IWCF 025: Pennies from the Dead

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. From the actual records and authentic experiences of Matsaphtic, how many of the incidents in this unusual story. Here is our star, Dana Andrews as Matt Savedic two four nine fantastic years. Lived as a communist for the FBI. Nine endless years. But they ended three thousand tormenting days and halted nights, an eternity of nerves. With my stomach and hard knots and my chest bounding deal so I can hardly breathe. How did I last through it? I don't know. Maybe I didn't. Maybe part of a man died after doing some of the things I had to do. Worth it? Definitely would I do it all over again? I don't know. In a moment, listen to Dana Andrews as Matt Sabbatic undercover Man. Now here is Dana Andrews as Matt Sabbatic undercover Man. This story from the Confidential file is Mark Pennies from the Dead. I don't like it. I stand in front of comrade Revson's desk while he studies some papers in front of him and looks up at me from time to time are those small contemptuous eyes of his? Suddenly, out of nowhere, he snaps, how much do you weigh? Why? I asked you one hundred and eighty pounds? I'd say, good? Why eyes, brown hair, brown height. It's just tall enough for my feet to reach the ground. With apologies to the gag to Abraham like and okay, never mind, you'll do first. You will go to a passport photo studio and get a photo of yourself passport for it do attached to your passport? Yes, my pastor where am I going? You are not going? You have just arrived? Or did I have a good trip? And where from? If you were not? Otherwise such a good man for us, I should find it necessary to discipline you for your impertinence. You will take this passport made. Out for one Alexey Borodine. Comrade Borodin landed last night from one of our European ports. How did he get a passport? We have methods forged, We have methods. Go on, Comrade Borodin is an important Soviet agent we wish to have in this country. However, for the time. Being, we wish to kill two birds with one stone. We need money. We always need money. How does this curate? We have here other papers giving you power of attorney to act for a certain Olga Lazarov of Gouradok, a. Town near Minsk, Russia. H harve attorney for what to collect moneys due her from the estate of Private first Class Joseph Lazarov of the United States Army, recently deceased. Private Lazarov has no American relatives to claim his insurance another estate, so we shall claim it in the name of his old forgotten grandmother in Gouradoc. I see get a suitable picture taken, then come back. Then I will instruct you where to go and whom to see at the Independent Veterans Organization. It is quite simple. Go and come back. I don't like it. I hate it. I don't quite get all of it yet, But what I get I hate. I've pulled some shoddy little tricks to the party, but this looks like the main event in the Dirty Dirty I go to a place and get a fast photo of myself. It makes me look like a b television version of a book and spy, and I go to a public telephone, making sure I'm not being followed, and dial my FBI contact. Hello, Dug Store, this is the drug storm. May I help him? Oh? This is doctor Herbert. Yes, doctor, how about lunch today? That sounds good to me? You're very hungry plenty where you name it. I'm at Maine and Temple and there's a little restaurant with booths on the next corner south. How about ten minutes, right, thank you, doctor Holong. Yeah, if Matt, we're familiar with the device, all right, it's one of the ways the party finances itself. Can anything be done about it? Yeah, it's a tough order, Matt. See the way it works. The Party keeps a file on all the US veterans of Russian origin. Now, when one dies without air as a legacy, is the party done? Well? Theyg zepp an air somewhere behind the iron curtains. In it you mean they'll have to turn over Joseph Lazarov's effects and all to me to deliver to a relative of his somewhere behind the iron curtain, who doesn't even exist. You have power of it turning all legal, and the measure forwarded probably phony. Probably can't you do something about it? We don't know yet. You don't know yet. Meanwhile, I've got to do the dirty work. I've got to be the one who steals the pennies off a dead American soldier's eyes to hand them over to the comedy. I won't do it. Look, Matt, it's a chance for you to see the inside of the gouge. And reports to us. We can do certain things about it, sure, but it gives us more research on the track, fattens our files until we're ready to act. While I picked dead pockets for the red If you don't do it, though, find somebody who will do it. Gladly, they won't report to the FBI either. Now, Yeah, you happen to match the description of this Borodine person on the passport. That's all the Reds could find ten men in this time to match that description. What