Dimension X - The Kaleidoscope - #48

Summary

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Podcast Summary: Harold's Old Time Radio – Dimension X: "The Kaleidoscope" (#48)

Date: May 9, 2026
Host: Harold's Old Time Radio
Episode Theme:
A chilling adaptation from Dimension X, presenting Ray Bradbury’s “Kaleidoscope.” This science fiction classic explores the psychological and existential crisis faced by a group of astronauts after their ship is destroyed in deep space. As they drift apart into the void, each man's reflections on life, death, personal regret, and human connection unfold in a tense, poetic drama.

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Main Theme & Purpose

The episode delves into how individuals face imminent death, how regret and emotional suppression shape lives, and what it means to be truly alive. Through dialogue among the surviving crew, the story examines the loneliness of command, the nature of courage, missed opportunities for connection, and the value of being present.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Catastrophe in Space (00:35–09:00)

• The Shipwreck:
  The episode opens aboard a rocket ship hurling through space. Captain Hollis and his crew are on a high-stakes race to Venus, determined not to yield to rival "Asiatic ships." Crew member Stone warns of an impending magnetic storm and urges a course correction. Tension arises over Hollis’s stubbornness and ambition.

  • "If I decide to change course, I'll issue the order. Do I need to remind you who’s master of this ship?" — Captain Hollis (02:11)
  • "There are 25 other lives to be considered beside your own!" — Stone (02:08)

• Disaster Strikes:
  A sudden shift in the storm leads to disaster. The ship is destroyed by an asteroid, scattering survivors into space with only their radios to communicate.

  • "We struck an asteroid. Ship blew up." — Hollis (05:36)
  • "We'll just keep falling. Maybe forever." — Stone (06:34)

2. Isolation and Confession (09:59–14:08)

• Floating Apart:
  The surviving crew (Hollis, Stone, Dr. Carter, and Lester) find themselves drifting further apart, unable to change their trajectories, facing certain death.

  • Stone contemplates suicide, preferring that to falling into the sun:
    • "I'm going to smash the faceplate on my helmet and let the oxygen escape." — Stone (08:42)
    • "See you out in some other universe." — Stone's final words (08:57)

• Raw Reflections:
  Each character reveals regrets and hidden truths in these final conversations:

  • "Each of us dies in a different way... Each of us has his own life to look back on." — Dr. Carter (10:58)
  • "Your ship was a bad ship. And you were a bad captain. I hope you break when you hit the moon." — Stone (07:46)
  • "You can't cry. Well, men don't cry. Only children. That's what I mean, Lewis. You can't cry." — Dr. Carter to Hollis (13:11)

3. Reminiscence and Emotional Unraveling (14:08–18:28)

• Lester’s Memories:
  Lester, drifting through space, reminisces about his wives and his son with warmth and simplicity, envied by Hollis and Carter for his ability to live in the present:
  • "Had a wife on Jupiter, and I had a wife on Venus... Roxy married 15 years and she still looked like a school girl." — Lester (14:11)
  • "He lives in the present. You and I, Louis, we live in the past and in the future, but never in the present." — Dr. Carter (15:30)
  • Carter asserts the power of living in the moment, contrasting it to Hollis's obsession with ambition and duty.

4. Kaleidoscope of Death (16:21–20:08)

• Final Orbits:
  As the crew scatters—Stone to the Sun, Carter caught in meteor swarm, Lester and Hollis toward different fates—the drama of their internal reckonings escalates.

  • "It's like a big kaleidoscope. All kinds of colors and shapes and sizes. God, is it beautiful." — Dr. Carter (16:24)

• Hollis' Hallucinated Reunion:
  As he falls toward Earth, Hollis imagines a tender reunion with his wife, Helen, and his son, Stevie. This scene, poignant and surreal, highlights what he has truly missed in life.

  • "You're going to stay home and we'll go fishing and play ball together, just like you promised." — Stevie (19:49)
  • "All he ever wanted from you... was just a little affection." — Helen (21:00)
  • "I've given him everything a boy should have..." — Hollis (20:50)
  • "I want you, Lewis." — Helen (23:07)

5. Reckoning and Acceptance (24:09–27:16)

• Final Confession:
  Contact resumes with Lester, and Hollis confesses his greatest regret—not that he died, but that he never truly lived or loved.

