IWCF 008 - American Kremlin

I was a Communist for the FBI, starring 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 Met Sevetic come many of the incidents in this unusual story. Here is our star, Dana Andrews as Met Savetic two. For nine fantastic years lived as a Communist for the FBI. In all these fantastic years, fear was my worst enemy. The average man, in the normal course of events, comes face to face with fear only a few times. In his life. But I faced the terror of fear almost constantly for nine year as a Communist for the FBI. In a moment, listen to Dana Andrews as Matt Savedic undercover man. Now Here is Dana Andrews as Mets Semitic undercover man. This story from the Confidential File is marked the American Kremlin. An early spring afternoon in a large Midwestern city. The sun has found. Its way through the haze that shrouds. The downtown business section and is drying the remnants of a morning shower. I decided to walk from my rooming house to the meeting at party headquarters, an unobfrusive address on an undistinguished side street. Mister, no thanks, Cavin, I walk. I think you'd better ride. Mister. Then four to seven seven is a lucky number. You're clear one following why the emergency contact. Two top agents the MVT have been smuggling to the country. Their job to. Close any loopholes and party machinery. Who are they? You know who they are, what they look like, But so far they've benefficient, too efficient. Two of our New York contacts disappeared as Chancey's agents are here right now. You see them. We want them. Don't waste any time calling your contact anything report. No, okay, you can let me out. Two top agents of the MVD here to check on their own party members. They're never sure of themselves. Are the people who work for them and with them? For how can you really trust a man who's a traitor to his own country. It's still rather early for my meeting, but there before me is the party headquarters. Outwardly, it resembles some of the other faded and forlorn buildings on the street, but there the resemblance ends. For this building is the Nerve Center of the entire communist network in this section of the country. This is the American Quemlin. Kamar Barstav, Karer Barstav. The door to Barstav's office is open. Walk in, Barstaff got here beyond this office the printing presses. I start to call Barstav's name. But the words choke at my throat. There above me, dangling like a limp cord of an overhead light, hanging and swaying from a pipe which runs across the ceiling. The body of Comrade Bostaff. I look around for the box or platform which he used to raise himself off the ground, but there is none. The floor beneath his swaying feet is clear. This isn't suicide. This is murder. Hello, Yes, is it done? Yes? I stagger wildly out of the building, casping prayer. Sure, I'm scared. I didn't recognize that voice on the other end of the phone. Let's hope I wasn't recognized either. Why did I answer it? Call it an automatic reaction? The phone rings, You answer. It, just like you see a body swinging from a pipe and you know it's murder. Except in this case there's a frame attached to it and I could be the picture inside. I can't understand why the building is empty. The presses should be ruling a symphony of inky lies, and some of my beloved comrades should be at the door. Of course, this is Sunday, and. Even a communist sometimes take advantage of a decadent bourgeois custom like not working. I walk around the block and then I spot Comrade Kover, a local party leader, entering the building. I just left the American Kremlin. I waited about two minutes. And then I walked back in. Who's there, it's me, Comrade Svedik. Quickly lock the door and come back here. I had seen only Comrad Kova enter the building. Yet, Comrades Vedik, this is kon Blansky, who is here from Moscow. It is my privilege. And when they got to the press from Comrade cover so that Comrades Vedik may also see. Parstav who did. Either my eyes are playing tricks on me or else. I didn't get a good look the first time, for there under the swinging feet of Comrad Barstav is a box. Yes, Comrades vec Bastoff realized that any weakness in our party structure is dangerous to the entire course. You may close the dog, Comerad Cover. Comrade Vedik, Colonel Polansk has asked me to recommend a man to take Barstow's place. I've recommended you. I'm here to serve. When the revolution comes, us trains will lie in the instrument of the workers, the trade unions. Your first assignment, Comrades Vedeck, is the