Murder Is A Bad Bluff

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1:04The adventures of the Balkans, starring West Ramyun. Hello? Yes, it's the Balkan speaking. Old Lucy. I'm off a sorry angel, but I'm afraid I'll have to skip tonight. I have to check on a character who is handing his girl a fast line. Plain's here to make a big mark in the world. And baby, well. And let somebody rub him out. Once again, the mutual broadcasting system brings you the adventures of the Balkans. The Balkans, as you know, is Michael Wery, freelance detective, who's always ready with a hand for oppressed men, and an eye for repressed women. So, joining him tonight when the Balkans learn... ...murder is a bad bluff.

2:10It's early Monday evening in New York, when the door of a small, Fifth Avenue jewelry store opens, and the clerk, alone in the store, turns the face of a duffer young man. Working? What's in that display? Where you ever in love? Where's I? Well, next to this, I'm married. Man, I dare say I love my wife. Obviously, there's a adopt. Let's see the most expensive bracelet you have. Yes, well, a bracelet to a circle of tiny, eye to dawn, right? Eye to dawn. That's a lot of strange image of a fundraiser. You may. See, laughter? That was just beautiful. Now, let's see something in engagement. Yes, sir. See, well? Mm-hmm. Good, I'll take that. Which one? The whole table. I... Oh, but these are the best you have. Let's see the little big stone. Come on, I'll meet up. I... I have some editing. You should have seen Gunn before? Yes, sir. And no, sir. I know you're kind of warm all of a sudden, so bring out the eye to cool off. Yes. And hurry it up, or all of a sudden you'll be cold. Yes, sir. Stone cold.

3:10Yes, sir. All right, Bicke, let's go. Okay. You got the stuff? I got the stuff. Okay, by the way, what took you so long? I wanted to do the job right, gave the Clicca Buildup. Buildup, buildup. You got a gun, haven't you? What more buildup do you got to have? Probably with this profession, record not enough imagination. You walk in with the gun, the Clicca sees it, it's a hold-up and writes from the back. You got the stuff? I got the stuff. Okay, by the way, what took you so long? It's a hold-up and writes from the start, it's still against you. But with me? Where you at talk, talk, talk, talk, talk, all the time. Change a pay, that's the secret. I'll believe you. Change a pay, keep them against you. By the time... How much did you get? A hat for a ring, bracelets, necklace, 30, 40 grand worth at least. Okay, we lay low a couple of days in and unload. I'll unload. How's that? Let me handle a sense. The old change a pay, thought of a good for an X-10 grand. Why, I... Okay, Barclay, you unload.

4:10I know you pay for a leg. I don't. But how else can I shut you up? Oh, hello, Barclay. Oh, you angel, sweet lad of my life. Oh, can you show me? Hey, what's the matter? You call out a kiss? Where's the voltage? It's... Just right. Oh, I know you're tired. Well, I've got a little surprise for you. Baby, it'll tap the other. Yeah, take a quick look at this. I'm engaged with you. Ah, I'm not going to promise. Look at the size of that sparkle. That's what I think of you, Shelby. You raised the bed. Where did you get it? But I get it, I bought it. I'm in a chip sugar, it's one of big deals. With the president of the Midwest in railroad? Ah, that's right, I told you. You told me a lot of things. But I can read, bud. What's that supposed to mean? Just that there's an item on the society table. The president of the Midwest in railroad happens to be a way on a yacht incident.

