Kaleidoscope by Suspense

Summary

Podcast Summary: Relic Radio Sci-Fi - "Kaleidoscope" by Suspense

Episode Details:

• Title: Kaleidoscope by Suspense
• Host/Author: RelicRadio.com
• Release Date: April 14, 2025
• Description: A dramatized rendition of Ray Bradbury's science fiction classic, "Kaleidoscope," presented by William Conrad on Relic Radio Science Fiction. The story navigates the harrowing last moments of a spaceship crew scattered into the infinite expanse of space.

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1. Introduction

The episode opens with William Conrad introducing listeners to "Kaleidoscope," a suspenseful science fiction narrative adapted from Ray Bradbury's work. The stage is set aboard the spaceship She, a third-class cargo vessel owned by a monopolistic company. The crew, composed of seven individuals, embarks on a routine seven-year voyage transporting seasoned lumber across the cosmos.

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2. The Crisis Unfolds

Initiation of Conflict: The calm of the routine voyage is abruptly shattered when Control detects a malfunction:

• [00:32] Ray Bradbury: "Tonight we depart from the usual to bring you a play from one of the greatest authors of science fiction, Mr. Ray Bradbury."

As tensions rise, Applegate reports a technical issue with the C2 tube, leading to disagreements over handling the crisis:

• [02:00] Applegate: "C2 blowing, sir. Oh, it doesn't show on the indicator, sir."
• [02:05] Hollis: "You trying to lash me up? You better keep check on that tube."

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3. The Explosion and Aftermath

Catastrophic Event: Chaos ensues as the spaceship explodes, tearing She apart and casting the crew into the void of space:

• [03:24] Captain Simpson: "Get into your suit. The ship is going to explode."

The explosion results in the disintegration of the ship and the scattering of the crew members:

• [04:19] Ray Bradbury: "The concussion cut the spaceship up the side like a giant can opener. Those of us who weren't immediately killed were thrown into space like wriggling silverfish scattered into a dark sea."

Isolation and Desperation: Surviving crew members find themselves isolated, separated by vast distances with only their space suits and fragmented communication systems to connect them.

• [05:34] Captain: "I want a roll call. Who is that?"

The crew attempts to reconnect, but the increasing separation makes communication frantic and fragmented.

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4. Character Dynamics and Tensions

Hollis vs. Applegate: Post-explosion, interpersonal conflicts surface, highlighting the strained relationships among the crew:

• [07:03] Hollis: "We're all in the same fix."
• [07:11] Applegate: "I don't want to be here."

Le Spear's Disillusionment: Le Spear's ruminations reveal deep-seated regrets and a sense of hopelessness:

• [09:08] Captain: "I tell you, when a man's had a life like I've had, it's not so bad."
• [09:42] Hollis: "I murder him."

Applegate's Remorse: Applegate grapples with guilt over past actions, seeking redemption in their final moments:

• [20:26] Applegate: "I hope everything's okay with you, Hollis."

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5. The Climax: Approaching the Kaleidoscope

Encounter with the Meteor Swarm: As the crew drifts further apart, each member confronts their mortality and the inevitability of their fate:

• [15:08] Hollis: "It's like a big kaleidoscope. That's what I thought was a light."

The metaphor of the kaleidoscope symbolizes the fragmented and colorful demise of the crew members as they join the celestial ballet of meteors.

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6. Themes and Insights

Isolation and Human Fragility: The narrative delves into the psychological toll of isolation, emphasizing the fragility of human connections when faced with imminent death.

• [18:49] Ray Bradbury: "The goodbyes, voices dying, men dying. The awareness of life my own."

Redemption and Regret: Characters grapple with their past actions, seeking forgiveness and understanding in their final moments.

• [19:38] Ray Bradbury: "I murdered him."

The Inevitability of Fate: The story underscores the inescapable nature of destiny, as each crew member succumbs to the unforgiving expanse of space.

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7. Notable Quotes

• William Conrad (Narrator): "I don't want to die. I don't want to die. It's a long way down." [06:48]

• Hollis: "Is your life any better than mine now?" [13:42]

• Applegate: "I hope everything's okay with you, Hollis. I hope you go to heaven or wherever you want." [20:22]

• Le Spear: "I had a pretty good time. Lots of good times. Hey, did I ever tell you about my wife?" [07:03]

• Captain Simpson: "I want a roll call. Who is that?" [05:34]

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8. Conclusion

"Kaleidoscope" by Ray Bradbury, as presented by Relic Radio Sci-Fi, is a poignant exploration of human emotions in the face of cosmic isolation. Through its rich dialogue and character interactions, the story paints a vivid picture of fear, regret, and the longing for connection as the crew members drift towards their inevitable demise. The dramatization, enhanced by astute voice acting and atmospheric soundscapes, immerses listeners in the desolate beauty of space and the tumultuous inner worlds of its characters.

