IWCF 064 Use Only as Directed

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 authentic experiences of Matt Siverik come many of the incidents in this unusual story. Here is our star, Dana Andrews as Matt Siverik, who for nine fantastic years lived as a communist for the FBI. During my nine years with the Reds, I learned that nothing is too large or too small for communist destructions. Complete nations, races of people, individuals, even mice are potential victims of red treachery. In this story, the potential victims are five white mice. The actual victims, well, here's how it happened. In a moment, listen to Dana Andrews as Matt Sabatik, undercover man. Now here is Dana Andrews as Matt Sabetik, undercover man. This story from the confidential file is marked, use only as directed. Another cell meeting, but this time no pleasantries, no dialectic debates. No small talk about classless democracies and proletarian paradise. This time, tension. Trouble in the air. The worst kind of cell meeting. There, comrade George Ritchie. Cell leader. Helen! Yes, comrade? Comrade Helen Jonas. Pretty, dark. Face of an angel. An angel with a hammer and sickle instead of a halo. I trust you're still working at Gordon Laboratories? Well, sure, I. Same capacity? Yes, technician. And that new drug you told us about? Why, I told you, Comrade Ritchie. It's still in the early experimental stages. And you're doing everything you can to impede its progress, stunt the growth of the project? Of course I am. Everything? Yes, Comrade, I told you I. Stop! Stop it! Cut it out, Ritchie. What are you trying to do? Please. Mind your business, Severick. This is my business, Richie. Stop playing Galahad, comrade. I know what I'm doing. The party has official means for punishing its members. Yes, as recommended by its cell leaders. Now get off your white horse and shut up. I'm not going to. This girl is lying. She's been lying for the last two weeks. No, no, I haven't. I haven't. You were assigned to work against the development of that new drug, Helen. Your reports claim that you've done just that. Well, I have. I... I have another report here, Helen, from another comrade. Ed. Ed Gordon? No. No. This report was filed by a party worker within the organization at the Merlin Pharmaceutical Corporation, one of the largest in the country. He states that the Merlin Corporation intends to invest heavily in the development of the new drug. That doesn't necessarily make a liar out of. Comet, Helen. The Merlin Company operates on typical capitalistic instincts, Svetik. They only invest in sure things. They won't put money into a project unless it's close to perfect. If Helen had been working effectively, they'd never. I tell you, my reports are true. I didn't know about Merlin, I swear. I swear I didn't. You're not going to prove anything that way, Richie. On your white horse again, Galahad? Protecting fair maidens? Yeah, I'm protecting this one from an unofficial one-man goon squad. All right, comrade. Inside. What? Go on in the other room. Now. Sending me to bed without supper, comrade? Inside, Cvetik. Now. What for? Inside, Cvetik. Now. Now. Sit here, Svetik. Thanks, I'll stand. Sit down. I'll stand. Tell me, what's your interest in Helen Jonas? Nothing in particular. My interest is in the Communist Party. I see Comrade Jonas as a promising young worker. That sort of manhandling can only discourage her. She is attractive, isn't she? Attractive girls are a dime a dozen. But there's only one Communist Party. Sit down, Svetik, sit down. Thanks, I'll stand. I admire you, Svetik. Why? Courage, common sense, a record for success within the party... It may surprise you to know that I have no doubts about Helen's loyalty. Is that why you belted her around? She's young, inexperienced. She needs to learn the value of discipline. So do you, Richie. Comrade, you're remarkable. Here, sit here. I'll stand. Are we finished with this little talk? No. Well, then get on with it. Helen needs guidance. An experienced hand to help her with her work over at the Gordon Laboratories. What for? What difference does it make how many new drugs. Difference? Figure it out. That drug they're working on may well turn out to be another of those medical miracles, another propaganda bonanza for America. Our communist scientists are equally equipped to bring. No. Lately, communist scientists have done far too little in the field of medicine. Another miracle drug from America would just underline that fact to the rest of the world. And we're new friends for the democracies, is that it? Yes. And if a large company like Merlin wants to sink money into the Gordon project, it's bound to be a success. I want you to see that it's a failure, comrade. How can I get into the Gordon lab? They have security