The Adaptive Ultimate by Escape

Summary

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Relic Radio Sci-Fi: "The Adaptive Ultimate" by Escape

Date: February 9, 2026
Source Program: Escape (Old Time Radio)
Host: RelicRadio.com
Summary Prepared For: Relic Radio Sci-Fi listeners

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Episode Overview

This episode of Relic Radio Sci-Fi features a gripping adaptation of John Jessel’s tale, The Adaptive Ultimate, originally produced by the radio program Escape. The story explores the dangers and ethical complexities of scientific experimentation, following Dr. Daniel Scott as his radical new serum transforms the life – and morality – of a terminally ill woman, Kira Zelas. The result is a tense, philosophical drama blending speculative science with psychological horror, questioning the boundaries of medical progress and the price of unchecked power.

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Key Discussion Points & Story Breakdown

1. Introduction to the Experiment (01:38–04:06)

• Dr. Daniel Scott reveals a new serum developed from fruit flies, the most adaptable creatures, which allows organisms to instantly adjust to injuries or diseases.
  • "No matter what the condition, the injury to the body or a mere injection of my serum would permit the patient instantly to adapt himself to his condition and live..." (02:08)
• Dr. Hermann Bach, wary of the ethics, agrees only if Scott finds a truly hopeless case for human trials.

2. Kira Zelas: The Test Subject (03:29–05:10)

• Kira Zelas, a woman in the final stage of tuberculosis, is chosen. She quips and flirts with Dr. Scott, establishing her wit and survivor mentality.
  • "Wouldn't I be a fool to say no?... Go ahead, experiment away." (04:53)
• The serum miraculously cures Kira, even closing wounds in seconds.

3. Recovery and Transformation (05:18–07:59)

• Dr. Bach is stunned by Kira's rapid, total recovery and agrees to keep her under observation.
• Kira’s personality continues to become bolder and more self-confident.

4. Crime and Adaptation (08:29–13:22)

• Kira is implicated in a murder and theft in a park but refuses to admit guilt, confidently asserting she will not be convicted.
  • "I'll adapt myself to the situation." (10:29)
• In court, her physical appearance changes so that eyewitness Mr. Salvatore can’t positively identify her; her hair and eye color have shifted to an impossible shade.
  • "Her hair... it's become the color of aluminum." (12:35)
  • "Didn't I talk to you? Would you listen?" (22:26)

5. Escape from Justice (13:30–15:29)

• Kira is acquitted, much to Dr. Bach’s horror. Dr. Scott is conflicted but drawn to her magnetism.
• She openly admits to Scott and Bach that she did commit murder and theft, displaying a chilling moral detachment.
  • "You did murder him." / "Certainly. Oh, come, don't look so shocked." (15:27–15:29)

6. The Consequences of Adaptability (15:52–19:15)

• Bach diagnoses Kira as the “adaptive ultimate”: able to survive, adapt, and even instantly alter her appearance at will, making her functionally untouchable by human laws and medical intervention.
• Kira rapidly rises in society, now courted by John Callan, an influential diplomat, and holds the world's fate in her hands.
  • "That's what you have made me. The most powerful woman the world's ever known." (21:26)

7. Confrontation and the Attempt to Stop Kira (19:15–24:44)

• Bach and Scott, desperate to stop her, plot surgical intervention, but Kira's adaptability makes her immune even to anesthesia.
  • "You fools. Did you think you could make me unconscious?" (23:23)
  • She demonstrates her invulnerability by stabbing and instantly healing herself: "I plunge your knife into my heart, I withdraw it and the wound is healed." (23:41)

8. The Final Solution: Carbon Dioxide (24:06–26:49)

• Bach has the idea of filling Kira’s room with carbon dioxide, hoping she cannot adapt to her own waste product.
• Watching through the transom, they see she gasps, staggers, then collapses.
  • "She's collapsed. It's all." (26:49)

9. Aftermath and Moral Reflection (27:04–28:26)

• John Callan arrives, unaware of the true events, and is told Kira left.
• Bach and Scott are left to contemplate the responsibility of science – and the memory of Kira.
  • "Maybe we will get some sleep now then, huh?" (27:55)
  • "She's lovely, isn't she?... May she always be in your memory." (28:11–28:26)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Dr. Scott, on the potential of his serum:
  "Think of imparting that same adaptability to... human beings to grow new heads. It has merit." (02:27–02:43)

• Kira Zelas’ chilling self-assurance:
  "I'll adapt myself to the situation." (10:29)
  "Certainly. Oh, come, don't look so shocked." (15:29)

