Escape: The Man Who Stole the Bible 08/30/1951

0:00Welcome to Choice Classic Radio, where we bring to the greatest old-time radio shows. Like us on Facebook, subscribe to us on YouTube, and thank you for donating at choiceclassicradio.com. You, finding life rather dull, dreaming again of exotic places, wishing you were somewhere else. We offer you, Escape! Escape with us now to New Orleans during Marty Gras behind the gary of which lies a nightmare world of terror and death, as John and Gwynn Bagney tell it in the man who stole the Bible.

1:00I didn't mean to steal the Bible, that wasn't my intention. Well, I've never taken as much as a towel or an estuary out of a hotel, and if I'd known the night of terror would lead me into, I'd never have taken it at all. Marty Gras in New Orleans, a gay time, a lot of laughs if you're in on it, but me I was stuck in a stuffy hotel room waiting for a call from the boys, and a sound of all those people out in the street having fun got on my nerves. Operator, operator, operator, come on operator. You're order please.

2:00This is Mr. Cummings room 302. What if I happened to that bell hop I sent for? Would you speak louder, I can't hear you sir. I said this is just minutes. Operator, operator. What was it you wanted? A bell hop. I wanted to bring me something to read, anything. You said half an hour ago he was on his way up. And he answered your call yet it's coming. No, he has not. Well, I'm sorry, send the hotel so crowded, the Marty Gras you know is almost impossible, that's just a minute. Operator. Oh, nuts. I faced back and forth wishing the boys had called me so I could get out of the room. I didn't dare leave even to go down and get a paper. He's that kind of a guy who expects you to be on tap all the time. There was no radio in the room and nothing to read. I went through all the drawers hoping somebody had left behind a magazine or a seed catalog, anything.

3:00And then I found the Bible, the Gideon Bible. For years I've seen them in hotel rooms but I've never paid any attention to them. Now I opened the book, First Samuel chapter 19. I lay down in the bed and started to read. The knock surprised me, I'd forgotten about the bell hop. I got up to go to the door and I realized I had the Bible in my hand. It's a fine thing when a man feels embarrassed, caught reading the Bible, but that's how I felt embarrassed. I stuffed it under the pillow and went to the door. You sure took your time? I thought it was a bell hop. Who were you? How's the detective? Sorry to disturb you. I'm sorry, what's the matter? Seems that the woman I had this room before you lies to pocket books.

4:00You think she left it here? I'm sorry, there's no pocket book here. Well I better take a look. I've seen it if it was here but come on in if you want. Thanks. Seems there's no pocket book in here. Yeah, but she's sure she left it here. I'll have to go through everything. I looked, there's nothing in there but my stuff. You have to go through it. Well it's a matter, don't you want me to look for it? No, it isn't that. I just don't like people going through my things. That's all. She had some money in it. Now you wouldn't want me to say your refuse to let me look around for it, would you? Oh no, no, no, no, no, of course not. Go ahead. Now I've been through all those draws already. Now I just take another look. Doesn't seem likely that the maid's would have overlooked it, but once in a while something gets left in the drawer. Yeah, I know, I know. But there's nothing in there. No, I guess you're right. That's amazing that things people leave behind in hotels. Yeah, guess it is. Yeah. Nobody else been in here, have they? No. Nobody. Can't even get a bell hop in here. You've been out of the room? No.

5:00And look, I'm not responsible for anything that was left here. No, of course not. Well, I'm sorry to have bothered you. That's all right. Oh, say, tell that bell hop to get up there. Where you at? Yeah. Get out. What is that strange guy? That I suppose all hounds dicks are. I don't know why. I've never had anything to do with one before this. I lay down again and went back to reading the Bible. Once I got used to the old fashioned language, I found it pretty interesting. The story of David anyway. A guy being chased by everybody, not knowing who his enemies were, every minute expecting to get killed. I was down to the part where David's wife puts a dummy in his bed as a decoy to save his life. When I was interrupted again. This time I automatically stuck the Bible into the pillow and went to the door. Hello. Well, hello. I'm having the most awful time. I've tried and tried, but it just won't work. And the room's so stuffy. How's that? The window in my room, it won't open.

