Atlanta Radio Theatre Company - Bradbury's Funeral Home, Armada Rising

Summary

Detailed Podcast Summary

Episode Overview

Podcast: Harold's Old Time Radio
Episode Title: Atlanta Radio Theatre Company – Bradbury’s Funeral Home, Armada Rising
Date: March 19, 2026
Host: Harold's Old Time Radio

This episode features two audio drama productions presented by the Atlanta Radio Theatre Company. The first story, Bradbury’s Funeral Home by Ron N. Butler, is an episode in the “Bumper’s Crossroads” series, blending small-town humor and a meditation on mortality. The second piece, Armada Rising by Thomas E. Fuller, is a speculative radio play that riffs on mass hysteria, folklore, and apocalypse as the ghostly Spanish Armada rises from the sea, triggering a surreal cultural and societal upheaval in Britain and beyond.

---

Segment 1: Bradbury’s Funeral Home (00:01:07–09:45)

Main Theme

A gentle, bittersweet tale examining the rituals of funerals, community bonds, and our confrontation with mortality, all through a comedic lens.

Key Points & Plot

• Setting: The beloved small town of Bumper’s Crossroads; the group is driving to Bradbury’s Funeral Home for the funeral of Omar Bradbury.
• Colorful Anecdotes:
  • Helen reminisces about her childhood experiences at the funeral home, “It’s been my favorite funeral home since I was a little girl… I had the best time.” (02:45)
• Misdirection: Upon arriving, the crowd finds Omar himself alive and resting in the coffin, delighted at the turnout.
  • “This is shameless. This looks more like a party than a visitation. What is going on?” (04:13)
• Revelation: Omar reveals he orchestrated his own funeral while still alive so he could enjoy the gathering.
  • “The only thing wrong with it [a funeral] is one person can’t enjoy it all… So I decided I didn’t want a funeral like that. I wanted to be there.” – Omar Bradbury (06:00)
• Pathos: Omar confides that he is, in fact, terminally ill and wanted to share one last joyous time with friends and family.
  • “Six months or a year. Lymphoma. I ignored the signs for far too long.” – Omar Bradbury (08:02)
• Bittersweet End: The story closes with a gentle dance and, soon after, confirmation of Omar’s passing the following morning.

Notable Quotes

• “The best funerals are fun. Oh, not the death… but funerals bring together friends and relatives you haven’t seen in years…” — Omar Bradbury (06:00)
• “There’s only one thing wrong with it. The guest of honor can’t enjoy it all.” — Omar Bradbury (06:21)
• “Omar Bradbury’s boy, Raymond on the phone. OMAR died about 6 this morning.” — Helen (09:13)

Memorable Moments

• The social commentary on the performative nature of funerals is balanced by warmth and nostalgia.
• The lively “funeral party” scene underscores the story’s blend of humor and reflection.

---

Segment 2: Armada Rising (10:52–31:20)

Main Theme

A supernatural cataclysm unfolds as the legendary Spanish Armada rises from the depths, spawning mass hysteria, cultural fads, and ultimately societal collapse in Britain—blurring the lines between myth and reality.

Key Points & Plot Breakdown

A. First Sightings and Folklore (10:52–14:38)

• News Broadcasts: Reports surface of strange disturbances off the northern coast of Ireland.
  • “Two fishermen…returned home last night with reports of being attacked by what they refer to as all the ghosties of the great sea.” (11:11)
• Fishermen’s Tale: Patrick O’Neill and Andrew Shaughnessy vividly describe spectral Spanish galleons emerging from the fog, magically regenerating from wrecks to full glory.
  • “Like black claws they were, clutching up out of the water…they healed…Twas a grand sight.” — Fred (14:00)

B. Escalating Events at Sea (15:16–16:29)

• Naval Encounters: Ships in the area are involved in inexplicable incidents; one ship is fired on by spectral galleons.
  • “They’re firing on us. The bloody bastards are firing on us.” — Helen (15:53)
• Aftermath: Survivors are found in a state of shock, “babbling of mysterious attacks.”

