1 00:00:00,160 --> 00:00:02,720 Speaker 1: In just a moment X minus one. 2 00:00:03,399 --> 00:00:06,519 Speaker 2: But first, some of the funniest situations you've ever witnessed 3 00:00:06,519 --> 00:00:09,800 a car Every Wednesday night, when the devilish imagination of 4 00:00:09,960 --> 00:00:14,919 mc Jack Bailey gets to work on NBC's Truth or Consequences, 5 00:00:15,240 --> 00:00:18,120 You won't believe it until you hear it, So listening tomorrow. 6 00:00:19,320 --> 00:00:22,800 Then another last session is in store later on with 7 00:00:22,920 --> 00:00:27,760 the wise and witty Gracio Marks as he and contestants 8 00:00:27,760 --> 00:00:31,160 play You Bet Your Life, While the melodic note in 9 00:00:31,199 --> 00:00:34,920 your Wednesday evening schedule is music and fun. On Airtime 10 00:00:35,560 --> 00:00:44,759 with Jazell McKenzie. 11 00:00:45,920 --> 00:00:50,520 Speaker 3: Comet down for blast Off X minus five four three 12 00:00:51,399 --> 00:01:21,640 two X minus one. Fire from the far horizons of 13 00:01:21,680 --> 00:01:25,359 the unknown come transcribed tales of new dimensions in time 14 00:01:25,560 --> 00:01:30,239 and space. These are stories of the future adventures in 15 00:01:30,280 --> 00:01:32,519 which you'll live in a million, could be years, on 16 00:01:32,599 --> 00:01:37,280 a thousand, maybe worlds. The National Broadcasting Company, in cooperation 17 00:01:37,359 --> 00:01:40,959 with Galaxies Science Fiction Magazine presents. 18 00:01:40,840 --> 00:01:58,200 Speaker 4: He minus one Tonight, the Mark Clifton Story Star Bright. 19 00:02:03,599 --> 00:02:07,480 Speaker 1: Well, It's finally happened. I've known Edwood for a long 20 00:02:07,519 --> 00:02:10,759 time now. That's why I'm writing this in the hope 21 00:02:10,800 --> 00:02:15,599 that you'll understand and not think me mad. Whatever the outcome, 22 00:02:15,879 --> 00:02:18,439 I hope you will not judge me too harshly for 23 00:02:18,520 --> 00:02:20,560 what I've done or failed to do. 24 00:02:23,080 --> 00:02:26,560 Speaker 5: Mister Holmes, mister Holmes. 25 00:02:27,520 --> 00:02:27,840 Speaker 1: Come in. 26 00:02:29,680 --> 00:02:32,159 Speaker 6: Oh hello, Chief, I just want to let you know 27 00:02:32,240 --> 00:02:35,039 so that we're doing everything we can to find the children. 28 00:02:35,159 --> 00:02:37,120 Speaker 1: Yes, I'm sure you are. We've got three. 29 00:02:37,039 --> 00:02:38,560 Speaker 7: Hundred men out calling the woods for them. 30 00:02:38,560 --> 00:02:40,800 Speaker 6: The Army base has volunteered another hundred men, and we've 31 00:02:40,840 --> 00:02:43,080 sent an all points bullet and every police unit in 32 00:02:43,080 --> 00:02:43,520 the country. 33 00:02:43,680 --> 00:02:46,240 Speaker 1: Fine, fine, I just want to check and make certain 34 00:02:46,240 --> 00:02:49,960 our description is accurate. Your little girl Star was wearing 35 00:02:50,479 --> 00:02:52,080 a blue dress and white sandals. 36 00:02:52,120 --> 00:02:52,560 Speaker 7: Is that right? 37 00:02:52,680 --> 00:02:53,080 Speaker 1: That's right? 38 00:02:53,560 --> 00:02:54,360 Speaker 7: And she is? 39 00:02:54,400 --> 00:02:55,960 Speaker 1: How old? Is six? Six years old? 40 00:02:56,599 --> 00:02:59,240 Speaker 7: And the little howl boy holes seven? 41 00:02:59,400 --> 00:03:00,680 Speaker 1: I believe seven. 42 00:03:00,960 --> 00:03:04,000 Speaker 7: H Thank you, well, I'll be in touch with it. 43 00:03:04,039 --> 00:03:05,039 Speaker 1: Well, that's very good to be Chief. 44 00:03:05,080 --> 00:03:05,280 Speaker 8: Oh. 45 00:03:05,319 --> 00:03:07,639 Speaker 1: By the way, yes, mister and missus Howell, how are 46 00:03:07,680 --> 00:03:11,120 they taking Well, they're pretty upset naturally. Mister Howley's out 47 00:03:11,120 --> 00:03:12,719 with a man searching. Yes, yes, I know. 48 00:03:12,960 --> 00:03:14,520 Speaker 7: Missus Howell's in the car outside. 49 00:03:14,800 --> 00:03:16,599 Speaker 1: Ruth is outside. Why didn't you come in? 50 00:03:17,360 --> 00:03:22,400 Speaker 7: Well, she she said she'd rather not. Why see missus 51 00:03:22,400 --> 00:03:22,840 Hall I. 52 00:03:22,800 --> 00:03:24,960 Speaker 9: Thought I decided to come in. I'm not going to 53 00:03:24,960 --> 00:03:29,319 sit on my feelings any long. I have to say this, Pete. 54 00:03:30,039 --> 00:03:31,759 Bill and I have been your neighbors for almost a 55 00:03:31,840 --> 00:03:34,599 year now. Our children have been almost inseparable. 56 00:03:34,759 --> 00:03:35,280 Speaker 1: I know that. 57 00:03:35,719 --> 00:03:37,800 Speaker 9: Then, how can you just sit here writing letters when 58 00:03:37,800 --> 00:03:40,719 they may be lost somewhere or in trouble. Why aren't 59 00:03:40,719 --> 00:03:42,319 you out with Bill and the rest of them searching? 60 00:03:42,639 --> 00:03:45,080 Speaker 1: I can't, Ruth, I know how you feel. Please try 61 00:03:45,080 --> 00:03:47,560 to understand. I intend to help find Bobby in Starr, 62 00:03:47,599 --> 00:03:48,919 but I must do this first. 63 00:03:49,439 --> 00:03:51,240 Speaker 10: Why what's so important about rude? 64 00:03:51,240 --> 00:03:51,840 Speaker 1: I'm sorry? 