IWCF 047 One Way Ticket

Communists for the FBI, starring Dana Andrews in an exciting tale of danger and espionage. I was a Communist for the FBI. From the actual. Records and authentic experiences of Math Savetic. How many of the incidents in this unusual story. Here is our star, Dana Andrews as Metsavetic two for nine fantastic years lived as a Communist for the FBI. I always thought I'd like to travel until I took that long nine year ride on the Red Wagon of the Communist Party. The road was bumpy, the accommodation is terrible. Worst of all, no return trip. This story is part of that faithful journey. In a moment, listen to Dana Andrews as Matt Savedic under coverman. Now Here is Dana Andrews as Matt Savetic under coverman. This story from the confidential Pile is marked one way ticket. I was in a one of those mystery missions for the comics, you know, the time. No questions answered, no reasons given. They just hand you a slip of paper with a name and a dress on it. You're told to go there. That's all. Just go there tonight. The name on the paper Victor Rocco photographer. The address a sleazy penny arcade on the street near the waterfront. A great place to find a photographer, all right, shooting gallery on one side, skiball on the other. In the middle, two rows of diamond quarter slot machines showing real life movie the kind of men like. Against the rear wall, a counter cluttered with stale popcorn, dribbled glasses, giant sized plastic ears, ice tubes containing insects, trick dice, or other esoteric items. Next to this counter a booth festooned with hadd bansam snapshots under a sign reading taking here. Any size, any price, any falls, stamp shots for all occasions, fastball show for license identification, novels we follow from the folks back home. Any size, any price falls, No way. Excuse me? What size full do you want? Mister? We got all sizes. We're looking for Victor Rocco. That's me, photographer, that's my job. Does it keep you out of the red? Sure? Sure? Come in spec come in back here, all right, comrade, you just sit here against this. White back from Wait a minute, I didn't come down here to get my picture telephone. Yes you did. My boy. What please? Now you sit here, listen. I tell you all. I turn your head this way, your talk all this way. That's it, all of that way? Hey? What's your lifts of it? Up? All right? I'll still up? No, would you mind telling me what this is all about? Sure? You come to see a photographer? Photographer, that's your picture? Why else do you come here? Because I was sent here to see you? You don't have to wait for your copy of the picture. I take care of it for you. Why do I need my picture taken at all? Oh? And if I don't see you again before you leave, comrad bah bayah blah blay ya. What are you talking about? First I find a comed photographer and apenning arcade. That's strange enough. Then he insists on taking my picture whether I like it or not. That's even stranger. Then he tells me to enjoy a voyage I know nothing about. That's when things stop being strange and become sinister. For two days I sat around my room trying to figure it out and couldn't. Then I had a surprise visitor who didn't help at all. Missus, Yes, my name is Moore in my card you know has immigration office that's right. Yeah, come in Yeah, sure, come in here, sit down. Thanks. What's the Immigration office want with me? Just some questions, mister Fedick, if you don't mind. Depends on the questions. We're doing a routine check on an acquaintance of yours pictor Rocco. He is a friend of yours, isn't he acquaintance? Yes? Friend? No? See why are you asking me about Rocco? I only met him once? Please understand, mister Feddick, you aren't required to answer any of these questions if you don't want to. So, oh, that's all right. I just think you drew a dud when you picked me. Can you tell me anything about mister Rocco's background? Not much. I know he's a photographer at one of those penny arcades downtown. That's about all. He uh snapped your picture on Monday night, didn't he about nine forty five? Yeah? H Do you mind telling me why you chose mister Rocco to do the job. Well? He he was recommended by whom by some people I know, mutual friends, friends of yours and rocos acquaintances. I'd like to ask you one more question, mitter Feddick, If you don't mind. Go ahead. Why did you have your picture taken by Roca? By anyone? I don't know. You don't know why you had your picture taken? That's right, chrosthetic. If you don't wanna answer that question, okay, I'd fur enough to have you head you around. And I'm not hedging, mister Moore. I'm telling the truth. I don't know why I had my picture taken, do you No? No, I don't know either, but somehow I think I should know. Well, that's all mistrosthetic. Thanks a lot, Baker, Baker, this is Red that Why are you in a booth near my house? Anything wrong? And I'm not sure what's all this hocus pocus about the Immigration office and Victor Rockco and everything? There's more call on it, Yeah, when there's no need for all that sort of thing. If I knew anything about Rocco, you guys would know it too. More doesn't know about your job, Matt, He knows you