The Mysteries of Ellery Queen
“The Talk Show Twist ”
An original radio play by
Charles Welty
Production #: EQ-2014-01
American Radio Theater
14700 Firestone Blvd., Suite 122
La Mirada, CA 90638-2925
Tel: 866-792-6728
eMail: submission@AmericanRadioTheater.com
URL: http://AmericanRadioTheater.com
Script Date: 10/1/2013
Copyright © 2014 American Radio Theater
All rights reserved worldwide.
Writer Tel: 310-977-6720
eMail: charles@charleswelty.net
American Radio Theater  submission@AmericanRadioTheater.com
The Mysteries of Ellery Queen
“The Talk Show Twist”
Prod. #
EQ-2014-01
CAST
ANNOUNCER
The announcer
ELLERY QUEEN
Mystery writer, 30-something years old
INSPECTOR QUEEN
NYPD Inspector, 60-something years old
NIKKI PORTER
Ellery’s assistant, 20-something years old
SERGEANT VELIE
The Inspector’s investigator
ROBERT MORGAN
WRAP station owner, 50-something (victim)
BARRY OWENS
WRAP talk show host, 30-something (suspect)
FOLEY PITT
WRAP engineer, 50-something (suspect)
ARTHUR JACKSON
Art gallery owner, 50-something (suspect)
MEDICAL EXAMINER
NY Coroner, 40-something
TALK SHOW HOST
(clip runs in b.g. of one scene)
NOTE:
The above list is for a cast of 11. A smaller cast of 9 can be used if the
following roles are combined for one actor each:
FOLEY PITT/MEDICAL EXAMINER or ARTHUR JACKSON/MEDICAL EXAMINER
A smaller cast of 8 can be used if the following roles are combined for one
actor each:
FOLEY PITT/MEDICAL EXAMINER or ARTHUR JACKSON/MEDICAL EXAMINER
FOLEY PITT/MEDICAL EXAMINER and ARTHUR JACKSON/ROBERT MORGAN
FOLEY PITT/MEDICAL EXAMINER/TALK SHOW HOST
Two sound effects artists are also required.
No Walla walla artists are required.
STORY SUMMARY
Ellery hears the murder of a radio network owner, live during a radio talk
show.
American Radio Theater  submissions@AmericanRadioTheater.com
The Mysteries of Ellery Queen -- “The Talk Show Twist”
Teaser
Ellery is in his car, driving. He snaps on a talk radio show. His father calls, asking
him to pick up a quart of milk from the store. As Ellery parks the car, Barry Owens,
the talk show host on the radio, dials up a guest, reminding the callers at home to
turn down their radios when they call in.
On the air, Owens greets the guest, Robert Morgan, the network owner. Footsteps are
heard and 3 shots ring out. Ellery is an ear-witness to a murder committed live on the
radio.
ACT ONE
At Morgan’s home, Inspector Queen, Ellery, Nikki (Ellery’s very knowledgeable
assistant) and Sergeant Velie are investigating. Queen tells Velie to turn off a radio
in Morgan’s study. It’s tuned to Morgan’s radio station. A visitor outside is captured
by Velie. It turns out to be Owens, the talk show host.
Ellery notices that something over the fireplace is missing. Owens identifies it as a
valuable painting. A figure is seen running away from the house. Velie chases him
down. The man is Arthur Jackson, an art dealer who loaned the painting, worth
millions, to Morgan.
A receipt found by Ellery and Nikki verifies the time and the reason for Jackson’s
visit, which was to pick up the painting. The Coroner verifies the time of death was
during the radio show.
Ellery finds it odd that Morgan would listen to his own radio station in the evening,
at the end of the day. He wonders if he would really do that after listening to the
station all day long. But Nikki identifies the radio in Morgan’s study as a
programmable C-Crane radio specifically set to record the Barry Owens show.
Inspector Queen tells Velie to book Jackson and get Owens’ statement down at the
precinct. He, Ellery and Nikki decide to go down to the radio station. They take
Ellery’s 1947 Packard.
ACT TWO
Inspector Queen, Ellery and Nikki drive down to the radio station. They are not
impressed with its outward appearance.
Inside the studio, they confront Foley Pitt, the station engineer. Ellery asks about
the board. He learns that everything is digital and the entire show is run by the
engineer, except in special cases where it can be run by the host himself.
Velie calls, suggests that Queen ask Pitt about a new radio license application. Pitt
admits he filed it as a competitor to Morgan and that Morgan at first threatened to
fire him. But he insists that Morgan decided to back the construction.
Ellery asks a technical question about the live talk shows. Pitt demonstrates,
accidently cueing up Owens’s show from the night before. He cues up a current show,
but a screech of feedback makes him abort the demonstration.
Ellery asks his father, Nikki, and Pitt to leave the studio. He confronts the audience
with the suspects and says now he knows who killed Morgan.
DENOUEMENT
Inspector Queen, Ellery, Nikki, Velie, Jackson, Pitt and Owens meet at Morgan’s house.
Ellery recreates the murder by playing Owens’ show digitally from the C-Crane radio.
Pitt notes there was no feedback. Ellery confronts Owens, saying no feedback means the
murder was a digital playback, indicating that Owens recorded the murder to give
himself an alibi.
Owens admits to the killing, saying he wanted it to make for a great radio show.
American Radio Theater  submission@AmericanRadioTheater.com
The Mysteries of Ellery Queen -- “The Talk Show Twist”
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The Mysteries of Ellery Queen -- “The Talk Show Twist”
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MUSIC: [LIVE]
3
SCENE ONE: INT. ELLERY’S CAR - DAY
(ELLERY, INSPECTOR QUEEN, OWENS, MORGAN)
SOUND: (FADE IN) MUFFLED STREET SOUNDS AS A CAR DRIVES. A SNAP
4
ELLERY QUEEN TEASER BAR (6 NOTES).
OF A RADIO KNOB. A TALK SHOW FADES IN ON RADIO.
5
OWENS: (ON RADIO) Top of the evening to you! I’m Barry Owens and
7
this is the one, the only, Barry Owens Show
8
live from New York.
9
10
SOUND:
A CELL PHONE RINGS, FLIPS OPEN AS OWENS SPEAKS.
