Dramatic Listening... The Podcast Where You Learn English By Listening To Radio Plays

~ Part 6 of a "Dangerous Assignment" old-time radio play Haroon is startled by Mitchel, but he can explain...[Photo © A and N photography/BigstockPhoto.com]  Unexpected Meet Up Steve Mitchel goes into the ruins to investigate. He goes down into the basement of an old building only to meet up with Haroon. What is Haroon up to? He looks highly suspicious! Of course, he can explain! But does Mitchel believe him? Accused Mitchel spots evidence that the oil theft was carried out through the ruins, he tells Haroon it was a pretty neat scheme. Using the word 'scheme' reveals his mistrust of Haroon. Haroon tries again to explain, but his explanation doesn't fit with Mitchel's theory. Mitchel tells Haroon he's coming back to town with him. In other words, he's under arrest. Plan B — Just In Case Plan A Didn't Work Just when you think Mitchel's got his man, something unexpected happens. Listen to find out how this really plays out. FREE PDF: Keywords & Transcript Quizlet:  Have fun learning the keywords with English-

~ Part 5 of a "Dangerous Assignment" old-time radio play See ya' on the ground, Samka!       [Photo: © 1971yes/BigstockPhoto.com]  Rivalry: We left Government Agent, Steve Mitchel, diving into the water to dodge a bullet. In this episode, he gets fished out of the water by the Saudi police. Although Lieutenant Samka saved Mitchel's life, he really doesn't trust him. That's pretty typical. We see it in police procedural stories all the time; the police don't like the FBI taking over their investigation. Here, it's not even a higher level of his own government that is "stepping on Lieutenant Samka's toes". It's another country's government agent taking over the investigation. You can understand why he would rather "keep an eye on Mitchel" than cooperate with him! Parachute Jump: Mitchel's head is pounding with pain, but there is no time to nurse it. He has to continue his investigation. He arranges a flight with Dean to the ruins, but since there’s no landing strip, he’ll have to parachute down. He finds out ho

— Part 4 of "Find 100,000 Barrels of Oil, a Dangerous Assignment radio play: I spin around and spot three gents in white robes, andjust one look at them tells me they don’t want to shake hands. [Photo: © kadmy/BigstockPhoto.com] The Lost City of Enzak Mitchel continues his investigation by accompanying Dean, the pilot who monitors the pipeline. As he flies along the pipeline looking for leaks or any sign of oil theft in the marks in the desert sand, Mitchel notices some ruins in the distance. Dean tells him that there was an archeological dig at the ruins six months ago. The team plans to come back. They left their equipment in a warehouse in Qatar. An Enterprising Gent Suspicious that there might be a connection between the archeological dig and the oil theft, Mitchel heads for the Qatar. He runs into Triflus and calls him an enterprising gent. Listen and find out everything that Triflus has his hands in. Unwelcome Guest While snooping around the warehouse, he realizes he's been spotted by a group of three A

— A "Dangerous Assignment" old-time radio play aired on NBC on May 17, 1950 "Modesty is for the unlovely."  — Sarita       [Photo © OSTILL/BigstockPhoto.com]  A Belly Dancer's Perspective Government agent, Steve Mitchel, goes to the Oasis Club to ask about Yusef and how he died. He expects the charming Sarita, a belly dancer, to know Yusef well. Yusef was captivated by her beauty, but to her, he was just one of many men who fell in love with her. She didn't talk to him about his work because that kind of thing does not interest her. Sarita is really only interested in herself. She is very narcissistic about her own beauty, and doesn't think a beautiful woman needs to be modest. Modesty, she says, is for the unlovely. An Interesting Connection She and her friend, Triflus, are able to recount the incident that ended in Yusef's death. The details don't seem to help Mitchel much in his investigation, but he is able to connect Triflus to the Five Star Oil Company that he is investigating. Logistics Back at Headqua

"The Sheik’s inspector claimed we were ten thousand barrels short." [Photo © buso23/Bigstockphoto.com] He's a rookie: When Steve Mitchel arrives in Arabia, he meets with Williams, the field manager, to hear his version of what happened. What caused the problem between the Five Star Oil Company and the Sheik? Williams’ story is the same as what Mitchel already heard when he was given this assignment. There is a discrepancy (差異) in their records — The oil company’s records and the Sheik’s records differ on how much oil the company had pumped out one day. Mitchel learns a few more details. For one thing, the checker on the pipeline is new to the job. We often call a new employee a “rookie”. So perhaps this was just a rookie mistake, a mistake made due to inexperience. Even so, Mitchel wants to carry out a thorough investigation. FREE PDF: Keywords & Transcript Quizlet:  Have fun learning the keywords with English-Chinese Flashcards and Games. DL083 Keywords on Quizlet Let’s Talk: What do you think of Willia

