The Tunnel Under The World by X Minus One

Summary

Podcast Summary: Relic Radio Sci-Fi

Episode: The Tunnel Under The World by X Minus One

Release Date: September 8, 2025
Source Series: X Minus One (Original air date 1956; story by Frederik Pohl)
Host: RelicRadio.com

---

Overview

This episode features a classic science fiction radio drama, “The Tunnel Under The World,” originally written by Frederik Pohl and adapted for X Minus One. The story immerses listeners in a surreal, nightmarish world where a man, Guy Burkhart, repeatedly relives the same day—June 15th—and begins to suspect that far stranger forces are at work. As his sense of reality unravels, Burkhart discovers a horrifying truth about his world, the people in it, and his own identity.

---

Structure & Key Discussion Points

Note: The host does not interject or comment during the episode; the audio is a faithful rebroadcast of the old-time radio play. All notable quotes are drawn from the narrative and dialogue.

---

1. The Repeating Day and Unease (00:01–06:30)

• The episode opens with Guy Burkhart waking up, traumatized from a vivid nightmare of a catastrophic explosion. (“It was more real than any dream he’d ever had in his life.” [00:01])
• His wife Mary dismisses his fears, but admits to a similar dream. (“Did you say an explosion? Yes, that’s the dream I had.” – Mary, [03:08])
• Life seems slightly off: familiar faces act like strangers, commercials in the elevator are for unknown products, and the town looks “better than ever.” (Burkhart: “There’s something strange going on.” [05:43])

---

2. Disquiet and Deja Vu (06:30–10:00)

• Burkhart relives the same morning, with minute differences.
• People around him, including coworkers and his friend Henry Swanson, act as if they don’t know him or respond oddly to his concern (“If you'll excuse me, this is my stop.” – Henry, [04:08]; “I don't believe we've met.” – Henry to Burkhart, [03:21])
• The bizarre “new” commercials become a motif (Marlin Cigarettes: “Marlin cigarettes contain a miraculous new drug which actually gives you the sensation of smooth, creamy smoke.” [08:41])
• Miss Horn, his secretary, begins acting flirtatiously and robotically over the cigarette brand, unnervingly adhering to the peculiar advertisements. (“But Mr. Burkhart, Marlins have that soft, creamy smoke.” – Miss Horn, [10:45])

---

3. Cracks in the World: Discovery in the Cellar (12:19–14:19)

• At home, Burkhart’s sense of reality deteriorates further when he discovers that the walls and floor beneath his house are made of metal—not cement. (“Somebody, for a reason I can’t begin to guess, has taken this house and replaced it with a clever imitation.” – Burkhart, [13:28])
• He resolves to investigate further, realizing the world itself might be fabricated.

---

4. Swanson’s Revelations and The Tunnel (15:16–22:00)

• The next “morning,” Burkhart confronts Henry Swanson, who’s also trapped in the repeating day. Swanson confides that only they seem immune to the manipulation. (“It’s always June 15th, and you and I are the only ones who know it.” – Swanson, [15:15])
• Swanson shares suspicions about hypnosis, “rays,” or even Martians. (“No humans could have accomplished what they’ve accomplished…maybe Russians. Now I’m beginning to think they’re Martians.” – Swanson, [15:42])
• They discover a tunnel beneath their town—an ominous, copper-lined space with robots monitoring telescreens and analyzing test results.
  (“A tremendous panel. Dozens of telescreens, and in front of each, a servo robot…They seemed to be computing something.” – Burkhart, [17:29])

---

5. The Real Enemy: Advertising Madness (19:50–21:30)

• Analysis of the data reveals the truth: the town’s residents are being manipulated in a massive, repetitive marketing experiment. (“They can run the perfect test and on a whole community. Do you know what that means?” – Burkhart, [19:50])
• Burkhart realizes they are guinea pigs in a plot to perfect mass persuasion and advertising.

