The signal oil program, the Whistler. That whistle is your signal for the signal oil program, the Whistler. I am the Whistler and I know many things or I walk by night. I know many strange tales hidden in the hearts of men and women who have stepped into the shadows. Yes, I know the nameless terrors of which they dare not speak. Yes friends, it's time for the signal oil program, the Whistler. Rated by independent research, the most popular West Coast program. In gasoline, you know, it takes extra quality to go farther and signal is the famous go farther gasoline. So look for the signal circle sign in yellow and black that identifies signal service stations from Canada to Mexico. And now the Whistler's strange story, the deadly penny. It was only day before yesterday, just last Saturday in fact, that Millie Parker made a decision. It wasn't a hasty decision, not by any means, for Millie was not the type of person who made hasty decisions. There was a mountain of thought behind this one, long sleepless nights, careful consideration of possible outcomes. She knew of course that it would involve stepping over the line into illegal territory. That very possibly she would find herself a fugitive from justice. But Millie was the kind who'd rather be a wealthy fugitive than a law abiding citizen who was poor. It was the loss of pride that bothered her most. The fact that after a full year of separation, she'd need her estranged husband Yancey again. So by the time she arrived at Yancey's rundown boarding house, last Saturday morning Millie was preparing herself for the old tongue in cheek approach she knew Yancey would use when he saw her once again. Well. Hello, Yancey. Mind if I pick myself up off of the floor? It's been a long time. Yeah, 13 months. I counted them. Well, I see you haven't changed a bit, honey. Thanks for the compliment. It wasn't a compliment. Mind if I come in? Yeah, sure. Sure, I mind. But so what? You'd come in anyway. Thanks. Take that chair by the window. Ah, no, no. Don't lean back in it. That's Mrs. Jolly's best dunk in five. Oh, wonderful landlady Mrs. Jolly. She and I have the same appreciation of fine things, the old and the rare, you know. Now take that dresser. Got it for a song only the other day at a junkyard on Third Street. Yancey. Yep? Yancey, you have had a tough time, haven't you? Oh, not at all, Millie. As a matter of fact, I've got myself a new soul. No more worldly pleasures, just the life of the mind. Please don't be ridiculous. All right, Millie. What do you want? It's about you. Yeah, I'm going to get a little drunk. You know, of course, that the divorce business is out of the question. It's not that. Only one other thing could bring you here then, money. Yancey, you've got to... Wait a minute. Tell me first, is it money? Yeah, it's money. You ought to have known better. I'm not exactly wealthy, Cherub. You will be if you stop making a fool of yourself. Well, I'm listening. You know I'm working at the Consolidated Investment Company. Naturally, I called there three times this morning. Why? I got your message about coming today. I was just trying to save you a trip. What did you tell them? Oh, relax, darling, relax. When they said you weren't there, I hung up. Oh. The same old Millie. The blonde hair, the cupid's bow lips, and deep in the eyes, the little sparkling dollar signs. How much are we going to steal, darling? Please, Yancey. Come on, come on. Get to the point. You're here for one reason. There's some big dough kicking around loose and you want me for a fall guy. That's not it, Yancey. Oh, I know you, baby, just like a book. You're not the fall guy. Go on. It's $45,000, Yancey. And you walked out on me because you were through with the rackets. Just petty rackets, Yancey. Listen, you know I'm private secretary to Mr. Poole of Consolidated Investment. He has a lot of faith in me. Poor guy. I do his banking. I'm the only one besides Mr. Poole who can get into the safe deposit box in the bank. That's interesting. This morning he gave me $45,000 in negotiable bonds to deposit in the box. I've been expecting it for some time. And being a dutiful wife, you want me to share in the windfall. I'm not finished. Last week was the end of the company's fiscal year. Yesterday, an accounting firm finished auditing the books. That means it'll be almost a year before they go through the books again. So what? So now they're through, Mr. Poole won't go near the safe deposit box until next year. Unless I leave, of course. That's why I came to see you. There's only one sure way to turn those bonds into cash, and that's to do it before they're