Generic Radio Workshop Script Library (GO BACK) (Downloadable Text File)

Series: Green Hornet
Show: The Ghost Who Talked Too Much
Date: May 30 1939

CAST:

ANNOUNCER
GREER, Raja's helper
MYRA, widow
RAJA, smooth-talking spiritualist
SECRETARY
ABBOTT, Raja's accomplice
MARJORIE "CLICKER" BINNEY, photographer
LENORE "CASEY" CASE, Britt's secretary
BRITT REID / THE GREEN HORNET
REPORTER (1 line)
ED LOWRY, reporter
JANE, Raja's other helper
WOMAN
1ST MAN (1 line)
2ND MAN (1 line)
KATO, Britt's faithful servant
LUCIA
ELIZABETH, young woman
1ST COP
2ND COP, Irish
NEWSIE (1 line)

ANNOUNCER:

The Green Hornet!

MUSIC:

LOW TYMPANI ACCENT ... TOPPED BY--

SOUND:

HORNET'S BUZZ ... THEN BEHIND ANNOUNCER--

ANNOUNCER:

He hunts the biggest of all game -- public enemies that even the G-Men cannot reach! The Green Hornet!

MUSIC:

THEME ... "FLIGHT OF THE BUMBLEBEE" ... FADES OUT BRIEFLY FOR--

SOUND:

HORNET'S BUZZ

MUSIC:

THEME ... RETURNS ... THEN OUT BEHIND ANNOUNCER--

ANNOUNCER:

The adventure of "The Ghost Who Talked Too Much." The events and characters depicted in this drama are fictitious. Any similarity to actual persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

SOUND:

HORNET'S BUZZ ... FADES OUT WITH--

GREER:

(AS GHOST - SLOW AND SPOOKY, ON FILTER) My name in life was Homer Burleigh. I have a message for my wife. Is she within the hearing of my voice?

MYRA:

(EMOTIONAL) Homer! My - my dear husband.

RAJA:

Have you anything to ask your husband?

MYRA:

Homer, dear--? Are you happy?

GREER:

(AS GHOST) I would be happier, Myra, if it were not that I'm worrying about you. I don't want you to go hungry, to know poverty.

MYRA:

But you left me that insurance.

GREER:

(AS GHOST) It needs wise counsel. Myra, I want you to see-- His name-- Abbott. Ab-bott. Then, I will not worry.

MYRA:

Homer? Homer, are you still there?

RAJA:

I – I am afraid I have lost contact with him, Mrs. Burleigh.

MYRA:

Oh, there's so much I still wanted to say to him. Call him back. Call him back, Raja.

RAJA:

Tonight I am exhausted. Perhaps another time. He gave you one message though.

MYRA:

(INTENSELY) Abbott. Abbott. I'll see him. A man named Abbott.

MUSIC:

SOMBER TRANSITION

SOUND:

PHONE RINGS ... RECEIVER UP

SECRETARY:

(INTO PHONE) Mr. Abbott's office. -- An appointment? -- Have you met him before? -- Very well, please come at three tomorrow. -- Yes, I'll put your name down.

SOUND:

OFFICE DOOR OPENS

SECRETARY: (INTO PHONE) Thank you, goodbye.

SOUND:

RECEIVER DOWN ... OFFICE DOOR CLOSES

RAJA:

Is Abbott in his office now, young lady?

SECRETARY:

Oh, yes, sir.

RAJA:

It is time for his daily reading.

SECRETARY:

Of course, Raja. Please go right in, he's waiting for you.

SOUND:

RAJA'S FOOTSTEPS TO INNER OFFICE DOOR WHICH OPENS ... THEN DOOR CLOSES AND RAJA'S STEPS INTO OFFICE BEHIND--

ABBOTT:

(PLEASANT GREETING) Well, Raja.

RAJA:

The time has come, my friend, for a study of your day's horoscope.

ABBOTT:

(CHUCKLES) My checkbook, you mean.

RAJA:

(LAUGHS, MORE CASUAL) That's it, Abbott. How is business?

ABBOTT:

Going good -- since you moved into that swank headquarters.

RAJA:

I had a couple new ones in yesterday and called back their husbands.

ABBOTT:

Women with cash?

RAJA:

Of course. I made sure they had dough before I went after them.

ABBOTT:

Good going.

RAJA:

I'm branching out some more, Abbott. I'm putting a girl in to do nothing but check on the death notices, and adding another woman to the sales force.

ABBOTT:

Sales force?

RAJA:

Of course. After I've learned considerable about a certain widow, she has to be sold on the idea of coming to me for an interview and a sitting, doesn't she?

ABBOTT:

(AMUSED) Well, I'll be-- (CHUCKLES) Raja, you're all right.

