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Series: Richard Diamond, Private Detective
Show: The Barrio Case
Date: Apr 27 1951

Dramatis Personae:

RICHARD DIAMOND
HELEN, Richard's wealthy girlfriend
ESTANO
INEZ, Julio's sexy girlfriend
PILAR, Julio's mother
GAFFNEY, a large clammy man; Anglo
VENDOR, of fruit
JULIO, ex-con
WALT, police lieutenant

MUSIC:

(HOW MILD CAMEL THEME FULL FOUR BARS .. HOLD UNDER FOR:)

1ST ANNCR:

THE MAKERS OF CAMEL CIGARETTES PRESENT DICK POWELL AS "RICHARD DIAMOND, PRIVATE DETECTIVE."

MUSIC:

(WHISTLING THEME WITH POWELL .. MODULATING TO THREE BARS .. HOW MILD CAMEL THEME .. MUSIC OUT FOR:)

1ST ANNCR:

The jury: America's smokers!

2ND ANNCR:

The verdict: More people smoke Camels than any other cigarette!

1ST ANNCR:

The smokers of America have made many different mildness tests .. sniff tests .. puff tests .. and the sensible, thorough thirty-day Camel test.

2ND ANNCR:

After all these tests, Camel has its greatest lead in popularity in twenty-five years, according to latest published figures! Yes, Camel leads all other brands by billions of cigarettes!

1ST ANNCR:

Decide for yourself -- make your own thirty-day Camel test. See if you don't agree that Camels suit you best!

MUSIC:

(HOW MILD CAMEL THEME FULL)

1ST ANNCR:

HERE TRANSCRIBED IS "RICHARD DIAMOND, PRIVATE DETECTIVE," STARRING DICK POWELL.

MUSIC:

(THEME AND INTO SOUND)

SOUND:

PHONE RINGS, RECEIVER UP

DICK:

Diamond Detective Agency...we make your troubles bubbles.

HELEN:

(FILTER) Hi...

DICK:

Hi, Helen.

HELEN:

Just called to tell you. I made reservations at Tony's.

DICK:

Tony's?

HELEN:

Our dinner date tonight. Don't tell me you forgot.

DICK:

Honey, the shape my pocket's in I couldn't even pay Tony's tip.

HELEN:

Oh, Rick...you're not broke again...

DICK:

That's the second time I've heard that question today.

HELEN:

Oh? Who else is interested in your finances?

DICK:

The furniture company. They're sending a man around to pick up my desk and chairs.

HELEN:

Oh, Rick...

DICK:

It's not so bad. I'll sit on the floor and only take on Japanese clients.

HELEN:

About tonight. Why don't you come to my place for dinner?

SOUND:

DOOR OPENS OFF, CLOSES

DICK:

Now that's what I call...(BREAKS OFF) Uh-oh...

HELEN:

What's the matter?

DICK:

That furniture company. They work fast.

SOUND:

DOOR LOCKED, OFF

HELEN:

The man's come to take your stuff away?

DICK:

Yeah. But he must want to take it down the fire escape. He's just locked the door...Honey, I'll call you back.

HELEN:

'Bye.

DICK:

'Bye. (SOUND: RECEIVER DOWN) (PROJECT) Oh, are you from the furniture company?

ESTANO:

(PUERTO RICAN) (OFF) I lock the door.

SOUND:

STEPS OVER

DICK:

So I see. What happens next?

ESTANO:

(SOUND: STEPS STOP ON) If you do not mind, Se?or Diamond, (SOUND: SITS DOWN) I will sit down.

DICK:

It's your chair now. You can do what you like.

ESTANO:

It is only that I am afraid. It makes a weakness of the knees.

DICK:

Wait a minute. You're not from the furniture company.

ESTANO:

I do not know what is this talk of furniture companies. My name is Estano. I am going to die.

DICK:

You've got the wrong shop. There's an undertaker around the corner.

ESTANO:

Please, Se?or, do not joke. I am going to be killed, I do not want to be killed.

DICK:

That's understandable.

ESTANO:

I want you to protect me. (SLIGHT BEAT) I am prepared to pay well, Se?or Diamond. My life is valuable.

DICK:

Is it worth a hundred a day and expenses?