known to be missing and the traces are sent out. So that's where I come in, huh? You have an unusual talent for selling securities without exciting much attention. Touching the way you trust me? I think I can trust you. You're smart enough to know you... Yeah, yeah, yeah, sure. What is it? 50-50? Right, you can sell them in San Francisco. Stay at the Harbor Hotel. I'll meet you in two weeks. When do I take off? Now. Where are the bonds? I just happened to have them here in my purse. You've thought this over, Milly? You know what's going to happen. Yes, I know what's going to happen. We could have a lot of fun on 45 grand. Just like before, Yancy. Places we can go together, the things we can do... Just like it used to be, Milly. Just like... What's the matter, Yancy? The dollar signs again. Like where they always were in those great big baby blue eyes. Ah, skip it, Milly, skip it. Give me the bonds. I'll see you in San Francisco. Yes, Mr. Poole? Would you mind coming in a minute, Milly? Yes, sir. Just get in, Milly. Yes, sir, I was down at the bank. Oh, of course. I sent you down with the bonds. I forgot all about it. I've been buzzing you for 10 minutes. It's quite all right, Mr. Poole. Milly, I don't quite know how to begin. I'm a little busy. I don't know how to begin. I'm a little busy. I'm a little busy. I'm a little busy. I'm a little busy. I'm a little busy. I'm a little busy. I'm a little busy. I'm going to do my差 Nice one. I miss you. I miss you. I miss you. I miss you so much. Oh, I'll tell you again, Mr. Poole, I'm about to blow your brains out. Why, Milly? I'm going to tell you again. What? I mean, what is it, Milly? What is it? What is it? What are you talking about, Milly? Are you getting DUO done? Well, all the rest of us are... Who are you? I'm, I'm sorry, Mr. Poole. I'm going to go out to get my son Milly. Oh, I'll go upstairs. office three times this morning. Well that's nothing Mr. Poole. Then why are you so nervous? What? You're shaking like a leaf. Oh I didn't realize. Millie you're afraid of him aren't you? Well he's harmless Mr. Poole it's just that he and I didn't agree on the separation and well he's always hounding me trying to get me to come back. I don't think he's harmless Millie. Matter of fact I think he's rather dangerous. I want to help you if I can. Please there's nothing you can do. I'm just keeping away from him as best I can. It'll just take time. Very well Millie. I still think you're being a little foolish though. That's all I wanted to talk to you about. Thank you Mr. Poole. Oh Millie. Yes? I'm sorry there was something else. I uh I wondered if you'd help me out a little this afternoon. I know it's Saturday but I thought if you hadn't planned anything. What was it Mr. Poole? We're in quite a spot with that audit. Houston and Company just told me they're tied up on another account every morning of next week. They can't send the auditors over here until the afternoon. The auditors? They were here all last week Millie. Surely you know them by now. What are you talking about? The audit was all finished yesterday. Of course. I was thinking you were here when they called this morning. I'm afraid we're going to have to get things ready for the auditors all over again. That's why I was hoping you'd stay. Mr. Poole what do you mean get things ready? It seems our books were out of balance by the impressive sum of one cent. You mean they're going to have to do another audit for one cent? It seems silly. It's ridiculous. But it's necessary. Since the auditors are only available afternoons we'll start Monday by checking the securities down at the bank and this time I'm going over it with them. I see. How about it Millie? Will you stay this afternoon and help me out? I'm sorry Mr. Poole. I don't feel well at all. I've been working pretty hard. Of course Millie. I thought I'd go home this afternoon and rest. You don't mind. I'm not such an ogre as that. Go ahead. I don't have to tell you that anything you want is all right with me, do I? With the prologue of The Deadly Penny, the Signal Oil Company brings you another strange tale by the Whistler. At the beginning of these programs you've heard me say in gasoline it takes extra quality to go farther. And of course if you've lived out west any length of time you know that from Canada to Mexico, signal is famous as the go-farther gasoline. But perhaps you're one of those folks who like proof. So I'd like to take just one moment now to explain what those qualities are that make signals good mileage possible. Look at it this way. Anything that gets extra efficiency from your motor also helps you get