Original subtitles

Good evening.

If you've been wondering where it all began, here it is.

In fact, here is where the first flat tire was patched some 4

,000 years ago.

Patching was more practical, since a spare tyre weighed several thousand

Of course, once the wheel was invented, many things became possible.

Things which before had been only dreams.

Things like the pancake, the pizza and the donut.

Of course, it took a long time for these things to catch on, since for hundreds

of years it was naturally assumed that they had to be made out of stone.

But now I must interrupt this scholarly discussion to bring you tonight's play.

It is called Forty Detectives Later.

of detectives in this country.

And once there was a man who seemed determined to hire them all.

From Raleway, New Jersey to Scranton, PA to the west side of Chicago, he hired.

And finally, he got around to me.

I was number 41 on the list and I wasn't flattered.

Tire?

I'm Monroe Dean. I called you this morning.

Oh, sure, Mr. Dean. I remember. Come on in.

Have a seat.

Seems to me I've heard your name somewhere before.

You may have.

Were you ever with the police, Mr. Tyre?

No, not exactly, but I got a lot of friends in the force.

Something about your wife, wasn't it?

Something about my wife, yeah.

Happened in October 1948.

A man killed her.

He was a slim, dark man with bushy black hair.

I came home from work one night. I saw him running out the back door.

My wife was in the living room dead.

The police never caught him.

But you're still interested in finding this guy?

Interested?

Yes, I'm still interested. I've been looking for him ever since it happened,

you know that, Mr. Tyre. All you people, all you detectives, you know all about

that. You think I'm some sort of a funny joke.

Now, wait just a minute.

You think I don't know?

I've had 40 detectives working for me, and not one of them's helped me.

Some of them even took advantage of me.

Now, look, Mr. D, let's get one thing straight, shall we?

Most of us guys are in this business for money.

Only some of us take a long -range view, Mr. Dean. Some of us feel an unhappy

client's a bad advertisement.

So I'm telling you right now, I'm no smarter than the police, and I'm no

than most of the other guys you've already hired.

So here's your hat, Mr. Dean.

I think you better go out and hire Detective Number 42, because I don't

can find your man for you.

You won't have to.

I found him for you.

You found him?

I found him.

I did what 40 experts couldn't do.

All right, so you found him. Why don't you go and tell the police about him?

Because it wouldn't do any good.

The police lost interest in the case a long time ago.

Besides, I can't really prove he's the man.

For one thing, he's changed. He's older. He's fatter. He's lost some of his

hair.

But he's the man.

What makes you so sure?

Because I am.

That face is engraved right here.

It's funny you know that.

All those years, all those detectives, and by chance, I see him in a bookstore.

Well, it's possible.

Don't forget, Mr. Dean, your description of him was pretty vague.

Maybe you're the only one who could have spotted this guy.

Now, what kind of a bookstore was it? It was one of those run -down shops on the

north side of town. You know, the kind of thing.

Books, postcards, old records.

He was working behind the counter.

Maybe he even owns the place.

He didn't look very prosperous.

Mm -hmm.

But you didn't let him see you. No.

I don't want it to happen that way.

I ducked out as soon as I saw his face. Now, that's why I came to see you, Mr.

Tyre. I want you to act as a go -between.

I want you to set up a meeting.

What for?

What do you suppose?

Uh -uh.

Listen, pal, last time I set up a target was at Fort Dix. I'm not interested in

that kind of assignment.

Oh, you don't understand.

I just want to talk to him, meet him face to face. I want to be sure he's the

right man.

Wait a minute now. Wait a minute, Mr. Dean.

I thought you said before you were so... so positive.

Mr. Tyre, we're just wasting valuable time. Do you want to take this job or

don't you?

Well, I don't know.

Could be dangerous.

For you, I mean. If he really is your wife's murderer and knows who you are...

I've thought about that.

There's no reason why he should know until we're actually face to face.

Now, I'm at the Hotel Bayshore on Smith Street.

I'm in room 305, registered under the name of Adams.

Harry Adams.

All you've got to do is get him there.

Harry Adams?

Yes. You may want to use the name when you first approach him.