6:01Would you open it for me? Sure, sure. It's a show me which room is it? Right next to yours. Test around this corner. Room 300. I have the same trouble on bus as the window's never open. It drives me mad. You can see how stuffy the room is. This window? Hmm. Well, isn't that all? It opened for you. Yeah, yeah, dead. Easy, tell me. How old is this one? I can't understand it. You're sure you're trying. You don't think I'd come to your door and ask you to come over here if I didn't need something. It's been done. I won't argue with that. But now that you're here, do you like having a drink? Be a traveler, please. No, no, I don't think so. You can watch the parade much better here than on your side of the building. No, no, I can't. Listen. What's the matter? Oh, I'm sorry, I gotta go. That's my phone. Wait, don't go. You can have the call transfer here. But it's silly to go all the way back.

7:04Hello, commings. Oh, yes sir, yeah, I've been waiting for your call. Now look, I covered the whole territory down here. Things look pretty healthy. You see, the main difficulty has been... I stared at my briefcase. I'd left it on the dresser. Now it was on the bed. And everything had been pulled out of it. The closet door was a jar. The drawers and the bureau were open. My Gladstone apparently hadn't been touched, but everything else had. I heard the boss talking trends and business conditions. My mind was on a girl who wanted a window open. A window that wasn't stuck. Well, somebody searched my room. That's the right of that. Well, that's about the whole wall of wax coming. Finally, he finished talking and I hung up. There was no reason now for me to stay in the room. I gathered up my stuff and I took the Bible from under the pillow. Funny, I got interested in it. I wanted to go on reading it.

8:05So I stuck it in my top coat and walked out of the room. On my way to the elevator, I got a sudden impulse. I stopped in front of room 300 and knocked. Oh, excuse me, where? Nobody here now, mister. The lady checked out. Well, that's impossible. I was just here. I don't know anything about that, but she checked out a couple of minutes ago. I got a clean it up after her right now. I'm gonna be glad when Marty grows over. Everybody goes crazy. Oh, tell ghost crazy. People check in, check out. And steal everything that ain't tied down. Steal. I said steal. Astrays, bath towels, soap. Wouldn't be surprised if they take the beds next. The Bible in my pocket suddenly felt like a pound of uranium. I wondered if the cleaning woman could read the guild on my face. But she put her waistbasket down in the hall and went back into clean the room. For a second, I considered taking the Bible back to room 302.

9:08And maybe I would have, it hadn't been for the discarded book jacket in the waistbasket. It was gaudy, red, and yellow. I grabbed it up, put it around the Bible. The title read, you will die tonight. Front boy, show this gentleman the five o'clock. Oh, checking out the coming. And let me see you in room 302. 302? Oh, it's a matter. Oh, Mr. Cummings, I've had so much trouble over that room. I was supposed to hold it for a lady, but you can't keep rooms vacant. Marty grow up. I'm going to be a little bit more careful. I was supposed to hold it for a lady, but you can't keep rooms vacant. Marty grow up. I give her the room next to you, but you can't get crazy to the manager. Next to me? Mm-hmm, yeah. Room 300. She checked out just a few days ago. I don't know what this is all about, but there's something peculiar going on in room 302. The cullion? Yeah, I didn't mind the house that I could come and end and look for the purse.