ELLERY:
Hey, Dad! Just a sec! Let me turn down the
radio.
11
12
SOUND:
OWENS’ VOICE FADES A BIT. B.G. SOUNDS CONTINUE
AS ELLERY DRIVES.
13
14
OWENS: (ON RADIO) Tonight, I’m making the call. That’s right!
15
INSPECTOR:
you know it was me?
16
17
ELLERY:
Caller I-D, Dad... it’s a wonderful thing. I’m
near the market. I’ll pick some up.
18
19
(FILTERED) We need a quart of milk. And how’d
SOUND:
THE CAR PULLS TO A STOP as STREET SOUNDS CEASE.
20
TALK SHOW CONTINUES IN B.G. UNDER F.G. DIALOG.
21
OWENS: (ON RADIO) Hold your calls ‘til the second half, and turn
down your radio when you call. But first...
22
23
SOUND:
24
OWENS: (ON RADIO) I’ve got a special guest on the Barry Owens
25
A phone is dialed under F.G. dialog.
Show.
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The Mysteries of Ellery Queen -- “The Talk Show Twist”
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1.
The Mysteries of Ellery Queen -- “The Talk Show Twist”
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SOUND: (ON RADIO) A PHONE (FILTERED) RINGS UNDER F.G. DIALOG.
2
ELLERY:
Hang on a second, Dad.
3
SOUND:
(ON RADIO) A PHONE (FILTERED) IS PICKED UP.
4
MORGAN: (ON RADIO)(FILTERED) That you, Owens?
5
OWENS: (ON RADIO) Ladies and gentlemen, on the line is Robert
MORGAN: (ON RADIO)(FILTERED, STEPPING OVER OWENS’ LINE) Yeah,
8
and I’ve only got one thing to say to you,
9
Owens! You’re...
10
SOUND: (ON RADIO) A DOOR OPENS. FOOTSTEPS RUN UP, STOP.
11
MORGAN: (ON RADIO)(FILTERED) You? How...?
12
SOUND: (ON RADIO) GUNSHOTS (3X). FOOTSTEPS RUN AWAY.
13
ELLERY:
14
OWENS: (ON RADIO) Go to break! Go to break! Robert Morgan’s been
Dad! I can’t believe it! I just heard...
shot!
15
16
SOUND: (ON RADIO) OWENS SHOW BUMPER (UNDER FOREGROUND DIALOG).
17
INSPECTOR:
(FILTERED) Ellery! What’s going on!
18
ELLERY:
Dad! I’m an ear-witness! A man’s been
murdered... live... on the radio!
19
20
INSPECTOR:
(FILTERED) W-h-a-t!?
21
MUSIC: [LIVE]
ELLERY QUEEN OPENING THEME -- CONTINUE UNDER.
22
ANNOUNCER:
The Mysteries of Ellery Queen. An American
23
Radio Theater production. Starring Regular Cast
24
1 as Ellery Queen and Regular Cast 2 as
25
Inspector Richard Queen. (MORE)
American Radio Theater  submission@AmericanRadioTheater.com
The Mysteries of Ellery Queen -- “The Talk Show Twist”
Morgan, our owner. Good evening, Mr. Morgan!
6
7
2.
The Mysteries of Ellery Queen -- “The Talk Show Twist”
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ANNOUNCER:
3.
(CONT’D) Tonight’s episode: “The Talk Show
Twist”... is written by Charles Welty and
3
directed by [______________]. Match wits with
4
Ellery Queen, and see if you can figure out...
5
who done it?! We’ll be right back... after
6
these messages.
7
MUSIC: [LIVE]
8
SPOT BREAK (LIVE) [INSERT COMMERCIAL BREAK #1.]
9
MUSIC:
MUSIC BRIDGE FROM COMMERCIAL.
ANNOUNCER:
And now, back to The Mysteries of Ellery Queen,
10
MUSIC BRIDGE TO COMMERCIAL.
11
an American Radio Theater production. Tonight’s
12
episode... “The Talk Show Twist”.
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SCENE TWO: INT. MORGAN ESTATE - NIGHT
(ELLERY, INSP. QUEEN, VELIE, NIKKI, OWENS, JACKSON, M.E.)
SOUND: (ON RADIO) OWENS SHOW BUMPER (UNDER F.G. DIALOG, THEN IT
15
SNAPS OFF PER DIALOG).
16
INSPECTOR:
Sergeant Velie, turn that thing off.
17
VELIE:
Right, Inspector.
18
ELLERY:
So, this is how the head of a radio network
19
20
lives! Very impressive!
NIKKI:
21
Gee, Mr. Queen. This study is bigger than my
whole apartment!
22
INSPECTOR:
Ours, too, Miss Nikki.
23
ELLERY:
Gee, I wonder why he was listening to the
24
25
radio. (MORE)
SOUND:
(DISTANT) A CAR PULLS UP OUTSIDE.
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The Mysteries of Ellery Queen -- “The Talk Show Twist”
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The Mysteries of Ellery Queen -- “The Talk Show Twist”
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ELLERY: (CONT’D) Dad, we’ve got company.
2
INSPECTOR:
Great. Sergeant Velie, head him off!
3
VELIE:
Right, Inspector! I’m on it. (MOVING OFF MIC)
Hey, you there!
4
SOUND:
VELIE’S FOOTSTEPS MOVE OFF MIC.
6
ELLERY:
That really is odd.
7
NIKKI:
What’s odd, Mr. Queen?
8
ELLERY:
In a sec, Nikki.
9
SOUND:
TWO SETS OF FOOTSTEPS APPROACH, THEN STOP.
INSPECTOR:
Sergeant Velie... who is this and why is he
here?
11
12
VELIE:
show.
13
14
OWENS:
Barry Owens. The name’s Barry Owens. And it’s
the highest rated...
15
16
Says he’s Darryl Owens, the man from that talk
INSPECTOR:
(INTERRUPTS) Yeah, yeah, yeah. It’s all that.
17
Inspector Queen. N-Y-P-D Homicide. This is my
18
son, Ellery. He was an ear witness.
19
OWENS:
novels. Very imaginative. How do you do?
