IWCF 012 - The Dangerous Dollars

I was a Communist for the FBI, starring Dana Andrews in an exciting tale of danger and as I was a Communist for the FBI. Many of the incidents in the story you're about to hear are based on the actual records and authentic experiences of Metsavetic two pour nine fantastic years live as a Communist for the FBI. Here is our star, Dana Andrews as Mets Savetic. To use as simile, communism is like a time bomb. Innocent enough on the surface, just a box. It isn't until you get inside that you find the dynamite intended to blow you apart. I know because for nine years I was inside the party. I met the red dynamite on its own terms. And one thing I found out while working as an undercover man. You, mister, Yes, and you too, lady. You target for that red exp the explosion that was my job to help prevent. In a moment, listen to Dana Andrews as Matt Savedic undercover man. Now Here is Dana Andrews Underman story from fidential files marked the Dangerous Dollars. Young Communist League nine dollars and forty four cents dues paid in full contributions up three and a half percent. Could the Committee for the Protection of the foreign Born eleven. Two hundred US in four contributions down point five? Notice this collection from comrade Houtage sells a hundred. I was assigned to the Communist Funet Committee in charge of collections for the district, and I watched the figure in upcomber Nor's adding machine money, big money from reds and from just plain suckers due paid monthly contributions, paid as often as could be squeezed out of so called voluntary donors. Subversive activity is expensive, and it was my job to come leak for it and to make sure the FBI knew where the money came from. And therein say, Jamboretta, get your back, go on here, misday heart, feed the pigeons. Sure, I give you an order of seventeen peanuts. Seventeen is a lucky number for a man who. Eats red popcorn. Oh, J. Cox House business a lowsy, But I love blowing this down, whizzle. That's what I like about the FBI. The agents have so much temper, never mind my talent. Do you trace that money? Yeah? I think so the big portion goes to party headquarters in New York, of course, but there's one of picked up by a special messenger regularly well past six weeks. Anyway. Who's the messenger who gets the money? I don't know. And the messenger I know only by number forty three, the blonde woman Paul, beautiful as you like their type, and who doesn't slavic accent. She's due to make a pickup tonight. You and I'll have men waiting to taylor important. LETI this is a hot one. Matt. Meet me by office tonight at eleven. I want to give you a rundowns it. Come on, buddy, window shop long enough beat it, make room for the customers. Yeah, beg youm my red hot here here, comrade. All increase of seventy nine. Satisfy National Headquarters, Comrade med, please them, perhaps satisfy them. No, okay, Comrade Norah, I think we've done enough for tonight. Let's wrap it up. And oh, comrade mad it's forty three. Good evening, Comrade, good evening. Your package is there on the desk, eighteen thousand and ten dollars. Count it. I'm sure it's right. Your figures are always right. The sign of your intelligence won't believe for me. You're a very. Interesting man, Comrades, Verdick. Someday we may be able to meet on more social terms and discuss your intriguing nature. Good night, comrade, Good night, comrade. Did you see that code mink? That dress? While it was outrageously bourgeois? How she should be investigated? I don't trust that one. You forget she was on special assignment. Undoubtedly her clothing as a requirement. Well, it's time for us to close up. Will you walk me home? Mat Comrade met. Well, i'd like to, but not tonight. I want to pick up some things at the drug store before it closes. Well, there's one on the way to my place. I wouldn't mind waiting. Well, sure, on in Just because she was lonely or could she have somehow discovered I was to meet my FBI contact that night. It wasn't until I was entering Norah's apartment that I was reassured of promotive. Come money, and I want you to meet my children. Children, Well that's what I call them. Your babies come to Manna. Oh color, holy cats, my cats. My babies. I've been beautiful. Yeah, It was a pretty tragic sight. A homely girl so starved for affection she adopted cats to take the place of the children she'd never have. As soon as I could, I ducked out, and after a complicated series of turns and doubling back and forth to throw off any possible tail, I went to the Federal Building and up the rear way to the office of my FBI contact Frank Jacox. Oh, hi, Matt, you're late. Yeah, I had an unexpected delay. What is it, Jacox? It's