IWCF 023 - The Rat Race

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. You are about to hear a strange story. Names, dates, and places are, for obvious reasons, fictional, but many of these incidents are based on the actual experiences of Metsavetic two four nine fantastic years. Lived as a Communist. For the FBI. Here is our star, Dana Andrews as Metsavetic. Sometimes it's hard to remember you're a decent person when every word you say, every thing you do, comes out of communist manuals. For nine years, I was torn apart inside with hating of the red lies and Ye's spouting them every day of the week. Only my knowledge that it had to be done kept me going as a communist for the FBI. In a moment, listen to Dana Andrews as Mat Sevedic undercover man. Now Here is Dana Andrews as Matt Savedic undercover man. This story from the Confidential File is marked the rat Race, Detroit, A small smoky room, a handful of nervous men. It was a Communist cell meeting and like all the others I had attended. It was overcast, with a tension of fear. It seemed like it would be a routine meeting. As we stood waiting for our sale leader, Comrade Grego, the peggy mustache, gorgey Tamashovna babbled his couples. To me, so she says to me. Comrade, She says, Gorgy, why you got to go to meeting tonight? And I tell her, Look, Bobka, how did I know your cousin was coming tonight to visit? And cousin or Matt Bobka, the party with me comes first. You should bring your wife into the party too, Comra Gorgy, Comrade math, no one, not even Comrade Stalin could bring my wife for places don't want to go. So stubborn like this, comrades. Conrade's ready, Yes, Coma Grego, remain after the meeting. I have something special for. You, yes, Comra, before we take up the business attend, Comrade. Yes, are you aware of the way your wife speaks regarding the party? Oh yes, comrade, she says to you. 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. You are about to hear a strange story. Names, dates, and the places are, for obvious reasons, fictional, but many of these incidents are based on the actual experiences of math, Siberic, pupeign and fantastic years lived as a Communist for the FBI. Here is our star, Dana Andrews as Matt Savetic. Sometimes it's hard to remember you're a decent person when every word you say, everything you do, comes out of communist manuals. For nine years, I was torn apart inside with hating of the Red lies and yet spouting them every day of the week. Only my knowledge that it had to be done kept me going as a communist for the FBI. In a moment, listen to Dana Andrews as Mat Semitic undercover man. Oh. Here is Dana Andrews as Matt Savedic undercover man. This story from the Confidential File is marked the rat Race, Detroit, A small smoky room, a handful of nervous men. It was a Communist cell meeting, and. Like all the others I had attended, it was overcast with the tension of fear. It seemed like it would be a routine meeting. As we stood waiting for our sale, leader, Comrade Greco, the peggy mustache Gorgi Tamashovna babbled his couples to me. So, she says to me. A comrade, she says, Gorky, why you got to go to meeting tonight? Man? And I tell her, Look, Bobka, how did I know your cousin was coming tonight to visit? And cousin or Matt, Bobka, the party with me comes first. You should bring your wife into the party too, Coma Gorgi. Comrade mat, No one, not even Comrade Salen, could bring my wife for place you don't want to go as so stubborn. Like this, comrades. Comrade's ready, Yes, Comra Grego, remain after the meeting. I have something special for. You, yes, Comra, before we take up the business at hand. Comrade. Yes. Are you aware of the way your wife speaks regarding the party? Oh? Yes, comrade, she says, too much, Comrade, some of which he has learned from you. Of course. Honest, my wife, you know how I. Know nothing except you must convert her to the party immediately or get rid of her. Yes, comrade Greco. Well, let's proceed with the meeting. That was comrade Greggo, a smart, young red fanatic rising rapidly in the party. You to his ability to ignore the human problems of most simple men like Gorgetma Shouner. When Greco and I were alone after the meeting, his guard came down a little, and I saw that he was both nervous and excited about something. You will go immediately to the hotel Standish. As for the key, room one seventeen, it has been reserved for you, Gusk, Comrade. He will ask no questions. That is good. Stay in the room, awake, no phone cause, not even to the desk. I understand, comrade, you're a good man to work with. We'll start grow. Let me speak to the waiter wearing a hat speaking. This is your customer with a carnation. Oh clear here, Matt, go ahead. I have to make it fast. I'm in a phone booth and I've got a date Hotel Standish, room one seventeen. Don't know what's up. We have our own problems tonight. Matt grailing Rawson just disappeared. I've got every available man out of trying to trace him. Rawson. But if you can spare one, have a man whip over and wire Room one's seventeen in the standish. I