Aliens in the Mind 77-01-30 (5 of 6) Genetic Revelation

Summary

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Podcast Summary: Aliens in the Mind 77-01-30 (5 of 6) "Genetic Revelation"

Podcast: Harold's Old Time Radio
Host: Harold's Old Time Radio
Episode Air Date: March 6, 2026
Focus: Episode 5 of 6 in the BBC radio sci-fi thriller Aliens in the Mind. Starring Vincent Price (Curtis Lark) and Peter Cushing (John Cornelius), this installment—"Genetic Revelation"—dives deeper into the conspiracy of mind-controlling mutants, exploring their origins, the web of power they weave, and the growing sense of paranoia among the protagonists.

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Overview of the Episode

This penultimate episode is a tense, atmospheric unraveling of the mutant conspiracy’s scope and origins. With Flora murdered, Lark and Cornelius seek answers in London’s corridors of power and academia. The mystery centers on the genetic origins of mutant "Controllers" and the existence of an organized effort to cultivate them for positions of influence.

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Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Immediate Aftermath of Flora's Death

• Flora's murder is a shock to the group, marking a turning point (03:07).
  • Curtis Lark: "Flora's dead."
  • John Cornelius: “I can't believe it. Such a waste.”

2. Conspiracy Expands: Mutations in High Places

• Lark and Cornelius reveal that London harbors a new colony of mutants with a hidden Controller, escalating the threat from local (island) to national level (04:43, 05:37).
• Ian Sanderson’s identity as a mutant is exposed:
  • Curtis Lark: “We’re looking at one right now.” (06:00)
  • Ian Sanderson: “You mean… I…?” (06:07)

3. The Nature of Control

• Ian learns he is a mutant and has been unwittingly manipulated, suspecting his memories and actions are not his own (06:45–07:20).
  • Ian Sanderson: “It's as though my mind had been raped. It's not a nice feeling, not being able to call your mind your own.” (07:20)
• Lark suggests Ian's awareness might allow him to resist manipulation, a first for their investigation (07:38–08:12).

4. The Genetic Revelation

• The group hypothesizes that Controllers are born only from unions where both parents (and potentially grandparents) are mutants (22:47):
  • John Cornelius: “A Controller is born out of the union of two mutants. And the parents of both of them must be mutants too.” (22:47)
• The local scholarship trust, run by the mutant-filled Fellowship, is identified as a mechanism for grooming mutants for positions of power (09:19–09:35, 26:25–27:17).

5. Paranoia and Political Fallout

• Lark and Cornelius are framed and threatened with expulsion from the country after being accused by Ian—under possible mind-control influence. (12:34–15:30)
  • Home Office Official: “It is my duty to inform you, Professor Lark…to leave the country within 72 hours.” (12:45)

6. Colonel Gulliver’s Double Game

• Colonel Gulliver, a senior Home Office figure, leaks the story to the press as a tactical maneuver, believing Lark and Cornelius and suspecting his own superior, Brigadier Sherman, is a mutant (17:08–18:13).
  • Colonel Gulliver: “Quite simply, because I happen to believe your story 100%.” (17:34)

7. Clues from the Past and the Scholarship Trust

• Investigation zeroes in on the merchant bank administering the trust.
• The trust appears less benign, potentially functioning as a “mutant breeder unit,” with Molly Kyle and Reverend Donald Schoolar as the likely “farm managers.” (26:52–27:17)

8. New Suspects Emerge

• The merchant bank is linked to the controlling network, with a suspicious tail following the group, hinting at ongoing surveillance and danger (25:24, 28:02).
  • Ian Sanderson: “He’s been there for two and a half hours. I just thought it rather strange.” (25:24)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the scope of conspiracy:

  • Ian Sanderson: “Are you saying there is a conspiracy to take over the country?” (11:01)
  • Curtis Lark: “I don’t know. I just don’t know.” (11:07)

• Genetic horror realization:

  • Curtis Lark: “Supposing none of them were Controllers?” (23:16)
  • John Cornelius: “…there must be two whole generations here. There has to be at least one Controller.” (23:21)

• Paranoia touches humor:

  • Curtis Lark: “…the answer gives me a feeling like hairy legged spiders crawling over my scalp.” (23:29)
  • John Cornelius: “In this country we call that dandruff.” (23:37)

