Dimension X - Untitled Story - #45

Summary

Podcast Summary: Dimension X – Untitled Story (#45)

Podcast: Harold’s Old Time Radio
Date: May 6, 2026
Episode Theme:
A classic tale from radio’s Golden Age, this Dimension X episode reimagines the private eye genre with a science fiction twist. When hardboiled detective Donald Hayson is hired to investigate a mysterious “elixir of life” scam, he’s pulled into a web of intrigue involving political power, shadowy figures, and a shocking secret that transcends time itself.

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Episode Overview

In this radio drama, Donald Hayson is tasked by Mayor Big Mike Flaherty to uncover the truth behind a supposed immortality serum after the mayor becomes both its customer and its potential victim. What initially seems like a standard case of fraud quickly spins into a high-stakes battle involving competing agents, political machinations, and time travelers vying to manipulate the course of history.

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Key Discussion Points & Plot Moments

1. The Case Begins: A Desperate Mayor

• Donald Hayson (Private Investigator) is called to City Hall by Mayor Flaherty, who has purchased a vial of “radioactive water” said to grant long life, after being diagnosed with an inoperable illness.
• Flaherty is worried after a threatening phone call claims the potion is poison ([03:00]).
• Hayson is hired to investigate the seller, Arthur C. Lehman, with a promise of a hefty fee if the scam is exposed.

Notable quote:
“You didn’t get to be mayor of a city like this by being a fool.”
— Hayson ([01:51])

2. Danger at Home and Warning Calls

• On returning home, Hayson narrowly escapes a death trap—a steel-threaded bedspread set to strangle him; his dog Jocko is killed instead ([07:13]).
• Hayson receives a mysterious warning call, hinting that multiple parties are watching him ([06:02]).
• He suspects the mayor’s secretary, Kathy Cooper, might be involved.

Notable moment:
“The bedspread closed on him the way a Venus fly trap closes on a fly... Somebody wanted to get rid of me pretty badly.”
— Hayson ([07:13]–[07:26])

3. Confrontation with Arthur C. Lehman

• Hayson finds Lehman, who, at gunpoint, insists he was the one who warned Hayson of the trap ([10:01]).
• Lehman proposes proving the serum’s effect at a biological lab; the test miraculously cures a diseased guinea pig in 12 hours ([16:42]).

Notable exchange:
“If you really wanted to kill me, I could do it right now, perfectly legally... It was I who telephoned and warned you about that bed.”
— Lehman ([10:01])

4. Kathy’s True Colors and Romance

• Hayson grows closer to Kathy, the mayor’s secretary, but questions her involvement.
• She begs him to abandon the case, hinting at dangers beyond his understanding ([15:09]).

Notable quote:
“Don, I like you. You’re a nice guy. Why don’t you let it alone?... Please get out of it now before it’s too late.”
— Kathy ([15:09], [15:23])

5. Disappearing Evidence and Deeper Intrigue

• Returning to Lehman’s office, Hayson finds all traces of it gone overnight, except for a nervous janitor ([18:00]).
• He tricks the janitor into confessing that Lehman paid to erase his tracks before vanishing ([19:37]).

6. Confrontation: The Truth Revealed

• Hayson confronts Kathy, accusing her of the attempted murder and learning she and Lehman are involved in something far bigger ([21:58]).
• The arrival of both Lehman and Kathy leads to a standoff—guns are drawn over who gets the serum ([23:31]).

7. The Twist: Temporal Agents and Timelines

• Hayson deduces both Lehman and Kathy are time travelers from the future with opposing missions ([25:21]).
• Lehman is a rogue agent seeking to alter the past for political dominance by saving—and later eliminating—Flaherty in order to place his own ancestor in power ([26:39]).

Notable quote:
“I am, as you surmise, a traveler from the future... The entire future of our country, indeed the history of the world, would be affected.”
— Lehman ([25:33], [24:14])

8. Betrayals and Sacrifice

• Kathy admits she was sent to stop Lehman and even tried to kill Hayson to prevent him from interfering—until she fell in love with him ([27:03]).
• Lehman prepares to kill both Hayson and Kathy to protect his secret ([27:38]).
• In the ensuing chaos, Hayson is shot and apparently dies ([28:13]).

9. Time Reversed and Second Chances

• Kathy, using a hidden time machine inside the mayor’s office, reverses time to moments before the deadly confrontation ([29:28]).
• She urges Hayson to destroy the serum before Lehman can get it, telling him only he will remember what happened ([29:54]).

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

| Timestamp | Quote / Moment | Speaker | |-------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-------------------------| | 01:51 | “You didn’t get to be mayor of a city like this by being a fool.” | Hayson | | 03:24 | “If somebody comes to me with a vial of liquid and says it’ll keep me alive, I think twice before I throw him out.”| Mayor Flaherty | | 07:13 | “The bedspread closed on him the way a Venus fly trap closes on a fly... Somebody wanted to get rid of me...” | Hayson | | 10:01 | “If I really wanted to kill you, I could do it right now, perfectly legally... It was I who telephoned and warned you...” | Lehman | | 15:09 | “Don, I like you. You’re a nice guy. Why don’t you let it alone? ... Please get out of it now, before it’s too late.” | Kathy | | 16:42 | “That pig... completely recovered in 12 hours. Not a trace of malignancy.” | Dr. Gregory | | 25:21 | “When are you from? That does it, doesn’t it, Mr. Lehman? I’ve guessed your game.” | Hayson | | 25:33 | “I am, as you surmise, a traveler from the future.” | Lehman | | 26:39 | “Flaherty will not survive... My own ancestor will take over the reins of power... leaving them, eventually, to me.” | Lehman | | 27:03 | “I was. You see, I was sent here to track down Lehman... unfortunately, I fell in love with you and couldn’t go through with it.” | Kathy | | 28:23 | “I died.” | Hayson (internal) | | 29:28 | “No. What he didn’t know was that this office is a time machine... We went back into the past before he killed you.” | Kathy | | 30:15 | “Don. Don. For our own sake, for the future’s sake, break the vial now. In a moment it’ll be too late.” | Kathy |