20
21
Ellery? The Ellery Queen? I’ve read your
ELLERY:
I’m fine, and thank you, Mr. Owens. This is
Nikki Porter, my secretary.
22
23
NIKKI:
Mr. Owens, I’m a big fan.
24
OWENS:
(DEPRECATING). Uh-huh. (THEN) I got here as
25
soon as I could. I had to find out... (GASPS)
American Radio Theater  submission@AmericanRadioTheater.com
The Mysteries of Ellery Queen -- “The Talk Show Twist”
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10
4.
The Mysteries of Ellery Queen -- “The Talk Show Twist”
5.
1
SOUND:
A DIGITAL CAMERA SHUTTER AND FLASH.
2
OWENS:
Is that...?
3
INSPECTOR:
It is. Keep back while the C-S-I team finishes
with the body. Son, you were saying?
4
SOUND:
ANOTHER DIGITAL CAMERA SHUTTER AND FLASH.
6
NIKKI:
Yeah, Mr. Queen. What’s so odd?
7
ELLERY:
Look. Over the fireplace. Some discoloration
there. Like something’s missing.
8
9
OWENS:
The VanDeutsch! It’s gone!
10
NIKKI:
Inspector! Look!
11
INSPECTOR:
Velie! Outside, by the curb!
12
ELLERY:
A man, with some kind of picture frame!
13
SOUND:
FOOTSTEPS MOVE RAPIDLY OFF MIC.
14
VELIE:
(MOVING OFF MIC) Here we go again, maestro!
15
(SHOUTING) Hey, you there! Stop! Don’t make me
16
chase you down!
17
OWENS:
Well, there’s your motive, Inspector. He was
after the VanDeutsch!
18
19
INSPECTOR:
The painting?
20
ELLERY:
Uh, Dad...
21
OWENS:
Not just any painting. A VanDeutsch.
22
INSPECTOR:
And just who... or what... is a VanDeutsch?
23
ELLERY:
Uh, Dad...
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25
American Radio Theater  submission@AmericanRadioTheater.com
The Mysteries of Ellery Queen -- “The Talk Show Twist”
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The Mysteries of Ellery Queen -- “The Talk Show Twist”
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NIKKI:
6.
VanDeutsch. Emile. Born in Frankfurt 1872. Died
2
in Düsseldorf, 1923. A free-style sculptor and
3
painter in the impressionist style. (MORE)
4
NIKKI: (CONT’D)
(COYLY TO ELLERY) Specialized in nudes, among
other subjects.
5
OWENS:
I guess that’s why you’re his assistant.
7
NIKKI:
(ANGRY AT OWENS) I guess! (THEN) Out of maybe a
8
hundred oils on canvas, only a handful of his
9
original works survive, Inspector Queen.
10
Average price... eight million, if you can find
11
one.
12
INSPECTOR:
Eight million? Dollars? I’m in the wrong
business!
13
14
ELLERY:
Uh, Dad!
15
INSPECTOR:
(A LITTLE IRRITATED) Yes, son, what is it?
16
ELLERY:
I don’t think he was after the painting.
17
INSPECTOR:
Eight million dollars, Ellery! Of course he was
after the painting?
18
19
ELLERY:
I don’t think so, Dad.
20
SOUND:
TWO SETS OF FOOTSTEPS APPROACH, STRUGGLING.
21
VELIE:
I got him, Inspector. And he’s got the
painting!
22
23
ELLERY:
Then again, I could be wrong.
24
OWENS:
Oh, yeah? And why not?
25
JACKSON:
I didn’t kill anybody.
American Radio Theater  submission@AmericanRadioTheater.com
The Mysteries of Ellery Queen -- “The Talk Show Twist”
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The Mysteries of Ellery Queen -- “The Talk Show Twist”
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INSPECTOR:
We’ll see. Name!
2
JACKSON:
Arthur Jackson. The Jackson Galleries,
Manhattan. (MORE)
3
4
JACKSON: (CONT’D) And this painting was on loan. Morgan hadn’t
paid for it yet.
5
OWENS:
Morgan’s dead. I heard the shots, live on my
7
radio show. And he knew his killer... you,
8
Jackson!
ELLERY:
I don’t think Mr. Jackson killed him, Dad.
10
INSPECTOR:
He was caught fleeing the scene of the crime!
11
JACKSON:
He was dead when I got here! I only took what
9
was mine!
12
13
INSPECTOR:
A confession! Take him downtown.
14
ELLERY:
Dad, wait a minute. Look here. Nikki...
15
NIKKI:
A piece of paper from Morgan’s desk. Looks like
some kind of receipt.
16
17
INSPECTOR:
Let me see that!
18
SOUND:
THE PAPER IS SNATCHED, THEN SMOOTHED OUT.
19
OWENS:
What is it?
20
INSPECTOR:
A... receipt. From the Jackson Gallery.
21
JACKSON:
See?
22
ELLERY:
Acknowledging the loan of the VanDeutsch. And
23
an appointment for its return. Tonight. Pickup
24
time... Dad?
25
SOUND:
THE PAPER IS TAKEN BACK, THEN SMOOTHED OUT.
American Radio Theater  submission@AmericanRadioTheater.com
The Mysteries of Ellery Queen -- “The Talk Show Twist”
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7.
The Mysteries of Ellery Queen -- “The Talk Show Twist”
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ELLERY:
8.
The appointment’s typed out. Not hand-written.
If Mr. Jackson was on time...
2
3
JACKSON:
And I was!
4
ELLERY:
He’d have arrived about 15 minutes after the
murder, Dad, if I’m not mistaken. Better ask
6
the M. E. for sure.
7
INSPECTOR:
Well, Doc, can you confirm the time of death?
8
MEDICAL EXAMINER: Plus or minus 30 minutes... maybe an hour ago.
Body’s still warm.
9
10
NIKKI:
(SHUDDERS) O-o-o-oh!
11
INSPECTOR:
You all finished there?
12
MEDICAL EXAMINER Yep. My assistants will load the body on the
gurney. We’ll be out of here in two shakes.
13
14
INSPECTOR:
Step out of the way, son.
15
SOUND:
A BODY IS LOADED ON TO A GURNEY. THE GURNEY IS
WHEELED OFF MIC.
