Tales From The Otherside 92-10-11 (4) Breakthrough

Summary

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Podcast Summary

Podcast: Harold's Old Time Radio
Episode: Tales From The Otherside 92-10-11 (4) Breakthrough
Date: January 29, 2026
Theme: Science Fiction, Time Travel, Consequences of Innovation

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Episode Overview

In this atmospheric episode of "Tales from the Otherside," listeners are drawn into a speculative science fiction tale exploring the unforeseen consequences of a scientific breakthrough. Dr. Janet Browning, a brilliant and driven scientist, tests a time-travel experiment with unintended and striking results, plunging her and her colleagues into an alternate dystopian future shaped by her own invention. The episode weaves themes of ethics, the ripple effect of innovation, and the fragile boundary between progress and peril, creating a thought-provoking radio drama evocative of Golden Age science fiction.

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Key Discussion Points & Story Highlights

1. Setting the Stage: The Lab and the Breakthrough

• [00:02–03:46]
  • The episode opens with a moody narration, introducing the idea of stories from "the other side" and setting up a modern-day lab environment.
  • Janet Browning is working late at LabCom Research and Development, having just received personal approval for high generator power.
  • Light banter ensues between Janet and Greg Martin, hinting at their personal relationship and Janet's mysterious side project.

“Since Dr. Browning appealed to her personally for generator time. I've got to let her know she's been approved.” — Megan, [01:55]

2. Janet's Secret Experiment

• [05:17–07:16]
  • Janet unveils her secret — a small device (a theoretical precursor to satellite phones) she claims can be sent through time using her new machine.
  • Greg is skeptical; Janet explains the science behind her invention and confidently prepares the experiment. The plan: send the device one minute forward in time.

“See that machine over there? I invented it, and I swear it can send a small object backwards and forwards through time.” — Janet Browning, [06:38]

3. Disaster and Sudden Transformation

• [07:17–11:08]
  • As the experiment starts, a storm triggers an unexpected power surge.
  • Instead of moving the device forward a minute, Janet and Greg realize it was sent 30 years into the past.
  • In an instant, their world transforms: they find themselves in a future where business conglomerates run society.

“The settings 30 years back.” — Greg Martin, [11:08]

4. The Dystopian Future: Interrogation and Realization

• [11:18–15:11]
  • Janet is suddenly an "Agent" under arrest for unauthorized research; familiar faces now act as authorities.
  • The building is now Opticom, controlled by mega-corporations after decades of business warfare.
  • The new society is explained: it’s run by three giant corporations — Opticom, Autotech, and Computyne — after technological advances led to economic and civil conflict.

“So, Agent Browning, you've turned traitor on us.” — Controller Riley, [13:13]
“Now all we have to worry about is the League of European Business.” — Megan, [17:04]

5. The Butterfly Effect Explained

• [15:11–18:22]
  • Greg and Megan piece together that the device Janet sent back created this new timeline, giving Riley’s company technology decades ahead of its time, sparking global upheaval.
  • Discussions about the altered constitution, corporate wars, and a divided America provide a rich exploration of alternate history consequences.

“Thirty years ago, three business associates, including... Controller Riley, meet in this very same building and discuss some fabulous breakthrough... That led to economic war.” — Greg Martin, [15:35]

6. The Escape Plot

• [18:22–21:17]
  • Janet insists she can fix the timeline by returning the device before the experiment.
  • With Megan and Officer Patterson's (Harry) help, Janet is covertly brought back to the lab.
  • Patterson plans to trick the monitoring system, risking everything under the logic that if Janet’s plan works, the dystopia will never have existed.

“If Agent Browning is right, then none of this will ever have happened, will it?” — Officer Patterson, [20:01]

7. Climax: Reversing the Mistake

• [22:06–24:47]
  • In a tense scene, Janet races against the alarm system and blackout to restore the timeline.
  • Power flickers, confusion erupts—but abruptly, everything snaps back to normal.

“Everything would revert back to the way it was when the device returned.” — Janet Browning, [24:07]

8. Resolution: After the Storm

• [24:47–25:40]
  • The lab, technology, and timeline are restored. Janet finds the device, and with Greg, reflects on the close call.
  • The duo jokes about finally having their date and vows to destroy the advanced communicators to prevent another disaster.

