CBS Radio Mystery Theater (a.k.a. Radio Mystery Theater and Mystery Theater) is a radio drama series created by Himan Brown that was broadcast on CBS Radio Network affiliates from 1974 to 1982, and later in the early 2000s was repeated by the NPR satellite feed.
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00:00The CBS Radio Mystery Theater presents...
00:05Come in.
00:23Welcome.
00:25I'm E.G. Marshall.
00:26Welcome to the sounds of suspense.
00:30To the fear you can hear.
00:34To the terrifying world of the imagination.
00:39I'm your guide for a journey up a mysterious mountain.
00:43Dead Man's Mountain is what it's called.
00:46Going is really no problem.
00:49It's coming down that separates the living from the dead.
00:54Doctor, a man simply cannot age 40 years in one night.
01:00I wish I knew what to tell you, Mr. Johnson.
01:04I saw George last evening at dinner.
01:08He was 35.
01:10This morning, he's close to 80.
01:15But how could that happen?
01:17He went where he had no business going.
01:20Up Dead Man's Mountain.
01:21Is there some kind of disease up there?
01:25Some germ?
01:26Some virus that can age a man?
01:28None that is known to science.
01:31And how do you account for it?
01:33Probably the Indian legend is correct.
01:37Some evil spirit up there hates to be disturbed.
01:41Our mystery drama, Dead Man's Mountain,
01:54was written especially for the Mystery Theater by Sam Dan
01:58and stars Alan Hewitt.
02:01It is sponsored in part by the Kellogg Company,
02:04makers of Kellogg's Special K cereal.
02:07I'll return shortly with Act One.
02:09R.J. Johnson sits at his desk.
02:24Yes?
02:25The R.J. Johnson.
02:27The mysterious, the remote R.J. Johnson.
02:31I'd better explain that.
02:34His ways are mysterious,
02:36except when his plans include you.
02:38He is remote,
02:41except when he wants something from you.
02:45Then his presence can become an overwhelming reality.
02:50Some say R.J. is the richest man in the world.
02:54Some say he's the second, the third, the fourth richest.
02:57Does it matter?
02:58All we need to know is that on this particular morning,
03:03R.J. Johnson sits at his desk, as usual,
03:07and is formulating plans to buy or sell what?
03:13An industry?
03:15A government?
03:17Somebody's soul?
03:18Parker, I want us to maintain our short position on consolidated industries.
03:22It's bleeding down steadily,
03:24and we should help depress it a bit, too.
03:27No, I'm not afraid of anything like that.
03:29They won't get a government contract.
03:31We can see to it.
03:33Pick up National Computer and Starlight Oil.
03:36I want our full concentration on those three.
03:39I'll call you back later.
03:39Yes, Mrs. Dollard.
03:43Come in.
03:45Mr. Johnson.
03:47George Morrissey is here.
03:49And about time.
03:51I want hourly reports on consolidated, national, and starlight.
03:54The seat to it that Parker can always reach me.
03:56Now, have Morrissey come in.
03:57But, sir, about Morrissey...
04:00Is there a problem?
04:02Well, I...
04:03You were saying?
04:04Perhaps I should have said...
04:06Mrs. Dollard, are you all right?
04:08Perhaps I should have said...
04:09There's a man outside who claims to be George Morrissey.
04:14Mrs. Dollard, you know George Morrissey.
04:17I...
04:17I thought I did.
04:19If there's any doubt, check security.
04:21I did.
04:23Then that settles it.
04:24He could never hope to get past the lobby elevators if he weren't George Morrissey.
04:27Mr. Johnson, maybe what I'm trying to say is...
04:31There's a man out there.
04:33And I don't want him to be George Morrissey.
04:37Have him come in here.
04:39Yes, sir.
04:43Mr. Johnson will see you now.
04:48Do you see what I mean, Mr. Johnson?
04:51Mrs. Dollard, is this your idea of a practical joke?
04:54Who is this?
04:55Please.
04:56Please, R.J., don't yell at her.
04:57I...
04:58I can't stand noise.
05:00I...
05:00George?
05:02Yes.
05:04George.
05:05You can't be George.
05:07Look at me, R.J.
05:09Look at me.
05:10I can't believe it.
05:12You...
05:12You don't want to believe it.
05:14What happened to you?
05:16Please.
05:17Please let me...
05:18Let me sit down.
05:19He walked out of this office three weeks ago.
05:24Yes, yes, three weeks ago.
05:26He...
05:27He was a man of 35.
05:29And now...
05:30Now I know.
05:31I know.
05:32I look in the mirror.
05:33I could be 75.
05:36His hair is all white.
05:38He's wrinkled.
05:39Stupid.
05:39That's not the worst of it.
05:41I feel 75.
05:43I couldn't even walk without this cane.
05:46George, the first thing you have to do is tell me exactly what happened.
05:49I...
05:49I was at Manitou Mountain getting the development deal set, and R.J., listen, we'll have to forget
05:56it.
05:57Give it up.
05:57What are you saying?
05:58I'm saying forget it.
05:59Look at what happened to me.
06:01They said, all the locals, they said the mountain was haunted.
