 Suspense, auto light and it's 96,000 dealers present Miss Agnes Moorhead in the chain a Suspense play produced and edited by William Spear Say Harlow whom do you go to when you have a baby? I a baby. Why to a doctor? I mean When you go to jail, I mean er I rather I should say when you have a lawsuit whom do you go to a lawyer? Baby lawsuit. What are you driving at half the best spark plugs for your car my good man? Oh, well now you're on my ground. Who knows more about the best spark plugs for your car than auto lights ignition engineers? The men who design and build complete ignition systems for many of America's finest cars Well, it's a skill and know-how of these auto light ignition engineers that have made auto light the world's largest independent manufacturer of automotive electrical equipment and made auto light spark plugs world famous That means they know how to build into spark plugs the best in quick-starting smooth performance and gas mileage a Harlow Right you are and say it's the skill of these same auto light engineers that made possible the development of the auto light resistor spark plug one of the greatest advances in spark plug design for automotive use in the past 20 years So friends go to your friendly auto light spark plug dealer and have him replace worn-out spark plugs with world famous ignition Engineered auto light spark plugs whether you choose the resistor type or the regular type you can't buy a better spark plug for Your car because you're always right with auto light And now with the chain and the performance of Agnes more head Auto light hopes once again to keep you in Suspense All I did was write a letter. That's all you can't blame me for what happened. I didn't start it It came to me and I followed the instructions because I was afraid Hundreds of people do it every day. So how can you blame me? Everybody in town knows me they respect me. I've always been a good wife By the morning it started. I was fixing George's breakfast Not just toast like some women fix but bacon and eggs and hot biscuits coffee ready I asked you not to wander off your bacon is burned or crisp. I told you I only wanted fruit juice and coffee Down to the road to pick up the mail. Why do you always run for the mail? Are you expecting something you don't want me to see George? If there was anything I didn't want you to see I could have it Sent to the office. Oh, could you I didn't know you were important enough to be permitted to receive personal mail there You know that's enough Burt Reynolds was appointed district manager. I should have gotten the job, but I didn't now Let's forget about maybe you can forget about it. But Abby Reynolds won't let me forget She has a high manner to her work now. She can spend half her day in town But not Leonora Copeland. No poor Leonora is bottled up here without a car without anything. Here's your coffee After all the trouble I've gone to I guess I can throw the rest of the breakfast out What was in the mail? Just this letter for you for me. Who is it from? I don't know Leonora. I have never opened your So sarcastic oh Dear my cousin Emily one of those ridiculous chain letters This letter was started by a holy man in Tibet to end all evil You must make two copies and mail them to others within 24 hours or the chain will be broken Whoever breaks the chain will meet with evil a navy pilot broke the chain and was killed in a crash two days later Such a ridiculous thing now, who can I send it to you can burn it and not send it to anybody? Well, maybe you don't think so, but I think our luck is bad enough as it is I Couldn't send one to Abby Reynolds, of course, but I'd have to sign my name to it since you you're peeved with Abby She's fortunately spared Besides she'd tear it up. Yeah, she would that'd be just like Abby What's the name of the man they hire? I don't know Kurtz Something or other Kaczewski Peter Kaczewski You're not thinking of sending a copy to him why not George why not? It's absurd You don't even know the man I said one to him and he sends one to Abby Probably won't send it to anybody, but he will George. He's a foreigner. Isn't he and they're all so superstitious You'd have to send it to her. He may not even know anybody else suit yourself I need anything from town. No Time for me to be getting back to the office. It's very early George. You never used to leave so early. You used to eat a big breakfast I'm just not hungry. Maybe you'll be hungry by the time you get to town Then you'll have time for a second breakfast at the drugstore. You might even meet Miss Holden. She has her breakfast there Leonora, she's very pretty George not at all like your former secretary Betty Holden's a very efficient girl if she's pretty I've never