Double Bill 19xx-xx-xx Game for One Player

Summary

Podcast Summary: Harold's Old Time Radio

Episode: Double Bill 19xx-xx-xx Game for One Player
Air Date: January 2, 2026
Featured Play: "Game for One Player" by Patrick Simpson

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Episode Overview

This episode of Harold's Old Time Radio features a radio drama titled "Game for One Player," shining a light on the psychological tension and mysterious fear experienced by a young boy, Terry, and his family. Set in a post-war British household, the story delicately examines the line between imagination and reality through the lens of a child's repeated claims about a mysterious presence in the garden, and the reactions of his concerned parents.

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Key Discussion Points & Story Breakdown

1. Family Dynamics and Domestic Routine (00:00–02:09)

• The episode opens with typical, cozy domestic exchanges: a mother (C) busies herself with chores, the father (A) returns from work, and their son Terry (B) plays in the garden.
• Quote – (00:53):
  A (Father): “Oh, it’s the best moment of the day, I reckon. Just sitting down in the old armchair when you’re at home.”
• Terry repeatedly calls for his mother, mentioning “he’s in the garden again,” but his pleas are ignored as childish imagination.

2. The "Game" and Growing Concern (02:09–03:39)

• Terry’s mother expresses to his father that the "game" is becoming an obsession, hinting at underlying anxiety:
• Quote – (02:12):
  C (Mother): “But this is becoming an obsession. It’ll have to stop.”
• The parents are unsure whether Terry’s fixation is harmless or worrisome.
• The father attempts to rationalize, suggesting it’s just the result of a child's imagination.

3. Gentle Confrontation and Terry’s Perspective (03:39–08:04)

• Father and son have a heart-to-heart conversation:
• The father inquires about Terry’s play, trying to distinguish between imagination and reality.
• Quote – (05:40):
  A (Father): “It’s amazing what you can do with imagination, isn’t it?”
• Terry describes seeing something “big, tremendously big, and black” at the bottom of the garden—he insists it’s real, not imagined.
• Quote – (07:06):
  B (Terry): “Big and black. And then got a mouth... It’s horrible.”
• The father remains skeptical, attempting to dispel his son’s fears by suggesting the apparition is a product of imagination.

4. Parental Ultimatum & Dismissal (08:04–09:00)

• The father declares an end to the matter, threatening mild punishment if Terry mentions the subject again:
• Quote – (08:05):
  A (Father): “Now, Terry, I’ve given you a fair warning… Now it’s got to stop.”
• Terry agrees and asks to return to the garden.

5. Rising Tension and Terry’s Disappearance (09:06–12:25)

• Terry is allowed back outside briefly, but concern grows as he doesn't return when called.
• Weather turns—rain begins, adding to the mood.
• The parents search the garden, growing increasingly anxious.
• Quote – (10:09):
  C (Mother): “I can’t see him, Jack.”
• At the bottom of the garden, they find unexplained large marks in the soil:
• Quote – (11:32):
  A (Father): “Those marks…well, for a moment, if you look at them, it’s as if…” C (Mother): “It’s as if what, Jack?” A (Father): “As if something has been standing there. Something big.”
• Despite their search and calls, Terry does not answer.

6. Unsettling Ending (12:11–12:49)

• The parents, still unable to find Terry, become increasingly desperate, calling out his name repeatedly as the episode closes, leaving his fate ambiguous and the supernatural element unresolved.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Imagination vs. Reality:
  “It isn’t pretending. That’s real.”
  — Terry (06:03)
• Parental Dismissal:
  "It’s gone quite, quite far enough. It’s a stupid game, and it’s beginning to upset your mother.”
  — Father (07:59)
• Eerie Discovery:
  "Those marks…for a moment...it’s as if something has been standing there. Something big.”
  — Father (11:32)
• Open-Ended Fear:
  [Parents repeatedly calling “Terry” to no reply]
  — (12:14–12:49)

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• [00:00] Episode opens, domestic setup, “Game for One Player” by Patrick Simpson
• [02:09] Mother expresses concern over Terry's obsession with 'the thing'
• [05:40] Father discusses imagination directly with Terry
• [07:04] Terry describes seeing something “big and black” in the garden
• [08:04] Father lays down the law—the “game” must stop
• [10:09] Parents search, realize Terry is missing
• [11:32] Father notes strange, large marks at garden’s end
• [12:11–12:49] Climax: frantic search, unresolved conclusion

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Tone & Language

• The play maintains a polite, understated domestic tone, typical of mid-20th-century radio dramas.
• Characters speak in gentle, measured, and reassuring voices, even as tension mounts.
• The sense of unease builds through subtle hints, hesitant dialogue, and what is left unsaid more than outright scares.
• The ending is ambiguous, leaving listeners in suspense.

