Whistler 49 03 27 ep355_Beyond_the_Wall_epAFRS

0:00And now the Quisler Strange story, beyond the wall. There are some words that hit a man like an electric shock and Marty Fisher had just heard them. He was standing at the head of the line of prisoners as he always did unvisitor's day. But this time he didn't smile at the guard, pick up his card and move casually on toward the wire wickets at the far end of the room. This time he stood paralyzed, rooted before the battered oak desk staring at the man who sat behind it. What the matter, Marty? Didn't you understand me? I said your wife didn't show up today.

1:01But she told me she'd be here. Sorry, next. Look, check the wedding room. Maybe the roster's wrong. Maybe she didn't get a name. She isn't here. Now look, there's still a half hour of free time. Go on back out to the yard. But she's never missed a visitor's day in five years. I got news for you. There's always a first time for everything. A life like you ought to be able to figure that out. Next. Yes, you can figure it out, can't you, Marty? You've seen it happen before the hundreds of others here at the state prison. And now you wonder if it's happened to you. For months, even years, a woman will show up at the visitors cage every Wednesday, wearing a smile and murmuring soft words. Then one Wednesday she doesn't come. And after that, if there is another time, there are excuses. The words are a little less soft, the smile a little more forced.

2:03Yes, Marty, you've seen it happen before. Now you turn half stumble out of the room and walk slowly down the gravel path to a bench in the sun. Well, well, Marty, old man, didn't expect you out so soon. Sit down. Yeah. She didn't show up and... Well, she's an attractive woman. Found the happen. Shut up. I'm told they're an amazing number of desirable men who are not in prison. I said, shut up. Of course, your wife might have come down with a headache. I had an appointment with a dentist or been busy with a church supper. They told me, don't break your head, but don't get excited, Marty. You know what happens to those of us who get excited. All right, let me learn. Of course.

3:04I know how you feel, Marty. But don't worry. You'll get over it. Why, no time at all, you'll forget you ever had a wife. Okay, okay, so I'll forget. I'm sure you will. However, it won't be so easy to forget the money, will it? Odd money. No, no, Marty. Odd money. Let me see now. I recall that payroll job of yours. Blackguard was killed. $75,000 was missing. The money was never recovered. I don't know what you're talking about. Tell me, Marty. Does your wife know where the money is? Oh, Baron, I told you a million times. I don't know anything about 75,000 bucks now for Gyrish. Very well, my boy. However, I've been thinking...

4:04I... I might be in a position to do you some good. One of these days. Sure, sure. From the outside, that is. What are you going to do? Know your way to the war? Hey, for help. At least there's some reason to believe it. I'll be out of here before long. You've had a parole as average. You're getting a fraud? So? And the connection that's fixing mine could probably get you one. There's the yard bell. Beauty calls. I don't want to be late. They're so pussy at the machine shop, you know. But we'll talk about it again. Marty? Yeah, sure. Oh. And about your wife, Marty. She really might have had an appointment. With the dentist.

5:05Well, that's her. As you walk back to the prison library, you try to convince yourself that you've been all wrong about Helen. But there must have been a good reason to prevent her from coming today. Do you tell yourself that she'll be here the next time? Yes. You're sure she will be. Aren't you, Marty? The day is drag by. Agonizing day is filled with suspense. And then finally, next Wednesday, you're sitting in the visitor's room, looking at Helen on the other side of the screen. Hello, Marty. Hello, baby. I'm sorry about last week. Yeah. I just couldn't get here, Marty. I was feeling terrible. The old headaches again. I'm worse than ever. Yeah. You're not mad, are you? No.

6:06Should I be? I wanted to come, Marty. I said it's okay. Marty. Yeah. Nick Hellman came to see me last night. Hellman. The sucker I was, I let him hand him my case. It could have turned out worse, Marty. Have you had any brains? He could have figured an alibi for me. Get me in a quiddle. What do you want? He said he might be able to help you. Yeah. Yeah, he said he had connections. And he might be able to get you out on me. Oh. Sure. Only a coarse door. And I don't have any, baby. He said I didn't have any door. I... All right, Marty. You don't believe me anymore, do you? I think I did pull that jam. Marty, please. I... You figured I got that 75 grand solid away, son. Marty, listen to me. I love you. I love you, and I want to be with you. But I want you out of here.

7:06Listen, I oughta... All right, Marty. All right. I was only telling you what Hellman said. Didn't finish, baby. What? You're supposed to ask me where the door is. You tell him and everything is keen, huh? I'm out. It's just like that, huh? Oh, kidding me. I know, Hellman. Look. Tell him not to forget about it. All right, Marty. And Hellman. Yes? I think you better forget about it, too. Your determined no one is going to get any part of that 75,000, aren't you, Marty? And in the weeks that follow, there's no further mention of the money, or of Hellman. Your wife doesn't miss a single visit. And you begin to realize how foolish it was of you to suspect that something was wrong. That Hellman had found someone else.

