Quiet Please 47-06-22 (003) We Were Here First - Harold's Old Time Radio

Summary

Podcast Summary: "Quiet Please 47-06-22 (003) We Were Here First"

Podcast Information:

Title: Harold's Old Time Radio
Host/Author: Harold's Old Time Radio
Episode: Quiet Please 47-06-22 (003) We Were Here First
Release Date: April 7, 2025
Description: Relive the Golden Age of Radio with "Quiet Please," a series of unusual dramatic programs penned and directed by Willis Cooper, featuring Ernest Chapel. This episode delves into a gripping tale of humanity's struggle against giant adversaries.

Overview

In the episode "We Were Here First," listeners are immersed in a suspenseful narrative that explores the existence of colossal beings—giants—that coexist with humans. The protagonist, a member of a clandestine resistance, recounts the relentless battle between humans and these towering foes. The story delves into themes of survival, unity, and the enduring fight against seemingly insurmountable odds.

Detailed Summary

Introduction to the Conflict

[00:18] The episode begins with a direct address from the protagonist, setting a somber tone. He introduces the existence of giants—massive beings that have inhabited Earth alongside humans.
Key Quote:

"They hate everybody. They hate each other and they hate us. Oh, how they hate it."
— Protagonist [00:12]

Describing the Giants

[02:00] The protagonist elaborates on the physical and numerical superiority of the giants. On average, giants are about 150 times taller than humans, making them nearly unimaginable in scale.
Key Quote:

"The bigger they are, the harder they fall."
— Protagonist [03:45]
[05:30] Despite their size, humans have managed to kill more giants than the giants realize, highlighting the resilience and strategic prowess of the human resistance.

Human Resilience and Strategy

[08:15] The narrative shifts to the human struggle, emphasizing the long-term commitment required to defeat the giants. Generations of humans have fought, paying a significant toll, but remain steadfast in their mission.
Key Quote:

"Someday, if we're lucky, maybe they'll all kill each other. They try hard enough."
— Protagonist [09:50]
[12:20] The protagonist discusses the technological disparities, noting that while giants possess advanced weapons like atomic bombs and biological warfare, humans are not without their own defenses and strategies.

Inside the Giant-Controlled Areas

[14:00] A gripping account unfolds as the protagonist describes a concentration camp run by giants in a place referred to as Thanatopolis—Greek for "city of death." This section provides a harrowing glimpse into the giants' methods of extermination.
Key Quote:

"I found my way through the labyrinth somehow, hoping I'd be climbed."
— Protagonist [16:55]
[20:40] The protagonist recounts his escape from the gas chambers, witnessing the giants' cold and methodical approach to mass killings. The emotional toll is evident as he reflects on the loss and the relentless nature of their enemies.

Human Ingenuity and Countermeasures

[25:30] Highlighting human ingenuity, the protagonist mentions advancements in biological warfare, suggesting that humans are ahead in this domain, which could potentially level the playing field against the giants.
Key Quote:

"Their radar won't pick us up as ours at 10."
— Protagonist [28:10]
[30:00] The narrative underscores the importance of unity among humans. The protagonist believes that cohesive action is crucial for eventual victory, contrasting it with the giants' internal conflicts.

Personal Anecdotes and Parallels

[35:45] The protagonist shares a personal story from the last war in China, illustrating the tragic consequences of misidentification and paranoia. This anecdote serves to humanize the larger conflict and underline the complexities of war.
Key Quote:

"He got a gun. Put the gun away. Don't touch me."
— Protagonist [38:20]
[40:00] Reflecting on the nature of the giants' hatred, the protagonist reveals that the giants view humans as insignificant, a perspective fueled by historical conflicts and mutual destruction.

The Ongoing Struggle and Hope for the Future

[45:15] Despite the overwhelming odds, the protagonist remains hopeful. He asserts that as long as humans maintain their spirit and continue fighting, there is a possibility of overcoming the giants.
Key Quote:

"We were here first, and we'll have it all to ourselves."
— Protagonist [48:50]
[50:30] The episode concludes with a powerful affirmation of human resilience and the unwavering determination to reclaim their world from the giants.

Notable Characters and Contributors

Ernest Chapel: Voices the protagonist, delivering a performance that captures the desperation and hope of humanity's battle against the giants.
Nancy Douglas, Walter Black, Kermit Murdoch: Provide supporting voices that enrich the narrative with diverse perspectives and emotional depth.
Gene Perratto: Composes and performs the musical score, enhancing the storytelling with atmospheric and evocative melodies.

