WEBVTT 00:00.000 --> 00:22.800 Adventures in time and space told in future tense. 00:22.800 --> 00:28.960 The National Broadcasting Company, in cooperation with Street and Smith, publishers of astounding 00:28.960 --> 00:39.120 science fiction, bring you Dimension X. 00:39.120 --> 00:43.240 Twenty years had passed since the last of the giant migration ships had crashed to the 00:43.240 --> 00:49.000 surface of Mars, bearing its pitiful handful of survivors of the Earth Wars. 00:49.000 --> 00:52.800 Twenty years of scratching of the stubborn Martian soil. 00:52.800 --> 00:56.960 Twenty years of trying to devise new solar engines that would use the strange fuel they 00:56.960 --> 00:59.280 found on Mars. 00:59.280 --> 01:04.780 Twenty years of longing, of turning eyes toward the green Earth as it hung on the horizon 01:04.780 --> 01:06.800 like a beckoning light. 01:06.800 --> 01:12.440 And now it was done, and the first new ship, built of shining Martian chromaton, had lifted 01:12.440 --> 01:16.560 bravely toward home with three men locked in its metal belly. 01:16.560 --> 01:22.280 Would they return to an Earth made barren by cosmic dust, to a blackened radioactive 01:22.280 --> 01:23.280 hell? 01:23.280 --> 01:28.760 Or would they find intelligence still alive on the scourged planet? 01:28.760 --> 01:34.320 What had twenty years of death and radioactivity done to our beloved Earth? 01:34.320 --> 01:36.760 That's it, Captain. 01:36.760 --> 01:40.680 We've intersected the course vector. 01:40.680 --> 01:41.680 Williams. 01:41.680 --> 01:42.680 Yes, sir. 01:42.680 --> 01:43.680 Prepare for deceleration. 01:43.680 --> 01:44.680 Forward, fishing ready, Captain. 01:44.680 --> 01:45.680 Read us off, Athens. 01:45.680 --> 01:49.400 We landed the gravitational field of the Earth in exactly ten seconds. 01:49.400 --> 01:52.400 Nine, eight, seven, eight. 01:52.400 --> 01:58.200 Nine, eight, seven, six, five, four, three. 01:58.200 --> 01:59.200 Fire two and four. 01:59.200 --> 02:00.200 One, two, three. 02:00.200 --> 02:01.200 Two and four. 02:01.200 --> 02:06.200 What's our momentum, Evans? 02:06.200 --> 02:07.200 Negative three. 02:07.200 --> 02:08.200 Fire one. 02:08.200 --> 02:09.200 One. 02:09.200 --> 02:10.200 Negative four now. 02:10.200 --> 02:11.200 Steady as she goes. 02:11.200 --> 02:12.200 How are we? 02:12.200 --> 02:13.200 On parabola now. 02:13.200 --> 02:20.080 If we can hold, we should breach the heavy side layer, somewhere north of what used to 02:20.080 --> 02:21.080 be Mimansk. 02:21.080 --> 02:22.080 Let's have a look at her. 02:22.080 --> 02:23.080 Visor, please. 02:23.080 --> 02:24.080 Yes, sir. 02:24.080 --> 02:25.180 Mother Earth. 02:25.180 --> 02:26.960 Twenty years. 02:26.960 --> 02:30.720 We're going home, Evans. 02:30.720 --> 02:33.960 We're going home. 02:33.960 --> 02:37.120 Home to what, Captain? 02:37.120 --> 02:42.240 Home to a burned out, radioactive planet that is incapable of supporting human life? 02:42.240 --> 02:44.720 Evans and I don't agree with that, Williams. 02:44.720 --> 02:46.400 We think the Earth is ready for us again. 02:46.400 --> 02:48.080 That she'll give us another chance. 02:48.080 --> 02:51.960 I'm sorry, Captain, but I was born and brought up on Mars under the new central government. 02:51.960 --> 02:54.960 We younger men disagree with you about migrating back to Earth. 02:54.960 --> 02:56.960 For us, Mars is home. 02:56.960 --> 02:57.960 Well, we'll see. 02:57.960 --> 03:01.960 If there is some form of life on Earth, we'll find out soon enough. 03:01.960 --> 03:04.960 Williams, head for New York. 03:13.960 --> 03:14.960 There it is, Captain. 03:14.960 --> 03:18.960 You can barely see the top of the Atomic Trades building in the twilight. 03:18.960 --> 03:20.960 They never finished building it. 03:20.960 --> 03:22.960 Dark as a tomb. 03:22.960 --> 03:24.960 Slow to cruising speed. 03:25.960 --> 03:26.960 Cruising speed. 03:26.960 --> 03:28.960 It begins to look as if Williams is right, Captain. 