The episode concludes with a reflective note on the transient nature of life and the enduring hope for redemption, leaving listeners to ponder the fragile thread that binds humanity even in the darkest moments.

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Next Episode Preview: Tune in next week for "Backseat Driver," a tale of two individuals facing terror amidst the urban sprawl, continuing the suspenseful journey on Relic Radio Sci-Fi.

Credits: Produced and directed by Anthony Ellis, adapted by Anthony Ellis, music composed by Renee Garaghan, conducted by Wilbur Hatch, with special technical effects by Robert Chadwick. Featured cast includes Stacy Harris, Harley Bear, Howard McNear, John Dana, Sam Edwards, Georgia Ellis, and Master Jonathan Ellis.

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Note: This summary captures the essence and key moments of the "Kaleidoscope" episode, providing a comprehensive overview for those who haven't listened to the full dramatization.

Transcript

[William Conrad]

Relic Radio. This is Relic Radio. Sci Fi, Old time Radio. Science fiction stories from relicradio.com.

[Ray Bradbury]

And now, tonight's presentation of radio's outstanding theater of thrills, Suspense. Tonight we depart from the usual to bring you a play from one of the greatest authors of science fiction, Mr. Ray Bradbury. It is the story of a last voyage in a spaceship and the six men who took it so. Now, starring Mr. William Conrad, here is tonight's suspense play, Kaleidoscope. She was a spaceship cargo carrier, seven years old, with over a million and a half miles lost in her wake. Within her metallic skin was the world of the crew. An atom of life surrounded by a vast expanse of nothingness. The ship and the crew were owned by the company, a third class vessel operated by third class personnel. And each of us hoping that in our day would come promotion to second class. Or even the first and the great hush passenger liners, which were also owned by the company. The company ran everything. There wasn't anyone else to work for. And you accepted what was given not gratefully, but with hope. There were 19 of us to begin with on a routine voyage. Our cargo, seasoned lumber. I was at control on the secondary. Art Stone navigating on the nose. Good. Control. Bearing mark, Captain. Right, Hollis. Where's the captain? In his cabin. On the bottle again. Why didn't you ask him? I don't have to, Stoney. I can smell him all the way out. You want something, Applegate? Sea tube's glowing again. It isn't showing on the indicator. I can't help that. Wait a minute, Captain. Control. Yeah, Applegate, report. C2 blowing, sir. Oh, it doesn't show on the indicator, sir. All right, I'll be right there. And what was the idea that. What? Telling him it didn't show. You trying to lash me up? You better keep check on that tube. He's giving orders. I am more than you, friend. Ah, come on, Applegate. I don't want to blow up. I've got two weeks of pay coming when we get back. Yeah. Give me a power check, will you? Sure. Something must be haywire with the indicator. Get it straightened out, Hollis. She's not firing in sequence, sir. Heating up, too. Let me see. I don't like this. Rockets. This is the captain, Simpson, sir. It's D tube, I think. Eating the others, too.

[William Conrad]

Block off frozen.

[Ray Bradbury]

Use emergency standby. Come on, come on. Control, Apple Gate. Emergency doesn't answer.

[William Conrad]

It's getting too hot.

[Ray Bradbury]

Maybe it'll answer from here, sir. Apple Gate, get your men out of there. Stand by to abandon. Going, sir. Till I found the alarm. Yes? This is the captain. This is the Captain. Get into your suit. You got about two minutes, maybe less. Get into your suit. The ship is going to explode. Get into your suit. Abandon. Imagine. Get in your suit. Get in your suit. The concussion cut the spaceship up the side like a giant can opener. Those of us who weren't immediately killed were thrown into space like wriggling silverfish scattered into a dark sea. And the ship, in a million pieces, went on. A meteor swarmed, seeking a lost son.

[William Conrad]

Captain. Captain.

[Ray Bradbury]

The sound of our voices calling like lost children on a cold night.

[William Conrad]

Captain. Hollis. Hollis.

[Ray Bradbury]

Hello, John. This is Hollis. Where are you?

[William Conrad]

I don't know. How can I? Which way is up? I'm falling. Oh, God, I'm falling. We're going away from each other.

[Ray Bradbury]

Who is that? This is the Captain. Who is that?

[William Conrad]

Le. Captain. Where are you? Captain.

