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WEBVTT
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The wheels of chance, like the hands of time, move slowly,
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but time is more dependable.
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Chance is not only a gambler and a knave, it's.
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Also a playwright, and like the egotistical creature it is,
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it plays all the parts, including the hero and the villain.
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Tonight I'd like to tell you of one of its masterpieces,
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which Chance co-authored with its very good friend, Coincidence.
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A fine pair, Chance and Coincidence.
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And a lusty match for anyone.
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Well, the place, Somerville, a drowsy little town with a
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population of 2,704.
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Including Mrs. Wilson's twins, which were born last week.
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Somerville's vital statistics are recorded in the town hall. And
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if you look up the figures on crime, you'll find
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that Somerville is a very law-abiding place.
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The last outbreak of violence occurred.
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On June 4th, 1943, when two young boys swiped three
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or four potatoes from the bin in front of Mr.
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Gorsy's general food store. The punishment was swift and just,
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and was meted out by the culprit's parents. The principal
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character in our story is a man named Howard Williams,
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a recent arrival in Somerville. He has a wife and
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two children, a boy and a girl, and two occupations,
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accounting and minding his own business.
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The time? Well... The time is now.
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Good evening, Mr.
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Williams.
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Good evening, Mr.
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Hawley.
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I took two of your papers from the stand outside
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the store in the Gazette.
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That's eight cents. Anything else?
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Not just now, thank you. Good.
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I understand you got yourself fixed up at the cottage
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on Spring Street.
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Yes, it was quite a break.
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Houses aren't easy to rent these days. I take it
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then that you'll be staying in Somerville.
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For a while, hmm?
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I'm going to make it my home, Mr.
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Holley.
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Oh, now, that's fine. That's real fine. You'll find the
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folks hereabouts are plain, not very exciting, but they're nice
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people to know.
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I think we're going to like it here.
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I'm sure you will. You like detective stories? Not particularly,
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but my wife does.
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Oh, fine.
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Well, now, look, I got a new issue in today.
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I thought you might like a copy. Nice for reading
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by the fire and scaring the tar out of you
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in a long winter's night.
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I'll buy a copy for Hazel.
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She gets a big kick out of.
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Stuff like that. Here you are, Mr. Williams. That's 23
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cents and all. Thank you.
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This first story sounds like a thriller. There's a crime
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that is almost perfect.
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Hazel should like that. She's always getting me into arguments
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about the perfect crime.
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She reads so much of this stuff, she believes the
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perfect crime is impossible.
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Impossible? Don't you?
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It seems to me there's many an unsolved murder case
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in the police files.
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Of course, I don't know much about those things, but
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I imagine a man could kill another man and get
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away with it if he planned it carefully enough.
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Ah, yes, but there's always a slip-up, isn't there?
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Maybe there is. I couldn't say.
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My business is accounting.
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I prefer leaving the criminology to someone else.
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That's a good idea.
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I want a pack of cigarettes, Kensington.
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Very good.
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Here you are, ma'am.
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Do you know where I can get a room for
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the night?
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Somerville Hotel is about three blocks up.
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No, I tried that.
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I phoned.
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They don't have anything.
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Well, the only other place I know of is Mrs.
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Karp's rooming house.
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Load full transcript
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Where's that?
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It's just outside. About two miles up.
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Is there a bus that goes in that direction?
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Yes.
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You can catch it right in front of the door.
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Oh, good.
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Thanks very much.
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Don't mention it. Stranger in town, I guess. Mighty pretty, too, eh?
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Well, I think I'll be on my way, Mr.
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Hawley. I'm afraid I'm late for dinner.
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Well, I'm certainly glad to hear you're going to make
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Somerville your home, Mr.
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Williams.
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We're one big happy family in this town, and we
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always welcome newcomers.
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It's good to have friends, Mr.
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Hawley.
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Lots of friends.
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And I hope to make them here.
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I'm a simple man with simple tastes, and I've always
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wanted to raise my family in a community like this.
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Jump in again soon, Mr.
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Williams.
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I will, and thanks.
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Good night. Good night.
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The weather's awful, isn't it?
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It looks like we're in for a storm.
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It's beginning to hail. How often do those buses run past?
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I'm not sure. Every 15 minutes, I imagine. Maybe I
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can get a cab. I'm going in your direction. You are?
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And I have a car over there.
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Can I give you a lift?
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Well, I'd hate to put you to any trouble. No
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trouble at all. Maybe you'd better not. Why?
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Oh, well.
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Oh, well, I guess it's all right. Which car did
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you say was yours? The gray sedan.
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Oh, let's go.
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Do you mind if I stop at this gas station
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for a minute?