• On the manipulation machinery:

  • Curtis Lark: “Lewig may have started as an accident of nature, but it has been deliberately built up, exploited for the sole purpose of producing mutants who can be groomed for high office.” (26:52)

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Major Segment Timestamps

• Flora’s death and aftermath: 03:04–04:45
• Ian’s mutant status revealed: 06:00–08:12
• Debate over genetic origins: 22:32–23:40
• Accusations, frame-up, and official threats: 12:16–15:41
• Colonel Gulliver’s strategy: 16:00–18:49
• Scholarship trust investigation, bank link: 24:18–28:02

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Atmosphere and Tone

• The episode is taut with suspicion, intellectual debate, and existential dread, with sharp dialogue blending grim humor and classic radio-drama earnestness.
  • Curtis Lark brings sardonic wit: “For a so-called upright Englishman, you spend an awful lot of your time burbling on your backside.” (23:40)
  • The world feels both claustrophobic (glass-walled banks, always watched) and ominously vast as the true reach of the conspiracy is revealed.

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Conclusion / Cliffhanger

Lark, Cornelius, and Ian Sanderson move from personal tragedy to unearthing a broad, intergenerational plot. The investigation pivots to the merchant bank and the men and women it empowered—setting the scene for a climactic confrontation with the true masterminds still hidden in plain sight.

Transcript

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[Narrator/Announcer]

Aliens in the mind. Co starring vincent price as curtis lark and peter cushing as john cornelius. Lark and Cornelius have established the existence of another colony of mutants, this time in the heart of London. Flora Keary unwittingly identifies two of them. The Brigadier in charge of security at the Home Office and an mp, Ian Sanderson, who later admits to being Flora's real father. But a new group of mutants surely means another controller. And Lark and Cornelius hope that with Flora's help, they can uncover him. Instead. Flora is murdered.

[John Cornelius]

No. What?

[Ian Sanderson]

No, don't let them in.

[Curtis Lark]

Put there on your police room. Flora, don't be silly.

[John Cornelius]

No, don't let them in.

[Home Office Official]

Don't let them in.

[John Cornelius]

Keep them out.

[Narrator/Advertiser]

Keep them out.

[John Cornelius]

She's putting the chain on the door.

[Colonel Gulliver]

Flora.

[John Cornelius]

They're going to kill me. They're going to kill me.

[Curtis Lark]

Calm down, Flora. Calm down and concentrate. They're going to kill me. Now listen. Listen to me, Flora. They can't kill you if you want them to go away. Now will them to go away. I can make them go away, Flora. Oh, come on. You can do it if you want to.

[Narrator/Advertiser]

I can.

[Home Office Official]

Can.

[Ian Sanderson]

I won't go.

[Curtis Lark]

Try.

[Ian Sanderson]

Try.

[Curtis Lark]

I am trying. Come on, Flora.

[Ian Sanderson]

It's not working.

[Narrator/Advertiser]

Come on.

[Home Office Official]

It's not working.

[John Cornelius]

They're going to kill me.

[Home Office Official]

Get down, Slurman.

[Curtis Lark]

Get down. Keep down. Flora. Don't move. Flora. Flora, are. Are you all right? Flora?

[John Cornelius]

What?

[Curtis Lark]

Flora's dead.

[John Cornelius]

I can't believe it. Such a waste.

[Curtis Lark]

Yes, John, but now you have to believe that there. There is another controller, right here in London.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Part 5 Genetic revelations.

[Home Office Official]

For as much as it has pleased Almighty God in his great mercy, to take unto himself the soul of our sister Flora, here departed, we therefore commit her body to the ground. Earth to earth, ashes to ashes, dust to dust, in the sure and certain hope of the resurrection to eternal life through our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

[Curtis Lark]

Amen. Poor Flora.

[John Cornelius]

I feel sorry for Sanderson. To discover his daughter one week and bury her the next.

[Curtis Lark]

If she really was his daughter, George Curtis.

[John Cornelius]

He's coming over.

[Ian Sanderson]

Oh, thank you both very much for being here. It would have been pretty lonely without you.

[Curtis Lark]

Well, it was the least we could do. She had no other friends here in London.

