Adventures in Odyssey

Chris: Hi, this is Chris. Welcome to Adventures in Odyssey.

John Avery Whittaker: Hi there. I'm John Avery Whittaker, but you can call me Whit. I run a shop in Odyssey called Whit's End. It's a place of discovery, imagination, and excitement. But don't take my word for it. You can find out for yourself on today's Adventures in Odyssey.

Rodney Rathbone: Rats!

Lucy: Say cheese, Den. Cheese.

Rodney Rathbone: Tall, dark-headed, sneery voice, kind of reptilian looking, you know.

Harlow Doyle: Say, you wouldn't happen to have a couple of quarters on you, would you?

Lucy: Now what's going on?

Chris: Now on the Adventures in Odyssey Club, it's another Knox on.

Narrator: The tale of the coin.

Denver: Hey, look what I got.

Lucy: Oh, that's a beautiful coin. Is it a stater?

Denver: It is. I found it at the temple.

Lucy: I'm not one to get carried away by emotion, right?

Rodney Rathbone: Yes, but, sweet.

Lucy: We're being called on to take a leap of faith here.

Rodney Rathbone: We all rush in together, each one takes something and then rush out together. Any questions?

Denver: Just one. Why are we doing this?

Chris: Listen now, on the Adventures in Odyssey Club.

Rodney Rathbone: Somebody at Whit's End stole my camera.

Harlow Doyle: Ooh, that's pretty serious. Do you know who it was?

Rodney Rathbone: Well, I, no, that's why I came to you.

Harlow Doyle: And it's a good thing you did too. Now, let me rewind my micro-cassette recorder and you can tell me all about it. The case I mean, not the cassette recorder.

Rodney Rathbone: Look, are you sure you're a private investigator?

Harlow Doyle: Am I sure? Am I sure? Am I sure? Wait a minute. Ha, of course I'm sure! See my diploma? Right here. Graduated at the top of my class from the private eye correspondence course at Wachihachie Normal with honors in fingerprinting and shadowing. Want to see a rabbit?

Rodney Rathbone: How many cases have you had here in Odyssey?

Harlow Doyle: One.

Rodney Rathbone: One?

Harlow Doyle: Two, if you count finding a letter to my mother.

Harlow Doyle: Okay, the recorder's all set up. Now, tell me, in your own words, mind you, what happened?

Rodney Rathbone: Well, there's not much to tell.

Harlow Doyle: Good. Then we won't run out of tape.

Rodney Rathbone: It started when I took Denver to Whit's End.

Harlow Doyle: You took a whole city to Whit's End?

Rodney Rathbone: No, Denver's a friend of mine. I took him to Whit's End to enter him in the upcoming Bible Bowl. I set my camera down for a couple minutes to sign Denver up, and when I went back to where I left it, gone.

Harlow Doyle: Denver?

Rodney Rathbone: No, my camera.

Harlow Doyle: What happened to Denver?

Rodney Rathbone: I don't know, I guess he stuck around.

Harlow Doyle: Around your camera?

Rodney Rathbone: No, around Whit's End.

Harlow Doyle: Aha, now we're really getting some place. Let's review the facts.

Rodney Rathbone: Do we have time for that?

Harlow Doyle: There's always time to review the facts, young man. Besides, I want to see how my nifty new cassette recorder works.

Rodney Rathbone: Oh man.

Harlow Doyle: There we go. All rewound. Let's see what we've got. Boom, boom, diddy, daddy, wot, 'em, choo. Must have pushed the wrong button. Got the music station.

Rodney Rathbone: Look, Mr. Pi.

Harlow Doyle: That's Doyle Pi, if you don't— Doyle, P.I.

Rodney Rathbone: Whatever. Do you think you can find my camera?

Harlow Doyle: Are you kidding?

Rodney Rathbone: Then you can?

Harlow Doyle: Are you kidding? With these skimpy facts? But, never let it be said that Harlow Doyle, Private Eye, walked away from a difficult case. I have, but never let it be said.

Rodney Rathbone: So, you'll take this one?

Harlow Doyle: As a champion of the oppressed, a defender of the underdog, and a private eye with no other cases on his slate, how can I refuse?