03:28.960 --> 03:31.960 Not a sign of life on four continents. 03:31.960 --> 03:34.960 Ah, we'll make a radiation check and then head back for Mars. 03:34.960 --> 03:36.960 You agree with me, gentlemen? 03:36.960 --> 03:39.960 That for all practical purposes, the planet is dead? 03:39.960 --> 03:40.960 It's still my captain. 03:40.960 --> 03:41.960 What is it? 03:41.960 --> 03:43.960 Am I going out of my mind? 03:43.960 --> 03:45.960 Look out that way to the west. 03:45.960 --> 03:46.960 Could that be... 03:46.960 --> 03:47.960 By heaven, it is. 03:47.960 --> 03:49.960 Those are lights. 03:49.960 --> 03:50.960 Turn the ship. 03:53.960 --> 03:55.960 Heading west, southwest. 03:55.960 --> 03:56.960 Full speed. 03:57.960 --> 03:58.960 Full speed. 03:59.960 --> 04:00.960 They are lights. 04:00.960 --> 04:04.960 Captain, it's a city, a whole blasted city lit up like a Christmas tree. 04:05.960 --> 04:08.960 Well, what do you think of your dead planet now, Williams? 04:08.960 --> 04:10.960 We shall see, Evans. 04:10.960 --> 04:13.960 Remember, the commission wants evidence of life as we know it. 04:13.960 --> 04:15.960 Desalination negative five. 04:15.960 --> 04:17.960 We're going to take her down. 04:17.960 --> 04:20.960 There's an open area just on the edge of the city. 04:20.960 --> 04:21.960 Yes, sir. 04:21.960 --> 04:22.960 Hold on, gentlemen. 04:22.960 --> 04:24.960 We're about to land. 04:34.960 --> 04:36.960 Landing jacks are down, sir. 04:36.960 --> 04:37.960 Open the airlock. 04:37.960 --> 04:42.960 Close. 04:42.960 --> 04:44.960 All right, gentlemen. 04:44.960 --> 04:47.960 Before we go out, security at all times. 04:47.960 --> 04:49.960 Williams, you have the blast gun. 04:49.960 --> 04:50.960 I have it. 04:50.960 --> 04:53.960 If anyone becomes separated, fire a shot and make for the ship. 04:53.960 --> 04:55.960 How's the radiation, Evans? 04:55.960 --> 04:56.960 Safe enough so far. 04:56.960 --> 04:58.960 This seems to be a light area. 04:58.960 --> 04:59.960 Very well. 04:59.960 --> 05:00.960 Open the lock. 05:00.960 --> 05:05.960 Oh, it's unbelievable. 05:05.960 --> 05:22.960 We've been walking for hours now and not a soul to be seen. 05:22.960 --> 05:23.960 I must be someone. 05:23.960 --> 05:25.960 How do you explain the situation by the way you're in? 05:25.960 --> 05:27.960 Well, I have a very good idea. 05:27.960 --> 05:30.960 There must be someone. How do you explain the lights? 05:30.960 --> 05:33.960 I don't know. Municipal building. 05:33.960 --> 05:37.960 Shall we have a look here, sir? Possibly the records might contain some clue. 05:37.960 --> 05:40.960 Good idea. Keep your weapons ready. 05:45.960 --> 05:50.960 This door is in good working order. Almost as if it had been oiled recently. 05:52.960 --> 05:56.960 Long corridor, lights blazing in every office. 05:56.960 --> 05:59.960 William, stand watch here in the corridor. Fire a blast if you need us. 05:59.960 --> 06:04.960 Yes, sir. Evans, you come with me. We'll start right here with the city clerk's office. 06:04.960 --> 06:06.960 Better check radiation again. 06:09.960 --> 06:11.960 Not enough to do any damage. 06:14.960 --> 06:16.960 Gives you the creeps, doesn't it? 06:17.960 --> 06:19.960 Look at this desk. 06:19.960 --> 06:22.960 Papers crumpled, ink stand. 06:22.960 --> 06:25.960 Just as if somebody came in and worked here every day. 06:25.960 --> 06:29.960 Calendar. June 18th, 1987. 06:29.960 --> 06:31.960 Why, that's the day of the evacuation. 06:31.960 --> 06:35.960 The dust cloud had already blanketed New York and was heading west. 06:35.960 --> 06:37.960 Dog licenses. Hunting permits. 06:37.960 --> 06:39.960 Somehow I have a peculiar feeling that... 06:42.960 --> 06:43.960 Good Lord. 06:43.960 --> 06:45.960 Pick it up, Evans. 06:46.960 --> 06:47.960 Hello? 06:48.960 --> 06:50.960 No answer. 06:50.960 --> 06:52.960 Hello? 06:52.960 --> 06:55.960 I hear something. A scratching sort of noise. 06:55.960 --> 06:56.960 Good day, Doctor. 