an MVD agent. Krasnoff. Either guy forty three is delivering to We think so, only we don't know that he's a he. What all we have is the name Krasnoff. Otherwise it's man, woman, a monkey. He pays your money and it takes your choice. We've got men following forty three. If she takes that money to Krasnov, you'll know soon whether he's a man or not. Krasnov. Sex is not the problem. It is sabotage. Krasnov was the Kalmi secret police agent behind a job in a West Coast aircraft plant a while back. Look production for weeks. He got proof. Yeah, we got him nailed. If we can find him. If I come forty three like a blanket, she'll lead you to him. Maybe, And it seems too easy. Krasnov is the Red's top agent. Word we've gotten is that Krasnov plans to import a small but highly trained group specialists in arsoon, demolition and murder. Yeah, it's the kind of organization we can't afford to let get started. And that's the why of it. Matt, Krasnov and that money have got to be stopped. Gleaned you six one two? Who's calling? Just a moment, Comrade Madrits and mister. Jorgenson for you. I'll take it here, I've got it, Norah. Of course, I'm sorry. Hello, mister Jorgenson. I didn't expect you to call me here. I know it's dangerous, man, but I had to talk to you fast. Oh, your wife's operation didn't go too well last night? You guessed it? Where was it done? Forty three was trailed to a small resort called Skyline Rancho up in the mountains about one hundred miles north of here. The resort is a COMMI hang on, No one can get past the desk unless he's a Red. Oh uh, have you tried another doctor if you mean force no, so so we've got to get an agent inside that resort, someone who can move around, find out which one of. The guests or employees is Krasnov, where the money is, what Krasnov plans to do with it. It sounds like a tough operation. You'd better have a good surgeon. We have who you what? Sorry, man, but you're the only one who can do it. As a COMMI you can get in. You've got a vacation coming. Take it at skyline Rancho. There it was right in my lap. It was that kind of assignment. The first thing I did was to make sure my life insurance policies were paid up. The next thing was to get off from work without arousing suspicion. Comrade Nor My assistant made it easy. Comrade Matt, here's about Matt. What's the matter? You look ill? Oh? I guess I'm just tired out. Oh what a headache I got. You should take a risk. Oh, I can handle things for a few days without any problem at all. Do you think you could? You wouldn't mind, certainly not. You know, I'd do anything for you. Yeah, I wonder where I could go? Oh goodness, there's plenty of places to go. Comrade met the Chatau rig girl pict to ski lots, Skyline ran Show. Skyline Ranshow. That sounds like it might be nice. Oh all right, comrade, you've made up my mind. I'll go. Welcome to Skyline Rancho. Mister Sevidic, Yeah, thank you. I'm mister Hungerford, the owner. Our coincidence you're coming to this resort. It was well recommended. I've never heard of it. Who recommended it? Hey? I want to write and thank them. Norah Bayless, my assistant, Why not caller? You'll get the answers quicker. You're a clever one. Come with me, I'll show you round. Skyline Rancho turned out to be a small group of buck and a main flat, heavily wooded mesa. After seeing my bag stowed in bungalow number eight, I let the suave Hungerford take me to the main lodge to meet the other guests. There you are, Let's go outside. Come ab an Ices he's clear tonight and Vega is unusually bry. Later Charling Matt svetic, Charlie graycerat things. In our heavens. It's just disgraceful. Which one you met them all, but which one was crasn Off, the MVD agent. The last one I met was a squat ape of a man with black fingernails and an expression like the devil with a hangover. This is mister Kane Met Svedek, Hi, Hi been here long? Nah hmm, It's nice to see you're having such a happy time. Later that night, I decided to make my own private of the resort. I found nothing interesting around the bungalows, and the stables contained nothing but horses. But when I left the stable, I found myself penned in the brilliance of two powerful flashlights that blinded me. It's late, Svedic. You'd better go to bed this night. Air is cold. It could be the death of you. Back to Dana Andrews starring as Met Savedic, and I was a communist for the FBI and the second act of our story. So far, I was getting no place in my search for the MVD agent Krasnoff. All I had done was met a few guests at Skyline Rancho and from the darkness received the warning about which I was still worried. The next morning, as I shaved Oh for the love of pep not what come? Well? How are you