
Relic Radio Science Fiction features The CBS Radio Mystery Theater this week. We'll hear The Colony, from November 9, 1976. Listen to more from The CBS Radio Mystery Theater https://traffic.libsyn.com/forcedn/e55e1c7a-e213-4a20-8701-21862bdf1f8a/SciFi890.mp3 Download SciFi890 | Subscribe | Spotify | Support Relic Radio Science Fiction Your support makes this show possible. If you’d like to help, visit donate.relicradio.com for more information. Thank you.
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May Norton
Relic Radio.
Michael Duncan
This is Relic Radio. Sci Fi Old time Radio. Science fiction stories from relicradio.com.
Sheriff Thad Marcus
Foreign.
EG Marshall
The CBS Radio Mystery Theater presents. Come in. Welcome. I'm EG Marshall, in charge of the bizarre, keeper of the grotesque, collector of the fantastic. It is my duty to delve into unfrequented places in search of the unexpected ideal in that touch of the improbable which gives a series of events the quality we call mystery. If an element of horror creeps in now and again. You don't really mind, do you? I thought not. Actually, that's why we're all here, isn't it?
May Norton
You want to take some advice from an old woman who knows pretty much what goes on in the town of Colony.
Michael Duncan
What advice?
May Norton
If I was you and wanted to finish my nice vacation like I planned around the country camping out. If I was you, I just get up from here right now, get into my car and I'd drive right on ahead to wherever it was I wanted to get to in the first place. I wouldn't spend one more minute than I had to in the town of Colony.
EG Marshall
Our mystery drama the Colony was written especially for the Mystery theater by Field and Farrington and stars Tony Roberts. It is sponsored in part by sign off the sinus medicines and Buick Motor Division. I'll be back shortly with Act 1.
Sheriff Thad Marcus
It is a magic moment. You are at your Buick dealers about to drive home in your brand new Buick Glassabre. It's lean and trimmed, classic lines. It looks quite unlike any Ford full size Buick you can remember. You get in a heady new car. Smell surrounds you. Your Lesabre feels the way it looks.
EG Marshall
Tight.
Sheriff Thad Marcus
You turn the wheel a little. No wasted motion in this car. Big brushed metallic gauges look back at you. That V6 engine is doing great. You rub your hand on the seat. Six people could be really comfortable in here. You swing into your driveway. Your wife, the kids, the dog. Everyone with the parakeet descends on the car and gets in off. You go to nowhere in particular. Life and your new saber are great. Maybe the dog shouldn't sit on the seats. And now for British Airways.
Michael Duncan
Mr. Robert Morley.
EG Marshall
There's nothing British Airways likes better than taking you Americans for a ride to Britain. Naturally. Especially now when your dollars worth so much more.
Michael Duncan
So why stay at home?
EG Marshall
To make it easy to come here for all our wonderful bargains. British Airways has some wonderful bargain fares for you.
Sheriff Thad Marcus
There's one called Cheep Cheep.
EG Marshall
I'm very fond of that name.
Sheriff Thad Marcus
That gives you an amazingly low price. If you could spend from 22 to.
EG Marshall
45 days with us. Of course, you must book and pay two months in advance and there's a fifty dollar cancellation fee, so please don't change your mind.
Sheriff Thad Marcus
For those of you who simply can't.
EG Marshall
Plan ahead, we have a 22 to 45 day fare that requires no advance booking. So whether you're very exacting about your plans or one of those who can never exactly plan ahead, British Airways has the right ride for you.
Sheriff Thad Marcus
British Airways.
Michael Duncan
Cheap, cheap fare, $343. 22 to 45 day fare, $508 round trip Chicago to London, $15 more on weekends, subject to government approval, restrictions contained in holidays and cheap, cheap brochures.
EG Marshall
If you were doing the looking, where would you look for an occurrence that could be properly described as macabre? Where would you expect a nightmare to happen? In some dusty dungeon overlaid with a patina of past horrors? In an ancient middle European principality famous for its vampire and walking dead? Well, weird goings on would seem suitable in such places, it's true. But how about a well maintained highway in beautiful New Hampshire? Caught basking in the glory of the late afternoon sun.
Michael Duncan
I can't believe it.
Mary Duncan
Can't believe what, Michael?
Michael Duncan
Three weeks, Mary. Three more weeks of gypsying. Three lovely weeks of going wherever we choose to go and staying as long as we like, going on whenever we like. Just can't believe it.
Mary Duncan
Well, what we'd better start thinking about is a campsite for tonight. Now, there's supposed to be a very good one at a place called Essex. You don't suppose we passed it, do you?
Michael Duncan
Well, check the map.
Mary Duncan
I have. I just can't seem to find it. Oh, Michael, slow down. There's a sign coming up.
Michael Duncan
Yeah, yeah, yeah, I see it.
Mary Duncan
Colony, New Hampshire. Population 634. Well, maybe we can stop and ask somebody here where Essex is. Okay, I'd like to get everything squared away before it gets dark.
Sheriff Thad Marcus
We will.
Michael Duncan
Remember we haven't a care in the world.
May Norton
Michael, look out.
Michael Duncan
What in the name of it?
May Norton
What was that thing?
Michael Duncan
I have no idea. I never saw anything like it before. What's some kind of an airship?
Mary Duncan
It looked like it came right up out of the road right in front of us.
Michael Duncan
Yeah, I think it was behind that clump of trees at the turn right up there. I'm gonna get out and take a look.
May Norton
Look.
Mary Duncan
Look at what? The thing's gone now.
Michael Duncan
Yeah, but I must have burned off some grass or something. Hey, didn't you see the flames shooting out underneath it some Kind of rockets, I guess. Come on. Just. I think it's just in back of these trees. I'm sure this is where it came from.
Mary Duncan
Michael, do you think it was an unidentified flying object?
Michael Duncan
Yeah, well, I sure couldn't identify it. Hey, there.
Sheriff Thad Marcus
Look.
Mary Duncan
The ground's burned to a crisp in that big circle. Was the thing that big?
