1 00:00:00,080 --> 00:00:06,240 Speaker 1: Mm hmmm. Calm down for blast off X minus five 2 00:00:06,799 --> 00:00:39,000 four three two x minus one fire from the far 3 00:00:39,079 --> 00:00:42,479 horizons of the unknown come transcribe tales of new dimensions 4 00:00:42,479 --> 00:00:45,960 in time and space. These are stories of the future 5 00:00:46,479 --> 00:00:49,039 adventures in which you'll live in a million, could be years, 6 00:00:49,079 --> 00:00:52,719 on a thousand, maybe worlds. The National Broadcasting Company, in 7 00:00:52,759 --> 00:00:56,200 cooperation with Street and Smith, publishers of Astounding Science Fiction, 8 00:00:56,320 --> 00:01:13,359 presents he minus one one to Night's story The Vital 9 00:01:13,400 --> 00:01:27,519 Factor by Nelson Bond. I doubt that anywhere on Earth 10 00:01:27,519 --> 00:01:30,079 there's a man, or woman or a child who doesn't 11 00:01:30,120 --> 00:01:33,040 know the name Wayne Crowder. I doubt whether there's a 12 00:01:33,079 --> 00:01:35,560 human being who hasn't one time or another used one 13 00:01:35,560 --> 00:01:38,640 of the Crowder products, the can opener, or the razor blade, 14 00:01:38,719 --> 00:01:41,159 or the patented tooth powder dispenser, or the. 15 00:01:41,159 --> 00:01:43,319 Speaker 2: Crowder Improved slideless fastener. 16 00:01:44,159 --> 00:01:46,680 Speaker 1: In the magazines which write about men of business, Crowder 17 00:01:46,719 --> 00:01:49,079 was described as a man of ice and stone and 18 00:01:49,200 --> 00:01:53,040 ink and steel, no warmth to his blood, and a 19 00:01:53,079 --> 00:01:56,840 heart to pump, not feel human emotion. And he built 20 00:01:56,879 --> 00:01:58,959 a battery of buttons into his desk, so that when 21 00:01:59,000 --> 00:02:01,159 he wanted something, all he ever had to do was 22 00:02:01,200 --> 00:02:04,319 press a button, and like genies springing out of the bottle, 23 00:02:04,480 --> 00:02:06,159 the proper personnel would come running. 24 00:02:08,439 --> 00:02:11,560 Speaker 3: Yes, mister Crowder, got me my engineers, Yes, sir, right away, 25 00:02:11,599 --> 00:02:24,360 mister Crowder here your engineers all. 26 00:02:24,319 --> 00:02:28,479 Speaker 4: Right, close it daring it out now, gentlemen, sit out, gentlemen, 27 00:02:29,280 --> 00:02:31,439 I want you to build me a spaceship. 28 00:02:32,159 --> 00:02:33,360 Speaker 2: Spaceships, that's right. 29 00:02:34,080 --> 00:02:35,719 Speaker 4: I've decided that I am going to be the man 30 00:02:35,759 --> 00:02:37,520 who gives spaceflight the mankind. 31 00:02:38,400 --> 00:02:42,039 Speaker 1: Any questions, sir. We can design such a ship. That 32 00:02:42,080 --> 00:02:45,000 part isn't too hard, but we have no way of 33 00:02:45,039 --> 00:02:46,840 providing the motor to power such a ship. 34 00:02:46,879 --> 00:02:50,759 Speaker 4: When the ship's ready to fly, there'll be a motor, sir. 35 00:02:50,840 --> 00:02:54,319 Speaker 1: I don't like to contradict you, but you can't go 36 00:02:54,400 --> 00:02:57,919 ahead of the total technology of a historical period. It's 37 00:02:58,000 --> 00:03:01,000 like asking somebody in six teen hundred to build the 38 00:03:01,000 --> 00:03:05,479 internal combustion engine. You see, scientists have been searching for 39 00:03:05,520 --> 00:03:07,599 a mode of power for space ships for decades now 40 00:03:07,680 --> 00:03:11,520 without success. You will have a ship, but we can't 41 00:03:11,560 --> 00:03:14,879 lift that ship from the Earth's surface. That is not 42 00:03:15,000 --> 00:03:16,599 to the point of free flight at any rate. 43 00:03:17,280 --> 00:03:18,400 Speaker 2: Mister Crowder. 44 00:03:19,840 --> 00:03:23,840 Speaker 5: You see, you'll be spending millions of dollars, hundreds of millions, 45 00:03:23,879 --> 00:03:24,879 perhaps for nothing. 46 00:03:24,919 --> 00:03:29,319 Speaker 4: What's your name, Phillips, Sir, you're fired. Go down to 47 00:03:29,360 --> 00:03:32,479 the cashier and draw your paying it out, Watson, get out. 48 00:03:33,439 --> 00:03:35,919 Nobody who works for me thinks of how much something costs. 49 00:03:36,439 --> 00:03:37,319 Speaker 2: We use money. 50 00:03:37,360 --> 00:03:40,199 Speaker 4: We don't let expense provide a rationalization for not beginning 51 00:03:40,199 --> 00:03:43,759 a project. All right, Phillips, I give you permission to 52 00:03:43,840 --> 00:03:45,439 leave right now. 53 00:03:51,319 --> 00:03:52,280 Speaker 2: Any other comments. 54 00:03:53,280 --> 00:03:56,000 Speaker 1: The ship will be built, of course, mister Crowder. The 55 00:03:56,080 --> 00:03:58,759 fact still remains. We can't power it. 56 00:03:58,879 --> 00:03:59,719 Speaker 2: You design the ship. 57 00:03:59,759 --> 00:04:03,039 Speaker 4: I'll find the motifoil where, sir, I don't know, but 58 00:04:03,120 --> 00:04:04,960 somewhere in the world as a man who does know 59 00:04:05,039 --> 00:04:08,680 the secret. I want that motor and I'll root out 60 00:04:08,759 --> 00:04:10,719 the man who has the theory which will. 61 00:04:10,680 --> 00:04:16,680 Speaker 2: Let us build it. How quickly do you want this done, sir? Yesterday? Yes, sir. 62 00:04:17,319 --> 00:04:18,199 Is there anything you need? 63 00:04:18,759 --> 00:04:21,360 Speaker 1: We will need a construction yard, sir, and certain machinery 64 00:04:21,399 --> 00:04:22,439 and a great many materials. 