Rip Lawson, Adventurer xx-xx-xx (38) The Experiment

Summary

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Podcast Summary

Podcast: Harold's Old Time Radio

Episode: Rip Lawson, Adventurer xx-xx-xx (38) The Experiment
Host: Harolds Old Time Radio
Date: November 7, 2025

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Overview

This episode transports listeners back to the drama-packed world of Golden Age radio adventure. The story follows Rip Lawson, the intrepid adventurer, and his ever-ready companion, Big Mike, as they unravel a mysterious and dangerous scientific experiment in the hidden depths beneath a Tibetan botanical garden. The episode explores themes of unchecked scientific ambition, power, and ethical responsibility, all woven into a classic radio cliffhanger.

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Key Discussion Points & Plot Breakdown

1. Mission to Tibet

• Rip Lawson and Big Mike have been dispatched by the International Intelligence Corps to Tibet.
• They arrive by jet-propelled plane (the "Sky Street") after leaving their underwater craft, the Black Shark, to investigate a strange scientific endeavor reported by the High Lama.
  • [03:08–03:27]

2. Discovery of the Underground Factory

• Rip and Mike find a hidden stairway beneath the botanical garden, leading to a massive underground factory filled with mysterious machinery.
• They overhear two people: Namor (sometimes called Lamadore Puma) and Ching Tao, deep in discussion about a powerful experiment.
  • [04:54–05:13]

3. The Experiment Explained

• Ching Tao, a Eurasian scientist, outlines a plan to harness atmospheric rays and create a blinding light, supposedly brighter than day, with the potential to "blind whole people" unless special glasses are worn.

• The technology could replace electricity or, if misused, lead to weeks or even months of blindness for entire populations.

  • [05:13–06:02]

  Notable Quotes:

  • Ching Tao: "From the chamber we hurl rays into the atmosphere... illuminating tonight brighter than day. And my dear, within 30 minutes we shall know whether what I say is true or not." [05:19]
  • Namor: "And this you say can blind whole people unless they wear certain types of glass?" [05:43]

4. Power Dynamics and Ambition

• Ching Tao reveals her ultimate goal: using the technology to seize power, claiming she could "buy a hundred Dalai Lamas" and control the world’s light.

• Namor, eager but less understanding, is pulled into her scheme.

  Notable Quotes:

  • Ching Tao: "With this invention we will be able to buy a hundred Dalai Lamas." [06:20]
  • Ching Tao: "Controlled properly, I shall never be knight again." [06:26]

5. Realization of the Danger

• Rip and Mike realize the devastating potential: the rays could strip the atmosphere, leading to deadly radiation burns and catastrophic consequences.

• Rip suspects Ching Tao may betray Namor and seize full control.

  Notable Quotes:

  • Rip Lawson: "Our Signal Corps discovered that these rays, when they collide with the outer atmosphere, tear it away and allow deadly rays of the ionosphere to escape." [07:25]
  • Mike: "You mean that could happen here too?"
  • Rip Lawson: "Much worse. These solar radiations would burn whole populations." [07:39]

6. Confrontation and Capture

• Rip and Mike are discovered and captured while trying to escape.
• Namor interrogates them and deduces they are spies sent by the Dalai Lama, threatening dire consequences.
  • [08:44–11:09]

7. The Forced Experiment

• Both captives are tied up and forced to watch the experiment without protective eyewear.

• Ching Tao’s ethical doubts are overridden by Namor’s ruthlessness, raising tension.

• As the experiment starts, chaos erupts—Ching Tao resists, a scuffle breaks out, and she ensures the captives avoid direct exposure.

  • [13:40–14:08]

  Memorable Dialogue:

  • Namor: "You men are so childlike, so infantile in your ideal. You with all save world. There is no saving world. The world is yourself... When you live to your fullest, when you have power, then your world lives and groweth in strength." [13:02]
  • Rip Lawson: "You're an ambitious little buzzard, aren't you?" [13:21]

• Ching Tao, in an act of defiance, helps prevent the worst outcome, hitting Namor and facilitating the escape of Rip and Mike.