ESTANO:

It is worth more than that. Here. Two hundred dollars for protecting me. And another hundred to deliver this letter to Julio.

DICK:

Julio?

ESTANO:

Julio Ramirez. The man who is going to kill me.

DICK:

You want me to take a letter to the man who's going to kill you?

ESTANO:

Si, Se?or. It is of the utmost...(BREAKS OFF, THEN URGENTLY) Se?or Diamond. The door...

DICK:

What's the matter with it?

ESTANO:

Someone...someone outside...

DICK:

(SLIGHT PAUSE) I don't hear anything. But if you insist, I'll...

SOUND:

SIMULTANEOUS; MOVEMENT

ESTANO:

(CUTS IN) No. Do not open it. (RELAXES) I must have been mistaken.

DICK:

You probably heard the termites. They walk heavy around here.

ESTANO:

Se?or Diamond, there is little time. I will explain the matter to you.

DICK:

It might be helpful.

ESTANO:

Julio was released from prison this morning. He is after me. This letter, it will change his mind.

DICK:

What do you want me to do?

ESTANO:

Hide me in a safe place. Then take the letter to Julio...quickly.

DICK:

You've bought yourself a protector. Where do I find Julio?

ESTANO:

Someplace in the Barrio. The Puerto Rican section of the city.

DICK:

The Barrio's a big place...

ESTANO:

Julio's mother. She runs a caf? on Santo Street. Her name is Pilar Ramirez. Perhaps she will tell you where to find him.

DICK:

Come on. I'll drop you at my apartment. You'll be all right there.

ESTANO:

Se?or Diamond...

DICK:

Yes?

ESTANO:

Please, Se?or Diamond...don't let me die...

MUSIC:

IN AND UNDER:

DICK:

I could tell by the look on Se?or Estano's face that he wasn't fooling. By the time I locked him in my apartment his knees were knocking like castanets in a hurricane. I tucked his letter in my inside pocket and taxied uptown to the Barrio. It was no problem to find Pilar's Caf?. (SOUND: FADE IN JUKE BOX RUMBA, SUSTAIN) The juke box was playing a rumba loud enough to shake the hips on a statue. But the girl who walked toward me from the bar was no statue. The way she looked at me proved it.

SOUND:

BAR BACKGROUND

INEZ:

(SUPERCHARGED) (HUMS WITH MUSIC) You like it, baby?

DICK:

Yeah. All of it.

INEZ:

Just call me Inez. You look lost, baby. Dance with me.

DICK:

Another time. I'm trying to find somebody.

INEZ:

You'll find what you want with me. Come on...dance.

DICK:

Later, later, angel. Your type of dancing needs time.

INEZ:

(DISAPPOINTED) Oh...This somebody you're trying to find. Who is it?

DICK:

Pilar Ramirez.

INEZ:

She's not your type, baby.

DICK:

How do I know till I try? Anyhow I'm really looking for her son.

INEZ:

Oh...Julio.

DICK:

You say it so tenderly. You must know him.

INEZ:

I ought to. I'm his girl.

DICK:

Fine. Then he should be here.

INEZ:

He was. But he went away.

DICK:

And left you all alone. Oh, how foolish. You know where he went?

INEZ:

Uh-huh. But I'd get in trouble if I told you.

DICK:

Suppose I buy you a drink. Will you tell me then?

INEZ:

Unh-uh.

DICK:

Make it two drinks. And maybe a fast rumba.

INEZ:

(LAUGHS) Oh, you're nice, baby. What's your name?

DICK:

Well, the ad in the phone book says Richard Diamond.

INEZ:

Your name is nice, too. You make me want to do something for you.

SOUND:

JUKE BOX OUT, BAR SOUNDS UP

DICK:

Like telling me where Julio is? What stops you?

INEZ:

Julio's mama. Pilar. She told me not to tell anybody where he is.

DICK:

When is Pilar coming back?

INEZ:

You are impatient, baby.

DICK:

It keeps my waistline down.

INEZ:

Why do you want Julio?

DICK:

I've got a letter for him.

INEZ:

An important letter, baby?

DICK:

It could keep Julio from getting into more trouble.