Might make things easier.

But then, I don't have to teach you your business, do I, Mr. Tyre?

All you detectives are so clever.

Okay, Mr. Dean. I don't like this kind of work, but I've got a couple of good

reasons for taking the case.

Such as?

Food and shelter.

What was the name of that bookstore?

It was just before noon when I walked into the grimy joint where my pigeon was

roosting. There was an inch of dust on everything, including the customers.

I didn't have any trouble spotting my man.

I tried to place him in my metal rogues gallery, but nothing clicked.

He was just a guy.

I didn't even know what kind of a guy.

Hard -boiled.

Yeah. Yeah, two eggs.

And a container of black coffee.

No, I don't want no Danish pastry. Look, will you please hurry it up?

Okay, Sal.

Listen, we get it here in about 15 minutes. Kind of, I'm starved.

All right, bye.

Now, what was that, mister?

I said, since when do you call these French postcards?

What's wrong with them?

The best shots of Paris I ever saw.

What, are you kidding me, buddy? I see better on the midway.

Flake off, will you, Mac?

Need some help, mister?

I don't know.

I see you've got some old Paul Whiteman records here.

I was just wondering if Bix was on any of them.

That's Bix Beiderbecke.

Oh, you don't have to tell me.

I'm an old Bix fan from way back.

Ain't many of us around these days.

You're a collector, too, huh? Oh, sure.

Only these old scratchy records don't appeal to me no more.

I dig hi -fi. You know what I mean?

Stereo? Yeah, I guess that's okay.

I don't know, though. There's something about the old jazz. Oh, I'm not putting

on the old jazz. Come here a minute.

You just give me some nice brew bags at about 20 ,000 cycles with all the

squeeters and whoopers gone, man, you're really gutsy.

Hey, if you're really interested in the old labels, I got a pretty good private

collection I'd be willing to dump for the right price.

What have you got?

Man, you name it, I got it.

See, I got a bunch of Fletcher Hendersons on vocalians, some old

stack of Bluebirds. We could make a good deal.

Well, that sounds okay.

Look, you don't suppose you could bring a few samples up to my hotel room

tonight, could you? I'm staying at a joint called the Bayshore. It's not far

from here.

Man, you're kidding.

It's like a truck to haul all the old records I got anywhere.

Tell you what, why don't you stop over at my place and look this stuff over?

Like, maybe 9 o 'clock.

Are you sure it wouldn't be too much trouble?

Heck no.

I'll give you a treat.

I'll let you listen to some real hi -fi.

Ottos.

Now, hello, Gloria.

Huh?

Now, I was just chewing the fat with a buddy of mine.

Yeah, sure, if you want to. Why not?

My buddy's coming over, too.

Hmm?

Oh, sure.

Sure, he's nuts about the bongos.

Okay, doll.

See you tonight.

It's my girl.

She's a pain in the neck, but she's good for laughs.

I forgot to introduce myself.

I'm Otto.

My name's Adams.

Harry Adams.

I called Monroe Dean at his hotel and told him about my progress.

He didn't sound very grateful. He just told me to come over.

Well, he was paying for my time, so I did.

Oh, come in.

Thanks. I was just having a little drink.

Would you care to join me? No, thanks.

So, you've met our... Yeah, we got that far all right.

Hook's in his mouth, but the next part isn't going to be so easy.

Getting him up here.

But you think you can do it?

Yeah, I can do it.

It's been so long.

So many years.

And so many dollars.

This search of yours hasn't been cheap, has it, Mr. D?

No. It cost me thousands hiring all those men. But you're still sure he's

guy. You're not making any mistake.

Why do you say that?

Well, I don't know. He just seemed like a pretty jolly type, that's all.

He's the man, all right.

If I'm sure of anything, I'm sure of that.

Okay, Mr. Dean, I'll keep you in touch if there's anything else right now.

Wait a minute.

Wait.

I suppose that's a good idea.

You might need the protection.

It's not for me.

It's for you.

For me?

Take it, Tire.

I don't know anything about guns. They frighten me.

Take it.

Well, what do you want me to do with it?

