
Fantasy 47-08-23 (Audition) Entity From The Void
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Narrator
Oh.
Fred
Oh, oh. O'Reilly.
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Thor
Auto parts.
Frank Feren
Frank Feren presents Fantasy.
Thor
Out of the slime of creation he crawled to force a wavering power through fetid jungle until his footsteps echoed through his own self made canyons, whereupon he dared to face eternity and call himself Man. Look within yourself, O mind of man. Of what worth are your fleeting impressions? What philosophy dares decide between the real and the unreal, the true and the false, without thought to the strange happenings in the universe? A caution to your puny wisdom, O mind of man. Do you dare to say that this is truth and that is fantasy?
Frank Feren
Quite obviously, it's time for the sponsor's opening commercial message. So in the absence of said sponsor, we will use this space to tell you about fantasy. Our message is short. As you consider this program, bear two points in mind. One, fantasy has the same high listener appeal as that enjoyed by the current cycle of murder mysteries without the objectionable qualities of the murder mystery. Two, fantasy offers a source of radio material virtually untapped since Orson Welles skyrocketed to fame with his Men from Mars. But don't misunderstand. Fantasy is not a series dependent on the space void. For fantasy can happen in your own backyard. And now, as you listen to our story, we ask that you decide for yourself. Is it truth or is it fantasy? Listen to entity from the void.
Father
Hello, darling.
Nada
Father. You old sweet. Did you come to have a glass of punch with me?
Father
I did indeed. Why aren't you dancing, dear?
Nada
I did earlier. I'd love to dance, but Fred.
Father
Oh, he's drunk again.
Nada
He's been very drunk for two hours.
Father
Look, darling, again I ask, why don't you divorce Fred? After all, there can't be much left.
Nada
There's nothing left. But marriage meant so much to me, Father. It was a new life, a useful life. Children are home to me.
Father
Oh, my child, you can marry again.
Nada
Perhaps. But you see, Father, there's no one else. Think I'll hang on to my frayed threads a while.
Father
Very well, my dear. Well, now, run along. I'm playing cards with Carl. Bye, darling.
Nada
Be careful. Plunger.
Thor
Nada.
Nada
Hello.
Thor
Oh, you love to dance. Will you dance with me?
Nada
I don't think we've met?
Thor
Does that matter so much? We might still enjoy dancing together.
Nada
Yes. Yes, we might. Very well. Do you hear a strange sound?
Thor
I hear intriguing music. Shall we go to the dance floor?
Nada
Why hasn't someone introduced us earlier?
Thor
I was not here.
Nada
Oh, then you came late.
Thor
No, I was near you. I've been near you often.
Nada
You have? I don't understand.
Thor
I swam in the surf with you yesterday.
Nada
Yesterday? Now I know you're having fun with me. I swam Alone?
Thor
Yes, out to the old breakwater. I was there when you tore your swimming clothes on the rusty nail.
Nada
You saw that? How terrible of you. I was mortified, even though I was alone. You couldn't have been there. I would have seen you.
Thor
It's no fault of yours. I did not let you see me.
Nada
Who are you? What is your name?
Thor
Is a name of any importance? Isn't it pleasant just to be together, dancing, talking?
Nada
How strangely persuasive you are. Yes, I admit it. I find it pleasant.
Thor
Now I am happy. Now I feel that I can say more to you.
Nada
Let's step out on the terrace. Now I want you to tell me. Where did he go? How strange. Seems almost as though he disappeared.
Fred
Oh, here you are, darling.
Nada
Oh, Fred.
Fred
Oh, Fred. Yes, dear. Your husband. Is there anything wrong with that?
Nada
Please, Fred.
Father
Please, Fred. Please, Fred.
Fred
I've been looking all over for you. I want to dance. Everybody dancing. I want to dance too.
Nada
Fred. Please, Fred. You're hurting my arm.
Fred
Oh, now, don't start crying again. I want to talk to you.
Nada
I'll talk to you when you're sober. I'm going to walk on the beach.
Father
Nada. Darling.