INEZ:

Oh? Why don't you give it to me? I'll see that he gets it.

DICK:

You'd make a charming letter carrier, dear. But I'm afraid I'll have to deliver this myself.

INEZ:

Suit yourself, baby. You'll find Pilar upstairs. Around the corner and third floor right. Maybe she'll tell you where Julio is.

DICK:

Thanks. I'll try my luck.

INEZ:

Come back sometime...and dance with me.. Be good, Mr. Diamond.

DICK:

Alright, baby.

MUSIC:

IN AND UNDER:

DICK:

She gave me a smile that had more kick than a quart of tabasco and then turned back to the bar. Around the corner from the caf? was a doorway which led to the upper part of the building. (SOUND: STEPS UP STAIRS THROUGH) I started up the stairs. (SOUND: SOUR TRUMPET SCALES; FADE IN AND OUT) In the back of the building somebody was learning to play a trumpet. He had a long way to go. When I reached the third floor landing there was a woman leaning over the banister. She looked as though she hadn't smiled for at least twenty years. I guessed she was Pilar Ramirez. But I wasn't sure so I asked. She looked me over for a full minute before she answered.

PILAR:

Who are you?

DICK:

Richard Diamond. I'm looking for Julio.

PILAR:

Come in.

SOUND:

STEPS, DOOR CLOSE

PILAR:

Julio never spoke of Richard Diamond.

DICK:

That's easy. He doesn't know me.

PILAR:

What do you want with my son Julio?

DICK:

You might say I'm a high paid mail man.

PILAR:

You talk big circles, amigo. Julio has spent five years in jail. He is tired. I tell nobody where he is.

DICK:

Would it help if I said I came from Se?or Estano?

PILAR:

Estano .. (BEAT) Go back down town, amigo. We have enough trouble in the Barrio.

DICK:

How would you like to see Julio go back to jail?

PILAR:

I told you .. leave the Barrio.

DICK:

This time it would be for murder.

PILAR:

If you do not go .. (TAKE) Murder?

DICK:

Unless I give Julio this letter.

PILAR:

The letter .. it will keep Julio from killing?

DICK:

That depends on how he likes what's in it.

PILAR:

All right, amigo. Go to Julio. Here. I will write the address.

MUSIC:

(IN AND UNDER:)

DICK:

The address Julio's mother had given me was near the central market. (SOUND: FADE IN MARKET B.G. (CAST: ADLIBS) .. CRIES OF HAWKERS, ETC. "ORANGES," ETC., ETC.) I cut across the market place, passed the meat stalls and was in the middle of the fruit stands when I felt a large clammy hand on my shoulder. I looked around to see if it had a man attached to it. It did: a large clammy man. He was stuffing a giant tamale in his mouth with his free hand. When he talked, his voice matched everything else about him.

GAFFNEY:

Please, Mr. Diamond. You walk too fast. I get tired easily.

DICK:

You know my name. So maybe you'd better keep talking.

GAFFNEY:

(EATING) Hmmm...would you like to share some of this tamale?

DICK:

No thanks. And stop spattering the juice on my coat.

GAFFNEY:

I won't detain you long. But you have something I want.

DICK:

You're just flattering me.

GAFFNEY:

Are you sure you wouldn't like some of this tamale? It's extremely good.

DICK:

Come on, come on. What's on your mind?

GAFFNEY:

Mr. Estano gave you a letter. He should have given it to me.

DICK:

Why? Are you saving stamps?

GAFFNEY:

Please, Mr. Diamond. I told you I get tired easily.

DICK:

Look. You're scaring customers away from the fruit stands. Now get out of my way.

GAFFNEY:

Certainly. As soon as you give me the letter.

DICK:

Unh-uh.

GAFFNEY:

You will persist in being difficult, Mr. Diamond. (EFFORT) Give me that letter.

DICK:

(EFFORT) Okay...here ...

SOUND:

FIST CONNECTS

GAFFNEY:

(REACTS) (EFFORT) I'll fix you...

SOUND:

FIST CONNECTS, GAFFNEY FALLS INTO FRUIT STAND, UPSETS IT

DICK:

(BEAT) You said you get tired easily. Now you can sleep.

