FBI in Peace and War - The Bungler

0:00The FBI in peace and war. Another great story based on technical knowledge copyrighted book, The FBI in peace and war. Drama, frills, actions. Tonight's transcribed story, The Bungler. The FBI in peace and war. Hello? Well, Alice, I'm still down at the bank. But maybe you better go ahead and eat your supper. Oh, I'll wait for you. Don't you think I'll go ahead? I'm not coming home tonight, Ali. You're not coming home? I'm not coming home at all. I've been away for a while. I know exactly where, but I'll write to you if I can. I don't know. Don't try to... Danny, what's the matter? What are you talking about? I'm not telling you now. It's something that's happened down here. Danny, look, look, wait there.

1:01I'll come down and wait. Look, I'm sorry this happened, but I couldn't help it. It's a valid paper care yourself. Stanley Phillips, age 31, was a teller at the suburban national bank where he had worked for 10 years. Stanley had been married for seven of those years and had lived uneventfully in a three-room apartment. He had one passionate and consuming interest in life, motorboats. For six months before his purchase of a 16-foot-speed boat, Stanley had been embezzling small sums of money from the bank, but he was clumsy and inept at hiding his weapons. The night before an audit Stanley ran away and it was found he had stolen a total of $1,500. Oh, couldn't! I don't know, Ali. Do you want another cup of coffee? Hello, St. Mark. I didn't even know him, did I?

2:02All those years, and I didn't know a thing about him. Who knows anybody, even himself. If he wanted the boat so bad we could have saved the money. Why didn't he tell me? Ali, suppose he lied down a while. Josef the Icelet will be back. Get a little sleep. Oh, I can't. Mark, what do you use a trine? All right. Maybe. Really, I'll go back to the apartment now. You're going to stay here as a house with me. You've got your own room upstairs to know one about me. All right. But if Stanley should call me a part of it. If what? Well, you'll call me sometime. I know you will. Ali, I don't want you to talk to him ever. I'd have to. You can, Ali. No, he isn't a rack of pure or a hoodlum. He took $5,000 of other people's money. Yes, I know. And he didn't think of you when he did it. Oh, Mark. All he thought about was himself, and that stupid boat. But why did he have to do a thing like this to you? Well, he must have meant to put the money back sometime. Ali, he must have bought. All right, Ali. All right.

3:02Maybe. Maybe any, I will have a little more coffee. Yes, it'll do you good. I'll bring my things over tomorrow. From the apartment. Yes. You want cream? No, just back. Ma. Yes. I know just what he said he was here now. He'd say, Ali, I was only borrowing the money. Can't believe it. Yes, sure. He was just borrowing. But he leads you here to talk to cops to have your picture in the paper. Wife of the best ma. You have to take it, Ali, not him. Never mind if you didn't even know about it. You're his wife, and they're not going to let you alone for now on. Not till they catch him. They will catch him, won't they? Stanley, such a bungalow. They're sure to catch him sometimes. Although Stanley Phillips was clumsy in crime,

4:03he did manage to disappear for more than six months. During that time, he made no attempt to get in touch with his wife, and the strict surveillance we had maintained was relaxed a little. It was then that a long distance call reached Alice Phillips at 8.31. Morning. Stanley, where are you? I don't want to tell you, Alice. I'm going to get you in trouble. But listen, I need a little money. I haven't been too well. Who's Stanley? Look, if I give you a name and a post office bar, could you let me have $50? Of course, then. Listen, if you're sick, go to a doctor. Please, will you promise me? Yeah, I will. You just send me the money, huh? Send it to Kerr, Frederick Milson. Stanley? Stanley! No. I didn't know you were home. I was upstairs taking a nap. Stanley just phone. I know. I listened to an extension. What? I'm sorry, Alice. I had a feeling. You know, if you got the snoop on my call, I can't help it, Alice. I had a feeling it might be him.

5:03I want them to catch him. Oh, I know. That'll be over. You stop crying and worrying yourself into skin and bone. You had no rights to listen in. Well, I did. I'm glad you don't know where to send him the money. He's sick, Ma. You heard it. Yes, I heard the same old whine. You can't take care of him. Selfie needs help. He does. He needs me, Alice. Well, he does. And I suppose you'd go to him right this minute if you knew where he was. I suppose I would. Oh, Alice. Ma, you can't be married to someone for seven years and then all of a sudden Alice is dying. The man is a criminal. He'd wanted by the police. I'm still married to him. He's going to be caught and sent to jail. Lady, he won't be. Lady, he's smarter than he was six months ago. All right, Alice. There's no use arguing. Quarter nine. And you better get down to the office. I'm not going to the office. Why? They fired me. Mr. Maxwell said they were cutting down on the staff. Rather than true, is it?