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Timeline of Key Segments

| Timestamp | Key Segment | |-------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 01:18–03:47 | Mayor Flaherty hires Hayson; describes the life-saving serum and his predicament | | 05:52–07:26 | Hayson almost killed by a booby-trapped bedspread; his dog Jocko dies | | 10:01–11:20 | Hayson's gunpoint confrontation with Lehman; serum tested | | 13:32–15:38 | Hayson confronts Kathy; explores personal and professional entanglement | | 16:16–16:42 | Biological lab confirms serum's miraculous effects | | 17:13–19:59 | Hayson tries to trace Lehman; discovers his mysterious disappearance | | 21:22–22:49 | Kathy attempts to steal the serum at gunpoint | | 23:31–26:18 | Lehman and Kathy forced to reveal they’re time travelers; their opposing missions | | 28:13–28:29 | Hayson is shot and apparently killed | | 29:28–30:15 | Kathy reverses time, giving Hayson a second chance to resolve events |

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Episode Structure & Pacing

• Pulp noir narration and fast-paced dialogue keep the mystery tense.
• The story moves from hardboiled detective intrigue to a sci-fi time travel ethical dilemma.
• The climax upends expectations, blending personal sacrifice, romance, and mind-bending temporality.

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Conclusion

Dimension X uses the familiar shell of a detective story to deliver an existential, temporal thriller. As Hayson races to distinguish allies from enemies, the lines between past, present, and future blur. In the finale, personal feelings and the fate of nations are tied to one small glass vial. Both a homage to noir and a clever piece of speculative storytelling, this episode stands out for its tight plotting, moral ambiguity, and the unique injection of Golden Age science fiction into classic radio drama traditions.

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Useful for listeners:
This summary covers every twist and revelation, capturing the episode’s tension, wit, and genre-blending inventiveness. Whether you’re drawn to mysteries, classic radio, or speculative fiction, this story is a prime example of mid-century imaginative storytelling at its best.

Transcript

[Liberty Mutual Spokesperson]

And, Doug, there's nowhere I wouldn't go to help someone customize and save on car insurance with Liberty Mutual. Even if it means sitting front row at a comedy show.

[Doug]

Hey, everyone. Check out this guy and his bird. What is this, your first date?

[Liberty Mutual Spokesperson]

Oh, no. We help people customize and save on car insurance with Liberty Mutual together. We're married. Me to a human, him to a bird.

[Donald Hayson (Private Investigator)]

Yeah, the bird looks out of your league.

[Liberty Mutual Spokesperson]

Anyways, get a'@libertymutual.com or with your local agent.

[Doug]

Liberty. Liberty. Liberty. Liberty.

[Janitor / Arthur C. Lehman]

Adventures in Time and space told in future 10, The National Broadcasting Company, in cooperation with street and Smith Publishers of Astounding Science Fiction bring you Dimension X.

[Donald Hayson (Private Investigator)]

My name is Donald Hayton, private investigator. Maybe you heard about me. I cracked the Turner kidnapping back in 1946. It wasn't very hard. I paid off a few stool pigeons and went right to the hideout. It did my reputation a lot of good, though.

[Narrator / Donald's Inner Voice]

Enough good for me to be called

[Donald Hayson (Private Investigator)]

into the mayor's office down at City hall to see Big Mike Flaherty himself.

[Mayor Big Mike Flaherty]

Sit down, Hissen. Sit down.

[Donald Hayson (Private Investigator)]

Thanks.

[Mayor Big Mike Flaherty]

You'll have to forgive me for speaking so low.

[Donald Hayson (Private Investigator)]

That's a bad case of laryngitis.

[Mayor Big Mike Flaherty]

Yes, it's this Haitian. I've been a fool.

[Donald Hayson (Private Investigator)]

You didn't get to be mayor of a city like this by being a fool.

[Mayor Big Mike Flaherty]

Well, you know, Haitian, when you get old, you want to believe a lot of things. You want to believe so hard that sometimes you throw your common sense right out of the window. It gets hardening of the cranial arteries to become stupid.

[Donald Hayson (Private Investigator)]

What's the pitch, Mr. Mayor? You didn't call me in to discuss the philosophy of growing old gracefully.

[Mayor Big Mike Flaherty]

Hasten, I want you to do some investigating for me. Naturally, it must be confidential.

[Narrator / Donald's Inner Voice]

This is a confidential business.

[Mayor Big Mike Flaherty]

All right. Yesterday, a man came into this office and sold me a vial of radioactive water that he called the elixir of life. I suppose to cure you of any disease and keep you healthy enough so you live a hundred years.

[Narrator / Donald's Inner Voice]

It's none of my business, Mr. Mayor, but how much did you drop on this gold brick?

[Mayor Big Mike Flaherty]

It's about $50,000.

[Narrator / Donald's Inner Voice]

You don't seem the type somehow.

[Mayor Big Mike Flaherty]

Come a little closer, Jason. I'm going to tell you something my political opponents would give their right arms to know this isn't laryngitis.

[Narrator / Donald's Inner Voice]

It isn't?

[Mayor Big Mike Flaherty]

It's inaccessible for surgery. X rays would be dangerous. How much time I have left, I don't know. But I live like a man who's going to the chair. Asen If I want a vacation, I pack up and go. If I want a drink, I take one. If somebody comes to me with a vial of liquid and says it'll keep me alive, I think twice before I throw him out as a crackpot.

[Donald Hayson (Private Investigator)]

What do you want me to do? Get your money back.

[Mayor Big Mike Flaherty]

The money isn't important.

[Donald Hayson (Private Investigator)]

You mean if the loyal opposition got hold of the story, they could use it against you?

[Mayor Big Mike Flaherty]

That's part of it, Asia. However, you don't have the whole picture yet. Shortly after I bought the stuff, I received an anonymous phone call. I was warned not to take it. I was told it was poison and would kill me in a matter of seconds.

[Narrator / Donald's Inner Voice]

Ah, the plot thickens.

[Mayor Big Mike Flaherty]

Now you can appreciate my position. I feel like a man who can either save his life or destroy himself by taking that stuff.

[Narrator / Donald's Inner Voice]

The phone call might be a hoax.

[Janitor / Arthur C. Lehman]

Yes.

[Mayor Big Mike Flaherty]

And so might the elixir of life.

[Donald Hayson (Private Investigator)]

Very likely. What do you want me to do about it?

