The Big Brain by The Mysterious Traveler

Summary

Relic Radio Sci-Fi – “The Big Brain” (The Mysterious Traveler)

Original Airdate: April 20, 2026 (Episode release)
Summary by: RelicRadio.com
Story by: Robert A. Arthur & David Kogan
Stars: Leon Janney, Marilyn Erskine

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Episode Overview

In this classic episode from "The Mysterious Traveler" series, listeners are invited to hear the tale of "The Big Brain," an exploration of human ingenuity, temptation, and ethical dilemmas. The story centers around Professor Lester DeWitt, an earnest scientist working with a monumental mechanical calculator dubbed "the Big Brain," whose remarkable capabilities spark a dangerous game of chance, blackmail, and fate.

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Key Discussion Points and Plot Breakdown

1. Introduction to The Big Brain (00:43–05:54)

• Setting and Characters:
  Professor Lester DeWitt is in a futuristic computing lab at Worldwide Business Machines Corporation, working with the cutting-edge calculating machine known as “The Big Brain.”
• Relationship & Tone:
  DeWitt is focused and absent-minded, frustrating his fiancée, Julia, with his obsession. A lighthearted exchange occurs:
  • Julia (03:30): “I’ll just have to accept you for what you are. An absent-minded professor.”
• Capabilities of the Big Brain:
  The machine’s calculus abilities are explained, highlighting technological awe of the era:
  • DeWitt (04:10): “This machine can solve in a few seconds a problem that would take a scientist a lifetime to work out.”

2. The Experiment: Machine-Picked Horses (05:54–08:27)

• From Curiosity to Temptation:
  When the plant’s security guard, Pop, jokes about using the Big Brain to pick winning horses, Julia encourages Lester to try predicting the next day’s races for fun.
• Process:
  Julia reads racing stats, and Professor DeWitt enters data into the machine.
• Outcome:
  The Big Brain generates a list of predicted winners with remarkable confidence.
  • DeWitt (08:21): “Oh yes, no question of that. Tomorrow night we’ll buy an evening paper with the racing results and you’ll see for yourself.”
• Ethical Temptation:
  Julia urges Lester to bet small:
  • Julia (09:02): “If the machine is right, we can win enough money to buy all our furniture. Who knows, maybe even a house.”

3. Slippery Slope: Gambling and Blackmail (09:21–14:45)

• Winning Streak:
  Lester bets using the predictions — and wins big, drawing suspicion from Victor King, a local gambling boss.
• The Trap is Set:
  King confronts DeWitt, revealing he’s been watched and photographed; he has found Lester’s lab pass and the list of winning horses in his wallet.
  • King (11:01): “I have it here... I had to go through it to find out who the owner was.”
  • King (11:52): “How’d you explain that, Professor?”
• Blackmail:
  King forces DeWitt to continue supplying winners, using the threat of exposure and the evidence gathered.
  • DeWitt (13:03): “It’s blackmail, pure and simple. He has all the evidence he needs.”

4. Escalation: Ethics and Desperation (14:14–17:12)

• DeWitt’s Distress:
  DeWitt’s moral conflict deepens. He wants to end the scheme, but King refuses.
  • King (14:32): “All I’m interested in is money.”
  • DeWitt (14:24): “I can no longer go on with it.”
• A Desperate Plan:
  DeWitt tries to find a way out — feeding airline flight records into the Big Brain, attempting to predict a future plane crash.
  • DeWitt (16:28): “I’m attempting to find out if the Big Brain… can determine the date and time of a future plane crash.”

5. Fatal Calculations: Setting the Trap (17:20–19:14)

• Prediction:
  The Big Brain predicts Flight 106 will crash at 6:31pm on February 24th.
  • Julia (17:50): “Lester, this information, it can’t be right, can it?”
  • DeWitt (18:02): “Scientists can work out an approximation of accidents. The Big Brain has the ability to pinpoint facts… and reach a definite conclusion.”
• Ethical Quandary:
  Julia urges warning the airline; Lester believes no one would believe him.

6. The Airport Confrontation and Takeoff (19:14–21:44)

• Luring King:
  DeWitt manipulates King to take Flight 106, arranging a meeting at the airport under the pretext of providing last-minute race results.
• Twist:
  King insists Lester and Julia come along, using force.
  • Victor King (21:07): “We’re gonna show you the time of your life. Yes, sir.”