[Ray Bradbury]

We were hurtling in space in every direction. And now, instead of men, there were only voices. Voices communicating by radiophone. All kinds of voices. Disembodied and impassioned in varying degrees of terror and resignation, all moving away from one another. We were wearing our steel tight space suits with glass tubes over our faces. But there hadn't been time to lock on the propulsion units. Not time enough. And without them, we were meteors, senseless, each going to a separate and irrevocable state.

[William Conrad]

This is the captain. I want a roll call. Who is that? This is Applegate, sir. Applegate? Next. Lex. Who? Lempon, Lesp. Simpson. Sean.

[Ray Bradbury]

Hollis.

[William Conrad]

Anybody else? Anyone else stoned? The Hollis. How long can we talk up for?

[Ray Bradbury]

Well, it depends on how fast you're going your way and I'm going mine.

[William Conrad]

An hour. I make it. What happened?

[Ray Bradbury]

A rocket blew up. Didn't you feel it? That's all rockets do, blow up. Which way are you going?

[William Conrad]

It looks like I'll hit the moon.

[Ray Bradbury]

Well, it's Earth for me.

[William Conrad]

That's nice.

[Ray Bradbury]

Back to old mother Earth at 10,000 miles an hour. I'll burn like a match when I hit the atmosphere. Stone's going to the moon. I know where I'd like to see Applegate go.

[William Conrad]

I don't want to die. I don't want to die. It's a long way down. Who's that? I don't know.

[Ray Bradbury]

Dempson, I think. Sampson, is that you? This is Hollis.

[William Conrad]

It's a long, long way, and I don't like it. I don't like it.

[Ray Bradbury]

Simpson, this is Hollis. Simpson, do you hear me? Sampson. Yes. You take it Easy now.

[William Conrad]

I don't want to be here.

[Ray Bradbury]

We're all in the same fix.

[William Conrad]

I don't want to be here.

[Ray Bradbury]

I'm afraid there's a chance we'll be found.

[William Conrad]

I heard that. Oh, what a liar you are. You shut up, Abogie. Come and make me. Come on, Alex. Come and make me. Shut up. I don't believe this. I don't believe any of this is happening. Not to me. It's a bad dream.

[Ray Bradbury]

Take it easy, Simpson.

[William Conrad]

Hey, you know, I don't feel so bad. Who's that? It's me, Stone Le Spear. I was just thinking, I've had a pretty good time. Lots of good times. Hey, did I ever tell you about my wife? Which one? Who's that? Applegate. Oh, sure. How do you feel, Applegate? Oh, why don't you shut up? No kidding about my wife. The one on Mars. Did I ever tell you? That's enough. This is the captain. You've got to figure a way out of this. Make a plan. I say. You. What did you say? Oh, you heard me. Don't try pulling rank on me. You're 10,000 miles away by now. You listen to me, Applegate. We credit it from mutiny of one captain. Hang me. Kill me. Look, I want to tell you something. Your ship was a bad ship, and you were a bad captain. And I hope you break wherever you're going. I'm ordering you to stop, Applegate. Be my guest. Order me some more. You're going to put me in chains till we land. My taste to you, Captain. Hey, fellas. Let me tell you about my wife. The one on Venus. It doesn't matter now. I guess anybody can know now. Oh, listen, I had it real good. One wife on Mars, another on Venus, one on Jupiter. Oh, boy, what a time. Hey, Stone. Yeah? Remember the time we put into Mars port for repair? I remember. Well, that's when I met the first one. You know what those Mars girls are like.

[Ray Bradbury]

Well, Le Spare went on and on with his talk about his wife. An interplanetary biggerness. His money, his wonderful times. Drunkenness, gambling on and on while we fell in space, away from each other. Le Spare reminiscing on the past, happy while he fell to his death. Thousands of miles of space and a voice vibrating in the center of it. No one visible at all. Only the radio waves quivering and trying to quicken other men into emotion.

[William Conrad]

I tell you, when a man's had a life like I've had, it's not so bad. Not much left for me to do. I Guess. Men, this is the captain. I want you to know that I'm very grateful for your loyalty. You've been a good crew, fellas. So if you get out of this, I have you both posted for promotion. It'll go through when you report. Applegate. I wish that.

[Ray Bradbury]

Captain.

[William Conrad]

Captain in the 1Ameteorite. Got him. Any takers? Hollis. Hollis, can you think of something? Something to do? Why, ask him, since I'll tell you. Something to do. Make it quick. Open the valve on your soup. We're finished, all of us. Who cares? Everyone's gonna cry over me.

[Ray Bradbury]

And we fell through space. Five of us living, each in his orbit of loneliness. Moving away from the other, from this outer edge of my life. Looking back, there was one remorse. And that Only that I wish I could go on living.

