The Walking Corpse | A Ring of Roses - CBS Radio Mystery Theater

[00:00:16] Come in. Welcome. I'm E.G. Marshall. Welcome to the world of terrifying imagination. To the fear you can hear. Tonight, I hope you have strong stomachs. For we're bound on a Caribbean cruise. Oh, we don't expect rough sailing on the way.

[00:00:38] So if you are easily seasick, have no fears. Save them all for your landing on the twin island of Mausia and Sandorind. For it is the home of voodoo and the living dead. The soulless legions of men who are called zombies.

[00:01:02] That's it, compadres. That's the coffin we seek. Scrap away the earth so we can get the lid open. Soon we can steal another corpse for the witch doctor. Break open the lid. Shine the light. Must have been strong as an ox. He'll make a fine zombie brother for El Generalissimo's elite guard. Está bien.

[00:01:48] Senorongan, here is another carcass for your living dead.

[00:01:53] Our mystery drama, The Walking Corpse, was written especially for the Mystery Theater by Ian Martin and stars Tony Roberts. It is sponsored in part by Anheuser-Busch Incorporated, Brewers of Budweiser, and by the Kellogg Company, makers of Kellogg's Special K cereal. I'll be back shortly with Act One.

[00:02:23] The body of a dead person, given the semblance of life, usually for some evil purpose. That is a zombie. The very name itself is calculated to make the flesh creep and the blood run chill.

[00:02:51] But on a plane headed for Miami, taking them to their honeymoon, nothing could be further from the thoughts of Steve Ramsey and his new wife, Pat. I can't believe I have you to myself for these few hours, Steve, let alone a glorious two weeks. I don't know what other associate professors go through, but my first two and a half years teaching parapsychology have laid me out. I can't wait for those hot sands and warm water. Can I serve you a drink, sir?

[00:03:20] Oh, now that's what I call perfect timing. Why not? One more and I can fly solo to Miami without the plane. Well, then I'll join you. I can't have you orbiting alone. May I get by, please, daughter? I'm sorry, sir. Just let me move the cart. Oh, thank you. Chris! It is Christopher. Shh! It's all right, Stewardess. I'll join my friend here for a moment. Hey, Steve, man. Good to see you. Here, here, here. I'll move over. Sit down.

[00:03:48] Chris, you look something else. It's great to run into you. Only just for a moment there, I thought you were thinking of giving me the brush. You? Never. I'll explain in a minute. Oh, Pat, this is Christopher LeClaire. I want to... I want you to meet my brand new bride. Oh, this is a pleasure, Mrs. Ramsey. Let me congratulate you on your impeccable taste, Steve. And both of you on your marriage. I'd like to buy some champagne, but you already have your taste.

[00:04:14] No more champagne, thank you. We've had enough in the last few weeks to float a battleship. At least let me get a drink for myself to talk to the bride and groom. He's your old football buddy, right? Yeah. Greatest running back I ever saw. All-around athlete. He could have made it big in the pros. Any sport. Isn't he a prince or something? And his father is the king of Mausha. I wonder what's bugging him. Well, this is better. A toast from my country.

[00:04:43] To be a good man is first to have a good wife. I was on this. Thank you, Chris. And to yours. Yours, too. Oh, yes. Drink to my good health, please. What is it, Chris? You want to talk about it? I wish I still had you calling the place for me, but this is a different ballgame. You know about my father? No. What? He's dead. Oh. Oh, no. What can I say?

[00:05:13] Hang in there, man. Oh, I will be tough, all right. Was it, uh... Was it recent? The day before yesterday. I didn't see anything about it in the papers. It wasn't in the papers. He didn't die. He was assassinated. Oh, no. Any idea who did it? There is no proof. But I know. Who? Oh, maybe not by his own hand. But at least on his orders.

[00:05:43] Hernando Trujedo. The Generalissimo? But I thought he was your father's best friend. And my godfather. His gift to me on my 21st birthday. His own good luck charm. The bracelet of the sacred serpent. The head, the voodoo symbol of life. The tail, the symbol of death. You see? They are woven together. But... But then why should he... Because, Mrs. Ramsey,

[00:06:11] my father gave our people freedom. A freedom the Saint Dorindian cannot share. Why not? Because if they had it, they would tear the man who rules them by terror to pieces. So he's planning to move in on Mauritius and an exit? The moment my father's assassination is revealed. They could it out while the people are in confusion with no leadership. That's why I've given up any dream of becoming a doctor.

[00:06:40] And then going home. A private plane will meet me in Miami to fly me to Mauritius. To save time, I took this commercial flight under an assumed name. You think Trujedo might... I was warned just in time. Less than an hour after I left my apartment, a bomb got it. I'm a dangerous man to know these days. So, before I do cause any... Oh, my God! Steve, what is it? Two hoods with machine guns.

[00:07:10] Looks like a sky... Señoras and señores. Ladies and gentlemen. Oh, my God. May I carve your attention, please? That's Juan Garcia. Trujedo's hatchet man. What can we do? Nothing. It's me. Everyone do as I say. No one will be hurt.

[00:07:31] Commandering this play army. And our passengers will be...

[00:08:09] Anyone who doesn't will be shot. Went into first class. Look, Garstine. No names. The orders are to bring... I was only going to ask that my friends... Your friends can identify you. We don't want that for a few days. They will only be killed as custodians till we are ready. If they do as they are told,

[00:08:38] they will be released. It's not a custodian you were sitting with in first class. Steve, I'm so sorry. It's not your fault. You okay, Patricia? Ready, unwilling, but able. That's my gal. Let's go. Just walk ahead of me nice and steady. Muy bien, mis amigos. Zanka! Roban! Oh. Nobody moves till I come back. Okay? Inside.

[00:09:10] That's it. Go sit back in. Kito. Don't let them move till I come back. I'm sorry I got you into this. Yeah, we'll make out. Are you okay, honey? We'll have a few butterflies in the stomach. Yeah, yeah, yeah. What does he want? To move in and sit down, I think. Better keep him happy. He's a surly character at best. Why don't we sit in these four together? Our friend's a little deaf. If we keep far enough away, we can talk safely. If we keep our voices down. Why are you being held hostage? Any number of reasons.

[00:09:39] I'm U.S. government. I know who you are. They took a dim view of me for carrying a gun, and they have a pretty good idea of who I am, too. Well, who are you? Hawkins will do. Bill Hawkins. What branch of the government? Well, I think I won't reveal that. I was assigned to see that you cleared the country safely, Your Highness. Someone slipped me a knockout drop in the coffee. That's when I lost consciousness and my gun. You were asleep when I came back. Oh, this is Mr. and Mrs. Steve Ramsey.

[00:10:08] Me too, Steve, ma'am. Yeah, hi, Hawkins. How do you do, Mr. Hawkins? Any idea what their plans are? Refuel, clear the rest of the passengers out. Then... Then we head straight for San Dorinda. That's the notion. So, the moment they get our friend Christophe here to San Dorinda, he's a gone goose. He'll just drop out of sight suddenly and for good. Now, my guess is they'll set up one of these goons as a fall guy, have a big show trial, and in the meanwhile return the plane with us aboard only.

