Appointment In Tomorrow by X Minus One

Summary

Appointment In Tomorrow
Relic Radio Sci-Fi (Old Time Radio)
Host/Author: RelicRadio.com
Release Date: October 21, 2024

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Introduction

"Appointment In Tomorrow," an episode from Relic Radio Sci-Fi's X Minus One series, transports listeners to a near-future America grappling with technological advancements and the looming threat of nuclear warfare. Adapted from Fritz Leiber's work and brought to life by Ernest Kanoy, the story delves into the intricate dynamics between visionary scientists and entrenched skeptics within a society on the brink of monumental change.

Setting the Stage

The narrative unfolds in America nearing the end of the 20th century, a nation marked by the enduring fear of thermonuclear conflict and the pervasive influence of technological innovations. The environment is portrayed as one where daily life intersects with remnants of wartime anxieties and the relentless march of progress.

George Helmut (02:04): "The first angry rays of the sun... [pierced]... with unpleasant similarity to the ray from World War three's thermonuclear weapons."

This opening sets a tone of tension and anticipation, highlighting the societal backdrop against which the story's central conflict will unfold.

Characters and Their Roles

• George Helmut: A brilliant rocket physicist affiliated with the Thinkers Foundation, George embodies the quintessential visionary scientist. His reliance on somnolent thought techniques underscores his innovative approach to problem-solving.

• Maisie: An advanced electronic brain system, Maisie represents the pinnacle of artificial intelligence within the Thinkers Foundation. She serves as both a facilitator and a central figure in the Foundation's endeavors.

• Jan Tregeran: The primary antagonist, Jan challenges the Foundation's methods and intentions. His skepticism and confrontational demeanor introduce a critical perspective on the Foundation's projects.

• Mr. President: The U.S. President, who interacts with the scientists, reflecting the government's stake and involvement in the Foundation's initiatives.

• Willard Farquhar & Mr. Opperly: Fellow scientists who represent contrasting viewpoints within the scientific community, debating the ethical and practical implications of the Thinkers Foundation's projects.

The Mars Rocket Project

At the heart of the story is the ambitious project to develop a nuclear-powered rocket aimed at Mars exploration. The Thinkers Foundation, leveraging advanced technologies like Maisie, seeks to lead humanity into a new era of space exploration.

George Helmut (04:11): "The next big move had come to him in his sleep..."

George's use of somnolent thought techniques, which "function at the same time as somnolearning," emphasizes the Foundation's commitment to innovative and unconventional scientific methods.

Rising Tensions and Conflict

The introduction of Jan Tregeran brings forth a conflict rooted in skepticism and rivalry. Jan questions the legitimacy of the Thinkers Foundation, branding their advancements as deceptive and their technologies as illegitimate.

Mr. Opperly (11:10): "A scientist tells people the truth... but when times are very, very bad, well, a magician tells people what they wish were true."

This dichotomy between truth and illusion sets the stage for a deeper ideological battle over the direction of scientific progress and its implications for society.

Clash Between Visionaries and Skeptics

As the project progresses, internal disagreements arise within the scientific community. Jan Tregeran becomes increasingly antagonistic, viewing the Foundation's methods as manipulative and their promises as hollow.

Jan Tregeran (09:20): "They forgot to take your zap gun and space cadet decoder pin away from you when you turn 13."

Jan's personal attacks and derogatory remarks aim to undermine George's credibility and the Foundation's objectives, intensifying the internal strife.

The Climax: Confrontation and Betrayal

The story reaches its apex when Jan Tregeran orchestrates a plan to sabotage the Thinkers Foundation's Mars rocket project by attempting to replace George with Willard Farquhar. This betrayal is a pivotal moment that threatens to derail the Foundation's ambitious plans.

Jan Tregeran (24:11): "I got a couple of boys waiting outside. They'll take you by jet to New Mexico. George, congratulations. You're leaving for Mars tomorrow."

Jan's maneuver illustrates the lengths to which he is willing to go to seize control, revealing the depths of his antagonism and the fragile nature of trust within the Foundation.

