Dimension X - Hello Tomorrow - #24

Summary

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Podcast Summary: Dimension X - "Hello Tomorrow" (#24)

Podcast: Harold's Old Time Radio
Episode: Dimension X - Hello Tomorrow - #24
Date: May 5, 2026

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Episode Overview

This episode of "Harold's Old Time Radio" features the classic radio drama "Dimension X" with the story "Hello Tomorrow." Set thousands of years after a devastating nuclear war, humanity survives underground, governed by rigid genetic standards to ensure the survival and perfection of the race. The tale is both a romance and a critique of a coldly logical society, focusing on the forbidden love between a "genetically perfect" scientist and a so-called "imperfect" man, exploring themes of conformity, emotion, adaptation, and hope.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Post-Apocalyptic Setting and New Civilization

• Setting: The year 4195 AD, in a society formed after radioactive destruction forces humanity underground.
• Society prioritizes genetic perfection; those with imperfections are segregated in "cages" (00:50–02:42).
• Every law and aspect of life is designed for genetic survival, emotional control, and conformity.

2. Main Characters Introduced

• Professor Lois Burton: A renowned genetic scientist working in the Institute of Genetics. Engaged to Walter after their genetic compatibility is approved.
• Walter: The Director of Emotional Stability, a high-ranking, emotionally detached bureaucrat. He embodies the society's values.
• Orin/"Specimen XJ12": A sympathetic and articulate man labeled "imperfect" due to a physical disability and hidden emotional upbringing (02:43–05:00).

3. Meeting of Lois and Orin: Science vs. Humanity

• Lois receives Orin as a research specimen for her genetic study.
• Orin reveals his background: raised in secret by his loving mother, educated, emotionally aware—unusual in this society (05:00–06:41).
• Key Quote:
  "My mother...loved me."
  (Orin, 05:33)
• Conversation exposes the harshness of the regime and Lois's initial emotional repression, but also her curiosity and latent empathy.

4. Challenging Authority: Orin’s Speech

• Orin is used as a living demonstration for Lois’s lecture on genetic imperfection.
• He defies expectation, passionately asserting the natural rights of individuality and emotion before the students (09:22–11:38).
• Key Quote:
  "Every human personality is born with certain inalienable natural rights...and above all, the right to be different from every other living organism."
  (Orin, 10:55)
• Walter intervenes, ordering Orin’s restraint for his subversive speech.

5. Lois’s Awakening and Forbidden Love

• Privately, Lois tends to the injured Orin; emotional barriers break down (12:10–13:55).
• They confess their love—an illegal, even unthinkable sentiment in their world.
• Key Moment:
  "In the cages, they call it love."
  (Orin, 13:36) "I feel love for you."
  (Lois, 13:55)

6. Walter’s Ultimatum & Lois’s Sacrifice

• Walter discovers the affair, leveraging his power to threaten Orin’s life unless Lois marries him (14:15–15:55).
• Lois agrees to the marriage to save Orin, only for Walter to deceitfully order Orin’s secret execution (18:10).

7. Escape and Pursuit

• Orin, realizing his fate, escapes into the radioactive tunnels rather than submit to execution (18:49–20:24).
• Walter, feigning innocence, informs Lois of Orin’s "escape," manipulating her further (21:27–21:59).

8. Reunion & Resolution

• Lois rebels against Walter, abandoning her engagement and risking everything to find Orin (22:01–23:21).
• In the tunnels, Lois and Orin reunite; she chooses love and freedom over safety and conformity (23:31–24:22).

9. The Surface – Hope and Adaptation

• Lois and Orin break through to the surface—becoming the first humans to stand under open sky in two millennia (25:57–27:01).
• Despite expectations of death from radiation, they survive, realizing they've inherited immunity through generational adaptation (28:06).
• Key Quote:
  "We’re not dead. This is Earth and we're alive. We're not going to die."
  (Lois, 27:50) "We can pass [immunity] along to our children."
  (Orin, 28:39)

10. A Message to Tomorrow

• Orin carves a message on the lead door for future generations:
  "Lois and Orin, 4195 A.D. Hello, Tomorrow."
  (Orin, 28:48–29:07)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Freedom and Identity:
  "The attempt by this society to abridge these rights is a violation of nature...Free my people."
  – Orin (11:18)

• On Love in a Loveless Society:
  "In the cages, they call it love."
  – Orin (13:36)

• Sacrifice and Defiance:
  "We're not going to be married."
  – Lois, finally breaking from Walter (22:17)

