Kaleidoscope by Dimension X

Summary

Podcast Summary: Relic Radio Sci-Fi – "Kaleidoscope" by Dimension X

Episode Information

• Title: Kaleidoscope
• Series: Dimension X
• Release Date: November 25, 2024
• Host/Author: RelicRadio.com
• Description: Relic Radio Science Fiction presents "Kaleidoscope," an enthralling journey through space and time, adapted from Ray Bradbury's original story. Experience the gripping tale of survival, authority, and human emotion as portrayed by sci-fi’s greatest writers.

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Introduction

"Kaleidoscope," a standout episode from the Dimension X series, immerses listeners in a dramatic narrative set aboard the spacecraft Dimension X. The story delves into the psychological and emotional turmoil faced by the crew members after a catastrophic accident leaves them stranded in the vastness of space. Narrated with compelling dialogue and rich character development, the episode explores themes of leadership, sacrifice, regret, and human connection.

Plot Overview

The episode opens with Captain Hollis and Mr. Stone navigating their ship through space, striving to outpace Asiatic ships to claim Venus for humanity. Tensions rise as they encounter a magnetic storm filled with asteroids, forcing critical decisions that lead to a disastrous collision. The ship is destroyed, and the surviving crew members find themselves isolated in space, drifting apart with diminishing hope of rescue.

As Captain Hollis grapples with guilt and the looming certainty of his demise, Mr. Stone confronts him about the failed maneuver that led to their predicament. Their interactions devolve into acrimonious exchanges, revealing deep-seated frustrations and unspoken emotions. As they face the inevitability of death, hallucinations and visions blur the line between reality and memory, culminating in poignant reflections on their lives and relationships.

Character Analysis

Captain Hollis

• Portrayal: George Satters
• Role: The commanding officer whose obsession with triumph leads to tragic consequences.
• Arc: Captain Hollis begins as a determined leader focused on mission success. However, his inability to heed warnings and his fixation on legacy result in the ship’s destruction. Throughout the episode, Hollis battles with guilt, isolation, and the desperate need for redemption, ultimately leading to his tragic end.

Mr. Stone

• Portrayal: Ran Johnny
• Role: The ship’s doctor who challenges Hollis’s decisions.
• Arc: Mr. Stone serves as the voice of reason and morality aboard the ship. His confrontations with Hollis highlight the tension between duty and personal ethics. As the situation deteriorates, Stone becomes a figure of support and introspection, contemplating the value of life and the consequences of their choices.

Helen and Stevie

• Portrayal: John Alexander as Helen
• Role: Apparitions representing Captain Hollis’s family.
• Arc: Helen and Stevie symbolize Hollis’s longing for human connection and his regret over strained familial relationships. Their interactions provide a stark contrast to Hollis’s isolation, emphasizing his internal struggle and the emotional costs of his obsession.

Themes and Insights

Leadership and Responsibility The dynamic between Hollis and Stone underscores the burdens of leadership. Hollis’s determination blinds him to the dangers, while Stone’s insistence on caution reveals the ethical dilemmas leaders face.

Isolation and Madness As the crew members drift apart, the psychological strains of isolation lead to hallucinations and fragmented realities. This descent into madness highlights the fragility of the human mind when faced with extreme adversity.

Regret and Redemption Captain Hollis’s interactions with visions of his family reflect his deep-seated regret and desire for redemption. The episode poignantly explores how unresolved emotions can haunt individuals, especially in life-and-death scenarios.

Human Connection vs. Obsession The story juxtaposes the need for human connection against the destructive nature of obsession. Hollis’s fixation on mission success ultimately isolates him, suggesting that personal relationships hold greater value than professional achievements.

Notable Quotes

• Mr. Stone on Obedience and Sacrifice (00:02:10):

  "Those asteroid ships are dark. That's enough, Stone."

• Captain Hollis on Leadership and Lives (00:03:37):

  "It's a long way down. A long, long way down does have."

