IWCF 017: Red Clouds on the Good Earth

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 Matt Sevetic, how many of the incidents on this unusual story. Here is our star, Dana Andrews as Matt Sevetic two for nine fantastic years lived as a communist. For the FBI, Matt Sevetic. You can read that name in the official reports of the FBI. Nine years worth of reports of communist conspiracy against the United States. Lifelong friends spit the word commie at you, and sometimes you wonder if it's worth it. This is one of the stories that answers your question. In a moment, listen to Dana Andrews as Matt Savedic undercoverman. Now here is Dana Andrews as Matt Savedic undercoverman. This story from the confidential file is marked red clouds on the Good Earth. It had been a long hot summer, with the usual news headlines hottest day since eighteen ninety. On this particular night, I was in my small hotel room typing a report to the FBI. The window was shut tight. You never knew when the party and might have planted someone close by. Even the sound of a typewriter could arouse suspicions. Comrade Sevitic might have to explain it was my cell chief, Comrade Biliski. Comrade Vedic, you will report to the dancing school at eight o'clock tonight. Look, I'm beat. I was out as a special meeting, Meliski. I've pounded the sidewalk from one end of town to the other, collecting dues all day. I tell you, I'm all in. Comrade Vitic, I suggest you read Comrade will It's excellent article on personal emotions in this week's issue of Political Activities. The meeting is at eta clock. Be there. Dropped dead. That's the first happy thought I had all day. Comrades, we have received special orders. More infiltration must be done in the rural districts. We must build the party rapidly and increasingly among small farmers and agricultural workers. And most important, we must recruit to you and assure them that the Communist Party of the United States will fight their great enemy, the Monopolis, until they're beaten by the convin With. My third year while I looked around Madame IRENA's dancing school. Something new in Russian ballet. But like the rest of them, I turned my attention back to Bliski as he snapped his orders. I call your attention to this map. It is in the northern section of the state. There are many small farmers of foreign extraction. Comrades have already been placed on some of these farms as far up Here is Valley Center, where the annual harvest festival will be held in ten days. This is our focal point of operation. Comrades Johnson Kardoff and Sonya Danichek. You will report to Comrade Storm for instructions. Comrades Vedic, Yes, Camra Baliski, you will work directly with me. Please wait now, all of you. We must start recruiting among the farmers immediately, and in ends of potential members you can get. Please turn in as quickly as possible. That is all, Comrade s Vedic. Let me show you on the map the territory you are. To come in. You will start from here Lyndonville and work your way right up through. To Valley Center. I see you'll start. By planting the idea of organized youth clubs where special study can be given to specific problems, distributed of our magazine, political activities, perhaps even solicit articles from the young people. What happens at Valley Center at. The Harvest Festival. We will contribute to the entertainment by showing motion. Pictures, our propaganda films, of course. Our educational films. I'll be there to act as narrator and drive home strategic facts in the film. Any questions, Meddick? Yes, what's my cover up for being there? We've secured a job for you as a traveling salesman for a farm supply and implement house. A comrade arranged it. This will bring you into contact with the farmers. Oh, incidentally, there's a farmer at Valley Center, Mark Povalski. His son is quite a leader among the young people. Cultivate this boy. Try and stop at Povolski's house if you can, It'll be convenient. Any further questions, No, I guess not very well. Pick up your sample case first thing in the morning and leave. Good night, comrade, don't I? Oh, Comrade Bliski, who pays for transportation? Why you are? Who firm? The farmer supply us? They always furnish cars for their salesmen, a good joke on their reactionary boss. Someone should only. Know, someone should only know. But you won't be traveling alarm? Why not? Why should you? There's no reason except that I suppose I what you might call a lone wolf. Yes, I've noticed that, and I don't like it. May I remind you that even wolves fighting collective packs. I'm going with you also as a salesman, and the objection, Oh. No, no, it'll be a pleasure. We'll cover the whole thing like a rug. Right down to farmer Povowski. Can I comment, Hello Stevens. Yes, I'm palling from a drug store. I