 From Hollywood, it's time now for Johnny dollar Well, how are things in Nevada mr. Parker? Well, I'm sorry to hear that what seems to be excuse me mr. Dollar. Yeah, there's someone here who would like to speak with you Oh, who give me that? Sounds to me like a cantankerous old character named Jodiah Gillis Why you mean what are you doing in Reno mr. Gillis I tell you when you get here when I get Oh, no now wait a minute. I can't wait to be your fault. Oh a feline friend of mine Oh what being uncouth like you you'd probably call him a cat. Oh, no, look Joe Diane He's what This week somebody's making sure he won't live long enough to spend In the exciting adventures of the man with the action-packed expense account America's fabulous freelance insurance investigator You're as truly Johnny dollar Spence account submitted by special investigator Johnny dollar to the Continental Assurance Company Reno, Nevada The following is an account of expenses incurred during my investigation of the Felicity feline matter Expense account item one one hundred and sixty four dollars air transportation Hartford to Reno Rude, I wondered again what you're not Gillis was doing in Nevada And we know he was on the flight deck waiting for my plane and standing beside him wearing a dark suit and expression to match Was a tall cadaver is looking gentlemen as I started down the ramps. You're not began calling Johnny, this is my friend and business associate Henry Parker Parker. Oh, I'm certainly glad you've arrived, sir That's all. Yes, my yes, mr. Gillis has been quite concerned over Felicity the Felicity the feline What do you think you came out here for your help? Well, no, yeah, man. Give Parker your checks my checks So what's the matter you the altitude of picture bind hand over your claim check so Parker can fetch your luggage. Oh sure here Yeah, go on Parker. Go on. We haven't got all day. Whatever you say, mr. Gillis We'll be in the waiting room. You hurry up. Yes, sir Come on Before I left Hartford, I tried to check up on this continental assurance company Nobody ever heard of it. A lot of things those white-bellied clerks in Hartford haven't heard, but the fact is Continental ain't exactly worldwide. Oh No, sir, it ain't nationwide. Well, just how wide is it? Well, you know how far it is from Winamucka to black butte. No good. It's just about that wide And Parker is one of their agents agents Parker is the president of the continental The president what you just I mean, will you look peeking boy? You better sit down Jodya, I shouldn't let the man that's paying my salary run after my bag fish-tash. Yeah Take a look at this. Yeah, it's my new business card Yeah, go on read it Jodya Gillis chairman of the board continental what yes, sir But Floyd's of England has always carried your policy carried. Yes past tense I don't take guff from anybody Especially a mini of an insurance agent telling me what I can ensure and what I can't you had a fight with him. Yep My cousin Rachel. Oh, she's a sweet girl. She lives in the Belgian Congo. She sent me an African anteater Now all I wanted Floyd's to do wasn't sure it for 15,000 dollars and of course they wouldn't no So you cancel all your policies and bought the controlling interest in continental same as anybody else from London Oh, sure sure and naturally you insured this editor. Yeah, Archie. That was his name was his name What happened to there was a terrible thing Johnny? Oh, I was just poor old Archie He over and over he did why he over and well. He found a house full of termites Oh, yeah, it's finally died acute indigestion too bad But of course continental assurance paid off because they paid off and with a smile Same as they paid off the $60,000 to my feline friend Felicity. What? 60,000 to Felicity. What do you think the 60,000 Felicity inherited from Mrs. Hammerman and who is Mrs? Was was what all right was Mrs. Hammerman a client of Henry Parker's had a life policy for 60,000 Felicity was a beneficiary, but didn't she have any children or relatives? She had one brother my nephew and a niece Oh, of course not counting Mrs. Hawkins who was Mrs. Hammermire's best friend You see the two ladies lived together 15 years Right now Mrs. Hawkins has been appointed trustee to administer the 60 grand as Felicity needs. Oh, I see. Yes, you meet here as soon as we get settled Should I what makes you think someone's trying to kill that I don't think so. I know