measures, haven't they? And we have measures for counteracting them. Helen has our direct contact at the lab, but she needs advice, guidance from you. Look, I don't know anything about. You'll do two things, Cervetic. One, you'll find out if and how much the Merlin Corporation is concerned with the Gordon project. Two, you'll find a way into the Gordon lab to see that Helen Jonas sabotages the project quickly, competently, and completely. My pose as the protector of comrade Helen Jonas brought the results I wanted. I knew now that the Reds had infiltrated Gordon Laboratories. I knew why they were determined to stop the experiments, and I knew which Reds were involved. But I didn't know how to stop them. Maybe the FBI would know that. Beaker? Beaker, this is Red. Hi. Where are you? I just left a meeting. Happy? No. You'd better get word to the Gordon Laboratories. Who? The Gordon Research Lab. My playmates are planning to rifle their medicine cabinet. You involved? Yeah, they got me running the team. Good. Good? Sure. Help them run up a score. Let them win a little. Beaker, the Gordon lab is building one of these new miracle drugs. The Merlin Corporation's interested in it. If my team scores first... Look, chum, we've been getting the word from the Gordon people. We know someone's been trying to upset their bunsen burners for weeks. But we haven't any proof. No evidence. Nothing we can tack on to anyone. I can tell you who it is right now. Don't. We know. But we need evidence against her. With you there, we'll score the points we need. You'd better score heavier and faster. That's up to you. Yeah, if I don't get impaled on the goalposts. Next morning, step one in my coming assignment. A phone call to the Merlin Corporation. I posed as a reporter, asked for the research director, and got the public relations manager. I don't know how you newsmen managed to dig up these bits of gossip. Is it gossip or is there some truth in it? Well, I can't deny it, old man. No, sir, I cannot deny it. We're dickering with the Gordon. Laboratories, all right. Then you will be investing in their new drug. Ah, ah, ah, ah. Don't jump to conclusions yet. The Merlin Corporation has dedicated itself to applying the miracle of science to the miracle of life. Yes, I know that, but what I. Every new drug is a potential miracle drug. I realize that. But I'd like something specific for a feature story. What publication did you say you were with? Oh, uh, newsbook. Newsbook magazine. Ah, good. A fine magazine. I'm sorry, I can't release a story for you now, old man. Soon as I can, I'll see that you get a complete rundown. Might even arrange an exclusive for you. Right now, our. Big news is that you'll have to absorb and copy. I swear, comrades.... I didn't know about the Merlin business, really. I think Comet Richie knows you did your best, Helen. You'll have to do better now, Helen, much better. I'll try. How far along are the experiments at the lab? Well, they've gone into the white mice phase. But I've tried to prevent it. I've tried everything. That's all right, Helen. Don't worry about it. On the contrary, Helen, worry quite a bit about it. Those white mice are important in your life. I want that phase of the experiment to be another failure. But that's what I've been talking about. Help, of course, Comrade Svetik. In the lab? It's possible, isn't it? I don't know. Dr. Collins, the director, is very careful about security. He's been getting fussier than ever lately. I'm not concerned with Dr. Collins, Helen. I'm concerned with the failure of that project at the lab. If my presence will cause trouble. We'll see that it's done gracefully and cautiously. The Red Party machine growled into operation. I became the phony reporter again. Helen had long talks with Dr. Collins about her friend, the reporter on Newsbook magazine. The party managed to filch some Newsbook magazine stationery. I wrote letters to whom it may concern, recommending myself, And Richie signed the editor's name. Later, he even forged a phony FBI affidavit, giving me security clearance. Then he phoned Dr. Collins, posed as a newsbook editor, arranged an appointment for me, and. Well, young man, you certainly come highly recommended. What is your name again? Matthews. Well, it's a big story for us, Dr. Collins. A chance to tell the world how you scientists build a miracle, step by step. But every step must be cleared by me. We haven't any official security measures here. No need for them. But I do like to screen our personnel and publicity. That's not a bad idea these days. Perhaps I'm overcautious. But strange things have been going on here in the lab lately. I... Oh, here we are. Our menagerie. I expected to see more mice than these. No, just five for now. An early experiment. The drug