[William Conrad]

All dying people feel that way. Hollis.

[Ray Bradbury]

What? Oh, dawn, I. I didn't know I was thinking out loud. Funny. As if I'd never lived.

[William Conrad]

Yeah, I know. I know. Hollis. Hey, Hollis.

[Ray Bradbury]

What is it?

[William Conrad]

Samplegate again.

[Ray Bradbury]

All right. What?

[William Conrad]

Let you and me talk, huh?

[Ray Bradbury]

Go ahead.

[William Conrad]

You hate my guts, don't you?

[Ray Bradbury]

I never thought much about it.

[William Conrad]

Oh, don't give me that. You in that superior way of yours. I want to tell you something. I was the one who blackballed you with the rocket company five years ago. Did you hear me?

[Ray Bradbury]

I heard you.

[William Conrad]

How does that make you feel?

[Ray Bradbury]

Nothing.

[William Conrad]

You wanted to get to the top all your life. I know. I'll bet you always wondered what happened. Well, it was me, see, I put the black mark on you before I was tossed out myself.

[Ray Bradbury]

It isn't important.

[William Conrad]

Well, I had a good time. Yeah. It's a good thing to think about too. Had a wife on Mars. Venus. One in Jupiter. Are you certain? And I'm saying it again. I like to think about it. They all had money too. Oh, yes. They treated me just fine. You know, once I got drunk and gambled 20,000 dol. $20,000 in one night. Just like that.

[Ray Bradbury]

But your ear now, is there? I didn't have any of those things. I was jealous of you. Funny little man. How did you rate it? The women, the good times. Women frightened me, and I went into space. Always wanting them. Jealous of you for having them and money and as much happiness as man could want. And I'm not jealous anymore, though, because it's over for you. Just the way it is for me now. It's like it never was. It's all over, Lispair. It just never was. You hear me, Lair?

[William Conrad]

Who's there?

[Ray Bradbury]

It's Hollis, do you hear me? You're out here, Lazar, falling, dying. It's all over. It's just as if it never happened, isn't it?

[William Conrad]

No. It happened.

[Ray Bradbury]

When anything's over, it's just like it never happened.

[William Conrad]

Why?

[Ray Bradbury]

Is your life any better than mine now? Now's what counts. Is it any better? Is it?

[William Conrad]

Yes, it's better.

[Ray Bradbury]

How? How?

[William Conrad]

Because I've got my thoughts. Good thoughts. I remember thoughts.

[Ray Bradbury]

What good? What good are they? You gonna be rescued? You gonna live more than a few hours?

[William Conrad]

I'm resting easy. I've had my turn. I'm not getting vicious at the end, not like you. Vicious? Take it easy, Hollis. I know how you feel. Hollis. I. I don't take it personally. You're all right. I always thought that. Hey. What? What's the matter? I can see something.

[Ray Bradbury]

Down. Down.

[William Conrad]

Yeah, I. I can see lights. They look like lights. Where? What? Where? Where are you? Must be a ship. Maybe they don't see us. Which way are you going, Stone? In its flight. I tell you, I can see a plane. Which way? Which way? Where are you, stone? Where? Guess what? Huh? What is. I got myself into a meteor swarm. Little asteroid. Meteors? Yes, I think. The Myriadon Cluster. You know, Hollis. The one that goes out past Mars and in toward Earth once every five years. Well, I'm right in the middle.

[Ray Bradbury]

Sound down.

[William Conrad]

It's like a big kaleidoscope. That's what I thought was a light. All kinds of colors and shape. But you've been beautiful. All that metal. I'm going with them. They're taking me with them.

[Ray Bradbury]

I'll be Stone.

[William Conrad]

So long, Howard. So long.

[Ray Bradbury]

Good luck, Stone.

[William Conrad]

Don't be funny.

[Ray Bradbury]

I looked. There was nothing. Only the great diamonds and sapphire and emerald mist and velvet inks of space. And then in the sudden calmness of his going there was a kind of wonder in the thought of Stone going off in a meteor swarm out past Mars for years and coming in toward Earth every five years passing in and out for the next million centuries.

[William Conrad]

Hollis, this is Le. Spare. You all right?

[Ray Bradbury]

Yes, I'm fine.

[William Conrad]

I can't hear you, sir. Good. You there? Hollis?

[Ray Bradbury]

This is Hollis. I'm okay. You.

[William Conrad]

Hollis? There must be something wrong with the phone. Hollis, can you hear me? Say something, will you?

[Ray Bradbury]

Turn up the booster. Turn up your booster.

[William Conrad]

Hollis, can you hear me?

