[MUSIC PLAYING] This episode is brought to you by Experian. Are you paying for subscriptions you don't use, but can't find the time or energy to cancel them? Experian could cancel unwanted subscriptions for you, saving you an average of $270 per year, and plenty of time. Download the Experian app. Results will vary. Not all subscriptions are eligible. Savings are not guaranteed. Paid membership with connected payment account required. You are listening to the new mutual audio network. Welcome home. Dedicated to Sam A. Mallory, whose friendships, legacy in our medium of audio drama, talent, and voice are a constellation for the rest of us to set our courses to. Rest well, Sam. We were all robbed of more time with you. [MUSIC PLAYING] The following audio drama is rated G for general audience. [MUSIC PLAYING] The Sonic's Summerstock Playhouse. [MUSIC PLAYING] Every year at the Playhouse, we invite groups to recreate the golden age of radio drama. These old time radio scripts done with new casts and new voices. [MUSIC PLAYING] Welcome, ladies and gentlemen, to our third feature presentation of the 15th season of Sonic's Summerstock Playhouse. I am your announcer, Jack Ward, for this evening, as Mr. David Alt, our Summerstock host, is on vacation. But I am thrilled to be here for you this evening. And I'm especially thrilled to be here. As this week, we're excited to welcome back the Narada Radio Company, returning for their ninth year at the Playhouse. Director Pete Lutz is very busy. There's so many productions this year for Narada, but he's thrilled to bring us this remake of another Willis Cooper's Quiet Please episode entitled, How Are You Pal? The only surviving copy of the original performances of such poor quality, we're sure that the Narada Radio Company could provide a very powerful remake that we can appreciate, not only now, but for many years to come. So without further ado, let's lift the curtain on this special performance of, How Are You Pal? From Quiet Please and the Narada Radio Company. [APPLAUSE] Quiet Please. Quiet, please. [MUSIC PLAYING] Quiet Please for tonight, written and directed by Willis Cooper and featuring Ernest Chappell is called, How Are You Pal? [MUSIC PLAYING] I want you to play a little game. I want you to get a piece of paper and a pencil and write down three words. Just write them down and hold on to them, because before we're through with this half hour, you'll find you have need of them. It'll take you just a moment to find the pencil and paper, only another moment to write down the three words I give you. Write them down and keep them alongside you. Ready? Write down first. Yes. Next, write down yours. Now, write down mine. Yes, yours, mine. That's all. Now relax and listen to me. [MUSIC PLAYING] [MUSIC PLAYING] We used to be good friends. We were brothers. We went around a lot together, back in the old days, long time ago, long time ago. But we haven't seen much of each other the last few years. Not until I came back here to town and called you up and said, hey, remember me? I remember how your voice sounded on the phone, not quite the same as it did the last time we saw each other. At the station, when you came down to say goodbye and good luck and stuff, was it? Oh, never mind. That was quite a while ago. I didn't think of it at the time. I remember now, though. Not that I blame you. It's just good New York manners to be a little reserved when a pal of the old days calls, till you're sure the old pal isn't going to put the arm on you to find a place to stay and maybe lend them a tent or so. I don't blame you. You were a little more cordial after I'd answered that question you asked so casually. What are you doing now, Dane? When I said I was doing all right and couldn't I buy you dinner, and you did come back pretty fast and say, no, no, dinner's on me, old pal. And I said, no, it's on me. And we had an argument about the dinner check, and you did pay. Sure. I've got no kicks about that. Not at all. We had a lot of laughs at that dinner, talking about the fine Christmases we used to have together, and the trick presents we used to give each other, and some of the people we used to know. Some of them we both liked, and some of them-- one of us liked, and the other didn't. And the top hat you gave me for my birthday. A great laugh, because I wouldn't be caught in an alley with a plug hat on. So I gave you the silver-mounted stag-handle hunting knife, because you were strictly the nightclub type, and wouldn't be caught in the woods if you were starving for hoss and pfeffer. And I made you give me a penny for it, because a gift knife might cut friendship. I still had the penny the other day. It fell out of my pocket. Somebody picked it up, I