06:06Terrible things would happen to anyone who went up there.
06:08Talk sense.
06:10Can't you believe your eyes, R.J.?
06:13Look at what happened to me.
06:14George, start at the beginning.
06:17I...
06:17I couldn't get anyone to drive up the mountain road, so I hired a car.
06:24I drove it myself.
06:26I drove it up the mountain, and...
06:28Yes, and?
06:30And that's all I remember, R.J.
06:33I must have passed out up there.
06:36But something did happen.
06:37It's...
06:38It's like a nightmare.
06:39I can't bring it into focus.
06:43Just flashes of it.
06:45Terrible things.
06:46Be specific.
06:47What kind of terrible things?
06:49Shapes.
06:50Forms.
06:51Voices.
06:52Saying I was going to die.
06:54That my life was falling away.
06:56That it was...
06:56It was disappearing.
06:58What kind of shapes?
06:59What sort of forms?
07:00I...
07:00I don't know.
07:02What size were they?
07:02What color?
07:03I don't know.
07:04When you say voices, what kind?
07:05High, low.
07:06R.J., I don't know.
07:07Were they men's voices?
07:08Women's?
07:08I can't remember.
07:10I can't remember.
07:10Now, pull yourself together.
07:12Pull myself together.
07:13Look at me.
07:14I'm an old man.
07:16I've been robbed of half my life.
07:17Now, think.
07:18How long did you stay on the mountain?
07:20I...
07:21I don't know.
07:23Somehow, I managed to get the car turned around.
07:26I...
07:26I drove back to town.
07:28I found a doctor.
07:28What's his name?
07:29I...
07:30I don't know.
07:31What did he say?
07:32I can't remember.
07:34R.J., I came here to warn you.
07:36The mountain, it's haunted.
07:39It's cursed.
07:40Give up the project.
07:41Mrs. Dollard, call Dr. Warteson.
07:43No.
07:45No.
07:46Doctor can't help me anymore.
07:49But I can help you, R.J.
07:52Give it up.
07:54Give up the project.
08:02Dr. Warteson.
08:04Ah, yes.
08:05Yes.
08:05Keep him on fluids and whatever you do, see that he remains absolutely calm.
08:12That was the resident.
08:14About George?
08:15No change in his condition.
08:17Have you checked the local doctor?
08:19The one who saw him first?
08:20Well, we called him.
08:22He reports he treated a man of about 70 for exhaustion.
08:26That's all you could get out of him?
08:28That's all he had to say.
08:29And what have you got to say, doctor?
08:32We find that George Morrissey has the physical signs of a man in his 70s.
08:37But you know very well he is not in his 70s.
08:39Chronologically, no.
08:41Medically, yes.
08:43Is there a disease that could age a man so radically in so short a time?
08:48I would say a man could be ravaged by some psychic or physical attack, but here we have no signs of trauma.
08:59His tissues, organs, nervous system, circulatory system, they show the deterioration that could only be caused by aging.
09:07Let's cut through all this, doctor.
09:09How did it happen?
09:11We don't know.
09:12You don't know.
09:14Am I supposed to buy this nonsense about a haunted mountain, curses and all that?
09:20I don't have the answer, R.J.
09:22Watterson, over the years I have contributed millions for medical research.
09:26I bought this whole hospital for you.
09:29So, are you telling me that now when I need some answers I'm not going to get anything for my money?
09:34I'm telling you that we have no answers at this time.
09:39Is it possible that George could be faking?
09:43Why should he want to fake?
09:44Answer my question.
09:46The answer's no.
09:47I want to see him.
09:49He's very weak.
09:50Is it important?
09:51I don't make unimportant requests.
09:52Well, just for a minute or two at most.
09:57And please, don't excite him.
10:00I won the club championship and I was named third-team All-America.
10:10George.
10:11Girls, you should see how the girls would fall all over me.
10:14George, pay attention.
10:16Huh?
10:17Oh.
10:18Oh, it's you, R.J.
10:19Listen.
10:20No, no, no.
10:21George, don't try to sit up.
10:22But I've got to talk to R.J.
10:24Listen, R.J.
10:26Are you listening?
10:27I'm listening.
10:27Here's what happens to you up there.
10:30On the mountain.
10:31I remember, you see.
10:32Now, I remember.
10:34R.J., don't excite him, please.
10:35I accept full responsibility.
10:37Up there, on that mountain, I was told you will lose that which you value most.
10:44Told?
10:45You say told?
10:46How?
10:47By whom?
10:48I don't know.
10:49How can we get anywhere if you keep saying you don't know?
10:53Think.
10:53R.J., I order you from this room.
10:56He's going to die soon, anyhow.
10:58We have to get that information.
10:59R.J., I will call security and have the guards throw you out of here.
11:03No, no, doctor.
11:04No, leave us alone.
11:05This is between R.J. and me.
11:08What were you told, George?
11:10I wasn't really told.
11:13It was more like a kind of feeling, an idea that seemed to seep into me.
11:19And I realized the most important thing, what mattered most to me, was my body.
11:29Talk sense.
11:30I'm talking sense, R.J.
11:31And I began to lose my body.
