Generic Radio Workshop Script Library (GO BACK) (Downloadable Text File)

Series: Hollywood Star Playhouse
Show: The Tenth Planet
Date: Sep 07 1952

COTTEN:

This is Joseph Cotten, inviting you to listen now to Hollywood Star Playhouse, brought to you by the Bakers of America.

MUSIC:

THEME ... THEN IN BG

ANNOUNCER:

Hollywood Star Playhouse -- thirty minutes of mystery, thrills, drama, by Hollywood's finest writers, featuring Hollywood's top stars, brought to you by the Bakers of America through the cooperation of your baker.

MUSIC:

OUT

ANNOUNCER:

Hello, there. This is Wendell Niles. In a moment, we'll bring you Act One of today's transcribed story, "The Tenth Planet," starring Mr. Joseph Cotten.

Did you know that forty to fifty years ago most of our women baked their bread at home? That's right. But, today, fine, fresh bread is readily available every shopping day. This has been made possible only because of the development of large-scale methods of baking; because of hundreds of baking plants throughout the nation; and because of fast, modern means of bread distribution. So ninety-five percent of the forty million loaves of bread we Americans eat every day is supplied by our bakers. And, in addition to bread, who but our bakers could turn out such a varied assortment of delicious bakery foods? Yes, for variety, convenience, economy; for nutritious good-eating, you can depend on the Bakers of America to help you serve better meals through bakery foods.

And now Act One of "The Tenth Planet," starring Mr. Joseph Cotten.

MUSIC:

FOR AN INTRODUCTION, THEN IN BG ... OUT AT [X]

WALKER:

(NARRATES) It's only a matter of time. They know our weakness and they know our strength. And they will conquer and rule the Earth. It is only a matter of time. [X] The time it takes to reach Earth from the Tenth Planet.

SOUND:

WEIRD HUMMING, FILLS A PAUSE, THEN IN BG ... SCRATCH OF PEN ON PAPER, IN BG

WALKER:

(NARRATES) My name is Walker. My home is in California, North American continent, planet Earth. I'm writing this in a room deep inside a spaceship approximately four and a half million miles from Earth. On Earth, I was a teacher of mathematics. Among the others seated about me are a doctor, an accountant, a judge, an actor, a machinist, farmer -- the list is a long one. They are men of various nationalities who one-by-one disappeared off the face of the Earth; they're men who are being taken to the Tenth Planet.

SOUND: HUM AND SCRATCH FADE FOR

MUSIC:

SOMBER, FILLS A PAUSE, THEN IN BG

WALKER:

(NARRATES) My life for the most part has been average, unexciting. On Earth, I attended church, discussed politics, gave my son boxing lessons, and, on Saturday nights, my wife and I usually had a few friends in for bridge. These things are important, not only that you may know more about me, but that I may carefully report and you may evaluate everything that has happened since the afternoon I walked into my home - and found a visitor awaiting me. A visitor from the "Bureau" in Washington.

MUSIC: OUT

SOUND:

DOOR CLOSES - A FEW FOOTSTEPS

WALKER:

Hi, darling. (SURPRISED TO SEE SOMEONE) Oh!

JEAN:

Todd, this is Mr. Webster. He's with the Bureau.

WEBSTER:

How do you do, Mr. Walker?

BOBBY:

(INTERRUPTS, EXCITED) He's a G-man, Pop! A real, honest-to-goodness--!

JEAN:

(ADMONISHES) Bobby!

WALKER:

Yes, Bobby. Now, suppose you and mummy--?

JEAN:

Yes, I'll keep him occupied, dear.

WALKER: Thanks.

JEAN:

(MOVING OFF) Come on, Bobby. We'll drive down to the market.

SOUND:

BOBBY & JEAN'S FOOTSTEPS AWAY ... DOOR CLOSES OFF

WALKER:

Sit down, Mr. Webster.

WEBSTER:

Thank you. Uh, here are my credentials, Mr. Walker.

WALKER:

Mm hm. Just what do you want to see me about?

WEBSTER:

How long has it been since you've seen your brother, Mr. Walker?

WALKER:

Oh, Harry? Oh, I haven't seen him since he went to work at the Atomic Center over in New Mexico.

WEBSTER:

You talked to him recently? On the phone, I mean.

WALKER:

No. Why do you--?

WEBSTER:

Letters from him?

