IWCF 028 The Unwelcome Hosts

I was a Communist for the FBI, starring Dana Andrews and an exciting tale. Of danger and espionage. I was a Communist for the FBI. From the actual records and authmatic experiences of math Semitic, how many of the incidents and this unusual story here is our star, Dana Andrews as math Semitic over nine fantastic years lived as a Communist for the FBI. You've heard it said too often, no doubt that it's a woman's privilege to change your mind. The communists I've known don't go for that theory at all. Rather than have a woman change her mind, the Reds will go to great angs to change the woman. This practice can be dangerous for the woman and for the Reds. This story will tell you why. In a moment, listen to Dana Andrews as mat Sematic undercover man. Now here is Dana Andrews as mat Samatic undercover man. This story from the confidential file is marked the unwelcome hosts. Sounds very cozy and civilized. Don't that everyone's having a gay old time? And why not? This is a communist cell meeting in the happy Reds are planning to liquidate an unsuspecting comrade. What could be more fun for a comedy than that? Do you imagine her face when she finds herself on the boat back to Russia for discipline? Well, let's get down. The Business Control Commission has issued a few instructions. Comrade Lache. Oh yes, comrade Savetic. I'm still not sure why this Rastav woman is. Considered an enemy of the party. It really doesn't matter why Savetic Moscow has informed us that she is so she. Is, well, we can't question that, but still I do know this. However, Sanya Rostov was a trusted news correspondent for Soviet publications. She hangled a trip to America, presumably to cover events delegation. Actually it was her way of escaping from the party. But are we sure of that? I hate to see an innocent woman, punny who we doubt the word of our leader? Of course, not all right? Think Before Comrade Rostov left for America, she confided to one of her close friends that she intended to quit the party and become an American citizen. Why oh, I see, and her friend informed our leaders in Russia that it. Exactly Now we have orders to see to it that Sonya Rostov does not become an American citizen. There's a Soviet newswoman. She learned too much of party operations. As soon as possible, passage back to Moscow will be arranged for, and our job. Will be done. Now about these instructions from the Control Commission here, we are ready. It's very Oh yes, corad, you. Are assigned to handle the Snya Rostov project. Me by me naturally ill health in any way. I can, But I don't even know the woman. And get to know her. You are familiar with the workings of our communist press, she's a part of it. Win her confidence, make her trust you. For blood, coward, I'm very flattered by all. Listend. After all, I'm no lady. I must our woman as a widow and alone. She probably has a few friends here. Some of them are loyal party workers who keep us informed of her activities. But since she's leaving the party for the bourgeoisie, she must be hungry for someone to trust. Someone to help her. All right, Comrade, I'll help her. Good. There's a ship leaving for the Soviet in two weeks. It's up to you, sir Eric, to help Sonya Rostov to the other. I visited Tonia Rostov at delegations press room. She wasn't really a beautiful woman, but her smile was shy, Her deep set eyes were large and full of memories, her manner gentle. All this added up to disarming attractiveness. After a few visits, our conversations came easily. Maybe she was planned to find someone so interested in her work, or maybe she was just eager to find a friend. They're done well as this dispatch. Well please our leaders more, haven't they been satisfied with your others? Conradetic? It is so difficult. I am told to describe American life. Well, I write what I see. Then I am chastised for it. Why you don't favor this capitalistic rap race, do you? No? No, of course not. But in describing the proofs. One cannot avoid mentioning this store so abundance, with so many foods, with the gleaming white appliances for cooking, the colorful fessions for women, the untroubled children. Of course, these are all symbols of the superficial bourgeoise existence. Sure, I hope you realize that by acknowledging them, I do not praise them. Hey, I've got an idea. As long as these superficial symbols are. Here, let's let you and I exploit them a little. No, I do not understand. Let's have some fun at the expense of the capitalistic system. Let's squander American money on useless bourgeois entertainments. Oh no, come that the workers for the cause cannot stoopid doing practical pleasure. No, don't be silly. I'm as loyal to the party as you are. How can you describe. American life if you don't know how Americans have fun? That is true? No, really, I thank you, but I must must what I'm not? I must nothing. Let's go. Let's show the capitalists that communists can have fun too. Your friend, your strange you're sprays the friend, jump up your pretty little head and bring it down with all the power your money. You know, I ain't ready it? Hey, I w a, you're your