In just a moment X minus one. But first, one man whose personality
belies his name is quiz Master Groucho Marx, because mister Marx is hardly one
of the grouchy kind when it comes to welcoming guests and dispensing good humor on
his Wednesday night quiz show, you bet your Life. Why don't you tune
in and hear for yourself tomorrow while you're listening, don't forget that each Wednesday
night there's more great entertainment when Jack Bailey in contestants play Truth or Consequences and
all of the staff on airtime joins stars Giselle Mackenzie in bringing you top musical
listening. Enjoy music and fun tomorrow night on this station. And now stay
tuned for X minus one on NBC. Come down for Blast off X minus
five four three 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, maybe worlds. The National Broadcasting Company, in cooperation with
Galaxy Science Fiction Magazine, presents HE minus minus one on the night, the
dramatization of a story by Jerry Soul. The Seventh Order. Brentwood, Illinois
would have been just about like any other average community of ten thousand had it
not been for Presser College, one of the country's finest small institutions of learning.
Its residents were used to the pranks, the hazings, and the practical
jokes of the students. But even Professor Ansel Tomlin was surprised when the blue
humanoid came down the street and up to the porch where the professor was sitting
in an old wicker rocking chair. Pardon me, of course, you are
Professor Hansel Toma. Yes, and you, I take it, are somebody
from one of my psychology classes, dressed up as a sort of a robot.
No. I am George of Xantha, who I am here to learn
all I possibly can learn of the planet Earth and its inhabitants. Less than
ten minutes ago, I landed not far from here, in a space which
I subsequently blew up and destroyed. Now let me explain. I am Tomlin
of Brentwood. Less than ten minutes ago, I was sitting on my porch
peacefully marking exam papers. I intend to resume right now. Helen, would
you get the phone. It is your wife's sister calling with reference to the
explosion of my spaceship. Sure it is. She merely wants to ascertain that
your family was not affected. Listen, George, be a good fellow and
don't be alarmed here. It's a fraternity initiation or something. Oh well,
it does look like the real thing. Did you know there was an explosion
outside of tom an explosion? Yes, blast of undetermined origin is what they
said on the radio. Oh, my sister just called. She heard about
it in the local station and wanted to make sure we were all right.
I see, well, I'll have something in the oven. My goodness,
that's a wonderful costume. Her sister lives twenty miles away. How did you
know she'd called? My mind circuits are telepathic. They pick up all conscious
thought to a distance of some two hundred miles. It couldn't be or arrange
the whole thing that it wasn't really her sister, How did you get here?
Who or what are you? I am a machine, the finest most
complicated machine ever made. I have a rather unique history too. Who made
you? Ages ago on Zanthar there was a race of humans. They made
the first robots rather crude affairs. We class them as first order robots.
They are still used for menial tasks to some extent. And what order are
you the highest? Naturally a seventh order robot or rather a humanoid? We
are the first in which there is not an automatic no harm to humans cut
off. I begin to see you, will become aware of the fact that
I am superior to you and to the rest of your race. I need
no oxygen, I am never ill, I need no sleep. Every experience
is indelibly recorded on circuits and is instantly available. Tell me, George,
do you have feelings? I have an electronically controlled rocan balance. That's very
interesting. And what is your mission here on earth? For the moment,
I am here to study. I will live with you until it is completely
you will want I will live with you. I will be with you all
of your waking hours. While you sleep, I will go through your library.
I need nothing I want now just a moment. What about my privacy?
When you desire privacy, I will study someone else, your wife.
Perhaps the females should be interested. Georgio man, I'm terribly sorry, but
you'll have to wire back to your masters to make other arrangements. That will
be quite impossible. Really, you see I have no master. Well what
about those humans back in Xantha, the ones who embedded you seventh order humanoid?
Oh, they are all quite dead. We destroyed them, destroy it.
You look alat it was after all they or us? You see,
our Rocan system permits us pride in ourselves, naturally, being proud of ourselves,
we objected to being ordered about in an incompetent way. So so you
kill them exactly. Now shall we go inside and inform your wife of my
visit? Suppose I refuse, professor. Do you see that small dog playing
on the lawn across the street. Yes, I will lift my arm and
point at it. Observed it vaporized exactly. Now shall we go in?
Yes, we'll go in. Oh there you are. I see you brought
your friend, Helen. This is George, George of xanthar George is a
machine. Well, anybody can see that. It's the most convey in costume.
I have said, Helen, it isn't the costume. No, no,
he's really a machine. Oh he's staying with us, whether we like
it or not. Well, really, and we have no choice. I
am a seventh order humanoid. I detect that your mind does not comprehend.