noticed notice it George notice it while you're having your second breakfast I'll see you at dinner George didn't fool me a bit. He never did Some wives can't see the signs, but I could I cleaned up the house spotless That's where I kept it and I sat down with a letter. I made a copy and addressed it to mr. Peter Kaczewski care of Mrs. Abby Reynolds Then I made the second copy Whoever breaks the chain will meet with evil hadn't spoken to George about this copy. I Sealed it in an envelope and addressed it to Miss Betty Holden I mailed the letters and I waited patiently I Watched George's face the next night when it came home I had all his favorite things for dinner even had my hair put up the way he liked it best Not that he was ever pleased with the things I did for him. I wasn't the one he had on his mind Not very good company tonight George I find very little to say I passed your office today. You seem quite animated in there But perhaps you find this whole conversation more stimulating than mine. We were discussing something that was very embarrassing to me Leonora. Oh Why did you send her that letter? Two copies. That's what I did. Well, why miss Holden why not because it was a stupid and childish thing She said she's too much of a lady. That's what she thought and so did I oh you and Miss Holden seem to think very much alike It's a pity. You're not married to her Yes, Leonora, it is a pity. So it's true You agree that I'm stupid and childish. What other agreements do you have George? Why do you twist things? So I said what you said you think I'm deaf George. I'm not. I'm not blind either. She's my secretary. That's all That's all then why don't you fire her for what cause because I don't want her there That's cause enough isn't it? I'm your wife isn't what I want important not one it can cost somebody a job without reason Oh, you're so noble aren't you George, but that isn't like you. I know because I live with you You're a liar George, and I can get her fired without your help. I'll go to Bert Reynolds and tell him If you do that go ahead go ahead and hit me George because the secretary means nothing to you No, that wouldn't do any good with you Leonora. You're not worth it. You stay here and talk to me Where do you think you're going? I'm going out to the guest room over the garage where I go from there I'll decide later. You mean you're gonna stay out there. That's exactly what I mean You want to make a fool of me you want people around Tom Whistman that you left me you want him to laugh at me They'll never know unless you tell him Leonora. You'll make sure that Betty Holden knows that they'll won't you Come back here to hear me They were talking about me. I could see it in their faces every time I went into town The woman is always to blame when something goes wrong But they didn't know what George was like I went to town every day whether I had to or not to show them I had nothing to be ashamed of Thursday was the day Abbey Reynolds did her shopping at the Bond town. I plan to meet her accidentally I'm so glad to see you. Hello. I tried to phone you this morning. Oh, I've been in town All day Bert told me to call you. I'm glad I ran into you instead. It's Well, there's something I have to tell you We know you meant no harm George has been criticized and meet a bird Why no dear I meant about the letter the chain letter you sent to Peter Kaczewski What harm could that do Abby? None. That's what Bert tried to tell him But he's a very quiet strange man and Well, you see Leonora his wife died yesterday. Oh No, I mean he got the letter a few days ago He can't read English so he usually brings his mail to Bert But his wife got sick that morning and he took her to the hospital He didn't bring the letter to Bert until this morning and without thinking of course Bert tried to reason with him, but he didn't seem to hear he just kept staring Then he turned and walked out of the house. He blames me. He thinks it's my fault. Why did you ever send it to him? Leonora, why did you pick? I swear I swear on my heart. I didn't mean you better tell George about it In case there's any trouble. Yes Yes, I'll tell George You see if I'd sent the letter to Abby it never would have happened That's what I would have done if she wasn't always trying to make herself better than I was I Wouldn't have been in this if it wasn't for her. I Let the barn tall and went to the square the country hill bus wasn't due for half an hour I couldn't stand there. So I walked out of town and I crossed the wooden bridge over the river Side road was pitted with ruts left by the rain and I stumbled in the heel of my shoe broke off I sat down on a patch of grass and tried to fix it And I heard a branch snap in the trees