• On Adaptation and Survival:
  "There is a natural law of adaptation...Each successive generation must have inherited some degree of immunity to the effects of radiation."
  – Lois (28:06–28:25)

• Hope for the Future:
  "Lois and Orin, 4195 A.D. Hello, Tomorrow."
  – Orin (29:07)

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:50 — Introduction to the post-apocalyptic world and new society
• 02:42 — Cast of characters and start of drama
• 05:00 — Orin’s background and first emotional exchange
• 09:22 — Lecture and Orin’s defiant speech
• 13:36 — Love and awakening—Lois admits feelings
• 14:53 — Walter’s ultimatum and emotional blackmail
• 18:10 — Walter’s betrayal; execution order
• 18:49 — Orin’s escape through the tunnels
• 23:21 — Lois flees to find Orin
• 25:57 — Reaching the surface/freeing themselves
• 28:01 — Discovery of immunity to radiation
• 29:07 — Marking a message of hope for the future

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Tone & Style Notes

• The dialogue is crisp, dramatic, and occasionally darkly sardonic—especially through Orin’s self-deprecating wit and Walter’s chilling bureaucracy.
• The romance develops with a blend of innocence and desperation, gradually undermining the cold rationality of their society.
• The ending is both triumphant and melancholy, celebrating human adaptability and hope against a backdrop of tragic history.

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Conclusion

"Hello Tomorrow" is a thoughtful, emotionally-charged broadcast from the Golden Age of Radio, exploring the tensions between scientific perfection and human emotion. Through the love story of Lois and Orin, it delivers a timeless message on individuality, adaptation, and the enduring power of hope—worthy of its place in radio drama history.

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Transcript

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[Professor Lois Burton]

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[NBC News Announcer]

The National Broadcasting Company delays the start of this program to bring you a special news bulletin from the NBC newsroom in New York. United nations troops have begun a breakthrough from their beachhead in South Korea, launching an attack from positions north of Taegu for a drive towards Seoul. The new offensive is timed with a big amphibious assault at Incheon, which is progressing on schedule. Keep tuned to your NBC station for the later news.

[Dimension X Narrator]

Space transcribed in future tense. Tonight, a story of the future and a star of the future. The story, hello tomorrow and the star, Ms. Nancy Olsen, the talented young actress who is currently winning critical acclaim for her performance in one of the outstanding pictures of the year, Sunset Boulevard. Tonight, Ms. Olsen becomes the first of a group of the stage and screen's most promising young stars of tomorrow to be invited to appear on the program of tomorrow, Dimension X. It was in the year 1991 that man disappeared from the face of the Earth. The third Atomic war had ended at last, leaving the land a mass of red radioactive dust, filling the air with gamma rays so deadly that life on the surface was no there was only one way out. The few survivors went underground, burrowing their way deep into the earth like hunted moles hiding from death in huge underground caverns. And it was there, in the next 2,000 years that they built the new civilization. A civilization in which the genetic survival of the race came first and every life and every law was shaped to serve that end. It is to this civilization, in the year of our Lord 4195 AD that we take you now.

[Professor Lois Burton]

Yes?

[Walter, Director of Emotional Stability]

I have a call from the Director of Emotional Stability for the third Oblong for Professor Lois Burton at the Institute of Genetics.

[Professor Lois Burton]

This is Professor Burton.

[Orin (Specimen XJ12)]

One moment.

[Walter, Director of Emotional Stability]

Go ahead, sir. Lois. Listen, darling. Good news.

[Professor Lois Burton]

What?

[Walter, Director of Emotional Stability]

The genetic board has approved our application for marriage.

[Professor Lois Burton]

Oh, so soon?

[Walter, Director of Emotional Stability]

The tests found our chromosomes perfect. We can marry anytime we want. Our offspring should be genetically in the 19th percentile of perfection. What's the matter there?

[Professor Lois Burton]

Oh, nothing, I. I'm just sort of breathless.

[Walter, Director of Emotional Stability]

You are happy about it, aren't you, darling?

[Professor Lois Burton]

Oh, of course. Terribly happy.

[Walter, Director of Emotional Stability]

I'm coming right over to the lab. I have a surprise.

[Professor Lois Burton]

Oh, not now, Walter.

[Walter, Director of Emotional Stability]

What?

[Professor Lois Burton]

Well, I mean, you'll have to give me some time.

[Custodian / Security Guard]

Time?

[Walter, Director of Emotional Stability]

What's the trouble?

[Professor Lois Burton]

No trouble. It's that genetic survey I've been working on.

[Walter, Director of Emotional Stability]

What about it?

[Professor Lois Burton]

Well, I've finally gotten permission to study an actual living case. A specimen of imperfect genetic transmission.