7. The Flight — and the Accident (22:00–25:54)

• The Tension Mounts:
  Onboard, DeWitt and Julia are anxious, finally revealing to King that the plane is going to crash.
  • DeWitt (22:33): “This plane. It’s going to crash at 6:31.”
  • King (22:41): “You heard me. The plane is going to crash.”
• Desperate Measures:
  A panicked King and his bodyguard force the pilots to land immediately, brandishing a gun.
• Crash Landing:
  The plane attempts an emergency landing, resulting in a crash.

8. Aftermath and Irony (26:12–27:36)

• Hospital Scene:
  Julia awakens Lester in the hospital. Both are mostly unharmed, but King and his bodyguard Steve are dead — they were unbelted in the crash.
• Ironic Twist:
  Though the crash occurred, it was due to King’s intervention, not the predicted mechanical disaster.
  • Lester (27:15): “The Big Brain picked the winners. But it was wrong about the plane crash, wasn’t it?”
  • Julia (27:36): “The plane crashed at 6:31pm, the exact moment that the Big Brain said it would. How do you explain that, Professor?”

9. Epilogue and Reflection (28:05–29:11)

• Open Questions:
  The Mysterious Traveler returns, contemplating fate, ethics, and the limits of prediction.
  • Narrator (28:26): “But one thing is certain. Professor DeWitt, for some strange reason, has lost all scientific interest in the Big Brain.”
• Preview of Next Week:
  Teaser for a new story, reminding listeners of the ongoing mysteries the series offers.

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Notable Quotes & Moments with Timestamps

• The Power of Machines
  • Professor DeWitt (04:10): “This machine can solve in a few seconds a problem that would take a scientist a lifetime to work out.”
• Temptation and Rationalization
  • Julia (09:02): “If the machine is right, we can win enough money to buy all our furniture. Who knows, maybe even a house.”
• Facing Blackmail
  • Victor King (11:52): “How’d you explain that, Professor?”
  • DeWitt (13:03): “It’s blackmail, pure and simple. He has all the evidence he needs.”
• Confronting the Limits of Science
  • Julia (27:36): “The plane crashed at 6:31pm, the exact moment that the Big Brain said it would. How do you explain that, Professor?”

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Timestamps for Key Story Segments

• 00:43 – Introduction to The Big Brain and cast of characters
• 05:54 – Betting experiment begins
• 09:21 – Professor DeWitt starts winning, draws attention
• 11:01 – King blackmails DeWitt
• 14:14 – DeWitt tries to stop; King refuses
• 16:27 – DeWitt attempts to predict a plane crash
• 17:36 – Prediction printed out: Flight 106, 6:31pm
• 19:44 – Lester lures King to Flight 106
• 21:07 – King forces Lester and Julia onto the plane
• 22:33 – In-flight revelation: "This plane is going to crash at 6:31"
• 25:54 – The crash occurs
• 26:21 – Aftermath: hospital scene, realization about King’s fate
• 27:36 – Irony revealed; was the Big Brain right or wrong?
• 28:05 – Mysterious Traveler’s reflection and outro

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Overall Tone & Style

The episode blends a noir sensibility with mid-century scientific optimism (and anxiety), weaving suspense and moral questioning into a tightly plotted drama. The dialogue oscillates between earnest, slightly dramatic delivery, and witty exchanges, with the ever-present narrator delivering sly, thought-provoking asides.

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Summary

"The Big Brain" is a classic tale of hubris, fate, and the ethical dangers of unchecked technology. What begins as an innocent experiment with a new calculating machine spirals into gambling, blackmail, and mortal risk — illustrating that even the most advanced tools can’t outguess the unpredictable variables of human nature. The ambiguous ending leaves listeners pondering the role of fate: did the "Big Brain" merely predict, or did its prophecy ensure the destiny it described?

Transcript

[Julia]

Relic radio.

[Professor Lester DeWitt]

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

[Victor King]

The Mutual Broadcasting System presents the Mysterious Traveler. Written, produced and directed by Robert A. Arthur and David Copen and starring tonight, two of radio's foremost personalities, Leon Danny and Marilyn Erskine in the big break. This is the Mysterious Tramp inviting you to join me on another journey into the realm of the strange and the terrifying. I hope you will enjoy the trip, that it will thrill you a little

[Professor Lester DeWitt]

and chill you a little.

[Victor King]

So settle back, get a good grip on your nerves and be comfortable if you can as you hear the story I call the Big Brain.

