IWCF 035 The Kiss of Death

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. Many of the incidents and the story you're about to hear are based on the actual records and authentic experiences of Mapstovetics two for nine fantastic years live as a Communist for the FBI. Here is our star, Dana Andrews as Mapstomatics. I've spent nine long years living a lie, a lie called communism, and it was a frightening experience. Many a time I wanted to rush. Up to you on the street, minister, and grab hold of your coat and shake you in yell conscious, see what's going on? Don't you realize what they're trying to do to our country and to you and your wife and kids. I didn't do it because I knew that at that time you wouldn't believe me. The lie had been told too. Well. You better believe me now, though, mister, or you may wake up some morning living or dying that same lie, the lie called communism. In a moment, listen to Dana Andrews. That's Maps thematic undercoverman now Here is DNA Andrews. That's mathsamatic under cover man. This story from the confidential file. Is marked a kiss of death. Constant tension is the lowest price you pay for being a communist, even a communist for the FBI. Wherever you go, whatever you. Do, you feel that you're being watched, fight upon, and that the Central Committee is getting a constant stream of reports on what you do, who you see, even what you eat. It's party discipline, self enforced by fear. I have a date with an FBI agent, and as I walk at the meeting place, I'm haunted by the sense of being followed for no tangible reason. My heart beats faster, and my blood pressure pounds in my temples. I duck in and out of arcade, checking my back trail. I see no one that I recognize. Still, I'm out of. Breath when I round the last corner and find my FBI contact waiting for me in the car. After a last look over my shoulder, I get. In the car beside him. We take off. Think someone was following him. That I always think someone's following you. Nothing new, then, huh h. Nothing spectacular. Anyway, We had another Selle meetings to my last record. Getting more frequent, are they? Yeah, but nothing's happening, nothing of any great importance at any rate. At this last meeting, we took in three new members and were notified of another special attestment. There have been a lot of assessments. Way we haven't there. Yeah, they've all been ordered by the State Central Committee instead of by national headquarters State. Huh there's any indication of what they're for? Uh? Yeah. Uh. If they're building up a war chest, they're maybe going to back some candidate against Senator Stewart. Oh, he's too strong. They wouldn't waste the money. The fact is they seem to have given up on Senator Stewart. Why well, if the words come down to lay off the characteristassination, then they have a new idea they think is better than bes toul be. They never give up any man in public office who has done and as much damage. As Steward had. I'm probably right. Check into the reason behind these special assessments, Matt. Maybe there is something spectacular cooking. I asked Johnson to let me out of the car several blocks from home so that I can get some exercise walking. As I walk, I think But no matter how much I think I can't connect the special assessments with Senator Stewart. Back in my room, I give up thinking and stretch out on the bed, all about the doze off. When I knock at the door sent me to my feet. It's Comrade Hobart, my CE leader, with a message that will eventually lead me to the reason for those special assessments. Larry could deserve your rest. Commence to Mattie why I wasn't asleep because I'm eating at my house tonight. I hope it's more important than the the last two or three. Comrade Hobarts, you you're not tiring of party activity. Comrade no, I'm glad to hear that. For a more tiring of party inactivity. I should have known. There are plans in the making, Comrades Vedic, which should satisfy even. Your craving for action. But are they common? I'm afraid I'm not at liberty to the vultism, even to you, until they're complete. However, yes, I can almost promise that they will be complete before tonight's meeting. Be sure to be there. I'm at the meeting all right, long before anyone else arrives. Except Comrade Hobart, then it's his house. I don't learn anything about plans though, strictly a routine meeting. As far as I can see, a couple of comrades report on their activities in various front organizations. But I hear nothing that sounds like new activity, and I don't until the meeting is adjourned and the members are leaving. I'd like to have you wait until after the others have left, Comrades Vedic, Okay, there'll be a couple of minutes before they're gone. Uh, why don't you wait for me in the kitchen? Anything you say, oh. Comrade Corbyn, did you know that the others were leaving? Oh? I hope they were. That's to wait too, Comrade s Vedic. Any ideas to what are it's all about? More than you? Maybe not as much. I couldn't even guess it wouldn't if it could. Others are gone, Comrades. We can be on our way. Now, on our way? Where are we going, Commrade Hobin. We're driving to the state Capitol for a conference or the State Central Committee. Right now, immediately, Comrades Vedic, I received a phone call just before you arrived. This evening, advising me that the plans I mentioned for you are complete. So can you tell us what they are? Comeray, Sorry, Comrade