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My tank's a little low. No, it's all right with me.
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Don't fill her up, mister?
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Yes, please.
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And check the oil. Do you have a phone inside? Oh, yes, ma'am.
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I'll be right back.
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No
hurry.
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Eh, rotten night, ain't it, mister?
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Blowing up.
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Better watch the road out of town. This hail ain't
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gonna do it much good.
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Well, I'm not going very far.
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Say, your left front tire's kind of smooth, eh? You
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better get a change.
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I intend to buy a whole new set next week.
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Oh, can I take your order for it? I suppose
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you can.
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My name is Williams.
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I'll run by here on Wednesday or Thursday and let.
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You put them on.
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Okay.
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Say, you're new in town, ain't you, mister?
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We've just been here a little over a week.
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Well, welcome to Somerville.
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Thank you very much.
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My name's Pete. I run this gas station. Anytime you
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need any advice about your bus, just drop in. No
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charge for advice to neighbors.
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That's very kind of you.
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Yep.
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We're a small town, maybe, but we get along nicely.
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City's a good place to visit, but it's no place
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to live. You never get to know folks the way
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you do here in Somerville.
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And they seem like worthwhile people to know.
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Well, I'll check your battery and your water.
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You ready? Just about. Look, I've changed my mind.
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I'm not going to that rooming house just yet. Do
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you know where the turnpike is?
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It's a mile from here, but it's only a crossroads.
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Are you driving past?
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Yes.
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Then I'll get off there.
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But there's nothing at the turnpike.
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Are you giving me a lift or aren't you?
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Why, of course.
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Then let's get going, and you can drop me off where.
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I asked you to, at the turnpike.
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You certainly are a careful.
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Driver, mister.
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It's hard to see the road in this weather.
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How far are we from the turnpike now?
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Half a mile, I guess. I'll let....
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What's the matter?
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I'm almost afraid to look.
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Just a second. I thought so.
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What is it?
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Blowout.
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Oh, for heaven's sake. I'm sorry.
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I don't like it any more than you do. It
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won't do my clothes any good to get down in
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this mud on my hands and.
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Knees, but it looks as if I'm elected. Well, I'm leaving.
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There's nothing I can do to help, and I'm in
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a hurry.
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The turnpike's up ahead, isn't it?
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Well, just keep walking.
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You can't miss it. If you wait a few minutes, though,
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I'll change this tire.
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No, I can't wait.
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Thanks, Liz.
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I'll be seeing you.
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Be careful.
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The road's very slippery. Well, I'd better get started.
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Looks like I'll be home a good deal later than
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I thought.
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What's the trouble?
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The road is blocked. There's been a crack-up. You'll have
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to detour.
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Which way do I go? I live on Spring Street.
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Well, you better turn back and make a.
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Left turn on Maple.
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Oh, apparently I'll never get home.
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Sorry, mister.
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Well, nice night for ducks, anyway.
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Yeah, ducks and murder.
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Maple, did you say?
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That's right, mister, and take it easy.
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Howard Williams, you ought to be spanked.
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Now, don't be angry with me, Hazel.
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I couldn't help it.
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We'll have to send those clothes to the cleaners immediately.
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I only hope they can get all the mud off.
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Well, it's nice to be home again in front of
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the fire.
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Is that robe warm enough for you, dear? Now, stop worrying, dear.
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I don't catch
colds as easily as that.
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Howard, I met one of our neighbors this afternoon.
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Mrs.
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Harvey.
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Oh, she was awfully nice.
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She kept asking me if there was anything she could
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do to help make us comfortable.
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Everyone here seems to be that way, Hazel.
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It's going to be nice living in Somerville.
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After all we've been through, it'll be like making a
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brand new life for ourselves.
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You promised me you wouldn't think about it. What happened?
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It was like a bad dream. But I'll forget about it.
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In time?
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I did all I could for Mr. Cagle. Sorry it
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ended up the way it did, then, that's all. If
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only he hadn't dragged you into it.
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Your reputation. Hazel. Let's not discuss it, huh? Are you happy, Howard?
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Right now, I'm very happy. There's a great deal more
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to living than making money, Hazel. When you have peace
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and contentment. When you have good friends and neighbors.
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Oh, I'll take it, dear. Hello?
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Hello?
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Mr.
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Williams there, please.
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Who's calling?
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My name is Mallory. Lieutenant Mallory, State Police.
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Police.
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Just a moment.
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Police?
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Yes.
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Hello?
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Mr.
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Williams?
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Yes?
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Sorry to trouble you, Mr.
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Williams, but I was wondering if you.
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Might give me some information.
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About what? Do you know a woman.
