The Groom of the Ladder

Originally Aired: March 13, 1956 Suspense #641, "The Groom of the Ladder," presents the dark and tortured world of John Price, England's public hangman. Known derisively as "Jack Ketch," Price is a bitter, desperate man shunned by society for his grim profession. Despite his position of authority, he finds himself drowning in debt and ostracized at every turn. His fellow citizens either avoid him entirely or mock him cruelly, and even his attempts to socialize at the Blue Boar tavern end in humiliation. When he tries to borrow money from William Artney, a subordinate who covets his job, Price is met with feigned sympathy and transparent lies. His isolation deepens as watchmen search for him over unpaid debts that threaten to land him in Marshalsea prison. At home, Price faces equal contempt from his wife Betty, who is ashamed of being married to the hangman. Their bitter confrontation erupts when he demands their meager savings to pay his debts, with Betty calling him a murderer in front of their child. The episode follows Price's descent as the burdens of his profession, his financial ruin, and his complete lack of human connection drive him toward desperation.