Drovin, I don't know the details. I know only that the involved Senator Stewart, and but once they're set in motion, no one, not even Comrades Vedic, will have cause to complain about lack of activity. All I can think of as we get into Comrade Hobert's car and drive to the state Capitol, is that Johnson, my FBI contacted that afternoon was right. I want to call him and congratulate him, but there's no chance. Not even when we get to the capital. Nordstrom, the chairman of the State Tentil Committee. Has waited up for us. He gives us the words and sends us back home that night. I still can't see why nods From wouldn't let us stay overnight. There's less chance of our being fotted by the FBI at this time, Command Corvin. But if the plan is right. Comrades, the essence of the committee's plan is timing. A premature exposure would ruin everything. Do you like the idea, Commence Evetic, I think it can be very effective. Comrade Hobart very effective. However, as you just said, a premature exposure would defeat us completely. Complete the comrades. That is why the Committee took the precaution of having us drive to the Capitol at night and gave the details of the plan. Only to us three. No one else will know. No one but we're to use other party members. We will tell them what to do, not why they do it. And in that case, if the details of the plans that leak out, one of us must be guilty. Obviously, Comrades Savetti. Well, why the side, Comrade relief, I guess Comeron knowing that we needn't worry about betrayal. It would be extremely unpleasant for anyone who betrayed this plan. Comrades. It is the perfect formula for getting Senator Stewart the kiss of death. If the Central Committee's plan works, it is the perfect scheme for eliminating Senator Stewart from public life. In fact, if it is not exposed prematurely, it can be used against any political enemy of the Communist Party, and only three of us. Comrade Hobart, Comrad Corn and I know the detail. As soon as we get back to our city. I call the FBI and report, But Johnson can give me. No help at the moment. This man, I know that too. Big for any snap judgments. You'll have to play it by year until we have a chance to try and formulate a counter scheme that can be used without exposing you. Any suggestion, not except to. Read double your usual caution. I'll get back to. You as soon as possible. When Johnson hangs up, I feel more lonesome than ever. I hang around my room, hoping you'll contact me before I have to go to Comrade at Hobart's house for another meeting. But he doesn't, and the tension begins to build again. Only three of us know the plan, not many to share the suspicion if the plan is upset. I wonder if anyone saw me go into that phone booth, will come out or overheard me talking to the FBI. By the time I get to the meeting that night, I'm jumping its shadows. And the meeting is in progress. And now, Conrad, we to a real purpose of this meeting, consideration of Senator John Stewart in our efforts to eliminate this delicious enemy of the world's democratic and peace loving peoples. We have suffered a serious defeat spurred by pandering editors of the captives capitalistic press. The stupid bourgeoisie has closed their eyes and ears to any criticism of Senator Stewart. How he is running for renominations, facing his campaign almost entirely on his reactionary opposition to communism. At the moment, it appears to be impossible to. Defeat Senator Stewart in the usual way. Therefore, our brilliant leaders have evolved the plan which will permit us to use Senator Stewart. This end, our celve has been ordered by the State Central Committee to join forces with our enemies. A comrade, comrade, comrade to any let's conrac please join me here. I want you to tell the comrades what is executive right. If you're quiet down, I'll give you your orders. In the first place, we're not joining forces with Senator Stewart for the purpose of putting him in office. But that of the sort belongs to one of the major political parties. I don't see how we can possibly hope to capture an organization of that side. It isn't necessary for you to see, comrades. In fact, my advice is don't try. Better brains than yours are mine. Work out the details of this plan, and if each of us follows his orders unquestioningly, we cannot fail. I accept the review, comrades to Edic, what are our orders? Well, that's better. The first thing each of you will do is to register as members of the Senator's political party. If you read third in another party, change your registration tomorrow. Your next move is to join the ward club of the Senator's party in your ward and work hard for the renomination of Senator Stewart. This will defeat forward comrade Samatics. If you follow instructions and work hard enough, comrade, we will not only defeat Senator Steward, we will approve the weapon we can use successfully against any reactionary who opposes communism. Now back to Dana Andrews starring as math Sabatic am I was a communist or the FBI and the second act of our stories. The strongest point of the dictatorship is that it gets things done. Of course, rights are obliterated, property is confiscated, citizens are imprisoned and executed without trial. A thing get done. The dictatorship exerted over members of the Communist Party. Even here in America is no exception to that rule. Two days after they received their orders, every member of our cell had registered as a voter