6:04They're cutting down. No? They found out I was using my maiden name. I'm sorry, darling. That's all right. They did it very gracefully. They didn't even mention Stanley. Well, if you're not going downtown. I had... I've got an appointment at the employment agency. I'll just use my right name. That's all. I haven't got anything to hide. All right, here. I'll be home for lunch. You've got anything. There's plenty of you come home. I will. Alice. Yes? Come home early. We here? Yes. I will. Hello, operator. Will you get me the downtown office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation? The Federal Bureau of Investigation The Federal Bureau of Investigation The Federal Bureau of Investigation The Federal Bureau of Investigation

7:04The Federal Bureau of Investigation Back to the bungler in just a moment. The actions of all American military men are governed by a code of conduct. To General William Dean, while a prisoner of war in Korea, the code meant a stubborn allegiance to his president. During an early interrogation by his North Korean captors, General Dean was asked to make an open statement condemning what they called the aggressive policy of the United States dictated by the president. But General Dean refused, saying, as a professional soldier of the United States, I cannot criticize our president, because the president is the supreme commander of the United States Army. I swore this when I joined the Army. That's what the code meant to General Dean. That's what it means to any American in uniform.

8:08And all act two of the night story, the bungler. After Alice Phillips' mother had told us about the phone call, we knew two things. Phillips was in Bay City, and he would probably be using the name Frederick Noose. Adding a third element to this, the fact that Bay City had a large public courtyard, we began looking in this area. After several days, we came to a Marine Service Station. The owner of the station recognized Phillips' picture immediately. Sure. That's Fred Mills, and he worked here for three months. Then I had to let him go. Oh, I was, too, at least. Well, he had some sort of cover with his back. I don't know what it was, but it got so he couldn't even lift one of those five horse outboards. And we serve us a lot of outboards, and I, well, I just had to let him go. Was he pretty good with the boat? Yes, sir. I'll say that much. He was good with the boats. No matter if he was kind of a nut about boats, he had a sterling speedcraft, but I didn't believe no one would ever do that. I just had a sterling speedcraft, but I didn't believe no sterling's cost over 5,000.

9:10Have you any idea where Millson is now? No, I can't say as I have. He hasn't been in touch with you since he left? No, and I guess he wouldn't be either. We had a kind of an argument when he left. He said I had no right to fire him, and I said if he couldn't do a day's work, well, you know, all those things, though. This back hill would be evident to wriggly. Do you know what we saw, doctor? No, I don't. I told him to see Doc Evans up there and baby you have him, you know. He did. He, uh, I don't suppose any of my business, but is he in some kind of trouble? We were coming to that. Yes, he's in trouble. He's wanted from Bezromont. He took money from the bank in Bredschtown. Embasramont. Fred Millson? His right name is Stanley Phillips. Embasramont acquired little fellow like Fred. That's right. Well, now I certainly wouldn't have believed something like that. He didn't drink a run or a run or anything. We know. Mr. Wrigley, we're going to give you a full number to call if Phillips ever gets in touch with you again. Would you call this number immediately if you hear anything about him?

10:10Yes, I sure will, but Fred Millson, you never think that a fellow like that was the type, would you? There is no particular type for that kind of crime, Mr. Wrigley. It attracts all sorts of people. After our visit to the Marine Service Station, we saw Dr. Evans, who had treated Phillips where the back ailment. As we learned later, it was just at this time that Phillips came back to Bredschtown and stayed several hours. Most of these hours in the Bredschtown Memorial Park, just across from his mother-in-law's house. Alice, Alice over here. Hello, Allie. I've been waiting for hours at that it was going to miss you. Don't you know every policeman in town is looking for you. I'm sure that nobody's ever in the pocket for six. Well, I, Allie, have been one of the... Oh, Stan, you shouldn't have had Mrs. Mintero-Blaally. Yes, yes, yes, please, Stan. I'm only going to stay a couple minutes. What about Alice? And why did you do a crazy thing like that? I don't know, I'm not, but I don't think I only took a little bit.

