Have Gun, Will Travel: No Visitors

You came to me with a torch and a gun. You call it righteousness. Call it by its right name. Murder. Have gun. Will travel. Starring Mr. John Dainer as Paladin. San Francisco. 1875.

The Carlton Hotel. Headquarters of the man called Paladin. Come in. Whoa! Clean socks Mr. Paladin. Socks Mr. Pallade. A key socks for a trip, very important. Oh, yes, that's okay. Boy, just put them in the bag there.

Yes, sir. Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh. But brandy and bag too. This was a trip, very important. Oh, he's snake fight. Correct. Oh, no snakes in Nevada territory this time of year. Why not?

Too cold. Oh, maybe brandy for other purposes like drinkies. Maybe. Oh, maybe to give a lady name Cleo to a make one. The lady named Cleo was hired me to do a job. That's all.

She wants me to find her husband. And she's playing me very well. Oh, it's you. Hey, boy. You know what you are? No, what I are. Althon Knudel. Althon Knudel? Yes. Now, carry this down to the lobby for me.

I'm ready to leave the comforts of the Carlton Hotel and head for the wiles of Nevada. Althon Knudel. Do you see speed laws and other regulations as restrictive? Or do you look upon them as protective?

When a police officer writes a summons for traffic violations, do you see him as an enemy or a friend? Your life may depend on your attitudes. Statistics clearly indicate that where laws are obeyed, deaths go down.

It's no secret that emotional immaturity is the major factor in our accident rate. How else but childish can you describe the notion that breaking a traffic regulation is a way of getting away with something?

What could be more infantile than believing one can prove his superiority by ignoring a stoplight? Unfortunately, too many drivers on the road subscribe to that kind of emotional outlook. The result is tragic. Almost 85% of all traffic accidents in America are caused by careless, childish driving.

We hope you know our traffic laws and the people who enforce them are there to help save your life. The lady named Cleo, whom I had traveled over a thousand miles to help, turned out to be a fat shrew of fifty.

And her desperate need of me was to find a husband who had understandably tried to blot out his memory of her with drink. By the time I found him, he'd done pretty well. I figured they deserved each other, so I brought him back memory and all.

But I was left in the middle of the Nevada desert, miles from the railroad. I'd been riding for a full day when I heard a strange sound in the desert's stillness, or at least a strange sound for that lonesome place.

It was a baby's cry. And then I saw the wagon. It sat alone, without horses, forlorn in the sand, no sign of life, except the sound. I dismounted and walked toward the wagon. I thought I was deserted.

Is this all right? I'll get on your horse and ride on. Are you alone here? Don't matter. A woman can't last out here by herself. Where's your man? Clear out, mister. What's that you've been digging?

Don't concern you. Is it a grave? A baby and me? I don't know what this is all about, but won't you let me help you? You can't help us none. I can try. You ain't a doctor, are you?

No, I'm not. Move on then. What's wrong with the baby? High-fought. High-fought fever. Well, maybe I couldn't. Oh, fast, mister. I just as soon as you shoot you dead is know you got a killin' fever from us.

You just can't stay out near him. I ain't got the strength to dig another grave. Has a doctor seen your baby? No. Well, then you can't be sure it's time for him. Mr. Mulroney knows.

Who? Mulroney, the wagon master. He knows the symptoms. And he just cut you loose. Left you out here to die. He said it was either the baby and me or the whole wagon train. Are they sending help?

What can they do? There's a settlement less than a day's ride from here. We'll hitch my horse to the wagon. No! They won't let us in. The wagon train's there by now. They'll know about the typhoid. They'll never let us in, not now.

Look, there's fresh water and food in my saddle bag. Enough to hold you like that bag. Where are you going? To get help. Mr. You don't have to do this. Let's just say I want to.

Pardon me, ma'am. Yes? They said at the store I'd find a doctor at this house. Yes, that's right. My name is Paladin. I'd like to speak to the doctor if I may. You are, Mr. Paladin.

You're the doctor? Dr. Phyllis Zachary. Didn't they tell you down at the store? Well, there were some looks. I guess people out here haven't got used to the idea of a woman doctor. Most of them won't even believe I am a doctor.

Are you? My diploma's inside if you care to look. Oh, no, no, I'm not the patient. Who is that? A woman and her baby. What's wrong with them? The baby might have typhoid fever. Might have?

Well, I'm not sure. Where are they? They're lying in a wagon that days ride from here. I see. That's a long ride. It's a long ride. You'll find my horse in a stable. By the time you have him saddled, I'll be ready to go.

