You, finding life pretty dull, dreaming again of exotic places, wishing you were somewhere else, we offer you Escape. Escape, designed to free you from the four walls of today for a half hour of high adventure. Escape with us now, to a puppet kingdom in the heart of the Belgian Congo, and a man who challenged that kingdom because of dream. As Gilles Daud and Anthony Ellis tell it in their most unusual story, The Power of Hammer. Play it again. God, Sam, I have played it for you ten times already. This is a joke box, isn't it? I'm paying. Play it again, I like it. We hear something else now. Mule time, mule time. Mister, I like that song. Get some water. It's better. It felt good when I hit it. It's hurt my hand now. It's all right. Lousy whiskey, lousy bar, lousy Congo. I must be drunk. Must be I am. Carrying you drunk. I like that song. Wish I was back in the States. Wish I could see Alice. Alice, Alice, gotta get out of here. Hey. Yes, Sam. Here's for your broken table. Here's for your whiskey. That enough? It's all right. It's not your fault. I have another mule train for you next time you come to Monaco. Where do we go from here, boys? Where do we go from here? Hey, Sam, where you go, you strong man? You stay with me, aren't we? Have good time. My cigarette. Hey, dog, you got a friend for me? Mr. Kerrigan. Sure. You will come with us, please? What for? The inspector will tell you. Come with us, please. Inspector Fernek. Oh, yes. You can wait outside. Come in, Mr. Kerrigan. Sit down, please. What's the charge? No charge, Mr. Kerrigan. Government business. I have received a cable ordering me to extradite a man named Benjamin Hamer. Have you ever heard of him? No. We believe that he is somewhere in this territory, possibly west of Muiumba, across the Wallaba River. Uh-huh. Fifteen years ago, he embezzled money in Brussels and incidentally killed a man. Took a long time to get him. What we think we have now. Have you heard of a white man who calls himself a king and has made himself responsible for several thousand Bahuhto tribesmen? I've heard rumors. That man may be Benjamin Hamer. I want you to take me into his kingdom. Across the Wallaba? Not me. Kerrigan, you are the only guide in the Belgian Congo who is familiar with that country. Surely you have taken hunting parties in there before? That's right and I'm not going back. You will be well paid. Not well enough. Sorry. Just a moment. As a guide and a hunter, Mr. Kerrigan, you realize that you are licensed by the government and here I am the government. So I move to another territory. This lousy Congo is all the same. You are an alien, my friend. And without my help, it may be difficult to obtain a license anywhere. Look, Inspector, this is for your own good. It's bad in there. Real bad. You mean the natives? Yeah. You wouldn't get ten miles beyond the river. I am aware of the hostility of the natives, Mr. Kerrigan. This is my territory. But we won't be going in alone. Oh? There'll be 40 of us. You're banned too, boys? And two machine guns. This is funny. You're blackmailing me. Not at all. You will be paid. That's what I mean. Okay, it's your funeral. There's your stinking, polluted, Lualava river, Fernac. There's your jungle. I recognize it, Mr. Kerrigan. I have been here before. You've been to Mayamba, but you haven't gone across the river. We shall unload the trucks now and leave tomorrow at dawn. The Bantu's have instructions not to fraternize with the villagers, and I wish you too to remain silent about our mission. Sure. But you listen tonight. You'll hear the drums talking. There's no such word as secret here. One more thing, Kerrigan. As long as you are in the employ of the Belgian government, you will try to remain sober. Sergeant Rabat. Yes, sir. Unload the trucks and post the guard about them. Sure. Be careful of everything. Unload the trucks, post the guard. If you really want to be careful, go back to Manono, boy. Back to Manono. But you won't go back, you fat little Fernac, and you may lose more than your weight. Mayamba. All the villages at night. Hot, stink, never asleep. Wonder if Fernac's listening. Wonder if he's awake. You hear the drums, Fernac? Did you ever hear a drum talking? Well, I did. Many soldiers with guns crossing the river before the sun, and come to the kingdom of Hammer. Can you hear that, Fernac? Better have a drink, maybe sleep. Very good. And Kerrigan and I will