• Dr. Bach’s warning on unintended consequences:
  "You start with an ideal, and you wake up to discover you have created a monster." (13:30)

• Kira’s power-lust revealed:
  "That's what you have made me. The most powerful woman the world's ever known... Do you see what that means?" (21:26–21:40)

• Attempt to subdue Kira fails:
  "I plunge your knife into my heart, I withdraw it and the wound is healed. Now go away, both of you. I want to sleep." (23:41)

• Science's final responsibility:
  "We are scientists, Dan. We have a responsibility to civilization. We must find a way to destroy this..." (24:06)

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Key Timestamps for Important Segments

• Serum explained and experiment agreed
  (01:38–04:06)
• Kira’s recovery and adaptation breakthroughs
  (05:18–07:59)
• The park murder and subsequent trial
  (08:45–13:22)
• Kira’s confession
  (15:14–15:29)
• Doctors realize the full danger and discuss ethics
  (15:52–19:15)
• Kira’s plan for political power is revealed
  (21:26–21:40)
• Failed surgery and Kira’s display of power
  (23:23–23:41)
• The carbon dioxide solution and Kira’s demise
  (24:26–26:49)
• Final scenes and reflections
  (27:04–28:26)

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Episode Tone & Atmosphere

The story is tense, brooding, and morally ambiguous, with performances alternating between clinical detachment and desperate urgency. Kira’s transformation from frail victim to commanding manipulator is central, her dialogue droll and dangerous, while the doctors swing between excitement at scientific progress and deepening dread at its consequences.

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Conclusion

The Adaptive Ultimate is a classic “science gone wrong” parable that remains eerily relevant. This episode navigates the perils of unchecked innovation, the unpredictability of human nature, and questions of moral responsibility, all while delivering a suspenseful, thought-provoking tale.

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For more vintage sci-fi radio drama, visit relicradio.com.

Transcript

[Kira Zelas]

Relic radio.

[Relic Radio Announcer]

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

[Escape Radio Host]

Tired of the everyday routine? Ever dream of a life of romantic adventure? Want to get away from it all?

We offer you. Escape. Escape. Transcribed to free you from the four walls of today for a half hour of high advent.

Standing outside a room, horror gripping you, while before your eyes, seen through the transom window, the most beautiful girl in the world is about to die because of you.

Today we escape from reality with a fascinating story of a girl who lived a weird second life. As John Jessel told it in his gripping story, the Adaptive Ultimate.

[Dr. Hermann Bach]

No, Daniel. I can't do it. You have a very interesting theory.

[Dr. Daniel Scott]

It's more than a theory, Dr. Bach. I've proved it. It works. I tried my serum on tubercular guinea pigs and it cured them. They adapted themselves to the tubercular bacillus and live. I tried my serum on a dog with rabies. He adapted himself, too. I tried it on a cat with a broken spine. The cat instantly adapted itself to its injury so that the spine had time to knit and heal. Don't you see what a tremendous discovery this is?

[Dr. Hermann Bach]

Yes, perhaps.

[Dr. Daniel Scott]

Think what that would mean in accident cases. There'd be no further need for emergency surgery. Don't you see that no matter what the condition, the injury to the body or a mere injection of my serum would permit the patient instantly to adapt himself to his condition and live, no.

[Dr. Hermann Bach]

Matter what his injury.

[Dr. Daniel Scott]

Exactly.

[Dr. Hermann Bach]

A serum made from insects.

[Dr. Daniel Scott]

From a common fruit fly, the most adaptable of living organisms. Tear off a wing and it grows a new one. Tear off its head, even stick on a new head, and that too will adhere in time. Think of imparting that same adaptability to.

[Dr. Hermann Bach]

Human beings to grow new heads. It has merit.

[Dr. Daniel Scott]

Now, please, Dr. Bach.

[Dr. Hermann Bach]

All right, all right. No, seriously. I know this may be a great thing, but to permit you to experiment on a human being. No.

[Dr. Daniel Scott]

The most hopeless case you can find, Dr. Bach. Someone already doomed.

[Dr. Hermann Bach]

Well, if someday I discover in the hospital a hopeless case, understand it will be hopeless.

[Dr. Daniel Scott]

I understand.

[Dr. Hermann Bach]

And if the patient shall consent, Then you will have your human guinea pig. Well, Dr. Scott, you requisitioned for yourself a hopeless case. Permit me. Here is your guinea pig.

[Dr. Daniel Scott]

What is it, Dr. Bach?

[Dr. Hermann Bach]

TB Final Stage. A matter of hours at most. She might have been attractive once, but now. Hair like string, skinny like a skeleton, and flesh like wax.

