18 - 30 April 1965

	Run For Your Life Starring Ben Gazzara Homepage Paul Bryan's Journal 18 - 30 April 1965
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18 - 30 April 1965 (Never Pick Up A Stranger & This Town For Sale)

Paul has been falsely arrested for murdering the son of Pine Grove's mill owner. When Clarice Newell (Mary Ann Mobley) provided Paul with some useful information, she lost her job at the mill, but still wants to assist him.

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Return to "This Town for Sale" page or read from Paul's journal about the events of the episode below

Chronology of Events				Journal Entry

Never Pick Up a Stranger Paul rents a car, and drives north east. After a few hours driving, he picks up a young girl hitch hiking, but believing her under age, tries to return her home. She throws herself out of the car, and suffers a minor concussion. After reuniting her with grandparents, he decides to stay overnight, and is inordinately questioned by the local sheriff.				Arcallia, Sunday, April 18 Was wide awake after only a few hours sleep, so took off early this morning. After lunch in the seemingly pleasant town of Arcallia, I picked up Kathy Sloan who looked barely 16. She was clearly telling lies, so I felt a duty to return her home, and she just jumped out of the car! She didn't seem badly hurt, so I carried her to the car, and drove her to her grandparents. The local doctor judged her sound enough with a mild concussion, but I felt obligated to stay around to make sure that she was OK, and checked into the same hotel where I had lunch. Amazing hospitality from the local sheriff who hassled me no end with questions, and ended his interview by telling me to get out of town in the morning. All this definitely deserves further investigation, but for now, the sleep is descending on me full force.
Paul brings Kathy flowers, and learns that she's mostly recovered. Curious about the sheriff's treatment, he decides to stay on, and invites Kathy to dinner. She begs him to take her with her on his travels. After taking her home, Paul is beaten up by sheriff and his deputy.				,Arcallia, Monday, April 19 Bought flowers for Kathy, and was pleased to see her up and about. After returning to the hotel to pack, I kept thinking about the sheriff's curious behavior, and have decided to stay on. Rang Kathy and invited her to dinner. [ written the following day ] Sitting here in my room with my ribs taped up and feeling beyond lousy. Things started out OK last night, and I had a nice dinner with Kathy. She seemed a little mixed up for 19, but I found out more later after we parked by the river, and she told me about feeling smothered by her grandparents whose custody she's been in since her parents died when she was 14. She started coming on a little strong then, begging me to take her with me, and throwing in kisses which I wasn't quite sure were meant as persuasion or a crush. I think a little of both. I hadn't the heart to let her down, and asked her out for the next evening. Driving back to the hotel, my car was blocked by the sheriff, and his deputy did me over in a most unfriendly way, the pain I have with each small move of my taped chest a constant reminder. I'm going down to the local prosecutor, and making a charge soon as I learn to breathe without pain.
The doctor who treated Kathy tapes Paul's ribs, and assumes that he'd want to leave town. Paul reports the assault to the local prosecutor who says he'd sooner believe the sheriff than a stranger, and dismisses Paul's complaint. Later Kathy is approached by the sheriff, and offered a large sum to file an attempted assault charge against Paul. The two go out again that evening.				,Arcallia, Tuesday, April 20 Once I felt I could move around like a person again, went to the town prosecutor to file an assault complaint against the sheriff and his deputy. The prosecutor acted very professional, but when I told him about last night, he had an “oh, not the sheriff again” look in his eye, and took me straight over to Trimble's office to confront him. But that was the end of cooperation or good law, as when the sheriff said that he and the deputy were nowhere near the scene of the crime, Wagner turned to me and said that when he had to weigh the word of a stranger against two men he knew over 20 years, with no facts on either side, he had to dismiss my claim. When the prosecutor left I asked Trimble and his deputy just why they wanted me out of town, but the silence made the mystery even more tantalizing. Really have to get to the bottom of this. That evening Kathy and I had an early meal at the hotel, and then she asked me to take her for another drive. Thought I could have written the scenario word perfect, but she threw me for a loop. After asking a number of pointed questions about who I knew in the town, and why Sheriff Trimble might want me to leave, she said that, that very afternoon, the sheriff had given her $2,000 in cash to sign a complaint tomorrow morning that I'd attempted to assault her on our date tonight. The first thought that went through my mind was how much Kathy wanted me to take her away with me, and how she could use Trimble's idea to her own double advantage. Such suspicions had been heightened by the fact that she'd just instructed me to drive down a dark, lonely stretch of road, announced to be 18 miles long. So I asked her whether she intended to carry out the mission. She laughed uproariously, and that didn't make me feel a lot more secure until she said that she loved me and would never do anything to harm me. I asked her why we were driving down this lonely road, and Kathy advised, because it would take us to a bowling alley. She wanted to know what I thought she should do about the sheriff, and with ribs aching, I was more than inclined to make something out of the opportunity. Kathy kept asking me why I had such a strange bowling stance, and I said I'd learned the style from a master. Didn't tell her it was to avoid pinching my ribs. But while I'd thought that bowling was the last thing I'd be able to do with my sore ribs, was amazed that I had only occasional winces of pain Anyhow, we made ourselves visible at the bowling alley from 8:30 to midnight, and I brought Kathy swiftly home afterwards. Her grandfather had just come in from a lodge meeting, so that was all the better. Now we wait and see what happens.