[00:10:36] Somewhere on the way, we'll all disappear in a puff of plastic bomb smoke. We're just as long gone as the king here. What's the alternative? Distract ugly there long enough for one of us to disarm him. Garcia and his other boys can only get at us through the narrow passageway between tourist class and here. I can keep them pinned down until you get out the emergency exit. He's a big guy. By then, let me... Okay, no time to argue. Now, how do we distract him? That's my job. Pat, please stay out of this. I'm in it just as much as all of you.

[00:11:06] Watch this. Hey, mister. Come here a second. Okay, then. I'll come to you. Take it easy. I just want to ask something. If you can't hear me... I can't speak any louder. Oh, please, come closer. That's it. I just want to ask whether... Watch it. He's strong as a bull. God, he's broken my arm. He's all right. I have the gun.

[00:11:35] Stay where you are. Don't let him near you. I'll shoot. What are you waiting for? You got him, Garcia. You killed him. I talk in dead or alive. It makes no difference. Should have killed him. Gato.

[00:12:26] He's alive, but just barely. If he can just hang on, maybe when we land, a doctor can help. Too late. Too late for me. Don't give up, Chris. Snake. Snake. Snake. What? The snake bracelet. He wants you to... Here. Here. Good. Listen. You go... Don't...

[00:12:56] She hides you. Save you. Give her a bracelet. But where do we find her? Who is your aunt? What street? What place? I don't think... I don't know. I don't know. I don't know. The... The... The... The... The... The... The... The... The... Avenue of the Dolls. Yes.

[00:13:26] What number? Obed. Obed. Obed. The... The... Take me home. Take me home. Selonj. The... Selonj. Sign. Sign. Of the... Black. We're about to land.

[00:13:55] Pretty short runway. Better fasten your seatbelts. I'll get yours for you. Not the most promising way to begin a honeymoon. Particularly when it seems there is more than a little chance of ending it. Even before it's begun. Who knows what kind of reception is ahead for the newlyweds.

[00:14:22] I'll be back shortly with Act Two. Under other circumstances, Pat and Steve would have no complaints about their accommodations on the island. Drained and exhausted, the silk sheeted bed in an expensive suite is an alluring invitation to sleep.

[00:14:52] Except... Except... Even if you're dead to the world, who wants to become part of the world of the dead? Steve. Is it possible? Could there really be such a thing as a... A zombie? No, of course not. That's just a superstition. But you saw Chris fire two bullets right into his body. Yes. And he didn't even flinch.

[00:15:22] Cogito ergo sum. What? I think. Therefore, I am... Pat, look. Under any other circumstances, I'd be fascinated. I mean, this is my field. Then you do believe that there are walking dead. Do you... Do I believe that a man can be exhumed from the grave and life breathed back into his corpse? No. No, I can't accept that.

[00:15:52] That's beyond my credulity. But I've seen things in parapsychological experiments and in psychic research that... Honey, the power of supernatural belief is beyond belief. The right subject, particularly one of low mentality, under hypnosis, is capable of incredible feats. Superhuman strength, no sensation of pain, no shock reaction. The knock wasn't at the door we came in.

[00:16:22] It's that one over there. Wait a minute. Stay where you are, Pat. Yes? Who is it? Bill Hawkins. I'm in an adjoining room. Is there a boat on your side? Yeah. Half a sec. Hiya, Bill. Listen, we've got to talk. What's the sense in talking? Hello, Pat. Hello, Bill. How's your arm? Feels fine. They did a real good job of patching it up.

[00:16:51] I just wondered before we all turned in if you had a radio in here. There's one right over there. Good. Mind if I turn it on and see if I can catch some news? Uh-oh. Only one band. Well, let's see what it's got. Hey, I see they provided you with a meal, too. I never even noticed. Pretty good grub. You should try it. I wouldn't touch it. Nor I. Look, I don't see how well... We can cut the comedy now. This place is bugged. The radio ought to block us out.

[00:17:19] Now, we've got to plan some kind of escape. How? I may have that lined up. It's where to hold out after we bust from here that's got me stumped. I've got a possible answer to that. What? Saint Solange. Ooh, Chris's aunt. She lives here. Where? The Avenue of the Dolls. It's a long, winding street. Any idea where? You know it? I spent six months on secret service here before we closed down our embassy. Did he give you a cross street, a number?

[00:17:47] He was pretty incoherent before he died. When I asked him, he just sort of rambled on about the great serpent and the black bull or something. The serpent is the basic symbol of the voodoo religion. Black bull I never heard of in this liturgy. Wait a minute. The chicken in the oboe coat is a sacrificial animal considered to... Maybe it was the black pull. He was trying to say black pullet.

[00:18:16] Does that mean anything to you, Bill? Yeah. Yeah, very nice. It's a sort of souvenir shop. You know, a typical tourist trap with straw hands and dolls and voodoo drums. You mean it? Yeah, well, could you find it? Sure, it's not far from here. But how do we get out first? You're not slack, son. Good. Good. You got a dark scarf to cover that blonde hair? Right here. All right, come with me. Walk soft. Keep your voices low. Turn up that radio a little. Roger.

[00:18:54] I'm over here to my window. Now keep off to the sides. There's one of those... Those zombies down there. But you see, there's a balcony and steps that lead to the street. Yeah, with a something subhuman, or maybe I should say superhuman, armed with a gun right at the bottom of them. If he's cold cocked, it isn't going to do him any good. But Bill, you have a lot of guts. But you're no Muhammad Ali, and the only strength I have is in my brain. Hold out your hands.

[00:19:23] I'm going to give you the equalizers. Steve, with his fist wrapped around a roll of nickels or quarters, a 13-year-old boy could deck Joe Frazier, given the chance to blindside him. Yeah, but we haven't got... Keep your hands out. Now this is a salt cellar. Same difference. I'm spilling the salt into your left hand. Wrap the other around this heavy crystal. I'm doing the same with the pepper. Now you, Pat... Oh, I wouldn't know how... You're going to cover us by making a diversion. Pick up that glass water pitcher there.

[00:19:53] Too heavy for you to throw? No. Throw where? We turn off the lights, turn off the radio. Make like we're turning in. Then we sneak out the French windows onto the balcony. You go off to the right, opposite end from the steps. When that zombie reacts to the crash of that pitcher on the flagstones on your side, Steve and I go down the steps and take him out. Then we go look for Tasselage. Now? But he'd see you. Of course. So we wait until dark.

[00:20:22] And that won't be long now. Take him, Steve! He's still not out. I'm throwing the pepper. Throw the salt in his eyes. There you are. Watch it! I think I... I think I killed him. Well, don't stop to find out. The light's going on. Come on, Pat. We'll have to run for it.