• Mr. Stone Confronting Hollis’s Obsession (00:04:10):

  "You and I, Louis, we live in the past and in the future, but..."

• Captain Hollis’s Desperate Plea (00:08:57):

  "I'm going to smash the faceplate on my helmet and let the oxygen escape."

• Mr. Stone Reflecting on Life Choices (00:24:32):

  "It's true. I never lived. But you know why? We were strangers. We never knew each other."

• Final Reflection on Humanity (00:26:16):

  "It's a beautiful old Earth, Lester. Good to go home."

Conclusion

"Kaleidoscope" masterfully weaves a tale of human frailty and the dire consequences of unbridled ambition. Through intense character interactions and a gripping plot, the episode invites listeners to ponder the depths of leadership, the importance of human connections, and the haunting nature of regret. The seamless blend of suspense and emotional resonance makes "Kaleidoscope" a memorable installment in the Dimension X series, showcasing the enduring power of science fiction to explore complex human emotions and societal themes.

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Attribution: "Kaleidoscope" was written for radio by George Leffert, based on the original story by Ray Bradbury. The cast featured George Satters as Captain Hollis, Ran Johnny as Mr. Stone, and John Alexander as Helen. The episode was hosted by Norman Rose, bringing to life this poignant Sci-Fi narrative.

Transcript

[Captain Hollis]

Relic Radio.

[Mr. Stone]

This is Relic Radio. Sci Fi Old Time Radio Science fiction stories from relicradio.com Adventures in Time and Space Transcribed in Future Tense the National Broadcasting Company in cooperation with street and Smith Publishers of Astounding Science Fiction Bring you Dimension X. The rocket drove through space like a silver fish in an endless tank with stars in black velocity swirling by. Inside her chase, tiny finite specks of humanity controlled the tremendous power that impelled her so relentlessly toward the other galaxies. Who were these men? What man's fantastic need and desire that caused them to abandon Mother Earth? Adventure to the ends of the universe. Captain Hollett. What is it, Sterling? Magnetic storm. Is that ahead, sir. And the aperture? About 100 mile gap between elements, sir, but shifting rapidly. Switch on the radar screen. Let's have a look. Yes, sir. There are asteroids in the. Captain. I see that. Thank you, Stone. Sir.

[Captain Hollis]

What?

[Mr. Stone]

Any change in course? What? For the storm, sir. If I decide to change course, I'll issue the order. At the rate we're approaching, it'll be too late to issue an order. Mr. Stone. Do I need to remind you who's master of this ship? Look, sir, there are 25 other lives to be considered besides your own. Those asteroid ships are dark. That's enough, Stone.

[Captain Hollis]

It's not enough, Captain.

[Mr. Stone]

Return to your post. Captain. For God's sake, don't be pigheaded about this. There's a magnetic storm. Get ahead.

[Captain Hollis]

Are you going to risk the lives.

[Mr. Stone]

Of all of us just so you can hang your hat on some lousy interplanetary record? We know this means a lot to you. Sure, you can be fleet admiral if you beat those Asiatic ships to Venus.

[Captain Hollis]

That's fine, but we value our lives.

[Mr. Stone]

I happen to value my life just as much as any man aboard this craft, Mr. Stone. But I wasn't brought up to be a lily. Live a dare. Nothing. I'll get back to your post or I'll have your court martial. Well, Mr. Stone. Okay. Okay what, Mr. Stone? Okay, sir. Impudent young chief. Maybe he's right. Lord. Well, you stick to being ship's doctor. You're good at that. I'll navigate this fish. You're the captain. Only I'd hate to pile up on some little asteroid. Especially when a simple thing like changing. Cold. Simple thing. Do you know what a change in course would mean? The slightest deflection would throw us a million miles off. At this speed, it takes days to get back on the vector. By that time, one of the Asiatic ships would have landed on Venus and claimed the whole Blasted planet. We're in a race, Charles. Well, suppose they did claim Venus as nothing but rocks and jungle. Anyway, it isn't that the idea of someone beating us? You know, Louis, I always get a little bit jittery when men are willing to die for symbols. Well, you're a cynic. Maybe.