Resolution: Triumph of the Dreamers

In a dramatic turn of events, Maisie, the Foundation's electronic brain, intervenes to thwart Jan's scheme. Utilizing advanced mental commands, Maisie neutralizes the threat posed by Jan, reinforcing the Foundation's dominance and the efficacy of their technological advancements.

Maisie (25:33): "Caddy. Look at me. Look at me. Now put your hand on his arm. Now now take his gun."

Through Maisie's actions, the narrative emphasizes the theme that true innovation and visionary thinking can overcome deceit and sabotage, ensuring the continuation of the Foundation's mission.

Conclusion

"Appointment In Tomorrow" masterfully weaves a tale of ambition, conflict, and the enduring power of innovation. By juxtaposing the cutting-edge aspirations of the Thinkers Foundation against the cynical resistance embodied by Jan Tregeran, the episode underscores the perennial struggle between progress and preservation. The triumphant intervention of Maisie serves as a testament to the potential of human ingenuity and technological advancement to navigate and overcome societal challenges.

In the end, the story not only entertains but also provokes thoughtful consideration of the ethical and practical dimensions of scientific pursuit, making it a memorable episode for fans of classic science fiction.

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Notable Quotes:

• George Helmut (02:04): "The first angry rays of the sun... [pierced]... with unpleasant similarity to the ray from World War three's thermonuclear weapons."

• Mr. Opperly (11:10): "A scientist tells people the truth... but when times are very, very bad, well, a magician tells people what they wish were true."

• Jan Tregeran (09:20): "They forgot to take your zap gun and space cadet decoder pin away from you when you turn 13."

• Jan Tregeran (24:11): "I got a couple of boys waiting outside. They'll take you by jet to New Mexico. George, congratulations. You're leaving for Mars tomorrow."

• Maisie (25:33): "Caddy. Look at me. Look at me. Now put your hand on his arm. Now now take his gun."

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This detailed summary captures the essence of "Appointment In Tomorrow," highlighting key characters, plot developments, and thematic elements. It weaves together the intricate dialogues and pivotal moments from the transcript to provide a comprehensive overview, enriched with notable quotes to enhance engagement and understanding.

Transcript

[Fred Collins]

Relic Radio.

[Jan Tregeran]

This is Relic Radio Sci.

[Willard Farquhar]

Fi Old Time Radio Science fiction stories from relicradio.com.

[Narrator]

Countdown for blast off X/5432 X/1 fire from the far horizons of the unknown. Come Transcribed Tales of new dimensions in time and space. These are stories of the future. Adventures in which you'll live in a million could be years on a thousand maybe worlds. The National Broadcasting Company in cooperation with Galaxy Science Fiction Magazine presents -1 tonight appointment in tomorrow By Fritz Leiber.

[George Helmut]

The first angry rays of the sun, which surprisingly enough still rose in the east at 24 hour intervals, pierced the lacy tops of Atlantic combers and touched thousands of sleep sleeping Americans with unconscious fear because of the unpleasant similarity to the ray from World War three's thermonuclear weapons. This was America approaching the end of the 20th century. America of the mask fad for women and the neocreton dress styles. America of your local radiation hospital of the endless war and the Loyalty Detector in his bedroom in the Thinkers Foundation, George Helmut slept. His educational sandman purred learnedly in his ear, droning tenser calculus through the night, filling the hours that used to hold man's formless fears and floating anxieties with the rigid form and anchored shapes of mathematics. Precisely at 8 the sidereal alarm went off.

[Maisie]

Shower 96.8. Commence.

[George Helmut]

Under the soothing spray of the body temperature Robo Shower Helmut took a deep breath and cast his mind to the limits of the world and his knowledge. It was a somewhat shadowy vision, but he noted with impartial approval, definitely less shadowy than yesterday morning.

[Maisie]

Dry blast. Commence.

[George Helmut]

Employing a rapid mental scanning technique, he cleared his memory chains of false associations, including those acquired while asleep. He felt the snap of clearing nonthalamic reasoning returning as the brain surged into clear sharp control.

[Maisie]

Up. Holding color key 705.

[George Helmut]

He stepped into his clothing, the severe tunic, tights and saccasins of the modern businessman. He smiled. The next big move had come to him in his sleep, as many of his best decisions did because he utilized the time saving technique of somnolent thought which could function at the same time as somnolearning.