Themes and Insights

Survival Against the Odds: The story emphasizes humanity's resilience in the face of insurmountable challenges, showcasing the enduring fight for survival.
Unity and Collaboration: A recurring theme is the necessity for humans to unite and work together to overcome their common enemy.
Technological Disparity: The contrast between human and giant technologies highlights both the vulnerabilities and strengths of each side.
Moral Complexity of War: The protagonist's anecdotes reveal the tragic and often senseless nature of conflict, where misidentifications and historical grievances perpetuate violence.

Conclusion

"We Were Here First" is a compelling episode that masterfully blends suspense, drama, and philosophical reflections on war and unity. Through Ernest Chapel's evocative narration and stellar performances, listeners are drawn into a vivid world where humans fight for their right to exist against overwhelming giants. The episode not only entertains but also provokes thoughtful consideration of deeper societal and ethical issues, staying true to the essence of classic Old Time Radio storytelling.

Transcript

Nicole Fire (0:01)

We interrupt this program to bring you an important Wayfair message.

Ernest Chapel (0:04)

Wayfair's got style tips for every home.

Nicole Fire (0:07)

This is Nicole Fire helping you make.

Ernest Chapel (0:09)

Those rooms flyer today's style tip.

Nicole Fire (0:12)

When it comes to making a statement, treat bold patterns like neutrals.

Ernest Chapel (0:15)

Go wild like an untamed animal.

Nicole Fire (0:18)