WALKER:

Why, he usually writes about once a week, but - I haven't had a letter now in, oh, I guess it's been close to three weeks.

WEBSTER:

Well, what did he write then?

WALKER:

Oh, just the usual things. Working hard, feeling fine. Usual things a brother writes--

WEBSTER:

No mention of his work?

WALKER:

No. He's never written about his work. It's highly secret, I believe.

WEBSTER:

Yeah. Mr. Walker, you and your brother have always been very close, haven't you?

WALKER:

Yes, ever since our father died.

WEBSTER:

And he hasn't contacted you in any way during the past two weeks?

WALKER:

That's right.

WEBSTER:

I guess that checks you out, Mr. Walker. Sorry to have bothered you.

WALKER:

Er, Mr. Webster?

WEBSTER:

Yeah?

WALKER:

What's happened to Harry?

WEBSTER:

I'm sorry, Mr. Walker. My orders were to contact you, find out when you heard from him last. That's all I know.

WALKER: He's dead.

WEBSTER:

Dead? Why do you say that?

WALKER:

If he weren't, I'd have heard from him.

WEBSTER:

Well, you can't be sure of that. Now, he may have been transferred. His work is classified. There could be any number of reasons.

WALKER:

No, no, no, no. When Harry took the job, we prepared for that. We - we have - have a code.

RESTON:

A code?

WALKER:

We agreed that if he should suddenly be sent somewhere unexpectedly or if he weren't free to let me know where he is, or what he's doing, he'd send me a wire, saying, "Happy Birthday, Pappy."

WEBSTER:

Uh huh. "Pappy"?

WALKER:

Well, he's called me that since dad died.

WEBSTER:

I see. Well, now, let's not look on the black side, Mr. Walker. You may hear from him any day.

WALKER: Can you give me any other information about him?

WEBSTER:

I'm sorry. I'm just doing a job.

WALKER: So was he.

MUSIC:

AN ACCENT ... THEN IN BG

WALKER:

(NARRATES) Webster was barely out of the house when I was on the phone. After an hour and twenty minutes or so of red tape, I reached the Security Officer at the Atomic Center in New Mexico.

MUSIC:

OUT

COLLINS:

(FILTER) Security. Major Collins speaking.

WALKER:

Major, I'm the brother of Harry Walker.

COLLINS:

(FILTER) Are you calling from Luroc, Mr. Walker?

WALKER:

I'm calling from my home in California. What difference does that make?

COLLINS:

(FILTER) Well, if you give me your number, I'll call you back.

WALKER:

I realize the necessity for caution, but I don't understand why you people won't tell me what's happened to Harry.

COLLINS:

(FILTER) I'm sorry, Mr. Walker. I'll have to call you back.

WALKER:

Don't bother, Major. I'll be over there by tomorrow night.

MUSIC:

BRIDGE ... THEN IN BG

WALKER:

(NARRATES) The heat was rising off the asphalt-covered street as I drove through the small desert town of Luroc. I was hot, dirty and tired after driving all night. There weren't any signs to show me the way to the Atomic Center, so I stopped for coffee and got all the directions I needed. Forty-five minutes later, I was in a small frame building, a kind of sentry post, waiting for Major Collins.

MUSIC:

OUT

SOUND:

DOOR OPENS ... FOOTSTEPS IN

COLLINS:

Sorry to keep you waiting, Mr. Walker.

SOUND:

DOOR SHUTS

WALKER:

Uh, you Collins?

COLLINS:

Yes. I had to stop inside to pick up your brother's personal file. Before we say anything else, I have a few questions I'd like to ask you.

WALKER:

You have questions to ask me?

COLLINS:

Please, Mr. Walker, sit down and let me ask you--

SOUND:

EXPLOSION - CONTINUES TO SHAKE AND ROAR IN BG ... OUT AT [X]

WALKER:

Well, what--? What's that?

COLLINS:

Just a routine test. Now then, according to this file, Harry Walker's nearest living relative is his brother, Todd Walker. [X] What is your wife's maiden name, Mr. Walker?

WALKER:

Miller. Jean Miller.

COLLINS:

The birthdate of your son?

WALKER:

April 12th, 1941.

COLLINS:

Your grandfather's birthplace?

WALKER:

Grand--? Uh, England. I believe - Ipswich. Not too sure. Now, look here, Major--

COLLINS:

Just a few more, Mr. Walker. What was the name of the family that lived next door to you in 1933?