Hmm. You're quite a woman. I'm a doctor, Mr. Paladin. Huh. What a minute. Oh. Looks like a delegation, doesn't it? Just better you too. I've got something to say. Yes, Mr. Davis? Mr. You didn't tell us those people had tie-forth fever.

No, I didn't. Who did? I did. My name is Jeremiah Mulroney. Well, now Mulroney. You don't look like a murderer. Why? You sentenced that woman and her baby to die when you left them out in the desert.

They're diseased. You've done nothing to help them? Look, Mr. Tiford's a terrible thing. It's nothing to fool around with. We don't want it here. Either touch his pitch, he'll be defiled forth with. You've consorted with the disease. The fever is upon you too.

So, uh, you'd better make tracks, mister. Wait. Mr. Davis, he's not even sure it is, Tye Foy. I'm sure. I saw it. You're not qualified to say. And who says she is. Are you going out there with this man, Mrs. Thakry?

Well, of course, Mr. Davis. I'm a doctor. All right, that's up to you. But once you mix with a fever, you're not welcome back here. And don't try bringing those fever patients back here, either.

If we have to bring them back, we will. Look, we've got folks to protect children of our own. We'll shoot you down if we have to keep them safe. They mean what they say, Mr. Pallad- So do I.

You ready to go? I'm ready. Don't turn, don't turn fast. It makes good sense. When you smoke, can't, can't, don't turn fast.

Can't stop fast. I guess perhaps I wasn't used to the idea of a woman doctor in myself. Especially when as pretty as Phil is thundering.

She rode beside me through the desert. All night without rest. All it was just after sunrise. Maybe I should have brought something for saddle swords. You want to rest? I want to get to that baby.

Yeah, shouldn't be long now. Good. You know, you should be on a velvet sati wearing a hoop skirt and fluttering your eyelash over a fan. I tried that. It was too easy. Is that why you studied medicine? This was hard?

Maybe something like that. Wasn't it tough enough, practicing back-ease? I guess I'm as much missionary as physicians. I was the second woman to graduate from my medical school. Others came after me. It was difficult for all of us, but gradually we're becoming accepted as something better than freak.

You're not accepted yet. You just got one out of town. Maybe I'm not the missionary I think I am or the doctor. Well Lucy, here's the wagon up ahead. I don't see anybody. Come on, both sleeping.

I hope that's what it is. Is there anything I can do? Just help me up there and cross your fingers. Doctor, coffee's ready. Now it's good. The food will be ready in a minute here.

Thanks. The mother suffering from exhaustion, exposure nerves, no sleep. The baby? Maybe I don't know yet. Maroonie knows all the symptoms. So do I. High fever, red spots, delirium, and a coma that leads to the crisis the baby has all of them.

Still it could be something else, but whatever it is I can't do much for her in this wilderness. You want to take them back to town? Yes. You know what that means? Yes. It's necessary, medically.

Yes. I'll hitch the horses to the wagon. Mr. Paladin. Mm-hmm. You don't have to come with me. I wouldn't miss it. Something about that maroonie's face I didn't like. Wagon right there, don't come, don't bother.

Huda! They have guns, Mr. Paladin. I'm gonna try to talk some sense into their heads here, hold the reins. Stand right there. No close it. Dr. Thackeray has examined the woman and child. The woman has no signs of typhoons.

Her child is diseased. The doctor is unsure that baby has typhoons. I am sure. That baby needs treatment. Now, Mr. Davis, you're a sensible man. Are you going to let Mulroney sentence a woman and child to death?

We'll bring what you need out here, but you ain't bringing them into town. They'll be completely isolated in the doctor's office. We can't take the chance. We're gonna protect ourselves. They're not as sick as you people.

Now you may be able to keep them out of this settlement, but you'll carry your own sickness with you wherever you go. You'll die again, every time you see a baby smile. We've got our own kids to think about.

How do your children cry when they're sick? Any different from that baby? Suppose it was your child crying like that. Would you send it to the desert to die? That would be better. Now listen to me, all of you.

I'm driving that white into the doctor's office and don't you try to stop me. If you need a doctor you know where she'll be. We won't let you do it, Paladin. We won't let you bring disease and pestilence into our midst.

I'm afraid they'll use those guns into power. Get back there with Mrs. Benson, both of your life flat. You gonna try? Go on, get back. Fine, we're through. I'll have you in your office in another minute.