65 00:03:52,080 --> 00:03:55,639 Speaker 10: Sorry? Then, why don't you act like a man. You're inhuman? Please, 66 00:03:56,639 --> 00:03:58,680 I don't ever want to see you or speak to 67 00:03:58,719 --> 00:03:59,120 you again. 68 00:04:02,039 --> 00:04:02,759 Speaker 1: Perhaps you won't. 69 00:04:04,120 --> 00:04:05,439 Speaker 7: What was that, mister Holmes? 70 00:04:05,919 --> 00:04:08,960 Speaker 1: Nolly Chief, If you don't mind, I'd like to be 71 00:04:09,319 --> 00:04:10,800 alone for a moment. 72 00:04:11,159 --> 00:04:14,199 Speaker 7: Okay, mister Holmes, I'll keep in touch. 73 00:04:24,120 --> 00:04:27,560 Speaker 1: How can I tell them? How can I make them understand? 74 00:04:29,000 --> 00:04:31,399 I write this to you because they must be made 75 00:04:31,480 --> 00:04:34,199 to understand somehow. But I have to begin at the beginning. 76 00:04:34,920 --> 00:04:37,839 I think I first noticed it one evening when Star 77 00:04:37,879 --> 00:04:40,639 was three years old. I was in my reading chair 78 00:04:40,720 --> 00:04:43,199 going over some work. Star was sitting on the floor 79 00:04:43,240 --> 00:04:45,879 in the circle of light with her blunt nose, scissors 80 00:04:45,879 --> 00:04:49,920 and scraps of paper. Her long silence made me glance down. 81 00:04:51,839 --> 00:04:55,800 Speaker 8: And then we glew this togetheret for the line here. 82 00:04:57,279 --> 00:05:00,360 Speaker 1: Star like that? Star? What is it? 83 00:05:00,439 --> 00:05:00,800 Speaker 8: Daddy? 84 00:05:01,079 --> 00:05:04,959 Speaker 1: Can I see what you've made? Uh? Huh, Well, well 85 00:05:06,199 --> 00:05:10,120 it's quite a coincidence. What you know what they call 86 00:05:10,160 --> 00:05:12,000 a piece of paper joined together with a half twist 87 00:05:12,079 --> 00:05:15,000 like this? Nope, it's called a mobia strip. 88 00:05:15,560 --> 00:05:17,560 Speaker 8: You mean somebody already made. 89 00:05:17,480 --> 00:05:21,000 Speaker 1: One, a man named Mobius mathematician a long time ago. 90 00:05:21,439 --> 00:05:23,199 Speaker 8: Did he know you can put a line on it 91 00:05:23,360 --> 00:05:25,120 like that? So it has one side? 92 00:05:25,160 --> 00:05:28,560 Speaker 1: Old joy? Yes, yes he did. Someday. I'll tell you 93 00:05:28,600 --> 00:05:29,040 what it means. 94 00:05:29,199 --> 00:05:32,480 Speaker 8: Now, what tell me about a Mobia's strip? 95 00:05:34,040 --> 00:05:35,199 Speaker 1: Very complicated? 96 00:05:35,360 --> 00:05:36,639 Speaker 8: Then read about it? 97 00:05:36,920 --> 00:05:42,480 Speaker 1: Oh you wouldn't understand, honey, read me anyway, Okay, young lady, 98 00:05:42,720 --> 00:05:45,680 But I warn you it'll be like one of those 99 00:05:45,720 --> 00:05:57,040 nonsense rhymes. At least I hope it will. At three 100 00:05:57,120 --> 00:06:00,199 years a child shouldn't have enough functioning intelligence to put 101 00:06:00,199 --> 00:06:04,000 together a Mobia's strip. I had known for some time now, 102 00:06:04,040 --> 00:06:07,600 the star was an exceptionally bright child. Just how bright? 103 00:06:07,639 --> 00:06:10,680 I had no idea, not until I began to read 104 00:06:10,720 --> 00:06:13,319 to her from an advanced physics book, The Theory of 105 00:06:13,360 --> 00:06:20,800 the Mobius Strip to the Power of Infinity. Now, then, 106 00:06:21,000 --> 00:06:22,680 are you sufficiently mixed up? Young lady? 107 00:06:23,040 --> 00:06:23,399 Speaker 11: Daddy? 108 00:06:23,399 --> 00:06:24,319 Speaker 12: You know what what? 109 00:06:24,920 --> 00:06:26,120 Speaker 8: You read too slow? 110 00:06:26,879 --> 00:06:29,759 Speaker 12: You say a word, then I think a long time, 111 00:06:30,120 --> 00:06:31,399 then you say another word. 112 00:06:31,680 --> 00:06:34,680 Speaker 1: I see. Just what would you have me do about it? 113 00:06:34,839 --> 00:06:35,199 Speaker 9: Well? 114 00:06:35,439 --> 00:06:36,560 Speaker 10: Teach me to read. 115 00:06:36,959 --> 00:06:38,600 Speaker 8: Then I can think as quick as. 116 00:06:38,480 --> 00:06:40,279 Speaker 1: I want the words quickly. It's an adverbtion. 117 00:06:40,360 --> 00:06:43,720 Speaker 8: Oh, daddy, really, you pick on such unimportant things. I 118 00:06:43,839 --> 00:06:44,800 want to learn to read. 119 00:06:45,240 --> 00:06:47,439 Speaker 1: Okay, when would you like to begin? 120 00:06:47,759 --> 00:06:48,839 Speaker 8: Right now? Tonight? 121 00:07:00,439 --> 00:07:03,279 Speaker 1: Before she went to bed that evening, my daughter was 122 00:07:03,319 --> 00:07:06,839 able to read. In the months that followed, a great 123 00:07:06,839 --> 00:07:09,439 deal happened. Some of our friends, like Jim Petree, have 124 00:07:09,560 --> 00:07:11,480 dropped in and been amused to see her on the 125 00:07:11,519 --> 00:07:14,600 floor rapidly turning the pages of an encyclopedia as big 126 00:07:14,639 --> 00:07:21,879 as she is. Sit down, Jim, Oh, thanks, Starr. Aren't 127 00:07:21,920 --> 00:07:23,160 you going to say hello to Uncle Jim? 128 00:07:23,360 --> 00:07:27,079 Speaker 11: Well, I see she's taken to looking at the pictures 129 00:07:27,079 --> 00:07:28,240 in the encyclopedia and. 130 00:07:28,439 --> 00:07:32,560 Speaker 1: Oh yeah, yes, come on in the library, Jim, I 131 00:07:32,720 --> 00:07:36,079 like to talk to you, proudably Yeah, sure thing. Bring 132 00:07:36,079 --> 00:07:43,040 you drinking, Okay, I'll shut the door here a while 133 00:07:43,079 --> 00:07:49,439 all was secrecy. Sit down, Jim. We've been friends, you 134 00:07:49,480 --> 00:07:53,399 and I ever since engineering school. So neither of us 135 00:07:53,480 --> 00:07:55,480 have ever mentioned it. But one of the reasons we 136 00:07:55,480 --> 00:07:57,839 were drawn together is because both of us have IQ 137 00:07:58,120 --> 00:07:59,560 somewhere up in the genius ratings. 