WALKER:

Thirty-three? Oh. We lived in Adamsville then. Well, there was a girl; her father was a minister. Don't remember their name, though.

COLLINS:

What happened to a dog you owned called Spot?

WALKER:

(CHUCKLES) Spot was killed. Fell down a flight of cement stairs. I was only ten years old when that happened. Now, Major Collins--

COLLINS:

Here's your pass. Now if you'll come with me, Mr. Walker, I'll tell you everything we know about the disappearance of your brother.

SOUND:

THEY RISE AND WALK OFF, DURING ABOVE LINE

MUSIC:

IN BG

WALKER:

(NARRATES) Before I had a chance to say anything else, before I could think of anything else to say, we were beyond the two sentry posts, through the great steel gate, and inside the restricted area of the Atomic Center.

MUSIC:

OUT

SOUND:

FOOTSTEPS .. CONTINUE A MOMENT ... THEN IN BG

COLLINS:

(LIGHTLY) You aren't radioactive, are you, Mr. Walker?

WALKER:

What?

COLLINS:

We're passing through a "safety zone." If either of us is contaminated by radioactive materials -- pitchblende, uranium -- an alarm bell will sound.

WALKER:

Oh.

COLLINS:

Er, how's your son doing in school this year?

WALKER:

Bobby? Oh, fine.

COLLINS:

I read the last two letters you wrote to your brother. Sounds like you got quite a boy on your hands.

WALKER:

Yeah, he is.

COLLINS:

Playing right field on his school baseball team, hm?

WALKER:

First base.

COLLINS:

Oh, yes.

WALKER:

Still, uh, checking, Major?

COLLINS:

Nobody ever died being too careful.

SOUND:

FOOTSTEPS OUT

MUSIC:

BRIEF ACCENT/BRIDGE ... THEN OUT

SOUND:

FOOTSTEPS ... CONTINUE A MOMENT ... THEN STOP

COLLINS:

Yeah, this was your brother's room.

WALKER:

Why is it padlocked?

COLLINS:

I didn't want any of his things disturbed.

SOUND:

PADLOCK CLICKS ... DOOR OPENS ... FOOTSTEPS IN

COLLINS:

It is exactly as he left it.

WALKER:

When are you going to tell me what happened to him, Major?

COLLINS:

Cigarette?

WALKER:

Thank you.

SOUND:

MATCH IS STRUCK

COLLINS:

(PAUSE) Three weeks ago today at about eight in the evening, your brother was seen to leave this room and enter the area outside. He appeared to be on his way to the messhall for supper. He never arrived there.

WALKER:

Where'd he go?

COLLINS:

We don't know.

WALKER: What?

COLLINS:

All we do know is that about fifty yards from this building he was accosted by a man wearing a heavy trenchcoat.

WALKER:

Trenchcoat? In this heat?

COLLINS:

He stopped and talked to this man. That's the last time he was seen.

WALKER:

Who was the man in the trenchcoat?

COLLINS:

We haven't been able to identify him. Culver, one of your brother's friends here, saw them together. He heard the man call your brother by name, and he heard your brother mention the word "target" several times.

WALKER:

"Target"?

SOUND:

WALKER WALKS AROUND ROOM, OPENING AND CLOSING DRAWERS, ET CETERA ... IN AGREEMENT WITH THE FOLLOWING:

WALKER:

This is just the way Harry left the room, huh?

COLLINS:

Yes. Be careful about touching things, please.

WALKER:

Well. Here's his suits, and shirts. Billfold. Wristwatch. All of his things are here.

COLLINS:

Everything. Even his pass and identification papers. Everything but the clothes on his back.

WALKER:

What's this piece of rock here on the desk? Paperweight?

COLLINS:

I suppose so.

SOUND:

PICKS UP ROCK

WALKER:

It's heavier that it looks.

SOUND:

DROPS ROCK ON DESK

WALKER:

Probably something he was working with.

COLLINS:

I can arrange for you to take his personal things in a day or two, Mr. Walker.

WALKER:

Thanks. Well, you certainly can't suspect him of deserting.

COLLINS:

We never did. To do that, he'd've had to walk out of the camp. He didn't walk out.

WALKER:

Then--?

COLLINS:

There's only one possible way he could have gotten out of here.

WALKER:

How's that?