[Captain Hollis]

Get Mullet. Get Mullet.

[Mr. Stone]

Mullet. What is it, Lester?

[Captain Hollis]

Detecting the radar tracking shows a foreign object at air.

[Mr. Stone]

What?

[Captain Hollis]

Check your screen, sir.

[Mr. Stone]

Good Lord. The whole blasted storm has shifted. Dead on. Exit room. Mission chamber, Fire up your starboard cyclotron. Aye, sir. You can't make it in time, Louis. This is that radar bounce. Shut up. Now hear this. Now hear this. Condition red passenger space suit over the fission chamber. Emergency blast. Piper, we did off. You think we'll make it? We've got to make it. Suppose one of those asteroids besides the ship. Will you shut up? It doesn't sound good, Lewis. Another five seconds. Four, three, two. There was a meteorite. Good. Guard.

[Captain Hollis]

Look out.

[Mr. Stone]

Hello?

[Captain Hollis]

Hello? Anyone? Can you hear me? I can see you floating out there. Can you hear me? For God's sake, answer if you can. I don't want to just float out here alone.

[Mr. Stone]

Stone, is that you?

[Captain Hollis]

Who is it?

[Mr. Stone]

Captain Hollis.

[Captain Hollis]

What happened?

[Mr. Stone]

We struck an asteroid. Ship blew up.

[Captain Hollis]

Is anybody else alive?

[Mr. Stone]

I don't know. I can see some space suits floating in space not far from me, but I don't know if they're alive.

[Captain Hollis]

Maybe they just don't hear it.

[Mr. Stone]

The radios are working. They do.

[Captain Hollis]

Hello? Hello? Somebody?

[Mr. Stone]

Doc, is that you? Lewis? Yes.

[Captain Hollis]

Thank God. Anybody else alive?

[Mr. Stone]

Stone?

[Captain Hollis]

Hello, Doctor. Oh, are you all right?

[Mr. Stone]

Okay, so far, that's three of us, anyway.

[Captain Hollis]

Lewis?

[Mr. Stone]

Yes, we.

[Captain Hollis]

We seem to be moving away from each other. That's right. I can hardly see you now.

[Mr. Stone]

It's the momentum. We're all thrown in different directions. Since there's no friction, we'll pick up speed.

[Captain Hollis]

Isn't there some way we could stick together at least?

[Mr. Stone]

I'm afraid not.

[Captain Hollis]

If there's no friction, then there's nothing to stop us.

[Mr. Stone]

That's right, Stone.

[Captain Hollis]

But then we'll just keep falling. Maybe forever.

[Mr. Stone]

Not forever. You'll fall until you get into one of the gravitational fields of some planet. After that, you'll fall toward the planet.

[Captain Hollis]

Mother in Heaven. What a way to die.

[Mr. Stone]

Nobody's going to die. Those Asiatic ships will be along. This way. We can radio to them when they get in range.

[Captain Hollis]

Aren't you forgetting something, Lewis?

[Mr. Stone]

What's that?

[Captain Hollis]

The commanders of those other ships may not be quite so willing to run through A magnetic storm. They may have altered course. If they have, they won't come within.

[Mr. Stone]

A million miles of us. We'll have to take our chances on that.

[Captain Hollis]

It's a long way down. A long, long way down does have.

[Mr. Stone]

No talk of that kind, Stone.

[Captain Hollis]

I don't want to die.

[Mr. Stone]

Stone. I said can it.

[Captain Hollis]

Can't yourself.

[Mr. Stone]

What?

[Captain Hollis]

You heard me. This is a mutiny of one. Don't try to pull your rank on me now, mister. You'll be 10,000 miles away in another hour.

[Mr. Stone]

Oh, help me. I'll have you caught, marshalled when we're picked up.

[Captain Hollis]

Let's not kid ourselves. Nobody's going to be picked up.

