Planet Man 50-xx-xx ep02 Orbit the Moon

Summary

Harold's Old Time Radio - "Planet Man" Episode 02: "Orbit the Moon"

Release Date: January 20, 2025

---

Introduction

In the second installment of "Planet Man", Harold's Old Time Radio transports listeners back to the Golden Age of Radio with a gripping tale of survival, ingenuity, and interplanetary intervention. This episode, titled "Orbit the Moon", continues the harrowing journey of Earth's first rocket expedition as they grapple with unexpected challenges en route to the moon.

---

Crisis on the Moon

The episode opens with the crew of the Constitution, Earth's pioneering lunar expedition, facing a dire situation. Dr. John Del, his daughter Pat Slats, engineer Professor Darrell, and young stowaways Billy and Jane find themselves in a perilous predicament as their ship approaches the moon's surface.

Key Moments:

• Turbulent Descent: The control mechanisms of the Constitution become increasingly erratic, signaling an impending crash.

  Slats [01:38]: "Our altimeter reading is dropping pretty fast, Professor."

• Desperate Measures: Pat suggests alternative strategies to mitigate their descent, showcasing her resourcefulness.

  Pat [01:55]: "What about using our remaining power to go into an orbit around the moon as we discussed in our original plan?"

• Decision to Orbit: Despite Professor Darrell's reservations, the crew opts to execute the orbital maneuver, hoping to stabilize their situation.

  Slats [02:12]: "You know what they say, Professor. Where there's life, there's hope."

---

Struggle for Survival

As the Constitution enters a precarious orbit around the moon, the crew confronts dwindling oxygen supplies and mechanical failures. Tensions rise as the reality of their prolonged predicament sets in.

Key Moments:

• Oxygen Crisis: The limited oxygen becomes a critical issue, forcing the crew to manage their breathing carefully.

  Professor Darrell [03:30]: "I'm afraid not, Billy."

• Emerging Threat: Pat reveals the gravity of their situation, urging everyone to confront the challenges ahead without succumbing to guilt over their initial stowaway status.

  Pat [04:57]: "Now, listen to me, you two, and stop feeling guilty."

• Mechanical Failures: Unexpected malfunctions add to the crew's woes, making their survival increasingly uncertain.

---

Introduction of Dantro, the Planet Man

Just as hope seems lost, the crew encounters an enigmatic figure from beyond Earth – Dantro, the Planet Man. His arrival introduces a new layer of intrigue and potential salvation for the beleaguered astronauts.

Key Moments:

• Unexpected Arrival: Dantro approaches the Constitution, initially perceived as a threat.

  Dantro [08:34]: "What did you expect? A three-headed Mercurian man eater? I am a man from the planets."

• Peaceful Intentions: Dantro clarifies his mission of peace, representing the League of Planets, and offers assistance to the stranded crew.

  Dantro [08:39]: "My name is Dantro, the Planet man, and I come in peace. I represent the League of Planets, and my mission is to bring all of you to Planaria Rex."

• Technological Marvels: Dantro reveals advanced devices, such as the cosmic communicator, which enabled the League of Planets to monitor and communicate with the Constitution.

  Dantro [09:22]: "We planet men have many devices which Earth has not yet discovered."

---

Interaction with Dantro

As Dantro integrates with the crew, questions about the League of Planets and Planaria Rex surface, setting the stage for deeper cosmic revelations.

Key Moments:

• Establishing Communication: Dantro facilitates communication by neutralizing Slats' paralysis, demonstrating his technological prowess.

  Dantro [08:48]: "I'll explain in a moment. But I don't think we should leave your brave friend Slats in this paralyzed predicament."

• Mysteries Unveiled: The crew grapples with the existence of the League of Planets and the uncharted Planaria Rex, hinting at larger interstellar narratives.

  Professor Darrell [09:54]: "But how could you do all that?"

• Impending Threat: The appearance of unidentified ships nearing the Constitution escalates the tension, suggesting that external forces may not be entirely benevolent.

  Dantro [10:05]: "It's the bogey warning oscillator telling us there are some unidentified ships approaching."