RAJA:

Furthermore, Abbott, we're not going to be quite so barefaced in taking their cash for wildcat stocks.

ABBOTT:

What do mean by that?

RAJA:

Precisely what I said. We're going to run this office of yours more along the lines of a dignified brokerage house, and actually make some legitimate investments for some of these people. We can run a lot less risk with the law, and still make a big thing of the business.

ABBOTT:

Now look here, Raja. Suppose you run your crystal-gazing emporium and you let me run this investment office.

RAJA:

As long as you run it along the lines I consider intelligent, you may run it. Otherwise, I will interfere.

ABBOTT:

But I'm a--

RAJA:

I don't propose to see both of us land in prison, you see.

ABBOTT:

I've done all right so far.

RAJA:

And I will see that you continue to do all right. Now, how much have you taken in since yesterday?

ABBOTT:

Mrs. Wilder came in with, uh, five thousand dollars to invest.

RAJA:

What did you do with it?

ABBOTT:

Sold her some Continental Merchant stock.

RAJA:

(WITH DISAPPROVAL) That is utterly worthless.

ABBOTT:

Sure. But she won't know that for a long time. The profit on that deal was two grand.

RAJA:

Anything else?

ABBOTT:

That's all.

RAJA:

Abbott, you are a fool to try and double-cross me.

ABBOTT:

What d'ya mean?

RAJA:

Do you think I have so many facilities for gathering data without using them for the most important angle of my business? You seem to forget a matter of five hundred you took from a woman named Joyce. Moreover, Mrs. Wilder left ten thousand with you, on which my share amounts to four thousand.

ABBOTT:

Who told you that?

RAJA:

I'll take the money in cash, Abbott, and don't take such risks. I might decide to find another broker to work with me.

ABBOTT:

You try that and I'll land you in jail!

RAJA:

You will land me in jail? For what?

ABBOTT:

You're in this racket as deep as I am!

RAJA:

That's a matter of proof, my friend.

MUSIC:

BRIDGE

SOUND:

KLACK! OF TYPEWRITER ... DOOR OPENS ... THEN DOOR CLOSES AND TYPEWRITER OUT BEHIND--

CLICKER:

(OFF) Hey, Casey, here's a funny one for ya.

CASEY:

What's that, Clicker?

CLICKER:

(CLOSER) Why, if this isn't a lulu. Get a load of this negative -- and be careful, it's still wet from the rinsing bath. I shot a picture of this Raja at the Hotel Continental affair this afternoon.

CASEY:

Yeah? Well, what about it, Clicker?

CLICKER:

Well, the doggone negative's a positive, see? That palooka has such a dark complexion that he shows white on the negative. Now ain't that something?

CASEY:

Who is the bird anyway, Clicker?

CLICKER:

Ohhh, Raja Something or other. I didn't cover the story, just took a couple of shots of him. He's the new rage of the society dames.

CASEY:

What's he do, look into a crystal or something?

CLICKER:

Oh, he does all the tricks -- crystal reading, spirit tapping, table tilting. I was talking to a couple of dames over at that meeting, and they claim he brought back the spirit of their dead husbands.

CASEY:

Ridiculous.

CLICKER:

Well, I'm just telling you what they told me. Boy, would I like to try to get a photograph of one of those spirits!

SOUND:

DOOR OPENS ... THEN CLOSES BEHIND--

REID:

Afternoon, Miss Case! Oh, hello, Miss Binney.

CLICKER:

Oh, hello, Mr. Reid.

CASEY:

I didn't know whether you'd be in or not today, Mr. Reid.

REID:

(LIGHTLY) I usually get in once during the day.

CLICKER:

I was showing Miss Case this negative, Mr. Reid. It's that new sensation in the spiritualistic world.

REID:

Who's that?

CLICKER:

The Raja.

REID:

Uh-oh, a couple of the girls were talking about him last evening.

CLICKER:

I tell you, that guy's a sensation! He's got everybody talking about him.

REID:

He also has a good press agent. He's hammered at us from the time he first showed up in town. Sent enough stuff into the office here to fill half a dozen of Gunnigan's wastebaskets.

CASEY:

No wonder I've never seen any of it.

REID:

Yeah, Gunnigan is allergic to fakirs, fakes, and racketeers.

CASEY:

And press agents.

CLICKER:

No wonder the stories on the Raja didn't get by him. He probably thought you might let one of them see print.

REID:

Do you suppose this Raja really has something on the ball?

CASEY:

He's got just enough on the ball to make himself a fortune. But you know, Mr. Reid, there are no ghosts.

REID:

I'm surprised that the law doesn't step on a man like that.

CASEY:

I don't know why the law should.

