DOC SAVAGE Program Number Fourteen "The Green Ghost" CAST DOC SAVAGE...........Deep, cultured, impressive voice, outstanding. MONK.................Small, shrill voice, pleasantly tough guy. ALLEN................Unnatural voice which lends itself to ghostly yarn. BIZ 1--Trilling sound. 2--Crackle of newspaper. 3--Footsteps. 4--Panting. 5--Door open, door close. 6--Boat whistle. 7--Slow clanging bell. 8--Gurgle of water. 9--Squeaking of oarlocks. 10--Thumps, soft and loud. 11--Crash. 12--Metallic clicks. (light tapping on metal) 13--Blows on metal. 14--Shots. (one or two) Playing Time: 14 minutes. Script by: Lester Dent (Kenneth Robeson) EFFECT: (TRILLING SOUND) ANNOUNCER: What is that? EFFECT: (TRILLING SOUND) ANNOUNCER: That is the sound of Doc Savage, the signal for another fifteen minutes of action, mystery and thrill-charged adventure brought to you by Cystex. This afternoon's drama is about the Green Ghost. Listen closely and see if you can learn what the Green Ghost is before Doc Savage arrives at the truth. But wait! We have a word about Cystex. Or perhaps we should say that one of thousands of atisfied users of Cystex has a word for you. Listen to this letter which we received from... (PLUG) And now we switch to Doc Savage's office on the eighty-sixth floor of a New York skyscraper. In the comfortably furnished room is Doc Savage, the giant man of bronze who has devoted his life to helping other people out of trouble, and with Doc is Andrew Blodgett Mayfair, a huge gorilla of a man with a tiny voice. Andrew Blodgett Mayfair does not hear that name often. Everyone calls him Monk. Monk is reading the afternoon newspaper. BIZ: (CRACKLE OF NEWSPAPER) MONK: Hey, Doc. DOC: Yes, Monk. MONK: I see you've busted into print again. DOC: Yes, worse luck! MONK: You saw it, then. It's a little story about you being an expert opener of safes, in addition to all the other things you can do. It says that there is not a vault or a strong box made that you cannot get into, if you take a notion. DOC: They will have people thinking I'm a cracksman, first thing you know. MONK: Not a chance. The story goes on to explain that you have a high honorary commission on the police force, and that you go everywhere in the world, helping people out of trouble. DOC: I still can't see why they put stuff like that on the front page. MONK: Anything you do is newspaper copy, Doc. The stuff they write about you isn't exaggerated, either. Now, take this piece about you being able to open any vault or strong box-- DOC: (INTERRUPTS) Monk, listen! BIZ: (RAPID FOOTSTEPS AWAY FROM MIKE) MONK: Somebody's coming! Sounds like he's in a hurry. BIZ: (DOOR OPEN) ALLEN: (MOANS AND PANTS IN MANNER OF MAN GREATLY TERRIFIED) Oh, oh, help me! Keep it away from me! MONK: Well, for the love of mud! DOC: Here, fellow! What's wrong with you! ALLEN: (PANTS UNINTELLIGIBLY) MONK: He can't talk, Doc. DOC: Let's help him to a chair, Monk. MONK: Good night! Look here! Look, Doc! ALLEN: (PANTS DURING PAUSE FOR EFFECT) MONK: Listen, Doc, did you ever see any marks like that before? DOC: No, Monk. Never. MONK: Big, purple bruises on his arm and shoulder. Say, Doc, from their shape, they look as if... aw, that couldn't be! DOC: Go ahead and say it. MONK: It looks as if a big claw had grabbed him. See here! At the ends of the marks there's cuts, as if the claws were sharp as knives on the end. DOC: That was my thought. MONK: Aw, it's a squirrel idea, Doc. There isn't anything with a claw that big. DOC: Yes, a creature with a claw that large would be something radically new... I believe the fellow can talk, now. ALLEN: (PANTS) Don't let it in here! DOC: Go look in the hall, Monk. BIZ: (DOOR SLAM) (DOOR SLAM) MONK: Nobody out here, Doc. DOC: There's no one after you, stranger. ALLEN: (LABORED) My name... Allen... Joe Allen. DOC: Well, Allen, there is nothing after you. ALLEN: It followed me grabbed me... My arm and shoulder. DOC: It made these marks on you? ALLEN: Yes... and I barely got away. DOC: What was it? (PAUSE) (IMPATIENTLY) Well, what was it? ALLEN: Listen, Mr. Savage, promise me one thing. DOC: What is that? ALLEN: Promise me you won't say I'm crazy. You... you can think it... The story sounds insane enough... But promise me you won't say I'm mad. It... it makes me doubt myself. DOC: I won't doubt you, Allen. Everything has a logical explanation. ALLEN: What has happened to me tonight cannot be explained with logic. DOC: Let us hear your story and I will be the judge of that. ALLEN: You have heard of the ghost ships down by Staten Island? DOC: Yes, of course. And they are not ghost ships at all. They are some of the vessels built in such a hurry during the World War, and which have since gone out of use. They are tied up in deserted waters near Staten Island, where they have lain for years, to rust away, the only people aboard being a watchman or two. ALLEN: I'm one of the watchmen. DOC: A watchman on one of those abandoned ships, eh? ALLEN: Yes. I'm on the Black Seas, a freighter. DOC: What is the rest of your story, Allen. ALLEN: Things have been happening on the Black Seas. DOC: Things? ALLEN: Terrible things. DOC: For instance? ALLEN: Tonight I found a a man aboard. DOC: What is so unusual about that? ALLEN: This man was... all torn up. DOC: Dead? ALLEN: Oh, yes. He was torn as if some great beast... it was awful. And while I was looking at the body, I saw the the thing! DOC: What was it you saw, Allen? ALLEN: It was big and green and kind of... well, like pale green jelly. DOC: You mean that you could see through it? ALLEN: Kind of. DOC: Then what happened? ALLEN: I... I started to back away and this this thing struck at me and tried to grab me. I... I got away and decided to come to you... and the green jelly thing followed me and kept grabbing... I thought it followed me all of the way here. DOC: That is your story? ALLEN: Yes. (LOW VOICE) And I know you feel like... laughing. You think I am insane. DOC: No one can laugh off those bruises on your shoulder and arm, Allen. BIZ: (CLICK OF DOOR OPENING) DOC: Monk, what are you doing? MONK: (UNEASY) Aw, just lookin' into the hall again. There ain't nothin' there. ALLEN: Listen, Mr. Savage, will you... come aboard the Black Seas? I--I think I know where this green thing--hangs out. DOC: Where? ALLEN: The strong room... the big ship's safe... has been locked--ever since I have been on board as watchman... But I have heard sounds inside of the vault... I--I thought rats or mice made the noises at first... but on other nights... I--I thought I heard people screaming in the vault. DOC: You tried to get into the vault? ALLEN: Oh, yes. But I couldn't make it. MONK: Listen, Doc, if it's just the same to you, I'll go outside and keep a lookout. I don't like this a little bit. DOC: Wait, Monk. Allen and I are leaving for this abandoned steamer, the Black Seas, at once. MONK: But Doc, ain't I goin' with you? DOC: No, Monk. MONK: But Doc-- DOC: No, Monk. (SLOWLY AND DISTINCTLY) You keep the light in the window. MONK: Me keep the light in the window, eh? I getcha, Doc. Oh, well, you don't see me cryin' about it. You can have this green jelly thing with claws. I don't want no part of him. EFFECT: (PAUSE) BIZ: (HARBOR SOUNDS TO