[Ray Bradbury]

Yeah. Yes. Yes, I hear you.

[William Conrad]

Hey, that's fine now. Yeah. Oh, I thought you were gone. Who are you talking to?

[Ray Bradbury]

The stone.

[William Conrad]

Hey, who else is around?

[Ray Bradbury]

Applegate. Applegate.

[William Conrad]

I'm here.

[Ray Bradbury]

Simpson. Samson.

[William Conrad]

Hey, Simpson. I guess he's gone too. You say anything? I wasn't looking. I was thinking. I think you're all hitting Mars. Mars? Wouldn't that be something? If I landed in the wife's backyard, she'd get a kick out of that. That's pretty funny, huh? Is that you?

[Ray Bradbury]

I'm okay.

[William Conrad]

No. Oh, I thought it was you.

[Ray Bradbury]

No. It must be. Simpson. Samson. Samson, I want to wake up.

[William Conrad]

Mama. Mama, I want to wake up. Make him stop. Will you listen? Shut him up.

[Ray Bradbury]

Simpson. Simpson, will you listen to me now, Simpson, listen to me. Out four gates.

[William Conrad]

Right.

[Ray Bradbury]

It'll be easier. You open your valve. Open it. Listen to me, Simpson. Open your valve now. Do it now. It won't hurt. Only a second. Simpson. Open your mouth. Simpson.

[William Conrad]

Alice Applegate? Yeah. Has he gone? I guess. Hey, anybody know what time it is? Oh, what do you care? What'd you say, Applegate? The boost is fading. What did you say? I don't know. Oh, well, I guess it doesn't matter. Half of that cost you. Mind if I keep talking? And passes the time.

[Ray Bradbury]

The goodbyes, voices dying, men dying. The awareness of life my own. What can I do? Is there anything I can do to make up for a terrible and empty life? If only I could do one good thing to make up for the meanness I collected all these years and didn't even know was in me.

[William Conrad]

Hollis. Hollis is Japanese. Yes, Hollis, that was right. You told Stinson to do. I said it to make him feel bad. But you did it. Right.

[Ray Bradbury]

I murdered him.

[William Conrad]

No. No, no. No, you didn't. Listen, Hollis, this isn't good, this thing between you and me. It's bad way to die. Are you listening, Hollis?

[Ray Bradbury]

Yes, I'm listening.

[William Conrad]

I lied. I didn't blackball you. Can you hear me?

[Ray Bradbury]

Yes.

[William Conrad]

Listening to your talk when you were saying those things to le spare about it not mattering. And he said about you being vicious. Made me ashamed. I've been like that too.

[Ray Bradbury]

It's all right. They understand. Can you get lispear?

[William Conrad]

No. He was gone an hour ago. Can you hear him?

[Ray Bradbury]

No. Last thing I heard, he. He was singing a dirty song.

[William Conrad]

What a guy.

[Ray Bradbury]

Yeah.

[William Conrad]

You're fading out.

[Ray Bradbury]

You too.

[William Conrad]

What?

[Ray Bradbury]

I hope everything's okay with you, Applegate. I hope you go to heaven or wherever you want. I hope for you.

[William Conrad]

You're getting soft, Hollis. Better open your valve. So long.

[Ray Bradbury]

Take it easy, Applegate.

[William Conrad]

So long, Hollis. You can't do anything I would do.

[Ray Bradbury]

Applegate. Apple gate. Anytime now. I'll hit the earth's atmosphere here I'll burn and be scattered in ashes all over the continental land. But I'll be put to use just a little bit. But ashes are ashes and they'll add to the land. I wanted to make something in my life to be liked, to do good for people, to make them happy. Now it's all gone. I wish I could do a good thing. Just something for me to know about. When I hit the atmosphere I'll burn like a meteor. I wonder if anyone will see me.

[William Conrad]

Time for bed, Sunny. Okay. Hey. Hey. Look up there.

[Ray Bradbury]

Moth.

[William Conrad]

A falling star. High stars. Make a wish, dear.

[Ray Bradbury]

Make a whiff. Suspense, in which Mr. William Conrad starred in tonight's presentation of Kaleidoscope, written by Ray Bradbury. Next week, the story of two people and the terror that rode with them in the city. We call it Backseat Driver. That's next week on Suspense. Suspense is produced and directed by Anthony Ellis, who adapted tonight's script. The music was composed by Renee Garaghan and conducted by Wilbur Hatch. Special technical effects by Robert Chadwick. Featured in the cast for Stacy Harris, Harley Bear, Howard McNear, John Dana, Sam Edwards, Georgia Ellis and Master Jonathan Ellis. This is the CBS Radio national work.