The police reporter.
The police reporter.
The police reporter.
Police reporter brings you a strange story that reads like fiction.
Nevertheless it is true in every detail.
About fifteen years ago a middle-aged man named Michael D'Atenier walked into the
offices of the largest insurance company in Budapest.
He refused to state his business to the clerk and insisted on seeing the manager.
How do you do sir?
Are you the manager? Yes but I'm much too busy to talk to policyholders who have
no special business with me. But I have business with you.
Business which may save you a lot of money if you listen. Well of course that's
that's quite different. Sit down. Thank you.
Now what is it? My name is Michael D'Atenier and I'm insured with your company for
approximately twenty five thousand dollars. That's quite a considerable amount sir.
Yes and mine is a double indemnity policy. I see. One of our policies which pays
double indemnity for a natural debt. Is that it? Yes. Well what is it you want sir?
I want you to give me twelve thousand dollars and take back your policy. You want to...
Do you mind saying that again? I want to sell this policy back to you for
twelve thousand dollars. Well now I don't see how that's possible Mr. D'Atenier.
No not when I'm offering you a good business proposition. Even if it were a
good business proposition I I could not accept it. It's against the rules. Then I'd
advise you to change the rules because that policy is all I have in the world
and my family are going to collect on it. You mean if we don't give you the
twelve thousand dollars you'll commit suicide? Certainly not. Do I look simple
minded? My family receives nothing on this policy if I commit suicide. I'm glad
you understand that. That's quite correct. But if I die an unnatural death they
collect fifty thousand dollars. That's correct too isn't it? It is. Then unless
you give me the money I've asked for I'm going to die an unnatural death and
you'll be the loser by thirty eight thousand dollars. My dear sir how can
anyone deliberately set out to die an unnatural death? It's impossible. How do
you propose doing it? That's my business. Now do I get the twelve thousand dollars
or don't I? As I've told you before your proposition is absolutely against our
rules. We can do nothing for you. Then you won't even consider it? I'm sorry most
emphatically not. That's all I have to say then. At least I've warned you. And
you may believe me sir we'll heed your warning and when your death is reported
if it is we shall investigate thoroughly and see if there's anything at all
suspicious and if it looks like fraud in the least way your heirs will have
difficulty in collecting. When my death is reported rest assured there'll be no
doubt in your mind about its being unnatural. My good man you can't bluff
this company into paying. Bluff? You'll find this is no bluff. Watch the papers
for the next few days and don't forget my name it's Michael D'Etenier. Good day sir.
The next evening in a gay cafe we find Michael sitting with a companion a
wealthy man about town. The friend is slightly drunk. And would you believe it
he was found the next morning lying in a pool of his own blood. Oh will you please
stop talking about death. That's all you've done since we met tonight. Why
should I? Because it's not a subject to keep harping on all the time. Well what's
the matter aren't you insured? Yes certainly I'm insured for fifty thousand
dollars. No. Yes sir with one of the best companies too. Which one? The the Central
Europe Life Insurance Company. Well well that's the same one I'm insured with.
Really? What what does that make us? Brothers in death my friend. Oh you make
me sick with your death death death. I'm going home. You don't like my company?
Not tonight Michael I don't know. I came out to enjoy myself to spend a pleasant
evening and all I've heard from you is death and insurance. No no Henry don't run
away. Well you you promise you won't talk about it anymore hmm? Alright I promise
if you'll stay. You mind if I talk about insurance? Well you must you must. It's not as
gruesome as the other anyhow. Go ahead. How would you like to have your wife
collect your fifty thousand dollars insurance right now? No not a chance not
a chance. No I'm I'm not sick you know I expect to live I expect to live for a
long time yet. Well how do you know I'm not going to kill you? I don't know but
but if you did my my wife would collect one hundred thousand dollars. Oh so you've
got a double indemnity clause for unnatural death in your policy too? Yes sir.
I'm going to do you a favor I'm going to kill you. Oh don't don't do me those kind
of favors. And incidentally do myself a favor because then I'll hang and my wife
will get double indemnity too. Really won't that be nice? I think so. She's a
little fairer ain't she? I'm going home. No you're not you're not going home
tonight. But my wife will be awful mad if I don't go home. I gotta go yeah. No you're
not. You can't stop me. Yes I can. How? I'm going to kill you. My I'm sick and tired
listening to your foolishness. You wouldn't do anything. This isn't foolishness and you've heard the last
you're going to hear in this life. Put that gun down you fool. Put that gun down.
He can't. So long my friend. You can't. I'll be seeing you soon. Don't do anything like that.
Michael Duttenni was arrested immediately and later in his cell a visitor is brought in to see him.