it I've been two attempts in two weeks. You asked Mrs. Hawkins Mr. Gillis, Mr. Dollar We'll take you down to the maips the maips the maips hotel I'm staying there and if it's good enough for me, it's good enough for you The maips hotel stands high above Virginia Street overlooking the Truckee River After Gillis checked me in and introduced me to the owner, Mr. Charles maips I unpacked then went with Jadiah out to the old Hammermire place where Felicity the cat Mrs. Hawkins and the relatives still live We rang the old-fashioned doorbell and waited in a moment the door was opened by a pasty-faced man of about 28 Yeah, oh Mr. Gillis. Yes afternoon Oscar Mrs. Hawkins in ain't she always who's he is a friend of mine who's also an insurance investigator and names Johnny dollar Johnny, this is Oscar Emmett the late Mrs. Hammermire's nephew. I am I suppose you're here about that lousy cat That's right. Oh Come on in. I'll tell the old lady here You know where the living room that don't you miss? Oh indeed. I do Friendly sort of killing you house is like the rest of the Emmett I just can't stand seeing Felicity eat steak when they got to have tuna casserole in here What kind of work does he do? We're Oscar none of the Emmett's work mercy not even Mrs. Hammermire's brother Emmett Emmett spends all his time the gambling halls, you know gambling's legal here You're professional. Oh, no. No, he's got a slot machine route He goes around poking his finger in the payoff trays picking up the nickels and dimes and people overlook Yeah, it's down here That cat has claws Tell him you're sorry, darling. Well, I didn't know You get right down off that paper you hear me Oh Miss Achilles would you use your influence, please? I certainly try Mrs. Harkins Felicity come on Now I just put out a nice dish of scallops for him. Oh, you hear that Felicity scallops. Oh yum yum So you run along I do declare I've never seen a man who has such a way with animals Well, I and that goes but lonely with those two Mrs. Hartley This is the young fellow I was telling you about Johnny darling. Oh Well, this is indeed a pleasure, Mr. Dollar your diet told me so much about you Oh, is that so you're much more handsome than I imagined Mr. Dollar. Yeah, now good gravy Leona Now you just tell him what's been going on around here. You mean about Felicity. That's what I mean Well, somebody's after him trying to kill him. Tell me has an actual attempt been made on his life Wednesday night a week ago I let him out just before I went to bed like all he'd been out about an hour when it started to pour and Knowing Felicity hates to get wet out in the front door to call him Well, just as he was crocked in the street. I heard this big car start up and it's zoomed straight for Felicity Whoever was driving it almost turned over trying to hit him. You didn't get a good look at the driver I didn't get any kind of a look with two dogs. What about the car? What make was it if I knew that? I'd have already told you die happen any secrets from him Tell him about last Thursday Leona Felicity was poisoned. That's what the that said somebody put arsenic in his lobster Lobster. Oh, yes. He just loves it according to the instruction. Mrs. Hamelmaer left He's to have lobster once a week take three times and boil chicken every Sunday. Yes And as long as I take care of and obey her instructions, I can live here rent free same as her Kim the Emmits Damn them. Mr. Gillis just who gets Felicity's money in case he dies the Emmett family We aren't sure. Oh, why's that because Mrs. Hamelmaer left a sealed envelope to be opened only in the event of Felicity's death Oh, the Emmits will get all its left. Mr. Dollar. I'm sure of it Oh, no, no, no Leon. You must look on the dark side. I did Rob Mildred Mrs. Hamelmaer's back and Bunions for a good many years Did her market he thought she got her medicine on time? I do hope she appreciated it. She did she did Leona music We're in the living room. I figured they start flocking in now. It's dinner time. It's a dollar. Yeah, it's Joyce Emmett the niece She hates cats to miss herself. Oh Do I have time to take a shower before dinner? Oh I didn't know he had company Mr. Emmett Joyce you both know Mr. Gillis. Yes. Hi. Mr. Gillis terrible And this is Mr. Johnny dollar. He's investigating the trouble we've had about Felicity after the would be cat killer, huh Johnny Yeah, that's right. I'll lay eight to five. You never catch