REID:

Well, in the first place, he's obtaining money under false pretenses.

CASEY:

Yes, but, Mr. Reid, he really does give people some comfort. Don't you think so?

REID:

Comfort?

CLICKER:

Maybe there's something to that, Mr. Reid. I hadn't thought of that angle. If it gives a woman comfort to think she's hearing from her departed husband-- Well, it's surely worth whatever Raja charges.

REID:

Unless he goes beyond that.

CLICKER:

What do you mean by that?

REID:

I've heard of men like that, that aren't satisfied with the fees they charge. They suggest investments for people and use that as a means of robbery.

CLICKER:

Hmmm.

REID:

However, we have a newspaper to run.

CLICKER:

Look here, Mr. Reid.

REID:

Yes?

CLICKER:

I'd give a week's pay for the chance to take some pictures of one of those séances.

REID:

You'd give a week's pay?

CLICKER:

Oh, that would be something new. Why not let me sign up for one of his weekly meetings and take along a hidden camera and some flashbulbs? Maybe if the ghost appears, I can get a picture of him!

CASEY:

Picture of a ghost?

CLICKER:

Wouldn't that be something.

REID:

Miss Binney--

CLICKER:

Huh?

REID:

The Daily Sentinel couldn't endorse such an unethical proceeding.

CLICKER:

(DISAPPOINTED) That's what I was afraid of.

REID:

(MOVING OFF) I'll be in my office, Miss Case, if anyone calls.

CASEY:

Very well.

REID:

(OFF, DROPS A BROAD HINT TO CLICKER, LIGHTLY) And, by the way, if someone should happen to already have a good picture of a ghost taken at a séance, I'd be interested in seeing it. We, uh-- We might use it for a Sunday magazine picture.

SOUND:

REID'S OFFICE DOOR OPENS AND CLOSES AS HE EXITS

CLICKER:

(CATCHES HIS DRIFT) Aha! I get it. Look here, Casey, don't you worry about someone just happening to have that sort of a picture. I'll be around with one inside the next couple of days!

SOUND:

DOOR OPENS INTO BUSY, NOISY NEWSROOM BACKGROUND (REPORTERS MURMUR, OCCASIONAL PHONE RINGS, ET CETERA) ... DOOR CLOSES

REPORTER:

(OFF) Hiya, Clicker!

LOWRY:

(OFF) Hey, Click! How's the girl photographer these days?!

CLICKER:

Hiya, gang! (TO LOWRY) Hey, Lowry--?

LOWRY:

Huh?

CLICKER:

This way, fella. I want words with you.

LOWRY:

Well, what's up?

SOUND:

LOWRY AND CLICKER'S FOOTSTEPS AWAY BEHIND--

CLICKER:

(LOW) Come on over here where the super-snoopers won't get an earful of my plans. I need cooperation and you're the guy to give it to me.

SOUND:

BACKGROUND FADES A LITTLE ... FOOTSTEPS OUT WITH--

CLICKER:

Right here'll do. Sit down on the edge of the desk or some place. I gotta make a call. Uh, look through that drawer, will ya?

LOWRY:

For what?

CLICKER:

See if you can find that small camera of mine. The Leica.

LOWRY:

Uh-oh. Candid camera shooting, huh?

CLICKER:

And how. Here's the number.

SOUND:

DRAWER OPENS ... LOWRY RUMMAGES THROUGH CLUTTERED DRAWER

LOWRY:

Hey, does it ever occur to you that you could clean out this drawer sometimes and make things easier for yourself?

CLICKER:

Careful you don't break any of those filters.

LOWRY:

Great Scott, how do ya know what's in here?

CLICKER:

Oh, there's the Leica, down at the bottom. Pull out that photo flash attachment, too.

LOWRY:

Where're you going?

CLICKER:

We're going to a spiritualistic séance, Lowry, and get a picture of a ghost!

LOWRY:

Now-- (DOUBLE TAKE) Have you gone screwy?!

CLICKER:

Maybe so.

SOUND:

LOWRY PULLS CAMERA FROM DRAWER

LOWRY:

Here. This what you want?

CLICKER:

That's it. Close the drawer now.

SOUND:

DRAWER CLOSES ... PHONE RECEIVER UP ... ROTARY PHONE DIAL BEHIND--

CLICKER:

I'm going to try to horn in on one of the meetings this Raja has in that new swanky apartment of his.

LOWRY:

You go out of your way looking for trouble, don't ya?

CLICKER:

Wherever there's trouble, there's a picture, Lowry -- and I'd go a long way for a good picture. How much money you got?

LOWRY:

Money? What's that?

CLICKER:

No foolin'! [Let me] borrow a couple of bucks, will ya? I've gotta get a couple of flash bulbs and-- Say, Lowry, have you got a suit that's pressed?

