IWCF 004: Red Red Herring

Dana Andrews and an exciting tale of danger and espionage. I was a Communist for the FBI. From the actual records and authentic experiences of Matt Sivetic, how many of the incidents in this unusual story. Here is our star, Dana Andrews as Matt Sevetic, two or nine fantastic years lived as a Communist for the FBI. When you pose as a communist for the FBI, you're on god, constantly wondering if the party suspect you, being careful never to make a slip. This is all part of my nine years as a communist for the FBI. In a moment, listen to Dana Andrews as Matt Savetic undercover man. Now here is Dana Andrews as Metsibetic undercover man. This story from the confidential file is marked red red herring. When you are an undercover agent for the FBI, you live the life of a spy. You trust no one, tell nobody what you're really doing, not even your own family, and hanging over you every minute is the threat of exposure being found out. You know what that would mean, so you stay on guard. But still you can't cover everything. Hello, Hello, Mom, This is man Son. How how are you, son? I'm fine, Mom. Any messages for me? No? But uh, there. Was man here earlier this evening, A man one of my. Is one of them, one of. Those those comments you mean, Look what did he say he wanted? He said something about meeting at his studio tonight. Oh, Matt, when are you going to come to your senses and break away from this terrible organization. And mom and move back home here with the rest of us. Mom, We've been over all this before. Oh, but those people are criminals. None. That was here, cold and hard, suspicious. Uh. Birkhead or whatever his name is, burke Head, Burkhart, Burkhart. Are you sure you're sure that was the name? You are not in trouble of some kind trouble? Oh of course not, ma'am. I gotta go now, I'll be calling you. Huh, goodbye, burked The studio was a second floor piano school on Ninth Street. We used it for secret meetings, sometimes in case the regular hall was wired. Two men besides Burkhardt were waiting for me. Her Beamis, chairman of the cell at the time, and Jason Cook, secretary. None of them are friendly, well, it's. A long time trying to frightscho. All evening man. I'm sorry, Hervey, I didn't get home till late. You have met, Comrade Burkhard mat Uh comrades read it, yes, about eight months ago in New York. Possibly you don't remember it, Commray, I remember it. Sit down, take the chair at the end of the table. Thanks Swetek. Did you say something about not getting home until late? That's right, and Mom gave you the message, so I came straight on down here. Comrade Svitik, are you certain you even went home? What do you mean? Ernie Lissai was waiting for you all evening in a part current front of your house. Matt. He just phone said you still hadn't showed up. Look, what is this? What difference does it make when I come home? And what's the idea of having Benny spying on any. I'm sure none of us in the party would mind a little questioning from his leaders unless he had something to hide. What do you mean something to hide? You know my record and the party, you know the work I've done. Maybe we've only known part of it. Speedik, Comrade Cook, I'll handle this if you don't mind Svitik, would you mind telling me about your operation at the Connop Manufacturing Company? Hanover, what do you mean about planning that agent in the drafting department? That's right, well, I got him hired through my connections in the US Employment Service. Still working at the planets of draftsmen using the name of Kepler. And what were his instructions, Comrade Spiding the conover planet is working on army contracts control mechanisms for guided missiles. Kepler was to keep his eyes open and pass along in the information he could get a hold of. And that's what he's been doing. And has he made contact with any other party members at the plant? No, he was specifically told not to. Oh the others even though he's there. Who does know about Kepler? Well just myself, Comrades Cook beamis here, only. The three of you, and all three of course Arivan questioned loyalty to the party. I don't get it, Burkhart, what are you driving at? Just this? Comrade Kepler was arrested by the FDI today. I was caught off face. The three of them sat there watching me, waiting for my reaction. The heat was on. Oh a losy luck, How did it happen. We thought you might know, Comrade SEVITTI I wish I did, but I don't see what possibly could have gone wrong. Would almost seem as though the FBI had been tipped off about it, tipped off, but no one except Bemis and Cook, and I even know tipped off by. Whom, by you spatic, you dirty ratt. Wait a minute, cook. Sptic the evidence at the moment seems to bear him out. The evidence, the evidence of elimination seems highly improbable that either Comrade Bemis or comrade Cook could be a traitor. They've both been in the party for years, all right, But why pick me? You're the only other person who knew Kepler's assignment. That I'm elected? Is