IWCF 020 Burnt Offering

Out of a Communist for the FBI, starring Dana Andrews and an exciting tale of danger and espionage. 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 Matt Savetic over nine fantastic years lived as a Communist for the FBI. Where is our star Dana Andrews as Matt Sivetic. They call each. Other comrade, talk a lot about the brotherhood of man. Well you can add that one to the long list of their lives. How can a man who had no idea entity, no mind or soul of his own he a comrade or a brother to anybody? I know, I was one of them. I was a Communist for the FBI. In a moment, listen to Dana Andrews as. Matt Savetics undercover man. Now here is Dana Andrews as Matt Savetic FBI undercover man. This story from the Confidential file is Mark Burnt offering. One thing that always excited the local party members was the arrival of a visitor from Europe, any sort of an official from one of the Iron Curtain countries. These messengers from headquarters always demanded and got the full plush propet treatment with all the trimmings. It was assumed, of course, that they were here for some secret purpose beside their official beauties and the unusual. They were like Zubanski, the diplomatic courier from well, let's just say, from a certain country in Europe. Zubanski had a purpose and if necessary, he was ready to kill to carry it out. I know this is extremely short notice, Comrade Sebetic, but the tremendous importance of Comrade Zubanski's mission fully justified I understand. Toma Johnes was glad you're able to find me. What is the mission, Comrade Zubanski, whose chim's a most remarkable latitude. I'm sorry, I didn't mean to try, but well, if I'm trying to work on it, you assignment to accompany Comrades Davon Schiech to Chicago. He's going to meet a contact there and return immediately to New York and from there go on back to Europe. You'll carry out the mission. Your job is to facilitate it. I've made plane reservations here to be at the airport in thirty minutes. Oh, and one more thing. You'll carry this with you, Comrade Civetic, I'm gone. This must be a big one, the biggest job we've ever done. The man you're going to contact has been in Chicago only a week. He came there from Los Alamos, New Mexico, thirty minutes. No time to discuss anything with the FBI. In fact, I didn't see how it was even going to contact them. Dubunsky went to my hotel with me and stayed with me while I packed. Finally we were ready to leave, and there was no way around it. I had to take a chance. With the bunkie standing a dozen seats from me, I picked up the phone and called the FBI number. He said. The cab coman, Oh, will you hold a cab at the stand in front of the Gavan Hotel? Please? Defriend and I have to get to the airport right away to catch flight nine to Stago. Is this ridget right? It's very important that we catch that plane something big. Yes, yes, the Gavin Hotel right away? All right, we'll cover you. Thanks, thank a lot. A tactic will be waiting. Cobrad Zubunski sall we go. I think that'll be awful. Now, boy, here you are. Thanks. What did you say? It is the name of the hotel Conracs of Edic. They handle a house, one of the best in Chicago. Yes, it is most delightful, very luxurious. Now to business. I have a telephone number here, Conrads of Eric. I wish you to put the call through. When they let me talk with the person who answers all right, right operator, will you get me Iroquois seven three four nine. Yes, that's right, they're ringing now good, let me have it. Hell, missus ivanov Zubanski, you have been informed of my identity. I believe good. I am here now and prepared to complete the transaction at once, Number fourteen, Cottage Grove, nine tonight. Excellent, very well, good bye, Comrade Sevedic. Do you know the location of a place called Cottage Grove? Yes, as I recollect summer resort ten or twelve miles at the lake shore, probably deserted this time of her not entirely. There will be someone waiting for us in number fourteen at nine o'clock. Would it be possible for us to obtain an order? Yes, I can rent one to the hotel, so simple it's amazing. We will make history tonight, if everything goes well, make history, Comrade Savedic. I have been an agent of the party for twenty years, and I have never carried out an assignment, even approaching this one in importance. Arranged for the car. An hour later. We left the room and headed for the elevators. I was worried, plenty worried because I couldn't be sure the FBI was on hand and covering me. Left the elevator and started across the hotel lobby. Then I saw him sitting in a chair near the