65 00:04:22,480 --> 00:04:24,279 Speaker 2: Of course, labor force, get. 66 00:04:24,199 --> 00:04:25,439 Speaker 4: Them send me the bills. I don't want to be 67 00:04:25,439 --> 00:04:27,439 bothered with minor details. 68 00:04:27,079 --> 00:04:33,959 Speaker 1: Yes, sir, And one more thing, sir, Phillips. Yes, we 69 00:04:34,439 --> 00:04:37,399 need him, sir. He's a top man on electronics. He's 70 00:04:37,439 --> 00:04:38,680 a vital cog in our team. 71 00:04:38,759 --> 00:04:41,040 Speaker 4: I don't want Phillips working for me, that's clear. I 72 00:04:41,079 --> 00:04:44,160 hope who else in the country knows what he does. 73 00:04:44,439 --> 00:04:47,199 Speaker 1: No one in this country, sir. There's a man in India, though, 74 00:04:47,319 --> 00:04:50,800 get him. We've tried before, mister Crowder. He's working on 75 00:04:50,839 --> 00:04:53,959 an important project in his country. I'm not concerned with details. 76 00:04:54,120 --> 00:04:57,439 Get that man. Pay him what he wants, but get him, Sir, 77 00:04:57,519 --> 00:05:00,439 you don't understand. If this man quits his job, that 78 00:05:00,519 --> 00:05:03,920 whole project will collapse. It means the welfare of many people, 79 00:05:04,000 --> 00:05:05,519 millions of people in his country. 80 00:05:05,680 --> 00:05:08,120 Speaker 4: He has a high sense of patriotis. By that sense 81 00:05:08,160 --> 00:05:12,920 of patriotism, that's all. I don't want to see any 82 00:05:12,920 --> 00:05:14,560 of you again until you have a report of work 83 00:05:14,560 --> 00:05:15,199 in progress. 84 00:05:16,040 --> 00:05:16,839 Speaker 2: Yes, Sir. 85 00:05:22,759 --> 00:05:25,639 Speaker 4: Ms Holmes, there's a man named Phillip's going to draw 86 00:05:25,720 --> 00:05:28,439 us pay. I want two company policemen to meet him 87 00:05:28,439 --> 00:05:30,759 at the cashier's office and escort him from there, directly 88 00:05:30,800 --> 00:05:33,240 off the premises. And I want them to be emphatic 89 00:05:33,279 --> 00:05:37,000 about it and notify the newspapers, the television and the 90 00:05:37,079 --> 00:05:40,920 radio networks, the periodicals and the scientific journals. That I'll 91 00:05:41,000 --> 00:05:43,560 receive the press in my office this afternoon at three thirty. 92 00:05:44,079 --> 00:05:47,240 I have an important announcement to make. Anyone not here 93 00:05:47,279 --> 00:05:50,800 at three point thirty will be barred and the publication 94 00:05:50,959 --> 00:06:05,079 or company he represents will not be given any further information. Yeah, gentlemen, 95 00:06:06,879 --> 00:06:11,079 you can finish your drinks later. Gentlemen of the press 96 00:06:12,360 --> 00:06:16,199 and ladies, it's my pleasure to be able to tell 97 00:06:16,240 --> 00:06:20,040 you that I'm in the process of constructing a spaceship. 98 00:06:22,480 --> 00:06:28,680 Speaker 2: Any questions. Did you say spaceship? That's right, that's what 99 00:06:28,800 --> 00:06:32,079 I thought you said. I know the drinks weren't that's wrong, 100 00:06:34,120 --> 00:06:36,839 mister crowd. Is this spaceship under construction now? 101 00:06:36,920 --> 00:06:37,319 Speaker 4: It is. 102 00:06:37,959 --> 00:06:40,959 Speaker 2: You've solved the problem of motive force? Then no, sir, 103 00:06:41,279 --> 00:06:44,240 well what sort of you mean? You have no means 104 00:06:44,240 --> 00:06:45,720 of propulsion for the spaceship. 105 00:06:45,839 --> 00:06:50,399 Speaker 4: That problem is not solved as yet. Oh it will be. 106 00:06:53,639 --> 00:06:57,279 That's why I called you in this afternoon. I want 107 00:06:57,319 --> 00:06:59,560 you to announce that I have one hundred thousand dollars 108 00:06:59,600 --> 00:07:03,319 in cash waiting for the man or woman who first 109 00:07:03,360 --> 00:07:06,680 brings me the basic idea for the Chamoda. I'll supply 110 00:07:06,759 --> 00:07:09,480 all equipment for research and construction and I'll see that 111 00:07:09,519 --> 00:07:11,959 the rights of the inventor are protected and more than 112 00:07:12,000 --> 00:07:13,959 adequate royalties will be paid. 113 00:07:13,800 --> 00:07:19,240 Speaker 2: Him or her. That's all I have to say. 114 00:07:19,279 --> 00:07:22,199 Speaker 1: Now, mister Crowder, one more question please, Yes, you have 115 00:07:22,279 --> 00:07:24,199 a name for the spaceship yet No? 116 00:07:24,279 --> 00:07:28,439 Speaker 2: Not yet? Well then let me suggest one. Yes, Crowder's folly. 