C. Public and Psychological Response (17:24–19:52)

• Mass Hysteria Theory: Psychologist Dr. Marjorie Petrie is interviewed about the epidemic of sightings.
  • “This is as classic an example of mass hysteria as you can hope to find…a rather desperate grandeur about it.” — Dr. Petrie (17:44, 18:02)
  • “No matter what people think they see, it just isn’t there.” — Dr. Petrie (19:22)

D. Social and Cultural Unrest (20:25–24:40)

• Youth Subcultures: Young people take sides as “Limeys” or “Shippers,” don era-appropriate costumes, and gather for Armada festivals.
  • “We’re Limeys…that’s to show we’re not shippers.” — Fred (22:45)
• Signal Fires: Mass bonfires used to communicate Armada sightings, leading to convergence on Plymouth.
• Government Clampdown: British troops intervene as youth begin a mass southward exodus. Violent clashes break out; “Clashes between rival gangs of limeys and shippers have caused numerous injuries and at least five deaths.” (24:00)

E. Apocalyptic Overtones (24:40–28:21)

• Religious Prophecy: A fiery premonition of doomsday as “Leviathan, the great beast…with the masts of a great fleet,” is invoked by a prophet-like voice. (24:40)
• Nation-wide Crisis: News alerts declare a civilian emergency; rioting and chaos spread as the navy is deployed to confront the phantom armada.
• Navy vs. Armada: Ships spot the Armada in classic crescent formation; great vessels are destroyed, Plymouth burns, and radio contact is lost.
  • “I can just see the Invincible from here. She seems to be burning. The Essex blew up an hour ago…the water is rust red, blood red…they are beautiful, just like they said they would be.” — Witness/Observer (28:21)

F. The Phenomenon Spreads (29:32–31:20)

• Aftershocks in America: Reports of Confederate cavalry ghostly appearances and phantom civil war trenches in Atlanta, blending the British apocalypse with American history and myth.
  • “We were just getting set up when it happened. Had the tablecloth out…and they come charging out of the woods.” — Atlanta Witness (29:56)
• Escalating Surrealism: Authorities are baffled as city landscapes are reshaped by impossible, spectral events.

Memorable Moments & Notable Quotes

• On mass hysteria: “They are now [harmless]. But who knows what’s going to happen before all this runs its course? People are starting to get really keyed up…It’s more dangerous as a comment on our times.” — Dr. Petrie (19:22)
• Reveling in the unreal, as it becomes real: “Can sailing ships be that big? How long can a lost cause wait to rise?” — Radio Operator, Plymouth (28:21)
• Satirical depictions of cultural fads: “In only 14 days, the punk and post-punk fashions have disappeared and been replaced with a curious mixture of Elizabethan and modern garbage. Armada rock...is growing in appeal.” — News Reporter (21:51)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Bradbury’s Funeral Home starts: 01:07
• Omar “alive at his own funeral”: ~04:50
• Omar’s terminal diagnosis revealed: 08:00
• Armada Rising news bulletin begins: 10:52
• Fishermen’s account of galleons: 12:06–14:38
• Naval attack scene: 15:16–16:29
• Psychologist interview: 17:24–19:52
• Youth subcultures and mass movement: 22:34–23:49
• Apocalyptic broadcasts and Plymouth burns: 24:40–28:21
• American ghost phenomena and Atlanta segment: 29:32–30:39

---

Conclusion

This double-feature episode is a sterling example of audio drama’s power: Bradbury’s Funeral Home delivers wry, heartfelt commentary on death and community, while Armada Rising unfurls a riveting supernatural parable about the contagious nature of myth and collective belief. The mix of sharply written humor, immersive storytelling, and surreal horror creates a memorable listening experience, drawing clear parallels between how societies process both loss and the inexplicable.

---

For more work by the Atlanta Radio Theatre Company, visit www.artc.org.

Transcript

[Omar Bradbury]

This podcast is supported by the original

[Witness/Observer]

organic bedding and bath brand, Koiuchi.

[Koiuchi Brand Announcer]

Koiuchi has spent 35 years pioneering quality organic textiles long before the word organic became, you know, trendy. But words matter to Koiuchi. Words like craftsmanship, longevity, and wellness. So what does the word wellness mean to Koiuchi? It means that all of our products are absolutely free from harsh chemicals and dangerous toxins that can seep into your skin. It means effortless style that looks as good as it feels with naturally breathable, pre washed organic cotton. And what does all of that mean to you? Well, it means that you can sleep well in Koiuchi's crisp, cool, luxuriously soft sheets that are ethically made and made with you in mind. Live well, sleep well with Koiuchi. Get 15% off your first order when you visit Koiuchi.com, that's Koiucci.com to get 15% off. C o y u c h I dot com.

[Narrator/Host]

You guessed it. It's time once again for Artsy's Podcast, the online venue of the Atlanta Radio Theater Company. Our feature piece for the show is Armada Rising by Thomas E. Fuller. But first, an episode of Bumper's Crossroads. Bradbury's Funeral Home by Ron N. Butler.

[Narrator/News Reporter]

It's time once again to take a little trip just a ways down the road to America's favorite little town, Bumper's Crossroads, brought to you as always by Collins Best Coffee. Tonight we join Woody, Helen and Ray en route between Bumper's Crossroads and Autumnley.

[Woody]

Woody, I admire your car.

[Fred]

Thank you.

[Helen]

I've always been partial to Crown Victoria.