16
17
ELLERY:
Dad, why do you think Morgan’s radio was on?
18
INSPECTOR:
He wanted to listen to his own shows, of
course.
19
20
OWENS:
He had an ego, Inspector. Not unknown among
radio types.
21
22
INSPECTOR:
How’s that?
23
OWENS:
The Morgan empire. Three hundred plus radio
24
stations coast to coast. And he bossed our New
25
York flag station... right from this desk. He
American Radio Theater  submission@AmericanRadioTheater.com
The Mysteries of Ellery Queen -- “The Talk Show Twist”
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The Mysteries of Ellery Queen -- “The Talk Show Twist”
9.
1
never left it. Let the engineers and sales guys
2
run the tech side and the numbers. And the on-
3
air talent... they meant nothing to him.
4
NIKKI:
Mr. Queen! Hey, lookee here! It’s one of those
programmable C-Crane radios. Set to record,
6
too. Gee, this looks like it’s set to record
7
Mr. Owens’ show!
8
INSPECTOR:
You’re saying Morgan recorded his own murder?
9
ELLERY:
Looks like that’s the effect of it. A man like
10
Morgan... he’d have made a lot of enemies,
11
don’t you think, Mr. Owens?
12
OWENS:
Thousands, at least.
13
NIKKI:
You included, Mr. Owens?
14
OWENS:
The arrogance of youth.
15
ELLERY:
But is it true?
16
OWENS:
Everybody hated Robert Morgan, Mr. Queen. You
17
can count me among that particular fan club, if
18
you will.
19
VELIE:
Inspector, what do you want me to do with this
Jackson guy?
20
21
INSPECTOR:
For now... book him. And tag the painting.
22
JACKSON:
Really, Inspector!
23
VELIE:
What about this guy?
24
OWENS:
I had nothing to do with this! I was on the
25
air!
American Radio Theater  submission@AmericanRadioTheater.com
The Mysteries of Ellery Queen -- “The Talk Show Twist”
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The Mysteries of Ellery Queen -- “The Talk Show Twist”
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INSPECTOR:
Take ‘em both downtown. Take a statement from
2
Jackson, unless he lawyers up. And take a
3
statement from Mr. Owens.
4
VELIE:
10.
Let’s go. Mr. Jackson, I got a different kind
of gallery for you!
5
JACKSON:
Of all the luck...
7
SOUND:
FOOTSTEPS LEAVE, MOVING OFF MIC.
8
ELLERY:
Dad, I’m still puzzled about one thing.
9
NIKKI:
The radio?
10
ELLERY:
That’s right, Nikki. The radio!
11
INSPECTOR:
Like Owens said, it was Morgan’s network. He
12
ruled the roost, and he must’ve kept his hosts
13
on a very short leash.
14
ELLERY:
Maybe. But look, Dad. It’s mid-evening. The day
15
is over. He comes into his study. What’s the
16
last thing he’s gonna do?
17
NIKKI:
day long!
18
19
Turn on the radio! It’s probably been on all
ELLERY:
Precisely, Nikki! Morgan wouldn’t be listening
20
to the radio. Or at least not his own talk
21
radio station. Not unless he had a reason to!
22
NIKKI:
Yeah, Inspector Queen! Why would he bother?
He’d probably listen to... what? Frank Sinatra?
23
24
ELLERY:
Nikki! You a fan of old blue eyes?
25
NIKKI:
Actually, Stuck Mojo’s more my style.
American Radio Theater  submission@AmericanRadioTheater.com
The Mysteries of Ellery Queen -- “The Talk Show Twist”
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The Mysteries of Ellery Queen -- “The Talk Show Twist”
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INSPECTOR:
Ellery...
2
ELLERY:
Stuck Mojo? You? Who’d have thought!
3
INSPECTOR:
Ellery...
4
ELLERY:
Me, I always had a secret thing for the
Grateful Dead.
5
NIKKI:
Ellery Queen! A Dead Head! Now there’s a
picture for ya!
7
8
ELLERY:
You tell anybody...
9
INSPECTOR:
Ellery...
10
NIKKI:
Oh, I wouldn’t think of it.
11
ELLERY:
I appreciate it.
12
NIKKI:
‘Sides, nobody’d believe me! And I’m kinda
attached to my paycheck.
13
14
ELLERY:
Good...
15
NIKKI:
No matter how little it is.
16
INSPECTOR:
Ellery!
17
ELLERY:
Yeah, Dad, I know. Sorry...
18
NIKKI:
Say, Inspector Queen. Take a look at this!
19
ELLERY:
An appointment calendar! What’s on the page for
tonight?
20
21
INSPECTOR:
Whadda ya got there, Nikki?
22
NIKKI:
Mr. Morgan’s appointment calendar. It was right
23
here, on the desk. But look... the page for
24
tonight... it’s missing!
25
American Radio Theater  submission@AmericanRadioTheater.com
The Mysteries of Ellery Queen -- “The Talk Show Twist”
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11.
The Mysteries of Ellery Queen -- “The Talk Show Twist”
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ELLERY:
INSPECTOR:
Well, don’t touch it. We’ll take the calendar
downtown. Sort it out later. (MORE)
4
5
Look, Dad! The page... it’s been torn right
out!
2
3
INSPECTOR: (CONTD)Well, we’re through with the Morgan estate. I
think we should take a trip down to the radio
7
station.
ELLERY:
let’s take my car.
9
10
INSPECTOR:
Your ’47 Packard? Stinky. Polluting. Lousy gas
mileage. And to think, in this day and age...
11
12
Just what I’m thinking, Dad. Let’s go. And
ELLERY:
(INTERRUPTS) My ’47 Packard gets better mileage
than your car!
13
14
NIKKI:
Not my hybrid...
15
INSPECTOR:
Hybrids. Puh-leeze. Gimme a good old fashioned
muscle car any day!
16
17
NIKKI:
(OVERLY EAGER) Hey, boss, a sixty year old car.
That’s older than you, Inspector. Can I drive?
18
19
ELLERY:
Not on your life.
20
NIKKI:
(VERY DISMAYED) Aw, gee, boss...
21
ELLERY:
My heart bleeds, Nikki.