[Mr. Stone]

I've got a few things to get.

[Captain Hollis]

Off my chest before we lose contact with each other. Don't let him drop this.

[Mr. Stone]

Let him talk.

[Captain Hollis]

Thanks. Your ship was a bad ship. And you were a bad captain. I hope you break when you hit the moon.

[Mr. Stone]

Thanks for the good will, Stone. That isn't all.

[Captain Hollis]

I believe there are different kinds of deaths, Captain. Judges are different kinds of lives. Yours should be pretty interesting because you've been dead for years.

[Mr. Stone]

Let him.

[Captain Hollis]

When was the last time you had an honest human feeling, Captain? I'll bet you don't even remember when. I don't think you're capable of any kind of strong feeling. Do you have a wife, Captain? I'll bet she won't miss you one bit. Children?

[Mr. Stone]

I have a son. Little boy.

[Captain Hollis]

Maybe he'll grow up to be a hero like his daddy. A tin hero with a piece of stone where other men have hoints.

[Mr. Stone]

Are you quite finished?

[Captain Hollis]

I've said it.

[Mr. Stone]

How?

[Captain Hollis]

So long, Doc.

[Mr. Stone]

So long.

[Captain Hollis]

I'm headed for the sun. Somehow I don't like the idea of.

[Mr. Stone]

Falling into the sun.

[Captain Hollis]

I'm going to take a quicker way out.

[Mr. Stone]

Stone. Stone, don't be a fool.

[Captain Hollis]

I'm going to smash the faceplate on my helmet and let the oxygen escape.

[Mr. Stone]

Stone, don't do it. We're going to be rescued, Stone.

[Captain Hollis]

See you all in some other universe.

[Mr. Stone]

He was headed for the sun. I can barely see him now.

[Captain Hollis]

Looks like Mercury for me.

[Mr. Stone]

How about you, Lewis? I'm headed for where is. Funny, isn't it, that I should be going back to Mother Earth this way? I'm nothing but a human meteor, Charles. When I hit the Earth's atmosphere, I'll burn like a match. Charles. Charles, can you still hear me?

[Captain Hollis]

I can hear you. It's getting fainter now. We must be several thousand miles apart.

[Mr. Stone]

We should be able to Talk for another 20 minutes or so at the speed we're falling away from each other.

[Captain Hollis]

What are you thinking about, Willis?

[Mr. Stone]

I was thinking about Stone. What he said.

[Captain Hollis]

Don't let it get you.

[Mr. Stone]

You know, in a way he was right.

[Captain Hollis]

He was insane. Shock knocked him off balance.

[Mr. Stone]

No. Each of us dies in a different way. Each of us has his own life to look back on. Huh?

[Captain Hollis]

A long way back out. What's that?

[Mr. Stone]

I don't know. I don't think so. It's possible that the sending unit of this radio is working. But the receiving unit is damaged.

[Captain Hollis]

Right there. Hello?

[Mr. Stone]

Hello.

[Captain Hollis]

Anybody alive? This is engineers mate. Early leave there somebody that talked to me at least. Can you hear me? Listen, anybody. You can hear me? This is engineers mate Eddie Lister. We had an accident. Will. What?

[Mr. Stone]

Doesn't even know we can hear him.

[Captain Hollis]

Poor devil may have forgotten the switch on his receiving unit.

[Mr. Stone]

Well, there are three of us again. Anyway.

[Captain Hollis]

This isn't much comfort. Maybe. Maybe Stones away is best.

[Mr. Stone]

Don't be a fool. They're going to be picked up. I don't. They must. I must. I have too much to accomplish in life to die like this fellow. Like Stone or Lester. They come a dime a dozen if I was in line to be commander of the whole fleet. You know what that means, Charles? Commander of the hemisphere?

[Captain Hollis]

No, I don't know what it means. I never wanted to be commander of anything but myself. And I never even came close to that.

[Mr. Stone]

Helen was counting on it. Stevie too, in his own little way.

[Captain Hollis]

It hardened for Helen. Steely's too young to understand.