Notable Quote:

• “We’re guinea pigs, Henry. This whole community is one big test tube for propaganda research.” – Burkhart, [20:24]

---

6. Captured and the Final Shocking Truth (22:01–26:43)

• They are discovered by Dorchin, the head of the advertising agency orchestrating the horror.
• Dorchin reveals the ultimate twist: Burkhart, Swanson, and the other townspeople are not alive—they were all killed in an atomic blast, and their brain patterns have been transferred to miniature robotic replicas for use in marketing experiments.
• Burkhart’s world is merely a tiny, artificial simulation atop Dorchin’s laboratory table.
  (“You see, Burkhart, you’re already dead…We took your brain circuits and had them reduced so they could be transferred to tiny humanoid mannequins. That’s what you are, Burkhart, a tiny miniature of yourself.” – Dorchin, [25:31])

Memorable Reveal

• “The city, this whole experiment I’m conducting, is built on a tabletop.” – Dorchin, [26:43]
• The episode closes with Burkhart waking up—once again—screaming, trapped in his perpetual, manufactured day.

---

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:01 – 03:24: Opening, Burkhart’s first awakening, recurring nightmare, first suspicion.
• 04:08 – 05:43: Odd behavior of people, surreal elevator ads.
• 06:30 – 10:00: Repeating day, Miss Horn’s strange affection for “test” products.
• 12:19 – 14:19: Burkhart uncovers the metal under his home.
• 15:16 – 17:29: Henry Swanson’s confessions and explanations.
• 17:29 – 19:50: Exploring the tunnel, seeing the robots and telescreens.
• 19:50 – 21:30: Realization of mass advertising experiment.
• 22:01 – 25:31: Captured by Dorchin; the revelation that they are dead, existing only as robot test subjects.
• 26:43: Shocking conclusion; Burkhart awakens again.

---

Notable Quotes

• "It was more real than any dream he'd ever had in his life." – Narration ([00:01])
• "I dreamed there was a big explosion and then something sort of hit me on the head." – Mary ([03:14])
• "Are you happy with your present home freezer? Of course not. Well, the answer to your problem is a Feckle freezer." – Elevator Ad ([04:30])
• "There’s something strange going on." – Burkhart ([05:43])
• "No humans could have accomplished what they've accomplished... Now I'm beginning to think they're Martians." – Swanson ([15:42])
• "We’re guinea pigs, Henry. This whole community is one big test tube for propaganda research." – Burkhart ([20:24])
• "You see, Burkhart, you’re already dead." – Dorchin ([25:31])
• "The city, this whole experiment I'm conducting, is built on a tabletop." – Dorchin ([26:43])

---

Tone & Atmosphere

The tone maintains a sense of 1950s radio drama: earnest, suspenseful, and shadowed by Cold War fears of manipulation and conformity. The story builds a Kafkaesque sense of paranoia and unreality, blending science fiction horror with social satire about consumer culture and advertising. Classic radio effects and music enhance the uncanny, looping world.

---

Conclusion

This episode of Relic Radio Sci-Fi, via the X Minus One radio play, delivers a gripping and still-relevant tale of dystopian control, advertising overreach, and existential horror. Highly recommended for fans of classic science fiction, “The Tunnel Under The World” remains chilling in its depiction of identity lost to forces beyond comprehension.

Transcript

[A]

Relic Radio. This is Relic Radio. Sci Fi Old time Radio Science fiction stories from relicradio.com foreign just a moment. X minus one. But first, there it is again. Say it with music. Your invitation to two full hours of the best live music weekday mornings on NBC Bandstand. This week, Ralph Flanagan's group plus Russ Morgan and his orchestra bring you metal and relaxing tunes. But don't get too relaxed because the four lads are back again as Messer's Music. And Bert Parks, your Bandstand MC keeps you smiling between numbers. It's a great show live all this week on NBC Bandstand. And now stay tuned for X minus 1 on NBC Countdown for Blast Off. X minus 5, 4, 3, 2. X minus 1. Fire from the far horizons of the unknown. Come transcribed Tales of new dimensions in time and space. Space. These are stories of the future. Adventures in which you'll live in a million could be years on a thousand maybe worlds. The National Broadcasting Company in cooperation with Galaxy Science Fiction magazine presents Minus One. Tonight a story by Frederick Pole Tunnel under the World. On the morning of June 15, Guy Burkhart woke up screaming. It was more real than any dream he'd ever had in his life. He could still hear and feel that sharp metal ripping explosion, that seat wave of heat. He sat up. Mary? Mary. Mary.