06:56.960 --> 06:57.960 What? 06:57.960 --> 06:58.960 How are you? 06:58.960 --> 07:02.960 I called to ask some advice about a trepanning problem. 07:02.960 --> 07:06.960 Can you tell me if the lateral cut should be made first? 07:06.960 --> 07:08.960 Hello? Hello? 07:08.960 --> 07:10.960 This is absolutely insane. Hello? 07:10.960 --> 07:12.960 Thank you, Doctor. I'll do that. 07:12.960 --> 07:15.960 By the way, how is your wife Alice? 07:15.960 --> 07:17.960 And the girls? 07:17.960 --> 07:19.960 And your son John? 07:19.960 --> 07:22.960 Fine boy, John. 07:22.960 --> 07:24.960 I'll call again tomorrow. 07:24.960 --> 07:26.960 Goodbye, Doctor. 07:26.960 --> 07:28.960 Hello? Hello? 07:29.960 --> 07:30.960 It's gone dead. 07:30.960 --> 07:31.960 Who was it? 07:31.960 --> 07:32.960 I don't know. 07:32.960 --> 07:35.960 Strange voice carried on a conversation about some surgical operation 07:35.960 --> 07:38.960 without paying the slightest attention to anything I said. 07:38.960 --> 07:40.960 Captain, the lights are out. 07:40.960 --> 07:42.960 Good Lord. 07:42.960 --> 07:44.960 Captains! Captains! 07:44.960 --> 07:46.960 I have a torch. Come on. 07:46.960 --> 07:47.960 Williams, what is it? 07:47.960 --> 07:48.960 I don't know. 07:48.960 --> 07:49.960 You fired a shot? 07:49.960 --> 07:51.960 Yes, sir. Just as the lights went out, I... 07:51.960 --> 07:53.960 I'm sure I saw a figure. 07:53.960 --> 07:55.960 It looked like an old man in a white robe. 07:55.960 --> 07:57.960 It moved across the end of the corridor down that way. 07:57.960 --> 07:59.960 Flash your torch down the heavens. 07:59.960 --> 08:01.960 Nothing there. Are you certain, Williams? 08:01.960 --> 08:03.960 I'm not certain. The lights. 08:03.960 --> 08:04.960 They're on again. 08:04.960 --> 08:05.960 We're going to get to the bottom of this if... 08:05.960 --> 08:06.960 Wait, wait. 08:06.960 --> 08:07.960 What? 08:07.960 --> 08:09.960 Listen. Quietly. 08:10.960 --> 08:13.960 Someone is coming, walking slowly toward the corridor. 08:13.960 --> 08:15.960 Coming closer. 08:15.960 --> 08:16.960 Cover him when he turns the corner. 08:16.960 --> 08:18.960 It'll be a pleasure. 08:18.960 --> 08:20.960 Don't fire unless I give the word. 08:22.960 --> 08:23.960 What? 08:24.960 --> 08:26.960 Shumping Jupiter. 08:26.960 --> 08:28.960 Are you... 08:28.960 --> 08:30.960 Is it really someone or... 08:30.960 --> 08:33.960 Am I having hallucinations? 08:33.960 --> 08:35.960 We're no vision. 08:35.960 --> 08:36.960 No. 08:36.960 --> 08:38.960 No, you seem to be real. 08:38.960 --> 08:40.960 I saw the ship come down. 08:40.960 --> 08:42.960 I thought perhaps I was losing my mind. 08:42.960 --> 08:44.960 It's been so many years. 08:44.960 --> 08:46.960 I'm Captain John Parsons. 08:46.960 --> 08:49.960 These are my assistants, Dr. Evans and Mr. Williams. 08:49.960 --> 08:52.960 We've returned to Earth from Mars. 08:52.960 --> 08:55.960 Oh, then it's happened. 08:55.960 --> 08:59.960 We're not alone anymore. 08:59.960 --> 09:01.960 Forgive me, gentlemen. 09:01.960 --> 09:03.960 I seem moved. 09:03.960 --> 09:07.960 I waited and hoped for so long. 09:07.960 --> 09:08.960 You survived the radiation? 09:08.960 --> 09:09.960 We did. 09:09.960 --> 09:10.960 There are others? 09:10.960 --> 09:12.960 My family were the only ones. 09:12.960 --> 09:14.960 I answered the phone a moment ago. 09:14.960 --> 09:15.960 Who was it? 09:15.960 --> 09:17.960 You heard my voice, Doctor. 09:17.960 --> 09:18.960 Your voice? 09:18.960 --> 09:21.960 To break the loneliness, I've recorded my voice 09:21.960 --> 09:23.960 and rigged up an automatic telephone. 09:23.960 --> 09:26.960 It's pleasant to hear the phone ring. 09:26.960 --> 09:28.960 I come here to do my work. 09:28.960 --> 09:30.960 I take it you're a medical man. 09:30.960 --> 09:32.960 My name is Cornelius Hathaway. 09:32.960 --> 09:33.960 Hathaway. 09:33.960 --> 09:35.960 Hathaway the Brain, Sergeant? 