22
INSPECTOR:
After that age crack, mine doesn’t. Let’s go.
23
MUSIC: [LIVE]
ELLERY QUEEN TEASER BAR (6 NOTES) UNDER.
24
ANNOUNCER:
The Mysteries of Ellery Queen, an American
25
Radio Theater production, is brought to you by
American Radio Theater  submission@AmericanRadioTheater.com
The Mysteries of Ellery Queen -- “The Talk Show Twist”
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8
12.
The Mysteries of Ellery Queen -- “The Talk Show Twist”
13.
1
[_________________]. Tonight’s episode... “The
2
Talk Show Twist” will return after these
3
messages.
SPOT BREAK (LIVE) [INSERT COMMERCIAL BREAK #2.]
5
MUSIC: [LIVE]
ELLERY QUEEN TEASER BAR (6 NOTES) UNDER.
6
ANNOUNCER:
And now, back to The Mysteries of Ellery Queen,
7
an American Radio Theater production. Tonight’s
8
episode... “The Talk Show Twist”.
10
SCENE THREE: INT. ELLERY’S CAR - DAY
(ELLERY, INSPECTOR QUEEN, NIKKI)
SOUND: (FADE IN) MUFFLED STREET SOUNDS AS A CAR DRIVES.
11
NIKKI:
So, Mr. Queen. Whadda ya make of the radio?
12
ELLERY:
I’m missing something, here.
13
INSPECTOR:
Jackson...
14
SOUND:
CAR PULLS UP TO CURB. EMERGENCY BRAKE IS
9
PULLED. CAR DOORS ARE OPENED.
15
16
ELLERY:
Maybe. Come on. There’s the station entrance.
17
SOUND:
THE CAR DOORS SLAM. FOOTSTEPS MOVE OFF MIC.
18
NIKKI:
What a dump!
19
MUSIC: [LIVE]
ELLERY QUEEN SCENE CHANGE BAR, UNDER.
20
SCENE FOUR: INT. WRAP RADIO STUDIO - DAY
(ELLERY, INSPECTOR QUEEN, NIKKI, PITT, VELIE)
SOUND:
FOUR SETS OF FOOTSTEPS MOVE DOWN THE HALL AND
21
CONTINUE UNDER DIALOG.
22
23
ELLERY:
short notice, Mister... uh, Mister...
24
25
I want to thank you for meeting us on such
PITT:
Pitt. Foley Pitt. Station engineer.
American Radio Theater  submission@AmericanRadioTheater.com
The Mysteries of Ellery Queen -- “The Talk Show Twist”
4
The Mysteries of Ellery Queen -- “The Talk Show Twist”
1
INSPECTOR:
SOUND:
FOOTSTEPS STOP. A KEY PAD WITH SIX TOUCH TONE
NOTES ARE PUNCHED IN (841130).
4
5
That your real name, or some kind of inside
joke?
2
3
PITT:
You have no idea what it’s like to be raised by
7
SOUND:
AN ELECTRIC DOOR BUZZES, THEN OPENS.
8
PITT:
(SPOOKY VOICE). Come. Enter the... Inner
Sanctum.
9
10
NIKKI:
It’s just a studio...
11
PITT:
No. It’s where the magic happens.
12
ELLERY:
(SKEPTICAL) Uh-huh.
13
SOUND:
THE FOOTSTEPS MOVE INSIDE. THE DOOR CLOSES. A
CHAIR IS ROLLED OVER. PITT SITS DOWN.
14
PITT:
The board. The finest digital technology money
can buy.
16
17
INSPECTOR:
Through that glass over there... is that live?
18
PITT:
You bet.
19
INSPECTOR:
I don’t hear anything.
20
ELLERY:
And you won’t. Unless you turn that knob.
21
NIKKI:
Pot...
22
INSPECTOR:
Drugs! Here?
23
NIKKI:
Inspector, I’m talking about the board!
24
25
American Radio Theater  submission@AmericanRadioTheater.com
The Mysteries of Ellery Queen -- “The Talk Show Twist”
ex-vaudeville parents.
6
15
14.
The Mysteries of Ellery Queen -- “The Talk Show Twist”
1
PITT:
Inspector Queen, the lady is correct. The knob,
2
as you call it, is called a “pot”. Short for
3
“potentiometer”. Allow me to demonstrate.
4
SOUND:
15.
PITT SHIFTS IN HIS CHAIR. A TALK RADIO SHOW
RUNS FOR A BEAT.
5
TALK SHOW HOST:
Next up is Jenny from Long Island.
7
SOUND:
PITT SHIFTS IN HIS CHAIR. THE TALK SHOW IS
POTTED DOWN AND OUT.
8
ELLERY:
Mr. Pitt, you run the entire show from here?
10
PITT:
All by my lonesome. Sound effects. Bumpers.
11
INSPECTOR:
Bumpers?
12
NIKKI:
Music cuts. Used to be called “needle drops” in
9
13
the old days. Links the show with the spot,
14
or...
15
PITT:
Where... did you find this girl?
16
ELLERY:
Nikki... she often comes in quite handy.
17
NIKKI:
Gee... thanks.
18
ELLERY:
Now and then.
19
SOUND:
A CELL PHONE RINGS. THE PHONE IS FLIPPED OPEN
AND THE RING STOPS.
20
21
INSPECTOR:
Richard Queen, here. (PAUSE) Yeah, Velie.
22
VELIE:
(FILTERED) Inspector, Owens says there’s
something you need to know.
23
24
INSPECTOR:
Oh, yeah? What might that be?
25
American Radio Theater  submission@AmericanRadioTheater.com
The Mysteries of Ellery Queen -- “The Talk Show Twist”
6
The Mysteries of Ellery Queen -- “The Talk Show Twist”
1
VELIE:
Ask the station engineer about some kind of FC-C application.
2
INSPECTOR:
Thanks, Sergeant.
4
SOUND::
THE CELL PHONE IS FLIPPED SHUT.
5
ELLERY:
What is it, Dad?
6
INSPECTOR:
Mr. Pitt... tell me about your F-C-C
application.
7
8
PITT:
How’d you find out about that?
9
ELLERY:
Sergeant Velie. He’s very thorough.