[B]

Who are you guys? What's wrong? You're trembling.

[A]

Where were you?

[B]

In the kitchen, cooking breakfast. What is it?

[A]

A dream, I guess. An explosion.

[B]

Did you say an explosion? Yes, that's the dream I had.

[A]

What?

[B]

I dreamed there was a big explosion and then something sort of hit me on the head.

[A]

Holy smokes. Maybe there really was some sort of explosion and it started the streaming.

[B]

Well, there'll be an explosion down at your office if you don't hurry and get to work.

[A]

Coming in on the bus, Burkhart watched to see if there was any evidence of an explosion. There wasn't. If anything, the town looked better than ever. The only thing that seemed strange to him was the fact that none of the usual crowd was on the bus. He was a little relieved when he did see his old pal Henry Swanson. Excuse me, Henry. You. Pardon me, sir. Fruit. Henry, what's the matter with you? It's me, Guy Burkhart. Burkhardt. Sorry, I don't believe we've met. What? Henry, for Pete's sake, it's me. If you'll excuse me, this is my stuff. Well, how Pete? How do you like that? Guy Burkhart got off in front of the gigantic controchemical building and took the elevator to the 98th floor where he had worked in the accounting department for 12 years. It wasn't until he was almost in his floor that he realized the speaker wasn't playing the usual commercials. Are you happy with your present home freezer? Of course not. Well, the answer to your problem is a feckle. Feckle freezers are better freezers. Most wives would do anything for a Feckle freezer. Are you happy with your present home freezer? Good morning, Ms. Horn.

[B]

Good morning, Mr. Burkett.

[A]

New hair, do I see.

[B]

Yes. Do you like it?

[A]

Makes a lot of difference in your appearance. Is Mr. Barth in?

[B]

Why, no, sir. He had an appointment with Mr. Dor at the advertising agency today.

[A]

But today is the 15th of June. He has to sign the quarterly statement.

[B]

He said he wouldn't be in.

[A]

That's mighty peculiar.

[B]

Yes.

[A]

Oh, by the way, Ms. Horn, what the devil is a Feckle freezer.

[B]

Freezer?

[A]

There's a new copy on the elevator commercial. Dortchen must have landed another account. Speckled Freezers.

[B]

I really don't know, Mr. Burkett.

[A]

It's a funny day. Can't quite put my finger on it. There's something strange going on. He couldn't shake the thought out of his mind. It persisted all through the day and through dinner. He was still brooding as he and Mary got ready for bed.

[B]

I guess I'll get a good night's sleep, Connie.

[A]

I think I'll sit up and read for a while.

[B]

All right, dear. Good night.

[A]

Good night, dear. At exactly midnight, Guy Burkhart laps into a sudden, deep sleep. And the following morning, he woke up screaming.

[B]

Darling, what is it? What's wrong?

[A]

Oh, nothing. A bad dream, I guess.

[B]

Gave me such a shock.

[A]

I. I seem to be having a lot of nightmares lately.

[B]

Really?

[A]

Yes. The one I had yesterday. This was the same. A big explosion and then nothing.

[B]

You had a dream yesterday.

[A]

Of course I did. You had the same sort of dream.

[B]

I. Oh, Guy, you're mistaken. I don't remember dreaming.

[A]

Mary, you told me.

[B]

Guy, you're mistaken. But, Mary, maybe you dreamed I had a dream. Maybe.