[Mayor Big Mike Flaherty]

Investigate the man who sold it to me. Find out who's behind him, what he knows, where he goes, nothing else. I want that 50 grand back.

[Donald Hayson (Private Investigator)]

What's in it for me?

[Mayor Big Mike Flaherty]

A grand if he's on the level. 10% if you get the dough back.

[Narrator / Donald's Inner Voice]

Dean. Deal.

[Mayor Big Mike Flaherty]

He's a vile. And here's his card.

[Narrator / Donald's Inner Voice]

Uh huh. Arthur C. Lehman longevity experts. 45 billings quartz.

[Donald Hayson (Private Investigator)]

Okay, Mr. Mayor, you got yourself a boy.

[Narrator / Donald's Inner Voice]

Good.

[Mayor Big Mike Flaherty]

Leave your working name and phone number with my secretary. I'll have her send you a check.

[Donald Hayson (Private Investigator)]

Right. I'll call you.

[Janitor / Arthur C. Lehman]

Uh,

[Katharina Cooper (Kathy)]

you were in there a long time. How'd you make out?

[Donald Hayson (Private Investigator)]

Swell. I bought the outer drive for only 10 bucks.

[Narrator / Donald's Inner Voice]

And the cost of mailing, that's kind of high.

[Katharina Cooper (Kathy)]

Last week we were selling it for only five.

[Narrator / Donald's Inner Voice]

I'm sorry. I've been listening to too many detective programs.

[Katharina Cooper (Kathy)]

It isn't polite to stare.

[Narrator / Donald's Inner Voice]

I was just wondering what your name was.

[Katharina Cooper (Kathy)]

Sign on the desk says Katharina Cooper.

[Narrator / Donald's Inner Voice]

I'll call you Kathy.

[Donald Hayson (Private Investigator)]

Oh, I'm supposed to leave my name and phone number.

[Katharina Cooper (Kathy)]

Go ahead.

[Donald Hayson (Private Investigator)]

The name is Donald Hayson.

[Narrator / Donald's Inner Voice]

But then you knew that.

[Donald Hayson (Private Investigator)]

Honey, you've been listening to the mayor call me by it for the last half hour.

[Narrator / Donald's Inner Voice]

You forgot to shut off the intercom switch. Big Mike's getting kind of careless, isn't he?

[Donald Hayson (Private Investigator)]

A look on her face said she was feeding me to the vultures. Piece by piece. I left my card and walked out. By the time I got home, it was dark. It was the time of early evening when every bachelor wishes he wasn't one.

[Narrator / Donald's Inner Voice]

Especially after meeting a girl like Kathy.

[Donald Hayson (Private Investigator)]

The phone began to ring just as I put my key in the latch. I made it on the fourth ring.

[Janitor / Arthur C. Lehman]

Hello, is this Mr. Donald?

[Katharina Cooper (Kathy)]

Ha.

[Donald Hayson (Private Investigator)]

I live alone and don't like it. Were you expecting someone else to answer?

[Janitor / Arthur C. Lehman]

This is a warning, Mr. Haitian document pops Rose there.

[Donald Hayson (Private Investigator)]

I'm sorry, but I don't like to sleep on the floor.

[Narrator / Donald's Inner Voice]

The joys of being a private detective.

[Donald Hayson (Private Investigator)]

Oh, hello, Jocko. How's my boy?

[Narrator / Donald's Inner Voice]

That's a good boy. Now, Jocko, be glad you're not a private detective with all kinds of trackpots calling you up and trying to get your goat. Nice boy.

[Donald Hayson (Private Investigator)]

Sometimes I wish I had shaggy ears like you.

[Narrator / Donald's Inner Voice]

Zoya couldn't hear them. Come on, boy.

[Donald Hayson (Private Investigator)]

Come on in the bedroom for a change.

[Narrator / Donald's Inner Voice]

Into something colorful. What's the matter, boy? You want to go out?

[Donald Hayson (Private Investigator)]

Well, you just wait until I sit

[Narrator / Donald's Inner Voice]

down here and get these shoes. Hey.

[Donald Hayson (Private Investigator)]

Hey there. Don't jump on that bed spread.

[Narrator / Donald's Inner Voice]

Now you know better than me. Chuckle Choco. Oh, God. The bedspread closed on him the way a Venus fly trap closes on a fly. When I looked more closely, I saw

[Donald Hayson (Private Investigator)]

that the bedspread had silvery threads of

[Narrator / Donald's Inner Voice]

fine spring steel woven into had been

[Donald Hayson (Private Investigator)]

set like a bear trap to spring

[Narrator / Donald's Inner Voice]

shut and strangle anything that touched it. Somebody wanted to get rid of me pretty badly.

[Donald Hayson (Private Investigator)]

Somebody to whom I had suddenly become very dangerous.

[Narrator / Donald's Inner Voice]

Instead, they got Chuckle. My poor little Jocko

[Liberty Mutual Spokesperson]

and Doug. There's nowhere I wouldn't go to help someone customize and save on car insurance with Liberty Mutual. Even if it means sitting front row at a comedy show.

[Katharina Cooper (Kathy)]

Hey, everyone.

[Doug]

Check out this guy and his bird. What is this, your first date?

[Liberty Mutual Spokesperson]

Oh, no. We help people customize and save on car insurance with Liberty Mutual together. We're married. Me to a human, him to a bird.

[Donald Hayson (Private Investigator)]

Yeah, the bird looks out of your league.

[Liberty Mutual Spokesperson]

Anyways, get a [e-mail] or with your local agent.

[Doug]

Liberty. Liberty. Liberty. Liberty.

[VRBO Advertiser]

Early birds always rise to the occasion for summer vacation planning because early gets you closer to the action. So don't be late. Book your next vacation early on VRBO and save over $120. Rise and shine. Average savings $141. Select homes only.

[Narrator / Donald's Inner Voice]

I decided to take a fast drive over to Billings Court to see Arthur Lehman, longevity expert.

[Donald Hayson (Private Investigator)]

I'm looking for Mr. Lehman's office.

[Janitor / Arthur C. Lehman]

I'm the janitor.

[Donald Hayson (Private Investigator)]

You didn't need to explain.