[Walter, Director of Emotional Stability]

Really?

[Professor Lois Burton]

Yes. They're bringing him up from the condemned cages on the lower level.

[Walter, Director of Emotional Stability]

You will be careful, darling?

[Professor Lois Burton]

The supervisor says there's nothing to be afraid of. The specimen they're bringing is XJ12. It's been studied before, many times, and is quite well trained.

[Walter, Director of Emotional Stability]

Well, I don't like it.

[Professor Lois Burton]

Nonsense, darling. I've been waiting for this opportunity for years. Oh, there's my door signal. I'll have to hang up, darling. See you later. Yes?

[Orin (Specimen XJ12)]

Professor Lois Burton?

[Professor Lois Burton]

Yes.

[Orin (Specimen XJ12)]

I'm from the Philogenic Institute, lower level.

[Professor Lois Burton]

Oh, then you brought me specimen XJ12.

[Orin (Specimen XJ12)]

May I come in?

[Professor Lois Burton]

By all means.

[Orin (Specimen XJ12)]

Oh, how horrible.

It all depends on your viewpoint. I happen to have a twisted leg. My parents were genetically unsound.

[Professor Lois Burton]

But then you.

[Walter, Director of Emotional Stability]

Yes.

[Orin (Specimen XJ12)]

I am specimen XJ12.

[Professor Lois Burton]

I see.

[Orin (Specimen XJ12)]

I hope you aren't shocked.

[Professor Lois Burton]

No stable person permits feelings to enter into his work. I will admit to surprise. I was expecting something a little more. Abnormal.

[Orin (Specimen XJ12)]

Sorry. I try to be as abnormal as possible. If I am, the Philogenic Institute allows me out of the genetic cages every so often so I can breathe the pure air of the upper levels and

mingle with the genetically perfect.

[Professor Lois Burton]

You seem quite well educated.

[Orin (Specimen XJ12)]

I spent the first years of my life here. In the upper Levels?

[Professor Lois Burton]

How is that possible? They segregate imperfects.

[Orin (Specimen XJ12)]

As a small child, my mother concealed me from the Director of Selective Heredity. I was brought up in secret. My mother, actually.

Dreadful word.

Loved me.

[Professor Lois Burton]

I see. That would explain your obviously low threshold of emotional control.

[Orin (Specimen XJ12)]

If you choose to call it that at first. You seem to be struggling to repress a few feelings yourself.

[Professor Lois Burton]

We will confine ourselves to the impersonal aspects of our work.

[Orin (Specimen XJ12)]

As you please.

[Professor Lois Burton]

I shall require you as a demonstration for a lecture I'm delivering to one of my classes tomorrow.

[Orin (Specimen XJ12)]

At your service, Professor.

[Professor Lois Burton]

Sit here, please. Grip these electrodes tightly. I'm going to calibrate your electrochemical tension.

[Orin (Specimen XJ12)]

I'm quite familiar with the procedure. I realize it is an imperfect. I'm expendable. But I should hate to be electrocuted.

[Professor Lois Burton]

The charge is not lethal. Plus 15. Surface tension.

[Orin (Specimen XJ12)]

You know, you have beautiful hair.

[Professor Lois Burton]

Plus 12, at a depth of 4 cm.

[Orin (Specimen XJ12)]

Lovely blue eyes, crystal clear.

[Professor Lois Burton]

Plus 10. 7 cm.

[Checkpoint Guard]

Pretty.

[Orin (Specimen XJ12)]

A perfect woman. Lovely expressive hands and a heart of stone. Like all the rest of you perfect survival types.

[Professor Lois Burton]

Try not to jump, sir, when the current strikes.

[Orin (Specimen XJ12)]

No feelings under control. Passed by the Director of Emotional Stability.

[Professor Lois Burton]

Shut up.

[Orin (Specimen XJ12)]

Maybe I was wrong. Maybe you.

[Walter, Director of Emotional Stability]

You have feelings that will be quite enough. I seem to sense an air of emotional tension.

[Professor Lois Burton]

Nothing, dear. This is a specimen XJ12.

[Walter, Director of Emotional Stability]

Oh, I see. An inferior type. Quite, you specimen. Can you understand me?

[Orin (Specimen XJ12)]

Yes.

[Walter, Director of Emotional Stability]

Yes, what? Tell this dolt who I am.

[Professor Lois Burton]

Lois, this is a Director of Emotional Stability for the Third Oblong. He also happens to be my selected genetic partner. You will address him as sir.

[Orin (Specimen XJ12)]

Yes, sir.