Shipbuilders Union in the Brooklyn Navy Yard. At a train which leaves. In exactly forty minutes, he will be on it. Your contact is they wait Thristen the King Street diner. Her name Milicent Johnson. Comrade Cover here will give you specific instructions about Barstoff. You have seen nothing, You know nothing. Wit for me, Comrades Vedrik, I will accompany you to the station. Oh, don't bother, Comera Cover, no burther. Comrades Vedic, who knows when I may see you next? He helps me pack, He helps me find a cab. He's too much of a help. He is right with me. As we enter the railroad station, I buy a ticket. Look at the clock. There's less than ten minutes to train time, ten minutes in which I should get to a phone and tell the FBI that one of the two MVD agents is right here. But how to do it without arousing suspicion on the part of Comrade Kovert, who is being most solicitous and most commonly Comrade Cover. Will you watch my bag while I wash my hands? For sure? Go ahead? Hello? Three and four or seven? Comrade Sveddik? Whom are you calling? All right? I was just checking the time with Meridian. The last thing I see is the train picks up momentum and speeds out of the station. Is Comrade kover standing on the platform and smiling goodbye? I've been cornered, boxed and shipped eight hours before the train arrives in New York, eight hours before I can get to a phone. Contact the FBI and tell them the. MVD agents have arrived. Eight hours in which Colonel Polanski and the hatchet woman on the phone could be in Dallas, Chicago, Los Angeles. You pick the spot, Penn Station, a canyon of noise and activity. I disregard the porter with the outstretched hand waiting to take my bag and head for a telephone booth. I call home to my FBI contact and reverse the charges. Hello, what are you doing? In New York. I'm on my way to the Brooklyn Navy Yard, replacing a local comrade who was killed detailed August barstaff party courier murder made to look like suicide. The body was still hanging in the press room when. I left eight hours ago. Be careful how you check it. I don't think anybody. Knows except myself, Comrade Kober and one of the two MBD agents you're looking for, name Colonel Polanski. I think his partner is a woman. What's my Brooklyn contact number? Your Brooklyn contact number? Well, let's be mister. Hello, Milicent, Hello yourself. Brooklyn isn't near Pittsburgh. Pittsburgh isn't near Brooklyn. I've been expecting you. The meeting starts in thirty minutes. I finish you. I'll get you a cup of coffee while you're waiting for me. What about a place to sleep? We have a room for you. Oh my, I'll buy some silist. Brooklyn Headquarters is an innocuous three story brown stone a couple of blocks from the waterfront, A converted rooming house which boards all the local agents. I'll be under constant surveillance. Here is this by design or accident. Oh, Comrade Millicent, come in. And this is come stic from out of town. How do you do? How do you Where is the Comette Achen? She's due here any minute, she Comrade Smith. Yes, Comrade Hedwig Achen, one of our most brilliant party members, direct. From the Stalin Institute. Are you discussing me? Oh, Comrade Awkins, this is Comrade Speti. There is Barstow. I'm taking his place. Comrade Smith, How did he get here? Comrade Millicent brought him? How do we know he's not an FBI spy? He identified himself correctly, But how do we know this is childish? You can check me whenever you please. I'm here to carry out a mission, which is the Shipbuilder's Union. I'm satisfied, Comrade Milisson, you have contacted one of the union men. Yes, sans Martin. He's been a party member for two years and he's anxious to do what he can. Comrade Aesthetic, this is an important union. They are at work on some vital naval projects. So far we have only been able to win over Martin, but one man in there is not enough. He will help you join the union. When do I meet comrade Martin. He comes into the diner every day before his shift round quarter out of three. You beat the diner tomorrow and I'll introduce you. There are other items on the agenda, so I just sit back and listen. I listen and look and catalog their faces. What is the connection between head Big Pokin and Comrade Barstaff? Was she the voice on the phone? There being no further visits to discuss the meeting is a journey. Comrade Swetic, I speak with you alone? What about alone? What's on your mind? Why did you kill barst Off? What did you say? Why did you kill Barstov? Now back to Dana Andrews starring as Matt