11:35What do you mean, lose your body?
11:37The way you really lose it.
11:40To old age.
11:41Only...
11:42Oh, God.
11:44Only I was losing it then and there.
11:47And all at once.
11:48Is that what you think happened, Marcy?
11:52But look.
11:53Look, I got away from there, you see.
11:56I got away just before I would have died.
11:59But why?
12:01I should have stayed.
12:03Look at me.
12:04What good am I now?
12:06Be calm and practical, George.
12:08We have the greatest doctors in the world here.
12:11We'll beat this thing.
12:12You can still beat it, R.J.
12:15You, you can still beat it.
12:18Just don't go near that mountain.
12:20Just give up the project.
12:29You wanted me, Mr. Johnson?
12:31Has Parker called while I was out?
12:32Yes, sir.
12:33He reported in.
12:34Consolidated stock is still falling.
12:36That's good.
12:37National computer is rising.
12:38And Starlight Oil is doing well with the new government.
12:41Tell him to increase our holdings.
12:42Try 10%.
12:43Now, cancel the rest of today and all of tomorrow.
12:46Yes, sir.
12:47Call Chuck Daly.
12:48I want him here in three quarters of an hour.
12:50Uh, sir.
12:51What is it?
12:52Well, Chuck's about to leave for Florida.
12:54His daughter's getting married this afternoon.
12:56Tell him he is to fly me up to the Manitou Mountain area.
12:59But, Mr. Johnson...
13:00Now, what is it, Mrs. Dollard?
13:02You can't go up to Manitou Mountain.
13:04Why not?
13:06Well, you saw what happened.
13:07What did happen?
13:09You saw George Morrissey.
13:11About George Morrissey.
13:12Either he caught a disease...
13:13But medical science doesn't know of such a disease.
13:15Medical science is constantly being surprised.
13:19Obviously, someone does not want me to develop the Manitou Mountain Resort Complex.
13:23And perhaps they managed to buy George Morrissey.
13:27But I would bet my life on George Morrissey.
13:29You must never bet your life on anybody, Mrs. Dollard.
13:32The nearest town to Manitou Mountain is Lafayette Center.
13:35Reserve a room for me there at the motel.
13:37But he is George Morrissey.
13:39Fingerprints, dental records...
13:40Reserve it under the name R.J. Smith.
13:43Mr. Johnson, are you going up there alone?
13:46You know perfectly well, Mrs. Dollard, that the way to get something done is to do it yourself.
13:51But isn't it dangerous for you to go?
13:54Mrs. Dollard, I have complete freedom of action because, as you know very well, practically nobody on the outside has the faintest idea of what I look like.
14:09How many days do you plan to spend with us, Mr. Smith?
14:13Well, that all depends.
14:15Oh?
14:15On what?
14:16Do you suppose I could hire a car and driver?
14:18Oh, let's see.
14:19I have some cards here.
14:20Pick out any name.
14:22Tell them Doris Evans over at the motel recommended you.
14:25Do you mean I need a recommendation to hire a car?
14:27Well, it's deer season.
14:29Can't expect a man to concentrate on his business.
14:31I would think you can if you pay him and he recognizes his obligation.
14:36Well, I can see you're a very serious-minded person, Mr. Smith.
14:40What brings you up to our frivolous part of the world?
14:44I intend to do some sightseeing.
14:46Sightseeing?
14:46Well, I hear you have some very beautiful country.
14:49Oh, yes, we do have a lot of very beautiful country up here.
14:51Wild, unspoiled.
14:53And we aim to keep it that way, too.
14:56Now, tell me, is there a doctor in town?
14:58Oh, I hope nothing's wrong.
15:00I wouldn't want you to get sick on us while you're here.
15:01No, I should just be checked every now and then.
15:04Oh, well, we do have Doc Stolling.
15:06Does he have office hours now?
15:09His office hours are when he's not hunting or fishing.
15:12But I think he'd give up a chance at a 12-point buck for you.
15:16Why?
15:18Well, he doesn't get an opportunity like this every day.
15:21To do what?
15:22To treat the world-famous R.J. Johnson.
15:25I see.
15:27How did you know I...
15:28Oh, I'm sorry.
15:29Really, I shouldn't have given it away.
15:31After all, if you want to call yourself Mr. Smith,
15:34we should indulge that little conceit.
15:36But how did you know?
15:38Mr. Johnson, the whole town knows you're up here.
15:43Why, we've all been waiting for you.
15:46We've all been waiting.
15:53Waiting for what reason?
15:56Had they also been waiting for George Morrissey?
16:00And George was only R.J. Johnson's hired man.
16:04We'll be back shortly with Act Two.
16:07One of the world's wealthiest men
16:20sits in the tiny lobby of a small motel
16:23in an out-of-the-way village somewhere in the Adirondacks.
16:27And suddenly he feels that all of his money and power
16:31somehow seem to be very far away at this anxious moment.
16:36You say the whole town's been waiting for me, Mrs. Evans?
16:40Yes, we've been waiting.
16:42Why?
16:43Well, you own us now.
16:46I own you?
16:47In a manner of speaking.
16:48You own all the land that surrounds this village.
