Direct Wire

In a cramped cigar shop that once buzzed with the clatter of dice and whispered bets, two reluctant patriots—Mort and Mike—have posted a solemn “Closed for the duration” sign despite dodging the draft through dubious medical excuses. Their boisterous talk of “licking the lice” masks a deeper reluctance, and the community’s chatter grows louder as rumors swirl around their sudden “enlistment.”

The narrator, a weary office‑holder who frequents the shop, watches the pair’s uneasy routine until a strange, husky voice crackles through an impossible phone line, sending a chill through the dim room. As the State’s Attorney tightens his grip on the city’s illegal gambling, Mike’s temper flares, hinting at a hidden agenda that could unravel their carefully crafted facade. This wartime noir blends street‑wise humor with a mounting mystery, inviting listeners to uncover what really lies behind the closed sign.