just left the meeting. Watch up infiltration of the farmers. I'm leaving on a trip the common literature, propaganda movies, you know, usual thing, at least that's what they say. But I've got a hunch there's more I haven't been told about. Because well, so long, honey. I didn't get a chance to tell the FBI agent my destination because a glance over my shoulder had told me that Comrade Maliskey was moving close to the phone booth. Oh hello, Bliskey, d it I was just going to pun you. Isn't it a small world? What about? I thought we'd plan our route tonight so we can get an early start in the morning tonight. Well, as a matter of fact, I had just made a date, a very red headed date. But of course I can't break it. Why I break it? Maybe she has a friend for. Me, Comrad Bliskey, Personal Pleasures before part Business? May I remind you of comment will It's excellent article on personal emotions in this week's issue of Political Activities. Oh, of course, of course you won't mention this. No, But what's that kind of talk, Biliskey? Others are not so generous. Nah, let's get something to eat and talk over our plan. I knew Billisky's suggestion about a double date was an act. He was the party's best stool pigeon and responsible for at least two deaths upon me suicide in the Communist Party. Yes, Billisky was very good at ferreting our traders, and I had a terrible hunts that he wasn't coming with me just because he liked my company. Lyndonville Communist clouds gathering over a peaceful community. Communist cys of agitation had been dropped into rich American soil by the Party members who'd been working on the farms. Now it was time for the killing. Comrade Bliski was in his glory as he made like little Joe and addressed groups of farmers kid mostly at secret meeting places. It is the hands of you, young people, the farmers of tomorrow, to decide the fate of the soil. Even now the capitalists are speeding up a drive. Toward war. West falls. You can join in the great strengthening of the world pease forces, which will weaken the present world capitalist system until your soil in pecent plenty, or stand ilaid by and. Let them take away your plow and hand you a gun. Is that what you want? I met Party workers i'd never known about. My list of names was growing. I'd have a pretty big report for the FBI when I got back, correctional if I got back. But Comrade Bliski's taking to me like a mustard plaster. I still hadn't found a safe moment to make contact with the FBI. Valley Center was our next stop, and I kept wondering what would happen there. How many more miles to Valley Center man about thirty two we did all right with us kids and Jason Vell didn't. We Yeah, we did great. They ate it up. That angle I have about being driven into war is pretty good. Every word of Pearl comrade, thank. You, uh Zabelisky. How about this plan to show propaganda movies at Valley Center sounds kind of weak to me? I mean, we got to dream up something stronger. We are oh, I'd give during. The movie at a given signal, some of our party members planted in the audience will rise and protest and demand that we take the picture off. That will be our chance to jump up and demand our rights as Americans to see and hear for ourselves. Then the riot violence arrests, and you recruits who sympathize will join our party exactly. It'll work, it always does. Any slow down, We're no good to the party dead. I'm just trying to make Valley Center before dark. You're not scared, I have. I was scared plenty. This riot act was a small, detailed Billisky hadn't told me why, just how far? Didn't he trust me more than ever? I'd have to watch my step. But this planned violence at Valley Center, I knew what could happen, I'd seen it done before. Somehow, somewhere I had to lose Billiski long enough to make contact for the FBI. Now back to Dana Andrews starring as Matt Sevedk, and I was a Communist for the FBI and the second act of our story. When we reached the valley's center, we could feel the excitement in the air over the coming festival. We headed straight to the general store, displayed our samples and established our excuse for being in town. Luck was with us, if we can call it luck, because Mark Kovalski was in the store too. It didn't take much effort to maneuver an invitation to stay at the Povowski farm. There was just one thing wrong. Comrade Beliski declared himself in on the invitation, and the odds against my losing him long enough to make that phone call to the FBI were getting too big for comfort. Well, mister Povowski, you're very kind to invite us to stay here at your farm for the festival. I hope it's too much trouble. Trouble, of course, not when I meet a man named Zervetik at the general store, whose people from fum Sylvania. My own country. I say, this man and his