Rodney Rathbone: Great. So, what are you going to do first? Go to Whit's End?

Harlow Doyle: That's just what the thief would expect me to do. Of course, he knows that I know that he's expecting me to, but then again, I know that he knows that I know that he knows that— What was the question?

Rodney Rathbone: What are you going to do first?

Harlow Doyle: Oh, go to Whit's End, of course.

Lucy: Yes, Rodney and Denver were both here this morning.

Harlow Doyle: And where were you, Miss Schultz?

Lucy: Upstairs in Mr. Whittaker's office.

Harlow Doyle: Now, you're not an employee here at Whit's End, are you?

Lucy: No, but I'm coordinating the Bible Bowl. So Mr. Whittaker let me use his office to go over the questions.

Harlow Doyle: I see. And where was Whit?

Lucy: He was gone.

Harlow Doyle: Gone? Leapin' Lord Rollers! First it was theft, now kidnapping!

Lucy: No. Mr. Whittaker is out of town. That's why he put me in charge of the bowl.

Harlow Doyle: I see. Well, now, about this bowl business. How do you get the Bible to roll down the alley?

Lucy: It's not a bowl as in bowling alley. It's a contest to help the kids study the Bible. We have it every year. And like I said, I was going over the questions for it when Rodney and Denver came in.

Lucy: John 14:6, Jesus answered, I am the blank.

Rodney Rathbone: Make way for the new Bible Bowl champ, my friend Denver Thorp!

Denver: That's me.

Lucy: What in the world?

Rodney Rathbone: Hey, Lucy.

Lucy: Rodney, what are you doing in here?

Rodney Rathbone: Hey, hey, relax. I just wanted to introduce you to the next Bible Bowl champ. That's all. Strike a pose.

Lucy: Who? Denver?

Rodney Rathbone: Right the first time. Say cheese, Den.

Denver: Cheese.

Lucy: Does this mean you want to sign up, Denver?

Denver: Yeah.

Lucy: Why?

Denver: Why?

Lucy: Yeah, why?

Rodney Rathbone: Does everything have to have a reason for you, Lucy? It just so happens that Denver is entering this contest because of his love of healthy competition and his quest for knowledge.

Lucy: Is that true, Denver?

Denver: Sure. Well, them and the two season passes to Water World at Trickle Lake for the winner.

Rodney Rathbone: Look, Lucy, the contest is open to everybody, isn't it?

Lucy: Well, yes, but—

Rodney Rathbone: Well, that's all I wanted to hear. Smile, Denver, this one's for the Odyssey Times.

Lucy: Denver, do you really want to be in the Bible Bowl?

Denver: Absolutely.

Lucy: Okay, come on downstairs and let's get you signed up.

Lucy: And that's it. I signed Denver up and told him which books of the Bible to study.

Harlow Doyle: Books of the Bible?

Lucy: Yes. I put the books the questions are taken from on a list. All of the contestants get one.

Harlow Doyle: I see. Then what happened?

Lucy: Well, the next thing I know, Rodney starts yelling that his camera is stolen. He said he left it upstairs, and when he went back to get it, it was gone.

Harlow Doyle: What did you do?

Lucy: Searched the place thoroughly. Then we called the police. And they searched the place thoroughly. But we couldn't find even a trace of it.

Harlow Doyle: Do you remember who was in the building at the time?

Lucy: All the regulars. It was pretty crowded. I sure don't want to believe anyone of them would steal the camera.

Harlow Doyle: I don't want to believe it either. But we live in a cruel, cruel world, Miss Schultz.

Harlow Doyle: You got a Kleenex? And by the way, where were you when the camera was taken?

Lucy: I told you. I was down here with Denver.

Harlow Doyle: Oh yeah. Well, I think that just about wraps it up for now. If you can try to recall who was around during the theft, Miss Schultz, it would help out a lot.

Lucy: I'll try.

Harlow Doyle: Thanks. Meanwhile, I've got a few other stops to make.

