Vintage Sci-Fi Radio

X Minus One - The Embassy

https://www.solgoodmedia.com Listen to hundreds of audiobooks, thousands of short stories, and ambient sounds all ad free! 'Vintage Sci-Fi Radio' offers a nostalgic look back at the classic stories of science fiction that captivated audiences with their innovative ideas and fantastical worlds.

Duration:: 25m
Broadcast on:: 18 Jul 2024
Audio Format:: mp3

An official message from Medicare. A new law is helping me save more money on prescription drug costs. You may be able to save, too. With Medicare's Extra Help Program, my premium is zero, and my out-of-pocket costs are low. Who should apply? Single people making less than $23,000 a year, or married couples who make less than $31,000 a year. Even if you don't think you qualify, it pays to find out. Go to ssa.gov/extrahelp, paid for by the US Department of Health and Human Services. This summer, saddle up with the only sports book where you can bet on horse racing. FanDuel. Right now, new customers can get a no-sweat first bet up to $500. Just download the app or go to fanduel.com/horses to score your no-sweat bet up to $500. 21+ in present in Colorado. Offer valid on first real money wager of $5 or more. Verified FD Racing account required. Bonus issued in non-withdrawable racing site credit that expires seven days after issuance. Max refund $500. Restrictions apply. See terms at racing.fanduel.com. Gambling problem, call 1-800-Gambler. Countdown for blast off. X-5, 4, 3, 2, X-1, fire. From the far horizons of the unknown come transcribed tales of new dimensions in time and 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 Street and Smith, publishers of astounding science fiction, presents... 1-1-1-1-1-1. The Knight's Story. The Embassy. Out of the infinitude of stars and planets in the solar system and other systems in the universe, it is almost mathematically certain that other forms of life exist on other worlds. Someday, in the future, in a thousand years or in the next 25 minutes, daring travelers through space will make contact with the inhabitants of another world. But the question is, will we contact them first? Or will they contact us? A private detective agency in downtown New York. Mr. Grapheus, Mr. Grapheus, we'll see you. Well, what can I do for you? My name is Grapheus, Grapheus of Springfield. I would like your assistance in helping me locate a Martian Embassy. Would you say that again very slowly? I came to New York to locate the Martian Embassy. I assume you were joking. On the contrary, I am completely serious. As it happens, I am interested only in Martians at the moment. I say it. Okay? I should. Well, it occurred to me in the course of my studies that we, Earth people, cannot possibly be the only intelligent form of life in the universe. This mass is older geologically, and since it is also an atmospheric planet, its evolutionary history could easily be similar to ours. You follow me? Well, so far I can't say no. If this is true, then they must have been watching us, observing us for hundreds, possibly thousands of years. They also know we are a militaristic war-like race. We might conceivably set out to conquer and occupy Mars some day. In which case they were trying to get the jump on us. Ah, precisely, Mr. Broderick. Now, if you were planning to attack an unknown nation, what would be your first move, Mr. Broderick? Well, intelligence find out what the odds are. Ooh, you have a very logical mind, sir. You would send agents to scout on Earth centers of earthly civilization and advancement. Not Kansas City or Equatorial Africa, my dear sir, but here, in New York, the most technically advanced spot on the Earth. And you want me to help you prove this theory of yours? Precisely. The expense doesn't interest me. Well now, this may take a long, long time, Mr. Grafius. After all, nobody has ever seen the march. I assure you, they will be very ordinary, appearing people, very likely to live together in downtown New York. Just certainly they live in a private house with no servants to prime their affairs. Oh, some ordinary people who live in a private house in downtown New York. How might you just do a look of Martians in the classified section of the phone book? There is one other lead, which might help you. What's that? They would be almost certain to subscribe to every conceivable type of newspaper, scientific journal, and foreign language publication. Now, that might be something. Okay, Mr. Grafius, it's a deal. Excellent. I'll connect you tomorrow. Boss hears an address, takes everything from picked magazine to the Manchester Guardian. Hey, listen to this here. Pick, look, scientific America, the Daily News, the Daily Worker, the Police Gazette. Journal of Engineering is scientific quarterly, America's