take the point. Instruct the men to maintain two-phase intervals. At my service, take cover. Mr. Kerrigan? Yeah? Were you asleep? No, just last smoke. Mr. Kerrigan, one of my Bantu sergeants says that he understands the language of the drums. Wouldn't be surprised. He says that they are telling the king that we are coming. I figure so. The king's name is Hammer. And I guess you were right. I think that you have known that all the time. You were too anxious to stop us from coming here. You've got a suspicious mind, Fernac. I told you why I didn't want to guide you. It's dangerous. You don't know what you're getting into. Better go back to your desk and your rubber stamp. I have brought my stamp with me. The seal of the Belgian government. I am that government. On the other side of the river, maybe, but not here. There's a king by the name of Hammer. I've got 40 trained soldiers. One of his men are more loyal than your tame Bantos. At the pace we set today, how long do you think it will take us? Oh, with luck. Four more days, maybe five. Remember, I've never been here before. So you said. Good night, Mr. Kerrigan. Hey, Fernac. Yes? I wouldn't move around too much in the dark. Don't be afraid, Mr. Kerrigan. We are well guarded. I've posted six men with our machine gun. OK, I won't be afraid. Too quiet. Go see what happened. No, their funeral, not mine. Inspector, inspector. What is it, Sergeant? They are dead, all of them. Machine gun scum. What? Show me. It is them. Lucky it wasn't you, fat little Fernac. I told you it was dangerous you wouldn't listen, would you? Hope you haven't had breakfast yet. You won't like what you see. Better go back. Back to Monono for you, boy. Kerrigan! Kerrigan! Kerrigan! What's the matter? The sentries. Dead, huh? You look a little green. You are possibly more used to it than I am, Mr. Kerrigan. They were beheaded. The machine guns were stolen. Going to turn back? No. I want you to take a searching party. I give you ten men. Search for what? If you're a hunter, you can follow tracks. Sure I can, and you know what I'll find? Not your machine guns. Six heads stuck up on poles. That's what they did it for, to warn us off. They could have wiped out the whole camp if they wanted. You better go home, Fernac. We go on. Sergeant Robat! Yes, sir. Form the column as quickly as possible. We are moving on. Should have gone back that first morning. You've got guts, though. You'll need them. We'll get there all right. They haven't hit a white man. Hammer's saving something special for us. Something special for me. You all right, Fernac? Yes. How many this time? I don't know. Sergeant? Yes, sir. Casualties? Yes, sir, sir. That leaves three bantus. You, LeBat and me. What's the matter? You ready to turn around now? I want to get Hammer. If I do go back, it will only be to get 200 men. Forget it. This was the last attack. How do you know? Are you kidding? Why should he be afraid of you now? He's left us three bantus for porters. How do you expect to drag him back to Manana with an army like that? He'll let us in all right. Let's get moving. There it is. Nothing changed since the last time. Clearing, stockade, house. There's a room. A night I can't forget. Sam, don't go away unless you take me with you. I can't stand him. Sam, take me back. I want to be with you. You should have thought of that before. You wanted Ben. You got him. Wonder what you're like now. You're afraid of him. Sam Carrigan's scared. You're scared. You're scared. You were right, Alice. I was afraid. I still am. Now I'm back. My name is Benjamin Hammer. You are Inspector... Ah, yes. The message of the drums was unable to cope with the name. Mr. Carrigan. Hello, Ben. I'm surprised to see you. I thought I made it clear at our last meeting that I should kill you if you returned. You had your chance. Why didn't you? I don't understand. Skip it. Benjamin Hammer, I have here a warrant for your arrest on a charge of embezzlement and murder, to which will be added responsibility for the death of 37 government soldiers. Responsibility? Your responsibility, Inspector, not mine. You should have known better than to enter Bahutu country. Carrigan knows how savage the natives are, didn't he tell you? I suppose not. Mr. Carrigan is a deceitful man. You mustn't trust him. I don't. Well, before you drag me off to my doom, I should imagine that a bath and a cooling drink would be in order. Come