---

Cliffhanger and Conclusion

As the episode culminates, the crew must decide whether to abandon the Constitution for the unknowns of the Planet Man's ship, the Planeteer. The looming threat of approaching ships adds urgency to their decision, leaving listeners eagerly anticipating the next episode.

Key Moments:

• Decision Point: Dantro urges the crew to board the Planeteer, emphasizing the peril of their current situation.

  Dantro [10:22]: "The Planeteer... Quick, through the hatch. Into my ship."

• Unanswered Questions: The episode ends with unresolved tensions and unanswered questions about Dantro's true intentions and the nature of the approaching ships.

  Narrator [10:43]: "What adventures lie ahead for the Earth people... Who's ships are those approaching the helpless Constitution?"

---

Notable Quotes

• Slats on Hope:

  "Where there's life, there's hope." ([02:12])

• Pat on Responsibility:

  "Now, let's all be very quiet." ([08:04])

• Dantro's Assurance:

  "I come in peace. I represent the League of Planets." ([08:39])

---

Conclusion

"Orbit the Moon" masterfully blends suspense, character development, and imaginative sci-fi elements to keep listeners engaged. The introduction of Dantro, the Planet Man, opens new avenues for storytelling, promising exciting developments in the quest for survival and interplanetary diplomacy. As the crew of the Constitution faces unforeseen challenges, Harold's Old Time Radio delivers a compelling narrative that honors the spirit of classic radio dramas while exploring timeless themes of hope, resilience, and the unknown.

Tune in next time to discover whether the Earth crew will find safety aboard the Planeteer and unravel the mysteries surrounding the League of Planets and Planaria Rex.

Transcript

[Narrator]

The Planet Man. This is the fascinating story of Dan Tro, the Planet man troubleshooter for the League of Planets Organization, the law enforcement body for peace and justice in the celestial world, whose headquarters and center of operations are situated on the capital of all the planets, Planaria Rex. From Mercury to Pluto, wherever danger threatens the universe, you will find Dantro. The Planet man fighting for fair play. In a moment, the Planet Man. When we left the crew of Earth's first rocket expedition, they were heading for a crash on the moon. We find Dr. Darrell, his daughter, Pat Slats, the engineer, and our two young stowaways, Billy and Jane, discussing their dangerous predicament. The sound of the complicated control mechanism makes the cabin seem like a chatterbox of confusion. And from the outside can be heard the mad whining of the lunar currents. We find them now as they're getting closer and closer to the moon's surface. Slats is speaking.

[Slats]

Our altimeter reading is dropping pretty fast, Professor.

[Pat]

Isn't there any way we can break our fall on the moon?

[Professor Darrow]

I've thought of everything, Pat, but there just doesn't seem to be any answer. The extra power we lost on takeoff was our only hope.

[Pat]

Father, I know you don't like to do things second best, but in a situation like this, it might be necessary.

[Professor Darrow]

What do you mean, Pat?

[Pat]

Well, what about using our remaining power to go into an orbit around the moon as we discussed in our original plan?

[Professor Darrow]

Yes, but what good will that do? We still come to the same end. Except that the agony will be prolonged.

[Slats]

Let's do it, Professor. We got nothing to lose.

[Pat]

Whatever it is. I'm game, Uncle John. Me too, Uncle John.

[Slats]

You know what they say, Professor. Where there's life, there's hope.

[Professor Darrow]

It'll be a ticklish maneuver now, since we've gotten into the pull of the moon and our power is limited. But if the rest of you are game, so am I. Stand by to maneuver, Pat. Start the reactor.

[Pat]

Yes, Father.

[Professor Darrow]

Slats, check the radar rangefinder and make sure you pinpoint those readings on the moon.

[Slats]

Yes, sir.

[Professor Darrow]

I'll pilot now. Keep your fingers crossed. Heading 10 degrees starboard.

[Slats]

Heading 10 degrees starboard.

[Professor Darrow]

Cut the reactor, Pat.

[Pat]

Cutting reactor.

[Professor Darrow]

What's our reading?

[Slats]

It's 63.3. We need a bit more, Professor.

[Professor Darrow]

Hit it again, Pat.