[Maisie]

Attention. Robo locator category rocket physicist classification genius level. Time limit for search 20 minutes. Commence. Take decision. Dear fellow scientists, the project is contemplated that will have a crucial bearing on man's future in deep space. Ample non military government funds are available. There was a time when professional men scoffed at the Thinkers Foundation. Then there was a time when the thinkers perforce neglected the professional men. Now both times are past. I Would like to consult you this afternoon. 3:00, sharp thinkers Foundation. Signed Georges Helmut. End of dictation.

[Willard Farquhar]

The President is waiting to see Maisie, sir.

[Mr. President]

He has the general Staff with him.

[Maisie]

March in peace to him. Tell him I'll be down in a few minutes.

[George Helmut]

Huge as a primitive nuclear reactor, Maisie, the great electronic brain loomed over the knot of hushed voiced men. Its front was an orderly expanse of controls, indicators, telltales and terminals. The upper ones reached by a chair on a boom. This was the machine with a million times as many synapses as the human brain. The machine that remembered by cutting delicate little notches on the rims of molecules. This was the machine that timid cyberneticists and stuffy professional scientists had said could not be built yet. This was the machine that the thinkers, with characteristic Yankee push, had built and named with characteristic irreverence.

[Maisie]

Maisie, have you the question for the day? Mr. President.

[Mr. President]

Here, Mr. Helmut. I see the question on the Pakistan crisis is a little touchy.

[Mr. Opperly]

I don't know if there is enough.

[Maisie]

Data to answer it. Maisy will do so.

[Mr. President]

Well, of course, I didn't mean to.

[Maisie]

If you will excuse me, gentlemen, I will code the questions for Maisie. Oh, question five. Question four. Whom would that come from?

[Mr. President]

Number four, Physics. Opoli and his research team.

[Maisie]

I see. Thank you. Mr. President. While I'm coding the tape, there will be time to watch the takeoff of the Mars rocket.

[Mr. President]

Beautiful.

[George Helmut]

Beautiful.

[Mr. President]

I've often wanted to go to New Mexico. As a matter of fact, I've always wanted to go right through to Mars. Mr. President, my chief of Staff thinks the project should be under the army instead of the Thinkers Foundation.

[Maisie]

Mr. President, this is the way Mazzy designed the project.

[Mr. President]

I know, I know. That's what I told him. Still, I wish you people could bring back a few of those wise little devils from Mars. It would be a good thing for the party, the country.

[Maisie]

It's quite unthinkable. The telepathic abilities of the Martians make them extremely sensitive. The conflicts of ordinary Earth minds would impinge on them psychotically. Only the thinkers can contact them because of the clear training and errorless memory chains. Perhaps someday in the future. Ah, there goes the rocket.

[Mr. President]

Beautiful.

[Jan Tregeran]

Beautiful.

[Maisie]

I am ready to submit the question tapes to Maisie. Stand back, gentlemen.

[Mr. President]

Sorry. Sorry.

[Maisie]

And now. All right, gentlemen, Maisie is thinking.

[George Helmut]

The question tape. Like. Like a New Year's streamer tossed out of a high window into the night, sped on its dark way along spinning rollers, curling with an intricate aimlessness. It tantalized the silver fingers of a thousand relays saucily evaded the glances of 10,000 electric eyes impishly darted down a narrow black alleyway of memory banks and reaching the center of the cube, suddenly emerged into a small room where a sweating fat man in shorts sat drinking beer.

[Jan Tregeran]

Here it comes. Get off my lap, honey. I've got work to do.

[Fred Collins]

Can it wait?

[Jan Tregeran]

I said get.

[Fred Collins]

Oh, you didn't have to do that.

[Jan Tregeran]

When Maisie thinks, she thinks. Open up another beer.

[Fred Collins]

Look, I'm not a robo barmaid, honey.

[Jan Tregeran]

Do what you're told or I'll ship you out where they'll work some of the upholstery off that frame slopping radioactive mud.

[Fred Collins]

You don't have to get nasty, Jan. Here's your beer.

[Maisie]

That's better.

[Fred Collins]

It makes you fat.