whole little bite. That'spy lady, you got sam starts far Oh what you have ready? The cuppy dollar, the genuine fastic boby got? The vase is more functionals on you? I know? Are you taking the cuppy dog? Peep, thy gir you. Let's write a funny on that wild. And you so funny? What's so funny about me? I was born to the very channel. You're just notice to write a lot of fun. Okay, here you go. Oh that's what's fun. Well, where to now? Roller coaster? Snap the whip? But do you know nothing more? Now? Unable, exhausting? Okay, let's let's sit down a bit. It's been okay, good. Matt. Eh, forgive me for what I have been thinking. I forget about it. We all make that mistake. No, No, I'm serious. I've been thinking how much you enjoy all of it? Sure, don't you? Oh? Yes, yes, I do so very much. But Matt is enjoyment. They they do not contribute to the progress of our cause. Do they? Oh? Well, I guess we're a couple of traders. You're not really worried, are you? Oh, Matt, there's so much fun in America. If it's wrong to enjoy things now and then to do things just for the sake of enjoying. Them, no, sonya, it's not at least bit wrong. Oh. I'm so glad, Matt, so very glad that you feel that way too. Ordinarily I wouldn't have dared to agree with Sonya. But under the second stances, Comrade Loche would have to consider my. Attitude a part of the gag, part of the treachery. I was expected to work against Sonya. To Sonya, though, my words of agreement were an act of faith, a sign that I'd be willing to help her. And actually that's just what I wanted to do. In spite of Loche and the other Red salemates, I was determined not to send Sonya back into the hands of the Commis. She could be invaluable to the FBI in the fight against Reds. I might have figured a way to save her if I'd had the time. But the next day I received an unexpected visit from Loche himself. Comrade Saveka, I hate to interrupt your courtship with Sonya Rostov, but our superiors are getting. Jitterate, jitterary why I have her eating out of my hand? New Or's Comrade Moscow is displeased with the latest dispatches the Rostov woman has been filing. They want to taken out of circulation till she sails next week. What I mean out of circulation, She's not that dangerous. Evidently she is SEVETI, she'll have to be taken into custody and telling. Your prisoner you're crazy. We just be calling attention to that. I I'm surprised at you. There are many party members who'd be delighted to keep comrade Rostov for a week, maybe even. One of our own friends. Yeah, fine, fine, naturally we'd supply the opiates. And other drugs. Drugs. You're talking like a two bid melodrama. Would you like to see the orders yourself? They came this morning? All right, all right, I believe you. But what arrangements have been made? How am I supposed to take son your prisoner? That my comrade is your problem. I'll make sure that the other cells in this area are alerted when you've prepared her for the trap. Let me know. I'll see to it that the trap is sprung. Oh, I'm SERVETI yeah, work fast or leaders want prompt actions. If you can't satisfy them, I will. The whole thing was like a pulp story nightmare, but this nightmare was real. There was no time for intrigue. Now. If I didn't get the Sonia fast, Lochet would There was only one thing for me to do. Take the big chance. Thank on Sonya's faith in me, I went to her. Apartment and told her the truth, the whole Kami plan to send her back to Russia. I told her to get out of town. Hi, do anything to stay out of the reach of the Reds. But you had no money and you can't travel far on hope. So we checked through her address book found the names of John and Mara Levitt. Sonya had met them at a ceramics course that had all taken together. There were nice people. Mister Levitt answered the phone. When he heard the desperation in Sonya's voice, he told her to come right over. And that's exactly what we did. Sonia, Dear, you have the best room in the house. I'll fix it up with clean curtains. And you've been no readily, no bother No. I can see Sonya's in good hands. Don't worry about the thing, missus Faddi, She's in very good hands. Oh, it's sharing room. It's a good room for her. I'm sure it's very comfortable. Oh it's thy dear, take your clothes, make up a home. Perhaps I will only be a moment, Yes, go. Ahead, take you. Oh mister Levitt did your wife locked the door. Actually I locked the door. What would you expect? But you took the key. So yes, Uh, he's here, I'll get it. Oh he made good time. We only called him after soone you called us. You must admit we were that day, Comrade Vedic. Comrade well, Saverik, I see you delivered the woman after all. Say what I must say? You didn't give us much warning. At least the Lovets were letting up to call hi immediately. You mean you came over here? Oh wait, he's going to make that much noise. Don't worry, Comrade Levitt, I brought the remedy for that huck. You're going to keep her prisoner here. Levets are respectable people. By the way, Comrade Saveria, just what did you tell Snya to make us so willing to come here? Well, sa Verics, take up what did you tell Sanya? Now