 Suspense Tonight suspense brings you miss June Havoc as star But first may we remind you that in America's smartest homes and clubs where fine wines are truly appreciated and enjoyed regularly the choice is CRESTA VLANCA Cresta Blanca Cresta Blanca From the finest of the vines come Cresta Blanca, California wines Patiently created to please the knowing tongue Let the proudest name in wine Cresta Blanca enrich your daily living add luster to your hospitality Poor Cresta Blanca souvenir sherry or port or any Cresta Blanca wine There's one for every occasion for every taste Shanley's Cresta Blanca wine company Livermore, California And now Shanley brings you Radio's outstanding theater of thrills suspense Presented by Roma Wines. That's r.o.m.a Roma Wines of Fresno, California and starring June Havoc in Subway a suspense play produced edited and directed for Shanley by William Spear The subway always gets me. I have to stand back from the edge of the platform of a train's coming in because Heights don't bother me or closed any places or any of those other things that gives some people a ways No with me it's the subway. The shining tracks and the train roaring in out of the black I always make myself stand way back when I'm waiting That's how it started that night. I instinctively drew back when I saw the gleaming white headlight appear in the tunnel Brushing toward me out of dark. I made myself draw back But what I really wanted to do was to throw myself in front of that train The lights on the shining rails hypnotized me like the gleaming eyes of a snake I stepped backwards in a panic, but that mob that five o'clock mob poured in behind me and shoved and pulled me with it I've been pushed around all day, and I I had this awful cold. I hated everybody That's a terrible thing to say I guess but That's the way I felt like committing murder. I was so tired So worn out my feet felt glued to my shoes And of all the people in the world, I didn't want to see wouldn't that just have to be the night I was shoved right next to Ruth Carney Where have you been keeping yourself? I haven't seen you since the academy. Hello, my favorite actress. What are you doing these days? Nothing, I worked in a drugstore for a while I'm afraid I have you with all your talent Well, I can't seem to find anything It was so intense about it. Did you try some a star try? Oh, I've tried to get on all right But yes, I know I had to pay for the privilege of appearing in the summer theater I did the Westport season pretty Chanel over wonderful fun To me to be able to say I'd had professional experience. Well, that's fine if you can afford it Oh, it's awful the way you have to have money for everything these days. Yes, it is. Oh, don't don't get too close to me Ruth. I have the most awful sore throat. I don't have money. You have to have Paul don't you? Oh and speaking of Paul if you heard about me, no I haven't general understudy for nightlaster the producer John C. Wittner. Yes Yes, he was no friend dad. He used to come over to dinner when I was little I'd hear them talk about the theater And I thought there'd be nothing in the world like being an actress such fun All that glam and all the sensational parties and everybody's such fun Not the acting not the thrill of working at something you wanted to do so much that not doing it makes you not want to live No, oh, no, it's such fun and parties wearing expensive suits like the one she had on Ruth chattered on and I looked at And the subway stopped more people got on still more more Seemed as though they'd never stopped getting on someone would grab the door and hold them open I kept trying to close them a fat man chewing a horrible cold cigar stub pushed me still close I jumped as something sharp stuck into my side I was puzzled for a moment and then I remembered the scissors mother had asked me to get for They were very sharp and they'd ruin my purse But it didn't make any difference. It was old like everything else I had I closed my hand over the scissors and I held them tightly so they wouldn't do any more damage and then I Don't know why I found myself staring at Ruth's hat It was so smart So expensive So everything that mine wasn't I found myself Hating As I was saying after dad died mr. Rittner stopped coming over so often so when I got bored with the Academy I hopped right down to his office, and I said mr. Rittner Do you remember Henry Carney? Well, I miss daughter Ruth. I want to be an actor Of course, I don't expect this part right away, but maybe if I could get a walk on Oh Say that to a big producer like young see prisoner, but anyway, that's what I did and you know what he said to me No, no, what did he say? He said Ruth? I admire your spunk and if you're half as good an actress as your father with a set designer You'll be all right and he hired me just like that and your general understudy. That's me But no one's ever been sick Confidentially, I'm glad you're glad. Oh, yeah You see, I've never gotten up in any of the parts like I'm supposed to if I ever had to go on actually go on Oh, I tell you I get away with murder murder I Couldn't look at her face. I Didn't even want to look at any of the passenger spaces And when I raised my eyes, I saw still more faces and bring down at me from advertisements overhead. I hated everybody and everything I Turned and looked outside the windows the