IWCF 018: Exit on the Left

In your Old stock Ale Presents recorded I was a Communist for the FBI. As a man who knows good ale, this is what you'll hear. Give me a bottle of Rainy, a robust cheer ry Rainier, you laugh more more. You've never had a like this before. Rain the biggest selling ale in all the West. Rainier old stock Ale, the ale with robust cheer. Starring Dayla Andrews and an exciting tale of danger and espionage. I was a communist for the FBI. The story you are about to hear is based on the actual records, authetic experiences of Mat Sevetic, an undercover agent of the Federal Bureau of Investigation two for nine fantastic years lived as a communist for the FBI. Here is our star, Dana Andrews as Matt Savedic undercover agent. Nine years of it, nine years of living behind a mask that made me an outcast among. My own people. And from behind that mask, I saw these things happen. It's all in the record. Listen to Dana Andrews as Matt Savedic FBI undercover agent. Now Here is Dana Andrews as Matt Savedic undercover man this story from the confidential file is mark exit on the left. The regular meeting of our celves being held in the home of our. Cell leader, Selma Malanich. Selma's apartment was decorated in the cold, brittle manner of a sophisticated bachelor girl. But actually Selma was a married woman. She was married to the Communist Party, and at this particular cell meeting, her marriage is being threatened. Just a moment, please be quiet, all of you. I'm a Lorenz. You're a fool, a stupid, shortsighted fool. Maybe yes, maybe no, you must forgive me, but I'm resigning from the Communist Party tonight. No quiet, quiet, please. Commrade Malnich, what is a comment? I should be pointed out to Comrade Lorenz that if you have a mister Lorenz, Now, it should be pointed out to Comrade Lorenz that his resignation from the party will place all of us, our cell leader, especially in disfavor with our superiors. Perhaps that's what he has in mind. No, no, no, no, wait, wait no that's not so. You must understand, truthfully, I want no one to suffer for the mistakes I've made. Sweet have you well? I want to start. No trouble. You must believe that I joined the party on my own accord in. In March nineteen thirty seven. Yes, yes, nineteen thirty seven. I joined because the Communists were fighting fascism, hitherism. I believed in the fight against fascism. I still do. But today, well today, the Communist's fight is different. I've tried, but I cannot believe in it. Can do our cause great harm. You know, committees investigating our activities are looking for weaklings like you. From the bottom of my heart, I don't want trouble for you, for me, for any one after to night. I want you to forget me while I forget you. Now, Comrade Lorenz, a member may give up the party. The party never gives up a member. Actually, mister, what oh, what's the med to say? Leader's red? Good? Let's go. You're late, Matt couldn't help it. Bigger tactic meetings tonight. Any trouble for you? No, it's Arthur Lorenz. He quit the party. Lorenz. Do we have a file on him? My daughter? He was never active enough to bottle the FBI, super quiet type. About fifty, he worked as a librarian at the House the library. Why is he quitting the comics? Coming to his senses? I guess with his resignation put Selma Marnik writes back on the spot. With the party big wigs. Her future depends on the way she handles Lorenz and little Selma place for Keith Malnik. She's a tall, sharp looking gal, isn't you? Mh Sharp looking like a meat axe. One night later, the meat axe was ready to strike, and I had been chosen to hold a victim on the chopping block. This was revealed to me anyway, I never expected. Selma invited me to her apartment for a late supper and conversation. The food was fine, the candlelights seductive, and for a while I was almost convinced that Selma was more a woman than cell leader. Comfortable. M me too nice. I've got it all figured out at last. M psychology, A calculated plan. You're listening. Work on the mine, that's the try, work, work, work on the mind. A letter or to it first meant a few anonymous foo halls, no names. Just cordial invitations to return to the party. I call every fifteen minutes, all night long, every night. Old still Karon malinks. Fine time to call a girl. Comrade Carmon malenk, I think would be wise to forget Lorenz. Relax, will now this is important. Well, naturally it's important, but you need to be so rude about it. This isn't a cell meeting. Most become one. The welfare of the party means more to me than petty common courtesies. For a while I almost doubted that. Are you testing me, Comrad Malick. Don't worry you first tell me. Do you like my plan for Loren? Not at all, and I'll intensify it until he begs to be reinstated. He's not worth the effort. Once a man turns from my exalted course to bourgeois sentimentality, he can no longer be trusted. Oh that's true. But as long as we can't control. The me's a threat, my party's well rid of them. Let him go read the paper's idiot. A committee's investigating reds