Series: Suspense
Show: Sorry, Wrong Number ( A second transcript)
Date: Aug 21 1943
CAST:
THE MAN IN BLACK
MRS. STEVENSON
OPERATOR
1ST MAN
GEORGE
CHIEF OPERATOR
SERGEANT MARTIN
3RD MAN
INFORMATION
WOMAN
ANNOUNCER
MUSIC:
BERNARD HERRMANN'S SUSPENSE THEME
THE MAN IN BLACK:
"SUSPENSE!" ...
MUSIC:
THEME CONTINUES FOR A BIT ... THEN UNDER
THE MAN IN BLACK:
This is the Man in Black, here to introduce Columbia's
program ... "SUSPENSE." Tonight, as we premiere our new Saturday
evening series on the air, Miss Agnes Moorehead returns to our
stage to appear in the study in terror by Lucille Fletcher
called, "Sorry, Wrong Number." This story of a woman who
accidentally overheard a conversation with death, and who strove
frantically to prevent murder from claiming an innocent victim,
is being repeated by popular request as tonight's tale of ...
suspense. If you've been with us before, you will know that
"SUSPENSE" is compounded of mystery and suspicion and dangerous
adventure. In this series are tales calculated to intrigue you,
to stir your nerves, to offer you a precarious situation and
then ... withhold the solution ... until the last possible
moment. And so it is with the story "Sorry, Wrong Number" and
the performance of Miss Agnes Moorehead, we again hope to keep
you in ...
MUSIC:
UP, DRAMATICALLY
THE MAN IN BLACK:
... SUSPENSE!
MUSIC:
OUT
SOUND:
NUMBER BEING DIALED ON TELEPHONE -- THEN A BUSY SIGNAL
MRS. STEVENSON:
(A QUERULOUS, SELF-CENTERED NEUROTIC) Oh -- dear ... !
SOUND:
SLAMS DOWN RECEIVER IMPATIENTLY AND DIALS OPERATOR ...
RINGS FOUR TIMES
OPERATOR:
(ON FILTER) Your call, please?
MRS. STEVENSON:
Operator, I've been dialing Murray Hill 7-0093 now for
the last three quarters of an hour and the line is
always busy. I don't see how it could be busy that
long. Will you try it for me, please?
OPERATOR:
(ON FILTER) I will be glad to try that number for you.
One moment, please.
SOUND:
OPERATOR DIALS NUMBER UNDER FOLLOWING
MRS. STEVENSON:
(RAMBLING, FULL OF SELF-PITY) I don't see how it could
be busy all this time. It's my husband's office. He's
working late tonight, and I'm all alone here in the
house. My health is very poor and I've been feeling so
nervous all day.
OPERATOR:
(ON FILTER) Ringing Murray Hill 7-0093.
SOUND:
TELEPHONE RINGING ... ALL CLEAR ... MRS. STEVENSON
SIGHS IN RELIEF ... RINGS FOUR TIMES ... THE RECEIVER
IS PICKED UP AT THE OTHER END
MAN'S VOICE:
(FILTER) (HEAVY, TOUGH VOICE) Hello?
MRS. STEVENSON:
Hello...? (A LITTLE PUZZLED) Hello. Is - is Mr.
Stevenson there?
MAN'S VOICE:
(AS THOUGH HE HAD NOT HEARD) Hello? (LOUDER) Hello?
2ND MAN'S VOICE:
(FILTER) (ALSO OVER TELEPHONE BUT FARTHER AWAY ... A
VERY DISTINCTIVE QUALITY) Hello.
1ST MAN:
Hello. George?
GEORGE:
Yes, sir. This is George speaking.
MRS. STEVENSON:
(LOUDER AND MORE IMPERIOUS) Hello. Who's this? What
number am I calling, please?
1ST MAN:
I'm here with our client.
GEORGE:
(PLEASED) Oh ... good. Is everything okay? Is the coast
clear for tonight?
1ST MAN:
Yeah, George. He says the coast is clear for tonight.
GEORGE:
Okay, okay.
1ST MAN:
Where are you now?
GEORGE:
In a phone booth. Don't worry. Everything's okay.
1ST MAN:
Very well. You know the address?
GEORGE:
Yeah, yeah, I know. At eleven o'clock the private
patrolman goes around to the bar on Second Avenue for a
beer.
1ST MAN:
That's right. At eleven o'clock.
GEORGE:
I will make sure that all the lights downstairs are
out.
1ST MAN:
There should be only one light, visible from the
street.
GEORGE:
Yeah, yeah, I know. At eleven-fifteen a train crosses
the bridge. It makes a noise, in case her window's open
and she should scream.
MRS. STEVENSON:
(SHOCKED) Oh! ... Hello? What number is this, please?
GEORGE:
Okay. I understand, I tell you. That's eleven-fifteen,
the train.
1ST MAN:
Yeah. You remember everything else, George?
GEORGE:
Yeah, yeah, I make it quick. As little blood as
possible ...