[Woody]

I do have one question, though. It's about those two little blue plastic hats in the back window.

[Helen]

Boulders. Boulders. I am also partial to little blue plastic boulders.

[Woody]

Well, from the outside, they look.

[Helen]

I'm not responsible for what they look like. I will say this, though. If you drive a white Ford Crown Victoria with black wall tires, three radio antennas on the trunk lid, and two little blue plastic hats in the back window, you can generally drive as fast as you want and very seldom will you have any trouble with the police.

[Narrator/Listener]

I. I just cannot believe that Omar Bradbury's dead. Had you known him long?

[Helen]

Omar was Helen's English literature teacher in high school. Of course, that was before he moved up to Autumnley and took over his father's funeral home. A long time.

[Narrator/Listener]

Not that long ago.

[Ship Officer]

Would he?

[Helen]

Yes, ma'.

[Narrator/News Reporter]

Am.

[Narrator/Listener]

Just drive. I've always been partial to Bradbury's. It's been my favorite funeral home since I was a little girl.

[Woody]

Your Favorite funeral home.

[Narrator/Listener]

That does sound odd, doesn't it? But it's marvelous house. White, with red shingles, a port cochere, and that broad porch around three sides. It was built during the Roosevelt administration, I believe.

[Woody]

Franklin.

[Narrator/Listener]

Teddy. Oh, my. Great Aunt Eunice passed on when I was 10, and the whole town turned out for the visitation the night before the funeral. Great Aunt Eunice was quite the grand matriarch, and the family and friends just flowed out onto that porch, talking and remembering and catching up. People my parents hadn't seen in years, cousins to play with. I had never. It sounds so strange, but I had the best time.

[Helen]

Ray, did Fred seem all right when you dropped him off?

[Woody]

Oh, yeah. I drove him up right after he got the phone call. He said he and Mr. Bradbury had been such good friends, he'd prefer to ride back with you and Ms. Woodrow after paying his respects.

[Helen]

Mm.

[Woody]

Mm.

[Narrator/Listener]

That was Omar's first undertaking. His father's funeral. And now there's another Bradbury laid out in the front parlor. Sad.

[Helen]

I think this is it. But where am I gonna park? Look at all these cars.

[Narrator/Listener]

My word. I've never seen the house this full. Music. Is that music?

[Woody]

I think so.

[Narrator/Listener]

This is shameless. This looks more like a party than a visitation. What is going on?

[Woody]

Well, isn't that Mr. Bumper? Why don't you ask him?

[Helen]

He looks kinda dazed.

[Fred]

Fred.

[Narrator/Listener]

Fred.

[Helen]

Fred.

[Narrator/Listener]

Copper, come over here.

[Helen]

Oh, my.

[Fred]

He's. He's not dead.

[Narrator/Listener]

He's not dead? Who's do you mean? Omar Bradbury isn't dead.

[Fred]

He's in the front parlor.

[Narrator/Listener]

This is a scandal. Woody, you look after Fred. I'm gonna go get to the bottom of this.

[Helen]

I just don't know.

[Narrator/Listener]

Helen.

[Omar Bradbury]

Woodrow.

[Narrator/Listener]

Oh, Ma. Bradbury, you get out of that coffin right now.

[Omar Bradbury]

Oh, I haven't seen you in six years. I'm glad you could make it. Oh, Ma.

[Narrator/Listener]

Forrest Bradbury, you have some explaining to do. I said get out of that coffin.

[Omar Bradbury]

I don't rightly know if I can. It's a tight fit. Oh, that's better. Now, Helen, why don't you take my arm, and we'll go out on the porch, and I will attempt to soothe the savage beast. Now, please, Helen, sit. You always like this swing? I remember you and your cousin Violet tried to kick your heels against the roof during your aunt Eunice's funeral.

[Narrator/Listener]

Mr. Bradbury, explain this carnival.

[Omar Bradbury]

Why aren't I dead?

[Narrator/Listener]

Yes, why aren't you?

[Omar Bradbury]

No, no, no, no. It's a proper question. Why isn't the guest on or at this visitation, properly dead. And the answer is because I'd miss all the fun.

[Narrator/Listener]

The fun.

[Omar Bradbury]

The fun. Helen. Dear Helen, my favorite pupil. I've seen more funerals than most men over 40 years. I gradually realized something shocking. The best funerals are fun. Oh, not the death. Death is always sad and sometimes tragic. But death is with us always, whether we have funerals or not. Funerals are a fine human invention. Draw together the raw wound of loss. Funerals bring together friends and relatives you haven't seen in years. And they concentrate all the good memories and love for that departed man or woman that there are in the whole world. And that's good. There's only one thing wrong with it. What guest of honor is one person who can't enjoy it all? So I decided I didn't want a funeral like that. I wanted to be there. I wanted to see everyone one last time. So I sent out funeral notices and had my old friends and pupils and unseen relatives called up. I must say, owning the funeral home was a tremendous help.