Harlow Doyle: Miss Turner, Harlow Doyle, Private Eye here again. After I left Whit's End, I talked with the police who confirmed Lucy's story. They felt that finding Rodney's camera is next to hopeless and suggested that I go home. But they don't realize that hopeless is my home. And that I've got one or two tricks up my sleeve. Either that or the laundry put starch in my shirts again. I am now entering Clemons' Cameras, a photographic shoppe. I thought I'd see if someone turned in the ill-booten gotte. Or is that ill-gotten booty? Look it up, please. Wish me luck.

Harlow Doyle: Excuse me, my name is—

Mr. Clemons: Welcome to Clemons' Cameras. If you want a camera, and even if you don't, you've come to the right place. We've got all kinds: Polaroids, Instamatics, Wee Kos, No Likas, Minoltas, pop-ups, pop-downs. Film cameras, video cameras, cameras that fit in the palm of your hand, and cameras too big for mortal man to move. Ansell Clemons, Preparatory at your service.

Harlow Doyle: Yes, Harlow Doyle, Private Investigator.

Mr. Clemons: Oh, a P.I. Always nice to run into one of you boys. Got a great deal on this handy-dandy six to the 48th power telephoto lens.

Harlow Doyle: Now look, Mr. Clemons, I didn't come in here to buy anything.

Mr. Clemons: You didn't? Well, goodbye.

Harlow Doyle: Sir, I came in for some information. Has anyone turned a camera in lately?

Mr. Clemons: Turned one in?

Harlow Doyle: You know, to pawn or to sell, a 35 millimeter with a zoom lens and a built-in flash.

Mr. Clemons: No, can't say as anyone has. Why?

Harlow Doyle: Because the real owner is looking for it.

Mr. Clemons: Real owner? Then this fine piece of equipment, this light-tight reproduction box, this 35 millimeter zoom lens memory maker is, to put it delicately, hot.

Harlow Doyle: No, it's stolen.

Mr. Clemons: Then it is definitely not here. I deal only in legitimate merchandise, young man. I require proof of ownership on each piece I buy. So not only do my customers get quality products, they get them legally.

Harlow Doyle: I'm sure they do. But, if someone does try to bring in a camera like the one I described, you will contact me, won't you?

Mr. Clemons: Of course, of course, you'll be the first one I'll call. Now, how's about a good deal on this nifty combination camouflage necktie and Instamatic?

Harlow Doyle: Camouflage necktie and Instamatic?

Mr. Clemons: Only slightly used.

Harlow Doyle: Good morning, Miss Turner. It's Harlow Doyle again. Private Investigator. It was getting pretty late when I left Clemons' Cameras, so I decided to call it a day, go home and sleep on it. But my sleep was fitful for two reasons. One, I was getting nowhere with the case. And two, it's almost impossible to sleep on a combination camouflage necktie Instamatic. So, when dawn broke, there was nothing to do but get up, exercise, get washed, have breakfast, look at the paper, watch a little TV, listen to some music, read a novel, oil my bike, sweep off the back porch, water the lawn, pull up weeds, buy a few groceries, write my mother again, paint the office, fix the roof, put in a new driveway, and then come over here to Whit's End and talk to my client.

Rodney Rathbone: Hey, Doyle.

Harlow Doyle: Speaking of which, I'll let you know how it turns out, Miss Turner. Over and out.

Rodney Rathbone: So, what's the scoop? Did you find my camera yet, or what?

Harlow Doyle: Well, Rodney, I— Oh, look, there's Lucy. Hello, Lucy.

Lucy: Hi, Mr. Doyle.

Harlow Doyle: And how are you this morning?

Rodney Rathbone: Never mind them. What about my camera?

Harlow Doyle: Well, Rodney, it doesn't look good.

Rodney Rathbone: What?

Harlow Doyle: I've talked to everyone I can think of, but it's, it's no good. I really don't know much more than I knew yesterday.

Rodney Rathbone: But I've got to find that camera.

Harlow Doyle: Sorry, but it's beginning to look like your camera is a— a goner.

Rodney Rathbone: Oh man. Where's Denver?

Harlow Doyle: In Colorado. Oh, not that Denver.

Lucy: Too bad.

Harlow Doyle: You said it. Nothing has turned up at the camera shop and nobody here saw anything. You haven't thought of anyone else I can talk to, have you?

Lucy: Sorry.