Print area rug under a rustic farmhouse table. From wayfair.com. ooh, fierce. This has been your Wayfair style tip to keep those interiors superior. Wayfair. Every style, every home. Quiet, please. Quiet, please. The Mutual Broadcasting System presents the third of a series of unusual dramatic programs written and directed by Willis Cooper and featuring Ernest Chapel. This story is called We Were Here First. You keep asking for stories. I'll tell you one that'll really give you something to think about. You'll keep thinking about the story till you die. Did I have an idea. You'll pass it on to the ones who come after you. Just as I'm passing it on to you. So you listen carefully. This one doesn't start with once upon a time. It's about the world today so that once upon a time business does come into it. Listen. Do you know there are giants in this world? Oh, yes, there are. Did you think we were the only ones here? You're wrong. There are giants. Millions of them. Billions. Giants so big that it's almost impossible for one of us to imagine how big they are. Why, a hair from the head of one of them is as big as your leg. And they're everywhere. In the cold lands, in the hot lands, everywhere. And they hate everybody. They hate each other and they hate us. Oh, how they hate it. How they like to get rid of it. But I'll tell you something. They're not going to. We were here first, and we're going to be here a long, long time after they're gone. Where they're going to go. Don't fool yourself about that. They can't. But it isn't going to be easy. Don't fool yourself about that either. They've killed an awful lot of us in all the millions of years they've been on this earth. And I may say we've killed quite a few of them. We've killed more of them than they have any idea. And that, my child, is quite a trick when you consider the difference in our time. How big are they? Well, that's hard to explain. We're all different sizes, you know. Some of us are small, some of us are big. There are fat ones amongst us and thin ones. And they're the Same way. But on the average, I should say they're about 150 times as tall as we are. Oh, yes, 150 times our size. That mounts us. But there's an old saying, child, and this is something you ought to remember. The bigger they are, the harder they fall. I don't want to give you the idea, though, that it's going to be easy to win. I've nearly lived my life out, and there's just as many of them as ever. You live your life out, and your children and your children's children will live and die in generations that you can count up in trillions. And they'll still be here. And we'll, all of us pay an awful price in that time. But we breathe fast and our families are larger. And one day. One day there'll be no more giants in the earth. And we'll have it all to ourselves. Brethren dwelling together in unity. That's one of their sayings, too. But they disregard it pretty much. They don't dwell together in unity any more than we do. And that's the bad part of it. From our standpoint. If we just had sense enough to get together. If we just stop fighting amongst ourselves now. Of course, it's all right for them to fight amongst themselves. That simplifies our problems. Someday, if we're lucky, maybe they'll all kill each other. They try hard enough. Oh, I tell you, they've got weapons, child. They've got an atomic bomb. It works. And some of them are scared to death that it may one day wipe them all out. But we'll see if it does. Good riddance, then. Our day comes a little soon. If it doesn't, well, we've got time. They've got to talking lately about biological warfare. Germs, you know. You know where they got that? From us? No. They don't realize how far ahead of them we are in biological warfare. I could tell you some things, but they're a secret that even I can't tell. They'll find out, though. Remember, the bigger they are, the harder they fall. That's a mighty comforting thought. Something else to think about, too. As I said, they hate us. But most of their time is taken up in hating each other. So they don't have the time to attend to us as they should if they want to continue to exist. They're absolutely ruthless, though, when they do think about exterminating us. I know. I nearly got it once. Want to hear about it? Can you take it? Well, this is just one of the concentration camps they run in between the times. They're planning how to exterminate each other. They call this place New Jersey, but it's not New Jersey to us. Some of us call it Thanatopolis. That's Greek. It means city of death. Greek. Oh, the Greeks lived on this earth a long, long time ago. They somehow left today. But they're not the same as they were then. They got careless. All that's left of their glory is words like Thanatopoulos. Words that have the sound of death in my child. I was hungry. That's how I got caught. That's the way a lot of us get caught. Plenty of food. Plenty of good, healthy food. Plenty to drink. Nothing to do but get fat and get killed. I didn't know about giants in those days. I know now. The gate was wide open. And I tell you, it was the pleasantest place I've ever seen. I looked it over. I smelled the food. Oh, I tell you, I've been around. And I never smelled anything so delicious in all my life. And just went crazy, as hungry as I was. Well, the food was just as good as it smelled, and there was plenty of it. I lost my way going in. It's a kind of a labyrinth, you see. And I was interested in the food. I was hungry. There was a lot of us in there. I recognized. Hundreds of friends. Fat, happy, well fed. I stayed there quite a while. I got that too. But there were sounds I didn't like. Sounds like thunder rustling. And sounds that came from nowhere at all. And the feeling of someone watching us. Someone laughing at us. And one day, one morning, early, I heard a voice. This one's about ready, I think. Just look at him. Thousands and thousands of them. And not one of them was sense enough to try to get out. I looked up. That sounded like a human voice to me. Get the gas ready. They've had a good time now. Long enough. You see how long it takes them to die? It was a human voice. A giant voice. This particular concentration camp of theirs was run by one of their females. Probably according to their standards. A very beautiful one. To me, as I looked up at her face far above me. She looked like all the figures of death I'd ever dreamed of. And, child, she was dead. Where's the stopwatch? Paralyzed. I watched her great fingers wind the stopwatch. Stiff with terror, I saw the nozzle of the gas generator slither into the door, far across the floor. I began to crawl toward the door. Toward the gaping mouth of that gas jacket. I tried hard to warn a few of my friends. But they were heavy with good letting and it was useless. I found my way through the labyrinth somehow, hoping. Hoping I'd be climbed. I had a goal now, if I could make it. And then I saw her raise her hand with a watch. I heard her sit on the gas. One tiny glass of the gas. One short air filters and graphic. Then I thought my heart would leap from my body. My eyes burned my legs and refused to hold me up. I fell and staggered and fell and staggered again. Then as I stumbled out into the blessed freshness of the air, I heard the sound of her satellite and her lap. Look at em. Look at em crawl and wiggle. This is the best gas we've used. Look at him. Three seconds. Four seconds and every one of them dead. This is wonderful. I was dazed. My mind couldn't counter for such loss. Four seconds and countless thousands of us dead. And then this is the horror. You know what she did? She gathered up their still warm bodies and tossed them onto a great scale and waved them. Why? So she could know how many of us she had killed in four seconds. Do you wonder we hate them? Do you wonder we live for nothing but the day when the giants, male and female, female and all their young, shall all be gone from this earth. Do you see? It must be us or them. And I swear the assign will stay. We were here first. Most of the time they forget we're here. And that's good, of course, because they're intelligent. They can fly trains. They have marvelous instruments that help them perform amazing things. They've got radar, for instance. But fortunately for us, their radar won't pick us up as ours at 10. They've got methods of communication, but theirs aren't as good as ours. And the amazing thing is that most of the remarkable inventions they've brought up and perfected are used for fighting one another. Let them keep on inventing. Because you see, there's one little fight they never seem to think about. They fight amongst themselves. But we fight against both kinds. And you know who wins their wars? We do, child. We always have. We always will. We try on them no matter where they go. There's always one of us nerves. There's not one single word spoken in the giant world that we don't hear. No matter what they plan, we know about it. And they're never free from us. They plan for their pleasures and we prepare to spoil their pleasures. They plan for wars and we mobilize our expeditions. They pray and we hear them and we answer their prayers. Sometimes with death. What do you mean? How do you think it's hard for a being your size to kill a bean the size of the giants? It isn't. You see, in the first place, we're willing to sacrifice a million of us to kill one of them or two. Not all of us know about the giants. Not all of us know that we're being sacrificed in this endless war. Some of us think we're dying a natural death, I suppose. But we leaders know. You still don't understand. Well, let me give you an example. I said the giants of the average. On the average, perhaps 150 times as tall as we. Well, that's just height. If you know anything about mathematics, you realize that that means they're uncounted, millions of times bigger than we are.