think. Laughs, a million of them. [MUSIC PLAYING] Been a long time since we saw each other, hasn't it? I've been a lot of places, as they say. Oh, yes, I know you were away for a year or so, weren't you? Sure, I keep track of you. All the time, I keep track of all my old pals, pal. They're special. You know, there's so many things we didn't get a chance to talk about. You know what I mean? So many things. Say, you comfortable in that chair? Well, don't wait till I get nervous. I meant to ask you, you haven't been getting into any jams or anything like that. Will I been away, have you? I sure hope not, because you're so dug, unimpulsive, you know? I remember how many jams I got you out of in the old days. I'm not bragging it out. I don't mean I'm ungrateful or anything like that. In fact, it was the old days. The days when we'd go out on the town together. [MUSIC PLAYING] You know, I get sentimental about the old days. I get to remembering things. That waiter in that place on Rough Street, I'll never forget the way you said it. You said, don't go picking on my pal just because you're bigger than he is. Oh, you were always doing things like that. I ran into him just right before the war out in Cleveland. I recognized him right away by that short right leg where you broke it. He didn't remember me at all. Of course not. I've changed a lot, even you said that. Well, I've been a lot of places, like I said. I've seen a lot of things, done a lot of things. It makes changes in a man. Even you'll look different when I saw you. Oh, the waiter. Just for fun, I asked him what was the matter with his leg. It was funny hearing his side of the story when I knew the other side. He sure hated you, pal. I never heard a man curse about so in all my life. Oh, no. He's an old man. He was an old man when you and he had the fight. Don't you remember? I remembered something else, too. What was that hotel? After I left you and went home to that hotel, what was its name? You remember? Up on West 57th Street? I remembered all of a sudden, as I was untying my tie. And I bet you remember, too. I bet you even know what I'm talking about. Whom I'm talking about. (dramatic music) What was her name? What was her name? Simple name. Doesn't make any difference. Better not to mention names, huh? We were sitting on the steps that night. It was weather like it's been this fall. Too hot for the time of year. Remember? She said-- Dane? What? Gotta tell you something. I love you, too. That's not it, Dane. Make me guess. No. No, I'm going to tell you. Well, shoot. I'm sorry. About what? About us. And don't want you to buy me that ring. Why not? We went all over that. I've got the money. No. I have, too. It isn't that, Dane. What do you mean? That's what I mean. But kid? No, I mean it. I can't. Why not? Why not, honey? I... Is it somebody else? Is it? Dane, I feel so miserably sorry, but-- Is it? Yes. This is kind of tough to take. I know. Oh, Dane, I didn't want to hurt you, and I tried not to tell you, but-- Dane, I can't. I can't. I can't. Is it somebody I know? Oh, Dane promised me you won't do anything. What can I do? I kind of love you. Oh, Dane. And if it's got to be somebody else to make it good for you, well-- It is good. Who is it, honey? It's your best friend, Dane. Friend Dane? See? My best friend, you pal. Remember what I did? Remember the note? I do. It said, "I'm sure glad I made you pay me that penny for the hunting knife, you lucky buzzard." You know, so we still had our friendship. Aw, don't feel bad, pal. I don't anymore. It was too bad your folks wouldn't go for her and made you break it off or lose out on your old man's dough. I still think she was kind of silly to fall through the ice that litter, out skating alone in the dark and the pond in the park that night. That was just before your wedding, wasn't it? And you did go to the funeral. Well, I remember. I saw you there and shook hands and balled a long time ago. I guess I never told you about finding your in the water where the ice had been so thin. Or did I? I guess you didn't know I found her, did you? I never said anything about it. I was kind of crazy about that girl. I'd just come back to town, remember, after a trip to where was it? Chicago? Never mind. It was somewhere. And I just sort of stopped around at her house, no good reason, of course, and her mother was kind of worried. She said she was going skating, Dane. Out on the park lake, I told her she shouldn't. That ice isn't thick enough yet. But she was bound and determined to go, and she ought to be home any minute. Why don't you walk over toward the park and see if she's on the way home? So I did. And all the way to that park, I kept whistling. I used to always whistle a kiss in the dark, and