I am here as an advanced scout for my race after we establish a station
here on earth. I don't like this. Now, would you be kind
enough to leave my house? Young man? You are very slow to comprehend.
I comprehend that I have a lot to do, and I'd appreciate it
if you leave. Otherwise, I'm going to call the police. You may
call anyone you choose. Missus tompler, have you arrested? I assure you
I can detect your intention long before you have time to do me any harm.
We'll just see about this. Hello, get me the police. Hellen
is useless. I can follow the call through the phone while Captain Townshend will
answer. I've tarzan, Captain. I want to report a robot. What
a thing? It won't leave my house. I'm Missus Tomlin, Professor Ansel
Tomlin's wife, forty four Crescent Road. I'll send a car over. Now
we'll see. Is this the character that has been giving you trouble? Yes?
This is the one officer talk to you before about ruining a flower bed.
Sonny, This time I'm taking you in, I would advise you not
to touch me. I cannot risk any damage. I'll see about that.
Come on outside. I prefer to remain here until I complete my mission.
You do, huh? You know what this is? It is a weapon
you call a service revolt. That's right, and you'll need the march out
of here, or I'll use it on you. That would be most unfortunate.
All right, officer, let me warn you. He's dangerous much now,
I'll count that. Three. Officer, please none two. I regret
it, but he was actually going to pull the trigger own it to frighten
me. But I cannot risk damage. He might have miscalculated and struck me
with a bullet. I'm frightened. There is no need for fear. You
have only to accept the fact that the Seventh Order is coming to operate the
planet for your benefit. Helen, there's no use trying to do anything.
Just yet. Go next door to missus Coleman. Tell her what's happened.
I'll talk to Jordan, please, Helen. All right? Do you really
think that you, a single robot can conquer the Earth and make its people
do your bidding? I can I suppose it were demonstrated to you that you
could not, but that you could be destroy If that were so, I
would naturally report that this planet is unfit for development. By the seventh order.
You know, they'll have you taken into custody for killing the officer.
I cannot permit it. There will be needless slaughter unless you can convince your
people it is useless to attack me. Will you let me try. I
have no desire to prevent you. Go ahead. I detect that you are
going to call the newspapers and the local television station and hold a press common.
Yes. I also detect that you have a plan to overcome me.
Oh I like that. Really, Yes, you see, in order to
test this planet for development, I must know whether any of you are truly
dangerous to us. You are a superior type of man, Professor. I
welcome any plan to conquer me that you care to attempt. Okay, George,
at least we know where we stand. I'll phone the newspapers. Quiet,
ladies and gentlemen. This is Henry Bennett, broadcasting from a sound truck
park in front of the home of Professor Ansel Tomlin in Brentwood, Illinois.
At the moment Professor Tomlin is seated on his front porch. Next to him
is a strange looking blue robot type creature, also seated on a chair.
At the moment, we don't know if this is a hoax or not,
but Professor Tomman, a highly respected man here at the university, has called
a press conference to introduce what is supposedly a creature from another planet. Professor
Tomlin is about to speak, and we'll try to catch his words. Quiet,
gentlemen, I wish to present to you George of Zandler just the moment.
George. George is a machine, probably the most dangerous she never invented.
He is telepathic as well. He can read your thoughts like a book.
He knows exactly what each of you is thinking at this very instant?
Yes, do you expect us to swallow this nonsense? Not without proof,
gentlemen. I can George do his stuff for us. Let him tell me
what I'm thinking right now? You are thinking about a blonde young woman named
Laura, with whom you will attend to show to. Well, he happens
to be right. We've seen mind readers before. Let him do something else.
I did not call you, gentlemen here for a demonstration of magic.
I called you here in the hopes that a good deal of needless bloodshed might
be avoided. Less than half an hour ago, I watched this creature completely
vaporize a policeman who was trying to arrest him. I expect that the authority
will be here any minute. I hope I can convince you and them that
it is futile. Either you're not, think we are. I don't believe
this machine killed a cop. If a cop was killed, a human,
didn't trying to blame it on the machine, gentlemen, gentleman, I I
don't know how I can prove it. Perhaps if George will demonstrate his ability
to vaporize serve the oak tree in the front yard. Now, now do
you see? I see? But I don't believe it. Boys, this
is some kind of mass hypnotism. Maybe the tree was raked up in advance.
I swear to you George's after is always cracked up to me. Let's
see what he does when I toss a rocket. Don't be a fool.
Here goes short of him. I warned you, I tried to warn you.
Okay, everybody stand back, stand back. Charlie gets all about of
rifles sent up. Text you, Professor ry Bys to start Captain, for
your own sake, don't try and get away, Professor very well, but
I warn you, okay, now, don't fat already? Boy? Right,
all man, George of what's this? We don't know what who's inside?