[Professor Lester DeWitt]

My story begins in one of the manufacturing plants of the Worldwide Business Machines Corporation. In one wing of the plant is

[Victor King]

housed the huge laboratories of the company

[Professor Lester DeWitt]

where newly designed and experimental calculating machines are built and tested. It is evening and the vast laboratory

[Victor King]

with its long rows of intricate looking

[Professor Lester DeWitt]

machines is deserted except for a young

[Victor King]

University professor, Lester DeWitt. Tall, lanky and in his early 30s, DeWitt stands before a massive machine that dwarfs all others in the laboratory.

[Professor Lester DeWitt]

Swiftly, efficiently, he presses tabulating keys on the control board, oblivious of all else. 3.521 to the eighth digit. 74.3 to the third digit. 7. 4.56 to the fourth digit.

[Victor King]

Is that you, Professor DeWitt?

[Professor Lester DeWitt]

Oh yes, Pop. I'm at the big brain. 6.527 to the fourth digit.

[Victor King]

Now you've got your visitor, Professor. Now, a visitor?

[Professor Lester DeWitt]

Julia.

[Julia]

I'm glad to see that you at least remember my name.

[Victor King]

Of course, Professor. I'm not supposed to allow anyone in here but our engineers and university people like yourself. But I figured seeing you and hers engaged.

[Professor Lester DeWitt]

Thanks, Pop.

[Victor King]

That's all right. Joy seeing young people get together.

[Professor Lester DeWitt]

Oh, Julia, I'm terribly sorry. I forgot completely. Were you waiting long?

[Julia]

Only a half hour. By then I realized I'd been stood up.

[Professor Lester DeWitt]

Oh, well, I'm. Honestly, Julia, I had no idea it was so late. I. If I decided to run a test at 5:30 and be finished bye by 6. 6:30 at the latest.

[Julia]

If you could only see your face.

[Professor Lester DeWitt]

You aren't angry with me?

[Julia]

No, no, I'm not angry. I'll just have to accept you for what you are. An absent minded professor.

[Victor King]

Well.

[Julia]

So this is my arrival. I've never seen such a huge machine.

[Professor Lester DeWitt]

It weighs over 50 tons.

[Julia]

50 tons? That's right.

[Victor King]

The staff here at the plant calls

[Professor Lester DeWitt]

it the Big Brain. It's the only one of its kind in the world. Julia.

[Julia]

Lester, those thousands of keys, levers. Do you know what each one of them is for?

[Professor Lester DeWitt]

Why, yes, of course. Oh, look at it. Do you realize that the big brain can calculate elliptical integrals?

[Julia]

Is that good?

[Victor King]

Good?

[Professor Lester DeWitt]

Why, human mind has never been able to solve elliptical integrals. There have been no methods of solution. But this machine can. Oh, the big brain, Julia, can solve in a few seconds a problem that would take a scientist a lifetime to work out.

[Victor King]

There's one thing your big brain can do, Professor.

[Professor Lester DeWitt]

Huh? What's that?

[Victor King]

It can take this racing sheet and talk about the winners of tomorrow's races.

[Professor Lester DeWitt]

Still playing the horses, eh, Pop?

[Victor King]

Yep. Not doing so good either. Well, I gotta make me rounds. Nice talking to you young folks.

[Julia]

Good night, Mr. Collins.

[Professor Lester DeWitt]

Good night, pal.

[Julia]

Oh, I really should be jealous of that machine. Les, a certain light appears in your eyes when you speak of it. Sometimes I think that you care more for that.

[Professor Lester DeWitt]

But you really don't believe that?

[Julia]

No, not really.

[Professor Lester DeWitt]

Hey, look. Pop left his racing paper behind.

[Julia]

What are you looking through it for?

[Professor Lester DeWitt]

Hi. I've never read a racing sheet before. It's interesting. Very interesting. You know, this racing sheet is a treasury of facts. Why, in each race alone, there are over a thousand facts to be taken into consideration. Yes.

[Julia]

Now, Les, you aren't going to spend the rest of the night studying that paper, are you?

[Professor Lester DeWitt]

I had always been inclined to think that horse racing was a matter of sheer luck. That isn't so at all. Look at all the information that's available in this paper. I can't understand why Pop thought the big brain couldn't calculate the winners of these races.

[Julia]

You mean you think it could?

[Professor Lester DeWitt]

I see no reason why it shouldn't be able to in view of all these facts we have on past performances.