LOWRY:

We have to dress up to go there?!

CLICKER:

Well, you have to look civilized! The Raja has quality folks at his meetings. Oh, here he is now. (INTO PHONE, FEIGNS CLASSY TONE) Is this the Raja's studio? -- Well, I'd like to know if it's possible for me to attend one of his meetings. One of the séances, you know.

SOUND:

SCENE OUT ... TRANSITIONAL PAUSE

MUSIC:

SLOW, SOMBER, MYSTIC ... THEN IN BG--

ANNOUNCER:

Soft music came from an unseen source in the velvet-draped room where Raja held his séance. In the incense-filled atmosphere, amid luxurious furniture and silk tapestries, a well-dressed group of people awaited the appearance of the Raja himself. Slightly apart from the rest sat Clicker Binney, trying to show the same wide-eyed expression of awe the other ladies showed. With her was Ed Lowry.

LOWRY:

(UNHAPPY) Mmmm, Clicker -- this place smells bad.

CLICKER:

Shut up, mug. That's incense.

LOWRY:

Yeah, well, I wish we were out o' here.

CLICKER:

Scared?

LOWRY:

Oh, my eye.

CLICKER:

Now get things straight. You keep that reflector with the flashbulb under your coat till the lights are out. Then get it set and ready.

LOWRY:

We've been over all that before.

CLICKER:

Well, don't muff it. Point the reflector at the ghost and when I click the shutter the bulb will go off.

LOWRY:

And we'll go out on our ears.

CLICKER:

That's okay by me as long as we get the picture.

SOUND:

LOW GONG ... THEN LOUDER GONG ... CROWD MURMURS BRIEFLY

ANNOUNCER:

The Raja stepped from behind heavy drapery, with his head swathed in a turban of royal purple, and a gown of similar color came to within a few inches of the floor. His deep-set heavy-lidded eyes surveyed the people in the room for a minute, and then he took his place at the head of the table and motioned wordlessly for the others to gather close to him. As they did so, the lights became dimmer, and then the room was dark. In an adjoining room, a man and woman stood with many yards of cheesecloth draped about them.

MUSIC:

FADES OUT DURING ABOVE

RAJA:

(OFF) To commune with the spirits that lie beyond the grave, I must ask that all of you remain absolutely silent and concentrate on the hope of seeing one who was dearly beloved by you in life. While you concentrate, I shall place myself in the state of mind that comes close to the borderline beyond which no person once crossing has ever returned in body. In a moment, if conditions in the atmosphere are right, it may be possible that the voice of someone who means much to one of you will make itself heard. Then, if absolute silence prevails and nothing happens to disturb the spell, this spirit may come and let itself be seen. If it is recognized by any one of you, please speak softly and address it by name.

GREER:

I'm to go out first tonight, Jane.

JANE:

I wonder who's gonna call you "Daddy" this time, Greer.

GREER:

Not so loud. Where's the megaphone? I've gotta get the old sepulchral spirit in my voice.

JANE:

Right here.

GREER:

Drape this stuff around me now.

JANE:

Get that megaphone up to the wall there and start talking. The Raja's pressed the signal button.

GREER:

Right. (THROUGH MEGAPHONE, SLOW AND SPOOKY, AS GHOST) Someone is near the borderline. Come to me.

WOMAN:

That sounds like John!

RAJA:

I must caution you not to speak out until you see him and recognize him.

GREER:

(AS GHOST, SLOW AND EERIE) Someone calls me. I hear a voice. I hear a voice. Who calls me?

RAJA:

I feel a presence in this room. Someone from the hereafter is calling for attention. Come -- give me your name.

GREER:

(AS GHOST) My name - was John.

RAJA:

John. John, will you let us see you?

GREER:

(AS GHOST) Someone is calling for me. I will let myself be seen.

RAJA:

Come, John. A friend of yours is here.

GREER:

(AS GHOST) I would like to have a word with her--

WOMAN:

(SCREAMS)

SOUND:

CROWD MURMURS IN CONFUSION ... CONTINUES IN BG

WOMAN:

Who did that?!

1ST MAN:

Someone took a picture!

2ND MAN:

What in blazes--?!

WOMAN:

Who did that? (PLEADS) John! John, where are you?!

CLICKER:

(URGENT, TO LOWRY) This way!

RAJA:

Turn on the lights! What is the meaning of this disturbance? This is profane! This is unheard of!

LOWRY:

This is the way out!

CLICKER:

(ECSTATIC) We got it! We got it!

MUSIC:

CURTAIN ... THEME ("FLIGHT OF THE BUMBLEBEE") ... OUT BEHIND--

ANNOUNCER:

The curtain falls on the first act of our Green Hornet adventure. Before the next exciting scenes, please permit us to pause for just a few moments.

