And now, C.H. Maslin and Sons bring you Act One of tonight's Tale of Tomorrow, The Duplicates.
THE DUPLICATES
If. Harlem.
Oh. I could not
afford three three five I try Mister Jake. Be thank heaven referring to
a day spot that position the paper is
a job still open. Calvin Bruce Calvin Oh yes Mr Calvin yes yes the job is most
definitely open and you come around evening now it's it's past seven thirty so I'd
like to meet you the interview won't take too long I promise I expect you in twenty
minutes to have the address if you wait a minute room three four room thirty four
thirty seven West Grove Street all right I'll be there by your.
Note. Was that on the phone I was but that job I got funny got to somebody.
A. About time. Kind of
a job is I don't know it's. Right now I'm ready to take any. Three months on a job
isn't close. Don't tell me after all the skimping I've done and the wrong one to go
to for sympathy but as for sympathy I'll get a position. Can understand this Friday
fired me for my last job eight years eight years with
a downhill engineering company that would be let go without any kind of
explanation whatsoever maybe there's
a conspiracy against sure that's it everybody's conspiring against my husband OK
that's enough is this all my friends are going places doing things except me at
the five years of my life I discover I'm married to a failure.
Where you going I don't know already I'm not sure I spent two hours preparing
a meal going to make some poor persecuted I said that's enough.
You know it's not. You know someday you're going to push me to.
The. Yes
. I am the person called you about the air are you J. Johnson Dr.
Johnson of atomic energy control I've been expecting you for days Calvin. I'd
you know I'd call about the we knew you'd come eventually so now there are many
things to be explained. Yes.
We want you to volunteer for an important scientific experiment and it's over I
guarantee you a reward that will let you live in comfort for the rest of your life
Oh well what kind of a reward of the experiment that you will learn to know
but I can tell you that you will not be harmed or in any way changed by this
experiment and you should be free to return home when it's over how long will
that take with training preparation final test three weeks I don't know very much
about research I'm I'm an engineer yes we know.
You. Pay will be two hundred and fifty thousand
dollars two hundred and fifty thousand. It's.
Sure telling you the truth Bruce this is an important experiment money is not no
thanks to Jay. It's something for you but this deal is something for me but this
whole set up I'm sure you everything is about yeah but why me. Why are you sitting
there is that you're waiting for me knowing that I come why do I get the feeling
this is all set perhaps it's because you've been under observation for more than
a year we've traced your habits at home your working schedule your daily
activities as we know you very well yeah but why me I don't get it from our
report that we found you to be one of the rare types that could survive this
project the rate of physical appearance your intelligence all led to your being
selected for what lies ahead and if I refuse I wouldn't suggest that already our
plans have released you from your job at Dunhill. You had me for it had to be done
so that you would be in no position to refuse our offer what do you think you are
you know what you're going to. This mission is worth any sacrifice. When you see in
a matter of weeks we expect to establish contact with another planet.
Another planet. By what means.
Committee in charge of this project will be here in one minute all your questions
will be answered these are important people Bruce as you will see. I don't know
I'd like a little more time to think it all time is precious just remember that in
three weeks you'll be a rich man a very rich man.
A very rich. Doctor Gorman gentleman right on time.
Who's coming back to go on ahead of our committee. Admiral Donnelly.
General Potter. Please make yourself comfortable. Gentlemen I think we can begin
now. Johnson have you informed Mr Calvin where he's been brought here I told him
everything but the actual purpose I do and stuff good and I won't be time wasted
and.
First. I must ask you to keep secret anything you learn here tonight. These facts
must be kept from the general public you have my word and second. I ask you to
believe whatever is told no matter how. In the last two years science has
discovered that life does exist on another planet in this universe life as we know
it here. I'm afraid I don't understand I'm telling you that there's another planet
where human life functions as it does here so closely parallel for every living
thing existing here as an exact duplicate on this other planet. You mean other
human beings living as we do more than that. For every particle of life animal
bird flower tree living here as an identical creature living on this other planet
you expect me to believe that you are two planets in this universe which are exactly
alike in every detail there's
a most fantastic story I've ever heard in my life I have no part of my stay and
we're going to listen to the rest of it Bruce and decide we won't hold you against
your will. All right I'll listen. Go on make it fast.
We know how difficult this is to accept but I repeat every word I'm saying is
true. At this moment on another planet there are people who think and talk exactly
as we do. Every motion every creature is in direct rhythm with us. I just can't
believe it. What's more we have tangible evidence that they are aware of our
existence also and are checking periodically on our similarity. How do you know all
this. We've had many observers spotting their visits. There are actual
photographs of ships speeding through our atmosphere.
But these are pictures of flying saucers the kind of run like a couple of weeks
ago not a mirage but a very real threat the same kind of craft we've been sending
to investigate their way out. Yeah. Yeah but if all this is true. What do you want
with me what can I do.