[Ian Sanderson]

Not much of a send off, was it? Just the three of us.

[John Cornelius]

It would have been different on Luig.

[Curtis Lark]

Yes, she really belonged to that island.

[John Cornelius]

Poor Flora.

[Ian Sanderson]

She didn't even know why she died. Did she? Or did she?

[Curtis Lark]

Well, I.

[Ian Sanderson]

Well, damn it, I have a right to know. And you both know more than you've ever let on.

[John Cornelius]

Ian, why don't you come back to my place and have a drink with us?

[Ian Sanderson]

Are you Right, I will.

[John Cornelius]

Refill? Oh, yeah.

[Ian Sanderson]

Thank you.

[John Cornelius]

Curtis?

[Curtis Lark]

No, thanks. I'm fine for the moment.

[Ian Sanderson]

So it looks as if Flora's murder was not the first. What you're saying is that her mother was murdered too?

[John Cornelius]

Yes, I'm afraid so.

[Ian Sanderson]

And you're convinced that the shock of that event was sufficient to unhinge the poor girl?

[John Cornelius]

Yes.

[Ian Sanderson]

And but for that she would have become aware of her own power over these so called mutants on Lewick?

[Curtis Lark]

Yes, that's right. But we know now it's not limited to Lewick.

[John Cornelius]

Quite a number of them are established here in London.

[Curtis Lark]

With a controller behind them. An unknown controller, what's more.

[Ian Sanderson]

Seems incredible to me. Are you sure, really sure of your facts?

[John Cornelius]

Positively.

[Ian Sanderson]

Do you know the names of these mutants?

[John Cornelius]

Well,

[Curtis Lark]

we're looking at one right now.

[John Cornelius]

You.

[Curtis Lark]

Me?

[Ian Sanderson]

You mean. I.

[John Cornelius]

We're sorry. Truly sorry.

[Ian Sanderson]

You're crazy. Out of your minds, both of you.

[Curtis Lark]

Can you explain why else you would walk into a psychiatrist consulting room and just lead Flora away?

[Home Office Official]

Me?

[Curtis Lark]

Yes. You knocked him unconscious with your walking cane and you manhandled his assistant.

[John Cornelius]

And then you just left Flora in the street as if you were a total stranger.

[Ian Sanderson]

That's not true. It's just not possible.

[Curtis Lark]

I'm afraid it is, Ian. That same psychiatrist was here with us in this very apartment when you did the whole thing over again.

[John Cornelius]

We saw you.

[Ian Sanderson]

I've no recollection of doing any of those things. Absolutely none.

[Curtis Lark]

That's par for the course.

[John Cornelius]

They were actions motivated not by your own thought processes, but by Flora's. That's why you don't remember them.

[Curtis Lark]

You see, you simply obey them blindly.

[Ian Sanderson]

But why was I the only one? Why didn't any of the other mutants respond to her signals?

[John Cornelius]

Well, you were probably the only one within range. We think a mile is the limit this power can carry. At least that's been our experience.

[Curtis Lark]

I wouldn't mind another scotch now. John. May I?

[John Cornelius]

Oh, please help you, sir?

[Curtis Lark]

Oh, thank you.

[Ian Sanderson]

I feel dirty somehow. It's as though my mind had been raped. It's not a nice feeling, not being able to call your mind your own.

[John Cornelius]

We had to tell you. Oh, aye, aye, I realized that.

[Ian Sanderson]

But. Well, it's ruined my career, of course. Wiped out everything I'd ever hoped to achieve.

[Curtis Lark]

Oh, no, that may not necessarily be true, Ian. You see, you are the first mutant to know that he's A mutant. I'm sorry to use that word, but

[Ian Sanderson]

there's no other way to put it, is there? Now, go on.

[Curtis Lark]

Well, now you know what is being done to you, you may at least be aware of the actions you have taken and be able to counter them in some way.

[John Cornelius]

It is possible, Ian. I.

[Ian Sanderson]

Well, I hope you're both right.

[John Cornelius]

And it could be of immense value to us. You see, we don't know who your controller is.

[Ian Sanderson]

The one who ordered Flora's death?

[John Cornelius]

Yes. And we must uncover him. I don't think we can do that without your help.