have a hunch this is important for me. He'll be there at the time you are. Keep your ears and eyes open for any party rumors about Russan. We want them at that trial, and we want them bad. Yes, sir, may I help you? That's why I rang the bell. You have a reservation for me, Room one seventeen. One seventeen. Name is Sthetic, So, sir, here you are. The register has already been signed. Thank you. Wait, this is the wrong key. I asked for one seventeen. You gave me six five. But it's the right key, comrade. Oh, instructions are. That you to go right up front. Boy. No matter what the clerk called, the switch of rooms had me stuck. I was taken to room six fifty five. As soon as the bell hoop had left, I started to go down and inform the FBI man of the change. But even as I started to open my door, the phone rang. Hello. This is the desk clerk, sir. Everything all right, certainly, what's the idea, comrade? My orders to check on my room to make sure, you stay in your room. I'll be calling you again. They hadn't missed a bet. I was in room six fifty five and that was where I was going to stay. While down in room one seventeen an FBI man was installing a microphone in vain. There was only one thing for me to do. Wait. It was a long one. Then at twenty minutes to three, the weight was over. Who is it there? You go? Oh? Come on comment? Oh have the janitor with quickly comic greco Is he. One of us? They cover also fooled you. He's not the hotel janitor. Look more closely, huh sure what we brailing? Rawson? But Conard rows and this is comrade Matt Swetik. It's a pleasure I see you know me? Who doesn't. You're one of the most important men in the party, exactly too important to have to go through the many of a trial. It's your chance here I escaped that I must not stand trial. They won't get you to trial, Comrade Rossen. But isn't he on bond? Fifty thousand dollars bond? The party will be glad to sacrifice that to save Comrade Rosson from jails. The FBI will turn the city inside out looking for them. He won't be here. That's why you are here, Comrade Reddick. We are taking Comrade Rosson out of the city. Now out of. The city, but many he shows his face on the street. Leave the details to me, comrade. Yes, finally, right on schedule. We'll be right down. Well, all set, let's go. Yeah, this way to the service elevator. It's a great honor to be selected for this mission, Comra Greghill. But why are you Your record shows some intelligence, Comrade. That is why. I could not use the others like Tomashovna, stupid ones like sheep. You push, they go. You stop pushing this stuff. No minds, just wives to nag and make problems. And now you can forget your worries. Comrade. There is your escape. Perfect. No, I don't like this joke. It's not funny. No, no, Comrade Rawson. This is only a precaution against discovery until we're out of the city. The rest of the trip will be different. The rest. Yes, didn't I tell you? We are taking Comraderaws to New York. It took us less than thirty seconds to get the red faced, perspiring Ross and across the freight platform and into the back of the herse. The coming leader wasn't made any happier at the side of a long black coffin open for business. Oh no, I don't ride with coffin. You have to so right. It's a lovely coffin here you see the inside? Is it satin? Play down in the try it out? Lie down? Oh no, not until I'm a course. Would you rather go to jail? All right, I'll lie down and I think I'll take a pill, a camerace retic. You'll drive. Here's the uniform coat and the cat and I change quickly. Now I will remain in back. If we are stopped. I am demortician Frederick Dodds. Dods can't remember. And in this coffin will be the earthly remains of one John Carter being taken to the Green Lawn Cemetery in Rockwood, where the poor thing will be cremated. It was bizarre, and to Comrade ross in a little bosom, but it worked, and with Greco keeping a close eye on me from the back, there was no chance to let anyone know that a very live and wanted body was lying in the coffin on the way. I was given some instructions. Then, a few miles south of Detroit, Greco directed me to turn into a small and decrepit wayside garage called Mike's Place. The drive right inside. All right, Mike closed the doors. Comrades, well, I like your choice of help, Comrade Greco. Introduce him later, my lovely, come out, Comrade Ross. I'd be most happy to this way. Please nerve ranking this business of escape and should take another kilt. Take two. It's a long way to New York. Connor if I take too many, they make me violently ill. And please have seats, Comrades. I'm sorry. This office has much to offer in the way of comfort. How long are we going to stay here? I just knew we could do something besides job. Look out, Comrade Matt. Oh, don't want him? Introduce him, all right, Matt. This is candy, short for candies. Which is short for Rosemary Wilkins. Candyes fits better. Candy is perfect. Oh, candy is sticky, and that's the way you impress me. Comrade you Co, you better forget it. Rosie, don't call me Rosie. And Comrade net Yeah, andy