Michael Duncan
No, I don't think so. Hey, if you ask me, there's been more than one of these landing and taking off here.
Mary Duncan
Let's get back to the car, please.
May Norton
It's.
Mary Duncan
Well, it's kind of scary.
May Norton
Yeah, okay, but we ought to report.
Mary Duncan
This to somebody, don't you think?
Michael Duncan
Gee, I don't know. Hey, everybody who reports an unidentified flying object always gets treated like a crackpot. If nobody believes you, what's the go to reporting it?
Mary Duncan
They'll have to believe us.
May Norton
We saw it.
Michael Duncan
Yeah, yeah, that's what they all say.
Mary Duncan
Well, we can bring them back here and show them where the grass is burned off.
Michael Duncan
Yeah, there is that.
Mary Duncan
Michael, that was a real thing we saw, and we don't know where it came from or what kind of a threat it may represent. Well, somebody ought to check it out.
Michael Duncan
Yeah, I guess you're right. Okay, we'll report it when we get to. What was the name of that town?
Mary Duncan
Colony Colony, New Hampshire. Population 634.
Michael Duncan
And that's the way it was, Sheriff Marcus. I mean, the thing nearly scared us to death. Whooshing up out of nowhere, right in front of us, shooting out flames and everything.
Sheriff Thad Marcus
What they always say, you know, about flying saucers is that they're just some kind of optical illusion.
Mary Duncan
Well, this was not an optical illusion, Sheriff. It was just as real as you are sitting there.
Michael Duncan
Yeah, and we can take you back there and show you where the grass is all burned off.
Sheriff Thad Marcus
Well, we'll have a look later on, that's for sure.
Mary Duncan
Later on.
Sheriff Thad Marcus
Right now, what I'd like is to have talk with Arnie Stebbins about this.
Michael Duncan
Oh, who's Arnie Stebbins?
Sheriff Thad Marcus
Mayor of Colony. You don't hardly ever do anything without consulting Arnie on it first. Where was you on your way to?
Michael Duncan
Oh, well, we're just sort of jiggling around, you know, we're on a camping trip. Thought we'd see as much of New England as we can in three weeks.
Mary Duncan
Well, we did want to get to a place called Essex before dark. They say there's a good campsite there, and, well, we just thought we'd like to set up camp before dark.
Sheriff Thad Marcus
Don't know. You'd be able to do that. Essex is about 60 miles on down the road.
Mary Duncan
Oh, darn. It would have been nice to get there before dark, that's all.
Sheriff Thad Marcus
Tell you what, but I'll take you on down to May Norton's place.
Michael Duncan
Where's that?
Sheriff Thad Marcus
May's widow. Lady lives other end of town. The old daily place. We haven't got a real honest goodness restaurant in the Colony, but May sometimes gives folks on the way through their dinners. Even puts them up for the night.
Mary Duncan
Oh, well, I don't think we'd want to stay for the night.
Michael Duncan
Dinner doesn't sound like such a bad idea though.
Sheriff Thad Marcus
You could have dinner while I'm having my talk with Aunty Stebbins. Then we can all go have a look at the place where your thing took off. Ought to be able to make it there before dark. I just don't like to make a move without I talk to Arnie first. I want to tell you Mr. And Ms. Duncan, you're gonna get one of the finest meals you ever ate.
Michael Duncan
Mrs. Norton's a good cook. Is she good?
Sheriff Thad Marcus
Never seen her equal.
May Norton
How do, Fan?
Sheriff Thad Marcus
Hello, May. You feel like cooking a big dinner for a couple of tired tourists tonight?
May Norton
Well, I reckon I could see my way clear too. Be the regular price.
Sheriff Thad Marcus
It's $4 piece which she always charges.
May Norton
Well, come in, come in. You can make yourself comfortable there in the sitting room till I get things on the table. Be maybe a half hour or so.
Sheriff Thad Marcus
Just make yourselves right at home. May doesn't stand on ceremony. I just want to have a word with her and then I'll go have him a talk with Auntie.
Mary Duncan
How long do you think you'll be?
Sheriff Thad Marcus
Oh, ought to be back by the time you finish dinner or shortly after.
May Norton
Something you want to talk to me about, Thad?
Sheriff Thad Marcus
You wouldn't have cup coffee, would you?
May Norton
I got some I made a while back. I guess it's still fit to drink.
Sheriff Thad Marcus
Sure it is.
May Norton
You didn't leave them in the sitting room just to get a cup of coffee though, did you?
Sheriff Thad Marcus
Truth is, I've been wanting to talk to you, May.
May Norton
Well, go ahead and talk.
Sheriff Thad Marcus
Them folks you got out there in your sitting room, the Duncan's. They come into my office saying they seen a flying saucer.
May Norton
Oh, happened again, did it?
Sheriff Thad Marcus
I have to go talk to Annie Stebbins, of course. And I don't want them getting restless before I get back.
May Norton
I'll give them a good big dinner and see they take their time eating it. They won't get restless.
Michael Duncan
Did you think there Was anything odd about the way Sheri Marcus took it when we told him about the unidentified Flying Object?
Mary Duncan
No. In fact, I thought he took it very well.
Michael Duncan
Well, I guess that's what I mean. I mean, I. I think he believes us.
Mary Duncan
Well, didn't you want him to?
Michael Duncan
Yeah, but I didn't expect him to. He didn't even seem surprised.
Mary Duncan
Well, it's just too bad there aren't more people around like him. We'd have had the whole UFO mystery cleared up years ago.
Michael Duncan
Maybe. No, it just seemed sort of strange to me, that's all.
May Norton
You sure you wouldn't like another piece of the blueberry pie, Mr. Duncan?
Michael Duncan
Oh, I just wouldn't have any place to put it, Mrs. Norton.
May Norton
Oh, I can't remember the last time anybody called me Mrs. Norton. You better just make it, May. Well, if I can't get you to eat anything more, why don't we just take our coffee into the living room while we're waiting for Thad to get through chewing the fat with Annie.