reservation desk, reading a paper. It was David, an agent i'd contacted before the FBI was on the job. At the door, I glanced back and saw that Davis had folded his paper and was sauntering along behind us with a parent. Unconcerned. The doorman pointed out the rented car, and we walked over and climbed into it. Now, come on, SETI let us go now quickly, just a second motors we leave. Now all right, you're the boss. But why I don't get it. The secret police conrade, I mean, the FBI asked the secret police. You see, there were no taxis in the door when we came out. It was better to leave quickly before one should arrive, so if there were secret police, they would be unable to follow us. You understand, conrade, Yeah, I understand. The timing was excellent. It worked perfectly. I'll say it worked perfectly. I caught one last glimpse of Davis in the rear view mirror. He was frantically trying to flag down a cab. And then I was on my way to meet an unknown contact with a gun in my pocket and a kame sitting beside me. Would turned out to be smarter than he looked, and I was out of touch with the FBI on my own. That must be number fourteen. There at the edge of the sand. We will soon know. Come you will leave everything to me, comes I'll have to. I don't even know what it's all about, no matter, I do. Be on God be careful, right, that says number fourteen. All right, you'd thank you would find to get your hands up. WHI I am Ivanov Zubansky, a friend, a friend of whom, a friend of a friend. All right, the door's unlocked, Open it and go on in. I'll be behind you. How come, there's two of you. I understood you'd be alone. This is one of our American comrades, Comera Vedic a us coming. I told you guys, I wanted no part of these local jerks. Mind if I say something fun, I'm not interested in anything, then you will be interested in this. Come right, hacking a rud and I'll take your gun if you don't mind. Thanks, Comrade Javetic. I am not sure of the advisive. I know this type. Comrade Dubuski. He'd keep us here arguing for half the night if we let him, and probably try to raise the ante. As it is, we can do business and get out right, pal. I still don't like it. But did you bring the money to Punsky? Yes? I have it here in my dispatch case. Ten thousand dollars. Correct, here you are. You may verify the amount if you wish. No. Now, you wouldn't try to shave it. You're getting a bargain, and you know it. Suppose we find out what we are getting, there's the money produced. All right, take it easy here you are, boys, fine, let's see what I'm right, Javetic, I'll take care of it. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to get out of line, not at all. You had been most helpful, but the one important thing now was to transport this item safely to Europe, and at that I am a past master. Shall we go. I drove back into the hotel, with Zabansky holding the dispatch case as though it were stuck with diamonds, and neither of us talking very much. I still didn't know what it was he'd bought, but it was a bound report of some sort, and the man who had sold it had come from Los Alamos, two good reasons why it shouldn't get out of the country. We just got inside our hotel room when the phone rang. Who's that I don't know. I'll get him Hello, he yes, yes, this is necessary. Dave us here. I'm calling from the lobby. Pretend it's a room clerk. I see bad luck there. When you left the hotel, I saw you come back pick up anything or report or film. Of course I thought so when I thought that dispatch case. Well, we have a plane reservation out on flight twelve in the morning, so the room will be available by nine o'clock. All right, I'll check we're headquarters in contact before then. I'll tell it all. Bye. A room clerk, they've got a convention coming in tomorrow. Wanted to know when we were leaving. Oh, yes, is a better effect? Come at Civitic. I think we shall leave immediately. But I thought we were staying over until morning. There is hardly any point in it now I have what I came for. Is better to get it out of the country as quickly as possible. What about this getting it out of the country, comrade, how are you going to get it through customs dispatch case? Of course, I'm about to put the seal on it now, diplomatic immunity. I hadn't thought of that. Come at Cevitic, I think you might be interested in seeing what a tremendous prize we have a buiet to night. I will show you just the title of the report before I seal it up. Look I stood there, aghast, watching him put the Customs Immunity se along the case, realizing the full meaning of the title. On the front of the bound pages, it