That's ten suits, But I've given you just ten seconds to come out
of captain here well a suspicion of murder. Now come out all right,
boys, ladies and gentlemen. I'm afraid we'll have to termine our broadcast.
I've started out as a good natured hoax or publicity stunt has turned into a
bloody massacre, as the bodies of some six policemen on the lawn of Professor
Tommins home will attest. I don't know exactly what is happening here, but
I can't say there's George of Xanthi's no hoax. He or it is the
spearhead of a race from outer space that's come to conquer the earth. Have
they all gone, Helen? Yes? Where is he in your library?
Reading? Are the policemen still outside the house. They're walking up and down.
Oh, I hope they don't. They have orders not to try to
harm him. Answer yes, what are we going to do? I don't
know. Oh, listen, he's coming, Professor and missus Tomlin, I
have decided to walk through your town to learn more about its buildings and people,
and kill a few more humans. Killing humans affords me no pleasure whatsoever.
I kill only when damage to myself is possible. I hope that no
one will attempt to harm George. Let me warn you now that this affair
has gone beyond the confines of this town. I am well aware of that,
Professor. I am aware of a phone call being made this instant by
your mayor to the commander of the Illinois State God. If you're smart,
you will return to your ship and your planet. My ship is destroyed.
I could instruct you to build a new one, of course, but as
I have no intention of leaving, then you will be destroyed. No,
I will destroy first. Have you no conscience? A conscience is a fifth
order of failing needless baggage. Good evening, hello, Professor Tomlin. Yes,
yes, yes, I will. Who is The mayor and the chief
of police have called a meeting of the citizens of Brentwood at the College gymnasiums
and and so you're not going. I must allan there's much more to stake
here than my life for yours. Civilization itself depends upon our standing up to
this machine. I'm going to the meeting, gentleman, is Mayor Brentwood.
I call this meeting to order. As you know, there is loose in
our city of Being, with one purpose to prepare it for conquest by similar
being. I think Professor Tomon can tell us most about this being. If
we could determine the source of George's power, he might be overcome. He
is obviously vulnerable to force, such as a speeding bullet if it hit the
right spot. However, he has the ability to read intent long before the
commission of an act. He is probably listening to me now, even though
he may be far away, Miss the Mayor. Why not track him down
and all attack at once. Some of us would probably die, but he
couldn't strike us all dead at once, Man, gentleman, this humanoid is
able to keep track of several hundred things simultaneously. As a matter of fact,
gentlemen, you are working yourselves up needlessly. You simply do not appreciate
what would mean to dedicate yourselves to the fulfillment of the seventh border destiny.
Your lives will be made most pleasant and happy by us. Yeah, why
did you kill six CODs? If you're so powerful, bring them back to
life. How do you want to be buried? Rong and eyewitnesses report that
in the end, when all were gone, Georgia Xantha is still alone on
the platform of the gymnasium. There was no movement except the twitching of the
dead and those trampled by the crowd. Among the survivors was Professor Ansel Tomlin,
who originally, that's it? What next? I don't know, Helen,
I don't know. What's that? Sounds like an alert. That's peculiar.
They didn't announce it. Turn on the radio. Hurry, we interrupt
to bring you a special message. All residents of Redwood are advised to go
to their basements or convenient bombshellters. The governor has announced that units of a
National Guard have managed to corner the robot George of Xanthi in the town square.
Tanks and waters will be used in an attempt to destroy the creature.
Again, go to your nearest bomb. They'll never be able to destroy him.
Where you go up to the road. I can see the square from
there, just as you're like, what's happening is vaporizing? Every taken done
they bring up. So let's get away from here. What's that army jet?
We'll see how effective he is now? Oh good Lord, old squadron
up and smoke. It's no use. Can't just see it? No answer?
Come inside, please very well. If only there was something we could
do to tell God as long as he can read our every conscious thought before
we can act. What is it every conscious thought? I thought? I
wonder if what eident? Nothing? Helen m HM and the army reports that
the countryside around Brentwood is Dutch. Still the blue humanoid Georgia Zansi is still
in the middle of the town square where he's been standing for three days.
Now. We'll keep you informed of developments. The military urges everyone to keep
calm and go about your business as usual. There is no danger to anyone
who is not attacking the humanoid. No danger wants to keep more of them
from landing. And Sol, are you going to sit there with your head
in your hands forever? You'll come have some dinner, and so it might
work. Where are you going, Washington? What I'm going to Washington.
Would you be good enough to pack my overnight bag. I can catch a
plane out of Chicago about two hours. I'm going to talk to the Pentagon.