Michael Duncan
I'm kind of surprised it's taken him so long.
May Norton
Oh, things don't move very fast in Colony, Mr. Duncan. A couple of old town people like Thad and Annie get to talk and they could go on half the night. Maybe you'd like some of my BlackBerry brandy.
Mary Duncan
Oh, no, thank you. I don't think so.
Michael Duncan
Oh, I feel fine just the way I am.
May Norton
So you seen a flying saucer, did you?
Mary Duncan
We sure did.
Michael Duncan
How did you know that?
May Norton
Thad said something about it before he left. What was it she wanted Thad to do about the flying saucer after you told him about it?
Mary Duncan
Well, I don't know. I. I just always thought you report a thing like that to an official, that's all.
May Norton
Well, maybe Ani can think of something, though I don't know what it'd be. If you don't mind my saying so, you might have been smarter just to mind your own business.
Mary Duncan
I think UFOs are everybody's business.
Michael Duncan
Yeah. Why do you think we would have been smarter?
May Norton
No reason, I guess, except it usually is smarter to mind a person's own business.
Mary Duncan
And I still say that a UFO sighting is my business. I think people shrug them off too easily. They can't all be weather balloons or optical illusions. Too many of the things have been seen.
May Norton
Well, I never said you seen a weather balloon.
Mary Duncan
Well, you did say we should have minded our own business for your own.
May Norton
Good was what I meant.
Michael Duncan
How do you. In what way for your own good?
May Norton
If I was you and wanted to Finish my nice vacation like I planned. I'd just get up from here right now and get into my car and I'd drive right on ahead to wherever it was I wanted to get to in the first place. I wouldn't spend one more minute than I had to in the town of Colony.
Michael Duncan
Why?
May Norton
Just advice. I said. No explaining.
Mary Duncan
Well, you can't just advise us to do something like that without giving us a reason.
May Norton
Sure I can. I just did.
Sheriff Thad Marcus
That's the story they told me, Arnie. I figured there wasn't much question. But what they seen the thing. It was too bad. I figured I'd better come to you with it. Best for you to decide what has to be done. Oh, you done right. I'm just wondering if maybe it won't have to go a little higher than me before it's settled. Up to you to decide that, I guess. Well, one thing I can tell you right now. We've got to keep those two in town. We can't let em leave Colony. Keep em how, Arnie? They're itching to get on their way right now. How am I gonna talk them into staying? You're the sheriff, ain't you? Yep. Gotta jail, ain't you? But honey, you'll have to hold em, Thad. Hold em for what? Ain't no law against thinking you saw a flying saucer. Think of something. They can't be allowed to leave colony. Not alive they can't.
EG Marshall
A quiet Dr. Along a peaceful New England road has led to a UFO sighting. And the UFO sighting has led to danger for two innocent people. So much for the idea, if anyone had it, that you must go looking in the wilds of Transylvania for improbable and dangerous happenings. Start being careful right in your own home while waiting for me to return shortly with Act 2.
Mary Duncan
I want that sinus medicine.
Michael Duncan
A headache tablet?
May Norton
No, the sinus medicine that relieves headache.
Mary Duncan
And congestion, internal sinus pressure and post nasal drip.
EG Marshall
You mean sign off? Exactly.
Michael Duncan
Compare sign off to any other sinus tablet you'll find. No sinus tablet you can buy relieves more symptoms. When you take sign off tablets you.
Sheriff Thad Marcus
Get a full dose of pure aspirin.
Michael Duncan
Plus a powerful sinus drainer to help sinus pain while you drain.
Sheriff Thad Marcus
And for the fastest known form of.
Michael Duncan
Sinus congestion relief, there's sign off sinus spray, S I N E O F F sign off. Take when needed only as directed. Always insist on sign off.
May Norton
The sinus medicine that relieves headache and.
Mary Duncan
Congestion, internal sinus pressure and post nasal drip.
EG Marshall
You Mean sign off tablets.
May Norton
Exactly.
Mary Duncan
Sign off the sinus medicine in the.
May Norton
Bright red box S I N E O F F Where can you find.
EG Marshall
A car that's not too small and not too large?
Sheriff Thad Marcus
Where can you find a car that.
EG Marshall
Brings some style to your garage? Unbelievable the unbelievable Aspen Such a pleasure to drive so easy to maneuver an.
May Norton
Extraordinary design Unbelievable inside But it's positively.
EG Marshall
Charming and anyone can see the spaciousness and comfort are divine Unbelievable A dam.
Sheriff Thad Marcus
With so much room that one would.
EG Marshall
Never know it's small A wagon in.
Sheriff Thad Marcus
A size that is unique A coupe with so much flare that people often.
EG Marshall
Stop and stare and it has a small car price that we all seek Aspen Unbelievable now where can you find.
Sheriff Thad Marcus
A car that's not too small Small.
EG Marshall
And not too large.
Sheriff Thad Marcus
One of the.
Michael Duncan
Chicagoland Dodge dealers is trader Schroeder Dodge in 103 Corning Avenue in Teotone.
EG Marshall
There's been a great deal of speculation upon the nature and origin of unidentified flying objects. The speculation has led to a wealth of conjecture, but a remarkable dearth of answers. Many reasonable thinking men and women believe the UFOs to be very real. At least as many others believe them to be figments of mass imagination. Our story doesn't pretend to offer an answer. It simply explores one of many possibilities.
May Norton
That's most likely the sheriff back from talking to the mayor. Now, don't let on I said what I said to you.
Michael Duncan
And advising us to run, you mean.
May Norton
It wouldn't do you two no good and it most likely get me into a mess of trouble.
Mary Duncan
Well, all right, if we won't say anything about it, will we, Michael?
Michael Duncan
I suppose not. Although I.
May Norton
All right, all right, I'm coming. Keep your shirt on.
Sheriff Thad Marcus
Everything all right, May?
May Norton
Well, of course everything's all right. Come on in.