“We'll toast the world that almost was—perfect.” — Janet Browning, [25:19]

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Unpredictable Innovation:
  “You’re not in the least bit tempted... To take them apart?... Are you nuts? That’s how all this started.”
  — Janet Browning & Greg Martin, [25:07–25:13]

• On Life’s Second Chances:
  “We'll toss them into your fireplace tonight. How's that? We'll toast the world that almost was perfect.”
  — Janet Browning, [25:19]

• On Power and Responsibility:
  “Do you like this world you're living in?... Does it seem right? Make sense? None of this should have happened.”
  — Janet Browning, [18:47]

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Important Timestamps

| Timestamp | Segment | |---------------|-----------------------------------------------------| | 00:38 | Introduction to characters and premise | | 05:17 | Janet reveals secret invention | | 06:37 | Plans to send device through time | | 09:04 | Thunderstorm disrupts the experiment | | 11:08 | Realization: Device sent 30 years into the past | | 13:13 | Janet interrogated as traitor in altered future | | 15:11 | Discovery of dystopian, corporation-run society | | 18:22 | Janet and Greg plot to restore the timeline | | 22:06 | Lab escape and attempt to fix the timeline | | 24:07 | Return to original reality | | 25:19 | Decision to destroy dangerous technology |

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Tone and Atmosphere

The episode blends suspense, wry humor, and dark speculation in a manner reminiscent of classic radio sci-fi. The dialogue is sharp, often laced with irony and understated wit, contrasting the tension of the paradox-driven plot with the humanity of its characters.

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Summary Conclusion

"Tales from the Otherside: Breakthrough" is a radio drama in the best tradition of speculative fiction—leveraging a simple scientific blunder to explore sweeping questions of causality, ethics, and the unforeseen costs of progress. With strong character moments, clever plotting, and thematic depth, it's an entertaining lesson on how even the smallest invention can change the course of history.

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Transcript

[Narrator]

Somewhere in the silent movements of time, the whirling vacuum of space, and the blackest illusions of the mind, there are stories whispered across the stars. Tales from the other side. On the Earth as we know it.

[Megan]

In a time we call the present.

[Narrator]

Janet Browning is about to find the world she knows crumbling before her eyes, changing into a tale from the other side. The breakthrough by winifred phillips.

[Megan]

Labcom Research and Development. How may I help you? Oh, Dr. Riley. Dr. Browning isn't available at the moment, ma'. Am. She's in the middle of some important research. I can take a message for you and I'm sure she'll get right back to you. Her generator time has been approved, taking effect immediately. She's online for full power. Yes, I'll get that message right to her, Dr. Riley.

[Greg Martin]

Hi, Megan.

[Megan]

Yes, Dr. Riley. Goodbye.

[Greg Martin]

Dr. Riley calling here? Since when is the president of Labcom deign to get involved in the company?

[Megan]

Since Dr. Browning appealed to her personally for generator time. I've got to let her know she's been approved.

[Greg Martin]

I'm on my way in. I'll tell her. Oh, are there any messages for me, Megan?

[Megan]

Just a second, Doctor. I have to answer the phone. Labcom Research and Development, how may I help you? Oh, hi, Harry. I can't talk right now. Aren't you supposed to be on duty? Yes. I'll meet you in the lobby after work. Bye, Harry.

[Greg Martin]

So you and the guard are still serious?

[Megan]

As serious as you and Dr. Browning are.

[Greg Martin]

How would you know?

[Megan]

I know everything. I'm the secretary. How'd the date go last night?

[Greg Martin]

You don't know everything. She canceled.

[Narrator]

Had some work to do, like always.

[Greg Martin]

Are there any messages for me, Megan?

[Controller Riley]

No.

[Megan]

No messages. Here. For you, Dr. Martin.

[Greg Martin]

Thanks, Megan.

[Officer Patterson (Harry)]

I'll see.

[Janet Browning]

Oh, Greg, terrific. I need your help.