[Woody]

That's.

[Narrator/Listener]

That's fraud.

[Omar Bradbury]

Well, it's not much one. After all, I'm 80 years old. How long you think before I have to submit to a conventional funeral?

[Narrator/Listener]

That's not the point. You've deceived these people. You might live another 20 years. You have time to go and see your relatives and old cronies like a decent human being instead of upsetting them all and disrupting their lives like Grandpa.

[Omar Bradbury]

Are you sure, Helen?

[Narrator/Listener]

I don't like the way you asked that. You always asked your sneaky questions in that quiet voice.

[Omar Bradbury]

Oh, I remember again why you were my favorite pupil so quick. Well, favorite pupil, the folks here tonight know a secret the rest of the world does not. Omar F. Bradbury is not dead. But I'll tell you a secret none of them knows. Omar F. Bradbury is dying.

[Narrator/Listener]

No.

[Omar Bradbury]

Six months or a year. Lymphoma. I ignored the signs for far too long. So when Doc Ray Bell diagnosed it, I could maybe stretch that out with chemotherapy. But I've no mind to. I don't think the Lord will hold it against me if I don't take the longest way home to see my Ann again.

[Narrator/Listener]

Oh, dear.

[Omar Bradbury]

I have always liked this tune. I liked it when it first came out. Ms. Hull, might I have this dance?

[Narrator/Listener]

It will be a pleasure, Mr. Bradbury.

[Helen]

That was Omar Bradbury's boy, Raymond on the phone. OMAR died about 6 this morning.

[Omar Bradbury]

Are they sure?

[Narrator/Listener]

He'd better be.

[Narrator/News Reporter]

Tune in tomorrow for another visit with Bumper's Crossroads brought to you by Collins. Best coffee. The coffee that wakes you up and kicks you out the door. We're always happy to see you at bumpers. Crossroads.

[Plant Shop Announcer]

Certified plant genius here. Most people see a busy plant shop, but I see a perfect balanced ecosystem thanks to genius from global payments. Inventory tracked payments, seamless reviews in one place. Absolutely genius. From sold out crowds worldwide to running this shop, genius grows with you. Your monstera's potted healthy roots. Strong growth just like this shop. Big league reliability for your business. That's genius.

[Helen]

Hey, Sal. Hank.

[Omar Bradbury]

What's going on? We haven't worked a case in years.

[Helen]

I just bought my car at Carvana

[Omar Bradbury]

and it was so easy. Too easy. Think something's up? You tell me.

[Helen]

They got thousands of options, found a

[Omar Bradbury]

great car at a great price, and

[Fred]

it got delivered the next day.

[Omar Bradbury]

It sounds like Carvana just makes it easy to buy your car, Hank.

[Helen]

Yeah, you're right.

[Omar Bradbury]

Case closed.

[Narrator/Listener]

Buy your car today on Carvana.

[Koiuchi Brand Announcer]

Delivery fees may apply.

[Narrator/News Reporter]

And this just in from our bureau in Northern Ireland. It seems that there is some kind of oceanic disturbance taking place off the north coast of that beleaguered country. Scientists are using satellites in an attempt to pinpoint the exact cause of the phenomenon. There is some speculation that it could be connected with an underwater eruption such as the kind that took place off the coast of Ireland several years ago.

[News Reporter]

World News International. The Scilly season is in full swing. Two fishermen from the Irish town of Kalogan in County Antrim returned home last night with reports of being attacked by what they refer to as all the ghosties of the great sea. They were a bit incoherent, but from what authorities could make out before sending the two men home, they seem to have suddenly found themselves in the midst of a series of black ribbed spikes rising up out of the sea. According to one constable, he had no idea what the men had seen, only that it could not be what they said they had seen.

[Molly (Interviewer)]

This is Diane Johnson here with Mr. Patrick O' Neill and Mr. Andrew Shaughnessy, two gentlemen with a story to tell.

[Fred]

And it's the truth by all that's holy. Tis the God's truth.

[Omar Bradbury]

Ay.

[Molly (Interviewer)]

Perhaps you should just tell our listeners in your own words exactly what happened.

[Omar Bradbury]

We'd been out all day doing a

[News Reporter]

little fishing and taking a drink or

[Omar Bradbury]

two now and then.

[Fred]

Yeah, just to keep the cold out.

[Omar Bradbury]

Right, right. Just to keep the cold out.

[News Reporter]

When it happened.

[Molly (Interviewer)]

When what happened?

[Omar Bradbury]

Damned if I know.