simply as a busy little Red. What's he want with Roco? Mister and missus Roco have applied for passports. They've been in and out of this country a lot lately, but they've never bothered to file for citizenship. Oh, the State Department isn't sure what to do about Rocco. They may detain him more, let him go, and then close the gates behind him. Uh, him and his wife? That is? Is she a comedy too? Yes, but we need to know more than that. We don't know what Roco does during he's keeping the party. We don't know why he and his wife roll up all that ocean mileage. We have to get something definite on them, Matt and soon. I wish I could help Bigger, but I'm more confused than you are. You've got to help Matt. Somehow, Yeah, somehow, But I look, chum. We have a long chain of facts and figures on the communist operations in this area. The Rocos may be an important link if you can help us pin something on them. Okay, Bigger, I'll try, But I may end up with that chain around my neck. I left the phone booth more confused than ever. The FBI and the State Department's Immigration office had plans for Comrade rock will right, But beneath all the unexplained circumstances, it was obvious that Rocco and the party had plans for me. Until I knew what they were. I couldn't help the FBI or myself. I headed back to my room and determined to get some sleep, to forget Rocco and the Reds just for a little while. I fished out my keys, intending to unlock the door to my room, and then suddenly I was playing host to a skinful of goosebumps. The door was unlocked. Someone had opened it while I was gone, and that someone was undoubtedly sitting there in the dark now waiting for me. I gathered up one of my goosebumps and summoned my courage and headed for the light switch. Ah, comrades, who left? Who are you? What are you doing? Oh? I know, I know it polite to break in this way, that's right. Well, a little impoliteness with the party won't hurt, will it. One advantage to being a woman. You can use bobby pins to pick lots. All right, you're here, now, what do you want? Just keeping an eye on your comrade? You don't mind my being here, Dode, That depends on what it was? Perfectly all right with my husband. Oh I forgot. I'm Teresa Rocco, Victor's wife. Oh I see, and your husband sent you here. M hmm, to keep an eye on you. He'd like to see you tonight too. Not tonight, Tell him I intend to get some. Sleep after you see victim. I look, missus Rocco, I'm a little fed up with all this foolishness, foolishnes yes, all this hush hush stuff, all a mystery, the unexplained actions. I don't like being watched by fellow comrades. And I don't like being surprised by strangers in the dark, even when they're beautiful women. What's more, where have you been the last five or ten minutes, comrade? And I don't like the way you hide? Comrade? Where have you been the last few minutes? Making a phone call? Why does from this phone work? Well? Doesn't it? It isn't good policy to talk party business. On this phoney party business, all right? I was trying to phone your husband. Oh really? What for? I wanted to warn him that an immigration officer was here asking questions about. Him and you too. No more, Harold Moore. Yeah more. From all indications, Missus Rocco, you and your husband are about to be deported. No, no, not yet. But do you mean not yet? How can you stop? Oh? They'll kick us out, all right, sooner or later, but not now right now. The party doesn't want Victor to be kicked out, so I may go. But you'll say you're being a little naive. Even the Communist Party can't keep the American Let's go, Come go. Where my husband wants to see you? Why? Come on, come on? I told you I'm fed up with a secrecy and mystery. You know, this reluctance of yours isn't doing my feminine vanity any good at all. I have news for you. I'm not interested in your vanity. Or are you interested in the welfare of the party? Of course I am. Are you interested in your own personal welfare? The party comes first, of course, then for. Your own sake and the party stop talking so much? Are you coming with me? H? Okay, let's go. Are you follow? Okay? There is? He didn't object too much, And I got. A terrific wife's vedic charming. Oh, thank you, comrade. Okay, rocco, Why are we doing a place? Ki bol or take another snapshot? Oh? I got the picture. We need vedic. We've got it in someplace. I had it on a theory is. Mhm? What's that? Pass foot. I mean next state department approved your passport. After all, my husband approves his own passport. And this is a good one, all right, Like they say, I made it myself. Oh, I think it's Vedic. That's yours mine. I don't need a pay you see your picture is right in it, and that's good. Huh. But you're the one who's taking a trip, all right, Terresa, All right, Cosveetic, you'll take another. Look that name under your picture in the passport, Victor Raca. Wait a minute, my picture, your name? What's the gag Rocco? This is? I thought maybe Teresa told you the party don't want me to be deported. Yet, so you go in my place? What I can't help it? He looks so funny. Why so worried, Comrade Svedic, don't you want me for a while? There's nothing to it's Vedik. When