5:10Ah, sure, sure. I know that sugar. I've been contacting him by radio. In that case, you ought to be able to tell me where this yacht incident is. Sure. All right, go ahead, where is it? Newport? Newport. Newport. Do you have a Mexico lady? What is it? A third degree? But you're asking a marry. I've got a right to know something about you. I'm tired of these big stories. Now I want the truth. Look, Shelby, there's something you can't explain. Why? Well, look, it's like this. It's horrific merges on the fire. See, but terrific. If word gets out about it, even the hint is to get the stock market on the field. No. I don't see why you hand up. That's it, Shelby. I have. In a couple of days, the law will be settled and I'll collect my commission. You'll see big dough. 30,000 bucks on the first installment. And then we can make a plan. Call the stopper, Shelby. If you won't trust me, then I'll... Like you, trust me. Well, give me some reason. I'm getting tired of fairy tales. But if you ever happen to think sugar, maybe I'm getting tired of your nagging? I'm on the way up. You don't want to come along, okay? Just remember you had your chance.

6:11Maybe I did. But I've heard it's not always healthy to taste that. Hello. Michael, where are you? That's on. You're a private detective. You want me to call the Balkan? Mm-hmm. Are you very expensive? Pardon me. On what? What you call expensive. And what you want me to do? Come in, let's talk it over. All right. Well, you might as well sit down. Make some comfortable. Thank you. And tell me your name. Gloria P. And why you want to detect it? I'm engaged to be mad. Congratulations. I'm not sure they're in order. That's what I want. Just second, Gloria, I don't go into petty snooping if you're just trying to find out whether your boyfriend is stepping out of you. No, Mr. Wearing I'm not concerned about other women. All right. But I want to know what does he do for a living? Didn't he tell you?

7:11Yeah, a number of things. But you don't believe him? I did until yesterday. They're two fantastic. All about big business here, but he won't give me any details. He's also secretive. I can't help wondering if he's missing. I'm not sure. I'm not sure. He's also secretive. I can't help wondering if he's missing something illegal. How do I why would he try to keep him from me? I don't know. Well, what it cost to have you investigate? Quite a lot, but I'll give you some advice for nothing. What's that? Forget him. I can. As long as he has the serious doubts about him. Just the same, I... I love him. What are you doing here? Hoping you'll prove my doubts wrong. What if I am? I don't know, Mr. Wearing. You're just asking for heartache, Gloria. Well, it's my heart and my money. So how much do you want for your payment? Hello, Tanez. My greetings. I've been here, you're greeting. I only hang around and buy it when you're looking for something. I like television.

8:11Yes. You shouldn't have such a suspicious nature, Tanez. Bamp your digestion. I don't like coppers, and I don't like private dicks. Where? Every man always tastes. You seem barkly lately. Oh? But barkly. I don't know barkly. I haven't seen him. I don't know anybody. I don't know anything. Funny? I was told you were a pretty good friend of barkly. Who told you? Oh, I've been getting around. In fact, barkly himself tells me you were on a little job within the other day. That's a lie. Sure. I was never done with him. I was just a little bit of a man. I was just a little bit of a man. I was just a little bit of a man. I was just a little bit of a man. I was just a little bit of a man. I was just a little bit of a man. True. I was never done a job with barkly in my life. It was anybody with record. It was anybody with record. It was the only one I barkly, please. I thought you didn't know barkly. So I know him. So thanks. What was it? It was a very pleasant conversation. I know. Can I buy you a drink? Exactly.

9:12Just a second, barkly. I'll be looking for you. Oh. Hello, can I have a stop? I've got a date. Can I have a little wait for you? Yeah, but I'm late. You'll be late. I'll take a quick check. Just answer me one question and I'll let you go. It's a devil beating you. How come you're so ready to do what you do about me? What are you talking about? You're so ready to do what you do about me? What are you talking about? You're so ready to do what you do about me? Who's where? Mike's where to the sportsman. I'm crazy. I don't even know where he says you do. Well, like. Let's go. I better go on. I'll take another cab. I just watched as wearing say I told him. He says you told him I put a job with you. What? That's what he said about him. So you blew your top and started yapping about me. Is that it? Well, it made me so. Are you popped off? I didn't say much. I used to say I'm sure you don't see wearing with just trying to trap your into spilling on it. I didn't spill. Well, at least you didn't know about the Halloween job. I wonder. Halloween job. Uh, look, look, look. You got any idea what wearing sanghly is? All the way down.