16:52I would think of myself as more of a neighbor.
16:55We don't think your plans for the area
16:57will make you a good neighbor.
17:00You had your chance to protest against the project at the hearing.
17:03And we did.
17:04And after the legislature weighed,
17:05all the pros and cons,
17:06they acted in the interests of the entire state,
17:09not your narrow provincial prejudices.
17:12You really believe that, don't you?
17:14I certainly do.
17:15Well, we know why certain votes went a certain way.
17:19Do you?
17:20Suppose you tell me.
17:22We know there was bribery and pressure.
17:25Really?
17:26None of this was found by the special prosecutor's office.
17:29Well, I must admit, though, I admire your courage.
17:33My courage?
17:34To come up here all alone without your thugs.
17:37Oh, just a minute, Mrs. Evans.
17:39Oh, they have clean fingernails, excellent manners, college degrees.
17:43But they help you to steal and cover your tracks.
17:46In that sense, they're no better than common thugs.
17:48You really believe that, don't you?
17:51And let me set you straight.
17:53I have never done anything illegal.
17:55Oh, you can't be serious.
17:56No court has ever found me guilty of any crime.
17:59Congratulations.
18:00But here's what I am guilty of.
18:03Success.
18:04And this has earned me the envy and the hatred of millions of people.
18:09But that's human nature.
18:10I understand that.
18:12What I don't understand is the attitude of the people in this town.
18:16I'm not taking anything from them.
18:18I'm going to make every one of you rich.
18:21Can't you believe it?
18:22Oh, yes.
18:22We believe it.
18:23Do you have any idea how property values in this town will skyrocket when the development is here?
18:28Yes, indeed.
18:29Then why is everybody so unhappy?
18:31You know, you remind me of my husband.
18:34My late husband, that is.
18:36In what way?
18:37He was an unsuccessful version of you.
18:40He also worshipped money.
18:42But he didn't know how to make it.
18:44Now, what happened to your husband?
18:46He went up to what your investment brochure calls Manitou Mountain.
18:51Dead Man's Mountain, we call it around here.
18:53And it...
18:54Well, it killed him.
18:57How could the mountain kill it?
18:59It's an old Indian legend.
19:02Unless your conscience is completely clear,
19:04that mountain will kill you.
19:07Well, it killed poor Sidney Evans, rest his soul.
19:12Killed him?
19:13How?
19:13He was discovered at the foot of it.
19:17He was completely shriveled.
19:20There must be an explanation.
19:21Doc Stallings never found it.
19:22He just wrote it up as death due to causes unknown.
19:27Stallings is, after all, only a country, Doctor.
19:29That's right, he is.
19:31Tell me, how do your high-powered city doctors explain Mr. Morrissey?
19:37Do you know about Mr. Morrissey?
19:38Oh, the whole town knows about Mr. Morrissey.
19:41Poor Mr. Morrissey.
19:42He went up there.
19:44Something he had no business doing.
19:45I must correct that.
19:46He had every business doing it.
19:48He was my agent inspecting my property on orders from me.
19:52But the fact is, he went up there, and the mountain got him.
19:57Have other people met with mysterious results after climbing that mountain?
20:02Oh, very few and far between.
20:05We may be just country folk up here, but we learn from experience.
20:20Are you Dr. Stallings?
20:22Well, look who's here.
20:24They said you'd be out fishing.
20:26Oh, that's never a bad guess, but it takes two, and the trout won't play.
20:31I'd like to talk to you.
20:32Sure.
20:33I'm willing to pay you for a consultation.
20:35Oh, I intend to charge you.
20:37Well?
20:38Well, what?
20:39Well, aren't you going to come up here, out of the water?
20:43Well, you see, I got my eye out for a certain brown trout.
20:46So you just tell me your symptoms, and I'll decide whether I have to examine you.
20:51An employee of mine.
20:52You treated him recently.
20:54George Morrissey.
20:55Oh, him.
20:57What happened to George Morrissey?
20:59Well, I met him at the motel.
21:01It was a Thursday night.
21:02I'd go there for dinner whenever Doris Evans serves pot roast.
21:06Hey, you're lucky.
21:07She's having it tonight.
21:08About Mr. Morrissey.
21:09Oh, you're a serious kind of fellow.
21:12About like you.
21:14Same no-nonsense, let's-get-right-down-to-it attitude.
21:17I'm only interested in what happened to Morrissey.
21:20What happened?
21:20Well, he wanted to hire somebody to drive him up to dead man's mouth.
21:24And nobody would do it.
21:25That's right.
21:26Why?
21:27Well, you've been told why by now, I'm sure.
21:30I'm asking you why.
21:33I'll tell you the same thing.
21:35That's impossible.
21:36Why is it impossible?
21:38Oh, I see what you're thinking.
21:40It's all right for the simple-minded hicks up here to swallow that superstitious nonsense.
21:45But me, I'm a doctor.
21:46A product of a highly sophisticated, specialized education.
21:50That's exactly what I'm thinking.
21:51Well, think again.
21:53Because I believe it, too.
21:54There has to be a reasonable, logical, rational explanation for what happened to George Morrissey.