MUSIC:

GONG! ... THEN THEME FADES IN BRIEFLY BEFORE FADING OUT AGAIN FOR COMMERCIAL BREAK ... THEME FADES IN ... OUT WITH--

ANNOUNCER:

Now to continue our story. When Britt Reid heard through society friends that Raja, the spiritualist, was using his supposed occult powers to persuade widows to trust their money to his accomplice, he had Clicker Binney get a photograph of the specter at one of the séances. The next day, when Britt Reid came to his office, Ed Lowry was there before him.

LOWRY:

The girl got a beautiful shot, boss! It shows that fake up to a fare-thee-well.

REID:

Good enough, Lowry. We can use that photo in a Sunday supplement in a few weeks. I'm planning on a feature story dealing with these racketeers in ghosts.

LOWRY:

Well, I can contribute!

REID:

How's that?

LOWRY:

Well, I can contribute. There've been a lot of cases where women have been told by the crook they thought to be the spirit of their dear departed to go and sink their cash into phony stocks and bonds.

REID:

Where did you get that?

LOWRY:

Police headquarters! They've had complaints on Raja.

REID:

They have?

LOWRY:

Yeah!

REID:

Huh, that's odd. The other evening, a couple of women were telling me about him. They'd been sent to a man named Abbott.

LOWRY:

That's the guy!

REID:

He sold them stocks that weren't worth a hoot.

LOWRY:

That's what the cops were told. But the law can't prove a thing.

REID:

I know it. Well, perhaps an exposé in The Sentinel would do some good. That's what I had in mind, Lowry.

LOWRY:

Raja'll sue if you mention him.

REID:

Well, let him sue!

LOWRY:

And it won't get anywhere, boss. That's the tough part of it. He'll fold up and move to another city if things get too tough here. There's no way to get the goods on him. And less chance of linking Abbott up with him.

REID:

It's a confounded shame that this sort of thing can go on unchecked.

LOWRY:

You're telling me? Why, say, the way Raja and Abbott work the racket, it's almost foolproof.

REID:

Where's the picture Miss Binney took?

SOUND:

HANDS OVER PHOTO BEHIND--

LOWRY:

Here. Here, take a look at it.

REID:

Say, that is something.

LOWRY:

Isn't that a lulu? It's a darn shame the cops can't take that as evidence.

REID:

It wouldn't mean a thing.

LOWRY:

I know! Raja didn't charge anything for the séance, so the law can't touch him. Hang it all, it's the old story -- the law can't touch him!

MUSIC:

BRIDGE

ANNOUNCER:

The law couldn't get at Raja and his racket. But Britt had deeper plans when he arranged for the picture to be made. We find him in his apartment with Kato, his faithful servant and the only living man to know him as the Green Hornet.

REID:

This picture, Kato, shows me how the ghost appears and where he comes from.

KATO:

Yes, Mr. Britt.

REID:

And, by careful study, I can get a fairly good idea of this man's face in spite of the gauze that's draped over his head.

KATO:

Yes, sir.

REID:

And I think that with that, I can step out at the next séance.

KATO:

What are you gonna do?

REID:

Give the Raja the shock of his life.

KATO:

How?

REID:

The Green Hornet's going to a séance. The next ghost that Raja summons from behind those drapes is going to have altogether too much to say. Now we've gotta make some plans. Some rather elaborate plans.

KATO:

Yes?

REID:

You'll be in on them. He uses a phonograph, Kato, that's probably played from the same back room that the ghosts wait their turn in.

KATO:

What about that?

REID:

(MUSES) Now, let me see. Abbott. That's the name of the bird that handles the financial end.

KATO:

Yes, sir.

REID:

I'm going to give him an invitation to the next séance. I wonder what he'll have to say. (CHUCKLES) He won't dare say much in front of the guests. Neither will the Raja. (SLOWLY) But after the guests have gone, I wonder.

MUSIC:

BRIDGE

ANNOUNCER:

Several evenings later, an exceptionally fashionable group of people were in attendance at the séance. Before the Raja made his appearance, he met his accomplice, Abbott, in the side room.

RAJA:

(PLEASED) Have you seen all the new people that are here tonight?

ABBOTT:

I wouldn't know the new from the old.

RAJA:

We're getting the society trade now, Abbott. People worth lots of money.

ABBOTT:

Not so loud.

RAJA:

They can't hear me in the next room. (PUZZLED) What are you going to do here anyway?

ABBOTT:

Sit in.

RAJA:

Sort of unusual, isn't it?

ABBOTT:

Any objections?

