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Chapter 2 |
Chapter 3 |
Chapter 4 |
Chapter 5 |
Chapter 6 |
Chapter 7 |
Chapter 8 |
Chapter 9 |
Chapter 10 |
Chapter 11
The Adventures of Superman
Batman's Great Mystery
Chapter 2 of 11 - February 4, 1948
Announcer
Faster than a speeding bullet, more powerful than a locomotive, able to leap tall buildings in a single bound, Look, up in the sky, it's a bird, it's a plane, it's Superman!
Yes, it's Superman, strange visitor from the planet Krypton who came to Earth with amazing physical powers far beyond those of mortal men. And who, disguised as Clark Kent, mild mannered reporter for a great metropolitan newspaper, wages a never ending battle for truth and justice.
And now, The Adventures of Superman.
Narrator
Insisting that he was unable to explain, Batman told Robin, his young companion, that he was going away, and he added that if he failed to return after one week, Robin might never see him again. When twelve days went by, and Batman failed to return, Robin summoned Clark Kent, who is really Superman. Together they searched for a clue to Batman's disappearance. And then, in a recording machine, Kent discovered a wire recording of a conversation between Batman and a mysterious man named Jones.
Jones (recording)
I think you'll do as I say, Mr, Wayne, because if you refuse ....
Wayne (recording)
Yes, if I refuse?
Jones (recording)
Then I will reveal to the world that you, Bruce Wayne, are Batman.
Robin
Holy smokes, Mr. Kent, did you hear what that man said?
Kent
Yes I did.
Robin
He knows Bruce is Batman!
Kent
So it seems.
Robin
How did he ever find that out?
Kent
I don't know, Dick. But it appears that somehow he did find it out and he must have used that information to make Batman go away with him, under threat that he'd expose Bruce's double identity if he didn't!
Robin
Right! But who is he? How did he find out Bruce is Batman? And where did he take him?
Kent
You got me. All we know is that the man's name is Jones. Or is it?
Robin
Who knows. And even if it is it's a pretty slim clue. There are only a couple of million people named Jones, you know.
Kent
Yeah. I know.
Robin
So, where are we?
Kent
No place, yet. Look, do you mind if I play this recording once again, Dick?
Robin
No, but what do you expect to get out of it?
Kent
Well, there was something vaguely familiar about the voice of that fellow Jones.
Robin
Gosh, do you think you know him?!
Kent
Not sure. I think I've heard his voice before. I'm going to start the recording, anyway. Please don't say anything until it's over, will you, Dick.
Kent
I'll make like a clam, Mr. Kent.
Robin
Okay. Good, here goes.
Wayne (Recording) That's a strange request, Mr., uh, Jones, you said your name was.
Jones (Recording)
Jones is right, Mr. Wayne. But strange or not, I insist that you come to my place with me now to discuss the matter.
Wayne (Recording)
But why? Why can't we discuss it right here?
Jones (Recording)
Because as I explained before I prefer to discuss such an important matter in my own home or in some ...neutral place, if you prefer.
Wayne (Recording)
You think I might have spies around here, eh?
Jones (Recording)
Let's just say I prefer not to take chances.
Wayne (Recording)
I see. You know you amuse me, Mr. Jones. You don't want to take chances, but you don't hesitate to ask me to take them. You come here with some cock and bull story ...
Jones (Recording)
It's not a cock and bull story, Mr. Wayne, I've told you the truth.
Wayne (Recording)
Maybe, and maybe your name is Jones. But you must admit it sounds pretty fishy. I mean, telling me as little as you have and then asking me to go somewhere with you, alone. How do I know you're not leading me into an ambush?
Jones (Recording)
Why should I?
Wayne (Recording)
Well, I am pretty rich, you know. You may have some ransom idea in your head.
Jones (Recording)
That's sheer nonsense, Mr. Wayne, as you'll find out. But we're wasting time. Will you come to my place?
Wayne (Recording)
Sorry, Mr. Jones. I'm not a coward, but neither am I a fool. You'll have to tell me more.
Kent
That's enough.
Wayne (Recording)
And if I refuse?
Wayne (Recording)
I don't go with you.
Robin
Well, do you recognize that guy Jones's voice? Do you know who he is?
Kent
Nope.
Robin
Oh, shucks.
Kent
But now I know definitely that I've heard his voice before, Dick. Oh, If only I could place him!
Robin
I'd like to place him to, at the end of fist!
Kent
Well, you may get that chance. Do you have a pair of shears, Dick?
Robin
Uh huh, there's a pair right here, in this drawer.
Kent
Will you please let me have them?
Robin
Sure, but what do you want 'em for?
Kent
I'm going to cut off the last ten or fifteen seconds of this recording wire. The part where Jones tells Bruce he's Batman.
Robin
But why?
Kent
Because I'm going to play this recording for several people and I don't think Bruce would want them to learn his double identity, do you?