she'd recognize it. And I met that old park policeman, the sparrow cop we used to call, and remember? He said he'd seen her, and she was talking to some fella. He didn't see who it was. And anyway, he was cold, and he supposed she'd gone on home. I walked over to the lake, and there was a big black hole in the ice, and something floating in it. And of course, it was her. I yelled for the cop, and he came running, but he was so fat. Remember? I slid out on the ice, and my belly and dragged her out. I thought that was her little green beret that was floating in the cold water after I pulled her out, but it wasn't. And then the cop and I, what was his name? Carried her over to the street car line, and attached the cab came along, and that was that. That was that. So she's gone, and that's a long time ago. Oh, and say, talking about gag presents we used to give each other. Remember the pair of green Norwegian mittens I gave you on Christmas, and you lost one of them? I found one to match, and some old stuff I was going over the other day, and I mailed it to you. I guess you got it all right. I went out to the cemetery to visit a grave the other day. You ever go out there? Well, I guess you wouldn't, you being married, and quite a guy around town or all that. There's not much room for sentiment in the world like that is there, pal. Not anymore. No, not anymore. Used to be, not anymore. What's one more dead person in this world of war, famine, misery, and stuff like that? There's a thought. I went through that war, so a lot of people get killed, a lot of good friends of mine, but I never forgot her. I thought about her a good deal. Somebody had to. So I went out to look at her grave. What was her name? Funny. It's funny the way your memory slips. Some things you can remember for years and years, just as clearly as if it happened yesterday. Like the way I told you about finding her. You remember things that way too? You remember anything now? Well, why are you fidgeting for then? Since still, you make me nervous. I make you nervous. I didn't mean to, pal. You know what? Remember a lot of people thought she committed suicide? I don't know any reason for her committing suicide. Do you? Unless, well, she might have been pretty upset about breaking off that deal with you and her. I wish you'd tell me something sometime. How did you break it off? Did you just tell her? Did you take one last walk in the park and say, "Hey, kid, it's all off." Hey, or what? Oh, I suppose it's none of my business after all. But I wonder aloud about things like that. I wondered so many times what she said. Did you put up a big beef about it or did she take it? Well, like I had to take it when she told me about you. I'd have been willing, you know, to step up and be the big-hearted stiff and say to her, "Well, now look, kid, if the deal with my pals off, I'm still sticking around. I'm all set for it if you want any part of me." You know, I really loved her. But I didn't get a chance. That's why I went away, I guess. I suppose that's why I came back, too. You got that green mittin' I sent ya. Nah, I didn't put my name on the package. I figured you'd know who sent it. You got the pair now, if you kept the other one. But the one I sent you was all shrunk up. You couldn't wear it, I know. Water, that's what it is. Wool shrinks and water unless you take care of it. And I guess nobody took care of this one. It's probably been lying around in hotel dresser drawers and old suitcases for years. Anyway, you know where it's been. ♪ Say, there's something you might tell me about, too, sometime. There's a certain friend of ours. Well, I don't know how much of a friend he is, but maybe you'll know. I won't tell you his name, because, like I said, I don't think it's a good idea to mention names in public like this. Say, are you going to sleep? Well, sit up and listen, we got a lot to talk about yet. Turn up the radio a little. I don't want you to miss anything. That's better. About this friend. I got a telephone call the other day, last Saturday. What are you fidgeting about? Well, light a cigarette. I got this phone call. And when I answered the guy said... Hello, Dane. Hi. Listen, Dane, maybe you think you know who this is? Well, I sure. It's Pat. Never mind that. I'm not going to tell you who I am, for a very good reason. Well, now, look, I can kid along with anybody, but... I'm not kidding, Dane. And I'm not going to mention any names at all, but a certain guy that you and I both know has been spreading a few stories that you ought to know about. Oh? Is that so? Yeah. What kind of stories? Where have you been the last few years? Well, for a while, I was in the army. 99th Division. The Bulge, Remagen Bridge and all that. You can