VENDOR:

(FADING ON) (ACCENT) Hey, mister...mister. My heart is large for you, mister. The man you have knock into my apple section. He is Se?or Gaffney.

DICK:

It's a little late for introductions.

VENDOR:

Se?or Gaffney...he is a big man in the Barrio. And a bad man.

DICK:

I'll take your word for it.

VENDOR:

Now he lie so still under the fruit. But watch out, mister. Because he will not be long quiet.

MUSIC:

IN AND UNDER

DICK:

I thanked the fruit vendor for his warning and gave him ten dollars to cover the damage I'd done. Then I took a final look at Gaffney. He was still resting comfortably, his head surrounded by a halo of purple grapes. I wanted to put an apple in his open mouth, but time was getting short and I had work to do. The letter I was carrying was obviously too important to nestle in my coat pocket much longer. I threaded my way through a couple of alleys, dodged some rats big enough to bark and in a few minutes knocked on what I hoped was Julio's door.

SOUND:

KNOCK ON DOOR, REPEAT, DOOR OPEN

JULIO:

Your name's Diamond.

DICK:

I certainly have a following in the Barrio.

JULIO:

Yeah. Come on in.

SOUND:

STEPS, DOOR CLOSE

DICK:

I didn't get a chance to ask my last admirer. But tell me. How did you know my name?

JULIO:

Never mind. Just give me the letter.

DICK:

You certainly learn fast. Estano didn't say you'd know about it.

JULIO:

Look, Diamond. I've just spent five years in jail. I got a lot of things to take care of. Give me the letter.

DICK:

I might as well tell you. It's addressed to you.

SOUND:

ENVELOPE TORN OPEN, LETTER

JULIO:

(AFTER PAUSE) That no good...

DICK:

Hey, that's not the way you're supposed to react.

JULIO:

All right, Diamond. You've done your job. Now leave.

DICK:

I'd like to make Se?or Estano feel happy. Some bright cheery word from you would do it.

JULIO:

I said you could leave.

DICK:

You mean there's no answer?

JULIO:

Answer? Yeah, come to think of it, there is. (EFFORT) This....

SOUND:

SAPPING

DICK:

(REACTS)

SOUND:

BODY FALL

MUSIC:

HIT AND UNDER

DICK:

It happened so quickly I didn't know what he used to slug me. But he had slugged me, and I went out colder than an Eskimo's lunch. I must have covered the floor for about an hour. When I woke up, Julio was gone. I figured it was time to check on the health of my client. It took me another twenty minutes to get to my apartment. (SOUND: KEY IN LOCK, DOOR OPEN) When I opened the door, I was relieved to see Se?or Estano sitting at the piano, a pleased expression on his face. (SOUND: STEPS) I crossed the room, touched him on the shoulder. (SOUND: BODY FALLS ON PIANO KEYS) He fell forward onto the piano, and I understood why he was pleased. Se?or Estano could stop being afraid of dying.

MUSIC:

(TAGS)

MIDDLE COMMERCIAL

2ND ANNC:

Before we continue with "Richard Diamond", here are a few words about smoking enjoyment.

1ST ANNC:

After all the cigarette mildness tests --

2ND ANNC:

Camel is America's most popular cigarette by billions!

1ST ANNC:

America's smokers have made quick tests..trick tests...and the sensible thirty-day Camel test - to find out which cigarette suits them best. Now, after all these tests, latest published figures show Camel has its greatest lead in popularity in twenty-five years!

2ND ANNC:

Camels have the two things smokers want most: flavor and mildness! No other cigarette has Camel's rich, full flavor -- the flavor of costly tobaccos properly aged and expertly blended.

1ST ANNC:

And no other cigarette gives you this proof of mildness - proof based on steady smoking: In a coast-to-coast test of hundreds of people who smoked only Camels for thirty days, noted throat specialists reported not one single case of throat irritation due to smoking Camels!

2ND ANNC:

Make your own thirty-day Camel test - and see how mild, how flavorful, how enjoyable Camels are. Then you'll know why, after all the mildness tests, Camel is by far America's most popular cigarette!

SINGERS:

How mild,
How mild,
How mild can a cigarette be?
Smoke Camels and see!