It's the manager of the insurance company. Mr. Duttenni you remember me don't you? Yes of course,
you're the manager of the insurance company. Yes yes I want to help you help me? How can you help
me? I want to get you a good lawyer. No you don't I'll defend my own case. They'll hang you if
I hope they do.
You mean you want to hang?
Not particularly, but it's better than being, going on, living without hope or money.
Come, come now.
Let me get you a good lawyer.
We may be able to free you of this charge.
How can I be freed?
I shot a man in cold blood.
Shot and killed him in front of a hundred witnesses.
Good lawyer can always find a way, you know.
He may be able to save me from the gallows,
but supposing I should draw a life sentence?
Even a life sentence would be better than death, wouldn't it?
Not for me it wouldn't.
Then you won't accept my offer?
I made you an offer once, remember?
You turned my offer down, and now I'm refusing yours.
You're doing a very foolish thing.
It's very kind of you to want to help me, but I'd rather you wouldn't.
If I die, at least I leave my family provided for,
since your company will have to pay them $50,000.
So, all this is just a scheme to cheat us?
I'd hardly call it that.
After all, I'll be able to cheat your company only once this way.
You'll not succeed, not even this once.
You've already cost us $100,000 with your murder,
and if the jury brings in a hanging verdict,
it'll cost us another $50,000.
It's too late to cry now.
I didn't think you'd do anything as rash as all this.
Well, it's done. Now get out of here and leave me alone.
You're not hanged yet.
But I will be.
You think so, do you?
Yes.
Don't be so sure of yourself.
If everything else fails,
we may be able to do something with the judge or the prosecutor.
You mean, bribe them to influence the jury
so that they'll imprison me for life?
Such things have been done.
I shall remember that at my trial.
A few weeks later,
Michael Detenia stood trial for the murder of his companion.
And you offer absolutely no defense for this terrible deed?
No, sir.
You mean that you killed your friend without reason or excuse?
Yes, sir.
Your worship, this man is insane.
No, I'm not your worship. I'm perfectly sane.
If you don't believe it, let your experts examine me.
Then you must have been drunk.
I wasn't drunk. I knew exactly what I was doing.
But there must be some extenuating circumstances.
There was nothing of the kind.
We were sitting at a table in the cafe
when I pulled my revolver and shot him.
On the spur of the moment.
No, no!
I fully intended to kill him when I made the engagement
to go out with him.
And you had absolutely no motive?
No, sir.
Oh, such an act is unheard of.
Mr. Prosecutor.
Yes, your worship.
Are you trying to defend the prisoner or prosecute him?
Your worship, how can I possibly prosecute this man
when he refuses to defend himself?
It's an unusual case, Mr. Prosecutor.
And I can only warn the defendant
that he is doing nothing to help himself.
But I am, your worship.
I'm doing everything I possibly can.
As nearly as I can see,
you're doing your utmost to put your head in the noose.
Yes, your worship.
But why?
I don't want to live.
Life holds nothing for me.
So you want to die, huh?
Yes, I do.
Do you think I have no heart or conscience?
Don't you think I'm sorry for what I've done?
Oh, why do you have to torture me?
Can't you let me pay my full debt to society
and be done with it?
If you're so anxious to die,
why haven't you committed suicide?
It didn't suit my purpose.
And shall I tell this court why it didn't suit your purpose?
Because if you had committed suicide,
your family couldn't collect on your insurance policy.
Since you're so anxious to tell the court the why of everything,
perhaps they'd be interested in hearing why
you so persistently refused to prosecute me.
I object, your worship.
It's because the insurance company
has made it worth your while not to.
Gentlemen, gentlemen,
I consider these matters entirely irrelevant
to the case in hand.
I'm sorry, your worship.
Proceed, Mr. Prosecutor.
Will the clerk please read the prisoner's last relevant answer?
I don't want to live.
My life holds nothing for me.
Well, Detainee, since you object to the vigor of my attack,
I'll attempt to make it more to your liking.
Thank you.
You just mentioned that you don't want to live.
Perhaps your victim wasn't as willing to die as you are.
He wasn't. He wanted to live.
And you shot him down in cold blood.
Yes.
You coldly, calmly planned the murder of your friend,
then carried the plan into execution.
You've admitted no motive, no reason for this act,
but you say you're sorry and you want to die.
I sincerely hope the gentlemen of the jury
will grant your wish.
That is all.
Michael Detainee thanked the jury for a hanging verdict,
smiled when the judge sentenced him,
and was extremely happy when the hangman prepared him for the gallows.
Needless to say, Michael's family collected double indemnity.
You have just heard another dramatization by the police reporter.
Watch for his next story from this station.
This is a radio release production.