10:09I didn't like having my stuff searched while I was out of the room. See? That's right, I said searched. Mr. Cummings, you say the house detected it? You said the woman who had the room before me left her purse. Oh, but that's impossible. Now, what do you mean? Well, but a man had the room ahead of you. Yes, I'm positive of it. Just the moment I have it, that's just the right here. Mm-hmm. Yes, mm-hmm. A Mr. Gregory. Mm-hmm. Now, the house detected isn't on duty today, but when he comes into the room. I'm duty. Well, then what was he doing in my room? Today, Mr. Cummings. Of course, the day tonight. Tall guy with black hair. Oh, this, I'm the state-là house detected a short fat and bald. And he hasn't been in the hotel all day. He's home at sea. It had the makings of an interesting little intrigue. But I left the mystery of room 302 with a room clerk and went to the cigar stand. It was eight o'clock. My train wouldn't leave until midnight. Hey, yes you will be. Siga redsauce cigar.

11:09Siga is three-coronavirus. No, no, no, make it six. Always like this, Siga's. Men don't smoke cigars like they used to. Siga reds, that's the fashion today. But give me a good cigar every time. All right, some of these have a good time. Oh, they all have a good time during the carnival. Say, I wonder where I could check my bag and briefcase for a little while. Going to see the parade? I thought I would. Mill around a little better. Got a couple hours to kill. Well, I'll be glad to keep it for you. I'm on duty till midnight. Well, that's mighty nice of you. Don't mind at all. Marty Gras, something to see. You shouldn't miss it. But you'll have more fun if you're in a costume. The hotel's got a for entry. No, no, no, thanks. I'll go as I am. He stuck my stuff under his counter. And I elbowed my way across the crowded lobby to the street door. Through the glass, my eyes met the eyes of another man. A tall man with black hair. The man who had said he was the house detective.

12:09I swung the hotel door open. Got a two questions on it. Ask that boy. Marty was swallowed up in the crowd. And then a big hand clapped me on the shoulder, and a voice boomed in my ear. There you are, sinner! I rolled around and looked into the mask of a laughing, red face devil. Don't try to evade me, sinner. I've come to collect you with my nice shiny bit for it. When the devil comes for you, your time is up. All I can see in the mask was a pair of eyes. They were green eyes, and they were laughing. And the devil threw his arm around my shoulder and urged me along the street. I bought a little. I hadn't had anything to drink, and the whole thing seemed kind of silly. But before I knew what happened to clowns, I had my other arm. And let's take the sinner to the fiery burden. And the two of them, the devil and the clown, were propelling me down the street toward a parked car. Come along, sinner! Why are you a pervert? Hey, now wait a minute. Wait. Oh, the sinner. Push him in clowns. Oh, not long. Get out of the sinner. Hey, you guys. Hey, let me out. Look, where are you going? All right, let's have it.

13:09What? The Bible. The Bible you took out a room 302. Bible? Hey, you're not drunk. Don't waste time on a frisk. Look, I don't know who you are. You haven't got it on. What would you do with it? Where is it? I told you I haven't got it. I just let you know we're not playing. Come on, let's take it again. Where's the Bible? Look, I tell you I haven't got it. I had it, but I guess I lost it. Lost it. Where'd you lose it? I don't know. Why you don't do that, sinner. It's easy for me to pull this trigger to look at you. Look, I'm telling you the truth. I haven't got it. All right, you haven't got it. But you'll tell me where it is. You understand it? I have to kill you to find out. Hey, what are you stopping here for? Well, a crowd. I can't get through. Come on, let's get open. Get out of here. What do you want me to do? Grab over. Look, that is a shot. Go out. The title card. A bunch of rubbers drunk and out for bear. Opened the back door of the car and started climbing over us. Nothing would stop them from weaving through. They thought it was fun, pushing and shouting each other.