COLLINS:

Up. Straight up.

MUSIC:

TYMPANI ACCENT ... BRIEF BRIDGE ... THEN IN BG

WALKER:

(NARRATES) We left the room soon after that and started down the stairs. Neither of us said very much as we walked slowly back to the little building at the front gate.

MUSIC:

OUT

SOUND:

FOOTSTEPS ... CONTINUE A MOMENT ... THEN IN BG

COLLINS:

Are you going to stay in Luroc, Mr. Walker? Or do you plan to return to California?

WALKER:

I - I don't know yet.

COLLINS: When you know, I'd appreciate if you'd call me.

WALKER:

Yes, yes, I will.

SOUND:

ZONE ALARM HORN SOUNDS ... CONTINUES IN BG

WALKER:

What's that?

COLLINS:

Safety zone alarm. One of us is contaminated.

WALKER:

What?

COLLINS:

One of us has radioactive dust on his clothes. Over here, please, quickly.

SOUND:

FOOTSTEPS SPEED UP AND STOP ... ALARM HORN OUT

COLLINS:

All right, Mr. Walker. I'll step out into the zone first.

SOUND:

COLLINS' FOOTSTEPS ENTER ZONE AND STOP

COLLINS:

(OFF) Looks like you're it. Will you step out, please?

SOUND: WALKER'S FOOTSTEPS ENTER ZONE - ZONE ALARM HORN SOUNDS

COLLINS:

Come on!

SOUND:

THEIR FOOTSTEPS HURRY OFF

WALKER:

Radioactive? Are you sure?

SOUND:

ALARM STOPS

COLLINS:

Certainly.

WALKER:

But how? I haven't touched anything -- except that paperweight.

SOUND:

FOOTSTEPS SLOW TO A STOP, IN BG

COLLINS:

I know, Mr. Walker.

WALKER:

I - I barely touched it.

COLLINS:

You'd better spend the night here, Mr. Walker. By the time the boys in the decontamination room get through with you, it'll be quite late.

WALKER:

Thanks. Incidentally, I've made up my mind.

COLLINS:

Yes?

WALKER:

I'm going to stay in Luroc. I'm going to find out what happened to Harry.

MUSIC:

BRIDGE ... THEN IN BG

WALKER:

(NARRATES) Next morning, I drove back to town and called on a real estate agent. He knew of an adobe house for rent just off the highway about five miles from the Atomic Center, and I took it, sight unseen. The house was small but comfortable and, most important, it had a telephone. That evening, I called Jean.

MUSIC:

OUT

JEAN:

(FILTER) Todd! Ah, it's good to hear your voice. When are you coming home?

WALKER:

I, er, thought I'd stay here a while, Jean. Maybe you and Bobby could fly over.

JEAN:

(FILTER) Of course. When?

WALKER:

Tomorrow.

JEAN:

(FILTER) Wonderful, darling. Uh, did you find out anything about Harry?

SOUND:

WEIRD HUMMING BEGINS TO BUILD IN BG

WALKER:

(DISTRACTED BY HUMMING) He, uh-- I'll tell you when you--

JEAN: (FILTER) Todd?

WALKER:

When you get here.

JEAN:

(FILTER) What's the house like, dear? (NO ANSWER) Todd?

SOUND:

HUM GROWS LOUDER

WALKER:

It-- Something's happening here, Jean. Something I don't understand.

JEAN:

(FILTER) What?

WALKER:

Everything's turning green. The house -- the room -- everything!

JEAN:

(FILTER) Todd, what is it?

WALKER:

There's something out there in the desert. A green light.

JEAN:

(FILTER) Todd? Todd? Todd, are you--?

SOUND:

PHONE GOES DEAD

WALKER:

Jean? Listen to me.

SOUND:

WALKER CLICKS RECEIVER ... HUMMING RUNS DOWN LIKE AN ENGINE AND STOPS

WALKER:

Hello? Hello? Hello? Hello? (TO HIMSELF) Phone's dead.

SOUND:

HANGS UP PHONE ... FOOTSTEPS AWAY

WALKER:

(TO HIMSELF) That noise. That humming. What is it?

SOUND:

KNOCK AT DOOR

WALKER:

(CALLS) Yes? (NO ANSWER)

SOUND:

KNOCK AT DOOR

WALKER:

What do you want?