psychiatric journal. Let me see that. Yeah. Oh, duh, duh, duh, and sometimes I wonder. What is the address on this? It's 9 West on 24th Street, which happens to be the Harlem branch of the New York Public Library. Oh. Now, listen, noodle brain, what we're looking for is a private house. Oh, boss, what is a sense of all this? You know there ain't no Martian Embassy in New York. This crackpot is paying us $100 a day, and we've got to keep them happy. Do you understand? Yeah. Oh, I have a hunch that Mr. Grafius is not looking for any Martian embassies. He is looking for something quite different. So we are going to find it for him. Which house is it, Duluth? It's right down there in number 108. Nobody comes out. Nobody goes in. I asked around. I was just driving around the neighborhood that we're looking for the Martian Embassy, have you? Oh, boys, I'm stupid, but I ain't that stupid. Who'd you talk to? I struck up what you might call a casual acquaintanceship with those two girls standing with the baby carriages up the street. That cute one is real cute. Look, Duluth, don't try to do anything intelligent, darling. Just keep walking up and down, see? Check. I'm going back to the office to meet Grafius. I'll see you later, boss. Hiya, beautiful. Hiya, flat foot. Name is Duluth, honey. Iron man, Duluth. Your line is getting rusty, Iron man. Ha-ha. So help me, honey. If I'm feeding you a line, may the heavens open up and strike me dead. Hey, what's that? Look out! I'm sorry to have kept you waiting, Mr. Grafius. Thank you. But I've had Duluth in casing our first lead for a week now. It's a house town in Greenwich Village, privately rented, number 108, Conklin Street. Nobody seems to know anything about who lives there, except that they subscribe to every paper and scientific journal put out. So there's a radio antenna on the roof. Oh, you don't suppose your Mr. Duluth will try to get inside the house? If this place is the Martian embassy-- Oh, don't worry, Duluth can take care of himself. He-- he must have his mouth, excuse me. Hello? Yeah, speaking. Duluth? Yeah, he works for me. What? No. No, I can't think of any. Yeah, sure, okay, I'll-- I'll be right down. Okay, Lieutenant, yeah. Yeah, right away. Something, the matter? Duluth is dead, Mr. Grafius. All right, come on, we-- get a cab, I have to identify the body. Oh, Lieutenant, I'm Broderick. Oh, uh, there's your boy, Broderick. Anybody see it? A maid pushing a baby carriage. We can't seem to get any sense out of it. You mind if I talk to her? Hanson, this guy wants to ask the girl a few questions. Please, I told you what I saw. How many times I got to tell you-- Look, Miss, the dead man was a personal friend of mine. Would you tell me what happened? Helen and I were standing in front of Rackman's Candy store up on the corner. We both had the babies out. He said hello, and joked a little, then-- What happened? It's too awful. No, please. Well, first, he squashed, and then Stone fell on him. Do you repeat that? They don't believe me, but Helen saw it too. So what? First, he squashed, and then it fell on him. He was mad flat before it even hit him. Now, look, that's the story, Broderick. Please, let me alone. Let me go home. I told you what I saw, and I'll let me alone. Let me alone. Did you learn anything, Mr. Broderick? I don't know. May I ask, what do you intend doing? Well, as soon as the cops clear out, and this place quiets down, the Broderick is going to pay a personal call on the Martian Embassy, or whatever number 108 is. [MUSIC PLAYING] [PHONE RINGING] Well, you are. Open that door. Yes? Oh. Well, yeah, ma'am. Oh, excuse me, ma'am, is the bloody of the house at home. Oh, I'm the lady of the house. Oh, well, my name is Broderick. I represent the Manhattan Child Adoption Center. We're soliciting funds and clothing for stranded and unadopted children. Oh, sit them inside. Well, we don't, usually. Oh, now it's since I'm old enough to be your grandmother. Besides, my son Lauren is working at home. Your son? Oh, he's a bibliographer. He writes summaries of articles and books from scientific journals and publications for libraries and universities. Oh, I see. Well, sit down, Mr. Broderick. Let me pour you a cup of tea. Oh, thank you. Well, you know, I'm not much of a tea drinker. Look, uh, it seems to have a strange taste. Oh, it's my own recipe. Uh-huh. Well, I think that I'd better be running along now. But you haven't finished your tea, Mr. Broderick. No, no, really, I feel a little sunny. I'll call Lauren. No, no, no, no. Sorry, I'm leaving now. Just, you're kind of dizzy. I'm sure Lauren would like to hear about the adoption center. I'll call him. No, no, no, I must. Besides, you aren't well. Tea. Lauren? I've got to get out. Lauren. Lauren, hurry. Look