Nada
Oh, Father, I didn't hear you come.
Father
You were too busy with your tears, dear. I saw you come out here to the beach, so I followed. Tell me about it.
Nada
Oh, nothing, Father, really. Freddy, he just tried to kiss me. After all, he is my husband.
Father
My dear, I know that your loyalty is badly misplaced. You're chained to a besotted fool, and I'll not stand by any longer.
Nada
But there must be something we can do for him.
Father
Perhaps a good punch in the jaw, which I would like to administer personally.
Nada
Now you're giving away to your feelings. Father, if we could get him away from liquor. Wait.
Father
My Southern Queen is sailing for Rio in three days carrying steel plates for me. The ship has accommodation for two dozen passengers. It's quite comfortable, carries a doctor and an excellent chef, but no bar.
Nada
Oh, Father, you darling. I'd like to try it. If I could keep Fred sober for two weeks, it Might just be enough to bring him back to reason.
Father
I'll arrange it in the morning. Now, how about drying your eyes and coming back to the party?
Nada
In a moment. Father. Father, did you see the man I danced with just after you left me?
Father
Why, no, dear. I went to play bridge.
Nada
I'm sorry. I wanted at least to know his name.
Father
Well, what did he look like? Describe him. I can probably name him.
Nada
Well. Well, he was tall with wonderful shoulders and crisp brown hair with just a little bit of a wave in it. And the bluest eyes I've ever seen. And there was a cleft in his chin.
Father
Oh, darling, how many fillings in his teeth. You certainly looked this young man over.
Nada
Oh, Father, I didn't really.
Father
I don't recognize this paragon. I'm sorry, dear.
Nada
Well, it doesn't really matter, but at least I. I would have liked to know his name. He was strange. Strange? I had a mild feeling of. Of godliness.
Fred
Well, now, dear, after three days, this cruise begins to look a little better. Martini.
Nada
Fred, where did you get the liquor?
Fred
At my steamer trunk. Excellent martinis. You sure do care for one.
Nada
Darling, really. No.
Fred
Martinis are a boon to mankind. I should like to soliloquize or write a poem to them. Unfortunately, I can never think of words that rhyme. However, if I do not have the pen, I do have the soul of a poet. Don't you think I have the soul of a poet?
Narrator
Nada.
Thor
Really.
Nada
Now, please, friend, I'd rather you didn't put your arm around me.
Fred
Now, my dear child, may I point out that drunk or sober, I'm still.
Nada
Your husband and you're doing an excellent job of bringing that to an end.
Fred
Really? My little chickadee planning to fly her nest? I don't think I would.
Nada
And why not?
Fred
Because I'll simply take it upon myself to make your life as miserable as a life could be from then on.
Nada
How hateful you can be.
Fred
Darling, you have no idea. You're quite sure you don't want a martini? No. Well, then I'll drink it myself. Nectar of the gods, solace of the lonely companion of the dilettante.
Nada
Fred. Fred, I'm going to take a walk on deck. Don't you want to come with me?
Fred
Of course I don't want to come with you. In the first place, it's blowing some weather. And in the second place, all I want of this miserable tub is a view of Rio Harbour as soon as possible. Then I shall take a plane home.
Nada
I'm sorry we came. I had hope.
Fred
Oh, well, I'm sure the whole cruise was an idea of that stupid parent of yours.
Nada
Please, we have nothing to say about my father.
Fred
And why not? He's a dull businessman and I suspect an interfering busybody.
Nada
I notice you don't hesitate to spend his money.
Fred
Why should I? As plenty of it. You don't think the only attractive thing about you was your beauty, do you, darling?
Nada
Fred. Fred, stop it. Stop it at once. Please. Try to retain some of the manners of a gentleman.
Fred
Gentleman? Why, I'm the perfect gentleman. All the society columns say that. Now you'll notice the cut of my suit. Cause it's bought with your father's money, the ass.
Nada
That's enough.
Fred
Leaving so soon, my dear?
Nada
I'm. I'm going on deck.
