Countdown for blast off. X minus five, minus four, minus three, minus two, X minus one, 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 would-be worlds. The National Broadcasting Company presents X minus one. Tonight, Universe. We are just beginning to discover how boundless our Universe really is. And yet as man reaches out to the stars, out toward infinity, ironically enough he may be building himself a new kind of prison. What would it be like to live all your life in a world no larger, say, than a single gigantic rocket ship bound on an endless mercy? Hugh, look out! You all right? Yes, just missed me. What was it? A mutant with a slingshot, I think. Must have dashed down that passageway. Wanna go after it? Oh, we'd never catch it, Alan. Probably twelve decks above us by now. I didn't think they ever came down this far. Trolls usually get them before they reach this level. They get more daring each generation. This one looked like a female. Male or female, it might have killed us. I told you this trip was pure foolishness, climbing twenty-four deck levels to hear a crazy old man rave. All right, Alan, we're almost there now. Let me see, compartment X, fifteen, level twenty-four. This is the place. This area smells as if it hadn't been visited by a sanitation crew for generations. This part of the ship is almost deserted. Yes? Is this the compartment of John the Witness? Who are you? My name is Hugh Hoyland, cadet from Scientist Barracks. This is my friend Alan Mahoney. What do you want of John the Witness? Well, I'll need to talk. Are you a believer in Jordan? Naturally. I have heard that there are those among the youngest scientists who doubt the word of Jordan. To doubt is death. We're not heretics. Ah, enter. I've brought you a gift of tobacco, grown on the richest level. Oh, it smells good. I assure you it's of the best. Wait here. I'll get him. What a rat's nest. Shhh. What the devil do you think he can tell you? Alan, I'm not sure. I'm not sure. Well? Are you John the Witness? I am. Good evening to you. I'm Hugh Hoyland. This is my friend Alan Mahoney. What brings a gentleman of the Scientist class to my humble compartment? I've heard that you and your parents before you have been keepers of the legend of the ship. Since Jordan gave the word. I'm anxious to hear the word as Jordan spoke it. Why? Because our young scientists, well, among them there have been some who talk against the word. There are regulations against such heresy. Still, some of them say the ship has no purpose. They say that we are here accidentally, that we have no more grace in Jordan's eyes than the most deformed mutant who dwells in the highest level of the ship. What shall I say to you? I wish to hear the word from the mouth of one who knows, in order that I may become more convinced. Sit. You have a gift for the witness? The finest tobacco. Good. I will dim the lights. Now pay close attention for these are the words as my father's father's father gave them to his son's son's son. This is how the ship came into being. How our people were created. In the beginning there was only Jordan, thinking his lonely thoughts. Out of his thoughts came a vision. Out of the vision came a planning. And out of the planning came decision. Jordan's hand was lifted. And the ship was born. Mile after mile of good compartments. Tank after tank for golden corn. Ladder and passage. Door and locker fit for the needs of the yet unborn. He looked on his work and found it pleasing. Need for a race that was yet to be. He thought of man and man came into being. Then Jordan checked his thoughts and searched for a key. Man untamed would shame his maker. Man unruled would spoil the plan. So Jordan made the regulations and order came to the works of man. A crew he created to work at their stations. Scientists to guide the plan. Over them all he created captain. Made him judge of the race of man. Thus it was in the golden age. These are the true words? As my father's father taught them. But what of the strange beast like people on the upper levels of the ship? Surely Jordan did not create them. Jordan is perfect. All below him lack perfection. You have heard of the legend of Huff? I have heard that he mutinied against Jordan. Darkness swallowed the ways of virtue. Sin prevailed upon the ship. And before wisdom prevailed and the bodies of Huff and his followers were fed into the converter. Some of the rebels escaped and lived to father the mutants. They are tainted with the sins of their fathers. Witness. One more question. Speak. What is the ship? The ship is a great sphere. 