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Named Laura Pearson?
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Why, no.
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Are you sure?
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Quite sure.
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00:09:47.769 --> 00:09:49.669
We didn't think you'd know her, but Mr.
264
00:09:49.710 --> 00:09:50.769
Hawley mentioned something about.
265
00:09:51.509 --> 00:09:53.710
You're being in his stationery store.
266
00:09:53.429 --> 00:09:54.690
When she came in for cigarettes.
267
00:09:55.710 --> 00:09:58.289
A tall girl, good-looking, bleached blonde hair.
268
00:09:58.730 --> 00:09:58.889
Oh.
269
00:09:59.590 --> 00:10:01.360
Oh, yes. I remember now. Good.
270
00:10:01.379 --> 00:10:03.440
I wonder if you'd mind dropping into headquarters for a
271
00:10:03.460 --> 00:10:03.879
few minutes.
272
00:10:04.460 --> 00:10:04.700
Now?
273
00:10:04.940 --> 00:10:06.990
Well, if it's not too much trouble, we won't keep
274
00:10:07.000 --> 00:10:08.950
you long, but you may be able to.
275
00:10:09.169 --> 00:10:09.750
Help us out.
276
00:10:09.909 --> 00:10:11.309
Well, if it's important.
277
00:10:11.330 --> 00:10:12.190
Yeah, it's very important.
278
00:10:12.210 --> 00:10:14.889
You see, we found Laura Pearson about an hour ago.
279
00:10:15.529 --> 00:10:16.669
She'd been strangled to death.
280
00:10:29.879 --> 00:10:32.129
Yes, the town of Somerville is very small, and you'd
281
00:10:32.149 --> 00:10:34.490
never find it on the map. But things do happen
282
00:10:34.509 --> 00:10:38.049
in Somerville. On this particular evening, for instance, at exactly 8.45,
283
00:10:38.049 --> 00:10:42.529
Howard Williams stepped into Lieutenant Mallory's office at police headquarters
284
00:10:42.590 --> 00:10:44.909
and was formally introduced to fear.
285
00:10:45.309 --> 00:10:48.129
Sit down, Mr. Williams, sit down. Do you remember Pete,
286
00:10:48.149 --> 00:10:49.129
the owner of the gas station?
287
00:10:49.149 --> 00:10:50.490
Oh, hello, Pete.
288
00:10:51.350 --> 00:10:54.090
Hello. Pete told me you'd met a couple of hours ago.
289
00:10:54.820 --> 00:10:58.019
He's the guy, Lieutenant. She was riding with him when
290
00:10:58.059 --> 00:10:58.879
he stopped for gas.
291
00:10:59.940 --> 00:11:02.529
According to Pete, Mr. Williams, Miss Pearson was seen in
292
00:11:02.539 --> 00:11:04.409
your car just before.
293
00:11:04.049 --> 00:11:06.049
Her body was found. I could have told you that
294
00:11:06.090 --> 00:11:06.850
myself if you'd asked.
295
00:11:06.929 --> 00:11:08.129
Naturally, naturally.
296
00:11:09.350 --> 00:11:10.730
How did you come to pick her up, Mr. Williams?
297
00:11:11.830 --> 00:11:13.649
I didn't pick her up, no.
298
00:11:14.389 --> 00:11:15.629
I gave her a ride, but.
299
00:11:15.649 --> 00:11:16.509
Oh, I'm sorry.
300
00:11:17.220 --> 00:11:20.539
I'm afraid I put it in the wrong terms. Exactly
301
00:11:20.659 --> 00:11:22.940
what occurred between you and Miss Pearson this evening, Mr.
302
00:11:22.960 --> 00:11:23.200
Williams?
303
00:11:23.779 --> 00:11:28.539
Well, I met her outside the stationery store... and offered
304
00:11:28.570 --> 00:11:31.110
her a lift to Mrs. Carp's. She made a phone
305
00:11:31.149 --> 00:11:32.070
call at the gas station.
306
00:11:32.090 --> 00:11:34.309
Is that right, Pete? I guess so.
307
00:11:35.269 --> 00:11:38.450
Of course it's right. Why should I lie to you?
308
00:11:38.509 --> 00:11:39.590
Oh, I beg your pardon.
309
00:11:39.669 --> 00:11:41.529
I didn't mean to infer that you'd lie.
310
00:11:42.529 --> 00:11:43.889
Please go on with your story.
311
00:11:44.450 --> 00:11:47.570
Well, that's about all there was to it. Instead of
312
00:11:47.610 --> 00:11:49.389
going to Mrs. Carp's, she asked me to drop her
313
00:11:49.409 --> 00:11:50.129
off at the turnpike.