MUSIC:

(UP AND UNDER)

1ST ANNC:

AND NOW BACK TO "RICHARD DIAMOND, PRIVATE DETECTIVE," STARRING DICK POWELL.

MUSIC:

(THEME AND INTO SOUND)

SOUND:

BUZZER, STEPS, DOOR OPEN AND CLOSE

WALT:

Hello, Rick.

DICK:

Nice of you to show up, Lieutenant Levinson. I only called you thirty minutes ago.

WALT:

Yeah, I know you said it was important. But I had to...(BREAKS OFF) Holy bald-headed...where'd you get that stiff?

SOUND:

STEPS OVER

DICK:

I didn't get him. I inherited him.

WALT:

(OFF) Neat job, Rick. Stabbed. Who did it?

DICK:

Somebody with a knife.

WALT:

Very funny.

DICK:

Aren't you going to ask who he is?

SOUND:

STEPS OVER

WALT:

(FADING BACK ON) I don't have to. His name's Estano. When did you start playing the lottery?

DICK:

Lottery?

WALT:

The old Barrio racket. Everybody up there plays it. Strictly under cover, of course.

DICK:

What's Estano got to do with it?

WALT:

He was in it up to his ears. Used to be Julio Ramirez' right hand boy.

DICK:

Was Julio mixed up in the lottery?

WALT:

Mixed up in it? He ran the whole works. That's why we took him out of circulation for five years. Funny thing about Julio...funny thing...

DICK:

Don't keep me waiting, Fatty. I'm dying for a laugh.

WALT:

You got a cigarette?

DICK:

Some Camels on the table. (SOUND: MOVEMENT) What about Julio?

WALT:

Oh yeah, Julio...(SOUND: LIGHTER) Thanks. (PUFFS CIGARETTE) The way we picked him up. Red-handed. He was printing lottery tickets when we walked in.

DICK:

How convenient. I'll bet your intuition told you just when he'd be printing them.

WALT:

Almost. We were tipped off by a phone call.

DICK:

Who called you?

WALT:

We never did know. And neither did Julio. He got violent at his trial. Kept screaming he'd get the guy who squealed on him. (SLIGHT BEAT) Hey, I've got to call headquarters.

DICK:

Sure thing, Walt. Make yourself at home. (SOUND: STEPS OVER) Slam the door when you leave.

WALT:

(SLIGHTLY OFF) Come back here, Rick. I want to ask you some questions.

DICK:

I'll see you later. When I've got some answers.

MUSIC:

(IN AND UNDER)

DICK:

I walked out of my place and headed back toward the Barrio. From almost any angle Julio Ramirez looked good for Estano's murder. It was eight o'clock in the evening when I reached Pilar's Caf?. I poked my nose in the door and stopped. All the lights were on. There were half-finished drinks on the bar and the tables. But the place was empty. (SOUND: COUPLE OF SLOW STEPS) I took a few more steps inside before I heard it.

PILAR:

(OFF: LOW, DIRGELIKE CHANT IN SPANISH, THROUGH)
Dulce Jesus de mi vida
Que en la cruz estas por mi,
En la vida y en la muerte
Jesus ten piedad de mi.

DICK:

I could feel the goosebumps growing on my spine: big as hailstones and twice as cold. It was a woman's voice. Chanting. Filled with grief and fear. (SOUND: SLOW STEPS ON CUE) I hesitated for a minute, then walked toward the sound of the voice. (BIZ: PILAR FADES ON) When I reached the back room off the bar, I saw something I'll never forget. In the middle of the floor sat Pilar Ramirez. Her face twisted into a terrifying mask: eyes glazed, lips a thin hard line that barely moved as she chanted. And stretched out full length on the floor, his head resting in Pilar's lap, was Julio. There was a big splotch of blood on his white shirt. (SOUND: STEPS STOP)

PILAR:

He is dead. My son Julio is dead.

DICK:

(GENTLY) I'm sorry, Pilar.

PILAR:

This morning he came home. I was happy. Now my life is black.

DICK:

Pilar .. who killed Julio?

PILAR:

I do not know. He came to me. He could not talk. Then he died.

DICK:

This afternoon I gave Julio a letter.

PILAR:

(REPEATS DULLY) Letter ..