America kicks out, mister or missus, Victor Rocco, you will be Victor Rocco. Throw you're doing it for me and the party. Just a minute. You can't kick me out of my own country. You'll watch and see, comrade. Now back to. Dana Andrews, starring as Matt Semitic and I was a Communist for the FBI and the second act of our story. Who wants to live in America? Anyway? That was Comrade Rocco's implication when he told me I was to be kicked out of my own country. I couldn't answer that the way I wanted to. I still had to play the part of the loyal red even though I was being deported by the coming Do you know. That I think comrades so that it doesn't want me for. A while, rocoh, this can't possibly work. The Immigration Office is bound to find out about those phony posts. Sure, sure they'll find out, but not right away. You see, I got work to do here. I got to finish it while the immigration people are finding out about this. I'll have time to finish my job, and you'll have time to get to Europe. And do your job. Just what job is that? Delivery? My work is passport's citizenship papers, all sorts of legal documents. I make them up for party members who need them. You mean you forge passports legal papers for sure? Me and Torris, we. Have a lot of comrades overseas, you know, who can be very valuable to the party here in America. I see, and I'm to deliver the phony passports to them. That is that, That's it. I don't know my way around Europe, you know I do. Comrade oh tois just a big help. Should take care of you. Doesn't it bother Youroco, I am with your wife. Oh listens, Vedica, do you good to get out of America? You'll get into sentimental bourshwiss? What about her passport? Oh? My passport's all in order. Sure, I put it in order. He listen. If you got any loose ends to clear up, Vedik, you better go do it. You sailed for Europe in two days, loose ends. I was at loose ends all right. Soon I'd be leaving this country with the name, identity, and. Reputation of a man I despised, the man despised by the American government and Rocco. He'd stay here brewing new poisons for the communists to use until the hoax was discovered. I left the Rocos at the Penny Arcade and headed for the street. I had to get word to the FBI, or to the immigration office, or to to anyone. I had to do it now. But it was late, too late to find a cruising taxi. I crossed the street, turned a corner where the traffic was heavier. Heyday, Hey, what's the matter which your lunkhead Stephan knock the cry like that. I'm sorry, I've got to get across town fast. I relied. I got a fair, but this is an emergency. There aren't any cabs around here at this hour, any flags down, but sorry, move back with you. It's important, I tell you. Maybe if you ask your pass, just pardon me. I hate to be so melodramatic, but would you mind if all Oh hello, missus Rocco. In fact, I was going to stop by your place to see if I could help you pass or anything. Or did you have other plans? No, no other plans. Well, thanks, thanks for the left. Are you sure you don't need help? I imagine you have. Lots to do, Yeah, but I'll manage somehow. Thanks. Anyway, there are lots of tricks to tagging for an ocean voyage, you know. Well, if I need help, I'll call on you. Missus rock Hole good, I'll be around. Yeah, I know that. I didn't sleep that night. For the next night, everywhere I turned I seemed to see eyes cold red eyes. Downstairs. On the street right below my window, a car was parked all night, and its driver was very much awake. During the day, I kept noticing faces of a vaguely familiar always behind me and just out of reach. The man across the aisle from me on the street car. I was the same man I'd seen eating at the nearby table in a restaurant in another part of town. Maybe it was my imagination, nerves, jitters. Whatever it was, it kept me from getting in touch with the FBI. And hello, mister Setti. Yes, who's this? Sorry to bother you again, mister Setti? Who is this? This is more Harold Moore of the Immigration. Office more more. Oh man, am I glad to hear your voice? What I listen? Listen harder? Hello? Hello, you still there? Yes? I thought we were disconnected. Yeah, I heard it too. What were you saying about being glad to hear my voice? Oh? Well, I I've been having trouble with this phone, couldn't get incoming calls. It's good to know it's working again. Oh. I thought perhaps you'd have more information for me about Victor Rocca. Oh, not a thing. Uh, that's the only reason I called. No I I can't tell you anything more nothing, alright, thanks anyway, bye bye? What the devil? Are you just testing my bobby pin on your lot? Mine? Were you? Were you here while I was. While you were on the phone. Yes, you handled that pool very well. Alright missus, Rocco. Oh what do you want this time? Nothing? Just stop by to see how you were getting along with your packing. Haven't done much, have you? I want to see your husband first. No, no, let's. Go, Rocco. What about those phony passports? Time to deliver overseas? Oh, they'll be ready. Don't worry. I haven't packed yet, Rocco, because I want to hide that stuff the right way. Is it much of a package? No? No, no, just a large