wet slimy darkness was roaring past like black death One foldy switch one obstruction on the tracks could bring it crashing in on all of us And who'd be the losers not rule for their silly chatter not these other passengers with their tired blank faces and not me Certainly not me My own tired blank face was reflected in the windowpane gray and thin And it didn't seem out of place shimmering in that air of black death just outside And really Paula you should meet him Manifact well, I hadn't meant to tell you this I don't want to build your hopes up, but I told him about you about me You know, I always did think you had loads of talent So I told him one day I told him mr. Ritner if anything ever happens to me I mean should you decide to give me a real part in your new show? I don't worry about who general understudy night laughter. I know just the girl Paula Steven You told him And at the time ever comes and I have to leave well, he knows your name and everything But don't build up your hopes honey. He hasn't a part for me in the new show And as far as anything happening to make me quit while there isn't a slightest turn End me and hate would weld up so in me that my throat burned like fire And the fat man with that cigar was leaning against me and I lashed out like a drowning Watch it lady watch it. I took it out on him Who I really wanted to knock out of my way was Ruth Ruth standing between me and the break I dreamed of understudy in a hit show But she had said well don't build up your hopes, honey. There isn't the slightest chance But wasn't there the slightest chance I thought the slightest chance of something happening to her Train started up again Jolid me so that I was thrown sickeningly against Ruth my fingers were testing the points of the scissors in my bag No one could see me. We were packed in too solidly Scissors were sharp and cold and long Yes, they seem long enough. I Kept my eyes on the dim lights and dirty concrete and tiles of the station We said here is the train probed along uptown. I was holding a scissors as though they were a weapon I was suddenly sure that at some time or another scissors had been used as a weapon The scissors in my bag seemed to grow bigger with an idea idea and scissors scissors and Idea they were increasing in size The ache in my throat had gone up into my ears to Throbbing keeping time with the throbbing of the subway I looked away from the blackness outside and stared up the white light of the ceiling the electric fan overhead was suspended like like a spider Suspended like a spider Like the spider that was spinning. No, no, not spinning as a spider should spin, but Yes, that that was it whirling like my brain was for them Oh Ruth. Yes, you play on Sundays, don't you? Oh, yeah, no show tonight then Ruth, why don't you come home and eat with me? There's just mother and me will be all alone I love to Paula Frankly, I didn't have anything to look forward to but a boring evening. I'm glad now I couldn't find a taxi well mother will be very glad to see you Oh, it's very sweet of you to ask me. I have never home cooked meal in a long time a Casual invitation after a casual meeting No one knew that Ruth was coming to my house for dinner Ruth didn't even know where I lived Get her off the subway a few stations early Many empty lots up this way Then one thrust of these sharp scissors ordinary scissors brand new scissors and A body in an empty lot and after a few days after the funeral a Humble application to mr. John C. Rittner for my girlfriend's job He'd remember I'd been recommended by Ruth myself And I'll show them I'll know every line perfectly and one night the star will not go on No, I'll go on That would be it The noise outside didn't seem like the roar of a subway anymore. It was like tremendous applause applause for me or suspense Roma wines are bringing you June Havoc in subway Roma wine's presentation tonight in radio's outstanding theater of thrills suspense Suspense radio's outstanding theater of thrills is presented by Roma wines. That's our old ma better Tasting Roma wines from the world's greatest reserves of fine wines Tomorrow night is Halloween and that will be the time for gay parties and friendly get-togethers now Here's a wonderful yet inexpensive way to make these occasions truly delightful Simply set out some fruit cheese and nuts and serve delicious Roma, California wine in less time than it takes to tell You're enjoying a delightful party. Yes any occasion takes on a gala note when better tasting Roma wines are served So brighten your party with tempting nut-like Roma sherry fruity full-bodied Roma port or smooth Mellow Roma muscatel or tokay as you savor the mellow perfection of these fine Roma wines You'll understand why more Americans enjoy Roma than any other wines So for smart low-cost hospitality or for an everyday family treat serve better tasting Roma wines That's our OMA Roma wines America's largest selling wines And now Roma wines bring back to a Hollywood soundstage June Havoc Starring as Paula Stevens with Lerene Tuttle as Ruth in Subway a play well calculated to keep you in suspense We passed summer station 116th Street, I guess was I remember I studied with new cold Interest I was certainly stronger than she she wouldn't be expecting anything Besides she wouldn't know how to struggle things that always come easily to her She was so