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Conclusion

"Game for One Player" is a psychological suspense piece, using the intimate setting of a family living room and the mysterious expanse of a garden to blur the lines between a child's imagination and a potentially supernatural reality. The episode exemplifies the era's skill in building atmosphere through conversation, sound, and suggestion—delivering a chilling and open-ended finish that lingers long after the broadcast ends.

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Production Note:
The play was written by Patrick Simpson and produced by Brian Miller.

Transcript

[A]

And now, game for one player by Patrick Simpson.

[B]

Mummy. Mummy.

[C]

Oh, for heaven's sake. That noise.

[B]

Mummy.

[C]

What is it? Terry?

[B]

He's in the garden again.

[C]

Now, Terry, please not.

[B]

But Mummy is there.

[C]

I told you, I'm too busy for games now.

[B]

Your father will be home in a minute, Mummy.

[C]

He'll want his tea.

[B]

Just. Just look, Mummy. That's all kids talk. Run along.

[C]

I'm busy.

[B]

Oh, all right. A child.

[C]

Too much imagination, that's his trouble. Now, look at the time.

[B]

It's Jack.

[C]

Not the kettle boiling.

[A]

Hello, dear.

[C]

Hello, Jack. Had a good day?

[A]

Not too bad. Not too bad at all. What about you?

[C]

Oh, quiet. You know, Mrs. James came round this afternoon. God, she doesn't utter on that woman.

[A]

Oh, it's the best moment of the day, I reckon. Just sitting down in the old armchair when you're at home.

[C]

Kettle's coming to the. He won't be a minute.

[A]

Where's Terry?

[C]

He's out in the garden. He's all right. Just playing down the end. But, Jack, you really will have to speak to him sometime.

[A]

Oh, shoes. Oh, that's it. It's too tight there.

[C]

Slip it around to your chair.

[A]

Too tight around the toes.

[C]

Newspaper. That's what you want.

[A]

Newspaper.

[B]

Fill them in.

[C]

Newspaper. I'll do it tonight. That'll stretch them out a bit.

[A]

That's what they need. Stretching. Just around the toes.

[B]

Ah, there.

[C]

I'll bring you a nice cup of tea. Anything in the paper tonight?

[A]

It's pretty dull. What was that you meant just now?

[C]

What was what I meant just now?

[A]

Something about having to speak to Terry.

[C]

There you are. Nice hot cup of tea.

[A]

Ah, yes, that was good. Throats as dry as a bone.

[C]

One of your favorites tonight. Pork chops.

[A]

Does the job.

[C]

And I've creamed the carrots the way you like them.

[A]

What do you mean just now about speaking to Terry?

[C]

Well, it's getting beyond a joke.

[A]

What's getting beyond a joke?

[C]

This silly game of his.

[A]

Tea's good game.

[C]

Well, whatever it is he's always going on about, it comes rushing into the house, saying it's in the garden again.

[A]

It.

[C]

Well, he never says what it is, just it all was harmless enough at first, just a bit of childish fun. But now, no. Well, it's gone beyond a joke, Jack.

[A]

Doesn't he ever say what it is?

[C]

Never. Doesn't seem able to describe it. Summer. But then there's nothing to describe because there's nothing there. It's just a silly game. You'll have to speak to him, Jack.

[A]

Well, there's no real harm in games.

[C]

But this is becoming an obsession. It'll have to stop.

[A]

Perhaps there is something there that he sees.

[C]

Well, that's just it. The first couple of times, just to humor him, I went out into the garden to have a look. There was nothing there.

[A]

What did he have to say then?

[C]

Just shrugged his shoulders and said it had gone away.

[A]

Just a game, that's all. Just a small boy's game.

[C]

No, it's gone too far, Jack. It really has. I. Just before you came in.

[A]

Just before I came in, what?

[C]

Well, he rushed indoors and said it was out there again.

[A]

Oh, well, I suppose I better speak to him.

[C]

I mean, it's so silly, isn't it? He should be too old for sort of tricks like that.

[A]

Yeah. Yeah, I'll speak to him tonight, Jack. Yes. Yes, I'll speak to him tonight.

[C]

You were late this morning. I didn't know the clock was five minutes slow. Not till I put the radio on. Did you get your train all right?

[A]

Yeah. Just had to run for it, though. Yes, I had to run all right.

[B]

What?

[A]

Yes, just in a minute, dear. In a minute.

[C]

Is Terry coming now, Mommy.

[B]

Oh, hello, Daddy.

[A]

Hello, son. Now, where's that kiss, eh?

[C]

Oh, Terry, I wish you'd wipe your shoes when you come in.

[B]

Sorry, Mummy.

[A]

Well, now, what have you been doing with yourself today, young man?

[B]

Oh, what do you want to talk about, Daddy?