Paul is just finishing his breakfast when Sheriff Trimble presents him with a warrant signed by Kathy, stating that an attempted assault took place outside her home at 9 pm the previous evening. Trimble says that, for her best interests, he won't serve it if Paul simply leaves town. Paul refuses, and is arraigned in court. A date is about to be set for his trial when he offers the judge a possibility to have the case dismissed by the testimony of a witness. The manager of the bowling alley states that Paul and Kathy were in his premises from 8:30 to midnight, and that Kathy had had a dizzy spell in the middle of the evening that was witnessed by all other concerned patrons. The judge dismisses the case, and angrily calls in Trimble and prosecutor Wagner, wanting to know why Kathy set the sheriff up, and telling him that the matter would have to be kept quiet to protect their political party, and hope for the best. The judge also declares that Trimble will not be included on the party ticket at the next election.				,Arcallia, Wednesday, April 21 Was just finishing breakfast when Sheriff Trimble came and sat down beside me. So I made an attempt to get up and leave, but he pulled me back and said that Kathy had signed a warrant for attempted assault. I feigned disbelief, but shocked him when I simply got up and accompanied him to his office. Amazingly, no police brutality. They held the arraignment in the afternoon, and I whisked out my star witness who identified Kathy from a photo, and said that he and a dozen others could state that she and I were in his establishment from 8:30 to midnight. He even mentioned her fainting spell for good measure, and clearly placed both of us elsewhere at the time and place of the alleged assault. The case was dismissed, and the judge looked like he was going to eat Trimble alive even before he got him to his chambers. Rang Kathy to tell her the good news, and said that it was very likely that she would be able to keep her new-found wealth. She offered to take me to dinner, but I begged off, finally telling her about the real assault the other night, and saying that I wanted to get a good rest before starting a long drive tomorrow. Needless to say, the call went on and on, but at least I was lying down.
When Paul sees no mention of his prosecution and dismissal in the morning paper, he goes to the newspaper office to ask the editor about it. As he is told that the man is home sick, Paul spots the photo of someone he knows on the wall, identified by a staff member as the paper's owner. All questions are immediately answered, and Paul drives out to the man's house. But the deputy has been tailing him, and reports Paul's movements to Trimble, who is waiting at the house when he arrives, threatening to break a bone in Paul's body for every year the sheriff had spent building up the career that was now gone. Though he even tries to drown Paul, eventually, it is Trimble lying on the ground.				,Arcallia, Thursday, April 22 Just about to check out of the hotel, I picked up the Arcallia Bulletin from the desk, and had a look through to see what they'd say about the court proceedings yesterday. But there wasn't a word about the case, so I went over to the newspaper to see the editor. When I got there, all the answers to the mystery appeared, like a row of cherries in a slot machine or tumblers clicking in a complex lock. There on the wall was a photo of Trimble and a man who had once been my client. When I asked a staffer who the man was, he said it was the owner and editor of the newspaper, someone I had believed dead in a light plane crash five years ago. I got directions to his house to go and confront him, but Trimble was already there when I arrived. He made some pretty hideous threats about what he'd do to me for ruining his career, and with my ribs taped, I had little hope of being able to defend myself, much less get the better of this bully. And at first, I didn't seem to have any strength at all, and Trimble ducked my head under water without my being able to raise it out. Maybe it was the horrible sensation of drowning that sourced some inner power, but I managed to get out of that situation, and recover enough to overcome him. Whether it was all the college boxing training or the years of judo and karate to keep fit despite my sedentary work, the entire lot were necessary. When I had Trimble on the ground, we both got a surprise. He had no idea why he had risked so much to get me out of town. But what satisfaction when I told him to get up and arrest the friend who had faked his death, and cashed in on a big double indemnity policy while getting out of all his many debts. More bruises and bumps, but a tremendous sense of satisfaction solving the mystery, and my puffy face gave me an excuse for not taking Kathy out, but I gave in to dinner at her grandparents'.