Fred
It was very foolish of you. You might be blown over the rail and get very drowned.
Nada
That might be just what I want. Fred. Fred, please. Fred.
Fred
Slap me, will you? I'll show you. I'll take you down a peg or two.
Nada
That strange light in the sky. That light.
Narrator
That terrible light.
Thor
Nada.
Nada
You. What happened? That terrible light. The strange sound.
Thor
Nada. Please do not be afraid. Only trust me.
Nada
Who are you? Where did you come from? What manner of strange creature are you to come out of this?
Thor
Nada, look at me. Look into my eyes. There you will see that you have nothing to fear.
Nada
You were frightening. But. But now I.
Thor
Yes. Now you are happy as you were when we danced. That is as it should be. Nada.
Nada
Tell me.
Thor
I understand. But believe me, I mean for you only the greatest of good. I am not of your world, Nada. I am an entity out of the void.
Frank Feren
And now let us return to entity from the void.
Thor
What is truth and what is fantasy? A lonely girl. A fog bound ship in mid ocean. And the mind shattering appearance of a godlike creature. Is this fantasy? Or the strange, strange story which he had for lovely Nada? Was this perhaps truth?
Nada
An entity out of the void? What a frightening thought.
Thor
I am called Thor. And my world was called Kor Thur.
Nada
And from a world called Kor. This is so hard to understand.
Thor
Patience, my dear, and you will understand. The core was a planet in the fifth galaxy. Beyond this, my world has been destroyed for a thousand years. Yet the light from it still shines upon your earth. For the distance is so great that 2000 light years are required to bring its glow this far.
Nada
These things, you tell me, they're staggering. My mind, it's in a whirl.
Thor
But you believe me.
Nada
Yes, oddly, I do believe you.
Thor
My people, though much like the People of your Earth far surpassed you in intellect. And yet our science, our culture, our developments of all kinds were of no use when the end came. The end of a tired, worn out planet. I alone survived. For I alone was given the power.
Nada
This is frightening, and it's unbelievable.
Thor
Nada. It is frightening and unbelievable only because your mind is bound by the conventions of an unbelieving world. Let me show you my story.
Nada
Please do. Tell me your story.
Thor
Show you my story. Nada. Hold my hands. So. Now clear your mind of all thought. Clear it. I will help you.
Nada
I cannot. One's mind continues to function. The thought processes go on.
Thor
Clear your mind. Refuse your mind the privilege of thinking. I help you now. Think only as I tell you. See now a great hall. A hall of science. A hall wherein are gathered the greatest minds in the whole universe. See them. Handsome men. Some young, some gray bearded. Thinking, thinking. Wish.
Narrator
Men of Core, I beg your indulgence for having kept you waiting. Will someone report any further progress? Raga, you are in charge of ministry.
Gar
I have little to report, Gar.
Narrator
Ah, yes. A pitiful shell. This planet of ours, no longer capable of producing even the simplest needs of science.
Gar
We have gone a step further in the disintegration and reassembly of matter. It would be simple to transport every person on Core to another planet in a matter of seconds. But first we must have a station and a power plant on the newly selected world.
Narrator
And that is impossible.
Gar
Quite impossible, Gar.
Narrator
Then my solution is the only one. Though it presages death to KR and the people of Kr. My friends, it is inevitable that we die. For I tell you this that already has the breakup of our planetary mass begun. Within 12 nods, our world will have disintegrated. And all upon it will be dead.
Fred
Wait.
Narrator
Wait. We must not let die what we have accomplished. We must preserve our sciences, our arts, our cultural advantages. I can send one man to another world. I am ready to teach one man the secret of the free entities. To one man can I give the ability to free himself from his mortal body. And as a free will, a free entity, he can roam the universe with a thought and settle where he will.
Gar
Men of Kor, if we are to send abroad our science, then I say that Gar himself is the one to go.
Narrator
The severance of the free will from the body will bring about shock of tremendous proportions. We need a young, strong man whose intellect is as well developed as his body. I call upon the young man. Third.
Thor
I am here, God.