09:35.960 --> 09:36.960 You know my name. 09:36.960 --> 09:37.960 Who doesn't? 09:37.960 --> 09:40.960 I watched you on television at college. 09:40.960 --> 09:43.960 I saw you 23 years ago. 09:43.960 --> 09:47.960 You performed a difficult surgery for a cerebral tumor. 09:47.960 --> 09:48.960 Marvelous. 09:48.960 --> 09:49.960 Thank you. 09:49.960 --> 09:51.960 I'd almost forgotten. 09:51.960 --> 09:55.960 My mind, you see, I'm almost 80 now. 09:55.960 --> 09:56.960 You look fine, sir. 09:56.960 --> 09:58.960 Well, we've had the best of everything. 09:58.960 --> 10:01.960 An entire city to choose from. 10:01.960 --> 10:04.960 Cold storage, the best equipment. 10:04.960 --> 10:09.960 But come, when I saw your ship, I told Alice, my wife, you know, 10:09.960 --> 10:11.960 to prepare a feast. 10:11.960 --> 10:14.960 This is a great day for me, gentlemen. 10:14.960 --> 10:17.960 A great, great day. 10:29.960 --> 10:31.960 This is my wife, gentlemen. 10:31.960 --> 10:35.960 Alice, Captain Parsons, Dr. Evans, and Mr. Williams. 10:35.960 --> 10:36.960 How do you do? 10:36.960 --> 10:41.960 Now, if you'll follow me, gentlemen, we'll meet my children. 10:41.960 --> 10:43.960 Oh, for a beautiful woman. 10:43.960 --> 10:45.960 She looks no more than 35. 10:45.960 --> 10:48.960 These are my daughters, Susan and Marguerite. 10:48.960 --> 10:50.960 This is my son, John. 10:50.960 --> 10:52.960 Oh, how nice to have you. 10:52.960 --> 10:54.960 Sit down, gentlemen, sit down. 10:54.960 --> 10:57.960 We'll have a feast in honor of this occasion. 10:57.960 --> 11:00.960 Susan, Marguerite, get the best silverware and the dammost napkins. 11:00.960 --> 11:02.960 John, fetch the glasses. 11:02.960 --> 11:03.960 Oh, yes, Father. 11:03.960 --> 11:04.960 It'll only take... 11:04.960 --> 11:05.960 Excuse me, John. 11:05.960 --> 11:06.960 Sir? 11:06.960 --> 11:07.960 How old are you? 11:07.960 --> 11:09.960 23, sir. 11:09.960 --> 11:10.960 Thank you. 11:10.960 --> 11:12.960 Now, if you'll excuse me. 11:12.960 --> 11:13.960 What is it, Captain? 11:13.960 --> 11:14.960 Something wrong? 11:14.960 --> 11:17.960 Nothing except that it's impossible. 11:17.960 --> 11:21.960 You see, Dr. Hathaway's son was already in college when I started. 11:21.960 --> 11:39.960 That will make him at least 45. 11:39.960 --> 11:41.960 That was a wonderful meal, Mrs. Hathaway. 11:41.960 --> 11:44.960 Doctor, your wife is an exceptional woman. 11:44.960 --> 11:45.960 Thank you, sir. 11:45.960 --> 11:48.960 How would you gentlemen like some fresh gingerbread with your coffee? 11:48.960 --> 11:49.960 I baked it this morning. 11:49.960 --> 11:51.960 Oh, wonderful. 11:51.960 --> 11:52.960 Smell that, Evans? 11:52.960 --> 11:54.960 Oh, it's like coming home, Mrs. Hathaway. 11:54.960 --> 11:56.960 We enjoy having you here. 11:56.960 --> 12:02.960 Mrs. Hathaway, may I compliment you on your having preserved your youth and beauty so well. 12:02.960 --> 12:04.960 Thank you. 12:04.960 --> 12:08.960 We have had no worries here, no competition. 12:08.960 --> 12:10.960 Only the things we need for material comfort. 12:10.960 --> 12:16.960 Parsons and I were wondering, Dr. Hathaway, if the radioactivity had any effect in preserving tissue. 12:16.960 --> 12:18.960 Your children all look so young, too. 12:18.960 --> 12:22.960 It is possible, gentlemen, of course. 12:22.960 --> 12:26.960 Radiation does strange things to living tissue. 12:26.960 --> 12:28.960 Alice, could we have some champagne? 12:28.960 --> 12:31.960 Of course. I'll only be a moment. 12:31.960 --> 12:34.960 An amazing woman. Did you ever see such grace? 12:34.960 --> 12:36.960 Such complete relaxation. 12:36.960 --> 12:38.960 It doesn't seem quite natural. 12:38.960 --> 12:39.960 I beg your pardon, gentlemen. 12:39.960 --> 12:44.960 Captain Parsons was just about to ask how you and your family managed to escape, Dr. Hathaway. 12:44.960 --> 12:48.960 We were very fortunate. I was working in the Sierra Mountains at the time. 12:48.960 --> 12:53.960 I had a lead-lined laboratory where I did X-ray research on my pet project. 