[Walter, Director of Emotional Stability]

This creature seems quite impertinent.

[Professor Lois Burton]

He's only a specimen, darling.

[Walter, Director of Emotional Stability]

I suppose we'll use him and ship him back to the cages at the Institute. He's probably radioactive. You specimen. Mr. Director, you will confine your speech to answering only those questions addressed to you. Understand?

[Orin (Specimen XJ12)]

Yes, sir.

Perfectly. Attention.

[Walter, Director of Emotional Stability]

Attention.

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[Professor Lois Burton]

If my teenager starts calling me Leslie

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[Professor Lois Burton]

That makes sense.

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[Orin (Specimen XJ12)]

The next demonstration will be conducted by Professor Lois Burton of the Institute of Genetics.

[Walter, Director of Emotional Stability]

Her topic, the probability of radioactive damage in the chromosome heredity of imperfect non survival types.

[NBC News Announcer]

Professor Burton,

[Professor Lois Burton]

we are very fortunate today and having obtained a specimen of an imperfect genetic type through the good graces of the Philogenic Institute. Moreover, this specimen has been trained to tell in his own words about the factors in his upbringing. Specimen XJ12.

[Orin (Specimen XJ12)]

Thank you. My mother was a psychotechnician in the fifth oblong. My father was a historian specializing in the records of pre atomic surface culture in the earthquake of 2170. Apparently some hard radiation filtered down through the tunnels and penetrated the fifth Oblong. The effect on my hereditary factors is quite apparent in this twisted leg. I appreciate that you do not laugh. Most audiences seem compelled to laugh.

Perhaps you were different.

If so, perhaps you can be made to understand somehow what it means to be labeled an imperfect. Perhaps in some way I can penetrate the insulation with which the psychotechnicians, the drugs and the glandular experts have surrounded your emotions.

[Walter, Director of Emotional Stability]

Wait. As Director of Emotional Stability for this oblong, I order you to confine yourself to the subject.

[Orin (Specimen XJ12)]

My father taught me in the last days before he was executed that every human personality is born with certain inalienable natural rights. The right of free expression, the right to have feelings and the right to mature. And above all, the right to be different from every other living organism. Because every organism is different.

I submit to you, distinguished students, that

the attempt by this society to abridge these rights is a violation of nature. I say that the imperfects, the mutants, those who are different, have as much right to exist and be free as you. I say break open the cages. Free my people.

[Walter, Director of Emotional Stability]

Stop him.

[Orin (Specimen XJ12)]

Give us back the right to be individuals. Stop him, I say.

[Walter, Director of Emotional Stability]

Professor Burton, take this specimen back to your laboratory and confine him.

[Professor Lois Burton]

Yes, Mr. Director.

[Walter, Director of Emotional Stability]

You, specimen, go quietly. I warn you.

[Orin (Specimen XJ12)]

I have nothing but contempt for your warnings.

[Walter, Director of Emotional Stability]

I'll have you destroyed for this.

[Professor Lois Burton]

The specimen is unstable. He doesn't know what he's saying.

[Walter, Director of Emotional Stability]

Then get him out of here, quickly. He's an affront to our genetic type.

[Professor Lois Burton]

Hold still while I bandage your head. He'll be all right.

[Orin (Specimen XJ12)]

I. I suppose you detest me for getting you into trouble. Don't squirm.

Not that I blame you.

[Professor Lois Burton]

I don't attest you.

[Custodian / Security Guard]

Oh.

[Orin (Specimen XJ12)]

Oh.

[Professor Lois Burton]

In fact, I thought you quite magnificent.

[Orin (Specimen XJ12)]

You what?

[Professor Lois Burton]

As you spoke, something began to stir in me.

[Orin (Specimen XJ12)]

You don't hate me?

[Professor Lois Burton]

I've never felt so strange.

[Orin (Specimen XJ12)]

Tell me what you feel. If I moved you, then I must have moved the others.

Some of them, at least.

[Professor Lois Burton]

I don't know quite how to explain it. A strange sympathy?

[Orin (Specimen XJ12)]

Compassion.

[Professor Lois Burton]

For some reason, I took pride in what you were doing, seeing you stand up against them. Why do you look at me like that?

[Orin (Specimen XJ12)]

Because I can't help it.

[Professor Lois Burton]

I wish you wouldn't. You're only an imperfect. You know. You have no rights. Please. XJ12.

[Orin (Specimen XJ12)]

My name is Orin. Please say it. Orin.

[Professor Lois Burton]

Orin.

[Orin (Specimen XJ12)]

Again.