SHOW SCENE HAS SHIFTED TO BAY--BOAT WHISTLE THRE TIMES AWAY FROM MIKE, CLANG OF DISTANT BELL, GURGLE OF WATER, SOFT SQUEAKING OF OARLOCKS) DOC: What a desolate place this is! ALLEN: That is the Black Seas right ahead, Mr. Savage. DOC: The one that is so rusty, that it, Allen? ALLEN: Yes. I'll swing this dory to the starboard a bit. DOC: You go aboard near the stern, do you not? I see a rope ladder hanging there. ALLEN: Yes. I live in the after cabin. DOC: The Black Seas looks a bit decrepit, I'll admit, but there is nothing ghostly about her appearance. ALLEN: Every word that I told you about that that green thing was the truth, Mr. Savage. DOC: Those bruises you carry are very convincing arguments in themselves, Allen. Hand me the boat hook. ALLEN: Here it is. DOC: I'll get hold of the rope ladder. BIZ: (GURGLE OF WATER) (SOFT THUMP OF BOAT AGAINST SHIP HULL) DOC: Can you climb up all right, Allen? ALLEN: Yes. I can make it. DOC: I'll go up first. BIZ: (MORE SOFT THUMPS) DOC: Grab my hand, Allen. I'll lift you the rest of the way. BIZ: (THUMP AS ALLEN LANDS ON DECK) ALLEN: Thanks. Now, I'll go to my cabin and get an electric lantern. DOC: Why the electric lantern? ALLEN: You want to look at the strong room, don't you? DOC: Yes, of course. ALLEN: It's dark down there in the hold where the strong room is. We'll need a light. DOC: I see. ALLEN: Wait here. I'll get the lantern out of my cabin. BIZ: (FOOTSTEPS GO AWAY FROM MIKE) EFFECT: (PAUSE) ALLEN: (SCREAMS INARTICULATELY) Ow-w-w! Aw-w-w! BIZ: (THUMPS) DOC: Allen! (SHOUTS) Allen! What happened? BIZ: (RAPID FOOTSTEPS) (THUMPS OF FIST ON DOOR) DOC: Allen, you've got the door locked! ALLEN: (MUFFLED AS IF BACK OF DOOR) Help! Doc Savage! Help! DOC: I'll break down the door! BIZ: (CRASH) DOC: Allen! What on earth happened to you? ALLEN: That green thing was here! DOC: Here, in this cabin! ALLEN: It was back of the door... slammed the door when I came in. Then it... it started for me. DOC: Where did it go? ALLEN: It went out through this door across the cabin when it heard you coming. DOC: Where does that door lead to? ALLEN: Down the hold... toward the strong room. DOC: Where is that electric lantern? ALLEN: Over there. DOC: All right. I've got it. Let's follow that thing. ALLEN: Yes, yes, the strong room! Come on! BIZ: (RAPID FOOTSTEPS) DOC: Watch out for the steps in that companionway, Allen. ALLEN: I'm all right. DOC: Wait, let's see if we can hear anything. EFFECT: (PAUSE) ALLEN: There's not a sound. DOC: Come on! BIZ: (RAPID FOOTSTEPS) ALLEN: The strong room is over this way. DOC: Stop, Allen! Stop! What's this over here in the corner! BIZ: (CUT FOOTSTEPS) (PAUSE) ALLEN: That is the... dead man... I told you about. DOC: I'm going to have a look. EFFECT: (PAUSE) ALLEN: It's like I said, isn't it? DOC: Yes. He is terribly cut up. Ever seen him before tonight? ALLEN: No. He's a stranger. DOC: Let's go on to the strong room. BIZ: (RAPID FOOTSTEPS) (DOOR SLAM) (CUT FOOTSTEPS) ALLEN: There's the strong room. DOC: Wait. I'll turn the light on the door. ALLEN: Yes it's dark down here... See the safe door has a combination type lock. DOC: Is this where you tried to open the vault? ALLEN: Yes. DOC: When did you try it? ALLEN: Last night. DOC: I wondered why the marks looked so fresh. Well, shall we have a look inside this strong room. ALLEN: I believe it would tell us a lot... But can you open it? DOC: I think so. ALLEN: I'll hold the light while you work. DOC: Thanks. BIZ: (METALLIC CLICKS) ALLEN: Why, you seem to have an outfit of tools for opening safes. DOC: Fortunately, I brought them along from the office. Hold the