[A]

Yes, I might have done that. I suppose everything did seem sort of strange yesterday.

[B]

That's probably it. You'd better get dressed, dear. Today's the 15th. And that's when the quarterly statement.

[A]

15.

[B]

Yes.

[A]

Well, then there must have been a dream, because Yesterday was the 15th. Guy Burkhart got up, dressed, ate breakfast and took the usual bus to work. Once again, everything seemed even brighter and newer than usual. Once again, he was puzzled when he noticed none of the Old corners crowd on the bus. Pardon me. Please. Look. Don't shove so. Oh, Henry. Good morning. Morning. Don't you recognize your neighbors? I don't believe we've met. Henry, it's me, Guy Burkhart. What's going on? I'm sure I don't know, sir. For God's sake, don't talk to me. What is it? Leading fault or something? Don't you know? I was sure you remembered. Remembered what? I can't talk. This is my stuff. So will you please excuse me? Henry. Henry, for Pete's sake. As in yesterday's dream, Guy Burkhart got off at his stop and took the elevator to the 98th floor. The speaker in the elevator purred a new commercial this time. Marlin cigarettes. They're sanitized. Does your present cigarette make your throat feel raspy and unpleasant? Marlin cigarettes contain a miraculous new drug which actually gives you the sensation of smooth, creamy smoke. Marlin cigarettes. Marlin cigarettes. Marlin cigarettes. He walked down the marble corridor to his office.

[B]

Good morning, Mr. Berkhurst.

[A]

Good morning, Miss Horn.

[B]

You like my new hairdo?

[A]

Why, yes. Is Mr. Barth in?

[B]

No, sir.

[A]

He had an appointment with Mr. Dorchin of the agency. I know.

[B]

You know?

[A]

I guessed it anyway. And today's the 15th of June, and he won't be here to sign the quarterly statement. And I'm going nuts. Let me have a cigarette with you.

[B]

Yes, sir. Try one of these. They're marlin.

[A]

I never heard of marlins before today. What are we, a bunch of guinea pigs for Dorchen's new advertising accounts?

[B]

Is something wrong, Mr. Burker?

[A]

Wrong? Perish the thought, Miss Boyish, the thought. Hello. This is Swanson. Henry Swanson. What is it? Do you remember? Remember what? Just remember. Listen, Henry, let's stop playing games. Yesterday, either I was dreaming or you snubbed me on the bus. Today, the same thing happens. You do remember. Thank heaven. I thought so when I saw you, but I couldn't be sure. What is it you want? Listen, tomorrow morning when I get off the bus, you get off with me. But be casual. They may be watching. Who may be watching? Swanson. Hello. Yes, I'm still out of cigarettes. Would you buy me a pack of Kelvin's?

[B]

Wouldn't you rather have marlin?

[A]

I smoke Kelvin's.

[B]

But, Mr. Burkhart, Marlins have that soft, creamy smoke that's so soothing to your throat.

[A]

You really believe that stuff?

[B]

It's true. I. I wouldn't say this, Mr. Burkhart, except it. Well, I've gotten to know you pretty well. And I. I've grown to admire you so much.

[A]

I see.

[B]

Would you mind, Mr. Burkhardt, if I told you that. That for months now I've wanted to. Well, just comfort you. I know how troubled you've been.

[A]

You've never mentioned your feelings, Ms. Horn.

[B]

April. My first name is April.

[A]

That's a pretty name.

[B]

You see, I do have your welfare. That's why when I see you smoking Kelvin and I know marlins are so much better. Won't you let me buy some of them for you?

[A]

I suppose so. Why not? Here. You bring me a carton.

[B]

Thank you, Mr. Bertram. Guy.

[A]

I. I'll be back. There was something wrong. Something definitely peculiar about what was happening. The call from Henry Swanson. The strange behavior of this secretary. Ms. Horn, these new products. The dream. Guy Burkhardt went home that night feeling like a man in a nightmare.