[00:20:55] Chance of light. Which... Which way? Ahead. To the right. Go to the next block. Right on our heels. Give me that flashlight and you get out of here, both of you. What about you? Don't be a fool. Somebody's got to be a decoy. And you have a wife to think of. Now hurry! Come on, Pat. Run! Hold on! Take one to the left!

[00:21:29] Talta Solange. Who won, sir? I am Christopher's friend with my wife. We are running from Tujedo, the Generalissimo. Christopher told me to seek refuge here and to bring you this. The great serpent. A moment. Enter my children. Quickly, quickly. Turn out your light also. We must hide like cats in the dark.

[00:22:06] They have killed little Christophe. First my brother, then his son. Well, he will be made to pay. An eye for an eye. My heart for a bleeding heart. Now shall the tyrant bleed. Now at last my curse shall enter his vitals. Now will the great serpent and coil and strike Hernando Tujedo dead.

[00:22:33] Oh, it wasn't the Generalissimo who shot Chris. It was a man named Garcia. Garcia! That jackal puppet dangled by the strings. That less than nothing with no mind or will of his own. Is he a zombie too? Is he a zombie too? What do you know of zombies, my child? Nothing. Except what I saw on the plane and what my husband tried to tell me. Oh, you are a teacher in college, Monsieur Ramsey, no? Yes. And much of my studies are in the supernatural. You believe in zombie?

[00:23:02] Well, no. Not altogether. Very well. We shall put our beliefs to the test. It's a doll. Like the ones you sell in the store here. Not quite the same. This one is like the souvenirs of El Generalissimo. With this difference. I've been a long time making him. You see the straw is from his favorite horse's stall.

[00:23:31] The beard is made from the combings of his hairbrush. The eyes j-chips from a dress coat button. The boots from the fingers of an old glove. This is a voodoo doll. All of him is made with things that once belonged to Troedo. One last thing I needed to make the spell work. The weapon.

[00:23:58] Now at last I have in my hand the instrument of destruction. I straighten out a circle. Turn the head to the sky. And death. The tail towards the ground. And strike! What have I done, Mr. Ramsey? You...

[00:24:24] You drove the bracelet like a knife straight through the doll's head. From temple to temple. Hernando Troedo will be dead by midnight. And we will all be free. You still do not believe. Let us find how strong your science holds against my faith. What's that? Troedo's men. The doll. They must not find the doll.

[00:24:53] Help me pin it under my skirt. Oh, my hands are shaking so much. Bon. Just in time. So. Meet again, Mr. Ramsey. How did you find us? Your friend Hawkins. He gave us away? Señor Ramsey. Every man will give anything away. With the right persuasion. Señor Hawkins took longer than most. He was very foolish. What do you mean?

[00:25:23] Since in the end he told... Why was it worth dying for? Vamos. We must not keep the canalismo waiting. Please. Please. Let me assure you that you have nothing to worry about. I ask you all to relax. Now. The tower is set for a late supper.

[00:25:51] I am sure you must all be famished after a long and difficult day. Won't you be my guest? Prisoners, you mean. Troedo. Ah, yes. La bonne princesse Solange. I come honored. I have no idea you had come to live among us. I have been here longer than you know. Ah, yes. I must speak to my secret police about that. Had I been told you were honoring our country with a visit,

[00:26:19] I would have arranged a more suitable welcome. I am sure you would. By disposing of me as you did my brother and my nephew Christophe. I suppose it would be impossible for me to convince you that I had no hand in the death of King François. The sad truth is that his heart failed him. His death was a natural one. Lie upon lie. But one truth you cannot twist.

[00:26:48] The death of my nephew. Did you see him die? There are two witnesses before your desk who did. Ah. Excuse me a moment. Garcia. Are you ready? Si. Now. We must wait for a moment. For what? You see. Senora Ramsey. Let me ask you a question. What?

[00:27:17] Did you see Christophe Leclerc die? Yes. And you seen him? Yes. You are quite sure. Of course. Yes. Look, what are you trying to prove? Not I. I will let him show you that for himself. You see? Crescent. Monsieur leclerc. Steve. He's alive. Is it really you?

[00:27:48] Sure, man. Sure. Don't you know me? There is no mistaking the tall, lithe figure. The regal bearing. The proud, handsome face. All those belong to Christophe Leclerc. He might easily have remarked as Mark Twain once telegraphed. The reports of my death are an exaggeration.

[00:28:17] We'll return shortly with Act Three. At the shock of the reincarnation of a dead man appearing from the grave. It is not surprising that his friends and relatives are literally frozen in their tracks.

[00:28:42] Under the circumstances, then, it is only decent courtesy for the returned corpse to break the ice. Don Solange. Qu'est-ce que c'est? Have you no greeting for me? Ah, mon pauvre. Je te remercie pardon. Forgive me. I thought never to see you again. But here I am. Ah, mon cher bébé. Mon cher bébé.

[00:29:08] Well, now, here is a reunion worth celebrating. That was a pretty rough wound you had, Chris. Worse than it looked. Thank God. It was mostly flesh damage. The doctors tell me the bullet bounced off my sternum and never entered the chest. But should you be on your feet? Long enough to ease your minds about me. I'm still a bit woozy.

[00:29:31] It's like a time you took the XB2 slant off tackle against Ohio State and that big linebacker saw Chuck kick in the head. Something. Something like that. Tell them the good news, Generalissimo. Set my aunt's mind at rest. Well, I know you hold out my motives. Even Christophe did.

[00:29:54] I can hardly blame him since I took such extreme measures to bring him here to Sandorinde before his planned arrival at the Moesia. What was your reason for that? Ah, we walk a tide rope on this shared island of ours. Two cultures, two languages, two forms of government perched precariously on a ever-increasing population in a far more ancient and primitive culture than either of ours.

[00:30:22] Your brother and I, each in his own way, preserve that delicate balance. With his unexpected death, steps had to be taken. Why? You know his plan was to return the government to the people. Ah, that would not have heard, not even for them. We would have ended, both of us, in anarchy. Fortunately, my godson was perceptive enough to realize that.

[00:30:50] But we have worked out between us a better plan. A compromise? I would prefer to call it an entente. Tell them, Christophe. It's quite simple. Tomorrow, together, my godfather and I shall proclaim a union between Mauritius and Sandorinde. A trilingual state with one government. Ruled by whom? By the generalissimo and myself.

[00:31:18] I, as president, and my godfather as prime minister. Chohido in second place. Ah, we heard us grow no younger, Solange. Someone must take our place. I am happy to yield to the future. What better hands could this island be in than in Christophe's? So, now I think, Mr. Presidente, you should rest. Doctors can do only so much.

[00:31:49] Nature handles the rest. Yes. I would like to lie down. I am sure you will be excused. I beg you not to wait for me to enjoy your supper. The Presidente and myself have a few matters to settle about the announcement tomorrow before he goes to speak. Forgive me. Please. I am tired. And tomorrow is a big day. Good night. Good night, Chris. Good night.