PITT:
Morgan found out about it. I’ve been an
11
engineer here for 30 years. I saw Morgan
12
getting richer and richer while the rest of us
13
made pennies.
14
ELLERY:
So you decided to apply for your own station?
15
PITT:
Wouldn’t you? I’m just as qualified as he was!
Maybe more!
16
17
INSPECTOR:
What’d he do when he found out you had applied?
18
PITT:
Threatened to fire me. Cut my pension. Thirty
years of work and what? Nothin’!
19
20
INSPECTOR:
So where does that leave us, Ellery?
21
ELLERY:
Can’t figure the motive, Dad. The cost of
setting up a new station’s gotta be... what?
22
23
24
NIKKI:
About a million. Maybe more. Transmitters.
Labor.
25
American Radio Theater  submission@AmericanRadioTheater.com
The Mysteries of Ellery Queen -- “The Talk Show Twist”
3
10
16.
The Mysteries of Ellery Queen -- “The Talk Show Twist”
1
NIKKI:
And a building. Did you know you can’t even
2
erect a building for an A-M radio transmitter
3
without F-C-C approval?
4
PITT:
17.
You wouldn’t wanna loan me this girl for about
a year, would ya?
5
NIKKI:
Sorry, she’s taken.
7
ELLERY:
Atta girl!
8
INSPECTOR:
Where were you when the show was running?
9
PITT:
I was right here. The show can’t work without
an engineer! And that’s me!
10
11
ELLERY:
But, you’re not running the show now!
12
PITT:
Well, for short periods, the show can be run by
the host... from there.
13
14
INSPECTOR:
The control room?
15
PITT:
The control room.
16
ELLERY:
Can the host do everything you do in here...
from there?
17
18
PITT:
Oh, yes. And they sometimes do.
19
INSPECTOR:
Whadda ya mean, they sometimes do?
20
PITT:
Well, take last night for instance. Owens ran
the whole show. He never does that.
21
22
ELLERY:
Breaks, spots, even the sound effects?
23
PITT:
Well, the tones you heard on the air... they
weren’t real. Just sound effects. Like this...
24
25
SOUND:
SOUND OF TOUCH TONES 1-866-781-2800.
American Radio Theater  submission@AmericanRadioTheater.com
The Mysteries of Ellery Queen -- “The Talk Show Twist”
6
The Mysteries of Ellery Queen -- “The Talk Show Twist”
1
INSPECTOR:
Then he didn’t really make a call?
2
PITT:
Probably did. You heard Morgan’s voice.
3
NIKKI:
And the shots.
4
PITT:
But the dialing tones didn’t go out over the
air.
5
ELLERY:
So the dialing... that was sound effects?
7
PITT:
We can’t let real tones go over the air. The
tones... they ring right to the station.
8
ELLERY:
So you’re saying Owens ran the bumpers? The
10
spot breaks? Effects? You mean, like...
11
everything?
12
PITT:
Yeah, I mean... like everything! It’s all
digital these days.
13
14
ELLERY:
Humph...
15
INSPECTOR:
You on to something, son?
16
ELLERY:
Don’t know. Can I hear the current show again?
17
PITT:
Sure. Let me just push this...
18
SOUND:
PITT SHIFTS IN HIS CHAIR. THE TALK SHOW IS
POTTED UP, BUT IT’S OWENS’ SHOW.
19
20
OWENS: (ON TAPE) Top of the evening to you! I’m Barry Owens and
21
this is the one, the only, Barry Owens Show...
22
SOUND::
THE OWENS SHOW IS POTTED DOWN.
23
PITT:
Oh, jeez. My bad. Just a sec.
24
ELLERY:
You couldn’t tell if it was live or on tape.
25
NIKKI:
It’s digital, Mr. Queen.
American Radio Theater  submission@AmericanRadioTheater.com
The Mysteries of Ellery Queen -- “The Talk Show Twist”
6
9
18.
The Mysteries of Ellery Queen -- “The Talk Show Twist”
19.
1
PITT:
Wrong pot. Here... let me pot this up.
2
TALK SHOW HOST:
Rebecca in Long Island. You’re on the air live.
3
SOUND:
A LOUD SCREECH INTERRUPTS THE TALK SHOW. PITT
4
SHIFTS IN HIS CHAIR. THE TALK SHOW FEEDBACK IS
5
POTTED DOWN.
PITT:
Oops. Another screecher.
7
INSPECTOR:
Screecher?
8
PITT:
Feedback loop. The bane of talk radio. (MORE)
9
PITT:
Happens when the caller’s phone picks up the
show in the background.
10
11
ELLERY:
Dad!
12
INSPECTOR:
We done here, son?
13
ELLERY:
You and Nikki go on, Dad. You, too, Mr. Pitt.
I’ll be right out.
14
15
SOUND:
THE STUDIO DOOR OPENS. THREE SETS OF FOOTSTEPS
16
GO OUT. ELLERY SITS IN PITT’S ENGINEERING
17
CHAIR.
18
ELLERY:
(TO AUDIENCE). There you have it. Now I know
19
who killed Robert Morgan. If you’ve been
20
following along, maybe you know, too. Was it
21
Jackson, ‘cuz of what was due him for the
22
VanDeutsch? Or Owens, with some electronic
23
slight of hand? Or how about Foley Pitt? He had
24
a great motivation. I’m gonna have Dad bring
25
Owens and Jackson back to Morgan’s house.
American Radio Theater  submission@AmericanRadioTheater.com
The Mysteries of Ellery Queen -- “The Talk Show Twist”
6
The Mysteries of Ellery Queen -- “The Talk Show Twist”
1
Pitt’ll be there, too. Let’s find out if I’m
2
right.
3
MUSIC: [LIVE]
ELLERY QUEEN TEASER BAR (6 NOTES) UNDER.
4
ANNOUNCER:
The Mysteries of Ellery Queen, an American
20.
Radio Theater production. Tonight’s episode...
6
“The Talk Show Twist” will return after these
7
messages.
8
SPOT BREAK (LIVE) [INSERT COMMERCIAL BREAK #3.]
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
American Radio Theater  submission@AmericanRadioTheater.com
The Mysteries of Ellery Queen -- “The Talk Show Twist”
5
The Mysteries of Ellery Queen -- “The Talk Show Twist”
21.
