Whistler – Broken Chain. ep208, 460520 (retro596)

A marriage is on the rocks. He feels unfulfilled at providing, giving, and catering to his talkative wife’s whims. Gossip, and frivolous house keeping details have become a burdensome drag on his mind. The only reason he hasn’t taken the step to murder her is he knows it would require an elaborate plan, and everybody knows that the downfall of murderers is the well constructed plan falls apart on them.

While helping with the dishes, the inspiration crashes down onto him, with the same suddenness he drops the favorite piece of china from the dinner set. Her own words seal her doom. Her demise will be so simple, so natural as to be easily taken for an accident.

Bill Foreman as the Whistler (1948)The deed is done, and all he has to do is go about his typical day at work, and wait for her body to be discovered by the maid. The phone call will come in that tragedy has struck, and all he has to do is stay calm, and react with the appropriate shock at hearing the loss of his bride. But the call never comes. Nervousness and abnormal tension strain his typical relationships with co-workers. Composure nearly cracks when the phone message arrives, but it’s not about a death, but to say his wife is alive, well, and at a bridge game with her friends.

Barely able to restrain himself, and drawing the kind of attention he needs to avoid from everyone in his daily circle, he races home. Is his wife dead, or not? Has he blown his simple plan by his nervous behavior? He learns the twist the Whistler has known all along… or at least part of it. Stay tuned, and you’ll learn an extra twist that ensures not only justice, but poetic justice as well.

Signal Gasoline.  Features Elliot Lewis, and Be Benederet.

Bonus Track

  • Keith talks about the manner of twist endings used in today’s episode, and other similar endings that the Whistler often has. We also take time to thank several listeners for hitting the like button lately.
  • Andrews Sisters and the Les Paul Trio 1946 Rumors Are Flying