10:12That was a jewelry hole. I'll listen to her, now. You're the boy who pulled that one, huh? You were a rickshaw. Oh, you didn't hear me right. I heard you very right. And you know something, Bartley? I think wearing was the kind of industry to hear about it too. I don't start getting ideas. I got him already. Go ahead, Bartley. We will discuss it here. You don't want to keep your dates waiting. But I got a hunch you and me. I'm going to do business. I'm going to do business. Hello, check it. Sorry, I'm late. Well, but I'm afraid to know. I don't know. I'm not late. Are you still on that, kid? I know how things stand now. That's why I have to work. And I thought maybe it'd come to you, Seth. I have. We're food, Bart. Now, look, sugar. A lot of things have gone wrong today.

11:12I don't want to have trouble with you, too. I have big business deals coming up. I'm a big business. With crooks like Greg Rickard and Lou Turner. Who's been talking? Nobody. I had to know the truth, but I had to. So? So I hired a detective. Who? Who are you? So you don't want to hire a driller? Yeah. You won't be satisfied until I do a stretch, will you? No, but I don't want to cause you any trouble. Lux, like. I don't. How did I find out what I wanted to know? I called off Mike. Oh, it's Mike. Mr. Wearing. What's the difference? Anywhere I call them off. Thanks. What makes you sure he'll stay off? He isn't interested in you, but he's found out who your friend is. That's all I wanted to know. Now you'd better go. Oh, sure. Sure, get out of here. But you're just dirt and no good crook. Go on. Why don't you tell me off? Tell me what you really think of me. Get out, son. Also, now I'm not even worth talking to. I just get out. All right, I'll get out. Before I do, here's something for you to remember me for. I'm sorry, sugar. But I don't know what's the matter with you. You're right. I'm no good for anything.

12:13You all right, baby? Just get out of here, Mike. Get out. Get out. I'm sorry, baby. You all right, baby? Just get out of here, Mike. Get out. Get out. Hello? Hello, Rick. This is Brock. I've got to see you right away. What's wrong? I'll tell you what I see. I'll talk to you again here. Money, man. Okay, I'll be waiting. Money, man. Mind if I turn your liquor? Oh, hello, son. I see you recognizing when you're on liquor, though, huh? What do you mean, man? You weren't so sociable this afternoon, but I was right by me without seeking. When was that? At Barclays. What? I wasn't a park lady, so I was up in the morning.

13:15I could swear it was you. That's a lie. I get so excited, too. So I thought I saw you. Is there something to make you blow a gauze? No, I just... Well, I wasn't there. Okay, man, stay. You see, I was going up to see Barclays, and just as I started building this character, or she's out, and like I said, it's a dead ringer for you. So I said to stay alone, but you... He... Don't stop. By ringing Barclays, then, no answer. When I try to door, and it's not life, I go in. And what do you think I find? I don't know. Don't you, Rickard? I told you I don't say I wasn't there. Okay. I remember that. When the law asked me, I'll tell them it wasn't you that I saw Rickard. It was just somebody who happened to look exactly like you. Oh, wait a minute. I have to tell them something, eh? Because inside Barclays, I see how come that character who rushes out is in such a hurry, he don't even notice me. Are you trying to say it?

14:16Yes, Rickard. You guessed it. I find Barclays lying under sofa. And he don't even so much say hello. Which I can't blame, you know? Seeing as how he just happens to be sort of kind of very dead. Tomorrow, throughout our nation, Americans who appreciate the right to rule themselves will go to the polls and cast their ballots to elect their leaders. The right to vote is the very cornerstone of our American heritage of freedom. When you vote, vote as you please as your conscience dictates, but vote. Or freedom is everybody's job. And you vote, you're letting America down. Now back to the adventures of the Polkans. A few hours of fast since the murder of Bud Barclay. The story is hit the news dance and found an interested reader in Mike Lee. And he's a very good guy. He's a very good guy.