138 00:08:00,680 --> 00:08:02,279 Speaker 11: Oh I think it was more than that. 139 00:08:02,399 --> 00:08:04,399 Speaker 1: Well, that played a part. It isn't easy to be 140 00:08:04,439 --> 00:08:07,399 exceptional in a world which regards mediocrity as the only 141 00:08:07,439 --> 00:08:08,639 behavior above suspicion. 142 00:08:09,079 --> 00:08:12,360 Speaker 11: Well, we all have to live with our afflictions. Yours 143 00:08:12,360 --> 00:08:15,079 and mine is a quick mind and a dull environment. 144 00:08:15,720 --> 00:08:18,759 Speaker 1: What would you do, Jim, if you were a parent, 145 00:08:18,800 --> 00:08:21,279 as I am, whose wife had died as Eleanor did, 146 00:08:22,360 --> 00:08:27,680 and you discovered that your only child was well afflicted 147 00:08:28,800 --> 00:08:31,959 with a fantastically brilliant mind star. 148 00:08:32,960 --> 00:08:35,360 Speaker 11: Oh, come on, pete, any little girl who's content just 149 00:08:35,360 --> 00:08:37,080 to look at the pictures and the encyclopedia. 150 00:08:37,559 --> 00:08:39,559 Speaker 7: I mean, after all, she. 151 00:08:39,639 --> 00:08:43,639 Speaker 1: Wasn't looking at the pictures, huh, she was reading the pages? What? 152 00:08:44,440 --> 00:08:46,519 Speaker 11: But she was turning them as fast as humanly possible. 153 00:08:46,559 --> 00:08:50,480 Speaker 1: She was reading them. But I know I've tested her. 154 00:08:52,159 --> 00:08:56,200 She not only remembers everything, she understands the concepts. She 155 00:08:56,279 --> 00:08:57,480 even gets impatient with. 156 00:08:57,600 --> 00:08:59,120 Speaker 11: Well have measured her? 157 00:08:59,159 --> 00:09:03,000 Speaker 1: Why I've given her IQ tests, aptitude tests, reaction tables, 158 00:09:03,279 --> 00:09:06,080 all the parapherneia for measuring something we know nothing about it. 159 00:09:06,200 --> 00:09:06,600 Speaker 11: And. 160 00:09:08,120 --> 00:09:09,080 Speaker 1: Tests don't work. 161 00:09:10,000 --> 00:09:10,919 Speaker 11: How do you mean? Well? 162 00:09:10,960 --> 00:09:15,799 Speaker 1: Either the tables are screwing your stars beyond all measurement, Peter, Are. 163 00:09:15,679 --> 00:09:18,399 Speaker 11: You sure you're not projecting this? I mean, isn't it 164 00:09:18,440 --> 00:09:20,720 possible at a few accidental. 165 00:09:21,960 --> 00:09:27,879 Speaker 1: Yeah? Yes, yes, honey, I got lonely, Okay, Cook, come 166 00:09:27,919 --> 00:09:29,639 on in, Uncle. 167 00:09:29,440 --> 00:09:31,679 Speaker 8: Jim, would you read me a story? 168 00:09:32,960 --> 00:09:35,559 Speaker 11: Why don't you read your own story? 169 00:09:36,000 --> 00:09:41,120 Speaker 8: Because I'm only three and three year olds can't read. 170 00:09:45,120 --> 00:09:47,600 Speaker 1: And so she had found the answer to her affliction 171 00:09:47,759 --> 00:09:52,919 by herself conformity. She had already learned to conceal her intelligence. 172 00:09:53,480 --> 00:09:56,200 So many of us break our hearts before we learn that. 173 00:09:57,480 --> 00:09:59,960 When Star was four years old, according to state law, 174 00:10:00,080 --> 00:10:03,080 her mind had developed enough so she could attend nursery school. 175 00:10:04,600 --> 00:10:05,799 Speaker 13: Hi daddy, Hi. 176 00:10:05,720 --> 00:10:09,399 Speaker 1: Honey, did you like nursery school? 177 00:10:09,679 --> 00:10:09,840 Speaker 9: Oh? 178 00:10:09,919 --> 00:10:10,919 Speaker 8: Yes, it was fun. 179 00:10:11,519 --> 00:10:13,519 Speaker 1: What'd you learn today, not much. 180 00:10:14,440 --> 00:10:17,600 Speaker 12: I tried to cut out paper dolls, but the scissors 181 00:10:17,679 --> 00:10:18,399 kept slipping. 182 00:10:18,759 --> 00:10:21,679 Speaker 1: I look, Starr, don't overdo it. That's as bad as 183 00:10:21,679 --> 00:10:25,000 being too quick. The idea is that everybody has to 184 00:10:25,000 --> 00:10:29,039 be just about standard average. That's the only thing people 185 00:10:29,080 --> 00:10:32,679 will tolerate. It's expected that a little girl of four 186 00:10:32,720 --> 00:10:35,519 should know how to cut out paper dolls properly. 187 00:10:36,240 --> 00:10:37,480 Speaker 10: Oh. 188 00:10:37,919 --> 00:10:41,039 Speaker 12: I guess that's the hard part, isn't it, daddy, to know? 189 00:10:41,120 --> 00:10:42,279 How much you want to know? 190 00:10:42,879 --> 00:10:45,600 Speaker 1: Yeah, that's the part I always found hard when I 191 00:10:45,639 --> 00:10:45,960 was young. 