314
00:11:50.309 --> 00:11:50.710
Oh, why?
315
00:11:51.750 --> 00:11:52.610
She didn't say why.
316
00:11:54.110 --> 00:11:57.529
Mr. Williams, the turnpike is over a mile from Mrs. Copp's.
317
00:11:58.480 --> 00:11:59.879
That's an odd place for a young girl to go
318
00:11:59.899 --> 00:12:00.480
in weather like this.
319
00:12:00.679 --> 00:12:02.299
Well, it wasn't any of my business why she was
320
00:12:02.320 --> 00:12:04.419
going there. And I didn't ask her.
321
00:12:04.840 --> 00:12:05.120
I only.
322
00:12:05.139 --> 00:12:05.740
Just a minute, please.
323
00:12:07.000 --> 00:12:08.899
Flanagan, send Mr. Hawley in.
324
00:12:10.090 --> 00:12:11.490
I'm afraid I can't help you out very much in
325
00:12:11.529 --> 00:12:13.870
connection with Miss Pearson. I never saw her before tonight,
326
00:12:13.909 --> 00:12:14.139
and I.
327
00:12:14.870 --> 00:12:15.830
Oh, come in, Mr.
328
00:12:15.870 --> 00:12:16.149
Hawley.
329
00:12:16.649 --> 00:12:16.970
Howdy.
330
00:12:17.409 --> 00:12:17.809
Good evening, Mr.
331
00:12:17.889 --> 00:12:18.090
Hawley.
332
00:12:18.110 --> 00:12:21.470
I said good evening.
333
00:12:21.929 --> 00:12:22.580
Yes, I heard you.
334
00:12:23.220 --> 00:12:23.419
Mr.
335
00:12:23.440 --> 00:12:23.659
Hawley.
336
00:12:24.669 --> 00:12:25.009
Did Mr.
337
00:12:25.049 --> 00:12:27.269
Williams and the Pearson woman recognize each other when they
338
00:12:27.289 --> 00:12:27.960
met in your store?
339
00:12:28.289 --> 00:12:32.659
Well, I can't recollect that they did. All I know
340
00:12:32.679 --> 00:12:33.179
is that it.
341
00:12:33.179 --> 00:12:36.379
Say, Lieutenant, that's very funny.
342
00:12:37.740 --> 00:12:38.019
What is?
343
00:12:38.759 --> 00:12:41.960
Weren't you wearing a brown suit about three hours ago, Mr. Williams?
344
00:12:42.559 --> 00:12:43.500
Why, yes.
345
00:12:44.799 --> 00:12:45.740
Why did you change your clothes?
346
00:12:46.159 --> 00:12:46.879
Because my other suit.
347
00:12:49.070 --> 00:12:49.529
Wait a minute.
348
00:12:49.549 --> 00:12:52.450
What is this, Lieutenant Mallory? I'm beginning to feel as
349
00:12:52.509 --> 00:12:54.950
if you're questioning me like a suspect. Oh, no.
350
00:12:55.490 --> 00:12:55.970
Not at all.
351
00:12:56.710 --> 00:12:58.809
We merely want whatever information you can supply.
352
00:13:00.250 --> 00:13:02.899
But I won't question you anymore right now, Mr. Williams.
353
00:13:03.539 --> 00:13:06.220
Perhaps I'll get in touch with you again tomorrow. Thanks
354
00:13:06.259 --> 00:13:06.879
a lot for coming in.
355
00:13:07.360 --> 00:13:07.779
That's all right.
356
00:13:08.419 --> 00:13:09.100
Oh, just a second.
357
00:13:09.379 --> 00:13:11.740
Mr. Hawley tells me your wife reads detective stories.
358
00:13:12.639 --> 00:13:13.080
What about it?
359
00:13:13.519 --> 00:13:15.590
He said that you and she were discussing the perfect
360
00:13:15.669 --> 00:13:16.450
crime this evening.
361
00:13:16.470 --> 00:13:17.830
Perfect crime?
362
00:13:18.409 --> 00:13:19.350
I know how it is, Mr.
363
00:13:19.370 --> 00:13:19.799
Williams. I.
364
00:13:20.409 --> 00:13:28.340
Sometimes read detective stories myself. Good night.
365
00:13:31.620 --> 00:13:32.519
What happened, Howard?
366
00:13:32.539 --> 00:13:33.700
I don't know.
367
00:13:35.379 --> 00:13:38.279
They questioned me about this girl.
368
00:13:39.419 --> 00:13:40.220
And that was all.
369
00:13:40.240 --> 00:13:42.250
They certainly don't think that you had anything to do
370
00:13:42.259 --> 00:13:42.590
with it.