MRS. STEVENSON:
(GASPS IN HORROR)
GEORGE:
... because ... (AS IF AMUSED) our client does not wish
to make her suffer long.
1ST MAN:
That's right. You'll use a knife?
GEORGE:
Yes. A knife will be okay. And afterwards I remove the
rings and the bracelets and the jewelry in the bureau
drawer. Because ... our client wishes it to look like
simple robbery. Don't worry. Everything's okay. I never
ma--
SOUND:
THE CONVERSATION IS SUDDENLY CUT OFF ... AGAIN, MRS.
STEVENSON HEARS A PERSISTENT BUZZING SIGNAL
MRS. STEVENSON:
(CLICKING PHONE) Oh... ! Oh, how awful. How unspeakably
awful!
SOUND:
SHE HANGS UP, THEN PICKS UP PHONE AND DIALS, MUMBLING
"OPERATOR" TO HERSELF, AMONG OTHER THINGS ... RING
THRICE
OPERATOR:
(FILTER) Your call, please?
MRS. STEVENSON:
(UNNERVED AND BREATHLESS) Operator, I've just been cut
off.
OPERATOR:
(FILTER) I'm sorry. What number were you calling?
MRS. STEVENSON:
(RAPIDLY) Why, it was supposed to be Murray Hill 7-0093
but it wasn't. Some wires must have crossed -- I was
cut into a wrong number and I -- I - I've just heard
the most dreadful thing -- something about a - a murder
and -- operator, you simply have to retrace that call
at once!
OPERATOR:
(FILTER) I beg your pardon? May I help you?
MRS. STEVENSON:
(FRANTIC) Oh, I know it was a wrong number, and I had
no business listening, but these two men -- they were
cold-blooded fiends -- and they were going to murder
somebody, some poor innocent woman, who was all alone
in a house near a bridge and we've got to stop them --
we've got to --
OPERATOR:
(FILTER) (PATIENTLY) Uh, what number were you calling,
please?
MRS. STEVENSON:
Well, that doesn't matter. This was a wrong number. And
you dialed it for me. And we've got to find out what it
was immediately!
OPERATOR:
(FILTER) What number did you call?
MRS. STEVENSON:
Oh, why are you so stupid? What time is it? Do you mean
to tell me you can't find out what that number was just
now?
OPERATOR:
(FILTER) I'll connect you with the Chief Operator.
MRS. STEVENSON:
Oh, I think it's perfectly shameful. Now, look. Look --
it was obviously a case of some little slip of the
finger. I told you to try Murray Hill 7-0093 for me.
You dialed it but your finger must have slipped and I
was connected with some other number -- and I could
hear them, but they couldn't hear me. Now, I - I - I
simply fail to see why you couldn't make that same
mistake again on purpose -- why you couldn't try to
dial Murray Hill 7-0093 in the same sort of careless
way --
OPERATOR:
(FILTER) Murray Hill 7-0093?
MRS. STEVENSON:
Yes!
OPERATOR:
(FILTER) I'll try to get it for you.
MRS. STEVENSON:
Well, thank you.
SOUND:
OPERATOR DIALS -- THEN THE BUSY SIGNAL
OPERATOR:
(FILTER) I'm sorry. Murray Hill 7-0093 is busy. I'll
call you in twenty minutes--
MRS. STEVENSON:
(FRANTICALLY CLICKING RECEIVER) Operator! Operator!
Operator! Operator!
OPERATOR:
(FILTER) Your call, please?
MRS. STEVENSON:
You didn't try to get that wrong number at all. I asked
you explicitly and all you did was dial correctly.
OPERATOR:
(FILTER) I'm sorry. What number are you calling?
MRS. STEVENSON:
Well, can't you, for once, forget what number I'm
calling and do something for me? Now I want to trace
that call. It's my civic duty and it's your civic duty
to trace that call and to apprehend those dangerous
killers -- and if you won't...
OPERATOR:
(FILTER) I will connect you with the Chief Operator.
MRS. STEVENSON:
Please!
SOUND:
RINGS FOUR TIMES
MRS. STEVENSON:
(UNDER HER BREATH) Oh, dear ...
SOUND:
THE PHONE PICKS UP
CHIEF OPERATOR:
(FILTER) This is the Chief Operator.
MRS. STEVENSON:
Oh, uh, Chief Operator. I want you to trace a call, a
telephone call, immediately. I don't know where it came
from, or who was making it, but it's absolutely
necessary that it be tracked down. Because it was about
a murder that someone's planning -- a terrible, cold-
blooded murder of a poor innocent woman, tonight, at
eleven-fifteen.
CHIEF OPERATOR:
(FILTER) I see.
MRS. STEVENSON:
(HIGH-STRUNG, DEMANDING) Well, can you trace it for me?
Can you track down those men?
CHIEF OPERATOR:
(FILTER) I'm not certain. It depends.
MRS. STEVENSON:
Depends on what?