192 00:10:46,399 --> 00:10:49,240 Speaker 8: It's really all right. I let one little girl show 193 00:10:49,279 --> 00:10:51,519 me how to cut them out, so now she likes me. 194 00:10:51,960 --> 00:10:54,360 She just took charge of me in told the other 195 00:10:54,440 --> 00:10:56,919 kids say she liked me too, so they did, because 196 00:10:56,919 --> 00:10:59,720 she's the leader, even if she is one of the stupid. 197 00:11:00,600 --> 00:11:04,519 What the stupid? That's the trouble with you, daddy. You 198 00:11:04,600 --> 00:11:07,840 don't grasp things right away, just because you're only a 199 00:11:07,879 --> 00:11:08,919 tween between. 200 00:11:09,879 --> 00:11:12,559 Speaker 1: I assume that means an in between. 201 00:11:12,840 --> 00:11:15,480 Speaker 8: That's right, you're in between a stupid and. 202 00:11:15,440 --> 00:11:18,919 Speaker 1: A bright, and you're a bright. Yes. 203 00:11:20,000 --> 00:11:22,559 Speaker 8: I made those names up when I was very little. 204 00:11:23,679 --> 00:11:24,279 Speaker 1: How little? 205 00:11:25,440 --> 00:11:26,279 Speaker 4: Oh? 206 00:11:26,320 --> 00:11:35,600 Speaker 8: About six months old? Ah? 207 00:11:36,440 --> 00:11:38,679 Speaker 1: The thoughts began to whirl around in my head. After 208 00:11:38,720 --> 00:11:43,759 that one, A small fear kept growing inside me. How 209 00:11:43,840 --> 00:11:46,720 profound was this little inn that was staring up at me? 210 00:11:47,960 --> 00:11:49,480 How much did she understand? 211 00:11:49,559 --> 00:11:50,080 Speaker 12: Already? 212 00:11:51,200 --> 00:11:53,799 Speaker 1: Even as the thought formed, I learned the final horrifying 213 00:11:53,840 --> 00:11:55,039 fact about my little girl. 214 00:11:56,000 --> 00:11:58,360 Speaker 8: It's all right, Daddy, don't be afraid of me. 215 00:11:59,200 --> 00:12:01,759 Speaker 1: How did you know that I was thinking anything like that? 216 00:12:02,039 --> 00:12:04,240 Speaker 8: Well, I just figured it out. 217 00:12:05,120 --> 00:12:08,200 Speaker 1: Star. I want you to ask me honestly when I 218 00:12:08,200 --> 00:12:09,720 ask you this next question, will you? 219 00:12:10,159 --> 00:12:10,480 Speaker 8: Yes? 220 00:12:12,559 --> 00:12:22,519 Speaker 1: Star? Can you read people's minds? Are you a telepath? Well? 221 00:12:23,320 --> 00:12:25,480 Speaker 8: Yes, Daddy, I thought so. 222 00:12:26,600 --> 00:12:28,279 Speaker 1: You read my mind just now, didn't you? 223 00:12:28,360 --> 00:12:28,720 Speaker 8: Yes? 224 00:12:30,759 --> 00:12:35,240 Speaker 1: Now, I'd like to know something else, right, Can you 225 00:12:35,279 --> 00:12:36,120 teach me to do it? 226 00:12:36,360 --> 00:12:39,759 Speaker 8: You're already learning it, daddy. The trouble is you're so slow. 227 00:12:39,840 --> 00:12:44,200 You didn't even know you were learning. See Daddy, Yeah, 228 00:12:44,399 --> 00:12:45,320 you know what I wish? 229 00:12:45,480 --> 00:12:46,000 Speaker 1: What do you wish? 230 00:12:46,240 --> 00:12:46,480 Speaker 8: Well? 231 00:12:47,960 --> 00:12:56,960 Speaker 1: Nothing, all the same. I knew exactly what she was wishing. 232 00:12:57,600 --> 00:12:59,799 She was wishing for a companion whose mind would match 233 00:12:59,840 --> 00:13:10,399 her own. You see, I was becoming telepathic. Just a minute. Well, hello, 234 00:13:11,120 --> 00:13:13,720 you a little girl home? Yeah, she's upstairs. Who are 235 00:13:13,720 --> 00:13:15,720 you I'm Robert. Robert. 236 00:13:15,759 --> 00:13:20,120 Speaker 12: Who Robert? How my mother and father moved next door yesterday? 237 00:13:20,320 --> 00:13:22,919 Speaker 1: Oh? Well, come in, Robert, I'd like to play with 238 00:13:22,960 --> 00:13:26,799 your little girl. How'd you know I had a little girl? Oh? 239 00:13:27,080 --> 00:13:29,879 I just know, I see. And how old are you? 240 00:13:30,200 --> 00:13:30,840 Speaker 12: I'm six. 241 00:13:31,320 --> 00:13:33,919 Speaker 1: Well I'll ask Starr to come downstairs. I'm sure she'd 242 00:13:33,960 --> 00:13:34,679 be glad to see it. 243 00:13:35,279 --> 00:13:36,840 Speaker 12: Yes, she will. 244 00:13:38,200 --> 00:13:42,480 Speaker 1: Tell me, Robert. Are you a tween or a bride? 245 00:13:43,120 --> 00:13:44,960 Speaker 12: Oh? I'm a What did you. 246 00:13:44,919 --> 00:13:55,080 Speaker 1: Say, mister hols Helling. I didn't have to say it. 247 00:13:55,360 --> 00:13:58,039 I could read his thought. He was a bride, and 248 00:13:58,080 --> 00:14:00,200 there was no accident that he and his parents had 249 00:14:00,240 --> 00:14:03,679 moved next door. Somehow Star had managed to make contact 250 00:14:03,720 --> 00:14:06,320 with him, and they had arranged the whole thing. A 251 00:14:06,399 --> 00:14:09,200 father is prepared to lose his daughter eventually, but not 252 00:14:09,279 --> 00:14:16,639 so soon, not so terribly soon. Coming. Oh hello, Ruth, 253 00:14:17,480 --> 00:14:18,000 something wrong. 254 00:14:18,240 --> 00:14:20,039 Speaker 10: I was just looking for Bobby. I thought he was 255 00:14:20,080 --> 00:14:21,120 over here playing with Star. 256 00:14:21,440 --> 00:14:22,840 Speaker 1: I thought they were over your place. 