[A]

Oh, just have a little chat, that's all. What have you been doing with yourself today, hmm?

[B]

Oh, nothing much.

[A]

Oh, come on, now. No, I remember when I was your age, every day was quite an adventure. Yes, quite an adventure.

[B]

I'd just been playing.

[A]

Russell, what are you looking out the window for?

[B]

He's still there.

[A]

Well, yes. Well, just. Just for a few moments. Come and sit by me.

[B]

Don't you want to see?

[A]

In a minute, son. Let's have a little chat first, shall we?

[B]

I suppose so.

[A]

Yeah, that's right. There. There, you see you. You're still small enough to sit on my lap, aren't you?

[B]

Mrs. James Cameron.

[A]

Oh, so we've had a visitor this afternoon, have we?

[B]

I don't like her.

[A]

Now, now, you mustn't talk about people like that.

[B]

You know, she always kisses me and it's a horrible wet kiss. I don't like it.

[A]

Yes, well, I can understand that.

[B]

Can you?

[A]

Yes, of course I can. I was a small boy like you myself once. And you've been playing, have you?

[B]

Yes.

[A]

In the garden?

[B]

Yes. In the garden?

[A]

Yeah. You like it in the garden?

[B]

Yes.

[A]

What sort of games do you play?

[B]

Oh, just games, that's all.

[A]

Cowboys and Indians? Perhaps.

[B]

Sometimes.

[A]

And I suppose you imagine yourself as a great strapping cowboy, chasing around on a horse, a revolver at the ready.

[B]

And sometimes I'm the Indian and I sneak up and ambush a wagon train.

[A]

Oh, yes, it sounds great fun. But it's just a game, isn't it?

[B]

Yes, that's all.

[A]

Yeah. And you're not really a cowboy or Indian, are you? You just imagine yourself as one.

[B]

Oh, I suppose so.

[A]

It's amazing what you can do with imagination, isn't it?

[B]

Sometimes when I'm in bed, I pretend it's a ship and I'm the captain and I'm sailing our way across the sea.

[A]

Yeah, There you are. Imagination again. But, you know, sometimes imagination can get out of hand. It. It can run away with you.

[B]

Run away with me?

[A]

Yeah. Well, now, let's take an example. This. This business of you keeps saying there's something in the garden, but there is.

[C]

That.

[B]

That isn't pretending. That's real.

[A]

There, there. That's what I mean by your imagination running away with it.

[B]

It isn't. It, isn't. It. But there really is something there.

[A]

All right, now, supposing you tell me what you think. Think, mind you, that you see in the garden.

[B]

But it. It isn't thinking. Is this really there? If you'd have looked just now.

[A]

Well, if I'd have looked just now.

[B]

You'D have seen it.

[A]

Seen what?

[B]

Seen it in the garden.

[A]

What does it look like? Come on, you say you've seen it. You must know. Is it small or big?

[B]

Big. Tremendously big.

[A]

So it's big. Is it an animal?

[B]

No.

[A]

Well, a bird. A big crow, perhaps. There are quite a few around here, and they look very big to a little boy like me.

[B]

But it isn't a bird.

[A]

It's a person. Then. A man.

[B]

I. I can't explain it. It's just.

[A]

It's what?

[B]

Just the thing in the garden.

[A]

Well, what colour is it?

[B]

Black. Big and black. And then got a mouth.

[A]

Oh, it sounds rather grim. This. This thing of yours.

[B]

It's horrible.

[A]

And you're frightened of it?

[B]

Sometimes.

[A]

And whereabouts in the garden do you see it?

[B]

Right down at the bottom.

[A]

Every day.

[B]

Nearly every day.

[A]

And you've seen it today?

[B]

Yes, it was there just now. I told you, but you wouldn't look.

[A]

All right, let's go and have a look out the window now, shall we?

[B]

Oh, well, if you like.

[A]

Then. If I see it, I'll chase it all around the garden and cut off its tail. With a carving knife.

[B]

I. I don't think it's got a tail.

[A]

No. I can't see anything. It's only the garden. Come and have a look for yourself. Terry.

[B]

It's gone.

[A]

If it was ever there.

[B]

But I tell you it was.

[A]

Now, look, Terry, this has got to stay.

[B]

It was there. It was that.

[A]

It's gone quite, quite far enough. It's a stupid game, and it's beginning to upset your mother.

[B]

It isn't a game.

[A]

Now, Terry. Terry, I've given you a fair warning. I've been very, very patient with you. I've listened to what you had to say, and I've looked for myself. And now it's got to stop. Do you understand, Terry? Now, if I so much as hear one more word about this ridiculous nonsense, then I should have to give you a good idea. Now, it's a long time since I've given you a good idea, isn't it?

[B]

Yes, Daddy.