[Ian Sanderson]

I. I should like to uncover him. I should like that very much indeed.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Good.

[John Cornelius]

Then let's start by asking if you are really quite sure that Flora was your daughter.

[Ian Sanderson]

Yes, of course. Aren't you?

[Curtis Lark]

Are you positive Flora didn't put the idea into your head? Quite literally?

[Ian Sanderson]

The thought never crossed my mind. Oh, it's going to take me a little while to grasp the full potential of this phenomenon I can see.

[John Cornelius]

Yes, it is rather frightening, I must admit.

[Ian Sanderson]

Did Flora put the idea into my mind? It's an ingenious idea, Curtis, but no, definitely no. I knew Flora Keary was my child before she was even born. It was the reason that I had to stop seeing her mother. I had to let Flora be passed off as Angus Carey's daughter. The people on the island are pretty straight laced even today. And any sort of scandal would have been enough for them to rescind my scholarship to the university.

[Curtis Lark]

For who to rescind the scholarship?

[Ian Sanderson]

The Fellowship of the Church in Lewy.

[Curtis Lark]

Aha.

[Ian Sanderson]

What's the matter, Curtis?

[Curtis Lark]

Well, I don't know what you're going to say to this, but. Well, Ian, every member of that Fellowship is a mutant.

[John Cornelius]

Except the Minister, Donald Sculler.

[Curtis Lark]

And for some reason we haven't yet fathomed, he was in cahoots with Molly Kyle, Lueg's Controller.

[Ian Sanderson]

Molly Kyle, the Controller? Are you sure?

[John Cornelius]

Oh, yes.

[Ian Sanderson]

She was a great friend of my parents. They were both members of the Fellowship. It's snowballing even as we talk about it.

[John Cornelius]

Tell us about that scholarship of yours, Ian.

[Ian Sanderson]

Well, it's straightforward enough. It's a. A simple trust set up to pay for the further education of the brighter children on the island. Normally they're sent away to school in the mainland and then on through university, all expenses paid.

[John Cornelius]

Were there many such scholarships?

[Ian Sanderson]

Three or four a year on average.

[Curtis Lark]

Boys and girls? Aye.

[John Cornelius]

Can you remember any of their names?

[Ian Sanderson]

Of course.

[John Cornelius]

Do you know who their parents were?

[Ian Sanderson]

Don't you mean can I remember if their parents were members of the Fellowship?

[Curtis Lark]

Yes, that's exactly what he means in a roundabout way.

[Ian Sanderson]

Well, I could easily check that up and let you know.

[Curtis Lark]

Oh, that's excellent.

[John Cornelius]

Excuse me. I'd just better see who that is.

[Curtis Lark]

You know, Ian, I can't help asking myself if all those brighter children who receive scholarships were. Well, were like you.

[Ian Sanderson]

You mean mutants?

[Curtis Lark]

Yes. And are they all holding down important jobs like you?

[Ian Sanderson]

Curtis, Are you saying that there is a conspiracy to take over the country?

[Curtis Lark]

I don't know. I just don't know.

[John Cornelius]

That's odd.

[Curtis Lark]

Where it is, John, there are two

[John Cornelius]

of Gulliver's men at the door.

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[Curtis Lark]

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[John Cornelius]

They want us to accompany them to the Home Office.

[Curtis Lark]

But who says they're Gulliver's Men? Can you be sure? I mean, have you had them checked?

[John Cornelius]

Well, their papers are all in order, but they want you to bring your passport with you.

[Curtis Lark]

My passport? What the hell for?

[John Cornelius]

But apparently there have been formal complaints laid against us. What?

[Curtis Lark]

By who?

[John Cornelius]

By a certain Member of Parliament. By you, Ian.

[Home Office Official]

It is my duty to inform you, Professor Lark, that As a result of formal complaints laid against you, Her Majesty's government regrets that it has no alternative but to invite you to leave the country within 72 hours.

[John Cornelius]

What?

[Home Office Official]

I must ask you to surrender your passport. It will of course be returned to you at your point of departure when you finally leave the country.

[John Cornelius]

I must protest, sir. I protest in the strongest possible terms.