friend stops only at Polvoski. Fine and tonight. My daughter Paula cooks for us only all style dishes. You like that? Eh? Yeah, that's that's great, mister Pavowski. I have to make a long distance call. I'll pay for. It, sure, sure, before he's in the kitchen. Thanks a lot. Oh, here's your friend, mister Beliski back with all Johnny. I must go tell Paula to make sopper, you know. Thought of it like that, Pop, Mister Blisky has been giving me some figures on the consumers market. Sure. Oh, mister Cevitic, you want to make long distance call? Now? No, I'll do it later. There is Paula Walla, Walla. Who are you going to form a long distance I I was just going to report that we'd reached here, report our location? You know, No, I don't know. Since I'm in charge. Hey, Pop, come here a minute, will you know? I want to ask you a question, a question? Yes, did you ever think of the tremendous cost of farm produce to the consumer? The profits all along the line, but the farm only grows is a few pennies on them. So so, what kind of a deal. Is that, Johnny? You don't understand. There are many problems before the consumer against the project, transportation, canning, labor, costs, advertising, and this is big business. I wouldn't want to change places. Why what's so great about being a small farmer on your life. Mister Beliski, is something only a farmer could understand. Excuse me, mister Povolski. I know, I know. It's only too much talk I hear lately about the prophets. It is dangerous. I'd better go to the barn now. Why Papa go with you? Follow? We got company, Oh missus. This is my sister Paula. Someone should have prepared me for Paula about shoulder height. My shoulder that is, blue eyes and blonde hair. That proved nature was right. Once in a while, Comrade Beliski made some inane, smirking remark about the traveling salesman and the farmer's daughter, and I made an inner non proletariat prayer that the Povolski kids would say no thank you to the particular brand of poison we were selling. I guess we're all here. Mister Savetic Okay, hey kid kid, this is mister Savettic. And mister Biliskey, they wanted to meet you, and I think you. Ought to hear what they have to say. Johnny, you'd better close the barn. Joy, Let's keep this private, okay. Oh seek you scating them out? Take of them? Okay? But go easy. You never know about these kids. Uh. Mister Biliskey and I have been traveling around the country and we've seen a lot of things that concern the small farmer, like what mister savettic Well, for example, what would you say is the biggest problem on your farm? That's easy, the cost of irrigation. But what can we do about that alone? Nothing? But the monopolists who are squeezing the agricultural workers to the wall with their ever increasing high rates, can be beaten by the combined efforts of all the workers, both industrial and agricultural. Industrial. How could the factory workers fit into our picture? I don't understand. I'll answer that Roan Fallen. Right now, workers all over the country are standing by, ready to strike. It necessary to bring about better conditions for the American farmers. Don't ever mention the words strike to paw. He says, anyone who strikes. As a bunch of. Commedis and comedies, as he calls them, have horns. But what does he know about the Communist Party of the United States? So offer that matter? What do you know about it? Well? Just what passes about it or. What we read in the papers only hearsay, And yet you judge it is this the American way? Do you read in the papers that the drive to war is impoverishing the workers and farmers of this country? Do they tell you that the young farmer of tomorrow? Wait a minute, I think I heard a car. Why must this meeting be so secret? Because people brand the truth communism, and we bring you the truth. Quiet blisky, Oh, doctor O'Neill, come on in. Oh you are having a club meeting. Don't let me interrupt. I've been visiting a patient down the road and I'm afraid my poor old car is thirsty again. Get some one. No, no, I can find my way to the pump myself, Thank you, Johnny. But I don't think I know these gentlemen. I'm Matt savedic Doctor O'Neil, this is mister bullisky. We were just passing through. I see, and I trust you find our young people interesting. But please don't let me interrupt. I can get the water myself. I knew doctor O'Neil was suspicious of us. Alisky knew it too, That's why he gave me the high sign to follow the doctor outside, which was just what I wanted. I had a hunch it was a long shot, but it might work, Doctor O'Neil. I'm over here. It's a pump. May I give you a hand? Oh? Thank you? But I have enough water now. Then I'll care the pail over to your car. Oh, thank you, missus. We're very proud of Johnny Pavosk and the other boys and girls. They've done some