Sevetic, and I was a communist for the FBI and the second act. Of our story. This was it fear again, fear projected by the cold, deadly accusing voice of Comrade Hedwig Achen. Why did you kill Barstaff? I had the storm for time. The best defense is an aggressive offense. I grabbed her arm and replied, what did you say did. You kill Burstoff? Let's go on my arm. You're hurting me. Come on, let go. Let go. What is the meaning of this? Come on, Comrade Achen? Repeat what you just asked your food, I said, repeat what you asked me. I will hear it from you. Comrade SPETHI she asked me why I killed Barstaff. Comrade Adkin, you place yourself in a very bad position with such a question. How many times have you seen Comrade Barstaff hand? Under what circumstances? Was there a romantic attack? Tomrad, you exceed yourself, Comrade Smith. Perhaps Comrade Achen's suspicions might be alleviated by a long distance phone. Call, and you might ask Comrade Kober why. Colonel Polansky recommended. Me Polansky, Comrade Smith, I've wished to withdraw my charge against committees. Saint good Night. The next morning, I use an empty cigarette pack as an excuse to get out of the house and call my Brooklyn contact. Hello, three and four or seven. Seven is a lucky number? Have you made contact? I'm living at local headquarters. Nothing to report as yet, as you hear from out West. Party headquarters had a visit from the local building inspector. But everything was in order. Did they find Barstov's body? No? Was Barstav an FBI contact? No? Okay, if he were, you wouldn't tell me any other contact besides you. The shoe shine man outside the King Street subway station telling me you prefer a red polish, a deep red polish. Three o'clock and I'm sitting at a table in the corner of the diner, and over in the opposite corner a fat, paunchy individual blows the steam off a spoonful of soup. It's during my second cup of coffee that Hans Martin comes over to the table. Had down your Millie's friend and your friend hods Maarten. First, we've got to get you into the union. Is a meeting of our shift tonight at eleven thirty. The business agent for the union will be there. You meet me at eleven thirty and I'll introduce you with my cousin. Where is the meeting in the warehouse off per nine. Don't worry, nobody will stop you. Just walk past Peer ten and across the cutover which you can't miss. Beat me at the entrance to the warehouse. I walk out of the diner with Hans Martin, walk in partway way back to the pier. As we passed the King Street subway station, I say goodbye to him. Shan Misty. I start to say yes. But as I look up, I see Colonel Polanski coming out of the subway. He looks straight at me, through me, and around me, and walks on shan misty. Oh yeah, I prefer a red polish, a deep red polish. Oh well, well, well, my cab driver from home, I'll come. They had a feeling out there that you might be hidden into spiny. I can't get over the feeling I'm being watched. I sit back in the shine chair and let. My eyes wander. Sure enough, across the street is a fat man who had been blowing steam from his soup spoon in the diner. Anything to report Colonel Polansky? What about him? Can't talk being watched? Here? I see you got a shoe? Please? As I walk away from the shoe shine stand, I noticed that the fat man has disappeared from the doorway. Rather than walk the four blocks back to the party headquarters, I take the trolley. Was the fat man really watching me? Did I do anything to give myself away? Oh nuts, I'm falling for the old COMI trick. But the guilty man will always worry. The innocent man will only be confused. As I start up the stairs to the three story brown Stone. I turn around and freeze there, and across the street is the fat man. I shut the door behind me, run up the stairs into the meeting room. Ah, Comrade Sthetic, Colonel Polanski, well is it, Comrade Sthetic? You look put too. I think I've been followed. He's right across the street. Who the man who's been following me? Look? Bolansky and Smith cautiously moved across the room and throw a partying and the drapes. Get a good look at the fat man standing on the other side of the street. Comrade Smith, will you leave us alone? Yes, colonel, but. This is no laughing matter. Easy, combraes, very easy. I watch his Colonel Polanski lores and raises the window shape twice, and then see the fat man across the street come up the steps and into the Brownstone house. A minute later, the door to the room opens again, and he waddles into the room and smiles at me with