extra mileage, right? Well when science increased the power of today's signal gasoline they naturally gave you quicker starting, faster pickup, and quieter higher antinock. And it's because of this improved performance that you now go farther than ever with signal gasoline. That's why signal says your speedometer is the best yardstick of gasoline quality. It really does take extra quality to go farther. Good reason why more and more drivers are switching to signal the famous go-farther gasoline. And now back to the Whistler. Well Millie, you weren't lying when you told Mr. Poole you weren't feeling well. His remark about the return of the auditors had pretty much the effect of the floor being suddenly yanked out from under you. And you had to hang onto the edge of his desk for support. The minute you're out of his office you grab your hat and coat and hurry down to the drugstore on the ground floor. There's a telephone booth just inside the door. This is Dolly speaking. I'd like to speak to Yancy Parker please. Hang on a minute I'll see if he's in. Now your mind is spinning now trying to grab the essentials fighting to get through the maze that has suddenly sprung up before you. It's Saturday now the auditors won't be available until Monday afternoon. That gives you two hours from 10 until 12 Monday morning to get the bonds back from Yancy and into that safe deposit box. Hello? Yancy? Well it's my little apple dumpling again. In case you're interested baby the airlines are all tied up over the weekend I can't get out till Monday morning. Wait a minute Yancy something terrible has happened. Don't tell me. Let me guess. Listen to me the auditors were a penny off. Huh? They've got to do the audit all over again. Mr. Poole's going down to the bank with a Monday afternoon to check the securities. What kind of malachy is that a penny off? I know it sounds crazy but it's true. When did all this happen? This morning while I was gone. Well that kind of puts a finger on me doesn't it? I better get a move on. What do you mean? Get rid of them today somewhere. What are you talking about? We wouldn't have a chance. They'd know they were gone two days after you sold them. They'd catch us and nothing's flat. So what's the other answer? I've got to put those bonds back. What? Hock them over and get them right now and sometime between 10 and 12 Monday I'll put them back in the box. Uh huh. The old dollar signs again. What do you mean Yancy? Just came over me like a flash honey. You suddenly decided old Yancy wasn't good enough for their 50 50 split so you found yourself another boy. Don't be stupid. No not stupid honey. Just careful. You've done it before. Please Yancy you've got to believe me this time. Where can I see you? I'm going home right now. I'll be right over. Thanks and darling. Skip the darling. Yancy bring the bonds will you? All right baby I'll bring the bonds. Thanks. Pardon me. Not at all. Come on Millie. Oh Mr. Poole what are you doing here? Never mind come on get in my car. All right Mr. Poole. All right what is it? Just this. Next time you take it upon yourself to go home sick without letting me offer you a ride you're fired. Is that clear Millie? Yes Mr. Poole. I'm glad that's understood. Now suppose you tell me where you live. It's right there in the next block. You can let me out here Mr. Poole. Nonsense. Please it's no trouble. The Poole limousine service operates only on a door-to-door basis. You've been very nice. I'm trying to be in my own crude way. Incidentally Millie I thought for a long time that you're quite nice too. I'm flattered Mr. Poole. Think nothing of it. Ah here we are. You stay right there I'll get out. I wouldn't think of it. At your service. Come on right up to the door. Mr. Poole. A part of the service. Hey wait a minute. Hey you stop. Ran out of the alley as we walked up. You see who it was? No no I. I did. It was your husband. It's nothing at all. He's hanging around. I think it's high time someone did something about him don't you? You can't do anything I tell you. We'll see about that. Now uh you better go in and get some rest. You're a pretty sick girl. You uh you let me take care of Yancy will you? Well Millie it's getting a little beyond you isn't it? The minute you're in your room you close the door and put a call through to Mrs. Jolly's boarding house and it's only after she tells you Yancy is out that you realize it was stupid. He simply hasn't had time to get back yet. So you call an hour later and an hour after that but still he hasn't arrived. It's nine o'clock when your phone finally rings. Yancy. Well you're psychic baby. How'd