that it? Yes, Miss Kepler has a different idea that seems to be it. Meanwhile, you check in at the Barrett Hotel with Comrade Lozzatti. You'll stay with you until we make a decision guarding me. Is that what you mean, Comrade Svetic, Yes, Lazzati will be. Guarding ben In. Lazzatti and I checked into the Barrett Hotel a half an hour later. I was on the spot, and I knew it, but I did have one advantage. I realized that Burkhart and the others were only guessing they had no real evidence of my connection with the FBI. If I could manage to slip them a red herring some other fall guy, a plan began to take shape, but somehow I had to contact the FBI, and bast O all I got the chance when Benny decided to take a shower and clean up. I waited until he had the water running, then eased the phone off the hook and gave the operator the FBI number. Hello missus Parker Ellsworth Parker. I kept her business. I'm sorry we couldn't warn he he got a hold of some top secret stuff. This afternoon we had 'em move in on. Where are you now, Barrett Hotel four or seventeen? Look, I've got to make contact tonight alright where I'll try to be downstairs and the Barrett Grill. In about an hour, Benny Lozzotti will be with me. I'll be covered, so it'll have to be smooth. Check Barrett Hotel grill and now we'll get to you. Hey, Benny, what's a three letter word meaning as small, dirty road and brasembling a rat? How do I know three letters like a rat. Hey, maybe it's the F B. I yeah, that's a good guess. But the second letter they oh, I don't get no place when I try to work them crossword puzzles. Look, Benny, you don't think I'm working for the lots the ft I do you? It ain't up to me, man, All I'm doing is being sure that you stick around until they make up their minds. After that, well, I do what they tell me to. Yeah, well we'll find out tomorrow. How's about something to eat? Benny? You got sandwiches or something? Uh? The grills oping downstairs? Who's buying? I'll buy? Well, as long as it's still in the hotel. I don't see why it nurt. Wait a second, twenty's having horizontal slang term for gillible person who is easily swindled one of the six letters. Oh, forget it, man, I don't know nothing about that stuff. Wait, I got it. That's you see k e uh sucker. Okay, Benny, let's go. The crossword puzzle was only a blind. I'd folded a sheet of note paper underneath it, and a lot with working the puzzle, I'd written some quick instructions to pass along to the FBI. If they were able to make contact, it was all. Up to them. There was a late supper crowd and the grill was about half full when Benny and I walked in. We took a booth in the corner and ordered some food. I looked around the room trying to spot my contact. No luck. Ten minutes passed, and then some little blond number who had been playing the jukebox apparently decided we looked available. Hey boy, okay, if a lady sits. Down, hey, sure, baby, just move right in here by me. You're two way shits. I'm gonna sit over here by mister woman hater? Cool? Where do you get the woman hater idea? Because you act like it, you're on friendly You know. I used to go around with a guy like you, fellow named Parker. I don't remember his first name. I see Hey music, stop, anybody got some nickels? Hey, sure, baby, I got some change? And what do you want to hear? Payson Rambert? I'm crazy about rumba. Oh okay, baby. All right, honey, it's Ellsworth Parker. Are you ally? Dean Washington Off? It's transport out here three days ago? What's up plenty. They put this goon on me until they decide whether I'm working for the FBI. Old still, I'm going to slip a paper into your coat pocket. Here, got it. He'll be back in a minute. Most of the instructions are on that paper. Tell him to use Richard's for the frame. Benny knows him Richoth on the frame up check. Have him stake the coffee shop from seven o'clock on the meeting's called for eight? Right and good luck? Thanks, I'll need it. Well, it's Benny, Jayson. Where's Benny? And who's this girl you're with? Uh? Sha't with him, Jason, She's with both of us. What are you doing here? I'd live here you half with? Oh yeah, yeah, I forgot you lived at the barren? Where were you? Benny? Just playing the jukebox? What's eating you? Jason? Rid of this girl? Hey? What's coming off here? Hey? I'll bet you're a clothing I said, get out? Sure, sure, I don't know. These guys have never told me. Before in my life. I just said, Look, you didn't have to do that, Jason. We were just having some fun. You were given an assignment. Get up to your room and stay there. Both of you. Yeah, but I'm on Benny. He's propping at the mouth already. Why Cook, what are you so excited about. I'm going to enjoy breaking you speedik. You know that sounds like a personal feeling with me. The party always comes first. I wonder if you're as loyal as you claim to be. Your good night, comrade, Come on, Benny. Jason was a rabid Marxist, and along with it, he carried a sullen, sadistic heated through the whole world. Even the other party