  • "I never lived, Lester." — Hollis (25:29)
  • "My whole life I was nothing but a running away from my own feelings." — Hollis (25:57)
  • "Did you ever get out of a cold shower and feel like a new man? ...I have a feeling like that. It’s a beautiful old earth, Lester. Good to go home." — Hollis (27:16)

• Approaching Doom:
  Hollis resigns to his fate, his body destined to burn in the atmosphere, reflecting on a life of missed opportunities for intimacy.

  • "I'll burn in a minute. I'll be scattered like ashes all across the land. Funny... that's a useful act, isn't it? To help other things grow." — Hollis (27:04)

6. Epilogue: On Earth (28:06–29:56)

• Falling Star:
  On Earth, Stevie and his mother watch a meteor streak the sky.
  • "Mom, look up there. A falling star." — Stevie (28:32)
  • "Make a wish, son. Make a wish." — Mother (29:32)
  • The meteor is Hollis, transformed from failed leader to a blessing—his final act nourishing the world below.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

| Timestamp | Quote | Speaker | |-----------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-----------------| | 02:11 | “If I decide to change course, I'll issue the order.” | Capt. Hollis | | 06:34 | “We’ll just keep falling. Maybe forever.” | Stone | | 08:42 | “I'm going to smash the faceplate on my helmet… let the oxygen escape.” | Stone | | 13:11 | “You can't cry… only children. That’s what I mean, Lewis. You can’t cry.” | Dr. Carter | | 15:30 | “He lives in the present. You and I, Louis, we live in the past and future…” | Dr. Carter | | 16:24 | “It’s like a big kaleidoscope. All kinds of colors and shapes… it’s beautiful.”| Dr. Carter | | 19:49 | “You’ll stay home and we’ll go fishing and play ball together…” | Stevie (Son) | | 21:00 | “All he ever wanted from you… was just a little affection.” | Helen | | 25:29 | “I never lived, Lester.” | Capt. Hollis | | 27:04 | “I’ll be scattered like ashes all across the land… To help other things grow.”| Capt. Hollis | | 29:32 | “A falling star. Make a wish, son. Make a wish.” | Stevie’s Mom |

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Segment Timestamps for Key Moments

• Shipboard Conflict & Disaster: 00:35–05:40
• Floating and First Reactions: 05:31–09:59
• Confessions & Hostilities: 07:16–08:42
• Lester’s Reflections: 14:08–15:11
• Kaleidoscopic Death: 16:21–17:42
• Hollis’ Family Hallucination: 19:20–23:36
• Final Confession with Lester: 24:09–27:16
• Epilogue (Family on Earth): 28:06–29:56

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Summary of Tone & Style

The story is delivered in a grim, reflective cadence—true to Bradbury’s literary style—with a focus on psychological depth, regret, and a stark confrontation with mortality. Emotional and existential themes are emphasized through intense dialogue, internal monologue, and poetic imagery (especially the kaleidoscope metaphor). The mix of bravado, bitterness, resignation, and fleeting hope give the episode a haunting sense of tragedy and humanity.

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For listeners:
This is a powerful and searching drama about what it means to live fully, even—or especially—in the face of death. “Kaleidoscope” makes potent use of the audio drama format to examine the fragments of memory, love, ambition, and regret that make up a human life, leaving the listener with questions that linger long after the episode ends.

Transcript

[A]

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[B]

Adventures in time and space transcribed in future tense. The National Broadcasting Company in cooperation with street and Smith Publishers of Astounding Science Fiction bring you Dimension X. The rocket drove through space like a silver fish in an endless tank, the stars in black velocity swirling by. Inside her case, tiny, finite specks of humanity controlled the tremendous power that impelled her so relentlessly toward the other galaxies. Who were these men? What mad, fantastic need and desire that caused them to abandon Mother Earth and venture to the ends of the universe? Captain Hollis. What is it, Stone? Magnetic storm dead ahead, sir. And the aperture? About 100 mile gap between elements, sir, but shifting rapidly. Switch on the radar screen. Let's have a look.

[C]

Yes, sir.

[B]

There are asteroids in the. Captain. I see that. Thank you, Stone.