you know it was me? I've been trying to get you all afternoon. And I wasn't there. Incidentally I'm still not there. I've got to see you right away. Gonna bring Mr. Poole along? I couldn't get out of it Yancy. He insisted. Yeah sure sure. 13 months you worked for him and you're waiting for me until I'm as hot as a firecracker with 45 grand in my coat pocket to bring him home with you. I said I was sick he wanted me to work it. Ah skip it skip it. If I could add it up I'd quit cold right now. You're in it as deep as I am. Took the words right out of my mouth. Let me see. The auditors will hit that safe deposit box about one on Monday afternoon right? Yes. Then if you get the bonds back by Monday morning you're in the clear okay? Now look I want to talk this over with a friend of mine Millie so I'll be out of town tomorrow. I'll meet you here at the boarding house at nine sharp Monday morning. What about the bond? That's what I'm going to talk to my friend about. So long baby. Pleasant dreams. Well Millie if you live to be a hundred you'll never face another day like Sunday. Deadly tense interminable Sunday with a wall clock ticking like a sledgehammer in the corner. The ashtray is filling with half-smoke cigarettes. The floor is littered with unread magazines and Monday hanging over your head like an axe. It's just a quarter to nine on Monday morning when you race up the stairs of Mrs. Jolly's boarding house and down the hall to Yancy's room. Yancy. Yancy. Yancy. Looking for Mr. Parker. Yancy said he'd be here this morning. I'm Mrs. Jolly. Sort of keep track of him aboard us. I don't know why he doesn't answer. For good reason. What? Well he ain't in there. Left about 15 minutes ago. But he told me that he. Oh it don't make no difference. Quiet that Mr. Parker. Hard to follow his comings and going. Where did he go? I don't know rightly. Had his suitcase with him though. Oh. Oh. Thanks Miss. Darling. Flight 28 Phoenix Tucson El Paso. Loading now at gate seven. Yes ma'am. When's the next plane to San Francisco? Let's see now. Flight eight just left. What did you say? Flight eight just left for San Francisco five minutes ago. The next one's at ten. Thank you. Can I help you? No not now. Thanks. Pardon me sir are you next? Um looking for someone? Yancy. Surprised. What are you doing here? Checking my baggage. Oh I thought you ran out on me. As a matter of fact I am in a few hours. I was just on my way back to the house to meet you. Glad to hear it. Crushing blow knowing you still don't trust me. Where are the bond? Ah but we must be discreet my child. Suppose um suppose we return to my chambers and discuss that very thing. Shall we? Please Yancy I told you I didn't want a drink. This is quite an occasion darling. I gotta bring it off in style. We haven't got time. Relax honey relax. It's only 10 15. You have at least two hours before the auditors get there. Aha there we are. Basically turpentine of course but blended with the skill of a master. Shall we drink to the old times Millie? Oh the stony silence. Very well I drink to old times. To the Millie that used to be before the dollar signs came into her eyes. Are you through? You know it's too bad you aren't in the mood for the niceties. It's quite an occasion Millie. Where are they Yancy? Where have you hidden them? Millie my dear first of all you're right. There's no chance to dispose of the bonds. My friend agrees with you. Still it puts me in an unusual position. For the first time since I've known you Millie I've got the upper hand. It'd be a shame to throw it away. Yancy will you give me those bonds? Not so fast darling. I want them Yancy. I want them right now. You're going to get them. I've decided to let you have them darling. Just on one condition though. Go on. You'll get them back Millie. Sound and whole on Tuesday morning. Wait a minute that's too late Yancy. You're going to get them on Tuesday morning and I'll be out of the state. Oh it's going to be tough I admit. I hate to miss the explanation scene this afternoon when you try to put it past those auditors. You wouldn't. I'll tell them. I'll take my chances baby. I won't let you. Give them to me Yancy. Oh wait a minute. Wait a minute. Put down that gun Millie. The rough stuff won't go. You tell me where they are. Take it easy kid. I mean every word I said Yancy. Either I'd get them right now or I'd pull the trigger. All right Millie. Look in that table drawer over there. Where? In the back. I put them in the back. Oh no you don't. Pull a gun on me or I'll break your arm. Too bad. Too bad. Too bad. Yancy. Yancy I didn't mean to. It's too late now Millie and it