[Dr. Daniel Scott]

Dr. Bach, you call this a fair test? I said hopeless, but I didn't say a corpse.

[Dr. Hermann Bach]

The lady is returning to life. Such as it is. Well, Dr. Scott, I regret I have not a more palatable subject for your experiment. But this is what I promised. A hopeless case.

[Dr. Daniel Scott]

It's all right. I'll try it. Oh, what's her name?

[Dr. Hermann Bach]

Let me see. It's on the chart here. Zelas.

[Dr. Daniel Scott]

What was that?

[Dr. Hermann Bach]

Her name is Kira Zelas. Young lady, permit me. I am Dr. Hermann Bach, Chief of the staff. And I would like to introduce one of our promising young doctors.

[Kira Zelas]

He wants a date, I suppose.

[Dr. Daniel Scott]

Ms. Zelus.

[Kira Zelas]

Hello, Brown eyes.

[Dr. Hermann Bach]

What?

[Kira Zelas]

Your eyes are brown, aren't they, Ms. Zelus?

[Dr. Daniel Scott]

You see, I've perfected a serum.

[Kira Zelas]

I like brown eyes.

[Dr. Daniel Scott]

This. This serum might help you. But it has never been tried on a human being before. Well, I thought. If you have no objection.

[Kira Zelas]

What are the odds?

[Dr. Daniel Scott]

Odds? Well, actually, you have everything to gain.

[Kira Zelas]

And nothing to lose. Well, how right you are. Okay, I'm all yours, brown eyes. Go ahead, experiment away.

[Dr. Daniel Scott]

Dr. Bach, prepare her arm.

[Dr. Hermann Bach]

24 hours and she is yet alive. I would have said yesterday it would be impossible. She should survive the night. So it is now 48 hours and she actually seems better. But miracles such as this have happened before. And without serums. A week and she still lives. Each day she becomes better. It is miraculous. The spots on her lungs are disappearing. Her coughing is stopped. There is no sign of bacillus in the culture. But even more amazing, a reaction to abrasions. Skin punctures. Yesterday I took a blood specimen. Before I had one cc. The puncture in her skin had closed. Yes, in 30 seconds. The ordinary person. It takes a day, two days for it to heal. With Ms. Kira Zelas, 30 seconds. It is amazing. Then I will not dispute it. Your serum has worked a miracle. She is cured. And now I must just discharge her from the hospital. Well, Dr. Bach, I thought you had forgotten. That time must come sometime. But you see, I must. She is cured and we need the room.

[Dr. Daniel Scott]

Well, yes, yes, I know, but. Well, she should be under observation. We don't know what effects will show up.

[Dr. Hermann Bach]

I think, Daniel, you have an extraordinary interest in missellas. I have asked her to come here. She is outside. Shall we invite her in?

[Dr. Daniel Scott]

Why yes, of course.

[Dr. Hermann Bach]

Send in Miss Zelas, please. Now observe well your miracle, Miss Zelas. Come in, come in. Sit down.

[Kira Zelas]

Thanks. Oh, hello, brown eyes.

[Dr. Daniel Scott]

Hello, Kira.

[Dr. Hermann Bach]

I have sent for you, Ms. Zelas, because I have good news. Today I am discharging you from the hospital. Oh yeah? Today you are free to go. That pleases you Madly, Kira.

[Dr. Daniel Scott]

You have people, perhaps a family, aren't.

[Kira Zelas]

We all brothers and sisters under the skin.

[Dr. Hermann Bach]

Ms. Zelas, I will come to the point. I wish to make you a proposition. I mean, purely a scientific.

[Kira Zelas]

Yes, I know. An experiment.

[Dr. Hermann Bach]

Precisely. We are interested, Dr. Scott and I, to observe the further effects of the serum he gave you.

[Kira Zelas]

Yes.

[Dr. Hermann Bach]

I will pay you board and room and $30 a week. You will live at my house. I have a housekeeper, Mrs. Getz. She will look after you. Is that satisfactory?

[Kira Zelas]

Wouldn't I be a fool to say no? Excellent, Excellent. Does Brown Eyes live there, too?

[Dr. Hermann Bach]

No, but Dr. Scott will continue to have a clinical interest in the experiment, Mrs. Ellas. Have no fear.

[Kira Zelas]

Good. Yes.

[Dr. Hermann Bach]

Well, it is now almost time for dinner. I will take you, Miss Zelas. You will join us, Dr. Scott?

[Dr. Daniel Scott]

Why, yes. Fine, Dr. Bach.

[Dr. Hermann Bach]

Very well. We shall meet outside in what, 10 minutes?

[Dr. Daniel Scott]

That'll do me nicely, Miss Zelas.