I thought I could do it myself, but I can't.

After all these years and I can't, I want you to do it for me.

I want you to kill him.

Well, now, that's a real pretty weapon, Mr. Dean.

Why don't you just hang that on a mantelpiece somewhere?

I mean it, Tyre.

I want you to kill him for me. He deserves it. You know he does. Sure,

does, Mr. Dean. Only I think we better let the cops handle our friend Otto,

don't you? If you can prove he's your wife's murderer, you... Don't lecture

I'm sick of all these lectures.

I want you to kill this man for me. He killed the most important thing in my

life.

And I'll give you $3 ,000 to avenge me.

Three grand?

Yes. And there'll be no risk, don't you see?

No risk at all. It'll be self -defense.

After all, I hired you to protect me, didn't I?

Now, when this man comes here and learns who I am, he's going to threaten me,

isn't he?

But before he can do anything, you fire, can't you see it?

Yeah, I can see it, Mr. Dean, only I can't buy it, not even at your price.

Four thousand. No!

Fire! Now cut it out!

Cut it out before you hit a number that tempts me, because I don't want to be

tempted. Do you understand that, Mr. Dean?

All right.

If that's how you want it.

That's how I want it.

I'll be in touch with you as soon as I get the meeting set up.

And, Mr. Dean.

Yes? I wouldn't try any do -it -yourself if I were you. The law is pretty

definite about murder in this state, no matter what the reason.

I'll remember that.

You ever see a rig like this in your life?

Man, I hate to tell you, but the speakers alone cost me.

Music's kind of loud, isn't it? Yeah, ain't it great?

Only you ain't getting the full effect. Come here, come here.

See, this is stereo, you know what I mean?

You gotta be in the right position.

There we go. Will you cut that out a minute, huh?

Yeah, that's right. Perfect.

See, I got all the angles figured exactly.

Come on, Gloria, will you listen to the music, please?

Oh, now why can't I play the bongo?

You can play the bongos later. Sit here and listen.

You hear that?

You hear that?

See, you got the bass coming in the left ear, the treble on the right. They both

come together in the middle.

Am I right or am I right?

Not for me. My ears are too far apart.

It's because you got no music appreciation.

All right, Harry?

Yeah, Otto, that's great. That's real great.

Say, I was wondering if we could talk about those records now.

Oh, yeah, the records. I almost forgot.

Come on.

See, I got just what I told you I had.

King Oliver and the Dictyland Jazz Band, Louie and the Hot Five.

All choice stuff.

Yeah, I can see that.

Hey, Otto.

How about some brew back? My bongo's getting cold.

You butt out. I'm talking business.

What about it, Harry?

How many records you got in all, Otto? Oh, 200 maybe.

Look, I'll make you a good deal if you take the whole lot.

Well, what kind of deal?

Well, worth 500, maybe more.

But for a buddy, I'll make it 250.

How's that?

250, huh?

Well, the price isn't so bad, Otto. You see, I only got one small problem.

What's that?

Well, I haven't got too much cash on me now, and I don't want to stick you with

a check, so I suppose I'll pay you off tomorrow night at my hotel.

Are you kidding? Come on, let's listen to music. I ain't no hurry. No, but how

do you see I am?

I'm going out of town in a couple of days, and I'd like to get this thing

settled. So if you could come up tomorrow night about 8 .30, I'd have the

for you by then. We could talk about delivery later on.

Okay, if that's the way you want it, fine.

Oh, good.

I'm staying at the Hotel Bayshore. That's over on Smith. You better make a

of that. All right.

That's Hotel Bayshore.

Bayshore. Room 305.

305. Harry Adams.

Adams. Yeah.

Okay, I don't know. Thanks. Hey, wait a minute. Wait a minute. You ready for

this? I want you to hear something really special. Wait a minute.

Yeah, right here.

Stereo recording of two trains crashing into each other head on.

Man, it's an experience.

Oh, heck, Otto. How can I play the bongos to a train wreck?

the hook was in his mouth when I was reeling him in.

It had been easy, but somehow watching him play with his expensive toy like an

overgrown kid, I wasn't feeling very happy about my work.

