IWCF 019 - The Red Record

I was a Communist for the FBI, starring Dana Andrews, had 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 and authentic experiences of met Savetic two for nine fantastic years live as a communist for the FBI. Here is our star, Dana Andrews as Matt Savetic nine years. For nine long years, I played my part walking a tightrope in a circus. But if I fell, there wasn't going to be any net to save me. It's a lonesome, thankless job trying to be a communist for the FBI. In a moment, listen to Dana Andrews as Matt Semitic Undercoverman. Now Here is Dana Andrews as Mat Semitic Undercoverman. This story from the confidential file is marked the Red Record. Comrade Matt, come in. I went to a meeting of my communist cell. It was Tuesday at nine pm. There were six of us there, four men, two women. We went through all the reports, propaganda, the directives, and then Comrade Ted, the leader of oursel, had a word to say, just. Keep this in mind, comrade. The party expects nothing impossible, just to do what you're told. I think that's all. Good night, Oh comrade Matt, like just a second. With you me? Sure, stunt? That's kind of have have you ever been in Chicago? I've passed through a couple of times. That's all. You've got? Any connections there, relatives? Anybody there know you? Not that I know of. Okay, you know, comrade, you're a pretty good looking guy, and that isn't gonna do any harm on the job with got for you? What job the Central Committee decided from what I told him about you, If you're the comrade to handle this follow up, I don't understand. I don't have to understand. All you have to do is a bay orders. Okay, what are my orders? Pack a bag full of clothes and be at the information desk at the Union station at one am, four hours from now. Where am I going? Don't worry about it? Then? Uh? How long will I be gone? Who knows? Comrade? Maybe forever? Comrade Ted gave me some money for expenses, and then we walked out to the street together the corner we've parted. Well, see you again, comrade. See you again, comrade. That's something that drives you crazy when you're supposed to be a communist and you're working for the FBI. See you again, comrade, They say they'll see you again. That's one thing you can be sure of. I walked across town to the place where. I lived and went up to my room. Hello, there's John F. Smith. I want to talk to Uncle Zach. Okay, Matt, go ahead. I'm being sent somewhere. I'm not sure, but I think it's Chicago. I'm supposed to make a contact at the Union station one am. What it's about? No idea, Chicago. Yes, there's an operation in Chicago that we've heard about. I'll give you a number to call if you need it. Maybe you will, Michigan nine one two. Don't write it down, just remember it. I remember at one o'clock I was waiting at the information desk in the Union station. Rights Hello, comrade, comrade Ted, here's your ticket in your reservation. The trains do now, So get going. Where am I going? Chicago? You'll be met at the station. Come on, who's going to meet me? All I know? He'll say, Hello, George, how's aunt Agatha? Probably know me? Don't worry about that. He'll know you. Good luck, comrade. I'm sure. I stared out of the window at the lights flashing behind the night lights in the farmhouses, gas stations, the stores, traffic lights, auto lights, the lights of peace. I thought, those are the lights we're trying to keep bunning. Hello, George Holsannagata. Mike was the man's name, Comrade Mike. He took me to his room in a boarding house and took off his shoes and lit a pipe. He settled down in a chair with broken springs. Then he looked at me as if I were something in an aquarium behind glass, interested but unsympathetic. At his side there was a record player and he switched it on, you. Know, my little music, comrade, just in case somebody on the other side of the wall might be interested in our conversation. Oh, Comrade Mike, just Michael, do Mike thing. Mike, Tell me what goes on? Why did they send me here? You don't know, no idea when our comrades like this. There was this man named jay Z. Comrade Jays sort of theatrical producer, pretty high in the party. I don't know exactly. Why, but the kind of got the idea. He was working with the other team. So what happened and poor Comrade J he died. Oh definitely, Comrade. He never saw need a suicide. When I arrange a suicide, it's what I mean, ring, you. Take your word for a common But I still don't get the reason why they sent me here. Well, i'll tell you why. It's this way. Comrade J had a little black book with some names and the dresses and notes in it, and I always carried it with him. But when we found his body, it wasn't on him, wasn't in his car, wasn't in his room. He didn't find it, No, Sue, I didn't. And the party just got to have that book. And that's why we brought you here for why me? Why bring me all the way here? Well, I tell you, party brought you here because they think you got away with women and you're a stranger. Wait a minute, wait a minute, no, no, no, that's right, Comray. You see, Comrade Jay produced the show in the nightclub on South Walback. The star of the show was a girlfriend of. His name, Gloria Dawn Gloria don So. So. The party believes Comrade Jay may have left that little black book with glory. Now you're a stranger in town and you're good looking south to you. I mean, I was supposed to get this girl to confide in. Me in any way that you please, Comrade, But she hasn't got the book. Oh she got it somewhere, and that's why you're here to talk sweet to that day until she tells you everything you know? Okay, where do I find her? He's working in a Double or Nothing club on the