[Pat]

Reactor on.

[Professor Darrow]

Are we picking it up fast enough, Slats? What's the reading?

[Slats]

Not enough, Professor. We need a fraction more.

[Professor Darrow]

Are you sure, Slats? I've got our heading way over now. Power can't last much longer with such a radical cost heading. Slats. Give me a reading, Slats. Do you hear me? Give me a reading.

[Slats]

It's 89.46 more points, Professor.

[Pat]

That's the end of our power. I hope we make it.

[Slats]

Steady, steady. Just a bit more, Old Ironsides. There. There. Well, we made it. We made it, Professor. Hey, what are we all so happy about? We're right in the middle of nowhere.

[Pat]

You mean that we're not going to land on the moon after all?

[Professor Darrow]

I'm afraid not, Billy.

[Pat]

What's going to happen? Nothing, Jane. We're just going to circle the moon the way the moon circles the Earth.

[Slats]

Just look at that view of the moon. What a break. So near and yet so far.

[Pat]

Uncle John. Uncle John, Something is happening to the air.

[Slats]

It's.

[Pat]

It's getting stuffy in here.

[Professor Darrow]

I know, Billy. It's the air circulator slowing down. Breathing will be just a bit difficult from now on since our oxygen supply is limited.

[Slats]

Professor, can you hear me?

[Professor Darrow]

Slats, where are you? What are you up to?

[Slats]

I'm outside the ship, bringing up the lunar communications generator. Thought we might as well set it up and try to make contact with Earth.

[Professor Darrow]

You can't do that alone.

[Pat]

I'm here, too.

[Professor Darrow]

Careful, Pat. Don't let go now. Pat. Pat. Slats, Grab her. She's floating away. Quick, Slats.

[Slats]

Slats, Help me.

[Professor Darrow]

Uh.

[Pat]

Oh.

[Slats]

Help me, Pat. Here, grab my hand. Quick now. Come on. Hold tight now.

[Professor Darrow]

Easy.

[Slats]

Easy. There we are. There we are. Did he now?

[Pat]

He pulled her back. Uncle John, that.

[Narrator]

Slats.

[Professor Darrow]

Is everything all right?

[Pat]

Yes, Father. Thanks to Slats. I thought I was a goner.

[Professor Darrow]

Don't forget, you're out in space, Pattern. If you ever drifted away, we'd never be able to get you back.

[Slats]

It's all okay now, Professor. We're coming in. Patience.

[Pat]

Yes, Billy. Jane and I know what's going on. What are you talking about, Pat? We know this whole trip was spoiled because we stowed aboard. It's all our fault. Now, listen to me, you two, and stop feeling guilty. It wasn't the best idea for you to sneak aboard, but it did happen. And besides, we could have been wrong in our calculations. The important thing now is for all of us to face up to whatever lies ahead. And I know that you two won't let me down. Never pass. Not us, Pat. All right, now, let's just forget the whole thing. I wonder where Slats and Father are.

[Narrator]

We'll return to Planet man in just a moment. So level on. Well, it looks like the first trip from Earth to the moon is coming to its tragic end. The good ship Constitution is in a hopeless orbit about the moon. The entire crew is slowly suffocating because the oxygen supply is coming to an end. Professor Darrow and Slats are in the posterior cargo chamber. Slats is apparently up to something.

[Slats]

Why. Why don't you go to the control cabin, professor, and lie down for a while. It'll be easier for you to breathe.

[Professor Darrow]

I think I'd better stay here. I hate to have Pat and the kids see me so worried and worn out. Slats, you've got something on your mind. What is it?

[Slats]

I've been thinking, Professor. I really haven't got anybody Nobody'd miss me. And you and Pat and the kids have a little extra time.

[Professor Darrow]

Now. What are you driving at?

[Slats]

Well, a big guy like me uses a lot of oxygen. All I have to do is to step through that port and it'll be all over in a second. You people have a little longer.

[Professor Darrow]

Don't be a fool, Sluts. We're all in this together. Besides, if anybody goes through the port, it will be me. I'm the oldest. And besides, the whole thing is my responsibility.