[Jan Tregeran]

I like to be fat. It makes our relationship more poignant. Pass me the questions. And get over to your keyboard.

[Fred Collins]

You're a greasy pig.

[Jan Tregeran]

But such an attractive pig. Start taping. Why that dirty.

[Fred Collins]

What's the matter?

[Jan Tregeran]

One of the questions. Does Maisie stand for Male Zell?

[Fred Collins]

For what?

[Jan Tregeran]

Male Zell does it? Look, you just keep sitting on your brains and let me do the thinking tape. Maisie does not stand for Male Zel. Maisie stands for Amazing. Humorously given the form of a girl's name.

[Fred Collins]

Who is Male Zell?

[Jan Tregeran]

Edgar Allan Poe.

[Maisie]

Huh?

[Jan Tregeran]

It's a story male tells chess player about an automaton that was supposed to play chess. Poe proved it had a man inside it.

[Fred Collins]

Oh, and they want to know if Maisie. They're wrong. Maisie doesn't have a man inside it. Just a lump of conceited lard. You could have hit me with that. Look at my dress.

[Jan Tregeran]

Get me another glass of beer. I must have come from the physics section at the research institute Opali in that eight park war. And we'll look into that. All right, start taping. Question 1. The midterm election vidicast should be spaced as follows.

[George Helmut]

Morton Opera. Lee's living room was quite behind the times. Instead of reading tapes, there were books. And Instead of a 4x6 TV screen, there was a Picasso, still faintly radioactive from being smuggled out of the Manhattan Crater. Two physicists faced each other across the table. Old Mr. Opperly and young Mr. Farquhar.

[Mr. Opperly]

About that male Zell question. Willie, why do you keep teasing the zoo animals?

[Willard Farquhar]

Because the thinkers are charlatans who must be exposed. We know their Maisie is no more than a tea leaf reading fake. We've traced their Mars rockets and we Know they go into orbit 500 miles above Earth and stay there until it's time to come down with the latest miraculous Martian mental science.

[Mr. Opperly]

But we've already exposed the thinkers very thoroughly. You know the good it did. The age we live in wants magicians. A scientist tells people the truth. When times are good. When the truth offers no threat, people don't mind. But when times are very, very bad, well, a magician tells people what they wish were true. That perpetual motion works, that colored lights can cure cancer, that a psychosis is no worse than a bad cold. And that they live forever. In good times, magicians are laughed at. They're the luxury of a spoiled, wealthy few. But in bad times, people sell their souls for magic cures and buy perpetual motion machines to power their war rockets.

[Willard Farquhar]

Are we supposed to beg off from a job because it's difficult and dangerous?

[Mr. Opperly]

In my day, Willard, I was one of the frightened men. Later, I was one of the angry men. And then one of the minds of despair. Now I'm convinced that all of my reactions were futile.

[Willard Farquhar]

Exactly. You reacted. You didn't act. If you men who discovered atomic energy had only formed a secret league. If you'd only had the guts and foresight to use your tremendous bargaining power.

[Mr. Opperly]

Millard, we scientists weren't the stuff of which cloak and dagger men are made. Can you imagine Oppenheimer wearing a mask? Or old Einstein sneaking into the White House with a bomb in his briefcase? That's not the way power receives. New ideas aren't useful to men bargaining for power. Only established facts or lies are.

[Willard Farquhar]

What do you want to do? Surrender the world to charlatans without a struggle? The thinkers are vulnerable. Their power is based on a series of lies.

[Mr. Opperly]

For all power is the greater the lie, the greater the power.

[Willard Farquhar]

What's it based on? A few lucky guesses. Some faith healing, some science. Hocus pocus.

[Mr. Opperly]

The power of the thinkers isn't based on what they've got, but on what the world hasn't got. Peace, honor, a good conscience.

[Maisie]

They've sent for me.

[Mr. Opperly]

Who? Jan Tregeran?

[Maisie]

No, George.

[Willard Farquhar]

Helmut. I got the radiogram an hour ago. They know they'll have to produce a real nuclear rocket pretty soon. And they'll need our help.

[Mr. Opperly]

I'm afraid, Willie.

[Willard Farquhar]

You think it might be a trap? After the Malezel question, you think they might want to shut me up?