read Quarterly Progress Report, Secret Weapons. Now back to Dana Andrews star as Matt SAVETK and I was a communist for the FBI and the second act of our story. Once again, the timing was against me. Zbunsky's sudden decision to leave immediately put me out of touch with the FBI again, and that diplomatic immunity seal was another problem, a problem even for the FBI. I didn't dare let that report leave the country, and yet I didn't know how to prevent it. So we boarded the airliner and took off from Chicago. I still didn't Eminentsy. According to the schedule, we will arrive in New York at six forty and at eight ten I catch a transatlantic plane to Europe. Excellent as the timing seems to be with you, all right, because the times are with his, comrade Savetti, the march of history. Better go kind of easy on this, comrade stuff want the secret police on our next Oh? Who I forgot? It is well that you accompanied me. Who knows what errors I should have made? Glad to do it all for the cause, you know always before, I have come only to New York called Washington, and I've seen no one outside our own embassy. I know very little of your custom. Yes, I've began to realize that, missus Zabonski. Well, uh, when you're in down, just follow my lad I shall come mister SEBTI that's the idea, Uh, stewardess, yes, suh. What can I do for you? I wonder if I could have something to eat? Certainly? Uh would you like something? Said? Well, I I don't. Might as well on the house bring us bother snacks. Yes it, I'll bring it right away. Such luxury, such service here said it. Oh, by the way, I guess i'd better send a radiogram to the chairman. Tell everything went off alright? But wait a minute, why, mister savetti. Oh those were my instructions. Oh oh, I understand you can send the message from the plane. Yes, another one of those luxuries. But uh, isn't there danger they being intercepted by their secret police? Wouldn't do 'em any good? I use a code of my own, I say. Now. I wanted to let him know he got the item. You're hurrying on to Europe and I'll be there by noon today. I guess I said there. I think the secret police could make anything out of that. Hm, say, fly boy, this all the same upstairs? Draw keep mum, you're truly alongside wrong? Gee? Gee? Oh oh up front seeing plenty here? No, can you'll fix him? Nixon tipple. Let's see a remarkable cold Yes, isn't it? Oh? Thanks, Uh, stewardess, would you mind giving this radiogram for the pilot? Well, I just give it to him, please, he'll take care of it. Well, I'll be glad to thanks. I sat there eating and listened to Zabanski congratulating himself on the great job he done, and then what I've been waiting for happened. The stewardess came back from the pilot's compartment. Sir, the pilot can't make out some of the words in your radiogram, he wonders if you'd come up and explain them. Yes, I'll be happy to I'll be right back, mister. Five minutes later, I was back in my seat again, and the pilot was trying to make radio contact with the FBI in New York, White New York. And I believe the immigration and no is over this way. Mister is right ahead there. It is such a use sance to require foreign diplomats to check through immigration. It is always a near matter of utine clearance. Well, it won't belong now, and you'll be in the air and safely on your way to Europe. Quite so, and with the satisfaction of having completed a highly successful mission. Uh, here we are, and I help you, gentlemen. I am Ivanov Zubanski. My passport, a s iran Zubanski government is a diplomatic passport, you may notice, Yes, I see it is, mister Bonski. I'm afraid I'll have to ask you to step inside inside. Say what is this a slight irregularity. I'm sure we can clear it up in no time this way, please, hey, you too, sir, if you don't mind. What is the meaning of this, I don't know, but I'm afraid we'll have to go along with it the time being. Come on this way, gentlemen. My government will hear of this. I hope you know what you're doing. Tom This is the next thing to an out and out insult of the official representative of a friendly foreign power. I'm sure it can all be straightened out, sir. Through here. Please, hey, so with the idea. This is the de tension section the Saale block. It's quite all right, sir. There's nothing to be concerned about. Here we are, gentlemen. Inside. Please they sell a prison cell. Nothing of the sort. There's some slight question of regularity. In mister Sebonski's passport, and we'd like a half hour or so to check it. That's all. But he's a foreign diplomat. I'm aware of that, sir. Well, maybe we'd better make you are superiors