So it's all set. He's coming up tonight to see Harry Adams.

Thinks he's made a deal for some records.

You've done well, Mr. Tire.

You're the only detective I've hired that's really been of service to me.

Now, you said your fee was $50 the day. Yeah, plus expense. There weren't too

many. Comes to $112.

That's a fair price.

Here.

What's the matter? I thought you said you preferred cash.

I do.

Then take it.

You act like my money's dirty.

Well, that depends.

I'm not sure what I sold you.

You sold me justice.

Anything wrong with that?

You plan on letting the police in on your justice, Mr. Dean, or are you just

going to keep it all to yourself?

Mr. Tyre, I thought you were a businessman.

I am.

Then don't you know how business was conducted?

Once a piece of merchandise is bought and paid for, the seller has no more

rights in the matter.

Transactions closed.

Only we're not talking about merchandise, are we, Mr. Dean? We're

a man.

You mean a murderer.

Good day, Mr. Tyre.

And thank you for a very efficient job.

Thanks.

But just let me warn you about one thing.

Stay out of it from now on.

Stay away from Otto.

Stay away from those friends of yours on the police force.

Like you said, Mr. Dean, I'm a businessman.

six o 'clock that night that I typed out my final report on the Monroe Dean

case. It was pretty skimpy because I left out my speculations about what

happen in room 305 at the Hotel Bayshore.

That part was out of my hands.

I suppose I should have been feeling sorry for Monroe Dean.

He was a man on a noble mission to track down the murderer of his wife.

But for some reason I felt sorrier for a high -five bug named Otto.

Who'd knock on Dean's door in a couple hours and hear a riff like he'd never

heard before.

I wasn't proud to file the Dean case away.

I had a drawer full of cases that didn't make me feel pleased with my chosen

profession.

Divorce cases, runaway husbands, double -crossing wives.

But there was nothing on file like this.

Nothing under M for murder.

But my assignment was finished.

So a little after 7 o 'clock, I decided to leave the office and visit the chop

house down the street.

I didn't stay there very long.

Nothing on the menu stirred my appetite, so I had a cup of coffee and went for a

walk.

Hard as I tried to think my way out of it, one thing kept coming back to me.

I was putting the finger on a guy.

That's the same record he was playing up in his apartment.

Could be his funeral march.

I didn't think about where I was going.

I let my feet do the thinking.

But somehow I found myself across the street from Monroe Dean's hotel.

I stood there waiting, just as if I were being paid for a stakeout. But I wasn't

being paid.

The report was all typed, the file drawer was closed, the money was in my

pocket.

But I just stood there, waiting.

It was 8 .25, almost time for Otto to arrive.

Suddenly I found myself hoping he wouldn't show at all.

But there he came, right on schedule.

My chubby friend who liked big spider back high fidelity and hard -boiled

The job was over. I didn't have to hang around there anymore.

I had nothing more to do with it. It was all up to the man in room 305.

Was it?

Now it's your turn, finger man.

Oh, wait a minute, Otto.

Oh, wait a minute. Now, don't try...

Oh.

Do you know who that guy is? Do you recognize him?

You dirty crumb. You set me up good. Now, look, you've got to tell me, Otto.

did he do it?

I'm going to tell you nothing.

Otto, I'm just a hired hand, a private investigator.

That's your story. Now, look, I've got to know. Did you kill Dean's wife?

Yes.

Yes, I killed her.

I was a hired hand, too.

He paid me to kill her back in 48.

And he got nightmares about it.

And he hired guys all over the country to find me and knock me off.

So I wouldn't talk.

I used to think that I was the kind of a guy who'd do anything for money.

But I'd done too much already.

It didn't help much, but I gave it back.

seem to have been mistaken about this.

It's not a wheel.

It's a record.

Long playing, of course.

The title is Ten Evenings with the Stonehenge Philharmonic.

My, their disc jockeys must have been formidable men.

While you are pondering my pithy remarks, I must take leave.

Next time we plan to show another story in two acts.

And of course, your host making his two appearances in one.

Until next time, good night.