and Senator Stewart's party and meeting with Comrade Corbin and myself, the leader, Hobart reports that the State Central Committee is pleased. The Committee is satisfied. With the manner in which we have executed the preliminary step of the planned comrades and our orders for the next step. The Committee has furnished you with details. Comrade gave us an overall plan commrades of edicts. The detail rules have been left to the three of us. First, there's a matter of timing. The Committee wants the exposure to be made on the day before the election. That will allow every voter to hear that Senator Stewart has been actively supported by party members, and there won't be time for them to hear his denial. That's right. No one ever pays attention to denials anyway. People are much more interested in scandal. Some newspapers discovered that a long time ago. The next point is perhaps even more important than the matter of timing the methods of exposure. I've been wondering, however, going to handle that without tipping the whole scheme. The committee has a scheme brilliant in its simplicity. If we can. Work it out, that's you'r it for the committee's Comrade Obert, Mine, Comrade Corbin, the committee. Commits no ifs. What's the plan? One of us is to establish contact with some important member of the group in Senator Stuart's own party opposed to his renomination. After gaining this person's confidence, we'll furnish him with documentary proof of Senator Stewart's communist support and permit him to make the exposure. Just how are we to establish this contact? Samonober That Comrade Sevetti is a detail that the committee has left to us. I want the assignment of making this contact, because this is the key to the whold plan. But Comrade Corbin volunteers before I do. I try to draw him out on how he intends to make his contact and with whom, but he's too cagy and sin. There's nothing more to discuss. The meeting breaks up, and on my. Way home, I phone the FBI, Johnson speaking. I'm calling from a phone booth, Johnson. The news is bad. Go on the documentary. Proof of Stuart's red backing will be made public through a member of the senator's own party. That'll take time to refute. That's the plan. Who's a member of the senator's party? Wh will make the changes? I don't know, Comrade Core. Then the unfriendly witness is going to make the contact. Oh, that helps. Shouldn't be hard to prove what he's up to. Yeah, once we know his contact. I don't have an agent available at night, but I'll put a tail on Corbin first. Thing in the morning. That should do it. In the meantime, if there's even the slightest change in the situation, phone. Johnson doesn't wait for me to phone him though. The next day, I leave my place, the car pulls up alongside me, and Johnson says, get in that quick. I hated to take a chance of picking up so close to home, Matt, But this is urgent. What happens we can't find Corvin? What? I sent an agent over his place earlier this morning. When Corvin didn't show by noon, the agent phoned his rooming us and learned that he checked out late last night. He must have been suspicious of my. Questioning something happened under the circumstances matter. I hate to ask it because you may be sticking your head right into the lion's mouth. But we have to know. Where Corven is so that we can trail him to his contact. Yeah, I'll see what I can find out Johnathan Good. Has the Bureau figured out its counter scheme yet? Not yet, Matt. It's a tough problem, but I understand they're going to decide one way or the other some time to day. I'll probably be able to give you the word when you report on Corvin, when you report on Corbon. What he meant was, if you report on Corvin, then unconsciously I've got thinking of ways to avoid team common Hobart. But when you're a communist for the FBI, there's no turning back. Oh. I go to Hobart's house. He doesn't act suspicious, So I lead the conversation around the Corvin. He's a valuable man, Comrade Sevettic, no question about that. Full of surprises. Apparently he has an acquaintance and Senator Stewart's party opposition who just fits our plans, as he said, though not in so many words. However, he called me this morning to report that he had his contact and it moved where he moved to. When I asked him, he said he'd tell me after he completed his mission. Right now, he's developing his contact and avoiding all party members. Who is his contact? Obviously someone of importance, But just who is Comrade Korvin's secret? He didn't tell me, and frankly, I don't want to know. Why not? Well, I wouldn't care to share the responsibility. Comrade Savetti. You and I will keep our next Let Comrade Korvin keep his secret. Let Comrade Corgan keep his secrets. That's the one thing I can't do. Later that night, I meet Johnson, my FBI contacts, and while we're driving around the outskirts of town, report my lack of progress concerning Corgan. Have you anything else to report? The money from all those special assessments made by the State Central Committee has come back to the cell with interest. U huh. It's being contributed to Stewart's campaign. FU. I don't miss a bet, do they They're no amateurs, that's es sense. Has the Bureau worked out their counter scheme yet? Yeah? I don't like it, and neither were you? What is it. Well, it looks as though you're stuck. Man. Go on, it's it's a matter of political values. If this scheme isn't exposed before the red to asset