Harlow Doyle: There just aren't enough clues.

Rodney Rathbone: Why don't you—

Lucy: Rodney, what do you have to—

Rodney Rathbone: No, what's going on?

Harlow Doyle: I think, who would be a better question.

Rodney Rathbone: That's Rodney and Denver.

Lucy: Come on!

Rodney Rathbone: What if I don't want to?

Denver: I don't need to.

Rodney Rathbone: What are you—

Harlow Doyle: What? All right, you boys are making more noise than— than two really noisy things.

Lucy: What's going on, Rodney?

Rodney Rathbone: None of your beeswax.

Denver: It is too. He's trying to get me to drop out of the Bible Bowl and I don't want to.

Lucy: What? Drop out?

Rodney Rathbone: Blabbermouth, what are you telling them for?

Denver: Cause they got a right to know.

Lucy: Rodney, why do you want Denver to drop out?

Rodney Rathbone: I have my reasons.

Denver: He thinks I don't stand a chance, that's why.

Lucy: Wait a minute. Yesterday Denver was the greatest Bible scholar since Martin Luther, but today he doesn't stand a chance? That doesn't make any sense.

Harlow Doyle: No, unless something happened to change Rodney's mind.

Denver: Something happened, all right. His camera got stolen.

Harlow Doyle: Aha!

Rodney Rathbone: Quiet, you rat.

Lucy: The camera? But what was in the camera besides the pictures of Denver that would make such a difference?

Harlow Doyle: What indeed? Let's see, what would someone put into a camera?

Lucy: Oh, so that's it!

Harlow Doyle: Yes. What's it?

Lucy: Don't you remember, I said Rodney and Denver interrupted me while I was looking over the answers to the Bible Bowl?

Harlow Doyle: Of course! And so?

Lucy: So, I took Denver downstairs and signed him up.

Harlow Doyle: Of course! And so?

Lucy: So, I don't remember putting the answers away while I was downstairs. Rodney Rathbone, you took pictures of the answers, didn't you?

Rodney Rathbone: I plead the fifth.

Lucy: Denver?

Denver: Yes, he did.

Rodney Rathbone: You fink!

Harlow Doyle: Quiet, Rodbone. Spill it, Denver.

Denver: It was all part of his plan. He'd take the pictures and I'd memorize the answers and then win the Bible Bowl. And the season passes to Water World. But I never got the answers because his camera was stolen. And you know what? I'm glad.

Rodney Rathbone: Glad?

Denver: That's right. I read over the books of the Bible that the questions were taken from. And well, I started feeling guilty about what I was doing. Besides, now that I've read them, I think I got a legitimate shot.

Rodney Rathbone: You can barely remember your own name, Denver. You're nuts!

Denver: Yeah, maybe I am. Look, Lucy, I'm really sorry about this whole thing. I shouldn't have done it and I hope you'll forgive me, but I'd still like to be in the Bible Bowl if you'll let me.

Lucy: What do you think, Mr. Doyle?

Harlow Doyle: Well, he seems sincere enough.

Rodney Rathbone: I think you ought to cancel the whole thing. I mean, somebody out there has my camera with the answers in it.

Harlow Doyle: Good point.

Lucy: But I can't cancel it. Everyone's worked so hard to set it up. I can't change the questions, though.

Denver: But that wouldn't be fair to all the other kids, would it? I mean, if you change the questions now, they'll have to start studying all over again.

Harlow Doyle: Good point.

Lucy: No, I guess it wouldn't be right for them to suffer just because you were going to do something bad.

Harlow Doyle: Good point.

Lucy: Besides, the reason we have the Bible Bowl is to get the kids interested in the Bible.

Harlow Doyle: Good point.

Lucy: You are interested, aren't you, Denver?

Denver: Yeah, I am.

Lucy: So, what do you think, Mr. Doyle?

Harlow Doyle: Good point. Sorry, everybody was making such good points, I lost track of what we were talking about. What was the question?

Rodney Rathbone: About whether Denver should be in the contest.

Harlow Doyle: Well, I think, um— What do you think, Lucy?

Lucy: Yes. Keep studying, Denver. I'm looking forward to seeing you in the Bible Bowl.