[Molly (Interviewer)]

I beg your pardon?

[Fred]

What Andrew means is that we don't know what happened, only what happened. If you catch my drift.

[Molly (Interviewer)]

Uh, no.

[Omar Bradbury]

Well, the first thing that happens was all the sounds stop, just as if someone had pushed a button. No goals, no jets, no engines, nothing. Just the sound of the ocean. It kind of muted, like.

[Fred]

And the sky. The sky got all gray and boily. And the air was. Was dead, like before a big storm. That's when we saw the first of them, rising up out of the sea like a damp forest.

[Omar Bradbury]

Like black claws they were clutching up out of the water, cold and dark.

[Fred]

Why, they were all around us, rising up higher and higher, draped and dripping canvas and rope. The seaweed streaming off him like banners. Make a man's heart stop dead in his chest. And that weren't the worst of it.

[Narrator/Listener]

It weren't.

[Molly (Interviewer)]

Wasn't.

[Omar Bradbury]

Oh, they kept coming up. And then the rest of them broke the surface.

[Narrator/Listener]

Good.

[Omar Bradbury]

The glory of them. Like walls, like castle walls growing up out of the swirl of the sea. The water sloughed off them like a skin. Gooshed out of the ports, Poured out of the cannon like the smoke mocha battle.

[Molly (Interviewer)]

Wait a minute.

[Narrator/Listener]

The cannon.

[Molly (Interviewer)]

Water poured out of the cannon.

[Omar Bradbury]

That's what I said, didn't I?

[Molly (Interviewer)]

These things were armed.

[Omar Bradbury]

I never saw a picture of them that wasn't armed. Did you, Patrick?

[Fred]

Devil One.

[Molly (Interviewer)]

Then you know what they were.

[Omar Bradbury]

Of course we know. They were galleons. Spanish galleons.

[Fred]

Just like them what broke up on the Giants Causeway 400 years ago.

[Omar Bradbury]

And then they were on the move, gliding past us like we weren't even there. Oh, there must have been a hundred of them. I'll never forget it. Never.

[Fred]

And then the weird thing happened.

[Molly (Interviewer)]

The weird thing?

[Fred]

When they rose up out of the sea, there were wrecks. All ribs and rot, ooze and mud and slime, like blood from wounds. But as they slid past us, they changed. They healed. The canvas billowed, the crops grew taut. Their sides glistened with gold and iron. Ah, twas a sight, let me tell you. Twas a grand sight.

[Molly (Interviewer)]

And this. This Armada.

[Omar Bradbury]

You might as well come right out and say it was the great Spanish Armada of old King Philip breaking free

[Fred]

of the sea, all sail set, and sailing dead on.

[Omar Bradbury]

For England and serve them all right too.

[Fred]

Ay, but Lord, Lord, they were grand.

[Molly (Interviewer)]

This is Ben Dian Johnson reporting to you from.

[Narrator/News Reporter]

Scientists in London today confirmed the loss of Skybird 12, the weather satellite serving the north of Ireland and the west coast of Scotland. At this time, it is not known if the satellite is totally down or merely malfunctioning. According to NASA, the possibility exists that Ground commands could bring it.

[Helen]

Fog's damn thick tonight, Number One.

[Ship Officer]

It's certainly that hate.

[Helen]

Crawling along like this costs us time and the owner's money.

[Ship Officer]

Not to mention being boring. Isell. Hello, sir.

[Helen]

There's something out there. Out there in the fore.

[Ship Officer]

Oh, that's impossible, sir. We're the only ship in this sector.

[Fred]

Look.

[Helen]

There, looming up out of the mist. Do you see them?

[Omar Bradbury]

Do you see?

[Narrator/Listener]

Oh, my God.

[Helen]

Collision course. Fall reverse. Collision course. Collision course.

[Ship Officer]

Well, they can't be real. They can't be.

[Helen]

They sure as hell look real. And if we hit them, we'll slice through them like a hot knife through butter. Full reverse.

[Fred]

They're.

[Helen]

They're firing on us. The bloody bastards are firing on us.

[Ship Officer]

Look at them.

[Narrator/Listener]

They're all around us.

[Narrator/News Reporter]

The crew of the SS Bermuda Star were picked up this morning after being at sea for at least a week. The delay in rescuing them is being blamed on the unusually thick fog that is blanketing the Irish Sea and on the failure of their emergency radio. The crew was suffering from exposure, many of the men being quite incoherent, babbling of mysterious attacks.