Robin
I should say not! Here are the shears.
Kent
Thanks.
Robin
Look, who are you going to pay the recording for, Mr. Kent?
Kent
For the police department, and for the staff of The Daily Planet. Maybe someone can help us identify Jones.
Robin
Swell idea.
Kent
Give me a hand with this spool of wire, please, Dick. We've got to work fast.
Music!
Kent
Now Mr. White, Lois, Jim, you too, Beedy, listen carefully to this recording of a conversation between Bruce Wayne and a man he calls Jones. I want you to see if you can recognize Jones's voice. Alright, Dick, turn on the machine.
Robin
Here goes, Mr. Kent.
Kent
Listen now, all of you.
Wayne (Recording)
That's a strange request, Mr. uh, Jones, you said your name was?
Jones (Recording)
Jones is right, Mr, Kent., but strange or not.... VOICE FADES
MUSIC
Robin
Well, nobody at either the police department or the Daily Planet recognized Jones' voice.
Kent
Yes.
Robin
Well, where do we go from here, Mr. Kent?
Kent
Gosh, I don't know, Dick. Let me think a minute, will you?
Robin
Go ahead. I'm afraid you'll have to do the thinking for both of us because I'm so upset my head's just going around in circles!
Kent
If only we had some idea what he wanted with Batman! And if only I could place his voice!
Robin
Yeah, if.
Kent
Say, listen, Dick, Inspector Henderson was going to have a fingerprint expert go over the study in your house. Have you heard from him yet?
Robin
Not yet. Do you want me to give him a ring?
Kent
No, no, let's wait a little while. then we ....
PHONE RINGS
Kent
Oh, excuse me, will you? Clark Kent speaking. Oh, yes, Inspector, did your fingerprint men turn up anything?
Oh, they didn't, eh? I was afraid of that.
Yes, I'm listening. What? What did you say?
Robin
What's up, Mr. Kent?
Kent
Say that again, Inspector. Oh, no, but that's impossible!
Robin
What is it, Mr. Kent?!
Kent
Just a minute, Dick. But I can't believe it! You did eh , your positive? I see. Alright, Thanks inspector. Yes, you bet we will! Right. so long.
Robin
What gives, Mr. Kent?
Kent
Plenty. But don't stop to ask questions now but come with me!
Robin
Where, what happened?
Kent
I'm not sure, but either Inspector Henderson has gone crazy or we have. Come on!
MUSIC!
Narrator
Clark Kent and Dick Grayson who is really Robin have arrived at the Metropolis Auditorium where a huge throng mills around the doors, trying to push their way into the already crowded building. There, Kent flashes his press card and followed by Dick, is ushered into the auditorium to seats in the front row, directly below the empty, flag draped stage.
VOICES MURMUR
Robin
Will you please tell me what this is all about, Mr. Kent? Why are we here? What's going on?
Kent This, Dick, is a mass meeting which was announced only this afternoon by an organization of selfish, bigoted people who oppose sending food and other help to Europe
Robin You mean the Marshall Plan?
Kent Yes, that and any other plan to help war-torn nations.
Robin Then what are we doing here? I don't want to have anything to do with a bunch of selfish mugs who don't want us to help those poor people!
Kent
Neither do I, Dick. But wait!
Robin
Nothing doing! I want out!
Kent
Wait a minute!
Robin
When Batman and I were in Europe we saw people living like... like animals, without anybody to care about them!
Kent
I know. If you'll just listen a moment, Dick..I can tell you why ...
Robin
No I won't listen! I don't want any part of this meeting!
Kent
Now look...
Robin
Besides, I've got to find Batman!
Kent
Please, wait a minute!
Robin
[fading] Excuse me, I've got
Kent
Dick, come back here and sit down!
Robin
I won't! Let me go!
Kent
Will you sit down! Batman is going to be here.
Robin
Batman! Here!
Kent
That's what Inspector Henderson said. The police department issued a permit for the meeting just before he called me. And get this. Batman is going to be the principal speaker!
Robin
What?!
Kent
That's right. He's going to..
Robin
Are you kidding? Why, Batman wouldn't breathe the same air as this rotten crowd!
VOICES RAISED, CLAPPING
Kent
Oh no? Look!
Robin
Huh? What?
Kent
Look up there on the stage! Look whose walking out to speak!
Robin
Christopher Columbus! It is Batman.
Narrator
His eyes bulging, Robin looks up at the tall figure in skintight costume, gloves, cape, and batlike hood and mask, and recognizes his companion Batman. Can it really be Batman, who is out before the huge crowd, to speak for a movement which he, Robin, Superman, , and other prominent people, have condemned as un-American and selfish?
WHAT CAN THIS MEAN?
MUSIC!
There are more surprises and thrills in tomorrow's exciting episode, fellows and girls, so be sure to listen. Tune in same time, same station, for Chapter 3 of Batman's Great Mystery, on The Adventures of Superman!
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