[Janitor / Arthur C. Lehman]

He isn't in. Mr. Lehman isn't he?

[Donald Hayson (Private Investigator)]

I just said I was looking for his office.

[Janitor / Arthur C. Lehman]

Oh, a detective.

[Donald Hayson (Private Investigator)]

Now I'm really a vacuum cleaner salesman. I just had these credentials printed up for fun. Here.

[Narrator / Donald's Inner Voice]

Buy your wife a muskrat coat.

[Mayor Big Mike Flaherty]

I can't take any money.

[Janitor / Arthur C. Lehman]

I just keep this till it's spent.

[Donald Hayson (Private Investigator)]

What floor is it on?

[Janitor / Arthur C. Lehman]

Up those steps, rear.

[Narrator / Donald's Inner Voice]

Thanks. Now, let's see now. I ought to have one that fits this.

[Janitor / Arthur C. Lehman]

There we are.

[Narrator / Donald's Inner Voice]

Now, there should be a light switch somewhere. Let's see if I could.

[Janitor / Arthur C. Lehman]

Perhaps I can be of assistance.

[Narrator / Donald's Inner Voice]

Looking for someone, Mr. Lehman? Yes.

[Donald Hayson (Private Investigator)]

The janitor told me you weren't in, so I.

[Janitor / Arthur C. Lehman]

You picked the lock?

[Narrator / Donald's Inner Voice]

Yes.

[Donald Hayson (Private Investigator)]

I hope you don't mind.

[Janitor / Arthur C. Lehman]

Not at all.

[Narrator / Donald's Inner Voice]

If you put down the gun.

[Janitor / Arthur C. Lehman]

I like to hold it. It gives me a feeling of power. Now, Mr. Hasen. Mr. Han, if you will tell me just who you are and what you're doing here.

[Donald Hayson (Private Investigator)]

I couldn't sleep.

[Narrator / Donald's Inner Voice]

My bed had a dead dog in it.

[Donald Hayson (Private Investigator)]

I thought I should consult a health expert.

[Janitor / Arthur C. Lehman]

Who sent you?

[Donald Hayson (Private Investigator)]

Nobody sent me. I'm like Topsy. I just growed. I'd like to keep on growing, Mr. Layman. I don't like people trying to kill me. And I don't like people killing my dog.

[Janitor / Arthur C. Lehman]

What makes you think I would try to kill you?

[Donald Hayson (Private Investigator)]

Just a hunch.

[Janitor / Arthur C. Lehman]

If I really wanted to kill you, I could do it right now, perfectly legally. Since you broke in here. That'd be hard to prove. Fortunately for you, Mr. Hasten. I don't have the faintest interest in trying to kill you. On the contrary. It was I who telephoned and warned you about that bed.

[Narrator / Donald's Inner Voice]

You know about that phone call.

[Janitor / Arthur C. Lehman]

I ought to. I made it.

[Donald Hayson (Private Investigator)]

What's the pitch, Mr. Layman?

[Janitor / Arthur C. Lehman]

I can't tell you what the pitch is, Mr. Heast. But I will tell you this. Give that vial of liquid back to Clarity. And let him cure himself.

[Donald Hayson (Private Investigator)]

Or poison himself. Look, Mr. Layman, I wasn't born yesterday. Don't give me this elixir of life stuff. There ain't no such thing as. And don't try to top me off this case by pretending you're on my size.

[Janitor / Arthur C. Lehman]

Jason, I warn you. You're playing around with something much too big for you to handle. That vial is the only one of its kind in existence today. The liquid it contains will cure flowers. If he drinks it.

[Donald Hayson (Private Investigator)]

You know, I've seen lots of carnival men peddling plucum and ink sticks, but you're good.

[Narrator / Donald's Inner Voice]

You almost convince me. Almost, but not quite. You're a very stubborn fool, Mr. Hasen.

[Donald Hayson (Private Investigator)]

Give back that 50 grand, and I'll become very unstubborn.

[Janitor / Arthur C. Lehman]

I have a suggestion.

[Narrator / Donald's Inner Voice]

I'll bet you do.

[Janitor / Arthur C. Lehman]

Why don't you siphon off the tiniest drop of that elixir and have it tested on, say, a rabbit? Then if it's non poisonous, you can go back to Flaherty and have him drink it.

[Donald Hayson (Private Investigator)]

And while we're proving it's Carmel water, you're on a fast boat to outer Mongolia with 50 GS.

[Janitor / Arthur C. Lehman]

Come with me.

[Narrator / Donald's Inner Voice]

Where?

[Janitor / Arthur C. Lehman]

To a reputable biological laboratory. Any one you choose.

[Donald Hayson (Private Investigator)]

Suppose I don't want to play?

[Janitor / Arthur C. Lehman]

Then I'll kill you. You will feel my guard against your side, so don't try anything. Shall we go? Before we do, just one thing.

[Narrator / Donald's Inner Voice]

Well, if you didn't try to kill me, who did?

[Janitor / Arthur C. Lehman]

Who else knew about it?

[Donald Hayson (Private Investigator)]

Nobody. Nobody except Flaherty, you, me and

[Narrator / Donald's Inner Voice]

Flaherty's secretary.

[Janitor / Arthur C. Lehman]

Shall we go, Mr. Hasten?

[Narrator / Donald's Inner Voice]

Oh, yes.

[Mayor Big Mike Flaherty]

Yes, I believe I could make such a test. Of course, it would mean injecting a beast of CC into an infected guinea pig. Then we'd have to wait into a biopsy.

[Narrator / Donald's Inner Voice]

How long would it take?

[Mayor Big Mike Flaherty]

24 hours at least.

[Donald Hayson (Private Investigator)]

Okay.

[Narrator / Donald's Inner Voice]

How much?

[Janitor / Arthur C. Lehman]

$50.

[Narrator / Donald's Inner Voice]

My friend will pay you. Your friend?

[Donald Hayson (Private Investigator)]

Yeah, the gentleman will. Holy jumping sunfish.

[Narrator / Donald's Inner Voice]

Sir.

[Donald Hayson (Private Investigator)]

Look, you saw me come in with a guy just a minute ago, didn't you?

[Mayor Big Mike Flaherty]

Yes, sir. But he left when you started talking to me.