[Home Office Official]

You are in no position to protest, Mr. Cornelius. Your own activities and appear to have brought you perilously close to breaking the Official Secrets act as it is.

[John Cornelius]

Official Secrets Act.

[Home Office Official]

Not to mention your own code of medical practice. Or do you call it medical ethics these days?

[John Cornelius]

Ethics? What on earth are you talking about?

[Home Office Official]

Now, in your particular case, Mr. Cornelius, I would have thought it unethical in the extreme for a brain surgeon to publicize the name of a patient in the national press. Especially when that patient is a senior government official holding a politically sensitive appointment.

[John Cornelius]

You can't mean Ian Sanderson.

[Home Office Official]

I mean Brigadier Sherman, sir. Who?

[Curtis Lark]

Oh, you remember telling that gold braided blimp who came blundering into Gulliver's office?

[John Cornelius]

Oh, him. Well, in that case, sir, I can state without fear of contradiction that Brigadier Sherman is not, repeat, not one of my patients and never has been.

[Home Office Official]

That only compounds the situation as far as I can see.

[John Cornelius]

I don't even know the man. Only laid eyes on him once in my life.

[Curtis Lark]

Oh, forget it, John, forget it. They've got the drop on us.

[Home Office Official]

Your passport, Professor Lark, if you please.

[Curtis Lark]

All right. There, take it.

[Home Office Official]

Thank you. Here's your receipt.

[John Cornelius]

This is preposterous. I warn you, sir, I intend to take this matter to the highest possible authority.

[Home Office Official]

I assure you, Mr. Cornelius, this matter has already been to the highest possible authority.

[Curtis Lark]

We've been well and truly set up, John. We just got a Grim and Barrett.

[Home Office Official]

I don't know whether you gentlemen were hoping to perpetrate some sort of political hoax, but I'm bound to advise you that the allegations you've made against Mr. Ian Sanderson are so vicious as to invite legal action on the most stringent terms. Were they not so out. Outrageous, so impossible as to read like something.

[Curtis Lark]

Well, like science fiction.

[Home Office Official]

Precisely.

[John Cornelius]

And not so long ago they were saying the same thing about getting a man to the moon.

[Home Office Official]

I'll get Major Manson to see you out.

[Ian Sanderson]

Yes, sir.

[Home Office Official]

Oh, Manson. Perhaps you'll be good enough to escort these gentlemen safely out of the building.

[Ian Sanderson]

Certainly, sir. This way, gentlemen.

[Curtis Lark]

Yes?

[Home Office Official]

I sent you 72 hours, Professor. That's all. And please be so kind as to advise us of your time and place of Departure.

[John Cornelius]

Pompous idiot.

[Curtis Lark]

Cool it, John. You'll burst a blood vessel.

[Ian Sanderson]

Well, I ask you this way,

[Home Office Official]

Colonel

[Ian Sanderson]

Gulliver, I'd like a few words with you.

[Curtis Lark]

Good.

[John Cornelius]

I've got a few choice words I'd like to say to him.

[Curtis Lark]

Him?

[Colonel Gulliver]

Coffee?

[Curtis Lark]

Strong and black.

[John Cornelius]

There you are.

[Colonel Gulliver]

Thank you, Cornelius.

[John Cornelius]

Same for me, if you please.

[Colonel Gulliver]

Sugar?

[John Cornelius]

Please. Yes.

[Colonel Gulliver]

I'm sorry about all that.

[John Cornelius]

Say, you damn well should be. Thanks.

[Colonel Gulliver]

Well, what else can I do? Once Ian Sanderson complaint came in, the fat was in the fire.

[John Cornelius]

I find it a little surprising, to say the least. This morning I felt sure he was on our side.

[Colonel Gulliver]

I think he may well be. He phoned as soon as you'd been picked up. I don't know where he got my name from.

[Curtis Lark]

From us. He almost certainly heard John say it was your man at the door.

[Colonel Gulliver]

Anyway, he told me he hadn't laid a complaint against either of you. He suggested the whole thing was either a mistake or at least a misunderstanding.

[Curtis Lark]

Well, we still can't afford to take Ian for granted, John. He may want to be on our side, but he's still a mutant.

[John Cornelius]

You think he might have been under orders to make that complaint?