[Greg Martin]

Hi, Janet. Boy, it really looks like rain out there. Oh, Megan told me to tell you that your generator time has been approved.

[Janet Browning]

Fantastic. Now I'll get somewhere.

[Greg Martin]

She tells me you had to petition the president of Labcom herself.

[Janet Browning]

Oh, you know bureaucracy. I wasn't getting anywhere with requisition, so I went straight to the top. Not that that was easy.

[Greg Martin]

What do you need the extra power for? Your VC12 project doesn't require high power levels. It's communications, not nuclear fusion.

[Janet Browning]

I don't need it for that. The VC12 is not the only project I'm working on, you know.

[Greg Martin]

What, are you dabbling again?

[Janet Browning]

I wouldn't call it dabbling. I'm diversifying.

[Greg Martin]

You certainly are spending enough time working on whatever it is oh, I'm sorry.

[Janet Browning]

About our date, Greg. I was in the middle of something. You know how that is.

[Greg Martin]

Wait a minute. You've got that look in your eye.

[Janet Browning]

What look?

[Greg Martin]

That mysterious look like you've got something crazy up your sleeve. You're planning something.

[Janet Browning]

What makes you think that?

[Greg Martin]

Come on, Janet. What are you planning? What's this mysterious project?

[Janet Browning]

You want to come down to the lab tonight and find out?

[Greg Martin]

What is this new project, Janet?

[Janet Browning]

I'm not saying anything. You want to know, you'll come tonight.

[Controller Riley]

Hmm.

[Greg Martin]

This is starting to sound interesting.

[Janet Browning]

So, will you come? I could use your help.

[Greg Martin]

Only if you have dinner with me afterwards.

[Janet Browning]

We'll have to eat Chinese.

[Greg Martin]

We could take it over to my apartment, share one pair of chopsticks.

[Janet Browning]

Mugu gai pan.

[Greg Martin]

I've been saving a bottle of white wine.

[Janet Browning]

Oh, stop it. You're getting me all hot and bothered.

[Greg Martin]

Mmm, me too. Why don't we slip out of here quietly?

[Janet Browning]

What about the VC12?

[Greg Martin]

Oh, the VC12.

[Janet Browning]

We'll have to wait till tonight.

[Greg Martin]

After you show me your mysterious experiment.

[Controller Riley]

Yes.

[Janet Browning]

Then I'll really feel like celebrating.

[Greg Martin]

It is pouring out there.

[Janet Browning]

You look like a drowned rat. There's some towels in the drawer.

[Greg Martin]

Well, there is a thunderstorm warning issued for this area.

[Janet Browning]

I wouldn't know. I've been here all day.

[Greg Martin]

I can see that. What is this thing?

[Janet Browning]

My secret invention.

[Greg Martin]

I can hear the extra generator power. When does that come online?

[Janet Browning]

A few hours ago. Here, hold this.

[Greg Martin]

Hey, this is cute. Looks like a little cellular phone.

[Janet Browning]

Something I made in college as a final project for a class.

[Greg Martin]

What does it do?

[Janet Browning]

Nothing, actually. But it would if the proper satellite network was established. It would send its signal to the satellite and be able to communicate to people halfway around the world, avoiding the need for connections through a phone company. You know, theoretically.

[Greg Martin]

Neat. What? It sends a radar signal.

[Janet Browning]

There's a set of computer chips in there that dis. Digital signal. Another computer would understand. There's also fiber optics in the receivers. It is like a cellular phone and a satellite dish and antenna. But it really is useless. There's no properly equipped satellite to receive its signal. And since the construction of one would be too expensive, this will always remain useless. But that's not important. I'm just going to send it on a little journey.

[Narrator]

Where?

[Janet Browning]

One minute forward in time.

[Narrator]

What?

[Janet Browning]

One minute forward in time.

[Greg Martin]

Oh, come on.

[Janet Browning]

Listen, Greg. See that machine over there? I invented it, and I swear it can send a small object backwards and forwards through time.

[Greg Martin]

Are you sure?

[Janet Browning]

I haven't gotten a chance to Try it yet. So how do you know stations are correct? This should work.

[Greg Martin]

Don't get your hopes up too high.

