Holy Smokes?!…. Even though this episode ends with a bang rather than begins, when the smoke clears it is apparent we have a gem. This “geminosity’ is due to many factors, such as story line, production and acting. All aspects are unique somehow here. The acting is terrific and provides, along with the story line, an atmosphere that I really enjoy in radio drama. Doomdorf is scary. He is a beast. Abner is trustworthy and wise, particularly wise in the aspect of humanity, or having a soul. These two men are a contrast to be sure. Judge Randolph is the Watson to Abners’ Holmes. Here Abner\'s reasoning is more naturalistic, and common sense like rather than intense intellectualism. I liked Abner. As a character that is fascinating, I liked Doomdorf. Ian Martin kicked rear end here in adapting the story and acting in it as well in such a marvelous way.

The story has the compelling aspects of these attracting characters while turning into a mystery. The solution is simple and ingenious at the same time. It’s “meaningâ€ is up to debate. I like to think Doomdorf could not escape his own “evilnessâ€ and ultimately did himself in with drink and leaving loaded guns pointed in his direction. Simple as that. Abner attributes it to the power of god while remaining “down to earthâ€. His thinking is rational. He recognizes the preacher as being unavailable to this type of earthly reasoning. abner is the salt of the earth. What and why questions in the conclusion is left for us to decide, as the characters do in the story…each according to their own worldview. It is interesting to consider this explanation when thinking of Doomdorf. His conscious was asleep or nonexistent in life and also when he died because of excessive alcohol. Due to this lack of consciousness, he becomes more of a force of impulse, id, nature…what have you, and less of a human being. He\'s hardly a human being at all! The radio program creates this character magnificently, and contrasts it with a near equally compelling and nicely created character in Abner. Add to this a nice mystery and supporting characters and we have a story to remember. I’ve listened to this about 10 times, always and remarkably finding it satisfying.<br>