[Julia]

Lester, you aren't serious, are you?

[Professor Lester DeWitt]

Of course I am. Would you like to try it as an experiment?

[Julia]

An experiment?

[Professor Lester DeWitt]

Yes. We'll put all these facts through the machine.

[Julia]

Oh, this I have to see. By all means.

[Professor Lester DeWitt]

All right. First, it's a matter of learning what all these abbreviations and symbols stand for. Then, yes, it's merely a matter of your reading the facts on past performances and my feeding it to the machine.

[Julia]

Going away. $9.50. Flying Ghost.

[Professor Lester DeWitt]

Flying Ghost.

[Julia]

October 5, 1949.

[Professor Lester DeWitt]

October 5, 1949.

[Julia]

Belmont Park. Three year olds and up, claiming $5,000amile and an eighth. 120 pounds, $20. Jockey Riker track fast track fast. Post position, fourth start, sixth quarter, fourth half, fourth, three quarters, third, third mile, third stretch, third finish, third, two lengths, two lengths, driving, $5.20.

[Professor Lester DeWitt]

$5.20.

[Julia]

That does it? Eight races. Now that you've given all the facts to the machine, what's next?

[Professor Lester DeWitt]

I pull this lever. Then the calculator goes to work.

[Julia]

Good Lord. How long does it take?

[Professor Lester DeWitt]

It's just a matter of seconds.

[Julia]

Do you really think it'll work?

[Victor King]

Work? Of course.

[Professor Lester DeWitt]

Unless the machine breaks down. And as you can see, it's working perfectly.

[Victor King]

Yeah.

[Professor Lester DeWitt]

The solution has been attained.

[Julia]

Where is it?

[Professor Lester DeWitt]

I merely have to pull this lever and it will be printed on a sheet of paper and ejected at this point here.

[Victor King]

Watch

[Professor Lester DeWitt]

there.

[Julia]

Let me see it. First race winner yet a Deer. Place, Speeding, Folly, Show, Quaker Girl. And it has the results of the other races as well?

[Victor King]

Naturally.

[Julia]

And these horses are the winners?

[Professor Lester DeWitt]

Oh, yes. No question of that. Tomorrow night we'll buy an evening paper with the racing results and you'll see for yourself.

[Julia]

Les?

[Professor Lester DeWitt]

Yes?

[Julia]

If you're so sure that these are the winners, why not make a small bet on the first race?

[Professor Lester DeWitt]

A small bet?

[Julia]

Yes. Bet $2 to win on yet a deer in the first race. Then if yet a deer wins, as you say, she will put all the winnings on the second race. Then the third, fourth, fifth.

[Professor Lester DeWitt]

But I couldn't do that.

[Julia]

Why not?

[Professor Lester DeWitt]

Well, it wouldn't be ethical. I'm here from the university as a guest of this company.

[Julia]

Oh, now, let's stop being stuffy. We've been saving for a year now to get married. If the machine is right, we can win enough money to buy all our furniture. Who knows, maybe even a house.

[Professor Lester DeWitt]

Oh, I'm sorry, Julia, but I'm afraid I couldn't.

[Julia]

Oh, why are you so stubborn? Who could it possibly harm? And think of what it would mean to us.

[Professor Lester DeWitt]

Yes, I know.

[Julia]

Please.

[Professor Lester DeWitt]

Pardon me. Where can I make a two dollar wager?

[Victor King]

All right. Here, friend. What's your pleasure?

[Professor Lester DeWitt]

My pleasure? Oh, oh, well, I, I, I'd like to bet on yet a deer in the first race at Hialeah.

[Victor King]

Two bucks?

[Professor Lester DeWitt]

Yes, please.

[Victor King]

All right.

[Professor Lester DeWitt]

Here?

[Victor King]

Yeah, Here to there. Paid 620. Hey.

[Professor Lester DeWitt]

Thank you. I'd now like to bet $6 to win on Morning Glory in the second race of Hialeah.

[Victor King]

Six on the nose of Morning Glory?

[Professor Lester DeWitt]

That's right.

[Victor King]

Okay, you're covered. Ah, here he is, boss. Come in. Professor DeWitt.

[Professor Lester DeWitt]

Come in.

[Victor King]

I'm Victor King.

[Professor Lester DeWitt]

Well, how do you know who I am?

[Victor King]

It's my business to know the names of the people who patronize my establishments. All right, Steve, that'll be all. Okay, boss. I'll be outside.