371
00:13:42.610 --> 00:13:43.230
Of course not.
372
00:13:44.850 --> 00:13:47.210
I saw her before the murder, so naturally they want
373
00:13:47.230 --> 00:13:48.409
me to give any information I can't.
374
00:13:50.450 --> 00:13:51.929
I never even met the girl before.
375
00:13:51.950 --> 00:13:54.129
It's ridiculous.
376
00:13:55.809 --> 00:13:56.830
They haven't got anything on me.
377
00:13:56.850 --> 00:14:03.850
And they can't prove anything. Hazel.
378
00:14:04.149 --> 00:14:04.649
Yes, dear?
379
00:14:04.809 --> 00:14:06.370
You know I had nothing to do with this, don't you?
380
00:14:06.389 --> 00:14:08.389
You don't have to defend yourself.
381
00:14:08.070 --> 00:14:08.649
To me, Howard.
382
00:14:08.669 --> 00:14:09.389
Depend myself?
383
00:14:10.269 --> 00:14:14.080
What? Yes, that's what I'm doing now, isn't it? Depending myself.
384
00:14:15.129 --> 00:14:18.500
It just doesn't make sense. I have nothing to defend
385
00:14:18.539 --> 00:14:19.580
myself against, Hazel.
386
00:14:28.899 --> 00:14:31.580
Sorry to disturb you again, Mr. Williams. What is it now, Lieutenant?
387
00:14:32.440 --> 00:14:34.889
There's a man named Cy Parker who lives about a
388
00:14:34.950 --> 00:14:36.230
mile north of the turnpike.
389
00:14:36.389 --> 00:14:38.090
I'm afraid I don't know who he is.
390
00:14:38.110 --> 00:14:39.210
He may know you, however.
391
00:14:39.389 --> 00:14:39.690
He does?
392
00:14:39.929 --> 00:14:41.990
He seemed to give me a pretty good description of you.
393
00:14:43.190 --> 00:14:46.190
He said he warned you away from the roadblock early
394
00:14:46.230 --> 00:14:46.629
this evening.
395
00:14:47.549 --> 00:14:49.830
Oh, he must have been the man who told me
396
00:14:49.870 --> 00:14:50.250
to detour.
397
00:14:50.269 --> 00:14:52.960
That's right. He also said you were alone.
398
00:14:54.029 --> 00:14:54.460
What about it?
399
00:14:55.100 --> 00:14:56.519
That you looked like you'd been through some kind of
400
00:14:56.539 --> 00:14:59.480
a crack-up yourself. Did I look like a... He said
401
00:14:59.519 --> 00:15:01.539
he noticed mud on your face and hands, and you
402
00:15:01.580 --> 00:15:03.320
seemed to be rather annoyed at being held up.
403
00:15:03.460 --> 00:15:04.820
Well, naturally, the.
404
00:15:04.799 --> 00:15:08.159
Weather was foul, and as far as the mud was concerned...
405
00:15:07.740 --> 00:15:11.009
Those are your clothes on that chair there? Yeah. Brown suit.
406
00:15:12.730 --> 00:15:13.590
Were you wearing it tonight?
407
00:15:14.190 --> 00:15:14.429
Yes.
408
00:15:15.850 --> 00:15:20.720
Muddy, isn't it? Well, I had to fix a flat tire. Ah. Mr. Williams,
409
00:15:20.740 --> 00:15:22.220
you'll have to return to headquarters with me.
410
00:15:22.879 --> 00:15:23.240
What for?
411
00:15:23.379 --> 00:15:25.279
Well, there are two or three loose ends that have
412
00:15:25.299 --> 00:15:25.840
to be cleared up.
413
00:15:25.860 --> 00:15:26.899
Loose ends? What do you mean?
414
00:15:27.460 --> 00:15:30.840
When we found Laura Pearson's body, her clothes were also
415
00:15:31.220 --> 00:15:31.799
covered with mud.
416
00:15:37.779 --> 00:15:38.899
Have another beer, Si?
417
00:15:39.259 --> 00:15:40.830
Yeah, I don't mind if I do.
418
00:15:41.830 --> 00:15:43.330
I never would have figured him for it.
419
00:15:44.370 --> 00:15:47.139
Didn't look like that kind of guy to me. You
420
00:15:47.159 --> 00:15:49.110
mean you really think he killed that gal?
421
00:15:49.330 --> 00:15:51.129
Well, no, I'm not the type who'd pin a man
422
00:15:51.169 --> 00:15:53.570
against the wall without proof, and I believe in fair
423
00:15:53.610 --> 00:15:56.750
trial by jury. According to law, a man's innocent.