117 00:07:29,040 --> 00:07:33,000 Speaker 5: Ah, I'll have your piet. 118 00:07:35,319 --> 00:07:37,879 Speaker 2: What is your paper? The Daily Time? 119 00:07:37,959 --> 00:07:42,439 Speaker 4: Sir ms Holmes informed the company police that under no 120 00:07:42,560 --> 00:07:46,079 circumstances is any representative of The Daily Times ever to 121 00:07:46,120 --> 00:07:49,639 be allowed on company property. Again, strike that paper from 122 00:07:49,639 --> 00:07:52,560 the list of those to be invited to future conferences. 123 00:08:10,240 --> 00:08:13,279 Speaker 1: It was Crowder's folly, but the word of what he 124 00:08:13,360 --> 00:08:16,480 wanted circulated to the far corners of the globe. It 125 00:08:16,680 --> 00:08:18,800 was known in the white ice block huts of the 126 00:08:18,920 --> 00:08:21,600 Eskimos and in the grass thatched villages of Central Africa, 127 00:08:21,759 --> 00:08:24,800 as well as Place is Less Remote, and the Crowder 128 00:08:24,839 --> 00:08:27,480 office became the mecca and the heaven for the lunatic 129 00:08:27,519 --> 00:08:33,440 fringe of humanity. Their blueprints and scale models clogged its corridors. 130 00:08:33,720 --> 00:08:36,120 Speaker 4: I told you I don't want these people in my office, 131 00:08:36,120 --> 00:08:36,639 so they're. 132 00:08:36,440 --> 00:08:42,759 Speaker 2: Screen I'll get out, get out. Every time I opened 133 00:08:42,759 --> 00:08:45,000 that door. They surge in like a tidal wave. I 134 00:08:45,120 --> 00:08:48,000 have a progress report for you, sir. The ship is 135 00:08:48,039 --> 00:08:49,960 finished as far as we can go. Mister Crowder. 136 00:08:50,519 --> 00:08:53,440 Speaker 1: Certain additional construction can't be done now because it depends 137 00:08:53,480 --> 00:08:55,879 on the shape and mass of the engine, on the 138 00:08:56,080 --> 00:08:57,919 type of fuel, on the weight of that fuel. 139 00:08:57,960 --> 00:09:00,600 Speaker 2: I say, all right, lay off everybody. We don't need. 140 00:09:01,000 --> 00:09:06,399 Speaker 1: I've ordered that, mister Crowder. Is it possible that no 141 00:09:06,440 --> 00:09:08,440 one will turn up with the motor? That's the one 142 00:09:08,480 --> 00:09:13,120 thing that's not possible. He will come money and determination 143 00:09:13,200 --> 00:09:16,039 will buy anything. Close the door on your way out. 144 00:09:16,279 --> 00:09:16,759 Speaker 2: Yes, sir. 145 00:09:21,320 --> 00:09:24,639 Speaker 4: Ms Holmes, order the proper department to put a name 146 00:09:24,679 --> 00:09:27,320 on the forward end of the ship. I want letters 147 00:09:27,320 --> 00:09:30,360 and pure gold one foot high. The name of the 148 00:09:30,399 --> 00:09:39,480 ship is Crowder's Folly. Get it done today. 149 00:09:48,759 --> 00:09:51,120 Speaker 1: The sun came up in the morning, and the sun 150 00:09:51,240 --> 00:09:54,399 set at night, glinting rows on the silver sheen of 151 00:09:54,440 --> 00:09:56,519 the hollow ship's skin as it lay in the yard. 152 00:09:57,399 --> 00:09:58,559 Speaker 2: The golden letters on. 153 00:09:58,519 --> 00:10:01,039 Speaker 1: The prows spelled out the fu of Crowder for the 154 00:10:01,080 --> 00:10:04,480 world to see. A staff of fifty were employed as 155 00:10:04,519 --> 00:10:07,360 time went on, and taking rust preventive measures to ensure 156 00:10:07,399 --> 00:10:10,320 the ship's well being. The staff of fifty worked in 157 00:10:10,399 --> 00:10:13,039 three shifts around the clock, armed with oil cans and 158 00:10:13,080 --> 00:10:17,159 grease cans and other containers and sprayers of preservatives. In 159 00:10:17,240 --> 00:10:20,320 a year, the first experiment seemed ready to bear fruit, 160 00:10:20,759 --> 00:10:31,960 and a test was held the atomic fission motor in 161 00:10:32,039 --> 00:10:35,480 exactly forty five seconds. Now we'll hold the tests to crowder. 162 00:10:36,799 --> 00:10:39,480 The sound you hear is our generators here building up 163 00:10:39,519 --> 00:10:41,519 power to supply the motor by remote control. 164 00:10:43,120 --> 00:10:44,320 Speaker 2: If this needle goes. 165 00:10:44,200 --> 00:10:46,639 Speaker 1: Round to the part of the dial marked in red, 166 00:10:47,200 --> 00:10:48,159 there'll be an explosion. 167 00:10:49,320 --> 00:10:51,279 Speaker 2: Any questions, sir Percy with the. 168 00:10:51,279 --> 00:11:04,320 Speaker 6: Tests watch the need of sir eight thousand, eighty five 169 00:11:04,399 --> 00:11:12,639 hundred nine thousand, ten eleven, twelve. 170 00:11:13,919 --> 00:11:21,559 Speaker 2: Fifteen. That's an overload, now, sir e eighteen twenty. Don't 171 00:11:21,559 --> 00:11:26,399 know how much more it can do. What happened? You 172 00:11:26,519 --> 00:11:29,320 generated blew out? What kind of a common I beg 173 00:11:29,399 --> 00:11:31,960 your pardon, sir? The motor blew up? What are you 174 00:11:32,080 --> 00:11:39,200 talking about it? I would have heard you, see, sir. 175 00:11:39,919 --> 00:11:42,240 Speaker 1: It takes a while for the vibrations of an explosion 176 00:11:42,279 --> 00:11:45,759 to travel three miles and then reach through fifteen feet 177 00:11:45,799 --> 00:11:46,279 of concrete. 