1
MUSIC: [LIVE]
ELLERY QUEEN TEASER BAR (6 NOTES).
2
ANNOUNCER:
And now, the American Radio Theater production
3
of... The Mysteries of Ellery Queen...
4
continues with our solution to tonight’s
5
episode... “The Talk Show Twist”.
7
DÉNOUEMENT: INT. MORGAN’S ESTATE - DAY
(ELLERY, INSPECTOR QUEEN, NIKKI, VELIE, OWENS, JACKSON, PITT)
INSPECTOR:
Well, we’re all here in Morgan’s study. Joining
us is Jackson, the art broker.
8
9
JACKSON:
Like I had any choice in the matter.
10
ELLERY:
And Mr. Pitt, the radio station engineer.
11
PITT:
Ditto Mr. Jackson.
12
ELLERY:
I thought we owed everybody an explanation.
13
OWENS:
Can we just get on with it?
14
INSPECTOR:
We will, Mr. Owens. Now, everything’s exactly
the way it was, except for the body, of course.
15
16
ELLERY:
Not quite, Dad. Nikki...
17
NIKKI:
Let me get the radio...
18
SOUND:
THE RADIO IS SNAPPED ON. A SHOW BUMPER PLAYS.
19
VELIE:
What’s up, maestro?
20
ELLERY:
Some digital magic, Sergeant Velie. Why... is
something wrong, Mr. Owens?
21
22
OWENS:
(NERVOUS) No...
23
ELLERY:
I’m glad...
24
SOUND:
HOSTED BY BARRY OWENS, A REPRISE OF OUR OPENING
25
SCENE, PLAYS ON THE RADIO.
American Radio Theater  submission@AmericanRadioTheater.com
The Mysteries of Ellery Queen -- “The Talk Show Twist”
6
The Mysteries of Ellery Queen -- “The Talk Show Twist”
22.
1
ELLERY:
Oh, gee. It’s not tonight’s show.
2
OWENS: (ON TAPE) Top of the evening to you! I’m Barry Owens and
this is the one, the only, Barry Owens Show
4
live from New York. Tonight, I’m making the
5
call. That’s right! Hold your calls ‘til the
6
second half, and turn down your radio when you
7
call.
8
SOUND: (ON TAPE) A PHONE IS DIALED UNDER F.G. DIALOG.
9
ELLERY:
10
Now here’s the set up. Listen carefully, Dad.
OWENS: (ON TAPE) But first, I’ve got a special guest on the
Barry Owens Show.
11
12
SOUND: (ON TAPE) A PHONE (FILTERED) RINGS UNDER F.G. DIALOG.
13
INSPECTOR:
14
SOUND: (ON TAPE) A PHONE (FILTERED) IS PICKED UP.
15
INSPECTOR:
16
MORGAN: (ON TAPE) (FILTERED) That you, Owens?
17
ELLERY:
18
OWENS: (ON TAPE) Ladies and gentlemen, on the line live is
I don’t hear anything.
We heard this on the air last night. So...?
Just listen, Dad.
19
Robert Morgan, our owner. Good evening, Mr.
20
Morgan!
21
MORGAN: (ON TAPE) (FILTERED, STEPPING OVER OWENS’ LINE) Yeah, and
22
I’ve only got one thing to say to you, Owens!
23
You’re...
24
SOUND: (ON TAPE) A DOOR OPENS. FOOTSTEPS RUN UP, STOP.
25
MORGAN: (ON TAPE) (FILTERED) You? How...?
American Radio Theater  submission@AmericanRadioTheater.com
The Mysteries of Ellery Queen -- “The Talk Show Twist”
3
The Mysteries of Ellery Queen -- “The Talk Show Twist”
23.
1
SOUND: (ON TAPE) GUNSHOTS (3X). FOOTSTEPS RUN AWAY.
2
OWENS: (ON TAPE) Go to break! Go to break! Robert Morgan’s been
shot!
3
4
SOUND: (ON TAPE) OWENS SHOW BUMPER. THE RADIO IS SNAPPED OFF.
5
ELLERY:
Thank you, Nikki. There ya go, Dad! There’s no
7
NIKKI:
Mr. Queen, I don’t get it.
8
INSPECTOR:
Still don’t see it, son.
9
ELLERY:
But you do, don’t you, Mr. Owens?
10
OWENS:
(NERVOUS) Don’t follow you.
11
ELLERY:
Mr. Pitt, why do talk show hosts tell their
12
callers to turn down their radio at home? Don’t
13
they need to hear the show while they’re
14
waiting to go on the air?
15
PITT:
No. The show plays over the phone while they’re
16
on hold. And even with a digital delay, the
17
station feed playing as a background sound at
18
the caller’s home would create a feedback loop.
19
Happens all the time. I told you that, and we
20
saw that down at the station. The call... it’ll
21
screech like a banshee... (VOICE TRAILS OFF)
22
ELLERY:
Mr. Pitt sees it, now, don’t you, Mr. Pitt?
23
INSPECTOR:
The radio was on when we arrived. That means it
24
was on when Morgan was shot. But there was no
25
feedback on the show! How...?
American Radio Theater  submission@AmericanRadioTheater.com
The Mysteries of Ellery Queen -- “The Talk Show Twist”
doubt about it!
6
The Mysteries of Ellery Queen -- “The Talk Show Twist”
1
PITT:
24.
Owens ran the whole show, including the digital
2
delay, which he disconnected. He insisted on
3
running the board himself. No feedback means...
4
INSPECTOR:
don’t understand!
5
ELLERY:
Dad, it’s simple. Owens was playing a
recording.
7
8
NIKKI:
Of course! There’s no other explanation!
9
ELLERY:
That’s why there was no feedback, Mr. Owens.
10
You recorded the entire scene with a small
11
digital recorder. Then you played it back right
12
from the studio. You wanted to create an air-
13
tight alibi.
14
NIKKI:
And you almost did! Great going, Ellery Queen!
15
INSPECTOR:
Well, Mr. Owens...?
16
OWENS:
The mighty Robert Morgan. He was going to fire
17
me. Live. On the air. He thought it’d be funny.