the national loser a valuable man from public life, and I'm an expendable Uh it just the military would call it the ventuary. We'll give you only protection impossible, man, When you're going to break the story late Sunday from Monday morning speakers. That way, we'll beat the comedies by about eight hours on ever, release Sunday is Thursday night. Gives me Friday and Saturday. Oh what are you figuring out? Corvin? If I can find out who his contact is, the guy he's going to break the story to, I can break the story myself. Oh my phone. I'll call him out and tell him that I'm Corvin and give him the expos with all the details. Yeah, there's only one thing wrong with the idea. Man. But you don't even know where Corvin is, much less the name of his contact. Johnson's right, I don't know where Corvin is, and I don't dare as Cobalt. Again, the tough part of it is I can understand the FBI's position, particularly after talking. With Comrade Hobart next morning. Everything is complete now, Comrade Sevetic, our workers are publicly identified with Senator Stuart, We have receipts for more than two thousand dollars contributed to his campaign funds, and Comrade Covin reports that his contact in the opposition camp is beginning. To take the bait. Well. I hope Corvin plays his hand ride. If he puts out too much bait, his fish may bite before we are ready. I had been in mind when I told you that I wanted to know nothing about Comrade Covin's operation. If anything goes wrong, he'll take the discipline. If anything goes wrong, Corvin will take the discipline, but only. If it goes on before Sunday. On Sunday, it will be my nick. I leave Comrade Hobart to make my check when our party members working for Senator Stewart, and as I check, I can fully understand why the FBI has to break the story immediately. The workers themselves, however, don't realize how big a job they've done. I still see how I hurt Steward. Comrade Servetik, Now, how can they throw them anything but good? You'll be told at the proper time. Comrade. Sure, that's what Comrade Corvin tells me every day. I ask him what gold every day? Like you? He tells me nothing, you see, Comrade Covin, every day? I got calendar. He calls on a fellow, lifts two dogs from me, bring him into the party. I guess like he did me. Sure, uh, you live on Oak Street, don't you? Oaks Street? Seed four hundred blocks south. As quickly as I. Can without arousing suspicion, I get away from the talkative comrade and go to the four hundred blocks south on Cedar. For five hours, I wait and see nothing. Then in the middle of the afternoon, I finally stopped Comrade Corbn going into a house with another man. They're far down the block, though, and I have to get closer to see. The street number. I keep my eye on a house. As I walk, so I don't notice anything around me until a heavy hand falls on my shoulder and a voice. Says, what your name? What are you doing here? I look off. Whatever you have to say, you can tell to the disk sarge. So what am I supposed to have done? The neighbors complained about suspicious characters learning around the neighborhood. The other one seems to have got away, but I'm taking you down to the station. I try to break away and make a dash to where I can get the street number of the house called and enter, but the policeman is too fast for me. Thinking of the way, I've had my only chance to save myself from the red snatched. Out of my grasp. I blow my top and I try to fight my way free. It's no use. The CoP's a big man and he knows what to do with it. Be The next thing I really know is that. I'm locked in a cell, sore and bruised. Finally, hours later, the cop comes back. Hey, you cooled off any mister? Yeah, I'm sorry. I blew up? Can I use the phone? I don't come on your lawyer? Right? No? Just a friend, okay? And back when I opened the door. Come on out, won't you hear of me? That way? I got over here as quickly as I could, Man. I wasn't quick enough, Johnson. I kind of got roughed up. I had it coming to me, but I've forgotten the house I was looking for. I haven't met huh. After our talk last man, I was afraid you might take some pretty desperate chances. So I tailed you today. The cops said there was someone else hanging around who got away me. I saw him coming anyway, met I got the address in the name of Corbyn's contact. I had a talk with a bureau chief, Matt, and he wants you to make the call and prematurely spill the story of the Reds and Senator Stewart. That's great, Johnson, except for one little detail. Oh what's that? First, you'll have to get me out of jail. The Party gave Comrade Cordin full credit for the premature exposure of the plot against Senators Stewart. I don't know for certain what happened to him. I only know that he disappeared, and that if I hadn't been lucky, it would have been math saveetic who disappeared. A communist for the FBI is a man on a tightrope, and on a titrope you walk alone. Dana Andrews will return in just a moment. This is Dana Andrews. The technique of communism is the technique of conquerors and would be conquerors since the dawn of history. It's the old technique of divide and rules. Don't let it happen here. Although to protect innocent persons, the names, dates, and places in this story are fictitious, the danger they warn you against is very real. Next week we'll bring you another strange adventure based on the fantastic experiences of Matt Peletics. Join us, then, won't you uh