178 00:11:46,320 --> 00:11:46,919 Speaker 2: I see. 179 00:11:47,679 --> 00:11:50,480 Speaker 4: Well, there are other experiments in progress. Let me know 180 00:11:50,480 --> 00:11:51,440 when they're ready for testing. 181 00:11:52,039 --> 00:11:57,039 Speaker 1: Yes, sir, mister Crowder, the inventor of that motor, had 182 00:11:57,039 --> 00:11:59,240 to be right with it. Of course, during the tests, 183 00:12:00,399 --> 00:12:02,480 he had a family. The fool knew what he was doing. 184 00:12:03,200 --> 00:12:05,799 He understood the danger. He was paid enough to be 185 00:12:05,879 --> 00:12:08,559 able to afford insurance. The cost of insurance on such 186 00:12:08,559 --> 00:12:10,000 a project was prohibitive, sir. 187 00:12:10,039 --> 00:12:12,240 Speaker 4: Well, if his wife was thrifty, she saved out of 188 00:12:12,240 --> 00:12:13,399 what he earned this last year. 189 00:12:13,799 --> 00:12:17,440 Speaker 1: His salary was relatively small, Sir. Most of the money 190 00:12:17,519 --> 00:12:18,200 went for the research. 191 00:12:18,240 --> 00:12:20,480 Speaker 4: He should have demanded an adequate salary. I haven't stated 192 00:12:20,519 --> 00:12:25,240 that money. The fool failed. I have no further responsibility. Yes, sir, 193 00:12:26,919 --> 00:12:33,679 he want us to continue screening applicants. Of course, all right, 194 00:12:34,759 --> 00:12:37,679 make a settlement on the widow, and don't turn any 195 00:12:37,679 --> 00:12:40,080 one away if he seems to have the remotest possibility 196 00:12:40,080 --> 00:12:46,039 of success. I'm telling you, my man will come money 197 00:12:46,080 --> 00:12:48,480 and determination will buy anything. 198 00:12:52,360 --> 00:12:55,919 Speaker 1: And strangely enough, Trowdler was right, because one day there 199 00:12:55,960 --> 00:12:59,320 came to his office a stranger, a small man. He 200 00:12:59,360 --> 00:13:02,039 looked even small that tremendous room. 201 00:13:02,440 --> 00:13:03,879 Speaker 2: He was an unusual. 202 00:13:03,440 --> 00:13:06,720 Speaker 1: Visitor in that he carried no briefcase, fat with blueprints 203 00:13:06,759 --> 00:13:10,919 or formulae. He was unusual in that he neither blustered, cowared, 204 00:13:10,960 --> 00:13:14,480 nor deferred to his host. He was a pleasant little stranger, 205 00:13:14,799 --> 00:13:17,519 birdlike of eye movement, bright and smiling. 206 00:13:17,759 --> 00:13:20,960 Speaker 5: Mister Crowder, my name is Wilkins. I can power that 207 00:13:21,039 --> 00:13:23,720 ship you want. Oh, of course, what I have in 208 00:13:23,759 --> 00:13:27,360 mind won't be anything like that meaningless huge bullet your 209 00:13:27,399 --> 00:13:31,320 engineers built for you. Rockets are a foolish waste of time, sir. 210 00:13:31,440 --> 00:13:33,679 My motor requires a different sort of vessel. 211 00:13:33,799 --> 00:13:36,120 Speaker 2: We are your plants right here in my head. 212 00:13:36,200 --> 00:13:38,320 Speaker 4: It so happens that I am presently supporting half a 213 00:13:38,360 --> 00:13:40,240 dozen people who make the same claims. 214 00:13:40,639 --> 00:13:43,120 Speaker 2: None of them have been successful. What makes you think 215 00:13:43,159 --> 00:13:44,080 your idea will work? 216 00:13:44,159 --> 00:13:49,720 Speaker 5: Simple enough, sir. The common magnet electro magnetism, utilization of 217 00:13:49,759 --> 00:13:52,600 the force of gravity or its opposite, in this case, 218 00:13:52,799 --> 00:13:53,840 counter gravity. 219 00:13:54,039 --> 00:13:57,240 Speaker 4: Oh, thank you very much. Now, if you'll forgive me 220 00:13:57,279 --> 00:13:57,879 now just. 221 00:13:58,039 --> 00:14:02,440 Speaker 5: One moment, mister Crowder, there is one thing more this 222 00:14:02,799 --> 00:14:04,639 Now I've seen pieces of metal before. 223 00:14:04,759 --> 00:14:05,080 Speaker 2: Thank you. 224 00:14:05,840 --> 00:14:07,960 Speaker 5: How high from your desk would you say that I'm 225 00:14:07,960 --> 00:14:08,399 holding it? 226 00:14:08,519 --> 00:14:10,600 Speaker 4: I'm very sorry, mister Welkers. Now do you want to 227 00:14:10,679 --> 00:14:11,919 leave or do you want to be escorted out? 228 00:14:12,039 --> 00:14:14,000 Speaker 5: This will only take a second, sir. How high from 229 00:14:14,039 --> 00:14:16,519 your desk? Would you say that? I'm holding this piece 230 00:14:16,519 --> 00:14:18,440 of metal foot and a half I'd say, And if 231 00:14:18,480 --> 00:14:20,360 I let go, then in less than a second, a 232 00:14:20,480 --> 00:14:23,159 fraction of a second, it should fall to your desk. 233 00:14:23,240 --> 00:14:23,440 Speaker 1: Nah. 234 00:14:23,519 --> 00:14:26,200 Speaker 5: Look, I don't want the surface of that desk, mard, 235 00:14:26,879 --> 00:14:30,679 But will it be you see I have let go 236 00:14:30,799 --> 00:14:31,879 of the metal. Is that right? 