A "Dangerous Assignment" radio play first aired on May 17, 1950 on NBC COMMISSIONER: Get out your pith helmet, Steve. You’re leaving for Arabia on the next plane. MITCHEL: Arabia? Now look, my days as a camel jockey are over!   A Disgruntled Sheik Government agent, Steve Mitchel, is given his next assignment. It takes him to Saudi Arabia. At first, he's a little reluctant to go. He wonders why this is a government assignment. But there is an Arab leader, a Sheik, who is disgruntled (upset and unhappy) with an oil company. Keep the Sheik Happy The United States wants their relationship with Saudi Arabia to be on good terms, so if a company is having trouble, the government is ready and willing to step in and help resolve the problem. Listen and find out what the problem is. What is it that is making the Sheik disgruntled? FREE PDF: Keywords & Transcript Quizlet:  Have fun learning the keywords with English-Chinese Flashcards and Games. DL082 Keywords on Quizlet Let’s talk: If you were given this assignme

DL081: Hercule Poirot and the Case of the Careless Victim — Act 3: Scene 1 [Photo © Bigstock/Big Pants Production]POIROT: Later, when I look at his socks - one green and one brown, I am certain. The man in the room is colorblind.  Poirot points out the clues Miss Fletcher and Inspector Stevens are quite amazed at Poirot. How did he figure out that this man wasn't Mr Parrish? Over tea in the airport café, Poirot identifies the clues he had noticed along the way and explains how Kent carried out his act of deception right under their noses. A paradox Mr Parrish wasn't very consistent in his behavior. When Poirot noticed his mismatched socks, he couldn't dismiss it from his thoughts. Alongside some other clues, it was the paradox that led him to understand who he was dealing with. Poirot's problems get ironed out Solving the murder had a couple of perks for Poirot as well. Listen to see how he benefited from getting involved in this case. FREE PDF: Keywords & Transcript Quizlet:  Have fun learning the keywords

DL080: Hercule Poirot and the Case of the Careless Victim — Act 2: Scenes 5 & 6 [Photo © Bigstock/YakobchukOlena]PARRISH: Monsieur Poirot, it's been a privilege to know you. I'm only sorry I couldn't remain to see you break the case.POIROT: But you have, Monsieur.PARRISH: I beg your pardon?   Tragedy Strikes Laura never did get to see her father, and now he’s been in an accident. What a tragedy! Will she ever see him again? Is he going to be all right? Inspector Stevens heads straight for the accident scene. A Mad Rush But Poirot doesn’t. He’s miles ahead of everyone else in his analysis of the clues. He’s been ‘employing the little grey cells’ and realizes that the accident is just a clever trick to send him in the wrong direction. You might say it's a "red herring" — something that purposely distracts attention from the real issue.  A red herring is actually a salted and smoked fish. If a guy were being chased by hunting dogs, he might pull a red herring across his trail. The dogs would be confused and go a

DL079: Hercule Poirot: The Case of the Careless Victim — Act 2: Scenes 3 & 4 Photo © BigstockPhoto | ChiccoDodiFCPoirot: A foot! A small foot! This is what I feared. Come along, Johnny! Poirot and Miss Fletcher go in search of Laura Parrish. Poirot gets Johnny, the elevator man, to join the search. Why does he need Johnny? What is his real purpose in inviting Johnny along? Johnny says Poirot is wasting his time in the basement. He seems to be trying to make him give up his search. It is as I feared. But the search does pay off. What do they find? Does this lead to any more clues? In a fog When Poirot gets back to Parrish's room, he finds that Inspector Stevens didn't keep a careful eye on Mr Parrish. Stevens thinks his investigation is more important than playing bodyguard to a man who doesn't appreciate it. He admits, however, that he hasn't gotten anywhere in his investigation. His mind is cloudy; he is still in a fog. FREE PDF: Keywords & Transcript Quizlet:  Have fun learning the keywords with English-

DL078: Hercule Poirot: The Case of the Careless Victim — Act 2: Scene 1 & 2 [Photo © Bigstock/Rudall30]MAN: Don't move! I said don't move!POIROT: Have no fear, Monsieur. I will not dispute the authority of your gun.   CSI – Crime Scene Investigation: Poirot, Inspector Stevens, and Miss Fletcher all go upstairs to the room above Miss Fletcher’s room — the room where Poirot says the murder took place. No one is there. It gives them a chance to investigate the room and learn what they can about Mr. Parrish, the important man who needed a bodyguard because of death threats. Pay attention to the details they learn here from the clues. Jittery Threats: While there, they are surprised by the return of Mr. Parrish. It’s quite a relief that the murderer hasn’t carried out his threat yet, but they don’t seem very friendly with each other. The situation is tense, so maybe that explains the unfriendly atmosphere. Laura's Whereabouts: Mr Parrish is packing his things, getting ready to leave New York. Before he goes, he ex