  • [14:08–14:23]

8. Climactic Escape

• Rip, Mike, and Ching Tao must leap from a balcony to flee as the experiment threatens to spiral out of control.
• With the experiment unresolved and Namor still at large, Rip knows their job isn't finished.
  • [14:21–15:16]

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Notable Quotes (with Timestamps and Attribution)

• Ching Tao: "From the chamber we hurl rays into the atmosphere... illuminating tonight brighter than day. And my dear, within 30 minutes we shall know whether what I say is true or not." [05:19]
• Namor: "And this you say can blind whole people unless they wear certain types of glass?" [05:43]
• Ching Tao: "With this invention we will be able to buy a hundred Dalai Lamas." [06:20]
• Rip Lawson: "Our Signal Corps discovered that these rays, when they collide with the outer atmosphere, tear it away and allow deadly rays of the ionosphere to escape." [07:25]
• Namor: "You men are so childlike, so infantile in your ideal. You with all save world. There is no saving world. The world is yourself..." [13:02]
• Rip Lawson: "You're an ambitious little buzzard, aren't you?" [13:21]

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Memorable Moments & Highlights

• Ching Tao’s moral dilemma and her last-minute act to save Rip and Mike from being blinded.
• Rip's quick deduction about the catastrophic effects of the experiment: a warning against unchecked scientific innovation.
• The episode’s suspenseful pacing—listeners are left with the knowledge that the threat is not yet neutralized, and the adventure will continue.

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Key Timestamps

| Timestamp | Segment Description | |-----------|--------------------------------------------------------| | 03:08 | Rip & Mike’s briefing and arrival in Tibet | | 04:54 | Introduction of Ching Tao and Namor’s plan | | 05:19 | The experiment’s purpose and risks detailed | | 07:25 | Realization of experiment's true hazard | | 08:44 | Rip & Mike’s capture | | 11:26 | Forced participation in the experiment | | 13:02 | Namor’s philosophy of power | | 14:08 | Ching Tao helps Rip & Mike escape | | 14:23 | The trio leaps from the balcony, fleeing danger |

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Conclusion

"The Experiment" episode delivers tension, scientific intrigue, and timeless radio storytelling. Rip Lawson and Big Mike narrowly escape a mad scientific plot, aided by the conflicted Ching Tao. The adventure ends unresolved, promising more suspense as the battle against dangerous ambition continues. This dose of audio nostalgia blends fast-paced dialogue, classic heroics, and philosophical undertones—a must-listen for fans of vintage adventure radio.

Transcript

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[Namor]

It Sam.

[Rip Lawson]

Commander special agents man of action. Rip Lawson, adventurer. The Quantum Adventurer. The quantum adventurer on land.

[Ching Tao]

The world over.

[Rip Lawson]

Europe, America, Africa, Asia at sea. The world over. Arctic, Antarctic, Atlantic, Pacific. In the airlanes of the world, in the stratosphere, we find this one adventure.

[Namor]

It.

[Rip Lawson]

Sa it Rip Lawson, adventurer and man of action and Big Mike, his right hand man in all his adventures, have been sent to Tibet by headquarters of the International Intelligence Corps. They left their scientifically equipped underwater craft, the Black Shark, to make its way up the Salvine river and took off in their jet propelled plane the sky street to report to the High Lama of Tibet, who told them of a strange undertaking at Tango. Lip and Mike traveled there and saw a beautiful botanical garden. They discovered a trap door outside the garden, followed a stairway into the ground and discovered a huge underground factory. They have just entered the factory and are inspecting the machinery. In another room, two strange people are talking.

[Namor]

It is beyond my understanding. Melod.

[Ching Tao]

I shall explain to you, my dear.

[Rip Lawson]

Let's get closer. Mike, will you look at her?

[Ching Tao]

These are nothing but machines to generate energy. This energy finally pumps through the small tube here and finally into the incarceration chamber.

[Namor]

Please do not concern me with details, only informing what we eventually occur.

[Ching Tao]

From the chamber we hurl rays into the atmosphere where they collide with certain tiny particles that form in the upper atmosphere. Particles to glow illuminating tonight brighter than day. And my dear, within 30 minutes we shall know whether what I say is true or not.

[Namor]

And this you say can blind whole people unless they wear certain types of glass?

[Ching Tao]

Quite true, my dear, but that would not be necessary. We shall use it instead of electricity.

[Namor]

How long would these people remain blind?