[Mr. Stone]

He'll know. He'll know his daddy went out with his ship like a man. They'll give him a medal.

[Captain Hollis]

Lewis, I'm beginning to think that maybe.

[Mr. Stone]

Stone was right about you. What do you mean? Oh, nothing. No, no, Charles. I want to know. We've shipped together a good many years. You never told me what you really think of me. Whether or not you've envied my success, I'd like to know now. We've nothing to do but talk anyway.

[Captain Hollis]

I've never envied anything except the fact.

[Mr. Stone]

That you're falling back to earth.

[Captain Hollis]

Louis, I've admired you as I admire some sort of perfect machine. But that's where it stopped.

[Mr. Stone]

You know the trouble with you, Louis?

[Captain Hollis]

Well, you can't cry.

[Mr. Stone]

What?

[Captain Hollis]

You can't cry.

[Mr. Stone]

Well, men don't cry. Only children.

[Captain Hollis]

That's what I mean, Louis.

[Mr. Stone]

You can't cry. I don't know what the devil you're babbling about. Well, skip it now. Now look here. There's One thing.

[Captain Hollis]

I had a wife on Mars. I had a wife on Jupiter. And I had a wife on Venus. Everyone made money and treated me well.

[Mr. Stone]

What's he babbling about?

[Captain Hollis]

I don't know. He seems to be about his life. I do not call. Called Roxy. He didn't know about any of their mothers. Roxy married 15 years and she still.

[Mr. Stone]

Looked like a school girl.

[Captain Hollis]

Henry's a boy too. What are you doing now? I said to him. I said, now, Ronson, take good care of your arms.

[Mr. Stone]

Don't get fresh with a girl.

[Captain Hollis]

He'd slightly if he didn't wink at me and smile at winning smile of his and say, all right, dad, take care. You come back. Well, Ma. Ma, we miss you terrible much. Oh, laddie. Mister, you can't complain. You've had the best of it and found a spare, simple soul.

[Mr. Stone]

Too simple.

[Captain Hollis]

Dianville.

[Mr. Stone]

Why?

[Captain Hollis]

Because he has all that to hang onto.

[Mr. Stone]

Women always fight for me.

[Captain Hollis]

Iran always wanting them. And jealous of men like Lester for having them. And jealous of him for being able.

[Mr. Stone]

To spend money without fear. For as much happiness as he could.

[Captain Hollis]

Have in his own wild way. Haven't you ever wanted that?

[Mr. Stone]

Don't be a fool.

[Captain Hollis]

The difference between us and Lester is that he lives in the present. He gets into the experience of the moment. You and I, Louis, we live in the past and in the future, but.

[Mr. Stone]

Never in the present. Could we change the subject?

[Captain Hollis]

I thought you wanted to talk.

[Mr. Stone]

Well, let's talk about something else. Charles. Charles? Charles, are you there? Charles, answer me.

[Captain Hollis]

I just switched my auxiliary battery. I'm sorry. Well, don't.

[Mr. Stone]

Don't do that.

[Captain Hollis]

Afraid to be alone?

[Mr. Stone]

I've never been afraid of anything in my life, and you know it. I wonder.

[Captain Hollis]

It's a long way back down.

[Mr. Stone]

Why doesn't he shut up?

[Captain Hollis]

It's doing what?

[Mr. Stone]

I got myself into a meteor swarm.

[Captain Hollis]

Some little asteroids.

[Mr. Stone]

Meteors? I think it's that Myrmidon cluster that goes out past Mars, then swings into.

[Captain Hollis]

A sith once every five years.

[Mr. Stone]

I'm right in the middle of it now.

[Captain Hollis]

It's like a big kaleidoscope. All kinds of colors and shapes and sizes. God is beautiful. All that metal. I'm going with them. They take me with them. Well, I'll be doggoned. Remember when you were a kid, Lewis? Held a kaleidoscope to your eye, Gave it a twirl? That's what I'm part of now.