12:53.960 --> 12:54.960 And what is that, sir? 12:54.960 --> 12:59.960 The study of machines as they relate to human function and the corollary of... 12:59.960 --> 13:07.960 Well, to continue, when the dust cloud covered America, we remained in the laboratory, well supplied with food and water. 13:07.960 --> 13:15.960 Later, when the radiation permitted, we made our way east, back to our old home, in the hopes of finding other survivors. 13:15.960 --> 13:20.960 But by that time, every living creature had been evacuated to Mars. 13:20.960 --> 13:26.960 We were stranded. The migration ships didn't wait for stragglers. 13:26.960 --> 13:29.960 That's true. My father and I were on the last rocket out of New York. 13:29.960 --> 13:36.960 I've always loved this old house. But the loneliness of those first years... 13:36.960 --> 13:38.960 At least you had your wife and children. 13:38.960 --> 13:42.960 Yes. Yes, I had my family. 13:42.960 --> 13:47.960 If it were not for them, gentlemen, I assure you, I would long ago have put a bullet in my head. 13:47.960 --> 13:50.960 Here we are. Champagne, Captain. 13:50.960 --> 13:56.960 Oh, thank you, Mrs. Hathaway. May I propose a toast? 13:56.960 --> 14:00.960 Oh, let me. Gentlemen, to Earth. 14:00.960 --> 14:02.960 To Earth. 14:02.960 --> 14:06.960 May she never be a stranger to man agai... 14:06.960 --> 14:08.960 Hathaway, what is it? 14:08.960 --> 14:12.960 Nothing really. It's just rather sharp pain in the chest. 14:12.960 --> 14:13.960 I think you should lie down, Doctor. 14:13.960 --> 14:14.960 Yes. 14:14.960 --> 14:15.960 Perhaps you're right. 14:15.960 --> 14:16.960 Let me help you. 14:16.960 --> 14:18.960 No, no, no. John and Susan will help. 14:18.960 --> 14:19.960 Of course, Father. 14:19.960 --> 14:26.960 Why don't you gentlemen go out on the porch, enjoy the air? I'll see you all in the morning. 14:26.960 --> 14:27.960 Good night, Doctor. 14:27.960 --> 14:29.960 Good night. Come, John. 14:29.960 --> 14:32.960 Yes, Father. 14:45.960 --> 14:48.960 Well, what do you think of old Mother Earth now, Williams? 14:48.960 --> 14:53.960 Smell that summer breeze. Look at that view of the city lighted up against the sky. 14:53.960 --> 14:55.960 It has a certain quality. 14:55.960 --> 14:58.960 Well, score one point for the back to Earth proposal. 14:58.960 --> 14:59.960 I didn't say that. 14:59.960 --> 15:01.960 You're beginning to feel it though, Williams. I can tell. 15:01.960 --> 15:06.960 If you don't mind, gentlemen, I'm quite tired. I think I'll turn in. Excuse me. 15:09.960 --> 15:10.960 Well, Captain? 15:10.960 --> 15:11.960 Well, what? 15:11.960 --> 15:13.960 What do you make of all this? 15:13.960 --> 15:14.960 I don't know what you mean. 15:14.960 --> 15:20.960 There's Hathaway and his family. There's something strange and unnatural going on here. I can sense it. 15:21.960 --> 15:23.960 I think you're reading things into it, Evans. 15:23.960 --> 15:25.960 So? Perhaps. 15:25.960 --> 15:27.960 Well, I'll turn in too. Are you coming? 15:27.960 --> 15:31.960 In a moment. I want to smoke a cigarette. 15:35.960 --> 15:36.960 Beautiful view. 15:36.960 --> 15:37.960 What? 15:37.960 --> 15:38.960 Is it not? 15:39.960 --> 15:42.960 I didn't hear you come out. How is he? 15:42.960 --> 15:45.960 Resting. I've never seen him this bad. 15:45.960 --> 15:54.960 Yes, he's an old man. I'm sorry, but the difference in your ages is so apparent. You must have been married very young. 15:54.960 --> 16:00.960 My husband is a very great man, Captain. It's too bad there was no one to appreciate him. 16:00.960 --> 16:11.960 Once he wired the whole city with sound speakers, and when he pressed a button, the whole town lit up and made noises, as if 10,000 people were living in it. 16:11.960 --> 16:16.960 He must have been very lonesome for people. Although with a woman such as you, I don't understand. 16:16.960 --> 16:21.960 Perhaps one day you will understand. Good night, Captain. 