25 kilometers wide and 100 levels deep. I know that but the upper levels. Regulations forbid us to venture into the upper levels. But it is said that beyond the levels of the mutants lies the forbidden place where Jordan's spirit prevails. So I've heard yet something troubles me. Something which prompted my coming here. Yes my son. What lies beyond the ship? What? What lies beyond the ship? This is heresy. Answer me. I will not permit such talk. The ship is complete. The ship is universal. The ship is everywhere. The ship is endless. Your mutterings are those of a frightened old man. They answer nothing. You question the world? I think you lie. Hear me Mr. Hoyland. For what you have already said I can have your body fed into the converter. Your soul launched on the endless trip. You threaten me. You for Jordan's sake. Do you think I fear this dried fig of a man? You. Sir my friend is impetuous. He does not understand. I might be persuaded to forget a substantial gift. Why you pig. You. Alan come on the side of this so called holy man offends me. You shall not leave. Don't try to frighten me with that gun old man. Remain where you are heretic. I warn you put down that gun. No no no no closer. Drop it. Very well then death to the heretic. Alan get him. Alan he's not breathing. Is he dead? I don't know. Come on Hugh we've got to get out of here. Right. Now where? We can't go back. They'd feed us into the converter before we could even. What's that? An alarm. That old woman must have turned it in. Come on Alan the patrol will be here in no time. Where can we go? Yes where where? The upper level. No the mutants will. We'll have to take our chances. Come on Alan let's go. Listen that's the patrol. Come on we've got to climb. There's a hatchway down the corridor. Quick click. Hold or we'll be fired. Alan Alan up the ladder. Come on, Alan! Come on! Pugh! Pugh, wait! Wait. How far are we from the outside wall? Judging by the slope of the deck, about two miles. Alan, let's try this passageway here. If you hadn't asked him that stupid question... Now, there's no use going over that. But why did you do it? I've been thinking about it for a long time. He began to give me those stupid, tight answers. And I just saw red, I guess. Who are you to question the ways of Jordan? When you asked me to go with you to visit the witness, I... I thought you wanted spiritual help. I never dreamed. I'm sorry, Alan. I'm sorry. I couldn't foresee this. Wait. Wait a minute. What? I... I saw something move. Where? Near that volcano. I don't see anything. Maybe my eyes are going blind. Listen! You behind us! Alan, look out! Oh! No! What are you? Give me that knife. Keep away from me, you! Don't kill him. Not yet. Who are you? You must forgive my friend Bobo. Like so many of my people, he's rather impetuous when members of the so-called super race are... Who are you? What place is this? You can guess from my leg. I'm a mutant. Mutant? Where... where is Alan? Your friend is dead. Dead? I was not able to restrain my people in time to save him. Why don't you destroy me and get it over with? We do not kill for pleasure, Mr. Hoyland. Only when there's a fight. Only when necessary. You know my name? I read your identification tag. Who are you? Mutants can't read. My name is Gregory. Gregory? I'm a leader of my people. You see, although we are unfortunate in our heredity, Mr. Hoyland, many of us are quite intelligent. Why do you live like animals? We'd rather live like free animals than like regimented slaves, as you do. I've heard you practice cannibalism. Undoubtedly, you hear many things about us. You turn your head. Why? That... that monster. I've never seen a creature like him. Bobo is an unfortunate. He was born without the power of speech. How can you tolerate such a monstrosity? We've learned to live with difference. If we began to destroy our imperfects as you do on the lower levels, there would soon be no one left. It violates the regulations. The word of Jordan states the city... You know, Mr. Hoyland, your people are really quite primitive and barbaric. Who dares say that to me? I dare say a good deal more. Let us go to my compartment and speak further. I'm always interested in information on the lower levels. I'll give you no information. Bobo, I want Mr. Hoyland in my cabin, please. Stop! I advise you to go quiet, then, Mr. Hoyland. Bobo has a hatred of superior beings, which is unfortunate, but quite understandable. Proceed. Enter, Mr. Hoyland. This is where you live? Yes. But you have books? Stolen from your libraries, Mr. Hoyland. Comptons, astrophysics, philosophy of interstellar navigation, celestial mechanics... You've read these? Most of them. Why did you bring me here? What do you intend to do? Do you believe in Jordan, Mr. Hoyland? There is no other belief. And the trip? I suppose you believe in the trip, too. What else is there to believe? When you die, your remains are fed to the converter, and your soul makes the trip. And where does the trip take you? By the centaurs, of course. Where or what is centaurs? Centaurs is... Mind you, I'm just telling you the orthodox answer. Centaurs is where you arrive when you've made the trip. A place where everybody is happy and where there's always good eating. And you believe this? Well, the peasants believe it literally, but many of the younger scientists like myself know it is figurative and symbolic. Why do you ask? Did it ever occur to you, Mr. Hoyland, that the trip is exactly what your peasants believe it is? What? And