[Dr. Hermann Bach]

You wish to wait here or maybe outside, a little fresh air?

[Kira Zelas]

I think I could use a little air.

[Dr. Hermann Bach]

Good. There is a little park across the street. You will find benches there to rest. We will meet at the front entrance in 10 minutes.

[Dr. Daniel Scott]

Doctor Bach. What is it? What's the matter?

[Dr. Hermann Bach]

Some sort of commotion across the street. In the park. Where is Kira?

[Dr. Daniel Scott]

I thought she'd be here with you.

[Dr. Hermann Bach]

Perhaps she is still over there in the park.

[Dr. Daniel Scott]

What are you suppos. Come on. Dr. Park. It is Kira. Kira. Let me through, please. Kira. Let us through, please. Officer, what's happened?

[Kira Zelas]

What is this?

[Dr. Daniel Scott]

Why are you holding this lady?

[Officer / John Callan]

You know this woman?

[Dr. Daniel Scott]

Yes, of course. What is it?

[Officer / John Callan]

What's the matter here, Lenny? Your lady friend here merely walks up to an old gent about 60 or so, picks up a nice hefty rock and beats his brains up.

[Dr. Daniel Scott]

Officer, there must be some awful mistake.

[Officer / John Callan]

Yeah, her mistake. Cold blooded murder. Come on, sister. There's the wagon.

[Dr. Hermann Bach]

But, officer.

[Officer / John Callan]

Listen, you'd better come along, too. Mr. Mona Lisa here don't seem to be much in the mood for talking. We'll need someone to tell the desk sergeant. Her name.

[Dr. Daniel Scott]

Kira. This is terrible, seeing you here like this. I've got to get you out of here. I've got to help you.

[Kira Zelas]

She is not so bad when you're here.

[Dr. Daniel Scott]

Listen, this is all a terrible mistake, if you'll tell me. Mistake? Why, yes, of course.

[Kira Zelas]

You.

[Dr. Daniel Scott]

Kira, you didn't kill that man.

[Kira Zelas]

If I said yes, what would you do?

[Dr. Daniel Scott]

Why, why, I'd tell him you weren't responsible. I'd tell him about the serum. I'd tell him it was my fault, that. That somehow the serum I gave you caused Your mind to snap something that. That would be the only explanation.

[Kira Zelas]

You'd do this? Ruin your career, no doubt, just to save me?

[Dr. Daniel Scott]

Oh, yes, of course I would.

[Kira Zelas]

And what would they do to me?

[Dr. Daniel Scott]

I. I don't know exactly. Put you away under observation, something.

[Kira Zelas]

Then my answer's no. I did not kill the man. Oh, don't worry. I won't be convicted. I'll take care of myself. Very well. I'll, as you say, adapt myself to the situation.

[Dr. Hermann Bach]

All right now, Mr. Salvatore, continue. Tell the court in your own words precisely what happened.

[Mr. Salvatore]

This old man, you see, is buying circus of peanuts from me every day for months, every day. And this one day, pull out his pocketbook. It's a bill fault. And I'm a. Look, it's a stuff with the bills, big money. He says, salvatore, can I make change for $20? And I'mma laugh. I may say, mister, I'm a peanut man. You take the peanuts and you pay me tomorrow. He said, thank you very much. He turned around and then here's this damage he pick up.

[Dr. Hermann Bach]

Oh.

[Mr. Salvatore]

Oh, it's great. The biggest stone and a conks him. It's murder.

[Prosecuting Attorney]

I object, your honor.

[Dr. Hermann Bach]

Objection Sustained. Continue, Mr. Salvatore.

[Mr. Salvatore]

Oh, should not be more to say this. Damn. She bend over and she reached in his pocket to take the money. I'm a grabber. People come. A Police come.

[Dr. Hermann Bach]

Mr. Salvatore, can you describe this young lady to us?

[Mr. Salvatore]

Oh, she. I remember her very well. She's. She's skinny. She ain't no beauty, you know. Got the black suit, the brown hair, eyes. Don't know. Dark, you know, maybe brown or Blue.

[Dr. Hermann Bach]

Thank you, Mr. Salvatore. Your witness.

[Prosecuting Attorney]

Mr. Salvatore, you say that the young lady, the assailant, had brown hair and dark eyes.

[Mr. Salvatore]

She brown hair, dark blue eyes.

[Prosecuting Attorney]

And do you see the young lady in the courtroom?

[Mr. Salvatore]

Oh, see, she's a sit right.

[Prosecuting Attorney]

What's the matter, Mr. Salvatore? Are you pointing at Mrs. Zaylis?