CHIEF OPERATOR:
It depends on whether the call is still going on. If
it's a live call, we can trace it on the equipment. If
it's been disconnected, we can't.
MRS. STEVENSON:
Disconnected?
CHIEF OPERATOR:
(FILTER) If the parties have stopped talking to each
other.
MRS. STEVENSON:
Oh, but of course they must have stopped talking to
each other by now. That was at least five minutes ago
and they didn't sound like the type who would make a
long call.
CHIEF OPERATOR:
(FILTER) Well -- I can try tracing it. May I have your
name, please?
MRS. STEVENSON:
Mrs. Stevenson. Mrs. Elbert Stevenson. But, listen --
CHIEF OPERATOR:
(FILTER) (INTERRUPTING) And your telephone number,
please?
MRS. STEVENSON:
Plaza 4-2295. But if you go on wasting all this time --
CHIEF OPERATOR:
(FILTER) Why do you want this call traced, please?
MRS. STEVENSON:
Wha--? I-- Well -- no reason. I - I mean, I merely felt
very strongly that something ought to be done about it.
These men sounded like killers -- they're dangerous,
they're going to murder this woman at eleven-fifteen
tonight and I thought the police ought to know.
CHIEF OPERATOR:
(FILTER) Have you reported this to the police?
MRS. STEVENSON:
Well ... No. Not yet.
CHIEF OPERATOR:
(FILTER) You want this call checked purely as a private
individual?
MRS. STEVENSON:
Yes, yes. But meanwhile --
CHIEF OPERATOR:
(FILTER) I'm sorry, Mrs. Stevenson, but I'm afraid we
couldn't make this check for you and trace the call
just on your say-so as a private individual. We'd have
to have something more official.
MRS. STEVENSON:
Oh, for heaven's sake. You mean to tell me I can't
report that there's gonna be a murder without getting
tied up in all this red tape? Why, it's perfectly
idiotic! (BEAT) Well, all right. I'll call the police.
CHIEF OPERATOR:
(FILTER) Thank you. I'm sure that would be the best way
to--
SOUND:
SHE SLAMS DOWN THE RECEIVER
MRS. STEVENSON:
Ridiculous! Perfectly ridiculous!
SOUND:
SHE DIALS THE OPERATOR ... RINGS FIVE TIMES
MRS. STEVENSON:
(UNDER HER BREATH) The thought of it! ... I can't see
why I have to go to all this trouble... (IMPATIENT AT
THE THIRD RING) Oh ...!
SOUND:
OPERATOR FINALLY PICKS UP
OPERATOR:
(FILTER) Your call, please?
MRS. STEVENSON:
The Police Department. Get me the Police Department --
please!
OPERATOR:
(FILTER) Thank you.
SOUND:
OPERATOR DIALS
MRS. STEVENSON:
(FRUSTRATED) Oh, dear! Do you have to dial? Can't you
ring them direct?
OPERATOR:
(FILTER) Ringing the Police Department.
SOUND:
RINGS THREE TIMES ... MRS. STEVENSON KEEPS MUTTERING
UNDER HER BREATH
SERGEANT MARTIN:
(FILTER) (BORED WITH HIS NIGHT DUTY ASSIGNMENT) Police
Station, Precinct 43, Sergeant Martin speaking.
MRS. STEVENSON:
Police Department? Ah, this is Mrs. Stevenson -- Mrs.
Elbert Smythe Stevenson of 53 North Sutton Place. I'm
calling up to report a murder. I mean (FUMBLING FOR
WORDS) -- the murder hasn't been committed yet but I
just overheard plans for it over the telephone -- over
a wrong number that the operator gave me. I've been
trying to trace down the call myself -- but everybody
is so stupid -- and I guess in the end you're the only
people who can do anything.
SERGEANT MARTIN:
(FILTER) (NOT TOO IMPRESSED BY ALL THIS) Yes, ma'am.
MRS. STEVENSON:
(TRYING TO IMPRESS HIM) It was a perfectly definite
murder. I heard their plans distinctly. Two men were
talking and they were going to murder some woman at
eleven-fifteen tonight. She lived in a house near a
bridge. (BEAT) Are - are you listening to me?
SERGEANT MARTIN:
(FILTER) Yes. Uh, yes, ma'am.
MRS. STEVENSON:
And there was a private patrolman on the street. He was
going to go around for a beer on Second Avenue. And
there was some third man -- a client who was paying to
have this poor woman murdered. They were going to take
her rings and bracelets and - and use a knife... Well
-- it - it's unnerved me dreadfully -- (REACHING THE
BREAKING POINT) -- and I'm not well -- and I feel so
nerv--
SERGEANT MARTIN:
(FILTER) I see. (STOLIDLY) When was all this, ma'am?
MRS. STEVENSON:
About eight minutes ago. (RELIEVED) Then - then you can
do something? You do understand --
SERGEANT MARTIN:
(FILTER) What is your name, ma'am?
MRS. STEVENSON:
(IMPATIENT) Mrs. Stevenson. Mrs. Elbert Stevenson.