Paul departs Arcallia, and heads north east.				Soft Shelter, Friday, April 23 Took it easy in the morning, and headed for the road after lunch. Kathy declared that she loved me, but I tried to use that for her good, and told her to go ahead with her grandparents' plans for college. I said that if she did, I would write to her every month for the rest of my life. Feeling more refreshed than I'd have guessed, I spent most of the day driving until seeing a road sign with the appealing name Soft Shelter. Instead of being just one more place like any other, it's a most picturesque haven. The lady who ran the local guest house turned out to be Sicilian, and I revelled in the dinner she served - Caponata (with artichokes, no less), Maccu soup just like my mother made, and an infinitely tender vitello alla marsala. Then Mrs. Kelly topped herself with a rum flavored Cassata, and I spent the evening having an amenable conversation with the Kellys and other guests, all made to feel like visiting family members. My face has even gone back into shape, and I feel ready for another challenge of the road.
This Town for Sale After a long day of driving Paul has a breakdown, and goes into a bar to phone for a garage. He has an altercation with the son of the town's leading employer, and then leaves.				Pine Grove, Saturday, April 24 Sitting here in a garage after midnight waiting to see if they can fix my car. Double time and a half to get it running for tomorrow afternoon, but at least there's a hotel a few doors down. People have been quite friendly all day, and then I drive into this place ….. it's called Pine Grove, the mechanic says …. and, maybe because it's Saturday night - or I'm tired from driving all day - had an encounter with a kid who has a lot of manners to learn. Give me California!
Paul picks up his repaired car at Harry's Garage, and drives a short distance before stopping at an appealing location.				Moon Lake, Sunday, April 25 Slept late, and picked up the car, as promised, ready to go at 11.30 am. After driving a couple hours, came across a beautiful lake, and decided to stop. Even got in a couple hours fishing, and joined other guests at the lodge barbecuing their catch.
Following an inquest,the Pine Grove Chief of Police issues a warrant to pick up Paul Bryan for murdering Ned Loomis.				Morganstown, Monday, April 26 Got in several hours driving before being stopped by a patrolman, to be told that I would be picked up in the morning by the Pine Grove Chief of Police.
Chief Holland brings Paul back to Pine Grove where he is introduced to his lawyer. The prosecutor says they're going for a charge of second degree murder. Paul is arraigned and freed on bail, then goes around the town asking questions. The once friendly bartender who suddenly recalled that Paul left his place at 1 am is cold, but the girl Paul danced with tells him there's a rumor going around that Ned Loomis' father threatened to close down the mill which employs most of the citizens, if the Chief didn't find his son's killer.				Pine Grove, Tuesday, April 27 Now find myself back in Pine Grove with a murder charge hanging over me. Talk about Kafkaesque, I am supposed to have killed the kid who spilled his drink on me Saturday night. A local lawyer was able to get me out on bail, and I went to the bartender - who was so friendly the other night - and asked him how it was he testified at my preliminary hearing this afternoon, that he remembered exactly when I left the bar, whereas yesterday, he stated that he had no recollection. However, Clarice, the girl I danced with on Saturday was also in the bar, and told me there's a rumor going around that the owner of the local mill - who directly or indirectly is responsible for just about every job in town - told Chief Holland that, if the police didn't find the man who killed his son, he would shut down the Pine Grove Paper Mill. So there I was - the stranger who is a handy scapegoat. This certainly is not like the little scheme Kathy and I cooked up last week. This is the real thing, and I could get a long sentence. Just when I was getting to feel like there could be some good times ahead of me - the racing team with Pete - my future is even bleaker than the day I came out of Dr. Franzen's office. I've got to find some way to get out of this - and fast. Of course, there is absolutely no evidence against me, and I should be able to get off anywhere, but not in this town. However, whatever happens, it's going to take weeks and weeks off that minimum nine months.
Chief Holland openly admits that the rumor is true, and says that Paul will easily get off the charge by requesting a change of venue. Paul takes Clarice (who has lost her job at the mill for spreading the rumor) to dinner, but though she tries to get a friend to help him, they are unsuccessful in finding new evidence to prove Paul's innocence.				Pine Grove, Wednesday, April 28 Confronted Chief Holland with the rumor Clarice told me about, and he admitted it was true that Loomis had made the threat. The Chief said that I shouldn't be found guilty in another jurisdiction, and he'd even help me to have the trial venue changed. I went to the factory, and tried to speak to Mary Ellison who was the victim's date on Saturday night, but she absolutely refused to talk to me. Same with just about everyone else in town. As a thanks for her tip and her support, I took Clarice out to dinner, and she informed me that she'd been fired for telling me about the rumor. I felt awful, but she said the push might offer her the impetus she'd been needing to leave Pine Grove. Asked her about Chief Holland, and she assured me that he was a most straight and honorable man. After dinner we went over to Mary Ellison's house, but even with Clarice's help, Mary refused to speak to me, seeming almost frightened. Clarice said she'd go back and talk with Mary, to see if she could get any more info from her friend. There is something very strange going on here. Except for Clarice, everyone in town genuinely appears to believe I'm guilty. And then there is Chief Holland. The man who got me arrested, and yet I sense that he knows I didn't do it. What makes him different from the rest? I keep turning this whole thing over and over in my mind.