SOUND:

AFTER A PAUSE, FRONT DOOR OPENS

TORGOOD:

(OFF) Good evening, Mr. Walker. May I come in? (BEAT) Thank you.

SOUND:

FOOTSTEPS IN ... DOOR CLOSES ... FOOTSTEPS APPROACH

TORGOOD:

(CLOSER) Is it always so cold here?

WALKER:

Cold? It's hot; over ninety.

TORGOOD:

Precisely.

WALKER:

You're cold? Even with that coat on?

TORGOOD:

I have brougbt you a message, Mr. Walker. I was told to say "Happy birthday, Pappy."

WALKER:

(RELIEVED) Oh, Harry's alive.

TORGOOD:

Of course.

WALKER:

And you. Who are you?

TORGOOD:

Oh, forgive me. My name is Torgood. I come from the Tenth Planet.

MUSIC:

A BIG ACCENT ... TO A FINISH ... THEN OUT

ANNOUNCER:

We'll return for Act Two of "The Tenth Planet," starring Mr. Joseph Cotten, in a moment.

Mother, remember the days when you were a schoolgirl? And remember the sort of things you ate for your school lunches? Perhaps you'd say, "Why, I ate just about what I serve my own youngsters each day." Well, Mother, there's a big, important difference in bread today. Yes, it's a fairly safe bet you're serving your children enriched bread -- bread enriched with wonderful, health-giving vitamins.

And it's mighty important, Mother, that you serve your children plenty of enriched bread not only for their school lunches but for every other meal of the day. Children need the thiamin, the riboflavin, and the niacin contained in enriched bread. Those vitamins are necessary elements children need to give them good, healthy appetites, elements to help keep them bright and alert all day long. And they also need the iron which is added to enriched bread to help them build good red blood.

Maybe you think of bread as just one food. Well, bread is more than that. It's lots of good foods in one. Yes, there's flour and milk, sugar and shortening, and yeast and salts. They contain protein, calcium and calories. Then, when the bakers add precious vitamins and minerals, well, you can see why bread is known as our most important food. And that's why we say bread supplies lots of food for so very little cost. So, Mother, help keep your children healthy and happy. Serve enriched bread at each meal every day. And next time you visit your food store, look for the word "enriched" on the wrapper of the bread you buy.

And now, Act Two of "The Tenth Planet," starring Mr. Joseph Cotten.

MUSIC:

OTHERWORLDLY ... IN BG

WALKER:

(NARRATES) My heart was pounding like a voodoo drum. I didn't want to believe what I'd heard. Talk of flying saucers, spaceships, interplanetary travel -- this wasn't for me. I was a professor of mathematics, a logical man. And yet, there I was, in a rented adobe house in the middle of the desert, talking to a man who had calmly announced in a manner that made me believe him that he came from an unknown planet somewhere in the Earth's solar system.

MUSIC: OUT

WALKER:

A tenth planet?

TORGOOD: In talking to Earth men, I find that to be the most simple designation.

WALKER:

But there are only nine planets in our solar system.

TORGOOD:

You are mistaken.

WALKER:

But the scientists ...

TORGOOD:

.... are mistaken.

WALKER:

I see. You say you've seen my brother recently.

TORGOOD: Yes.

WALKER:

Where is he?

TORGOOD:

With us.

WALKER:

He's all right? Unharmed?

TORGOOD:

In perfect physical condition, and very happy. In fact, only one thing could make him happier.

WALKER: Yes?

TORGOOD:

Sit down, Mr Walker. My time is limited and I have much to say.

MUSIC:

BRIDGE ... THEN IN BG

WALKER:

(NARRATES) For the next two hours, I listened to the most fantastic narrative I'd ever heard in my life. It defied logic, reason -- and, at the same time, seemed to explain the flying saucers, the green fireballs and the disappearances of so many men during the past few years.

MUSIC:

OUT

SOUND:

PACING FOOTSTEPS ... BRIEFLY

TORGOOD:

Industrialists, artists, jurists, writers, scientists, are but a few--

WALKER:

But why? Why are you doing this?

TORGOOD:

So that someday these men will be able to rebuild what is left of Earth.

WALKER:

Rebuild Earth?

TORGOOD:

Your experiments into atomic research -- juvenile as they are -- are dangerous. You are children playing with matches that could ignite the universe. We cannot let that happen. Therefore the time is near for us to conquer Earth. You have seen our raypahs.

