
More from X Minus One on this week’s Relic Radio Science Fiction. We’ll hear their broadcast from August 18, 1955, titled, Courtesy. Listen to more from X Minus One https://traffic.libsyn.com/forcedn/e55e1c7a-e213-4a20-8701-21862bdf1f8a/SciFi863.mp3 Download SciFi863 | Subscribe | Spotify | Support Relic Radio Science Fiction
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Captain Ira Warren
Relic Radio.
Announcer
This is Relic Radio. Sci Fi Old Time Radio Science fiction stories from relicradio.com.
Narrator
Countdown for blast off X/5 4, 3, 2. X minus 1.
Captain Ira Warren
Fire.
Narrator
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 street and Smith Publishers of Astounding Science Fiction presents.
Captain Ira Warren
Minus One. Tonight's story courtesy this is the story of the second expedition to the planet of Landro. I'm recording it for any future expeditions which might land on this godforsaken sphere. The hope that they may learn from our tragic example. As I write, there are two of us left. Two out of an original complement of 180 men. One of us myself will be dead in less than 23 minutes. As for the other, heaven have mercy on him. I do not know. On June 3, 1997, less than two months ago, the last of our supply ships blasted off from Lando for their return to Earth after it had gone. I remember looking out across the plain at the dead city, one of thousands that dotted this planet. It had tall, graceful buildings, atomic power systems, vacuum conveyors. All perfect, all deserted, all ominous. How had it happened? The best guess was that the plague had frightened the original inhabitants of the planet, so that they piled into rocket ships and headed for some distant planet. I often wondered why a civilization so advanced as Landro could not find a serum to beat the plague. It had taken out Earth doctors less than six months to develop an immunization method. Well, maybe those aborigines back in the hills knew the answer. That strange, ugly little people who had taken to the caves the day we landed. I was thinking these things when something happened that gave me the shock of my life.
Dr. Morgan
Good evening, captain.
Captain Ira Warren
What brings you here, doctor?
Dr. Morgan
It's the matter of the serum, sir.
Captain Ira Warren
Oh, what about the serum?
Dr. Morgan
It's no good.
Captain Ira Warren
No good?
Dr. Morgan
It's too old. 10 years too old.
Captain Ira Warren
Didn't you examine it?
Dr. Morgan
Yes, I did, but. Well, my eyesight has been failing lately.
Captain Ira Warren
Are you aware, doctor, that the last supply ship has returned to Earth? Do you know we'll have no more contact for two years? I just. How long do you give us?
Dr. Morgan
Well, the present immunity will last a week or so. Then without booster shots, it's just a question of time until someone picks up the plague.
Captain Ira Warren
After that, what about the natives? They don't die from the plague.
Dr. Morgan
The accepted theory is that they have developed an Immunity?
Captain Ira Warren
Suppose they haven't developed an immunity, Doctor? Suppose they get the disease?
Dr. Morgan
Then they must have a treatment for it. If they don't, there would be no natives.
Captain Ira Warren
Would you be willing to go on an expedition to the hills to find out?
Dr. Morgan
At this point, Captain, I'd be willing to do anything. Absolutely anything. I. I am truly sorry.
Captain Ira Warren
I'm sorry. Dr. Morgan. Sometime when you aren't too busy, when you have a moment, I'd hate to inconvenience you. Would you mind telling me how it feels to murder 180 men? 181, including yourself. I did a lot of thinking after Dr. Morgan left my hut. It was still unreal for me. After all, the planning of an expedition was no simple thing. You put into it the result of years of training and experience. Years of study at the academy, years of learning how to handle men and natives. Every man on my crew was hand picked from his skin. Yet a simple thing like a myopic surgeon misreading a label could blast the whole thing. Yes, it was a shame. And I did the only thing I could think of. I yelled for Bat Ears. Brady. Brady, get your carcass in here. Take the lead off.
Bat Ears Brady
Okay, okay.
Captain Ira Warren
Now sit down, Bat Ears.