wrapped up in her own fairs. She just chattered away Oh, it's been the most fun getting those checks every week and never having to lift a finger to earn them If they ever catch up the brakes go to girls like Ruth Who think that being an actress is great fun? And others others who really truly love the thing they never get a chance There's no way for me to make their own breaks not very often way But I had a way in my purse that night. I Could get Ruth's job Belong to an actress not her It belonged to me to me We got the local here. We're coming in now We've pushed an elbow and jostled our way out of the car for the last ones out So we had to turn around and face the tracks with a solid mob at our back Made me nervous. I Hated to stand so near the edge But there was no way to get to the middle of the platform about bullying my way through And I I didn't want to have to explain to Ruth how I felt But I managed to get my feet placed an inch or so in back of her as we stood wedged in the crowd I've made me feel a little better Ruth between me and the tracks Ruth between me and my destiny Always in the way a little push I thought Maybe it would be easier a little push just before a train came in and Look at that man over there. Doesn't he remind you of Bill? Well, oh, yes Yes, he does How is Bill by the way, oh Bill's fine. He's still going with it. Oh, yes. Oh, he's a wonderful guy that Bill. I remember one time I remembered too. I remembered how Ruth had tried to take Bill away from me once She'd done everything in her power and therefore while I thought she was going to succeed too But she hadn't it was too nice He wasn't the type to care of a girl couldn't dress in the latest styles and If she didn't have the smartest hats, I knew him first, you know, yes I know you did he used to date me before he knew you He was just a kid of course and I got interested in another boy But believe me when I ran into Bill about a year ago I couldn't help thinking that maybe I'd made a mistake and giving him up so easily you didn't give him up too easily Yes, I did much easier than I would now if I had to do all over again You're very serious about him aren't you? Yes, very Take everything pretty seriously. Don't you go? Ruth was standing on the edge And she wasn't laughing anymore She was staring at me in a very peculiar way She moved around and back of me And now I was on the edge In spite of myself. I looked down at the gleaming rails Too long silver ribbons pointing toward the black hole where the platform broke off on the walls closed in And the train was approaching. I watched the tracks Fascinated I waited for the hypnotic gleam of the headlights to make the rail sparkle and shine and beckon to me And then the headlights beamed at me out of the void at me me It was a great warm spotlights, and I swayed over the edge to meet it and I couldn't stop myself All the train was in I was shaking Ruth's arms were on the holding tight She pulled me back just before I might have What if I should have jump what's the matter baller you nearly fell right in part of that train Are you ill no? I'm just dizzy. I'm all right now Thanks for holding me Ruth. I don't think I really would have fallen low Come on, let's get in the car look like you were weak or something You could do with some food. I'll bet you didn't have lunch. No, I didn't I forgot But we'll be home soon. I'm starved myself. I'll certainly be glad to get your place Oh, I hated her worse than ever What right did she have to pull me back if I wanted to jump what business of hers? I felt I Felt for the scissors in my purse. I wrapped my handkerchief around the handle no fingerprints no clues no motive Nothing that will be connected with me a friend that hadn't seen her in ages What motive could I have while I wanted was her job and nobody would ever think that I had committed murder to get a job People just didn't do things like that Not unless they were desperate and bitter with nothing to lose I think we can grab a couple of seats in a minute. Those two men are getting off Wouldn't you think they'd have offered them to us in the first place really men in New York? I Followed her leave we got the seats And I sat down Like an old woman I hadn't sat down all day Just walked from one office to another Muscles in my back and legs eight. I had to sit in an upright position No, I'm blood came rushing upward as I lifted first one foot and then the other gingerly off the floor They are just eight with relief And I had I was so grateful just to be able to sit Grateful The thing that the simple act of sitting down could mean so much to me Paula Stevens the most promising actress at the Academy a few years ago Now nobody would even give me a walk on I Turned and I stared at Ruth. I thought Maybe I Won't wait for the empty lot Paula. What's the matter with you? Here we are sitting down and comfortable and you're frowning like a bear with a sore tooth What are you frowning about? I looked around desperately for something I could be frowning at a man across the aisle was reading a Newspaper and I saw a headline that could be making me frown. I indicated. Oh, you mean the headline. Yes Hit and run driver kills child. Oh, that is nasty makes me sick to see things like that I'll have a read them. Does it affect you that way? Yes, lowest fall of humanity And suddenly the train shot out of the