16:21.960 --> 16:24.960 Good night, Mrs. Hathaway. 16:39.960 --> 16:42.960 Captain. Captain Parsons. 16:43.960 --> 16:44.960 Who is there? 16:44.960 --> 16:46.960 It's Dr. Evans. 16:46.960 --> 16:47.960 What time is it? 16:47.960 --> 16:48.960 Two a.m. 16:48.960 --> 16:49.960 What's wrong? 16:49.960 --> 16:58.960 I couldn't sleep. A few minutes ago, I heard someone slip out the front door. The moonlight I saw, it was the old man. He was headed toward our ship. 16:58.960 --> 16:59.960 What are you suggesting, Evans? 16:59.960 --> 17:06.960 Nothing, except that it's fairly unnatural for an old man with a bad heart to go wandering off at two in the morning. 17:06.960 --> 17:22.960 Very well. We'll follow him. 17:22.960 --> 17:23.960 See him yet? 17:23.960 --> 17:24.960 No. 17:24.960 --> 17:29.960 Look, I hear they're on the hillside. Isn't that Hathaway kneeling in the moonlight? 17:29.960 --> 17:31.960 Yes, I think so. Can we get closer? 17:31.960 --> 17:35.960 Let's head for that clump of bushes. 17:35.960 --> 17:37.960 This is far enough. 17:37.960 --> 17:40.960 What do you suppose he's doing there? What are those things on the ground? 17:40.960 --> 17:45.960 Good Lord. Those are grave markers. Four of them. 17:45.960 --> 17:49.960 You're right. He seems to be praying over them. 17:49.960 --> 17:50.960 Listen. 17:50.960 --> 17:59.960 Do you forgive me for what I've done? I had to do it. I was so terribly lonely. You do forgive me, don't you? 17:59.960 --> 18:12.960 Yes, I feel you do. I'm glad. I think perhaps I can rest now. I think I... 18:12.960 --> 18:14.960 He's having another attack. Come on. 18:14.960 --> 18:18.960 Hathaway! Dr. Hathaway! 18:18.960 --> 18:19.960 Raise his head, Evans. 18:19.960 --> 18:20.960 His lips are moving. 18:20.960 --> 18:21.960 What is it, Doctor? 18:21.960 --> 18:31.960 Leaning closer. I'm sorry I had to spoil all of this. I've expected it for some time. 18:31.960 --> 18:32.960 We'll fix you up. 18:32.960 --> 18:41.960 No. No, this is the end for me. It really doesn't matter. Except for them. 18:41.960 --> 18:42.960 What about them, Hathaway? 18:42.960 --> 18:45.960 You... you suspect it, didn't you? 18:45.960 --> 18:50.960 Yes, I suspected it, but I couldn't believe it until now. Do they know? 18:50.960 --> 19:01.960 No. No, they wouldn't understand. I wouldn't want them to know ever. The Earth... 19:01.960 --> 19:03.960 Don't try to talk. 19:03.960 --> 19:07.960 The Earth is so fair. 19:07.960 --> 19:09.960 Doctor! 19:09.960 --> 19:13.960 He's dead, Captain. He knew it was the end this time. 19:13.960 --> 19:15.960 Yes, he knew. 19:15.960 --> 19:17.960 What was it he meant about your suspect? 19:17.960 --> 19:23.960 Light a match, Evans. Look on those four grave markers and tell me what you see. 19:23.960 --> 19:25.960 Good Lord. 19:25.960 --> 19:27.960 Well? 19:27.960 --> 19:40.960 Alice Hathaway, Marguerite Hathaway, Susan Hathaway, John Hathaway. Died July 1987. 19:40.960 --> 19:48.960 But that's 20 years ago. If these markers are correct, then who are those others? 19:48.960 --> 19:52.960 Can't you guess, Evans? Can't you guess? 20:06.960 --> 20:09.960 Mrs. Hathaway, are you awake? 20:09.960 --> 20:11.960 Yes, Captain. 20:11.960 --> 20:12.960 May I come in? 20:12.960 --> 20:17.960 Yes. It's about my husband, isn't it? 20:17.960 --> 20:18.960 He'll knew. 20:18.960 --> 20:23.960 I saw him go out tonight. He felt it was near the end. 20:23.960 --> 20:27.960 He died less than an hour ago. I'm sorry. 20:27.960 --> 20:29.960 Thank you. 20:29.960 --> 20:30.960 How do you feel? 20:30.960 --> 20:37.960 He told us it would happen one day and that he didn't want us to cry. He didn't teach us how, you know. 20:37.960 --> 20:43.960 He said it was the worst thing that could happen to know how to be lonely and unhappy. 20:43.960 --> 20:46.960 What will happen to us now that he's gone? 20:46.960 --> 20:47.960 I don't know. 20:47.960 --> 20:48.960 Will you stay with us? 20:48.960 --> 20:50.960 I would like to, but I cannot. 