eyes flooded down into the gun that hung there. He looked like a little fish. Like a helpless, harmless, scared fish, and the drums in my head beat louder. And the wheels turned, the lights flashed, and that little man melted toward me. No, I see. I see. No. No! I hit him! I hit him! I hit him! I hit him! I hit him! He must be dead after that. He'd only fought back or something. He just took it. No, he's dead. He's dead. Huh? Now, dear, me. You've got to hit me. I didn't think it'd be like this, Anne. How'd you think it'd be? A tea party? So awful, dirty, and... What's the matter with you, Tommy? I didn't think it'd be like this, Anne. You can't weaken now, Tommy. No. Take the gun. Yeah. The rest of it. The other things you've got to do... Yes, I remember. Hit me hard. You've got to hit me hard. Hit you hard. You've got to be Marx. Mustn't look like I've framed this. Now, it must be hard. Yeah. And then the jewelry and stuff. Jewelry and stuff. I pile him up on the dresser and his wallet. Here. Take it. It must look good, darling. It must look good. Yeah, yeah. And must up the room. Now, you remember? I remember. I remember. All right. Now, quickly. Hit me. Hit me. I love you, Anne. I must love you very much. Hit me hard. She fell, but she didn't just fall down. She fell into a graceful little ball. Even unconscious, she seemed in perfect control of things. The room. The room had to be ripped up. Ripped up. The room had... Took the stuff she had piled up on the dresser. Bracelets, rings, pins. I stuffed his wallet into my pocket. Then I got out. I got out as fast as I could. The way was clear all the way down, just a cellar. That was all that was left. One fast. Whoever it was came straight toward me. He saw me. There was no hiding. And he was between me and the street. He shoveled toward me. I lifted the gun. Just a second, young fella. Let me get the rope. I swung hard and spun back into the rope. I waited a moment. And then, still empty. When I came out, I felt like running along it. Almost ran along it. The night was cool. The air felt good. I walked away. I walked away. And I thought about love. About me being in love. And love was this. What kind of love was it that made a guy behave like this? What kind of love was it that caused people to be hurt? People to be killed? What kind of love was it? I walked up. I walked. Finally, I looked at my watch. Ten minutes. The whole thing had taken just ten minutes. What was the rest of it? Yeah, I had to get back to the club before it was time for me to go on again. Before it was time for me to seat myself at the piano in the lounge and soothe away the cares of tired, sophisticated New Yorkers. I had to get back quickly. No one saw me. The back way. I used the back way, the same one I'd left by. Yeah. That was my life from now on, maybe. The back way, sneak in, sneak out. It'd be hard to break myself from the habit after tonight. But it was cheap. The cheap price to pay for it. Any price really was cheap to pay for it. And that's all I had to ever remember. I was in my little dressing room for two or three minutes. Chance even to wash my face. Yeah. Yeah, I'll be with you in a minute. OK, Tommy. The wallets, the bracelets, the junk I'd forgotten to get you and get rid of them first thing Anna told me. And I'd forgotten. I didn't want them around. They might make trouble hanging around. Hello, Tommy. How's the boy rock mononoff, huh? Hi, Jimmy. Have your nap all set to go? Yeah, I slept a little. I'll be right back. Sure, kid. How are you, Frank? I thought I'd get a little air. Yes. Nothing like it. One thing about being a doorman, I don't make much money, but I get an awful lot of fresh air. Fresh as you can get in New York anyway, huh? Right you are, Mr. Lee. Gonna take a little walk. Certainly hit it right that time. Fresh as you can get in New York. Still high over Jersey. Staring. Sewer. That was the best spot. Just throw them in and let the East River take care of them. I had the wallet in my hand when I... What's that, Tommy? You look like you're in love. Officer, I didn't see you. Officer, is it? You're getting awful formal. Kind of jumpy, ain't you? No, no, no. Dan? Dan, it's just that you startled me, that's all. I startled you, did I? I was just standing there and you walked within two inches of me and didn't see me. It's you're in love. I know the symptoms you're in love. Love. Maybe you're right, Dan. That's a great feeling, lad. I'm dangerous. If you