underground under the trestle out of darkness into the twilight of a tenement street The moment before nothing could be seen through the dirty car windows with reflection of your own drawn face Then the ramshackle apartment buildings flashed by outside Showing intimate glimpses of bare kitchens and dim bedrooms Gray wash and cheap living rooms Families going through the functions of living poor families tragic living from the blackness of the tunnel to the twilight of poverty from death to life First death and then life To peace with the subway not life then death but death to life Death brings another kind of life not necessarily sorted life like this, but new life Death makes room for somebody else to live one death for another life Bruce death for my new life Thinking about that headline too. I mean the one about the hit-and-run driver. I Suppose I do get panicky. No, they're still the lowest form of humanity still and all I think I can understand how it could happen to anybody You're driving along maybe thinking of something else may be going a little too fast You know what I mean, you're just anxious to get some place in a hurry and you aren't watching what's ahead No sudden Bingo you hit something does that mean you shouldn't stop and wait You don't know what you hit Maybe it's just a no trigger a pile of junk Necessarily a kid or a dog even you just don't know And if you stop and look you may find her a murderer Yes, but if you keep on you can tell yourself. It was just an old piece of junk and go on your way Now I can understand a hit-and-run driver. Yes, I can Why was she railing about a hit-and-run driver? She wore the subject ragged. Well, I thought anyway It won't be much longer than that. I won't have to listen to her much longer anyway One more station and we'd get out She wouldn't know it wasn't my station yet, and then we walk over for the lot cut across it in the dark scissors one plunge And back to the subway for the rest of my ride alone Why I wouldn't even be late for supper Subway empty to me Seem to be flying through the night carrying me on dark wings toward my first chance at being something We were going awfully fast Too fast. You know what I mean? You're anxious to get someplace and bingo you something a pile of junk It has to be junk and obstruction to be cleared away for something more important passing by But if I should stop and look It's a girl Like me But it's a girl dead in an empty lot. This was our station. This was it Do we get out here Paula? I was looking at her roof and obstruction in my path. I had stopped and I had looked at her I thought this was it Don't forget out here. I had stopped to look and I had seen that She was a girl a human being Paula You said we were supposed to get off here. Yes. Yes, well, yes The train started away without us Somehow it seemed to run more smoothly as though its wings were light instead of dark And I was strangely rested My mind was blank and I rolled the blankness around and I tasted it I swallowed and And my mouth and my throat I felt better Falls of yesterday's newspapers Platformer flattening themselves in the corners and I'll be glad to get there. Oh, yes Ruth was a girl She was a human being Everybody on that subway was an individual human being and I had to drive according to the rules I couldn't hit and run How could I have ever thought that I could if I had to get there the hard way Well, I could take it Yes, yes this way rule into the light I Climb the ramp to the street exit with a new bounce in my feet I fell in my purse Only to wrap my handkerchief carefully around the scissor points Not the handles. I Couldn't afford to completely ruin my already damaged bag And Ruth was chattering again Soon we'd be home and as she chatted I thought Ruth's older than I But she seems like a child She'll probably never grow up But I did that night Arm and arm with you we walked past an empty lot and I never even thought of looking back suspense Subway starring June Havoc presented by Roma wines. That's our old ma Roma wines those better tasting wines Enjoyed by more Americans than any other wines This is Truman Bradley reminding you that when you enjoy Roma, California wines You enjoy the goodness of natural juices pressed from choice full ripe, California grapes Then with ancient skills and the world's greatest winemaking resources Roma master ventners guide this great treasure Unheardly to tempting taste perfection These better tasting Roma wines are placed with other mellow Roma wines and from these reserves The world's greatest reserves of fine wines Roma later selects for your enjoyment With another weekend of football and fun coming up It's a good idea to lay in an assortment of better tasting Roma wines such as golden amber Roma Sherry Ruby red Roma port or flame bright Roma muscatel Then you'll be sure of pleasing friends and neighbors who drop in as well as your family because these delicious Roma wines That's our old ma Roma wines are America's favorite wines Tonight suspense play was by Eileen Douglas waltzer and melden alley next Thursday same time You will hear radios inimitable Henry Morgan as star of suspense Produced and directed by William Spear for the Roma wine company of Fresno, California Listen again next week at the same time for suspense tonight suspense came to you transcribed This is CBS the Columbia broadcasting system