DICK:

I'd like to know what's in it. Maybe he still has it on him.

SOUND:

MOVEMENT

PILAR:

(SIMULTANEOUS: FLARES) Do not touch him!

DICK:

Pilar, you want to know who killed your son, don't you?

PILAR:

You want something Julio has? Take it.

DICK:

(SOUND: MOVEMENT) Maybe it's in this pocket .. Yeah. Here's what I wanted. (SOUND: LETTER) Oh, great. It would be in Spanish. Pilar ..

PILAR:

(BACK IN HER REVERIE) Five years I waited. Now he is dead.

DICK:

Pilar .. tell me what's in this letter. It's important.

PILAR:

(BEAT) Give it to me. (SOUND: LETTER) I will read.

DICK:

(LONG PAUSE) What does it say?

PILAR:

I was wrong. And Julio was also wrong.

DICK:

Wrong about what?

PILAR:

Estano. We thought he told the police that Julio was head of the lottery.

DICK:

Well, didn't he?

PILAR:

The stranger in the Barrio. We trusted him ..

DICK:

Who was it? Tell me, Pilar.

PILAR:

Raymond Gaffney. He told the police about my son. (SLIGHT BEAT, THEN BREAKS DOWN) Julio .. Julio .. (SOBS INTO)

MUSIC:

(SNEAKS)

DICK:

She took Julio's head in her hands. Whispered and crooned to him the way she must have done when he was two years old. I turned and tiptoed from the room. It wouldn't have done any good to ask her more questions. Besides, the jig-saw puzzle that started when a frightened little man walked into my office was beginning to shape into a picture. It wasn't a pretty one. I still wondered about a couple of things, but I needn't have. (SOUND: FADE IN STREET B.G.) Because as soon as I walked out of the house and past an alley, the answer came. It assumed the interesting form of a girl and a gun. The girl took my arm. The gun found two of my ribs .. and stayed there.

INEZ:

Hello, baby.

DICK:

Hello .. must you use that gun?

INEZ:

Little Inez wants you to stay close to her. (SMILES) We're going to take a taxi ride.

DICK:

Wait a minute. I've got something to tell you.

INEZ:

Tell me in the taxi. It's more romantic.

DICK:

Julio is dead.

INEZ:

Yes. I know.

DICK:

You don't seem to be grieving.

INEZ:

I stopped grieving for Julio a long time ago.

DICK:

You know...I have an idea about you.

INEZ:

Lots of men do, baby.

DICK:

This idea is different. It says you traded in Julio five years ago for a chunk of fat named Gaffney.

INEZ:

You're making me mad, baby. (SLIGHT BEAT) Come on. We have a visit to make.

MUSIC:

SNEAKS

DICK:

Inez eased me out of the alley and along the street to a cab stand. I knew she was taking me to Gaffney, and I decided not to argue. She gave the cab driver an address. We rolled down the West Side Highway and finally pulled up in front of a dingy two story affair on Ninth Avenue. (SOUND: STEPS UP STAIRS) Inez herded me up some stairs, (DOOR UNLOCKED AND OPEN) and unlocked a door. (SOUND: DOOR CLOSE. FADE IN HAND PRESS, OFF) I could hear someone operating a hand press in the other room. But what really interested me were the neat piles of lottery tickets. Thousands of them.

INEZ:

Se?or Gaffney?

SOUND:

PRESS STOPS, STEPS IN

DICK:

The press in the other room stopped and Gaffney waddled through the door, a gun in his fat hand.

GAFFNEY:

(FADING ON) Well, my dear. I see you've brought a visitor.

DICK:

Yeah. I came to buy a lottery ticket.

GAFFNEY:

I'm afraid I couldn't sell you a ticket.

DICK:

Why not? My money's good. Just like the money you take from the poor suckers in the Barrio.

GAFFNEY:

Of course. But if I sold you a ticket, you might win the lottery. And you'd never collect your prize. Because you see, Mr. Diamond, you're not going to live very long.

DICK:

Is fortune telling one of your side rackets?

GAFFNEY:

(NASTY CHUCKLE) You have a very cute sense of humor. Pity we can't keep you around to entertain us. Unfortunately you know too much.