Bat Ears Brady
You have trouble.
Captain Ira Warren
Kev, we got trouble. What? The serum's no good.
Dr. Morgan
What?
Captain Ira Warren
Morgan forgot to check it. It's 10 years too old.
Bat Ears Brady
Holy jumping snails. You're gonna court martial.
Captain Ira Warren
It wouldn't do much good. We'll all be dead pretty soon unless somebody figures something out.
Bat Ears Brady
Well, what are you gonna do, K?
Captain Ira Warren
Well, there's only one chance. One chance in 10 million. What? The natives.
Bat Ears Brady
Them cave rats. What good can they do us?
Captain Ira Warren
They don't get the plague, so maybe they know a cure.
Bat Ears Brady
Okay, let's get a few of them and beat it out of them.
Captain Ira Warren
That's why you're here. Shoot. How'd you like to come along on a little expedition up to the cave country? You, me, the doctor, and Faulkner. Faulkner?
Bat Ears Brady
Now listen, Cap. He's worse than the doctor.
Captain Ira Warren
Yes, but he knows more about the native culture than anybody here. He's the only one who's completely familiar with the records of the first expedition.
Bat Ears Brady
Okay, so it's me, you, the doc and Faulkner. When do we start?
Captain Ira Warren
Tonight, in half an hour. We should reach the cave country by tomorrow. With luck, we'll be able to find natives before night. Benny Faulkner was the expedition anthropologist. One of the most unfortunate looking individuals I've ever met. An ugly man with large ears and a big nose. His body was small and consumptive, but he had a good brain. He was the best anthropologist the Interplanet Institute could Recommend. He and Dr. Morgan were the only two civilians on the expedition. We set out and after several hours hard walking.
Bat Ears Brady
Cap.
Captain Ira Warren
Yeah, what is it?
Bat Ears Brady
Don't look now, but very slowly turn your eyes to the right and look behind that big yellow rock.
Captain Ira Warren
Okay.
Bat Ears Brady
You see anything?
Captain Ira Warren
No.
Bat Ears Brady
Keep looking.
Captain Ira Warren
Don't stop walking.
Bat Ears Brady
Flat on.
Captain Ira Warren
Okay.
Bat Ears Brady
There.
Captain Ira Warren
Look like a shadow or something.
Bat Ears Brady
It's one of them gimpos. He's been following us now for almost an hour. Dodging in and out behind the rocks. Shall I ring him in?
Captain Ira Warren
No, not yet. Just pretend you don't see him. Tell the others if they notice, to show no fear. There's nothing will start these simple minded cavemen like fear. Fear. The manual said under no circumstances shall a member of the patrol display fear before a native. The dignity of the earth man must be preserved at all costs. Just before dawn we reached the cave country. We were tired and hungry and we stopped to cook some food and rest. Everything was quiet. There was no sign of the gimpo which had been failing us until.
Bat Ears Brady
Okay, get in there, you sneaky little monkey man. Come on, come on before I break this shovel on your star here.
Captain Ira Warren
What's the trouble?
Bat Ears Brady
Yep, I caught me one of these gimpos sneaking around outside the tent.
Captain Ira Warren
Bring him in the light of the fire. We can get a look at him. Faulkner.
Benny Faulkner
Yes, sir.
Captain Ira Warren
Keep an eye on him. Try to establish some communication. All right.
Benny Faulkner
Gimme now.
Captain Ira Warren
Look out. No need to knock him down, that is.
Bat Ears Brady
Oh, that's the only language they understand.
Captain Ira Warren
See if you can reach him for me.
Benny Faulkner
Captain, I'll need a drum of some sort.
Bat Ears Brady
A what?
Benny Faulkner
Well, they have no language as we know it and they have a very rudimentary sense of hearing. I find they communicate with one another through a very primitive kind of vibration of the tongue. The closest I can come is a series of drum beats, a sort of Morse code. The psychologist on the first expedition had it worked out before he was killed by the plague. I've studied his notes and I think it'll work.