Narrator
Then step forward. Third. There is Grave danger for you in this transmigration. You have the courage?
Thor
I am ready.
Narrator
Then join hands with me and clear your mind of all thoughts. I will give you the power by impression. The more quickly to accomplish the freeing of your entity. When your mind is cleared, tell me.
Thor
Begin.
Gar
That terrible burning light. God. Thur is dead.
Narrator
I do not believe so. Wait. There. There.
Thor
I am safe. God.
Narrator
Describe for us your surroundings, your emotions. Where are you?
Thor
I am in this room. Yet I am gone from our world. I am in the void. I have the feeling of being everywhere.
Narrator
I move a billion miles with a thought.
Thor
I have no emotion. Only a feeling of tremendous power.
Narrator
It is a success, the transmigration of the will from the prison of a body to free entity.
Gar
What is that sound?
Narrator
It is the crashing of disintegration. Our world is breaking up. I hear you, God.
Nada
Go.
Narrator
Go quickly. Lest in the coming cataclysm you will be drawn from your free entity to the husk of your body and consumed with us. Quickly. You have your mission.
Nada
Go.
Thor
I, Golga.
Narrator
Courage, men of Kor.
Thor
And thus it has been my Nada. For a thousand years, I have searched for a world to give the science and culture of Core a fantastic and wonderful story.
Nada
And I have no doubt now, third of your wonderful powers. Then you will give these great powers, these sciences and this culture of Core to our world. To the Earth?
Thor
No, my Nanda, no.
Nada
But. But you said.
Thor
I said I searched for a world. I examined the planet you call Venus and which we call Mech. The great monsters. Which people this place. The horrid things still crawling in the steaming slime. They have millions of years ahead of them before they'll reach even a remote stage of intelligence. And the hairy creatures who scuttle about on six ugly legs and the great ball you have named Jupiter are intelligent enough. But the arts and sciences of Core are best suited to a race of our physical proportions.
Nada
But then, this world of mine. Why do you not give these things to us?
Thor
Oh, my Nada. On this Earth I have found only greed and selfishness and destruction. Man is pitted against man in hatred and lust. Were my powers given to him, man on this Earth would destroy himself and his world.
Nada
I understand. Then you must go on searching.
Thor
No, no. In finding you, my search is completed. I have a plan. Far out in space, beyond this galaxy, I have come upon a perfect world. It is verdant and beautiful. You would call it paradise. No harmful being exists upon it. From the tiniest creature to the largest, each one is gentle and kindly. My new world Wants only man.
Nada
You have more to say, Thur.
Thor
In your Christian belief, one man and one woman gave life to this earth.
Nada
Yes, that is our common belief.
Thor
Then why cannot one man and one woman give life to my new world? My Nada, only you have measured up to the standards I have set. In your nobility of thought. Your gentleness, your loyalty, your goodness and your beauty. Come with me.
Nada
How amazing and beautiful. A new race. A new beginning for mankind. Oh, how glorious, Maynard.
Thor
With all the great powers at my command, I find that none is great enough to conquer the gentlest of all emotions. I find myself completely and utterly in love with you.
Nada
I know. And. And I love you.
Thor
There, my darling.
Nada
We mustn't. Why Can I live?
Thor
Arthur, please. My Nada, what is wrong?
Nada
I am already given to a man. I cannot even think.
Thor
The weakling that dissipate Or. You hate him. I know this. Forget him.
Nada
I cannot. Since childhood, marriage has been sacred to me. I cannot break a vow in sickness and in death. For better or worse. No, Fair.
Thor
Without you, my power is worthless to me.
Nada
Fair. If you love me, perhaps you could find among your great powers a way to strengthen my husband against his weaknesses.
Thor
And of course, I could do so with a thought.
Nada
Then will you? For me, My dear one, there can be nothing else.
Thor
Very well, my Nada. Let me bring him to mine a moment. So, Nada, your husband is no longer a problem. Come, let us go to your cabin.
Nada
Oh, he's sleeping. Let me wake him. Fred. Fred.