[Professor Lois Burton]

Orin.

[Orin (Specimen XJ12)]

Lois.

[Professor Lois Burton]

Orin.

[Orin (Specimen XJ12)]

Lois. Lois.

[Professor Lois Burton]

Lois, what is it? Why do I feel this way?

[Orin (Specimen XJ12)]

In the cages, they call it love.

[Professor Lois Burton]

Love? We have no such concept in the upper levels.

[Orin (Specimen XJ12)]

You've destroyed it.

[Professor Lois Burton]

Would it be correct to say I feel love for you?

[Orin (Specimen XJ12)]

It would be correct.

[Professor Lois Burton]

I feel love for you.

[Orin (Specimen XJ12)]

Darling. Darling. Lois.

What about Walter?

You're going to marry him.

[Professor Lois Burton]

No.

[Orin (Specimen XJ12)]

You're genetically suited to each other.

[Professor Lois Burton]

I don't care. I won't marry him. There must be some other way. But, Walter.

[Walter, Director of Emotional Stability]

Very touching. Very tender.

[Professor Lois Burton]

Walter, how could you spy?

[Walter, Director of Emotional Stability]

In my capacity as Director of Emotional Stability, it is my duty to spy. Specimen XJ12 will be disposed of quite systematically by the state, for the good of the state, for the good of the genetic code and in the name of emotional stability. Come in, Lois. I wondered how long it would be before you came to my office.

[Professor Lois Burton]

Walter, I have to talk to you.

[Walter, Director of Emotional Stability]

Go right ahead.

[Professor Lois Burton]

Walter, you mustn't destroy him. Send him back to the cages, but don't kill him.

[Walter, Director of Emotional Stability]

You speak of destroying an inferior creature as if it were something unethical.

[Professor Lois Burton]

Walter. Walter, please. For my sake.

[Walter, Director of Emotional Stability]

Lois, I understand that you've entered a plea for postponement of our marriage at the Records Bureau.

[Professor Lois Burton]

Yes, I. I was too upset to go through with.

[Walter, Director of Emotional Stability]

Came as a great disappointment to me. If you were married to me, you would be safe from influences such as this XJ12. Which case, I might even be persuaded to send him back to the cages instead of having him destroyed. You see.

[Professor Lois Burton]

Yes, I see.

[Walter, Director of Emotional Stability]

Think it over. Well, my dear.

[Professor Lois Burton]

When can we be married?

[Walter, Director of Emotional Stability]

Soon. Tomorrow, if you like.

[Professor Lois Burton]

The sooner the better.

[Orin (Specimen XJ12)]

Lois.

[Walter, Director of Emotional Stability]

Lois, you make me very.

[Professor Lois Burton]

What about XJ12?

[Orin (Specimen XJ12)]

Oh, I see.

[Walter, Director of Emotional Stability]

A bargain is a bargain. Let me talk to the custodian, please. Hello. This is the Director of Emotional Stability for the third Oblong. I would like you to cancel the execution of specimen XJ12. Yes, yes, that's right. Turn him over to the security guard. He's to be remanded permanently to the genetic cages.

[Professor Lois Burton]

Let me talk to him.

[Walter, Director of Emotional Stability]

Walter, my dear, I don't think.

[Professor Lois Burton]

Please, I want to be sure he's all right.

[Walter, Director of Emotional Stability]

Very well. Hello? Connect a circuit in the cell block. I want to talk to XJ12. Here you are, my dear.

[Professor Lois Burton]

Hello, Orin. Yes. No, I'm all right. How are you? Fine. Orin, I. I've been talking to Walter. He's going to send you back to the cages. Yes, yes. No. No, I'm going to marry him because I. I want to. I'm not lying to you. I. I'm very happy. Yes, yes, I've got to hang up now. Goodbye. Goodbye.

[Walter, Director of Emotional Stability]

And now, Lois.

[Professor Lois Burton]

Walter, please, I. I've got to get back to the lab.

[Walter, Director of Emotional Stability]

Of course. I'll pick you up in, say, an hour and we'll make plans for the wedding. All right?

[Professor Lois Burton]

Yes, yes, of course. Goodbye, Walter.

[Walter, Director of Emotional Stability]

Hello? This is the director of Emotional stability again. I want you to cancel that last order. Proceed with the execution, but under conditions of absolute secrecy. No, don't use the lethal chamber. Take him to the tunnels on the upper level. That's correct.

[Orin (Specimen XJ12)]

Fine.

[Custodian / Security Guard]

This way.

[Orin (Specimen XJ12)]

Where are you taking me?