14:11One of them fell, sprawled across the devil's land. And they began to pile up. Suddenly I knew this was a escape. I climbed out of the car. I ran blindly away from them. I saw a cab at an intersection. I ran out, opened the door, and there he was. In the back seat, the phony house detected. I slammed the cab door and bowed it across the street. I was a policeman on the corner directing traffic. I ran up to it. Hey, hey, what do you think you're going? I'm trying to kill me. You got to help me. Kill you. Who's trying to kill me? The devil, he's after me. The devil you say? Yeah, I'm the clown too. Not Mickey Mouse. I mean it. I'm serious. You're drunker than you look, son. You haven't had a drink. I tell you they're trying to kill me. And why would they be doing that? Because they want the Bible. The Bible? Yeah. Look, see, I stole the Bible. Here they come down. Who? The devil and the clown across the street. You've got to get me out of here. You've got to stop them. They'll kill me. Oh, now show them. Now take it easy on them. Oh, there you are, son. Come on, what are you trying to do? Get us in trouble. It's trouble. He's going to miss the party. It's all a trick. Don't listen to them.

15:11These young fellow claims you're trying to kill him. Me? Oh, no, not me. But if he doesn't get to that party pretty soon, his wife will kill him. Come and get a wife. There isn't any party that's lying. Now you'll be all be good boys. Now move on. Go someplace else and set your squabba. What the police want to say? Come on, let's set it on there. Officer, now beat him. Now go on with it. With the man to the arrested, I demand it. Go on, I said, now go on. Officer, you're a no good white trash pool. I'm out what? If he was a muddy guy, I'd run you in. And you want to arrest me. Okay. But remember, I didn't want to do it. Ah! But that's a dirty Yankee trickstacking on officer. All right, young fellow, that does it. You'll run to arrest. We'll return to escape and today's story, the man who stole the Bible in just a moment. For Friday Night Entertainment, packed with something or other, we hardly recommend Rayburn

16:12and Finch, those two unpredictable record rascals, who make merry Friday nights on most of these same CBS radio stations. Right now, the melody-minded monkey shiners are up to their elbows in a contest. They're determined to give away discs by the thousands, also a few automobiles and some trips to New York. Enjoy the music and get in on the contest details tomorrow night. You'll have fun trying more fun winning. It's Rayburn and Finch on CBS Radio Friday nights. And now we return you to the man who stole the Bible, tonight's story of escape. I sat in the drunk tank in the New Orleans jail and tried to figure it out. Who were the devil and the clown and the phony house detector? Why was the Bible so important that they'd even kill me to get it? My bags were back at the cigar counter in the hotel.

17:12My train was scheduled to leave at midnight. How was I going to get out of New Orleans? Already it was 10 o'clock. And as long as I stayed in jail, I'd be safe. But that didn't last long. I hadn't been there a half hour when a cop came for me and took me to the death sergeant. No, all in police. Not here. Here's your person belonging, Cummins. You're released. You can go now. God behave itself. We're pretty busy tonight. You're released. Yeah. You knew you were looking, guys. Cold pepper, your side is not the press charges again, you. You knew what you could get for striking an officer. But aren't you going to hold me? Your fine's been paid. I gone. Get on out of here. And keep out of trouble, will you? But I am in trouble. That's what I tried to tell the company. Wouldn't listen to me. I had to hit him. My fine. Somebody paid my phone. Yeah, my car's. Yeah, that's been paid. Who? Who paid?

18:12I don't know who it was. Yeah. I didn't give me no name. He just paid it. Was it a man in a devil's costume? Huh? Or a clown? Oh, now look. What did he look like? I don't know what he looked like. He was ordinary looking guy. Told big and a black hair. The house to take. The who? They'll kill me. I told you they'll kill me. I have no idea what happened to me. I had my hair come over the street when she moved so quietly. She was a nun and she was talking excitedly in front. I wasn't paying much attention to her. I was thinking instead of my own problem. The house detective had paid my fine. He wanted me out of jail. He wanted me to lose on the street. Why? And the devil and the clown. Are they with him? Were all of them waiting outside that door for me? Please, sister. Look, I wish I could help you. But I can't understand the word you're saying. Mr. Legion, in the road, I'm going to find my husband. He's taking me for a... A participant? Oh, English can't speak a little English, sister.