424
00:15:56.470 --> 00:15:57.850
Until he's proven guilty, right?
425
00:15:57.929 --> 00:15:58.330
Right.
426
00:15:59.129 --> 00:16:00.289
But between you.
427
00:16:00.149 --> 00:16:08.159
And me, Si, who else could have done it? And
428
00:16:08.240 --> 00:16:09.960
I saw the way he looked at her when she
429
00:16:09.980 --> 00:16:12.159
came into my store, I tell you. I don't care
430
00:16:12.200 --> 00:16:15.500
if he'd never seen her before. I know what goes
431
00:16:15.620 --> 00:16:18.059
on in a man's mind when he sees a girl
432
00:16:18.100 --> 00:16:18.700
like that.
433
00:16:18.740 --> 00:16:21.580
He's got a wife and two kids besides. Say, you
434
00:16:21.600 --> 00:16:22.340
think maybe he's.
435
00:16:22.240 --> 00:16:23.000
Crazy, Holly?
436
00:16:23.039 --> 00:16:27.169
Crazy? Look, a lunatic don't plan a killing the way
437
00:16:27.210 --> 00:16:29.610
he planned this one. Look at how slick he did it.
438
00:16:29.610 --> 00:16:30.730
I know.
439
00:16:31.330 --> 00:16:33.750
He ain't no crazier than I am, a murdering rat.
440
00:16:39.929 --> 00:16:43.909
Well, Judge, he was sitting with this woman in the car.
441
00:16:44.509 --> 00:16:46.330
and it seemed to me they knew each other a
442
00:16:46.549 --> 00:16:48.419
lot longer than he said he did.
443
00:16:49.179 --> 00:16:51.820
Anyway, he told me to fill up his tank.
444
00:16:51.899 --> 00:16:55.539
and I
figured he was going for a ride, a
445
00:16:55.580 --> 00:16:57.080
long ride with her.
446
00:17:00.350 --> 00:17:02.570
He was as nervous as a cat, Judge, and dirty
447
00:17:02.610 --> 00:17:05.069
and a mongrel, too. He kind of stared at me
448
00:17:05.109 --> 00:17:07.640
when I mentioned something about the weather... that it was
449
00:17:07.680 --> 00:17:09.319
a nice night for murder.
450
00:17:11.440 --> 00:17:14.910
He talked like he knew a lot about crime, Judge.
451
00:17:14.950 --> 00:17:17.730
We had this argument about the story.
452
00:17:17.750 --> 00:17:21.269
He said to me... Wait till I get the words right.
453
00:17:21.930 --> 00:17:25.809
He said, I imagine a man could kill another man
454
00:17:25.890 --> 00:17:26.839
and get away with it.
455
00:17:27.359 --> 00:17:29.200
if he planned it carefully enough.
456
00:17:31.819 --> 00:17:33.859
When the body was examined, the coroner concluded.
457
00:17:33.880 --> 00:17:35.599
that she'd only been dead for half an hour.
458
00:17:37.509 --> 00:17:41.069
He filled his gas tank at 7.10.
459
00:17:41.069 --> 00:17:43.980
Cy Parker steered him away from that roadblock at 7.40.
460
00:17:43.980 --> 00:17:47.400
It's only a 10-minute drive from the gas station to
461
00:17:47.440 --> 00:17:49.740
the roadblock at the most, but apparently it took Williams
462
00:17:49.799 --> 00:17:54.900
almost 40 minutes. We also discovered that the defendant had
463
00:17:54.940 --> 00:17:56.279
been involved.
464
00:17:55.779 --> 00:18:00.089
In an embezzlement case in Chicago. He was acquitted. He
465
00:18:00.130 --> 00:18:01.089
left the city soon after.
466
00:18:04.109 --> 00:18:06.349
And it is the judgment of this court, Howard Williams,
467
00:18:06.410 --> 00:18:09.609
that you be sentenced to hang by the neck until.
468
00:18:09.329 --> 00:18:09.849
You are dead.
469
00:18:15.869 --> 00:18:17.839
Well, I haven't been very kind to poor Howard Williams
470
00:18:17.880 --> 00:18:19.859
so far, have I? But let's see what I have
471
00:18:19.930 --> 00:18:21.599
in store for him as his wife visits him in
472
00:18:21.630 --> 00:18:22.019
the cell.
473
00:18:23.299 --> 00:18:23.700
Howard?
474
00:18:24.819 --> 00:18:25.339
Hello, Hazel.
475
00:18:26.039 --> 00:18:30.819
Howard, they... They just told me. There's been no reprieve.