need someone to help you find your way back to the club, just tell me. In your condition, no telling where you're walking. I'll wait until his footsteps died out and then... Sewer. Sewer fast. And again. Gotta go to work. What's that? Now there's boys with something on their mind. Yeah. Gone down fifty-fifth looks like from here. Somebody's in for it. I gotta be getting... The customers are screaming for you. Come on. Come on. I wasn't afraid. I wasn't nervous. The cops would be talking to Dan now. If she made a slip, the two of us would be dead as dead as you could get. But I knew she wouldn't make any slips. She'd be too smart for him. We'd plan too well for him. It was all so simple. They couldn't make anything out of it. Crook slipped into her apartment, killed her husband. Her rich, fat, tired, helpless husband. And slugged her. That was all there was to it. Happens in New York. Happens a lot in New York. Could she help it if the whole thing made her a rich woman? Could she help it if a housebreaker freed her from her husband so she could marry someone else? Could she help it? Set up was so perfect. Fucker go wrong. So I sat and played Chopin. Strauss, Gershwin, Berlin. I sat and played the music of kind and great and gentlemen. And I tried to keep that thing on the floor out of my mind. Tried to keep that out of my mind. It used to come in here that, um, Anne Thomas. I don't think I... Oh, you remember the one? The brunette. The cute one. You used to have a crush on you. Lives on 55th Street. Anne Thomas? Yeah, I remember. What? Uh, fussed down her house tonight. Somebody broke in and messed things up. Killed her husband. Fanged her around. Dan Ryan was telling me. It's too bad. Yeah. You're never safe in these big towns, are you? Never safe anywhere. You were safe if you were smart. You were safe if you had someone like Anne to think things out for you. You were safe if you had her to look forward to. To depend on you. I was safe. That was all that mattered really. I was safe. It was childish to worry about guys like Anne's husband. It was silly to get squeamish over a little blood. People died every minute in New York. They were useless and they were in the way and they died. It didn't matter whether it was murder or something else. People died. Sure, sure, that's... That's what Anne would have said. That's what Anne would have told me. And that was the right way to look at it. That was the right way. Light is bringing you Mr. Mickey Rooney in for love or murder. Tonight's production in Radio's outstanding theater of thrills. Suspends. Some bogato, trap tigers and Tasmania. Snared sparrows in Schenectady. Got them all stuffed and mounted, too. Say, that reminds me, let me show you my auto light stay full battery trophies. You mean you battled beasts with a battery? Why, sure. Take this camel, for instance. You know how I got him? I just told him about auto light stay full batteries extra liquid reserve above the plates. Needs water only three times a year in normal car use, I said. Well, sir, the dreary dromedary died of mortification. Remarkable. See this rabbit? Ran himself ragged the upstart trying to outstart an auto light stay full battery. Incredible. But what about that rather mossy, nullifant head? Oh, he died of old age, trying to outlive an auto light stay full battery. You know, auto light stay full batteries with extra liquid reserve above the plates and fiberglass retaining mats at every positive plate give 70% longer average life than batteries without stay full features. This is based on recent tests conducted according to SAE life cycle standards. So see your auto light dealer, friends, for a power packed long life. Auto light stay full battery. Remember, you're always right with auto light. And now auto light brings back to our Hollywood soundstage our star Mickey Rooney with Lorraine Tuttlein for love or murder. A tale well calculated to keep you in suspense. The night went fast. People came, people went. Stood in front of the piano. They smiled and frowned. Once in a while, someone requested a number. Once in a while, someone applauded. It was a night like any other night. Hey, you got a play till Christmas, Tommy? Uh, what time is it? Almost three. You sure can tickle those keys, Tommy. You must have a beautiful soul. Well, what's the matter? Shut up. What? Well, I didn't mean to say anything wrong, Tommy. What did I say? Shut up! Shut up! Talk to yourself all night, build yourself