CBS Radio will score another goal on New Year's Day, as most of these same stations bring you our play-by-play broadcasts of the two year-end football classics, the Orange Bowl and Cotton Bowl Games. From the Orange Bowl, CBS News Sports Experts will call the thrills in the Oklahoma Syracuse contest. Syracuse will be making its second appearance at the Orange Bowl this

year with an 8-to-1 record. Sporting a 9-to-1 record, Oklahoma will make its fourth appearance. There will be plenty of excitement at the Cotton Bowl, too, where Texas Christian will be battling it out with the Air Force Academy. The Texans have made it with an 8-to-2 this year, and the Air Force Academy is the Cinderella team of college football, with nine wins, no losses,

and one tie to date. No matter where you go, no matter what else you're doing on New Year's Here CBS Radio's on the spot broadcast of the Orange Bowl and Cotton Bowl Games. Through that night I sat on her porch and kept watching.

Seeing their torches, hearing the voice of Mulroney, haranging the townspeople, working them up. But they didn't come. And inside the doctor worked with her patients. It was after dawn when she came out to me.

Still quiet? Tony is still working on them like a witch doctor. His breakfast inside, you'd better eat something. I'll stand guard for a while. Thanks, Ms. Benson. She'll be all right after she gets some rest.

And the baby? The fever broke last night. It isn't typhoid. Not typhoid? You sure? Yes. Well, how could you be certain you've only been with her overnight? You've still doubt me, don't you, Mr. Paladin.

The symptoms are there. Symptoms can be ambiguous. Now get your breakfast, you need it. Morning, Mr. Paladin. Well, Mrs. Benson. It's nice to see you up and around. Wish I could tell you how much I'd appreciate.

Oh, no. No gratitude before breakfast. Baby's better, huh? Yes, much better. Mrs. Benson, why does Mulroney hate you so much? My husband died early on the trip. After a while, Mulroney wanted me to marry him.

Said it was God's will to care for widows. And he was the chosen messenger. I wouldn't let him near me. And the baby got sick. What is it? They're coming. Look, I'll handle him. Go inside with Mrs. Benson.

No, maybe I can help. You take care of your patients. And they have some new ones. I want to stay. All right, but stand back. That's far enough, Mulroney. This torch is the fire of truth and justice, Paladin.

We'll burn away the seeds that Clara Benson has spread among us. We'll scourge the disease from our souls and bodies and purify these homes again. The only disease is in you, Moroni. Mrs. Benson is well, and the baby is out of danger.

Lies! In the very face of judgment... Moroni, I'm giving you 15 seconds to drop that torch and call off those rifles. The flames of the just will vanish discouraged. Let the fires rage in the land of rest.

You have ten seconds. Wait! Listen, all of you. I'm typhoid Peeber. Don't believe her. I saw the child raging with fever, living with rash. You're lying. Three-day measles, Mr. Mulroney. And you left them to die because of the...

Mrs. Benson, bring the baby out. No, it's not true. You're trying to humiliate me to belittle me. You'll see. All of you. The femur is down. The rashes faded. Her eyes are bright. Look at her, Mulroney.

You can kill people with hate, but not with three-day measles. Oh, Roney. Three-day measles. Stop. Stop me. You can't fight with me. Eladon, don't be a fool. I'm going to kill you, Paladin. I'm gonna laugh at your grave!

You shoot very straight. What do you want? I guess we're wrong to listen to him. He seemed to have so much book learning.

But he was just setting us against each other. I'm glad we woke up in time. Next time you better wake up a little sooner. Dr. Thonkeri, this town hasn't been too good for you. Maybe you'd like to come along with me.

They can always hear us a good doctor in San Francisco. Oh please man. I guess we ain't been very friendly but we'll make it up to you. You forgive us and stay. Mr. Paladin for your offer.

But there are too many of those velvet settees in San Francisco. I'll stay here where I'm needed. Oh, good afternoon Mr. Paladin. Good afternoon, hey boy. You get in late last night. Sleep all day, now up I'm feeling fine.

I do indeed. You have good time with Lady Cleo? Lady Cleo? Lady will sell for you, you know. Oh, it's a matter of fact I've forgotten about her. Oh sure. I met a lady who was much more charming.

A lady doctor. Oh sure. Yeah. As a matter of fact, I've had a fine case of three day measles. Oh yeah, the three day measles. Oh sure. It's true. Oh, oh, you got dirty laundry.

You put out tonight to coin a phrase, hey boy. Oh sure. Have gun, will travel. Created by Herb Meadow and Sam Rolf is produced and directed by Norman McDonald and stars John Dana as Paladin with Ben Wright as a boy.

Tonight's story was written by Don Brinkley and adapted for radio by John Duncan Featured in the cast were Virginia Gregg, Vic Perrin, Gene Bates, and Lou Krugman. Hugh Douglas speaking. Join us again next week for Have Gun, Will Travel.