[Professor Lester DeWitt]

Wait.

[Victor King]

Well, I understand, professor, that you selected the winners of eight straight races and that I owe you $24,250.

[Professor Lester DeWitt]

Yes, that's right.

[Victor King]

You'll find that I'm a businessman who pays off promptly. Will thousand dollar bills be all right?

[Professor Lester DeWitt]

Yes, yes, of course.

[Victor King]

Tell me, eight winners. What do you attribute it to?

[Professor Lester DeWitt]

Oh, just luck.

[Victor King]

Luck, huh? Here you are, 24,250. What's wrong? Lose something?

[Professor Lester DeWitt]

Hi. My wallet. I can't seem to find it.

[Victor King]

Oh, yes, your wallet. I have it here. Must have dropped it a little while ago in the racing room. One of my men found it and turned it over to me. Naturally, I had to go through it to find out who the owner was.

[Professor Lester DeWitt]

Yes, I. I suppose so.

[Victor King]

Besides $17, there are a number of things in it. Driver's license, a state university faculty card, a pass for admittance to the technical laboratory of Worldwide Business Machines. And this sheet of paper.

[Professor Lester DeWitt]

Oh. Oh, yes, that.

[Victor King]

Very interesting professor has listed a selection of win, place and shows for today's eight races at Hylia. Strangely enough, every horse in this list came in exactly as selected. How'd you explain that, Professor?

[Professor Lester DeWitt]

I don't have to explain it. Now, if you'll be so good as to return my wallet and everything that was in it.

[Victor King]

I'm sorry, professor, but I'm afraid you'll have to play ball whether you want to or not.

[Professor Lester DeWitt]

What do you mean?

[Victor King]

Sit down, professor, and I'll tell you. Sit down, Professor.

[Professor Lester DeWitt]

Yes, that's it.

[Victor King]

Now we can really be done. The business.

[Professor Lester DeWitt]

And then, Julia, he showed me pictures that had been taken of me in the racing room. Half a dozen of them, all showing me making bets.

[Julia]

Oh, no.

[Professor Lester DeWitt]

Yes. Why? Why, he even had a camera hidden in the wall of his penthouse office which filmed everything I said and did up in that penthouse.

[Julia]

What? He was just laying a trap for you.

[Professor Lester DeWitt]

Yes, he certainly was.

[Julia]

But you didn't tell him how you'd gotten the winners of the races today.

[Professor Lester DeWitt]

No, no, but I. I think he suspects. He found my wallet and in it the pass to the laboratory of Worldwide Business Machines. And he saw the sheet with the names of the winners printed on it.

[Julia]

And he demands that you give him the winners of every day's races.

[Professor Lester DeWitt]

Yes. Yes, it's blackmail, pure and simple. He has all the evidence he needs.

[Julia]

But, Lester, if you were to go to the university officials, the president of Worldwide Business Machines, it would be the

[Professor Lester DeWitt]

end of my academic career. You know how the university is about such things. They'd regard my use of the big brain as dishonesty.

[Julia]

Worse, it's all my fault. All my fault. It was I who made you bet on those horses. Oh, no, no.

[Professor Lester DeWitt]

Nonsense, darling. If I really hadn't wanted to. You. You couldn't have made me lest.

[Julia]

What are you going to do?

[Professor Lester DeWitt]

What can I do? I've got to supply King with the winners. If I don't, he'll expose me, ruin my.

[Victor King]

What about a cigar, Professor? A drink? No, I'm feeling good, really good. Three days in a row. All the winners at Hialeah. Yes, sir. I'm feeling good. By the way, I'm putting your share of the winnings aside, Professor. It now amounts to 46,000. You can have it any time you want.

[Professor Lester DeWitt]

I told you before, I don't want any part of that money. My purpose in coming here was to explain to you that I can no longer go on with it.

[Victor King]

You can't go on with it. Why not?

[Professor Lester DeWitt]

How can I expect you to understand the matter of ethics?

[Victor King]

Ethics?

[Professor Lester DeWitt]

You can't.

[Victor King]

All I'm interested in is money. Now, listen to me, Professor. You're going on supplying me with winners. We're playing this out to the finish.

[Professor Lester DeWitt]

The finish? When will that be?

[Victor King]

I'll let you know. Now, today is Monday. I'm figuring on flying out to Santa Anita in a few days for the big handicap on Saturday. I want you to dope out the winners as soon as possible. I'm figuring on making a real killing at the track.