up, tell yourself things were all right and you were a great guy. Smart guy. One stupid remark mixed you all up again. One stupid remark made you see blood again. Made you feel like garbage. One stupid remark. Beautiful soul? My soul? So what? The apartment was like a big, bare, ugly cave. I tried to sleep, got up, tried to read. Words danced in front of me like they'd been hung on rubber bands. Nerves, nerves, nerves. It's just nerves and I couldn't have talked to me out of them in a minute. I'm sleeper. Talked in? Yeah, yeah. All night, not a word. That's why I was jumpy. Suppose she was in trouble. Suppose something had gone wrong. Suppose somewhere we'd slipped. Operator, give me... No. If the wires were tapped, no, I wouldn't do the call. But if I went to the apartment the way I went last night, no one would see me. The police wouldn't expect that. That's the last thing they'd expect. I had to touch her. I needed her strength. I needed her to tell me things were all right. I had to see her. I had to see her. I could get in and out again. No one would be the wiser. Four in the morning the street was empty. The cellar was colder than it had been. The stairs were lighted. A thin red bulb at each landing. I didn't remember that. Finally, it's time. You shouldn't have come. Suppose they're watching. You think they're watching? I don't know. You know what I told you? Yeah, but... You know what we planned? You weren't to get in touch with me for days. For days. I know, but I had to see you, baby. No, no, stop it. You shouldn't have come. Just a moment. I love you so, honey. I had to be with you. No, no. I had to be with you, baby. You're really a sweet boy, Tom. And you're not angry with me, honey. Did anyone see you? No, no. I'm sure of it. I was careful. Let me kiss you. I feel strong again. I feel strong. I could do anything now. I was kind of mixed up tonight, but I'm all right now. I feel good now. Sweet boy. You're worried? Huh? Why? Didn't we plan? We didn't plan good enough to fool anybody. Why were you worried? I don't know. I don't know. Please believe me. I knew they would. Are you sure they did? Of course I'm sure. They were sympathetic and kindly. They were nice. But suppose they were only pretending. Sometimes you know they pretend that. Oh, when men are acting with me, I know it. Oh, baby. Commit your words. Ain't no reason in the world to think this is any different than a thousand other robberies. I told you that. I told you that from the beginning. Yeah. We'll be happy now, huh? Won't we be happy together? Now tell me that, baby. We'll be happy. Yeah, we'll be happy now, boy. Oh, I love you, baby. I love you. Aren't you a little sorry about the janitor? Janitor? What about the janitor? Oh. What about the janitor? See the man I met in the cellar? What about him? He's dead. You fractured his skull. No, no. I said you were a wild boy. Never meant that. I didn't know I hit him so hard. I didn't like you. He turned wild, boy. I didn't mean to kill a man. I'm sorry I told you. You're going to worry about him all night. Many, I didn't mean to kill him. Well, I'll be careful next time when I tell you. I wish I had a piano so you could play for me. I'd like to hear you play, honey. Be careful, baby. Of what? It's only the phone? Careful, honey. Yes. You've got the wrong number. Wrong number. Silly guy. What do you want, honey? I don't know. It's the wrong number. You want a drink, Tommy? No, no. You mind if I make one for myself? Go ahead, honey. You know you hit me awful hard last night. Look at the lump there. Look at it. I didn't want to hit you that hard. It doesn't look good. It doesn't look awful good. Oh, for pity's sake. Careful, baby. Yes. Oh, it's you again. You've got the wrong number. The wrong number. The way people annoy you. Annie. Yeah, Tommy. Annie. That janitor. Who? Who was he? Who was he? I don't know. Just a janitor, that's all. Did he have any kids? Two or three? Yeah, I think so. Why? You want to get some ice? I don't know why I wanted to know. I'm coming. I'll get it. I'll take it. I'll tell the guy. No, Tommy. I'll get it. No, Annie. That's you, Ann. Okay, this is the last time. I love that wrong number routine. Who you got up there? The young chick who rubbed your husband out for you? Huh? You're a little, honey. Get rid of him as soon as you can. And I don't want him hanging around after we're married, you know. That's you, Ann. Why don't you say something? Why don't you... I