can be soft and sweet, but it can also be hard. I don't think you'll like hard candy. Please, please, When do we leave up your car? Now? It'll only be a few minutes, Comrade. Rowson for me grailing my dear comrade, did you check the radio? There's nothing on it. The FBI keeping it quiet so far. Probably figure he'll show up soon. Ike knows what to do with the herse. Sure he'll ditch it back in Detroit before daybreak. Excuse me, I think I'll wash my head. Raco sit down all I wanted until Comrade Rawson is safely out of the country. None of us will be alone at any time. The Party is taking no chances on this mission. But I repeat, those are orders. Disobey them or even try to disobey them, and it will mean you are instant removal. Now back to Dana Andrews starring as Matt Sivik, and I was a communist for the FBI and the second act of our story. That night with the car, Waaley signals the road empty. That's it, let's go. It was a red hot deal. One of America's biggest commies, arrested two weeks before, was jumping his bail with the help of the Party Grayling Rawson was fleeing the FBI and his trial, and I was right in the middle of it, and I couldn't do a thing. Stop it so long, Mike, roll it, comrade, or are you coming through? I knew you'd be pleased. I am pleased, my dear. Your company is most. Refreshing flatter after that cop and anything would be refreshing. As a matter of fact, this is my idea, comrade. When the police are seeking a single man, a group can be much less noticeable. No matter whose idea, The only important thing is that I am not caught again by the FBI. Keep it in mind, Grego, My safety comes above everything else. Of course, Rosie, turn on the radio. Let's hear the news. You'll call me that wants too often, Draco. He's on the hour, every hour and twenty four hours a day. Here is your five day m edition, headlined by a bulletin just released Raving Rows and Communist Party boss and died it last week. Disappeared a few hours ago, and the suspected of jumping his fifty thousand dollars bond. Local authorities believed and may not have left the city, but informed sources revealed the FBI has begun a nation wide search for the missing man, who may be trying to escape the country on Capitol Hill. Hopes a risen high that an agreement may be reached within a short and. Working too fast and had expected widespread search. So soon turn off the next dirt road will circle south to Mansfield. All right, bullop here where we're going? That big white house with the elms in front. Looks like it's so clear. But you stay in the car with treading Rosie Matt and I will make sure, Greco, is this the right house? That sign says this blanche Hardish piano lessons. Yes, I can read. Good morning, madam, it's miss a miss of course. I have a child. You want me to teach piano? Mighty? My little boy's very anxious. He just arrived from Detroit. Oh do you know the answer to five times five? Of course? Thirty one? Ah, Come in, comrade, I am Greco. This is Comrade Swaty, Comrade Harris got alone. Yes, I was just starting breakfast. My first pupil won't arrive for an hour yet. Where is the time in the car. We need to stay here for a while until things quite down. It's an honor to help comrades. It is best the name never be mentioned. I understand I have to put you up in the attic kind of dirty. I'm afraid I haven't been much on climbing those stairs since I picked up a touch of boy. Be fine, just as long as it keeps us out of FBI han. Miss Harris's attic like gaul, was divided into three parts, one large room, a bath, and a tiny additional room. Against the eaves. There were cots and blankets and stores of can goods, a fair supply of debris left by previous tenants, and one window securely boarded and curtained against showing a light. Many of our comrades have stayed here while evading the police, but of course never anyone so important as yourself come it. Thank you. The party won't forget your word. The men can use this large room, and I get the broom clause enough. There's a special radio set yonder. You can pick up Toledo on it. Is there anything else I can get for you? I'd like to check the papers. I'll run out and get stay here, Comra. None of us will leave the settic for any reason until we leave it together. Beco was plain enough. As long as he was around, I knew my chances of contacting the FBI were exactly zero. My one bit of cheer was that as long as I was not heard from, the FBI would be able to guess I was in on Rawson's escape and that he had not yet left the country, so they would continue to search. And in this I was right. Today, the man hunt for Grating Rawson goes on undiminished everywhere. The authorities are seeking the communist boss or jump bail and disappeared from Detroit last Friday night. As a public service, we're broadcasting his description again. If you see or have seen such a man, please contact your local police immediately. I repeat, if you see or have seen such a poof who they. Ever give up? No, no, not again. Comrade Harris must give lessons to every child in. Mansts, little monsters. This