20:50.960 --> 20:52.960 You know about us. 20:52.960 --> 20:57.960 Yes, I know. I didn't think that you knew yourself. 20:57.960 --> 21:02.960 The children don't. I've been aware for a long while. 21:02.960 --> 21:05.960 No one would have guessed. You're so perfect. 21:05.960 --> 21:10.960 Oh, he would have liked to hear you say that. He was so very proud of us. 21:10.960 --> 21:17.960 After a while he came to love us and at the end he took us as his real wife and children. 21:17.960 --> 21:22.960 He even forgot sometimes that he had made us. 21:22.960 --> 21:25.960 You gave him great deal of comfort. 21:25.960 --> 21:31.960 Yes. Over the years we sat and talked. He loved so much to talk. 21:31.960 --> 21:38.960 I was first, you know. Then he became lonesome for the children and so he made them. 21:38.960 --> 21:42.960 He told me about the things he did, about his laboratory. 21:42.960 --> 21:44.960 Surely the children must suspect. 21:44.960 --> 21:50.960 Oh, no. You see, there were no other beings with which to compare themselves. 21:50.960 --> 21:53.960 He must have been a great, great genius. 21:53.960 --> 21:58.960 Each morning he took a recording of his voice into town and put it on the automatic telephone. 21:58.960 --> 22:01.960 Each night it would call us. 22:01.960 --> 22:08.960 I think what with the phone ringing and the sound of voices and the lights on, he was happy. 22:08.960 --> 22:13.960 There was only one thing, one flaw. 22:13.960 --> 22:14.960 And that? 22:14.960 --> 22:17.960 He couldn't make us grow old. 22:17.960 --> 22:24.960 And so he had to watch himself become an old, old man while we stayed young. 22:24.960 --> 22:28.960 It was a great blow to him. 22:42.960 --> 22:48.960 And so we commend the body of this man, Cornelius Hathaway, to his maker. 22:48.960 --> 22:54.960 Ashes to ashes, dusts to dust returneth. Amen. 23:00.960 --> 23:01.960 Come, John. 23:01.960 --> 23:02.960 Yes, Mother. 23:02.960 --> 23:03.960 Susan. 23:03.960 --> 23:05.960 Marquis. 23:05.960 --> 23:08.960 Evans, Williams, stay here a moment, please. 23:08.960 --> 23:09.960 What is it? 23:09.960 --> 23:11.960 Let them go back to the house. I want to speak to you. 23:11.960 --> 23:15.960 I know what you're going to tell us, Captain. I saw the names on the grave markers. 23:15.960 --> 23:16.960 Well? 23:16.960 --> 23:22.960 It's a mockery, a blasphemy of everything we believe in for a man to do something so evil. 23:22.960 --> 23:25.960 Can't you imagine what he faced? 23:25.960 --> 23:32.960 Can't you imagine what it must have been like to have watched his wife and children die slowly of radiation burns? 23:32.960 --> 23:36.960 To know that he was the last man on the face of the earth? 23:36.960 --> 23:38.960 Alone? 23:38.960 --> 23:41.960 Eternally and unalterably alone? 23:41.960 --> 23:47.960 Good Lord, man, what would you have done if you'd had his medical and technical genius? 23:47.960 --> 23:48.960 That's incredible. 23:48.960 --> 23:56.960 Yes, it is. But with an entire American city on which to draw for supplies and equipment, a brilliant man might accomplish anything, even that. 23:56.960 --> 23:59.960 What are you suggesting, Captain? That we take them back? 23:59.960 --> 24:03.960 We haven't enough space in the ship for that. Every ounce counts. 24:03.960 --> 24:07.960 Still, to leave them here, like that, alone? 24:07.960 --> 24:11.960 I think I have an answer, cold-blooded as it may seem. 24:11.960 --> 24:12.960 Go on. 24:12.960 --> 24:15.960 I suggest that we turn them off. 24:15.960 --> 24:17.960 Do you think that I could do that? 24:17.960 --> 24:26.960 No, but I could. After all, they aren't human. They're worse than robots. They're ghoulish. 24:26.960 --> 24:31.960 Have you talked to her? Has she smiled at you with that quiet, beautiful smile? 24:31.960 --> 24:38.960 Captain, we can't take them with us, and it would be less than human to leave them here, without Hathaway. 24:38.960 --> 24:42.960 Could you do it, Evans? 