on the civil service pedal and Lorenz is a lie. He used to frighten and become a friendly witness. I can't take the chance. I'll lead us hold me personally responsible to him, and you can't take the chance either. Let's see when does the psychological treatment of yours begin. It started already, and you'll see that it continues. Very well. Good night, don't. Leave now it's still early. We must never divert our attentions from our cause. Distractions are dangerous. Good night, common. And believe me. Selma by candlelight was a surprisingly dangerous destruction, a strange combination. Of woman and devil. The cell leader of ours frozen fire dipped in red that plan of hers would crack Arthur Lorenz like an old plate. I'd seen what it had done to other well meaning dissenters. The phone calls calculated to scrape or nerve, ending with ring author, sorry to call so late, We miss you Author. Does your wife know you're a communist? The comments muttered by complete strangers passing in the streets. Sorry, next time, the bump may be harder, comrade. Letters in the mail, a note tucked in a bag of groceries, a phrase scribbled across a streetcar transfer, all designed to make a man face the most ordinary, prosaic fragments of daily living with fear, suspicion, dread. A deliberate, pretested scheme to drive Arthur Lorenz back to the Communist Party, or out of his mind? Oh, pardon me? Where's the chief Librarian's office? Just beyond the reference shelves? To you? OHI, Comrade Lawrenz. We please Matt go away? Let me alone. Look, Haggard won been working hard. Let me alone, for the love of haven't Matti? I can't stand much more of it. Please, Matt talk to Selma. Tell her I won't make any trouble. I swear it. I just wanted for a cat for. Cat investigating committee. We'd love to hear what you'd like to forget? Do you know I wouldn't do that, Matti? Why where are you going to the chief Librarian's office? Why? What for? He called me this morning, said he wanted to talk to me about you. When Lorenz had been hard at the library years ago, he had listed me. His character reference. That's why I had been called. The library received the letter, an unsigned letter stating that Lorenz. Had been a communist since nineteen thirty seven. What could I do? What could I possibly do? The letter was as much of a shock to me as it was to Lorenz. When he was called in to explain it, Lorenz admitted his red connections, even though it meant his job, but his honest day, it was no. Greater than his resentment towards me. He was convinced that I was responsible. As we left the Chief. Librarian's office, the bitterness of defeat echoed in Lorenzo's voice. I've always hated vindictive people, savetic, but now I hate you more. So help me if it takes the rest of my life, I. Leave on the score with you. Arthur. You have to believe me. I had nothing to do with that letter. Shine day shavettic someday, very very soon. Frankly, I'm not a proud of that letter. Did you notice the way I made the handwriting look so crude? Yes, COmON, marleg very crude. That funny thing. People are more willing to accept unsigned letters of accusation and the other type. They don't feel obligated to challenge the accuser. I guess now about the next step in operation office, Lorenz. Comrade, you're underestimating the results of your scheme, am I. Yes, Lorenz couldn't possibly be a threat to our welfare any longer. He's been jobless for weeks, blacklisted, he spends most of his time in bed on the verge of a nervous breakdown. Good good, Perhaps I'll be commended by our leaders. Nevertheless, I fear we must Good evening, comrade, Welcome home, Comrade Lorenz, so nice to see you stopping by to pay my respects. Matt, my friend, I never had a chance to thank you for all you did for me. Thank me. Listen to him, such a modest man. Haven't you told Selma and the others here told us what how you convinced me to leave the party? What? Oh, he'll deny it, of course, you know how modest Matt is. But really, Selma, in all fairness, he he did a remarkable job. Why if it were not for Matt, I'd still be in the party? Is true? Of course it isn't. So tell them, Mack, tell. Them, yes, by all means, tell us hours. He spent there's literally hours talking, reasoning, convincing me that the Communist Party was no place for a decent. Honest moments he eyes what you're doing. Oh, please understand, Selma, Matt did it only because he felt I was a poor worker, that your cause would be. Better off without me. It was in the best interest of the party. I'm sure it was. Now we're all happy the party is better off without. Me, And in spite of all I've been through, I'm better. Off without the party. I think Matt. Deserves some special attention for his work, don't you, by all mean? And I'll see to it that he gets him. Friends, Here's an ale that tastes so good, is so full of satisfying robust cheer, you'll ask for it again and again. Yes, for real, deep down thirst quenching pleasure. Remember to get Rainier Old Stock Ale, the biggest selling ale in all the West. At the very first sip, you'll