SERGEANT MARTIN:
(FILTER) And your address?
MRS. STEVENSON:
53 North Sutton Place. Five-three North Sutton Place.
That's near a bridge. The Queensboro Bridge, you know
and -- and - and we have a private patrolman on our
street... and Second Avenue --
SERGEANT MARTIN:
(FILTER) And what was that number you were calling?
MRS. STEVENSON:
Murray Hill 7-0093. But that wasn't the number I
overheard. I mean Murray Hill 7-0093 is my husband's
office. He's working late tonight and I was trying to
reach him to ask him to come home. I'm an invalid, you
know, and it's the maid's night off and I hate to be
alone, even though he says I'm perfectly safe as long
as I have the telephone right beside my bed.
SERGEANT MARTIN:
(FILTER) (STOLIDLY) Well, we'll look into it, Mrs.
Stevenson, and see if we can check it with the
telephone company.
MRS. STEVENSON:
(GETTING IMPATIENT) But the telephone company said they
couldn't check the call if the parties had stopped
talking. I've already taken care of that!
SERGEANT MARTIN:
(FILTER) (A FAINT HINT OF SARCASM) Oh, you have?
MRS. STEVENSON:
(HIGH-HANDED) Yes. And, personally, I feel you ought to
do something far more immediate and drastic than just
check the call. What good does checking the call do if
they've stopped talking? By the time you tracked it
down they'll already have committed the murder.
SERGEANT MARTIN:
(FILTER) (GIVING HER THE "BRUSH OFF") Well, we'll take
care of it. Don't you worry.
MRS. STEVENSON:
Well, I'd say the whole thing calls for a search, a
complete and thorough search of the whole city. Now,
I'm very near the bridge and I'm not far from Second
Avenue -- and I know I'd feel a whole lot better if you
sent around a radio car to this neighborhood at once!
SERGEANT MARTIN:
(FILTER) And what makes you think the murder's going to
be committed in your neighborhood, ma'am?
MRS. STEVENSON:
Well, I -- Oh, I don't know. Only the coincidence is so
horrible. Second Avenue -- the patrolman -- the bridge.
SERGEANT MARTIN:
(FILTER) Second Avenue is a very long street, ma'am.
And you know how many bridges there are in the city of
New York alone?
MRS. STEVENSON:
Yes, I know--
SERGEANT MARTIN:
(FILTER) Not to mention Brooklyn, Staten Island,
Queens, and the Bronx.
MRS. STEVENSON:
I know that!
SERGEANT MARTIN:
(FILTER) How do you know there isn't some little house
on Staten Island on some little Second Avenue you've
never even heard about? How do you know they're even
talking about New York at all?
MRS. STEVENSON:
But I heard the call on the New York dialing system.
SERGEANT MARTIN:
(FILTER) Maybe it was a long-distance call you
overheard.
MRS. STEVENSON:
Oh, don't--
SERGEANT MARTIN:
(FILTER) Telephones are funny things. Look, lady, why
don't you look at it this way? Supposing you hadn't
broken in on that telephone call? Supposing you'd got
your husband the way you always do. You wouldn't be so
upset, would you?
MRS. STEVENSON:
Well, no, I suppose not. Only it sounded so inhuman --
so cold-blooded.
SERGEANT MARTIN:
(FILTER) A lot of murders are plotted in this city
every day, ma'am. We manage to prevent almost all of
'em.
MRS. STEVENSON:
But--
SERGEANT MARTIN:
(FILTER) But a clue of this kind is so vague -- it
isn't much more use to us than no clue at all.
MRS. STEVENSON:
But, surely, you --
SERGEANT MARTIN:
(FILTER) Unless, of course, you have some reason for
thinking this call was phony and -- that someone may be
planning to murder you.
MRS. STEVENSON:
Me? Oh -- oh, no -- no, I hardly think so. I -- I mean,
why should anybody? I'm alone all day and night. I see
nobody except my maid, Eloise, and -- she's a big girl,
she weighs two hundred pounds -- she's too lazy to
bring up my breakfast tray and -- the only other person
is my husband, Elbert. He's crazy about me -- he - he
just adores me. He waits on me hand and foot. He's
scarcely left my side since I took sick, well, twelve
years ago....
SERGEANT MARTIN:
(FILTER) Well, then, there's nothing for you to worry
about. Now, if you'll just leave the rest of this to
us, we'll take care of it.
MRS. STEVENSON:
(NOT COMPLETELY MOLLIFIED) But what will you do? It's
so late ... it's nearly eleven now!
SERGEANT MARTIN:
(FILTER) (MORE FIRMLY) We'll take care of it, lady.
MRS. STEVENSON:
Will you broadcast it all over the city? And send out
squads? And warn your radio cars to watch out --
especially in suspicious neighborhoods like mine --
SERGEANT MARTIN:
(FILTER) Lady, I said we'd take care of it. Just now
I've got a couple of other matters here on my desk that
require immediate attention. Good night, ma'am, and
thank you.