Chris: It's hard to trust a lot of entertainment these days, especially when you want your kids to learn Christian values. Even shows that seem good at first could end up teaching them all the wrong things. But you can always trust Adventures in Odyssey. For over 35 years, Adventures in Odyssey audio dramas have been teaching kids biblical truth through fun, heartwarming stories. Many kids have even come to Christ because of the show. And with an Adventures in Odyssey Club membership, you can get even more episodes that will keep them on the right path. Play an episode in the car, before bed, or any other time you just need a moment to breathe. You can rest easy knowing every story is teaching them to be more like Christ. To find out how you can join the Adventures in Odyssey Club today, go to adventuresinodyssey.com. That's adventuresinodyssey.com.

Chris: Want to contact us about the episode you're hearing? Visit our website at adventuresinodyssey.com. Or talk to someone at Focus on the Family. Call 1-800-A-Family with a parent's permission, of course. We always love hearing from you.

Harlow Doyle: Miss Turner, Harlow Doyle here again, Private Eye, walking the streets of Odyssey. Rodney's camera is still missing, but I suppose that doesn't matter much now that the Bible Bowl is over. Oh, you should have been there. It was a close race, right down to the last question.

Lucy: I think this has been our best Bible Bowl yet. It's been a very close race all the way down the line. But now we're left with our last three contestants: Andy De Moss, Mickey Wilson, and Denver Thorp. All right, here's your final question. Finish this verse and tell me where it's found. Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life. Andy?

Guest (Male 1): Um, oh, uh, make it your ambition to lead a quiet life. Uh, to, I don't know.

Lucy: I'm sorry, Andy. Mickey?

Guest (Male 2): Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands, just as we told you. Second Thessalonians 4:11.

Lucy: Oh no, Mickey. I'm sorry, that's not right. Denver?

Denver: Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands, just as we told you. First Thessalonians 4:11.

Lucy: Denver? You're absolutely right! You win!

Harlow Doyle: That's right, Miss Turner. Denver won. Rodney couldn't believe it, and if his camera hadn't been stolen before Denver got a look at the pictures, I wouldn't have believed it either. Anyway, that was yesterday and things have quieted down since then. I sure would like to know who took that camera though.

Mr. Clemons: Well, well, if it isn't a P.I.

Harlow Doyle: Oh, hello Mr. Clemons, signing off, Miss Turner. How's business?

Mr. Clemons: Why don't you come on in and see for yourself?

Harlow Doyle: No thanks, last time I almost didn't get out of there.

Mr. Clemons: How's that necktie Instamatic?

Harlow Doyle: A little bulky.

Mr. Clemons: Well, it's good for you, develops neck muscles.

Harlow Doyle: Great. You haven't had any normal cameras turn up yet, have you?

Mr. Clemons: No, afraid not. I do have a question for you, though.

Harlow Doyle: Question?

Mr. Clemons: I was looking in today's paper, and you know who this boy is?

Harlow Doyle: Yeah, that's Denver.

Mr. Clemons: Not where, who?

Harlow Doyle: Oh no, no, that's his name. He won the Bible Bowl yesterday.

Mr. Clemons: Oh, so I see. Well, that's very interesting.

Harlow Doyle: Why?

Mr. Clemons: Cause a couple of days ago, he dropped off a couple of rolls of film to be developed.

Harlow Doyle: He did?

Mr. Clemons: He only picked up one, though. I can remember because he had a friend with him.

Harlow Doyle: A friend?

Mr. Clemons: Yep, yep, yep. Tall, dark-headed, sneery voice, kind of reptilian looking, you know.

Harlow Doyle: Reptilian looking? Rodney!

Mr. Clemons: Do you know where I can find these boys?

Harlow Doyle: I have a pretty good idea. Excuse me, Mr. Clemons, I have some phone calls to make. Say, you wouldn't happen to have a couple of quarters on you, would you?

Rodney Rathbone: Boy, that was rich, eh, Denver?

Denver: Sure was, Rodney. It's the best scam idea you ever had.

Rodney Rathbone: And now we get to enjoy Water World for the whole season! Give me your pass. Two, please.