[Slats]

Now look Professor, I've made up my mind. There's no point in trying to stop.

[Professor Darrow]

No, Sluts, don't jump. Stop me, Professor.

[Slats]

I didn't mean to hurt you, Professor. But this is the way it's got to be. So long, Professor.

[Professor Darrow]

What?

[Slats]

What's that?

[Pat]

What's going on in there? What's that clanging?

[Slats]

We're not clanging anything. I thought it is you. Look out.

[Pat]

The port. Quick. Boy, look at that. It's mammoth.

[Slats]

Professor. Professor, get up. Something's happened.

[Professor Darrow]

What?

[Slats]

There's something next to our ship.

[Professor Darrow]

Huh? Oh my head. Ship. Here, help me. Let me see. The what? It's impossible. But it looks like another ship is next to ours.

[Slats]

Let me help you. Professor. We must get to the control cabin with the others.

[Pat]

Father. Slats, what is it?

[Professor Darrow]

I don't know. But now we better stay close together. Slats, where are you going?

[Slats]

Just to get this fishing wrench. I don't know what's coming through that hatch, but I'm not taking any chance.

[Pat]

Well, be careful and don't get too close to the hatch.

[Professor Darrow]

Let's all be very quiet.

[Pat]

Oh, Uncle John, look.

[Slats]

Stand back whatever you are.

[Pat]

Look at Sledge. He can't move. He's frozen in his trash sled. What? It's a man.

[Dantro]

What did you expect? A three headed Mercurian man eater? I am a man from the planets.

[Pat]

A planet man. Boy, wait Till the gang hears about this, silly.

[Slats]

Please.

[Dantro]

My name is Dantro, the Planet man, and I come in peace. I represent the League of Planets, and my mission is to bring all of you to Planaria Rex.

[Professor Darrow]

Planaria Rex? League of Planets?

[Pat]

Where is that?

[Dantro]

I'll explain in a moment. But I don't think we should leave your brave friend Slats in this paralyzed predicament. He'll snap right out of it with a shot of this ray gun neutralizer.

[Slats]

What happened? Did I get him?

[Professor Darrow]

It's all right, Slats. We're all safe. It seems that we've met a friend, and his name is Dantro, the Planet Man.

[Dantro]

It's nice to meet a brave man like you, Slats. Here, let me help you up, Dantro.

[Professor Darrow]

My name is John Del. This is my daughter and assistant, Pat.

[Pat]

How do you do?

[Professor Darrow]

And I think you've already met Slats. Yeah, and these two are Jane and Billy, my niece and nephew.

[Dantro]

It's a pleasure to know you all. You see, we've really known you for a long time since we've been able to watch your experiments. In fact, we've been in touch with this entire trip of yours. We've even learned to speak your language.

[Professor Darrow]

But how could you do all that?

[Dantro]

We planet men have many devices which Earth has not yet discovered. And one of them is the cosmic communicator which enables us to see and hear across the millions of miles of space.

[Pat]

But why have you kept the existence of the League of Planets from the Earth?

[Professor Darrow]

Where is Planaria Rex? And why haven't I been able to chart it? Put position?

[Dantro]

Everything will be explained to you in due time.

[Pat]

What's that noise?

[Dantro]

It's coming from my ship. We must hurry along. It's the bogey warning oscillator telling us there are some unidentified ships approaching.

[Professor Darrow]

But we can't leave the Constitution.

[Slats]

Not old Ironside.

[Dantro]

Your ship will be safe in this orbit for a thousand years. We must not waste time.

[Pat]

Will I get a space suit like yours? Will you let me fly the ship?

[Dantro]

I see Earth children are no different from ours. There's our last warning. Quick, through the hatch. Into my ship. The Planeteer.

[Narrator]

What adventures lie ahead for the Earth people. What will they find on Planaria Rex? Whose ships are those approaching the helpless Constitution? We'll be back in just a moment. But first, here is a message that Dantro, the Planet man, wants you to hear. Tune in again for more transcribed thrills and Adventures. Find out what happens to the Earth people as they speed toward a new world on Planaria Rex. Rocket millions of light years into space with Dan Tro the Planet man.

[Slats]

La.