only takes a second for the first shock to wear off. For that practical dollar and cents mind of yours to start clicking again. You've still got more than two hours and you know the bonds are somewhere in the room. You go through Yancy's clothes first and a piece of paper you find in his wallet saves you looking further. It's a receipt from the Eagle Delivery Service. Deliver not before Tuesday morning to Mrs. Millie Parker Consolidated Investment Company. In short value forty five thousand dollars. He was going to double cross me. He wasn't kidding. Open up. I said open up or I'll shoot off the lock. You all right Mrs. Parker? I heard the shot. He came at me. Wait I'm going to drop that gun. Hurry up. That's better. Is it yours? Doesn't matter. We'll check it. You know this is very funny. I was hired to protect you from him. That's how I happened to be here. Thoughtful boss you got cost him twenty bucks a day. I've been trailing you ever since Sunday. I didn't mean to do it. Listen I've got money. I'll pay anything you want if you'll only. Sit down lady. If you're going to talk you may as well be comfortable. The Whistler will return in just a moment with a strange ending of tonight's story. Meantime with chilly nights and mornings definitely here to stay here's a timely tip for you drivers. Don't forget that your car needs a special diet of signal winter lubricants if you want to keep wear down when the thermometers down. For your transmission and differential that means draining flushing and refilling with signal winter gear lube. If it's been five thousand miles since your wheel bearings were serviced better have them removed thoroughly cleaned and then repacked with signal long life wheel bearing grease. And for your motor it's high time to drain out summer weight oil. Refill with pure paraffin based signal premium motor oil. Five scientific new compounds in signal premium motor oil not only make it flow freely instantly in coldest weather but also keep motor six times cleaner and reduce cylinder wear one third. Well there you have it. The lubrication essentials your car needs now. Drive in for them this week at your nearby signal service station. You'll drive out with a good feeling of confidence knowing that your car has the cold weather protection it needs to keep it purring through another winter. And now back to the Whistler. Well Millie it's something you'll never forget isn't it. The awful scene in Yancy's room. Mr. Poole's private detective sitting opposite you toying with his automatic as you tell him everything. From the moment you decided to steal the securities and sell them through Yancy until a minute ago when he broke through the door to find you standing over Yancy's body. You watch him carefully as you talk. Notice the interest in his eyes when you mention the forty five thousand dollars. And there's a foolish stupid glimmer of hope in your heart as you finish. That's all I know. Yancy hated me. That's why I turned the bonds over to the delivery service marked deliver Tuesday morning. He knew they wouldn't get there until too late. Listen Mr. Kelly. Right but true I'm a detective named Kelly. Mr. Kelly you could say you lost me back at the airport. I'll give you everything I have. There's a few thousand in my name and I. What about it Mr. Kelly? Uh no I'm not for sale. Let's go huh. All right Mr. Kelly. Now it's too bad Mrs. Parker. All seems so useless when you look back at it. Guy gets himself knocked off. Beautiful dame goes up for murder. Why is he useless? How right you are. You say the auditors were only working afternoons? Yes. The bonds would have been in your hands tomorrow morning. That's dirty shame. What do you mean? Why didn't you wait baby? You could have put them back in that safe deposit box tomorrow morning. You had all the time in the world. No I just told you the auditors will be at the bank today this afternoon. Not this afternoon kid. This is armistice day. The banks are closed. Let that whistle be your signal for the signal oil program the Whistler each Monday at nine. Brought to you by the Signal Oil Company who have asked me to remind you to get the most driving pleasure, drive at sensible speeds, be courteous and obey traffic regulations. It may save a life, possibly your own. Featured in tonight's story were Betty Lou Gerson and Wally Mayer. The Whistler was produced by George W Allen based on a story by Bernard Girard, music by Wilbur Hatch and was transmitted to our troops overseas by the Armed Forces Radio Service. This is Marvin Miller speaking for the Signal Oil Company. This is CBS the Columbia Broadcasting System.