Sheriff Thad Marcus
Sorry to keep you two waiting around like this. Annie made me go over your story about two, three times. He's right. Concerned about it.
Michael Duncan
Are we going to have a look at the place the thing took off from?
Sheriff Thad Marcus
Oh, well, yes, we'll do that, of course. First, though, we're all going to meet in my office. Town hall.
Mary Duncan
Well, it's going to be dark if we don't stop fooling around.
Sheriff Thad Marcus
Little ladies. 100% right. We'd better be on our way. Mayor Stebbins, want you to meet Ms. And Ms. Duncan. 2 I told you about. A pleasure indeed.
Michael Duncan
Glad to know you, ma'.
Sheriff Thad Marcus
Am.
Mary Duncan
Don't you think we better get started? I. I mean, Michael and I still have to find a place to spend the night.
Sheriff Thad Marcus
There's plenty of time, Mrs. Duncan. I'm a man. Never did like to rush things headlong. Better to consider a thing from all angles first, don't you think? Now, where were you two driving from today?
Michael Duncan
Well, we spent last night at a motel just outside Stamford. We plan to start our real estate camping tonight.
Sheriff Thad Marcus
A place called Essex was where you wanted to get to?
Michael Duncan
Yes, that's right.
Sheriff Thad Marcus
Well, now, where'd you stop for lunch today?
Mary Duncan
What difference could that possibly make?
Michael Duncan
We stopped at a roadside restaurant. Didn't notice what town it was near.
Sheriff Thad Marcus
Have anything to drink at the roadside restaurant?
Michael Duncan
Drink? A cup of coffee, I think.
Sheriff Thad Marcus
No alcoholic beverages.
Mary Duncan
We don't drink.
Sheriff Thad Marcus
Mayor Stebbins, you didn't stop anywhere along the way in the afternoon and have a drop?
Mary Duncan
No, I told you, we don't drink.
Michael Duncan
Why all the questioning, Mayor? We stopped at the sheriff's office to report the sighting of an unidentified flying object. Why are we being questioned?
Sheriff Thad Marcus
Well, I'll tell you how it is, Mr. Duncan. That night take our responsibility to the town of Colony. Right. Serious?
Michael Duncan
Yes.
Sheriff Thad Marcus
So one of the things we will not tolerate is drunken driving.
Michael Duncan
I couldn't agree with you more, sir, but what has that got to do with us?
Sheriff Thad Marcus
Well, I'm the kind of man, Mr. Duncan, that likes to keep both feet on the ground. I believe half what I see and very little of what I hear. So when it comes to saucers, I never seen one.
Michael Duncan
Neither did we, sir, until this afternoon.
Sheriff Thad Marcus
And you're sure you saw one then?
Michael Duncan
Yes, sir, Quite sure.
Sheriff Thad Marcus
Thad, remember the time Roy Beecher thought he saw a flying saucer drunk? School he was at the time. Spent the night in jail and had a good laughing himself the next day for thinking he'd seen a flying saucer. I remember it well. Been my opinion ever since that anybody thinks he sees a flying saucer, he's been drinking too much. All there is to it. Flying saucer, too much booze.
Mary Duncan
This is ridiculous.
Michael Duncan
Look, you're accusing us of drunken driving.
Sheriff Thad Marcus
I got no choice. You claiming you saw a flying saucer and all.
Mary Duncan
But I tell you, we don't drink.
May Norton
We never drink.
Michael Duncan
Don't you have some kind of a test? Blow up a balloon or something like that?
Sheriff Thad Marcus
Too late for that now. Might not have been when you first came in. But it is now. Besides, you've had one of May Norton's monstrous big suppers on top of whatever it was you had to drink this afternoon. So best you just spend the night here with us. We can talk more about it in the morning.
Mary Duncan
Spend the Night here with you.
Sheriff Thad Marcus
We've got a right comfortable jail here. Right back there through that door.
Michael Duncan
Are you suggesting that my wife and I spend the night in your jail?
Sheriff Thad Marcus
Not just suggesting it, Mr. Duncan. That's the way it's going to be.
Mary Duncan
Michael, he. Michael, that gun.
Michael Duncan
Sheriff Marcus, you are going to be very sorry you drew that gun.
Sheriff Thad Marcus
Maybe so. Meantime, you two just go on back through that door and we'll get you tucked in for the night.
Mary Duncan
Michael.
Michael Duncan
Good morning.
Mary Duncan
You awake?
Sheriff Thad Marcus
Yeah.
Michael Duncan
I've been awake for quite a while. I thought I'd let you sleep as long as you couldn't.
Mary Duncan
I'm surprised I went to sleep at all. Did you?
Michael Duncan
Yes. It's not really so bad, you know. We slept in motels that weren't any better.
Mary Duncan
Yeah, well, I'd rather sleep in a motel just the same.
Michael Duncan
Yeah, it's. It's the indignity of being jailed for the night that's what makes it so bad.
Mary Duncan
And for drunken driving.
Michael Duncan
Oh, it wasn't for that, Mary. I. Listen, I think we got put in jail because we saw a flying saucer. I mean, I figure they're. They're hooked up somehow to that UFO we saw.
Mary Duncan
Who? The mayor and the sheriff.
May Norton
How could they be?
Michael Duncan
I don't know. But why else would they want to lock us up?
Mary Duncan
Well, then you think the drunken driving charge was. Was just an excuse?
Michael Duncan
Oh, sure. Of course it was.
May Norton
Mr. And Mrs. Duncan?
Sheriff Thad Marcus
Yeah.
Michael Duncan
Who is it?
May Norton
May Norton. I brought your breakfast.
Michael Duncan
I'm a lot more interested in getting out of here than I am in breakfast.
May Norton
Wouldn't want you driving off on an empty stomach.
Michael Duncan
What time does the sheriff get in in the morning?
May Norton
I don't know. Different times, I expect. I don't have a key to the cell there. I'll have to shove the trays in under the door. There's country cured ham, fried eggs, home fried potatoes, hot biscuits and honey. Hope you got a good appetite.