[Mr. Salvatore]

See.

[Prosecuting Attorney]

May I ask the defendant to rise, please? Ms. Zelis, will you kindly remove your hat, please?

[Dr. Daniel Scott]

Dr. Bach, look. Her hair, it's become the color of aluminum.

[Prosecuting Attorney]

Your honor, I submit that this defendant does not possess dark hair, nor, if you will observe, dark eyes. I am prepared therefore, to submit a lock of her hair to be tested by any chemist the court may appoint to prove that the pigmentation is entirely natural. Now, Mr. Salvatore, do you still say that this is the young lady you saw in the park?

[Mr. Salvatore]

I think she is.

[Dr. Hermann Bach]

She.

[Mr. Salvatore]

Mamma.

[Kira Zelas]

Miss.

[Mr. Salvatore]

No.

[Dr. Daniel Scott]

Good Lord. Dr. Bak, that hair of hers, did you see it? It was the color of aluminum. She was beautiful.

[Dr. Hermann Bach]

Yeah. Yeah, beautiful. And so she has been acquitted. They call her innocent, Daniel. I am a convert to your great principle of adaptability. But where will it end? You start with an ideal, and you wake up to discover you have created a monster.

[Dr. Daniel Scott]

But she was acquitted. It was all a mistake.

[Dr. Hermann Bach]

You really believe that, Dr. Bach? Yes, Mrs. Gris.

[Kira Zelas]

She is healed, doctor.

[Dr. Hermann Bach]

She.

[Kira Zelas]

That woman in the newspaper.

[Dr. Daniel Scott]

Kira is here.

[Kira Zelas]

You said she was so poor, Such a church mouse. Ah, you should see her.

[Dr. Daniel Scott]

What do you mean? Mrs. Gitz.

[Kira Zelas]

So fine, so great a lady.

[Dr. Daniel Scott]

I'll go and talk to her. Dr. Bach.

[Kira Zelas]

Hello, Brown eyes.

[Dr. Daniel Scott]

Hello, Kira.

[Kira Zelas]

Aren't you glad to see me?

[Dr. Daniel Scott]

Oh, yes. Yes, of course. Well, congratulations on your acquittal today. We were there.

[Kira Zelas]

I know. I sensed it. I was hurt that you didn't come up and congratulate me.

[Dr. Daniel Scott]

Well, there were photographers and.

[Dr. Hermann Bach]

What?

[Dr. Daniel Scott]

Kira, Your hair. It's black again.

[Kira Zelas]

Isn't it always? Don't you like it?

[Dr. Daniel Scott]

Oh, yes. Yes, of course. It's beautiful.

[Kira Zelas]

Am I beautiful, brown eyes?

[Dr. Daniel Scott]

Very, very beautiful.

[Kira Zelas]

And are you happy to have me back?

[Dr. Daniel Scott]

Oh, yes.

[Kira Zelas]

I always did like brown eyes. Kira, tell me, how do you like my new clothes? My gown?

[Dr. Daniel Scott]

Why, it's very nice.

[Kira Zelas]

Nice? It's exquisite. I have a whole new wardrobe. Hat, shoes, socks.

[Dr. Hermann Bach]

How.

[Dr. Daniel Scott]

Kira, where did you get the money?

[Kira Zelas]

Money?

[Dr. Daniel Scott]

You only had $3 when you left the hospital.

[Kira Zelas]

Oh, so I did.

[Dr. Daniel Scott]

Kira. Kira, you did take that wallet from the old man. Naturally.

[Dr. Hermann Bach]

You. You.

[Dr. Daniel Scott]

You did murder him.

[Kira Zelas]

Certainly. Oh, come, don't look so shocked. I'm tired, brown eyes. You'll excuse me if I appropriate Dr. Bach's room. Good night.

[Dr. Daniel Scott]

Doctor Bach. We've got to do something.

[Dr. Hermann Bach]

Yes, tenure, we do.

[Dr. Daniel Scott]

I haven't slept a wink all night trying to think of what we can do.

[Dr. Hermann Bach]

I've been here in the laboratory all night. I think I know what. This serum of yours, it has accomplished a miracle. Yeah. It is the adaptive ultimate changes that take the ordinary person days or months. She accomplishes instantly. She walks into the sunlight. She is tan. She walks out. She is pale again. When she is in danger, she adapts. She could survive the electricity, the hangman's noose. She was in danger in the courtroom. She adapted. She changed her whole appearance at will so she could not be identified.

[Dr. Daniel Scott]

Yes, I know. I know.