257 00:14:23,600 --> 00:14:24,559 Speaker 10: I don't understand it. 258 00:14:25,200 --> 00:14:27,320 Speaker 1: I have noticed that they've been disappearing for a couple 259 00:14:27,360 --> 00:14:28,639 of hours, almost every afternoon. 260 00:14:29,600 --> 00:14:32,720 Speaker 9: Well I suppose they'll turn up again. They know better 261 00:14:32,759 --> 00:14:35,000 than to cross the street by themselves. They're too little 262 00:14:35,039 --> 00:14:37,440 for that. If they come here first, tell them to 263 00:14:37,480 --> 00:14:38,960 come over and have some milk and cookies. 264 00:14:39,159 --> 00:14:39,639 Speaker 1: I'll do that. 265 00:14:39,840 --> 00:14:40,159 Speaker 3: Oh. 266 00:14:40,159 --> 00:14:42,480 Speaker 10: Oh, by the way, this must belong to your Star. 267 00:14:42,679 --> 00:14:43,159 Speaker 1: Oh it's that. 268 00:14:43,480 --> 00:14:46,559 Speaker 9: Oh, some sort of coin or metal or something. I 269 00:14:46,600 --> 00:14:48,679 found it out in the backyard after Star and Bobby 270 00:14:48,720 --> 00:14:50,879 were playing. It looks brand new. 271 00:14:51,399 --> 00:14:52,159 Speaker 1: Let's have a look. 272 00:14:53,840 --> 00:14:55,240 Speaker 10: Oh it's something wrong. 273 00:14:55,879 --> 00:14:58,279 Speaker 1: Did you say you found this in your backyard? Yes? 274 00:14:58,879 --> 00:14:59,480 Speaker 10: What is it? 275 00:15:01,679 --> 00:15:02,159 Speaker 1: I don't know. 276 00:15:03,240 --> 00:15:05,600 Speaker 9: Well, I've got to get back. They will be getting 277 00:15:05,600 --> 00:15:07,639 home for dinner soon, so see you later. 278 00:15:08,039 --> 00:15:24,639 Speaker 1: Yes, hello, Jim. Yes, do you have a portable spectral photometer? 279 00:15:24,879 --> 00:15:26,879 Speaker 11: Well, sure, we've got a dozen here at the lab. 280 00:15:27,039 --> 00:15:28,799 Speaker 1: Pack one up and get over here right away, will you. 281 00:15:28,879 --> 00:15:30,639 Speaker 11: Well, Pete, I don't quit though, five. 282 00:15:30,440 --> 00:15:32,240 Speaker 1: Look do as I say. Huh, it's important. 283 00:15:32,440 --> 00:15:41,440 Speaker 8: Well okay, uh. 284 00:15:44,240 --> 00:15:48,000 Speaker 11: Huh. Well let me check the amount of radioactivity again. 285 00:15:48,080 --> 00:15:49,919 Speaker 1: You've checked it four times. 286 00:15:50,440 --> 00:15:52,279 Speaker 11: That's about it. 287 00:15:53,240 --> 00:15:55,360 Speaker 1: Okay, what's your opinion of this coin? 288 00:15:55,480 --> 00:15:57,639 Speaker 11: Well, first of all, let me say this, it's the 289 00:15:57,639 --> 00:16:02,200 real McCoy and also it doesn't exists. Look, Pete, that 290 00:16:02,279 --> 00:16:05,840 coin is pre Egyptian. It's hand cast It's made out 291 00:16:05,879 --> 00:16:08,120 of one of the oldest bronze alloys, one that was 292 00:16:08,200 --> 00:16:09,799 lost four thousand years ago. 293 00:16:09,879 --> 00:16:13,000 Speaker 1: So it's four thousand years old. It is and it isn't. 294 00:16:13,919 --> 00:16:14,480 What do you mean? 295 00:16:14,879 --> 00:16:18,440 Speaker 11: Listen, Pete. Old coins show where the edges get rounded 296 00:16:18,440 --> 00:16:23,399 with handling, the surface oxidizes, the molecular structure changes, crystallizes. 297 00:16:24,600 --> 00:16:24,919 Speaker 1: Pete. 298 00:16:24,960 --> 00:16:29,320 Speaker 11: This coin is authentic, and yet it's brand new. It 299 00:16:29,399 --> 00:16:30,720 might have been struck off yesterday. 300 00:16:31,679 --> 00:16:33,919 Speaker 1: You realize, of course, that that's impossible. 301 00:16:34,120 --> 00:16:35,039 Speaker 11: What'd you get a Pete? 302 00:16:35,240 --> 00:16:36,960 Speaker 1: I don't know. I think the kids got it. 303 00:16:37,000 --> 00:16:37,240 Speaker 11: Star. 304 00:16:37,480 --> 00:16:39,879 Speaker 1: Yes, I don't know. I'm almost afraid to think. 305 00:16:40,080 --> 00:16:40,919 Speaker 11: Why not ask her? 306 00:16:41,159 --> 00:16:44,159 Speaker 1: She isn't around. She and Robert are off playing somewhere. 307 00:16:44,240 --> 00:16:44,840 Speaker 11: Do you know where? 308 00:16:45,919 --> 00:16:50,320 Speaker 1: No? I, oh, Jim, it's just too fantastic. It isn't possible. 309 00:16:51,360 --> 00:16:52,440 Speaker 11: I haven't said a word. 310 00:16:52,559 --> 00:16:53,519 Speaker 1: I know what you're thinking. 311 00:16:54,320 --> 00:16:57,200 Speaker 11: As a matter of fact, I was thinking something fantastic. 312 00:16:57,919 --> 00:16:58,759 How did you guess? 313 00:17:00,399 --> 00:17:08,759 Speaker 1: I just guessed, Jim, Let's find those kids right now? Okay, Star, Robert, 314 00:17:10,079 --> 00:17:18,119 let's try the playroom, Star Robert. I did hear, let's 315 00:17:18,119 --> 00:17:18,680 try back here. 316 00:17:19,000 --> 00:17:23,119 Speaker 11: I hear something, but hey, it's coming from the room. 317 00:17:23,160 --> 00:17:24,519 We were just in That's impossible. 318 00:17:24,559 --> 00:17:25,720 Speaker 1: There's no place they could have hidden. 