MRS. STEVENSON:
Oh, you--! You--!
SOUND:
SHE SLAMS DOWN THE RECEIVER HARD
MRS. STEVENSON:
Idiot! Oh, now, why did I hang up the phone like that?
He'll think I am a fool! (PAUSE) Oh -- why doesn't
Elbert come home? Why doesn't he? Why doesn't he come
home?
SOUND:
SHE SOBS, MUTTERS, AND DIALS THE OPERATOR ... RINGS
FIVE TIMES
OPERATOR:
(FILTER) Your call, please?
MRS. STEVENSON:
Operator, for heaven's sake, will you ring that Murray
Hill 7-0093 number again? I can't think what's keeping
him so long!
OPERATOR:
(FILTER) I will try it for you.
SOUND:
OPERATOR DIALS UNDER FOLLOWING
MRS. STEVENSON:
Well, try! Try! (TO HERSELF) I don't see why he doesn't
answer it...
SOUND:
BUSY SIGNAL
OPERATOR:
(FILTER) I'm sorry. Murray Hill 7-0093 is busy. I
will--
MRS. STEVENSON:
(NASTY) I can hear it. You don't have to tell me. I
know it's busy...
SOUND:
SHE SLAMS DOWN THE RECEIVER AND SIGHS
MRS. STEVENSON:
(NERVOUSLY QUERULOUS) If I could only ... get out of
this bed for a little while. If I could get a breath of
fresh air, just lean out the window and see the
street ...
SOUND:
THE PHONE BELL RINGS ... SHE PICKS IT UP INSTANTLY
MRS. STEVENSON:
Hello, Elbert? Hello? Hello? Hello?! Oh, what's the
matter with this phone? HELLO! HELLO!
SOUND:
SHE SLAMS DOWN THE RECEIVER ... A SECOND'S PAUSE ...
THE PHONE RINGS AGAIN, ONCE ... SHE PICKS IT UP
MRS. STEVENSON:
Hello? Hell--? Oh, for heaven's sake, who is this?
Hello, Hello, HELLO!
SOUND:
SHE SLAMS DOWN RECEIVER
MRS. STEVENSON:
(TO HERSELF) Oh, who's trying to call me ... ?
SOUND:
DIALS OPERATOR ... RINGS FOUR TIMES
MRS. STEVENSON:
(TO HERSELF, ON THE SECOND RING) Why doesn't she
answer?
OPERATOR:
(FILTER) Your call, please?
MRS. STEVENSON:
Hello, Operator, I don't know what's the matter with
this telephone tonight, but it's positively driving me
crazy. I've never seen such inefficient, miserable
service. Now, now, look. I'm an invalid, and I'm very
nervous, and I'm not supposed to be annoyed. But if
this keeps on much longer...
OPERATOR:
(FILTER) What seems to be the trouble, please?
MRS. STEVENSON:
Well, everything's wrong! I haven't had one bit of
satisfaction out of one call I've made this evening!
The whole world could be murdered for all you people
care. And now my phone keeps ringing and ringing and
ringing and ringing every five seconds and when I pick
it up there's no one there!
OPERATOR:
(FILTER) I'm sorry. If you will hang up, I will test it
for you.
MRS. STEVENSON:
I don't want you to test it for me! I want you to put
that call through, whatever it is, at once!
OPERATOR:
(FILTER) I'm afraid I cannot do that.
MRS. STEVENSON:
You can't?!? And why -- why, may I ask?
OPERATOR:
(FILTER) The dial system is automatic.
MRS. STEVENSON:
(GASPS IN EXASPERATION)
OPERATOR:
(FILTER) If someone is trying to dial your number,
there is no way to check it if the call is coming
through the system or not -- unless the person who's
trying to reach you complains to his particular
operator.
MRS. STEVENSON:
Well, of all the stupid -- and meanwhile I've got to
sit here in my bed, suffering every time that phone
rings, imagining everything ...
OPERATOR:
(FILTER) I will try to check the trouble for you.
MRS. STEVENSON:
Check it! Check it! That's all anybody can do! Oh,
what's the use of talking to you? You're so stupid!
SOUND:
SHE SLAMS DOWN THE RECEIVER.
MRS. STEVENSON:
(TO HERSELF) Oh, I'll fix her! Of all the impudent ...
How dare she speak to me like that? How dare she?
SOUND:
DIALS OPERATOR
MRS. STEVENSON:
(TO HERSELF) Call the operator ...
SOUND:
RINGS FIVE TIMES
MRS. STEVENSON:
(TO HERSELF, ON THE SECOND RING) Oh, why does it take
so long?
OPERATOR:
(FILTER) Your call, please?
MRS. STEVENSON:
Young woman, I don't know your name. But there are ways
of finding you out. And I'm going to report you to your
superiors for the most unpardonable rudeness and
insolence it's ever been my privilege-- Give me the
business office at once!