[Professor Lester DeWitt]

I won't do it.

[Victor King]

Now, professor, we don't have to go over that again. Yeah, see, we do. Okay, Professor, I'll put it on the line. Straight. No trimmings. Sit down. This may take a little time.

[Professor Lester DeWitt]

47 flights. 8, 22 flights B, 10 flights C, 9 flights D. 6 flights total. 47,

[Julia]

Lester. So here you are. I've tried to find you everywhere.

[Professor Lester DeWitt]

Oh. Oh, hello, Julie.

[Julia]

I phoned you at home in university. Then I thought I'd come here. Did you see Victor King?

[Professor Lester DeWitt]

Yes, I saw him.

[Julia]

What did he say? I mean, when you told him you were through with him.

[Professor Lester DeWitt]

He said that isn't the way he plays ball. It seems I have to play his way or else.

[Julia]

Oh, Leth.

[Professor Lester DeWitt]

Mr. King is a master of blackmail.

[Julia]

Les, what are these? Hundreds of books. What are you doing?

[Professor Lester DeWitt]

These are flight records of the different airlines that fly to the West Coast. These records go back five years.

[Julia]

What are you doing with them?

[Professor Lester DeWitt]

I'm entering these records into the big brain. Trying an experiment. I don't know whether or not it'll work.

[Julia]

What kind of an experiment?

[Professor Lester DeWitt]

I'm attempting to find Out. If the big brain, given all available flight information can determine the date and time of a future plane crash.

[Julia]

A future plane crash?

[Professor Lester DeWitt]

Yes.

[Julia]

But why?

[Professor Lester DeWitt]

Victor King is going to fly to California within the next few days. As yet he hasn't decided what flight he's taking.

[Julia]

Well, what has that got to do less?

[Professor Lester DeWitt]

Why not? What else can I fight back with? Maybe this whole experiment is crazy, but. But if the big brain can determine future plane crashes and if one is due to occur within the next five days, I'm going to do my best to see to it that Victor King is on that plan.

[Julia]

Les, what you're doing is insane.

[Professor Lester DeWitt]

Maybe time will tell.

[Julia]

You must listen to me. You've got to go to the university officials and make a clean breast of things. I'm sure the fellow there.

[Professor Lester DeWitt]

The solution has been attained.

[Julia]

Let me see it. Flight 106, Universal Airlines, 4:30pm New York, Los Angeles. Crash 631 near Canton, Ohio, February 24th.

[Professor Lester DeWitt]

February 24th. This is Friday. And King wants to be in California Saturday for the races.

[Julia]

Lester, this information, it can't be right, can it?

[Professor Lester DeWitt]

It's a law of averages, Julia. Scientists given all the facts can work out an approximation of accidents. The big brain has the ability to pinpoint facts, calculate them to a degree beyond the human mind and reach a definite conclusion.

[Julia]

You mean there's no question about it. Flight 106 will crash February 24th.

[Professor Lester DeWitt]

The Big Brain hasn't been wrong as yet. So there's always a first time. Of course.

[Julia]

But let. If there's a possibility of that plane crashing, we've got to go to the airline and warn them.

[Professor Lester DeWitt]

If I went to them and told them. Gentlemen, I believe that Flight 106 on February 24th is going to crash. What do you think they would say? They had me placed under mental observation.

[Julia]

But Les, if that plane crashed is killing innocent people. You'd never forgive yourself.

[Professor Lester DeWitt]

What's going to be will be. I can't prevent that which is ordained to happen.

[Julia]

And you're going to try to see to it that Victor King is on Flight 106?

[Professor Lester DeWitt]

Yes. Come what may, I've got to make sure he's on that flight.

[Victor King]

Hello? Hello, professor, this is Victor King. Yes, Mr. King, it's already Wednesday afternoon. Why haven't I received the winners of Saturday's races at Santa Anita?

[Professor Lester DeWitt]

I'm afraid I can't have them for you until Friday afternoon around 4. Why not? I've got to have last minute scratches and other information to be able to calculate the winners.

[Victor King]

Friday Afternoon. It doesn't give me much time to get to Santa Juanita.

[Professor Lester DeWitt]

Why don't I meet you at the airport Friday afternoon at 4:00'?

[Victor King]

Clock?

[Professor Lester DeWitt]

There's a 4:30 plane to California. Flight 106. Get you there at midnight.

[Victor King]

Flight 106 leaves 4:30.