the lower part of his face. His eyes can never smile. Famaduran, this is comrades. Commisar, I'm honored. So it is you who have taken Comrade Bastov's place. This is the other member on the two man team, from the MVD. This is the voice on the telephone. I watched you handle your contact in the diner, and I'm very pleased to know that we have such work as in the party, Cora Vedic, what. Have you arranged? I'm to meet Hans Martin on the pier to nine at eleven thirty. He's introducing me as his cousin to the business agent of the union. I should have no trouble, and. My dear comrade, but the test of a good agent is to always be prepared for trouble. That Colonel Polanski will accompany you. In the meantime, I suggest you get some sleep. You look tired. At exactly eleven, Colonel Polanski knocks on the door of my room and takes me down to the car he has rented especially for the occasion. He opens the back door for me and there is Commissard touring. Come in quickly, Comrade Sevetic. The night here is a bit cold. Comrade Sevetic, you wonder why I come messire and the Colonel should accompany you on such a routine matter. My duty is not the wonder as to obey. Very convincing, Comrade Spetic, you should not have run out of the building where you found Bastov's body after you spoke to me on the phone. Oh yes, do not look startled. It was you, and you. Should not have entered the building a second time and acted as if it were the first time you had seen the body of Comrade Bastov. And finally, you should not have called the FBI. This is some sort of joke. I don't get it. Or come now, comrade. Svetic, spy, traitor, fascist pool of the FBI. It has put an end to pretenses. If, as you say, I am an agent for the FBI, are. You accompaniment to my meeting with Hans Martin? Why don't you just kill me? Now you have an appointment with him. If you do not appear, he will ask questions. Camasa, you are approaching Pierre ten turn your lights off. I was Comrad Barstaff killed. Let us say he served. The cause for the cars. Yes, to trap any traitors in our ranks, and we did trap you didn't we. I shall put it all in my report tomorrow. Moscow will be pleased. Bear in mind that Colonel Polanski and I are both armed, and we shall get out and keep our date with Hans Martin. The shrill whistle of the tug, a basso boom of the larger vessels are playing a funeral dirt across the night winds at the book and waterfront, carrying the coffin to its final resting place. Do you think you get accustomed to staring death the face all night? Where's that light coming from Ansbi track? This is my cue. I'll make a dive for shelter. Be hot, I'm piling miss my target, find myself choking. The water dragged me down, choking as being fighting my way up. I break for hair. I hear the barking of guns. Funks are waiting the stillness of the night. There's an eerie quiet and then Betty, Betty, are you all right? It's a little wet, that's all. Thanks. Where are touring in Polanski? We've got them? How they dead? I don't know. The boys will find out. How did you manage to get here? We've had a stick out on local headquarters ever since you arrived. The shoeshine man reported your contact, and when you've got on the car tonight we just followed. Did anybody else know of their suspicion? I don't think so. But I'm supposed to meet a party member on here nine and at eleven thirty? What time is it? Now, that's the eleven thirty break. Now what do I do? Tell him? You slipped and fell overboard? To explain you with soup, We'll take care of Perlanski and Turin? Well, what are you waiting for? As I make my way to peer nine, the calm of the waterfront is as before, as if those gunshots had never been, as if Polanski and Turin. Had never been. But there will always be. More Polanski's and more Turins. For this fight I'm in is a lonely fight, an undercover man who must forsake his friends and family for the false friendship. Of the comrades in the party. I must continue this fight alone. As I walk, Dana Andrews will return in just a moment. This is Dana Andrews with a word about the story you've just heard. In this episode, as in all others, names, dates, and places are fictitious to protect innocent people. However, party headquarters described as the American Kremlin did exist, and similar places will continue to operate in this country until we won the fight against communism. Next week, another exciting adventure based on Matt Sevedic's experience as an undercover man a communist for the FBI. So join us, aren't you? Sat s Alcolo fos Slo