19:12Oh, sorry, Mr. Unmasquerade. Costume. The people think masquerade. No masquerade. Ah, look, I think she's trying to say that people on the streets think she's wearing a masquerade costume. Merci, merci bien, Mr. I am lose. You mean lost? We, Mr. Lost. I am expect at the convention of your car. Oh, the Vue Carre. That's the French Quarter, eh? Exactly, yes. I try for taxi cabs. How you say? Pouch mes rounds. You could send your children to your garden. What? Janda. Oh, she wants you to send the policeman to help her get to the convention. Yes, sir. Oh, well, I'm sorry, sister. I'd be glad. But I ain't got anybody in right now. You don't mind sticking around for a while, I'll be. The sergeant, the prefect says he's sorry, and if you'll wait, there's no one available right now to help you. Wait a minute.

20:15The nuns stood there, frightened and bewildered, out of place in the police station. But for me, it was a miraculous break. Sure, I can walk out of that police station with her. And if they were waiting outside, waiting to get me, I can walk right by them. They wouldn't dare touch me as long as I was with a nun. I could take her to the convent. Once there, I'd be safe. I'm just sorry, I can't do it. I'll take the sister to the convent, sergeant. Well, it's okay with me, it's okay with her. Thank you, sir. Thank you, once. And she walked out of the police station I took her on. To help her, yes. But also to steady my own fear. Any minute, I expected to see one or all of them. I was careful, the clown, the house detected. But they weren't inside. There were people milling about on the street, but not the three I feared. And strangely, not finding them there frightened me more than ever.

21:16I found a cab and gave the driver the address of the convent. The nun and I didn't try to talk. I realized this whole thing was difficult for her. And I didn't feel like talking. Too much had happened to me for one night. The cab pulled up in front of an ancient building in the French Quarter, crumbling cement and rot iron work. We got out and I walked with her to the big front door. The nun raised the knocker. And I knew I'd been had. You. What is wrong? Finger nails. Red polished fingernails. You're not a nun. Where have you been? Harry, vice, his vice. Come on, you little son. It was the devil in the clonk. They ain't going to be in the house. It was the devil in the clonk. They ain't going to be in the house. And the girl. Stared at her. Back in the police station, I hadn't really looked at her face. Her black robes had spelled freedom to me. That's as far as I thought. But now I knew I'd seen her before. Only before she'd worn a green dress and a scarlet mouth to match her fingernails.

22:19And her hair had been blonde and long. And she wanted a window open. A window that wasn't stuck. You've given us a lot of trouble. I'm sorry, but I don't. I don't. Now we want a pipe. I told you before I don't have it. You had it. I had it. Yes, I had it. I took it. I don't know why I took it, but I lost it. Who sent you to get it? I'll handle him. All right. Who you're working for, Poloni? Look, look, look, look, this Sunday steak. I'm a salesman. I sell washing machines. You're lying. Look, I tell you. What is the stuff? Has Poloni got it? What's the stuff? I don't know any Poloni. Please, Poloni. What are you slapping me around for? That won't get you any place. I won't. Let me talk to him. Look, if you're covering up a Poloni. Who's Poloni? I don't know any Poloni. Poloni wouldn't take a beating for you. I tell you. Whatever he's paying you will pay you more. We'll pay him nothing. We'll hand over that Bible or tell us where the junk stashtor is. He'll help me out kill him.

23:19Don't. So that's what it is. Yeah, Mr. Innocent. Oh, that's what it is. Dope. Harrowing and cocaine, 100 grand worth. Stop it. Kill him. We'll never find him. Listen to me. What's your name? John. Yes. You work for Poloni, Cummins. Nobody but Poloni knows about that Bible. You came to hijack the stuff. J.E., don't know Poloni. Stop lying. Poloni knew our carrier was hot. But he had to drop the stuff somewhere in New Orleans. You're wasting your time, baby. I'll make him talk. Are you going to talk? Do you want the butter this gun right across your face? You're going to believe me. You hit me with the gun. I tried to keep my eyes open. I had to hang on to consciousness. Across the room, I saw the door open, and in it stood a man with another gun. A big man with black hair. The phony house detective. Was his name Poloni? Poloni.