[Curtis Lark]

Almost certainly. The interesting part is that he seems to have pieced it all together when we were picked up and reacted accordingly.

[John Cornelius]

Just as you hoped he would.

[Curtis Lark]

Well, at least it's a hopeful sign.

[John Cornelius]

Yes. Now, what about this ridiculous newspaper story, Colonel, that really has put the cat among the pigeons?

[Colonel Gulliver]

Yes, I'm sorry about that, too.

[John Cornelius]

I'll be lucky if I'm not hauled up before the BMA for that little nonsense.

[Curtis Lark]

What about me being booted out of the country like an enemy alien?

[Colonel Gulliver]

Well, that was something I hadn't foreseen, I must admit.

[Curtis Lark]

Do I understand you correctly, Colonel?

[Colonel Gulliver]

I should think so, Professor. You're nobody's fool.

[Curtis Lark]

It was you who gave that story to the press.

[Colonel Gulliver]

Yes, but why? Quite simply, because I happen to believe your story 100%. I also believe that the two men who killed Flora were almost certainly mutants acting under orders.

[Curtis Lark]

Under whose orders?

[Colonel Gulliver]

That's the point, isn't it, Professor? But before I could come to grips with that, I had to deal with another problem much closer to home.

[John Cornelius]

Brigadier Sherman.

[Colonel Gulliver]

Yes. Sherman is the head of this department and my immediate superior. And a mutant, undeniably and quite possibly acting under orders, even here in this building. If this investigation was to get anywhere, I had to get rid of the Brigadier.

[Curtis Lark]

I don't see how leaking the story to the press can help.

[John Cornelius]

Well, it brings the investigation out into the open curtains into what is called public domain.

[Colonel Gulliver]

More than that, it pinpoints Sherman as the key figure in what could be a very embarrassing front page story.

[John Cornelius]

How have your lords and masters reacted so far to this devious scheme of yours?

[Colonel Gulliver]

Brigadier Sherman even now is en route for the south of France for a period of indefinite leave pending a full investigation. And I'm in charge of that investigation.

[John Cornelius]

Congratulations.

[Curtis Lark]

And I am to be deported. More congratulations.

[Colonel Gulliver]

Relax, Professor. I've already made application for that order to be rescinded.

[Curtis Lark]

Do I get my passport back?

[Colonel Gulliver]

Not until I've completed my inquiries. I'm afraid I just can't allow you to leave the country.

[Curtis Lark]

And to think Britain used to be called the cradle of democracy.

[John Cornelius]

That was Greece, dear boy.

[Curtis Lark]

Oh, I'm glad to get out of that place. It was beginning to feel like Sing Sing at one stage.

[John Cornelius]

I've never been there, but I think I know the feeling. Ah, there's a newsstand over the road.

[Curtis Lark]

You want to read about what they said about Sherman, huh?

[John Cornelius]

No, I want to make sure they've kept my name out of it it. Otherwise we'll be up to our ears and reporters for the next few days. There won't be a minute.

[Curtis Lark]

Okay. John, look out.

[John Cornelius]

John.

[Curtis Lark]

John, are. Are you all right?

[John Cornelius]

Oh, it's my arm.

[Ian Sanderson]

Is it broken?

[John Cornelius]

No, no, I don't think so. Oh, that damn driver could have killed me.

[Curtis Lark]

Oh, that was almost certain. Certainly his intention.

[John Cornelius]

You serious? Divine.

[Curtis Lark]

You bet I'm serious. Me in America and you in the hospital. Or worse. No doubt about it, John. Somebody's marked our card with a vengeance. Come in. Good morning, John.

[John Cornelius]

Good morning, Curtis. Oh, it's as well as can be expected. If I might coin a phrase.

[Curtis Lark]

Maybe this will cheer you up, huh? Look there. Four minute egg. I remember remembered. Coffee, orange juice, toast and Marmalade Delight.

[John Cornelius]

Just like mother used to make.

[Curtis Lark]

Shall I feed you?

[John Cornelius]

Oh, no, no, no, thanks. I think I can cope. What have you got there?

[Curtis Lark]

Oh, this. It's from Saunderson. He must have pushed it through the letterbox first thing this morning. It's a list of all those he can remember as having been educated by the trust. It's an interesting little collection of names. Plus details of parentage, of course. All very comprehensive. Here, see for yourself.