22:00Oh, there is.
22:01There is.
22:02He offended the spirit of the mountain.
22:04Oh, you consider that reasonable, logical, rational?
22:07Would you feel better if I said there's something up in that mountain, a virus, a bacillus, a fungus, which somehow causes immediate aging?
22:14It would be a more rational explanation.
22:18You mean more acceptable.
22:21I want to know what you believe.
22:23And I'll pay you for it.
22:25I believe the evidence.
22:27If you go up there, you can die.
22:30But why?
22:31Because a great spirit lives up there and he values his privacy.
22:35That's impossible.
22:37I saw George Morrissey at dinner one night.
22:40A vigorous, athletic-looking man in his 30s.
22:42I saw him again the following evening.
22:46A broken old man, half dead.
22:48And you explain it with this half-faked legend.
22:51Well, how do your city doctors with all their modern facilities explain it?
22:56Your Dr. Watterson, a world-famous diagnostician, he called me.
23:01He asked me.
23:03This thing has to be cleared up.
23:06Why?
23:07What's wrong with a nice, quiet mystery?
23:10If word of this becomes general, it can destroy the entire project.
23:13Aha.
23:14Is that bad?
23:15Millions of people will be deprived of an opportunity to enjoy healthful recreation and a fresh country environment.
23:21Ah, but it won't be fresh country, you see.
23:24You'll have super highways and smoke and noise and honky-tonk resorts.
23:29I'm convinced that you people are up to something.
23:33Well, you tell me what.
23:35I don't know.
23:37But I assure you, I have the resources to find out.
23:40Well, if you ever do, let me know.
23:49Well, did you find Doc Stallings?
23:52My secretary should have called me on the hour.
23:54Oh, she did.
23:56We serve dinner till 9.30, but the best time to eat is around 6.
24:00From then on, it's leftovers.
24:01I'll have a sandwich sent up to my room.
24:03Oh, you're joking.
24:04I don't tell jokes.
24:06You mean, all you want for dinner is a sandwich?
24:09Mrs. Evans, food is merely fuel.
24:12The body is just a machine, and so my tastes are very simple.
24:15Whom do rich men think they impress when they say they have simple tastes?
24:20Do you have a wife?
24:22I never married.
24:23Oh, well, so far we've eliminated wine and women.
24:27I can see by looking at you that there isn't too much song.
24:31What do you do with all your money?
24:33I make it grow.
24:35Whatever you do, don't go up that mountain.
24:38I don't think I need any more advice from anyone around here.
24:42I would like to place a call to New York.
24:44You go up, up that mountain, and when you come down, you'll be penniless.
24:49You have my secretary's number there.
24:51Please, put it through.
24:52Just remember, I told you.
25:02It's exactly five minutes past four, Mrs. Dollard.
25:05I know that, sir.
25:07Why haven't you heard from Parker?
25:08I'm expecting a call any moment.
25:10Any moment was not his orders.
25:12I specifically directed him to report on the hour.
25:14Yes, sir.
25:15Why is there a delay?
25:16I don't know.
25:17Well, find out.
25:18Mr. Johnson, I'm only human.
25:20What did you say, Mrs. Dollard?
25:22Mrs. Dollard?
25:25Operator?
25:26Operator!
25:34Now, see here, Mrs. Evans.
25:36Oh, Mr. Johnson, I was just trying to reach your room.
25:38I've been cut off in the middle of a crucial telephone call.
25:40Carlotta, the phone company operator.
25:42She just told me that we can't get through to New York for a bit.
25:45What are you saying?
25:46Well, you've seen those signs along the roads.
25:48Look out for falling rocks.
25:50Well, we just had a pretty good slide on Route 640.
25:53But I must talk to New York.
25:54A lot of wires are down, but Ed Bailey and his boys will have it fixed before long.
25:59Oh, hi, Doris.
26:00Hello, Doris.
26:00And why does the celebrated R.J. Johnson look so agitated?
26:04Well, he can't make a phone call.
26:06Oh, my, my, my.
26:07You know, Mr. Johnson, as a physician, I have a prescription that could keep you healthy and happy for years.
26:12Doctor, I'm in no mood for your folksy philosophy.
26:15I have to make a phone call.
26:16Don't you want to hear my prescription?
26:18How long will it take to repair the lines?
26:19Soon?
26:20Maybe an hour.
26:20An hour?
26:21Maybe less.
26:22I would prescribe the following.
26:24Chuck it all, Mr. Johnson.
26:25Give it up.
26:26Settle down here.
26:27And marry Doris.
26:28Oh, I'm not sure I'd want to marry him, Doctor.
26:31I'm not out to marry anybody.
26:32Oh, why not?
26:33What's going on in this town?
26:35Are you people crazy?
26:36Where's the police station?
26:37The police station?
26:40Well, we do have a sheriff.
26:42Send for him.
26:43What do you want the sheriff for?
26:45There has to be some kind of plot.
26:47Where can I find the sheriff?
26:49Oh, you don't have to find him.
26:51He's coming in the door right now.
26:54Hi, Elwood.
26:55Evening, folks.
26:56A gentleman here wants to see you, Elwood.