[B]

That you, dear?

[A]

That's me.

[B]

Have a good day.

[A]

Fair.

[B]

Oh, before you sit down, would you go down the cellar and put in a new fuse? The switch in the hall closet blew out. I shut it off.

[A]

Okay.

[B]

Supper will be ready in a minute, so don't start fooling around with that old boat. How you've been building.

[A]

I won't. Mary. Mary.

[B]

What is it?

[A]

Come down here. Hurry up.

[B]

What is it?

[A]

I'm not sure. I was looking for a fuse, and I thought maybe I'd drop one under the boat hull. So I scratched around. Look. Let me put the flashlight on it. Well, look at the floor.

[B]

What about the floor?

[A]

It's supposed to be cement. Well, it's copper. There's a thin layer of cement, but underneath, it's metal. Look here, underneath the concrete, more metal. And here on the wall, metal. Metal onto the floor behind the wall, every place.

[B]

I don't really understand.

[A]

Mary, I know this sounds crazy, but somebody, for reason I can't begin to guess, has taken this house and replaced it with a clever imitation. I know it sounds insane, but take a look at racing on the beams. That isn't the bracing that was always there.

[B]

Oh, you're imagining.

[A]

I am not imagining, Mary. I'm gonna look around for a little more.

[B]

Well, your dinner will be ready.

[A]

Save it for me. There are a couple of things I have to figure out. The following morning, Guy Burkhart woke up, screamed. He dragged himself into the kitchen where his wife, Mary, was preparing breakfast and discovered it was still June 15th. Mary. Mary, listen.

[B]

Guy, what is it? You're trembling.

[A]

Mary. The dream. Dream about the explosion. The same one we've been having.

[B]

We? I didn't dream about any explosion.

[A]

You did. Why are you covering up?

[B]

Covering up? Guy, what's happened to you?

[A]

It happened. It happened.

[B]

What?

[A]

Where's the morning paper? Where is it?

[B]

Outside the door, I guess.

[A]

June 15th.

[B]

You better hurry. Today is the day Mr. Bar fills out the quarterly tax return.

[A]

No, it isn't. What? He won't be there. He'll be at a meeting with the head of the advertising agency, Mr. Dorchin. He'll be there. And Ms. Horne will have a new hairdo. The elevator will be selling some new product. Swanson.

[B]

What about Swanson?

[A]

Swanson. I wonder if it's going to be the same today or whether.

[B]

Guy, what in the world are you talking about?

[A]

Nothing. Where's my coat?

[B]

You haven't had breakfast.

[A]