south Side. You'll find her and talk. To her, and your report to me. It will be good, Oh, comrade, Yeah. I'd find Gloria don and my report would be good. It would have to be. I'd been instructed by the Comrace. The Double or Nothing club was loud and strictly not for children under the age of thirty five. And now we. Take great fighting for the story. Show me flooring it on. She for sure everything. It was just about what I expected, and I was not really surprised when I caught a glimpse of Comrade Mike in a far corner. I expected to be followed, because the Comrace just don't trust each other. Out of sight. After several hundred years, the floors show was over. Comrade Mike was still somewhere behind me and in front of me. It was anything from simple firtatious nonsense to sudden deck or Comrade j I found my way backstage to the dirty car there where the dressing rooms were. Yeah, miss Dawn, Yeah remember may No, that's VEDI. I never saw it before. Mister, come in, lose yourself, tom Oh, I just wanted to talk to you about Jay Jay. What about him? Do you think he killed himself? Well, I I come in, m sit down while I take off this make up. What'd you say your name was? That's Vedi? Oh? Yeah, mind if I ask, are you a cop? No? Certainly not. Why and why are you asking me about j Well? He was he was a friend of mine, and I heard he was a friend of yours. That's all. You were a friend of his. How long did you know him? What's been years? I guess I first knew him right here in Chicago. He was a stinker, sure, a real stinker, of. Course he was from the day he was born. Well, why did you come back here to talk to me about Jay? Why? Because you're beautiful? At least I thought you were beautiful out there, But now that I see you closer, got your make up even more beautiful. Okay, honey, wait for me, I said. When I got home that night, I was ques sent at length by Comrade Mike. What did I said to Gloria? What did she said to me? Where did we go when we left the nightclub? What was her. Reaction when I mentioned Comrade j We know, Comrade Jay had that book up the time he went into glorious dressing room. We know it didn't have it when it left. Sirched every end of that dressing room, and we know it isn't there. No, Gloria didn't take it away with it. Gloria is exactly what she seems to be. A body is out of brain. Look, comrade, this is a sign that is nothing to trouble. I don't like it. Well, suppose I don't find the book. Suppose you were dead, comrade. Now back to Dana Andrews starring as Matt Semitic, and I was a Communist for the FBI and the second act of our story. Just pretending to be a loyal member of the Communist Party was hard enough, but having to be a detective for the party was a little harder. A couple of days went by. Gloria and I were together day and night. I tried to get her to talk about Jay. She wanted to talk about herself. But on the third night after the show, when her dressing room close your eyes, honey, Roger eyes closed thy Gloria, why don't you think Jay killed himself? Did I ever say that? Believe it? Don't you? I don't know. Only I think he knew he was gonna be knocked off. That night he came in here when I was dressing like now. He had a little portable. Radio with him. He put it down on the table there and said, this is for you, babes. If I never come back, this radio will play. He didn't come back, and the thing wouldn't play. If I never come back, this radio will play. Yeah, that's what he said. Did you tell anybody about that? T who? The cops probably wouldn't tell him the time of day. What happened to the radio? Gloria? M What did I do with the thing? That dressing room was so caught it up. I guess I left it in the property room with all the costumes and junks. Do you think it's still there? What difference does it make Oh. I thought I might be able to fix it for you. I know a little about radios. Yeah, well, maybe it's still there. Come on here, this is it. I'd look self beat up. I don't think he could sell it for a buck. Do you think he can fix it? I don't know. At least I can see the tube light up, snap off this back pnel. Oh you find the trouble, honey. Huh yeah, I think so. Let me take it with me. I'll get it fixed for you, something as good as new. Okay, honey, honey, do you believe in second sight? When Jay left here that night, he said, if he never comes back, that radio play, I'll forget about the radio. But he must have known he'd never come back. Ah, Maybe he did know he'd never come back. Maybe he was right about the radio too, Maybe it will play. I took Gloria home to her apartment, and when I finally got away, I had the radio tucked under my arm. I'll see you again. I'll bring the radio back to you tomorrow, baby, maybe tonight. Okay, honey, take care. Don't worry about that, sweetheart, I'll take care for sure. I walked along at Chicago Street. I've never seen before. And all the time I was conscious of the fact that I was being followed covered Mike Court and a slow moving car behind me had a street corner that was an empty tacka what to just drive? What's trouble, bud trouble? But I mean, okay, weren't to Do you know a place that would repair a radio this time of night? Count of radio portable? Yeah? Maybe I do. It's a garage where I know a guy. Do you want me to take you there? That's exactly where I want you to take me. It's garage. Guy's name is George. You want me to wait? No? I don't know how long this will take. Okay? Your name is Ironsky, isn't it? What if it is a j Aronsky license M one two sixty five nine, look pile if you gotta beat if your hair on Oronsky. I was just reading your card. I'm one of those people who remembers everything. Forty here you