[Narrator / Donald's Inner Voice]

Isn't that just you, Andy? Is something wrong? No, nothing much.

[Donald Hayson (Private Investigator)]

You know what Barnum said about one being born every minute?

[Mayor Big Mike Flaherty]

Yes, sir.

[Donald Hayson (Private Investigator)]

Well, he was talking about me. I better get going. Well? Yes, sir. Oh, sir. What about that test? Okay. I suppose you might as well do it just for laughs. Send the report on the bill to Donald Hay and private investigator Cater Billings. Yes, sir. I knew there wasn't much point in going back after Layman. He was probably well on his way by this time. It was an all around phony story from beginning to end. But still, somewhere hanging around the edges

[Narrator / Donald's Inner Voice]

of my brain was a funny kind of hunch. If Layman had wanted to kill me, then who called me up to warn me?

[Donald Hayson (Private Investigator)]

Layman himself.

[Narrator / Donald's Inner Voice]

Why? It didn't figure.

[Janitor / Arthur C. Lehman]

I stopped to look up an address

[Narrator / Donald's Inner Voice]

in the phone book and then I invested 10 cents.

[Doug]

Hello?

[Narrator / Donald's Inner Voice]

Kathy? Yes, this is Sherlock. Oh, I'm glad.

[Katharina Cooper (Kathy)]

Glad that you called, I mean. I. I wanted to apologize to you for eavesdropping this afternoon.

[Donald Hayson (Private Investigator)]

Why don't you do it over a cup of coffee?

[Narrator / Donald's Inner Voice]

I have to talk to you.

[Katharina Cooper (Kathy)]

It's very late.

[Donald Hayson (Private Investigator)]

Sleep late tomorrow.

[Mayor Big Mike Flaherty]

Please.

[Katharina Cooper (Kathy)]

All right. Well, I meet you.

[Donald Hayson (Private Investigator)]

There's a coffee shop near your place. I'll be there in 15 minutes.

[Narrator / Donald's Inner Voice]

She came in wearing a blue nylon dress and a short gray jacket.

[Donald Hayson (Private Investigator)]

It went real well.

[Narrator / Donald's Inner Voice]

With her blue eyes and soft blonde hair, she seemed genuinely happy to see me.

[Donald Hayson (Private Investigator)]

It threw me for a few seconds. And then I reminded myself I had already won the PT Barnum Award once that night.

[Narrator / Donald's Inner Voice]

Sit down, Kathy.

[Katharina Cooper (Kathy)]

What is it?

[Donald Hayson (Private Investigator)]

Do you know a man named Arthur C. Lehman?

[Katharina Cooper (Kathy)]

Am I supposed to?

[Donald Hayson (Private Investigator)]

I'll refresh your memory. I had a talk with His Honor about him.

[Katharina Cooper (Kathy)]

I. I don't remember.

[Donald Hayson (Private Investigator)]

Look, I used to have a little Scotch terrier named Jocko. We liked each other. He used to lick my hand. All I want to know is, are you mixed up in it? What goes on?

[Katharina Cooper (Kathy)]

I don't know anything about it.

[Donald Hayson (Private Investigator)]

Listen, Kathy, maybe I'm getting sentimental in my old age, but for a moment there when you walked in, I thought you seemed genuinely glad to see me. Was it because you were glad I was still alive? Come on, give.

[Katharina Cooper (Kathy)]

Don, I like you. You're a nice guy. Why don't you let it alone? Call Flaherty and turn down the assignment. Give him back his vile and tell him you're not interested in finding Layman. Would you do it?

[Donald Hayson (Private Investigator)]

If you want to help me so much, why not tell me what it's all about?

[Katharina Cooper (Kathy)]

I can't. I'd like to, but I can't. I've told you too much already.

[Donald Hayson (Private Investigator)]

Somebody's got you real scared, honey. Who is it? You're too nice a girl to be mixed up in this garbage with a guy like Lehman. Come on, tell me.

[Katharina Cooper (Kathy)]

I can't just believe that. Please get out of it now, before it's too late.

[Donald Hayson (Private Investigator)]

Okay, honey. You can play it that way if you want, but to me it's as thin as a bowl of restaurant soup. Poor Jocko knew something and couldn't tell me. You know something and you won't tell me.

[Narrator / Donald's Inner Voice]

Good night.

[Janitor / Arthur C. Lehman]

I didn't go home.

[Narrator / Donald's Inner Voice]

I spent the night in a local

[Donald Hayson (Private Investigator)]

YMCA and I didn't sleep very well. It went around and around in my brain like a squirrel in a cage, but it didn't add up to anything. When it came out in the morning, I went straight to my office and locked myself in with a bottle of gin. By 10 o' clock, I had decided to quit the job. But before I could call Flaherty and

[Narrator / Donald's Inner Voice]

tell him, the phone rang. Go ahead, Mr. Hayson.

[Donald Hayson (Private Investigator)]

You got it.

[Narrator / Donald's Inner Voice]

This is Dr. Gregory in the Bayside Biological Laboratory.

[Donald Hayson (Private Investigator)]

If you want the money.

[Mayor Big Mike Flaherty]

It isn't about the money.

[Narrator / Donald's Inner Voice]

What's up, Mr. Hazen? Do you have the formula for that?

[Mayor Big Mike Flaherty]

Serum you gave me?

[Narrator / Donald's Inner Voice]

No.

[Donald Hayson (Private Investigator)]

I know a guy who might. But he's in Outer Mongolia by now.

[Narrator / Donald's Inner Voice]

Why?

[Mayor Big Mike Flaherty]

Well, I've never seen anything quite like it. I don't know if it was just

[Narrator / Donald's Inner Voice]

a freak of fate or what happened. Well, that pig, that diseased guinea pig, Mr. Hayson. Well, it completely recovered in 12 hours.

[Mayor Big Mike Flaherty]

Not only that, Mr. Hazen, but there

[Narrator / Donald's Inner Voice]

is not a trace of the malignancy. That pig looks healthy enough to live another hundred years. I could feel the sweat soaking into my undershirt as I put down the receiver.

[Donald Hayson (Private Investigator)]

Where do we go from here? Was Lehman on the level after all? The next stop was Lehman's office. Maybe he wasn't in Outer Mongolia.