[Mr. Stone]

Keep talking. I can barely hear you.

[Captain Hollis]

Now you're taking me off le.

[Mr. Stone]

Charles. Charles, don't leave me alone. Like this. Charles. Charles.

[Captain Hollis]

Listen.

[Mr. Stone]

Listen.

[Captain Hollis]

But my heart's right there.

[Mr. Stone]

Lester, can you hear me?

[Captain Hollis]

I canceled the tongue. I got drunk once and gambled away a thousand dollars.

[Mr. Stone]

Why don't you shut up?

[Captain Hollis]

And there was a time locks. You know, I made love on the sand down at Aldgate Bridge.

[Mr. Stone]

It's all over, Lester, just as if it never happened.

[Captain Hollis]

Annie. You've no regrets, really?

[Mr. Stone]

What good does it do you? You foolish. When the thing's over, it's not good anymore. You're no better off than me. Look at what I've accomplished. You floating there, languishing over some skinny, misforgotten flood of a wife. My wife is beautiful. Understand? Beautiful like marble. Like chiseled marble.

[Captain Hollis]

You'll find herself another man.

[Mr. Stone]

Perhaps a more good time. No. No, she won't. She'll be faithful to my memory. Helen. Helen, you will be faithful, won't you? You'll never forget me.

[Captain Hollis]

I won't. Listen. I'll switch off my radio.

[Mr. Stone]

There. There, that's better. You're alone now, Captain Hollis. Alone with yourself and your thoughts and your memories. Going back to Earth like a human rocket. And remembering.

[Captain Hollis]

Z. Is that you?

[Mr. Stone]

Yes, Helen, it's me.

[Captain Hollis]

I missed you.

[Mr. Stone]

Have you?

[Captain Hollis]

Didn't you know?

[Mr. Stone]

But I thought. I mean, we quarreled.

[Captain Hollis]

Oh, I've forgotten about that.

[Mr. Stone]

I. I had some trouble, Helen.

[Captain Hollis]

We won't talk about it. You're home now. That's the important thing. Stevie is so excited.

[Mr. Stone]

Stevie? Where is he?

[Captain Hollis]

Right here, darling. Stevie. Steve. Daddy. Daddy.

[Mr. Stone]

Hello, son.

[Captain Hollis]

You're going to stay with us this time, aren't you, Daddy? You're going to stay home, and we'll go fishing and play pool together. Just like your father.

[Mr. Stone]

Well, Stevie?

[Captain Hollis]

I'm collecting seashells, dad. I've got a whole collection of them, all different colors. Would you like to see them?

[Mr. Stone]

Yes, I would, son.

[Captain Hollis]

I'll go up and kick. I've got him in my room. Don't go away, dad. I'll be right back.

[Mr. Stone]

I won't. I won't go away. He's quite a little guy, isn't he?

[Captain Hollis]

I'm glad you're finally getting together with him.

[Mr. Stone]

Right? What do you mean, Helen?

[Captain Hollis]

You've always seemed so. Well, detached from him. Steve is a sensitive little creature. All he ever wanted from you really was just a little affection and respect, Lois. Just a little respect for the things he felt and wanted.

[Mr. Stone]

I've been a good father. Nobody can ever say I haven't been a good father. Certainly not you. Not after what happened.

[Captain Hollis]

Don't get defensive, Lewis, please. I'm trying to bring us a little closer together.

[Mr. Stone]

I've given him everything a boy should have. Toys, boxing gloves. I've taught him to hunt and take care of himself.

[Captain Hollis]

Yes, you've done all those things.

[Mr. Stone]

Well, then?

[Captain Hollis]

Well, sometimes when he's come to you, he feels so alone. All he wants is for you to put your arms around him and reassure him. That's all.

[Mr. Stone]

He's going to be a man. I don't want him to be soft.

[Captain Hollis]

What is it, Lewis? What is there about being soft that you despise?

[Mr. Stone]

Sissy to? Soft.

[Captain Hollis]

Christ was soft.