[Dr. Hermann Bach]

You must not blame yourself. You could not know what you were creating. Now, this morning, I operated on one of your guinea pigs. I found this. The pineal gland. Hypertrophied. That is what causes it.

[Dr. Daniel Scott]

Well, then Then we could operate and. And maybe change her back.

[Dr. Hermann Bach]

Yeah, but she can adapt to anything, anesthesia included. How can we operate unless we get her consent?

[Dr. Daniel Scott]

Well, perhaps.

[Dr. Hermann Bach]

Oh, you are dreaming, Daniel. Do you really think she will consent now? Now that she has power? Perhaps more power than any human being ever possessed before. Power for evil. And she has already killed one man, remember?

[Dr. Daniel Scott]

But if we watched her, Doctor, kept her under guard again.

[Dr. Hermann Bach]

Pygmalion falls in love with his Galatea. No, Dan, no. She must be destroyed. We must perform surgery at once or she'll die. She will go back to what she was with but a few hours to live. It is best, Daniel.

[Dr. Daniel Scott]

Yes, I suppose so.

[Dr. Hermann Bach]

Yes. Yes, Mrs. Goetz. Okay.

[Dr. Daniel Scott]

What is it, Dr. Bach?

[Dr. Hermann Bach]

And so perhaps she is also telepathic. She sensed what we were about to do, and now it is too late.

[Dr. Daniel Scott]

What do you mean?

[Dr. Hermann Bach]

Ms. Zelas is gone. Disappeared.

[Dr. Daniel Scott]

Doctor Bach, did you call for me?

[Dr. Hermann Bach]

Yes, Daniel. Have you seen the evening paper yet?

[Dr. Daniel Scott]

No, not yet.

[Dr. Hermann Bach]

Then here, after two months, there is news of our Ms. Kira Zelas.

[Dr. Daniel Scott]

What? Let me see that.

[Dr. Hermann Bach]

Where?

[Dr. Daniel Scott]

Oh, the surprise of the evening was the appearance of John Callan, ambassador at large, diplomat extraordinary. The man slated to head the forthcoming World Atomic energy control commission. Mr. Callan, one of Washington's confirmed bachelors, squired the the gorgeous Kira Zelis.

[Dr. Hermann Bach]

You see, she has become gorgeous.

[Dr. Daniel Scott]

Our Drab little urchin, Ms. Zelis, the dazzling beauty who affects a dark wig by day and a white one at night.

[Dr. Hermann Bach]

Great power of adaptability, courtesy of Dr. Daniel Scott. Dark by day, white by night.

[Dr. Daniel Scott]

Well, what are we going to do, Doctor? Do the World Atomic Energy Control, the one real hope of world peace. Curie isn't interested in peace.

[Dr. Hermann Bach]

What can we do? Surgery, I know, but politics? We must wait and see. We must wait and see how far your mad woman will.

[Prosecuting Attorney]

Washington is agog with rumors about the romance between glamorous Keira Zelis and John Callan, the newly appointed head of the World Atomic Energy Control. One of the most powerful political figures on the globe.

[Escape Radio Host]

John Callan leaves tomorrow for the crucial.

[Dr. Hermann Bach]

Atomic energy conferences at Geneva, Switzerland.

[Mr. Salvatore]

And sailing on the same boat as.

[Dr. Hermann Bach]

The exotic Ms. Kira Zaylas, with whom his name has been frequent.

[Mr. Salvatore]

Rumor has it Misalis acts as a.

[Dr. Hermann Bach]

Sort of unofficial assistant to Mr. Callan, thus making her one of the most important women in the world. Glamorous. Exotic of such fragile stuff is world peace fashion these days, Daniel.

[Dr. Daniel Scott]

I wonder what she intends to some.

[Dr. Hermann Bach]

Are they calling it dinner time?

[Dr. Daniel Scott]

Oh, sit still, Dr. Buck. I'll see who it Is. Yes, Kira.

[Kira Zelas]

Hello, Brown Eyes. May I come in?

[Dr. Daniel Scott]

Why, yes, of course.

[Dr. Hermann Bach]

Oh, our exotic guinea pig.

[Kira Zelas]

Good evening, Dr. Bach. I'm not intruding?

[Dr. Hermann Bach]

Of course not.

[Kira Zelas]

You're very kind. John and I. You've read about Mr. Callan?

[Dr. Hermann Bach]

Oh, yes. Yes.

[Kira Zelas]

We're leaving for Europe tomorrow for the conferences in Switzerland.

[Dr. Hermann Bach]

Yes.

[Kira Zelas]

He had a series of meetings to attend tonight, so I told him I would stay here.

[Dr. Hermann Bach]

You're staying here?