[Janet Browning]

Don't patronize me, Greg. I'm not green and I'm not a child. I know what I'm doing.

[Greg Martin]

Sorry.

[Janet Browning]

Brown out. I don't like that. Well, let's get get started.

[Greg Martin]

What do you want me to do?

[Janet Browning]

First, give me the device. I need to put an electronic tracer on it.

[Greg Martin]

Here. You're going to try to trace this thing through time?

[Janet Browning]

The tracer has a core of Radium 226 with a casing that emits a small electrical charge to stimulate it to discharge a slight gas whenever it appears in time. I'll be able to track it by determining the age of the gas resid appearing in the casing which should be showing a half life dissipation. Then I'll be able to retrieve the device by precisely determining its position with the tracer and reversing the procedure with the same amount of electrical energy.

[Greg Martin]

What's this casing?

[Janet Browning]

There's a clear casing on the table over there. I want you to put the device into the case. It's connected to the ttd, the machine. Then take the video camera on the shelf and start rolling. I'll be setting the coordinates of the TTD and activating power. Okay.

[Greg Martin]

What? What if nothing happens?

[Janet Browning]

I'll worry about.

[Greg Martin]

Damn lids of this case is heavy. What's it made of?

[Janet Browning]

It's that heat resistant plastic they've been using the chem lab. Make sure you clamp it back on tight. I don't want the gas escaping.

[Greg Martin]

Clamp secured. The videotape is rolling.

[Janet Browning]

Keep it trained on the case.

[Controller Riley]

All right.

[Greg Martin]

Why are you sending that device? Why not send, I don't know, a pencil or something?

[Janet Browning]

I like the idea that the device is finally going to get used for something. All right, I'm turning on power. It should start traveling in 10 seconds. Reading a power surge.

[Greg Martin]

It's the storm.

[Officer Patterson (Harry)]

Shut down.

[Janet Browning]

I can't. It would overload the generators and feedback. Blow all the fuses in the building.

[Megan]

Oh.

[Janet Browning]

It's the sustain. Wait a minute. The electrical surge must have thrown off.

[Greg Martin]

The settings 30 years back.

[Megan]

Agent Browning. Megan.

[Narrator]

Late, late, late.

[Megan]

What are you talk. Agent Browning, I just received orders from Section Control to inform you that you're under arrest.

[Janet Browning]

What? Come on, Megan, is this a joke? I'm under arrest?

[Megan]

Unauthorized research, Agent Browning. Officer Patterson is coming to take you into custody.

[Officer Patterson (Harry)]

Agent.

[Greg Martin]

Come on, get serious, Megan.

[Megan]

I'm nothing I can do. Don't Try the doors.

[Janet Browning]

Won't fix.

[Megan]

Except your prints and voice identification.

[Greg Martin]

Look, look, Megan, you let us in on all this. What's up with the lab? What's all this about arresting Janet?

[Officer Patterson (Harry)]

Agent Janet Browning, I place you under arrest for violation of 10 6, section B of the revised constitution of 1970. Come with me.

[Janet Browning]

Look, Harry, there must be such understanding.

[Officer Patterson (Harry)]

Make me shoot you, Browning.

[Janet Browning]

All right, all right.

[Officer Patterson (Harry)]

Start walking.

[Greg Martin]

Janet, you can't do this.

[Megan]

No, we have no choice.

[Janet Browning]

Just go along. You don't have to push.

[Megan]

Dr. Riley.

[Janet Browning]

What's going on? What are you doing in that uniform? Is this some kind of gag?

[Officer Patterson (Harry)]

You will address the controller by her proper title. Agent Browning, report. Officer Computine 5000 reported a 106 section B violation. Monitoring system showed Agent Janet Browning in Lab 5 with Agent Greg Martin, an accomplice.

[Janet Browning]

Leave Greg out of this.

[Officer Patterson (Harry)]

Compudyne. Monitoring analysis reported Agent Martin as a bystander.

[Controller Riley]

Understood. Your work has been excellent, Officer Patterson.

[Officer Patterson (Harry)]

Thank you, Controller.

[Controller Riley]

So, Agent Browning, you've turned traitor on us.