light a little closer, Allen. BIZ: (METALLIC CLICKS) ALLEN: How long will it take? DOC: Not long. BIZ: (CLICKS AND BLOWS ON METAL) DOC: Now, let's give it a try. BIZ: (THUMP) ALLEN: It's open! Say, you're a wizard, Savage! DOC: Get back, Allen. I'm going inside ALLEN: Be careful! (PAUSE) (AWAY FROM MIKE) What did you find? DOC: (CLOSE TO MIKE) Some packages, Allen. ALLEN: Packages! DOC: Yes. Some boxes, too. I'm going to open one. BIZ: (CRACKLING OF PAPER) DOC: Well, I say! ALLEN: What is it? DOC: The packages contain money, Allen. Here are some bonds... U.S. Libertys. And this box... why, it's jewelry! Dozens of rings and jeweled watches! ALLEN: Well, ain't that nice! DOC: Say, what-- ALLEN: Get those hands up! DOC: Why, you--turn that gun the other way! ALLEN: Get them hands up, Savage! DOC: Say, Allen, what-- ALLEN: Up high! Up high! That's the idea! This kinda surprises you, don't it? DOC: Well... ALLEN: Sure it surprises you! Took you in, didn't I? You never gimme a tumble! DOC: So the story about a green jelly monster was a fake. ALLEN: (LAUGHS) Ha, ha! Sure! I made that up! Do you know why? DOC: Well, I can guess. ALLEN: Then guess! DOC: The yarn about the green ghost was a clever bit of fabrication intended to get me to open this vault, was it not? ALLEN: Big boy, are you good at guessing! You hit it! I wanted this safe open, and hit on the big idea of getting you to open it. You see, I read in the afternoon newspaper that there wasn't a safe you couldn't open. Thought I'd see if there was anything to that newspaper yarn. DOC: Satisfied? ALLEN: You bet. DOC: I suppose you and the dead man we found on our way down here were partners in crime and kept your swag in this vault. You quarreled and he was killed, after he gave you those bruises and cuts. Then you discovered you could not get into the vault. I suppose he had the combination, eh? ALLEN: What makes you figure we're crooks? DOC: This money the jewelry and the liberty bonds. Typical thieves' plunder. It couldn't be anything else. ALLEN: Yeah? And maybe that's right. What if I did croak my pard and find I couldn't get our swag outa the safe? What're you gonna do about it? DOC: Well-- ALLEN: (INTERRUPTS) Well, I'll tell you what you're gonna do! You're not gonna do a thing, because this gun of mine is going to go off and a piece of lead is going to put an end to all your worries. DOC: Going to put me out of the way, Allen? ALLEN: You can call it that. Well, you got anything to say? DOC: Only that you won't get away with it, Allen. ALLEN: Yeah? Well, here goes-- MONK: (SHOUTS) Drop that gun, you mug! ALLEN: Where'd you come from! MONK: Down with that rod, you red hot! ALLEN: Yes I will! Why you ugly monkey, I'll-- BIZ: (SHOTS) ALLEN: (SCREAMS) Oh-h-h! EFFECT: (PAUSE) MONK: Gosh, Doc, I hadda let him have it. DOC: That's all right, Monk. You didn't kill him? MONK: Naw... just plugged him in both shoulders. ALLEN: (GROANS) How did you happen to follow us? MONK: Remember when Doc told me to keep the light in the window? Well, wise guy, me and Doc has got a code, and when Doc says, "keep the light in the window," that means he's tippin' me off to trail along behind him and keep an eye out for trouble. ALLEN: (GROWLS) Aw-w-w-w! DOC: You were too optimistic, Allen. ALLEN: Whatcher mean? DOC: I never did believe in ghost stories. ALLEN: (GROWLS) Aw-w-w! MONK: Come on, smart guy! You're going to be inside looking out for a long time. ANNOUNCER: You have just heard another in the series of fifteen minute dramas presented by Cystex with the permission of Street & Smith, copyright owners of Doc Savage Magazine.