18
It’ll boost our ratings. Make great radio.
19
INSPECTOR:
Velie...
20
SOUND:
HANDCUFFS ARE SNAPPED SHUT.
21
OWENS:
It did make great radio. But I made it great.
22
Me. Barry Owens. Yeah, I killed Morgan...
23
live... in full digital stereo. And Morgan was
24
right, it did make for great radio!
25
INSPECTOR:
Take him downtown, Velie. And release Jackson.
American Radio Theater  submission@AmericanRadioTheater.com
The Mysteries of Ellery Queen -- “The Talk Show Twist”
6
Means what? Ellery, would you please explain? I
The Mysteries of Ellery Queen -- “The Talk Show Twist”
25.
1
VELIE:
Right, Inspector. Good call, Maestro.
2
SOUND:
TWO SETS OF FOOTSTEPS MOVE AWAY, OFF MIC.
3
NIKKI:
Gee, Mr. Queen! That was neat!
4
INSPECTOR:
Neat. Uh-huh. What about the forensic evidence?
5
ELLERY:
Owens probably wore gloves. As to the gun,
well, Sergeant Velie is very thorough. He’ll
7
find it.
8
INSPECTOR:
Good work, son. I’m proud of you.
9
NIKKI:
Me, too!
10
ELLERY:
Thanks, Dad... Nikki...
11
MUSIC: [LIVE]
ELLERY QUEEN CLOSING THEME -- CONTINUE UNDER.
12
ANNOUNCER:
You’ve been listening to The Mysteries of
13
Ellery Queen. Starring Regular Cast 1 as Ellery
14
Queen and Regular Cast 2 as Inspector Richard
15
Queen. Also starring [Regular Cast 3] as
16
Sergeant Velie, and [Regular Cast 4] as Nikki.
17
Also heard was [______________] as Barry Owens,
18
[______________________] as Foley Pitt,
19
[______________________] as Arthur Jackson, and
20
[______________________] as the Medical
21
Examiner. Tonight’s episode: “The Talk Show
22
Twist” was written and directed by Charles
23
Welty.
24
25
STATION BREAK
[GO TO NETWORK BREAK.]
THE END
American Radio Theater  submission@AmericanRadioTheater.com
The Mysteries of Ellery Queen -- “The Talk Show Twist”
6
The Mysteries of Ellery Queen -- “The Talk Show Twist”
Cast, Music, Sound
1
2
3
4
5
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
Cast
Announcer ................................................................................... 2, 3, 12, 13, 19, 20, 24
Guest
Arthur Jackson ..................................................................... 6, 7, 9, 10, 20
Medical Examiner ............................................................... 8
Robert Morgan .................................................................... 2, 21
Principal
Ellery Queen ........................................................................ 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16,
17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Inspector Richard Queen .................................................. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16,
17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Nikki Porter .......................................................................... 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17,
18, 20, 22, 23, 24
Supporting
Barry Owens ........................................................................ 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 18, 20, 21, 22, 23
Foley Pitt ............................................................................... 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 22, 23
Sergeant Velie ...................................................................... 3, 4, 5, 6, 9, 10, 15, 20, 24
Music
bridge from commercial ............................................................ 3
Ellery Queen Closing Theme................................................... 24
Ellery Queen Opening Theme ................................................ 2
Ellery Queen Scene Change Bar ............................................. 13
Ellery Queen Teaser Bar (6 notes) .......................................... 1, 12, 13, 19, 20
Sound
body is loaded onto a gurney, then wheeled away ........... 8
body shifts in chair ..................................................................... 14, 15, 18
body sits in chair, shifts as it leans forward toward mic ... 19
car doors are closed (three doors)........................................... 13
car doors are opened (three doors) ........................................ 13
car pulls to a stop ....................................................................... 1
car pulls up (distant, off mic) ................................................... 3
car pulls up to curb, handbrake is pulled ............................. 13
cell phone flips closed ............................................................... 15
cell phone flips open ................................................................. 15
cell phone ring tone (Ellery Queen theme) .......................... 1
cell phone ring tones (old style telephone ring) ................. 15
chair is rolled toward mic ......................................................... 14
digital camera shutter and flash .............................................. 4, 5
door closes.................................................................................... 14
door opens ................................................................................... 2, 19, 21
electric door buzzer, then door opens ................................... 14
feedback screech sounds briefly, then is potted down ...... 18
footsteps approach (2 sets) ....................................................... 4
footsteps approach, struggling (2 sets) .................................. 6
footsteps move echo down hallway (4 sets) ......................... 13
footsteps move off mic .............................................................. 4, 10, 13
footsteps move off mic (2 sets) ................................................ 24
footsteps move off mic (3 sets) ................................................ 19
footsteps move rapidly off mic ................................................ 5
footsteps run away from mic ................................................... 2, 22
footsteps run up to mic ............................................................. 2, 21
footsteps shuffle into room ...................................................... 14
American Radio Theater  submission@AmericanRadioTheater.com
The Mysteries of Ellery Queen -- “The Talk Show Twist”
6
26.
The Mysteries of Ellery Queen -- “The Talk Show Twist”
1
2
3
4
5
7
8
Sound (cont'd)
gunshots (3X)............................................................................... 2, 22
handcuffs are snapped shut..................................................... 23
muffled street sounds as a car drives ..................................... 1, 13
Owens radio show bumper plays .......................................... 2, 3, 20, 22
Owens radio show fades down a bit ..................................... 1
Owens talk show from teaser is potted down ..................... 18
Owens talk show from teaser is potted up .......................... 18
paper is handled, then smoothed out ................................... 7
paper is snatched, then smoothed out .................................. 7
phone is picked up..................................................................... 2, 21
phone rings, filtered (2X) .......................................................... 2, 21
reprise of Owens radio show teaser....................................... 20
snap of radio knob ..................................................................... 1, 3, 20, 22
talk show runs ('Next up is Jenny from Long Island.') ..... 14
touch tones dialed (1-866-781-2800) ....................................... 1, 17, 21
touch tones dialed (841130) ...................................................... 13
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
American Radio Theater  submission@AmericanRadioTheater.com
The Mysteries of Ellery Queen -- “The Talk Show Twist”
6
27.