DICK:

And I know a little more every minute. You wanted to hold this sweet little racket all to yourself, didn't you?

GAFFNEY:

You interest me, Mr. Diamond.

DICK:

That's why you killed both Estano and Julio.

GAFFNEY:

Precisely. And that is why I shall have to kill you.

DICK:

Aren't you worried about the blood? It'll get all over your nice new lottery tickets.

GAFFNEY:

Oh my, no. I wouldn't think of killing you here.

DICK:

I see. You have your own private morgue.

GAFFNEY:

You'll find out. (CHANGE) Aha ...

DICK:

What's the matter? Your girdle slip?

GAFFNEY:

That bright look in your blue eyes. You have something in mind. (SOUND: FRISKS HIM) Yes...stupid of Inez. She forgot to take away your gun.

DICK:

Too bad you didn't forget.

GAFFNEY:

Come along, Mr. Diamond. We're going for a walk.

MUSIC:

(SHORT BRIDGE)

SOUND:

HARBOR B.G., STEPS ON CONCRETE THROUGH

GAFFNEY:

Here we are, Mr. Diamond. Hmmm. The river looks nice.

DICK:

Isn't it a little cold for swimming?

GAFFNEY:

You won't mind. I've never known cold water to bother a corpse. Just a minute. Stop here. (SOUND: STEPS STOP) (BEAT) Yes, this empty dock will do very well. Straight ahead.

SOUND:

STEPS ON DOCK THROUGH

DICK:

Aren't you going to a lot of trouble? You could have done this much easier back at your headquarters.

GAFFNEY:

How true. But you have too many friends among the police. I prefer to keep your death...shall we say...anonymous.

DICK:

Very kind of you.

GAFFNEY:

(SOUND: STEPS STOP) All right, Mr. Diamond. I think we've gone far enough.

DICK:

I know we have. But there's nothing I can do about it.

GAFFNEY:

Admirably spoken. Now stand where you are. Right at the edge of the dock.

DICK:

If you say so. But don't you want me to fall in the water after you shoot me?

GAFFNEY:

I do indeed.

DICK:

Then we'd better move. There's a barge under here.

GAFFNEY:

Barge? Let me see. (SOUND: COUPLE OF STEPS OVER) No, Mr. Diamond. You stay where you are. (PEERS INTO WATER) There's no barge. What are you trying.....

SOUND:

INTERRUPTS: TWO SHOTS, OFF

GAFFNEY:

(SCREAMS, FADING)

SOUND:

SPLASH

MUSIC:

(HITS AND UNDER)

DICK:

I had intended to try to take Gaffney while he was standing on the edge of the dock. But somebody beat me to it. The two shots must have caught him in his broad midsection. He fell off the dock into the River before I could grab him. The faint lights from the Jersey shore caught a circle of ripples where Gaffney had hit the water. Then the ripples were gone and there was nothing. I walked back along the dock. Then suddenly I realized who had shot Gaffney. I was wasting time. It was about seven blocks back to the lottery headquarters. I made it in a little less than three minutes. (SOUND: RUNNING STEPS UP STAIRS) But when I raced up the stairs to the second floor (SOUND: THREE SHOTS, OFF) I heard the shots. I flung open the door. (SOUND: DOOR OPEN, STEPS SLOW DOWN, STOP) Then I slowed down. There was no reason to hurry now. Inez lay on the floor, dead. And standing over her, still holding the gun, was the person who had killed Inez and Gaffney.

PILAR:

The other one...he is dead, too?

DICK:

Yes, Pilar. Gaffney's dead.

PILAR:

We trusted them. Julio and I. We trusted them.

DICK:

You shouldn't have killed them.

PILAR:

They killed Julio. My son...

DICK:

The law would've punished them.

PILAR:

I know only the law of the Barrio. Those who betray are to be killed.

DICK:

(SIGHS) I'll have to call the police.

PILAR:

Yes. Here is the gun, amigo. I have no more need of it.

DICK:

Pilar, I wish...

PILAR:

(SLIGHT PAUSE) I can see it in your eyes. You understand. Do you not, amigo?

DICK:

Yeah. I understand.

MUSIC:

(BRIDGE INTO PIANO AND UNDER)

HELEN:

You're still feeling blue, aren't you?