Mary Duncan
Well, that's one thing we won't be able to complain about.
May Norton
At least the food. Well, I'll be bringing all your meals. I'll see to it you're fed real good.
Michael Duncan
Well, this is the last meal that you're gonna have to bother with because the sheriff has no excuse whatever for holding us any longer. He's gonna have to let us go this morning.
May Norton
Well, I wouldn't depend on it if I was you. Eat your breakfast before your eggs get cold.
Sheriff Thad Marcus
You busy, Auntie? Oh, come in, Thad, Come in. You been in to check up on our guest this morning? Ain't been to my office yet? Don't know as I'll get down there. Well, kind of embarrassing. You decided yet what we're going to do about them? I reckon so. We'll have to check it out first. Of course. I don't feel comfortable about it, honey. Any special reason? Well, this young couple, they're the kind of folks, it's likely to have a whole slew of friends and relations fretting over them if they don't show up where they're expected. How long a vacation they on? 3 weeks. I think one of them said you're starting too. Just kind of meandering around, camping wherever they happen to feel like it. That's the idea. I got no advanced itinerary. You wouldn't think so. Well, then I. I don't see we got anything to worry about. Sooner or later their folks are going to be out looking for them. Thad. We're gonna have to convert them. We're gonna have to take them over and keep them here. It's the only way.
May Norton
Lunchtime starts you off with some nice clam cheese.
Michael Duncan
Where's the sheriff?
May Norton
Well, I couldn't rightly say, Mr. Duncan. I did see him over at Harry's Diner around 10:30 or 11. But where are you?
Michael Duncan
But we haven't seen a soul or I mean, except for you, there's been nobody in here the whole day.
May Norton
I reckon he must have had business somewhere.
Mary Duncan
Well, the sheriff has got no right to keep us in jail and we want to get out.
Michael Duncan
I have the right to make a phone call. Now, I should have been allowed to make a phone call last night.
May Norton
It looks like I'm going to have to tell you the whole story. What whole story? Here, just let me shove your lunch under the door. Here, you can eat while you're listening.
Michael Duncan
I don't want to eat anything.
Mary Duncan
Might as well, Michael. Well, what story are you going to tell us?
May Norton
Well, it started a couple of years ago.
Mary Duncan
What started?
May Norton
Well, that was when they first landed, the flying saucers.
Michael Duncan
Do you mean flying saucers have been sighted here before?
May Norton
Oh, my, yes. I was sitting out in my front yard there shelling peas. I recollect like it was yesterday. They came swooping down out of the sky like to scare me out of my wits. Three of them there was in our first bunch.
Michael Duncan
I knew there'd been more than one landing in that place.
May Norton
I seen folks coming out of their houses looking toward where they'd landed, you know. So I put my pan a piece to one side and I started walking in that direction along with the rest of them. Well, it's a funny thing.
Mary Duncan
What? What funny thing?
May Norton
Well, there's a spell there where everything was real mixed up and I don't remember very well.
Michael Duncan
You don't remember what?
May Norton
Well, for one thing, what they looked like. Who? The folks, Those things. Whatever they was that got out of those flying saucers. I've talked to some of the others and they can't remember that part either. Like it got erased or something. All I remember is just a kind of jumble until that evening. I guess it would be that same evening. Why?
Mary Duncan
What happened that evening?
May Norton
They had us all collected in a place that looked like one of them mad scientists laboratories. Like you see in the old movies, you know. They had the whole town in there, every soul of us. I found out later it was down in the basement of the town hall there. They'd rigged the old cellar down there for a laboratory. Still using it, they are.
Michael Duncan
Still. You mean they're still around?
May Norton
Wait till I tell you. Thad Marcus and Arnie Stebbins were already running things. They'd been converted before we woke up or we come to or whatever it was we did.
Michael Duncan
Converted?
May Norton
That's what they called it. They was leading us one at a time up to a thing looked like a dentist chair. And they'd make us sit in it and put a thing kind of like a hair dryer over our heads. And then they'd flip a lot of switches. Thad Marcus and Annie Stebbins, just like they knew what they were doing. And then whoever was in the chair would kind of shiver and slump down for a minute until Thad and Annie threw some more switches. Then they'd take that one back to his seat and lead up the next one.
Mary Duncan
Well, what were they doing to the people in the chair?
May Norton
Converting.
Michael Duncan
I don't know what you mean by converting.
May Norton
Well, you will when I come to that part. They put me in the dentist's and put the hair dryer thing over my head and started flipping their switches. I got a funny feeling, I never forget it. Like my head was being all separated into little bitty pieces and put back together in a different way. Something like that. I passed out for a minute. When I come to, they was leading me back to my seat with the others. Only it wasn't me.
Michael Duncan
Wasn't you?
May Norton
I was. It seemed like I was occupying just a little corner of my head while somebody or something else was using the rest of it.
Mary Duncan
I don't understand.
May Norton
I didn't either at first, but I did later. On one of the things out of the flying saucers had taken me over. I was still in there, the real me. But I had nothing to do with what my body thought or said or did. I'd been possessed.
Mary Duncan
But what about. What about the rest of them?
May Norton
All just like me. Took over. Every last one of them.
Michael Duncan
And are they still controlled?
May Norton
Still are. Every last soul in this town.
Michael Duncan
And how did you get free?
May Norton
Stubborn, that's all. I just wouldn't give in to all that electrical mumbo jumbo. Kept on resisting and fighting till I got the upper hand.
Michael Duncan
How could you do that when the others couldn't?
May Norton
I've been thinking about that a lot, and I think I got it figured out. My great or my great great grandmother, something like that, was burned for a witch when they had the trouble over in Salem. Maybe I inherited something from her.
Mary Duncan
So what are you saying? That you're a witch?
May Norton
Oh, man. No. I don't believe in that kind of nonsense. No, what I'm saying is all them women that got accused of being witches, all they was was just stubborn women. I mean, stubborn way past ordinary. So stubborn they just would have their own way and nothing else would do.