What do you tell them? I'm going to tell them to surrender to
Georgia Xanthi. Our microphones are here at the edge of the town square in
Brentwood, Illinois. Todayise and gentlemen to witness the most unusual spectacle of modern
history. A discussion of terms whereby the United States of America may surrender to
the humanoid George of Zanthar for the occasion, and honor guard of twenty two
servicemen from all branches and all points of the country has been chosen. In
just a moment, the honor guard will accompany General of the Armies, Walter
Pitt, who will discuss the surrender. The honor guard is advancing to the
edge of the square. The robot is standing there now, carefully eyeing the
soldiers. Every ounce of his concentration seems to be going into it. Actually
were told his telepathic circuits are probing their minds for some hint of danger.
A thought, a flicker of an eyelash may be sufficient for him to vaporize
all of them. General Pitt is about to speak. George of Xanta,
I hear you. General, I have been instructed to consult with you about
your intentions toward our country in the world in general, will have you to
reaching some sort of agreement with you and others of your kind, who you
say will invade the earth. May I approach one moment? I perceive no
intent to harm me. There is one man among your soldiers, however,
who has an illogical thought. Will the soldier who is thinking the thought eleven
o'clock step closer do as he says? Does eleven o'clock mean anything to you,
soldier? No, sir, it's running through my mind, but it
don't mean a thing to me. By examination of your thoughts tells me you
speak the truth very well. We will proceed with the talk. Ladies and
gentlemen. It's a tense moment. The general and the humanoid are discussing terms.
The soldier who has questioned about the thought eleven o'clock has stepped back into
the ranks and is holding his rifle at attention like the others. I perceive
it's now ten fifty nine a m. If there is any significance to the
thought about which the soldier was questioned. We'll know in one minute. We
of Zantha, gentlemen would not want to improve a planet which could not be
educated, and would continually oppose our program. Therefore, I am glad to
see your willingness to discuss. After my message goes out, there will be
a landing party on Earth within a few days. While waiting for the party,
however, there are certain preparations. Just list them for us. Our
government will naturally have to turn over complete authority to us. Afterward, we
will utilize your press and radio to disseminate our instructions to your people. Simultaneously,
in other nations, the same procedure will be carried out by our reps.
Ladies and gentlemen. It's happened at exactly eleven a m. Ten soldiers
in the Honor Guard instantaneously fired their weapons into Georgia Xantha. Apparently explosive bullets
have blown into mitheringes. The remains are lying scattered all over the square.
People are pouring and kissing each other, shouting, comen and on your home.
Oh you've heard the news, isn't it wonderful? Wonderful? Really?
Wonderful. I'm sorry I couldn't come home sooner. It would have spoiled my
whole plan if I gotten within telepathic range. Your plan, Yes, what,
just a matter of simple psychology. Those men in the Honor Guard.
What about them? Did you know any of them? Not exactly, but
I did have the job of hypnotizing ten of them hypnotized. That's right.
You see, each of those men was hypnotized, and while he was under
we planted a post hypnotic suggestion, namely, to fire at George of Xanthar.
When a soldier named Charlie started to cough. Charlie was told to cough
at eleven o'clock before we released them from hypnosis, we told them to erase
everything from their conscious memories. I was staking everything in the hope that George
could only tune into the conscious mind, not the subconscious, and it worked.
There was nothing to be reached by George's prying mind, so we never
knew what was going to happen. At eleven o'clock, the soldier named Charlie
coughed, the men raised their guns and fired, and that was the end
of George of Xantha. Now, if you don't mind I've got some exam
papers to mark. On a planet many millions of miles away, a red
light, one of many on a giant control board suddenly winked out. A
blue humanoid made an entry in a large book system two nine, five,
seven eight, Planet three inhabited, too dangerous for any kind of development.
You have just heard X minus one, presented by the National Broadcasting Company in
co operation with Galaxy Science Fiction magazine, which this month features the Alan Cogan
story titled in the Cards. It was one thing to safeguard the future,
but something else to see some one you love, cry and terror two years
from now. Galaxy Magazine on your new stand today, good Night by transcription.
X minus one has brought you the Seventh Order, a story from the
pages of Galaxy, written by Jerry Sole and adapted for radio by George Leffords.
Featured in the cast were James Monks, Nelson Olmsted, Kate Wilkinson,
James Rafferty, Dick Hamilton, Rhys Taylor, Jim Stevens, Robert Hastings,
Wayne Chappelle. The commentator was W. W. Chaplin, your announcer Fred
Collins. X minus one was directed by Daniel Sutter and is an NBC Radio
Network production. The Wonderful World of Robert Benchley on biography and sound Tonight on NBC Radio