[Witness/Observer]

I tell you, I saw them. It's only a glimpse, mind you. It was a damn good glimpse. We'd left Londonderry making the usual run for Bristol. It was broad daylight, but the fog was so thick we were on instruments. Anyway, we were just cruising along. And then the wind came up or something. And suddenly there was this great bloody hole in the fog. Like someone had cut it open like a knife. The sun came pouring in and I looked down down at the sea. They were spread out beneath me, the sun burning round them like diadems. And they were massed in a gigantic crescent, sailing before the wind. There were so many of them, you couldn't even see the water. Then the fog closed back in and they were gone. But they were there. I swear to you, they were there. I saw them. I. I saw them.

[Molly (Interviewer)]

Our guest tonight on Talking to is the noted psychologist Dr. Marjorie Petrie. It's a pleasure to have you on the show, Dr. Petrie.

[Woody]

It's a pleasure to be here, Molly.

[Molly (Interviewer)]

Now, Dr. Petrie, there has been a lot of talk lately concerning the so called armada sightings. It's become almost a fad. It seems like every time you turn around someone else is spotting something out on the ocean.

[Woody]

Yes, I think you hit it right on the head when you said fad, Molly. This is as classic an example of mass hysteria as you can hope to find. The only thing that sets it off is the Singular touch of the fantastic that comes with it.

[Molly (Interviewer)]

The fantastic. Now, what exactly do you mean by that, Dr. Petrie?

[Woody]

A ghost fleet, one of the most famous in history, suddenly rises up out of the sea and starts to retrace its route back around the north coast of Great Britain. Now, if that isn't fantastic, I'm sure I don't know what is. I will say that there is a rather desperate grandeur about it. It is certainly more imaginative than most examples of mass hysteria.

[Molly (Interviewer)]

That's the second time you've used the term mass hysteria. Then you consider the sightings to be on the same level as, oh, UFOs and the loch Ness Monster and Bigfoot

[Woody]

and sea serpents and all the rest of them. It takes so little to get something like this rolling. Two fishermen spend the day in the sun, staring at the glare and swigging ale, and suddenly find themselves in the midst of a flock of resurrected galleons. They're lucky that's all they saw. A freighter blows up and after a week drifting in lifeboats. The crew thinks they were sunk by cannon fire. Exposure will do that to you. A bored pilot looks through a hole in the fog and thinks he sees a majestic crescent of ships spread out beneath him. I'm not saying that these people didn't see something. I'm sure they did. I'm also sure that it wasn't the Spanish Armada.

[Molly (Interviewer)]

So then you think the Armada sightings are basically harmless?

[Woody]

They are now. But who knows what's going to happen before all this runs its course? People are starting to get really keyed up over all this. I think it's more dangerous as a comment on our times than anything else. Oh, you can make some case for UFOs or mysterious creatures, but there is nothing that can be said for this. It simply can't exist. That's it in a nutshell. No matter what people think they see, it just isn't there.

[Molly (Interviewer)]

Thank you, Dr. Petrie. Our special guest tonight has been the noted psychologist Dr. Marjorie Petrie, with her comments concerning the Armada sightings. Tune in tomorrow when our.

[Narrator/News Reporter]

The North Sea continues to be blanketed in the worst fog of this century. Most commerce is at a standstill and air travel in and out of Scotland has been restricted. There seems to be little hope that the fog will lift anytime soon.

[Narrator/Listener]

It was the kids. Seen them first. I got two boys, 10 and 12. Good boys they are, or as good as they can be at that age. They were out on the beach when I heard them calling to me. You know how kids are I thought they were just making noise. Then I noticed that they were really calling, yelling like they really wanted me down there. I was afraid they might have gotten hurt, so I ran down to them. They were just standing there, all flushed with excitement, pointing out to sea. You couldn't really see anything. Everything was all grey with the fog. But they kept yelling, look, Mum. Look at them. Look at them. Of course, I couldn't see a thing. But I looked anyway, just to keep them quiet. It's the ships, Mum. It's the ships, like they said on the telly. I almost laughed at them. And then I saw there was something out there on the horizon, moving. You could just make them out, just barely. But they were out there. Something was out there. The longer you stared, the clearer they became. There were so many of them and they were so big. You can't imagine how huge they were. And the sails billowing like clouds in the fog. Each one with a great red cross in the center. I grabbed the kids and ran back into the house. And I stayed there until Jack came home. But I could still feel them. Passing right through the walls of the house. I could feel them.

[Narrator/News Reporter]

World News International Armada fever is sweeping Great Britain and spreading to other parts of Europe. This strange phenomenon that started in Ireland two weeks ago is beginning to resemble nothing less than an epidemic. Already the so called Armada sightings have begun to impact on the nation's young people. In only 14 days, the punk and post punk fashions have disappeared and been replaced with a curious mixture of Elizabethan and modern garbage. Armada rock, based on madrigals and incorporating aspects of the old Latin mass, is growing in appeal. Daily two groups raid on Cadiz and the Spanish Inquisition. Both proponents of armada rock have risen to dominate the charts. To have actually experienced a sighting is considered the ultimate experience.

