THE EDGE OF NIGHT

Episode airdate: December 28, 1962
Summary Written By: JAY TULL

ACT ONE
Scene 1
The Capice home.

Nancy Pollock is on the phone with her father Joe Pollock. She tells him that Mike asked her to stay away from the paper and Ted Grant for the rest of the day, because, to quote Mike, "the fuse is burning and he doesn't want me to be around when the lid blows off." Nancy explains that Ted called Muriel Lewis and offered to pay her the money tonight. Even though Ted professed his innocence, Mike said that the fact that Ted's willing pay indicates his guilt.
Nancy asks her father to make an excuse to Ted for Nancy's absence. She asks Joe to tell Ted that she lost a filling, is in terrible pain, and has to go to the dentist. She reminds Joe to keep his fingers crossed...they could catch Ted Grant in the trap tonight. "With my son's freedom hanging on the result, " Joe says, "I'll keep my toes crossed, too." They hang up. Nancy and Louise Capice go in for some lunch.

Scene 2
Ted Grant's office at The Monticello Herald.

Austin Johnson tries to persuade Ted to accompany him to check out a "deal". Ted declines, explaining that he's got an appointment tonight that he can't break. Austin tells him that if he's ever going to get ahead in life, he's got to put business before pleasure. "You're telling me this after what you and Toby Marshall have been through?" Ted counters. Austin insists that it's over, and again tries to get Grant to go with him to Edward's Bluff to check out the deal...a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Ted continues to back down. Austin finally admits that he needs Ted there because Austin doesn't have any money, and Ted's got that $5000. Ted tells him that the money is ear-marked for something else.
Joe Pollock enters and gives Nancy's false excuse to Ted. Austin listens intently to what Joe tells Ted. When Joe leaves, Austin watches just as intently and then looks at Ted. Austin says that he has a tip from a fellow up around Johnson City, who has something Ted might be able to use against Mike Karr... something that can be used to get Karr dis-barred. Austin suggests that Ted send Joe up there to check on it tonight. It's not too far from where they'll be in Edward's Bluff. Ted cuts him off, insisting that he can't go, but Austin retaliates by saying that this would be a good way to prove to his father that he can turn big money, too. Ted stares out the window, thinking it over, while Austin watches him.
COMMERCIAL BREAK

ACT TWO
Scene 1
The Capice home.

Nancy and Louise talk about Nancy's plans to marry Mike. Nancy thinks that it's too early to be thinking about matrimony. She says that she won't be able to set a date until they prove that Ted Grant was responsible for Julie Kurtz's murder, not her brother Lee. Louise asks what she could do to help with the wedding plans. Nancy asks Louise to be her matron-of-honor, and Louise happily accepts.

Scene 2
Ted Grant's office.

Austin Johnson continues to goad Ted into accompanying him to Edward's Bluff. Ted asks if they would be back early. Austin says yes. Ted goes to make a phone call when his father Judge Grant arrives. The judge is suprised to Austin there... especially since Ted moved in. Austin reveals that they have reached a working agreement. The judge is happy to hear that, but tells Austin to remember that everything that affects Austin's political build-up goes through him. Austin assures Judge Grant that everything has been patched up between him and Ted, and he insists that Ted work on that political build-up, too. Besides, they have a great many things planned together. Judge Grant eyes him questioningly, while Austin and Ted grin mischievously at each other.
COMMERCIAL BREAK

Harry Kramer:The first half of The Edge of Night has been brought to you by Nestle. Stay tuned for part two.

ACT THREE
Ted Grant's office.