good progressive work on their farms. Yes, they're fine kids, doctor. And I know that nothing will ever change them. I like to believe that of all our young Americans. So do I, Doctor, so do I. I'm glad to hear you say that, missus. Fedick. Oh, well, here's my car. And let me put the water in. Boy, careful of that radiator cap. It gets very hot. Yeah, don't worry, lecky, radiators of my specialty. I never had a car yet they didn't have one. There goes the thing fixed. I know, but there are so many more things these days. That need to be fixed. My little car seems unimportant. Oh thank you, mister, Oh doctor O'Neil. I've got a favor to ask you, of course, what is it? Will you make a long distance call for me? But mister Povowski has a telephone. Why I can't explain. Well, suppose I say. Trust me, doctor, I'll make your call. Thank you. Here, I'll write it down for you. This is the number it's sitting. That's for Stevens. Tell him SAVEDIK must have more samples sent to Valley Center before tomorrow night. Say it's a hot line. He'll understand very well. Oh I want here's some money to cover the phone call. Please take it, Thank you, I will. My labor is skilled, but. Not highly paid. Goodbye, mister. Why it was the big night our calling contests, square dancing, a midway with games and prizes. For a brief moment, I was just a guy out with a girl, Paula having a ball at the country fairs. Yes, Jo sprink mishair ringing. The bear and win a baby doll for your there, okay, hook. Paula didn't know how much strength I'd need to carry me through the night and to take me away when it was over, because pretty girls and nice people were not in the cards for Matt's Vedik. Not now I'd be rioting in the movie tent soon and hysteria. I'd had no contact from the FBI, and it seemed that I was strictly on my own. The propaganda movie was on the screen and Baliski was narrating. Here are the farms of the present under the Soviet Junior, see the fields of plenty. I looked around the audience. I knew which of the Party members scattered around were ready to start a protest against the film. That would be the signal for Bliski and the rest of us to give the pitch that this was proof that Americans were no longer free to see the truth. And I still didn't know if doctor O'Neill got the call through to Stevens. I could only hope about ten minutes more and the fireworks would start. I heard the tenseness creep into Bliski's voice. Under the Saviet and here, my friends, are actual pictures of just a few of the many small farms all over the United States are being forced out of existence. My Suddenly, in the middle of Bulisky's narration. Something happened. Someone had started a riot, all right, but they weren't coming as party members. Then let's get out of here quick, sideway. What happened to them? Who tipped off the cops? Should I know? Add some asmatic? Who tipped off the cops? I don't know. You don't think I had it. I never trusted you. You'll get it. Look crazy, hey, keep your hands up me something who tipped. Off the cop? I'll tell you tipped. Off the cops? I did, yo, Johnny, yes me, I should have let it. Beat your head off. This isetic because you got it coming to you. You must think the kids around here are a bunch of jerks. Well we're not. You call it yourself last night when you said we were the farmers of tomorrow. For your information, Sean, we intend to defend that future. Come on, SPDA, let's go. What happened just now? The fight between us. You won't report it. No, I won't. You'll have enough explaining to do about how your plans got fouled up. The party won't like this. I know, I know you'll back me up. I'd like nothing better. Look, you better go back and see how many arrests they made. I'll go get the car, all. Right, I'll meet one Main Street. Missus spidik, missus speak. I've been trying to find you. Oh hello, doctor Anea. I'm very sorry, but I couldn't get your call through. Mister Stevens was out of town. I've been wanting to return your money. Here you are, Thanks, doctor, don't worry about to call. It didn't matter. After all, my car is close by. I give you a lift. No, oh, thanks a lot, So I'll go on by myself. Just as you say, you take one last deep breath of the fresh country air. The earth feels good beneath your feet, the good earth. You look back at Valley Center and you wish you could chew the fat with Johnny, or visit with mister Povolski, walk into the stars with Paula. But forget it. You're an undercover man. You're a communist for the FBI. You walk alone. Dana Andrews will return in just the 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 innocent persons. Many of these stories are based on incidents in the life of Matt Sivedic, who worked undercover for the FBI. Next week, another fantastic adventure. Join us, won't you? B