Mary Duncan
And that's what you think you inherited from your great great grandmother? Her stubbornness?
May Norton
Well, I got it. No question about that. Come to some alien taking over my mind, I was just too pig headed to let him have it, that's all.
Michael Duncan
But what about the others? I mean, all the rest of the people who've been taken over?
May Norton
It's my opinion that if they had just stood up and refused to give in to the aliens, they'd all be free right now.
Michael Duncan
What happened to the alien who tried to take possession of you?
May Norton
I just threw her out. Last I've heard of her. I don't know what became of her. Evaporated? I wouldn't be surprised.
Michael Duncan
Well, that's quite a story.
May Norton
It's more than a story, as you'll find out.
Mary Duncan
What do you mean is we'll find out?
May Norton
Don't you see? They'll have to convert you. What else can they do? Now that you know about the flying saucers? This time tomorrow, unless you can figure some way out of it, you'll be one of them.
EG Marshall
What could be more terrifying than the prospect of having your mind and body taken over by an alien being, then being left with nothing of your true self but a small, impotent corner of awareness. To be forced to watch helplessly as your own body performed deeds you found unspeakable? This is what may confront Michael and Mary Duncan. When I return shortly with act three.
Michael Duncan
We got the whole week shopping done in 45 minutes.
May Norton
And you know why?
Mary Duncan
Because during the dinner hour, everybody's home.
Michael Duncan
The stores are empty. Stores empty. That's true.
EG Marshall
Look at this.
Michael Duncan
Somebody's broken in. That's what the china closets on inside.
Sheriff Thad Marcus
Crime statistics show that most home break ins occur during daylight hours. That they're frequently done by kids who.
Michael Duncan
Cause as much vandalism as theft.
Sheriff Thad Marcus
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Michael Duncan
And the ultrasonic can set off remote alarms, too.
Sheriff Thad Marcus
Plugged in elsewhere in the house or even next door. For the name of your nearest Master Lock alarm dealer, call this toll free number, 800-528-6050.
Michael Duncan
Right now call 800-528-6050.
Sheriff Thad Marcus
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Michael Duncan
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May Norton
It's northwest federal savings time, 63 hours a week.
EG Marshall
If we're to believe May Norton's story. The bodies and minds of all the citizens of Colony, New Hampshire have been taken over and are controlled by alien beings who come and go in spaceships like the one Michael and Mary Duncan saw on their way into the village. Michael and Mary are being held incommunicado in the Colony jail and are again according to May Norton, slated to be taken over themselves by the aliens.
Mary Duncan
They can't do it, can they, Michael?
Michael Duncan
I don't know. Take control of our Mind, do you.
Mary Duncan
Really believe that all the people in this whole town are being controlled by. By beings from another galaxy or something?
Michael Duncan
It sounds pretty outlandish, I grant you. But look, there's something fishy going on here. That's got something to do with that UFO we saw.
Mary Duncan
What are we going to do, Michael?
Michael Duncan
I don't know. I'm trying to think of something.
Sheriff Thad Marcus
You made up your mind, Annie, about them, have you? Yeah. Been in touch with the folks up on the mothership about it. I had a long talk with them earlier this morning. They agree with us that there ain't nothing we can do but take over the Duncan's. I just wish I could feel more comfortable about it. What exactly was decided? The ship's sending down the two new colonists around 8 tonight. And I figure we can have the takeover down in the lab around 8:30. Sound all right to you? Sounds fine. Sooner I get them two out of my jail, better. I like it. Where'd you figure on putting them up? Well, I thought about letting them have a couple of rooms over at May Norton's place. She's just rattling around that big old house all by herself. All that extra space just going to waste. Good idea. Wouldn't hurt to have somebody keep an eye on me anyway. She's still making trouble, is she? Kind of halfway subversive talk. Nothing anybody can put a finger on. I'll schedule the takeover for half past eight tonight. We'll have everybody in to witness it as usual. All down. Every man. Jacob. Want me to let them all know? I guess you better. Yes. Tell them. Ain't very sharp. We don't want to waste time waiting for anybody. Howdy. Me?
May Norton
I've been looking for you all day, Thad. Where you been?
Sheriff Thad Marcus
Oh, here and there. What'd you want to see me bout?
May Norton
Well, that young Duncan boy you got over there in jail. He asked me to tell you he wants to see you. Said you hadn't been in all morning.
Sheriff Thad Marcus
No.
May Norton
Well, he's busting to talk to you.
Sheriff Thad Marcus
I had other business rounding about. You've been keeping them fed good, ain't you?
May Norton
Yes. And that was something else I wanted to talk to you about. It don't seem right shoving that tray into them under the door. That's no way to serve a meal. Why don't you let me have a key to their cell so's I can bring the trays in and serve them right?
Sheriff Thad Marcus
I. I don't think so. May rather not take a chance them jumping you something. Main reason I stopped round there's a meeting tonight. Basement of the town hall. Half past eight o'. Clock.
May Norton
Down in that laboratory place?
Sheriff Thad Marcus
That's right.
May Norton
I guess that means you're planning to take over the Duncan's, don't it?
Sheriff Thad Marcus
You just get the meeting on time, May. That's all you got to worry.
Mary Duncan
Michael, what are you doing?
Michael Duncan
I'm just checking to see if there's a loose bar anywhere. I want to get out of this place.
Mary Duncan
Oh, escape. I mean, that's a little melodramatic, isn't it?
Michael Duncan
Well, damn it. We could rot here, Mary. I mean, with May bringing us our meals, there's no reason why the sheriff would ever have to come around.
Mary Duncan
I don't know. In view of what May told us, I just assumed he didn't.
Michael Duncan
What do you mean? About aliens taking possession of us? Yeah. Yeah, I've been thinking about that.
Mary Duncan
Do you believe it?
Michael Duncan
Well, I mean, we. We saw a flying saucer or whatever you want to call it. I mean, we're being held and jailed here for nothing. Are the aliens any harder to believe?