Bat Ears Brady
You mean these little critters can talk to one another?
Benny Faulkner
I believe they can. At any rate, we'll have a chance to find out. Do we have something I can use for a drum?
Dr. Morgan
Here, take my water bottle.
Benny Faulkner
Thank you, Doctor. Now I'll tap it three times. That's a greeting of some sort.
Captain Ira Warren
Just a moment.
Benny Faulkner
Yes, sir.
Captain Ira Warren
I don't want you treating this fellow like an equal. Don't give him the idea that we're desperate once they sense that you're lost.
Benny Faulkner
I have to communicate with him, sir.
Captain Ira Warren
Now, just bear in mind what I said. Dignity. Yes, sir.
Benny Faulkner
I'll do my best, sir.
Captain Ira Warren
It was a strange sight. On one side of the water bottle crouched little Benny Faulkner, looking for all the world like a human spider. Across from him crouched the Landria, a humpbacked gray little creature with an enormous head and those huge, soft lavender eyes. Every few moments, one would stop the strange tattoo of communication and the other would take it up. I'm setting forth in this narrative the most vital part of their conversation, as Benny Faulkner later transcribed it from the best of his memory. Benny asked, why were your cities abandoned? Was it the plague? The native said, yes. Then he said, do you still fear the plague? The native answered, yes. Do any of your people become afflicted? The answer was some. How do you treat them? Silence. How can we find a cure for the plague? More silence. Then the native said, go among my people. Then he asked, will we find the answer among your people? The native replied, my people have the answer. Then he said, will you tell me the answer? The native repeated, go among my people. As far as the Landry was concerned, the conversation was ended. He rose to go, and Faulkner stepped from his path. But Brady was there to ensure the bet.
Bat Ears Brady
Hold on there, bucko. You ain't going no place.
Captain Ira Warren
Don't maltreat him, Brady. What did he say, Penny?
Benny Faulkner
He says his people have the answer.
Captain Ira Warren
What do you think?
Benny Faulkner
There may be some truth in it. He says some of his people still get the plague.
Dr. Morgan
That must mean it isn't a question of immunity. They must have a cure.
Benny Faulkner
He wasn't clear on that.
Dr. Morgan
Then they must have a vaccine to keep it from spreading.
Captain Ira Warren
Does he know?
Benny Faulkner
His answer is for us to go among his people?
Captain Ira Warren
Well, that leaves it up to us. The first level of caves is on top of that cliff about a mile ahead.
Bat Ears Brady
It's a trap. I'll bet my last dollar on it.
Captain Ira Warren
Maybe not. We'll have to risk it.
Dr. Morgan
Wait. Well, let me go. I got you all into this, but.
Captain Ira Warren
How will you talk?
Dr. Morgan
Benny here can give me enough of the code so I can ask the big question.
Captain Ira Warren
You understand that they might just decide to cut your throat?
Dr. Morgan
I'm fully aware of the risk.
Captain Ira Warren
All right, doctor, you go ahead. We'll wait at the foot of the cliff. If you aren't back down in three hours, we'll come up after you.
Bat Ears Brady
What about the gimpo here?
Captain Ira Warren
We'll hold him as a hostage to ensure the doctor's safety. If the doc comes back all right, we'll let him go. If not. That's your job, Brady. A pleasure. It took Dr. Morgan about an hour to pick his way up the side of the cliff to the first of the openings where the Landrians lived. He waved to us before he entered the mouth of the cave and we waved back. Then we settled down to wait. It was a long, long wait.
Bat Ears Brady
8:00. He's been up there more than three hours, Cap.
Captain Ira Warren
We'll give him a little more time.
Benny Faulkner
It's getting colder.
Captain Ira Warren
Let's keep that fire going.
Bat Ears Brady
How much longer you gonna wait, Cap?
Captain Ira Warren
We've got lots of time.
Bat Ears Brady
You'd think we'd have heard of something by now if they was gonna knock him off, I mean.