agree that here is ale at its most zestful, refreshing, all time best for Rainier. Old Stock Ale has a smooth, creamy head, a lively nut brown body, unmatched flavor and robust cheer. Boy, what wonderful refreshment. So enjoy the ale that has everything, Rainier Old Stock Ale, the ale with robust cheer. Hi, Rainier, you have one more. You've never had a like this before. The biggest selling ale in all the West, Rainier Old Stock Ale, the ale with robust cheer. Now back to Dana Andrews starring as Matt Semitic and I was a Communist for the FBI, and the second act of. Our story, Arthur Lorenz had even the score, just as he had threatened, was is slated to go before the Red Control permission. And accept my faith? What was it to be? If only I could be sure? What could I expect? The same type of mental torture that had made a wreck of the quiet little Librarian. A bit of part of that torture I discovered was the anticipation, waiting, wondering when it would begin. I found myself jumping in shadows, dreading the side of every unfamiliar faith until I decided to get this treatment started myself. Well this is a surprise, I come in. Yes, I suppose so. Well, all right, common Mallick, tell me what you're after. What do you want of me? I might ask you the same question. This is an odd hour for visiting, you know. This silent treatment I'm getting. If you consider me a trader, turn me over to the party leaders and stop this foolish dawdling. I may not consider you a trader at all, but others in the party insist on proof. Our cell, you know, gives every one opportunity to. Prove one's faith, even if one is driven out of his mind and the attempt. Our cause has no use for that sort of weakling, nor have I. That's what must I do to prove myself. That's up to you, isn't it. Good Night? Cameron Mallick. Seems silly to leave now, Well. This is an odd hour for visiting. I'm told. You and I are odd people. Really an amazing creature. You'll devise a scheme to drive a man out of his mind. I concern as a political energy, but. You won't drive a man out of your apartment. My concern as a woman. As a political entity, they're fascinating, and as a woman, they're just a woman. Good Night. As I left, I saw the frosty look in Selma's eyes, and I know the waiting would soon be over. The bristling silence of anticipation was about to be shattered. But what would take its place? I walked the streets for hours and wondered, looking for signs, omens, symbols, feeling like a man who just paid the bill. For his own sim. I've seen the whole thing that day went right through the red light. You okay, mister, Yeah, yeah, yeah, I'm all right. You should walk more carefully, so much lady, you could have killed this guy. You ought to turn you in. That's what you ought to do. No, no, it's all right, forget it. Silly dame ought to lose your license. Any dame who can't see a traffic light ought to be in the queen man's right. I apologize, then, following me, haven't you just for a few. Blocks as a political entity, not as a woman? Naturally? May I drop you somewhere? No? Thanks, I walk, be careful, comrade fdik, don't walk against the red. And so it was officially launched by its guiding spirit, sel Mamonik. From now on, I could expect another kind of waiting, waiting between incidents. When would the next one happen? And what was it to be? Hello? Hello? Hello? Anyone on this line? The double? Is it? Hello? Oh? For sake? Hello? Hello? Matter with this thing? Hello? Oh? The heck with it? Don't bing up, comrades, But who is this? Hey? Hello? Who's on this line? Hello? Hello? Hello? Hello? Growing up? Please? You're Florisa? Hmmm? Oh u five? Please? Okay you knew on the elevator. Yes, my first day, said Florisa. Thanks watch your step, Comrade Sevidic. H h Hello Hello, Hello, who is it? Lacking again? Hello? Anybody on this line? What jeevers? Three thirty in the morning, No comrades vidic three thirty five? Huh? What was it? Hello? Hello? Who's this? Stick up? Well? You? Who is this? It was beginning to get in spite of myself, to get out of my skin and straum away at my nerves. I can no longer talk myself out of the jitties, and I couldn't risk contacting the FBI. I knew now what Arthur Lorenz had suffered. But in my case, what did it all mean? Was this my punishment or my chance to prove my faith as a loyal red or was it merely the whim of a red she devil who secretlyganned to be a woman. At least the latter would be the most human explanation. Who was it? Who is it? Tell me? Who is it? All right, let's get it over. Well, look, who's here? What do you want? Lorenz? May I come in? Sure? Sure, come in, Come in and gloat over the job they're doing on me. Matt, I want to help. You, help me, you can even help yourself. For myself, I don't care any more about all I have left is my conscience. I'll never forgive myself for what I did to you, Matt. The story I told. Selim, maybe I had it coming to me. Who's to judge that communists? Ah, that's why this sudden concern for. Me, not you, Matt, not you. I don't have to live my life with you. I am forced