The Hard Way Out

When I started, I thought one man was in trouble and three were trying to help him. But after I found two pounds of tobacco, two pieces of brass and a boat without a pilot heading straight out to sea, I knew they had all been in trouble, and all had taken the hard way out.

From the pen of Raymond Chandler, outstanding author of Crime Fiction, comes his most famous character as CBS presents... The adventures of Philip Marlowe! Gerald Moore, starred as Philip Marlowe. We bring you tonight's exciting story.

The hard way out. Kill the shank of the afternoon in a Hollywood department store. Trying for the fifth consecutive year to select something unique in a personalized Christmas card. The bright-eyed sales girl finally suggested in desperation.

The smoking 38, spelling out Noel in delicate wisps of white curling smoke. Well, I gave up, settled for a reissue of last year's unoriginal message. An hour later I was driving out towards the pauldron, my new client August Quig, and I was glad to be away from the Quig holiday crowds and back to work.

When I pulled up in front of the factory building, an immodest sign told me the man I was to meet inside, was President and co-founder of Quig Insulator, manufacturers of nothing but the best in construction materials.

Come in, come in. If it you in a minute, I'm on the phone. Speak does not change his policy overnight, Slater. Not after 25 years. You should know that, you of all people. Never mind the excuses, Slater. Those you always have and they make me sick.

Partnership trouble, Mr. Quig? Oh, no. My partner is dead now, ten years. That's what his son keeps, Slater. What he has nothing to say here, his father left it that way. Well, sit down, Mr. Marlow. Please. Slater is not what I want to talk to you about.