back to Dana Andrews starring as Matt Savetic and I was a communist for the FBI and the second act in our story, I was the Spider, the unwilling red Spider, and Sonya rushed off the fly, but my efforts to keep her out of the commie web had brought her directly into. It, and I was caught there with her. I stalled while Sonya hammered on the locked door. Then the Levittz went into Sonya's room with an ominous looking hypodermic syringe. In a few moments, she was quiet, and Lochet was quizzing me again. I'm waiting, Savetic. What made Comrade Rostov so we got to come in? What did you tell her? What do you think? I told her, Loche, If I'd lost her confidence, I'd never have gotten her here. So I did the only sensible thing. What did you tell her? Saveti? I told her exactly what you were planning to do to her. What I told her you were planning to ship her back to Russia. I told her she had to hide, to get away, to disappear saved. Are you out of your mind? Am I think about it? Loche? Think hard Sonya's in our custody now, isn't she? She's just where we wanted her, isn't she? Yes, of course she is. Well That ooh hardy plant failed. It didn't fail, Comrade. If I had thought it would fail, I never would have used it. You play a dangerous game. SOVETI, are you satisfied with the results? Yes, I must admit that I am. Then i'd appreciate it if you didn't find fault with my method. I'm sorry, comrade, rightly. I admire you courage, efficiency and results, noble combination. Yeah, now what about Sonya? Is she to stay here of what day until it's time to put her on the ship. The elevens will see that she's properly scared for uh if those sedatives, the. Rostov woman is dangerous to our course, So thatie, what's more important one woman's life or the progress of the Red master plan. I'd managed to bluff my own way out of the trap, but Sonya was still there, a prisoner of the Kamis. I'd hope to avoid calling the FBI for help, but now the situation was desperate. I phoned my FBI contact, explained the problem as well as I could, and arranged a meeting that night. Kill her up there. Yeah, it's practically empty. Regular athel Effle should got a red star from mileage. I'll take the red star. Ettel came in. What did you find out? Becau? Can you get Sonya out of the eleven apartment? To know that the FBI can't interfere Sonya rushtav Is the citizens. Maybe the local police. No, if the cops showed up, the Reds would know someone tip them off. Yeah, you're right, luck bigger. This gual isn't just a calming with cold feet. She's had a tough time. Her husband was accused of being disloyal back in Russia. He was he was taking away like that. She stayed with the party because it was all she knew. Well, she'd ever been taught. Okay, that we'll think of something. Since she finally realized the truth about the Reds, a friend turned her in. Letter check ther eye, come on. And what's more, she knows plenty about party operation. The FBI can use her information. It got to get her out of there. Mm. Maybe a rid of hibeus corpus wuld do it? Well? Oil's okay? Well, how does a habeas corpus work? If a private citizen thinks someone holding another person illegally, he has a right to make both parties come to court and prove it's all above board. Then let's file a writ. Listen, if the FBI pokes around in the case, it'll stir up suspicion. You find her somebody, Matt, a friend who was willing to file that with a habeas corpus, and we'll see that it, sir, Okay. Now, I'll I'll try. But with comis in every corner, how do you know when a friend's a friend? All that day in the next I tried to think of someone who might be willing to help Sonya. I spent another day at the legation in the press room, hoping that someone there might have missed her. But I found no one I'd dare confide in. That was frantic. For an idea, a plan. Of action, I decided to go to Sonya's apartment to find her address book. I had no trouble picking the lock and getting in, no trouble finding the address book either. I opened a book looking for a name that might ring a bell. When someone did ring a bell, but it wasn't the kind of bell I had in mind. I held my breath and waited. Mm whoever it was had given up, And I waited a moment and tiptoed to the door and opened it a cracking down the hall. Just starting down the stairs, I saw a little old man carrying some freshly clean clothes. They were covered with those large paper wrappers used by tailors and dry cleaners. He hadn't been able to deliver the clothes to Sonya. Maybe maybe maybe this was my cue. Maybe this little old man was the answer. By initiell ol woman pressing clothes. That's my age. My artritis is killing me. Ah. I looked like a hard work alright, I should be on a cravat better. No, what can I do for you? If the god Miss Rostav's cleaning, Mister Rostov, it's about time. I'd like to tell you why it's been very long. Listen, mister. She brings the clothes last week, she says, she's got to have them Monday rush, she tells me, So I break my back to have them for Monday. Nope, this as the as they were, is she? But she's staying with some friends a few blocks from here. She'd like you to