him or her could be a woman, you know Oh, yes. Yes, it's most certainly could why Joyce the way you say that you act as if you want Mr. Dollar To start investigating you. Maybe I do How about it Johnny? Well, how do you feel about Felicity the same as everyone else in this house? I know that had no business leaving all our money to that That creeping night crawler. Well, he is Mr. Dollar. Just what interest do you have in Felicity? He isn't sure Mr. Gillis sent for me. Mr. Emmett. He did. Yes. I did Continental has a moral responsibility to see that the funds handed over to widows children and dumb animals are protected from Swindlers, connivers and blackouts at which I'm sure this house has many. Why you pompous Wrinkled old Romeo. Joyce, please if you can't hold your tongue leave the room. Well, what I said is the truth Man his age getting romantic. You ain't girl 30 years from now. You'll be mighty glad men my age can get romantic Mr. Emmett. Mr. Emmett, do you share your daughter's opinion of Felicity? Well, of course I do. I'm a dog man Besides, I can't see why she left all that money to the critic. Mrs. Hawkins has figured out what it cost to keep him like a king every week Yes, yes, twenty three dollars Maybe a price or more by the time I get him out of the pretty kitty the pretty kitty What's the beauty parlor for cats Felicity has a standing appointment there every Friday at one. Oh, no Twenty three dollars a week. You know how many weeks it'll take him to spend that Sixty thousand not counting the interest of the lad up while he's doing it. No, not exactly Twenty six hundred weeks fifty years and believe me the odds at any cat living to be fifty years old Well, I'll let you turn to one. He doesn't live another six months. You always speak of the devil Well, hello there Felicity. Oh, did you know we were talking about you? Did you finish up all your dinner Felicity need some time? It doesn't need all his columns last week I gave them to Oscar. Oh, it's disgusting. Well, look at him. He thinks he owns us. What do you mean things? A few minutes later, Jodiad drove me back to the MAPES Well, there was the Emmits or Mrs. Hawkins who wanted Felicity out of the way. I didn't know But I didn't know we should get him out of that house as soon as possible. I Changed my clothes met your Diana's friend Charlie MAPES in the skyroom for dinner and did a bit of gambling then went to bed Must have been about 3.30 when the phone rang Who is it? Oh, well, what is it Mrs. Hawkins? What's wrong? What what is it what's happened Felicity? What anyone who has survived the rigors of basic training is Familiar with a great variety of milk that is dished out periodically in the armed forces Unless frozen milk Concentrated milk frozen concentrate and good old powdered milk But sometimes supplying wholesome fresh real milk has been a problem when Servicemen have been stationed in out-of-the-way places The United States Air Force came across that problem some time ago in the island of Tessera in the Azores those Portuguese islands that dot an eastern portion of the Atlantic Ocean The air base there was considered powdered milk country for a long time Although cattle have played an important role in the economy of the island of Tessera The herd was badly inbred and milk production was very low Modern milk processing was not a part of the picture and with the help of Portuguese veterinarians The man in the United States Air Force unit worked out a free breeding service By using a small herd of milk cows acquired in England and the cattle there at Tessera improved then a complete Pasteurizing homogenizing sterilizing bottling refrigeration plant was flown in from the United States As soon as this activity got underway milk production began to climb steadily in thirsty Air Force men and Civilians were soon buying and drinking the new fresh milk When economy of the island began to rise rapidly the people were happy and grateful You might say But a little milk of human kindness increased understanding on an island of freedom The right of all men everywhere And now act two of yours truly Johnny dollar and the Felicity feline matter A few minutes later Jodiah Gillis and I were at the old Hamelmeyer home Joyce and her father along with mrs. Hawkins were waiting for us Oscar Emmett was nowhere to be found. He's the one Johnny. He is here that shifty Chris a that Oscar He stole Felicity and he's going to