
We’ll hear The Big Brain, from The Mysterious Traveler on this week’s Relic Radio Science Fiction. This story was originally broadcast March 14, 1950. Listen to more from The Mysterious Traveler https://traffic.libsyn.com/forcedn/e55e1c7a-e213-4a20-8701-21862bdf1f8a/SciFi929.mp3 Download SciFi929 | Subscribe | Spotify | Support Relic Radio Science Fiction
Loading summary
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.
Original Airdate: April 20, 2026 (Episode release)
Summary by: RelicRadio.com
Story by: Robert A. Arthur & David Kogan
Stars: Leon Janney, Marilyn Erskine
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.
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.
"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?