Lawyer Joe Farrell has been able to arrange an alternate venue for his trial in 12 weeks, but Paul turns it down. Chief Holland admits to having attempted to arrest the victim the night of his death, but warns Paul that if he doesn't take the alternate trial date, he'll be digging his own grave. That night he comes to Paul's room in a drunken state. Paul accuses him of being Ned Loomis' killer. He tells the Chief that he can't wait 14 weeks for a trial as it might represent 20% of the rest of his life. The Chief departs, telling Paul, “I am not your keeper.”				Pine Grove, Thursday, April 29 Clarice rang me this morning, saying that she did come up with something from her talk with Mary last night. When the Chief rescued Mary from the ground after Neddie was trying to overwhelm her, she heard him say that he was going to arrest Ned Loomis, but then, when he came into the bar, as in his inquest testimony, he told their table that he'd made him walk home. My lawyer came over then, and said that he was able to get another venue for the trial. 100% sure I'd get off, but it's not for 12 weeks. I turned it down flat. But it's all starting to sink in. It was Chief Holland who killed Ned Loomis, and that's why he's pushing me so hard to have the trial moved. If I'm tried in Pine Grove, he'll be responsible for putting an innocent man behind bars, but knows I'll go free anywhere else for insufficient evidence. He called me in, trying to persuade me to take the alternate venue, and when I told him that I couldn't afford to wait around three months, that threw him completely. I brought up his threatening to arrest Ned Loomis last Saturday, and asked him why he didn't put that fact in the inquest record. Holland said it was because he'd changed his mind, and it was irrelevant. I spent a lot of time, trying to figure out what to do at the hearing tomorrow, and quite late, Chief Holland knocked on my door. He'd been drinking, and I remembered from what Clarice said, that he never drank. He even had a bottle in his pocket. The Chief kept on pressing me to accept the change of venue, saying again that I'd go free in any other jurisdiction, but hadn't a chance in Pine Grove. I tried to tell him that I knew it was an accident, but when he pretended my meaning was to say that I killed Ned Loomis unintentionally, I accused him straight out. He got cocky then, and said I had only myself to blame if the worst happened, implying that I could spare a mere three months to keep him in good standing. That was too much, and I told him that three months could be 20% of all the time I have left. He took it for bluffing, and stalked out, again saying that I have only myself to blame, and that he wasn't my keeper. It was a traumatic encounter on top of what I'm already facing here in Pine Grove, and left me in shreds the rest of the night.
In court Paul represents himself, and withdraws his application for a change of venue - constantly staring at Chief Holland. The trial is set for Pine Grove in 14 days. Soon as the judge's announcement is made, Paul asks for his application for a change of venue to be re-instated, and an irritated judge adjourns the hearing - the new trial date to be set by another court. Paul continues to stare at Chief Holland who finally stands and confesses to killing Ned Loomis.				Pine Grove - Miami, Friday, April 30 I went to court this morning with one hope - that Chief Holland was indeed the honorable man Clarice said he was, and didn't miss a moment to make strong eye contact with him, staring as deeply into that place where is conscience must lie. To never let him forget for a minute what I told the Chief last night, I represented myself, and threw around some legal theatrics by first retracting my petition for a change of venue, and then, after the judge set my trial for May 14, asking that the application be reinstated. All giving Holland a little more time to think about what he was doing. Ran out of rope then, and the irritated judge adjourned the case to another court. Kept looking at Holland anyway, and just before the judge rose to leave, the Chief told him that he wanted to make a statement. Of course, the judge told him that the case was no longer in his jurisdiction, but the Chief then blurted out that it was he who killed Neddie Loomis. The judge then decided to let him take the stand, and Chief Holland said that he hit Loomis in the act of making an arrest, and while he didn't hold himself criminally responsible for that deed, he did hold himself criminally responsible for what was done to me. I accepted his apology with relief, and told him that, as he'd suggested, I'd been bluffing the night before, but could see in his eyes that he didn't believe me. Clarice was waiting outside to congratulate me, and said that she was on her way to California. I told her that I could give her a ride, but was going in the opposite direction, and she said why not. But when I took her home to pick up the things she'd packed, waiting for her was 6'3” of blond baseball player just arrived on leave from Viet Nam. Needless to say, I left Pine Grove alone, but kept Clarice's address there so that we could keep in touch about what happened to Chief Holland. Having decided that I'd had enough of small-town America, left my rental car at the nearest airport, and made connections for a flight to Miami. Rang June, and she said that she'd pick me up at the hotel tomorrow.

1 - 27 May 1965 (Journey into Yesterday)