[C]

Sir. What?

[B]

Any change in course? What for? The stomps. If I decide to change course, I'll issue the order. At the rate we're approaching, it'll be too late to issue an order. Mr. Stone. Do I need to remind you who's master of this ship? Look, sir, there are 25 other lives to be considered beside your own. Those asteroids ships are Corsair. That's enough, Stone. It's not enough, Captain. Return to your post.

[C]

Captain.

[B]

For God's sake, don't be pigheaded about this. There's a magnetic storm dead ahead. Are you going to risk the lives of all of us just so you can hang your hat on some lousy interplanetary weapon? We know this means a lot to you. Sure, you can be fleet admiral if you beat those Asiatic ships to Venus.

[C]

That's fine, but we value our lives.

[B]

I happen to value my life just as much as any man aboard this craft, Mr. Stone. But I wasn't brought up to be a lily. Live a dare. Nothing. Now get back to your post or I'll have you court martialed. Well, Mr. Stone. Okay. Okay, what? Mr. Stone? Okay, sir. Impudent young pig. Maybe he's right with us. Well, you stick to being ship's doctor. You're good at that. I'll Navigate this dish. Really, Captain, if only. I'd hate to pile up on some little asteroid. Especially when a simple thing like changing course. Simple thing? Do you know what a change in course would mean? The slightest deflection would throw us a million miles off at this speed. Take days to get back on the vector. By that time, one of the Asiatic ships would have landed on Venus and claimed the whole blasted planet. We're in a race, Charles. Well, I suppose they did claim Venus. It's nothing but rocks and jungle anyway. It isn't that. It's the idea of someone beating it. You know, Lewis, I always get a little bit jittery when men are willing to die. It's a symbol. You're a symbol.

[C]

Cynic.

[B]

Maybe.

[C]

Get Mollus. Get Mollus.

[B]

Mollus. What is it, Lester?

[C]

Captain, the radar tracking shows a fallen object.

[B]

Dead. What? Check your screen, sir. Good Lord. The whole blasted storm has shifted. Dead on an Room. Mission chamber, fire up your starboard cyclotron. Aye, sir. You can't make it in time. L. Listen to that radar bound. Shut up.

[C]

Now.

[B]

Here it is. Now. Here it is. Condition red. Fasten your spacesuit. Over the fission chamber. Emergency blast hyper. It did off. You think we'll make it? We've got to make it. Suppose one of those asteroids decides to ship. Will you shut up? It doesn't sound good, Louis. Another five seconds. Four. Three. Two. There was a meteorite. Good God.

[C]

Good. Hello? Hello?

[B]

Anyone?

[C]

Can you hear me? I can see you floating out there. Can you hear me? For God's sakes, I. Answer if you cannot. I don't want to just float out here alone.

[B]

Stone, is that you?

[C]

Who is it?

[B]

Captain Hollis.

[C]

What happened?

[B]

We struck an asteroid. Ship blew up.

[C]

Is anybody else alive?

[B]

I don't know. I can see some spacesuits floating in space not far from me, but I don't know if they're alive. Maybe they just don't hear us. Their radios are working. They do. Hello? Hello? Somebody? Doc, is that you? Lewis? Yes. Thank God. Anybody else alive? Stone? Hello, Doctor. Oh, are you all right? Okay, so far, that's three of us anyway.

[C]

Lewis?

[B]

Yes, we. We seem to be moving away from each other.

[C]

That's right. I can hardly see you now.

[B]

It's the momentum. We were all thrown in different directions. Since there's no friction, we'll pick up. Isn't there some way we could stick together at least? I'm afraid not. If there's no friction, then there's nothing to stop us. That's right, Stones.

[C]

But then we'll we'll just keep falling. Maybe forever.

[B]

Not forever. You'll fall until you get into one of the gravitational fields of some planet. After that, you'll fall toward the planet. Mother in heaven.

[C]

What a way to die.

[B]

Nobody's going to die. Those Asiatic ships will be along. This way. We can radio to them when they get in range. Aren't you forgetting something, Lewis? What's that? The commanders of those other ships may not be quite so willing to run through a magnetic storm. They may have altered course. If they have, they won't come within a million miles of us. We'll have to take our chances on that.