476
00:18:30.900 --> 00:18:31.119
I know.
477
00:18:32.990 --> 00:18:34.470
Told me an hour ago.
478
00:18:34.670 --> 00:18:35.509
What are we going to do?
479
00:18:35.569 --> 00:18:36.450
What can we do?
480
00:18:36.730 --> 00:18:39.430
They can't kill an innocent man. I don't believe it.
481
00:18:39.430 --> 00:18:42.150
They couldn't. You're the only one who believes I'm innocent, Hazel.
482
00:18:42.470 --> 00:18:43.309
Why did we come here?
483
00:18:43.829 --> 00:18:45.529
Why did we ever come to this horrible place?
484
00:18:46.950 --> 00:18:47.210
Don't.
485
00:18:50.539 --> 00:18:51.210
All the kids.
486
00:18:51.599 --> 00:19:00.319
They asked for you. Hazel, I want you to leave now. Leave?
487
00:19:01.140 --> 00:19:06.009
We'll make it easier for both of us. Well, this
488
00:19:06.029 --> 00:19:07.710
will be the last time I'll be able to see you.
489
00:19:09.410 --> 00:19:09.710
Howard.
490
00:19:10.359 --> 00:19:11.299
Don't say any more.
491
00:19:13.339 --> 00:19:16.279
Tell them outside that I want to see the prison chaplain.
492
00:19:17.420 --> 00:19:21.700
I refused to talk to him earlier. But I've changed
493
00:19:21.740 --> 00:19:22.140
my mind.
494
00:19:22.160 --> 00:19:25.950
Come on, Hazel.
495
00:19:25.990 --> 00:19:26.230
No.
496
00:19:26.890 --> 00:19:27.890
No, I won't say goodbye.
497
00:19:28.529 --> 00:19:29.450
You still have time.
498
00:19:29.990 --> 00:19:30.950
There's still a chance.
499
00:19:31.150 --> 00:19:32.109
There's still a chance.
500
00:19:34.809 --> 00:19:39.839
Right there isn't, Mr. Williams. Hello, Lieutenant. Hello, Williams. You
501
00:19:39.859 --> 00:19:40.440
asked to see me?
502
00:19:40.920 --> 00:19:41.099
Yes.
503
00:19:42.480 --> 00:19:47.440
Open the cell door, Haggerty. You can leave us, Haggerty.
504
00:19:48.170 --> 00:19:49.009
Hazel, will you leave us too?
505
00:19:49.349 --> 00:19:58.450
I'll wait outside. Very tough on her.
506
00:19:58.710 --> 00:20:00.839
Yeah. Even tougher than it is on me.
507
00:20:02.319 --> 00:20:03.059
I'm sorry, William.
508
00:20:04.019 --> 00:20:04.410
Mallory.
509
00:20:06.420 --> 00:20:08.480
I have a favor to ask you. Yeah? What is it?
510
00:20:09.490 --> 00:20:11.730
One day, Mallory, you'll find that I was innocent.
511
00:20:12.529 --> 00:20:12.839
Will I?
512
00:20:13.009 --> 00:20:15.289
You're a good detective. One of the best in the state.
513
00:20:16.309 --> 00:20:17.069
Something will turn up.
514
00:20:17.970 --> 00:20:21.240
Something that will make you think and reopen this case.
515
00:20:21.299 --> 00:20:21.720
Perhaps.
516
00:20:22.279 --> 00:20:24.059
All I ask is that when you do hit on
517
00:20:24.099 --> 00:20:27.859
new evidence, you'll prove me innocent. It won't do me
518
00:20:27.880 --> 00:20:30.319
any good, I know, but at least my name will
519
00:20:30.339 --> 00:20:32.359
be cleared and my.
520
00:20:32.319 --> 00:20:33.039
Family will be happier.
521
00:20:33.279 --> 00:20:33.660
I see.
522
00:20:34.519 --> 00:20:37.079
I know it's a lot to ask, but I swear
523
00:20:37.099 --> 00:20:40.650
to you that I I didn't murder that woman. I'm
524
00:20:40.670 --> 00:20:41.730
going to die in a couple of hours, and I
525
00:20:41.750 --> 00:20:44.170
wouldn't lie at a time like this. You've got to
526
00:20:44.210 --> 00:20:44.880
believe me, Valerie.
527
00:20:46.000 --> 00:20:46.700
I'm not guilty.
528
00:20:49.220 --> 00:20:53.460
I believe you, William. You do? I not only believe you,
529
00:20:53.500 --> 00:20:54.740
but I'm sure you're telling the truth.
530
00:20:56.079 --> 00:20:56.460
You're sure?