26:59Yes, sir.
27:00Sheriff, I need your help.
27:02That's what we're here for, sir.
27:04My name is R.J. Johnson.
27:06Pleased to meet you.
27:07Sheriff, these people are trying to...
27:10These people are trying to...
27:13Yes, sir?
27:15These people are out to do me harm.
27:19Which people?
27:20Among others, these two.
27:22Well, but Doc Starling here is the greatest guy you'd ever hope to meet.
27:27Matter of fact, he takes care of me.
27:30And I personally vouch for Doris.
27:33She's my sister.
27:34A very nice, tidy little town.
27:43And the natives are so friendly and obliging.
27:46And so concerned with your well-being.
27:50But right now, R.J. Johnson feels overwhelmed by their solicitude.
27:55As if he is being literally killed with kindness.
27:59We'll return shortly with Act Three.
28:14Are the people of Lafayette Center...
28:17The kindly, generous-hearted folks they seem to be?
28:22Or is this a place of evil?
28:24Where death waits for strangers?
28:28Especially a wealthy stranger...
28:30Like R.J. Johnson.
28:33How are these good people out to harm you, Mr. Johnson?
28:36I don't know, Sheriff.
28:38But something is going on.
28:40And I demand protection until I can get some of my own people up here.
28:44You've got to appreciate my position, Mr. Johnson.
28:46There's nothing I can do unless you make a choice.
28:49Well, we're only trying to help him, Elwood.
28:51You see, I look at this man's face...
28:53And I hear the tension in his voice...
28:54And I see his color, you know?
28:57So I say to him, change your way of life.
28:59Settle down up here.
29:00Is that harming him?
29:02Well, it doesn't seem like it.
29:03I recommend a more regular routine.
29:05And we both keep warning him...
29:07Stay away from Dead Man's Mountain.
29:09Mr. Johnson?
29:10Hear about.
29:11For reasons best known to yourselves...
29:13You people are determined to keep strangers at a distance.
29:17Oh, we'd only be too happy if more folks would move up here.
29:20And so you invented this nonsense about a cursed and haunted mountain.
29:25But why?
29:26You know why, Sheriff.
29:28Because to any man of intelligence and courage...
29:31It presents a challenge.
29:33But before a man goes up there, you prepare him.
29:36Well, gentlemen, you can stay and listen to all this.
29:38I've got to serve dinner.
29:40By all means, Mrs. Evans.
29:42We can continue this discussion at the table.
29:44Oh?
29:44I thought all you wanted was a sandwich.
29:46Oh, no.
29:47Tonight, I'm having all the trimmings.
29:59Here you are, Mr. Johnson.
30:01Hot roast, mashed potatoes, peas and carrots.
30:04Now, that's a cure for whatever ails you...
30:06Uh, hold on.
30:07Dr. Stallings, change plates with me, please.
30:10Why?
30:11It's the same portion.
30:13Except I always give you a little bit less, doctor.
30:15Would you mind changing plates, doctor?
30:17No, not if you tell me why.
30:19Since I'm going up to the mountain, there could be something in this food.
30:24A drug, perhaps.
30:25Oh, I like that.
30:27It was very well, Mr. Johnson.
30:30Here, have it your way.
30:32You say you're going up the mountain?
30:36Yes.
30:36After all we told you?
30:38I'm going up that mountain to prove that it's just an ordinary piece of undeveloped country real estate.
30:44Can you stop him?
30:46Where would everybody want to stop me?
30:48Well, look what it did to your Mr. Morrissey.
30:50Suppose, for the sake of argument, there is something dangerous up there.
30:55And it gets me.
30:57Isn't that to your interest?
30:59Without me, there can't be a development project.
31:02Well, we have a more basic interest.
31:04We have obligations as human beings.
31:06Well, now, I will need a car.
31:10There's a road, I assume.
31:12Oh, yes, sir.
31:13Leads up to the top.
31:14But why go now?
31:15At night?
31:16Because the word should get around.
31:19R.J. Johnson drove up this...
31:21this dead man's mountain, as you call it,
31:24in the dead of night,
31:25and just as calmly drove down again.
31:28But, Mr. Johnson, really...
31:29You have something to learn, Mrs. Evans.
31:31You think a man becomes rich through trickery, violence,
31:35and all manner of illegal, immoral, and unethical acts.
31:38I never said that.
31:39But you believe it.
31:40Tonight, you're going to discover how I became rich.
31:44By daring to do what other people consider impossible.
31:48It's that simple.
31:49I, uh, would still advise you to keep away from that mountain.
31:52Let's end the little game, Doctor.
31:53I've humored all you people long enough.
31:56Well, very well.
31:57How do you account for George Morrissey?
31:59Very simple.
32:00George Morrissey is not R.J. Johnson.
32:03Oh.
32:03Does the spirit of the mountain going along with the legend
32:07kill everyone whose conscience is not clear?
32:11Very well.
32:12I'm safe.
32:14My conscience is unblemished.
32:15Elwood, I still think you should stop him.
32:17The sheriff has no right to interfere.
32:19I'm merely inspecting my own property.
32:21Well, he's right, Dars.