[C]

It's a long way down.

[B]

A long, long way down. Let's have no talk of that kind. Stone. I don't want to die. Stone, I said can it. Can it yourself. What?

[C]

You heard me.

[B]

This is a mutiny of one. Don't try to put your rank on me now, mister. You'll be 10,000 miles away in another hour. Go help me. I'll have you court martial when we're picked up. Let's not kid ourselves. Nobody's going to be picked up. I've got a few things to get off my chest before we lose contact with each other. Don't want to drop it. Let him talk.

[C]

Thanks.

[B]

Your ship was a bad ship. And you were a bad captain. I hope you break when you hit the moon. Thanks for the goodwill, Stone. That isn't all. I believe there are different kinds of deaths, Captain. Just as there are different kinds of lives. Yours should be pretty interesting because you've been dead for years, Stone. Let him.

[C]

When was the last time you had an honest human feeling, Captain?

[B]

Him?

[C]

I'll bet you don't even remember when.

[B]

I don't think you're capable of any

[C]

kind of strong feeling. Do you have a wife, Captain?

[B]

I'll bet she won't miss you one bit.

[C]

Children?

[B]

I have a son. Little boy. Maybe he'll grow up to be a hero like his daddy. A tin hero with a piece of stone where other men have hearts. Are you quite finished? I've said it. Well, so long, Doc.

[C]

How long?

[B]

I'm headed for the sun. Somehow I don't like the idea of falling into the sun. I'm going to take a quicker way out. No, Stone, don't be a fool. I'm going to smash the faceplate on my helmet and let the oxygen escape. Stone, don't do it. We're going to be rescued, Stone.

[C]

See you out in some other universe.

[A]

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[C]

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[B]

God have mercy. He was headed for the sun. I can barely see him now. Look like Mercury for me. How about you, Lewis? I'm headed for. For Earth. Funny, isn't it, that I should be going back to Mother Earth. This way. I'm nothing but a human meteor. Charles. When I hit the Earth's atmosphere, I'll burn like a. Charles? Charles, can you still hear me? I can hear you. It's getting fainter now. We must be several thousand miles apart. We should be able to Talk for another 20 minutes or so at the speed we're falling away from each other. What are you thinking about, Lewis? I was thinking about Stone. What he said. Don't let it get you. You know, in a way, he was right. He was insane. The shock knocked him off balance. No. Each of us dies in a different way. Each of us has his own life to look back on.

[C]

Huh.

[B]

What's that? I don't know. Sounds like Lester.

[C]

Farewell.

[B]

Hello? Hello? I don't think so. It's possible that the sending unit of this radio is working, but the receiving unit is damaged. Hello? Hello?

[C]

Anybody alive? It is engineers Mike early lectures.

[B]

Hello?

[C]

Mother in heaven. Ain't there somebody that talks to me at least? Lester? Lester, can you hear him?

[B]

Hello?

[C]

Listen, anybody, if you can hear me, this is engineer's mate Addie. Lester. We had an accident. We were. Well, what's the use?

[B]

He doesn't even know we can hear him. Poor devil may have forgotten to switch

[C]

on his receiving unit.

[B]

Well, there are three of us again. Anyway. This isn't much comfort. Maybe. Maybe Stone's the way he is. Best don't be a fool. They're going to be picked up. I doubt they must. I must. I have too much to accomplish in life to die like this fellow, like Stone or Lester. They come a dime a dozen if I was in line to be commander of the whole fleet. You know what that means, child? Commander of the hemisphere? No, I don't know what it means. I never wanted to be commander of anything but myself. And I never even came close to that. Helen was counting on it. Stevie, too, in his own little way. It's harder for Helen. Stevie's too young to understand. He'll know. He'll know his daddy went out with a ship like a man. They'll give him a medal. Lewis, I'm beginning to think that maybe Stone was right about you. What do you mean? Oh, nothing. No, no, Charles. I want to know. We've shipped together a good many years. You never told me what you really think of me. Whether or not you've envied my success, I'd like to know now. We have nothing to do but talk. Anyway, I have never ended anything. Except the fact that you're falling back to earth. Lewis, I've admired you as I admire some sort of perfect machine. But that's where it stopped. You know the trouble with you, Louis? Well, you can't cry. What? You can't cry. Well, men don't cry. Only children. That's what I mean, Lewis. You can't cry. I don't know what the devil you're babbling about.