Mary Duncan
You hoot me again, May.
May Norton
Supper time. Pot roast and mashed potatoes tonight.
Michael Duncan
Have you seen anything of Sheriff Marcus?
Mary Duncan
Sad?
May Norton
Sure, I saw him. Told him you wanted to talk to him, but I don't think it done any good.
Michael Duncan
No, no, no. He hasn't been around.
May Norton
I'll just shove his trays under the door. Here, you better eat up right away. I tried to get the keys to the jail from Thad, but he wouldn't give them to me. Said I'd like to have him so I could serve your dinner proper.
Michael Duncan
Were you going to let us out?
May Norton
Well, of course. What else would I want the keys for?
Mary Duncan
It's very good of you, May.
May Norton
Well, you would have had to take me away with you. I couldn't have stayed on after turning you loose.
Michael Duncan
Yeah, I've been wondering about that. May. Why haven't you run away? I mean, you're not possessed by these aliens. There's nothing holding you here.
May Norton
I don't know. I've always lived here all my life. That's one thing. And then for another, I keep figuring sooner or later I'll get the chance to do some good. I mean, help set the others free or maybe keep them from taking over. Somebody like you. I don't know. I just stayed around.
Michael Duncan
Is there any way you can keep them from taking us over, May?
May Norton
No way I can think of. I've been wrecking my brains and I've got some bad news, I'm afraid.
Michael Duncan
What bad news?
May Norton
They're planning on doing it tonight.
Mary Duncan
Tonight?
May Norton
8, 30 sharp. There's a meeting in the basement under the town hall. That's where they got that laboratory place I told you about.
Michael Duncan
A meeting?
May Norton
Yeah, they all turn out, the whole town, whenever there's a takeover.
Michael Duncan
What do they look like? I mean, these creatures. You know, the creatures from outer space.
May Norton
Well, some like us, I mean, two arms, two legs, all that. A face with two eyes, a nose, a mouth, only just not quite exactly in the right places, you know what I mean? And hair. More like young ducks down than hair. We don't see much of them. They don't show up except when they absolutely have to. You'll see a couple of them tonight. We will? Yeah. The two they send down to take you over. All right.
Michael Duncan
Now, look, there's gotta be some way to stop them.
EG Marshall
There must be.
May Norton
I wish I could think of what it is.
Michael Duncan
What time is it, Mary? I've let my watch run down.
Mary Duncan
10 after 8, Michael. They'll be coming for us soon.
Michael Duncan
All right. Now, look, when they come, I imagine it'll be the sheriff. Don't make a fuss of any kind, you know. Don't try to hold back or anything like that.
Mary Duncan
Why not?
Michael Duncan
Well, I want the sheriff to be as favorably disposed toward us. Us as possible. I'm going to ask him to let me make a little speech before the changeover.
Mary Duncan
What kind of a speech, Michael?
Michael Duncan
Well, I think it's just as well you don't know in advance.
Mary Duncan
Mary, have you thought of a way to. To keep us from being taken over?
Michael Duncan
No. Maybe.
Sheriff Thad Marcus
You too can take your places on the podium there, to the left of the mayor. I'll be sitting just to your left.
Mary Duncan
Why do we have to be on stage?
Sheriff Thad Marcus
We'll find out all in good time.
Mary Duncan
Michael.
Michael Duncan
Yes?
Mary Duncan
Michael, look at those two standing toward the back of the stage, just behind the mayor.
Michael Duncan
The aliens.
Mary Duncan
They're really not human, are they?
Michael Duncan
No.
Mary Duncan
Oh, Michael, I don't want one of those things inside my mind.
Michael Duncan
No.
Sheriff Thad Marcus
All right. Come to order here. Sheriff Marcus, have these two been informed of the nature of tonight's proceedings? Not yet, Mayor. Please. So inform them. Michael. Duncan. Mary Duncan. You are hereby served notice that you will this night have the honor of contributing your bodies into the remainder of your lives. The advancement of the great new civilization which is about to be realized upon your Earth.
Michael Duncan
How can you do a thing like that?
Sheriff Thad Marcus
You've already been told all you need to know.
Michael Duncan
I see. Listen to me, you who are enslaved in your own minds and bodies, hear me and Think. Think as yourselves. You can do it if you try. One of your number has done it. There is one of you who has been secretly free the whole time.
May Norton
Me. I'm free. Me, Mae Norton. I'm the one.
Sheriff Thad Marcus
All right, all right. That'll be enough.
Michael Duncan
You, Mayor Stebbins, I want to talk to you. Not to the arrogant creature who has assumed command of your body, Arnie Stebbins, but you, the Arnie Stebbins who was once the mayor of this town. The Stebbins who can hear me but cannot act. I'm speaking to you, Arnie Stebbins. You can act if you will it strongly enough. But you are once a strong man, a leader. That strength is all it takes to set you free. Use it. Resist. Think yourself your own man, and you will be your own man.
Sheriff Thad Marcus
Make him stop.
Michael Duncan
Thad doesn't want me to stop. Not the real Thad. He's like you, Arnie Steppens and all the rest of you. He wants to be free also. Try, Arnie.
Sheriff Thad Marcus
Try.
Michael Duncan
No.
Sheriff Thad Marcus
No.
Michael Duncan
Make him stop.
Mary Duncan
You can do it, Arnie.
May Norton
You can.
Sheriff Thad Marcus
No.
Michael Duncan
No. Arnie Stevins has won. Arnie Stevins is free. And what he has done, you can all do. Try. Be stronger than they are.
May Norton
Try.
Sheriff Thad Marcus
Duncan, help me. I'm Thad Marcus. Really, Thad Marcus, I. I want out.
Michael Duncan
Yes, you'll get out. You all will. You're all going to be free.
May Norton
It ain't quite 24 hours yet, Mr. Duncan, and more than half of them's free already. And them that ain't are harboring some mighty sick aliens.
Michael Duncan
You think they'll all be able to free themselves?