[Mr. Opperly]

I'm not afraid for your life. I'm worried about other things they might do to you.

[Willard Farquhar]

They'd better be worried about the things I'm going to do to them.

[Mr. President]

Martian Peace to you. Willard Farquhar, you have entered the Thinkers Foundation. Please remain on the slideway.

[Willard Farquhar]

I want to see George Helmut.

[Mr. President]

May we take your hat and coat?

[Jan Tregeran]

What?

[Mr. President]

Sir, do not be alarmed. Invisible radiations are slaughtering all the germs in your body, while more delicate emanations are producing a benign rearrangement of your emotions.

[Willard Farquhar]

Claptrap. I can recognize a 14 cycle sonic note when I hear one. Where's Helmut?

[Mr. President]

This way, please.

[Willard Farquhar]

Helmut, cut out all this swami stuff. Where are you?

[Jan Tregeran]

I'm afraid Mr. Helmut won't be able to meet you. Mr. Farquhar. I'm Jan Tregeran. Perhaps you can have your conversation with me.

[George Helmut]

George Helmuth waited in a conference room with two dozen empty chairs. He had prepared by two hours rest with the Samno teacher on full volume for this conference. Having strengthened his mind by hard years of Somno learning, memory straightening and sensory training, he had assured himself of the executive power to control the technicians and direct their specialized abilities. Together they would have built the true Mars rocket. But unfortunately, no one came.

[Maisie]

Where are they?

[Mr. President]

Report no word from the door Master.

[Maisie]

They can't all be late. Did you check?

[Mr. President]

The calls have been put through.

[Maisie]

What response?

[Mr. President]

Dr. Burnside reports he received the second message just in time.

[Maisie]

What second message?

[Mr. President]

The message calling off the meeting.

[Maisie]

Did he read the text of the second message back?

[Mr. President]

Shall I play it back?

[Maisie]

Never mind. How was it signed? The signature.

[Mr. President]

Signature. Mr. Yan Tron.

[George Helmut]

George Helmut dejectedly examined his organizational charts. And then, tapping his stylo on the pad, he extended his mental aura, cleared his memory chains of error, accelerated his cerebral processes by the harbor garrison process he had practiced for so many years. Slowly, he could feel the tight heart squeezing disappointment in. He was in control again. Trigger. And he was the one to blame. Trigger. And who was so used to working by deception that he must be shown the light.

[Mr. Opperly]

Well, Willard, how was your adventure among the magicians?

[Willard Farquhar]

Well, they didn't hurt me.

[Mr. Opperly]

You're sure? And are you as determined as ever to smash and expose the thinkers?

[Willard Farquhar]

Of course. Only from now on, I won't embarrass you by asking any male Zell questions. After this, I shall bore from within.

[Mr. Opperly]

Now where have I heard that phrase before? Do I understand that you are becoming a thinker, Willard?

[Willard Farquhar]

Certainly. That's the only way to smash them out. Trick all their trickeries, organize a fifth column, then strike the end.

[Mr. Opperly]

Justifying the means, of course.

[Willard Farquhar]

Of course.

[Mr. Opperly]

I wonder if becoming a thinker doesn't simply mean that you've decided to use lies and tricks as your chief method. Well, you're working with Helmuth, not Helmuth.

[Willard Farquhar]

Trage. I'm afraid that Helmut's career as a thinker is going to have quite a setback.

[Jan Tregeran]

Goodbye, Willie.

[Maisie]

I want to talk to you.

[Fred Collins]

Shall I leave?

[Maisie]

No, please stay, young.

[Jan Tregeran]

Stay. You ought to enjoy this, George. Has that errorless memory channel trigger on?

[Maisie]

You know why I'm here.

[Jan Tregeran]

I don't know. I've been sadly remiss on my precognition and clairvoyance exercise. I've been too busy with other things, other people, other exercises. But I don't need Major to guess.

[Maisie]

You just went ahead and cancelled the conference without consulting me.

[Jan Tregeran]

You called it without consulting me. Shouldn't do that sort of a thing, George.

[Maisie]

I was absolutely sure of my ground. Perfectly prepared. I visualized it. The rocket boosting up on chemical power, then setting sail, sail, sail.