WALKER:

Raypahs? I've never heard--

TORGOOD:

Oh, I believe you call them "flying saucers." Most amusing. These are scouting craft. Soon, we shall land in force.

WALKER:

When?

TORGOOD:

Before I may answer that, Mr. Walker, I must know whether or not you intend to join us.

WALKER:

Join--? Oh, I see.

TORGOOD:

I realize you will want time to consider this proposal.

WALKER:

Yes, I guess I will.

TORGOOD:

I am authorized to give you three days, Earth time. In seventy-two of your hours exactly, I shall return.

WALKER:

Suppose my answer is "no"?

TORGOOD:

Then you shall stay here on Earth.

WALKER:

But I could warn them. Warn all the nations on Earth. Make them stop production of atomic weapons.

TORGOOD:

Warn them? Do you think they would believe you, Mr. Walker?

MUSIC:

MOURNFUL BRIDGE ... THEN OUT

JEAN:

All right, Todd. Do you want to tell me now -- about Harry?

WALKER:

Harry's safe. He's - he's fine.

JEAN:

Well, that's a relief. You hadn't mentioned him all day, so I thought-- Well, Todd, where is he?

WALKER:

On the Tenth Planet.

JEAN:

(CHUCKLES) Oh, darling, stop joking, I'm serious.

WALKER:

So am I. Deadly serious. Jean, listen to me. Listen -- and remember that I've never been more serious about anything in my life.

MUSIC:

AN ACCENT/BRIDGE ... THEN OUT

SOUND:

FOOTSTEPS TO DOOR ... DOOR OPENS

COLLINS:

Good evening, Mr. Walker.

WALKER:

Oh, Major Collins. Come in, sir.

SOUND: FOOTSTEPS IN ... DOOR CLOSES

COLLINS:

Sorry to disturb you at this time of night, Mr. Walker, but we've been very busy at the Research Center and I didn't want you to think I'd forgotten about you.

WALKER:

Well, it - it's, uh, kind of you to take such an interest, Major, but, er-- Well, to be honest, I don't think we'll be around much longer.

COLLINS:

Oh? Have you had some word from your brother Harry?

WALKER:

No. No, not exactly. But-- Well, under the circumstances, there didn't seem to be much point in staying here. I'm - I'm sure you people'll do everything you can to find him.

COLLINS:

(SUSPICIOUS) Mr. Walker, are you sure you haven't heard from your brother?

WALKER:

(CAREFULLY) I have neither seen nor talked to my brother.

COLLINS:

I ask if you've heard from him.

WALKER:

Yes, I have heard from him.

COLLINS:

Mr. Walker, as a citizen, it's your duty to turn any information you may have over to me.

WALKER:

(AMUSED) You wouldn't believe my "information," Major.

COLLINS:

Well, suppose you let me be the judge of that.

WALKER:

All right. I've received a message from Harry.

COLLINS:

Where is he?

WALKER:

On the Tenth Planet.

COLLINS:

On the--? What?

WALKER:

He's on the Tenth Planet.

COLLINS: Mr. Walker, this is no time for--

WALKER:

I'm perfectly serious, Major. I told you you wouldn't believe me.

COLLINS:

I see. And that's all you have to tell me?

WALKER:

One thing more. The inhabitants of that planet are going to conquer this Earth.

COLLINS:

(SKEPTICAL) With rocket ships and ray guns, I presume? Mr. Walker, I'll ask you once more. Where is your brother?

WALKER:

I've told you.

COLLINS:

You leave me no choice, Mr. Walker. I shall have to report the fact that you-- Well, that you are withholding vital information. Good night.

MUSIC:

BRIDGE ... THEN OUT

SOUND:

WEIRD HUMMING ... IN BG

WALKER:

(NARRATES) Shortly after ten, we heard it. And again, the desert and the room -- everything -- turned that strange metallic green.

JEAN:

It's - it's fantastic. Todd, I'm scared.

WALKER:

Now, now, baby, it's all right. This is just how it was the other night.

SOUND:

HUMMING RUNS DOWN AND STOPS

JEAN:

How long - how long before he'll come to the house?

WALKER:

Any minute now.

JEAN:

(PAUSE) I - I don't like this!

WALKER:

(PAUSE) Funny. He should have been here by now.

JEAN:

Maybe something's happened. Todd, maybe they're going to kill us!