OPERATOR:
(FILTER) You may dial that number direct.
MRS. STEVENSON:
Dial it direct? I'll do no such thing! I don't even
know the number...
OPERATOR:
(FILTER) The number is in the directory or you may
secure it by dialing Information.
MRS. STEVENSON:
Listen, here, you-- Oh, what's the use!
SOUND:
SLAMS DOWN THE RECEIVER
MRS. STEVENSON:
Oh, dear ...
SOUND:
ALMOST INSTANTLY, THE PHONE RINGS
MRS. STEVENSON:
Oh, for heaven's sake, I'm going out of my mind! Out of
my--
SOUND:
SHE PICKS UP THE RECEIVER
MRS. STEVENSON:
Hello?! HELLO! Stop ringing me, do you hear? Answer me!
Who is this? Do you realize you're driving me crazy?
Who's calling me? What are you doing it for? Now stop
it! Stop it! Stop it! HELLO! HELLO! I - I - If you
don't stop ringing me, I'm going to call the police, do
you hear?! THE POLICE!
SOUND:
SHE SLAMS DOWN THE RECEIVER
MRS. STEVENSON:
(SOBBING NERVOUSLY) Oh, if Elbert would only come home!
SOUND:
THE PHONE RINGS SHARPLY, SEVEN TIMES UNDER THE
FOLLOWING
MRS. STEVENSON:
(TO HERSELF) Oh, let it ring. Let it go on ringing.
It's a trick of some kind. I won't answer it. I won't.
I won't. I won't, even if it goes on ringing all night.
Oh, you ring. Go ahead and ring.
SOUND:
THE PHONE SUDDENLY STOPS -- THEN SILENCE
MRS. STEVENSON:
(A TERRIFIED NOTE IN HER VOICE) Stopped. Now, now
what's the matter? Why did they stop ringing all of a
sudden? Oh... (HYSTERICALLY) What time is it? Where did
I put that ... clock? Oh, here it is. Five to
eleven ... oh, they've decided something. They're sure
I'm home. They heard my voice answer them just now.
That's why they've been ringing me -- why no one has
answered me --
SOUND:
SHE PICKS UP THE PHONE
MRS. STEVENSON:
(TO HERSELF) I'll call the operator again.
SOUND:
SHE DIALS OPERATOR ... RINGS FIVE TIMES
MRS. STEVENSON:
(TO HERSELF, ON THE SECOND RING) Oh, where is she? Why
doesn't she answer? Why doesn't she answer?
OPERATOR:
(FILTER) Your call, please?
MRS. STEVENSON:
Where were you just now? Why didn't you answer at once?
Give me the Police Department.
SOUND:
OPERATOR PUTS CALL THROUGH ... BUSY SIGNAL
OPERATOR:
(FILTER) I'm sorry. The line is busy. I will call you--
MRS. STEVENSON:
Busy? But that's impossible! The Police Department
can't be busy. There must be other lines available.
OPERATOR:
(FILTER) The line is busy. I will try to get them for
you later.
MRS. STEVENSON:
(FRANTIC) No, no! I've got to speak to them now or it
may be too late. I've got to talk to someone!
OPERATOR:
(FILTER) What number do you wish to speak to?
MRS. STEVENSON:
(DESPERATELY): I don't know! But there must be someone
to protect people beside the police department! A - a -
a -- detective agency -- a --
OPERATOR:
(FILTER) You will find agencies listed in the
Classified Directory.
MRS. STEVENSON:
But I don't have a Classified! I mean -- I'm - I'm too
nervous to look it up -- and I - I don't know how to
use the--
OPERATOR:
(FILTER) I'll connect you with Information. Perhaps she
will be able to help you.
MRS. STEVENSON:
(AGONIZEDLY) No! No! (FURIOUSLY) Oh, you're being
spiteful, aren't you? You don't care, do you, what
happens to me? I could die and you wouldn't care.
SOUND:
HANGS UP RECEIVER ... PHONE RINGS
MRS. STEVENSON:
Oh! Stop it! Stop it! Stop it! I can't stand any more.
SOUND:
SHE PICKS UP RECEIVER
MRS. STEVENSON:
(YELLING FRENZIEDLY INTO PHONE) Hello! What do you
want?! Stop ringing, will you?! Stop it...!
3RD MAN:
(FILTER) Hello, is this Plaza 4-2295?
MRS. STEVENSON:
(IN A MORE SUBDUED VOICE): Yes. Yes, I'm .. I'm sorry.
This ... this is Plaza 4-2295.
3RD MAN:
(FILTER) This is Western Union. I have a telegram here
for Mrs. Elbert Stevenson. Is there anyone there to
receive the message?
MRS. STEVENSON:
(TRYING TO CALM HERSELF): I'm ... I'm Mrs. Stevenson.
3RD MAN:
(FILTER) The telegram is as follows: Mrs. Elbert
Stevenson, 53 North Sutton Place, New York, New York.