DL077: Hercule Poirot: The Case of the Careless Victim — Act 1: Scene 4 [Photo (foreground)© Bigstock/Olly2 & Carlos A. A, Ferreira]Stevens: Hmm...They sure did a job...Thunderation!Poirot: You are shocked, Monsieur?Stevens: Poirot, do you reallze what's happened?  Police Protection Inspector Stevens arrives at the hotel already predicting who the victim and the murderer are. However, he is in for a bit of a surprise. After identifying the body, Stevens and Poirot have the dual task of arresting the murderer all the while giving police protection to an important man who has had death threats. The man they are after likes to tease the police by giving them clues. He’s out to prove he’s smart enough to get away with murder…even with the police ‘hot on his trail.’ Come Up with a Theory Well, he has outwitted the police before, but what he doesn't realise is that this time, he has Poirot after him too... and you! Maybe you can outwit this egomaniac — this crazy murderer who is so proud of himself. Do your best to

DL076: Hercule Poirot: The Case of the Careless Victim — Act 1: Scene 3 Poirot: Monsieur, would you be so good as to explain why you were so long in arriving?Johnny: Uh? Oh, it's this old car. Every once in a while it goes on the fritz.  [Photo (foreground) © Bigstock/Slavick]  A Logical Explanation Poirot wants to take the elevator down to the hotel lobby to meet Inspector Stevens of the New York police force. While waiting for the elevator, he explains to Miss Fletcher how he knows her room was not the actual crime scene — how it is that he knows the murder took place upstairs in the room one floor above hers. A Long Wait He has time to explain in detail because the elevator is a long time in coming. He tells Miss Fletcher all the clues he noticed that led him to this conclusion. Together, these clues made him suspicious that his first assessment was wrong. Sounds Suspicious Poirot asks the elevator attendant what took him so long. Although Johnny has an explanation, it sounds suspicious. It doesn't fit wit

Hercule Poirot: The Case of the Careless Victim — Act 1: Scenes 1 & 2 POIROT: Gently, gently, Mam'selle. All is not lost. Fortunately, you deal with Hercule Poirot who goes one step beyond the obvious. [Photo © CC BY Jose Camões Silva]  Apartment Hunting Hercule Poirot is the famous French-speaking detective from Belgium. As the story opens, he has just moved to New York and is looking for an apartment. He's told he'll be lucky to find one, but Poirot doesn't believe in luck. He believes in "employing the little gray cells" -- that is to say, he believes in using his brain to solve problems. While apartment hunting, he ends up helping a woman with her door. It is stuck. She cannot open it. Well, one thing leads to another, and he is soon involved in solving a murder. Agatha Christie, the author Poirot is the fictional detective created by Agatha Christie. She was fond of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's writings about Sherlock Holmes so she patterned her detective after his. There are many differences of course, but

CBS Radio Mystery Theatre — You're Better Off Guilty ~ Act 3: Scenes 4~6 Miss Evans: Maybe I meant to all along. I... I had the gun, didn't I?      [Photo © Stokkete/Bigstock.com]  Smoking Gun In a follow up visit from Miss Evans, the victim's manager, the Inspector gets his 'smoking gun' -- that is to say, he gets all the evidence he needs to arrest and charge a suspect. He didn't expect it to turn out this way, but now he's got both a confession and the murder weapon. Why confess? Sure that Ralph had killed Jill Jorras, he'd called him in for more questioning. In fact, Ralph should be arriving any minute now. The Inspector wanted to grill him with questions until he slipped up, made that fatal mistake that would give himself away. Then an unexpected visit from Miss Evans forces him to toss his old theory aside as she not only confesses, but also produces the murder weapon. Apparently, the Inspector had been 'barking up the wrong tree'. But why confess? She wasn't even a "person of interest". The inspector

CBS Radio Mystery Theatre — You're Better Off Guilty ~ Act 3: Scenes 1~3 Ralph: Are you offering me a promotion, Mr. Stratton? [Photo © Eulin/Bigstock.com] A Promotion? Really? Thanks to Bell, Ralph's new image is better fitting the public's view of what a celebrity's killer-lover should look like. His notoriety is putting Stratton & Company on the front page of newspapers. Bell understands that this is to Ralph's advantage. She does him a huge favour by hinting to Mr. Stratton that Ralph might leave the firm to find a better job elsewhere. Mr. Stratton takes the bait and offers Ralph a very unexpected promotion. Becoming Unnerved Ralph is enjoying his fame. He plays the part of a cool dude in charge of his destiny...that is, until Inspector Dorset unnerves him with the mention of the murder weapon. How will it all end? We’re getting near the end of the story. In fact, we just have one more episode after this one. Can you predict the outcome? Will Ralph finally give in to the Inspector and confess, or will so