out. You'll get out of my way. No, no. You must stay. Yes, mother. You drugged my tea. You let go of my arms. Lauren! Let go! No! Oh! I've got to get out of the front door. Open. Open. Oh. What happened? The other one, that Broderick, he was here, I drugged his tea. He got away? He was suspicious. Fool. Idiot. Go after him. Risk another murder on our doorstep. Are you insane? But he suspects. Well, we'll have to be got chances. We'll have to think of some other way. He goes to the authorities. Oh, they'll laugh at him. How did they find out? I don't know how. But I'm certain someone else sent them. Who? I don't know. I'm afraid to let myself think. It might be. It just might be them. I've got to get help. Look out! Miss, please. All right, Miss. We'll take care of him. Come along, Miss. I'm going to give you a break and take you back to the wife and kids. Oh, no. You can't. I'm sick. Sick, is it? What's the matter? I'm drugged. They drugged me. Who drugged you? The number? 108, the Martian. Who? The Martians and 108 at Martian Embassy. Well, I've seen him with pink elephants, rabbits and mice, but you're the first one that's got Martians. Oh, it's true. I tell you. Come along. Listen, don't take me back there. They'll kill me. I've got to make you understand. I'll help you out the stairs. What? This is my name. My name is Broderick. I'm a private dick. We'll find out about this. No. Oh. Yeah, don't try any tricks. Officer, listen. Please. I'll give you anything. A thousand dollars. Please, listen. For God's sake, listen. Listen. Oh. Yes, Officer. Why, Broderick. You know this lesson, honey? Oh, why, that's my son, Broderick. Oh. Oh. No, she's marching. He's in pretty bad shape. You'd better get him to bed. Oh, dear. And he was doing so well at the alcoholic society. He must have gotten off again. Looks like he's ready to pass out. Officer. Lauren. Lauren. What is it, Mother? Oh. Broderick. Your brother, Broderick, has been drinking again. No, Officer, please. I got it. He's passed out. Oh, I'll take care of him, Officer. We've handled this sort of thing before. Can you manage OK? We'll be fine. Thank you. Oh, you've been very kind, Officer. Nothing at all, Granny. I know how it is with these alkeys. Well, I'll be seeing you. [MUSIC PLAYING] Oh, my head. Oh, my head. Oh, Mr. Broderick is regaining consciousness, Mother. What happened? I can't get up. Do not struggle, Mr. Broderick. It will be impossible for you to rise from that chair. The pressure from this ray will keep you there. Ray. Who-- who are you? Are you already a guest, Mr. Broderick? You mean this really is the-- The Martian Embassy? Yes. Yes, you have the honor to be the first prisoner of the Imperial Government of Mars. First prisoner? Yes. After the invasion, of course, you will all be our prisoners. What-- what sort of nonsense is this? No nonsense, Mr. Broderick, as your people will soon find out. Our preparations for our invasion are nearly completed now. As soon as we give this signal, our armed forces will launch a surprise attack. And then the Earth will be ours. Crazy. Or not half as mad as you, Mr. Broderick, to come muddling so foolishly into our affairs. It was a mistake, Mr. Broderick. A fatal mistake. So Doulan's death was no accident then, huh? As charadely not. We found it necessary to use a pressure ray on your friend. The block of concrete was an afterthought. We thought it might help to divert suspicion. All right. So what happens now? If you cooperate, you can look forward to a quick, painless death. Like your friend, Mr. Doulan. If not? Well, this pressure ray has many delicate adjustments. It can move a pin, or it can crush a boulder. Let me demonstrate. No! You see, Mr. Broderick, is if you're invisible vice, or crushing you. What do you want? The name of your client. We are interested in knowing who is so anxious to locate the Martian embassy. The names of my clients are confidential. Oh! Oh! Well? Oh! All right! All right! Turn it off, mother. Mr. Broderick has seen the wisdom of speech. Oh! Oh! Oh! His name is Grafius. Grafius? Yes. An unusual name for an Earth man. Describe him. I don't think, I really can't. Describe him! It's tall. The big forehead. It's about 60. With thick glasses. It's bald. Lauren, it sounds like one of them. Yes. Yes, it does. Contact the planet. Tell them we suspect that our plans are known. Ask for an acceleration of the invasion day. At once! What about me? Oh! Oh, I am sorry, Mr. Broderick. But I'm afraid you'll know too much now. In exactly five seconds, you will feel the full impact of the ray which faces you. I would suggest that you relax and meet your fate calmly. Hold on. Wait a minute. You will feel no pain, just a whirl of force crushing you. Yes, but listen. Fine. You can't do this. Four. It