[John Cornelius]

Colonel Gulliver should read this. He may be able to track these people down.

[Curtis Lark]

Yes, and find out what they're doing now. I was checking Hugh's observations against these facts that Saunderson has given us.

[John Cornelius]

And what did you find?

[Curtis Lark]

Nothing. It's as though I had A key in my hand and couldn't find a lock to fit it.

[John Cornelius]

I wonder if I've got the answer.

[Curtis Lark]

What's that?

[John Cornelius]

I couldn't sleep much last night. This wretched arm kept me awake. And the strange thing was, I couldn't get Flora's mother out of my mind.

[Curtis Lark]

Flora's mother? But why?

[John Cornelius]

Well, according to Flora, her mother was murdered by Molly Kyle. Because she had begotten Flora in sin,

[Home Office Official]

as she put it.

[Curtis Lark]

Yeah, with the young Ian Sanderson.

[John Cornelius]

Yes, well now, why would Molly Kyle suddenly punish a mutant for something they'd done 13 or 14 years before?

[Curtis Lark]

Perhaps she'd only just found out.

[John Cornelius]

But how? And who could have told her? Only Ian Sanderson. And Flora's mother knew the secret. He had left the island and she would never have risked breaking up her marriage.

[Curtis Lark]

Not after 13 years. Certainly. Then the answer must have been Flora herself.

[John Cornelius]

Exactly. And when Flora suddenly started developing into

[Curtis Lark]

a Controller, it must have given our Molly one hell of a shock, to put it mildly.

[John Cornelius]

And what's more, Molly would have known instantly how it had happened. Yeah. What do you know about Flora's assumed father, Angus Keary?

[Curtis Lark]

Well, he wasn't a mutant, but his father was.

[John Cornelius]

Ah, where does Sanderson say that?

[Curtis Lark]

He doesn't. Huh? I marked all the passages in Hugh's notebook that refer to Flora. Here, look. See?

[John Cornelius]

Aha.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Good.

[John Cornelius]

Then what about Flora's mother?

[Curtis Lark]

Well, just a minute. Let's see. No, both her parents were mutants. And so were Saunderson's. He told us that himself.

[John Cornelius]

All right, so we have a working hypothesis. A Controller is born out of the union of two mutants. And the parents of both of them must be mutants too.

[Curtis Lark]

Oh, we may have to go back even further than that, John. We can't be sure.

[John Cornelius]

I know, but it's enough to be getting on with, surely. Ok, there are half a dozen names on this list who have two mutant parents.

[Curtis Lark]

And a lot of their grandparents will be dead by now. So we can't check them out.

[John Cornelius]

Exactly. So any one of these could be a Controller.

[Curtis Lark]

John. Supposing none of them were Controllers?

[John Cornelius]

Oh, come on, Curtis, there must be two whole generations here. There has to be at least one Controller. If not, where else do we find him?

[Curtis Lark]

That's the big question, John. And the answer gives me a feeling like hairy legged spiders crawling over my scalp.

[John Cornelius]

Yes, in this country we call that dandruff.

[Curtis Lark]

You know, for a so called upright Englishman, you spend an awful lot of your time burbling on your backside.

[John Cornelius]

Well, I have a poorly arm and I had to enjoy this delicious breakfast which you prepared for me with such loving care.

[Curtis Lark]

Well, you finished it now, sir. You've absolutely no excuse for staying in bed any longer. Come on now, get up.

[John Cornelius]

All right.

[Curtis Lark]

And let's go over to Saunderson's place. It's important. John. Come on.

[Ian Sanderson]

Can I offer you something? Tea, Coffee?

[John Cornelius]

Not for me, thank you. I've had breakfast in bed.

[Ian Sanderson]

Well, what is it that brings you here in such a hurry?

[Curtis Lark]

We want some information from you about this educational trust. Oh, I. Yeah. Where was it administered?

[Ian Sanderson]

On Luig, of course, Curtis. By the fellowship.

[Curtis Lark]

No, no, no, no. That's where the beneficiaries are, where the scholarships are awarded. We want to know where the money is. It can't just be suspended in space. I mean, someone has to be responsible for it, for its investment, for collecting and distributing the interest. If we could find out who does

[John Cornelius]

that, we'll be getting much closer to the truth.