237 00:14:35,080 --> 00:14:35,600 Speaker 2: God Lord? 238 00:14:36,879 --> 00:14:39,360 Speaker 5: Many seconds ago it should have crashed to the desk 239 00:14:39,399 --> 00:14:43,200 and I right, well, this is incredible. Well, if you 240 00:14:43,240 --> 00:14:45,759 want to speak to me anymore, I'll be right outside. 241 00:14:47,159 --> 00:14:50,679 Speaker 2: But it hasn't fallen, It's right, sir. It hasn't fall 242 00:14:50,840 --> 00:14:51,919 It floats in the air. 243 00:14:52,080 --> 00:14:53,840 Speaker 5: That's right, sir. 244 00:14:54,000 --> 00:14:54,679 Speaker 2: How do you do it? 245 00:14:55,279 --> 00:14:58,879 Speaker 5: Why don't you call your engineers and ask them. I'll 246 00:14:58,919 --> 00:15:00,159 wait outside. 247 00:15:01,480 --> 00:15:05,000 Speaker 2: It's horns. Can me my engineers immediately? 248 00:15:07,080 --> 00:15:13,600 Speaker 4: All right, mister Wilkins. 249 00:15:13,639 --> 00:15:14,240 Speaker 2: You're quite right. 250 00:15:14,879 --> 00:15:17,799 Speaker 4: The piece of metal is apparently counter gravity, and my 251 00:15:17,879 --> 00:15:19,320 engineers can give me no explanation. 252 00:15:19,360 --> 00:15:20,039 Speaker 2: Thank you, sir. 253 00:15:20,159 --> 00:15:23,720 Speaker 5: Now what do you want for my services? 254 00:15:23,840 --> 00:15:24,080 Speaker 2: Yes? 255 00:15:24,200 --> 00:15:27,639 Speaker 5: You already set the price to build a pilot model 256 00:15:27,720 --> 00:15:31,399 based on this sample. No, great, expenditure a hundred of 257 00:15:31,480 --> 00:15:34,080 the cost of your behemoth sitting out there in your 258 00:15:34,320 --> 00:15:40,039 building yard. Three other things, a workshop, expert, mechanical assistance, 259 00:15:40,679 --> 00:15:42,480 and an answer to one question. 260 00:15:43,600 --> 00:15:44,320 Speaker 2: What is your question? 261 00:15:45,120 --> 00:15:47,840 Speaker 5: Why do you want so much to build this ship? 262 00:15:48,960 --> 00:15:59,360 Speaker 4: Frankly, because I love power, because I'm ambitious. I want 263 00:15:59,360 --> 00:16:02,000 to be the first to conquer space, because if I 264 00:16:02,039 --> 00:16:07,399 can do it, it'll make me greater, richer, stronger than 265 00:16:07,399 --> 00:16:10,720 any man has ever been. I want to be the 266 00:16:10,759 --> 00:16:14,399 master not only of one world. 267 00:16:14,720 --> 00:16:15,639 Speaker 2: But of worlds. 268 00:16:16,279 --> 00:16:18,840 Speaker 5: That's an honest answer. But is it the only one? 269 00:16:18,919 --> 00:16:20,879 Speaker 4: You see those letters and go on the prow of 270 00:16:20,960 --> 00:16:25,679 my ship. Crowded folly, that's what they named it. That's 271 00:16:25,679 --> 00:16:28,720 what they think of me. I want to cram those 272 00:16:28,759 --> 00:16:31,919 words down their petidal throats and let them eat mud. 273 00:16:32,879 --> 00:16:34,559 Speaker 2: That's another answer, And that's. 274 00:16:34,399 --> 00:16:37,559 Speaker 5: All that is as far as your thinking goes. 275 00:16:37,679 --> 00:16:39,399 Speaker 2: What other answer is there to your question? 276 00:16:39,639 --> 00:16:42,360 Speaker 5: Is my own answer? I want to leave this planet 277 00:16:42,440 --> 00:16:45,919 and go elsewhere, to Mars, perhaps because there are strange 278 00:16:45,960 --> 00:16:49,440 wonders yet to be found, Because there will be scarlet 279 00:16:49,480 --> 00:16:53,840 sunsets over barren wastes, and in the starstrewn night, the 280 00:16:53,919 --> 00:16:57,960 thin cold air of a dying world, stirring and restless 281 00:16:58,000 --> 00:17:05,519 size across the valley the dry canals. You may laugh 282 00:17:05,920 --> 00:17:09,400 out loud if you wish, mister Crowdon, I would prefer 283 00:17:09,480 --> 00:17:13,160 that to the peculiar, repressed smile you are now exhibiting. 284 00:17:15,160 --> 00:17:17,599 Speaker 4: You're a very lucky man, mister Wilkins, and that you 285 00:17:17,680 --> 00:17:21,559 have scientific talent, because your talents is a poet, are 286 00:17:21,640 --> 00:17:26,319 inferior and very sentimental. All right, you're a sentimentalist and 287 00:17:26,359 --> 00:17:29,480 I'm a man of action. No matter, we can work together, 288 00:17:29,480 --> 00:17:32,359 you and I. Your workshop will be ready by morning. 289 00:17:32,759 --> 00:17:34,200 I don't need to hear from you again till you 290 00:17:34,200 --> 00:17:36,319 have suddenly to show me. If you need to see me, 291 00:17:36,400 --> 00:17:38,880 call me day or night. I'll be available, but don't 292 00:17:38,920 --> 00:17:41,400 bother me with details because I probably won't understand what 293 00:17:41,440 --> 00:17:43,759 you're talking about anyhow. If you need money or materials 294 00:17:43,799 --> 00:17:47,119 or personnel, just how my engineers. You'll get it or 295 00:17:47,160 --> 00:17:48,200 I'll know the reason why. 296 00:17:49,000 --> 00:17:50,759 Speaker 2: That's all, Thank you, sir. 297 00:17:54,839 --> 00:18:08,519 Speaker 4: Ms Holmes, get me my engineers. Yes, mister Crowder, we 298 00:18:08,640 --> 00:18:11,319 have fifty men working on preserving that ustless hulk out 299 00:18:11,319 --> 00:18:12,599 there in the construction yards. 