we're working on looks like it may develop into a specific for at least one crippling bone disease. Are these mice infected with it? Yes, in varying degrees, of course. They'll be injected with a new drug in quantities proportionate to their infection. When do you inject the drugs? Tomorrow. You want to be in on it? If I may. Check with Miss Jones, then. She'll take care of things for you. I know. She's very accommodating that way. Well? What happens if those mice don't react to the drug? The experiment gets set back about eight years. Can I tell Richie you'll be able to handle it? I've got to do it. How? I thought I. Shh. Skip it. Uh, Matthews? Yes, Doctor? That memory of mine is giving me trouble again. I never forget a formula. Never remember a name. Was my name giving you trouble, Doctor? No. What magazine did you say you represent? Newsbook. Why? Newsbook. That's what I thought. Is something wrong, Doctor? Strange. Very strange. Oh, Doctor, there's... Would you mind stepping into the office for a moment, Matthews? No. No, not at all. Here we are. In here, Matthews, please. Okay, Doctor. Hi. Is this the guy, Doctor? Yes. Mr. Matthews of Newsbook Magazine. I'd like you to meet Mr. Johnson of Newsbook Magazine. Now back to Dana Andrews starring as Matt Svetik in I Was a Communist for the FBI and the second act of our story. Mr. Johnson of Newsbook Magazine and Mr. Matthews of Newsbook Magazine spent a small eternity staring at each other. Johnson knew I was the phony, but I couldn't let him know he was right. More important, I couldn't let Dr. Collins know if he found out the truth now, if he even became suspicious of me now. Well, gentlemen, you don't seem to know each other. To coin a phrase, Doctor, I think there's been some mistake. That's right, Matthews, and you're it. Doctor, this guy never saw the inside of the newsbook offices. Is that true, Matthews? Look, Johnson, I've been freelancing for a newsbook for years. I've never met half the staff writers or even the guys who pay me. But my credentials are in order. Dr. Collins knows that. That's true. That's very true. Now, wait a minute. All I know is my editor got a call from the public relations manager at the Merlin Corporation. Oh? Dr. Collins. May I see you a moment? Uh, well, please. Now, just a minute. Doctor, if you have any doubts about me, you better call my editor right now. Excuse us a minute, Johnson. What's it all about, Matthews? Who is he? I don't know. But I don't think you should insult him by checking with the editor right now. What else can I do? Let me do it. Just talk to him. Keep him busy. I'll use the phone in the lab. The editor will know I'm all right. Unless he's a phony. Just keep him busy. I'll only be a minute or two. Beaker? Beaker, this is Red. You sound like trouble. Right. Listen, call a newsbook magazine. Talk to the editor. Tell him the FBI wants to keep the new drug out of the news for a while. Tell him to call off his reporter. Tell him it's a sudden security move or something. Tell him not to tip his mitt, even to the reporter. You don't want any news slips. You can't explain why. Okay, Matt. And do it fast, Beaker. Right now. Hang up and call now. Right now. Well, Matthews? I'm sorry, Johnson. You'd better go. Go? What are you talking about? I just talked to our editor. He says there's been a mistake in the assignments. Perhaps you'd like to call your office from this phone, Johnson. Yeah. Yeah, I sure would. This is Johnson, honey. Give me Blake's office, will you? What? No, I'll wait. No, I don't want him to call me back. I'll wait till he gets off the other line. We waited. Johnson, Collins, and I. I was afraid to think. Afraid of what my thoughts would tell me. Maybe the editor was talking to Beaker right now. Or maybe Beaker hadn't even gotten to him yet. Maybe. Maybe, maybe, maybe. Hello? Mr. Blake? Yes, this is Johnson. I'm up at the Gordon lab now. They've... What? But you told me to. Okay. Okay. Sure. Yeah, well, I thought you. All. Right, sir. Goodbye. Okay, Matthews. I don't get it, but you win. See you around the office sometime. Maybe. Maybe. Let's see now, Miss Jonas. Is this the fourth or fifth one? Mouse number five, Doctor. All right. Hold him now. Easy. There. That's that. What happens now that they've been inoculated, Doctor? Now? Well, now we wait. And see whether we've got a miracle or a dud. Five white mice, each one a barometer of scientific endeavor. If they live, all humanity benefits. If they die, two diseases profit. By the loss. One of them, a red plague called communism. The principal carrier of that disease right now, an angel-faced comrade with a heart of a cobra and a head full of plants. You see, comrade... Each one of the mice has been given just enough of the new drug to counteract the