[Jan Tregeran]

Our nuclear reactor rockets. These are your fabulous.

[Maisie]

Yes. Sailors. Thin streams of nuclear reflecting material. And the rocket feeding mason streams behind it. I conceived it all complete, except for technical details.

[Jan Tregeran]

George, you are a thinker. A real thinker.

[Maisie]

I know.

[Jan Tregeran]

Now look here, George. Every man should stick to his trade. Technology isn't ours.

[Maisie]

You know as well as I do that we're going to have a nuclear spaceship and actually go to Mars someday.

[Jan Tregeran]

Are we?

[Maisie]

Yes. Just as we're going to have to build an actual. Maisie, I helped you organize the thinkers. At least I was your first partner. Our basic idea was that the time had come to apply science to the life of man on a large scale. The only thing holding the world back from this was the ignorance and superstition of the average man. And the stubbornness and lack of enterprise of the academic scientists. Their worship of facts even when the facts were clearly dangerous.

[Jan Tregeran]

Splendid. Splendid. Caddy, get me another beer.

[Fred Collins]

I'm filing my nails. All right, all right.

[Maisie]

Everybody wanted the new world. The trips to Mars, the knowledge of the human brain. All they lacked was the nerve to take the first big step. And that was what we supplied.

[Fred Collins]

Here's your beer.

[Maisie]

There was no time for slow and careful project. We couldn't afford to check and double check. We couldn't wait for the grudging approval of the professionals. We had to use fake stunts, tricks, anything to get over the big point. Once that was done, mankind was headed down the new road. It was easy to just heal the breach with the professionals. To make good in actuality what had been made good in pretense.

[Jan Tregeran]

Very good.

[Maisie]

The beer we built, Maisie. We built the Mars rocket. We discovered the wisdom of the Martians. We sold the people and the science. The professionals had been too high toned to advertise or bring into the marketplace. But now that we'd succeeded, it's time to let accomplishment catch up with imagination, to implement fantasy with fact. You suppose I would have gone in with you if I hadn't known that someday we'd actually make what we claimed we had already made?

[Jan Tregeran]

Oh, is that it, Jan?

[Maisie]

The day's come and I'm the man. I've prepared myself.

[Jan Tregeran]

Caddy, clear the decks.

[Fred Collins]

All right. I know you just want room to point that fat finger.

[Maisie]

I want her to stay.

[Jan Tregeran]

All right, George, look. Every revolutionary wants to see the big change take place in his lifetime, but time for the second step. George. The average man's exactly where he was 10 years ago when we took over. Except he's got a new God. More than ever, he thinks of Mars as a Hollywood paradise with wise men and yummy princesses like Caddy here.

[Fred Collins]

You think I'm yummy? Really?

[Jan Tregeran]

Shut up. Maisie is his mama magnified a million times. The professional scientists, they're more jealous of Stuffy than ever. All they like to do is turn the clock back to a genteel dream world of square caps and quadrangling.

[Fred Collins]

Bravo.

[Jan Tregeran]

I said shut up, Josh. Maybe in 10,000 years we'll be ready for the second big step. Meanwhile, the clever will rule the stupid. The realists will rule the dreamers. George, did you actually think you could have bossed those professionals? Nuclear scientists, rocket physicists. Oh, now listen to me, Boy, they'd have torn you to pieces in 20 minutes. And glad of the chance. George, you baffled me. You know that Maisie, and the Mars trips and all that are fakes. Yet you believe in your somnolearning and consciousness expansion and optimism pumping like a corn fed Yoko.

[Maisie]

There is a place for the man who has the courage to dream.

[Jan Tregeran]

Sure, in a straight jacket. Oh, George, you remind me of those men who used to put out those Lord little magazines with Caddy's grandmother on the COVID In outer space in a stripped down bathing suit.

[Fred Collins]

My grandmother never.

[Jan Tregeran]

I said shut up. That's what it is. Frustrated little men playing science God to generations of pimply high school chemistry students and gas station attendants conning them into thinking they're in the know, sprinkling a few formulas for the garbage and playing atom smasher and then being very solemn about the role of imagination in science. George, the trouble with you is they forgot to take your zap gun and space cadet decoder pin away from you when you turn 13.

