The following story is fictional and does not depict any actual person or event.
If You Knew Susie – Eddie Cantor
January 10, 1926
Four men were walking around an empty ground. Harry Finton was speaking to the others.
“The Sesquicentennial-Centennial International Exposition will put Philadelphia on the map” said Harry Finton “It will be a celebration of one hundred and fifty years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence. It will give people delightful associations of our fair city. The colorful event will leave imperishable memories in the minds of all that visit her.”
He paused, then pointed “Over there will be an eighty foot replica of the Liberty Bell. It will be the first thing people see as they enter the Exposition.”
Harry continued to walk along the site “Over there, the auditorium. On the opening day, we have speeches from the US Secretary of State and Secretary of Commerce, guaranteed to bring a big crowd.”
The other men nodded.
“Just past there will be the Tower of Light. Further on will be the Exhibition palace for Agriculture. We will also be having a number of foreign exhibits from countries right round the globe.”
They walked down a street.
“We’re walking through the Forum of Founders” said Harry “This fair will not be only for Pennsylvanians. It will be for all Americans to celebrate our founding and our achievements. It is for all the world to see what a great nation we’ve become.”
“Sir, can you tell us why the committee decided that the best place to show the world Philadelphia is was waste ground in the bad side of town?” asked a man, Mr Fredericks.
“I’m afraid I don’t quite follow, Mr Fredericks” said Harry.
“South Philadelphia, past Tenth Street” said Mr Fredericks “Filthy, abandoned. No self-respecting Philadelphia goes anywhere near the area. Why did the committee chose that area, when there are far more beautiful places?”
“This area will be- improved. Revitalized” said Harry, nervously. “The city will have a huge new patch of developed public land- it can be used long after the fair has finished.”
Mr Fredericks frowned. “Who will want to use it? Nobody will want to base themselves in this part of the city. I cannot understand why the committee didn’t choose Fairmont Park on the banks of the Schuylkill, or perhaps the botanic gardens near the University of Philadelphia. Surely, they would have been better choices?”
“Citizens would have lost access to those areas while the- the- fairgrounds were being built” said Harry, stumbling across his words “Choosing this area-”
“Stop” said Mr Fredericks. “Did you hear about the last World’s Fair? It was in Paris. How can this possibly compete?” He gestured around the fairgrounds.
Harry took a deep breath. He could do this. He believed in the fair.
“I think you’ll find Mr Fredericks, that Philadelphia is going to surprise everyone with this fair. Everyone will be amazed with the grand spectacle. Philadelphians, Pennsylvanians, Americans, and the World!” said Harry, smiling triumphantly.
***
The fairground was now empty. The area was covered in rubbish, including piles of dirty newspapers. The newspapers had headlines proclaiming “World Fair Failure” They blew past the body of Harry Finton, lying on his side, with a gunshot wound to the head.
***
In the office of the Philadelphia Police, a policeman filled in a missing person’s form.
He wrote in Harry Finton’s details, then put them in a folder reading ‘1926 Finton’.
***
“What have we got?” asked Lilly.
“A body. Think it’s an old one. The Eagles are expanding their training center. The construction crew came across some bones” explained Scotty.
Lilly and Scotty walked over to where the forensic team was gathered. A skeleton could be seen.
Lilly crouched down beside Frannie. “Any clues on the bones?”
“Male” said Frannie Ching “Adult. He was shot in the head” she said, pointing to a hole in the skull.”Won’t be able to give you an exact time frame on when he died until I get him back to the lab, but I’d say he’s been down here for at least seventy or so years”.
“Find a gun?” asked Lilly.
Frannie shook her head. She continued to examine the bones.
“He was well off” said John Stillman, kneeling next to Frannie.
“How can you tell?” asked Lilly.
“The scraps of clothing he was wearing” said Stillman pointing. “These are high quality clothes. He’s probably been here since at least 1933. That’s when this part of the Philadelphia Naval Hospital was built. Most of it was demolished ten years ago, but this outhouse remained.”
“Look like there’s something there” said Scotty. Frannie passed it over to him.
They all looked at the belt with its distinctive bell shape.
“That’s the symbol of the 1926 World Fair” said Stillman “This area was part of the old fairground”.
ROLL INTRO
Cold Case opening credits by ES Posthumus
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