sat down in the bed and I felt very calm and very organized. And I heard the drums start thumping in my brain. But delicate and far off. This time they had a sad, lost beat. What's it, Tommy? Was it that same silly guy? The janitor has three kids, huh? Who's going to feed him? Annie, who's going to love him? What's the matter with you, Tom? Oh, Tom, come here. What have you got on me anyway? What is there about you? Tom. You're bad for me, Ann. Awful bad for me. You could make all kinds of a sucker out of me. You could turn my stomach in 50 different directions a minute. And I'd still go on loving you. What? I don't like what you like. What? I don't like it. Why would I love you? Aw, you're tired. Come on, sit down, you're going to... Don't touch me! Tom, what... What is it, that phone call? That's a gag. That's someone playing a joke. I was a patsy, huh? All that horror and all that fright. I got black with two good men's blood helping you and that guy on the phone. Tom! Tom, put that gun away. Now listen, I'll explain. Tom, let me talk. You think I like to do those things, Ann? Tom, now listen. I killed two men to get you Ann. But I haven't got you. No, he's got you. The guy on the phone's got you. No, Tom! No, he hasn't! And by Ann, I did. I bought you. That's not fair. By rights, you should be mine. You're not mine, are you? No, Tom! No, it was always you. You're here. I'm getting him up. I was only kidding him. I was only spitting him along. It was always you, Tommy. I wasted all that blood on him. No, Tom, please! Wasted two guys and three kids. No! It's got to end, Ann. Tom, don't! It's got to end! It can't be love, can it? It couldn't have ever been love. Love doesn't hurt like this. Wasn't neat enough. Just fell in a silly little lump in the lake. Quiet! I'm on a corridor the night of December 10th, and I shall die. It's not important. They've let me play the piano here. I've even composed some stuff, short pieces. I always wanted to compose, but I never had the time for it. Maybe someday somebody important will play my stuff. Maybe someday you'll hear some of it. Funny things have happened. There are even people who get away with murder. Hey, tell me. I think a lot about Ann. Poor Ann. She should have picked someone older than me. Someone solid and stable and wise. Someone with a stronger stomach. Ann, not a musician. Ann, not a musician. Suspense presented by AutoLite, tonight's star, Mickey Rooney with Lorraine Tuttle. I like your trophies, Harold. You like your AutoLite's staple battery even more, Remingchester. It's just one of more than 400 products made by AutoLite for cars, trucks, planes and boats in 28 plants coast to coast. These include complete electrical systems for many makes of America's finest cars, batteries, spark plugs, generators, coils, distributors, starting motors and AutoLite bullseye headlights. All engineered to fit together perfectly, work together perfectly, because they're a perfect team. So don't accept electrical parts supposed to be as good. Demand and get AutoLite, original factory parts at your neighborhood service station, car dealer, garage or repair shop. Remember, you're always right with AutoLite. Next Thursday for Suspense, Lana Turner will be our star. The play is called The Flame Blue Glove and it is, as we say, a tale well calculated to keep you in. Suspense. Tonight's suspense play was produced and edited by William Spear and directed by Norman MacDonald. Music for Suspense is composed by Lucian Morrowake and conducted by Lud Bluskin. The second prelude by George Gershwin was used as thematic material. Our Love or Murder is an original radio play by John Shaw. Mickey Rooney appeared by arrangement with Metro Volbán Mayer, producers of Battlegrounds, starring Van Johnson, John Hodiac, Ricardo Montalbán and George Murphy. In the coming weeks, you will hear such stars as Eddie Cantor, Ida Lupino and Daddy Kay. Don't forget, next Thursday, same time, AutoLite will present Suspense, starring Lana Turner. You can buy AutoLite's stateful batteries, AutoLite resistor or regular spark plugs, AutoLite electrical parts at your neighborhood AutoLite dealers. Switch to AutoLite. Good night. Join the fight against tuberculosis through your purchase of Christmas seals in 1948. There were fewer deaths from TB than ever before. The 1949 national tuberculosis Christmas seal sale is on now. Do your part. Buy Christmas seals. This is CBS, the Columbia Broadcasting System.