[Narrator / Donald's Inner Voice]

It was noon before I got there.

[Donald Hayson (Private Investigator)]

The same janitor was on duty in the same dirty lobby.

[Janitor / Arthur C. Lehman]

Hello there.

[Narrator / Donald's Inner Voice]

Hi.

[Donald Hayson (Private Investigator)]

Want something?

[Narrator / Donald's Inner Voice]

Layman. Who? Layman. Never heard of him.

[Donald Hayson (Private Investigator)]

Now, wait a minute, Junior. You remember me? Last night? Five bucks. Real office, first floor.

[Janitor / Arthur C. Lehman]

I don't know what you're talking about, mister.

[Donald Hayson (Private Investigator)]

You want another five, huh, Junior? Well, this time I don't buy. Get out of my way.

[Janitor / Arthur C. Lehman]

Oh, listen, mister, I can't let you just walk into that office.

[Donald Hayson (Private Investigator)]

I'll try to stop me if you want to work tomorrow, but there's nobody in there.

[Janitor / Arthur C. Lehman]

That office.

[Donald Hayson (Private Investigator)]

We'll see about that, Junior, right now.

[Narrator / Donald's Inner Voice]

Holy mackerel.

[Janitor / Arthur C. Lehman]

I told you, mister.

[Narrator / Donald's Inner Voice]

The room was bare. There were caps on the electrical outlets.

[Donald Hayson (Private Investigator)]

Everything in the room was covered by a six weeks accumulation of dust that was undisturbed except for the footprints of the janitor and myself.

[Narrator / Donald's Inner Voice]

Yet yesterday there had been a rug,

[Donald Hayson (Private Investigator)]

telephone, desks, chairs, file cabinets.

[Narrator / Donald's Inner Voice]

I checked the door number 1B.

[Donald Hayson (Private Investigator)]

That was it, all right.

[Narrator / Donald's Inner Voice]

Then I checked the janitor.

[Donald Hayson (Private Investigator)]

He was standing there just looking stupid. But he looked a little too stupid.

[Narrator / Donald's Inner Voice]

I figured I could make him talk, so I tried an old trick.

[Donald Hayson (Private Investigator)]

I reached inside my hat band, took out an ordinary pin and jabbed him hard on the arm.

[Mayor Big Mike Flaherty]

Hey, Al.

[Janitor / Arthur C. Lehman]

What's the big idea, mister?

[Donald Hayson (Private Investigator)]

Sit down, junior. Sit down over here on the window ledge.

[Janitor / Arthur C. Lehman]

Okay, listen.

[Mayor Big Mike Flaherty]

I don't know anything.

[Narrator / Donald's Inner Voice]

Maybe you saw something like this in the movies, Junior. There's this guy, see? A killer, and he sticks another guy

[Donald Hayson (Private Investigator)]

with a needle that has a slow poison on the end of it, like I have, right in this little glass vial, see? It? And only this killer has the antidote. If the other guy doesn't talk, it's

[Narrator / Donald's Inner Voice]

curtains in one minute.

[Donald Hayson (Private Investigator)]

If he does, the killer will give him the antidote.

[Narrator / Donald's Inner Voice]

Okay, Junior, talk.

[Janitor / Arthur C. Lehman]

I. I don't believe you. There's no Poison in that pin? It's a joke.

[Donald Hayson (Private Investigator)]

It's up to you, Junior. Don't you feel something different, though?

[Narrator / Donald's Inner Voice]

Feel your heart speed up a little from the poison?

[Janitor / Arthur C. Lehman]

Now listen, I don't know anything.

[Narrator / Donald's Inner Voice]

It makes you sweat, too. When it reaches the brain, that's when it really begins to work. You got 30 seconds to spill. Otherwise, 25. Okay, okay.

[Janitor / Arthur C. Lehman]

He was here. He gave me $100 to forget it. He rented the office only a couple of days ago. And then last night he said he was moving out. Said I shouldn't mention to anybody that had been here. And now our lady was gone. Files, furniture and all. Don't know how I moved all that stuff out so fast. Now, that's all I know, Alice.

[Donald Hayson (Private Investigator)]

That's all I know.

[Janitor / Arthur C. Lehman]

Now, for God's sake, mister, give me that stuff. Don't let me just croak.

[Narrator / Donald's Inner Voice]

I feel it.

[Donald Hayson (Private Investigator)]

Relax, Junior. There was no poison.

[Janitor / Arthur C. Lehman]

You're all right. A trick.

[Donald Hayson (Private Investigator)]

Yeah, a trick. Thanks for the information.

[Narrator / Donald's Inner Voice]

A trick. You tricked me.

[Janitor / Arthur C. Lehman]

He said he'd tune me.

[Donald Hayson (Private Investigator)]

Thanks again.

[Narrator / Donald's Inner Voice]

There was Mr. Han again.

[Donald Hayson (Private Investigator)]

Right back on the horns of ye old dilemma.

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[Donald Hayson (Private Investigator)]

The only thing I knew for sure at this point was that the serum was apparently not poisonous. And since my client was most concerned with that, I made my next stop the office of His Honor, Mayor Big Mike Flaherty.

[Narrator / Donald's Inner Voice]

I have the vial in my coat pocket.

[Donald Hayson (Private Investigator)]

Hello, beautiful.

[Narrator / Donald's Inner Voice]

Oh, I want to see His Honor.

[Katharina Cooper (Kathy)]

He isn't in.

[Donald Hayson (Private Investigator)]

I'll go into his office and wait.

[Katharina Cooper (Kathy)]

You can't.

[Donald Hayson (Private Investigator)]

But I can.

[Narrator / Donald's Inner Voice]

Come on in.

[Donald Hayson (Private Investigator)]

I want to talk to you anyway.

[Katharina Cooper (Kathy)]

Please.

[Donald Hayson (Private Investigator)]

Come on.

[Janitor / Arthur C. Lehman]

Shut the door, huh?

[Donald Hayson (Private Investigator)]

No.

[Janitor / Arthur C. Lehman]

Okay, I'll shut it.

[Donald Hayson (Private Investigator)]

Now sit. Okay, baby, let's have a heart to heart conversation.

[Katharina Cooper (Kathy)]

I see you didn't listen to my warning.