531
00:20:56.500 --> 00:20:57.299
Did you say it?
532
00:20:57.319 --> 00:20:57.480
Yeah.
533
00:20:58.400 --> 00:21:00.500
But how can you be sure?
534
00:21:00.519 --> 00:21:01.180
I mean.
535
00:21:01.259 --> 00:21:06.700
It's very simple. Simple. I know you're innocent because... I
536
00:21:06.759 --> 00:21:08.180
also know who killed Laura Pearson.
537
00:21:09.789 --> 00:21:12.369
Then why didn't you tell him? Why in the name
538
00:21:12.390 --> 00:21:14.650
of heaven don't you tell him that you know?
539
00:21:14.670 --> 00:21:18.670
I can't, William. You see, I killed her myself.
540
00:21:19.950 --> 00:21:20.190
What?
541
00:21:20.950 --> 00:21:22.970
I was the one who called. She called that night
542
00:21:23.519 --> 00:21:26.359
from the gas station. I was the one she met, Williams,
543
00:21:26.420 --> 00:21:27.019
at the turnpike.
544
00:21:27.079 --> 00:21:27.339
No.
545
00:21:27.960 --> 00:21:31.240
She deserved to die. She was a blackmailer, a cheat.
546
00:21:32.299 --> 00:21:33.720
She wouldn't take no for an answer when I told
547
00:21:33.740 --> 00:21:36.390
her we were through. I have a family of my
548
00:21:36.450 --> 00:21:37.009
own to think about.
549
00:21:37.349 --> 00:21:38.410
You'd tell me that now?
550
00:21:38.690 --> 00:21:40.579
You wouldn't expect me to mention it in the courtroom,
551
00:21:40.619 --> 00:21:45.480
would you? Yeah, and I killed Laura Pearson. There are
552
00:21:45.519 --> 00:21:48.319
only two people who know about it now, Williams. And
553
00:21:48.359 --> 00:21:50.839
after tonight, there'll only be one.
554
00:21:52.000 --> 00:21:53.640
You're wrong, Mallory. Wrong?
555
00:21:53.660 --> 00:21:55.009
There's someone else you didn't count on.
556
00:21:55.369 --> 00:21:56.470
He's just outside the cell door.
557
00:21:56.569 --> 00:21:56.750
What?
558
00:21:59.210 --> 00:22:00.190
Did you hear what I said, Chaplain?
559
00:22:01.470 --> 00:22:01.950
Did you hear?
560
00:22:03.049 --> 00:22:08.470
Yes, I heard. Chaplain, as a man of God, you've
561
00:22:08.490 --> 00:22:11.369
got to keep a confidence. You can't tell them.
562
00:22:12.710 --> 00:22:13.150
You won't.
563
00:22:14.569 --> 00:22:16.490
No, Lieutenant, I won't.
564
00:22:18.579 --> 00:22:19.960
But you will, my son.
565
00:22:23.200 --> 00:22:27.910
Yeah, you're right, Chaplain. I guess I will.
566
00:22:49.809 --> 00:22:51.970
And that is the story of Howard Williams as recorded
567
00:22:52.009 --> 00:22:52.529
by the clock.
568
00:22:53.430 --> 00:22:56.450
Chance and coincidence. Collaborators extraordinary.
569
00:22:57.309 --> 00:22:59.250
Their scenarios are always good, and I ought to know,
570
00:22:59.769 --> 00:23:01.130
because time is their entity.
571
00:23:02.369 --> 00:23:03.349
I'd be very honored.
572
00:23:03.170 --> 00:23:06.930
If you'd join me again in exactly 10,050 minutes' time, or,
573
00:23:06.950 --> 00:23:11.289
if you prefer, in exactly 167.5 hours' time, when I'll
574
00:23:11.309 --> 00:23:13.910
be here to tell you another of my stories. Until then,
575
00:23:13.950 --> 00:23:16.150
I wish you all happy times.
576
00:23:19.029 --> 00:23:22.789
The clock will be heard next week in exactly 10,050
577
00:23:22.789 --> 00:23:26.069
minutes' time from this same station. Written by Lawrence Klee
578
00:23:26.089 --> 00:23:28.930
with Hart McGuire as narrator, you heard Charles Tingwell as
579
00:23:28.970 --> 00:23:31.130
Howard Williams and Ken Wayne as Mallory.
580
00:23:31.470 --> 00:23:32.559
Others in the cast were.
581
00:23:32.420 --> 00:23:36.160
Wendy Playfair, Joe McCormick, Don Crosby and June Salter. The clock,
582
00:23:36.539 --> 00:23:39.720
directed by John Saul, is a Grace Gibson radio production.