prove that? Are you kidding? This friend of yours says you've been in the penitentiary. Sounds like a wonderful friend. Doesn't he? Well, as a matter of fact, I was. You were? Four years. Good Lord, Dane. Now you're going to ask me what I was in for. Well, I wasn't. I had a job in a penitentiary. A what? A job? I worked there. Oh. Sure. Well, I'm sorry. Your... your friend probably misunderstood. Well, I hope so. What'd you do? Not a guard. Oh, no, no. I had a very special job. I'll tell you about it sometime. Well, cheat, Dane. I'm awful. Sorry. You are. I mean, I... I better tell this friend of yours. Gosh, a thing like that could ruin a man. That's right. It could. Couldn't it? It sure could. Well, you know, Dane, I... I meant well. Sure. Thanks for calling. Nice of you. I'm sorry about it. I'll tell him. No, no. I'll tell him when I see him. Or sometime. You mean... you know who it is? Well, sure. So long, Bob. And thanks anyway. I sure hope you didn't have any misunderstanding about what I've been doing, pal. Or didn't you know? Remind me to tell you sometime what my job was there. I've had some funny jobs in all these years. You would know about that, would you? You've been here all the time on the same job, making dough, and not worrying about anything. Or worrying about much. Warries disappear sometimes over a period of years, don't they? Then they have a habit of popping up again. And sometimes they're worse than when you thought you'd forgotten them. Now, I hope you don't have anything like that, pal. Well, from the look on your face, I thought for a minute you might have. Well, don't worry, pal. Everything always comes out the way it ought to come out in the long run. And the fellow always gets what's coming to him. Never fails. Never fails. You know, one thing. One of the things about a guy in my setup is I got very little to worry about. Nothing can happen to me. Well, everything's happened. Now, take a fellow like you, pal. You're fairly well off. You've got a lot of friends, and you're doing all right. But what if you got one of those kicks in the teeth? Like a few I've had. What happens to you then? Hard things to think about, worry about, lie awake nights about. Me, I don't have to worry. I'm as free as the air. I get everything I want. Or almost everything I want. Pretty soon I'll have everything. And that's that. We're neither one of us young anymore, are we? Oh, we're not old men, sure. But we aren't the fast kids. We once were when we were pals together, or before she died, and we kind of broke up and won our ways. So what time is it? Let me see her watch. Oh, time sure flies, don't it? I've only got a few more minutes with you, pal. Just a few more minutes, and here I stand, gassing. And you're sitting there clutching that piece of paper. Look, be a pal and hang on to it for a little while yet. Just, um, six or seven minutes, as a matter of fact. And then I'll stop, and you take it from there. I wanted to tell you about last Saturday, though, first. I had a couple of fellows for my old outfit to see. Well, you know us veterans. And I sat around with one of them all afternoon, knocking over bottles of beer, and hashing over the bulge, and some of the things they put me up to after the war. I don't usually take more than two beers in an afternoon, but, well, you know how it is. Or do you? I guess you don't. You weren't in the service, were you? I remember now. Oh, well, we can't all be heroes, I always say. The reason we sat around so long was this Palomine, out of the 99th, spilled something about a special job I had to do after the war, up in Germany. And I wasn't very anxious to have everybody in the world know about it, so I kitted about it a lot with this feather merchant we were talking to. And, well, pretty soon it was seven o'clock, and the civilian was still asking questions with his eyes bulging out, so I had one more beer and I went back to the hotel. And you know what? Somebody had been in my room. I tried to figure out how anybody could have got in there without the hotel people putting up a big squawk. They said they didn't know anything about it. And then all of a sudden I remembered. Remembered that night I was at your house, and we ate the chicken out of the king, and kitted about the knife and stuff, and I went back to the hotel, and I'd lost my key. And it might have been in the taxi cab or someplace, I don't know where. It was a good thing the hotel people had another key for my room, even if the night clerk did beef about people losing keys. Can't get metal to make or some long line of stuff like that. So I said, "Okay, Bob, I'll pay you for it," and went upstairs and hit the sack. So you know what I think? Somebody either found the key, or sneaked