infection. I can't lessen the strength of the drug, but I can add to the infection. How can you do that? Septic solution. Give them another shot. Instead of the drug this time, use a solution containing the same bacteria they're suffering from. That way we make the infection stronger than the drug dosage. And nothing mysterious shows up under examination later. Comrade Helen, can you do this without being discovered? I hope so, Comrade Ritchie. Seems pretty risky to me. Dr. Collins is keeping close watch on his patients. The lab is locked up tight from midnight to 6 a.m. I have a key. You'll need someone to stand guard, check those burglar. Alarms, and watch. I'd rather do it alone, Comrade. Alone? Why? Please, Comrade Svedek. If I'm alone and something goes wrong, only one of us suffers, not both. She's right, Svedek. If she knows what to do, let her alone. But I just want. Really, comrade Svedek. One more pair of hands, one more pair of footsteps just increases the chances of being discovered. Please. It's settled, Svedek. Stay out of it. You've done your job. Now let Helen finish hers. Helen planned to enter the lab between 3 and 4 the next morning. I couldn't tell the FBI or even Dr. Collins without incriminating myself with the party. I had to see that Helen was caught on the premises with enough evidence on hand to put her out of circulation. Time, ten minutes before 3 a.m. The lab, dark, deserted. The door, locked, but not too difficult to pick, even at that hour. I reset the lock and headed for the supply cupboards that held the septic solutions. Not this one. No, not this one either. One of these I knew was, ah, here we are. Lab technicians are used to finding the same supplies in the same places all the time. If I could just mix up these bottles of solutions, enough to delay Helen, to slow up the whole procedure. There. Septic solutions mixed up with bottles of antiseptics. It would take Helen time to find them here in the dark. Uh-oh. Somebody coming. Helen. Collins. Who? I pressed flat against the wall behind the cabinets. I couldn't see my visitor. The steps were coming closer. Helen, just a few minutes early. She was unwrapping a sterile syringe now. In a moment, she'd be looking for the septic solutions. Now, she was just three cabinets away from me, looking for the bottles I had just moved. Any minute, she'd be checking the other cabinets. The ones right behind me. She. Oh. She was going the other way, toward the room where the mice were kept. Now, now she was in the room, a door between us. If she'd stay there long enough, I could make a break for it. If she just stayed there long enough. Who's that? Who is it? I was out now and she was in. She left her key in the door so it was easy to keep her in. I took the key with me. Final step, a simple mechanical procedure. The burglar alarm. I stood outside the lab watching Helen's flashlight sending frantic beams around the darkened upstairs room. She was locked in for keeps. In a moment, the cops would find her there, Collins would be called, and the career of the youngest, prettiest saboteur in the party would be over. THE END All right, Vicar. Come on, get with it. Get with it. Hello? Vicar, this is Red. Who? Red. Red, wake up. At four in the morning? Are you in a jam or are you off your rocker? Neither one. The cops have your saboteur for you. They what? I just saw them pick her up at the Gordon lab. I'd better get down there. Wait a minute. They'll hold her for breaking and entering until Dr. Collins presses charges. She's frightened enough to talk plenty. Good. Nice work, Matt. One more thing. Ask Collins about the letters and affidavits he received recommending me. One of them's a phony FBI affidavit. It's been forged. By you? No, by my commie cell leader. Good. There's a tidy little jail sentence waiting for him, then. Yeah. Comrade Ritchie got himself caught in his own mousetrap. Those five white mice, by the way, didn't die. Dr. Collins saw to that. Once in a while, when it's dark enough and I'm alone, I walk by the Gordon Laboratories. Usually there's a light burning inside. Dr. Collins at work on another miracle. He works alone. I walk alone. But there's a difference. When he works, he's got the whole human race rooting for him. But when I walk, I walk alone. Dana Andrews will return in just a moment. This is Dana Andrews, friends. One of the founders of communism once remarked, liberty is so precious that it must be rationed. In a democracy, however, we've learned that liberty is precious because it cannot be rationed. When the tyrants in the world learn that, there'll be no more tyrants. 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 Svetik, who worked undercover for the FBI. Next week, another fantastic adventure. Join us then, won't you? Thank you.