[Ching Tao]

A week, a month, perhaps six months.

[Namor]

It is all very same.

[Ching Tao]

Perhaps to you, but not to any month.

[Namor]

Nimur understand it as well as I. I am impatient for results. I would love to see face of Dalai Lama when there is a vision.

[Ching Tao]

With this invention we will be able to buy a hundred Dalai Lamas.

[Namor]

Buy?

[Ching Tao]

Yes, we shall buy anything our hearts desire. Controlling the ray properly. The light from the skies will supplant electricity throughout the world. Controlled properly, I shall never be knight again.

[Namor]

Oh, it is all confusing to me. We shall go about.

[Ching Tao]

That's your wish, my dear.

[Rip Lawson]

Ah, the poor sucker. What do you mean? That gal's got something up her sleeve. And she's twisting that guy around her finger as easy as you please. I thought I caught a tone in her voice, too. Take a look at this interception chamber. See how it narrows into a small funnel. I can see the stars through it. What's the matter, Worried? Yeah. Why? What is it? You heard him. His Lordship?

[Ching Tao]

Yeah.

[Rip Lawson]

If I'm not mistaken, he's Ching Tao, a Eurasian scientist before the war. He wrote some articles on this stuff. During the war. Nobody heard of him, and there he is. Right. Well, what are you worried about? Seems like a good idea to me, except for one thing. Our Signal Corps discovered that these rays, when they collide with the outer atmosphere, tear it away and allow deadly rays of the ionosphere to escape. So what? You've seen pictures of burns caused by radioactivity, haven't you? Oh, you mean that could happen here too? Much worse. These solar radiations would burn whole populations. But his large ship said it would only temporarily blind people. That's because he's never tested it. And you know, Rip, if the test is successful, I think that gal is.

[Ching Tao]

Going to quietly do away with this.

[Rip Lawson]

Large ship and run the show to suit herself. And she might not be too considerate on whom she tries it. We've got to stop it, Mike. Okay, How? That's the question. Make this tube that runs into the chamber. What, and burn ourselves to death? No. We'll have to get His Lordship to turn it off. And do you think he will? I don't know. Come on. We'll try to get upstairs when we get down in here. We were lucky. We'd better not go out the same way. Okay, let's try this door then. Let's go on the way we came in. We'll have to hurry up. You first, Mike. Push open the trap door. Okay.

[Namor]

Hurry.

[Rip Lawson]

It's locked. Let me up next to you. Yeah. It's no use. Then we're trapped. It looks like it. He'll laugh up the other side of his mouth if I get close to it.

[Namor]

Two men bring them down or better shoot them. No, no. I have reconsidered. I shall attend to this.

[Ching Tao]

Do not show yourself. They may be armed.

[Namor]

I am not fooled.

[Rip Lawson]

That was pretty close. My dear, I'm not even saying what I'm thinking.

[Namor]

You men Whoever you are. Do you understand? Evely?

[Rip Lawson]

I guess we're caught. You down there. What do you want?

[Namor]

Oh, Easley. You will throw your guns to base up stairway.

[Rip Lawson]

Hang on to yours, Mike. Ah, here you are.

[Namor]

Only one another, please.

[Rip Lawson]

That's all we have.

[Namor]

You do not know limit of my patience. I wish another gun.

[Rip Lawson]

I said that's all we have.

[Namor]

Proceed, Namor. We cannot waste time.

[Rip Lawson]

All right. Go ahead, Mike. No pot of gold for us, I guess.

[Namor]

Now, be thin. Hmm. What are your names?

[Rip Lawson]

I'm Rip and he's Mike.

[Namor]

You use only given names. Such informality informs me you are American. Am I correct?

[Rip Lawson]

That's right.

[Namor]

What is your business here?

[Rip Lawson]

Don't you know Lama Puma?

[Namor]

Yes, Mama.

[Rip Lawson]

I tell you by two men in air.

[Namor]

Oh, yes. An aircraft without propeller.

[Ching Tao]

You mean these men have a jet propel plane? I would like to talk with them, please. Jet propel?

[Namor]

I deny you men came here to spy on me. Is that true?

[Rip Lawson]

I give her.

[Ching Tao]

This man have a jet propel plane. I would like to talk with them.

[Namor]

B.

[Ching Tao]

Jet propelled.