[Janet Browning]

I'm not a traitor. I just don't know what's going on. What is Compudyne?

[Megan]

What have I violated?

[Janet Browning]

Why is everything different?

[Controller Riley]

It's not going to work, you know what isn't? Pretending insanity. It's not going to work. Who do you work for?

[Janet Browning]

LabCom Research and Development.

[Controller Riley]

Is that an offshoot of Blob?

[Janet Browning]

What?

[Controller Riley]

Blob? The League of European Business.

[Janet Browning]

I don't know what you're talking about. All I know is that this building is LabCom Research and Development. And I'm not an agent. I'm Dr. Browning.

[Controller Riley]

Look over at the far wall. What do you see?

[Janet Browning]

A map.

[Narrator]

A map?

[Controller Riley]

It's divided into sections. Read the names aloud.

[Megan]

Autot.

[Janet Browning]

Opticom, Compudyne.

[Controller Riley]

Do you see Labcom anywhere?

[Janet Browning]

No.

[Controller Riley]

Why don't you start telling the truth? How did you infiltrate Opticon Central Control?

[Janet Browning]

Wait a minute. Thirty years ago, were you working here?

[Controller Riley]

I'm asking the questions.

[Janet Browning]

Yes, you were. I remember. That was the beginning of what would become LabCom. Of what would have become LabCom. Did you find a small device about the size of a cellular phone?

[Megan]

30 years ago?

[Controller Riley]

That's highly sensitive information. Who was your informant? You did.

[Janet Browning]

You found the device. What happened?

[Megan]

How did all this happen?

[Controller Riley]

Who was your informant? No one. You'll talk, traitor. It may take days, but you'll talk. You'll tell me the country you're smuggling technology to sooner or later.

[Greg Martin]

So you're telling me that this place is called Opticom and it's the central Control of one third of the United States.

[Megan]

Well, I don't understand why you're asking me these questions, Agent Martin. Everyone knows the answers.

[Greg Martin]

Just let me get this straight. Thirty years ago, three business associates, including Dr. No, Controller Riley, meet in this very same building and discuss some fabulous breakthrough discovered by Riley herself.

[Megan]

Yes, I told you that before. That was Controller Riley's biggest mistake. The associates took the information, informed two other companies based on the technology Controller Riley had shown them. That led to economic war.

[Narrator]

Of course.

[Megan]

What is it? Is Central Control doing another sweep survey trying to find out who's leaking information again?

[Greg Martin]

No, no, I'm just asking. And now the country is split into three separate districts.

[Megan]

Yes, Opticom, Autotech and Computyne. The three businesses are located in those areas and they virtually run everything government couldn't compete. I feel so stupid saying what everyone know.

[Greg Martin]

I know, I know. Just humor me. What do these companies make?

[Megan]

Well, Opticon, that's us, makes satellite networks, monitoring systems, communication systems. Including those new communicators people wear that hook them into satellite communication. What's so funny?

[Greg Martin]

Nothing.

[Officer Patterson (Harry)]

Go on.

[Megan]

Okay. Autotech produces automation. You know, the robots that drive the trains and make everything. The household robots, the great self driving cars, all that Computyne makes. The supercomputers that have everything and everybody. They pioneered the Computyne 5000, which we bought to monitor the entire sector.

[Greg Martin]

That's how Janet got caught.

[Megan]

That's right.

[Greg Martin]

What's this? Revised constitution.

[Megan]

Oh, that ended the civil war between the big businesses. Stopped all the spying and the car bombs and letter bombs that were happening then. It pretty much set up the law for business dealings. Now all we have to worry about is the League of European Business.

[Officer Patterson (Harry)]

What?

[Megan]

Well, they hate America like crazy. Well, because we're so technologically ahead of them, they try to block our goods from getting into their countries. But it still gets in. There's a blockade now. I've heard about it in the news. Our ships try to break it, they shoot at us. It looks like war, you know?

[Greg Martin]

Damn war.

[Megan]

If it comes to that, we'll win it. After all, we're at least 30 years ahead of them technologically.

[Officer Patterson (Harry)]

30 years?