[Ian Sanderson]

Aye, well, it's administered here in London by a small merchant bank. I should know because I'm a member of its board of directors. You are?

[Curtis Lark]

What are we waiting for?

[Ian Sanderson]

Well, if it'll help, I'll. I'll make an appointment for you to meet the bank's chairman.

[John Cornelius]

Fine. On our way. We might as well drop in at the Home Office and leave that list of names with Colonel Gulliver.

[Ian Sanderson]

Oh, by the by, if you'd care to come and look out of the window. Look down there. See that man in a dark jacket and pinstripe trousers?

[John Cornelius]

And what about him?

[Ian Sanderson]

Well, he's been there for two and a half hours. I just thought it rather strange.

[John Cornelius]

Ah, it might be one of Gulliver's men.

[Curtis Lark]

On the other hand, it might not. Anyway, if he follows us to the bank, I think we'd be justified in asking him for his account number.

[Ian Sanderson]

If you wouldn't mind waiting in here for a few moments. Gentlemen, Sir Graham McCladden has someone with him at the moment, but he ought to be free directly.

[John Cornelius]

Thank you.

[Curtis Lark]

Thanks.

[Ian Sanderson]

I hate having this floor to ceiling glass all around.

[John Cornelius]

So do I. Makes me feel like a goldfish in a bowl.

[Curtis Lark]

Or a germ under a microscope.

[John Cornelius]

Oh, really, Curtis, you have an uncanny knack of lowering the tone of any conversation.

[Curtis Lark]

Well, it can often be quite beneficial to get back to basics.

[John Cornelius]

Oh, dear. You're obviously about to expound another of your extraordinary theories.

[Curtis Lark]

Oh, wily Uncle Cornelius.

[John Cornelius]

Get on with it then.

[Curtis Lark]

You know, it just dawned on me that we've been looking at this education trust as something which has developed quite naturally out of the situation on Lewick.

[John Cornelius]

I thought we would all agreed on that.

[Curtis Lark]

What? From one tiny island, a few hundred simple, hard working, God fearing crofters organizing this. This fellowship, this education trust. Oh, it's all too much, John. It's far too much.

[John Cornelius]

What's the alternative?

[Curtis Lark]

That Lewig may have started as an accident of nature, but it has been deliberately built up, exploited for the sole purpose of producing mutants who can be groomed for high office. Like Ian here or Brigadier Sherman.

[John Cornelius]

And half the names on Ian's list.

[Ian Sanderson]

I shouldn't be surprised, right? You mean it's been set up like a sort of mutant breeder unit?

[John Cornelius]

More like a stud for.

[Ian Sanderson]

Oh, it's horrible.

[Curtis Lark]

Yes. Especially when you think of Molly Kyle and the Reverend Donald Schoolar as the farmers.

[John Cornelius]

Farm managers more likely. Now if you're right, then the real villains, the masterminds of this business are hiding behind the facade of this merchant bank.

[Curtis Lark]

All this plate glass opulence around us.

[Ian Sanderson]

Excuse me, gentlemen. Sir Graham is free to see you now. If you'd kindly care to step this way.

[Curtis Lark]

Oh, just a minute. Who was that who just came out?

[Ian Sanderson]

That was Sir Graham's last appointment, sir. The Reverend Donald Schooler. There he is now, sir. Just going towards the main door. Do you know him by any chance?

[Curtis Lark]

Oh yes, we know him all right.

[John Cornelius]

And the man he's talking to now.

[Ian Sanderson]

Oh, do you, sir? That's Sir Graham's chauffeur. But he's the man who has been waiting outside my flat for two and a half hours.

[Curtis Lark]

And sure as hell he wasn't waiting for a bus.

[Narrator/Announcer]

That was part five of Aliens in the Mind. Co starring Vincent Price as Curtis Lark and Peter Cushing as John Cornelius. With Fraser Carr as Ian Sanderson, William Edel Gulliver, James Thomason, Home Office official and Andrew Sear as Manson. Aliens in the Mind was written by Rene Basilico from an idea by Robert Holmes. Production by John Dyess.

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