members detested him. That's what I was counting on, because I'd picked Jason Cook for my fall guy. Now back to Dana Andrews starring as Matt Savedic and I was a Communist for the FBI and the second act of our story. Jason rode up on the elevator with us and then went on up to his own room a few floors above. Then he and I turned in. I lay there for a while, thinking, as I had many times before, that these things weren't happening in Europe or Asia. This was the USA, my own country. I'd grown up in it and never realized until I started working undercover for the FBI. Communist plotters, spies, secret police, the whole rotten authoritarian system right here in America, and I've never known it. It was just before daylight when the knock came at the door of our room. Lay certain who y who? What's the matter? Hey? Was that true? Matt? Oh? Somebody at the door? Ready, I don't care it. Who do you suppose to be knocking at the door this time in the morning? Good morning, Comrades Vedic. What hard mind if I come in? Would it make any difference if I did not in the least. However, you're hardly showing the attitude of a loyal party man. I'm sorry, comrade. I want to get to the bottom of this just as much as you do, I imagine. So take the chair there beneath the lamp, Comrade Blazzatti, I suggest you go back to sleep, stay in there. This doesn't concern you. Er, yes, sir, anything you say. Now, let's review the facts in this matter again. Now this time of the morning, there is no one as truthful. As a drowsy witness. Comrades Ddic. We often proved that principle at the Leaning Institute. MM. Suppose we turned the lamp so it's right in my eyes. Yes, another little technique of the institute. We've just lost a very valuable agent, and we seem to have a traitor in our midst an FBI informer. I'm sure it's the desire of both of us, comrades metic to discover that tool of the enemy and to eradicate him. Lean back, comrade, relax, look at the light. There's nothing to worry about. The questioning went on for an hour and a half. Burkhardt was clever. He reworded phrases and used trick questions, But when he finally turned off the light and left, I was fairly certain I hadn't fumbled anything. Not that I was any closer to being in the clear. Of course, that would depend on what happened in the coffee shop between seven thirty and eight in the evening. Now at seven twenty, I guess we got plenty of time to eat. Get over to the meeting by eight o'clock. No, sure, Anny time, Benny, It's all. Right, it's okay. Oh man, I'm so hungry. I could eat a three pounds sailing. Easy, comrade. That capital is food. Yeah, it was this way. W'll we take over and see what we give them these no Sharon share alike, Benny, Not. For them crumb bums. We'll be the big shots. Then all us guys have done the dirty works. What about the old brother and the man. Oh, that's for the birds matter. We'll be the guys with the big cars and the dames, and anybody that don't like it knows what they can do. You know something, Benny, You and I think exactly alike it. I went on eating and talking to Benny, but I kept my eyes on my top coat hanging on the wall by the cashier's desk. At seven thirty eventy five, a small, unobtrusive man a few tables away finished his meal and went up to pay his check. He fished through his pockets for change and casually brushed against my coat. No one else noticed, but I did. The FBI had made a plant. I knew a sealed envelope had been slipped into the pocket of my coat. The first half of my instructions had been carried out. So far, so good, but the second half of the plan kept hanging fire. I knew Jason Cook's habits. I figured him to leave the hotel by seven forty, But at seven forty five. He still hadn't come out, and I began to sweat. Then, at ten minutes too late, I saw him leave the main entrance and start along the sidewalk outside the window by our table. Hey, look, man's Jason leaving the hotel where. Oh yeah, I must be on his way to the meeting. Oh, it looks like he's running into a friend. Yeah, he stop on the tuck of somebody else. No, no, I guess not. Guy must have just wanted him light. Jason's given him some ntches. Yeah, I guess that is it. A fella's doing a lot of talking. Though it might be somebody who lives here with the matt. What's the matter, Benny, I know that guy. Oh he questioned me once. His name's Richards. He's an FBI agent. Oh you must be mistaken, Benny. Look he's shaking hands with Jason, patting him on the back. I'm not mistaken. His name's Richards and he's FBI. I'll cut me so friendly with Jason. I don't know, but I'm beginning to wonder why. What's the wonder about? Jason's the guy to look at for, He's the stool pigeon oh. That must be something. MAT's business was nothing but a cover up. I'll bet he handed a report or something the riches. Right then, yeah, or took something from it. I said, a payoff, That's what it was. Look, Matt, would you back me up? Sure, Benny, I'll back you up. Because they eight o'clock when Benny and I climbed the