isn't human. I know we're not human. Three. Yes, but do you want to stand now? One mother in heaven. Now! Lauren! Lauren! Lauren! It... It didn't work! Something is happening. The magnetic field is dead! Stand back from the pressure, April. It will not function anyway. I have key control to your field. Lauren! Lauren, it's one of them. They've found us! Did you think we wouldn't? You are free to move now, Mr. Broderick. Look, I don't know how you got in here, Grapheus, but stick around. These babies are really Martians, just like you said. They're planning to invade the earth and take over. There will be no invasion. All right, you keep these characters covered. I'll get the police. There will be no need for the police. I intend to handle them myself. But, Grapheus, the police will want to... You do not call the police. I don't get it. You fool of an earthling. Don't you realize with whom you are dealing? The invasion of earth by Mars will be like child's play compared... Lauren! Lauren! Lauren! Lauren! Lauren! Holy mackerel! They just flattened out. Yeah. Like your friend, Mr. Dune. Oh, I did test the use of violence where the intellect can rule. But, unfortunately, the Martians are a threat to us and must be destroyed... so that we can proceed with our own plans. What plans? Actually, you wouldn't comprehend. Wait a minute. There are some things here that I do understand. A second ago, that pressure rate didn't work. Now, you're using it like it was a toy. Now, did you get in here anyway? Who are you? Another one of these Martians? No, Mr. Broderick. I happen to be a Venusian. A what? A representative of the planet of Venus. You're crazy! Not at all. Martian invasion would be like child's play compared to ours. The Martians would simply have conquered and enslaved your people. We Venutions intend to exterminate you completely. Then I suppose that you are going to start by knocking me off. On your contrary, you are free to leave any time you please. Leave? Yes. Are you kidding? I... I know your plans, the invasion. I can go ahead of the police. Go ahead. Why don't you try it, Broderick? Because the minute I turn my back, you're going to let me have it. Suppose you try it and see. I have no interest in stopping you. Go ahead. Run to the police. Tell them anything you like. All right. Just a you asked for this. I'm alive. You let me go. Yeah, yeah. Where do you think you're running to? Officer, listen to me. Oh, it's you again. No one with the marsh. Listen, listen, that story is true. You've got to believe me. You've absolutely got to believe me. They're inside that house. Inside number 108. He killed him. Who killed him? Barfiest, the leader of the Venusian invasion. Venusian invasion. Look, they're going to take over the earth. Listen to me. Go in that house. Marshans, now Venusians. Okay, brother. I've heard enough. Your battery is a bed bug. Come along. Please. What are you taking me? Oh, view psychiatric ward, my friend. Come on. But you come along. You don't understand. Why are you such a fool? Let go of me. There's going to be an invasion. The Venusians are going to invade us. Why don't you listen to me? Why don't you listen? Why don't you listen to me? You have just heard X minus one, presented by the National Broadcasting Company, in cooperation with St. and Smith, publishers of astounding science fiction. Tonight, by transcription, X minus one has brought you The Embassy by Donald A. Wollheim, adapted for radio by George Lefferts, featured in the cast were John Larkin, Tails Goetz, Bill Zuckert, Audrey Blum, Virginia Payne, Clark Gordon, Jack Orison, and Reese Taylor. Your announcer, Fred Collins, X minus one was directed by Dan Sutter, and is an NBC radio network production. ♪♪ An official message from Medicare. A new law is helping me save more money on prescription drug costs. Maybe you can save too. With Medicare's extra help program, my premium is zero, and my out-of-pocket costs are low. Who should apply? Single people making less than $23,000 a year, or married couples who make less than $31,000 a year. Even if you don't think you qualify, it pays to find out. Go to ssa.gov/extrahelp. Paid for by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. This summer, saddle up with the only sports book where you can bet on horse racing. FanDuel. Right now, new customers can get a no sweat first bet up to $500. Just download the app or go to fanDuel.com/horses to score your no sweat bet up to $500. 21+ and present in Colorado. Offer valid on first real money wager of $5 or more. Verify FD Racing account required. Bonus issued in non-withdrawable racing site credit that expires seven days after issuance. Max refund $500. Restrictions apply. See terms at racings.fanDuel.com. Gambling problem, call 1-800-Gambler.