[Custodian / Security Guard]

You're being returned to the Phylogenic Institute. Orders from the Director of Emotional Stability. Into the elevator.

[Orin (Specimen XJ12)]

Very well. Why are we going toward the surface? The cages are on the lower levels.

[Custodian / Security Guard]

Radiation check.

[Orin (Specimen XJ12)]

They've never done that before.

[Custodian / Security Guard]

New procedure. All right. Walk,

[Walter, Director of Emotional Stability]

Hulk.

[Checkpoint Guard]

State your business.

[Custodian / Security Guard]

I'm the custodian for the third Oblong. This imperfect is my prisoner.

[Checkpoint Guard]

You can't go beyond this checkpoint. There's radioactivity in the tunnels.

[Custodian / Security Guard]

This is a special mission, if you know what I mean.

[Checkpoint Guard]

Oh, I see. In just a moment, I'll open the airlock. Go ahead. You'll find two radiation suits in the chamber.

[Custodian / Security Guard]

We will need only one.

[Orin (Specimen XJ12)]

So this is how they get rid of imperfects.

[Custodian / Security Guard]

March. Inside. All right. Turn around.

[Orin (Specimen XJ12)]

Suppose I refuse?

[Custodian / Security Guard]

It'll be less painful if you cooperate.

[Orin (Specimen XJ12)]

Before you dispose of me, could I

give you a message for a friend?

[Custodian / Security Guard]

That depends. What is the message? This. Security.

[Orin (Specimen XJ12)]

Help.

[Professor Lois Burton]

Security.

[Checkpoint Guard]

What is it?

[Walter, Director of Emotional Stability]

What happened?

[Custodian / Security Guard]

The prisoner. He struck me before I could recover. He escaped into the tunnels.

[Checkpoint Guard]

Well, he won't last long. If the radiation doesn't get him, he'll starve to death.

[Custodian / Security Guard]

Can you go after him?

[Checkpoint Guard]

I could send a robot, but it isn't worth the trouble. There's no way back from the tunnels except through here. Only other direction he can go is toward the surface. The closer he gets, the hotter the radiation. Now I think you can consider your prisoner dead.

[Walter, Director of Emotional Stability]

More wine, my dear?

[Professor Lois Burton]

No, thank you, Walter.

[Walter, Director of Emotional Stability]

You look very beautiful, my dear. Very beautiful. Beautiful.

[Professor Lois Burton]

Thank you.

[Walter, Director of Emotional Stability]

These hydroponic fruits are delicious, Aren't they? Oh, the wedding will just be a small affair. I've arranged for a few friends. The director of Endocrine Control, the chief of the security guards, one or two assistants to High Council members.

[Professor Lois Burton]

Walter did?

[Walter, Director of Emotional Stability]

Yes.

[Professor Lois Burton]

Was he returned to the cages?

[Walter, Director of Emotional Stability]

Now, why must you spoil this lovely dinner by bringing that up?

[Professor Lois Burton]

Was he? Walter? Well, was he?

[Walter, Director of Emotional Stability]

Well, as a matter of fact, there was a little difficulty.

[Professor Lois Burton]

Difficulty?

[Walter, Director of Emotional Stability]

Yes. You see, he escaped.

[Professor Lois Burton]

Escaped?

[Walter, Director of Emotional Stability]

He struck a guard and ran off into the tunnels.

[Professor Lois Burton]

The tunnels? But that's death.

[Walter, Director of Emotional Stability]

He's free to return anytime he chooses.

[Professor Lois Burton]

When did it happen?

[Walter, Director of Emotional Stability]

Just a few hours ago, as a matter of fact.

[Professor Lois Burton]

Walter.

[Walter, Director of Emotional Stability]

Now, don't. Don't become upset again, darling.

[Professor Lois Burton]

You planned it, didn't you? Walter.

[Walter, Director of Emotional Stability]

Stability, darling. Stability.

[Professor Lois Burton]

Stability. Stability. Is that all I'm to hear from you for the rest of my life? Darling, here's what I think of stability.

[Walter, Director of Emotional Stability]

Were we not to be married, I'd be compelled to turn you over to the endocrine surgeons for doing that.

[Professor Lois Burton]

Well, you can go right ahead, because we aren't going to be married.

[Checkpoint Guard]

Checkpoint.

[Walter, Director of Emotional Stability]

This is the Director of Emotional Security.

[Checkpoint Guard]

Yes, sir.

[Walter, Director of Emotional Stability]

If Professor Burton tries to pass the checkpoint, I want to take it into custody.

[Checkpoint Guard]

Well, Professor Burton just passed, sir.