319 00:17:27,480 --> 00:17:28,799 Speaker 11: I'm going to open that door. 320 00:17:29,960 --> 00:17:38,079 Speaker 1: Take a jim. There they were in the middle of 321 00:17:38,119 --> 00:17:44,480 the playroom, holding hands, a little shamefaced, a little defiant. Star, Robert, 322 00:17:44,480 --> 00:17:47,720 where have you been now? I know you weren't in 323 00:17:47,759 --> 00:17:49,319 this room a few seconds ago, and there are no 324 00:17:49,400 --> 00:17:50,400 windows you could get through. 325 00:17:52,039 --> 00:17:55,200 Speaker 8: Well, it's nothing, daddy, we just went a little way. 326 00:17:55,359 --> 00:17:57,519 Speaker 1: That is not answering me. Where did you go? 327 00:17:57,640 --> 00:17:59,920 Speaker 11: You see, Star, we've found this coin? 328 00:18:00,480 --> 00:18:03,119 Speaker 8: Come on, I shouldn't have to tell you are both 329 00:18:03,240 --> 00:18:03,799 just tweeting. 330 00:18:03,880 --> 00:18:07,440 Speaker 1: Star. I'm still your daddy. Even brightes have feelings about 331 00:18:07,440 --> 00:18:08,559 their parents. 332 00:18:09,000 --> 00:18:15,880 Speaker 8: No, I tried to ESP, Daddy. You just don't ESP 333 00:18:16,079 --> 00:18:19,880 good Daddy. Robert does it very nicely. He can always 334 00:18:19,880 --> 00:18:22,359 find me when I hide. That's cause you don't have 335 00:18:22,480 --> 00:18:26,359 much imagination. I do too, Yeah, but you always have 336 00:18:26,400 --> 00:18:28,680 to look at a book to SP what's in it? 337 00:18:28,799 --> 00:18:31,799 Speaker 12: So you leave an ESP smudge. I just look at 338 00:18:31,839 --> 00:18:34,079 where you left a smudge, and I go to that 339 00:18:34,240 --> 00:18:37,680 place in that time, and here you are. Oh but 340 00:18:37,880 --> 00:18:39,279 that's cheating. 341 00:18:39,160 --> 00:18:39,720 Speaker 1: It isn't. 342 00:18:40,319 --> 00:18:44,160 Speaker 12: You just haven't got imagination. You can't teleport yourself to 343 00:18:44,240 --> 00:18:46,480 a place that hasn't been I can too. 344 00:18:46,920 --> 00:18:49,160 Speaker 8: What about the moon people. They haven't been. 345 00:18:49,079 --> 00:18:53,559 Speaker 12: Yet, Oh Star, they have too. Not for your daddy, 346 00:18:53,599 --> 00:18:57,279 they haven't. But for the things from our Taurus. The 347 00:18:57,359 --> 00:18:59,720 moon people were about ten million white years ago. 348 00:19:00,000 --> 00:19:02,680 Speaker 1: Wait a minute, kids, Hold on, Jim, have you been 349 00:19:02,680 --> 00:19:03,240 listening to this? 350 00:19:04,240 --> 00:19:06,319 Speaker 11: I think I heard it. I love kids. 351 00:19:06,720 --> 00:19:08,920 Speaker 1: You're either playing a big joke on us older folks, 352 00:19:09,559 --> 00:19:11,359 or you've actually figured out a way to travel to 353 00:19:11,400 --> 00:19:14,400 places in the past, right and in the future too. 354 00:19:14,480 --> 00:19:18,359 Speaker 11: Daddy, Star, could you tell us how you do it? 355 00:19:17,400 --> 00:19:21,000 Speaker 8: It would be easier if I could esp it to you. 356 00:19:21,079 --> 00:19:24,079 Speaker 11: We'll just pretend we're stupids and tell us in words. 357 00:19:24,200 --> 00:19:27,319 Speaker 8: Well, you remember the Moby's strip. 358 00:19:27,559 --> 00:19:29,599 Speaker 1: I remember she made it about a year ago. 359 00:19:30,079 --> 00:19:32,759 Speaker 8: Well, you join the ends of a strip of paper 360 00:19:32,759 --> 00:19:36,400 with a half twist to make one's surface. Then you 361 00:19:36,519 --> 00:19:39,079 take a sheet and give it a half twist so 362 00:19:39,119 --> 00:19:40,960 you can join the edges together all over. 363 00:19:41,440 --> 00:19:45,160 Speaker 11: That's Klein's bottle. Oh you know about that, Yes, we 364 00:19:45,480 --> 00:19:46,200 know that. Go on. 365 00:19:46,759 --> 00:19:50,279 Speaker 12: Well, then you take a cube, you imagine a cube, 366 00:19:50,599 --> 00:19:51,599 and you twist it. 367 00:19:51,720 --> 00:19:53,519 Speaker 7: That's right, Go on, Star. 368 00:19:53,599 --> 00:19:57,279 Speaker 8: And uiesp the twisted cube all together the same way 369 00:19:57,319 --> 00:20:00,599 you did Klein's bottle. Now, if you you do that 370 00:20:00,759 --> 00:20:04,559 big enough all around you, so you sort of folded 371 00:20:04,640 --> 00:20:07,440 into it, you can teleport yourself any place you want 372 00:20:07,440 --> 00:20:09,599 to go. And that's all there is to it. 373 00:20:10,599 --> 00:20:14,119 Speaker 11: Jim, what do you think I need another drink? Pete, 374 00:20:14,599 --> 00:20:15,200 a big one. 375 00:20:23,279 --> 00:20:26,200 Speaker 1: That's all there was to it. The line, the plane, 376 00:20:26,359 --> 00:20:30,160 the cube, those were Euclidean physics. The Mobia strip, the 377 00:20:30,279 --> 00:20:34,680 Kline bottle, the twisted cube, those were Einsteinian physics. Well 378 00:20:34,720 --> 00:20:36,680 I was pretty advanced in both, but I'd have to 379 00:20:36,759 --> 00:20:39,480 do some heavy thinking to really grasp it. Meanwhile, the 380 00:20:39,519 --> 00:20:41,759 two little kids stood there staring at us. 381 00:20:42,440 --> 00:20:45,640 Speaker 11: Star Robert, can you tell us some of the places 382 00:20:45,680 --> 00:20:47,200 you've been all over. 383 00:20:47,079 --> 00:20:50,160 Speaker 8: Uncle Jim, the Romans and the Egyptians and places like that. 384 00:20:50,720 --> 00:20:51,880 Speaker 11: Is that how you got the coin? 385 00:20:52,519 --> 00:20:52,880 Speaker 1: Uh? Huh? 386 00:20:52,880 --> 00:20:56,119 Speaker 8: I found it. It wasn't stealing, was it, Daddy. I 387 00:20:56,279 --> 00:20:57,440 just found it in the door. 388 00:20:57,559 --> 00:20:59,759 Speaker 1: Well skip that for a minute. What about going to 389 00:20:59,839 --> 00:21:00,480 the future. 