that the ship and all the crew were actually going somewhere? Moving? The ship can't go anywhere. It already is everywhere. Imagine a place bigger than the ship. Bigger? With the ship inside it. Moving inside it. There can't be any place bigger than the ship. There just wouldn't be any place for it to be. Oh, for half's sake, listen. You know the lowest level? Of course. If you started digging a hole in the lowest level, where would that hole go? It's forbidden to think such thoughts. Where would it go? I'm going to take Mr. Hoyland to the place. No. Where are we going? To the top level. But that's certain death. Nonsense. I've been there a thousand times. Go on. No, I won't. I won't. You can't make me. I think we can. No, no. Please. Shall we proceed peacefully, or shall I have Bobo persuade you? Open the door, Bobo. Inside. No. What place is this? This, Mr. Hoyland, is the main control room. Mr. Hoyland, you're trembling. It isn't true. No. Now, this is the control room. It's the control room. No. There's no such place except in mythology. You younger men are so wise, Mr. Hoyland, except for one thing. This happens to be the main control room of the ship. Main control? But it's just a huge room with an instrument panel. And what did you expect? How do you know this is the main control room? See these instruments? Using them, the navigator, many hundreds of years ago, actually steered the ship on its voyage. I don't understand. I suppose you would. Sit down. Very well. Look up. What do you see? A huge shield. Watch it for one moment, Mr. Hoyland. You're going to see something that few of us have ever been privileged to witness. What are you doing? Dimming the lights. Don't be frightened. Keep your eyes focused on the shield above us. Ready? Watch. The ship. Coast of Jordan. Well? What am I seeing? The universe, Mr. Hoyland. The universe in all its beauty. The stars, the planets, the suns and moons and constellations. No. No, it can't be. The ship is the universe. There is nothing but the ship. You see it before, your eyes spread out like a canopy of glory. You still deny it? Answer me, Mr. Hoyland. Do you deny it? No. No, I can't deny it. They've lied. They lied to all of us. Good. I have showed this to others of your people whom we captured, and though they saw it before their very eyes, they would not believe it. Please. Please tell me all about it. Tell me the truth about the ship and about the universe. What are these things? How did this come about? Many thousands of years ago, on a planet like those you have just seen, a planet called Earth, a scientist named Jordan decided to build a ship that would carry men from one planet to another. For many years, Jordan and thousands of others studied and planned. And when they were finished, they built the ship. A ship so large that it had to be assembled in its own orbit beyond a place called the Moon. Sixty years it took them to construct. And when it was finished, a whole new science had been conceived. Then the trip was begun. The trip that was to land a colony of Earthmen on a far-off planet called Centaurus. Millions of light years beyond the furthest planet ever reached before. How do you know these things? Among my books are the log which Jordan himself kept and the records of the journey for the first 40 years. What happened? There was a mutiny. A man named Hath led a rebellion of those who wanted to turn back. In the struggle, the navigators were killed and the crew fell into a state of anarchy. In the years to follow, small groups of men tried to organize the ship for navigation and each time they failed. Finally the whole idea was abandoned. And so for centuries we have swung in space unmanned, undirected, living in a lost world of our own making without purpose, without direction. Why have you told me this? Can't you guess? I'm a man of my word. Can't you guess? You want to finish the trip? Yes. But I can't. You can't? Look at me Mr. Hoylund. You see a mutant, a man with a twisted leg. My people are outcasts, condemned to death if we so much as set foot in the lower levels of the ship. The main drive is in the lower levels where my people are forbidden to go. Oh. Our people would have to work together. Our differences encouraged rather than denied. All right. I'll see the captain himself. I have an uncle on the central board. I'll tell him what I've seen here. And do you think he'll believe you? Send one of your people with me. That's asking a good deal. I'm risking a good deal by going back. Very well. Bobo will go with you. Bobo? He can't talk. There will be no need for talk. I will write a message guaranteeing safe conduct for a group of unarmed scientists to visit the main control room. Bobo will take you safely through our territory. What happens when you reach your own level is up to you. One moment. Yes, what? You? Quick, uncle. Let us in. But this mutant. He's harmless. Please, uncle. Please. Now, what is this? You wanted for... I know all about that. Uncle, listen. I must see the captain. The captain? Are you