happens to Borodine? It's an interesting angle. What's as if they're turning a Soviet agent loose in this country and turning you loose on PFC Lazarovs has stayed at the same time. Two birds with one stone is the way Revsen, the corny comrade put it. Don't underrate Revson. I don't keep in Judge. Now, what do you want to eat? I'm not hungry. I report back to Revsen. He praises my passport photo and then substitute it for the photo of Alexei Borodine. He gives me the name of the man to see at the Independent Vets Organization and some final words of cheer and caution. Before I rob the dead, be prepared for a hostile reception. Stand firmly, however, on your legal rights as represented in your papers, at which they are unable to controvert. There is nothing they can do but recognize it's Olga Lazarov's claim. Suppose I'm questioned about my passport, my English, my contact. With all Ga Lazarov, answer on that as you please. If the official gets unruly, rebuke him. Have no scruples about that, assert your rights. Always place him in the wrong. If you can leave it to me. There is a matter of some twelve thousand dollars involved. If our information is correct, a tidy little donation to the court, and already as good as ours. All you have to do is arrange to collect it. Go a'lectually borrowed in is it? That's correct? Gregory? How did this all Galazav have to learn of your grandson's death? The obituary was in the American papers. I wasn't aware that the American press reached such Soviet sentence as Moscow, let alone a hinderland like this? What is it? Kora Duch not far from Mince? Does it? Does our press penetrate the Iron curtain? I'm not quite so, of course. However, the Soviet government has the interest of its citizens close to its heart. Did you speak to this al Galazarov? I must ask you not to refer to her as this Alga Lazarov, Alga Lazarov or Madame Lazarov? If you please, did. You speak to all Galasarov? There's a signature properly witnessed by its two citizens of Koradok. M Yes. Any data that all is open to your closest scrutiny and impetication. To whatever extend possible under the circumstances. Please call me at any time you have my hotel. You appreciate the necessity for delay. Naturally, a fair amount of money is involved, and these small effects. He opens a drawer and takes out a soft leather pouch, tosses it on the desk. It's old and dark, with age and sweat and handling, closed with soil drawstrings. I look at it, I feel a tightening in my throat. This is it, this humble leather pouch containing I don't know, trinkets, mementos, badges, medals. Maybe I don't know, but all at once, I want to know. I want to see and touch the things that Joseph Lazarah, soldier of his adopted country, thought worth saving. I want to visit the grave of Joseph Lazarah, dying alone and unmourned in a little rooming house. I want to say hello Joe, want to say so long joege Sorry. That's it, and that's about all of it. You mind if I open the pouch? Go ahead? That's right? What think? It's second place under the yard desk, purple heart pass ring, a single old fashioned gold cupling with a tiny diamond chip in the center, them old coins, this charge. Button, and that's all. Does Madame lazarv want that too? That one gold coupling? We didn't take the other? Believe me? Just asking could I visit Private Lazarov's grave? Why it's customary. Certainly, do it up brown, don't you whatever that means, And I don't care what it means. I'd like to see Private Lazarov's grave very well, mister Bordin. I've arranged it for you. I find the little gravestone among the thousands in the cemetery. I'm glad Private first Class Lazarov has the company of his Dolla soldiers. It's a fairly new grave. The pot hasn't greened over yet, but it will. I stand her a while with my hat off. I think so long, Joe, don't be too rough on us. The job says, I've got to rob you and hand it over to strangers. Look at it this way, Joe, it's an investment. It's experience and the inside dope, and it all goes into files where we'll have use for it someday. To get this way, soldier, it's your last contribution to your country, way beyond the call of uture, your country, the USA, even if your name is Lazua. Okay, I'm almost at the exit gate when I suddenly realized that there's been a tired part of geranium on PTC. Lazaro's grave and none on the others, but something else wipes that out of my mind. At a hurry. A car is part of the exit, sitting behind the wheel, looking grim as comrade Repsitvsen. Get in, but what are you doing here? How did you know I was here? Get in enough? And for you me? Why what? Get in? Now? Back to Dana Andrew starring as Matt Sebetic, and I was a communist for the FBI and the second act of our story. For half an hour we drive out into the country, im not saying a word, his mouth set and his eyes dark with anger. Finally he stopped the car