to live with myself, same reason you left the party, Nodan. It took me a long time to do it, Matt. It frightened me, but it's done. Now that I have the courage to face my conscience. I well, I can't let this business with you make me a coward again. He is still a coward. You won't recognize the strength of our cause because you're afraid of it. You now you talk like this, Go on, get out of here, be. A hero, run to the investigating committees, and while when bourgeois. Slop go ahead. Then see how long you and your kind will last when we rule the world. Well, don't stand there looking like a cocker spaniel. Get out, Matt. You mouthed all the words, but I still think there's hope for you. I can do without your hope. It's the other people for seldom molnochs, the ones who sit in judgment and handle human beings like so many chessmen. They are the hateful one. Will you get out of here? It hurt, It hurt bitterly to treat off of Therenz like that. I stared at the door for a long time after he left. He could never understand me as long as I was forced to play my dual role as a red and anun of the cover man. But I hoped, hope with all my heart that he might have understood what I was trying to tell him to do. And then then came that insidious, probing finger of doubt. Had I veiled my message heavily enough of my own safety? The next night, as I headed for a restaurant, I got the answer the hard. Way you set. What do you get in? Now? Wait a minute, your comrade, get in? Oh yeah, I can do it. Hey cool, Okay, okay, let's go. I'll get in. Oh what's everybody staring at? Congratulations, comrade sthetic. We're proud of you before. You've redeemed yourself gloriously. You've proved your faith in the party. You've given us even greater faith in you. I I don't understand. Your conversation with that quimpering fool Lorens. Irrefutable evidence of your loyalty to our cause. You you heard, God, I said to Lorenz. Standard procedure for suspicious cases. Tap the phone while the room Your every word was recorded. Have your your new sal leader play the records for you. You'll enjoy them. Thank you, coward, Marleiga, our new cell leader. So what you said? Oh, er course you hadn't heard. I've been relieved of my duties. This morning, Arthur Lorenz testified before the Committee investigating Civil Service Affairs. His testimony has sealed my fate as a party worker. Ah, I see what you seems so pleased. I'm to report to party headquarters right after this meeting. The penalty for my incompetence in handling Lorenz will be determined by our leaders. Aren't your worried? I am exalted. Come. My case will serve as a warning to other cell leaders. Even in failure, I will serve the Communist Party. My dedication is complete. The irony, the feudal paradox of this sort of dedication, the frozen fire of Cell Memalanik, snuffed out by the weak, ineffectual Arthur Lorenz, when the Renz stopped being. A red and became a human being. Even among the communists, I found myself constantly seeking out human qualities among the comrades, but always in the final analysis, I had two choices, to walk with the frosty eyed political entities or to walk alone. I chose to walk alone. Dana andrews Well return in just the moment. Yes, there certainly is a difference in ale. That's just what you'll say when you enjoy your first, rare, refreshing taste of Rainier old stock ale, the ale with robust cheer. That's right, folks, zestful. Sparkling Rainier ale is always satisfying, always refreshing, brimming with tangy, lip smacking goodness. You know, Rainier Old Stock Ale is the biggest selling ale in all the West. And to be the biggest seller, it has to be the best. So remember for cheerful relaxation, for real, deep down robust cheer. Enjoy Rainier Old stock. Ale by rain Here you ask. More moment You've never had a like this before. Ray the biggest selling ale in all the West, Rainier old stock ale, the ale with robust cheer. This is Dana Andrews. These stories are designed to illustrate one important point about democracy. You can't set free men free. Free men must set themselves free. In this story, as in all others, names, dates and places are fictitious to protect innocent's presence. Many of these episodes are based on incidents in the life of Matt Civetic, who worked for nine years as an undercover man for the FBI. Next week, another fantastic adventure. Join us then, won't you? Your sponsor? The rain Air Brewing Company feels privileged to present this exposa of communist activities in the United States. They would appreciate your comments regarding these programs. Just tell the man who sells Rainier Old stock Ale what you think of I was a Communist for the FBI. For another exciting real life adventure in this thrilling expos of communism in the United States, be sure to tune in next week and every week to follow. The time nine thirty pm the day Saturday the station KNX. I was a Communist for the FBI, Recorded and starring Dana Andrews, was presented by Rainier Brewing Company, brewers of Rainier Old stock Ale and came to you from Columbia Square.