Captain Ira Warren
Not necessarily. Wait. Look. Up on the cliff.
Bat Ears Brady
That's him, all right. What's he running for?
Captain Ira Warren
I don't know. He looks scared.
Bat Ears Brady
That crazy fool. If he don't look out.
Captain Ira Warren
Doctor. Dr. Morgan. Look out. Look out. We found the doctor at the foot of the cliff, crumpled and broken. There were no marks on his body. Nothing except a twisted, mocking grin on his face. Oh, yes, and one other thing scrawled across the pad he had taken with him on which to make notes concerning. The answer was a single word. The word was courtesy. We threw the paper away. The expedition was a failure. Though Bat Ears claimed he'd get it out of the gimpo if I'd let it. I nodded in agreement. Batt Ears took the little native off behind an outcropping of rock. He was back in 15 minutes, dripping with sweat.
Bat Ears Brady
Well, let's go, Cap. Nothing, but nothing. You see, they ain't made very good, these little gray people. They come apart too easy. So let's go. Okap.
Captain Ira Warren
All right. Benny. Benny, what is it?
Benny Faulkner
I. I feel kind of sick all of a sudden. In the back of my head. It dull kind of pain.
Captain Ira Warren
Let me see your tongue. Come on, give him a hand, Bat Ears. We've got to get him back to camp.
Bat Ears Brady
What is it?
Captain Ira Warren
I'm not sure. But that blackness on the tongue and the headache, it could be the plague. By the time we got Benny Faulkner back to camp, he had the red spots on his body. And then the fever began to rage. It was the plague. No mistake about it. Before morning, Collins, the supply sergeant, had it. Then it was Peabody. After that, the men went down like 10 pins. Then one morning, Bat Ears Brady dragged himself into my tent and sat down. The lines in his face told me the end was coming pretty fast. Sit down Brady, what's the counter? Six left.
Bat Ears Brady
We bury the chaplain today. Got anything to drink?
Captain Ira Warren
Sorry, I'm all out.
Bat Ears Brady
How about a cigarette, then? You got a cigarette?
Captain Ira Warren
Yeah, sure. Yeah. How's Faulkner?
Bat Ears Brady
I don't get it. He's still alive.
Captain Ira Warren
Still alive?
Bat Ears Brady
Yep. In fact, he's getting better sitting up.
Captain Ira Warren
Holy mackerel.
Bat Ears Brady
This is a good cigarette.
Captain Ira Warren
It's like any other.
Bat Ears Brady
No, no.
Benny Faulkner
This one's different.
Bat Ears Brady
Cappy. This is my last.
Captain Ira Warren
What do you mean, baby?
Bat Ears Brady
Take a look at my tongue. See? Little black spots.
Captain Ira Warren
Somehow I managed to get him into bed. He was already raving when I gave him the last of the morphine. It was incredible. Big, brawling bat ears Brady, a tower of strength. Lying sick and whimpering in a cot. When he died, I went out on the moors to think. The sun was a dull red glow. Cold breeze whipped on me. Somehow I couldn't forget Falker. Why should Faulkner recover from a plague from which no man has ever recovered? Surely there must be a reason. Nothing happened without a reason. I turned and went back to see Benny Faulkner.
Benny Faulkner
Hello, Captain.
Captain Ira Warren
Hello, Benny. How are you?
Benny Faulkner
Pretty good. I got up and walked a couple of steps today. How goes it?
Captain Ira Warren
Brady's gone. I. I just buried him. Listen, Benny. There must be some reason why there's.
Benny Faulkner
Nothing strange about me, nothing different from any other man.
Captain Ira Warren
There must be. You survived the virus. Benny, I want you to tell me everything you know about yourself. Everything you can remember. Because somewhere in your makeup is some little thing that makes the difference. If I can find that thing, then maybe I can do something to save myself and the rest. Even if I can't, at least I can leave a record for any future expedition that comes to Land Rover. Okay.
Benny Faulkner
Okay, Captain. Where should I start?