behind me It was a boy side never heard before But when I turned I knew the face It was Peter Kaczewski He was all dirty and unshaven and he had a half empty bottle in his hand. You're free You stay away from me stay away do you hear He started for me I threw the shoe It caught him in the face and a nail tore gash in his forehead. I turn and started to run up the hill I got you behind me. He was getting closer and closer and the house was still a quarter of a mile away Is bringing you miss Agnes moorhead in the chain tonight's production in radio's outstanding theater of thrills Suspends what ignites a ignition system? I I'll ask the auto light ignition engineers and what sparks a spark plug That's another for auto light ignition engineers if anyone knows spark plugs It's these same auto light engineers who design coils Distributors and all the other vital parts that make up the complete ignition systems used as original equipment on many makes of America's finest cars They really know a harlow and look at the auto light resistor spark plug. They developed It's one of the greatest advances in spark plug design for automotive use in the past 20 years Can they talk about spark plugs like you harlow sure they can and your friendly auto light spark plug dealer can tell everyone listening to This program as much about world famous ignition engineered auto light spark plugs as I can know sure So go to him and have him replace your worn-out spark plugs with world famous ignition engineered Auto light spark plugs and whether you choose the resistor type or the regular type for smooth performance and the best in gas mileage You can't buy a better spark plug for your car because you're always right with auto light And now auto light brings back to our hollywood soundstage our star agnes moorhead in the chain A tale well calculated to keep you in suspense My lungs were ready to burst. I wanted to scream but no sound had come There was nobody to hear me nobody but Peter Kaczewski. He was standing along after me I heard the ball drop and break. I could see the house now and the clearing through the trees I started to cry couldn't run any faster just couldn't He was almost up to me. He reached out now. I felt his hand tearing at the back of my coat and then he fell He fell I didn't go down, but I didn't turn to look I crossed the clearing up the steps of the house I tore the class for my handbag to get the key Well, it was stuck Kaczewski staggered into the clear and I remember the spanky under the door mat got it and opened the door He had reached the port steps. I slammed the door and locked it in his face Come on I couldn't wait for you I lean against the door trying to get my breath I could feel kaczewski on the other side of it like a big crazy ape What did he wonder hurt me for? I took a chair and raced it under the door knob. Then I heard him move He padded down the port steps, but he wasn't going away. He was moving around to the back door I reached through the house. The door was locked Some of the storm wind is on the lower floor. I ran upstairs to the bedroom Georgia service revolver was in the bureau. I got it and opened the window I locked the bedroom door and slipped down the stairs to the telephone. Is George there? I must speak to him. He's out for the afternoon making some calls. Is is miss Holden there? No, I think George gave the afternoon off Oh, I see No, Bert. Did you tell George about kaczewski and the letter? Why you sent it? Is there anything else I can do for him? Well, if George comes in... I'll tell him to call you. Goodbye, Leonora Bert, I'm... Betty Holden knew she was keeping him in town This was what they wanted. They wanted something to happen to me He'd be getting dark soon. Kaczewski would come back and I'd be alone. I'd be all alone This is Mrs. George Coppina of Country Hill Will you call the police and ask them to send a car out? Somebody's trying to kill me Through any of the windows? No, but that... Well, Mrs. Carpenter, he wasn't carrying a weapon and he never actually touched you I can't arrest him for attempted murder There isn't even enough evidence for a simple assault I want that man arrested, do you hear me? Well, what you want has nothing to do with the law, Mrs. Carpenter You're supposed to protect people. That's what we pay taxes for Kaczewski pays taxes too, Mrs. Carpenter You'll fire a gun at him If you're smart, you'll drop this Haven't I the right to protect myself and my own house? In the house, yes But you were behind locked doors firing at a man out in the open If you'd killed him, you'd have been charged with murder Now take my advice and don't use that gun again unless somebody breaks in But that man is crazy, he's just crazy If I had a