and we walk away from it. You never know when the FBI might have wired a car, or an office or a hotel room to record conversation. We sit down under a tree. Repsen pulls up, grasp for a moment, then he looks at me and comes to the point like a pistol shop. They were arrested borod In. The police the. FBI very curious. Why why did they pick Borodin up? He passed customs all right, Nobody questioned his passport. They might have let him through then notified the FBI that he was in on a questionable passport. The FBI have picked him up without any passport at all. You and I alone knew he had none, and that's true. But you have his passport by your instructions, Comrade, give it to me. Certainly, you'll have to put Borodine's picture back and get the passport to and leave that to me. Does that put Borodine in the clear? I think so. It is very important for him to be in the clear. He's a trained Soviet agent. Look, if the FBI has picked up the real elective Borody, how can I go back to the veterans organizations claiming to be bored. If there is no reason whatever to suppose that the organization keeps closely informed on FBI activity. That's true, the FBI does not exactly publicize it's every move, right. And twelve thousand dollars will. Mean a lot to us right now? Worried not? Now, let's go back to Lacard. Hello, mister Bordin. Yes, this is Gregory of the Veterans Organization. I wonder if you could come down to my office and discuss a few final points in the private Joseph Lazarev matter. Certainly, mister Gregory, when would it be convenient for you. Could you make it right now? Coming right down? Good morning, I took a tack. You're right down when your phone. Mister Borden, This is mister Darwin Diykes. How do you do, Frank? How do you do? Mister Borden? I wonder if I might ask you a few little questions. Oh go ahead? May I see your passport? Please? Passport? You see, I'm new at this job, mister Borden. Simply is a precaution. I called on the FBI to help me out on this matter. The FBI, Yes, here my potential. I see. It's a curious thing. Another mister Borodeen entered the country by the same port of entry that you did. Somewhere along the line, he claims to have lost his passport. This mister Borden has a passport. I can gotch for that much. Could I see it, sir? You don't seem to have it on me. Oh, I must have left it in my other suit. Well, I have a car outside. I'll run you down to your hotel. Could we the stop at a paystation somewhere for a minute or two? As a phone call I have to make privately. Hello Reds Who is this? What do I do that? Veteran's official just got a hunch to call any FBI. They asked me for my passport and I don't have it anymore. What do I do? Who is this? You have the wrong number? I am sorry, you have the wrong number. Hello, well listen, Hello, you don't mean the wrong number. Reps All right, hello drug store store, doctor Herbert talking? Shoot doctor listen, listen. I've been picked up by the FBI without my passport. The real borrow done has it? So what do I do? I've called Repsen and he's powdered out on me. Revson the second I said FBI, he didn't know me anymore. Wait a minute, Wait a minute. Who is this? I told you, doctor Herbert. Well, you ought the doctor Herbert I met yesterday. Is that party over the cafe on Third and Muffett Avenue, aren't you? No? You sound like him? Oh? Sure, I met you and your wife at five pm downstairs, No Third and Muffin. No. Oh, sorry, you've got the wrong party then. Hello. Oh hello, well, mister Bardy Nola. I thought sure I'd left my passport in this room. I think you might have lost yours too. I can't find it too bad? Just how bad is it? Well, I'll have to ask you not to leave John, mister. Boardy, I won't. She would want to have a little. Talk with you. Meanwhy do you uh? You may find your passport. I'm sure I will. I'm sure you will. Goodbye, sir. I'm alone in my hotel room and alone in the world, alone and deserted. Revsen has disowned me. My FBI contact has hung up on me. One tells me I have the wrong number. The other tells me, I'm somebody who met at a party on Third in Moffett, and I was with my wife white Third on All at once, it's Sonna, all at once the dawn. I grabbed my hat and take a taxi to Third Moffett. It's a little after five, but there is my FBI contact sitting in a booth waiting for me, don't you see mat By talking to Redsen first, you put me in a very difficult spot. If I get you off the hook now with the FBI, Revsen will know you've pulled some important wires, probably the FBI. I'll have put two and two together and get FBI and you'll be in serious trouble. What should I do? Well, I wouldn't talk to you over the phone, but i'd see the same goes for comrade eye see him. I think you'd better. Will you keep an eye on me? Sort of sota, because someday I'd like to have that wife you invented if I live. You were a fool sthetic an accident