8:06Then one Sunday morning at the prison chapel, it's the barren sitting next to you who has something to whisper into your ear. Marty? Yeah. My parole came through. That's fine. Why tell me about it? I can do you some good when I get out, my boy. Yeah, sure, sure. The way things are going, you'll need someone to look out for your interest. What'd you mean by that? Some friends of mine on the outside, Marty. They've been checking things for me. Like what? You have a hero of a man called Johnny Regal? No. Your wife has? What did you say? My context tell me she's been running around with him. I keep her head on, Marty, the guards. Oh, what do you hear to me, bird? I'm telling you, your wife and Regal,

9:09that's pretty palathy wealthy. It's an old gag barren you're wasting your time. As you wish, my boy. But if your wife gets her hand on that 75 grand, but you can kiss her goodbye, she's gone with friend Regal. And I'm supposed to tell you where that door is and so you can protect it for me. That's the general idea, Marty. Forget it. I'm getting out in three weeks. And get over. You can sit here. Do nothing. Give your wife a chance to get her hands on the door. Or you can tell me where it is. I said, forget it. You don't have much chance, my boy. No choice. You can trust me. Or your wife and stay here the rest of your life.

10:38You're not greatly concerned about the money from the payroll robbery, are you, Marty? You're certain no one will ever find it. But you are worried about your wife, Helen. And you wonder if the barren was telling the truth about her and Johnny Regal. Before you plan your next move, you decide to check his story. Several days later, you're working in the prison library when one of the trustees comes in. Returning an arm full of books from the hospital. Hi, Marty. Here's the book, pal. Oh, well. Help me check them all, will you? Sure. Hey, by the way, one of the guys wanted me to ask you. It's about his favorite magazine. You got it? What is it? Popular Mechanics. You get it? Popular Mechanics. Yeah, yeah, I get it. You know what you find out? Barren wasn't straight at you. Your wife and his regal guys, you know, I've seen a lot of each other. All right. And the barren regal. Well, boys don't know much about him. Good luck and swell dresser.

11:39He revs in the house over on Marvell Boulevard, 2240. Sorry, pal. Yeah. Yeah. Well, what is it, Marty? Wanted to talk about the money? Yeah. Yeah, Barren, I'm ready to talk about the money. Is he going to have to earn it? If the cut's big enough, OK. It'll be plenty. Yeah. 37,000. 37,000. Five, huh? All right. All right. And what made you change your mind, Marty? To tell you I heard that, though? No, no. I've always believed you stashed that role, but you're not cutting me in just because I have royal blood. No. It's the pay for the risk you're going to run. Rift, yeah. Look, Barren, your pearls coming up went two weeks

12:42two and a half. Let's get everything into it. That truck they have you running the town every month. This will be the last trip before you get out. Right? You're not making that last trip, Barren. I'm not making that trip, but I... I'm making it. But they'll expect me to... You. Yeah, that's right, me. I'll get this. Won't be any trouble. The way they make the check, it's always been you. You've always behaved yourself. The perfect trusty. I can't do it, Marty. Not even for what you've offered. There's too big a chance of it. If I messed up my chance of parole... You'll do it. You won't mess up anything. All you got to do is keep away from the guards, hang around where I work and wait. I'll be out and back in again in three hours. You've got it all tied, Barren. You've got it all tied. What's so important? Why do you have to go out there? And how do I know you'll be back? I'll be back.

13:44It's the money, Barren. Do you want to have weeks? I could handle it for you. Sorry, I don't trust anybody. But I have to trust you. If you want, $37,000. $37,000, $5,000. All right, all right. Do you want it? How do I get it? It's just as you're happy to throw someplace away and find them when you get out. Okay? Look, why don't you let me take care of everything for you? I'll be out, man. Look! It's my way and nothing. Marty, I guess I ought to tell you. Tell me what. I've been up to the administration doing several times for the last couple of weeks. I happened to find out something. It did. I heard they were going over your files again. There's a chance your case will hit the parole board in another six months. What do you hear in me? That's what I heard, Marty. You're not telling me this to sort of discourage me

14:46from taking that trip in a time. Oh, is it that you want to be sure I come back? You're telling me because it'll save both of us from sticking our mix out. I'm not even listening. I've always leveled with you. Sure, sure. You have some contacts in the administration building? Check it. I want to get this settled first. What do you say, Baron? Do I take your place in the truck? Yes, Marty. I suppose you do. That's all, Marty. All you need, the Baron's cooperation and that one round trip into town. By the end of the week, you're ready. The steady rain makes a heavy oil slicker excuseable. A rain hat that can be pulled low over the ice. In the machine shop, the Baron starts the truck, runs it out into the yard, has it inspected and then drives off. No one pays any attention as he swings around

15:47past a loading platform, momentarily out of sight of the inspecting guy, makes the switch with you. The truck doesn't even slow down, only now you're at the wheel, Marty. Thanks for the rain that helps your plan work. A plan that will take care of your wife's boyfriend, Regal, and helps you drive out the service gate with no one knowing. And now or later, you drive the truck into the railroad station. Back it up to the loading platform and climb down. Can I help us load our jacks? No, no, I don't feel so good. Go on over and get some coffee. Hey, you guys. All the same. Yeah, if you want me to know, Brian. You want me to know? That's it. Away from the railroad station, you break into a half run.