The judge says that he's delighted that Austin wants Ted to carry the ball. If it's all right with Austin, it's all right with Judge Grant. The judge and Ted need to talk newspaper business about employee relations and the employee party set for that night. Ted tries to get out of going, but his father tells him that as publisher of the paper, he must put in an appearance. At the appropriate time during the party, Ted is to make a speech to the employees.
As the Grants are talking, Austin Johnson is skimmimg the newspaper, seemingly not listening to the Grants' conversation, but he is in fact listening to every word. As Johnson listens, he tries to incorporate the night's events into his own grand plan... to murder Ted Grant. His chance comes when the judge asks Ted if he gave Joe Pollock the key to the private elevator. Ted hesitantly says yes and adds, "that thing doesn't work half the time... it works, but it doesn't work right. You press the call button and the door opens whether the elevator is there or not."
At Austin hears Ted's comments about the elevator, his eyebrow raises as he gets an idea...
Ted continues to explain that the elevator company will have it repaired soon. Judge Grant excuses himself and Ted, as they must talk to some employees down the hall. Ted tells his father to go ahead... he'll meet him after he makes a phone call. After the judge leaves, Ted jokes to Austin, "The older they get, the more senile they get." He proceeds to the desk drawer and shows Austin the gold key to the private elevator. He has not given the key to Joe Pollock yet and will do so when he wants to... not when his father orders him to. The judge comes back looking for Ted, who, as he leaves to join his father, tells Austin that he'll try to work things out for tonight. Both Grants depart, leaving Austin alone in the room.
Austin collects his overcoat and starts for the door. Suddenly, he stops, turns, and looks at Ted's desk. Austin stops for a moment and turns to leave, but he is drawn back to the desk. He opens the drawer and takes the elevator key from Ted's desk. "Thank you, Ted. Thank you for providing me with an alibi... and my plan, " Johnson thinks to himself.
Austin Johnson leaves the office and goes to the private elevator. He presses the call button. As he waits, he silently tries to process all the information he has received and plans his task for tonight. The elevator door opens , and still deep in thought, Austin starts to step inside. At the last second, he realizes that the elevator isn't there, it's just the open shaft. He quickly steps back to safe ground. Shocked and scared, he watches as the elevator slowly ascends to him. Then a thought hits him. He looks at the key in his hand, and watches the elevator as it arrives. Austin smirks as he realizes how he will complete his task tonight. He steps into the elevator, the doors close, and it descends to the first floor.
Harry Kramer:Our story continues after this message.
COMMERCIAL BREAK

ACT FOUR
The Capice house.

Nancy is on the phone with Mike. They talk about Ted going to the company party before he goes to Muriel Lewis to hand over the money. Nancy offers to go back to the paper to see what she can find out, but Mike asks her to stay put. They hang up, and Nancy tells Louise that she has a bad feeling about tonight. She is concerned about Ted postponing the appointment with Muriel to attend the employee party. "He's got to go there. He's got to hand that money over to Muriel, " Nancy frets. "That's his own admission of guilt, and then Mike could get after him, " she explains, "otherwise, Mike won't be able to protect my brother anymore, and Chief Marceau will have to arrest him."
Louise tries to console Nancy by saying that things will go as planned. "I wish I were there right now at the Herald, " Nancy says. "I wish I knew what was on his mind right this very minute."
CUT TO TED GRANT

Pensively smoking a cigarette, Ted walks to the window. The phone rings. It's Constance Johnson. Ted tells her that Austin left already. Constance says that she wants to talk to Ted, not her husband. She then hears the front door open and close. Constance informs Ted that Austin might be home now, and she hangs up. Looking toward the hallway, she calls out, "Austin? Is that you?"
BLACKOUT
Harry Kramer:Our story continues after this message.
COMMERCIAL BREAK

ACT FIVE
The Johnson home.

Austin Johnson enters the room. He says that he's home early to look for some notes. He points out that it's "as dark as the black hole of Calcutta" in the Johnson home. Constance says she forgot to turn on the lights. Austin reveals that he must leave. He's got two to three hours more work to do... at the law library. He gets his papers. Constance tries to go with him, but he inists she can't, and he leaves. Constance watches him leave, then goes to get her coat. She turns out the lights and leaves the house, too.
COMMERCIAL BREAK

CLOSING TITLES
Harry Kramer:Tune in again Monday for The Edggge of Night-- created by Irving Vendig. This portion of The Edge of Night has been brought to you by Nestle...

Written By
IRVING VENDIG
and
JAMES GENTILE

Produced By
CHARLES FISHER

Directed By
RICHARD SANDWICK
LEONARD VALENTA
ALLEN FRISTOE

Settings By
STEPHEN SAXE

Music By
PAUL TAUBMAN

CAST

Mike Karr...
LAURENCE HUGO

Nancy Pollock...
ANN FLOOD

Ted Grant...
PAUL SPARER

Joe Pollock...
JOHN GIBSON

Austin Johnson...
LAWRENCE WEBER

Rose Pollock...
RUTH MATHESON

Lee Pollock...
RONNIE WELSH

Louise Capice...
MARY K. WELLS

Chief Marceau...
MANDEL KRAMER

Judge Grant...
HAL BURDICK

Constance Johnson...
ELIZABETH LAWRENCE

Toby Marshall...
RITA LLOYD

Muriel Lewis...
SUSIE MARTIN

Jake Becker...
SAM GREY

Oakley Reynolds...
BEN HAMMER

Edna Mae Carroll...
NANCY MARCHAND

Saleslady...
ADELE RONSON

Miss Stephanie...
FRANCINE OWENS

Technical Director
WILLIAM GUYON

Lighting Director
RALPH BETTMAN

Fashions By
SUZY PERETTE

Harry Kramer:This is Harry Kramer inviting you to join us each weekday afternoon for... The Edgggge of Night.

NOTE: Credits for this episode ran over the empty Johnson living room set, rather than the skyline title.