envelope sit behind the lining of a suitcase. Easy, Okay, let's have it. Not till you get to the fear. I'll supply the suitcase. My luggage is a match set. An odd suitcase woul attract attention? Give me the envelope now? No, listen, comrade. Too many things can happen between now and sailing time. What's wrong with you, Rocco? Come on, let's have them. Are you sure you'll be be careful? Give them to me. You can check on the way I hide them if you want. All right, all right, I'll get them. My plan wasn't very clever, but it was the only chance I had. I intended to sew a dummy envelope into the lining of the suitcase and mail the real thing to the FBI, But I must have undersold myself on Roco's diligence. All right, think, let's go. Is that the envelope? Yeah? Come on, Wait a minute, that's no need for you. I think there is. I saw this in the lightning of the suitcase. If you don't mind, I don't want you to be questioned at the peer. Who's your ugge? If you've been keeping track of you luggage. I'll stop worrying Rocco, I had it take on a board. Who is mine with yours? Yes? Listen, stop calling me Rocco? Are you terris to stop calling him? Met from now and he's Victoriica, I understand. I wish you'd stop being a right to be nervous and called me a moment, sir, Victor Roco, Yes, I yes, I am Why I. See a passport A moment? Wait a minute, what the meaning of this officer. There's no reason to mixer for the luggage, sir, what is lost? No, no, no, man, would you mind stepping into the customs office case. This is your luggage, isn't it, mister? Oh yes, yes, that's it. Those bagg over there in mine If you'd like to look through that. I think this is an outrage customs suspect, minister. The man must have some reason for us. That's right, nothing to be alarmed about, as long as you haven't got anything to hide. Heard of? People usually hide things, depends. Usually they find a spot in the lining of a suitcase. Well, we'll see. As he opened the suitcases, I found myself praying that he'd find the hidden envelope, praying like I'd never prayed before. This was the last chance I had, the last chance to stay in my own country, keep my own name and identity. Well that does it. Sorry for all the inconvenience, folks. If you like arsie that your luggage. Get you you didn't find what you were looking for, Well you needn't sound so disappointed. Come on, let's get on the bolts of face. Sorry, folks, have a pleasant trip. The stateroom should be writing or here it is in. The stateroom's B seven and B nine. That's wait, aren't you coming in, Rocco. No, you look dreamer than I feel. What's amat? Why should you feel grim? You're getting out of this bushwise snake fit you're going through with the proletariat conflexis muscles in the stupid flabby face of democracy. This isn't the time for a speech fit. Aren't you going to take by to me? But there's still a few minutes. I'll come in for a second, Okay, come on in. Well we hello everybody who was but you'd never get here. Uh, my name's Beaker, Federal Bureau of Investigation. What there must be some mistake? Will you have them to worry about? I just came aboard to bring you something, Rocco, something for me, No, Sevetic, not you, Rocco. We here two passports, one for Victor Rocco and one for Missus Rocco. Oh, there is a mistake. We have our pastports. Don't know how you manage that. These passports were just approved by the state Department approved. Yes, that's why I'm here now. The government wants to be sure the Rocco family leaves America for good. This time, you two won't be coming back under any name. Come on, Svetic, all ashore. Your luggage is still in the customs office. You're not going anywhere. I left the ship with Beaker. The Roccos left America on the ship, caught in a trap that was sprung when they would wait for legitimate passport approval. They were due to pay the price of failure to that read comments that was seized for the all important envelope went from the lining of my suitcase to the files of the FBI. I learned from Baker that the Commies weren't the only ones who had been keeping close check on me. He designed some friends to the job too. Sure, I tried to thank him, but how how do you thank a man for your freedom? This time, as I walked away from the harbor, back to the people I despised and the work I hated, things seemed to make more sense. Behind it all, there were friends and there was freedom. Knowing this, it was easier, much easier. To walk the crooked red road, to walk that road alone. Dana Andrews will return in just a moment. This is Dana Andrews friends as one of our greatest philosophers has pointed out, our government was founded on three basic ideas, one the love of liberty, two belief in progress, and three faith in the dignity of man. If we were to sacrifice any one of these three concepts, we'd lose them all. If we let that happen, then we just don't deserve democracy. In the story you just heard, names, dates, and places are fictitious to protect Tennyson persons. Many of these stories are based on incidents in the life of Matt Sivedic, who worked under cover for the FBI. Next Week and other fantastic adventures. Join us, then, won't you