aware of it. I'm carrying out their orders. General my dispatch case. That is your objective. You are going to take it and break the seat. Please, mister Sabanski. You may keep the case here with you if you like. What are we going to do, mister Selina, I don't think we have much choice at the moment. At least come on. Thank you for your cooperation, gentlemen. So far, so good. The pilot had evidently got my message through and the FBI had decided to go along with my plan. I'd asked them to detain us for half an hour and leave us in a cell together. The rest was up to me. The problem block off that report without getting the State department involved and without arousing Zubanski's suspicions. Quite a problem. What is taking them so long? Why doesn't he come back an easy comrade? He's only been going five minutes. Uh, somehow they have found out comrades of Eddy. It's impossible. How could they. I have been thinking that man who sold us the reports a traitor and a criminal. Perhaps he sells to both sides. Yes, it's possible, of course that dispatch case of yours if they do open it and find that report, they will open it, of course they will. That official didn't even deny his intention when you accuse him. It's possible they may be trying to get authorization from higher up, and they will come for it at any moment. Uh, what can we do? If we could only get rid of that report without that for evidence, they wouldn't dare hold you. If we could only dispose of it some way. Sure, but it's a little hard to dispose of anything when you're locked up in a cell. Yeah, like a cigarette? No, thank you? I ah, that is it? Mm? The cigarettes? You have matches? Of course? Yeah? Well, I oh, I get it. Burn the report right here on the floor, exactly. We must hurry before they come for it. Where are the matches? Yeah, let's tear the thing in a shred sort of burn in a hurry. Otherwise they may smell the smoke and get here before it's destroyed. A it's a very shrewd idea. If I get out of this cons to very rest assured that I shall commend your assistance highly to your self, Chairman, thank you're coming. We're too generous. Well, that ought to do it. Here goes nothing cool coold. It is flaring up very quickly. He could all be burned within a matter of seconds, a ten thousand dollar blade and an even greater loss for the party. We had the plans of secret weapons right in our hands coming to my sky, combr There was no way to say, under the circumstances, we are fortunate to have saved our lives. Yeah, what's burning in the heresinated comrade? And as he do for surprise, good lord, why are you burning here private diplomatic papers to which I have no further use? I'd say you're wasting a time, pal, there's nothing left but ambers, Why did you do this? Why did you burn these papers? A purely personal matter? What about mister Zbanski's passport? Did you get that irregularity cleared up? Here is the passport, it's been cleared. You take it a stamp. Turn. I am free then to take the plane to Europe. I have no reason to detain you furtherm not now. As for you, however, my spirit is waiting down all to ask you a few questions. Glad to oblige. I always Hey, look at the time. What you've got just three minutes to get aboard that plane, mister Zbanski, get up before they change their minds. Hey, yes, I understand, I go quickly. I will communicate with you in the very near future. Fine, good lucks about game. Nice going, sir, Thanks and put on a pretty good act yourself. I don't exactly know who you are or entirely what this is about. What the samanda on the hall? Who does? I must say, though, you made a fine message the four of one of my security units. But it was a fortunate mess, plenty fortunate. There you are. Come on in, matt oh Davis in an hour behind here. But I guess there's nothing much left for me to do but author congratulations and say that we're wait hold a second, huh. I just wanted to enjoy that sound. That was Zubanski's plane taking off. Well that was that. Davis traced the spy from his fingerprints on the gun I took from him and picked him up in Chicago a week later. But that was later there in the immigration office, I shook hands with Davis, and he left to catch a taxi to his apartment and his wife and kids, who go up down the long corridor toward the terminal, heading for the ticket windows, heading back to my hometown cell and the same dangerous double life. I wondered for an instant how it would be to have a wife and kids to go home to, and then I killed the thought. I can't afford to have thoughts like that. I'm a communist for the FBI. I walk alone, m then I drew