[00:32:19] Adieu, mon baby. Goodbye. Forever. What is it? What is the matter with you two? You saw. You know. Do you now believe in zombies? What are you trying to say? That wasn't Chris who was here just now. I don't understand. You don't know him as I do. First, he never would accept this deal. The guy is too decent, too honest to be part of it.

[00:32:48] But there are other things. What? Well, first off, our school never played Ohio State. Second, Sawchuck was no linebacker, but a running back who murdered us on the only loss we had together. The third XB2 wasn't a run play, but a deep pass play that had nothing to do with Chris except as a decoy. I don't understand the things your husband says. But I tell you, that was not Christophe Leclerc who just left. Not my nephew. They have stolen his soul.

[00:33:16] And that I cannot allow. What can we do about it, Tonto Solange? It is a very few minutes to twelve. I told you Hernando Trujedo would be dead by then. Remember? Yes. Here is a conjured doll which will make his death. I place it on his desk so he can see it.

[00:33:42] For it is by his own guilt he must die before the end of this day. But if he doesn't return? He will return. It is written in the dust. Oh! Nobody feels like eating. Well, I don't suppose I can altogether blame you. Shall I have you shown through your quarters for the night instead? Where is Christophe? Oh!

[00:34:10] I should never really cover out him to overtax himself after being wounded. He was absolutely exhausted. I saw him to bed. And you return to suggest the same to us. I think we are all tired. Whatever discussion there may be between us can wait for tomorrow. For you, there is no tomorrow. What do you mean? Liar. Cheat. Thief.

[00:34:40] Murderer. Look. On your desk. On your desk. A conjure doll. Your image. Made piece by piece from your belongings. Fashioned in your likeness. Crescent in your name with the blood of the black bullet. Bracelet. Your own bracelet of the sacred serpent driven through its brain.

[00:35:08] Do you think I could buy such childish superstition? I am no savage. What a man thinks is what he is. This primitive mumbo-jumbo will have no effect on me. Are you sure? How large is a bag of guilt you carry? Will nothing convince you, woman. Your nephew and I. My nephew. Christophe. Christophe is dead. How can you say that? You have just seen him. I saw a walking corpse. More idiot superstition. Like my conjured doll. Of course.

[00:35:37] You don't believe in it. No. And you believe in zombies. You know the power of voodoo can create them. You know the power of voodoo can kill. What is it you want? Too late for that. I will give you anything. I offer you. And these two. Safe transport now. No streams attached. How can you guarantee it? I am hedgerissimo. My power is infinite. Not anymore. The clock is ticking your life away.

[00:36:07] Twelve o'clock. Only a few seconds left. Help me. Help me. I cannot help. The die is cast. You cannot even help yourself. I will give you money, jewels, anything. Name it. What do you want? What you cannot give me. What you stole from my nephew. His soul. I want yours in return. I know. Then die. I.

[00:36:37] I. By the power granted me as an opiate woman. Vested in my hands by the uncoiling sacred serpent. To take the place of the voodoo doll. As it should to all tyrants. So comes a violent death to you.

[00:36:59] I condemn you to everlasting fire and death by the serpent writhing in your face. No. No. I cannot die. I am the dictator. I am supreme. I am the law. No one can touch me. Do you hear? No one. No. You condemn me. All I have to do is raise this pistol.

[00:37:35] I wouldn't like to guess. Does it matter? He's dead. Are you sure? He's dead all right. Now what? Gotta get away. Escape somehow. Only how do we get through the palace guard? At least I have his gun. We better try and make a run for it. We have to rescue my nephew first. But tell to Solange. He's our enemy now. I still must rescue him. Mi perdona el género. Elísimo. What? You see me on the gun. Can't. Can't.

[00:38:05] Let's keep it. It's for Bill Hawkins. Pat. Tell him to run for it. I'll try to hold him off. You can't kill dead men with that. Garcia, yes. But not a zombie. Hand me that salt cellar. Here. But what good? Salt is the only thing that will kill a zombie. He's lying on the bed.

[00:38:36] Is he... No. No, he's still breathing. He's just asleep. Leave me alone with him. Go if you want to. But leave me with Christophe. Will you be long? As long as it must take. Go. Well, we can't find our way out of here without you. We'll wait. Oh, great serpent who coils about the sky and holds our world together. Help me now.

[00:39:04] Help me to break the black magic that chains my baby to a living death. Help me to bring his soul home to you. Christophe. Christophe. Listen to me. It is Tanta Solange who speaks. You know me as an opium magician.

[00:39:33] My magic is greater than the magic of the Hogan who made you what you are. He summoned you from the grave and stole away your soul. Now I must summon you back to the grave. To the dead. Everlasting. So that your immortal soul may live.

[00:40:05] But only you can break the bonds. Rise, zombie. And cross to the window. Oh. Open the shutters. Now. Open your eyes.

[00:40:34] And look at the sea. No. In the name of the great serpent. I command you. Open your eyes. Tante. Tante.

[00:40:55] I'm happy to think. His body may be dead. But his soul is safe. Christophe. Christophe.

[00:41:24] Is home. At last. The death of the dictator set a people free in a mad orgy of festival and delight. In the wild celebration that lit up the city. No one had time to pay any attention to the three somber people who found their way back to the hotel. For Pat, Steve and Tante Solange.

[00:41:54] There was sadness. But solace too. The king was dead. But so was the zombie who might have held him prisoner for eternity. Suggestion. Hypnosis. Superstitious fear. Overpowering guilt complexes.

[00:42:24] Terror of the unknown. Do any or all of these explain the events of the tale I've just told? Or are there really such terrifying things as a walking corpse? Are there really zombies? Well, let's hope you and I never have to find out. Out. Our cast included Tony Roberts, Suzanne Grossman, Vinette Carroll, Bob Caliban, Jackson Beck, and Ian Martin.

[00:42:53] The entire production was under the direction of Hyman Brown. Radio Mystery Theater was sponsored in part by New Sugar-Free Diet 7-Up. This is E.G. Marshall inviting you to return to our mystery theater for another adventure in the macabre. Until next time, pleasant dreams.

[00:43:39] UR Mystery Theater has been brought to you by ShopRite Supermarkets, where you get a lot more for a little less. And by Suburban Savings, with offices throughout North Jersey. The preceding mystery theater program was furnished by the CBS Radio Network.

[00:44:16] I am E.G. Marshall. Welcome to the sound of suspense. To the fear you can hear. Our tale is a blood-freezing story inspired by a nursery rhyme. A sweet, simple song. Ring, a ring of roses, a pocket full of poses. Achoo! Achoo! We all fall down. It sounds young and innocent, doesn't it?

[00:44:43] But it is very old and very sinister. For the ring, a ring of roses were the splotches that first appeared on the faces of those afflicted during the Black Plague. The pocket full of poses were the herbs that were carried, hopefully to ward off the fatal disease. The sneezing sounds, achoo! Achoo! Were the sounds of the final spasms.