We build a ship. A very special ship to carry but one man to that other planet
now the ship has been tested and will travel through space. I see you want me to
make that trip. You want me to be a little traveler through space. No thanks.
You'll be perfectly safe. The ship is automatically controlled. It can be
accomplished in a few hours. I said no. You know what you're asking me to do. You
would arrive in a city just like this. Your home would be there. A woman who
would seem in every respect to be your wife would be waiting. You'd have a short
mission at this house and then you'd return to this planet. What would be the
point of a flight like this. A very simple one. The exact duplication of mankind
must be stopped immediately neatly and without warning. And if it's not. Then
sooner or later both planets will destroy themselves in trying to conquer the
other. We must take the initiative and break this pattern of exact duplication
as soon as possible. On your trip you'll take with you a chemical poison. You'll
place it in your duplicates home in something he will eventually eat or drink.
Then you'll simply return here. Feel that. You'll live. Once the pattern is broken
our future is secure. That'd be murder. Don't think you're asking me to take a
man's life. Don't think of it that way. See it as a means of saving this world. No
no I have no part of it. Two hundred and fifty thousand dollars. You'll take a
man's life. You'll be immortalized in history. No no I won't. I'll have nothing.
Two hundred and fifty thousand dollars. Do the things you want to do. Go to the
places you've never been. Travel. Enjoy life as it should be. Enjoy security.
Contentment. No fear. Two hundred and fifty thousand dollars. OK OK.
When do I stop?
. You.
Yeah. Certainly took your time. Realize it's after midnight. I know I don't.
Expect me to say that he's suffering from something he don't know I'm not going to
put up with that temper of yours. I got a job. A job. You.
What kind is it. How much does it say. I can't give any details it's secret.
All I can say is. It's for the government. And I start work.
On. People to get picked for the job. You get mixed up with the government
overnight I don't understand the hectic world we live in Francis.
A lot of crazy things happen. But if the government of my country picks me for
an important job I'm going to carry it out. Something dangerous. Dangerous.
. No no not at all. All I can tell you is this.
Future life here on Jupiter depends on the success of my mission.
But before we continue with the second act of the duplicate starring Darren McGavin.
I'd like to take just a minute to check your ear for music maybe your memory.
. Sure it's the lovely old song Locke Loman it's a tune I think you ought to remember
especially every time you think of home decorating. Now maybe you wonder why a fellow like me should
all of a sudden become so interested in music. Well it's really very simple. Look here.
Locke Loman is also the name of this carpet one of the newest developments by the Maslin Mills.
Just look at it. Locke Loman a textured pile which means you actually get a textured
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Locke Loman's smart appearance is aimed to highlight any color scheme that you may select
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And now Maslin brings you the second act of the duplicates starring Darren McGavin.
Good. He's passed every test. The pressure has reached stratospheric proportions and
he's still able to function. You can shut it off.
Coming out now. Get that stethoscope out of there.
Repeat, please.
Oh, fine. Just fine. I knew he was perfect.
Now, what was that to prove? We reproduced the same conditions you will have on your trip, Bruce.
You've got nothing to worry about. You mean that's all there is to the flight?
Absolutely. You'll feel nothing more.
Well, fair enough. Step over here a minute, Bruce.
Oh. Now, here is our present position. Now, the ship will be following this course.
With the automatic atomic speed control, you should reach the earth within 12 hours.
When do I get my flight training? You don't need any. I don't need any.
Everything is automatically controlled. When you're ready to return,
merely reverse the energy switch on the directional indicator.
Do you think I'll survive this flight? That's why we've been testing you these weeks.
No, there'll be no trouble. Well, I guess we're about ready to start.
We are. Except for one last bit of equipment. Yeah.
I wondered when we'd get around to that. It arrived this morning.
It must be planted somewhere in your duplicate's house.
Someplace he's bound to sample it in his food or drink.
It kills painlessly in exactly three minutes. Here's a check for $100,000.
You'll receive the balance on your return. The ship is set up on the field, Bruce.
You leave in 36 minutes. 36 minutes?
Why didn't you tell me sooner? Why can't I say goodbye to my wife?
We couldn't take chances on anything going wrong. There must be no slip-ups.
You'll be back in 24 hours and you can explain everything to your wife.
Then, with our consent. Yeah, sure.
Everything will be finished in 24 hours. Well, let's get started.
I'll say goodbye here, Bruce. Remember, our very lives here on Jupiter
depend on the success of this trip. Get back safely.
I'll do my best.
It's absolutely fantastic. Neighborhood, houses, street, trees, everything's absolutely identical.
Neighborhood, house, street, Francis?
Oh my God, Francis, I know where we're heading.
Oh, um, next week? Yeah, my yard's open for us.
Mm-hmm. We're fine.
We're fine to lock. Well, I'll see you before then.