300 00:18:13,000 --> 00:18:15,799 Speaker 2: Lay them off. The shiny o deteriorate. If we do that, sir, 301 00:18:15,880 --> 00:18:18,400 let it rot lay them off. Yes, sir. 302 00:18:18,799 --> 00:18:20,839 Speaker 4: How many other employees are still working for us on 303 00:18:20,880 --> 00:18:23,079 the project, about. 304 00:18:23,359 --> 00:18:26,200 Speaker 2: Three thousand, sir, including the people working on experimental motors. 305 00:18:26,200 --> 00:18:30,119 Get rid of them, sir, get rid of them. Mister Crowder, 306 00:18:30,640 --> 00:18:32,920 I never thought you dropped this project. You were so adam. 307 00:18:33,039 --> 00:18:36,000 Speaker 4: I'm not dropping anything but dead. Would you saw what 308 00:18:36,039 --> 00:18:39,599 Wilkins had to offer. He's my man, and the rest 309 00:18:39,640 --> 00:18:42,000 is junk and nonsense, Mister Crowder. 310 00:18:41,599 --> 00:18:44,680 Speaker 2: He might fail. We ought to have a minimum of protection. 311 00:18:44,880 --> 00:18:47,720 Speaker 4: I say he won't fail. I know the goods when 312 00:18:47,759 --> 00:18:50,000 I see it. The rest is nonsense. 313 00:18:50,039 --> 00:18:52,680 Speaker 1: Several of the experimenters were making much greater progress than 314 00:18:52,720 --> 00:18:53,680 I thought was possible. 315 00:18:54,200 --> 00:18:57,000 Speaker 2: There are great opportunities there. I'm not interested, not only 316 00:18:57,039 --> 00:18:58,400 in the field of spaceship, sir. 317 00:18:59,240 --> 00:19:02,079 Speaker 1: One man a motor no bigger than a football, which 318 00:19:02,119 --> 00:19:04,680 will drive an automobile twenty four hours on four cents 319 00:19:04,680 --> 00:19:05,319 worth of fuel. 320 00:19:05,680 --> 00:19:08,480 Speaker 2: It's almost finished. Side interesting. It will be a great 321 00:19:08,480 --> 00:19:10,960 benefit to mankind, Sir. Your name will go down, My 322 00:19:11,160 --> 00:19:14,000 name will go down in history for this spaceship. The 323 00:19:14,079 --> 00:19:16,279 profits in such a motor, Sir, I have. 324 00:19:16,200 --> 00:19:18,119 Speaker 4: More money now than I even know how to count. 325 00:19:18,119 --> 00:19:23,480 And when I make my spaceflight, i'll have more than that. Yes, 326 00:19:23,720 --> 00:19:26,480 you just lay everybody off that isn't needed, give them 327 00:19:26,480 --> 00:19:29,519 two weeks pay and my thanks for a thankless job 328 00:19:29,559 --> 00:19:30,079 well done. 329 00:19:31,240 --> 00:19:33,880 Speaker 2: That's all, yes, sir, I'll get it done. 330 00:19:33,920 --> 00:19:36,000 Speaker 4: So one more thing. There's no need to let the 331 00:19:36,000 --> 00:19:40,440 folly rot, dismantle it. Sell the basic materials we don't need. 332 00:19:40,519 --> 00:19:44,720 Salvage whatever will be useful to us. That's all yes. 333 00:19:45,720 --> 00:19:48,559 And ten years or twenty years, and I do the 334 00:19:48,599 --> 00:19:52,839 same thing. That's why you're an engineer and I'm an executive. 335 00:19:53,480 --> 00:19:56,599 That's why you work for me, because when I have to, 336 00:19:57,359 --> 00:20:00,519 I can be ruthless with my own mistakes. When a 337 00:20:00,559 --> 00:20:03,480 thing has lost it's usefulness to me, I get rid 338 00:20:03,480 --> 00:20:03,759 of it. 339 00:20:06,440 --> 00:20:11,440 Speaker 1: Well, I was just thinking, mister Crowder, what would happen 340 00:20:11,519 --> 00:20:14,240 to me if my usefulness to you were over? 341 00:20:15,119 --> 00:20:16,759 Speaker 2: I've worked for you twenty years now. 342 00:20:16,880 --> 00:20:19,720 Speaker 4: That just don't give me any occasion to consider your 343 00:20:19,839 --> 00:20:21,079 usefulness terminated. 344 00:20:22,000 --> 00:20:27,319 Speaker 2: That oughtn't to be too hard. What, well, nothing, sir, 345 00:20:28,279 --> 00:20:44,599 I'll make the arrangements at once. Oh yeah, what do 346 00:20:44,640 --> 00:20:44,880 you want? 347 00:20:44,960 --> 00:20:47,079 Speaker 4: I tried to stop him last figu up man. 348 00:20:47,279 --> 00:20:50,960 Speaker 7: My name is Jarvis Ustuli. I'm an electronics expert. 349 00:20:51,039 --> 00:20:53,240 Speaker 2: Ah, yes, I remember you're the Indian. Come in, come in. 350 00:20:53,799 --> 00:20:54,839 Speaker 3: Do you want me, sir? 351 00:20:54,880 --> 00:20:57,440 Speaker 4: I never mind, miss home, just stay outside closet door 352 00:20:57,440 --> 00:20:58,119 behind him. 353 00:21:00,200 --> 00:21:01,720 Speaker 2: Anxiously thank you. 354 00:21:01,880 --> 00:21:04,960 Speaker 7: No, I want to give you a gift before I leave. 355 00:21:05,039 --> 00:21:09,359 Speaker 4: Oh you leaving? I thought we still needed you. I resigned, 356 00:21:10,400 --> 00:21:13,240 sorry to hear that, and told you're a good man. 357 00:21:13,440 --> 00:21:17,279 I want you to understand what's behind this gift. I 358 00:21:17,400 --> 00:21:20,279 was working on a power project in my country which 359 00:21:20,279 --> 00:21:22,440 would have meant a tremendous rice in the standard of 360 00:21:22,440 --> 00:21:25,799 living for millions of my people. I was unable to 361 00:21:25,839 --> 00:21:28,599 resist the money you offered. Well, had you resisted, even 362 00:21:28,599 --> 00:21:29,960 more money would have been forthcoming. 