390 00:21:01,000 --> 00:21:02,880 Speaker 12: There isn't any future, mister Holmes. 391 00:21:03,240 --> 00:21:03,599 Speaker 1: What's that? 392 00:21:04,319 --> 00:21:08,119 Speaker 12: It's kind of hard to explain. Even Star doesn't get it. Oh, 393 00:21:08,440 --> 00:21:11,400 when she gets to be six, like I Am, she'll 394 00:21:11,440 --> 00:21:12,400 probably understand. 395 00:21:12,519 --> 00:21:13,880 Speaker 1: We'll try to explain it to me. 396 00:21:14,440 --> 00:21:17,799 Speaker 12: Well, it's all connected, just like the moby a strip. 397 00:21:18,279 --> 00:21:20,440 If you go far enough, you'll get back to Earth 398 00:21:20,559 --> 00:21:23,640 starts again. Start with the cavemen, than us men, the 399 00:21:23,759 --> 00:21:28,079 atomic men, the moon men, planet men, star men, and brights. 400 00:21:28,559 --> 00:21:31,759 I mean, somehow what the Bright's got off the strip? 401 00:21:32,240 --> 00:21:34,519 We haven't been able to find them any place in time. 402 00:21:34,839 --> 00:21:37,400 Speaker 8: I'd like to know how they got off and where 403 00:21:37,440 --> 00:21:38,000 they are all. 404 00:21:38,039 --> 00:21:41,359 Speaker 1: Look, kids, this kind of thing can be dangerous. You 405 00:21:41,440 --> 00:21:43,720 might be eaten by a dinosaur or something. 406 00:21:43,799 --> 00:21:46,279 Speaker 8: Oh we just esp I salls right out of it. 407 00:21:46,319 --> 00:21:48,440 Speaker 1: Well, anyway, I don't want you leaving this part of 408 00:21:48,440 --> 00:21:50,400 the time strip, not again. 409 00:21:50,599 --> 00:21:51,000 Speaker 8: Daddy. 410 00:21:51,279 --> 00:21:53,039 Speaker 1: I may be just a tween, but I'm your father. 411 00:21:53,720 --> 00:21:55,279 Speaker 8: I always mind you, Daddy. 412 00:21:55,559 --> 00:21:57,519 Speaker 1: Uh what about going off the block? 413 00:21:57,799 --> 00:22:00,200 Speaker 8: But Daddy, we didn't cross as singles. 414 00:22:00,240 --> 00:22:05,000 Speaker 11: Nevertheless, think of what you're doing. Pictures, specimen's recordings not 415 00:22:05,039 --> 00:22:07,559 only from the past, but from the future. Pete, I 416 00:22:07,640 --> 00:22:10,839 beg you, Jim, this is my daughter, But what a contribution. 417 00:22:11,440 --> 00:22:13,119 We could be ages ahead of ourselves. 418 00:22:13,160 --> 00:22:19,400 Speaker 1: No, Star, Robert, I'd like your promise you won't leave 419 00:22:19,480 --> 00:22:28,400 present time again. Well, okay, okay, all right, now run along. 420 00:22:28,799 --> 00:22:30,640 Robert's mother has some cookies and milk for you. 421 00:22:31,000 --> 00:22:39,599 Speaker 8: Okay, see you, lady, Daddy. 422 00:22:37,640 --> 00:22:41,720 Speaker 1: Jim, I'm sorry. Well, I suppose if I had a daughter. 423 00:22:41,960 --> 00:22:43,920 Are you going to report this and. 424 00:22:43,799 --> 00:22:46,960 Speaker 11: Have everybody give me the horse? Laugh? I may be 425 00:22:47,160 --> 00:22:50,319 just a tween peete, but I'm not another fool. 426 00:22:53,599 --> 00:22:55,720 Speaker 1: It took me almost six months to do it. I 427 00:22:55,720 --> 00:22:57,880 don't know how many times I've visualized a cube and 428 00:22:58,119 --> 00:23:00,160 esp did a half twist and tried to see the 429 00:23:00,240 --> 00:23:02,480 edges around me. And then once there was a flies 430 00:23:02,680 --> 00:23:05,720 just for an instant, I was concentrating on Caesar's triumphant 431 00:23:05,759 --> 00:23:08,680 march into Rome, and for the briefest instant there it was, 432 00:23:09,400 --> 00:23:18,799 I was standing on a roadway watching, and then it vanished. Hey, hey, daddy, 433 00:23:19,599 --> 00:23:23,920 what are your two characters plotting? We lah, I'm going 434 00:23:23,920 --> 00:23:28,240 to my study for a while. Star. Yes, daddy, you 435 00:23:28,559 --> 00:23:32,319 remember your promise about not leading present time, don't you? Yes, Daddy, 436 00:23:32,759 --> 00:23:38,119 You're going to keep it, Yes, daddy, Okay, I'm holding 437 00:23:38,160 --> 00:23:52,720 you to it. Hello, Hello, yeah. 438 00:23:53,160 --> 00:23:56,319 Speaker 9: There, No, When did you see them last? 439 00:23:56,799 --> 00:23:57,440 Speaker 1: What time is it? 440 00:23:57,960 --> 00:23:58,119 Speaker 8: Oh? 441 00:23:58,240 --> 00:24:01,039 Speaker 1: About ten this morning? Six or seven hours ago? 442 00:24:01,640 --> 00:24:03,519 Speaker 10: Why Pete, I'm worried. 