16:48Regal lives several blocks away and you don't want to be gone too long. Approaching the place, you slow down, moving carefully. When you reach 2240 Marvel Boulevard, the house is dark. That's something you have encountered on, Marty. Regal isn't home, the place is empty. You stand there wondering what to do, realizing that precious minutes are running out. And then a car swings into the drive. You press back against the house hidden by the shrubbery. It's Regal all right, and he's driving into the garage. Perfect, just with Marty. Almost too good to be true. You run forward silently and reach him before he shuts off the motor. We'll get out, Regal, sit tight. That's right, we haven't met you. You don't know much about me. It's okay, Regal, I'm not sensitive, you know that. Now, look, I had to open that door. No, I don't turn the motor off. We're in the garage, the fumes will... I know what the fumes will do. Listen, I don't know what you're talking about.

17:48You don't have to know too much, Regal. Just that some guys don't like their plans in a feed way. Plan? I can't, I'm talking. No, I'm not in a show. You're out of your mind. Let me out of here. Hold it, Regal. What do you want? Stop your squirming file. I'll be over in a minute. I'm just going to tap you on a chin. What? Put you to sleep for a while. Carbon monoxide fumes will put you away for good. Look, who are you? The name is Fischer. Marty Fischer. Fischer. Marty Fischer? Yeah. I you know. It's all over quickly, isn't it, Marty? You leave the unconscious Regal in the car with a motor running. You close the garage doors and hurry back to the railroad station.

18:49An hour and a half later, you're approaching the prison gates. Everything is gone according to plan, hasn't it, Marty? There hasn't been the slightest slip of it. Right on time, just a little luck in a moment. Okay, okay. Who do you think you are, a real parent? All right, what are you waiting for? Take it through. You're clear so far, aren't you, Marty? And you swing the truck around the loading platform where you agreed to meet the Baron. Only he isn't there. The Baron isn't there. You slip the heavy raincoat off in the hat. Toss them on the seat and step out of the truck. You're about to walk away when he comes towards you.

19:51Baron, where are you? But, let me in there. No way. You need to load him. Yeah, yeah. You need your truck, Baron. Wait and see you back there in a moment. We're all right here. We can talk. Would you hide my half of the money? The money? I don't like the way you said that, Marty. You don't have? No. Yeah. You're not getting any ideas about changing your mind. Now that you're all set in me, I never changed my mind. Come on. It's been made up from the beginning. You know something, Baron? Like I always said, there isn't any 75 grand. Why you say, Baron? You don't want to fight with me. You've got too much to lose. After all, it's coming up. That's the way you had it figured out. Fade me with that money than you used me. And I can't talk. I wouldn't, I don't think you were. Maybe, Marty.

20:51Maybe. And maybe not. We get the odds, Baron, I have. You're clear in a ton of half weeks if you keep quiet. You shoot your mouth off and point no parole and no money. Ha, ha, ha. Yeah, it's a simple sucker. You don't talk. There's only one good thing about this place, Marty. You're here. And for life. Glad it makes you a happy child. Only for a reason that you'll never know. Right now. I'm glad I'm here. Yes, Marty, it all worked out, didn't it? And the man who helped you, the Baron, is the last man in the world who had dared to reveal you.

21:51He doesn't even worry you in the remaining two and a half weeks before his parole. And you're there, smiling with the others to shake his hand, as he heads for the tailor shop to exchange his denims for a blue-served suit. He'll be wearing it for a while, won't he? Because the Baron is not a rich man. And your money, the 75,000 from the payroll robbery, will be waiting for you when you're on the outside. But that's the future, isn't it, Marty? You have the present to think of. Helen's paying you a visit. And you want to see how she acts. How she feels now that her boyfriend, Rigo, is out of the way. You're a muse, pleased with yourself, as you face her through the wire mesh screen in the visited room. Hello, Helen. Marty. What is it? You look like you've been crying. Yes, Marty. Oh, Marty, something terrible's happened. That is it. Marty, I asked you for the money again and again.

22:53I never told you the real reason. It doesn't matter. There isn't any money. You love them that much. You see, Marty, I guess I'll never stop loving you no matter what you've done. Well, now there's nothing more I can do. What are you talking about? There was a man, Marty, a prominent man. And he was convinced you were innocent. And he was in a position to do things. Do things? Yes, he'd been talking to the parole board for months. And with a little more time to work on it, he was sure you'd be free soon. I know, Marty. I know I've been working with him constantly. Wait a minute. You mean this man would fix it so I'd get out of here? Yes, Marty. I'm free. But no, I don't know where to turn. Because Johnny Rico... Yes. Johnny Rico.

23:53Yes. Johnny Rico can't do anything for us anymore. Something happened to him in his car. He died in his garage from carbon monoxide fuel. This is the United States Armed Forces Radio Service, the voice of information and education.

25:09The United States Armed Forces Radio Service.