[Maisie]

That's your honest opinion?

[Jan Tregeran]

It's more than that, George. Get a hold of yourself and quit taking fantasy in the veins. That's an order, Jan.

[Maisie]

The strange part of it is that I know as well as you do that Maisie and the Mars trips are fakes. But some things aren't. The human mind, Jan, is a tool that hasn't been perfected yet. There are more things in heaven and earth than are dreamed of in your philosophy, Horatio.

[Fred Collins]

Who's Horatio?

[Jan Tregeran]

I said shut up. This is the last full cackle joy. You've been fooling around with esp, huh? Telepathy? Maybe a little hypnotism.

[Maisie]

Maybe.

[Jan Tregeran]

All right. Guess what I've got in my drawer. Extend your consciousness. Telepath it, visualize it. Never mind. I'll save you the mental effort. It's a pistol, see? Now, let me tell you something. I got a couple of boys waiting outside. They'll take you by jet to New Mexico. George, congratulations. You're leaving for Mars tomorrow. Mars?

[Mr. President]

Yes.

[Jan Tregeran]

I've decided Mars would be the best place for you. We'll arrange it so that your trip is, say, two years long. Perhaps in that time orbiting up there, you'll learn a little Martian wisdom. For example, the big liar must never fall for his own lie. Meanwhile, I got a replacement for you. His name is Willard Farquhar.

[Maisie]

But I sent for him.

[Jan Tregeran]

Yes. You see, I too believe in cooperation with the scientists. But by subversion, I'll offer them the hand of friendship with a big fat bribe in it. You know what the bribe is? The power to destroy me. That's what I'm offering. Join us, learn our secrets. Bore from within. Bide your time before you strike. But while he's biting, I'll have him. And when he's ready to strike, you'll find it's not quite the time. Wait a little bit. Enjoy the power play with fat old Jan Tregeran. Like a cat. And by then, I'll have him.

[Maisie]

You can't replace me, Jan. Oh, you.

[Jan Tregeran]

Were a good man, George, when we needed catchy slogans, Ray guns, plastic helmets, fancy sweaters.

[Maisie]

I warned you, Jan. Don't underestimate the mind, the human brain. Even Caddy here is a fascinating instrument. For example, I had a little talk with Caddy last week.

[Fred Collins]

Very boring.

[Maisie]

Ah, but useful. But when we were finished, her mind had something it didn't have before.

[Jan Tregeran]

You always were educational.

[Maisie]

Caddy. Look at me. Look at me. Look at me. Now put your hand on his arm. Now now take his gun.

[Jan Tregeran]

Keddie, are you crazy?

[Fred Collins]

I've got his gun. What? Now?

[Maisie]

You see, John, there is a place for the dreamer. The man who believes, who can use his mind. Going to get rid of you, Jan. Because the man who dares to dream will rule. Gaddy, look at me. Look at me. Point the gun at him. Look at me.

[Fred Collins]

I can't anymore. It's too ridiculous. Jan, take your silly gun back. It's too heavy.

[Maisie]

Teddy. Teddy, I command you.

[Jan Tregeran]

Look at me. Look at me. The power of the mind. Hey, boys, come in and get him. I. I don't understand.

[Maisie]

Look at me.

[Fred Collins]

Oh, all right. I'll look at you. Poor Superman.

[Narrator]

You have just heard X minus 1. Presented by the National Broadcasting Company in cooperation with Galaxy Science Fiction magazine, which this month features. You go by E.C.

[George Helmut]

Tubb.

[Narrator]

Which proves that for pure chilling horror, nothing can beat cold hard facts. Galaxy magazine on your newsstand today. Tonight, by transcription, X minus one has brought you appointment in tomorrow. A story from the pages of Galaxy, written by Fritz Leiber and adapted for radio by Ernest Kanoy. Featured in the cast were Ted Osborne, Dean Alquist, Pat Hosley, Bob Hastings, Arthur Hughes and Charles Penman. Your narrator was Floyd Mack. This is Fred Collins. X minus one was directed by Daniel Sutter and is an NBC Radio Network production.