32:23A little exercise in morality here.
32:27Who would care to accompany me?
32:29You look down on.
32:31You are the pillars of virtue.
32:34You mean there isn't a clear conscience among the three of you?
32:38I'll drive you.
32:39Doris.
32:40Doris, what do you say?
32:40He's challenged us.
32:41But, Doris, you know you can't fight the mountain.
32:44Well, we can't let somebody else get killed up there either.
32:46What can you do?
32:47Well, at the first sign of anything suspicious,
32:49I can turn the car around.
32:52Mr. Johnson?
32:53You've got yourself a driver.
32:55And I suggest we leave right now.
32:57The moon goes down early around here.
32:59Oh, first I have to call New York.
33:00But the lines are still down.
33:02How do you know?
33:03Carlotta will let us know when they're fixed.
33:05Maybe I'd better wait.
33:06Oh.
33:07Don't tell me you're starting to have second thoughts.
33:11I have some very important things to check out.
33:13We can drive to the top of the mountain and back again in an hour.
33:16How do you know?
33:18Have you done it before?
33:19No.
33:20Just a guess.
33:22And I'm ready if you are.
33:24Well?
33:36What is it, Mrs. Evans?
33:37Well, we're here.
33:39We're at the foot of Dead Man's Mountain.
33:42And there, you see, on your right,
33:44is the dirt road that leads upward.
33:48How far?
33:49Oh, I don't know.
33:51Well, what are we waiting for?
33:54You won't change your mind, Mr. Johnson.
33:56No.
33:57I still don't understand why you have to do this.
34:00This is another reason why I'm a rich man.
34:02I buy stock nobody else believes in.
34:05I finance schemes other people think are harebrained.
34:08I back men no one else will work with.
34:11And I climb mountains everyone else is scared by.
34:16I'm climbing this mountain, too.
34:17Then you also deserve to be rich.
34:20Well, do we go ahead or do we turn back?
34:24One must always go ahead, Mrs. Evans.
34:27Then, here goes.
34:42How do you feel, Mrs. Evans?
34:44All right.
34:45I guess.
34:47You guess?
34:49How do you feel?
34:50I don't have to guess.
34:52I know.
34:53I feel great.
34:54It should be interesting.
34:56What?
34:57Let's assume all you people are right.
34:59This mountain is haunted by a great spirit
35:01who strikes down all who have guilt.
35:05Which one of us do you suppose he'll strike down?
35:08Well, I don't have a guilty conscience.
35:09I wonder about that.
35:11I heard the doctor say you had a weakness for men with problems.
35:16Your late husband?
35:17Maybe he didn't have problems.
35:19Maybe you had the problems.
35:21Well, we all have problems.
35:23Stop for a moment.
35:24What's the matter?
35:24I think I...
35:27I heard somebody.
35:29I haven't heard a saying.
35:32Listen.
35:34R.J.
35:35I'll have the security guards throw you out of here.
35:40It's Watterson.
35:42It's Dr. Watterson.
35:43What's he doing up here?
35:45Who's Dr. Watterson?
35:46He's looking after George Morrissey.
35:49I'll throw you out of here.
35:51Did you hear him?
35:52There's no one around but you and me.
35:53Now that I think of it, that's a strange way for Watterson to talk to me.
35:58He would never have the guts to say that unless...
36:00Unless he knew something.
36:02Look, I think we'd better turn around.
36:03No, no, no, no, I think I'm learning something.
36:06Watterson, do you know that Watterson is Parker's son-in-law?
36:10Who's Parker?
36:11My administrative assistant.
36:12He executes all my orders.
36:14Suppose Consolidated Industries is not going down.
36:17Suppose it's starting to go up.
36:18Suppose Parker is still holding...
36:20Oh, but come on, Mr. Johnson.
36:21Just...
36:22Just relax.
36:23Now, if it's too much for you up here, let's turn back...
36:25Tell me, Mrs. Evans, how did you know I'd be here?
36:30Well, we...
36:31We just assumed...
36:32No one told you.
36:33Who would tell us?
36:34A pilot.
36:35My pilot.
36:36I didn't even know you had one.
36:38He may have been put out because I made him fly me here on his daughter's wedding day.
36:43Oh?
36:43Well, that really wasn't nice.
36:46I pay him enough.
36:48But he didn't tell you.
36:49No!
36:51Listen now.
36:52I don't hear anything.
36:53Just listen.
36:54Just listen.
36:55There.
36:57I'm only human, Mr. Johnson.
37:00I'm only human.
37:03Why would she answer me like that if she didn't know something?
37:06I don't hear a thing, Mr. Johnson.
37:10I'm only human.
37:11I'm only human.
37:13Let me tell you about her.
37:15She's quiet.
37:16She's almost mousy.
37:18But she's ambitious.
37:20I can tell.
37:21I've made her a rich woman.
37:23She's in on it.
37:25She's in on it, too.
37:26She and Parker and Morrissey.
37:29They worked it out.
37:31And you're in on it, too.
37:32Me?
37:33They wanted me out of the way.
37:36And so all of you got together.
37:38You worked up this phony scheme.
37:41We're going to turn back.