May Norton
Every last one of them? No doubt in my mind. Whatever.
Mary Duncan
Where I mean, I just wondered what happens to the aliens when they're cast out?
May Norton
I don't know. They're out. That's all I care about. We'll be all right here, Mr. Duncan. You two can go ahead with your trip now.
Mary Duncan
Yeah.
Michael Duncan
You don't think we ought to stay until they're all free?
May Norton
I don't think there's any need for it. We're all right now. Or soon we'll be, all of us. The only thing that worries me. What?
Mary Duncan
There's still something there.
May Norton
I can't help wondering how many other towns they've got the way they had Colony.
EG Marshall
How many towns the size of Colony, New Hampshire, do you suppose there are in this huge country of ours? And what do you do if you see an unidentified flying object taking off near one of them? Stop at the sheriff's office and report it or drive straight on through the town as if somebody or something were after you. I'll be back in a few minutes. Colony is just another small New England town these days. The people go about their commonplace affairs as though nothing more melodramatic than a Sunday school picnic had ever happened there. But they remember Arnie Stebbins never meets with the town council without wondering if they are all truly themselves. And Tad Marcus, making his rounds in the sheriff's official car, keeps a weather eye out for unidentified flying objects. Our cast included Tony Roberts, Morgan Fairchild, Francis Sturgis, Sternhagen, Jackson Beck and Guy Sorrell. The entire production was under the direction of Hyman Brown. Radio Mystery Theater was sponsored in part by Buick Motor Division. And sign off the sinus medicines, Mrs. E G Marshall inviting you to return to our Mystery Theater for another adventure in the macabre. Until next time, pleasant dreams.
Michael Duncan
That's the show for this week, but don't forget there are thousands more like it at relicradio.com horror, strange tales, science fiction, crime, all available for free like donate to Relic Radio and help keep it all free. You can do that through the website as well. Visit donate relicradio.com to find out more and to see the special downloadable sets that are available. My thanks to those who have donated and thanks for listening today. Talk to you again next week.
Release Date: July 21, 2025
Host/Author: RelicRadio.com
Description: "The Colony" is a gripping episode from The CBS Radio Mystery Theater, presented by Relic Radio Sci-Fi. This science fiction thriller explores the eerie events in the small town of Colony, New Hampshire, where alien activities threaten the very essence of the town's inhabitants.
The story unfolds with Michael and Mary Duncan on a three-week camping trip across New England. As they navigate through the picturesque landscapes, their journey takes an unexpected turn when they encounter a mysterious object on a highway in Colony, New Hampshire.
Notable Quote:
May Norton [00:01]: "Relic Radio."
EG Marshall [00:30]: "It is my duty to delve into unfrequented places in search of the unexpected ideal in that touch of the improbable which gives a series of events the quality we call mystery."
While seeking a campsite near Essex, the Duncans stumble upon what appears to be an unidentified flying object (UFO). The vehicle's vicinity shows signs of attempted landing, including burned grass and rocket flames.
Key Moments:
Notable Quotes:
Michael Duncan [05:18]: "Three weeks, Mary. Three more weeks of gypsying... Just can't believe it."
Mary Duncan [07:02]: "The ground's burned to a crisp in that big circle. Was the thing that big?"
The Duncans report the UFO sighting to Sheriff Thad Marcus, who initially appears skeptical. However, as the conversation progresses, it becomes evident that the sheriff may be under external influence.
Key Moments:
Notable Quotes:
Sheriff Thad Marcus [22:07]: "Roy Beecher thought he saw a flying saucer drunk... Anybody thinks he sees a flying saucer, he's been drinking too much."
May Norton [14:03]: "If I was you and wanted to finish my nice vacation like I planned... I wouldn't spend one more minute than I had to in the town of Colony."
May Norton divulges the dark history of Colony, explaining that the town's residents have been covertly controlled by aliens. She recounts her own battle against the alien influence, attributing her resistance to her ancestral stubbornness.
Key Moments:
Notable Quotes:
May Norton [32:18]: "They put me in the dentist's and put the hair dryer thing over my head... I had nothing to do with what my body thought or said or did. I'd been possessed."
Michael Duncan [32:51]: "But what about the others? I mean, all the rest of the people who've been taken over?"
As night falls, it's revealed that Sheriff Marcus and Mayor Arnie Stebbins are actively collaborating with the aliens to subjugate the Duncans. The town prepares for another round of conversion at the town hall's basement laboratory.
Key Moments:
Notable Quotes:
Sheriff Thad Marcus [46:20]: "Make him stop."
Michael Duncan [45:20]: "How can you do a thing like that?"
During the takeover ceremony, Michael and Mary confront the alien-controlled officials. Their impassioned pleas inspire the real selves of Sheriff Marcus and Mayor Stebbins to resist the alien possession.
Key Moments:
Notable Quotes:
Michael Duncan [45:20]: "You can do it if you try... Think yourself your own man, and you will be your own man."
May Norton [46:56]: "It ain't quite 24 hours yet, Mr. Duncan, and more than half of them's free already."
With the townspeople freed from alien control, Colony begins to return to normalcy. Michael and Mary, having thwarted the alien agenda, are free to continue their journey, leaving behind a town that will rebuild and recover from its ordeal.
Notable Quotes:
May Norton [47:37]: "We are all right now. Or soon we'll be, all of us."
EG Marshall [48:03]: "Colony is just another small New England town these days... But they remember Arnie Stebbins never meets with the town council without wondering if they are all truly themselves."
Closing Remarks: EG Marshall wraps up the episode by reflecting on the pervasive nature of UFO phenomena and the importance of vigilance, inviting listeners to return for more mysterious adventures.
Final Quote:
EG Marshall [49:55]: "Radio Mystery Theater was sponsored in part by Buick Motor Division... Until next time, pleasant dreams."
For those who haven't experienced "The Colony," this episode offers a compelling blend of classic science fiction elements with a timeless battle between autonomy and control, all brought to life through the immersive medium of old-time radio.