deliver her clothes over there. Over there, huh can't you possibly deliver them here? I'll give you the address. The name is Livitt. She needs so that lot common gat a. Hey, hey, justin Mara, sir, I ain't got time to schmooze. I'm a busy man. Well I I I know you are, but you've got to understand son Your Rostov is at this address. She needs her clothes, so she can't get away for a few minutes. No, that's exactly it. She can't get away. Do you understand she we can't get away. What's the matter? She's sick? No, but she needs all the help she can get. You understand that. Mister. If you've got something on your mind, say it. Stop talking in circles. Well, answer one question. Would you be willing to help miss Rostov if you could? I mean really help her? Alright, alright, I'll deliver the clause on my way home tonight, So show federal case you're making. I'll help her. I'll help her. Good, Thanks a lot. Hey, wait a minute, what's miss Rostov for you? Who are you anyway? O? The name is Loche l O c h E R Henry Loche bigger, bigger, This is Redhi. What's up? I've got the man for you. He runs the dry cleaning shop on Sonya's block. His name is Geller. Did you explain about filing the writ? No? I couldn't take the chance, but I pumped enough curiosity into him he knows something fishy. Aren't your turn to take over? Okay, man shod tell him the truth. Sure, he's got all the decent reflexes once he knows you're an FBI man, I'm sure he'll cooperate. That is, I hope he'll cooperate. I was right this time, mister Geller cooperated. He filed the writ of habeas corpus, and the next day I learned from the FBI that it had been served on the Lemits. Now they had to appear in. Court with Sonya Rostov and prove that she was not their prisoner. It looked like things were pretty well buttoned up. But that night, as I was congratulating myself, I got a sudden thought. I thought that made my rush creek trapped. Commies do desperate things, and the Levites were ruthless people. What if they tried to duck out on that court order? What would they do to put Sonya out of the way. I grabbed my hat and headed down to the Leva's apartment buildings. From a doorway across the street, I could see the lights still burning up there and their fourth floor flat. Then one by one the lights blinked out. I ran for the drug store on the corner and phoned Beaker at home. Come on, come on, uh hello, well beek a listen. The Levits are pulling a vanishing act. What wake up? Will you? Okay? Okay, I'm away. Tell me again. The Levts are about to duck out. If I called the local police, I'd have to identify myself. Call 'em, will you. I'll try to stall a Levit till they get there. Okay, man, I'll get right on it. When I got out of the drug store, all the lights in the Levitt's apartment were out. By the time I got to the building itself. John and Maral Levitt were just stepping into the street, each camerador's suitcase. Oh John, fire, where hey? I almost mess you? Where are you going? Reddick? We haven't time to talk now you'll have to excuse us, all right? What's the matter? I'm bad? Please? Don't ask questions? Where Sonya? Don't ask questions? Come on, John for just a mala, Ready to get out of the way. Where's Sonya upstairs in the apartment? You left her alone? Are You're crazy? I'm sure, comrade Loche wouldn' appreciate that one bit. Comrade, That idiot Lauch has done enough damage. Don't worry. We reported him to the Control Commission. What are you talking about? Just because he can't keep his mouth shut? Some tailor or somebody served a rid of habeas corpus on us. Now not tell out of the way, sadie. We haven't much time. Well, what about Sonya? What did you do with her? Up? Scared? We fixed it so it looks like she took an overdose of sedative sleeping pills. Now, for pity's sakes, come at stop bothering at us where you. No, No, there must be some mistake. Officer mister and missus Levitt haven't done anything. Huh, that's who we want, all right, I'm on your troop. We got a warrant for your officer. I'm sure that my mind. Where are you keeping Sonya? Rostav? All right, let's go back to your apartment. No, not you, buddy, Why you d me? You're not invited? Keep moving. I watched them disappear into the building, then I walked on down the street. They found Sonya all right, in time to treat her for a lethal dose of drugs. She's an American citizen now and still takes her cleaning. To mister Geller's little tailor shop. They've become good friends too, Sonya and mister Geller. I walk by there every once in a while, hoping to catch a glimp of them, and hoping they won't see me. They'd never understand why I can't keep a friend. They'd never understand why I stay in the shadows and walk alone. M Lena Andrews will return in just a moment. This Dana Andrews again with the reminder that free people never have to choose their friends. Their friends choose them. In the story you just heard, names, dates and places are fictitious to protect innocent persons. Many of these stories are based on incidents in the. Life of Matt Sivedk, who worked under cover for the FBI. Next Week and a fantastic adventure. Join us there, won't you