[A]

Yes. And you don't particularly want another one, do you? No, no. Very well, then. We'll consider that the. That's the end of the matter.

[C]

Here's another cup of tea for you, Jack.

[A]

Oh, thanks, dear. That's very welcome. Most welcome.

[C]

Everything all right?

[A]

Oh, yes, yes. Terry and I have been having a little chat. Haven't we, son?

[B]

Yes, Daddy.

[A]

Yes. And I think we've got everything straightened out.

[B]

Can I go and play in the garden again for a little while?

[C]

Well, I don't know. It's nearly your bedtime.

[B]

Please, Mummy.

[A]

Oh, go and let him. Just for a few minutes.

[C]

All right, then. Just for a few minutes.

[B]

Thank you, Mummy.

[A]

And, Terry, you remember what I told you?

[B]

Yes, Daddy. I won't forget.

[A]

Hmm. Well, I think that little problem's been ironed out.

[C]

You talked to him?

[A]

Oh, yes, Yes, I talked to him.

[C]

About this stupid game?

[A]

Yes, yes. Very patient I was. I explained things to him carefully, and then I listened to his side of the story. It's important that you know I always think you gotta reason with him. Yes, it went off very well.

[C]

It was getting on my nerves, Jack. It really was.

[A]

Yes, went off very well indeed.

[C]

Keep coming in like that, talking about something he'd seen in the garden.

[A]

Yes, I think I would have stopped at it all.

[C]

Well, he had to be spoken to.

[A]

Oh, yes, that's all. I spoke to him patiently.

[C]

Mind you, it was beyond a joke.

[A]

I don't think you'll have any more worries on that scorp.

[C]

Well, that's a relief, I can tell you.

[A]

Hello.

[C]

What's the matter?

[A]

It's beginning to rain.

[C]

Rain?

[A]

Yes, some spots on the window. Look.

[C]

Oh, he shouldn't have gone out again. And it's late for his bedtime as it is.

[A]

Yeah, well, I'll call him in.

[C]

No, no, don't you disturb yourself, Jack. I'll call him through the window.

[B]

Terry.

[A]

Terry. It's just rain in the wind. That's all it is, Terry. Oh, you ought to come when he's cold. He really ought.

[C]

I can't see him, Jack.

[A]

He's hiding somewhere, I expect.

[C]

He's usually so good when he's cold.

[A]

Must be in the garden somewhere.

[C]

There aren't many places he can hide.

[A]

I know. We'll go and have a look for him.

[C]

But he should have come when he was called.

[A]

It's just a new game, that's all. He wants us to find him.

[B]

But it's raining.

[A]

No, no, it stopped now. Come on, dear. Breath of fresh air won't do us any harm.

[C]

I suppose not.

[A]

Yeah, it's colder than I thought.

[C]

Oh, it's terribly cold.

[A]

Time of the year.

[C]

It shouldn't be cold like this or we'll catch his death.

[B]

Terry.

[C]

Terry.

[A]

Terry. Come along now.

[C]

I can't see him anywhere.

[A]

Oh, he's hiding. That's what he's doing. You know, I really must get down to seeing these roses at the weekend.

[B]

Terry.

[A]

He's down at the end of the garden. I'll bet. Let's go and see.

[B]

It's so cold.

[C]

It's uncanny.

[A]

Somehow a. Terry. Terry. Come on now.

[C]

We really ought to do something about the bottom of the garden.

[A]

Yeah, it's a bit of a wilderness, isn't it? I dig it over. That's what I do. Vegetables. Make it into a vegetable patch.

[C]

Terry.

[B]

Terry.

[A]

Oh, looks as if Terry's been doing some digging.

[B]

Digging?

[A]

Yeah, these marks in the ground. Been quite busy, hasn't he, Terry? You know.

[B]

You know what?

[A]

Those marks. Well, for a moment, if you look at them, it. It's as if.

[C]

It's as if what, Jack?

[A]

Oh, it's just Terry's fun.

[C]

Oh, what were you going to say?

[A]

Well, if you look at them, you see, it's as if something has been standing there.

[C]

Standing?

[A]

Something big. I mean, it's just a silly notion. No, really, this. This has gone quite far enough, Terry. I know what. He's probably slipped round into the front garden.

[C]

That's the only place he can be.

[A]

There's marks. It's hard, you know.

[C]

He must be in the front garden, Jack.

[A]

Well, go and look, shall we?

[C]

This is going too far. You'll have to speak to him again.

[A]

I very will. Right, so. Terry.

[B]

Terry. Terry.

[A]

Now, come along, Terry. Come on, the game's over.

[C]

Terry.

[B]

Terry.

[A]

Terry.

[B]

Terry.

[A]

That was game for one player by Patrick Simpson. Production was by Brian Miller.