[Orin (Specimen XJ12)]

She said, you idiot.

But she said.

[Walter, Director of Emotional Stability]

I don't care what she said. Stop her. Send robots after her. Get her back. I'll have you destroyed as incompetent if you fail.

[Orin (Specimen XJ12)]

Yes, sir.

At once, sir.

[Walter, Director of Emotional Stability]

Robert.

[Checkpoint Guard]

Control. Checkpoint to Robot Control. Order out all televocal robots into the tunnels. Have them bring back any humans. This is a first priority order.

[Professor Lois Burton]

Orin. Orin. Orange. Orin, where are you? Orin.

[Orin (Specimen XJ12)]

Hello?

[Professor Lois Burton]

Orin, It's Lois.

[Orin (Specimen XJ12)]

This way.

Behind the rocks. Over here.

[Professor Lois Burton]

Oh, darling. Darling.

[Orin (Specimen XJ12)]

Lois. Lois, why did you come here?

It's suicide.

[Professor Lois Burton]

I had to. Darling. Are you all right?

[Orin (Specimen XJ12)]

So far.

[Professor Lois Burton]

You've got to turn back. Give yourself up.

[Orin (Specimen XJ12)]

That'll kill me.

[Professor Lois Burton]

You can stay here. The radiation is plus 4 at this point. It gets worse as you approach the surface.

[Orin (Specimen XJ12)]

Go back, darling.

[Professor Lois Burton]

What will you do?

[Orin (Specimen XJ12)]

I'm going ahead.

[Professor Lois Burton]

But you can.

[Orin (Specimen XJ12)]

I can.

I'm going to the surface.

[Professor Lois Burton]

Not even the robots can. Can survive.

[Orin (Specimen XJ12)]

At least I'll be the first human in 1100 years to see what the

surface of the Earth looks like.

[Professor Lois Burton]

Come back with me.

[Orin (Specimen XJ12)]

No, darling.

[Professor Lois Burton]

Then I'm going with you.

[Orin (Specimen XJ12)]

Lois.

[Professor Lois Burton]

Don't try to stop me, darling. There's nothing to go back to now. Nothing but Walter and emotional stability.

[Orin (Specimen XJ12)]

Lois, you. You really want to come with me?

[Professor Lois Burton]

Yes.

[Orin (Specimen XJ12)]

You know what it means?

[Professor Lois Burton]

I don't care.

[Orin (Specimen XJ12)]

Oh, darling. I can't let you go.

[Professor Lois Burton]

Orin, I. I love you. See, I. I know how to say it now.

[Orin (Specimen XJ12)]

Say it again.

[Professor Lois Burton]

Orin. I love you.

[Orin (Specimen XJ12)]

Lois. Lois. What's that?

[Professor Lois Burton]

Sounds. Oh, Orin. It's the robot control. It's looking for us.

[Orin (Specimen XJ12)]

Come on, we've got to hurry.

[Professor Lois Burton]

This way.

[Custodian / Security Guard]

Hurry.

[Professor Lois Burton]

Oh, and wait.

[Orin (Specimen XJ12)]

It can't be much further, darling. Here, here, let me help you.

[Professor Lois Burton]

I can't.

[Custodian / Security Guard]

I just can't.

[Orin (Specimen XJ12)]

All right, darling.

We'll stop here.

We may as well wait for it.

[Professor Lois Burton]

It's coming. I. I can see its light now.

[Orin (Specimen XJ12)]

Darling, listen. It stopped.

[Professor Lois Burton]

The lights are swinging around. Oren, it sees us.

[Orin (Specimen XJ12)]

Come on, darling. One last effort.

[Professor Lois Burton]

Come on.

[Orin (Specimen XJ12)]

Run.

[Professor Lois Burton]

Look.

[Orin (Specimen XJ12)]

Look ahead. You can see the lights. Reflecting from something.

[Professor Lois Burton]

It looks like a dog.

[Orin (Specimen XJ12)]

It is.

Lois.

[VRBoCare Announcer]

Is it?

[Orin (Specimen XJ12)]

It's a heavy lead door.

[Professor Lois Burton]

There's a lever. Hurry.

[Orin (Specimen XJ12)]

Come on through. Lois. There must be some way to close it.

[Professor Lois Burton]

Here, let me help you.

[Orin (Specimen XJ12)]

It won't get through that. It's solid lead.

[Professor Lois Burton]

Oren, where are we?

[Orin (Specimen XJ12)]

I. I don't know.

[Professor Lois Burton]

Look up there. A huge round light.

[Orin (Specimen XJ12)]

Lois?