[Professor Lester DeWitt]

That sounds all right. Then I'll meet you at the airport at 4 o'. Clock. Good. I'll be expecting you. Don't worry, King. I'll be there. There's the gate for Flight 106. Straight ahead.

[Julia]

Lester, I wish you wouldn't go through with it. Won't you please go to the airline? Tell them that there's a chance 106 may crash.

[Professor Lester DeWitt]

I told you, Julia, they'd only think I was insane. Now be quiet. There's King standing at the gate to his bodyguard.

[Victor King]

Well, professor, turning it rather fine, aren't you? It's already 4:25. The plane's ready to leave.

[Professor Lester DeWitt]

I was delayed by traffic. Here's the list of winners for tomorrow's races.

[Victor King]

Good. Walk me to the plane. I want to talk to you.

[Professor Lester DeWitt]

All right.

[Victor King]

Hey, big race tomorrow. Citation isn't the winner.

[Professor Lester DeWitt]

That's right.

[Victor King]

Oh, this is perfect. Perfect. All the big money will be on Citation. Will we clean up?

[Julia]

Oh, Patson, just please get aboard.

[Victor King]

Sure thing, honey. Professor, I've got a little surprise for you and your girlfriend.

[Professor Lester DeWitt]

Surprise?

[Victor King]

Yes, that's right. Me and Steve here are taking you with us. We're gonna show you the time of your life. Yes, sir.

[Professor Lester DeWitt]

But. But we can't go. I have classes.

[Victor King]

What are you talking about? This is Friday. We'll have you back by Monday. Now get aboard.

[Julia]

We haven't any clothes.

[Victor King]

Yes, you have. I brought along clothes for both of you. Everything's been taken care of. You two are going and we have to carry you, boy.

[Professor Lester DeWitt]

No, no, I. I won't go.

[Victor King]

I. Look, I'm one of great trouble to fix up this trip and you're going get her on that plane.

[Professor Lester DeWitt]

Steve, can't you understand?

[Julia]

Stop. Put me down. I don't want to go.

[Professor Lester DeWitt]

Liz, tell him to put her down. Come back, Julia.

[Victor King]

Okay, students, they're going to fall. Tell the pilot we're all set. Let's go.

[Julia]

Les. What time is this?

[Professor Lester DeWitt]

Julius, stop asking me the time every minute. I just told you.

[Victor King]

What's the matter with you two? Don't you like flying? Been sitting on the edge of your seats ever since we took off? Yeah, you think they were going to a funeral instead of California? And the best time they ever have.

[Julia]

I can't stand this much longer. You've got to tell them. It's our only chance.

[Professor Lester DeWitt]

Tell them.

[Julia]

Yes.

[Professor Lester DeWitt]

Maybe you're right.

[Victor King]

King. What is it, professor?

[Professor Lester DeWitt]

Come a little closer. I got something to tell you.

[Victor King]

Sure. What is it?

[Professor Lester DeWitt]

This plane. It's going to crash at 6:31.

[Victor King]

Crash? What are you talking about?

[Professor Lester DeWitt]

You heard me. The plane is going to crash.

[Victor King]

I like a joke, but that's not funny.

[Julia]

It's not a joke. Can't you see? But he's serious.

[Victor King]

How do you know the plane is going to crash?

[Professor Lester DeWitt]

Same way I found out about the winners. The big brain.

[Victor King]

If you aren't leveling with me, I'll guess you are. You're scared. Really scared. I'm getting scared too. Why'd you let us in for this? You must have known before we got on this plane. Oh, I get it. You didn't figure on me taking you along. Hey, boss, we gotta do something. I'll settle with you two later. Come on, Steve.

[Professor Lester DeWitt]

What are you gonna do?

[Victor King]

You'll see. Have your gun ready, Steve. I'm making the pilot set us down, but fast. Yeah, yeah, yeah, sure. Here's where we take over. I'm sorry, sir, but passengers aren't allowed up here. Steve, a gun? Yeah. Now listen, bright boy. You and your little playmate here are gonna set this plane down, but fast. What for? Because I say, son, I. Don't argue. Land this plane. The nearest airfield's 20 minutes away and it can't. Alrighty. Set it down now, this minute. Make an emergency landing. You must be out of your mind. Dave, count of five. If he doesn't start putting down, give it to the Coke pilot.

[Professor Lester DeWitt]

Right.

[Victor King]

1, 2, 3, 4. Okay, you're calling it.