Water World Employee: Oh, I'm afraid I can't let you gentlemen inside.

Rodney Rathbone: What? What do you mean? These are our season passes.

Water World Employee: Sorry, they're invalid.

Rodney Rathbone: But we just got them yesterday. How can they be invalid?

Lucy: Easy, Rodney. I invalidated them.

Rodney Rathbone: Lucy? Doyle?

Harlow Doyle: Yep.

Denver: What are you doing?

Lucy: Keeping you from getting away with it. That's what.

Rodney Rathbone: Oh, we don't know what you're talking about.

Harlow Doyle: Oh, don't you?

Rodney Rathbone: No.

Harlow Doyle: Maybe we're wrong, Lucy, says he doesn't know what we're talking about.

Lucy: We're not wrong. I know why we couldn't find your camera, Rodney, because you stole it from yourself!

Rodney Rathbone: What?

Harlow Doyle: Oh yeah, that's right. You almost had me with that ignorant bit, but I'm too quick for you. I have personal experience with being ignorant.

Rodney Rathbone: Yeah. Well, if I stole my own camera, why didn't the police find it on me? I never left Whit's End.

Harlow Doyle: That, my good man, is a very good question. Why didn't they, Lucy?

Lucy: Do you remember Denver?

Harlow Doyle: Oh yeah, right. Because after you stole the camera, you gave it to Denver here during all the confusion, and he took it outside.

Rodney Rathbone: You're nuts, both of you.

Lucy: Really? Tell that to Mr. Clemons.

Denver: Clemons?

Harlow Doyle: Yes. You remember him, the man to whom you took the roll of film inside the camera to be developed. Well?

Denver: All right, all right, you got us.

Rodney Rathbone: Denver, you wimp.

Denver: Sorry, Rodney, I couldn't take the pressure.

Lucy: Why would you do all this?

Harlow Doyle: I know why. No, I don't. Why would you do all this?

Rodney Rathbone: To throw you off the trail. I knew if I took the pictures and had Denver memorize the answers, you'd suspect us. But nobody would suspect us twice.

Lucy: I thought you were interested in the Bible, Denver.

Denver: Well, I was, sorta. But I was more interested in the season passes.

Lucy: It would've been a whole lot easier to get them if you'd just studied.

Harlow Doyle: Well, that's the way a lot of crimes are. You put out twice the effort to get half the results than you would have gotten if you just have put out half the effort to get twice the results from the effort you put in.

Rodney Rathbone: Huh?

Harlow Doyle: Crime doesn't pay. Glad I got that one.

Harlow Doyle: And with that profound bit of insight, Miss Turner, that I hope you were able to transcribe, the case of the Candid Camera came to a close. We turned Rodney and Denver over to their parents, the season passes went to the rightful winners, Andy and Mickey, and Odyssey had yet another baffling mystery solved by, yours truly, Harlow Doyle, Private Eye. Well, let's see how this whole thing sounds. Boom, boom, diddy, daddy, wot, 'em, choo. Boom, boom, diddy, daddy, wot, 'em, choo. Boom, boom, diddy, daddy, wot, 'em, choo, and they swam and they swam all over the damp. Ooh.

Chris: Looks like Harlow Doyle needs a little more work to master his micro-cassette recorder. And it also looks like Rodney and Denver need to realize that no matter how hard they try, they can't get away with crime. One way or another, bad deeds eventually catch up with you. Like it says in Numbers 32:23, be sure your sin will find you out. And that's it for today's adventure. Hope you enjoyed it. I know I did. I like mysteries. If you like them too, why not write down your favorite one and send it to me? The address is Odyssey, Colorado Springs, Colorado, 80995. In Canada, the address is Odyssey, Box 9800, Vancouver BC, V6B 4G3. Oh, and don't forget to ask about how you can get a copy of today's program, called The Case of the Candid Camera. The address once again is Odyssey, Colorado Springs, Colorado, 80995. Adventures in Odyssey is a presentation of Focus on the Family. The Case of the Candid Camera was written and directed by Phil Lawler. Our production engineer was Bob La Trell. And our executive producer, Chuck Bolty. And I'm Chris, hoping you'll join us again next time for more Adventures in Odyssey.