363 00:21:30,000 --> 00:21:31,720 Speaker 2: I placed no limit on your worth to me. 364 00:21:31,920 --> 00:21:35,759 Speaker 7: I understand. But you see I did not come without 365 00:21:35,759 --> 00:21:38,720 a sense of guilt because there was no one in 366 00:21:38,720 --> 00:21:41,960 my country who could take my place. I would assume that, 367 00:21:42,400 --> 00:21:46,000 And now I discover that what I did was for nothing. 368 00:21:46,720 --> 00:21:50,279 The spaceship on which I worked is being dismantled. 369 00:21:50,279 --> 00:21:54,759 Speaker 2: That's right. So I have been corrupted by you at 370 00:21:54,799 --> 00:21:55,240 a whim. 371 00:21:56,519 --> 00:21:59,960 Speaker 7: I think you have too much power, sir, I think 372 00:22:00,200 --> 00:22:03,440 you use your power for evil selfish purpose. 373 00:22:03,599 --> 00:22:07,799 Speaker 4: Selfish yes, evil, No, only sentimentality is evil. 374 00:22:07,880 --> 00:22:09,200 Speaker 2: I think otherwise. 375 00:22:10,279 --> 00:22:13,319 Speaker 7: And so in order that you shall not corrupt anyone else, 376 00:22:13,880 --> 00:22:15,359 I have this gift for you. 377 00:22:16,039 --> 00:22:20,960 Speaker 2: Here you are, sir, and just. 378 00:22:21,119 --> 00:22:24,079 Speaker 7: One more shot for good, measure to make sure you're 379 00:22:24,240 --> 00:22:25,279 really dead. 380 00:22:26,880 --> 00:22:41,119 Speaker 2: Good, Miss Holmes. 381 00:22:42,400 --> 00:22:44,000 Speaker 4: As a man in his way out by the name 382 00:22:44,000 --> 00:22:46,880 of the job, he's usedually an engineer. He's not to 383 00:22:46,880 --> 00:22:49,880 be molested. He probably won't stop in the cashier. So 384 00:22:49,920 --> 00:22:51,799 I want to check for six months salary in advanced 385 00:22:51,799 --> 00:22:55,640 mail with his home address. The man showed a certain 386 00:22:55,720 --> 00:23:00,680 quality of ruthlessness which is deserving of recognition. Oh and uh, 387 00:23:01,359 --> 00:23:03,400 have the chief of the company police bring me a 388 00:23:03,440 --> 00:23:07,279 new bulletproof vest. This one seems to have been dent 389 00:23:07,359 --> 00:23:08,559 in a couple of places. 390 00:23:15,960 --> 00:23:19,359 Speaker 1: A new spaceship, according to Wilkins plans, as executed by 391 00:23:19,400 --> 00:23:23,559 Crowder's engineers, was finished within four months. It was small, 392 00:23:23,599 --> 00:23:26,319 It was shaped like a disk. It gleamed brightly even 393 00:23:26,319 --> 00:23:30,599 in the smoky haze of an October sunset. Inside crowd room, 394 00:23:30,640 --> 00:23:32,920 mister Wilkins, in a small cubicle at the heart of 395 00:23:32,960 --> 00:23:37,799 the machine, sat surrounded by many instruments of a complicated nature. Outside, 396 00:23:37,920 --> 00:23:41,799 huge crowds gathered to witness the test. They stirred and murmured, 397 00:23:41,799 --> 00:23:44,839 waiting restlessly as inside the control room of the craft 398 00:23:45,240 --> 00:23:48,920 Wilkins installed the final secret party had not revealed to 399 00:23:48,960 --> 00:23:51,240 those who built his driving apparatus. 400 00:23:56,319 --> 00:23:57,599 Speaker 2: Well, Wilkins, what's holding us up? 401 00:23:57,680 --> 00:24:01,799 Speaker 5: Nothing new, oh sentiment? A wish to look funce more 402 00:24:01,880 --> 00:24:07,240 on Earth's familiar scenes. Yeah, now the screening is removed. Look, 403 00:24:07,680 --> 00:24:08,839 look at the people out there. 404 00:24:09,599 --> 00:24:12,480 Speaker 4: Never mind looking out there. Let's say that thing closed. 405 00:24:12,759 --> 00:24:13,920 You're a sentimental fool? 406 00:24:16,200 --> 00:24:17,440 Speaker 2: Or are you afraid? 407 00:24:18,599 --> 00:24:20,359 Speaker 4: Or did you decide at the last minute that your 408 00:24:20,359 --> 00:24:21,279 invention would work? 409 00:24:21,559 --> 00:24:26,480 Speaker 5: It will work. Sit down, mister Crowder. Thank you. Do 410 00:24:26,599 --> 00:24:29,039 me a favor when I press this button? Will you 411 00:24:29,279 --> 00:24:31,680 please press the button on the arm of the chair 412 00:24:31,960 --> 00:24:34,400 in which you're seated. I'll tell you when. 413 00:24:34,319 --> 00:24:35,160 Speaker 2: Turn on your motor. 414 00:24:35,920 --> 00:24:37,680 Speaker 4: I want to hear its roar and feel its tug 415 00:24:37,720 --> 00:24:40,000 as we cut loose from Earth's gravity and fly outward 416 00:24:40,039 --> 00:24:44,880 into space. That might be a moment in which I'd 417 00:24:44,920 --> 00:24:46,200 share your sentimentality. 