15:17The murder of Bud Barclay. The story is hit the news dance and found an interested reader in Mike Waring. He's now calling on his ex-client Gloria Page. You seen the paper Gloria? Yes. Well, hot. You hire me to check on Barclays. I do. And my report is hardly in when he winds up dead. I can't help wondering if there's a connection. Is there? If you mean that I'd kill him. No. You saw him this afternoon. Yes. And had a fight. What makes you say that? I was looking at the mirror. I told him we were fools. He didn't like it. He didn't like it. He was curious when he found out that I'd hired you. Oh, you told him that. Yes. So he slapped your arm. You have an alibi for the murder time? I don't know. I guess not. I was here alone after he left. Well, that's not going to sound so good to the police when they learn about your fight with Barclays. Do they have to know? You were his girl. They're sure to be around with questions. What do I do? That's up to you. You told me you loved Barclays. I thought I did. What? Well, after the death of Moon.

16:17Yeah, I see what you mean. He warned me that he had it. There was when he told me we were sent here. And after the way he acted. It's all over. You heal fast. You think I killed him? I didn't say that. Believe me, Mike. I'm sorry. He's dead. I was shocked when I read about it. You don't believe me? Well, that's all I know. It's not me. You have to convince. I'm not. I'm not. I'm not. I'm not. I'm not. I'm not. I'm not. It's not me. You have to convince. It's the police. Yes? Hello. My name's Michael Wearing. I'd like to talk to you. What about murder? You're Greg Rickard, aren't you? Am I? Well, this is his apartment. You're in it. So it seems like a reasonable assumption. That's what I call a criminal. I'm not. I'm not. I'm not. I'm not. I'm not. I'm not. I'm not. I'm not. I'm not. I'm not. I'm not. I'm not. That's what I call a detective. Okay, I'm Rickard. Now, where do I go from here? Inside. More comfortable.

17:17All right, Greg. I'm glad you're not going to be difficult. That remains to be seen. All you want. I understand you and Bob Barclay were pals. I'll come you understand that. In my business, I'll follow ask questions. That he doesn't always get to write answers. Well, suppose you give me an answer then. Was Barclay a pal of yours? I knew him. When's the last time you saw him? Couple of days ago. Not today? Not today. Where were you this afternoon? I did. All afternoon? Oh, I have to know. Suppose I were to tell you why I tried to follow you and got no answer. And I'd tell you it was in the shower and didn't hear the phone. For over a hour? I kept trying. I was very dirty. You can do better than that, Rickard. Oh, I'm taking you nap for the radio playing. That's better. But at least now I know you were lying. So are you. Anyhow, you haven't put me at Barclay. That's what you're trying to do. Can you turn? How come you're trying to nail me for the job anyway? Just because I knew Barclay? Well, that's not somewhere. You know any better suggestion?

18:17Yeah, there are plenty just as good. Anybody else who knew Barclay is girl, for instance. Florian? You know any reason why she should have wanted to kill Barclay? You know any reason why I should have? I'm working on it. But as well as we're playing the field just now, who else should we consider? Luteles? No. Why do you say that? Why not? He knew Barclay too, didn't he? Believe me, wearing it wasn't, Ernest. What makes you so sure? All right, I'm not sure. Only I don't think it was Ernest. It's not like him. Funny you should be so anxious to protect him. I'm not trying to protect him. You think it's Ernest? Okay. I don't think it's Ernest. Yes. From the way you've been acting, I may get around to it. At any rate, it's an angle worth checking. Thanks, Rickard. Hello, Ernest. Some people can't take a hint. Look, Eddie. How many times do I have to tell you? I don't like people in your racket. I don't like you.