RAJA:

No. No objections, of course. Glad to have you here.

ABBOTT:

I just thought I'd see if you weren't trying a little double-cross on your own hook.

RAJA:

Whatever gave you that idea, Abbott?

ABBOTT:

You've been mighty quick to suspect me.

RAJA:

I had sufficient reason to.

ABBOTT:

(SARCASTIC) O-kay, "Raja." Just don't try anything, that's all.

RAJA:

You better go and sit down. I'm going to start in a couple of minutes.

ABBOTT:

Right. (CHUCKLES, MOVING OFF) This should be worth watching, you fake.

RAJA:

Greer?

GREER:

Ready for the music?

RAJA:

Yes. You may start the recording now.

MUSIC:

SLOW, SOMBER, MYSTIC ... SAME AS BEFORE, IN BG

RAJA:

Give them a good show tonight, Greer. (BEAT) Now, Jane?

JANE:

Yes?

RAJA:

You are to be the daughter of James Stillwell. He is in the group.

JANE:

Drowned last summer, didn't I?

RAJA:

That's right.

JANE:

I have the part memorized.

RAJA:

Good. (MOVING OFF) I'll go and start things.

GREER:

(UNHAPPY, TO JANE) I'm gonna ask that guy for a raise in pay one of these days.

JANE:

Oh, I'm worried about that picture someone took the other night.

GREER:

Haven't heard anything from it. What's there to worry about?

JANE:

Oh, I don't know, Greer, but just the same--

RAJA:

(OFF, INDISTINCT, BEGINS HIS USUAL SPIEL TO THE CROWD DURING ABOVE)

HORNET:

(OMINOUS) Keep still.

GREER:

(TO JANE) They can't hear us.

JANE:

(STARTLED GASP) Who--?

GREER:

(STARTLED) That mask!

JANE:

The Hornet!

HORNET:

Keep your voices down, or you'll regret it.

GREER:

(COUGHING, HOARSELY) What's the matter with--?

JANE:

(COUGHING)

HORNET:

Steady, you crook. You're gonna take a little nap.

JANE:

(COUGHING, EXHALES AS SHE LOSES CONSCIOUSNESS)

SOUND:

JANE'S BODY SLUMPS TO FLOOR

HORNET:

Ah, you went out nicely, young lady.

GREER:

(COUGHING) You--- (COUGHS AND PASSES OUT)

HORNET:

(CATCHES GREER) Yeah, that's it. (LOWERS GREER TO FLOOR, WITH EFFORT) Stay right down here. (BEAT) All right, Kato. You can come in now.

KATO:

They made no noise?

HORNET:

Well, that was the big gamble. I guess they've grown so accustomed to keeping quiet back here that they did it subconsciously.

KATO:

[Here's what] you want.

HORNET:

Very well. Hurry and get it set on that machine.

KATO:

Yes, sir.

HORNET:

(MUSES, TO HIMSELF) Now where can I--? Ah, lemme see. Oh, there's a good place to hide.

KATO:

[?]

HORNET:

You have the car ready right outside the window?

KATO:

Yes, sir.

HORNET:

What time is it now?

KATO:

Ten o'clock.

HORNET:

We've got to handle things just right. Stop the machine.

MUSIC:

STOPS ABRUPTLY ... WHICH ALLOWS US TO HEAR RAJA--

RAJA:

(OFF, IN MID-SPIEL) --if it is recognized by any one of you, please speak softly and address it by name. Concentrate, my friends. Concentrate.

HORNET:

(TO HIMSELF) Now for it.

RAJA:

(CLOSER, TO CROWD) We must all concentrate. There seems to be a disturbing influence among us.

SOUND:

CROWD MURMURS UNEASILY

HORNET:

(AS GHOST) Is there someone called Lucia?

LUCIA:

(GASPS) That's me!

RAJA:

Concentrate, my dear. Concentrate. (TO GHOST) Do you speak from the hereafter?

HORNET:

(AS GHOST) I speak to someone called Lucia.

LUCIA:

Vincent? Vincent, is that you?

HORNET:

(AS GHOST) You wish to ask me something?

RAJA:

(WHISPERS, TO HIMSELF) Something is wrong.

LUCIA:

Yes! Yes, tell me, dear -- are you happy?

HORNET:

(AS GHOST) Yes, Lucia. I am happy.

LUCIA:

Before you left-- I never knew. Was there any pain? Did you suffer, dear?

HORNET:

(AS GHOST) There was no pain.

LUCIA:

We miss you so much.

HORNET:

(AS GHOST) Lucia, there is one thing you must do.

LUCIA:

Yes? Yes, tell me.

HORNET:

(AS GHOST) It concerns - money.

LUCIA:

Yes? Yes?