[00:45:10] And we all fall down was, well, you can guess. Our mystery drama, A Ring of Roses, was written especially for the Radio Mystery Theater by S.J. Wilson and stars Linus O'Connor. I'll be back shortly with Act One.

[00:45:47] Science has brought most plagues under control. But not so those other epidemics of the past. Those that plague us with their unseen, unknown, and unexpected terrors. And such is the tale of terror you're about to hear. Draw close to the guttering candle. For you will receive no warmth from a ring of roses.

[00:46:14] You know, George, I've heard about this place so often from Helena. I'm just dying to see her home. And I'm anxious to meet your friend Helena. Oh, I'm sure you'll like her. But will she like me? Taking her best friend away from her. Come on, George. You know you're irresistible. Why do you think I'm going to marry you?

[00:46:40] Well, for one thing, my beautiful, exquisite, enormous pots of money. Oh, George, wait. Look, stop. Laurie, get your hands off the wheels. What do you think you're trying to do? But we passed it. It's the sign to the house. Back there. Now, Laurie. Laurie, I never want you to do that again. I'm not going to let missing a sign risk your getting hurt. You understand? I'm sorry.

[00:47:10] I shouldn't have grabbed the wheel that way. All right, forget it. But please, never again ever. And that is supposed to be the sign? Helena warned that we might miss it. Why would anyone use a rose-colored stone in a brass oval with no name or any identification on it for a house sign? Well, their name is Rosten.

[00:47:36] And Helena said that generations back when their family first moved to America, it was rose stone. And so they put up a rose stone. Well, if they want people to get that meaning from it, they either enjoy guessing games or, more likely, just want to keep themselves very, very private. Yes. Guess what? As you said, they are very private. Well, I got that impression before we got here.

[00:48:04] And I also have the feeling that they're not very friendly either. Oh, how can you say that? When Helena's mother especially invited us over because she personally wanted to give us our engagement gift. Yes, and that's pretty peculiar, too. How? How many parties, I mean showers, did your girlfriends give you? Four, right? No, three. The last one was at dinner. All right. And Helena was invited to every one but she... I know, George.

[00:48:33] She didn't turn up for any of them. You know, Laurie, I've never seen you so wound up. What's spinning around in that pretty head of yours? Well, I don't know, but... Well, I am on edge. About what? I guess about meeting Helena's mother. You see, she's so strange.

[00:49:00] She seems so powerful and so terribly uncompromising. I was trying to change things for Helena and then I let her down by becoming engaged to you. Well, now don't tell me you weren't going to marry for poor Helena's sake. Well, at least not until she married first. We were going to share an apartment together in the city. You know what I'm going to do, Laurie? I am going to turn this car right around and head back to the city.

[00:49:29] This whole trip is more foolish than funny. Oh, no, George. Please don't. Hey, what's that? You hear something like singing? Let me open the window. It's a woman singing that old nursery rhyme. But what's that snapping sound? It sounds like a piece of leather. It sounds like a whip.

[00:50:00] George, what are you doing? I'm getting out. But something's happening here that I don't like. Don't open the door. Please don't. We'll go back if you want to. I'll be right back. Keep the window shut and the door's locked. No, don't leave me, George. I'm coming with you. Wait. Okay, but stay close to me. It seems to be coming from behind those hedges. You know, it could be just kids playing games.

[00:50:28] If that voice is coming from a kid, he's using a bullhorn. All right. Let's stop here. We might see through the hedge. Please be careful. Holy Toledo. Look at that. Let me see. That man. The old man with the beard. He's trying to catch the girl with his whip. One of him.

[00:50:53] If he lands that wagon whip on her, he'll split her face open. Look at their clothes, George. They're dressed like settlers. Back in the early 1800s. Yeah. You know, they could be rehearsing a play. If they are, he's lost his mind in his part. That man's going wild with that whip. But she's provoking him. Why doesn't she stop? Hey. Hey, you there. What are you two doing? Oh, George. You shouldn't have done that.

[00:51:22] And who is it who is ordering me and questioning me? I am. Over here. That's a terrible thing you're doing. Look, George. Please don't go in there. They know we're here. We must meet them. That's a dangerous whip you're using. That young woman can be killed by it. I see by your clothes you are a stranger. And I can also see that you are a kind human who wishes no harm to come to another. But this, this wench is my daughter.

[00:51:50] And what I am doing is the true way to gain the obedience of a child who will stray. When could she have done to deserve being whipped? I did no harm to no person nor to him. I have broken no law of God or man. Strumpet! Hold your witch's tongue! Believe me, young woman. When I tell you that she has the demon in her.

[00:52:16] playing and wenching with the young master who owns this land. While I'm out here working at clearing their forest lands, she's up there in the great house with her enticements and tricks and enchantments. And if it has already come to this, that he has given her a gift for favors promised or already bestowed. The gift of a ring. An already cursed ring.

[00:52:45] He gave it to me fair and with the holy vow that he will marry me in the month of the next full moon. Marry you, Willie. You who can have fair to read and write. You who are lower than his mother's kitchen scullion. You give me that ring. I won't. I swear by the name and the soul of my sainted mother that you will never get this ring. Then until I do, though it mean your own death, you get the whip. Stop it.

[00:53:15] Don't. Why can't you be a little more reasonable? She may be telling you the truth. I am. I swear it on my dead mother's Bible I am. Well, then if you are, why don't you give him the ring and let your young man personally tell your father of his plans? No. No, he'll do no thing like that. He'll bury the ring in some secret spot and drag me away before the fall of night. For he doesn't want me to marry to no one

[00:53:43] but to stay with him and clean and cook and wash for the rest of his devil life. As you can see, she's beyond talking of matters with sense and decency. She's been taken up with her planning and scheming to get away from me for the purpose of harlot's gain. And she hardly of marrying. I'll kill you. George! She has an axe! What's safe? Stop!

[00:54:21] What happened to her? Catch her. She's like the wind. I'll never get my hands on her. Come back. Come back. We're not going to hurt you.

[00:54:57] Even before she got to the forest. But George, look what I found. It's the ring. She dropped the ring. Let me see this. You know what it's like? It's just like the road sign. It's the same shape. The same color stone. It's smaller, but it is just like the road sign. Rose colors. George.

[00:55:27] George, we've got to get help. The police. Somewhere. Of course, the house. We've got to get to Helena's house. This ring so rosy. This ring so red. Does it belong to the living? Or the dead? We'll return shortly with Act Two.

[00:55:59] Is you alone? I don't want to disturb your mother. My dear, you're not disturbing me in the slightest. This room has no secrets. Its acoustics are incredible. I'm Helena's mother. Hello, Mrs. Rauston. We've just had a very, a very unusual experience. Laurie's pretty badly shaken by it. Yes, so I see. Helena, why don't you take Laurie to your room, let her refresh herself?