of birth. Okay, no nonsense to you, hear. How was I to know the Veterans Organization character would call in the FBI. You should not have called me. Then you come to the office. You know the FBI wires offices. All right, So you took me to this rehearsal hall. We're okay. The question now is what do we do? We have a choice. Only one of you can be the real Alexey Borodin. Borodin is an important agent. Se Vedic has access to important money. If we look rotten to the Independent Veterans Organization, we lose this twelve thousand, then they'll always be suspicious of us. Our whole scheme will be exposed. But Borodin is an important agent. Must go train Lenin institute. If he gets the passport, he stays. If Borodin gets the passport, he stayed, Yeah, he stayed, I won't have to steal those pennies from a dead American soldier's eye. And then I think, sure, But if I don't get the passport, I'll have to get off the hook with the FBI. They'll have to know that I'm FBI too. I'll get off, but Redson will be suspicious, then suspicious. You'll know my usefulness to the FBI will be over. That's the problem. Then do I want to skin out of robbing a dead soldier for the comings or do I want to keep on working for the FBI. I don't know. I just don't know. Sthetig, Yeah, Baladin is a very important man. Do you want to let him have the passport? Twelve thousand dollars right now is important money? Yes? Well, come at Stheti, you decide. Isn't that a pretty big decision for me to make? Make it? All right? I want the passport. I telephone the Independent Veterans Organization. I'm asked to come down. I show the passport. I'm a good boy. Now it'll take some time for the transaction be finalized, but we'll have Private Lazaro's estay clear for you. In time and made over to you as attorney for all Galazov. Thank you no reason why you can't have this little bag of his small effects. Now I take the pathetic, little leather pouch with its poor, eloquent relics of the dead. I find my way out to the cemetery again to pay my respects, to offer my last apologies. A girl edited past me and stands silently at another grave a few yards away. I pour the humble tokens out of the leather pouch. Wanted to tell your soldier, I hate what I had to do, but the comrades won't be wanting these small things. Purple heart cuffling, grade school athletics, meddle. I wanted to tell you soldier your kind permission. I'd like to keep him for you, Okay. I turned to go. Something in the grass glitters in the setting sun. I had to get up. Seems I dropped the cufflink. Pretty shaky, pretty dim. I miserable, began pouring the little tokens back into the leather pouch. I stopped short. I have two cuff links where there was only one before. I look back and I see the girls standing there. Are you girl? I mean you, I did you do. Anything I'm not doing anything wrong? Really? Yeah? Soy just look at this cuff link. Give it to me, then it is yours. Give it to me. Give it to me? And why are you standing at Joe Lazarov's grave? Now I can't? I have to see him again. Joe gave you this cup length didn't he just. Take it back? He gave you the couple? Yeah, why he couldn't afford to give me a free ireen. It's no fashioned, Kathleen. His father owned. You. Hold it between the middle finger the ring fingers see so curls around the ring finger looks like a ringism marriage finger. See see marriage finger. He ruled in mama's rooming house. Loved to shut it, but Mamma didn't know. I couldn't marry him. Oh but I did, wow secretly so nobody would find out. We were married almost a year. We were Louck. Listen to me, this is big news for both of us, but mostly for me. Now listen to me closely, missus Joseph Lazarov. I tell Soldier Lazarov's widow and heir what to do to get her legacy, and warn her solidly not to involve me. I don't leave her with her dead until I know she's got it right. Then I go. I'm a new man, washed clean by the tears of gratitude in her eyes. This is a lump sum the comrades aren't going to get, but they won't know it until I'm sure a Lee Borodine is safely deported again twin bill, double victory. I hit the pavement away from the grave, the girl and the gratitude. I come down to work again. I know the gratitude is great, but I know that nothing will save me if the comrades find out what I've engineered with their help, comes the showdown. I'm a Communist for the year. The I walk alone. Dana Andrews will return in just a moment. This is Dana Andrews stepping out of the character of Matt Sevedik to remind you that our story wasn't pure fiction. Oh no, We've changed names and modified incidents to disguise the story from the wrong people to protect the right people. But you get the general idea, sure you do, and that's what counts. Next week, another adventure of Matt Vedek, who worked under cover for the FBI, hear it because you are the right people to hear it. Thanks