Okay, bye. Bruce!
Francis? I hear you come in.
I'm sorry, I heard you talking to someone in the kitchen. I didn't want to disturb you.
Oh, that was Mrs. Crescell. She invited us to supper next week.
That's fine. Fine.
I'm sorry, I've gone to rush. I just came back for clean shirt.
Well, lucky you. Just finished slaving over two hours of laundry.
You can take it with you. Thanks.
Thanks very much. Is anything the matter?
Are you sick or something? No, not the matter. I'm just in a rush, that's all.
All right, you think we could talk a few minutes? Tomorrow, we'll talk tomorrow morning.
Tomorrow, we'll talk.
And, uh, you're sure that's all that happened? That's all.
Look at that shirt. It's my shirt, my size, my sleeve length.
You should have expected that. Everything is duplicated to the nth degree.
Yeah, everything. Everything except the stars.
When I looked up, all the heavens were in unfamiliar positions.
Yes, we could have told you that. So now it's all finished and I've killed a man.
You destroyed a shadow, nothing more. The entire world of Jupiter will be grateful.
In the meantime, here's something to cheer you up. This covers the balance of you.
Am I free to leave now?
Darling, I don't guess we'll ever meet again.
I doubt it, but you have my number if you ever need me.
Now you'd better get home to your wife. Yeah, your real wife.
Goodbye, Bruce. You have the gratitude and thanks of us all.
Goodbye. Thank you, Dr. Johnson.
Hey, Fran! Francis!
Fran, honey, hey!
Hey! Honey, guess what? I'm...
I'm home.
Nope, I deserve it.
Well, you're back. Yeah.
How long can you stay this time? Oh, no, it's all finished.
My job at the government's over and I've been paid in full.
Well, congratulations. Now you can go back to being unemployed.
Oh, no, no, not for us. Never again. Not for us. Here, take a peek at that.
These checks. They're for two hundred and fifty thousand dollars.
Where'd you get them? Are they good? Good, sure they're good.
Come on, Fran, sit down here. I'll tell you all about them.
Unbelievable! Two hundred and fifty thousand dollars!
A quarter of a million dollars! Are you sure there's no hitches?
Hitch? No hitch! That's payment for my job.
You see, honey, that's why I've been away for the last twenty-four hours.
Oh, but Bruce, you forgot. You were here last night.
Two hundred and fifty thousand dollars! What do you mean I was here last night?
Oh, just remember you came in while I was in the kitchen. You wanted a shirt.
Oh, but that's not important. Tell me about it.
I was here? You're sure I was here in this room?
Well, of course, but you just asked. I said...
You're sure it was me? Nobody else? You wouldn't make a mistake, would you?
Of course it was you! I gave you your shirt. The striping of the tree...
The striped shirt? You're hating me, please!
What is it? Is it something about the checks?
Shut up!
Hello? Johnson, this is Bruce Calvin.
Now tell me the truth. Did I reach my destination last night?
I certainly did. I give you my word, you were on earth last night.
My wife says I was here. She says she saw me here in this living room.
What? Johnson, look.
I just took a little drink out of a bottle. A little drink of whiskey.
Of the same kind of a bottle that I poured the poison into up there.
Now, does that mean what I think it means?
No, it couldn't be.
Look, it's impossible. Tell me.
It was planned so carefully. Now the worth of you is gone.
Look, I don't care about that! What about me? Did I poison myself or not?
Our worlds are linked too closely. Eventually we'll destroy each other.
Look, that doesn't matter now! What about me? I want to live!
Johnson, listen to me! Listen!
Bruce, if your wife saw someone else last night, it means you had a visitor.
A duplicate. Your duplicate who followed the same instructions given you.
I'm sorry, Bruce. Terribly sorry.
Hello? Hello, Bruce? Hello?
Oh my God, no, it couldn't be!
What's wrong? What's the matter? Aren't the checks good?
Checks?
Checks! You think they matter now? You think anything matters now?
Wait!
You! I did it all for you!
You! Everything the same. Nothing can change it.
So,
in just a moment, the name of our next Tale of Tomorrow.
With your permission, I'd like to use that moment to talk about another name.
The name, Karaoke, which is not just the name of that tricky background music that you're
listening to, but also the name of one of the new members of the Maslin Quality Family,
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Karaoke, a wonderful cotton beauty blend broadloom by C.H. Maslin and Sons, makers of fine carpets,
for more than four generations. Next dramatic story called Ahead of His Time, it stars Paul
Tripp and will be brought to you again by C.H. Maslin and Sons, makers of Maslin beauty blend
broadlooms and authentic hunting and fishing clothes.
You don't have to pilot a jet or understand radar to play a vital part in America's air defense.
The preceding program, originally telecast by ABC in New York,
has come to you by special video recording. This is ABC, the American broadcasting company.