[00:56:27] Perhaps Mr. Williamson will tell me something more about what's happened? I think the police should be notified at once. The police? Here? Did you have an accident? Well, not exactly, but we happened to see something that can only be described as gruesome, I guess. And the police should be notified. Mother, do you think... Helen, dearest, this is not the time for speculation. I shall be glad to have the deputy's office call.

[00:56:57] But can you give me some indication of what they're to be told? We don't like bothering our officers unnecessarily. They have enough to do as it is. But someone's just been murdered! Oh, no, not again. What? Now, Helena, restrain yourself, dearest. Laurie, you say someone's been murdered. Who? We don't know who he is, but he was trying to whip a young woman. And, Mr. Williamson, she took an axe and killed him.

[00:57:28] You knew. How could you? I was praying that it wouldn't happen to you. Oh, poor Laurie. Now, why don't you young people make yourselves comfortable? A glass of sherry might calm you. But, Mother, you told me that it would never happen again. That thing... Helena, I said I had taken every precaution not to have it happen. But who am I to promise I will control the uncontrollable? Are you saying that this has happened before?

[00:57:57] Laurie, maybe Mrs. Ralston wants to explain. Well, not really, but I feel I'm obliged to. However, it is difficult. How does one explain the inexplicable? I think they're ghosts. There are no ghosts, Helena. Now, Dr. Medley, the last scientist I consulted, said it was undoubtedly an instance of photally sensory projection. Helena pooh-poohs it. But has either of you ever heard of that discipline?

[00:58:27] Oh, vaguely. It once came up in a course on parapsychology that I had at school. No one has ever proved PSP, Mother. Well, they've never proved ESP either, but a lot of serious scientists work with it. But, but, George, what does that photo whatever mean? Well, it's quite complicated. Phatolysis is the means by which light can affect the arrangement of chlorophyll grains in leaves. Chlorophyll grains?

[00:58:57] Leaves? There's a man not more than a mile from here who's been murdered! Now, calm yourself, my child. There is no such man and no such daughter. This has happened before. I've seen it. Helena has. A very few close friends have. Unfortunately, you have too. Mr. Williamson, do you think you'd still like to try an explanation of PSP? Well, it's spooky in a way.

[00:59:25] By that I mean the scientific explanation of it. You see, we're all supposed to give off certain light and heat waves. And what is it happens in the case of individuals who are emotionally stimulated, let us say, people in love? Well, the theory has it that people in a very intense emotional state give off more highly concentrated waves. Well, I just don't understand what chlorophyll and,

[00:59:51] and leaves and, and light waves have to do with a man being murdered. You see, it's tied up with photosynthesis. And scientists aren't sure how that process really works. But with the unusual intensity of light, the cells of chlorophyll rearrange themselves and are forced to give off some of the excess carbohydrates in which there is an unusual amount of stored energy. I'm not following this at all. My dear, Helena speaks of you as having the patience of a saint.

[01:00:21] So, if you'd like me to telephone the deputies, I suggest you give your fiancé a chance to finish. There isn't much more, Laurie. Just that the openings in the leaves, they're called stomates, tend to react like projectors. And through the magnification of additional oxygen, are supposed to be able to relay an episode they once absorbed when they were in the receptive state, like, uh, well, like film. Are you talking about something, something like motion picture film?

[01:00:50] Yes, Laurie, but it means something like a projector with a memory. A memory of blood, in this case. Well, it happens that chlorophyll is very much like hemoglobia, except that it contains magnesium instead of the iron found in blood. Are you saying that what we saw was a motion picture? Nothing more? Well, essentially, that's it. But when and where the original was recorded, we have no idea. Well, but there's a building!

[01:01:19] There's a cabin out there! And there's a man's body bleeding! Why don't you go and see for yourself if you don't believe us? No, Laurie, there's nothing there. Helena, you too? Yes, as Mother said, I've seen it. Others have too. Around here, they call it the Enchanted Forest. But if you go out there again, you won't find a cabin or a man. Nothing.

[01:01:47] The police know all about it. They'll come and you'll just feel foolish. I... I don't know what to think. It all seemed so real. Well, now, why don't we come back to the present? And the truly real? Because I have the real pleasure of giving you our gift to celebrate your engagement. It's a complete surprise, even. I don't know what it is. Laurie, dear,

[01:02:14] it isn't that what we're giving you is expensive or valuable, but it is dear to us. We hope it will be your first family heirloom. Here it is. No pretty wrapping, but it seems too lovely a box to cover with silly paper. Mother, I've never seen that box before. Well, now, isn't it nice that I can still have some surprises for you?

[01:02:43] That's a great-looking box, Mrs. Roston. Those, uh... Those are roses painted on ivory, aren't they? Oh, it's so beautiful. I feel as if I'm depriving you of something very special if... if I accepted it. Oh, no. Please, take it. It's... It's little enough, and... You know what I think that box would be perfect for? It already has its purpose, dear. What I was going to say was

[01:03:11] that it would be the perfect place to keep a lock of your first baby's hair. Wouldn't it? And I'm afraid it's going to stay empty for some time. Oh, George, we don't know that. Not yet. We will have to find you another container for that when the time comes. This box already has its occupant. You mean there's something inside? Well, look and see. Well, go ahead, Laurie. My heart's beating so loudly.

[01:03:40] She's been like that all day, so excited. Darling, do you want me to open it? No, no, I'm all right. Just let me take a deep breath. Oh. Hey, that's... That's the same... Laurie? What's wrong? Mother? Oh, it's music! Give me the box, Laurie. An insult!

[01:04:09] I've got her. Put her on the couch. Yes. Laurie? Laurie? Mother, do something. Don't just stand there. Helena, control yourself and get some water. Oh, Laurie. My poor Laurie. Wake up. Laurie? Come out of it, honey. Darling? She's trying to open her eyes. Slowly, Laurie. It's me, George. Oh.

[01:04:39] You've just passed out for a moment. Here, give her this water. Here, darling. Sip this slowly. I don't need it. But... Did I really see it? See what? The ring. Yes. Yes, I've got it. What... What ring? This ring. The same one. With a rose-colored stone. Mother! How... Mine! You know what that ring means to me. Oh, please take that thing away.

[01:05:09] I don't want to look at it. Don't worry. You won't have to. Here, Mrs. Roston. Take it back. And I hope it isn't a sample of your sense of humor. Just one moment, Mr. Williamson. I don't particularly appreciate your tone or your attitude. What do you mean by my sense of humor? If you and your daughter know all about that axe-murdering scene that we saw earlier, then you must have known about the ring. What about it? It's mine. That ring.

[01:05:40] It's just like that road sign you have on the highway. Yes, the sign was copied from the design of the ring. It's been our family hallmark, so to speak, for generations. Is that why the girl who killed her father did it? Because of that ring? What do you mean? She had it. She... She teased him with it while... While she sang that song. That same nursery rhyme in the box. Oh. Oh, no. That couldn't be.