HORNET:

(AS GHOST) You must invest your insurance. Take it from the bank and invest it.

LUCIA:

But I don't quite--

HORNET:

(AS GHOST) Hear me, Lucia! A good investment house -- like Gurney-Sanders.

ABBOTT:

(WHISPERS) What?!

RAJA:

(NERVOUS, BUT STAYS IN CHARACTER) Concentrate, please. Do not disturb the spell.

LUCIA:

I'll remember the name. Vincent, tell me-- Tell me a little more! Vincent, I can't see you now! Tell me a little more! Vincent?!

RAJA:

Concentrate. Concentrate, my friends. Do not break the spell.

HORNET:

(AS GHOST) Someone whose name is Elizabeth.

ELIZABETH:

That's my name.

HORNET:

(AS GHOST) Elizabeth, your brother sends you word through me.

ELIZABETH:

Yes. Yes, my brother. Where is he?

HORNET:

(AS GHOST) He couldn't come. He sends you word. Do not trust any but the firm of Gurney-Sanders with your investment. Do you understand?

ELIZABETH:

Yes, I understand. My brother was always afraid I'd--

RAJA:

(INTERRUPTS, QUICKLY) I can do no more! I can do no more tonight. There is a disturbing influence here! The séance has ended!

SOUND:

CROWD MURMURS UNHAPPILY

RAJA:

I am not well. Please. The lights. Another time! But, please, now -- go!

LUCIA:

I want to talk to Vincent again!

RAJA:

Another time! Another time! Please!

ELIZABETH:

My brother! Can I get more word from my brother?!

RAJA:

Another time, I tell you! Go, get out, leave me! I am not well.

SOUND:

CROWD MURMUR FADES OUT

ANNOUNCER:

The Raja turned up the lights and the amazed people were hurriedly sent from the luxurious room -- all but Abbott, who remained behind until the others had gone. And then--

ABBOTT:

You dirty double-crossing crook! It's a good thing I came here tonight!

RAJA:

Abbott, believe me, there was something wrong. I don't know what happened to Greer.

ABBOTT:

I can tell you what happened to Greer. You decided to play along with that Gurney-Sanders firm, huh? I got the tip-off on that, Raja. That's why I came here tonight.

RAJA:

You're crazy, I tell you!

ABBOTT:

Oh, no, I'm not! You're the one that's crazy to think you could put something like that over on me. Maybe you thought my office wasn't swank enough for the society swells you had here, huh?

RAJA:

No, no.

ABBOTT:

You had Greer all primed to give that stuff out! Then when you saw me, you didn't get a chance to change the instructions.

RAJA:

It isn't true!

ABBOTT:

Oh, yes, it is! I'm not a blind fool, ya know, Raja! Well, don't get the idea you can double-cross me!

RAJA:

All right, you blustering idiot -- just what do you propose to do?

ABBOTT:

I'm going to smash you!

RAJA:

Oh, no, you are not. Maybe you're the one that took that picture the other night.

ABBOTT:

I don't know what you're talking about.

RAJA:

Maybe you thought a photograph of one the ghosts would smash me. Well, let me tell you this. I know the law and I've stayed inside the law. And that's more than you have done.

ABBOTT:

Oh, is it?

RAJA:

Yes, it is. You open your mouth and I'll send you to jail.

ABBOTT:

You can't do it!

RAJA:

Oh, yes, I can. There have been plenty of people who have gone to your place and bought worthless stock. There have been a lot of others that have bought stock from you and been told the stock went down, that what they bought on margin was wiped out. I happen to know, Abbott, that you never bought the stock at all. You just pocketed the dough. Well, don't get any foolish ideas about trying to make trouble for me.

ABBOTT:

You can't double-cross me and get away with it!

SOUND:

KNOCK AT THE DOOR

ABBOTT:

(LOW, TO RAJA) Who's that?

RAJA:

(LOW) How do I know? Where is Greer? You can ask him! I didn't try to double-cross you, Abbott. (CALLS) Greer, where are you?! Answer the door!

SOUND:

KNOCK AT THE DOOR

ABBOTT:

I'll go myself. We'll continue this discussion a little later, Raja. I'm not through, by any means.

SOUND:

DOOR OPENS

1ST COP: Where's he at?

2ND COP:

Stand aside. (TO 1ST COP) Let's go through the place!

RAJA:

Police! What's the meaning of this?

ABBOTT:

What do you want here?

1ST COP:

Where's the Green Hornet?

ABBOTT:

The Green Hornet?! I know nothing about the Green Hornet!

1ST COP:

He's hidin' out here someplace.

2ND COP:

I just got the phone call a little while ago and we come right over. It's too bad he didn't do somethin' about you two rats before he skipped out.