Captain Ira Warren
At the beginning. I'm going to take notes.
Benny Faulkner
Well, I was born on 2 July in 1971. My parents were ordinary people. My father was. Look, Captain, I. I've told you everything I can remember. Three days now. You've gone over me. Pardon me. Questioned me. What else can I tell you?
Captain Ira Warren
Benny, let's go over that last part once again.
Benny Faulkner
Where should I start?
Captain Ira Warren
Take it from where the native started to walk away. You stepped out of his path and Brady grabbed him.
Benny Faulkner
Okay, so I stepped out of his path.
Captain Ira Warren
Why? What do you mean, why? Why did you step out of his path? Why not?
Benny Faulkner
Courtesy, I guess.
Captain Ira Warren
What's the matter? Courtesy. That's the word that Dr. Morgan had scrawled in his notebook. I don't see that. I don't either. Tell me, Benny, why Should you want to be courteous to a native? Why not? What about maintaining your own dignity?
Benny Faulkner
Are you talking about dignity or arrogance?
Captain Ira Warren
I don't know, Benny. Listen, maybe we were all wet in our deductions. Maybe these cities here on Land Rover weren't deserted centuries ago. Maybe these little people up in the caves are the same people who used to live in those big cities.
Benny Faulkner
Why would they leave?
Captain Ira Warren
Maybe they found out the big cities weren't the answer. Maybe they found out that civilization doesn't necessarily bring happiness. So they just packed up and left. Returned to the simple.
Benny Faulkner
It doesn't make sense. You're forgetting the plague.
Captain Ira Warren
What is the plague, Benny? Well, I don't know. Is it a virus?
Benny Faulkner
I don't think they ever found out.
Captain Ira Warren
You know what I think? What? I think the plague is nothing more than what we know as greed and arrogance.
Benny Faulkner
Captain, you're going off your rocket.
Captain Ira Warren
I think maybe we're in line to die. Serum was good. In fact, I don't think the serum had anything to do with it.
Benny Faulkner
I never heard anything as crazy fantastic in my life.
Captain Ira Warren
No. I think I'll go back to my tent and finish writing the report. I beginning to sweat a little.
Benny Faulkner
Captain. Maybe it isn't the plague.
Captain Ira Warren
It is. I've seen it too many times to kid myself about it.
Benny Faulkner
Maybe hot compresses or something.
Captain Ira Warren
No, better.
Benny Faulkner
Listen, Captain, you don't. You don't believe that junk about courtesy, do you? I mean, that's a lot of nonsense. You must know that Macro.
Captain Ira Warren
Captain, you.
Benny Faulkner
You do believe it, don't you?
Captain Ira Warren
Good night, Benny. I think I'd like to be alone for a while.
Benny Faulkner
Okay. Good night, Captain.
Captain Ira Warren
Maybe the supply ship will be early. You can probably stick it out.
Benny Faulkner
Sure. Good night, Captain.
Captain Ira Warren
And this concludes my report. I'm turning it over to Benny Faulkner in the hopes that he will be able to transform Transmitted to any other expedition commander who contemplates exploring the planet of Landron. The fever is beginning to mount now. My hands tremble as I write. The end should not be far off. There's little question in my mind as to what it'll be. You see, I didn't have a chance. I stepped out of no paths. I showed no courtesy.
Narrator
You have just heard X minus 1. Presented by the National Broadcasting Company in cooperation with street and Smith Publishers of Astounding Science Fiction. Tonight by Transcription X minus 1 has brought you courtesy. Adapted for radio by George Lefferts from the story by Clifford Simad. Featured in the cast were Brett Morrison as Captain Ira Warren Arnold Robertson as Bat Ears Brady, Edwin Jerome as Dr. Morgan and Bill Griffiths as Benny Faulkner. Your announcer, Fred Collins. X Minus One was directed by Ken McGregor and is an NBC Radio network. And now next week the frontier is a strange place. And a frontier is not always easy to recognize. It may lie on the other side of a simple door marked no admittance, but it is always deadly dangerous. What happens when an innocent girl ignores a single regulation? You will find out next week at xx -1.