[01:06:09] That's my ring. She couldn't have had it. Are you too sure you saw this ring? Well, that girl in the field. She dropped it when she ran away. Then where is it now? Well, George, you had it. What? You sure? I thought you put it into your purse. Well, I'll look. Well, it isn't in any of my pockets. No, and it's not here in my purse. How could it be? There is only one ring, this ring.

[01:06:40] It's been in the Roston family for generations. It was brought here by a Roston early in the 18th century. And it has always belonged to the oldest child in each family. In which case it would be your daughter's, since you are a Roston by marriage. Yes, that would be so if it were true. Well, you're not going to tell them. Well, why not? It's time that silly cloud you've been hiding behind was blown away. Don't, Mother. Please, I beg you, don't. Nonsense.

[01:07:10] I am a Roston. That ring belongs to me. Helena's father died in the Southeast Asian War. Shot down even before he knew I was going to have a child. Mother, I hate you for this. I hate you. Helena, don't say that to your own mother. Why not? She's hated me ever since she learned that her father and I had never married. Imagine that in this day. A girl making such a fuss about legitimacy. Stop it, Mother, please.

[01:07:38] We don't have to hear any more, Mrs. Weston. Oh, yes, yes, you do. George, can we get out of here quickly? You can go whenever you like, Miss Thornton. But out of your friendship for Helena, you must take that ring with you. No, I couldn't. I won't let her. Give it to me. Helena, what are you doing? The ring? She tore it out of my hand. I've got it and no one will ever get it from me. Let her go. She'll be back.

[01:08:05] And with the ring, she knows it's wrong for her to have taken it. Eventually, the ring must come to you, Laurie. We don't want it. But it will come to you. It can do you no harm. It's a silly superstition. But only Rostons are supposed to be vulnerable to the ring. And, Laurie, if you are Helena's friend, as you say you are, you will take it. But she wants it. She insists that it stay hers.

[01:08:34] Only as an excuse. What sort of an excuse could the ring give her? The excuse not to marry. And why not? She considers herself fated, ill-starred, if you will. You see, at one time, the superstition arose that if the firstborn was female, the ring would prevent her from marrying. It's high time that ring is out of Rostons hands. Why don't you just throw it away? What? With Helena carrying on as if possessed?

[01:09:05] Well, we just do not want it. I'm sorry, but we must get back to the city. Yes, it's a long drive and we'd like to make it before dark. I regret this has turned out to be so unpleasant, but then perhaps it couldn't have been avoided. Perhaps. But it's over now. George, let's go. Oh, I can't get away fast enough.

[01:09:33] I don't know what the speed limit is here, but whatever it is, we'll break it. Order you to come out of your room at once. At once! Mother, don't hurt her. She is my only friend. The only friend I have in the whole world.

[01:10:07] Run from the ring. Run for your life. But without a ring, what's a husband or wife? We'll return shortly with Act Three. Let us try and penetrate the shrouding darkness of the final act of A Ring of Roses.

[01:10:38] Lori and George have been plunged into a strange, unreal experience. As the twilight lowers over the countryside, they are fleeing from the Rostons, the malevolent nursery rhyme, the flashing axe, the avenging curse, the fatal ring. What can flight outrace those forces of evil? That woman, that Mrs. Roston,

[01:11:08] she's monstrous. Oh, I'm so sorry for Helena. Yeah, well, I didn't see any halos around her head either. Yeah, but just imagine having to live with that mother. Why does she have to tell Helena that she and her father are never married? Do you believe it? Well, why would she lie about something that important? Maybe out of just plain malice. Or... Or what? It just occurred to me. Couldn't she have invented that story

[01:11:37] about the curse the ring puts on firstborn Roston girls? To what end? Simple. It'd be a guarantee that she'd never be alone. That she could hold on to her daughter for life. Like the woodcutter. Oh, don't remind me of him. Anyway, I can't see how the ring and whatever it's supposed to do fits. Well, if she made up the business about fate keeping her from marrying Helena's father, now wouldn't that be a kind of evidence, proof for Helena that the curse was real?

[01:12:07] Well, then why would she give us the ring? Well, I'm only guessing, but couldn't it have been Mrs. Roston's way of telling her daughter that she wouldn't marry even if the ring was off the premises, so to speak? But George, whatever we think of Mrs. Roston, she's still a mother. And what mother would sentence her daughter to a lifetime of misery? Huh? Look, I'm sorry I got you into this mess. I didn't dream it would be that horrible. Well, you had no way of knowing. Well, looking back, I should have. Helena,

[01:12:37] always so strange, so withdrawn, so mysterious about herself, her home and her mother. It should have been a warning. Honey, let's find a happier subject. Such as? Well, let's see. Okay, it's not original, but it'll do. For instance, if and when we have our first baby, would you want a boy or a girl? Oh, don't be corny. Why not? Corn is fine as long as it doesn't... George!

[01:13:05] George, isn't there someone in the road? Where? Well, look, straight ahead. Oh, yeah, that's a woman that... Well, we're not stopping for man or beast or any mixture of the two. Here, that should get her off the road. Because if it doesn't, then she may be another bit of PSP and we can drive right through her. Darling, slow down. She's waving at us. George, slow down! No way. If that's a living body and it wants to stay that way, she'll get off the road. Oh, please! She isn't moving from the middle of the road.

[01:13:35] Damn her teeth, whoever she is. George! George, you're going to hit her! Laurie, you all right? Yeah, I think so. That stupid woman. Yeah. Well, just wave goodbye and we'll get going. Laurie, I must speak to you. Tell her you'll phone her on Halloween. Hey, wait, Laurie. Don't lower the window. She's in trouble. Better her than you. There can't be any danger in finding out what she wants.

[01:14:04] Haven't you been through enough? Helena, we're in a hurry. Telephone Laurie tomorrow. No, don't go, please. Let me explain. George, I don't have the heart to... Wait a minute. Are you sure that's Helena? Well, of course. Her face, it looks so strange. What's strange about her face? Look at her eyes. They're washed out. They're sunken as if... as if she's taken some kind of drug. That's probably because she's been crying. I'm lowering the window.

[01:14:33] And you're also raising my temper. Well, what do you want me to do? Just wave goodbye and we'll get going. Oh, she's gone to the front of the car now. George, oh, she does look dreadful. Why not? She is dreadful. I've got to find out what she wants. Just one minute. Let me talk to her for just only one minute. Okay. Sixty seconds. But don't lower the window more than an inch.

[01:14:59] Helena, now what is it? Oh, thank you, Laurie. If you only knew how miserable I am about what happened today. It was all my fault. You don't have to apologize. It wasn't anybody's fault. Mother had only the best intentions in giving you the ring. Sure she did. Nothing like unloading something on a couple of strangers that isn't yours to give away. But the ring does belong to her mother. Only to be given to her child, which excludes you.

[01:15:29] That's true. But you see, after me, there won't be any Rostons. But you will marry, Helena. Just wait and see. I doubt it. And even if I did, my children won't be Rostons. Helena, this has been the weirdest day in my life. Now, frankly, the sooner we get away from here, the better off we'll feel. Just one more thing. Prove to me that you are still my friend and please take the ring. No, Helena.