1ST COP:

He's probably gone by this time.

RAJA:

Whoever called you is mistaken. There was no phone call from here and the Green Hornet has not been here.

ABBOTT:

And we don't want you cops around! Now clear out!

1ST COP:

What're you doin' here, Abbott?

ABBOTT:

Uhh--

RAJA:

(SMOOTH) I am reading his palm.

1ST COP:

You think fast on your feet, don't you, Raja?

2ND COP:

Let's have a look behind there.

RAJA:

One moment, officer. Maybe you've heard that a warrant is required before you can search a man's home.

1ST COP:

You know all the laws, don't ya?

RAJA:

Sufficient of them.

SOUND:

DURING ABOVE, FADE IN RECORDING OF ABBOTT AND RAJA

ABBOTT:

(RECORDED, OFF) I got the tip-off on that, Raja! That's why I came here tonight. (CONTINUES IN BG)

1ST COP:

Someone in there!

2ND COP:

Come on!

ABBOTT:

(SURPRISED) That's my voice!

1ST COP:

Let's go see!

SOUND:

RECORDING GROWS LOUDER AS MEN APPROACH PHONOGRAPH ... CONTINUES IN BG

ABBOTT:

(RECORDED) Oh, no, I'm not! You're the one that's crazy to think you could put something like that over on me. Maybe you thought my office wasn't swank enough for the society swells-- (CONTINUES IN BG)

2ND COP:

You two -- talkin'!

ABBOTT:

It's a frame-up!

1ST COP:

Shut up! Let's listen.

RAJA:

(RECORDED) No, no.

ABBOTT:

(RECORDED) You had Greer all primed to give that stuff out! Then when you saw me, you didn't get a chance to change the instructions.

RAJA:

(RECORDED) It isn't true!

ABBOTT:

(RECORDED) Oh, yes, it is! (CONTINUES IN BG)

ABBOTT:

Let me out of here!

2ND COP:

Stay right where you are!

RAJA:

Turn that thing off.

ABBOTT:

Quiet, Raja!

SOUND:

CLICK! AS RECORDING STOPS

1ST COP:

Looks like we got the goods on you at last.

ABBOTT:

Let me go! Let me out of here!

2ND COP:

No, you don't. Not so fast.

1ST COP:

That record will hold in court.

2ND COP:

Hang onto these two!

1ST COP:

We're taking ya both in and that record as well.

ABBOTT:

No, no! It's a frame-up, I tell ya! Ya can't do it!

RAJA:

Let me go. This intrusion-- You have no warrant.

1ST COP:

We're taking you guys in without a warrant. Take that record along.

ABBOTT:

(DISMAYED) Who did it? Who did it?

1ST COP:

Hey, look over there. Those two on the floor!

2ND COP:

Holy mackerel! What's happened to 'em?

ABBOTT:

It's Greer. (TO RAJA) Your helpers!

RAJA:

I knew there was something wrong. I told you, Abbott. I told you that Greer wasn't the one who appeared.

1ST COP:

(OFF) They're alive, all right. Just knocked out.

2ND COP:

Yeah. We'd better call the boys and have the wagon sent over. This thing's bigger than we thought.

1ST COP:

Yeah. Take that record so we don't lose that.

2ND COP:

I've got it. And, hey -- holy cats! -- look at this! (REALIZES) I get it now. We were sent over here to get the Green Hornet. Ohh-kaaay. Look what's on the record.

1ST COP:

The mark of the Green Hornet!

SOUND:

DURING ABOVE, CAR ENGINE STARTS ... HORNET'S BUZZ INDICATES HIS CAR DRIVING AWAY ... FADES OUT DURING FOLLOWING--

2ND COP:

There he goes! He's outside! He sneaked out this window! Boys, I'd say offhand the Hornet framed this whole thing.

ABBOTT:

I told ya we were framed!

RAJA:

It won't hold in court!

2ND COP:

Oh, yes, this will hold in court, Raja! And for once in his life, the Green Hornet's done a good turn for the police department.

MUSIC:

CURTAIN ... THEME ("FLIGHT OF THE BUMBLEBEE") ... FADE FOR--

SOUND:

CITY TRAFFIC BACKGROUND

NEWSIE:

(SHOUTS) Daily Sentinel! Extry paper! Read all about the Raja! Green Hornet traps spiritualist! Green Hornet still at large! Sentinel extry paper!

MUSIC:

THEME TOPS SCENE ... HORNET'S BUZZ TOPS THEME BRIEFLY ... THEME RESUMES ... BEHIND ANNOUNCER--

ANNOUNCER:

The story you have just heard is a copyrighted feature of the Green Hornet, Incorporated.

MUSIC:

THEME ENDS