[Molly (Interviewer)]

Perhaps I should just start off with your names.

[Fred]

Hey, I'm Mark Barker and this is Jenny Carmichael.

[Narrator/Listener]

Hi.

[Molly (Interviewer)]

And you're here for the exciting.

[Narrator/Listener]

You better believe it.

[Fred]

Who wouldn't miss it for the world?

[Molly (Interviewer)]

You're wearing some very interesting costumes. I. I take it they have special significance.

[Fred]

Oh, you bet they do. We're Limeyes. That means we identify with the English. That's why the high boots and cutlass, all this stuff. Sort of pirate look. A little rangy, a little scruffy, you know.

[Narrator/Listener]

That's to show we're not shippers.

[Molly (Interviewer)]

Shippers?

[Fred]

Yeah. Yes, shippers. They identify with the Armada. You spot them right off. They wear these funny conquistador hats and breastplates. Most of them are all right. But some are real trouble.

[Narrator/Listener]

There's been some trouble at some of the other sites, but not this one. Everything's cool here.

[Molly (Interviewer)]

Now what exactly are you all doing here? I understand there to be some bands.

[Narrator/Listener]

Oh, there's music and beer and stuff. But the important thing is the signal fire there.

[Fred]

Kids all up and down the coast, all up and around. Signals like ours. That's this. This great pile of logs and things here.

[Narrator/Listener]

As soon as the armada sighted, the fire is lit. That's the signal for the next group to be on the lookout.

[Fred]

Then we all look out at the sea. And if we see them, when.

[Narrator/Listener]

When we see them.

[Fred]

Right, right. When we see them, we light our fire. And then the next nights it up.

[Woody]

Well, then what?

[Fred]

And then we start south with all the others growing as we go. The biggest bloody moving rock festival in history.

[Molly (Interviewer)]

But where are you all going?

[Narrator/Listener]

Plymouth, of course.

[Fred]

That's where they're going. That's where the armada's going.

[Narrator/Listener]

It's really going to.

[News Reporter]

With the World News International. British regular army troops were moved in today to stop the mass exodus of young people moving down the east coast of Great Britain. It is estimated that the number of people is in excess of 300,000. Marching steadily towards the city of Plymouth. Behind them they leave a dying line of bonfire stretching north into Scotland. Clashes between rival gangs of limeys and shippers have caused numerous injuries and at least five deaths. The government are calling for calm and all armada rock songs have been banned from the airways. The latest armada sighting was by the crew of the North Sea oil rig Northumberland. Contact with the rig was lost soon after.

[Helen]

I have seen the beast rising out of the sea. With my own eyes I have seen. Is the time of the breaking of the seals, the end of days. Hear my voice. For I have had the vision. And you must listen. You must. Out of the sea will come Leviathan, the great beast of the sea. To do battle with Behemoth, the great beast of the land. I have seen it. The spines of its back like the masts of a great fleet. Do not be deceived. Do not listen to the false prophets to speak of you. Of ancient ships and swamp gas. I tell you the time is coming.

[Omar Bradbury]

The time foretold.

[Helen]

I have seen the great beast rising from the sea.

[Omar Bradbury]

Prepare. Prepare. Prepare.

[Narrator/Listener]

Did you see them?

[Witness/Observer]

I saw them.

[Narrator/Listener]

Were they real?

[Witness/Observer]

They were real.

[Narrator/Listener]

What should we do?

[Witness/Observer]

I don't know. I don't think there's anything we can do.

[Narrator/News Reporter]

This. This is the civilian emergency network. All other forms of broadcasting are off the air. To keep the airways free for vital government and defense use. Armada sightings have been constant for the last three days. Rioting continues along the whole east coast of the island. The home fleet, consisting of the carrier Invincible, the guided missile cruiser King George ii, and the destroyers Essex, Southampton and Warwick have been dispatched to Plymouth to dispel once and for all the threat of the armada. All citizens are requested to stay in their homes. Any citizens with medical training are requested to immediately report to them.

[Ship Officer]

Silliest damn thing I ever heard. Trouble all over the world. Real trouble. And here we are chasing ghosts in the Channel.

[Woody]

If you want trouble, all you have to do is just go ashore.

[Ship Officer]

Ain't that the truth. I don't know what's the matter with kids these days. I mean, I was wild myself, but nothing like this.

[Woody]

Did you see those pictures from London? Talk about a mad house. Last I heard, the PM was making the royal family evacuate. They didn't want to go.

[Ship Officer]

Yeah, well, that's somewhat all over the place.

[Woody]

Anything on the scope?

[Ship Officer]

What do you think?