along. You too, Sergeant. I want you to meet my wife. My men will take care of your bantus. Little fat man. You're not afraid of him. Are you crazy? How are you going to do it? How do you arrest a king? Hot bath, cool drink, supper, and then any hour, any day he wanted. Goodbye, Sergeant Labat. Goodbye, Inspector Governmental Fernak. Goodbye, Carrigan. Alice, waiting like a wife at the door. Alice, I made you smile. Warm, red. I know those arms. I know you, Alice. Soft, dark, gardenias. Frightened? Who are you looking at? You're looking at me. My dear, I should like you to meet Inspector Fernak. He's come to arrest me. How do you do? Madame. And Sergeant Labat. Labat. Sergeant. Mr. Carrigan, you know, don't you? Yes, sir. Now run along and prepare food for our guests. Yes, sir. Inspector, I have prepared a room for you at the end of the corridor. Carrigan, I don't imagine you mind going back into your old room filled with memories. Show them the way, will you? I don't mind. When you've had your baths and feel up to it, we'll take supper on the veranda. Why did you say you'd never been here before? What does it matter? You knew he was wanted, didn't you? No. To me, he was a guy who paid well for trade goods and told me to keep my mouth shut about his setup. I did because it was good business. How long have you known him? Five years. Six. Haven't been here for over a year, though. Why did he speak of killing you if you returned? That's none of your business. I'll make it my business when we return to Manono. Yeah, you do that, Fernac, when we get back. Go to bed, Carrigan. What for? She calls him sir. Sir. He treated her like one of the Bahutu's servants. Doesn't eat at the table. Slave? When did that happen? A year ago after he found out about us. Sure. Wonder if she's with him now. Have a drink. What's a yoke? Where are you? Where are you? I wish I hadn't done that. Alice? No. Little fat Fernac. Fernac. No, don't touch me. Alice. Alice. No, you mustn't. I can't stand being touched. You don't know what it's been like with him since you left. Oh, why didn't you take me with you then? You know why he would have had his natives on us before we'd gone a mile. But why did he let me go? Don't you know? So that he could do what he's done to me. So that I could think about you outside alive and want you. So that he could do these things that I can't tell. Look at me. It would have been better for both of us if we'd tried to run away and he'd killed us. It doesn't matter now. Yes, it does. We'll try it. Come with me. No, I couldn't go with you now. There might be a chance. Does he know you're here? I suppose so. He knows everything about me. He left you your guns, didn't he? Yeah, he would. You know that. I want you to give me yours. I can't do that. I've got to kill him. I've waited a year for the chance. It's made me want to live, to kill him. He's been so sure, so safe because he's so strong. But with a gun, I can kill him. I'll show him he's not a god. I'll show the natives he's not a god. Give me the gun. No. You loved me once. If you still do, do as I ask. I still do. That's why I want to take you away. You're afraid. You're still afraid. Give me the gun. I've got to. I've got to. Alice, no. Alice. No. Don't touch me. I can't stand you. Filthy, dirty. Hold her. No, don't touch. Another night, though, yes. Gardinus. Waiting a year. Waiting. Not for Sam. Not for Sam. Waiting for a gun. Don't go. Don't go. Don't go. Alice, I've got to think. There may be a way. I'll talk to Fernak. We'll figure out something. Maybe tomorrow. He'll kill you all tomorrow. Alice. How does she know we die tomorrow? Leave me alone. I want to talk to you. Get out of here, Fernak. Leave me alone. What did she tell you? Nothing. You're lying. Get out. What did she tell you? Why did he leave us with our guns? Why have we still got our guns? Because that's the way he is. So we shoot him. How do you want to die after? It won't be easy like being shot. I've seen what the Bahutus can do to you. He knows I've seen it. I do not want to die, Mr. Kerrigan, but the Belgian government has seen fit to name me as its representative. If I am unable to arrest Hammer and take him back for trial, I shall have to shoot him here. You wouldn't have a chance. You've seen his guards of honor. He's their god, the immortal king, Ben Hammer. That's how he rules them. They think he can't be hurt and he