it out of my pocket someplace, and decided to see what I had lying around that was worth glomming. He'd done a pretty good job of going through my bags and my dresser drawers. And the only thing that was missing was a little old book of mine, a notebook, a kind of a diary. Hey! Hey, where you going? Come on, sit down. Now I'll only be a few more minutes. Come on, sit down. And now that's it. I've got to pay off to all this. Oh, this is really something. Well, you comfortable now? The book wouldn't be much use to anybody but me, except for one or two specifically hot parts, and I hated to lose them. I was pretty griped, and I yelled for the house dick at the hotel, but he was out having a plate of pigs knuckles or a salad bowl or something, and he wouldn't be until ten. Anyway, he wouldn't have been much good. He even looked like a house dick. So I sat down to think, and then I got up and looked for fingerprints. The penitentiary training, you know? I was in charge of the print file the first year I was there, and I can lift a print with the next homicide bureau man. Yeah, sure I found some. You dropped your cigarette. I stuck him in an envelope and mailed him to the cops. The mail shoot was just outside my door. Everything was ducky except for one thing. Wait, all night of cigarette. Uh, you still got that paper? Okay, I won't be long now. Now, the last thing I remember was hearing the door of the closed closet squeak over. I started to get up, and that's when I got the knife through my back. Dead? Well, I sure am dead. You wonder how I'm talking to you on the radio, don't you? Well, pal, you can do so many things on the radio if you're smart. Now, listen. Got that piece of paper? Good. Listen now, I'm going to ask you three simple little questions. And when I ask you the questions in order, you answer me by reading the answers in turn off your piece of paper, okay? Okay, here we go. The first one. Is that blood on your hands? The second. Whose blood is it? And the third. Whose knife was that that was left sticking in my back? Okay, pal. Your prints are down at the bureau. I'm in the morgue. The cops have got the knife. And I think somebody heard what you just said. Oh, one thing more. You were wondering what my job was at the penitentiary? I was the executioner. Comes out even, doesn't it? And isn't that somebody at your door, pal? You have been listening to Quiet Please, which is written and directed by Willis Cooper. Tonight's story was called, How Are You, pal? The man who spoke to you was Ernest Chappell. And Pat O'Malley was the man on the telephone, the girl was Vicki Vola, and the mother was Charmaine Allen. Music as usual for Quiet Please is composed and played by Gene Piranci. And now for a word about next week's Quiet Please, here is our writer/director Willis Cooper. Next week's story is called, The Big Bucks. It's a story about what happened one night to a truck driver on a coast to coast hall that he didn't want to make. And so, until next week at this time, I'm Quietly Yours, Ernest Chappell. [music] In this special production for Sonic Summerstock 2024, Ernest Chappell and Dane were played by Pete Lutz. The girl and her mother were played by Jezero Kessler. And the man on the phone and Willis Cooper were played by Andy Hartson Bowyer. Music was by Dr. Ross Bernhardt. This production was supervised by Pete Lutz. Mixing and mastering were by 63 audio Corpus Christi, Texas. How are ya, pal? Was originally aired September 10, 1947 on the mutual broadcasting system. It was lovingly remade, especially for the 2024 Sonic Summerstock Playhouse. Our Narada Radio Company cast was made up of actors from Texas and Virginia. This is Andy Hartson Bowyer speaking. We hope you enjoyed our presentation, and further hope you enjoy all of the 2024 Sonic Summerstock Playhouse Productions. [music] [music] This is mutual. [music] Thank you, thank you, thank you once again to the Narada Radio Company and Pete Lutz. And until next week, when we can appreciate another Summerstock alum, I'm Jack Ward, and from myself, and Mr. David Alt, good day from Halifax Nova Scotia. [music] And that concludes this week's performance of the Sonic Summerstock Playhouse. All productions, features, characters, and scripts presented in the Playhouse belong strictly to their respective copyright holders, and no copyright infringement is assumed or intended. The Sonic Summerstock Playhouse is part of the Sonic Society and a proud member of the Mutual Audio Network, and any shows that continue their run must receive express permission from all parties involved. Join us next week for another new classic. With thanks to our announcer Jack Ward, I'm your host, David Alt. Good night. [music] [music] [music] [music]