is over. I'm going out and strangle everyone I see, just on general principle. Well, it won't belong search or no search. We have to live here in two days to be New York by the eighteenth. The eighteenth. The you know in time and stop asking questions, you'll live longer. I think I'll take a pill. It wasn't much, but Rawson had given me an idea on how to get rid of Graco, at least temporarily. I remembered what Rawson had said about two of his pills being too much. That they made him ill. So the next din Ho Roden was washing, I stole four of the tablets from the gold pill box in his vest. I mashed the tablets. Into a powder and kept it in a fold of paper ready during our last meal before leaving on the seventeenth, I palmed the folder of powder, waiting my chance to slip it into Greyco's soup. Then I realized I'd have to make my own chance. Without a can opener in this place. We'd starved at this at. Least with that hot sight, we've had warm food. That sun. Look is that smoke coming up? I guess I must have been mistaken. Looked like a west of smoke ping up there. You're seeing things, comrade. Oh that's enough for me. But they didn't finish your soup. I don't feel like it. We'll have a long drive tonight. You may need it. Perhaps you're right enough. We'll be leaving as soon as it gets dark. Any time, Comrade. We must be in New York by morning. Coma Greger, something wrong, you look pale? Just the stomach cache. That'll be all right, RecA. We had food. I knew it. We'll all die. Oh nonsense, he just got a stomach cache. Should I get a doctor? No, doctor, just let me rest. Must leave right away. There's no time for you to rest. You must get me away. I don't think I can make it. Comrades. Yes, I must trust you. Vote leaving New York tomorrow morning. Ten o'clock, hot boat, pull a straiton, nada, arrangements hold made good luck, comrade. After Comrade Harris furnished Grayling Rawson with working clothes and a hat. We were on our way. Greco, being left behind, gave me hope, and I abided my time until we were entering Williamsport, Pennsylvania. It was after three and both Rawson and Candy were dozing as I pulled up to an all night cafe. Then as I reached for the door handle, a small cold circle touched the back of my neck. It's a gun, Draco's gun. I don't understand, Candy, right, I don't trust you. I was only going to get some it is worth us to stay together. How if I were you, Matt, I drive on. We made it. There's Janetta. You'll be safe before you know it. Grayling, Yes, I suppose so strange in some way, I hate to leave him. America it has its poise. Huh, you'd better stay here. Goodbye, Conrad. I watched draws and God to the loading foreman, and in a moment the calming was in the line of workers carrying a box into the fighter's hold through the loading heads. Whatever I was going to do had to be done fast. At that moment, a burly Steve Ador brushed by us. I threw a shoulder into him and he hit the deck, and then he got up and with a hitch of his dunge racy star for me, followed by a half dozen others sensing the ball. Come on, I'll take care of your boyfriend. O your crumbs. You insult my girl, I'll hand you some knuckles. You'll hand me knuckles. I groove you, guys. I don't want to block the squash on you. It was the hard way that I was free of Candy, who faded fast at the side of the police. Hey, I got a free trip to the station. Once there, however, I was permitted to make a call. It was to the FBI, and I told them where they could pick up Grayling Rawson. Fifteen minutes later, a visitor in my son. Hello, man, what do you doing here? I was assigned to handle the second. It's a nice smilese, both of them. Never mind my eyes. Did you get Rossen? Now? I had a sail just before you called. Oh no, it's all right. Our patrol boats are intercepting the fighter before she gets past the three mile limit and'll take rosson up and bring him back to stand trial. That's better. Rough go, rough enough, unless little deal is going to take some explaining to the party. We've covered you on that. Oh I started the press that somebody on the fighter tipped this up. Thanks, all right? I ought to clear me sure? Why not? Oh? You did was get into a fight over and insult your girl. You will forgive me if I don't walk out with you. She's a pretty one, Matt. That's her name, Candy Hard Candy. I've done my job the best I could, but there was no feeling of satisfaction. Yet. That wouldn't be, not as long as mechanics named Mike and piano teachers named Harris allow the rottenness of communism to warp them into treachery and treason. It was up to me to live with my enemies until the job was done, which meant I would continue to walk alone. Dana Andrews will return in just a moment. This is Dana Andrews. Too often, the warm security of family and friends can blind us to the threat of subversive elements hard at work trying to destroy our way of life. We must meet that threat with alertness and determination that freedom can and will survive. Join us next week when we bring you another exciting experience of Matt Svedi. Won't you The the