24:19I didn't know how long I was out. When I came to, I was lying on a bed. My head was throbbing. My cheeks, my nose, every bone in my face seemed on fire. It was a cold cloth on my eyes. I tried to think. Why did I hurt so? Oh yeah. The Bible. They wanted the Bible. But I didn't have it. That was a good thing. If I had it, they'd kill me. And then I smelled something. A strong cigar. It burned the inside of my nose. I rolled over to get away from it and open my eyes. The devil and the clown were gone. So was the girl. I was alone with the phony house detective. All right. Let's not waste any more time. Why did you do with the Bible? Where are the others? I'm taking care of them. Look, you took the Bible that belongs in this room. Now what did you do with it?

25:19This room? Yeah, room 302. What am I doing back in the hotel? You have no right to touch that Bible. Now think, what did you do with it? Where is it? Oh, look, I told them. I must have lost it. I don't know. I got it. Here's a gentleman who left his suitcases with me. Mr. Cummings, suitcases. Come on in. Why are you? I run to the car stand in the lobby. I saw you bring Mr. Cummings in there. If you don't mind my saying so quite tight. I'm going off duty in a little while and I thought he needed his things. You see, he checked them with me. Thanks. Oh, I almost forgot. Here's his book. No, no, don't eat the book. What's your forgot it on the toilet? No, I don't want the book. You can have it. I'll take the book. No, no, don't give it to him. All right, thanks for your trouble. No mention it. Hope he feels better tomorrow. Well, at last the Bible. You will die tonight.

26:20You know that's a pretty clever stunt covering the Bible with a hood on it jacket. Oh, look, Poloni, I don't know. I swear I just took it. Poloni? I'm not Poloni. I see. Third book, second chapter. Janice's section is Leviticus chapter one, two. Yes, here's the address of the warehouse where the stuff is. I don't understand. If you're not Poloni, who are you? Jan's staying in United States Treasury Department, narcotics division. Team, man. Well, I thought you were... Look, you made my job very difficult tonight, Mr. Cummings. We traced the narcotics carry all the way around the world to New Orleans to Room 302. But when we arrested him, he was clean. He didn't have the evidence. Room 302 was the link. The girl Frenchie was to take this room and I would have followed her to where the evidence was stashed. It was as simple as that. But you stepped in and tore us all off. Why didn't you tell me you were the government man when you came in tonight to look for the pocketbook? I know that you went a new member of the mob. Look, take my advice, Mr. Cummings. Quit stealing things out of hotels.

27:21Oh, look. I never stole a thing in my life before. This is the first time I've seen a thing that I can't figure out. Why did you steal a pipe? You're not going to believe this. But honest, I just wanted to finish the story. You have just heard, escape, produced and directed by William N. Robeson. Tonight's original radio play, The Man Who Stole the Bible, was written by John and Gwen Bagney. Sam Pierce was served as Cummings. Nan Bordenman as the girl, Ben Wright as the House Detective, Joseph Kerns as the Devil, Jeff Cory as the clown, Mary Ship as the telephone operator, operator and the maid, Wally Mayor as the desk clerk and police sergeant, Peter Leeds as the traffic policeman and the cigar stand clerk and Lou Kroegman as the voice. The special musical score was composed and conducted by Leith Stevens.

28:22Arthur Gottfried still soaking up relaxation. And while the redhead vacations, Robert Cue Lewis is in full charge of the fun and informality that dominates Arthur Gottfried time all the time. Enjoy this sparkling variety show with its familiar fun makers every weekday on most of these same CBS radio stations. The address again? Why is sure? The CBS. The CBS. The CBS. The stars at the dress is CBS. And remember, Steve Allen is here with Songs for Sale every Saturday evening. This is the CBS radio network.