can't. Mr. Kerrigan, knowing this about him, why did you come back? Don't you remember you blackmailed me into it? I don't believe that. It was the wife, wasn't it? Yeah, the wife. I guess I would have come back someday anyhow. It's strange, Mr. Kerrigan. We seem to have parallel missions. Mine to take him out, yours to take her. Yeah. Too bad, isn't it? More coffee, Inspector? No, thank you. Sergeant? No, I don't want any more. Well, then breakfast is finished. Mr. Hammer, I think the time has now come to start back for Manolo. You know, I rather admire you. You must realize your position here and yet with stubborn zeal, you persist with this farce and... Please don't touch your gun. It's all right, Egali. I don't want to see you killed that way. I have other plans. Then I have nothing to lose. As you wish, Inspector, draw your gun. That's better. It is difficult to set in motion your own execution, isn't it? Mr. Kerrigan knows that. Come, we'll go out on the veranda. I want to show you something. These natives you see are the chieftains of my kingdom. I call them together to witness my decree. Hear me, wise Bahutos. These two white men in uniform have been sent to dethrone me by a government that thinks itself stronger than I, your king. Egali, seize them. Don't touch your hands! My reply to this insolence is to return them to the country in humiliation, bound and across the back of an ox. What about me, Ben? I have something to say about this. You, Kerrigan? Oh, yes, you have a gun. No, no, let him, Egali, let him. I know Mr. Kerrigan. Do you, Ben? Are you sure? Tell your men to release the inspector and the sergeant. And if I don't? I'll give you 30 seconds and if you don't, I'll shoot you. You'd like to kill me because of her, wouldn't you? But it wouldn't do you any good now. She wanted to do that. Go ahead, shoot. Shall I tell you what they'll do to you then? They'll stake you naked to the ground and smear honey over you. Then the ants will come. First one, then two, then more. You're handshaking, Kerrigan. And when the ants are nearly finished, you'll be screaming then. They'll take sharp little steps and belch. You, Egali, let them go. Don't look at me, look at them. They aren't doing anything. Just watching. King, King, you stand up. I'm not stand up. I'm not dead. You say he cannot die. No man kill him. You tell us when he come here. You show us. He drink poison from our arrows. He was no god, Egali. He was no king. He's dead. Go look at him. He no god. He no king. He's dead. Wrong man. You come sit with me. We have good time. Hello, Sam. Poor yourself. You've come back. Yeah. I didn't forget your song. You've come back so soon. I play another you like. Okay. You're afraid. You're still afraid. Give me the gun. I've got to. I've got to. Alice, did you try anyway without a gun? You know he was stronger than you. You were lying there broken. I touched you. Don't touch me. I can't stand you. Or did Hammer kill you because you came to see me. But it wasn't me, was it? It was a gun you wanted. A year ago. Should have killed him then. Why didn't you take me with you then? Why didn't you take me with you then? You like the song, Sam? Sure. Can I bring you something? Yeah. I'm gonna get drunk if you don't mind. Escape is produced and directed by Norman MacDonald. Today we have brought you The Power of Hammer by Giel Dowd and Anthony Ellis with Harry Bartel starred as Sam. Featured in the cast were Edgar Berrier, Vivi Janis and Stan Waxman with Anne Morrison, Jack Crushen, Lou Krugman and Don Diamond. The special music for Escape was arranged and played by Ivan Dittmar. Next week Escape with us to the year one hundred thousand and eighty and a world where beauty and terror live side by side as H.G. Wells described it in his immortal story, The Time Machine. Now that colour television is definitely coming, should you buy a television set? What about your present TV set? Frank Stanton, president of the Columbia Broadcasting System, gives you answers to these and other vital questions about colour television today at 6 p.m. Eastern Standard Time. Don't miss this informative talk about colour television over most of these same CBS stations. Now stay tuned for Make Believe Town which follows immediately over most of these same CBS stations. This is Roy Rowan speaking. This is CBS where you laugh at Jack Benny every Sunday night at the Columbia Broadcasting System.