are, Thanks, Pah, I'll give her the thought. Hello, Hello, George. The clock strikes two o'clock and it's ten minutes wrong. I was at a small fixed shop in the front of a garage. George was nowhere, But comrade, Mike's not far behind, not far close. Hello, comrade, what's the idea of following me? Comrade? Just routine? Comrade? You've got your orders? I got mine, So they don't trust me? Here? Who trusts anybody? Anyway? Let's say, looked at radio? Comrade? Okay, why because he got it that dame? Give it to me. Wait a minute, wasn't it the idea? I was supposed us to make friends with that girl? Well so, so she loves music. She wants me to get a radio fixed tonight? Am I doing wrong? Comrade? Look? We trust you, We trust everybody we trusted, comrade. J Let's look at that radio, why, comrade, cause maybe there's a little black book inside it? Give it here, all right? Comment? Yeah, this cute little job, isn't it? Don't suppose it weighs five pounds? Now what do you think is inside it? I don't know, comrade. You don't know. Nothing nothing, comrade? And why'd you bring it here? I told you to get it fixed? She wants me to get a radio repair. Maybe she's crazy. He wanted to get it done this time of night. But would the party want me to refuse? Okay? Comrade. It might be good, thank you to find that book. It comes a cabby outside. But don't you worry, a comrade, you won't be alone. Oh I heard somebody out here. Oh it's uh, it's this radio. But I heard somebody talking to somebody out here. Oh that was my friends out there in the car. Okay, what's the matter with it? Yeah, what's the matter with it. I'll have a look at it. You've got a phone, yeah, here under the counter. Local call, Yeah, local call. That'll be fifteen cents. You contain me now? Yeah, Hello, just say making a phone call. Sew you'm outside, thought I might be able to have you. I was just just calling Glory to tell her i'd be back in a few minutes. I'll tell her for you know. Hello, Hello, who is it? Who do you want? What number is it? What number did you want? There was the trouble. Wrong number, the real wrong number? What is the number? Let's try it again, Let's forget it. What's the number? No, I don't remember. I forgot it so soon, so I can't find anything wrong with this. Mister. Just the two who was pushed out of the socket. That'll be one buck. No star garage radio service. Wait a second, did you call Michigan nine one one one two? Yeah, No, I didn't. I did give me that phone. Hello, Yeah, that's the person who called Michigan nine. That's right. Who's speaking? Who did you want? Nobody must have died around now let's go huh four. Comrade Je doing a job for the FBI, A communist for the FBI. Maybe you ought to feel noble and brave about it, But right now you're walking along a dark, deserted street with Comrade Mike one pace behind you. The bows in his pocket is either a thirty eight or forty five. At glorious Place, Mike shoved his gun in my back. Now you look when we go through the lobby, Let's not make any. Mistakes, a comrade, No mistakes, all right? Move Now, Wait a second, why do you want to see her? Know? Either you're a fool or you finding comm a fool. I might have been willing to believe that she didn't know anything about Comrade Jay's little Black book until you made that phone call. Now I think I'm gonna find out where it is. Maybe a little tough for both of you, but I'll find out. Let's go, comrade await, comrad, Look, you're making a terrible mistake. What do you think I was sent here? I know why to check on you, Comrade Nuts, you don't believe me? How long are you're planning to live? Crazy? The party wouldn't do that to me, wouldn't they. I'm not going to try to convince you, but just think about it for a second. Why you make a fool of yourself? Nuts? Sure, Nuts, But you can't be sure, can you? You can't be sure of anything in the party. Hey, look at this card here? What is it? Let me see that? Look at it, Comraon the card was nothing but my driver's license. But he took and stared at it in the dark, and that's all the break I needed. I hit him just right and he was out like a light, a gun still in his hand. My pure luck. A prowl car came by. I melted into the shadows of the officer's picked comrade. Mike up, wait a minute, put that light on his face again. Yeah, you know who this guy is. He's Mike Tabronski. But this guy's wanted for everything. Get him in here. Only a few minutes later, I made my report to the Chicago Office of the FBI. Yes, he's go on. It's a taxi Illinois four X one two nine seven driver a j Aronsky license M one two sixty five nine. You'll find the book that was hidden in the portable radio behind the back seat of the taxi. I think it's important anyhow, the commis thought it was important enough to justify killing the street in Chicago, dark, deserted, lonely. Why should you be walking alone? Comrade? Where are your friends? When you're in the party, you can't have any friends. Where are you going, comrade? What's at the end of the road. You walk in the night and you wonder what is at the end of the road. But I know how well I know. I'm a communist for the FBI. I walk alone. Dana Andrews well return in just a moment. This is Dana Andrews with a word about the story you just heard. The part I portrayed is the part you have to play when you're a communist for the FBI. And it's worth it a million times over because at the end of the road is freedom. In this story, as in all others, names, dates and places are affectationous to protect innocent persons. Many of these stories are based on incidents in the life of Matt Sevedk, who worked under cover for the FBI. Next week, another fantastic adventure. Join us, won't you.