I don't want to miss my bus. I'll see you tonight. Guy Burkhart got on his bus. They were the same unfamiliar faces, the same unusually new looking buildings, the same unusually bright sunshine. And Henry Swanson, pale and furtive. Oh, excuse me, sir. You're quite all right. Do you remember the phone call? Yes. Get off at the next corner and follow me. Where are you going? There's an excavation for a building about a block down. But make sure you aren't followed. I'll go first. Burkhart. Burkhart here, behind the fence. Now, Henry, what's this all about? Just a minute. I want to make sure you aren't followed. Followed? By whom? By them, of course. And just who are they? I'm not sure. At first I thought perhaps they were Russians. Now. Now I'm beginning to think they're Martians. No humans could have accomplished what they've accomplished. Look, start from the beginning, Henry. What's going on? Ercot. Peculiar things have been happening to you, right? Yes. A lot of your friends are missing. Your house seems changed. There's something stranger than that. The date today is June 15th, yet I could swear that yesterday was June 15th. And the day before that. Yes, you've got it. It's always June 15th and you and I are the only ones who know it. Why? How? I'm not sure. I. I think it's some sort of mass hypnosis or something. Why didn't it work for us? My wife, Mary doesn't remember a thing. Somehow, when it happened, they missed us. We were protected from the full force of the. The rays or whatever. They used Burkhardt. Where were you on the night of the 14th? About midnight? That was Sunday night. Yes. I was down in the cellar under that boat. I'm Building. And I was in my darkroom developing some pictures. It just doesn't make any sense to me. Russians? Martians? What makes you think so? I've seen them. Where? At the end of the tunnel. What tunnel? The one that they built under Tyler Town. A tunnel under Tyler Town? Yes, that's right. It's made out of copper or some alloy. Wait a minute. I found a copper layer under my cellar floor last night. Yeah, so did I. That's how I discovered it. I found a way to get into. It's at the bottom of this excavation. Holy mackerel. Why don't we tell the police? Because we can't trust them. Even the police may be Martians in disguise. You're being melodramatic. Am I? You just come with me. Where? Into the tunnel. I'll show you. Henry Swanson led Guy Burkhardt to a small hole in the side of the excavation. There he removed a cut out piece of metallic substance and they crawled into a dimly lighted tunnel. They walked for what seemed like two miles until Swanson held his finger to his lips. You've got to be quiet now, Henry. This is fantastic. We've got a tunnel right under the whole town. Burkhardt, you haven't seen anything yet. There's a room a little further down. We'll be able to look through a glass in the door. Is it safe? Perfectly safe. Unless one of them comes over here. Look through this glass. Now, just so I know I'm not completely insane, tell me what you see. Good Lord. Well? A tremendous panel. Dozens of telescreens, and in front of each, a servo robot. They seemed to be computing something. Yes, I've watched them. They're evaluating data from the screens. Evaluated? Why not? Each of them has a part of a human mind. Remember that. It's against the law to transfer an evaluating circuit from a human brain to a robot. Bur whoever is conducting this monstrous experiment is operating far outside the law. Have you gotten a chance to look at the data on those screens? No, no, I've been afraid to go in. There might be a warning circuit somewhere. If we knew what those robots were working on, we could go to the authorities. I'll risk it if you will. It's worth a chance. We're lost anyway. Open the door. So far so good. Come on, let's take a look at that data. But don't interfere with the robots. Don't worry. Let's look at the screen. Listen to this. Tests in the 47K12 group with Marlin cigarettes pulled 80% using the soft feminine approach. Indications are that an extension of this approach would sell at least 70% nationwide on the fecal freezers. The direct elevator pitch pulled only 10%. This should be abandoned. And a new series of high persuasion elements introduced. Henry, you know what this means? I haven't the faintest idea. I don't blame you. It's crazy, but it fits the facts when I think about it. Do you know who's behind this? Martians? Not Martians, Henry. Advertising men. What? I don't know who they are or how they've done it, but somehow they've taken Tyler town over. They've got you and me and 30,000 others right under the thumbs. Hypnosis. Hypnosis. Drugs. Maybe some kind of ray or something. However they do it, what happens is that they let us live through a single day. During that day, they pour all kinds of suggestions and propaganda into us. At the end of the day, they evaluate the results, see how we've reacted. Then at midnight, they wash the day out of our minds. And the next morning we start the same day over again with different stimuli. No, I. I can't believe that. I know it sounds ridiculous, but think of it. They can run the perfect test and on a whole community. Do you know what that means? Suppose one man learned how to influence people 100% in a year. He could sell us anything from freezers to political candidates. Now, wait a minute. We're guinea pigs, Henry. This whole community is one big test tube for propaganda research. What do we do? Somehow we get out of this town and get to the FBI. Do you think we can? It's worth a try. Come on. Wait. What? Look. Look. There's somebody coming down the tunnel. We've got a hide. Quick. Behind the circuit box. Good Lord. It's Dorchin, the head of the agency that does our advertising. Quiet. All right, Burkhardt, come out. We know you're in this room. Ms. Horn has informed us that you remember. I must warn you, it's useless to buck us. Come out peacefully and let our maintenance crew adjust you properly. She. You don't remember from one experiment to the next. It'll be quite painless. You don't come out peacefully, we'll have to get you. Henry, take this wrench and I give the word. Gentleman. He may be odd. We've nothing to lose. Very well. I'm coming after you. No. Burnt. I've killed him. Wait. Get his coat unbuttoned. Maybe his heart is still beating. Henry, what is it? What's well locked underneath his coat. Oh, heaven help me. It's a robot. A humanoid robot designed to look like daughter. Come on, let's get out of here. Wait. What's that loudspeaker? I told you it was useless. Gentlemen. Who are you? Mr. Dorchin, naturally. The real Mr. Dorchin. What are you trying to do to us? Merely trying to prevent you from damaging my experiments, gentlemen. You can't get away with this, Dorchin. Sooner or later, somebody the FBI or somebody is going to get wind of this madness. Oh, no. Really, Burkhart, you're quite naive. Now, why don't you be reasonable and let the maintenance crew adjust you? If I refuse, I suppose you'll kill me. That would be quite impossible. Oh. You see, Burkhardt, you're already dead. Yes, you're shocked. It's quite true. You and everyone else in this town were killed by premature atomic blast at the Contro Chemical plant. The blast occurred at 7am on June 15. That's the last thing imprinted on your mind. That's why you wake up screaming each morning. It isn't true. But it is. What I and my associates did was take the brain circuits from your dead bodies. We stored them in electrochemical batteries until we had a chance to rebuild the cities and begin our test. Do you think I believe a fantastic tale like that? I imagine you find it incredible. Of course, we didn't rebuild everything. Exactly. After all, it only has to last for a single day. June 15th. At midnight, we turn off the power and wash out the memory of the day. You and your friend Swanson, unfortunately have defective circuits. You remember? Burgod, it's no use.