stairs to the meeting hall, Jason, Burkhardt and Bemis were already inside because we took off our top coats in the ante room. I managed to slip my planted envelope into the pocket of Jason's coat. Then we went out inside. Elidis fdik, what's the matter? Afraid to face the music? I've got nothing to be afraid of, Jason, as I told Comrad Burkhart this morning when he interrogated me, hardly. An interrogation, Comrades Fdick, rather a mutual attempt to arrive at the facts. All right, a mutual attempt, then, well, is a verdiicin. Matt Our lawyer got in to see Comrade. Kepler to day. Yeah, what happened? Bemis? Keplers says there was no reason for him being picked up except on a tip off. I see and he picks you for the number one probability. Why on what basis basis? You're the only one that could have been? What more basis does anybody need? And apparently in the face of nothing more than a wild guess, all the work I've done for the party doesn't mean a thing. It's a total security the good at the cause at seven? Don't you agree with that? Principal comments Beetic, Yes, course I agree. But I wait a second, everybody, I got a question here on my own I want to ask you. Then you're only here on an assignment. Nobody's interested in your question? Well, I think they might be if they heard it. That Hasien? Who is that guy you met out in front of the hotel a few minutes ago, the one that shook hands which you and Patajo on the back. I don't know who he was. He wanted to borrow a match. What difference does it make? It might make quite a lot. Jason Benny says he knows the guy. Well, what of it? Plenty? The guy's name is Richards. He's an FBI agent. Are you certain of that? Sure? I am? He picked me up once. You don't think i'd forget him? Do I? Tell you. The man asked me for a match colented on the weather. I don't know why he shook hands. I didn't know he was an FBI. He gave you a sententing too, Jason, there was it. Nothing that's a lie. You can search me if you was. I think that's an excellent suggestion, if you don't mind. They're lying, both of them. I only know what I saw, Jason. I didn't think anything of it myself until Benny recoguards though. That doesn't seem to be anything incriminating. Unless didn't you wear a top coat this evening, Comet Cook? I sure he did. He had an army. Was talking to the guy. Where'd you hide it? Jason? What'd you do with it? It's in the ante room you're before. What did you think I'd do with it? Would you bring the coat? Comrade Demis? Yes, of course, this is ridiculous. Why everybody knows, sit down. Comerack Cook. As I think back over it, I recall you as being. The one most energetic in pressing the suspicion against Comrades Veddy. I find that somewhat interesting. Sure he was just trying to cover up for his own game. Here's the code, comrade berk act. Yes, nothing in this pocket. I told you there wasn't. Just a moment. Hmm, that's not mine. I never saw that envelope before, sealed, no address. No, it's a frame off. Somebody planted that on me. Hey money, yes, five hundred dollars? Is that the price you got kept a comrade. It's a lie. I don't understand it. We've got to get to. The bottle of this and fight our quiet coma smetic seems we owe you an apology. Well, that's all right, comment. I'm just glad we found out the truth and happy that I can go on serving the party as I have in the past. That movie made me hungry. Man go for a sandwich. That grill's still open. No, I think I've grab a text and gone home. Benny. I wonder what they'll do to Jason. Oh, run him out of town, beat him up a little maybe, huh. I wish they'd give me that job. When you think about him being the one who was always trying to push everybody else around, and all the time he was stealing to the FBI. You never know, Benny, You just never. It's a party. Yeah, somebody jumped out of the hotel. Yeah, come on, Benny, pardon me, pardon me, please. M Matt, it's it's yeah, let's get out of here. Matt. It's chasing it was. He couldn't take it, couldn't face the disgrace. He committed suards. Maybe I didn't know whether Jason Cook had fallen, jumped, or whatever. I still don't know for sure, but I do know that Burkhardt left town early the next morning. As Beam has put it, his work here was finished. M I left Benny and walked along the street alone. I felt sick all over. Maybe Jason deserved it, but I hadn't planned to put him on that kind of a spot. I tried to push it out of my mind. An undercover agent can't afford feelings any more than he can afford friends or a family. And the one main objective was still safe. I was still on the job, still a communist for the FBI. I still walked. Along Our star Dana Andrews will return in a moment. This is Dana Andrews with a word about the story you've just heard. In this story, as in all others, names, dates and places are fictitious to protect in persons Many of these stories are based on incidents in the life of Matt Sivedic, who worked under cover for the FBI. Next week, another fantastic adventure. Join us, won't you.