[Kira Zelas]

I took the liberty of saying you were my uncle, Doctor.

[Dr. Hermann Bach]

Oh.

[Kira Zelas]

John will call for me in the morning on his way to the airport. We're leaving at 8. I do hope I'm not too late for dinner.

[Dr. Hermann Bach]

Not at all. In fact, we're very happy to have you here. Aren't we, Dr. Scott?

[Dr. Daniel Scott]

Kira.

[Kira Zelas]

Hello, brown Eyes.

[Dr. Daniel Scott]

What are you doing out here in the garden?

[Kira Zelas]

Waiting for you.

[Dr. Daniel Scott]

You knew I'd follow you.

[Dr. Hermann Bach]

Of course.

[Kira Zelas]

Have you missed me?

[Dr. Daniel Scott]

You know I have. Oh, Kira, listen to me. Do you love this John Kellen?

[Kira Zelas]

When I want love, I'll come to you, Brown Eyes.

[Dr. Daniel Scott]

Well, then, why? What is it? Money.

[Kira Zelas]

Money? I don't need money anymore. What does an empress need with money?

[Dr. Daniel Scott]

Empress?

[Kira Zelas]

That's what you have made me. The most powerful woman the world's ever known. John Callan, he's supposed to be important, but in my hands, he's clay to be molded as I wish. Do you see what that means?

[Dr. Daniel Scott]

Yes, I see. You hold the fate of the world in your hands.

[Kira Zelas]

Exactly. To do with as I want. And I shall. Would you like to rule the world with me, Brown Eyes?

[Dr. Hermann Bach]

Kira.

[Dr. Daniel Scott]

You're evil.

[Kira Zelas]

What is good? What's evil? Come here, brown eyes. Look at me and forget such things.

[Dr. Daniel Scott]

Are you asleep, Dr. Bach?

[Dr. Hermann Bach]

Sleep? Who can sleep?

[Dr. Daniel Scott]

Kira's insane, Doctor. Do you know what she's planning to do? Go ahead. Oh, maybe. Maybe we could get to this, Callum.

[Dr. Hermann Bach]

And then what?

[Dr. Daniel Scott]

Well, if we could talk to him. Tell him.

[Dr. Hermann Bach]

Tell him? Tell him what? Didn't I talk to you? Would you listen? Where is she?

[Dr. Daniel Scott]

Oh, she's gone to sleep.

[Dr. Hermann Bach]

I tell you, there's only one remedy. Surgery. It is the only hope.

[Dr. Daniel Scott]

But she'll never consent to surgery, Dr. Bach. And she's probably immune to anesthesia.

[Dr. Hermann Bach]

Maybe not. Maybe not all. Anesthesia. What? Downstairs in my laboratory, I have a tank of ethyl chloride.

[Dr. Daniel Scott]

You mean operate here tonight?

[Dr. Hermann Bach]

Yeah, tonight. Right here where she sleeps. All right, then. Now stop staring down at her. Pour the anesthesia onto the cone. Hurry.

[Dr. Daniel Scott]

That ought to be enough to anesthetize an elephant.

[Dr. Hermann Bach]

Onto the face. Quickly.

[Dr. Daniel Scott]

All right.

[Dr. Hermann Bach]

Stand tightly hold it.

[Dr. Daniel Scott]

I'm trying. She's forcing my hands. I can't hold her. She's too strong. I.

[Kira Zelas]

You fools. Did you think you could make me unconscious? You. You were going to operate on me. Is that what you were planning? Or were you going to slit my throat with that scalpel?

[Dr. Daniel Scott]

Look, Kira, don't.

[Kira Zelas]

There.

[Dr. Hermann Bach]

You see?

[Kira Zelas]

I plunge your knife into my heart, I withdraw it and the wound is healed. Now go away, both of you. I want to sleep. John will be calling for me at 8.

[Dr. Hermann Bach]

Half past five in the morning. Two and a half hours more and she will leave. And the world will be one step nearer chaos. We are scientists, Dan. We have a responsibility to civilization. We must find a way to destroy this carbon dioxide. Carbon dioxide?

[Dr. Daniel Scott]

The fundamental biological law. No human can survive in its own waste product. Carbon dioxide is human waste, Dr. Bach. If we could fill the room where she's sleeping with carbon dioxide, she'd become unconscious. You could operate. And who are you calling?

[Dr. Hermann Bach]

The hospital. I will have them send over two tanks of carbon dioxide.

[Dr. Daniel Scott]

Do you think it should work?

[Dr. Hermann Bach]

Then we must try. Anything. Hello. This is Dr. Bach. Let me talk to surgery now. Hurry. It is an emergency. The tube is ready. You sealed the crack under the door?