37:43Answer the phone.
37:44What phone?
37:45Answer it.
37:47Hello?
37:48Hello?
37:49Mr. Johnson, I have the latest quote on consolidating.
37:54It's going up.
37:56It can't go up.
37:57It's gone up five points so far.
38:01Get Parker.
38:02Close it out.
38:03Close it out.
38:05I can't find Parker.
38:07Get him.
38:08Get him.
38:09Mrs. Dollard.
38:10Mrs. Dollard.
38:11Who are you talking to?
38:13My secretary.
38:14She hung up on me.
38:17How could she hang up?
38:19There's no phone.
38:20Consolidated is going up.
38:23But there's no stock market at night.
38:25Mr. Johnson.
38:27It's going crazy.
38:30National computer is going down.
38:33Have Parker sell at once.
38:35I can't find Parker.
38:37Mrs. Dollard.
38:39Mrs. Dollard.
38:40She's gone again.
38:42Listen to me, Mr. Johnson.
38:44Please listen.
38:44Do you know how much money I've lost so far?
38:47Please listen.
38:48You have nothing to be afraid of.
38:50It's just a legend.
38:51Who can be sure it's true?
38:53Oh, sure.
38:54We local people push it to scare away developers.
38:57I feel weak.
38:59As if I lost a lot of blood.
39:03Listen.
39:04You're R.J. Johnson.
39:06You're not to be taken in with this superstitious nonsense.
39:08Fight it off.
39:09I can't.
39:11I'm trying.
39:13But all my strength is going.
39:16My money.
39:18It's disappearing.
39:19Your money isn't your strength.
39:21It is.
39:22It is.
39:24I have nothing else.
39:27Please.
39:28Answer the phone for me.
39:30I can hardly lift the receiver.
39:36The rebel government just nationalized Starlight Oil.
39:41What?
39:42What did you say?
39:45Mrs. Dollard.
39:46Mrs. Dollard.
39:48Mr. Johnson.
39:50We're leaving.
39:53What?
39:54It.
39:55It happened.
39:58Everything.
39:58Everything I was afraid of.
40:02Happened.
40:04Consolidated.
40:06Went up.
40:07National went down.
40:10And Starlight.
40:11Nothing happened.
40:13It's all your imagination.
40:15Mr. Johnson.
40:17Mr. Johnson.
40:19Come to me.
40:20Mr. Johnson.
40:21Mr. Johnson.
40:22He's dead.
40:33How?
40:34Why?
40:35Doris, I don't know.
40:36There isn't a mark or a sign on him.
40:38It's as if all the force and vital energy just left his body.
40:42Well, maybe it's all for the best.
40:45He was in trouble.
40:47Trouble?
40:48It was on the news.
40:49Some of his holdings went haywire for some reason.
40:54Three big companies.
40:56He's out millions.
40:58He may have died just in time.
41:01The mountain.
41:04The mountain.
41:05What?
41:06What about the mountain?
41:08It's true.
41:09Every word we say about it.
41:12It's true.
41:14Oh, come on, sis.
41:15How can it be true?
41:17The mountain killed him.
41:19It took away his money.
41:20Doris, are you all right?
41:22I...
41:23I don't know.
41:26I don't know yet.
41:27I...
41:28I wonder...
41:30What did it do to me?
41:38Well, what did it do to Doris?
41:41Everybody loses what he values most up on Dead Man's Mountain, as the saying goes.
41:49Maybe Doris had fallen in love with R.J.
41:52And thus the mountain robbed her, too.
41:56I'll be back shortly.
41:57Haunted Mountains.
42:09Did this one cause certain stocks to go up and down one day recently?
42:16It certainly seems no more far-fetched than some of the explanations people have for the market.
42:22The cast in our exercise in The Extraordinary included Alan Hewitt, Bryna Rayburn, William Redfield, and Robert Dryden.
42:33The entire production was under the direction of Hyman Brown.
42:37Now, a preview of our next tale.
42:43The only way to learn how to swim is to jump in the water, right?
42:47I simply can't make you understand, can I?
42:50Well, maybe I can make you understand.
42:54Ah, forget it.
42:56You want to get that dinner ready?
42:58I'm hungry.
42:59Yes, yes, I'm going now.
43:00Uh, look, uh, why don't you change first?
43:03Change?
43:04Yeah, yeah, your clothes.
43:05Get more comfortable.
43:07Yes, I think I'd like to do that, George.
43:09I-I won't be long.
43:13Ah!
43:15George!
43:16George, there's a dog on our bed!
43:18A horrible big dog!
43:20Ah, take it easy.
43:21That's my surprise.
43:23That's a teller.
43:23Get him out of here!
43:24Please, George, take him away!
43:26It's only a dog for pretty sexy.
43:28He's not going to hurt you.
43:29Get it out!
43:30George!
43:31Please!
43:32Radio Mystery Theater was sponsored in part by Anheuser-Busch Incorporated,
43:37Brewers of Budweiser.
43:39This is E.G. Marshall inviting you to return to our mystery theater
43:43for another adventure in the macabre.
43:47Until next time, pleasant dreams.
43:52Screams