Thor
Your husband is not sleeping, my Nada. He is dead.
Nada
Dead? Fred. Oh, no, no.
Thor
I am sorry, my dear.
Nada
But why did he die?
Thor
I have no answer to that.
Nada
It is strange. I feel little emotion. I feel no sorrow. Only pity. Pity for the pathetic wastrew whose unhappy life I shared. But I. I do feel some emotion there. It is hateful of me. But I cannot conquer it. I feel a sense of elation, perhaps.
Thor
My nodder, at the thought that there is no longer a barrier between us.
Nada
I think. Yes, my darling, There is no longer a barrier between us.
Thor
You will go with me.
Nada
I will go with you to the end of the universe.
Thor
There is grave danger, Nada. For you. First, we must bring about the freedom of your entity. We must unshackle your will from your body. In that there is danger.
Nada
I am ready.
Thor
Join hands with me. So. Now clear your mind of all thought. I will help you. Look into my mind. Try. Try hard.
Nada
I will try. Try.
Thor
Soon your mind will clear of all thought. Only the thought to tell me when to begin the transmigration.
Nada
My sir, begins.
Narrator
Great Scott. What a terrible thing. That girl's father is the owner of the ship. She. She and her husband here are socially prominent. Doctor.
Thor
What killed them?
Doctor
Captain, this man died of acute alcoholism. I saw him at dinner in the salon, and already the signs were there.
Narrator
But Mrs. Westgate and this stranger, whoever he is, what killed them? You're the ship's doctor. You must find out.
Doctor
I have no idea. There are no marks of violence. And see their faces, Captain?
Nada
They are.
Doctor
They are supremely happy in death.
Narrator
One of these love pacts. This will be a terrible scandal.
Doctor
Somehow I don't believe it was a suicide pact, Captain Urban dead less than half an hour. We know that. And yet these two bodies are cold. Strangely cold. Why, it is comparable only to. To what is called absolute cold. The cold of the space void.
Thor
This man is life's enigma. Whether he lives in town or farm, in cottage or penthouse, or locked in the narrow confines of a bottle. Or locked in the narrow confines.
Frank Feren
In the narrow confines of a bottle.
Doctor
Yes.
Frank Feren
It's hard to believe that anyone could live in a bottle. Our fantasy next week will be the Bottle Party. Adapted for radio from a story by John Collier. Fantasy is produced in Hollywood by Frank Farron. Tonight's fantasy was written and directed by Hobart Donovan. Special music for Fantasy was written and arranged by John Duffy and Ken Cameron. The theremin was played by Dr. S.J. hoffman. This is Ken Nile speaking. This is an audition transcription.
Podcast Summary: Harold's Old Time Radio — "Fantasy 47-08-23 (Audition) Entity From The Void"
Introduction
In the February 27, 2025 release of Harold's Old Time Radio, titled "Fantasy 47-08-23 (Audition) Entity From The Void", listeners are transported back to the Golden Age of Radio with a captivating fantasy narrative. This episode masterfully blends classic radio storytelling with otherworldly intrigue, presenting a tale of love, loyalty, and cosmic intervention. Below is a comprehensive summary capturing the episode's key points, discussions, insights, and conclusions.
Main Plot Overview
The story unfolds on a luxurious cruise ship where Nada, a woman grappling with her husband's alcoholism, seeks solace. Amidst the gathering of passengers, Thor, a mysterious and enigmatic figure, emerges from the darkness, initiating a profound interaction that transcends the ordinary.
Key Characters
Detailed Narrative
Establishing the Conflict
Nada converses with her father about her troubled marriage to Fred, who is visibly intoxicated ([03:21]-[07:06]). Her father's frustration with Fred's condition highlights the domestic turmoil, setting the stage for Nada's longing for change.
Thor's Introduction and Intrigue
Enter Thor ([04:05]-[05:04]), who approaches Nada with an almost ethereal charm. Their interaction begins innocently with a dance, but soon Thor reveals his otherworldly nature. At [12:10], Thor discloses his origin:
"I am an entity out of the void. I am called Thor. And my world was called Kor Thur."