[C]

Skip it now.

[B]

Now, look here. There's one thing.

[C]

I had a wife on Jupiter, and I had a wife on Venus. Everyone made money and treated me well.

[B]

What's he babbling about? I don't know. He seems to be reminiscing about his life.

[C]

I had some nice times, I guess. Oh, it's Roxy. He didn't know about any of them others. Roxy married 15 years and she still

[B]

looked like a school girl.

[C]

And there's a boy, too. Wonder what he's doing now. He likes not in some mischief. I remember what I just looked at. I says to him, I says, now, my son, take good care of your and don't get fresh with the girls. He'd frighten me if he didn't wink at me and smile at winning smile of his and say, bye, dad. Take care. You come back.

[B]

Well, mars on.

[C]

We miss you terrible much. Oh, well, Harry Lester, you can't complain. You've had the best of it and some to spare.

[B]

Simple soul. Too simple. I envy him. Why? Because he has all that to hang on to? Women always frighten me, Randall. Always wanting them. And jealous of men like Lester for having them. And jealous of him for being able to spend money without fear.

[C]

And for as much happiness as he

[B]

could have in his own wild way. Haven't you ever wanted that? Don't be a fool. The difference between us and Lester is that he lives in the present. He gets into the experience of the moment. You and I, Louis, we live in the past and in the future, but never in the present. Could we change the subject? I thought you wanted to talk. Well, let's talk about something else. Charles? Charles? Charles, are you there? Charles, answer me. I just switched my auxiliary battery. I'm sorry. Well, don't. Don't do that. Afraid to be alone? I've never been afraid of anything in my life, and you know it. I wonder.

[C]

It's a long way back down.

[B]

Why doesn't he shut up? What? I got myself into a meteor swarm. Some little asteroids. Meteors? I think it's that myrmidone cluster that goes out past Mars and then swings into ours. Earth, once every five years. I'm right in the middle of it now. It's like a big kaleidoscope. All kinds of colors and shapes and sizes. God is beautiful. All that metal. I'm going with them. They take me with them. Well, I'll be doggone. Remember when you wrecked Kid Lewis? Held the kaleidoscope to your eye, gave it a twirl. That's what I'm part of now. Keep talking. I can barely hear you. Now. They're taking me off. Lewis, child. Charles, don't leave me alone like this. Charles. Lester, can you hear me?

[C]

Here's some good times. I got drunk once and gambled away a thousand times.

[B]

Why don't you shut up then?

[C]

There was a time Roxy and I made love on his hand.

[B]

Now at Algate Bridge, it's all over, Lester. Just as if it never happened.

[C]

Annie. You've no regrets?

[B]

Really? What good does it do you? You fool. When a thing's over, it's not good anymore. You're no better off than me. Look at what I've accomplished. You floating there, languishing over some skinny, misbegotten slut of a wife. My wife is beautiful. Understand? Beautiful like marble. Like chiseled marble.

[C]

You'll find herself another man. She'll have some more good times.

[B]

No. No, she won't. She'll be faithful to my memory. Helen. Helen, you will be faithful, won't you? You'll never forget Me? I won't listen. I'll switch off my radio. There. There, that's better. You're alone now, Captain Hollis. Alone with yourself and your thoughts and your memories. Going back to Earth like a human rocket. And remembering.

[C]

Sullivan. Zeus, is that you?

[B]

Here, tell it. It's me.

[C]

I missed you.

[B]

Have you?

[C]

Didn't you know?

[B]

But I thought. I mean, we quarreled.

[C]

Oh, I've forgotten about that.

[B]

I. I had some trouble, Helen.

[C]

We won't talk about it. You're home now. That's the important thing. Stevie is so excited.

[B]

Stevie. Where is he?

[C]

Right here, darling. Stevie. Stevie. Daddy. Daddy.

[B]

Hello, son.

[C]

You're going to stay with us sometime, aren't you, Daddy? You're going to stay home and we'll go fishing and play ball together, just like you promised.

[B]

Well, Stevie, I'm caught fish on that

[C]

I've got whole collection of all different colors. Would you like to see them?