[Woody]

Sorry?

[Ship Officer]

Everything's just falling right apart on shore. Just coming right apart. Ghosts. Bloody damn ghosts.

[Woody]

Well, better ghosts than anything else. Do you think this could be the Russians? I mean, maybe they did something to the weather. Made the fog figured out a way to, like, project the galleons. That would explain it, wouldn't it?

[Ship Officer]

Explain as much as anything else. What the hell?

[Woody]

What?

[Ship Officer]

What the bloody hell? Oh, this damn thing must be malfunctioning. Come on, you lousy piece of sea rot. Damn, they're still there.

[Woody]

What's still there?

[Ship Officer]

Look at the bloody thing.

[Woody]

Oh, my God.

[Ship Officer]

One minute nothing, nothing at all. And the next minute, there they are. Look at them. There must be hundreds of them.

[Woody]

The Crescent.

[Narrator/Listener]

What?

[Woody]

They're still in their crescent formation. Just like in the history books, I think.

[Ship Officer]

You bet. Maybe better to tell the old man he's got a real problem on his hands.

[Woody]

Yeah, I'll do that. Yeah. They're really out there, aren't they?

[Ship Officer]

Something's out there, mate. Something's out there.

[Witness/Observer]

Hello? Hello? Is it. Is anyone out there? This is Plymouth calling. It's all over as far as I can make out. I can just see the Invincible from here. She seems to be burning. The Essex blew up an hour ago. Entire city's on fire. People running all over the place. God knows only what's happening. It's a nightmare. As far as I know, I'm the only one still on the air. They're moving in now that the wind has shifted. They're moving in past, the blazing hulk of the carrier coming right into the harbor. Good God, there are so many of them. Can sailing ships be that big? How long can a lost cause wait to rise? What caused all this? What are they? The water is rust red, blood red, ugly and molten. But they are beautiful, just like they said they would be. They're in the harbor now and they're beginning to shell the city. They're all firing at once. What a sight. What a terrible, terrible.

[Ship Officer]

The news blackout from England is still in effect. The president has warned that any attempt to interfere in this situation would be taken as meddling in English and international affairs and would not be tolerated. Meanwhile, here at home, the silly season is in full swing again. A couple in Atlanta, Georgia, report that they were overrun by what seemed to be a detachment of Confederate cavalry on a picnic in Stone Mountain Park.

[Witness/Observer]

Yep, we were just getting set up when it happened. Had the tablecloth out on the tailgate. Madge just put out the chicken and

[Narrator/Listener]

they come charging out of the woods. Just come charging out of the woods.

[Witness/Observer]

I'd never seen anything nothing like it.

[Narrator/Listener]

For first I thought it was some of them college boys like to dress up and raise hell. But they look too old to be students.

[Witness/Observer]

Well, then we thought it was a movie or something. But we looked around and there weren't any cameras or nothing.

[Narrator/Listener]

They just ran right over us, jumping over the car, yelling and screaming, swinging swords in the air.

[Witness/Observer]

One landed on the hood of the station wagon and crunched it all to hell.

[Omar Bradbury]

Now, who's gonna pay for that? That's what I want to know.

[Narrator/Listener]

But they did look grand in their uniforms. Really, really kinda grand, honey.

[Narrator/News Reporter]

World News International. Police in the city of Atlanta, Georgia are baffled by a bizarre act of vandalism. Sections of the city have been dug up into a series of trenches and redoubts. Restoration is estimated in the hundreds of thousands of dollars. In a related story, a number of Civil War era cannon have been stolen from the state park at Kennesaw Mountain. Authorities are looking for the thieves who seem to be firing the guns off various parts of the mountain.

[Narrator/Host]

Bumper's Crossroads, Bradbury's Funeral Home, was written by Ronan Butler. Heard were the voices of David Benedict, Daniel Taylor, Brad Strickland, Claire W. Kiernan, Trudy Leonard and Ron Butler. Armada Rising by Thomas C. Fuller featured the voices of David Benedict, Tamara Morton, Brad Strickland, Ron Butler, Daniel Taylor, Hal Wideemann, Claire Kiernan, Trudy Leonard and Ariel Stewart. To purchase the studio version of Armada Rising, visit us on the web at www.artc.org Music was composed and performed by Alton Leonard live fully sound effects by Sonya, assisted by Ariel Stewart. These shows were performed at Memorial hall at stone Mountain Park October 31, 2005 as part of into the Labyrinth 2005. Into the Labyrinth 2005 was produced and directed by Jeffrey M. Brown and David Benedict. And remember, there is adventure in sound.

[Narrator/News Reporter]

All material is copyright by its creators or the Atlanta Radio Theater Company.

[Narrator/Listener]

Artc.org.