[B]

We're trapped.

[A]

Please give up. Not me. But what can we do? We can make a run for it down the tunnel. Come on. It's useless. Burkhart. Keep going. It's useless. Useless. Useless. No, you go ahead. I'm finished. Look. We're almost the end of the tunnel. I can see a door. Here, I'll help you.

[B]

I can.

[A]

Just a little further.

[B]

No.

[A]

Now here. This door is open. It opens. Oh, no. I don't believe it. I can't run anymore. Come on. You go ahead. I'm finished. Nook, we're almost the end of the tunnel. I can see a dog. I'll help you. I can. Just a little further. The stars. Help. Beyond was only a glare so bright that their eyes could not stand to look into it. And yet, just beyond the limit of their vision, something tolered. Something so huge it was almost inconceivable. Something Burkhart. Yes. Yes. This is Dorchen. Now do you understand why it's useless. The great looming figure moved closer. It seemed to take shape now, and yet it was so gigantic as to be unbelievable. It came closer. The glare was partially blocked. And then Guy Burkhardt knew that the towering shape was none other than Dorchin himself. You see how I did it, Burkhardt? I took your brain circuits and had them reduced so they could be transferred to tiny humanoid mannequins. That's what you are, Burkhart. A tiny miniature of yourself and this city. This whole experiment I'm conducting is built on a tabletop. It was the morning of June 15, and Guy Burkhart woke up screaming. You have just heard X Minus One, presented by the National Broadcasting Company in cooperation with Galaxy Science Fiction magazine, which this month features man of distinction by Michael Sharra. Being completely unique in this world is not only a mathematical impossibility, it is also a matter of pride. Galaxy magazine on your newsstand today. Tonight, by transcription, X Minus one has brought you the Tunnel under the World, a story from the pages of Galaxy, written by Frederick Pole and adapted for radio by George Lerts. Featured in the cast were Norman Rose, Dean Alquist, Amy Sedell, Elaine Rost, Bob Hastings, Ken Rapif, and Larry Haynes. Your announcer, Fred Collins. X Minus One was directed by Scott Buckley and is an NBC Radio Network production. The music of Russ Morgan, live on Bandstand weekday mornings on NBC Radio.