The Gravedigger's Spades (Mr & Mrs Arbuthnel Trump): Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar (February 17, 1950)

“The Gravedigger's Spades (Mr & Mrs Arbuthnel Trump)” is an episode of Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar, the old-time radio show, first broadcast February 17, 1950. Listen free on Stupid Potato.

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What happens

Insurance investigator Johnny Dollar is sent to North Dakota to investigate Mr. and Mrs. Trump, who have calmly written to their insurance company stating they intend to commit suicide. Upon arrival at their remote house, Johnny finds the couple seemingly happy and content, insisting they have made up their minds and have even been examined by psychiatrists who declared them mentally sound. They claim they plan to dispose of themselves as payment to the world for the beautiful life they've enjoyed.

High Bridge, North Dakota, during winter; the remote Trump house and surrounding town

Characters: Johnny Dollar, Mr. Trump, Mrs. Trump, Station Master, Taxi Driver

Listen for: A mysterious insurance case involving a couple's announced suicide plans, strange packages marked 'deadly' arriving at the house, and Johnny's attempts to understand why seemingly happy people would want to end their lives

Written from the episode itself; it never gives away the ending. Every recording is remastered for the stream: cleaned of rumble, hiss and mains hum (and the old TV whine where we found it), then levelled in two passes to steady broadcast loudness, so one show is never quieter than the next.