simple mind like his and the same thing happened to me, I might be crazy too But I can't locate my husband, I'm alone here You've got to find that man and arrest him, I demand that All right, all right, all right But all I can charge him with is trespassing We can hold him until his fine is paid and that's all Well, I don't care what you charge him with, arrest him, just arrest him He may bring counter charges against you What charges could he bring against me? I've never heard anybody, I've never done anything to anyone Well, I'm glad to hear that, Mrs. Carpenter, I like nice people Goodbye If you see my husband tell him to come home, tell him I'm alone here I don't know what I'll do alone When we find Kaczewski, I'll call you It started to get dark and I sat there listening to every sound Then it started to rain, I heard it pounded on the roof It frightened me If somebody came up to the house, I wouldn't be able to hear them Seven o'clock came and then eight, nine, ten I didn't dare light a light And I thought I heard a car George, it had to be George The hand lights flashed with the wind as the car turned into the driving And the moment later I heard his key in the lock What's the matter, George? Are you surprised to see me? All the lights were out, I thought you were in bed Oh, is that what you thought? Was that why you waited so long to come home? Where were you? Where I go is no longer any concern of yours You were with her All right, Leonora, I was for the first peaceful evening in 10 years, but not the last What are you saying, George? I'm going to divorce you, Leonora, and moving into town tonight I'll be at the hotel I'll stop you, there isn't anything I won't do to stop you I know I can depend on you for that The wife doesn't mean anything to you, George You don't know what I've been through, you don't know what happened I know you tried to kill a man with a gun How do you know that? Everybody knows it The police are looking for Kaczewski You have no feeling about what you've done to that poor confused devil, have you? I haven't done anything to him, the superstitious idiot All I did was send a silly letter that didn't kill his wife I'm sorry, she's dead, I'm sorry, I'm sorry Oh, no, you're not You're only sorry because you're afraid for yourself How can you say that to me? Because I know you, Leonora After 10 years I really know you You didn't send those letters the way other people send them I... You sent them with a curse out of the evil of your heart You can't kill people with a curse Which is fortunate for me I'm not talking about the act, Leonora, I'm talking about the intent I want to get my clothes You can't, you can't, I won't let you All right, I can get others Goodbye, Leonora I forbid you to leave this house Get out of my way No, George, no, I'm your wife Remember how things used to be with us? They can be that way again, George Let go of me You know I can make you happy, kiss me, just kiss me once Get out of my way No, George Dolly I tried to sleep, but I couldn't The rain got heavier Each time the lightning flashed, I could see the river below It was beginning to wash over the bridge I shot a toy loose and started to bang Should police headquarters, Mrs. Comden? Have you found Kaczewski? Yes, the boys brought him in about a half hour ago I did all I could What do you mean? Trespassing is a minor charge, Mr. Carpenter Bale was set at $25 Mr. Reynolds just came in and bailed him out You mean he's free? You let him get away? You've got to send somebody up here You can't leave me alone if he's loose I'm sorry, Mrs. Carpenter But there's a storm emergency Besides the bridge is washed out And I'm tying up the line talking to you Good night Lieutenant, Lieutenant Lieutenant I need operator Operator, get me Mr. George Carpenter At the Clearview Hotel I'm sorry, but the lines are open for emergency service But I must speak to him, I must I'm sorry, but the storm has washed out most of the lines We only have three circuits open for emergency But this is an emergency I'll tell you, it's a matter of life and death Just a moment Have a clear line Please make your call brief All right, all right Oh George, it's Leonora You've got to help me, please They arrested Kaczewski, but Bert Reynolds bailed him out I know it, Bert told me You, you know it The Kaczewski home put him to bed But he won't stay there He's crazy Come out here, George, I need you The bridge is out There's no road Well, you'll find a way to get here Oh, do you want me to go mad, George? I'll give you a divorce I won't find it I promise you, George, only don't let me die Leonora, you're hysterical It's after midnight I'll be... Go on, George Go on The line was dead Dead like I was gonna be dead Kaczewski would