[Mr. Stone]

Now, don't start that business again, will you?

[Captain Hollis]

I'm trying to make you understand. Please.

[Mr. Stone]

I understand what you're trying to do. You're like all of them. They want to make you a woman like them. They want to drain you of your manhood so they can control you, manipulate you.

[Captain Hollis]

You won't understand, will you? You won't trust me or anybody else, including yourself.

[Mr. Stone]

Now you're talking, belly wash. Oh, let's.

[Captain Hollis]

Not build that wall between us, Louis. Not this time. I had it all planned. When you came back, we'd get out of the beach. Remember the spot where we used to swim in the moonlight? You can see the water all luminous and green. And then we could have picnic supper there. Just you and Stevie and me. Stevie could sleep on the blanket. We could go for a swim. Maybe. Maybe we could recapture it. Louis. It wasn't always like this. Maybe if we went back.

[Mr. Stone]

I'm sorry, Helen. I'd like to, really, but. Well, I'm shipping out tonight.

[Captain Hollis]

Tonight?

[Mr. Stone]

I've got a new command, new ship. Having lunch with the Admiral this afternoon.

[Captain Hollis]

But you said you'd stay.

[Mr. Stone]

This is an important thing, Helen. This is the most important thing that ever happened to me.

[Captain Hollis]

More important than going for a swim?

[Mr. Stone]

You don't get a chance of being fleet commander every day. You can go for a swim anytime.

[Captain Hollis]

Yes, but we never do.

[Mr. Stone]

Look, honey, ever since I was a cadet, I've been pointing toward this job. Especially if I'm a success. You can name your own ticket. Big house up in Connecticut, chauffeurs, find a school for Steve.

[Captain Hollis]

I want you, Louis.

[Mr. Stone]

Now, don't be unreasonable.

[Captain Hollis]

Don't you be unemotional. What? I said, don't be unemotional.

[Mr. Stone]

I don't understand.

[Captain Hollis]

No, I don't suppose you ever will.

[Mr. Stone]

Let's not quarrel. Why do we always end up quarreling? Well, it's almost time now, Louis.

[Captain Hollis]

Let me try once more.

[Mr. Stone]

Goodbye, Helen. Say goodbye to the boy.

[Captain Hollis]

All right. Goodbye.

[Mr. Stone]

Helen, where are you? Helen?

[Captain Hollis]

Helen.

[Mr. Stone]

Oh, no. I must be going out of my mind. The whole thing was nothing but a dream. If only I had someone to talk to. Captain.

[Captain Hollis]

Capita.

[Mr. Stone]

Is that you, Lasker? No, it's just another part of the same nightmare, Captain.

[Captain Hollis]

Alas, sir. Can you hear me?

[Mr. Stone]

Why must I be tortured like this?

[Captain Hollis]

If you can hear me, for heaven's sake, answer. I. I found a tube loose in this receiver. I can hear you talking to yourself.

[Mr. Stone]

Lester. Lester, is it really you?

[Captain Hollis]

Yes, sir. Thank Evans. Captain. Are any of the others still alive?

[Mr. Stone]

Stone went to the sun. Dr. Carter went off with a meteor swarm. The others are scattered all over the universe by now. I've had it right for Earth. I'll be in the orbit soon. It's good to hear your voice, sir.

[Captain Hollis]

I was going insane all by myself here. Seems like I've been singing and talking.

[Mr. Stone]

The old bloody night. We heard you. I'm glad we can reach one another. Yeah, me too, sir. Are you really glad, Lester? I should think you'd hate and despise me.

[Captain Hollis]

Why, sir?

[Mr. Stone]

I could have saved us all by changing course.

[Captain Hollis]

Well, the way I see it, Captain, you did what you believed in. That's all each of us has to do.

[Mr. Stone]

Thank you, Lester.

[Captain Hollis]

Well, how long you figure we got, sir?

[Mr. Stone]

Not long, I'm afraid. At least, not me.