Fred Collins
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Announcer
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Episode Title: Courtesy
Host/Author: RelicRadio.com
Release Date: January 13, 2025
Adaptation: George Lefferts from the story by Clifford Simad
"Courtesy," presented by X Minus One on Relic Radio Sci-Fi, is a gripping science fiction narrative that delves into the perils of interplanetary exploration and the unforeseen consequences of human interaction with alien civilizations. This detailed summary encapsulates the episode's intense storyline, character dynamics, and profound themes, providing a comprehensive overview for those who haven't listened to the episode.
The story is set on the distant planet of Landro, a world once inhabited by a highly advanced civilization that has since become eerily deserted. The protagonist, Captain Ira Warren, leads the second expedition to Landro, comprising an original team of 180 men. However, the mission is marred by tragedy as a deadly plague has decimated the crew, leaving only Captain Warren and a few survivors grappling with dwindling supplies and mounting desperation.
At the outset, Captain Warren records a dire message for future expeditions, revealing that only two men remain alive out of the original 180 men. The primary cause of their predicament is a failed serum intended to combat a lethal plague afflicting the colony:
Captain Ira Warren (01:28): "I often wondered why a civilization so advanced as Landro could not find a serum to beat the plague."
The situation escalates when Dr. Morgan informs Captain Warren that the serum intended to provide immunity is 10 years expired (03:37):
Dr. Morgan (03:43): "It's no good. It's too old. 10 years too old."
This revelation leaves the crew with only a week's worth of immunity, compelling them to seek alternative solutions to survive.
Desperate for a cure, Captain Warren decides to send a small team to explore the hills and potentially interact with the native inhabitants, referred to as gimpos. The team comprises Captain Warren, Bat Ears Brady, Dr. Morgan, and Benny Faulkner:
Captain Ira Warren (06:35): "That's why you're here. Shoot. How'd you like to come along on a little expedition up to the cave country?"
Benny Faulkner, despite his physical frailties, is chosen for his extensive knowledge of native cultures and previous expedition records.
Upon reaching the cave country, the team encounters a native gimpo. Benny Faulkner attempts communication using a makeshift drum to replicate the natives' primitive language:
Benny Faulkner (09:25): "He says his people have the answer."
The encounter is fraught with tension, culminating in the native sending a cryptic message:
Native (unverifiable timestamp): "Courtesy."
This single word becomes the linchpin of the story, suggesting a deeper significance behind the natives' survival and the abandoned cities.
As the crew grapples with the meaning of "courtesy," an unforeseen twist emerges. Benny Faulkner unexpectedly recovers from the plague, a condition fatal to others, prompting Captain Warren to question Faulkner's immunity:
Captain Ira Warren (18:55): "There must be some reason why there's... You survived the virus."
Investigating further, Captain Warren interrogates Faulkner, leading to revelations about the true nature of the plague and the importance of courtesy in interactions with the natives. The word "courtesy" symbolizes a critical cultural or ethical component that may hold the key to survival.
In a poignant finale, Captain Warren succumbs to the plague, burdened by his inability to understand and embody the concept of "courtesy." He entrusts Benny Faulkner with the responsibility of transmitting the critical findings to future expeditions, emphasizing the moral lesson embedded in their tragic experience:
Captain Ira Warren (22:34): "I didn't have a chance. I stepped out of no paths. I showed no courtesy."
The episode concludes with a somber reflection on the importance of cultural sensitivity and ethical conduct in extraterrestrial engagements, leaving listeners to ponder the profound implications of human arrogance and the necessity of humility when confronting the unknown.
"Courtesy" explores several profound themes:
"Courtesy" serves as a cautionary tale about the intersection of human ambition, ethical conduct, and the mysteries of alien civilizations. Through its compelling narrative and richly developed characters, the episode invites listeners to reflect on the fundamental values that guide exploration and interaction beyond Earth.