[Professor Lester DeWitt]

Pete, give me a reading. Speed, 240 miles per hour. Altitude, 40.

[Victor King]

As we come over this mountain, there's a large field. We'll try to set down on it.

[Professor Lester DeWitt]

Project.

[Victor King]

We gotta get down. Oh, yeah.

[Julia]

Come on.

[Victor King]

Put this plane down. Mister, if you want to take over, just say the word. Give me a reading, Pete.

[Professor Lester DeWitt]

Speed, 255 miles per hour. Altitude, 2,000ft.

[Victor King]

It's getting dark fast. We better circle the field a couple of times. I'll cycle just fine. He'd give it to the passengers over the page.

[Professor Lester DeWitt]

Roger. We are now preparing to land. Passengers are asked to remain calm. Please fasten all safety belts.

[Victor King]

You two guys better go back to your seats fast. Your belts. It's gonna be a rough landing. Yeah. If it's all the same to you, we'll stay right here where we can keep an eye on you. Do it yourself. You don't mind if Pete and me strap ourselves into you? Cut the chatter and land.

[Professor Lester DeWitt]

Give me a read, Pete. Speed 230 miles per hour. Altitude 800ft.

[Victor King]

Flaps down.

[Professor Lester DeWitt]

Flaps down.

[Victor King]

Landing gear down.

[Professor Lester DeWitt]

Landing gear down.

[Victor King]

Landing lights on.

[Professor Lester DeWitt]

Landing lights on. Reading speed 180 miles. Altitude 500ft. Speed 145. Altitude 200ft. Speed 135. 125. 115. 95. Down 80. 70. Bob, there's a drainage ditch across the field. Take her up.

[Victor King]

Too late.

[Professor Lester DeWitt]

Hang on. Oh, my head.

[Julia]

Just lie quietly. Les.

[Victor King]

Julia.

[Professor Lester DeWitt]

Julia.

[Julia]

Where am I? You're in a hospital. You've been unconscious almost three hours. But the doctor says you'll be up in a few days.

[Professor Lester DeWitt]

When the plane crash? Yes. Julia, Are you all right?

[Julia]

I was just shaken up looking.

[Professor Lester DeWitt]

You're King. What about him?

[Julia]

King and his bodyguard Steve were killed.

[Professor Lester DeWitt]

Killed?

[Julia]

Yes, when the plane crashed, they were up front, without safety belts.

[Professor Lester DeWitt]

Anybody else killed?

[Julia]

No, a half dozen were hurt, but they'll all leave.

[Professor Lester DeWitt]

So, King, he's dead?

[Julia]

Yes.

[Professor Lester DeWitt]

That means we're free. Julia. He was the only one knew about the Big Brain. The way I was getting those winners.

[Julia]

Yes, lass, we're free.

[Professor Lester DeWitt]

Strange. The Big Brain picked the winners. But it was wrong about the plane crash run. Yes. After all, the only reason the plane crashed was because King forced the pilot to make an emergency landing.

[Julia]

You're overlooking just one fact, Les.

[Victor King]

What?

[Julia]

The plane crashed at 6:31pm the exact moment that the Big Brain said it would. How do you explain that, Professor?

[Victor King]

This is the mysterious traveler again. Yes. Young Professor DeWitt had a good deal to ponder about while he was coming from the hospital. Would a plane crash have occurred if Victor King hadn't forced the pilot to make an emergency landing? Or was that the crash the Big Brain predicted? It's hard to say.

[Professor Lester DeWitt]

But one thing is certain.

[Victor King]

Professor DeWitt, for some strange reason, has lost all scientific interest in the Big Brain.

[Professor Lester DeWitt]

Oh, that reminds me of next week's story, the Dark Underworld. It's about a strange old man who lives half his life in the maze

[Victor King]

of sewers beneath the streets of Manhattan.

[Professor Lester DeWitt]

And he discovers it.

[Victor King]

Oh, you'll have to get off here. I'm sorry.

[Professor Lester DeWitt]

I'm sure we'll meet again. I take this same train every week at this same time.

[Victor King]

You have just heard the mysterious traveler, which is played by Maurice Tartlet. In the cast were Leon, Jenny, Marilyn Erskine, Santa Zortega and John Marley. Original music was composed and played by Al Finnell. This is Bob Everick speaking. All characters in our story were fictitious. And any resemblance to the names of actual persons was purely coincidental. This is the Mutual Broadcasting System.