[Greg Martin]

Riley must have found the device.

[Janet Browning]

The what?

[Greg Martin]

Look, Megan, are you still going with the security? No, with. With Officer Patterson?

[Narrator]

Yes. Why?

[Greg Martin]

I need to find a way to get Janet back to the lab.

[Megan]

You mean help her escape? I can't do that.

[Greg Martin]

Megan, just listen. I have to tell you something. You're probably not going to believe it, but I have to tell you. It all started when Janet showed me this machine. She said she could make things.

[Controller Riley]

Who are you working for?

[Janet Browning]

I'm telling you the truth. The device you found was something I made. I put it in a time machine and sent it back 30 years. You've got to believe me. It's the truth.

[Controller Riley]

You expect me to believe such a preposterous story?

[Janet Browning]

You have to.

[Narrator]

Look.

[Janet Browning]

The device was equipped with a set of computer chips and fiber optic receivers.

[Controller Riley]

You have good informants.

[Janet Browning]

I made it. Controller.

[Officer Patterson (Harry)]

Controller. Riley, don't you think that if she knows the components of this device that she must be telling the truth?

[Controller Riley]

I didn't give you permission to speak, Officer Patterson.

[Janet Browning]

Harry, you believe me, don't you?

[Megan]

Do you like this world you're living in?

[Janet Browning]

Does it seem right? Make sense? None of this should have happened. I've got to go back to my lab and retrieve the device. Using the electronic tracer, I can get it back. At the moment that it left. None of this would have ever happened.

[Megan]

Excuse me. Computine reports Officer Patterson is needed in the computer center.

[Controller Riley]

You're dismissed. Patterson.

[Officer Patterson (Harry)]

Yes, Controller.

[Megan]

Harry, I need your help.

[Officer Patterson (Harry)]

You know I'll do anything for you, Megan.

[Megan]

Agent Martin has just told me an incredible story, but I think I believe it.

[Officer Patterson (Harry)]

You mean about the device?

[Megan]

You've heard it.

[Officer Patterson (Harry)]

Agent Browning was telling the same story to the controller.

[Megan]

What do you think?

[Officer Patterson (Harry)]

I don't know. It is hard to believe, but.

[Megan]

But it just seems to make sense, right?

[Officer Patterson (Harry)]

Being 30 years ahead of every other country. It's strange. I hadn't thought about it, but it is strange.

[Megan]

Agent Martin thinks that if we can get Agent Browning back to her lab, she'll be able to reverse what happened.

[Officer Patterson (Harry)]

You mean help her escape? I can't do that.

[Megan]

You wouldn't be helping her escape. Just when you take her to a holding cell, you can make a little.

[Janet Browning]

Cel side trip to the lab.

[Officer Patterson (Harry)]

I'd be disobeying orders.

[Megan]

No, you wouldn't really. You'd just be elaborating on them a little. Please, Harry. For me?

[Officer Patterson (Harry)]

I suppose it wouldn't hurt anything.

[Megan]

That's my Harry.

[Officer Patterson (Harry)]

What about Computyne 5000? It will sound an alarm once it detects Agent Browning in the lab.

[Megan]

Oh well, I guess we'll just have to hope she's finished with whatever she has to do before the alarm sounds.

[Officer Patterson (Harry)]

Still, I could put in a pre recorded cassette of an empty lab in place of the lab monitors. It should slow Computyne down.

[Megan]

That's brilliant.

[Officer Patterson (Harry)]

You know, we could both get into a lot of trouble for doing This I know. But if Agent Browning is right, then none of this will ever have happened, will it?

[Megan]

So we'd really never have done this at all.

[Officer Patterson (Harry)]

True. So what's there to lose?

[Greg Martin]

Let's do it.

[Controller Riley]

What agency do you work for?

[Janet Browning]

Labcom Research and Development. I told you before.

[Controller Riley]

Officer Patterson, come in here now.

[Officer Patterson (Harry)]

Yes, Controller.

[Controller Riley]

Riley, take her to a holding cell. Let her think it over.

[Officer Patterson (Harry)]

Yes, Controller. On your feet, Agent Browning.

[Narrator]

All right, all right.