[Namor]

I deny you men came here to spy on me. Is that true?

[Rip Lawson]

I gave her $64.

[Ching Tao]

Rip.

[Namor]

Oh, the big one has tongue also. He will not have it long now.

[Rip Lawson]

What do you mean?

[Namor]

What I said. I do not waste words, Mr. Mice. So you came to spy for the Dala Lama. You do not answer. You do not have to answer. I know, but what to do with you? Ah, we should have you watch our experiment. Bring him along, Namor. Come. Ching Tao.

[Ching Tao]

You say you have a jet propelled aircraft. I am very interested.

[Namor]

Ching Tao has been quite isolated here. You must forgive his ignorance.

[Ching Tao]

I would like to speak with you, gentlemen. But who am I to at the time? Have you noticed the time?

[Namor]

I have. Gentlemen, we are about to witness an extraordinary experiment. Would you care to join us?

[Rip Lawson]

We have no choice, have we?

[Namor]

I like to. No, you have no choice. We shall watch for Miss Dawson.

[Ching Tao]

I shall go down again, my dear, and start the experiment.

[Namor]

But you said Namor knows how to do it.

[Ching Tao]

That is correct.

[Namor]

But you have protest. Ching Tao, do you have glasses?

[Ching Tao]

Yes, my dear. Here you are. And gentlemen, here are two pairs for you.

[Namor]

I'll take those.

[Ching Tao]

But, my dear. What?

[Namor]

Do not protest. Tsing Tao, give glasses to me.

[Ching Tao]

But they will be blinded.

[Namor]

Do not concern me with trifles. Lemur Nama tie. Gentlemen, to these two posts. And arrange it so their heads are pointed towards sky.

[Ching Tao]

2 Tong Mei. I protest this. You should not do.

[Namor]

Quiet, Quiet. I shall do same to you.

[Ching Tao]

You would not dare.

[Namor]

I would not dare. Do not try me too far.

[Ching Tao]

I shall destroy the equipment.

[Namor]

You. You shot at me and I miss. But never fear, Ching Tao. I will not miss again. Return here.

[Ching Tao]

I did not know.

[Namor]

No one knows.

[Rip Lawson]

The Dalai Lama knows.

[Namor]

So he did send you.

[Rip Lawson]

You'll destroy yourself. Lamadore Pama.

[Namor]

And you know my full title. They are tied securely, Nemour. Proceed with experiments. Jintao says you know enough about it.

[Ching Tao]

I did not know.

[Rip Lawson]

Won't she destroy herself?

[Ching Tao]

Count herself and possibly a large part of the world?

[Namor]

You men are so childlike, so infantile in your ideal. You with all save world. There is no saving world. The world is yourself. You. You are your own world. When you die, your world ceases. But when you live, when you live to your fullest, when you have power, then. Then your world lives and groweth in strength.

[Rip Lawson]

You're an ambitious little buzzard, aren't you?

[Namor]

You will not say such a thing many more times, I assure you.

[Ching Tao]

Dorry. I'm nothing new, you fool. And you, my dear Dory, I. You are the sorcerer's apprentice. You are releasing uncontrollable forces. And no real sorcerer will be able to control them.

[Namor]

He has started injured. Do not worry, Qingtao. This experiment will be only a little one. A few seconds more and you shall know. Now.

[Rip Lawson]

Now I must stop you.

[Ching Tao]

There is not time to untie you. I shall hold my hands over your eyes.

[Namor]

Close them tightly.

[Ching Tao]

My Tor. My sweet one. I had to do it. I had to hit you. I could not allow you to come out of here.

[Namor]

Mike.

[Rip Lawson]

Right. Coming, your lordship.

[Ching Tao]

I cannot. You go. I cannot leave.

[Rip Lawson]

Which is the best way?

[Ching Tao]

There's only one way. You must jump from this balcony.

[Rip Lawson]

Okay. Come on, Rip. Rip and Big Mike run through the Dark Gardens trying to find their way out of the grounds. But knowing all the while that they will have to return. They must stop the ambitious woman. The Lama Dore Puma.

[Namor]

It Sa.

[Rip Lawson]

The Marine Commander Special Agents nine of action. Rip Vossen at Bachelor.

[Namor]

Foreign.

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