[B]

Yes, I would, son.

[C]

I'll go up and get them. I've got them in my room. Don't go. Wait, dad. I'll be right back.

[B]

I won't. I won't. Go away. He's quite a little guy, isn't he?

[C]

I'm glad you're finally getting together with him.

[B]

What? What do you mean? Helen?

[C]

You've always seemed so. Well, detached from him. Steve is a sensitive little creature. All he ever wanted from you, really, was just a little affection and risk. Just a little respect for the things he felt and wanted.

[B]

I've been a good father. Nobody can ever say I haven't been a good father. Certainly not you. Not after what happened.

[C]

Don't get defensive, Lewis, please. I'm trying to bring us a little closer together.

[B]

I've given him everything a boy should have. Toys, boxing gloves. I've taught him to hunt and take care of himself.

[C]

Yes, you've done all those things.

[B]

Well, then?

[C]

It's just. Well, something. When he's come to you, he feels so alone. All he wants is for you to put your arms around him and reassure him.

[B]

That's all. He's going to be a man. I don't want him to be soft. What is it, Lewis?

[C]

What is there about being soft that you despise?

[B]

Sissy's a soft.

[C]

Christ was soft.

[B]

Now, don't start that business again, will you?

[C]

I'm trying to make you understand. Please.

[B]

I understand what you're trying to do. You're like all of them. They want to make you a woman like them. They want to drain you of your manhood so they can control you, manipulate You.

[C]

You won't understand, will you? You won't defeat me or anybody else, including yourself.

[B]

Now you're talking belly wash again.

[C]

Oh, let's not build that wall between us, Louis. Not this time. I had it all planned. When you came back, we'd get out on the beach. Remember the spot where we used to swim? In the moonlight, you can see the water all luminous and green. And then we picnic supper there. Just you and Stevie and me. Stevie could sleep on the blanket and we could go for a swim. Maybe. Maybe we could recapture it. Lewis, it wasn't always like this. Maybe if we went back.

[B]

I'm sorry, Helen. I'd like to, really, but. Well, I'm shipping out tonight.

[C]

Tonight?

[B]

I've got a new command, new ship. Having lunch with the Admiral this afternoon.

[C]

But you said you'd stay.

[B]

This is an important thing, Helen. This is the most important thing that ever happened to me.

[C]

More important than going for a swim?

[B]

You don't get a chance of being fleet commander every day. You can go for a swim anytime.

[C]

Yes, but we never do.

[B]

Look, honey, ever since I was a cadet, I've been pointing toward this job. It's big. If I'm a success, you can name your own ticket. Big house up in Connecticut. Chauffeur, finest schools for Steve.

[C]

I want you, Lewis.

[B]

Now, don't be unreasonable.

[C]

Don't you be unemotional.

[B]

What?

[C]

I said, don't be unemotional.

[B]

I don't understand.

[C]

No, I don't suppose you ever will.

[B]

Let's not quarrel. Why do we always end up quarreling? Well, it's almost time now, Louis.

[C]

Let me try once more.

[B]

Goodbye, Helen. Say goodbye to the boy.

[C]

All right, Louis. Goodbye.

[B]

Helen, where are you? Helen? Helen. Oh, no. I must be going out of my mind. The whole thing was nothing but a dream. If only I had someone to talk to. Captain?

[C]

Captain Ross? Is that you, Lester?

[B]

No, it's just another part of the. The same nightmare.

[C]

Captain Hollis, sir. Can you hear me?

[B]

Why must I be tortured like this?

[C]

If you can hear me, for heaven's sakes, answer. I. I found a tube loose in this receiver. I can hear you talking to yourself.

[B]

Lester. Lester, is it really you?

[C]

Yes, sir. Thank heavens. Captain. Are any of the others still alive?

[B]

Stone went to the sun. Dr. Carter went off with a meteor swarm. The others are scattered all over the universe by now. I've had it right for Earth. I'll be in the orbit soon.

[C]

It's good to hear your voice, sir. I was going insane all by myself here. Seems like I've Been singing and talking

[B]

the old bloody night. We heard you. I'm glad we can reach one another. Yeah, me too, sir. Are you really glad, Lester? I should think you'd hate and despise me.