[Controller Riley]

This is not the end of it, Browning. Rem. Remember that. Take her away.

[Officer Patterson (Harry)]

Just look straightforward. Listen, I'm taking you back to the lab.

[Janet Browning]

Harry, I don't know how to thank you.

[Officer Patterson (Harry)]

Thank Megan, not me.

[Greg Martin]

She convinced me.

[Officer Patterson (Harry)]

You will have to hurry. It won't take long before Compudyne sounds an alarm.

[Controller Riley]

Look.

[Officer Patterson (Harry)]

Clip this to your shirt.

[Janet Browning]

What is it?

[Officer Patterson (Harry)]

Person to person communicator. It'll connect you to Agent Greg Martin. He's down in the basement. The generator room. He says you'll need some kind of burst of power.

[Janet Browning]

Greg, you're always thinking. Yes. I'll have to recreate the power surge that sent the device back in time.

[Officer Patterson (Harry)]

Can you do it?

[Janet Browning]

We'll see.

[Officer Patterson (Harry)]

Here we are. Recognize Patterson? Harry M. Officer First Class.

[Megan]

Agent Browning. Is there anything we can do?

[Janet Browning]

How do you work this communicator?

[Officer Patterson (Harry)]

Just flip the switch.

[Janet Browning]

Okay. Greg, are you there?

[Greg Martin]

Ready whenever you are, Janet.

[Janet Browning]

Let's just hope. What is that?

[Officer Patterson (Harry)]

Cobudine. Must have discovered the tape. There'll be officers here any second.

[Janet Browning]

Just a moment. I have to set these controls.

[Megan]

Hurry.

[Janet Browning]

Give me power, Greg, now. The power's out.

[Megan]

Megan.

[Janet Browning]

Harry.

[Greg Martin]

I'll try to find a candle somewhere.

[Megan]

Craig.

[Janet Browning]

How'd you get up here?

[Greg Martin]

I. I don't know. One minute I'm down in the generator room, I throw the switch, everything goes black, and now I'm up here.

[Narrator]

Oh, of course.

[Janet Browning]

Everything would revert back to the way it was when the device returned.

[Greg Martin]

If it returned.

[Janet Browning]

Thank God. The lights. Oh, my lab. Back the way it was. Primitive technology and everything. I love it.

[Greg Martin]

And there it is. The device. It's over.

[Janet Browning]

Well, I'll tell you one thing.

[Greg Martin]

What?

[Janet Browning]

Boy, am I ready for that Mugu guy.

[Greg Martin]

Pan with a bottle of white wine?

[Janet Browning]

That too.

[Greg Martin]

The communicators.

[Janet Browning]

What?

[Greg Martin]

Who's still wearing Harry's communicators?

[Janet Browning]

Oh, my go.

[Greg Martin]

I can't believe it.

[Janet Browning]

Well, what do we do with them?

[Greg Martin]

We destroy them.

[Janet Browning]

You're not in the least bit tempted.

[Megan]

To take them apart?

[Janet Browning]

See how they're made?

[Greg Martin]

Are you nuts? That's how all this started.

[Janet Browning]

We'll toss them into your fireplace tonight. How's that? We'll toast the world that almost was perfect.

[Greg Martin]

We'll watch them burn over white wine and Mugu Guy Pan.

[Narrator]

In an apartment somewhere on the planet Earth, two humans toss into the fire a piece of technology far in advance of their own, a technology that rose from an Earth that might have been in a tail from the Other side. The script and score for the breakthrough were written by Winifred Phillips. The role of Greg was played by Paul De Leo. The role of Janet was played by Judy Stiskin. The role of Megan was played by Winifred Phillips. The role of Harry was by Patrick Barnes. The role of Dr. Riley was played by Winnie Waldron. The Tales from the Other side radio drama series is produced by Generations Radio Theater, which is solely responsible for its content.

[Megan]

Copyright 1992 WP Phillips.

[Narrator]

All rights reserved. Support for this program came from National Public Radio member stations and the NPR Cultural Program Fund. Contributors include the National Endowment for the Arts and the Robert W. Woodruff Foundation. This is npr, National Public Radio.