[Dr. Daniel Scott]

Yes.

[Dr. Hermann Bach]

You close the window?

[Dr. Daniel Scott]

Yes.

[Dr. Hermann Bach]

All right. Let us start the gas. Then through the transom above the bedroom door, you will be able to observe her reactions. You placed the lighted candle inside the room?

[Dr. Daniel Scott]

Yes, Doctor. I left the candle on the table.

[Dr. Hermann Bach]

Observe it carefully.

[Dr. Daniel Scott]

All right.

[Dr. Hermann Bach]

When it goes out, your Ms. Kira Zelas should be unconscious. Then. Can you see inside the room from up there?

[Dr. Daniel Scott]

Yes, Doctor. Candle is flickering, Doctor. Wait. No, it's still flickering.

[Dr. Hermann Bach]

It.

[Dr. Daniel Scott]

It's just gone out, Doctor.

[Dr. Hermann Bach]

Excellent. It means there is now a concentration of 8 or 10% carbon dioxide. The average person would long since be dead, Doctor. Goddamn. What?

[Dr. Daniel Scott]

Just a minute.

[Dr. Hermann Bach]

Yes.

[Dr. Daniel Scott]

Yes, she's breathing much more quickly now. Convulsively.

[Dr. Hermann Bach]

Chainstock breathing.

[Dr. Daniel Scott]

She. She's opening her eyes.

[Dr. Hermann Bach]

Now what?

[Dr. Daniel Scott]

She's. She's getting up.

[Dr. Hermann Bach]

Getting up?

[Dr. Daniel Scott]

She's staggering, holding her throat. Doctor, she's gasping. She's moving toward the door. She's trying to unlock the.

[Dr. Hermann Bach]

So. So.

[Dr. Daniel Scott]

She'S seen me. She. She's trying to.

[Dr. Hermann Bach]

What is it?

[Dr. Daniel Scott]

She's collapsed. It's all.

[Dr. Hermann Bach]

Yes.

[Officer / John Callan]

How do you do, Dr. Bach?

[Dr. Hermann Bach]

I'm John Kellogg. Oh, yes, yes, of course. Come in.

[Officer / John Callan]

I haven't taken you away from anything?

[Dr. Hermann Bach]

Oh, no, no. We were performing some surgery. My associate and I have a miniature surgery here for emergencies. And we have just finished.

[Officer / John Callan]

Is that the patient on the table?

[Dr. Hermann Bach]

Yeah. Yes.

[Dr. Daniel Scott]

Is she?

[Dr. Hermann Bach]

Yes, she is Dead.

[Officer / John Callan]

Too bad. Seeky looking creature, wasn't she?

[Dr. Hermann Bach]

She was a charity case.

[Officer / John Callan]

Well, I. I won't keep you. Is Kira here?

[Dr. Hermann Bach]

No, she. She changed her plans. She said there were some things she wished to do and she would meet you at the airport.

[Officer / John Callan]

Well, that's a woman's prerogative, isn't it? Changing plans. I'd better get a move on, then. Nice to see you, Doctor. I. I hope we'll meet again when I return from Europe.

[Dr. Hermann Bach]

Yes, that will be nice, Mr. Callan. And good luck on your mission.

[Officer / John Callan]

Thank you, sir. Goodbye.

[Dr. Hermann Bach]

Yeah, Goodbye. Well, Daniel, maybe we will get some sleep now then, huh?

[Dr. Daniel Scott]

Oh, I'm. I'm sorry, Doctor. I was daydreaming. She's lovely, isn't she?

[Dr. Hermann Bach]

Lovely, yeah. Then lovely. May she always be in your memory.

[Escape Radio Host]

Escape is produced and directed by Norman Macdonald. Today we have presented transcribed the Adaptive ultimate by John Jessel. Adapted for radio by Chet Spurgeon and Herb Futran, with editorial supervision by John Dunkle. Starring Edgar Barrier as Dr. Bach and Stacy Harris as Dan Scott. Featured in the cast were Elsie Holmes, Frank Gerstel, Larry Dobkin, Tom Charlesworth and Anne Morrison. Special music was arranged and played by Ivan Ditmars.

Next week, you are trapped in a dark, empty house, a girl lying dead at your feet and surrounding you. Closing in on you are the band of killers, deadly enemies of your country and yourself. And they are intent on murdering you.

Next week, we escape with the famous story Confidential Agent by Graham Greene. Be sure to tune in at this same time next week when once again, we offer you Escape. This is Roy Rowan speaking for cbs, the Columbia Broadcasting System.

[Relic Radio Announcer]

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