WALKER:

No, no, no. Don't talk like that.

SOUND:

WALKER'S FOOTSTEPS AWAY

WALKER:

(MOVING OFF) I'll take a look out here.

JEAN:

Todd, don't leave me.

WALKER:

Here, stay with Bobby. I'll be right back.

SOUND:

FOOTSTEPS TO DOOR WHICH OPENS

JEAN:

(OFF) Todd?!

SOUND:

DOOR CLOSES ... WALKER'S FOOTSTEPS FROM PORCH TO SAND

TORGOOD:

(OFF) Good evening, Mr. Walker.

WALKER:

(AFTER A START) Torgood. I-- We've been waiting inside for you.

TORGOOD:

Yes, I know. Have you reached your decision, Mr. Walker?

WALKER:

Yes, we have. We're going to go with you.

TORGOOD:

We?

WALKER:

My wife and son. We're all packed.

TORGOOD:

I'm afraid you misunderstood my original proposal, Mr. Walker.

WALKER:

What?

TORGOOD:

My offer to you did not include your wife and son.

MUSIC:

AN ACCENT ... THEN IN BG

WALKER:

(NARRATES) It took me only a second to realize what this meant. And then I turned and and ran as fast as I could. Suddenly, in that moment, I was a man! A man of Earth, with a wife and child, and I had no intention of leaving them!

MUSIC:

OUT

SOUND:

DOOR SHUTS ... WALKER'S HURRIED FOOTSTEPS IN

WALKER:

Jean?! Jean?!

JEAN:

Yes, dear? What--?

WALKER:

Get your things, hurry. We're - we're getting out of here.

JEAN:

Todd, what is it?

WALKER:

I'll tell you later. Now, get the car started and I'll get Bobby.

JEAN:

But what about the--?

WALKER:

Please, please, Jean!

BOBBY:

What is it, Pop?

WALKER:

(BENDS AND PICKS UP BOBBY WITH EFFORT) We're going home, son, back to California. Come on, here we go.

SOUND:

FAMILY FOOTSTEPS TO CAR, IN BG ... CAR TRUNK AND DOORS OPEN AND CLOSE, IN BG

BOBBY:

I don't think I'd like it on another planet. I like it right here. This other planet, I'd get scared. I wanna stay right--

WALKER:

I'll drive, Jean

JEAN:

Where are we going?

WALKER:

I'm going to try to make the Atomic Center.

SOUND:

CAR ENGINE TURNS OVER AND STARTS ... ENGINE ROARS, DRIVES OFF ... ENGINE, IN BG

WALKER:

(NARRATES) I looked back through the rear-view mirror and breathed easier. The night was moonlit, pure golden moonlight. It wasn't green anymore. When we reached the highway, I was sure we'd make it.

SOUND: CAR ENGINE CONTINUES A MOMENT, THEN RUNS DOWN AND STOPS

JEAN:

Darling, what is it?

WALKER:

I, uh, don't know. Gas is all right.

SOUND:

TRIES TO RESTART ENGINE UNSUCCESSFULLY... CAR DOOR OPENS ... CRICKETS CHIRP, IN BG

WALKER:

Here, take my jacket, I'm going to look under the hood.

SOUND:

WALKER'S FOOTSTEPS ... CAR HOOD OPENED AND PROPPED UP

WALKER:

(EXHALES, MUSES TO HIMSELF) Ignition's okay. It's not flooded. (CALLS) Jean, I don't see a thing wrong!

JEAN:

(OFF) What shall we do?

WALKER:

There's a gas station about a half a mile down the road. You stay here with Bobby.

JEAN:

Todd!

WALKER:

(MOVING OFF) I won't be gone over twenty minutes.

SOUND:

WALKER'S FOOTSTEPS ON ASPHALT ROAD ... CONTINUES A MOMENT ... WEIRD HUMMING BEGINS IN BG

WALKER:

(TO HIMSELF) What--? What is this? (REALIZES) Oh. Oh, no, no. Green. Everything's - everything's turning green. The raypah. The raypah! They're coming after me. I've got to get away.

SOUND:

WALKER HAS ALREADY STARTED TO RUN

TORGOOD:

(CALLS, FROM OFF) Mr. Walker, why exert yourself?!

SOUND:

WALKER'S FOOTSTEPS STOP

WALKER:

What? Torgood!