[Narrator / Donald's Inner Voice]

No, I didn't.

[Donald Hayson (Private Investigator)]

What's more, I found out that this layman character is on the level about the serum, it works.

[Katharina Cooper (Kathy)]

You found that out, too?

[Donald Hayson (Private Investigator)]

That's right. It leads me to an interesting conclusion, Kathy.

[Narrator / Donald's Inner Voice]

Namely? That you're the one who tried to booby trap me.

[Katharina Cooper (Kathy)]

All right. Have it your way. What do you intend to do?

[Donald Hayson (Private Investigator)]

Well, first I'm gonna give Flaherty that serum and let him cure himself.

[Katharina Cooper (Kathy)]

You mustn't do that.

[Donald Hayson (Private Investigator)]

Why not?

[Katharina Cooper (Kathy)]

I. I can't tell you, but you mustn't. Down. In a few minutes, Mike Flaherty will be here. Before he comes, I'll have to ask you to give me that serum.

[Donald Hayson (Private Investigator)]

Try again. I don't hear so good.

[Katharina Cooper (Kathy)]

Maybe you'll hear this. It works too, so don't try anything.

[Narrator / Donald's Inner Voice]

Well, well. So now it comes out. Okay, Kathy, if you want to play that way, go ahead.

[Katharina Cooper (Kathy)]

Give me that serum.

[Narrator / Donald's Inner Voice]

Why don't you shoot?

[Katharina Cooper (Kathy)]

I warn you. I may have no choice.

[Narrator / Donald's Inner Voice]

Give it to me.

[Janitor / Arthur C. Lehman]

Pull the trigger, baby.

[Narrator / Donald's Inner Voice]

You're weakening, Don.

[Katharina Cooper (Kathy)]

Please don't make me kill you. Please.

[Narrator / Donald's Inner Voice]

What is it, baby? True love or just weak in the knees? You better hand me that gun. Oh, Don, what can I do?

[Katharina Cooper (Kathy)]

I'm so mixed up.

[Narrator / Donald's Inner Voice]

Well, that's better. What is it, Chassis?

[Donald Hayson (Private Investigator)]

You're no killer. Tell me what's going on here. Maybe I can help you.

[Narrator / Donald's Inner Voice]

You gotta trust me.

[Katharina Cooper (Kathy)]

No, I can't, Don. Believe me, I want to. But it's against the prime injunction.

[Narrator / Donald's Inner Voice]

The wasp.

[Katharina Cooper (Kathy)]

You wouldn't understand. There's no way I could make you understand. Only believe me, Don, because I love you. You mustn't let Lehman succeed in giving that serum. To my clarity, the consequences would be unimaginable.

[Narrator / Donald's Inner Voice]

You know, Kathy, if you had come

[Donald Hayson (Private Investigator)]

to me in level right at the start, maybe we could have worked something out.

[Narrator / Donald's Inner Voice]

Maybe I'd be listening to you now. But you're a little late because I just heard Big Mike come into the outer office. He'll be here in a second.

[Katharina Cooper (Kathy)]

Don't.

[Janitor / Arthur C. Lehman]

Don't.

[Donald Hayson (Private Investigator)]

Please come in.

[Narrator / Donald's Inner Voice]

How do you do, Layman?

[Janitor / Arthur C. Lehman]

I see she's been trying to get the vial from you, Mr. Hasten. I was afraid of that. I came over to make certain that Mr. Flaherty is permitted to drink the syrup.

[Donald Hayson (Private Investigator)]

That's very noble of you, Layman, but I don't quite understand it.

[Narrator / Donald's Inner Voice]

You have your 50 grand.

[Donald Hayson (Private Investigator)]

What do you care whether Mike Flaherty

[Janitor / Arthur C. Lehman]

lives or dies, Mr. Hasen? If my flares, he dies. The opposition candidate will win the next election. That means a new political party will come into dominance in this city. The next president will be a representative of that party. I am most Anxious to see that that does not happen. The entire future of our country, indeed the history of the world, would be affected by it.

[Katharina Cooper (Kathy)]

He's telling the truth, Don. But events must be allowed to take their normal course.

[Janitor / Arthur C. Lehman]

Don't listen to her, Hastens. She's tried to kill you once. She'd do it again. You know I'm telling the truth about that serum. She wants to see Flaherty die.

[Narrator / Donald's Inner Voice]

Go ahead, ask her. It's true, isn't it, Kathy? You want Mike Flaherty to die.

[Katharina Cooper (Kathy)]

You don't understand.

[Donald Hayson (Private Investigator)]

Listen, I'm getting pretty fed up with being told I don't understand. Understand what? I understand that in the past 24 hours somebody's tried to kill me. I understand that Layman's Serum will cure a guinea pig and probably a human. I understand that unless I'm comparing the entire contents of Lehman's office vanished in a few minutes. I understand that you two seem to be more concerned with some nonsense that's going to take place in the future than good.

[Narrator / Donald's Inner Voice]

Holy smokes. Oh, no.

[Donald Hayson (Private Investigator)]

No.

[Narrator / Donald's Inner Voice]

It's too fantastic, just too fantastic to

[Janitor / Arthur C. Lehman]

even think about something troubling you. Mr. Hasen. Perhaps I can help you.

[Narrator / Donald's Inner Voice]

Perhaps you can leave it. I'm going to ask you just one question.

[Janitor / Arthur C. Lehman]

Very well.

[Narrator / Donald's Inner Voice]

When are you from? That does it, doesn't it, Mr. Lehman? I've guessed your game.

[Janitor / Arthur C. Lehman]

I'm afraid you have, Mr. Hasen. I am, as you surmise, a traveler from the future. And since you've stumbled upon it, perhaps Ms. Cooper here would like to fill in her part of the story. But before she does, up your hands, both of you.

[Narrator / Donald's Inner Voice]

Higher.

[Janitor / Arthur C. Lehman]

Don't move. I'll take that gun, Mr. Haysen. Now, Ms. Trooper, you may enlighten our backward friend.

[Narrator / Donald's Inner Voice]

Go ahead, Kathy.

[Katharina Cooper (Kathy)]

Both Layman and myself are from the future. Don't.