dream in that poor Felicity all for a heaven's sake. Mr. Gillis pull yourself together Oscar could be downtown having a run a look mr. Dollar one of his gambling this time of night He shouldn't be too hard to find mrs. Hawkins. Yes. When did you first realize Felicity was missing? Why about an hour ago? I guess it was I woke up and remembered he was still outside So I came down and called him yeah always before ever since he was a little kitten he's come back home for me But tonight Well, he's just nowhere to be found what time did you let him out about 10 30 same time as I always do Were you at home then Joyce? No, she wasn't I had a real good day yesterday collected almost four dollars So I took it to a movie a movie. That's a likely story. I've never heard It happens to be the truth mr. Gillis But you see come on. Tell me it was an old one about a giant gorilla. That's right. I'll bet I'll bet You die Anything has happened before Felicity will we Well, how much time will we be given before we have to move out of this house with access to the court? But I see a couple of weeks That's all Oh Well, it's all they deserve my all except you my dear Well, Johnny, you've been unusually quiet. What do you think? I think we'll take in the late spots, you know See how our luck's running Started at the mates and went down virginia street stopping in at every gambling concedo. I'm hoping we'd find oscar emet Finally we found him at one of the roulette wheels and heros club and in front of him was a large stack of chips Make your bet ladies and gentlemen There's a couple of seats around here. Thanks. We'll just watch our friend and a very lucky friend He is too put these on 32 and these on Good morning, Oscar Well, what are you two doing here? We've been looking for you That's all what for you know it for you cat napper What'd you do with Felicity? That cat, you know any other Felicity? You know good loafing all that's a down And oh, no, wait a minute. I wanted these chips on 13 black. Sorry. Oh, that's a down What now see what you two made me do if that 13 hits Well, what do you want to see me about we told you Felicity you know where he is How would I know where have you been since 10 30 this evening all around town? How long have you been here long enough? look out now 15 You see what you two clowns cost me take my mind off what i'm doing. I'll get out of my way I'm cashing in you're not doing nothing to the answer our questions. Mr. Oscar Emmett. You hear me? Oh, yeah Yes, I guess you'll find body guard you'd make oh, uh, mr. Gillis. I'm I'm sorry. I didn't really mean to hit you Well, you should it yes, sir Well here let me help you up I assure you all right you're there. Yes, if I could just sit here a minute. I'll be fine. Okay. Okay, folks It's all over. Let's get back to our business Oh, uh I want to come over here a second dollar if you say so that crazy old fool. I didn't really mean to hit him so hard But he Well, you know how it is sometimes that was the best run of luck I had this year Well, don't worry about your die. He sometimes forgets. He's not as young as he used to be You can say that again boy the way he's been letting that mrs. Hawkins make a fool of him. How do you mean? Oh, you know Telling him how much she's in love with them how nice it'll be after they're married, you know, you heard her say this sure You see my room's on the first floor just off the parlor and I can't help it here. What's going on Well, what makes you think mrs. Hawkins isn't sincere because she's been given the same line to mr. Remeth Only she's she really loves him Oh, yes, sir Sometimes he argues with it and she breaks out crying now That's something no woman like her could fake Yeah Maybe you're right I didn't tell jotiah what I'd learned from oscar. At least not then The wind had already been taken out of his sails So I took him back to the mapes. I made sure he was trying to be all right. Then I returned to the old hamelmaier house Joyce mr. Emmett and mrs. Hawkins were out in the yard hunting for felicity Hi, johnny Well, hi yourself. We've got some coffee inside if you're interested coffee sure But have you found any sign of felicity not yet for mrs. Hawkins. She's about to go out of her mind You find oscar last night. Yeah. Yeah, he's been having a session downtown at a roulette table. That's what I thought Johnny What will happen if we don't find felicity? I mean, if he's just run