TORGOOD:

(OFF) You cannot escape us!

SOUND:

WALKER'S RUNNING FOOTSTEPS, CONTINUES IN BG

WALKER:

(TO HIMSELF) I'll get away. I've got to get away. I've got to make it. Got to make it.

SOUND:

HUMMING GROWS LOUDER

WALKER: No! No! Jean! Jean!

SOUND:

HUMMING TOPS HIM OMINOUSLY ... DROWNS OUT CHIRPING CRICKETS... THEN SLOWLY FADES FOR ... SCRATCH OF PEN ON PAPER, IN BG ... HUMMING CONTINUES QUIETLY IN BG

WALKER:

(NARRATES) I'm positive that Earth as we know it is doomed. There's only one slim chance. If Major Collins were to have the radioactive rock we found in my brother's room analyzed, he would find that it is not of our planet. Perhaps then he would realize I was telling the truth. Otherwise, it's only a matter of time. They know our weakness and our strength. And they will conquer and rule the Earth. It's only a matter of time.

SOUND:

HUMMING GROWS LOUDER, FOR PUNCTUATION ... DROWNS OUT SCRATCH OF PEN ON PAPER

MUSIC:

TOPS EVERYTHING FOR A FINISH ... THEN OUT

ANNOUNCER:

Thanks, Joe! And, if my voice seems a bit shaky, it's because you've given us something to think about.

COTTEN:

Wendell, I really don't think there's a word of truth in this flying saucer business. The other day, I read a statement by a man who runs an airline. He said that twenty percent of his pilots have never even seen a flying saucer.

ANNOUNCER:

(CHUCKLES)

COTTEN:

Oh, by the way, my thanks to Joan Banks, Richard Beals, Ben Wright, Peter Leeds, and Hans Conried whose performance, you might say, was out of this world.

ANNOUNCER:

Thanks again, Joe. We'll hear about next week's Hollywood Star Playhouse right after our Bakers of America home economist, Miss Helen Reed, tells you about a dessert idea for your school lunches. Miss Reed?

REED:

Thank you, Mr. Niles. A school lunch may be a light lunch as against an evening meal where you serve several different dishes. But, still, a school lunch should be balanced nutritionally. That's why a dessert for lunch is just as essential as for a bigger, heavier meal.

Well, what could be simpler for you to serve or more enjoyable and tasty for your children than cupcakes? Now, you can get either the frosted devil's-food cupcakes or the frosted white cupcakes in the bakery department of your food store. You'll find them all neatly wrapped to keep them fresh for several days. And each package usually contains two or perhaps three generous-sized cupcakes. You might get several packages next time you shop for food.

And if your children carry their lunch to school, you'll find cupcakes fit into a lunchbox very nicely. Of course, cupcakes make an ideal after-school snack along with a tall, cold glass of milk. Cupcakes are delicious. They're wholsesome and they add extra energy schoolchildren need. You'll find they're very economical, too.

When you visit your food store, visit the bakery department. Find out what a wonderful variety of ready-to-serve desserts the Bakers of America prepare for you, fresh and delicious, each day.

ANNOUNCER:

Thank you, Miss Reed. And now here's a word about next week's Hollywood Star Playhouse. It's a story called "The Reluctant Witness," starring Dennis O'Keefe.

O'KEEFE:

(IN CHARACTER) Every detail of that horrible accident etched itself on my memory, and I was determined that I would never allow myself to be called as a witness. And, later, when I found it wasn't an accident, but murder -- then it was too late.

MUSIC:

THEME ... THEN IN BG ... OUT AT [X]

ANNOUNCER:

Joseph Cotten can currently be seen in the Universal-International Technicolor production "Untamed Frontier." Tonight's transcribed story was written for Mr. Cotten by Charlie Smith and Ralph Rose. The entire production is under the direction of Jack Johnstone.

All characters and incidents were fictitious and any similarity to actual characters or incidents is purely coincidental.

This is Wendell Niles speaking for the Bakers of America [X] with an invitation to be with us again next Sunday for Hollywood Star Playhouse. Enjoy another half hour of fine dramatic entertainment brought to you direct from Hollywood by the Bakers of America who are helping you serve better meals through bakery foods.

MUSIC:

THEME ... THEN OUT

2ND ANNOUNCER:

This is NBC, the National Broadcasting Company.

SOUND:

NBC CHIMES