[Narrator / Donald's Inner Voice]

Why didn't you tell me?

[Katharina Cooper (Kathy)]

I couldn't. The prime injunction to time travelers is never to reveal their identity. The penalty is death. Since you've guessed it, as we feared you might, there's no point in trying to conceal anything further.

[Narrator / Donald's Inner Voice]

Go on.

[Katharina Cooper (Kathy)]

Mr. Lehman's a fugitive from the era in which we live. Using one of our time machines. He came back to your time and he sought to change things so that he'd be in a position of great power in the future.

[Narrator / Donald's Inner Voice]

How did he figure to do that?

[Katharina Cooper (Kathy)]

If Larry lived long enough, he could dominate the political picture in America.

[Narrator / Donald's Inner Voice]

You're almost right.

[Janitor / Arthur C. Lehman]

Except in one detail, Ms. Cooper. Flaherty will not survive. He will live only long enough to gain a position of Political dominance. Then I will remove him. And my own ancestor will take over the reins of power leaving them, eventually to me.

[Narrator / Donald's Inner Voice]

I get it now.

[Donald Hayson (Private Investigator)]

But there's one thing that bothers me.

[Narrator / Donald's Inner Voice]

Who was trying to kill me?

[Katharina Cooper (Kathy)]

I was. You see, I was sent here to track down Lehman. I said that spring before I met you. As soon as Flaherty hired you to help him. I did it on orders from the council. They were afraid you'd be successful in saving Flaherty's life. Then unfortunately, I. I fell in love with you and couldn't go through with it. I called and warned you.

[Donald Hayson (Private Investigator)]

You took credit for that, Lehman.

[Janitor / Arthur C. Lehman]

I wanted to enlist you on my side, Mr. Hesson. However, it makes little difference at this point. Since you know the entire story, I have little choice now.

[Donald Hayson (Private Investigator)]

Do you think you can get away with this?

[Janitor / Arthur C. Lehman]

I believe I can. Mr. Hasen, there are two of us

[Donald Hayson (Private Investigator)]

here who know your plans.

[Janitor / Arthur C. Lehman]

By the time Mr. Flaherty returns to his office, there will be only one. Myself. Goodbye, Mr. Hasten. It has been a pleasure.

[Donald Hayson (Private Investigator)]

Not without a fight.

[Narrator / Donald's Inner Voice]

You shut. Not many people know how it feels

[Janitor / Arthur C. Lehman]

to be shot in a forest.

[Narrator / Donald's Inner Voice]

I saw Kathy jump toward the desk and push a button I hadn't noticed before. I remember a thud, as if I'd been sandbagged.

[Donald Hayson (Private Investigator)]

And then watching in amazement as the crimson spread down the front of my shirt. Then there was a loud roaring noise and everything went black.

[Narrator / Donald's Inner Voice]

I died.

[Katharina Cooper (Kathy)]

Don't try to move, Don. Don't move yet. It'll take a few minutes for you to feel like yourself.

[Narrator / Donald's Inner Voice]

Well, what. Holy jumping sunfish. I'm sitting in Flaherty's office. The blood. There was blood on my shirt, and it's gone now.

[Katharina Cooper (Kathy)]

Here. Here, drink this.

[Narrator / Donald's Inner Voice]

I. I don't understand it. Have I been dreaming? Is the whole thing nothing but a nightmare? Well, it seems so real that there was a man named Lehman.

[Donald Hayson (Private Investigator)]

He.

[Narrator / Donald's Inner Voice]

He pointed a gun at my head and shot me. I felt it, I tell you.

[Donald Hayson (Private Investigator)]

I felt it.

[Katharina Cooper (Kathy)]

John. John, listen to me. Listen carefully. There isn't much time. And. Please, darling, please, this time, believe me. Listen.

[Janitor / Arthur C. Lehman]

Go ahead.

[Katharina Cooper (Kathy)]

You were in this room. Lehman did shoot you.

[Narrator / Donald's Inner Voice]

He. He killed you. You're insane.

[Katharina Cooper (Kathy)]

No. What he didn't know was that this office is a time machine. We rigged it that way, hoping to trap him here and take him back to future times. When I saw he was about to shoot you, I jumped to the switch that sets the machine into reverse. We went back into the past before he killed you. That's where we are now. It's only A few minutes before Lehman is going to knock on that door and come into the office.

[Narrator / Donald's Inner Voice]

It's too fantastic to believe, Kathy.

[Katharina Cooper (Kathy)]

True.

[Narrator / Donald's Inner Voice]

What can I do?

[Katharina Cooper (Kathy)]

Break the vial. Break it now, before Lehman gets here. And then when he comes, get the jump on him. Since you're the one who went back in time, you'll remember. But Lehman won't.

[Donald Hayson (Private Investigator)]

What'll happen to us?

[Katharina Cooper (Kathy)]

They'll appeal to the council. Perhaps they'll let us stay together.

[Donald Hayson (Private Investigator)]

I can't make my brain believe this.

[Katharina Cooper (Kathy)]

Kathy. You must. Don. Don. For our own sake, for the future's sake, break the vial now. In a moment it'll be too late.

[Narrator / Donald's Inner Voice]

Well, I don't know, Kathy. Clarity is.

[Donald Hayson (Private Investigator)]

Life depends on this little glass bottle.

[Katharina Cooper (Kathy)]

Don't, please. It's Lehman, Don. You've got to decide now.

[Narrator / Donald's Inner Voice]

Thank God.

[Donald Hayson (Private Investigator)]

Come in.

[Narrator / Donald's Inner Voice]

Mr. Layman, we're ready for you.

[Janitor / Arthur C. Lehman]

You've just heard another adventure into the unknown world of the future.

[Narrator / Donald's Inner Voice]

The world of dimension.

[Dimension X Announcer]

Dimension X is presented 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 un titled story from the current issue of Astounding Science Fiction. It was written for radio by George Lefferts from the story by Frank M. Robinson. Featured in the cast were George Petrie as Hasten, Ann Sargent as Kathy, Bernard Lenro as Layman. Your host was Norman Rose. Music by Albert Thurman. Dimension X is produced by William Welch and directed by Fred Wayne. Dragnet.

[Donald Hayson (Private Investigator)]

The story of your police force is next on NBC.

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