11:11I was going to put it back, but something always came up. If you only had told me about the crime... I don't know, I know I never do anything right. Listen, Allie, you got any money now? What? What is the one I called you? I had some men that I lost my job. You could get me at least $200, Allie. You want to... You want to get a ball with somewhere? I got a job I couldn't afford and get it from your mother. She has plenty of... You got to get me some money until I get them my feet, Allie. I got something all in my bag. I don't know what it is, but I have to have electric treatments where I can't work. Now, look, you can send it to this address. It's a garage. They've let me sleep in upstairs room. Allie, get me the money somehow. I'll try. I'm going to count on you. Bye, Allie. I'm sorry, things are... I'm sorry to turn out the way they did. Don't take all the money.

12:12$200 is a lot of money, Allie. I can't... I just want to take this course, Ma. If I knew typing and could take this patient, I'd get a job easy. Where would you take the course? Downtown. There's a school on the market street. Allie, you want the money for Stanley, don't you? Stanley? Who, where did you get a crazy idea like that? He called you again? Of course he did. And you've no idea. You have to call him, Allie. Please don't get mixed up with him. He'll only bring you more trouble. Are you going to give me the $200? No, I'm not. Because it's for him. Please, Ma. I'd never asked you for anything like this before. No, Allie. He needs the money desperately. He's sick. He can't work. Please, I beg you. I can't do it now. Please. And if you tell me where he is, I'll have to turn him over to the police. How could you? How could you do a thing like that? This is Stanley. I have to. Oh, stop it. Stop talking so full of morals. I admire you, Stanley. He's my husband. I promise to love him. I promise things too, Allie. He had obligations to you.

13:12Will someone make a mistake? One mistake? I'll give it to you, Allie. And I won't give you any money. All right. If you want, I can't make you. But I'm not going to live here. I don't have to stay here anymore. I'll stay with Matthew. Or what are the girls like at work? Don't do that. I can't stay with you feeling the way you do. You know why? I know you've got some misguided. No, it's not misguided. He made you the wife of a criminal. He's done damage to the last of lifetime. Maybe it's only one mistake. But why should you get a bad name? Why are you showing, Ma? And I'm not coming back. Please, don't, Allie. Hasn't he caused us enough trouble? I'm going to get that money for him somehow. You can call me if the I like you did last time and tell him that. Allie, what? He's not worth all his believe me. Maybe he isn't. Maybe I'm not either. Allie, don't go. Stanley needs me, Ma. You don't. I have to do what I can for him.

14:14Back to the bunker in just a moment. Friends, this is Jimmy Walrington. You know many great men have attained the highest office in our land. The presidency of the United States. Can you guess the name of this man? He was born in Cincinnati, Ohio in 1857. The son of an eminent jurist and statesman. After graduating from Yale University, he served in various federal, state, and academic positions until 1991 when he became our first civil governor of the Philippine Islands. In 1904, he entered President Theodore Roosevelt's cabinet as Secretary of War and served until 1988 when he was nominated for and elected to the presidency. After his term in our highest office, he was appointed Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court and served in that position until 1930. When you should have his name by now, but in case you don't, here's one more important clue. His son was an unsuccessful candidate for nomination by his party for the Office of President.

15:18Yes, he was William Howard Taft, 27th President of the United States. His life is part of your American heritage. And now act three of tonight's story, The Butler. Several days after we had seen Dr. Evans and we had to have one more talk with Philip's wife. We had hoped that her attitude might have changed since our last visit. So we were not prepared for the news we heard from her mother, Mrs. Baker. She hasn't even fallen, so I don't know where she is. I tried all the friends, but not one of them heard from her. Do you think she knows where her husband is and may have gone to him? She couldn't have. She just couldn't have. But he did get in touch with her again and that's for money. Yes, he did. That's what we had to fight about.

16:18Did he write to her? Did you see a letter? No, I didn't see a letter. I've been watching the mail every day. Do you think you might have been here and bridged down? I just don't know. I came home on the afternoon and Ali was waiting for me. She'd been crying. I could see that. And then I was a blue. She asked me for $200 to take a secretaryal court. I went right away. It was for him. And there hadn't been any letter that day? No, I'm sure. So the chances are good that he came here and saw her? Yes, I did so. Oh, I know I shouldn't say this for her sake, but I wish you'd find him. I wish it was over. Did your daughter have any money, Mrs. Baker? Just what was in the purse? Two dollars? So she couldn't have gone very far to meet him if she did meet him. How could she see him? He's no better than a common sneak thief. How could she watch someone like that? It works out that way, Mrs. Baker quite often. I just don't understand. If he was half a man and half a crook, but he's just a bungler. Mrs. Baker, do you have a recent picture of your daughter? I have a snapshot from the beach last year.