Darling. Terribly sorry. Tried to get you for last
hour, but line busy. Leaving for Boston eleven P.M.
tonight, on urgent business. Back tomorrow afternoon.
Keep happy. Love. Signed, Elbert.
MRS. STEVENSON:
(BREATHLESSLY, ALMOST TO HERSELF) Oh, no --
3RD MAN:
(FILTER) Do you wish us to deliver a copy of the
message?
MRS. STEVENSON:
No. No, thank you.
3RD MAN:
(FILTER) Thank you, madam. Good-night.
SOUND:
WESTERN UNION HANGS UP
MRS. STEVENSON:
(MECHANICALLY) Good-night.
SOUND:
SHE HANGS UP
MRS. STEVENSON:
(SUDDENLY BURSTING OUT) Oh, no. No -- I don't believe
it. He couldn't do it. He couldn't do it. Not when he
knows I'll be all alone. It's some trick -- some
fiendish trick --
SOUND:
SHE DIALS OPERATOR ... RINGS FIVE TIMES
MRS. STEVENSON:
(TO HERSELF, SOBBING) ... some trick .. why doesn't she
...?
OPERATOR:
(FILTER) Your call, please?
MRS. STEVENSON:
Operator, try that Murray Hill 7-0093 number for me,
just once more, please.
OPERATOR:
(FILTER) You may dial that number direct ...
SOUND:
MRS. STEVENSON HANGS UP
MRS. STEVENSON:
(WRETCHEDLY) Oh ...
SOUND:
SHE PICKS UP AND NERVOUSLY DIALS THE NUMBER DIRECT,
SOUNDING OUT THE NUMBERS UNDER HER BREATH ... IT GOES
THROUGH, RING AFTER LONG RING ... SEVEN TIMES ... NO
ANSWER
MRS. STEVENSON:
Oh ... He's gone. He's gone. Oh, Elbert, how could you?
How could you --?
SOUND:
SHE HANGS UP THE PHONE
MRS. STEVENSON:
(SOBS, PITYING HERSELF) How could you? I - I can't be
alone tonight. I can't. If I'm alone one more second,
I'll go mad. I don't care what he says -- or what the
expense is -- I'm a sick woman ... I'm entitled ... I'm
entitled ...
SOUND:
SHE DIALS INFORMATION ... RINGS THREE TIMES
INFORMATION:
(FILTER) Information. May I help you?
MRS. STEVENSON:
I - I want the telephone number of Henchley Hospital.
INFORMATION:
(FILTER) Henchley Hospital? Do you have the street
address?
MRS. STEVENSON:
No. No. It's somewhere in the seventies. It's a very
small, private, and exclusive hospital where I had my
appendix out two years ago. Henchley -- uh, H-E-N-C --
INFORMATION:
(FILTER) One moment, please.
MRS. STEVENSON:
Please hurry. And please -- what is the time?
INFORMATION:
(FILTER) You may find out the time by dialing Meridian
7-1212.
MRS. STEVENSON:
(IRRITATED) Oh, for heaven's sake ... I've no time to
be dialing ...
INFORMATION:
(FILTER) The number of Henchley Hospital is Butterfield
7-0105.
MRS. STEVENSON:
Butterfield 7-0105.
SOUND:
SHE HANGS UP BEFORE SHE FINISHES SPEAKING, AND DIALS
NUMBER EVEN AS SHE SPEAKS ... RINGS FOUR TIMES
WOMAN:
(FILTER) (SOLID, FIRM, PRACTICAL) Henchley Hospital.
Good evening.
MRS. STEVENSON:
Nurses' registry.
WOMAN:
(FILTER) Who was it you wished to speak to, please?
MRS. STEVENSON:
(HIGH-HANDED) I want the nurse's registry, at once. I
want a trained nurse. I want to hire her immediately
for the night.
WOMAN:
(FILTER) I see. And what is the nature of the case,
madam?
MRS. STEVENSON:
Nerves. I'm very nervous. I need soothing --
companionship. You see, my husband is away and I'm--
WOMAN:
(FILTER) Have you been recommended to us by any doctor
in particular, madam?
MRS. STEVENSON:
No. But I really don't see why all this catechizing is
necessary. I just want a trained nurse. I was a patient
in your hospital two years ago. And after all, I do
expect to pay this person for attending me.
WOMAN:
(FILTER) We quite understand that, madam. But these are
war times, you know.
MRS. STEVENSON:
Well--
WOMAN:
(FILTER) Registered nurses are very scarce just now --
and our superintendent has asked us to send people out
only on cases where the physician in charge feels that
it is absolutely necessary.
MRS. STEVENSON:
(HIGH-HANDED) Well, it is absolutely necessary. I'm a
sick woman. I'm - I'm very upset. Very. I'm alone in
this house -- and I'm an invalid -- and tonight I
overheard a telephone conversation that upset me
dreadfully. In fact (BEGINNING TO YELL) if someone
doesn't come at once, I'm afraid I'll go out of my
mind!