[01:15:59] Thank you, but I couldn't. Absolutely not. Helena, why don't you just throw that ring away somewhere? I can't. I'm not allowed to. It has to be given to a Roston or to the person closest and dearest to me. But how could you expect me to take it? Every time I'd look at it, I would remember that terrible scene in the woods. I swear, the ring has nothing to do with what happened out there. It never has before. This is the first time.

[01:16:28] And it'll be the last for us. Okay, Helena, stand away from the car. I'm backing up. Laurie, if you don't take the ring, I'll die. You won't die, Helena. Why should you? Because it will mean that I've lost my only friend and that I'll have no one to turn to and I'll be stuck here in this prison with my mother. And she'll never let me go. Never. So long, Helena. If I return to the house with the ring, my mother will do something terrible. If you don't take the ring, I'll throw myself in front of the car. I don't care.

[01:17:01] Give me the ring. We'll take it. Oh, Laurie, you've made me so happy. I'm indebted to you forever. Forever. Forever. You're angry with me, George, aren't you? No. I'll probably never see her again. And if it meant that much to her, what probably meant even more to her was that she could twist and bend you

[01:17:30] in any way she wanted. Well, in a way, it was her last hope of getting out of that house. That's why I finally took the ring. Actually, what harm could it do? I don't know, Laurie, except that anything connected with the Rostons seems dangerous. That's because the Rostons are difficult to understand or explain. That may be. But while we might never get to the bottom of that axe job in the woods, there must be a key somewhere to the Rostons. After all, they're not ghosts

[01:18:00] or optical illusions. They're people, living, breathing humans. Still, for all we know about them, they're just as haunted as that phantom woodcutter and his crazy daughter. Let's stop talking about them. I will, if you do me an important favor. If I can? You can. Throw that ring away. You mean, now? Right this second. Open the window and throw it out. But why? Honey,

[01:18:30] I'd consider it a special favor to me if you got rid of that ring. Well, I have no intention of keeping it, but I don't want to just throw it away. What do you want to do with it? Give it away. To whom? I haven't thought yet. Try thinking about it right now. You sound as if you're ordering me to do it. Actually, I'm begging you, Lori, begging you to get rid of the damn ring.

[01:18:58] I said I would. But when? When I find someone to give it to. Someone who would appreciate it. It just doesn't make sense to just throw away something that's probably valuable for just anyone to find or to have it crushed under a car. Say, I know what I could do with it. Drop it, Lori. It's only going to get us into an argument. No, I'm serious,

[01:19:28] honestly. I just thought of where this ring could do the most good. Fine, you do what you want with it, but let's not talk about it. Oh, you'll agree? I bet you will. Oh, honey, do you realize that since we've known each other, we've never had so many disagreements? But I'm not disagreeing with you. Good, then let's change the subject. Or better still, let's let's let everything take a rest. If that's what you want, fine.

[01:20:05] Lori, what are you doing? Nothing. Lori, what are you doing with that ring? Nothing, I said. Besides, you don't want to talk about it. Why are you wearing it? I was playing with it. I just wanted to see if it fit. Will you please take it off? What are you getting so excited about? That ring. If you can't throw it away, at least put it away. You're getting

[01:20:34] awfully bossy, George. You're doing it only to get a rise out of me. You can forget about it. Because I'm going to give it to that thrift shop around the corner from where I live. Great idea. Now, please take it off. All right. Anything for some peace. Hey, that's funny. What is? The ring's stuck. I'll get it off. You shouldn't have put it on if it was too small. But it

[01:21:04] wasn't. In fact, it felt too big. Isn't that strange? I can't even twist it. Get the flashlight out of the glove compartment. Now, turn it on and hold your finger under the light. There. Can you see it? Your finger doesn't look swollen. No. It isn't swollen. But the ring won't budge.

[01:21:33] George. George, do you hear something? Hear what? That voice. The singing. Don't you hear it? No, I don't. Wait. Yes, I do. It's that song. Where's it coming from? I don't know. It seems to be surrounding us. I'll turn the bright lights on. You keep trying to get that ring off. I am trying, but it's as if

[01:22:03] it's cemented to my finger. And that's singing. It's the same as the girls in the forest. Get rid of the flash and give me your hand. What for? Maybe I can get it off. Well, you can't. You're driving. There's no traffic, Laurie. I can manage the wheel with one hand. Why don't we wait till we get to a gas station? Then I can get it off with a little soap. Come on, give me your hand. All right. No, wait. Wait. I can't. Why not? Oh, I just can't, George. Laurie, you were about to drive me out of my head. Why can't you give me your hand? Because,

[01:22:33] because I remembered something. What, for heaven's sake, what, Laurie? Well, what Helena said back there when she wanted me to take the ring. She said a lot of hysterical things. That if she couldn't give the ring to a rosted, it would have to be to a person nearest and dearest to her. Oh, Helena's all whacked up. Now give me your hand, Laurie. But what if it's true? Oh, that voice, that terrible voice. Why doesn't it stop? Laurie, please give me your hand. No, because if

[01:23:03] you can get it off, then you'll be stuck with it. Who cares? I don't want anything to happen to you. Not for anything. George, George, look straight ahead. It's them, the two of them, the old man and the girl. He's got an axe. I'm stopping the car. No, don't. It's not working. Give me your hand, the ring can't.

[01:23:43] Are you all right? It was a tree we hit. Only, only a tree, Laurie. You hear me? Only a tree. Laurie, the ring, the ring. What did you do? Not on

[01:24:13] your finger. Your finger. Good Lord, she's dead. You gave Laurie the ring, Helena. Yes, mother, as you told me to. Now, give me the box and we'll see if the ring has worked wonders once more.

[01:24:43] Here is the box, the one with the roses. Open it. Yes, mother. The music. Why isn't the music playing? It's a good sign that it's not playing. It's the sign that the ring has done its work. Your friend Laurie will not marry ever. Not ever. Ring, mother.

[01:25:13] Where is the ring? You'll find it in the woods, in the clearing, in the same place where I killed your great-grandfather 143 years ago. And bring back the ring that will keep us alive forever.

[01:25:43] Ghosts, forever you sing. But your death is as forever as your grim, rosy ring. I'll be back shortly. Let us end our tale of ring a ring of roses. For as we also know, roses are red, roses are blue, but the

[01:26:13] rose of death is meant for who? Our cast included Glynis O'Connor, George Petrie, Sidney Walker, Elspeth Eric, Holland Taylor, and Carol Hilliard. The entire production was under the direction of Hyman Brown. This is E.G. Marshall inviting you to return to our mystery theater for another adventure in the macabre. Until next time, pleasant dreams.

[01:26:59] This has been a Cryptic County podcast. To listen to our other storytelling podcasts, like Let's Not Meet and Odd Trails, visit crypticcountypodcasts.com. We'll see you next time. What would happen next? If this was a horror story, that's what ought to happen next. It did.