17:20What'll do? You don't really think she's gone to him, do you? I'm afraid I do, Mrs. Baker. From all you told us, it looks like a familiar story. Your daughter feels that her husband needs her. That's a pretty hard pull for any woman to resist. I dreamed you were all alone here and you were sick and they came to get you. And then you called me and you kept calling and calling. And I couldn't get to help you. I know, Ali, but you shouldn't have come here. I have to spend my... I'll go back now if you want. But I had to... No, no, no, go back. I had to see if you were all right. Ali, I'll go tomorrow. A lot, hold please. Yes, I'll... I'd better ask. I'll have to get some money for you, Stan. I don't want you to go. But I've only got six dollars. How could I get the money, Ali? I will, I'll get it. Listen, Ali, if I get enough for us to go away from you, say to New York as some big city, I could go on a stage and die here. You're not going to have to go any place to have your back.

18:21Never mind that. Ali, we could begin all over again. I cleaned slate. No more mistakes. If you really want to start fresh, Stan Lee... No, don't talk about that anymore. But if your first defense, it wouldn't give you a long term and hide in weight, Stan Lee. I won't go to jail, I couldn't stand that. I guess you couldn't walk, Ali. I'm going to get that money and then you and I are going to start all over again. Listen, it'll be great like a honeymoon. Mr. and Mrs. Fred Nelson. There are plenty of boat yards over on New York. I can sort of... Make a set of references with your invasive city. It's not out of what he's crying about. Nothing's there. Just crying. We're going to stop crying. We're going to start all over again. I'm going to get that money tomorrow. You're waiting to see. That's why I come to see you, Mr. Riggley. I figured maybe you'll lend me the money. Why did you figure that, Fred? Well, after all, I hurt my back, left in the motor while I was on the job here. Well, this is the first time I heard of that.

19:21I did, but from that big 25 horse that I missed the Clippet's boat. I figure you owe me compensation. How much compensation, Fred? $1,000. It's a lot of money. Well, you've got it in the register right now. I know how much you take in on a big weekend like this. You expect me to hand over it? I said it'll be alone, didn't I? And if I don't give it to you, you will, Mr. Riggley. I have to have that money. Well, I'm sorry, Fred. I don't feel I owe you anything. But look, if you'll come back tomorrow morning... I want the money now. Now listen to me, Reese. Now, Mr. Riggley. Put that gun down, Fred. That won't get you anywhere. Open the cash register. Believe me. Open it, Mr. Riggley. Okay. I'll step back away from there. Step away from the cash register, Mr. Riggley. Fred, you know something. Who would I say? You know, I ought to have my glasses fixed. That's not a gun, Fred. That's just a $3 cigarette lighter. I used to own one like that. Get away from there, I shoot.

20:21Go ahead. Go on, Fred. Shoot. Nothing better. I think I got wet by her. Go! Look down, Mr. Riggley, I heard it in my back. Let's go. Please let it go. I will, Freddy. Because as soon as I call a couple of government men who are in here looking for you... Please, Mr. Riggley, let's go. I was going to leave joking. I was all a joke, Mr. Riggley. I know what was. And you've bungled it, Freddy. Or excuse me, Stanley. That's your right name, isn't it? You've bungled it, Stanley. Or all the way. Stanley Phillips offered no defense to the charge of embezzlement or to his attempt at a hold-up. In view of this serious complication to the original theft from the bank. Phillips received a sentence of five to eight years in prison. His wife, Alice, said she'd wait for him.

21:21But we understand that now, after three years, she may be changing her mind about the bungler. In bright, strand-striped story, Rosemary writes, played the part of Alice Phillips and Bob Radick was Stanley Phillips. This radio-dominization for the FBI and Peace and War was written by Louis Pouletteir. These programs are based on the necessary information of the magma group, the former president, the former president of the United States, and the former president, and the former president of the United States. The former president of the United States, the former president, the former president, by Louis Polyteur. These programs are produced and directed by Betty Vanderbilt. This is the United States Armed Forces Radio and Television Service.

22:26The United States Armed Forces Radio and Television Service.