[Captain Hollis]

It's a terrible thing, ain't it, Captain? I mean, knowing you're going to die and not being able to do anything.

[Mr. Stone]

At least you've got pleasant memories.

[Captain Hollis]

Me, sir? No, I never. Married. To a hell of being. I should think you'd have some good.

[Mr. Stone]

Thoughts to remember yourself. I. I never lived, Lester.

[Captain Hollis]

Sir?

[Mr. Stone]

It's true. I never lived. But you know why? We were strangers. We never knew each other.

[Captain Hollis]

A son.

[Mr. Stone]

A son, Lester. Would you believe it if I told you I'd never put my arms around the boy and let him know how much I loved him?

[Captain Hollis]

That's hard to believe, sir.

[Mr. Stone]

It's true.

[Captain Hollis]

It's hard. You talk about this, Captain. I always envied you your position. You were commander.

[Mr. Stone]

I thought so too. But I know better now. My whole life was nothing but a running away from my own feelings. I had everything I really wanted. All I had to do was reach out my hand. There was Helen, Stevie. Pleasures. And I turned my back and looked at the stars. When they came to me, filled with their love and their warmth, I ran. I fled to the stars and to the ends of the universe. It was all so wrong. How do things like that happen to us, Lester? I don't know, sir. We were going to be divorced, Helen and I. Oh, stupid. Idiotic.

[Captain Hollis]

Well, maybe you'll be picked up, captain. There's lots of spaceships taking off from Earth. Maybe one of them will reach you before you hit the atmosphere.

[Mr. Stone]

If I dare to hope. We aren't that lucky, Lester. Not many get a second chance. I can see you now, Lester. Mother Earth. Big and green and rich. Won't be more than a few minutes at this rate. Oh, there was something.

[Captain Hollis]

Oh, sure.

[Mr. Stone]

Yes. I can feel the friction starting now. I'll burn in a minute and I'll be scattered like ashes all across the land. Funny. That's a useful act, isn't it? To help other things grow.

[Captain Hollis]

I don't talk like that, captain.

[Mr. Stone]

I'm sorry, Lester. You're a good man. I hope they rescue you. Well, I believe you are a good man, Captain. Maybe, Lester. Maybe I am, after all.

[Captain Hollis]

He just got a bit twisted. Sorry, that's all. It wasn't your blame. No.

[Mr. Stone]

No, it wasn't my blame. Funny, I feel a sense of calm now. Almost relieved. Did you ever get out of a cold shower and feel like a new man? Clean and ready for breakfast and a new day? I have a feeling like that. It's a beautiful old Earth, Lester. Good to go home. I wonder if anyone will see me.

[Captain Hollis]

Mom? What's Dee, can we come down to the beach tonight? I don't know. I just wanted to see the ocean and the stars. Are you cold? No. Mom? Yes, darling? When's dad coming back? I don't know, Steve. I don't know. Mom, what's the matter between you and dad? Nothing. Oh, nothing you'd understand. Don't you love each other? I suppose.

[Mr. Stone]

In the way we do.

[Captain Hollis]

It used to be quite different, long ago. You were a tiny, tiny baby. Your father and I used to come down here and swim at night. I was the first girl he ever loved. And then somehow, something happened. He got frightened or something. And we sort of lost each other. Come here. Steve. What's wrong? Quite deaf. You're in chill. Perhaps we better be getting back. It's almost your bedtime. Okay, mom, look up there. A falling star. Yes, I see it. Just. All right, just wait. Did you see it move? A falling star. Make a wish, son. Make a wish.

[Mr. Stone]

You've just heard another adventure into the unknown world of the future. The world of Dimension X is presented transcribed each week by the National Broadcasting Company in cooperation with Stephen Smith, publishers of the magazine Astounding Science Fiction. Today, Dimension X has presented Kaleidoscope, written for radio by George Leffert from the story by Ray Bradbury. Speakers in the cast were George Satters as the captain, Ran Johnny as Les and John Alexander as Helen. Your host was Norman Rose.