19:17Why should I let a little thing like that stop me when we have so much in common? Like what? Like you don't like me? I don't like you. That could be the basis for a beautiful friendship. How do you vent to get out of here? Nope. And I will. What do you know about the bus? I don't like you. Why should I let a little thing like that stop me when we have so much in common? What do you know about the Barclay murder, Ernest? You're not ready? Sit down. I said, sit down. I want to talk to you. I don't like you. I don't like you. I don't like you. I don't like you. You don't like me. Did he? Ah, no. You don't like me. No, I don't like you. You tell me, Rickard, this is trying to frame me. That's supposed to set me off on Rickard. Sorry. I don't want to play. I didn't say Rickard tried to frame you. I was just wondering. He tried to keep you out of this. Maybe he was really protecting you. Or maybe he just thought that would make me suspicious. Where you'll have to figure it out for yourself. Oh, what's happening? I thought I'm not going to help you.

20:19Go on back to the babe and tell you through a blank. Babe, bloody a page. Where'd you get the idea I'm working for? Barclay. What's here? No. I was working for him, but that was before the murder. Now I'm strictly on my own. Where's the profit in that? You never can tell. Where? You won't get any dividends for me. Can't hurt the trial. There's something between you and Rickard. I want to know what it is. As Rickard. I did. Now I'm asking you. You're just wasting your time, right, ain't you? I could beat it out of you, you bitch. Could you? Well, I'm the second talk. I guess it couldn't. Not as long as you had that busted beer mug in your hand. Right, wedding? And now if you don't want it in your face, just get out of my way.

21:22No, don't, I just haven't expecting you. Good. Have you got the money, Rickard? Well, right. What a call coming right to the point. If it's not a social call, Rickard, then we got it. That's really good. Well, I've been thinking. Maybe I'm letting you off, too, even. Oh, yeah. You don't want me to talk to the police about what happened to the festival. But the police and the only one interested. Wary? Yeah. You're gonna tell them. So you're telling them? All they can do with it is turn it over to the police. Maybe I could make a deal. You might pay more for my information than you've offered for silence. Why don't you ask them? How do you ask them to pay for the business with you? But I think you better sleep in the kitty. What's good, you? I've been doing some thinking, too, don't I? I've been thinking only a sucker, but he's blackmailed. But once he starts, there's no stopping.

22:22Sometimes you don't have any choice. Yeah, that's right. But this gun gives me a choice. Hey, wait a minute, you're all worried, Turner. As I want. Not here. It looks like a nice, nice word, right? So, let's go. Are we? Turn right at the next corner and stop when you get to the door. Look, you get... I swear, you wanted the bucket. They don't swear anything with a gun looking your way. You're seeing a different song if I give you a chance and I do mean things. No, anything. There's a reason we stand. But I'm saying your head, stop. Now, you know... Freak it. If you don't leave... Get out. Now start walking straight ahead. One, I'll be right behind you. Freak it up. I'll do anything you say only.

23:23Only give you a break. You're fine walking out to the end of the pair. You didn't get busting. I can prove it. Give me a chance. Look, let's just talk it over. You didn't kill him. I swear it was anything only OK. Now stop. Please, did he get right? After you have cast your vote for your favorite candidates in tomorrow's election, you'll want to be among the first to know who the winners are. So tune to Mutual Tomorrow Night. For Mutual and the Station to which you're now listening, it's your best bet for fast, accurate, complete election returns. Yes, for radio's clearest, easiest to understand and most exciting election returns, it's Mutual on the election night. Now back to the adventures of the Falcon. 12 hours of fast since Rickard switched from buying Thailand to Gunning for it. Now he's in his room packing when there's a knock at the door.