DICK:

Yes, Helen, dear.

HELEN:

About Pilar?

DICK:

Yeah..I must be getting soft but I can't forget her face..the look in her eyes when she was talking about Julio.

HELEN:

C'mere, Rick...(KISS) There..does that help?

DICK:

I knew I could count on you.

HELEN:

I like being counted on.

DICK:

Honey..

HELEN:

(DREAMILY) Uh huh?

DICK:

I've got an idea. Let's go out somewhere..some place we can dance. I'd like to listen to some loud music. Very loud.

HELEN:

Well, I could still get that table at Tony's.

DICK:

Do you mind?

HELEN:

Of course not. (BEAT) You know, Rick, there's something about this case you just finished...I can't figure out.

DICK:

Can't you?

HELEN:

This girl, Inez..she was a very fancy female, wasn't she?

DICK:

Umm....very fancy.

HELEN:

What made her give up a good looking boy like Julio for that awful Mr. Gaffney?

DICK:

Baby, this proves something I've always thought about you.

HELEN:

What?

DICK:

You just don't understand women.

MUSIC:

(TAGS)

2ND ANNC:

Dick Powell will return in just a moment.

1ST ANNC:

After all the cigarette mildness tests --

2ND ANNC:

Camel is America's most popular cigarette by billions!

1ST ANNC:

Make the sensible, thorough cigarette test, -- smoke only Camels for thirty-days and see how mild, how flavorful, how enjoyable Camels are! See why more people smoke Camels than any other cigarette - by billions of cigarettes per year!

SINGERS:

How mild,
How mild,
How mild can a cigarette be?
Make the Camel thirty-day test
And you'll see...
Smoke Camels and see!

1ST ANNC:

Here is Dick Powell with a special message.

POWELL:

Thank you. Ladies and gentlemen, it's always a pleasure to receive a gift when you're in a hospital bed. That's why the makers of Camels send thousands of packs of cigarettes each week to hospitalized servicemen and veterans, in this country and overseas. This week's Camels go to: Veterans' Hospitals, Alexandria, Louisiana and Temple, Texas..U.S. Army Station Hospital, Fort Bragg, North Carolina..U.S. Naval Hospital, Portsmouth, New Hampshire..and the Military Air Transport service which evacuates virtually all overseas wounded personnel. Now -- until next week - Enjoy Camels -- I always do.

MUSIC:

(INTO WHISTLING THEME WITH POWELL MODULATING TO HOW MILD CAMEL THEME WHICH IS CONTINUED BY ORCHESTRA)

1ST ANNC:

Dick Powell can now be seen starring in R.K.O.'s "Cry Danger." Tonight's transcribed adventure of "Richard Diamond", was written by Charles E. Israel with music by Frank Worth. Our director is Helen Mack. Featured in the cast were Virginia Gregg, Arthur Q. Bryan, Bea Benedarette, Alan Reed, Tony Barrett, Don Diamond and Nestor Paiva.

MUSIC:

(HOW MILD CAMEL THEME OUT ON CUE FOR HITCHHIKE)

HITCHHIKE

ANNC:

Pipe got your tongue? Then switch to Prince Albert - it's specially treated to insure against tongue bite! P.A.'s choice tobacco is also crimp cut for smooth even burning and cool smoking. And it has a rich, natural flavor and aroma. Get Prince Albert, the National Joy Smoke -- America's largest-selling smoking tobacco!

MUSIC:

(ORCH: "HOW MILD" CAMEL THEME AND UNDER)

1ST ANNC:

Today, thousands of high-school graduates are choosing nursing as a career. For a student nurse receives a professional education. Find out more about nursing as a career at your nearest hospital today!

MUSIC:

(UP AND DOWN FOR)

1ST ANNC:

Listen next week for another exciting adventure of "Richard Diamond", starring Dick Powell.

(WORD CUE FOR STATION CUT-OUT)

 

MUSIC:

(BOARD FADE)

1ST ANNC:

THIS IS YOUR FBI - the official broadcast from the files of the FBI - follows immediately, stay tuned. This program came to you from Hollywood.

THIS IS...THE AMERICAN BROADCASTING COMPANY.