mad? Uncle, you're a council member. You can go. I'm not going to see him. I'm going to see him. But remember, you can get me to see him. He'll kill you. You're one of the heresies. I don't care. I must speak with the captain. Now, uncle, you're close to him. You can arrange it. I don't understand. Listen to me. The ship is moving. I can prove it. Do you understand? There is a purpose in the ship. I don't understand what you're babbling about. Never mind. Just talk to the captain. Tell him I have information of tremendous importance. Tell him I've arranged a truce with the mutants. Truce? Here. Show him this paper. Signed by their leader. I don't know what... Uncle, please, if I'm to die, let this be my last request to you. Very well. I'll speak to the captain. And you say, Mr. Hoyland, that you saw this with your own eyes. I swear it, captain. I swear it on the word of Jordan. Hmm. Let me see the paper again. Commander Eirst, what do you think? I don't know, sir. It might be a trick. I guarantee you safe conduct. If these things are as Mr. Hoyland reports them, it would pay to risk a few lives. The man is a convicted heretic. Still, we must not discount his word. He has a safe conduct, and the mutant risked its life coming with him. I think we might investigate. Captain. I'm sorry, sir. You mean you will do it? I will have an expedition outfitted. Dismissed, Mr. Hoyland. Thank you, sir. Captain, do you... Commander Eirst. You will make the necessary arrangements for an expedition. And I trust you understand. Perfectly, sir. Perfectly. Lieutenant. You better halt your men here. This is the spot. Control. Halt. Well, I see no welcoming party of mutants. There'll be none. Their leader will meet you inside the main control room. Their leader will meet you inside the main control room. You don't say. Just where is this main control room? Beyond that door. I see. All right, men. Ready arms. Lieutenant, why do you ready arms? In case of ambush. Ambush? Wait a minute, Lieutenant. What are those men doing with that ray gun? Just aiming it at the door. Are you mad? You are to think that we could be lured up here to be slaughtered with a fantastic story about some mythical control room. Guns ready, sir. Lieutenant, I warn you. These people have acted in good faith. You can't break that faith. Oh, mutant! Out! For Jordan's sake, Lieutenant! Hold it. It is too quiet for comfort. Mutant! Open the door! Please, Jordan. Don't let anything happen. It is opening. Ready, men. Someone is coming out. Steady. Gregory, stay back! Fire! You fools! You've killed him! Here come the rest of them. Fire! You fools! You fools! That should teach them a lesson they won't forget. All right, men. Inside the room. Come along, Hardin. You're under arrest for the conspirator in this ambush. Ambush, you fool. You blind, stupid fool! All right, that'll be enough. You've been inside this place before? Yes. You know what tools he would have used to steer the ship? Gone out of his mind, Lieutenant. Steer the ship? Who? The leader, the one you killed. This ugly mutant? This ugly mutant. Happened to be a man of true genius. Why, you're mad. Am I? Lieutenant, this man had a vision which would have saved you, but you chose to kill him because you couldn't stand the sight of his difference from you. Shut up, Island. Don't listen to a man. You can't shut your eyes and you can't shut your minds because you're a man of true genius. The roof's moving back. Yes, look. Let the vision of this confound your ignorance and blind your eyes. This is the heritage of stars and open skies for which men have yearned for centuries. Try to destroy this and you will only destroy yourselves. Death to the heritage... I... I say to you that you can't keep this from our people. They... they will seek it out. The ship will be manned and the ship will be steered and there will be freedom, purpose and respect for ourselves. This is your heritage. Look... Look upon the universe. Kill him. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. X minus 1 has just brought you Universe. A story written by Robert Heinlein and adapted for radio by George Lefferts. Heard in the cast were Donald Buca as Hugh, Peter Cappell as Gregory, Bill Griffiths as Alan, Abby Lewis as the woman, Edgar Staley as the witness, Jason Johnson as the uncle, John Seymour as the captain and Ian Martin as the lieutenant. Your announcer is Fred Collins. X minus 1 is directed by Fred Way and the director is Bill Griffiths. And now... Next week... Next week we have a strange story to tell. A sweet, blood-curdling little story that is rarely only two sentences long. The last man on earth sat alone in a room and then... was a knock on the door. What knocked on that door? You'll find out next week on... X... minus... 1. When you buy United States savings bonds you help to build your own future security. Here is an opportunity to save systematically for long-range personal objectives. So invest in United States savings bonds. Now follow the habits to mystery and adventure over most NBC radio stations.