this morning? Mister zabetic? None the better for that warning last night? Warning, don't be coy, You're not the time, But I recognized your voice. Look, I'm on vacation. What your deal is here? I don't know? And care less? Good morning? And what did that mean? You me? What are you doing in my bungalow? Comrade forty three? I like being in your bungalow? Why? Why not? Because it's early morning? And what have you got against morning? Oh? Nothing? But huh Matt? Yeah, Hello, mister Joginson. How are things with your mother? All right? She had a few early complications, but at the moment she's holding her own. Doctor's diagnosis is very dangerous, worse than expected by the symptoms. I'll let you know how things developed, mister Jorgenson. So, for heaven's sake, stop calling me. I understand. Hell, wait for your call? That bumb What is it? Mat? Oh nothing. Mom's been a little sick and this friend of hers keeps calling me to find out how she is. Well, let's forget other people's troubles and work on our own. Yeah, only start with you being the reason for me being threatened last night. I will live if you sit here beside me. Okay, I make it good. Come at forty three. I begin with my name. It's Kunni Marachick. You know mine, yes, and you know. I'm on special assignment for the party. What. Sorry, Matt, it's secret even to you, but it's very important to the party, so much so that when I saw you appere, well, let's. Say the coincidence made me suspicious. I no longer for it. And when he saw me taking a walk around in the dark, he pulled that flashlight routine. It was his idea of teaching you a lesson. I apologize, Matt. I should have waited before saying anything to hunger. Fort I agree to that. Threats give me a headache. Oh why don't you lie down and put your head. In my lap? Mm let me rob your temples? Sure, go to it. Ah, nice lap. You liked me just a little. Math. You ever find a man who didn't. I never found a man like you before. Well, cunnie, hm. What would have happened if Hungerford had decided I was really a spy? He'd have shot you, I guess. But you're not a spy, so let's not talk about it anymore? Why do we talk about it? Why don't at all? It's you better, darling? Whathead? I've let it go, But do me a favor, Matt. Those walks, don't take them. Connie gave me a smile that could have melted a ten foot snow drift and left me with one very positive determination to take that walk everyone was so worried about. I ran into my first. Obstacle in front of my bungalow, a hollow chested plaid coat supporting two binocular cases and waving a long jaunted brass telescope. Morning, good morning. Who are you? It's afternoon and we've met mister Grace. Hmmm, oh yes, missus spetik I remember now? Oh my goodness, call me Charlie. Everybody calls me Charlie. Good for them. Don't go, I will show you seen it. Why don't you toddle on to the main large Charlie, you're ants waiting, Charlie grayse gone. I headed in the opposite direction, past the stables, searching for whatever it was I wasn't supposed to see. My first success was a faint path leading into the trees, A footpath. Two miles through the trees. I found Krasnow's secret, a tiny airstrip and camouflaged hangar. In the hangar a powerful black cabin plane equipped with extra wing tanks, all full to the top. It was information with a big risk. I hurried back and took the risk by calling my FBI contact Jaycox. From a payphone and. The lobby of the main line. Jay, this is Matt. I'm sorry, but this is hot and I can't double talk it. Krasnov's got a plane stashed out on an airstrip back in the tree. A cabin plane, no NC number, painted black, extra tanks all full. A guy staying here named Cain. His nails are full of black grease. I figure he Krasla. I haven't spotted him yet, but I'm playing footsies with his messenger forty three. Her name's Connie marrachk Marracheck. Got it. You better get krasn off. Fast black plane, night flight, wing tanks, long flight, probably to Canada or Mexico. Yeah. I hate to ask you to do this map, but you'd better jimmy that plane first thing. Do what you have to. We can't let him escape. Now, do you know anything about planes? They got wings and they fly in. That case, open the engine cover, reach in and grab something. Then what pull if it comes loose? You're right. It was nearly dark when I made it back to the plane, and my luck held as I opened the engine cover and yanked loose a copper tube that spewed gasoline. It was the plane's per line. And that was when my luck started to run out. For across the clearing I could see Hungerford and Kine coming toward the hangar. I retreated into the dubious shelter of some boxes in a far corner and. Waited, come on, Kane, let's get