away, we won't be able to prove he's dead and the money Well, what will happen, you know Well, I imagine there'll be a waiting period and then the court will declare felicity dead and the money will go wherever mrs. Hammelmaier has willed it Oh, I sure wish I knew what's in the envelope. Mr. Gillis has locked in his office Johnny he's found something in the garage come on. This is about 25 yards from where we've been standing We made it nothing flat Inside toward the back and on the ground was a small hatchet And the other hatchet was some blood And cat fur. Oh, oh Johnny Oh poor felicity Oh the poor poor thing Well, if there looks like he met his end here and then whoever did it carted him away a dollar Looks that way. Johnny Oh take me out of here Shamed and you know, I hated that cat. I really wanted him dead, but not like this Not oh hey, hey, come on now Oh, it's silly of me, isn't it? No, no, I don't think it is. Oh mr. Dollar. Yes, ma'am Will you be candid after notifying this together sir? Oh, I'm afraid I just couldn't speak about it over the telephone. Of course I'll be glad to I drilled judaia's car back at the hotel I made sure he was feeling better than told him what we found in the garage Naturally, he wanted to call out the police reserves when I managed to talk him out of it At 10 o'clock. I made some telephone calls to the local banks When I got the information I've been after sharia and I again drove out to the hammer wire house Well, I expected you two gentlemen a couple of hours ago. Sorry, mrs. Hawkins. I had some things to take care of Oh, well come in What's the matter with That you died gillis. You've been fighting so I have women So I have sweet darling and at your age seems like having a lot of crazy fool things of my age Now just what do you mean by that? You know very well what? Pull in the wool over my eyes. Let me think that I found a true sweetheart at last. Oh, you you miserable jesus Ever is he talking about how about you and mr. Emmett and how you plan to use judaia's friendship to get you out of trouble in case your little scheme failed Well, I still don't understand. No. Well, suppose I tell you that you did away with felicity yourself. Why you You can't prove that I won't need to Jodiah's having a copy made of all your bank deposits since the time you moved in with mrs. Hammamaya 15 years ago and started taking care of her by paying her bills ordering her food and medicine And pocketing a good share of the money for yourself. Well, why shouldn't I have she didn't give me one cent of salary? Oh, I know and your bank balance shows you have 47 000 on deposit All right All right. Oh, they won't be able to do a thing to me No, sir. Melvin. Hammamaya appreciated me even if nobody else did or does you see My name will be in that envelope. She wanted me to have that money all the time. I know she did Ready to read the will just about Uh, sorry she went your father's sit over there, huh? Wherever you say, mr. Okay, judaia over the well Sure But if it does give the money to judaia Mrs. Hammamaya should spin in her grave if it does read it if you dare you you old Go to miserable female woman Yeah Yes, I'll read it now. Here we go Ah codicell to the last will and testament of murder them at hammamaya witness vice Yeah, there's a lot of legal gab here. Ah, here we are The money's unspent after the death of the cat known as felicity Shall The money's unspent shall then go to the Descendants of the original air The original air is Now the money goes to his descendants and being as he was a tomcat who loved to go prowling at night Did he ever have Well, sir, what happened later poo once and for all the miracles can happen For a one o'clock on friday afternoon. We had a phone call from the pretty kitty beauty shop A large tomcat with a bad cut on the back of his neck had shown up for his usual shampoo and manicure Maybe they do have nine lives Expense account total including hotel bill incidentals and transportation back to heartbreak 407 and 20 cents Yours truly Johnny dollar They tell you about next week's story next week an actor who talked nothing but shakespeare And who talked himself into his grave Join us. Won't you yours truly? Johnny dollar 55 minutes You've been listening to the best radio drama the suspense and johnny dollar Be sure and join us again tomorrow night at the same time 905 When epi end presents the phil harris show and the life of riley