This revelation introduces a cosmic dimension to the narrative, blending fantasy with human emotion.
The Proposition
Thor explains the demise of his own world, Kor Thur, destroyed a thousand years ago due to its inhabitants' inability to sustain their civilization ([15:00]-[16:02]). He offers Nada the gift of his advanced science and culture but warns of the potential destructiveness of humanity. Nada's moral compass is tested as she grapples with Thor's offer and her loyalty to her husband.
Emotional Turmoil and Power Dynamics
As Nada contemplates Thor's proposition, her internal conflict intensifies. She insists on her vow to remain loyal to Fred despite his flaws ([25:14]-[25:39]). Thor, overwhelmed by his feelings, attempts to manipulate the situation by promising to enhance Fred's strength against his weaknesses using his powers ([25:42]-[25:58]).
Tragic Consequences
The culmination of these interactions leads to a mysterious and tragic turn. Fred dies under unexplained circumstances, and the ship begins to disintegrate, revealing the fragility of both the physical and emotional worlds ([28:51]-[29:27]). The Doctor's investigation uncovers unnatural coldness in the bodies, suggesting otherworldly involvement.
Final Confrontation and Departure
Thor, revealing his deep affection, seeks to bond with Nada by offering her a place in his new, idealistic world. Despite the allure, Nada remains steadfast in her human emotions and commitments. The episode concludes with Nada's acceptance of her fate, poised between earthly loyalty and cosmic destiny ([27:35]-[28:19]).
Notable Quotes with Timestamps
Thor's Philosophical Monologue ([00:54]):
"Out of the slime of creation he crawled to force a wavering power through fetid jungle... What philosophy dares decide between the real and the unreal..."
Revelation of Thor's Origin ([13:12]):
"I understand. But believe me, I mean for you only the greatest of good. I am not of your world, Nada. I am an entity out of the void."
Thor's Declaration of Love ([24:42]):
"With all the great powers at my command, I find that none is great enough to conquer the gentlest of all emotions. I find myself completely and utterly in love with you."
Nada's Commitment to Her Vow ([25:14]):
"Since childhood, marriage has been sacred to me. I cannot break a vow in sickness and in death. For better or worse."
Doctor's Observation ([29:22]):
"They are supremely happy in death."
Themes and Insights
Conflict Between Human Emotions and Supernatural Influence
The episode delves into the struggle between Nada's deep-seated human emotions and the alluring yet dangerous intervention of an otherworldly entity. This tension highlights the timeless theme of love versus duty.
The Fragility of Human Relationships
Fred's alcoholism serves as a metaphor for the deterioration of human connections, emphasizing the need for understanding and support within marriages.
Cosmic Intervention and Moral Responsibility
Thor's offer of advanced science and culture poses ethical questions about the role of superior beings in less developed societies. The narrative critiques humanity's susceptibility to greed and selfishness, suggesting that such traits could lead to self-destruction even with immense power at their disposal.
Tragic Consequences of Manipulation and Power
The unintended fallout of Thor's involvement with Nada results in Fred's death and the ship's disintegration, underscoring the unpredictable nature of tampering with forces beyond human comprehension.
Conclusion
"Entity From The Void" stands out as a richly woven fantasy tale that encapsulates the essence of old-time radio storytelling. Through its intricate plot, compelling characters, and profound thematic explorations, the episode invites listeners to ponder the boundaries between reality and fantasy, love and obligation, and human vulnerability versus cosmic might. Harold's Old Time Radio successfully revives the nostalgic charm of radio dramas while infusing them with timeless narratives that remain relevant and thought-provoking.
Additional Notes
Production Highlights: The episode features evocative sound design, including the theremin played by Dr. S.J. Hoffman, adding an eerie and otherworldly atmosphere that enhances the storytelling.
Creative Attribution: This particular episode was crafted by writer and director Hobart Donovan, with special music arrangements by John Duffy and Ken Cameron, showcasing a collaborative effort to bring this fantasy to life.