CBS Murder Mystery Theatre ~ You're Better Off Guilty, Act 2, Scenes 4-6 ~ The Sex Symbol Ralph: A confession? You want me to confess to the um... Inspector: To the murder of Jill Jorras. Ralph: Inspector, you have no proof! Inspector: Mm, you're singing a different tune now, aren't you? [Prometeus: Bigstock Photos]  A Whole New Image Can you name off any sex symbols? That's someone who is extremely sexually attractive. They’re probably a famous person, a celebrity like an actor or singer – like Brad Pitt or Lady Gaga, and on top of their talent, they are also very good looking. In today’s episode, Ralph is at work in his office when his boss’s secretary, Miss Reimer, drops in. She helps him see his present circumstances from a whole new angle. We're about to see a big change in Ralph. We see Ralph change from a stressed out suspect to a really cool dude after his talk with Miss Reimer! The way Miss Reimer sees it, I mean the way "Belle" sees it, Jill Jorras was a celebrity and a sex symbol. By association,

~ DL071: You're Better Off Guilty, Act 2, Scene 1-3, "Two Plus Two Equals Four" ~ Reporter: Inspector, you've got to give us something for the evening news.Inspector Dorset: At this time, the department is following a certain line of investigation. Now, if you all will excuse me…[Photo © volkovslava/BigStock.com]  Put two and two together “Put two and two together” is an idiom. When we “put two and two together”, we are able to draw a conclusion from the information or evidence that we have. So why am I calling this episode "2+2=4"? Well, the inspector gets new information, puts it together with what he already knows, and “Voila!” He’s sure he’s on the right track!   FREE PDF: Keywords & Transcript Quizlet:  Have fun learning the keywords with English-Chinese Flashcards and Games. DL071 Keywords on Quizlet   Let's Talk: When you put two and two together, what do you come up with? Are you coming to the same conclusion as Inspector Dorset? Have you got a theory about this case? What do you think? Is Ralph

~ DL070: You're Better Off Guilty, Act 1, Scene 2 & 3 — A Growing Suspicion ~ Ralph: I saw this great looking sports car, this Girardi 462, and I saw someone slumped over the wheel. [Wavebreak Media: Bigstock Photo] A Growing Suspicion Ralph is involved in the Jill Joras case because he was the one who found the body. She was slumped over the steering wheel of her car. Ralph could tell she was dead, she wasn't just sleeping. Shocked, he hurried from the scene. He immediately found a police officer and reported his discovery. That makes him a witness. But his involvement stirs up suspicion in people's minds. It is not only the police inspector who begins to see Ralph as a possible suspect. Ralph kowtows to his boss Ralph's boss is worried that maybe...just maybe...Ralph did kill the young star. Just think of how that would affect his company! He could imagine clients and investors dropping him for other accounting firms. He calls Ralph into his office and tells him to just let it all blow over quickly. Ralph

~ CBS Radio Mystery Theater, You're Better Off Guilty — Act 1, Scene 1 ~ Report a Crime Ralph: Are you accusing me? Inspector: I'm just saying, "That's your story." Ralph: But it's true! [Dmytro Sidelnikov: Bigstock Photo] I'm here to report a crime Before today, Ralph's life was simple. He put in his nine-to-five at an accounting firm and took home his paycheck. Nothing too exciting ever happened...until this morning. Now, Ralph is at the police station because he needs to report a crime. He discovered a body this morning on his way to work. He didn't see the murder happen, but as the first person to find the body, it is his civic duty to report the murder. But he's finding out it's not easy. As the police inspector's questioning proceeds, Ralph gets more and more uncomfortable, more and more anxious. Why? Because he feels himself being eyeballed as a suspect!   FREE PDF: Keywords & Transcript Quizlet:  Have fun learning the keywords with English-Chinese Flashcards and Games. DL069 Keywords on Quizlet

~ CBS Radio Mystery Theater, You're Better Off Guilty — Trailer ~ Sylvia: Oh, no. Oh, you’re dangerous! Exciting! And I don’t care if you go with other women. Why, a man like you, Ralph, no one woman could be enough! [prometeus: Bigstock Photo]  An imponderable suggestion This episode is just a teaser. It’s a short trailer – you know how movies have little short movie clips to get you interested in watching that movie? That's called a trailer. Movie trailers have gotten really fast paced, especially if they are for action movies. They’re made up of the most exciting scenes of the movie. This trailer is a little different in that it is a radio play trailer. It's drama, not action, but it will give you something imponderable to try to 'wrap your brain around'. It’s a short discussion between our main character, Ralph Westfield, and his girlfriend (actually, his fiancée), Sylvia. Although they are about to get married, she Is wondering if she really knows Ralph or not. Sylvia makes a suggestion...one that Ralp