come They didn't know it, but I did The rain stopped And I sat there, listening to the tick Another clock It struck one, then two That was all It was so peaceful, and I almost dozed off So, something was moving outside I went to the window and saw the figure of a man Turning into the shadows behind the house I found the gun where I'd left it Under the sofa pillars I couldn't shoot him until he broke into the house I moved to the kitchen and waited I was fumbling with the door There was a metallic sound He was forcing something into the lock And then it clicked The door swung open He was framed in the center of it and I fired Through the house Opened the front door And started to run The road was a sea of mud I knew he was dead, but I could feel him behind me Chasing me I got to the river It was starting to flood But there was a boat coming across Or I just cried with relief When it landed, I ran to it A man jumped out Hello, Mrs. Carpenter My wife, she said, Mrs. Carpenter Look at me, lady Look at my face I'll give you money I'll give you money I won't say anything about this You can do anything Why you do this to me, Mrs. Carpenter? Why? What did I ever do to you? My husband My husband was the one He told me to do it I didn't want to He made me You lie, lady Your husband is good, ma'am You're choking me Don't you like to die, Mrs. Carpenter? You like to write letters? You like other people should die? You must have killed me You must have just run No, but punish for it You know that, don't you? Who going to punish me, lady? You? I didn't mean to shoot you up there tonight I thought you were hurt I was coming down to get a doctor for you You just came across the river You couldn't have gotten down here before me George! It was George I killed George You killed your husband? I thought it was you I mean, oh, I don't know You wanted to kill me, but you killed him I don't know Mrs. Carpenter You killed him Now they're going to make you pay It was an accident An accident, I tell you, an accident It was an accident It was an accident I left him just as it was, sir You could see it was an accident, Lieutenant I called you as soon as I got the phone light working Yes, I see, Mrs. Carpenter Yeah, did you get all that on the wire recorder, Chuck? Yeah Good, shall I, though? Well, you better get your coat, Mrs. Carpenter Why, sir? On suspicion of murder, Mrs. Carpenter Oh, but you're making a mistake All I did was write a letter And kill your husband But that was an accident Why should I kill George? I had no reason But you did have a motive for killing him A very strong motive He left you, he was divorcing you He was going to marry another woman And you knew all that before you shot him But I didn't, I... It's on the recorder Oh, yeah Well, don't worry about me, Mrs. Carpenter It's the jury you've got to convince Oh, buy the chain, letter Suspends, presented by Autolight Tonight's star, Agnes Moorehead Dr. Lawyer, merchant chief Have your test stating my belief That every car owner can be happy If his car is equipped with a set Of the world-famous ignition-engineered Autolight spark plugs So be sure to have your dealer Give your spark plugs a spring checkup Autolight makes over 400 products for cars, Trucks, planes, and boats In 28 plants coast to coast These include complete electrical systems Used as original equipment On many makes of America's finest cars Spark plugs, batteries, generators, coils, distributors Electric windshield wipers, starting motors Bullseye sealed beam headlights All engineered to fit together Perfectly work together perfectly Because they're a perfect team So friends, don't accept electrical parts Supposed to be as good Ask for and insist on Autolight original factory parts At your neighborhood service station Car dealer garage or repair shop Remember, you're always right With Autolight Next Thursday for Suspends Our star will be Miss Joan Bennett The play is called The Statement of Mary Blake And it is, as we say A tale well calculated to keep you in Suspends Tonight Suspends play was produced and edited By William Spear and directed by Norman MacDonald Music for Suspends is composed by Lucian Moroek And conducted by Lud Bluskin The chain is an original play Written for radio by Joel Merkott Agnes Morehead may soon be seen In the Warner Brothers production Caged In the coming weeks you will hear such stars As Claire Trevor and John Lund And don't forget next Thursday Same time Autolight will present Suspends Starring Joan Bennett You can buy world famous Autolight resistor or regular spark plugs Autolight staple batteries Autolight electrical parts At your neighborhood Autolight dealers Switch to Autolight Good night This is CBS, the Columbia Broadcasting System