[Professor Lois Burton]

Yes, Orin, That's.

[Orin (Specimen XJ12)]

That's Luna. The moon. We're on the surface.

[Professor Lois Burton]

How red everything looks. How it glows.

[Orin (Specimen XJ12)]

It's the radioactivity.

[Professor Lois Burton]

Quiet. Peaceful. Deadly.

[Orin (Specimen XJ12)]

Oh, darling, sit here and rest a while.

[Professor Lois Burton]

Put your arm around me. Orin. I'm afraid. Orin. We're going to die.

[Orin (Specimen XJ12)]

Don't think about it. Just think about us alone. The first humans to stand on the surface of Earth in 2000 years. Lois, that door must have been placed there by the last handful of survivors who went underground after the atomic wars. Those are the lights. The small ones. They must be stars.

[Professor Lois Burton]

Orin, I. I'm so tired.

[Orin (Specimen XJ12)]

Go to sleep, darling. Put your head on my shoulder and sleep.

[Professor Lois Burton]

Hold me, Orin. Hold me very. Orin. Oren, wake up.

[Orin (Specimen XJ12)]

What is it?

[Professor Lois Burton]

Look. It's light. The whole universe is light. Oh, Orin, how beautiful. Look.

[Orin (Specimen XJ12)]

By all the laws of nature, we should be dead. Lois, no life could survive this.

[Professor Lois Burton]

By all the laws of nature. Orin, what is it? We're not dead. This is Earth and we're alive. We're not going to die.

[Orin (Specimen XJ12)]

But the radiation.

[Walter, Director of Emotional Stability]

It's present.

[Orin (Specimen XJ12)]

You can see its effect.

[Professor Lois Burton]

Orin, did you ever hear of adaptation?

[Orin (Specimen XJ12)]

Of what?

[Professor Lois Burton]

There is a natural law of adaptation by which an organism will try to adjust itself to its environment by changing. It's called a geotropism.

[Orin (Specimen XJ12)]

I don't see what that has to

[Professor Lois Burton]

do with all these generations we've been bombarded by radiation filtering down through the Earth. Each successive generation must have inherited some degree of immunity to the effects of radiation.

[Orin (Specimen XJ12)]

You think that.

[Professor Lois Burton]

Orin, it can't hurt us. Don't you see? We're immune. We're probably the first generation to inherit sufficient immunity.

[Orin (Specimen XJ12)]

But if that's true, then. Then we can transmit that immunity.

We can pass it along to our children.

[Professor Lois Burton]

Come on, darling. We'll have to find food and water.

[Orin (Specimen XJ12)]

THE PRACTICAL WIFE oh, wait a minute, darling.

[Professor Lois Burton]

What are you doing with that rock?

[Orin (Specimen XJ12)]

I want to scratch something on the outside of this lead door. Lois and Oren 4195 A.D. hello.

[Professor Lois Burton]

Tomorrow,

[NBC News Announcer]

Tonight, Dimension X, the program of the future has introduced a new star

[Dimension X Narrator]

of the future, Ms. Nancy Olsen. Ms. Olsen.

[NBC News Announcer]

Appeared by courtesy of Paramount Pictures and may currently be seen in their production Sunset Boulevard. Next week on Dimension X, the strange and sinister story of Dr. Grimshaw's sanitarium.

[Walter, Director of Emotional Stability]

Tonight, Dimension X has transcribed hello Tomorrow, written by George Leffords. Appearing with Nancy Olson were Santa Satega as Walter and Donald Buca as Oren. Your narrator was Norman Rose, music by Albert Berman engineer Bill Chambers. Dimension X is produced by Van Woodward and directed by Edward King. Enjoy Bob Hope and Baby Snooks when they return this fall on NBC.

[VRBoCare Support Announcer]

A vacation rental shouldn't come with surprises. It should come with Verbo Care and 24. 7 Life Support. If the hot tub's broken, that's a Verbo Care thing.

[Professor Lois Burton]

If my teenager starts calling me Leslie,

[VRBoCare Support Announcer]

that's a family thing. Leslie VRBoCare and 24. 7 Life Support. If you know you verbo terms apply. See vrbo.com trust for details.

[Grainger Announcer]

If you work in university maintenance, Grainger considers you an MVP because your playbook ensures your arena is always ready for tip off. And Grainger is your trusted partner, offering the products you need all in one place, from H Vac and plumbing supplies to lighting and more. And all delivered with plenty of time left on the clock so your team always gets the win. Call 1-800-granger. Visit granger.com or just stop by Granger for the ones who get it done.