WOMAN:
(FILTER) (CALMLY) I see. Well -- I'll speak to Miss
Phillips as soon as she comes in. And what is your
name, madam?
MRS. STEVENSON:
Miss Phillips? And when do you expect her in?
WOMAN:
(FILTER) Well, I really couldn't say. She went out to
supper at eleven o'clock.
MRS. STEVENSON:
Eleven o'clock! But it's not eleven yet! (SHE CRIES
OUT) Oh -- oh, my clock has stopped. I thought it was
running down. What time is it?
WOMAN:
(FILTER) (PAUSING AS THOUGH GLANCING AT WRIST WATCH)
Just fifteen minutes past eleven....
SOUND:
TELEPHONE RECEIVER BEING LIFTED ON THE SAME LINE AS
MRS. STEVENSON'S
MRS. STEVENSON:
(CRYING OUT) What - what was that?
WOMAN:
(FILTER) What was ... what, madam?
MRS. STEVENSON:
That -- that click -- just now, in my own telephone. As
though someone had lifted the receiver off the hook of
the extension telephone downstairs.
WOMAN:
(FILTER) Well, I didn't hear it, madam. Now, about
this--
MRS. STEVENSON:
(TERRIFIED): But I did. There's someone in this house.
Someone downstairs in the kitchen. And they're --
they're listening to me now. They're --
SOUND:
MRS. STEVENSON HANGS UP
MRS. STEVENSON:
(IN A SUFFOCATED VOICE) I won't pick it up. I -- I
won't let them hear me. I'll be quiet and they'll
think... (WITH GROWING TERROR) Oh, but if I don't call
someone now while they're still down there, there'll be
no time... .
SOUND:
SHE PICKS UP RECEIVER AND DIALS OPERATOR ... RING THREE
TIMES
OPERATOR:
(FILTER) Your call, please?
MRS. STEVENSON:
(IN A DESPERATE WHISPER) Operator. Operator. I'm in
desperate trouble.
OPERATOR:
(FILTER) I'm sorry. I cannot hear you. Please speak
louder.
MRS. STEVENSON:
(STILL WHISPERING) I don't dare. I -- there's someone
listening. Can you hear me now?
OPERATOR:
(FILTER) I'm sorry.
MRS. STEVENSON:
(DESPERATELY) But you've got to hear me. Oh, please.
You've got to help me. There's someone in this house.
Someone who's going to murder me. And you've got to get
in touch with ...
SOUND:
CLICK OF RECEIVER BEING PUT DOWN ON MRS. STEVENSON'S
LINE
MRS. STEVENSON:
(BURSTING OUT WILDLY) Oh -- there it is. There it is.
Did you hear it? He's put it down -- he's put down the
extension phone. He's coming up... (HER VOICE IS HOARSE
WITH FEAR) He's coming up the stairs. Give me the
Police Department ... the police department ... police
department ... give it to me ...
OPERATOR:
(FILTER) One moment, please -- I will connect you.
SOUND:
CALL IS PUT THROUGH
MRS. STEVENSON:
I can -- I can hear him. He's nearer. (WEAKLY) Oh, I
hear him, I hear him. Hurry. Hurry. Hurry.
SOUND:
AS MRS. STEVENSON BECOMES INCOHERENT WITH FEAR AND
BEGINS TO SCREAM, A TRAIN APPROACHES AND ROARS OVER A
NEARBY BRIDGE ... AS IT FADES, WE HEAR A BODY THUMP TO
THE FLOOR ... THEN IT PASSES AND WE HEAR THE PHONE
STILL RINGING AT THE OTHER END ... THE TELEPHONE IS
PICKED UP
SERGEANT MARTIN:
(FILTER) Police Department, Sergeant Martin
speaking ... Police Department. Sergeant Martin
speaking ... Police Department. Sergeant Martin
speaking ... Police Department. Sergeant Martin
speaking.
GEORGE:
(SAME DISTINCTIVE VOICE AS IN BEGINNING OF PLAY) Police
Department? Oh, I'm sorry. Must have got the wrong
number. Don't worry. Everything's okay.
MUSIC:
TO A FINISH
THE MAN IN BLACK:
And so closes "Sorry, Wrong Number" -- starring Miss Agnes
Moorehead, tonight's tale of ...
MUSIC:
THEME
THE MAN IN BLACK:
... SUSPENSE!
MUSIC:
THEME CONTINUES UNDER
THE MAN IN BLACK:
This is your narrator, the Man in Black, who conveys to you
Columbia's invitation to spend this half-hour in suspense with
us again next Saturday when we'll have another starring
Hollywood cast headed by Miss Dolores Costello with Martin
Koslick, Ian Wolfe and George Zucco. The producer of these
broadcasts is William Spier, who with Ted Bliss, the director,
Lud Gluskin, the musical director and Lucille Fletcher, the
author, collaborated on tonight's "Suspense" ...
MUSIC:
OUT
ANNOUNCER:
This is CBS, the Columbia Broadcasting System.