24:42.960 --> 24:46.960 Give me the blast gun, Williams. 24:46.960 --> 24:50.960 We'll wait on the ship. Take off in half an hour. 24:50.960 --> 25:05.960 Half an hour. 25:05.960 --> 25:12.960 Six twenty-five. He should be back soon. 25:12.960 --> 25:13.960 Yes. 25:13.960 --> 25:18.960 He's doing the only humane thing, Captain. They are less than human. 25:18.960 --> 25:19.960 Are they? 25:19.960 --> 25:22.960 Well, it's done now, and no one will ever... 25:22.960 --> 25:31.960 That's the airlock. He's back. 25:31.960 --> 25:34.960 Well, here's your gun. 25:34.960 --> 25:35.960 Did you do it? 25:35.960 --> 25:41.960 When I entered the house, she looked at me with those fine, intelligent eyes. 25:41.960 --> 25:44.960 I couldn't do it. It would be murder, cold-blooded murder. 25:44.960 --> 25:47.960 I prayed you wouldn't be able to do it. 25:47.960 --> 25:50.960 They will never be anything as fine as they are. 25:50.960 --> 25:54.960 Built to last two hundred, three hundred, perhaps a thousand years. 25:54.960 --> 25:59.960 Well, get the course in the integrator, Williams. 25:59.960 --> 26:02.960 We'll take off in twenty minutes. I should be back by then. 26:02.960 --> 26:03.960 You're going out, sir? 26:03.960 --> 26:20.960 I'm going to say goodbye. 26:20.960 --> 26:22.960 You've come back. 26:22.960 --> 26:25.960 Only to say goodbye. 26:25.960 --> 26:28.960 It was nice of you. 26:28.960 --> 26:33.960 I wanted you to know that I am coming back some day. 26:33.960 --> 26:34.960 When will you come? 26:34.960 --> 26:39.960 I don't know. It will take many years to prepare fuel for another trip. 26:39.960 --> 26:44.960 Six, seven, perhaps ten years. 26:44.960 --> 26:49.960 I will watch the sky at night, just as he watched it. 26:49.960 --> 26:52.960 I'm afraid I must go now. 26:52.960 --> 26:55.960 I understand. 26:55.960 --> 27:00.960 Strange. I have a new feeling. 27:00.960 --> 27:04.960 One which he did not teach us. 27:04.960 --> 27:09.960 A feeling of longing, of sadness. 27:09.960 --> 27:12.960 That one is not taught. 27:12.960 --> 27:15.960 It comes of being alive. 27:15.960 --> 27:19.960 Yes. I am alive. 27:19.960 --> 27:24.960 Even though he created me, I'm a person now. 27:24.960 --> 27:28.960 Goodbye, Alice Hathaway. 27:28.960 --> 27:55.960 Goodbye, John Parsons. 27:58.960 --> 28:02.960 You have just heard another adventure into the unknown world of the future. 28:02.960 --> 28:05.960 The world of... 28:05.960 --> 28:14.960 Demand, John. 28:14.960 --> 28:17.960 When the time comes for man to explore the universe, 28:17.960 --> 28:20.960 to deal with the strange inhabitants of other worlds, 28:20.960 --> 28:23.960 to explore the world of the future, 28:23.960 --> 28:28.960 there will be much to remember. 28:28.960 --> 28:30.960 Perhaps the most important lesson of all 28:30.960 --> 28:35.960 will seem too fundamental to be included in the training manuals. 28:35.960 --> 28:37.960 Listen at this time next week as Dimension X 28:37.960 --> 28:41.960 brings you a story from the pages of the August Astounding Science Fiction, 28:41.960 --> 28:46.960 a story called Courtesy. 28:46.960 --> 28:53.960 Dimension X is presented each week by the National Broadcasting Company 28:53.960 --> 28:55.960 in cooperation with Screet and Smith, 28:55.960 --> 28:59.960 publishers of the magazine Astounding Science Fiction. 28:59.960 --> 29:03.960 Today, Dimension X has presented Dwellers in Silence, 29:03.960 --> 29:08.960 written for radio by George Lefferts from the story by Ray Bradbury. 29:08.960 --> 29:11.960 Featured in the cast were Peter Cappell as Captain Parsons, 29:11.960 --> 29:13.960 Bill Griffiths as Captain Hathaway, 29:13.960 --> 29:16.960 and Gertrude Warner as Ellis. 29:16.960 --> 29:19.960 Your host was Norman Rose, music by Albert Berman. 29:19.960 --> 29:23.960 Dimension X is produced by William Welch and directed by Fred Way. 29:23.960 --> 29:28.960 Dragnet, the story of your police force is next on NBC. 29:28.960 --> 29:43.960 .