this plane out on the field. Why till I get the toolroom open. I want to give the motor last year out. No, let that go, Caine, you've checked it a dozen times already, but I want to be I should forget it. Come on, help me roll the plane down to the end of the strip so Prasnov can take off without delay. I watched as the plane was pushed out and down the field several hundred yards. It was turned into the wind, ready. To take off, so they thought. When the two men headed back to the hangar, I got an idea. I tied a long piece of wire to a heavy wrench on the table inside the windowless toolroom. Ran the loose wire out to my hiding place among the boxes. Wh and Kane entered the hangar. I yanked the wire so it pulled the wrench off the table in the two room. It came from the tourroom. Let's take a look. It was close timing when Hungerford and Kane moved cautiously into the two room. I came up from behind the boxes and moved to the open door. Then hey, what is this? Open the door? The room had no windows, so I knew the two reds were in for keeps until. That door was opened. Scratch two, next stop Krasnoff. But you have to flush a quail before you can shoot it. So back at the lodge, I dug up the last of my nerve for a bluff that had my heart pounding like a pneumatic drill. Matt, what's the matter you look so. Connie, I've got to talk to you. What is it? Matt? Look? I don't know what assignment you were on, but if it's got anything to do with someone named Krasnov, get him out of here in a hurry, why I fb I'm in Two of them he overheard them. Talking, where are you sure? I'm sure. One of them followed Hungerford and Kine into the woods back of the stables, and the other left said he was going to bring up the rest raft where they talked. They've got a whole army coming in. But they can't. That is, we have to get away. Before we You mean this Krasnov person in you? Yes, you may as well know the whole thing now, Matt, you've proven I can trust you. The money I delivered went to Krasnov for him to use an organizing a sabotage ring. Charlie, come here quick, of course, my. Dear, but do be quick. I want to plot the position of Sagitan. He can drop the act. Matt. This is Major Kresnov of the Secret Police. Tell him what you told me. When Connie spoke Charlie, grace changed, and suddenly the harmless Stargazer didn't seem quite so harmless. After I told my story, the MBD agent went into action, racing to his bungalow and picking up a valise. Then, with Connie in tow, he vanished down the path to the airfield I waited near the stables, and in sixteen minutes, by my watch, they were backed running. Lest the lane won't work if the I man booked a fuel line, we'll have to use a car. No, huh, I mean that is the FBI will be watching the road. Yeah, it's very probable. We'll have to get out of here before they move in. I got it. Take horses. You can shortcut down the mountain to Ashville and catch the train there for the city. Of course, they won't be expecting us to use horse's true, and we can chotter a plane in the city. Thanks Comrade Spetik, you've been a great help. It was my pleasure. Major Krasnoff, believe me. I watched Krasnov and Connie ride their horses into the darkness. Then in the main lodge, I went to the pay phone and made a call. That was a real pleasure. Jargonson. Hi, Jay, better meet the train coming in from Ashville. A couple of people on it. You'll want to see Krasno. Yeah, I found out he's a he. You'll know it. He'll be with Connie merrachek Oh and he'll be caring a valise. Take good care of it. It's full of happy cabbage. Don't worry, We'll take care of it. And while you're at it, send a squad of men up here to make a phony raid to cover my story. They'll find two men locked in the two room of the hangar. Got it? Are you coming back the city? Sure? I've got to get back to my little red cabbage patch. There. It was another fragment of the story. A man's life is made. Up of bits and pieces. Only a purpose can give them meaning. I found my purpose in the underground fight against Communism. It was no fun, but don't mistake me. It was worth it to know I was helping in the struggle to keep freedom alive. It was worth it, even though it cost me my friends and made me a man. Who always had to walk along. Our star, Dana Andrews will return in just a moment. This is Dana Andrews. Many of the stories of Matzvedic's underground war against Communism are dramatizations of incidents from mats Vedic's own confidential file, compiled during the nine years he was a communist for the FBI. To protect the innocent, all names, dates and localities have been changed. Next week we'll bring you another exciting adventure of mats Vedic. We hope you'll join us. S.