418 00:24:46,359 --> 00:24:48,599 Speaker 5: Press your button now, sir, Thank you? 419 00:24:49,319 --> 00:24:56,240 Speaker 4: Yeah, when can I beginning to distrust you? If this 420 00:24:56,359 --> 00:24:59,160 is all a hoax, why are we going to take off? 421 00:24:59,160 --> 00:25:01,519 You said it five and it's two minutes after five. 422 00:25:01,599 --> 00:25:04,240 Speaker 2: Now, well do we move it? 423 00:25:04,319 --> 00:25:04,640 Speaker 4: Don't we? 424 00:25:04,880 --> 00:25:08,920 Speaker 5: Mister Crowder, We're already moving. The button you pushed was 425 00:25:08,960 --> 00:25:12,200 to nullify the effects of acceleration. If you don't mind, sir, 426 00:25:12,599 --> 00:25:17,279 I'd like to open the screen again. No care, look 427 00:25:18,000 --> 00:25:22,160 see for yourself, Wilkins. 428 00:25:23,319 --> 00:25:24,039 Speaker 2: We're in space. 429 00:25:25,599 --> 00:25:29,400 Speaker 5: Look down at the Earth. How far we've come. It's 430 00:25:29,440 --> 00:25:34,519 not bigger than a toy balloon. No dying, no a 431 00:25:34,640 --> 00:25:41,880 firefly man. Man Wilkins, you've done it. Yes, I swore 432 00:25:42,039 --> 00:25:44,960 to be the first man to conquer space, and I've 433 00:25:45,000 --> 00:25:45,400 done it. 434 00:25:46,359 --> 00:25:48,920 Speaker 2: It's a triumph of power and ambition. 435 00:25:49,079 --> 00:25:53,240 Speaker 5: And send my sentiment your moreer than dreaming would have 436 00:25:53,319 --> 00:25:54,720 died on Borne except for me. 437 00:25:56,160 --> 00:25:57,799 Speaker 2: I made this possible, Wilkins. 438 00:25:57,920 --> 00:26:02,680 Speaker 5: Don't you ever forget that, My cat, my forcefulness, my will. 439 00:26:04,160 --> 00:26:09,119 Look out there space stars that never were seen from Earth. 440 00:26:10,240 --> 00:26:11,400 Speaker 2: And this is only the beginning. 441 00:26:12,119 --> 00:26:14,400 Speaker 5: We'll build a larger model, one great enough to hold 442 00:26:14,440 --> 00:26:18,599 one hundred men, a thousand and cargo. Besides, whoever wants 443 00:26:18,599 --> 00:26:19,480 to leave Earth this. 444 00:26:19,400 --> 00:26:23,640 Speaker 2: Moment must come to me. I am the Master of 445 00:26:23,720 --> 00:26:24,559 the Planets. 446 00:26:27,279 --> 00:26:32,920 Speaker 5: Yeah, all right, Wilkinson, turn back now? 447 00:26:34,319 --> 00:26:43,000 Speaker 2: No, h I said, turn back? No, Well we proved 448 00:26:43,000 --> 00:26:44,720 the ship can fly. Now now turn back. 449 00:26:45,039 --> 00:26:47,160 Speaker 4: I want to start working once in preparation for the 450 00:26:47,200 --> 00:26:48,079 long flights to come. 451 00:26:48,279 --> 00:26:50,559 Speaker 5: Not so we will go on. 452 00:26:50,720 --> 00:26:51,880 Speaker 2: What are you doing defying me? 453 00:26:52,920 --> 00:26:55,640 Speaker 5: I'll break your puny little body into paces and you 454 00:26:55,799 --> 00:26:56,720 control this ship. 455 00:26:56,759 --> 00:26:57,359 Speaker 2: Mister Crowder. 456 00:26:57,400 --> 00:26:59,480 Speaker 5: Would you like to be stranded out here in space? 457 00:26:59,720 --> 00:27:02,759 Just to drift in space without control? Would you like that? 458 00:27:02,960 --> 00:27:03,440 Speaker 2: Turn back? 459 00:27:05,920 --> 00:27:06,240 Speaker 1: No? 460 00:27:07,680 --> 00:27:11,079 Speaker 2: What's the matter with you? Are you out of your mind? 461 00:27:11,240 --> 00:27:15,000 Speaker 5: Oh? I am a sentimentalist, mister Crowder. Your money and 462 00:27:15,119 --> 00:27:18,160 ambition paved the way, that's true. But sentiment was the 463 00:27:18,240 --> 00:27:22,640 vital factor that sent me to you. Sentiment, sir. You see, 464 00:27:22,640 --> 00:27:25,839 mister Crowder, I wanted to go home. 465 00:27:25,839 --> 00:27:32,839 Speaker 2: Home, home. You are out of your mind. 466 00:27:33,319 --> 00:27:37,119 Speaker 5: You will forgive me if I remove these primitive clothes. 467 00:27:41,680 --> 00:27:42,920 Speaker 2: Who are you? 468 00:27:42,960 --> 00:27:47,279 Speaker 5: Oh it's all right, mister Crowder. I hold no special 469 00:27:47,359 --> 00:27:51,359 malice towards you. There's no need to be so terrified. 470 00:27:51,559 --> 00:27:56,359 Because you've had your first close look at a Martian. 471 00:28:12,559 --> 00:28:14,880 Speaker 1: You have just heard X minus one presented by the 472 00:28:14,960 --> 00:28:18,960 National Broadcasting Company in cooperation with Street and Smith, publishers 473 00:28:18,960 --> 00:28:23,359 of Astounding science fiction. Tonight by Transcription X minus one 474 00:28:23,359 --> 00:28:26,720 has Brought You The Vital Factor by Nelson Bond, as 475 00:28:26,720 --> 00:28:30,279 adapted for radio by Howard Rodman. Featured in the cast 476 00:28:30,319 --> 00:28:35,960 were Joe DeSantis, Guy Currell, John McGovern, Rant Richards Louis 477 00:28:36,000 --> 00:28:40,799 Van Ruten, Richard Hamilton, and Florence Williams. Your announcer, Fred Collins. 478 00:28:41,359 --> 00:28:44,759 X minus one was directed by Daniel Sutter and is 479 00:28:44,799 --> 00:28:46,799 an NBC Radio Network production 480 00:29:01,599 --> 00:29:02,960 Speaker 3: O