[C]

Why, sir?

[B]

I could have saved us all by changing course.

[C]

Well, the way I see it, Captain, you did what you believed in. That's the way each of us has.

[B]

Thank you, Lester.

[C]

Now, how long do you figure we got, sir?

[B]

Not long, I'm afraid. At least not me.

[C]

It's a terrible thing, ain't it, Captain? I mean, knowing you're going to die and not being able to do anything.

[B]

At least you've got pleasant memories.

[C]

Me, sir?

[B]

No, never mind to a hell of things.

[C]

I should think you'd have some good

[B]

thoughts to remember yourself. I. I never lived, Lester. Huh? It's true. I never lived.

[C]

But you have a wife.

[B]

We were strangers. We never knew each other.

[C]

A son.

[B]

A son, Lester. Would you believe it if I told you I'd never put my arms around the boy and let him know how much I loved him?

[C]

That's odd to believe, sir.

[B]

It's true.

[C]

It's odd that you talk like this. Kepler. I always envied you your position. You were commander.

[B]

I thought so too. But I know better now. My whole life I was nothing but a running away from my own feelings. I had everything I really wanted. All I had to do was reach out my hand. There was Helen, Stevie, Pleasures. And I turned my back and looked at the stars. When they came to me, filled with their love and their warmth, I ran. I fled to the stars and to the ends of the universe. Was all so wrong? How do things like that happen to us, Lester? I don't know, sir. We were going to be divorced, Helen and I. Stupid. Idiotic.

[C]

Well, maybe you'll be picked up, Captain. There's lots of spaceships taking off from Earth. Maybe one of them will reach you before you hit the atmosphere.

[B]

I dare to hope. We aren't that lucky, Lester. Not many get a second chance. I can see you now, Lester. Mother Earth, big and green and rich. Won't be more than a few minutes at this rate. Oh, if there was something.

[C]

Captain. Captain.

[B]

Sure.

[C]

Eh?

[B]

Yes. I can feel the friction starting now. I'll burn in a minute. I'll be scattered like ashes all across the land. Funny. That's a useful act, isn't it? To help other things grow.

[C]

I don't talk like that, Captain.

[B]

I'm sorry, Lester. You're a good man. I hope they rescue you.

[C]

Well, I believe you are a Good man, Captain.

[B]

Maybe, Lester. Maybe I am after all.

[C]

It just got a bit twisted somewhere, that's all. It wasn't your fault. No.

[B]

No, it wasn't my blame. Funny, I feel a sense of calm now. Almost relief. Did you ever get out of a cold shower and feel like a new man? Clean and ready for breakfast and a new day? I have a feeling like that. It's a beautiful old earth, Lester. Good to go home. I wonder if anyone will see me.

[C]

Emma. Emma?

[B]

Oh,

[C]

What's Dee Dee? Can we come down to the beach tonight? I don't know. I just want to see the ocean.

[B]

Stars.

[C]

Are you cold?

[B]

No. Mom?

[C]

Yes, darling? When's dad coming back? I don't know, Steve. I don't know.

[B]

Mom,

[C]

what's the matter between you and dad? Nothing. Oh, nothing you'd understand. Don't you love each other? I suppose in a way we do. It used to be quite different. Long ago. When you were a tiny, tiny baby. Your father and I used to come down here and swim at night. I was the first girl he ever loved. And then somehow something happened. He got frightened or something. And we sort of lost each other. Come here, Steve. What's wrong, Ma? Quite. Just be a little chill. Perhaps we'd better be getting back. It's almost your bedtime. Okay, Mom. Mom, look up there. A falling star. Yes, I see it. It's so right to see.

[B]

Wait.

[C]

Did you see it move? A falling star. Make a wish, son. Make a wish.

[B]

You've just heard another adventure into the unknown world of the future. The world of. Dimension X is presented transcribed each week by the National Broadcasting Company in cooperation with street and Smith, publishers of the magazine Astounding Science Fiction. Today, Dimension X has presented Kaleidoscope, written for radio by George Leert from the story by Ray Bradbury. Features in the cast were George Atos as the captain, Leon, Johnny as Lester and John Alexander as Helen. Your host was Norman Rose.

[C]

Foreign.

[A]

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