443 00:24:03,960 --> 00:24:04,440 Speaker 1: What's up? 444 00:24:04,920 --> 00:24:07,039 Speaker 10: Well, they were upstairs in Bobby's room. 445 00:24:07,200 --> 00:24:09,400 Speaker 9: I was in the living room now, and I could 446 00:24:09,440 --> 00:24:12,599 swear they didn't come downstairs. And yet when I went 447 00:24:12,720 --> 00:24:14,480 up there, they were gone. 448 00:24:15,039 --> 00:24:17,079 Speaker 1: That was over five hours ago, Ruth. Are you sure 449 00:24:17,079 --> 00:24:18,079 they didn't come down. 450 00:24:18,079 --> 00:24:20,839 Speaker 10: I was in that living room every moment, Pete. 451 00:24:21,759 --> 00:24:24,200 Speaker 1: Now, Ruth, Ruth, don't get panicky. I'm coming right over. 452 00:24:24,640 --> 00:24:35,920 Just don't get panicky. There wasn't a trace of them. Well, 453 00:24:36,039 --> 00:24:39,319 that isn't exactly true. Remember what Robert had said about 454 00:24:39,359 --> 00:24:42,319 star leaving an esp smudge. Well, I was able to 455 00:24:42,359 --> 00:24:44,680 catch it in Robert's room. It had something to do 456 00:24:44,759 --> 00:24:47,000 with where the brights went when they got off the 457 00:24:47,039 --> 00:24:51,200 time strip. That's it. Of course, they wouldn't disobey by 458 00:24:51,240 --> 00:24:54,559 leaving present time. But isn't it possible that there is 459 00:24:54,599 --> 00:24:58,039 more than one present time? Isn't it possible that another 460 00:24:58,200 --> 00:25:02,160 now coexists hours? That's the cue. 461 00:25:02,359 --> 00:25:05,680 Speaker 10: Of course, I'm going to call the police, Pete. 462 00:25:05,680 --> 00:25:06,799 Speaker 1: I don't think it'll do any good. 463 00:25:07,000 --> 00:25:09,200 Speaker 10: We've got to find them. They'd have come back by now. 464 00:25:09,160 --> 00:25:12,799 Speaker 1: Yes, if they could. What do you mean nothing? 465 00:25:13,559 --> 00:25:14,359 Speaker 10: What are you going to do? 466 00:25:14,839 --> 00:25:16,759 Speaker 1: I'm going back to my study to think. 467 00:25:16,960 --> 00:25:19,200 Speaker 10: To think, aren't you going to look for them? 468 00:25:19,240 --> 00:25:20,680 Speaker 1: I have to figure out where to look. 469 00:25:20,880 --> 00:25:23,200 Speaker 10: Well, I'm not going to sit around doing nothing. I'm 470 00:25:23,240 --> 00:25:29,240 calling the police. 471 00:25:31,839 --> 00:25:35,440 Speaker 1: That was this morning. I've been doing some desperate concentrating 472 00:25:35,480 --> 00:25:38,200 since then. Jim, I'm writing this down so you'll know 473 00:25:39,279 --> 00:25:41,039 I've already managed to go back to the time of 474 00:25:41,119 --> 00:25:43,960 kiops and ahead to the time when men were navigating 475 00:25:43,960 --> 00:25:46,400 to distant planets in a matter of days. But the 476 00:25:46,440 --> 00:25:50,119 big job remains how to get into a dimension parallel 477 00:25:50,160 --> 00:25:53,119 with our own. At the same time, I figured out 478 00:25:53,279 --> 00:25:56,039 that to get the equivalent of a Mobius strip with depth, 479 00:25:56,559 --> 00:25:59,640 you must use the super cube, the Tesseract. That's what 480 00:25:59,680 --> 00:26:02,799 I'm on at the moment. If I succeed, there is 481 00:26:02,839 --> 00:26:05,720 a possibility I may not be able to get back. 482 00:26:06,400 --> 00:26:08,279 I hope you will be able to make Bill and 483 00:26:08,359 --> 00:26:13,680 Ruth Howell understand. Okay, Now, if I take six cubes 484 00:26:14,200 --> 00:26:16,960 and pull them in one another so that every angle 485 00:26:17,039 --> 00:26:20,640 is a right angle, yes, all right, I've got that. 486 00:26:21,519 --> 00:26:25,240 And now I've been folding a esp the tesser Act, 487 00:26:25,519 --> 00:26:27,440 I half twist around myself. 488 00:26:29,160 --> 00:26:34,920 Speaker 5: Mister Holmes, there's the harms. You in there, mister Holmes, 489 00:26:36,400 --> 00:26:40,319 We'll have to break in. It's locked on the inside. 490 00:26:40,960 --> 00:26:44,200 Speaker 1: Mister Holmes, he he, why are you he? 491 00:26:45,880 --> 00:26:49,759 Speaker 6: That's funny. The door was locked from the inside. But 492 00:26:49,880 --> 00:26:52,160 here's this fountain pen with the ink still wet. 493 00:26:54,079 --> 00:27:05,759 Speaker 13: But he's gone. 494 00:27:05,839 --> 00:27:08,359 Speaker 4: You have just heard X minus one, presented by the 495 00:27:08,440 --> 00:27:13,000 National Broadcasting Company in cooperation with Galaxy Science Fiction magazine, 496 00:27:13,240 --> 00:27:15,920 which this month features the final installment of Frederick Pohl's 497 00:27:16,000 --> 00:27:19,559 novel slave Ship, story of a world engaged in the 498 00:27:19,559 --> 00:27:22,759 wildest of all possible non wars, where the order of 499 00:27:22,759 --> 00:27:26,799 the day was even wilder still, Spare every animal and 500 00:27:26,880 --> 00:27:30,440 throw the men to the wolves. Galaxy Magazine on your 501 00:27:30,480 --> 00:27:34,440 new stand today The Night, by transcription X minus one 502 00:27:34,480 --> 00:27:37,200 has brought You star Bright, a story from the pages 503 00:27:37,200 --> 00:27:40,359 of Galaxy, written by Mark Clifton and adapted for radio 504 00:27:40,400 --> 00:27:43,519 by George Leffards. Featured in the cast were Sarah Fussell, 505 00:27:43,880 --> 00:27:49,039 Lawson Zerby, Bill Quinn, Billy Harris, Ralph Bell, and Kate Wilkinson. 506 00:27:49,440 --> 00:27:52,759 You're announcer Fred Collins. X minus one was directed by 507 00:27:52,839 --> 00:27:55,599 Daniel Sutter and is an NBC Radio Network production.