24:26Oh man. You can take those back. Oh, you were. Mm-hmm. Who'd you expect? A moving man for that trunk? Look, wearing I don't have time. Don't be so sure. You'll probably get plenty of time. What's that supposed to mean? Just when I read the Tonez was pitched out of the river with a slug in him, I thought of you. When his study was still alive, I had a hunch you'd be preparing to clear out. Before Tonez recovered enough, they talked. All right, I'm moving. I doesn't prove anything. But Tonez is talking, Will. Next time you toss a pal in the drink, you better make sure he's stopped breathing for it. You can't prove anything on me. And you don't intend to wait until I can. I don't intend to wait because I have other plans and you're not stopping me. No, but maybe the law will. May I use your phone? No, you don't. Oh, don't be like that. I'll give you a nickel. Put down that post. Sorry, pal. Put down that phone. Are you sure? Go. I was waiting for you to reach for your gun. Now I'll take it. Now you can get back your packing, Will. You're going for a trip, all right?

25:27But it's not the one you planned. Hello, Tonez. The doctor said I can come in for a minute. Hello, Eddie. How are you feeling? All right. I'll tell you who's coming. You can turn that off now, Tonez. We're on the same team. Would you state evidence against Rickard? Yeah. The police tell me you've not only stabbed Rickard for plugging you, but for doing the job unbarkly, too. Yeah. That's why he went to the finish line. That's why he said I'm coming out to the back. That's why he asked us to emerge. What are you doing at Barton? He called me yesterday afternoon. Morning, say, morning. What are you doing? What about it? He didn't say it. And I got to his face and that's it. Well, thanks, Tonez. Looks like we've pretty well taken care of Mr. Rickard. We've got him for attempted murder on you and now that he's in so deep anyway, he's admitted pulling some robberies with Barton. The only thing he won't admit is Barton is murder.

26:28But with your testimony, I think we'll clinch that, too. Uh-huh. Only not against Rickard. All right. No, Tonez. That little job was your handiwork. So hurry up and get well because you've got to face a murder trial. And if you're any sort of a man, you won't want to take it lying down. And so you see Gloria, when Tonez start out at Bartoli and Rickard, that works the jewelry job, he went up to Bartoli to ask for blackmail. And when Bartoli didn't want to pay as much as Tonez demanded, Tonez killed him and took everything he had. And then just as he was leaving, he saw Rickard go into Bartoli. He knew Rickard wouldn't want it known that he was at the scene so near the time of the murder, so Tonez tried to blackmail him. You see, Tonez wasn't satisfied with just Bartoli's half of the split. He wanted the whole take. So he blackmailed Rickard for a murder he committed himself? Yeah. Talk about gone, huh? Well, tell me Mike, how did you know Tonez was a murder?

27:28What's simple? Tonez claimed the last time he spoke to Bartoli was yesterday morning. He said when he arrived at Bartoli's yesterday afternoon, Bartoli was already dead. Mm-hmm. But Tonez knew I was working for you. When I asked him how he knew, he said Bartoli told him. Yeah. Well, don't you see? Bartoli didn't know that until you told him yesterday afternoon. Oh, cool. So that meant Tonez was lying. He did see Bartoli yesterday afternoon, but he arrived before the murder, not after, and killed Bartoli in order to rob him. Well, that clear's happened. Now, there's just one other thing. What's that? I only hired you to check on Bartoli, but you kept right after his murder until he solved that. Why? What did you hope to gain me? It's a beautiful night, Gloria. Mm-hmm. And it's a beautiful moon. Mm-hmm. And a beautiful clear night. Thank you. But until the murder was cleared up, you were a suspect.

28:28You know something, Gloria? I was never much good at kissing through a wire screen. Murder doesn't fit the frame. Murder doesn't fit the frame. That's the title of next week's adventure of the Balkan. When Mike Waring learns that if you know the name of a murderer, you'd better spill that information before he spills your blood. So be sure to listen next week at the same time to another exciting adventure of the Balkan. The Adventures of the Balkan are based on the famous character created by Drexel Drake, produced by Bernard L. Schubert, written tonight by Jerome Epstein, and directed by Richard Lewis, music by Milton Kay. Let's remain restart as the Balkan. Turn As was played by Joe DeSantis. This program came from New York. This is the Mutual Broadcasting System.